Memory Madness Monday

I was once told of a woman who, as she aged, had lost her eye sight and also her hearing. It was impossible for her to read and near impossible to hear those around her speaking.  On her 90th birthday she was asked what her greatest regret was,  her response was, "That I didn't memorize more scripture, because now I can't read scripture and it is so hard to hear it read to me." Obviously this woman had a heart for God, and was hearing from Him in other ways, but I was convicted when I heard this story to learn more scripture. To "hide God's word in my Heart" so that no matter what situations or ailments come my way, God's word will always be within! 


I recently went through a Bible Study called ONE ON ONE WITH GOD by Jerry and Marilyn Fine. It is a wonderful tool that really helped me to understand my purpose as a daughter of the God Most High; and  also how to practice and live out that purpose. 

Philippians 3:10 AMP
¹⁰ [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [^[a]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]





One of the tools taught through One on One with God is scripture memorization.
Here are a few tips on scriture meemorization, Jerry and Marilyn share in the book.

1. Read the context of the verse in your Bible. This helps you understand the verse in it's proper setting.
2. Read the verse through several times, thoughtfully and aloud.
3. Write the verse out on an index card. Some people find it helpful to write the verse out several times.
4. Meditate on the verse - Ponder the verse, Picture the verse, and the Pray the verse back to God.
5. Break the passage into natural phrases. Learn the reference and first phrase, then the reference first and second phase, and so on until the entire phrase is memorized.
6. Review the verse immediatley after you have initially memorized it by quoting reference, verse, reference 30 times.
7. Share the verse with others - use it or lose it.
8 Review Review Review! Review the verse everyday for the next two month!

Honestly, the thought of scripture memorization is so overwhelming to me. It doesn't come easy to me, which also means that I have to be so dilligent about making myself study and work on it daily.  I do believe it to be a proven tool in growing a closer relationship with the Lord. So,  I will persevere and we will see what the boys and I can accomplish over the next 8 weeks.  The scriptures I have chosen will have a short activity or reward that will hopefully help the verse come to life and encourage the kids to work on it too! Each week I will post the verse we will be working on that week, along with the activity and/or prize for the week.  Please feel free to join us starting next Monday, June 4th!   Learn the scriptures we learn, or share some of your own.  I'm still looking for a few more to finish out the end of summer ... just saying, suggestions welcome!  What are some of your favorite scriptures?


Image Credit:

Horia Varlan

Strawberry Shortcakes (cupcakes)

I found a few of these little Strawberry Shortcake cuties around on pintrest, but decided to combine a few of my own recipes and shortcuts to make this quick and easy Strawberry Short-Cup-Cakes! These are perfect for any summer activity, birthdays, pot lucks, or just because! And Memorial Day is right around the corner... this is a perfect picnic treat!

image credit

What you will need:

Silvery White Cake:
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 2/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup shortening
1 1/4 cup milk
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
5 large egg whites

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Line cupcake pan with paper liners or grease pan well.
Beat all ingredients except the egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until well incorporated, scraping bowl constantly.  Beat on high speed for 2 minutes.
Beat in egg whites on high speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
Divide into cupcake pan filling each 2/3 way full. 
Bake 25 minutes or until an inserted cake tester comes out clean.
Allow cakes to cook before inserting filling.




Strawberry Filling:
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons sugar
10 oz. frozen strawberries in syrup (drained)
1/3 cup reserve juice

Mix cornstarch, sugar, and syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Stir constantly until mixture comes to a boil for one minute. Remove from heat, stir in Strawberries and allow filling to cool completely before using, about 30 minutes.  (Note: I ended up chopping my strawberries up a little in an electric chopper... I wanted to make sure they would slide through my piping bag.) To fill, insert tip of  piping bag with filling into top of cupcake. Fill with approximately 1 tablespoon of filling, until cake rises... it took me a couple of tries to figure out a good amount.



Topping:
I confess... all I used was Cool Whip.  I could have made my own whipped cream, or maybe a yummy icing but I didn't.. and I don't care! :) It was the perfect "frosting" for these sweet strawberry cakes.

Summer Break Activities and Fun

Hey Mamas!!
 I hope you are having a fantastic week! I can't believe that the school year is over and summer break is here!  WOWZA!!
Because this is our first year of public school, this is all our first summer break from public school. Although, have had a little anticipations from all the stories I have heard of bored kids, that argue, complain, and sit around watching TV all summer; while I'm sure we will have plenty of that to go around, I really want to spend this summer focusing on two things, the word of God and growing the bond of brotherhood and family.

I am so excited to share with all of you some fun activities, lessons, and crafts that I have up my sleeve. Make sure you grab the Cup of Daisies Button and subscribe so you don't miss a thing this summer! 


There will be plenty going on around here, but here are a few that will be on our weekly schedule!  I'll share my ideas and make sure you link up with your too!  This will help us all stay intentional, and busy this summer.  

Memory Madness Mondays:

I will be posting a list of the weekly verses the boys and I will be memorizing, (who knows maybe Dad will get in on the fun too.) There will be prizes involved!

Work (Together) Wednesdays:

Team Work is the key here. The boys will have a  project or a game to complete each week. Some of them will be fun... some will not. It will however, be an activity that each brother will have to do his part and depend on each other to complete the project. Our first project will be making a summer work chart, and a seperate summer activity chart. This will help keep the whole family accountable for our time and responsibilities.

Fun Mom Fridays:

Friday's around our house this summer will be deemed to be Fun Mom Fridays!  Make sure you visit each Friday for your Fun Mom Friday Craft/Activity to take and share with your family! Nobody wants to be that mom who is overwhelmed and grumps around (I am that way sometimes), so this summer I will be proactive and intentional about being fun, but more importantly present with my kids. 

Did you Grab my Blog Button?

Hey guys! 

Just wondering if anyone noticed that really awesome button off to the side there!  Did you grab it yet? I hope so!  If you have let me know, I will be placing some of my most beloved buttons on my page too!

Love y'all!

Audra

Grace in the Eyes of a Child

Today, The job to be accomplished was folding my families weight in laundry.  In the midst of feeling swamped with a never ending stream of freshly dried cloths, my dearest three year old boy came in with a "can do" attitude and a glimmer in his eye asking to "help mommy".  At first my heart melted...how sweet, he wanted to help mommy... and then instantly I cringed

as pile,

upon pile,

upon pile, 

of neatly folded clothes where jumped on, tossed aside, and literally strung across the bed, as he grabbed for a single pile of washcloths in the middle of the bed. I wish I could say that I calmly picked up the clothes spoke calmly, and led by example what to do when frustration hits...or rather, not let sweet Brennan know I was frustrated at all and guided him to put the washcloths away and thank him for his help and servants heart.

Unfortunately,that was not the case.  As I yelled, NO! Brennan, Stop! I watched as his face full of innocents, joy, and good intent fell with confusion, and tears welled in his eyes as he turned and ran from my room.  My heart sunk, I had done it again, acted rash in the midst of a frustrating moment. Shown no grace towards a sweet boy.  A moment I would never get back; a feeling I could not take away.

As I picked up the clothes and began to fold them back, I  prayed asking for forgiveness and grace; and headed to Brennan's room to apologize.  Before I could say a thing, I found that grace. Brennan looked up at me with his big blue eyes, shining bright and said, "Mommy, I'm sorry. Can we still do that?  What can I help you with mama? ".

At that moment I was reminded again of the quickness and eagerness in which forgiveness and grace should come. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3



 I scooped him up in my arms, and apologized for yelling and asked for forgiveness, which was instantly given, even before I asked.  Then tried to explained to him why I needed him to be patient and wait for mommy to help him.  He did such a "good" job of putting the towels away so neatly....

I am so loved! I am given so much Grace, from my husband, from my kids, and most of all from my God. Thank you Lord for Forgiveness, Mercy, and Grace, and thank you for showing me your faithfulness through the heart of a child.

Sisters, Does God show you his faithfulness through your children and people around you?  Is He constantly revealing His heart to you through your children's actions? Do you thank Him when He does? Please share your testimony and help encourage those mama's around you!!

Menu Plan Monday- The Last Week of School!

It's a busy week wrapping up the school year as I'm sure you are too!  I am so blessed to have my Mother-in-love coming in and helping me out this week, so I can go to school and help with field trips, splash days, and just be a general classroom helper.  That being said, meals will be good, but easy (I know that's not that much different than normal).

Monday:
Kraft Fresh Take-Chipolte Lime Chicken, Black Beans and Rice Pilaf, Salad

Tuesday:
Red Beans and Rice, Cornbread (I love cooking beans in the oven)

Wednesday:
Grilled Chicken Cesar Salads

Thursday:
Beef Tacos, re fried beans(use leftover beans), Spanish style rice(use leftover rice)

Friday:
Pizza Movie Night! Whoo Hoo!!

Saturday:
Monkey Bread
Hot dogs, veggie dippers
Leftovers (Clean out the fridge)

Sunday:
Waffles
Crispy Stuffed Shells, Salad
Life Group, Potluck Madness:)

Enjoy! I am linked up at orgjunkie.com

Boys vs. Dog (The Stink Challenge)

As you know, I have a house with ALL boys!  My Husband, three sons... and then, there is me... the lone girl; well except for the dog.  So, we all know that as boys get older they smell more, deodorant is a must. They think body hair is awesome, tooting is funny, and joking about bodily functions is part of their everyday life... or at least that's what I've been told and somewhat prepared myself for. Will's favorite line to say to me used to be, "Mom, I can't wait for this to be a stinky boy house." To which I would grimace my face and say "Oh, no! Gross"; and make him giggle.
 But I have to say, the stinkiest member of our family isn't a boy... and it's NOT me! It's this silly dog of ours. Doesn't she know how unlady like she is... talk about silent but deadly, Literally had to leave the room while writing this article because of her fatal stink bomb!!!

Yes... I did just said, fatal stink bomb;I learned it from my boys.  Do you have a stinky boy house? Or maybe just a stinky dog?

Summer Fun and A New Blog Design

Apologies for all my absence this past week. It's not that I haven't been thinking of all you sweet  readers each day, but instead that I have been doing a lot of behind the scenes planning and not as much writing!

 I wanted to let you know things will be looking a little different around here for a while.   For Starters, very soon Cup of Daisies will be looking much different, Thank  you, Thank you, Thank you -  to Hannah Nicole Designs!  She is at this moment working on getting the design installed... I CAN'T WAIT, for you to all see it!



 I also can't believe that the school year is coming to an end and summer break is upon us! We only have 10 more days of school.  How about you? WOWZA!! Because this is our first year of public school, this is also our first summer break from public school. I am experiencing a little anticipation from all the stories I have heard of bored kids that argue, complain, and sit around watching TV all summer; and while I'm sure we will have plenty of that to go around, I really want to spend this summer focusing on two things, the word of God and growing the bond of brotherhood and family.

I am so excited to share with all of you some fun activities, lessons, and crafts that I have up my sleeve. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss a thing this summer!  No Really, Subscribe!!! :)

There will be plenty going on around here, but here are a few that will be on our weekly schedule! I'll share my ideas and make sure you link up with your too! This will help us all stay intentional, and busy (like you need help) this summer.

Memory Madness Mondays:
I will be posting a list of the weekly verses the boys and I will be memorizing, (who knows maybe Dad will get in on the fun too.) There will be prizes involved! Boys thrive on competition, so I will definitely be using that as an inspirational tool to keep them in the word as it takes hold of their hearts.

Work (Together) Wednesdays:

Team Work is the key here. The boys will have a project or a game to complete each week. Some of them will be fun... some will not. It will however, be an activity that each brother will have to do his part and depend on each other to complete the project. Our first project will be making a summer work chart, and a separate summer activity chart. This will help keep us me accountable for our time and responsibilities.

Fun Mom Fridays:
Friday's around our house this summer will be deemed as Fun Mom Fridays! Make sure you visit each Friday for your Fun Mom Friday Craft/Activity to take and share with your family! Nobody wants to be that mom who is overwhelmed and grumps around (I am that way more than I would like to say), so this summer I will be proactive and intentional about being fun, and more importantly present with my kids.

Looking forward to hearing from each of you! What are some activities and projects you have planned for this summer?