Monday Mom-blings

I consider my blog to be my journal; A record of what I've done; Somewhere to record my feelings, so imagine my surprise the other day to find myself contemplating starting a "real" journal. Actually, I've done it on and off ever since I was a teenager. I worked in spurts. I would write in it consistently for a while, and then just stop. Well, I'm on a "stop." I think I have been for about (get ready to gasp)....ummmmm, 10 years now! Yikes!!

So, I'm thinking about starting a written journal to record my progress on personal goals that I'm working on. Ways that I'm trying to be a better me; be a better wife; be a better mom. The things that I have a tendency to fall short on quite often that I don't want the world (or maybe my minions of readers...hehe!) to read. I'll let you know how it goes...but just in case you're wondering, I've been THINKING of starting now for about 2 weeks. Thinking is about as far as I've gotten thus far.

Here's a little program to help me out with my journal writing. I'd love to have you join in if you'd like. The program is based around Pres. Monson's conference talk from Oct. 2008, Joy in the Journey. (I've mentioned it before.) The program is a 31 day program, but I think I'm going to do it a little differently. Originally it was one of those "daily assignment" programs, but life is busy, and after starting it, I quickly found that I didn't have time to do a daily assignment. As such, I think I will make it into a weekly assignment...obviously, this will really stretch the program out, but I think it will work. Here's the general idea: Each Monday I will post the assignment for the week on this blog along with links for any articles, etc. that you will need to accomplish the assignment. You'll then have the entire week to work on the project, so if you don't have time right then and there, or if you want to think about it a little, or if life happens, don't worry, you'll have 7 days to do it before I post another assignment. You can do this project on your own, with your spouse, or with your friends.

That said, here's the general purpose of the program, and the first assignment.

Finding Joy in the Journey Program - This is a program focussed on preparedness. We all know we need to be physically/temporally prepared (food storage, etc.) but we also need to be spiritually prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.

Week 1 Assignment:

Read Finding Joy in the Journey by Pres. Monson. Ponder and highlight points that inspire you. (If you are doing this with your spouse, or friends, share these points with each other.)

Opt. - Enjoy an Almond Joy candy bar!

Teach Me Tuesday

Today's "teaching moment," while it may not necessarily be a great tute for you, was literally a "teaching moment" for me.

I decided today that I would make some little bean bags for a class that I am going to start teaching, so I got out the fabric, the beans, the scissors, and the sewing machine and started to work when other smaller, less-experienced hands decided that they wanted to help. Ashlynn was too enthusiastic about learning how to sew to say no, so what probably could have taken me 30 minutes to do turned into a 2 hour project...but I think we had fun.

We decided how big we wanted the bean bags to be. I did a little demo for Ashlynn. I showed her where to put the presser foot, how to guide the fabric through the machine, how to do a regular stitch and backstitch, and then how to clip corners and turn the bag, and then set her loose to make 9 more bean bags. I cut out new bean bags as she sewed. There were a few snags along the way, but for the most part, since she was just sewing straight lines, once she got the hang of the machine she did pretty good.

I can remember my grandma teaching me everything about sewing when I was younger...and I'll just say, "She was a better woman than I am!" I definitely like to work at my own speed and do my own thing, so trying to teach Ashlynn to do what I wanted just about drove me nuts! BUT...I'm glad we did it. She had fun, and learned a little (I think.) It's probably an important skill for her to learn. Maybe next time we'll try something a little more complex.

Anyhoo...

For those of you looking for a simple project to do with the kiddos, here's Ashlynn's instructions for making bean bags:

1. Cut out the fabric to the desired size and shape. (We made our 5.5 inches square) Cut 2

2. Pin right sides together.

3. Straight stitch (and backstitch) 3 and a half sides of the bag.

4. Clip the corners.

5. Turn the bag right side out.

6. Fill with beans.

7. Top stitch closed the opening left for the beans.

DONE!!

Good job Ashy!

Monday Mom-blings

With Father's Day fresh on my mind, I thought I would do a quick post on...father's!

Memories of my dad...

I remember sneaking out of my bed late one night, when I was a little girl, trying to catch a glimpse of who dad was talking to at the back door.

I remember dad teaching me how to throw and catch in the back yard. I remember dad trying to hide in the corner of the gym during one of my competitions so that I wouldn't know he was there.

I remember a record that dad got me for my birthday. It was just what I wanted, but because he had to work late I didn't get it until after I had already opened my other gifts and his record was a duplicate. I can still feel how horrible I felt thanking him for the gift, but telling him that I already got it.

I remember my dad trying to teach us kids how to play tennis....I also remember trying to find a good hiding spot when we knew he wanted to take us to play tennis.

I remember dad standing up on the hill watching me run in my track meets.

I remember returning home after a weekend gymnastics trip to dad's oven baked BBQ chicken. I remember sitting with my dad after he and mom were in an arguement.

I remember the disappointment he expressed in himself, and I remember telling him that I loved him.

I remember the pages and pages of math homework corrections that I would wake up to each morning cause dad would stay up after he got home from work and check my homework.

I remember my dad helping with the construction of our new gymnastics facility. Specifically, I remember my coach commenting on how dad "just came" and "worked hard" without question or direction. He just did it.

I remember dad stoically sitting beside me in the car as he was teaching me how to drive.

I know my dad is disappointed in "the father" he thinks he was...but I'm not. He's my dad. He has always done everything he could to provide for our family and give us (as children) every opportunity to grow and excel. Dad's quiet example has taught me many things. He has taught me how to work...and do it without complaint. He has instilled in me the importance of always doing my best and he has shown me how to do what needs to be done simply because it needs to be done...without need for direction or praise. I'm grateful for everything that dad has done for me, and what he continues to do for our family.

In the same respect, I am grateful that I married a man who, in his own way, instills those same values in our children. A man who loves his family, works hard to provide for his family, gives his children as many opportunities to learn and grow as possible, and who loves the Lord.

I suppose that's the difference between a boy and a man. You've heard the saying, "Any man can have a child, but it takes a real man to be a father." It's true. A father is a teacher; a mentor; an example. A father is someone willing to sacrifice his own needs for the needs of his family.

What a lucky girl I am to have such wonderful men in my life!

Wednesday Wisdom

Even Superman Needs A Dad

(Liz Lemon Swindle)

This is one of my favorite pictures, and I think a perfect piece of wisdom for Father's Day. And while I think the picture in and of itself speaks volumes, I think Liz Lemon Swindle's "Story Behind the Art" absolutely says it all....

Driving through a parking lot, I saw a boy and his father coming out of a store. The boy was imagining himself as a mighty hero, but he looked at his father with more admiration than any hero is likely to receive. Right then, I knew I had to paint "Even Superman Needs A Dad."

This father took an interest in everything his son had to say. Every moment seemed magical. While this little boy looked a bit out of place dressed in a Superman cape and red cowboy boots, his father could not have looked prouder. Who was the real Hero? Who was more in awe of whom?

When I look around at the thousands of Supermen who play alone each day it breaks my heart. Looking at these two I remember a wonderful father who took the time to be there for me, who taught me by example what a father should be. -Liz Lemon Swindle

Happy Father's Day to all those wonderful Dad's out there!

Extra

Here's a little extra for you....

So, you know me and my addiction to giveaways...well, I've got another one for you! (Although, if you don't enter then I just have a better chance of winning. LOL!!)

I'm pretty sure there's only a handful of people left in the world that haven't heard of Shelf Reliance, but just in case you're in that handful, Shelf Reliance is a company that specializes in food storage. They have those cool storage shelves for cans...you know the first in, first out storage shelf. They also have a food line where they sell food for food storage (what else??).

Anyhow, somewhere along the line, I got myself signed up to receive their newsletter. I don't recall doing it, but it magically appeared in my inbox one day, so I guess I did. Which...as it turns out, is a good thing.

Today my inbox had a message from Shelf Reliance. Imagine my delight when I opened my mail and saw they were having a giveaway...actually several give aways. They have a new feature on their blog called, "Free on Friday," where they will be offering new giveaways every 2 weeks. The lucky winner's will be announced on...Fridays!

Their first giveaway is for this little beauty....(imagine me doing my best Vanna White impression)

The Harvest 72" is one of their favorite products...and for good reason. It's just so cool! Kenny got me one a couple of years ago for my birthday (Yes, I know what you're thinking..."oh, how romantic," but honestly it's one of my favorite things that he's given me. I'm such a practical person!) and I love it. Let me say that again...I LOVE IT!! It's my goal to fill it up one day. It seems our family eats everything faster than I can fill it up. I could go on...instead, I'll just direct you over to the Shelf Reliance Blog to enter the giveaway yourself. Good Luck!

Oh...and if you win, I'm quite partial to Dove chocolate !! jk!

Tuesday...trial and error??

So, I was trying to think of something to do today.

Last week I made the tote bag out of the fused plastic...this week I thought I'd try out a little scripture bag or something like that with the fused plastic. I've been looking for a pattern to make the bag cause I'm just not that talented of a seamstress to cut out pieces I think should go together and then actually make it look like what I want it to look like. Before I went to BYU, I had grand dreams of becoming a home ec. teacher (go ahead and laugh now.) I went to BYU, took my first pre-req. home ec. class (pattern design), failed miserably, and never took another home ec. class again...too painful! Needless to say, I like patterns!!

Anyhoo...I finally found a pattern. (Yay, me!) But, as I was searching for a pattern, a little idea (probably not incredibly original/unique...but I thought it would be fun to do anyway) popped into my head. You know when you go to church and you bring the BIG BAG full of stuff to keep your kids entertained throughout the meeting, and then you end up lugging the big bag around with you through the rest of the meetings....well, we need a bag especially for kids. We've tried the "every kid bring your own backpack" thing...that just makes more bags for me to carry. (And let me just say that carrying around 5 backpacks full of stuff is not so fun.) So, I was thinking that it needs to be a small, scripture bag size bag, and it should be filled with things that could keep the kids occupied, but also help them think more about the gospel. Kenny, of course, said that there would have to be some sort of snack container in it. Of course! I was thinking, a book about temples, or Christ, or the prophets, or maybe favorite primary songs. Customize it, I guess! It would need a little crayon/marker holder...pens/pencils for the older kids, and a notepad to draw in.

What would you put in it? What would your kids like?
Give me some of your ideas. I'll see what I can come up with, and post it next week.

Oh, and just so that you know that I haven't been completely lazy this past week, Ashlynn and I made some cute little clippies yesterday. It's something I've been meaning to do for a while but kept putting off. Well, yesterday was my neice's b-day, and Ashlynn wanted to make something for her, so we pulled out the ribbon, the alligator clips, some cute little plastic flowers, and the handy-dandy glue gun and went to work. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pics...sorry! But the clippies did turn out really cute. I'm almost positive we'll make some more...and maybe try a few different kinds. Then I'll post a tute on them. Honestly, they're so easy, you probably won't need a tute...just a pic, but I'll post a tute anyhow. I promise!

So...send me your ideas. I'll be waiting!

Friday Favorites

Another week gone by...another Friday favorite coming up:

Today, I'm borrowing a blog idea from a friend...

What is one of the things the kids (grown up kids too) love the most about summer???

The Ice Cream Man!

My poor kids...I'm probably depriving them because they don't get to buy from the ice cream man; they're stuck raiding our freezer, which of course does not have the variety or the yummy goodness of the ice cream man's truck but it has the price that they can afford...Free! LOL!

Well, we're going to limit our conversation to popsicles rather than debate all of the other yummies available out there so....(although, I could do a whole paragraph on those rocket pops (the red white and blue popsicles) alone. Mmmm Mmmm Good...oops, now I'm getting my slogans mixed up!)

So, here's the million dollar question:

What three flavors of classic popsicles would you combine in a bag to make the perfect trio?? (And don't worry about including those nasty banana flavored pops....ewww!)

Me?? Green (love the LIME green ones), Purple (once you go grape, you never go back), Red (cherry-licious!!)

Thursday...Wisdom??

I wasn't able to post any wisdom yesterday because I was at Girl Scout Day Camp doing the girl scout thing! So,today I want to share a couple of thoughts:

1. Yesterday they talked to the girls about kids that are "different." Specifically, kids with disabilities, and I just have to say how impressed I was by one little girl in particular who, after this lesson was given, proceeded to take great care in guiding another young girl with Down's Syndrome through the rest of the days activities. She was so sweet to this other girl. During volleyball, she went and got the ball, gave it to her friend, and cheered as her friend threw the ball over the net. She made sure that she and her "new" friend were on the same team during the tug-o-war even though she knew that team would probably lose. She took her by the hand to each and every activity, not minding the fact that they got to the activity last each time. What a sweet girl! In a world where people are quite often out for themselves, it makes my heart smile to know that there are people like this sweet little girl who are willing to help others!

2. Today, while I was putting off all of the housework that I didn't do yesterday, I found a little blinkie that I thought, had a great saying on it:

Appropriate, since it rained buckets here today, but also because it reminds us that sometimes we just have to keep going in spite of everything!

Tuesday Tute

I'll admit it....

Ashlynn showed me how to do this.

So, if you're looking for an easy peasy lemon squeezy, artsy, craftsy, environmentally friendly, thing-a-ma-bob that even the kids can do...

You've found it!

Background:

Ashlynn went over to a friend's house the other day, and came back with this little project. (Is it sad that my kids have to go over to other people's homes to learn how to do things?) Now, this friend's mom is much, much more creative, and talented than I am in the craft department so her stuff looks a whole lot cuter, but I thought this was a pretty good first try (or 5th or 6th try.) Ashlynn was so smitten by the project that she opted to do them at her birthday party...where, of course, they received rave reviews! So, I'm passing this little gem of a project on to you because, 1. It's easy, and 2. It's cheap.  Can't get much better than that.

Fused Plastic Tote Bags:

You will need:

Several plastic bags (they can be trash bags, grocery bags, etc....anything plastic)

Iron

Parchment Paper/Wax Paper

Sewing Machine (although it's really very minimal sewing!)

Embellishments (flowers, ribbon, buttons, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Take your plastics bags.  Cut the handles (grocery bag) or pull ties (trash bag) off of the bag.  Don't worry about making things even.

2.  You want several layers of plastic to fuse together, so if you're using grocery bags, just layer several bags on top of one another.  If you're using trash bags, you could fold the bags until you have the desired size you want.  I would recommend 6 to 8 layers.

3.  Turn your iron onto a low setting (start on low, but you may have to increase the temp.)

4.  Place a layer of parchment paper on your ironing board.  

5.  Place all the layers of your plastic bag on top of the parchment paper, and then cover it with another layer of parchment paper.

6.  Move the iron over all of the plastic until it is completely fused together.

Bad Fuse:  If you can still separate the layers of plastic (like when you open a trash bag) then the plastic is not completely fused together.  You probably need to turn up the heat on the iron a little bit.

Good Fuse:  None of the layers can be separated.  The plastic will be all crinkly, and have a look similar to wrinkled patent leather.

7.  Once the plastic is completely fused together, it can be cut to the size and shape you want.  For my purposes (and to make it really easy) mine was just a large rectangle.

8.  Fold over and stitch the top edges of your plastic to create a clean edge.

9.  To make things easier, I sewed the decorative ribbon, and ribbon handles on prior to sewing up the sides of my bag.

10.  With right sides together, sew up the sides of the bag.

11.  Trim the seams and clip the corners.

12.  Turn the bag right side out.

13.  Add embellisments.  I used a glue gun to glue on the bow and flowers, but they could also be stitched on.

FYI:

A.  If the iron is too hot, or you don't have enough layers in your plastics, then you will just end up will holes in the plastic bag SO....turn down the iron or add more plastic layers.  

B.  If the the sewing machine stitches don't seem to be holding, then the bag probably isn't completely fused...try sticking in back under the iron to fuse it more.  Just make sure you use your parchment to separate the sides of the bag if it's already sewn together.

C.   Try using different color plastic bags (cut in different shapes, sizes, etc.) to add decoration to your tote...just continue fusing different layers of plastic on until you have the desired look!

There you go.  Have some fun.  Do a little experimenting...and wind up with a cute little tote bag.  I keep thinking that it would be fun to do a little scripture bag with the fused plastic.  Maybe next time!!

Monday Mom-blings

(image, by Kadi Prescott)

Well, we're officially in the second week of our summer break/vacation/holiday?? (not quite sure what to call it anymore...It's not really a holiday, although that's what we used to call it when I was growing up.  Maybe it's a vacation for the kids...and the teachers.  Not so much for me.  I guess that leaves me with "break."  But I always associate "break" with something a little bit more short term...like, for example, a week...definitely not 2 1/2 months.)

Anyhoo....

I think summer and I have a love/hate relationship.  

I love the sunshine and warmth after months of cold!

I hate the allergies that come along with the warmer weather.

I love looking at the beautiful flowers.

I hate pulling weeds!

I love NOT having to be up early to get the kids off to school.

I hate not having a real schedule/routine.  (I suppose I could make up a schedule/routine for us, but hey! it's summer...who wants to do that??  I'll probably just continue lamenting the fact that we need more structure, because I just really don't want to do anything about it.  *Big Sigh*)

I love later nights for everyone.

I hate the grumpy morning that result from them.

I love seeing all the kids out playing with each other...riding bikes, water fights, neighborhood football games, laughter, etc.

BUT not at 7 AM.

I love a summer rain storm.

I hate that it cancels our baseball games!

I love that it's warm enough to swim and boat (occasionally).

I hate that it's Kenny's busy season, so we see less of him.

I love fresh peaches in August!

I hate watermelon.  (I know, watermelon is quintessential summer!  My kids keep telling me to try it and maybe I'll like it.  I keep telling them that I try it once a year thinking that maybe something has changed from the previous year, but it doesn't, and I still don't like it...sorry!)

I love short sleeves, capris, shorts, flip-flops.

I hate sunscreen.  (I always have...It's just something about how it feels on my hands, and I really don't like putting it on other people.  Weird huh??)

I love BBQ's!

I hate mosquitoes!...and flies, and grasshoppers...especially grasshoppers! (Notice I did not say spiders.  I don't mind them...as long as they're not in my house!)

As I write this list, I can't help thinking that I really sound like a complainer!  Yikes!  Not exactly what I was going for in this post.  Truly, I love summer.  The "hates", in actuality, are just minor annoyances that I'm happy to put up with for summer......ahhhhhhh!!!

So how about you?  How's your summer going?  What do you love/hate about summer?

Excuses....

It's been one of those weeks!

Physicals (2 1/2 HOURS at the doctor for 1 kid...does that seem a little ridiculous to anyone besides myself??),

A mountain of laundry (I'm not just talking a little mountain...not even just Mt. Everest...I'm talking the entire Himalayan Mountain Range),

Weeding...and hopefully in the next couple of days planting flowers,

Haircuts,

Basement,

Birthday Party (well technically that's tomorrow, but I'll count it anyhow).

Not to mention...

Just having the kids home 24/7 has thrown me off my game,

And finally...

I downloaded a virus on my computer (dumb computer virus writing geeks!!  Rrrrrr!),

BUT...

I'm still here, and one of these days I'll manage to write a post worthy of reading!!