Planning a party...Need a little help!

Cooper's 2nd birthday is coming up on us FAST! It is about 11 weeks away. And I have ALOT to do. I am almost positive the theme will be "Mod Monkey" from birthday express. That is not the problem the real problem is where to have it. Being at the end of July I need some where with a little A/C and enough room for the kiddos to run around. I was thinking about a water themed party at my house complete with baby pools and slip-n-slides but then thought of the mess that would create. So then I thought about Chick-fil-a but I really want to be able to decorate just how I want. So now I am not sure where to do this shindig. I am OPEN to ideas so if you have ANY please share them with me:) This momma needs a little help!

Chore Packs

I have had several people ask me about the "chore packs" I am now using with my children. So I thought I would share a little about it with you. First I am going to share some helpful links then I am going to tell you how I made mine. Some on these links are fancy I made mine simple because I wasn't sure they would be worth the trouble...But they are two days running and all chores are finally getting done! So here are the links I read getting ready to start this!
http://www.noordinarymomentsblog.com/2007/10/our-chore-system.html
http://shecanlaugh.blogspot.com/2009/05/chore-packs-independent-chore-help.html
http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/2009/07/chore-packets-teaching-our-children-to.html

Those are 3 really good links plus you can google "Duggar chore packs". I made mine out of those spiral wrist key rings that you get in the stationary section at Wal-Mart. To that I attached one half of a 3x5 index card with a number and a chore. These didn't hold up so I...Cut card stock into 2.5x3 inch pieces and then printed and cut out my chores and used packing tape to stick it all together punch a hole in the corner and put it all on the key ring. If they get the morning section done before school they can take them off and leave them here but if not then they HAVE to wear them to school! It has worked so far. I will keep you posted I started pretty simple but will be adding and changing things over the next couple of weeks. When I have my system like I like it I will share again. This is also working with our reward system to earn money and with our house rules! So many things are changing in our household over the next couple of months ( NO I am not pregnant...more details when I can share) I wanted to get this system, house rules, and other things in good working order. Our old system which was mom asked and I just didn't do it! HA That was not working...I think I need to do this for my children and me. Hope my sharing is helpful...I will for sure be sharing more so check back often!

Also, here are some links to ideas for age appropriate chore!
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1572055/age_appropriate_chores_for_children.html?cat=25
http://www.familycorner.com/parenting/growingpains/3.shtml

April 24 2010

This date is forever stamped into my mind and the minds of all Albertville residents. This night our small town in Alabama was hit by a EF3 Tornado.

I am not sure on the actual number of homes damaged or destroyed. But I do know that there was 33 injury's but NO deaths. I also know the Tornado was almost a mile wide with winds around 140 miles an hour and traveled for roughly 19 miles.

My family didn't suffer the direct hit of this storm but narrowly escapedit's wrath by less than a half mile. At my house huddled in the hall with our three children you could hear the roar of the wind which to me sounded alot like a huge vacuum or dryer. The pressure inside our house changed and we heard TONS of loud bangs and bumps! I have to say I have never been so scared in my adult life. And I am afraid I will now forever be that way :( My children know just how fortunate we are as they have several friends who's homes were damaged or complete losses.

Please pray for our town one week later almost all have power back, clean up is making progress, and we are slowing healing and putting together the pieces. Albertville will survive we just have that spirit about us!

Here is a link to a blog I read that was very imformative. And includes pitcures of the damage.
http://warmsouthernbreeze.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/tornado-rips-severe-damage-through-albertville-alabama/

Albertville City School Schedule

This was just released and was found on the boards web site www.albertk12.org



School will resume on Monday, May 3rd, 2010.
**SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS FOR REMAINDER OF SCHOOL YEAR:
K, 1st and 2nd Grades will be located at Big Spring Lake Kindergarten
3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Grades will be located at Evans Elementary School
7th and 8th Grades will be located at Albertville First Baptist Church
9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Grades will be located at AHS Fine Arts Center and Cafeteria
Beginning and End Times for Each School:
BSLK (K-2): Bus and Car Drop-off: 7 AM Car Pick-up: 12:30 PM Bus Pick-up: 1:00 PM
Evans (3-6): Bus and Car Drop-off: 7 AM Bus (5-6): 1:00 PM Bus (3-4): 1:20 PM Car riders after last bus
AMS (7-8): Bus and Car Drop-off: 7:15 AM Bus Pick-up: 1:30 PM Car Pick-up: 1:45
AHS (9-12): Bus and Car Drop-off: 7 AM Bus and Car Dismissal: 1 PM
**UPDATED PARENT MEETINGS FOR EVERY SCHOOL:
GRADES K-2 will meet Thursday, April 29th ~ 5:00 PM at Big Spring Lake Kindergarten Gymnasium.
GRADES 3-6 will meet Thursday, April 29th ~ 7:00 PM at The Fellowship Baptist Church on Hwy 75 North.
ALBERTVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL - Thursday, April 29th ~ 6:00 PM at Albertville First Baptist Church Sanctuary.
ALBERTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL - Thursday, April 29th ~ 6:00 PM at The Fellowship Baptist Church on Hwy 75 North.
Informational Faculty/Staff Meetings are scheduled for this Thursday (4/29) for those able to attend:ACLC - Thursday morning, 10:30 AM at ACLC OfficeBSLK - Thursday morning, 9 AM at BSLK LibraryAPS - Thursday morning, 9 AM at BSLK Lunchroom
AES - Thursday morning, 9 AM at APS/AES Lunchroom

Showering My Teachers With Gifts

Well with the end of this school year drawing to a close it is time to get down to business....Teacher gifts!

I not only like to give my teach a gift at Christmas and End of the Year...But I LOVE to do something all 5 days of teacher appreciation week. So I ask you what are some cute, cheap and useful gift ideas. Remember we are talking on gift a day for 5 days so it doesn't have to be "big". I am saving the "big" one for the end of the year:)

Here are a couple of ideas I had...
1.) "Monogrammed" Notepad with pen- Which I can make myself!
2.) Nice hand soap and lotion
3.) 1 Monogrammed hand towel- for use at home or in classroom
4.) Hand written note-Which if I was the teacher would LOVE
5.) Chocolate :)

Ok those are my ideas come on and share yours. Also visit www.kellyskornerblog.com for other ideas she is Linking up on this subject today!

That's My King

Since Easter is only a couple of days away I wanted to share this lovely "sermon" with you all! I love the way the "author" SM Lockeridge describes MY KING! If this doesn't get your Fire Burning I am not sure what will. Read...Enjoy...Yes I know it is long and even better if you actually watch the video go to YouTube and search SM Lockeridge That's My King...Watch all 6 minutes it is great! Our pastor shared this at church awhile ago and it renewed me:) A find posted a segment of it today on FB so I decided to share it on here with you all.

That's My King- SM Lockeridge

My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s a racial King. He’s the King of Israel – that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King. Well I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament show His handiwork. My King is the only one whom there are no means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shore of supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. Well, well, He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s saviour. He’s the centrepiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s august. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. Well, He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in high criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of proved theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King. He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. Well, He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s strong God and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. Do you know Him? Well, my King is the key of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King. Yeah. Yeah. That’s my King. My King, yeah. His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Well. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable. He’s indescribable. Yes. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible. He’s irresistible. I’m coming to tell you, the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explaining Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. Well, Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilot couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King. Yeah. He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There was nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You cant impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King! Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but it’s God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever. And when you get through with all of the evers, then, Amen.

Sewing to save

I have decided to make both Jesse and Cooper's Easter outfits. I have been sewing for about a year now and my kids are wearing lots of things I have made them. At first I was sewing to be able "copy" some more expensive pieces I wanted for my kids. I am a fairly cheap person so you know I wanted the "look" for less! But considering the current state of our economy and the fact that it will not stop raining our income has been drastically reduced. So I have been sewing Cooper's John-Johns since last summer I can make him one for about $15 when one might cost around $40 in the stores. I have almost perfected the John-John to the point someone at church thought one of his was store bought:) HA I have also branched out I have made Jesse several different skirts and skorts, appliqued t-shirts for holidays, made Duece countless pairs of shorts, and well every John-John Cooper wears is made my your truly. I even made Cooper a diaper bag and also made the kids teachers Christmas gifts this year. I seem to be all over the place with this and not hardly related any of it to my title....Maybe I should have called this post sewing rambling! Ok I said all that to say this...Sewing can be expensive and time consuming but it can also save you tons of money and it is a way to better control the "style" your children wear. I have a friend who sews shorts for her handicap daughter so they better fit her. I know of people who sew so they can have a more modest dress for their child. I even know people who sew just to have fun. But here lately I have been sewing to save money. I do this by being a smart fabric shopper. If I like something and it is more that about $5 a yard I will wait until the store has a sale. I know some people think you should use more expensive fabric...But I can't I am doing this to save me money and so far it has. I have sewn Jesse 3 skorts at a total cost of about $15 that is 5 bucks each and shorts well those are cheap cheap it only takes 1 yard to make Duece a pair so if you are smart the cost about $4-5. I have already shared how much I save on John-Johns. And get this I will be making both Jesse and Cooper's Easter duds for....DRUM ROLL PLEASE about $20! Now that is saving if you ask me.
I have other ways I have been saving money and from now on I will be sharing them with you. Maybe my "tips" can help someone.