Life On Purpose

At the beginning of December, I attended something called a Mini-Solutions Social.  Basically, it is a time where a bunch of people get together and learn and discuss Solutions to a common "problem".  In this case, the "problem" was planning your Life On Purpose through goals for 2011.  This was lead by a friend of mine who is also my Director for Creative Memories.  She and her sisters have done this together for years taught by their own mother who is extremely organized.  Barb gave us tons of handouts that I want to share with you too.  I think the easiest thing will be to share one or two documents at a time over the next few weeks.  By sharing this, I think it will help some of you AND it will help me complete some of the things I need to get done as well.  In some cases I'll share both a blank document as well as my "in the works" document so you can see an example but other times, I will just share the blank document. 

The first thing that you need to fill out is something called the "Life on Purpose" list.  This list asks a bunch of questions for you to answer by listing things you want to do this year in your home, in your personal life, with your sweetie, with your kids, ect.  I would suggest that you first just read through the questions and brainstorm ideas quickly.  Write down what comes to your mind, when you have nothing else, move to the next one.  Than, ask a friend, a spouse, your kids, for ideas to fill in the other blanks.  I keep writing things down as more things pop into my mind.  This brings us to the second document I will share.  It is called "Fifty Great Days"  and is something you actually fill out together as a family.  Ask everyone to contribute ideas from things to do, places to go, things to eat, etc.  Both of these documents are going to help you plan the next year based on things that you and your family want to accomplish; it will help you to eliminate the things that are not important and help you realize what you can REALLY do in the next 12 months.

So, feel free to print these documents and fill them out.  Within the next few days, I'll post the next two documents to help you plan your year!

Life On Purpose List

50 Great Days Document

Enjoy!

Apple Cinnamon Ornaments

We are working on doing various family activities a few times a week during the holidays.  Tonight, we made Apple Cinnamon Ornaments. 

The recipe is simple - just mix 1/2 cup of cinnamon and 1/2 cup of applesauce (store bought is recommended as homemade tends to be runny).  Just mix it until a dough forms. 

Than, grab a ball of dough and smoosh it out flat (you can put it between saran wrap and roll it out too but with a 2 year old - we just let him smoosh it out)

Use various cookie cutters and cut the dough into shapes.  Use a straw to poke a hole in it for string and than let them dry for at least 24 hours. 

There are recipes that call for glue also  (1 cup of cinnamon; 1 cup of applesauce and 1 Tablespoon of white glue.)  From what I've read, these will last longer than just the cinnamon and applesauce ornaments BUT, again, with a 2 year old, I'm glad I didn't use glue - he had to taste the dough

Our final products - I don't think, because we did not use glue, that they will last past this Christmas but it was fun to make them.

An Unexpected Piece of News

I think we often walk along in our daily lives, planning, dreaming, and living each day the way we think it is meant to play out and than, something happens.  (To think, my original post for tonight was on planning for 2011 - I'll save that for another day). Something unexpected; something not wanted; something that makes us hurt, angry, question many things, and wonder what God is trying to teach us.  Sometimes, I want to stomp my foot and say "God, I don't need to learn anything else, leave my family alone!" But that isn't how He works, is it?   I would like to share a prayer request with my blog readers, something close to my heart because it impacts my very dear family

This is my brother Jeff and his wife Nora.  In other posts I've talked about Jeff - he is the middle of the three boys. Nora is one of the nicest people you could ever meet.  She is funny, kind, very caring and a fantastic home decorator.  I go to her home and it always looks like a million dollars (but I know she creates it all for hardly a dime).  Over the past few months she has undergone various testing and, I think I'll just quote my brother's post from his facebook page . ..

We are "asking for prayer for my best friend and wife of 23 years as she begins her battle with cancer. After a lot of testing that finished with a chest CT scan last night, the doctor spoke to both of us to let us know that she has lung cancer (in spite of the fact that she has never smoked.)"

 

I know that both Jeff and Nora are trusting God fully right now and will walk this journey each  with a strong testimony to share with those around them.  Yet it is still something so difficult to hear - and when it is your own family, your whole body hurts for those you love so dearly.

 

So, faithful blog readers, I ask you to add Jeff, Nora and their two children, Brittany and Brandon, to your prayer list and pray for them daily.  Pray for strength, wisdom and understanding.  Pray for wisdom on behalf of the doctors. Pray for complete healing.  And maybe you feel a burden to help them or encourage them - feel free to contact me for information on how to contact them. 

 

Thank you.

Weekly Song - Breath of Heaven

Last week, the song that I shared was about Joseph so I thought it was only fitting to share Mary's song (Breath of Heaven) this week.  I love this song by Amy Grant - the music is so beautiful and the words speak volumes.  Again, like last week's song, it is not nearly as common, which is another reason I love it.  I sang this years ago at a Christmas Eve service and since than, have not had a chance to sing it again but that doesn't mean I don't listen to it every year.  It just reminds me of how special Mary was - that despite the fact she carried such a heavy load, she still trusted God. 

Scroll to the bottom of my blog and check out the youtube video (be sure to pause the regular player!)

Too Cute Not To "Toot"!

I spent some time searching through some blogs this week and found some great ideas to check out! 

Surprisingly, I have not found a TON of ideas that I love for Christmas.  I'm not sure if it is because I already have so much Christmas stuff so I don't see the need to add more or if I'm just not inspired right now by much of what I see. Or it could be because I told myself I would not spend money on decor this year so any craft ideas I find are being saved to work on later in the year when I have more time.  But, with that said - there are still cute ideas out there!

I decorate with snowmen a lot at the holidays - they are so cute and, if I don't get my house un-decorated until mid-January it is ok!  This snowman Craft from insidebrucrewlife is adorable and is something that is going on my to do list before next summer.

The monogrammed ornaments shown over at apumpkinandaprincess are a great gift idea for neighbors, friends and family alike.  This version is a little more formal but I have also seen them done with clear bulbs, filled with shredded paper (or feathers, ect) and, instead of using vinyl, just use large stickers.

This candy jar is also from apumpkinandaprincess.  This is a remake of the candy jar she did for Halloween.  It would make a great gift idea for a teacher because it is something they could use at home or on their desk for special treats for students.  I'm hoping to get one of these made for a friend this weekend but we'll see (and I want to make one for myself next year!)

I love all of the great teaching ideas that are out there for this time of the year.  Musings of Me has posted a mini-unit on Camels based on a children's book.  Even if you can't use it this year - save the idea and have it ready for next year :-)

The Noel Boxes are really cute and craftomaniac found the boxes at the dollar star (what's better than that?)

craftomaniac also gave a great tutorial for a Christmas Card Holder.  I have searched for years for the "perfect" place to put my cards and this is it.  It is on my list of crafts to make for next Christmas :-)

Sassy Sites has been posting different linky parties each day - most recently she did one on printables - 35 different free pintables to be exact!  Check them out - there are lots of package labels to print!

Cute!



Over at A glimpse Inside, I found a creative tutorial for a wooden snowflake.  I think they would look great hanging in each of my living room windows!

She also gives an easy recipe for "mint thins" from Kraft. com

I've seen tons of wreaths in Blog Land - and lots of ornament wreaths.  I think they are cute but have been looking for something different.  This wreath by Crafting In the Closet fits the bill.  I love it - the colors, the design, and the fact that it is . . . . . . different!

I know there there are tons more ideas out there - I'll keep looking since we have one more Tuesday before Christmas :-) 

I'm also making my list of Crafts to make in January and February.  My goal is to do one a week but I doubt that will happen along with the REST of my goals I have but that is what I'll plan for and we'll see how it goes!

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program

I'm sure many of you have heard of Dolly Parton but have you ever heard of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program?

It is a great program where you can get 1 free book a month to each child in your home that is under 5 years old.  Yes, I said free.  As the kids get older, they look forward to receiving that book that is addressed to them!  Both of my boys are signed up and we get some really neat books to add to their libraries.  You can check out the website here.    Click on the "first time users" section; than you can click on one of the train sections to learn more or sign your child up (if it is offered in your county).  And yes, you can search to find out if it is offered in your county too!  (Too find that out - just add your zip code in the "search your affiliate" box and it will pull up the info.  I'm assuming that if it isn't offered, it won't pull anything up . . .it is offered in my area so I get the school address)  Even if this isn't offered in your area, share it with friends and family too!!

I hope that this will help at least one person be able to get some books for their children!  :-)

PS.  Josh's book came today and he saw it in my hand when I came in from outside - he couldn't wait for me to take off the plastic wrapping so he could sit down and look through it! 

Books To Read - Jan-April!

It is hard to believe how quickly 2011 is bearing down on us, but it is!  I've been making lists and checking them twice . . .of books, that is!  Back in August, I did a post about books I wanted to read before the end of the year.  I'll be writing a reviews in another post but I did finish those books . . .early, in fact.  So I thought I would share my next goal.  I decided to up the anty a little bit and want to read 12 books over the first "quarter" or three months of the new year. 

I know, I know - yes I can count and that is only 10 books (the bottom skinny, minny one is actually Nate's book he just got in the mail from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library - if you have kids under 5 and haven't checked to see if that program is offered in your school district - you really need to!!) One of the 12 I had picked, I just finished and will review it with the other's I need to review and one, just hasn't arrived yet.

So here is my list - names and author's only - as I read them, I'll write my very biased (:-) ) review (otherwise known as my opinion!) 
1.  Taking Care of the Me in Mommy by Lisa Whelchel (Saw it recommended on a blog I follow)
2. The Edge of the Divine by Sandi Patty (I love Sandi Patty!)
3. Parenting in the Pew by Robbie Castleman (Again, saw it on a blog)
4. The Total Woman by Revell (This is something I saw on a blog and am actually amused by it . . )
5. What's He Really Thinking by Paula Rinehart (Again, saw it on a blog)
6. Falling Forward by Sandi Patty (Yep)
7. It Starts at Home by Bruner and Stroope (This goes along with my Faith Box)
8. Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tripp (We got this when Nate was dedicated from my Dad's church)
9. 6 Stress Points of a Woman's Life by Leman (I got this a year ago - I really like Dr. Leman's writing)
10. For Woman Only (I think my mom gave me this one)
11. Embrace Grace by Liz Curtis Higgs (She is one of my favorite authors and I've wanted to read this book for ages)
12.  Choosing too See by Mary Beth Chapman (just wanted to read it and my mom gave it to me!)

They are in no particular order - as I finish one, I pick which one interests me the most.  I usually have some other book that I'm reading for "fun" too - depending on what my mom gives me or I pull off my shelf that I've read before.  I had I started reading through my library again (it is all in alphabetical order by author . . .yes, I love my books) but got way-laid by some different series that my mom gave me. 

What are you reading?  Do you have any good books to recommend for future reading - I like all topics, even some novels would be great.  If it is a "harder read" - I put it in with my reading challenges; if it is an easy read, I just add it to my pile to read for fun! 

Where do I get my books?  Well, from my mom, books I've owned forever and have never read, gifts for various things, or I purchase them used on half.com.  I also sell books on half.com - it is an awesome place to find books at low costs and the shipping is all media mail determined by Half.com, not the seller.  I get most books for less than $1.00 plus shipping!