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img_9744newAbout a month ago DaySpring asked if they could send me some products from their new Illustrated Faith line. Have you seen all the beautiful Bible journaling popping up everywhere? I mean, there is some serious talent out there. And what an awesome idea to incorporate art with God’s beautiful Word.

img_9773newI love the idea of Illustrated Faith but I have never done any Bible journaling like this and I knew I would have a hard time with it. I am a perfectionist to the max and drawing in my Bible kind of stresses me out. Also, time. Right now with three little ones I just don’t feel like I can squeeze one more thing in.

But then I had the idea that maybe I could use the same concept with my boys. We have been memorizing Scripture together and I thought they might like illustrating some of the verses they have been learning. DaySpring was super kind and went with my idea. I picked out products that I thought would work well with kids, specifically boys since flowers and pink hearts don’t go over well around here. Ha ha ha. When I opened the box and told the boys that they could use anything they wanted, they were so excited.

img_9774newDaySpring also sent me the new Illustrated Faith Through Christ Devotional Kit. I was so surprised when I opened the kit and saw that my friend, Megan, was the collaborator on this kit! It is so fun and colorful! She did such a great job writing the devotional and picking out all the fun elements that go along with this kit. It is a good one! The emoji face stamps were a favorite. 🙂

img_9926newFor each “journal entry” I had my boys choose a verse they had memorized.

img_9922newGriffin and I worked together to come up with an idea of how to illustrate his verse. I did the writing and helped him with his drawings.

img_9924newThen he added stickers and stamps and colored everything in.

img_9901newLevi copied the verses and did all the writing himself. I helped him brainstorm ideas of how he could illustrate his verses but he did all the drawings too!

img_9889newI thought he did such a good job! He was really proud.

img_9904newWe tried using the Illustrated Faith journals DaySpring sent us but they were too small for my boys. They didn’t have enough room on a page to fit all their drawings and writing. We picked up some art journals from Hobby Lobby to use instead. I think the Illustrated Faith journals would work fine for older kids, but I would suggest something a little bigger if you are trying this with younger kids.

img_9879newI thought having my boys illustrate their faith sounded like a good idea but I honestly wasn’t sure how into it they would be. They loved it! We have been using their journals off and on for about a week now and they often ask if they can do another page.

Here is what we came up with…

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img_9963newThis was the perfect way for us to spend time reviewing verses we had memorized as well as talk about what they mean. And it was really fun too!

To get you (or your kids!) started on your Bible journaling journey, DaySpring is offering a special coupon code for my readers. Use coupon code JESS5 to take $5 off any $30 purchase (offer good September 13th-20th). If you are wondering what products we used, I linked them all below. And don’t forget that there is free US shipping with any $50 order!

img_9984newIllustrated Faith products we used:

IF Through Christ Devotional Kit | IF Black Eyed Pea Ink Pad | IF Date-it Stamp | IF Precision Pens | IF Clear Acrylic Block | Rainy Day Tiny Text Stickers | IF Animals 31-Piece Die Cut Prompts | IF Notebook Journal (we ended up using a bigger art journal) | IF Alphabet Stickers (various colors) | IF Number Stickers (various colors) | Crayola 12 Twistables Colored Pencils

disclaimer: affiliate links used

Posted in: dayspring
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  • emily - this is such a great idea! i loved their little drawings and i’m sure brainstorming ideas was such a sweet time for you all! 🙂ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    October 17th, 2016 at 3:16 pm

    Thank you, Emily!

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  • Mary Ann - What a clever and fun idea. Levi did an amazing job. Griffin reminds me of my grandson (Braxton, age 6) with his tongue out when he’s concentrating on something very important. When they look back at those books years from now, they will remember how much their mama helped them and how much those bible verses meant to them at their young ages. Thanks for sharing. I always look forward to your posts.ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    October 17th, 2016 at 3:16 pm

    Your grandson sounds so fun, Mary Ann! I bet he would have a great time with my boys!

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    • Jess - Your grandson sounds so fun, Mary Ann! I bet he would have a great time with my boys!ReplyCancel

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  • Leah - That’s great! I’m curious how you do memory verses? One a day? One a week? Do they have to completely learn it by memory? Or just a few words?ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    October 17th, 2016 at 3:12 pm

    Hi Leah! We have done it different ways but right now we are using the Fighter Verse App. It is so great! I am working through the Foundation Verses with my boys right now. We have a chart with all the verses for them to keep track of and for incentives every time they fill up a row (6 verses). I use the App to keep track for myself and for reviewing with them. Levi can memorize word for word. Griffin is almost there but usually needs a few more prompts. It is really amazing how much they take in! We try to do one a week but often they can do more. I just move on when I feel like they have it down pretty good and we continue reviewing too! Hope that helps. Email me if you have more questions!

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    • Jess - Hi Leah! We have done it different ways but right now we are using the Fighter Verse App. It is so great! I am working through the Foundation Verses with my boys right now. We have a chart with all the verses for them to keep track of and for incentives every time they fill up a row (6 verses). I use the App to keep track for myself and for reviewing with them. Levi can memorize word for word. Griffin is almost there but usually needs a few more prompts. It is really amazing how much they take in! We try to do one a week but often they can do more. I just move on when I feel like they have it down pretty good and we continue reviewing too! Hope that helps. Email me if you have more questions!ReplyCancel

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  • Kelly - Jess! This is an amazing idea! I think my kids might really get into this! Thank you so much for sharing! We have JUST recently really gotten going with Scripture memory after me really wanting to for a while. This will be great! KellyReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    October 17th, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    So glad this might help, Kelly! I have loved memorizing Scripture with my boys. They are such little sponges and blow me away with how much they remember!

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    • Jess - So glad this might help, Kelly! I have loved memorizing Scripture with my boys. They are such little sponges and blow me away with how much they remember!ReplyCancel

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  • Melissa Joy - I love this! I have been doing this with my kids through the summer, just using colored pencils and twenty-cent notebooks. I love this post though, and just went over to get a package of die-cuts, and a couple of those neat date-stamps (one for me, but some to share too!). My kids do their copywork and artwork while I read Bible stories to them and quiz them on their catechism. It really works wonderfully to have their hands busy, and their eyes focused while their ears are listening and hearts are engaged by faith. God bless your home, Jess!ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    October 17th, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    Such a great idea, Melissa! I agree that it is so helpful to have their hands busy. So helpful. Hope you guys love your new IF products!

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    • Jess - Such a great idea, Melissa! I agree that it is so helpful to have their hands busy. So helpful. Hope you guys love your new IF products!ReplyCancel

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  • Linda - Such a fantastic idea, and your photos are beautiful! Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. 🙂ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    October 17th, 2016 at 3:02 pm

    Hi, Linda! Thank you!

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  • Madison - LOVE this! Your boys did a great job!ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    October 17th, 2016 at 3:01 pm

    Thank you, Madison!

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Processed with VSCO with s2 presetAs of Friday, we finished up our fourth week of school. The school year is flying by already! Levi was so pumped for first grade. And look how cute and grown-up he looks all dressed up and actually wearing a shirt! On the way to school the first day, one of Levi’s cousins told my sister-in-law that it “feels so weird to be wearing a shirt”. Ha ha ha. I think Levi would share in his sentiment.

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levi-first-gradeWe had such a good summer but Levi was ready to try out this all day school thing. (He only went half-day for kindergarten.) His favorite part of school is lunch. I am going to be in trouble when summer rolls around again because apparently his school has amazing cooks. I don’t think my daily sandwiches will reach the high bar that they seem to be setting for me.

img_9630new“Everybody smile for mom so I can actually go to school!” He hates being late.

img_9624newThere we go. Look how cute they are. The little boys wouldn’t tell you that they miss Levi but, oh my goodness, those first few weeks were rough. I didn’t realize what a peacemaker Levi is among his brothers. So, we are all adjusting. Mom is figuring out life with a school kid, the little boys are figuring out how to get along when it’s just the two of them, and Levi is loving school. His only complaints have been that he is tired and has to miss out on some farming. And he misses his mom sooooo much! Ok, he didn’t say that he misses me but I know deep down he really does. 😉

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I have to share one more first day of school story…

As I was walking down the hallway after dropping Levi off that first day, one of our teacher friends caught my arm and said she had something for me. She came out of her classroom and handed me a vase of flowers. There were three pink roses. I was so surprised and asked her why she was giving me flowers. I mean, the teachers should be getting all the flowers! She quickly told me to read the card and went back to her class. As I was walking out of the building it clicked that Cora would have been in third grade this year. Cora would have been in her class. The card said that as she prepared her classroom this year and wrote out student’s names many times, she thought of our family. She wondered what Cora would have been like and wished she could have had Cora in her class this year. The three pink roses were for third grade. And then I sobbed. One of the silly things that breaks my heart every year is that I don’t get to see my girl’s name written on name tags and school supplies. I always wonder what it would be like to see Cora Paige McClenahan on the class list. I wonder what it would be like to walk her to her classroom along with her brother. I wonder what her personality would have been like among her classmates and who her friends would have been.

This summer I parked myself in Psalm 139 for awhile and was amazed as I thought about what it means to be completely known by our Creator God. I mean, we all long to be known, right? Opening that card on the first day of school was like getting a big hug from God, a God who really knows me and loves me despite the mess that I am. A reminder that even seven years later God knows that my heart still hurts a little knowing that Cora’s name is not on the third grade class list. He knows that I hate that I can’t write her name on school supplies even though that sounds so silly to say out loud. He knows that I still long to know what my baby Cora would have been like as a third grade girl. He “discerns my thoughts from afar” and is “acquainted with all my ways”. And like the Psalmist, I cannot even fathom being known and loved like this. It is too wonderful! What a blessing to be able to rest in the presence, character and grace of the One who knows and loves me. God is always good no matter what, but it’s like extra goodness when He uses His people to encourage one another. We have the best friends.

img_7292It is hard to believe my days of having all three boys home all day have past. We are officially entering the school years. What a gift it is to watch my kids grow up and reach the next milestone, or the next school year. I mean, I miss Levi like crazy when he is at school but it is so awesome to be his mom and have the privilege of training him up as he becomes a “big boy”. Whenever I am missing Cora it is just another reminder of how precious these days are. First day, first grade. These school years are a gift and I’m ready to cheer on that cute little first grader who is so full of personality!

Posted in: cora , family , grief , levi
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  • Paige - He’s such a good good father.

    Your boys are precious!!!ReplyCancel

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  • Toni :0) - The flowers are so sweet, friends are a blessing. Since I have a senior this year in high school I can tell you the years are fleeting. Happy to hear you are savoring the days. All we can do is be there for them and help them to soar.ReplyCancel

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  • Tiffany - So so touching. That was very kind of you to share and so thoughtful of your teacher friend to remember.ReplyCancel

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  • Meggie - That is so special! I can’t even fathom the way He loves us! Love your family and your updates!! =)ReplyCancel

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  • Sarah @ The Teacher's Wife - What a sweet and thoughtful teacher – I would have cried my eyes out too! I’m sure that meant a lot. And wow, Levi sure has grown! My girl started kindergarten and it’s been an adjustment too. Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

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  • Andrea - Thank you, Jess, for always sharing your heart. I have cried many times reading your words. I’ve been following you since Cora’s illness. She and my daughter would be the same age. My heart breaks for you that you can’t share the special moments with her. You’ve helped me to remember to not take these days for granted and to hug and love my kiddos more. Prayers for your family!ReplyCancel

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  • Mary Ann - Oh wow…Levi is really a big boy. Same with my only grandson, my Braxton who is in first grade this year too. They remind me of each other…Braxton has dark blonde hair, blue eyes, stocky build and so full of fun and mischief. The school years fly by so fast and we blink and our kids are all grown up way too quickly. I’m so happy that the teacher is such a kind, loving person to have given you those beautiful roses. She is one of the Lord’s servants who brought you one of His tender mercies and reminded you that your Cora will never be forgotten. My niece who lost her baby girl at 5 months from a neurological disease bought a pink backpack last month, filled it with school supplies, and took it to the school. She has a son (age 4) so he helped his mom. They gave it to one of the teachers to give to one of the 2nd grade girls who may have needed it the most. My niece said it breaks her heart to know that her little girl (Makenzie) will never go to school, never have a backpack, never be in school class pictures so giving the backpack to another girl in need eased her heartache a bit. You mama’s are so amazing and I am in awe of your faith, your hope, your trust in God, who is always be there to pull us through life’s greatest challenges. Have a wonderful day.ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    October 17th, 2016 at 3:15 pm

    Hi Mary Ann! I love what your niece did to remember her precious Makenzie! What a great idea. Such a sweet way to honor her daughter and bless another little girl. I will have to remember that! Thank you for your kind words!

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    • Jess - Hi Mary Ann! I love what your niece did to remember her precious Makenzie! What a great idea. Such a sweet way to honor her daughter and bless another little girl. I will have to remember that! Thank you for your kind words!ReplyCancel

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  • Kelly - What an amazing, amazing teacher friend and an even more amazing God! KellyReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    October 17th, 2016 at 3:06 pm

    Hi Kelly! Yes, I am constantly amazing how God shows His extravagant love for us. So amazing.

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    • Jess - Hi Kelly! Yes, I am constantly amazing how God shows His extravagant love for us. So amazing.ReplyCancel

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  • Kimberly Oyler - i want to hug that teacher! what a kind thing to do. i remember when you posted that cora would have been been starting kindergarten a few years ago, and so now i think of you at the beginning of every school year. love and miss you, jess!ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    October 17th, 2016 at 3:04 pm

    Yes, she definitely deserves a big hug! Thanks for continuing to think of us, sweet friend! Hope you are doing well in Hawaii!!! I bet all of your Kansas family is missing you lots! Someday we will hang out again!

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    • Jess - Yes, she definitely deserves a big hug! Thanks for continuing to think of us, sweet friend! Hope you are doing well in Hawaii!!! I bet all of your Kansas family is missing you lots! Someday we will hang out again!ReplyCancel

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  • Kimberly - I know you must miss your sweet Cora immensely– and what an amazingly thoughtful teacher to be thinking of her as she was preparing for the year. It doesn’t sound silly at all that you’d like to be writing her name on school supplies. I just love your heart and your perspective on mothering– it reminds me not to take these fleeting days for granted. Hugs to you!ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    October 17th, 2016 at 2:57 pm

    Thank you for your kind words, Kimberly. Yes, each day is such a gift!

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  • Annie - Wow, Jake favors Cora.. Wow.
    My youngest daughter favors her angel brother too. (we are the flip flop of your family, lost a boy, have all girls)ReplyCancel

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  • Traci - The Cora story made me bawl!! What an amazingly thoughtful, loving thing to do for you!ReplyCancel

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IMG_4319A strange title, I know. Hopefully by the end it will make sense. Summer just came to a close and wheat harvest flew by a long time ago. Most of harvest Joel was driving truck this year. The boys still managed to ride along to the grain elevator as many times as they could. They think they are so big when they get to stay up late trucking with dad.

IMG_4429newWhen Joel was driving the combine one evening, we all raced out to the field for a ride. The combine is everyone’s favorite.

Processed with VSCO with s2 presetSquishing my whole crazy family into the combine is my favorite. I can only handle it for so long though because personal space is also my favorite.

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IMG_4447Someone told me this summer that I make farm life look romantic. It almost made me laugh out loud. I’ll let you in on a little secret. I love farm life and so much of it is completely wonderful. Maybe even romantic at times. I know I’ve got it good. Really good. I mean, look at those adorable farm boys out with their daddy! But the truth is, there are days when I am so envious of non-farm families. I start comparing and it doesn’t take long for envy to creep in. I see predictable schedules, holiday weekends, normal dinner times and lives that don’t depend on the weather and my heart races to a discontent state with the life the Lord has lovingly planned for me and my family. I used to think I had the right to whine because, sheesh, those things can be hard on a mama with little kids. But the Lord has been working on my heart and showing me what I so often forget.

I few months ago I read this:

“Envy is forgetful. In concentrating on what we don’t have that we think we should have, we fail to keep in mind the huge catalog of blessings that are ours simply because God has chosen to place his bountiful love on us. This forgetfulness causes us to do more comparing and complaining than praising and resting.” (Paul David Tripp, New Morning Mercies)

I forget. I forget all that I have in Christ. I forget the gospel and God’s extravagant love. I forget that I am daily living in His riches of grace. I forget His promises that I can stand firm on. I forget that He faithfully meets my every need. I forget and I forget so often.

So my new motto has been: less comparing and complaining, more praising and resting. And before you think I’ve got it all figured out for even one minute, I don’t. I fail over and over because I forget over and over. Just ask my husband how my attitude was the other night. Yikes. It is hard work to get my heart to a place of contentment. But when I allow the Lord to guide me there, the resting and praising bring so much joy.

So, thank you Lord for the gift of farming. Thank you for my precious farm boys. As we close out summer and get ready to enter the fall harvest season, may I do much more praising and much less complaining. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and My Redeemer.

Posted in: family , farming
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  • Maria - Farmers feed cities – Thank you! We all envy, though that doesn’t make it right. Love your little boys! Adorable!ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:13 am

    Thanks, Maria!

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  • Beth Zeller - Through the years I have (and sometimes still do) wasted lots of days lost in envy of a more predictable, controlled way of life. Farming is not an easy way of life. It is so unpredictable in so many ways, especially financially and with trying to schedule your time and days. And it is frustrating to have so little control over so much of it! However, I too, am thankful to be married to a farmer. The flexibility of our life has given me the gift of time spent with my grandchildren. I am so thankful for that blessing. Farming is not what my husband does for a living. It is who he is. Thank you, God, for giving me a farmer to love!ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:12 am

    I love how you said that, Beth! I’ve wasted so much time lost in envy too. But if I stop comparing and take the time to look at what God has given me, there are so many gifts. So many gifts. Thankful for my farmer too!

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    • Jess - I love how you said that, Beth! I’ve wasted so much time lost in envy too. But if I stop comparing and take the time to look at what God has given me, there are so many gifts. So many gifts. Thankful for my farmer too!ReplyCancel

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  • Michelle - I doubt there are many people who, given a choice, wouldn’t wish for something different. But I know this City Girl is so grateful to the farmers who feed my family. And I look at your farm boys growing up in such a loving family and am grateful for the wonderful example of parenting you provide me xxReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:10 am

    Thanks, Michelle! Looking forward to meeting you SOON!

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  • Meggie - Thanks for sharing your heart. Glad I’m not the only one who gets caught up in discontentment! By the way… We appreciate farmers and their families so much!!ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:09 am

    Nope, I am right there with you! Praying that God would continue to do a work in my heart that so often becomes discontent in so many ways. Thank for your sweet words, Meggie!

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    • Jess - Nope, I am right there with you! Praying that God would continue to do a work in my heart that so often becomes discontent in so many ways. Thank for your sweet words, Meggie!ReplyCancel

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  • Toni :0) - Thankful for farmers every day. It’s a hard life but I’m grateful for those that choose to do it. God bless them and their families.ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:08 am

    Thanks for your encouragement, Toni!

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  • Ali - Oh, thank you for this. I have read your blog for several years but never commented. We are dairy farmers, have two young kids (5 and 2), and a third coming in a few short months. This has been a challenging year in the way that agriculture lends itself to being–financial stresses, employee turnover, battling mother nature, etc. It becomes exhausting in so many ways. The exhaustion turns to envy, and sometimes envy to resentment. I so appreciate you sharing these words today as they’re such an encouragement to looking at my own heart and reevaluating my perspective. Prayers for a smooth and bountiful harvest season.ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:08 am

    Yes! I can so relate to this, Ali. It is a hard season in so many ways. Praying that we would both do less complaining and comparing and more praising and resting…that God would move both of our hearts more and more to a place of contentment in where He has us. Thanks for sharing your heart! It is always encouraging to talk to a fellow farm wife!

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    • Jess - Yes! I can so relate to this, Ali. It is a hard season in so many ways. Praying that we would both do less complaining and comparing and more praising and resting…that God would move both of our hearts more and more to a place of contentment in where He has us. Thanks for sharing your heart! It is always encouraging to talk to a fellow farm wife!ReplyCancel

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  • Kimberly Oyler - the first time i read your blog i thought, “hey! this looks so fun. i want to be a farm wife!” you do make it look so romantic and fun! miss you friend, hope you’re doing well!ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:03 am

    Well, farm life is fun…buuuut I don’t know if it could ever compare to Hawaii life. Ha! Can’t wait to hear more about your adventures. Miss you too!

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:03 am

    Not that I’m comparing… 😉

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    • Jess - Well, farm life is fun…buuuut I don’t know if it could ever compare to Hawaii life. Ha! Can’t wait to hear more about your adventures. Miss you too!ReplyCancel

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  • Summer - The wheat looks beautiful ♥ Nice photos too ♥

    summerdaisycottage.blogspot.comReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:01 am

    Thank you, Summer!

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  • Caitlin Allison - Love this. I don’t live on a farm, but I struggle with this DAILY. I think Satan likes us to be anything but grateful. The hardest for me is on social media…if there is ugliness in my heart, it doesn’t take much to convince me that everyone else on IG has a better life than me! I’m super glad God is faithful to complete the work He started in me…because there is a lot of work 🙂ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:01 am

    YES! Social media is so great but it can be one of my biggest pitfalls too. It is so easy to compare. There is a lot of work to be done in me as well. So thankful for our faithful God!

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    • Jess - YES! Social media is so great but it can be one of my biggest pitfalls too. It is so easy to compare. There is a lot of work to be done in me as well. So thankful for our faithful God!ReplyCancel

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  • Today | Small Town Nebraska - […] a here is a good read for all farm moms and wives as harvest is […]ReplyCancel

  • Allison Pernecky - This post has rung true to what I’ve been going through lately as well. My husband could attest the same to my horrid attitude he had to put up with the other night! I was saying that I think it must be a lot harder to raise a young family at our age vs. our parent’s age (specifically our mom’s). There is so much to compare ourselves to with the various routes of social media we deal with that sometimes, when we’re having a rough day especially, it’s hard not to think that other people are more successful, happy, better moms, etc. My husband travels a lot for work, so I’m holding down much of the fort myself, so I often times feel envy for my friends who seem to have so much more family time than myself. But, like you said, we just have to try to stop the comparison (SO much easier said than done) & focus on the many, many blessings that we do have. Thank you for sharing!ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    October 17th, 2016 at 3:01 pm

    Allison-It is so hard, right? I am sure it is tough to have your husband away so often. Keep clinging to Him! When I finally stop comparing it helps me so much to remember that this (my life) is his perfect, loving plan for me and my family. THIS is it! And I am so thankful that we are not alone in this as He gives us the strength to accomplish whatever it is He is asking us to do. Hang in there, mama!

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    • Jess - Allison-It is so hard, right? I am sure it is tough to have your husband away so often. Keep clinging to Him! When I finally stop comparing it helps me so much to remember that this (my life) is his perfect, loving plan for me and my family. THIS is it! And I am so thankful that we are not alone in this as He gives us the strength to accomplish whatever it is He is asking us to do. Hang in there, mama!ReplyCancel

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Every summer Joel says we should buzz the boys’ hair. And every summer I beg him not to get out the clippers. I love my boys cute little haircuts and I couldn’t imagine tiny bald boys running around my yard. I don’t know why, but I just couldn’t do it.

And then it happened. Joel must have caught me in a weak moment. He knows me well enough to know that I would change my mind in five minutes so he literally ran for the clippers. I didn’t even have time to grab my big camera and he was done.

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Baby Tiny had his first real summer haircut. It was actually quite lovely because normally he has to sit on my lap for his haircuts. I always leave needing a shower because I am covered in lollipop slobber and hair. So this actually was a much better option for me. But now my baby looks like a big boy (insert tears)!

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Griff was next. He thought he was so big and was so proud of his haircut. Cutie!

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Joel gave Levi a mo-hawk. If you know Levi, you know this is SO not his personality. He will hardly let me spike up his hair. I have a few risk takers running around my house but he is not one of them…at least not yet.

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He thought it was cool for a minute until he started worrying that Joel might actually leave it that way. This was when he started begging his daddy to cut the rest.

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Of course, he did.

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Little boys are so fun…and so silly!

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And just look how cute these two are with their summer haircuts.

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I’m already ready for Tiny to get his baby haircut back. He’s growing up way too fast. I’m pretty sure he likes it though. He is always trying to be just like the big boys…and now he looks just like them too!

Posted in: family , griffin , jake , levi
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  • jenny - It will grow back so fast, you won’t believe it! They look so adorable. 🙂ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:21 am

    Thanks, Jenny!

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  • Kelly - Soooo cute! I only know how to do clipper cuts around here and I am too cheap to take them anywhere! oh dear. 🙂 KellyReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:20 am

    I don’t blame you! Clipper cuts are way easier!!!

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  • Tiffany - Oh Jess!!! I can’t even handle how much cute, and sweet, and summer is happening here!!! Those bellies and those basketball shorts and those sweet buzzed heads, such a fun post!!!ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:20 am

    Thanks, Tiffany. It was a fun summer with those sweet boys!

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  • Tina - I have 4 boys and when we do the summer hair cuts (which are becoming all the time haircuts b/c they’ve learned they don’t like combing their hair and that’s easier)…when they’re all newly cut and super short, people think my kids are clones. 🙂 And yours look all super alike as well, so now I get it! 🙂 We did ours a month ago and my 6 year old is already telling me his hair is too long and he needs it cut again.ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:19 am

    That’s so fun! My boys loved not combing their hair and it was super nice to just run out the door and not have to worry about crazy bed head! Four boys sounds like so much fun! I have a feeling you could teach me a lot! 🙂

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    • Jess - That’s so fun! My boys loved not combing their hair and it was super nice to just run out the door and not have to worry about crazy bed head! Four boys sounds like so much fun! I have a feeling you could teach me a lot! 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Mary Ann - I loved the shaved heads….they are so cute and all getting so big.ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:17 am

    Thank you, Mary Ann! Such a gift to watch these baby boys grow up!

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  • Amy - Too cute!! Loving that stock tank pool! 🙂ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:16 am

    They had so much fun in that “pool”!

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  • Jennifer Minor - No, no, no Jess!!! They look TOO big like this!!! Ha, ha!! Seriously they are so adorable. Shirtless big boys with, BB shorts, and slick heads…not babies anymore. BUT such cute big boys!!ReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:16 am

    Oh, thank you! They seem so big to be all of a sudden too. It happens so fast…but what a gift to watch them grow!

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    • Jess - Oh, thank you! They seem so big to be all of a sudden too. It happens so fast…but what a gift to watch them grow!ReplyCancel

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  • PK Harmon - I am missing your storiesReplyCancel

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    Jess Reply:
    September 9th, 2016 at 10:13 am

    Oh that is so sweet! Thank you! I miss writing too. Hoping to carve out some more time now that school has started!

    [Reply]

    • Jess - Oh that is so sweet! Thank you! I miss writing too. Hoping to carve out some more time now that school has started!ReplyCancel

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IMG_8655newI have to be honest and tell you that when DaySpring contacted me about promoting these party cups I was going to say no right away. I only like to post about things I love and when I saw these I wasn’t in love. But as I was looking at them Levi came over and said, “Wow, mom! Are you getting those for us?” He loved them. The monster ones of course. And then I remembered it wasn’t always about what I loved, but what my kids love too. And they love these fun reusable cups.

IMG_8666newThese princess cups are pretty adorable. I would have snatched them up right away, but no one in my family was too excited about pink or princesses. But wouldn’t these be fun for a princess party? Someone pleeeeease plan a princess party for their little girl for me.

IMG_8672newOf course my boys loved the U-Neeks cups. They call them monsters. They each have a little message on them along with a Bible verse. And each character has a name. I love that.

IMG_8680newAs soon as I opened these cups I came up with all sorts of things I could use them for. Party favors, Sunday School gifts, VBS prizes, or a fun summer gift for your child to give to a friend or neighbor.

IMG_8697newOf course I had to come up with a boy version too. Since I have boys and all. This character’s name is Dweeber. 🙂

dayspring cupsDon’t tell my boys, but I am kind of partial to that cute pink princess. I may just have to keep one for myself.

IMG_8730newI filled the cups with a glow stick, bubbles, a piece of chalk, play-doh, and a little lollipop. I found everything at the Dollar Tree except the mini lollipops. Did I mention the cups are reusable? Once the kids have used up all their goodies, they will still have the cup to keep and reuse.

IMG_8734newSo, it turns out these cups are pretty awesome…Levi was right. I’m pretty sure they would make any kid smile and I kind of love them now too. Besides the cute characters and bright colors my favorite part is the verse on each one. We are about to wrap up Sunday School at my church and I’m planning on giving one of these to each one of the preschoolers in my class. I can’t wait!

Just for YOU, DaySpring is discounting all reusable party cups! Through Thursday, June 16, these cups will be marked down to $5 (regularly $11.88). There is no code necessary as they are already marked down on the DaySpring website. They come in sets of 12 and there are 11 styles to choose from. Make sure to check them all out and maybe you can create a fun summer party favor too. Yay for SUMMER!

*disclaimer: affiliate links used

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