A Stage by How to Nest for Less

Oh my word! When my kids get a little older I want to build them a stage. One where they can act, read, play and be creative. I am saving this idea while sharing it with some of you that have kids ready to have fun on stage. This article is from HOW TO NEST FOR LESS. She has quite a few cute ideas! - Rejoicing in the Present

While I showed you my daughter’s complete bedroom makeover yesterday, today  I thought I’d give you a little behind-the-scenes action of how exactly we completed the look of her stage.

This whole rockstar stage idea came from my then 5 year old. She desperately wants to be famous… whether it’s strumming her guitar and singing like Taylor Swift or acting on stage as Annie or Mary Poppins.

So when we first discussed her bedroom décor in the new house, she had one major request: a stage. And lots of blue and gold, her two favorite colors. Oh, and a chandelier.

Well since we were building a new home from scratch, we asked the builder if he could put a little step-up stage in the corner of her bedroom. I figured it really wouldn’t cost anything. Just some extra plywood, right? Well luckily the builder said yes and my kiddo’s dream was going to become a reality.

BUT, if you can’t have a builder create a little corner for you (like most people), just using a small corner of a room will be fine! Or you can build it up with plywood and cover with hardwood or laminate flooring.

Well to go with the new corner stage my kiddo asked for big gold curtains and the best way I could think to hang them was a curved shower curtain rod. I snagged a Moen one from Amazon for about $20.

This option seemed very sturdy since you could use drywall anchors (12 on each side). Plus it even came with a little template to mark your holes since holding up the curved shower curtain rod was kinda wonky.

Since I didn’t have an option for a double rod, I decided to MacGyver the valance: trim the pole pocket with a pair of scissors, then just safety pin it around the back. The valances were on clearance for $20 each from Bed, Bath and Beyond (2 for the windows, 1 for the stage). And the gold curtains were from BB&B as well. One stop shopping, people.

I found some curtain hooks from Lowe’s and some amazing blue and gold tie backs from Tuesday Morning for like $3 a piece. Serious score on those. Exactly what I was looking for.

I finished off the stage with some glittery stars (more on that later) and some seating for all of my daughter’s adoring fans (back rests from Walmart and I stenciled some stools too).

And now the stage is complete. I figure when she grows out of it we can always put a vanity up on the step or a little desk. But here’s to hoping she uses it for a long time and makes tons of memories up there!

The Life of a Fool

"God is good all the time and all the time God is good"

"Hold on to the world lightly and God tightly"

"When life gets you down, God wants to hold you up."

"Faith is not believing that God can, but that God will"

There are many "catchy phrases." There are tons of Pinterest quotes. There are many Sundays that we spend in church but... there are many of us that are still fools. 

"What's a fool and why would you call me that?" you may ask.
Psalms 14 says "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." 

"WOOOOAAAHHH! WAIT!" you say. "I believe in God and I even go to church." 

Let's go on with this chapter. He goes on to describe these foolish people.

"They are corrupt they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord. - V. 1-4

You may say, well, I have never SAID there wasn't a God.  But your life is saying something different. 

Do you seek God?

How is your devotional life? Do you take the time to really understand His word? Do you spend time reading the Bible, studying what He says, doing at home Bible studies, going to Bible studies and really trying to seek who He is. Are you studying who the God of Heaven and Earth really is?

If you aren't, I would recommend starting in Psalms and writing down every attribute of Him. (Ex. Restorer, Rock, Salvation...) Then take those words and study what they mean.

Do you call out to Him? 

How is your prayer life? Do you have one? Do you talk to Him, only when you need something? Do you ever look up to heaven and just say Hello? Do you have that type of relationship? 

Do you care or think about him any other day then Sunday?

This is part of the seeking and calling out to him. What does your life say about God everyday, other then Sunday?

How are your business dealings? Are they corrupt? 

Do people know that you deal honestly? Can people see that you are ruled by a good God who loves people and cares for them? Does your God spill out into your business dealings?

Do you do good? 

Do people think of you as a "good person"? Once again, does your life speak of a God? Do you love people? Do you do good to people?

If you ace these questions, they won't buy you a place in heaven. Jesus already did that for you. (Click the link to know more) 

What these questions WILL tell you is whether you are a fool or not. Wow, that's a bit harsh. It is, but I say it with love. God didn't just save you FROM hell. He saved you FOR Himself. He wants a relationship with you, everyday, until He gets forever with you. Are you living foolishly? - Rejoicing in the Present

Cut the Sunday Stress

Ok, let's admit it. As a mom, Sundays can be OH-SO-STRESSFUL. I mean if it's going to be pucked on, spit up on, pooped on, it's probably going to happen on SUNDAY.

As a result, sometimes Sundays are not days we look forward to. I was talking to some other pastor's wives that I went to school with and they admitted that with all the extra duties, they had, it was a day that was really hard for them. I GET IT. I've been there. I still have those days!

So, I've done some things that help me so that I can enjoy Sundays. Sundays can become one of my favorite days. So that I can be in the mind of worship. So that Jesus gets the praise those days. So that I have an attitude of praise.

PREPARATION IS KEY

PREPARE ON FRIDAY? ...WOW, WHY?

I do this so that if Saturday is stressful, I won't forget or not have the time to do my extra stress-freeing chores.

• IRONING
• I pick out the kids clothes and iron them
• I also pick out my clothes and iron them as well as iron a shirt for my husband.
• LAUNDRY
• I also try to finish all the laundry on Friday and put it away so I won't have that stress on Saturday. 
• Then I start the laundry back up on Monday morning
• CLEANING
• I try to do a full house-cleaning. (Not just the pick-ups and wipe-ups.) This way the house is clean and gives for a more relaxing atmosphere for the weekend. 
• I mean how much damage can the family do in 2 days. HAHAHAHA BUT, seriously, it does help

PREPARE ON SATURDAY

• BATH
• I give the children both a bath on Saturday night. This DOESN'T mean make me free and clear. My child may wet himself and smell like pee or there might be some accident (IT DOES HAPPEN) but it does give you the upper hand if you don't have any accidents
• FOOD
• I try to make extra food Saturday night so we can have leftovers on Sunday afternoon for lunch
• Other ideas are CROCK-POT
• Or soup and sandwiches
• DOOR
• Place anything you need to take with you to church by the door, so that you will see it when you go out. 
• Check your diaper bag and make sure it's stocked. HAHAHA (yes, I JUST got caught on this one. That's a WHOLE other story.)

SUNDAY TIPS

• Breakfast
• Give your child a hearty breakfast so that he/she will be full and it will hold them for a while at church. (We usually do oatmeal and A eats a TON)
• DON'T DRESS THEM. A usually sits at the table in a diaper at breakfast. Yes, I learned the hard way This way food will not get spilled on your child's SUnday outfit.
• EARLY
• Start feeding them and dressing them a lot earlier than is necessary. I usually start at 8 and I don't have to be at church until 10.  I often think, wow, I have a lot of time and then by 9:30 I'm scrambling around. 
• THE RIDE

• When you get in the car, play some praise music. Get your mind in the right place.
• I was talking to a friend and she said that every week, it seemed like her kids were fighting, so she would stop them and have them start praying. "When you fight," she told them "you invite the devil in and we don't want him here.  Start praying, right now". I am sure I will use this. Set the atmosphere.

I hope some of these ideas help. Sunday is God's day. Let's make sure we are in church and there with the right spirit. Its no good if we don't have a heart for God. Prepare!

We plan for 3 months to a year for a wedding. Why? because it's important. Is God and His day important to you? Let's make important. - Rejoicing in the Present

A Vehicle for Our Journey

I used to joke around that I was NEVER going to be the soccer mom with the van full of kids. :-)  Life changes and I am PROUD to be the owner of a new-to-us van.  BUT, WAIT, don't go anywhere, I have an INCREDIBLE story to tell you.

As a pastor's family, we tend to have teens and children in our van that aren't always ours. We get calls every week for rides to church. We are happy to take anyone to church but don't always have the room for everyone. This became very evident about 5 months ago.  I was in my last trimester and I realized that with both car seats and Jer and I, we would only be able to fit one skinny little person in our car. This really puts a crunch on things. 

Shortly after this I remember talking to my grandma and asking her to pray for us. I prayed specifically for a free van. (WOW, that's bold!) Knowing that we didn't have the money in our budget, I felt this would be the best way. Then Hubby and I got talking and we decided to put his SUV on Craigslist and try to sell it.  Once we sold it, we would buy a van. This seemed like a great idea.

So, in my last couple weeks of pregnancy we put our vehicle up for sale. Jer placed in on the road with a sign and did all he could do to try to sell it. It didn't work and, once I had the baby, it all got put on the back burner. We still had the vehicle for sale but never got any bites.

I kept praying for my free van. :-)  My mom would tease me about it but I know she was praying as well.  Last week, we were at a friend's house and Jer got a text from a family from church; they had got a van and offered to give us theirs FOR FREE!  I don't even believe that they knew that we were looking. 

I had been on Jer's phone when the text came in. Yes, I said it, "FOR FREE!"  I read it, handed it to him and said "Yep, my God answers my prayers." It was soooooo powerful.  I mean sometimes, I feel like I'm his favorite. (ok, I know I'm not.) ...but He makes me feel that way. He REALLY cares and loves me. I'm so spoiled by Him. He answered our request to a "t". WOW, He is sooooooooooooooooo awesome. 

Thank you, Father! May we use this vehicle to bring others to church and to Christ. May it be used for His glory and honor. - REJOICING IN THE PRESENT

 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.: - Psalms 30:12

Hold Me!

Dear A, I will hold you baby forever not only physically but always in my heart! I love you A.

Hold me, Momma, hold me! I hear these words throughout the day, nearly everyday. I LOVE these words. In fact, this is probably my favorite phrase my 2-year old says. Most of the times that he says it, he just wants to be cuddled. When he's in my arms it's ok for him. He knows he is safe and feels happy and content. 


As I was snuggling with him the other day, I thought about my life and the world. Friends, IT'S SCARY! Oh my, it seems like the world is on the edge of one big explosion. Everyone is tense and it's just frightening. These are the times, when I cry out to God. Father, HOLD ME! HOLD ME! 

I know that He has me wrapped up in his hand and nothing can penetrate that. John 10:28-30 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."

It's like we are wrapped up in Jesus' hand and then the Father takes his hand and puts it over that one. What security!  What peace!  I'm in His arms and I'm OK. Hold me, sweet Jesus! - Rejoicing in the Present

Picture from cccfsb.com

Peacock Shower - Decor and Food

The last thing I wanted to share with you was the decorations and food. The shower was a lot of fun to decorate for and it turned out beautifully. Plus I was still able to keep it within my budget.

For the food we had…

1.   Turkey wraps

2.   A fruit platter

3.   Chips and Dip

4.   Cheese and Crackers

5.   Meatballs

6.   Adorable looking ,yet delicious cupcakes (her mom made)

For the drinks we had…

1.   Coffee

2.   Punch

a.   The punch was 7up, Hawaiian Punch and raspberry sherbet mixed together.

3.   Water

Decorations…

1.   I found green, blue and purple paper-ware that matched the peacock theme

2.   I wrapped the napkins and a small silver appetizer fork with ribbon, so that the guests could just easily grab one and go.

3.   I made the centerpiece out of tulle, crystals, a vase and a peacock. (Super easy and cute!)

Party Favors: I tied a packet of tissues with some hand sanitizers and made a small note that said “To have and to hold and to prevent a cold”

I hope you get some ideas for your next shower. - Rejoicing in the Present

Peacock Shower - Toilet Paper Cake

I saw the "toilet paper cake" ideas on Pinterest and had to make one! Since, we were already doing cleaning supplies, it was easy to incorporate the cake into the shower. 

What you need...

1. Individually wrapped toilet paper rolls
2. Individually wrapped paper towel rolls
3. Extras (I used a bottle brush, a lighter, dish soap, and so on)
4. Ribbon 
5. Scissors
6. Paper
7. Tape

Here is what you do...

1. First, I used 5 or 6 paper towel rolls and gathered them into a tight circle. 
2. Then I wrapped them in white paper to hide most of the loud labels.
3. Next, I did the same with the toilet paper rolls. I gathered 6, placing 3 on the bottom and 3 on the top. Then I wrapped them in paper as well.
4. I did this as well with the last paper towel roll.
5. Finally I wrapped all three tiers with ribbon and placed the extras inside the ribbon.

I added, took away, and redid it multiple times until I liked it. I finally went with a more simplistic cake. Have fun with it! - Rejoicing in the Present