Music Monday: "Beautiful Messes"

Last week, I was walking to get some exercise while my kids were in their co-op classes. I used to do a Mom's exercise class during our co-op time, but my schedule shifted this fall, so I'm walking instead. I was walking and listening to Spotify on my phone, and I heard this song. It had a great beat to walk to, and I LOVED the lyrics and message. I was having a less than perfect day that day, and even though I try and try to be "good enough", I fail daily. I am a sinner in need of our graceful God. This song is a powerful reminder that God uses sinners just like me to accomplish His plans on a daily basis. WOW!

Many friends may know Hillary Scott from her popular song, "Thy Will" which is another song of hers that I enjoy. She is the co-lead singer of Lady Antebellum. Her family is quite musical too.  I hope you enjoy this song.

"Beautiful Messes" by Hillary Scott and the Scott family

Are you spinning in a lie that keeps on telling you
That you're not good enough
When you're looking in the mirror
Do you see someone impossible to love?

Full of fragile broken pieces
We're all rough around the edges

We ain't perfect no
We ain't even close
We got holes in our hearts
We got scars we don't show
But all that baggage we
Keep on dragging around
Anytime we start laying it down

Lay it down at the foot of the cross
Give it to the one who can carry it all
Even at our worst, to him we ain't lost causes
Just beautiful messes

We're all David's we're all Mary's
We've been liars, thieves and everything between
But don't forget God used the misfits just like us
To do the most amazing things

So bring your faults, your flaws, your secrets
And watch him use those broken pieces

'Cause we ain't perfect no
We ain't even close
We got holes in our hearts
We got scars we don't show
But all that baggage we
Keep on dragging around
Anytime we start laying it down

Lay it down at the foot of the cross
Give it to the one who can carry it all
Even at our worst, to him we ain't lost causes
Just beautiful messes

No matter where you are right now
Let thy grace come pouring down
It won't run out, it won't run out

We ain't perfect no
We ain't even close
We got holes in our hearts
We got scars we don't show
But all that baggage we
Keep on dragging around
Anytime we start laying it down

Lay it down at the foot of the cross
Give it to the one who can carry it all
Even at our worst, to him we ain't lose causes
Ooh lay it down at the foot of the cross
Give it to the one who can carry it all
Even at our worst, to him we ain't lost causes
Just beautiful messes
Beautiful messes, yeah

Read more:  Hillary Scott - Beautiful Messes Lyrics | MetroLyrics 
--------------------------------------------------------
You can listen to this song online here.


Psalm 68:19
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

John 10:17-18
The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. Noone takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Recipe: Taco Soup

Recipe: Taco Soup

Several months ago, at a MOPS meeting, we discussed recipes at a small group table. There were lots of dinner suggestions tossed around, such as potato soup (which I make and love) and taco soup. That was not a soup I made, so I tucked the note away until I had time to find a recipe. About this time of winter, I get tired of the same casserole and soup recipes that I've been making for two months, and want to try something new. (I may look into other suggestions from that same meeting soon too!)

I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com here. I liked it because it is basic and easy. Quick + easy= winner for me!! This recipe is similar to the chicken chili recipe that I make, but different enough to be a new blend of flavors. Our family loved it! (Well, 5/6 of us, but my son doesn't like 3/4 of what I make, so we can't hardly count him in that mix.)


Quick and Easy Taco Soup
Recipe makes 8 servings

Ingredients

1 (14 ounce) can vegetable broth (such as Swanson®)

2 (15.25 ounce) cans Mexican-style corn with red and green peppers

2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (10 ounce) container chunky salsa

1 (8 ounce) package tortilla chips

1 (8 ounce) package shredded Mexican cheese blend


Directions

Combine vegetable broth, corn, black beans, and salsa in a pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.

Crush tortilla chips into individual bowls and top with Mexican cheese. Ladle soup over chips and cheese.

It will definitely be one that I will make again! I used regular frozen corn and cheddar cheese as a substitute (since that's what I had) and it was just scrumptious!

Let me know if you try it, I'd love to hear your review! (Even though it's not an original recipe!)

Proverbs 15:17
Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.

Daniel 1:12, 16
“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.
... So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

Romans 14:2
One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.

Mothering: Full & Empty

As a mom, I feel one of my main jobs is to keep things filled. I go to the store so the refrigerator is filled with food. I fill the pantry with good food and snacks too. I fill the freezer with food to be eaten later. I fill the toilet paper, paper towel roll and scotch tape holder. I fill cereal bowls with milk for my children. I fill the dishwasher with loads of dirty dishes. I fill the washer with dirty clothes several times a week. I fill the dryer too.

I go to the store and fill my carts with clothes, toiletries, and other needs for our home. I help kids fill their toy bins after they empty them. I fill children's dressers with clean clothes that I've folded and washed. I fill the plants with water a few times each week so they can grow too.

I don't just keep material things filled though. I make food to fill my children's bellies so they can grow and do all God has planned for them each day. I give them good books and read them the Bible each day so they can learn, fill their heads with things of God and His amazing world. I try to fill them with educational media and positive relationships.

All of this filling can leave my quite empty. I do have alone time each day, where I am refreshed and filled by God. As Ann Voskamp discusses in her book, One Thousand Gifts, when I serve Christ, He is really the one serving me. I never serve out of my own strength. If I did, I'd be exhausted by noon. But Jesus, "who came into this world not to serve, but to serve others, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45) will one day come again and "put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat" (Luke 12:37). Even on this day that He faithfully serves that we might say, "The LORD is my helper." (Hebrews 13:6).

As it says in Isaiah 58:10-11:
Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
The LORD will continually guide you, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

It's the lavish radical nature of the upside-down economy of God. Empty to fill. (ibid, p. 162)

As I pour out my life into the life of my family and my home, I can go to God each day to be filled. I can give and give so that He will increase and do it all for the love and glory of God. (1 Corin. 10:31)
God has no end, He can give and fill when I no longer can. I am so thankful that He gives us all we need to serve Him.

God's upside-down economy doesn't make sense in this world. God pays back everything we give and exactly in the currency that is not in the world but the one we yearn for. Joy in Him. (partially taken from One Thousand Gifts, p. 163)

So today, as I try to count each task a gift, these endless jobs in my home and give thanks to God at every opportunity (Col. 3:17, 1 Thess. 5:18), I pray you will join me. I pray He will fill you up today.

Soothing a crying baby

Soothing a crying baby-- unusual solutions
Have you been blessed with a sweet, precious infant in your home that NEVER cries... a total angel baby? Well, I know I wasn't... all of my babies cried at some point, and need some soothing. I posted about this a while back, you can find that post here. I recently found an old article called, "What's the most unusual solution you've found for calming your crying baby?" (Article from American Baby magazine, Feb. 2006)

I have typed the article for you below, in case you are in that stage of life when "desperate times call for desperate measures." You never know when one of these different solutions just may help!

found here

-Take a hairdryer and place it on the lowest setting, then move it slowly a few times across the baby's toes. Each time Clara D. did this with her son, he'd be asleep before she finished! Her husband was so surprised to hear that their son had stopped screaming that he came to see for himself.

-To stop her baby's tears, Jackie N,'s husband and Jackie would turn up their television as loud as they could stand it. For some reason, this always made their son smile.

-When Kelly T.'s baby cried, she took her index finger and lightly tapped it around his face. He calmed down almost immediately. Her wise grandmother gave her this interesting technique.

-For some weird reason, Georgia C.'s son loved it when she sang the song, "Ice Ice Baby." She was embarrassed to admit that she knew all the words. Every time she busted out that song, her son erupted into giggles!

found here

-Rachael K. says that the only way she found to quell her son's crying was to wash his hair. Once that warm water hit his little head, he'd calm down instantly. (My babies never liked getting their hair washed...)

-Christy M. said that she would pretend to cry. If the baby cries loud, she'd cry louder. Eventually with all the noise around her, the baby stopped her fussiness and tried to figure out what is going on.

-Selma D. said that she would pull a hair out of her own head and tickle the baby's nose with it. It may be strange, but it worked like a charm every time.

--When Darla J.'s son got fussy, she'd stand him up to walk. People can't believe when they see a little baby walking around with the aid of his parents, but as soon as they'd set him down, he'd cry again.

-Angelica R.'s baby always fell asleep every time that she sang, "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." It's the only thing that really calmed her.

Interesting ideas, right? Next time you are dealing with an upset infant, you may just want to try one of these different techniques and see how it works!

------------------------------------------

Exodus 2:7-9

Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”

 “Yes, go,” she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him.

John 16:21

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when herbaby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.

Quote I like...

A few years ago, we had a speaker at MOPS who shared this quote about mothering...

"You reap what you sow.

You reap later than you sow.

You reap more than you sow."

Good idea to keep in mind in this planting season and when working with children... be careful what you "plant" in their lives!

Jeremiah 12:13
They will sow wheat but reap thorns; they will wear themselves out but gain nothing. They will bear the shame of their harvest because of the Lord’s fierce anger.”


John 4:36-37
Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true.

Summer Fun bucket

A few years ago in MOPS, one of our crafts was a summer fun mini-bucket. We've been using it again recently, and found it to be some "new" fun for my preschoolers!

Here is what is included:
-Sidewalk Chalk in bag
-Side walk chalk recipe (below)
-Water paintbrush (foam)
-Sponge Ball (which we made there)
-Bubble Fun blower (also made there)

These are the directions included:

-Sidewalk Chalk -Let kids use their artistic talents, or draw out HopScotch game

-Side walk paint (below)- Mix using recipe and let kids paint on sidewalk, washes off after they are done

-Water painting- give your child the cup of water and the foam brush, and let them paint the house, sidewalk, themselves!, etc.,)

-Sponge Ball- Use in water fights, to paint with sidewalk paint, etc.,

-Bubble Fun Blower- Give your child a paper plate with dish soap and a little water on it. They dip the cloth end in the soap and blow on the sipping end to make tons of bubble foam.

Sidewalk Paint recipe:
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
Food coloring

Mix and let them paint! SO cool!

To make the Sponge Ball:
Cut three sponges into 5 strips each, about 1/2 inch wide. Loop a piece of strong string around the center of the stack and pull tightly. Double- knot the string and trim the excess. You can also plunge the sponge into a bucket of water beside two players (with bucket beside them) and toss the ball to each other.

My preschooler "painting" with water!

To make the Bubble Fun blower:
Take a clean, clear water bottle, remove the cap and cut off bottom, so the bottle is still about 6 inches. Attach a small baby washcloth (or piece of terry cloth) to the end with a rubber band. The cloth must be about 5" square.

I hope you can use some of these fun things to do with your kids before school begins! I intended to post it earlier this summer and that didn't happen...

Psalm 74:17
It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.



Proverbs 10:5
He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

Faithful Friday: Hospitality

Sorry, no recipe this week... but I do have some thoughts and meditations to share!


This past Sunday, our Pastor preached a message in church about 3 John. I have a few favorite verses in this short book, such as "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."(3 John 4) I also like verses 5-8, which talk about showing love to others, even though they may be strangers. "We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth." (verse 8)

In my NIV Study Bible, there is a devotional message which goes along with 3 John 8, and here it is:
John is affirming his friend Gaius for Gaius' hospitality to these men who come to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ.


Hospitality is applauded and encouraged through out Scripture. Paul ties the practice of hospitality to the assistance of those in need (Romans 12:13) and tells Timothy to motivate leaders and widows to be more hospitable (1 Tim. 3:2, 5:10). Peter tells his listeners to practice hospitality "without grumbling" (1 Peter 4:9). 


True hospitality welcomes guests not only when it's planned or convenient to you, but also when it's hard or when you don't feel like you have it all together. True hospitality welcomes those people who need you, not just those you need. True hospitality welcomes those whose lifestyle or income or social graces may not be up to "par". True hospitality welcomes the messy youngster, the annoying teenager and the graceless adult. True hospitality is "being Jesus" to all those you meet."
----------------------------------------


This reminded me of several things. I have a friend that I was close to when our children were younger, and her kids were older than mine. She was the picture of hospitality. Someone once said, "If you haven't been invited to C's house for lunch, then you probably will be soon." She constantly had friends to her home for lunch. A great time was always had there, and you left feeling loved. What a great picture of Christ! It saddens me that her family left our church and we are no longer close friends. But her example is with me and in my heart to this day.

Christ at Emmaus painting by Rembrandt, found here.

Also, I served as hospitality coordinator for our local MOPS group. I didn't feel extremely hospitable, but I did enjoy making things look nice and welcoming newcomers to our meetings. I enjoyed the experience and the friends that I made on the steering team that year.

It also reminds me of something that I saw on Twitter, of a church bulletin which welcomed outsiders. Here is what it said:  We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, gay, filthy rich, dirt poor, yo no habla Ingles. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying new-borns, skinny as a rail or could afford to lose a few pounds.

We welcome you if you can sing like Andrea Bocelli or like our pastor who can’t carry a note in a bucket. You’re welcome here if you’re “just browsing,” just woke up or just got out of jail. We don’t care if you’re more Catholic than the Pope, or haven’t been in church since little Joey’s Baptism.

We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome soccer moms, NASCAR dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted. We welcome you if you’re having problems or you’re down in the dumps or if you don’t like “organized religion,” we’ve been there too.

If you blew all your offering money at the dog track, you’re welcome here. We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, don’t work, can’t spell, or because grandma is in town and wanted to go to church.

We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid or got lost in traffic and wound up here by mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers and doubters, bleeding hearts … and you!

You can read the blog post here. I like the idea that our churches need to be more welcoming. How else will we bring the lost to Jesus if we don't welcome them in Jesus' name? Jesus ate with sinners, tax collectors, and harlots, and showed them His love. That is food for thought and a motivation to be hospitable for me, and I hope it is for you too.

Luke 9:48

Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

Matthew 25:37-40

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

How to Soothe a Crying Baby

I have several friends from church and MOPS that have little babies. They are so sweet when you see them at church, but I remember quite well the struggle of getting those wee ones to sleep. I recall the night that my infant son woke up crying, had a slight fever, and I tried to get him to nurse. He wouldn't nurse! After listening to him crying off and on for more than an hour, not being able to soothe him, we took him to the E.R. He had an ear infection! We were glad we took him in, but it's not always that easy or convenient. My oldest daughter Rebekah was colicky too, so we got used to a fussy baby every evening and were so thankful when that went away around 3 months. Those were tough times, it is important to have support and a break when and if you can...
I wrote this list from several books that I had read. I hope it helps!

NORMAL CRYING PERIODS

1. Just before feeding

2. When baby is put down for a nap

3. During the late afternoon/ early evening (fussy) period

My youngest baby all dressed up and kinda sad...
~6 weeks old

WHAT TO DO WHEN BABY CRIES

1. THINK about baby’s routine and circumstances.

2. PRAY that God will give you wisdom as His Word promises. Pray that you will determine why your child is crying and then respond as God would have you respond.

3. TAKE ACTION based on what you have heard and concluded. SOMETIMES NO ACTION IS THE BEST ACTION to take. Take note of how long the baby has cried. Check on them in their crib to be sure that they are not hurt, etc., Special time in Mommy’s arms may be all that is needed.

OTHER IDEAS

-Allow others to comfort the child (spouse, Grandma, friends)

-Hold and sing to baby--song ideas:  -Jesus Loves Me

-God is so good                         -Kum Ba Yah   

-You are my sunshine                 -Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star 

-Bye-Low my baby                    -I Love you ...       ETC.!

-Place them near soothing music, --EX: Kenny G, Piano, Praise Music

-Rock them, walk or rock with baby in your arms, place in cradle to rock.

-Allow baby to relax in baby swing.

-Take them for a stroller ride. (gives you fresh air & different scenery)

-Place in an infant seat (near a window?)

-Put baby in a front carrier pack and “work” with them there.

-Hold baby up against your chest-- so they can hear your heartbeat & smell you.

-Swaddle them in a blanket.

-Give them a warm bath to relax them.

-Place in crib with musical mobile turned on for a few minutes.

-Allow home “noise” to put them to sleep--dryer, dishwasher, sewing machine, static on radio..  

-Take them for a ride in the car.

-Burp him or her, because a crying baby will swallow air.

-Does baby have gas? Possibly try mylecon drops.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS...

If your baby is warm, clean, dry, fed & changed, then sometimes you need to let them cry. It is exercise for them & their lungs, and it will not hurt them.They will eventually tire of it. (We hope!) It may help you to take your baby monitor, a book, and go outside. Put on headphones, get music going, and check on him or her now & then. Sometimes nothing can help! :(

REMEMBER...

This too shall pass! This stage will not last forever.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Verses that relate:
Isaiah 49:15
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!"

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

"Instead, we were like young children among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,  so we cared for you..." 

Psalm 22:9
"Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast."

I hope this helps some of you moms with young babies!

Favorite MOM tips!

Sometimes, as a mom, there are great little tips that you hear, and they change how you mother -- in just little ways. But little things can make a big difference!

Here are a few of my favorite tips for moms (new, seasoned, and maybe even older!):

*Keep a bowl under each child's bed... so handy to grab when they call out, "Mom! I don't feel good!" in the middle of the night. You know what comes next... what do you offer them-- your hand?! Hopefully the bowl is easy to grab... sometimes ours get filled with other little things or shoved around. I try to keep it so it is easy for me (or the child) to grab! (Heard that tip at a friends' baby shower, loved it!) Hope it helps save you some cleaning in the middle of the night!

 I've gotten several inexpensive large bowls at Goodwill...

*For a potty-training toddler, or dog... when they pee on the carpet -- and they inevitably will-- just pour some salt on it! Salt will pull out the wetness, the smell and the stain! I've done this so many times, and it WORKS!! Could save you lots of time cleaning, scrubbing, and even $$ to replace the carpet. After the salt has soaked up the urine, just vacuum it up! A few times I have even scooped it up onto a plain piece of paper if I didn't want to drag out the big ole' vacuum!

*If you are going to be nursing a baby, spend a little money to buy a nice nursing cover. It is so nice to not worry about the blanket sliding off while you are nursing, and the baby can't pull it down if it is snapped on to you, around your neck! There are some covers that have a wire around the neck part, so you can still see your baby during feeding time.

*If you have a tough laundry stain, google it! I've found lots of great tips... Pine-sol will get out fabric paint on fabric in a place you don't want it... Alcohol will get out tough chalk stains, and GRASS stains!... Lemon juice and salt will get out rust stains! Found a tip to get out kool-aid out of the carpet too! Comment if you're interested in knowing the secret!

I hope these few little tips have helped you in your mothering journey! One of MOPS' mottos is "Better Moms make a better world!" and I think that is so true.

Remember.. what you are doing IS important... mothering matters! God brought you and your child together because He knew you would be the perfect mom for your child!

A few mothering verses that I love...


Isaiah 49:15
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!"


Genesis 3:20
"Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living."


Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."


AND... If I could give you all one gift, it would be a button on your shirt that played repetitive messages at the push of a button. You could select: "Brush Your Teeth", "Eat your Veggies", "EAT!", "Drink your milk", "Make your bed" "Do your chores", "Be kind to your brother/sister", "Clean your room", "Put it away" and "Clean it up..."


It would save your voice... and you could repeat it as many times in your loving mommy voice as you wanted, without opening your mouth. It could even be the recording in your own voice! Wouldn't that be handy? :-D

Like an Ant...

Recently, I saw a lone black ant slowly making his way across the vast expanse of our kitchen tile floor. There were no other ants to be seen within several feet of this one. He may have been diligently searching for food, or another small friend to help him lift a huge crumb and carry it. As I watched this tiny creature, I thought, "That's how I feel as a Mom sometimes." Can you relate? At times, I feel like I haven't talked to or seen another adult for way too many hours. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and feel privileged to parent them. I enjoy being in the home mothering the children most days. But there are days when, I just don't want to be the Lone Ranger in my corral of little people. I don't want to be a lone soldier fighting a battle on a mountain far away from others.

That is the precise reason that I appreciate being involved in MOPS. I know that is a place that I can go and have adult conversation for even more than 15 minutes, uninterrupted! It is a safe place to go and meet other moms who are going through some of the same things that I am, at this point in my life. It is a friendly atmosphere where I can schedule a playdate for my children and maybe even a mom date to go to coffee with a new friend. It is a welcoming spot where I can vent my frustrations and gain perspective from a mentor mom. It is an encouraging time of fellowship and fun for many moms in my own town, and across the country. I love that I can go to MOPS, be real, shed a few tears, listen to funny stories and just laugh. It is a nice getaway and I gain a new perspective there about how to mother my children.

I hope that you will find a MOPS group and meet some other mothers who are willing to listen and gain a new friend. You can find more about MOPS here.

And remember...
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6


"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching."  Hebrews 10:24-25


Even though our group is meeting today for the last time until fall, I know I will treasure the time there!

Grandma's Hash Brown Casserole

My oldest cousin recently sent me this recipe, and I sent it on to my siblings. I finally made it today for MOPS and it was yummy! The pan was scraped clean... a good sign!

This recipe is actually is in my Grandma's handwriting, which I love to see... I miss her. She's been gone 12 years and I can still see her face, and hear her sing certain songs in church. :`(

Grandma's Hash Brown Casserole
2 lb hash browns
1 tsp salt
2 cups sour cream
2 Tbsp diced onion
1/4 tsp pepper
2 cans cream of celery soup
1 can cream of potato soup
2 cups grated cheese
2 cups crushed potato chips, or corn flakes (optional)

Ingredients laid out...

Before baking...

Thaw hash browns, mix all ingredients (except 1/3 cup cheese and crushed chips). Place in 9 X 12" pan and bake uncovered for 40-60 minutes at 350 degrees. This can easily be cut in half, or put in two 8 X 8" OR 9 X 9" pans, and freeze.

After baking, I added the cheese and chips, baked a little longer...

This is perfect for a MOPS meeting or a brunch. It was delicious!

And any cousins who didn't get the recipe, let me know, and I can send you a copy in Grandma's handwriting too!

Operation Christmas Child!

Operation Christmas Child is an organization that we have been involved with through our church for the past several years with MOPS and AWANA. It is about caring for the widows and orphans around the world, who have so little. It is demonstrating God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to others, along with the local church.

You can pack a shoebox with hygiene items or toys that they made need, wrapping the box in Christmas paper (or lining a clear box with fabric), putting the shipping money inside, and getting it to a center that ships them out.

I've seen the videos in MOPS several times, which promote the organization and their Christmas shoe box donations. They always get me teary-eyed! What Samaritan's Purse does with their Organization Christmas Child is so important! I like to involve my children in the process of choosing gifts and small toys for a child who needs them so much more than my children. It helps to give them a perspective that they are not the center of the world, but perspective that others are important, and we can show Jesus' love to them by giving to those we do not know.

Before you pack a box, you need to decide what age and gender of child you will purchase items for:
ages 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14.

Here are some ideas of what you can pack in a shoe box:
TOYS:
small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small EtchA Sketch, toys that light up or noise (with extra batteries), Slinky, etc.,

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons, markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.,

HYGIENE ITEMS:
toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.,

OTHER
hard candy and lollipops, (double bag all candy please), mints, gum, t-shirt, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

DO NOT INCLUDE:
used or damaged items, war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures, chocolate or food, out of date candy, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers, aerosol cans

You can find these instructions to print here.

The national collection week is November 14-21. If you are interested in learning more about Operation Christmas Child, and how to pack a shoe box, print labels for the different ages, to see videos and more, please check out their website: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/?hometab

How to make your own baby food!

This is a repost from my old blog. I've had several people interested in it in the past, so I thought I'd post it here too. I hope this helps some of you!

How to make baby food
It is really very easy and economical!

Basic supplies: cooking pots, utensils, blender or food processor, ice cube trays, freezer

Here are the steps:
1. Cut and cube the fruit or vegetables you want to cook. Carrots are an easy one to begin with, but they have to be peeled too.
2. Place in a pan of water, enough to cover the veggie. Cover and boil. Reduce heat and cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on how thick the veggie is. Thicker carrots and sweet potatoes take longer.
3. Take the pan off the heat and allow to cool for a few minutes, leaving the veggies in the water.
4. Place cooked food in a blender with some of the cooking water.
5. Puree the veggie, adding more water until it is thinner, like tomato soup.
6. Pour the pureed veggie into ice cube trays (old ones can be found at Goodwill or thrift stores, if you have an ice maker like me!)
7. Freeze the food into these portions. After freezing, put the veggie into ziploc bags and keep in your freezer. Label the bags with what food is in it, i.e., carrots) It is easy to give your baby one, two or three veggie cubes for their meal. Defrost in your microwave in a bowl for approx. 30 seconds.

Note: I do this most often for veggies: carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, peas, green beans (sometimes they are stringy) but also some fruits: peaches, pears, plums, apples. But applesauce is easy to buy in the unsweetened variety and you can feed that to your baby. Fruit does not need to be cooked, but it can be to make it softer. I've pureed bananas too, and added water to them. They are a little thinner and more palatable for the baby. 

MY 3RD BABY- NOT SO SURE
ABOUT SQUASH... (I THINK!)

Sometimes potatoes and sweet potatoes can be too starchy for the blender. You can try those in your food processor on pulse. You can add cereal to the fruit or veggie for variety, or if they don't seem to like it. Also good for thickening it! Hope that helps! It is SOO much cheaper, and healthier for your baby!

Preparing for Kindergarten

My sweet baby Mallory...

My 4 1/2 year-old is going to begin kindergarten this fall... how can that be?! Wasn't she just a baby?! It seems like she has grown so quickly... She is quite excited to be "in school" with the big kids in just a few short weeks. (sniff, sniff...) Oh wait, I'm not sniffing, she still gets to be home with me, to homeschool! Hooray! For those of you who do have a young'un going off to school for the first time this fall, I thought you might like a few things you can do to "get them ready!"

I student- taught in a kindergarten classroom in a local school here in town, and observed in that same classroom for the whole school year. I loved it! The kids were still sweet & innocent and they loved learning! I also taught in a local preschool for one year before my daughter was born, and enjoyed that a lot too. Maybe someday I'll go back to working in a classroom, but for now I have a classroom in my own home!

My silly girl with her cousin recently...

I also heard a gal give tips at our MOPS group several years ago. She was a kindergarten teacher and a former MOPS mom, and gave some great ideas. Here are some of her ideas:

*Shapes and Colors Recognition- "I spy a square..." Good to teach proper names of shapes, such as "isosceles triangle" too. It is good reading preparation, because the letter A looks like a triangle, and so on...     Games to help this--”Oh Rats!”, “Playful Patterns” (Discovery Toys)

*Letter of the Week--can do activities in cooking, such as F for Flowers--cook cauliflower and broccoli, etc., Book for ideas- Kinder Krunchies  Also look in the cereal aisle at the grocery store at all the letters, "Find a c...Captain Crunch!" Another good activity is painting with water on the sidewalk, (it disappears!) or sidewalk chalk. You can also have them make letters in shaving cream on the table, or in a sandbox.

*Writing (letters and first name)--Use lined paper 2" apart or smaller. Teach upper and lower case in their names. Help them to use the pincher grasp when they write. It is ok to teach their last name too. Playdoh (even homemade) is good to develop small motor skills in their hands. They have little things to put on pencils to help them grasp them, they are ok but not necessary...

*Cutting and coloring--Try to get them to color in the lines, they need to practice. Cutting coupons is a good activity for practicing straight lines. You can draw a circle on a piece of paper and try to have them cut it out (other shapes too). Put the scissors up when they're done--have a box or place for them.

*Read stories--(rhyme and repetition) Have a daily time and place to read together, or several times a day. Use the library as a resource for more books. STOP and take the time to read to them, it is so important! It teaches sitting skills, listening and increases their attention span. Good books for rhyme and repetition are...Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?; There was an old lady who swallowed a fly; Green Eggs and Ham.

*Library--have story times, keep books from library separated in a canvas bag or special spot, can use Barnes and Noble too. They like if you can donate old books to them...

*Sorting--teaches problem solving. Can have them help you sort laundry, or silverware. She likes manipulatives like bugs to sort--colors, types, # legs, etc., You can have them do patterns with sorted items (like m&ms)-green, then yellow, green, then? -- Egg cartons are good for sorting items. (Change $ is good to sort too)  “Busy Bugs” game--Disc Toys

*Counting to 100--a good place to practice is the car. You can also count stairs, anything in your house. 

*Body parts--helps them learn details, and make their portraits more descriptive...

*Games/ Puzzles--Teaches spatial relationships, and taking turns

Other ideas: can do shaving cream in a bag with food colors, have them mix it up...

Cookie cutters are great to learn letters- can get a BIG set with shapes too at Wal-Mart for $20 or so. You can weigh rocks and measure sticks when playing outside. Teach them their parents' names, phone #, address for safety reasons. The ABC song is not always really good because they mix LMNOP all together. So it is a good idea to teach them another version or sing it backwards! (I actually can sing it backwards, I learned that in teaching kindergarten!)

___________________________________________________________

I have done a lot of this with my kids, and maybe you do too. Hopefully you got a good idea or two to try with your kiddo before school begins! I may get out the shaving cream and put some in a bag soon-- sounds like fun! She talked about Discovery Toys games a lot, which I don't have, but they are great products!

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

And before school begins, you might want to read this book, it is a favorite, and might make you tear up... sorry in advance for any tears I caused... :-D