Why

Yep, why.

I'm sitting here in my sewing room this morning.  Soft music playing in the background.  A radiant pink orange blaze trimmed the curtains.  I pull a corner back and take in the sunrise of a new day.  A new day of grace.

The past couple days have been a bit messy and I am pondering why.

I set myself up you know....with tv and postcard scenes in my mind, the trimming of the tree never has played out quite exactly how I have built it up to be.  It was a bit easier when the kids were all small.  Their excitement!  Handing out the ornaments, one by one.  They burst with happiness!  Hanging them on heavy low branches.....

Maybe this is what I miss??

It sure beats the teenager grumbles and husband snoring in the recliner, that was last year.

I want JOY, SMILES, those GIGGLES!  {Trimmed with some soft Christmas music, the crackle of the fire and a warm cup of coffee in my hand, you know....}

But this is real life and in real life comes many seasons, so why get so grumpy when the postcard image doesn't play out?   Why allow it to steal my joy?   And you know how it rolls when mamma's not happy....

This year {though two teenagers still grumbled} we DID have a seven year old get up at THREE AM because he was so excited to "build the tree" and as Natalie and I tended to the horses, the two youngest built it together to surprise me.

My heart spilled over.

It is all just a reminder how we can build up expectations and then when things don't pan out...it's steals all of our joy, smiles and giggles.

As we head into Advent, my heart desires to only expect the expectation of His coming....and as I sit and ponder THAT this morning>> when I switch my focus to HIM...everything else simply falls into place.

xo, Tina

Too Cute Tuesday!

My little girl (Aspen almost 2 years old) loving her "dolls" She calls her lamb a "doll" too. Can't wait until I can have heart to heart with her about what those scriptures mean to us and hopefully to her. Thanks for spreading Truth one doll at a time!   --Katrina R. {2012}

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To have YOUR child(ren) featured on

 Too Cute Tuesday, please email,  babybeblessed@gmail.com. 

Send in your photo's!  Share your stories!  Let's hear how God is working in your life!!  

The only requirement is that you must include a Baby be Blessed doll in your photo.  

Use your imagination!  Have Fun!!

Giveaway

I'm always up for new Advent Adventures!

Over the years we have done many different things with our four children.   Today, they range in age 7-15 so it's not always the easiest to find (and adapt) an Advent book/activities that covers such an age range.  Often what fit well for the oldest didn't work well with the youngest and let's be honest, you just reach an age in those teenage years that cotton balls and glitter projects just aren't that cool.  Well, I'm quickly finding out that few things are cool at all when it comes to Moms and fifteen year olds.   xo

Last year I read the adult version,  The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp and oh my...how God used it to speak a word and give perspective into what can be (and last year WAS) such a CRAZY busy season.

The world just screams at us this time of year...demands of us.
But that is not what God asks of us.  We put ourselves in our own mess.

How is God speaking to your heart as we move into this season of Advent?

Are you excited or are you full of dread?

Have you made a plan to walk through Advent with your children?  If so, how?

For our family, I'm excited to go through Ann Voskamps newest book, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift!

The story of the Jesse Tree has always been a beautiful one!  It journey's us through the Bible, reminding us of God's great plan from before the beginning of time...to send us the greatest gift of all, Jesus.

Though I have gone through the Jesse Tree story myself many times, and even adapted it to fit into my children's understanding, Ann Voskamp breaths new life into the journey!






Highlights of the book:

-Daily readings from God's Holy Word.
-Beautiful Devotions
-Application! Thoughts to discuss along with family activities (even for 15 year olds)
-Visual aide!  Hang ornaments on your very own Jesse Tree.  --FREE printables!
   (I think we just might go cut ours down from the woods this year)

>>And all it takes is a small slot of your time.  A precious small slot of your time.

This book is manageable, understandable, and meaningful... pointing us to the GREATEST GIFT of all.  Jesus Christ.  And isn't THAT something to celebrate!  xo

Our friends at DaySpring would love to bless one of you with your very own copy of Unwrapping the Greatest Gift, by Ann Voskamp (24.99 value)  To enter, simply leave a comment below.  Winner will be randomly chosen tomorrow (Fri. 11-21-14)

xo, Tina

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Disclosure: DaySpring provided me a copy of Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp, free for review. All thoughts and opinions shared are honest and entirely my own. 

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UPDATE:  Winner is Erin from INDIANA!

a lover of Jesus, wife to my hot Toddy, mother to Colin and Evan, Bible reading,, Target loving, nap taking, interested in adoption mama.

--Please email me at babybeblessed@gmail.com to claim your new book, Erin!

Congratulations!!  xo, Tina

DaySpring DEALS!

I love DaySpring!

I'm better off if I don't even go visit their site if the budget isn't allowing a purchase because I tend to overindulge.  xo    THE GREAT NEWS, are all the AWESOME sales they are currently offering as we head into CHRISTmas!  Who doesn't love 60% + off!!  And to top it off...a gift that points to Christ!

As an affiliate, I am receiving firsthand all the FANTASTIC deals they are offering this holiday and want to share all of these sweet deals with you along with a few giveaway items (more on this tomorrow!)

So click on the link below and take a look around!

Early Black Friday Markdown Items

My kids (and Bible Study kids) would LOVE playing with this cute Peanuts Christmas Felt Advent Calendar!  >>Orig price $39.99 NOW $11.99!!!  Or what about that Redeemed & Blessed - Ceramic Cookie Jar??  LOVE!

xo, Tina


{UPDATE}
Check out these AMAZING $5 deals!!  48 hour sale 

Affiliate link  >> Money Saving Mom 48 Hour Sale


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Too Cute Tuesday!

Lilli LOVES her new Baby Be Blessed doll!

(My ears are still ringing from her shrieking when she opened the box!)

Thank you so much, and God bless your ministry. (2012)

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To have YOUR child(ren) featured on

 Too Cute Tuesday, please email,  babybeblessed@gmail.com. 

Send in your photo's!  Share your stories!  Let's hear how God is working in your life!!  

The only requirement is that you must include a Baby be Blessed doll in your photo.  

Use your imagination!  Have Fun!! 

Yay Free Friday!!

Okay, so here's the scoop!

Other than the last handful to finish and ship....we are DONE with 2014 orders!  Can I get a SHOUT!!!!  Last year was a challenge from beginning to end.  I bit off way more than what I could chew and oh my....I'm glad we made it through!  Many of you showed me much undeserved grace!

Moving forward to this year, I did try to be very diligent to keep our lead time in check and to make sure all Christmas orders were processed in a timely order.  It wasn't perfect, but it was beyond WAY BETTER!  --All I can do is praise the LORD!

A special thanks goes out to my ladies as well for helping me and working hard for the Lord through Baby be Blessed all throughout the year.  Thank you so much Laura and Lori!  I really don't deserve either of you!  xoxo

SO, here we are in mid-November and we have time to sneak in another 10 custom dolls for Christmas.  And not just any doll, but the NEWEST BbB doll!  Her name is Eunice.  I kinda love it.

Our Giveaway this week is for a $65 BbB Gift Voucher.  That is just enough to hopefully grab one of these Christmas dolls for yourself (if there is one left by Monday), otherwise it can be spent on some finished items or held until our custom carts open back up for 2015. Anyway you look at it...it's $65 JUST FOR ONE OF YOU!!  =)

Enter below.  The winner will be chosen on Monday!!  xo, Tina



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Too Cute Tuesday!

I've been meaning to send this along. My daughter got her BbB last Christmas and we thought her reaction was so cute! It's almost a minute long , I wish I knew how to shorten it for you! Enjoy and thank you for the lovely doll!  --Tiffany

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To have YOUR child(ren) featured on

 Too Cute Tuesday, please email,  babybeblessed@gmail.com. 

Send in your photo's!  Share your stories!  Let's hear how God is working in your life!!  

The only requirement is that you must include a Baby be Blessed doll in your photo.  

Use your imagination!  Have Fun!! 

Dear October

You are by far one of my favorite months of the year!  Besides the fact you bring back the smell and taste of my beloved pumpkin spice, all shades autumn + bits of small leaves strewn about the hardwood floors....you also held many new family treasures.  First friend sleepovers, hunting with my favorite man, celebrating 17 years!, buckets o' laundry, healthy eating, family weddings, Birthday, Birthday and another Birthday.  Also --hay rides on the wheel horse, friends, stacks of pumpkins, jack o' lanterns, parent teacher conferences, weekend adventures, trick or treating, pumpkin buckets, chocolate + oh yeah... and trying to remember that healthy eating thing!  

October....you are loved.  

Until next year, xo, Tina