God and Politics

Maybe dangerous for dinner conversation but what do we do with God and politics?  I grew up in a conservative Republican home going to an Assembly of God church.  I had one set of grandparents that were Republican and Southern Baptists.  We could talk about politics at their home but not our church.  Then I had a set of Democratic voting, Assembly of God grandparents.  We could talk about what we believed all day over chicken fried venison, but never politics.  I loved my Granddad but if he ran over a screw and flattened a tire, I would hear how it was somehow Reagan's fault.

I have heard a lot of Christians say during this election season that we shouldn't talk about politics.  If they feel called to be politically neutral, then they should do it.  But if other Christians do feel called to enter the political arena, I think they should follow what God is calling them to.  I read a Bible filled with prophets and apostles that stood before kings and advocated for God's laws.  I see God use his people like Esther and David, that actually were leaders of the land and used their position for the good of the people.

I don't think we should ever use a political platform to forsake the call on all of our lives.  We must love those who disagree with us.  Jesus is clear about how we should treat our enemies.  We can't lose our witness or cover our light by being offensive to the other side of the aisle.  Speak the truth in love, but never stop speaking the truth.

The Secrets Every Mom Needs to Know

So here is the stuff I wish someone had told me before I had kids.  I'm not saying this is universal.  Just the stuff I have picked up along the way

1. The reason you don't tell your kids about Disney World
The commercials make it seem like it is just for this magical surprise that you can record on video.  That is a lie.  The truth is that if you tell your kids that your family is going to Disney World (or anywhere really) six months out, you will have to then live with daily questions.  "When are we going? Are we going Saturday?  Can we ride the Dumbo ride?  Can I go to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and get my hair done?  Can I bring eight stuffed animals?  Will we meet Buzz Lightyear?"  You get the picture.  Better to save it as a surprise and then they are just so excited that you are going that they forget about the details.

2. When in doubt, wear a costume
This especially applies to events like Disney on Ice.  I had no idea that 70% of the girls would be in Cinderella costumes the first time we went.  I had no idea that snow cones would be $12 either but live and learn.  I also quickly learned to bring Disney light up toys from the dollar store in my purse and eat a very big meal first but I digress.  Just put your kid in a costume if you are going to an event.  Fire Station tour?  Fire truck t-shirt.  Just do it.

3. Buy the best
Don't more than you can afford but buy quality.  This especially applies to school items and things they touch every day.  I'm a huge fan of Laptop Lunchboxes and LL Bean and Land's End for backpacks and coats.  Better to buy one $30 backpack that lasts rather than three $15 backpacks.

4. Nap mats
When taking a nap mat to school, you might think to go to Wal-Mart and by a regular red and blue plastic mat.  Wrong.  You evidently do that and then go buy a monogrammed washable cover with attached blanket and optional pillow.   Etsy is a great source for these.  I was blessed to find this out before preschool started.

5. Stuffed animals multiply
You have to gather them up once a month and donate them because I honestly believe something bizarre is happening in toy boxes across America.  Those buggers must be procreating because no matter how many I take out of the house, more seem to appear every day.

6. Kids will outgrow things at the worst times
My kids only outgrow clothing when it is impossible to replace what they have outgrown.  They wait until February when stores are putting out tank tops to tell me that their snow boots are way too small.  Their tank tops become midriffs about the time all the school sweaters are for sale in August.  I haven't really found a way around this other than just buying a little too big at the first of the season instead of "just right".

7. The worst secret of all.
This is the one I hate.  The one that it has taken me the longest to both learn and implement but it is almost fail proof.  You have to be the person you want your kids to be.  Want them to be patient? Loving? Kind to their family?  You have to be those things?  Want them to grow up big and strong and eat their veggies?  Yep, you have to eat healthily too.  I think it is a kingdom principle back to 1 Peter 1:16, "Be holy as I am holy".  We can't expect our kids to do something we won't do.  So if your kids are being sarcastic and smarting off...start with the way you talk to them and your spouse.  Ask God for forgiveness and resolve to be the best example you can be.

Please comment with the secrets you have picked up along the way that you wished you had known!

Easter Basket Goodies!

Just some ideas for those looking for ideas for those Easter baskets.  Just a quick tip, we actually use jelly beans to make a trail for our kids to follow from their room to their baskets.  It is cute watching them follow the trails down the hallway.

Veggie Tales has a new film called Robin Good that sounds great!  You can get it in a bundle so if you have 3 kids they can each get a new movie.

For my bigger kid this year, I'm getting these new DVDs called "What's In the Bible".  I actually learn things just from watching the shorts online!

I'm probably also going to get my kids some Green Toys.  They are AMAZING!  They are made in the US of recycled materials and they are affordable.  Our local toy store has them and I know my baby would love the school bus and my bigger kids would love the jump ropes:

I also like to pack some fun snacks and some candy...I hate on the peeps but my kids love them and you can make s'mores with them!

Hope your Easter morning is a fun one!

Olympic Party

Okay, I know it is early and even in London they would laugh at me for talking about it in February, but I'm already getting excited for the Olympics.  I love watching the games so much that last time I threw a little opening ceremony party for Beijing.  We had Team USA food...hot dogs, Budweiser, etc and then some Chinese food thrown in.  This time you know I'm doing burgers AND fish and chips.  Here is the cake I made last time.  A little advice: don't put the M&Ms on until right before the party or they will run.  The cake is a devil's food with some extra chocolate chips with a whipped cream frosting.

Can't wait for the torch to reach London!

Our Bookmark Valentines

So I wanted to do something kinda original for Valentine's Day cards this year.  I saw these on Pinterest:

from a seller on Etsy.  So we made our version with jumbo pink paperclips from Staples and various 48 cent ribbon from Wal-Mart and made a card that showed my kids holding up their favorite books with this bookmark clipped to it.  Here is the card I designed in Photoshop.

and here it is with the paperclip bookmark clipped to it:

and here she is signing the backs:

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Mini Swiffer

There aren't a ton of chores that a toddler can do but here is one!  I removed one of the "sticks" that you click together to make a Swiffer dry mop.  It makes it a great size for a toddler/small child.  Slap on a Swiffer dry cloth or microfiber rag and they can play and clean at the same time.

And here she goes...

February Girl Scout Meeting

For this Girl Scout meeting we celebrated our "love of reading".
I started by pledge, GS promise and asked the girls how cookie selling was going and how they would like celebrate the end to cookie season.

Then I read them a short biography book of Juliette Gordon Low I borrowed from our council office and we talked about our favorite books and how we can share our love of reading.  I explained what a Ronald McDonald house is and how we would be making Valentine's Day goodie bags for the kids staying there and their families.  I have a friend that will deliver the bags on Valentine's Day.

I bought 12 books for $1.99 each from Half Price Books, got bags and tissue from Walmart, our troop donated 12 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, made 12 paper clip bookmarks, and made cards via Photoshop.  Here is the card:

The girls made the bookmarks:

They assembled the bags and then had a snack of strawberries and pretzels with chocolate dipping sauce.  We finished with our "Star Daisy" and "Star Brownie" where I give a little gift to the girl who embodied the Girl Scout Law and Make New Friends.  That was our February meeting!  The girls had a blast and I can't wait to hear about the families that get these bags!