Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Dear....



Dear Hollyn, 
Last week you got a slinky stuck it your hair. Two words for you: NOT. COOL. 
Love, The Mom Who Doesn't Want to Have to Get the Scissors


Dear Hubby, 
We need to go on a date. 
Seriously. 
It's been way too long.....like since we went to Africa last July. 
If I sell an organ and get some dolla dolla bills, will you take me to the movies? 
I'll wear something other than an old t-shirt.....
Love, The Wife Who Wants a Night Out


Dearest Darling Africa, 
I miss you. In fact, I MORE than miss you. I literally caught myself day-dreaming about red dirt and elephants and little babies grabbing at my long skirt. I NEED plans to come back to you very, very soon. You bring out the best in me. 
Love, The Girl Who LOVES You BIG TIME



Dear Little Baby Libby, 
Come back. I miss you. Where did you go? One day you were singing Old McDonald, and today you came home singing a version of 'Don'tcha Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me' that someone taught you at the lunch table today. I miss you wanting to spend every minute with just me and wearing whatever I pick out without bucking the system. I miss the days when you were little and squishy and just wanted your mama. While I love big girl Libby, can I just play with little bitty Libby for a day here and there? 
I'd be forever grateful. 
Love, The Mama Who Wants to Freeze Time



Friday, March 22, 2013

And Then I Cried

I miss Africa. 
There I said it. 

I miss it so much sometimes that it literally makes my stomach hurt. 

And this week, some of the people from the Noonday home office are in Uganda meeting with and working with our artisans there. 



And yesterday, when they shared this photo with the ambassadors, I cried. 



See that girl to the far left? 
That's me. 


Travis was telling our artisans in Uganda how their lives have made an impact on our lives. 

This couldn't be more true. 
I pray for them, I talk about them, I think about them, and I tell everyone I can about them. 

And while I love the pretty products they make, I love them so much more. 
They matter to Jesus. I love Jesus. Therefore, they matter to me too. 

So I guess you could say that I was kind of sort of in Uganda yesterday...at least from the waist up...
What are the chances that this will help make me less 'homesick' for Africa in the next few weeks? 
Slim to none? 
My thoughts exactly. 

*Thanks, Noonday home office, for sharing the first two pictures in this post with the ambassadors. They have truly spoken to this little heart of mine.*

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Easter Tomb Cookies: Keeping the Focus


So, I've been running like a crazy person lately. Trying to do this and that and share the Noonday goodness with what feels like our WHOLE state (great for the ministry, hard on my car). I just wanted to stop by for a minute and share this Easter tradition with you. I'm reverting back to an old post today, so these pictures may look familiar. But although Libby has changed by two years, this idea of keeping Easter focused on Jesus has not.

 Here's what you do:

You’ll need: 
Bible, 1 c pecans, 1 tsp. vinegar, 3 egg whites, pinch of salt, 
1 c granulated sugar, 1 qt. or gal. size zipper bag, wooden spoon, tape

Before we started we preheated the oven to 300 and lined a cookie sheet with wax paper (it's important to preheat your oven now and not when you're halfway done).

First, have your helpers crush, smash, and beat the pecans and while they do it share with them that this is what the Roman soldiers did to Jesus’ body. Read John 19:1-3. Put the pecans aside until a little later in the story.

Note: This picture was taken prior to telling Libby what the beating of the pecans represented, hence the inappropriate joyous expression. ;)





Next it's time to add the vinegar. Before you add the vinegar to the mixing bowl let the children smell the vinegar (I even let Libby taste it- wish I'd captured THAT face on camera). Explain to them that this is what Jesus was offered to drink. Read Read John 19:28-30.

To the vinegar, add egg whites. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life, and the eggs represent new life.
Read John 10:10-11.


Sprinkle a little salt into each childs hand and let them taste it. Have them brush whatever is left into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sins. Read Luke 23:27.

Point out to your little ones that so far, the ingredients in this bowl aren't so appealing, just like our lives would be without Jesus in them.


Next, the story turns sweet. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.



Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 & John 3:1-3.







Fold in the broken nuts. Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.




Place the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.




GO TO BED. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20.
The next morning…
open the oven and remove the cookies. Notice – the cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.





Libby LOVED this- I think it really helped her to wrap her mind around all that Jesus went through so that we may be free.

Have fun making Easter memories with your family. 
And wherever you are, I hope it feels like Spring has sprung. 


Wednesday, March 13, 2013

If We're Gonna Be Friends....

So I have some new followers lately. Welcome! Happy to have you. 
And now that we're 'friends', here are some things I think you might want to know....


-I'm loyal. To the core. I choose my friends carefully, and if you are in my inner circle I will do whatever I can for you. I will think of you and pray for you and help you. I will also be honest with you; I'm not afraid to say the hard stuff or to say I love you. 


-I'm random, sometimes to a fault. I love spur of the moments and unplanned adventures. Some of my fondest memories have come from unexpected, spur of the moment ideas.


-I'm not afraid for people to not like me. In fact, I think it's to be expected. I try to live my life to please God, not the world. It's only natural that the world would not always agree with me. 


-I'm not easily embarrassed or intimidated. I'm okay with looking like a total idiot. I also don't mind being the bad guy when the time calls for it. 


-I think I do a good job of loving unconditionally. 
If my friend is hurting, I'm hurting. 
If my friend if happy, I'm happy. 


-I really try to live based on the idea of treating others the way we want to be treated. 


-I am the friend who will remember the little stuff. 
I believe in birthdays and touch base texts in the middle of the night. 
I mean it when I say I will drop anything for a friend in need.
I think that's how it should be. 


-I fully believe it's better to receive and mean it when I say I'd rather give five gifts than get even one. 

Speaking of friends, one of my closest is really hurting right now. 
Would you please pray for her and her family? 
I'd truly, truly appreciate it. 

Here's hoping your week is full of sunshine and rainbows. 



Monday, March 4, 2013

Cooler Than Being a Rockstar





Nose wiper.
Hair fixer.
Homework helper. 
Clothes washer.




Story teller.
Potty trainer.
Lunch packer.
Medicine giver.



Boo boo kisser.
Alphabet singer. 
Farm noise maker. 
Bath tub runner. 



Diaper changer. 
Band-aid applier.
TV monitor. 
Hug giver.


Kiss stealer.
Tooth puller.
Lesson teacher.
Wet bed changer.


Tear wiper.
Rule enforcer. 
Party planner. 
Toy organizer.



Sibling rivalry referee. 
Tender heart nurturer.
Arts and crafts director. 
Bed time tucker. 





When you think about it like that, being a MOM is cooler than being a rockstar. 

Here's hoping your week is off to a stellar start. 
And if you get a chance, hop on over to my friend Lindsy's blog. 
She's got an awesome adoption t-shirt giveaway going on.



Sunday, March 3, 2013

Dearest Darling Coffee


My darling coffee, 
    
               Oh, how I love you. You make me so happy. You comfort me when my kiddos are going crazy and me hold my eyelids open after long nights of not sleepy with Hollyn. You are my go to me-time. Even when we're only together in the midst of one hundred My Little Ponies, a pirate puzzle, and that same stinkin' episode of Backyardigans, I still enjoy my moments spent with you each day. Now if you could only learn to stay warm a little longer and start hiding from Libby so she won't try to steal you when I'm not looking, all would be right in my little morning world. 

Love you 'til the end, 

McCall 




Open Letter Campaign

This week I'm linking up to my friend Lauren's open letter campaign. Check out her darling, tender blog. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her and her heart for her two precious bambinos.

And the picture in this post? It came from my happy place pre-Pinterest.