interview with my kids ♥

I'm hoping to interview my kids every now and then, and post on my blog. I think it'll be so fun for them to look back on their answers! It's blowing my mind how quickly my little loves are growing in their learning, their bravery, their compassion, their physical size (how much they can eat!) and their precious walks of faith. I am deeply blessed to be their mama. I ♥ you!!

 

 Kyla 9 years old
 

favorite color? cobalt blue

favorite food? BBQ chicken salad

if you could go anywhere, where would you go? Hawaii or Seattle

where would you go out to eat? Chipotle

what are you scared of? tornados and snakes

what's your favorite treat? pull and peel licorice

what's your favorite thing to do in the winter? go sledding

what do you like to play at home? teacher/house

what's your favorite thing to wear? comfies or soft dresses

what do you love about God? That He loves me no matter what
if you could ask God anything, what would it be? How did he make animals?
what's your favorite way to show love? helping people and writing notes

 

Ty 7 years old

favorite color?  blue
favorite food? PBJ or pizza
if you could go anywhere, where would you go? Seattle/Seahawks game
where would you go out to eat? Chipotle
what are you scared of? tornados
what's your favorite treat? candy canes
what's your favorite thing to do in the winter? snowball fight
what do you like to play at home? any sport
what's your favorite thing to wear? singlet (wrestling)
what do you love about God? He died on the cross for my sins
if you could ask God anything, what would it be? why do we have tornados and earth quakes?
what's your favorite way to show love? helping friends at school and giving hugs to my family

 

Clara 6 years old

 

favorite color? turquoise and orange
favorite food? my moms lasagna and salad
if you could go anywhere, where would you go? Disneyland
where would you go out to eat? Pot Belly's
what are you scared of? tornados and going downstairs by myself when it's dark
what's your favorite treat? horehounds (yes, really. I introduced them to her and the girl is obsessed!)
what's your favorite thing to do in the winter? go sledding and have cocoa
what do you like to play at home? Little House with my brother and sisters
what's your favorite thing to wear? comfies or soft dresses
what do you love about God? that he made the world and my family

 if you could ask God anything, what would it be? How do you make people?

what's your favorite way to show love? sharing and snuggling

 



 

Addie age 3

favorite color?pink
favorite food? mac and cheese
if you could go anywhere, where would you go?  on a date with everyone in my whole family
where would you go out to eat? Blue Heron
what are you scared of? lions and snakes
what's your favorite treat? ice cream and cake
what's your favorite thing to do in the winter? make a snowman
what do you like to play at home? play with my dollhouse
what's your favorite thing to wear? feety jammies
what do you love about God? He loves me and made lots of things for us
if you could ask God anything, what would it be? How do you make a bear?
what's your favorite way to show love? giving hugs to people I love

TP roll gift boxes

I've discovered my love language to others is very much gift giving. I love it. And the presentation is half the fun! My niece and nephews went to Florida and I wanted them to have a little something fun to open on the airplane. I put treats inside these, but you could really make these for any occasion you might want a cute lil package (jewelry, stickers, notes, tattoos, party favors)! It's just a toilet paper roll with the edges folded down and hot glued on one end. I used those Bingo dobbers and paints to decorate! The possibilities are endless :)

a snuggly way to give ♥

There is still time to be part of something really cool this holiday season!  A friend of ours has a son who is collecting fleece and/or blankets to deliver to Children's Hospital for a school project. This young man has had two open- heart surgeries and the last time he was there, he was given a tie fleece blanket. He was so touched by the gesture. His school project is called "Do Hard Things" and we just think it's AWESOME! It was so great to make with my kiddos and to pray for each person/child that would be cozying up with it! If you'd like to be a part of the project, you can e-mail me at : laurajane223@gmail.com I can drive to pick it up from you :) I would need to get the fleece from you by January 2nd. Thanks so much!.... and if you can't be part of it...pray for these dear kids. And hug your healthy kids :) Merry Christmas!!!

sweet treats

These cutie pies make a fun lil way of gifting treats to teachers (or anyone)! They were so quick and simple. Really. Put with a coffee gift card, we hope this will bring a smile to their teachers.

what you need:
small jar
toddler (or infant if using smaller jar) sized socks...put sock on jar and cut the sock off before the heel
puff balls (glued to string)
string
googly eyes
orange card stock (cup into trapezoid shape, roll and glue)

*I used a hot glue gun for everything and used my favorite Dove peppermint bark chocolates! (but it would also be super cute with puppy chow/Muddy Buddies!)

Gingerbread play dough

Play dough never smelled so good! The recipe came home in my daughter's backpack yesterday! We have been playing with this all afternoon and I just have to share! It smells SO YUMMY!!!

gingerbread play dough

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup salt

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

2 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. ground cloves

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup water

1 tsp orange extract (optional)

(*I doubled this recipe for my 4 kids)

Instructions:  In a medium saucepan whisk together dry ingredients. Next mix in the water, oil and orange extract and stir until a thick batter is formed. Cook the mixture over low/medium heat until a thick dough forms. Turn out onto parchment paper (or non stick cooking sheet) and knead until smooth. makes about 2 cups of dough.....or 4 :)

keep stirring! It takes a little while to get nice and thick!

HAVE FUN!!! :)

pay it forward!

This is just a lil Monday challenge for you :) I decided a couple months ago that if I wanted to buy myself a coffee, then I needed to buy one for the person behind me in the drive through as well. If I have the money to splurge on a coffee treat then I have enough to bring it to a friend, or pay for the person behind me at the coffee shop. It's led to some really neat conversations and meeting new fascinating people. I honestly don't know that there's a better thing to do than blessing someone else's day, especially when you might be having a hard day yourself.
So, go on...pay it forward....er, I mean, pay behind ;) Happy Monday!!

Miss Maya ♥

I love babies.  I love their smell, their little wimpers and their microscopic ears and lips. This long time family friend Kelly and her 2 week old daughter, Maya came over this week. I got to photograph her, but I also got to snuggle her almost weightless lil self.  I feel like it wasn't that long ago that I was in this sleep deprived stage of life, and when my baby came home that afternoon she looked HUGE! I am reminded how fleeting this time is. I am so thankful for the reminder this week: They really do grow up faster than you can imagine. I want to cherish every day! Thank you Kelly and Nick for letting me a part of this beautiful chapter of your lives. You WILL get sleep again, promise. :) Enjoy this little gift from God ♥