Well, hello there!
What do you think of these fancy new duds? Pretty cute, huh? Jason from Buzzhive (who designed Truth in the Tinsel and just happens to be my little brother) was tireless with all my great ideas and I’m super pleased with how this new space turned out! Feel free to poke around a little bit (maybe grab a new button from the bottom of the page and test out some of those fun links on the sidebar?), I’ve tried to get everything gussied up for you!
When I decided to mix-up my two blogs into one brand spankin’ new blog, I had lots of help from the fabulous and beautiful ladies at Squee: Holley Gerth and Stephanie Bryant. They are basically geniuses who have Holy Spirit-sensitive hearts and the God-given ability to look into someone and recognize that person’s God-given abilities. They kinda rustled up my heart and mind to be able to put my finger on what it is that I want to do most. How I want to spend my heart, time and (dare I say) talents to use on this old internet.
One intriguing question they asked me was, “What would you do if one of your blog readers won a trip to your house for the day?” What would I do? How would I plan? Of course, in all my brilliance I was completely stumped and had no idea. But as we started talking, we came around to my kids’ birthday parties. And then I knew–that’s what I’d do!
If I knew you and your kids were coming over, I’d plan a big party for you! There would be food, crafts, games, space to chill and most importantly, memories made! Somehow, in some way I want to do this on my blog every day. I want to create experiences for you and your children (well, for me and my kids, too) that will have a spiritual impact on the hearts of your kids.
There is something about a big backyard party that just fills me up. I love seeing people sitting around talking. I like kids playing and feeling cared for. I love my guests noticing little details that tells them they were planned for. I like everyone celebrating together. I love the feel of people enjoying each other and their families!
We just experienced this at Asa’s Flying Ace birthday party last weekend. I’m going to do one of those look-at-every-detail-of-the-party-posts next week, but today I want to show you a few pictures so you can feel what our party felt like.
Grandmama coloring with the Flying Ace!
Take-off!
Parachutes for the kids (run by the parents)!
Doesn’t that look fun? It was. I love a good memory made and laugh shared between family and friends.
I’m feeling a little shy right now, shuffling feet and twisting hands, but I’m inviting you to ohAmanda.com to have the same kind of experience! I want this space to feel the heart-fullness, happy-relaxation, fun-excitement of Asa’s party along with a big dose of God’s Word and empowerment to love and lead our kids. So, will you stick around? Can we hang out and experience this new space, this new backyard blog together? I can’t wait to see what fun and adventures we have.
And as a little bribe incentive gift, I’ve written a new ebook called, Praying God’s Word for Your Kids: 10 Prayers and Activities To Impress God’s Word on Your Kids’ Heart. So, it’s kind of a long title. *shrugs* I can’t help it if I like thorough descriptions. Just sign up for my email updates and when you get your first email (or look in your feedreader), you’ll see a link to the ebook. Download it and enjoy!
I’m pretty pumped about the book and am excited to share it with you. I’ve been through a prayer journey with my kids this last year and I want you to experience the same kind of empowerment and heart-change I’ve seen. It’s kind of a little encapsulation of my desire for you as a parent–being able to have an experience with God and then translating and facilitating the same thing for your kids. We’ll be going through the book together on our Facebook page and with the hashtag #praykids. I’d love for you to join me!
I’ll be talking more about the book as we go along, so go ahead and get your very own copy! (Did I mention it was free?)
Ooh, and as one more little backyard goody for you: Wearables from Kid Construction is giving away an airplane costume to FOUR fabulous readers today! Just think of the fun backyard party you could have with this super cool costume:
And I’m kinda in love with the paper airplane in my header, Asa’s airplane party and the airplane costume. Seems like a little gift from God, to me. 🙂
So, leave me a comment about the backyard party, the airplanes, the ebook or just how much you love the new blog design to be entered to win! I’d love to hear from you!
CONTEST CLOSED!!
Stay tuned tomorrow for more backyard fun and a giveaway from hope ink!
Oh this is SUPER exciting. I love your header so so much. Your bro is talented! Cheering out here in the backyard with all these fine folks today!
Thank you, sweet friend! 🙂
a
This is pure purpliscious goodnees! I love the airplanes and can’t wait to check them out to see what other goodies they have. Yay for new digs!!
Oh, you just said purpliciousness! LOVE.
😉
Oh, snap.
This new space of yours is rockin’, chica! I’m so ridiculously excited to see this next season of bloggy-life for you…I learn so much from your posts and try to think of ways to immediately adapt it for my kiddos (oh, yeah…I had another little guy since we’ve last chatted)!
Also, on a related note: Nate and I are getting ready to re-launch Chasing-Eden with a more specific niche in mind and um…well, let’s just say I see some potential partnership opportunities in the future! Let me know if you’re interested in discussing further and maybe we can Skype date!
Love your heart, love your words…love our incredible GOD!
Love the new space, Amanda! It’s so you!
I love your blog and this re-launch it’s amazing! I wish you a lot of blessings as we your blog-fan, please I like one of those planes for my boy, are soo cute! Sorry but my feednews link only direct to ohamanda page, not link for download ebook… I’m doing something grong? thanks
Joanna: did you figure it out? The link to the book is at the bottom of the post in your feed/email. LMK if you still can’t get it.
a
Honestly? I love everything you do, and I can’t wait to see what this new season holds!
Excited about the ebook and looking forward to the FB postings that go with it! The wearable airplanes are SO awesome! Neat find. My little man would love it.
Amanda, I got the ebook today! Yay! Thanks. It is pretty awesome thanks for giving it away freely!
Which print? How do I choose just one? They are all pretty wonderful!
Oh my gosh! I just love it. Glad the OhAmanda is back!
Of course I love the new site design! I’m super excited by your new ebook! I LOVED Truth in the Tinsel and doing all the activities with my kids last year. They LOVED it too! I can’t wait to do it again with them this year. 🙂 You have inspired me since I found your blog when searching for pirate birthday ideas for my 6 year old’s 5th birthday. Didn’t know I was coming across someone who would encourage me growing with my children in the Lord. You even inspired me to make my own blog (in it’s beginning stages still- started this past August). And last but not least, this in turn inspired me to want to learn how to make a WordPress theme to begin changing my site to the way I want it as well as hopefully beginning to custom design WordPress themes for other people once I’ve figured it all out! So… I’m enrolled in an online WordPress them development class from IWA that started this past Monday. So how’s that for inspiring??
Woohoo! How fun is all that?!
I love how God uses little things (like a birthday party) to bring new avenues and doorways into our lives!
Thank you for the sweet words, friend!
a
Love that airplane print from hope ink…and lots of others!!! I subscribe via email and am really enjoying all the new posts,
love reading your blog. I don’t know where you find the time.
I have enjoyed your backyard party to the max! It has been such a blessing in so many ways. Thank you for the free e-book and for all you. God Bless 🙂
Loved Truth in the Tinsel last year. Getting excited thinking about doing it again soon! Also love the planes!
I love th new blog design!
Excited about the ebook!!
The blog looks awesome and I can’t wait to meet you at Allume!
I’m new to your blog but I ‘ll ready love it!!
What a fun new start! Good luck in the new endeavor…. absolutely A-DOR-A-BLE! party and what a fun costume! Thanks for the giveaway!!!
My uncle used to fly airplanes. Would be great to win the costume! THanks!
What a neat idea! Coloring and a costume all in one activity that parents and children can do together! Would love to have the costume! 🙂
This is very nice and I have been drawn back all week! I just love the costume 🙂
Looks like a great party! My kiddos would love pretending to be flying with such a fun prop.
Excited to start reading/praying your book! Thanks for the great resource!
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