Simple Things Sunday No.9

our risen savior

Happy Easter!

We really, truly celebrated Easter all week long, in spite of both kiddos being sick! We delivered eggs to a neighbor’s house (see post here), we colored Easter eggs, and we made Resurrection Rolls! I’m hoping to do a more in depth post on that later (yes, I know, post-Easter, but you can pin it for next year! ).

But I wanted to share this adorable little tool pictured above to help share the Easter story with your littles. It’s from Oriental Trading and it’s called “He Lives!” Easter Figures. Here’s the link (although I’m sure it’ll lapse at some point). The set is only $7, and hearing my sweet little Allie asking for Jesus over and over was worth FAR MORE than the measly $7 (plus it was actually free since my mom bought it for us! Win – win – win!). AND…I’m wondering if it’ll go on sale after Easter, you can buy it and put it away for next year!

Anyhow, this week I’m celebrating the fact that

both of my kiddos are desiring

a relationship with God!

I know this for a variety of reasons, but below are a few specifics.

#1. We are working on memorizing a verse each week, and Cooper is not only excited about it, but seems to have an amazing understanding of the verses, as in, “You clearly have the Holy Spirit residing in you, ‘cuz there’s no way a 4 year old should know that!” type explanation.

#2. My daughter has asked to pray, on a NUMBER of occasions! Once was on a particularly challenging day for me on the way to pick up brother from preschool. And you know what? It helped me calm down and have a better day. Way to go God for speaking to me through your little servants.

#3. Both my kiddos enjoy reading the Bible. And while I know they enjoy reading PLENTY of other books, there’s just something about the word of God that’s captivating. At least for those who have God’s help in understanding it. And I hope and pray that my children do…and continue to as well!

So pretty much my goal in life is accomplished, right? Ha! Well, for now…but those of us who are blessed with a relationship with God can probably all agree that it takes not only a lifelong commitment, but also a day-to-day, minute by minute intentional effort. And it’s my joy to begin instilling that in my children’s hearts now!

I’ll leave you with 2 more pictures pertaining to the celebration of our risen Savior and my children’s excitement regarding Christ. The first is of my children looking into the empty “tomb” after making our Resurrection Rolls. The pure joy and excitement melts my heart.

The second one is of Allie playing with Mary (from the Easter figures set) and Venom. Clearly Mary is trying to talk some sense into Venom.

Happy Easter! I pray this holiday does not pass without the true meaning touching your hearts.

Becky Nicholas

Simple Things Sunday No. 8

allie’s step stool

This simple Sunday, I’m celebrating Allie’s step stool.

Can I just tell you how thankful I am for this adorable picture?

I did NOT start this day off…thankful for Allie’s step stool.

My precious little girl wants soo badly to help in the kitchen, she follows me around with this step stool constantly while I’m meal prepping. If I turn around to rinse my hand off in the sink, she’s already climbed down, turned around and is setting up the step stool beside me at the sink. I’ve nearly run into her…about a gajillion times. I know, that’s a lot, right?

BUT! As I was going through all our photos from this week, this one stood out to me. I mean seriously, how precious IS she? And instead of thinking of this step stool as this annoying thing that’s constantly in the way, it helped me step back and cherish how precious it truly is that my daughter WANTS TO BE WITH ME. She wants to help, she wants to learn.

So…while it takes at least 10 minutes longer to prep with Allie and her step stool…I will enjoy it, because my daughter loves me, and that’s pretty awesome!

Simple Things Sunday No. 7

delectable treats

This week I’m celebrating yummy home made banana splits!

We’re doing 14 days of Valentine’s in our house to show dad/hubby we love him! This was day #2.

It was scrum-didili-umptious!

Simple Things Sunday No. 6

children’s museums

Museums are a special treat, but one that never goes without extreme excitement! We recently visited the Sacramento Children’s Museum and I captured this melt my heart photo.

We also love Sacramento’s Railroad Museum, our local zoo, Monterey Bay’s aquarium (which we hope to take the kids to soon), and a handful we’ve visited in the LA area.

They aren’t super cheap, but when we do plan for it, the kids are ecstatic! So…for that reason, the simple thing I’m celebrating this Sunday are those special outings with your littles.

Cherish each one!

Simple Things Sunday No. 5

Architecture

One of my very best friends introduced me to architecture, helped me develop a love for it. For that, I am thankful. Without her, I would have LIVED in Oak Park, IL, the residence and workplace of Frank Lloyd Wright, without having ever appreciated the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. Without her, the genius behind Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead would have been completely lost on me.

With that being said…this week I am celebrating the joy of architecture. Sometimes it’s difficult when we live in our little suburban cubes, not being able to differentiate one from another. But, on our way to an ice skating party with friends, I made my kiddos stop to snap an image of this breathtaking building front.

Look around…you just might spy something beautiful!

Simple Things Sunday

Simple things Sunday is about celebrating those simple moments in life that might otherwise pass us by. I have two from this week that I captured in photos.

#1. How much girls love jewelry!

#2. How stickers can bring about such joy!

My son received a sticker for helping another student solve a problem in preschool. Proud mommy as well as proud kiddo!

Seek out those simple things this week friends!

Simple Things Sunday

The “simple” thing I’m celebrating today is…

The word of God*Side note* Don’t mock my bookmark…I’m a Napolean fan, it makes me smile =)

I recently had a conversation in the car with my son about talking to God. Upon hearing the song “Live Like That” by Sidewalk Prophets, he asked, “What’s this song talking about?”

I replied, “They’re talking about living how God wants us to live.”

He said, “How do I know how God wants me to live?”

I said, “Well, we pray to God, ask Him, and listen to Him.”

My son follows up with, “But, I can’t hear His voice.”

“I know. But that doesn’t mean He doesn’t talk to us. He talks to your heart, you’ll know.”

“But mom…my heart can’t hear.”

“No, but just like when you feel emotions, God speaks to you through your heart. The other way we can hear what He wants to say to us is by reading the Bible. Those are words directly from Him, so in that way, we can hear Him. And it teaches all kinds of things about how God wants us to live. For example, He wants us to be kind to others. Obey our parents. And tell others about Jesus.”

And…out of the mouths of babes…"I’ll try mom, but I mess up sometimes.”

“We ALL do honey! That’s why Jesus came to save us!”

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This was a great reminder to me how amazing the Bible is! The actual breath of God, that I have the freedom, the ease of reading, whenever I so desire!

So, while I’m not into New Year’s Resolutions, I’m looking forward to reading through the Bible in chronological order this year. I’ve done it once before and learned so much!

How about you? Will you celebrate the word of God with me? Even if you don’t believe it, you can still revel in it’s ancient traditions, historical references, and continuity across years and years. Seriously…romance, adventure, battles, heartache, victories, sci fi…it’s epic! You certainly don’t have to read it in one year (in fact, if you’re just starting, I wouldn’t recommend it)! But broken down into stories, you’ll love it! Here’s a link to a list of popular Bible stories and the references. Read to your heart’s content!

Simple Things Sunday–Making Christmas Happen

This week I’m celebrating and appreciating all the behind the scenes people that make Christmas happen. Like this sweet actor from a Christmas Eve service who took a moment to make my daughter’s attendance just a bit sweeter.

Think about it…there are lots of them. Think about some of the things that help YOU really feel like it’s Christmas.

Perhaps it’s certain foods, maybe a special Christmas eve dish or a Christmas morning breakfast (who makes them for you?).

Or perhaps it’s certain traditions you look forward to…maybe a gingerbread house party (who throws it?), or a special mini-van ride to drive around and look at lights (who does that, or who gave you the idea?), or a special Christmas Eve service (who arranges the performances?).

This last one is the one that caught my attention this weekend. We attend a church who is holding a total of SIX Christmas Eve services this year?! That’s FANTASTIC! But…it’s the same musicians, actors, pastors, etc. that are there for every single one. While it’s a great experience for them, it’s also exhausting. And many of the people helping are simply volunteers. They like to celebrate holidays, too, and yet…they sacrifice a bit to provide an amazing service for the rest of us.

So..take a moment to thank the people in your life who truly help make Christmas, Christmas. =)

Simple Things Sunday

I recently came across this tradition over at Simple As That-The Blog, and I absolutely love the idea. A simple post for Sunday, of something simple you celebrated that week.

So…my first Simple Things Sunday post…

Christmas – through the eyes of a child. 

I found a tutorial here on Pinterest explaining how to take cool pictures of your tree. I toyed around and got a different look that I love. My camera settings were f4.5, 1/10 sec, ISO 1600. If I can do this with my camera, you can too, trust me. Hope you enjoyed my simple things Sunday. I’m loving this Christmas season with my two kiddos.