Another giveaway!

Another giveaway posted on my friend Julie's blog. Check it out for your chance to win! Contest ends at midnight on Sunday, so hurry over there!!!

Great giveaway

Check out this great giveaway! Gourmet Mom on-the-go is giving away an Ipad!!!

Half the Dad

As some of you already know, when Ski and I got married, I had 3 children by my side ages 4, 3 & 2 years old. He stepped in and loved those children as if they were his own flesh and blood. We first lived in North Dakota with most of Ski's family and they all took these children and loved them just the same as their own grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins. The kids always knew they had 2 dads, because we never tried to hide that fact from them. Their biological dad just wasn't a big presence in their lives. Ski took on the responsibility of raising these children which included financially, mentally and physically. He has done a wonderful job and I am very thankful for him!!

It has now been almost 9 years later, the kids are now 13, 12 and almost 11 years old, and the kids biological dad has recently become a bigger part in the kids lives. This Father's Day will be the first year that the kids will be able to spend Father's Day with both of their dad's. However, this will be the last Father's Day until further notice, that the 3 oldest kids will be with us on this special day. I am glad the kids are getting to know their biological father, but as a mother who watched a very special man take her children under his wings and love them as his own, I feel a little heartbroken for this man. I want Ski to know how much I love him and thank him for all he has invested in the lives of Caleb, Austin & Alana. This song is a dedication to you, my love, Stephen John Sikorski!

He is risen!!!

~Easter Story Cookies~


This is a great recipe to teach your Children the REAL story of Easter. Teach them that the
Lord Jesus Christ our Savior is not dead but He has Risen. You could even sing this chorus
while you make the cookies. "We serve a Risen Savior. He's in the World today."




This activity can be done as a "family" or for Sunday School.


So Grab your Apron and Let's Get Started!!!!!!!


You will need:

1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible


Instructions:
These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.
*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).
Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children 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


Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar
to drink. Read: John 19:28-30


Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life
to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11


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 sin. Read: Luke 23:27


So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup 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 and John 3:16



Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 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 and John 3:1-3


Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read: Matthew 27:57-60


Put 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


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&22


On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked
surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed
to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9

Because that's what we do!

"Mommy, where are you putting that?" asks Sarah Joy, age 3.

"Over there." replies Mommy, age nunya!

"Mommy, why are you moving that?" asks Sarah Joy again.

"Because that's what Mommy's do!" replies Mommy while chuckling!

Some of you know exactly what I am talking about and you also rearrange often!

When I have too much to do, I escape from everything I should be doing by rearranging! :)

This was my project today......the dress up dept.

Here is the before picture. It was all in a box stuffed on top of the girl's closet. Not very practical for the little ones to be able to play, huh?

This is during! Yikes!

Here is the after. The smaller dress up is all hanging in the little shelf thing I had stuck in my storage room, holding paint cans! The bigger dress up for the older kids is hanging in the closet. On the floor to the right is all the wigs and hats. On top is baskets of shoes, purses, crowns, accessories and jewelry.

What good is dress up without a place to have a tea party?I really didn't want to put the dresser in front of one of the windows, but I couldn't come up with a better solution! Any suggestions are welcome! :) Still need to paint the walls and the dresser. One project at a time I keep telling myself, although I don't always listen. The paint will just have to wait for another day when I have more things to do than I have time to do them!

Warmth

I wanted to send some warmth to all of you

who have been having so much snow and cold lately!

I'm hoping this makes you feel all warm and cozy!!

And also something to warm your soul:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life!

I hope you are all getting ready for valentine's day.

It is a day to show those you love a little extra attention!

P.S. guys.......don't forget your Mom's!!! :)

Speechless Saturday

Our not-so-snowy snow day

Well, because we live in Tennessee and the meteorologist said we "might" get some snow, the school superintendent decided to close the schools. So, here we are on a wonderful Friday enjoying our not-so-snowy snow day.

However, just because school closes, doesn't mean work doesn't. Since people still have to go to work, then so must I, since I am their babysitter!

Just for today, we are pretending to be the Duggars!

We are having a great day enjoying pretend school and Austin is making some fabulous banana muffins that I saw over at Julie's blog. We will keep you posted if we see any snow! Until next time, may the Lord bless your family as much as He has blessed mine! Remember, the best inheritance a parent can leave their children is a few minutes of their time each day.

ANOTHER give-a-way

My friend, Julie, has another give-a-way on her blog.

This one is awesome and I know everyone reading this will love it!

Go to her blog to find out what it is and to enter to win!!!

Then, as always, leave me a comment saying you entered the contest! :0)

Another give-a-way

So have I told you lately how much I love give-a-ways?

I just told you about my friend, Julie's blog, who is having a give-a-way, ending January 21st @ midnight. Well, Julie's sister is also having a give-a-way. You will have to check out her blog to see what fantastic things you have to choose from over there! Her contest ends on Monday, so hurry and tell all your friends! Then leave me a comment saying you entered the contest! :)

Give-a-way

Just wanted to encourage all of my faithful readers and anyone else who happened to find my blog, to hop over to my friend, Julie's blog and enter to win one of these darling pieces by the ever-classic and chic Le Creuset. Be sure to leave me a comment if you entered Julie's contest! :)

Caleb's birthday basketball game!!

Here are some highlights from the past 13 years. I still remember the day Caleb was born as if it was yesterday. I can't believe he is a teenager already! I love you Caleb and am so thankful that God gave you to us!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,

Happy 13th birthday Caleb!!

Some highlights since Caleb's last birthday.