What is Advent?

November 28, 2012 by Jules 1 Comment

Candles. Wreaths. Movies. Travel. Calendars. Cards. Candy.
Little Lint. Activities. Decorating. Songs. Parties.

The word advent, from Latin, means “the coming.” Advent is the time period leading up to Christmas in which you prepare for as well as anticipate the coming of Christmas. There are so many different ways to do the same 'ole thing.

No matter how you choose to participate in Advent the purpose should be the same. Advent is preparing for Christ coming: His birth. His gift of the Holy Spirit. His return.

Love this song about preparing for Christmas. Although slightly secular, it has a lot of truths. {this isn't the entire song from Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas"}

Are you ready for Christmas day to come?

Filed Under: The ones about the Rothacher Home

Chicken & Stuffing {recipe}

November 23, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

I think you may have seen this cook book on my sidebar a while back or on the Support the Rothacher's page if you've poked around there at all. I just wanted to share with you why I support this cook book.

Mystie is a genius! Yep. She's done all the hard work for us and simplified our cooking therefore it simplifying our grocery shopping all via the pantry list! As a baby and toddler, her oldest child was mildly allergic to corn, and thus began the Great Simplification. Her eCookbook Simplified Dinners is packed full of meals you can create by stoking her basic pantry list. She also has a Simplified Dinners GLUTEN FREE version of the eCookbook! Below is a video where Mystie explains how she came up with this concept.

Buy her book(s) HERE!

There are many nights I look up at the clock with maybe 20 minutes to spare before our routine dinner time. I get to share my simple {kid-friendly}, low-calorie {just like the hubs likes it}, FAST {the way Mamma likes it} recipe with Mystie's Simple Pantry Cooking crowd today!! Come grab the recipe and find so many more GREAT ones.

Filed Under: Baking and Cooking, Homemaker, 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