Book Recommendations from our Marriage Panel

Here are the Book Recommendations from our Marriage Panel that some of you were asking about:

• He Said, She Said; Building the Bridges of Communication in Marriage by Anabel Gilham and Bill Gilham (1995) ....Amazon price new: $5.01

• Red-Hot Monogamy: Making Your Marriage Sizzle by Bill Farrel, Pam Farrel (Jul 12, 2009)....Amazon price new $9.04

• Being a Great Mom, Raising Great Kids by Sharon Jaynes (Apr 1, 2004)....Amazon price new$10.31

• Romancing Your Husband: Enjoying a Passionate Life Together by Debra White Smith (Jan 1, 2002)... Amazon price new: $4.65

  
• Honey, I Don't Have a Headache Tonight: Help for Women Who Want to Feel More In the Moodby Sheila Wray Gregoire (Oct 25, 2004) ... Amazon price new $11.04

Becoming Soul Mates: 52 Meditations to Bring Joy To Your Marriage by Les Parrott (1995)

• His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage by Willard F. Harley (Feb 1, 2011)... Amazon Price new $11.63
• 

Becoming the Woman of His Dreams: Seven Qualities Every Man Longs For by Sharon Jaynes(Jan 1, 2005)... Amazon price new: $11.19

And those of you who are mothers to sons:

Preparing Him for the Other Woman: A Mother's Guide to Raising Her Son to Love a Wife and Lead a Family by Sheri Rose Shepherd (Sep 15, 2006)... Amazon price $10.94

MOPS Tomorrow!!! YAY!

Tomorrow, February 28th is MOPS!  We have a wonderful guest speaker who will be coming to share her story.  She is a woman who has gone through many struggles in her life but has overcome it only by the grace of God.  Many of the struggles shared will hit home with many of us MOPS moms as we are going through or have been in her shoes.  We know her story will give hope and encouragement no matter where you are in your life.  She happens to also be related to one of our MOPS moms...   There's a clue for you.  We also have a craft set up that you are going to love!  Something that will help you be the Queen of the kitchen.   We can't wait to see all your beautiful faces tomorrow!   MOPS Dues: Dues need to be turned in tomorrow.  This is our last dues for the MOPS year. Dues are $35.00 Checks Payable to Olive Knolls.  In the "Memo" line please put MOPS. Thank you for working with us too make this MOPS ministry so successful, and therefore strengthening families in the name of Jesus Christ.    See You Tomorrow!

30 Ideas for a Date Night at Home

Here are some great ideas from "The Mom Crowd" Blog! There is NO excuse not to have a Date night with your spouse! Here are some ideas for some at home dates. So plan a Date night after your kids are in bed!

Here are 30 date night ideas that you can do at home after the little ones are tucked into bed and SOUND ASLEEP.

1. Have dinner in the backyard, patio, or your front lawn.

2. Re-watch the first movie you watched together.

3. Don’t cook and get your favorite take out.

4. Have a theme night. You must dress, eat dinner, and watch a movie with the same theme. Think ‘Western’ and dress like a cowgirl, eat bar-b-que, and watch Tombstone. Think ‘French’ and put on a black and white top, make French onion soup, and watch Amelie. It could be anything!

5. Put a blanket down and picnic in front of the TV.

6. Make a special dessert to indulge in. Bake chocolate chip cookies and right when you get them out of the oven put vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce on top. Even making brownies from a box can warm up any night.

7. Take a shower and get dressed up to go out, but stay in. One night I even put on my dress from my prom. I would never wear it out now, but I still love it and wore it on a night in.

8. Snuggle on the couch and watch a movie. I (heart) my Netflix queue!

9. Try to beat your all time record. (This was my husband’s suggestion for the list.)

10. Wear your old bikini that you would never wear in public again, because your stretch marks glisten too brightly in the sunlight! Ha. Your husband won’t care and will love you in it.

11. Break out the board games. Play it so that the loser has to do the dishes or even a fun strip version.

12. Wear your favorite lingerie under your normal clothes. Better yet wear none underneath.

13. Sit outside and read together.

14. Have a candlelit dinner in the dining room you rarely use.

15. Make a mix CD or playlist to enjoy throughout the evening.

16. Dance! Make room for our own private dance floor and have fun. Don’t worry, no one is watching you dance like Elaine Benes.

17. Write out an invitation card to your date requesting their presence at the VIP Lounge of your private nightclub.

18. Splurge on delicious cheeses and add fruit, crackers, and wine.

19. Make out during the DVD menu music.

20. Give each other a back rub.

21. Share your favorite dating memory with each other over dinner.

22. Set out candles around the room. (I know this is an old idea, but it is really nice to do once in a while.)

23. Dress as a character from a movie and you pick the character for each other (think Tom Cruise inRisky Business).

24. Work out together. Set up a circuit in the garage or in the back yard with a jump rope, dumbbells, push-up, and sit-up stations.

25. Cook together and try a new recipe for dinner or for a cocktail.

26. Go to bed early together.

27. Play video games together.

28. Watch a sports game and eat stadium food like nachos and hot dogs.

29. Set up a pair of chairs and stick your feet in the kiddie pool.

30. Make breakfast in bed for dinner and watch TV.

10 Ways to Pray for Your Child

From our Favorite- iMom presents....10 Ways to Pray for Your Child

Take a Step of Faith...We can all do something

What a blessing our last MOPS meeting was! We had an amazing "Marriage Panel" that were so open and honest. I will try and get the "book list" up real soon that Cedric and Karen gave to us.

Then we had another special guest, Norma Rhodes from our Church. Norma works with Koinonia Family Services. Their Mission is to provide the highest quality treatment foster care, adoption and family service programs available for children, youth and their families whose special needs can be met through services delivered, supervised and supported by professional agency staff. You  can learn more by clicking on the link above. 

Norma brought with her a special woman who has an amazing heart for reaching the forgotten children. Her name is Becky and she is a part of "The Forgotten Initiative"- here in Bakersfield. She also brought her sweet son Levi who she and her family recently adopted. What a beautiful little boy! I think he stole all of our hearts. 

Becky informed us that there are many things that we can all do to help show a child that they are loved...Foster care and Adoption are the more obvious ways but Becky brought to our attention other ways we can help as well:

-Make Journey Bags: Children often come into foster care with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Journey backpacks are backpacks filled with personal items for them to use when they are abruptly taken out of their home.

-Welcome Home Baskets: When young adults age out of the system, they often are unequipped to set up their homes. Welcome Home Baskets are filled with household items designed to help them begin living independently. Our prayer is that these baskets will be a stepping stone into building community for these vulnerable young adults.

-Birthday Club: any children in foster care feel unloved, but we  as the Body of Christ can change this. Birthday Club is a program designed to encourage these children through letter writing.

-Mentoring: TFI desires to go deep as we connect the Body of Christ to the needs of the foster care community. all of our initiatives have one common purpose, to glorify the Lord and be His hands and feet in an effort to reach the individual. The most effective way to share Jesus is by actually stepping out and into the lives of the forgotten. TFI is committed to educating, equipping and supporting the mentors to meet the needs of the foster care community.

Take a minute to watch this quick video.

Take a step of faith, say a prayer and trust God to guide you to help in some way 

with this amazing ministry.

Find them on FB:
http://www.facebook.com/tfi.bakersfield
Becky's blog:
http://wearefullofjoy.blogspot.com/
TFI Website:
http://www.theforgotteninitiative.org/

Happy Valentine's Day!

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you. 
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. 
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. 
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. 
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. 
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. 
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. 
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. 
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book. 
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live. 
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. 
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. 
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. 
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love. 
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father. 
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. 
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. 
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. 
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. 
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. 
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. 
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. 
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. 
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. 
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul. 
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. 
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me. 
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart. 
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. 
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine. 
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles. 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you. 
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart. 
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes. 
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. 
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. 
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you. 
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you. 
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love. 
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me. 
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child? 
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. 
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your DadAlmighty God


http://www.fathersloveletter.com/flltextenglish.html

20 Easy Ways to Show Kids How Much You Love Them.

I came across this great article. Alot of it are things we know, and maybe are doing. But I thought like most things... we know these ideas.... but we NEED to make sure WE are doing them. =) This article came from "Babble" which has some other great articles and info. Click HERE.

Here's a picture of me and my kiddos.

20 Easy Ways to Show Kids How Much You Love Them

POSTED BY CASEYMULLINS ON JANUARY 9TH, 2012 AT 10:00 AM

I love my kids so much that I sometimes go without food, drink, sleep or other conveniences so they can have an easier, more comfortable life. It’s certainly not anything dramatic, but there are nights once the littles are in bed that I sit down on the couch and realize I haven’t had a decent meal or moment to myself all day long. It’s a wonderful existence, raising these two little girls of mine, but it can also be an exhausting one. The everyday things we go through and do for our kids as their parents are testaments to just how much we love these little critters, but sometimes kids don’t see a homemade meal and warm bed as love. Just as any relationship needs constant care and nourishment, the relationship with our kids is no different. Kids thrive when they know they are safe and loved, they can reach farther and grow stronger when they know they have the support of their family behind them.

While there are no better words than ‘I love you’ sometimes actions do truly speak louder than words, especially when it comes to our kids and what follows are 20 small actions that speak volumes to how special our kids are to us.

Hug the Daylights Out of Them

Hug your kids so tight they complain. Get down on their level to hug them. Chances are when you are both standing you end up just hugging their head and they end up hugging your butt. Get down on their level and wrap your arms around them as far as they will go — the hug you will get in return will be even more magical.

Send Them Mail

It's just $0.42 to mail a card while you're out and about to your kid at home. If your kid is anything like any other kid I know, they LOVE getting mail, no matter what it is or where it's from. Bonus points if it's filled with confetti.

Remember What They Liked

Addie asked back in October if she could have a Hoops and YoYo birthday card from Hallmark for her birthday in December. I remembered later on and her mind was blown.

Draw on Their Mirror

Eyeliner, lip liner, lipstick ... we all have old products we don't use or like. Why not use it to draw a smiley face or heart for your child to admire as they brush their teeth?

Call Them When You're Away

I travel fairly often for work and make it a point to call Addie at least once or twice during the day. If I can't actually talk to her I'll leave her a message she can listen to whenever she wants. She'll also call me back when she can and leave me messages. Her little voice on the phone is one of the best sounds in the world.

Drop in on a Child's Class

It can be tempting to use that hour your child is at an extracurricular class to run errands, but it may mean the world to them to have you stay and watch them.

Ignore the Phone for Them

One of the blessings of caller ID is you know who's calling and you can easily call someone back. If I'm hanging out with my daughters and my phone rings, I'll turn it off. When she asks why, I respond "I'm with YOU right now." It always gets her to smile.

Host a Post-it Note Scavenger Hunt

When we were first married, my husband and I worked opposite shifts, so he would leave me Post-it notes on everything I used in the morning to get ready for work. If you have a different schedule than your child, you can do the same thing. Put one on the mirror, one on their toothbrush, one on the front door — wherever you know they'll look in the morning.

Keep a Journal with Them

Addie and I started a gratitude journal on January 1st and it's been so wonderful to see the little things she's thankful for, and to be able to write how thankful I am for little things she does so she can read them later.

Pick Things Up for Them

The receptionist at my baby's doctor always tries to give my 8-month-old stickers, but I save them and give them to Addie instead. It doesn't have to be much, a little souvenir, a favorite treat, a heart-shaped rock or a beautiful leaf ... something that shows them that even when you weren't together you were thinking of them.

Have a Secret Love Word

"Gitchee Gitchee Goo means that I love you." Any other Phineas and Ferb fans out there? Come up with a little secret saying or hand movement that says "I love you" to your child without getting all gushy in front of their friends.

Make Fun Sandwiches

You could get a fancy sandwich cutter, or you could just use a cookie cutter. Even better? Just use a knife. A heart shaped sandwich can make any day better.

Brag About Them

Tell other grownups on occasion something wonderful your child did when you know they can hear you. Sometimes having them right by you as you talk them up can make them uncomfortable, but having them within earshot lets them know how proud you are of them.

Put a Funny Picture in Their Pocket

Or in their backpack, wherever you know they'll look. Maybe in a mitten. They can either keep it all to themselves or show it to their friends — before soon, they'll have an entire collection.

Wait for Them at the Door

As soon as I hear the bus round the corner I head to the window with Vivi and wave at Addie until she's at the front door. If Vivi's asleep I'll wait at the door to hug her. I once had a cab driver in Toronto that said having his mom hug him everyday when he got home from school meant more to him than anything else in his entire childhood.

Draw in Their Lunch

Have you ever seen lunchbox daily? This dad draws a new (amazing) cartoon or joke in his kid's lunchbox everyday. He's becoming "the lunchbox guy" around his kid's school.

Leave Them Love Notes

My personal favorite place to leave a love note is on her pillow or just under her blanket. I usually leave her one when I head out with my friends for the evening and she'll be asleep before I get home.

Tell Them Stories About Themselves

I have photo albums filled with baby pictures of my oldest. She loves to look through them with me and hear stories about what she was like as a baby.

Meet Them for Lunch

Find out when your child's lunch hour is at school and swap stories over brown bags and PB&J.

Date Them

A local restaurant has a happy hour every weekday from 2-4 where all drinks and milkshakes are 1/2 price. For $4, my little lady and I can have the elementary equivalent of chatting over coffee. Both my husband and I make a point to spend one-on-one time with our oldest daughter, especially since the baby came along.

Ignore the Phone for Them

One of the blessings of caller ID is you know who's calling and you can easily call someone back. If I'm hanging out with my daughters and my phone rings, I'll turn it off. When she asks why, I respond "I'm with YOU right now." It always gets her to smile.

Happy Sunday Friends! Take today to ENJOY the blessings in your life!