Why didn't I think of this?

For the 2009-2010 school year, our children and their friends have been crazy about Silly Bandz. Why didn't I create these things? A simple rubber band in a fun color and shape is a concept that is sweeping the nation! Children everywhere beg for more Silly Bandz. They are now being sold at places like Walgreens and shops at the beach. Stores advertise that they are have them in stock. I so wish I had created these things! Our sweet friend, W, bought each of our children a new pack yesterday. She is so generous!!! Every child was thrilled and went to bed talking about their Silly Bandz. One daughter even gave her bands a delicate bath. Do your children love Silly Bandz?

It's a DEAL!

Mama Henley loves a deal!!! Run, don't walk, to your nearest Publix! Goldfish are 10 for $10!!! With 5 young children, we can eat some goldfish! If your children love them too, now is the time to stock up the pantry!

A sign?

Enough said. My favorite part is, "It's the way to go". Hilarious!

Tuesday's Tip...Cleaning

I love to clean. I grew up with a father who is very clean. When we had to wash the kitchen floor, we used a cloth and ammonia water and washed it on our knees... a mop would not make it clean enough. While I often hated my chores, I am thankful for them now. I love to have clean bathrooms more than anything. If we have had an influx of guests, then I clean the guest bathroom. I clean all of our bathrooms at least twice a week. If I walk in a bathroom that needs cleaning, I stop what I am doing and clean it.
Your Tuesday's tip is this: keep cleaning supplies in each bathroom. If you have to go to a central location to grab your supplies, then you are not going to stop what you are doing and clean. I stock each bathroom with a pink sponge (pink to clean the SINK) and a second sponge of any color for the toilet and tub/shower. Softscrub, Lysol Cleaner, and toilet cleaner are also in each bathroom, along with a toilet brush. You can buy toilet brushes at the $1 store and it is a good idea to replace them at least once a year. In our guest bath, we do not have a sink with a cabinet, so our supplies are stored in the bottom of the coat closet which happens to be in the guest bath! I also put several rolls of toilet paper in each bathroom and a book of matches on a shelf in the guest bath. Our guest bath also has a nice candle and some fragrant room spray. Clean those potties, girls!

Happy Easter!

Our day was filled with lots of joy. It began with 5 precious ones ready to see what their gifts were to celebrate Jesus' resurrection. I love the anticipation of running down the stairs! Our Bug could barely sleep:).

I then attempted to make bunny pancakes. This is easier said than done, so each child had one bunny pancake and as many regular pancakes as they needed.

Our church service was particularly moving. We had a great lunch at Miss R's house. She opens up her home to our entire congregation. What a gift!

After lunch, our friends joined us for a swim and hot dog supper. The children had a BALL! Sweet K made the most precious lamb cake and it was sacrificed for all of our enjoyment. It was a perfect day!

Easter

Easter is such a happy time of year with the beginning of spring, flowers blooming, the births of new babies, and reminders of what Christ did for us on the cross. For our family, it's an especially happy and meaningful time of year. Yes, our family grew by 3 during Resurrection Week 9 years ago, but we rejoice far more at what happened on that cross. Jesus paid the price for all of our sins by dying on the cross. He did not have to die. He is all powerful. He could have walked away and said, "Forget it. They don't deserve it." He would have been right. We are all totally and completely undeserving of the price He paid on the cross. Not one of us is "good enough". In fact, we are all steeped in sin. We have committed murder by dragging our friend's good name through the mud when we didn't like something they did. We are all thieves too. How many times have each of us stolen someone's time by cutting out of work early or not completely fulfilling a time commitment by shaving off a few minutes here or there? I know I am so guilty of all of the above. When I taught school, there were days I couldn't wait to leave. I would pack up early or work on personal things rather than school work in those 45 minutes after the students leave. Yet Christ died for me. He died for you and me even though we have lied, stolen, hurt, cussed, and grieved others. He died on the cross for our sins. But His death was not in vain. Three days later He rose from the dead and then He went to Heaven. The Bible tells us He will come again. We can join Him in Heaven if we simply believe in Him and know that He is our Savior.

May God bless each of you this special Easter weekend. May you feel His presence in your life in a new way each day. Even if you do not believe, know that He loves you.

The Love Language of Serving

Years ago I was in a Titus 2:4 Small Group with a wonderful woman named Laura who was almost 40 at the time. I was in my early 20s, and there were 4 other girls around my age in the group. As a newlywed, I learned so much from Laura, Lucy, Margaret, Debbie, and Catherine. One of the many things Laura did well was serve her family. Each evening she would set the table for the next morning. When her three boys arrived home from school, a special snack usually awaited them. Laura believed in serving something hot and delicious that would entice her boys and their friends to play at her house. I always admired her ability to make everything beautiful. I am guilty of letting the children come in and serve themselves. So yesterday I decided to try to be like Laura and to serve my sweet children a pretty snack. I set the table with fun bowls of pretzels and grapes. I filled glasses with crushed ice and waited to pour the pink ginger ale when they walked in the door. It was easy to make it look fun with all of our Easter decorations.



Our sweet ones did seem to love it, so I am going to try to do this more often!