a new series: {Memory Verse Mania} + a free printable!

As I was putting together this year's summertime to do's for myself and our family, I realized a big priority for me this summer is helping the kids learn some Bible verses.

I grew up in a church that placed a big emphasis on memory verses between children's church, Sunday School, youth group, and AWANA (can anyone else still sing the theme song because I *ahem* still can).

My mom also frequently ran little contests around the house for my brother and me, i.e. "learn the books of the Bible and I'll give you this giant Hershey's bar." Hint: it worked.

Dylan and Ella {ages 7 & 5} are at great ages to soak this stuff up - they're reading on their own, they're soaking up knowledge like sponges, and they know how to appreciate a fun challenge.

I've been taking notes while on my own journey through reading the Bible (what I affectionately refer to as the Bible in 90 Days 364 Days), and I've come up with twelve verses our family will be learning this summer - one for each week of summer vacation.

I've grouped them into three categories - praise, promises & character - and I thought I'd share them here in case anyone else wanted to join in.

Without further ado, I present to you the stars of {Memory Verse Mania}:

{Praise}

Psalm 19:1

Psalm 118:24

Psalm 136:1

Psalm 139:14

{Promises}

Isaiah 40:13

Jeremiah 29:11

Philippians 4:13

I Peter 5:7

{Character}

Luke 6:31

Philippians 2:14

Colossians 3:20

Colossians 3:23

Now here's the part I'm extra excited about...

If you know me, you know I love a pretty printable. When I was planning out this series, I realized it would be really cool and helpful to have a set of printables to go along with the verses.

And while I appreciate fine printables, I have zero experience creating them. This is where my blogging buddy Nikki comes in. Nikki creates awesome (often faith-based) printables and then shares them for FREE on her blog, LDS Printables, because she's cool like that.

Nikki has kindly and graciously created a beautiful set of 8x10 printables for us - twelve printables in all - plus a chart for you to display and keep track of your progress on.

I am sharing the chart here today. We'll be kicking off {Memory Verse Mania} next Monday and I'll post the first four printables then - all centered around the theme of praise.

Download Chart Here
{Please email me if you have any trouble downloading the chart!}

More fun! (If you can handle it!) Go ahead and link up your blog here - just the main URL, please - if you'll be joining us this summer.

We can keep each other company, compare charts, and cheer our kiddos on together. 

Oh, and grab a button for your blog (isn't it cute?). And make sure you pop over to Nikki's blog and tell her what an awesome job she did on the printables!

<a href="http://theterpblog.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t504/terpblog/button1-1-200.jpg">

summertime to-do's {2012}

summer print courtesy of The Rubber Punkin

If there's a list to be made, I'm gonna* make it. 

I tried to resist, but it's impossible to ignore: it's time, once again, for another edition of summertime to-do's.

School's out this week and here's what's on the docket, both for me and for the little me's:

• {Office Hours} Once upon a time I decided on something called "office hours" (I'm a work-at-home-mama), which are basically certain hours of the day I was on-line: early morning, mid-afternoon (during nap time/quiet time), and evenings after the kids were tucked into bed. The rest of the day I steered clear of the c-o-m-p-u-t-e-r. Somewhere along the line, I fell off the wagon. Time to climb back on board!


• {HelloMornings} I'm fully committed to this idea of waking up before the fam does. We are three weeks into the HelloMornings Challenge, and I'm finding I actually enjoy this quiet (i.e. ridiculously early) start to my day. Continuing this practice throughout the summer will help me find the sanity I need as my school-aged kids are home full-time again.


• {Cleaning Reboot} Last spring, I completed the 31 Days to Clean Challenge, and I loved, loved, loved it. Now Sarah Mae is offering a 31 Days to Clean Reboot as she prepares to have her book published (it was originally an e-book). The reboot starts today, Monday, June 4!


• {Finding Balance} We have a few activities on the calendar for the big kids including VBS, a safety camp (held at a local fire station...cool, huh?), swim lessons, and a family vacation. These activities are thoughtfully spaced out throughout the summer and most are only an hour or two a day. I'm looking forward to the diversion they will provide for D & E, but I'm also looking forward to all of the blank calendar spaces too.


• {Eating Well} On the subject of eating well, my basic summer goal is to frequent the farmer's market with the kids, at least once a week. I'm a believer in baby steps, and I think this qualifies. We tried a CSA last summer and it was a little overwhelming for us (eat kale, much?)


• {Teaching Responsibility} One of my big goals for the kids while I have them at home this summer is to transfer more responsibility over to them, especially on the topic of helping out around the house. I tend to be the mom who picks up the shoes, puts away the clean underwear, and wipes down the toothpaste-filled sink because it just seems easier that way. Watch out kids, the free rides over!


• {The B-I-B-L-E} In further proof that I really am becoming my mother, I'm going to put together a little memory verse program for the kids. I'm picking 12 of my favorite verses (centered around the themes of praise, promises & character) and I'll post them for a week at a time and we'll practice them together. Fun fact: back in the day, when I was eight, the prize was a giant Hershey bar. Even funner* fact: next week I'll be sharing the verses I'm using with {FREE} printables for you!

So that's the structured stuff, but no need to worry, we will spend plenty of time running through the sprinklers, eating freezy pops, and meeting up with friends at the park. I'm a big believer in the kids-should-play-outside movement (otherwise known as our own childhoods). On the rainy days, we'll read books, lounge around in our PJ's, and work through my summer vay-cay pinboard. 

And I'm not gonna* lie, we'll watch PBS too.

*Yes, I'm aware, these aren't real words. Sue me for exercising my creative license.

P.S. If you haven't linked up your favorite May {living the width} post yet, you can still do that here. Also, I'm excited to post my very first GIVEAWAY this week on The Terpblog! Look for it later this week!

Watcha* up to this summer? 

NEW: living the width | volume I

I am very excited to introduce to you a brand-new monthly link party: 

{living the width} @ The Terpblog.

There are zillions of blog parties out there, and many of them are crafting, DIY, and recipe-related. Posts like that are certainly welcome here, but I also wanted to give all of you non-crafty-24/7 type people a chance to share your favorite blog posts as well.

The idea behind {living the width} is this: a monthly mash-up of posts centered around intentional living, new experiences, celebrations, community, pushing the limits, glimpses of glory, and aha moments.

I'd love to read your latest adventures, see your newest projects, and share in your joy as you seek to live not just the length of life, but the width of it as well.

{Party Guidelines}

1) Please read carefully: the intent of this link party is to share posts that inspire and motivate others and that showcase your very best bloggy (& living life well) work. I reserve the right to delete links that I don't feel meet these guidelines (no giveaways or Etsy shops, please).

2) All types of posts are welcome including crafting & DIY, simplifying & organizing, parties & celebrations, musings & reflections, projects & challenges, milestones & accomplishments...and everything in between. Let's applaud each other for attacking life with intention and purpose!

3) Feel free to link up more than one post if you'd like, but in the spirit of the party, please don't go too bananas. In addition, please only link recent posts that were written and posted in the month that corresponds with the party (i.e. for this month, Volume I = May 2012). Make sure you link directly to your post, not just your blog.

4) Please share the blog love by posting the {living the width} button either within your blog post(s) or somewhere else on your blog. For bonus points, follow The Terpblog via Google Friend Connect on the sidebar or "Like" us on Facebook (or do both if you really want to be a rock star).

5) Lastly, go grab a cup of coffee and spend a few minutes clicking through some links below and commenting on your favs. Let's encourage each other and spread the love!

<a href="http://theterpblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t504/terpblog/width300.jpg">

I will feature my favorite links mid-month, so stay tuned!

Link-Up Your {Living the Width} Posts Here:

bloggy happenings

I'm excited to share the latest and the greatest @ The Terpblog:

#1: A new Terpblog Facebook page to Like. 

{at your leisure, of course}

This feels like a big step to me, but I'm ready to have a dedicated space to share new posts and link party features [see below!].

Facebook, love it or hate it, is a quick and easy place to connect with bloggy friends, both new and old.

For bonus points, if you're a regular reader, please show The Terpblog some love and follow via GFC on the sidebar. Thank you!

#2: Sponsor spots are now available!

And because it's all brand new to me, they're currently FREE.

Check out the details on the Sponsor tab or email me at katie.terpstra@gmail.com.

I'm learning as I go, so please bear with me!

#3: A new monthly link party called {Living the Width}.

Launching very soon! 

Here's a teaser for you:

Look for it later this week with features from YOU coming mid-month!

#4: We've got ad space!

And lastly, I won my very own, very first ad space on Elise's Pieces via a giveaway on Modern Modest Beauty over the weekend.

I contacted Elise to see if I could gift the large ad space to Theresa @ un.tied and Elise was sweet enough to say 'yes, of course,' and then she offered me another spot for The Terpblog too.

Click over and see if you can spot our new ads!

That's all for now! Thanks for your kind comments and encouraging words. I look forward to seeing what's ahead for us!

P.S. Here's a funny blogging first: I ran into a bloggy buddy in real life at the ice cream shop over the weekend. It was a fun surprise to hear someone ask, "Excuse me, do you write The Terpblog?"
Check out Heather's great blog, It's a Long Story!

insta.life {May Days}

May has been a blur of field trips, field days, baseball games,
toddler chasing, early morning wake-up calls, menu planning,
one really long race, an anniversary & a weekend getaway.

Plus we managed to fit in a few new milestones:

Dylan learned to tie his shoes,

Ella learned to ride a two-wheeler,

and Mady is on her way (err, kind of) to being potty trained.

We spent the last two days working like crazy in the yard
(including 13 yards of bark moved & spread by my dear husband)
and now we're ready to spend the next two days relaxing, biking, swimming, parading & celebrating.

Hope your May days were fun, sweet & sunny.

Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone!

Love him for playing Barbies with our little girls.

Another day, another awkward afternoon sleeping position.

Around 4 o'clock each day, she just crashes!

Craft night creation, up close. Love these felt flowers. Easy peasey.

 A new favorite. Have you heard of Kombucha? 

I'm not ambitious enough to brew it myself, 

but I like it packaged up neatly in these Yogi tea bags.

Make your own pizza lunch with one of our favorite pals, E, while his mom and dad enjoyed adding a special weekend to their story.

Best. Books. Ever.

Entertaining AND informative, for both parent and toddler.

#truestory 

Thankful for our community.

The last thing I saw as I headed out the door on race day.

My little biker man at the finish line.

And his sweet Mother's Day note. 

He thinks I'm fabulous and byatwuful.

Girls' weekend or bust!

Holding hope for a dear friend as she waits...and waits...and waits.

Have you seen her latest un.tied creations as she keeps her hands and her heart busy?

My IG caption: Life is good when you're the littlest Terp.

Matt's little sister's comment: Sure is =]

(She's the youngest of five and the only girl.)

Off to pack our beach bag. See you in June!

{Linking up}

 

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girl | boy weekends

Last weekend marked our 11th wedding anniversary and while Matt and I didn't exactly spend it together, the time was well spent.

The girls and I, along with my mom, sister-in-law, niece, and sister-in-law's mom have had a girls' weekend in Chicago on the calendar for years months.

The headlining event? A visit to the American Girl Place.

Also on the docket: all the girly fun we could find in the big city.

A picture perfect weekend.

Our view from the 22nd floor of the Westin on Michigan Ave.

A Vera store! And they gave us free water! And they took our picture! Score.

Raising girls is serious business. #standtall #trueself

Enjoying dinner in the American Girl Cafe - what a treat!

Mady *might* have enjoyed pet shopping more than actual doll shopping.

Cross it off the bucket list:

a carriage ride through the downtown streets and along the lake shore.

Love this picture. Love them.

Pampering ourselves with some mid-day pedicures. 

The seven of us completely overwhelmed a little Chinese nail salon. 

Hilarity ensued.

On top of the world with my favorite five-year-old girl.

Thank you, Instagram, for capturing these moments and more.

Thank you, Mom (& Dad), for treating us to a whole lot of girly fun.

Thank you, God, for blessing me with little girls!

* * * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Matt and Dylan were enjoying a mini boy-themed stay-cation of their own.

Following Dylan's baseball game {complete with a pack of Big League Chew}, the boys packed up their bikes and hit the trails.

This boy sure loves to bike, just like his Daddy!

They followed up their ride at their favorite restaurant 

and re-hydrated with some ice cold rootbeers. 

On Sunday, they visited a local car museum.

Dylan was in heaven.

{Photo credit: hubby on the iPhone. Can't say enough about the camera quality in those things.}

Barn after barn, filled to the brim, with classic cars.

The highlight for D: lunch at an old time diner.

Part of Daddy's plan to see how long he could go without saying no.

Frozen custard? Sure! Another pop? Why not?

* * * * * * * * * *

The girls eventually returned home and the magic had to end. Regular eating habits resumed, Daddy remembered how to say "no", and the house was soon covered with tiny doll shoes and hair brushes.

Back to reality. Back to regular, family-of-five, boys-and-girls-mixed-together life.

Just the way we like it.

Menu Plan Monday | 5.21.12

This will be my last "official" Menu Plan Monday (for now at least). These blog posts have forced me to be more mindful of my planning, shopping, and cooking, and I'm crossing my fingers that the habit has been cemented.

Last week, both new quinoa recipes were a success - we ate the quinoa and apple salad with curry dressing as a side for dinner, and I made a double batch of the pumpkin quinoa muffins and we gobbled them up (I subbed out the raisins and walnuts for chocolate chips...is that even a question??).

I cannot believe this weekend is Memorial Day weekend already. And the kids only have three weeks of school left. Eeek! I have a feeling this week is going to fly by. Here's what's on deck for us, menu-wise:

Monday
Open/Leftover's = Matt's working late
Lunch = Southwestern Chopped Chicken Salad

Tuesday
Old Standby = Stamp-of-Approval Spaghetti Sauce + bread maker bread

Wednesday

Something New = Golden Chicken in Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
[life happened and I didn't end up making this newby last week]

Thursday
Crockpot = Slow-Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu

Friday/Saturday
Memorial Day Weekend = belated anniversary dinner & family time

Treat

Banana oatmeal muffins

Linking up to Menu Plan Monday @ I'm an Organizing Junkie.

the story of us {eleven}

Once upon a time, a girl met a boy in the halls of a rented Seventh Day Adventist church.

At the time, the girl thought the boy was nice, but shy, and that his little brothers were pesky, but cute. A certain little sister had just been brought home from Korea.

The boy claims he knew she was the one the minute he laid eyes on her.

He was in the eight grade. She was in the ninth.

Fast forward a few years, and the boy and girl are now friends. They laugh together, scoot their chairs closer together in Sunday School, and eat cheap church cookies after the morning service.

The boy is still too shy to speak up and the girl is dating a different boy. They might have continued on like this for years if not for their mothers. Yes, their mothers. (It seems as if they knew a little something about life and love too.)

Suddenly the two are dating. It's summer and their first date was the movie Face Off.

The girl heads off to her first year of college and then there is a little hiccup in their dating story.

Fall is in its full glory, and then, once again, the girl and the boy are back where they left off.

And they never look back.

Because now the girl knows too.

A couple years later, he gives her a pearl. A promise.

A year after that he upgrades that pearl to a diamond while the sun sets over Lake Michigan.

And a year after that, they are married on a perfect May day surrounded by their family and friends in a church with a steeple. The girls wear periwinkle.

Next comes a honeymoon, a first apartment.

And then a first house. A first baby. A second baby.

A second house. A third baby.

Eleven years later, they have created a life together. A life they can be proud of. It's not all roses and butterflies (there are hard things too), but mostly it's good. Really, really good.

Today, this girl is wishing that boy a very happy 11th wedding anniversary. The boy is now a man, and he is the best sort of husband, daddy, and partner-for-life the girl could have ever wished for.

And she loves him with all of her heart.

It's a beautiful story, isn't it?

the first decade {together}

when we were young{er}