Week 6: Wolf Counsil Fire Adventure

I'm Cubmaster/den leader for a combined den of Wolf, Bear and Webelos.  This month I only have one lone wolf so this activity meets the requirements for Wolf: Council Fire #3a, 3b, and 4a.  Luckily #1 and 5 were completed at summer day camp.

Gathering Activity: We filled a disposable dish with rice and gave the boys 5 marbles each (Note to self.. Get new rice without sand mixed in it!)  Have the boys stand in a line about 5 feet away and take turns trying to throw a marble into the dish.  (I used rice to pad the landing and indoor carpet was helpful too) After all were done throwing, we collected the marbles and then each boy took a step back and we did it again!!! Simple!  Stop after 15 mins.  (This activity was adapted from a washer game in the Wolf Den Leader guide which I highly recommend you own if you are a den leader!  It was a hit!)

Opening: Use den duty chart for: attendance, prayer, pledge of allegiance, Scout oath and law

Talk time:  I had pictures spread on a table of buildings and locations in our town that I was able to find and print off Google images.  The boys were directed to go take a look.  I kept quiet and told them to just take a look.  It didn't take too long before they started recognizing local places.  I was able to show them pictures of the original hospital, theater and school in our town followed by the current ones.  This led to a discussion how communities change.  Lead the conversation into how changes affect the area:  Examples:  Lots of building affects plant and animal life, water sources have to be developed, pasture land disappears, Larger population can lead to more crime, litter,  hunger or homelessness and as cub scouts we want to grown up to be leaders and help solve these problems.

Lead the conversation into ways that the cub scouts could help solve these problems.  I told them we are going to do a community service project but they need to vote on one and we are going to present it to our pack committee leaders at the end of our meeting for approval.   I printed more pictures of ideas they could choose from if they couldn't think of any ideas themselves (ex: scouts cleaning, local food pantry...)
Here is a possible list (see also Wolf Handbook)
1. make gift baskets for elderly people with no families
2. Clean or beautify a cemetery, community center, campground, park, river, school, parking lot...
3. Stock food at a local food pantry (call your local pantry first to find out if its an option)
4. plant a tree  native to your area
5. plant flowers native to your area in a public place
6.  visit a senior center
7.  perform yard work for an elderly person
Discuss how and who will present service project idea to committee.

Activity 1: time changes collage.  Give scout paper or poster board and glue.  Let him pick community pictures from Activity 1 to make a collage.
(Council Fire #3a, 3b)

Activity 2: I arranged ahead of time so we could present our idea to the committee during our meeting. (Council Fire #4a)

Activity 3: Balloon Hot Potato - We used the game from this link. I put question or tasks in each balloon based on our previous meeting.  (like: who won the obstacle course, say the scout oath...) The scouts had a hard time popping the balloons, so my husband used a tack and popped them while they were trying to sit on them.  This game was a huge hit!

Record completion of requirements for Wolf: Council Fire #3a, 3b, and 4a.

Week 5: Cub Scout Obstacle Course

We have a small combined wolf, bear and webelos den, but due to boys moving away and summer vacations we only have 1 wolf this month and he has a lot to finish by his birthday.  I combed thru the requirements to make sure we hit as many as possible in this obstacle course as well as adding some obstacles just for fun. (Those not included, were done at cub scout day camp) It was awesome!. After going thru the course (about 2 1/2 mins long) the boys were breathing hard and wanting to rest!

You may wonder how I can pull this off with just one lone wolf.   Easy...we have two 11 year old scouts that regularly come and we, the leaders, have other children.   It can be very helpful to have our numbers padded for certain activities.

Here are the Wolf requirements this activity will meet:  Counsil Fire #2 & 6b, Paws on the Path #8, Running with the Pack #1, 2, 3 & 4

First,  I mapped it out on paper. (Sorry about the poor lighting in this picture... best I could do with a baby sleeping on my lap!)  This map came in handy as I guided the boys thru the course!

Gathering Activity: Play catch with a partner 10 feet apart.  Give instruction as outlined in the Wolf Handbook.  Once they are proficient have everyone move back a step. (Running with the Pack #1)
Next we made a  Den Duty Chart by letting the boys choose the duty they wanted to perform each week. I prepped ahead of time by printing out the duties on a chart and laminating it. As the boys chose a duty,  I wrote their name on the chart with a white board marker.  My chart included: Take Attendance, Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath and Law and Meeting Helper (Council Fire #1 Mark complete after 1 month)

Opening: Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath and Scout Law

Obstacle Course:  We discussed good sportsmanship before starting our game as outlined in the Wolf Handbook ( Running with the Pack #4) I actually had to take some more pictures the next day to show you each station.  It was too fast paced at our activity to get all the pictures I wanted.

Here goes...

1. Monster Stomp - Stomp on one soda can and add to a recycle pile.

Note: be sure to transport smashed cans to a recycling bin. (Council Fire 6b). 

2. Front Roll - (Running with the Pack #3)

3. Walk 5 steps backwards (Running with the Pack #2)

4. Frog Stand (Running with the Pack #3)

5. Back Roll (Running with the Pack #3)

6. Running thru the ropes (for sideways balance Running with the Pack #2) - made out of PVC stakes and parachute cord.

7. Hurdles - make with swim noodles and
ground stakes ( we made PVC stakes but wooden dowel rods work too). We had 4 hurdles spaced about 15 feet apart.  Another option is alternate going over one, then under the next...

8.  Mini Trampoline - 10 jumps

9. Balance Beam (Running with the Pack #2)

9. Ring Toss and Drive the Green Machine around the cones - Make rings by taping the ends of a pool noodle closed with packing tape.  Line 4 cones in a line about 15 feet apart and place rings a few feet from the cones.  Boy runs down the line throwing loop over cones.  At the last cone, he hops on the green machine and drives around each cone in an alternating manner (figure 8 style)  to the finish line.

 We had a drink station set up to refresh them after the course. This is how my husband cut the PVC pipe to make stakes.

Map activity - When the boys finished the course we moved to a table set up with map making supplies.  The boys drew a map of the obstacle course and we used a compass app to label North on the map (Paws on the Path #8)

At the end we served light refreshments. Everyone really enjoyed this activity!  Cub Scouts is fun!

Week 4 Bear: Fur, Feathers and Ferns for Combined Dens

We just finished Twilight Camp (some areas have Day Camp) and families are heading off for summer vacation. Camp is such an asset to small dens in meeting requirements for multiple ages.  Because I'm in a small combined den of wolf, bear and webelos, I have to send homework home regularly.    I only have one Bear and he is going out of town for a month so I decided to have one activity for the Bear's Fur, Feathers and Ferns Adventure and pick out the activities that parents just may wish the den would take care of so they don't have to worry about it at home.  So here goes...

Gathering Activity:  Knots - We did this for 10 minutes.  This is a target activity aimed at those scouts who may not have met all the requirements for knot tying.  For example,  the Bears and Webelos have to teach a younger scout how to tie certain knots. The other boys can practice knots they know while you target the scouts who need to pass off a requirement.(Wolf, Call of the Wild #2, Bear, Bear Necessities #8, Arrow of Light, Camper #5)

Activity 1: Composting- I really did not want to send the boys home with their own little gross cup of compost  (especially since 2 of the boys are my own ) so we discussed the purpose of composting and made a composting bucket.  My husband (and den leader)  drilled the holes in the bucket beforehand.  I used the tutorial I found online here. We did not add Bokashi and I added water after we brought it back home.  Here is what we used in our compost bucket:  bag of used coffee grounds donated from Starbucks, a few kitchen scraps (avocado skin, egg shells, veggie scraps), dead leaves from a limb pruned from our tree, grass clippings from a freshly mowed lawn and a little leftover potting soil we used in the next activity.  The boys had an impressive knowledge of composting and they enjoyed adding layers to the bucket.  I promised to roll the bucket everyday and bring the finished product back in a few weeks.  I'll add a picture of our finished compost. (Bear: Fur, Feathers and Ferns #6)

Update:  Here is a picture of our beautiful compost after a few weeks. Truth be told I wasn't very consistent at rolling the bucket everyday, but look how awesome it turned out!  I can't believe how easy that was!  I really want to plant something now!

Activity 2: The requirement is to plant a vegetable or herb garden.  I had an aloe vera plant that seems to stay alive without much effort on my part.  I don't have a green thumb and it's my only plant that hasn't died!  I did some research on YouTube university on how to propagate the aloe vera pups. With my Bear scout going out of town, I thought this would be the best bet for his garden.  My local grocer (HEB) had used containers they sold me for 50 cents and I had so many pups that each boy transplanted 2-3 in his pot.  What fun!  (Bear: Fur, Feathers and Ferns #7)

Opening:  Since we had moved back into the building to wash hands and cool off, we stopped here to have our prayer, pledge, scout oath and Scout law.

Activity 3: Vegetable Olympics - This was by far the fun part of our meeting!  Find the game here. We played the Bean Planting Relay.  Since we don't have a big group we just timed each boy and called out winners.  Next we had a Potato Piercing tournament. Yes... you can catch a potato on a fork if you throw it up and catch it.  We just so happened to have the exact same amount of girls in the building as cubscouts so we invited them to play the Rabbit Feed relay.  Boys against girls...What a Blast!!  Since the girls were having so much fun, we included them on our last game of  Vegetable Alphabet.  We didn't have time to do the game as listed here so I showed them an alphabet card with a letter on it and whichever team called out a food starting with that letter first, got the point.

This turned out to be a fun activity.  We closed with a prayer and had ice cream sandwiches for dessert.

Week 3: Call of the Wild, Camper & Bear Necessities Adventues for combined Cub Scout Dens

Please Note: This activity is for small combined dens to complete Call of the Wild (Wolf), Bear Necessities (Bear) and Camper Adventures (Arrow of Light) in approximately one months time.  I suggest that LDS packs plan this activity the same month as the Father & Son camp out or cub scout day camp.

Each activity has to flow quickly into the next in order to do it all in 1 hour. We did the gathering activity on the sidewalk.  While the hot dogs were cooking I called boys over individually and showed them how to read a thermometer.  When most of the boys were done with cooking, we started building the barometers right there on the sidewalk. We had a quick safety class and our Geocache was less than a mile away at a Dairy Queen.  We were able to lead the boys quickly thru the clues to find it since we knew ahead of time where the geocache was hidden.   And finally we passed out free Blizzard coupons to the boys that we had asked  the manager for ahead of time.  We got back to our meetinghouse with only 2 minutes to spare!  

1. Gathering Activity:  Have boys wash hands using a large bowl with water and soap (Wolf, Call of the Wild #5c) Using a Bunsen burner and a  no. 10 can with a vent cut in it,  have the scout cook a hot dog on a kabob skewers. (Bear Necessities #6) Show them how to read a thermometer while they are waiting for it to cook. (Bear Essentials #7 part)

2. Make a Barometer: Show the scouts this video on YouTube from if convenient (I used my cell phone) to instruct them how to make barometer.  Having the card stock paper already folded and taped ahead of time will be faster.  Scouts should place barometer indoors next to a window.  Bear scouts record temp and hi/lo from barometer everyday for a week. (Bear: part Bear Essentials #7)

3. Opening: Prayer, Pledge (make sure you have a flag outdoors) Scout Oath and Scout Law

4.  Class:  What to do if a stranger approaches. (see Wolf Handbook Call of the Wild 5a)  Have the scouts act out the situations so they will be able to remember the lessons better.

5.  Geocaching - Make sure 10 year olds are involved in the process of how geocaching works.  I used this website and app for our activity.  Make sure to have permission slips signed ahead of time. (Arrow of Light, Camper #6)

Homework:

• Bear - Record the temperature and barometer reading at the same time each day for a week.(Bear: to finish Bear Essentials #7)
• leaders- plan an opportunity for scouts to put on a campfire skits/song and include an impressive opening, Cubmaster's minute and inspirational closing...father/son camp out, cub scout day camp, the next pack meeting (Wolf: Call of the Wild #6, Bear: Bear Necessities #2, Arrow of Light: Camper #4)
• Record any homework assignments completed and stay in communication with parents to make sure they are accomplished
• Once the camp out or day camp is over, Weeks 1-3 completed along with all homework assignments, then the pack is ready to award the belt loops for Wolf: Call of the Wild, Bear: Bear Necessities, and Arrow of Light: Camper 

Week 2: Call of the Wild, Camper & Bear Necessities Adventues for combined Cub Scout Dens

Please Note: This activity is for small combined dens to complete Call of the Wild (Wolf), Bear Necessities (Bear) and Camper Adventures (Arrow of Light) in approximately one months time.  I suggest that LDS packs plan this activity the same month as the Father & Son camp out or cub scout day camp.

1. Gathering Activity: Discuss what makes a good tent site and set up a small tent with leader.  Take down and have boys set up themselves.  (If using a larger tent or if it's going slow have boys set up themselves the first time with verbal instructions from leader if needed because of time restraints.  Make sure 9 and 10 year-olds participate if they are unable to go on camp out). (Arrow of Light, Camper #2) (Bear, Bear Necessities #7)

2. Opening: Prayer, Pledge, Scout Oath & Scout Law

3.  Talk Time/Announcements

4.  Let's pretend you are on a camp out and there is bad weather.  It's so bad you may have to evacuate.  Discuss this PowerPoint Presentation or use Webelos Handbook pg. 157 to lead discussion.  (Arrow of Light, Camper 3a,b,c) (Wolf, Call of the Wild 4, 5b)

5. Teach knots

• Overhand knot - used for the start of tying a shoe, the keep the end of a rope from unraveling, to keep a rope from going all the way thru a hole or pulley (Wolf, Call of the Wild #2)
• Square knot - used to tie two ropes together, to tie packages, the end of bandages or to rig sails (Wolf, Call of the Wild #2)
• Two half hitches -  used to tie items to a post or tree trunk (Bear, Bear Necessities #8)
• Bowline knot - It's useful because it makes a fixed loop in a rope that won't slip (Arrow of Light, Camper #5 part - complete by teaching to a younger scout)

Record Requirements & pass out homework:

• Any boy who missed will need to learn knots at home
• Webelos - Practice Bowline knot (Camper #5) and teach to another scout
• Bear - Learn Two half hitches knot and teach to another scout (Bear Necessities #8) 
• Remind boys about the camp out and that they should help pick a campsite and help set up the tent

Week 2 Severe Weather PowerPoint for Cub Scouts

Severe weather on campout from Deanna Welch

This presentation goes with the week 2 activity you can find here.  This presentation meets the requirements for:
Arrow of Light: Camper 3 a,b,c
Wolf: Call of the Wild 4, 5 b

Week 1: Call of the Wild, Camper & Bear Necessities Adventues for combined Cub Scout Dens

Please Note: This activity is for small combined dens to complete Call of the Wild (Wolf), Bear Necessities (Bear) and Camper Adventures (Arrow of Light) in approximately one months time.  I suggest that LDS packs plan this activity the same month as the Father & Son camp out or cub scout day camp.

1. Gathering Activity (15 minutes) - Frisbee & Cones - Set up small cones (like these) in a line spread apart over the area being used.  If the scout throws past the first cone they get 1 point, past the second is 2 points...ect.  If they hit the frisbee with a cone it's 5 points.  I went around to each boy and asked them their favorite camping activity and wrote it on strips of paper which I prepared for a later activity.  I also signed in each scout on this form.

2. Opening which includes Prayer, Pledge, Scout Oat and Scout Law

3. Talk Time:  Introduce this month's adventures.  We will learn how to identify animals, knot tying, camping skills, geocaching and about the weather...  Make sure to talk up the father son camp out with the boys  (Also inform parents that this will help their child meet requirements for their adventure belt loop)

4. Animal Identification Part 1.  I created a simple PowerPoint picture presentation identifying animals, snakes, birds and insects from our area of Texas that you can find here.  I downloaded a recording app on my phone called Smart Voice Recorder and recorded sounds clips of each bird or animal which I found on You Tube or the internet. The boys really liked hearing the sounds and recognized many of them,

Part 2 The second part of this activity was a game identifying animal tracks by giving each boy a copy of this guide. Tape larger images of the tracks on the wall with a number by it.   Then make a small sheet for each boy listing an animal and a blank line to fill in the number of the track they think correlates.  I did it this so that we weren't wasting time by having the boys write the names of the animals.We did 10 tracks but that may have been too many.  Make sure the tracks don't look too similar because it's harder for the youngest boys. This activity could go faster if you just show them a track and have the boys call out their guess till they get it right.


5. Outdoor Code:  Have a poster prepared and recite the Outdoor Code. A detailed description can be found here.  (Call of the Wild #7a)

The Outdoor Code:

As an American, I will do my best to

Be clean in my outdoor manners

Be careful with fire

Be considerate in the outdoors

Be conservation-minded

6. Next, Have a poster prepared and recite the Leave no Trace Principles for Kids (Found in Wolf Handbook).  Talk briefly how these principles support the outdoor code (Call of the Wild #7b)

7. Show boys the 6 essential items for camp outs:  first aid kit, water bottle, flashlight, trail food, sunscreen, whistle. Have Bears write items in their Handbook   (Bear Necessities #3)  What other items the group should take along on the camp out? Have Bears write in Handbook (Bear Necessities #4)

6.Optional if time permits - Camping charades Game - use strips of paper with camping activities gathered during the Gathering Activity.  We only had time for each boy to go once. (Wolf: Howling at the Moon #1 partial )

Closing Prayer & homework assignments

• Wolf Homework:  Call of the Wild Requirement 3 in the Wolf Handbook and write the name of each animal and how they identify it.  Do at home or at Father son camp out.
• Bear Homework:  complete their camping list for Bear Necessities #3-4 if not finished. Plan a cooked lunch or dinner, make a shopping list and help shop for food.  Help cook the meal at the Father son campout or other outdoor event/home if not going on camp out. (Bear Necessities #5)
• Webelos/Arrow of Light - Handout copy of outdoor code and Leave no Trace Behind Principles for Kids - Have them practice and recite from memory to the best of their ability to Akela (parent) or den leader (Call of the Wild #7b)

Text or email parents with assignments.

Record Completion of Requirements

Week 1 Animal Identification Powerpoint for Cub Scouts

Identifying animals in south texas from Deanna Welch

This Presentation is to help pass off the requirement for Wolf: Call of the Wild #4

Creating Contentment Seminar - Review

It's time for another Gabby Mom's review.  This product couldn't have come along at a better time.  This week I've been stretched really thin between heading north to attend doctor appointments with my sister for her cancer treatment,  then heading south so I can be with my husband and support my mother-in-law during her back surgery and somehow try to homeschool my 6 children in between.

Mrs. Lorrie Flem says in this seminar, "No matter what state you are in, you are resting in His will."  No matter how stressful my circumstances may be, no matter what's going on, no matter what I have or don't have, God is in control and I am in His waiting room, so to speak.  I am in His perfect will which is why I can be content. She made a quick reference to the biblical account of Joseph who was sold into Egypt by his brothers who had sought to take his life.  Joseph eventually rose to the highest position, right under Pharaoh, and was God's instrument in saving the people and saving the brothers who tried to kill him years before.  Joseph said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20 

Lorrie teaches that happiness and contentment is a choice.  Despite what life brings, I can choose happiness. It's a decision that's not dependent on what I have or what happens to me.  It's a decision I have to make.  I think that's why I love the story of Joseph so much.  He could have exacted the ultimate revenge on his brothers during this famine, but instead he saw how God had used this for his good and to save the family he lost years earlier.

So let me give you a few details about the Creating Contentment Seminar.  It's a little over an hour long.  You'll be able to watch a slide show while simultaneously watching a video of Lorrie speaking.  Make sure you can watch on a device, like a computer, that is compatible with flash player (my I-Touch and new Tablet are not).  Right now the seminar is half price at only $3!!!  Can't beat that!  It includes 14 ways to grow contentment.  Just when you think it's over, Lorrie then goes on to teach you how to get what you need and about change, specifically using the example of the marriage relationship.  And last but not least, it includes tons of scriptural and faith filled encouragement!  Thanks for another great product Eternal Encouragement!

FYI, go here to check out another seminar available on March 1st called True Womanhood is not for Wimpy Women.

Disclaimer: I have received this product in return for my honest review.

Helping Hands at Home

For the Gabby Mom's this month I'm reviewing this kindle book from Mrs. Lorrie Flem called Helping Hands at Home.  You do not want to miss this offer.  It is a 30 page e-book packed FULL of how to clean your bathrooms and kitchen.

I must admit that I zeroed right in on the bathroom tips because cleaning bathrooms wasn't a priority in my house growing up as a child (and trust me, with 6 kids it should have been!) and has been one area of cleaning that's always baffled me to keep up with.  Well, no longer!  Lorrie gives step by step instructions about how to get and keep the job done, and even better, how to teach your children to do it. 

I immediately went to the store and bought new cleaning supplies and made a cleaning kit for both bathrooms.  Then I spent some time teaching my 7 & 5 year olds to clean one bathroom and my 11 year old to clean the other.  They thought it was fun!  We haven't been able to finish the job as fast as Lorrie says it can be done, but I imagine that takes practice.  Wow, what a difference!  I no longer cringe when I go into the bathroom because of how neglected it has been.

The bathroom tips alone  in Helping Hands at Home is worth the .99 cents it cost on Amazon for this little treasure.  But wait! There's more.  Next you'll get to learn a step by step process to clean the kitchen.  We actually already do a lot of her steps already but I plan on implementing a few more of her strategies. 

But wait! That's not all!  You also get all kinds of other helpful tips to make your life easier and I love the recipe's to make your own cleaning products.  I made the laundry soap and it was easy and CHEAP.  I probably won't try the other cleaning recipes till after I deliver my baby but they look to be very easy and cost effective. 

Thanks again, Lorrie of Eternal Encouragement, for offering such a helpful product to help women like me.  You can't beat the price for the quality and information.

As a member of the Gabby Mom's Program, I received this product for free in return for my honest review.

Cooking Extravaganza!!! Amazing Product

Wow! Wow! WOW!  This about sums up my review for Cooking Extravaganza, a new product bundle offered from Eternal Encouragement.

I have waited till about the last minute to post my review because I wanted to try as much as possible in the month I've had this product.  This ranks up there with one of the best products I've ever owned.  Psalms 138:2 says that "thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be."  This is the only explanation I have for why I LOVE Cooking Extravaganza so much. I can't tell you how much satisfaction I feel as a mom to place a nice, healthy meal, prepared from scratch down in front of my family.  Almost every meal someone says, "Thanks for dinner mom." 

 If you need any help in the cooking department, Cooking Extravaganza is for you.  If you already cook alot, Cooking Extravaganza is for you as well.  If you have a family to cook for, Cooking Extravaganza is for you.

Let me just sum up some Great things I learned in Cooking Extravaganza:
* How and why I should cook in bulk and freeze meals (I can't believe I've wasted so much time in the kitchen cooking when I could have more than doubled my efforts)
* How to make pizza that looks and tastes like takeout (My family LOVED it!)
* Tips to baking with pasta (this is going to save me so much time)
* How to make the meat in my meals stretch farther and cost less (I love this tip in today's economy)
*Learned how & why pre-planning breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks saves you maximum time and money if you have children (I'm only pre-planning breakfast and dinner so far.  It's one of the BEST things I've ever done!)
* Learn how to make from scratch: onion soup mix, Alfredo sauce, "cream of" soup mixes, taco seasoning, buttermilk (Way cheaper than buying, easy to make and taste great)
* A 6 week menu plan is included if you need a starting off point
* Recipes, recipes and more recipes.  (Enough to satisfy every picky eater in your home.  I've found plenty of recipes to satisfy the taste buds for a family of 8)

What is included in the Cooking Extravaganza Bundle:
1.  "Bulk Cooking Tips & Tricks" E-Book - This E-Book explains different ideas about bulk cooking and what works for author Lorrie Flem.  You'll learn freezing tips, the many benefits of bulk cooking, sanity saving tips, what to do with a meal once you're actually ready to freeze it or unfreeze it to get it on the table for dinner (read  What's for Dinner Mom for extensive information on this topic).

2.  "Lorrie's Favorite Recipes" E-Book - This book contains her families most recent and favorite recipes.  Lorrie has 8 children and years of experience cooking for and streamlining the cooking process for her family.  I've learned so much from her! 

3.  "The Secrets of The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies Made Simple" E-Book - Who doesn't love chocolate chip cookies.  Learn how to take a bare bones recipe on the back of the chocolate chips bag and tweak it just enough to make them even more delicious. Learn how to solve common problems and the most incredible recipe ever is included in the book.  In fact my children are disappointed if I do"n't use this recipe!

4.  "Brianna's Pizza Primer" E-Book - I never knew the art of making a great pizza.  I thought homemade pizza looked and tasted like homemade pizza and if you wanted something that looks and tastes like takeout -- well then you have to order take out. WRONG!  My family of pizza eaters loved the pizza I made following the instructions in this book!  Love It!!!

5. "Fill 'Er Up - Ideas to Fill a Bottomless Pit" E-Book - This was another favorite book in the Cooking Extravaganza bundle. I've got 4 sons and one husband which at times qualify as that bottomless pit.  This book offered such simple suggestions to fill up those hungry tummies without them wanting to fill up on the main dish which is usually the most expensive part of the meal.  I've incorporated these tips and they WORK!

6.  "Sensational Salads" E-Book - I read this E-book but I haven't tried any of the recipes yet.  It includes some favorite alternatives to leafy salads.

7. "Healthy Sanity Savings Breakfast" E-Book - I know I've said this a dozen times already, but I love this E-Book.  I already own and use Lorries other breakfast books.  This is another gem to go along with those.  It's because of Lorrie's breakfast books that I have a hot meal ready for my family each morning.  The granola recipes in this book is superior and cheaper than buying granola bars.

8.   A signed copy of the printed book "What's for Dinner Mom?" - This book is the foundation of it all.  It's 196 comprehensive pages of how to really become the mom in the kitchen you always wanted to be.  It will teach you how to save time, save money, and feed your family well - Everyday!  Cooking for your family everyday is great to do, but systemizing that process will make a world of difference.  Don't re-invent the wheel, let Lorrie Flem help you bypass all of the mistakes and get straight to a system that works and works well.  It is also FULL of excellent recipes.  My family loves Lorrie's infamous Calzone recipe!  This books alone is worth the price of this bundle.

Here's how to order this amazing bundle for it's introductory sale price of ONLY $19.97 (I'm telling you it's worth a lot more!). Go here to order. 

Make sure and order by Dec 7th if you want it before Christmas. The 7 E-books are available to download right away, but the printed book, "What's For Dinner Mom" has to be shipped.

For a chance to win this bundle, go here before Dec 1st for a Giveaway on Lorrie's Blog.

Happy Cooking!!!

As a member of the Gabby Mom's Program, I've been given the Cooking Extravaganza products in return for my honest review.

The Power of a Positive Attitute - A Gabby Mom's Review

This month I'm reviewing a great new product from Eternal Encouragement.  Lorrie Flem said it just right when she quoted the old saying:

The flip side of that would be if Momma IS happy than most likely everyone else in the family will be happy as well.  Who doesn't want a happy family?

The problem: Sometimes we can get stuck in a rut of negativity, even if it's just over one particular area of our lives. Sometimes being happy is just easier said than done!  I know I get that way sometimes, especially when I'm feeling overwhelmed. 

You are in for a treat with this product because it doesn't just tell you that you should have a good attitude.  It doesn't just tell you how a positive attitude is Biblical.  You are going to get practical tips and action steps to help you improve your attitude. 

You can listen to these audios over and over again while you're doing your chores or driving in the car.  You'll also get a study guide to take with to your quiet time and really study in depth the principles being taught and a list of scriptures to ponder and pray over. 

I realized, while listening to these audios, why I like listening to Lorrie Flem so much.
1. She's got a great voice and I feel like I'm having an intimate discussion with a good friend about things that really matter to me.
2. She always gives me solid action steps to help me change and to help me look more like Jesus everyday.
3. She relies on the Word of God for truth.  I can study gratitude in the Bible myself by using the study guide that comes with this product.  This is SO important because Hebrews 4:12 says that God's word is quick and powerful and sharper than any 2 edged sword.  This means it cuts in front; it cuts behind, and pierces to the heart of the matter.  It cuts the lies to find truth.  It cuts through our sorrow to find faith hope, and joy.  Lorrie understand that real changes in life comes from God and His truth.
4. She gives good historical and biblical background that really helps me understand the Bible better, which in turns helps me understand the truths being taught on a much deeper level.
For example, in this audio, Lorrie gives a detailed background of leprosy before teaching the Bible story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers.  I didn't understand the depth of teachings in these verses till having that background information.  Lorrie then teaches the principle of gratitude.

Now let me give you the specifics.  Go here on Nov 1 to get your copy of this product.  It includes a 3 part audio. 
Part 1: Centered and Sane
Part 2: Growing Gratitude
Part 3: How To's of Growing Gratitude
A personal study guide to use with the audios.

I was truly encouraged by this product and I know you will be too.

Managing My Minutes: Do I Really Need to? - A Review

It's time for my monthly Gabby Mom's Review.  This product came my way in the nick of time.  I've been asking God to reveal to me what I do not know pertaining to running my household.  This product gave me some answers to my questions. 

I've used schedules before and they were very successful.  In fact I remember the year of the schedule as the BEST homeschool year we ever had.  However when my life changed drastically and my schedule stopped working, I threw it out the window (not a good idea if you don't have a better plan in mind!)

 Lorrie compared schedules in this little treasure, to being a pilot: without programming your destination in properly at the beginning, you'll never reach your destination.  However once that's done you can fiddle with and adjust your course without changing the end result. Lorrie helped me to realize how my schedule failed.  I didn't sufficiently tweak my course to reach my destination.

Next came the part of Managing My Minutes: Do I Really Need To? that I really loved.  Lorrie listed 7 detailed points that correctly identify the difference between a schedule and a routine.  It made so much sense and I see why my schedule could never give me everything that I needed.  Routines don't follow a specific short time slot, but are used daily to train children how to do things.  Routines teach habits that will help our children grow up to be responsible adults.  Managing My Minutes is more about schedules, but now that I know the difference between schedules and routines I can go here and get Lorrie's bundle on routines (Managine My Minutes: Babies, Preschoolers and Kindergartners) for her introductory price before it's gone.  Whoo Hoo, here I come!

This product has inspired me to go back to doing what works and I'm sure it will help you to.  Go here to get your own copy!  I'm so glad that women, like Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement, are willing to teach us less experienced mom's the ropes. 

(I received a free copy of this product in return for my honest review)

Artists & Authors Review and Giveaway

Once a month I get the privilege of reviewing a product from Mrs. Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement.  This month I was mailed the book Artist & Authors.  Before I review the book, let me just say how special I felt before I even opened the package.  It looked like a normal package till I turned it over and saw this cute sticker thanking me for my purchase and that it was "Wrapped just for you with Love & prayer!"  Wow, I really like that.  Then I open the package and the actual book is wrapped and tied up with a bow.  I'm sold and I haven't even opened the book yet.  I could feel the love that went into this product.

So what is Artists & Authors?  It's a small pocket sized book originally written for homeschooling Mom's as an easy way to incorporate daily character training into our homeschool.  There are different themes throughout the book and you can go in order or flip to whatever character trait/biblical teaching you want to focus on. 

I have 6 children ranging in ages from 17 down to 2 and I found this book to be a great tool during our daily devotional time to actually engage the younger ones.  It only added 5 minutes to our devotional time but made it much more meaningful. 

First we discussed how great God is.  He's created everything in this world which seems so big to us, yet he is so awesome that it is little to him.  Next the children illustrated how the earth is God's footstool by drawing a picture of God using the earth to rest his feet on. 

While the younger ones were drawing we then peacefully and quietly read aloud during the rest of devotional.  I can't wait to really dig into this little treasure.

Now for the giveaway!  Click on the titles to go to the direct link for the giveaways for this book and a similar book for older children who prefer writing.

Giveaway Links

Artists & Authors

Authors & Artists

As a member of the Gabby Mom's program I've been given a free copy of this product for my honest review.

"Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty, The Cure" - FREE Kindle Book

As a member of the Gabby Mom's Program I've been given a free copy of Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty, The Cure by Lorrie Flem, in return for my honest review.  Stay tuned and I'll tell you when and how you can get this e-book FREE!

I actually bought this e-book last year from Eternal Encouragement Magazine because I had been working on eliminating this ineffective parenting tool from my repertoire for some time. This short, concise e-book had many of the tips that I felt like God was teaching me these past 4 year as I've constantly prayed asking for help to stop yelling and to speak with kindness even when I don't feel like it.  The only thing I felt this book lacked were examples from the author, Lorrie Flem's, own struggle as she worked to overcome yelling.  But even that can't detract from the sound advice given!

In Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty, The Cure, Lorrie recommends identifying the triggers.  It got this Mama to sit back and think about what has driven me to yell.    

"Keep a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" Proverbs 141:3

As I reflected on my triggers I came up with the acronym H-A-L-T when I feel a yell coming on because these scenarios are the ones that most often tempt me to yell!

H is for Hurried or Hungry

A is for Angry

L is for Lazy and

T is for Tired

H is for hurried.  Would you believe that of all the days for me to get angry and yell was on Sunday mornings right before church.  I'd get so frustrated because we were running late and I'd start imagining that I must be the only person in the house who cared whether or not we got to church on time.  It was a mad scramble trying to find everyone's clothes and shoes, and get food into hungry stomachs.  If we needed to pull out of the driveway at 9:30 to get to church by 10:00 I'd start yelling for everyone to go to the car at 9:30.  Ten minutes later I'd be yelling at a child who still didn't have their shoes on and maybe 10 minutes after that we'd be in the car.  I'd be so mad on the way to church I would ignore everyone in the car.  I finally realized I couldn't pass the buck and blame this problem on the others.  Am I the Mom or am I not?  I got real and I got honest with myself.  First, I realized that I needed to get up earlier. My whole life I've given myself 1 hour to get ready to go somewhere and insanely kept this into practice when I was trying to get myself and my whole family ready and out the door - talk about mission impossible! Now I get everyone up 2 hours early and I've also learned that it takes my family 15-20 minutes to load into the car. That's very useful information in order to set a plan that will work.  Next I stopped blaming my husband for not setting or waking me with his alarm.  I took full responsibility and set my own alarm (sounds obvious doesn't it?). Finally I learned that my relationship with my children and husband is more important than being on time anywhere - even church!  H is also for hungry. Lorrie writes in Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty, The Cure  that "mealtimes are a very important aspect of caring for a child.  Mealtimes should be set and regular so as to set up good eating habits"  This advice is equally important for parents.  Menu planning may not sound fun but it can go a long way into keeping everyone fed and chaos at a minimum.  I've been one of those mom's staring into the pantry and 6 p.m. wondering what in the world to fix for dinner.  Start the day out, ahead of the game, by having a plan for feeding your family in place.

A is for Angry.  Do you get angry when the house is a mess, when the kids are fighting, when you don't get your way, when their is too much noise, when kids seem to whine instead of talk rationally?  Lorrie recommends speaking in a whisper.  I don't know why it works but the softer I speak to my children the more they listen and obey.  If I yell at my kids I don't get satisfactory results and I haven't won their hearts.  God is the ultimate authority on this and He says, "A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)  I"ve also tackled the whining problem in the kids thanks to another product Lorrie wrote about whining.  I've told my children that a whining voice doesn't get them anything that they want cause I can't hear a voice like that.  Now I daily find myself modeling to the children the voice I want them to use. For example if the 2 yr old comes up begging for milk in a pouty voice.  I teach her how to ask by saying in a calm, pleasant voice, "milk please."  She instantly changes her tone of voice and even uses the sign  for please as she calmly says "milk please."

L is for Lazy.  I've discovered that yelling is the lazy way of parenting.  I remember a few years ago journaling my discouragment about the ongoing fighting between 2 of my little boys.  As I prayed about this situation God helped me see that I was regarding whatever I was doing as much more important than what they were doing, so when a fight would start, instead of getting up and parenting, I'd yell across the house for them to straighten up!  I was too lazy to put in the effort needed to train my children up in obedience and correct behavior.  It's a lot of work being a parent! Just today, I was visiting with my sister and brother-in-law and when a skirmish erupted in the kitchen and I did not feel like getting up to handle it.  I really wanted to yell from the couch and make the problem go away.  God knew this temptation I would face when He said a child left to himself brings his mother to shame (Proverbs 29:15).  I started to yell, but caught my self,  got up and disciplined in a calm quiet voice.   God, help me daily to be up to the task!

T is for Tired.  Have you ever been SO tired and you just knew that a nap is exactly what you needed, especially if you've been up thru the night caring for a little one night after night, or worse, your sick and need some extra sleep?  Now imagine being repeatedly awoken from your perfect slumber!  Oh, how my blood would boil when this has happened to me and I would want nothing more than to give the offending culprits a sound scolding (aka yelling)!  Having identified how this makes me feels, I can completely alter the course of events by discussing with the children what I need for the next hour:  "Mom is going to rest in the bedroom.  No one is to knock on the door unless there is an emergency. Please ask older brother or sister if you need any help or get hungry.  Big kids, please check on the little ones if they start getting real loud, or start knocking on my door"  Trust me when I say you need to review these instructions EVERY time you take a nap.  Don't assume they'll remember.

So the next time your tempted to yell, HALT, then reach for this free e-book I'm about to tell you about, to get the encouragement you need to stop yelling....

Now that I've spilt my own beans about my struggles and triumphs overcoming yelling, let me give you the exciting news!  You can get your own FREE Kindle book of Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty, The Cure by going here on July 24th!  And that's not all: you're invited to a Facebook party here on July 24th from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. EDT.  Mark your calendar or set your alarm cause it's only good for 1 day!

How To Love Your Prince When He Isn't Charming

If God created a special woman, perfectly suited to be your husband’s helper would you top the list? Would you even make the list?  Did you realize that God created you to be a help meet for your husband?  A helper who is perfectly suited to, worthy of, and capable?

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him (Gen 2:18)
Neither was the man created for the woman but the woman for the man; Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman; neither the woman without the man, in the Lord (1 Cor 11:9,11)

God is not looking for happy women to make them into help meets for men.  He is looking for women who are willing to be true help meets, so He can fill them full of joy.-- Debi Pearl

Do you view your activities, your talents, your time, your priorities, your wants, your wishes, your needs as more important than your husband’s?  

If any of your answers to these questions, pricked your conscience, then I challenge you to turn over a new leaf and rejoice as you do so, for God has decreed that He will bless us when we keep his commandments. (Leviticus 26: 3-12, 1 Peter 3:1, Revelations 22:14)

When we put our husband first, not because we are forced to, but because we choose to, we get back more of what we always wanted; we get what we didn’t even know we were missing.  As a woman myself who has been on both sides of this fence.  I can unequivocally say God’s way is a lot better than my way.

I have learned to find my life inside of his.  From the beginning, God meant for me and you to be a comfort, a blessing, a reward, a friend, an encouragement, a right-hand woman to our husband. I picture the Lord saying to me  “I speak unto you, Deanna, my daughter, and the office of thy calling shall be for a comfort unto my servant, Roger, thy husband, in his afflictions, with consoling words, in the spirit of meekness.”*

Ephesians 5:32 “And the wife see that she reverence her husband”

 I looked up reverence in Noah Websters 1828 dictionary because I wanted to read a definition written by a people who regularly read their bibles.  Reverence means to regard with reverence; with fear, with respect and affection.   

God didn’t say obey my husband only if I feel like it or reverence him only if he deserves it or has earned it, or if he’s doing everything he’s supposed to be doing, or only if he’s perfect!  I looked, God didn’t list any exceptions, buts, or what if’s. Reverence is a choice we make that isn't based on our feelings.  When we wives reverence our husbands we show reverence towards God who placed us in that role, under our husband's leadership, under his strength or even under his weakness.

Now I understand that on days when the house is a mess, the kids are fighting, everyone's hungry, dinner's not ready and you're utterly exhausted,  you may look across the room at your man snoozing in the recliner and think “How in the world does he deserve me as his help meet!?”  But who said anything about what he deserves.  You can only find joy in your womanhood when you are functioning according to your created nature. To covet the role of leadership is to covet a burden that will not make God, you, or him happy.  It is not a question of whether or not you can do a better job than he can; it is a matter of doing what you were “designed” to do.  If you successfully do the job of leading the family, you will not find satisfaction in it.  It is far better that the job be done poorly by your husband than to be done well by you. 

But let me go back and talk about those blessings for our obedience to God’s patriarchal order:  When you make being a help meet your career of choice, your passion: Your excellence as a help meet to him may very well be God’s plan for improving his leadership in the family. As a woman, you cannot take on the male role without permanent damage to the original design.   A lot of our men were not modeled Leadership within the family  when they were growing up and that’s okay.  This life is a time to learn and it’s never too late!!! I no longer get mad at my husband if he doesn’t lead us in prayer or do other things I think he "should" be doing.   Instead, I say to myself --my husband trusts me, he counts on me to make up for where he falls short.

“The heart of my husband, doth safely trust in me”

(Proverbs 31:11)

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.  She will do him good, not evil all the days of her life.  Strength and honor are her clothing.  She openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." This next part is talking about those blessing we’ll get for our obedience. It says, "her children arise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praiseth her.”  Proverbs 31

What inspiring words.  As a woman whose been on both sides of the fence.  There is a huge difference between having a husband  who loves me because he’s supposed to; to having a husband who often says-- “I love you so much” --  “I’m so lucky to be married to you”--“You are such an awesome wife” and finally “I can’t wait to get home!”

I think of the husband God has given me to teach me how to learn unconditional love, respect, devotion, obedience, charity, kindness, and patience..  All of this even when his hair is a mess and he’s covered head to toe in oil and mud.  It’s not always pretty!  My husband has taught me what it means to be a good man who loves God and his family.  I used to think that meant you had to be a perfect man.  I’ve learned that God wants me to love him when he seems unlovable, to show kindness when I want to be selfish, to forgive when I want to be right, to give respect anyways when I feel like he should earn it first. 

My husband has taught me that he would have done better if he’d known better, that any offense taken was never intentionally given.  He’s taught me that it’s easy to say “I’m sorry” and “I love you.” Life with my husband is the best school room God could ever have put me in to teach me all the things God wants me to learn in this life.  He’s shown me by example what it’s like to never criticize or talk badly to your spouse.  He’s shown me that God uses ordinary, imperfect men to fulfill his purposes and bring us more joy and happiness in life than we ever imagined.  My husband has shown me what faith looks like when he willingly allows God to send all of the children to our family that God wants to send regardless of the enormous pressure he feels to provide  He's shown me again and again that he’ll go to any links to do so even if that means going from a white collar worker at the top of his field to a roughneck on an oil rig down at the bottom.  How I love and respect that man!

Embrace your God ordained Role.  Expect God’s Blessings.  I challenge you, every time you happen to catch your husband’s eye,  reward him with a big smile that says, “You’re the best!  I’m so glad you’re my man. Then tomorrow, do it again!!!

*********

I cannot take credit for the truths presented here, only the huge blessings received from living them. Here are a list of my mentors/books on this subject:
Created to Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl
Me? Obey Him by Elizabeth Rice Hanford
The Way of Agape: Understanding God's Love by Chuck and Nancy Missler
The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
Eternal Encouragement Magazine & The Encouraging Mom Program by Lorrie Flem
The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian
The Holy Bible - by Him whose plan it was from the Beginning

*Doctrine & Covenants 25:5