Say 133/365: We are ready for some Ogre-ific fun!!!!

Our McDonald's House Party package arrived and I am so excited for the kids!!!! It is truly a party in a box!!!

Some of the things inside the package:

15 coupons for free McFlurry dessert.
15 coupons for free Minute Maid Apple Juice Boxes.
15 Shrek Watches
16 Shrek Happy Meal Toys
Shrek the Third DVD...which we will be giving away as a prize since we have it already. :)
2 sets of Shrek branded Halmark party products (cups, plates, napkins, and invites)
2 Shrek Collectable Glasses...which will be prizes for game winners!!!!
A McDonalds Arch Card for McNuggets Fun Packs!!!!

How exciting.

Some of the things we have planned:

A sensory station...the kids will reach into bowls blindfolded to find prizes. The bowls will be filled with peeled grapes (eyeballs), spaghetti (guts) and jello (slime).
Decorating a gingerbread man...if I can find them.
Pin the tail on the donkey...of course.
Pass the Ogre...hot potato
Lotions and potions...Epsom salt tinted green, purple etc. Kids get to fill their container however they like.
Bugz zone...kids will pick a capsule and drop into liquid to discover what bug they have.

We are gonna have a blast.
Be Blessed

Day 132/365: AWANA Awards Night

Tonight was awards night at AWANAs and I couldn't be more proud of my girls.

This is Kristyn's second year as a Cubbie so next year she will be promoted to Sparks. I am so amazed that at age 3 she memorized and recited 30 verses and this year she memorized and recited 30 verses along with where they are located in the bible.

This is Jasmyn's second year as a Spark. She is excited to have Kristyn in her class next year. This is how the AWANA site describes the Sparks curriculum...

Sparks® curriculum is comprised of three handbooks. Each handbook builds a foundation of biblical wisdom through memory verse drills, crafts, activities and review of key doctrine and Bible facts. Fall 2010 will see the completion of a three year update to all handbooks and corresponding club materials.

The first handbook, HangGlider®, which arrived in 2008, begins a sequential journey through the Bible, starting with Genesis and ending with Joshua. WingRunner® Handbook, released in 2009, takes Sparkies on the next leg of the trip from Judges to the birth of Christ. In 2010, SkyStormer™ Handbook will bring the curriculum in for a landing, exploring Gods Word from the ministry of Christ to Revelation.

Before working in a handbook, all newcomers to Sparks will complete an entrance booklet – Flight 3:16 – that centers on the gospel message of John 3:16.

This was Lauryns first year in Truth and Training. I am especially proud of her and her determination. Throughout the year she missed a few meetings due to cold and flu. She was deteined to finish her book. She took the initiative to take her AWANA book to school and work on it during recess and sit outdirong game time at AWANA to get it done. She did exactly that...got caught up and completed not only the book, but proved to herself that if she puts her mind to something, with some hard work, she can accomplish anything. This is how the site describes T&T...

The name Truth & Training reflects the passion of Awana to teach third- through sixth-grade boys and girls the truth of God’s Word and to train them to follow Christ in their daily lives. Our goal is that many of today’s young people will become tomorrow’s church leaders. T&T is the program that trains the leaders of tomorrow — today.

Exciting features to get kids excited about God’s Word
T&T is equipped with a variety of dynamic tools to accomplish this mission:

• Four handbooks of increasing difficulty which teach children that life’s ultimate adventure is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
• A cast of fun characters that boys and girls learn from and follow on interesting journeys in the handbooks
• Weekly meetings that expose children to the gospel message, Scripture memory, Bible study, awards, team-oriented games and gut-busting fun
• A Bible-centered curriculum that helps kids build a firm foundation for their faith, hide God’s Word in their heart and apply the truths of Scripture to their daily lives
• Interactive CDs that use exciting high-tech games to teach and reinforce key biblical truths

Evangelism and discipleship go hand in hand in our third- through sixth-grade program. By the time a child has completed T&T, he will have:

• Learned and reviewed approximately 310 verses
• Studied dozens of passages from the Old and New Testament
• Regularly heard and read the gospel message
• Discovered the Bible’s response to questions like “How does God want me to live my life?” and memorized verses to back up these answers
• Completed missions projects that help him see the world through God’s eyes.

I talk about AWANA all the time because I believe it is so important for parents to get the Word of God in their childrens hearts early. They are sponges. The Bible say Gods word cannot/will not return void!!!! I love Isaiah 55:10-13

10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and
flourish,
so that it yields seed for the
sower and bread for the
eater,

11 so is my word that goes
out from my mouth:
It will not return to me
empty,
but will accomplish what I
desire and achieve the
purpose for which I sent it.

12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before
you, and all the trees of the
field will clap their hands.

13 Instead of the thornbush
will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the
myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's
renown, for an everlasting
sign, which will not be
destroyed."

There is a peace that comes with knowing Gods word is being hidden in my girls hearts

Be Blessed

Peanut Butter Melt Bars

When I was little, the best after school snack was what we called a peanut butter melt. You would get a piece of bread, put peanut butter on it And place it in the oven till the peanut butter started to melt. Then you would pull it out top it with syrup and enjoy it with a glass of milk.
These bars remind me of my old time peanut butter melts.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup Karo syrup
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup peanut butter (next time I'll use crunchy)
3 1/2 cups Honey Nut Cheerios
3 cups Chocolate Cheerios


Directions:

Mix both syrups and brown sugar in heavy pan and heat till it bubbles.
Take off heat and add in peanut butter, stir until blended well.
Add Cheerios, mix well.
Put in a buttered cookie sheet and press hard with wax paper.
Place on fridge for about 20 minutes and the cut. Store in fridge if there are any left. ;)




Be Blessed

Day 131/365: Prayer...my weapon of choice!!!

These are three of my most favorite books of all time!!! Why, you ask????
These three books have been with me over the past 10 years and have assisted me in covering and protecting the people I hold most dear.

If you haven't read any of Stormie's books, they are a must for wives, mothers and women!!!!
Be Blessed

Day 130/365: There is still light outside...

But today was one of those days when bedtime couldn't come quick enough...so guess what I'm about to do...

Nite nite. ;)


Be Blessed

Day 129/365: Blessed Mother's Day

Today was a blessed day. For those who know me know it's the little things that make my heart smile. So I was super grateful for being able to sleep in. Once I came out the girls were sitting quietly watching a movie, Allie was sleep in her highchair. Rich was MIA. The girls said he ran to the store, but insisted I not cook breakfast. There was a Teavana bag on the table, which blew my mind.

When Rich and I were out during his birthday in Febuary, we stumbled upon a store called Teavanna. I was smitten. I had since forgotten about getting the tea and the tea sets, inspite of my love for tea. Obviously Rich had not. There is nothing better than being "seen". Like I said, it's the little things that make my heart smile.
Rich shows up with breakfast and paper plates...since we have no hot water.



The rest of the day was quiet and relaxing. Ultimately today was blessed because I was surrounded by 5 people I think the world of.


Be Blessed

Day 128/365: Day by the pool

Spent the day by the pool. It was great out. The girls were literally in the pool ALL day. They should sleep GOOOOOOD tonight.


Be Blessed

Day 127/365: Big "Oh No"!!!!

Last night I planned on taking a nice long, hot bath. I put the girls to bed while my bubbles were running. When I got to my room to turn the water off I noticed the water was cold. I put my hand in the tub and it was ice water.

Today after my pest control guy sprayed he askes "did you know your water heater is leaking"??

Good news is the warranty company will replace the water heater. The bad news is there was some water damage, thankfully I caught I early so it was minimal.

Be Blessed

Day 126/365: School is almost out.

Winter has packed it's bags and the mercury is rising. Making plans for summer. Thinking about Science Camp...educational and fun.

What are your plans for the kiddos???

Be Blessed

Day 125/365: Missing my pass time...

Life has been so busy and hectic I have had no time to read. That is not good. Need to snuggle with a book soon.

Be Blessed