Toy Story 3

I knew I was going to cry. Andy is going to college? Where has the time gone?

It's Tuesday - cheap movie night so we went to the much anticipated Toy Story 3 tonight. Half way through, I was sure that neither the boys or I could ever get rid of a toy again. Just when I had planned to thin down the toy supply they come out with a movie like this? Not fair toymakers of America... not fair.

But, in the end, it ended just as it should.

It got the 8 thumbs up review from our family. But moms, bring a few tissues (maybe sneak one to dad too... just in case).

Personalized T-shirt Tutorial

Here's the how to info. Please remember that this involves bleach that is harmful to skin and has yucky fumes. Please take precautions as necessary to keep you and yours safe and happy.

When I saw that this craft involved this, I knew my boys would be WAY into it.


So I gathered a the supplies and a plain T-shirt for each boy.

I freehand cut freezer paper letters and ironed them onto each shirt. Bigger shapes/letters work better as tiny ones are hard to iron on with good seals.




I intended to do this outside. It would have worked better to have the shirts hanging from a clothesline, as squirt guns and spray bottles work better when they are held upright. But we had one of those afternoon thunder storms and I didn't want to wait any longer so we improvised using the bathtub. I cut up a lino remnant into rectangles to slip into the shirts to give them shape as well as protecting the back from bleach seeping through. With a bleach filled spray bottle I gave the shirts a quick mist with the finest sprayer. Then the boys sprayed their shirts with the toy water gun.

Then we watched and waited.

When it looked right, I rinsed the shirts in cool water and tossed them into the washer.


After they came out of the dryer, they were ready to wear.


*I found this idea in my blog wanderings. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find it back, so I can't give credit yet. If you know where it is posted in blogland, please leave the info as a comment and I will give the proper link info.

Found it: http://http//ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2010/06/11/summer-fun-custom-bleached-shirt/

Ronald McDonald House & Life

Seven years ago, in October, was our first stay at the Ronald McDonald House. Our baby # 2 was born early due to complications of pregnancy (Rh incompatibility). We were swept up in the moment trying to cope with the situation of having a sick child, being 2 1/2 hours from home, having a 19 month old to care for etc. when the kind hospital personnel referred us to the Ronald McDonald House.

We arrived on Thanksgiving. Some people had prepared a Thanksgiving dinner for the residents that day. During dinner we discovered that another one of the families in the house was from a small town very close to our own. She asked me, "Don't you long for that simple country life?" They had arrived at the house approximately one week prior to us. Their young son was battling cancer and just beginning treatment. His mom told me about the "beaded journey". For each significant step (a poke, chemo, remission, trip to the clinic etc.) the child receives a bead to add to his string.

During our time in the house, we prayed for each other and encouraged each other in the Lord. She photocopied a devotional that she found encouraging. After we came home, we exchanged Christmas cards and updates. We would follow their family from afar through mutual friends and the local newspapers.

A few weeks ago they invited us to a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House and the Kids Cancer Society that they were planning. We were excited to attend and celebrate 5 years of recovered health for their child. God is faithful and we are soooo thankful. What a joyous occasion!

It was great to visit with the families. Our boys had a great time mini-golfing & getting their faces painted. But what really arrested me was seeing the "beaded journey". It was about 3 metres long. I'm still speechless. The reality of seeing each bead as a representation of a step toward health that a young child and his family took together. Praise God that he is healthy and whole today! What a long way they have come.

I went home and prayed for the families in the Ronald McDonald House that we stayed at and all the other ones worldwide. In each one are families fighting for the health of a child. They are seperated from familiy and friends and walking an often very difficult road. I pray for healing, health and wholeness for each one.

Our son is well today. From looking at him now you would never guess his difficult start in life. We thank God! Jesus said that he came to give life and life more abundantly. Thank you for that life!

?Staging?

We're going to give it a whirl :) A very stylish friend of mine is going to be moving onto bigger and better things so she needs to sell the current nest. We're going to "fluff up the pillows" this morning. What fun.... AND she said that she is going to have the coffee on. Can it get any better?

So, these are the principles that I am going in with.
1. Clean makes a house feel like home (her home is always spottless... so we can probably check that off the list already.
2. Simple backgrounds show the most potential. Less is more I'm thinking.
3. Create conversation areas.
4. Clear off the bathroom counters.
5. Remove the personal stuff... photos, great grandma's teeth etc.
6. Clear out the closets of extras. Who really has enough storage space, but let's make it look like we do, shall we.
7. If possible replace or spruce up the bronze for ORB (oil brushed bronze) or brushed nickel doorknobs, light fixtures etc.

Any to add?

Gotta run. I've gotta tidy my nest too :)

A Little Help from our Friends

Look what arrived at our house last week.

Time to Celebrate

I am thankful, thankful, thankful for the great dad that my boys have. I am VERY thankful that he is also my best friend. In the past 24 hour alone he has led a giggle fest at the supper table, comforted a scared boy after a nightmare, and now he's off to work to keep this family chugging along finacially. He's a wonderful man and we are so blessed to have him.

For the past few years work has taken my DH away - but now he is HOME!!! Time to celebrate!

Happy Father's Day!

What's Your Opinion: Friend or Not?

True Story:
A boy asked me to dance at our Grade 6 Valentine's Day Party. He seemed like a kind boy, but he was an outcast in our class. As we awkwardly swayed back and forth together I couldn't help notice the pungent odor coming from him.

I leaned in and whispered, "Did you take a shower?"

"Yes," he whispered back.

"Did you use a bar of soap, or did you just use the leftover suds from the shampoo?"

Sheepishly he replied, "The suds."

"Maybe you better use the bar because you don't smell very good."

Yes, I actually said that. I cringe thinking about it now.

So what do you think, was I a friend or not? I still feel guilty about telling a boy that he stunk even though my intention was to help him become more accepted by our classmates. If I were the "outcast", what would I have wanted done to me? What would you have wanted done to you?

What do you think I should have done? What would you have done? Please post your comments.

"And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them."

Luke 6:31 (ESV)

embellished door decor

Here's what I embellished today.

Invictus = Inspiring

I LOVE inspiring movies. You know the ones... the ones that make you want to run out and become a better person. Oh to be a leader like the Nelson Mandella of the movie. OK, the poem didn't do it for me, but his sincerity and wisdom sure did.

Anyway, I'll shut up about it now so that I don't give it all away. But, I hope you check it out and enjoy it as much as I did :)

Happy Weekend :)
Terri

Jumping in With 1/2 a Foot

I have been wandering around the blogging world anonomously again. And today, for some unknown reason, I have decided to come out of the virtual shadows.... tentatively. So here I am! Hello virtual world :)