The Living Christ

After hearing General Conference it is hard not to want to try and do more to focus on Christ. One of the speakers talked about the importance of memorizing the scriptures.  I had taken this challenge at times with my children but it only lasts a few weeks at a time.  As I read one of my friend's blogs on Monday she talked about how she was going to try and memorize The Living Christ with her children before Christmas.  I have always loved all that she does to help her family stay focused on Christ (see her favorite's page).  Looking at that and the Discover the Scriptures website with their detailed guide I figured it would be a great way to focus our Christmas preparation on the true meaning of Christmas: Christ.  So, our family is currently working on "Week 1" of memorizing The Living Christ.

 

This is now hanging on our magnetic wall and the children have smaller versions to carry with them.  #1 Girl has the first two pictures mostly memorized and between the four children they can recite those first two pictures.  We practice at meal times, when the children are working on a project or just as we drive along in the car.  It has been nice to hear them learn the big words.  #4 Boy always likes to ask, "Can we do the Jesus one now?" (talking about the third paper with Jesus on it)!

Pictures Up

Wall above the Piano

I have been staring at blank walls for way too long!  I started working on a collage for this wall, but couldn't get it figured out for the longest time.  I finally gave up and didn't worry about it.  However, when the kids came home with school pictures I knew I needed to get them up.  Then one day I thought of using the shelves and it all clicked and I got the frames up before Dad got home that night.  The best part was that I didn't spend much and they were all things I had sitting on my bedroom floor.  The older looking frames came from Sister, they were empty but some of her other frames had plastic in them, so I cut those to fit these frames and added some lettering from the dollar store.  I love the look of that wall now!  I love the focus on the family, temple and God.  I also hung a few other pictures.  One of them is a picture of Jesus with the children by the front door next to the stairs.  As we pass it, #5 Boy often points and talks about it.  So cute!  He has been talking more and more and one of his favorite things to say is "YEAH!"  I just love my family and love having their pictures hanging up.

Tomato Art

Yes, We have a lot of produce that comes out of our garden...so much that the kids think they need to make some Tomato Art. 

We picked 42 lemon cucumbers on Wed and another 31 on Saturday here are some of the first batch.

We also picked a bunch of tomatoes Saturday.  These two bowls full of tomatoes were picked only two days later on Monday.

So, when the kids ask if they can eat tomatoes, I have no problem with them eating away. But, as I came out of my garden the other day instead of eating tomatoes, they were making Tomato Art.  My first instinct was to stop them in their tracks, I asked them to stop and throw their tomatoes into the compost, but after only a moment, I told them they could finish their art with what tomatoes they had left in their hands.  Maybe I will let them do some more beautiful art work with the tomatoes that the racoons and mice have nibbled on.

#3 Girl and #2 Boy doing Tomato Art

#4 Boy next to a portrait of himself done by #2 Boy.