6/3/04 "DADDY & ME," SUMMER, MATH, DIAPERS, LAUGH, TRACKING
Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for YOU with LOVE by Lois Breneman
CONTENTS:
"DADDY AND ME!"
A POEM AND QUOTES TO BE USED IN DADDY'S CARDS AND SCRAPBOOKS
A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR EVERYONE DURING FAMILY VACATION
SMILES FROM KIDS!
MAKE SUMMERTIME ACTIVITIES COUNT
AN INTERESTING MATH TRICK
CHOCOLATE MATHEMATICS
AN EXCELLENT NEWSLETTER FOR YOUR DAUGHTERS!
DISTRACTIONS FOR YOUR BABY WHILE CHANGING DIAPERS AND DRESSING
COUPLES WHO LAUGH TOGETHER =)
QUOTES
"DADDY AND ME"
This idea came from my daughter, Joy, who gave permission to share it with you ladies. It is a special gift for daddies that can be made by Mommy or an older child. Hopefully you have time to create this Father's Day gift for your husband if you have several baby pictures of him! Even a copy of one of his pictures, along with one of your child's pictures would make a very meaningful card for Father's Day!
Father's Day is June 20, so there is still time to make a creative gift of a small scrapbook for your husband or help an older child to make it for an unforgettable Father's Day. My daughter, Joy, has quite a few baby pictures of her husband that his mother had given her. The pictures of her husband include playing with his jungle gym (unlike the more colorful and complicated ones for babies these days!), having a bath, playing with his Pooh Bear, sliding down a sliding board, riding in his wagon, and others. So Joy has been taking pictures of their little boy, who is one year old now, to go along with copies of Daddy's pictures. She compiled them all in a small scrapbook for Father's Day entitled, "Daddy and Me." Of course, the special background scrapbooking paper, cutouts and journaling add a special dimension. She included the quote, "Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a DADDY" in the book, as well as "I love Daddy!" She told me she hopes that she can wait until Father's Day to give it to him! I know it will mean the world to Justin's daddy on his second Father's Day! ~ Lois
A POEM AND QUOTES TO BE USED IN DADDY'S CARDS AND SCRAPBOOKS
Contributed by Christy Carter of Virginia
Father Poem ~ by D. Morgan
Some may own castles
On the banks of the Rhine,
And hire orchestras
Each morning at nine.
But richer that I,
They will never be ...
I had a dad
Who spent time with me.
"A Daddy is a man who has photos in his wallet where his money used to be."
A father is someone we can look up to no matter how tall we get."
A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR EVERYONE DURING FAMILY VACATION
(And a tip in making doll clothes too! ~ By Lois Breneman ~ 2004 ~ [email protected]
During this year's family vacation with our three adult children, son-in-law and grandson, I'm planning to have a little birthday party for everyone! We all always go sailing together on our week-long summer vacations, so this year I plan to make a cut-up Hobi-Cat sailboat cake, using blueberries and sliced strawberries for stripes in the sails. Lifesavers are added to the hulls too.
Since I just finished making doll clothes for a little boy doll to give to our grandson at the beach, I thought I'd find small gifts for everyone else too - to give at our "Family Birthday Party." I plan to let the other family members know and suggest that they each find a small gag gift, thrift shop or yard sale gift for the rest of the family too.
I have to tell you that my grandson's doll cost only 65 cents at Goodwill. He was in perfect condition, but he did need clothes - he was wearing nothing but his birthday suit! Since I had no patterns that small, I used a child's size 1-3 pattern and drew pattern pieces in a much smaller scale onto paper for bib overalls for a doll clothes pattern. It worked, even if I did have to keep sewing the side seams four times until they fit well. I did the same for a blue denim cap, scaling down the pattern pieces, saving the tiny pattern pieces - just in case they are ever needed again. Before cutting out the fabric pieces, I sewed a small machine embroidery design of a train for on the cap and a larger train to match for on the front pocket of the bib overalls. He's also wearing a red knit turtleneck shirt. Now I plan to make Justin a cap to match his doll's. J
SMILES FROM KIDS!
My sister-in-law, June Walker of Washington state, held the hand of her happy little 14 month old granddaughter, Karlie Karsten, as they took a walk in the sunshine last week. Their shadows were behind them as the started out. When they turned around, Karlie was so fascinated with her shadow and reached out with one hand to pick it up! When she couldn't get hold of it, she reached down with both hands, determined to pick up this intriguing new toy. Failing again to pick up her shadow, June told me how Karlie just stared at it with such puzzlement on her face. Then as they turned again, Karlie looked back and saw their shadows following them! Suddenly Karlie screeched out a blood curdling scream and held on tightly to Grandma's hand! ~ Lois
Erma Bombeck : "The age of your children is a key factor in how quickly you are served in a restaurant. We once had a waiter in Canada who said, "Could I get you your check?" and we answered, "How about the menu first?"
Excerpts from Kids Say the Darndest Things by Art Linkletter:
Art: Have you ever been spanked? What for?
Child: At my uncle's farm house I was watching the pigs in the pig pen, and they looked like they were having so much fun, I did it.
Art: I'm glad to see someone whose teeth are so white and shining. Do you brush yours three times every day?
Child: No sir, just once. But I use Clorox.
Art: What do you think a rich man is?
Child: A bachelor.
Art: What's your definition of maturity?
Child: It's when you come to a dead end.
MAKE SUMMERTIME ACTIVITIES COUNT
By Lois Breneman ~ June, 2004 ~ Heart to Heart Newsletter ~ [email protected]
Now is the time to find fun, yet beneficial, activities for your children to do during the summer, if you haven't already done so. This is a perfect time to help them learn new skills. Don't forget to teach forgotten skills like cooking and sewing. These skills will go a long way in helping your daughters - even before they get married. Then when they have children these skills may even help them to save on expenses so they can stay at home to raise their children. Teach your sons how to cook, as well. Both of our sons are using their cooking skills as they have their own apartments, and some day they can help their wives by pitching in with the cooking.
It may be beneficial to have your child take a speed reading class or a computer class during the summer. One mother told me that is what they insisted their son do before heading off to college. He griped and complained, but he followed through with his parents' wish. Later he told his parents that was one of the best things they could have ever done for him, because all through college he was able to speed read through his thick text books and comprehend what he read, and not have to cram before exams. Today he is very capable on the computer and is high up in the business world - doing computer work! He and his family also love and serve the Lord in their lives. So taking a class or two is another way to make the summer count.
This summer many young people and adults from our church are going on missions trips to minister to the Weber family in Thailand and the Roberts family in the Czech Republic.
Other skills that your children might choose to learn are photography, painting, drawing, calligraphy, making jewelry, quilting, crocheting, knitting, making crafts, gardening, landscaping, wood carving and writing stories or poems. In some cases, going to the library and finding information on the subject of interest is a good place to begin.
Talking to those who are able to do these skills well is another starting point. You may find that your parents would be just thrilled to teach their grandchild a new skill. I know I would! One of the Heart to Heart grandmothers, Dolly Buterbaugh, taught her granddaughters how to quilt as they each spend several weeks with their grandparents each summer. What a time of bonding and learning a skill that will be used the rest of their lives!
A mother could help a daughter to find books on interior decorating and study up on how they could redecorate her bedroom as a summer project. Or organization could be taught in small steps as you and your children tackle organizational projects around the house. If you still have the newsletter full of organizational tips, that would keep you all busy!
One mother could teach her daughter and her friend how to do a particular skill. Later the friend's mother might want to teach them both a different skill.
Summer is a good time to begin learning how to play an instrument or take voice lessons. It's also a good time to learn athletic skills, as long as athletic activities aren't all your children do.
Encourage your children to help a neighbor or friend and not expect or accept payment in return. If cooking is one of their skills, a home cooked meal or even one dish would be so much appreciated!
Encourage your children to continue with math, science, reading and writing all summer long. For math go to http://www.coolmath4kids.com and do the two math puzzles below. For science go Robert Krampf's Science Education Company at http://www.krampf.com or subscribe to Robert Krampf's Experiment of the Week by e-mailing [email protected]. For reading, choose biographies and the Bible for starters. For writing, try short stories or poems. Write to a military soldier that you know.
If you still have the Heart to Heart Newsletter of "175 Things You Can Do Together with Your Family," your children won't have a chance to say, "I'm bored, Mom! What can I do?" If enough ladies ask for it, I will send it to everyone again as an extra for this month.
3. Multiply by 80.
4. Add 1.
5. Multiply by 250.
6. Add the last 4 digits of your phone number.
7. Add the last 4 digits of your phone number again.
8. Subtract 250.
9. Divide number by 2.
Do you recognize the answer?
CHOCOLATE MATHEMATICS
Contributed by Mandy Joy Johnson of Florida
This is cool chocolate math! Don't cheat by scrolling down first! It takes less than a minute. Work this out as you read.
1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate. (try for more than once but less than 10)
2. Multiply this number by 2 (Just to be bold)
3. Add 5. (for Sunday)
4. Multiply it by 50 I'll wait while you get the calculator.
5. If you've already had your birthday this year add 1754. If not, add 1753.
6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.
You should have a three digit number.
The first digit of this was your original number (i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).
The next two numbers are ... YOUR AGE! ~ (Oh yes, they are!)
This is the only year this formula will ever work.
AN EXCELLENT NEWSLETTER FOR YOUR DAUGHTERS!
Mandy Joy Johnson of Florida, has just begun to write a wonderful quarterly newsletter, that your daughters might like to receive! She does such a great job at writing! After her Grama received Heart to Heart, Mandy started e-mailing me and I answered. She has adopted me as her Grama Lois and I have adopted her as my dear granddaughter. If you want to know what Mandy looks like, she looks like a twin to the girl who stars in "My Girl." I had never seen the movie, so I watched it last week after she told me that. J She was right, according to the pictures she sent me. Mandy is homeschooled all year round, which explains why she is such a bright and spiritually mature girl. She is reading through the Bible this year and is right on schedule!
Encourage your daughters to receive Mandy's excellent newsletter, "HOPEFUL PRAYERS, a Newsletter Encouraging Girls Around the World to Pray." She also included a section about herself, three Psalms and a special verse, a four-ingredient recipe and a joke section, as well as two sections entitled, "Do You Want to Follow Jesus?" and "How to Tell Others about Jesus."
To subscribe to "Hopeful Prayers," e-mail Mandy at [email protected], and give your first and last name, and tell her who referred you to her newsletter (Grama Lois).
DISTRACTIONS FOR YOUR BABY WHILE CHANGING DIAPERS AND DRESSING
By Lois Breneman ~ Heart to Heart ~ 2004 ~ [email protected]
If you have a "Wiggle Worm" baby when it comes to getting his/her diaper changed, here are a few ideas that might help make the job go more smoothly. If your have young babysitters in your home, share these tips with them:
* Hang a mirror next to Baby's changing table or give Baby a small mirror.
* Give Baby an empty paper towel tube to talk into or look through to Mommy.
* Place pictures of baby faces on the ceiling or on the wall next to Baby.
* Give Baby a small flashlight to play with - only at changing time.
* Give Baby a clean wet washcloth to suck on and chew.
* Let Baby play with a small hand calculator only during changing time.
* Give Baby an empty and clean potato chip bag to crinkle while changing.
* Keep a small music box handy for diaper changes.
* If you have a CD player nearby, let Baby watch it go round and round.
* Give Baby a tiny board book to look at.
* Give Baby a small toothbrush to brush his/her teeth.
* Give Baby a baby hairbrush to brush his/her hair.
* Put a dab of lotion on Baby's tummy or arm to smear around.
* Sing one of Baby's favorite songs while changing and dressing him/her.
* Save a favorite toy of Baby's for diaper changes alone.
COUPLES WHO LAUGH TOGETHER =)
By Chuck and Eileen Rife ~ Used by permission http://www.iwanttomakemymarriagework.com
Oh how often a good hearty laugh can turn around a difficult situation! Couples who are able to view their marriage with a twinkle in their eyes fair better and have less conflict than couples who make a mountain out of every mole hill! Couples who learn early on in marriage to laugh at themselves live a less stressful life. They are willing to see the humorous side in every situation (in most cases there is one, by the way). Furthermore, they are more willing to work together to resolve problems, because the "issue" on the table is the "enemy," not each other.
Not only can laughter ease tension and pave the way for conflict resolution, but simply goofing off or playing together can foster intimacy. Often goofing off together can be a forsaken pursuit as children arrive and cares accumulate. But playing together is as vital as praying together! Taking time to share one another's hobbies or sports' activities lifts the spirits and shows love for the other person.
Chuck's playtime centers around golf. Once in awhile, Eileen steps onto his playground, not to hit a golf ball, but to watch, cheer, and then stroll the golf grounds with her sketch pad, pen, and camera.
Eileen's playtime centers around gardening, drawing, walking, and shooting pictures with her digital camera that Chuck bought for her birthday.
As you might have noticed in the above paragraphs, both Chuck and Eileen have different interests, but because of their love for one another and desire to have fun, they have decided to encourage and support one another's hobby or sport. Does that mean that they always actively participate? No. In fact, sometimes Chuck and Eileen prefer to play by themselves or with other same-sex friends. But that's okay because they know that a balanced life enjoys the company of spouse, as well as children, other family members, and friends.
The idea is that we allow each other space and time to play, whether it be together, alone, or with others. And that we cushion life with a generous helping of side-splitting, floor-stomping, belly laughter!
MARITAL HEALTH PLAN:
* Read I Corinthians 13:4-8 aloud together.
"Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
Ask God to help you enjoy life by laughing and playing together and with others.
* Reminder: On a 3 x 5 card write down one activity you can share together this week. Try to combine your sport/hobby of choice with your mate's.
* Discuss: Talk about when, where, and how you will play together this week.
* Pray: Take turns asking God to help you encourage and support your mate in his/her chosen hobby or sport.
And hey, laugh a little while you are talking over your plan. It releases those friendly endorphins which makes life look a whole lot better!
____________________________________________________________________
(Adapted from Chuck and Eileen's book, A New Day for Your Marriage, 21 Days to a Healthier Marriage. Available online as an E-book for only $3.99 or in print for $5.00). http://www.iwanttomakemymarriagework.com
QUOTES
"A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs--jolted by every pebble in the road." -- Henry Ward Beecher
"When you forgive, you gain peace. When you don't forgive, you gain high blood pressure." -- Cited in Bits and Pieces
"Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow." -- Swedish Proverb
"Worry is like a rocking chair. It will give you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere." -- Vance Havner
I dreamed of a wedding with elaborate elegance; a church filled with flowers and friends. I asked him what kind of wedding he wished for; he said one that would make me his wife. -anonymous
2 packages (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1 large carrot, grated
1/2 cup snipped broccoli florets
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped, optional
In regards to the latter, I was praying 20 minutes ahead of their departure time. I felt led to ask God to help them run faster; to hold the airplane if necessary. Jeff said they ran for their lives; he was ahead of Adri and baby Benjamin. He had all 3 carry-on bags and she was pushing Benjamin in his stroller. When they got to the gate, late, the portable walkway had already been pulled back from the airplane. HOWEVER, the gate personnel had heard that someone with a baby was on their way and so the plane had waited!! They put the walkway out and the 3 of them bounded on-board! And the rest is history. God answers prayer!
Besides that, we had 2 GIGANTIC tornadoes go through Kansas City Saturday p.m.- 1 mile north of our airport. There was major damage and several deaths from the tornadoes. The first tornado went through at 7:45 p.m. (their plane came in at 8:10) and another tornado at 10:30 p.m. (which would have been the time the 2nd plane would have come in, had they missed the first one in Houston). God is GOOD! He brought their plane in safely during a small window of time Saturday night! And we were SO thankful! The airport is 1 hour from our home, so we watched the storm move through as we drove to the airport; quite a sight! Scary to say the least. But as the tornado/storm headed northwest, Jerry purposely drove northeast and to the south of the tornado. We missed the whole thing by a few miles. We kept abreast of the storm on our car radio. I was on my cell phone to the airport and they reassured us that all was well to the south and that the plane would arrive safely and on time. It was just a night to give much glory and praise to the Lord for safety and other provisions for our family!
The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to bring godly and practical encouragement to women through creative ideas for the Christian family – regarding homemaking, marriage, children and much more. You may receive this bimonthly newsletter by sending your name, city, state, country and the name of the person who referred you to Lois Breneman at [email protected].
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