Last Friday night I sat in a normal living room on a normal Friday night during Bible study. We went around the room for prayer requests. Pray for this family who just experienced the death of the mother after their daughter was burned over 40% of her body just a few weeks ago. Pray for our friends, cancer has returned. Pray for my co-worker, her son might have autism. Pray for a friend who continues to battle addictions. Peace for the family, it's their first Christmas with their son in jail. Pray for their marriage. For his job. For her illness.
In a season of joy, Christmas, this season where we are supposed to be reminding ourselves that our Lord has come to save and rescue and heal us we focus on wrapping paper, pretty lights, music. I sat there and it hit me like a ton of bricks; during the happiest season of the year, a time that I have fully been partaking in, people are hurting and suffering and feeling so alone.
We prayed. I wept.
I drove and saw Christmas lights with my boyfriend last night. I could have been sitting next to his hospital bed. I wrote Christmas cards and passed them out at to co-workers. I could have been writing a bereavement card for a family member. I baked cookies and took them to work. I could have been wondering if I will be able to get a job to support myself.
This is where I struggle. In a time where we, I, should be celebrating Christ and His love for us I do the exact opposite of what Christ would do in my place. I overlook those who are hurting and grieving and are lost. I sit in my happy little world and never stop to think about those whose pain is being magnified because of the season that it is. As I sat in my Bible study listening to the burdens of so many people being spilled before the Throne of Grace I prayed that God would heal my heart, not from a broken marriage or the loss of a loved one or a serious illness, but from indifference.
My prayer this Christmas is that I will have His heart. That I will see people as He sees them and that I will be able to offer just a little bit of His joy and peace to others, not just during Christmas, but all year 'round.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
pintrest
Ok, have ya'll heard of the pinterest? I'm late jumping onto this bandwagon but let me tell you, I have jumped with reckless abandon. It all started when Kristin posted what she did with her kids on their last day of summer.She got her inspiration for this awesome piece of art from pinterest!
I've spent the past two hours searching the DIY section alone. There is still a whole 'nother world of pinterest that I have left untouched!
Seriously, I am AMAZED at how creative people are. Blown away. I love, love, love making my gifts and I think that this website will come in super handy around Christmas time!
Just LOOK at some of these CUTE ideas!
How about making a memory jar of your vacations?
Can you believe that this wreath is made from TISSUE PAPER!?
I LOVE this frame that depicts what the best things in life are! Even better- make your own with their tutorial!
I've spent the past two hours searching the DIY section alone. There is still a whole 'nother world of pinterest that I have left untouched!
Seriously, I am AMAZED at how creative people are. Blown away. I love, love, love making my gifts and I think that this website will come in super handy around Christmas time!
Just LOOK at some of these CUTE ideas!
How about making a memory jar of your vacations?
Can you believe that this wreath is made from TISSUE PAPER!?
I LOVE this frame that depicts what the best things in life are! Even better- make your own with their tutorial!
Wanna see what's on my pinterest boards? Have you found any awesome crafts from pinterest? Do share! :)
Monday, August 22, 2011
1,000 gifts list #1027-1043
I just got home from a week long stay at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. John Muir writes, "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike." That is what this trip was. A time to get away from the business of every day life, to breathe in clean fresh air, to laugh and fellowship with friends, to marvel at the beauty God has created.
The gifts continue, at home or away on vacation. In the jungle of a city that I live in or the rawness of wild land hundreds of miles away. It is beautiful, the way my Father coordinates things. :) One of the most memorable moments of my trip was a night in which I had just finished doing dishes and felt such a longing to worship. All of a sudden I heard music from a couple of campsites away and it was worship music! I gathered up my courage to go ask complete strangers if I could join them and they kindly said yes. It was a beautiful night singing praises to my Jesus under a blanket of stars and in the shadows of magnificent Redwoods. J
1027) mist on tree tops
1028) warm camping breakfast
1029) his little "I love you" touches
1030) shafts of light through giant Redwoods
1031) late night campfire chats
1032) study Bibles
1033) boys and their walking sticks/staffs
1034) feathery ferns
1035) banana slugs in jars
1038) bundling up close to him during campfire chat
1039) mug of hot tea
1040) spider webs across trails
1041) worship songs around campfires
1042) universal believers, the binding tie of Jesus
1043) trees that take your breath away and the blood that was shed on the Tree that took my sins away
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
WILMM: lead me
On Easter we went to a sunrise service that our beautiful Bible study did together. We went to a local canyon and climbed to the top of this little hill and watched the sun rise, it was beautiful. For our little service one of the families made crosses out of popsicles and each person took a cross. On our crosses we wrote what was on our mind. Some wrote about the beauty of God in nature, others about Easter, some their favorite Bible verse or a popular song lyric.
We went around and talked about what we had written and why. It was beautiful and moving. My sweet boyfriend wrote on his cross, "Lead me". Words cannot express the love that I have for this man. It is humbling and beautiful to know that the man I will commit my life to is committing his life to Jesus so that he will be a better future husband and father.
If I know that my husband is being lead by God I can follow him anywhere.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
1,000 gifts list #895-905
Monday, April 11, 2011
why thankfulness really matters (1,000 gifts list #s 876-885)
It was April fool's day that the heartbreaking news reached our ears. My parents and I had just gotten home from Bible study, a study about giving thanks in every season of our life, no matter what the circumstance. The message machine was beeping and my mom pressed the play button and our world changed. The voice of my Grandpa filled the room and his straight forward words, "I have some pretty bad news. I have stomach cancer." felt like a punch in the gut. The mind races to four years ago when a similar call from my Grandma, his wife, came and we learned she had brain cancer. She went to be with Jesus not six months later.As my mom and I held each other and cried she whispered these words to me, "give thanks, give thanks."
In that moment giving thanks was the last thing I wanted to do. Giving thanks was no where on my radar. I felt bitterness and anger welling up inside of me, my own cancer, eating away at my soul. We cried. We talked a bit. My parents went to bed.
I know the cure to bitterness and anger. I know it because I've been practicing it for over a year. But you see, the cure is not a magic pill you take once and the cure lasts forever. No, it's a practice. A daily practice. Much like physical exercise once you stop the muscles lose their strength. It's a cure that only works if it is practiced daily.
My mom and I had both just finished reading Ann Voskamp's book 1,000 Gifts. We each have a gratitude journal but I knew that this practice would help everyone in our family, not just my mom and I. I also knew that there was no way that my brothers would just start writing in a journal if I gave them one. I needed somewhere where our family could practice eucharisteo together. Iron sharpens iron and this practice of giving thanks with each other can only help to heal the broken pieces inside of us and isn't life just easier when we do things together?
So I choose a spot in our house where everyone frequents and I take a long roll of butcher paper. I choose a verse that fits where my family is in the here and now and write it on top, along with some quotes from Ann and these simple instructions, "giving thanks, all of us, together, one by one."
I scratch out a couple of gifts on the list, mostly just to demonstrate what I mean, and as I write, as I am forced to think of the ways He loves my heart is lightened. I think I am beginning to see that all IS grace. With that recognition I am able to understand more fully the words of that famous song, "amazing grace, how sweet the sound..."
I am overjoyed as I watch the list grow. I love that it is on our fridge and I also love that those who are not in our family feel free to add to the list.
I replaced the paper last night. Collectively we had recorded 49 gifts and it was time for a fresh start. I put up a new piece of paper, a new verse and a new quote. And the journey continues because we can never out thank God for the many gifts He's given us!
My list continued, looking forward to breaking 1,000!
876) the face that the size of the tumor does not determine the presence of the Savior!
877) Jared's music filling the house
878) clean microwaves
879) blustery days!
880) roses in bloom, everywhere!
881) rain and sun together!
882) Daddy home :)
883) modern day technology
884) grace, grace, always grace
885) so many different people's handwriting on the list :)
In that moment giving thanks was the last thing I wanted to do. Giving thanks was no where on my radar. I felt bitterness and anger welling up inside of me, my own cancer, eating away at my soul. We cried. We talked a bit. My parents went to bed.
I know the cure to bitterness and anger. I know it because I've been practicing it for over a year. But you see, the cure is not a magic pill you take once and the cure lasts forever. No, it's a practice. A daily practice. Much like physical exercise once you stop the muscles lose their strength. It's a cure that only works if it is practiced daily.
My mom and I had both just finished reading Ann Voskamp's book 1,000 Gifts. We each have a gratitude journal but I knew that this practice would help everyone in our family, not just my mom and I. I also knew that there was no way that my brothers would just start writing in a journal if I gave them one. I needed somewhere where our family could practice eucharisteo together. Iron sharpens iron and this practice of giving thanks with each other can only help to heal the broken pieces inside of us and isn't life just easier when we do things together?
So I choose a spot in our house where everyone frequents and I take a long roll of butcher paper. I choose a verse that fits where my family is in the here and now and write it on top, along with some quotes from Ann and these simple instructions, "giving thanks, all of us, together, one by one."
I am overjoyed as I watch the list grow. I love that it is on our fridge and I also love that those who are not in our family feel free to add to the list.
I replaced the paper last night. Collectively we had recorded 49 gifts and it was time for a fresh start. I put up a new piece of paper, a new verse and a new quote. And the journey continues because we can never out thank God for the many gifts He's given us!
My list continued, looking forward to breaking 1,000!
876) the face that the size of the tumor does not determine the presence of the Savior!
877) Jared's music filling the house
878) clean microwaves
879) blustery days!
880) roses in bloom, everywhere!
881) rain and sun together!
882) Daddy home :)
883) modern day technology
884) grace, grace, always grace
885) so many different people's handwriting on the list :)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
How to Make Banket
My boyfriend is 50 percent Dutch. His mom was the dissenter and ruined their pure dutch bloodlines by marrying his dad (and I'm so glad she did!) :D My boyfriend's great grandparents came over from Holland and his Grandma is very proud of the fact she's 100% Dutch. One of the tasty treats that I have come to enjoy is a traditional Dutch pastry called banket (bahn-KET). Banket is an almond paste filled pastry.
So, here's a how-to-make-banket-tutorial :)
Ingredients for pastry crust
-4 cups of flour
-2 cups of cold butter, cut into small pieces
-about one cup of ice water
-1/2 teaspoon of sal
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
Ingredients for filling
- 2 eggs (you can also use only one egg, we've tried both ways and they both work)
- 2 cups of sugar
- 1 lb or 2 cups almond paste
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
Bake Temp: 425 degrees F.
Bake Time: 15 minutes
Step number one: cut cold butter up into small pieces. Put flour, butter, salt and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.
Step number two: mix together flour, cold butter, salt and baking powder. The point is not to cream the butter into the flour mixture but to make it a crumbly mixture. My boyfriend's family actually uses frozen butter and has gotten the best results from that. You do not want to over mix your crust. You can use either a mixer or a pastry cutter.
Step number three: Mix in your ice water SLOWLY and only enough so that it starts to form a doughy ball. I would start with 3/4 cup, adding just a little bit at a time. The dough should not be sticky so make sure not to add to much water.
Once your dough is starting to look like this it is usually easier to mix the rest by hand. You can then add water a little bit as a time as needed.
Step number four: One you have your dough take it and break it into 8 equal balls. The easiest way for me to do this is to take the dough, break it in half and then continue to break those halves in half until I have eight balls.
If you added to much water and your dough is super sticky you can add a little bit more flour. It also helps to put it in the fridge. You can refrigerate dough for a couple of days or so and it is actually easier to work with when it is colder.
Step number five: For the filling mix together the eggs, almond paste, and lemon juice. We buy our almond paste in 7 gallon cans from Blue Diamond because it is MUCH cheaper then buying the tiny little tubes of almond paste at the grocery store.
Step number six: Time to roll out the dough! I usually sandwich the dough between lightly floured waxed paper. Roll each ball out so that it measures twelve inches long and four inches wide. If you have not over mixed your dough you should be able to see butter striations in your rolled out dough. I have yet to achieve making perfect dough. My boyfriend's family said they only get the striations when they start with frozen butter so that may be the key. In any case, it doesn't really matter, but, if you get butter striations then bravo! You've done it correctly. :)
Step number seven: Starting from about an inch from the top of the rectangle spoon filling onto the middle of the dough. Leave about an inch or so from the top and bottom of the rectangle.
Step number eight: Starting with the short sides fold dough up and over filling. Then fold over long sides. Make sure to press seams together and seal tightly. Water can also help to seal seams. If the seams are not sealed tightly you will end up with a bubbly, hot, sticky, almond paste filling mess on your cookie sheet after baking.
Step number nine: Flip banket over so that the seam side is touching the cookie sheet.
Step number ten: Use a knife and cut evenly spaced diagonal slits along the top of the banket. The slits are used to help release the heat while baking and they also serve as an easy way to break the banket into pieces to share and eat. :)
So, here's a how-to-make-banket-tutorial :)
Ingredients for pastry crust
-4 cups of flour
-2 cups of cold butter, cut into small pieces
-about one cup of ice water
-1/2 teaspoon of sal
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
Ingredients for filling
- 2 eggs (you can also use only one egg, we've tried both ways and they both work)
- 2 cups of sugar
- 1 lb or 2 cups almond paste
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
Bake Temp: 425 degrees F.
Bake Time: 15 minutes
Step number one: cut cold butter up into small pieces. Put flour, butter, salt and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.
Step number two: mix together flour, cold butter, salt and baking powder. The point is not to cream the butter into the flour mixture but to make it a crumbly mixture. My boyfriend's family actually uses frozen butter and has gotten the best results from that. You do not want to over mix your crust. You can use either a mixer or a pastry cutter.
 | |||||
| (this isn't actually one cup, it's two. I put ice and water in here then poured one cup into a one cup measurement) |
Once your dough is starting to look like this it is usually easier to mix the rest by hand. You can then add water a little bit as a time as needed.
Step number four: One you have your dough take it and break it into 8 equal balls. The easiest way for me to do this is to take the dough, break it in half and then continue to break those halves in half until I have eight balls.
Step number five: For the filling mix together the eggs, almond paste, and lemon juice. We buy our almond paste in 7 gallon cans from Blue Diamond because it is MUCH cheaper then buying the tiny little tubes of almond paste at the grocery store.
Step number six: Time to roll out the dough! I usually sandwich the dough between lightly floured waxed paper. Roll each ball out so that it measures twelve inches long and four inches wide. If you have not over mixed your dough you should be able to see butter striations in your rolled out dough. I have yet to achieve making perfect dough. My boyfriend's family said they only get the striations when they start with frozen butter so that may be the key. In any case, it doesn't really matter, but, if you get butter striations then bravo! You've done it correctly. :)
Step number seven: Starting from about an inch from the top of the rectangle spoon filling onto the middle of the dough. Leave about an inch or so from the top and bottom of the rectangle.
Step number nine: Flip banket over so that the seam side is touching the cookie sheet.
Step number eleven: Brush the top of the banket with either egg whites or milk (I usually use milk that way I don't have to figure out what to do with the extra yolk). Sprinkle with sugar.
Step number twelve: Bake at 425 degrees farenheit for 15 minutes or until tops are golden brown.
Wait a little bit for the boiling hot melty insides to cool down a tad and then enjoy!!! :)
*word of advice- while making banket the traditional way is well worth it, I usually buy pre-made pie crust (shhhh...don't tell my boyfriend's family!) and make it that way and it is still quite tasty*
**if making this for the first time I recommend cutting the recipe in half...it makes a lot!**
Friday, March 25, 2011
fighting for your marriage...before you're married
Divorce rates in America are ridiculously high. Especially when you consider that the divorce rates among christians is comparable to those who are not christians. I don't know about you, but that scares me.
I am learning how to fight for my future marriage. I am reading books and blogs and listening to sermons by godly people about how marriage works. I am watching godly couples who have withstood the test of time and trials and are stronger for it. I am storing away bits and pieces of wisdom and I am trying to implement all that I can into my relationship now.
I think that all too often people don't work on their marriages until things get bad. So why should I wait to work on things until I'm married?
Kristen wrote a recent post about fighting for her marriage. In her post she wrote something that I think is so true, yet often overlooked. Kristen writes, "The very fall of man, put husbands and wives at odds with each other. Marriage is not easy. At it’s best, it’s difficult.
Pray. Pray, pray, pray. All the time. I pray for and with my boyfriend. I pray for guidance and protection and purity over our relationship. I thank God for positive relationships modeled in my life.
Learning how to manage conflicts. Now. My sweet boyfriend is a wonderful example of patience and understanding. I lose my temper far more often than he does...but I also apologize far less often than he does. Unfortunately the art of apologizing, and it is an art, is not something I learned from my home. It's not something that was shown in my boyfriend's home either...he just has an strong sense of justice and is man enough to apologize when he knows he's wrong. I am learning, slowly, to follow my boyfriend's lead. To swallow this big ego that I have and to admit when I am wrong. It is humbling and I don't always do a good job but I think my boyfriend would tell you I've come a long way in the last four years.
I know that marriage is not a magic wand to be waved and that all my (and his) flaws and imperfections will not vanish once that ring is slipped on my finger. So I'm trying, really hard, to do what I can right now to fireproof my marriage.
I am thankful for all you godly women that write so honestly about your marriages. You may not realize it but you are giving my generation a chance to learn from you and that is a beautiful gift.
What is your best piece of advice? What do you wish someone had told you before you got married?
I am learning how to fight for my future marriage. I am reading books and blogs and listening to sermons by godly people about how marriage works. I am watching godly couples who have withstood the test of time and trials and are stronger for it. I am storing away bits and pieces of wisdom and I am trying to implement all that I can into my relationship now.
I think that all too often people don't work on their marriages until things get bad. So why should I wait to work on things until I'm married?
Kristen wrote a recent post about fighting for her marriage. In her post she wrote something that I think is so true, yet often overlooked. Kristen writes, "The very fall of man, put husbands and wives at odds with each other. Marriage is not easy. At it’s best, it’s difficult.
But don’t be fooled: Satan wants your marriage to fail. He is a vicious opponent without mercy. If you won’t fight for your marriage, he will." (emphasis mine)
I've been blessed to have grown up in a christian home. I have been blessed with being surrounded by godly couples. I have been blessed to have awesome pastors who preach amazing sermons about marriage and the roles of husbands and wives.
So, what are some of the things that I am doing now in my pre-nuptial days to protect my future marriage?
I am attempting to practice the art of esteeming my boyfriend. I have read over and over again about how much men really do desire respect from their wives. I think there is a reason why the Bible admonishes men to "love their wives and wives to respect their husbands." (Ephesians 5:33, emphasis my own). It is so, so easy for me to disrespect my boyfriend. It can be as simple as teasing him when I know he doesn't like to be teased or as obvious as criticizing and nagging him. I fail a lot. But I am trying.
Thankfulness- I try to thank him when he does something that I appreciate, because "kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." (Prov 16:24) Thank him for making me breakfast, opening that car door, playing the game he doesn't really like to, thank him for spending time with me, for being considerate of my feelings, for all the hugs and I love you's.
Thankfulness- I try to thank him when he does something that I appreciate, because "kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." (Prov 16:24) Thank him for making me breakfast, opening that car door, playing the game he doesn't really like to, thank him for spending time with me, for being considerate of my feelings, for all the hugs and I love you's.
Along those same lines I am trying to learn how to hold my tongue. I try not to say anything negative about my boyfriend to other people because I don't want to be one of those wives who bashes on their husbands behind his back. Did you know that for every negative comment it takes five positive comment to cancel it out? Yikes. Words are powerful.
Pray. Pray, pray, pray. All the time. I pray for and with my boyfriend. I pray for guidance and protection and purity over our relationship. I thank God for positive relationships modeled in my life.
Learning how to manage conflicts. Now. My sweet boyfriend is a wonderful example of patience and understanding. I lose my temper far more often than he does...but I also apologize far less often than he does. Unfortunately the art of apologizing, and it is an art, is not something I learned from my home. It's not something that was shown in my boyfriend's home either...he just has an strong sense of justice and is man enough to apologize when he knows he's wrong. I am learning, slowly, to follow my boyfriend's lead. To swallow this big ego that I have and to admit when I am wrong. It is humbling and I don't always do a good job but I think my boyfriend would tell you I've come a long way in the last four years.
I know that marriage is not a magic wand to be waved and that all my (and his) flaws and imperfections will not vanish once that ring is slipped on my finger. So I'm trying, really hard, to do what I can right now to fireproof my marriage.
I am thankful for all you godly women that write so honestly about your marriages. You may not realize it but you are giving my generation a chance to learn from you and that is a beautiful gift.
What is your best piece of advice? What do you wish someone had told you before you got married?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
WFMW: things to do with kids for St. Patrick's Day
When I was little my mom made us green foods for Saint Patrick's Day. Here are some fun (not at all educational) things my mom did for us when we were little.
-Green eggs for breakfast (really you could do green any kind of food)
-use a shamrock cookie cutter and pour green pancake batter onto the griddle- make shamrock pancakes!
- use a bell pepper to make shamrock stamps!
- use a bell pepper to make shamrock stamps!
- "magic pudding", this is actually my clearest memory of being little and celebrating Saint Patrick's Day. My mom bought pistachio pudding, put it in a little tuperware container and then added the milk. The pudding itself is a very, very light green- almost white. My mom poured the milk on top, put a lid on the tuperware and let us shake it. MAGIC! It turned green!
-hide gold coins around the house, find the leprechaun's treasure!
- visit this website for some good crafts for young ones to incorporate the trinity into the shamrock :)
- visit this website for some good crafts for young ones to incorporate the trinity into the shamrock :)
What do you do for your kids on Saint Patrick's Day??
Thursday, February 17, 2011
crazy!
I have lived in southern CA my whole time. We don't get to see very many stars. I have come to appreciate beautiful, full, harvest moons and the stars when I get to see them.
But tonight. Well, tonight I saw something I have NEVER seen.
But tonight. Well, tonight I saw something I have NEVER seen.
It's a 22° halo ! No...I'm not being sarcastic, lol. And yes, I do believe everything I read on wikipedia. :)
I want to hear your stories, have you ever seen this? What went through your mind? Did you take a picture?
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
WFMW: 10 Fine Motor activities
1. Clothespins- we give each child one clothes pin and have them use only one hand to pick something up and put it on a plate. We have really thin rectangular blocks at my school so we use those a lot but it could be anything- just as you can get the clothes pin around it.
2) Cutting Sandwiches- so....that's actually my name for it. I really have no idea what it's called. All you need for this is two pieces of cardboard, a piece of paper, and a brass paper fastener. Cut your two pieces of cardboard into identical shapes- these will be the "bread" of your sandwich...they should be as alike as possible. Cut a hole through the middle of each, making sure that the holes line up. Stick a piece of paper in between each cardboard shape- making it a sandwich. Use the brass paper fastener, insert it through the hole on one side of the cardboard, through the paper, and then open the two sides away from one another on the back of the second piece of cardboard. The goal is for the child to be able to cut around the piece of paper and end up with the piece of paper being the same shape and size as the cardboard. For circles this is fairly easy. However, for a shape like a triangle the child has to be able to hold the "sandwich" together as they turn and cut. I hope this makes sense?
3. Tracing: We use a lot of shape templates. I have found that for kids with poor fine motor it is much easier for them to use templates where they are tracing on the inside- such as a shape cut out of a square piece of cardboard, then for them to trace the outside of a shape. Being able to press their pencil against the inside walls of the cardboard to form the shape seems to help them a lot. For those of you who are visual--- here's my word picture for you. It would be easier for a child to trace the inside of a cookie cutter rather than the outside. We don't use cookie cutters mind you, it's just to give you a visual picture. I really wish I had pictures from school to show you but I don't. Perhaps I will take some and update this post.
4. Play-doh. Oh, how we love play-doh. But we don't just let them squish it around. Nope, we give them tasks. We will often mix things into the play-doh, beads or beans for instance, and then have them search through the play-doh and pick them all out.
5. Paint! Finger paint or with paintbrushes. Usually trying to trace (large) shapes or letters that area already on paper.
6. When I worked at the pre-school we had parmesan shakers like you find at pizza parlors and the kids would put those red, hollow, stir stars through the holes.
7. Tongs- This is harder than using clothes pins because once you grasp an item with the clothes pin it automatically stays shut and you have to pinch it to open the clothespin and release the item. Using tongs is harder because it forces them to a) open the tongs to grasp the item, b) hold the tongs closed to keep the item, c) open the tongs to release the item.
8) Legos- or blocks that stick together. We usually use the very small square legos and they get to play around and stick them together.
9) Tracing- plain old boring paper and pencil tracing. This is my least favorite (and probably theirs, too!) but we do it. *sigh* Some of our kids have a very had time tracing but if we highlight everything that they need to trace it seems to help them.
10. Grab Bag Game- this is actually a lot of fun. It's also something you could easily re-create without having to buy the actual product. You fill a bag- ours is fabric- with small distinctly shaped items. We have a lot of weird little shapes with different textures. You need two of each shape. One goes into the bag and the other the teacher keeps. Then the teacher will show a shape to the child and let them feel it with their hands. The teacher then takes the shape back and the child sticks their hand into the bag. Without looking the child tries to grab the same shaped piece from the bag.
What have you used for fine motor that seems to work well? Anything that the kids really love? I'd love to know!
Monday, February 14, 2011
1,000 Gifts list #801-810
I am big sister to two younger brothers. I've been blessed to see them learn, grow, and mature, both physically but spiritually as well. My youngest brother, Jared, is turning into an awesome young man for the Lord. I'm so proud to be his sister. He is extremly funny, talented, and kind. He is such a big part of my family's life and he is a hoot. He's always doing or saying something that can make us laugh. He's easy going and fun to be around. I blogged about how he tried to tame while squirrels a while ago. He made a sock puppet Thursday night...and thought it was the best thing ever. And, just last week, he gave a picture of a wizard that he drew to an In'n'Out employee while going through drive thru. He's something else... :)
801) Jared going to Haiti on his first mission trip!
802) playing his songs for me on the piano and asking my opinion
803) buttons and socks and thread
804) crazy laughter
805) his wizard pictures taped up everywhere
806) his music constantly filling the house
807) him and his trend setting ways
808) always making me laugh
809) finding his Bible all around the house, pages highlighted
810) his fascination of all things Indian
“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” — Thornton Wilder
801) Jared going to Haiti on his first mission trip!
802) playing his songs for me on the piano and asking my opinion
803) buttons and socks and thread
804) crazy laughter
805) his wizard pictures taped up everywhere
806) his music constantly filling the house
807) him and his trend setting ways
808) always making me laugh
809) finding his Bible all around the house, pages highlighted
810) his fascination of all things Indian
“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” — Thornton Wilder
Thursday, February 10, 2011
barefoot shoes?
Have ya'll seen these shoes before? I hadn't up until last week when I was at the doctors. There was a man there wearing these shoes...interesting huh?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
valentine's "stockings"
Do you know what I love most about Christmas? Celebrating the birth of Christ with my loved ones. But you know what I love second most?
Stockings! I think stockings are SO much fun. I have more fun unwrapping my stocking than I do my "real" gifts. My mom, sweet boyfriend, and I went to Arkansas this past Christmas and I made stockings for us, my grandparents, and my girlfriend's family. I LOVED buying the little dollar items to stick in the stockings. I also like to wrap the little things that go in the stockings, it's just so much more FUN to unwrap something!
The dollar bin at Targets had these cute little mailboxes. We're doing secret valentines at work. I considered buying one to put in my valentines mail box but not all my gifts would have fit inside. Then on last weeks Work for Me Wednesday Jamielyn from I <3 Naptime PIMPED out one of those dollar mailboxes.
That did it. I had to buy some. I decided to buy some for my family. *Note: Mine are NO where near as cute as hers is, but...I was making 5 out of 7 of them for boys and I know the cuteness factor would have been completly lost on them...* There are 7 mailboxes, I made one for my sweet boyfriend and another for the neighbor boy who pretty much lives at our house. I stuck some names on the front (told ya...not real fancy, lol). It's like STOCKINGS but for Valentine's Day! I put them out late Sunday night and will put little things in all week until Valentine's Day. Nothing fancy, candy, a little note, a Bible verse, ect.
Tell me you wouldn't get excited to see the little flag on your mail box up!?
(my camera's flash seems to have recorded every dust particle on our piano. *ahem*..)
Monday, February 7, 2011
1,000 Gifts List #779-789
It's been nearly five years ago that I sat on stage in a gold robe and graduated from highschool. It's been five long years or studying, papers, and test taking and I recently just transfered to a four year college.
I sat across from my advisor last week and listened to her list off all the classes that I was told to take that now don't count for anything once I actually reached my end goal. And I felt myself crumbling inside. The voices start popping up inside my head, "What a loser. Look at all your friends who are already done. You're never going to finish. What a let down you are."
I count the classes I have to take, four in total, before I can actually start the core of my major. Four more classes. I am frusterated, but I can do this.
I look online for the classes I need, determined to get them done and out of the way, and my heart sinks even further. All general education classes. All offered during the time that I work. I can't graduate without these classes, but I can't quit my job for a ten week course either. I come up with a plan that involves switching work shifts with a co-worker on certain days for ten weeks and just hope that my co-worker will be willing to do so.
I approach my co-woker and explain my situation and her response is a brief, "I'm sorry, I don't want to." She walks away and I feel the panic rising and I begin to panic more because it is such a struggle to keep myself calm.
In an act of desperation I ask my last resort, another co-worker, who I know it will be a sacrifice for her to switch. She looks at me and with such grace says these simple words, "Yes. I'll switch with you. I don't mind." And I find myself bursting into tears in the middle of an elementary school lunch room as all that pent up worry is relieved. I am humbled by the sacrifice and the tears just keep streaming and I feel ridiculous for crying over a biology class and in the middle of work, none the less.
And Ann's words pop into my head and I remember. "Life is not an emergency." And I know that if I am full of grattitude I am not full of stress or worry...and I count...continue to count, to hang onto these God graces, my life line...
779) Brenda and her grace
780) the gentle reminder that "life is not an emergency!" and the truth behind those words!
781) each class taken means one less to do
782) long chats with Dragica and her encouraging words
783) understanding teacher at work
784) tears of relief
785) innocent and sincere thank you's from a sweet thrid grade girl
786) hands holded completed cross stitch- months of hard work coming to fruition!
787) dreams of a beautiful friend's beginning to take shape
788) baby blankets to make!
789) items crossed off of a check list- just focusing on one thing at a time!
I sat across from my advisor last week and listened to her list off all the classes that I was told to take that now don't count for anything once I actually reached my end goal. And I felt myself crumbling inside. The voices start popping up inside my head, "What a loser. Look at all your friends who are already done. You're never going to finish. What a let down you are."
I count the classes I have to take, four in total, before I can actually start the core of my major. Four more classes. I am frusterated, but I can do this.
I look online for the classes I need, determined to get them done and out of the way, and my heart sinks even further. All general education classes. All offered during the time that I work. I can't graduate without these classes, but I can't quit my job for a ten week course either. I come up with a plan that involves switching work shifts with a co-worker on certain days for ten weeks and just hope that my co-worker will be willing to do so.
I approach my co-woker and explain my situation and her response is a brief, "I'm sorry, I don't want to." She walks away and I feel the panic rising and I begin to panic more because it is such a struggle to keep myself calm.
In an act of desperation I ask my last resort, another co-worker, who I know it will be a sacrifice for her to switch. She looks at me and with such grace says these simple words, "Yes. I'll switch with you. I don't mind." And I find myself bursting into tears in the middle of an elementary school lunch room as all that pent up worry is relieved. I am humbled by the sacrifice and the tears just keep streaming and I feel ridiculous for crying over a biology class and in the middle of work, none the less.
And Ann's words pop into my head and I remember. "Life is not an emergency." And I know that if I am full of grattitude I am not full of stress or worry...and I count...continue to count, to hang onto these God graces, my life line...
779) Brenda and her grace
780) the gentle reminder that "life is not an emergency!" and the truth behind those words!
781) each class taken means one less to do
782) long chats with Dragica and her encouraging words
783) understanding teacher at work
784) tears of relief
785) innocent and sincere thank you's from a sweet thrid grade girl
786) hands holded completed cross stitch- months of hard work coming to fruition!
787) dreams of a beautiful friend's beginning to take shape
788) baby blankets to make!
789) items crossed off of a check list- just focusing on one thing at a time!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
WFMW: applesauce
I'm making some lemon poppy seed muffins as I write. The recipe called for 1/4 cup of vegetable oil. Instead I put 1/4 cup of applesauce. It works great for cake, keeps it nice and moist and doesn't affect the way it tastes or looks. :) I've also substituted applesauce for vegetable oil in waffles. Haven't tried pancakes but I'm assuming it would work fine.
That's my trick of the week? What tricks do you use for healthier baking/cooking without losing flavor??
Monday, January 31, 2011
1,000 gifts 760-770
It is the simpliest things in life that bring the most pleasure. Counting them as they happen, one after the other...
760) sweet boyfriend offering to take out the trash for me on a day that I'm exhausted
761) delicious chai tea latte
762) streamers waving in the air as child runs with homemade kite
763) braclets that jingle
764) raindrops on window pane
765) community
766) health
767) coupons
768) shoes with bows
769) life, full, and abudant!
770) new board games
"Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise." Robert Robinson
760) sweet boyfriend offering to take out the trash for me on a day that I'm exhausted
761) delicious chai tea latte
762) streamers waving in the air as child runs with homemade kite
763) braclets that jingle
764) raindrops on window pane
765) community
766) health
767) coupons
768) shoes with bows
769) life, full, and abudant!
770) new board games
"Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise." Robert Robinson
Sunday, January 30, 2011
:)
There are but a few things better than dinner with good friends and my sweet boyfriend, playing fun games, yummy food, and good conversation!
So blessed to be surrounded with people I love!
So blessed to be surrounded with people I love!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
WFMW: How I'm memorizing the book of Colossians in a Year
(most of this blog entry is background about what I'm memorizing, but if you keep reading I promise you my tip for HOW I'm memorizing it will be there!)
If you're a reader of Ann's blog you're probably aware of her free printable download for a commitment booklet, memorzing the book of Colossians in a year, two verses a week.
Here's a commitment booklet I made.
It's a black moleskin journal in which I pasted the pages from Ann's free download.
I knew that I didn't want to carry around the whole book with me everywhere to study from for two two reasons. One, it's pretty bulky after pasting 52 pages into it, and secondly I wanted the book to remain nice. I knew I needed something tough and sturdy to carry around, something I could easily replace if lost, and something I could easily throw into my purse or backpack.
Ding! I had an idea! So... I printed out a second set of all the pages that are posted in the book. I cut them all out and then proceeded to paste them back to back so that I could laminate them, hole punch them, and throw them on a ring.
(like the candle that I'm using to prop it up?)
Two things... the pages are actually wider than the cover page...so I took my cover page and placed it on the BOTTOM of each rectangle on the page and trimmed all the excess at the top. If you're printing it out and looking at it it will make sense. Secondly, I couldn't put the next day on the reverse side of the card because I wanted to be able to flip it and have the second card right side up. The way the cards are printed some of the words would have gotten hole punched, so instead I pasted the 52nd weeks card onto the back of the first weeks card and so on and so forth so that when it's time to flip them at least it will be in order going the same way. I hope that makes sense?
SO. Now. A tip (I hate those WFMW posts that don't actually have a tip, don't you??)
 |
See the little boxes that say "review" and "learn"? Here's what has been working for me, I baught some dry erase expo markers and every day my goal is to cross off those seven little boxes. Seven times a day I consciouly read, repeat, and practice those verses. I try to do it when I'm walking and stuff too, so it ends up being more than seven, but if you practice the verses seven times a day, every day, for a week that makes 49 times that you said the verse. At the end of the day I get a wet paper towel, erase my checked boxes and start over the next morning. I make it a point to stagger my seven times throghout the day and practice in between my "official" verse saying. I've found that I do it when I wake up, before I get out of my car when I get to work, and before bed every day for sure. The other four times I just fit into my day when I have a spare moment.
That's what's been working for me!
it's [not] all about you
It was a normal day and I was walking across my college campus to my class when it caught my eye. A large black banner with yellow words. The banner read, "IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU!" As I passed it and walked on towards class mulling the words over in my head..."all about you, all about you, all about you..."
And really, that is the world's mantra, isn't it? The world that encourages abortions because after all, "it's all about you." It's your body. Your life. Your choice. So you got pregnant, made a mistake. No problem. It's all about you, and because it's all about you, that baby, that "mass of tissue", can be disposed of the way you scrape gum off the bottom of your shoe.
Isn't that the world is screaming at us day after day? You spill your coffee in the car and get to sue the restaurant you bought it from because, hey, it's all about you. Credit card companies send out cards every day because you're entitled to have whatever you want. Never mind if you don't have the money to pay for it. It's all about you. You deserve those shoes, that car, this book, that house. You cheat on your boyfriend because he's just not cutting it for you. Never mind that he'll be heartbroken when he finds out, it doesn't matter, because it's all about you.
And isn't the world creeping into our christian circles? You don't tithe because there's just not enough money. Don't serve because there is no time. You don't love your neighbor because you haven't taken the time to meet your neighbor and you have no idea what their needs might be. And in essence, when we, the Body of Christ, do these things aren't we telling Him, "it's all about me, God."
I'd love to hang a sign on campus that says, "IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU."
Because it's not.
And really, that is the world's mantra, isn't it? The world that encourages abortions because after all, "it's all about you." It's your body. Your life. Your choice. So you got pregnant, made a mistake. No problem. It's all about you, and because it's all about you, that baby, that "mass of tissue", can be disposed of the way you scrape gum off the bottom of your shoe.
Isn't that the world is screaming at us day after day? You spill your coffee in the car and get to sue the restaurant you bought it from because, hey, it's all about you. Credit card companies send out cards every day because you're entitled to have whatever you want. Never mind if you don't have the money to pay for it. It's all about you. You deserve those shoes, that car, this book, that house. You cheat on your boyfriend because he's just not cutting it for you. Never mind that he'll be heartbroken when he finds out, it doesn't matter, because it's all about you.
And isn't the world creeping into our christian circles? You don't tithe because there's just not enough money. Don't serve because there is no time. You don't love your neighbor because you haven't taken the time to meet your neighbor and you have no idea what their needs might be. And in essence, when we, the Body of Christ, do these things aren't we telling Him, "it's all about me, God."
I'd love to hang a sign on campus that says, "IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU."
Because it's not.
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