• Ask a Teacher: What would you like for Christmas?
  • Fitness: Accept the Challenge
  • Beauty: SPF that fights wrinkles!
  • Moms on 88.3 The Wind: Sunday Devotions

Ask a Teacher: What would you like for Christmas?

By:

It is a questions we struggle with every Christmas, so we decided to take get rid of the guessing game and just ask!

We asked several teachers, “What are you favorite/most memorable gifts you have received from a student”? Here is what they had to say!

“Some of my favorite gifts include coffee, hand soap and hand written cards! It is always a treat to go back years late and look at old notes from students.”

“One year, I had a student give me a gift basket with all the ingredients to make ice cream sundaes. It was such a treat and something I could enjoy with my family. Sonic gift cards are always a great idea too!”

“As you know, teachers spend a lot of their own money on things they want to use for their classrooms. I most appreciate a gift card to some place like Walmart or Target so I can purchase supplies I would like to buy for my classroom, but I don’t have to use my own personal money.”

“You can’t go wrong with gift cards from Sonic for happy hour–or really any gift card that is food related!”

“Gift cards where we can go buy supplies for our classroom, such as Walmart, Dollar General, Target and IPA. I also love Bath and Body works wall flower fragrances and gift cards to Sonic!”

“Thoughtful cards are the best. I also appreciate nice pens for grading or cute office supplies and Sonic or Starbucks gift cards. NO coffee mugs or cups! I have so many!”

“Once a student (or their mom!) was crafty and created a little bin full of different mints and gum. It lasted me all semester and it was wonderful!”

“My most memorable gift was given to me when I was teaching kindergarten. I had the student of a co-worker at school create a photo of my class that I will treasure forever. She had framed our class photo, then one day while I was away, she had the entire class sign the mat of the frame. I loved it!” 

Adventures of the A-Team: Christmas Kindness in Action

By:

by Mindi Artherton

Please know I am not shaming or bashing my kids. I am just sharing a little insight and a struggle I have right now. My kids are such a blessing, but I do want them to grow up to be the BEST they can be!

Man! Please tell me I am not the only one that struggles with this. It seems like lately, more than ever, my kiddos have been “huffing and puffing,” stomping their feet and even throw in an occasional eye roll when I ask them to do something they don’t want to do. Or worse, when things aren’t going their way, they give me some major attitude!

Needless to say, this lovely ‘tude is not settling well with me and their dad. However, the reality is, it is partly our fault. We are constantly going out of our way to make sure all is well in their lives. They are OUR LIVES and we want them to be happy and know they are loved more than anything. BUT, more importantly, we want them to be kind and thankful and we want them to grow up to share this love and kindness that Jesus has poured out for them.

So… what do we do? How do we try to stop this little fit throwing (they are 7 and 4) before it becomes too much of a habit for our little ones?

One strategy we are using this holiday season is an advent activity calendar, beginning December 1, that is geared at helping others. We picked up an adorable countdown at Hobby Lobby (half off of course) and plan to start this week.

Here is the list of activities that we plan to use to teach this lesson (we also threw in a little fun as well!):

  • Write a letter to Santa
  • Hold the door open for people all day
  • Family game night
  • Make a bag of candy to donate to the church nursery
  • Do a chore for somebody else
  • Silver Dollar City family date
  • Have a dance party with Christmas music
  • Take $5 of your own money and purchase something for Share your Christmas
  • Watch a Christmas movie together
  • Do a random act of kindness this week! You decide what it will be, do it, then tell us all about it on Wednesday evening.
  • Make a Christmas card for Grandma, Nonnie and Gramps and Mimi and Big Papi
  • Take a donation to the food pantry and ask Janet if you can help her
  • Write a thank you note to your teacher
  • Take a candy cane to everyone in your class
  • Make a Christmas treat and share with a neighbor
  • Try your hardest today at the Christmas program!
  • Mail a Christmas card to a friend or family member
  • Go look at Christmas lights
  • Write Christmas messages on the sidewalk
  • Briley and Rhett sleepover in front of the Christmas tree
  • Do something kind for somebody in your family today. You decide!
  • Call somebody you don’t see very often and wish them a Merry Christmas!
  • Bake cookies and listen to Christmas music
  • Attend the church Christmas Eve service and remember Jesus was born on Christmas day!

I know kids will be kids and we are not going to see a change overnight. Honestly, I know the best thing I can do is pray and set a great example for them, and believe me, I am guilty of having a bad attitude at times too. Hopefully this little activity will help all of us remember to be kind!

 

Sunday Devotion: Thankful for sleepless nights

By:

by Kelli Artherton

As I write this today I am one sleepy momma! Last night my 2.5 year old daughter decided she didn’t want to sleep at all last night. I sulked up the stairs the first time she cried, then the second time, and by the third time I heard a voice inside my head saying,”Kelli you are blessed, you are a momma to a beautiful, healthy baby girl.”

The next two times after that I went to her room much more thankful. I hugged her a little more, I rocked her a little more. I was thankful for those moments there in the wee hours of night. Because I was quickly reminded by my loving Father that these moments won’t last. That I was truly blessed to  be a momma, while others prayed to be a mom. That I had the blessing of a healthy little girl, while others were praying for health.

You see when you put every struggle you are faced with into perspective you can always, always see the silver lining in every dark cloud. Our Heavenly Father hears our cries, hears every single prayer. He is quick to remind us of the tiny blessings around us every single day.

So today and every day I will chose to be thankful for crying babies, because I have children. I will chose to be thankful for a mess left by kiddos, because I have a house and kiddos. I will be thankful for an early alarm, because I have a job. I will be thankful for all chaos, because it means I’m alive and loved by The one almighty Father of Heaven.

I pray you find thanks in all of life’s nooks and crannies, because when you truly take time to be thankful not matter what nothing can knock you down.

 

 

 

Moms + Meals: Thanksgiving Day Tips

By:

by Becca Couch

Thanksgiving is tomorrow!! We posted this last year, but found it so helpful and wanted to share again!

I’m sure you have your favorite Thanksgiving dish on your mind. Here are just a few tips to help you set up a delicious thanksgiving meal!

  • Turkey bags work wonders! I double up to make sure I don’t lose any turkey juice. You’ll want to use all that for the gravy!
  • Make homemade rolls! They’re simple the best!
  • Don’t skip the beans! If you’re not a fan of green bean casserole (like myself) fry up bacon and onions throw in a couple cans of green beans (drained) and sear green beans. Top with butter and salt. Delicious ! How can you go wrong with butter and bacon?
  • Team work! Now if you’re like my family, we like a lot of food. Everyone has their favorite appetizers, main dishes, and of course tons of dessert. There must be enough leftovers to enjoy after a long night of Black Friday shopping. Don’t put this all on your mother or your aunt. Help out! Cook a day or two before and make sure everyone chips in on bringing a couple dishes.
  • Everyone can help, even those sisters that don’t cook! Last but not least, we all have that family member that just can’t or shouldn’t be cooking, for example, my sister Rachael. Here is the list we always save for her: plates, cups and napkins as well as a vegetable, meat and cheese tray and drinks.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving shared with lots of love, laughter, and full bellies!

Becca and her husband Kenan live in Aurora with three adorable kids. She spends her days learning more than she ever imagined while homeschooling her kids. She loves to cook and try new recipes out! Kenan is the lucky guy that gets to test them out for her. They attend James River-West Campus Church and love spending time with friends and family.