Pregnancy Journal Update: 18 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 18 Weeks

Date: 6/28/16 *2nd trimester* 18 weeks Weight: 120 lbs. We are almost half way! This week has been fun and easy. The second trimester bliss is real. I have a big enough belly to enjoy it, but a small enough belly that I can still physically function! It seems like I’ll have times where it feels like my body is just really full/doesn’t have enough room, then a few days later I’ll notice I’ve gotten bigger. That happened again this week. I’m sure eventually I won’t have the relief of not feeling full/huge…Read more …
VBS Registration Form {with free template}

VBS Registration Form {with free template}

I am by no means a lawyer or anything close to it, so please consult one before depending on this registration form to save you from a lawsuit!  In previous years, our church had registration cards {printed half sheet on cardstock paper} that we used every year for VBS.  However, there wasn't much of a waiver on it {if any at all}.  As times have changed, we decided it would only be responsible to add a waiver to the registration form. At our Vacation Bible School, parents fill out one registration form for…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Simple Cave Crystals

Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Simple Cave Crystals

We made two different versions of Cave Crystals for VBS this year.  The first used cardboard, brown kraft paper, cardboard tubes, spray paint, painter's tape and spray foam {that instructional went up yesterday}.  The second version of Cave Crystal {that I'm sharing here} was super simple to make and only used a few supplies.  You can download printable instructions for the Simple Cave Crystals.  These were perfect for our Cave Quest preschool area! SUPPLIES: -Empty planters {preferably plastic} -Brown kraft paper -Foam pool noodles {bright colors} PROJECT COST: The plastic planters came from…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Cave Crystals

Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Cave Crystals

We made two different versions of Cave Crystals for VBS this year.  The first used cardboard, brown kraft paper, cardboard tubes, spray paint, painter's tape and spray foam.  The second was super simple and only used empty planters, brown kraft paper and bright pool noodles.  I'll post the super simple version as well.  You can also download printable instructions for the Cave Crystals.  You'll definitely want at least 2 people for this project.  My mom helped and we could have used another set of hands.  Once the foam sets a bit, the Cave…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update: 17 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 17 Weeks

Date: 6/21/16 *2nd trimester* 17 weeks Weight: 120 lbs. I definitely felt baby movement this week! Last Tuesday (16 weeks 6 days) I thought I felt movement but wasn’t sure… I’m now feeling light movement every day. It’s not strong enough for anyone to feel from the outside yet, but it is a neat sensation! Uncle Colton, Yaya and I got the crib put together this weekend! Even though it won’t be needed for months still, it is fun and exciting to get things ready. My energy level has been close to pre-pregnancy…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Decorating: DIY Posters

Cave Quest VBS Decorating: DIY Posters

We used colored and black poster board to make fun DIY posters for Cave Quest VBS!  We bought a few poster sets from Oriental Trading and similar sites, but the posters we made were fairly quick and easy.  They are a very inexpensive way to add personalized, colorful decor to your church.  These signs will be used throughout the building for directional signs, decorations and even in the photo booth!  You can print or save a PDF of the instructions formatted for printing.  We purchased the poster board locally, but all other supplies through Amazon. The Oriental…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Name Tags {with Free Templates}

Cave Quest VBS Name Tags {with Free Templates}

Some years our church gives out free t shirts to all the kids at VBS.  It's fun for the kids, but mostly it's a super visible way to tell who should be in which color group.  The last two years, we've skipped the t shirts and just used name tags {different colors for different groups}.  At the end of closing each evening, we make sure to announce that everyone should give their name tag to their crew leader.  Otherwise, about three kids would remember to bring them back each day.  I ordered all…Read more …
Pregnancy Announcement to our Families

Pregnancy Announcement to our Families

As you may know, we were married and trying to get pregnant for close to two years before we finally got that big fat positive test.  Our families have been anxiously {and not-so-patiently... ahem, mom} waiting to celebrate our pregnancy.  You can tell how excited they were with our announcement in the pregnancy announcement video below!  We found out we were pregnant right before Easter, so we used Easter eggs to announce that we were "EGGspecting". We are so blessed to be welcoming this baby into our family!  Our due date is Thanksgiving…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Chalk Marker Signs

Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Chalk Marker Signs

We used black cardstock paper and chalkboard markers to make fun chalk marker signs for Cave Quest VBS!  These signs will be used throughout the building for directional signs, decorations and even photo booth props!  They are a very inexpensive way to add personalized, colorful decor to your church.  You can also print or save a PDF of the instructions formatted for printing. SUPPLIES: -Black cardstock {8.5”x11”} -Chalk markers -Laminating sheets -Laminating machine INSTRUCTIONS: If you haven't used chalk markers before, you have to write kind of slowly for them to work well. If…Read more …
How to Save and Print Images from a Website

How to Save and Print Images from a Website

A lot of times, I share images that you may want to save or print without printing the junk around it on the website.  It's fairly easy to save and print images from a website, but some people don't realize it's possible.  I've had a few questions about the process, so I decided to make a step-by-step guide.  Note: these instructions are not Mac friendly. If you see an image you want to save on BorrowedBlessings {or most other websites}... Click on the image.  This will bring it up on a page by…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Cave Entrance

Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Cave Entrance

We use cardboard for decorations most years.  Last year, we got donated cardboard and had some leftover.  We decided to use cardboard instead of foam board {like Group suggests} to save on our budget.  We made a cave entrance that will go on stage along with our cave formations {stalagmites & stalactites}.  You can also print or save a PDF of the instructions formatted for printing. SUPPLIES: -1 large sheet of cardboard {can be re-used from previous years} -Brown kraft paper -Spray paint {we used purple, but you could make it any color}…Read more …
Group Publishing VBS 2017: Maker Fun Factory

Group Publishing VBS 2017: Maker Fun Factory

Alright, alright... I can hear the outcry now... "aren't we still in 2016?".  Yes, we are, but for those VBS fanatics {such as myself} who like to know next year's VBS theme 14 seconds after this year's VBS finishes, I have some good news! After a LONNNNGGGGG wait, Group Publishing has released their 2017 themes {okay, fine, it was only a week later than last year's release, but still.}! The "Easy" VBS theme {emphasis on the quotes there - Group calls it easy, not me - haha!} is Maker Fun Factory: Created by…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update: 16 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 16 Weeks

Date: 6/14/16 *2nd trimester* 16 weeks Weight: 119 lbs. {roughly the same as pre-pregnancy} We found out the gender of our baby this week! Up until now, we’ve been using he and she interchangeably {baby most certainly does not want to be called “it”}. I am so excited to know the gender of the baby! We’ve sworn the few family members that know to secrecy until we tell the whole family… so no gender reveals here yet! Hopefully I can keep from slipping for a few weeks. They did say the baby looks…Read more …
Cave Quest VBS Prep: Crew Bags

Cave Quest VBS Prep: Crew Bags

In the past, each crew guide has carried a clipboard with VBS information.  This year, we decided to make crew bags since there are several things for the crew guides to keep track of.  They often end up holding craft/bible story items and prizes, so a bag comes in handy!  We want to use these every year, so we just going to put crew numbers on the bags… nothing specific to this year.  You can print or save a PDF of the crew bag instructions formatted for printing. SUPPLIES: -Plain fabric reusable bags {ours…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update – 1st Trimester Wrap Up

Pregnancy Journal Update – 1st Trimester Wrap Up

This trimester flew by! I can’t believe we’re a third of the way done! I’ve struggled some with attitude {I know this is shocking you, mom}. Between the physical sickness and hormones, there are days of moodiness. I try to combat this with gratitude {don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I succeed all the time… just ask my poor husband}. I make it a goal to start each day by taking a moment to thank God for allowing me to carry this child today. I don’t know what the future will hold…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update: 15 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 15 Weeks

This update is almost a week late being posted... sorry for the delay!  With all of the Vacation Bible School madness going on, I haven't had a moment to breathe.  VBS was a success, so I'm now catching up! Date: 6/7/16 *2nd trimester* 15 weeks I am finally feeling that second trimester boost of energy! I’ve stayed up several nights past 10pm {crazy, I know, right?!}. This week is Vacation Bible School at church. I’m so thankful for the extra energy – I don’t know how I would have done this during the first…Read more …
Pregnancy Journal Update: 14 Weeks

Pregnancy Journal Update: 14 Weeks

This update is a few weeks late being posted... sorry for the delay!  With all of the Vacation Bible School madness going on, I haven't had a moment to breathe.  VBS was a success, so I'm now catching up! Date: 5/31/16 *2nd trimester* 14 weeks Am I glowing yet?! The second trimester perks haven’t kicked in a ton. I’m still taking nausea medicine and fighting the urge to puke {only occasionally, thankfully}. Our church’s Vacation Bible School is next week, so I’m spending most of my free time focused on that! I did…Read more …