The Truth About the Truth in the Tinsel (Review!)

I'm super excited today. Not only am I blogging again, which has strangely burned within me for the past few months of hiatus, but I'm starting it all off with the beginning of the Holiday Season. As a extra bonus, I've been asked to review the new e-book The Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands by the awesome mom-blogger after God's heart, Amanda White, of Impress Your Kids! Click here to visit Impress Your Kids.

It's always on my heart to make the advent season purposeful and focused on Jesus in the midst of the hype. This book is a perfect way to carve out a small part of the day (only about 30 minutes) and create something with your child(ren) that will make it easy to share the birth story of Jesus in a way that will be sticky to their hearts and minds - and maybe even their hands sometimes. What got me truly enthusiastic about The Truth in the Tinsel is this part of the section How to Use This Book: "The key to this entire advent celebration is to have a daily focus and meditation on God’s greatest gift. Your children will learn the ins and outs of the story because you’ve facilitated a time to discuss, play, and create. And in those moments, God will speak to their hearts and yours. 
The little Baby is no longer in the manger but alive and sitting on a throne—waiting to have a relationship with you and your children. Help your children get to know Him this Christmas!"
I almost cried with JOY!

Each day of December preceding Christmas has a small ornament craft planned around scripture verses. The sections on each page "Read it Together", "Make it Together", "Talk About it Together", and "Do More Together" make it easy to glance at and find your place in the midst of artsiness and - let's face it - noise. The accompanying photos show the materials needed, step-by-step shots, and the finished product hanging on a tree branch. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. I love the idea of reading the bible together and then talking about it while creating. Amanda White has planned this activity book to reach pre-school through middle elementary aged children, but I'm pretty sure all of my kids will want to make these cute ornaments (with the possible exception of my 13-year-old) and participate in the scripture reading and discussion. For days when we have extra time to spend on this, we will definitely be exploring the activities in the "Do More Together" sections; these can be additional scripture, picture books, singing, play-acting, and bringing others in on the fun!

In the weeks to come, my family and I will be exploring and creating The Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands, so make sure and check back here to see all the fun we're having getting to know the birth story of Jesus a little better. I know you'll love it and TODAY ONLY Amanda is offering this beautiful gem for only $2.99! After today, the e-book will retail for $4.99, so don't wait! GRAB THAT DEAL. Then, you can use the supply list at the beginning of the book and take full advantage of the fabulous coupon you got for Michaels, or Hobby Lobby, or JoAnn's. Make this Christmas season the best ever - be intentional and share God's heart with your little ones. They need know that He loves them than Santa Claus ever could.

Fun Mom Prayer

One of the reasons I started blogging was because of all the encouragement and community I found through other mom bloggers. I visit some favorites and get a few in my email. Occasionally, I follow the bread-crumb trail of wonder to new kindred spirits. Yesterday, a link to this prayer from Stacy of MOD Squad was provided in my email. It spoke directly to my heart, and I know it will touch yours too! So, here goes, the Fun Mom Prayer...

Cecelia, Me, and Keliah having fun together!

Dear Lord,
I’m the rule maker.
The one who makes them wash their hands 100x’s 
and eat their green beans.
I am their teacher.
I say “NO”, a lot.
And sometimes, that is the right thing to say.
But what I really want to be, is the one who captures their hearts and turns them to You.
Who I really want to be, is a mom who has time to make cookies, play Yahtzee, and catch lightning bugs in a jar.
What I want to say more is, “Yes! Let’s have an adventure today.”
And put aside my chores, my have to’s, my grown up things and enjoy this precious time I have with them.
Because tomorrow, they will be grown.
And I will not have a chance to do these things with them.
I’m not sure where this is in Your Word exactly, but I know you are a God who loves relationship.
And You did make it a point to let the children come to you. {Matthew 19:14}
So, would you make me, this mom, a fun mom?
Let my children remember me:
Smiling. Chasing. Dreaming. And having fun with them.
Amen.

Thankful Thursday

Today, I finally got the video of the progress on our house online. I am so thankful for all the amazing people who volunteered their time and generously donated toward our home makeover. We've been here for a few months now, and there's still a lot of work to do, but we are thankful for this opportunity God gave us to learn, grow, and persevere. He is truly glorious. Hop on over to our family blog to check it out! http://canusofamily.blogspot.com/

Back Online ~ after 3 months!

What have you all been up to? I feel so lost! I've been playing catch-up for the past couple days because we are finally online again. The short version of the story of why it's been so long is that we moved and didn't want to get cable internet access again. We looked into alternatives, really liked one, but they don't service our area yet! So, we broke down and called the cable guy again. I'm so glad. I got to read A LOT of sweet and lovable birthday wishes from October on my Facebook page and got to send out Christmas blessings to friends who wished me merry last month. I'm only a little late in the New Years hoopla, and got to laugh, cry and groan while catching up on my blog buddies' posts.
I'm so happy to be back on here and have lots to share. One sad note is that my camera is missing. Either I lost it (how, where, I don't go anywhere!?!) or it was stolen out of my van. Seems unlikely, but I don't keep it locked and I may have left it in there. So, for now, no current pictures unless you can all stand my cell phone photos. Not pretty.
Fun time of my day is that I took all 3 of my daughters for a girls' time out to Downtown Disney. We just meant to go to the 3D showing of Tangled, but arrived late due to rain and had to hangout till the next showing. What's a girl to do in Downtown Disney for 2 hours? Shop & snack! We hit the Lego store, the princess end of the Disney emporium (that's what I call it), and shared a big Rocky Road sundae at the Ghirardelli soda fountain. Fun! I have to say it was pretty cute looking at Sabina sitting pretty in her 3D shades and licking a long unicorn lollipop. Plus, Cecelia & Keliah were in their sparkly cool outfits and dancing their Hannah Montana hearts out along the wet walkway of Pleasure Island. Singing in the Rain style. Moments to treasure.

Moving and Makeover

Well, things have been really busy around here with the packing and the homegrown home-makeover going on. I'm stealing a few minutes here to let you know, yes, I am alive. Yes, I am blessed abundantly. Yes, I found a refrigerator today that we could afford (barely.) All exciting stuff! Click over to our family blog to see what's going on! Here is the video from last Saturday:

Under Construction

As my regular readers may know (if I still have any), I haven't been blogging lately. Things are a bit... confused around here. Everyone is healthy, we are blessed, but I've been in flux. God is doing something in my life. He seems to be calling me to rise above my everyday existence and step into the destiny He has for me. I am still trying to get through the days in peace and resisting His voice. On the outside, everything seems the same with me, but on the inside I am under construction. I am not even sure of the blueprint yet, but I know preparations have begun. The landscape has been altered, smoothing the way for a new thing. I'm kind of excited, but also nervous about how it's all going to turn out.
This is what I know:

1. Jesus is my Lord and Savior, I will follow God the best that I can.
2. He has definitely told me to homeschool my children.
3. My husband, Nick, is a man after God's own heart.
4. I am blessed abundantly - not only by God the Father, but by the love of the people in my life.
5. The time has come to live radically.
6. I'm not the only one who's hearing this call.

I'm going to be blogging regularly again. I will still share cute pictures of my kids and stories of our journey of faith. I will also be journaling about this path I am traveling - wherever it may take me.
Blessings, Dixie

Thankful Thursday - ALREADY?!

Yes, it's true, I've been so consumed with house, home, children, homeschooling, Christmas hoopla, etc. that another week has flown by and I haven't posted! I'm so ashamed! I have pics from the much talked about trip to the beach, a funny story about Carlo, and some griping about hormones to do... But, all that will have to wait, because today is Thankful Thursday, and I am giving God center stage.
He deserves it.

Today, I am thankful for the Joy He pours out on me. What a great gift!

I am thankful for the Peace He restores to my soul when I (finally) turn to Him in the midst of my rebellious, thunderous, fuming moods.

I am thankful for God's great and all-consuming Love.

Finally, I am thankful that Jesus, in His pure humility and love for us, came as a baby: a small bundle of flesh and blood and sweetness, cries and sighs, so that we could KNOW HIM! So He could sacrifice Himself. So He could spend eternity with us.

What wondrous Light. I am so filled with awe and love. Thank you Lord.

Blogging...what am I doing?

So, after experiencing the fun and rush of Myspace (I especially liked decorating my space and picking out music and pictures), and the super-easy connectivity of Facebook, I finally took the plunge into Blogspot. It's been a joy, although my time management skills have retarded some of my efforts. I've really loved "meeting" and sharing with other bloggers. You are all amazing!

Recently, I volunteered to administrate the OHOP blog which had been neglected for the past year. Our great Co-Director, Emily, is gifted at staying in touch and promoting through Facebook and MySpace, as well as e-mail. So, yeah. It's on Wordpress and I have no clue what I'm doing. I have a vague idea of what I want, but the format and language are completely different than Blogspot. I'm considering getting a Wordpress for Dummies book, or at least checking it out from the library.

If any one of you has some secrets to share, I need to hear them!!! Thank you.

6 Word Saturday

Yes, I am a lazy blogger.

New Look for Blog

Well, I spent way too much time today on this new blog decor!
But! I did finally figure out how to make my own banner by myself and I successfully made dinner from scratch too. Can you believe it? Usually it's computer or good dinner. I must be getting better at multi-tasking. That, and I didn't have any convenience food available.

I've been in prayer for Coleman today since he was supposed to have his first dose of chemo. Hoping to have an update for you all tomorrow.
Thank you all for your heartfelt comments and prayers on his behalf. I'm forwarding them all to his mom, Michele and dad, Brian. I'm just so grateful to you. Keep lifting them up during this challenging time - battling time - as they also have 3 other children to care for.

Keep believing for those miracles!

Prayer Request

Just when I was starting to get in a groove with my blog posts, my house cleaning, my everything, I got sick. I'm not talking about the sniffles and annoying sick, but laid out with a fever and spending the better part of 4 days in bed sick. I assume it was some kind of flu - fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, no appetite, etc. I've been fighting it off all week. I haven't been on the computer since Saturday. It's Friday now, and while I was sifting through my email, I found a cry for help from my dear Aunt and Uncle in Oklahoma and thought I should pass it on as I send my prayers up. Thank you all for joining me.

Subject: Pray for our grandson

Coleman is 9 years old and in the third grade.

Now that we thought everything was okay we received some bad news this evening.

When Coleman had his tonsils removed Tuesday, they sent his right tonsil to pathology for testing because it was VERY LARGE. The tests came back positive for cancer. The doctor believes it is lymphoma cancer. He has asked for further testing to find out what kind of cancer. Michele has an appointment for next Wednesday to talk to a pediatric cancer doctor and that's when we will find out the type of cancer and what to do from there.

Also pray for my son-in-law, Brian, for he is having a very hard time handling this news. Michele feels confident that Coleman will be okay.. They have not told Coleman or his sisters and brother the news. They want to wait until they go to the doctor next week.

Steve and I also need your prayers that we can be positive and strong for our daughter and her family.

I have Three scriptures for now:

Psalm 34:4 takes away my fears- Psalms 37:4 grant the desires of my heart- Deuteronomy 33:27 for we are in his everlasting arms.

Your Sister In Christ,

Nona

Baby Picture Sundays - I scream, You scream!

This is Luca just a few days old. I was looking for a really cute ice cream face picture, but I had no luck! I thought this was still cute though.

This was a big lesson for me on organization, and why it's important. (For my blog, of course!)