Tour the World - Europe

 
 
 
This Week we learned about Ireland, Sweden, and France.

 

I will be talking about these in a different order due to how blogger loaded up the photos (sigh).

 

Friday and Saturday we learned about France.  I planned on making some French cuisine, but we were gone all day Saturday, and all evening on Friday, so it didn't happen.  The food looked good, too, but that's ok.  I didn't have to cook those two days!  Yay!

 

We built towers after learning a little about the Eiffel tower, and we made Freedom Hats after learning about how the French Independence Day is on July 14th. 

 Here are our towers.  I was expecting them to be... bigger... lol.

We learned about Sweden on Wednesday and Thursday.  We painted red construction paper Dala Horses (and Bram was walking around talking about his 'dala horsie' the rest of the day) and learned that their saddle of flowers represents the vine in the story of Jonah.  We also had a 'show and tell' of our 'prized possession' (with kids this young, it changes on a whim, ha ha).  We learned that in Sweden they are also blessed materially as we are.

And on Wednesday we lunched on Swedish Meat Pies.  These things were massive!  We only ate two of the four and froze the other two for a later meal.  They tasted really good, too!

The kids painted their dala horses, and showed them off when they were dry.  Bram decided he wanted his horse to be yellow.

 

Monday and Tuesday we learned about Ireland.  In Ireland they get a lot of rain (called the Emerald Isle, which M liked the sound of... 'Oooooo!  Pretty!').  With all that rain, they probably see a lot of rainbows, so we colored a rainbow and learned about that first rainbow He put into the sky after the flood with Noah and the Ark.  We also played an Irish game called 'Mr. Fox'.  This one is very much like 'Mr. Wolf', a game that I grew up playing... 'What's the time Mr. Wolf... I mean, Fox?'  "LUNCH TIME!" 

What a fun week we've had!  This week we are learning about South America.

Savings Sunday - Price Check

I don't have much to talk about today, but I do have a happy report!  Bulk Barn does indeed have star anise seed for much cheaper than our local grocer.  Locally I managed to find it for $6.50 for 70grams.  It only costs $1.47/100grams at Bulk Barn!  I was thrilled!  I right away got some rice flour (to attempt a few more gluten free recipes) and some dried chick peas (for the same, ha ha). 

So buying in bulk, while not always the cheapest, can often be in your favor!

Yes, I said not always cheapest.

The thing I love most about Superstore is that in the bottom corners of each of the price listings on the shelves, they have a price per item (whether $/100g, or $/item, etc).  Always double check the 'sale' prices against your usual purchase, and even check the bulk.  We buy a large container of mixed nuts vs. the bulk nuts because it is actually much cheaper than the bulk (weird, I know).  There have been times we've bought the smaller bags of frozen berries because the sale made them much cheaper than the larger bag.  And there are times we will go to a different store for specific items because they are definitely cheaper there, sale or not.  It is a good idea to have 'stored' the usual prices for the items you buy on a regular basis, so when you see a sale elsewhere you can figure out if it is worth getting the sale item, or if it is still cheaper to get it where you usually do.

Example:  Costco.  I like Costco.  However, there are a few things I won't buy there because I can get better deals elsewhere.  This weekend we did go to Costco and picked up a couple of things because they were definitely cheaper!

Some people just know the prices of the items they buy regularly.  Some find it helpful to make a chart and list the prices from different stores, keeping it on them so they can do price comparisons at different stores.  How you go about it is up to you. 

Happy Shopping!

52 weeks-week 30

You can read the post on week 30 here.  It's about a bedtime emotional purge.

I totally understand this one!  Completely!  I know that when I go to bed with much on my mind, I cannot sleep.  I toss and turn with no resolution.  It drives me INSANE!  But, if I allow myself to give all over to God, and somehow actually do that (cause praying and not taking it back is not always an easy thing to do), I can sleep!  So... I need to make sure I do this every night!

Now... something I noticed is that I have the hardest time when we've watched tv before bed... well, not all tv, just stuff with a lot of killing and little to no resolution.  I can't stand it.  I have to ask God to erase it from my mind so I can sleep.

Speaking of sleep... time for bed.  And unfortunately,  my husband's shows of choice as of late have not been friendly to my brain.  A purging we will go!

GOodnight (Oh, and can you believe this is my 600th post?!  Wow!  I know... not the biggest of celebrations, haha).

Butterfly Chandelier

I found an awesome pin and pinned it myself... for a gorgeous paper chandelier that I really wanted to make.  You can find the original post here.

Well, I did it!  I made my own!  I changed it a bit (of course), but the basics are the same.  For one, I didn't use ribbon like the original post, but strips of fabric in coordinating colors.  I also made the top butterfly on each string a larger one.  Here, a picture speaks a thousand words, after all!

I am so glad I was able to finish!  I wish I had tule for the tie ups, but I do not.  Maybe one day I'll get some (soon?).  Anyway, do you want to make one yourself?  The one I made isn't exactly like the one in the link, but I'll tell you what I did to make it!

What do you need?
One hoop.  I clipped the top circle from a tomato vine holder.
17 pieces of fishing line, 20 inches long (if I could change something, I'd make the one for the center at least 22 inches)
17 larger butterflies in paper of various colors, and another 17 of the same size in vellum (the paper I used... I'm not sure what it is called.  I got it years and years ago, as a teenager.  It seems to be some kind of plastic iridescent tissue paper of sorts... that holds up to hot glue!)
52 smaller butterflies in paper of colors, and another 52 in the same size of the vellum.
fabric of matching colors, cut into strips.
wire
beads
hot glue and glue gun

First, put your stiff wire on the hoop to 'quarter' it, so it crosses in the center for hanging more strings.  Then, wrap and tie your pieces of fabric all around the hoop until it is completely covered.  The tighter together you make them, the fuller it will be (and prettier, in my opinion).  Then glue your beads to the end of each strand using a hot glue gun.  Place a dot of glue in the center of a small butterfly, and place the string near the bead on the butterfly through this dot of glue.  Sandwich the vellum butterfly on top.  Place three small butterflies per string, with one larger one at the top, each butterfly about 3-4 inches apart.  For the longest string (for the center of the chandelier) place one more small butterfly above the large one. 
Tie the fishing lines to the wire.  The longest one in the middle where the two wires intersect.  Then, do four more on the wires going to the hoop (in the center of each 'quarter'.  You may need some glue to keep them in place).  Now on the hoop itself you will place one strand at each intersection with the wires, plus two more between each of those (12 around the entire hoop).  Tie these a bit higher than the strands on the wire (you'll need to cut off the excess strings when done).
Take the tule (or the extra pieces of fabric) and tie them where the wire joins the hoop.  Tie a bow at the top, and hang.

Voila!

Note:  I used the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die from Stampin Up to make these butterflies.  There are many punches out there that I'm sure would be simple to use (probably simpler than running many butterflies through the bigshot), but I loved that I had options in terms of size.  And if you have embossing folders, those are awesome as well!  I used two... the polka dots one, and a lacy brocade. 

Have fun crafting!

Tour the world - Africa

This week we 'toured' Africa.  Sadly, I didn't do much in the way of extras this time.  I've been doing less and less.  :(  Would have been a great week to learn about some different animals and such, too.

 

The countries we focussed on were Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

 

 

Monday and Tuesday we learned about Ethiopia.  We talked about bread, and how in Ethiopia they eat a bread called injera which is large and flat.  I made a sort of flatbread (used my pizza dough recipe and added spices of sorts to make something similar) and we ate it with meat we scooped... no utensils!  Of course, my son decided that the one meal we didn't need utensils, he wanted to use some, haha.  Usually eats with his fingers otherwise.  Tuesday we talked about how there is often not enough food to eat there due to drought.  We then brought some canned goods to the local food pantry, and we got to see a little of what they do there (this is to help those in our area who may not have enough to eat).  We got to see a lot of cans and boxes, and were lucky enough to have arrived shortly after a local business dropped off their weekly donation of cheese... over 30 boxes, 40lbs each!  And the gentleman there informed us that over 200 families come through each week (less during the summer, he said).

 

Wednesday and \Thursday we learned a little about Zimbabwe.  We spent one evening without electricity as we learned that the people there often have no electricity, or only have it for a part of the day.  It took a little for the kids to be ok with it, since we are very used to having power here.  They played with lego bricks by the light of the window, we ate by candlelight (we have late suppers) and we thanked God for power and other things we take for granted (house, food, water).  We also learned about how only 1 in 5 children in Zimbabwe go to school.  M was thankful for school, as she is excited to go this year.  We read a brand new story we haven't read before, and we thanked God for our opportunity here to learn.

 

Friday and Saturday we talked about South Africa.  They have 11 official languages!  As an activity, we attempted to show each other we loved one another without using words (or, as I did it, I spoke in French and jibberish, which got the kids laughing).  I found that it quickly passed on as the kids tried to show love to others outside our home when we went away the next day.  :)   On Saturday we learned something that was a little more difficult.  The kids learned that diseases in South Africa have made many children orphans... their moms and dads have died, and they don't have any family.  Many are waiting to be adopted into a new family.  M prayed earnestly that night that all the kids would find a family to have fun with.  The activity for that day was to write what we loved about our family on a slip of paper and put it into a bowl, then take turns reading them (just my husband and myself did the reading for obvious reasons) at the dinner table. 

 

And now, since I didn't have a lot of photos of things we did this week, here's a fun pic of A's first time in the Jolly Jumper.  Needless to say... she loved it!

  This week we are learning about Europe.  I am hoping to do more extras this time around.

Savings Sunday - Activities

One thing that can really take a financial beating is our entertainment and activities.  Dates cost money, theatres cost money, going to the zoo, museums, theme parks, restaurants, movie rentals, games, swimming... they all cost money.  But really, who wants to stay home and do nothing?  Especially when you have kids!  Going out is so much fun, and experiencing what our local areas have to offer can be such an eye opener.

So... try to find free activities (or mostly free).

Not all, but some of our lovely parks and zoos and museums offer 'free days'.  If you wish, you can put in a donation, which I recommend by the way.  However, you don't need to pay full price to get in, and you can still experience a bit of what is there.  For example, we were lucky enough to be in the area of St Paul/Minneapolis Children's Museum during their free weekend!  They have one free weekend per month.  We gave a donation, and got to experience the awesome museum for a fraction of the price!  The kids had a great time, too!  And even though we couldn't spend the whole day there, we still got 'our money's worth' as it were.  Note- it is usually busier at this time, so these are the times to try out new things to see if you wish to spend more money to go later on in the year.

Our local area has a splash park that is free to use at certain times of each day.  Afterwards, people need to leave and the gate is closed from free access, but those two hours are great!  I went for the first time ever with the kids, and they couldn't stop talking about it.  I'm thinking this should be a weekly thing.  Fun thing to do as well is to pack a picnic lunch (to avoid spending too much later on restaurant food, since it closes at 11am... when the tumblies begin their rumblies).

Parks in general are a great free activity.  Bringing picnics, a few toys, and meeting with friends always makes for a fun time!  Remember to do your part and clean up your trash before you leave!  Why not help the grounds and clean up anything else you come upon as well?  Good teaching experience for the kiddos, too!

Movies don't have to be expensive.  Netflix is a great option (I prefer it to satellite, and I think I'd rather not have satellite and just pay for Netflix...$8/month is a great price).  Watching something you already own is cheap too, right?  And I prefer to watch in my own home, with our own popcorn and pizza.  But if you just really need to get out of the house (I don't blame you!), going to a cheap theatre is an option.  And sometimes if you are lucky you can find boxes of cereal with free tickets, or other coupons elsewhere for a date night.  Costco has packages you can purchase as well.  I've never done so myself, but it may be a cheaper option overall.

Going for walks or bike rides are great activities, and joining the church softball team might be just the thing to get your muscles working too.  There are a surprising number of activities we can take part in that cost next to nothing!  Please, feel free to comment about the sorts of fun free (or close-to-free) things that you like to do as a family!

52 Week Challenge - Don't Resist the Healing

You can find week 29 here.

Week 29 is about resistance to healing.  God can and will heal us if we let Him.  Now... how often do we let Him?  We say we want to be healed, but do we really?  I mean, if you are angry at someone, do you really want to be healed?  It means getting rid of your anger.  You cannot be healed, after all, if you don't get rid of one of the root causes of your inner turmoil.

It kind of reminds me of the story where Jesus healed the man at the Pool of Bethesda.  Remember that story?  I thought it was odd that Jesus would ask the man who had been sick for so many years if he wanted to be healed.  The man didn't answer with a yes or no, either... something I thought about as a child, but dismissed as an adult.  He just gave his excuse as to why he wasn't getting healed, as though he thought Jesus was judging him for not getting into the pool on time.  But... did he want to be healed?  Being healed means a lifestyle change.  Literally.  This man was healed.  Now he wouldn't be sitting at the pool anymore.  He wouldn't be around these people any more like he was before.  He might still be viewed as 'sick' by others who saw him there for so many years.  He might see little symptoms appear and believe himself to not have been healed.  He might have to work hard at keeping himself healthy.  Being sick sometimes gives us an excuse to not do things.  Right? 

For example, as a woman who has had three kids, I've dealt with postpartum depression.  It is NOT a fun thing to deal with.  I did not enjoy it.  But... this is the problem.  I used it as an excuse.  It was an excuse for my bad moods, my crying fits, my mental breakdowns, and my inability to get up and do anything productive.  I'd spend weeks doing nothing more than the very basic of basic tasks... the odd meal (my husband ended up doing a lot of those... I am not proud of that), laundry, changing diapers and feeding the kids.  I didn't do anything creative.  I hardly did much in the way of cleaning.  Baking?  Yeah right.  And bookwork would slip as well.  Once I came to, and my depression waned, it didn't take long for me to fall right back into it due to being overwhelmed by what I hadn't done.  I didn't want to be healed because I had no excuse not to do things.  And the cycle would have continued if I wouldn't have said "NO!  I need to change".  And you know what?  Even if I was depressed, that was NO excuse for me to ignore my duties as wife and mom.  I was capable of doing them.  I just needed God to come in and talk me through it.  And my house, family, and body are better because of it.  (please don't get me wrong. There are days where our bodies and minds need rest from the regular daily tasks, and I'm not discounting that.  I'm talking about allowing the depression to control me rather than me forcing myself to get up and do something I knew needed doing... mostly because once I started doing a task, my depression dissipated)

Healing is not always easy.  You'd think it would be a no brainer... 'I don't have to live with _____ anymore?  Sign me up!'  But it isn't.  We get used to holding onto hurt, pain, sickness... whether it's physical, emotional, mental, or even spiritual.  We display some of them proudly like a badge of honor.  "Look at what terrible thing I have!  Pity me!"  Wow.  I need to take a good look at myself and find out where I'm holding back from allowing healing to take place.

Thank the Lord, He is willing to help me even when I take my sweet time letting Him!

101 Update

6. Celebrate five strange holidays 7/5
Done!  this last month we celebrated peanut butter cookie day June 12, banana split day June 7, butterfly day June 19th, and fairy day June 24th!

17. have a night at home where we explore other cultures (food, map, activity, etc) (3/3)
Well, sine we are joining the world tour by focus on the family, we've already explored a little of 12 countries, a few of which we've done a little more in the way of food.  You can read them here:  Oceana, Asia, Central Asia/Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa,

40. Send someone flowers (June 2013)
I made some sunflower pots with the kids with verses on them, and delivered them to various places. 

46. Go berry picking (July 2013)
Last week my inlaws went strawberry picking.  I've determined that it is next to impossible for me to go with the kiddos (and difficult to find a sitter for the one attached to me), so since I had 2 pails of strawberries from them (that I washed, de-stemmed, chopped some of, and froze), I'm gonna count this as done.  I'll probably pick some raspberries with the kids in the garden this year anyway.  Is that cheating?

75. Make homemade ice cream (July 11 2013)
You can see my post on that here!

What's left?
7. Give M a 5th bday party for kids (planning for September!)
11. go sledding as a family (uh... we'll see if there's snow before my birthday, but doubtful)
12. go skating on the river as a family or date night  (probably not happening)
16. do a date night going to the Taste of Manitoba (from what I've heard, probably not happening either.  I don't know if they're doing this anymore)
19. Go to the International Children’s Festival (missed it... oops)
20. Take part in Teddybears picnic (we did a bit in 2011, so I should say this is done, cause we did go to it)
23. go to get ice cream from BDI and go for a walk after (TOTALLY going to do this sometime this summer!)
27. Write/publish 3rd book (uh... I'm not sure if I'll get this one done)
28. Write a craft book with all the crafts I’ve come up with myself (another one I doubt I'll do)
29. Start selling crafts through Etsy?  (yeah... not happening)
31. Plan a proper composting site for farm and implement  (another thing we won't be doing)
32. Clear out back of garage of things we haven’t used in over 5 years  (Hmmm... not sure)
33. Do a book reading at the local library  (Is it weird that I am kinda... scared... to do this?)
34. Save up $10 for each item I complete on this list  (I've been saving, slowly)
37. Start making monthly payments into the RESP  (uh... yeah... my bad)
39. Volunteer in a Soup kitchen (ok... I'd actually like to do this sort of thing with the kids.  Maybe not a soup kitchen, but somewhere kids can do something as well)
41. Release a book via bookcrossing.com (wanted to do this one this month too, but didn't)
42. Buy a larger item (about $100) for Gospel for Asia  (want to do this as part of our world tour)
45. Walk for ms (or something similar)  (missed that one too)
56. Finish mom’s started school scrapbook  (probably won't)
57. Participate in a bake/craft sale  (still want to do that... yet...)
59. Finish daughter’s 1st year album (traditional) (working on it still... slowly)
60. Finish son’s 1st year album (traditional) (probably won't happen)
61. Create album for honeymoon (traditional) (another one that isn't happening)
64. Try to finish cross stitch (yeah... I should just give this to someone who likes to do cross stitch)
66. Label breaker panel (REALLY want to do this yet)
68. Renovate basement  (This too... maybe this summer?)
71. Build a fence around portion of yard  (not happening)
72. Build a sandbox/play area for kids  (want to do this before M's birthday)
74. Play guitar 100min/week for 4 months… thus learning to play  (uh...)
76. edit July23 2011 - Learn metallurgy  (another uh....)
77. Learn a little Japanese  (I can do this... learned a tiny bit during our 'tour' of Japan)
78. Learn to sew/machine embroider actual clothes (not costumes - started dec2011)  (I'm doing some clothes this month yet)
80. Purge old toys that aren’t played with (remove at least 25lbs of toys from house 10/25)  (almost halfway there)
88. Tour MB, take pics in front of large statues (car in Steinbach, bison in Grunthal, etc)… at least 10photos  (I wonder if I'll get my husband for a weekend where we aren't busy)
89. Swim with dolphins (won't happen)
90. Buy myself a new pair of runners (should have done this ages ago)
92. Have a Tinkerbell party  (happening on M's birthday)
93. Tie a note to a balloon and let it go  (I still want to do this)
94. Fly a kite  (need to get a kite first)
98. Ride a hot air balloon  (probably won't happen)
99. Take a tour of my local area… bring camera  (we sort of did this ages ago...)
100. Do a ‘trash the dress’ photo session with other girls  (need to fit into it again.  I did fit into it... the month before I got pregnant with A, lol)
101. Create another 101 in 1001 list (ooh... I should work on this...)

You can see the 101 list here!

58 down, 43 to go!

Homemade ice Cream

This week, the 11th, I decided to do a little learning with the kiddos.  What did we do?  Made simple ice cream!

 

 Here's the bag, ready for a little shaking!  Inside a large bag you put 1/2 cup rock salt, and fill half way with ice (you can use regular salt, but it doesn't work as well).  Then, inside a smaller plastic bag put 1 cup milk/cream, 2 tablespoons of sugar (I think you could do with less... I found it very sweet), and 1/2 tsp of vanilla.  Seal it, put it inside the larger bag, and seal that one.  Then comes the fun part...

 You shake it!

 

 Shake and shake and shake for about 5 minutes.  I ended up doing most of the shaking (since the kids tired of it easily.  It was more fun jumping up and down on the floor than just shaking your arms!)

 

 When done, it will be more solid, kinda like soft serve ice cream.

 

 Mix in any extras and eat (you could eat right out of the bag, but one cup of ice cream is a lot for one person, so I split it between the three of us... my husband got a taste too, of course).

 

Yummers!!

 

Next up... turning smoothies into popsicles (just bought some fun star silicone popsicle molds I look forward to using!  Yay!).

Around the world - Week 4 - Middle East

This week we learned about Lebanon, Isreal, and Egypt.

 

 Of course, we colored flags this week.  However, we ended up doing so at the end of the week, for all three countries.  I never got around to printing them at the beginning as I should have.  Sigh.

 Notice how we tend to do our crafts at breakfast?  yeah, that seems to be when we do our crafts lately.

 Anyway, Monday and Tuesday we learned of Lebanon.  We recently got a book that details things that we should pray for in specific countries, and so we learned a little of Lebanon through this book.  We also learned that food and hospitality are important to the Lebanese people, so I made the two Lebanese recipes included in the itinerary and invited my parents over to enjoy them with us.  One turned out ok (the roasted eggplant dip for pitas, called Baba Ghanouj) but the salad, Tabbouleh... not so great.  I ended up freezing the rest of it for soups (it was mostly parsley... yuck for a salad).

Anyway, we also made a collage of things we praise God for.  Alhamdulillah is a word used by Christians and Muslims in Lebanon which means praise to God.  So, we were to be intentional about praising God through our day.  So, we made these collages as our activity.

 

Isreal was the country for Wednesday and Thursday.  We played 'hold the rope', an Israeli game.  We all need to hold onto a rope (or in our case, a long piece of fabric, haha) with both hands while attempting to put hats on.  Each other's heads.  Yup.   A fun exercise that focussed on the value of teamwork.  The bible verses for the day were in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31... the verses on how the body is made of many members.  The kids thought the idea of everyone being nothing but ears or eyes pretty funny.  They talked about that for a while.  So, the teamwork game was a fun bit of learning about how we all need to work together, and how we are all different (it was funny watching the kids try to get the hat on my head).  We also looked at family pictures to note how we celebrated big events (grads, birthdays, etc) and then learned about bar mitzvahs.  We watched a video on Youtube that showed a bar mitzvah celebration, and the kids loved the outfits and music.

 

Friday and Saturday we learned of Egypt.  On Friday we made an Egyptian breakfast, Ful Medames.  Basically, fava beans with pita bread (biscuits in our case) with hard boiled eggs.  Saturday we learned about how the people of Egypt are not free to worship God or read the Bible as we are.  We didn't do the activity.  Weekends tend to be busy and I forget things.  We were to to write out the verse 1 Peter 3:14 on index cards, and get the kids to find the hidden cards in the house and put them together (I think we'll put numbers on them to help... the back, maybe?).

 

So, that has been our week in the Middle East!  This week is Africa!

Savings Sunday

I saved $2 Saturday!  Haha, yeah, silly.  Well, actually, not as silly as you may think.  If you save only a couple of dollars each day, you end up with over $700 at the end of the year. 

What did I save on?  Not buying an item I really liked that I almost bought, but decided to put back in the end.  I don't really need it.  And I wasn't sure where to put it... until after I left the store.  If I really want it, I can always buy it later.

I actually saved more than this, but this was more fun to talk about, lol.  We went to Canadian Tire and found a bunch of stuff on clearance, which I was thrilled about.  Their laundry detergent was only $2.30!  The one I normally buy at superstore is $15 for the same number of loads!  And I've been making my own laundry detergent for $1 for the same number of loads, but it leaves a bit of residue I'm not a fan of.  So, using liquid for my towels/sheets is something I will probably do more,  and this detergent was cheap!  I aim to get more.  Also got some hardware and tomato wire... things... for cheap.  The hardware was 90% off.  No joke.  Concrete screws and pieces for legs to save your flooring (I have other plans for that.  It was only 87cents for 4 solid wood pieces and the corresponding felt pads).  I know I didn't need it, but I definitely know where to use it, and at dollar store prices... it's great stuff (plus, I'm all out of those pads and have been using felt which comes apart after awhile).

I've also been noticing how much we have been saving by using baking soda instead of shampoo.  A little note on this though... I'm finding it frustrating for my hair.  The kids have such fine hair, it works fine.  Same with my husband, who also has short hair.  As for me... my hair is thick and long, and almost impossible to rinse out completely.  Today I attempted to use my large bowl filled with water to dunk my head into so I could get at my scalp.  It did make rinsing easier, but I still have baking soda living on my brush.  I'm not sure how to make this work better for me.  And my hair feels a bit greasier than I would like.  Unlike my kids and husband's hair.  Sigh.  Anyone else doing this that has found a solution to fix such an issue?  I've tried using less baking soda, more baking soda, less vinegar, more vinegar... etc.  I think my biggest issue is rinsing, and so I feel I'll be using this bowl for rinsing my hair more often (saves water vs. filling the whole tub).  Perhaps I should get another hair cut and have my hair layered again.

Oh, I've also been on the hunt for cheaper star anise seed.  I can't believe how much they want to charge for it at our store.  I really want to go to a Bulk Barn and see what the price per 100g is there.  At this store, it's $6.40 for 70g.  Yeah.  That is INSANE!  It must be cheaper at Bulk Barn... right?  Right?  Please tell me I'm right?!

Week 3 - Central Asia and Eastern Europe

 

This week we learned about Russia, Kazakhstan, and Armenia.

 

 

We learned about Russia on Monday and Tuesday.  We played checkers with the kids as we learned that in Russia, chess is part of their schooling (chess is a little too complicated for a 3 and 4 year old... actually, so was checkers, but that is ok).  We also learned that they have more time zones than any other country, and we had breakfast for supper (to note that in some areas of Russia they are eating breakfast while others are eating supper).

 

Wednesday and Thursday was Kazakhstan.  We learned that they produce some of the tastiest apples in the world, both in orchards and wild.  We talked about the many fruits God gave us and made a fruit salad (with apples, of course).  We also learned about how they eat differently than we do.  Boiled horse meat is apparently common there.  We definitely don't eat horses here.  We also learned that they don't have lines to take their turns like we do at stores here.  You have to be able to work your way to the front to get a turn at something.  I definitely would not do well there!  I hate 'barging' to the front!  As an activity, we all crowded around one person as they 'tried' to get from one room to another... but we did take turns being the person who was crowded!  We learned that this was probably similar to how it was for Jesus with all the crowds of people that wanted to be near to him.

 Armenia was the country we learned about on Friday and Saturday.  True to each week, this time I made food from this country.  We did Armenian Pizza, called Lahmajoon.  You can get the recipe I used here.  We were supposed to play egg jousting (a game played at Easter by the children in Armenia) but I had no eggs to boil.  You use hardboiled eggs and tap the ends together.  Whoever doesn't have their eggshell break wins.  we also played a game of Mother May I, learning about how in their culture, the mother is considered the manager of the home, responsible for teaching the children their culture and customs.  The kids had fun being 'mother'.

Oh, and just for fun, here are pics of each of the kids eating their Lahmajoon.

 

Baby A didn't eat with us, but she did munch munch munch on her fist all evening!  I think she's teething.  :)

 

Well, that was week 3 in a nutshell.  Stay tuned for week 4!

 

Oh... as a side note, I've been getting a little lax on keeping up with the weekly things.  I have had a few days where I didn't do the items until late evening, or even the next day.  Week 4 was worst for this as my husband was on the field as well, and that meant not doing things together as a family, and then I don't seem to remember to do them as well.  We did manage to do them all (some a bit late), but I need to take note a little earlier on and actually do them in the mornings if possible.   The kids are quick to remind me about the coloring of their stamps and flags!



52 weeks - week 28 Deep Breathing

Recap on week 27, which was positive speaking... I did ok.  Yeah... ok.  There were more times than I wish to count where I'd have been better off shutting my mouth, but there were more times that I usually would speak where I DID shut my mouth.  And I did notice my tone of voice was better with my husband and kids this last week as well.  Which is good!  Now to continue, and work to do better and better each day.  I will more than likely slip a few times, but the process is important, and I cannot do better if I do not work at it.

So, you can find week 28 here.  I am starting on this a little late, but better late than never.  I think I'll attempt to do the task all through this next week, even when the focus is on week 29 as well.  I just... keep forgetting to check on the blog each Monday.  It's sad, I know.  Ah well.

The task for the week is to take a little time every day and spend it in deep breathing.  Really notice how you are breathing and breathe deep instead of shallow.  I tend to breathe shallow, and will probably benefit greatly in this exercise.  In fact, I think in order to help me remember, I should do my wii fit and have the deep breathing exercise in it.  Another thing I read on this is to visually and deliberately relax each part of your body starting at your feet as you get ready for bed.  Deliberately.  Yeah.  I should do this.  No... I WILL do this.  I know it will help me to sleep better.

Savings Sunday - Nix the Extras

Today I'm going to post on something that I think is actually the most effective way of saving money... but also the most difficult (ain't that always the way?).  Just not buying stuff. 

Yeah.  Sounds simple, but really takes a lot of willpower.

First, get rid of the TV.  I know, that might sound weird, and I don't mean to literally get rid of it, but to stop watching it.  You see, television is the main way that companies advertise their goods to us... and I think of advertisements as having an element of 'want it need it' syndrome.  You didn't know you wanted the item, never mind even thinking you'd need it, but you watch a commercial enough times and you'll think you need it.  Or that you want it.  Or when you see it on sale in a store you are more tempted to buy it.  It's been proven that the more you see an object, the more you feel you want it.  And you know what?  Most commercials for food items are for junk foods anyway... or restaurants.  All very pricey in comparison.

I think this is one of the reasons that people generations ago didn't 'need' to work as many jobs or hours to make ends meet in their homes.  They weren't spending so much of their money on the extra 'want em need em's like we do today.  They weren't bombarded with advertising like we are, either.

Another thing... keep yourself busy.  I don't mean being a busy body... I mean things like cleaning house, doing laundry, working outside, playing with the kids, going for walks together... work.  The more free time we have, the more we spend online and watching tv, and the more we are bombarded with the 'wants'.  Shopping is not a sport, contrary to what many say.  If you can't walk into a store without buying something, don't walk into the store unless you have a specific goal.  I always loved window shopping (what my mom called 'shopping' without buying anything) because it was fun to see different things and imagine what it might be like to have said item.  But, we'd never get it.  Instead, we'd go home and often I'd come up with my own version of it using whatever we had around the house.  Making things is a great way to keep busy and you end up with 'stuff' without spending the money on it.  Plus, it's great for making you feel like you've accomplished something.  I feel much better after putting something up I've made myself, than I do when I've bought the same item.  There's a sense of accomplishment that comes with it.  Also, it's a great thing to teach the kids!  They love making things!  And imagining stuff is something else. 

Something I often do when tempted by items... is imagine where that item will go.  If I do not know what I'll do with that item when I bring it home, or if it will just go into storage for 'if I may need it later', I won't buy it (even if it is a great deal).  It is very rare where I actually regret my lack of purchase months later.  I may regret it immediately, but within a week I'm usually fine without it and don't miss the item I never had anyway.  Plus, if I really find myself wanting that same item, it is generally available to buy later on anyway.

Now, I'm not saying we should never buy extras.  After all, a treat now and then is great!  However, the less 'extras' we buy, the more meaningful the ones we do buy will be.  Plus... less clutter, haha.

Tour of the World Week 2- Asia

This last week, we visited three countries in Asia!

 

Can you guess which ones?

 

Yup... Japan, China, and India.

 

Sunday we learned a little about how to pray for the people in Asia, specifically the Christians.  We played a game of hide and seek to illustrate how many of the people there must worship in hiding.  Monday and Tuesday we learned about Japan.

For fun, we made Sushi one day (no, that was not in the activities... I just really like sushi).  It... didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped.  Still tasted good though.  We made some rice balls too.  The kids had fun with the sticky rice.

The sushi rolls... not as planned, ha ha.

 

I tried doing some without the Nori sheets... it rolled nicely but wouldn't stay together when cutting.  I think the rice was still too warm.

 

Monday we learned about how important manners and politeness is to the people of Japan.  We watched a video that taught us how to say Thank You and Sorry in Japanese... in more than one way (the business way, the 'friend' way, and the formal way).  The accompanying Biblical teaching was about how one day we will all bow to Jesus as a sign of respect and worship.  We practiced bowing the traditional Japanese way (and learned that there are various ways to bow as well).

 

Tuesday, we made origami cranes!  My husband did this with the kids.  Looks like they had fun.  We learned about how the origami crane is a symbol of long life in Japan, and how they believe that folding 1000 cranes will bring good luck and long life.

 

 

Wednesday and Thursday the kids were sick, but we still learned a little about China.  We looked at the Chinese characters for the word Righteousness... which is the character for 'lamb' over the character for 'me'.  I drew one for each of the kids, and they colored them. Later, we built a 'wall of China' using pillows.  We made two different ones.  My son was so sick that day that he didn't play in them at all, but M did. 

 

 Friday I was sick.  We were to learn about India, but we didn't do the craft.  We were to gather art supplies and make an invitation for someone to come to church (due to India having the world's second largest population but only a small percentage of Christians... learning a bit about how the Christians there are sharing the gospel).  We colored the flag and the stamp that day.  Saturday we watched a little video about carts called tuk tuks that are the popular way to get around in India.  We pretended to be tuk tuks and I covered the kids eyes and guided them around obstacles.  They loved it.  We learned about how we need to trust those who guide us, and that it can be hard.  We can always trust in God.

This week has been fun, too.  I look forward to posting about it when the week is over.

Mommy time??

Anybody else ever wonder who they are once becoming a mom?

Now, don't get me wrong.  I love being a mom!  However, becoming a mom not only brought out so much more in me than I knew I had, it also brought a load of responsibilities.  So many responsibilities that I feel I have lost a part of myself somewhere in them.

I hope that doesn't sound selfish, or somehow wrong.  I know that my calling now is as a wife and mom, and this is something I am thankful for.  However... as of late I have been feeling depressed, tired, as though there is little left in me.

Being a mom is hard work.  I never realized how much... my mom made it seem so easy!

Hours upon hours of cleaning, laundry, changing diapers, washing diapers, nursing, cooking, baking, crafting, kissing boo boos, teaching, building forts, wiping noses, telling stories... I could go on.  And at the end of the day, we kiss those little foreheads as they go to sleep, and spend the next hour or so cleaning up and winding down (or in my case, too many hours before going to bed myself, and then I'm drained the next day).  I find it hard to take the time to spend with my Lord anymore, and that is a travesty.  I find that time with my spouse is farther and farther removed as well, which isn't good for our relationship.  And as for hobbies... sigh.  I have so many, and I cannot take the time for any of them (I could find the time, but I'm so tired that I don't wish to... I just don't have the brain power for any of it any more).

So, what do you do?  How do you take time for yourself in among all the responsibilities you have in day to day life?  How do you make sure that they don't overtake you as a person and drain every last bit of life out of you?

I haven't been doing any of my hobbies lately.  Costume making has happened briefly... for the sake of my kids.  Baking is for my kids.  Crafting of any type is with my kids, for their sake.  Anything I look up is based upon something I want to learn to help my kids and my family.  I hardly spend time on myself anymore, unless I'm sick (and even then, it takes everything just to take a nap, and it seems the baby knows when I want to nap because she will refuse to, and when she finally falls asleep, my older two keep coming up to me asking 'is nap time over yet' every two minutes... take Friday.  I was sick... had whatever the kids had Wednesday and Thursday... and while trying to nap they come up to me and ask every couple of minutes if they can play.  I finally say yes, and then they come up asking for a snack, or if I'm done napping (finally fell asleep too... sigh).  Ah well.).

I have been dedicating more and more of my time to trying to save our family money, to making healthy meals that are worth eating (which means more and more time in my kitchen), and to trying to teach my children.  I'm not very good at that.  I don't have the patience.  I want to get my work done, and just be done with it.  However, I cannot do everything anymore.  I am drained.  I am exhausted.  And I am having breakdowns... again... over silly things... again.

What brings me peace?  I need to spend more time with God, and I just find less and less of myself doing so.  It is depressing.  The only thing that can really fill me up is spending time with Him... and yet I feel so far away.  I miss Him.  And I know it isn't Him.  It's me.  But how do I get that closeness back?  Where am I going wrong?

I feel refreshed after the weekend... especially when my husband has time off.  Church refreshes me.  Bible study does as well.  Time with my parents and siblings... talking about God and the things we are learning... I need that.  But then it is back to work, back to the responsibilities... back to life.

Except today...

Now, we don't get long weekends.  My husband was collecting bales today, in addition to his usual work.  However... I was sick.  Very.  I managed to start a load of laundry, and that was it.  My body had enough.  I could barely nurse my baby, or change diapers.  I couldn't eat.  I spent all day on the couch alternating between a hot pack and a cold one.  I actually took Tylenol (the horror, lol).  I am still not feeling great, but I was finally able to help with (and eat) supper, and finish my lone laundry load.

I slept all day.  And somehow, my kids let me!  Even though daddy wasn't in the house much more than making and eating meals would allow.

Needless to say, we missed the fireworks.

Perhaps I can have a soak-in-the-tub-me-time... after the diapers are in the wash.  I can hardly believe I'm still tired after all that.  I guess today was my body's way of telling me enough is enough.  Slow down.  Sleep. 

I hope I'll get a good, healing sleep tonight.

Week 27 - Speak Positively

You can find the link to this post on the whole healing challenge, here.

Week 26 recap - Live for today.
Um... last week I had no time to think about the past, even if I had wanted to.  Our house was ill.  Yeah.  My kids were sick, throwing up and whatnot, and so the only thing you can do in that instance is live for that day.  Life is too busy to focus on the past hurts and afflictions... I don't know why I'd even bother any more.  Ok... Sab... you said it yourself.  Let us not focus on negative pasts.

Anyway, this week is going to be a doozy.

Positive speech.

I've recently been reading a book called 'Jump off the hormone swing' by Lorraine Pintus.  The chapter I just finished was on words.  More specifically, how our words can kill.  ouch.  I have a lot to do in this area.  I didn't have as much of a problem with this area years ago... I'm not sure why I let my words sting those people I love the most, but I do.  And I need to stop.  Shut my mouth up tight.  Just... shut it.  Once I read that chapter on Saturday, I've been working my hardest to really take note of all the thoughts that cross my mind before they slide off my tongue.  It isn't easy.  I had a breakdown on Friday, and the words I said, while they weren't meant to hurt my husband, they did.  I wasn't sensitive to his situation, and just 'blah blah blahed' my thoughts without thinking them through.  Then when he said things to me that angered me... well...

Let's just say that I am proud that the words that did cross my mind did NOT exit my mouth.  Because I don't even know where those words came from.

Not to mention, my in-laws probably think their son married some kind of crazy woman, what with me going outside to just scream.  Hey, I've got to let the anger out some how, and I definitely see that way as better than the other options.

So... yeah... finding out that my words need to be the words of Christ, that my hurtful words bring death... I've got to work on this.  Majorly.  I wrote down Ephesians 4:29 on my chalkboard as a reminder...
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ok... so... this is necessary.  I think I may need to look up other verses, write them all over the house, and keep in mind that my words ARE very important.  Not just in what I say to others, but what I say about myself, to myself.

This is going to be tricky... but I WILL do this!  I WILL change this.  I WILL take my tongue captive, take my thoughts captive, and only permit those that are wholesome and positive!

I will need prayer on this one!