God "powdered sugared" the mountains!

Whenever we get rain in So. California, the Sierra Nevada mountain range gets a dusting of snow that we can see from our home. My view from my office and this computer is of the hills and mountains beyond. Here is a view from Saturday morning. I always say it looks like "God sifted powder sugar on the mountains." Kirk had his Men's Accountability/Bible study group here yesterday morning, and the men enjoyed the view, too.

My MOPS talk on "Family Fun"

On Tuesday I gave my "How to have family fun" talk at MOPS, Mothers of Pre-Schoolers at Granada. There are 25-30 ladies who come very other Tuesday. The morning includes breakfast, a talk, group discussion, crafts and child care. What a winner!! I made a handout to go along with my talk. I thought since so many of my nieces are MOPS, you might enjoy hearing what I had to say. Many of the ideas are from Robin. The part about "assuming the best in others" is from Luanne. You will recognize many Seelye ideas here too. The birthday parties will sound familiar, too. Enjoy!

How to have a “Fun Home” by Gretchen Stevens
Over-Celebrate & Under-Criticize

Assume the Best in others

Try to say “yes” a LOT! (Then when you say “no”, they’ll know you really mean it)

Dinner Time
• Run out to greet Dad as he comes in the front door
• Candlelight, centerpieces, holiday decorations
• Good manners-no playing with, spitting or complaining about food.
• Don’t become a Short-order Cook! (Use a “No thank You” serving)
• Use a piece of plastic over your tablecloth. Teach the kids how to clean up their own messes.
• Everybody busses their own plates, rinses & puts in dishwasher or sink

Red Plate
• Use a red plate when someone has had a special thing happen that day. We have used it to celebrate: a goal in soccer, good report card, learning to ride a bike, getting along with someone at school, when Dad got a new job, etc.
• Record the date & occasion on a list inside the kitchen cupboard

Celebration plate/white board with erasable markers
• Write a Bible verse or greeting on it. (“There’s SNO place like HOME”, Welcome to the Stevens’, Merry Christmas to our friends!)
• Write “I appreciate Dad because…” Let each person write their own reason.

Birthday parties
• Pick a theme-pirates, beauty, camping, Cinderella, chocolate, ice cream cones, music, sports, tractors, trains, etc.
• Buy paper goods & prizes at $Tree or 99cent Store.
• Plan games to play in your backyard. Treasure Hunt is always popular.
• As they win game prizes, have them put the prizes in their goody bag which they will take home.
• Decorate your own cakes.
• Teach them how to thank others for gifts. (Look the giver in the eye, smile & say two nice things about the gift).

Pajama rides
• After the kids are in bed, come in and yell, “It’s a Pajama Ride!” Everyone gets in the car and goes someplace fun in their pajamas.
• We’ve gone to Disneyland to see the fireworks, out for ice cream cones, to Grandma’s for root beer floats, look at the Christmas lights, etc.

Holiday Traditions
• Ask the kids which one thing they want to do each year at Christmas
• I collect Christmas books. I used to read 1-2 books every night to the kids during December
• Give them $$ to buy gifts for others. Teach them how to wrap gifts. They learn the joy of giving ☺ and how to keep secrets.

“Heads or Tails” Drive
• When driving home from some local place have one child flip heads or tails. If it’s heads, you turn RIGHT, if tails you turn LEFT.
• Wander through some new neighborhoods. Look at the homes. notice the front yards, flowers, etc. Eventually end up at your house.

Stop everything for a beautiful sunset!! (or flowers or spider web, etc.)

Make homemade gifts and cards for others
• Always have stickers, paper & stamps on hand for birthdays, Valentines.
• Teach them how to make suckers, decorate cookies, etc.
• We have made Christmas gifts of “cookie-layer” jars, snowmen, Easter baskets with the Jesus film, holiday candies, or plates of cookies with a tract for years. The kids & I put them in a wagon and deliver them to our neighbors.

Go on “discovery” walks
• See who can find the first: pine cone, gold leaf, daffodil, etc. Collect leaves and other treasures to decorate the dinner table.
• Teach your kids the different names for flowers, trees in your neighborhood.
• Bring home some leaves and do a “leaf rubbing” with crayons

Go camping at least once a year
• Borrow or rent a motor home or trailer.
• Collect treasures, play board games, make s’mores, take lots of pictures.



“Let the Kids Cook Night”
• Plan ahead and let the kids choose the menu
• Shop for the ingredients
• Help, but not too much.
• Meal can be easy: pizza, hot dogs, soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.
• Have them set up table, create the centerpiece, pray.
• Take a picture of them in an apron, etc.

Camping in the living room
• When the kids build a “fort” under the dining room table let them sleep in it that night.
• Have a picnic dinner in the living room on a blanket on the floor
• Use flashlights, sleeping bags and everyone sleeps there that night
• You can even make “Camp Stevens” T-shirts, have games, etc.

In the car/traveling
• Play the “Bible Guessing Game”
• Going in alphabetical order, have different ones name something they see out the window that begins with “A” (animal) “B” (barn), “C” (cow), etc.
• Read exciting stories out loud to the kids
• Bring along “Adventure in Odyssey” tapes or music tapes to listen to.
• Let older kids be the “navigator”
• Only resort to videos, when it’s dark and they can’t see the scenery.
• At about age 6, let each child have their own disposable camera to use to take pictures. Make a scrapbook after the vacation.
• Get a shoebox and fill with crayons, paper, cards, coloring books, small toys, etc. for each child. Allow them to have one item everyday, half-day etc.

DAD-Daddy Appreciation Day
• At the dinner table, have each one in turn say why they appreciate Daddy.
• You can go around the table during that week and share about each person, one each evening.

Valentines Dinner
• Plan a special menu
• Light candles, decorate the table
• Have a card for each person
• Tie a treat (candy bar, toy) to a long piece of pink or red ribbon. Wind it all around the centerpiece and then tape it to each person’s plate. They will have to follow their ribbon to get their gift. (Blow out candles first!)
• Take pictures!

Love Notes
• Leave love notes on pillows, in lunch boxes, lockers, bathroom drawers, on mirrors, on the steering wheel, etc.
• Make sure your family knows they are LOVED! (by you and God)
• Make “Welcome Home” banners and posters when a family member is coming home from a trip, retreat or out of town meeting.
• Teach them to send postcards when they are traveling. ALWAYS send ones to the Grandparents!

Icing Recipe
• 1 box of powdered sugar (sifted)
• 1 cube of butter (softened)
• Milk –add 1 T. at a time
• Vanilla
• Food colorings
• Small candies
Blend together first 4 ingredients until smooth and creamy with an electric mixer. Divide into 4-5 bowls. Color each bowl a different color. Using plastic knives let the kids decorate their own cakes or cookies. Have small bowls of sprinkles, Skittles, raisins, etc. to use for eyes, stems, lines, etc.

Open letter to Daddy on his 84th Birthday

Luanne or Robin could have written this, too, I just happened to this year. Here is Daddy reading this letter at his Birthday party. Mom bought delicious chicken and pasta from Lascari's, and made a yummy salad. It was much quieter that an restaurant. We had a lovely time!


On the event of your 84th birthday
1/4/08

Dear Daddy,
I am so blessed in many ways to be your daughter. You and Mom have taught us so many lessons by your words and examples. Your fairness, positive outlook, life of grace, enthusiasm for saving the lost, hard-work ethic, integrity, sense of humor, amazing communication skills and more have shaped me into the woman that I am.
I remember one Father’s Day when each of us got a letter from you. I read mine with tears, then called Robin to hear what hers said. Then Luanne called to see what you had told me. We each knew that the others would receive a wonderful letter as we had. Each letter outlined how proud you were of us as individuals. I’ve always been secure as your “#3 Girl” knowing that there is “#1 Wife, #1 Girl, #2 Girl and Me! You’ve always treated us fairly without showing any favoritism.
Your positive outlook on life has affected so many areas: our family vacations “Oh the Old Road is so much more interesting!” our whining & complaining “Now girls, let’s eat first, then continue that conversation after dinner”; on found money, “Oh good, Faith Promise money!” on having 3 teenage daughters at once “This phase will pass” and many more. You and Mom taught us that our car accident came with the greater purpose of seeing Patricia saved.
We loved hearing your stories at the dinner table about who you witnessed to that day at your insurance office. We knew that you sold insurance to support us, but the office with its constant stream of customers was really for seeing souls saved.
When I was recently studying “The Purpose Driven Life” I realized that it describes you perfectly. We are to take our talents, gifts, and abilities and use them passionately to serve God. You have done, and are still doing this so well!
You and Mom made an amazing team when you were the sponsors of the King Heirs and later the Adelphians. We saw you poring over your Bible, studying for one of your many weekly Bible studies. The college students and their life problems weren’t interruptions but opportunities. You both have affected so many people for God’s Kingdom.

Your integrity has spoken loudly over the years, as well. We remember riding along with you if you had to take a Biola girl back to campus after a Bible study or Co-Uni-Bus. We stood in the front seat between you; less anyone wonder what you were doing with a single lady in the car. We’ve appreciated how you have always been careful not to ogle women, or hug the many grateful ladies of your ministry, but to protect your sweet relationship with Mom.
Luanne got your sense of humor and Robin and I got Mom’s easy propensity for tears. Actually, I’m okay with that! Your sense of humor has lightened many a family discussion, ordeal, Christmas Eve family gathering or odd situation.
Of course, we all know that you are the King of Communication. and you get irked by those who don’t know how to communicate! Your WWII letters, Ray’s weekly letters, and the weekly email to 600 people are so YOU! You are the epitome of keeping track, keeping up, and generally disseminating information. Catching up on family news is something we’ve never had to worry about!
Your relaxed life of grace stands in contrast to so many people. I remember one of my childhood friends saying “Oh, you should never put your Bible on the floor!” Our Christian life wasn’t regulated like that, for which I am still grateful. The Christian life is to be fun, exciting, encouraging and relaxed. We learned this by listening to you teach Romans and Galatians and also by watching how you lived your own life.
Your love for your Lord has been the utmost example to us. Your generosity with money, time and effort for the Lord’s Kingdom is a shining example to so many. You are ending well, and we are so grateful to be your girls!
Love,
Your Favorite #3 Girl