My Husband Rocks!

Looking through my pictures, I see that I have lots and lots to share and I have no delusions of ever catching up. But here is something cute I can't resist sharing today. Pulling food out of the freezer yesterday for our meal last night reminded me!

A few weeks ago I had cooked a huge lunch of Chile Verde and homemade refried beans. We were having company after church, so I spent hours the day before prepping everything. I had my crockpot and roaster going Sunday morning so that when we arrived home, the delicious lunch was waiting for us to enjoy. 

As soon as our company left, Abbie and I wanted to head out to do a little shopping before we went to church that evening. But my dilemma was that I had a lot of food to put away (I call them "planned-overs"!). Well, Gil graciously offered to package up and freeze the food so that we could leave without delay. So sweet!!!

Well, I just had to giggle when a few days later I went to the freezer and this is what I found. He made my day with this sweetness. And each time I see these (now dwindling) containers in the freezer I smile. He loves me!!!

Time for Tea!

Today is the day! It is our annual Christmas Tea at church! {I wrote about it here and here last year!} I have three friends attending with me, plus four others who bought tickets will sit at my table with us. We have 80 tables all beautifully decorated, which is always a feast for the eyes.

I set my table up Thursday after school with the help of Abbie & Jacob. Then I went back yesterday to add a finishing touch and see all the other tables that had been decorated. I am looking forward to this afternoon and my SIXTH year enjoying this wonderful tradition!!!

{I am having so many issues with blogger letting me upload my photos... I don't know what is going on. After twelve attempts, this is the only one that would work and it isn't right, either. Hopefully I will be able to upload all the tea table photos I have taken!}

I am still in shock!

I am so blessed with an abundance of wonderful friends, an amazing, thoughtful husband, and sweet, wonderful children. Sunday was my birthday, and I am still in shock and having a difficult time expressing myself. We enjoyed a pleasant morning at church, had a meeting after, then went to lunch to celebrate my birthday. As we headed home, I was looking forward to our relaxing Sunday afternoon. We turned onto our street and I saw a long line of parked cars... "Someone's having a party," I said. I kept looking at each house on the left as we passed by, trying to figure out just WHO was having a party {I'm nosy like that!}.

As we headed toward our cul-de-sac, Gil said, "Why are those people standing in the street?" I was so busy looking at the neighbors' houses that I didn't know what he was talking about. I looked around, but didn't see what he meant. Then as I looked more carefully, and we got closer to our house, I noticed that in the shadows of the trees, people were indeed standing in the street. With the sun shining right at us, it took a second for it to register that I knew these people! WE were having a party!

 

My husband surprised me for my birthday, big time! It is absolutely amazing to stand in the street and have your friends sing "Happy Birthday" to you! I pulled out my camera and snapped a few photos. {Even in my shocked state, I remembered the camera!!!}

I was pretty much in a daze throughout the party. I am not sure I even said more than five words. But I smiled and laughed a lot. Our home was filled with wonderful people, and the kitchen counters were overflowing with lots of yummy treats. 

My husband was very sneaky and managed to pull this party off without a hint to me! I was shocked to learn that my kids were even in on it. But my husband also utilized his resources very well. He knew he needed help, so he enlisted some of my best friends to help with food, invites, setting up, and spreading the word. I had no clue!

Gil was even sweet enough to have them all gather around me and say a few words on my behalf. Oh, how I wish someone had a video camera going.... I can't remember all the words, but I sure do recall the love that was shared. It was overwhelming. But I really needed the tissue box handy when Gil started talking, and prayed for me. What a wonderful, precious gift it is to have a husband who loves me and prays for me.

It was a fun, fun afternoon that passed much too quickly!

And even in the midst of the huge crowd that gathered to surprise me, I realized that so many others were missing and not able to attend. I am loved and so very, very blessed!

Amazing Raffle Baskets

Tomorrow is the Fall Festival at Jacob's school. I signed up to be his class raffle basket coordinator for the second year in a row. My job was to put together a "Picture Perfect" themed basket for the big raffle.   Since my items wouldn't exactly fit into a basket, here is what I came up with....

Pegboard put together with ribbons, and with ribbons ready to hold the items! the great thing about it was that it would collapse for transporting.

And here is my "basket" all set up and ready to be wrapped in cellophane. It included a lot of fun items including an Everyday Display Board, Calendar Display Accents, Monkey Business Display Accents, and  a Simply Said Dad book. I also included a Quick Album (pages are already done!). I had a little bit more budget to use, so I had put a question out on Facebook to get some opinions. Because of the unanimous sentiments, I included the Daisy 12x12 File Mate to hold artwork, memorabilia, photos, or papers.

My great helpers!

I needed Zac to help me carry the pegboard into the school, so I brought all the kids with me when I set up my basket. I knew they would LOVE seeing all the cool baskets on display! Parents from each class make donations toward their class basket, so some of the baskets are really extravagant! Parents can buy tickets and put them in the box next to the basket(s) they want to win. It is a fun fundraiser.

My "basket" on display with the others!

Here are some of the amazing baskets on display...

Housecleaning basket

Tailgating basket

Baseball basket complete with Yankees tickets

Abbie's favorite basket... it had a sleepover theme

Thanksgiving extravaganza basket

Love this "Lego my Legos" basket!

"Have a Ball" basket

Pet themed basket... the stuffed puppy is a fun touch

I think Zac liked this one

Date Night basket... some nice restaurant gift cards in there!

I have a feeling that this one is going to be very popular

Lots of games for game nights

This one is for the guys

Another fun one

This one made me laugh

Wow

Notice how I had to add a pennant bunting to my basket? I love making these!!! I thought it would up the cuteness factor!

We won't be bringing any of these baskets home with us... I did resist the temptation to buy any raffle tickets! Not taking my wallet to the setup helped.

Pastor Appreciation!

Gil and I are blessed to serve with our Middle School Ministry. October is Pastor Appreciation month, so this past Sunday we all honored our middle school pastor, Justin.

One of our wonderful leaders coordinated a beautiful basket of blessings to give to Justin and his sweet wife. Contributions by students, leaders, and parents all made this a very special gift for two very special people!

Debbie did a fabulous job pulling everything together! She asked me to make a sign, so I was inspired to make this pennant to add to the front of the basket.

I used this tutorial to make the pennant bunting from scrapbook paper. {I have also found another tutorial using fabric.} It was so easy and fun to make! Just a little token to show our appreciation.

Cute gift!

I LOVE that I have a very creative daughter! I guess you could say she takes after her mother... including the creative clutter everywhere, but that is a different subject. Where I have always been reserved and introverted, my daughter is outgoing, silly, loud, and social. I love that about her, too!

I love that Abbie has lots of friends, both at church and at school. Tonight she is at a birthday sleepover {complete with pedicures at a local salon!} for one of her very best friends. Her friend's name is Isabelle, and also goes by Izze. Several weeks back, Abbie spotted this sparkling juice in the grocery store and just knew she had to have it for Izze's present!

Earlier this week Abbie's vision was fulfilled as we picked up a 4-pack of the juice, and then went shopping for some extra goodies to put in two of the spots that hold bottles. Abbie picked out a couple of fun nail polishes, some lip gloss, and Izze's favorite candies. All of those items got wrapped in tissue paper and added to the drink box. I think it is quite the clever gift, and a fun & festive presentation. I am impressed at my girl's thoughtfulness on behalf of her friend!

Free Resource for Moms of Girls!

I got an email from a friend today that gave the link to this free e-book! Usually when I download an e-book, it is a pdf file. This one, however is through Amazon and is a Kindle book. Well, while I am fairly technically savvy, I am not a gadget girl. I don't text and I certainly don't have a Kindle. But, to my delight, I learned that you can download a free Kindle app for your computer! So I did. And then I downloaded this book.

I started to read "Moms' Ultimate Guide to the Tween Girls World" by Nancy Rue this afternoon and I am so thankful for this resource! I think anyone who has, will have, or works with middle school girls or younger should read this book. I am just into the first chapter and can see that it will be so helpful and encouraging on my parenting journey, and as I serve with middle school girls in our church. I especially appreciate that it is written from a Biblical perspective.

I am thankful that I have found this book for free... and can't wait to see what other free treasures I can find for my new "kindle"!

Cute Snowman Game!

As one of the room moms in Jacob's class, I'm helping plan the snowman-themed "winter celebration" in his class tomorrow. I have the responsibility of bringing in the "Put the Buttons on the Snowman" game. I had so much fun putting this together, that I thought I would share. It will be fun for the kids in class... and a great way to keep the houseful of kids I'll have at home next week occupied!





This could be done as a fun activity for kids to play with, or as a game. So here are the supplies I gathered for the snowman and the game. I made two snowmen, so we can have two games running simultaneously. I used posterboard for the snowman, post-it notes for the items to "pin" on {can I just say that post-it notes are one of my most favorite things ever?!!}, scissors, marker, white printer paper, and some dark paper to make a hat. The painter's tape will hold the snowman on the wall, and the bandanas are for the kids to wear as blindfolds during the game. Here we go!




First, with one piece of posterboard, I made the snowman's body. You could totally adapt this and make your entire snowman on one piece of posterboard, or several pieces of printer paper. I wanted a big snowman! I also didn't worry about being perfect. A lumpy snowman is ok with me!



I found my largest lid to trace for a his head.



He is looking good!


I used my marker to put in a whimsical outline, and make the eyes and mouth. Now if you wanted to make this as an activity, rather than a game with blindfolds, you could opt to not draw the eyes and mouth, but make them the same way I made the other decorations.



And here come the post-it notes! Aren't they so fun? I have a great selection of 4x4 notes, so I used an assortment to cut into 4" circles.



I then outlined them, and added the button detail.




More post-its to make....




...carrot noses!!! Since this game has to endure 22 students plus siblings, I am making lots of extras!



Isn't he cute???! Hmmm.... he's missing something, though...



I cut a hat out of a piece of dark paper, colored in some cheery cheeks, and added another button. I think he's adorable!



Finally, I put sets of the buttons and noses on sheets of printer paper, ready for the "Put the Buttons on the Snowman" game. Like I said, I made a bunch of sets... the kids will have their choice of button colors. And, if anything needs to be replaced before we are done playing, we are well-stocked! I'll use the painter's tape to attach the body, head, and hat to the classroom wall. I can't wait for tomorrow! So, do you think you might want to make your own snowman?