family Archives - Prodigal Pieces

In Family, Finding Home, Furniture, Giveaways, Home Decor, Kids, Project Gallery

God’s Grace ~ Sharing from the Heart

How often do you find yourself in a position to do an amazing thing for someone else? Maybe it’s just sharing a meal, or carrying groceries, or even taking care of a bill for someone. Whether BIG or small, all you do to show love to someone else really matters. Countless times I’ve been the recipient of someone else making time for me. It doesn’t go unnoticed and I yearn to pay it forward and go as BIG as I can. Daring to be different and showing love pays back tenfold. I’m sharing from the heart today of God’s grace in recent days.

I feel I should apologize for not making more time to do this type of post because I always have so much to share. However, in my defense, I do share on Read more

Larissa

24 Comments

In Family, Finding Home, Furniture, Giveaways, Home Decor, Project Gallery

Triple Gift ~ Finding Home ~ Episode 1

Today’s the day! I feel like a kid that’s been waiting to open a BIG birthday present, but instead I’m getting the sheer joy of giving presents to others. My family and I launched our Finding Home program a just over a week ago on my birthday with the intent of doing more for others. Join with us as we share our triple gift for the wrap up of our program launch.

In case you missed the original post about the Finding Home program, head over to catch up and even nominate someone you think is a fit. This chest of drawers above as originally seen in this post, was one of my favorite hand-painted pieces. It was chosen to be the first of, hopefully, many gifts to those who Read more

Larissa

25 Comments

In Family, Giveaway, Giveaways, Project Gallery

Habitat for Humanity Campaign ~ Home is the Key

Home. Isn’t that one of the sweetest words there is. You can have a house, an apartment, even a yurt, but it isn’t a home unless there is something to make it so. Fortunately, I’m blessed to have a home and family to share it with, but not all are so fortunate. Today, I’m delighted to share with you and invite you to take part in the Habitat for Humanity campaign “Home is the Key”.

*post sponsored by Habitat for Humanity and other corporate partners. (see full disclosure)

What you see right here is the hub of our home. Our kitchen dining area is nothing more than a room to most folks. However, if you fill it with all the things I love, this is where we come together for Read more

Larissa

6 Comments

In Family, Home Decor, Kids, Project Gallery

Nectar Mattress Review by My Family of 8

As a mom to 6 children there are a few precious things in the life: my faith, my family, my health…and MY SLEEP. For real though, I am one of those people that can do anything, but if you mess with my sleep, this mama ain’t happy. I can deal with babies at night, kids being up all night sick, and so on no problem. However, I just want a good night of rest on all the other nights, k? So, my first reaction when I got asked to do NECTAR mattress review was…umm…maybe. hahaha. Here I am, along with my gang of 8, to give my honest explanation of my sleeping saga.

*post is sponsored by NECTAR Sleep and includes affiliate links. All opinions are the honest truth from yours truly and my family. (see full disclosure)

I never jump into anything blind or recommend something to you without trying it myself first. So before committing to trying something that would affect my health and way of life and report it back to you, I researched. My goal in my health is Read more

Larissa

14 Comments

In DIY / Tutorials, Family, Giveaway, Project Gallery, Upholstery

Winter-Ready Car Care ~ Chemical Free

I have some exciting news for you and it isn’t that winter is on the way. However, before winter sets in it’s a great time to get your vehicle ready for all the muck and grime it may see through the season. Break out your steam machine and get the job done chemical-free. It’s easy, budget-friendly and so very effective. Let me show you winter-ready car care can be done in a snap. I’m so excited to share this with you today for one reason…an answer to prayer.

A few months ago I told our story of debt and how we are working hard to get completely free of it. It’s not easy to admit setbacks, but we are choosing to share so we can bless you by our journey. Not only have we been taking care of debt, but also trying to keep up with our needs. We have been slowly saving up for a used (but new to us) vehicle. As a family of 8 there are only so many vehicles out there that hold everyone at the same time. I told the story of our current Read more

Larissa

224 Comments

In Family, Family, Food, Home Decor, Kids

My Story of Determination ~ So Close to Amazing

Do you ever encounter that one person that brings light wherever they go? You know what I mean.,they are forever happy and you know it comes from the inside. That’s how it was for me when I first encountered KariAnne of Thistlewood Farm. What a ray of sunshine she is and I am delighted to share her book with you today: So Close to Amazing. In order to show love to KariAnne, myself and a bunch of bloggers are sharing our stories of life, laughter, sadness, and reality in this DIY world. Won’t you find a cozy spot and stay awhile to hear my story?

Before I get started telling my tale, I want to tell you a little about KariAnne’s hilariously written reality take on events in her life that brought her so close to amazing. I laughed, I cried, and saw bits of my life crisscrossing the same paths that she encountered. That’s a good feeling to know you’re not the only nut that has had various Read more

Larissa

27 Comments

In Family, Family, Homeschool, Kids, Project Gallery

Debt Free ~ Best Gift to Self EVER

As I sit here typing today, I have now reached a pinnacle that many of you have already attained. Folks, I am now FORTY years old. (aka. over the hill) How does that make me feel? No different than yesterday, honestly. But, it does make me think ahead to the next forty years and where I want to be. You see, I am a goal setter, and work hard to achieve them to the best of my ability. I felt compelled to share with you today the best gift I could have ever given myself for my fortieth birthday – to be debt free. (consider yourself warned that this is going to be long, but so worth it)

I come by my drive to achieve honestly. My family has an extensive line of people who worked with such tenacity to get somewhere in life. Both my parents came from families who don’t quit, who fight for what they have, and never give up despite their circumstances. I don’t know any Read more

Larissa

95 Comments

In Family, Kids, Project Gallery

Amazing Grace

As a child we have dreams and hopes, but we never imagine ourselves in pain or despair, but it happens. The best part of those difficult times is we have a choice. We can either let them drown us, or use them as stepping stones to rise to a higher place. For me, it’s all about amazing grace. An unearned, unsurpassable blessing that comes from how we choose to live.

No, I haven’t gone off the deep end, but rather wanted to share. Many of you may not know that I am actually a mother to 8 children, 6 of whom are with me on this earth. Five years ago we said hello and goodbye to our baby girl that was perfect in every way. Unfortunately, my body wasn’t able to keep her alive. I’ve already wrote about it in this post, so feel free to catch up and come back.

Each year we go to her graveside, for mostly our kids sake so they have something physical to see and remember. However, I know my baby Read more

Larissa

51 Comments

In Family, Furniture, Home Decor, Project Gallery, Remodeling

Affordable Area Rugs to Fit Any Decor

If you know me, then you know I am all about making our house a home affordably. It makes no sense to me to spend big bucks on something when you can get the exact same thing for less elsewhere or make it yourself. Problem is, knowing where to find those deals. That hunt can take time and time is money. Thankfully, I was able to enhance my family room by adding a rug, and I want to share with you the affordable area rugs I found. PLUS, I have a giveaway! eep!

Enter in our family room… this used to be a detached garage. Bet you’ve never seen a garage look so good! If you follow along, you know that last week I shared with you how on a whim I decided to give my fireplace a makeover. The view I’m about to show you is to the left of that same fireplace.

In the future, I will show you the true before as a few years ago I did three coats of paint and stain-blocking primer to this room, tore down a drop ceiling, and made my pallet shutters and barnwood & bedskirt valance. (both have tutorials) I even got the entertainment center for free from a guy who was originally going to charge me $100, but told us we could have it if we would take his projection TV’s. Deal! Serious praise is that most everything in this room was received for Read more

Larissa

202 Comments

Older Posts