Tip #63 From Mrs. Sunny - Monday Madness

"Monday always comes around again..."

It's Monday morning again and I realize I haven't posted anything in like a month. I almost stopped posting, but I was missing our time together. Really.

I must say I have a perfectly justifiable reason for not posting in such a long period of time...I was tired. More tired than normal because I am 9 weeks pregnant with our 3rd Sundstrom Baby! Double - take...yes my due date is May 3rd. A little early to be telling people, but Sunny gets really excited and starts telling friends early. I am very happy that he is excited, because we are! Children are such blessings!

I don't want to know if it's a girl or boy this time. I already have one of each, but Sunny doesn't think I can wait. I can wait Sunny. We have joked that if it's twins we'll probably find out...we're joking only because I can' stop eating and Sunny had a nightmare about me having twins. Yes, he called it a nightmare, he couldn't sleep. Then I told him that ever since I was little I've wanted twins, so maybe it's fate. We will update you in a few weeks on that.

So that's the reason for my absence! I'll try and get back on board here as new Baby Sundstrom continues to grow strong!

Tip # 62 From Mrs. Sunny

"Make a prayer table in your home"

This is something I have been wanting to do for a long time. I just need to find the right table to fit in a small space. I don't have pictures of my own, yet, it's a work in progress. I was searching online and found great ideas at:

http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/search/label/Home%20Altar%2FPrayer%20Table


No matter your religion, a prayer table is a wonderful way to remember your faith throughout the day and is a wonderful visual for not only you but your kids.

Tip #61 From Mrs. Sunny - Sunday Thoughts

"Let your children be care-free children"

Sunny has started the vigorous P90X fitness series, so I have been preparing food by a set meal plan for him. Nothing too exciting, and he hasn't complained a bit. I'm proud of his persistence! There's just nothing to post for Sunny's Sunday Select!

So it's "Sunday's Thoughts" today, because it's always a day I'm able to think about the coming week and life in general much more easily. Sunday is relaxing and less chaotic than the upcoming week.

I plan on homeschooling and I have been doing a lot of reading on when to start. I have concluded that I won't start anything formal until Kristofer turns 5. It's easy to get ahead of myself when you hear about all the 3 and 4 year old preschool programs out there. I just want Kristofer to be carefree and live these childhood days to the fullest. Of course, I am teaching him along the way, but nothing formal.

Check out the link below...great perspectives on waiting to formally teach your children:

http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/early.htm#readiness

Enjoy your carefree Sunday with the kids!

Tip #60 From Mrs. Sunny - Family Fun Saturday

"Make different shapes out of sandwiches with cookie cutters!"

Yesterday I just didn't post because I was lazy, so today is Family Fun Saturday. Which is perfect because today the Hawks are playing and Kristofer is snugged in with Sunny on the couch. To top off the moment I decided to make football sandwiches for his lunch while watching the game and he loved it! He ate the sandwiches faster than he ever ate his regular sandwiches.

You could do this for birthdays, or any special day with different cookie cutters!This will be on the menu again soon!

And for Savings Saturday...

Tip # 61: "Save time by washing the shower while taking a shower!"

My dorm building cleaning lady actually gave me this tip when I was in college. She was the cleaning lady who blared the country music while cleaning our bathrooms and we always had interesting conversations. Today I cleaned the shower while I was already in there and it saved me a lot of time and energy! Try it!

Tip #59 From Mrs. Sunny -Thankful Thursday

"Be thankful for all the little things your hubby does for you - and tell him!"

Sunny and I have been married 4 years and it seems every couple goes through the battle of who does what and when, when it comes to house work, lawn work, children etc.

Here's a list of things I'm thankful for Sunny doing:

*Fixing things around the house (refrigerator hoses, clogged drains, caulking, changing light bulbs)
*Changing the laundry over before going to bed
*Mowing the lawn after long work hours
*Spending quality time with the kids after work and on days off - they love their daddy
*Surprising me by making a special meal for supper
* And most of all, for putting up with me!

The list could go on, I love you Honey, and thank you for all you do! You're a wonderful person!

Tip #58 From Mrs. Sunny - World View Wednesday

Think about the following quote by Albert Einstein:

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as
though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though
everything is a miracle. "

Wednesday nights I teach religious education and tonight was our first meeting where we always have a spiritual and inspirational speaker to help kick-off the year.

The speaker reminded me to see the "sacramental" experiences (grace-filled encounters with Christ) in my everyday living and Einstein's quote encompasses the evening. It's easy to go through life not recognizing Christ's presence while cooking, cleaning, caring, etc.

Here are a few sacramental experiences of my own:

*When I gave birth to both my children - what an encounter with the miracle of life!
*At the end of the day when both kids are safely in bed sleeping and my heart is thankful
* Any moment Sunny and I have to ourselves to nourish our loving marriage
*Any encounter with nature is absolutely an encounter with Christ

Tomorrow, try and view everything in life as a "miracle". The fact that you are here on earth is a miracle of God. The all-knowing and all-loving God should be raised up, named and praised!