Lesson 176: Snow, Frozen, and Thoughts on Love

While Charlotte received its greatest snowfall (for the first time in forever) in our southern lives this week, my 4-year old, like every one of her 4-year old friends, danced around serenading us with the theme songs from Disney's latest princess film, Frozen.

Well, we serenaded each other. I am guilty of loving these songs at least as much as she does. (Hint: Links to songs all throughout the post, so you can join in on the fun.)

Can't you just hear her saying, "Hey, Hudson. Do you wanna build a snowman? C'mon let's go and play."

We sang this. Over and over and over again. In fact, Hudson soon earned the nickname Olaf. There's kind of resemblance. Plus, this friendly guy gets a belly laugh out of my Huddy-buddy.

When it got a little warmer, our snowman's head fell off. Guess we found out what snowmen do in summer!

In honor of the snow, I dressed like the post-let-it-go Elsa.

Just kidding, her outfit is ridiculous! I wore a lot of thick socks, even thicker sweaters, and carried a large blanket around with me everywhere.

I did head out for a few minutes one night to test out my newest lens, because you know, the cold never bothered me anyway. 

 We also worked hard on preparing for Valentine's Day one morning.

Finally, we learned that "Love is an open door-oooor-ooor."

After singing this song, I don't know 4 million times, we realized love is a few other things as well. I thought it'd be helpful to share our thoughts, in case, you still need some Valentine inspiration. Make sure you listen to the song. Otherwise, you won't be able to follow the beat.

"But with you,
I've found my place.
And it's nothing I've ever known before.

Love is ... an apple core.
Love is ... a grocery store.
Love is ... a dirty floor.
Love is ... the number four.
Love is ... a yummy s'more.

Happy Snow Day!
Happy Frozen!
Happy Valentine's Day!

Lesson Learned: Tell me, doesn't Mark kind of look like Christof?

Lesson 175: Pray for Those Who Mourn

This week it has seemed as if every time I open my inbox, I've received another email alerting me to sad news. As I head for circle tonight to study God's Word and pray with women from my church, my prayer request list is heavy with loss: loss of new life, loss of young life, loss of matured life, loss of jobs.

Quite honestly, each loss is laden with tragedy, full of questions and confusion and pain.

My heart is sad.

Appropriately, I get to lead the group's devotion tonight on prayer and thought I would share some relevant thoughts with you. We will be studying the first few verses of Jesus' high priestly prayer in John 17.

Jesus is praying to his Father just before his arrest, which will eventually lead to his death (and resurrection.) He is asking his Father to restore to him the fullness of his glory, so that he will be able to complete the work for which he was sent, the redemption of the souls of God's people.

Our study's author, Susan Hunt, points out that these first verses emphasize four important themes in prayer. Jesus demonstrates for us (and we can emulate him) prayer for 1. God's glory, 2. God's people, 3. God's nearness, and 4. God's calling.

In such sad times, it is difficult to know how to pray for people who are suffering. One helpful thought is that we can always pray "that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." - John 17:3. Jesus is not talking about knowing facts about God or about having a perfect systematic theology. He is talking about knowing the person of God, being in a relationship with him, such that his goodness, power, love, comfort, and peace will be readily apparent in all its fullness, bringing healing to broken hearts and restoration to lost souls.

As a woman acquainted with such sorrow, I often find myself trying to figure and sort. If I just think hard enough, some solution will present itself. Unfortunately, there are circumstances in life that truly seem to bring no resolution. I want to be helpful, but circling around in my own thoughts is entirely unproductive.

Hunt reminds me, "The more intimately a true woman knows her heavenly Father, the more often she will shift her focus to Him and commit people and situations to his sovereign care."

And so, I am called to pray. God's people, we are all called to pray. 

My sweet friends, I am praying for you now, that you will know the nearness of the Lord, that you will feel his calming and peaceful presence, that you will find rest for your souls.


Lesson Learned: "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33b.

Lesson 174: Quote on Marriage (NFBA)

I plan on occasionally posting great quotes I run across in reading or listening. These quotes are categorized as NFBA, not famous but awesome. These are not from John Piper, or Ghandi, or Jimmy Fallon, but from lesser-knowns.

Today's is from the book, Making Friends among the Taliban, which is the story of a man, Dan Terry, who spent thirty years with his family in Afghanistan working in all areas of development. The Terry's loved Afghanistan long before September 11.

I had the privilege of meeting Dan and his wife, Seija, during a brief trip in Kabul in 2006. In the future, I hope to write more on this wonderful couple and the subsequent book written about them. However, for today, just a quote describing their marriage.

"Their budding affection and partnership were framed by a shared calling, a willingness to ignore hardship in light of the thrill of discovery and friendship, aspiration for a lived faith, and the chance to do work that mattered immensely." - Jonathan P. Larson, 34. 


Lesson Learned: Work that matters immensely. How intriguiging. 

Lesson 173: Cars (& Trucks & Things That Go) Activities

What does one do at a Richard Scarry, CARS and TRUCKS and THINGS THAT GO birthday party? Especially if one is between the ages of 2 and 4.

Well, after admiring the energetic bunting and exclaiming over the adorable produce cars, here are a few other suggestions.

Goldbug Hunt:

If you are a fan of these busy books, you are surely familiar with Goldbug, the friendly little creature who makes an appearance hidden on every page.

Seeking and finding Goldbug in different rooms around the house is a fun take on hide and seek, without forcing little kids to hide (or stay hidden.)

I simply looked at a picture of Goldbug and drew him as best as I could with a pencil on yellow construction paper. I then traced over the pencil with black sharpie, and there he was. Healthy, and happy, and ready to hide.

Goldbug was hidden on a painting in the family room, a quilt in the playroom, and a portrait of Hudson in the laundry room.

The children walked as a group into the room. Together we would all say, "Goldbug. Where are you? Hmmm." Then, as a group, they would scour the room until they found their friend.

This game was effective because the 4-year olds thought it was fun (not baby-ish), but Hudson was entirely old enough to play. In fact, the birthday boy spotted the first Goldbug!

Finally, as we moved from room to room, another grown-up would move Goldbug to a different location, so the children could return to that room and play again.

In hindsight, I wish I had drawn a few more Goldbugs and placed one in every room of the house, including bathroom, closets, and upstairs. The children really loved the game and could have played for a while if it had been set up well enough.

Vehicle Coloring:

Coloring is an old favorite of most children. Hudson is just learning how to do it, but it excites him. Samara, who is 4, continues to love it. Thus, we found some simple pictures of vehicles online, printed them off, and let the children have at it.

If I was a more particular mother, I may have insisted that the pictures look like Scarry's characters. However, after a fruitless search at Target for a Scarry coloring book and coming up short on Pinterest, I decided carrot car coloring pages were not necessary. Plain old trucks, jeeps, and race cars were good enough.

Silly Songs with Uncle B

Kids this age love to sing! While we were preparing their lunch, the children went outside, and my brother tried to engage them in a sing-a-long. Mostly they danced around, making up words to their own songs. But, I'd say the time was well spent.

Play Time with a lot of CARS and TRUCKS and THINGS THAT GO:

No need to get complicated here, friends. Children love to play with toys, and my little boy in particular loves to play with all things that move; hence, the theme of the party. So, we got out every single car, truck, bulldozer, dump truck, train, van, and tractor we own, and let them have at it.

We had a great party!


Lesson Learned: Simple, but thoughtful.

Lesson 172: Cars (& Trucks & Things That Go) Decor

Welcome back to 2-year-old birthday party land! Today's agenda, a few more Richard Scarry themed decorations.

If you missed yesterday's post, check out Hudson's birthday banner here!

If you are interested in finding appropriately themed activities click here!

Creature Cupcake Toppers:

After making the Scarry themed bunting, I had some funny pictures leftover. I simply glued these silly creatures to construction paper, which increased their durability. I then taped toothpicks to the back and voile, cupcake toppers that set the tone for a magical and musical party!

Playful Produce Cars:

Richard Scarry is famous for his carrot cars, cheese cars, pickle cars, apple cars, and the fun, appropriately themed creatures responsible for driving them. In a Scarry world, anything can be turned into a car.

Taking a page out of his book, we attempted to make our own playful produce cars.

The wheels and drivers are from a duplo set. The produce is from, well, the grocery store. I simply cut out a square on the top of the various pieces of produce large enough to wedge the driver in.

Super simple!

In fact, writing this blog post took significantly longer than completing these projects!

Stay tuned for a few, simple CARS and TRUCKS and THINGS THAT GO activities, appropriate for children age 2-5.


Lesson Learned: When it comes to party decorations, perfection is not necessary. Creativity is. 

Lesson 171: Simple Book Birthday Bunting

Hudson is obsessed with Richard Scarry's book, CARS and TRUCKS and THINGS THAT GO. In the morning for at least an hour, he and I will peruse its 60-some pages gasping over every single bulldozer and dump truck and CAR!!! The experience is exceptionally exciting, every time through. 

Thus, Hudson's 2nd birthday party was "CARS and TRUCKS and THINGS THAT GO."

All week long, I'll be sharing various details from the party, with simpistic tutorials and lots of pictures! I get overwhelmed by long party posts, so these will be concise and pointed. 

To begin, A Simple Book Bunting. This could easily be used for a birthday party or a baby shower. (I am not claiming originality here with the bunting. But I do think it is cute.)

I went scouring my local Goodwill, for surprise, surprise, a Richard Scarry book to cut up. I scored big time, with a small generic one (courtesy of Chik-filet) and purchased it for .99.

Also necessary, a pad of colored construction paper for $2 from Target and $1 clothespins from the Dollar tree. We already owned the twine. 

Total Cost for supplies: $3.99.

First, I made a generic pattern for the base of bunting. 

Unintentionally, though fortunately, I was able to fit three triangles per piece of paper. 

After cutting out enough, I made a smaller, similar pattern for the inside that I used with the pages from the Scarry book. Though not all pages featured vehicles, I did my best to choose pictures that did. I also made sure the pictures were not the same color as the background triangle.

Black construction paper for the letters popped nicely against the playful pictures.

I made a second line that hung on my mantle and featured Hudson's name and new age. 

When he saw the pictures of his favorite vehicles hanging on the wall, Hudson knew something special was in store! The shrieking and pointing and gasping and smiling were clear signs that the bunting was a hit!

For more CARS and TRUCKS and THINGS THAT GO decorating ideas click here! 

For themed activities click here!

Lesson Learned: Little boys love trucks. And if you embrace this fact, they will love you too!