One on One attention!

Both of the girls redeemed their valentine coupon, for a special with mom...
All by themselves!

I was surprised that they both wanted their own pop!
They weren't together...and they both thought that was the BIGGEST treat!

It was only 1 hour...
and yet it was a life time of memories!
I will NOT be waiting for a coupon for our next special...
We are going to make this a part of our regular routine!

I have arranged for a babysitter to come over every Tues. and I will take one child on a special of their choice for an hour!

Love Dare- Day 38

Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.
-Psalms 37:4

Today's Dare:
Ask yourself what your mate would want if it was obtainable. Commit this to prayer, and start mapping out a plan for meeting some (if not all) of their desires, to whatever level you possibly can.

Health Quote!

Quote for today comes from Kim's comment yesterday...so if you have already read it...now apply it!
It served me well last night at dinner! I did not even read the dessert menu...just enjoyed my salad.
You know what it works!

"If you concentrate on what you can have, then the things that you can't have don't seem like such a loss."

Day 37 - Love agrees in prayer

If two of you on earth about that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father.
- Mathew 18:19

Today's Dare:
Ask your spouse if you can begin praying together. Talk about the best time to do this, whether it's in the morning, your lunch hour, or before bedtime. Use this time to commit your concerns, disagreements, and needs before the Lord. Don't forget to thank Him for His provision and blessing. Even if your spouse refuses to do this, resolve to spend this daily time in prayer yourself.

My thoughts:
I can't believe we are almost done!
I love prayer; the one person who can heal anything even marriages, is Our Heavenly Father!

Teeny Tiny Bits of JOY!

This week I took the three small kids and headed to my sisters, to help her with the cooking and cleaning while she rested up from having her 4th kid!
Oh it was so much fun!
He is tiny!

Mom and Baby are Happy and Healthy...how can you ask for anything more!

Everyone is pitching in to help out!
Jayden is a kindest teenager I have ever seen.
He is so gentle and loving to all the kids...even when they destroyed his room everyday with all there toys!

These two almost twins...just different moms...couldn't get enough of sweet Bralyn!

Luke and Madyson played the hours away ...and are still playing...(we brought Madyson home with us for a week!)

This is my teeny tiny bit of Joy!
Eating his first cracker...
I don't know when it happened...but he was tiny, until we got to Shauna's, and saw the new baby!
Now he looks so BIG!
I just want to savor every moment of his life and yet it is flying by!

Right around 20 years ago my dad was diagnosed with diabetes.
He had a choice to make; take the insulin and live life how he had always lived it.
Or
Face the disease face on and take control!
He chose to TAKE CONTROL!
He opted NOT to take drugs and to control his diabetes with diet and exercise!
His doctor told him, that this could not be done for very long and that he would have to take the medicine.
Twenty years later, and medicine free!
I am so proud of my DAD and the example he set in changing his lifestyle and living healthier and happier!

This has not been an easy road.
Life long diseases never are!
But he taught us how to important our bodies are and that we only have one!

When he came and stayed with me a couple of years ago...every morning he would make a GIGANTIC salad...and that is what he would eat!
Sounds boring- huh?
There was nothing boring about his salads...
He had developed a salad making art!
They were delicious!
Full of color, texture, and TASTE!
Every day they were different and exciting!

So for this fitness challenge....going into our 2nd weekend!
Let's take control of what we want and reach our goals!
Stay Focused!

Here is my Dad's motto:
"Life begets life; Death begets death!"
(pertaining to what we eat)

Day 36 - Love is God's Word

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

Today's Dare:
Commit to reading the Bible every day. Find a devotional book or other resource that will give you some guidance. If your spouse is open to it, see if they will commit to daily Bible reading with you. Begin submitting each area of your life to its guidance and start building on the Rock.

Muscles do burn more calories!

It is true...
Muscles do burn more calories!
Try to incorporate 2 or 3 days a week of weight training!
If you do not have a membership or access to a gym...there are plenty of home remedies.

Push up, Pull ups, Squats, Leg Lunges, and Jumps can all be done at home without weights, and they will still build muscle!

Bands are another inexpensive way to add resistance to home weight training.
Robin gives detail instructions of how to use bands at home!

Day 35 - Love is accountable

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
-Proverbs 15:22

Today's Dare:
Find a marriage mentor- someone who is a strong Christian and who will be honest and loving with you. If you feel that counseling is needed, then take the first step to set up an appointment. During this process, ask God to direct your decisions and discernment.

Basketball season ends!

Brooke's Basketball season is over...and it was a BLAST!
I made the same medals that I made for the family olympics to give each of her team mates.
And then we gave them a Certificate of Achievment!

Healthy Tip!

I don't know about you...but do you ever go to the grocery store and wonder "what to buy?"

The best rule I have heard for healthy shopping is to shop the perimeter of the store.
That is where all the fresh products are!
If you start going into the aisle....it is all processed!
So strive this week to shop more of the perimeter!

Day 34- Love Celebrates Godliness

(Love) does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.
-1 Corinthians 13:6

Today's Dare:
Find a specific, recent example when your spouse demonstrated Christian character in noticeable way. Verbally commend them for this at some point today.

Colored Tape!

I saw this idea on Deborah's preschool blog...and loved it!
I ordered the colored tape from Amazon and planned to set it up just like she did...
Instead...I walked into the kitchen with Luke and all his colorful tape!
I said, "Luke, what are you doing?"
"Making something"
"With just tape?"
"YES, this is very pretty tape!"

Soon he was back grabbing the bag of apples...
Once again I asked, "What are you going to do with those?"
"Mom, I'm making stuff!"

I followed the rules of not saying anything, or offering any help...just allow him to create!
Soon the sisters were inquiring "What's Luke doing"
I just told them, "creating"
They were puzzled, but soon got to work with what he had...they added some scissors!

Luke asked for some sticks...he wanted to make a snowman...so I gave him toothpicks.
That is Luke's snowman.
He used quite a bit of tape..but I didn't see much on the finished product...I'm not sure what he did with it?

Brooke eventually went down to the craft room and made these Popsicle sticks...which she gave to Brady as toys...and he loves them!

Chelsea made this snowman!
Check out the details!
I love the mittens and the striped nose!

Stay Focused!

I am a perfect example of why the scale is not a good measurement of how you are doing!
Mid week I had lost 5 pounds.
Well, when I got on the scale today for my weekly weigh in I was back up 4 pounds.
Why?
There a million reasons:
It could be I am building muscle and muscle weighs more than fat....
or
water weight and it will all come together in a few weeks!

But I do know that my measurements have decreased.
Not a lot, but still...1 week and I have lost 1 1/2 inches on my waist!
YIPPEE!
Yesterday for church, I put my skirt on and it fit just a tad better.
This is what I am looking for!

I want to feel better!

I want to feel GOOD in my clothes!

I am so proud of how well everyone is doing!
Let's have a better week this week....strive to get more points this week than last week!

If you would like to join us on our fitness challenge just comment and let me know you are on board!

Day 33- Love completes each other!

If two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?
-Ecclesiastes 4:11

Today's Dare:
Recognize that your spouse is integral to your future success. Let them know today that you desire to include them in your upcoming decisions, and that you need their perspective and counsel. If you have ignored their input in the past, admit your oversight and ask them to forgive you.

Family Olympics!

I have been so excited to have a Family Olympics!
We love any and all reasons to have a PARTY!
And we love the Olympics...
So Let's Party!

We did a torch relay...
Once the torch was placed on the mountain...the games were ready to start!
Here are all our olympians!

Downhill belly slide

Down hill roll!

Snowball fight!
Everyone has 3 lives...

Once you are hit 3 times you die!

Double leg jumping race!

The swing jump!

We also had snow running
ice cycle throw
standing long jump

Everyone won a gold medal!

While I was planning mine, I came across two other blogs with great ideas...which I used in mine as well...so check out Alpha Mom (she details how to make the torch and the cookie gold medals) Also, Princess and the Frog !

Fitness is for Children also!

I strongly believe in finding ways to exercise with our kids.
If we teach them that it is fun now....then when they are adults it will come natural!
I found these Superman Fit Kid Cards at Walmart!
They are amazing!
It includes lots of games you can play... so the kids don't feel like they are "working out."
I bought them Saturday and right away my 2 oldest girls wanted to play.
If you do this for 30 min. I guarantee you will have a fantastic workout!
My younger ones joined in too...the exercises are a little tough for the young ones.

Don't worry I have a free printable set that I found for the younger ones.
Go all the way to the bottom and print the activity set.
I have been doing these with all of the kids for weeks now.
and once again you will get a work out in and the young ones will LOVE you!
Example of these cards:
Jog in place while saying the ABC's
20 Bunny hops
15 Jumping Jacks

Today is Monday so don't forget to tally your points and report them to me..either through comments or email.

I personally got 29 points for week 1!

Day 32 - Love meets sexual needs

The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
-1 Corinthians 7:3

Today's Dare:
If at all possible, try to initiate sex with your husband or wife today. Do this in a way that honors what your spouse has told you (or implied to you) about what they need from you sexually. Ask God to make this enjoyable for both of you as well as a path to greater intimacy.

Healthy Weekends!

I don't know about you but the weekends are the toughest for me!
For some reason, I can do everything perfect and then Friday hits and I fall apart!

This weekend has been different!
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE FITNESS CHALLENGE!

Remember that tomorrow is the time to tally points...if you are keeping track!
I have had so much fun keeping track of points... know that I am accountable to you!

Check out 6 lala's for another great snack idea!

I'm so Glad When Daddy Comes Home!

Dad has to travel M-F, 2 or 3 times a month.
The kids really miss him!

They worked super hard to leave him a note in the snow!
So he would know how much we love him!

I never realized how much work it is to get BIG messages in the snow. You have to spray a lot of colored water. Next time we are going to use colored hair spray!

Day 31 - Day Love and Marriage

A man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
-Genesis 2:24

Is there a "leaving" issue you haven't been brave enough to conquer yet? Confess it to your spouse today, and resolve to make it right. The oneness of your marriage is dependent upon it. Follow this with a commitment to your spouse and to God to make your marriage the top priority over every other human relationship.

Ice Cream Friday!

I bought the kids the mini haagen dazs ice cream!
They thought they were in heaven.
We have brain washed them into thinking this is the BEST ice cream ever created...at least we think so.
Usually when we buy it...it is Mommy and Daddy's ice cream!
This time it was theirs and I didn't even ask for a bite!
I loved how they savored it!
They played tic tac toe on the top until all the tops were tic tac toed up!

Day 30 - Love Brings Unity

Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.
- John 17:11

Today's Dare:
Isolate one area of division in your marriage, and look on today as a fresh opportunity to pray about it. Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oneness with your spouse. Pray that He would do the same for them. And if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity.

Everything is clicking!

F is For Four!

This week has been so fun...all the sudden I can tell all of our work is finely clicking!
I said, "Why don't we do F for Fish?"
Luke said, "well, we could do Fish, or Frog, maybe even Football, but I like Four!"
Oh my goodness, he understands the sounds!
I was so excited!
Then he says, "Four is like more, let's make more fours!"
I'm the happiest mom teacher ever...he understands all I'm teaching!

In the winter we do quite a few blanket picnics.
So for school today we had a one with our friends.
Each of them could bring two friends.
That was a difficult decision!

It was fun as I watched Luke count his friends + him = 3 and then add Annika and her friends =6.
He helped me figure out how many plates we needed and some of the animals did not want certain food, so he helped me figure out how much of each item we would need.

Tiger is raising his hand for some juice!

Annika was only interested after she finished her sandwhich1

Kitten was not invited and had to watch from the side...but Annika made sure she got to eat the crumbs.

Each of Annika's guest got to be thrown in the air...like daddy does...except dad catches them!

Then we measured a bunch of friends and figured out which one was tallest to shortest!

OH NUTS!

Almonds are a good choice for nuts...they make a great snack!
They are paired well with fresh fruit to give your snack a good balance of protein.
However, they are still high in fat, so you want to count out 15 - 20!

My cousin who is raw vegan...taught me to sprout my almonds...this reverses the content of fat vs protein.
So an unsprouted almond may be 10% protein and 90% fat...after it is sprouted it is 90% protien and 10% fat.
(my %'s may not be exact- this is the ratio she gave me)
This makes it a go to snack...easily available!

To Sprout:
You will need RAW almonds!
They must be raw...do not attempt to sprout salted roasted almonds!
Take the raw almonds and put them in a glass bowl, then put in enough water to just cover them!
Pop them in the frig...and give them 24hrs.
You do want to dump out the old water and put new water in daily!
They will puff up a little..and then they are ready to eat.
Usually takes 24 hrs.
Just leave them in the frig for a healthy snack.
Do not make too much at once!
Make a little...eat them...and then do it again.

Give it a try!

Love Dare - Love's Motivation

Render service with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men.
-Ephesians 6:7

Today's Dare:
Before you see your spouse again today, pray for them by name and for their needs. Whether it comes easy to you or not, say "I love you", then express love to them in some tangible way. Go to God in prayer again, thanking him for giving you the privilege of loving this one special person-unconditionally, the way HE both loves you.

String saves the day!

I think it is so healthy to have free play...
a time for kids to just use their own imagination...
and fill their time with creative fun together.
But, I always know that at some point the question will arise,
"What can we do now?"

I was sitting at the art table working on my running schedule (for my half marathon in June), when this question came. I really wanted to finish my schedule, so as I looked up to tell them to figure it out... I saw pink yarn!

I quickly cut off four large pieces of yarn and told them to see what they could make.
They were thrilled...and got right to work!

(Chelsea is crying in this picture, because she got poked in the eye just as I was taking the picture...what a trooper to try and pull off a smile in her pain!)

Present, flower, rope, and cat yarn ball!

Luke demonstrated how the rope works!

I needed just a few more minutes. So I told them to have one person start a story and illustrate it with the yarn...then each person can add to the story and the picture...in the end we would have a picture and a story!

They started with a hot air balloon!
And built what you could see from the balloon...2 houses and the horizon!

Super Fun and Easy!
And I finished my whole schedule!
Now I need to make one for Mark's 5K!

Get off the Scale!

If you must get on the scale, then make it part of your Monday routine.

If you are weighing every morning, it is easy to feel discouraged. Everyone is different, but usually there is quite a bit of variation when you first start a new fitness plan. Your body has to wake up, and then your metabolism has to kick into gear.

In running it really does not matter what you do to prepare for a race the week of the race. Your performance will depend on how you trained the weeks leading up to the race. My college coach taught me that what you do today will effect you in two weeks. I have found this rule to work in all aspects of my fitness life.

The results for this weeks "fitness challenge" should start to show in two weeks!

* if you prepare a healthy recipe that turned out delicious...PLEASE SHARE! just leave a comment letting us know that you have posted it and then everyone can go to your blog and check it out! If you do not have a blog...just leave us the recipe when commenting.

So far everyone seems to be doing great! I am so excited and I love to hear from everyone!

If there is anyone else who would like to join in we would love to have you on board!
just comment or email me and let me know you are participating!

Love Dare - Day 28

He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers.
-1 John 3:16

Today's Dare:
What is one of the greatest needs in your spouse's life right now? Is there a need you could lift from their shoulders today by a daring act of sacrifice on your part? Whether the need is big or small, purpose to do what you can to meet the need!

Might as well embrace it!

We had another 2 hour delay!
So I sent the girls out to get some snow...
and then we did a little experiment!
(This experiment is as old as the hills- but new to them!)
We measured the snow - 3in.
Then we all guessed how much water it would melt down to!
I won!!!!
We also guessed how long we thought it would take to melt!
I won again!

I would tell you the guesses and the results...but it's more fun to do with your kids...and guess yourself!

They loved it and wanted more experiments. I told them I would do more another day!

When I came home from the grocery store...
I found containers of stuff in water...all kinds of stuff!
Looked rather gross, so I started throwing them away...I had NO idea that they were trying to melt stuff in water!
I love when they take an idea and then allow it to lead them to think deeper!
Even if ritz crackers don't "melt"!