A Humorous Proposal

There is nothing like finding a little humor in the day! Especially when that humor happens to highlight a special event occuring that same day.

Today is a very special day for my oldest brother, Dennis, and his wife, Kim, as they celebrate 28 years of marriage. I have been truly blessed to see first hand the love they have for each other and the godly marriage they have created.

I know your asking, "so where does the humor come in?" Well, after seeing the movie Frozen (which I highly recommend) with Dave and the kids, we decided to head to Taco Bell for a quick lunch. I ordered my usual two crunchy taco supremes. On taco number two, I happened to look at the packet of Salsa Verde I had used and a smile came to my face. The packet said "will you marry me?" which I of course showed with a big smile on my face to my love, Dave. Then came the funny part. The next one I looked at said "I'm up for it if you are". I had to laugh and showed it to Dave as if it was a response to the previous "proposal". Finding humor in the whole thing, I looked at the last packet I had used and it said "you have chosen wisely". 

Its funny how on the day my brother and his wife are celebrating their marriage, a marriage proposal and response occurred on my sauce packets. Who knows maybe some day someone will be able to use those packets to do a real proposal but for today it made me smile and think of how blessed my brother and his wife are with their 28 years together and myself in my own 18 years of marriage.

Happy Anniversary Dennis and Kim!

Oh, and thank you Taco Bell for bringing some humor and love to my day.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Play Dates? Not at the Wessel House

Another  one of my "bad mother" admissions is that I've never been a big fan of the "play date". The reason, sadly a selfish one, is that when the kid were younger it seemed that I always ended up being the one having to do the entertaining of the kids invited. Emily and Matt loved the idea of a play date but after 10 minutes they would have no idea what to do anymore leaving the task of entertaining my job. This being the case, when young, play dates were very few.

As the kids have gotten older, play dates or as Emily likes to say "get togethers" are more palatable because the kids are more independent and able to think of things to keep their guests occupied.

One thing is for sure though, if planned accordingly, a "play date" usually doesn't occur. Why? because 9 times out of 10 it turns into a craft date. 

One of Emily's friends, who is also a neighbor, loves to craft. So, last week we made the plan that she would come over for a "craft date". The kids (including Matt) were able to choose paint, paper and embellishments to "create" a notebook clipboard and picture frame. The kids were excellent at taking direction on how to cut and modge podge the papers on to the frame and clipboard. Of course, the most fun was when they styled the items with the embellishments they found in my bins of supplies in the craft room. 

Matt chose a patterned paper that resembles a sheriff's badge star and embellished his frame with fireman stickers.

Emily and Gianna chose the same paper for their clipboards. Emily's frame has cupcake paper and sweets embellishments. Gianna's paper is a colorful zebra stripe embellished with jewels.

At the end of the day, everyone was very happy with their creations.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Disorderly Realization

As most of you know, I'm a woman who thrives on routine and schedules. It is my comfort zone. 

For the last 4 months, I've been thriving on a routine/schedule of the gym at 5 a.m., kids to school, house or bulletin board work during school time, a Friday afternoon craft class, school sport practice or games for Emily, homework, dinner, bedtime, repeat. The weekends tend to have their routines too but we do it together as family - one of the best "routines" (or I would say blessings) is the time we spend at church on Sunday with our church family.

Last Friday changed everything!! Friday was the last day of "routine" for the next week and a half with Christmas break beginning for my kids and the start of the Christmas holiday activities. Routine is basically out the window with the kids being off and Dave taking a few days of vacation during the holidays. For most people this would seem like a welcome change, but for someone like me it throws me into an abyss of confusion. 

Already the housework has been put on a slight hold as trying to keep things "clean" with kids afoot seems impossible, laundry piled up (but thankfully is now under control), dinner has not been planned as a day off here and back to work the next makes meal planning a little crazy, and a trip to the food store for a full week of groceries seems long over due. My sleep seems to be being effected by this change as a few sleepless nights have fallen upon me which in turn has effected my workout routine - falling asleep at 3 doesn't mix well with rising at 4:30. 

Today I was asked lovingly by a very good friend "what is going on with you?" I explained briefly the routine conundrum but told her I am truly trying to embrace what is happening. Yes, this is not my comfort zone at all but there has to be something that I am to learn or be blessed by in the midst of this state of "discomfort". 

Her question made me think a little more this morning as I was getting ready for the day. Where has some of my joy gone? You see for the last 3 months very little has stopped me from my workout routine, a routine that has given me a lot of joy - joy of being with friends, getting healthy and stronger. Yet, for the last few weeks it has been a bit of a struggle to get going and more so this past week. Excuses are being made to not go, etc

In the conversation with my friend, she suggested I use the rest/quiet time I'm experiencing to set new goals. But what I had to think of first is what has changed over the time. You see it didn't take long for me to pinpoint the problem. Its been something I've know has been changing and not for the better. You see 4 months ago a part of that same routine was after I was blessed to workout my body, I would come home and "workout" my spiritual body by doing devotions, praying and reading God's Word in those quiet moments before the kids had to get up for school. I have to be honest and say that the last month that has not been in my routine. I started getting busier earlier in the morning, trying to fit in tasks before the kids rose. 

My heart knows that this is where the source of my conundrum all starts. When I am not in tune with God, my life as organized as it may seem to others becomes a mess. God has been speaking to me through the messages of our pastor regarding living the life God wants us to live but how can I do that if I do not every day "check in" with him and find out what I am to do. 

Its funny how God knows just how to get your attention in order to bring you back to where you NEED to be - in His will. For me, it is taking my order and making it disorder.

Now how do I know this is the case. Because God confirmed it today when I picked up the devotional "Jesus Is Calling" by Sarah Young. You see there He did teach me there was something to learn in this "rest" period of disrupted routines. 

Here is the devotional:

"I am preparing you for what is on the road ahead, just around the bend. Take time to be still in My Presence so that I can strengthen you. The busier you become, the more you need this time apart with Me. So many people think that time spent with Me is a luxury they cannot afford. As a result, they live and work in their own strength - until that becomes depleted. Then they either cry out to Me for help or turn away in bitterness. 

How much better is it to walk close to Me, depending on My strength and trusting Me in every situation. If you live in this way, you will do less but accomplish far more. Your unhurried pace of living will stand out in this rush-crazed age. Some people may deem you lazy, but many more will be blessed by your peacefulness. Walk in the Light with Me, and you will reflect Me to the watching world." - Isaiah 64:4; John 15:5; Psalm 36:9

You see God confirmed that the time I spend with Him is far more precious and brings His order to my life which results in want I want and that is to reflect and be a testimony for Him. 

So even though my life of order and routine won't return until everyone is back to their respective schedules, I know I can bring a new order, a better order, one that will give me more joy than anything else by spending more time with my God. 

Another thing I learned from this whole day of "revelation" is that God has blessed me with a few friends, sisters who can call me out in love, make me accountable for my actions, listen and encourage me to be the best me that God wants me to be. For that, I am so very grateful.
As always, thanks for stopping by! 

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

From our entire family, which includes Mr. Jingle our bunny, to your family, we would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

As you spend time today with family and friends, remember the true gift of this day - the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God gave us the most beautiful and precious gift of His love in the giving of His one and only Son. Love did come down from heaven on that blessed day! 

Merry Christmas!!

And, as always, thanks for stopping by!

Snow Bells - 4th Grade Arts & Crafts Project

Leading up to Christmas, I wanted the 3rd & 4th grade classes to work on an arts & crafts project appropriate for the holiday. Sadly, I was only able to work with the 4th grade in getting the project done before Christmas but it is one I can definitely do with the 3rd grade come January. 

I found this craft for "door bells" which I changed to "snow bells" at Martha Stewart. Most of the supplies I already had on hand in my craft room. 

One of the items I did not have were the egg cartons for the bells. Thankfully the art room had several deli egg cartons on hand so that problem was solved. I used a utility knife to separate the carton into individual egg holders. This is definitely not a part for the kids to do and I definitely recommend using a utility knife as it creates a much cleaner cut than scissors. I cut three bells per student. 

The next step was to paint the "bells". We used a metallic blue acrylic paint. The color was perfect for the snow theme - cool and icy!

Painting of the "bells" took one class period. The kids were to do two coats, painting a small canvas for an upcoming project between, but only one coat was completed.

The supplies needed for the next class session were darning needs (for threading the ribbon), ribbon, bells, modge podge, glitter and Epsom salts - the coffee of course was my aid to get me through class. The kids first threaded the ribbon on to the bell and through the top of the carton "bell" knotting the ribbon to secure the bell in place. Once they did all three we tied/knotted the three ribbons together. An assembly line of silver, blue and turquoise glitter was set up. The kids put modge podge on each bell and "glittered" them to their liking. Of course, this was the messiest part of the project. Finally, we added a little more modge podge and sprinkled on Epsom salt so the bells had the look of being snow covered. 

The kids were so excited with their completed project. 

As always, thanks for stopping by! 

Sunday Crafting - Christmas Trees

My love of crafting has spilled over to the  4's and 5's Sunday School class I teach.

Of course, I have to give credit to a little someone who has requested crafts the last two months. Danny is a sweet, smart & curious boy who loves to learn and most of all craft. Last month he requested turkeys for Thanksgiving which led to Christmas trees this month. 

Now, I can't take full credit for this craft. I did find it at the website I Heart Crafty Things. We did use a smaller "dessert" paper plate. Also, instead of painting the plates we colored them. The only issue we did have is that the "garland" sticker tape had trouble sticking to the wax of the crayon but a little glue fixed that. The jewels were adhered with glue dots and I am not sure if you can tell but we did add some "snow" glitter to the trees.

Next month, I think we will be doing a variation of a snowflake or snowman or snow globe - okay the only thing I am positive of is that snow will be involved.

As always, thanks for stopping by!