An Amazing Artist and Some Touching Christmas Video Clips

Fist of all, I found (through Pinterest) the most beautiful photography artwork of Christ. Go HERE to find the photo above, plus lots more; and order prints!! 

I have been collecting, over the last few years, Christmas video clips that I can use for Family Home Evening, Christmas devotionals and Christmas Eve. This year I've added a couple more to my "favorites" collection.

Soon I will share all my other favorite Christmas must-do's. But for now, here are the links to my SEVEN most favorite Christmas video clips, all in one place, in no particular order (on Youtube).

Merry Christmas! ENJOY!!

REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
THE NATIVITY- BREATH OF HEAVEN
CHRISTMAS STORY- SILENT NIGHT (David Archuleta)
MARY DID YOU KNOW?
DO YOU HAVE ROOM FOR THE SAVIOR?
LET HIM IN (Michael McLean)
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

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Swimming Pool Birthday Cake

For my son's 10th birthday 2 weeks ago, he had chosen to do a pool party. So I looked online for cake ideas, and was inspired by Google Images and Berry Blue Jell-o!!

I found a how-to video HERE...

This cake was so much fun and easy to make! Here is what I used for mine:

-2 White Cake Mixes (each made by adding 1/4 c inst. vanilla pudding, 1 1/4 c milk, 1/2 c veg. oil, 4 eggs, and a tsp of vanilla) and baked in 9x13 pans

-2 Boxes (4 serving size) Berry Blue Jell-O + 2 c boiling water

-Buttercream Frosting

-Food Coloring (opt.)

-Candy, Polly Pocket dolls, Paper umbrellas, wafer cookies, etc.

I did some things differently than the lady on the video...

I baked my cakes ahead of time and froze them overnight. I layered 2 cakes on top of one another. I tried and failed the first time with the "quick set" ice method for the jello. My advice is to let the jello cool to room temp, then poor into cake pool and refrigerate. I tinted the frosting a light gray color for around the pool. Polly Pockets are a perfect fit for this cake!

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Do You Have Room for the Savior?

My sister sent me the link to this beautiful Christmas video by Shawna Edwards. She also sent me the link to Shawna's website where she shares her beautiful music. What a treat!! You can enjoy this video and the rest Shawna's wonderful music and videos on her site. Thank you Shawna, for sharing your amazing talents with us!!

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Teaching My Children Work, Gratitude and SERVICE- Part III

We did a Family Home Evening on SERVICE the other night. I started it off by showing and talking about what's happening in this picture (John 13:4-15)...

...and how the Savior was our perfect example of service. He came to this earth to serve, not to be served. (He has asked us to follow His example in verses 14-15.)

We discussed together WHY we serve others, how we FEEL when we do, and why it is important to think outward. We then went to the scriptures to read and discuss Matthew 25:40 and Mosiah 2:17.

Then we watched THIS awesome, short video clip...

We decided as a family that to serve others with true Christ-like love, we need not seek for the praise of "man". We know that our Heavenly Father is always watching.

So with that, we have a challenge this week to practice being the "Lord's Hands"...

We are to do secret acts of service for one another (when no one is looking) then leave a hand. If we tell or get caught, then it doesn't count. (I cut the hands out with the school's die-cut machine with my own paper.)

We also decided on a family service project that we will carry out for Christmas. Here is a list of links to ideas of family-friendly service projects...

Give Back and Serve with Children

FamliyCares Tips

FamliyCares Project Ideas

Doing Good Together

30 Excellent Ways to Make a Difference

The Holiday Project

BOISE, ID LOCAL- Boise Rescue Mission

One of these days I hope my children are going to really "get it". That they will grow up to be hard working, grateful people who want to serve the Lord. I'm trying to create experiences along the way for them to learn these things, and I hope it will all pay off!

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Teaching My Children Work, GRATITUDE and Service- Part II

I haven't done a lesson on GRATITUDE yet this year. But I found 2 different lessons on Lara's blog... Gratitude/Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving and Service and will do one of them for FHE next week. We do have a family tradition that we started a few years ago that we enjoy during the month of November...

And my 8 yr/old daughter came up with this idea all on her own the other day... (a paper chain counting down the days until Thanksgiving, havning written something she is thankful for on each link)

Sometimes I like to show my children pictures from the web of children/families in 3rd-world countries, and pictures of our soldiers that are over seas right now protecting our freedom.

Here are some great links that I've found...

Gratitude Tree (MyHeartandHome)

Another Gratitude Tree (My Insanity)

Lot's of Ideas from Prepared, Not Scared

Thankful Jar (Little Birdie Secrets)

I Can Show Gratitude By... (Sugardoodle)

Oh Remember, Remember (Pres. Eyring 2009)

Finding Joy in the Journey (Pres. Monson 2008)

The Divine Gift of Gratitude (Pres. Monson 2010)

And some great video clips...

THIS one, and the one below...

And don't forget to check out all of our past THANKSGIVING inspirations as well. Check back tomorrow for what we did the other night for our FHE lesson on SERVICE!

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Great Video for Teaching Selfless Service

It's that time of year again when we get to focus on Gratitude and Selflessness. I plan to do a Family Night lesson/activity this week about Annonymous Acts of Service, to try and get my children to think more outward. (I will post what I did later.) This short video is perfect for this teaching. Enjoy...



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Parenting: Touching the Hearts of Our Youth

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Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

The last couple of weeks have been filled with back-to-back lessons, appointments, chores, and summer activities. (Not to mention my computer got a virus on Tuesday and is finally fixed. And Heather is out of town all week.) Sorry for the lack of posts this week. It's a crazy time in life as a mother. But I'm having a fun summer with my kids and family! What could be better than that? I'm sharing a little video with you that really touched me. We ARE doing what's most important. We are raising and teaching children of God. It is worth our TIME. Have a fabulous weekend!!

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"My New Life"

A couple of years ago I learned about this woman... I've followed the updates from her tragety to her "New Life". She is an inspiration to me, and to all women and mothers everywhere. She is a beautiful person with a beautiful message to share. I'd like to share this uplifting video with you of her miraculous journey. So grab yourself a tissue and enjoy! (You can watch from this post or can go HERE.)


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Another Great Christmas Clip!

Each year at Christmas time I put great effort into keeping the true spirit of Christmas alive in our home and in the hearts of my children. It's far too easy to get caught up in material things and shopping and "to-do" lists and "busyness", that we can sometimes find ourselves frazzled and frustrated this time of year. (I'm speaking for myself at least. Christmas can be hard on us moms!)

Don't get me wrong... there is nothing wrong with the material side of Christmas, and we can have such fun with it! But in a world that threatens to take "Christ" out of Christmas... I just won't have it!

My 4 yr/old likes to pretend/role-play as a typical young child does. Some days she's a princess, sometimes a kitty or a dog, and other times even a super hero. The other day she told us to call her "Little Santa".
Yesterday she came out with a large dish towel/cloth over her head and announced that she was "Mary". I had some errands to run, but she insisted on wearing the Mary cloth the whole time. A few people in the stores actually asked about it, and she told them "who" she was. Often our children can be our best examples!


So with all that said, take a 4-minute breather to watch this clip and give yourself a little gift of the Christmas spirit! XO

*Update: Here's another video that is just precious!!
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Great Christmas Video

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Neat Video!

"What you want to do, and what you can do, is limited only by what you can dream."
-Mike Melville



My husband got this YouTube video today in an email from a friend. He had me come in and watch it. SO profound, and it brought tears to my eyes. I just had to share it on my blog.
Here's the explaination that came with it:

"This is a video that was submitted in a contest by a 20 year old. The contest was titled "u @ 50", by the AARP. This video won second place.
When they showed it, everyone in the room was awe-struck and broke into spontaneous applause. So simple and yet so brilliant. Take a minute and watch." Pin It

Happy Easter!

I just wanted to share a little Easter gift I recieved in my email inbox from a few different friends. So here's to the true meaning of Easter. Enjoy!! Pin It

Begin Christmas with Reflections of Christ

I want to introduce us to an amazing photographer, Mark Mabry who brought to life scenes from the New Testament with some incredible images depicting our Savior, Jesus Christ. I fell in love with his work the moment I saw it. Here is a little slide show of it to enjoy...

Mark Mabry's work, "Reflections of Christ has much to offer in the realm of beauty and presentation. At the same time, it captures the peace and joy of this Christmas season!" (review by Jaymie R)It was recently published and on shelves at Deseret Book, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, and many other places that inspirational products are sold. Go check out Mark's website for more info! Merry Christmas! Pin It

A Thought for Thursday- Thankful

There really is SO much to be thankful for! Thanks Josh G., for reminding us of this.
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A Thought for Thursday- 9/11

(Click on image to enlarge)

In memory of those who lost their lives and loved ones, 7 years ago today...


Our heros. May we never forget. Click here for a moving video tribute.

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Friday Faves- Dove Self-Esteem Fund

Need I say more? Go Dove! Pin It