Joy or Joy Stealer?

Recently, I was wandering the aisles of Target on a day out without kids and I overheard a conversation between a mom and a soon to be college student that went something like this:

Mom: All of this other junk is fine, but how do you plan to take your clothes with you?
Daughter: I haven't decided yet.
M: Well, you need some bags. (walks down an aisle).  Like these.
D: These say I need a vacuum to suck the air out and I won't have a vacuum.
M: What other idea do you have then?
D: Maybe some totes.
M: You actually expect us to haul totes of clothes back and forth from school for you? I'm not spending that money on totes just get these bags.
D: Why do I want space saver bags?  I'm not going to unzip them everytime I want clothes?

You get the idea.  The mom was done.  Probably tired of spending money, tired of trying to get all of the things that everyone thinks they need for a dorm room; tired of thinking about her daughter moving away (even though at the moment I think she was ready to drive her away right that moment HA!)

It got me thinking - too often we let our attitude or our "direction" steal someone elses joy.

I find this true in my own life.  I have certain things I expect to happen in my day, with my kids, ect.  When those things don't happen it is so easy to become negitive because life doesn't go the way I planned.  I find myself telling my kids no about everything, getting on them about little things, or just rolling my eyes (when they can't see) after they have said "mom" for the millionth time.  I can see it in their little faces as I begin to steal their Joy.

Snoopy.  Is there anyone that symbolizes joy more than Snoopy?  My third grade teacher's husband was the school counselor in my elementary school so we got "special treatment".  See Mr. Hyde had a special talent - he could drawer Snoopy.  It was a treat to get a Snoopy from Mr. Hyde but because we were in his wife's class, he would often stop by and draw a Snoopy on our papers while we worked.  Why did he do it?  Very simply, when he drew a Snoopy, the students smiled - he handed out Joy through the ink of his pen.  He was a joy giver.

A Joy Giver > A Joy Stealer

So, back to me.  I don't really like to be a joy stealer.  It happens most often when I'm tired.  Or when I get a little put off by what someone does.  Or when my plan is knocked off kilter.  Or, again, when my kids have done me in.  You get the idea.  It. just. happens.  Just like I can see it on my kids faces, I can sense it from other people in either their words or the look on their face.  So what do I do?  I work to change from taking joy to giving joy.  For example.  Recently in the truck as we headed to town - a 35 minutes drive - my youngest asked me to play "the song" (Disc 2, Song 2).  And to play it loud.  This is a common request which I don't mind usually because we are driving 3.5 minutes to the store which means one time through the song.  BUT, I rolled my eyes at the thought of doing this for 35 minutes so I said, "Fine, but only twice and then I'm listening to the radio."  As it played the first time, the conviction started as I thought, he loves this song.  This song that is singing about chosing God; a song that is teaching him about the love of Jesus.  At the end of the second time through, I said, "So, do you want to hear it again?"  To which TWO voices chimed in loudly "YES!!!".  We listened to it 8 times . . .8 times in a row.  Guess what?  By the time we got to town, we were ALL singing it with Joy.

Something Yummy- Black Forest Cheesecake (No Bake)

Black Forest Cheesecake (No Bake) 
adapted from: Together as family

This is a perfect pot-luck dessert.  It's easy to make, looks pretty and tastes fabulous.  The fact that it combines plain and chocolate cheesecake in a chocolate pie crust with wonderful cherries . . .how can it be bad? 

Ingredients

1 ready-to-use chocolate crumb crust (Oreo or chocolate graham cracker)
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vamilla extract
1 carton (8 oz) Cool Whip thawed
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling

Instructions

In a mixxing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and combined.
Add in sour cream and vanilla extract.  Beat together until combined
Fold in Cool Whip with a spatula.
Spread half of the mixture into the pie crust.
Add cocoa powder and powdered sugar to remaining cream filling and beat together until combined.
Spread evenly over the cream cheese layer.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
Cut into slices and serve each slice with some cherry pie filling.

Creative Memories

I thought I would share some new products that I really love in Creative Memories!

First up is this cute little collapsable box. It's actually only avaliable to advisors but that means if you want one (or 10) I can order them for you!  They fit mat packs which means they are about 4x6 and they are only $4.00 each.  

Advisors and customers alike have been asking for more storage options so this Crop Caddy is perfect!  The outside pockets will old things like the custom cutting system and the personal trimmer fits in the inside pocket.  It's $22.00 and you can order it direction from my website. 

Finally, this new pouch and pen set is perfect.  I love pens and the creative memories pens have always been high quality.  The price is $24.50 for the entire set and, again, you can order from my website. 

To look at or order the products or to check out all of the other great things Creative Memories has to offer, just click HERE.

Sunday Scripture/Song - He Always Wins by Matt Hammitt

I heard this song for the first time a week or so ago and just love it.

[Verse 1]
As long as I'm able, let the work of my hands
Bring glory to Jesus, on Him I stand
Struggles try to snare me, sin plans defeat
But there is nothing stronger than the Rock beneath

[Chorus]
Over any trial, over any sin
My God in Heaven, He always wins
He is over life, He is over death
His love is eternal, it never ends

[Post-Chorus]
Oh-ooh, oh-oh-ooh
Oh-ooh, oh-oh-ooh

[Verse 2]
Like a tree by the waters, my roots run deep
And I thirst for nothing but His love for me
His mercy is endless, His promise is true
I will not be left wanting, when it's Him I choose

[Chorus]
Over any trial, over any sin
My God in Heaven, He always wins
He is over life, He is over death
His love is eternal, it never ends

 

Our week in Photos #10

It's hard to believe we are coming to the end of "summer".  We had a busy weekend to start out the week though!

Saturday the boys and I met my mom in town so they could head back to her house with her for a few days.  I enjoyed something I rarely get to do - I went shopping.  It was fun :-)  Then Darryl and I met for dinner before heading home.

Sunday - Darryl had a concert; We spent the rest of the day out for our anniversary; The boys started VBS at FBC in Linden!

 The boys love VBS at my parents church. Love. it.   They look forward to it all year long and day one did not disappoint.  It started with a cook out.  Then one of my college friends is the speaker/teacher and he told me the boys were "totally tuned in".  Then they got to play water games - one of the men in the church is a firefighter so he brought "his" truck and sprayed the huge slip-n-slide.  I can't wait to see pictures from the rest of the week :-)

 While the boys are with my mom, Darryl and I started our day with an Alive concert.  I always enjoy watching Darryl do what he loves so much - play his guitar. It was a beautiful morning for an outdoor concert.

We then escaped for the day to one of our favorite places - South Haven.  We started with lunch at a place we love - Maria's.  Normally when we go there with the kids we just get pizza but this time we got actual entrees and they did not disappoint.  From there we took off walking (the wrong direction because I'm awful at directions HA!) and got a great iced coffee drink before we continued walking (in the wrong direction  . .. Darryl should always look at the location of things before we walk, just saying!).  We (Darryl) did figure out fairly quickly that we were totally going the wrong way so we then walked much further than we needed to in order toe get to our planned boat ride.  It was worth it though - the boat ride out on Lake Michigan was so much fun.  We got to see the great beach from a different view point as well as homes - both tiny ones and HUGE ones.  Such a relaxing fun way to spend the afternoon.  Our walk back to the car was much shorter since we went the right way ;-)  LOL  It was a great get away!

Monday - "A Total Eclipse of the  . .. Sun" :-)  I shared photos the other day but our big excitment for the day was, well, the Eclipse!

Tuesday - I got to do something I never get to do . . .I went to a movie.  Alone.  Darryl was working, my boys were with my mom and the kids I watch were with their grandma.  The movie choice was limited so I picked something that looked good but, what I didn't realize was that it had sub-titles HA!  The movie was in french.  It was actually a pretty good movie despite the sub-titles.

Wednesday - Today was a quiet day :-)  I met my mom and the boys for dinner on their way back into town.

Thursday-Friday - We had pretty quiet days.  It's been much cooler these past two days so we've hung out at home.

Weekly Menu

This is "clean out my fridge, freezer and cupboard" week!  I feel like we have lots of food and it's time to use up some stuff before buying a bunch more.

Friday - Dill Shrimp Pasta, garlic bread, and salad/veggies

Saturday - Tacos, beans and rice

Sunday - Roast, Carrots and Noodles

Monday - Pork Chops and Rice, and a veggie

Tuesday - Omelets (ok, not real omelets . .. more like "scrambled" omelets since they are easier HA!), crescents, and Applesauce

Wednesday - We usually eat with my mom so we'll decide on Wednesday what we are eating (Sometimes she even cooks HA!)

Thursday - Something with chicken - chicken orzo soup, chicken and dumplings . . .I'm just no tsure yet.


I'm sitting here realizing that the next menu I write will cover Labor Day Weekend.  How in the world did that happen???  To me, this summer has been pretty amazing.  We are enjoying have my mom close by; we have enjoyed swimming in the pool (and will continue to do so for as long as possible!!!); we have enjoyed doing quite a few various activities because all four kids are old enough to be much easier to take places; and I personally have enjoyed not having a summer of death with unbearable temps and humidity.  This year I'm actually sad that we are on the tail end of summer (and usually I'm screaming SNOW right about now to cool of the ground that is hotter than the center of the earth HA!).  As we slowly step into fall, though, I'm also looking forward to more bonfires, cooler days, changing leaves, and the crisp, cool, clear, freash air.  Pumpkins, cidar, corn mazes and more are all so much fun!

10 Reasons I love Homeschooling

As the schooling culture changes, more and more people are opting for various options of Homeschooling.  Many of the local public schools offer opportunities for parents to use online learning at home, there are actual "Public Schools at Home", Christian online options through Bob Jones, Liberty and more, not to mention Traditional Homeschool options.  But all in all, homeschooling has it's challenges and, of course, benifits.

I was thinking about why I love Homeschooling recently and thought I'd share those with you.  (Aren't you thrilled?)

1) Our start date is when I want it to start.  Even though I do online schooling and there is an "official" start date, I can still flex our schedule to fit us.  I could schedule our first day of classes the Monday after Labor Day if I wanted.  I've been watching people post first day photos since the first week in August and I am so thankful that we get to enjoy ALL of August before we even have to think about it!

2) We can take vacations whenever we want.  We don't vacation often but, we can plan our vacation in the fall when stuff is less busy or the spring, before the rush hits.  We can also plan 4 day camping weekends without any concern of school.

3) Co-Op.  I am thankful that we get to participate in our Co-Op/Friday School.  It's a fun semi-structured way to meet with out friends and still learn and have fun.

4) I have the say in what my kids learn.  Even with our on-line classes, I can direct the answers back to God and the Bible; I can also skip a lesson that I feel is unnecessary and it's ok.

5) Our start time is dictated by what works for us.  If my kids went to our local public school, they would have to be out waiting for the bus by 6:50 AM.  I'd be getting them up by about 5:50 AM.  that is ridiculous.  The past few years we've started classes at about 10:00.  This year I'm going to try and push our start time back up to 9:30 because the princess is going to Preschool and will arrive off the bus at about 10:45 - I'd like to have a good hour done before we have to stop for the bus.

6) Our schedule is ours.  During the weeks we have co-op, I don't plan lessons for Friday since we are gone all day.  When Co-op is done, we don't have lessons on Monday because I find that I need Monday to catch up from the weekend.  We also set up our lessons so we can take 3 weeks off at Christmas, Birthday's off, and we even get snow days.

7) I can incorporate Bible anywhere I want.  We tend to use our AWANA books for Bible so that the boys are learning and understand Bible Verses.  Each year I think about adding in a more specific Bible Curriculum but until both boys can work more independently on their computer lessons (meaning, I don't need to sit with them the whole time), trying to fit in more just doesn't work.

8) I'm the only parent I have to deal with (well, and the principal aka my husband HA).  If I mess up, I'm the only one that I have to "yell" out.  It also means it all falls on me.  When I don't have the boys read enough or practice sight words enough - that's all me.

9) We can do school in our comfy clothes :-)  I actually have the boys get out of PJ's every day before class (ok most days!)  - it makes for better learning but sweatpants and sweatshirts are allowed.

10) I get to see my boys every single day, all day.  I love seeing them learn.  I love seeing they enjoy learning and I love that we just get to hang out every day.