6/7/08 Summertime Activities, Proverbs, Meltdown, Crafts, Camping, Vacation, Humor
Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman
HOW TO MAKE SUMMERTIME ACTIVITIES COUNT
EVERYDAY WISDOM AND INSTRUCTION IN PROVERBS
ACCEPTING "NO" FOR AN ANSWER
DUST BUSTERS -- MAKE CLEANING A BREEZE
MEMORY PLANNING: THE ART OF DOCUMENTING YOUR FAMILY VACATION
WITH HIGH GAS PRICES, CONSIDER THIS
By Lois Breneman ~ © 2008 ~ Heart to Heart ~ <a title=mailto:[email protected] href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]
Now is the time to be intentional in planning fun, yet beneficial activities for your children to do during the summer, if you haven't already done so. Taking the time to teach your children how to work will pay off for everyone involved - even their future spouses. This quote from R.D. Clyde is so true: "Getting things done is not always what is most important. There is value in allowing others to learn, even if the task is not accomplished as quickly, efficiently or effectively."
You and your husband could make a list together of skills your children need to be able to master before leaving home. Then get additional input from your children. They may come up with things you never thought of. These are just a few ideas to get you started: wash and vacuum a car, change a tire, put air in the tires, cook a variety of meals well (not only bake cookies from a refrigerated roll), start a recipe collection (your sons too), clean a bathroom, dust, vacuum, mop a floor, sweep a porch, sew on a button, hand sew a hem in pants or a skirt, mend a ripped seam (by hand or machine), plant and manage a garden, dress modestly and know why, know which colors they look best wearing, how to shop for their own clothes and save money, how to plan meals and buy groceries, make and follow a budget, write a check, know money saving tips, and a multitude of other practical skills they will need in life.
Summer is a perfect time to help your children learn these new skills. Make an intentional plan. Don't forget to teach forgotten skills like cooking, crafting, woodworking, and sewing. These skills will go a long way in helping your sons and daughters - even before they get married. Then when they have children of their own, these skills can make it more possible to help them save on expenses so the mother is able to stay at home to raise the children. Those skills can also be helpful in making gifts as well. Teach your sons how to cook, along with your daughters. Both of our sons enjoy cooking and used that skill when they were living on their own, and now help their wives by pitching in with the cooking.
Probably most children already know how to use a computer, but what about other basic equipment for life? Consider teaching your children at the appropriate age how to use various appliances and equipment, such as a slow cooker, grill, stove top, oven, microwave, dishwasher, washer, dryer, lawn mower, weed eater, sewing machine, and vacuum cleaner.
It may be beneficial to have your child take a speed reading 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.
During the summer months many young people and adults go on missions trips to minister in various parts of the world. They always come home on fire for the Lord.
Other skills that your children might choose to learn are photography, drawing, painting, calligraphy, making jewelry, quilting, crocheting, knitting, making crafts, gardening, landscaping, woodworking, wood carving and writing stories or poems. In many 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 teaches 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 find books on interior decorating and study up on how they could redecorate her bedroom together 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 plenty busy!
One mother could teach her daughter and her daughter's friend how to do a particular skill. Later that 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!
Help 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 experiments, go Robert Krampf's Science Education Company at http://www.krampf.com. For writing, try short stories or poems. Write to a military soldier that you know. For reading, choose biographies and the Bible for starters.
Encourage a daily devotional or quiet time by providing appropriate devotionals that match the ages of your children. Our goal and prayer for our children is that they have a genuine heart change, not to simply go through the motions. Help your teenagers get grounded before they leave home. Several outstanding books for your teens are:
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A Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
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Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
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Life on the Edge by James Dobson
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Lies Young Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
A special newsletter that I send to all new Heart to Heart subscribers is entitled, "175 Things You Can Do Together with Your Family." If you use that list, your children won't have a chance to say, "I'm bored, Mom! What can I do?" Let me know if you need it sent to you again, as well as the organizational tips.
Hearts at Home - By Jill Savage - dollars@yahoo.com - © 2008 - Used by permission
Why do I find myself feeling drained and exhausted during the best season of the year? It's because I do kids 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And if I don't arrange for a break or find some time for myself, no one is going to give it to me.
Don't get me wrong. I love my job. I wouldn't want to do anything but motherhood. Yet I'm ineffective if I don't learn how to find resources that encourage me along the way.
Moms need to recharge their batteries. They need fresh vision, new ideas, and encouragement for the journey of motherhood. Knowing where to find those resources is the first place to begin taking care of yourself. Once you know what is available, the next step is maximizing the resources to meet your needs.
During the school year, there are over a dozen moms groups in the area where I live. However, during the summer those groups often take a break and we have to find encouragement in other ways. What's available to you right now? Check out some of these resources:
SUMMER STRUCTURE. If you have school age children, your time to yourself is built into the day while the children attend school. However, during the summer everyone is home for every meal and looking to you to be the Director of Summer Activities. Several years ago I discovered that some regular structure in our day built in a break for all of us. Each afternoon we take one hour of room time. This is their time to read, listen to music, or play in their
INTERNET. Moms need support from other moms. They need a place to find new ideas. They need encouragement. The Internet can be a wonderful place to meet all of those needs. There are hundreds of websites to help moms do their job well. Need encouragement in staying home? Check out <http://www.hearts-at-home.org>. Need help with home organization and general housekeeping? You won't want to miss <http://www.flylady.net>! How about marriage? Take a peek at http://www.marriagepartnership.com . If you don't have the Internet at home, you can find access to the web at the local libraries.
BOOKS. Visit the library or local bookstore and pick up a book to encourage you in your mothering. You might want to check out Hearts at Home's Becoming A Chief Home Officer. If you haven't read Professionalizing Motherhood, pick it up at your local bookstore. Both books can also be ordered by calling 309-888-MOMS.
OTHER MOMS. One of the best resources available is other mothers. Ask a neighbor or friend to trade days off with you. Offer to watch her children one day a week in exchange for watching your children one day a week. The kids have someone to play with and the moms have some time off! It's a win-win for everyone!
Elisa Morgan writes in her book What Every Mom Needs: "We have to learn to help ourselves. We have to learn to ask. Directly, by using words. No one can read your mind. No one is going to waltz in, recognize your predicament, and save you."
You and I have an abundance of resources available to us; we simply need to maximize the opportunities. Rather than recovering from mommy meltdown, we can learn to avoid it all together!
ACCEPTING "NO" FOR AN ANSWER
Copyright Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN - http://effectiveparenting.org/
Sometimes badgering is simply an attempt to gain attention and lots of it. Question after question after question. Some children seem to have the strategy down to a science. But parents can be just as determined. One mom tried so hard to resist her sons badgering that he finally threw his hands up in frustration and said, "Mom, you can be so stubborn!"
Any parent who has a child that badgers feels the unending tension in the relationship. Parents may want to hide, or even look for ways to avoid their son or daughter. Some parents say that they cringe when they see that child coming. These parents feel bad, but the tension in the relationship has become a real irritation.
FUN CRAFTS TO DO WITH CHILDREN
Have fun doing these unique craft projects with your kids this summer!
Paper Frog Puppet - Make a charming frog puppet using a paper plate.
Origami Flying Bird Mobile - If you enjoy paper airplanes, you will love this.
The Great Cardboard Castle - A castle for lots of play figures.
Paper Bead Bracelet - Use comic strips to make colorful beads.
No-Sew Bandana Tote Bag (school-age) - No sewing! Just cut and knot.
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Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program Kids can earn a free book by reading 8 books between now and September. They fill out a reading journal and then select one of the books from the approved list to get their free book.
Homemade Father's Day Gifts Simply take a photo of your child wearing Daddy's clothes, and print it out in black and white. Mount on black matting or frame with the saying, "Even when I'm all grown up I'll always love you" or "When I grow up I want to be just like you!" Baby Powder & Shampoo: Other Uses Mix equal parts of baby shampoo and water for eye makeup remover. -- Posted by 2kidz4me
Grease Spots Put some baby powder in your laundry room. If you have a grease spot on a shirt - especially a silk or rayon shirt - just lay the shirt down, sprinkle baby powder on the greasy spot, and let the powder absorb the grease. Saves me a lot of washing or dry cleaning on DH's silk shirts. -- Posted by Calimari
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BASIC CHICKEN SALAD WITH VARIATIONS
By Marilyn Moll - The Urban Homemaker - http://www.urbanhomemaker.com - Used by permission
Sensational Summer Salads ebook is available for purchase at $6.97. 4-6 servings
3 cups cooked or canned chicken, cubed 1/2 cup celery, sliced
OR cook boneless breasts in pressure cooker, cool, and cube 1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise 3 tbsp. parsley, chopped
1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream salt and pepper to taste
Toss chicken with mayonnaise, yogurt, celery, onion, parsley, and salt and pepper until all ingredients are blended well. Serve over torn lettuce or cut up tomatoes.
Company Chicken Salad
To the basic chicken salad recipe add:
1-2 tsp. curry powder
1/2 cup ripe olives, chopped or sliced
toasted pecan halves or pine nuts.
California Chicken Salad
To the basic Chicken Salad recipe add: Garnish with:
1 tsp. fresh chopped tarragon (1/4 tsp. dried) 1 avocado, peeled and thinly sliced or diced
1/4 cup slivered almonds alfalfa sprouts
Southwestern Chicken Salad
To the Basic Chicken Salad add:
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1/2 - 1 tsp. chili powder to taste
Hawaiian Chicken Salad
To the Basic Chicken Salad add:
1/4 to 1/2 cup diced pineapple or crushed pineapple, drained
Oriental Chicken Salad
To the Basic Chicken Salad add:
1 small can of mandarin oranges, drained 1-3 tsp. soy sauce
1/2 cup bean sprouts 3-4 water chestnuts, sliced
Garnish with Chow Mein noodles
(c) Copyright 2008, Sarah J. Doyle. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission
Take an old terry cloth towel that is no longer being used and cut a strip the length of the towel and 2 1/2 inches wide. Sew the strip with 1/4" seams and turn right side out. This strip easily slides onto a yardstick, which can be used to slide under the refrigerator, washer and dryer for quick cleaning. The strip can then be thrown into the washer to clean and save for the next time.
That same old towel can be cut into the shape of your dust mop, then add about 4 inches all around. Turn under a hem and run elastic through it. Slip the terry cloth "cover" over the dust mop and use that for getting the spider webs from the corners in the garage, or reaching areas that are hard to get to. And, as before, when finished, throw the cover into the washer to clean for the next time.
When doing a thorough house cleaning, it is easier to do one job throughout the house, such as cleaning the fans in every room at the same time. Next you might dust and polish the furniture throughout the house, etc. By taking care of the cleaning "item by item", the only cleaning supplies needed are those for that particular job, rather than loading yourself down with all the cleaning supplies in the house and dragging them from room to room.
About the Author:
Sarah J. Doyle is author of over 25 sewing, craft and how-to books, as well as author of online pattern making, sewing and craft classes. Visit http://SewWithSarah.com for information on books, classes, newsletters and the latest hints and tips and http://PatternsThatFitYou.com/FrDusterCl.htm for other dust buster ideas and pictures.
by Colleen Langenfeld ~ Copyright (c) 2003 ~ Used with Permission
You have saved and planned for your family vacation.
You are drooling with anticipation.
You dream of idyllic time spent with your spouse and children.
Of course, you'll be taking photos to remember this great time spent together.
Maybe using a video camera, too!
Would you consider doing one more thing?
Locking in those great moments forever with a little 'memory planning'?
What's that, you say?
Memory planning. Simply put, plan the 'taking' of your memories and you will end up with a
more vibrant and satisfying collection of mementoes. Much better than just a few rolls of film or cassettes of videotape. Intrigued? It's easy!
- Start by collecting brochures, postcards, ticket stubs.
- Keep a small notebook or assign a family member to take notes. At moments when someone
says 'this is the best time ever' ask him or her to describe their feelings & jot down the details.
- If using a video camera, narrate what was exciting or compelling about the event you are taping.
- Try to identify scents and sounds with events as well as visual clues. Write these things down in your notebook and collect samples when possible.
- Be a reporter; always ask yourself and others 'why' when they say they love something. Identifying the why helps to stamp the event firmly in our memory.
Doing these steps faithfully will really help later on when you are pulling all of these independent
parts together. Your accurate journalizing will make all the difference, says Lygia Brown, Independent Scrapbook Consultant: 'After safely preserving our photos, the most important part of scrapbooking is journalizing. Compare a beautifully decorated album with no words, to one with words and you will see the value of documenting events, people and places. Journalizing adds meaning. Use the questions of a journalist as a guide. (Who, what, when, where, or why?). Journalizing is a priceless enhancement.'
So make sure you plan your memories this vacation with as much care as you plan your route. Pack a small bag designed to hold the memorabilia you will collect plus your journal. Schedule the time now that you will need after your trip to complete the archiving of your vacation memories. You'll be so glad you did!
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Colleen Langenfeld delivers deals, tips and creative resources to working moms who want the most out of their homes, families and careers at http://www.paintedgold.com. Sign up for our free newsletter.
Living on earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year!
(Ladies, your cute kids' quotes are welcome for possible sharing in Heart to Heart. ~ Lois)
I Just died laughing, Christa writes. Then Kyle (7), the spiritual, somber one states, When I grow up I really want to be a missionary.
From the other end of the table, Dylan (3), who is completely zealous shouts, I'm gonna be a COWBOY! ~ Donna Kauffman in PA (To receive Donna's free inspirational newsletter, Treasures from My Heart to Yours - [email protected]. Website: http://treasuresbooks.bravehost.com
Author unknown
According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1500 tons of food each day. Do you know that to bring that much food each day, two freight trains, each at least a mile long, would be required!
Besides you must remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for one day. And just think, they were forty years in transit.
And Oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long, just to bring water!
And then another thing! They had to get across the Red Sea at night. Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. So there had to be a space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5000 abreast to get over in one night.
But then, there is another problem -- each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long -- think of it! This much space for camping!
Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not! You see, Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him.
Now do you think God has any problem taking care of all your needs?
Many ladies are going through very tough times and need our prayers!
Pray each day for the protection of our troops, as well as for their families left at home!
The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to encourage women and build biblical values into daily living through practical creative ideas for the Christian family regarding marriage, children, homemaking, and much more. Receive this free bimonthly newsletter by listing your name, city, state, e-mail address, and name of your referral person and sending it to Lois at [email protected]. New subscribers will receive a Welcome, a "Start-Up Kit," and several recent newsletters.