Update On Our Move...

Update on our move!

I apologize for not posting anything on here lately! Whew! It has been a whirlwind of activities, packing and other things in this past week. Eric and Addie went to a White Sox game with three college couples on Tuesday evening. Friday evening was our college graduation - my sister, Rachel and I worked the nursery from 3:30 -8:30pm then I joined our YLC teen group. We ended the night at Cracker Barrel with around 20 of us as a group. The teens in our group loved Eric and they will greatly miss him. Saturday evening, we went out to Red Lobster with Eric's boss and wife - the Crocketts. It was an enjoyable evening after a long day of packing our truck! Today was our last day at First Baptist. Just a touch of sadness. We said many goodbyes but know that we will see our friends here in the future at conferences, etc.

Our moving truck is nearly all but finished! It is 12:02am Monday morning - and Eric is still rearranging and packing our things into the truck. Just a few more things in our home to go but the bulk of the job is done. A friend, Drew Redick, was able to help us pack some of the truck and utilize his truck. Rachel was able to help me for a few hours on Sat. to pack some last minute things. Other than that...it was Eric and me! :) So even though he is still working at the moment, my feet were not able to take any more! Oh yes, I do not want to forget our biggest helper, Addie! She really wanted to help - moving boxes, carrying things. She did give Eric and I a heart attack this afternoon as she nearly tried to drive her car down the ramp from the top of the truck! Kids!

Tomorrow, we will spend the holiday with friends and family here in Indiana at a cookout at Jake and Amber Gieseler's home. Tuesday, it is head for the west! I hope to keep you updated on our trip each day!

Happy Memorial Day!

Money Matters: Ways to Make Saving a Habit

My husband and I just paid off our credit card! However, the most important part is that we cut it up! How good it felt! Now it is time to save money...here is a helpful article that will give you some great tips on how to do just that! Happy savings!

Ways to Make Saving a Habit

What's your excuse? When it comes to the sorry state of our finances, we've all got one.

Maybe your raise at work never materialized, or you charged that unexpected car-repair bill -- or that plasma TV -- to your credit card. Whatever the reason, for many of us, personal balance sheets could look better. Half of U.S. workers report less than $25,000 in savings.

Even if you've saved more, is it enough to sustain you through a decades-long retirement?

Sure, plenty of consumers now are easing back on spending, thanks to sticker shock at the grocery store and gas station. But soon enough retailers and restaurants will be pushing hard-to-resist "recession deals" -- will you be able to restrain yourself? And, what happens to your budget-minded ways when the economy recovers?

It's time to shake off the "consumer" mantle that politicians and economists are so happy to drape around our shoulders. Resist their calls for consumers to save the economy, and resist the advertisements enveloping us in the idea that we need more and more things.

The only thing most of us need more of is financial security. A lot more.

How to get there? Think thrift. For some, it's a familiar idea. For others, thrift implies denial and deprivation, and that makes for a tough call-to-arms.

So, how to save money without scrimping, be thrifty without feeling miserly -- and maintain those habits after our economy picks up speed?

It won't be easy. Expect discomfort, says Kathleen Gurney, a psychologist and chief executive of Financial Psychology Corp. Keep going, even when it's uncomfortable -- the rewards are worth it, and once this economic slowdown ends, you'll have financial habits in place to support you for a lifetime.

1. Spend less time feeling poor.

Flipping through catalogs and going to the mall will make you feel like you need things, Ms. Gurney notes. Sure, you can afford some of that stuff, but the main message is: Most of this is out of your reach. Instead, do things that offer a sense of well-being. Invite friends over. Walk in the park.

2. Retrain your brain.

Depriving ourselves of current pleasure is nigh impossible if we're not driven by a sense that the future will be more fulfilling, says Ms. Gurney. When you start to feel that "I'm deserving so I'm buying" feeling, visualize a smaller credit-card bill or higher savings-account balance.

3. Look around you.

Are you happy with what your hard-earned dollars bought? If not, shift your spending to those things that bring greater long-term satisfaction, including retirement savings.

4. Choose your extravagances.

Here's mine: I eat out about once a week. An extravagance I do without: Cable television.

5. Assess weaknesses.

"If you were thrifty, how would you look different?" says Gary Buffone, a financial psychologist in Jacksonville, Fla. Identify what you want to change; then shoot for specific targets, such as a six-month hold on buying new tech gadgets.

6. Make trade-offs.

Substitute small, free pleasures for those that cost. Have a movie night at home with friends -- you'd be surprised how many people are equally eager to cut costs.

7. Set goals.

Meet weekly with family to discuss the spending plan (don't call it a budget) for the months and years ahead. This may involve tough choices, such as forsaking a family vacation. But think of the guilt-free trip you can take after saving the necessary cash. Good memories last longer, Ms. Gurney notes, when not trammeled by large credit-card bills.

8. Resist your children.

They're going to find it hard to change their expectations. How can you help? Stand firm. The next time they clamor for the latest videogame, remind them of the bigger prize (that family vacation), and tell them their choices here and now are, say, a picnic or a movie rental. Offer options, but don't give in to their push for more consumer goods.

9. Enlist other people.

Many people are reticent to talk about money worries, but almost everyone has them, so open up and tap your allies. Hold a contest with friends to see who can save the most in a month, or agree with your spouse to talk before spending more than $100, Mr. Buffone suggests.

10. Post it.

Remind yourself by putting post-it notes on your wallet, mirror or steering wheel with the mantra of your choosing: "I want to go to Hawaii in January." "I want to pay off credit-card debt."

11. Automate it.

Divert money monthly from your checking account to savings. It will force you to budget, based on what's left in your checking account.

12. Rethink rewards.

What are some of your happiest memories? Those are the true rewards. Next time you're about to buy something because you deserve it, ask yourself whether there isn't something you deserve more, such as time at home cooking with your teenager, or a stroll with your husband or best friend.

"We've been conditioned to think that spending the money on clothes, at a restaurant, is going to be the reward," Ms. Gurney says. "But what is the ultimate reward that we want from working hard, in the end?"

Recipe: Asparagus with Lemon Sauce

I am in love with fresh asparagus! It is a wonderful addition to any springtime meal!

Asparagus with Lemon Sauce

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cut fresh asparagus (2-inch pieces)
• 1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 1 tablespoon sliced almonds, toasted

Directions:

Place asparagus and water chestnuts in a shallow microwave-safe dish; add 1/2 in. of water. Cover and microwave on high for 6-8 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender; drain and keep warm.
In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the cream cheese, water, milk and lemon peel. Cover and microwave on high for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Pour over asparagus mixture; sprinkle with almonds.
Yield: 4 servings.

Thoughts for the Day: Moving

Thoughts for the Day:

It is a busy time for the Tastet household! Packing is taking a toll on our house! LOL! Let's see...Autumn falls asleep on the boxes (yes, she still has a bed to sleep in!), the girls are eating their cereal out of sandwich lunch containers (we packed all the bowls!), I had to unpack my crockpot this morning to make a roast for Sunday dinner (I am supposed to be packing!), there are so many boxes stacked up that it is like running a maze just to get through the living rooom! Just the fun of moving!

As of today, we have 9 days until moving day! I pray and hope I will be ready by then! Our moving truck will be here on Friday, May 23 and we should be pulling out heading to Nevada by noon on Tuesday, May 27. I will be updating my blog and our family's website with our trip and pictures each night of our journey (if our motel has WiFi!). That way you can ride along on our trip and enjoy the scenery!

Some family news I would like to share with you...My sister and her family, Josh, Rhoda and their son, Jordan Gieseler are leaving to move West as well! Woo hoo! He is going to be the Youth Pastor at Valley Baptist Church in Mesa, AZ. The pastor is Kevin and Dawn Cowling. We are excited for this opportunity for their family in a wonderful church there in Mesa. Mesa is right next to Phoenix - a beautiful area of the West. Great place to visit - in the winter! LOL! We visited there last summer in August. The temps soared to 110 to 115 every day. When we arrived to the airport at 9:30pm, the temp was still over 100 degrees! Being pregnant...I thought I was going to die! Besides that...we absolutely loved it there! Warm and friendly people, exciting church, fantastic pastor and family, beautiful area...God is good!

And along those lines...Rhoda is expecting their second child! Second grandchild for the Gieseler family and 7th for the Holt family! Jordan is their only boy right now. He will turn 2 yrs. old this June. Rhoda's due date is end of December/beginning of January. Great timing - I believe God's hand was on that one. It will be the best time of the year in AZ to be nine months pregnant!
Congratulations Josh and Rhoda! Pray for them that they will be able to find a good doctor and medical assistance once they arrive.

I also want to thank the Lord for my father-in-law, Sonny. He is letting us move our family in his home until our house is finalized. We appreciate this so much. He has been busy getting ready for our arrival. I am looking forward to our meals together at Denny's once again! (When we lived in Reno, he would often pick me and Addie up and take us to Denny's to eat while Eric was at work. That is a great father-in-law! :)
I am also looking forward to the warm temps and sunshine of Nevada! They are having record breaking temps. for this time of the year - high of 96 degrees today!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Challenge: End-of-the-School Year Traditions

Memories...

My oldest daughter, Addie, is finishing her first year of school today! It has been a wonderful adventure - watching her grow and mature into a beautiful girl! She has learned many things this past year...every week, the students learn a character trait along with a memory verse. She has learned her numbers to 100...how to cut and paste with scissors and glue...how to tell time...to color well and stay in the lines...how to write the letters of the alphabet and many words...shapes and colors...and our biggest challenge - learning to read! What a wonderful opportunity she had this year to attend school and learn so much. I thank the Lord for a wonderful Christian school for my children.

I remember my days in a Christian school. I was privileged to attend a Christian school from kindergarten through the fourth grade. One special memory was that of a family friend...Mr. Dave Font. Every year, the last day of school, he would pick us kids up from school and take us out to eat - usually at Ponderosa Steakhouse. It was so much fun for a kid to have this to look forward to!
A special tradition from a special person...Mr. Font is now gone. He passed away from Alzheimer's a few years ago. But that memory lives on in my mind.

My challenge to you...pass on traditions to your children. Give them special memories for the future.

So the school year ends at noon and we are going to McDonald's to celebrate and start a tradition!

Health Lessons: What are you eating today?

This is a very interesting article! I was sad to read about the bagel and cream cheese! One of my favorites! :) It just goes to show us how important it is to keep informed so we can make wise decisions in our life! Have a wonderful day!

BREAKFAST:

Eat this!
Ham, Egg & Cheese English Muffin Sandwich:
310 calories
10 g fat (5 g saturated)

Not This!
Multi-grain Bagel with Lite Cream Cheese
530 calories
17 g fat

Many readers have indicated that breakfast is one of the most misunderstood meals of the day. So let’s say it once and for all: Bagels are bogus. It doesn’t matter if they’re made from multi-grain and slathered with the lightest cream cheese in the world. A study from St. Louis University found that people who started their days with eggs consumed 264 fewer calories over the course of a day than those who started with bagels and cream cheese. (That’s 1,800 calories in a week — or a half pound of fat!)

Why? Because protein kick starts your metabolism, helps keep you feeling full throughout the day, and gets your body burning calories early and often. Empty carbs, either from bagels, pancakes, even bran muffins, spike your blood sugar and set you up for a big energy crash — and the massive cravings that come along with it.

LUNCH:

Burger

Eat this!
McDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese
510 calories
26 g fat

Not This!
Burger King Whopper with Cheese
770 calories
48 g fat

Yes, you can keep your figure, or even shrink it, eating the occasional burger, as long as you know the right one to pick. Apparently the BK’s famed flame-broiling does nothing to cut the calories on their most popular burger. And the massive bun and thick layer of mayonnaise don’t help either.

So, a few rules for the burger lovers out there who don’t want to kick the habit:

1) Four ounces of meat or less!
Some chains serve burgers packing up to a full pound of beef, easily exceeding the USDA’s recommendation for meat intake…for an entire day.

2) No mayo or mysterious sauce!
It doesn’t matter how “special” it may be, it can pack as many calories and fat as the meat itself. (The only thing special about it, most of the time, is its ability to stretch you horizontally.) Ketchup, mustard, and barbecue sauce are all fine.

3) Can the combo!
If you were to add a large fry and large Coke to McDonald’s relatively reasonable Quarter Pounder, that’s an extra 870 calories. If you want to eat cheeseburgers, you’ll have to show some restraint with the sides.

Dinner:

Eat this!
Ruby Tuesday’s 9 oz Sirloin with French Fries
615 calories
19 g fat

Not this!
Ruby Tuesday’s Bella Turkey Burger with Baked Potato
1524 calories
84 g fat

People pay too much attention to the type of meat being served to them, and not enough attention to how it’s being served. Steak = bad, turkey = good, but it’s not always that simple. The fact is a sirloin — among the leanest of all steaks — has about the same number of calories, ounce-for-ounce, as turkey or chicken.

But problems arise when the poor turkey is fried, stuffed into an oversized bun, and covered in cheese and mayo. All of a sudden, you have a turkey burger with four times the amount of calories as a 9-oz sirloin. Note to all sandwich, burger, and wrap lovers: Beware of the cheeses, special sauces, and dressings. It’s these, not the meat itself, that pack the biggest punch.

DESSERT:

Cake

Eat this!
1 Slice Blueberry Cheesecake
450 calories
30 g fat

Not this!
1 Slice Chocolate Layer Cake
900 calories
55 g fat

We too often look at dessert as an all-or-nothing proposition, as if deciding whether or not to eat it is the only choice that matters. But even within the world of indulgences, there can be a meal’s worth of calories separating a slice of cake from a slice of cheesecake, which is why every decision you make throughout the day, from breakfasts to snacks to the moments where you’re rewarding yourself, demand careful consideration.

Cheesecake is by no means a health food, but the graham cracker crust it often comes built on is a relatively low-impact vehicle, and the blueberry topping (usually fresh or frozen berries simmered with lemon juice and a touch of sugar) adds a small dose of antioxidants. Chocolate cake, on the other hand, is a dense wall of flour, butter, and sugar, spackled with multiple layers of frosting made with more butter and sugar and heavy cream. Ounce for ounce, it’s one of the most calorie-riddled foods on the planet.

Make all the right choices above, and you’ve consumed 1,885 calories. For someone who’s busy and moderately active, that means you can lose up to a pound or more a week! (Add in a few bouts of exercise, and the weight loss can easily double to two pounds a week or more.)

Health Lessons: Power Foods-Oatmeal

Health Lessons: Power Foods

Oatmeal

Instant Oatmeal: Unsweetened, unflavored.

Superpowers: Boosting energy and sex drive, reducing cholesterol, maintaining blood-sugar levels.

Secret weapons: Complex carbohydrates and fiber.

Fights against: Heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, obesity.

Sidekicks: High-fiber cereals like All-Bran and Fiber One.

Impostors: Sugary cereals.

Oatmeal is the Bo Derek of your pantry: It's a perfect 10. Eat it at breakfast to propel you through sluggish mornings, a couple of hours before a workout to feel fully energized by the time you hit the gym, or at night to avoid a late-night binge. I recommend instant oatmeal for its convenience. However, buy the unsweetened, unflavored variety and use other power foods such as milk and berries to enhance the taste. Pre-flavored oatmeal often comes loaded with sugar calories.

Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, meaning that it attracts fluid and stays in your stomach longer than insoluble fiber (like vegetables). Soluble fiber is thought to reduce blood cholesterol by binding with digestive acids made from cholesterol and sending them out of your body. When this happens, your liver has to pull cholesterol from your blood to make more digestive acids, and your bad cholesterol levels drop.

Trust me: We need more fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Doctors recommend we get between 25 and 35 grams of fiber per day, but most of us get half that. Fiber is like a bouncer for your body, kicking out troublemakers and showing them the door. It protects you from heart disease. It protects you from colon cancer by sweeping carcinogens out of the intestines quickly.

A Penn State study also showed that oatmeal sustains your blood sugar levels longer than many other foods, which keeps your insulin levels stable and ensures you won'ƒƒ‚™t be ravenous for the few hours that follow. That iƒƒ‚™s good because spikes in the production of insulin slow your metabolism and send a signal to the body that it'ƒƒ‚™s time to start storing fat. Since oatmeal breaks down slowly in the stomach, it causes less of a spike in insulin levels than foods like bagels. Include it in a smoothie or as your breakfast. (A U.S. Navy study showed that simply eating breakfast raised metabolism by 10 percent.)

Another cool fact about oatmeal: Preliminary studies indicate that oatmeal raises the levels of free testosterone in your body, enhancing your body's ability to build muscle and burn fat and boosting your sex drive.

I know this recipe may sound strange but I have made this smoothie before for my husband and I. It is from the Abs Diet Plan which is a healthy way of eating based on the power foods that I am writing about. It is just one way to incorporate a power food, oatmeal, into your day. Try it for breakfast or a snack anytime.

Abs Diet: Ultimate Power Smoothie!

(number of power foods: 5)
1 cup 1% milk
2 tablespoons low-fat vanilla yogurt
¾ cup instant oatmeal, nuked in water
2 teaspoons peanut butter
2 teaspoons chocolate whey powder
6 ice cubes, crushed

Blend and enjoy!
Makes 2 - 8-ounce servings.

Recipe: Chicken Strawberry Spinach Salad

Chicken Strawberry Spinach Salad

This pretty spinach salad topped with grilled chicken, strawberries and almonds in a sweet poppy-seed dressing. Made in moments, it’s a refreshing lunch or light supper for two.

SERVINGS: 2

CATEGORY: Salads

METHOD: Grill (gas or charcoal)

TIME: Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup poppy seed salad dressing, divided
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 cup torn romaine
• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Directions:

Place chicken on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. x 15 in.). Combine broth and 1 tablespoon poppy seed dressing; spoon over chicken. Fold edges of foil around chicken mixture, leaving center open. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 10-12 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.

In a salad bowl, combine the spinach, romaine and strawberries. Add the chicken and remaining poppy seed dressing; toss to coat. Sprinkle with almonds.
Yield: 2 servings.

*Enjoy this recipe to eat a power food - spinach!

Health Lessons: Power Foods-Spinach and Other Green Veggies

I am currently very busy trying to pack up our home to move! Besides taking care of three kids and a husband! LOL! So I need to take care of myself so that I am able to do what I need to get done. Here is some helpful information on power foods that you might enjoy. Have a wonderful day!

Health Lesson: Power Foods

Spinach and Other Green Vegetables

Superpowers: Neutralizing free radicals (molecules that accelerate the aging process).

Secret weapons: Vitamins including A, C, and K; folate; beta-carotene; minerals including calcium and magnesium; fiber.

Fight against: Cancer, heart disease, stroke, obesity, osteoporosis.

Sidekicks: Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and brussels sprouts; green, yellow, red, and orange vegetables such as asparagus, peppers, and yellow beans.

Impostors: None, as long as you don't fry them or smother them in fatty cheese sauces.

You know vegetables are packed with important nutrients, but they're also a critical part of your body-changing diet. I like spinach in particular because one serving supplies nearly a full day's vitamin A and half of your vitamin C. It's also loaded with folate—a vitamin that protects against heart disease, stroke, and colon cancer. Dress a sandwich with the stuff, or stir-fry it with fresh garlic and olive oil.

Broccoli is high in fiber and more densely packed with vitamins and minerals than almost any other food. If you hate vegetables, hide them. Puree them and add them to marinara sauce or chili. The more you chop, the less you taste, and the easier it is for your body to absorb nutrients.With broccoli, sauté it in garlic and olive oil, and douse it with hot sauce.

Happy Mother's Day!

Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small,
And always leave my fingerprints
On furniture and walls.
But everyday I'm growing
I'll be grown up someday,
And all those tiny fingerprints
Will surely fade away.
So here are my final handprints
So you can recall,
Exactly how my fingers looked
When I was very small.

I wanted to share one of my Mother's Day gifts I received this year. It was this poem with each of my daughter's names and each of their little handprints. It was truly a precious gift that I will keep forever!
(This gift was made and given to me by a dear lady in my parents' church - Mrs. Revella Buchanan.)

Happy Mother's Day!

Ideas for Mother's Day

Ideas for Mother's Day:

Yes, Mother's Day is rapidly approaching! If you still need an idea for your mom, here are a few ideas that won't break your bank and will put a smile on your mom's face!

1. Take her out for dinner.

*How many meals has your mom cooked for your family? I love to cook but I love to eat out even more! Someone else gets to do the work!

2. Give her a family portrait.

*Find a cute snapshot of the family to enlarge and frame.
*Last year, I bought matching shirts for my mom and myself. We went to JC Penney's where I have a Smile Savers Membership and we had a girls' picture done...Mom, me, and my 2 daughters. The shirts only cost around $5 each. The photo package which included several pictures was a little over $8. A professional job for a fraction of the cost! It was a wonderful gift which she loved! She shared her pictures with her family and had a memory forever!

3. Give her a small indulgence.

*What is it that your mom enjoys but does not buy for herself? Perfume, a yummy chocolate, a favorite magazine, etc. Buy her that small indulgence for Mother's Day. Remember, it does not take a lot to make a woman happy!

4. Give her flowers!

*Sometimes the best flowers to give are the ones to plant! That way she will be able to enjoy them for the season.
*When my grandma was in the hospital, we wanted to give her some flowers but knew she should not be out doing the work of planting them. So we bought her flowers already planted in a hanging basket. She still was able to enjoy them without the work!

5. Take her out on a special outing.

*What outing does your mom love? A concert, a play, a museum, a flower show? For the past three years, we have taken our mom to our Mother-Daughter Banquet which includes a nice sit-down dinner and a play. She thoroughly enjoys it. However, my mother-in-law loves museums. Take them to what they will enjoy and they will love you for it!

Happy Mother's Day!

Recipe: Ravioli Casserole

A quick and easy meal for dinner tonight!
Ravioli Casserole

1 jar (28 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1 package (25 oz.) frozen cheese ravioli, cooked and drained
2 cups (16 oz.) small-curd cottage cheese
4 cups (16 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Spread 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce in an ungreased 13x9 in. baking dish. Layer with half of the ravioli, 1 1/4 cups of sauce, 1 cup of cottage cheese and 2 cups of mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 - 40 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 5-10 min. before serving.

My husband enjoyed this meal even though he isn't a big red sauce fan! Serve with a salad and breadsticks and enjoy!

More Memories of my Grandma...

I read this e-mail today...more memories of my sweet grandma. I think you will like it too.

A Keeper

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, work shirt and a hat; and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other.
It was the time for fixing things: a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.

It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, re-heating leftovers, renewing; I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.

But when my mother died, and I was standing in that clear morning light in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return. So... While we have it, it's best we love it... And care for it... And fix it when it's broken... And heal it when it's sick.

This is true: For marriage... And old cars... And children with bad report cards... Dogs and cats with bad hips... And aging parents... And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep, like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.

There are just some things that make life important,
like people we know who are special... And so, we keep them close!

Dealing With The Elderly

This weekend, we were able to go for Saturday and Sunday to visit family in Ohio. As we were leaving my Grandma Holts' house after a visit, I had many feelings and thoughts. Since my grandma is up in age and her health is slowly failing, we can never be sure if this may be the last time we will see her alive. Of course, that thought brings a degree of sadness to my heart. I want these last times together to be the best times.

Grandma gets confused easily these days. During our visit, she told me the same thing about my daughter three times. I noticed that she couldn't remember my middle daughter's name. She became agitated when others tried to help her with her plate of food.

These things are common things that elderly people experience. Let us learn how we can help them through this difficult stage of life.

As children and teenagers, we often visited nursing homes for our church.
Here are a few things that I have learned from my parents in dealing with the elderly:

1. When you approach them, squat down, get on their level and look into their eyes.

2. When you speak to them, speak a little louder than you might normally would.

3. Hold their hand in yours when you are speaking to them.

4. Give hugs and squeezes on the arms to show your care and love for them.

5. Repeat names often in case they become confused.

6. Be patient!

7. Treat them with dignity and respect.

Grandma, you will always hold a special place in my heart! I love you!

Building Families: Building Authority Through Honor

Ideas for Building Authority Through Honor:

The following are a few ideas you could incorporate with your children towards their father to build his authority over them by helping them to honor their father.

1. Teach your children to greet their dad when he comes home.
* Lots of hugs and kisses!

2. Teach your children to ask their dad if he would like a drink and have them bring it to him.
* A hot cup of coffee or an ice-cold water bottle!

3. Encourage your children to run errands with their dad.
* My husband enjoys taking Addie or Autumn with him on errands. He makes it special for them by buying them a special treat (french fries, ice cream, etc.) and they have alone time.

4. Have them ask Daddy if they can feel his muscles!
* Our girls like to exercise with their daddy so they can be strong like him!

5. If you have girls, ask Dad what is favorite food is and let them help you cook it for him.
* Steak and shrimp!

6. Make a snack and have them bring and share it with their Daddy.
* Chocolate chip cookies dunked in milk or a bowl of warm, salty popcorn!

In honoring those we love, we can never go wrong! Have a wonderful day!