I like Pinterest. If you have never been on there yet, you should try it unless you have no self-control at all. It's a bit addicting. I have several boards on there that I pin to frequently. I get ideas for the holidays, for educating Jake, for a new meal to try, and most of all for crafting. Pinterest has been awesome when it comes to crafting ideas. My latest was a tissue paper canvas. You take tissue paper and print on it. Yes, you heard me right, print on it...with your inkjet printer! I know! I was skeptical too, but I tried it and it worked!!! It was amazing! After you print on it, you let it dry, then you attach it to painters canvas using modge podge. It works beautifully, as you can see in the pic! You have to be SO GENTLE when you are applying the modge podge and it did tear the tissue just a little bit, but it was in a corner and I was able to fix it. I will attach the website here so you can see how to do it yourself. I've bought a canvas picture before of my adorable little boy, and it was pretty expensive. I thought I'd try this and I think I'll keep doing this instead. The only things I did differently than the original post, was that I used a picture done in sepia instead of the black and white/color. It turned out a lot better. My very first picture was in black and white and it ended up turning out half green and half black and white. I might play with my printer settings a little more to see if the saturation amount had much to do with it...but anyway...it wasn't usable. That's pretty much all I did differently. One of the comments on the website, said to use tracing paper so I bought a pad of that, but have not had a chance to try it. It should be a little sturdier as far as not tearing so bad when you modge podge it. We'll see. Anyway, it's a fun project and if you have some gift tissue laying around you might try it.
http://sarahsprojects.blogspot.com/2010/02/wall-art-for-siennas-room.html

I ran across this the other day on pinterest. I was instantly intrigued. My biggest goal with Jacob is to raise him in the 'nurture and admonition of the LORD'. I thought, 'what an interesting idea'. I pinned it, but then
went on my merry way. Later on, I was kicking myself for not investigating it further. I had a few questions. What version was this child training Bible was the main question. We only use the KJV, and it's not one that everyone uses anymore. I finally got around to investigating it and much to my surprise you can use it with any version. Now I know, I could take the time to make a list of all the desirable and undesirable qualities children exhibit. I could find verses for and against all of these characteristics I'm trying to either develop or do away with. I could even design my own system and print it out using one of my graphic programs. I might even save a few dollars doing it myself, although time-wise...well, I don't have as much time as I used to have. As I researched the product, I realized that they have done all the legwork on this. All the reviews say that it is printed on some nice glossy cardstock and looks very professional. So why would I want to do the same thing these dear people have done, just for the sake of doing it. I am usually a 'do it my-selfer'. I LOVE to make games, and charts to aid children in learning. This seems to already have it all. I ordered it this afternoon and am anxiously awaiting for it to come in the mail. I have all the other supplies listed on the website, with the exception of the Bible. I ordered that from christianbook.com and know that it will be here quickly as well. I will write a review on the product once I have it done. Without having seen it, I can already tell you that I will probably add a few things to it. Doctrines and practices that I have grown up with that I believe needs to be passed on to the next generation. BUT what a tool this Bible could be! To sit your child down (or for me...to sit down and turn to the appropriate Scriptures and give myself an attitude adjustment)! To teach your child that the Bible has the answers for every problem that you face day in and day out. To give your child the opportunity to learn to trust God and His Word for everything life throws at you! I can't wait to get my hands on this material and see what it can do for us! More later!

If you want to check what all the buzz is about here is their website:

http://www.childtrainingbible.com/

Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

I want to teach my son to be thankful and thoughtful. Since he was a little bitty baby, I would try to buy something for someone and have Jake give it to them. Today, I was at Walmart, hankering for some cake, and ran across these cupcakes. Knowing I didn't need six cupcakes around the house to tempt me any further, I decided that we would bring them tonight to Church and Jake would give them to his nursery workers. He is the only baby in the nursery, so sometimes I feel bad for one lady to stay in the nursery with him. I'm trying to train him to sit still, so that he can start sitting upstairs soon, but right now, he lasts through the song service and that is about all! So anyway, I purchased these cupcakes at Walmart for around $ 4.00. Then I bought these clear cups, and some quart size bags...all in all about $ 6.00. It took me about one hour to re-package them, make the tags and fix them up. I'll have Jake hand them out tonight after Church. I've been a Church nursery director before and it is a HARD job! A little thanks goes such a long way!!!! I hope as Jake gets older that he is thoughtful to people who are doing things for him, and thanks them! I think this is a forgotten courtesy, but one that is a mandate in the Bible!

Life

Summer is here in full force in Kansas. It's been in the 100+ degrees for the last two weeks. I HATE hot weather. I'm from northern Wisconsin and I just don't deal well with the heat here in Kansas. I decided I'm going to pray for a hard winter...cold temps and lots of snow. Then I'll be begging for warmer temps...never satisfied are we? LOL

We have been presented another adoption opportunity. We are praying about it, and might start inquiring about it a little. Just thinking about it brings back a whole lot of memories-good and bad. John and I were talking about it tonight and we just don't feel the "desperation" that we felt last time. Granted last time was the first adoption we had ever gotten to experience. After several years of heart break and disappointment, God allowed us to complete an adoption and we finally became parents. Our reasons don't seem as selfish this time around. We want Jake to have a sibling...either brother or sister, we don't care, we just want him to have that. He is going to be such a great big brother too! He is so loving to other kids and is such a diplomat. I've been very proud of him in watching him with other children. He is the only baby in our Church nursery right now, but when we have visitors, he seems to do fine. We had a few children who were older than him, already in the two's and were in the "mine" grabby stage, and when they would take something away from him, he would just find another toy to play with. One child he hugged every time the child would grab a toy away from him, after about 5 times, the child thought it was enough hugging and started to push him away. So I guess you could say we have a lover, not a fighter. I do realize; however, that he isn't quite two yet, and my time of "mine" and such are probably coming. Right now, though, he is doing great with that. 

I look forward to welcoming another (probably the last adoption we will seek) child into our home. Jake has been such a blessing and joy. This could only get better! The little guy has taught me so much about myself. Stuff I don't think I would of learned without him. I understand how important it is for me to be the Christian God wants me to be, in order to be the Mother I need to be. I understand the importance of family and friends. I understand more about the relationship between me and my Husband. I know a love I never thought I'd ever get to experience...the unconditional, unsolicited, never-ending, pure, innocent love of a child. Yep, he has taught me so much in the short 21 months that we have been blessed with him! I look forward every day to what he teaches me and what God tells me to be teaching/training him. One of my greatest titles...Momma!