The house is now quiet (no little creature of mine is stirring, ), and I was thinking about my coffee stained carpet.

Around this house, we have stains and need help fixing them!  I’d like to say that it’s because I have three kiddos 4 and under, but in reality, I probably spill more than they do. Right after we carpeted our newly remodeled basement I spilled an entire cup of coffee (front and center) on our light colored berber.  Needless to say, we need lists like these!

30 Ways to Nix Stains with Pantry Staples, courtesy of iVillage

1.  egg yolk: treat a coffee stain

So without further ado, here you go!

The Anybody-Can-Craft-It Happy Birthday Banner

Supplies (Obviously you can make any changes you want):

• Scissors
• Tape
• Metallic Silver Sharpie (I’m kind of obsessed with sharpies)
• 13-26 (depends on size) 6.5”x4.5” Cardstock.  I used the DCWV Mango Frost Matstack
• 13 6.5”x4.5” Cardstock.  For this I used (and highly recommend) the DCWV Brights Adhesive Matstack
• 18’ ribbon (I used satin, 3/8” in bright orange)

Steps:

1. Cut out flags at random shapes on the regular Cardstock.  The matstack is nice because they start off at a pretty perfect size. You also could leave the flags as squares/rectangles.  I think Martha Stewart does one very similar using rectangles.  I like the look of the triangle flags.  For larger ones, you can tape two together before cutting out the flag shape.  If you are super concerned about exact triangles, go ahead and measure, but for me, I just start cuttingJ.
2. Draw out your letters onto the adhesive cardstock ( I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS PRODUCT!  AMAZING!).  Now, for me, I just free handed.  If you don’t have a steady hand or the confidence to do that, just search the web or your fonts on your pc and blow them up in Word, then , print.  You can cut them out and trace them or even send the cardstock through your printer.
3. Cut out your letters, and place directly onto the flags.  If you are using regular cardstock, glue them on.              
4. See how quickly this is going?
5. Take your ribbon and hang it like you would want it hung for the banner.  I did this in two levels, happy on the top, birthday on the bottom.    You could also do this all in one long banner if you would prefer.
6. I used a larger tape for this part (packing tape is great), lay out your letters with the ribbon just over the top part of the letter.  Use packing tape to attach, half on the front, then folded over to the back.
7. Hang and party.  

I tell you, anyone can do this because, well, I did it.  And because it’s super imperfect and yet, totally perfect.  I am psyched for her bday.  And for crafting.

What else should I make with this sweet adhesive cardstock?  Hmmm.

However, don’t worry, I’m not on strike.  Just slow…

So on with my ‘New Years Ideas’…

Over the last year I’ve toyed with many ideas, mostly just toyed because I’ve just been too busy for the action it would require to achieve many of them.. and some of it was just lack of motivation.  Albeit, I’m ready to start considering which of them I could actually put into practice.  So I’m posting my thoughts here for two reasons.  1.  Just because it’s my blog, and people like reading other people’s thoughts, with hopes to be inspired or entertained… 2.  Because sometimes motivation comes simply from writing out a plan.  So I’ll start with the basics.

1.  Reshaping.  For Christmas, I got the book “Reshaping it All“, a book by Candace Cameron Bure.  I really enjoy this book.  I’m not exactly one who loves reading (I’m slow and lack patience in reading), but I’ve loved every turn of the page.  It’s just inspiring.  Probably because I was a Full House junkie as a girl (She played DJ Tanner, hello!), and she is a momma of three, she’s beautiful and most of all, she loves Jesus.  As I read I’m loving the practical tips, from a woman who doesn’t deny herself all sugar or fat, but understands self-discipline.  SO huge goal here, self-discipline.  Here’s a glimpse at a piece of the book, as she responded to a woman who asked her how she look so great after having kids… I’ll share because it’s so practical and any of us can do this! (From Reshaping it All, p 47-48)

• Stop eating when you’re satisfied.
• Don’t eat fried food or traditional fast food.
• Watch your daily intake (From cheeses and cream based foods)
• Don’t drink soda pop or sugar drinks.
• Eat lots of fresh veggies, fruit, and lean proteins.
• Keep desserts to a few bites.
• Snack on nuts (Seven to ten)
• Drink lots of water.
• Get some exercise!

I have to confess, the exercise is my hardest one– I’ve never loved doing it.  So I’m brainstorming here….We’ll see what I come up with… It looks like with the busy kids and busy family, it will require early mornings for me (not my favorite thing).  Join a gym?  One did just go in right around the corner, and it’s open 24 hours, but it can be pricey for a newbie like me who isn’t sure of her dedication.  Work out dvds?  I dunno?  Home equipment?  Ugh!  :-)

2.  My other “Idea” has been toying with the idea of an “Etsy” shop or just some other way to outlet some creativity, and if possible make a little $ while being home and just enjoying what I do. Ultimately, I’m saving for THIS… but I’ve got to work for it.   I have no clue anything about how to do Etsy (or any home biz honestly), other than I think about it a lot.  I love photography, I love to sew, I love to craft, I love shabby chic furniture and have toyed with refinishing furniture even.   I love all of that, but I don’t love pressure.  HA!  That’s why I’m not sure I would fit with anything that would put me in a time crunch.  Ya know?  Anyone out there  do something like that?

Why is it that owning a business of your own sounds so great but is dirtied by all the WORK that goes into it?  LOL!

~

Okay okay, Piper is awake and calling from her crib (okay crying) so it’s time for me to go.  By the way- she’s turning 1 in two weeks… is that even possible?  Whew.

]]> http://ministrywifefamilylife.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/a-few-new-years-ideas/feed/ 1 ministrywifefamilylife DSC_0121 http://ministrywifefamilylife.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/i-love-baking-especially-at-christmas-time/ http://ministrywifefamilylife.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/i-love-baking-especially-at-christmas-time/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:52:51 +0000 ministrywifefamilylife http://ministrywifefamilylife.wordpress.com/?p=1232 ]]> It’s the last full day in the house before the more rambunctious of my children return home (I can’t wait!).  I decided, it’s been a great day– coffee date with Katie this morning (and Piper), encouraging conversations, Target shopping, lunch with Jeremy, all the laundry is folded (okay, most of it), I think this afternoon calls for some BAKING!

Plus, it will be my children’s delight if I bust these out when they get home tomorrow.  :-)  That’s right, I’m the BOMB.com.  :-)  (Haha, I told you, Justin, I am going to be saying that ALL the time).

Anyway- here’s what I’m trying today : Ducle De Leche-Chocolate Bars (Another Pinterest find – LOVE that place.)  I’ll let you know how they actually turn out….

Yield: 48 bars

Prep:   50 mins
Bake:   12 mins  to  18 mins  350°F
Start to Finish:  3 hrs 10 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 2 14 ounce cans sweetened condensed milk
• Pinch salt
• 10 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 4 ounces white chocolate, melted
• Red and green food coloring
• Red and green mini M&M candies
• Red and green fruit leather

Directions

1. Make crust: Heat oven to 350 degrees F; place rack in center. Line a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing paper to extend on two sides.

2. In a mixer bowl, beat together butter and confectioners’ sugar on medium speed until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in extract, then flour and salt until combined well. Press along bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of prepared pan. Bake until just golden brown around edges, 12 to 18 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool completely.

3. Make filling: Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, milk and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and gently simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened and a deep caramel color, about 15 minutes. Pour over crust and spread evenly; refrigerate until completely cool, about 1 hour.

4. Melt semisweet chocolate; let cool slightly. Using a spatula, evenly spread over filling (for swirled top, see below). Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. Using a knife, score chocolate layer into 1-12-inch squares.

5. For swirled top: Divide white chocolate into three parts. Tint one part red and one part green. Leave remaining part white. Dollop red, green and white chocolates over semisweet layer. Using a toothpick, gently swirl together colors.

6. For decoration: Using white chocolate, adhere candies to squares, making holly or wreaths. Using a small, clean paintbrush, make a snowman out of white chocolate; decorate with candy.Let stand until set, about 20 minutes.

7. Run a sharp knife under hot water; dry. Following score marks, cut into squares. Wipe knife after each cut (run under hot water and dry as needed). (Can be made ahead. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week.)

Anyway- having them not here has given me much time for uninterupted thinking… Piper isn’t talking much yet (okay, not at all), so yeah, my brain is constantly at work- and I might even talk to myself a little (scary?).  However, all this thinking has made me dream up some goals for the coming year.  Nothing overly serious or complicated, just some fun ideas for the most part.  So I thought, hey, I haven’t blogged in FOREVER, it’s time to share.  Plus if I share now, maybe I’ll get a headstart on some so I don’t fall behind so fast when the year actually hits.

Goals for 2012 – starting NOW.

1. Blog more.  I’d love to keep family/friends updated once a week, but man, 6 months have practically blown by and I haven’t posted.  I’ll try harder, promise.  It’s time to freshen it up, start again and enjoy it.
2. Read my Bible more.  I spent a good chunk of the last 6 months SLOWLY moving through Acts, and it blew my socks off.  I feel challenged, broken, inspired and wiser.  Now I’ve begun slowly moving through Romans, whew- love the intensity.  This slow moving personal study has been incredible for me-  I want to hold fast to it, and stay consistent.
3. I want to craft more.  I joined PINTEREST – holy moly, LOVE THIS.  But now I’m so excited to do some of the things I’ve seen! Like these homemade heating pads:    or these iPhone cases:  !!  The list could go on, but I know many of you follow Pinterest and so I don’t need to go nuts.  Maybe I’ll actually PIN something eventually:-)
4. I want to practice photography.  I want it to be an art, and a ministry (as I’ve shared in the past)… my goal is to save for a camera in 2012, and practice practice practice.
5. Have people over.  I want to love my home, use my home, cook and bake and share.  I want to have people over, and fellowship and encourage.

Five goals seem pretty satisfactory to me  Ha… Plus Piper is waking from her short morning nap and I need to run…

… don’t worry, I’ll be blogging.

-Kelly

… you might also find some old photos of when I was a tiny tot (yeah 80′s!)

… and you will also find all the beautiful photos Sarah took of our family back in March.  So browse and enjoy…

So, look up at the menu bar above this post and click “Photos”.  You’ll be taken to the Photos Page, click a picture, like the one below and you will find yourself ready to see our every adventure.

On the road through Ohio... Love that state!

These are honest emotions from a very normal mother. We’ve all felt this way at many different points, particularly in the toddler years. Having raised five strong-willed toddlers to adulthood myself, and now watching them raise their kids, I’ve learned a few things I hope might encourage you.

1.  Husbands and wives need to agree on a discipline philosophy, otherwise you will confuse the child and the child will learn (especially later) how to play one parent against the other.

2.  Discipline must be immediate (particularly with the young), needs to hurt (it has to hurt or it doesn’t mean anything), and should be over quickly (give your child a hug after the punishment is finished and tell the child you love him or her).

3.  It must be consistent. This can be the hardest, but the deeper lesson you are communicating to your child is that you are reliable. He can count on you. You mean what you say. This gives him security. He has to know you are in control and not him.

4.  Don’t over negotiate with small kids. Clearly explain actions and consequences. Then follow through. Do not threaten or say the same thing over and over. They don’t need clarification; they need action, otherwise they are manipulating you: “I can get out of this; she won’t really punish me.” Translated: “I am the boss, not my parent.” This breeds insecurity in children.

5.  Use the word “obey.” It will help your child to know you mean it. You can say, “If you do not obey now, I will have to discipline you.” And then if she doesn’t do what you are asking, follow through immediately with punishment. Remember, your child is learning that you are reliable. With small children, you can try diversion to avoid conflict as much as possible, but there comes a time when diversion will not work and the child has to obey immediately just because you say so. (There is no time for diversion when your child heads toward the street. She needs to have learned to obey you immediately so that when you say “stop,” she stops.)

6. Determine specific consequences for disobedience. Explain the plan to the child as best you can. Follow through. Any time you institute a new plan, expect it to take at least three times of enforcement before your child will believe what you say and realize that you will follow through with punishment. Make sure all caregivers are on the same page with the plan.

7. Take action when your child misbehaves in public. Kids are smart. They learn they can get away with bad behavior in public, at the grocery store, etc. If they disobey, immediately go some place and discipline them in private. The principle you are teaching is “right behavior is the same no matter where I am or who I am with.”

8. Distinguish between whines and intentional disobedience. Whereas disobedience requires immediate consequences, whining kids are usually exhausted and need to go to their room to play quietly. Usually they fall asleep or just need some solitude. It’s not punishment; it’s alone time. As moms, we’d love to be sent to our rooms!

9. Keep in mind the goal of discipline. We want to teach our kids to obey us—their earthly parents whose voices they hear say, “I love you,” and whose arms they feel hug them. Teach them to obey because as they grow up, they’ll be weaned from us, their earthly parents who they can hear and feel, and they’ll need to obey a heavenly Father whose voice they might not audibly hear and whose arms they will feel mainly through the body of Christ. But remember that this Father loves them even more than we do. How can we expect them to want to obey Him if they have not been taught to obey us?

10. Keep a long-range perspective. We expect our kids to “get it” after a few days, weeks, or months, but sometimes it takes years. Yes, years. That’s why training is exhausting! But it is also why God gives us more time. Remember that you are building for the future, and God is patient.

Feelings of failure and frustration are normal. No mom feels like she’s got the discipline thing down pat. As soon as she does, a child will throw a kink into her plans.

I grew up in a small church – a tiny church.  I love that little church.  I now serve in a huge church – not mega, but huge.  I love that big church.  Both churches have areas we can critique and measure up and find greatness and weakness in, but I am not reasoning with my church, but I think my heart, designed to worship Jesus in every area of life,  is in fact what is reasoning with me.

It’s that “twinge”.

“Twinge”, according to the dictionary means “to affect with a sharp pain or pang”

I’m talking about that feeling you get when something just doesn’t feel like the right thing.  That gut feeling when you feel like this just might not be the way it’s supposed to be.  Now do you know what I’m talking about?

“Mmmm Starbucks, yes please!  Mocha Coconut – $4?  Oh alright, I deserve it.”

“No thanks, I am not interested in sending a Bible to a child in need for $5”

Okay, so I didn’t get a Mocha Coconut TODAY, but that is what I said to the cashier at Family Christian as I checked out this afternoon, and I have had many Mocha Coconuts in the past and I’ve never once said yes to the Family Christian cashier, or helped a homeless person by giving them a dollar or a hot meal.

I know, I am making it sound worse that it is (maybe)….

For me it’s always happening. When I talk about it out loud pretty much everyone will reason with me about how I honestly don’t have much and shouldn’t feel bad.  I think that’s partly true.  But that “pang” I don’t think is just something I dream up.  I think it’s the Spirit’s way of nudging my heart as a gentle reminder of my purpose.

Sometimes I just wonder what it would be like for our little family…if we all chose enough clothes for a few weeks, a few items of pleasure, threw them in a bag and then sold EVERYTHING ELSE.  What would He have us do? 

I am not even saying that we’d leave Kalamazoo… who knows what He would do.  It would just be another way that we’d be saying “We’ll do anything today, Lord.  Go anywhere.  Give everything.  We’ll do anything.” 

No house with three bedrooms and two baths.  No iPhones.  No wireless internet.  No flatscreen tv.  No new furniture.  No Kitchenaid Mixer.  No air conditioning.  No new cars.

Am I being dramatic?  I often dream of this – only because ever since we got married I have had this whisper in the back of my head that reminds me of the passage that Jesus says to sell it all and give it to the poor and follow HIM then we’ll have a treasure in heaven.

Why can’t I forget that passage?

Don’t get me wrong, I am certainly not miserable.  In fact, I am the opposite.  I am quite comfortable.  I am so thrilled with our church, Jeremy’s job, our kids programs at church, my sweet kids, my ability to stay at home with them, our new-nearly-finished basement, living only 4 hours or less from all of our family, etc.

But since when am I called to be comfortable?

Jeremy and I have had conversations in the past about “American Christianity” and how influenced our faith is by our American culture.  Our rich, comfortable, culture.  Our churches are certainly influenced, and we fight simply to stay focused on the simple truths of the Scriptures.

When a gal at church mentioned the book “Radical” (By David Platt) to me, she explained that it was about how to really have faith that Jesus calls us to and not what our American Culture calls us to, I was in.  I had to get the book in my hands.   Am reading it now and it’s weird.  I feel like all the thoughts that I have had over the last five years are being written down for me.  I knew what I was thinking was “radical” but there had still been enough of me that wanted to believe these “comforts” I have are something God gave me.  I’m not arguing either side, all I know is I still have the twinge.

Read the passage – don’t skip it.  :-) And no matter who you are, how old you are or what side you may lean towards - I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic…

Mark 10:17-31

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”  And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

"Children"

Jackson and Piper are seriously best buds. He loves to make her smile, and all he has to do to get her to do it is walk in the room. LOVE IT.

Her hair gets bigger when it's warm. HA! Her curls are one of my favorite things.

"Mr. Adventure" (Exploring Uncle Josh's boat"

Playing with McQueen at Uncle Josh/Aunt Kate's house

Sweet Piper....

Jackson caught some fish with Uncle Josh (So did Bria, but no photos, sorry!)

I started reading Acts a few days ago. I’d like to read a chapter at a time, really finding whatever I can to meditate on. I know I have read/studied this book before but for some reason I struggle to retain the amazing contents – the challenges, the testimonies, the power of Jesus. I want to know it well. I want to search it and question and learn and grow. Our church is zeroing in on Acts 1:8 – and it peaks my interest on what power is bestowed on Christians when the Spirit dwells in them. I don’t want to squelch the gift of the power of the Spirit – I am challenged…. Can’t wait to dig in more!

Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”