Christmas Past, Present and Future

As we approach Christmas in less than two weeks a way, I'm remembering my childhood Christmases. Every year the children from our neighborhood would go caroling and end up at a neighbor's house for hot chocolate and cookies. I remember some when there were few presents, some with many presents. I remember when my parents had to wait until Christmas Eve one year to shop for our presents. One year my father gave me his leather jacket from the military. I was reminded by one of my sisters that one year we were ungrateful brats about our gifts.


Looking back, it really didn't matter what we got. We were always reminded of what Christmas was all about. Sure, we came together as a family and had great feasts with our extended family.


But my parents never let us forget the significance of that day. We were given the greatest gift of all, a SAVIOR.


As I bring up my own children I try to teach them "the way they should go" and remind them about what our Lord has given us each day, not just during the holidays. I have started our own traditions. We always sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and make a birthday cake. We let a different child each year be Santa and pass out the gifts to each person. We alternate who gets to put the star on as well. These are just small things ,but these are the memories my children will have when they leave my nest.



I hope you make some traditions, whether you have children or not. Make them last and never forget why we celebrate December 25th. You have been given a gift!

November

Now that it's November, it's getting pretty chilly. Yesterday I made beef stew with homemade bread on the side. It was a perfect way to end the day. Today I'm making chili in the crock pot and cornbread. I'll even add some Frito chips for the kids. We've just begun our second Unit in Tapestry of Grace exploring the Renaissance period. This week we are discovering Da Vinci and Michelangelo. The kids are going to pick one painting and try to copy it. This should be fun! We are also getting our house ready for Thanksgiving. We always make decorations, centerpieces and a "Thanksgiving Tree". Pictures to follow!!

Falling for Fall

Well the weather has finally begun to change here in the Central Valley of California. I know fall has not officially begun. However, we can turn off the a/c, Friday night football is in the air, (I can literally hear the game from my house), Saturday pee-wee football all day, NFL games, it gets a little darker a little earlier, the nights are very cool with a big sky so clear we can see the stars and count them, the stores have their Halloween AND Christmas decor on sale, and we have just past Labor Day. Ah...This is my second favorite time of year. The first, of course is December (pre-Christmas).

So with school in session now, Cub scouts, Brownie Girl Scouts, practices, games and the everyday shuttling I've decided to focus this fall in making things as simple as I can for myself. This will include crock-pot meals. Mmmm... hot hearty meals with little effort. I love it! As far as school goes; we will do most of our work after lunch and leave the mornings for trips to the park and field trips. The weather is just too nice at 10:00 am to be inside. As we move along through September I'll hope to be posting some thought or ideas to share this fall. Enjoy the season!

WFMW-Coupon Organization

WFMW-Coupon Organization

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Here is a great site for those of use who need a little help in resourcefulness! Molly does a great job in providing all the tools and resources you'll need to make the most of your dollar! Check out this amazing Couponizer!

Time....where did it go?

I has been so long since I've update this blog. I though that the summer season would allow more "time" to get to the things I really wanted to "get to" while school was in session. I have sewing projects, knitting projects, crocheting projects, suncatcher projects, and a whole host of "gonna get to" projects when I have the time. Today, for example, I had it in my head to take out my sewing machine and make some progress on new patterns I had purchased last year! However, this morning began with a phone call which lasted more than 45 minutes, then there was the email, and finally the kids chores. They were not completed all the way or done half-fast. So naturally I made them "do it over". Oh and had to take time out to feed them :). So here I am, it's almost five o'clock and now it's time to start dinner. Oh what an unaccomplished day! I am missing out on the moments because I think the "momments" have to be planned, organized, printed out and discussed. But all is not lost, we still have dinner prep and maybe we'll get a little RockBand in tonight. There is never enough time, we have to make it! So if you'll excuse me, I have to go and make a memory with my kids.

Busy as a Bee and FLYING

Wow! It has been awhile since I've been to my blog. So sorry. Every year the month of May seems to be so busy! From weddings to sports, end of year banquets and the last stretch of school. I found that been so busy really takes away from the important things like family conversations at the dinner table, movie nights in the living room, being rested enough to go play outside with the kids and so much more! I have made a very special effort to bless myself by taking good care of myself so in turn I can bless my home and my family. I recently stumbled across the FlyLady! This is the most helpful,encouraging web site I have found. The FlyLady teaches you that it's okay to Love Yourself, hence the acronym FLY (Finally Loving Yourself). Don't be mistaken, this is not a self-centered, self-pleasing, me me me attitude. Rather one of helping yourself to help others. After all isn't that what we women do whether we have children or just a spouse? I hope you take time to visit this site, you will be blessed!

YOU Have Been Chosen

"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." (Isaiah 40:11)

What a positive , encouraging word the Lord has given us mothers. He again and again gives us promise that He will be there for us in every situation. All mothers face challenges, struggles and frustrations at some point, whether it be bad behavior with the children or your own unwillingly attitude. Howver, never forget, He has chosen YOU to be your children's' mother. Remember this and let go of the feelings and thoughts of inadequacy and incompetence. God has chosen YOU and He knows what He's doing!

Resurrection Rolls

From an article in Teach Magazine....

Resurrection Rolls:

Ingredients:
Crescent rolls
Melted butter
Large marshmallows
Cinnamon & Sugar

Preheat Oven to 350

Give each child a triangle of crescent rolls, explaining that the rolls represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.

Read Matthew 27:57-61

1. Give each child a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.2. Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.3. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body.4. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (important: bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.) This represents the wrapping of Jesus’ body after death.5. Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. (The oven represents the tomb - pretend like it was three days!)6. Let the rolls cool slightly. The children can open their rolls (cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN!!!! (The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)
Now read Matthew 28:5-8
Explain: At the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. No one had taken Jesus’ body, but He Had risen from the dead! The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples what they had seen, that Jesus had risen from the dead. They were so excited, they ran all the way home to tell the disciples the good news! He is risen from the dead! Alleluia!
After that Jesus appeared in person to Peter, then to the 12 disciples and after that, to more than 500 people. Jesus’ appearance to eyewitnesses, those who saw Him with their own eyes, would give support and prove that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).
By rising from the dead, Jesus proved once and for all that He was the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Chosen One, and the Lamb of God. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus did what no other had ever done before. As both God and man, He overcame sin, death, and hell. And now because of what Jesus has done, these things no longer have any power over those who believe in Jesus and allow His Spirit to lead and direct them. Rather than being slaves to sin and death, Christians (those who love and believe in Jesus) are free to obey God and do good ( Romans 6:17-18). The Bible says in John 8:36, “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”
However, we will only obey God if we listen to the Holy Spirit our helper. He enables believers in Jesus to do the right thing. It is important that we read the Bible (God’s Word) because one of the ways the Holy Spirit helps us obey God is by reminding us of what He says to us in His Word. God’s Spirit will never go against his Word. In fact, when we read God’s Word, we are listening to the Holy Spirit. Of course, you won’t always do the right thing; the Bible says this (1 John 1:5-10). But that is why we need to continue to confess our sins knowing that God forgives us, based on what Jesus did on the cross. This is also a reason we need to spend time with other believers in Christ so they can encourage us in our faith.

The Real Easter Story

This week the kids and I are technically on "break". However, I came across this unit study from the Homeschool Magazine. It's actually a we-ebook by Stephanie Ruby. This is an in-depth study about the real story of Easter. My kids know the basic story, but this year I felt a strong urge to really share with them the awesome, selfless love our Father gave to us and for us. I'll be posting some pictures soon to show what we've been doing. I am also having the kids make Easter cards that we will hand out to a local shelter or retirement home. We will deliver these cards on Friday. I am very excited, that for the first time , we are going to attend the Good Friday service at church. Past years we couldn't go because the kids were in "school". In addition, Friday night we are all , as a family, going to watch The Passion of Christ. I think this year is going to be very meaningful and I pray the holy spirit touch each one of their young hearts. Enjoy your Easter week!

Chili Verde

Here is another easy recipe that will taste great and can be made ahead of time left alone to simmer on the stove!


Chili Verde

2-4 chicken breasts, cooked
2 cans of beans (we use pinto or Peruvian)
1 4oz. can of green chilies
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
¾ teaspoon of dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of minced garlic
2 chicken bouillon cubes
2/3 c. finely chopped onion
2 cups of water
1 c. grated Monterey Jack cheese
12 corn or flour tortillas


Combines chicken, onions seasonings, and garlic in pan. Add beans and water if needed. Turn heat to medium and allow mixture to simmer. Everything is pretty much cooked already, we’re just heating it up and allowing the tastes and aromas mix together! Turn heat to low, add cheese and serve with tortillas and there ya go! We also made this into our very own chili verde nachos! Just use tortilla chips! Hope you like! Let me know what you think.