2 In Family/ Joy/ Memories/ Motherhood/ Peek into our Week/ Product Recommendations/ Raising boys

Merriest Christmas 2018

Why does it seem like Christmas comes SO slowly when you are a child and as an adult, it comes WAY to quickly. I wish the Christmas season could last twice as long. I love the lights, the songs, the decorations, celebrations, traditions, extra time with friends and family, …and the anticipation and excitement in our children!

Our day started early … 3 AM early! Paul and Clark woke up, went into George’s room and woke him up and exclaimed: “It’s Christmas! Wake up!” Thankfully, George looked at the clock. He then came in, woke me up to let me know that his brothers were up and ready for Christmas and he thought it was too early.

Me: You are right, it’s too early! Go back to bed!

I went downstairs to bring the bad news to Paul and Clark that Christmas wouldn’t begin for 4 more hours.

CLARK: What will we do for FOUR hours?

ME: SLEEP!

CLARK AND PAUL: We are too excited to sleep!

ME: I’m sorry. (not sorry)

Thankfully, somehow, they did go back to sleep and so did I…and Christmas morning began around 7 AM.

Here were their favorite presents:

George – Lego Sets and Portillo’s gift card.
Clark’s – Vikings Jersey and finding out he’s going to the Bears vs Vikings Game with Ted on Sunday! He declared it the “BEST DAY EVER!”
Paul’s – his new slippers and a Dinosaur toy.
Luke’s – remote control car and a Playdoh set.

My favorite moments were:

The homemade gifts and handwritten notes from the boys
The Scavenger hunt that Clark had prepared:
- He had us go upstairs while he hid 3 notes for each person around the house.
- Each note declared something he appreciated about the person:

"George, I love how you are caring."

“Paul, I like how you play nicely with Luke.”

"Luke, I love how you are happy to play any game with your brothers."

“Dad, you are good at football.”

"Mom, thanks for playing games with us."

It was the sweetest game/gift EVER! Wow!

For Christmas dinner – I made their favorite food – STEAK!

Thanks for reading and thinking about our family. Leave me a comment and let me know the best part of your day!

December 25, 2018 By Kathryn

1 In Family/ Memories/ Motherhood/ Saving money/ Things to do in Minnesota

Best Stocking Stuffer Ideas!

Here are some fun and inexpensive stocking stuffer ideas:

First:
Place a small notepad inside each stocking with these pre-written questions:

What is one happy memory from this year?
What’s your favorite gift(s)?
What is something you learned this year?
What has God done in your life this year?
What are you looking forward to next year?

It will be fun to look back through the notebook and reflect on memories from Christmas past, while capturing memories of Christmas present.

After each person is done answering their questions, the notepads go back in the stockings and stay there until NEXT Christmas.

Second idea:

Go to the Dollar Store with your family and allow each person to pick out one thing for every person in the family. In my house, each person gets $7 – one dollar to spend on each of the 6 people, plus an extra dollar for tax.

Your kids will love getting to pick out a gift for each person in the family (as well as one item for themselves). This idea came from the Money Saving Mom

Do you have a good stocking stuffer idea? Leave me a comment by clicking on the little ‘comment’ box by the title of this post.

December 21, 2018 By Kathryn

2 In Book Review

2018 Book Reviews and Recommendations

Scroll to the bottom to read what I think are the BEST BOOKS of 2018!

40 books I’ve read in 2018:

1. Money-making mom – (4/5) This book had some different ideas about how a mom can earn some extra money while raising kids. Written by Crystal Paine who created MoneySavingMom.com.

2. Girl Wash your face by Rachel Hollis – (4/5) Read my review by clicking here.

3. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver (5/5) – Fascinating book, and I highly recommend it. Read my full review by clicking here.

4. Mother & Son: The Respect Effect by Emerson Eggerichs. (5/5) Read my review by clicking here.

5. Conversations with a Billionaire by Ted Egly (5/5) Awesome book! Get a glimpse into this book by clicking here.

6. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (3/5) Read my review here.

7. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (3/5) – Read my review here.

8. N ecessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud (5/5) – Loved this book and HIGHLY recommend it if you are going through any transitions. Read my full review here.

9. Breathing In, Breathing out by Ralph Fletcher (4/5) – Read my review here.

10. Love Does by Bob Goff (5/5) – I read this a couple years ago, and downloaded the audiobook to hear the author read it! This is one of my favorite books ever.

11. Everybody Always by Bob Goff 5/5 (Review here)

12. Wise Woman Abides from The Help Club for Moms – 5/5 – Fall Bible Study book. Click here to read an excerpt. My favorite Bible study for women.

13. Wise Woman Stays from The Help Club for Moms 5/5

14. Wise Woman Loves from The Help Club for Moms – 5/5

15. Fervent by Priscilla Shirer – (5/5) read my review here.

16. Indescribable by Louie Giglio – (5/5) We aren’t finished yet, but the kids and I love this Devotional Book for Kids. Read my review here.

17. My Bible – (5/5) I did not read the ENTIRE Bible this year, it’s just something I read from most days.

18. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – (5/5) Great Book!! Read my review here.

19. Adamant: Finding Truth in a Universe of Opinions by Lisa Bevere – (4/5) Good book full of truth.

20. Volunteer Revolution by Bill Hybels (2nd reading) (5/5) A great book to read if you work with volunteers. Read my review here.

21. Family Ministry Essentials– (4/5) Great book for anyone serving in children, family, or student ministry. Review here.

22. Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine – (3/5) There were some sweet parts to the story, but overall sad.

23. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris – (4/5) Funny stories from David’s life. It has some inappropriate parts (TMI).

24. Volunteer Engagement 2.0 – (2/5) Skimmed this book and because it’s more of a textbook and not one I’d read for “enjoyment.”

25. Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems – (5/5) Awesome book about an incredible missionary! Great gift for a high school student.

26. Hallelujah Anyway by Anne Lamott – (4/5) Anne is an entertaining writer – good book!

27. Encountering our Wild God by Kim Meeder – (5/5) This book is full of fascinating stories of what God has done in and through people. Loved it!

28. Fully Alive by Ken Davis (4/5) – Funny and interesting. Feels like it’s written for an older age group, but overall enjoyable.

29. The Path between Us by Suzanne Stabile – (3/5) Enneagram book. How to have a relationship with people of different personalities. I listened to the audiobook and think it was too much info to ‘listen to.’ I’d probably give it a higher rating if I’d read the book.

30. 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman (5/5) I’ve read this a long time ago but this is one you could keep coming back to. The book discusses different ways our children receive love and how to provide that love.

31. What’s God Really Like? by SJ Hill (5/5) Outstanding book on our amazing God and his incredible love for YOU! This book reminded me of all the ways God SHOWS his love for me! Wow, so so good. READ THIS BOOK!

32. Of Mess & Moxie – 4/5 Entertaining and FUN to read with lots of truth nuggets.

33. Love Does for Kids -(5/5) I LOVED the grown-up version of this book, so I was really excited to get this and read it to my kids. It’s a great book, but I may have enjoyed it more than the kids. I’m still trying to figure out how to get four boys to sit and listen. The book is FULL of great stories, and each connects with a lesson from the Bible.

34. Strong mothers, strong sons by Dr. Meg Meeker (5/5) A book that every single mother of sons should read. Absolutely fantastic. So many scenarios with recommendations of what is normal and how to respond, what to do, etc. Really good for me in a house full of boys! I’ll be reading this again in two years when I have a teenager. This would make a great gift for the mother of pre-teens or teens.

35. The Middle Place (3/5) – This book came recommended so I had high expectations. I usually enjoy memoirs, but this book did not deliver. I felt like it was more of a letter to her own family and too personal. The book’s title: “The Middle Place” refers to being in that place of raising children and still being someone’s child. I skipped through a few parts and kept hoping it would get better. It didn’t.

36. Speak Life by Brady Boyd- (5/5) An amazing book about the power in our words. My review here.

37. The Remarkable Ordinary – (3/5) I downloaded this audiobook because of the interesting title. There were some enjoyable parts to the book, but overall, I wasn’t crazy about it.

38. Unsupermommy by Maggie Combs (5/5) – A book every single mom should read. She speaks truth. LOVED IT and plan to give a few as gifts!

39. Cultivate by Lara Casey (3/5) – About “cultivating” the life you want. Decent book but the book was a little flat for me. However, I was “listening” to this book and may have been distracted. It has great reviews on Amazon.

40. One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voscamp – 5/5 This is one of my TOP FIVE books of the year! Ann is probably one of the most gifted writers I’ve ever read. This is a book on the power of gratitude. This would be a PHENOMENAL gift for any person you know.

Of the 40 books listed above, here are my Top 8 Favorite Books of 2018:

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voscamp – An incredibly well-written book that reminds the readers of how gratitude can positively change your life.
UnSuperMommy by Maggie Combs – This would make a great gift for any new moms or moms with young children.
What’s God Really Like? by SJ Hill – LOVED this book. It would make a good gift for anyone wanting to be reminded of how GOOD our God really is!
Conversations with a Billionaire by Ted W Egly – I LOVED this book and think it would be a great gift for anyone needing a little inspiration.
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver – So interesting. A great gift for any gardener or foodie!
Love Does by Bob Goff
Speak Life by Brady Boyd
Strong mothers, strong sons by Dr. Meg Meeker

(Books above are affiliate links which means if you choose to purchase one, I may make a small commission without any additional cost to you.)

What were your favorite books this year? Leave me a comment!

December 16, 2018 By Kathryn

1 In Christmas/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

Raising children who bring Peace, Love and Hope to a Hurting World

“So God throws open the door of this world—and enters as a baby. As the most vulnerable imaginable. Because He wants unimaginable intimacy with you. What religion ever had a god that wanted such intimacy with us that He came with such vulnerability to us? What God ever came so tender we could touch Him? So fragile that we could break Him? So vulnerable that His bare, beating heart could be hurt? Only the One who loves you to death.” -Ann Voskamp

I have four young boys so there have been four Christmas nights that I’ve been up with a newborn. These quiet moments always give me a chance to reflect on the very first Christmas…

What was Mary thinking and feeling as she held her little one in her arms.

Luke 2:20 (NIV) tells us:

“But Mary treasured up all of these things and pondered them in her heart.”

What was she pondering? Was she scared? Excited? Curious? Wouldn’t it be nice if she wrote what she learned from others, what she learned from Jesus? (I hope to get to talk to her about it one day in heaven!)

I stare into my little boy’s face and wonder who he will become. Did Mary know who Jesus would become? Was she overwhelmed at the thought that God had entrusted her to raise His Son! A child who would bring Hope and Peace for all eternity. Was she afraid she might do something wrong?

As I hold my little one in my arms, I begin to feel afraid. Though I didn’t give birth to Jesus, I am raising a child of God! A child who has the potential to bring hope to a hurting world. A child who can bring the Good News to others! What if I mess up?

Do I have what it takes?

I stop and remember that God chose this child for me at this time.

Deutoronomy 31:6:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Wow, just bask in those words for a minute. We don’t need to fear. He NEVER leaves us. He is always with us!

So what are some things we can do to invest in and mold these young lives so that they become Followers of Christ and make a positive difference in this world?

First of all … ask for God’s help every single day! Ask Him for wisdom because James 1:5 tells us:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Here are some other suggestions for raising young men and women of God:

Lead by example. Spend time reading God’s word and praying.
Stay present. Look at your children in the eye and answer their questions.
SMILE and remind them that they are LOVED – by you and by God!
Say ‘I’m sorry’ when you mess up. (We all mess up!)
Talk about the Goodness of God – sharing stories of what He has done in your life and the lives of others. Deuteronomy 6:7 – “Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Pray together – for their “owies,” for their friends, and their concerns.
Sing and/or read together.
Practice ‘self-care’ so that you aren’t running on fumes.
Go to church together.
Download the Bible App for Kids. When they want to play on your phone, encourage them to play this first. Or play together!
Love their Daddy and invest in your relationship. If you are divorced, refrain from speaking bad about their dad.

Do we have to do ALL of these things every day? No.

I think the most important thing we can do is ask God for help. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you as you lead your children.

If you feel like there is something you can tweak to become the best mama to your children, do it.

Each day is new day!

Each day is a new opportunity to ask God for help. A new day to stay present in your children’s lives. Another opportunity to watch for what God is already doing in your child’s heart and life to encourage and support that!

Let’s look into our children’s eyes and remind them that God loves them and has GREAT plans for their future – He really does!!!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Merry Christmas friends,

Kathryn

This is a devotion I wrote for the Help Club for Moms Fall Study: The Wise Woman Abides

December 11, 2018 By Kathryn

5 In Family/ Memories/ Raising boys

Life with boys…did you really just say that?

As soon as I swept a pile of crumbs in the kitchen, Clark DOVE into them like he was sliding into home base; then he rolled over and started doing snow angels…redistributing the crumbs all over the kitchen.

George saw that Paul was wearing his underwear.

George: You better not fart in those, Paul!

Paul: I already did.

Paul: When I grow up, will I be handsome like daddy and have a beautiful wife like him?

(Okay, Paul, today you’re my favorite)

Me, talking to Luke:

Let’s say I Timothy 4:12 together…”Don’t let anyone…”

Luke: Don’t let anyone

Me: Look down on you…

Luke: Look down on you

Me: Because you are…

Luke: Cute!

Me: (Trying not to laugh) It’s “Because you are YOUNG!”

Luke: (with a big smile) It’s “Because I am CUTE!”

December 5, 2018 By Kathryn

1 In Faith/ Free stuff

One of my favorite stories of all time!

Beth Moore is one of my heroes. The way she talks, writes and teaches speaks right to my heart. Here’s one of my favorite stories she tells. It’s an incredibly powerful, touching true story!

December 3, 2018 By Kathryn

0 In History

Remembering President George HW Bush with one amazing story!

Today George H.W. Bush passed away. In honor of his life, I’d like to share a story from when he served in World War 2. A family friend, Peter Mansfield, posted this on Facebook. I found it so interesting that I wanted to share it with you.

Remembering someone is a way to honor them. We can honor a person whether or not we share the same political views.

Today we remember you, President Bush, and thank you for serving our country.

George H.W. Bush as a member of the U.S. Navy during World War II

The following account is from Bush biographer and presidential historian Jon Meacham:

At dawn on Sept. 2, 1944, Bush was slated to fly in a strike over Chichi Jima, a Japanese island about 500 miles from the mainland. The island was a stronghold for communications and supplies for the Japanese, and it was heavily guarded. Bush’s precise target was a radio tower.

At about 7:15 that morning, Bush took off through clear skies along with William G. White, known as “Ted,” and John “Del” Delaney. Just over an hour later, their plane was hit. Meacham wrote that smoke filled the cockpit and flames swallowed the wings. Bush radioed White and Delaney to put on their parachutes.

“My God,” Bush thought to himself, “this thing is going to blow up.”

Choking on the smoke, Bush continued to steer the plane, dropping bombs and hitting the radio tower. He told White and Delaney to parachute out of the plane, then climbed through his open hatch to maneuver out of the cockpit.

“The wind struck him full force, essentially lifting him out the rest of the way and propelling him backward into the tail,” Meacham wrote. “He gashed his head and bruised his eye on the tail as he flew through the sky and the burning plane hurtled toward the sea.”

As Bush floated in the sky tethered to a parachute, he saw his plane crash into the water and disappear below. Then he hit the waves, fighting his way back up to the surface and kicking off his shoes to lighten his load.

“His khaki flight suit was soaked and heavy, his head was bleeding, his eyes were burning from the cockpit smoke, and his mouth and throat were raw from the rush of salt water,” Meacham wrote.

Fifty feet away bobbed a life raft that Bush managed to inflate and flop onto. But the wind was carrying him toward Chichi Jima, so Bush began paddling in the opposite direction with his arms. Bush would later learn of horrific war crimes committed against American captives at Chichi Jima, including cannibalism.

“For a while there I thought I was done,” Bush told Meacham.

He was alone, vomiting over the side of the life raft and slowly grasping that White and Delaney were gone. Hours passed. He cried and thought of home. Barbara would soon receive a letter from him saying “all was well,” but she had no true way of knowing. The letter was dated before his plane had been hit.

Bush, who would win the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism under fire, thought he was delirious when, suddenly, a 311-foot submarine rose from the depths to rescue him.

“Welcome aboard, sir,” greeted a torpedoman second class.

“Happy to be aboard,” replied the future commander in chief.

Thank you for your life of service, Mr. President!

December 1, 2018 By Kathryn

1 In Food/ Recipe

Chicken (or Turkey) Enchilada Chili

Crockpot recipe:

Ingredients:

2-3 frozen chicken breasts (or leftover turkey!)
2 – 10-ounce cans of enchilada sauce (or one large can)
One can of corn
One can of black beans (drained)
One can of pinto beans (drained)
One can of great northern beans (drained)
One can of diced tomatoes
2 cups of chicken broth (turkey or vegetable broth will work too)
One small red onion- chopped finely
One green or red pepper – chopped
2T chopped chilies in adobo sauce
1 T garlic
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
1 T salt
1 T pepper

Optional ingredients:

Half a cup of fresh cilantro
4 corn tortillas, cut into very small pieces

What do to:

Put two or three frozen chicken breast at the bottom of a crockpot. Pour all of the other ingredients into the crockpot. Stir.
Cook on low for eight hours or high for four hours.
Remove chicken breast, shred with two forks. Put the chicken back in, stir again. Put the chicken back in, add a half cup of whole milk or cream. Stir again.
Serve topped with any or all of the items listed:
- cheese,
- sour cream,
- crushed tortilla chips,
- jalapenos

*Optional: Use some of that leftover turkey!

First, add all the ingredients to the Crockpot (except chicken or turkey). Cook on high for about an hour, then add some of your leftover turkey (shredded or chopped in small pieces). Cook on low for about an hour. Add cream, stir, and serve!

Want the vegetarian version? Leave the chicken and turkey out!

Instapot Recipe

My friend Suzanne edited this recipe for the instapot. She said she used whatever was in her pantry or freezer (such as frozen tomatoes from their garden).

The men in her family smoked their turkey for thanksgiving and the leftovers made a delicious chili!

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 medium chopped onion
4 cloves minced garlic
4 cups chopped turkey
8 peeled, quartered tomatoes
1 can chili beans (not drained)
1 can black beans drained
1 can navy beans drained
1/3 cup of sliced jalapeños from a jar
1 package Enchilada sauce
1 carton Turkey Bone Broth

Instructions:

First mix the enchilada sauce and the turkey broth together and set aside.
Set Instapot on sauté to high and immediately add the olive oil
Once hot, add onions and garlic.
Stir and cook for 3 minutes till softened.
Stir in turkey and tomatoes and continue to sauté for 2 more minutes.
Now stir in the 3 cans of beans and the jalapeños.
Lastly, pour the broth/sauce mixture into the Instapot over the beans and turkey.
Cancel sauté setting.
Place lid securely on Instapot.
Select pressure cook on high for 8 minutes not to release steam.
You can either let the Instapot decrease in pressure after cooking (OR) carefully adjust to release steam manually.
Remove lid carefully and enjoy your chili!
We served ours with cilantro, cheese of choice and sour cream.

Thanks for reading! Happy cooking!

November 28, 2018 By Kathryn

8 In Finding our place/ Moving/ Things to do in Minnesota/ Traveling

How to fit in as a Minnesota transplant

If you like coffee, Caribou is the only option. Don’t say the S-word.
Cheer for the Minnesota Vikings. Not that other team.
Buy a cabin up north. Not somewhere in the south, where it’s warm. Up north.
Embrace the “hotdish” as the fifth food group.
Sign your children up to play ice hockey. It will cost all of your money, most of your time, and a few of your teeth, but it’s worth it.
Be Nice. Passive aggressive counts as nice.
Soft drinks are called “pop.”
If someone cuts you in line, you can kindly ask them not to “BUDGE.” Or be Minnesota nice, and allow them to go first.
Encourage your ENTIRE family to move to Minnesota. Don’t leave anyone out – second cousins, third aunts…they all need to move here.
Finally, spend all weekends and holidays together…in your cabin…up north.