I'm Beyond Excited...

...Because, I finally bought my Canon EOS Rebel XS yesterday!!!

As you might imagine, I'm completely thrilled.  God is so good to provide this camera for me!  He has answered my prayers for babysitting jobs and ways to make some money for this camera.  I learned a lot about patience these past few months and if someone had told me that I would have my Canon Rebel this weekend, I don't believe I would have believed them.  I have seen my prayers answered by the Lord and I've definitely grown in my walk with Him while I've waited. :)

Blessings,
  

Summer With a Purpose- Week Two

It's the second week of "Summer With a Purpose" and I'm really excited to share what I've accomplished with everyone!   I also can't wait to see what all the other ladies have completed or worked on. :)

Earlier this week, I was able to finish a book on my book list titled, "Washington's Lady" and it was really good!  I would recommend reading it if you have the time. :)

I had a fun "Sewing Adventure" with my dear friend, Anna the other night.  We made a cute little girls skirt together.  We have actually never made anything without Katie's instruction before, but we completed something while she wasn't there beside us this time!  We had a blast trying to figure this pattern out and actually we worked on most of it without a pattern.  It was very fun and easy to make, but we did miss our third person (Katie) that night.  We have all made several historical costumes together over the past few years and this little skirt was very easy compared to those patterns. 

I also got a little photo editing accomplished this week.  I still have a lot of pictures to go, but at least a few of the files are finished!  I really enjoy editing photos, but it's so hard to get caught up with it when you haven't worked on it in awhile.  I'm trying very hard to finish the files that we have on the computer and then I hope to be able to keep up with it after that. :) 

Yesterday, I babysat for a few hours at a friends house and tomorrow I have another babysitting job to go to. It's a new family with three girls, so I think I can figure out some things to do with them. :)

And last, but not least...I was able to do several lessons in my Algebra throughout the week!  I'm very happy with all that I've accomplished, even if it is math during the summer.  It helps keep my mind working on something productive, right?  :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

In Christ,

There's a wonderful giveaway...

....going on HERE. Hurry up and see all the details! :)

In Christ,

Happy Birthday to a Wonderful Friend...

I just wanted to write a quick note to wish Miss Sarah-Anne a wonderful 15th birthday!  I hope it's been a wonderful day and I hope you've made lots and lots of memories!  Love you,  Sarah-Anne!   If you'd like to pay her a visit,  she blogs at Simply Sarah-Anne.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." -James 1:17

Much Love,

Summer With a Purpose-Week One

Well, summer is here to stay for a few months (along with the heat, it's been in the upper 90's around here!) and that brings up a very exciting topic to discuss...

When summer begins, it's hard not to get into the "lazy day mode". Everyone likes to sleep in, relax, watch TV, and just play around all the time. It's really sad how summer has been categorized by many people (including myself sometimes) as a time to just kick back, relax, have a things planned everyday of the week, and go on lots of trips. Instead, I like the idea of having fun, but in moderation. These weeks should be a time when many things can get accomplished. It's a wonderful time to be productive!

My friend, Emily, has decided to start a blog project to combat summer laziness! You can head over to her blog and read this post to learn more about it. We're all going to help each other be productive and encourage each other by posting every Friday (until August 20th) about something we've done during the week. I personally love the idea! :)

Here is a list of a few things I'd like to complete this summer: 

• Read, Read, Read- I have a very long list of books to read and I'd like to finish a few before school starts back.  I'll continue to read the books through the school year, but it's so much easier to read without having to do much school.  :)

• Cooking/Baking- I'd like to try to make some new recipes this summer.  We have plenty of recipes to try, but  we just didn't have time to try them when we found them.  We now have a big folder named "Recipes to Try"and I would love to find a few new recipes for meals and such. 

• Memorize Scripture- I have many  verses that I'd like to memorize and I would love to try to memorize some during the summer! 

• 
  
  Finish Algebra 1 - Even though it's June, I've still got a lot of math to finish.  I'm really going to be concentrating on getting that accomplished soon. 

• 
  
  Finish Projects- I have a lot of projects going at the time and I would love to actually finish some of them.  I have sewing projects, crocheting, scrapbook pages, and lots more.  I also have some picture editing that things to get finished. I hope to finish lots of them soon! :)

{Click on this button to join!}

I know that we could all use a little encouragement to stay productive this summer and that's why I'm joining these ladies in the "Summer with a Purpose" blog project!  What about you? 

Have a blessed weekend!

Something Special

Guess what I was able to do this past week?  Well, I have been featured on “Fashionably Modest Patterns" blog!  Gretchen has been doing a special post once a week for a few months now and that is chronicling a day in the life of one of her readers.  It was such a neat experience for me and I really enjoyed doing it!  I hope you enjoy seeing what a "normal " day at my house is like! :) 

You can read about my day HERE! :)

If you would like to participate in a "Page from my Journal" at Fashionably Modest Patterns you can go to her blog HERE.  I would love to see some of you featured on there someday! :) 


Blessings,

The Winner of the Giveaway...

The Winner is... from Emily N. on Vimeo.

Before you play the video, make sure you turn off the music at the bottom of the page. :)

Congratulations!  I'll send you an email and get your shirt size and your mailing address after I publish this post.  I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments during this giveaway!  Thank you all for entering!

In Christ,

Practically Pink Giveaway!

One of my sweet friends, Lindsay, has started a business called Zee's Tees and she has provided a free "Practically Pink" T-Shirt for a giveaway!  I am so excited about this and I hope you all are as well.  Hurry and enter~the giveaway will end soon! 

There are several different ways to enter...

1. Leave me a comment, of course. (Please include your email address.)

2. Blog about this giveaway (send me the link).

3. Become a fan of Zee's Tees on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.  (Let me know)

4. Follow Practically Pink or tell me if you do already.

5. Heart Zee's Tees at the Etsy shop HERE.  (Let me know you did so.)

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This giveaway will end on June 12th! I'll plan on choosing the winner on the 13th and will post about it on that day. 

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Note: Please leave an extra comment for each of the extra entries above. Please make sure to leave your name and email on each of the comments as well.  Also, the winner will be contacted for size/shipping info in the next couple days after the giveaway ends.

In Him,

A Peek Into Our Sister's Lives- Livvy (Part 2)

Here is the second part of Livvy's interview. I hope you enjoy reading it! :)

Emily: What does courtship vs. dating mean to your family?

Livvy: In my family’s opinion, courtship is the only way to have a truly pure, Christ-honoring special relationship with a potential spouse. Of course, courtship can be described and played out in one slant for this family, and then have a completely different concept and perception by that family. There is no “right” way and “wrong” way, courtship is different in every family and situation. Just so long as it’s Christ centered and keeps both of the involved party’s thoughts & feelings pure and wholesome. It’s a beautiful process. :)

Emily:  What was one of the first things that encouraged you or opened your eyes to living a biblical life?  Also, can you share your favorite scripture in the Bible with us?

Livvy:  When I was younger {I.E around 3-5} my parents started having convictions in many areas about different issues.  They began looking for answers in the Bible about these things, and looking for resources that encouraged what they were finding God’s word to be telling them.

Of course, since then I have grown up in the same mind-set, with the same convictions.  Dad and mom have always encouraged us to see what the Bible has to say about different concerns and topics, so they’ve never “enforced” any worldviews or ways of thinking on us, we simply came to the same conclusions.  We’re still learning and developing convictions in many areas, and will be.  The Lord shows us something new every day. :)

Oh, that’s a tough one.  I don’t think I could narrow it down!  Even so, I can share one of my favorites.  I usually resort to the Psalms for inspiration and encouragement when I need something to uplift my spirit or cheer me.  One that I find comforting is Psalms 121:

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help?  My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.  The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.  The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.”

Emily: And for the last question, what has helped you in choosing clothes that are modest and feminine?  Can you share some advice on that?

Livvy:  Well, it really depends on your style and modesty standards.  In example, I really like denim skirts because they are so versatile, and I love shirts made from cotton and linen because they wick away moisture and help to keep me cool in the worst of our Georgia heat.  But, they have to stay along my guidelines of modesty to be suitable.  My modesty guidelines are really just limits I’ve set to make sure I’m decently covered and not showing anything I feel convicted about showing.  Take shirt necks, for example.  My limit on lowness is no more than 3-4 fingers below my collarbone.

For skirts, the shortest I feel comfortable wearing is about 3 inches below the knee, simply because this may not show too much leg while standing, but sitting down or bending over to pick something up is a different story. :) Also, I prefer not to show too much shoulder, so the shortest sleeve I wear is a cap sleeve.  All blouses and skirts that are sheer require a slip or camisole, and I always try to dress accordingly to the situation.  Meaning, don’t make my mistakes by wearing a fluttery tiered skirt bike riding, and don’t wear a similar, light skirt if you’ll be anywhere with strong gusts of wind, and of course, wear a non-essential cardigan over your blouse if you’ll be sitting beside a rowdy toddler with a leaky sippy cup full of a brightly colored beverage.  You’ll thank me later, I assure you.

My family prefers the females to wear skirts and dresses and leave the pants to the gentlemen, so finding exclusively feminine clothes can sometimes prove to be a challenge.  Finding a resource really depends on what your standards are and what you enjoy wearing.   In most cases, we are able to find modest, cute clothes on eBay or in second-hand/thrift stores.  However, if you keep looking around malls and shopping centers, you’re bound to find something that suits you and your standards sooner or later.  And when I find something, it usually “happens” to be on the clearance rack.  There are, however, a few online stores that always seem to have something along the lines of what I like or am in need of at the moment.  Our favorites are:

• April Cornell
• Lands End
• L.L Bean
• J. Jill

Thank you for asking to interview me, Emily!  I really enjoyed answering your questions!  May the Lord bless your efforts in striving to serve Him and your family!

Emily: Thank you for letting me do the interview with you! I have so enjoyed getting to know you more and I'm sure that other young ladies were blessed by reading your answers....I know I was! :)

What did you think about (Part 2) of the interview?  Do you have any recommendations for the next interview (questions for the girls, other things I could do with the interviews, etc.)?  What about another nominee for the next "A Peek Into Our Sister's Lives" interview?  You can go to the top of this page and click on the A Peek Into Our Sister's Lives button and send me your questions or suggestions about the interviews.  I would love to hear what you think! :)

Have a wonderful week and thank you for reading Practically Pink!  :)

Many Blessings,

MMS Giveaway...

I just wanted to let you all know, that Jenna's mom is giving away a Marie Madeline Studio: Street Skirt Pattern with the fabric of your choice over at her blog!  Go to Mrs. Regan's blog HERE to read about how you can enter the giveaway...and I would try to hurry because it ends tomorrow night!

Also, get ready for some more great posts coming your way!  I'm very excited about them and I know you will be too! I'll try not to keep it to myself for too much longer. :)

God Bless!

A Peek Into Our Sister's Lives- Livvy (Part 1)

I can't believe I have 100 followers now!  Thank you all so much for following Practically Pink!  You have no idea how exciting that is...that is if you've never had 100 followers before.  Anyway, enough about followers and let's get to the other wonderful news...

Are you ready for another interview?  Well, I've got an encouraging one for this month!  This month I had the privilege of interviewing the lovely, Livvy from A Daughter's Heart.  We have a lot to cover, so without further ado...I give you the third interview in "A Peek Into Our Sister's Lives".  I hope you enjoy and if you would, please leave me a quick comment to let me know what your thoughts are about it after you've read it. Thanks so much! :)


Emily: Livvy, can you tell us a little bit about yourself, family, and current life, for those who don’t read your blog?

Livvy: Certainly!  I am a 16 (nearly 17) year old young woman, living in my father’s house under his protection and guidance.  I have had the joy and peace of the Lord in my heart for almost 14 years now. I have been homeschooled my entire life, and I wouldn’t want it any other way!  As a matter of fact, I am preparing to graduate this Autumn/Winter.

My family consists of my two dear parents, my 19 year old brother Mike {who is also my best friend}, then myself, my twin sisters Emily & Ivey who are 14, little brother Gabriel who is 9, Ella who is 5, and our rough-and-tumble boy, Levi, is 2.

We live together on a little hobby farm in Georgia where we raise chickens, goats, dogs, cats, pigs, a horse, a milk cow, and honeybees.  Living on a farm adds so much to our lives.  It is a wonderful opportunity to study God’s awesome creation while watching & helping an animal give birth, extracting bountiful, luscious honey from our hive, taking in-depth studies on the local flora & fauna, exploring enchanting woods and creeks, and becoming more self-sufficient every day.

In case it’s not obvious *wink*, my life is always full and never boring!  Living in a big family just adds to the joy and beauty of it all.  Not an hour goes by that I don’t laugh at something one of my precious siblings say, something Mike shows me, an event that happened weeks before, or just because. I love this life the Lord has blessed me with! Sometimes I just look around in absolute awe at how blessed I am, and what a beautiful, incredible life I have!

Emily: What about being a servant to your family?  What has helped you in being content during this time in your life? (maidenhood, training to be a homemaker, etc.)

Livvy: To start off, I’m a great sinner, in need of my Savior’s mercy and grace.  I’m selfish and self-centered by nature, which can be a great stumbling block when it comes to being a stay-at-home daughter, serving my family from my position within it.  If I start to let a little sinful thought grab hold of me and begin to grow and fester, it leads to ghastly consequences. Such as the “me” trend you see everywhere.  If I start thinking in terms of “I have no time for myself or my interests.” or “Everyone leaves everything for me to do!” {the latter said very dramatically}, this will lead to me viewing my family as a drudgery that I have to wake up to every morning, to feed, care for, clean up after, etc . until I’m completely miserable and depressed.  I will utterly miss out on the blessings of serving others, and enjoying my family, simply because I thought I didn’t have enough time for myself.  It causes strife and tension in our home, and puts a strangling grip on everyone.  Regrettably, this terrible plight seems to be one of the easiest traps to fall into.

After my own pity-party, I start to look around and see how incredibly foolish and thoughtless I’ve been.  I’m a vital part of my family, placed right here by God to be an asset and assistance, playing out the role he created me for.  If I lose sight of this, it can cause the entire family unit to collapse, possibly affecting future generations for years to come.  All because of my selfishness!  I think it’s very important to learn this lesson now in my stay-at-home years, because if it happens after I’m married and have a number precious children, it can come at an even higher price.  This isn’t to say that I’m supposed to go around with only everyone else’s concerns and needs on my mind, though I just might ought to!  I simply need to put my own wants and wishes after everyone else’s.

In his book; The Family, {previously Homemaking} J.R Miller describes what is needed to gain perfect harmony without dissension: “In home-making each member of the family has a part, and the fullest happiness and blessedness of the home can be attained only when each one’s part is faithfully fulfilled. If any one member of the family fails in love or duty, the failure mars the whole household life, just as one discordant voice in a company of singers spoils the music, though all the others sing in perfect accord. ”  When I finally learn that only when I put down my own self-centered thoughts and desires behind me and learn to serve others instead, something just clicks!  Suddenly I’m no longer depressed and dejected, but joyful in seeing the fruits of my labors.  My family is once more a whole unit, working together in harmony and accord.  And all at once, I have time for my interests and desires, without sacrificing the peace and unison of my family.  One verse that never fails in bringing me to my senses is this one:

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” ~~Luke 6:38

I love my family.  I adore my family!  I wouldn't trade them for anything!  Even past the never caught-up laundry, the markers on the walls, the diapers, messes, snacks, spilled kitty food, forts made from blankets and chairs, and the list is never ending.  On the contrary, these things start to become endearing!  Having a big family also adds to the excitement and joy.  The more the merrier!

A source of encouragement outside of the Bible and my parents are books written on the subject of contentment and serving the family.  The book by J.R. Miller that I previously mentioned is a wonderful one, as well as one called Passionate Housewives Desperate for God by Stacy McDonald and Jennie Chancey.  And don’t forget to ask some wise ladies you know.

Emily: What normally fills your days?

Livvy: A lot! *laughing*  Around here there’s no such thing as a normal day, and the only thing you can expect is the unexpected! Typically {I use this term lightly} my day starts off with rising and reading the Bible {I’m trying to get into a better habit with this, as it’s not always easy to remember.  Of all things, too! }, putting on a fresh pot of coffee, starting breakfast, straightening up around the house, starting a load of laundry, feeding the children and then cleaning up from breakfast.  Mom and I usually take turns doing breakfast.  Mom’s favorite quick fixes are delightfully delicious wild-blueberry smoothies, and fresh brown eggs fried to perfection.  After this the older children are off to the barn-less barnyard to take care of our animals.  We are milking a goat and a little jersey now, so things have gotten slightly busier in the mornings.  After taking care of the milk, we clean up around the house and then do schooling.  Right now I’m focusing on learning French and studying herbology along with my regular subjects.  After these things are done lunch is made and cleaned up after, then more studies, and then some time to rest.  During the day, I will have sporadic opportunities to be on the computer.  After a few hours mom or I start dinner, then it’s enjoyed, cleaned up from, and then we’re off to do family devotions and go to bed.

Emily: What are a few of your favorite things to do in your spare time?

Livvy: When I have a moment, some of my favorite things to do are quilt, sew, embroider, crochet, knit, blog, write, take an insane amount of pictures, read!, whip up something yummy and nourishing {if only to the soul}food in the kitchen, take a walk, listen to music, play the violin, sing, & talk with friends and family among other things.

Emily: What kind of role does your mother play in your life?  Do you spend a lot of time with her?

Livvy: Oh yes!  Mama is another best friend!  We’re a team when it comes to most of the household duties, taking care of the children, and just about everything else that goes on around here.  You might say that I’m an apprentice to mom, because she shows me how everything is done, and how to do it the right way.  She is my very best teacher when it comes to learning the art of homemaking.  Mom and I are always doing things together, talking and laughing, and just enjoying our time spent together.  I’m always gleaning another shining bit of wisdom from my mother.  She’s the heart of our home!

As Timothy Dwight, grandson of Sarah and Jonathan Edwards said; “All that I am and all I will ever be I owe to my Mother”
 
Emily: Wasn't that so encouraging?  Stay tuned for the next part of the interview!  I'll post it sometime later in the week. Also, I have some exciting news about a giveaway too. I'll keep you updated, don't worry.

Until next time,