Happy Sunday!

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23-24 NIV

Christmas Cookies

One of our favorite things to do around Christmas time is to make cookies and candy. This year, since the girls are old enough to enjoy a cookie making day, I thought it would be fun to make sugar cookies, so that they could decorate them. We bought Christmas cookie cutters and went to work baking cookies. The girls enjoyed making the cookie dough, cutting out the shapes, and then decorating the cookies. We had a fun filled day. I love making Christmas cookies with the kids!

-Robin

Happy Sunday!

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 NIV

Thrifty Thursday: Gingerbread Men

One of my favorite family activities during the Christmas season is baking cookies with my family. Last night, my husband, daughters, and I continued with our Christmas cookie tradition. We have never made gingerbread men before, but the girls really liked learning how to use the cookie cutters, watching them bake, and decorating them. It is so fun to see the girl's eyes light up as they learn something new.

Here is the gingerbread cookie recipe we used.

Making Christmas cookies is a fun and inexpensive family activity. For more great holiday treat recipes, check out the Izzie, Mac, & Me Blog.

-Robin

Do you have a thirfty idea to share with us? Find our how here.

Happy Sunday!

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transfromed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV

Thrifty Flower Shopping

I don't receive or purchase flowers often, but had a recent occasion where I needed to do so. I was surprised when I found roses for $10/dozen at my local Sam's Club! They were running a special and ended up being less than the grocery store.

If you have a need for flowers or are looking to brighten up your holiday table, check your local warehouse store.

-Julie

Do you have a thirfty idea to share with us? Find our how here.

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

I recently found a great recipe in my Taste of Home Magazine for Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies. The girls helped me make them and we all enjoyed eating them. If you like craisins this is the recipe for you! Don't forget to let the kids help.

For more great recipes, check out Menu Plan Monday!

-Robin

Happy Sunday!

My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62: 7 NIV

Thrifty Christmas Gifts

One of my favorite stores to browse around in is Once Upon a Child. You can get many great gifts there for just a fraction of the retail price. When our first daughter was learning to pull up, I wanted to buy her some kind of toy to give her some incentive to stand and play. When I looked at the LeapFrog Learning Table, I thought it was perfect for what we needed. Then, I looked at the price $39.99 was just too much for us to spend, so I went to Once Upon a Child. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Once Upon a Child had the same table for $12! What a great deal!
This Christmas, check out a few resale shops before you make your final purchases! You can save lots of money.

-Robin

What are your Thrifty ideas? To see details about how to share them with us, look here.

Reading Aloud Daily

The few hours we have between the end of the school day and bedtime are usually full. We have homework, chores, dinner, showers and various other things that need to be finished. However, I always make time to read aloud to each of the children.

Our daughter is a very advanced reader who is fully capable of reading any book on her own. Our son is a new reader who can handle most of the books on his shelf. I still feel it is SO important for them to hear a story from me. It is very personal time for us to reconnect and spend a little one on one time. We also often read stories together as a family. Those common stories are important to us and have become the foundation to many family jokes. The kids have both been reading books to each other now, too. I love to watch them working together, sharing their favorite excerpts from books and acting out stories.

We also keep a basket filled with holiday stories that we have brought out for the season. We take turns choosing the story we will read each night and also take turns reading aloud. It is a wonderful family tradition that we all look forward to each evening.

Reading aloud definitely Works For Me and my family benefits from it every day.

-Julie

Grateful for the Christmas Season

The Christmas Season is one of my favorite times of the year. I love all the holiday lights, shopping, and baking cookies. We start our Christmas Season by putting up our Christmas tree with the kids. They love to help out! Soon, Christmas parties will start and we will begin to plan family gatherings. Last year was the first year that we had Christmas at our house since we started our family. I loved all the planning and preparations to host our first Christmas with family at home. Also, it was great to be able to celebrate Christmas at our home church by going to the Christmas Eve service. I hope you enjoy all the joy that comes along with the Christmas Season.

On this Gratituesday, I am grateful that the Christmas Season has begun!

-Robin