Train Up Tuesday: What's in THE Name?

I LOVE Isaiah 9:6 and this print is a beauty! (Be sure to head over to jonesdesigncompany.com where you can download this print in this color and a blue/gray version)

This verse is often quoted at Christmastime, and appropriately so. It's no wonder that it is used in Advent readings, as well. Speaking of which, this week marks the first week of Advent! If you are looking for appropriate Advent readings, BillyGraham.org has a GREAT series.

Are you also looking for ways to teach your children about the names of God? There are plenty of great resources out there, I'm sure, but I adore the site: Impress Your Kids. She has SO many ideas that are great for every day, but she has helped shaped our family in great ways with activities, lessons, and even the homemade gift below!

Homemade Gift (#3)
Last year, I saw a great tutorial on Impress Your Kids on how to cut out your own letters, apply them to a canvas, paint over it, and VOILA! make a beautiful personalized painting.



Amanda at Impress Your Kids used a favorite quote from the Jesus Storybook Bible (which you know I LOVE). I used it for one of my "Want, Need, Wear, Read" gifts (the "Read" one) by combining the names of my 3 boys into a painting along with the verse that inspired their names. It turned out beautifully (the picture isn't great...had to snap it at night with low light):



It really was a simple project (and inexpensive). I used a canvas from Goodwill that I painted over. I was able to complete this project over the course of a couple days' worth of naptimes (with 3 boys, that's the only way I could do it!) It's well worth your time and makes a great impact! I hope to make more in the future for family birthdays and such.

You could even use the idea for the Isaiah 9:6 verse! How lovely that would be. :)

Enjoy your countdown!
Ashlie

Forrest Gump meets Pinterest

I hope each of you had a blessed Thanksgiving day reflecting on the Lord's blessings and love. Normally, I would be out conquering the Black Friday mayhem and rig-a-ma-row but those crowds and sales aren't quite calling my name like they usually do.

In fact, at this moment, I am blessed with a child-free, QUIET, peaceful calm house and this is what was calling me.

I am taking fulllll advantage of this time to just be by myself--the fire, a cup named "a joe" and my "Good Book". :) :) :)

While enjoying this much needed time, I was kinda hit in the head with a Forrest Gump "My Momma always said..." meets Pinterest moment.

I mentioned here that MY Mama has always placed a BIG importance on displaying scripture around the house. One reason is because it's a great reminder. Another reason is because it is repetitive and helps hide it in your heart (and memory).

She really is right because when I read a scripture she's had displayed in her home for my whole live-long life (Here's where the Pinterest part comes into play. )....the visual (mental pin) instantly pops into my head of that scripture on that exact plaque, picture, wall what have you. In fact, those scripture-displaying items from her home are some of the things that I hold most dear to my heart.

This little item (pin) is one example. It dates back to my parents hippy days and It's been displayed since before I was born. I recall finding great entertainment playing with it before I could even read. It is small but I LOVE it...and how appropriate the verse is for the season!

...and now, as I sit in my parent's living room, these are the glimpses of God's Word one will catch (pin/repin) as their eyes sweep the room in an effort to gaze at the fire. It's Pinterest in person. :)

Psalms 103:2-5

My James 1:2 creation from Girl's Night Out

A picture of my brother, Nathan, crossing the finish line at the San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon the July before he died and Hebrews 12:1-3

A Multiple Blessings by Caroline Simas original of Lamentations 3:25-27

Romans 5:5 pottery by Alicia Daily

What are some of the favorite ways that you've seen scripture displayed throughout your life that have helped you "pin it" in your heart and mind and others to "repin it" in theirs?!?! :)

Train Up Tuesday: Getting "Stuff" Out of the Way for Thanksgiving

There are a couple of pictures on Pinterest (I know, roll eyes now) that made me stop....longer than to just "pin" them, but to really think about them. Maybe you've seen them or pinned them (no judgment here):

AND THIS ONE:

Please don't think I'm "over spiritual", but as lovely as these sentiments are....I think that we (at least in western culture) have let thanking God for all our "stuff" get in the way of thanking God for all HE is. Certainly, I think we can "take a break" from asking God for anything, but I think we can do more than thank Him for all we "have", unless of course those "haves" are things like, salvation, His protection, His provision for our real needs, etc. (as opposed to our really awesome house or that really good steak we had the other week).

And what if we DID only wake up with those things we "thanked God for yesterday"? I don't think I'm alone in thinking that I'd still be content, because I do continually thank Him for my family and my relationship of Him....those "things" that matter most.

Please make no mistake. I'm not that hard-nosed. Of course I think that hearing a child thank God for the Hershey kisses he got to have that day or for his favorite toy of the moment is precious and I understand how we can "thank God" for a caffeine boost that seemed to get us through the day. But, I think sometimes we overuse "thank you God", like we overuse "love" (i.e. "I LOVE those new shoes!"). It's almost like taking that phrase in vain. I think we fail to get beyond the "stuff" part of our gratitude and fail to see the One who provides, protects, and so on.

So, while thanking God for the year of bounty, I hope I remember to take time to thank God for those attributes that acknowledge Him for who He is and how I've seen Him in my family's life over the last year. I hope I don't just let my list of favorite stuff get in the way of true gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Ashlie

National Adoption Month 2011

Thrifty Thursday: Free Freezer Friendly eBook!

It's no secret on the Roof that we are BIG advocates of cooking for the freezer. Perhaps you recall our Fix and Freeze series not too long ago? Well, I am excited to let you in on a lil tidbit that Money Saving Mom has recently created a Guide to Freezer Cooking with some of her own helpful hints.

This ebook can be yours FREE if you show some love for her new book, The Money Saving Mom's Budget

Go on and pay a visit here to find out exactly how to show the love so you can indeed receive your free ebook! Happy Freezer cookin', ya'll!

Train Up Tuesday: TIME OUT for Thanksgiving

The last couple of weeks, we've been considering "Advent" and "homemade gifts". But this week, I HAVE to take a TIME OUT! I definitely want to get the "Advent" message out there (because in years past, I haven't given enough time in advance to actually allow readers to prepare before Advent). However, I do not like what the over-commercialization (and even well-meaning preparation) of Christmas has done to other important November holidays (can you say "Veterans Day" and "Thanksgiving"?).

So, this week, take some time and re-visit some previous Roof posts on "Thanksgiving". You'll find some great old and new traditions to consider and some fun ideas to celebrate THIS season.

Don't get so caught in the hustle and bustle of buying or making gifts that you fail to be thankful for here and now!
-Ashlie

Thrifty Thursday: Free Christmas Cards

Attention all you blogging ladies!

If you didn't already know, you will now...you can receive 50 FREE Christmas Cards through TinyPrints! Oh, how I've always loved TinyPrints. If you are interested, simply go here for all the info. you need and it's as easy as 1...2...3!

What makes this deal even better? Our sweet friend Caroline has a special line of Multiple Blessings holiday cards with TinyPrints! If you're like me (and her), you want to keep the CHRIST in CHRISTmas so she wanted me to be extra sure that you know you can use the artwork on her line of holiday cards but change any of the "season's greetings, holidayish" wording to whatever you would like it to say...a scripture, something about Jesus, the word "CHRISTmas"....what have you. Basically, you aren't bound by the text on TinyPrint's site which is a very helpful tidbit to know.

Sooooo.....ya'll get creative and send us your creations!

Train Up Tuesday: Random Acts of Kindness and Homemade Gift #2

Did you know that November 7th is the beginning of "Random Acts of Kindness" week? You may remember a link to some great RAoK ideas a few weeks ago. Well, I searched on "Pinterest" for some more ideas (unrelated to blogging about it here) and was pleasantly surprised with THIS RAoK Advent idea (Random Acts of Christmas Kindness)! What a GREAT way to "redeem the time" and make the focus of Advent what it was truly intended to be!

I also like the timing of the "RAoK Week" because it leads up to "Veterans Day." Wouldn't it be lovely to take some time THIS week to do some "random acts" for a Veteran you know? Or perhaps you don't personally know a Veteran. Maybe you could keep your eyes peeled when you are in public for some men and women wearing flag pins or hats. You could secretly pay for their meal or coffee and perhaps leave a note of encouragement and thanks to them. Maybe you could do something for the family of a Veteran (those spouses and children have made much sacrifice, as well).

Although (I think) Veterans should often receive "special treatment", I doubt it is as commonplace as it once was. Your children may ask why you are doing it; perhaps the receiver asks as well. Make sure that your children and the Veterans know that it is more than mere appreciation, but that you are a "servant of Christ" and it is your delight to serve or encourage others so that they may see Christ.

What a GREAT opportunity that RAoK Week and Veterans Day affords us this week! Check out randomactsofkindness.org for more ideas!

Homemade Gift (2)
This next gift is so much fun! It's a dress up trunk! Almost every little boy or girl I know would love such a gift. Last year, I collected clothes and costumes for my niece at half price sales at thrift stores and by rummaging through my own unused collection of purses, bags, accessories and jewelry. With the Halloween season behind us, you may be able to score some great steals on costumes. Your imagination is the only limitation! Find either an old suitcase or a rubber storage container. I LOVED seeing my niece's expressions as she discovered all the treasures inside.

Another play on this idea is to make "when I grow up" kits. Maybe you collect things for an original doctor's kit (bandages, cute cold compresses), housewife's cleaning box (empty squirt bottles, aprons, cute rags), or even something imaginative like a "knight's chest" or a "space explorer's backpack". This year, I'm working on a Caboodle's box (does ANYONE remember those?!) filled with real curling and flat irons (with electrical cords removed), hair clips, hair embellishments (maybe I'll find some feathers), and fake make up. I found great inspiration for fake make up that doesn't involve the mess of the play make up. Be sure to check it out on Chasing Cheerios!

Hope this inspires your Advent Season AND your week (You don't have to save RACK for Christmas; make it Random Acts of CHRISTIAN Kindness any day!...Thanks to my friend, Kathy for that one) ;-)

Charlotte Mom Favorites

We were featured in a guest post today on Charlotte Mom Favorites! If that's how you were led over to the Roof, WELCOME! We invite you to browse around and stay awhile.

Some things you may enjoy from the women of the Roof are:

• Our 4 part series on Fix and Freezes
• THE Best Organizational solution EVER
• DIY Family Rules
• Beautiful DIY journals

You may also want to check out these specific topics as they apply to you:

• Homeschooling with Ashlie
• Couponing & Budgeting tools featuring The Carolina Clipper
• Recipes and insight from The Musing Foodie
• Outreach opportunities such as Operation Christmas Child, Cupcake Kids, Orphan care and Adoption with Karen
• Bible Study with Glenda

We hope you'll become a regular around here and we'd love to hear what you think! TGIF, ya'll.

Love,
HPS

Train Up Tuesday: Words of Affirmation and Homemade Gifts

Okay, let's just get it out there. It's NOVEMBER!!! I know it's still too early for most to think about Christmas, and I certainly DON'T want to rush my favorite holiday (Thanksgiving), but if you've been following the Roof for a while, you know that the ADVENT season is one of my favorite times of year. I always wait until almost the end of November to mention it, so I'm trying to get a jump on it this year. I love the "anticipation" of it all - not just the countdown to Christmas, but instilling the love of "anticipation" for our Lord's return.

So, if you are filled with this "anticipation", I'd like to offer some ideas over the next few weeks on what you can do as you await Christ's return AND an idea of how you can prepare for the coming holiday season.

If you recognize the phrase "Words of Affirmation", you may know the book "The Five Love Languages". (And if you don't know the book, it is WELL worth your read!) In case it doesn't ring a bell, it is the love language that uses the spoken (or written) word to encourage someone you love. Oddly enough, it is often people we think who don't need these words (extroverts, performer types, those managing or directing others) who often need them the most!



Recently, God has "blessed" my family with a few opportunities to use kind words (we started calling them "healing words" in light of our recent memory verse: Proverbs 12:18) in public situations dealing with people who work in some form of customer service. In a couple of different situations, women were struggling with either the boundaries of their position or their inexperience on their new job. In the one situation, we did not have the opportunity to "give" healing words, but in the car ride home, my oldest son asked if we could pray that the lady would have a better day (because it was certainly impacting those around her!). In the second situation, my boys heard me encourage the young lady that her day would get better, which led to another prayer for someone we didn't know.

I say this, not to brag on my "perfect" (*snort*) family, but to encourage you moms to take captive of those little opportunities to bring "healing words" to someone your family encounters THIS week! As a stay-at-home mom, I have to hunt and keep my eyes peeled for such encounters.

Homemade gift (#1)
Over the years, my family has experimented with different gift-givings to try to bring it all back into the right focus. We've done "Make, Bake, Sew, or Grow" (where the gifts you give must fit one of those categories thus making it somewhat homemade); with my kids we've given just 3 gifts (to represent the Magi) and last year we did 4 gifts for each (something you Want, you Need, to Wear, and to Read). We'll probably stick pretty close to the latter again this year. However, I always try to make at least one of the gifts I give (can you tell what MY "love language" is?).

This year, I'll try to share with you some easy-peasy gift ideas that you, too, can make (trust me, it'll be pretty easy....with 3 boys running around, I can't really get into too many crazy hobbies and craftiness)!

One gift that has been fun for me is decorating wooden peg dolls. I found loads of inspiration on Etsy.com and one year I made little families for my nieces and one set for our family (and if I can find a pic, I'll post one later).

This year, I hope to make peg superheros for at least one of my boys who is really into Spiderman lately. I found these cuties on Pinterest (but you can by these through an Etsy shop):




You can buy wooden pegs at Hobby Lobby (wait until unfinished wood goes on sale or take a coupon). If you want more shapes and sizes (as I did), you can buy them from Etsy as well. You can even use the old wooden clothespins (without the springs). Have fun with it, add "hair" or fabric if you are so inclined. OR, if you have a crafty one on your gift list, give them the supplies they need (paints, brushes, glue, pegs) so they can design their OWN peggies. I've even seen some drill little holes, attach a small hook, and make a cute necklace out of their peg people!

Peg people - it's a relatively quick, easy, and inexpensive crafty gift!

Happy November!
Ashlie