Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts

Thursday, April 30, 2015

We are... because of God

Yesterday morning, Wee One and I walked into school with one of her friends.  The friend immediately shared, "You know what I have been thinking about? Where I come from.  I know I came from my mom, and her mom came from her mother, and her mother came from her mother but where did it all start? Why am I here? This is what keeps me up at night." 

The kid is 5.

Wee One did not comment but took my hand as we peeled away to enter the classroom.  While the friend was busy putting her belongings into a cubby, I asked her how she would have answered the friend's question.  She proudly replied, "From God!"  I was beaming but at the same time, I was a tad unsettled.  In this highly competitive academic environment, parents are always comparing their children and looking for ways to gain the edge.  While I try to stay distant from such behavior, it is easy to get sucked in and worry my own children will somehow be behind.  To my knowledge, my daughter does not ponder such big questions. 

I shared this event with my husband later that evening.  His response was filled with wisdom and eased my mind.  "Maybe the reason she doesn't worry about such things is because she already knows.  She is confident in knowing where she came from and why she is here."

Thank you, God, for blessing our family! My most enduring prayer has been that my children would know the Lord and would confess Him before others.  Thank you, Jason for helping me see we are on the right track. 

Are you looking for a way to find this confidence?  Do you wish to impart it in your own family?  With faith and obedience in Christ Jesus comes peace, true happiness and freedom.  Connect with other Christians. Look for a Church in your area.  Attend Bible class. Study God's Word.  Do not be lured into thinking the ways of this world, or the things it contains, are to be sought after. 

A more meaningful life exists!


Friday, January 30, 2015

Valentine's Day Countdown

While scanning Pinterest, my favorite me-time activity, I came across this incredible idea for a Valentine Advent Calendar

Image retrieved from  http://happyhomefairy.com/2012/01/24/a-valentines-day-countdown-free-printable/

Although this was my first encounter with the Happy Home Fairy, this will certainly not be my last.  What a great idea this is!  My kids are always asking how many more days until whatever special event is next.  Since my birthday (mid January) they have been hounding me about Valentine's Day.  This perfect little printable from the HHF is just the ticket.

The printable consists of 15 Bible verses about love... and one very corny but cute joke.  In her blog post, she details how the verses can be used.
Image retrieved from http://happyhomefairy.com/2012/01/24/a-valentines-day-countdown-free-printable/

I chose to use the verses for two purposes.

After printing and cutting out copies of the verses, I gathered my materials.
  • seasonally appropriate cardstock
  • heart stickers (dollar bin at Target)
  • tape
  • string
  • scissors

I cut out 14 hearts from the cardstock and affixed a verse to each heart.

I divided the pile of hearts and cut the sheet of stickers in two and gave one set to each of my kiddos.  They had fun decorating the hearts.



Once decorated, I suspended the hearts from our living room ceiling. 

The plan is to have the children select one heart to pull down from the ceiling each night, beginning Feb 1 and ending Feb 14.  We will use the heart during devotional time by reading the verse and discussing how it applies to our lives.  We will also reinforce counting with our youngest as he counts the remaining hearts each day. 


The second way we will use these verses is by cutting them out and passing a card along to each person at services the Sunday before Valentine's Day.  We may even add a chocolate heart.  How fun to share God's love with others!  I also look forward to the experience my children will have connecting with others in the congregation.

How will you make Valentine's Day special for your family and those around you?




Tuesday, July 15, 2014

It's Summer!

I must admit I was a little saddened at having to take down the Independence Day decor at our place.  I absolutely adore all things Americana... with Old Glory at the pinnacle of my adoration.  Heck, my wedding was on Flag Day and was decked out in red-white-and blue!!  (This is not my house but I soo wish it were!)

Retrieved from http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e8/e0/4a/e8e04aff430fc92601826761f7f622b3.jpg

As soon as the bunting, wreaths, flags and banners came down I couldn't stop staring at the emptiness.  It was as if all the cheer had left the building!  In fact, it felt a little like the day after all of the Christmas decorations are packed away.  Sad.

To fill the hole left by loss, I spent about an hour making a new banner with items found around the house.  Pulling out the Cricut, and gathering my scissors and glue, I produced a banner in the spirit of the movie Frozen.

Retrieved from http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11114/111144096/3675022-0075922573-disne.jpg


That's right!  As if the world isn't already on a Frozen overload (I know at the mere mention of the movie's title everyone belts out "Let it Go!" in their own heads), here is another way to continue the magic!  I mean, it IS summer... right?!

Retrieved from http://dcfilmgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/frozen-olaf-snowman1.jpg

I gave the activity an academic twist by getting my soon-to-be-five-year-old involved.  I had three colors of bright card stock and asked her to create a pattern.  Together, we came up with the orange-green-pink pattern.  She loved it, especially since I told her it was to help get her ready for kindergarten.  She can hardly wait for kindergarten.

I cut the 8 1/2 by 11 inch bright paper in half and set it aside.  Then, I cut 5-inch letters from card stock using a Cricut.  The kids and I went to Google Images and looked for pictures of Olaf we thought were cute and of good quality.  We printed two to flank our banner.  Once everything was prepped, we glued our letters and images to the bright card stock.  Finally, we punched holes in the top of the flags, laced them onto a string and hung it in our window. Oh, and pay no attention to the nails from the previous banner.



Wallah!  The house now sports a bit of seasonal cheer and we can celebrate the rest of SUMMER!!!  (Yes, I do know you are now singing that tune in your head.)


Monday, March 03, 2014

When Calls The Heart

Since Downton Abbey has wrapped for the year, I have a divine little recommendation for you.  The Hallmark Channel unveiled its new show, When Calls The Heart earlier in the year.

 http://images.zap2it.com/assets/p9158737_b_h3_ab/when-calls-the-heart.jpg

Being a fan of Little House on the Prairie, I have been watching since day 1. The show is about Elizabeth, a well-to-do young woman who took a teaching assignment in Coal Valley.  Upon arrival, she has been dealt a great number of character building opportunities but maintains a positive, can-do attitude.  Also sent to the town is Jack, a mountie.  As constable, he has been asked to investigate a great many cases in the town (church burned down, the mine caved in, etc.) but is REALLY there to look after Elizabeth.  He is not happy about the last responsibility but has no choice.  Elizabeth's family has got money and connections. 

What makes this family friendly show so wonderful is the sweetness of the scripts, the sumptuous costuming and set design, and the chemistry of the cast.  Remember Lori Loughlin from Full House... Uncle Jesse's wife?  Yep!  She is in it and is always the voice of strength and reason.
Image retrieved from http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/9b/b5/9bb5b54adfb40485391e7c9d30153943.jpg?itok=j6GzeHiS

Elizabeth is played by Erin Krakow, a Hallmark Channel regular.
Image retrieved from http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/when-calls-the-heart-daniel-lissing-erin-krakow.jpg

Daniel Lissing plays Jack... and he is one dreamy mountie.  I love the play between Elizabeth and Jack, their witty banter makes me smile.  This show makes for a great Saturday night.
Image retrieved from http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTg5NzkwMDQ0NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNjE5MjE4MDE@._V1_SX640_SY720_.jpg

There are a number of episodes left in this season so jump in and watch!  It airs on The Hallmark Channel at 9/8c... but check your provider in case you need to catch the East Coast feed like I do. You can also catch previously aired episodes!

Seriously, who can resist this?!

Image retrieved from http://perioddrama.com/wp-content/uploads/2014-When-Calls-the-Heart-Series-Daniel-Lissing-as-Mountie-Jack-Thronton-02.jpg


Saturday, January 11, 2014

Almost Like Donetta's Chicken and Rice

My friend Donetta makes the BEST chicken and rice.  When I delivered my first baby, she brought dinner to me and it featured her chicken and rice.  She was generous enough to give me her recipe but for whatever reason, mine has never turned out as well as hers... until now.

Tonight, I had chicken thighs in the fridge and had no idea what I was going to do with them.  Suddenly, chicken and rice popped into my mind but I didn't have any condensed mushroom soup.  Ugh.  I didn't want to head out to the store with my little ones so I consulted my dear friend Google.  I found two recipes (a & b) that sounded promising.  However, as I cooked, I found myself combining them.  I am soo glad I did since the result was absolutely delicious.  The whole family loved it... including the kiddos!  Here is what I did.

Almost Like Donetta's Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:
6 chicken thighs, skin removed
1 medium chopped onion
1 cup chopped mushrooms (I used the whole package so it was more)
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup white wine
5 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup flour
1 can low sodium chicken stock
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tsp salt
fresh ground pepper
1 cup long grain rice
2 Tbsp fresh/dried parsley
1/2 tsp paprika


Directions:
Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper and set aside. 

In a pan, heat a little olive oil and add onions and mushrooms.  Sautee until softened and the mushrooms release most of their liquid.  Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds.  Pour vegetables into a 9x13 baking dish and top with rice.  In pan, add butter and melt.  Whisk flour into butter and cook for 1 minute... until the mixture begins to brown slightly.  Pour in the stock, milk, sour cream, salt and pepper to taste.  Cook until mixture begins to get bubbly and thicken, about 5 minutes.  Pour sauce over rice and veggies and add parsley.  Mix until the contents are evenly dispersed.  Top with seasoned thighs.  Sprinkle top with paprika and cover with foil. 

Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 45 minutes, until rice is soft, chicken is cooked through and liquid is evaporated.  My dish needed more time, so I removed the foil and baked for another 10 minutes.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Minnie Mouse Birthday

A Minnie Mouse Birthday Party!


The three-year-old is turning four!  Where did the time go?


Wee One requested a Minnie Mouse themed party and I was happy to oblige.  Who could turn down this sweet face?

Since school was finally out for summer, I had a little time to prep.

Invitations

We had a little photo shoot in the front yard.  It was difficult to choose the cover photo.  I petitioned my family to vote for their favorite.  This was their choice.



I printed the pictures at Costco and used the Cricut to cut out a little phrase to place on the front of the card.  I think they turned out cute.  Don't you?


Decorations

I used the Cricut to create a birthday sign.  I did not wish to spend the high price on a new cartridge so I used what I had.  I cut out circles in 5-inch and 3-inch sizes to make the mouse silhouette.  I also found a butterfly shape on my garden cartridge and used it to make Minnie's bow.  I just cut off the body and glued it into place.


Pinata

I made my own pinata to fit with the theme.  While it was a LOT of work, I am very pleased with the result.  So was Wee One!!   You can find the tutorial here!


Party Hats

Party hats were made for the younger guests.  Of course they had to fit the theme!  You can find the tutorial here!

Games

In addition to the pinata, we played "Pin the Bow on Wee One".  It was a cute game and I found it on Pinterest.  Where?  I can't remember but if you are the one who came up with the idea, you are BRILLIANT!


Cakes

What is a party without birthday cake?  Rather, what is a party without chocolate cake?!  I made the Minnie Mouse cake by baking one rectangle cake and one round cake.  I cut two circles from the rectangle cake to make ears.  I placed together to form the iconic silhouette and frosted the entire thing.  I then added a bow shaped box lid which I found from the dollar bin at Target.  Perfect!


We also had Minnie Mouse cupcakes (thanks to Pinterest for the idea).  I made strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and adorned them with one standard Oreo and two mini Oreos for ears.  The bows were cut from a sheet of sugar purchased at Michael's.


I thought about using my mouse ear cookie cutter the moment I knew we were having a Minnie Mouse party.  These sugar cookies were tricky to make as the ears kept breaking off!  What you see on this platter is the best of the bunch.  Although they did not turn out as expected, they were delicious!  The recipe for the cookies and the icing can be found at these links.


Goodie Bags

I used the Minnie Mouse heads I cut out with the Cricut, to decorate white paper bags.  I filled each one with summer time treats!  The kiddos were very excited about the popsicle molds.  I also added a thematic coloring book to each bag.  I made it by downloading black and white graphics from Google Images.



Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time... even in the 100 degree heat.














Happy 4th birthday, Wee One!  

We love you soo much!!