2011 Reading Challenge

2011 Reading Challenge
Christi has

read 20 books toward her goal of 100 books.

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What to Send Your Compassion Child

My friend Meeshi made a great blog post that I refer back to every time I go shopping for one of our Compassion children. I thought I should share it.

The kids love to go and pick out things to send to each of the children. Meeshi also told me about this great site – http://www.hotprints.com/ – where you can get FREE photo books (you just pay a small shipping fee). These are PERFECT to send overseas. Here’s a pic of one we just made:

The kids often ask us questions about our life so I thought this was a great way to show them. It’s perfect for shipping, too, it’s 8.5 x 11 and thin.

Blanca and Manik

I was approved to be a Compassion Advocate. The children we sponsor and write to have brought such a blessing to our family and I wanted to help more so when they contacted me about being an advocate I said yes.

What this means is that I am responsible for 2 children each month – for finding them a sponsor family. I’m excited and nervous – they aren’t on the website, I am their only hope!

Watch this

I just rec’d the packets for these two beautiful children and had to share in case any of you are moved to sponsor or would like to share and help them find a sponsor.

This is Blanca:

This is Blanca from Bolivia – she will be 6 in November. She lives in a village with her mother, father and three siblings where the typical house is made from dirt floors, mud walls and corrugated tin roofs. Most adults earn $60 a month…. Your $38 a month will allow Compassion to provide her with Bible teaching, medical exams, recreational activities and tutoring.

This is Manik:

This is Manik from Bangladesh. He turned 7 in February. He lives with his father and mother in a village where the houses are constructed of dirt floors, mud walls and thatched roofs. Most adults are unemployed and those who do work only ear $50 a month. Common health problems include malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, viral hepatitis, typhoid, asthma, and skin diseases.

It’s $38 a month to sponsor a child. You get a packet with their picture and personal information and they send you letters. Me and the kids have so much fun putting together packages for our kids each month.

I knew we’d be blessing a child when we signed on, what I didn’t know was how much this child would bless US.

If you have any questions about sponsoring, please ask away! If you want to sponsor one of these children, please let me know and I’ll get it set up. If you want to choose a different child please click here: http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm?referer=120669

Six Flags

We had a great time at Six Flags on Tuesday. I’m still worn out from it!!

Day 5 {31 Days to Clean}

I’m really enjoying this book. My house is looking great and I’m feeling so much better about cleaning it and keeping it clean!

Today’s Mary Challenge is to list my top 5 priorities:

1. God
I want to work towards getting up before the kids and spending time in His word and praying with Mr. Fox before he leaves for work to make this my true #1 priority.

2. Husband

3. Children

4. Me – my hobbies, free time, MNO’s.

5. Home

Martha: Clean your kitchen windows and window treatments. Glad we don’t have any treatments yet!

Publix 6/22 to 6/28

Betty Crocker Potatoes 4.5 to 6.6 oz, BOGO $1.63
w/c .32 a pack

Eggland’s Grade A Best Large Eggs, dozen, 2/$4
-$1/2 Eggland’s Best Eggs, any – 05-01-11 SS Insert (exp 9/30/2011)
-$.50/1 Eggland’s Best Eggs, any – 05-01-11 SS Insert (exp 9/30/2011)

Bananas, $.59/lb
Raspberries, Blueberries, or Blackberries, 5.6 to 16 oz, 3/$6
Red Seedless Watermelon, $.49/lb

Day 3 {31 Days to Clean}

ASK what we specifically can do with our housekeeping to make our family members feel loved. I’m blessed with an amazing husband. Truly. He works all day and comes home to a messy house and never complains or gets angry. And when I ask him the above question he says, “It makes me feel good when you do stuff that is considered ‘my’ job cause I feel like you did it for me. As far as normal house work, I mostly just care about the floor being picked up.” Seriously? He’s just wonderful.

As for the kids, R2 says she feels loved when I help her find her things, play and wrestle with her, swim with her and wash her hair.

R1 has been in VBS this week and Wed.’s are super busy for us so I’ll have to ask him tomorrow.

One thing that really motivated and encouraged me this morning was that I started wiping down the cabinets and both girls jumped up and begged to help. It was an Aha! moment for me, even though it’s something I’ve been aware of, that when I clean they want to help.

Day 2 {31 Days to Clean}

How do you give life to your home?

I’m struggling with this because I often get bogged down in the little things, the many things that need to be done, just to be done over again… and again. I have a hard time seeing housework as bringing life to my home.

To answer the question, I guess I bring life when I stop and savor the sweet moments, remember not to get stuck in the frustrating ones, and try to keep a positive attitude. I bring life by nurturing the bodies, minds and souls of my family.

Day 1 {31 Days to Clean}

I joined my mama friends in reading 31 Days to Clean and DOING it! Each day has a Mary Challenge and a Martha Challenge.

Today’s Mary challenge is to identify the reasons I want a clean home and then turn it into a mission statement. Here goes:

I want a clean house because a clean house…

makes things easier to find.
keeps the bugs and vermin out.
gives us more time to be together and make memories.
allows me to know what we need and what we already have.
allows us to entertain guests without stress or embarrassment.
teaches my children important skills for keeping their own homes clean one day.
minimizes stress between Mr. Fox and I.

Now I need to (according to the challenge) print this out and hang it on the wall somewhere we will see it every day.

Joyful Mothering

Publix Weekly Ad 6/16 to 6/22 | Not a Good Week

Near East Rice Mix or Couscous, 5.25 to 10 oz, BOGO $2.19

Kozy Shack Pudding BOGO $3.09

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers 11 to 12 oz, BOGO $2.39

Red or White Seedless Grapes, $1.99/lb

Watermelon Cuts, $.49/lb

Green Bell Peppers, $1.49/lb

R3 Funnies

I cut up a watermelon today, the kids were eating it and I heard R3 say, “Thank you, Jesus, for watermelon!!” followed by, “Thank you, Jesus, for R1 and R2.” *swoon*

________________

A few weeks ago Seester and I were at BAM and I saw a book titled The Weird Sisters. I snapped a pic of the cover so I could look it up later. Fast forward to tonight, we were leaving church and R3 was flipping through the pictures on my phone. She came to that picture and R1 read the title. Without missing a beat, R3 said, “I’m not the weird sister! R2′s the weird sister!”

Mr. Fox and I lost it. Man, I love that kid.