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Showing posts with label Tommy Nelson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tommy Nelson. Show all posts
1. Gingerbread House. The kids all requested a gingerbread house this year, so I want to make sure that happens. Derek put the structure together last night, and we're hoping to get to the decorating this week!
2. Christmas Cards. I addressed cards to all the critical people, like family, and I'm just going to keep this low pressure and either 1) write a few addresses here and there as I have time or 2) just focus on returning cards to people who send them to me.
3. Baking. There really isn't any way to simplify the work of baking, so my goal is just to do one type of cookie a couple times a week until Christmas, and then freeze them. I've already got ginger cookies in the freezer.
4. Finish our stack of Christmas books. I rented a whole stack of Christmas picture books from the library,and we are slowly working our way through them! The kids are so excited every time I pull one out. We also got this adorable book from Tommy Nelson to add to our permanent collection!
Christmas Blessings has a different Christmas poem on each page, and my plan is to pick this up this week and read one poem a day to the kids. The poems are sweet celebrations of different aspects of Christmas. I think my littler ones will especially like this book, because the illustrations are so cute, and it would be fun (and easy) to even memorize one of these poems with the kids! I also love how so many of the poems point in some way back to the reason we celebrate Christmas as Christians, which is to remember what Christ has done for us through His birth, and later his death and resurrection! This book is a great starting point for reminding little ones of that.
5. Wrap Presents. I have a couple presents left to wrap for my extended family, but I'm happy to report that Derek and I knocked out most of the present-wrapping before Georgie arrived! So there is not much left to do here.
6. Advent. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law make doing advent with the kids so easy, so this one is more for me to remember to do my own advent devotionals each day! As I wrote last week, I have to make time for focusing on Jesus at Christmas, or I start to resent all the Christmas to-do's instead of celebrating the joy of His birth.
Notice one thing that is not on the list is shopping! I am very happy to have all of that done early this year, but if you are still struggling for some gift ideas, I've got a post on Tommy Nelson idea with gift ideas for boys that will last! Read and tell me what you think.
What do you have left to do before Christmas?
Note: I received a copy of Christmas Blessings for free from Tommy Nelson in exchange for a review. This is my honest opinion.
Today is Memorial Day, and if you are like our family, you are probably going to a barbecue or using the extra day off to full advantage in some other way. And I truly hope you have a wonderful, fun-filled day, but at the same time, I hope you take a minute to think about Memorial Day a little more deeply too. Because the thing is...Memorial Day is not about barbecues.
Memorial Day is a day to remember and show gratitude to those who have died in defense of our country. It's a day to remember the fallen, those who have died. I think we overlook this a lot, because Memorial Day has largely become a party holiday, the kick-off to summer, etc. But we have this day off, because we live in this country that is free. And we live in freedom in this country because men have died to protect it. Most of us will never be called upon to sacrifice in that way, and the reason we won't is because others have already sacrificed for us. These men and women gave everything they had for people they would never meet, out of love, and duty, and honor, for God and country and freedom. And the only reason we can go to parties and pools today in freedom is because of them.
We took a trip to our military cemetery with the kids the other week, to visit the graves of my grandfather and great-great-grandfather. And we looked around at all those graves, many of men who died while fighting for our country, and I explained to my kids that many soldiers have died to make us free. I'm so glad we did it, because while we celebrate in some ways today, this is a solemn day. I don't want my kids to grow up thinking it's just about barbecues.
Full thoughts on Tommy Nelson today...and I hope you take a little time today to thank God for our freedom in America, and for those who have died to keep it for us.
My parents are the biggest reason why Valentine's Day was never depressing. There are three things we did as a family that made it fun:
1) We ate an excessive amount of candy hearts (a tradition I continue today).
2) We all broke out the construction paper and made paper valentines for each other every year.
3) My parents gave each other sweet Valentine's Day cards (it's good for a child's heart to see their parents loving each other).
4) My parents always got us a little gift that would be waiting on the table on Valentine's Day morning.
That was enough, even during those tumultuous teenage years. I think we underestimate the impact of the love of a parent on Valentine's Day. It doesn't have to be anything big and flashy, just something small to remind your kids that no matter their relationship status, they are seen and loved by you.
I plan to do these things with my kids, and I also am hoping to spread the valentine joy outside of our immediate family to our cousins and friends as well! I think I have a subconscious goal to not let any children in my kids' circles to feel forgotten on Valentine's Day.
If you are of a mind to join me...I have a long list of Valentine's Day gift ideas for kids on Tommy Nelson this week! Ideas for classroom valentines, and Valentine's Day gift ideas for your own kids too! Read all my ideas here, then come back and tell me if I missed anything, por favor!
And Happy (early) Valentine's Day to you!
When I was registering for my first baby shower, I had one strategy - register for only the things I absolutely need.
No cutesy outfits. No blankets. No stuffed animals. No Sophie The Giraffe or womb-sound alarm clocks or knit hats. Only the necessities.
I am willing to bet that most adults who have the books of the Bible memorized learned them as a kid. Kids are such sponges! It's so much easier to memorize lists of information like that as children.
I think I was probably four or five years old when I learned the books of the Old Testament. I went to VBS at a little mountain church, and there was a teenage girl there with an acoustic guitar and long brown hair who sang the Bible books song every day. I have no idea who she was, but I can still almost see her in my mind. I hope wherever she is, the Lord blesses her for her service at that VBS, because it has served me well to have the books of the Bible memorized, and it all started with that song.
A few months ago I went to a party of a friend. She used one of those e-invite systems (I'm still not sure what I think about them, because I'm old-school and still send party invites through the mail). With e-invites you can usually see everyone else's comments about their RSVP - and I was in a curious mood, so I read through some of the responses.
One comment in particular caught my eye - someone said they couldn't come to my friend's party because the party was in the evening, and their toddler usually went to bed at 7:00 PM.
The comment struck me, I think in part because I understand even more than most how miserable things can get when your child is cranky and tired. I have four kids under five, three of whom still nap and also go to bed at 7:00 PM. When one of the kids cries, at least a couple more join in.
This year we are hosting Thanksgiving at our house. I am not one of those mini Martha Stewarts that has a grand plan for place settings and gourmet-type Thanksgiving dishes. But my sister-in-law told me long ago that hosting Thanksgiving can be easy, because you just cook the turkey and have guests bring the sides. I am taking her sage advice, and we are keeping things simple. If I get the urge, I may buy some cloth napkins for our Thanksgiving table. This is the extent of the "fancy" around here.
I want to keep Thanksgiving simple this year, because I want to spend less time stressing about getting a huge meal prepared, and more time enjoying our family and focusing on our gratitude for the blessing God has given us! So one thing I would love to do over the days leading up to Thanksgiving is teach my kids some Bible verses that have to do with giving thanks.
Last year, I found myself feeling restless, particularly about my walk with the Lord. Was this all there was? Was my current pattern in life how things were always going to be? It didn't seem like enough. I wanted to do more to serve the Lord, and I had no idea where to start. It seemed to me I would have to do something radical to break out of my rut.
Then one Sunday, I sat in church and listened to a guest speaker talk about how to be a good neighbor.
Labor Day is coming right up, and we all know what that means - a three-day weekend! Where I live, it also means lots of traffic as people travel for camping, parades, and other events.
Out of curiosity I looked up the history of Labor Day, because if I'm benefitting from the holiday it seems that I should know a little bit about it. It turns out that Labor Day originated in the 1800's, when people often worked 12-hour days, seven days a week. We don't have that some problem anymore, but it's still nice to have an extra day off to spend time with our families.
If you are like me, you are not crazy about the idea of braving the traffic and crowds to do some of the traditional long-weekend activities - so why not do something different instead? Here are a few ideas of things you can do with your family this weekend!
I'm on Tommy Nelson and FaithGateway today, talking about how to make your child's first Bible meaningful - and including my own story of how my parents and grandparents made my first Bible meaningful.
"My children are pre-school aged. They can’t even read simple books yet, so it will be a little while before they will be able to read the Bible by themselves. Nevertheless, I have been thinking about the day that they are ready to pick out their first Bibles, and how I want to go about it.
When I think of my first Bible growing up, the one that always comes to mind is a thick, leather-bound book, with my name embossed on the front and childlike letters written inside the front cover. When I was about nine years old, my grandma gave a challenge to all her grandkids – memorize Psalm 91 – and she would buy us our own Bibles with our names on the front, and take us to a fancy Japanese restaurant for dinner…"
Head on over to Tommy Nelson to continue reading!
When did you get your first Bible? Did your parents (if they gave it to you) do anything to make it special?
Hey guys! Well, the last couple weeks have been weird to say the least. Just lots of unexpected things that are totally throwing my blogging schedule. Normally I would have some nice accompanying post, but today I have nothing, so I'm just going to point you over to my post on Tommy Nelson today!
I wrote about separation anxiety, which I feel is ironic, because I would not consider myself an expert at handling it - however, we have found ways to cope. And when I say we, I am not just talking about the kids, I am including myself! I hope I am not the only mom who gets anxious for her kids sometimes.
A verse that my mom taught us in childhood reminds me that I need to point my kids to the One who will always be with them if they put their trust in Him. And sometimes I need that reminder too!
To read all about my separation anxiety story and verse, head on over to Tommy Nelson's blog!
In the late fall of 2008 I was a newlywed, and as the holidays approached I was determined to find some new recipes to try for Christmas - recipes that could be "mine" and would become a tradition for our then family of two. That was when I found a caramel fudge recipe that has become the bane of my fudge-making existence.
The first time I made it, it was a success. It was the perfect texture, the perfect taste, and we loved it! I was excited that I found such cool recipe.
Every time I have attempted to make it since then, it has been a colossal failure. It usually ends up being a plate of sticky goo that never sets. I have made it so many times, and I cannot for the life of me figure out what I am doing wrong! I don't even want to know how much sugar, milk, and corn syrup I have wasted trying to replicate that first plate of caramel-y goodness.
However, I think I have finally figured out a way to use my plates of sticky goo! The other day I was in the mood for some caramel popcorn, the kind that is a little more chewy, less crunchy. After a little experiment, I stumbled upon a yummy concoction!
This recipe for Pumpkin Pie Spice Popcorn uses that caramel fudge recipe with some adjustments. And despite my caramel fudge always turning out spectacularly wrong, this popcorn turned out great!
Pumpkin Pie Spice Popcorn
1 bag of popcorn, popped (either plain or buttered is fine)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 whole milk
1/8 cup (ie. 1/2 stick) margarine, melted
1 tbsp. light corn syrup
For the pumpkin spice mixture:
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 brown sugar
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1. Pop the bag of popcorn in a microwave, then pour into a greased bowl or dish. Set aside.
2. Mix together the ingredients for the pumpkin spice mixture. Set aside.
2. Brown 1/2 cup of the sugar in a saucepan. (If you don't know how to brown sugar - just let it sit on the heat until it melts. Make sure it doesn't burn.)
3. Slowly add in the milk. The sugar will sizzle and harden into a lump ( I haven't figured out a way to avoid this). Don't freak out. Just keep stirring while the caramel cooks to encourage it to dissolve.
4. Add the margarine, 1 cup of the sugar, and corn syrup. Heat over medium high heat until mixture gets to soft ball stage. (The soft ball stage is when you put a little of the mixture into cold water, and it solidifies to the point where you could form a soft ball with it if you wanted to.)
5. Remove from heat and beat mixture until cool. Add three tablespoons of the pumpkin spice mixture to the caramel mixture and mix well.
6. Pour caramel mixture over the popcorn and mix to coat the popcorn. Sprinkle the remaining pumpkin spice mixture over the popcorn.
And that is it! This popcorn has a great, fall-ish taste to it. It would be perfect to much on while reading a book to your kiddos. Or you could bring the popcorn along as a snack for some of your favorite fall activities (corn maze, anyone?).
What are some of your favorite fall snacks?
---
Speaking of fall activities, I am also on the Tommy Nelson blog today talking about some ways to use fall fun to talk to your kiddos about the Lord. I'd love for you to stop over there and say "hi"! I'm also happy to say that Tommy Nelson is giving one of you a copy of "It Will Be Okay" by Lysa Terkeurst, which I reviewed earlier this month - it's an adorable kids' book, and perfect for fall. Enter below!
The first time I made it, it was a success. It was the perfect texture, the perfect taste, and we loved it! I was excited that I found such cool recipe.
Every time I have attempted to make it since then, it has been a colossal failure. It usually ends up being a plate of sticky goo that never sets. I have made it so many times, and I cannot for the life of me figure out what I am doing wrong! I don't even want to know how much sugar, milk, and corn syrup I have wasted trying to replicate that first plate of caramel-y goodness.
However, I think I have finally figured out a way to use my plates of sticky goo! The other day I was in the mood for some caramel popcorn, the kind that is a little more chewy, less crunchy. After a little experiment, I stumbled upon a yummy concoction!
This recipe for Pumpkin Pie Spice Popcorn uses that caramel fudge recipe with some adjustments. And despite my caramel fudge always turning out spectacularly wrong, this popcorn turned out great!
Pumpkin Pie Spice Popcorn
1 bag of popcorn, popped (either plain or buttered is fine)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 whole milk
1/8 cup (ie. 1/2 stick) margarine, melted
1 tbsp. light corn syrup
For the pumpkin spice mixture:
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 brown sugar
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1. Pop the bag of popcorn in a microwave, then pour into a greased bowl or dish. Set aside.
2. Mix together the ingredients for the pumpkin spice mixture. Set aside.
2. Brown 1/2 cup of the sugar in a saucepan. (If you don't know how to brown sugar - just let it sit on the heat until it melts. Make sure it doesn't burn.)
3. Slowly add in the milk. The sugar will sizzle and harden into a lump ( I haven't figured out a way to avoid this). Don't freak out. Just keep stirring while the caramel cooks to encourage it to dissolve.
4. Add the margarine, 1 cup of the sugar, and corn syrup. Heat over medium high heat until mixture gets to soft ball stage. (The soft ball stage is when you put a little of the mixture into cold water, and it solidifies to the point where you could form a soft ball with it if you wanted to.)
5. Remove from heat and beat mixture until cool. Add three tablespoons of the pumpkin spice mixture to the caramel mixture and mix well.
6. Pour caramel mixture over the popcorn and mix to coat the popcorn. Sprinkle the remaining pumpkin spice mixture over the popcorn.
And that is it! This popcorn has a great, fall-ish taste to it. It would be perfect to much on while reading a book to your kiddos. Or you could bring the popcorn along as a snack for some of your favorite fall activities (corn maze, anyone?).
What are some of your favorite fall snacks?
---
Speaking of fall activities, I am also on the Tommy Nelson blog today talking about some ways to use fall fun to talk to your kiddos about the Lord. I'd love for you to stop over there and say "hi"! I'm also happy to say that Tommy Nelson is giving one of you a copy of "It Will Be Okay" by Lysa Terkeurst, which I reviewed earlier this month - it's an adorable kids' book, and perfect for fall. Enter below!
As you all know, I started writing for the Tommy Nelson blog earlier this year - and last week Tommy Nelson flew all of the ladies who write for their blog out for a meet up! I have never done anything like this before, and it was so exciting! Here are some of the things we did.
On Thursday they flew us in, and we got to meet Tommy Nelson's amazing marketing team - the ladies we work with regularly, and who planned this wonderful trip!
(They had these goodie bags waiting for us in our rooms - I felt like a VIP!)
We settled in the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort - and I just have to say, it was beautiful. The rooms were spacious, and out room had a balcony that overlooked one of their three gardens!
Before dinner, we took a boat ride through the river system that runs through the gardens - it was so cool. Then we went out to eat and it was so neat to meet the other bloggers in person!
On Friday we went to the Thomas Nelson offices and had meetings, and we got to meet so many people from the Tommy Nelson team. I was just so impressed and encouraged to hear everyone's heart for reaching kids for Jesus through the books they publish, and it left me even more honored to be able to work with this company.
(All of us with the Tommy Nelson team!)
We went out to Puckett's Grocery for dinner that night.
(Me with my roommate, Whitney from Rambles Of A SAHM.)
Then we walked around Broadway - we did not go into any of the honky tonks, but as we were walking past I could hear the live music in each one. It was quite the experience! Then we went to a boot place that had an amazing deal on cowboy boots. Derek has been wanting a new pair for a long time, so I got him a pair, and I couldn't resist getting myself some too.
(See, the turquoise on my boots? I couldn't pass that up.)
(Gorgeous night in Nashville.)
On Saturday we went out to breakfast at the Loveless Cafe! The biscuits were so good. I don't think I've ever tasted a biscuit like that. I'm serious.
(They had these custom Tommy Mommy Meetup t-shirts made for us! That is my Twitter and Instagram handle on the back!)
(All of us at breakfast.)
We went shopping at the Opryland Mills that afternoon, and then Johnny Rocket's for dinner!
(Sporting my new boots.)
After dinner we went to the Grand Ole Opry to see a show! I am definitely a country music fan, so I really enjoyed the artists!
At intermission a lady came up to our rows and had us follow her, and we found out that we were getting a backstage tour! We got to see the back entrance where the stars enter, the dressing rooms, and the green room.
(That guy on the left in this picture is Jonathan Jackson, one of the stars of the show "Nashville".)
We watched a song from the side of the stage - it was so cool!
Then we got back to our seats, and Vince Gill came on! It was so cool to see him perform!
The whole Grand Ole Opry experience was so cool, a once in a lifetime thing!
We went back to the hotel and I had to get a picture with my roomy, Whitney. She was so fun to hang out with on this trip, and we actually have a lot in common! We stayed up way too late on Saturday night talking - I was so glad I got to room with her!
The next day we flew back home. I was excited about getting to see my kiddos again, but sorry to see the trip end - everyone at Tommy Nelson made us feel so special and planned everything so well! I am proud to be a part of this group!
Check out the Tommy Nelson blog to read more from all these ladies!
To see more pics, follow me on Instagram!
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