TIP TUESDAY: Making Edible Art

If you have toddlers or preschoolers, you know that they love to put almost everything they see into their mouths. It can be unnerving to watch your child eating blue Play-Doh knowing that in the end, you are going to see that again (no pun!). And while many of the tools our children use to create beautiful-only-to-momma art project, we are concerned with what is really in that fingerpaint or molding clay.
Well, today, we're going to look at two things you can make right at home that you know are safe and are actually even safe to eat!

(C) www.loveplayandlearn.com

First, fingerpaint. This was a big, "Oh, duh!" moment for me when I saw this recipe. Simply make a box of vanilla pudding according to the directions on the box and divide into separate bowls based on the number of colors you want your child to have access to. I like the regular food coloring colors of red, blue, green and yellow. Mix in a few drops at a time until you reach the desired color, then refrigerate until set. When ready, just allow the kids to use the pudding as they would fingerpaint on wax paper. If you want to keep the creation either take a photo of it or allow it to dry and spray it with a clear spray sealer.

Next, molding clay. Now a lot of commercial brands claim to be non-toxic, but really it still has some sort of chemicals in it that really aren't all that safe. They won't necessarily do great harm, but you can actually make your own for a lot less.
Recipe:

Oatmeal Playdough

Materials

• 1 part flour
• 1 part water
• 2 parts oatmeal
• Bowl

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl; mix well and knead until smooth.
2. This playdough is not intended to be eaten, but it will not hurt a child who decides to taste it.
3. Store covered in refrigerator.
4. Your child can make this playdough without help; however, it doesn't last as long as cooked playdough.

Read more on FamilyEducation: 
http://fun.familyeducation.com/sculpting/recipes/37040.html#ixzz31V8wteqJ

(C) www.loveplayandlearn.com

Training for Spiritual Warfare

It's Time to Stop Listening to the Lies of the Enemy

When I was a young mom my husband was in the Army National Guard. He was referred to as a "weekend warrior." Once a month he would go to training with his unit and they would practice the skills each of them had learned during their time in Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in case the unit was ordered to deploy in the event of a military action or war. That time was tough for me as I tried to get to church on those Sundays. I had four children ages 6 months, 3 years, 5 years and 7 years old. Depending on the night I had with the baby, I would be almost too tired to get up let alone make it to church by a specific time! Most of the time I was able to get there with the help of my oldest son making sure the kids at least had cereal for breakfast before we left. 
Once I got ot church, I knew I would have some much needed help with the little ones and really actually looked forward to that! But I had to make the conscious decision that we were going to go to church on those days because I not only needed help, I needed the refreshing that comes with being in the presence of God's people. I needed the fellowship. I needed to have my week energized to sustain me and put me in an attitude of worship for the week and to remind me that I had (and still have!) a role in the body of Christ.

Mom, you may feel that today you only have enough time and energy for your kids. But like the soldiers training for war, we are training and preparing for warfare, too. We are lied to by Satan telling us that it won't matter if we don't go to church. He tells us that we need to take care of ourselves and can put the fellowshipping of God's people on the back burner. He says, "No one will miss you if you don't go." And he gives us a number of reasons and excuses for not going to church. 
Dear sister, let me tell you, if you will put God first, HE will take care of you! He will refresh you, reenergize you, extend yours hours, give you the rest you need, and He will help you to be the best momma for your children. After all, He gave them to you for a reason! You are the perfect mom for your children. Isn't that amazing to think about?!
So this week, don't listen to the lies of the enemy. See what the Word says about redeeming your time, giving you rest when you're weary, and fellowshipping with the body. You will win the spiritual war against the enemy each and every time you apply the Scripture and go to church!

Blessings!

Homeschool Hump Day Encouragement

I know this is very late, but I hope it is something that will stick with you for the rest of the week:

TIP TUESDAY: Meal Planning Short-Cuts

You've probably seen the once a month cooking plans. I never could wrap my head around cooking meals for a month and freezing them...especially for my large family. We just didn't have that kind of space in our freezer. But one trick I did learn from cooking meals for my family was that when I was cooking up the ground beef for one meal, I could cook up enough for another meal and freeze it. That way I was only cooking half of the time! It worked out great! I could store meat for two meals in my freezer, so that was my way of revising the once a month cooking idea.

What meal planning and making short-cuts have you learned over the years?

Setting priorities...

Knowing It's Okay to Put Things on the Back Burner

This month, as with all end of the year activities, is getting very busy for our family. Every time this happens though, I feel as though I'm going to let a friend down when I can't meet for coffee or a group down because I have chosen to attend my kids' choir concert and even my church family as I put my writing and college deadlines ahead of church events.
I often feel so guilty that I double book my own activities, wear myself out trying to please everyone, and don't accomplish the things I had hoped to for the day or even the week! But God said, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33, NKJV). While I don't want to disappoint others, I know that the Lord is redeeming my time, and yours! We don't have to feel bad when we are seeking the Lord and focusing in on His plan for our lives. We know that He will work all these things for our good, and that means when we put Him first He will align all our other activities, meetings, and commitments to work for good, too!

That said, you may notice there are a few days when there are no posts from Super Mom the Illusion. My blog is very important to me. But not more important than my Heavenly Father or my family. There are things in your life that you may have been placing above the Lord or your family. What are those things? Step back and see if there are things you need to put on the back burner...and know that it's okay to set those priorities!

Blessings!

NEW: Friday 'Fess Up!

Every Friday I am starting a "'Fess Up." This is one place that we do not judge others but support in all that we are going through. This is the day we will confess to our sisters in the Lord how our week has truly been!

What I want to know is how your week went! 

• Did you have some unexpected successes? 
• Maybe you fell short on a school day. 
• Do you need help or encouragement in a certain area? 
• Have an idea to share that changed your homeschooling? 
• Was your week less than perfect? 
• Hormones got you feeling up one minute and down the next? 
• Would your husband say you nagged him this week? 
• Did your devotional time and time with the Lord in general increase this week? 
• What victories did the Father give you? 
• Do you have something to share to encourage your sisters?

This is where I want us to share all of those things!! No limits, but I will moderate rude comments. That sort of thing just isn't allowed here.

This week I want to encourage you to keep pressing on! No matter what it is you are going through, the Lord sees it and He has your solution on the way...in His perfect time! I needed to hear this myself this week as I sat wondering how I could better help my husband provide for our family. I want to help, really I do! But I get so exhausted just thinking about running the house and then turning around and going to work on top of that. But the Lord showed me He has better things in store for me! One reason it seems so tiring even before I think about going into corporate America is because I am already working! I write a daily blog, contribute to two other blogs, write my books, take online college classes (I start my last one on Monday!), homeschool, I am the Women's Ministry leader at our church, I'm on the social media team at church, and I am a wife and mother. Anyone who doesn't think that is work, needs to, as the old saying goes, "walk a mile in my shoes"!!

Your home life may not look like work to the outside world, but lady, you ARE working and doing a great job! Keep at it and keep pressing on!!

Blessings!

Interview with Author, Comedian, Wife and Mother: Kerri Pomarolli

This week I interviewed Kerri Pomarolli, author of Mom's Night Out and Other Things I Miss. Her book is now available in digital and paperback versions, but here is a look behind the writing of her first devotional book.

What inspired you to write your first book?

I was single and sick and tired of reading books about single Christians who got married at 11! I was 26 27 28 and single feeling like a half person. So one day I was driving down the road and it's like I heard the words from God.."If you're waiting on me..what are you doing in a Christian Chatroom?" So my first book " If Im Waiting on God Then What Am I Doing in the Christian Chatroom..Confessions of a Do It Yourself Single" was born. It took me years to complete and and yes I used my ex boyfriends real names!

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I just became buddies with Tricia Goyer and I love her style. My favorite secular author is Jennifer Weiner because she's so honest and hilarious. I love Francine Rivers but who doesn't? I'm friends with Karen Kingsbury and I always thank her for clearing my sinuses after I read one of her books.

What are your current projects?

I’m working with www.christianmingle.com doing videos for their members and it's been a lot of fun. Im working on two tv projects right now. One is called MOMLAND and it's a comedy Sat Night Live project for moms. You can see clips on youtube...MOMLAND. I have another show we're working on for married couples with my writing partner Angela Hoover from America's Got Talent 2013 season. Im excited to be partnering with Family Life Today this summer to perform at their conferences with my comedian hubby Ron McGehee.

What was the hardest part about writing your book?

I had to write the whole book in 30 days..no kidding.It was insane writing 50 chapters but um..they paid me! LOL Writing a devotional is hard. Im happy to write crazy stories but how do I make it biblical? LOL

Was there anything that was particularly challenging in writing this devotional?  

I tend to write long winded stories so cutting them was painful.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Yes! I'd keep the chapter I wrote called" To Dance or Not To Dance " about the time I was asked to take Pole Dancing class with the moms club! They edited that one  out!

Who designed the cover?

The publisher (B & H Publishing).

You can find Kerri's devotional at:

Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Christian Book Distributors
B&H Publishing