Repost: Star Ornaments: Recycle those Christmas Cards

The ornaments pictured below are a beautiful and great way to reuse Christmas cards. These would be good for Sunday School or Children's Church crafts. Last year, my kids made these with a little help. This year Tera is making them on her own and Daniel still needs a little guidance.

Here are the easy directions:
1. Find a star template and cut out two poster board stars.
2. Cut irregular pieces from Christmas cards.
3. Glue the pieces to the poster board stars. It's okay if they overlap each other and you also want them to overlap the edges of the star. Pick a prominent picture to go in the middle of the star that will be on top.
4. Trim the edges of the star.
5. Glue the two stars together so that the points are not lined up. You want to see all the points.
6. Edge with glitter.
7. Punch hole in top and string them up. Use as an ornament or decoration.

Thankfulness

Something happened today that I wanted to share so that God can receive praise and thanks. We had our chimney cleaned and inspected today, considering our late night visit from the fire department about a month ago. (scroll down to find that story)

Well, we paid $110 to find out we cannot use our chimney. It will take $1450 to fix. It's really not that big of a deal, we have central heat and air but wanted to offset the electricity bill with the wood stove.

Here is the cool part. When we were going to buy this house, we were turned down by our credit union because the house did not have central heat and air. We found a mortgage broker who worked with us to get another loan. Then that company required a central heat and air system. Our plan was just to heat with the wood stove and cool with the window units already here. The mortgage broker worked it out for the seller to pay half of the cost to install the HVAC and then rolled the rest into our loan amount. We were so frustrated at this whole process because our closing kept getting put off again and again. The HVAC was the big hold-up on getting the house.

Thankfulness #1: If we hadn't had to wait, we would be really cold right now. God provided us a brand new HVAC with a 10 year warranty. (actually we have two HVAC because of the house set-up). We would have bought this house and froze to death this winter with a new baby come February. GOD PROVIDES

Thankfulness #2: The chimney inspector told us today that there had been a chimney fire before that had severely damaged our entire chimney. Basically, if we use this chimney, we will burn our house down from inside the walls. Since the chimney runs upstairs near our kids room, that's very serious. The stove pipe issue that brought the fire department out was a different issue. But I feel now it was a warning from God not to use it again until someone looked at it. It is a very sobering thought to know just how much God is looking out for us and to realize how serious of a situation it was. GOD PROTECTS

Tera made the point tonight that when it seems God is doing things we don't like or understand, He is really just keeping us safe. How awesome to be reminded of how much God loves us and protects us.

Our Robin Hoods

For Halloween the kids dressed up like Robin Hood. Our camera is messed up right now, so this picture was taken at a Trunk or Treat.

Letters to God

Weekly Update- Nov. 10-14

This has been a busy week for us. We had Monday Fun at the beginning of the week. JP has been working at least 2, 10 hour days every week and this Saturday will be the second one in a row he has had to work. That always tires us out so bad. Thursday I had a dr.'s appt. and then today we had a fieldtrip. The kids had a great time. They both made hand dipped candles. JP took Daniel to the pioneer skills and weapons demonstrations while Tera and I went to the museum and schoolhouse. Muskets and Ax throwing were more their style than ours. We had a Thanksgiving dinner and met some really nice people in our homeschool group.

Daniel has latched onto one kid and we are trying to help him direct his energy from just one person to a larger group of kids. Daniel is a very one on one kid, he doesn't like big group interaction but instead conversation and play by himself or one on one. So we are trying to help him be more adaptable. We are encouraging him to talk to someone different and not just talk to this one kid who is older than him. I have to be honest, having opportunities for the kids to get together with other kids has been a struggle for us. With JP's work schedule, moving and my health, we have been limited in this area. We thought given their personalities, Tera would have more problems but it seems Daniel is the one missing the interaction more. Please pray for us in this area. It is a constant prayer of mine, that God will provide someone for our kids. We know that God provides all that we need. We have to trust him for the intangibles, too.

Daniel has an eye doctor appointment next week. We are coming up on the end of Monday Fun for this semester. It starts again in January or February. I won't be teaching because of the baby, but we are planning on the kids taking classes again. They really do love going and learn so much.

2 week appointments already?

I went to the Doctor today for a regular checkup. Everything was great. I had gained some weight-I won't say how much but let's just say I made up for last month when I only gained a pound. I usually have one big month in my pregnancies where I gain a little more than normal, but oh well. That explains my needing to buy maternity clothes last week for the first time this pregnancy so I cannot complain too much.

Anyway, I go back in 2 weeks for my glucose test. As I was making the appointment which by the way is at 7:45 AM. That's going to be a killer. The receptionist said, "After that you go to 2 week appointments." I said "Already?" I cannot believe it. It really has seemed like this pregnancy is flying by. I am sure I'll have to remind myself of that feeling in another month or so.

Family Game Night

We have a Sunday Night tradition ever since my husband was pastoring full-time. Sunday night is Pizza Night and we watch old TV shows on DVD. Our repertoire consisted of The Andy Griffith Show and have added in the past two years- The Muppet Show-Season 1 and The Adventures of Robin Hood from the late 50s. Our kids have really looked forward to this every week. Well, we have gotten just a little burned out on these shows, so we decided to propose a game night to the kids. They jumped at the chance. My only catch was no kiddie games- I wanted more mature games. We decided since both the kids can read very well now that this was doable. My husband and I used to play games all the time before we had kids, so we have quite a few. We decided to try Pictionary. Not Pictionary, Jr. but the real deal. My dad bought me this game when I was a teenager and when we would visit him, he always played and beat me. It used to make me so mad. My dad was very smart, he always beat me in Trivial Pursuit, too.

Anyway, we found a roll of old newspaper print type paper in our new house hidden in one of the upstairs closets. We brought down Tera's easel and attached some paper to it. JP and I did a few practice draws to let the kids see how to play. Then we were off. Daniel and I were a team. Tera and JP made up the other team. We were so impressed with them. None of us are very great artists but it was awesome. It was the best evening I think we have had in forever. Both the kids want to play it this week. Daniel who usually gets upset if he cannot do something just right, had a very good attitude. The kids said it as much fun as Dollywood. Now there's a recommendation for you.

Weekly Update Nov. 3-7

Sorry for the lack of pictures, we have to get our digital camera repaired. It only takes inside pictures that are in low light, we don't know what it's doing.

Anyway. It seems right now school is like the second trimester of pregnancy. You are just mundanely getting through. Nothing real exceptional. I am recovering from my sinus stuff and now Tera is suffering. JP is clearing out our little storage unit we have had since we moved to Tennessee. We now have a place to store things so we don't need to shell out $25 a month for a few boxes.

The kids are doing so good in school. They both read an hour a day and are doing exceptional in math. We love our handwriting books this year. It is Scripture based so the kids practice writing a Bible verse a week. Science and Social Studies have been a struggle for us this year but we are getting on track and learning about Colonial America. After Christmas we are starting a new curriculum that is based around Missions. We will adapt it to fit our family but it incorporates learning a language, family devotions, geography and history. We will continue with math, spelling and handwriting in addition to it. But I am very excited.

Next week, we are going on a fieldtrip to the Sam Houston Schoolhouse. Yes, it is the same Sam Houston from the Alamo. He was a teacher in Tennessee before going to Texas. It will be an 1800's Thanksgiving. I am taking a turkey, (don't know what I was thinking). Next time I'll sign up for rolls. It should be a fun day for the kids.

We are also excited about a new thing on the Internet. The founder of Veggie Tales, Phil Vischer has started a mini kids network called Jelly Telly. It has 20 minutes of programming everyday online that is Christian based. You subscribe for $2.99 a month. We do not have cable, and frankly never want it again. But this is awesome, the kids love it and learn so much. It is a variety show that has all different kinds of "spots". One is What Could You Do? which spotlights helping others in your community. Another is Missions: which show MK's from all over the world. It is so awesome to have something uplifting for kids. Recommend this to anyone you know with kids, it's great.

Thankful for Healthy Kids

The kids had their checkups on Friday, starting with Tera at the dentist. Tera received compliments from the hygienist and the dentist on how great she is brushing her teeth. I had noticed she is not losing any more teeth. Well, the dentist said she doesn't have permanent ones to replace her baby teeth yet. So he is checking with an orthodontist to see what options we have about that. We gave her strict instructions not to be wiggling any baby teeth. But we are going to be praying that God will work at miracle before her next check up in May. Daniel goes to the dentist in December.

We went for pizza, carved a pumpkin, watched Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin, decorated their pumpkins they got at the dentist office and got ready for doctor's visits. I took Daniel and JP went with Tera. We knew they were getting the flu shots and Tera doesn't really like shots so we sent Daddy with her. They had to pee in a cup, get their fingers pricked and have a thorough exam. They are both in good weight/height percentages and overall amazingly healthy. JP said Tera did awesome and did not even cry when she got her shot. Daniel who never complains, didn't like having his finger pricked and yelled when he got his shot. He said it felt like someone stuck him with a sword. He was dressed up like Robin Hood, so I told him to pretend it was a battle wound. That didn't change his complaint.

We came home and went back out for two trunk or treats. JP and the kids also went around the neighborhood but nobody was giving out candy and it was frankly kinda scary. We won't be doing that next year. They watched the Disney Icabod Crane and Mr. Toad, JP borrowed from a co-worker. Thanks Billy. They loved it. We ate the leftover pizza while we watched and after a few treats, they got in bed around 9 PM. It was a great day.

Weekly Update Oct. 27-31

I thought I would give an update today because tomorrow we are going to be like a tornado. Dentist appointment for Tera in the morning, Kids getting their reading awards for the month at Pizza Hut, Both kids going for physicals and flu shots in the afternoon and then Halloween stuff. JP has the day off so being the genius I am I decided to fill the whole day up. JP has been working 10 hour days every day this week at work except for Monday. So our whole week has felt a bit strange. The kids always have a hard time adjusting when Daddy works a lot of overtime. But it's almost over and we survived.

We are 23 weeks today and at this point things are just ordinary. Baby is kicking a lot and hard. Tera actually felt him kick through my shirt. I don't remember the others kicking that hard this early, but it's been a while. We don't go back to the dr. for another 2 weeks but everything seems good.

We were going to volunteer at a community Trunk or Treat, but I started getting a really bad sore throat last night. I woke up this morning having a hard time swallowing without pain. I couldn't sleep so I got up and ate some toast, drank a big glass of orange juice and took some Tylenol. Besides gargling salt water and drinking hot fruit tea, that is about all I know to do for a sore throat when you are pregnant. I do not like to take medicine if I do not have to. I am not running a fever, and as long as I keep drinking fluids it doesn't hurt as bad. So when the guy called to confirm our volunteering tomorrow, I bowed out. I cannot sit outside at night with a sore throat and expect to get better. I also do not want to make myself sicker. So we will do our own thing this year, which may mean a trunk or treat at a smaller church with JP taking the kids. I will probably stay at home and give out candy to any kids who may come by.

I am so tired right now, I did not get a lot of sleep and plan on getting in bed soon after the kids tonight. I think with lots of rest, orange juice and prayer this thing will get better. I would appreciate any prayers, this is the first time I have been sick in almost a year.

Weekly Update

This is one of those uneventful weeks. We had Monday Fun and have spent the rest of the week at home going through the routine. Tera is taking a Music Theory class and her teacher gave her a song to learn this week-Yankee Doodle on the keyboard. So we bought an adapter since we cannot find our other one and set up my keyboard that has gathered dust for the past few years. She has practiced every day and is doing really well. Her teacher is a piano teacher and asked if we ever thought about Tera taking lessons. She said Tera would be a very good student for piano. So I am going to work with her through the spring semester and make sure she is serious about taking lessons. The going rate is around $70 a month for 4 half -hour lessons. Since we are watching our money closely, that seemed high so I want to make sure she is serious before we invest that kind of cash. If she is serious, hopefully she can start maybe next summer. She seems to really enjoy it and is very dedicated (her first week). Daniel likes to compose his "own" music on the keyboard. He has always liked to do it his way. I told him he could take the music class next time but he refused. He said Tera could teach him what she knows, but then when she tries he refuses to listen to her. OH well.

Both kids want to be Robin Hood for Halloween. It has been crazy trying to piece together the costumes but we are down to accessories and off to the thrift store tomorrow to look for quiver materials among other small things. A while back JP bought a DVD set of an old black and white Robin Hood TV series from the 50s. The kids love it and would watch it everyday if I let them. They read every kids version of Robin Hood, they can find. They make bows and arrows out of sticks and strings in the yard and have quarterstaff fights. I didn't even know what a quarterstaff was until I asked them. It seems strange but I am so glad they like Robin Hood compared with some of the things out there.

We have an opportunity to give out candy at a community Trunk or Treat. We are praying about it. This will be the first thing in the community we have done as a church. Our house church is just us right now, but we want to be the Church no matter what our size. It is really exciting to have the opportunity to serve.

The baby is doing well. Kicking hard already. We haven't had any problems this week and yesterday marked 22 weeks. JP is working a good deal of overtime right now but it is helping us after the move. Since overtime comes in spurts (there are months when he doesn't have any) we are not going to complain about it now.

Well, that's it for now, have a great weekend.

Up Close and Personal with the Fire Department

Sunday night, JP decided to try out the nice big wood stove we have in our new house. We have had wood stoves and fire places in several places we have lived so he is very familiar with them. He started the fire about 7 PM, the kids went to bed and I followed soon after. JP was chillin out on the computer and I fell asleep. About 1 AM, I heard him talking on the phone and telling me to get up to get the kids out of the house. He said the stove pipe was glowing bright red near the wall and the wall was so hot he could barely keep his hand on it. Like I said, he is a pro at fire places but he was freaked out. He called 911 which is something he said he has never done in his life. There was no smoke or fire coming out anywhere except the glowing pipe. We are so fortunate we live walking distance from the volunteer fire department. They didn't even use the sirens, but coasted down the hill to our house. The kids and I walked down to the car and I was glad we all wore warm clothes to bed and I thought to grab a blanket. By the time we walked down to the car, I was shivering. JP came down and started the car heat and he went back to wait for the fire department. They came in and checked the whole house out and choked off the wood stove. They used an imaging system which let them see through the walls to check for heat. It cooled down a lot while they were here and needless to say we will not be using it again until we have it inspected and cleaned. The fireman said when someone cleaned it they probably knocked some cresote or old ashes down into the pipe and it caught on fire.

They told us we could subscribe to the fire department for $50 a year or pay $1700 for them to come out to a fire. The $50 covers any time they come out. Since we are new, we do not have to pay for this time because we didn't know but we will definitely register and pay the $50 bucks gladly.

After the firemen left and we got the kids back in the bed around 1:30 AM, we got in bed and thanked the Lord for sparing us and our house. We realized how fortunate and blessed we were and thought of all those who do not have such wonderful outcomes.

The funniest thing was the next day at work, JP said some guy on first shift called him over. He said I thought I recognized you last night. The head fireman was a co-worker of JP's. Isn't that crazy!