A Sweet {first day of school} Tradition

Having grown up in Germany...I am still in love with TRADITION! It is something to look forward to and even more than that, it is something dear to you that you can not wait to pass down to your children and to their children!
On our first day of school, we {no pig in my pocket...my twinsie and I} got our very own "SCHULTUETE". It was like Christmas morning! Typically, they are filled with lots of sweet treats and erasers, pencils, crayons etc. but you could really fill them with whatever you would like!

If any of you are teachers, I am sure YOU could imagine how hyper your little students might be on the first day of school.

Since Laurissa's first day of college is this next week, I wanted to do something special for her...so, I filled her "SWEET SCHOOL CONE" with some things she will need in college...white washcloths, soap, post it notes, gift cards, a book of stamps and envelopes, chapstick, straws and some other little things that she loves! I can NOT wait to give it to my little bunny.

Her Daddy gives her flowers every year on the first day, so we included a little vase from him to her. That is when I "lost it" today...and I was doing sooo good!

On her tag, I stamped "with GRATITUDE" because I am so thankful for the daughter she has been, is and will continue to be...she challenges me, loves me unconditionally, takes Sunday afternoon naps with me, but most of all she loves the LORD with all her heart, and she shares it with everybody she meets. I know that if you met her, your life would be THAT MUCH better...just for knowing her. SO, my heart is full of gratitude and am reminded every day of God's grace in blessing me with the sweetest daughter ever!

This year will be the first year since she started preschool that we have not had our annual back-to-school dinner, so I am going to have to find something creative to do...not sure, yet. SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!

BY THE WAY, my parents have a picture of my twinsie and I on our first day of school in Germany with our "SWEET SCHOOL CONES", so I will post that when my Dad finds it.

Do you have a favorite back-to-school memory or SWEET TRADITION?


I just guesstimated and used what I had on hand to make mine. That's why it's a bit Christmassy looking!

Directions for a Sweet School Cone:

1. Cut poster board to desired size. I left mine BIG.

2. Cut wrapping paper to the same size.

3. Using Elmers Spray Adhesive, spray a thin coat over poster board. Do NOT spray adhesive on flimsy paper. You will have a big.ol.mess!

4. Place wrapping paper on top of glued poster board. Working quickly, be sure to line up paper and gently smoothe out wrinkles and ridges.

5. Working from the bottom up, form cone shape. Be sure to have a pointy bottom, so that nothing falls through...or you can add a pom pom...like I did.

6. Using a large metal clip or clips, secure the top of the cone. Heavy duty paper clips may also be used. Use the clips to adjust it the way you want it.

7. Glue gun the seam.

8. Trim the top so that it is even and straight across the top. It will look just like a sugar cone.

9. Add the finishing touches with ball fringe, ribbons, grommets, fabric initials, stickers, stamps, photos...whatever. Use your imagination! If you made a mistake, this is your chance to embellish away!

10. Using your hot glue gun, glue small sections at a time across the top, inside lip. Quickly pleat tissue paper to the inside on top of the glue.

11. Fill with healthy school snacks, sweet treats, paint, stickers, fun papers, etc.

12. Present to your little ones {or BIG ones!} on the morning of their first day of school!


OH.THE.POSSIBILITIES: It may be fun to make mini burlap cones and tie them with jute for Thanksgiving favors...I think it woupld be a fun twist on the ol' cornucopia...hmmm!

Or for a different birthday present, you could fill the sweet cone with ice cream toppings, fun bowls, napkins and spoons!...and make homemade ice cream together!


My twinsie and I on the first day of school...1970's :}



***Posted from the archives!



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{HANDMADE} BERRY PIE ...and little bit of this and that

M was once a mini-pie,
Pidy,
Widy,
Tidy,
Pidy,
YUMMY insidy, mini-pie!

This time, I used Trader Joe's pie dough and freezer jam! I used a 4 inch round, fluted DEMARLE cookie cutter for the dough and put about 1 tsp. of jam in the center. Use fork tines to seal the half-moon pie and brush with a silicone pastry brush dipped in one beaten egg. Sprinkle coarse sugar on top. Put the pies on Silpat{if you don't have one you NEED one} or on parchment paper and bake at 425* for about 15 minutes. Aren't they sweet? Just small enough to enjoy with a cup of hot peppermint tea. That's right. HOT TEA!

Little rhyme adapted from Edward Lear...thank you Mr. Lear!

Post adapted from the archives!


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...a little bit of this and that...


Our son is in Alaska on a missions trip. A LONG WAY FROM HOME.

We are in OREGON...A LONG WAY AWAY FROM OUR CALEB...

He had an accident while dirt-biking yesterday and is a lot of pain. His wrist is broken in three spots and since he slid 40 feet on gravel with a tumble in there along the way, he is one sore boy!

Please pray that he will not need surgery and that God will heal his body. It is going to be a LONG haul.

I spent most of the night up just praying as we have so many friends right now who are really hurting...and who are much worse off than our Caleb. How very wonderful to know that God has things in His control...although it seems very out.of.control.

I was reminded of this: " REMEMBER THIS, HAD ANY OTHER CONDITION BEEN BETTER FOR YOU THAN THE ONE IN WHICH YOU ARE, DIVINE LOVE WOULD HAVE PUT YOU THERE. BE CONTENT WITH SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE, SINCE THE LORD HAS ORDERED ALL THINGS FOR YOUR GOOD."
Charles Spurgeon

There are so many things I would love to write to encourage you...in what you may be facing, but honestly, nothing I have to say or write is more comforting than going right to the THE GREAT PHYSICIAN! Taking all your worries and fears right to Him and trusting in Him for all the comfort you need and MORE! How difficult it is to watch our loved ones go through pain...and at the same time, how amazing to be able to go to the Bible for words that are as soothing as balm!

How thankful I am for each of YOU and for the friendships I have made through blogging. I am not sure what the next few months are going to look like {NOT that we ever know what the next day holds!}, but Lord willing, I will be able to continue to blog...but I am sure things are going to be quite different once our Caleb arrives home. I am going to need to be in full-time Momma/nurse/counselor/friend/taxi/advocate/mentor/cheerleader/mode!

Thank you for your prayers and understanding!

"YOU WILL KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON YOU, BECAUSE HE TRUSTS IN YOU"

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Stork Bundles {Hot Basil Cheese Sandwiches}

We are all smack dab in the middle of summer and if you are like me...wishing the days were a bit longer to get everything done.

It is easy to find ourselves having no time to do special things for other people when we can't even get laundry done for our own family!

There have been so many weddings, memorial services and baby showers this summer that I can honestly not even keep up with them all, so I thought maybe you may be in the same boat!

OKAY, take a deep breath for just a second. GOOD JOB!
You all know we love taking dinners etc. but as mentioned many times before, it is not always do-able. So, here is a great alternative. How about taking lunch to the new momma? It can easily be taken while you are out on your errands...and although it has been years since I had babies...I remember how hard it was to scramble to make lunch for myself. It was usually devoured within seconds because there were things to do while babycakes was "napping" which in our case was always only about a 15 minute cat nap!

Anyhoo...your family dinner can be whipped up at the same time you are prepping lunch for your friend. Not only will you be ahead of the game for the day, but you will be so filled with joy that you were able to do something nice for somebody else! What a great lesson for your little ones to observe during the summer months! It is easy to just have fun during the summer with our children, but what a great opportunity to share with your children the value of caring for others.

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impresss them on your children. Talk about them when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7


NOTE: If you were unable to make it to the baby shower, you could include a wooden monogram from your local craft store for baby's nursery! Just tie a piece of fabric around the letter for a custom look. Children love picking out gifts and wrapping them. Just an idea!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Stork Bundles {Hot Basil Sandwiches}

Ingredients:

1 small jar Kalamata olives, drained and sliced

2 cups tomatoes, diced

1 small red onion, chopped

1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

1 cup Parmesan cheese

2 cloves of garlic, pressed

1-2 tsp. sea salt…taste it and see how much you want.

Pepper to taste

6 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

½ cup red wine vinegar

1/3 cup olive oil

{10 hard Sarah Lee Italian Sourdough Rolls}

Directions:

*Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.

*Take each roll and cut out a large “plug” from the bottom.

*Remove extra bread

*Stuff 1/3 cup into each roll

*Replace “plug”

*Wrap each roll with foil.

*Bake @ 350* for 20 to 25 minutes

Wrap foil packages into white linen napkins…about 15”X15”...this will give it "the special delivery" stork look. You could use a burp cloth, too.

You are ready to deliver your little stork bundles! Aren't they so cute?

new momma lunch menu:

lemonade

basil cheese sandwiches...great enjoyed cold, also...just in case!

fresh canned peaches

homemade oatmeal cookies {my little homemakers made these up in advance!}




"OUR DEEDS, OUR PRIORITIES, OUR VALUES WILL COME HOME TO REST IN OUR FRONT YARDS THROUGH THE LIVES OF OUR CHILDREN"

{I wrote this down long ago and have no idea whose quote it is}


Shared with: women living well, raising homemakers, frugalicious me, full plate thursday, freckled laundry

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Almond Chicken Panini Croissants

Our Laurissa is back from teaching in Kazakhstan, and our Caleb is off on a missions trip to Alaska for three weeks! It has been quite the adjustment! Not the "typical" summer we are used to having...

Everybody who reads this blog knows by now that we celebrate a lot with food and Laurissa's dinner back was no exception. Since she is still adjusting to the time change, I kept the dinner simple. She loves chicken salad and this is a quick recipe to put together for a special but easy lunch or dinner...especially when there is MOUNDS of laundry, errands to run, forms to be notarized, phone calls to be made, birthday cards to be written, coloring contests to enter, and BATCHES of Cracker Jacks {4th of July tradition} to be made for one very special OPA! WHEW!

Chicken Panini Croissants
Lisa Pearson

6 boiled chicken breasts, boiled, cooled and diced

1 tsp. garlic salt

1 1/4 cup Best Foods Light Mayonnaise {I know. :) LIGHT MAYO!}

1 cup almonds, finely chopped {I was in a rush and did not do a good job at all!}

1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

A twist of freshly ground pepper!

Directions:

*Mix all ingredients together. You may want to add a bit more mayo.



*Slice croissants and spread with chicken filling.


*Grill on a panini grill or any other kind of kitchen grill. We have even wrapped them in foil and grilled them on low on the bbq! DO NOT BURN!



On the menu last night:

Lemonade

canned peaches from OMA



homegrown romaine in a Caesar Salad with freshly made dressing {anchovies and all!}



almond chicken panini croissants

ice cream and brownies with friends and NANA and POPPI


Happy Tuesday to YOU!

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The Gift of Deprivation

Yes. Depriving our children of everything they want is a gift to them from us with LOVE.

I just assumed that most parents did not give in to their children's wants...but it did not take long and lots of embarassing moments for me to realize that we were amongst the "mean" parents who did not "love and provide" and the list goes on and on.

Caleb was young and a bunch of moms from his school decided to take the children to Safari Sams for the day since there was no school.

Scott and I had decided the night before how much money the children would have to spend and we gave it to them the next morning before our field trip. Mind you, there was a flat fee to be paid for the climbing etc...the "extra" money was for a few arcade games, so the amount we gave them was MINIMAL.

Part way into their play time, Caleb came to me asking for more money. The other moms were getting into their purses to appease their children...I guess anything to keep them occupied...anyhoo, I reminded Caleb of our talk with their Daddy. They were not to spend anymore than what they had been given. Caleb did not argue {thank heavens!} and went to climb. A mom who had been listening to our conversation said, "I realize you may have a tight budget, but when I was growing up, my parents never gave us anything and we were always made fun of and it still hurts today...you should give Caleb some more money or I can give him some." WHAT?! That had NOTHING to do with the point of not giving him the extra $$$$.

We were trying to instill in him to be grateful for what he was given. Set up boundaries. Give him a heart that was not selfish and only thinking of himself and to work HARD! Things were not going to just be given out just because. {We HAVE practiced a lot of GRACE and I will write about that soon.}I can say that I quietly sobbed to myself the whole way home. I can guarantee if we had cell phones back then, I would have been calling my hubby!!

God offers wisdom and comfort on so many levels and especially when we are pursuing to lead our children into the very arms of their SAVIOR.

This morning I saw an old cabinet door saved from our kitchen remodel several years ago. It was sitting out by the couch. Caleb had decided to make a game board for their basketball tournament this weekend. BRILLIANT! The boys will have something to do on the road...so much for ipods, car tv's and Iphones...the gift of deprivation has it's blessings...because I can gurantee you that this deprived boy of ours has come up with some awesome inventions because of the little word "NO".

This young man has learned to be industrious and will be an AMAZING husband who is able to provide for his family because he has learned the value of having to do with what he has...and I can't wait to watch him pass down the gift of deprivation to his children!

I know some could view this project as a piece of trash, but if he doesn't keep it...I will and it will remind me of how God has sustained us in parenting and to see that a child at age 17 is still making do with what God has blessed us with...even the smallest of things like old cabinet doors, clothes pins and gglue sticks.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Colossians 3:23



Shared with: raising homemakers, women living well, a holy experience

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Soda Fountain Bar

Do you ever have one of "those" days? It is supposed to be exciteng and fun and everybody else seems to be doing great, but you are doing everything in your might to keep from tearing up?

Today was the end-of-the-year picnic at my son's school and I was wondering if I should go in the first place. I knew if I didn't I would be a wreck all week having regretted it...sooo I went for very selfish reasons. VERY SELFISH!

The "child" was on his way to the store with friends to get an icee...so, we pulled off in the parking lot and he drove down the road, hopped out and joined the other friends who were already there, then I drove back to the school to join my daughter who was there to enjoy the festivities of her brother's last day of school and she was talkking to an old coach of hers. I sat and talked to a few moms, and left the school in tears! SO.NOT.FUN! Oh for the days when the little ones would sit with me! As I was driving home, God brought comfort to me in knowing that I should be THANKFUL that they have friends to walk with, coaches who have been significant influences in their lives...that they are healthy and independent enough to carry on without having to have me close by. After all, that is what Momma birdies do...they nurture their young until they are independent enough to be strong on their own. I so look forward to what God is doing in each of them and I know that life is changing dramatically, but let me tell you...they will never be too old for holding my hand, kisses and hugs...prayer time at night and good-morning kisses.

So...tonight, we are not having our traditional last day of school dinner again, but we will be having an Soda Fountain Bar at some time tonight to celebrate what lies ahead. It may not be until midnight, and it may not be just the four of us...but a celebration is in order to celebrate yet another school year of God's AMAZING faithfulness.

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Soda fountain bars have been a family favorite now for years. They started off as a great alternative to soda pop and all the high fructose corn syrup, but over time, they have become a great thing to serve at parties! You would be surprised how many friends really mingle and talk as they exchange ideas and conversation over making their own drinks. {If you are finding it hard to justify purchasing the syrups just for a soda fountain bar, the syrups are great on waffles, crepes and pancakes, too!}

SOOOO, there is nothing wrong with a large tub of soda pop, water, crocks brimming with fresh lemonade and sweet tea, but you may want to mix it up a bit and do something that is way fun and an unexpected thing for your next celebration, your family's pizza night, or Taco Tuesday...

This is what you will need:

flavored Syrup {We like Monin, Torani, and DaVinci }

club soda {sparkling water, seltzer water, mineral water, carbonated water, fizzy water...everybody has a different name for it!} :}

ice

cups with domed lids {cash and carry}...so you can have mounds and mounds of whipped cream goodness!

straws

whipped cream {flavored ones are also fun to make!}

*It also helps to put out a little sign with direction to get them started! They will all be experts by the end of the evening. {I have one sign that I keep to put out when we serve them...but you can easily make a fancy schmancy one for a special occasion with your theme}


*The other advantage to serving Italian Cream Sodas is that there really is no need to make dessert,too! WOO HOO!

*I am almost done rambling on. {remember...my kiddies are not home this afternoon...to ramble on to, so I get to ramble on and on to whomever will listen!} The soda fountain bar may be kept simple or you can really deck it out for a party. We served these at a wedding reception and it was HUGE success! The flavors can be written on a large chalkboard for fun and you can use colored cups and straws to carry the theme. Think bridal showers, baby showers, graduation parties or what about for FATHER'S DAY???! For those who are not wanting to waste or use plastic, we have served them in the small Starbucks Frappucino Mocha bottles...no need for ice if everything is chilled...darling. That's it. DONE. Silence. Time to hop on over to the next blog...or start your evening of celebrating the last day of school!


For Christmas gifts...wrapped biscotti, red and white paper straws and napkins, and everything else you would like to include in your soda fountain gift can be placed in a large white bag with mini pom poms glued across the top and a large J.I.N.G.L.E bell tied to the handles!



Love to ALL of YOU!



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Trainers...Not Babysitters

Okay tired and exhausted Mommas, this is for you today! Here is yet another gentle reminder of why we have the loftiest of jobs. Even though about right now it may NOT feel like it, it IS a priviledge to be able to care for our little ones and train them. We are not babysitters. {No, your job does not end at 5:00!} What we are is trainers...for the long haul. When we are wondering if it is worth it, the answer is "YES, ABSOLUTELY!" When your child is throwing a tantrum, having a tough time in school, maybe dealing with hormones and arguing with you...it is worth it! We are meant to be brought to the ends of ourselves so we can cry out to Him. That is exactly where grace is. We just have to ask. {We certainly don't have a problem asking our children to brush their teeth and our hubbys to pick up a gallon of milk and Advil!}

As our family said goodbye today to a very dear child who is leaving to serve our Country, I could not hold back the tears. As I hugged him one last time before he left, I almost felt like I couldn't let go. I want to protect him and take care of him. Over the past year, our family has listened to this young man's dreams, fears, hopes, and most of all his love for God and the desire he has to do his part in fighting for the freedom he believes in.

As we prayed together last night he requested he be able to stay strong in his faith, and that God would keep him close!

A child does not just "turn out" like this. I am telling you! This child has had amazing parents that have instilled in him what it is to be more concerned about others than himself. They have prayed for him. It has taken more discipline and tears than you can even imagine. Rest assured...we are all benefitting from children like this who have put their dreams and hopes on the line to give us the freedoms we enjoy every morning when we wake up in our cozy homes... YES, even Monday's laundry, dishes from the weekend, cranky kids from camping trips and late-night summer festivities!

I am tired too, but again, I find myself even more ready to face parenting challenges...with a little more patience and with a little more compassion. I know that I wont always be able to tuck my children in and give them kisses at night...but tonight I do. I can write them notes and teach them the importance of loving others unconditionally by modeling it for them. I can have have my bedroom filled with smoke from the fire pit as my son and his friends make S'MORES. I can hold my daughter and wipe her wet, blackened cheeks from mascara and tears. While I have time with my children, I WILL dote on them. I WILL refer to myself as "mommy" and their dad WILL be referred to as "daddy". We WILL ALWAYS say "I LOVE YOU" before bed, first thing in the morning and before ending any conversation on the phone...and lots and lots of times during the day...just because! We will pray whenever, for whoever, and for whatever, because one day it may be our child going out to combat who is going to need to fully trust and depend on their God when we are NOT there. I want them to fully know the power of our God and the comfort only He can bring in dire situations. They need to know He can be trusted with the smallest of concerns {sick pets} to friends with cancer. He will be all they have at some point in their lives and what better time to teach them when they are young.

The soldier at the end {in the last frame} risked his life for someone he did not even know. The man he carried to safety wasn't a friend or a fellow soldier. I want to raise good, strong children who have been loved enough and taken care of enough to where their hearts are so filled to the tippy-top to where it can not help but overflow into the lives of those their lives will one day touch.

David Scott...we love you and are praying for you.

{Reposted from 7.11.10}

Shared with: multitudes on mondays, homemaker by choice, titus 2sday, raising homememakers

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Blessings in Disguise

Dear Jesus...

Thank you for taking this momma's heart...broken into a million shattered pieces...and gently piecing them together again. Thank you for leaving a few jagged edges as a reminder to the broken pieces that once existed. I am so thankful it wasn't pieced back as though nothing had ever happened...because it was indeed a lesson in faith.




Feeling stripped of all hope...you whispered your promises one by one.




Thank you for enveloping my child into your ever-caring hands and for healing him the way you saw fit.



Thank you for knowing I needed him...with us...to teach me to trust you with everything...even his very life.

I am overwhelmed at your grace and your mercy!

Thank you for replacing guilt with trust and paralyzing fear with unspeakable joy. Thank you for exchanging my weakness for Your strength.

Thank you for giving us your perfect peace minute by minute, hour-by-hour and day-by day.

Thank you for comforting us in the shadow of your wings...never leaving us.

Your stubborn love has carried us and sustained us.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit"
Psalm 34:18

Thank you for our blessing in disguise...



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"Meet My Friend Monday"...Kara Chupp

Today's guest post is by Kara Chupp, wife of Jason, mommy of five (4 here, 1
in heaven), part-time homeschool-mama who enjoys writing, reading books,
taking walks with close friends, going to garage sales, spending time with
her family, and NOT doing laundry. Most importantly, she loves Jesus.

I met Kara last year and although we have only actually talked a few times, I feel as though I know her through reading her heartfelt blog, the chuppies. She has a passion for life and graciously emulates what it means to have faith in Christ! It has been through life's toughest times that she has learned to trust in God and to have joy that passes understanding.

Thank you, Kara.


I Don't Want Our Kids To Feel At Home Here



*photo credit
I don't want our kids to feel at home here.
Because--

This is not their home.

Yes--I want them to enjoy life.
And be healthy.
And feel comfort.
And know safety.
And taste success.

But not if it means that they--

Feel too much at home.

That's why we often talk about death.

I know...
I probably just lost 3 out my 5 readers on that one.
And I very much want our children here, with us...
We've felt the pain of losing a child and I never want to know that hurt again.

But we actually do talk about death quite a bit around here.
Or on the flip-side--

We talk a lot about Heaven.

And yes--I get it.
There's a balance.
We're not trying to load them down with more than their little hearts and minds can handle, but if anything--the see-saw is weighted too heavily on the other end.

We live in a mirage of security.

Where we think there is a medicine or method or mystic or mantra that can keep us from being

Mortal.

But it's a dangerous illusion to uphold--
Creating myopic vision.
Eternal fervor dampened under the delusion of here and now.

For those redeemed by Christ are not citizens of this here and now.
No--"our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."
~Philippians 3:20

So, we do talk about death. We don't shy away from it.
Because for most people, in most places, in most times throughout history--
Death is a common foe.
And in the midst of the grief, something healthy comes from that heartache.
No one has to convince us that--
"...we are but dust."
And a man comes to know that--
"his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and its place knows it no more."
~Psalm 103:14-16


A couple weeks ago, our daughter's close friend came to spend the night. She has childhood diabetes and she is seven. As I watched her prick a tiny finger, adjust the insulin amounts and wait patiently for the numbers that would determine if she could stay over...
It made me long for Heaven.

Just today I was reading a post by the lawyer who finalized both our adoptions. For years, he's watched his young daughter battle cancer, and now his wife is in the final stages of ALS, a terminal disease. Reading his pain...
It made me long for Heaven.

Yesterday was the date of Selah's death. It took me back to that season when grief was so heavy and Heaven was our only hope. And even yesterday...wondering about three-year-old-Selah...
It made me long for Heaven.

Heaven changes everything.
It shifts our dreams, our goals, our direction.
It affects our pain, our sorrow, our fears.
Heaven gives us hope.
"We want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope...Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words."
~1 Thessalonians 4:13, 16-18

Heaven moves us to invest in what will endure--
Forever.
Heaven gives us courage to sacrifice for what will last--
Forever.

We spent last Wednesday night with some good friends visiting from Niger. Our friend, who is a doctor, told story after story about the broken, sick, hurting people who enter the hospital where he works:
--twisted arms wrapped too tightly, requiring amputation
--babies dying from typhoid infested waters
--too-young mothers laboring for days with newborns already gone
Death on a daily basis.

There is no semblance of security in Niger--
Only true hope, Heaven's promise.

And when my own child hurts...
I wrote that--
I would take her thorn.
But no--
"I will be thankful.
For the hurt that makes her more compassionate.
For the struggle that makes her more persistent.
For the pain that makes her need Him
More."
Because I want her to live for Heaven now.

So, as I said...
I don't want our kids to feel at home here.

I want them to know--
To really know that:
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more..."
~Revelation 21:4

I want them to believe--
To really believe that:
Jesus said, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may also be."
~John 14:3

And I want them to live--
To really live in such a way that when they reach Heaven they will say:


"I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here."
~C.S. Lewis The Last Battle


Practical ideas for renewing an eternal perspective:

--Read Randy Alcorn's Heaven for Kids or any of the other excellent resources offered by Eternal Perspectives Ministries. When Selah died, Randy donated hundreds of Heaven booklets for us to share at her memorial and we were so thankful for something that could explain why our grief is not without hope.

--Subscribe to The Voice of Martyrs magazine. Reading about Believers around the world who are facing persecution always shifts my perspective.

--Develop relationships with some of the older, faithful Christians in your church family. After Selah died, our four year old said, "Now I know four people in Heaven...Mrs. O'Neil, Grandpa Wink, Selah, and Johnny Cash." While he was a little confused about Johnny Cash, Dorothy O'Neil, an older woman in our church, had a huge impact on our family. We only knew her during the last two years of her life, but when she talked about Heaven, you knew it was real and she was anxious to meet Jesus face to face.

--Read or listen to missionary biographies. We highly recommend those offered by Desiring God. For younger children, we also recommend YWAM's Hero Biographies, Dave & Neta Jackson's entire series of Hero Tales, Catherine Mackenzie's Little Lights series, and The Torchlighter's Heroes of the Faith movies. My personal favorites are biographies of Hudson Taylor, Adoniram Judson, Amy Carmichael, Gladys Aylward, and William Wilberforce.

--Read Krista Horning's book Just the Way I Am and Heaven by Joni Eareckson Tada.

--Talk about real life. Our oldest son became a Christian on January 22, 2008. I know the exact date because it was the day Heath Ledger died. We were talking about his death at dinner and how much changes the moment a person dies, which led to a longer discussion that God used to transform our son's heart. More recently, the Tsunami in Japan was such a tragic picture of the brevity of life. My husband is great about pointing the kids to an eternal perspective in whatever we're reading. If you want to grow in that area (which I do) Everyday Talk is an excellent book about incorporating biblical conversations in everyday life.

--Begin every morning thanking God that "we are looking forward to a new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells." ~2 Peter 3:13

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Happy Mother's Day

As I had several different posts written for today, I decided to post this old hymn. It was playing on the way to church and my eyes immediately started to water. Thank YOU, God for this sweet reminder! Aside from God's faithfulness, I can honestly say I would have nothing to say today.

Momma: Thank you for your constant care and unconditional love. Thank you for teaching me to rely on God and always assuring me of His faithfulness despite the circumstances. Thank you for living it out in every part of your life. I am blessed to have you as my momma...slips, nylons, ironed pillowcases and ALL!

Laurissa and Caleb: I love you so much and will never stop thanking God for both of you. I am grateful that you have learned to depend on God despite my short comings as a mom. There have been plenty of mistakes and "trying to figure things out" along the way, but I am grateful to know that "it is well" with your hearts toward God. I adore the way you love eachother and for the way you love others! My joy is overflowing today despite the PILES of sleeping bags, smelly track clothes, bb's and hairpins!

My dearest LOVE: Thank you for being the best hubby and for helping me to be the best momma possible. You have talked me off the ledge and assured me that our children would not die from using public restooms. That it is natural for boys to want to shoot and that little girls need to be tough! That it IS cool to hug your teenage son and that it is mandatory to stay up until 3 am until everyone is safely home. I love the way you care for me and for the way you demonstrate God's love to our children! There is not a happier momma in the world today...


Words by Thomas O. Chisholm

1 Corinthians 1:9

"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the
fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."




Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not:
As thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.


Great is Thy faithfulness,
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.


Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth.
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!



Great is Thy faithfulness,
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Happy Mother's Day to each of YOU!
With Love,

Lisa

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"Meet My Friend Monday" ... Heidi St. John of First Class Home Ministries

I have been waiting...sorta patiently...to introduce you to my friend, Heidi! I first met Heidi at Multnomah University many years ago. It wasn't until we were both pregnant with major morning sickness that we bonded! Something about misery loves company? But we were both newlyweds and helplessly in love with our husbands and so excited about being new mommas that we had plenty of things to keep us busy, to plan for and to dream about...with what little sleep we were getting!

We enjoyed pre-natal water aerobics together {we were by far the youngest!}, Daisy Kingdom, birthing classes with our hands-on-hubbies, Dairy Queen, and baking days! Oh what fun!

She is still as enthusiastic about her newest addition, baby Saylor, as she was 19 years ago with her first. I love the way she loves her husband and cares for her family in pointing them to the Lord! She is one busy mom who I know you will love just as much as I do!

Jay and Heidi St. John are the blessed parents of seven children – Savannah (19) Sierra (17) Skylar (14) Spencer (10) Summer Anne (8) Sydney (5) and Saylor Jane (5mo). They are the founders and executive directors of First Class Homeschool Ministries. Heidi's first book, "The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance" was published in 2011. The St. Johns reside near Vancouver, WA.


Welcome, Heidi!


Redeeming Our Time


Time Flies.
The other day, I overheard a "celebrity" being interviewed on TV as I prepared dinner for our family. The questions seemed to center on her public life, and then, one question got my attention.

"If you could only say one thing to young mothers who are raising their children, what would it be?" asked the reporter. The woman thought for just a moment and replied, "Life is not a dress-rehearsal. You only get one shot at raising your kids. Don’t mess it up."

Her voice cracked slightly, and I heard the familiar sound of missed opportunity in her tone. I wondered why. By all appearances, she had the "perfect" life. Beautiful children, lots of money, handsome husband. I put down my paring knife to focus on the remainder of her short interview. It turned out that she was estranged from two of her children. She lamented the fact that while she was raising her children, she and her husband spent so much time cultivating a "perfect" family, that they did not develop a relationships with their children that would last. It only looked good on the outside. And now, it was too late to start over. The time for raising her children had passed. She could only warn other mothers not to walk down the same path she had gone down. The time for sowing seed had passed. The harvest was in.

It is hard to hear those kinds of words. My heart hurt for this mom. Naturally, I thought of my own children. Our oldest is nearly 20 – and it seemed that it was just yesterday when we were holding her in our arms, in awe of her perfect features and scared to death that we wouldn’t do everything "just right". I thought of my grandmother, who remarked to me just a few months after grand-daddy died that she was amazed at how fast her life had gone by. Grandma said to me, "Heidi, the best thing you will ever do in this life is to love your husband and to raise your children to love and serve the Lord. Don’t let the world fool you into thinking that having children is anything less than the best thing you’ll ever do." She should know.

I recently spoke to a group of women in Arizona about the blessing of motherhood. It seems odd to me that many Christians have bought into the world’s way of looking at children. It must grieve the heart of God when we think of our children as anything less than a gift straight from the heart of the Creator Himself.

The Bible is full of stories of amazing moms who understood their worth before the Father. God’s word stresses the importance of mothers! In Exodus 2 we read about Jochebed, the mother of Moses. She protected her son, even putting her own life in peril, and then entrusted him to the Lord. Eunice, the mother of Timothy, instructed her son in the knowledge of the scriptures and he went on to write one of the most amazing books in the New Testament. II Tim. 1:3-5; 3:14,15

In the United States today, mothers are under enormous pressure to conform to the world’s view of children. Radical Feminism has devalued motherhood in a quest for "greater meaning" and "true identity". But God sees things much differently.




God’s view of children is a dramatic departure from the cultural norms of the world we live in.
The world says: "Children are a burden."
God says, "Children are a blessing."
The world says, "Try not to have more than two or three children. "
God says, "Blessed is the man who has many children!"

The world says, "Children get in the way."
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to ME."

The world has diminished the high-calling of motherhood to little more than a "stop-over" on the highway of life.

But God says that a wife of strong character is rare – she is worth far more than jewels! (Prov. 31.10)


If you are a mother, you have an amazing opportunity every day to shape the future. As a homeschooling mom, you have even more time to influence the lives of your precious children. Part of the reason we chose to homeschool is because it provides endless opportunities to teach our children about God’s love for them - but even a homeschool mom can miss the opportunity! Mom, (homeschooling or not), your job is so important! You have been given the privilege of weaving a fabric of family life using the truth of God’s word to impact the lives of your children… and ultimately this fabric will be a beautiful tapestry that will bear witness to the power and love of the Lord Jesus as your children walk with the One who created them in your womb.

I’m glad I was reminded of the fact that life is not a dress-rehearsal. I’m thankful that my grandmother loved the fact that Jay and I chose to have a family that doesn’t fit the "worlds" mold very easily. The time does pass quickly. Let’s redeem the time God has given us to influence these precious children for the Glory of God. It’s an investment that yields a harvest of joy that will continue into eternity.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Heidi St. John


*************TOMORROW: A GIVEAWAY! You wont want to miss it!

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HOME IS...pictures on walls

Hope you are comfy and have a little time on your hands because this is going to be a bit longer than usual.

No matter what art or trinkets one may collect, I think it is the photos that hang on the walls in our homes that make any house a home.

With as many times as I have moved in my life, it never really feels quite like "HOME" until after the nails are hammered into the studs {or NOT!} and the pictures are hung.

Our homes are a very real place. It is the place where trust is learned and where we have our first glimpse of how life is. It is in our homes where our families are nurtured and grown.

I am pretty sure every new mom has been offered their share of advice. There are times you love advice and there are times you just want to go home, tuck the baby into bed, tip-toe to your bedroom, gently!!!!cloooose the door, gather all the bed pillows AND the rocking chair pad, stack 'em all on top of each other, bury your face and SCREAM!

Well, not in this case. This was advice that was soothing to my ears and most welcome. "PUT THINGS IN FRONT OF YOUR CHILDREN'S EYES TO REMIND THEIR HEARTS THE MEANING OF WHATEVER IT IS YOU WANT TO TEACH THEM." Isn't that great advice?

Back to pictures. I am not talking about a Pottery Barn Catalog Ad with shelves and shelves of B.U.TIFUL pictures...with perfectly groomed children who have supposedly been playing at the beach ALL day long, model parents who look like they have spent the day at the spa, pictures of afternoon walks where the wild hair has been cropped and where yellowing teeth have been whitened...I am talking about Real Pictures of Real Events and Real memories. Old pictures that link us to our past and pictures of our babies when they were still babies. Pictures of our grandparents with their children. Pictures of family friends. Framed pictures of fun family vacations etc.

One of my favorite pictures in our home is framed in a black frame {my only one from Pottery Barn!} Inside each of the beveled windows is a black and white wedding picture. My in-laws on one end, Scott and I in the center and my parent's wedding picture on the other end.

We pass by the picture every day. So do our children.

It is a great example of putting things in front of our children's eyes {and ours for that sake!} to remind their hearts {and ours} of what commitment means. Commitment in this day and age is rare. When things get tough, it is so easy and tempting at times to quit and walk away.

{I am NOT suggesting that we are perfect and have everything figured out-and for those of you who know us-you KNOW!}

As a result of our parents commitment to one another and to keep their vows, we have been challenged to love each other despite our differences, despite broken dreams, despite lost hope, and despite fear of the unknown.

The wedding vows we took on different years, in different churches and in different cities were not only a commitment to our spouses, but most importantly to God.

We have always had a wedding picture hung where our children could see it, because not only is it comforting, but it is also good for them to see how we have changed in many ways. Our hair is different {THANK GOODNESS!}, styles have changed, we now have lines on our faces, and with time there is no arguing that we have AGED...but our JOY has not withered away {Joel 1:12}

When our children look at our wedding pictures along with those of their grandparents when they have their own families, I want their hearts to be reminded of what commitment means and how with God's grace and mercy...their joy will also abound.

*This post is re-posted
*This post is shared with: Women Living Well

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"I'll Carry You"

I think most families have at least one child that challenges its family members...in one way or another. Ours is no exception.

When our son was in preschool, I remember having to sit down behind him and having to wrap my legs around him in order to get him to sit still long enough to listen to a story.

My friends would talk about their blissful Saturday mornings when their kids would "pop" in a video and sit for hours while they would lounge. Not in our home. Caleb would be up by 7:00 at the latest...ready to do or work on a project or have his boots on to go outside and explore. I really was TOTALLY jealous and tried to be happy for them, but it just did not seem fair.




Fast forward 14 years and he still has energy to spare. In January, Caleb and I took a winter's walk along the path in the wetlands. It is something we enjoy because the air is always extra crisp and fresh along the creek.

As we were walking, Caleb spotted the tree that had fallen due to the beavers. He knew, because he had already checked it out on an earlier excursion. He wanted me to see the beaver's teeth marks at the base of the large tree. I was completely happy with him telling me ALLLL about it, but it it was so important for him to not only tell me about it but to SHOW me.

I was so focused with staying on task to get our walk "in" and to get back home to make dinner that I had to be convinced.

All I could see was the muddy, soggy ground, lots of shrubbs and branches that had to be moved to get down to the creek. After a couple of minutes, Caleb walked back toward me and said,"Mom, I'll help you up on my back and I'll carry you!".

Not only did he carry me, but he cleared the branches as we forged through the wetlands. He set me up on the slippery trunk and took my hand as we balanced ourselves down to where the trunk had been gnawed away by the beavers. How thrilling! It was yet another reminder of why God blessed us with our son.





Time and time again I have learned so much about my Savior through the children he has entrusted us with. Sometimes I wonder if they have been put in our care to give us just that much more of an understanding of how He cares and takes care of us.

How many times am I happy with the comfortable? Are there times He wants me to EXPERIENCE life beyond the dry familiar path? Is He asking me to go through the mud? If He is, I can be assured that it is worth the extra time, worth the sight and best of all He promises to carry me, clear the branches, set me up on a safe spot, take my hand and show me THE THRILLING and AMAZING!

Do you view challenges as an opportunity to grow or just as another frustration in your life?

Psalm 27:5
" For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."


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Rice Krispy Lollipops, A Reminder, and a Feature

Do you ever get tired of the same 'ole thing? I don't know how anybody could get tired of Rice Krispie's Treats, but I wanted to make them kinda fun for Caleb and come up with a new teist for an old favorite for Valentine's Day.

This is what I did:

Follow directions on box of rice Krispies for treats.

Once they have cooled in the 9x13 pan, use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to press out hearts.

Dip hearts into pink-colored, melted white chocolate and sprinkle with sprinkles.

Insert a lollipop stick.

Let chocolate harden and cover with a mini cellophane bag.

Tie with a ribbon and add a teeny tiny Valentine card.

Give to all your sweetie pies.




on the homefront: The bathroom remodel is going great. I picked up the tile and was pleasantly surprised by all the help from Home Depot. They were so helpful. They even loaded it all up for me.

Caleb took his driving permit this morning and passed it on his very first try! I am so proud...although that means he is that much closer to being independant. I wont even talk about that now.

I have to admit I really miss the Valentine parties the children used to have at school. I LOVED helping. SO, aside from finishing the organizing of the craft closets today, I made Valentine Mini Rice Krispy Lollipops to celebrate the young man and his permit! Oh.what.a.day!
Please don't forget about our Sweet Treat Saturday Linky Party...starting tomorrow.

Last Saturday, I promised I would feature a Sweet Treat from the Linky Party. I would have chosen them all, but my decisive hubby picked Italian Stuffed Jalapenos


I know he picked it because it has meat and because he thought it would be a perfect appetizer for Super Bowl Sunday! Thank you, Brenda for the great idea!



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Ice Cubes and the Sick Tray

There will not be a f o o d post for awhile here. I think I got some nasty food poisonig and it has been just dandy! {bathroom remodel pictures will have to do! :)}

My sweet hubby called to have Rissa come home and help as he went to work today, and although I assured him I was fine, I am thankful I had both kiddies home today.

As I was laying around {between trips to the bathroom...perfect timing with having one toilet, by the way!} I had hours and hours to think while chomping on ice cubes.

This was the main thing today. When we are taking care of our little ones when they are sick...it honestly is a priviledge and a big deal. A VERY.BIG.DEAL. If we, as parents, are not teaching them compassion, where in the world are they going to learn it from?

As Caleb walked down the hallway, he started to come in the bedroom, turned around and opened a few doors {I am always re-organizing!} he then walked in with our SICK TRAY we have had since the children were LITTLE. He placed it over my legs, secured it, and asked me if there was anything else I needed. I just needed a big.old. BOUNTY paper towel to cry in.

Here is a 16 year-old boy taking care of his Momma...just the way I took care of him. As I took one bite and was done, I was so thankful that my Momma took time to nurse and nurture us...and that we were able to pass that down to our littles, because, those babes are now learning to take care of us.

As Rissa left to go back to college tonight, I overheard them talking about about me. Making sure all bases were covered for tonight. Again, not really a big deal, but a huge deal to me.

I know some people will disagree and may think that it is ridiculous to make light of scuffed knees, ouwies and sore throats, but I can't tell you how nice it was to be able to have the tables turned today. If for no other reason those hours and hours of "babying the babes" was worth the day I had today with my little boiled egg in a pretty little dish on the cheery yellow tray!

So, if you are nursing a sick child, or are having to get up in the middle of the night to wash sheets, bathe a babe, or help bring a fever down...it IS worth it. Every single exhausting second is one more opportunity to teach your child the worth of compassion.

P.S. If you don't have a sick tray, you need one. Thrift stores, garage sales, cash and carry etc. have them all of the time. Anything little will work just fine.
Have a happy Monday!

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Back-to-School=Back-to Routine...Saturday

...hikes, parties, sipping tea, lemonade, and hot cider. Sleeping in, hot morning baths, reading in the afternoon, sports, friends, field trips, road trips, bike rides, museums, the beach, the mountains, the desert, a movie, family, homework, shopping, evening dinner guests, out-to-dinner, downtown, the river walk, night lights at the top-o-the-hill, dessert at twilight, picnincs, swimming, garage sailing, thrifting, visits and the list goes on and on...

What is YOUR very favorite thing to do or place to go on SATURDAY????

..........................................................................................................................................................................



Today, my hubby {the firefighter} is working and another dear person to our family, David is training to serve our COUNTRY. I must say that since September 11th, it has taken on a whole new meaning.

I was calling to wish my Momma a happy birthday on September 11th...not a happy day for anybody. So, it is difficult to go on with life...celebrating the ones you love so much...when there are so many people hurting to the very core of who they are for those that lost their lives. I almost feel guilty having a birthday cake and party!

So, as my hubby is at work today...along with all of the other First Responders, our U.S. Service Personnel, and unsung heros who unselfishly give to us everyday...I am so proud and grateful to those who are willing to sacrifice all they have for us who are at home reaping the benefits of the freedom they dilligently fight for. I love you, SCOTT and David!

Happy Birthday...to my dearest, sweetest Momma who also serves her family, friends and others unselfishly...you are an unsung hero...in my book. I love YOU!

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Back-to-School=Back-to-Routine...Friday

 

Yay for Friday!!!!

When our children were younger, it was Friday Night Date Night. Cheap dates, but dates. When Laurissa was a baby we didn't live near family...or anything else for that matter. {Nothing like planning ahead of time if you thought you may need a late-night snack at 3 in the afternoon! We lived so far out in the country at that time that there were not even street lights on our street!}
Anyway, we would give her her evening bath, jammie her up, put her in the car seat and have our baby with us in the car. Nothing beats listening to "Sleep Sound in Jesus" when you are the pround, sleep-deprived parents of a colicky baby who would finally give in to sleep! Almost falling asleep ourselves, we would spend the rest of the evening driving around...sometimes we would go buy donuts, get ice cream or just drive to pretty places to see city lights. We had so much fun.
After moving closer to family, we would sometimes actually have a real date without the kiddies. We felt completely spoiled, not to mention the feeling of newleyweds!
...But as our children got older, we wanted to have FUN as a family on Fridays even though they were still young...so we started having Pizza, movie and popcorn nights...and board game nights. As they have gotten older, their friends have joined us and we love it. Even as my hubby has to work some Fridays, we still will have Pizza night or I will take one or both of the children on a date. Traditions change with change in schedules, children going off to college, sports, work schedules etc. but I am grateful for the traditions we have had even though they have needed to be altered a bit at times.


How about you??? Do you have specific traditions? Are you a stickler with them or are you okay with changing things up a bit for the sake of family relationships?

I have to admit, it is really hard for me to adapt. IT IIIIS! I love tradition and I would love to say we have never missed this or that, but the truth of the matter is this: Life changes, and I had better be willing to do my best to provide tradition and stability as much as I am willing to not be so regimented and unable to be flexible to where I am actually causing more tension and stress for the sake of "tradition".

As our family dynamics change...and as Friday schedules get swallowed up in LIFE, I will always look forward to the times we are all together on Friday nights, but I am also looking forward to having Friday date nights again with my hubby. Maybe we will get jammied up...listen to Jack Johnson and drive around town...go through the drive-through for ice cream...find our favorite view of the city and her lights and enjoy the company of eachother...and our little, dappled doggie!

Happy Happy Friday!

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Back-to-School=Back-to-Routine...Thursday

SOOO, how is back-to-school week going? Today is clean house day...because this weekend is going to be spent doing some fun things...and it starts this evening with going to cute shops off Alberta and Mississippi Avenue. We are having dinner at our favorite food cart The Native Bowl. Not only are they our sweet friends :} but their food is AMAZING!!! Then to see Laurissa at college!






Here are a few pics from our back-to-school dinner:

I used a small Bio Pak Kraft take-out box and twine from Garnish to make a back-to-school coupon box. It contained coupons to be used during the school year. To mention a few: Maid Service {I KNOW!!!}, A day of grace, Starbucks before school, Skip School, Extended evening curfew, Lunch out with Mommy, Lunch out with Daddy etc. These are like GOLD.

We don't do the whole "back-to-school" shopping, so they get coupons instead. SAVES a lot of money and they love coupons!

For the tag: I sprayed chalkboard paint on a luggage tag and then used chalk for his initial.

Table decor: I took two mini chalkboards and made a sandwich board for the table. Two mini hinges and ribbon keep it together.

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Back-to-School=Back-to-Routine...Wednesday

Today is the first day of school for our son. OH.MY! Where has the summer gone?

First day of school TRADITIONS:

*The only day of the year {unless we exercise GRACE} they don't have to pick up their rooms before school! {we will talk about bartering,bribing and coupons another day!} I have it nice for them when they come home from school. Kinda a nice fresh start from me to them! Nothing like having a maid show up while you're out for the day, right?!

*Autumn decorating: Simple, but fun!

*Their favorite back-to-school dinner. They always had to agree on their favorite. With one child left, he got to pick his very own favorite...I think his daddy may have had something to do with the dinner of choice: Martinelli's Sparkling Cider, sweet corn, steak and baby red mashed potatoes and dessert!

*THE OFFICIAL CHANGING OF THE FILE FOLDERS!!!! SEE BELOW!






As I was looking through Laurissa's memory box, now that she is getting ready for college...it was a bit sad. Hard to believe everything from her baby shower to her graduation is in one box. It will be complete at the end of this summer. WOW! I am glad I took the time to save the things I did and even the things she wanted to keep that at the time I thought were really NOT necessary. Those little scribbles and "important" papers have become just as precious to me.
It is no secret that I have no patience for scrapbooking. I wish I had beautiful books gracing my shelves of well-documented pages and labeled photographs of my children growing up, but I don't.

Baby shower cards were wrapped in recycled gift ribbon, and put into an envelope.

My children each have a memory box that is basically a rubbermaid portable file box. Pretty sure it is not of archival quality either. :)


AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY SCHOOL YEAR, I put a new marked manila folder with their name and grade and keep it with my everyday files. During the year I file everything that is special to them: pictures, sports awards, birthday cards tied together, movie stubs, tickets to special events, notes, drawings, report cards, notes from teachers, yearbooks and summer memorabilia. At the end of the summer it gets filed into their memory box. It keeps their rooms cleared from clutter, doesn't get lost, and is a fun activity to pull out once in awhile.

I know it isn't fancy schmazy, but it is a fast, easy way to stay organized and "scrapbook" your child's memories without being too time consuming.

When we were putting Laurissa's senior memory board together, it was easy to go to the box and get what was needed for a detailed project. I would suggest always marking the year and grade on the back of filed papers etc, so it is eay to put back if it is used for something...

So glad I have one box filled with memories for each of the children. It is nice and compact, so that when they leave home, it will not take up too much space.

I have given two of these away as baby shower gifts and they were so appreciated. I know. Not very fun, but for a mom who hates organizing things, it is a welcomed gift. :) I pre-labeled all of the manilla folders and made a label for the front. They turned out adorable! For you crafty people out there, I am sure you could really have fun embellishing this idea!

How do you celebrate Back-toSchool?

How do you organize your children's papers?

Happy Wednesday!

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