Organizing Umbrellas

This past week I was in one of my moods to organize. This particular day it was the hall closet. I found 6 umbrellas in the bottom of the closet that always seem to get in the way. I decided to get a few small nails and hang the umbrellas on the wall. This was a great solution to the problem. Since it's the hall closet no one will notice all of the nail holes either.

This works for me.

First Trip to Chuck-E-Cheese

I am now officially a parent. I have survived my first trip to Chuck-E-Cheese. Chris had to work that morning so I am very grateful to have a sister who was willing to help me run around with Michaela. She had a great time! I didn't think it would be that exciting for a 15-month-old but I was wrong!

She is riding in the car with Chuck himself.

We actually won quite a few tickets!

This was my favorite game as a child. (Holly and I took turns playing without her.)

I did manage to give her pizza that day. She can't always eat healthy, especially there!

The rides were her favorite.

Thanks for going with us Aunt Holly!

I honestly don't think we made it out of the parking lot before this picture was taken!

I'm pretty sure if I didn't have to drive I would have joined her. We had a great time.

The Best Children's Bible!

If you have ever shopped for a child's bible, you have probably been just as frustrated as I have been. I received a few bibles for Michaela when she was born but there was a problem. A lot of the infant and toddler bibles leave out the most important part...Jesus dying on the cross! One of the bibles she has seriously ends with "Jesus loves the little children."
While that is a great message for her to hear, it is not the complete story. I want her to experience what the Bible tells her in it's entirety.

I have found the perfect Bible to accomplish that goal. The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm is great for little ones! It has both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The testaments are broken into many different parts so that you can read a section at a time. For children with a short attention span (that would be mine) you can read quickly because there are not a lot of words on each page and the pictures are very vibrant.

What a great gift for the preschoolers on your Christmas list!

Tired of Red Stains?

My camera was left at a baby shower this weekend. Until I can reclaim my prized possession I am forced to write post do not require my beautiful pictures. I'm so sad!

I realized today was Wednesday so it is Works-for-Me-Wednesday at Rocks in my Dryer. What a perfect day for a no picture post!!

Moving on...
I was so tired of having red stains on my tupperware from leftover food that had spaghetti sauce. I realized that if you spray the bowl with PAM before storing the food it will not leave the ugly red ring! I have had a temporary ring before but it comes right out when you wipe the bowl clean. This is so simple to do and it saves my sanity!

Being Thankful

November is a great time to emphasize gratitude with your children. This year we decided to focus on one thing we are thankful for each day of the month. We write it out on a cut-out and place it on the pantry door in our kitchen. This is a place that we will see many times a day. I love having this reminder every day!





The heart that is constantly overflowing with gratitude will be safe from those attacks of resentfulness and gloom that bother so many persons.
-A.W. Tozer

Enjoying Every Season

I haven't always been the biggest fan of fall because it means the cold weather is coming soon. I hate snow. I hate feeling swaddled with clothes. I just plain hate the cold weather. I also hate racking leaves. (As you can see by the tremendous pile in our yard!)
This year I have decided to look at this season with new eyes. Maybe it's because we have a toddler who is experiencing fall for the first time. Maybe God is just trying to teach me to enjoy every season of life instead of only enjoying the ones that I like.
I never realized how much your attitude can effect your outlook. Normally, I would look at the front yard and be upset because we have to rack leaves. Now, I am looking at the leaves as a chance for Michaela to play. To watch the dog run through the front yard. To explore the leave and to feel the texture. To teach her about God and the beautiful creation He has made.
Today I am thankful for a new attitude. I am thankful for the different seasons of life we get to enjoy...no matter how much we may not like them.

Michaela's First Vote

Everyone needs to vote when they have the chance. I think it is something that parents need to instill into their children at an early age. Hence, Michaela's first voting experience. I know she probably didn't understand what we were doing but I know in the coming years she will.

I didn't have my camera with me when she actually filled in her ballot and placed it in the box. We were at Aunt Gail and Uncle Matt's house. I did take some pictures of the ballot and the 'vote collector'.

Trunk-or-Treat

Halloween was the first holiday that we were celebrating for the second time. Can I just say that time goes by way too quick?! This year Michaela was a lady bug. If I haven't told you, my child does not smile for pictures any more. I'm lucky if she even looks at the camera! She has not interest in pictures at all. Hopefully we can change her mind about that!

This is the back of the costume. I loved the wings!

Despite the look on her face I believe she had a good time.

OK. I have to admit something. As soon as we got home, I dumped out the candy and sorted it. It brought back found memories of my childhood!

No Matter Who Wins

10 PREDICTIONS NO MATTER WHO WINS THE ELECTION

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed teaching and healing.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost.

ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL!

Lightbulb Moments

Every day that passes, I feel Michaela slipping away from a baby to a little girl. It seems that in the past few weeks, she has grown so much. Her language is improving vastly every day and her motor skills are becoming more precise as well.
This week she finally understood the concept of a few of her toys that she has played with for months. It almost seemed like a lightbulb went off in her head.

This is a simple wooden stacking toy. She used to turn it over, take the rings off and crawl away. On this occasion she finally understood that she is suppose to put them back on! After she would build the stack she would look at me, smile and clap for herself. I am so proud of her for figuring this out all by herself.

You can see the look of concentration on her face.
If her tongue isn't out, the mouth is at least open!

It isn't quite in the correct order but we can take baby steps to get there.

This fun little toy is always on our fridge. Typically she would play the music and dance. Put on this day she finally understood that the pieces to the animals go in the barn. She even matched them up correctly. Once she learned to do this she repeated this over and over again. Clapping for herself at the end every time!

This was her first match!
I never knew it was possible to be so proud of your children for the smallest accomplishments!

I am so thankful that God has given us Michaela. It has been such a blessing to watch her blossom and become a toddler.

Our first Pumpkin Carving

Yesterday we carved Michaela's first pumpkin. It was actually a first for all of us. We had a pretty good time. Don't be fooled by the pictures though. She got very bored in between all of the steps so Mommy had to keep her entertained. I think next year will be more enjoyable for us.

She is watching Daddy cut off the top.

She only used the scoop a few times. She didn't really like the texture of the guts.
She is definitely a girl!

She got to help Daddy draw the outline on the pumpkin.
While Daddy cut the pumpkin, Michaela and I talked about the seeds. Then I let her work on transferring the seeds from one bowl to another. This actually kept her occupied for a while.
But of course, that wouldn't last!
She is learning to be such a great helper. She helped us clean up all of the pumpkin leftovers.
Here she is with her first pumpkin. If only we could get her to smile for pictures these days!The final product...

Sarah Palin on Focus on the Family

This is not a political blog, but I do want to pass some information on to you that I found very interesting. This is Sarah Palin on Focus on the Family discussing this election and her religious views. I found this very encouraging. She is a woman who knows God and is letting God decide who will win the election. This is not something that would ever be heard in the mainstream media so I believe it is important to get the information out.

It is about 25 minutes long but it is well worth it. On the same page as the interview you will find state voter guides and a presidential voter guide. Please have an informed vote on November 4!

Click here to go to the website.

My Little Helper

I love when teachable moments come that I do not expect. Some of you may not think this is a very teachable moment, but I think it is a great way to teach Michaela how to become a great woman.
I was cleaning the window of our front storm door. I had walked outside to wash the other side and when I looked down Michaela was "cleaning" the door with my older wipes. It was so adorable! She watched me clean and did exactly the same thing.

(Please excuse the glare. I was outside taking the picture.)

So, why would I call this a "teachable moment"? I really feel that a lot of little girls are not being trained to become true women. Women who can clean a home, nurture their children and love their husbands. The gender lines are being so blurred. I feel that any time I can make Michaela understand what it really means to be a woman I am being obedient to God.
I know helping a 1 year old "wash" a window doesn't seem like being obedient, but all too often we look over the importance of raising our children to be godly. We begin to see it as an every day task instead of our mission and ministry from God. At least I do all too often. I'm trying to open my eyes to see more of God in my every day tasks.

Expelled-No Itelligence Allowed

This is a must see movie for any Christian family. Actually, it's a must see movie for any American who believes in freedom. This was an amazing documentary about what happens to scientists, doctors, professors, etc who try to research Intelligent Design. Most of them loose their jobs! What happened to science? What happened to freedom of academia? I was appalled about what goes on in our own country.
What was even more scary is what happens when Darwinism rules the day and where this could eventually lead us. I watched this with tears in my eyes.
If you are able, please watch this movie. There is also a website set up to sign the petition for Academic Freedom. Scientists should at least be able to challenge Darwinism. Especially since it is only a THEORY!
God, please have mercy on our country.

Pumpkin Patch and Petting Animals

Michaela made her first trip to Huber's Family Farm this past weekend. This has been a great tradition in our family to venture up to Huber's in the fall. The food is delicious, the scenery is beautiful, there is a petting zoo and you get to pick your own pumpkin. You can't ask for more when it comes to fall fun.

She was very excited to pet the goats!

The horse licked her hand.

My sisters, Dad, Michaela and my nephew.

She tried to pick up the pumpkins.

She was having a blast in the pumpkin patch!

She waved goodbye to the pumpkin patch as we rode the wagon back to the farm.

If you are in the Southern Indiana area, this is a great way to spend the day with the family!