Couturier Mommy

Happy Mother's Day

2013-05-12T15:11:00.001-04:00

I wanted to send a mother’s day thank you for all the toddlers in your life, especially the two year old variety.

My words aren’t quite ready yet to express the many ways I appreciate you, Momma. In fact the invisible line that connects my heart and mind to my hands and mouth, aren’t quite linked up either. So although it might not seem loving when I throw myself down, scream, kick, and run away, know that I mean “Thank you for loving me no matter what”. And when I run up behind you and joyfully wipe my chocolate cake mouth down the back of your new white dress, know that I mean “Thank you for caring for me.”

When I greet Daddy in a warm hug and tell him he’s my best friend, know that I see y’all as one; When I refuse to pick up my toys, please know its because I’d rather spend the time with you; When I cry out at night, know that you drive away my fears; When I wake to give you morning hugs and kisses it’s because your gladness is steady every day. All your efforts toward me are teaching me what the Bible says about God, He is full of tender mercies – like a mother. No, I’m not quite ready to totally grasp all you’ve given and done for me but I have understood every last word, touch, correction, laugh, and smile as love.

I can’t quite make out the feelings yet mom but I know your love is behind each one….Happy Mother’s Day.

With Love, Sam

CONSIDERATE- With love Sam

2013-04-08T15:18:00.002-04:00

CONSIDERATE

Definition: Careful not to cause inconvenience or hurt to others

Back in February we talked about being attentive. Consideration is the character trait that gives arms and legs to being attentive. When we are focused on the needs or concerns of others that’s attentive; when we move to help that’s consideration.

character trait sheet: To keep it manageable, simply post the Character Trait sheet: CONSIDERATE somewhere in your house where it will be seen often. You can print the sheet from here.

As usual have the kids read the verse out loud or listen while you read it and they’ll have it memorized in no time.

There are three pictures on this month’s character sheet. Come up with scenarios for each picture telling who is being considerate and why. This will give you a good start to the month.

THREE TO CONSIDER

1. Interrupting. It is near impossible for a child to wait to tell their idea when someone else is talking. Give each child a secret hand signal for when its their turn to talk. If one person is talking, the next person who is ready to talk simply raises one finger and waits. If another is waiting, they get raise two fingers. When the person finished is talking motion to #1 to speak and so on. This may seem a little classroom-ish with all the hand raising…but if it works for a classroom of 20….

2. Sharing. If all your kids come in hungry, put one child in charge of the snack. Teach them to offer what they have been given to others first, making sure to have shared with everyone before they partake. This is a great way to live out: Each of you should look not only to his own interests but to the interests of others. On the flip side encourage thankfulness from the other children.

3. Movie night. Pick a movie your kids have seen before. Have them watch for body language and talk from different characters. Pause it. Quiz your kids on what that character must be feeling. Next see how the other characters respond and pause it again. Rate how they performed being considerate. If it wasn’t pretty, give some alternative actions.

Little bag big message

2013-03-19T15:46:00.002-04:00

So here is the little bag we will be makeing this Friday!very simple pouch that will hold an incredible gift. Women are rescued from the Nepal/India border from human trafficking. At this point they either go to a recovery home where they hear the Gospel and are cared for OR they go back to their home villages. Each woman goes home with a Megavoice. The MegaVoices will have various languages of Nepal peoples on them, so that people can hear the Gospel in their own language. The website where you can see more about that is www.gods-story.org . http://www.oralbibleresources.com/shopcart/productSolarAudioPlayersMegavoice.asp.

Supplies for class
You will need as many 7" by 22" rectangles of fabric you can bring. One rectangle makes one bag. This is a great time to clean out your old fabrics.

Also, we will need cording to use as a drawstring for each bag. ~24" for each bag.

cut fabric 7" by 21"

fold 2.5" the 7 inch side in on both sides (above)

Sew 1/4 of an inch or the width of your presser foot across both foled ends.

then sew 1" down from your last sew line - repeat on other side of rectangle

It will still look like this only now you will have 4 sew lines

Now, fold in half placing the right sides together, matching your sewn lines

You will now sew down the sides - leaving a hole between your two sew lines. This is where the draw string goes (see below)

see the sew line at the top of the pouch then it stops over the drawstring casing then picks back up? Sew both sides this way

pull the bag right side out

find the hole you left unstitched to thread your string through

TADA!!

Preschool!!

2013-03-11T14:17:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year again. The questions have started. So here is a repost from 2010. I feel even stronger now that we are doing the right thing by foregoing preschool to have the kids stay home with me. My oldest will be in 1st grade next year and he is doing great. I wouldn't trade the time I had with him for anything in the world.

Where are you sending her, next year? Don’t you need time to yourself? How do you get things done?
They will be fine without you. You need time to yourself. She needs the social development. How do you know she is getting what she needs?

And when I say no, I love them at home. It’s just looks. I am now the crazy mom and I am ok with that.

Only one friend in 4 years ever asked me why. “Why don’t you send your kids to preschool”. I gave her a terrible answer. I was unprepared. I came home that night and wrote a list of my reasons. Having it on paper reassured me daily. No one asked again for two years. There have been statements and even a few ugly comments. But my defiance was part of my everyday life. So when a newer mom called the other day asking questions about “The School Thing” I was ready.

In my area, I know, including myself, 4 mothers out of over 500 who doesn’t send there children to preschool. So you can understand the pressure and fear I felt making my kids, "stay at home kids".

I wanted to share with you my answers. Just in case there is one mom out there dealing with this issue.

My Answer (after much prayer)

1. I truly think I am capable of teaching anything a 1-5 year old needs to know. I know my ABC’s, how to play games, how to do art, how to sing, how to count and how to read.

2. The most important things they can learn at this age deals with character, heart matters and spiritual disciplines. I am their guide. I am ever working and polishing their little skills.

3. I am in control of their discipline. My kids are held to the same standard all the time. Regardless of place and time. I am their self control until they can do it themselves.

4. Soon enough they will be headed in different directions. I want a firm foundation of sibling relationship. Which cannot happen if they are in different rooms.

5. I have a 16 year old brother. (born when I was 16) I know how fast kids grow up. I also understand better than most what is ahead of me. I want to be there #1 influence as long as possible.

6. Because they are at home with me they have to help. They clean and work right beside me. Our jobs as moms is to work ourselves out of a job and my kids even at 4 and 2 are doing a great job.

7. I love being with them. Every moment is a teachable moment. They are leaning only what I want installed on their little hard drives.

8. Kids should be kids. They will be in school for the next 20-30 years. I want them to pretend, make messes, and feel free to be themselves free of the ideas and social problems that will haunt most of their lives. (Peer pressure, fads, ect) yes at 4 this is real.

Everyday I am confirmed by their actions and relationships that I am doing the right thing..

What about social development?

We tend to think of social development as peer on peer (same age). When was the last time you were in a room of only 32 year olds or only 45 year olds? My kids go to church, play group, story time and play most afternoons with the neighborhood kids. They interact with kids of all ages from different families, beliefs and backgrounds. They learn from kids older and younger. All under my supervision and control.

Should all kids stay home?
God gives us our children. He has a plan for their lives. We are the ones who can best prepare them for there futures. Who we are and the decisions we make now are helping to point them towards that path. My husband and I spent a lot of time in prayer over this decision. I truly believe that keeping your kids home isn't for everyone. Kids and parents need different things. We seek God's will for our family everyday. To answer your question, "No, I don't intend to home school." I am dyslexic and feel I would be doing a disservice to my kids.

Our part in sharing God’s word

2013-03-05T17:35:00.003-05:00

For the March 21^st class we will be making a very simple pouch that will hold an incredible gift. Women are rescued from the Nepal/India border from human trafficking. At this point they either go to a recovery home where they hear the Gospel and are cared for OR they go back to their home villages. Each woman goes home with a Megavoice. The MegaVoices will have various languages of Nepal peoples on them, so that people can hear the Gospel in their own language. The website where you can see more about that is www.gods-story.org . http://www.oralbibleresources.com/shopcart/productSolarAudioPlayersMegavoice.asp.

Our part in sharing God’s word with a hurting world is quite feminine this time ladies. We are helping make it pretty! The MV looks a lot like technology, the pouches we make for it, will help the receiver to understand it as a gift.

Testimony: “Some friends of mine made pouches like these for the MV’s we took to Baima villages in China. Once we shared tea and stories with people we met in each village, we offered them one MV as a gift to the village so they could hear more stories about Jesus. The pouches really made them seem like a very special gift, beyond just a piece of technology. “

You will need as many 7" by 22" rectangles of fabric you can bring. One rectangle makes one bag. This is a great time to clean out your old fabrics.

Also, you will need cording to use as a drawstring for each bag. ~24" for each bag.

Calender

2013-02-27T08:38:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share my Kid Calender. When Blue Eyes was 3 he was having a really hard time with the order of life. He always wanted to know when and what was happening. I tried a few different things but this is what stuck.

It is really simple. A Cheap $4.99 desk calender form office supply store.

I used word clip art to make sheets of our activity's. I add photos of family so the kids would know when Daddy was staying home and when we where going to Mimi's. The Animals are what we will study each week. Kids holding hands are play dates.

I printed it on Sticker paper and cut in in to strips. At the beginning of the month we cut up the stickers and place them on. We x out the days as we go. My kids love knowing what will happen tomorrow or the end of the month.

Moon Bag -Fix

2013-02-13T16:52:00.000-05:00

The share site I was using for my patterns started charging. (bumber) So I had to move the pattern to Goggle Doc.

The Moon Bag Free Pattern and Video.

Click on the pattern to download

Cup Cake Table

2013-02-05T08:22:00.001-05:00

I found this table at a yard sale about 5 years ago. I was brown and the top was scuffed up. I painted it white and stapled a piece of vinyl on it. However it is pretty ruff looking again. It needed a new look to fit in to the girls bedroom.

I traced the table top on the fabric. Add 1/2 inch all the way around for seam allowance.

Measure the circumference use a measuring tape because it is pliable.

3. Cut two rectangles one in the fabric you want to use for the skirt and other in lining.

You may need to peice the rectangles together to get it long enough.

The circumference + 1 inch by the desired length + 1 inch.

4. Sew the ends of the the fabric together. Lining to lining.

Fabric to fabric. This will make a 2 big bands of fabric the same size.

Fold up the lining like you are making paper dolls.

Measure up and make the sides and cut in to a scallops. I used a kids plate to get the shape I wanted.

Open up the big circle and lay on top of the table skirt fabric pretty sides together.

Pin down and trim.

Sew together!

Iron flat. Then turn right side out and iron again.

Sew trim in to place.

Pin table skirt onto you table size circle. Sew right sides together.

Iron and turn right side out and Iron again.

Place on your table.

It looks really cute in their room. But now what do I do about those chairs?

With Love, Sam

2013-02-05T08:14:00.002-05:00

ATTENTIVE / DISCERNING

Definition: mindful, heedful of the comfort of others / showing insight and understanding

Attentiveness can be as basic as teaching a younger child to “stop, look and listen” when mom is talking (notice I said basic not simple – can I get an Amen - mom of 3 year olds!). But being attentive enables your child to see the needs & feelings of others which can lead to a discerning spirit. A discerning spirit is from the Lord (For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Prov 2:6). It’s our job to lay the foundation of attentiveness.

character trait sheet: To keep it manageable, simply post the Character Trait sheet: ATTENTIVE somewhere in your house where it will be seen often. You can print the sheet from http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/Joyful_Heart_Character_Definition_and_Verse_Charts.pdf .

As usual have the kids read the verse out loud or listen while you read it and they’ll have it memorized in no time.

Favorite ‘attentive’ tip: Whisper. Children can tune out sounds they hear often (i.e. your voice telling them to turn the tv off) but often, even among chaos, they will hear a whisper. If your kids respond to this please take the opportunity to applaud them and tell them that God often speaks to us that way. Worth a try!

TRY THIS: have each child sit together facing the same direction. Tell them “Today we’ll learn how to be attentive with our eyes”. Give them one minute to look around the room then have them shut their eyes for one minute. During that minute move something subtly. Have them open their eyes and use their attentiveness to find what is changed.

TRY THIS: Tell them, “Today we’ll learn how to be attentive with our ears”. Make a pattern with sounds. (examples, tap chair, stomp foot, clap hands). Do it only once. Then have them repeat it back to you. Eyes closed! They will love to test your attentiveness when you’re through.

TRY THIS: at the end of each day, have your child tell about one friend and what they were feeling. For ex, while I was out shopping today, I saw a kid crying that he wanted a candy bar. I think he felt hungry and maybe a little bored. OR if you find yourself in a crown try observing together what you see might be needed of others.

**Solomon asks of the Lord after building the temple, “Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.” The Psalmist tells us time and again that He IS attentive to our pleas. In Colossians 4:2 we are implored to “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Free Applique Designs

2013-01-31T17:07:00.002-05:00

I did a srearch for some new Free designs For Valentines. I thought I would share with you. I have not used any of these but Applique Planet. But I can't wait to try the others out.

Planet Applique really cute freebies and a tons of .50 Cent designs.

GG Designs Embroidery So neat seasonal stuff.

Omas Place Over 50 Free designs.

Adorable Applique has new free design everyday.

Lynnie Pinnie has two pages of free designs

Bunny Cup really cute stuff!! I am in love I can't wait to make something.

Applique Market They have 8 free designs. Who doesn't love little ties on babies.

Five Star Fonts- They have 36 free designs and 2 to other heart designs.

The Bully - With Love Sam

2013-01-16T06:24:00.003-05:00

“You know what I think? I think the fitted sheet is the bully of the linen world. It won’t fold, it’s never agreeable to put on AND in the dryer it balls up to keep smaller things from drying!! There’s my proof!”

This is a text from a friend whom I adore because she is strictly light hearted and frank. I hope you have one of these treasures in your life. She’s totally right about the fitted sheet. Man, have you seen the Martha Stewart on folding that thing – you at least need 1 extra arm and maybe two people to tag in. In comes Hebrews. Hebrews is a book to a Jewish Christian church that was undergoing some persecution. Life was beginning to get hard. Paul encourages them with this very famous passage labeled the “Hall of Faith”. Then he goes on to remind them of all the great ancestors of their faith and how it worked out for them because they believed and kept focused – even when it was hard.

He ends the chapter and starts a new one by saying; “Therefore since you are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1.

Did you catch it? There are things in your life, like fitted sheets, that will hinder you, cause you to become entangled, get you off track, fight with your attention and energy and will. So the encouragement today is to find what is keeping you from a full out sprint to following Christ and to THROW it off. Don’t let it encumber you any longer – take action against it!

So next time you change the sheets, Ladies, teach that fitted one who’s boss, keep your eyes focused on your task and don’t be hindered, distracted, or entangled, make up that bed and sleep soundly. Free yourself to run with perseverance the race marked out for you.

PRAYERFUL

2013-01-09T12:31:00.000-05:00

PRAYERFUL

Definition: devout, earnest, sincere

Prayer is simply having conversations with God. Listening and talking. So being prayerful would be living a life of prayer or as my dad told me, praying a life of living. I.E. our praying should direct our living. That is prayer at its simpliest definition.

character trait sheet: To keep it manageable, simply post the Character Trait sheet: PRAYERFUL somewhere in your house where it will be seen often. You can print the sheet from http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/Joyful_Heart_Character_Definition_and_Verse_Charts.pdf .

As usual have the kids read the verse out loud or listen while you read it and they’ll have it memorized in no time.

Here are some tips:

1. Remember when praying with kids to keep it simple and short. Something they can remember and imitate. Aunt June might need lots of prayer but you can pick that up with God a little later!

2. Humor them. Most kids will catch on that they have everyone’s time and attention in their grasp while praying. To take advantage of that they may pray for every friend, every day, and every toy they have. Just keep listening.

3. If your kids are really young just have them repeat after you. And know when they are older that there will be times when they don’t want to pray. That’s okay, do it for them.

4. It seems silly that we would forget but just a reminder – you are talking to the GOD of the UNIVERSE so respect is in order. This is a great time to remind your kids about being respectful. Sometimes I get our kids to kneel, this reverent (and slightly uncomfortable) position usually helps cut out some of the sillies.

ACTIVITES

~ Check out this great use of Christmas cards. Put them on a binder ring or in a shoebox and keep them wherever your family prays together (probably the kitchen table). Pick a card and pray for the person who sent it to you.

~ If your kids are ready not only to pray but also to be watchful, keep a family prayer journal. Make three columns on each page: Date, Request, Answer. This really helps kids see the benefit of persistence in prayer and how God’s timing truly is perfect. Or if your kids are a little younger make it visual: Eva found this great idea to frame a token of an answered request. The example given was a pair of shoelaces that were hung to praise God for answering her prayer for some new shoes.

~ Have older children spend 2 minutes of solitude each morning – lifting up their school day or just focusing their mind that God is real and near. Ask them over breakfast what you can be praying for them today.

~Take advantage of the situation.

Got a Boo-Boo? Clean it, bandage it and pray for it.

Dinner ready? Thank God for the food.

Dad’s got a big meeting? Pray for him together as his car leaves the driveway.

Long trip in the car? Pray with your eyes open for safe travel

Hear an ambulance? Pray for recovery of the person inside.

Long line at the supermarket? Crazed children tired of being strapped in? Whisper of a prayer of love for them in their ear and patience for you!

Sewing Class!

2012-12-27T15:17:00.001-05:00

Our next Free sewing class will be January 11th 2013.

9:30-1:30

Join us and learn how to make "One yard wonders Fabric by Fabric" Play Pants.

The pattern come in size 2-4

It could be boy or girls. I plan to make girls pants making the knee and pocket in coordinating fabric.

You will need:

1 yard of 54/60 inch corduroy fabric

yarn

3/4 yard of 3/4 inch wide elastic

Registeration is due by Friday January 4th.

Putting Christ In Christmas

2012-12-03T11:20:00.001-05:00

This month we will set aside our character traits to focus solely on Christmas. So break out those nativities and celebrate our Savior’s Birth!

IDEAS:

~ Make a Jesse Tree with your family http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/11/free-jesse-tree-advent-devotional-book/ . This wonderful little tree takes you from the very beginning of creation to Christ’s arrival showing God’s mighty love and His incredible rescue plan through sending Jesus.

~ Put your nativity (preferably a non-breakable one) as your centerpiece. It’ll be such a great reminder to you to bring up each character and the part they played in God’s great plan of redemption.

~ As you talk about Jesus’s birth, it’s a great time to mention that He will come back again. His first earthly appearance was humble as a baby, soft, helpless yet effective. His second coming will be as King and quite victorious. Say things like, “I love celebrating when Christ came to save us and I’m so excited for when He comes back to get us”.

~ Conquer a memory verse. I’ve known families that memorize the whole Christmas story – WOW! We take ours in smaller chunks. Last year we memorized Isaiah 9:6. So we focused on prophesy and who Jesus is (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace).

This year we’ll memorize another portion of the story. Say the angels talking to Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds.

Check out http://truthinthetinsel.com/ a wonderful avent count down with crafts to make. Just download the ebook.

However you slice it having the truth of this story in our hearts is worth the effort.

~ As you decorate your house talk about the symbols. A Christmas tree is always pointing us up to God and it’s an evergreen symbolizing eternal life. A wreath is a circle that has no end just as God’s love for us never ends. Teach your children these aren’t just holiday ornaments but symbols that help us celebrate.

~ Lastly, all you Pinterest moms, go out there and find some crafts, recipes, and the like that will draw you and your family closer to the King.

LESSONS I LEARNED FROM MY SEWING MACHINE by Sam

2012-10-25T11:59:00.002-04:00

PATTERN YOURSELF AFTER CHRIST

At JoAnn’s and Hancock’s there are literally 100s of patterns you can follow….from a bean bag to a wedding dress. It’s the same in life, you can pick the pattern of your neighbor (because she’s all pulled together), the pattern of the world, the pattern of any religion. You pick what pattern you want to follow.

But before you purchase that pattern you should ask yourself a couple questions…. 1. Does it accomplish what I had wanted to sew? Does this pattern fill my needs? 2. You look at what it will cost, right? I’m not buying a pattern for curtain panels if it costs me $100?!

Today, let’s look at the pattern of Christ. Gal 5:16 says: So I say live by the Spirit (pattern yourself by Christ) and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature” Later in that chapter it talks about what His pattern SEWS into our lives, what it produces, the fruit of the Spirit.

Those are traits we really want sewn into our lives right?

So what does this pattern cost?

Don’t be mistaken, this pattern will cost plenty. It’s expensive…for God. For you to get this pattern He had to send His only Son to pay the price for you. He did that as a free gift to you.

So, where are you in the pattern process? Lots of us just float through life without really picking a pattern…just follow what’s current or doing our own thing not really giving thought to how you are living and where it’s all leading. So our encouragement to you today is to think about what pattern you are following?

October: TEACHABLE HEART

2012-10-07T22:33:00.001-04:00

Deuteronomy instructs us repeatedly to teach our children God’s commands. So this month let’s prep the soil of our children’s hearts to receive God’s words, truth and work. A teachable heart is defined as being able or eager to learn, open to instruction. A teachable person is humble.

As always and to keep it manageable and simple, post the Character Trait sheet: TEACHABLE somewhere in your house where it will be seen often. You can print the sheet from http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/Joyful_Heart_Character_Definition_and_Verse_Charts.pdf . Have your children rotate days reading the verse allowed for this month. They’ll have it memorized in no time.

EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES

Teach your children this character trait by incorporating it into your everyday. If Johnny is getting frustrated learning to tie his shoes, sit down with him, ask if you can teach him, show him how, then praise him for having a teachable heart. Be mindful this month when you tell your kids something and they ask a question about what you’ve said, to point out that a teachable heart wants to know more.

The point is to drop the word often so they begin to pick up on the actions they are taking that make up this character trait. Also, keep an eye out for this lesson when reading to your kids, lots of children’s books touch on being teachable. “I love you Mommy” by Jillian Harker & Kristina Stephenson is one of our favorites.

Towards the end of the month, remind your kids of their best teachable moments. Carve out some individual time with your children and ask them to teach you something. It could be anything: how to play pokemon, how to draw something, a secret hand shake, whatever they pick. **MOM, be ready to go the distance with this. This is your opportunity to show them your listening ear and engaged mind while confirming your love and respect of them.**

Being teachable is a heart function. We can’t change the hearts of our children, only God can do that, but we can lay a firm foundation for them. Therefore, it is key that we pray for our children this month to begin to adapt teachable hearts. A great verse to pray for your children this month is from Psalm 32: 9: “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.”

Girly Fall

2012-09-29T08:10:00.001-04:00

Here are my top 10 Tutorials Girly fall projects!

Amazing no sew cape from Ruffles and Stuff

Make own pattern tutorial from Craftiness is not optional.

Ruffled Keyhole from Prudent Baby

Altered peasant dress from Sew Like my Mom

Patchwork dress from Sew, Mama, Sew

Ta Da! Double layer skirt from Everyday Chaos

The Starboard Skirt From Simple Simon and co

Ruffled Bloomers from No Big Dill

Paper bag Pants from Shwin & Shwin

Simple Sewing -OCT 5th

2012-09-24T08:14:00.003-04:00

The votes are in and the Playday Frock pg86 is the Oct winner! If you just join us read this.

Here is a super cute on from sew-knit-click.

Two sweet frocks from Yards to go.
Here a few from a flickr group

If you haven't ordered the book, please do. We will be using it for all the project this year and next.
http://www.amazon.com/Fabric---Fabric-One-Yard-Wonders-Projects/dp/1603425861/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1348488195&sr=8-2&keywords=one+yard+wonders+fabric

You will need:
The book!
1 yard of fabric. Cotton weight
thread
2/3 yard of 1/4 inch wide elastic
1/2 yard of 1/2 inch wide single fold bias tape

Registrar at JFBC

November 9ths project will be the Flirt Skirt pg 32

CHARACTER TRAIT:RESPECT

2012-09-11T08:45:00.002-04:00

To get started please visit the following link to the hubbardscupboard.org website:

http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/Joyful_Heart_Character_Definition_and_Verse_Charts.pdf

Scroll through and find Respect for this month. Thank you Mother Hubbard! She also has great curriculum linking these traits to Bible stories while getting reading, math and science done also.

GETTING STARTED: Place the RESPECT sheet in a central location. Start by simply reading the memory verse out loud (or have your children take turns). You’ll be surprised at how quickly they can quote it back to you. Within the first week, invite your kids to a “demonstration”. Kids love surprises so don’t even worry with explaining what’s going on – keep they guessing.

DEMONSTRATION EXAMPLES:

Say: Kids, we’re focusing on Respect this month. Dad and I are going to give you some examples of Respect.

Ex 1. have your husband sit on the couch and say, “get me something to eat”. Ask the kids – respectful or not? Have him do it again respectfully, ask the kids again.

Ex 2. role play meeting a new person. Introduce yourself, look them in the eye, answer loud and clear. Then do it again – don’t answer, or roll your eyes, walk away, you get the drift. Ask your kids which was respectful.

Come up with examples that fit your family. End this short gathering with a simple prayer asking God to help your family learn respectfulness this month.

FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH:

THE RESPECT JAR

Supplies needed:

medium sized vase

enough marbles to fill the vase

wax marker to write RESPECT on the jar.

A few days after you’ve given your demonstration, grap your respect jar. Have it out one night at dinner and tell the kids when they sit down that you’re going to play another game. Give them this example: “Honey, will you please pass the bread (or whatever you have on the table)” “Sure. Here you go” “thank you”. Now, put a marble in the jar – clink. After the example you’ll need to make this rule (if your household is anything like mine): asking for a marble means there will be no marble. And you might want to explain this game will last well beyond dinner.

Okay, now go on with dinner. Maybe your kids were quite during pray - clink; Sally answered “no thank you” – clink; a burp was covered – clink; someone offered to refill an empty glass – clink. You get the picture. The great part about this activity is that you are working as a team to fill the jar.

For the rest of the month, work on filling the jar as a team. Mom, that means you will need to focus on and be diligent toward watching your kids for respect. If you see your kids losing interest, offer to have ice cream for dinner when the jar is full. GO TEAM!

OVERACHIEVERS & OLDER KIDS:

Keep it simple. Each week, find one dinner time when you are all there and not hurried. Simply talk about respecting yourself – standing up for yourself, not talking ugly about yourself, dressing appropriately, so forth.

The next week talk about respecting others – listening / answering when someone speaks to you, eye contact, saying please and thank you.

Third week – talk about respecting other’s property – asking before we take things from others, taking care of the house, so forth.

And week four – talk about the church being God’s house – you’ve already covered property and others so this conversation should come easier.

RESPCT - Character Through His Word

2012-09-03T19:55:00.000-04:00

Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17

We all have a friend who is overboard with her love of punctuation in an email. Guilty! But in the verse above that simple little colon opens the door to learning how to respect.

If you have time to read the whole Second chapter you’ll see that Peter was telling the brotherhood of believers to submit to their authorities. Submission or obedience is a sign of Respect. So this is a great place to start with your kids. Where there is love and respect, obedience will follow.

But as we teach our kids this month about Respect, we have to ask ourselves, “Am I showing my boss respect? My husband? My kids?” Take a minute to take inventory. Quickly read through those questions again asking God to bring one to light if it needs work in your heart.

When a wonderful mom-friend asked me if I was respecting my kids, I realized that I hound my children to not talk to me while I’m speaking with an adult….”say excuse me and wait” is what they hear from me. But I interrupt their play all the time telling them what needs to happen next. Even authority should be respectful! I am trying to now say ‘excuse me’ when I walk into their playtime to get their attention as opposed to “BOYS” (read in a mommy tone).

We will be sending out a simple sheet on RESPECT to help your family focus on it for a month along with one little game to play to make it a family goal for the month. Enjoy your time this month teaching your kids about respect.

With Love, Sam

2012-08-28T14:10:00.000-04:00

Busy with a Purpose

“…They are not busy; they are busybodies.” 2 Thess 3:11b

Listen…do you hear the groaning? Summer has ended. And you might think the groans are coming from the kids but – oh no! – It’s moms everywhere feeling their pulse rise as they begin to dodge the ‘busy’ that is ramping up.

Have you noticed the word busy buzzing around lately? School is starting, Fall sports are gearing up, and most every other activity under the sun is beginning. Before too long, “Busy” will be the answer you get when you ask your friend, “How are you?”

In 2^nd Thess, Paul gives a warning about idleness. Doesn’t seem to fit for our busy schedules but as we read chapter 3, one phrase keeps buzzing in our ear, “They are not busy; they are busybodies” (vs 11). Busy is the better choice – at least when it is busyness with a purpose.

So as you look over your school calendar and activities, make sure that your busyness has a purpose. You might even need to back up a step and write down what you want your top three priorities or goals for this school year to be. That’ll help you weed out what is just busybody-ness and what is busy with a purpose.

Sew Smart

2012-08-27T08:16:00.001-04:00

I saw this on Pinterest and I had to post it!

I hate uneven hems. Unless planned your hem should be even with the floor.
With this amazing tip from Threads you will never be uneven again.

Fabric By Fabric One Yard Wonders.

2012-08-23T17:37:00.001-04:00

Here is the bag we will be doing for our first project. September 7th.

Click Here for supplies.

I found these photos on a few different blogs. A lot of them are from the book.

Here is a sample of the other projects in the book. On the 7th the class will pick our for the Oct 5.

Join us for a free sewing class with free childcare at JFBC.org

Simple Sewing

2012-08-14T22:16:00.004-04:00

Clean the dust off your machine and join us September 7th for the first sewing class of the year.
Sam and I have spent the summer working and praying about what our class should look like this year. This class is for beginners as well as seasoned sewers. Everyone is invited.

I am really exited that all of our projects will be from the book Fabric-By-Fabric one-yard wonders by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins. Order here or pick up at any book store.

101 sewing projects that each require just one yard of fabric! Gym bag, cap for the outdoor enthusiast, ruffle scarf, sassy dress, farmers’ market tote, and little girl’s smocked sundress are only a few of the possible classes for the up coming year. Each project is shown in a full-color photograph accompanied by detailed step-by-step instructions, illustrations and a complete cutting layout. I hope it will encourage you to remake or try some of the project outside of class.

This will also be a very cost effective way of having a lot of patterns as well as providing an easy to reference supply list.

The first class we will be making the Retro Bag on page 50. We will be walking step by step through this project

You will need:
1 yard fabric
Thread
1 yard of medium weight fusible interfacing
1 -3 inch wide decorative ring
1 magnetic snap

We are asking you look though the book and mark the projects you would like to make. In the following classes we will make the projects that receive the most votes.

Register at JFBC events.

Don't forget about childcare. You will have to register separately. It is listed under Preschool Childcare for Women's Fall Bible Studies.

On September 21th we will be having our Fall mission day. We will be making 100 little bears to give out to the the children of Kenya. (Pattern to follow). I hope all willing bodies sewers and non-sewers will come out it will not be as hard as last years doll project. However there will be tons to do.

Just bring your machines and your sewing supplies. Fabric will be supplied.

Even if you can't thread your machine please come out and join us. We will walk you through your project and meet you where you are in your sewing journey. Everyone must start at the beginning.

Summer Celebration

2012-08-11T20:22:00.002-04:00

After reading Eva’s last blog I was inspired by her countdown to school starting. Loved her idea on giving books about school to get a first-timer excited about the new school year.

Our family decided on a countdown to summer’s end. Not that we are excited to see summer go but summer was so good it needed to be celebrated. I ordered 1 or 2 photos of each of our summer activities. From a beach trip to a day at the carnival to a day in our backyard. I wrapped each one in a piece of tissue paper. From now until school starts everyone gets to open one and talk about a good memory.

Enjoy your last few days….as the saying goes – the days are long but the years are short!