February 1, 2013

Mom2Mom Sale :: Sign Up

Many of you have been asking about signing up for the Mom2Mom Sale!  It's finally here!  Sign up begins today.  There are a limited number of spots, so sign up early.  Tables are once again $10 and spaces for large items or racks are also $10.  The sale will take place on March 2 from 9am until noon.  Set-up for seller will be on Friday March 1 (time to be determined)!


January 19, 2013

A list

I love a good list!  You?

Here is a list of things you may want to add to your calendar!

Tuesday, January 22
Mom's Night out
New Holland Brewery
6:30 pm


Friday, February 1*
New Fit for {m}Life challenge begins
See button on the right for more information

Friday, February 1*
Registration for sellers at Mom-2-Mom sale opens

Wednesday, February 6*
VanKley Science Museum playdate
9am or 10am ~ FREE


Saturday, March 2*
Mom-2-Mom Sale at Community Reformed

January 5, 2013

Good Morning Girls Online Bible Study {Luke}

I posted this morning on facebook about doing an online bible study based on the Good Morning Girls current study of Luke.  There have been a few questions and I want to make sure that I answer all of them.

This post contains some links that may be helpful and a copy of the welcome letter that is included on the facebook page for all new members!

Good Morning Girls :: Winter Session Enrollment Page
Good Morning Girls :: You have questions...
Good Morning Girls :: Home Page

Welcome Letter from me (informative):


I'm so excited to start this Good Morning Girls session with all of you.  This
smaller, intimate group is an excellent way to stay better connected.  I pray that
God will give us wisdom and insight each day as we look into His Word as we go
through Luke.  Please be ready to share what God is teaching you.  I know we all
benefit from what each person shares.  In fact, the purpose of this group is to
share.  Write comments, read comments and like comments.  Try to check in daily
if you can.

Daily Bible Study and Check-In:
Here's how it will work.  I will start the day by posting about the verse we are
studying using the verse reference.  Everyone else can make comments after.  I
will attempt to do this very early each morning or later the night before, please
extend grace to me though, I'm needing this accountability more than anyone
right now. .

SOAP
The method of this Bible study uses SOAP. There is a greater explanation in the
study guide. But if you are not inclined to use the SOAP method, just do it your
own way. We just want to know what you are learning as you share each day in
our group. I particularly like this method of study because it gives me a chance to
go back and reread the verses, ponder the observations, review my applications
and pray my prayers. I think of it like my journal.

Prayer Document:
On Sunday or Mondays I will start a PRAYER wall post for the week.  Please add
your prayer requests.  Let us know any answers or updates.  But also feel free to
post prayers on the wall as well.
The purpose of the Prayer Document is to have a place to reference prayer
requests.  I use it daily as I log on to first pray for those requests. Please write
your prayer requests and use it to pray for each other!


Goals
On Friday of the first week we will be sharing our goals. I want you to write
them directly into the GOALS document so we can save it for future use.

Group Guidelines
1.This is a commitment. Try to check in daily. Accountability is key.
2. This is a confidential group. What we share here stays here.3. Please be aware of each other's feelings. Be as loving in your comments as you
can.
4. When sharing about other family members/friends be as positive as you can
and please do not give names (ie- family issues, marriage problems).
5. PRAY for each other!
6. Grow this winter. We want to be better Christians and moms at the end of the
session.

Participation
Since this is an online community, participation is KEY! To participate means that
you do your study and then share! If you don't feel comfortable sharing all the
time, you can "like" comments or write encouraging remarks like "that's a great
insight." The point is, we want to know you are here, your participation shows
your presence. I know we are all busy all of the time but if you are not involved,
then consider taking some time off from the group. It is very discouraging to have
only 1-2 participate a day. The reason for this small group is for everyone to feel
they have a voice and each of you are very special! So participate!
If I don't see you participating, I will try to message you to make sure that you are
still with us.

Online Resources:
*Print off the reading plan and put it in your Bible. You can find the reading plan in
the GMG email, please be sure to subscribe!
*Download the study guide and print it off or use a lined notebook to write in
your daily Bible study. You can find the study guide to download in the GMG
email blog post, be sure to subscribe.
**Both reading plan and study guide are attached to the Good Morning Girls
email blog posts, so you need to subscribe!**
*Subscribe to the Good Morning Girls blog by email (http://
feeds.feedburner.com/GoodMorningGirls). This is a great way to get all the posts.
And be sure to watch the videos, do the weekly challenges and of course do your
daily SOAP study.
*"Like" the GMG Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/GoodMorning-Girls/109768529062766) for more encouragement too!

I look forward to studying Gods word with you!


If you have further questions, please feel free to message me through facebook.

If you would like to join our group (study starts 1/14) please 1) make sure you are friends with me (Lynette Bell) on facebook and 2) message me and let me know you are interested!

December 17, 2012

Recipes

I asked Maggie to share a few of her recipes of things she has brought recently!  (I made these granola bars the other day, the pan was gone in one day!  They were delicious)
Thanks for sharing!

If you have a recipe that you want to share, please feel free to message it to M-LIFE on facebook and we will share it!


Tortilla Roll-Ups

Ingredients:
12 (14oz package) flour tortillas (or more)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilies
2 tablespoons finely chopped red bell pepper
3 tablespoons chopped green onion
12 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup salsa or picante sauce (optional)
Preparation:
In a med. bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, chilies, onion, red bell pepper and cheddar cheese. Mix
thoroughly. Spread onto tortillas and roll up. Cover tightly and chill for 2 hours or overnight. When ready to serve,
cut each roll into 1/2 –inch slices. Serve with salsa or picante sauce. Make about 8 dozen pieces of tortilla roll-ups.



Homemade Granola bars
source: http://smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2009/09/chewy-granola-barsmmmm-good.html

3 cups oatmeal

1 cup slivered almonds

1 cup shredded coconut

1 can sweetened condensed milk (I like to use fat-free)

2 Tbsp melted butter

1-2 cups of your favorite add-ins (chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, raisins, cranberries,

whole nuts, marshmallows, dried papaya, dried mangos, trail mix...you get the idea)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan. Mix together all of the ingredients and

pour into your pan. Bake for 20-27 minutes depending on if you like your granola bars chewy or

crispier. So easy and so good...

Enjoy!



The Best Sticky Buns Ev-ah!

source: http://smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2010/01/oh-my-heaven-sticky-buns.html


1 loaf (1 pound) frozen bread dough, thawed

1 cup vanilla ice cream, melted (I like to use the low-fat double-churned ice cream)

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

Thaw bread loaf in a greased bread pan and cover with plastic wrap that has been
greased to prevent sticking. Once, bread has doubled in size, or puffs out nicely over
the top of the pan it's ready to go!

Mix the ice cream, butter, and both sugars together and pour into a greased 9x13x2
inch baking dish. Pull the thawed bread loaf into 30 or so pieces and drop into the ice
cream mixture. Bake in oven at 375 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until bread is starting
to turn golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes and then invert onto a serving platter.

December 14, 2012

Upcoming Events

There are a few more events coming up that I wanted to remind you of (or notify you of):

Tuesday, January 23 there is a Mom's Night out at New Holland Brewery at 6:30pm
and

February 6 there is a kid event, a trip to VanKley Science Museum at Hope College.  There are two time slots for this one, 9am and 10am.


Other upcoming events without exact dates are: the popular potting party at Annual Ambiance and Crazy Bounce, more details on these will be announced as they become available.


December 13, 2012

Gymnastiks Event Tomorrow


Just a little reminder that this Friday, Dec. 14 is our Kids Event. 10:00 am to 11:00 am $5.00 per child
Gymnastics Unlimited 3400 Highland Dr. 
Hudsonville, MI
Just off 32nd Ave. 


*Dress in comfortable clothing, do not overdress, the kids will get hot
**Each child needs a waiver signed by parent.  You can print one from here http://www.gymnastiksunlimited.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=114&Itemid=190

Thanks and See you all there.

December 4, 2012

Christmas Music

What do you think about Christmas music?

Are you one who loves it and can't get enough?  

Or, do you get irritated when it comes on before Thanksgiving and can't stand to turn on the radio for fear they will be playing Christmas music?

I fall somewhere in the middle.  Really, my preference is based on weather though.  These last two 60 degree days, I didn't care for it at all.  

But, I do have a few favorite Christmas songs:

Alvin & the Chipmunks.  I remember listening to this record (yup, record, not tape, not cd) over and over and over when I was little.




And, another one of my more contemporary favorites is Sing Mary Sing by Jennifer Knapp



One of my favorite Christmas concerts that we try to go to each year is Curt Dykema & Friends at Community Reformed.  Seriously people, this one is so good!  And, it's free.  It's this Sunday, the 9th, it starts at 6:00 if you want to join us there.  You won't be disappointed!

December 2, 2012

Advent activities

I know that some people choose to do a family activity each day during advent.  I've often thought this was a great idea in my head, but actually doing it proved to be difficult.  With four kids and a relatively busy holiday schedule I can't exactly pick out an activity to do 10, 15 and 20 days in advance, because likely we won't be able to do some of them.  And then, what's the point.  I don't want the kids to read one and get excited to (insert activity) and then I have to tell them that, "oops, not gonna happen sweetie".

Enter Adriel Booker (again).  She has a HUGE list on her blog (click on her name above for a direct link) of great activity ideas.  And, best of all, there are practical ones that we may actually do.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe

I love seeing all of the fun elf on the shelf ideas that pop up on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.  But, again, follow through isn't my best quality, and one day I'm sure our elf would return to the North Pole and not come back (likely because he would get sick of me hiding him in the refrigerator or other unimaginative place EVERY morning, but possibly because he would get lost and forgotten too).

Photobucket

Truth in the Tinsel has some great ideas on her blog for alternatives to the elf on the shelf, not to mention the whole Truth in the Tinsel looks like it may be a fun idea too!


What are your favorite Christmas activities to do with your family? 

December 1, 2012

Advent

Does your family use an advent calendar?  What kind do you use?

I've been searching for years for one that I LOVE and would actually use all the way through, the only stipulation was that it had to be biblically based (as opposed to just a piece of candy every day).  

I've found some great ones.  Some super cute ones.  Some super detailed ones.  Some super complicated ones.  

I've made some.  Yup, I said some.  Because I haven't made just one.  I've made several.  I've spent HOURS making stockings to use to put verses and trinkets in.  I don't like it.  

Then one day, I was browsing pinterest (I know, your so surprised).  I saw a picture of this book and recognized it as one of my kids favorite storybooks.  

And then I read that you can use it for your advent calendar.  Adriel Booker really says it best in her blog post (linked by clicking her name):

"there are twenty-one stories it in from the Old Testament—each ending with a paragraph that ties in to the imminent birth of Jesus—and then three stories from the New Testament leading up to (and surrounding) the birth story of Jesus."

This book is fun to look at, the artwork is fun, the stories are well written, I really don't mind reading this one.  And, I'm excited to try this this year, hopefully it works out and we can start a new tradition, one that we can keep!

I'll be sure to keep you updated!

What are your advent traditions?  


November 28, 2012

M-LIFE schedule reminder

Just a quick reminder about our schedule:
We meet on the first and third Fridays of every month, which means we will not meet again until December 7.  I know it's easy to get into the every-other week groove, but when there is an additional Friday, it all gets switched up.

Sorry for my lack of posts, I didn't realize it had been that long!  I will be back next week with some great Christmas ideas, advent, decorations, abundance, decorating... All of it!