Friday Funnies: Honeymoons

I'm not sure what brings things to the minds of our children.  It is a bit perplexing at times to figure out how certain topics and questions come about.  Today at lunch we had such a question that left me wondering, "Where did that come from?"

Hannah: A honeymoon is like a big party.
Claude: Not really, Hannah.
Joshua: Yeah, it's like a date.

Well...at least that's more along the right lines.  :)

This could be considered our "second honeymoon".  Celebrating our first anniversary in the Grampians was pretty nice...except for the terrible cold I had.  Oh, well...we had a good time anyway.

 

Toddler Bible Lesson - Joseph's Dreams

Welcome to Bible Basics!  I'm glad you stopped by.  If you're wondering what we're up to in this ongoing series, check out this introductory post.  For a growing list of toddler Bible lessons you can take a look at the Bible Basics page.

Over the last few lessons we have been focusing on Jacob.  Today we’re moving on to learn about Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph.  Over the next three weeks we will follow Joseph from living with his family, to being sold into slavery in Egypt, to his reunion with his family.  This will conclude our lessons from the book of Genesis.  Yay!

JOSEPH’S DREAMS
Genesis 37


Here is a simplified text of the entire story of Joseph.

Memory Verse
“Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.”  -Genesis 37:5
 
Lesson Focus
Joseph had a dream.

Project
Sun, Moon, Stars Mobile

Materials
- Craft foam (construction paper would work as well)
- Foam star stickers (or regular stickers)
- White glue, optional
- Glitter, optional
- Hole punch
- Yarn or string
- Hanger

Directions
1. Cut craft foam into the shape of a large star, a moon, and a sun.
2. Place star stickers on piece of craft foam.  Cut around stars.
3. Decorate large star with glue and glitter.  Alternatively you may choose to use stickers or markers and crayons.
4. Punch a hole at the top of each small star, the large star, the sun, and the moon.
5. Tie yarn or string onto each piece.  String the smaller stars together into 2-3 long strands.
6. Tie all pieces to a hanger.

How We Go Through the Lesson
1. Recite or sing memory verse.
2. Read Bible story.  We use the Beginner's Bible, but you can choose a children's story Bible or "grown-up" translation that suits you and your family.
3. Recite or sing memory verse.
4. Craft or project.  Depending on the day of the week this may be a project like the one above or it could be a coloring page or something completely different.
*Repeat the lesson almost every day.  This could mean doing it on weekdays or taking one day to work on the project, saying the memory verse together throughout the day, and reading the Bible story before bed each night.  It doesn't matter when or how, but the repetition is key for toddlers to retain the lessons presented to them.


What creative ideas do you have to teach the lesson of Joseph’s dreams?


This post is linked up at:
Mom's Library, True Aim Education
Mommy-Brain Mixer, Jellibean Journals

Our Story, Part 9

 

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8

Then one day a call came from an academic institution in Houston, Texas.  One thing led to another, and after a Skype interview and a few weeks of waiting for a response, Claude had a job offer.

We had turned the corner, made it round the bend.  The Lord had heard our prayers and lifted up our cause.  Our waiting had ended and we were ready for a new adventure!

That new adventure started with a lot of purging and packing.  A one bedroom apartment can only hold so much stuff, but we did have 6 people living there.  It surprised me just how much we could fit in small quarters!

Because most of our stuff had been taken from the curb or given to us near the end of its life, we opted to give and throw away most of what we owned.  We kept clothes (except things the kids had already outgrown), linens, kitchen items, and our mattresses.  Everything else had to go because we were going to be moving in this:

Everything we wanted to take with us (including passengers!) fit into a 5'x9' trailer, our minivan, and a Toyota Corolla.

A 5'x9' trailer only holds so much and we knew that even if we were liberal in clearing out, it would be a tight squeeze.  In an effort to keep track of what would fit and what needed further sorting, I taped off an area in our living room just smaller than the dimensions of the trailer.  We even marked on the wall just how high the trailer would be, always leaving some wriggle room.

While I worked on the apartment, Claude was busy looking online for leads on rentals homes in Houston.  He did a lot of research and we decided to look in one particular area to be reasonably close to his job but in an area that was affordable.  We weren't aware until later that the main area we were looking is not particularly safe.

One week before our scheduled departure, Claude hopped on a plane to take a quick house hunting trip.  He was graciously hosted by some friends of ours and put in contact with a real estate agent who would help him view the homes we were considering.  We put in an application on one house the same day Claude viewed it, but we found out within hours that it was very unsafe in that particular neighborhood.

Our packing in progress.  The last two photos were taken on the day that we moved out of our apartment.  Claude did an awesome job carting everything out to the trailer and fitting it in just right!

I'm still amazed at how God works, because this was a huge disappointment to us.  But we did have a second choice - the only house in a different and safe area.  That's right.  There was only one house we looked at that was in a good area.  And there was already an application on it.

In the mean time, my parents had booked a flight to come and help us move in.  We were scheduled to arrive in Houston October 29-30 and my parents' flight arrived on November 2.  At that point we weren't even sure if we would have a house.  Talk about trusting The Lord!

I thought we should take along these little guys, too!

 A couple of days before we started to drive we were notified that our application for the house was accepted!  Praise The Lord!  We arranged to get keys on October 31 and move in November 1.  We were excited!  Now all that stood between us and a the start of a new adventure was a 1,700 mile drive with a 5-year-old, a 4-year-old, a 2-year-old, and a 3-month old.  But it would be fine, right?  Really, how rough could it be?  We had already traveled from New York to Melbourne with three kids 4 years and under.  The car trip would be a piece of cake in comparison!  Mmm-hmm...

To be continue...

Let the Nesting Begin!

I got a lot done on Monday, but somehow I didn't get around to finishing up the Bible Basics post for this week.  Sorry...I probably could have spent the time it took me to write this little update to get the Bible lesson posted, but I didn't.  My mind is definitely elsewhere at the moment.

I'm not sure what got into me today, but after spending much of the day trying to stay awake (I think I did actually doze off during Hannah's spelling dictation), I had a burst of energy.  And can you guess what I did with that burst of energy?  I started nesting!

It's funny how these urges come on.  I decided in a moment (really it's been driving me nuts for weeks months) that the toy shelf needed to be organized once and for all.  But I didn't stop there.  Nope.  Once I got on a roll I felt like the school room shelves should also be cleaned out and reorganized.

The result is simply amazing.

We now have less stuff, more room to add more stuff, and all the stuff in it's proper place.

Why the school room shelves needed to be organized for baby's impending arrival I do not know for certain, but I'm glad for the transformation.

Next step in organization: The extra closet.  That one I'll consider pretty much done once I can clear out the baby gear that will soon occupy space in our main living area AND we actually bring the box of stuff for Goodwill to the donation center.  Donations are only so good if they never leave your house.

Also on my agenda for nesting is this (which I worked on last weekend...not today):

We now have meals frozen and/or in the pantry for a full two weeks.  I'm not sure when exactly we will use these, but at this rate they may be gone in about...two weeks.  ;)  If they are still around after the baby is born they may be used right away and they may wait until Claude returns to work and I'm back to dinner delegation.

Still on the agenda for food-type nesting: Finish stocking the pantry with necessary items to complete the freezer meals.

Other items on my nesting list led me to the fabric store earlier this evening.  Since Claude bought me a sewing machine last year I've actually been able to make a few things.  I'm not a great seamstress, so I like to stick with simple, one-sitting projects.  On my list of things to make this week: Extra play yard sheets, covers for the changing pad, and two nursing covers.

And my last order of nesting business this week: Pack the birth center bag.  I know...I theoretically could wait and pack this once labor starts.  I basically did that last time.  Well, I packed the bag and the next night I had some strange "Braxton Hicks contractions".  Apparently they were real, though, because those funny contractions ended with the birth of our second son, Jeremiah.

Things to include in the birth center bag per the midwives' request:

-Onesie or gown for Baby
-Extra/Going home outfit for Baby
-3 receiving blankets 
-Nursing gown for Mom
-Going home outfit for Mom
-Giant, comfy underwear for Mom
-Socks for Mom (because I get cold just after the birth)
-Cash for tolls
-Directions to the birth center since Claude has only been once (2 sets, for 2 different routes)
-Snacks, possibly (not sure about that yet...I don't usually eat anything after I leave the house)
-Items we can't pack until we're on our way out the door: phone, camera, iPad/iPod, water)

 And so concludes my nesting needs.  I actually feel like doing all of this right now, which is really a problem because it's already VERY late and I can't be falling asleep again during Hannah's spelling dictation.  Wait...I think I fall asleep during her dictation every day.  Poor girl.  No wonder she takes so long to get through her list!  ;)

What do you usually do to get ready for a new baby?

 

Reflections on The Book of Hebrews

So after attending one session on the Book of Hebrews at our church's Sunday School class for adults, have been making my way through the book and just blown away by what's in there from a doctrinal standpoint but also just from a God speaking through me by His Holy Spirit standpoint!  Here are some key verses that are famous and not so famous that have really stood out to me:

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 NIV)

This just flies in the face of so many Christians that twist the whole freedom in Christ notion to justify their justification in Christ Jesus to do whatever they please to suit their fancy and desires.  Be holy, without holiness no one will see The Lord!  This also reminds me of this Scripture:

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8 NIV)

And another one:

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)

But more to come on that one, the idea is to keep seeking after Him because:

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

God Bless y'all!

Claude for the Chew Crew

Friday Funnies: Comparisons, Compliments, and More

Here are a very few of the funny things I heard this week.

Joshua to Claude: Wow, your teeth look like Russian rocket boosters!

Hannah, speaking about her hair: My hair flows down like Angel Falls.

Joshua to me while I was cooking dinner: You're such a great chef.  You could work at Chick-fil-A!

Joshua, speaking about a fuzzy green pencil: Give that mammalian pencil to me!

At the doctor's office...

Hannah: What is nasal spray?

Joshua: Hannah, that's when they spray something into your nasal cavity and then it travels down to your lungs.

Doctor, looking a bit surprised: Yes, that's basically what happens.

Doctor, speaking to me: Does Hannah recognize shapes? Colors? Maybe some short words?

Hannah: I can read my Bible.  It doesn't have any pictures in it, just lots of little words.

Doctor, again speaking to me: She reads books without pictures?

Me: Yes, she does.

Doctor: I suppose you're not concerned about her academics then?

Joshua and his friend had a little exchange between open van doors...strapped in their booster seats.

Friend: Hey, Joshua, what book are you reading?

Joshua, barely taking his nose out of his book: This.

Friend: What is it?

Joshua: It's a book about ancient Persian warfare.

Friend: That's cool!

These kids are 8 and 6 years old...weird, unsocialized homeschoolers I guess!

What funny things have you heard this week?

Happy Birthday, Hannah Girl!

We are almost done with our Big Birthday Line Up for the year.  After today's celebrations, we have the most exciting birthday of 2013...date still TBD.

I'm thrilled to be tying up our known birthdays with this special girl.

Hannah never ceases to surprise me.  She is goofy and giving.  She can laugh and cry on a dime.  She loves the color purple and is less than thrilled about eating onions.

Being right in the middle of big brother, Joshua, and little sister, Abigail, she is never lacking a good playmate.  In fact, she is so accustomed to being surrounded by others that she has an aversion to being alone.  I assure you that moments of solitude are few and far between around here!

Recently Hannah has become fascinated with babies.  She says that she wants to be a Mommy when she grows up (she's already practicing on Abby, Jeremiah, and a pink teddy bear).  And after a few appointments with our new midwives and access to my growing belly, she has become very interested in pregnancy and birth.  She says that she would like to become a midwife and work at a birth center one day.  Claude and I agree that she would be perfectly suited for such work, but we'll see where God leads her as she grows.

What strikes me about Hannah is that she seems to be very sensitive to the Holy Spirit.  It's a bit hard to describe since she is only 5-years-old, but there is a grace about her that can only be explained by her receptivity to the Lord.

She is a tremendous blessing to all of us!

Happy Birthday, Hannah!

We Love You!