This year, my parents blessed me with a few months of weight watchers membership, as well as lots of WW goodies and books to help me reach my goal! That may sound odd to some of you, but I have come to cherish my weekly meetings as a time when I can put my own needs in an important place and take care of myself so that I can serve the Lord longer and be here for my husband and children. I am a firm believer that this program can work for anyone willing to make the effort. 15 months into the program I am still at "only" 30 lbs lost, but add that to the pounds I lost pre-kids, and I'm down a whopping 60+ from my highest weight! The first 30+ I have maintained for 9 years. I have another 12 to 14 lbs to go to reach my goal, and I am determined that this will be the year to get those last stubborn pounds off! I have learned so much about myself through this journey, and I look forward to the lessons that will come this year as well. I have also learned a lot about patience!!
In addition to this, we are starting a new eating plan at home for my son's hyperactivity and some other medical issues both kids are facing. My super-picky husband is even on board (as long as I don't make him eat veggies!), so I will be blogging about that more as we get it underway. I am still waiting on some reading material to come in before we take the final plunge, but we have talked to the kids about it quite a bit. When I told them WHY we were doing it (I approached it from a health AND behavior standpoint), my daughter incredulously commented that she had NO IDEA what we ate could change how we acted! They both seem excited (although apprehensive) about the changes. We already eat "mostly" healthy, but we are going to work to cut out any artificial colorings or additives and to add in a few nutrients or supplements we make be lacking. I'd love to hear any input others have about eating for good behavior and optimal health! :)
Monday, December 30, 2013
"After" picture for 100 reasons to be thankful!
I promised an "after" picture of the turkey discussed here: http://craftykeeperathome.blogspot.com/2013/11/100-reasons-to-be-thankful.html
My son had no trouble with this. He could have added another 100 things. My daughter really, really struggled. Thankfulness is hard for her, as she is very concerned that by saying she is thankful she might accidentally "lie" if it's something she doesn't LOVE. It was a good learning experience for all of us, and by the end, we were really having to dig deep and think about our many blessings!
My son had no trouble with this. He could have added another 100 things. My daughter really, really struggled. Thankfulness is hard for her, as she is very concerned that by saying she is thankful she might accidentally "lie" if it's something she doesn't LOVE. It was a good learning experience for all of us, and by the end, we were really having to dig deep and think about our many blessings!
Spies in the Promised Land
My pictures have been in the memory card black hole, so I haven't updated my lessons in a while. These will not be in order, but here we go!
Before I share a Bible story each week, we review previous weeks using our word wall. I am always impressed by how much the kids remember! Also, I try to make them think about our current story and have them make predictions or draw conclusions based on what we already know about God before I share the full story. The more they "own" the story, the more they remember! :)
When we study Numbers 13 and 14, which includes the story of Joshua and Caleb's faithful report, I ALWAYS make sure to have a "milk and honey" snack. We talk about how God promised a land "flowing with milk and honey," and the kids struggle to picture that figurative language. So, after we talk about how that means it would just be better than they could imagine, we break out the milk and honey. This year we got boxes of vanilla "Tru Moo" milk (YUM!), pretzels dipped in honey, and raisins to represent the grapes the spies carried. Because I teach Sunday morning class, I try to keep any relevant snacks somewhat healthy so the kids aren't wired when they go to worship in the auditorium. :)
Following the story and our snack, we review using our word wall, which I have posted about previously. We focus heavily on how Joshua and Caleb trusted God (and had "faith) and the others were influenced by the unfaithful spies to not believe God's promises because of what they could see in the land before them (and had "fear").
Our next activity depends on my current class. Sometimes we do "quilling" and make grapes from curled purple paper. Other times, we just glue purple circles onto paper to make large bunches of grapes. This year, we traced their handprints on construction paper and put "handles" on them to fit around their hands. On one handprint for each kid, we wrote "faith," and on the other, "fear." We talked about different parts of the story and they raised their hands that said "faith" if we talked about Joshua or Caleb and "fear" if we talked about the others. Then, I gave them different scenarios that might happen to them, and they had to choose if what I told them showed "faith" or "fear." Here, we focused on obedience.
I use the reproducible story from the workbook that goes with this: http://www.amazon.com/Young-Readers-Bible-Bonnie-Bruno/dp/0784705054/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388433954&sr=8-2&keywords=young+reader%27s+bible
(Note: I could not find the workbook for sale online anymore. Perhaps it is out of print?)
I do NOT recommend this book as a substitute for using the Bible, but it does have some good "easy reading" stories to encourage confidence as the kids find words and read on their own some. We frequently do activities at the beginning or end of class where they have to find and circle important words in the story. I always brag on how well they are "reading" when they do this successfully!
Before I share a Bible story each week, we review previous weeks using our word wall. I am always impressed by how much the kids remember! Also, I try to make them think about our current story and have them make predictions or draw conclusions based on what we already know about God before I share the full story. The more they "own" the story, the more they remember! :)
When we study Numbers 13 and 14, which includes the story of Joshua and Caleb's faithful report, I ALWAYS make sure to have a "milk and honey" snack. We talk about how God promised a land "flowing with milk and honey," and the kids struggle to picture that figurative language. So, after we talk about how that means it would just be better than they could imagine, we break out the milk and honey. This year we got boxes of vanilla "Tru Moo" milk (YUM!), pretzels dipped in honey, and raisins to represent the grapes the spies carried. Because I teach Sunday morning class, I try to keep any relevant snacks somewhat healthy so the kids aren't wired when they go to worship in the auditorium. :)
Following the story and our snack, we review using our word wall, which I have posted about previously. We focus heavily on how Joshua and Caleb trusted God (and had "faith) and the others were influenced by the unfaithful spies to not believe God's promises because of what they could see in the land before them (and had "fear").
Our next activity depends on my current class. Sometimes we do "quilling" and make grapes from curled purple paper. Other times, we just glue purple circles onto paper to make large bunches of grapes. This year, we traced their handprints on construction paper and put "handles" on them to fit around their hands. On one handprint for each kid, we wrote "faith," and on the other, "fear." We talked about different parts of the story and they raised their hands that said "faith" if we talked about Joshua or Caleb and "fear" if we talked about the others. Then, I gave them different scenarios that might happen to them, and they had to choose if what I told them showed "faith" or "fear." Here, we focused on obedience.
I use the reproducible story from the workbook that goes with this: http://www.amazon.com/Young-Readers-Bible-Bonnie-Bruno/dp/0784705054/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388433954&sr=8-2&keywords=young+reader%27s+bible
(Note: I could not find the workbook for sale online anymore. Perhaps it is out of print?)
I do NOT recommend this book as a substitute for using the Bible, but it does have some good "easy reading" stories to encourage confidence as the kids find words and read on their own some. We frequently do activities at the beginning or end of class where they have to find and circle important words in the story. I always brag on how well they are "reading" when they do this successfully!
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Good-bye, 2013!
Although I find it hard to believe that 2013 will end in just a few short days, I must confess that I am not all that sad to see it go! What a year it has been for our household! In the past 12 -15 months, we have had to replace several major appliances, we have had multiple car issues and repairs, and, just this week we found out we have to have a WHOLE NEW ROOF AND Mold removal and repair. UGH! Add that to grad school tuition and multiple unexpected medical expenses that keep piling up on top of our fragile one-income budget, and things are a little stretched around here!. Here's to a better 2014!
All that being said, there are some things from 2013 that I wouldn't trade for all the prosperity in the world. I am so thankful for my sweet family. My kids, although very opinionated and stubborn, are such a blessing in my life! I am thankful daily for the chance to be their mommy, even on days that I want to pull my hair out from the squabbling and questioning. :) I keep reminding myself that the very stubbornness that tries my patience will one day make them good ambassadors for Christ. Their refusal to back down from arguments with Mommy or Daddy will strengthen their ability to refuse to back down from challenges from those who would belittle their faith or beliefs later in life. I am thankful for a messy house, a messier car, and sticky fingerprints on freshly painted walls because that means that we LIVE here, not just exist side by side. I am thankful for 810 hew legos strewn about the living room because it means my kids are using their creativity to explore and build and think. I am thankful for in-laws (on both sides) who help any time there is a need. I am thankful for my husband of almost 13 years for his patience, his willingness and ability to provide for our family, and for his rock-solid faith and support when this crazy woman just can't take the stress anymore and I need a shoulder to catch my tears. I am thankful for a church family that comes out in droves to support us when we ask for help for a difficult family situation. I am thankful for my precious kindergarten Bible class. So, in a way, here's to a 2014 that has big shoes to fill...size 2013! :)
Happy New Year, Friends!
All that being said, there are some things from 2013 that I wouldn't trade for all the prosperity in the world. I am so thankful for my sweet family. My kids, although very opinionated and stubborn, are such a blessing in my life! I am thankful daily for the chance to be their mommy, even on days that I want to pull my hair out from the squabbling and questioning. :) I keep reminding myself that the very stubbornness that tries my patience will one day make them good ambassadors for Christ. Their refusal to back down from arguments with Mommy or Daddy will strengthen their ability to refuse to back down from challenges from those who would belittle their faith or beliefs later in life. I am thankful for a messy house, a messier car, and sticky fingerprints on freshly painted walls because that means that we LIVE here, not just exist side by side. I am thankful for 810 hew legos strewn about the living room because it means my kids are using their creativity to explore and build and think. I am thankful for in-laws (on both sides) who help any time there is a need. I am thankful for my husband of almost 13 years for his patience, his willingness and ability to provide for our family, and for his rock-solid faith and support when this crazy woman just can't take the stress anymore and I need a shoulder to catch my tears. I am thankful for a church family that comes out in droves to support us when we ask for help for a difficult family situation. I am thankful for my precious kindergarten Bible class. So, in a way, here's to a 2014 that has big shoes to fill...size 2013! :)
Happy New Year, Friends!
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