Little kids in cute costumes make Halloween what it is.

Source: comicsfornerds.net via Liz on Pinterest

Source: rookno17.com via Liz on Pinterest

Source: None via Liz on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Liz on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Liz on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: thecakeblog.com via Diane on Pinterest

Can I get a craft bone please?

I seriously wish I was a little craftier. I want to be able to make all of the crazy awesome things I've pinned. But since I can't afford to do that right now, I'll just show ya some of the things I am putting on my to-do list 

(for the future).

Source: None via Liz on Pinterest

Source: None via Liz on Pinterest

Source: twojunkchix.blogspot.com via Liz on Pinterest

Source: heartlandpaper.typepad.com via Liz on Pinterest

Source: storagegeek.tumblr.com via Liz on Pinterest

Followers Fest

It's such an awesome concept.

Blogs encouraging and reaching out to one another.

I love it.

I love all of you.

I love that I get to be a part of such an amazing group of ladies.

Hosted by: 

Casey @ The Wiegands

Illy @ Much Love, Illy

Danielle @ Changing Lanes

Jess @ Boho Baby Bump

What are you waiting for? 

Go check it out :)

Hot or Hot Mess? {October 2}

(don't judge this precious little one though. seriously, too cute right?)

When kids are sick...

Ok, so I'm not a mommy yet & I don't pretend to know how to be a mommy. But let me tell ya. When kids are sick, it breaks my heart. They are so clingy & cuddly. It's like if you have a child who never wants to sit still, you know you are going to get a few minutes of lovey dovey time when they are under the weather.

My little little was sick on Friday & I got to spend the morning with her before I had to work.

It was good. Sometimes it seems like I don't get to just spend one-on-one time with her. Talk about how schools going. And who her friends are. And what she's learning in kids church. Just time together.

I give you mama's credit. Lots of it.

Source: becauseicancrafts.blogspot.com via Liz on Pinterest

Bluegrass. It can heal you.

This fella (& lady) below pretty much raised me.

He also pretty much lived on bluegrass music.

Source: bluegrass.com via Liz on Pinterest

I'm talking banjo's & yodeling.

Source: google.com via Liz on Pinterest

(The truth comes out, I'm a country girl at heart) I was raised so far out in the country that there still isn't cell or internet service available at my grandparents house. (Another tid-bit about me, I lived with my grandparents for about 10 years...w/ my mama too of course)

My grandpa was always singing or yodeling or pretending to play a fiddle. It was never dull when he was working in the garage and I was playing in the mud making pies. Or picking mushrooms from the yard to use in my play kitchen. (that ultimately got me and the grampy in lots of trouble from the mama, ya know because mushrooms from the yard are wild and full of fungus and I was bringing them into the house to play with) Or when I would hitch a ride all around the "farm" on the back of the tractor. And when he hand dug & built a ginormous pond, I was there listening to him sing.

Over the years he began to meet different families that sang bluegrass style music. Like full on 8 kids who all play instruments and sang their hearts out. We would all pile into the car and travel to wherever these families were performing if it was close enough to drive. Set up our lawn chairs. And simply enjoy the music.

Now I can't deny that at a certain point in my "teen-hood", after my mama had gotten married & we had moved out, I out grew the whole going to see bluegrass families sing. I mean, come on a teenager does not find that type of music enjoyable, do they? I certainly didn't.

Then I grew up some more. And my grandpa's sickness started to show it's ugly head again. Bluegrass music became a part of me again. Or perhaps it never really left me. I just pushed it down, because I thought it wasn't cool. Well it was cool. It was cool when we got my grandpa's favorite family band to play at my grandma's surprise birthday party. It was cool when we went to a family band performance and I got to see my grandpa enjoy himself. Sing along with the band. Tap his foot. Pretend to play his fiddle. Just simply enjoy the music.

It's soothing really.

It was cool when we got to go, as a family, to see one of his favorites perform just a few months after he passed. And the family grew emotional with us. They felt our pain, because they knew my grandpa. They knew how much he loved their little musical family. How much he wanted them to succeed.

Music can certainly heal. I believe that 100%. There's no doubt in my mind that God provided music and worship as a way to put situations into perspective and provide a sense of peace. My grandpa was like a father to me. My relationship with him was much more of the father figure than just simply a grandpa. He loved me & he disciplined me. He taught me that God is there no matter what. Regardless of the mistakes we make, God wants us to call on Him through everything. When the time that I lived with him came to an end, I started to spiral. Downhill. Fast. Perhaps, now that I look back on it, I couldn't handle the change. My grandpa was simply there. Telling me I needed to snap out of it. Start making the right decisions. He would tell me I needed to listen to a song. A song that would ultimately teach me a lesson.

My little sisters, although the experience and memories are not the same, now have a fondness for a certain bluegrass group. They don't have that connection through bluegrass to my grandpa like I did, but they certainly see my grandpa's spirit through the music. And they understand it's importance to our family and our healing.

One band in particular touched my grandpa's heart. They are The Doerfels. They are actually from a town about 40 minutes away from where I grew up.

{via}

Ten kids. Two devoted parents. And a whole lot of musical talent. 

The other day my little-little wanted to listen to their CD. Of course she wanted to sing along.

I know, she's cute right?
It makes me sad that my grampy isn't around to see her sing along. He'd be proud for sure.

I miss my grandpa. I miss his wisdom. I miss his laugh. I miss his yodeling. I just miss him.
But I find peace in knowing, our goodbye was not permanent. Through my relationship with Christ, I will get to see my grandpa again. In Heaven.
And he will be healthy.
And we will rejoice.
With some bluegrass music.

Review & Giveaway {My Memories Suite}

When a very kind lady contacted me about reviewing and hosting a giveaway for My Memories Suite, I was a little apprehensive. I'm not much of a scrapbooker, much to my mother's dismay. I mean someday, when I have kidlets, I like to think that I'll take a bigger interest in it. Right now I just don't feel like my life is that interesting that it needs to be "scrapped." {Sorry babe, you're interesting...a little :)}

But after I played around with this digital scrapbooking software, I realized that I can do so much more with it!!

Like make this add that I showed you in this post.

Or how about the collages I put together for Hot or Hot Mess? posts.

Then I decided that I did feel my wedding was rather interesting and I should probably make a few pages using the pictures from it. I used a pre-made template for this one.

(more of those to come soon)

Then I took this puppy dog and made a fancy page.

Seriously there is so much fun to be had! It's definitely not just a scrapbook template program. Don't let the name fool you! You can make fliers, invitations, cards, posters, the list goes on and on.

And because this awesome company loves rewarding their customers, they are offering up a FREE software program to one of you, my valued readers!

The rules:

Of course ya gotta follow this blog :) (no need for a comment, I'll know if ya do or not!)

*Head over to My Memories and pick out your favorite digital paper pack or layout. Then leave a comment telling me your fave.

For extra entries: (leave a comment for each)

Visit My Memories Blog & become a follower.

Like them on Facebook

Follow them on Twitter

Sounds easy enough right? If you win you would be winning a scrapbook software program that values at over $40! So awesome to get free stuff!!!

They are also willing to share a $10 off coupon with all of you if you can't stand to wait! Simply visit My Memories and enter  STMMMS21405 at checkout. It will deduct $10 from your bill. 

*Giveaway will end Sunday October 30th at 11:59 pm. I will choose a winner via random. If you have your email linked to your comments, I will contact you. If not, you will have 48 hours to contact me otherwise a new winner will be chosen.*

good luck friends :)

Be quiet insecurities...

I struggle with that. Do you? It seems no matter how often I try to share any personal part of my life, I grow nervous and anxious. I can't stand it. I know it's the devil trying to creep up in my business and make me feel inadequate. But I have to be honest when I say sometimes I let it happen. Sometimes I just sit back and let him walk all over my emotions. I'm weak. And broken. God knows that. And He's working on me.

I was listening to the radio while I was in the shower yesterday. (Yes, my best thinking is done in there. Isn't yours?) The radio man said
"If you woke up this morning, then your work here is not complete." 

How true is that statement. God put us here to bring glory to His kingdom. Until that's done, we aren't going anywhere. As I was in the midst of feeling anxiety and fear about letting this very emotional part of my past {present} get shared, I was calmed to hear that statement.
I woke up. I'm still here. My work is not done.

If I can help just one young girl or woman by sharing my story, it's worth it. I know I can't glorify God if I simply suppress everything bad that happened in my walk in faith. I'm not proud of the choices I made. I'm not advocating for others to suddenly feel like they have to share their deepest darkest secrets. It's not for everyone, I mean it's still not for me in every area of my past. But the Lord has laid the idea of peace and freedom on my heart. 

He wants me to be free. 

He wants me to be at peace. 

He wants me to use my experience to help other girls.

Source: sawdustcityllc.com via Liz on Pinterest

I won't deny that I am still extremely hesitant to reveal this. But through the comfort and healing of God, I can do it.

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, please go visit one of my bloggy friends Brittnie at her special piece of internet heaven to read the whole story: Brittnie Lately.

Everyone Loves Free Stuff

I love my job. And I want ya'll to reap some benefits of free goodies!

I'll need at least 10 ladies to sign up before I can officially start the Turkey Trot, just to guarantee it's worth it.

There isn't a catch. I'll send you a catalog or you can refer friends and family to the online website to browse. Then collect & email me your orders, send in the money, & you're on your way to getting free products & lots of other chances to build up your Christmas present stock.

Thanks ladies for all the support you've provided me with my little business :)

Sponsor Love {Guest Post | Pineapple Lily}

I am *all kinds of excited* to have my gal pal Melissa guest posting today!

She is hysterical. Enjoy.

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Helllloooo!!! I'm Melissa from Pineapple Lily. I am really excited to be over here at Behind the Scenes. Liz is so sweet and a SOONER fan, so of course I love her. Over at my blog I have a lot of fun, and I really don't have any sort of "niche" that I stick to...unless awesome is a niche. Ok, I'm just kidding, so maybe I should just get to my actual post. I figured since I am over here today I will just act as if I am still over at Pineapple Lily and do a post that is a regular one around my blog world.

The first thing I am loving is this stuff:

Odwalla Superfood juice drink. Oh My Gosh. This stuff is so good. It IS green, but trust me, it's sweet and yummy. I love that it is packed with a ton of vitamin C. Just what I am needing these days. 

Second is my new camera!

I am loving it! I can't believe how great the pictures turn out. I am so lucky my husband bought it! 

And third is that my son can sit up in the tub by himself now. 

If you have kids, you understand how nice this is. 

So there it is...stuff I heart! I hope you enjoyed it. And I really hope to see you over at Pineapple Lily!!!

Hot or Hot Mess? {October 1}

Do you sometimes wonder what people think of certain trends? I do. All of the time.

I thought it would loads of fun to start up a little weekly (or bi-weekly) review of different things.

It will be called Hot or Hot Mess? Obviously.

So all you have to do is comment telling me what ya think.

Is the trend hot? Or a hot mess?

Easy enough right? 

Have fun :)

Sponsor Love {Guest Post | Everything Espey}

Please give my sweet friend Meredith a big warm BtS welcome. You're about to fall in love with her for opening her heart with you.

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Hey y'all, I'm Meredith, and I'm so excited to be over here today! A big thank you to Liz for having me! You'll usually find me over at my home-blog, Everything Espey. It's all about my life as a saved by grace, bargain hunting, Tex-Mex and fro-yo obsessed, newly married Texan transplanted to Utah.  My husband Charlie and I are figuring this life out (with God's help) as we go, and we'd love for y'all to join us.  

....

 
 ....
"Lord, please give me self-control, peace, and understanding."

 My prayers used to sound like this a lot. Lord, help me to trust you. Please help me to be more patient. 

God doesn't often just dish out the character quality "self-control", right?  I don't wake up one day with the thought, man I'm feeling super self controlled today! He gives opportunities to be self-controlled. This can be frustrating.  Recently, my prayers have been for full trust in God's plan. And how that plays out is that he's giving me situations that call for active trust his plan. Trusting God's timing and his way. 

  Even so, I often expect God to act on my time table and in the way I think he should.  Then when he chooses differently, it feels like a curve ball. Wham, I'm plunked in the middle of what then feels like a tough spot - one that calls for a little perseverance. 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

 The goal of these tests is to allow for the experience of perseverance, which will (hopefully) turn into maturity. So the choice to respond well to those unexpected trials are sanctifying my heart . Making me more like Jesus.  My reaction shouldn't be one of frustration, where I whine, and quit, rather be humble enough to recognize his handiwork.  He hears, and he answers, whether I see it or not.

 Perseverance means more than endurance— more than simply holding on until the end. A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, "I can’t take any more." Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God’s hands." Oswald Chambers  

The tests are sometimes big, sometimes small.  How am I going to respond to unjust accusations? What will my reaction be when my husband leaves the toilet seat up (again)? How will I handle the long, slow line at the grocery store?

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

(source)

The purpose of my life is to glorify Jesus and make him known. Keeping my heart centered on that goal allows me to be receptive to the trials which are making me more like him.  Sometimes those choices to act rightly go unnoticed in this world. Godliness is often not rewarded. But God always notices. And that's an encouragement to me to never ever quit persevering.

"Do it when it comes naturally and when it's hard to come by. Do it when you're up, do it when you're down. Do it when you feel like it, do it when you don't feel like it do it when it's hot, do it when it's cold. Don't give up." Chuck Swindoll

Ready for a reality check?

First, let me start by apologizing for being so disconnected with the blog lately. I'm thinking you might possibly be getting tired of guest posts & are starting to wonder why the heck you are sticking around.

Well, I promise I'm coming back soon. Life has just been incredibly stressful lately. I'm talking so stressful, that I have a lovely mark on my lip to prove just how stressed I am.

Anyways, I wanted to just share about this amazing woman I have met through this adventure called blogging. Her blog was actually one of the first ones I started reading & girls, get your tissues ready because you WILL cry. Her story will touch your heart in a way that makes you sit back and think you need to be a little more like this...

Source: bohemiansugar.tumblr.com via Liz on Pinterest

Her precious family has been rocked to the core over the last year and a half. But her faith is so admirable and pure. The faith of her husband is nothing short of amazing. And the innocence of her beautiful little girl will melt your heart.

Libby is a young woman who has had more trials than I can begin to imagine. More struggle than I can begin to understand. And more strength than I think I will ever possess. 

This is where you will want to start your reading. I think it's important for you to read her post about rejoicing before you delve into the journey that got here there.
{I'm not joking when I tell you to grab a tissue, better yet grab the whole box}


I (my Thirty-One business) am currently sponsoring her blog for the month of October. She has been a blessing in my life and she probably doesn't even realize it. Just the few emails we have sent back and forth have shown me just how genuine and sweet she is. I am excited to see where life takes her family next. And I am even more excited that I got to be part of helping her stay home with her adorable baby girl.

Sponsor Love {Guest Post | Life in the 505}

Hello there Behind the Scenes readers! My name is Katie and I blog over at Life in the 505, an online scrapbook of my little family's life in the Land of Enchantment.

  

Fall has come to the 505 and we are loving it!

This season is different in New Mexico. While most of the country is admiring the changing leaves, we're roasting green Chile and spotting hot-air balloons.

Here in the 505, we LOVE fall!

It's that wonderful time of year in between the brutally hot summer and the drab of winter. 

Katie, Matt and Baby Danner - Balloon Fiesta 2010

It's a time for layering, because it's cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon.

The Danner's - Halloween 2009

It's a time of anticipation and planning for the holidays to come.

And in the past, for my hard-working hubby, it's been a season spent in the law library, studying for tests and counting down the days till graduation. This year is different though, this year we're spending weekends as a family. 

We're enjoying lazy Saturdays working on the house and watching football. We're taking adventures to the Balloon Fiesta and experiencing our first Fall as a family of three.

Balloon Fiesta 2011

What is Fall like where you're from?

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Thanks Katie for sharing about your Fall!!! Isn't her family just the cutest?