I HEART these!!! My February FAVORITES!

Happy LOVE month! And even though that little groundhog saw his shadow and we will have 6 more weeks of winter (at least!) I have found some AWESOME things for you to enjoy!

1. Jesus. My number 1 man...always. if you have never taken the time to build a relationship with Him...this is YOUR chance! He is the BEST Valentine you could ask for. He loves you when you are messy,and raw, and hurting, and happy. True love. TRUE.

2. Sharpie Pens. WHY has it taken me so long to find and adore these pens? They are perfection.

3. My kiddos. I know, I know...you can't have them...but I just really really love them. Motherhood is HARD and exhausting and happy and fun at the same time. Love on your kids, girls. LOVE on them as much as you can. They will thank you for it when they are older. I promise you that.

4. Moleskin notebooks. All of them. I am using a Moleskin calendar for all of my "out of the house" activities, and LOVE it's portability. I also love that each week has the "day grid" but also a FULL blank page for notes. AND....for someone who is ALWAYS writing something down...I just love it to infinity!
My current journal  (I burn through  about  1 per month) is the Moleskin grid paper kind. It's a nifty spin on regular writing lines. Loving it!

5. KLOVE radio.
It's no secret that I LOVE me some Christian Contemporary Music. Well...a game changer occurred this past summer and KLOVE began broadcasting on a local signal that I could receive at HOME! I have loved KLOVE on road trips etc. and I love it even MORE now that I can listen to it all day long! Want to take the 30 day challenge? Listen to nothing but Christian music for 30 days and see how much it impacts your life! www.klove.com

6.Nonnie Blankies. Again...you can't get one. But they are our favorite snuggle friend during this chilly season. My mom made all of the kids a blanket for Christmas last year, as well as my sister and I.  We LOVE these blankets. It's as if my Mama sewed a bit of her heart right into them. My boys say that "Nonnie is hugging them" when they curl up with their blankie.

7. Kindle Fire HDX.
Again, no secret that I am anti-apple. [the electronics NOT the fruit!!! Phew]
So, when I was in the market for a tablet- to use for homeschooling  tasks, music, video and reading- I did a TON of research. The reviews pointed to Amazon.
I am obsessed with all things Amazon. (Duh, where else can you avoid going out into the frozen tundra to get dishwasher soap and have it delivered to your doorstep 24 hours later? YUP...just did that) So....Amazon Kindle Fire HDX it was! And it is every single bit as brilliant as all of the reviews said it would be. I am in love. ♡

8. JAMBERRY NAILS!
I have always had a nail polish obsession. I have blogged about many of my "favorite" nail products. Don't get me wrong, I DO love all of the previous mentioned products, BUT...Jamberry is a GAME CHANGER. NO chemicals in them, on them or when taking them off. A bazillion  designs. Safe, easy, fun. 1 sheet of nails gets you  FOUR mani/pedis!!! $15 for FOUR!?!...I will take that ANY day! AND When you buy 3 you get one FREE....always. LOVE.
www.daniteeple.jamberry.com

9. Jen Hatmaker.
Period.
Talk about a woman completely  WRECKED for Jesus. Jen has been writing Christian books for a while now. She has been making her rounds on the speaker circuit, and recently filmed an HGTV special- highliting the renovation of her new home alongside her Pastor husband Brandon. One of Jens books that has REALLY impacted the way I "do life" is
INTERRUPTED . Jen  released an updated version of the book a few months back and I recommend reading it to ANYONE who wants to deepen their relationship with the Lord, and live a more intentional life.
www.jenhatmaker.com

10.  Pen and Paper
We live in a digital world. There is no way around it. However, the physical act of putting pen to paper is one that is therapeutic in a way that goes MUCH deeper than "You just don't like change".
Here are some stats:

• writing things down, pen to paper, aids in brain development  and cognitive processing
• it actually slows you down. ..which is GOOD FOR YOU. We live in such a GO GO GO world, that it is "expected" of you to always be moving. Writing things long hand vs typing slows you down in a way that will make you think and process your thoughts.
• limits distractions! Just now...as I am typing this, I got a beep for facebook, a beep for Instagram a beep for email and and text message. Turn off your electronics and curl up with your journal. You never know what you  could create!
• CREATIVITY. Goodness...creativity is my favorite personal attribute. It is my favorite trait of my children...my favorite aspect of education, that I am able to preserve by homeschooling them. When nothing is distracting your focus...you CAN delve into the depths of your imagination and BE CREATIVE.

That's it for this month, my friends. Take some time to enjoy LOVING yourself. You will be amazed by how much easier it is to love on everyone else...when you love yourself.

{beBlessed} and have a GREAT day!
♡

"You is kind, You is smart, You is important"

It's been 6 weeks.

It's been 6 weeks since I last published anything.

There haven't been any major life events that prohibited me from writing. Just life. And...life can take twists and turns that are so unexpected and weird and profound that instead of sharing it all, I needed to let it soak in. Let it all resonate in my heart, so that I could live this life,that I have been given, with intention and faith.

That's really the key. Intentional  living.

I am so tired of trying to PROVE levels of success and  effort and reasoning. I have made the pledge time and time again that I was going to "live for me and not care about anyone else"
Seriously, though. How many of us can truly do that? The enemy gets into our heads...(and the hearts of others) and after fighting the good fight consistently for a while. ..we are back at the same spot.
Was my Christmas gift good enough for them?

Did I sound ok when I sang that?

Do I look fat?

Is my house clean enough to have them over?

Ugh...their house  is SO nice.

It's never ending.

Don't pretend that you don't do this. Everyone does.

The sad fact is, though, many of you really believe  that the answers to those questions are important. That you MUST display perfection at all times. Keeping up appearances and expectations and social status on a daily basis is EXHAUSTING.

and... "I ain't got time for that"

I want to....wait -I wholeheartedly  DESIRE to live my life intentionally. Intentional for my children and husband and friends and family, but most of all for my Jesus.

He was perfect. He was the only one. The ONLY sinless human being on earth (after Eve ate the dang apple). Don't be fooled. NO ONE else  on this earth has been, is or will be...sinless.

And, without sin one can be said to be flawless. Jesus was.

What is perfection though?
A perfect body is one without flaw.

Beauty. Beautiful. Pretty. Skinny. Tan...

Societal paramemters...not biblical.

Which is more important to you? The 100 years on earth trying to look perfect, or the infinitive years in heaven living the ultimate perfection?

Can ya'll visualize the picture I'm trying to draw for you?

Jesus was PERFECT.
NO ONE else was.

He LOVED the imperfect. ADORED the blatantly flawed. And is actively seeking to LOVE on YOUR crazy imperfections.

The ONLY standards that I plan on living up to are God's.

"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standards" Romans 3:23

And its ok. I know that I will never compare to the perfect, flawless image that Jesus set forth. But I DO know that He is the only standard I need to live by.
Not my neighbor. Not a magazine.
Not a movie.

Just Jesus.

So, forgive me for taking some time to just soak it all in. I have been given the task of raising these 3 little boys to live authentically. I can't do that-  if I'm not.

I pray that you, too, find some peace and balance of intentional living. God is ALWAYS right here with us. It's crazy that I forget that sometimes. He is as close as saying, " I need you right now." He is here.

I plan to be back to a normal publishing schedule this week. Get ready for an all new super amazing Favorite Things list on Sunday!

Please. Take time for YOU. Get to know your God.  Don't stress over unimportant  things. Use your gifts. Help those in need and remember that the ONLY standard worth working towards  is the one set forth by THE ONE.

{beBlessed } and Have a GREAT day!

He is almost here!

Hello my friends!
I hope that the last 19 days has been peaceful, joyous,  happy and meaningful for all of you.
I have been spending my days teaching my children and trying to stayed grounded- amidst the chaos that surrounds us all during this season.
I don't know if I am just getting OLD or if it is something more profound in my heart, but whatever it is...I find myself drawn to my own home with my own family this year.
I used to be the fool waiting in line with the masses at Rockefeller plaza for that massive tree to be lit,  the first one in lone to see Santa at Macy's...with my children perfectly outfitted for photos.
This year though, I have enjoyed so much more. Something different. Home. Our giant tree that we cut down as a family. The gingerbread houses that we made with such a MESS! The singing of Christmas songs and memorizing scripture for the Christmas play, the handmade ornaments, the world vision gifts and the feeling of contentment has overwhelmed me.
Family.
A family is what we are celebrating this season. The beginning of real family.
A family of three. An unlikely family of three.
Mary was pregnant,  Joseph KNEW the baby was not his.  But, God came through.  He showed Joseph that His love was SO strong, SO safe, SO pure.  He helped Joseph to see that it didn't matter what anyone else thought. That HE was the only judge that mattered, and that HIS love was safe.-That HE would provide.

Joseph believe in God. Joseph believed in salvation. And, because Joseph believed...a family was born.  In a tiny manger,  in the little town of Bethlehem, the City of David.

The only twinkling lights were stars, the only gifts were those given to the Babe in honor of what HE was going to GIVE us.

He gave us FAMILY.  A family of believers. A family with love and light and hope. A family who looks towards the JOY of this season, as the birth of our salvation.

Pray with me?
Lord, guide our hearts in the same way that you guided Joseph's heart so many years ago. That we may feel Your safe, true love.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.

{beBlessed} and have a GREAT day!

DECEMBER FAVORITE THINGS!!!

I am SO excited to share this list with you! I am even more excited to give away one of these AMAZING products!

Here is the scoop!:

1. Read this blog post.
2. If you do not already follow the blog- become a follower.
3. In the COMMENTS under THIS POST  [December Favorite Things], tell me:
     1. Which favorite thing would you like to be blessed with?
     2. Who would you bless a VEGGIE TALES NATIVITY SET with? Why?
     3. Your email address (I will not spam you,  this is just to contact you if you are chosen!)
4. Share the link to this December Favorite Things blog post to a social media site. Either Facebook or Instagram and hash tag #thefarmeranddanielle

***if you are randomly chosen as the "winner", You will receive the item that you mentioned in your comment AND a Veggie Tales Nativity Playset to either give your own children or to bless another!***

You must enter prior to Monday, December 8th to ensure delivery before Christmas! 

Here we go!
1. WOW Hits 2015
The BEST contemporary Christian music of the year!

2. In The Manger by Max Lucado
A collection of 25 stories to prepare your heart for the Light of Christ.

3. The Jesus Story Book Bible
This book was given to my children last Christmas.  We use it daily. Beautifully written and GORGEOUSLY illustrated.

4.  i Disciple
This app is no joke. It is a one stop shop for all things Jesus. A daily tool to help you do life.  Choose your favorite authors, pastors, worship leaders and put them into your feed. Videos, articles, songs and more to guide your day. For as little as $4.99 per month! LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!

   

5. A Christmas Carol
The book.  The movie. The musical.
Scrooge is a character that encompasses all of the emotions in this world. Dickens exaggerated the flaws that we all possess to teach us the greatest lesson of life... nothing is more important than LOVE. (I taught this story for many years,  can you tell?)

6. The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
A beautiful story with even more beautiful illustration.

7.  A Christmas to Believe In
A Christmas album like no other. Matthew West wrote the title song specifically for this album. Mandisa, Toby Mac and Kari Jobe amongst others join MW for an AWESOME compilation cd.

8.  Capital Kids HITS
Teach your kids to worship at home, in the car...ANYWHERE! The songs that I LOVE sung by kids so my kids want to (and DO) sing along!

9. Monumental by Kirk Cameron
Wow. Just...wow.
I don't know how I just watched this like last week. Amazing. Eye opening. Reaffirming. Our country WAS built on the foundation of GOD!

10. Magnetic: Becoming the Girl He Wants by, Lynn Cowell
Awesome. Inspiring. Must read.

11. VeggieTales Nativity Playset (goes to one lucky winner!!!)

12. A Muppet Christmas Carol
Who doesn't want to be singing "We're Marley and Marley" all season? ;-)

13. Eccolo journal notebooks

Love them. Small enough to bring with you anywhere. Large enough to write enough. Quality paper and fun colors.

14. Dolly Bows!
The last one I got came from Latvia! Gorgeous. Beautifully made. The Singing Trumpet shop on Etsy.

15. Women of the Word by Jen Wilkinson

A  guide for how to study the Bible with both our hearts and our minds.

16.  Moleskin Daily Planner

I know that I have previously sworn by another daily planner.  However, this moleskin is small enough to bring with me EVERYWHERE! Love it!

17. Pearl Drop earrings from Kallos Designs on etsy

Comfortable, classy earrings

18.  Naptime Diaries Advent devotional and calendar.  Ya'll know that I love everything Jess Connolly and Naptime Diaries. www.naptimediaries.com

19. Young Living Essential Oils CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

This blend is THE best scent. THIS is how Christmas truly smells. www.youngliving.com distributer #1401485

20,  Jesus.He is the light, The way. The truth.The REASON for the season. Rejoice in His name and celebrate His coming.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS

{beBlessed} and have a beautiful night.

Don't forget to enter to win one of these amazing products AND a Veggie Tales Nativity play set!

Feliz Navidad! Let GENEROSITY abound!

Hello ya'll and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I am refreshed and full of gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon our family.
God is so good and He always provides.

After a season of thankfulness for all that we have, it only makes sense to turn our hearts towards GIVING and blessing OTHERS.

The boys put together shoes boxes for Operation Christmas Child and it was such a JOY to take each of them shopping for their child. Their little hearts wanted to share all of their favorite things with a child somewhere in the world, who may be getting gifts for Christmas for the first time ever! Can you even process that? The football, books and silly putty that my babies put in a Rubbermaid box- will be the FIRST GIFTS EVER for 3 little boys somewhere in the world!
So, it got me thinking. What can I give to the people who have truly blessed me?
Over the past year, I have been blessed with little trinkets and books and bibles and subscriptions and... awesomness! I have listed these things in my favorite things list each month, and I think it is time to pay it forward a bit.
SO...I have decided to do a Christmas giveaway and contest all rolled into one!

Here is the scoop!:
1. Read my December Favorite Things blog post.
2. If you do not already follow the blog- become a follower.
3. In the COMMENTS under the December Favorite Things BLOG POST, tell me:
     1. Which favorite thing you think that you would like best. (Choose between numbers 1-10 only)
     2. Why do you think you would like it best?
     3. Your email address (I will not spam you,  this is just to contact you if you ste chosen!)
4. Share the link to the December Favorite Things blog post to a social media site. Either Facebook or Instagram and hash tag #thefarmeranddanielle

***if you are randomly chosen as the "winner", You will receive the item that you mentioned in your comment AND a Veggie Tales Nativity Playset to either give your own children or to bless another!***

You must enter prior to Monday, December 8th to ensure delivery before Christmas! 
Stay tuned for the list to go LIVE tonight!!!

{BeBlessed} and have a GREAT day!

An Attitude of Gratitude...

I couldn't enter into the month of November, without my blog theme centering around some form of being thankful.  We ALL have SO much to be thankful for. If you are reading this- you:
#1 know HOW to read
#2 have access to a computer or smart phone
#3 have internet access
#4 have ELECTRICITY
You also,  most likely, have running water, an indoor plumbing, a car, a home with heat, clothing, possibly designer clothing, an education, ... and my list could continue.

If you live in the US, you have freedoms that others can only DREAM about! [Shout out to my readers in Germany, France, Canada, and Australia...you are blessed with many liberties, as well]

WE are SO BLESSED.

The reality is, though, there are more people living "without" than we think.

We can't escape the news media.  We can SEE and HEAR the terrible things that are happening in countries that don't have the freedoms that we do.

We see commercials with starving children, who don't know when they are going to get their first meal.

There are families right HERE in our country, who have lost their homes, lost their jobs, lost their families, lost EVERYTHING.


We, by showing true GRATITUDE for what we HAVE...can ultimately bless someone else.

Yes. you read that correctly.  If WE, express our pure GRATITUDE to our Lord, giving thanks for all that we HAVE, We have the ability to BLESS others.

You see, showing gratitude, or giving thanks, or being thankful, or saying thank-you is SO much more than a quick action.

Saying "thank you" is an action.  A verb. Something that is done quickly.  When I wake up in the morning, I open my journal to do my devotions and I write out all of the things that I am thankful for-all of my blessings. Then, I close my journal and go about my day.
Saying thank you is the first step to expressing gratitude, but it is not the ONLY step.

Gratitude,  as defined in the Webster's dictionary, is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

the QUALITY of being thankful, the READINESS to SHOW appreciation for and to return KINDNESS.

What is my definition of gratitude?

GRATITUDE: The readiness and ability to show kindness to all of God's creation.  To demonstrate a quality of life through the appreciation of others' actions and their NEEDS.

You see, we can not truly express gratitude by simply saying "thanks for helping me."  We don't show REAL gratitude for this life, until we are able to say, "Hey, is there anything that I can help YOU with?"

Hebrews 12:28 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

Psalm 96: 1-3

1 Sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,

   

Matthew 20:28  28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Ephesians 6:7  7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.

If we are truly expressing our thanks to our Lord, we must also then SERVE Him in the ways in which he instructed us to do so. He tells us to go out, share the gospel, share the truth, share the life of Christ.

ThanksGIVING.  

Let us all take this month of November. Make sure that we offer our thanks to the Lord for ALL of our blessings. But, also, let us go out and SERVE. What can YOU do to share the love of Christ? What does YOUR service look like? Do you have the heart for street ministry?  Do you have an extra hour each week to sit at the nursing home and read from the Word? Do you have a voice to share music?  Do you have the means to bless a family with winter coats? Do you have the means to travel to another continent and care for the sick and hungry? What ever YOUR abilities are, use them to SERVE. Not only our Lord, but EACH OTHER.

I think that we have A LOT to be thankful for. Amen?

{beBlessed} and have a GREAT day!

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles...

NOVEMBER!
WOW!
These are a few of my Favorite Things!
1. The end of a bountiful harvest

2. My husband- it is so nice to have him back "home"!

3. My babies
4. Our parents
5. My church family. It isn't easy to make a church move. It is, actually,  REALLY hard. But, we have been welcomed with open arms. Thank YOU LCF!
6. Date night., It has been 100 days since our last date night!
7. A date night at home with Italian dried sausage, cheese and chicken wing dip.

8. Motorcycles
9. The Chronological Life Application Study Bible with all of its awesome maps and time lines and photos...Jackson LOVES it as much as I do!
10. Gratitude Journal from 'I Love it All' shop on etsy  www.iloveitall.etsy.com

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11. My Young Living Essential Oils. Always my favorite, , always necessary.  (Member #1401485)

12. Soda Stream
13. Homeschooling my boys

14. Cranberries
15. Cold nights
16. My fire place
17. My home
18. The Little things
19. My dog

20. Christmas trees
21. Twinkle lights
22. Old Navy Rockstar jeans
23. Converse All Stars
24. Leggings
25. Sweaters
26. Pumpkin...anything. muffins, cookies,  pies
27. Treasuring Christ- When Your Hands Are Full.
28. Crazy Love by, Francis Chan
29. Food Network Magazine
30. Hedua Magazine
31. The start of Musical season
32. Naptime Diaries- advent calendar and journal
33. Calligraphy pens
34. ThriveMoms- the friends that I have made who live forever away, but I know that we are kindred hearts in the way we live,  love our Lord and our families and want to live each days with purpose.
35. BLESSINGS
I have so many. In my goal to live a more authentic life, I am finding that I am using, wanting, needing less of the "worldly" things and enjoying...downright THRIVING off of the things that I can experience- with my kids, my husband- my friends, our families... our Lord gave us all we need to live this life...I think I may have finally started to do it the right way.