Friday, November 2, 2012
Five Minute Friday: Roots
Set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on: Roots...
GO.
No one sees the roots of a tree or plant unless the tree or plant is pulled up from the ground. Roots can be big, roots can be small. But they always serve the purpose of finding water and sending nutrients up to the rest of the plant.
In a vegetable garden, roots can be the actual food we eat, such as carrots. Or roots can simply provide the sustenance to the parts of the plant we do eat, such as beans or corn.
Without roots, trees would tip over. Without roots, plants would have to get all their water from the air (or something!). And yet we never see them.
Each of us has roots. We often think of "going back to our roots" meaning childhood, where/when we grew up, our parents/family, etc. But thinking of roots in terms of our lives can also mean the core things that we believe or make us who we are.
Where are the roots in your life go to give you sustenance? What or who do you dive into to get nourishment for your body, for your soul? I know what I want my answer to be. I know I want to say I am rooted in Christ and in His Word. But lately my life hasn't reflected that priority.
STOP.
Want to see what came to other people's minds when they thought of "roots"? Click here to see all the link-ups!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
1000 Gifts: #31-40
31. Youtube. Seriously. My washing machine was acting funny and now I know how to fix it.
32. Facebook. Seriously. Almost all of my relatives can watch my girls grow!
33. Random 75+ degree days in late October.
34. Getting fed (in more ways than one) at MOPS every other week.
35. The amazing Moppet workers who take care of my kids, even when all Abby wanted to do was sit with me or go home...
36. Safety when a turkey decided to fly in front of my car...
37. Sunglasses, to protect my eyes and help me see when driving on a sunny day.
38. Abby's laughing at Ellie's cooing.
39. Bluebirds who come and sit outside my window, even though it's been months since I put any food out for them.
40. Super-amazingly-awesome friends and family who are willing to take our girls this weekend, so Rocky and I can focus on music and ministry at the high school youth group retreat!
Click here for more of my gratitude...
32. Facebook. Seriously. Almost all of my relatives can watch my girls grow!
33. Random 75+ degree days in late October.
34. Getting fed (in more ways than one) at MOPS every other week.
35. The amazing Moppet workers who take care of my kids, even when all Abby wanted to do was sit with me or go home...
36. Safety when a turkey decided to fly in front of my car...
37. Sunglasses, to protect my eyes and help me see when driving on a sunny day.
38. Abby's laughing at Ellie's cooing.
39. Bluebirds who come and sit outside my window, even though it's been months since I put any food out for them.
40. Super-amazingly-awesome friends and family who are willing to take our girls this weekend, so Rocky and I can focus on music and ministry at the high school youth group retreat!
Click here for more of my gratitude...
Monday, October 22, 2012
Beginner's Bible App for iPad
When Rocky finished his master's program last spring, we decided to get an iPad for him as a congratulations-you-survived-2+-years-of-papers-and-stress-while-teaching-and-having-a-kid gift. It was the week after the iPad 3 came out, so we got a great deal on an iPad 2. :)
We've really enjoyed the iPad. So many free apps are available -- in fact, I don't think we've bought a single one yet. Abby enjoys it too, from a few cartoons in the morning to games perfect for her age.
The Beginners Bible by Zonderkidz was the best selling kids Bible while I worked at Family Christian Stores. When I heard Zondervan was creating a free iPad app based on this Bible, I thought it was a great opportunity to see what Abby thought of it!
The "Read" section includes 6 stories, with a voice reading the pages and highlighting words alongside an interactive picture page. Abby was more interested in playing with the pictures than hearing the story... but I guess that's to be expected from a 2.5 year old! (the app is geared toward ages 2-6)
The "Play" section includes 3 coloring pages, 2 puzzles, and 1 game that correspond to the 6 Bible stories. I have to admit, I found the background "music" pretty annoying. But that's easily fixed with the volume button on the iPad. ;-) I didn't see any settings to "turn off music". Abby is really into puzzles right now, so those were fun. Maybe as she gets a little older she'll do more than just scribble on the coloring pages...
What I didn't realize initially was that the free app only includes 6 of the 94 Bible stories, and 3 coloring pages, 2 puzzles, and 1 game. Additional 6-story packs are $1.99 each.
Overall, I'd say the Beginners Bible app isn't too bad for a free app, and $1.99 seems reasonable for additional story packs (although we're going to keep to our only-getting-free-apps goal). The graphics are great, but the music is slightly annoying. I think this would be a great supplement to the actual Beginners Bible book -- if your child is already familiar with that Bible, seeing and playing with the same pictures and stories would be fun.
--------------------------------------
I was asked to submit a review of the Beginners Bible app for Handlebar Marketing. I was not required to write a positive review, all opinions are my own. I may receive a copy of The Beginners Bible for my review.
We've really enjoyed the iPad. So many free apps are available -- in fact, I don't think we've bought a single one yet. Abby enjoys it too, from a few cartoons in the morning to games perfect for her age.
The Beginners Bible by Zonderkidz was the best selling kids Bible while I worked at Family Christian Stores. When I heard Zondervan was creating a free iPad app based on this Bible, I thought it was a great opportunity to see what Abby thought of it!
The "Read" section includes 6 stories, with a voice reading the pages and highlighting words alongside an interactive picture page. Abby was more interested in playing with the pictures than hearing the story... but I guess that's to be expected from a 2.5 year old! (the app is geared toward ages 2-6)
The "Play" section includes 3 coloring pages, 2 puzzles, and 1 game that correspond to the 6 Bible stories. I have to admit, I found the background "music" pretty annoying. But that's easily fixed with the volume button on the iPad. ;-) I didn't see any settings to "turn off music". Abby is really into puzzles right now, so those were fun. Maybe as she gets a little older she'll do more than just scribble on the coloring pages...
What I didn't realize initially was that the free app only includes 6 of the 94 Bible stories, and 3 coloring pages, 2 puzzles, and 1 game. Additional 6-story packs are $1.99 each.
Overall, I'd say the Beginners Bible app isn't too bad for a free app, and $1.99 seems reasonable for additional story packs (although we're going to keep to our only-getting-free-apps goal). The graphics are great, but the music is slightly annoying. I think this would be a great supplement to the actual Beginners Bible book -- if your child is already familiar with that Bible, seeing and playing with the same pictures and stories would be fun.
--------------------------------------
I was asked to submit a review of the Beginners Bible app for Handlebar Marketing. I was not required to write a positive review, all opinions are my own. I may receive a copy of The Beginners Bible for my review.
1000 Gifts: #21-30
21. Chilly fall rides on the pontoon boat
22. Bright sun glaring off the lake
23. Sunglasses
24. Friends who cook extra food "just because" and give you some leftovers for dinner
25. Cars to get you from point A to point B
26. The ability to hear music
27. The ability to see colors
28. The ability to taste sweet and savory flavors
29. The ability to smell said flavors
30. The ability to feel the touch of someone's hand
Click here for more of my gratitude...
22. Bright sun glaring off the lake
23. Sunglasses
24. Friends who cook extra food "just because" and give you some leftovers for dinner
25. Cars to get you from point A to point B
26. The ability to hear music
27. The ability to see colors
28. The ability to taste sweet and savory flavors
29. The ability to smell said flavors
30. The ability to feel the touch of someone's hand
Click here for more of my gratitude...
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
1000 Gifts: #11-20
11. Little noises in the night so I know my 2-month old is still alive :)
12. A few quiet minutes at the end of the day before heading to bed
13. A full-size bed to sleep in, and someone to share it with
14. A soft feather pillow
15. The smell and taste of a fresh cup of coffee (with cream and sugar of course!)
16. Playing hide-and-seek with a 2-year-old

17. Smiling at a baby and having her smile right back
18. A washing machine so I don't have to scrub laundry by hand
19. Medicine to help ease the pain of a sore shoulder
20. Books and the ability to read
Click here for more of my gratitude...
12. A few quiet minutes at the end of the day before heading to bed
13. A full-size bed to sleep in, and someone to share it with
14. A soft feather pillow
15. The smell and taste of a fresh cup of coffee (with cream and sugar of course!)
16. Playing hide-and-seek with a 2-year-old
17. Smiling at a baby and having her smile right back
18. A washing machine so I don't have to scrub laundry by hand
19. Medicine to help ease the pain of a sore shoulder
20. Books and the ability to read
Click here for more of my gratitude...
Monday, October 15, 2012
1000 Gifts
"A dare to live fully, right where you are."
I've heard of the book and seen posts about One Thousand Gifts floating around the last few years. Last week at MOPS the speaker talked about living in a spirit of eucharestio -- gratitude and thankfulness -- and referenced the book. I haven't read it yet, but I'm going to start recording the gifts I'm thankful for, and see
1. A husband who has a steady teaching job.
2. A 2-year-old and a 2-month-old who sleep well.
3. The bright, bold colors of the fall.
4. Cats who cuddle with me while I nap.
5. Running water to do laundry and dishes.
6. The ability to nurse Ellie when I had such trouble with Abby.
7. A church where we can use our gifts and talents.
8. Ellie's baptism yesterday.
9. Puzzles for Abby to stretch her mind and motor skills
10. A digital camera to capture childhood.
Click here for more of my gratitude...
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Simple fall porch decorating
I can't believe how BRIGHT the fall colors have been here in Michigan this week! Especially driving down the road wearing my yellow-tinted sunglasses. :) But even when I lifted up my glasses to see the trees with just my own eyes, I was in awe of how beautiful everything looks this year!
I wanted to post the little update I made to my front porch. This is one of the very few times of the year that I actually decorate out there. And this year I did it completely with stuff I had on hand, plus a few pumpkins I bought.
I brought all of my random fall-colored stuff up from the basement:
Including this cute little guy that I got from my secret pal at church a few years ago:
Then I took a basket and started throwing things together... and after about 10 minutes of arranging and rearranging, this is what I came up with:
Then I took the leftover flowers and grasses and put them in another basket along with some little pumpkins:
Abbyhelped me played with sidewalk chalk while I put the decorations outside.
Do you have beautiful fall colors where you live?
I wanted to post the little update I made to my front porch. This is one of the very few times of the year that I actually decorate out there. And this year I did it completely with stuff I had on hand, plus a few pumpkins I bought.
Including this cute little guy that I got from my secret pal at church a few years ago:
Then I took a basket and started throwing things together... and after about 10 minutes of arranging and rearranging, this is what I came up with:
Abby
I felt like something was missing with the basket on the door, so I looked one more time through my fall stuff and came across a yellow ribbon:
It's nothing much, but it makes me smile when I come home. :) I hope to carve a couple pumpkins for Abby and Ellie a week or two before Halloween. Now it's time to start planning their costumes...
Do you have beautiful fall colors where you live?
Labels:
decorating,
entryway,
fall,
For the home,
pumpkins
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Teaching colors and sorting using CandyLand
A few weeks ago I did a little rearranging in the living room. Sorting through Abby's mess of toys in the corner, clearing out most of our games from the bookshelf (and storing them in the garage -- I'm not ready to give them up quite yet! I want to be a game playing family when the girls get older!). I kept a few games on one shelf for Abby, even though she's still a little young to play them for real (Chutes and Ladders, CandyLand, Connect Four, Mancala). But she's managed to find her own ways to play with them.
She pulled out CandyLand and started identifying the colors on the cards. An idea flashed through my mind so I quickly ran downstairs and grabbed a few pieces of construction paper (and one piece of scrapbook paper since there wasn't any purple in the construction paper package...). I spread them on the floor and we started sorting the colored cards and little people onto the pieces of paper.
Abby also happened to be munching on Fruit Loops (I know I know, sugary cereal = bad mom). Did you know there are 6 colors of Fruit Loops, just like there are 6 colors of cards in CandyLand? And those were the 6 pieces of construction paper I had?
Now we store those pieces of construction paper in the CandyLand box. Abby still doesn't get the concept of the actual game... But she does love colors. Yellow is her favorite. :)
It's amazing what simple, teachable things you can find in your own house!
Friday, September 21, 2012
Goodbye summer... (and good riddance! ;-)
Today is the last day of "summer". As I look out my window, it's cloudy and 62 degrees. Rain is on it's way for tonight and the weekend.
Hurray!!!
I don't like summer. I never have.
I love:
Hurray!!!
I don't like summer. I never have.
I love:
- blankets (especially heavy ones or super soft ones)
- hooded sweatshirts
- crisp air
- fresh cider
- soup/chili in the slow cooker
- college football (go MSU!)
- harvest/cinnamon/spice smelling candles
- rich fall colors
I took the girls to a local farm stand today and got a few pumpkins. Front porch decorating coming soon!
Do you think I'm crazy?
Am I the only one who hates summer and loves fall?
Am I the only one who hates summer and loves fall?
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Make a difference for the "one"
Ten years ago this fall, Rocky and I went to our first concert together (we'd been dating about 8 months). During intermission, someone gave a little blurb about sponsoring a child through Compassion International, and for the rest of the intermission sponsorship packets floated around the gymnasium. The one that came to us had a picture of a 5-year-old girl from Cochabamba, Bolivia. Rocky stared at it and told me "I went on a mission trip to that town when I was in high school. I probably walked down that street..."
It was a total God-thing.
We hung on to that packet for the rest of the concert and prayed for wisdom. And after the concert he filled out the information for us to become Kathya's sponsor.
Three years of dating plus seven years of marriage later, we are still Kathya's sponsors. We admit we haven't been very good about writing letters... but she faithfully has written to us about 4 times a year. She is now 15 years old and has grown into a beautiful young lady:
Compassion is a great organization. They focus on individual child development, and each child has only one sponsor. Because of their sponsor's support, they are able to receive consistent Christian training, educational opportunities, health care and supplemental food, personal attention, guidance, love, and so much more.
Within the next few years Kathya will graduate from the program. I hope to then choose another child to sponsor through Compassion, and involve my own girls in letter-writing and watch them grow together.
Do you sponsor a child through Compassion or another organization?
You can search Compassion's website for children to sponsor based on country, gender, first name, age range, birthday. How neat would it be to sponsor a child with the same birthday as you or your child?? You can also find children who have been waiting the longest for a sponsor, are orphaned or affected by HIV/AIDS, or are mentally/physically challenged.
Consider making a difference. For one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)


