Advent 2012 Day 1 & 2

December 4, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

Well, I had high hopes off all this organization for advent this year...and then my hubs was finally off work! Who can think about planning and finalizing organization when your long lost best friend is home again. These 14 hour days are hard! I get to see my hubby about 3 hours a day...an most of that I have to share him. Boo Hoo

So anyways, he was off Friday & we declared a "do nothing, go no where day"! Then Friday we decided to go to the Rothacher's favorite consignment event to see if we could score some great finds for a couple of families we're helping with Christmas. Deals found: brand spank'n new tennis shoes & an adorable caterpillar my kids really wanted to claim; but they were allowed to claim the Little People Noah's Arch for $1!

We went to the in-love's house for nap time and then caught a quick lunch in the nest Vtown eating establishment. When we were heading out-of-town to hunt for Christmas PJs and the practical stuff for the families, my keen observation skills identified families claiming spots for a parade. WHAT!?! We text a friend and confirmed that the Vtown Christmas parade was that night. Score! We ran our errand real fast and made it back just in time to lay our a blanket right next to the road where we enjoyed a night pretending we are already part of the community with giant waves, cheers, and LOTS of "Merry Christmas"es! {WARNING: I only used a few pic to spare you from Cuteness overload}

Our Sunday was pretty typical: wake up entirely too early to get everyone up and ready for church an hour way in another town. Prepping for an afternoon of lunch out and possible fellowship. Matt and I were so excited to get to participate in oneChurch's Advent candle lighting that morning. We were blessed to have lots of hang time with friends.

Needless to say, we didn't get to the organized Advent crafting I had planned but I wouldn't trade those days of celebrating His coming for all the funky ornaments my kids could make. I'm attempting to be purposeful this season yet not so caught up in "the book" that I miss moments and memories with my little bitty family and our friends.

Side Note: be looking forward to post about the crafts we actually have done as well as a #ItsAboutGiving post about helping Compassion International meet their goal of raising $20,000 for children in poverty this Christmas season.

Filed Under: Advent 2012, Holidays, The ones about the Rothacher Home

Turkey Hand-print Gift Bags {Thoughtful Thursday}

November 22, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I am Thankful for YOU!

Last week I told you that we make a fun fall themed snack mix for our neighbors. This week I'm going to show you how we made the quick & easy turkey hand-print gift bags we loaded the snack mix into for delivery.

Supplies

brown paper lunch size bag {1 for each child}
acrylic paint {we used green, blue, red, & yellow}
small cup of water
small paint brush(es)

How-to Trace & Paint
{my 3 & 4-year-old}

Put on paint aprons, strip down kids, or just go for it!
Lay your child's hand down & trace it with a pencil then retrace it with a marker {avoiding the marker on the kids hand} and then add the legs, eyes, beck, & gobbler
Squire a small bit of each desired paint color onto a paper plate and a small cup of water
Let your child paint the "turkey" {attempting to stay in the lines} with a paint brush {rinsing in water}
Let dry completely before adding snacks for delivery

How-to just Paint the hand
{my 2-year-old}

Put on paint aprons, strip down kids, or just go for it!
Squire a small bit of each desired paint color onto a paper plate
Hold your child's hand out flat & paint the fingers {I did skipped the brown on palm & thumb since the bag was already brown. Then various colors on fingers}: only do ONE hand at a time
Take your child to the sink and quickly wash the hand off well before they touch everything & before you do the other hand.
Let dry completely before adding snacks for delivery

I know this isn't an original, so how do YOU do Turkey Hand-Prints?

Filed Under: Advent 2012, Holidays, Homemaker, Parenting, Projects, The Ones about Link-Ups, The Ones about Post Series, The ones about the Rothacher Home, Thoughtful Thursdays

Saving the WORLD: one shoesbox at a time

November 17, 2012 by Jules 2 Comments

There's a-whole-nother world out there. Usually on the other side of the world. One that we American's can't even fathom. We can make a difference. It is possible to make disciples of all nations! This Christmas season, be apart of sharing the gospel with a child through Operation Christmas Child & Samaritan's Purse. It's as easy as:

It's close but possibly not too late for YOU to participate!

Go HERE to learn how to pack shoebox, HERE to find out about tracking your box!, and HERE to find a collection site near you!

By the way: many of you many not know that Operation Christmas Child is unique. The shoebox itself is not the Real gift. Children will be introduced to Jesus through colorful Gospel booklets that are handed out when the boxes are distributed. Local churches in that area of the world will invite them to a follow-up discipleship program that includes a series of engaging Bible lessons. Those graduating will receive a New Testament to encourage them to learn more about the Savior. These same children become witnesses of God’s love in their communities as they grow in their faith! Thanks for being intentional with your giving this year. A cup of water should NEVER just be a cup of water.

Filed Under: Advent 2012, Cool Ministries, Holidays, The Ones about Jules Life {Randomness}, The ones about the Rothacher Home

The Real Homemaker’s Challenge {Day 5}

November 16, 2012 by Jules 2 Comments

I think this has been the hardest post for me to write thus far in this series. There is so much out there right now, from big names with great reputations and big followings, talking to moms about turning-in to their families and ministering to them first and for most. I am going to try and just put it out there with no apologies because I believe its biblical but please hear me out. Many American Christian {SAHM} moms are making an idol out of their carrier. I don't believe our family should necessarily come first in all cases. I think some times we need to sacrifice our ideal family for living out gospel centered lifestyles.

Wanna see where this is going??? continue reading over at the Homemaker's Challenge on the last day of the series, The REAL Homemaker's Challenge.

Miss one? Catch up here:

INTRO to Heart Issues Series

Approval

Comparison

Envy

Filed Under: Holidays, Homemaker, Parenting, The Ones about Homemaker's Challenge, The Ones about Post Series, The ones about the Rothacher Home, The REAL Homemaker's Challenge

The Real Homemaker’s Challenge {Day 4}

November 15, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

I think comparison and envy some times come hand-in-hand. You compare yourself to someone else and when you don't feel like you measure up you all of sudden start to envy their life.

Envy is best defined as a resentful emotion that "occurs when a person lacks another's (perceived) superior quality, achievement or possession and wishes that the other lacked it.

Bertrand Russell said envy was one of the most potent causes of unhappiness. Not only is the envious person rendered unhappy by his envy, but they also wish to inflict misfortune on others.

Many times we excuse being envious as something normal, typical, or excusable. Just searching the Bible for the word envy you find that it is always listed among greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, arrogance, folly, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, slander, pride, foolishness, orgies, and drunkenness. Obviously God knows this and that's why envy is mentioned among such tragic offenders. ..... Keep reading on the Homemaker's Challenge today!

Miss one? Catch up here:

INTRO to Heart Issues Series

Approval

Comparison

Here's the last one of the series {keep in mind, the link will not work until the post has been published}:

Idolatry