Slow Death by Baking

Cookies......Cakes......Purses......WMTA (the kids upcoming music competition) are the latest obsessions in the Von Haden house these past few weeks. 

 

Having two kids in 1440 Youth Group at church, fund-raising is frequently a topic of conversation when it comes to paying for youth camps and conventions.  So, with General Youth Congress happening this year, I decided to step up the effort on my part to generate some income for 1440.  Hmmm,....what...to....do....?

Reuben is trying his best to convince me to let him decorate a cookie.

Well, I have this thing for making and decorating "Roberta's Famous Cut-out Cookies" and it has even proven to be a source of relaxation after a long day of homeschooling, (Did I really just type that?) therefore I had this great idea to make and sell decorated Easter cookies.  No big deal, just eggs and crosses.  Keep it simple, right? 

Most Awesome Cookie Poster!!!!

Knowing I would need some posters and fliers, I contacted the best graphic designer I knew, Sis Hilderbrand.  Wow, she took the few photos I submitted to her and created the most incredible cookie posters ever!
In fact, one member of my family, living under our    very own roof, forked over $15.00 and pre-ordered
    2 dozen!  I tried to reason with them telling them that
    we may end up with cookies that don't sell, but they
    stood firm and insisted on placing an order to insure
    their share.  (I'm planing on placing the blame on the
    poster designer if this ordering gets out of control!)

            The kids have gone out once so far to collect orders, and that has resulted in over 15 dozen so far.  Jubal told one of our neighbours about the sale and they ordered 2 doz. without even seeing the "Most Awesome Cookie Poster"! 

I've decided the best way to stay ahead on this, is to make and frost cookies every waking hour.  Not really. 

Marilla is a huge help by mixing up batches of cookies and frosting for me as I request them.  She also has a love for baking and has put in late hours helping in the "Sprinkles Dept." as I frost them. 

Last night we were up 'till 11:30 putting the finishing touches on about 80 crosses, drinking tea, and enjoying the opportunity to decorate cookies with out having to have a stand-off with most of the other family members.  The one good thing that will come out of this, if nothing else, is that my kids will be so sick of licking frosting off of beaters and out of bowls, they'll never argue over this privilege again!                                                                                     

 

After last night, Marilla and I decided that something will have to be done as far as storage.  We are running out of space in our freezers.  What a great problem to have! 

Seeing that this blog entry is just at the beginning of this "Great Cookie Adventure" its a little early to tell how it will all end.  Hopefully, I will be posting a happy and successful ending to my first endeavor into fund raising at the end of the month.

 

So, in closing; if you need an incredible poster designer, talk to anyone who knows Sis Hilderbrand and her sweet skills; if you want to buy a cookie, give me a ring; and if you want to lick the beaters or the bowl, line up with the kids (Jubal might let you cut in line behind him). 

 

 

 

 

P.S.  I forgot the part about the cakes and purses, so here's a couple pic's of Andie's 7th Birthday cake from this past week and also the purse I made for one of Elsa's little friend's birthday party she'll be attending in a few days. Also, Simeon and Marilla's WMTA results will be in after they play on Saturday, so I'd recomend that you stay away from the house 'till then. Tension is running high.

 

In short: Creativity is good for the soul....and the psych ward.

 

Whoo's Turning 7.....?

Andie Lou Who!

A new design...we'll see how it'll go over.  Jubal had a few things to say about it, if you can imagine that.

 

 







Pictorial Updates

 



The wonderful skating warming house with free skate rentals in our little town.



Elsa after 2 min of skating, now waiting for stitches.



Christmas morning waiting to open the stockings.



2012 Christmas Concert at the Wausau Conservatory of Music.
They played Carol of the Bells and did a beautiful job!



I'm watching you....always watching!

Sunday.  Crazy schedule.  Rushed morning.  2 hours+ total drive time.  Dishes from dessert last night still in the sink.  Forgot to drink coffee.  Massive headache.  Kids dressing each other.  Mom redressing kids. 

Where is this going?  I'm just trying to justify, to myself, why we ended up at the local Chinese buffet this afternoon after dumping a ton of currency on groceries the day before.  ( I have not been grocery shopping "for real" since before Christmas.)  Every time we step foot in a restaurant, something inside me cringes.  Eating out with 9 people is not exactly budget friendly and I'm forever calculating in my head how much everything would cost if it was coming out of my kitchen, served by my waitstaff.  The only time I don't do this is when we eat at  Shanghai Grill because I could never produce that many different kinds of oriental dishes with the groceries I purchase from Aldi. (A shout out to my favorite store!  Woo Hoo!!)  Anyway, we ate out and I'm ok with that....now.

We had been there for about 30 min. and the kids were in full swing of sampling every fried item on the buffet, when on my way back with my second plate; don't judge me, a man siting on the aisle asked me if those were my kids that were making multiple trips to the buffet.  Not missing a beat, I proudly said, "Yes, they are!".  The gentleman proceeded to compliment me on their behavior and how nicely they were dressed.  "I drive city transit," he said "and you don't see kids like that any more.  What ever you're doing, don't stop.  It's working."  About 10 minutes later, a lady stopped by our table and commented on the two younger girls' behavior she had observed while they were in the restroom.  "So polite and such manners!  So encouraging to see....thank you!" 

After these two encounters, I turned to the kids, thanked them for their efforts and reminded them why we use manners and treat others with respect.  Not only because it's pleasing to Jesus, but because it's pleasing to other people.  And, being followers of Jesus we need to show His love and act as He would if He were there,.....because He is!  John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

You don't have to have a large family for more than 2 minutes before you realize that everyone within a 50 yard radius is watching you.  Actually, staring would be a more appropriate term.  So, as a parent, I've learn to use this to my advantage.  As soon as someone is misbehaving I like to gently whisper in their ear, "Everyone is watching you and they're wondering why your acting like a [take 4 years of their current age] year old."  This causes them to glance around quite rapidly and reduce their behavior to silent sulking, or embarassment. 

Some might disagree with this method, wanting to raise their children to not be burdened with worrying about what others think and say about them.....wanting their children to feel "Free to be their own person!" *gag*  Well, this is why I choose to raise my kids to care what others think about their behavior.

I Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.  

We were all born in sin with a sin nature.  That means it's our natural tendancy to sin against God and without his sacrifice, without the shedding his blood, without Him taking our place, we have no hope of salvation from our sin, the curse of eternal death, and seperation from our Creator.  Our 4 oldest children have all come to this realization, and have surrendered their lives to Jesus, asking for His forgiveness, following His command to be baptized, and have received the infilling of the Holy Ghost!  Does this mean they are perfect? NO!  It does mean that when they fall, they repent, get up and keep going.  It means that they are responsive to the prompting of the Holy Ghost and the Godly encouragement of their parents and those God has placed in authority over them.  It means that they know that they've been "bought".  They're not a slave to sin any more.  They have been seperated from the "world".   They are in love with Jesus and they "owe" him their lives.  They represent their Creator and through their actions they are presenting Jesus to their world. 

Way to go Von Haden 6!  I'm so proud to be your Mother.  Keep up the good work and keep pointing to Jesus through your works!  

Matthew 5:16   Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  



 

Heros

Ah! The New Year...

We spent New Year's Eve with my mom, Roberta, in Eau Claire and were blessed to hear Bro. Ray Nicholls preach at Pentecostal Assembly's New Year's service.
For those of you who may not know, Ray Nicholls was the principal of, and his wife Judy, taught at the school that I attended.  Of the 12+ years I attended New Hope Christian School, they were there for at least 10.  Since then, Ray Nicholls and his wife have spent quite a few years as missionaries traveling to various parts of the former Soviet Union, Europe and the Middle East.
So yes, after not seeing him for about 14 years, I was very excited!  I guess I've referenced his wisdom and Bible teaching more than once, because Simeon mentioned to my mom that night in church, "Wow, this is really great getting to see him in person!"

A missionary a hero?  You bet!  I'm glad my boys don't look to athletes and movie stars for inspiration or examples.  Our culture is lacking true role models, and it pains me to see the "celebrities" parents allow their children to follow on Facebook and Twitter, read about in trashy fashion magazines, obsessing over their "love life", and watching their lame "Reality TV" shows.

My boys' Heroes?  I'm glad you asked.

Their Dad, Eugene
John Tandberg
Ray Nicholls
Derald Hilderbrand
Grandpa Harmsen
Travis Rose
Avery Ritchie
Uncle Tim
Bill Mueller
Adam Zogota
Nick Krcma


This is just a partial list of the Heroes in our family....(you would have tuned out by now if I'd attempted to list them all.)  Oh, you don't recognize the names?  That's O.K.  These men are not about popularity, but holiness, faith, and Godly character. 

So, Thanks to all the men who are "Hero" to my boys.  Please don't become famous or get your own reality show....just be real, Real Men of Faith.

Heb 11:32-34
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.