12 in 12: Book #5

Crazy Love by Francis Chan



I've been doing so well with this year's challenge, I'm so excited that I'm getting in more reading this year. I read on my lunch breaks at work, it's the perfect 30 minute escape. Book #5, I was really excited to read Crazy Love, I'd heard so many great things about this book from others and couldn't wait to dive in.

This book is about an authentic love with Jesus. To be quite honest a lot of the themes and topics in the book didn't quite hit me where I'm at these days. But the last chapter was really good! The last chapter of the book the author talked about how God loves us so much he created us uniquely our own.

There's a sentence in the book where he says "God only created one Francis Chan." Only one.

It's such a powerful statement to really take it. And I feel like we need to be reminded of that small simple statement on how much God loves us.

There's only one Andrea Worley. He's uniquely made me, called me to serve a purpose, and gifted me like no one else. The dreams he's given me aren't like anyone else's. What I will do for the Lord will be different than anyone else's. I feel so privileged to carry out what he's called me to.

The attention to detail he took to create me, is overwhelming at times when I really think about it.

He loves me so much. And daily, I want to fall more in love with Jesus and serve him in a crazy kinda way!

**** (my rating)

PS- there's still time to donate & be entered to win some amazing prizes. GO HERE to donate to THE BROOKER'S ADOPTION FUND! Thank you, thank you for donating! 

This week.

Sickness has taken over. Ava is recovering from an ear infection. I got sick with a sinus infection and probably passed it onto my Husband. Physically I feel worn out, my emotions are on high. It's been a long week.

This week has been stressful in some respects, trying to deal with the emotions of other's actions is sometimes difficult for me. Sometimes I don't know where that line is between having your feelings hurt and feeling offended. So, before I turn down that road of offense I agree to let go. I agree to let God deal with those people, and hold onto the promises he's given me.

So as the week ends, and we head into the weekend I get to enjoy this long weekend with my Hubby and friends. Enjoying one of his first holidays off in two years. Yes, this weekend will be good.

For now, I leave you with a couple requests: one that you would go visit the adoption fundraiser donate and be entered to win some amazing prizes.

And next have fun drooling over these yummy cupcakes I made a few weeks ago for my co workers birthdays. I used TomKat print ables for the toppers.

Happy Weekending, hope you enjoy your weekend with loved ones too!

{Sponsor Love} Welcome Zoara Jewelry

I wanted to introduce you and welcome a new sponsor here at the Worley House! Zoara Engaging Diamonds & Jewelry! Diamonds are a girl's best friend right?! Truth be told, I don't own a lot of diamonds other than my wedding rings but I do love to look and shop for pretty things and let me tell you Zoara doesn't disappoint in that department.

Here's a little bit more about this company:
Zoara is the culmination of over 50 years of combined professional expertise in the diamond and jewelry industries. For decades the company's founders and management have been offering high-end jewelry and diamonds to the public in retail stores throughout the United States. Now, after years of collective requests from our customers, we are delighted to offer the much anticipated internet platform for our retail stores, in the form of Zoara. Founded in 2008, their U.S. based website is the first extension of their combined Diamond Jewelry, Gemstone Jewelry and retail experience to reach the public market in the form of a sophisticated online retail marketplace.

Here's just a few of their pretty pieces from their line:


(L to R:) heart shaped pendant, key to my heart pendant {my personal fave}, men's engraved wedding band


(L to R:) criss cross wedding ring, stud earrings {what girl doesn't need a nice pair of earrings like this?}, heart shaped engagement ring

Zoara has a great option for Brides and Grooms to design your own engagement rings, They have a great selection of wedding rings. I'm drooling over a 10 year anniversary band already! So many pretty choices to have is a good thing! And, if your Hubby lost his ring in the lake shortly after you wed, you can check out their selection of men's wedding rings and get said Hubby a new one!

They have a great selection of unique engagement rings, if I was to choose all over again I think I'd pick this one, or this one. {Hubby are you reading this?} And diamond studs are also on my list of wants, someday!

And, if you need help navigating the diamond world they offer great tips and full explanations on their site about half carat diamond and how to buy diamonds! Do you want even more incentive to visit Zoara and take a look around? They are offering all Worley House readers a discount of 10% using code: 10K at check out! Just make sure you bring your Hubby along with you and let him know how much you love their jewelry!

Click the side bar banner to be taken to their site, or click here.  



{Sponsor Love} Tea Collection Sale

{this post was brought to you by Tea, all opinions are 100% mine}



Tea Collection is one of my fave brands of clothing for little ones, Ava owns several of their pieces thanks to generous friends & family! But they also have a great selection of Women's Clothing as well, I really like some of their women items too!

Tea Collection, known for their globally-inspired clothing for children and women, is offering an additional 20% off already reduced styles for a limited time only! Now's the time to enjoy an extra 20% off sale items, including dresses, pants, shirts and more! Just enter code MSALE20 at checkout now through Monday, May 30th at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time to receive this additional savings. This super sale is good on limited quantities and they always sell out, so check it out today!

Hurry you don't want to miss out on this great deal!!

Psst..... my first blog post on Parent Palace is up for your viewing you can read it here. And if you're looking to donate & win some awesome prizes for a great cause you can donate to the Brooker's adoption fund here and be entered to win some awesome stuff. Thank you!

{Project Baby B} An Update

I wanted to update you all on that Daniel & Lyndsie are in the process of adopting a precious baby boy! It is with their permission that I share this news with you, it is an answer to prayer for the them! Their baby boy is at home with them now as they continue and finalize the final legal things they need to to adopt this child.

It is with great excitement & JOY that I congratulate them on becoming a family and adopting this sweet child!! I want to do my best to protect their privacy and honor this family as best I can.

With that said, I have chosen to continue along with this fundraiser for their adoption costs as there are many costs involved in choosing to adopt a child. I also want to make note of two things; one is that it was on my heart and my CHOICE to have this fundraiser in the first place it was also my choice to donate the proceeds of Ava's Closet to this cause. Two, EVERY LAST SPONSOR OF THIS FUNDRAISER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE BROOKERS ADOPTING AND ALL HAVE CHOSEN TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ME IN THIS FUNDRAISER!

No one was misled and there is no dishonesty happening with this fundraiser. I ask that we respect this family and their privacy and REJOICE with them during this time. I am so happy and excited for the Brookers as they become a family and experience the joys and all the amazing moments that come with parenthood!

CONGRATS!

I am reminded of John 16:33 during this time. Take heart, Jesus has overcome the WORLD and he will over come any rumours or negativity surrounding this time. This is and will be the last time I will address this on the blog.

If you would like to donate to their adoption fund and be entered to win some amazing prizes please scroll below or click here!

{Project Baby B} Adoption Fundraiser

I'm excited to announce to you all the wonderful shops and sponsors we have for this awesome fundraising project for Daniel & Lyndsie Brooker!

It has been on my heart to raise $1,000 for the Brookers. With the Lord's help and yours I believe that we can make this happen! You can read more about them by visiting their adoption page here.

After reading through what each shop has generously donated you will have a chance to donate and enter your name into winning ALL of these awesome gifts. Want to see what you can get by donating? Here we go!!

First up, the wonderful ladies over at Jo Totes have offered to give away 1 Marigold Jo Tote!! These camera bags are so wonderful to hold all your gear and still be stylish at the same time. They are versatile and allow you to remove the padding and customize your bag the way you need it to function! I love mine and use it daily!

SHOP * FACEBOOK * TWITTER * 



Knitty Bitties has offered to give 1 Spring Has Spring Happy Little Camera Strap cover! Her shop is filled with awesome things, everything is so colorful and bright with a great mix of patterns in the fabric choices. My faves are her camera strap covers, and the Oh Snap wallets!

SHOP * FACEBOOK * TWITTER * BLOG 



Giggles and Grins is one of my fave shops to visit for really awesome outfits for your kiddo! I got Ava's first birthday onesie from her shop and Robyn is wonderful to work with. She has things for boys and girls, and festive things for baby shower gifts too! She's offering a $20 gift card to be used towards anything in her shop.

SHOP * FACEBOOK

 

ZsMommyMadeIt is offering 1 Hot Lips Apron and Mit set! Visit her fun shop for some wonderful handmade aprons, pot holders, and my personal fave the tooth fairy pillow. So cute for your little ones!

SHOP * BLOG * TWITTER



Danielle is the blog author of one of my fave blogs Take Heart, she's donated one of her amazing wreaths shown above. You have to seriously visit her blog and shop, I pretty much want to buy all her wreaths and put them everywhere in my home!

SHOP * BLOG * TWITTER



Pretty Things by Meg will have you drooling over everything in her shop, and wanting to figure out how you can wear it all! I love her ruffle necklaces in her shop! She's donating pair of Pretty Pearls earrings.

SHOP * FACEBOOK * BLOG * TWITTER



Jess from Party Box Design has donated a set of custom invitations complete with envelopes. Jess's design are so whimsical and fun, she designed Ava's birthday invitations and I've been hooked ever since. Her party designs and products will have you dreaming of your next party you can host just so you can use some of her fun products!

SHOP * FACEBOOK * TWITTER * BLOG



Day Spring is one of my fave places to buy faith inspired art, cards and fun gifts. They are generously offering 1 pair of their Grace Alone Earrings.

SHOP * FACEBOOK * TWITTER



Colored with Love is a great local handmade business here in Arizona. I met the owner at a local Farmers Market here and wore a pair of her awesome earrings in my family photo shoot recently. Jamie has donated the items shown above which includes a handmade clip, earring set and journal!

FACEBOOK * SHOP



$15 Shop credit to anything in stock from Ava's Closet.

SHOP * BLOG * TWITTER * FACEBOOK



I got the chance to meet Heather from Angel Face Designs at Creative Estates this past April! She's as cute and adorable in person as she is on her blog! She's donating 2 pairs of in stock petite rose earrings. They are the perfect flirty addition to any outfit!

SHOP * BLOG * TWITTER * FACEBOOK

Erin Burns has one of the cutest online shops, I've been reading her blog for sometime now and I had the chance to meet her at Creative Estates as well. Her shop is full of fun additions for your party including fun cupcake toppers, ruffle garland, and cute clips! She's donating 1 Personalized Party Inspiration Board and 2 sets (your choice) of felt cupcake toppers from her shop!

SHOP * FACEBOOK * TWITTER * BLOG

Jen is the writer and owner of the shop IHeart Organizing. She has tons of great tips and tricks on her blog for organizing your home and life. She's offering 1 Household Binder complete with tons of free printables to help organizing your family and your home. Keep everything all in one place with this household binder, and personalized with your family's name, children's names, etc. 

SHOP * FACEBOOK * BLOG

Jillissa is the owner of a really cute shop, and she's also my cousin! She makes beautiful knit hats for babies and children adorned with really pretty florals and accents! From girly to whimsical she's got it all. She's offering a $20 shop credit to anything in stock.

 SHOP * FACEBOOK

Amy is one talented lady, her blog is one of my faves. She's got made decor & party skills. Her shop is filed with vintage inspired cake and cupcake plates. She's donating 2 sets of her birthday postcards, she designed these herself, aren't they cute!?! Now you'll never forget anyone's birthday. 

SHOP * BLOG * FACEBOOK 



FUNDRAISER GUIDLINES:

(Here's how this will work)

 Anyone and Everyone is able to donate and win! I do not care of your a follower of Worley House, or even if you've never even read this blog, it is open to EVERYONE and you're all eligible.

• For every $10 you donate you will receive 1 entry into this fundraiser contest.  
• For extra entries you may donate more, for example $20 = 2 entries
• Please only donate in amounts of $10
• After donating please come back and leave a comment and give leave a word of encouragement and comment on how much you donated to claim all your entries. 
• Please click the button below to donate:

I want to say a BIG thank you to all the people who generously and selflessly donated items from their shops. This wouldn't be possible with out you! THANK YOU!

I also wanted to say thank you to Daniel and Lyndsie for being so inspiring to myself and others. You both inspire and encourage others so much, I pray that this small act will bless you both, your future and help bring your baby home! God has used you both in such an amazing way, and I know that he's going to continue that in your lives. Thank you for allowing me to help in some small way.

*Also, please don't forget that half of all proceeds from Ava's Closet will be given to their adoption fund as well. Go here to purchase.

{Sponsor Love} Layla Grace + A Coupon for YOU!

You all know how much I love Layla Grace already, I've gushed about them so many times. They have some new amazing furniture for little kids that I am just dying over! It's so modern and chic, but it would also be so perfect for family and kids photo shoots! Take a look and see what I mean:

Introducing Jennifer Delonge furniture Collection:

A trendsetter in the modern family design movement, Jennifer DeLonge creates hip and functional furniture for the nursery and beyond. Stylish parents adore her line of chic gliders and daybeds, lauded in over 200 publications including Elle Decor and American Baby. Her children's collection features miniature versions of contemporary chairs, sofas and play tables perfectly proportioned for toddlers and kids. True to her belief that a happy home is one that reflects your personal style, Jennifer DeLonge offers a variety of solid, patterned and textured upholstery choices to complement your décor.

 

Seriously, a fave!

 

You can check out more of this awesome furniture line here on their site!

 

 Layla Grace is having some great promotions and sales right now; We're very excited to announce our 15% off sale on the entire Little Giraffe collection now through May 31st with promo code LG4LG. 

Little Giraffe offers the most luxurious baby blankets, crib bedding sets, and more. Their soft security blankets are a particular favorite and make great baby shower gifts! Each item is machine washable and made in the USA. Celebrity moms including Angelina Jolie, Katie Holmes, Nicole Richie, and Gwen Stefani love the Little Giraffe Collection and so do we! Orders over $50 ship for free and now through May 31st take an additional 15% off Little Giraffe with code LG4LG, so stock up on baby shower gifts or find a special something for your own little bundle--enjoy!

{all photos used with permission from Layla Grace}

 

This post was brought to you by Layla Grace, all opinions are 100% mine

Um, how awesome is this! I want to take it out into a field and take pictures with some adorable kiddos!

These ottomans are pefect for a pop of color in a play room!

And, forget the kids I kinda want this in my room!

{Project Baby B} How You Can Help

Hello Everyone!!

Today I wanted to take the time to tell you how you can be apart and help Daniel and Lyndsie in their adoption efforts.

Last Fall they were heavy on my mind and my heart. It was around that time that I really started praying and dreaming of a way that I could help them.

They have been on my heart and mind a lot these last few months, I pray for them daily and believe with them that someday soon they will bring their baby home. Orion and I struggled with infertility before we got pregnant with Ava. At the time it was very hard to walk through, I couldn't imagine never being able to have a child. I know only a small piece of what it is like to yearn for a child of my own. I truly believe that adoption is one of the most selfless things a family can do. The choice to make a child that isn't biologically your own yours is an amazing thing. And I really think it shows a true picture of how Christ loved us.

This got me to thinking; How can I help them? I mean really help them?! I talked to my husband about donating the proceeds from Ava's Closet to their adoption fund, he agreed that it was a wonderful idea.

I wanted to do more for them, it was on my heart to do a fundraiser with them in mind to help them raise awareness and funds for their adoption to bring their child home. They are such a unique and special couple, with amazing hearts I would just love to do something to bless them. The Lord has laid it on my heart to raise $1000 for their adoption fund, and I truly believe that together we can do that!!!

From now until the end of the month half of the proceeds from Ava's Closet will be donated to the Brooker's adoption fund! You can go here to shop:



*SHOP*

Friday I will be having an Adoption Fundraiser for the Brooker's here on the blog! I have partnered with some amazing handmade shops! Their generosity has been amazing and so overwhelming, I'm truly humbled by their desire to help! Here's a list of who will be involved in this fundraiser:

Haute Blue B

Ava's Closet

Colored With Love

Sugar Money

Knitty Bitties

Angel Face Designs

Pretty Things by Meg

Party Box Designs

Day Spring

Giggles & Grins

IHeart Organizing

ZsMommyMadeIt

JoTotes
JLMBABYBOUTiQUE

All details for the fundraiser will be announced and given on Friday, there will be a widget on the bottom of that post, that looks like this, to track our fundraising efforts: (you can donate at anytime by clicking it)



I will be donating, I hope that you will pray and consider donating as well! You can find out more about this couple by visiting their adoption page here.



{Project Baby B} Meet Daniel & Lyndsie!!!!!

I'm so excited about this week and to have the chance to introduce you to Daniel & Lyndsie! I have been reading their blog and following along with their lives for a little over a year now. I first stumbled upon their blog March of last year, and was instantly hooked by their love story, their positive outlook on life and their love for the Lord was very evident in everything they said and did. It came across through their blog in such a powerful way. You can read my first post about them here on my blog.

They have the most amazing and sweetest love stories I've ever heard. It's inspiring and so touching. What I love most about this couple is how positive and encouraging they are towards life and others. They are always praying for others, they are always selfless and so encouraging on their blog through their words to everyone who reads it. I know myself and other's included have been blessed by them and their ministry because that is really what it is.

 

Here's a little bit more about this sweet couple: {from them}

Daniel and I are just two ordinary people who want to share with the world the extraordinary "Love Story" the Lord has written for us! We truly believe that we have....A Love Worth Waiting For! Daniel and I met in the Summer of 2000 at a Summer camp. I was 13 and Daniel was 15. We didn't realize it then, but even at such a young age God was already writing our love story! Daniel and I have been through a lot during the past 10 years that we have known each other! In the Spring of 2006 at the age of 19, I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and then again in the Spring of 2008. Unfortunately in the Spring of 2008 at the age of 21, I had to have a total hysterectomy. Even though this was absolutely devastating for us, we know that God still has a plan! After 7 months of intense chemo, on April 25th 2009 Daniel and I were married!! Our wedding day was the best day of ours lives! April 25th 2009 I married my prince charming, my soul mate, my best friend, and my dream come true! I couldn't have asked the Lord for a better man to call my husband!


After 2 years of marriage Daniel and I are still so in love and we are so thankful that we have such a wonderful marriage! We praise the Lord each and every day that I am CANCER FREE and have been for 3 years!! I am doing absolutely wonderful and my Dr has told me that I am perfectly healthy! We give all of the glory to the Lord Jesus Christ!!

Our prayer is that our lives will always bring glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ and that together we will be vessels worthy of His use! Through all the trials and uncertainty, the Lord has always been faithful and His grace has always been sufficient! Even though this journey has been hard and there have been days when we just don't understand...we realize that every step that we have taken on this journey and every step we are going to take has brought us closer to the Lord, closer to each other, and one step closer to our baby!

Isn't that an awesome story!! And Praise the Lord for Lyndsie's healing and her health! I love what Daniel and Lyndsie have chosen, they have chosen to love the Lord, have faith and believe in his promises in not so ideal circumstances, even when things aren't pretty, when things are not as they expected!

I admire and I'm inspired by their strength and love for the Lord in their daily lives! Thank you for taking the time to read this, I'm so excited for what the Lord has done, and is going to do in their lives. I know and truly believe that he is already working out the fine details for them to bring their baby home.

Come back tomorrow to hear how you can help and be apart of Daniel & Lyndsie's story and help bring "Baby B" home!

To read more about this couple visit their adoption page here

{all images used with permission}

{DIY} Summer Time Rosette Wreath

My front door was looking pretty scary these days considering that I've had the same wreath up since Christmas! {don't judge me!} I figured it was high time to take care of that, so I did.

I bought a straw wreath at the Dollar Store. Side note: the Dollar Store has some amazing stuff for your crafting needs!

First I primed the wreath with a quick spray of Kilz primer just 1 coat. The I did about 3 coats of Krylon's Blue Ocean Breeze. While it was drying I started making the rosettes from felt.



I bought 4 different colors of felt from JoAnns for .39 each. This was the most time consuming process, but I watched an episode of Body of Proof and it helped the time go by fast!



I cut two small squares, and left one larger one. Then I rounded the corners by cutting off the excess. And then cut circles in the felt till they made a ring out of the whole felt square. See in the picture above. I repeated this process with every color. You will end up with two smaller rosettes and one large one.

Once they were all cut, I rolled the centers and hot glued it in place. Then wrapped and glued as I went along the edge to make a rosette.



I repeated this till all the rosettes were made using all the colors of felt. Then I started gluing them to the wreath. I glued all the larger ones first and filled in with the smaller ones. The rosettes are enough to cover only one section of the wreath. If you want to do this all over you'll never 4 times the amount in various sizes. Here's what it will look like as you start gluing:



Here's a fab before and after:



It's so fun, bright and cheery! Just what the front door needed for summer. It brings a smile to my face every time I come home! Let's take a look at it again in all its glory!

Linking Up with these Ladies:

Get Your Craft On with Today's Creative Blog

Thrifty Decor Chick's Spray Paint Party



Blog Roll Monday: Mama of "M"s



Blog Roll Monday is a weekly feature where I high light one of my fave blogs on my reading list and tell you why I love it, and why you should be reading it too! For a full list of blogs I heart click here.

*******

Good Afternoon, Happy Monday Everyone!

I want to introduce you to my friend and blogger Jessie. Jessie and I have known each other for a long time, like Junior High long time. We haven't always been blessed to live in the same place at the same time, even now we live a couple hours away from each other but I am forever blessed by her friendship no matter what distance is between us!

She's one of those friends and Mamas that you can just sit and talk to all day long. Learning from her and being inspired by her.

Her blog has one of the cutest and cleverest {yes, I am making it a word!} names. She has two sons both names start with "M." And, another baby on the way that will also have an "M" name. Thus, Mama of "M"s is born! Isn't that so cute! I am personally hoping for a baby girl M this time, but we'll just have to wait and see the sex of the baby isn't yet known.

Meet her sweet little guys Marshal & Mason and her Hubby Jalon!

One of my fave posts she's written is called 'The Detour' you can read it here. A sweet simple reminder that God is always in control and he always has a plan! And I learned all my wisdom on making my own baby food from her awesome tips, that you can find here. So simple to do! And the sweet post she wrote about her home, and what really makes a house a home.

Stop by her blog today, catch up and give her some love today!

Happy Monday Friends!

{all photos via Mama of "M"s}

Spring Into Shutterfly

{this post is brought to you by Shutterfly, all opinions are 100% mine}

Spring time brings new promise, events to look forward to as we head into Summer. My favorite way to capture all those memories and events is through my lens by photography of coarse! Shutterfly is my favorite site to store photos online, they back everything up online for free and give you some awesome options when it comes to preserving your memories. 

There are so many things you can make using Shutterfly, here's just a few of my favorites: 

Photo Books

They are one of the best ways to preserve memories for your family. I have a photo book made every year for us. To keep it simple and management I edit and add events through the book as they happen. That way I don't feel overwhelmed at the end of the year making my book. Doing a little at a time is really easy. 

Birth Announcements

We made Ava's birth announcements from Shutterfly and I absolutely loved them! They turned out awesome and their quality is really great! All cards come with matching envelopes as well making it super easy for you to mail out to all your friends and family. 

Photo Gifts

Photo gifts are a great way to celebrate your memories and give them to others. Wouldn't these be so adorable for the Grandparents in your life? I like to make photo gifts for our loved ones for holiday gifts and birthdays. They are a great way to personalize your gifts. 

Wouldn't these luggage tags be so cute for each kiddo in your family? Everyone has their own to match their bag, a great way to stay organized through the air port! I love these! 

{photos via Shutterfly}

I use Shutterfly for all my personal and professional needs. The people are great to work with and their customer service is top notch! If you haven't used them before jump on over to their site. They are affordable and always offer great discounts like free shipping and percentages off their products. 

Happy Memory Making! 

Have a blog? Sign up for a chance at 50 free cards from Shutterfly.