Preparing and Prayer - well worthwhile

Well, everyone is in bed and we manged the weekend just fine. Garrett's surgery went well and he is doing terrific. He is eating soft foods and drinking lots. He is kind of bummed that he doesn't get to go to school this week, but I'm sure we will find fun things to do.

Robert has returned from camping in 30 degree temperatures. He said he had a lot of fun, but wants wool socks as his feet were cold at night. Said that the Boy Scouts cleaned up the Tionesta Dam area and they ended up with 3 dumpsters of trash pick-up. Sounds like they were busy to me.

So at least Garrett's surgery is over and it wasn't raining and cold like they were calling for this weekend for the campers. Now off to tackle this week!

Preparing...

This evening was a night of preparing kids for things to come. Garrett has surgery in the morning, so we talked about what was going to happen (again) then we got his pj's ready and we added a hospital like tag to his little lion that is going with him. To make an admission hospital tag, take a zip tie and write very small and then attach to any stuffed animal. Our zip tie was green so now Garrett wants to know what color his bracelet will be???

We also prepared Robert for his first Boy Scout camping trip. The weather doesn't look like it will be prime camping weather. Actually it looks like 30's for overnight temperatures and rain on Saturday. So extra socks, rain coat, extra sweatshirt, extra socks, long johns and an extra blanket. As a mom, I know that if he is in the right mind set he will have a great time, or with the wrong mindset, this could make or break camping and scouting for him. So I have put both of the boys into the Lord's hands. Keep them warm, comfortable and safe. I think that will cover both of them for the weekend!

Kids Health Website

I recently found this great website for kids asking health questions. Garrett has to have his tonsils removed and tubes put into his ears on Friday. So I am trying to help answer Garrett's questions but I didn't have the knowledge to explain it to him, so I just did a search for these terms and found this website http://kidshealth.org/kid/ this seems like a great medical website for kids!

This website has a listen feature that then reads the information to you and highlights the words so that the kids can read along. This website makes medical terms simple for a kid to understand and there are diagrams and videos of procedures. There is also games and puzzles like word searches that are specific to the terms or conditions being looked up. This looks like a great kids reference tool and a place to look up information for reports or just about conditions that they may be hearing about. Hope you get a chance to take a look and share it with your kids!

Banana Boats

Last week when the boys came home from school, neither had much homework, but were both hungry. Since the homework load was light, I asked them if they wanted to make their snacks. Both jumped on the idea. So we made microwave banana boats. I gave each a banana and had them slice it part way through from one end to the other. Then they were to put mini marshmellows down the center with pieces of chocolate bar along one side. One of them decided to try butterscotch chips with the mixture too. Then we placed the banana boats in the microwave for about 30 seconds or until the marshmellows begin to get mushy. These were a hit for after school and the boys don't even know that you can make them on a campfire too!

The Flowering Cross - book and activity

I stumbled on a great Easter Activity when I purchased the book "The Flowering Cross" by Beth Ryan at a local discount store. This story is about a little girl who befriends the neighbor man and gets him to attend church on Eater with her. At the church they have a flowering cross, where flowers are placed on the cross during the service. The neighbor then goes home and makes a smaller version of this cross for on the Easter table.

The lessons in this book are incredible. First that children can lead others to our Lord. Second, that we are to reach out to our neighbors in love. And third, that on Easter Sunday the cross of Jesus became a living cross.

Now as a kid our church had a cross, that was filled with potted flowers for our "Living Cross." So when I found this story I knew that it was to help remember what I had experienced in my youth. But I hadn't seen the pattern at the end of the book for the tabletop cross. When I got home I found the pattern. Luckily for me, my husband is a wonderful woodworking and he easily made me a couple crosses. I was able to share with 2 other homes this story this year, but I went back and bought a few more book, so I can pass this along to a few others.

But here is what our Flowering Cross looked like this year and hopefully we will get to share this for many years to come and with many others.

New Milk Truck

For those who know my family, you might remember that in 2000, my Dad was in an accident on Interstate -80 and rolled the milk truck. This in turn meant that Dad needed to purchase a new truck. Well, 11 1/2 year later, it is time for him to purchase another truck. The aqua teal pearl coat truck is no more, and Dad is now driving an International, red truck. Dad picked up the truck while we were on our trip to Georgia, so as soon as the boys had an opportunity (Monday - they were still off school) they went to check out the truck and give it their stamp of approval. I had texted Dad to let us know when he was on the way into the farm. Well he said he was on his way, well the boys and I waited and waited, but never heard him pull in. He finally called the house to see if the boys were coming or not. So here is a look at the new truck. It still needs lettering on the door, but at least if you see the red truck coming - you now know that it might be Charlie.

Garrett's missing front teeth

Garrett missing his first tooth

Last week on the first morning of our trip to GA, Garrett was brushing his teeth when whoops -out popped his first tooth. Yes it was wiggly, but he was going to have Aunt Caren pull it out when we got there. (She is relieved that it came out because she confessed that she isn't really into teeth!)  So we had a small container with us just in case it came out. So we found the little bottle and went to breakfast where, a donut was then the downfall of the 2nd loose tooth to come falling out. Garrett lost 2 teeth in less than 20 minutes. Rather impressive! So then the discussion was "Will the tooth fairy find me while we travel?" "Or do I need to keep this until we get home?" Just so you know - the tooth fairy found Garrett at the Lake House that we stayed at and he was quite happy about life.

Trip to Georgia - Easter Break

Haylee with the Easter Egg Hunt

Well, the last week has been a whirlwind, but Catherine and I loaded up the kids and went to see Caren in Georgia. We took 6 days for our trip - 2 to drive down, 2 to spend with Caren and 2 to drive back. We stopped at the New River Gorge for a break, stayed over in NC and made it to Georgia on Tuesday evening. We spent one day at Jacksonville Beach and one day exploring Valdosta State University, seeing where Caren works and what she does. We had the chance to meet friends of Caren's, which was great to finally put faces with the names. And then Caren found a great little place, that had alligators to view outback and then we had some delicious seafood/fish and all got to try alligator tail. Caren hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids and then we had to load back up and head for home. We stopped again in NC overnight and then made it home on Saturday evening. It was a fun trip for such a short visit, but the kids had a great time and we all got to visit Caren!!!!

Warming the Bench at Valdosta State

Andrew shooting baskets

Robert shooting baskets

The younger 2 at the beach

The older 2 at the beach

Watching football strength and conditioning practice

Playing a little soccer at Valdosta

Aunt Caren and the boys!

Garrett's riding a 2 wheeled Bike!!!!

Last week we went to the bike trail and Garrett was talking about how "he thought he would be able to ride a 2 wheeled bike, you know without those little wheels, by well maybe his birthday (end of June)" I told him that I thought he would be able to do it before that if he tried. Well on Saturday afternoon, Robert was away and he asked Gary to help him. Here is the results!!!!

Fun dessert

One of my kids and husband's favorite desserts is Taffy Apple Pizza. This is really good in the fall, but they like it any time of year!!!

Taffy Apple Pizza
1 pkg refrigerated sugar cookie dough
16 oz. fat-free cream cheese, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
5 medium apples
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping.

Pat the cookie dough onto a pizza pan and bake at 350 for 11-14 minutes or until light brown. Let this stand and cool.  Combine cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla and beat until smooth. Spread this over the cooled cookie crust. Then peel , core and slice apples. (Dip the slice in a solution of 1/2 cup water with 1 tablespoon lemon juice to prevent browning) Arrange apples on the cream cheese mixture. Drizzle caramel topping over the whole pizza. Nuts are an additional option is you like nuts too. Cut into wedges and serve!

Make Ahead Blueberry French Toast

As a recipe for the recipe swap with Karen Ehman's book study. Here is a great breakfast recipe: Bakes Blueberry French Toast
12 slices of day old bread or 1 loaf Italian bread (cubed)
2 (8oz) pkgs of cream cheese (cubed)
1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries
2 cups milk
1/3 cup maple syrup
12 eggs

Spray 9x13 inch pan. Layer about 1/2 the cubed bread first, then all of the cubed cheese, and next all of the blueberries. Then add the rest of the bread on top. Mix the milk, eggs and syrup together and pour over the top of the bread layers.

Refrigerate over night

Remove from the fridge in morning and let sit at room temp for 1/2 hour. Then bake at 350degrees covered for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake additional 30 more minutes.  Serve with maple syrup while still hot.

Early Spring - Who can You bless?

With the early spring here, (80's in March is unheard of!) The daffodils are out, the forsythia are in full bloom and Easter is still 2 weeks away! So yesterday as I was pruning some bushes, the neighbor was out for a walk. I went right over, cut off a bouquet of forsythia and handed them to her. Her face just lite up add it made my day to be able to share something so simple. So what can you share and bless someone this spring? Could you go do some spring clean-up in a yard for someone? Deliver flowers from your garden? Or maybe, even though it is inside, offer to help someone with spring cleaning? It is refreshing to you too to help someone else!!!!!

Grilling Season!!!

Wow somehow, we went from winter shortly through spring and now are enjoying 80 degree temperatures! Well get the grill ready and get outside for some grilling! here is a link to a propane tank refund. It worth $3 or $3 dollars depending on where you get your propane, but hey every dollars counts!!! http://www.bluerhino.com/BRWEB/Tank-Exchange/Coupons.aspx

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

This is the little leprechaun that arrived home from school yesterday to my house. Hopefully he is a well behaved leprechaun and doesn't cause too much trouble today. Maybe if I can catch him I will find his pot of gold!!! Maybe he will paint his rainbow for me with that paintbrush!!

Green pancakes and shamrock shakes today!!! YMMMMM

Time - Children's Sermon

Yesterday I once again had our children's sermon at church. I had a couple of ideas (will share those later) but when I went to change the clocks, I knew it was perfect for a lesson on time.
I started as I was going to the front with"I'm late, I'm late for a very important date Come on kids get up here, hurry up a bit" (as they poked along because they were tired) And we sat down, and I asked them what time it was? I looked at my watch and then the church clock -"Oh dear they don't match. What other ways do we keep track of time? how do we know our schedule?" A few kids came up with the calendar and watches. "your right - so what's on your schedule?  School, homework, but what about prayer time? Is that ever on your calendar? How about your to do list?" And the kids looked at me a bit weird. So I asked "Is now the right time to pray? (some said yes and some said no) Is there a right time to pray? The pastor always asks us for our joys and concerns before we pray, but is that the only time to pray?" They responded no. "So what is the right time to pray? According to the Bible we are to pray unceasingly. But I have other things to do than pray all day. Should we skip recess and school to pray? (They thought about that one for a while) We can pray anytime it comes to mind. We can pray before a test, while doing our chores, while playing at school or at home. It is like the radio that is on in the background. WE can stop and pray just like we can stop and listen to the radio if something gets our attention.

I then read Ecclesiastes 3:1-12 to the children and stopped along the way to explain a few, but at the end it says that "God has made everything beautiful in its time. And we need to remember that no matter what it is, prayer time or play time, slow people in front of us. No matter what God gives us- it is in his perfect timing."

Happy 100th Birthday Girl Scouting!!

Today is the 100th Birthday of Girl Scouting. As a Gold Award recipient, I know that Girl Scouting can completely change a person's life. I had opportunities to be a Counselor in training, to be a Day Camp Director, to attend a Wider Opportunity and to travel to Savannah, GA to the home of Juliette Gordon Low as a scout. These were great opportunities for me when I was younger. The badge work and service projects taught me to be mindful of my time management and that helping others is something that is always needed.

So as a passed scout - Happy 100th Birthday Girl Scouting!!!

National 4-H Week

It is National 4-H Week and if you don't know what 4-H is, let me take a minute or so of your time and fill you in. As a 4-H Alumni and a current 4-H leader, this has been a very valuable organization in my life that I would like to share with you. 4-H is 100 this year and therefore it has seen it's share of changes as does any organization that has been able to change with the times. But 4-H is an organization, originally meant for rural youth, but has since spread into the urban and suburban areas. 4-H works to help kids discover their interests, follow those interests and do it in a hands-on way. 4-H provides a safe place for youth to try new things, experiment with leadership skills and being a leader. It gives opportunities to excel in places, skills and talents that school never gets too.

I am proud to be a 4-H alumni, as I made so many life long friends through 4-H. But I also learned that I had leadership skills, youth development skills, and the ability to help others work through challenges through 4-H. 4-H isn't just an organization, it is a family. There is a whole new community created through 4-H. Be it computer skills, raising livestock or dairy projects, sewing, cooking, nutrition, gardening, money management, career development, public speaking, wildlife studies, etc. There is just about something for everyone. 

This week, I challenge you, that if you don't know about 4-H to ask around and see if there is 4-H in your community. If so find out what they do and how you could be involved.

  If you are involved with 4-H, I challenge you to take time to thank someone that has been an influence in your  4-H career.

4-H Motto : To Make the Best Better

4-H Pledge : I pledge my head to clearer thinking,

                     my heart to greater loyalty,

                     my hands to larger service

                     my health to better living

                      for my club, my community, my country and my world.

Dr. Seuss Game

Yesterday I emptied an oatmeal canister and immediately started thinking about Dr. Seuss and the Cat in the Hat. This canister is perfect for a very simple Seuss hat. I simply took some red paper and wrapped it around the canister. I then cut 1 1/2" strips of white paper and just taped them into place. I then cut a circle on red and cut out the center for the hat brim.  I started with the hat and then what were we going to do with that?


 I sat it on the table and thought, thought, thought
Then a thought, should we, ought?
A ball pitch, bean bags, then the red flags
The catapults and bean bags!!!

A word is called and a rhyme is made
Then the bean bags shot can be made
Can it hit the hat
Or will we hear "rats!"
Get the bag into the hat
It is simple as that!


The boys both had a great time coming up with words that rhyme. Garrett was really into it but had a little bit of trouble getting some rhymes, so we pulled out our Leap Frog Word whammer. I put in a word and then Garrett had to change a letter to make it rhyme. This was a great 45minutes of learning, because the launching of bean bags held his attention to getting rhyming words. So make a rhyme and then get a chance to launch the catapults. A lot of fun with a lot of learning all at once!

Dr. Seuss Week - Read Across America

Well, this week has definitely been a bit different. Both boys are in school, so how can I help them celebrate Dr. Seuss Week? There is little time for fun and crafts at home. But I am going to squeeze in a few where I can. I have been including Dr Seuss stickers in lunchboxes this week that they need to find while eating. And we have pulled out a few things from past years. One is Garrett's t-shirt. I had coloring pictures from Green Eggs and Ham and a Seuss hat. Garrett colored both pictures for me and then I copied them onto iron on paper and ironed them onto the front and back of a plain t-shirt. Simple enough a custom made Dr. Seuss Shirt. And a lot of fun to make too.

And with the crazy schedules here, we will be having green eggs and ham for Saturday morning breakfast.

I had also found Dr. Seuss fleece a few years back and I made a cute Seuss fleece hat for Robert. Well, Garrett has taken it and now he is wearing it. There are lots of Dr. Seuss fabrics on the market now so have some fun with Seuss!

From Cub Scout to Boy Scout

Robert with his Arrow of Light

Robert receiving his new neckerchief as a Boy Scout

3 Generations of Scouting

This weekend, Robert reached a new level in Scouting. He earned his "Arrow of Light" Award. This is the highest award that a Cub Scout can earn and then he crossed over into Boy Scouts. Robert and his den have worked hard over the years to achieve this award.  This was special because both of Robert's grandfather's served as a scout leader and Gary was an Eagle scout. So scouting is a tradition in this family. Gary's Dad is still working with the Boy Scouts and it is neat to see 3 generations of Scouting. Congrats Robert!