amberdover

The High King Lives

Minions Movie Night July 31, 2015

Hello dear ones! A couple weeks ago my family and I went to see the Minions movie. This is how we had fun. Also, I’ll review the movie. Please come hang out :).

I drew a minion on our chalkboard door to get everyone excited.

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I bought a Minions coloring book for a dollar. I also found sugar cookies and fruit snacks that are Minion themed. I found the Minion bead kit at Michael’s Craft Store.

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Chris and Michael made a Minion bookmark.

 

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Michael drew a Minion based on a tutorial.

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Here are toilet paper roll Minions.

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Now my review:

My family and I really loved the Despicable Me movies. Underneath the craziness they were about family and love. They gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. But Minions was a disappointment. There were way too many innuendos. The plot was flat. The Minions couldn’t fill Gru’s shoes as main characters. They are hilarious for shorts, but in my opinion they can’t carry a whole movie. The best part of the movie for me, was the end…when Gru showed up. In conclusion, although there are spots of funny, the smut and lack of a decent plot and strong characters, ruined it for me. This felt way more adult than childlike.

God bless and remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

You can find more ideas here:

 

Annabelle’s Birthday and Doggy Daycare July 30, 2015

Hello dear ones! Our French bulldog, Annabelle Antoinette, turned two this July. She’s also started going to doggy daycare every now and then. I can’t give her the full attention she needs, since the baby was born. Plus she loves socializing with other doggies. Here are some pictures from Annabelle’s experiences. Enjoy!

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I bought Annabelle’s dress, stuffed turtle, and doggy cake at Petsmart.

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I got the pink decorations at the Dollar Tree. I bought cupcakes for us humans.

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We played “doggy” music found at this link:

http://www.whenpoochcomestoshove.com/dog-party-ideas-puppy-pawty-music/

Then we told dog jokes:

http://www.ducksters.com/jokesforkids/dogs.php

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The cat was not invited, but Tessa, our other dog, did get some cake.

Annabelle’s dress which she wore to daycare that day.

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Annabelle hanging with her buddies at daycare.
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For more posts about Annabelle, go to the category called Annabelle on the right side of my
blog.

God bless & remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

 

God’s Grace Empowers Us

Dear ones, today I want to talk to you about legalism and grace. What do these terms mean? What does scripture say about it? I ask the Lord to take away our misconceptions and to shine His light on the Truth. May he type through me.

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Titus 3:4-7 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“4 But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared,

He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.

[And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope.”

I want to talk to you as a fellow student. I have worn the many masks of legalism. It invades all areas of life and sucks away the joy until you feel dead inside. Let me clear up a misconception before we begin.

Grace does not mean sinning all you want with no consequences. And having standards does not mean you are a legalist. By all means, follow the speed limit, don’t murder, don’t steal. The difference between legalism and grace is found in the heart…not necessarily outward actions.

Grace- unmerited favor and mercy.

Romans 3:23-24Amplified Bible (AMP)

“23 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory [a]which God bestows and receives.

24 [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,” 

For more info on justification and the meaning of other important Biblical terms check out this post:

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2013/03/28/inspirational-wednesday-part-two-the-power-of-the-cross/

Legalism is:

1. Emphasis on the letter rather than on the spirit of the law;

2. Belief in salvation by obedience to the law rather than by the grace of God or by faith;

3. Undue stress on legal details without balancing considerations of justice and mercy.

Legalism only demands that the law be satisfied.”

~Grace that Breaks the Chains pg 27  (originally taken from The Dictionary of Religious Terms)

  •           Legalism exalts man as god. The gospel of legalism says “I can earn my salvation.” “I can keep my salvation.” “I can please God on my own.” “I am good.” “I am righteous.”
  •                The gospel of Grace says “Jesus is my salvation.” “Jesus keeps me.” “Jesus is my goodness.” “Jesus is my righteousness.” “Without Jesus I can do nothing, but with Jesus I can do all things.”
  •          Grace empowers us to live right, through relationship with Christ.
  • Legalism chains us to the impossible task of being good in our own strength. It inflates our pride when we do well. It brings us into the pit of depression when we fail.

Grace or legalism? Which is in your heart? Look at the root. Are you trying to earn God’s favor by your good works, or are your good works the result of your love relationship with God?

True Christians know that we are saved by grace, but even Christians can be legalistic. We know that grace through Jesus’ blood initially saves us, but then we think to live the Christian life we must try hard and do good works. Jesus saved us but we don’t expect Him to sanctify us. We look to our own strength. We think our good works will KEEP God’s favor. Dear ones, that is backwards. It is God’s grace that enables us to live right. It is the blood of Jesus that sanctifies us continually. We can not do it on our own.

Ephesians 2:8-9Amplified Bible (AMP)

“8 For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved ([a]delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;

Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]”

“Man was never designed nor expected to keep God’s commands on his own, nor was strict adherence to law ever God’s way of making man righteous. It has always been by faith. Seeking to achieve right standing with God by religious performance would be like expecting a mirror to wash the dirt off your face. The purpose of the mirror is not to clean you, but to reveal the dirt. In the same way, ‘through the Law comes the knowledge of sin’ (Romans 3:20), not the power to remove it.

~Grace that Breaks the Chains pg 28

So often we miss the purpose of the law, because we miss the Person who made the law (meaning the commands given in scripture). The Law, the feasts, the Sabbath…everything was made to point to God, to Jesus. Even in the New Testament…Jesus’ teachings, the parables, communion, baptism, putting on the armor of God…all made to point us to Jesus. The law shows us that we are helpless without God. We are missing something. We are in desperate need of God. If we try to follow the letter of the law so we can be good people or even to earn God’s favor, then we have missed the point.

James 2:10Amplified Bible (AMP)

“10 For whosoever keeps the Law [as a] whole but stumbles and offends in one [single instance] has become guilty of [breaking] all of it.”

The Bible makes it clear that we as humans are unable to completely keep the law. We will fail. So why did God give us commands if we can’t keep them? Friends, God is good. He loves us. He wants us to see that He is what we are missing. Humans need God’s help to live. We need relationship with God. We can not be righteous, but Jesus can be righteous for us. Jesus sacrificed Himself so His blood will cover our sin. Truly without God we are naked and in the dark, with no way of turning on the light and clothing ourselves. Only God can turn on the light and clothe us. God gave the law so we would turn to Him for help. So we would realize we are not god. We were never mean’t to live independently from God. We were never mean’t to do everything in our own strength.

Galatians 3:24-26 KJV

“24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:3 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“3 Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh?”

Acts 13:38-39 KJV

“38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

Romans 3:19-20 Amplified Version

“19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the murmurs and excuses of] every mouth may be hushed and all the world may be held accountable to God.

20 For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [[a]not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character].”

Romans 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)

“19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

 

Legalism is a deceptive tool of the enemy. Legalism appears to be holy, but it is rotten to the core. Do you seem good on the outside but inside you are dying? Is your church a hateful place with no life in it? Are you losing members to the world? You might be legalistic. You see Legalism may seem to work for a bit. When you parent a child with an iron fist and no grace, they may be compliant for awhile, but inside legalism will spawn rebellion, bitterness, and defeat. Legalism simply does not work.

I get it. Some of us are scared of grace because we’ve seen the term misused. The world and carnal Christians have used “grace” as a way to excuse all manner of sin. Maybe you’ve been hurt by someone who said “Hey, don’t judge me.” The subject of grace has been horribly abused and so many misunderstand the meaning because of that. Dear ones, please don’t miss out on the power and goodness of Jesus’ grace. When someone truly accepts God’s grace they will live a beautiful empowered life through it. Abiding with Jesus by His grace enables us to live righteously. We will want to obey his commands because we love Him. Perfection won’t happen until Heaven, but our desires will be to follow Jesus.

Romans 6:13-15King James Version (KJV)

“13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Romans 7:5-7King James Version (KJV)

“5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

What separates legalism from grace is our position. Where do we operate from? Do we operate in the Spirit or in the flesh? Are we in Christ or not?

Romans 8:2-4King James Version (KJV)

“2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

The Spirit is not some mystical force or a drug that gets you high. The Spirit is a PERSON. The Spirit is God. We walk in the Spirit by spending time with Jesus. So we see that Grace and living in the Spirit all comes back to relationship. The law means nothing without relationship. Its job is to point us to relationship with Christ.

Galatians 5:17-18 KJV

“17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”

Hebrews 7:19 KJV

“19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”

Hebrews 10:1 Amplified

“For since the Law has merely a rude outline (foreshadowing) of the good things to come—instead of fully expressing those things—it can never by offering the same sacrifices continually year after year make perfect those who approach [its altars].”

What is a better hope? What are the good things to come? Jesus answers them both. He fulfills the law. I enjoy the Biblical feasts (like Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles), but I know that celebrating them will not help me earn God’s favor. The purpose of the feasts are to point us to Jesus. I enjoy the celebrations when I use them as a way to think of Christ and fellowship with Him. There was a time in my life that I saw the feasts in a legalistic way. It’s funny because I completely lost my joy during that time and began to dislike the feasts. They became burdensome to me.  Have you ever done this with God’s commands or spiritual disciplines?

Let’s get in the New Testament shall we. Maybe your devotion time or how often you pray has become a burden because you believe these things will make God like you more? Maybe you feel that when you sin or skip church etc… that God all of a sudden dislikes you? Dear one, I’ve been there. Legalism can come into any denomination and it can invade any area of your life. I have seen legalism take over my parenting. I have seen it take over my self esteem…whether as puffed up pride or insecurity (which is just pride in another form). Legalism takes our eyes off of Christ and puts it on ourselves.

Basically this is what Satan did when he tried to overthrow God. He kept saying “I will” “I will”. Satan put his focus on himself and his power. He said in his heart that he did not need God. Then he fell and came to Earth where he convinced humanity that we do not need God. But it’s a lie. We were made by and for God. We are diseased without Him. We are cursed without God. The only cure IS God. Jesus Christ came to be your cure. He is God the Son, a part of the God-head (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 3 in one, the Trinity). Dear Christian, you were not saved so you could do it all yourself.

We must give every bit of our lives to Christ. We must have relationship with Jesus and operate out of that relationship. We must walk in the Spirit. It’s simple. Be with Jesus. Spend time with Him. Talk to Him. Get to know Him. I pray we won’t miss this simple yet profound truth. I’m there with you. Please pray for me as I pray for you. God wants to be known. He loves us.

God bless and remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

 

This is only part 1. Go to the website for all parts.

http://lifetoday.org/video/encased-in-grace-part-1/

 

Inspirational Wednesday: What Does God Look Like? July 24, 2015

Filed under: Uncategorized — amberdover @ 3:38 pm

I was looking through old posts and found this one. The videos are really good. Enjoy! God bless and remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

amberdover

Note: don’t miss the awesome Youtube vids at the end 🙂

Hello dear ones 🙂 I hope you’re having a very inspirational day. You know back in the day a silly song came out where Eminem sang “Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?” Now a days it’s like will the real God or the real Jesus please stand up. There are alot of religions out there saying they have the truth and alot of people have claimed to follow Jesus. But if their “Jesus” doesn’t fit the Historically accurate and Biblical Jesus…then he’s just another false Christ….an impersonator…a fraud.

Jesus Christ is real and He is God. God became flesh and lived among us. He walked on water, He healed the blind, and He died & resurrected to save the world. We don’t know exactly what He looks like. We have a few ideas of how He…

View original post 223 more words

 

The Danger of Idolizing Celebrity Preachers

“Not many [of you] should become teachers ([a]self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation].”

James 3:1 Amp Version

“God still speaks through rocks and donkeys.” ~Paul Washer (Amen bro!)

I like to watch preaching but I’ve learned the hard way not to idolize preachers…just as I learned not to idolize “experts” in any field. Humans make mistakes. I may go to a doctor to consult about my health but that doesn’t mean that I should trust a doctor blindly. Preachers and pastors have a great calling to guide God’s people, but they are still human, and every follower of Christ has the same Holy Spirit. We all have access to God’s Word. And ultimately when we stand before God in Heaven we will take account for ourselves. “But the preacher said this…” won’t cut it. Do you know Jesus personally? That’s what matters. You won’t get to Heaven riding on someone’s coat tails.

I say this as a fellow student and a fellow traveler in life. We should test the spirits. We should search the scriptures for ourselves.

Paul speaks of the Bereans

“11 Now these [Jews] were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message [[a]concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] with inclination of mind and eagerness, searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Acts 17:11 AMP

Now to bring balance, sometimes we won’t like a sermon because it doesn’t tickle our ears and our flesh hates it. We feel conviction and maybe we are fighting it. How do we know the difference? Well, what are we using as our standard? God’s Word in context? or our emotions and experiences? In the end it does not matter what we have experienced, what we feel, or what our culture says….all that matters is what God says. God’s truth will often bring conviction. It will bring the fruit of the Spirit. But if a sermon brings condemnation, pride, fear, or other ungodly attitudes then it is not of the Spirit.

Sometimes preachers give messages in the flesh. Again, they are human. I saw this in my Dad. He was a former drug dealer that turned preacher. I could tell when my Dad was preaching from pride and his flesh. I could also tell when my Dad was humble and it was God’s Spirit speaking through Him. I struggled to listen to his sermons done in pride. But when he spoke with humility, my heart opened.

Things to question when you hear a message

  • Does the Bible (in context) support this?
  • Does the speaker display Christ-like behavior?
  • Does it edify the body of Christ?
  • Does it make sense?

I pray that you will be strong in these last days. These are deceptive times. I try to teach Michael to read the Bible himself and not idolize me or his dad. I tell him that we are human and we will fail him at times, but Jesus is the perfect friend. The Heavenly Father is the perfect parent. God’s Word is perfect guidance (read in context). I hope to share helpful info on how to read the Bible, soon. I’m working on it.

I pray that you, dear one, won’t idolize me or any other blogger. We may look put together on the outside but I assure you that every one of us are just as human as you. We struggle with sin just as much. We are desperately hanging on to Jesus to help us through this mess of a world. The thought of someone putting me on a pedestal scares me. I don’t want that.

Anywho, so when you meet teachers, preachers, pastors, and any leaders in the church…remember they are human. They need friends. They need accountability. They need guidance. They need love. They bleed. They cry. They need prayer. Even the ones that are really off theologically. Even the corrupt ones. God’s grace is available to all. Any one can be changed by God if they repent. Don’t idolize them. Please pray for them. They’ve taken on a scary task.

God bless & remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

 

Writing Spaces July 23, 2015

Hello dear ones! Believe it or not, I am still writing my trilogy The Truth Seeker’s Chronicles. I’m on the second book and hope to release all three at the same time. I’ve made it a priority to leave the house once a week and go write. Some of this time is taken up writing my blog as well. I found several nifty places to write. I’m excited to have found these, because it’s easy to be creative in the right atmosphere. Here are some spots in downtown Columbus, Ga.

Iron Bank Coffee~ Iron Bank is my favorite place to write. The classy coffee/snack shop is located inside an actual old bank. They have a large room upstairs that can be reserved. The two vaults on the main floor are decorated rustic chic and one has a couch to sit on. The prices are reasonable and the service wonderful. I also like to sit by the window and look out at the street. They also have live bands and special events like Trivia night.

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Looking at the rain while sitting by the door

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Upstairs ~ I can just imagine rich bankers standing around discussing business up here long long ago.

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The Vaults

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Freeze Frame Yogurt Shop~ I’m not as acquainted with Freeze Frame but I like it so far. It stays open later than Iron Bank. You can customize your yogurt and you pay by the ounce. It’s similar to Sweet Frog but it has the rustic feel of downtown.  They have local artwork on the brick walls. I found this very unique gummy frog to put on my yogurt. I didn’t eat it though. It was too cute. I was pleased with the service as well.

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Picasso Pizza~  I like to eat outside of this pizzeria and hear different musicians play an acoustic set. One day I listened to these elderly chaps play the blues. Sometimes our contemporary music minister plays here. The pizza is delicious, and one slice is enough to fill me up. The only problem with writing outside during the Summer is the bugs. I think I’ll like it more in the fall.

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There’s still so much of downtown to explore. I hope to share more with you soon. God bless and remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

 

Life with Baby: Hacks

Hello dear ones! Welcome to another Life with Baby post. So I’ve tried out several hacks or tricks if you will when it comes to baby care. Some of these ideas I found on Pinterest; others I thought of myself but later found on Pinterest. There’s nothing new under the sun, right? I hope these help you!

Pool noodles~ These things are great for loads of stuff. Who knew they could help with baby too! I actually thought of this and then found it online as well. I used pool noodles to keep Leeland from scooting off the bed when I changed him. Now that he’s older and starting to flip over, I just change him in his crib (which is super easy now that it’s a co-sleeper. See below). Why take up space and buy an expensive changing table?
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Wipes container ~ You can reuse a wipes container to store all the small baby items like pacifiers, grooming tools, and medicine.
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Diaper station~ I found this cart at Walmart back near the laundry department. It’s small and it rolls. I put diapers and burp cloths in the drawers. I have my homemade wipes on top. I keep the solution in a wipes warmer and I keep the cloths in a mesh bag. I have my wet bag for cloth diapers hanging nearby. I just changed the room around so it looks a little different than this picture. Still it’s similar. I keep a small trashcan nearby for disposable diapers (yes, we still use those at times…especially the weekends).

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Finding space for baby’s clothes~ I use these rolling plastic tubs and just roll them under the crib. I have two. One for current clothes and another for diapers and clothes Leeland will be able to wear months later.

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Mesh bag for bibs, cloth baby wipes, and blankets. The pack of bags comes in three sizes. I have these bibs hanging on a chair in the kitchen. That works well for us since we have no more drawer space in there.

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A plastic tub in the bathroom for the baby’s towels and rags. 
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Turning our crib into a co-sleeper~ I’ll do a whole ‘nuther post on sleep at another time (Lord willing). But for now here is the link we used to do this. I found it and my husband did most of the work. Sleep is so much easier this way and it’s safe. You can kind of see another rolling cart behind the crib. I keep baby bedding in that one. I can actually walk behind the crib now. You can see that we keep Leeland’s stuffed animals hanging above. I can just turn on his little turtle light above him and it fills the ceiling with stars. I don’t worry about him smothering.

http://www.drmomma.org/2010/01/turn-your-crib-into-cosleeper.html
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One last hack and it is soooo helpful. Plastic linky rings. These things are awesome! I can hook the rings to anything…Leeland’s stroller, car seat, crib, play mat, or his bouncy seat. I can then hook toys to the rings. I like to hook foam letters for Leeland to chew on. You can see them in the picture above, attached to the crib.

Well God bless and remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

Pinterest ideas:   https://www.pinterest.com/doverette/all-baby/

Other Life with Baby posts:

Cloth Diapers
https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/life-with-baby-cloth-diapers/

Breastfeeding and Baby Wearing

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/life-with-baby-breastfeeding-baby-wearing/

Monthly Pictures

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/life-with-baby-cuteness-overload/

Baby School

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/life-with-baby-baby-school/

Sleep

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/life-with-baby-sleep-and-a-birth-shadow-box/

 

Fourth of July Crafts and Our Second Family Olympics 2015 July 17, 2015

Hello dear ones, I hope you are well. Two years ago we had our first Family Olympics. You can find the link here: https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2013/07/07/my-family-rocks-sunday-2013-family-olympics/

This year we spent Independence Day having our second Family Olympics. I also have July 4th crafts to share with you. Here we go :).

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We made 4th of July T-shirts.

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Michael and Chris tie dyed a red, white, and blue shirt.

 

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I used Leeland’s hand print and craft sticks to make this  U.S. flag onesie.

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Michael did a lapbook on the U.S. flag. Link here:

 

http://www.currclick.com/product/72074/United-States-Flag–Speedy-Lapbook

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Then Michael made me a red, white, and blue necklace out of beads.

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We also did a state lapbook. Link here: http://www.currclick.com/product/76669/United-States-Alabama–Speedy-Lapbook

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Then my mom came over for…
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Family Olympics

 

I really love this event and I can’t wait until the next one. We should really have winter Olympics as well. We began by making our personal flags to represent us in the games. IMG_2394

We used index cards to keep score. Here are the events:

    • Archery

Michael

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My Step Dad Kim

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Mom

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Chris

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Me

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Leeland

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    • Foam Sword fighting

Me and Mom~ This was fun, but a word to the wise…make sure you zip up the trampoline if you use it. When Michael and I were sword fighting he actually fell through the unzipped part of the trampoline screen. Thankfully he didn’t hit his head too hard. It was scary though.

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    • Airplane Toss

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    • Egg Race

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    • Sac Race

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Then just for fun:

    • Parachute games

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    • Michael’s 4th grade piano recital. He played The Star Spangled Banner and Amazing Grace.

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All of us won at least one medal, but Kim won the trophy.

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God bless & remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

More ideas:

 

 

Father’s Day Crafts & Our Trip to Jesup 2015

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Hello dear ones! This past Father’s Day we visited our hometown and everyone got to meet the new baby. Leeland and Michael also made homemade crafts for Chris. It was a special Father’s Day. Here’s what we did:

I printed out a Father’s Day poem from here:

Then I put the boys’ foot prints on it. I also printed out a Darth Vader poster.
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I helped the boys make Father’s Day books. IMG_2562

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I stapled Daddy surveys to the back of the books. Here’s the link:

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So we visited our hometown and saw our families. We saw Chris’ dad…

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and we visited where my Dad is buried.

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We visited my Granny.

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My family didn’t want to let Leeland go.

Granny

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My Uncle
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My Aunt
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My other grandparents

I loved playing with this Chess set as a kid.

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Chris’ mom playing with Leeland

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Chris’ older brother and Michael trying out his 3D plastic making pen.

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Well, God bless & remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

 

Life with Baby: Baby School July 16, 2015

Hello dear ones! I’ve got another Life with Baby post for you. Don’t worry. I’m not trying to teach Leeland how to read already ;). Basically, there are different games you can do with babies to help their development and just to have fun. I get weekly updates from Baby Center: http://www.babycenter.com/baby . Anywho, they suggest games that go along with the baby’s development. They’re simple games like peek a boo and bicycling baby’s legs.

I set toys out. Leeland started grabbing things several weeks ago. So I offer him rattles and I attach chew-able items on connectable rings. I read baby books to him and I sing songs. I clap his hands together and play Patty Cake. I sing songs like Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, and He’s got the Whole World in His Hands.

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I put Leeland on his Boppy or a play mat for tummy time. He’s at the age where I can roll him back and forth to encourage rolling over. Anywho, this is normal baby play but I call it baby school because I have to remind myself to do these things. It’s been so long since I’ve had a little one. I wouldn’t have naturally thought to do some of these games. Here’s a good example: talking through a toilet paper tube in funny voices. I would’ve never thought of that on my own.

Oh, and we can’t forget nap time. That’s the best part of the day!
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Here are some more pics of “Baby School”:
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Don’t forget field trips!

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Big Bubba likes to read to the baby.

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Leeland likes talking to the baby in the mirror.

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How do you play with your infant? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comment section :). God bless and remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

More Life with Baby posts:

Cloth Diapers
https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/life-with-baby-cloth-diapers/

Breastfeeding and Baby Wearing

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/life-with-baby-breastfeeding-baby-wearing/

Monthly Pictures

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/life-with-baby-cuteness-overload/

Hacks

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/23/life-with-baby-hacks/

Sleep

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/life-with-baby-sleep-and-a-birth-shadow-box/