Our Thankful Tree

Thankfulness is a big deal to me. I definitely want it to be a big deal to my kids as well. I heard about the "Thankful Tree" several years ago. I finally got my bootie in gear this year and made it happen. I want thankfulness to be a habit around the Evans Home, not just around Thanksgiving. As parents, it is OUR job to teach it, encourage it and model it. It doesn't hurt if there is paint involved too! :)

I know what you're thinking: "WOW! I've never seen purple & blue leaves before!" You guessed it! Shaefer's favorite color is purple so she INSISTED on purple leaves for all of her "thankfuls". And you know Trey, if Shaefer gets purple leaves, then he HAS to have blue ones! I love it!

We had a great time with this craft! I look forward to keeping the leaves each year to see how their "thankfuls" evolve as they grow up.

Most importantly, we are thankful for Jesus! He is our everything!

We are nothing without Him!

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!

Thanks Amanda for another AWESOME idea!

Fall is Finally Here!

Okay. I know that it's been Fall for a while now. It just took me longer that usual to "fall" out the house. Every year, like clockwork, my BFF Amanda and I decorate our homes NO LATER than October 1st. She usually beats me to it in September, but I'm NEVER far behind! Fall is one of our favorite holidays! We even have some of the same decorations. I know...it's crazy...but it's a GOOD KIND OF CRAZY! :)

This year threw me for a loop. The loop was good, but a loop nonetheless.

Alf and I returned from Cambodia on October 26th. I don't think I woke up until October 28th. Seriously. Trey's 8th birthday party was scheduled for October 30th. And my house was still NOT decorated for Fall. What the What?!?! That has never happened! My dear friend and soul sista, Brandi, came to my rescue. She showed up on the 29th and helped me clean and decorate my house in a matter of hours. We had a blast!

Here is what we came up with. I definitely went simpler than most years. I also brought in nature items from my front yard. It warmed up the room and...it was FREE!!!

After years of having a cute scarecrow hanging on the front door to greet everyone as they enter our home, I was ready for something new...dare I say more mature looking? :) I found this tutorial and headed to Dollar Tree. I loved the look of the square wreath!

Nice, simple shelves. Love the pine cones and acorns the kids and I collected! I made the hurricanes from vases and candle holders from the Dollar Tree. I LOVE me some thrifty crafts! Here is the tutorial.

Nice, simple sofa table. Oh look! More free pine cones! :)

I fell in love with the wood-grassy-picky things in the corner!

Another Dollar Tree find!

This frame in one of my all time favorites! Amanda has a matching one all the way in Austin! As you can see by how young my kids are in this picture, it's been a LONG time since we've been to the pumpkin patch. :(

More Dollar Tree vases! Grabbed these berry picks at Hobby Lobby this year. Simple & lovely!

And of course...the children!

They are by far my FAVORITE fall decoration!

On His Way...

My best friend, Amanda, is in labor!! In Austin!! It is KILLING me that I can't be there to cheer her on and love on her other 3 fabulous kiddos!! Come on, Baby Jude!! Aunt Kelly Ann can't wait to meet you!!