Fall is Here! October 29, 2008

I would like to interrupt our regularly schedule blogging to bring you this message:

FALL IS HERE!

(well at least for a few days )

I get so excited when the weather changes I try to do all the fun stuff in one day.  Hot cocoa, homemade soup, fall crafts, its pretty funny.  I can’t help it though seeing my 2 year old enjoy his “hot cocoas” (marshmallows) in his hot cocoa.  I love it.  I think my whole family looks forward to not just the baking, but the other things we get to do together as a family, bike rides, picnics, going to school in our backyard.

I am so grateful when the Lord refreshes me with a zeal to love and care for my family.  It is such a joy to see the excitement on their faces, to hear a contented sigh, what a privilege I can’t believe I get to do this! 

Is there something you can do today or during the upcoming weekend that would communicate your love and thought towards your family?  Does your husband have a favorite recipe for a yummy soup or chili that you could make? Can you pack a picnic even if it is for your backyard?

Okay! Back to our regularly scheduled blogging!

Posted by Taraleigh

Happy Easter Baking March 21, 2008

This was sent in by one of our readers as a great visual for teaching the biblical truths of Easter to our children; Not to mention that they sound yummy! Happy Easter to you and your family! See you next week!

Easter Story Cookies

    What You Need:

• 1 cup whole pecans
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup sugar
• zip lock bag
• wooden spoon
• tape
• Bible

    What You Do With It:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this MUST be done first — don’t wait until you’re half done with the recipe)
2. Place pecans in zip lock bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Talk about how the Roman soldiers beat Jesus. (Read John 19:1-3)
3. Let each child smell the vinegar as you put the 1 tsp. full into a mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. (Read John 19:28-30)
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Talk about how Jesus gave His life for us so that we might have life abundantly. (Read John 10:10-11)
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that the salt represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. (Read Luke 23:27)
6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar and explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus chose to die because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. (Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16)
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Talk about the color white and how it represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. (Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3)
8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. (Read Matt. 27: 57-60)
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven “OFF.” Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Talk about how Jesus’ tomb was sealed with the stone. (Read Matt. 27: 65-66)
10. GO TO BED. Your child may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven. (Read John 16:20-22)
11. The next morning, open the oven and give each child a cookie. Take a bite and notice the COOKIES ARE HOLLOW! On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb empty. HE’S ALIVE!!!! (Read Matt. 28:1-9)

Welcome! February 11, 2008

What do you think of our new look? We love the fresh and inviting colors, and we think the layout will be much easier to navigate. It is our desire to make you feel welcome each time you visit our little corner of the internet. After all this is your place where you, as a Mom can come and relax and reconnect, if even for a moment to be reminded of why you do what you do everyday. It is our highest calling and one that we take very seriously – although we do enjoy laughing and making special memories too. Speaking of memories…

This week is Valentine’s Day, but it’s not too late to plan something special for your husband that even your children will enjoy. Cut out several red and pink hearts large enough on which to write. Have your children think of all the reasons they love their daddy, then have them write each reason separately on a red or pink heart. Make another extra large heart that you can hang on the front door Thursday when your husband is due to arrive home from work. This heart would say, “Happy Valentine’s Day Daddy! We love you because…”

Once your children have finished their hearts, tape them all around the house. Make sure that you take part in this fun activity too. Our children need to know and see demonstrated how much WE love their daddy.

Have fun making Valentine memories with your children!