posts in category children
Saturday, July 07, 2018
Blind drawing fun with kids
Every so often we have family game nights. We play board games or cards and it's getting even more fun as the kids get older.
Some times we have game DAYS. Each person gets to pick one activity that they would like to do and they write it on a piece of paper. We put all the papers in a hat and pick one out and do what the paper says. This time on the 4th of July we picked out 5 papers and scheduled our say as some things needed a certain time because of meals and naps.
My middle daughter wanted to draw or paint. When we picked her paper we asked her what she wanted to draw or paint and we tried to give her some ideas. But she had her own idea. She wanted us to draw certain pictures but there was a catch...we all had to close our eyes and we couldn't know what we were drawing ahead of time. The person who was giving the instructions could keep their eyes open and then just had to tell everyone what to draw and where to put it. It proved to be very fun and we all enjoyed this activity. Everyone took a turn leading the drawings and it was really fun to see what we all were able to draw with our eyes closed.
So if you have some time to kill and need a quick and fun game to play with your kids grab some paper and pencils and have fun with this little activity.
Friday, January 26, 2018
FREE printable Valentines Day Cards and Bookmarks
A few years ago I started drawing Valentines Cards for my kids to color and then hand out to their classmates. I also made them available for others to use for their own kiddos!! This year I do hope to draw a new set but if I am being honest I may not get around to it. But, I wanted to make sure you all knew where to find the older ones so you could use them again...or for the first time!! Print these, color them and then tag me in any photos you share so I can see how your kids colored them and enjoyed passing them out to their friends. I hope your kiddos like them!!
Star Wars Valentines HERE
School Supply Valentines HERE
Friend Valentines HERE
Girl Bookmark Valentines HERE
Boy Bookmark Valentines HERE
These FREE printable Valentines are for personal use only!
Please don't alter, copy, or reproduce to sell! Just direct people here to get the link to download! Thanks!
I also have some Valentines for sale in my etsy store so go check out those as well!!
Star Wars Valentines HERE
School Supply Valentines HERE
Friend Valentines HERE
Girl Bookmark Valentines HERE
Boy Bookmark Valentines HERE
I also have some Valentines for sale in my etsy store so go check out those as well!!
I have also made some greeting cards that will be available for purchase (as soon as I can photograph and list them!!)
Friday, August 25, 2017
Embroider your child's artwork!!
A picture is worth a thousand words...or so they say...actually I believe them. A picture can mean so much. But what about a picture drawn by your sweet child, grandchild, niece or nephew? Those pictures can be so precious. So they go up on the fridge and sometimes they come back down. It's hard to leave them up forever even though they are so precious. But paper fades, gets ripped or wet and is no good anymore. I've found a better way to preserve my kids really "SPECIAL" drawings. You know the ones I actually want to have forever.
Yes, you can take a picture of it and put it in the book but I have an even better idea. What about embroidering the picture and framing it for your wall?!! Sounds complicated? Nope. It's not. If you know a few basic embroidery stitches you can have this precious art work preserved for all time (or at least as long as thread and fabric lasts...which is a lot longer than paper)!
Get a big embroidery hoop...and even if you have more than one drawing to do one hoop is enough because you'll take the embroidery out and frame it...or leave it in the hoop and just buy more, the choice is yours. Next get some plain white cotton fabric and stretch it in your hoop. I like to do it "backwards" in the hoop because it's just easier to hold the hoop this way (especially with the big 12 inch hoops). Then trace your drawing onto your fabric. You can use a window with sunlight behind it, a glass table with a flashlight or a lightpad/light table (I've used all three!).
Then keep the drawing handy as a reference and just get to work! I use a back stitch for the outline and satin stitch to fill in the big parts. Those two stitches are pretty easy and if you need a tutorial check out You Tube...it's full of embroidery tutorials. Once I am done I take the embroidery out give it a quick press with a coolish iron and frame it. I like to stick my embroidered pieces onto a sticky backed tag board (which you can find at Hobby Lobby or JoAnns) so that the embroidery doesn't loose it's shape.
Another great way to use this technique is on tea towels. Have your kids draw on a piece of paper that has been folded in half the long way and just embroider it near the end of the towel. I actually had my daughters class do this one year for an auction item. Each kid drew a scene representing a different month of the year and we had a "Year of Towels" with their sweet drawings embroidered on them!! It was time consuming, I won't lie but it was a big hit and brought in a lot of money for the school!!
I can't wait to see your kids drawings embroidered!! Please share with me your projects when you do work on them!
Connect with Jamie:
Thursday, June 22, 2017
a request for prayers, for all in the midst of grief
My dear husband has written a letter and we would like if you would read it.
Dear friends in Christ,
Jamie and I would like to request your prayers. Specifically, we ask that you pray for comfort, and for the Lord to renew us in the strength of His Word.
On May 13th, Jamie learned that she was blessed to be with child. The news was received with joy, for we trust His Word, that children are a precious gift. And yet, large families are not always easy. There is the stress of life, the cost, the fear of our inadequacies, as well as the awareness of living in a world that fails to see an additional child as such a gift to be received with joy. The joy of life was diluted, in some way, by the weakness of our own flesh. Faith delighted in the Lord’s gift, while at the same time, our old Adams wondered if it really would all be good.
Soon after, Jamie and the kids traveled to Tennessee. During that wonderful visit she had an appointment with her OB/GYN. She hoped to confirm the pregnancy, but also to find out why she had started spotting. The visit was productive. Indeed, she was pregnant. About 4 ½ weeks along. But, a hemorrhage had been discovered as well. We would need to keep our eyes on things. This bleeding could go away, and everything could end up proceeding as normal. However, this could also be an indication that a miscarriage was likely.
Unfortunately, the bleeding never did stop. After a week or so, it worsened. It became so consistent that, just after midnight on June 6th, Jamie headed to the ER about 25 minutes away. I stayed at home with the kids. A few hours later, Jamie returned home, having had the doctors conclude that she was likely miscarrying. On the morning of June 8th, she had an ultrasound in a neighboring town and it was confirmed that, in fact, she was suffering a miscarriage. This life, which was given from above, had now died after six
weeks of development. “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21).
At first, I think both of us were a bit numb. After all, Jamie had yet to develop those motherly signs which every expecting mother looks forward to with equal joy and dread. The first ultrasound tech had even intentionally avoided calling this child a baby, or a life. What God had begun to form together was called “a ball of cells.” I just wonder what the LORD might think of that description. It certainly only exasperated our frustration, for our desire to act in accord with our confession was real. We wanted to hurt, and to grieve, for we know, without a doubt, that it is the LORD who gives life. And He had done so. So why didn’t it hurt like it would if we had already heard the child’s heart beating, or changed a diaper or two? Of course, all those fears being relieved through this death only made us feel even more guilt. This was a child. It was the child God had given to us. Why didn’t it feel like a loss? “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24)!
Of course, on top of this all, we didn’t know who to tell. The children hadn’t known Jamie was pregnant. And they would have been so thrilled. They always simply assume another one would be coming at some point. That’s the life they’ve always known. Thanks be to God they simply receive God’s gift of life with joy!
Unfortunately, additional burden would come from those who, for a variety of reasons, wonder why we hadn’t already chosen to stop having children. Some voice this concern to us; others only express themselves to others. But the truth is – thanks be to God! – Jamie has never had any complications with any of her previous pregnancies. And isn’t God the giver of life? Who are we to tell him when and where He should do that? Which of our children should we look at as a mistake because we should have chosen when “enough is enough”? It wasn’t so long ago that the voices who see large families as an unwelcome burden today were enjoying their own large families. But I digress. Suffice it to say that the pain and burden is real. Not only is there the loss of a child, but there is the burden of guilt for not feeling the loss, to go with a world that doesn’t understand, all the while trying to figure out how to let our children know what is going on. “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12;10).
After multiple visits to the doctor for mommy, the children were asking questions. We decided to tell Naomi and Micah. They, we reasoned, were old enough to wrestle with the situation. Of course, as we told them the events of the previous few weeks, we saw the expected joy on their faces when they learned mommy had become pregnant. But then, that joy was snuffed out as we reported the miscarriage. But “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God” (Romans 11:33). For both of them were quick to trust God’s promise. They now had another sibling, as they had always expected they would, but now they had a reason to pray for the Lord Jesus to return. They now wanted to meet that sibling. And there was no doubt in their mind that they would. Would that we would all trust God’s promises “like a child” (Mark 10:15, et al).
At some point, we decided also to tell Hannah and Abi, who also exhibited the same course of emotions: joy turned to sadness. But that is what death will do. At least, that is what death will do…for a time. For even death cannot end the gladness of those who trust God’s certain promises. And so, just as was the case with their older siblings, Hannah and Abi joyfully looked forward to meeting their new sibling. They only wanted to know if they would have a new brother or sister, and other additional questions. Once again, there was simply more reason to pray. “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20)!
The doctor recommended that Jamie have a D&C, and that she shouldn’t wait for too long. I had been planning to attend a conference in Wisconsin, and Jamie didn’t want me to cancel. So, on Tuesday, June 20th, Jamie had the surgical procedure. The kids were blessed by a neighboring pastor, his wife, and six children, and spent the day playing. This allowed me to tend to Jamie. And thankfully, the procedure was without complication. She came out of the anesthesia just fine. She relaxed in a quiet home, and I tried to tend to her needs the best I was able. Wednesday, another loving family took the children so Jamie could rest again. But because Hannah had her last T-ball game, I had to be absent from a meeting at church that evening.
It isn’t normal for me to be absent from a meeting; especially not a meeting of the Parish Planning Council. I needed to offer an explanation. I was going to have to tell them what had happened. Of course, this brought back to the surface those insecurities connected to how others would respond. Would they understand? Would they confirm the fears of our weak flesh? Would they also think we were foolish? Would they understand why their new pastor couldn’t be present for the meeting?
I should have learned this long ago from the other congregations I’ve been blessed to serve. For every response we have received thus far has been both understanding and comforting. I guess the words our Circuit Visitor (a pastor for pastors) shared with us are really true (duh!): “If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort” (2 Cor. 1:6-7).
And still, it hurts. In a way I didn’t experience at first, but somehow hoped it would, it hurts. That there is so much confusion about the gift of life, and the terrible consequence of sin called death, only exasperates the pain. But strangely, now that a few others know the burden through which we’ve been suffering, it has allowed us to hurt. There is no more hurting and hoping nobody will notice, or that it won’t affect my (or our) work. We can grieve. And it is okay to grieve. In fact, it is right that we should grieve. After all, the Scriptures reveal: There is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecc. 3:4).
We don’t understand why the LORD has chosen, in His infinite wisdom, to give and to take away. To attempt to answer that question is to attempt to search into the hidden mind of God, to engage in speculation, and to be left without the comfort of what He has actually revealed. And what He has actually revealed is that He is merciful. That He delights not in the death of anyone. To be sure, this little life had inherited the sin of Adam, but we give thanks that through the second Adam, Jesus Christ, God has reconciled the entire world to Himself. We have no other choice but to trust. “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21).
At some point, as St. Paul writes, we will all now be able to offer comfort to others who themselves have suffered in this way. I pray that this present suffering would serve to make me a better pastor for such people, and a better husband and father as well. Having had five children without any hiccups, Jamie has now been given a cross to bear that places her among a host of faithful women who themselves have suffered such a loss. What comfort they will all be able to draw from one another. And the kids. Well, they won’t always be so happy about it. In fact, there have already been a few moments of tears. But we will do for them what we endeavor to do for them in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. We will search the Scriptures. We will point them to Jesus. And we will teach them to cling to the clear and certain promises which we have in Him, even as we ourselves cling to them as well. And we will pray. We will call upon the name of the Lord in this, the day of our trouble (Psalm 50:15), and the Lord will deliver us just as surely as He delivered His Son, Jesus Christ, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Cor. 15:20).
So, on behalf of Jamie (and the kids), we simply ask for your prayers. But not only for us. Rather, pray for all who struggle to rejoice in the gift of life; who have suffered the burden of death; and for the promises of God in Christ – who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification – to be our joy in the midst of grief. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
With joy in Christ Jesus,
Greg
Dear friends in Christ,
Jamie and I would like to request your prayers. Specifically, we ask that you pray for comfort, and for the Lord to renew us in the strength of His Word.
On May 13th, Jamie learned that she was blessed to be with child. The news was received with joy, for we trust His Word, that children are a precious gift. And yet, large families are not always easy. There is the stress of life, the cost, the fear of our inadequacies, as well as the awareness of living in a world that fails to see an additional child as such a gift to be received with joy. The joy of life was diluted, in some way, by the weakness of our own flesh. Faith delighted in the Lord’s gift, while at the same time, our old Adams wondered if it really would all be good.
Soon after, Jamie and the kids traveled to Tennessee. During that wonderful visit she had an appointment with her OB/GYN. She hoped to confirm the pregnancy, but also to find out why she had started spotting. The visit was productive. Indeed, she was pregnant. About 4 ½ weeks along. But, a hemorrhage had been discovered as well. We would need to keep our eyes on things. This bleeding could go away, and everything could end up proceeding as normal. However, this could also be an indication that a miscarriage was likely.
Unfortunately, the bleeding never did stop. After a week or so, it worsened. It became so consistent that, just after midnight on June 6th, Jamie headed to the ER about 25 minutes away. I stayed at home with the kids. A few hours later, Jamie returned home, having had the doctors conclude that she was likely miscarrying. On the morning of June 8th, she had an ultrasound in a neighboring town and it was confirmed that, in fact, she was suffering a miscarriage. This life, which was given from above, had now died after six
weeks of development. “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21).
At first, I think both of us were a bit numb. After all, Jamie had yet to develop those motherly signs which every expecting mother looks forward to with equal joy and dread. The first ultrasound tech had even intentionally avoided calling this child a baby, or a life. What God had begun to form together was called “a ball of cells.” I just wonder what the LORD might think of that description. It certainly only exasperated our frustration, for our desire to act in accord with our confession was real. We wanted to hurt, and to grieve, for we know, without a doubt, that it is the LORD who gives life. And He had done so. So why didn’t it hurt like it would if we had already heard the child’s heart beating, or changed a diaper or two? Of course, all those fears being relieved through this death only made us feel even more guilt. This was a child. It was the child God had given to us. Why didn’t it feel like a loss? “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24)!
Of course, on top of this all, we didn’t know who to tell. The children hadn’t known Jamie was pregnant. And they would have been so thrilled. They always simply assume another one would be coming at some point. That’s the life they’ve always known. Thanks be to God they simply receive God’s gift of life with joy!
Unfortunately, additional burden would come from those who, for a variety of reasons, wonder why we hadn’t already chosen to stop having children. Some voice this concern to us; others only express themselves to others. But the truth is – thanks be to God! – Jamie has never had any complications with any of her previous pregnancies. And isn’t God the giver of life? Who are we to tell him when and where He should do that? Which of our children should we look at as a mistake because we should have chosen when “enough is enough”? It wasn’t so long ago that the voices who see large families as an unwelcome burden today were enjoying their own large families. But I digress. Suffice it to say that the pain and burden is real. Not only is there the loss of a child, but there is the burden of guilt for not feeling the loss, to go with a world that doesn’t understand, all the while trying to figure out how to let our children know what is going on. “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12;10).
After multiple visits to the doctor for mommy, the children were asking questions. We decided to tell Naomi and Micah. They, we reasoned, were old enough to wrestle with the situation. Of course, as we told them the events of the previous few weeks, we saw the expected joy on their faces when they learned mommy had become pregnant. But then, that joy was snuffed out as we reported the miscarriage. But “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God” (Romans 11:33). For both of them were quick to trust God’s promise. They now had another sibling, as they had always expected they would, but now they had a reason to pray for the Lord Jesus to return. They now wanted to meet that sibling. And there was no doubt in their mind that they would. Would that we would all trust God’s promises “like a child” (Mark 10:15, et al).
At some point, we decided also to tell Hannah and Abi, who also exhibited the same course of emotions: joy turned to sadness. But that is what death will do. At least, that is what death will do…for a time. For even death cannot end the gladness of those who trust God’s certain promises. And so, just as was the case with their older siblings, Hannah and Abi joyfully looked forward to meeting their new sibling. They only wanted to know if they would have a new brother or sister, and other additional questions. Once again, there was simply more reason to pray. “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20)!
The doctor recommended that Jamie have a D&C, and that she shouldn’t wait for too long. I had been planning to attend a conference in Wisconsin, and Jamie didn’t want me to cancel. So, on Tuesday, June 20th, Jamie had the surgical procedure. The kids were blessed by a neighboring pastor, his wife, and six children, and spent the day playing. This allowed me to tend to Jamie. And thankfully, the procedure was without complication. She came out of the anesthesia just fine. She relaxed in a quiet home, and I tried to tend to her needs the best I was able. Wednesday, another loving family took the children so Jamie could rest again. But because Hannah had her last T-ball game, I had to be absent from a meeting at church that evening.
It isn’t normal for me to be absent from a meeting; especially not a meeting of the Parish Planning Council. I needed to offer an explanation. I was going to have to tell them what had happened. Of course, this brought back to the surface those insecurities connected to how others would respond. Would they understand? Would they confirm the fears of our weak flesh? Would they also think we were foolish? Would they understand why their new pastor couldn’t be present for the meeting?
I should have learned this long ago from the other congregations I’ve been blessed to serve. For every response we have received thus far has been both understanding and comforting. I guess the words our Circuit Visitor (a pastor for pastors) shared with us are really true (duh!): “If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort” (2 Cor. 1:6-7).
And still, it hurts. In a way I didn’t experience at first, but somehow hoped it would, it hurts. That there is so much confusion about the gift of life, and the terrible consequence of sin called death, only exasperates the pain. But strangely, now that a few others know the burden through which we’ve been suffering, it has allowed us to hurt. There is no more hurting and hoping nobody will notice, or that it won’t affect my (or our) work. We can grieve. And it is okay to grieve. In fact, it is right that we should grieve. After all, the Scriptures reveal: There is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecc. 3:4).
We don’t understand why the LORD has chosen, in His infinite wisdom, to give and to take away. To attempt to answer that question is to attempt to search into the hidden mind of God, to engage in speculation, and to be left without the comfort of what He has actually revealed. And what He has actually revealed is that He is merciful. That He delights not in the death of anyone. To be sure, this little life had inherited the sin of Adam, but we give thanks that through the second Adam, Jesus Christ, God has reconciled the entire world to Himself. We have no other choice but to trust. “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21).
At some point, as St. Paul writes, we will all now be able to offer comfort to others who themselves have suffered in this way. I pray that this present suffering would serve to make me a better pastor for such people, and a better husband and father as well. Having had five children without any hiccups, Jamie has now been given a cross to bear that places her among a host of faithful women who themselves have suffered such a loss. What comfort they will all be able to draw from one another. And the kids. Well, they won’t always be so happy about it. In fact, there have already been a few moments of tears. But we will do for them what we endeavor to do for them in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. We will search the Scriptures. We will point them to Jesus. And we will teach them to cling to the clear and certain promises which we have in Him, even as we ourselves cling to them as well. And we will pray. We will call upon the name of the Lord in this, the day of our trouble (Psalm 50:15), and the Lord will deliver us just as surely as He delivered His Son, Jesus Christ, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Cor. 15:20).
So, on behalf of Jamie (and the kids), we simply ask for your prayers. But not only for us. Rather, pray for all who struggle to rejoice in the gift of life; who have suffered the burden of death; and for the promises of God in Christ – who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification – to be our joy in the midst of grief. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
With joy in Christ Jesus,
Greg
Thursday, June 01, 2017
entangled by sin
Man, I am a horrible mom. I can totally relate with Paul, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." (Romans 7:15)I don't want to say no so often. I don't want to yell. I don't want to ignore my children but these are the things I do. I do want to play with them (for a while), I do want to do fun crafts with them. I do want to say 'yes' but these are the things that I don't often do. What is wrong with me?
It's called SIN. S-I-N. Plain and simple. Sometimes the only thing I'm good at is being a sinner. I'm consistently inconsistent. My flesh is weak. I talk a big game, put up a good front, sell lots of front row tickets. But most of the time it's just bright lights, smoke and mirrors. Thankfully the only ones who showed up in order to get let down are my kids. Or maybe not thankfully at all.
How can I give and give and give my best to others who don't share my address? How can I live to impress people who don't share my blood and then let down those who do by being "to tired" or by making them wait "just one more minute". It's so backwards. But I'm guessing that I'm not alone in this. Because if I were there would be a lot less divorce, a lot less broken homes and families. If we truly lived to serve like Christ and serve our family first, this world would be a lot different.
I'll be the first to admit I'm not very good at serving my family like Christ would. Sure, I'm working on it and I try to daily pick up my cross and follow Christ but like I said, my flesh is very weak. The old adam is a good swimmer. I need Jesus. I cook dinner, do the dishes, wash clothes, vacuum, etc. but how many times am I grumbling while I do it? How often do I let things slide because I just don't care? And yet, I'm trying to teach my 6 year old to be confident and do all things to the glory of God. How do you spell hypocrite?
Are you nodding your head along with me? I have a feeling I'm not sailing this boat alone (and if I am, that's okay). I want to reassure you, you are not alone in this either. We struggle with this nasty disease that eats at our hearts. It's there from the moment we come into this world. This disease tells us it doesn't really matter, mediocre is just fine, yelling is okay once in a while. This disease whispers that we aren't good enough, never have been and never will be. This disease turns our hearts and souls away from Christ. This disease called SIN consumes us. But this disease has been washed away through the blood of the lamb. Jesus Christ took all my crap. He took all your crap too don't worry. He took every single SIN ever committed on Himself and died to make things right. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Praise be to God.
Yes, He became the sacrifice that the world needed (and still needs today) in order to make things right. We are free from the guilt that so easily entangles us. Tell the mommy guilt goodbye. But don't continue on your path of destruction or your path of doing the same bad, hurtful things over and over. Live the new life that Christ has given you. Live in the grace and forgiveness that He gives us. Live in the freedom that He died to give. Live in Christ. And when we mess up again tomorrow and in an hour let's cling to the cross of Christ, again. Ask for forgiveness know that it is yours FREELY. Let's share and serve Christ by serving our families and those we come into contact with. Christ died so that we may have new life, not the same saying no, yelling, ignoring children life. We are free from the SIN that entangles us but that doesn't mean we go on sinning. "What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those that have died to sin, how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His." (Romans 6:1-5).
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
a big move
We moved from Tennessee to Missouri about five weeks ago. It seems like we've been here for only a couple of weeks but at the same time it feels like we've been here for years. The people are so friendly, thoughtful and generous. Just tonight a man from the congregation brought over a play set for the kids...he drove it over on his tractor!! So fun! Small town life is pretty exciting! We have been blessed with so many things from babysitting, to eggs, meat, flowers, and now a playground. Just tonight I wasn't really feeling like cooking so I just planned on making "breakfast" for dinner...and then a kind woman walked across the street from the church and brought us the leftover food from the LWML Zone Rally that they had today. Some of the best broccoli cheese soup I've ever had along with croissants and chicken salad. God is meeting our needs in many and various ways. God is blessing our socks off with the generosity of these people. I'm pretty sure we won't have to buy eggs again...for a long long time. One man has already brought us 10 dozen eggs (not all at the same time) and another family with hens has brought us more. We have had two different families bless us with part of their cows. And we've gotten four whole chickens. Not to mention the pantry shower that the church had for us before we even got here. I don't need to buy green beans or corn for a very long time!! We feel very blessed. And if we don't just look at the material goods we see blessings too...the people are very friendly, generous with their time and very kind. We walk to the grocery store, the post office and the bank. We could walk to the library but it's a little bit further away and we usually get a LOT of books so we usually drive. We do our "big" grocery shopping about 25 minutes away but it helps me plan meals out better so I'm not always having to drive into town. The craft store is 25 minutes away too which obviously is good for my wallet!!
Speaking of the craft store...during our move I took some time off from my handmade business and I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things with my lettering and painting. I have many custom orders that I am currently working on and a HUGE project that I am so so excited about but I can't share what that project is just yet...but let's just say that it is a dream project! So here are a few random pictures from the last month or so...actually most of these are from the last week or so. I need to get back on this blog and write about our move.
We were so blessed with so many wonderful helpful friends during our time of transition. Many people came to help us get our house ready, bring us meals, watch our kids. We couldn't have made this move without the body of Christ. We are so grateful for their love and support and we truly miss our friends and family back in Tennessee. Thanks be to God for modern ways of communication. While it's totally informal and not as good as face to face, it is so good to be able to keep up with friends through social media, texts, and video chatting!!
Time for some pictures....
See, he literally drove it from his house to ours...on his tractor!!! So cool!!!
Our library had a rock painting night and now Naomi and I want to paint.all.the.rocks!!
My top secret HUGE project is inside this envelope! There's your sneak peek!!
I actually made something for my own house and it didn't take me 5 years!!
I took some time today to create a printable for Mother's Day...and a card that you can purchase as well. The printable is listed in my etsy store here and the card is here.
There is a German restaurant here with THE.BEST.GERMAN food I've ever had...and I'm German. Yum!!!
A friend asked me to draw their family for Mother's Day and I decided I better practice on my family first to make sure I could do it...besides Naom's glasses being too high I think it turned out okay!
Sorry if we're friends on FB and you've seen all of these already! I promise to try to blog more...but honestly the best place to catch me and what we're up to is on Instagram!!
And if you want to check out a little bit of my craft room there will be a tour of it on my friends blog. I'll post the link tomorrow!
Speaking of the craft store...during our move I took some time off from my handmade business and I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things with my lettering and painting. I have many custom orders that I am currently working on and a HUGE project that I am so so excited about but I can't share what that project is just yet...but let's just say that it is a dream project! So here are a few random pictures from the last month or so...actually most of these are from the last week or so. I need to get back on this blog and write about our move.
We were so blessed with so many wonderful helpful friends during our time of transition. Many people came to help us get our house ready, bring us meals, watch our kids. We couldn't have made this move without the body of Christ. We are so grateful for their love and support and we truly miss our friends and family back in Tennessee. Thanks be to God for modern ways of communication. While it's totally informal and not as good as face to face, it is so good to be able to keep up with friends through social media, texts, and video chatting!!
Time for some pictures....
See, he literally drove it from his house to ours...on his tractor!!! So cool!!!
Our library had a rock painting night and now Naomi and I want to paint.all.the.rocks!!
My top secret HUGE project is inside this envelope! There's your sneak peek!!
I actually made something for my own house and it didn't take me 5 years!!
I took some time today to create a printable for Mother's Day...and a card that you can purchase as well. The printable is listed in my etsy store here and the card is here.
There is a German restaurant here with THE.BEST.GERMAN food I've ever had...and I'm German. Yum!!!
A friend asked me to draw their family for Mother's Day and I decided I better practice on my family first to make sure I could do it...besides Naom's glasses being too high I think it turned out okay!
And if you want to check out a little bit of my craft room there will be a tour of it on my friends blog. I'll post the link tomorrow!
Monday, February 27, 2017
Oh, the places you'll go
I hope you are all having a great February...it's almost over!!! How is it possible that February is almost over? Crazy. Well at this rate it will be the end of the school year and summer will be before us. So here's a little idea of something you could do before the school year ends.
I thought today I would share with you a little something that involves a little bit of planning ahead but honestly almost no time at all to prep an awesome high school graduation gift. The earlier you start this gift the better but honestly it doesn't matter too much how far your kid is in school...just start!!
I bought a copy of "Oh, the Places You'll Go" for each child that is in school. I will purchase more for my other kids once they start school. So I have three copies of the book because three kids are in school. Each kid gets their own book that I have their teachers sign at the end of the school year. The key is, the kids do not know that I am having their teachers sign these books for them. It will be so fun to give these books filled with notes from their teachers at their high school graduation party!!
Wednesday, November 02, 2016
Little House on the Prairie Birthday Party
We have big friend birthday parties for our kids when they turn 5 and 10 and this year my oldest turned 10. How is that possible!! So she picked out her theme "Little House on the Prairie" and we had a party....and it was a LOT of fun! I love putting together parties and would love to do this for other people as well. I set up and "Olsen's mercantile" in our patio and we played games and did some crafts. It was a great time!! I will go into detail soon...but for now here are some pictures from the party!!
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