Grains of Sand

"Look at this big stick mom, I can almost touch the sky with it." ~M

This is one of my favorite activities to do with the kids in celebration of Easter.  It's easy to make and they are delicious. Resurrection Crescents 1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls 1/4 cup sugar 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 8 large marshmallows 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted Separate rolls into eight triangles. Combine sugar and cinnamon. Dip each marshmallow (Jesus' body) into butter, roll in cinnamon-sugar and place on a triangle (explain that Jesus' friends put spices on His body and wrapped it in cloths). Pinch dough around marshmallow, sealing all edges. Dip tops of dough into remaining butter and cinnamon-sugar. Place with sugar side up on a greased cookie sheet. Bake in oven (tomb) at 375 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes. Serve warm. During the baking, the marshmallows melt and when you open the roll, it is empty inside! He is not here! He is risen!

For today March 29, 2011 Outside my window... the sun is just peaking over the horizon, the sky looks clear and we still have lots of snow on the ground. I am thinking... of my father.  He is going to see if he is able to receive a lung transplant. I am thankful for... my friendship with Jessica. I am wearing... black sweatpants with a white Redken t-shirt. In the learning rooms... handwriting practice, math and math games, family reading of "Amon's Adventure" and more. I am remembering... that I forgot to return a few library books yesterday and late fees are almost certainly accruing. I am going... to finally iron on M's lamb patch she achieved in AWANA. I am reading... "So Long Insecurity: You've been a bad friend to us" I am hoping... to grow my relationships with some of my neighbors. I am hearing... the refrigerator hum and my fingers typing.  The rest of the house is still sleeping!  Yay. On my mind... Obedience.  Being o...

A short time ago my husband and I were bantering back and forth about the advantages of being an octopus in a household with four children.  I mentioned that if I were an octopus I'd be able to hold the baby, wash dishes and make dinner at the same time.  This got me to thinking that I know little about the octopus, besides having eight legs or arms or tentacles.  Here are a few other advantages I found to being an octopus: If I were an octopus I would be very flexible and able to squeeze through some incredibly small spaces.  (Very good for getting toys from under the refrigerator, stove, washing machine or beds.) If I were an octopus I would have three hearts.  (This would come in very handy for chasing after the little ones, running races against the older ones or giving three times more love to my children.) If I were an octopus I could change my color to match my surroundings.  (This is very useful when you want to see what your childre...

For today March 22, 2011 Outside my window... a cold, wet morning.  All the birds are puffed up to stay warm. I am thinking... of taking a trip to the public museum and zoo and maybe a baseball game too. I am thankful for... water, electricity and my own bed.  All those little things I tend to take for granted. I am wearing... jamma, jamma, jamma, jamma..... PJ's! In the learning rooms... American expansion, Australia, reading challenges, writing and long division. I am remembering... the pain and agony I suffered as a child learning long division. I am going... to bring Mr. M to his 6 month checkup today. I am reading... " So Long Insecurity: You've been a bad friend to us" and am finding many useful tidbits. I am hoping... to win the lottery or at the very least be the victim of a random act of kindness someday. I am hearing... M singing while she eats her breakfast.  She always has a song in her heart and is very good at making them up as she...

We typically don't celebrate Saint Patrick's day with much fanfare.  Maybe a greeting or two but that's about it.  However, I dare say, there was a leprechaun running about our house this year.  Catch the lad or lass if you can.  We didn't.  But we did see evidence that a spritely, mischievous leprechaun had been here.  The kids discovered green candies the leprechaun must have dropped outside their doors.  The toilet water was green.  (We didn't really know why, but had fun making guesses.)  The leprechaun turned our milk green and our bread too.  To top off the day, the silly leprechaun made green macaroni and cheese for dinner.  Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

For today March 15, 2011 Outside my window... a beautiful combination of blues, grays and whites in the sky and the promise of another beautiful spring-like day. I am thinking... of all the families whose lives have been turned upside down by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I am thankful for... long winters that come to an end. I am wearing... a combination of grays. In the learning rooms... reading, writing, arithmetic, science and nature and a walk around the block to enjoy the nice weather. I am remembering... "Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.  Make me know the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul." ~Psalm 143:8 I am going... crazy, want to come along?  (Every time I read the prompt, "I am going" I think of those five words) I am reading... Nikel and Dimed and So Long Insecurities: You've been a bad friend to us. I am hoping... my children enjoy the greek yogurt that I got for them yest...

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Patrick, Happy Birthday to you! I am blessed beyond words to have you as my husband.  Thanks for sharing your hopes and dreams with me and allowing me to be a part of your life.  I thank God for creating you.  He did an awesome job!  Happy Happy Birthday.  I love you more..... and more each day!

It's Ash Wednesday.  The first day of Lent.  A day of repentance.  Is there anything in your life that you are holding on to that you should give up?  I'm giving up anger.  What are you giving up?

For today March 8, 2011 Outside my window... the ground is once again covered by a light dusting of snow, resembling a frosted mini-wheat.  More snow is in the forecast.  Oh spring, where art thou? I am thinking... how wonderful it will be to see the first spring flowers in bloom. I am thankful for... the small amount of quiet time I was able to have this morning. I am wearing... a mountain dew t-shirt and jeans. In the learning rooms... reading goals to set for our reading challenge, multiplication flash card games and more on South America. I am remembering... the words from a song I heard this morning. I am going... to organize my junk drawers before the end of this month. I am reading... Nickel and Dimed I am hoping... my littlest man will take a nap today. On my mind... all the anger and fear I've been dealing with lately. Noticing that... E has a servants heart. From the kitchen... Pizza for dinner tonight. Around the house... Books, b...

I'd like to introduce the newest member of our family, Mister M. Weighing in at 7lbs. 5oz. with a length of 19 inches.  He was the fourth addition to our family and brought tears to our eyes when he arrived.  Daddy cut the cord and he was quickly placed in my arms.  Ten fingers and ten toes, fearfully and wonderfully made by our Lord. Mister M was a surprise from the beginning.  I had just sorted through and given away all our baby clothes.  I cried a few tears over the fact that I wouldn't have another baby in the house when donating our high chair and storing the cradle made by Grandpa Jerry.  Life was moving forward and now it was time to transition from caring for babies to raising children and training them in the way they should go. That is not the plan God had for us.  Unbeknownst to me, while I was giving all our baby clothes away and crying those tears, God was forming Mister M inside me.  The firs...

As I finished putting some of my lip polish on M, she rubbed her lips together and then said, "Now I can kiss dad."

You know the saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure".  Well, we are the happy recipients of a few treasures thanks to my sister-in-law. Every year, my dear sister-in-law sends a box of items that she has collected throughout the year.  Typically these goodies are freebies that are given to her while traveling for business.  The items this year included a few t-shirts, a raincoat, some bath essentials and other such gifts which one might use to advertise a business.  Then, much to my 10 year old's delight, out of the box came a Harry Potter mug, a chocolate frog, a Hogwarts school journal and other Harry Potter essentials.  (Oh, and a "Food Face" plate for me.  I thought it might come in handy for entertaining.)  L could hardly contain his enthusiasm when he saw these items come out of the box.  Thanks Aunt Patti!

For today March 1, 2011 Outside my window... A cold, crisp morning with the promise of sunshine today. I am thinking... of a little girl with aggressive brain cancer. I am thankful for... my family, my shelter, clothes on my back and food on the table. I am wearing... comfortable cleaning clothes. In the learning rooms... reading challenges, multiplication memorization, cursive and South America. I am remembering... when I used to walk to the bus stop for school in sub-zero weather.  Love how the snow crunches under your feet. I am going... to show God's love today by cleaning a neighbors house who just had knee surgery. I am currently reading... Nickel and Dimed: on (not) getting by in America.  I am hoping... little MF continues his current evening routine. On my mind... current events happening around the world and all the unrest that accompanies them. Noticing that... my birdbath has a crack in it.  Looks like I'll be shopping fo...