Monday, March 31, 2014

Spring Break trip! (Part One)

We had a wonderful Spring Break trip last week. We went to the "big city" to visit family and to see some sights. It was nice to see some things we've never seen before. Since the kids are older, they are able to enjoy more things than they used to. Even though we have family there, we don't always get out to see things. It was nice to have time to visit and time to be tourists, too.

The first full day we were there, we decided to devote to the Art Museum. We'd never been there, and our family members have been there within the past few months. It was a good one to see just the six of us. I'd never been there, as well as the kids. Joshua had been there many years ago. It is over 7 floors of art, so we had a lot to see and did not see it all! We'll have to go back again sometime. The first set of pictures are from the ART museum.
 Caleb's Chinese kimono that he colored...
 Rebekah working on one too...
 Daddy helped Bethany...
 I helped Mallory...
 Her completed work of art!
 This was (and still is) my favorite piece of art there. I went back to view it three times. I love the girls sitting together, being sisters and relaxing. I can't remember the artist (it begins with a B...) but just loved the detail and simplicity.
 Mallory, my little crafter liked the textiles room where she could stitch! I liked it too... (and it was nice to rest since my feet were hurting...)
 Our family made postcards with stamps and colored pencils outside the American Western exhibit.
 We really took over the tables!
My sister-in-law had told us about the "Little Foxes" exhibit. We made sure to check it out and found it to be striking! All of the tables, dishes, silverware, plates, bowls and chairs were bright RED! Then there were about 25 fox sculptures which were gray around the exhibit. Very cool. The red almost hurt your eyes!

That was just day ONE!

We did a lot of relaxing on the weekend, but we did have another birthday party for our oldest daughter, combined with her two cousins (who also have Spring birthdays).  We went to a park with the kids (little monkeys!) and attended our niece's baptism too.
 The kids were watching cartoons together snuggled on the couch on Saturday morning. We missed them. <3 p="">
 Silly girl wearing TWO hats! A fun patterned hat and a party hat!
 Our niece grinning in her party hat...
 Rebekah likes her new sweatshirt!
 The baptism at my sister's church...
 Mallory holding baby Anna (wearing MY christening gown that my sister and daughter Rebekah also wore!)
 My brother holding my niece...
 Girls enjoying the baby!
They had this cool spinning wheel at the park, and the three older girls loved it!

My Mal-Mal worked so hard to get up on top of that bar at the park!

 That is the first few days... there will be another post with more pictures and fun!

Luke 2:42-44

When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.

Acts 7:12-14

 When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit. On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family. After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

American Girl class: Josefina #2: Week 2

We had a great Josefina class this week!

After discussing Josefina Learns a Lesson, (book 2), we began our craft of waist pouches. Josefina wore a waist pouch in the first book and put flowers inside it. For the craft, I gave each girl a piece of imitation leather (or just regular brown) fabric measuring 16 X 6 inches. I cut one end into a point by measuring down three inches and making a point on the short end. I punched five holes onto each side of the fabric when it was folded (ten unfolded). The straight short end was folded to meet the edge before the point (see photo below). Then I gave each girl a one yard piece of tan twine or jute to sew the sides together. I also gave them one piece of tan yarn to make the belts. The two top holes that match up are for tying on the belt.

The girls had the fabric folded and used the twine to sew up the sides. Then they added the belt. We looped a piece of twine through a hole punched in the triangle. On that twine the girls added three beads to decorate it and help hold it closed. It was not very hard for most of the girls, the knot-tying was the hardest. I loved seeing the girls wearing them! When I asked what they could put in it, one girl said, "A lemon!" LOL

 After we finished the waist pouch, we had tortillas with goat cheese for snack. The girls mostly liked the goat cheese, I was surprised. It tasted a lot like cream cheese to me. In the 2:00 class we also had salsa in the tortilla. Yum!
 We worked on our cardboard loom weaving again too. The girls were happy to work on them!
 The 2:00 class...

 Rolling up snack...
 Tying knots...
This mom was serving the snack. I am so thankful for my mom helpers who make my job easier! The girls enjoy learning from them too! 

We discussed some spanish words. I wrote them on a small white board, and the girls guessed what they were. Everything I wrote was something to wear. The girls had a fun time guessing what "zapatos" and "pantalones" were! (Shoes and pants)

We will have no class next week for Spring Break. Then we only have FOUR weeks left of class! We are really enjoying Josefina. I love working with these girls, and I will miss them next week!

I hope I wasn't in a fog too much during class this week. I am taking medicine for my allergies which makes me very sleepy. I tried to ignore it, but I hope I didn't seem air headed or like I was ignoring anyone!
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Genesis 42:35
As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. (From the story of Joseph and his brothers)

1 Samuel 17:40
Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. (From the story of David and Goliath)

Isaiah 11:5
Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

Ephesians 6:13-15
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: Rebekah's 15th Birthday!

We had a very fun weekend celebrating our oldest daughter Rebekah's 15th birthday! She had several friends for a sleepover at our home on Friday night. The girls watched a movie, talked late, and had lots of fun together! Saturday morning, they even watched cartoons together.
 On Sunday evening, Rebekah decided to show a testimony of her faith in Jesus Christ by being baptized at our church. My husband and I were baptized in the same pool by the same pastor in 1997! It was a very neat experience for us, and we are proud and excited for her as she grows in her faith! What a great decision! What a blessing she is to us!

 Rebekah's actual birthday was Monday, and she got a few gifts at breakfast. One gift was a t-shirt from the Christian concert we went to recently by Francesca Battistelli. I may have to borrow the shirt!

 We had cupcakes for dessert with family at a small family party that evening. She opened a few gifts then too!
 New headphones...
 A blue dress...
 A new book!
 New sunglasses from her brother and sisters!
 A new iPhone from Mom and Dad! It was a big decision for us to give her this, but she has proved herself to be responsible and trustworthy. She was SUPER excited!
 Blowing out the candles... Happy 15th birthday, Rebekah! We love you lots! (And how can she be 15?! Seems so old to me...? She's still my baby!)


Exodus 12:14
“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance.  (I know her birthday is not a festival, but it is something we celebrate each year!)

Psalm 89:16
They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness.

Psalm 127:3
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.

Friday, March 14, 2014

American Girl class: Josefina Time #2- Week 1

This week is American Girl class we started to discuss Josefina! We discussed the first book in the Josefina series, Meet Josefina. My daughter and I enjoyed the book together! After the book discussion, we began our first craft.

The craft for this week was a rebozo shawl. In Josefina's day, these shawls were used in lots of various ways, i.e. for warmth, to shield from sun, rain and wind, to carry eggs or even a baby. They would wrap them around their waist or arms. I gave each of the girls a piece of woven (very important that it is not printed!) fabric. The fabric I gave each girl was 2 yards long by 22 inches wide. This was the perfect size for an 8 year old girl. After they got their piece of fabric, I gave each girl a straight pin to make fringe on both short ends of the fabric. They just pulled one strand off the fabric at a time. Some of the younger girls had a hard time with it. But they did well! After they pulled off lots of strands to make fringe, they could even braid the fringe!

After that craft, we had corn tortillas for snack. Both of the moms made them at home, and they were delicious! We put butter and salt or butter and cinnamon sugar on them-- yum! We found the recipe online here. The snack was a little bland but most of the girls enjoyed it.

After snack, we began our on-going craft for the next six weeks. I gave each of the girls a cardboard loom and yarn. We will be weaving on a small scale-- it's fun! This is a great website all about weaving, (Found under the heading "Weaving tips for Elementary" and "Now here is what the children do.")
I made the cardboard looms 6 x 6" square, and I cut slits across one end (with the grain of the corrugated cardboard). Then I threaded two different colors of crochet thread through the slits. This will make it easier (esp. for the younger girls) to thread through the warp threads with their weft threads (weft threads go right and weft, haha!) I also brought popsicle sticks for them to push up on the yarn after they threaded it through the crochet threads.
 I love their individual patterns and color preferences. I'm looking forward to how their projects will turn out in the next five weeks!

 The 2:00 class...
 Working on rebezos...
 Working on weaving... You can see the snack too! I love that this girl is already wearing her shawl!

I am looking forward to discussing Josefina more in the next several weeks! 


Exodus 28:39
“Weave the tunic of fine linen and make the turban of fine linen. The sash is to be the work of an embroiderer.

Exodus 35:35
He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.

Isaiah 38:12
Like a shepherd’s tent my house has been pulled down and taken from me. Like a weaver I have rolled up my life, and he has cut me off from the loom; day and night you made an end of me.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Music Monday: "Run"

This song is one that my oldest daughter and I heard at a recent Sanctus Real concert, and I really enjoyed the lyrics. I liked the verse when it talks about not losing heart when you feel low, and that you're not on your own. God is always with us, and it is so easy to forget in this busy, crazy world. We need to run to God, and rest in His arms of love. He is our true source for everything-- hope, help, strength and love. Run to Him, He is there, waiting for YOU with open arms.


"Run" by Sanctus Real

Wake up, oh my soul
You've been sleeping far too long
So wake up, oh my soul

Stand up and be known
You've been hiding far too long
Just stand up and be known

You gotta run, run, run into the arms
You gotta run, run, run into the arms
You gotta run, run, run into the arms of love

There's only one way to find your help
One place to lose yourself
One way to find your help

So reach out for your hope
Let these arms hold you close
Reach out for your hope

You gotta run, run, run into the arms
You gotta run, run, run into the arms
You gotta run, run, run into the arms of love

You gotta run, run, run into the arms
You gotta run, run, run into the arms
You gotta run, run, run into the arms of love

Don't lose heart when you're feeling low
When the road looks long and you don't know
If you have the strength to make it home
You're not on your own

Don't lose heart when you're feeling low
When the road looks long and you don't know
If you have the strength to make it home
You're not on your own

You're not on your own

You gotta run, run, run into the arms
You gotta run, run, run into the arms
You gotta run, run, run into the arms of love

You gotta run, run, run into the arms
You gotta run, run, run into the arms
You gotta run, run, run into the arms of love

Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/sanctus-real/run-lyrics/#GrU2rqkruwg9tvIO.99


You can listen to this song on YouTube here. It is the same video that they sang along to during the concert, and they opened with this song! It was loud and incredible!
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1 Kings 8:57
May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us.

2 Corinthians 4:15-17
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Gluten- free cornbread/muffins

So the past two weeks I have been trying a gluten-free diet. There is an older woman in our church that has gluten-free for a long time, and she put some great recipes in our most recent church cookbook. We have been trying some of her recipes and have found they are great! Here are a few below...

Gluten-Free Flour for a baking mix
1 c. white rice flour
2/3 cup potato starch flour
1/4 cup tapioca flour

Combine all flours and sift at least 3 times to blend them well. Make 2 or 3 batches (I did 4) and store in an airtight container for future use. This is one of many combinations of different types of flours.

Note: Xanthan gum or gar gum is essential to all gluten free baking. Cakes, cookies, etc.,

*I quadrupled this recipe so that I didn't have several bags sitting around my pantry. My friend said she substitutes this flour recipe for any recipe that includes flour.

Perfect Cornbread
1 cup Gluten Free baking mix
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup cornmeal
1 tsp xanthan gum
1/4 cup sugar
4 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup oil

Sift together baking mix, salt, cornmeal, xanthan gum, sugar and baking powder. Combine eggs, milk and oil. Add to dry mixture. Mix well. Add a little more milk if too thick (mine was not thick at all!) Bake in an 8 X 8-inch pan or muffin pan. Bake at 425 for 20 to 25 minutes.We loved it-- very corn-y!


Quick and Easy Muffins
1/4 c sugar
2 Tbsp Crisco
2 eggs
1 cup Gluten Free baking mix
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla

Cream sugar and Crisco, then add eggs. Sift together baking mix, salt, xanthan gum and baking powder. Add to the creamed mix, alternating with milk and vanilla. If you think it's too thick, add a little milk. I suggest you add 1/2 cup of blueberries. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes in muffin pan or 8 X 8-inch pan.

Have you ever gone gluten-free? Do you have any good recipes that you've found? I'd love to hear about them! Let me know if you try the recipes above and what you think of them!
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Deuteronomy 9:9
When I went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the Lord had made with you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water.

John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 6:51
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
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