The BEST Christmas

"Mother birthing, father rejoicing, Jesus crying, angels proclaiming, shepherds praising. That night was anything but silent." ~ Burk Parsons

I just love Christmas! It is such a special time to celebrate the greatest gift ever given, Jesus!

There are so many post out there to create the PERFECT Christmas. I have to say that sounds stressful to me. Buying the best gifts, baking the best cookies, decorating inside and outside perfectly..

The truth is we do not need anyone to show us how to have the *perfect* Christmas. That day already happened when our Savior was born..

Keep your Christmas simple.. If you need ideas that are perfect for your family to make Christmas special, ask the Lord. He is creative and loves to pour out His ideas to you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Family Fun Games, No tv required!

The colder temps are here which means cozydays in! This time of year the tv can be clicked on more often...but I dont want my family spending time together watching the tv. That really is not spending time together! Our children are young for only a short time..family days truly are the *best* days of our lives parents! I have been praying for the Lord's help and creative ideas... prayed something like this.. "Lord please give us fun times together as a family, give us ideas what to we can do together." Oh how the Lord answers! We were playing a game the other night, nothing planned..it just happened.. my kiddos were lined up to hear the next, "Jesus says" command.. (Simon Says turned to Jesus Says, by request!) and I realized God has answered my prayer and we were having alot of fun together! *Thank you Lord*

Here are a few more, no tv, Family Fun Games:

Balloon Toss
Blow up a few balloons and toss them around to eachother. Keep hitting the balloon and dont let it fall on the ground! ~a sure hit for kids and parents!

My Family Owns a Grocery Store
and in the store they sell something that starts with A. Get it? Everyone asks yes or no questions to figure out the answer...exciting, a game with educational purpose, I cant deny I am a homeschool mom! ;) We all really love this game, my hubby likes to really try and stump us! Let me finish the game so you can get an idea. One of my children or hubby would ask me, "is it in the dairy aisle?" Me: "nope." Another question, "Is it red?" Me: Yes!" A few questions later, "Is it an Apple?!" Me: "You got it!" :) Simple, fun and educational! Winner! Now go try it!

You can also put a *new spin* on this game and play, My Family Owns A Resturaunt that Starts with the Letter... or My Family Owns a Zoo and we have an Animal that starts with..

I Spy
classic game..need I say more?

Simon Says, or Moses Says, or Jesus Says
;) Whatever you want to call it, its a fun and simple game! Shout commands like,

Crisscross applesauce!

Make a cow sound!

Close your eyes!

Lay down!

Shake your neighbors hand!

Touch your head!

Spin around!

Walk one step backwards!

There are seriously endless things you can get your children to do, how fun for parents! ;) Good way to get the energy out too!

Red Light, Green Light~
Pick a goal that your children need to get to, it could be mommy or daddy or the door. Everyone takes steps quickly when its Green Light but if you shout Red Light, its time to S T O P! Whoever gets to the destination, wins! *Easy*

Quick to Obey Game:
This game I learned from Michelle Duggar in one of her books. I explain to my children its very important that they are quick to obey Mommy and Daddy so they can be quick to obey the Lord's voice. Very important! I grab a bowl of m&m's, its just fun to give your children a sweet treat for doing such a great job. This is a good game around desert time! :) I give my children commands that are silly and commands that I would actually tell them to do on a day to day basis. "Sweetie, would you please go spin around 5 times?" If my child says, yes ma'm, happy to do it then completes the task: praise from mommy and a m&m! :) *win, win!*

Read:
Other ways we spend our evenings would be reading thru the series, "Box car Children." Also Laura Ingalls Wilder series.. What books do you like to read as a family? A great source is www.visionforum.com

Listening to C.D.'s
 Like Jonathan Parks is entertaining and educational!

Music
Memorize hymns and worship songs together..play an instrument, who cares if you are not that good, have fun and be silly together.

Family discussions
Talk with your children, plan something together.. talk about their favorite memory, look at old pictures, tell your children their birth story.. With thanksgiving right around the corner, ask everyone to write down what they are thankful for to be read aloud during dinner. Its so important to just talk as a family with no time limit!

What are some ways that you spend good family time together?? Would love to hear!

Linked with:

Our Simple Country Life

Joy in the Morning

  
 Morning J O Y~these 2 words bring me comfort, peace, encouragment and a smile.

Let me explain, my own time of tribulation. At night during my many trials I struggled. I would toss and turn with overwhelming worries. Satan threw many fiery arrows (Espesians 6:16) at my weakest time of the day. The air would feel so heavy and hot around me. My mind was in a war with fear, I could feel sweat form on my forehead. I would utter these words, faster and faster, "Jesus, I cast you all my burdens, you do not want me to worry...you have given me a sound mind..take away my fear." I would by the grace of Jesus fall asleep. In the night I would wake again- there the fears would flood in my mind again. Quickly I would pray for peace and fall back to sleep holding on to my Savior.

I would wake in the morning, the promises of scriptures would meet me... Joy in the morning. I was released from the drowning fear, a prisoner set free.

"...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalms 30:5

"Cause me to hear they loving-kindness in the morning." Psalms 143:8

If you have suffered nights with no peace of mind.. maybe you have forgot to do something that you needed to do, maybe you are going over what you need to do the next day, overwhelming guilt where you failed.. going thru a trial and cant see past it? Let me encourage you, to seek His face, pray to Him and give Him all your burdens..He wants to set you free..He wants to give you peace and go a step further with a
gift of J O Y in the MORNING!

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Our Simple Country Life

Missing

John 16:22 - And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

As most of you know, I lived in Nevada for almost 4years. We moved there from Michigan for a work oppurtunity for my husband. While living there, we comitted our lives to Christ...and I met some special ladies who became my wonderful friends. We prayed to move back to our home state and were blessed to have this answered. We have been *home* for 7months now.. and I have to say that sometimes my heart misses those dear friends. How wonderful it was to have friends who I can share my life with, friends for my children and lunch and dinner gatherings...so many wonderful memories. Friends who became my family for a short time.

Do you miss anyone, a friend or family? I know its not easy, I have had my heart ache for wanting to be near family and now my dear friends.

Today I thought of something, truly the Holy Spirit leading me.. when my heart pains to be near a person, pray for them. Pray that they will be blessed, heart filled with joy, for hope with any problem they may be facing, protection and that they would grow close to God.

I have to say that the pain lessened..and it felt good to take a few minutes and pray for the dear ladies I miss.

Praying is such a wonderful thing you can do.. Truly the best.

Children and Chores

I have always been a mom that asks my children to help clean and cook alongside me...to make their beds and pick up after themselves. Recently I decided to give the kids two types of chores: After Meal Chore & Daily Keep Up Chore.

I wrote down their chores on a sheet of paper, highlighted their name and magnected it on the fridge, to remind me and them! Once they complete their chore, I place a sticker. Helps me to see how often they accomplished their job and I feel it will give them the confidence and satisfaction of a good job. :)

After Meal Chore is basically helping me clean up after breakfast, lunch and dinner.. Chores given are: clear the table, wash the table, wash the chairs, sweep. I help them and start on the dishes. I started this chore because after lunch I like to get everything quickly cleaned up so we can finish our 'lesson time." After starting this chore, I have to say, I love that they dont rush off after their bellies are full..but that we stay together, lovingly serving!

Daily Keep Up Chore are areas where this mamma needs help ;) ..thats basically how I decide chores. Chores in my home that are given are: vacuum the living room, bathroom and kitchen trash taken out and put a new bag in, organize the shoe area (we have alot of shoes that easily pile up), putting the drying dishes away. Everyone is also responsible for making their bed..my oldest son asked if he could make my bed everyday for 10cents..lets just say I got the better deal on that but I love that he takes his chores a bit further..what a blessing!

I have also taught the children that we serve the Lord in each job we do. No stickers are awarded for those who grumble and complain....

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might..." Ecclesiastes 9:10

Have you ever read "One hundred and One More Devotions for Homeschool Moms, by Jackie Wellwood?"

If you homeschool or have thought about homeschooling, I encourage this book greatly! Anyways, Jackie writes a chapter on "Right hand and Left hand jobs." There are jobs we like and love to do, that come more easily to us, then there are jobs that are harder to do that we dislike. We need to teach and train our children that we have to do both kind of jobs in this world. Our sons will be providers for their families and most likely have to do quite a few right and left hand jobs. As mothers I accomplish a handful of left and right hand jobs esp when my hubby is away for work. With this lesson taught to my children, we switch the chores up..my oldest dislikes vacuming and my youngest loves it..they switch where my oldest has to vacuum. Keeps the chores fresh and exciting in a way.. "whats my chore going to be mommy!?" ;) The child that has completed the chore for a few weeks then gets to pass any tips they learned to their sibling..they love that part!!

Lastly when your child does not do their chore to your perfection.. lovingly encourage them with P R A I S E. That really is the key to joyful servers! Moms, your children love your praise! Keep praising them and lovingly instruct them.. do not complain about their work, or fix their work. DO show them, complete the work together..

While you and your children serve together, play hymns, pray for your children (and yourself) to be selfless servers.

Here, my sweet 5yr old decided to help me with dinner, his job was placing the tater tots over the burger. I showed him how to place the taters on one side... He did the other side. Perfectionate old me, wanted to fix his lil taters but NO! His little fingers placed them and he did a wonderful job.. I want to encourage his help so the casserole went in the oven just the way he made it!

There are so many free printable chore charts out there, do whatever one will work for you. Again, mine was simple... wrote their name down, highlighed their name and chore.. left room so stickers can be placed all over..easy!

How are chores working in your home? What works, what doesnt?

Remember the word P R A I S E moms! I know I need the reminder daily!

Linked with:
Our Simple Country Life