Thanksgiving

We had an experiance last year that has really stuck with me. My church has been volunteering every year for the last 6 years at our local- I guess I would call it a food bank. It's where the less fortunate can call in and have a free meal delivered to their house for Thanksgiving.
My husband, my daughter and I went for the first time last year and it really did something for us. I can't explain it. I would take the calls and get the people's info. Some calls were heart breaking and some were a little comical, but all in all it taught me to appreciate what I had and for some, what I didn't have. Needless to say, I went and volunteered again this year and enjoyed it even more than last year. Again, some calls broke my heart- with one woman stating all she had in her freezer was some porkfritters and she was going to cook those and then called the number to order food for her and her family and she was so thankful to be able to get a plate of food for each family member! I was thankful for her and happy. then I had the comical one of asking for some ribs-huh? I had tl let him know, we didn't have ribs, but he ordered a plate anyway-bless his heart. This year, my husband worked in the kitchen and my two older children worked in the room with me, taking the orders and putting them with correct zip code so the food could be delivered. Next year, we plan to take the whole family. This is our new family Thanksgiving Tradition- going to help others. There is nothing like the feeling of fulfillment when you have helped others.
We recently had a lesson in Weaver dealing with serving. I knew this would go hand in hand with the lesson so I was able to skip the chapter and let my children learn their "lesson" on Thanksgiving. It was well learned- they told me how much they enjoyed themselves and wanted to return next year. I thought of this scripture and pray I have passed this on to my babies:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
(Matthew 25:35-40)
Here are a few pics:
Here's one my daughter attempted to take of me taking phone orders, but was so excited the camera shook! Hey, now you EXACTLY what I look likes : )

Alright- here's a better one:

My children writing out the phone orders to go to the delivery people

My husband on the left and brother from church helping out in the kitchen-love the head coverings!:

Fed Ex Trucks leaving to deliver the food that was requested:

Too Funny- make one yourself

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Marshmallow Atom

Yesterday, we studied the basics of atoms. I didn't think the younger kids would understand, but after building our Marshmallow atom, they got the concept and a full stomach of marshmallows (as did my husband). This was pretty neat. Here's a picture:

Atmosphere Balloons

I L-O-V-E balloons! I have been a professional balloon decorator for about ten years now. It's like my side job- I don't consider it a job, because I enjoy it so much. Here's a picture of one place I decorated:

Anyway, today I was getting things ready for school and was reading my lesson plans and saw that we would be studying the atmosphere of earth. Not bad for my 8th and 6th graders, but the though of trying to explain this to my 2nd grader and kindergartner, just was not really striking me as, well, fun. I prayed and the Lord brought this to my remembrance. There is a balloon decorating trade-secret called the "Gum Ball". It's pretty cool. All it is, is a balloon inside of another balloon.  Every time I do one, people ask me how I did it.
I say this out of love and habit:

Before doing this, please watch your little people around balloons, especially if the balloon pops

Here's the scoop:

• I got two balloons- one clear and one blue


• I folded the blue balloon length wise and stuffed it into the clear balloon- OR you can use the eraser side of a pencil, insert it into the blue balloon, then into the clear balloon, whatever you you do, just get it inside! just make sure you leave the tails of the balloon even, it would be even better if you the blue tail partially out.


• I didn't feel like going into the cold garage to use helium, my hand pump was not handy, so I used what I had-my air from my mouth! I Pushed the blue tail over and only blew up the clear balloon- half way only.


• Pinched the tails


• Next, I blew up the clear balloon. The blue balloon will stop the air from the clear balloon from coming out. Be careful, because the clear one will continue to expand with the blue one.


• For the younger children, I tied off the blue one, and pushed it through the clear tail so, it was kinda bouncing around inside.


• For my older children, I tied off the blue tail and left the it out so, they could label their balloons with the different atmosphere levels.


• To make a stand, I cut a piece of paper lengthwise and taped it in the shape of a circle.


• Here is a video, so you can kinda see what I did:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN5tq-wrCWs
Now here are some pics:
My middle son with his Atmosphere Balloon

My youngest son with his Atmosphere Balloon

Oldest son's labeled:



Atmosphere Balloon on paper stand:

Kinder Eggs

I love Kinder Eggs! They are only available outside the US due to the small parts and cannot be sold in the US. My mom went to Germany and was able to bring my children back quite a few. Here's  the kids with them: How to eat a Kinder Egg-
First, you remove the wrapper from the chocolate and break the egg in half:
Inside the outside of the eg is brown chocolate and inside of the egg and white chocolate: (make sure you look a dreamy eyed like my son here)


Inside, you will find the "yolk" which is really a plastic yellow case, open it and there is a toy inside!

Something Pretty Neat

I am still excited about Mr. Obama winning the election. Thank you to the ones who left such sweet comments-God bless you for your understanding spirit. My mom was in Israel with a group from our church on election day. While she was traveling she picked up some newspapers for me, and my family. It was more of a blessing to me because on her way back, I wouldn't be able to talk to her until she got to Chicago and I really, really wanted some newpapers from Israel and Germany about such a historic day here in the US. So, I did only what I could- I prayed and asked the Lord to tell her to purchase me some. Well, she called me from Chicago and I told her. The Lord answered my prayer and she bought me about 10 Newspapers!!!!! Here are pictures of a few:
These are from Israel: 




This last one is from Germany:

Proud Moment-11:04 PM

"Crispus Attucks fell so that Rosa Parks could sit, Rosa Parks sat so that Dr. Martin Luther King could march, Dr. Martin Luther King marched so that Barack Obama could run, and Barack Obama is running so that our children and grandchildren can fly." I wish my ancestors could see this day- but because they can't I am going to rejoice for them. Please beware- this video will break your heart: