Tuesday, July 29, 2014

The Color Dash!

This past weekend I did something I've never done... compete in a 5K! Ok, well it wasn't really a competition... and I didn't run, I walked almost the whole way. But it was a great experience!

I'm not into exercise a lot... my parents both try NOT to sweat as much as they can. I grew up that way somewhat too... but I did sweat during this race! It felt good to exert myself and meet the goal of completing the race.
This race was called the Color Dash, and it was fun because race officials threw colored powder on us as we ran/ walked by. They gave us temporary tattoos, and my 7-year-old saw it and saw, "Mom, nice ink!' (Where did she hear that?! I really don't know...)
 This is my hubby and me after we arrived to the race, in our nice, new, clean shirts...
More pre-race pics... after we threw powder on each other, and a few others did too...

 The race began, and we had to do two laps around the park...
 I followed this fireman for a while... I kept thinking that I was glad that I didn't have to wear all that gear... he must've been really sweating!
 Here's me during the race... proof I really did it...
It's hard to see in this picture, but there are tiny runners WAY on the other side of the park!

 Post-race pictures... my hubby showing the powder on his arms...
 After everyone had completed the race, they had a color explosion where everyone threw their remaining color... I didn't like that part... (cough, cough...)

 My hubby got this cool pic during the color explosion...

On the way home, reflecting on it all... so happy that I finished! I did it! What a great accomplishment for little ole me!



Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. 

1 Corinthians 9:24
[ The Need for Self-Discipline ] Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Summer Crafts

We have been busy this summer with baseball, swim lessons, family visits and more. But summer is one of my favorite times for crafting! Since we don't homeschool in the summer, I usually have a little more time to craft. I love to craft and be creative!
 This is the same wreath that we made at MOPS this past year. I found some fun garland at a sale after the 4th of July and added it to the ribbon. I love it!
 I found this clay cross at Michael's and painted it. I tried to match the colors of our house. It is simple, but I like it. I did glue some felt to the back, so hopefully it won't break when it gets windy.

 This past Monday, we went to Michael's because they had their t-shirts on sale this week. (3 for $9) We made Bethany and Caleb's to be "lego" shirts, from this Pinterest idea. They are kinda fun. We like to decorate shirts during the summer! (I think they were trying to be lego guys...)
Mallory decided that she wanted a purple shirt made into a dress. We got this idea from Family Fun magazine. We trimmed it into an A type of dress, sewed the side seams and she has a new dress! We stamped the pink flowers on it too.
Another Pinterest idea that I liked was the pen holder bookmark. Mine did not turn out perfect, and I may need to do it again, but I learned a bit while I did it! It will be nice to have a pen attached to my journal now! It was pretty easy to make, and only took me about 1/2 hour.

What about you? Have you done any crafts this summer? I'd love to hear about them!


Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

Acts 5:30
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.

1 Timothy 2:9-10
I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

The County Fair!

Last week, our daughter Rebekah entered a photograph into the county fair. She won third place! It was the first year that she had entered, and she was excited to win anything! Her lovely photo was of yellow tulips from our front yard this past Spring. Here is her photo:

 When we were there to see the photo, we walked around and saw the animals too. Caleb got to run around with some goats!
 We really liked the pattern on this big pig. There was another that looked like it had scallops!
 Mallory loved petting all of the animals that she could. Here she is petting a baby cow. So soft!
 Mallory loved seeing the rabbits, and took several photos of them...

 Rebekah worked at the Good News Club booth, to recruit kids to the club during the school year. She has worked in the club with our local elementary school for the past few years.
I saw several cakes and craft entries by some of the girls in my American Girl classes. Here is a flag cake made by one of the 9-year-old girls. Great job!

Have you been to your county fair lately? What did you enjoy about it?


Genesis 1:24
And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so.

Exodus 12:12
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord.

Mark 1:12-14
At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness,  and he (Jesus) was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Food Friday: Guacamole!

Summertime is so great because there are so many ripe veggies and fruit in the produce section! One of our favorite summer recipes is Guacamole. It really is so easy to make, you just need avocados, cilantro and tomatoes! Our tomatoes are not ripe yet in the garden, but this will probably come into use again when they are! 

Joshua's sister Allison has a great, simple recipe for guac that we make. I use it every time we make guac for tacos! My other sister-in-law has posted this recipe on her blog here. But I wanted to post it again so it is easier to find, and to share it!
Allison's Guacamole

Ingredients:
2-3 ripe* avocados
2-3 tomatoes
Juice of one lime
Fresh chives or green onions
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and Pepper

TIP: *A ripe avocado will be firm to the touch ... but not hard like a rock.  Avoid anything soft, because that usually indicates that it is bruised.  I like to buy my avocados a few days before I need them and let them ripen a bit on the counter.  Of course, you can never be sure until you cut into it ... I guess it's a bit of a gamble.  

To prepare the avocado, cut it in half by running your knife around the outside from the top to the bottom and back up.  Twist the two halves in opposite directions and you will end up with one side with the pit and the other without.  Lay the side with the pit on the cutting board and carefully tap the knife blade into the pit.  Turn the knife 90 degrees and the pit will come out.  Next, cut through the avocado. Then hold the avocado over the serving bowl and press your thumbs against the skin.  The green, yummy goodness will peel away from the skin and you can scrap it into the bowl.  Repeat with each avocado.

Add the chopped tomatoes, chopped chives or green onions, garlic and lime juice.  Mix well.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Daniel 1:11-13
Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”

Daniel 1:15-17
At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Bethany's BIG haircut!

Our daughter Bethany was ready for a big change with her hair, ready to be done with the daily untangling of her locks. We measured it several times, and decided she was ready to donate it to Locks of Love! Her older sisters have done this several times, and we were happy to have her join the ranks of her sisters! (You can see a post about them here.)
 Before... check out that long mane!

All done!
 Super cute on our Bethy!
 Showing off the cut at home...
 SO much cooler for summer!
 Look at that ponytail! Some other child will be happy to get her pretty hair!
How it is normally... under a hat! 

It has been a great change, so easy to take care of and brush. She needs less shampoo and conditioner too...


Matthew 10:29-31
" Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

1 Peter 3:3-4
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight."

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: Independence Day 2014

Here are a few highlights from our visit with family and time away from home for several days.
Nana watering her "flowers"... they needed water to grow and keep cool...
Captain America shirts on my hubby, Bethany and Auntie Allie!
The beautiful mountains...
I love the small town parade...
Our family friends' float...
Tractor in the parade... lol!
Seeing great friends in the park...
Wheelbarrow races in the park!
The boy cousins doing the wheelbarrow race... they almost won! (in front in the red hat/ dk blue shirt)
Our youngest doing the sack race... she got slower and slower...

It was a very fun day! We went back to Nana's for dinner, and went to a park for fireworks. Auntie Allie bought the kids cool glow-in-the-dark bracelets, necklaces and even balloons that glowed! We loved the time together with family!


Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

Romans 13:7
Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Caleb's All-Star summer baseball

Our 11 year-old son Caleb just finished his All-Star baseball season. This was his 2nd year being an All-Star and he learned a lot! Their team did very well, but did not make it to state this year (They did last year.) But they battled for it! They played 6 nights in a row, and lost to the same team twice. They were tough! Caleb had a great time being with older boys-- they were all 12 & under. He was the only "under" being 11. But he held his own and played very well!
 Showing off his uniform and his new white pants...

 Lining up for the national anthem...
 My boy got to pitch one half of a game, and he did awesome! He got to throw his knuckleball a few times, and really liked seeing batters swing at it. :-D I was pleased with that picture-- it's hard to catch his wind-up!
 His team warmed up every day for an hour and a half-- lots of good practice for him!
 After their final loss, they did get 2nd place pins. It was sad that baseball is over for a while... they really wanted to win and go to state!
 The final huddle, "Go Monument!"
The team all together one last time. I'm sure we'll see some of these boys around next year, maybe even this fall in fall ball! Their coaches were great!


1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God..
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