Beholding and Becoming

It might have something to do with the fact that my nickname since high school has been Jennabee and bees buzz about the pages.  It might have to do with the fact that I have four boys and Ruth Chou Simons has six boys--an "unexpected boy mom."  It might have something to do with the fact that I love beautiful things or that peonies are one of my favorite flowers.  Or it might be all of those combined!  Whatever it was, I didn't want to put down Beholding and Becoming once I got my hands on it.  I just wanted to sit flipping through gorgeous page after gorgeous page.

Besides the exquisite artwork painted by the author, Ruth Chou Simons, the message was resounding in my heart.

Do it all?  Everything for God's glory?  I mean, it's one thing to read that and apply it to a job.  You know "work at everything as to the Lord and not for men."  But what about laundry, and dishes, and cleaning the bathrooms?  What about once again getting this guy off the table?

"To our all-seeing God, everyday faithfulness is an act of worship and not just an act of survival (page 38)."  As a mom to four little boys this means so much because there are always and only "unremarkable daily tasks [that always go] unnoticed."  When everything feels like survival mode and extinguishing fights and feeding the masses, I must remember who I am doing it for.  Yes I am serving my family, but I'm serving them for the purpose of pointing them to God.  I'm serving them because I serve God their Father.

"Recognizing that my home is a mission field--equal to a remote land or culture--changes the way I think about the people right before me and my reasoning about why God has placed me there (page 69)."  EQUAL TO! These children living here are just as worthy of being my life's work and spreading the gospel to them and through them as any other place on Earth.

But honestly the book isn't even about parenting.  It's about what we fix our eyes on.  You know the saying, "The eyes are the window to the soul?"  It's like that.  What we are looking at and focusing on is what we are becoming.  Too often we fail to focus on anything of quality.  We fail to realize that everything we are gazing at we are transforming into.

I look forward to sitting down and savoring this book again.  I need to go through it slowly.  I need to soak in it and turn my eyes to my Creator.  I need to become like Him and so I need to really take the time to behold Him.  And then I need to do it again and again and again.

Blessings my friends!

Jenna

Here's my review of Beholding and Becoming from Goodreads:
Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship by Ruth Chou Simons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You become what you behold. That's the general theme of the new book "Beholding and Becoming," but the author goes so much deeper than that. Throughout the book I would find myself pausing to savor the truth being spoken.

I'm a mom of four little boys. Ruth Chou Simons is the mom of six boys. While not much of her book addresses motherhood in particular I still felt she was talking to me as she called us to use our homes to minister in even the mundane tasks just as we would if we were on a foreign mission field. Our families are worth that.

I would highly recommend this book as one of encouragement if you, like me, find yourself with your gaze being turned from Christ and fixed on the demands around you.

July 2019 Deals

Summer 2019 Deals!!!

Sooo, I guess it's going to be July now! Are you ready? I feel like summer just started and also like it's been going on forever. I'm trying to really keep track of the fun things we are doing so I can {finally} print a photo book at the end for the boys to look through. They currently think pictures are just on phones!

As always, if you know of something I missed, please let me know in the comments.  I try to keep our list as updated as possible.  I'm also trying to keep it as user friendly as possible so sometimes I'm just going to offer suggestions to look for so you can find the deals wherever you may be reading.

One Day Only:

Old Fashioned 4^th of July, Thursday, July 4^th, 11:00 am-4:00 pm @ Deschutes County Fairgrounds: This is a free event with lots of activities (and lines, I'm told). I'm venturing out this year to try it so I can give more feedback in the future. The Redmond parade is at 10:00 am downtown so you should have time to see that and then head to the fairgrounds if you are more adventurous than I am!

4^th of July Bend: They have a parade and events at Drake Park to check out if you're in the Bend area.

Kids' Butterfly Walk, Thursday, July 11th, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, Metolius Preserve: Join a hiking guide on an easy 1-2 mile hike for kids 4-10 and their adult as you look for butterflies.  Registration required.

https://www.deschuteslandtrust.org/hikes-events/hikes/copy_of_kids-butterfly-walk-6

Kids' Fox Walk & Owl Eyes, Saturday, July 13th, 9:30 am-12:00 pm, Metolius Preserve: Join a hiking guide on an easy 1-2 mile hike for kids 8-14 and their adult as you observe signs of wildlife and practice map-making skills.  Registration required.

https://www.deschuteslandtrust.org/hikes-events/hikes/copy_of_kids-butterfly-walk-6

IHOP Anniversary, July 16th, 7:00 am-7:00 pm: Get a short stack for just $0.58!  Only one order per person though. :/

Balloons over Bend, July 26th-28th: Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings you can watch the balloons take off from Jewell Elementary.  Catch the Night Glow Friday night at Riverbend park or Saturday night at Sam Johnson Park in Redmond.  Friday is the Children's festival held at Riverbend Park in downtown.  Admission for 3-17 years is $15 and includes all activities.

www.balloonsoverbend.com

Baskin Robbins Celebrate 31, July 31st: All day scoops are just $1.50 each! (This happens on the 31st of each month btw). And sign up for their birthday club. You can sign up everyone in your household and then you'll get emailed a free cone coupon around your birthday. If your birthday falls around the 31^st take your family along. If it falls around the beginning of the month use your free birthday coupon and the B1G1 free coupon they'll send you. If your birthday is somewhere in the middle of the month, sneak off by yourself and enjoy your ice cream! :D

Month Long Deals:

Applebees: 2 for $20 deal.  Get an appetizer and two entrees for $20.  Great deal, especially if you make one of those things to go!  Half Price Appetizers in late afternoon (3:00-6:00) and late evening (9:00-close) and all day Wednesday is Happy Hour.  Many of their appetizers make great meals!  Just ask them to bring them out with everyone's food if you're eating with a crowd.

Farming Tuesdays, 9:30 am-11:30 am @ The Family Farm, Culver: Every Tuesday in July, come help with farm chores and learn all about a different topic each week.  Bring a lunch and picnic with us while the kids enjoy fort and water play.  Adults must chaperone children, but are welcome to come even without children.  There is something to be learned for everyone! New this year is a camp drop-off option for kids 3-8. See the link for more information.

www.facebook.com/thefamilyfarmculver

Papa Murphy's: $12 Tuesdays.  Any size large pizza.  Stuffed are the best deal because you save the most money.  I am going to try cooking it on the BBQ since I don't use my oven in the summer (it's a personal goal!).

Shari's: Kids eat free Tuesdays from 10:00 am-11:00 pm. You get two free kids meals per adult entree purchased. They usually have coupons in the mailers that come in your mailbox. See if you can use those and sign up online for your free slice of pie.

Sonic Happy Hour, 2:00-4:00: Half off Drinks and Slushies and $.99 corndogs.  Find them in Bend, Redmond and Madras.  Follow the link to see each week's new deals!

https://www.sonicdrivein.com/deals

Wendy's: The 50 cent small Frosty is back!  Want a large Frosty?  Just order a couple smalls.  It will be way cheaper!  Then you'll still have money for an order of fries to dip in your Frosty!

Summer Long Deals:

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program (Turn in August 1st-31st): Kids in Grades 1-6 can earn a free book (they pick from a selected list) after reading 8 books. They fill out a reading journal and take it to the store (ours is in Bend in the Forum Shopping Center) to get their free book.  Nothing says they can't pair this with other reading programs they are doing this summer.  :)  B&N also offers storytimes on the weekends and gives a coupon for lunch in their café.  Note that even though the café sells Starbucks brand coffee, they are not a Starbucks store so your Gold Card deals won't work there.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/summer-reading-lists (Click on your child's age range and print out the book log.)

Bend Elks Baseball: Tuesdays everyone gets in for $2 and then small sodas and hot dogs are $2 each.  Wednesdays kids 12 and under get in free with a paid adult (Adult General Admission Tickets are $7.)

www.bendelks.com

Bend Parks & Rec Days of Play: Free crafts, water play, field games, sports activities and more for kids ages 4-10 at a local park.  Days and times vary by park locations.  They also made all the sites part of the Summer Lunch Program!  See link page 70.

https://www.bendparksandrec.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/BPRD-Playbook-Summer-2019-Online.pdf

Bend Parks & Rec Family Swim (June 15-September 1): Held in the outdoor pool.  All children must be accompanied by an adult. $5/person.  Days and times vary.  See link page 21.

https://www.bendparksandrec.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/BPRD-Playbook-Summer-2019-Online.pdf

Bend Parks: Try a different park each week!  Some are the sites for the Summer Lunch Program and other programs.  See the link (page 108-109) for a list of parks and their amenities.

https://www.bendparksandrec.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/BPRD-Playbook-Summer-2019-Online.pdf

Children's Forest of Central Oregon, Wednesdays, 10:30 am-11:30am @ La Pine Parks & Rec: Families with kids 0-5 (and older siblings are welcome) are invited to come move and have fun every Wednesday throughout the summer.

http://www.childrensforestco.org/event/5230/2019-07-03/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/childrensforestco/events/?ref=page_internal

Children's Forest of Central Oregon Tiny Explorers: Free drop-in program to get families with children ages newborn-2 outdoors.  Also includes free baby carriers for families that qualify through OHP.  Dates, times and locations vary.  See link or find them on Facebook which actually had more information.

http://www.childrensforestco.org/tiny-explorers/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/childrensforestco/events/?ref=page_internal

Kids Bowl Free: Sign your kids up for two free games of bowling every day (times are specified).  Some sites have shoe rental passes so you don't have to pay each time but can get a better deal for the whole season if you plan on going often.  There is also the option of buying games for adults to play with the kids.  This looks like it's nationwide so just put in your state to see if there is one near you.  Lava Lanes (May 1-September 16, in Bend on Greenwood), and Madras Bowl (May 15-August 31) are the only participating bowling alleys in Central Oregon.

http://kidsbowlfree.com

Library Summer Reading Program: For reading books your kids can earn a free book and a packet of goodies.  They also get entered to win cool prizes.  And you don't have to go every week.  Plus there are such fun programs they put on to go along with the theme.  And there is something for all ages 0-adult!  Yep, you can get prizes too!

http://www.deschuteslibrary.org/calendar/summerreading

Redmond Parks: Try a different park each week!  Some are the sites for the Summer Lunch Program.  See the link for all of Redmond's Summer activities.

hhttps://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/ce235a_d81792c72db1480e85a7edcce5919ffe.pdf

Summer Lunch Program: Free lunch for kids up to 18 years.  At various locations.  Follow the link and input your zip code to find one near you or near where you may be traveling.  Some of them even have fun programs to go along with them like a visiting librarian or a park location. http://www.summerfoodoregon.org

Summer Movie Express @ Regal Theaters: Each week Regal Theaters plays two different movies at 10:00 a.m. for $1/ticket!  Ours are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Each movie is played each day so technically you could see every movie they are showing.  If you're not sure if a movie will be good or not, check out http://pluggedin.com or http://www.commonsensemedia.org for great reviews to see if the movie aligns with your family's standards.  Every review I have used from them has been right on and kept us from those moments we're not prepared for the boys to see.

https://www.regmovies.com/movies/summer-movie-express

Vacation Bible Schools: Local church all over are offering camp style, week-long events for kids.  Ages and times vary from church to church while most are free, some do charge to be able to cover resources.

All the Time:

Birding for Preschoolers, Mondays, 10:00-11:00 @ Drake Park: All ages are welcome although it is geared towards preschoolers.  Meet at Drake Park near the restrooms.  Caregivers are required to stay.

http://www.ecaudubon.org/birding-for-preschoolers

Home Depot Kids Building, First Saturday of the Month, 9:00-12:00: Register your child and help them build a fun project to take home.  They also get an apron, pin and certificate for participating. It's come and go during those three hours.  Everything needed is provided.  My boys always have fun at these.

http://www.homedepot.com/workshops

Michaels Kids' Club, Every Saturday, 10:00-12:00: For $3 your child (ages 3+) can make a craft project to take home.  Registration is required.  Michael's also offers kid's food crafting and family events so you'll want to check and see what your Michael's offers.  And don't forget to take your 40% off coupon and teachers, use your ID to get an extra 15% off your purchase!

http://www.michaels.com/classes-and-events/classesandevents

First Friday Artwalk, Downtown: The first Friday of every month you're invited inside the local art galleries.  Think of it as Bend's own art museum!

What deals do you know of?  Post them in the comments so I can keep our list updated!  :)

Want deals all year long?  Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @farmmomslife and Facebook @itsafarmmomslife so you can get updates I might not get to blog about.



Top 5 Sipppy Cups

Along with strollers I have tried an abundance of sippy cups in our house.  Although I am happy to report that we've had more sippy cups than strollers!  Because of the ages of the kids {read someone always in a dumping stage} the boys don't get to use a cup without a lid regularly until about six.  (Don't worry, they have the skills to drink from a cup without a lid long before six, but because we keep water for each of them on the table for when they are thirsty, they must have lids.)  Back to the cups.  I do not enjoy having pieces to clean (or find) or crevices where even my handy dandy scrubber (see item #5) can't get to.  Also, the toddlers should not be able to take them apart.  And if they could not spill their entire contents over the entire dining room surface area when they are dropped that would be just dandy!

1.  Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup

These cups are the most spill-proof I have found and the easiest to drink from.  I have the first two but love the stainless one because I could use essential oils in their water when I needed to if I had that one.  Also, a friend didn't like that they didn't have lids for when you transport them and I just found these as an add-on item!  They will spill if left tipped over for hours...or overnight under a piece of furniture...and they do splatter if banged or thrown.  However, still nothing like any other sippy cup I've tried.  I like them all the way through the toddler years.  My bigger boys get a different type of cup, but I wouldn't get any others until preschool age if I could go back.

                  

2.  The First Years Take and Toss
Target and Fred Meyer carry these.  They are about $3 for four cups and lids and the pack I got also came with a spout protector for one of them.  They don't leak much but if they are thrown hard enough the lid will pop off.  My guzzling big guys don't like to drink out of them because the water doesn't come out fast enough, but the one- and three-year-olds do great with them.  I couldn't find just the cups online for you, but Target has this variety pack online for $8.79.  If you need little snack cups and plasticware it would be a great deal.

3.  Tupperware Sippy Cups

So, I have mixed feelings about this.  Remember the plastic Tupperware tumblers in primary colors with the see through plastic lid and spout?  That is the extent of the Tupperware sippy.  Awesome in it's simplicity although water does spill out easily.  But they worked great for the bigger guys to prevent spills at the table.  My mom has the ones that were probably mine or hers (they were handed down from my grandma) at her house.  I got a set with Baby #1 but when I looked on Amazon to give you a link, they were like $30 for a set of 4!!!  Now granted, the cups will last for-ev-er.  And if you can keep your children from chewing the spouts they will last a long time too.  However, my children chewed the spouts to disgustingness and I had to throw them away.  Replacement lids are available but they are almost as much as the whole set was originally (which was about $12 by the way).  Apparently Tupperware is not carrying them right now either.  But it was still worth mentioning because if you ever find them at a thrift store or yard sale, snag them.  Then you'll have something to use with your grandkids even!  ;)

4.  Contigo Water Bottles
These are amazing once your little one can drink from a straw.  We have had them for a year and a half (they make great stocking and Easter basket stuffers) and they are still going with no problems! (Except for the one that got lost which meant we needed to buy another pack.)  But if you don't lose them they are a great buy!  :)  They are easy to clean, especially if you have my next item.  They can be dropped a million times and don't break or leak.  They come with a fold in spout to keep the straw part germ free. I included the Amazon links (thank you for supporting my blog if you buy from the link), but the best deal is at Costco where you can get a three pack for about $15!  They carry two different packs and each pack has three color options.  But if you have friends like mine, everyone will own one of these.  To personalize we've tried Sharpie, but that eventually washes off.  Instead, I just stuck a rubber bracelet around the cup part and then we know which ones are ours.

                                                   

5.  OXO TOT Cleaning Set for Straw & Sippy Cup

I have actually purchased this for people even without a sippy cup set running around their house.  It is perfect for getting in the crevices of water bottles and straws and is absolutely essential for the gross places in sippy cups.

                                                                 

There you have it!  My top five tried and true sippy cup essentials.

What's your favorite baby/toddler cup?  I'm always open to trying new ones! :D

Wordless {Mostly} Wednesday

First Day of School

Last Day of School

Next Up:

First Grade

Kindergarten

Pre-K3

Full Blown Toddlerhood

June 2019 Deals!

Summer 2019 Deals!!!

Deals are back!  Ok, technically, they never really went anywhere, but I am back to making a list of them.  Summer is such a fun time to get deals because our kids are out of school and the weather is great!  Let's do things, and not break the bank.  I'm listing things that are ongoing through the summer now because I want you to get them on your calendars so you don't miss anything.  I know that if I don't make a plan for what I want to do during the summer, pretty soon summer is over and I'm trying to cram everything into the last two weeks of August.

As always, if you know of something I missed, please let me know in the comments.  I try to keep our list as updated as possible.  I'm also trying to keep it as user friendly as possible so sometimes I'm just going to offer suggestions to look for so you can find the deals wherever you may be reading.

One Day Only:

State Parks Day, Saturday, June 1st: Free parking and camping.  Tumalo, Prineville and Cove Palisades have special events.  It's also free fishing weekend!

For more information: https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=v.dsp_featureArticle&articleId=229

Father's Day Shenanigans, Saturday, June 15th, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, Epikos: This sounds like a great way to celebrate father's.  A team of two or more (but you must legally fit in the vehicle you will be using) safely race around Bend collecting clues.  If you have team costumes you even get a five minute head start.  It's $30 a team, which would normally be steep for my deal activities, but you can have as many people as your vehicle can buckle for that same price, and it's a fundraiser to send kids to camp.  You have fun...kids go to camp and have fun...WIN/WIN!  Register by June 8th at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fathers-day-shenanigans-registration-62179369167

Kids' Butterfly Walk, Tuesday, June 18th, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, Metolius Preserve: Join a hiking guide on an easy 1-2 mile hike for kids 4-10 and their adult as you look for butterflies.  Registration required.
https://www.deschuteslandtrust.org/hikes-events/hikes/kids-butterfly-walk-4

Youth Learn to Fish Event, Thursday, June 20th, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, Shevlin Park Pond: ODFW will have loaner rods, reels and tackle (or bring your own) and the pond will be stocked with rainbow trout as staff and volunteers help kids 17 and under learn to fish.  Kids ages 12-17 will need to have a fishing license. (Page 87 of the link.)

https://www.bendparksandrec.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/BPRD-Playbook-Summer-2019-Online.pdf

Bend Elks Library Day, Tuesday, June 25th, 6:30, Vince Genna Stadium: Show your library card and get into the game for free!  It's also $2 Tuesday which means small sodas and hot dogs are $2 each.
www.bendelks.com

Month Long Deals:

Applebees: 2 for $20 deal.  Get an appetizer and two entrees for $20.  Great deal, especially if you make one of those things to go!  Half Price Appetizers in late afternoon (3:00-6:00) and late evening (9:00-close) and all day Wednesday is Happy Hour.  Many of their appetizers make great meals!  Just ask them to bring them out with everyone's food if you're eating with a crowd.

Sonic Happy Hour, 2:00-4:00: Half off Drinks and Slushies and $.99 corndogs.  Find them in Bend, Redmond and Madras.  Follow the link to see each week's new deals!

https://www.sonicdrivein.com/deals

Wendy's: The 50 cent small Frosty is back!  Want a large Frosty?  Just order a couple smalls.  It will be way cheaper!  Then you'll still have money for an order of fries to dip in your Frosty!

Summer Long Deals:

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program (Turn in August 1st-31st): Kids in Grades 1-6 can earn a free book (they pick from a selected list) after reading 8 books. They fill out a reading journal and take it to the store (ours is in Bend in the Forum Shopping Center) to get their free book.  Nothing says they can't pair this with other reading programs they are doing this summer.  :)  B&N also offers storytimes on the weekends and gives a coupon for lunch in their café.  Note that even though the café sells Starbucks brand coffee, they are not a Starbucks store so your Gold Card deals won't work there.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/summer-reading-lists (Click on your child's age range and print out the book log.)

Bend Elks Baseball: Tuesdays everyone gets in for $2 and then small sodas and hot dogs are $2 each.  Wednesdays kids 12 and under get in free with a paid adult (Adult General Admission Tickets are $7.)
www.bendelks.com

Bend Parks & Rec Days of Play: Free crafts, water play, field games, sports activities and more for kids ages 4-10 at a local park.  Days and times vary by park locations.  They also made all the sites part of the Summer Lunch Program!  See link page 70.

https://www.bendparksandrec.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/BPRD-Playbook-Summer-2019-Online.pdf

Bend Parks & Rec Family Swim (June 15-September 1): Held in the outdoor pool.  All children must be accompanied by an adult. $5/person.  Days and times vary.  See link page 21.

https://www.bendparksandrec.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/BPRD-Playbook-Summer-2019-Online.pdf

Bend Parks: Try a different park each week!  Some are the sites for the Summer Lunch Program and other programs.  See the link (page 108-109) for a list of parks and their amenities.

https://www.bendparksandrec.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/BPRD-Playbook-Summer-2019-Online.pdf

Kids Bowl Free: Sign your kids up for two free games of bowling every day (times are specified).  Some sites have shoe rental passes so you don't have to pay each time but can get a better deal for the whole season if you plan on going often.  There is also the option of buying games for adults to play with the kids.  This looks like it's nationwide so just put in your state to see if there is one near you.  Lava Lanes (May 1-September 16, in Bend on Greenwood), and Madras Bowl (May 15-August 31) are the only participating bowling alleys in Central Oregon.

http://kidsbowlfree.com

Library Summer Reading Program: For reading books your kids can earn a free book and a packet of goodies.  They also get entered to win cool prizes.  And you don't have to go every week.  Plus there are such fun programs they put on to go along with the theme.  And there is something for all ages 0-adult!  Yep, you can get prizes too!

http://www.deschuteslibrary.org/calendar/summerreading

Redmond Parks: Try a different park each week!  Some are the sites for the Summer Lunch Program.  See the link for all of Redmond's Summer activities.

hhttps://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/ce235a_d81792c72db1480e85a7edcce5919ffe.pdf

Summer Lunch Program: Free lunch for kids up to 18 years.  At various locations.  Follow the link and input your zip code to find one near you or near where you may be traveling.  Some of them even have fun programs to go along with them like a visiting librarian or a park location. http://www.summerfoodoregon.org

Summer Movie Express @ Regal Theaters: Each week Regal Theaters plays two different movies at 10:00 a.m. for $1/ticket!  Ours are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Each movie is played each day so technically you could see every movie they are showing.  If you're not sure if a movie will be good or not, check out http://pluggedin.com or http://www.commonsensemedia.org for great reviews to see if the movie aligns with your family's standards.  Every review I have used from them has been right on and kept us from those moments we're not prepared for the boys to see.

https://www.regmovies.com/movies/summer-movie-express

Vacation Bible Schools: Local church all over are offering camp style, week-long events for kids.  Ages and times vary from church to church while most are free, some do charge to be able to cover resources.

All the Time:

Home Depot Kids Building, First Saturday of the Month, 9:00-12:00: Register your child and help them build a fun project to take home.  They also get an apron, pin and certificate for participating.

http://www.homedepot.com/workshops

Michaels Kids' Club, Every Saturday, 10:00-12:00: For $3 your child (ages 3+) can make a craft project to take home.  Registration is required.  Michael's also offers kid's food crafting and family events so you'll want to check and see what your Michael's offers.  And don't forget to take your 40% off coupon and teachers, use your ID to get an extra 15% off your purchase!

http://www.michaels.com/classes-and-events/classesandevents

First Friday Artwalk, Downtown: The first Friday of every month you're invited inside the local art galleries.  Think of it as Bend's own art museum!

What deals do you know of?  Post them in the comments so I can keep our list updated!  :)

Want deals all year long?  Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @farmmomslife and Facebook @itsafarmmomslife so you can get updates I might not get to blog about.