Zoo Trip!

This post is was meant to go out several months ago :( 

We went to the zoo a few months ago and I am just now posting about it. Sorry for the delay, but I am trying to be better about posting pictures and documenting our year. 

Now, read it like it's April. ;)

Spring is a time for field trips, right? I have done my best to plan some into our homeschool days and this week we headed to the Houston Zoo so that the kids and I could enjoy seeing some of God's wonderful creation! Our sweet friend, Kelli, accompanied us.

 My kids love turtles. Especially Beckett who sleeps with, bathes with and adores his "baby turtle."

Easton liked watching the roadrunner, probably because the roadrunner 

has a similar personality to himself. ;)

My boys. How big do they look there? Oh my.

Beckett and Miss Kelli with the elephants

Best try at getting all 3 together 

Baby jaguars and their keeper, Alicia (that's what the kids called her at least).  She talked about them, answered questions and fed them in front of us. Very educational!

Tigers! Beckett also loves tigers and sleeps with his baby cub tiger every night.

Our friends the giraffes...we have a great friendship with them after eating lunch only a few feet away from them. Very cool!

The petting zoo area was Easton's favorite. Particularly this fella.

Soon all the kids were gathered around and hoping to feed him. 

He wasn't so interested in what they had to offer. 

A great day and learning experience for the kids. We will definitely be going back to the Houston Zoo in the future!

Summer Reading Programs

Who doesn't love Summer Reading Programs?

For kids, it's the perfect summer activity to keep them learning, but not too scheduled where it doesn't feel so much like summer anymore. We also love the freebies that come with sticking with it! Here are some of the programs that I have found in BCS:

Half Price Books:
    Receive $5 credit each month (June and July)
Barnes and Noble:
    Receive a free book on their book list
College Station Library (for both adults and children):
    Receive certificates for free adult and kids' meals
Bryan Library (for both adults and children):
    Receive certificates for free adult and kids' meals
H-E-B:
    Receive H-E-B Buddy t-shirt
Chuck-E-Cheese:
    Receive free tokens (with food purchase)
Scholastic:
    Receive free downloads and badges

Have you found any others that aren't on this list?

Camping Party

When Taylor Joy started talking about her birthday party months ago, she was coming up with some strange ideas ("animal" party, My Little Pony)... I quickly realized that my job as a Mom was to redirect her to some cute ideas from Pinterest and fortunately she fell in love with some of the "camping" parties that I showed her.

Since she is only turning 6 and has many friends who are younger, we decided to do the camping party at night, but not as a sleepover. Truth be told, I don't think I'm ready for that either. The day will come, I'm sure, but it doesn't need to be this year. She is already growing up so stinkin' fast!

Here are some pictures from the party:

Simply playing in the tent was big fun!

Watermelon Lemonade

Making S'mores, of course! They also dipped the sides in sprinkles to make them pretty!

 Campfire Cake

(fitting and super yummy! I made a cinnamon frosting instead of chocolate like the link shows)

Our birthday gal

Blowing out her candle...

 Pinata Time!

(Mine was NOT cute, but they were smashing it into pieces anyway, right?)

Gifts for the birthday girl!

We also enjoyed:

Making our own Trail Mix (and letting the girls take their bags home)
Modge Podging Time Capsules (and sending home questionnaires to do with their parents and be able to look back on)
Bubble blowing
Nature Scavenger Hunt

Tiled Bathroom Mirror

I have had some Pinterest successes as well as some Pinterest epic fails. How about you? I have been compiling a list (mainly so I don't make that mistake again) and I will be posting them on the blog sporadically. Today, for your attention, I am letting you know about what I count as a Pinterest SUCCESS! Are you ready?

What's the project you ask?

Tiling your bathroom mirror to make it appear fancy!

I found these mosaic tiles in the clearance section at Lowe's. I honestly didn't even know that Lowe's had a clearance section until I stumbled upon it one day. The one in College Station is in the back of the store behind the organizational isles. They come by the sheet and these were on sale for around $2 per sheet. My mirror needed about 2 1/2 sheets, so this was a very cheap project.

I also needed to buy Silicone Adhesive, which was around $3 for a huge tube that has a lot leftover. So if you are wondering what the total amount is that I spent, let's break it down:

3 sheets of mosaic tiles = $6

1 tube of silicone adhesive = $3

TOTAL: $9

The only thing I love more than a successful project is a FRUGAL, successful project!

So, here goes:

 Pull the tiles off of the backing and order them how you want them (if you are perfectionist like that...)

Squirt a dollop of glue on there and press hard against the mirror, holding it for a second or two to make sure it doesn't slip down.

I just decided to do two rows of them on the outside of our mirror since our bathroom is so small anyway. Didn't want the precious mirror space to get too much smaller, even if it is fancy!

Continue all the way around and when you get to the top, be sure to secure the tiles so they don't began to slowly slide down while they are drying. I did this by putting painters tape in a straight line underneath those tiles. Seemed to work like a charm!

Here is the finished result! I think it's a lovely effect and MUCH nicer than the plain mirror that we endured for many years! Hopefully this is helpful for you as well!

Run for Compassion

For the past several years, my family and I have been involved in a pretty cool project called Run for Compassion. Our friends, the Bacak's, put it on every year to raise money for Compassion International, specifically for children in Ghana. Check out what Compassion and my friend, Jenn, have to say:


Sponsoring children in need is breaking the cycle of poverty 


Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. Founded by the Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training. Compassion International continues to get the highest ratings from Charity Navigator. Today, Compassion helps more than 1 million children in 25 countries.


The Race:

You can. You and your whole family.

If you’re a runner, then you will enjoy this race. You will enjoy our clearly marked route with friendly route directors, and our race atmosphere. This year, we will have chip timing. And there will be prizes. Who doesn’t love prizes?

If you’re not a runner, here’s what I want you to know:

My slogan is RUN, WALK OR CRAWL FOR COMPASSION.

If you’ve never run before, you CAN do it! (See the Couch to 5K training schedule.)

But you’re welcome to walk, or even crawl, across the finish line. I’ll stay as long as it takes you to finish.

And I’ll cheer you on!

This is an event for everyone. And isn’t it time? It’s time for you to accomplish more than you thought you could. It’s time for you encourage others to do the same.

So start training! You might feel like you’re going to die…I know that feeling well…but I have been deeply changed by becoming a runner. Not just changed physically, but changed spiritually.

You will be too! Commit yourself and register today! You might be scared…a lot of us are when we start out…but if you are, this is the perfect event for you!

I hope you will register and come out on Saturday, April 14th to run with us and support Compassion as they care for the "least of these." We can't all take mission trips but we can all do simple things like run and support their cause in this way!
 

PrintRunner Postcards {Giveaway}

I have a special opportunity for you! Yes, you!

How would you like to promote your:

- new business
- blog
- Garage Sale for Orphans or other fundraiser
- ministry event
- charity function
- business promo event

???

If that doesn't interest you, how would you like to make something cute to give out in place of:

- birthday cards
- thank you notes
- congratulations cards
- recipe cards
- new baby meal instructions


???

If you thought, "hmmm" at any of those, this giveaway will be of interest to you. And if I know you well, you will make this blank slate of a project into a super cute, super resourceful product that is loved by all.

Printrunner.com has offered one of YOU 100 5x7 postcards to design, customize and use!

A little about the company:
PrintRunner.com was established with little more than a small press and a dream. Ten years later our company became one of the foremost quality printers in Southern California. Our commitment to provide the best value and high quality full color printing at affordable price made our company grow.  PrintRunner is a full service high quality printing company located in Chatsworth, California.


PrintRunner is a convenient online printing resource. Check out their site and print postcards.


A little about the prize:
                       Postcard Size           :       Postcards 5x7
                       Quantity                :       100
                       Colors                  :       4/0 Front Only Printing
                       Paper                   :       14 PT. UV Coating on Front,
                       Rounded Corners         :       Yes
                       Proof                   :       None
                       Ready to Ship In        :       4 Business Days
               *Giveaway is open to US Residents only, ages 18 years old and above.
Thank you to PrintRunner for providing us this giveaway! I will receive a set of postcards for hosting this.


Now what you need to do to enter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dutyisms

Taylor Joyisms: 


 (as she is trying to put up her princess tent I ask, "do you need help, babe?") She says, "umm...I'm trying, but this thing is slippery as a sausage!"

"whoa whoa now! Hold your horsepower!" (while playing with Lightning McQueen, Holly and Finn McMissile)

(after kissing Allen on the cheek) "ooh! you shocked me!"
Allen: Oh, well how do you know that you didn't shock me?
T: Because it was a big shock. I only shock little.

(A convo with Beckett)
T: Delicate means real fun.
B: I'm real fun.
T: Yeah, so... you're delicate.

Easy man almost went over there, but I stopped him because it could be human. (about Easton almost opening the front door for some girl scouts)

 Beckett-isms: 

 (he and Allen playing a game where they "kill" each other) He says, "Daddy, I sure am glad you aren't really killed. I love you."

(after telling Easton that we must strap him into his seat so he doesn't fall out and bust his head open)
B: If you busted your head open, you'd have to get a new head.
D:Where would you get one of those?
B: You'd get it from the head store!

Mom, when I run, it hurts when I walk. But when I rest, I get lots of energy.

Easton-isms:


"Miss Winsey, will you pwease hewp me open my chocowate miwk? Tank you!"

D: Easy man, what do you want to pray for?
E: I want to pway for the ceeyute tigers


(Sissy shows him a picture that she made for him)
E: SHANK YOU, SHISHY! (in the most dramatic and ridiculous voice...this phrase is becoming common in our house now, thanks to Easy Man)

{Redeeming the Time}: Purposeful Planning

It’s a new year and you've made your new resolutions, right? If you haven’t done that yet, maybe you need to resolve to make some, hmm?


Has planning ever made your resolution list? Be a better planner? Certainly a worthy goal. 


For some it comes pretty natural, for others, not so much...that's okay. There really are pros and cons to either being too set in plans and being too loose with plans. 


No matter how different we are, we all have a common goal. We want to hear "those" words. Which words, you ask? Oh, these words...


 “well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your master.” (Matt. 25:21).


To achieve that end there is definitely something to be said for cultivating the discipline of planning (even doing it for the glory of God!) 1 Corinthians 10:31 says whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for the glory of God.


Even simple, mundane and routine things can be done to bring God praise. God actually commands us to redeem the time for His purposes. 


Ephesians 5:15-17 says, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil".


 It’s really hard to redeem the time when you don’t have a plan! 


Without a plan... you will do one of four things: 

• go with the flow and quickly become very busy and overwhelmed
• go with the flow and become lazy
• become anxious for lack of a plan 
• strive for the wrong things

Which is your leaning? Or can you nod in agreement at all of them? ;) In that case, let's get to planning!


First things first – it’s important to determine your personal priorities so you know how to prioritize your plan. Sit down, pray through, think through and talk through with your husband different areas of your life, including: 
 -spiritual health 
- physical health 
- discipleship (growth in you, your family, connection to community) 
- service (spending time, talents and treasures on those in need) 
- relationships (with the Lord, with husband, with children, friends, extended family, etc.)


Once you have ordered your priorities, come up with a general outline listed with biggest priorities first. It may end up looking something like mine (since most of them are scriptural goals):
1. Love and know God
2. Love, serve and shepherd my family
3. Serve the church with my God-given gifts
4. Love and minister to the lost, poor and needy
5. Honor my body and take care of it


 After you have generally come up with priorities, you can make them more specific (serving in church nursery, MOPS group, ministering at the nursing home, etc.). Here's an example of that:


1. Love and know God

• reading/memorizing (fighter verses)
• journaling/praying (prayer cards)

2. Love, serve and shepherd my family

• reading together/family worship @ 5x per week
• sync time with husband once per week

3. Serve the church with my God-given gifts

• mentor college girls once per week
• preschool every other month
• MOPS @ 2x per month

4. Love and minister to the lost, poor and needy

• nursing home once per week
• meal for potluck in Bryan once per month

5. Honor my body and take care of it

• The Shred -  20 min. @ 2x per week

Get out your calendar and look at a typical week. Do your priorities align with your schedule? 


Which things are on you calendar that are not on your priority list? Write those down. 


These will help you come up with a "Not To-Do" list. Mine looks like this:


Not To-Do List:

• Checking email too often
• Checking facebook too often
• Making a homemade meal for someone on an already busy night (takeout/gift card instead)
• Making something homemade when its not necessary
• Blogging that isn't beneficial to my family, the Lord or the gospel going forth
• Reciting the "rules" to my kids more than His story of grace
• Thinking there is something of my job that matters more than my kids

You get the idea...use the difference between your calendar and your priorities to make this list. You may need to go way back to get enough for a list together. Or just know your own tendencies...


In doing this exercise, we may start to feel condemnation thinking that your life doesn't line up with what you portray it to be or even just what you want it to be to line up with scripture. It's so easy to know what your priorities are (or what they should be) and in the hustle and bustle of life for things to get flip flopped…


I want to first love and know God, but if I look at how I’ve spent my time in a particular week, it doesn’t seem like is true in my life. If it’s true, then I would have put aside the email, the facebook, and maybe even some dishes to have prayed and spent time with the Lord.


So we don’t just want to know our priorities, we want them to reflect in the way that we live. 


Shopping for Time is a wonderful book by Carolyn Mahaney that focuses on managing the time God has granted us on earth with the same intentionality we have with shopping. She talks about how we clip coupons, scour sales racks, carefully study garments and think through what would match and how we wouldn’t think of throwing items into our carts before doing those things BUT how often we do that with our time! Our precious time!


Starting your day... can be as simple as praying and reading from the Word. One helpful tip I have received (from Mahaney's book) and put into practice is to get a journal and complete three sentences about the passage of Scripture that you read. I like this method because it can be done simply with a Bible and a journal, anywhere, anytime and I'm not depending on a devotional or needing a new one. Plus, I am reading straight scripture. 


1.  What does the passage reveal about God?
2. What can I learn about myself in relation to God (based on the verses)? 
3. What do I resolve to do in response?


God's sovereignty... There’s a fine line between making plans/sticking with them and then committing those plans to the Lord. Culture tells us we are sovereign and in control of what happens in our lives. It’s important to recognize that as much good planning as we do, human responsibility is always subject to God’s sovereignty.

 Prov. 3:5-6 “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and 

He will direct your paths.”

 Prov. 16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, 

but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD

 Prov. 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, 

but the LORD establishes his steps.

God's Purpose... God has given us a mission much different than the world’s. He has invited us to “come and follow him”, and to become His disciple. He doesn't need us, but He wants to use us! That's worth rejoicing over! His purpose is to use us to bring Him glory during this short time we have on earth, to be lights for Him in a dark world. But we will have a hard time doing that if we fail to prioritize our lives to make the best use of the time He’s given us.


So in all of this we are working toward finding balance in planning in order to redeem the time and holding our plans with an open grasp, knowing ultimately He is in charge of our plans. It’s a wonderful and difficult balance that we should always be striving for and always re-evaluating how we are doing in our lives.


Other ideas...

• Take a personal planning retreat (an extended time once or twice a year for study, prayer and evaluation of what’s working/what’s not)
• Plan special times with your family - Daddy/Daughter Dates, Father/Son projects, Mother/Daughter moments, Mother/Son Dates, game nights, movie nights {check out my Pinterest board for some inspiration}
• Plan to simplify/declutter/give generously {check this out}
• Plan your book list for the year. Need recommendations?

Remember this: even if you only change in one area, you will be doing more than if you hadn’t sat down to plan at all. So pick one thing and run with it! God will be honored that you are desiring to live by redeeming the precious, albeit small, amount of time He has given you!