Getting ready for the holidays!

Last year we did a Truth in the Tinsel project...where we studied the birth of Jesus and did crafts every day related to what we studied.  We didn't do that again this year.  I didn't have the time...nor the energy to do the extra crafty stuff every day.  We do did a few fun activities...found on Pinterest of course:)

This first one were ballerina snowflakes.  So pretty!

 These really cool (Large) snowflakes.  The pictures don't do justice.  You can get the tutorial over at my friend Erin's Blog:  At Home with the Boys! 

 Graham cracker houses.  Graham crackers...well duh!  Who has time to make gingerbread and cut them into pieces...or spend all of that money buying a kit...The kids really enjoyed this activity!  I think Weston's turned out the best...don't you:):)  He is so proud!

 Jocelyn's roof collapsed right after this picture....I think it may have been do to the overload of frosting on the roof.??

 The girls also made these cute little snowflakes....Easton made one in the childcare at church, but disassembled it in the car....

 The girls each made a snowman.  This is Katelyn's.

I had my own little fun with a group of friends.  We met at a Pottery Place in Omaha and had a well needed girls night out.  I made an ornament and put the kids' name on it.  So not artistic at all...but the kids loved it!

and there was a night out with my hubby!  His corporate work party was in New Jersey.  It was fancy smanchy with servers in tuxes delivering hors d'oeuvre (or however you spell it) to everyone....and it took forever to serve all of the courses...it was really nice though.  Here is our lovely pic right before we headed over there.

Isn't he handsome?:) 

I hope everyone has a nice, safe holiday season!!!!

An evening with Snow White!

The girls enjoyed an evening at an Omaha Library with their friends.  Snow White came to sing them songs, read stories, do crafts, dance through out the library, and to sign autographs for each child.  My girls know that Snow White isn't real....it was the same gal who was dressed up as Rapunzel last year..and they recognized her...but they still had a good night!

 Both of the girls in their Ariel costumes with Easton's BFF J.

Snow White Singing to the girls (video)

 The girls posing with Snow White and getting her autograph

 Arts & craft time.  They had 3 different crafts.

 Katelyn's little fairy craft...and her cheesy smile:)

The girls dancing.

 Listening so closely:)

Some firsts for our little family!

This year our little family have had many firsts!  Probably too many to post here...I don't want to bore you too bad....

January:  
Katelyn's first pretty in pink party invite.  Her little friend Bella turned 4!

February:
The kids' first Valentine's Day party with our friends from our homeschooling co-op!

March:
The kids' first visit to our State Capitol

 and our first circus!

April:
The girls first visit to Disney World

May:
The kids' first visit to Adventureland Them Park in Des Moines, IA

Our first hike through Pioneers Park-- just a few miles down the road....we have been so missing out!

June:
My first 3k race....and first longest run....without stopping!

July:
First visit with the kids to Mall of America in Minnesota

My first Color Run!

August:
My first Mud Run!

September:
The kids first visit to Washington DC

My first time running a 5k....without stopping!  This was a benefit run in Georgetown, a suburb of DC.
                                           
and first ocean visit for Easton & Weston

Our first visit to Chattanooga, Tennessee!

October:
Our first visit to Arbor Farms in Nebraska, City!

The kids' first ride on a fire truck!

November:
Easton's first friends party for his friend Jael!

 Our first visit to the Nebraska Dairy Store with friends!

and the tractor museum!

Our first time bowling with the entire family!

Our first cat!

I am sure we will have many more firsts...including Jocelyn getting baptized on January 6th!!  Can not wait!  I will write more about that later!!

Weston's 2nd birthday party!

A few friends and family came over to my parents house to celebrate Weston's 2nd birthday.  My sister was in town, so that was nice that she could be with us.

If you know me....I love making cakes for my kiddos birthdays.  I kind of obsess over them really.  I choose the plan usually months in advance and slowly gather supplies throughout the planning process.  It really has to do with how cheap I am...don't want to spend the money on a cake....however when it is all said in done....I could have probably spend less money buying a regular cake from the store.  Oh well.  It is fun and the kids love it.

Weston is really into trains.  So I made this cake from him.  This idea was inspired from Pinterest and Betty Crocker.

I thought it turned out really well.  Weston was really excited about it.

Then right before the party it turned into this.  People still ate it.  I guess I should have labeled the box-- don't move...cake inside. 

Sean ran up to the store and we bought a substitution cake.

and Weston enjoying one of his birthday presents. 
                                    
here are my other cake creations of the year:

Please read before it is too late....

Picture stolen from Pinterest

 This past week has gotten me thinking a lot about death.  I know…a sad topic.  My husband lost a close employee and my uncle passed away this morning.  This is a time where someone…like me…naturally thinks about where I will be going after I die. 

Did you know that it is possible to know whether you have everlasting life? 

I know for sure where I will be going.  Do you?

Did you know that, according to the Bible, if you repent your sins (feel regret or remorse for them) and receive Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior, you will be saved from eternal punishment in Hell when you die?

Christ did an amazing thing for us at the cross.  He died.  For us.  For ALL of us.  So that we could be saved from our sins.  He forgives us of our sins.  We are ALL sinners.  He makes no distinction between famous and the unknown, the rich and the poor, the unselfish hero or the repentant murderer. 

People will not go to Heaven because of their good deeds, nor to Hell because of their sins. And this is a good thing, because if people went to Hell because of their sins, everyone would go there. So God has made a way of escape for us.

***Admit that you are sinner.***

The Bible says, “For all have sinner and come short of the glory of God.”  Romans 3:23

***Know that God has already provided for your salvation.***

The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son [Jesus Christ] that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life”.  John 3:16

***Know that you cannot save yourself.***

The Bible says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.”  Titus 3:5

Righteousness does NOT come by the law and good works and rituals prescribed by false religions.  The Bible warns us about false religions….religions of man.

***Repent of your sins.***

The Bible says, “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:3

***Ask Jesus Christ to save you.***

The Bible says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13

 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved” (Acts 16:31).

“If thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”  Romans 10:9, 10.

Get a Bible and read it every day to get to know Jesus Christ better.  If you don't have one...let me know, I will personally buy one for you.  Seriously.  Do not be ashamed that you don' t have one.

• Talk to God in prayer every day.
• Tell others about Christ.
• Join a Bible-believing church and get baptized. Worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church that truly believes the Bible and where Christ is preached.

The Lord Jesus Christ made no promises that you will have an easy life.  In fact, the Bible teaches that those who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

“If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thy heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved.  Romans 10:9

No one else can get us into heaven.  Once we die…that is it.  It is too late.  No one can pray for our salvation after the fact.  Our salvation has already been decided…and it is up to us.  Not a priest, prophet, other false Gods or whoever else people worship.   

You don’t need to be in the presence of anyone else in order to be saved.  You can get saved…right now….in your car…home….shower….wherever. 

It is o.k. to leave what you have known your whole life.   

Do it before it is too late.

Let me know if you want to talk....and I am serious about the Bible offer. 

Gift giving guide for kids!

I might be the only who feels this way...I have a feeling I am not...but I am sharing with you my overwhelming thoughts about gift giving for birthdays, Christmas, or just because occasions.  I am overwhelmed.  At this moment...very...very overwhelmed.  I don't know if has to do with Weston just having a birthday or the kids starting to open early Christmas presents from relatives but I am as I mentioned already...overwhelmed.  Overwhelmed. Overwhelmed. Overwhelmed.

We have too much stuff.  The kids don't understand.  They don't understand at all.  Of course they want more things...more gadgets...more toys...more stuff of any sort.  When people ask...if they do...what the kids want...I usually say nothing.  But people never listen.  The stuff just flows in like honey.  It is overwhelming. 

We will have a break from school at the end of the year...and I am going to do some major pitching out and donating...major.  I have already gotten rid of a lot of stuff...but more has got to go.

So here is a gift giving guide for this upcoming holiday season.  I am sure it already too late...

1.  Ask the parents what their child "needs"...not wants.  There may be certain items that the child is in "need" of.  The child may not always know.  If you ask my girls what they want...they are going to say something for their American Girl dolls....to add to their other million American girl items. 

2.  Consider gift certificates or memberships.  Maybe the person's town has a fun amusement place...get them a gift certificate so the whole family can enjoy a night out.   Maybe there is a museum or zoo in town.  That is a gift that can last all year.  I don't know about everyone else's museum/zoos but you can get the best membership rates before the new year hits.  For us to take advantage of the deals that is almost $400 of out of pocket expenses right before the new year...it is...the word of the day...overwhelming to think of...but I hate to miss out on the discounts before the rates go up.

3.   If you do want to buy something like a toy or fun thing...consult the parent.  I can not tell you how many times we have gotten a duplicate toy, game, trinket.

4.  Maybe they need restocking in certain areas-- more age appropriate games, art supplies, paper, etc.

5.  Put yourself in the parents shoes.  If you were the child's mom/dad would you want that item in your house?  Does it make a lot of noise?   Is it age appropriate? 

6.  Don't feel like you have to do anything big.  Seriously.  A card to say...Happy Birthday is sufficient.  A dollar bill.  A phone call on an occasion.  The little things are just fine.   

and proof....of my overwhelming state...can you believe this was clean over the weekend?  Come throw up with me now.... CAN.NOT.WAIT.TO PURGE....the toys and trinkets.