Christmas in July

Every summer, one of my favorite things to do is work on a Christmas video from the previous Christmas.  Here's this years.  Enjoy!

The Making of a Mermaids

A LONG time ago, when Z was still saying she wanted a mermaid birthday party, I found this mermaid making kit on clearance at HomeGoods (If you haven't been there you are really missing out...bargain city) and threw it into the abyss (the under-the-stairway closet). Anyway, I forgot all about this gift. Someone changed their birthday to a surfing theme and I became totally focused on making a super splashtastic surfer girl party. Finally remembered about it and today, since Z and I have claimed it to be Mommy Camp*,  Z made Mandy the Mermaid. She had to be very patient...required lots of mommy cutting and craft glue drying, but we finally finished.  Z is very proud of her creation. If you ever see a 4M Doll making kit, might be a good summer project for you and your girl.

Oh, totally different plug: Check Z's hair in the pic. Goody Stay Put barrettes: they really do stay put. Great buy when growing out bangs and they're really cute.

*Mommy Camp:  I'll explain in a later post.

Lesson of the Day: I'm glad I couldn't find the glue gun today (no telling where it walked off to). It was more fun having help from little sticky/gluey fingers.

Cross your fingers...the decision is......

Let's all pray our state legislature gets their act together and stops bickering long enough to pass the education budget today.  They have until midnight tonight when the special session is over.  This will let the districts know how much their shortfall will be and hopefully let them add back some teaching positions (since they were going with worst case scenario when they laid people off).  My prayer is that they will also let outside people apply. 

Okay, I'm over it and wow can I act like a baby.

Okay, so if you read my earlier post (which I think I might completely delete), I apologize for being a crying whining selfish baby.  God gave me a HUGE reality check on the way home from the movies a few minutes ago.  I drove past the house in our neighborhood that burned up a few weeks ago and God whopped me with, "Here you are crying over a few lost pictures while these people lost everything."  So, yes, I lost some precious pictures and videos but I didn't lose everything.  We're healthy, comfortable, and happy.  A few pictures are nothing when compared with the things that really matter in life.  So, sorry for letting my sinful nature and ungratefulness shine through.  I have way to much to be thankful for to whine like that.

My lesson of the day:  Think of others, not just yourself.

What did I do this week?

I was one of the mission leaders.  That's me WAY up there on the stage.  We would teach and explain crafts  for up to 750 kids per day in three different sessions.

I seriously think that if I could find a job where I taught large groups like this all the time, I'd love it!

This week was our highly anticipated VBS. I really believe we do VBS like no other church and I say that with the voice of experience. I have worked VBS at least 4 different churches and 3 of those being very large "mega"type churches. Our church, by far, has this down to an art form. The week before VBS, the entire church starts it's transformation process into whatever the theme is for the year. This year was "Big Apple Adventure," so the halls became city streets, the classrooms became scenes from around New York City like Central Park. There were Statues of Liberty, hot dog stands, taxi cabs, and skyscrapers created from a variety of materials throughout our campus. Our K-Zone (where I was) was turned into Grand Central Station (I wish you could see our super cool information booth, clock and all, in the back of the building), and the list goes on and on. Then, when we are all good and tired, it's time for the kids to come; so we drink our coffee, pump ourselves up, and get excited. One thousand children converge on our campus ready to go. They learn bible stories and truths, they are entertained, they hear about missionaries around the world, they create crafts, they play games, they make friends, they have a LOT of fun, and bring glory to God! It is a phenomenal experience and although I'm always tired at the end, I always have the VBS high. Since I've been at our church, I always end the week with one thought, "That was a GREAT VBS!!!".

Jesus is not a villain!!!

At lunch today, the kids were talking about the VBS songs since I had the CD playing in the background (This past week was our VBS).  I wasn't paying much attention until they started arguing.  I clued in right about the time Z repeated in her "totally put out, you are an idiot, completely unacceptable" voice, "It does too, J______!  It says Jesus is a villain! That's what they sing.  That's how I know this song!"  J right back to her said, "Z_____, Jesus is not a villain.  A villain is aways the bad guy and Jesus is definitely not a bad guy.  He's a good guy!.....Mom, Z says this song calls Jesus is a villain!"  I respond, "Jesus is not a villain.  I'm sure you have the words wrong."  Z:  "But, Mommy, it really does say he's a villain. I've been singing it all week."  So, I sit down to listen to the song.

Come to find out.  Jesus is not a villain.  The song says, "God has called us all to be part of fulfilling the mission of His heart."  But, I can totally see where villain came from.  I guess we've watched too many shows with villains or something.

Lesson of the Day and Moral of this story:  They may think they know the words after singing them a million times but Oh my, they sometimes have it SO wrong.

Birthday Week (#1 Post of 2)

This picture just sums it up.  She is so happy to FINALLY be 5!!!