My Weekly Goals: Week of 2/25

Some weeks, we fall completely short of our goals. Last week was one of those weeks for me. My brother's wedding was last Sunday and I didn't feel well part of the week. I know that I am throwing out excuses, but sometimes we need to give ourselves a break. I have had a great start to today and even got some cleaning done yesterday so I am ahead of schedule for this week.

Last Week's GoalsGod

• Read daily passage from One Year Bible plan and catch-up from last week (ongoing) *I am still behind, but I didn't fall further behind praise God!
• Weekly couple devotional time with Derek (ongoing)
• Bible lesson during preschool time

Marriage

• Weekly couple devotional time with Derek (ongoing)
• Schedule and have 30 minutes of quality spouse time daily
• Give Derek a 15 minute massage *Didn't get to this again

Children

• Spend 30 minutes one-on-one time each day with each child (ongoing)
• Take time to respond to children even when I am in the middle of something *Still a work in progress, but I am doing much better!
• Read to each child for 15 minutes per day. Haley and I finished our second Boxcar Children Book, so we are going to take a break and read one chapter of Winnie the Pooh each day.

Others

• Contact my MOPS secret sister and plan a ministry activity *Still need to do this!
• I will be open to opportunities to minister to others in need at any time that God calls me to do so. *God granted me a couple of great opportunities in this area that I was able to complete!

Self Development

• Finish reading Prayers Of An Excellent Wife: Intercession For Him *I found that this is a book that should be read all the way through. Instead, I am reading one prayer each day so this will be ongoing
• Start reading Remember (Redemption) *I didn't start reading this.
• Start 42 Days to Fit program. Week 1 = no dessert *Still didn't start this. I am going to wait and see how I am feeling this week.
• Drink 8 glasses of water a day *Still having good days and bad days in this area

Household Management

• Keep up with my daily cleaning schedule *Fell way behind, but got caught up on Sunday
• Complete this week's Home Challenge task

This Week's GoalsGod

• Read daily passage from One Year Bible plan and catch-up from last week (ongoing)
• Weekly couple devotional time with Derek (ongoing)
• Bible lesson during preschool time

Marriage

• Weekly couple devotional time with Derek (ongoing)
• Schedule and have 30 minutes of quality spouse time daily
• Turn off TV and play board games at least 3 nights this week *We played Phase 10 last night and had a great time, so I thought this would be a fun activity this week!
• Create our couple's bucket list

Children

• Spend 30 minutes one-on-one time each day with each child (ongoing)
• Take time to respond to children even when I am in the middle of something
• Read to each child for 15 minutes per day. Read one chapter of Winnie the Pooh to Haley each day

Others

• Contact my MOPS secret sister and plan a ministry activity
• I will be open to opportunities to minister to others in need at any time that God calls me to do so.

Self Development

• Start reading Remember (Redemption) *See all the books I am reading this month here
• Start 42 Days to Fit program. Week 1 = no dessert *We will see how I am feeling this week
• Drink 8 glasses of water a day

Household Management

• Keep up with my daily cleaning schedule
• Complete this week's Home Challenge task

How did you do with your goals for last week? Please share your progress from last week and any goals you have for this week.

Some of the links on this website are "affiliate links." This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive a commission.

52 Week Marriage Challenge Week #7: Bucket List for Couples

My husband and I frequently use the phrase "when our kids are gone from the house, we will have to...". With three young children in the house, it seems almost impossible to realize some of our dreams. I think that this is one of the reasons that married couples can fall into a rut (I know that we do). How would your relationship change if you could actually make some of your dreams come true today or in the near future? I recently had a friend tell me that she and her husband found a babysitter and started going on a date night once a week and that it had completely changed their relationship. For some couples, a weekly date night might be a small "dream", but for some of you, making this happen could be a dream come true! What are some of the dreams that you have for your marriage?

 

Week #7: Create a couple's bucket list.

 

During your spouse time, talk about things that you want to accomplish as a couple or dreams for your marriage. Write them down and create your own couple's bucket list. Leave this as an open ended list and add things as you think of them. Put your list somewhere that you will see it and refer to it often. If you see your list, you are more likely to do the things on the list.

 

The purpose of this bucket list is to get doing. This list won't help your relationship unless you accomplish the things that you have written down. Set a realistic goal of how often you want to complete the things on your list. If you have simple things on your list, like a weekly date night, you might be able to accomplish it right away. If your goal is a big trip, it might have to wait a year or several years till your kids are older or until you can save enough money.

 

You might be surprised what your spouse wants to do. This is a great way to open up lines of communication and to share your dreams and aspirations with your spouse.

 

If you are having problems getting started, here are a few ideas:

 

• Get dressed up and take a limo to a fancy/expensive restaurant
• Go on a spontaneous road trip and see where you end up
• Read through the Bible together
• Travel to _______
• Spend an entire day in bed
• Complete a devotional together
• Build your dream house
• Remodel your house (or a room in your house)
• Have a weekly date night
• Go skydiving
• Stay up all night and watch the sunrise
• Take dance lessons
• Retire by age ____ and _____________ (i.e. travel)
• Go scuba diving/snorkeling
• Have a picnic on the beach
• Run a race together
• Take a cooking class
• Make a new meal/dessert together and have a romantic dinner for two
• Go for a motorcycle ride
• Ride in a helicopter
• Read a book together
• Make love on a/in a/aboard a __________________
• Sing a karaoke duet
• Horseback ride
• Get a couple's massage
• Create a CD/play list of your favorite songs

What are some of the things on your couple's bucket list?

 

Previous Marriage Challenge Tasks:

 

Week #1: Devotional Time
Week #2: Spouse Time
Week #3: Letter of Thanks
Week #4: Kiss Like You Mean It
Week #5 Stay at Home Date Night
Week #6 Pray for Your Spouse

Reorganized Home Challenge Week #7: Kitchen Drawers

Thanks for joining us for the 52 Week Reorganized Home Challenge. This is week #7 of the challenge. If you have missed any of the prior weeks, see the links at the bottom of this post.

This is the last week that we will focus on kitchen organization. Hopefully your kitchen is now simplified, organized, and efficient.

This week's challenge is kitchen drawer organization.

Challenge Steps:

1. Take everything out of your drawers (work one drawer at a time).
2. Put away anything that doesn't belong in your kitchen
3. Throw away/donate anything you are not using
4. Line drawers (optional)
5. Put everything back into drawers in organized manner

The dollar store is a great place to find items to help organize your drawers. They have many different types of silverware holders, baskets, etc.

I also really like the Bamboo Kitchen Drawer Dividers, Set of 2 available from Amazon. These work great in your kitchen utensil drawer.

Reorganized Home Challenge

Week 1: Refrigerator
Week 2: Freezer
Week 3: Declutter Your Kitchen
Week 4: Declutter Kitchen Cabinets
Week 5: Pantry Organization
Week 6: Kitchen Cabinet Organization

Our Menu: Week of 2/18

For more meal ideas, follow me on Pinterest.

Here is our meal plan for this week:

Breakfast

Oatmeal w/ fruit
Scrambled eggs, toast, fruit x2
Banana bread w/ yogurt, fruit
Blueberry Greek Yogurt Pancakes, fruit x2
French Toast on Cinnamon Swirl Bread, Eggs, Turkey Bacon


Lunch

Peanut butter and honey sandwich, fruit, carrots, yogurt x2
Cheese quesadillas, fruit, carrots
Turkey, cheese, fruit, crackers
Macaroni and cheese, carrots, fruit
Leftovers
Sunday lunch out

Dinner

Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken (made this for Valentine's and it was really good, so it is on the menu again), homemade french bread, green beans
Whole wheat pasta w/ meatballs and sauce, homemade french bread, salad
Crock Pot Chicken (cream cheese, black beans, corn, Rotel) served on rice
Taco Salad
Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken, rice, green beans
Pizza
Leftovers

Freezer Cooking

Apple Baby Food
Pear Baby Food
Sweet Potato Baby Food
Banana Baby Food
Banana Bread
Blueberry Greek Yogurt Pancakes

My Goals: Week of 2/18

Last Week's Goals

God

• Read daily passage from One Year Bible plan and catch-up from last week (ongoing) *Still a few days behind. Hope to catch-up this week!
• Weekly couple devotional time with Derek (ongoing)
• Bible lesson during preschool time

Marriage

• Weekly couple devotional time with Derek (ongoing)
• Schedule and have 30 minutes of quality spouse time daily
• Give Derek a 15 minute massage *Didn't do this. I will have to get to it this week. 

Children

• Spend 30 minutes one-on-one time each day with each child (ongoing)
• Take time to respond to children even when I am in the middle of something
• Read to each child for 15 minutes per day. Read one chapter of The Boxcar Children Mysteries Box Set: Books One Through Twelve to Haley each day.

Others

• Contact my MOPS secret sister and plan a ministry activity *Didn't complete this
• I will be open to opportunities to minister to others in need at any time that God calls me to do so.

Self Development

• Finish reading Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God
• Start Prayers Of An Excellent Wife: Intercession For Him
• Start 42 Days to Fit program. Week 1 = no dessert *Going to start this week now that my ice cream is gone :)
• Drink 8 glasses of water a day *Didn't make it a couple days

Household Management

• Keep up with my daily cleaning schedule
• Complete this week's Home Challenge task

This Week's Goals

God

• Read daily passage from One Year Bible plan and catch-up from last week (ongoing)
• Weekly couple devotional time with Derek (ongoing)
• Bible lesson during preschool time

Marriage

• Weekly couple devotional time with Derek (ongoing)
• Schedule and have 30 minutes of quality spouse time daily
• Give Derek a 15 minute massage

Children

• Spend 30 minutes one-on-one time each day with each child (ongoing)
• Take time to respond to children even when I am in the middle of something
• Read to each child for 15 minutes per day. Haley and I finished our second Boxcar Children Book, so we are going to take a break and read one chapter of Winnie the Pooh each day.

Others

• Contact my MOPS secret sister and plan a ministry activity
• I will be open to opportunities to minister to others in need at any time that God calls me to do so.

Self Development

• Finish reading Prayers Of An Excellent Wife: Intercession For Him
• Start reading Remember (Redemption) *See all the books I am reading this month here
• Start 42 Days to Fit program. Week 1 = no dessert
• Drink 8 glasses of water a day

Household Management

• Keep up with my daily cleaning schedule
• Complete this week's Home Challenge task

How did you do with your goals for last week? Please share your progress from last week and any goals you have for this week.

Some of the links on this website are "affiliate links." This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive a commission.

Preschool Plans: "ad" Word Family Week

 

Three Year Old Ongoing Focus: Pre-Reading (Sight Words, Word Families), Days of the Week, Months of the Year, Geography, Beginning Math

 



For more preschool ideas, follow me on Pinterest.



This week's theme: "ad" Word Family

Monday

• Pledge of Allegiance (poster purchased at Dollar Tree)
• Bible Activity: Tower of Babel
• Read Story
• Tower of Babel Coloring Page
• Song Time
  • Days of the Week Song (YouTube Video)
• Months of the Year (YouTube Video)
• Letter B Song (YouTube Video)
• "ad" Word Family Activities
• Introduce "ad" Word Family Words
• "ad" Family Matching Worksheet
• "ad" Word Family Flashcards
• Snack Time: Bananas
• Flashcard Sight Word Practice
• Math Time: Count by 10s (YouTube Video)
• Map Time (using U.S. Map purchased at Dollar Tree)
  • State Recognition

Wednesday

• Pledge of Allegiance (poster purchased at Dollar Tree)
• Craft Time: Glad and Sad Paper Plate Craft
• Song Time
  • Days of the Week Song (YouTube Video)
• Months of the Year (YouTube Video)
• Letter B Song (YouTube Video)
• "ad" Word Family Activities
• "ad" Word Family Flashcards
• ABC Phonics Word Family Free (iPad app) "ad" activity
• Snack Time: Banana Bread
• Flashcard Sight Word Practice
• Math Time: Cheerio Counting Activity
• Map Time (using U.S. Map purchased at Dollar Tree)
  • State Recognition

Friday

• Pledge of Allegiance (poster purchased at Dollar Tree)
• Craft Time: #1 Dad Craft
• Song Time
  • Days of the Week Song (YouTube Video)
• Months of the Year (YouTube Video)
• Letter B Song (YouTube Video)
• Snack Time: Yogurt with Blueberries
• Flashcard Sight Word Practice
• Math Time: Count by 10s (YouTube Video) 
• Map Time (using U.S. Map purchased at Dollar Tree)
  • State Recognition

Preschool Plans: Letter B

I like to incorporate many different types of learning activities including worksheets, videos, iPad apps, computer games/activities, and flashcards. I find it easier to keep my two year old engaged when she is learning through many different methods.

For more preschool ideas, follow me on Pinterest.

Two Year Old Ongoing Focus: Letter Recognition, Word Recognition, Shapes, Colors



 

This week's theme: The Letter B

 

Monday

1. Bible Activity: Tower of Babel
1. Read Story
2. Tower of Babel Coloring Page
2. Song Time
   • Days of the Week Song (YouTube Video)
• Months of the Year (YouTube Video)
• Letter B Song (YouTube Video)
3. Snack Time: Bananas
4. Computer Time: Letter B Lesson

Wednesday

1. Craft Time: Letter B is for Beaver Craft
2. Song Time
   • Days of the Week Song (YouTube Video)
• Months of the Year (YouTube Video)
• Letter B Song (YouTube Video)
3. Snack Time: Banana Bread
4. Computer Time: Letter B Lesson
5. Math Time: Cheerio Counting

Friday

1. Craft Time: Toilet Paper Roll Butterfly Craft
2. Song Time
   • Days of the Week Song (YouTube Video)
• Months of the Year (YouTube Video)
• Letter B Song (YouTube Video)
3. Snack Time: Yogurt with Blueberries
4. Computer Time: Letter B Lesson
5. Writing Practice: Letter B Tracing Worksheet

What are your favorite Letter B activities?

Homemade Baby Food Stage 1: Carrot Puree

If you are new to making your own baby food take a look at Homemade Baby Food: How to Get Started. For a complete list of baby food recipes, click here. Also, follow me on Pinterest for links to even more great baby food recipes.

Carrots are easy for your baby to digest and are loaded with nutrients like Vitamin A and Vitamin C. You can see a complete nutritional breakdown here. When purchasing carrots, do not buy baby carrots as they are washed in a solution that often contains chlorine.

Introduction Age: 6-8 Months *Check with your pediatrician about when to start your baby on solid foods

Materials Needed:

• Steaming Basket
• Appliance to Puree, such as food processor or food mill (I use the Food Network 3-Cup Mini Food Processor)
• Ice Cube Trays (Can be found at the dollar store) 

Carrot Puree:

1. Thoroughly wash and peel carrots.
2. Slice carrots into thin discs.
3. Fill pot with enough water to reach bottom of your steaming basket.
4. Bring water to a boil and reduce to simmering.
5. Fill steaming basket with carrot slices.
6. Steam until soft (approximately 10-15 minutes).
7. Puree in your choice of appliance.
8. Thin puree as needed with filtered water. Do not use cooking water to thin as nitrates can be released as your cook.

To Freeze:

Spoon carrot puree into ice cube trays, cover with plastic wrap and freeze. Place frozen cubes into Ziploc freezer bag or freezer safe container.

To Thaw:

Remove cube(s) from freezer and place in container in refrigerator for 12-24 hours. Heat if desired and serve. Use thawed cubes within 24 hours or thawing. You may also thaw in microwave if you choose.

*Remember to use the 4 day wait rule when introducing new foods. Feed your child only 1 new food for a 4 day period to wait for any possible reaction.

Food Combinations:

Once your child has been introduced to several foods using the 4 day wait rule, you may begin trying different food combinations. Here are some foods that pair well with carrots:

• Apples
• Peaches
• Green Beans
• Peas
• Winter Squash
• Zucchini
• Sweet Potatoes
• Meats (Chicken, Beef, Pork)
• Brown Rice

*Remember to check with your pediatrician regarding your baby's readiness to begin solid foods and discuss any foods that may have an allergy risk for your child.

Some of the links on this website are "affiliate links." This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive a commission

52 Week Marriage Challenge Week #6: Pray for Your Spouse

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope that you and your spouse have something fun planned to celebrate.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 says "Two are better than one, because the have a good reward for their toil. For if they fail, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him- a threefold cord is not easily broken." (ESV)  I love the picture of a threefold cord. The threefold cord is strong and cannot be easily broken. When Christ is the center of our marriages, they will be strong. They will not be broken. It is when we fail to give our relationships up to Christ and delight in our own sinful nature that our marriages can and often will fail.

Week #6: Pray for Your Spouse

 

We cannot control our spouse's relationship with God, but we can continually lift them up in prayer. This week, I want to challenge you to purposefully pray for your spouse on a daily basis.

 

Here are some things that you can consider when you pray:

• What are some of my spouse's spiritual gifts? (Praise)
• What are some things that are going well in my spouse's personal life? (Praise)
• What are some things that are going well in my spouse's professional life? (Praise)
• What are some things that are going well in your marriage? (Praise)
• What is your spouse currently struggling with in their spiritual life? If you don't know the answer to this, take a few minutes to ask.
• What are some of the things that your spouse is struggling with in their personal life?
• What are some of the things that your spouse is struggling with in their professional life?
• What are some things that you are struggling with as a couple?

As you are thinking and praying about some of these things, incorporate supporting scriptures. If you aren't sure where to find scriptures about a specific topic, you can simply do an Internet search for "verses about...".

If you need help getting started, there are many great resources available.

Online Resources:

31 Days of Praying for Your Husband
6 Verses to Pray for Your Husband
Praying for Him (31 Day Challenge)
Praying for Her (31 Day Challenge)

Books About Prayer:

The Power of a Praying® Wife
The Power of a Praying® Husband
Prayers Of An Excellent Wife: Intercession For Him
Praying God's Word for Your Husband
How to Pray for Your Wife: A 31-Day Guide

52 Week Marriage Challenge

Week #1: Devotional Time
Week #2: Spouse Time
Week #3: Letter of Thanks
Week #4: Kiss Like You Mean It
Week #5 Stay at Home Date Night

Some of the links on this website are "affiliate links." This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive a commission

Paper Plate Crowns

Happy Valentine's Day! I thought I would plan some special crafts and activities for my girls to celebrate today. The girls got some new stamps and markers in their Valentine's basket, so they wanted to use them for a craft.

First up today, we made paper plate crowns. These are very simple to make.

Materials:

• Paper Plates
• Scissors
• Craft Materials: Markers, Crayons, Stamps, Stickers, Poms, etc

Instructions:

1. Fold paper plate in half.
2. Cut three diagonal cuts to make 4 equal triangles.
3. Open plate and cut along fold to finish triangles.
4. Have you child decorate. Fold triangles up to complete crown.

If you want to paint the crown, you can paint and let dry before you make your cuts. We used poms that I found at Dollar Tree on the tips of the triangles for "jewels".

What special activity are you doing for Valentine's Day?

Homemade Baby Food Stage 1: Squash Puree

If you are new to making baby food take a look at Homemade Baby Food: How to Get Started.

Squash is a wonderful Stage 1 vegetable. Winter squash, like acorn or butternut, is high in vitamin A and calcium. There is a great resource here on the nutritional content.

Introduction Age: 4-6 month *Check with your pediatrician about when to start your baby on solid foods

Squash Puree:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds.
3. Put squash in baking pan face down. Add approximately 1 inch of water to pan.
4. Cook for 45-60 minutes or until you can easily pierce "meat" with a fork.
5. Cool squash and retain cooking liquid for thinning puree.
6. Scoop "meat" out of squash shell.
7. Puree in your choice of appliance*. Add reserved cooking liquid to make it the desired consistency (thin, but not runny).

To Freeze:

1. Spoon puree into ice cube trays.
2. Cover ice cube trays with plastic wrap and freeze overnight or until solid.
3. Pop out cubes and store in freezer safe plastic bags.

To Thaw:

Remove cube from freezer and place in container in refrigerator for 12-24 hours. Heat if desired and serve. Use thawed cubes within 24 hours or thawing. You may also thaw in microwave if you choose.

*I use my Food Network 3-Cup Mini Food Processor . Since I like to use my mini food processor for the convenience of easy cleaning, I puree one half at a time.

Remember to use the 4 day wait rule when introducing new foods. Feed your child only 1 new food for a 4 day period to wait for any possible reaction.
Food Combinations:

Once your child has been introduced to several foods using the 4 day wait rule, you may begin trying different food combinations. Here are some foods that pair well with squash:

• Rice
• Apples
• Peaches
• Pears
• Carrots
• Meat (Beef, Chicken, Pork)

Remember to check with your pediatrician regarding your baby's readiness to begin solid foods and discuss any foods that may have an allergy risk for your child.

Some of the links on this website are "affiliate links." This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive a commission

10 Ways to Support Other Moms

This week God has laid it upon my heart to start a young mothers' prayer group within our church. In talking with some of the other moms, we all feel the challenge of balancing our relationships with God, our husband, and our children. Add the stress of  the things we have to do and the things we would like to do and being a mother can be downright challenging,

As mothers, we forget is that there is a whole group of mothers out there just like us. Mothers who struggle with feelings of inadequacy. Mothers who feel overwhelmed. Mothers who are discouraged. Mothers who are drowning in their day to day "to do" list.

So what can we do to keep from feeling this way? Well for one, our priorities have to be in line. God has to be our number one. In John 15:5 Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (NIV) That is right...we can do nothing. If you are not abiding in him, you will never feel complete. You will never feel good enough. You will never feel adequate. But, when your relationship is right with God, you find peace in the knowledge you are the mother that God created you to be. Next, you have to meet the needs of your spouse and your children. If you are engaging in activites that you enjoy or that "need" to be done, but your spouse and children have needs that are not being met, you shouldn't be doing them.

Once these priorities are in order, we should be focused on how we can serve others. Galatians 5:13 says "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another". (ESV) By creating a support system with other mothers that are facing the same trials and tribulations, we are creating opportunities to serve one another and to love one another as Christ has loved us.

I would like give you just a few ideas about how you can serve other mothers. Please share any additional ideas that you have in the comment section.

1. Pray for each other. Communicate your struggles and praises each week with other moms. Pray for each other throughout the week.
2. Be real and honest with other moms. I know we all like to look like Super Mom, but it is nice to know that every mom has something that she struggles with. It makes us all feel a bit more normal. Plus, no one can provide you with support unless you tell them about what you actually need.
3. Watch another mom's kids. When a mom that you know needs a break, offer to watch her children. If a mom needs to go to an appointment and doesn't want to take all 5 children, offer to watch them. If one of your friends needs a date night with her spouse, head to her house.
4. Take a mom a meal. Ok, let's face it, sometimes we don't even have time to get food on our own table, but if there is a mom in need, make time to do it!  Try making a double batch of what you are having for dinner or have several freezer meals available for when someone is in need.
5. Make a phone call. If you know another mom is having a bad day and needs some encouragement pick up the phone and call. Even if you only have a few seconds, the mom will appreciate the encouragement. If you don't have time for a phone call, send a text, email or Facebook message.
6. Remember other moms' birthdays and take them something special. For most moms birthdays are just another day. We still have kids to take care of, chores to do and errands to run. Taking a few minutes to deliver a batch of cookies or a Starbucks will make them feel special.
7. Save your baby clothes, maternity clothes, cribs, etc. At some point, there will be another mom that you will be able to bless with your hand-me-downs. I have been blessed by these acts of kindness. I have two daughters, so when my son came along I didn't have any clothing. Thanks to several other moms, I have not had to purchase one article of clothing for my son. He is 7 months and I have clothes all the way up to 2T!
8. Have several pre-made mom baskets on hand to deliver. Ideas for these include a Box of Sunshine (to brighten someone's day), a Hospital Survival Kit (when someone is in labor or has to stay in the hospital), a Get Well Kit (when a mom and/or child is sick), or a New Mom Comfot Kit. Deliver a basket whenever God presents an opportunity for you to support a mom who is in need.
9. Plan a baby shower. If you have a friend who is expecting, even if it is her fourth child, plan a baby shower. Gather resources to make sure she gets what she really needs (crib, diapers, etc).
10. Be available. Have you ever had one of those days when you just needed to talk to someone? Be available for other moms every chance that you get! Take their phone calls, respond to their texts/emails/Facebook messages, and open your home. Who cares if your home isn't spotless. If another mom needs a listening ear, she won't care about the state of your house!

Handprint Crab Craft {ab Word Family Week}

For our "ab" Word Family Week, we have a couple cute crab themed crafts that we are doing. Learn Create Love shared this fun Handprint Crab Craft.

Materials Needed:

• White card stock (or white paper)
• Fingerpaint (I use the Crayola brand)
• Googly eyes (purchased at Dollar Tree)

Instructions:

1. Using one hand at a time, cover in red paint. I had my daughter place her hand in fingerpaint and then I used a paintbrush to make sure paint was even.
2. Place hand sideways on paper with thumb up.
3. Repeat with other hand and place hand so that it slightly overlaps with other handprint.
4. Let dry.
5. Attach googly eyes and draw mouth.
6. Color bottom of picture with peach crayon for sand. You could also add some blue crayon on top for water.

Some of the links on this website are "affiliate links." This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive a commission.

A is for Alligator Craft

I found this cute idea for a letter A alligator on Richelle's Creative Corner. It was simple to make and turned out great.

Materials Needed:

• Yellow card stock (or construction paper)
• Green card stock (or construction paper)
• White paper
• Eyes

Instructions:

1. Cut out A shape on green card stock
2. Cut out two half circles on green card stock for eyes
3. Glue A and eyes onto yellow card stock
4. Cut out small triangles for teeth and glue onto inside of A as shown in picture
5. Glue on googly eyes  

This fits in perfectly for our letter A preschool week!

{FREE eBook} The 4 Seasons of Marriage: Secrets to a Lasting Marriage

Right now, you can get the Kindle version of The 4 Seasons of Marriage: Secrets to a Lasting Marriage by Gary Chapman for FREE on Amazon. I haven't read this book, but it is rated 4 1/2 stars. This would be a great Christian book to add to your reading list.

Book Description:

Spring, summer, winter, fall. Marriages are perpetually in a state of transition, continually moving from one season to another—perhaps not annually, as in nature, but just as certainly and consistently. Sometimes we find ourselves in winter—discouraged, detached, and dissatisfied; other times, we experience springtime with its openness, hope, and anticipation. On other occasions, we bask in the warmth of summer—comfortable, relaxed, enjoying life. And then comes fall with its uncertainty, negligence, and apprehension. The cycle repeats itself many times throughout the life of a marriage, just as the seasons repeat themselves in nature.

The seasons of marriage come and go. Each one holds the potential for emotional health and happiness, and each one has its challenges. The purpose of this book is to describe these recurring seasons of marriage, help you and your spouse identify which season your marriage is in, and show you how to enhance your marriage in all four seasons.

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Reorganized Home Challenge Week #6: Kitchen Cabinet Organization

Thanks for joining us for the 52 Week Reorganized Home Challenge. This is week #6 of the challenge. If you have missed any of the prior weeks, see the links at the bottom of this post.

This is the second to last week we will focus on kitchen organization. If you have been completing all of the tasks so far, your kitchen should be pretty close to being organized and purposeful.

This week's challenge is Kitchen Cabinet Organization.

Now that we have organized our pantries, it is time to organize the rest of our kitchen cabinets. You should have already tossed or donated anything that you aren't using during week #4. This week it is all about putting the things back into your cabinets in a neat manner.

Challenge Steps:

1. Pull everything out of your cabinet (work one cabinet at a time)
2. Line your cabinets (optional)
3. Sort by item type
4. Put back into cabinet in organized manner

These steps are pretty straight forward. I would recommend taking a trip to the dollar store or looking on Amazon for some products that will help to make your organization easier. These are some of the things that I use in my cabinets to keep them more organized:

YouCopia Super SpiceStack 27-Bottle Spice Organizer, White
*This spice organizer is a bit pricey, but I am so glad that I purchased it. It has made cooking and baking so much easier. It allows you to organize your spices whichever way you choose and comes with preprinted labels

Rubbermaid FG1H4209BLA Pan Organizer Rack, Black

Copco 2555-1978 Adjustable Bakeware Organizer

InterDesign Axis Over the Cabinet X3 Basket

InterDesign Axis Over the Cabinet Bag Holder

What are some of your favorite organizing products? Please share in the comments.

Reorganized Home Challenge

Week 1: Refrigerator
Week 2: Freezer
Week 3: Declutter Your Kitchen
Week 4: Declutter Kitchen Cabinets
Week 5: Pantry Organization

Some of the links on this website are "affiliate links." This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive a commission.