The [b]logging HelpMeet

A New Bible Edition!

allysonkellner — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:03:26 +0000

Our oldest daughter, Bean, loves to draw and this morning she took on the task of making “A Bible” I really enjoyed watching her recall Bible stories and portraying them mostly accurately! Enjoy the video!

Weekly Memory Verse February 15, 2010

allysonkellner — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:47:34 +0000

“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” Psalm 119:37

Weekly Memory Verse February 8, 2010

allysonkellner — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:21:28 +0000

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

Homemade Lavender Rice Sock

allysonkellner — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:15:24 +0000

I wanted to give my aunt a little something extra special this year, but was lacking the extra money to go on a shopping spree so I decided to go the ‘homespun’ route. I know she’s had a stressfull year so I started brainstorming on things I could make that would help ease some of her stress and relax. I put a few ideas together and came up with the lavender rice sock. I have a similar small pillow and absolutely love it! Lavender is her favorite scent so I hope I have a winner here for her.

Here’s what I used:

Rice (probably close to two cups)

1/3 cup fresh lavender

1 knee high stocking

1 pretty loooooong sock

Mix the lavender with rice and pour into the knee high stocking and tie at the top.

Then, place the rice/lavender filled knee high into the pretty sock and tie off at the top. I chose to put the rice and lavender into the knee high first to help prevent any rice and lavender from wedging through the stitching on the sock!

Weekly Memory Verse February 1, 2010

allysonkellner — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:15:14 +0000

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” James 1:17

A new look for our baby!

allysonkellner — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:12:28 +0000

This week began a new challenge for me as a mom. Our 20 month old daughter, Bitty, began wearing perscription glasses. We had noticed the normal newborn “cross eyes” never went away for her and we, in fact, getting worse. She she was focusing on something her eyes, especially one, would cross in and then at other times one or both eyes would cross at random. We asked the doctor at her last Well-Child check up and she told us it was definitely time to get her to a specialist! So a week ago, we walked into the eye clinic in town and saw an eye doctor who specializes with pediatric eye issues. I was amazed at the tests he was able to do without freaking her out. She had started to cry when we walked in the room and she saw all the big equipment! He was so patient and thorough; and most definitely confirmed the lack of muscle control in her eyes, especially in the right eye. He has prescribed her glasses to see if that will help the problem and after several evaluations if the problem is not getting corrected–well, we’ll just have to cross that bridge when we get to it.

I would be lying if I said I at peace with all of this. I mean, I’m thankful we’re catching this hereditary (maternal Aunt) problem early on, but it was breaking my heart as we tried glasses on my little girl! So little! I figured with my husband’s family history of weaker eyes and the few in my family that one (or possibly all) of our kids would end up with glasses some day, but NEVER did I expect it to happen at 20 months when they were still a toddler. Our other two kids, ages 3 and 5 seem to still have my 20/20 vision, but we’ll see what happens as time goes on. My hubby was very thrilled that it looked like a solution for Bitty’s eyes were coming and I was dreading (because I’m home all day with her!!) the challenge of keeping glasses on a toddler!

Never did I imagine that she would not only like having the glasses on, but actually ask for them when getting up in the morning and from her naps! She evidently notices an improvement in her ability to take in the world and LIKES it! She has very rarely taken them off and I am so relieved!

My little girl seeing better and not having a battle on my hands to get her to see better is definitely a Finer Thing!

This post is linked to Amy’s Finer Things, come join then fun!

Bible in 90 days: 25 day check-in

allysonkellner — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:49:27 +0000

Well, I got started on this challenge late, but I can say already I wished I had done something like this a lot sooner! I started last week and have gotten through Leviticus. I think one thing that keeps jumping out at me is the provision, faithfulness and providence of God–and a deep thankfulness for the new Covenant! :-) I have read through the Bible before, but never in one intense sitting and it is helping to bring it into one BIG picture for me rather than scattered “stories.” I am also a lot more well-read in the New Testament so, this power read through the Old Testament has been great for me. More than just seeing how the Bible applies to me in situations I’m, I feel as I getting to know WHO God is by diving in through the Word like this! I think we should make this an annual event! :-)

Weekly Memory Verse January 25th, 2010

allysonkellner — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:39:01 +0000

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”

Psalm 119:18

Having a bad day?

allysonkellner — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:32:10 +0000

Ever have a day where you have a really hard time keeping a good attitude and patience? I had one of those today. Ok, confession–I’ve have lots of those lately! Three o’clock came today and I knew something had to change! ME! I prayed the Lord would renew my attitude and give me wisdom on what to do–even just for the next minute! At that moment, I looked up and saw the sun was shining and heard kids playing outside. That was all I needed! I told the kids we were going to bundle up and walk the block to the park! Boundless excitement rattled through our home as they hurriedly got their winter gear on. I was even getting excited at the prospect of being outside for a few minutes in that sunshine (even if the temp was 28 degrees). I loaded up the double stroller with the youngest two and got ready to push the stroller with our oldest when my hubby came home EARLY! THANK YOU JESUS!! The kids, of course, were just as excited to see him as I was and proudly told him we were walking to Huntley Park! Well, he locked up the car and offered to push the stroller so I could walk hand in hand with our oldest! We had a lovely family walk to the park and played in the 12+ inches of snow at the park and on the playground equipment! I felt rejuvenated! Spending some positive time with my kids (instead of the barking and reprimanding somewhat grouchiness that had been happening all day it seemed), having hubby home early and getting some fresh air was just what the doctor ordered! Now the house is quiet and I think I’ll pull out the ONLY book that can really renew me: my Bible!

A family outing and time in the Bible–this definitely works for me! This post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday hosted at We Are That Family!

Now what do I do with that chicken?

allysonkellner — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:56:23 +0000

Well, our first meal off of the whole chicken I wrote about in the previous post was very successful!

I make a batch of cornbread and nuked up a mixed bag of veggies, poured some 100% juice and served it with freshly cut chicken pieces. I ALSO made an attempt at making my own chicken gravy and it turnout pretty well! Here’s what I did:

I pour some of the chicken broth into our Magic Bullet, then added some flour and whirled away! I adjusted and four and broth for the consistentsy I desired. Yummy!

Then, I pulled the rest of the meat off of the bone and have it saved in a bag for other meals this week.

Next, I kept the bones and the little meat left in the crockpot and added several cups of water. I now have it simmering. Hopefully in the morning, I will have the base (without those bones of course) to make a chicken soup! :-)