we're still kickin' and a GIVEAWAY!

well, guess what?

i've hemmed and hawed about how to start this post, so here ya go.

i miss you.  there.  i said it.  :)

i miss your comments of encouragement and the love that you show to me so graciously.

i miss sending reply emails and getting to know you better.

i miss sharing our life, and documenting it for my children(the whole point!).

the krauses are still very alive and well! 

 life has simply gotten the best of me these days 

and i've decided that it's moving waaayyyyy too fast for my liking.

i have a daughter who is 14 going on 30(see above).

my boys are becoming little men.

and my sweet maddie, well, she keeps me busy with sleepovers and such!

but of course, in the middle of all of that, you can find me hiding in a pile of laundry a mile high, or trying to figure out what to make for lunch(again), maybe grading papers, killing succulent plants, scouring the toilet, perhaps? 

maybe photographing my sweet husband repairing a leak.  

#iamthatgirl

if you are on instagram, you may see the goings on of our life over there(mary_krause).

it's so easy for me to share photos and activities on there, but part of me misses the interaction over here, too.

it's like sending a text when i should be calling.

or an email when handwritten is best.

i have really gotten impersonal and while it is convenient for this 90MPH life that i feel like i am barely hanging on for some days, 

i know that i crave slow and simple and being more reflective. 

being more present is important to me!  #helpmeLord

i don't just want to hang on for the ride, i want to enjoy the journey.

and i have to come clean, these past few months i haven't been doing that very well.

i'm sure some of you understand.

the Lord has been teaching us so many things, and He has been so gracious and tender with me along the way.

i am SO glad that HE is the captain of this ship, because i would for sure steer us right into trouble.

He is my TRUE NORTH.

unfailing.  constant.  

me....not.so.much.

SO!  with that said, my friends, we have been up to some pretty fun stuff that we are really excited about!

my daughters have this constant desire to create and make(no idea where that comes from!?), and so, with the Lord's help, we decided to DO IT AFRAID and start up our very own etsy shoppe.

believe me, i.was.scared!

our prayer is that HOPE homemade inspires you in your faith and that our pieces will be a constant reminder of His love and faithfulness to and for you.

i mean, we can NEVER be reminded of that too much, right?

so, to kick off our new venture, we would like to have a giveaway!

here's a peek at some of our creations.

and..........we are giving this necklace away to one of YOU!

something that i need to be reminded of DAILY.  or MINUTELY, more like it!

>>>we walk by faith, not by sight<<<

to enter:::

just leave me a comment on this post!

#easypeasy  :)

additional entries(leave separate comment for each one):::

1) visit our shoppe and tell me what your favorite item is!

2) share this giveaway on facebook/instagram/your blog

giveaway ends 5/10 and is open to readers worldwide
a random winner will be picked(out of a hat!) by 5/11  :)

please leave your email addy so that i can connect with you if you are the winner!

head on over to :::sew mama sew::: for TONS more giveaway fun!

thank so much for stopping by!

we HOPE you love our creations and that they inspire you in your faith.

it feels good to be back.  :)

SHOP:::FACEBOOK:::INSTAGRAM

xoxo,

mary