12 Disciples

About 2 weeks ago, Ryan brought home a few fun tools from church to help us learn the 12 Disciples. The Sunday School Class gave all the kids pages with the disciples names, a photo & a number to help with learning. We have colored the pages and hung them up on the wall in the boys room so we can see it each day.
The other tool, which has been the key, is a song about the disciples. It is to be sung to the tune of "Jesus Loves Me" and has been great for learning. Ryan goes around the house singing the song and really knows them very well now. He picked up on it very quickly. It has been fun to sing together and know that they are learning something valuable too.
Here are the words in case you'd like to try and teach them to your kids..

Jesus called them one by one,

Peter, Andrew, James and John,

Next came Philip, Thomas too,

Matthew and Bartholomew.

James, the son of Alphaeus,

Simon and then Thaddaeus,

The twelfth apostle Judas made,

Jesus was by him betrayed.

Yes, Jesus called them
Yes, Jesus called them
Yes, Jesus called them
He called them one by one.

(thanks Ny )

Kitchen Pantry

For the past 7 years that we have lived in our home we have had 2 cabinets to use for our food storage area...as our family has grown to a family of 5 it has become a little small on space.

This past weekend my wonderful husband made our family a FABULOUS pantry out of our old coat closet. I just love it ! There is so much more room for everything we use and room to grow. It is so organized I don't know what to do about it..the boys love being able to reach in and get there own snacks..it has become quite handy. Thank you my love for making time in the kitchen a little more manageable !

Snowman Jammies

In keeping with my goal of sewing one thing a month, although this is #3, today I made the boys some snowman jammies. These were supposed to be a Christmas gift, but I just ran out of time. Since snowmen are wintery they are still usable. It was a lovely rainy day here, so the boys got to have some movie time while I finished these up. They look so cute in them I think..I am going to try to make them a new pair every other month. It seems they grow out of them so quickly and they enjoy getting something homemade by mommy. They put them on as soon as they were done and have now gone to bed in them. It is nice to know they are liked !

Welcome Baby Seth !

My nephew was born today ! YEAH ! We have been anxiously awaiting his arrival for the past week..he was a few days past the due date..but that doesn't matter now that he is here. He is a sweet, adorable little one..with cuddly cheeks and lots of hair. I am sitting here wishing with all my heart that I was about to board a plane and fly to New Zealand to see him. It is tearing me up inside that I will have to wait until this summer before I can hold him and cuddle with this new bundle of joy. So for now..webcam, photos and phone calls will have to do. I am so happy for my sister, her hubby and little emma that their family grew today. Words cannot begin to express the love I feel for this little guy who isn't even 24 hours old yet. He will be loved beyond measure, I have no doubt. Welcome to the world little man !

Back to School

Today we drove our oldest son back to school in Reno. It was a bittersweet trip..he was home from his first semester away at UNR (he did so well bty)..and our time together was over. It was so wonderful to have him home over the break. Ryan and Matthew enjoyed waking him up a few times by climbing & jumping on him in bed..we had some fun family times, watching 24..scrubs..and movies. He and Dad also had a good time on the xbox playing with the uncles online. I myself got to sit and chat with him a few times, which was great to just be with him. Now he is about to start the 2nd semester tomorrow..ready to enjoy his independence once again. We will miss him while he is away again, but look forward to our next visit..whenever that may be.

Balloon Fun

Today was a great family day..we spent the day just being together..enjoying the sunshine..playing games..simply having fun. This afternoon the boys asked for a couple of balloons..something so small that gave so much fun, laughter and entertainment. It was fun to sit back and watch the 3 of them having a good time rolling over each other to see who could get the balloon first.

Getting Together

As another part of 2009 goals and things to do..I want to make sure we are spending fun times with friends as well as family. We need to have our time as a couple with "grown up" friends just as much as the kids need their friend playtime. So in looking ahead I hope to be able to do a few get togethers this year..who knows how many we'll actually get in the calendar year..but it doesn't hurt to have a few ideas ready.

• Super Bowl Party
• Chili Cookoff
• Spring/Summer BBQ
• 4th of July BBQ
• Backyard Luau (family time)
• Pumpkin Carving Night (family time)
• Christmas Potluck

I hope to see some of you at our fun events this year..let's hope we get to have at least half of what I'd like to do. I promise to post photos of the good times !

Memory Verse

I thought of a new goal for 2009..to help my boys memorize some verses of the Bible. I would love for our children to know the stories of the Bible well and verses too. We read from their picture Bible regularly and also from Ryan's new devotional Bible, but I got to thinking that it would be great to start to learn some verses as well. I know that Matthew might be too young to remember them just yet..but if we get in the habit of saying them weekly, then they are bound to have something sink in.
Here is the verse we have chosen to start with :

"Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs." Psalm 100 : 2

This seemed fitting for us this week..the boys are having a blast singing Bible songs..so we learn a verse about praising and singing to the Lord at the same time.

Chalk Art

Today is another beautiful day, so we have been out enjoying the sun. This was a great day to bring out the chalk and decorate our driveway and sidewalk. The kids had a blast, drawing, creating, getting chalk everywhere. I had a blast coloring with them, remembering the fun of being a child and enjoying being a mom. It was a simple thing that we enjoyed today..but oh the fun and the memories I will hold..will last me a lifetime.

Inspiration

I sit here in this quiet house, as all are asleep, and think of a woman who is an inspiration to me...my Grandma. She is a strong Christian woman with a deep faith in the Lord. She prays faithfully every night for all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Today she sent me some poems & stories to read and to share with friends. I have received a few other notes such as these from her, but tonight as I sit here after reading them I realize what a lovely thing it was to receive them today. She could have just sent me a note to say hello, or just a card wishing me well..but instead they are words and stories about Jesus. What an awesome gift to give...inspiring stories with a verse at the end. Little did she know or did I know that those verses were exactly what I needed to hear and read tonight. Reading them was the best way to end my day today. Thank you Grandma for being so generous and faithful to your grandchildren.
My prayer tonight is that I remember to do the little things such as this to my friends and family...praying for them and sending little notes of praise and prayer to those I love.

Thank you Grandma !

This Christmas Grandma got the boys each a shaving cream bath kit..and they love them !! Not a bath night goes without pulling out the shaving cream foam, special shampoo and toy razors. In fact they are on a second set now ! :) The boys have always enjoyed bath time, but now it's a true joy to get in there and foam it up. Thanks again Grandma !

Fun at the Park

Today was the perfect day for going to the park. It was an unusally warm day for us..much welcomed after the chilly days lately..so we ventured on out. We made a quick stop to Mc Donald's first to grab a couple of ice creams to take with us and then we were on our way.


We sat down at a table to enjoy our ice cream while we watched the kids running about the play area. The boys sat for a good 5 minutes enjoying their treat before needing to get up and run around. Our friends met us today and I must say it was a great day. They even gave me 3 minutes to capture this fun photo of them enjoying the sun !

My Special Gift

My nephew Seth is due to be born any day now..we are all anxiously awaiting his arrival. My special gift to this new family member is a quilt made by me. I have been working on it for about a month now, it probably hasn't taken me quite that long, but when my sewing time is limited it seems to take a bit longer. :)
I had some precious time to myself today since the boys are spending the night with Debbie Grandma and Papa..so I took advantage and finished the quilt today. This is the first quilt I have made, and I didn't realize how much I would enjoy putting it together. I have thought of him using it to have some tummy time..to use when he'll take a much needed nap..for when he is ready to roll over..so many times he'll be able to enjoy it. I know that it isn't a perfectly made quilt, but it is a one made with love, tenderness and joy. I hope that he'll have it for many years to come.

Bird Feeder

Today was a fun creative day after lunch. Ryan received a great Boys Devotional Bible from cousins for his birthday and we have been enjoying going through it. There is a story to read based on scripture and then it is usually followed by an activity, a verse to memorize, a song to sing..etc. Over the Christmas break we had read about God creating the earth and filling it with animals. The activity for that day was to make a bird feeder out of a pinecone, peanut butter and bird seed. It just so happened that we collected 3 bags of pinecones on our trip to Tahoe in late Oct, and they were sitting in the bags still waiting for us to use them ! So today after re-reading the story and the reason why we were helping to take care of God's creatures, we created our bird feeders. Ryan & Matthew had a great time spreading peanut butter over the pinecones and then pouring as much bird seed as possible all over the kitchen counter! It was fun to be spending time together, teaching them about God's creatures and having some laughs all at the same time.

Here they are spreading the peanut butter.


Holding their bird feeders before I hang them in the tree.

January 6th

Today has given me some time to stop and think about this first week of the New Year. I have taken an idea from a friend to simplify our lives this year (thanks ny) and am taking it to heart. It's amazing to me how the little changes are making a big difference to me. Keeping in step with my own goals/resolutions this year..I am making things easier and simple if you would.
I sat down to the computer the other night and made out a month calendar of meals for our family for Jan. Now some of you may think I am just nuts for trying to think of about 28 different meals to put on a calendar in one night. (i had to leave a few days for mom to have a night off) But here's what the end result was : I now have a calendar on my fridge, for all to see, that we are following thus far..it was a great help with my first grocery shopping trip of the year..I didn't go over budget on things we don't really need because I knew what we would be using. I have made a template for myself on the computer so that next month I can go in and just fill in the meals on the dates.
The next SIMPLIFY goal I am starting has to do with reading my Bible. I have always wanted to read it all the way through, but for some reason never quiet get it done. This year is going to be different. I found a fun tool on crosswalk.com that has a study tool for reading the Bible in a Year. The schedule of readings is set for you..I go in and check it off when I am done ( I love having accountability) and if I chose to read it online, I could highlight, make notes and such as well. So far I am right on track and have also started making notes for myself as I read..so it has become more of a study then just reading time. I have note cards next to my bedside so that I can write down thoughts and content of the verses for the day. After I have a few note cards filled out I plan on putting them on the computer to make myself a reference binder to help me find those special verses and stories in the Bible.
So far just these 2 things have given me more time with my family at night and a sense of closeness with God as I read His word each day. I must say so far 2009 rocks !

2009 Goals & Resolutions

As the first day of 2009 draws to a close I find myself thinking of all that I want to accomplish, try, start and do this new year. It has been a quiet enough day where I have had some time to think and reflect upon this past year and to think about the new year in front of me. I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for me and our family, and to hopefully grow stronger in my faith and walk with the Lord.
Well I don't have a huge list of goals / resolutions, but they are things I would like to see myself do this year ~

• read my Bible from cover to cover
  
• make an exercise routine that will help me to lose the 10 pounds that just won't come off :)
• make more time for family time
  
• keep in touch with friends
• sew & scrap at least 1 thing each month
• be a better mom & wife
• organize, organize, organize
• remind myself to not fret over the little things

My list will most certainly have a few more things added on as the year progresses, but I do believe that I will be able to stick to the list I have and that in turn will leave me with a feeling of accomplishment. I am going to make this the best year for myself, family & friends..for that is what it is all about after all.

Happy New Year

This New Year's Eve was spent in Reno, NV with my hubby and brother in laws at the UNR vs UNC basketball game. It was such a fun night ! We arrived early so that could get our yummy stadium food, get in our seats and watch the fun. UNC is Mike's favorite college team and these tickets were a gift from our son Darren for Christmas..such a sweet heart. We caught glimpses of Psycho T draining some hoops along with Ellington and Green in the warm ups.
UNC dominated the game almost the entire time..part of me was rooting for UNR simply because it is our sons school, but deep down we are UNC all the way baby!! What a fun way to bring in the New Year..attending a college game with my man and having the time of our lives !