Halloween - DIY costume!

Let me start off by saying there is nothing wrong with store bought Halloween costumes. We have certainly bought our fair share. As I look back through the years costumes I have made Facebook, Chuck, DJ Lance Rock, and even an ant at a picnic. When Carter came to me this year and said he wanted to be a stoplight I was super excited. This costume is so easy to make and turns out super cute!

Supplies:
Box
Yellow felt
Spray Adhesive
3 touch lights and batteries (The Dollar Store had these for a dollar each)
Yellow Duct Tape
Black foam sheet
1 red plastic table cover
1 yellow plastic table cover
1 green plastic table cover
Heavy duty Velcro
Knife
Scissors

1. Take the box and measure it on your child so that you can cut off the bottom of the box at the knees. Any longer and it is harder to walk in. Use the knife to cut the box off. Also, cut the hole for the head and each arm.

2. Use the yellow duct tape to tape around the cut edges on the arm holes, the head hole and along the bottom of the box where you cut off. Also reinforce the edges and the seam in the box.

3. Spray one side of the box with spray adhesive and then apply the felt. Spray the next side and roll the box onto the felt. I kept this in one piece to make it easier. Once done cut an x out in the neck hole and each arm hole and use duct tape to secure the flaps to the inside of the box. I also taped the felt up into the box at the bottom.

4. Cut the black foam to the shape you want it to be on the edges. Use the spray adhesive to attach it to the front of the box.

5. Cover each of the lights with a piece of table cloth. I doubled mine over to make the color shine through. I simply used duct tape to secure the table cloth on the back. Make sure your batteries are fresh and the lights all work before you do this.

6. Put Velcro on the back of the lights and attach them to the black foam.

You are now the coolest mom ever!

Extravagant Generosity

Sometimes life throws you curves that shake you to your inner core. Lately it feels more like I am on a road in the mountains that twists and turns and runs real close to the edge with no guard rail! October 1 I was hit with perhaps one of the biggest curves so far. My boss was found in his apartment where he had passed away of natural causes. This began a new journey for me. As shaken to my core as I was I knew we had to continue on at work and get the job done. Not only is that necessary when you work for a newspaper it is also what Walt would have wanted.

Here we are 22 days later and I continue to strive to keep things normal at work and get things done. However, there is still that empty hole. When I have the office door open and I walk by I still look to see if Walt is sitting at his desk. I still look for his car in the parking lot. I still think of him when I see something KISS related or see them on television. When I hear a bad joke I always think of him and how he would probably love the joke or had already heard it. However, I didn't think I would think of him when it came to Sunday school and church.

We started a new series at church called "Extravagant Generosity". It involves a daily devotional and a sermon series as well as a Sunday school curriculum. While we are of course at church talking more of giving to the church in my mind extravagant generosity brings to mind Walt. He was very generous to me in what he taught me. He encouraged me to learn and dig for more information on things that didn't look right or problems that needed to be solved. He was generous with me when it came to understanding and knowing that I moved to a position that had me step out of my comfort zone. However, I was just shown the tip of his generosity.

At the memorial service we held for him the number of people from our building and our other newspapers that came to say goodbye showed how generous Walt was of himself. As the stories were told we heard of a man who was very wise in the newspaper world. We also heard from his family of what a kind soul he had been. His father spoke of Walt's generosity to donating funds to the Children's Miracle Network. An employee spoke of Walt helping when times were tough and expecting nothing in return. I am certain that there are many more stories of Walt out there that would play out just as those two did. What was abundantly clear was that everyone was touched by Walt at some point in their time of knowing him.

Sunday I learned of a book called "Under the Overpass". It is a book written by a man who spends five months homeless in five different cities in the United States. He tells the stories of being hungry, having no where to sleep, panhandling and of the people he meets along the way. My journey in Christ has been one of many good intentions. However, I see my journey this time as something much different then it was in the past. I feel so connected and as if I have missed out in the past because my heart wasn't where it needed to be. I am certain that every one of us has walked by a homeless person on the street and looked the other way. My challenge to you is to not look the other way but to offer a smile. Offer the change in your pocket. Take them to dinner. Show them the generosity that Christ would show.

In high school we went on a mission trip as a youth group. I have many memories from this trip but one that stands out in my mind is a church we were in that had a white board. The seniors of the group wrote sayings all over the white board to leave for the church members to find. One was "Live simply so others may simply live". As we head into the Christmas season and the extravagant marketing and the extravagant buying begins please remember that not everyone is as lucky as we are. Perhaps it's time to look at holiday giving and remember to live simply.

Sometimes the best lessons come from a child

As typically happens I have fallen off from writing here. Ben has settled into his school routine. He has taken his first few tests and I think figured out what he needs to do to succeed in this program. Today was his first day of having Carter home with him in the morning. We gave him a few weeks to get into his routine and then in a cost saving measure decided to keep Carter at home with him instead of sending him to the sitters. Since Carter goes to school at 12:25 each day it gives Ben time then to get work done. He also has time in the mornings after setting Carter up with an activity to keep him busy.

Another reason I am so far behind is Gage's dad, Dennis, has been battling pancreatic cancer since May. Unfortunately, he lost his battle on September 16. Gage would go see him every other weekend and since he was sick about every weekend. As a parent I prepared for the worst and how it would affect Gage and my heart broke as I had to tell him the news. I told him as gently as you can break that news to someone and yes he cried and was upset. However, after a few hours he seemed fine. The viewing wasn't until Thursday after he passed on Sunday. Gage continued to amaze me and greeted each person and took them to see Dennis' body. His strength through this never wavered. The funeral was Friday and again Gage handled everything like he had been to a 1,000 funerals. I am so proud of him.

Sunday after things had quieted down and the family had left to go home. I asked Gage how he has remained so strong through all of this. His response was simple and one that a lot of adults wouldn't have figured out. He told me that he had stayed strong because we had joined our church the year before and having church and God in his life gave him the support he needed. He said without that he wouldn't be doing nearly as good. That he knew his dad was in pain and that he wasn't anymore. As adults how many of us truly would feel this way?

I know there will be hard times and that Gage may have moments when he misses his dad. But I also know our church and God will always be with him. Isaiah 41:10 says: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Sometimes it takes a child to teach a lesson that everyone should know.

Back to School and a schedule!!

What a crazy few weeks it has been! We finished up Ben's study room. Granted it is just a corner of our storage/laundry room but it works for him. His classes started on Monday and he seems to be getting into a groove.

In the mean time April came for a visit and we went to Wichita and did the Glow Run which is a 5k that you run at night and wear all kinds of fun funky glow things. We had a great time and ended up with these wonderful medals that glow in the dark.

The boys started school last Monday. Carter in kindergarten and Gage in 6th grade. We made Carter's teacher a school supply cake as a back to school gift. I have pictures of Carter in his classroom but apparently it is frowned upon for mom to walk you into middle school and take your picture and give you a hug and a kiss before your first day! So no pictures of Gage.

April came back this last weekend for another visit and we went to Zoo Brew where Joe's Pet Project was playing. We had a fantastic time and it is always great to see good friends and listen to good music. If you don't know who Joe's Pet Project is you need to look them up on Facebook and Google them and find their website. They are fantastic fun!!

So with back to school came the inevitable mess behind my front door. In that corner the book bags get dropped and jackets and everything else tend to be left there. So tonight I figured out a solution. I hung a bulletin board that the kids can hang anything that needs to be signed or any important notes on. Then under that we put in two hat and coat hooks. This made my whole living room feel so much better!! Here is the finished result.

So as we all fall into our back to school routine I am one happy mama to finally have the schedule back. I have a monthly calendar full of the things we are doing this month and all of our meals. Perhaps when I update the calendar for September I will share my system with everyone else. What are your favorite things about back to school time??

Homeward Journey

Our family finally completely reunites today after almost a month of one of us missing. Gage left for vacation on July 11th and didn't get home until after Ben had left for Omaha. So this morning at 7:30am my mom and Gage left to pick up Ben. After a wrong turn at Salina...(Yes I guess it is possible to make a wrong turn somewhere you have lived for a million years) they made it to Junction City where they headed north.

They made it to Omaha and I received a text that said "We have the package". They went across Omaha and stopped at Cracker Barrel for a late lunch. Then they hit the road. They hadn't gone too far on the highway when it sounded like a helicopter was landing on their roof. Now no one thought that might be strange and worth pulling over for. Finally a truck pulled up next to them and got their attention to pull over. The driver's side back tire had blown. Not just blown but shredded completely. So they unloaded the trunk and Ben put on the spare. Just as he finished the police pulled up and let them know where to go. So they had to stop and have four new tires put on the car before they could continue home.

Here it is 9:40pm and they haven't made it back yet but I know they are somewhere between Concordia and here. Ben of course has to work tomorrow morning so I think it will be a quick hello and hugs and then bed for him.

So while Carter and I waited for them to make it home we did something I used to do as a child. Christy, who I work with, gave me Shrinky Dinks for my birthday. Well Carter and I had a wonderful time coloring them, cutting them out and putting them in the oven. He brought his stool over and sat down in front to watch through the window. He was amazed at how they worked. As they finished flattening out in the oven he turned to me and simply said "Thank you mom". That was such a great moment.

We had terryaki noodles for dinner tonight. I did get my menu done for the month of August. Lots of new recipes on it that I am sure I will share on here. I can't wait to see how they all turn out! What recipes do you like to make for your family?

Perhaps tomorrow night we will get Ben's take on the two weeks he has been gone.

Soap, lunch, burritos and school supplies! WHEW!

Oh my goodness what a crazy few days! So glad to have Gage home. I am LOVING the homemade laundry soap I made. It's a box of Borax, a box of Arm and Hammer baking soda, a box of Arm and Hammer washing soda, a container of Oxy Clean, and three bars of FelsNaptha soap. You great the soap bars and mix it all together. Use a tablespoon or two per load and away you go! I have probably enough laundry soap to last 6 months to a year for less than $20.

Yesterday for lunch I made grilled cheese and chicken sandwiches with some of the rotisserie chicken I made last week. Super easy...butter the bread flip it over and put your cheese on then put on the shredded chicken and then top with a piece of bread and butter the top. Grill it on the stove top and you have grilled cheese and chicken. The kids loved it and it was super easy to make.

This Sunday is Mission Trip Sunday at church. Gage went in June to Kansas City and worked with Urban Plunge to help the homeless in Kansas City. It was an amazing learning experience for him. So since the youth have to help at both services they are having breakfast during Sunday school. So I took the opportunity to make breakfast burritos. I had planned on making a batch for the freezer for the boys to have for breakfast. I ended up making two batches and had 64 burritos when it was all said and done. 

Two pounds of sausage

Two pounds of bacon

18 eggs

3 cups of shredded cheese

Tortillas

Cook it all up scramble the eggs, chop up the bacon and crumble the sausage. Mix it all together along with green peppers and onion if you so choose. I put about 1/3 cup in each burrito. Then fold them up and if you are going to freeze them wrap them in saran wrap. They will last 2-3 months in the freezer. Just unwrap them and microwave them for 45 seconds and then flip it over and microwave it for another 45 seconds. The boys each had one and thought they were great so I am going to say kid tested, kid approved!

After burrito cooking it was off to Wal-Mart to school supply shop. Both boys are SUPER excited for school to start. Carter was most excited about his book bag and pencil case. Both boys came home and loaded up their backpacks and put them by the door. I snapped a few photos of them with their bags.

Now we are only missing one!

Gage and grandma came home from their vacation today. Thank heavens!!!! I have missed them both a lot so it feels great to have almost everyone back where they belong. They had a fantastic time but were ready to be home.

They also brought the last ingredient that I needed for my homemade laundry detergent. So we mixed it all up tonight and the first load is in the dryer. I am hoping it turned out great. So far so good. If all goes well in a few days I will post more info about it.

Tomorrow I will have a new lunch recipe. I am quite excited about it!! I will share with pictures tomorrow night for sure! It's a small update for tonight but hopefully tomorrow will be a more exciting today. It's hard to write a whole post about how we cleaned Carter's room and went through all of his clothes and bagged up what doesn't fit for Heather and Mel!