Alphabet Hop/Numbers Hop

It’s time for “Something I Made Monday!!!”  Every Monday I’ll do a post and step by step on something that I made.  It’s pretty self-explanatory. 

Here is my first “Something I Made”.  Enjoy. 

Most of you know that my husband, Derek, was homeschooled.  We also want to home school our children.  I’m so excited to do this because I looove to play “teacher” and I love to make things that can be used as learning tools. 

This item that I have made will be used to help our children with Letter and Number recognition.  This was totally just something I thought up one day.  I didn’t borrow the idea from any source, if I had, I would give credit where credit is due.  If there is another something out there like this, which I’m sure there is, then hooray for us for having such a good idea! ;]

I call this Alphabet Hop/Numbers Hop.  It’s a very simple little tool made with things you can collect around your home.  I save EVERYTHING.  It drives my husband crazy, but I just can’t bear to throw things away when they could be very useful at some point in the future! Voila!   The product and its step-by-step…

Alphabet Hop/Numbers Hop

This is made of two pieces of this square foam-like cardboard that I have been saving forever.  I can’t remember where it came from, but I knew when I saved it that one day it would be very handy.  I used a baby food jar lid to trace the circles.  You need to trace it 26 times for the alphabet and however many you want for the numbers.  I chose to go up to 30.  This is done very simply with permanent markers.  I wrote the letters and numbers in the circles by hand.  Then I colored in the background between the circles with marker.  It was too white, otherwise.  Once the board was constructed, I “laminated” it with packaging tape (this is a super thrifty way to seal things up that you don’t want to get wrecked.)  I didn’t want the marker to get smeared all over, or the board to get dirty.  You can always wipe the packaging tape clean with a damp cloth.  Just try to lay the tape out flat as you cover the board or you’ll have air bubbles and wrinkles all over.  (*note:  I use this method to cover pretty much anything that I plan on using more than once.)

Now, this activity can be done 1 of 2 ways.  But you need to do it WITH your child, at first, at least.  You need to be available to name the letters or numbers until he or she can identify them on their own. 

Notice the alphabet side.  See the round pink plastic things with the letters written on them?  Those are milk jug lids.  I’ve been saving them for a loooong time, as you can see.  But they’re perfect!  Your child pulls out a lid, looks at the letter, then looks at the board and has to match the lid to its letter.  Simple!   Be sure to make enough milk lids for each side, numbers AND letters.

Observe the number side.  Remember those plastic frogs that you push on the tab on their back and it makes them jump?  I got them at Wal-Mart -- 8 for $0.97!!  Once your child learns their letters/numbers, this is a great way to review.  Pop the little frog on the board, and whatever number or letter he lands on your child has to name! 

I know, I know.  It’s so simple.  Roen loves it, though.  And it’s good to make learning fun.  I hope this will be helpful to you to use for your home school, preschool, day care, or just for fun with your kids or grandkids!  :]  Let me know how it worked out for you!

Sunday Funday

It’s Sunday and we’ve had a full and enjoyable day.  I’m so glad God provided us with one guaranteed day of rest and a time to be together as a family.  And I’m very thankful that my husband wants to honor God’s wish in keeping this day as “work free” as possible.

Sunday school was pretty emotional for me.  We’re studying through the book of Job.  He endured much loss and mourning.  I can relate to him.  We discussed how, whether in trial or blessing, it’s all about how you respond.  Can you really say, “The LORD giveth and the LORD taketh away, Blessed be the name of the LORD…” (– Job 1:21) when something devastating happens in your life?  God has shown me that I can.  I can trust God and all His ways.  And I thank Him for teaching me that.

After church we debated what to do for lunch.  Eat at home?  Pizza Hut?  Pizza Ranch?  We chose Pizza Ranch.  We’re so glad we did!!  The place was packed, but we figured that was normal for Sunday.  It turns out this was their last day doing business!!  They were closing their doors! :[  We love the food at Pizza Ranch.. but this particular store we love because of the people and the atmosphere.  We eat here a lot.  We’ll be sad to see it gone.  They didn’t close for lack of business.  One owner purchased a different store in a different town which would be much more profitable to her.  The other owner is older and ready to retire and just doesn’t want to hassle with it anymore.  So, sadly, this small Iowa town will lose a great drawing card.  It brought lots of visitors to the area.  So long, Pizza Ranch!  It’s still for sale, however.  So maybe someday it will re-open.

On our way home my sister called and asked if our niece could come over to get help decorating her AWANA grand prix car.  AWANA is a children’s ministry outreach.  It’s an after school program that our church (and many others) participates in.  The children play games, learn Bible stories, and memorize scripture.  Derek and I used to volunteer before we had children.  I’m hoping next year Roen can join.  I think he would love it, and I want him to hide as much of God’s word in his heart as he possibly can.  (By the time he was two he already had a handful of Bible verses memorized!!) 

Anyway, the AWANA grand prix is just a night of fun where everyone makes a car, much like the “pine car derby” the boy scouts do.  You race your car down a sloped track and shoot for 1^st place.  I’m more into the design aspect of it.  I’ve never been fast at anything in my life, so I don’t even expect to make a fast car.  So I helped our niece make a very cute car.  I have tons of craft materials at home, and we had everything we needed. 

She did all of the work, I just helped with one major detail.  She’s very excited as the race will fall on her 9^th birthday!  Derek will put the wheels on for her later, as that is his speciality.  We’re hoping to make a car for Roen and Audrey to race, too.  I can’t tell you what they look like yet because a judge may be reading this and I don’t want to ruin their chances of winning a design prize! ;]

Hope you all enjoyed your Sunday.  Time to jump back into the work week!  This weekend went by way too fast!

Week of Photos

Near the end of every week I'll post a big old bunch of photos from the past 7 days as kind of a review.  Hope you enjoy! 

      Audrey Lee, 19 months

Crazy-Hair Audrey!  This little girl is a ball of laughs!  She cracks me up.  I tell people this all the time, but she is the funniest little kid I've ever met!  She's also very sweet.  She loves her brother and her baby sister very much.  She's daddy's girl all the way.  This week she has wanted to sleep with her 2 favorite baby dolls at every nap and every bedtime.  She is going potty on the potty off and on, she's being kinda stubborn about it.  She's learning to say new words all the time.  It's really fun because she can understand directions and fetch things for Momma!  :D

               Roen Scott, 3 yrs

My boy, Roen.  He's been loving his new books, playing with his friend, "Buddy", building with legos, and playing with his tractors and trucks.  He's helped me make breakfast many times this week.  He toasts our bread, and spreads the peanut butter and jelly.  He likes to add raisins on there, too.  He's having a lot of fun with a squirt gun that he found in the basement one day.  Daddy lets him play with it in the shower. 

Hannah Grace, 4 months

This little sweetie is really starting to reach out and grab for things.  Her eye-hand coordination is really improving.  She wants to grab and hold and suck on anything.  She has a favorite rattle that she loves to play with, it's silver and very shiny, I think that's why she likes it so much.  She doesn't like to lay down flat or lay back in a bouncer for very long, she likes to sit up and see what's going on.  The Bumbo is really helping strengthen her back.  I think she'll be sitting up on her own looong before my other children did.  She loves to kick one leg all the time, too.

Date Night!

It's been awhile, a long while, since Derek and I got to go on a date.  His aunt Carol and one of his little sisters, Emma, came over and watched the children so we could go out to eat.  We chose the new restaurant, Teluwhat, in Lake Mills.  It was good.  We got to share dessert, too.  It's so nice to be able to just go out every once in a while.  Thank you, Carol and Emma! 

We also enjoyed a nice visit from Dad and Loretta.  We got to talk about Taylor and they shared some new information that may (or may not) have had an impact on him.  It's still so hard to believe that he's really, really gone.  And the way that he went... it just breaks my heart every time it hits me.  How could he not know how loved he was? 

I always look forward to time with Dad and Loretta because it's a special time to share memories about Taylor and just talk about him.  Yes, sometimes we cry.  But all we have left are our memories..  Most people don't know what to say, so they don't say anything.  That.. is not helpful.  It makes me feel like others are sick of hearing about him.  I'm sure that's not the case, but I WANT to talk about my brother. 

Anyway.. sorry if this post turned out to be a downer.  We really did have a good day.  Very, very thankful for time to spend with family.  I got to read a lot of books to my son, get some cleaning done with my husband, go out just the two of us, and chat with some family members that we love very much!  I thank God for all He has given to us, even for the storms, because He doesn't leave us without help through them.

"For I know the plans I have for you; declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you,  Plans to give you a hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

Favorite Finds Friday!

(After each of my shopping extravaganzas I will post photos of my favorite finds for all to enjoy!)

First of all, I have to say I had a great day yesterday!  Even though it was freezing cold.  Can we even say it was just freezing?  Because it was -30 degrees with the windchill.  No kidding.  But I braved the Siberian weather to get out of the house on my own and gather food for the fam and gather goods for buy/sell/trade.  (I told you, I'm obsessed.)  It really is a great way to make some money, and it's something I can do from home while caring for our family.  Win/Win. 

I have to start with this.  I was hoping Derek could get home early because I had a lot of other errands to run before I even started shopping.  I had some sale items to deliver and sale purchases to pick up.  When I said early I was hoping like.. 4pm.  He surprised me and got home at 11 am!!  AND he came with this beautiful bouquet of flowers AND my favorite raspberry salad from the deli in town!  love love love.  He's so sweet. 

Ok, Ok, Ok... onto my FAVORITE FINDS!!!!!





I found this little metal bird earlier this week.  I had to include it.  It's my all-time fav. color. 
It goes great in my kitchen.  And guess where I found it... Dollar General.  Yep.

I really wanted a Baby Bullet after hearing good reviews from friends.
Low and behold.. I found this one on buy/sell/trade.  Brand new.  I paid $30.  WHAT!



We love Golden Books at our house, especially the old ones.
I got all of these for less than I would have paid for ONE brand new.
There are a couple missing from the photo because Roen ran off with them.



I love this frame!  I can't wait to repaint it and make it into a monogram!!



These canisters are so cute!  They're ceramic, but look like they've been stitched.
I'm selling them on buy/sell/trade on facebook.
I researched them on Google and they're selling for a decent amount on ebay and etsy.
These are in perfect condition, too.  The ones I found online were never full sets.



I debated keeping this for myself.  It's a 2qt. glass pitcher.
Also in perfect condition.  Also being sold on buy/sell/trade.


I found many, many more very cool items yesterday, but these were my tops.  I found so many items to repurpose.  Ahhh... I can't wait!  I need it to warm up so I can spray paint!

Fin.











*WINNER! WINNER! WINNER!*

Thank you to all who are showing an interest in our family!  A very special "thank you" to our friend, Hope, for being our blogs first follower!!  :]  Because she took the initiative.. we decided to award her with this...

This is a framed 8x10 handcut monogram made by me.  When I say handcut.. I mean handcut.  I took a pair of scissors and cut.  The end.  Not trying to sound conceited, but this is a special talent of mine that I really enjoy.  I got lots of "cutting" practice when I used to do in-home day care.

You're probably thinking, "I didn't know there was a contest going on..."  There wasn't!  At least, not one that I announced.  You have to watch out for me.  I'm tricky like that.  You never know when I might decide to give out some other awesome prize.  So always be ready.. and participate.  That's all I'm going to say.

But don't fret.  I am going to be selling custom and pre-made monograms like this one in the very, VERY near future.  Please check back often. 

Thanks to all who have followed our blog since the prize was announced.  We really appreciate it.  :]

Please Pray...

Dear friends and family,

Years ago when I was in college I learned a bit of information that put an idea in my head.  That idea has come back to me off and on over the years.  The idea became a dream, one of those things you would love to do, but never really thought would become a reality.  As of late... this dream is getting bigger and bigger and I can't stop thinking about it. 

You're probably wondering what on earth I'm talking about.  I can't share any of the details right now.  I don't know when or if I'll ever be able to.  I think the reason this dream is becoming so big to me at this point in time is because a deadline has been put upon it.  If it is not accomplished in a certain amount of time, it may never be. 

Please, will you pray?  You don't know the details, and right now, you don't need to.  God knows.  He knows how much I want this, how important it is to me, and it is important to Him.  This is not some selfish thing that I want for myself.  It truly is a worthy goal.  Please pray first and foremost, that God would keep this on my heart.  Secondly, pray that the deadline will cease to exist.  Thirdly, please pray for a miracle!!!!!   We will need one to accomplish this desire. 

I appreciate it so much.  God will show us if this is His will for our lives.  For now, I'll keep these verses in my heart:

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
                               - Romans 8:28

"who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,"
                               - 2 Timothy 1:9