25 days to a more Christ centered home

Each year I try to make Christmas and its focus more about Christ.Last year we had daily devotionals.I am trying it again,starting with what the tree symbolizes and how it all leads to Christ.(see more by following the link above)

We made our countdown chain.Simple!

I hid the baby Jesus for the kids to find and talked about how we are all searching to be with him someday and follow his light to get us there.

I also gave our family the challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 30 days.At first the kids thought they couldn't do it.Then we all sat down and read and they wanted to keep going! What better way to come to know Christ,then to read the scriptures! 

Day 1-1Nephi 1-11

I am my own worst enemy-How to stop comparing and be more confident in yourself

I have been in a funk lately,complete with random mood swings and crying.In fact,if someone met me they would not see the real me.Who knows what would set me off.I am a walking bomb. It is like I am not in control of myself any more.Somewhere, along the mountain of stress and pulls on my time,I lost sight of my happiness blueprint. I not only lost sight of it but I crumbled it up and stomped on it!This is all metaphorically speaking,of course.Also,I want to point out that this craziness did not happen overnight. Who's fault would this be?....Me,myself and I!

Does this sound familiar?

Over the last few years it has been sneaking up on me.I thought I was past the ugly doom cloud, depression. The truth is no matter how you look on the outside; on the inside there is an inner struggle that is unseen to the naked eye.We are the hardest on ourselves.This negative thinking can happen without us even being fully aware it is happening.

Who do you compare yourself to?What are your weaknesses?Do you see only your imperfections? Are you feeling rushed,busy and uneasy?Do you think your house is too messy compared to your neighbors? I think you get the idea,right?

I am still letting it all sink in.As winter is nipping at our doors I find myself wanting to go home.I want to go to my beaches and soak up the sun.The beach is my happy place.For this reason I have decided to take some advice from the ocean.

#1 Be patient and "shore" of yourself

Shores are influenced by its surrounding landscape, as well as by constant erosion from the waves.Are we any different? We are shaped and influenced by people,places and things around us.Life can take a lot out of us,until bit by bit,we are changed.This change can be slow or drastic.It can eat away at us.So how can we accept this change and be strong?

The answer is simple, but the execution of this process is ongoing.....

 Do not allow any negativity from any outside influence matter to you.

Obstacles and barriers will come into our lives.If you focus and worry about these trials, your perspective is blocked.They seem too big and you are swallowed up by the enormity of it all. If you on the other hand relax and tell yourself reassuring things,you often realize that those problems and negative feelings are a creation of your own mind.

My challenge this week is to tell yourself how awesome you are and to dream and see all that is available to you.I want you to wake up and think these happy thoughts.I hope this positive self talk trickles into writing several goals down.Have confidence in your abilities. Ask God to show them to you.He can help you see,for he sees you for all that you are and will be!Get to know who you are!When you truly know yourself and what you want out of life;you will have more confidence in yourself and what you can do!

Here are a few more hints if you are having trouble seeing your best qualities.

• Think about what people have complimented you on before.
• What did you used to be good at? 
• Who do you admire?What qualities do they possess that you would like to develop?

Whether you are stuck,depressed or just overwhelmed,give this a try and soon you will see all the amazing things you can do.Yes, YOU have an important part to play in life.Life is too short to waste.Start now!

November intentions-Remember to be grateful

It is November and brrrrr our nights and mornings are getting chilly.We had the power go out last week.We made dinner on our grill and set out candles.We have 2 fire places too!It was wonderful for us all to be together.This time of year is about being with family and remembering to be grateful.

Here is last months intentions. Whoops I only got a few of those marked off.I did take several bags to the D.I. though!

1.Look ahead the next 4-6 months.Mark important dates in Calendar.
2.Check my Christmas budget and gift lists.Also,buy tape and paper.
3.Take family Christmas card photo.
4.Plan dates with husband and kids.
5.Plan 15 minutes in morning and evening to myself.
6.Exercise once per week.
7.Prune trees and bushes.
8.Finish covering my living room chairs.

Here is my revised list......Look familiar? :-P
1.Look ahead the next 4-6 months.Fall is the beginning of unpredictable weather and busy schedules.
2.Check my Christmas budget and gift lists.Also,buy tape and paper.
3.Take family Christmas card photo.
4.Plan dates with husband and kids.
5.Plan 15 minutes in morning and evening to myself.
6.Yoga and meditation at least once per week.
7.Finish organizing toys and hopefully(fingers crossed),getting rid of lots of them.
8.Re-discover what I love.What are my passions?What did I used to love?Writing a book has always been a dream...

Letter J and N-Week 2 of Mexico

Devotion:Genesis 7:1-3

1 And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.

:)3 Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.

Song:Build an Ark

WORDS AND MUSIC BY MARIANNE P. WILCOCKNoah was a prophet, a man who did not fear.

When he taught repentance, the people would not hear.

So the Lord told him to build a boat

That could hold a ton and stay afloat.

Then Noah started building and said within his heart:

“I will build an ark before it starts to rain.

I will follow the Lord and do all things in His name.

I’ll prepare ev’ry needful thing. I will walk in righteous ways.

When the rain starts to fall on me, I’ll be ready for that day.”

I can be like Noah. Yes, I can be prepared.

I can build my ark, and I’ll find safe shelter there.

I can do the things I know are right.

I can learn and pray with all my might.

And then when storm clouds come, I’ll be safe within my ark.

I will build my ark before it starts to rain.

I will follow the prophet, for he speaks in God’s name.

I’ll prepare ev’ry needful thing. I will walk in righteous ways.

When the rain starts to fall on me, I’ll be ready for that day.

Letters:J and N-N for Noah and J for Jaguar.

Since we were talking about Noah, lets explore the animals of Mexico.We chose Iguana, Jaguar and Scarlet Macaw.

We read Ranger Ricks and it just so happens our newest issue was about Jaguar.

We listened to I wanna Iguana on You tube.

We ended on Scarlet Macaw.

Watch video:

 

Craft:Mexican Bird rattle@ Dltk kids

Letter M and W-Secret mission to Mexico

Devotional:Power of prayer
Scripture: And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" (Matthew 21:22).

Activity with M&M's-Each color represents a different person you can pray for.I wanted the kids to really think about what they say in thier prayers.The original lesson is found here.

Letter:M and W
Since I have been slowing down on the letters my Preschooler is starting to recognize them more.


My kids were really excited this week to receive a secret mission from Highlights magazine.It has been a lot of fun!It is a great way to introduce young kids to geography and different cultures!Here is the pamphlet it all came in.

Mission Inside!

The puzzle book is used to find who did it?What was stolen and where it is hidden?

It came with a free map too and so much more!
I can't forget the passport and villain cards!There are suspects with characteristics and criminal history.It is really geared toward 6 and up but we are loving it!What little boy doesn't like to be a secret agent?

We have learned about several landmarks so far.We talked about Mt. Popocatepetl and Copper Canyon Railway.We looked them up online to extend our learning. 

I wanted my kids to get a feel for what it is like in Mexico.Meet Mahonri and Helaman from Mexico.My son said "They play soccer just like me!"

I love when he makes connections! 

We looked at a picture of the Guadalajara  Mexico Temple.There are over 100 temples today!

We ate tacos and popcorn.Mexico is known for its corn and beans.

Next week:I will be posting more about our activities we did!

How to make a beach themed room using turquoise and coral

I am a California girl and always will be!I love the ocean and I wanted to bring it into my home,but elegantly. Below is my living room before I made some changes by re-upholstering my chairs.I was scared to try coral but I found several pins on Pinterest using this combo of colors.This project brought other changes too!

Before: 

After:

How to bring a new color into the room.I learned about making sure you have that color in other places in the room.This ties it all together.There is some coral on the mantle.

There is coral in the couch pillow too!

I put some coral in the entry way too!

I found this beauty at Ross!

 Before I covered the chairs:

 After I covered the chairs: 

My favorite addition is my lantern!I love it!I got this one at Hobby Lobby.I put shells inside and on the mantle. 

October intentions-Fall in love with Fall and the new you!

The "ber" months are speeding right along!Fall is the time of harvest and plenty.Whether it is your crops or your own ambitions, projects and personal growth. It is time to focus on remembering and reflecting. We are home more and should look for ways to connect with family and ourselves. Celebrate,and by so doing, it is like you are preparing yourself and fertilizing for new growth.It is a great time to let go,make changes and slow down.

1.Look ahead the next 4-6 months.Fall is the beginning of unpredictable weather and busy schedules.
2.Check my Christmas budget and gift lists.Also,buy tape and paper.
3.Take family Christmas card photo.
4.Plan dates with husband and kids.
5.Plan 15 minutes in morning and evening to myself.
6.Exercise once per week.
7.Prune trees and bushes.
8.Finish covering my living room chairs.