Three Ways to Relieve Stress Before the Holidays Arrive
taken from Familylife.com
written by Susan Yates
Just the other day I was chatting with some friends, primarily mothers of young children. They were already feeling anxious about the holiday events now being scheduled. In addition, they were worried about different family members coming to visit.
Finally one commented, "I just want to get through it. I want it to be over!"
We can all identify with this in some way. It is indeed a sad commentary on our culture and on our lifestyles. What is meant to be a season of celebration has today become a season of stress.
What can we do to alleviate some of the stress and recapture a sense of the true spirit of Thanksgiving and Christmas before they arrive?
Three things will help:
1. Lower your expectations. The media often creates a vision of the holidays as a time of warm family relationships, relatives sitting by the fire roasting chestnuts, children happily giving and receiving, and, of course snow falling everywhere. Families sick with Swine Flu, kids fighting over toys, a dad who isn't there, estranged relatives, a schedule way too full, an unexpected emergency, and the lack of funds are rarely pictured. It is so easy for us to become swept up in what we think it should look like as opposed to the reality. And we tend to think we're the only ones—surely no one else's life is like mine!
We need to define realistic expectations for this coming season. Brainstorm with your husband or close girlfriend. Ask yourself what you can do to obey the great commandments (love God, and love your neighbor) during this season. How can you lower your expectations on relationships and grant grace instead of succumbing to disappointment? How can you prepare your children to understand the real meaning of this season?
2. Simplify your lifestyle. I have found one of the leading causes of stress is that we try to cram too much into these days. We live in a culture that screams, "The more the better!" And yet often less is definitely better. Instead of watching your calendar fill up, go ahead now and block out personal time, couple times, and family times. Then when that really nice invitation comes along, have the courage to say, "I'm so sorry we have a conflict." It is far easier to set boundaries before the commitments start to pile up.
We can also simplify our own traditions. Do you really need to decorate your mailbox because all the other neighbors do? Do you have to give gifts to every family member? Because my husband, John, and I have large families, we've always drawn names for siblings and their spouses. So we each give one gift to one sibling or spouse. Our own five children and their spouses draw names between each other as well. It simplifies gift giving and saves money, too.
3. Determine what you can delete or postpone. You may have a tradition of a cookie bake with girlfriends. But do you really need to do it at this time? Why not postpone it until the end of January when life is not so packed? You'll relieve stress and enjoy it more. Or those couples you do a Christmas event with every year ... why not postpone this gathering until a date in the winter? Look at what you have done in the past and determine what to eliminate this year. Be courageous and eliminate one or two things you usually do and instead declare a family night at home alone. It helps to remember that every time you say "yes" to something, you should say "no" to something else.
This coming season is a time to "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). We have to be ruthless with our schedules and grant extra grace in our relationships if we want to soak in the miracles of this season.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Late Fees
Just a quick post of some information my husband and I learned over the past week.
Did you know that as of October 1st, 2009, you'll have to pay another $20 if you are more than 7 days late renewing your plates or license. And if you have multiple cars, those late fees can add up quickly.
Here is an example:
The birth date your vehicles are registered under is November 1st.....you have until November 8th to renew your vehicle tags before they charge a $20 fee.
This late fee is also applicable for your driver's license renewal.
Did you know that as of October 1st, 2009, you'll have to pay another $20 if you are more than 7 days late renewing your plates or license. And if you have multiple cars, those late fees can add up quickly.
Here is an example:
The birth date your vehicles are registered under is November 1st.....you have until November 8th to renew your vehicle tags before they charge a $20 fee.
This late fee is also applicable for your driver's license renewal.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Recipe - Scotcheroos
I made a batch of these for Stephanie Albert....ask her how they taste! I thought they were VERY yummy!
Scotcheroos
recipe from Cookie Madness
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light Karo Syrup
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup butterscotch morsels
1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate morsels
Line a 13×9 inch metal pan with non-stick foil or line with regular foil and spray with cooking spray.
Put the cereal in a big mixing bowl and set aside.
Combine the sugar and corn syrup in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat to dissolve the sugar. Mixture will go from foggy to clear.
Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter. Pour over the cereal and stir well. Press tightly into pan.
In a bowl set over barely simmering water or using a low setting on microwave, melt the butterscotch chips and chocolate chips together. Pour the melted chip mixture over the krispies and let chocolate cool and set. This should take a few hours. You can speed things up by refrigerating, but the bars will be a little harder to slice.
When set, lift foil from pan and set bars on a cutting board. Cut into squares.
Makes 20-24
Scotcheroos
recipe from Cookie Madness
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light Karo Syrup
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup butterscotch morsels
1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate morsels
Line a 13×9 inch metal pan with non-stick foil or line with regular foil and spray with cooking spray.
Put the cereal in a big mixing bowl and set aside.
Combine the sugar and corn syrup in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat to dissolve the sugar. Mixture will go from foggy to clear.
Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter. Pour over the cereal and stir well. Press tightly into pan.
In a bowl set over barely simmering water or using a low setting on microwave, melt the butterscotch chips and chocolate chips together. Pour the melted chip mixture over the krispies and let chocolate cool and set. This should take a few hours. You can speed things up by refrigerating, but the bars will be a little harder to slice.
When set, lift foil from pan and set bars on a cutting board. Cut into squares.
Makes 20-24
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Devotion - The Struggle
Written by Christie Blackwood ( a guest writer on Internet Cafe Devotions)
A couple days ago my husband and I were each changing a diaper (I would like to take this time to praise my husband as he has still changed more diapers then me up to this point - to all the single ladies...make "will change a diaper" a prerequisite...:). I had just finished explaining to our dear nine month old that if he would just stop struggling and cooperate, things would go a lot faster and smoother and he could be off crawling and chewing on the nearest object in the blink of an eye. Then I heard my husband in the next room also explaining the merit of being "still" while being diapered, to our two year old.
The same kind of thing happened today. My oldest had just finished a "feesee" (freezie) and was covered in purple juice. He wanted to keep playing but I saw the wisdom in getting him cleaned up before he stained his clothes and everything else in reach. It would have been over in probably 4 seconds had he just been still but the power struggle that ensued made the whole process quite longer and more unpleasant. A minute later, all cleaned up, he huffs on his way back to his important toddler schedule of playing with sticks and chasing the dog.
I found myself smiling at my likeness in my child...not physical looks (he looks just like his dad) but in the way he struggles with the things that are good for him and makes the process longer and sometimes, more unpleasant, than necessary.
Don't I do the same thing with my Father?
I fight against trusting Him fully because I'm afraid of what it might mean - what it might take away. I fight against giving up a grudge because it would mean that, in my eyes, justice wasn't done. I fight against giving that extra money because I see all the things I need it for myself.
The Israelites did this too. They fought against the way God wanted to set them free from Egypt ("You're taking us to the desert?!"). They fought against the way He provided for them ("Manna again?!"). They fought against who God gave them as a leader ("Aaron, you lead us!"). They fought against entering their freedom ("The giants are too big for us!"). I read that the trip from Egypt to Canaan actually only takes 3-4 days. Taking into account the number of people and the animals that were with them, it probably would have taken a little longer but I wonder if the forty years of wandering in the desert would have been cut a lot shorter had they not stopped struggling with God, trusted Him and let Him lead?
I can't see the future or the reasons behind a lot of what God does but one thing I do know, is that He tells me not to lean on my own understanding (stop trying to figure it all out) but to trust in Him with my whole heart (Prov.3:4-5). I pray that as I grow in Him, I stop the struggle and let Him do what He wants to do in my life.
I don't want to be left with purple juice on my face..;)
A couple days ago my husband and I were each changing a diaper (I would like to take this time to praise my husband as he has still changed more diapers then me up to this point - to all the single ladies...make "will change a diaper" a prerequisite...:). I had just finished explaining to our dear nine month old that if he would just stop struggling and cooperate, things would go a lot faster and smoother and he could be off crawling and chewing on the nearest object in the blink of an eye. Then I heard my husband in the next room also explaining the merit of being "still" while being diapered, to our two year old.
The same kind of thing happened today. My oldest had just finished a "feesee" (freezie) and was covered in purple juice. He wanted to keep playing but I saw the wisdom in getting him cleaned up before he stained his clothes and everything else in reach. It would have been over in probably 4 seconds had he just been still but the power struggle that ensued made the whole process quite longer and more unpleasant. A minute later, all cleaned up, he huffs on his way back to his important toddler schedule of playing with sticks and chasing the dog.
I found myself smiling at my likeness in my child...not physical looks (he looks just like his dad) but in the way he struggles with the things that are good for him and makes the process longer and sometimes, more unpleasant, than necessary.
Don't I do the same thing with my Father?
I fight against trusting Him fully because I'm afraid of what it might mean - what it might take away. I fight against giving up a grudge because it would mean that, in my eyes, justice wasn't done. I fight against giving that extra money because I see all the things I need it for myself.
The Israelites did this too. They fought against the way God wanted to set them free from Egypt ("You're taking us to the desert?!"). They fought against the way He provided for them ("Manna again?!"). They fought against who God gave them as a leader ("Aaron, you lead us!"). They fought against entering their freedom ("The giants are too big for us!"). I read that the trip from Egypt to Canaan actually only takes 3-4 days. Taking into account the number of people and the animals that were with them, it probably would have taken a little longer but I wonder if the forty years of wandering in the desert would have been cut a lot shorter had they not stopped struggling with God, trusted Him and let Him lead?
I can't see the future or the reasons behind a lot of what God does but one thing I do know, is that He tells me not to lean on my own understanding (stop trying to figure it all out) but to trust in Him with my whole heart (Prov.3:4-5). I pray that as I grow in Him, I stop the struggle and let Him do what He wants to do in my life.
I don't want to be left with purple juice on my face..;)
Friday, November 6, 2009
Easy Recipe - Chocolate Covered Toffee
I tried this recipe tonight so I could bring some to the MOPS Zone meeting on Saturday. It was SUPER easy and delicious!
Recipe from In Good Taste
Chocolate Covered Toffee
Ingredients:
40 saltine crackers (about 1 1/2 sleeves)
3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks)
1 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 - 2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup chopped almonds
Directions:
1. Line a baking sheet or jelly roll pan with aluminum foil and grease or spay with PAM. Lay saltine crackers in a single layer in the pan.
2. Preheat oven to 400F. Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, stirring constantly. Add brown sugar and stir until combined. Bring to a rolling boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and pour butter/sugar mixture over saltines.
3. Bake at 400F for 5 minutes or until bubbly.
4. Remove from oven and before crackers cool, sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Allow it to set for 5 minutes or until the chocolate chips are melted and spread across the crackers with a knife or large spatula. Sprinkle chopped nuts
across the top, if desired.
5. Let tray cool in the refrigerator for approximately 2 hours, or until candy is chilled. Break into pieces and store in a tin for up to 3 days.
Recipe from In Good Taste
Chocolate Covered Toffee
Ingredients:
40 saltine crackers (about 1 1/2 sleeves)
3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks)
1 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 - 2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup chopped almonds
Directions:
1. Line a baking sheet or jelly roll pan with aluminum foil and grease or spay with PAM. Lay saltine crackers in a single layer in the pan.
2. Preheat oven to 400F. Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, stirring constantly. Add brown sugar and stir until combined. Bring to a rolling boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and pour butter/sugar mixture over saltines.
3. Bake at 400F for 5 minutes or until bubbly.
4. Remove from oven and before crackers cool, sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Allow it to set for 5 minutes or until the chocolate chips are melted and spread across the crackers with a knife or large spatula. Sprinkle chopped nuts
across the top, if desired.
5. Let tray cool in the refrigerator for approximately 2 hours, or until candy is chilled. Break into pieces and store in a tin for up to 3 days.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
"Right From The Start" Series
I came across a video series presented by Dennis and Barbara Rainey from Family Life. The topic is "A Biblical Approach To Early Childhood Discipline". I watched the first session and thought it was wonderful! I was encouraged and reminded of the responsibilities God has given me as a parent. If you have the time (the first session is about 30 minutes) I would encourage you to check it out.
Here is what the "Listener's Guide" says in the Introduction:
Of all the titles we may be given in life, none is more honorable than parent. That little person who relies on you for the basics of food, clothing, and shelter will also take from you bigger things—like character, integrity, and a spiritual belief system. Your job is huge. And it starts now.
We’d like to fast-forward you to some landmark moments that you will hopefully enjoy in the future—graduations, recognition of achievements at school and on the job, engagements, weddings—moments when your eyes will glisten and your heart will race as you watch your children reap the benefits of their good choices. Their successes will be your blessings. And we hope and pray there will be many. But between now and those future days of reward there will also be countless moments of demand and concern when your parenting skills, and your patience, will be stretched to the limit.
Would you like some help?
We don’t have all the answers, but we have learned a few things in our parenting journey. And we’d like to share some of those with you in these pages and on the companion videos. In particular, we’ll discuss the earliest years of parenting—from the day you bring your bundle of joy home from the hospital to his or her fifth year. Those infant and toddler years set a pattern for all the years that follow. It’s best to get it right . . . from the start.
Click HERE to watch the first session......Let me know what you think about it.
Here is what the "Listener's Guide" says in the Introduction:
Of all the titles we may be given in life, none is more honorable than parent. That little person who relies on you for the basics of food, clothing, and shelter will also take from you bigger things—like character, integrity, and a spiritual belief system. Your job is huge. And it starts now.
We’d like to fast-forward you to some landmark moments that you will hopefully enjoy in the future—graduations, recognition of achievements at school and on the job, engagements, weddings—moments when your eyes will glisten and your heart will race as you watch your children reap the benefits of their good choices. Their successes will be your blessings. And we hope and pray there will be many. But between now and those future days of reward there will also be countless moments of demand and concern when your parenting skills, and your patience, will be stretched to the limit.
Would you like some help?
We don’t have all the answers, but we have learned a few things in our parenting journey. And we’d like to share some of those with you in these pages and on the companion videos. In particular, we’ll discuss the earliest years of parenting—from the day you bring your bundle of joy home from the hospital to his or her fifth year. Those infant and toddler years set a pattern for all the years that follow. It’s best to get it right . . . from the start.
Click HERE to watch the first session......Let me know what you think about it.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Campfire & Marshmallows
Although my boys have never actually been camping {in the great outdoors}, we camp all the time in our living room. When I came across this craft idea I thought it was perfect for our "camping trips". If you're like me and keep and the empty paper towel rolls, because you know there is something you can use them for.....this is the craft!
I found the instructions for this on familycorner.com. I'm sure they have a lot of other great ideas on their website also. I just haven't have the opportunity to look.
Cardboard Tube Campfire & Marshmallows
by Amanda Formaro
Children love to pretend, so nurture that creative side by making this easy campfire and roasting marshmallows from toilet paper rolls and cotton balls. Your child will love pretending she's roasting tasty treats on an open fire!
What You Need
6 cardboard tubes
brown acrylic or poster paint
large paintbrush
tissue paper: yellow, red and orange (I only used red because I didn't have any orange or yellow at the house)
2 twigs (no way was I going to give my boys twigs so I wrapped long pieces of cardboard with tape)
cotton balls (have a few on hand, I glued 3 set on in one day, but maybe it was just my boys)
white craft glue
hot glue gun
What you do
Paint all cardboard tubes with brown paint and let dry. repeat for a second coat if needed.
Cut tissue paper into three squares for each color. The yellow squares should be a little larger than the orange and the orange should be a little larger than the red.
Glue cotton balls to the ends of twigs for marshmallows.
Arrange cardboard tubes into a pile, you will need three of the tubes to be pointing upward with some room in the center of the pile where the tissue paper will be.
Use a hot glue gun to quickly tack them together, but reinforce with white glue as it holds together better.
Place a square of red tissue paper into the palm of your hand, lay a piece of orange on top of that and a piece of yellow on top of the orange square.
Stick your pointing finger into the center of the yellow square and close your palm around your finger. Hold tissue paper in place and remove your finger.
Put some glue on the end of the gathered tissue that is in your palm and insert it into one of the open cardboard tubes that are sticking up at the top of the campfire pile.
repeat this process for all the other two sets of tissue paper and glue into the remaining two tube that are pointing upward.
For added stability, and to make this easier for your child to carry, glue the entire project to a piece of sturdy cardboard to create a base. You can even create some pretend rocks to go around the campfire!
I found the instructions for this on familycorner.com. I'm sure they have a lot of other great ideas on their website also. I just haven't have the opportunity to look.
Cardboard Tube Campfire & Marshmallows
by Amanda Formaro
Children love to pretend, so nurture that creative side by making this easy campfire and roasting marshmallows from toilet paper rolls and cotton balls. Your child will love pretending she's roasting tasty treats on an open fire!
What You Need
6 cardboard tubes
brown acrylic or poster paint
large paintbrush
tissue paper: yellow, red and orange (I only used red because I didn't have any orange or yellow at the house)
2 twigs (no way was I going to give my boys twigs so I wrapped long pieces of cardboard with tape)
cotton balls (have a few on hand, I glued 3 set on in one day, but maybe it was just my boys)
white craft glue
hot glue gun
What you do
Paint all cardboard tubes with brown paint and let dry. repeat for a second coat if needed.
Cut tissue paper into three squares for each color. The yellow squares should be a little larger than the orange and the orange should be a little larger than the red.
Glue cotton balls to the ends of twigs for marshmallows.
Arrange cardboard tubes into a pile, you will need three of the tubes to be pointing upward with some room in the center of the pile where the tissue paper will be.
Use a hot glue gun to quickly tack them together, but reinforce with white glue as it holds together better.
Place a square of red tissue paper into the palm of your hand, lay a piece of orange on top of that and a piece of yellow on top of the orange square.
Stick your pointing finger into the center of the yellow square and close your palm around your finger. Hold tissue paper in place and remove your finger.
Put some glue on the end of the gathered tissue that is in your palm and insert it into one of the open cardboard tubes that are sticking up at the top of the campfire pile.
repeat this process for all the other two sets of tissue paper and glue into the remaining two tube that are pointing upward.
For added stability, and to make this easier for your child to carry, glue the entire project to a piece of sturdy cardboard to create a base. You can even create some pretend rocks to go around the campfire!
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