Luke :: 6 years

Today my Luke turns 6 years old.

I tend to be pretty reminiscent on birthdays.

I walk around the house saying "6 years ago today we were..."

All. Day. Long.

My family puts up with me.

Bless them. :)

Luke was due on September 25th.

He was born on October 11th.

That's right...

over 2 weeks late!

I was in labor for 25 hours.

He was 9 lbs. 15 oz.

23 in. long

When he was born, literally every nurse/doctor in the room said

"Whoa! That is a big baby!"

It was love at first sight for me.

I wanted a boy so badly.

He was perfect.

At 6 years old...

his favorite color is purple.

He just learned to ride his bike without training wheels.

He is reading like a champ.

His favorite things to do are draw and ride his bike.

He is one of the most quick witted people I know.

He's shy around large groups but quickly comes out of his shell.

Loves to gives hugs.

"Luke" means "Bringer of light"

I pray he lives up to this name.

That he brings the true Light to those who live in darkness.

We LOVE you, Luke!

Our family wouldn't be the same without you!

Field Trip :: Habitat for Humanity Global Village

One thing that is important to John and I is that we teach our children to have a servant's heart. We want to live that out in our community as well as around the world. We want our children to understand that there is a large chunk of the world that doesn't live with the luxuries that we have and as followers of Christ we are to use the gifts He has given us to help others. Since we haven't had the opportunity to go on a family mission trip yet (so excited to do that one day!) we decided to take a short field trip so they could see (somewhat) how others live across the globe.

We have the privilege of living close to the Habitat for Humanity International Headquarters. And they have a global village set up which includes a mock third world village as well as models of all the houses they build in different countries.

They did a fantastic job of making it look realistic.

They also had several signs around that engaged the children to think about what they were seeing.

You could walk in all the buildings and touch, look, and explore.

Then you entered into the habitat houses section. Which they had split up into continents and then countries. After walking through the third world village it was a stark contrast.

At the reception area they handed each of the children a little passport.

In each house there was a stamping station and the children could stamp their passport. My children LOVED this! They would run into each house and search for it. :)

This was one of my favorite houses. So pretty!

Each house had little artifacts that people from that country had sent to be put in the houses. They had Bibles of every language! As well as pictures from various housing projects from that country.

We had a great time.

Speaking of servants heart, check out what this mom decided to do to celebrate her birthday. So inspirational!

What are some ways you and your family serve others? How do you teach your children about other cultures?

Blessings!

Growing...

I've had a lot on my mind lately.

Being a mom of young children is hard.

Most of the time your exhausted.

You feel as though you are being pulled in 5 different directions at once.

You deal with major tantrums and major messes.

But as my children are growing up...

I am starting get a glimpse as to what it will be like to parent older children.

And I see a whole new set of difficulties.

Answering the tough questions.

Training my children in purity and modesty.

Having to let go and let them be independent.

Just to name a few.

I must admit there have been a few times this week I have felt fear creep in.

What if I do something wrong?

What if I am not a good enough example?

What if I don't put enough emphasis on a certain thing?

And then as I began to pray about all these feeling

God helped me realize a few things.

Am I perfect?

No. But He is.

Will my children be sinless little angles?

No. But through the repentance of our sins we grow closer to Him.

Will I fail?

Many times. But I will choose to live by grace and not perfection.

So, while I know I have a few more years to go, I am feeling God's strength to enter this new chapter of life. I am looking forward to the challenges that will come with it because I know He is walking right along with me.

Blessings.

Back at it

It's that time of year again.

Our school books all organized. (How long will that last??)

(Do I detect a bit of a pout in that lip??)

Summer was fun.

But I have to admit, getting back into a routine is nice.

This year I have a 2nd grader, 1st grader, and Preschooler.

So life will be...busy!

Anyone else out there gearing up to start school again? Do you wish summer was just a little longer or are you as eager as I am to get started again?

A blog you need to read

I love reading blogs. I love reading people's ideas, perspectives, and thoughts. I subscribe to cooking blogs, christian blogs, "mommy" blogs, homeschool blogs, decorating blogs, craft blogs, all topics that are near and dear to my heart.

One blog has consistently stuck out to me over and over again, though. The Doorpost Ministries blog has been encouraging, enlightening, entertaining, and uplifting to me in so many ways. I've been a huge fan of their products (which is a whole other blog post! I LOVE their stuff!) for well over a year now and so when I saw, back in March, that they were starting up a new blog you better believe I subscribed right away! Doorpost is a ministry dedicating to helping parents apply scripture in their homes. An area I can always use good advice in! The things I love is that not only is Pam (the main contributor) so encouraging but her advice is practical and totally do-able. You can tell just by reading her blog that she has a passion for godly homes.

So, if you haven't checked out Doorposts of Your House yet, head on over there, browse around and look through all the wonderful ideas and encouraging words she has to share. I am such a huge fan that I have a nice little button on the right side of my blog you can follow to get there.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he shall not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

This verse has been both a burden and a joy to my heart. It makes me realize the great responsibility that I have as a parent but also it reminds me that if I am faithful to teach my children God's truth it will be worth it! God has impressed on my heart that now is the time! My children are young and are looking to my husband and I for direction and guidance. May He give us all the grace and strength to be faithful in our calling as parents.

Blessings!

He's a keeper

I love this little guy.

He loves to go on bike rides with his dad and sister.

He wants to be a carpenter.

He plays harder and gets dirtier than any little boy I know.

Yep, I'll keep him.

Inspiring Creativity {a giveaway}

I love fun, unique, creative gifts for children. Add to that encouraging them to write and keep connected with loved ones and I am completely sold.

That is why I love Kerry's store, Capturing Creativity.


This year for Lilly's birthday I really wanted to get her a card making kit. She loves making cards for people and I just knew it would be something she would really enjoy. I googled...and was really surprised that there wasn't much out there for children. That is why I was so excited to find Capturing Creativity.


This would be the perfect gift for any children in your life. Son/daughter, grandchildren, nieces/nephews...is your child going to a birthday party any time soon? What a special gift!


Look at that cute paper!


Stickers and Ribbon, oh my!


Tags for a variety of occasions.


And as a special touch, she puts each kit in an adorable little box.

And lest they be forgotten...


She makes boy kits too!

And guess what? You can win one of these kits!
One reader will receive either a boy or girl kit (winner's choice).
Exciting, huh!?

Each kit includes:
- 8 blank white cards and 8 white envelopes
- Plenty of patterned paper for 8 cards
- An assortment of paper flowers or other shapes/embellishments
- Approximately 3 yards of ribbon
- 8 sentiment labels/tags
- Plus a few stickers!
- And it all comes in the colorful handmade box

Head on over to Capturing Creativity right now to see the two kits that are up for grabs.


Giveaway Details:

One card kit

ONE winner will be chosen at random

One entry per person

Giveaway ends Sunday April 24th at midnight (EST)

To enter leave a comment below answering this question:
What was the best gift you received as a child?

Winner will be announced on Monday.

Tell your friends and good luck!

(photos courtesy of Capturing Creativity)

The Front Yard

John has been having fun with iMovie. I thought this was pretty cute. Loving this nice weather we've been having and getting to be outside!!

Enjoy!

Crafty Endeavors:: Nesting Dolls

(Yes. That is laundry and lego's in the background.)

When I was a little girls I had a fascination with Matryoshka Dolls. I remember just loving to play with them. I really wanted to get a set for my children but as I looked around on the internet they were either too expensive or well....just plain gaudy. I wanted a sweet set that my children could hold onto forever. Time went by and I finally forgot about them. As I was checking out some craft websites I stumbled across this post. A little light bulb went off in my head. "Wait a minute," I thought "I can do that!" Only one problem...I am not a painter. Of all the crafts out there, hand painting has got to be the one I fear the most. But, these dolls were so cute, I took a deep breath and made my way to Hobby Lobby. With many encouraging words from my husband and the reassurance from the sales girl that if I messed up I could just wipe it off and start over I purchased a set of nesting dolls for around $6.

It took me about 3 days of painting in small increments to get these done. But I love the way they turned out! I stayed pretty true to the tutorial except I had one extra doll to paint.

And this little girl?

She loves 'em. Which makes this mama's heart smile. :)

Check out Jill's website here and her tutorial to make these fun dolls here!

Love them

This girl....

...is hilarious.

And don't even get me started on these three...

Mommy Re-hab (My first time!)

Every Monday, my friend Brooke hosts Bad Mommy Rehab. In a world where it is so easy to compare ourselves to others, to feel guilt, and discouragement this is an opportunity to focus on the positive!

Last night I was having a pretty deep conversation with a friend. Our conversation turned towards the topic of child-training. She was sharing that she came from a family of 6 and that her mom did every ounce of the housework. The children didn't have any chores or were not encouraged to help out. My, how frazzled that mom must have been!!

I am thankful that we are raising our children to have a good work ethic. We are teaching them that we help not because we have to but because we love people and that is what Jesus would want us to do. We are trying to teach them to take the initiative. That if they see something that needs to be done not to just pass it by or wait for someone else to do it but to step in and get the job done. And, of course, we are teaching (trying to!) them to help and serve with a cheerful attitude.

We are hoping to instill a good work ethic that will last their whole life!

Oh be careful little mouth what (and how) you say

Something I have been working on lately, by God's grace...

It’s not so much what you say

As the manner in which you say it;

It’s not so much the language you use

As the tone in which you convey it;

“Come here!” I sharply said,

And the child cowered and wept.

“Come here,” I said-

He looked and smiled

And straight to my lap he crept.

Words may be mild and fair

And the tone may pierce like a dart;

Words may be soft as the summer air

But the tone may break my heart;

For words come from the mind

Grow by study and art-

But tone leaps from the inner self

Revealing the state of the heart.

Whether you know it or not,

Whether you are mean or care,

Gentleness, kindness, love and hate,

Envy, anger, are there.

Then, would you quarrels avoid

And peace and love rejoice?

Keep anger not only out of your words-

Keep it out of your voice.

Author Unknown

Article posted by Miss Jocelyn @ Training Daughters, Teaching Wives

Preschool Games

One thing I have learned from homeschooling is that children get bored with book work. I think there is value in teaching a child to be able to sit still and listen BUT the real fun in homeschooling comes in the games and activities we get to do. So, I thought I'd share some super simple and easy games I like to play with the children that are educational too. These games are very adaptable. You could use this concept with with numbers, letters, or words (to form sentences when they are a little older).

Game #1: Number Scavenger Hunt

Materials:
~Construction Paper
~Scissors
~Markers

You are basically going to make several flashcards. You could get as fancy as you wanted with these things. Some scrapbook paper might be nice and some of those fancy scissors that cut out things with cute little borders. But I, literally, made mine in 5 minutes with a child on each side of me. So excuse the sloppiness. In my 6 years of parenting I have yet to write anything legible. I like to write the number and the number words so that the child(ren) can get familiar with both the number and the word that goes with it. But you could just do the number for younger children or just the number word for older ones. Side note: I would recommend covering these in contact paper so they last longer. As you can see...I haven't got there yet.

Next send your children into the other room and hide the cards in different places. I like to hide a few in easy to find places for the little ones and then a few more difficult places for the older ones.

Then call them back in and let them look for them. I usually let them look with no hints at first and then will give them some hot/cold clues near the end. As they find them they need to put them in numerical order. That's it! Like I said, pretty easy and simple but my children just LOVE this game. They want to play it all the time.








Game #2: Find the Letter (Color or Shape)

Materials:
~Construction Paper
~Scissors
~Markers

This game is so wonderful if you have children of different ages. It can be used for children who are learning letters, shapes and colors all at the same time! I used to play this game when Lilly was 4, Luke was 3 and Brad was 2. Pick out different colors of paper and cut out a different shape from each color. Example: Pink-heart, Blue-circle, Red-square, etc. On each shape write a different letter of the alaphabet. We usually start by teaching the vowels.

Place all the shapes on the table. Now, depending on the age of the child ask them to find a certain characteristic (I guess that is the right word??) of the card. "Lilly. Find the letter Aa." "Luke. Find the blue card" "Brad. Find the star." You get the idea. This is another game that my children just love to play. Once they get a little older you could start incorporating digraphs and small words.

Game #3: Bake a Word (taken from education.com)

Materials:
~Foam Paper
~notebook paper
~scissors
~markers
~bowl
~mixing spoon
~plate

Lilly loves, loves, LOVES this game. My little girl loves to bake and so this is right up her alley.
I tried to find the directions for this game on education.com but couldn't find them. So I hope I explain this clearly!

Take your foam paper and cut enough squares so you have two of each letter of the alphabet. Uhh...so I guess that would be 52. :) Use different colors. Be fun! We made our vowels all white so they would be a little easier to find but do whatever you want. After you've cut them out write your letters on them and put them all in a big mixing bowl.

Next you want to make a "menu" for your little baker. (which is simply a paper with a list of words on it but if you wanted to get really into it you could make a cute little menu on your computer) This all depends on how much your child is reading at this point. We started with simple short vowel words. Cat, Dog, Sit, Hop, Pet, etc. You wouldn't have to, but John even made up some paper money on the computer so we could pay after our purchase. :)

Now comes the fun part! Get your bowl of letters, a mixing spoon or rubber spatula, your menu and a paper plate (a few if others are playing too) and take them to the table. Dress your little baker up in an apron, give her some pot holdres, whatever you can think of. We even made a sign that said "Lilly's Bakery" to hang up!

As the customer, you come up to the table and she hands you the menu and you get to choose your order. "Hi, Lilly. I'd like to order CAT please" Her job is to stir her little bowl and find the letters C-A-T and place them on the plate. Order complete!

I love the flexibility of this game. As the child gets older you can use harder words and eventually make sentences (using words on your foam paper instead of letters).


I hope I explained everything well enough! If there are any questions feel free to ask. I just love doing things with the children that are fun and educational. (especially if they are easy to prepare!) I hope these games give you homeschoolers some ideas and for those of you who don't I hope it will give some ideas for what to do on those rainy days!

Be blessed!
~A