14 Days of Valentine's: Part 1

When people think of Valentine's Day they usually go the commercial route (I mean it is a commercial holiday...) with chocolates, roses and romantic candlelight dinners.

Yet, it seems like this is our Man's holiday to shower on us. While... I'm all for my hubby showering love, affection, treats and jewelry on me... I'm really all about showering some lovin on him!

That's what gets me so excited about this time of year. It's a time where we can do small gestures that make a HUGE impact.

Now I understand everyone is busy and we all have responsibilities so I pulled out the
"14 Days of Valentine's" I did last year for my man and will post them here for you to use, enjoy and watch the glow appear on the love of your life's face!

These could also be used for kids, parents, friends... whatever you want!

Whoever you make it for, it will be worth your time to melt their heart and remind them how deeply special they are to you.

Also you don't have to do "14 days". You can do 10 or 5 or 3. It's up to you. Whatever you see that reminds you of your husband or things that you know he likes. That's the fun about it.

So, dust off your printer and let's get started!


Each night after my hubby went to sleep I snuck into the kitchen and put that day's Valentine out for him to see when he woke up.

Day 1:

A Candy Heart Letter.

Bryan loves Candy hearts and I saw this idea on Pinterest forever ago to take all the hearts and write him a letter. They are $1 at most dollar stores or Wal-Mart plus you will have a blast using all the phrases. I actually used Elmer's Glue to glue those hearts down but you could just lick them and stick them on the paper. I really wanted mine to stick and he had plenty to eat leftover so it wasn't a sacrifice to glue those hearts down.

Feel free to make it as risqué or as innocent as you like. I'm sure you can imagine what mine said. He loved it.

He liked it so much... he wrote me back. :)

Day 2:

 I'm all about making my own printables. I saw this one on Pinterest and designed my own:

 All you do is open a Word Document (Or whatever word processing program you use) and type all your favorite things your husband does for you. Make the YOU and ME in Caps and at least 20pt bigger than the middle. Print it out and I layered it with some fancy scrapbooking paper my mother-in-law gave me.

Sometimes saying it simply is just as beautiful as saying it long and flowy.


Day 3:

My husband loves nuts... thus why he married me. ;)

I designed this little graphic and tied it to his favorite can of nuts I'd picked up at the supermarket.
Less than a five minute gift and depending on what snack you use or how fast your husband eats nuts... hours to remind himself he is loved.

Here's my Nut Design! Just right click on the image to save it to your computer and print it out using your Word Document software (so you can adjust the size)

Day 4:

On Day 3 I decided to make some cookies for my love. While this is a little effort my bestie Megan came over and we made some for both our husbands so we made it fun! 

Plus... when was I ever going to be able to make Lingerie Cookies again? 

(actually I've made them a few times but that's besides the point...)

He got a great kick out of it!! 

I already had all the baking supplies and sprinkles around my house so this Valentine only cost me my time. I was able to pack these up for him and let him take on a quick business trip and it made his trip much more entertaining. 

I got the idea from one of my favorite blogs How Does She. I adore that blog as one of the ladies who writes for that blog ADORES her husband and does amazing things for him all the time! 

If these cookies may be too much for you they have 'G' rated ideas too. 

Day 5:

On Day 5 I found this adorable Free Printable that came with it's own free printable envelope!

It's located Here and I actually used ALL THREE of their free printable Valentine's cause they were so cute! I used them on Day 5, 10 and 13. 

Those aren't your style? Have no fear!

Check out this Pinterest Search and there are TONS of free Printable Cards you can choose from!

Day 6:

You've seen it, thought it was cute and now it's time to do it!

Grab yourself a box of yummy Reese's Pieces (unless your hubby is allergic... obviosuly) and use this printable I made! Print it out, tie it on with some cute thread and you are good to go! 

Day 7:

On Day 7 I bought him a Hallmark Card. He and I love buying and getting Hallmark cards. He use to give me like 7 during any given holiday. Now I don't have money to just throw at Hallmark anymore so I use Pinterest to find some FREE Printable Cards I can write in and are just as darling. 

So that was our first Seven days! 

Feel free to use them all or just a few! 

I'll post the next 7 days soon to finish up the 14 days.

Till then... sit back and enjoy the joy that will be on your spouse's face.

Enjoy knocking his socks off!!! 

He deserves to know how much he means to you.

Check out Part 2! 

God Bless,

 Jessica

Reading: The Forgotten Art

Bryan and I love books. We love collecting them but the past few years... that's pretty much all we've done. Collect them.

I adore reading. I use to spend hours reading fiction, non-fiction... anything I could get my hands on. Yet, with life changes and a huge TV with hundreds of channels... Reading was forgotten on my list for awhile. 

As our lives change and we enter new seasons we are again realizing the VAST IMPORTANCE of reading... especially in gleaming from the wisdom of others who have gone before us, made bigger mistakes and found a publisher to publish them for the entire world to see. Lucky them. 

So this year hubs and I decided to make goals to actually read some of these parenting books we've collected over the years. Bryan is reading Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp in the Month of January and I decided to tackle Give them Grace: Dazzeling your kids with the love of Christ by one of my favorite authors Elyse Fitspatrick.

It's a tough book. 

Not because giving grace to your children is hard... (Although let's be honest, when I'm in an annoyed state and my son drops fruit loops all over the floor because he HAD to pour it himself... grace is hard pressed in that moment but not because he doesn't deserve it... but because my sin is loud and demanding and he just stepped on it.)

It's the changing of your complete mindset and approach to parenting. Since I have a more "Fly by the seat of my pants" type of approach to parenting, actually putting things down and committing to parenting a certain way is a bit daunting to me. 

The problem is... there are a million ways to parent, and even a million ways to be a Christian parent and everyone and their grandmother has an opinion and will loudly give it to you whether they know you or not. 

It's a little bit overwhelming. 

Which is why when I looked at my bedside table last night I found three books there instead of the one I am supposed to be reading. Give them Grace is there... but also two little books about parenting and I find depending on what day I've had determines which book I'll be picking up that night to read... 

When I've had a Great parenting day... the one filled with me being incessantly patient, kind, where my kids actually ate some 'healthy' food and something in the house got accomplished... I pick up Give them Grace.

When I've had a Challenging Parenting Day... where I disciplined and fought with Elliot more than cuddled and my self-pity needle is jumping off the charts... I pick up Loving the Little years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic. It's a gem of a book and its super tiny chapters allow you to get nuggets of grace and be refreshed in an instant. Rachel is one of my favorite people I have never met but want to be like one day. She rocks.

And when I've had a It's YOUR turn, I quit! You are the one who wanted kids, not me Parenting Day... I pick up How do you tuck in a superhero? And other delightful mysteries of raising boys. By Rachel Balducci, a blog mom to FIVE boys and one girl! (Two of which are named Elliot and Ethan. I mean... come on.) 

It's a fun book that recounts the many adventures of her family and her experiences with a house of five men. It's the book I can read for hours as each little story brings me laughter, "Oh wow... I hope that never happens" moments and an escape that it was ok with what I did today because I am not the only one who is having these "adventures".

That's the joy of learning from others isn't it? Not only for their wisdom and learning from their experiences but also to know... it isn't just me. 

Sometimes the best thing I could ever tell someone while they are hurting or going through something I may have already gone through is... they are not alone and I know exactly how they feel. I can only hope it brings them as much comfort and release as it does when someone tells me that! 

My bestie Dannette and I's favorite quote is: 

"Friendship is born in that moment when one person says to another, 

'What! You too? I thought I was the only one!'" - C.S. Lewis

Probably because that is what our phone conversations always are:
You too!? Man that makes me feel ALOT better...  

In that I hope this blog provides a TON of those moments for you. In fact along with reading books I'm hoping to get 50 people to subscribe to my blog in the year of 2013. 

Considering I have one right now... my ever faithful faux cousin Shannon (I adore you) and it isn't even my husband... I've got alot of work to do. But, I make a promise that if you join this journey with me, I will make it entertaining. 

So go ahead... give into the urge and put in your e-mail address and click the button on the right hand side and let's have some adventures this year! 

If anything you'll at least have a friend who probably will do more stupid things than you will so that should make you feel great at the end of the day.  :)

God Bless,


 Jessica

Hello New Year.

2012 was an awesome big year of Intense-ness for we McCarty's.


Let's do a quick re-cap shall we?

We started off 2012 pregnant with our second child... Another boy! :)

Had to take Elliot to Disneyworld so I could tell him at least once he got his own trip.
He wasn't too impressed...

Found out Valentines Day that Bryan got a new job! After a few years of praying for a new position he was scooped up to work in.... The Woodlands, Texas.


So... we built a house, had a baby and left all of our family and friends and headed out west.

But we have been so blessed to met new friends and find a new church home in
The Church at Alden Bridge.

Re-newed our vows in an Irish Wedding

Elliot turned 2 and Ethan got huge

And we also had a few emotional breakdowns... and some days we find ourselves still adjusting.

Having two children was a huge adjustment for Bryan and I. While we love both of our boys and planned on having them that close... We didn't realize how spoiled we were with our friends back home lovingly watching our children so that Bryan and I could spend some time together. I've always known that I need my best friend to keep me sane... I didn't realize Bryan needed me as much as I needed him though to keep him sane!

Yet... we are to

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.      [James 1:2-4]

We could have easily thought we weren't right for parenting when often we had days where our two children won against us. We could have also started to resent our sweet little blessings when they prevented us from being together and do things like to go movies or out to dinner like we use to.

But through it all at each turn we were constantly reminded whether by family who lovingly kept traveling to Texas to give us date nights... by friends who called to encourage us when we were weary or by solid Truth:

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear;

what can man do to me?”    [Hebrews 13:5b-6]

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  [Hebrews 12:1-2]

That even when we failed as parents... failed to romance one another... failed to read our Bible and pray... God was still faithful to us. His grace was still sufficient. His love was still unending. 


So, while we look back on 2012 as a HUGE year of fun changes and a bit of intense-ness... we are super excited that through it all we are again reminded how faithful and loving our God is.

We aren't the first to know that truth and know we will not be the last:

I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;

with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. [Psalm 89:1]

No matter what 2013 brings for you and your family know that God will always be Faithful.

Happy New Year from our Family to yours.

Looking forward to many more adventures in 2013! 

Jessica

A Christmas Mantle

I never grew up dreaming about being a home maker and I certainly never dreamed about decorating my home. In fact the more I think about what I didn't dream about... I wonder what I was dreaming and thinking about.

Whatever it was... it certainly cannot compare to what did happen in my life.

Loving husband, two perfectly healthy boys and a place to call our home. For some odd reason too... my husband lets me decorate that home he lovingly built for us.

When Bryan and I got married we always associated Christmastime with warm fires. In Louisiana you really don't have many nights you actually need a fire... So, he bought me the lame Fire DVD for Christmas one year and I bought him a real fire pit to help his manly, "Must light Fire" mentality but he's always wanted a real one in our home. So, when the option was available on our new casa it was a no-brainer.

It was one of the first things that we recognized during construction:

The first thing we played with before we moved in...

And the one place I felt most excited about decorating. It isn't much... and the rest of the house isn't even close to being done but... what do you think?

Does it feel like Christmas to you? (the fire helps doesn't it?)

It does to me!

We have our beautiful stockings. Ethan's just came in yesterday!
[Ours are from Etsy and the boys are from Pottery Barn]

Two giant sacks of toys [bags courtesy of a Target Gift and Amazon gift that I've held onto over the years. I stuffed them with the boys stuffed animals. They haven't missed them yet.]

Bought the greenery, cinnamon sticks, red holly and N E L letters at Hobby Lobby. (All there stuff is 50%) The O is a small wreath from Hobby Lobby as well. I was inspired by this Pinterest Photo:

Yet, made my own version. It's super easy too:

For the N I spray glued it than laid burlap over it. Cut the excess and taped on some small Christmas greenery. I spray painted the E white, the L gray and than sprayed glitter paint on them and the Wreath and VOILA! Noel.

The beautiful vintage mirrored window/door/whatever is from a Flea Market in NOLA. I haggled it to $10 with my bestie Megan F. I may turn it into a chalkboard one day but I thought it was beautiful the way it was... and for those who were reading my Facebook... that window is the one I was sanding and than realized it may have lead paint but I haven't died yet so I guess I'm good. ;) I'm sure you enjoyed my freak out about it though so you are welcome.

The Merry and Bright sign I bought from Goopdeals.com. It was one of their sales a while back.

I think for my first attempt at a Christmas Mantle it came out well... definitely looks too pretty to be something I put together!! But perhaps it may be the start of more pretty things to come...

Happy Holidays.

God Bless,


 Jessica

DIY Quick Christmas Decor: Trees in a jar

It's December and I am having some mad Christmas decorating spirit!

So, here is a super easy craft you can do today that will bring some Christmas Cheer the rest of December! 

If you are like me, your husband has by now questioned why you collect junk.

I do. I collect glass jars, old picture frames and random pieces of interestingness that I know one day I may be able to turn into something.

Today could be a great day for you to turn that “junk” into something!

I got some glass jars I had lying around that I’ve collected over the years.

All you need are:

    
                Glass Jars
             Epsom salt

                  Small trees 
     (Trees they normally use in like Santa village displays. I bought mine at  Michael’s when they were
     50% off. I got like 21 one of them so go in with a friend and save even more bucks.)

 My mom taught me to decorate in three’s so I used a large hermetic jar I got from a thrift store for $1 (I saw them at World Market though for $10), a glass spaghetti jar and a glass gravy jar.

Each were cleaned, (Goo Gone be some miracle stuff people!) placed some little trees in and dumped some “snow” on them.

And voila! Instant Holiday décor that takes less than five minutes to put together but brings a smile every time you pass it. Hubbies usually like it too and it helps them know you aren’t just collecting junk to collect it… but that you can make beautiful things out of it.

Happy Holidays!

God Bless,

Jessica