Gifts for Precious Babies

LOOK: Old sewing projects I failed to share... Oops!
Still love the babies who received these!!

Mother's Day Gift 2016

Here is a photo frame we made for Mother's Day Gifts in Pre-K 3. 

The students chose the paint colors (controlled selection), painted the block, added their handprint, and chose the details (once again, a guided selection). 

Hope their mommas were blessed- after all the pictures made the frames 10000000000000x better! 

Teacher Gift Ideas

Quick Teacher Gift Idea! 

And no, I didn't even make the cupcakes! But I did pick up the stands (about a dollar on sale at Hobby Lobby), purchased clear cups, and plastic wrapping paper, and was able to make 4 ~sweet~ (get it?) teacher's gifts for right around $10! 

If the teachers thought the cupcakes were good, I totally made them. ;) 

Attempting to Bible Journal

Oh! I can't believe I was going to blog about this... but then again, it was a blessing to me. This was my first attempt at Bible Journaling, and it was FOR a student of mine. Let me explain, this student's mom was WISE enough to purchase her daughter a Bible that would be journaled by all of her teachers. So I was to select a verse or two that I wanted to share with my student and Bible Journal there, directly on the page, with the option of leaving a note. 

So that is exactly what I did- as I look at these pictures I can't help by smile and pray for this precious former student! 

She's a blessing! 

Precious Memories

Precious Memories... anyone else remember that collection? I'm pretty sure I had the Precious Memories Bible, coloring book, and figurines... BUT that's not what I'm sharing here.
In cleaning out my crazy, I stumbled upon this: a collection of favorite verses and quotes from my high school years. I can almost read the verse, look at the stationary and recall what was going through my mind at the time.
Just wanted to share and encourage you or if you know anyone who is a teenager (or really any age), to get a card box to collect your favorite verses and quotes in one spot- they will not only benefit you now, but also bless you in the future. ;)

July 4th Table Runner

Quick post here: 

This is a BEAUTIFUL table runner that my mom made just for me! It was a labor of love, do you see all the individual pieces that were sewn together? Wow! 

So very special- I do feel blessed by such a talented mother!!

Great is thy faithfulness

Who? Who, I ask, goes through OLD FILING CABINETS and finds a BLESSING? 

Well... This girl! 

Let me explain, it had been a rough week- like the 'I feel so sorry for myself, because I can't go to Sonic happy hour to get a $1.09 coke because I don't have the money" kind of week. Yes, payday was coming on Friday, and we had just enough food in the fridge to get there, but nothing more to spare. Well, I needed to find a copy of a receipt to be submitted, which meant I had to sort through the files cabinet. Seeing how my filing system is obsolete, I knew it would be a treasure hunt. What I didn't know was that I was about to be reminded of a blessing... Great is GOD's Faithfulness. 

Look, see that bill? That was what we owed the hospital after our second son. 

Now look here, see this note? Our second child was already 3 at this time, so I had kept this bill just to be remembered of God's faithfulness. At the time of this bill, we didn't have insurance and were living paycheck to paycheck (no extra sonic drinks then either). But after praying (and worrying a bit) there was a phone call from the hospital to let us know that the bill had been PAID IN FULL. I wrote this note on the bill, truly praising the Lord for His provision.  

Then, after stumbling upon it years later, I couldn't and can't help but Thank the Lord again for HIS Provision, Love, and Faithfulness. I needed to be reminded of what God has done to know that He is never changing and will continue to take care of our family. 
Why? 
Because...

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God to me.
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou has been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Paper Bag Pumpkin

Such an AWESOME hands-on activity for Preschoolers! 

We made our own Paper Bag Pumpkins! 

After exploring real pumpkins and making our own class jack-o-latern (while learning the Pumpkin Prayer), I checked for student understanding by having them recreate their own pumpkins and w placed REAL pumpkin seeds in side to boot! 

It was all hands on deck as the student painted their bags, made their stems, and assembled their pieces (all while explaining what was what!). 

Such sweet handprints on those pumpkins! Sweet Fall Blessings!

Red Ribbon Week

Oh, WOW! This post is from my very 1st Red Ribbon Week at our school (2015!). 

What is AWESOME about being at a private Christian school is that we get to teach the WHY behind making decisions- therefore, for Red Ribbon Week we not only focus on "just say no to drugs", but also the reason why- your body is a temple for God- therefore we (as believers) should honor God with our bodies! NOW THAT IS TRUTH!!!

I decorated the entrance to the lower school and added the appropriate topic for each day. 

The students enjoyed a treat as we discussed respecting your temple (body) by eating healthy. 

 

We also respected others by collecting socks for a local shelter (and got to get crazy by wearing CRAZY socks!). 

We also talked about respecting LIFE and let the kids try and identify the teachers from their baby pictures. ;) 

Oh! We finished the week by talking about how God cares about what is on the inside, not the outside- He looks at our hearts! The mirror helped the littles to understand the idea of 'looking'. :)

-Blessings!

Failure to Post

Fear of writing.

Fear of failing. 

Ultimately leads to an inability to live life to the full!

Therefore, when time allows, I will continue to blog, post, and share- regardless of fear. So WATCH OUT- I'm about to post content/pictures from a YEAR AGO that I never finished partly because of fear and because of a lack of time. Hoping to utilize my time, banish my fear, and continue to share! 

Grown Up Easter Egg Hunt Idea

TOTALLY not my idea, this was my mother-in-law's idea and too good not to share! If your family has more grown ups than kids, and those grown up enjoy celebrating Easter, than YOU MUST DO AN EASTER EGG HUNT!! 

In this version, the Easter eggs were hidden VERY well. Also, nothing was inside the egg, but rather the egg color coordinated with a small gift bag that was awaiting us grown up kids inside. In each bag was $5 gift card to a variety of different stores. 

What we truly loved about this egg hunt, was exactly what little kids love about Easter egg hunts- not knowing what to expect. It was nice to receive a gift other than candy, and get to compete to try and get as many eggs as possible. :)

Hope you enjoy this idea & more importantly spend time reflecting on the true reason for Easter.

Blessings, 

Kristin

Roots and Wings

Disclaimer: I try to stay away from deep thoughts and emotions on this blog. Not because their unimportant or insignificant but because I try to keep things light simple and just show some of my little projects. But I've been thinking for a while and just have to share my thoughts and make one thing clear: I am so grateful that I have roots and wings!

Growing up in a small town I didn't know any different. I assumed everyone everywhere had family, friends and people who cared about them. That everyone had a small town newspaper that covered the ins and outs of the school, churches, and local businesses. That it was normal to know everyone at school. That everyone could play any sport, any activity, and do anything extracurricular. That everyone waved to each other whether they were walking past or driving in the car. I truly believed that everyone was raised in a place where they could succeed. Where they were supported by a community that believed in each other and their ability to go and successfully chase dreams. These are my roots and my people.

Now as an adult, living in a very LARGE city, I've learned quite a few other things. Like, you must seek and find your own community. That plugging into a school or church or organization is the key to finding support. In the whole 'it takes a village to raise a child' scenario, in the city you must find your village and cultivate those friendships and relationships. Up here, no one really knows your family or your background. Therefore they don't know how far you have come and what all you are capable of. BUT what IS found in the city is opportunity. This is where I find and use my wings. 

What is a true blessing is getting to have the best of BOTH worlds. While I realize that some would disagree, I truly feel as though I have been given roots and wings in the best possible way. I know where I am from, where my grandparents and their parents lived, invested, and are buried. I know where to go when I need a hug, a push, and a good kick in the pants. I am confident in who I am, because of the foundation I received growing up in such a special place. 

It is because of how I was raised in a small community that I feel free to fly wherever this life takes me. I can live in Dallas and excel. I can live around a large diverse group of people and know that I am successful and well loved. I do not feel bogged down by the enormity of issues, peoples and problems, because I know what I believe and where I stand. Fortunately, because of the wings, I am free to live and experience life with a different perspective. Where I am now is not my home, I know where home is, where I am now is on a soaring adventure! To learn, live, and experience life in a different place with more opportunities!

While this may resonate with some of you, it should resonate with all Believers in Christ Jesus. 

Home, your roots, are the truths of what God's Word has taught you. This is confidence in absolute truth, a purposed life, and love for others that comes from knowing God's love. Knowing that God in His love and faithfulness, has a perfect plan for you and that He is preparing a place for you in Heaven. So while on earth, you should be comforted by the fact and security that this place is not your home. You know where your roots lie. As a child of the Living God, your roots are with Him.

Your wings, as a Believer, help you to go to the places and adventures that God's great commission calls you to. Whether that means ministering to you own children, coworkers, or on a missionary trip to Asia, this is what you are called to go and do. The great adventure that comes from your ability to fly, or may I say soar, is rooted in the fact that you are secure in who God has called and created you to be. So although you might find yourself in a place where you feel stuck or abandoned, remember, you've got good roots!

How awesome is it that God has given us, as Followers of Christ, roots and wings?! God knows the importance of a good foundation, but also the need for you to GO and share what you know with others. 

May you be secure in you roots and wings!

Many Blessings! 
-Kristin 

You Scream, iCream!!

Oh my goodness!! I've fallen FAR BEYOND on updating my blog. In fact, I've uploaded pictures, listed names of Post topics, yet haven't had the time to go back and write and complete those posts.

BUT right now, I'm going to start working on these loose pieces... like this one from last summer!! If you've never been to iCream before, located off of the tollway here in Frisco, you MUST try it, especially if you have a little scientist on your hands. By using nitrogen to create your ice cream, there is much to be learned, discussed, and eaten.

Check out their website at www.icreamcafe.com

Blessings!!
- Kristin 

Thanksgiving at School

You Are Berry Sweet

Need an idea for a teacher gift? Perhaps, your child is like mine, and they have a lot of special teachers that invest in them by teaching enrichment classes. So I made these...

The tic tacs were purchased from Dollar Tree, where you get 3 for only $1!!!

Blessings!! 

Happy Heart=Cheerful Face School Decor

Need some inspiration for an empty space? 

TA-DA!!

Proverbs 15:13 says "A happy heart makes the face cheerful." Perfect for a kind reminder to students and teachers!!

And in case you are wondering, that's black butcher paper, scrape book paper and a metallic sharpie. :)

Blessings!!

Simple Wreath under $10

I love Fall -I absolutely do! But more than just celebrating a season, I love things that are cute, simple, and affordable. Therefore when asked to go to a Wreath Decorating Party I grabbed an old wreath from home and headed to Hobby Lobby. Went there and grabbed the flowers at half off ($8.99 total) and just happened to already have burlap ribbon leftover from many failed pinterest attempts. 

I must admit that my wreath was by far the smallest at the party, however I am still proud of how it turned out. Our front door is not very big so I needed a wreath to fit the size and I feel like not only does it fit the part, but it makes me smile because it reminds me of Fall! 

Many Blessings!!

Blue Quilt

Another day, another project! 

Blessings!! 

President's Day

NOTE TO SELF: Work on the quality of pictures for next year.
Okay good, glad I got that outta the way!

Here are some fun ideas for President's Day.

 

 Bulletin Board: Because it is SO SOON after Valentine's Day, you'll notice the boarder is the same- YES!

     

As part of our America Unit, we made a book about the symbols of America.

   

God Bless America & God Bless YOU! :)

Valentine's Quilt

Fun Valentines Day Ideas: 

Am I late on posting these ideas or early? You decide. ;)

Regardless, I hope they inspire you in some way! 

This lovely bulletin board proclaims "My heart belongs to Jesus" and then the students are pictured with a heart-quote bubble stating who they love and why. And yes, the kids got to splatter-paint!

   

I will admit, I stole this from pinterest- the only difference was that it was a 'Kindness Quilt' and I made it a LOVE Quilt. We discussed that love is a verb, so it is an action. So each little sweetie (my students) told me who they loved and how they should that person love. They signed the statement with a hand print (acceptable for 3 year olds!) and helped decorate the boarders. 

Love & Blessings!!!