Crossing tasks off my to-do list

So yesterday I mentioned that I was transforming an old dresser into a set of shelves (more practical for the room). I'm really happy with how it turned out :)

Now, it's not exactly finished; it's just functional now. I'm taking a sample of the color to get a paint match. Then I need to sand and repaint it, but it'll do for now :)

My next project is to make Ariah a light table, but that's going to have to wait till tomorrow. I'll make sure to explain how to make the table and some activities Ariah can do with it. Ariah's going to flip when she sees it.

Alright, before I close, I want to share some of my first thoughts on the women's Bible study I will be writing this year. I started to pick up my commentaries, concordances, and Bibles when it hit me. I don't know where to start! My goal is to discover what the Bible says about our role as wives and mothers, but I can't begin there. I can't say "This is what a wife should do" without discussing marriage, a divine institution. An institution that is based on vows made to and before God. To be the best wife and mother I can be, Christ must be the center of my life as well as the center of my relationships with my husband and child. So, the first chapter will not be about wives and mothers, it will be about women and our role as Believers. Salvation is a critical part in the role of a godly woman, wife and mother so it only makes sense that the opening and foundation of this study begin there.
Wish me luck....I have a feeling this will be the most important and complicated topic I tackle. Salvation is so easy, and yet it is so difficult. The Holy Spirit must work in a person and make them relaize their sinful nature and their need for a Savior. After that realization, the person must submit to God's will and power in their lives. Saying the words is so easy, but letting go isn't.
Well, I guess that's a pretty good starting point. I obviously need some Scripture and more explanation, but it's a start.

And with that, I'm leaving you all for a date with my pillow. Good night!

So many Projects, so Little Time

Yay! I made it back here....two days in a row!

Alright, so my garage and spare room have become catch-alls for projects and items that will be used in the future. The later are specifically things like sauce jars and yogurt cups that I'm using with Ariah. She pours and scoops, having a ball and working on fine motor skills.

Here, she's pouring potato flakes

The problem is, it looks like garbage when it's piled everywhere. So, I have projects in the works to help :) I'll post a picture of one tomorrow (hopefully I can get it done after I finish this post....well, except for the paint). I have the typical sorting, getting rid of true junk, and setting up store-bought shelves in the garage, but I'm really proud because I am turning a 50ish year old dresser into a set of shelves I can use! I'm so excited!

I'm also very excited because I'm making Ariah a light table :) In the stores they run for $300 or more. Well, as much as I love my little girl, that's not happening. Instead, I'm using some oak from a project that never got finished (Hubby thought he'd make four baby gates and only got one completed lol), a piece of plywood, a piece of plexi glass, some frosted spray paint, and rope lights. Ariah loves playing with flashlights so I can't wait to see her face when this is all done!

Well, I better go get it done if I'm going to show you pictures :)

Oh! one other project I'm finishing up: flashcards with Bible verses. I know, Ariah is a little young to read... ok, a LOT too young to read, but I came upon a site where a mom chose verses that started with a letter of the alphabet. So, the child recognizes the letters and learns verses! Brilliant :) While I liked her concept, I wanted to use my own verses and translations. I wrote them by hand on plain index cards (making sure the first letter was big and in color) and now all I have to do is a mock lamination using contact paper. I thought I'd share the verses I found:

A- “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness;” 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

B- “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:3 NIV

C- “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10 KJV

D- “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31 NIV

E- “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19 NIV

F- “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV

G- “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31 NIV

H- “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8 NKJV

I- “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV

J- “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NKJV

K- “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.” Psalms 34:13 NIV

L- “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.” Proverbs 12:22 NKJV

M- “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice. And sing praise.” Psalm 98:4 KJV

N- “Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42 NKJV

O- “O my God, I trust in Thee; Let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.” Psalm 25:2 KJV

P- “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 106:1 NKJV

Q- “A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated.” Proverbs 14:17 NKJV

R- “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 NKJV

S- “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NKJV

T- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 NKJV

U- “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 NKJV

V- “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.” John 6:47 KJV

W- “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV

X- “”Examine me O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.” Psalm 26:2 NKJV

Y- “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 NKJV

Z- “Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, O Lord.” Psalm 97:8 NKJV

I'm so thrilled with this list! Ok.....now I'm going. Those shelves won't build themselves! :)



New Year. New Goals....kinda

Alright, so "new" goals is probably not the right description.
I am determined to write more, but that's been a goal for a while now. Ariah is growing up so fast that I know if I don't write it as it happens, I'll forget. For example, yesterday she started saying "uh oh," except she says "oh ho" and on Christmas she said, more like whispered, "wow" repeatedly at every present she opened.

I am determined to get my house organized by the time classes start next week so that I can keep up with classwork and still give Ariah plenty of "mommy time." We've been having a blast with that and she's learning so much! Crafts, sensory bins, play dates, and practical activties (ie: cooking and cleaning. Yes, my 16 month old helps in the kitchen. She kind of demands to be apart of it).

I have one more goal that I have been toying with, and I think I'm going to go for it. I have been searching for a book/Bible study on how to be a godly wife and mother, but each one I found has had major problems. So, I'm going to start my own study, make notes here, and possibly look at publication (but since the research is in the baby stages, that's a little too far away to worry about).

Other than that, I'll be finishing my degree this Spring.

So, like I said, not necessarily "new" goals, but a new determination to see them completed. And since writing is one of them, I'll "see" you tomorrow!

Fall is here!!!

Fall is here :) And with it has come some really fun projects for Ariah and I to do together. Cornstarch paint, leaf hunts, and making applesauce! At least an hour every morning and every afternoon has been "mommy and me" time. No cleaning (although Ariah did a very good job of cleaning up her paint mess; no joke!) just fun time. She is getting so independent! Still a baby at heart, but she doesn't believe it. I'm excited for what we'll be doing next!

Where has the summer gone?

Well, I was determined to post every day or at least every other day, but, since it is now AUTUMN that has obviously not happened. Oh well. I'll catch you up a little bit :)

Ariah is now walking! She spends very little time on her hands and knees anymore and is trying to bounce:) She said "kitty cat" once (and I have it on video to prove it! lol) but other than that, she talks in her own way. She crawled out of her crib a few weeks ago so it has been transformed into a toddler bed (toddler???? NO!!!!). She's still nurses even though she has ten teeth (she learned early that biting was not an option lol). I can't believe it's been more than a year!!!

We are going to start a little bit of a school of sorts where we will be actively working on body parts and colors as well as some autumn vocab words. I know it sounds like a lot to expect from a one year old, but she loves the one on one time with mommy. I've also started classes up again and there have been many days where I can't think of more than a few minutes where she and I really played together. I HATE that. So, I've decided to come up with a special activities every day for an hour or so where we do a learning activity together that's fun, messy, or active. 

These are some magnets I made out of wallet sized picture frames. Cute huh?

Well, we've had a fun summer. Trips to Kansas City, Virginia, and Salt Lake, but that's A LOT to recap (I'm having a hard enough time doing it for my journal lol). Sufice to say we've had a great summer with our little princess. I'm really looking forward to autumn with her and all the activities we have planned. We've already gone apple picking (which she LOVED) and have so many projects to look forward to! Hopefully I'll be better at blogging, but hey, I'm a busy mommy! (and I love every minute of it!)



My Independent Girl

So, yesterday my little girl decided she was too big for baby food. WHAT?!?!? How is this possible? She's so little! But she says she's ready for adult food so that's what she's getting. You know, it's kind of like being a Christian. We need to realize that we can't grow on the milk we started on forever. There is a point where we realize we need more; we need chunks of the good stuff. I was reminded how little I've been "eating" God's word and the bites of information that have escaped my brain over that time. Well, I'm ready to eat my steak again :) let's hope I don't choke too much! lol

On other news, I just finished reading Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey. Not only was it a great and easy read, I am now fired up to start saving money with more coupons! I don't expect the big hauls these ladies get, nor do I like the idea of such a big stock pile, but I'm excited to spend pennies and help others in need.

Been awhile....

Well, although it's been awhile since I've posted, there's really not much to say. My baby girl turned 9 months old yesterday :) She's trying so hard to walk and stand. Earlier this week, she started playing a new game with her daddy and I. She would slowly get really close too daddy, then crawl as fast as she could to get into my lap :) Her laugh during this game was so infectious! It was a glimpse at family nights to come.
She is also transitioning into her own crib. I never thought I would let my babies sleep in bed with me, but a night with the furnace blowing out changed my mind. Of course that was last November. So far, it's been going pretty well. Some nights are better than others, but we're all getting the hang of it. Nap time's just about over, but tomorrow I'll have a new devotion to share....Have a great day!