Monday, March 28, 2016

Rebekah's 17th birthday!

Our oldest daughter Rebekah recently had her 17th birthday! We had a small gift opening time on her birthday, and then we had a party on the weekend. We had mostly family for that party, she will have a sleepover with girlfriends this week (over Spring Break.) We are so thankful for her and the blessing that she is to our family! She is growing up! (And my mommy heart is not so sure this is ok!)
 Opening her new fun skirt from Nana, along with some other clothes...
 A pretty green necklace from my friend...
 Nana helped frost the cupcakes that we brought to youth group that night!
 Her fun GOLDEN birthday banner...
 Her tray of cupcakes at her party...
 She got a cool Broncos sweatshirt from Uncle Mike, and she loves it!
 My cousin helped me get her a Seattle Seahawks jersey and she loved it! (It was on her wish list...)
Happy birthday to you, our dear Rebekah! What a beauty she is, inside and out!


Psalm 27:4
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

1 Peter 1:7
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

American Girl class: Julie week 3 (time #2)

This week in our American Girl class, we discussed Happy New Year, Julie!, the third book in the Julie series. After we reviewed the book, we discussed the Chinese New Year that Julie shared with Ivy. I was bummed because I forgot my phone in the car during the first class, so I didn't get any pictures! OOPS! I did get some of the 2:00 class though... Sorry!

Our Craft this week was "God’s Eyes", which they discussed on page 6. The best directions I found online here. I gave each girl two craft sticks and two lengths of yarn that were about 6 yards long each. After we glued the sticks into an X, we started winding the yarn in the pattern for the god's eye. The girls liked this craft and thought it was hard at first. Once they got the hang of it, it went quickly! The toughest part was figuring out how to tie the hanger and knot at the end.
 I'm so thankful for my mom helpers in each class and their patience! I couldn't do some crafts without their extra help! We talked about how we made God's eyes too when we were kids! Since it is not Christmas time, we told the girls they could hang them in their bedroom, a window or give them as a gift!

 We also made Red Envelopes out of Origami paper. I used directions found online here. I printed money on my home printer so they could each have a "dollar" to put inside the envelope just like Ivy in our book. I found the printable money here.
 Folding the envelopes... the girls agreed that this origami folding was much easier than the origami crane we made a few weeks ago!
 These are my fortunes from my cookies... not so much fortunes as truths or idioms...
 This is my example of a god's eye. The girls' crafts all turned out well!

It was another fun class, only three more weeks of Julie left! But we have NO class next week, for Spring Break!

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.

Deuteronomy 11:12
It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.

Isaiah 49:5
And now the Lord says— he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength—

Thursday, March 17, 2016

American Girl: Julie week 2 (time #2)

We had another great class day discussing Julie! The book we read and discussed this week was Julie Tells Her Story, the 2nd book in the Julie series. After we reviewed the book, we also discussed President Richard Nixon, and I gave the girls a word search found here. I read from a book a Presidents page about Richard Nixon. 

I gave each of the girls a bandana to put on their heads as a Head Kerchief. I had picked up a fun variety at Hobby Lobby. Several of the girls wore them right away! Such 70's style!


 Then we dove into our craft for this week which was Macrame Keychains. I got directions (below) on how to make this craft from a YouTube video you can find here. I watched the video three times, and it really helped me get the hang of this craft which I had never done before. Several of the moms and I talked about remembering macramé plant hangers and necklaces. I am by no means an expert at macramé but the video was a huge help and I am so glad I took the time to watch it! If your daughter hasn't finished her macramé, click on the above link and it will help!

Macrame directions from YouTube video 

Supplies needed: cord/ twine/ yarn; larger hole beads, keychain ring, foam board with quilting pins on top and bottom, scissors (Note: I also brought a lighter to keep ends of the cord from fraying, pen tops to push beads through the holes, packing tape to hold cord down, and a few clipboards--which helped the younger girls!)

Directions:
1. Cut two pieces of cord/ twine- one two feet long, one four feet long. Fold longer pieces in half so all four ends meet. Make a slip knot (loop) onto the keychain ring, pull tight.

2. Take the two smaller pieces to macrame on and tack to bottom of board/ table (tape?/ pin). This makes two middle pieces tight to macrame around. Will do alternating knot to give flat effect.

3. To begin, put right longer piece over middle, end on left side. Place right piece on top, the end under the middle 2 strands and through loop. Pull knot tight to top.

4. Alternate sides to make flat with same knot. Do that for 5-6 stitches, attach one bead. (Loop is the one you need to start. If you do wrong side, will start to twist.) Take off bottom, string a bead onto both pieces. Then secure bottom strands again. Macrame again, alternating sides, for 5-6 more stitches, then attach another bead. 


(Different version is to not alternate sides but keep same side, then it is twisty. Can make a bracelet by making a knot with a loop, secure to pins, macrame your bracelet with beads, then knot again, put through loop on other end and secure to wrist.)

5. To finish after the three beads on keychain, make a knot at the end of all four strands, push up to end of macrame knot, trim off ends. There you have your keychain!

This is a fun project for children, easy to make as gifts for parents for holidays or birthdays. Can find vintage beads, with faces on them (or paint) make for # of children in family. Enjoy this fun and easy project!
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 My daughter and several other girls thought it was hard, but once they figured it out, it was easy! It took some girls 20 minutes to make, others closer to 30, depending on how quickly they figured it out.

The 2:00 class working on their macrame... the girls did an excellent job at macrame!



Working on the word search puzzle...

The snack we ate was Tuna Noodle Casserole. Some of the girls liked Tuna fish and some didn't, but most everyone tried it!

It was an enjoyable class!

Ecclesiastes 4:12
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. 

Esther 1:6
The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones.

Hosea 11:4
I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

American Girl class: Julie week 1 (time #2)

American Girl class: Julie week 1

We had a great class this week talking about Julie! We reviewed the first book in the Julie series, Meet Julie. After we discussed the book, I played the Rod Stewart song “Gladrags and Handbags" (Click here for the lyrics). Then I  showed a few items from the 1970’s-- bandana skirt, mood ring, denim purse, bangle bracelets, lava lamp, macrame keychain, leather purse, VW bug (Punch bug), and a bag with love and peace on it, etc., I couldn't find a lava lamp (we used to own one) and wished I had more!

We had a fun craft time this week! We had two crafts: a Fuzzy Foot Rug with fake fur as shown on p.10 of the book. We also made Pet Rocks with Sharpie markers and rocks from my backyard! 

For the rug, I bought some fuzzy pink fur at Hobby Lobby, and some white rug fabric at Jo-Ann's crafts. It shed a LOT when it was cut, so that was interesting cutting it in our class! There was pink & white fur bits all over the carpet and our clothes! I was thankful that we found a vacuum after class to use in our room. It needed it! For the foot pattern, I looked at Jamin's blog and made my own template using a poster board. I had two tracers, and the pieces of pink/ white fur were kinda big, so I had the class split into two groups/ tables. Then I had one group make pet rocks while the other traced and cut their rugs. It worked well, and the girls were tickled pink to have a rug for their room just like Julie's!
  Coloring their pet rocks...
  Tracing and cutting foot rugs...
 For snack, we had Zucchini bread and we discussed why it was popular in the 1970’s. During WWII when people planted Victory Gardens, everyone realized how easy Zucchini is to grow. As time passed people became more and more creative with the recipes they developed to cook the zucchini. In the late 60's early 70's as women started entering the work force they were looking for easy and nutritious recipes. Zucchini bread, carrot bread and banana bread were thought to be healthy breads/desserts since there was not icing. And it was much easier to make than yeast breads that had to be kneaded and raised. Kinda interesting!


  A groovy, cute rock!
 Some of the girls were going to keep the scraps to make a little rug for their dolls!

The 2:00 class...
 The rug measures about 15" X 28"...


I had fun getting dressed up in a groovy way with a head scarf and jewelry for my class this week!


They set the tables, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink! Get up, you officers, oil the shields!

In your marketplace they traded with you beautiful garments, blue fabric, embroidered work and multicolored rugs with cords twisted and tightly knotted.
Psalm 78:15
He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas;

Monday, March 7, 2016

Music Monday: "Good Day"

A friend and I were recently chatting about our kids, and how they exaggerate so much. It is all or nothing in many situations with kids. "I'm NEVER going to stop sucking my thumb!" or "This is the WORST day EVER!" or "Feels like we are NEVER going to get there!" We were laughing about the worst day ever because my son used to say that all the time, and hers is saying it now, especially after he gets in trouble. My son would say that phrase when anything didn't go his way. We had a chat about how one event doesn't have to ruin your whole day. The day can be redeemed by working to make it better, keeping on trying, not to let one thing turn the whole day into a horrible day. It helped, he doesn't say it very often anymore, but he has grown a lot since then. 

I recently got Natalie Grant's new CD and really appreciate this song, "Good Day". I really like the phrase, " I know whatever's gonna come my way, You're here with me and it's going to be a good day..."  Isn't that how life is? God is always with us, no matter what comes our way, we can depend on Him! I hope you enjoy this upbeat song as much as I do!


"Good Day"
Happiness is temporary
It’s here and gone in a flash of light
Troubles come without a warning
To turn the day into the night

Ohhh, when everything is changing
Ohhh, the truth is still the same
Ohhh, and I know that no one can
Ever steal it away

I’m gonna dance to the beat of amazing grace
Gonna hold to the promise that You made
And I know whatever’s gonna come my way
You’re here with me and it’s going to be a good day
it’s going to be a good day, a good day

Fear can be so, so convincing
But I will keep my eyes on You
In every moment help me remember
That You always will bring me through
Ohhh, ‘cause You’re forever faithful
Ohhh, the Truth is still the same
Ohhh, and I know that no one can
Ever steal it away

I’m gonna dance to the beat of amazing grace
Gonna hold to the promise that You made
And I know whatever’s gonna come my way
You’re here with me and it’s going to be a good day
it’s going to be a good day, a good day
Come my way
You’re here with me and it’s going to be a good day

And You carry me, carry me
And You carry me, carry me
And You carry me, carry me

Because You’re for me
You’ll be with me till the end
Because You’re for me
You’ll be with me till the end
Because You’re for me
You’ll be with me till the end
Because You’re for me
You’ll be with me till the end

I’m gonna dance to the beat of amazing grace
Gonna hold to the promise that You made
And I know whatever’s gonna come my way
You’re here with me and it’s going to be a good day
it’s going to be a good day, a good day
Come my way
You’re here with me and it’s going to be a good day

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You can listen to this song online here.

You can hear Natalie sing this song live here.


Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Psalm 118:7
The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.

Luke 14:27
And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Thursday, March 3, 2016

American Girl class: Molly week 6 (time #2)

American Girl class: Molly week 6

We had a fun American Girl class this week. It was our last week discussing Molly! This six weeks has gone by quickly! We discussed our book, Changes for Molly, the sixth and final book in the Molly series. Then I read a story from Welcome to Molly’s World about Sadako and the Paper Cranes. Our craft was Origami Cranes. I had made cranes in the class before, so I remembered the directions, and I had a great Mom to help in the 1:00 class, who understood directions and knew how to fold origami. The first class turned out great, the 2nd class' cranes were tougher to do, and there are a few more girls in the class. 




This is another place for directions, and it has a video! It is about 4 1/2 minutes long, but you can pause it and go back if you need to. I finished mine while watching the video. It's not perfect, but I got it done! The girls can make more cranes like the one we made in class.

For snack, we had Corn Dogs. The girls liked the snack, but didn't understand why we had that for snack! There wasn't really any food mentioned in our book. This web page tells how they were popularized in the 1940's. So Molly really could have eaten them! We had water and most of the girls enjoyed ketchup with their corn dog.

After snack, we worked on our Geography Worksheets for Molly-- two pages from Illinois and England-- that's where her friend Emily was from and where Molly's dad was stationed during the war.


Here is the flag of England that I printed and had the girls color.

Here is the coloring page for Illinois. 

Here is the map of the USA to color in the state where Molly is from-- Illinois. Then they wrote Molly's name on the map.


Next week we begin to discuss the 1970's and Julie! I'll be wearing my mood ring... :-D I'm looking forward to breaking out my tie-dye, bandana skirt, and owl earrings! It will be groovy!


Exodus 26:9
Join five of the curtains together into one set and the other six into another set. Fold the sixth curtain double at the front of the tent.

2 John 1:12
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

John 8:42
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.

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