F.H.E Friday {Keeping it Organized}

When I was growing up my mom started letting us teach Family Home Evening (or contributing a part of the lesson) at a young age.  I've tried to do the same with our family.  I think it works perfectly along side the youth's new Come Follow Me curriculum, where our Young Women and Young Men are encouraged and expected to teach in their Sunday classes. 

We use the system that my parents used, and it works. Each week we rotate who's "week" it is. Each kid gets a turn, well, the ones who can talk anyway. While my husband is always presiding over our family, it is the responsibility of one of our children to "conduct" each week.  During their week their job is to make sure we say our meal/family prayers and assigns who says it (although we had to stipulate that they say one family prayer or meal prayer a week themselves...sometimes they need the little push to say one instead of calling on someone else all the time...except my 9 year old Owen, who is happy to say every prayer).  They are also in charge of Family Home Evening for that week, they make the assignments & teach a lesson.  I teach the lesson when it's the 3 year old's turn and usually use that week to focus on what my husband and I think our family needs at the moment.

We are, of course, a work in progress.  But one thing that helps is Family Home Evening files.  When I was growing up I remember my mom having a specific file drawer in the office desk full of F.H.E. lesson materials, all organized by topic. So on the week we needed to teach, we went and browsed through, what seemed to me, any topic I could ever think of.  I don't have a drawer, but here's my F.H.E. files, and how you can do it yourself.

Start by sorting all the materials you have already collected.  If you haven't saved any lesson materials yet--start saving it now!  I know I have repeated the lessons over the years, and it's so much easier to have everything collected and done.  Save lesson plans, object lessons, posters, flannel board cutouts...you get the idea. 

I use a three-prong folder to hold stories & conference talks.  Coloring pages or activities we need to make copies of, along with other small odds and ends go into the pockets.  The folder is slid into a large manila envelope along with anything else that doesn't fit into the folder. 

Then each file is numbered and goes into a file box. 

I don't alphabetize the files or sort them by topic in the box. Two reasons: 1. It's just easier to put something away by number.  2. My collection is ever expanding & this way I don't have to worry about re-organizing it...as long as the kids put the file back where it belongs.  I also put together an alphabetized list for easy browsing.

What do you do to make F.H.E. just a little bit easier?

and Happy Halloween!

Visit my mom at Anna, Clo't and Me

Throwback Thursday {super hero cape tutorial + a second way to use the pattern}

Another oldie but goody back from 2010 & my retired blog.  Best party favor idea ever....not to mention all around fun for the kids.  Who doesn't love a cape?  Ours are all well loved and still around and have been passed onto younger brothers...good thing we have 2 repeating initials.

*******

These make super fun party favors...that are really easy (and so much better than a bag of candy) + it's great to have a bunch of kids running around in capes. It doesn't hurt that they don't cost a lot of money either....I made mine for under $2.00 each. Watch for sales, but plain, colored cotton fabric is never very expensive.

You will need (for each):

1/2 yard...you may want a little extra just in case :), 45 width cotton fabric (wash & iron before hand)

1 sheet white felt

1 sheet colored felt (you will only use about 1/4..or less of it)

iron-on Velcro

thread

sewing machine, scissors, iron, letter template, pins

1. Cut out your letters and superman "decal"...out of the felt. Sorry there is no template for the "decal" I sketched the design on a piece of paper, folded it in half so that both sides were even & cut out...it's basically a triangle with all the points cut off.

2. Center your letter on the decal. Using your machine...stitch very close to the edge...go slowly & it's not too hard. If you are uncomfortable machine stitching it, you can always hand sew it on.

3. Create a pattern & cut out you cape fabric. Measure your child's shoulders, how long you want the cape, and how wide you want it at the bottom add 1 inch for your seam allowance. I used these measurements for my 5 yr. old... top: 9 inches wide, side: 22 1/2 inches long . Cut two pieces (I put the bottom edge along the fold, which makes one less side to sew).

Also, cut 2 strips- 3 inches x 7 1/2 inches for your straps.

4. Sew the letter decal onto the right side of one layer of the fabric you just cut out for your cape. Stitch very close to the edge again.

5. Press your strips of fabric in half long-ways...reverse fold and stitch right sides together, leaving one short side un-stitched. Clip corners & turn right side out, press again. Attach Velcro per package directions...make sure you put your Velcro on the right sides :) one should be on the top of one strap, the opposite on the other strap.

6. Layer all your pieces together now...making sure the right sides are all together, with the straps positioned along the top about 1/2 to 3/4 inches in from side seams. (place fold of straps toward center, so that the fold will be the top when finished...also make sure one Velcro piece is facing up, the other down). Pin and stitch (use presser foot as your seam allowance) all the way around...leaving about 4- 5 inches unsewn, so you can turn it right side out.

7. Clip corners, turn right side out & press all seams. Top stitch, with your needle positioned to the right, around the entire cape (no need to do the straps)...and your done :).

********

now...another way to use this pattern...

You can make this super cute apron...

Follow all the same directions above...only leaving out the super hero decals & adding a sash (I also added some eyelet along the bottom. You can make these for boys too...use solid colors (or more boy appropriate prints)...and use a strip of fabric for the sash instead of the eyelet...use the same technique that we used for the straps, only make it longer & hand stitch the open end to close after turning. My sash is 50 inches long....adjust yours to meet your needs :).

I sewed on the details after the apron was completely sewn.

Cut a piece of eyelet a little longer than the bottom hem. Pin & sew on. Press the raw side edges of eyelet under (so it is even with the side of the apron) and secure with a few hand stitches.

For the sash, I used unfinished eyelet trim.... I folded over the top edge & ironed, then folded in each end to make a point. You can use the finished kind too...just fold ends over to make a point (or just roll under raw edge) & hand stitch.

Next find the center of the sash and center it on the horizontal center of the apron...I placed mine 8 inches down from the top. If you have unfinished eyelet, stitch from one end of the eyelet to the other, sewing it onto the apron in the process, stitching with your presser foot to the left & using the foot as your seam allowance. If you used finished eyelet or a fabric sash, just stitch onto the apron (stitch both sides of the fabric sash).

Throwback Thursday {Recycled Party Favors}

Here's another re-post from my "old blog" (because, honestly things have been crazy busy around here with kids out of school for the summer & a visit from my mom).  But, I might just start doing this every week...there's some good stuff over there ;)

For my daughter's 8th birthday we came up with an "recycled art" birthday party, combining two of her loves, being green + art.  You can see more party details here.  Here is a tutorial on how to make the favors we handed out--they were a hit...

Recycled Party Favors

So....H's party had to be rescheduled due to illness, so her party is finally going to happen this weekend--She is beyond excited :)(and I will be happy to have the extra tables out of my living room...)Watch for more party details coming up the end of this week & the beginning of next...I hope to get another little tutorial in before her party (if all goes well) :D

Here's what I came up with for her favors...It started with an idea to just make little favor bags out of the fused plastic, then morphed into these little art "folders" or "wallets"...I haven't come up with a great idea for a name yet.

The most time consuming part of these is fusing the plastic bags...I suggest making these assembly line fashion...fuse all your plastic, then cut them all out, then sew..the sewing takes very LITTLE time---it's really easy. Here we go...

1. Cut out 3 rectangles of fused plastic. One 9 x 7.5 inches (cover), one 5 x 9 inches (pocket) and one 4 x 1.5 inches (tab).

2. Center the tab on the short side of the outside cover, hold in place (you don't want to use pins...the holes will stay). Stitch with the needle positioned to the right all the way around the tab. Then stitch across the the tab to reinforce; move your needle back to center (whatever design you want...stripes..a "X"...)

3. Line up the bottom of the pocket with the bottom of the cover, with the tab situated to the right, and covering up the back side of the stitching you just did. With the needle positioned to the right, top stitch around the entire cover rectangle, attaching the pocket.

4. Trim strings and fold in half towards the tab, crease. Stitch down the center crease (start at the bottom to prevent bunching at the bottom of the pocket). Move your needle to the right, then stitch down both sides of the center line.

5. On the left side of the folder, measure 1 inch from the left seam, mark with a pencil, repeat 2 more times, so that you have 4- 1 inch pockets marked. Stitch, starting at the bottom of the pocket along each line and ending at the top seam.

6. Fill with 4 colored pencils, a small note book & ruler (or whatever else you like)...you want to fill it before attaching the Velcro, so it closes tightly (or not too tightly) :)

7. Connect a pair of sticky-backed Velcro dots. Stick the fuzzy side to the tab, then fold the tab over and attach to the cover. Press firmly.

That's it :)

Popsicle Stick Bracelets

{This is a re-post from my 'old' blog...With the kids home from summer, I've been thinking a lot of ways we can spend time together that are fun, inexpensive and don't require technology.  Back in 2012, my daughter and I had fun making these bracelets, and she still has them.  This would be a great rainy day or way-too-hot day activity.  Enjoy!}

***

H and I had a great time making these bracelets together.  These are the perfect size for her {she's going on 10}, and if I can find some craft sticks big enough, I'll be making some for me too :)

I've seen some tutorials around to make these using a drinking glass to mold them.  Honestly, it didn't work out so great for me.  One, I don't have drinking glasses that small, or that have straight sides.  Two, I had a problem with them not staying put & popping out.  I really wanted to make these with H, so I set out to find the best way & after a couple attempts, here is what I came up with:

Supplies:

*Wooden craft sticks (we used 6 x 3/4 inch)
*Saucepan & water
*rolling pin
*zip ties that are a few inches longer than your craft sticks
*Strips of paper cut just slightly longer & wider than your craft sticks {it's always easier to cut away excess, then try to line up perfectly}
*Decoupage glue {such as ModPodge}
*Scissors


1. Place your craft sticks in a large sauce pan, cover generously with water.  Bring to a boil over high heat and boil for at least 15-20 minutes {the longer you boil, the softer the sticks become}
Drain, and allow to cool slightly {they cool off rather fast}.


2. I used a rolling pin to mold the initial curve, by wrapping the craft sticks around then letting them go...just made it a little easier to bend them in the next step.

3. Loop around a zip tie & secure on the first notch (biggest loop) possible.  Mold your craft stick into the zip tie, try to overlap the ends just slightly so that the ends curl around too.  Tighten the zip tie.  You want to mold these on the small size.  They will expand when you un-mold & decorate them.

4. Allow to dry over night-24 hours...make sure the are good and dry.






5. Un-mold and decorate.  It's best to follow the directions on your decoupage glue, but here's how I do it: brush a thin layer onto the craft stick; adhere paper, then trim excess; add multiple layers of glue on top using a brush, allowing to dry in-between each; sand lightly if necessary.

**if the bracelets expand a little too much after decoupaging, just slide them back into the zip tie {carefully!} after they are dry to the touch and leave for a few minutes, it doesn't take long to get them back into shape.**

You don't have to stop there, try decorating them other ways :) Instead of decoupage try wrapping with thin ribbon, yarn or string.  Glue all sorts of rhinestones and gems on...or simply color with markers (just don't use washable).  Have fun creating!

F.H.E. Friday {testimony}

....A lesson of Friday to teach on Monday...

{source}

Over the past few weeks I've been studying this April's General Conference talks. And one of the distinct impressions that I have received is that we needed to share our testimonies more.  I decided put together a family home evening lesson to review just what a testimony is, how we gain our own testimony and how we keep our testimony growing.  This was a more "serious" lesson, without games and extra fun "stuff", but everyone stayed involved and it was a great experience, we all felt and recognized the spirit.  This lesson is geared toward the senior primary & youth age groups. Enjoy...

You Will Need:

• Scriptures for each family member
• A way to watch this short video.
• You may want to print of some of the quotes below, and hand them out to family members to participate.
• Scripture Challenge Sheet {see below}

Song Suggestions:

• I Am a Child of God {cs 2, hymn 301}
• I Know My Father Lives {cs 5}
• Search, Ponder and Pray {cs 109}
• I Believe in Christ {hymn 134}
• I Know My Father Lives {hymn 302}
• I Know That My Redeemer Lives {hymn 136}
• Testimony {hymn 137}

Lesson:

Read: "The quest for a testimony begins with a righteous, sincere desire. Speaking to a group of people who did not yet have testimonies of the gospel, Alma taught: 'If ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.' (Alma 32:27)" {True to the Faith, 178-80}

Ask: What is a testimony? {Sharing what you know and believe to be true, a confirmation from the Holy Ghost to know that something is right and true... NOTE: they don't have to have all the right answers right now, we will be reading some quotes to help explain more}

We are going to read some quotes that will help explain and help us understand even more just what a testimony is.  {Hand out quotes to family members to read, if desired.  After each discuss what each quote means or how it makes you feel}

#1: "A testimony is a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost.  The foundation of a testimony is the knowledge that Heavenly Father lives and loves His children; that Jesus Christ lives, that He is the Son of God, and that He carried out the infinite Atonement; that Joseph Smith is the prophet of God who was called to restore the gospel; that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Savior's true Church on the earth; and that the Church is led by a living prophet today.  With this foundation, a testimony grows to include all principles of the gospel." {True to the Faith, 178-80}

#2: "A testimony is the spirit of prophecy (see Rev. 19:10).  It is a personal revelation from God, revealing the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  A testimony comes through the Holy Ghost; it makes a deep and lasting impression on the soul.

Individual testimonies are the foundation and strength of the Church.  Our testimony provides a guiding light that leads to a commitment which directs our conduct and our way of life.  Our testimony is true north on a spiritual compass.  It is a moving force that cannot be seen but can truly be felt.  It is a burning within that tells us what is right.  It is when 'your heart tells you things that your mind doesn't know' (Harold B. Lee)" {Elder Robert D. Hales}

#3: "Our testimony is a measurement of our faith.  Faith is testimony; testimony is faith.  Having a strong testimony allows us to help others in their search for truth.  Our testimony is a gift from God.  It should be shared, but we do not have the authority to bestow a testimony upon someone else, because a personal testimony is granted by the Holy Ghost.  It can aid others in gaining knowledge for themselves-a knowledge abiding in the heart that leaves no room for doubt." {Elder Robert D. Hales}

#4: "Our testimony is a knowledge of who we are-a child of God, where we came from-the presence of our Heavenly Father, and where we are going eternally if we are faithful-back to the presence of our Heavenly Father.  We must each gain such a testimony if we are to withstand the trials and adversities of mortality and go to the glorious eternal future we all desire." {Elder Robert D. Hales}

Ask: What does "the Spirit" feel like? {The Spirit can feel different to different people.  Talk with your family about how they feel the Spirit of the Holy Ghost.  Some answers may include: warm feeling, peace, comfort, sometimes you cry}

Ask a family member to read: Doctrine and Covenants 9:8-9

Watch the video "Increase Your Testimony"

Ask: How did you feel as you watched this video?

Ask: What things did the people in the video do to help gain or grow a testimony? {pray, study, fast, ask}

We did this portion as a scripture chase to make it a little more fun--whoever finds it first gets to read...but you can just assign scriptures if you like.  Read each scripture and talk about how each teaches us how to grow a testimony.

1 Nephi 2:16,  Ether 12:6,  Alma 32:7,  D&C 42:51, and John 8:32

It is important to remember that "Testimony grows gradually through experiences.  No one receives a complete testimony all at once.  It grows as individuals show willingness to serve in the church and to study, pray and learn.  It increases as individuals obey God's commandments...part of a testimony's development comes when it is shared." {True to the Faith}

President Marion G. Romney taught us: "It is obvious that the first step toward getting a testimony is to learn the will of the Father.  This can be done by studying the word of God and obeying his commandments as they are learned.  Study the scriptures.  Study the teachings of the prophets.  Study the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Bible.  Read the teachings of the modern prophets, the life of the Prophet Joseph.  Learn and obey the will of God.

There is no shortcut to a testimony.  There are no two ways; there is only one way.  The Lord revealed that sure and certain way when he said to Oliver Cowdery, 'Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge...Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.  Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation" (D&C 8:1-3)

Everyone who sincerely prays with real desire to know the truth concerning what he has learned about the gospel will receive a witness in his mind and in his heart, by the Holy Ghost..." {President Marion G. Romney}

Share these two experiences of how Sister Romney and President David O. McKay gained a testimony. You may want to add a personal story of your own. 

Elder Robert D. Hales tells us of an experience President David O. McKay had as a boy longing for a testimony: "President David O. McKay was the ninth President of the Church.  In his boyhood he desired to know, as Joseph Smith had know, of the reality of God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.  One day while herding cattle in the foothills near his home, he sought a testimony through prayer.  He said:

'I dismounted, threw my reins over my horses head, and there under a serviceberry bush I prayed that God would declare to me the truth of his revelation to Joseph Smith.' (New Era, January 1972, p.56)

He prayed fervently and sincerely with as much faith as he could find within him.  When he finished his prayer, he waited for an answer.  Nothing seemed to happen.  Disappointed, he rode slowly on, saying to himself at the time 'no spiritual manifestation has come to me.  If I am a true to myself, I must say I am just the same 'old boy' that I was before I prayed'

A direct answer to this prayer was many years in coming.  While serving a mission in Scotland, Elder McKay received a powerful spiritual manifestation.  He later commented, 'Never before had I experienced such an emotion. ...It was a manifestation for which as a doubting youth I had secretly prayed most earnestly on hillside and in meadow.  It was an assurance to me that sincere prayer is answered 'sometime, somewhere.' " (Francis M. Gibbons, David O McKay, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1986 p.50)" {Elder Robert D. Hales}

President Romney shared this experience of his wife's "At one time she was a member of a stake Sunday school board.  As such, it was her responsibility to instruct teachers in a union meeting class.  The lesson for a particular session was the Prophet's vision of the Father and the Son.  She was aware that in the class there would be a graduate from the University of Idaho who was not a Latter-day Saint and who did not believe the gospel.  It occurred to her that the account of the Father and the Son's coming to the Prophet Joseph Smith would not be accepted by this educated, refined, and lovely woman.  Thinking about it, she became greatly disturbed.  She was not sure that she herself knew it was true.  She was so distraught that she sought out her mother.  Weeping she said. 'Mother, I can't give the lesson.  I don't know that Joseph Smith had that vision.  That woman will laugh at me and ridicule me.'

Her mother was not an educated woman, but she did have a testimony.  She said to her daughter, 'You know how the Prophet got the vision, don't you?'

'Yes,' answered her daughter, 'he got it by praying to God for wisdom.'

'Why don't you try that?' said the mother to the daughter.

The daughter went to her room and tried it; she 'wrestled' with God, as did Enos.  The result was that she went to that union meeting and gave the lesson convincingly, with power beyond her natural abilities.  How could she do it? Well, the Holy Spirit came to her in response to her inquiry.  She received a burning within her soul.  She knew that Joseph Smith had seen the vision, as well as he knew it.  She had not seen the exact same things with her eyes that the prophet saw, but she had the same knowledge.  She knew from Joseph Smith's description what he had seen, and she had a witness from the Holy Ghost that his account was true." {President Marion G. Romney} 

We gave each of our children a challenge {well, the ones that can read} to read the Book of Mormon, then to pray about it to gain a testimony of their own.  I created a chart to help them stay on task.  It breaks the Book of Mormon down into daily reading assignments, each with a place to put the date and some quick thoughts about what they read that day.  The reading starts out light, about 2 pages a day until about the halfway point {Alma 24}, when it doubles to 4 pages a day.  You can download it below.

Share your testimony.

Printable version here.

***
I thought I would share my testimony with you too.  I know that our Heavenly Father loves us more than we can imagine.  I know that we have a loving Savior who atoned for our sins and makes it possible for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father.  I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the influence it has had in my life.  I am thankful for the knowledge of eternal families, and for the peace it brings to know I will be with my family forever.  I know the Book of Mormon is true, that it testifies of Christ and is a wonderful influence in my life.  I know that we have living Prophets today to teach, lead and guide us.  I am thankful for all the blessings that have come into my life through the gospel.  I am so thankful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

To learn more, visit Mormon.org

Book of Mormon Scripture Chart

Broiled Grapefruit

After years of not eating it at all (really since childhood), I have recently fell in love with grapefruit, specifically broiled grapefruit.  It's sweet and tart and oh, so good. But, I despise eating it right out of the rind.  Drives me crazy.  So here is my solution...it's pretty and although it takes a little prep, it is so simple to pull together.

Preheat your broiler, then get started.

First, slice of the top and bottom of you grapefruit.  Just enough to expose the fruit and give you some stabilization.

Next, working your way around the fruit cut off just the peel & pith.  Start and the top and follow the curve of the grapefruit around to the bottom.  Try to take as little of the fruit as possible.  The first slice is always a little bit of guess work, after that you can see how deep you need to cut.  You may need to flip the grapefruit over and trim up the bottom.  Don't leave any pith behind.

It should look something like this.

Now hold the grapefruit in the palm of your hand.  You may want to switch to a paring knife for this part.  Cut on both sides of each membrane to release the fruit.  Try to cut as close to the membrane as possible.  Be careful!  Then drop your grapefruit segments into a small ramekin. 

This is all you should have left.  Make sure you remove any seeds you come across too.

Sprinkle the top with a spoonful of sugar, as much as you would like, depending on the sweetness of your grapefruit.  Put under the preheated broiler & cook until bubbly and browned.  I usually place mine further away from the heating element, only because I am likely to be distracted by little kids and such.  The closer to the heating element the faster it will cook--keep an eye on it! 

When it's ready, let it cool slightly & enjoy!