Planning a Trip

Wow! This blogging thing is really hard during the holidays. There are so many things I want to write about, but I just can't find the time to sit and put my thoughts together.

Thankfully, the boys finished school for the year today. They have off until the Monday after New Years. But we aren't done by a long shot with school things. My oldest had a Basketball game tonight, and he has one tomorrow morning, Monday night, and Tuesday night. I don't particularly like basketball. In fact, I find it incredibly hard to sit through. But I am wild about my son. So for him, we make it work.

We are also planning a trip home to the east coast. At the heart of the trip will be helping my parents move their bedroom to a downstairs room so Dad doesn't have to climb the stairs. But we'll be squeezing in as many visits with extended family and friends as our sanity can handle. Travel during the holidays--especially with three boys in a small car--can be stressful, so we'd appreciate your prayers.

At this point, the forecast is for it to be snowing Tuesday night into Wednesday, the day we plan to leave. I'm hoping that won't be the case, since I'm getting pretty tired of white knuckle rides on ice. Yet, if it is snowing, it won't be the end of the world. We'll just pack smartly, and take our time. I'm liking the lists some of you have been posting about what to keep in your car. I plan to be prepared for anything. And if it turns out to be bad weather, I'll be sure to have a few good books to hide my nose behind!! I know, great support for my husband, isn't it?

Anyway, just in case I don't find the time to get back on the computer during the course of the next few busy days, I wanted you to know what was up. We'll be packing and cheering and celebrating Christmas early, then hitting the road.

Don't let the stomach bug bite you, and pray it misses us too, would you?!

A What Kind of Pet?

Each Christmas, my brother and his wife send a box of packages to the boys. My kids look forward to this with great anticipation (and I with fear and trembling). One year, it was a gigantic, ugly, fuzzy, robotic spider. Last year, there were (@#&^%!) screaming monkeys.

The boys convinced us to let them open them, and I have to admit, my big brother outdid himself this year. Yes, he did.

The first package my four year opened was this delightful "Poopin' Pet". Not a phrase I coined. You tip his head back and stick brown jelly beans down its neck. Pull his tail and you can guess what happens. I won't to go there. My middle son got a penguin, and the oldest got a snowman. All three poop jelly beans--only, white ones for the snowman, and black for the penguin. The boys laughed and cackled and coined some phrases of their own, until my husband threatened bodily harm...

The next set of packages contained marshmallow shooters. One for each boy, who whooped and hollered and danced around with chants of, "Oh, yeah!, Oh yeah!" and "Sweet!!" I thanked Heaven we don't have any marshmallows in the house.

The next was a set of Brain Bender puzzles because all brains need to be bended.

Then came the game, Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?. Thanks, Bro. I really need a game to play with my kids which will prove to everyone that I'm not, by the way, smarter than a fifth grader. That should be loads of fun. I will, by the way, be bring'in that game when we come to visit next week, so we can see how smart you are...

Then came the Stomp Rockets and Sky Twirlers. O.K., these do look like fun. But they are definitely NOT indoor games. Since the whole of our outdoor world right now is a skating rink, I didn't feel like risking life and limb to go out and supervise. So these totally cool looking toys got placed, still sealed in their bubble pack and accompanied by much moaning, back under the tree.

This, by the way, was the paper they were wrapped in. It's TWO sided! How cool is that? Too bad the boys trashed it before I realized how cool it was. I am, indeed, a paper saver, and this broke my little heart. With three boys, I'm lucky to save any paper scraps at all, let alone any which are big enough to wrap more than a pack of gum.

Anyway, that brings me to the last present. This little doozy was the one that put my dear thoughtful brother (and his accomplice, wife) right over the top in the eyes of my three sons.

A big bag of marshmallows.

I owe you, big brother...

Works For Me Wednesday To Slip In a Card or Book

Bookmarks, personalized with pictures of the kids or family make wonderful gifts in themselves, tucked in a card. But they also add a personal touch to any books you give as gifts.

We use scrapbooking paper so they won't fade, and then I pick out some fun pictures from the year to print out. I try to pick out pictures that will have significance for the person receiving the bookmark. For the grandparents, photos of the boys and us are perfect. For friends, I pick pictures of our families playing together, or photos of places we like to go together.

Scrapbooking tools come in handy, but you don't need them. Plain scissors and glue will do just fine. Stickers, if you have them, are a fun touch.

When I have the bookmarks together, I take them to the library to get them laminated. Then, I punch a hole in the top, and make some tassels to loop through, and they're done! For the tassels, embroidery thread makes them look classy (and I like classy), but you can use yarn, ribbon, or even choose to leave them as is.

Each year, the boys make some for themselves, too. They love having a personalized bookmark to take to school, and if it encourages them to put their nose in a book, I'm all for it.

Last year, my oldest made one with pictures of the family and his favorite place to visit, the Dayton Air Museum. It turned out really cool. He drew pictures of his favorite planes on the back side.

One year, I made one for my husband that had pictures of the boys on the front, and a favorite verse on the back. He still keeps it in his Bible. I've made a few (O.K., a lot of them) for myself, too, of course! But when you are talking about something that combines the joy of reading with pictures of my kids, I simply can't stop!

This year, my four year old got in on the fun and made a Thomas and Friends one using family pictures and Thomas stickers. Once I get them laminated, I'll slip his into the Thomas the Tank activity book I got him for Christmas. He'll love it! He is always looking at the ones I keep in my Bible during church.

If you need a good book idea to tuck them into, Grace For The Moment Morning and Evening Edition, by Max Lucado, or The Purpose of Christmas, by Rick Warren, would make beautiful choices! Seriously, Grace for The Moment is a twice daily devotional that I absolutely love. If my certain engineer hasn't yet gotten the hint, I would really, REALLY, love to have a copy of this for my very own...

Now, go check out the rest of the fun at Works For Me Wednesday, or visit the Kimba's Holiday Open House at A Soft Place To Land! Between the two, there are enough ideas to keep you clicking all the way through Christmas vacation!!!

Merry Christmas!

KidSurplus: A Great Place to Find Discounts On Name Brands

KidSurplus offers lots of name brand clothes for kids and young teens for great prices. I just snagged some flannel lined jeans for the boys for $9.99, and they will be wonderful for our chilly playroom!

KidSurplus offers newborn sizes up through boys 8-20, and girls 7-16, as well as tons of other things for babies and kids.

I also snagged some wipe off board books which my four year old loves to use during church services. I love these books! He has the Things That Go book (listed for $5.37) and it is his absolute favorite! The activities are simple and fun. It even has a place to store the pen right in the book! Check it out, and while you are at it, look at the other great books they have.

They say their Holiday sale ends today, but every day I've looked at it over the last few days, the date has said the current day.

Morning and Evening Edition of Grace For the Momentby Max Lucado

This must be the day for book reviews, because there is another one I have to tell you about.

While waiting for a prescription to be filled (at Kroger, no less), I stumbled upon this book. Whoever thought to put book displays next to the prescription waiting area knew what they were doing.

The book is called Grace For The Moment, Morning and Evening Edition.

The picture from Christianbook.com does NOT do it justice and my own does little better. It is hardback, bound and beautifully stitched in two soft and earthy shades of (imitation) leather. It literally cries out to be held and cradled. No lie. The print on the front is pressed or engraved, or whatever you call it when someone puts a design on leather-like material.

The prescription was ready long before I was finished perusing it and I was forced to buy a copy--for a friend, of course. At least that's how I justified it. But I was smitten. It was only $14 something, (Christianbook.com sells it for $12.99), but it was worth far more than that in my estimation.

Here's why. Besides the gorgeous binding, the book is written in typical Max Lucado style which is captivating, to the point, and full of encouragement, wisdom and hope. It is, in essence, a twice-a-day devotional. Each set of open pages has a verse and short devotional--one for the morning on the left, and one for the evening on the right. Included, is a space at the bottom of each page to jot down thoughts God lays on your heart.

I find squeezing in my devotionals a constant battle. But this, this is perfect.

I'll keep my original intent, and give it to a friend, because I think she will enjoy it. But I'm also dropping hints as thick as feathers in a hen house that I'd like one, too! Seriously.

So if a certain engineer reads this, take note. This would make a really cool gift for your wife.

The Purpose Of Christmas...A Great Book to Read or Give...

I'm reading Rick Warren's The Purpose Of Christmas at the moment. It is a small red hardback, just over a hundred pages in length, which a friend found at Walmart and gifted to me. I highly recommend it as a treat for yourself, or a gift for a friend or neighbor. Incidentally, you could probably snag it cheaper from Christian Books Online, but buying it from Walmart will encourage them to carry more great books. Not a bad thing at all.

Anyway, in his new book, Rick extends an invitation to believers and unbelievers alike to look anew at the birth of Jesus from the standpoint of God's purpose.

Why did He come?

He came for one purpose. To pay the price for each one of our sins. In full. As Rick points out, Jesus didn't save himself from the cross, as the thief suggested, because He didn't come to save himself. He came to save us!

Jesus sets salvation apart from religion.

Religion is all about man's attempt to please God. Religion involves lists of things to do in order to gain favor with God.

But salvation is all about "done". It's about God, through grace, reaching down to us. It's about what Jesus did on the cross on our behalf. You can't look at His coming to earth without looking at His purpose and accomplishment.

God's purpose in sending His son was deeply personal. Humbling. Moving. Somewhere along the business of the season, we need to stop in our tracks and realize the greatness of that gift.

If we don't have Christ in our hearts, we will not find Christmas under the tree.

A Savior has been born to you;

he is Christ the Lord!"

Luke 2:11

If you pick up a copy of Rick's book, you won't be sorry!

Free Subscriptions

Two quick things:

You can get a free subscription to Scholastic Parent & Child by signing up here.
These are limited, so if you are interested, don't wait. Also, be warned there are a handful of questions the sign up page slips in--questions about employment and such. Basically, they want to match you up with other offers. You can opt out of receiving other offers at the bottom of the page, though, before you click submit.

You can get a free subscription to Lowe's Creative Ideas Magazine here. I'll take all the creative ideas I can get! If you don't already have an account, enter a user name, email, and password at the bottom of the form.

Works For Me WednesdayFree Treasure For Boys

If you have (or know) boys of any age, this tip is for you! Sign them up for the LEGO Club and receive a free LEGO catalog every two months!

My boys LOVE LEGO's. They find their way into every room of our house and usually get stuck in the bottom of my foot several times a week.

Last year's Christmas was all about LEGO's, and I signed up somewhere along the way for a catalog. When it came, no lie, my kids fought daily over who would get to read it on the bus, and how long each was allowed to have it, and whether or not the others were taking good care of it during their turns.

Even the neighbor boys were in awe of this treasure. It didn't take me long to realize what I needed to do.

I needed to call LEGO. After I explained that just one was not going to do it for us, I signed ALL THREE of my boys up to receive their very OWN catalog.

They have anxiously anticipated them from that moment onward.

Like I said, they "read" them on the bus. They read them in the car. They read them while we're waiting--just about anywhere. They read them in their bedrooms, and at the kitchen counter. They read them in the bathroom and even under blankets with a flashlight. Yes, boys, I know about that.

So order. It's FREE! The boys in your life will think you rock. And that doesn't happen nearly enough!

We've not tried this one, but LEGO also has a program called BrickMaster. It costs $39.99 and comes with six BrickMaster Edition LEGO magazines (one every two months), Six surprise LEGO toys (mailed out one every two months), two LEGO Shop at Home Coupons, and a free LEGOLAND California Admission ticket. If any of you have tried this, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!

Then go check out the rest of Works for Me Wednesday!

EDIT: If you go to sign up on line, be sure to enter YOUR age when it says age range. Entering your child's age will get you locked out of the process. Thanks, Angie, for reminding me of that!

What's On Your Wish List?

For me, it's Time. Extra time. A bucket full! Wouldn't it be wonderful? A bucket of time, just for Mom. Time for a nap. Time for good book. Time for extra chores. Time for a Hallmark movie. Shoot! Time to put two thoughts together! LOL!

Like everyone else at this time of year, time is in short supply for the cumbersome list of things on my To Do list.

Yesterday, my middle son had oral surgery. So I'm all about keeping him comfortable, and playing catch up with work he (and I) miss.

Too bad the rest of the world doesn't pause while I tend to the "injured." There are still meals to cook, basketball and Christmas Pageant events, chores to be done, gifts to be made and wrapped, etc., etc., etc.,

So wouldn't it be wonderful to have a bucket of extra time stashed away in the pantry? Then, on days like this, where any time on the computer makes me feel guilty, I could just get it out and tackle the mountains at my leisure!

The worst thing for me is that when time is so short, I get short--with everyone. My patience all but disappears, and all of a sudden, the little things begin to stick in my hide. The mail across the counter, the hide and seek laundry, the toys I keep stepping on, and even the accidental dropping of a glass knickknack . . .they all push me further and further up my little wall until I blow a fuse.

Barbara Johnson says, "Godliness is the ability to let your light shine after your fuse is blown."

I'm going to have to ask God for help with this, because I'm thinking my light got blown full out (along with my fuse) over the weekend. Thankfully He's in the business of Light, and Forgiveness and Fuses and things.

I know He can help me put things in order. But I'm still putting a bucket of time on my wish list! A girl can always dream...

What's on your wish list?

Um, About That Christmas Guy...

Some folks would say my kids are incredibly deprived. Among other things, we have never done the Santa Clause thing with any of them. (gasp!) That doesn't mean we don't dress them up in those cute little suits and take pictures! Just that we like to make the focus on Jesus.

This is a picture of my youngest little guy two years ago.

While we focus on the birth of Jesus, and explain where the story of St. Nick originated, we try to be sensitive to other families. After all, I grew up leaving cookies for Santa, and have fond memories of finding the crumbs in the morning.

I've implored each of the older boys as they reached school age not spoil it for other families. "Their parents might not like you telling your friends that Santa Clause is not real." I might as well have been speaking to the wall, though. For last year, my second son followed in the steps of my first son and spilled the beans to the new neighbor kids.

I did (indeed) hear about it from their parents and apologized profusely. But it was all snow behind the sleigh, so to speak. Sigh. If I could only send my kids to school with duck tape on their mouths (and not get arrested), three quarters of the trouble they get (me) into could be averted!

Well, several moments ago, I had an utterly shameful and depraved temptation during a conversation with my four year old. He came up to me out of the blue with these questions.

"Mommy, is that Christmas guy coming?"

"What Christmas guy?"

"You know, that guy with all the stuff on his face" (hands feeling an imaginary beard) "and a helmet on his head." Helmet?? "Is he coming here?

Right then, I had the insanely evil and pagan urge to say, "Oh, you mean Santa Clause! Yes, he's coming. But right now he's at the north pole eating candy canes, talking to elves, and packing his sleigh." But I didn't.

I didn't have to say anything, because he dashed off to find R2D2 without waiting for an answer. And I breathed a sigh of relief.

But it will come up again. For sure. So I'd better be ready with my vague and nebulous answers. After all, we can't have a four-year-old spouting off to his buddies about the lie their parents are telling them!

It's such a touchy and sorted affair!

My husband's approach is to lay the lie bare in one fell swoop. Cringe. That's what got us in trouble with son number 2 and the neighbors. My dear literal child was just repeating what his father had told him. There has GOT to be a better way then that to handle this.

So, before I get put on the spot again, I'm asking (really begging) for you to share your wise and noble answers with me. How do you or would you handle the whole Santa thing with your little ones?

And hurry it up!

Three-Foot Fall

Thursday, December 8, David Jeremiah sent the following message out on his Turning Point email to thousands throughout the world. It was written just for me, but maybe you'll find something in it, too.

Trust in Him at all times, you people.

Psalm 62:8

A construction worker was welding on top of a water tower outside Chicago when he unhooked his safety gear to reach for some pipes. At the same time, a metal cage slipped and bumped the scaffolding he was on, sending him to the ground in a 110-foot fall where he landed on a pile of dirt. when the paramedics arrived and carried him off on a stretcher, he had one humorous request; "Don't drop me."*

Sometimes we are like that construction worker in our faith; trusting God to save us from the long fall of our sins, yet fretting over the three-foot falls of every-day details. It is easy to trust God with the big things we don't fully understand, but a lot of us have a difficult time putting our trust in Almighty God for the small and personal issues we deal with on a daily basis. The Bible tells us to trust God for everything because He knows our needs even before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8).

If you haven't fully put your trust in the Lord, spend some time casting ALL your cares upon Him, for He knows you intimately, loves you perfectly, and is worthy of your trust in every situation.

It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no mistakes in directing or permitting that which crosses the path of your life. It is our glory to trust Him, no matter what.

Joni Erickson Tada

*http://elbourne.org/sermons/index.mv?illustration+4924

Yep. This was definitely written just for me. God is like that.

Wooden Toy Arsenal

For those of you who may have access to a wood shop, these are some other fun ideas for boys to make.


My boys designed and drew these scary weapons on wood over the summer. After I cut them out with the band saw, they sanded and painted them. Then, they gave them to each other for their birthdays.


The boys are old enough to know not to swing them at each other. Their pretend play has matured (most of the time) to the point where they are pretty careful. They use these more in dress up to hang on belt loops and run around the yard.

My oldest thought his little brother needed a rifle of his own. So he chose a piece of wood and set out to design a pint size rifle. Although I cut it out, he sanded the barrel, and painted it all on his own. My youngest loved it, of course!

Like the guns their grandpop made, these toys are special, because they had a big part in making them. And they aren't going to break with the abuse they get in the toy box. Plus, they are less likely to get left in the yard.

I like that.

Another Wooden Toy Gun

Last year, my dad made each of the boys a wooden toy gun. All three were cut from the same piece of cedar (puzzle fashion) and then personalized with their initials and some designs. He used a wood burning tool to put the designs on, and then stained each one.

They are simple, durable, and the boys love them! The fact that Grandpop made them makes them extra special to them, and to me.

Boys will be boys and they all love to play army. I just hate to spend money on those cheap plastic guns. This is a great alternative!

My dad also made the two older boys wooden rifles, which I wrote about a while back.

Morning Prayer

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go,

For to you I lift up my soul.

Psalm 143:8

Works For Me Wednesday Christmas In A Jar

These jars are easy to make and can be customized in countless ways! They are especially nice for someone who doesn't have the space for (or energy to set up) a Christmas tree.

I made one for myself years ago when I lived in a small efficiency apartment. But so many people commented on it, that I ended up making a bunch for gifts the next year. You'll need a large mouthed jar of some sort. Big pickle jars work great. You can eat a lot of pickles, or you can stop by an Italian deli. We got lots from a local deli dumpster. Deli Dumpster. Giggle-Snort! I like the sound of that.


You will also need a small string of lights. I use the little 20 count sets from Walmart. Then, you will need some things to put in with them. Look at your leftover Christmas decorations. I cut a garland into small pieces to layer with pine cones and berries. I also made some multi strand bows out of jute and slid them down the sides. I liked the rustic look.


Add some pretty ribbon of some sort, and you could be finished! Mine stayed like the one above for a few years, but I gradually began adding stems of flowers and berry branches to add interest during the day.

Last year, I decided to do a Snowman Jar for the boys' play room. He turned out pretty well. In the bottom, I layered the small light set with glass floral beads and miniature silver Christmas balls from the dollar tree. The snowman is an ornament from our tree.

I usually just let the wire for the lights run up the inside back of the jar and then under the ribbon and down.


Making unique Christmas gifts and decorations is so much fun, and people just love these things! What they don't know about where the jar came from can't hurt them. . .


Don't forget to swing back over to Rocks in My Dryer to see more of Works For Me Wednesday.

106 Reasons To Go Get My Work Done

O.K. ladies.

Since last Tuesday, when I last read from my Google Reader list, there have been 106 posts added. You have been very, VERY busy! It took my painfully slow connection a shower and a whole basket of folded laundry to upload. I can't wait to dive in and see what I've been missing. I also can't wait to check in on all the blogs I secretly stalk. Yes, I'm a shameless stalker. But I find that an overloaded Google Reader can freeze up my computer faster than a boy can push a button in a store.

So this is the deal I'm going to make with myself. I'm going to spend the next two hours working like crazy to get all of my chores done. Then, during nap time, I'm going to make an extra large mug of coffee and settle down for some seriously fun catching up! If you haven't posted anything for a while--and you know who you are--hurry up and get it done!!

I'm expecting great things.

Keeping Close To The Window

Yesterday, we awoke to our first taste of snow.

What could possibly match my son's sense of wonder and adventure as he pulled on his snow suit and hurried out to play? Certainly nothing I can think of!

I take that back. For me, a warm cup of coffee with pumpkin pie creamer will do just fine. . . sipped from this side of the window. . .looking out. . . waving (and taking pictures). . . and enjoying his sense of wonder. The peace and quiet doesn't hurt any either!

It's not too often that I take the time to watch. Usually, I flitter around trying to get a few things done. I throw an occasional glance out the window to make sure he's still in the yard--and not plowing the road!

But it struck me this time, that he's growing so fast. He won't be little and playing in the snow in my yard forever. I felt the draw to keep close to the window and tuck the treasure of his wonder in my heart. I need to do that more often. . .

Oh, the wonder of sentimental wanderings. . .maybe I'll just write love notes in the dust that is covering my furniture. . .or maybe I should get to work and stop procrastinating!