Pumpkin Bread Pudding
By Lara | October 28, 2008
6 croissants, cubed and toasted
1 can (16 oz.) pumpkin puree
1 cup milk
1/2 cup cream
1/8 cup molasses
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
Combine all ingredients and put the bread in last. Spread evenly in a casserole dish and sprinkle top with some extra brown sugar and cinnamon. A few slices or cubes of butter on top will help it get a nice brown layer on top. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 - 20 minutes. Can be served warm or cold..or with cinnamon ice cream! YUM!!
Topics: Autumn, Cooking with Kids, Holidays, Recipes | 2 Comments »
Creating a Schedule
By Dianna | October 16, 2008
My husband and I have decided that we really need some kind of schedule to go by in our daily lives. We are so tired and we end up eating at weird times because we have never thought to put ourselves on a schedule. When we were both working we had schedules. We both worked and got home around 6pm in the evenings. Had dinner. Took care of our bills, emails and chores. Then spent the evenings together. Now that I have been home for almost 9 years and I am not working outside the home during the week we need a schedule to work on. He does work outside the home and is in college full time. But if we can get ourselves onto a schedule for his regular days it would be a huge help to us. We know that our weight gain and lack of energy has a lot to do with not having a schedule and the times we eat. So not only has this week been a week were we made some decisions regarding weight loss but its also the week we’ve decided to come up with a schedule to get our lives on track.
Here are some questions you can answer for me.
1. Do you have a schedule?
2. What do you use to keep you on that schedule?
3. How should I get started on creating a schedule?
Any tips, advice or comments are greatly wanted and appreciated. Let’s hear from you.
(hugs)
Dianna
Topics: Family, HELP! | 1 Comment »
OBEDIENCE
By Dianna | September 24, 2008
You know as a mom and wife you always hear about allowing the Lord to lead you in your marriage and in your parenting. God guides your steps in the way you treat your spouse and how you discipline your children. You’ve even given over your finances and other areas to Him. However, as a homeschool mom I often wonder how many times we actually allow him to lead in the area of our children’s education.
Let’s think about this. The Bible talks about educating yourself in His word. It talks about the fact that God wants us to succeed in everything we do. So why not allow God to lead us in this area so that we can educate our children in a way that is going to bring them up to be good godly men and women for the Lord.
Recently I had the opportunity to decide whether or not I was going to allow God to be in control in every area of my life. Especially in this area. After having gone almost 4 weeks into a new school year He very clearly spoke to me about the curriculum I was using for my children. Basically he told me that I needed to sell it and start over looking for something else (you can read more here). My first thought was “are you kidding me. I’m about to finish reviews and I need my new curriculum next week. What am I supposed to do until the curriculum sells?” But then I began to think. Am I going to be obedient to the Lord. Or am I going to ignore Him and struggle through the school year with this stuff?
Let me ask you this question. What is one thing that we as parents want from our children more than anything else? If your like most parents you really want your children to learn and be obedient to you. So what do you think is the thing one thing that God wants from us? O. B. E. D. I. E. N. C. E. Obedience.
God can not use someone who is not willing to be obedient to Him even in the small things. So because I want to show Him that I am willing to be obedient even when I am not sure what to do or where to go. I did it. I have sold my curriculum and will be finishing up the purchase of the new curriculum within the next few weeks. I am also more excited and at peace about our home school since I obeyed him.
I believe that these little things that the Lord asks of us is only a test to see if we are going to be obedient to Him so that He knows whether or not he can use us.
Are you being obedient in what he is telling you to do? If not then you need to really take time and ask the Lord for His forgiveness and then do what he is telling you to do. It may seem trivial or crazy to you but you don’t know who’s life your going to touch by doing what He has asked of you.
God Bless,
Dianna
Topics: Faith Talk, Homeschooling | No Comments »
Tuesdays Mommy Tip - Listening
By Lara | September 16, 2008
Listening. This is a vital ingredient to a healthy relationship, and proper communication. Many Moms, like myself, are multi-taskers. Many times I keep my eyes on the computer screen and give them the hmm sounds…LOL. My toddler no longer accepts that as me listening! Smart girl!
Lack of eye contact can be a problem when communicating with our children. We are not really listening to them if our eyes are on our task and not on the person speeking to us. Eye contact is key.
When we give our kids eye contact, we are forcing ourselves to listen to what they are saying. So, look your child in the eye when they are trying to tell you something. Pay attention, and respond at the appropriate times during the conversation. When we take the time to look them in the eye, they will KNOW we are listing, feel more confident communicating their feelings and they will feel loved.
Topics: Announcements, Communication, Family, Life with Toddlers, Mommy Stuff, Parenting, Preschoolers, Raising Teenagers, Tips, Tuesday's Mommy Tip | 1 Comment »
Looking for Contributors
By Lara | September 10, 2008
OK, life is too busy to do this alone…LOL…It was meant to have several authors anyway…So…if there are any Christian moms out there who have something to offer our readers, REPLY to this post and I will then have your email. I will email you.
We could use ALL topics of interest to Christian Moms. Or just general.
You will be in the “who we are section.” AND you can have up to two links on the sidebar of all pages.
PLEASE help me breathe some life into this place!!!
Topics: Announcements | 2 Comments »
Update :)
By Lara | August 30, 2008
Sorry for being MIA…
I live in Florida and we had Fay hit us pretty hard…then I have been spending a week trying to catch up with work! AHHHH! Anyway, we will be back in action soon!
Topics: Updates | No Comments »
Letters from Santa
By Lara | August 14, 2008
Do you realize that Christmas is only a few short months away?? Well, I found this great little site that provide Letters from Santa. There are so many stories out there of how a Santa Letter sent from the North Pole has made the day of a child, family, or kid that may be in the hospital or in need.
What makes Packages from Santa different from others who sell Christmas letters from Santa? Well, it offers a lot more than just a Letter from Santa Clause. It is a complete, custom Package!
They have three packages to choose from. Package pricing starts as low as $14.95
Basic Package from Santa. This package includes a custom, personalized Letter from Santa Claus shipped in a bright red, metallic envelope addressed to your little one.
Standard Package from Santa. This package includes the above AND Custom Letter from Rudolph Official Personalized Nice Certificate Glossy Autographed 8X10 Photo of Santa Claus.
Deluxe Package from Santa. This is the primo package. The deluxe package includes everything above AND Genuine Reindeer Food, Authentic Collectors Piece of Santa’s Suit, Personal Greeting From Santa Claus (CD), Shipped in Bright Red Box.
You can also order many of the products “a la carte.”
As you can see the Santa Letters offered from Package from Santa are like no other. They are HIGHLY personalized and truly a smile maker for any child who loves Santa Clause!
If you have a website or blog, you should know that they also have a great affiliate program through Share a Sale. The Package from Santa affiliate program offers a high sale rate, 20% commission, 180 cookie duration, 5% second tier, a buck for every affiliate YOU sign up, AND Santa Clause of course!!
I hope that you are able to make a child in your life smile! I think this would be a nice thing for families to do for kids in the hospital with terminal illnesses. It will teach your children compassion AND those precious little ones will get a package that makes them smile and a memory they will NOT soon forget!!
Topics: Christmas, Family, Fun Stuff, Reviews, Tips | No Comments »
7 Razor Burn Prevention Tips
By Lara | August 8, 2008
If you are a woman and you most likely shave your legs and under arms. At least the women I know do! So, this is for those who shave. Anyone who has been shaving for a for a bit has probably experienced the painful side of shaving…razor burn. Let me try and help…
7 tips to help prevent razor burn when you shave
- Never, I repeat NEVER shave dry skin. Major OUCH factor. (you can try an electric razor for a smooth and even result that requires no wetness)
- Make sure the razor you use has a sharp blade and has not been over used.
- Suds up the area with soap or shaving cream really well.
- Try not to shave the same spot over and over. If your razor is sharp once or twice should do the trick.
- Shave in the direction of the hair growth.
- Do not press hard. Press the razor lightly against the skin.
- Apply a nice scented moisturizer after shaving.
The skin irritation caused by razor burn is because the top layer of skin has been peeled off. OUCH! If you do get razor burn, apply an ice cube to the area for a few minutes at a time. You could even try an aloe based gel. Like the kind you use for a sunburn. Although you will still have discomfort, you will find SOME relief.
I wish you razor burn free shaving! 
Copyright © Thou Shalt Clean!, All Rights Reserved
Topics: Beauty, Mommy Stuff, Safety, Tips, Woman Stuff | 4 Comments »
Keeping our Children Safe, part two
By Lara | August 6, 2008
Safety In Your Neighborhood
<– part one of the safety series
There was a time that a parent felt safe letting their kids play in their own back yard. They could go outside to play without having to worry that they would be bullied by other children, kidnapped, or injured in drive-by shootings. Sadly, that time of innocence and security is long gone. Our yards and neighborhoods are not as safe and they probably never will be again…
We need to teach our kids to be safe and what to watch for.
What ever child needs to know and what every parent needs to tell their kids:
1. Teach them their full name, parents’ full names, address, and telephone numbers. In today’s world cell phone numbers are also important to know. If they are too young to know this information then they should NEVER be alone. Period.
2. Make it a rule that they cannot leave the house without telling you. If they want to leave your yard, make them to tell you where they are going, if anyone is going with them, and when they plan to return. Make it a rule that can not be broken without consequences.
3. Explain to them that it is VERY important for them to never talk to strangers if they’re alone in the yard, walking in a store, or at a park. They need to know that you can’t tell a “bad” person just by looking at them. They must never assume because someone “looks” nice doers not mean they are.
4. Teach your children that if they do get lost, if someone is following them, or they are being bullied, to head to a store, library, fire station or police station because they are safe places to go. Then they should tell an adult who can call you or the police.
5. Make sure that your children know that it’s not safe to play in alleys, empty buildings, or construction sites. They should also play with friends because there truly is safety in numbers.
7. Have an honest and straight forward relationship with your kids. Teach them that drugs and alcohol are dangerous. If anyone, including friends, offers either of these to them, they should say “no thanks” and then tell a parent or another adult that someone offered these things to them.
8. Help your children pay attention to their surroundings and to learn to be aware of what is going on while they’re outside; for example, paying attention if they see the same car circle the block more than twice. Telling a parent or adult about something like that could protect them, other children, or help keep the neighborhood safe.
When you talk to your children about the dangers that could be around in your neighborhood, don’t make everything sound sinister. We do not need to get overworked about it or make them fearful of everything. You want them to be aware of the dangers, but you don’t want to scare them to the point they’re afraid to go outside. Be honest with them and make sure they understand they can always come to you if they do become afraid, if something doesn’t seem right to them, or if someone or something bothers them. They need to understand safety in your neighborhood, who they can trust, and what they can do to help the neighborhood stay safe.
Copyright © Mommies Coffee Break, All Rights Reserved
Part Three, Coming soon…
Topics: Family, Lessons to Learn, Life with Toddlers, Mommy Stuff, Parenting, Preschoolers, Raising Teenagers, Safety, Serious Discussions, Strangers, Thinking Out Loud, Tips | No Comments »
Attention Christian Moms!!
By Lara | August 1, 2008
I am not sure if you know about Moms of Faith. MOF is a web ministry the Lord put on my heart to begin a few years back. It is an AWESOME community of Christian women…Mothers. I just completed a total makeover of the site and I am VERY excited about it and the future of Moms of Faith.
We currently offer several options for joining the Moms of Faith Community.
Weekly Newsletter (re-debuting 8/7/08)
Social Network (this is a link to join)
Blog (under construction)
We are also kicking off a new FALL Photo contest! The first of four seasonal photo contests a year. For more info, click here.
I hope you will take a few minutes and check out the many things that Moms of Faith has to offer! I look forward to chatting on the forums…and/or…social network! 
Oh, and we have great new offers for WAHMS who need good quality advertising.
Topics: Announcements, Faith Talk, Family, Mommy Stuff, Mommy Time, Parenting, Photo Contests, Spiritual Growth, Updates, Who We Are | No Comments »
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