The Walnut Acre Chronicles

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

$1.50 off ten (10) cans of ALPO Dog Food

$1.50 off ten (10) cans of ALPO Dog Food:

Morning Musing Over Coffee - The Riches of His Glory

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

~ Ephesians 3:14-21

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Outdoor Play Spaces

It's the time of year again when we begin to move a lot of our play outside. I always enjoy setting up play spaces for the kids to keep things fun and interesting.

Here are a few of the ones we've set up so far and the kids are enjoying them.

One of our long time favorites is rice. This rice is colored black and green from use in a previous play center when we were studying farms. A few big bowls of rice, some smaller containers and some spoons and the kids are happy for a long time. Some little plastic animals are also fun to add to the mix.

Another favorite is simply to throw an older blanket down on the ground and put out a few books, stuffed animals and puppets. This makes a nice place for a child to sit and relax and enjoy some quiet time while still being outside with everyone else.

This year I've also brought out a basket of large plastic animals and added wood, sticks and rocks to make a fun play area for imaginations to run free. Last week I saw a lion kiss a dinosaur here.

I have more fun in mind but haven't had time to set it all up yet. But for now these play spaces are providing hours of fun and learning as we play together.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - Tuesday April 3, 2012

For Today

Outside my window . . . sunny and 76 degrees. Doug just mowed the grass so it smells summery. We spent a lot of time outside this afternoon.

I am thinking . . . that if I don't stop pulling the radish plants up to check if they're growing radishes yet, I won't have any radishes to eat.

I am thankful . . . that I was able to grocery shopping this morning and buy most of our groceries for the month. I'll need to get milk, fresh veggies and odds and ends during the month but hopefully not a big grocery shopping.

In the kitchen . . . The shelves, refrigerator and freezer are all restocked and Amanda and Austin are doing the cooking.

I am creating . . . I am working on my second braided rug.

I am going . . . nowhere the rest of the day. Grocery shopping was enough for me.

I am looking forward to . . . a busy rest of the week.

Around the house . . . Austin is working on cleaning out the shed (he's making good progress on it too), Amanda is making dinner and Michael is annoying her, CJ is doing something with his MP3 player, and Doug is working in the garage.

I am pondering . . . Unashamed.

A favorite quote for today . . . Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. And lo, no one was there. ~ Author Unknown

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . Wednesday evening we have church as usual. Thursday evening we have a love feast at church. Saturday there are also activities at church for Easter - a grounds cleanup day and also an Easter egg hunt for the younger children.

A peak into my day . . . It's been a good day and I am so aware of how blessed I am.

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Morning Musing Over Coffee - Unashamed

credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; ~ Psalm 25:3

What a beautiful verse!

We've been talking a lot at church about prayer. We've been discussing prayer in Sunday School, and hearing sermons about it during the service. I'm learning so much about the promises surrounding prayer, about faith, about asking and receiving, and how important prayer really is. We are seeing so many prayers answered in wonderful ways.

But sometimes things still happen that we don't understand. Sometimes, it just seems as if things are happening too slowly, or not as we had envisioned, or maybe not happening at all. And, if we were expecting a different answer, or a faster answer, we can get discouraged and begin to doubt what we have read and learned, what He has promised.

It is during those times that we can go back to the Bible and find verses like these and know that we do not have to be afraid. He is still in control and He is still working for our good and His glory. We can stand firm on His promises and we will not be ashamed.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Printable Coupons for Household Items

Weekend Wrapup - Wagons, Dogs, Fudge and the Hospital

I've been way off my usual schedule posting here for a variety of reasons. My computer went through an update that somehow threw off everything and I had to reset some things in order to even post here. Saturday I was just plain lazy - CJ left for part of the day and Michael went with Doug to work on a friends car. Since the house was so nice and quiet I went back to bed and took a nice long nap. Then Sunday I was at church until almost 4PM practicing for the Easter play.

But we did do some fun things and I got some pictures that I will share here.

Saturday afternoon Amanda and I went to the SPCA for a couple hours. This Norwegian Elkhound/German Shepherd mix was one of Amanda's favorites and she spent quite a bit of time with it. Her name is Jazzy and she's still a puppy.

Wagons have been a big thing this weekend. We had someone else's Saturday for a while and Michael was just fascinated with it. CJ kindly gave him a ride in it and he enjoyed pulling it all over the yard.

So Doug bought one to have here and he has been having so much fun with it. Of course, the rest of us are getting a workout because his favorite thing is to be pulled around in it.

Sunday evening CJ made us some delicious fudge!

Today was Michael's kidney ultrasound and brain MRI. Because he was born with several tumors, most of which have since disappeared on their own, we have to recheck now and then to make sure everything is still okay. We had to do a lot of waiting but the nurses were good at trying to provide him with things to keep him entertained. While we were waiting for the ultrasound they brought in a small DVD player so he could watch a movie and also crayons and coloring books.

In spite of the long wait Michael did really well. The MRI was done under anesthesia and he did better waking up from it this time than when he had the tubes in his ears. He was calmer and it took less time to become fully awake.

After we finally got home this evening and after we had dinner, Michael, CJ and I took a walk. CJ was taking lots of pictures of the water and also of the moon. It was a nice way to relax and wind down a little.

And that's a quick look at the last few days here at Walnut Acre.