Category: Thankful For

A Challenge I am Ready for

Ever since I started Homeschooling or researching it, for that matter, I have found really good blogs written by other Moms. Recently, I noticed a few of them began talking about a challenge they were about to begin on.

*Flash Forward* Just the other night I was telling my friends that I am starving for the Word, I have not been in it like I want to be. I started working a new schedule in the Fall so I had to stop attending my regular Bible Study. I have been in a study a year ever since He called me 4 years ago, this year has been different.

Finding this challenge, I feel is Gods answer to my pray that I find a way to get back into His Word. The challenge I speak of is called Read the Bible in 90 Days. I first heard of it from The Kelley Eight blog and she links back to the originator at Moms Toolbox.

This isn’t just a speed reading idea, not at all. The way the schedule is set up, it is in nice sized chunks. Then after reading it you do the devotional part.

They also hold Twitter parties and a check in on Mondays to help keep everyone motivated and accountable. Thank you ladies!!!

I am really looking forward to this and I am thrilled that Lord has answered prayer so quickly.

Now my prayer is to STAY in the Word. Would you join me?

January 6, 2011
Who Will Love Me for Me?

Who will love you for you, only you? Not for what you can do or what you will do? Who will love you for you, no matter what you do or say?

There is only one answer.
His love is unfailing.
His love endures forever.
He does not change.
He is faithful and forgiving.
He created you, He knew your name before time, He loves you and will never leave you.

JJ Heller is an amazing singer and her husband plays guitar beautifully. Combined they create incredibly touching music. They first got me with Your Hands, it blew me away, touched me, I loved it. A reminder of the Lord’s steady hands guiding me through a fallen world.

Now they have done it again with What Love Really Means.

Take a moment to watch and remember the One who will always be there, who will always love you and who will wipe away every tear.

Happy New Year – you are loved!

December 30, 2010
Merry Christmas

The time is here, the time of year to celebrate the birth of our Savior. So much about this season is joyous, comforting, heart-warming. It’s a time to come together with family, enjoy fellowship, happily fill our bellies with homemade meals and goodies. Such a happy time.

It is no wonder that the scriptures describing the events that actually took place touch me so deeply. It tells of the greatest gift ever given. God’s own Son. It is so incredible to picture these events taking place. I can’t ever read the following without getting teary-eyed. EnjoY! Merry Christmas!

The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” [3]

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

ESV

December 23, 2010
Slow Down and Enjoy this Holiday Season
10 Holiday Survival Tips

This time of year brings so many emotions. Reveling in family time together, enjoying evenings by the fire; attending Christmas concerts and plays, and strolling through the stores hoping to find the perfect gift for that someone special. Christmas can bring joy, peace and happiness but it can also bring stress, and depression.

Take this time to cherish friends and family. Don’t get bogged in what Christmas is not about. It is not about worrying. It is not about overspending. It is not about getting stuff, so to speak.

Christmas is about the birth of a Savior, about coming together and being thankful for all the wonderful gifts we have been given by God, family being at the top of the list. Slow down and relax. I know it is easier said then done. Try these tips to help ease the season and truly appreciate this time of year.
1. Take time each morning to pray and read the Bible or a Devotional. Ask for peace. Ask for direction and reminders of the reason for the season
2. Volunteer, be on the lookout to help someone. Know a family affected by unemployment, tragedy? Send them gift cards or deliver a care package to them anonymously. It feels good to help out, especially someone we know.
3. Treat yourself to a mid-day coffee or tea while you are out and about.
4. Don’t stress about sending out Christmas cards, go the easy route. Walgreens prints the CUTEST, custom cards around. They are colorful and unique. No more boring Christmas cards.
5. Don’t worry if you think you don’t have enough money to go around. Homemade gifts are making a comeback. Think jars from the Dollar Tree, add nuts or chocolates or mints, add a pretty ribbon. Everyone loves snacks!
6. Take in a Christmas concert and play. What a great to lose yourself in a live performance whether it is a choir singing carols or eclectic actors performing Christmas classics. A perfect way to unwind.
7. Host a few simplified events. Don’t get all fancy and involved. A cookie exchange is easy and a great way to enjoy friends and family around the holidays. Also, hold an Open House on a weekend. Invite people to stop in as they go about their holiday shopping. Finger foods can be whipped up in about 30 minutes. Serve cider, cocoa and tea.
8. Take a nap!! Or Two!
9. If you have children, create an Advent calendar. Each night gather the family for a Christmas story and a surprise from the Calendar. A nice way to top off each December evening.
10. Get a mani/pedi and if possible a message. NOTHING says peace and relaxation like being pampered! Look out for deals on Groupon or Mamapedia Sweet Deals.
December 10, 2010
An Easy, Fun, Adorable way to do Christmas Cards

One of my cards

Every year I look forward to the holiday season, so many plans, places to go, people to see. Then, just like that, it is all over. One way I have found that really saves me time is personalized Christmas cards.

Every year during the holidays I always have big plans for my cards. Then in a rush, I grab whatever cards I can find and zip thru them scribbling our family name on the bottom. I have never been satisfied with this method. It is so impersonal. I wanted a better solution but I also wanted to be realistic and not choose something that would take a lot of time. Last year, I went with Shutterfly personalized Christmas cards. They are ADORABLE. They have a huge selection you really can’t beat it.

Besides being able to add our pictures for personalization another feature I love – You can personalize the greeting too! I love this feature because cards have hardly ever said exactly what I have wanted them to say.

I also use Shutterfly for Photo Books and prints so all of my pictures are already loaded when I log in. It is simple and easy. I highly recommend. Don’t get caught up in a lengthy process with your cards, personalized them AND have more time for other holiday stuff – like seeing people, serving people and spreading joy.

The cost is very reasonable too. Another cool thing about Shutterfly is that they always have sales going on. If you sign up for their email list you will get coupon codes almost daily. I have received photo books for up tp 50% off, prints for .09/each. I have used Kodak and Walgreens before but it seems there is a certain quality to Shutterfly’s products.

My cards took me about 30 minutes to personlize then it will take another 30 to stamp on addresses and mail. 1 hour, not bad!

November 29, 2010
Birthday Cake, a Delicious “Doctored Up” Cake Mix Cake
My husband loves chocolate and I love my husband. Wasn’t it only natural that I would set out to find the most chocolatey cake ever? I started out on my search and eventually found the one I had to try.

It was amazing, delicious, moist, a chocolate lovers dream come true… on a plate… with sprinkles and pretty candles.

The recipe is called Too Much Chocolate Cake and it has 5 stars from almost 2500 people. It called for a bundt cake pan too which I really liked the idea of making, they are so pretty, and I like the way they slice up too.

Daddys Cake

Ingredients
- 1 (18.25 ounce) package devil’s food cake mix
- 1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup vegetable oil (I used 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup applesauce)
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 cups semisweet mini chocolate chips
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour batter into a well greased 12 cup bundt pan.
3. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool cake thoroughly in pan at least an hour and a half before inverting onto a plate If desired, dust the cake with powdered sugar.
And just in case you were wondering about the name of the cake – NO there is not too much chocolate. Enjoy!
November 24, 2010
The Middle One

Oliver is Luigi
Oliver is my middle child, he is my tender shoot. This little guy is indescribable. He is completely, utterly unique and special. I have been thinking lately some ways that he is so special to us.

He makes an excellent little brother to his big brother, the best wingman a kid could ask for. He always cheers his older brother on at every activity, he is eager to share his latest lego creation with him and follows his oldest brothers advice to a fault. Oliver can get rambunctious and hold his own when he wrestles with the oldest. They are best pals.

Oliver wrestling around with big brother
In different ways he is the perfect big brother to our 2 year old. He is always very careful with him, is quick to let any of us know if we aren’t “being fair” to the littlest, he quickly defends the baby of the family. He is always ready to hold his hand and guide him in the right direction, he is very sweet to him.

Oliver with Samuel

Oliver and Samuel

Oliver also has a cousin that is only 3 months younger than him, Adam is his best friend. They get along great and love to play together. They have the best conversations.

Oliver with Adam

It’s great to see how he fits into the family and is something special to each of us for different reasons. He is a true gift from God, a blessing.

Oliver and his red umbrella

I love this little guy so unique, so sweet, so funny, so tender, my dearest Oliver. I love you!

November 15, 2010
Another Reason to Love the Library – A New Kind of Audiobook

All-in-One Audiobook

I have been checking out Audiobooks for my 1st grader lately. They are chapter books and are a great addition to his advanced readers. He listened to Mrs. Piggle Wiggles Farm, Cam Jansen and now the classic, Shiloh.

Kids Audio

I decided to browse the adult audiobook section and I came across these cool cases called “Playaways”. I picked one up and discovered that it is an all-in-one audiobook. Meaning all I need to listen is a AAA battery and headphones, the book is also the player! I really like this for several reasons, the biggest being that I don’t have any kind of CD player, MP3 Player or phone. This is perfect! What an awesome concept! My library system has over 700 titles available!

They even have children’s books too! Audiobooks have proven to be great to have in the car.

Hundred Acre Wood

October 25, 2010
A Fall Family Tradition

Bushel of Pueblo Mosca HOT

In my family, the Fall means more than beautiful trees, colors, apples, pumpkins and cider. It also means it is time for green chiles to come up from Southern Colorado and New Mexico.

My mom used to get to actually go pick em with her parents but we just venture down the street to a temporary produce stand. The smell… AMAZING! Have you ever had fresh roasted chiles in your car? It is quite heavenly!

This year we chose a mix of Pueblo Mosca Hot and a Hatch Medium, we had them fired and bagged together, it makes for a nice mix.

The boys really enjoyed watching the process, we got to pick our chiles out and then the lady put them in the roaster and fired them up. Then we watched her pour them into a bag, then into our car. When we got home we bagged them, about 5-6 per bag, then froze them.

nice variety!

yum!

freshly roasted

Oliver watching the roasting

I happened to be making french bread pizza that night so I took a couple of chiles, chopped them up, added garlic salt, then spread on the bread after the sauce and before the cheese……. yum!

There are so many things you can put green chiles on, the possibilities are almost endless. I will be sure to post some recipes once I start pulling them out of the freezer.

Some more shots of the produce stand – the boys got to pick out a mini-pumpkin to decorate.

Chile Stand in SW Denver

Oliver found his pumpkin

Boys with the pumpkins

October 15, 2010
Meet Toot Toot

This is Samuel aka Sam Toot or Toot Toot. We love nicknames. Sam has jumped right into the family, he is sweet and spunky! He is a total ham too. He loves to be involved with everything and everyone.

He keeps himself busy during school time with the older boys…

He loves chocolate…

He keeps us smiling…

Thank you God for Sam Toot Toot, he is such a joy and a gift!

October 6, 2010