What's Your Superpower?

I have side-eyes.

At least, that's my boys' assessment of my ability to see what they're doing without looking at them. Not quite as deluxe as eyes in the back of my head, but they do the trick.

They come in handy when Bug (who is quite speedy and seems to think if he runs fast enough he'll become a semi-invisible blur like the Roadrunner) is trying to avoid bedtime or breakfast and makes a mad dash toward the front room where I won't be able to see him.

"Ah ah ah!" I warn.

He comes slinking back in the room. "How did you know? Did you see me with your side eyes?"

They haven't figured out that I also have supersonic hearing. Like this morning when they were playing in the front room and I called (from around the corner and down the hall) "Stop jumping on the couch!" It made me laugh when they shut the door between the two rooms.

Sorry kids, I also have "Mommy-sense" (not to be confused with Spidey-sense) that alerts me whenever you're doing something you aren't supposed to.

What's your Mom-power?

A Meaningful Memorial Day

I had to laugh when my 5 year old found a rogue black seed in his watermelon the other night and he had to ask what it was! With the proliferation of seedless watermelon, we have a whole generation of kids who've never experienced the messy fun of watermelon seed spitting contests!

Although I know I sounded like my parents, I took the trip down memory lane and told the boys about my childhood church's Memorial Day picnic, which, of course, included watermelon (along with three-legged races, water balloon tosses and Kentucky Fried Chicken-endorsed by the Colonel himself).

The next question that came from the curious one was, "What were you remembering?" Which led right into a mini-lesson on what Memorial Day is about. And this year, I actually had something to tell him because I wrote this article last year. Check it out if you're looking for a way to bring some meaning to the holiday weekend. And have a safe, blessed weekend.

Just Take 'Yes' for an Answer--Internet Cafe

For a long time, I wanted to name our firstborn son 'Gideon.' (I think it will be the new 'Jacob.') But, if I were the psychoanalyzing type, there's probably a deeper reason behind my attachment to the name.

I don't know about you, but if I'm honest about it, I think I may be more like Gideon than any other person in the Bible. It's not about putting God to the test as much as it is wanting to make sure I heard Him correctly.

Recently though, I had the opportunity to break that pattern a little and I learned a lesson about taking 'yes' for an answer. I'm privileged to be sharing it over at Internet Cafe Devotions.

Stop by and let us know if you've ever had trouble accepting a 'yes' from God.

Midlife Mom Blog List

If you're a midlife mom (or know someone who is), take a look at this list of "40 Awesome Blogs for Midlife Moms" on www.nursingschools.net. It's a privilege to be included with the likes of Antique Mommy (a longtime favorite of mine) and Motherhood Later than Sooner, a site with multiple writers that covers many perspectives and experiences of midlife mommyhood. (A recent post tells how to make up creative stories to tell your kids at bedtime).

So, if you're looking for some new blogs to check out, click on the link above. The Nursingschools.net blog has a lot of other interesting information as well, featuring articles like '15 Fascinating Scientific Facts about Siblings,' and '50 Tiny Changes You Should Make During Stress Awareness Month.'

I appreciate being included in the listing of Midlife Mom blogs, as well as finding this interesting new resource. Take a minute to check it out!

Creative Urges--5 Minutes for Faith

How do you express your creativity?

Do you paint or draw? Sing or sew? Dance or decorate? I used to think I wasn't creative--until I got a new perspective...I'm sharing more about it at 5 Minutes for Faith. I'd love if you'd stop by and let us know what you do when your creative juices are flowing!

Kids Inspiration--Resurrection Cookies

I'm re-running this recipe that I first posted two years ago. The older the boys get, the more I appreciate these simple, but meaningful activities that we can do together. In the past we made the breakfast rolls where you wrap crescent dough around a marshmallow, but I like how this one gives such a complete picture of Easter and incorporates more mystery.I found it on this site.  Whichever you may try, I hope you have a very blessed Resurrection Sunday.

Photo from Kids-Cooking-Activities.com

Empty Tomb Cookies

You will need:

1 cup whole pecans

1 teaspoon vinegar

3 egg whites

a pinch salt

1 cup sugar

a zipper baggy

1 wooden spoon

scotch tape

Bible

Instructions:

These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.

*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).

Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon

to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He

was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.

Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar

to drink. Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life

to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest

into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers,

and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup 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 to 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 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.

Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put 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&22

On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9