Thursday Thirteen - 13 Sewing projects I will attempt

At the beginning of this month my mom, sister-in-law and I started taking a sewing class together. It really has been a great way for us to spend some time together and re-learn some of the basics of sewing.
Also, I really love the accountability. We all need to come to class with a project in mind along with all the materials to work on it during class, otherwise we just sit there with nothing to do.
I have already started and completed a few of these things that are on my wish list and I'm pretty excited to complete all of them!

1. Pillow case for Alex
2. Curtains for the boys room
3. Throw pillows for our couch
4. Pajamas for the boys
5. Curtains for the office
6. Diapers & wipes travel pouch
7. Summer skirts for myself
8. An heirloom blanket for each of the boys
9. Kitchen apron
10. A dress for my niece
11. Designer burp cloths
12. Make-up bag
13. Anything thing else that may come to mind later!
    

Hannah Montana - A Giveaway!

*** And the Winner is...***

CanCan (MomMostTraveled) she said...
That sounds like something my niece would like! :)
Congratulations!

I was recently asked by JAKKS Pacific, Inc. if I wanted to review some toys to promote Disneys new Hannah Montana The Movie that was released in theaters April 10th.

Of course I don't have any daughters to give these toys to but I do know a few girls that immediately popped into my mind that would be so thrilled to have some of these Hannah Montana theme toys so I said I would love to participate.

I'm actually pretty excited to see the movie myself! My 6 year old niece is having a birthday next month and just the other day she told me that she wanted three tickets to see Hannah Montana The Movie ~ a ticket for her, her mommy, and one for me! I think I'm gonna' have to take her to see it. It'll give me a chance to do something special with her (and it gives me a great excuse to get to see it)!!

Well, yesterday my package arrived in the mail from JAKKS Pacific, Inc. and I was pretty stoked to see a couple girl toys in my home among all the balls, trucks and other boy toys! To my surprise Alex was pretty excited himself! He fell in love with the Hannah Montana Rockin' Concert Microphone. He pushed one of the buttons through the packaging and heard Mileys hit song "The Best of Both Worlds" and didn't want to put the toy down! I think I'm going to have to keep that one for him!

How would you like to win something for that special niece, daughter, granddaughter or friend of yours?

I have a Hannah Montana Quick Switch Doll to giveaway! This 2-in-1 doll can be switched with a simple spin of doll's hair and comes dressed as Hannah Montana, with an additional outfit for Miley to make the transformation complete.

HOW TO ENTER:

• Leave me a comment by midnight on April 30th, letting me know about the special little someone you want to win this for. Make sure that you leave me your email address in your comment.

For additional entries (Leave me a separate comment for each additional entry):

• Follow my blog
  
• Send out a tweet on Twitter
• Let me know that you entered From Dates to Diapers giveaway for other great Hannah Montana toys.
  

Wordless Wednesday - Dad and his daughters

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Names for JESUS my Savior

"Jesus was named prophetically. Matthew 1:21 says, "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' - which means, 'God with us.'"

Why are there so many different names of Jesus? The names serve as a description of who Jesus is and how He works in the lives of individuals. Some scholars have located over 700 titles and different names for Jesus in the Bible.

Here are 13 of my favorite:

1. God - Jesus is called God in several passages in the Bible. Along with His sinless life, miracles, and resurrection from the dead, His claims to be God stand firm (John 20:28).
2. Lord - In the New Testament, this term is used as a salutation to honor a man of distinction. The disciples used this term to salute Jesus as their teacher and master (Matthew 22:43-44).
3. Word - This title was used by the apostle John to describe the mission of Jesus. The title states Jesus' Godhead and eternal and absolute deity (John 1:1, 14).
4. Messiah - The long awaited "anointed one" who would deliver Israel. Jesus came to deliver mankind from sin and death (John 4:25-26).
5. Alpha and Omega - These two characters were the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This descriptive title expresses the eternal nature of God - the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8; 22:13).
6. Savior - Jesus is the person who rescues mankind from an eternity in hell.
7. Redeemer - "One who frees or delivers another from difficulty, danger, or bondage, usually by the payment of a ransom price." In the New Testament, Jesus is viewed as the ultimate Redeemer who gave His life as a ransom (Mark 10:45, Titus 2:14).
8. Light of the World - Jesus is the Person who brings true knowledge of God. Those who reject this light bring judgment upon themselves (John 8:12; 3:19-21).
9. Lamb of God - This title refers to the Old Testament sacrificial system where God accepted the blood of animals as atonement for sin (John 1:29, 36). Jesus' blood made atonement for sin!
10. Ruler of Creation - Christ existed before the creation of the world and He is sovereign over it (Revelation 3:14).
11. Mediator - Because Jesus is fully God, He can represent God to man. Because He is fully man, Jesus can represent man to God. Reconciliation is possible (1 Timothy 2:5).
12. Bread of Life - Jesus is the one and only supplier of true spiritual nourishment (John 6:35).
13. Way, Truth, and Life - Jesus is the only way to heaven, the only source of truth, and the foundation of all life (John 14:6)!"
    

I gathered this information here

Wordless Wednesday - Alex loved eating the flour while we made cookies!

What is Good

• Easter week. We have done quite a few hands on activities to remember that Jesus gave His life for us, that he is Risen and lives in the hearts of those who Believe in Him
• Tucking Alex in bed at night and hearing him ask me over and over "mommy, one more kiss?"
  
• Isaac has two teeth that popped up at the end of last month and more coming in. He finds comfort in my arms, that is such a warm feeling
• Alex is officially potty trained (still in diapers at night, until we can get him out of his crib and in a big bed, we think it's for the best)
• Dinner with family celebrating birthdays
• God is Good!
  

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." Matt. 28:6

A Jelly Bean Prayer

Red is for the blood He gave.
Green is for the grass He made.
Yellow is for the sun so bright.
Orange is for the edge of night.
Black is for the sins we made.
White is for the grace He gave.
Purple is for His hour of sorrow.
Pink is for our new tomorrow.

A jar full of jellybeans
colorful and sweet,
is a prayer, is a promise,
is a special treat.
May the joy of Christ's resurrection
Fill your hearts and bless your life.

~The Jelly Bean Prayer was written in 1990 by Shirley Kozak from Stuttgart Germany

Jesus has Risen!! Resurrection Rolls

We, along with some friends, made some Resurrection rolls. We all had fun while at the same time we learned, with visual representation, of Jesus' Resurrection from the Cross.
I just have to mention that these are super easy, inexpensive and really delicious! We all had a lot of fun!


Ingredients for 8 Resurrection rolls:

• 1 package Crescent rolls
• 2 tbs. melted butter
• 8 large marshmallows
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 3 tbs. sugar
  

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Give each child a triangle from the Crescent rolls.
The Crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.

Give each child a marshmallow.
This represents Jesus and His purity.

Have child dip the marshmallow in melted butter.
This represents the oils of embalming.

Dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar.
This represents the spices used to anoint the body of Jesus.

Wrap the coated marshmallow tightly in the Crescent roll
(not like a typical Crescent roll up, but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside, otherwise the marshmallow will leak out.)
This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.

Place in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
The oven represents the tomb

When the rolls have cooled slightly, the children can open their rolls (cloths) and discover that Jesus is no longer there,
HE IS RISEN!

The marshmallow melts and the Crescent roll is puffed up,
but like the tomb - IT IS EMPTY!