Weekend Wrap Up

A quick wrap up of our week:

-We're in the throws of getting ready for VBS at the church. We have a recently hired Children's Director who has a fun week planned for the kids and we're looking forward to sharing God's love with our community next week.

- Savannah spent a day volunteering at the church. She and a friend washed every toy in the nursery. Between that and Taekwondo she's had a full week.

- Tucker's had a brief bout with poison ivy...it was caught in plenty of time so we didn't end up even having to go to the dr. Thank the Lord. Tucker remembers last year...and didn't want a shot in his backside!

- I tried this tip for fabric softening this week...and girlfriends...IT WORKS: (Click on Pic)

Source: matternfamily.com via Gina on Pinterest

- Bruce and I were treated to an evening out with some friends. We enjoyed the company and for me ...the adult conversation!

- I was deeply moved...and convicted...and burdened by THIS ARTICLE this week. I can't really explain it...but maybe after reading it, you too, will have something to contemplate and later act on.

- I tried this recipe off interest and I can't even describe in words how good it is! Try it!

Source: recipebyphoto.com via

Rainy Days and Mondays...

This week's weather forcast appears to be bringing some much needed rain to my neck of the woods...and I am already thinking...What on earth am I gonna do with the kids?

So I've started making a list....maybe it can help you on your next rainy day or Monday....they don't have to always get you down!

1. Make a tent....the kind with kitchen chairs and an old sheet.

2. Rent a movie ON DEMAND. It's gonna cost you $3.99 for something recently in the theaters or you can grab an older one for $2.99 or so....but the benefit is 2 hours of happy, occupied kids. OR watch something you have on hand...for free!

3. Tackle a project....clean out a closet or sort through toys. It won't take all day but you will all feel like you haven't wasted the day....then reward yourselves by taking time to....

4. Bake cookies

5. Make homemade playdough

6. Read together

7. Finger paint.

8. Write letters to grandparents (or draw pictures)

9. Play tournament games...checkers, Candyland, Connect Four, Uno, Monopoly, Wii

10.  Order Pizza for delivery

And if all else fails......PLAY IN THE RAIN!

So, what do you do with your kids on bad weather days?

BUSY!

I don't like busy. In the early years of my marriage and our ministry busy seem to take a front seat. In fact, if we didn't have something going on, I felt sort of guilty. Not anymore.

Once I realized the rat race that I was involved in, I decided that I'd rather do just about anything than be busy. I know...doesn't sound quite right. Being busy doesn't mean you're doing something worthwhile. It just means you're doing something. It doesn't mean you're contributing anything to your family or society or the kingdom of God. It just means you're filling time. That's why I don't like being busy. I want my time to mean something....to add up to something worthwhile.

But, this week...I'm feeling busy...you know, the stressy feeling of way more on your to-do list than hours in a day feeling? That's me.

So, I am giving my time to the Lord. He can make so much more of it than I can anyway.

Father, I'm climbing up in your lap for a comforting hug and a whisper from you. Quiet my heart, my week and my thoughts and help me look for ways you are showing up all around me. I'm giving you my to-do list, my calendar, my agenda and anything else that keeps me too busy to hear from you. It's yours. Help me honor you with every minute you give me. In your precious name....Amen.

Packing and Moving Tips

Over the last 16 years of my life I have moved 9 times...moving into our new home in just a week or so, will be #10. Whether you're moving across town, across state or across country, there are certain tips that, if implemented correctly, will help save you time, energy and broken dishes.

Here's what I've learned:

• As much as possible use the same size boxes. This makes packing the moving truck much easier.
• As you pack, have a bag for throw away and give away handy.
• Use your local FREECYCLE to get rid of unwanted, good conditioned items. Google for your local group. They will pick the items up at your front door. Saves valuable time.
• Wrap your dishes and place them in a box standing up. I heard this once and gave it a try and in 9 moves have never had a dish break in transport....one or two have broken in the unpacking process :)!
• On the outside of the box write what the item is and what room it will go in at your new house so that helpful box boys can take it there directly.
• In boxes that have china or glassware, use bed pillows to top off the box so there is minimized room for shaking.
• Pack/Transport lamps and pictures in your vehicle.
• Use bed blankets, quilts to help cushion arround edges of furniture.
• Throw all Happy Meal toys away...chances are you'll eat out enough during the first week of your move to replace any the kids miss.
• Use your kitchen trash can to transport mops, brooms, swiffers....and other cumbersome cleaning apperatis.
• Leave paint, extra tile/flooring/molding and specialty lightbulbs for the next owner. They will be glad to have the touch up paint and a few extra tile in case something happens.
• Duct tape remote controls to the back of the TV
• Ziplock and label baggies with nuts and bolts and duct tape to beds and other furniture requiring assembly at the new place.
• Hire a couple of guys from your local moving company to come pack your truck if you are doing the moving yourself. You won't believe what they will be able to fit into a U-haul. ...and they work fast.
• I've heard to leave your dressers packed and then saran wrap them closed. I don't know about this...all I can think of is something happening and one of my drawers flying open with unmentionables flying all over the place. I am sure that my source was reliable though...so you'd probably be safe to try.

I'm sure there are more great moving tips out there...if you have one...please share!

Couponing

I've been thinking about couponing for quite a while. I remember when I was growing up, my mom would spread out the coupons on the kitchen table and make her menu's for the week based on what was on sale. She was an expert! For some reason I have never thought the trouble was worth it...but recently I have been intrigued to see all the people who are couponing it in this tight economy. So, I am going to try my hand at it. I'll keep you posted on how it turns out.

I found a great site with all kinds of tips on money saving/frugal living. Check it out here: The Creative Homemaker