Prayer Stones

If you are ever in my office you will find a small clear container holding polished, iridescent, glass stones. My wife, Kerry, began leaving me these small stones daily, in different locations. They were to be a simple way to tell me that she was praying for me and loving on me. I in turn began praying for her and our daughters each time I would discover a ‘prayer stone.’
This time of prayer has begun a wonderful journey between me and God. As I began to pray for Kerry, Sam and Baylee, the Lord then began to lay other individuals on my heart to pray for. I sought God on a very intimate level. I realized that this prayer time was more than supplication and worship; it was an opportunity for developing a repentant and regenerative heart toward Him.
I need to be right with God before I pray. I have to ask for His forgiveness and ask that He would create in me a new heart, a new attitude. May I say that this is a very humbling experience for me.
Not that I am all there, come on, you all know me and know that I am a work in progress; however, I am progressing toward Him.
During this journey, I meditated on the 51st Psalm. What a beautiful and direct way God has us look at our sinful heart. “The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.” verse 17 David is a broken man, seeking forgiveness and taking ownership of his sinful actions. It again revealed to me that that is the first step we should all take before coming before the throne of God with our supplications and requests. We must worship Him with a pure heart and clean hands.
Kerry’s ‘prayer stones’ became so much more than precious reminders of our love for each other. They became a way for me to see the power, strength, and humility that prayer and communication with my God can be!
Let us shed that proud exterior and be truly transparent to Him. By asking for forgiveness from our sins and repenting, we will then be that much closer in our relationship with the King.

Great Marriages...What do they look like?

If you were to sum up what it took to have a great marriage or what did it look like to have a marriage that strives to be great, what would you say? What would be some of the driving principles?

There are many marriages out there. We encounter all different types. There are those who seem to be Newlyweds; they are staring longingly into each other's eyes. They are holding hands and walking almost in stride with one another. Then you may encounter those who seem to have been married for a long time; they are somewhat synced with one another, yet they seem to lack that "passion" they expressed when they were first married. Then you may encounter those that are just getting by; they are more like "room mates" then they are a married couple. They get along, they co-exist, they share all the bills and revenue; however, once again, the "romance" is not dwindling, it is non existent. 

Wouldn't it be such a change in all our marriages if we put forth the effort each and everyday to treat our marriages as the ordained gift from God...that they are!!

So, here are some avenues that we feel reflect a Great Marriage: 

1. Great Marriages always have contentment but never have complacency. 

Contentment means choosing to always be thankful for what you already have whether it’s a little or a lot. Great couples have an “attitude of gratitude” for all they’ve already got, but they refuse to get on autopilot and stop dreaming new dreams together. They’re content, but never complacent. They’re thankful, but always moving forward together to reach new heights.

2. Great Marriages don’t have any secrets.

Trust is the cornerstone of a healthy marriage, and strong couples have learned that secrets in marriage can be as dangerous as lies. When a husband and wife choose to communicate about everything (the good, the bad and the ugly), it brings a level of trust and intimacy that can’t be achieved any other way.

3. Great Marriages don’t have an “Exit Strategy.”

Commitment leads to trust which leads to intimacy which leads to great marriages. The word “divorce” needs to be completely removed from your mind and your vocabulary if you want to create the stability necessary for a great marriage.

4. Great Marriages prioritize Fun.

Laughter is the soundtrack of a great marriage. They plan and prioritize activities that will create fun and happy memories. Those activities don’t need to be expensive or elaborate, but they need to be deliberate. An easy way to get started is to ask each other some date night questions. 

5. Great Marriages keep an optimistic outlook.

Happy couples face the same struggles as unhappy couples, but they choose to face those struggles with a hopeful perspective and an optimistic outlook. Always choose to see the best in each other and in the world around you.

6. Great Marriages don’t live on leftovers.

We’re all sometimes guilty of giving our spouse our “leftovers” after we've given our best energies to our job and other demands. Vibrant couples always strive to give each other the very best of themselves.

7. Great Marriages have a foundation of faith.

Couples who pray together are much more likely to stay together. I believe that God is the only “perfect” part of a marriage, so the more of Him you have in your relationship, the more perfect it will become! Keep your marriage centered on Christ!

The Lies That Lead to Divorce

In the past years that Kerry and I have done marriage counseling, there is usually one common thread that we have encountered; it's the lies that the individuals try to tell themselves so as to justify their dissatisfaction in their marriage. Thus building new lies to justify a divorce. The sad part is, they begin to completely believe these lies.

Currently in America, nearly 55% of all couples who make a vow to love each other “til death do us part” end up calling it quits, so some people believe that the success or failure of their marriage is just a “coin toss” left to chance and completely out of their hands. Kerry and I firmly believe that the basic steps to success in marriage are within your grasp; it’s based on your choice and action...not random chance. It begins by understanding and avoiding some of the strongest reasons why marriages fail. Or better yet, why we allow marriages to fail.

As I stated before, most divorces begin by believing a lie. Here are some of the most common lies that lead to divorce:

1. My spouse doesn’t make me happy anymore.

It may be true that you’re unhappy, but it’s a lie to think that your spouse has the power or the responsibility to make you happy. Putting the pressure on your spouse to create your happiness puts an unrealistic burden on both of you and puts more value on your unstable feelings than on your foundational commitment. You need to first and foremost seek Holiness in your relationship with Jesus Christ. Then and only then can the overflow of His love produce happiness.

2. It would be easier to start over with someone new than to try and fix our relationship.

When you’ve been through lots of difficulties and frustrations in your marriage, it may seem easier to find the Exit Door and imagine starting over with somebody new, but the truth is that you’ll be taking all the unresolved pain and selfishness you hold with you into a new relationship, so you’re going to have to deal with it either way. You’re better off fixing what you’ve got than throwing it away. Seek Godly counsel and focus on what God expects from you as a spouse. As Christians, we have the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to renew and recharge any marriage, we just must choose to submit to that power.

3. The kids will be fine.

If you have children of any age, they’ll be negatively impacted in greater ways than you can imagine. You are displaying to each of them that a commitment made first before God and second to your family, is disposable. The divorce of a child’s parents (even if those children are nearly grown or adults themselves) almost always has emotionally devastating consequences. To believe otherwise is to believe one of the most dangerous lies about divorce.

4. We’ll never be able to make it work.

I’m not saying it will be easy, but Kerry and I have seen many couples come back from terrible places of loneliness and betrayal to create amazing marriages that are centered on God. Couples who make it aren’t the ones who never have a reason to get divorced, they’re the ones who decide that their commitment to one another is always more important than their differences and flaws. Keep fighting for each other and don’t give up! Your marriage is always worth the effort. When you choose to fight for your marriage, God will bless that decision, maybe not right away, but in the generations to come.


We don't have all the answers; however, we rely on God's word and His Spirit to daily guide us in our marriage. We decided a long time ago that we would never have an EXIT DOOR and we choose to love each other every day and grow closer by His hand.


It's a choice...either believe the lies and focus on yourself or believe the One who originally ordained your marriage.


Again, it's your choice.

U Pick 'Em Date Night...

If you do not already know, we are big on "Date Nights." Both Kerry and I enjoy heading out and spending time with each other. We have had very inexpensive date nights, just heading to the book store and browsing books and titles with each other, to weekend getaways. No matter what we did, we made a choice to be together, just the two of us. You can go to the Focus on the Family website for a very long list of date night ideas to help get you started or maybe even spark a new fire as you begin to date your spouse all over again!

I want to share one idea that we put into practice the past weekend. I called it the "U Pick 'Em" date night. I took some blank note-cards, each colored differently, and choose 3 sets that matched up. On the first set of three, I wrote the name of one of Kerry's favorite restaurants individually on each card. So there was now three restaurants, each individually written on a note-card.  I then took another matching set of 3 note-cards and repeated the process, except this time it was the name of a dessert location. Finally, I took the last set and wrote down three different evening activities we could do as a couple.  I placed all note-cards in their individual envelopes and sealed them.

Now the fun begins! I told her to be ready by 5pm. This was since I could not make reservations and because the date night will be much longer than usual. So at 5, I gave her the option of picking one of the three "Dinner" cards. She picked number 2 and off we went to P.F.Changs for dinner. After dinner, I then gave her the option of picking one of the three from the "Dessert" cards. She picked number 3 and off we went to Frost in Uptown for some gelato. By this time is was already 8:40 and we decided that since this was the end of the first week of school, we called it a night and we will save the last set for another date night.

This is a fun and different way to surprise your spouse on a date night. I will replace the dinner and desert ones with new ones and we will do this again soon.

So I'm curious...do you have any great date night ideas? Can you share what worked and possibly what failed miserably?  It would be great to hear from you.

A Lesson about Love after 66 Years of Marriage.

I want to share this article I came across in my notes this past week. I do not know the author of this article, it might be from Gary Thomas or even from Matt Chandler, just don't know the facts of who wrote it...However, I do know that it is a great article and a great lesson for all of us, married or not, to glean from.

My buddy Jamey is a police officer, and yesterday he had to report to a home where a woman had just died of natural causes. As he made his way into the house, he saw a frail, elderly man weeping by the bed where his beloved wife was laying. My friend was moved by the tenderness, devotion and love that had obviously held this marriage together for so many years.

After the Coroner had come, Jamey had the opportunity to sit down with the grieving husband to hear some wonderful stories. The old man seemed to have a surge of youthful energy in his voice and he described their marriage as teenagers and how they’d run off to the West Coast with only pennies in their pockets to start their new life together. There was an undeniable sparkle in his eye as he relived their lifetime of love and adventures.

He shared some of the good times and bad times and how their commitment to each other, their faith and family had kept them grounded through all the storms of life. He shared about the friendship that grew throughout their life as they became companions, confidants, and collaborators together through every season of their epic journey. Even as their health faded, their love grew.

They shared so much laughter and love, and even through the trials, they made sure there was always joy and fun!

When it came time for Jamey to leave, the old many shared one last thought that will forever stick in my mind. He said, “Sixty-six years together…it wasn't nearly enough time! There was so much time I wasted that I wish I could go back and give to her and spend with her. It just wasn't nearly enough time together.”

The lesson for all of us is to cherish your time together. Even in the little, everyday routines of life, be fully present in the moments together. Be willing to turn off the phones and screens and distractions and make time for each other. At the end of your life looking back, your faith in Christ and your family will be all that matters to you, so please don’t wait until then to make them your top priority!

Make a deliberate decision right now to stop wasting time and start putting first things first. You never made vows to love and cherish your career or hobbies so never put those things ahead of your marriage. Give the very best of yourself to your spouse; not the leftovers after you've given your best to everyone and everything else.

It’s my hope and prayer that your best days together are ahead of you and not behind you! In the good times, celebrate together, in the hard times, pray together, and in all times, be there together! Remember that a “perfect marriage” is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other!

4 Things You Should NEVER Say to Your Spouse

Have you ever said something to your spouse and then immediately thought to yourself…”Ummmm…did I just say that out loud?!”

I think we've all been there and sometimes we can say the most hurtful things to the people we love the most. We can try to excuse it by blame shifting, blaming that the actions of others led us to speak those words, however, the blame falls squarely on our shoulders.

Truth is that our words can make or break our relationships and we need to commit to using our words wisely. We must make it a practice to "capture our thoughts and make them obedient to Christ" 2 Cor 10:5b You truly can communicate your message without being biting or sarcastic and if you approach your spouse in a supportive and encouraging way, your message/you thought is going to be received so much better.

For the well-being and health of your marriage, let's look at four words/phrases that should be removed from your vocabulary immediately:

DON’T SAY: “Have you gained weight?”
If they’re gaining weight, trust me, they know it without you pointing it out. Instead of focusing the attention to the weight, try suggestion healthier options for meals or going on walks together or even joining a gym class to promote ways you can spend time together and both get healthier at the same time. Be their biggest encourager; not their biggest critic! Remember, God looks at the heart while man looks at the outward appearance.

DON’T SAY: “You Always…” or “You Never…”
Absolute statements that are negative, have no place in a marriage during an argument. When we’re trying to make a point, we often make hurtful accusations about our spouse that exaggerate the truth. “Always” and “Never” can be dangerous words. If you do say the words “You always…” or “You never…”, make sure you say something positive, like “You always know how to make me smile.” Instead of something negative like “You always make everything so complicated” or “You never do anything to help me.”

DON’T SAY: Anything mean, degrading or disrespectful.
Okay, so this may look like a "catch-all" statement by listing so many statements, but the important point is that you need to always keep a positive focus in your words if you want to maintain a positive focus in your marriage. Once you say a word, you can’t take it back, so be very careful about each word you speak to each other. Think on this...A marriage can’t have too much encouragement or too little criticism.

DON’T SAY: “Divorce”
The “D-Word” should also be removed permanently from your vocabulary. Don’t use it as a threat or as an option. there is no "escape plan" in a Christ centered marriage.  There’s no intimacy in marriage without complete commitment and there can be no true commitment if you have even the threat of an exit strategy.

Can you think of words/phrases you would add to this list?  Let us know, we would love to grow this list further.

Daddy's Hair Salon...

Here is a great quick blog from All-Pro Dad. Being a father of two girls, I can totally relate to this writing. I always attempted to do our girl's hair. Many times, the pony tail was never centered and often either to high or to low. Then I tried to advance to the Pig-Tails...epic fail. The braids were by far my greatest attempt of fatherhood for my daughters. Let's just say, the braids are still a work in progress.  However, my girls never complained and Kerry was always very encouraging.

All I have to say is...I could have used this information about 12-15 years ago! Just Sayin'...

If you haven't made this Blog one of your favorites, you should today. All-Pro Dad

Your wife goes out of town for the week. You’re looking forward to some great daddy daughter time with your baby girl. You plan activities, play games, and take her to school everyday. As you’re walking out the door, your daughter asks, “Daddy can you do my hair?” Realizing you have no idea how to do this, you have a real dilemma.

Our friends at Daddy Do’s have you covered. Watch and learn some quick and easy tips on How to Do Your Daughter’s Hair. Not only will you get points with your daughter, but you’ll also increase your man stock with your wife when she returns.

Huddle up with your kids tonight and ask: “What kind of handy things can I do better around the house?”

Increase these 3 aspects of your marriage...

Having more of the right things can make all the difference. In marriage, sometimes things don’t feel right and it’s because the relationship is lacking in a few key areas. No two marriages are identical, so we are always careful to not make broad generalizations, but from having communicated with many couples these past 15 years, both Kerry and I are convinced that most marriages would be a lot better off if they added more of the following three things:

1. Laughter
The amount and quality of laughter in your marriage is like the fuel needle on a car telling you how full your tank is. Think back to the beginning of your relationship, there’s usually all kinds of laughter, but as the stresses of life set in-children, job, bills- that laughter is often replaced with silence and sometimes even apathy. Life can be hard sometimes, and there are moments when crying together is the only appropriate response, but make laughter a priority and you’ll find that fun fuels a marriage! Go out and do your own "Mystery Science Theater 3000" at a local mall or during a dinner date. Rent your favorite comedy that you two shared laughs with when you were dating. Again, increase your laughter in your marriage.

2. Sex
Let's be honest and transparent, most men measure the health of their marriage by the frequency of sex. Yes we know, there’s a lot more to a marriage than sex, but couples that place a priority on what happens in the bedroom tend to be a lot stronger in all aspects of the relationship. Don’t be afraid to schedule time for making love. It may sound like it takes the spontaneity and thrill away, but in our busy seasons of life, you've got to schedule everything that’s important or it usually won’t happen. There will still be plenty of opportunities to be spontaneous! So take out your calendar and schedule a couple of nights this week.  If you're up to it or feeling adventurous, take the SExperiment Challenge...7 straight days of intimacy with your spouse.

3. Communication
Now, let's be honest in this direction, most women measure the health of the relationship by the frequency of the communication (this does not say that men don’t care about communication or women don’t care about sex, but these patterns tend to hold true for most marriages.) Couples that place a priority on conversations and purposely reduce the distractions that keep them apart, tend to be a whole lot stronger. Set apart time each day to turn off the cell phones and carve out time to talk. Turn off the TV and ask some key questions of each other.  Take time to make eye contact and really, truly listen. For starters, ask your spouse to share with you, "What was one thing today that made you smile/you laugh/you upset/ you angry?"  Listen and don't try to "fix" anything, just listen. Another great communication exercise is to ask each other to share some family/marriage goals. What is a goal in the next 4 weeks/3 months/6 months/year?
It's very important that we take time to communicate with each other.

So, those are three key areas that we feel could strengthen a marriage. As I stated at the beginning, no two marriages are identical, so you may have another one to add to this list, or you may even disagree with our three.  Share with us your thoughts.

#HowToDad

It's about time to see an ad that reflect dads and husbands as men of integrity and strength. The new Cheerios ad for their Peanut Butter Cheerios is simply stated...awesome and long overdue!

In this commercial, the father is not reflected as a sniveling idiot lacking all parenting skills.

Instead, he shows us a dad who is seemingly on top of his game—delivering a rapid-fire manifesto about the wonders of dadhood as he navigates his house, making sure his wife and four kids are all happy and well cared for. He's sensitive but no pushover. He's the rule maker, not the rule breaker—but he'll be your buddy as well. He's a good dad, one who cares about his kids, even though he wings one son across a bed in the first scene.

In this commercial the picture of parenthood presented is a messy one: the kids jump on the bed, one has a broken arm, the bathroom is occupied, and while the house is sunny and fashionably appointed, it also has tables strewn with pencils and magazines and laundry still sitting in its basket on the couch.

It displays the strength of families and shows a more realistic picture of their lives. That means messy houses, an acknowledgement of the chaos of parenting, and recognition of the role that both father and mother play.

So often in ads these past years, we see the mom taking charge and the role of the father is absent. We need to quit displaying a lack of responsibility of the father, instead, we as fathers should heed the final line in the commercial: #howtodad.

Let's renew the spirit and be the dads we are called to be!

Whatcha Reading??

I enjoy reading and also love delving deeper with those who share the same passion and ideology as I do. You all know that I am big on Families: Marriages and Parenting. I am led to believe that if we as a church body train up parents to be Biblical Parents and train up Husbands and Wives to fulfill their Biblical Roles as set forth in scripture, our children would be the ones to reap the benefits. Just sayin'  

So as I was going thru my Feedly this morning, my Blog Reader, I felt that I should share some of the blogs and web sites that I personally have been blessed by their articles and insights.

For Marriages:

Gary Thomas-  http://www.garythomas.com/blog/

Dave Willis-  http://davewillis.org/

Kirk Cameron-  http://kirkcameron.com/

The Generous Husband-  http://www.the-generous-husband.com/

The Generous Wife-  http://www.the-generous-wife.com/

The Unveiled Wife-  http://unveiledwife.com/

The Peaceful Wife’s Blog-  http://peacefulwife.com/

For Parenting:

John Rosemond-  http://www.parentguru.com/

All Pro Dad-  http://www.allprodad.com/blog/

Joyful Mothering-  http://joyfulmothering.net/

Focus on the Family-  http://focus-on-the-family/focus-on-parenting/

Jonathan McKee-  http://www.jonathanmckeewrites.com/

The Source for Parents-  http://www.thesource4parents.com/

Enjoy reading or at the least, surfing the web at all these sites!

Do you have some sites or Blogs you would like to add/share?

35 Unspoken Starbucks Recipes!

Came across this article and just had to share. Kerry is not a big coffee drinker, but loves the frozen treats, so these recipes are right up her alley. Enjoy!

35 Secret Starbucks Drinks You Didn’t Know You Could Order

Most people don’t know this, but Starbucks has a secret menu created by dedicated baristas and enthusiastic customers. It’s not listed anywhere, and most of the drinks are region specific. But if you know the recipe–you can ask for them anywhere!

Ever notice custom frappuccino suggestions scrawled on blackboards in the store, with a barista’s name as the creator? That’s where these come from! Some of these have become popular and wide-spread, but you should know the recipe as asking for a drink by name will NOT be familiar to almost all baristas.

Please be respectful to your Baristas; none of these items are on the actual menu, and are instead creations/customizations by enthusiastic customers and baristas from throughout the world. If you’d like a drink you see here, don’t ask for it by name; ask for it by the recipe! And please be mindful of seasonal ingredients in some of the drinks when that is noted.

1. Caramel Apple Frappuccino

This one can taste like caramel dipped apples, or even like a slice of cinnamon-scented apple pie topped with caramel. Delicious! For a more pronounced caramel flavor, try ordering (if the caramel ribbon crunch frappuccino’s dark caramel is available):

Apple juice to the first line
Whole milk to the second line
Cream base (4 pumps for venti, 3 pumps grande, 2 pumps tall)
Dark caramel (3 pumps for venti, 2 pumps grande, and 1 pump for a tall)
Cinnamon dolce syrup (3 pumps for venti, 2 pumps grande, and 1 pump for a tall)
Caramel ribbon crunch pieces
Caramel drizzle
Get it with whipped cream and cinnamon dolce topping
If that seems like too much caramel for you, try asking for:

Cream base to the first line
Apple juice to the second line
Caramel syrup (2 pumps for venti, 1.5 pumps grande, and 1 pump tall)
Cinnamon dolce syrup (2 pumps for venti, 1.5 pumps grande, and 1 pump tall)

2. Orange Creamsicle Frappuccino

Orange and vanilla go so well together. What’s not to like? When summertime refreshers are available, try ordering a Valencia orange refresher blended with the vanilla bean frappuccino base. Whipped cream on top goes well here. Very simple to order, but only available seasonally.

For other times of the year, try asking for:

Orange mango juice to the first line
Milk (soy, dairy, whatever you prefer) to the second line
Cream base (4 pumps for a venti, 3 pumps grande, and 2 pumps for a tall)
Classic syrup (4 pumps for a venti, 3 pumps grande, and 2 pumps for a tall)
Scoop of ice, then blended together
Get it with whipped cream on top

3. Nutella Frappuccino

For the numerous Nutella lovers out there, order:

Coffee frappuccino
Hazelnut syrup (1.5 pumps for venti, 1 pump for a grande, half a pump for tall)
Mocha syrup (3 pumps for venti, 2 pumps for a grande, 1 for tall)
Whipped cream blended in
Top it with whipped cream and/or caramel if you so desire.

4. Spiced Apple Chai

This one is delicious and simple to order. You can have it either hot or iced. It tastes like a spiced apple cider, and it’s very refreshing when iced. I’ve actually been able to just ask for an iced/hot apple chai at most places and the baristas know what to do, but I’ve run into a few locations where they’re a little confused.

If the barista is unfamiliar, just tell them it’s a chai infusion in apple juice after asking for it hot or iced. That’s how most ring it up on the register, too–although I’ve also seen some do a chai latte minus milk and with apple juice, which will be a bit more expensive. It varies depending on location. Try it with caramel drizzle and whipped cream on top if you’re getting it hot.

5. Mint Chocolate Chip Frapuccino

You can try this flavor a number of ways. Our favorite is a mocha frappuccino with peppermint syrup (number of pumps according to your taste) and java chips blended in! You could also try:

A green tea frappuccino
Peppermint syrup (1-4 pumps, adjust for taste and size)
And java chips (1-4 scoops)
Alternatively:

A green tea frappuccino
Java chips
Mocha syrup (3 pumps for a venti, 2 for grande, and 2 for tall)
Peppermint syrup (2 pumps for a venti, 1 pump for grande and tall)
If the green tea is too strong, just ask for less green tea powder in the future. Find out which combination is your favorite!

6. Peach Ring Tea

Remember those sugary circular peach ring candies? This reminds us of those. Make sure it’s summertime and refreshers are available.
Ask for:

Half Valencia orange refresher and half passion tea
No water
Peach syrup (6 pumps for trenta, 5 for venti, 3 for grande, and 2 for tall)

7. Caramel Snickerdoodle Macchiato

This one is reminiscent of a caramel covered snickerdoodle cookie. Ask for an iced soy caramel macchiato, upside down (this makes it so the flavors blend together better) with vanilla syrup (2 pumps for venti, 1.5 for grande, and 1 for tall) and cinnamon dolce syrup (2 pumps venti, 1.5 grande, and just one for tall).

8. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Frappuccino

This dessert drink is as close to cookie dough as you can get with Starbucks. It’s a bit complicated.
Here’s what you order:

Chai creme frappuccino
Get it with with soy milk
Whipped cream blended in
Java chips blended in
Cinnamon dolce syrup (3 pumps for venti, 2.5 grande, and 2 for a tall)
Chocolate whipped cream on top
Mocha drizzle

9. Ferrero Rocher Frappuccino

I can’t get enough of those hazelnut chocolate sweets, and now I can have them in drink-form!

Double chocolate chip frappuccino (or java chip if you want the caffeine)
Hazelnut syrup (2 pumps venti, 1.5 pumps grande, 1 pump tall)
Mocha syrup (3 pumps venti, 2.5 pumps grande, 2 pumps tall)
Hazelnut drizzle on top
If you happen to carry around any of the candies, you can drop them in when you get your order! The whipped cream on top is your choice.

10. Caramel Popcorn Frappuccino

This sweet drink is buttery and tastes like cracker jacks! It’s very simple, too; especially if it’s when they’re serving salted caramel drinks. Just order a toffee nut frappuccino with caramel drizzle & whipped cream on top, and top with sea salt (somewhere between one and two packs depending on taste and size).

11. Nutter Butter Frappuccino

You know, the cookies shaped like peanuts with a peanut butter filling? This tastes oddly similar. Order:

Hazelnut frappucino
Blend in a whole banana
Cinnamon dolce syrup (3 pumps for a venti, 2 pumps grande, 1 for a tall)
Toffee nut syrup (3 pumps for a venti, 2 pumps for grande, and 1 for tall)
With or without whipped cream on top–this nutty drink is tasty.

12.Peach Cobbler Frappuccino

The icier version of a hot slice of peach cobbler. This drink is all about the mix of vanilla, cinnamon, and peach flavors. Mm-mm. Order:

A vanilla bean frappuccino
Cinnamon dolce syrup (2 pumps for venti, 1.5 pumps grande, and 1 pump for tall)
With peach syrup (4 pumps for venti, 3 for a grande, and 2 pumps for a tall)
Whipped cream blended in
Cinnamon dolce drizzle on top
Get it with whipped cream on top
Add a pump of classic syrup if it’s not sweet enough for you.

13. Blackberry Cobbler Frappuccino

This fruity drink is pretty and it tastes great! This is one of the combinations that is thanks to Starbucks introducing their fruity summertime refreshers. Order:

A vanilla bean frappuccino
White mocha syrup (2 pumps for a venti, 1.5 for grande, and 1 pump for a tall)
And a scoop of freeze-dried blackberries blended in
Top with whipped cream if you’d like!

14. Cadbury Creme Egg Frappuccino

Ugh, the cloyingly sweet fondant of Cadbury Creme Eggs is my arch-nemesis. And now I can gorge myself on this drink year-round! Here’s what to order:

Java chip frappuccino
2 shots of espresso for venti and grande, 1 shot for tall
Vanilla bean powder (4 scoops for a venti, 3 scoops grande, and 2 scoops for tall)
Caramel syrup (1 pump for a venti-sized drink, and .5 pumps for grande and tall)
Vanilla syrup (2 pumps for venti, 1.5 pumps grande, and 1 pump for a tall)
Whipped cream on top is optional, but recommended. Likewise for the caramel drizzle on top.

15. Rainbow Sherbet Frappuccino

I love rainbow sherbet in the summer. This one is for those with a sweet tooth. It’s only available while Starbucks is doing their refreshers. For a grande, order:

A strawberries and cream frappuccino made with orange refresher instead of strawberry purée
3 pumps of cream base
A scoop of vanilla bean powder
A pump of raspberry syrup
A pump of peach syrup
Add ice and blend it all up
Again, this is one of the drinks on our list that is only available seasonally.

16. Black Forest Frappuccino

Berries and chocolate is such a tasty flavor pairing. And now you can have it in drink form! If mocha cookie crumble frappuccinos are available, order one of those and add raspberry syrup (2.5 pumps for venti, 2 pumps grande, and 1.5 pumps for a tall) rather than the vanilla syrup it normally has.

17. Banana Chocolate Chip Frappuccino

A thick & delicious dessert beverage. Try getting it with whipped cream on top! Order:

A vanilla bean frappuccino
With java chips (3 scoops for a venti, 2 scoops grande, and 1 for tall)
And a whole banana blended in

18. Caramel Macchiato Frappuccino

Now you can have your favorite two-layer drink in frappuccino form (albeit without the two distinct layers). Try:

A vanilla bean frappuccino
With 2 shots of espresso
Extra caramel drizzle on top, whipped cream optional

19. Key Lime Pie Frappuccino

Perfect for a tart treat in the summertime, this one will only be available when their refreshers are on the menu. It’s a long one; here it is:

Cool lime juice to the bottom line
Whole milk to the second line
Cinnamon dolce syrup (1.5 pumps for venti, 1 pump grande, and .5 for tall)
Vanilla syrup(3 pumps for a venti, 2 pumps for a grande, and 1 for tall)
White mocha (3 pumps for a venti, 2 pumps for a grande, and 1 for tall)
Whipped cream blended in
Add toasted coconut flakes if those are available on top, along with whipped cream to top it off!

20. S’mores Frappuccino

This popular campfire snack is now in beverage form! Try ordering:

A java chip frappuccino (double chocolate chip works if you’d rather not have the caffeine)
Toffee nut syrup (1.5 pumps for venti, 1 pump grande, .5 pumps for a tall)
Cinnamon dolce syrup (1.5 pumps for venti, 1 pump grande, .5 pumps for a tall)
Whipped cream blended in
Whipped cream and cinnamon dolce sprinkles on top

21. Red Velvet Frappuccino

This one is simple and delicious. Order a half white chocolate mocha, half regular mocha frappuccino with 2 pumps of raspberry syrup (or 3 for a venti) and top with whipped cream!

22. Neapolitan Frapuccino

Triple the flavor in this creamy treat. Order:

A strawberries and cream frappuccino
Mocha syrup (3 pumps venti, 2 grande, and 1 pump for tall)
Vanilla bean powder (1.5 scoops for venti, and 1 scoop for grande and tall)
Get it with chocolate drizzle and chocolate whipped cream (if available) on top

23. Oreo Frapuccino

This is super simple to order. Just ask for a double chocolate chip frappiccuno with white chocolate mocha in the place of the regular mocha syrup.

24. Zebra Frappuccino

Do you like white chocolate and regular chocolate? For the best of both worlds, try asking for:

A mocha frappuccino
Made with half white chocolate mocha and half regular mocha
Add java chips
You can also try this combination (with or without the chips) in non-frappuccino iced drinks, or even hot drinks!

25. Butterbeer Frappuccino

As if it came from Hogsmeade, try ordering:

Creme frappuccino base with whole milk
Toffee nut syrup (4 pumps for a venti, 3 pumps for grande, and 2 pumps tall)
Caramel syrup (4 pumps for a venti, 3 pumps for grande, and 2 pumps tall)
Add caramel drizzle
Get it with whipped cream if you’d like.

26. Cake Batter Frappuccino

This one might sound weird, but it works and is very simple to order. It’s just a vanilla bean frappuccino with almond flavoring added. Alternatively, vanilla bean powder added to a vanilla frappuccino with added almond flavoring. Unfortunately, the almond flavoring isn’t always available anymore.

27. Cinnamon Roll Frapuccino

The frozen, drinkable version of a cinnamon bun:

Vanilla bean frappuccino
Cinnamon dolce syrup (3 pumps venti, 2 pumps grande, 1 pump tall)
White chocolate mocha syrup (3 pumps venti, 2 pumps grande, 1 pump tall)
Cinnamon dolce powder sprinkled on top
Or if you want something easier to order, ask for a vanilla bean frappuccino with cinnamon dolce syrup added.

28. Banana Split

The frappuccino version of a favorite sundae, order:

A strawberries and creme frappuccino
A whole banana blended in
Vanilla bean powder
Java chips blended in
Get it topped with whipped cream and mocha drizzle
You can even add caramel drizzle on top of all of that for an even tastier dessert.

29. Creamy Dark Caramel Espresso Frappuccino

This one is deliciously rich and thick. It’s different than the preparation of most other frappuccinos, so be very clear in your requests. For a grande:

Get heavy whipping cream (different from whipped cream) blended with just ice and cream base
Add 3 pumps of dark caramel sauce to the bottom of the cup, then pour the blended mix into the cup
Add a shot of espresso
With whipped cream and cookie crumbles on top (when available)

30. French Vanilla

Sweet and creamy. For a grande, ask for:

A vanilla bean frappuccino
2 pumps of toffee nut syrup
2 pumps of vanilla syrup
Extra caramel drizzle blended in
Top with whipped cream
You can also order any drink with a french vanilla flavor just by ordering something with half vanilla and half toffee nut. Go wild!

31. Turtle Frappuccino

Tastes just like the holiday chocolate turtle candies, and is a nice substitute if you’re missing Caribou Coffee’s frozen turtle mocha drink. Here’s what you order:

A java chip frappuccino
Toffee nut syrup (3 pumps venti, 2 pumps grande, and 1 pump tall)
Whipped cream on top
Caramel and mocha drizzles on top

32. Twix Frappuccino

Inspired by the chocolate coated caramel cookie candy bar, this is another drink with a few variations. Try:

Caramel frappuccino
Java chips
Hazelnut syrup (2 pumps venti, 1.5 pumps grande, 1 pump tall)
Whipped cream blended in
Coat the cup with caramel sauce
And add mocha drizzle on top
Alternatively:

Caramel frappuccino
Chocolate syrup (adjust amount of pumps with drink size and taste)
Whipped cream on top
Topped with caramel and mocha drizzles
Sprinkled with crunchy caramel pieces (either from their holiday-time brûlée drinks or the summertime caramel ribbon crunch)
Or you could even ask for (grande size):

Java chip frappuccino
Add a pump of caramel syrup
Blend in half of a chocolate caramel pretzel (from their pastry selection if available, and not all locations will blend in whole food items like this)
Whipped cream and caramel drizzle on top
Add in the rest of your pretzel to stir with

33. Horchata Frappuccino

If you’ve never had this spicy traditional Latin American/Spanish drink made with rice milk (or tigernuts in Spain), then you’re missing out!
For the frappuccino version, try:

Chai creme frappuccino
Cinnamon dolce syrup (3 pumps venti, 2 pumps grande, 1 pump tall)
Vanilla syrup (1.5 pumps for venti, 1 pump grande, half a pump for tall)
Chai (4 pumps venti, 3 pumps grande, 2 pumps tall)
Sprinkle cinnamon on top
Or for a simpler version, order a chai tea frappuccino with cinnamon syrup added, and garnish with cinnamon powder on top.

34. Caramel Nut Crunch Frappuccino

This one is crunchy, nutty, and packed with caramel flavor, but not as strong of a caramel punch as the caramel ribbon crunch frappuccino. It’s just about as sweet, though.
Order:

A vanilla bean frappuccino
Toffee nut syrup (3 pumps venti, 2 pumps grande, 1 pump tall)
Caramel syrup (3 pumps venti, 2 pumps grande, 1 pump tall)
Add in the caramel ribbon crunch pieces to the bottom of the cup before pouring in the blended mix
Add whipped cream and caramel drizzle on top
With more caramel crunch pieces on top
Enjoy!

35. Snickers Frappuccino

Just like the candy bar. Ask for:

A java chip frappuccino
Toffee nut syrup (3 pumps venti, 2 pumps grande, and 1 pump tall)
Whipped cream on top
Caramel drizzle lining the cup and on top
Add mocha drizzle on top for even more chocolate flavor (optional)
One drink that sadly lacks a frappuccino version at present, is Thai iced tea. We wrote up a simple step-by-step guide to making a Thai tea concentrate at home which you can then use to flavor your own at-home frappuccinos in a blender!