June 14, 2011
June 13, 2011
Why bad things happen
Last night at church Dave Stravers from Mission India preached. He talked on John 9:1-12 with major emphasis on the first three verses. His sermon was about why bad things happen, such as the horrible social system that India has. I can, as I'm sure many other people, can think of so many things going on in my own life and in the world around me that I constantly wonder...why is this happening. That is exactly what Jesus' disciples did when they encountered yet another blind person. They asked Jesus, "Who sinned?" They wanted to know why this man was blind, what did he do or his parents do to deserve this. How many times do I ask God that when something bad happens, or even worse, how many times do I say "that happened because God is not happy with ______________." I am really good at doing that. But again, God's word "slapped me in the face" (in a good way, don't worry!) and here is His amazing response to the disciples and to us:
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:3.
Whoa...that verse took my breath away. Of course I know there are times when God uses things in our lives to get us back on track with him. But what about all the other amazing things that he does just so that we may see His miracles working! I think it's time I start looking for the works of God being displayed instead of trying to find the blame.
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:3.
Whoa...that verse took my breath away. Of course I know there are times when God uses things in our lives to get us back on track with him. But what about all the other amazing things that he does just so that we may see His miracles working! I think it's time I start looking for the works of God being displayed instead of trying to find the blame.
June 2, 2011
Watermelon Love!
May 31, 2011
Superman's Mom
I found this poem earlier in the year and have been wanting to share it for a long time...Here's to all the mom's of boys!
Superman's Mom
Last week I fought a dragon strong
Then climbed a castle wall.
Too bad I fell from off the roof
Mom's flowers broke my fall.
Yesterday I sailed to sea
With pirates at the door.
Too bad the tub was just too small
To keep the ocean off the floor.
Today I launched a rocket to
The moon for Mom to see.
Too bad the wheel came flying off
And so I skinned my knee.
But mom was there to pick me up
And make me feel alright
Then sent me out to save the world
And put my cape on tight.
Someday I'll grow and fly away
Little doesn't last for long.
But when I'm big, I won't forget
Even superman needs a mom.
~Liz Lemon Swindle
Superman's Mom
Last week I fought a dragon strong
Then climbed a castle wall.
Too bad I fell from off the roof
Mom's flowers broke my fall.
Yesterday I sailed to sea
With pirates at the door.
Too bad the tub was just too small
To keep the ocean off the floor.
Today I launched a rocket to
The moon for Mom to see.
Too bad the wheel came flying off
And so I skinned my knee.
But mom was there to pick me up
And make me feel alright
Then sent me out to save the world
And put my cape on tight.
Someday I'll grow and fly away
Little doesn't last for long.
But when I'm big, I won't forget
Even superman needs a mom.
~Liz Lemon Swindle
My superheros!
April 10, 2011
Easter Idea
I was planning out my week of activities do to with the kiddos and ran across this awesome recipe. Has anyone ever made these? I can't wait to do it with Joey and maybe start a tradition! What a great way to tell the story of Easter for kids to understand.
Easter Story Cookies
Ingredients:
• Bible
• 1 c whole pecans
• 1 tsp. vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• pinch of salt
• 1 c granulated sugar
• 1 qt. or gal. size zipper bag
• wooden spoon
• tape
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. Place pecans in ziploc bag and let kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3. Then
Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his
head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the
Jews!" And they struck him in the face.
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Add teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus
was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30...Later, knowing that all was
now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine
vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and
lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink,Jesus said,"It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read
John 10:10-11. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,
and have it to the full. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own
sins. Read Luke 23:27 A large number of people followed Him, including women who mourned and wailed for
Him.
6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the
story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm
34:8--Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him~and John 3:16--"For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believeth in Him shall not perish
but have everlasting life."
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color
white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah
1:18--"Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall
be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." And John 3:1-3 Now there
was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at
night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform the
miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth,
no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
8. Fold in broken nuts.
9. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.
10. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60 As
evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph
took the body, wrapped it in clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of
rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
11. Place 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. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66 "Take a guard," Pilate
answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting a guard.
12. GO TO BED. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers
were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 "I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn
while the world rejoices. You will grieve, buy your grief will turn to joy." And John 16:22 "So with you~
Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your
joy."
13. On Easter morning, open the oven and remove the cookies. Take a bite. Notice~the cookies are hollow.
14. On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
15. Read Matthew 28:1-9 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other
Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from
heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning,
and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead
men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was
crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go
quickly and tell His disciples: "He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There
you will see Him. Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with
joy, and ran to tell His disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them, "Greetings," He said. They came to Him,
clasped his feet and worshipped Him.
Easter Egg Cookies
Easter Story Cookies
Ingredients:
• Bible
• 1 c whole pecans
• 1 tsp. vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• pinch of salt
• 1 c granulated sugar
• 1 qt. or gal. size zipper bag
• wooden spoon
• tape
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. Place pecans in ziploc bag and let kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3. Then
Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his
head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the
Jews!" And they struck him in the face.
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Add teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus
was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30...Later, knowing that all was
now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine
vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and
lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink,Jesus said,"It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read
John 10:10-11. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,
and have it to the full. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own
sins. Read Luke 23:27 A large number of people followed Him, including women who mourned and wailed for
Him.
6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the
story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm
34:8--Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him~and John 3:16--"For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believeth in Him shall not perish
but have everlasting life."
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color
white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah
1:18--"Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall
be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." And John 3:1-3 Now there
was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at
night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform the
miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth,
no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
8. Fold in broken nuts.
9. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.
10. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60 As
evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph
took the body, wrapped it in clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of
rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
11. Place 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. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66 "Take a guard," Pilate
answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting a guard.
12. GO TO BED. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers
were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 "I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn
while the world rejoices. You will grieve, buy your grief will turn to joy." And John 16:22 "So with you~
Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your
joy."
13. On Easter morning, open the oven and remove the cookies. Take a bite. Notice~the cookies are hollow.
14. On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
15. Read Matthew 28:1-9 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other
Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from
heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning,
and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead
men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was
crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go
quickly and tell His disciples: "He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There
you will see Him. Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with
joy, and ran to tell His disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them, "Greetings," He said. They came to Him,
clasped his feet and worshipped Him.
Easter Egg Cookies
February 16, 2011
Valentines Day Fun and some mom tips
I LOVE Valentine's Day and want to make sure that my boys know that even though it may seem like a silly holiday, they need to make sure they let the people in their lives know they are loved! I found these adorable Valentine ideas from another blogger. You take a sucker and cut out lips for girls and mustaches for boys. Joey loved it because he said he looks like Daddy! He still asks for it with all of his suckers!
We made a special pizza for supper on Saturday night. I'm not the most creative but here's how it turned out...
Now for some fun mom tips. I got this idea from a class that I took from the Kent District Library on Magical Math.
Here's what my living room looked like at first. I have been collecting boxes for the last couple of weeks and taping them up again to make them whole. The kids then are allowed to build with them. It's so fun to watch them try to figure out how to make the different shaped boxes go together. Here's some pictures of the boys at work. Even Aaron loved this activity!
My last mom tip is for all the moms of boys! I was getting so sick of wiping off the seat when I had to go to the bathroom thanks to a short little man who is too "big" to stand on the stool to go potty. So I thought of a way to make him remember to lift up the seat.
I put stickers on the lid of the toilet seat that Joey has to hide before he can go potty. We told him that the aliens can't watch him go pee so he has to hide them. He loves the idea and has lifted the seat every time! Oh the wonderful power of stickers!
February 8, 2011
I don't know how you do it
I hear that phrase so many times when people ask me what I do. Apparently I have a hard job. I can think of a hundred other jobs that are harder than at home daycare but that's not what this post is about. I thought it would be fun to create a top ten list of how I do what I do! So here it is...
Top Ten Reasons I can do Daycare
10) I get to wear sweats everyday
9) I can wake up 10 minutes before work and still be on time
8) My house gets messy quickly but I have lots of little helpers to clean
7) I get to do a craft everyday
6) Cuddles with my boys and the other kids too
5) I get to stay home with my kids
4) I have a big back yard (that I can't wait to get out into once the snow is a little less)
3) I have great kiddos that I'm blessed to take care of
2) I get to stay home with my kids, and still get paid!
1) I can only accomplish all of this by praying every morning for patience and joy. Without asking God for his help throughout the day, I would not have good days.
The number one reason has been so helpful to me! I am astonished every day when I don't get up early to pray and give the day to God how crappy my day can be. God really does give what we ask even little things like patience and joy. I'm so thankful that I have a God who listens to the little things. And I'm thankful that I have the great job of taking care of his precious children. Now you know!
Top Ten Reasons I can do Daycare
10) I get to wear sweats everyday
9) I can wake up 10 minutes before work and still be on time
8) My house gets messy quickly but I have lots of little helpers to clean
7) I get to do a craft everyday
6) Cuddles with my boys and the other kids too
5) I get to stay home with my kids
4) I have a big back yard (that I can't wait to get out into once the snow is a little less)
3) I have great kiddos that I'm blessed to take care of
2) I get to stay home with my kids, and still get paid!
1) I can only accomplish all of this by praying every morning for patience and joy. Without asking God for his help throughout the day, I would not have good days.
The number one reason has been so helpful to me! I am astonished every day when I don't get up early to pray and give the day to God how crappy my day can be. God really does give what we ask even little things like patience and joy. I'm so thankful that I have a God who listens to the little things. And I'm thankful that I have the great job of taking care of his precious children. Now you know!
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