Christmas Countdown: Days 4, 5, and 6

Last night while I was making dinner, hubby and the girls put up our Christmas tree.  I admit I was a little sad that he didn't think of waiting so I could be a part of it.  Though by the time he was home I was already starting dinner and knew it needed finished. Besides i don't usually do much but record them.  So far we have it undecorated to see how our cat is going to react to it.  He has already tried chewing it as soon as it was out of the box.  It doesn't help that my mother tells me how her cat has climbed into hers and actually while on the phone with my mom last night the cat made it to the very top.  (She is planning on taking it down).  Let's all pray our cat doesn't get those ideas to try it.

After dinner we also had our towns parade.  It goes through Main Street which is just at the bottom of our hill.  The four of us went down, watched the bands and floats, got candy though not always at the same time.  In typical fashion, even though I tried to get them to go to the bathroom before we left, Katherine really had to go during the parade.   So Justin took her up while Ava and I got candy for her too.  About five minutes after she got back, Ava had to go.  Back up the hill went Daddy and again the daughter still there and I got more candy for the missing sister. 

The girls have also received their Christmas messages from Santa Wednesday. I found the site last year and the girls love it.  You get to personalize and add pictures so he becomes more real.  Plus, it's free!!!   Interested?  Go to http://www.portablenorthpole.com/home .  There are also options to buy other packages but the basic is pretty amazing itself.  If you do make one this year don't worry, they change them up every year so the kids won't catch on. 

We also had a night of hot chocolate and Christmas stories.  Maybe that doesn't sound that exciting but the girls love getting to snuggle in our big bed and read stories together. 

Of course every morning we still go around to find Boyd, our Elf on the Shelf.  I was shocked at how many people do not seem to like him on Facebook.  I guess I understand because they see pictures of the elf doing things he shouldn't be doing - things our children would be in trouble for.  Well, that's just the doing of those people and have nothing to do with the tradition of him.  Ours is a good boy and it's pretty much a game of not so hide and seek.  From my point of view - very worth the money. 

I hope you're having a great time celebrating the Christmas season! 

Christmas Countdown: Days 2 and 3

Sunday night (day 2) is a busy night.  With school the next day our girls are busy making sure everything they need is in their backpacks and/ or signed.  Then there is the normal routine of dinner and baths.  To countdown to Christmas we kept it simple.  The girls and I got out some red and green construction paper and made a paper chain to go across the large opening/doorway between our living room and "room of requirement". 

It was a simple task but the girls still had a lot of fun doing it.  I'm sure the fact that our cat, Willow, was trying to attack the chain with everything he had helped too.  It also allowed the girls to further help in the decorating of our home.  Up until now I have done most of the decorating myself with them helping with a few ornaments on the tree.  However this is making them proud and to feel more a part of the celebration. 

Today (day 3) we went to visit my in laws and had to go to the market.  We were still able to continue on though as we watched two different Rudolph movies that were on tv at my in laws home.  This allowed not only fun and new movies to be introduced (one about Rudolph and a New Years baby and the other about a toy thief Rudolph helps catch), but also allowed extended family to be a part of our celebration. 

So far the girls are enjoying our special evenings and crafts.  Hopefully you are able to do this with your family also.  Without a ready made list we are able to modify our experiences to fit what may be going on.  That may be the trick to this. I have several more ideas of things to do in my head but haven't written them down to see if I have enough to cover the 24 days.  Feel free to share any ideas you may have also.

The first day of December

I decided this year to add to the excitement of Christmas and do something special each day.  Our Advent calendar is very cute but is just a basic countdown - no surprise treats. Today we started with making ornaments out of a basic salt dough recipe.  (I will post the recipe at the bottom).

Adding Salt

Adding Flour

"This is so gross"

Our Willow was just wondering if he could eat it

Press

cut

Yes, I forgot to take an after picture but I was tired.  The ornaments turned out wonderful.  Now I just need to get some paint and they can finish them.  They really had fun doing this and will always remember it when they look at the ornaments hanging on the tree.

After they cut out the shapes they wanted, I used a straw to put a hole in the top so we could hang them later.  You may also want to flour your table like we did so the dough doesn't stick.

Salt Dough Recipe 

1/2 cup of Salt 

!/2 cup of Flour

1/4 cup of water 

Mix the ingredients in a large bowl until a dough forms.  Press out but not too thin.  Cut using any shapes you'd like.  If hanging, use a straw and punch out a hole.  Put in a 200 degree oven and bake for 3 hours.  Paint and then seal.  

*Due to the large amount of salt and flour, you may want to go to your local Dollar Tree to get them to help the cost*

Everyday Matters Bible for Women ---- Review

 From the book jacket:
We are so busy handling the challenges of day-to-day life that spending time in the Word can easily become another 'should' among a long list of daily 'musts.'  The Everyday Matters Bible for Women is designed to help you develop spiritual practices that will make everyday activities richer - not harder.

Based on spiritual practices that enable us to focus our thoughts on discovering the heart of God, this Bible offers practical encouragement and tools to renew and reinvigorate daily life.   The clear, contemporary language of the New Living Translation combined with content from today's foremost Christian thinkers helps readers understand and apply these spiritual practices.

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My Thoughts:

I was very excited to receive this Bible.  I have a Bible already but it is a standard King James edition.  I needed something to help me study, connect, and really get into the scriptures. 

This Bible is written in the New Living Translation (NLT)  which makes it very simple to understand. There are also footnotes at the bottom of the pages to help clarify passages even more.  Also within the books and chapters, you will find articles to help us understand how these stories still apply to us today.  For me this not only helps in understanding the message but also allows the stories to become more real and help me achieve the connection I am looking for.

Everyday Matters Bible for Women is also designed to be used in many ways.  You can read it from beginning to end or start at the New Testament and then go back to the beginning.  Another wonderful feature to help in studying are the 24 spiritual practices mapped out.  You can follow through with just one area you feel a need to focus on or study a few at once.  These also make it easy to find answers you may need when a problem arises.   For example, I have an issue with forgiving myself and others therefore I will be using the Forgiveness practice. 

With over 300 articles and 24 spiritual practices I feel confident a person seeking will find answers.  I also love the ways these articles are written.  They are small enough for a busy mom to fit into their day.  As a woman I love reading about the women of the Bible and the way this Bible links their stories to issues we face today.

This Bible would be a wonderful gift to a large number of women.  Maybe a gift for a young woman graduating, a new follower, a busy mom, a friend that needs encouragement, etc. 



Disclosure: I received a copy of the Bible as a member of the CWA Review Team to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review. A positive review is not guaranteed, and all opinions are my own.

Book Review - Understanding World Religions in 15 minutes a Day

 

A Concise, Easy-to-Understand Overview of the World's Religions

What religions are represented in your neighborhood, your workplace, and your children's school? Things seem to be changing every day, and it can be hard to keep up. You may know a little about some of these religions. Others are new to you. You'd like to learn about them and how they differ from your beliefs, but who has time to do all the research?

In Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day, cross-cultural expert and professor Garry Morgan explains the key beliefs, histories, and practices of more than twenty religions, including the familiar--Christianity, Judaism, Mormonism--and some of the lesser known--Baha'i, Sikhism, and New Age religions. Broken into forty short readings, each chapter is engaging and easy to understand. In just minutes a day you'll soon have a better understanding of the world's beliefs.  

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I chose to review this book because I feel it is important to learn and understand others religions.  When we do this, it shows respect to the other person and also helps in areas of tolerance.  

I found this book very easy to read and filled with many religions.  I always felt I knew most but I was wrong.  Not only what I introduced to new religious beliefs but also gained a better understanding of others.  Of course I use this as a guide and as an introduction.  I understand that misinformation has a way of getting into nonfiction.  Being Mormon I am aware that there are ideas out there that have been repeated so many times that the public at large accepts them as truth.                                                                                   

Overall I would recommend this book to anyone interested in how or what others believe in.  Also a great resource to educate our children so some common prejudices can be corrected in society.

 

Book Review: Inescapacble by Nancy Mehl

 
   


Page-Turning Romantic Suspense Set Against the Backdrop of a Small Mennonite Town

Lizzie Engel is used to running away. At eighteen, she left her Mennonite hometown, her family, and her faith with plans never to return. Five years later, Lizzie finds she'll have to run again. False accusations at her job, a stalker, and a string of anonymous threatening letters have left her with no other options. This time, however, her escape is back to Kingdom, her hometown.

As Lizzie becomes reacquainted with Kingdom, she realizes she may not have left her Mennonite roots and her faith as firmly in the past as she thought. She draws on the support of Noah Housler, an old friend, as she hides out and attempts to plan her next steps.

When it becomes painfully clear that the danger has followed Lizzie to Kingdom, suspicions and tensions run high, and she no longer knows who to trust. With her life and the lives of those she loves at risk, Lizzie will have to run one last time--to a Father whose love is inescapable.
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 Warning:  My review contains a few points, "spoilers" that the description did not cover.  I do not however tell you the ending or how situations turn out.  
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This book grabbed my attention from the beginning.  Part of the reason is that the main character, Lizzie, has a 6 year old daughter like I do.   The book begins with Lizzie getting her final check from work and packing to leave town.  She has been framed for stealing money at work and even though innocent she feels the need to just leave.  A big reason is that at the same time this is going on she is also being stalked and receiving threatening letters.  Letters that threaten not only her but also her child. As hard as it is for her she decides to return to her Mennonite hometown.  She believes no one will be able to find her there and she and her daughter will finally be safe. 

As she approaches the town she realizes that the ultra strict ways of the Mennonite community has changed.  Some buildings and dresses the women are wearing are now colorful.  Still afraid however she goes to her mother and fathers home.  Her father is not home and she is relived to find her mother so happy for her return. 

As the book progresses we find out her Father is very strict and old fashioned.  Growing up Lizzie didn't feel love from her father only his disappointment.  Lizzie took that everyone felt that way about her due to getting pregnant as an unmarried teenager.  However, the community has a new pastor that teaches Gods love and forgiveness and many folks agree. 

In the story of course we have an old friend, Noah appear.  Feels start up between them but Lizzie doesn't feel like he could love someone like her, that it is all in her head, etc.  Especially since Noah is now an Elder in the church like her Father had been as she grew up.  It's as if Lizzie is self sabotaging the hope for love.

Just when you may start to wonder about the stalker and notes, the man she had been seeing outside her previous home finds her.  How he found her in this little known town she can not figure out.  Then the notes start again.  She now must decide is she should run again because the notes now mention innocent people can get hurt.  She was just starting to feel accepted by most and like she had a place in town and now must choose her next move.  

Having a book with a stalker, threatening notes, a love triangle, father/ daughter issues, and a woman being looked for in connection to stealing money at work may seem a bit too much.  Ms. Mehl, the author, works it so well that it easily flows.  She also kept me guessing and second guessing the outcome of all these situations. 

This book is the first of a series though from what I can tell none of the characters continue. 

*I received this copy from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.  My opinions are all my own.*

September's Habit

Yes, I know I missed last month.  Things were just hectic and exhausting.  Sorry. 

Our new habit this month though is: 15 Minutes.  As FlyLady says you can do anything for 15 minutes except whining.  It can be anything really.  Set a timer, watch, or have someone tell you when time is up but 15 minutes is it.  Once time is up on what you are doing, it is up.  No continuing on because this is what gets us overwhelmed.  How many times do you start to clean out a closet, toy box, desk, etc and an hour later have a bigger mess than you started with? 

During your 15 minutes make piles of keep, trash, or donate.  When the time is up put the things you are keeping away, throw out the trash, and take the donations to the car so they are ready for drop off.  I use this method when cleaning the stove.  It can become a hated task if I try to clean it all at one time.  SO I start at the range, wash the grills, wipe/scrub the burners, etc.  When time is up even if I only have half done I put it back together and walk away until later. 

This really is a great habit.  You will be amazed at what you can do in these 15 minute intervals and still have time for things you like.  If you starting out cleaning and really hate it this is perfect for you.  Do 15 minutes of cleaning, stop and do 15 minutes of what you like (read part of a book, write a letter, play a game or just relax) then go back to working.  You will be able to get your home in order over time with this method and not feel like all you ever get to do is clean. 

So lace up those shoes and set your timers.  Good luck!