26 Things To Do Over Summer Break

I wrote these down awhile back but don’t remember where it came from.  If you know please feel free to put it in the comments.

1. Skee Ball Tournament
2. Summer Scrapbook (or do an event book)
3. Grow a Plant
4. Ride a Tandem Bike
5. Play a Card Game
6. Pick some Flowers (press in a book)
7. Blow Bubbles
8. Buy Funny Sunglasses and where them out
9. Fly a Kite
10. Research a Topic Online
11. Go Backyard Camping
12. Finish a Book
13. Water Fight
14. Volunteer
15. Catch Bugs
16. Start a Collection
17. Play Tag (Maybe in the Rain)
18. Go to a Free event in your community
19. Pick up litter (with gloves)
20. Sponge Football
21. Picnic
22. Keep a Journal or Diary
23. Make Homemade Gifts for the Holidays Coming Up 🙂
24. Miniature Golf
25. Develop a new Talent
26. Make Slushies             

  

Recipe and Picture found here – http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/sinister-slushies-recipe.htm 

Now print this list off and check them as you go.  Finish them all and no one will be saying they are bored this summer.  Well I can’t guarantee that but they will have fun along with being bored too 🙂

Have a “Productive” Summer!

 

I’m Thirsty!

Very late post today!  Yikes my time is flying.

Today’s A-Z tip is N = Nutrition

Did you know that room-temp water is good to drink before meals.  Drink it all at once and this makes your stomach stretch and shut down food cravings.

I think I need a few glasses 🙂

Have a “Bottoms Up” Day.

P.S- Don’t forget to link any A-Z tip on your blog for a chance to win my contest.  I am on N and it I will draw a name at the end of the tips (Z).

 

Hola

Did you miss me????  🙂 

We had a nice time camping in Mexico.  Here are a few pics:

 (Sorry, I don’t tan..obviously!)

 The boys hitting the beach.

 When’s lunch?

 Our oldest boggie boarding but the water was a bit cold.  It took him awhile to work up the nerve to go out in there.

 Our friends boat.  This was just after it got picked up after the waves tossed them overboard.  It was also funny because our little one was set to go on the “ride” and Mom intervened.  I didn’t have a good feeling about it and asked that he not go.  A few minutes later the boat was no match for the waves and had to be picked up.  Mothers intuition!

  The Family in town.

I will start back on my A-Z tips with K tomorrow.  Please remember the contest still continues.  Just link any of the A-Z tips on your blog and I will enter you in my first ever contest for some beauty products (see earlier post).

Have a “bueno” day!

 

“B”

B

The “B” tip for the day will be for BEAUTY. 

Take time for a Mom Spa Night.  Either do by yourself or with some friends.

Gather up –

• A Robe (if you own one)
• Slippers
• Pitcher of Water with Lemon Slices (clean the skin of the lemon first) and maybe some Tea
• Some Light Food such as Fruit, Veggies, Bread/Crackers, and Cheese
• Soft Music
• Candles or Soften the lights
• A Journal (if alone) and make sure to write down 10 of your Blessings if with some friends have everyone go around the room to give their list of blessings
• Powdered Milk or 5 tea bags for a nice bath (if it’s just you)
• Something to soak your feet in
• Make a homemade beauty product to try (I have a couple of recipes below that you can try)
• Items for a manicure or pedicure
• Maybe a Chick Flick
• Lotion (get your favorite)

Fresh Face Cleanser

1 Tbsp Plain or Vanilla Yogurt

3/4 c Lemon Juice

Mix together and ally to face.  Rinse with warm water

Hand Softner

Wash hands in warm water.

1 Tbsp Honey

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

Massage into hands.  Cover hands with saran wrap, baggies, or cotton gloves for 30 min.

It may seem like this is bigger than just a tip but the point is to take time for yourself.  Our Mom job require us to be refreshed and feeling good about ourselves.  So plan your day now and put it on the calendar!  That’s an order 🙂

DON’T FORGET – If you ping or link back to my post on your blog (any tip A-Z) you will enter for a chance to win in my first contest.  If you don’t have a blog, leave a comment and let me know that you don’t have a blog and I will put you in the running.

Have a “Beautiful” Day

 

Can We Have It All?

Oh boy, is that a loaded question or what?

I heard a radio announcer talk about how when we ask for wisdom (but this can also apply to anything like patience, perseverance, etc) that we sometimes may think that it will be given to us completely and/or that we can fully obtain it all at once.  If we were to get it all at once the announcer posed the question that isn’t that idolatry?  Aren’t we then trying to be God like and never rely on God again? WOW idolatry! Hmmm

I thought this was a very interesting thought.  If we were to get it all at once we wouldn’t need to turn to God.  God DOES give us what we need at the time but not more as we might become as Satan did and think that we are equal to God.  And let’s face it don’t we already have enough control issues as it is?  God has complete control and sovereignty.  We will get enough to get us through but to also know that we need to still keep coming back to Him for more.  We don’t get all the water from the fountain at once do we?  No, we have to go back as needed.  We can’t store it all up like a camel, and we can’t store up God so that we will never need Him and become our own god.

So when I ask for to be a great Mom and I am a work in progress that is what God wants?  When I lack patience in a situation (provided I didn’t behave ungodly) I am where I need to be?  Maybe….???  Of course God wants me to grow and keep close to Him, but I am not going to do it without Him!

This principal reminds me of parenting.  (I think so many people come back to faith when they have children because they better understand the role of God in our lives.)  As a parent our child may ask for new clothes and we give them what they need for that time.  We don’t go to the store and buy clothes until they are 18.  Even though they will need clothes that long you wouldn’t do  it.  Styles and taste change, bodies grow differently, and they just don’t need all that stuff right now; it would be overwhelming.

Isn’t it awesome that God gives us just what we need to get through at that time?  All we need to do is stay home (close to God in prayer and His word), keep asking, and he will provide all our needs in His perfect time.

Have a “just what you need” kind of day!  🙂

 

Water vs Coke

I got this from:  http://beauty-healthtips.blogspot.com/.  I am not a huge soda drinker but I do enjoy a diet soda when we go out.  If those things about Coke are true….. YIKES!! 

Water or Coke ?

Some interesting facts that I would like to share :

WATER

1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world population)

2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.

3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down ones metabolism as much as 3%.

4. One glass of water shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.

5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day?

COKE

1. In many states the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.

2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke and it will be gone in two days.

3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the “real thing” sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.

4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.

5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.

6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.

8. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

So, are you going to have a glass of Coke instead of a glass of water? Think about it again.

Have a refreshing day!

 

DO NOT FORGET TO THINK LIKE A 3 YEAR OLD

My friend sent this to me and I thought it was too funny:

One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me and my brother who
is four years older than I am. I was maybe 3 and a half years old and had
just recovered from an accident in which my arm had been broken among other
injuries. 

Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a get-well gift and it was one of
my favorite toys. Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news
and my brother was playing nearby in the living room when I brought Daddy a
little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several cups of tea and
lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home. My Dad made her wait in
the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the
cutest thing!!' 

My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I come down the hall with a cup of tea
for Daddy and she watches him drink it up, then she says to him, 'Did it
ever occur to you that the only place that baby can reach to get water is
the toilet??' 

....Mothers know (author unknown)

Real World Martha Mom Tip – Did you know that you you can use tang  overnight to clean your toilet? (Just in case.)

 

Childhood Obesity and the Church

Have you ever noticed that if you go to the Doctor who is on the heavy side he/she will probably not talk to you about your weight?  I believe this is also true in the church.  We, as a church BODY, do not really discuss this topic too much, other than an occasional diet group, as we might be called to change our own habits. 

Now I have to advise that I am not some health nut or a stick figure.  I am a person who has struggled with my weight since I was about 11 and have been able to maintain a stable and healthy weight that with the Lord’s help have been able to manage for many years.   I could use to loose more but want to be careful about yo-yo dieting and doing major damage.  I don’t think I will ever be a size 2.  Even my Dad said that, and I had the notion that I would prove him wrong, but I never have.  But the church has never been apart of a lifestyle or eating change for me.  Now there is no perfect weight or body but I believe the church can be apart of making a difference in children’s, and all members, lives by being healthier.  

 I read an article from Parenting Magazine and it stated “A 2003 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that obese children “enjoy” a quality of life slightly less cheerful than that of kids on chemotherapy.” WOW!  I don’t think I should be shocked though as this was my experience.  I can also see it in the kids at my children’s school.  Don’t we want to minister to these children?

It seems like everyone is concerned, as Doctor’s are about our weight, but we don’t want to change ourselves.  Give up the donut hour at church?  Offer kids less treats in a church and I think you would be breaking the 11th commandment “Thou shalt have tons of junk food while a kid and don’t withhold any yest ye shall be a bad parent (IWDWIWV -I want to do what I want version)” or something like that.  At every church we attend there is a massive involvement of food.  Kids eat dinner at the Wednesday night program with a dessert and one hour later, in their class, it’s junk foodpaloza with a bag of candy.  Kids can regulate their own food most protest.  Yes, we can see this at the local school playground.

Now I am not talking massive changes here.  I would love to challenge the BODY OF CHRIST to  commit to sharing the theology of our body as the Lord’s temple.  We love to talk about abortion because we may have never been in that situation but don’t talk to me about my pastries!  I think it would be great to make commitments not only financially but the giving of our bodies to the Lord as his.

So what kind of changes could a church do:                                               

• 100% juices, milk or water.  No soda machines on church grounds.  I find it interesting that parents will complain that schools shouldn’t take the revenues from soda machines but what about churches?
• Make a commitment to no trans fats and use lean meats.
• Make better food choices when your church serves food such as low-fat or no-fat dressings and whole wheat bread instead of white
• Exercise for children during their extended classes.  When my son attended Awana’s they played very active games.
• Bible studies around nutrition and exercise.
• Ask the congregation to make an effort to encourage healthy choices for potlucks.
• Fitness or nutritional pledges like we do financial ones
• Support groups for accountability
• Limit candy.  Can I get a witness?  This is the hard one for all the Grandma’s out there.  People really don’t understand just how much junk children are exposed to in this day and age.  For example a child’s week Monday -cafeteria lunch -chicken nuggets carrots thrown away, Tuesday – Went to the bank and they have to give the kids a treat, Wednesday– Junkpaloza at church after the cake they had for dessert, Thursday– It’s somebodies birthday at your son’s school and they brought goodies, Friday – Mom’s tired of cooking let’s get a pizza, Saturday – Jimmy’s birthday party and ice cream after the baseball game, Sunday – Donuts at church-yum!  This is what I think a light week is.  We didn’t even cover the soda’s, frosted flakes for breakfast, and the trips to McDonald’s.
• Encourage activities at church that are active like a hiking group instead of a pizza group.
• Don’t hand out food as a reward!  Give out stickers, toys, certificates, bring the kids up in front of the congregation.
• Make sure fruits and veggies are served at meals held at the church. 
• Hold a jump rope event contest
• Bring in speakers that will discuss these Godly principals
• Host health events that will bring in professionals to test blood pressure and other health issues
• Encourage families to have treats for treats.  Everything is a special occasion.  Kids have a special occasion 10 times a week instead of previous generations.  Another generation it might have been special if Mom had cake for dessert.  I think kids are too familiar with junk that it is part of their normal eating habits and are no longer special.  Have bulletin inserts about these tips and other nutritional ideas.  Keep it in front of the church members.

Why make these changes?  “Obese children are nearly twice as likely to grow up to be obese adults. And a child who keeps the weight on through adolescence and into adulthood has a good chance of developing serious medical problems, according to Gerald Berenson, M.D., professor of medicine and pediatrics at Tulane University Medical School and a lead researcher of one of the longest-running studies on childhood obesity and heart disease. “By the time they’re teens, many have the beginnings of heart disease or diabetes,” he says. Early puberty — common among both overweight boys and girls — has been linked to breast cancer in women later in life. And cancer of the ovaries, uterus, colon, rectum, and prostate are also more common in obese adults.  Studies also show that overweight kids ages 6 and older tend to have fewer friends, are less involved with extracurricular activities, are more depressed, and have lower self-esteem than their thinner peers.” -taken from Parenting Magazine, Preventing Childhood Obesity by Laura Muha. 

This is a different world in which we have to make necessary changes to our habits.  It seems when you make these types of changes there is much opposition because helping the children means changing ourselves.  Other opposition might come as “People won’t come to church because we don’t offer this kind of food”.  Well then let’s make sure we don’t tell them Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life either then.  This is God’s vessel and we are in charge of taking care of it. 

Blessings,

Debbie aka The Real World Martha

 

These are a few of my favorite things…

ministries that is.  Here are some wonderful ministries that we have enjoyed supporting and learning from.  Hope you will check some out.

• Youth Haven Ranch  http://www.youthhaven.org/       Youth Haven is a year-round, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to meeting the emotional and physical needs of today’s disadvantaged children.  All children attend Youth Haven free of any charge or obligation.  Children’s programs include year-round weekend experiences, week-long summer sessions, weekly Kids’ Klub after-school activities, a Caring Clowns outreach, and extensive follow-up.This non-denominational Christian organization was founded in 1968 by Morry and Dorothy Carlson, along with their son Larry and his wife Cheri.  In 1997, Larry and Cheri’s son Lars, along with his wife Amy,  joined the team and continue to carry out the founding vision of his grandparents and parents.

     

  The children who come to Youth Haven face various negative influences and circumstances such as abuse, neglect, broken homes or poverty.  Some have experienced tragic losses or suffer from the devastating effects of drug and alcohol abuse.  The boys and girls are referred to the Ranch by welfare agencies, school counselors, social service agencies, churches, family members, and parents.  Sadly, many of the children who attend Youth Haven’s programs believe they have no real hope for the future.  As our dedicated staff spend time with them and express compassion, the children discover that someone does care about them, and that they are valuable.

    

  At Youth Haven, we share with these boys and girls that they are valuable and loved unconditionally.  Our programs offer a variety of fun activities to challenge them physically and mentally.  When they leave Youth Haven, they have a new outlook on life, and they are eager to dream, hope and set goals for a bright future.

• Joyce Meyer Ministries  http://www.joycemeyer.org/  Joyce Meyer Ministries has a God-ordained mandate to impact the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our goal is to reach every nation, every city, every day.
• Intentional Living  http://www.theintentionallife.com/ (use to be Parent Talk) under Family Life Radio.   Do one thing today that will give you a better tomorrow…

  Develop your spiritual, relational and personal skills so that you can embrace Jesus as He desires. 

  We pray that you and your family enjoy your stay as you join us in standing for God’s love!

• Life Outreach International http://www.lifetoday.org/site/PageServer   LIFE Outreach International is an organization committed to the commission of Jesus Christ to take the gospel to all nations. LIFE believes that Christ intended for us to demonstrate His love as well as proclaim it. LIFE has several ministries worldwide that are actively demonstrating the love of God.    
• Living Proof Ministries http://www.lproof.org/ 

  Living Proof Ministries is dedicated to Biblical literacy and a commitment to guide believers to love and live on God’s Word.  Every tape, book or product offered through this ministry is developed to encourage people to know Christ through His Word.

  “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two edged sword.”  Hebrew 4:12

  Living Proof was founded upon this verse. It is our desire to see people discover and fully experience this truth for themselves.

  Living Proof Ministries exists because of the grace and mercy of Christ. It will always exist to glorify Him alone.

  He is real.
           He is alive.
                      And His Word will make a difference in your life.

• Harvest Outreach Ministries http://www.harvest.org/  Greg Laurie is a wonderful Pastor and puts together large crusades.  He is on the radio and writes books.  He is Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship.

• Samaritans Purse (as mentioned before in another post) http://www.samaritanspurse.org/    They do lots of ministries as well as Operation Christmas Child.

These are just a few as I said but hopefully you will add yours.

I do always recommend checking out a organization before you donate.  ECFA is which is a ECFA is an accreditation agency dedicated to helping Christian ministries earn the public’s trust through adherence to seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship. Founded in 1979, it is comprised of over 2,000 evangelical Christian organizations, which qualify for tax-exempt, nonprofit status and receive tax-deductible contributions to support their work. 

Many Blessings,

Debbie aka The Real World Martha