Great resource

Group's publishing has a Hands-on Bible for kids that is packed with great ideas to teach kids basic Bible stories and principles. It's a great investment. We bought ours over a year ago from the local Christian bookstore. Our kids love "doing" devotions! Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/Hands-Bible-NLT-Group-Publishing/dp/0842387595

Summer idea

So we are heading into the middle of July. For our family that means vacation, Fourth of July celebrations, and Katie's birthday are now behind us. Other than a camping trip in August, we have 5 weeks of unscheduled "free" days, which means plenty of opportunites for summer boredom to set in. I'm going to make an attempt to blog ideas every few days of ways we curb summer boredom in our house. Here are a few ideas to start:

• Go to the Library - We go once a week to get books and videos for the kids and me! They also have video games you can borrow. I love curling up on the couch and reading with the kids when I'm feeling lazy. When you're finished, take them back and exchange them for new ones!
• Get creative - save old toilet paper rolls, empty egg cartons...whatever you like. Pull out the art supplies and let the kids be creative. For kids (or parents) who may need a little inspiration, try www.dltk-kids.com
• Go camping in your backyard - We inherited a new pop-up camper from my in-laws this spring. We have yet to get a chance to take it camping, but the kids are begging my husband to put it up so we can spend the night in it in our backyard!

Time away

Last week our family headed to the beach, just the four of us. It was the first time we had gone by ourselves with the kids (no grandparents, other families,...). While you can never have a "relaxing" vacation with little ones, it was nice. I actually got to sleep in and do some reading during "quiet time" in the afternoons. It was also amazing to watch our kids. They are amazing. Almost 6-year old Katie (her birthday is next week) has evolved from a quiet follower into a leader (albeit bossy) who wanted to try every wild ride at the amusement park. She loved everything she tried. Micah, 2 1/2 going on 6 has to do everything is sister does. However, his seriousness and thoughtfulness is evident. He has not been the easiest baby/toddler to have, but I've always said God is going to do amazing things through him. I must say, he's starting to develop personality...and you DO NOT interfere with his wants. Yesterday we had a day at a local lake with some friends and he wanted a dump truck to play with in the sand that wasn't his. We had been there awhile, and it was way past naptime...needless to say he cried, no wait screamed would be the better word, the whole time packing up and in the bathhouse. I finally distracted him with a knob in the changing room that could move up and down...after I fought him to get him dressed into dry clothes. I cherish these times with my kids...although they are not relaxing enough in my book to be considered "vacations".

Summer Break!

Today is my first day off of teaching for the summer. Woo-hoo! I do plan to work a few days here and there, but for the most part my plans for the summer revolve around trying to play catch up around my house. I have a list of cleaning, painting and sorting through the things that have piled up around here this past school year. However, God has also been calling me to slow down, to let things go, to put relationships with others ahead of tasks I think need to be done. So as much as I want to "DO", I pray that with God's help I can also just "BE" the kind of mom, wife, friend that he's calling me to be.

Happy Summer!

Pause before responding

I recently heard this bit of advice in a training that I was blessed to participate in. Then, the very next day, I read it in my devotions. Isn't it funny how God uses various methods to get our attention? Pausing before I launch into my response, opinion, story that relates to the topic (or not) is not something I do easily. However, I have been reminded this week that it is something I need to work on.

A totally unrelated note. My mother-in-law got me a book for Christmas. It's called "Three Days" by Melody Carlson. Reviews say it's an easy read, so I plan to read it during Holy Week as an additional way to prepare my heart for Easter. I also like to read through the events of Christ's last week on earth.

Loving like Jesus

There is a woman in my life I have a difficult time loving. She is, in my opinion, annoying and I do not like being around her. However, due to recent circumstances (probably God-inspired) I have found myself having to be around her more. While I am trying to see her like Jesus, my human flesh still struggles to love her.

This morning in my devotions, I was challenged to do a random act of kindness for to show love for my neighbor. The author talked about the unlovable and how it is often they who need to be shown love the most. Guess who the Lord brought to my mind....this very lady.

Lord, continue to help me in my journey to see people through your eyes and not my own.

Everyday life

I think I have a case of the "February Blahs". Our home has been filled with sickness, the flu bug, colds...you name it we've had it. I am anxiously awaiting spring. What is most discouraging is that God has been silent. No new insights, no encouragement...just living in the daily routineness of life.

Father, Thank you for the gift of spring. Of new life, and a fresh start. Help me to feel your presence and recognize your blessings even in the dullness of February. Amen.