After all of your sweet comments and suggestions on Monday’s post, I’ve felt really inspired to do a few things that will hopefully make my time in Uganda a little easier on the four year-old here at home. Alex and I have had some great bedtime talks the last couple of nights, and aside from the fact that he says he wants to go to Africa with me and find all the bad guys and fight them and put them in trash cans, his little heart really is becoming increasingly tender for the people on that side of the globe.
And truth be told, I’d sort of like to put all the bad guys of the world in trash cans myself.
Anyway, I’ve had big fun putting some of your ideas into practice. Bailey’s Leaf suggested that I take a Flat Stanley with me on my trip so that we could make a scrapbook (HA! HA HA!) with all the pictures when I get home. I LOVE the idea (aside from the whole making-a-scrapbook part, because OH, THE TWITCHING), so we have the beginnings of a Flat Stanley in the works.
Only I’m calling him Flat Howard. Naturally. And we’ll be coloring him later this afternoon.
Elizabeth also had a fun idea. She suggested that I make a paper chain to help the little man count down the days until I get home, and I thought that oh-so-cool since time can be such a nebulous concept for a preschooler.
And y’all? To do this little craft?
I ACTUALLY USED YARN.
Somewhere in Colorado, Barb is clapping her hands.
I found a template online for a Valentine’s paper chain (oh, I realize that I could’ve drawn the hearts myself, but that could have possibly resulted in some sort of pencil-related injury), and after about two hours, I managed to cut out eight little hearts.
The things you do for your kids.
I also thought it would be neat if each heart had a Scripture reference on it so that when my hubby helps Alex take a heart off the chain every morning, they can read that verse together and say a little prayer.
Now, of course, I want to cry.
Excuse me while I compose myself.
All better now.
Alex asked me to put the chain in the living room, and I hung it over a painting because, well, that’s where the nail was. Here’s what the finished product looks like.
Two crafts! Voluntarily! In one day!
THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED.
And clearly I am all done crafting until at least 2009.
Because between traveling overseas and MAKING THINGS WITH SCISSORS, quite frankly I don’t think I can handle much more.
January 30th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
You must make him a flat Alex (if that is your little boy’s name)! My nieces have done flat versions of themselves that they send off to relatives (just like flat stanley, you see). I like the paper chain idea.
January 30th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I love the heart chain idea. It turned out really cute. I reminds me when my hubs made me a message in a bottle when we got engaged. He put sweet messages and verses and I got to pull one out every morning until we got married.
January 30th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Now, I am crying! And, this is the sweetest most wonderful thing you could have done with him and for him. I just wish I could come and hang out with him one day while your gone and do all his favorite things. You have such a sweet heart and just full of beautiful love for that son.
Ok, now i’m composed. And, the thought of this much craftiness in one day makes me a little sick. :)
Love you Boomama!
January 30th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
That heart chain is precious! He is so lucky to have such a sweet, thoughtful momma!
January 30th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
What a good mama you are! The time will fly by and you’ll have awesome stories to share with him when you get back! God’s grace will be more than sufficient for you and your men while you’re apart! :-)
January 30th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I hope the siscors were those “safety ones”
January 30th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Flat Stanley (Howard)! I love that guy. What strange concepts came out of the 70s, eh?
When Husband and I were at the San Diego Zoo last spring, an old gentleman was struggling while trying to take a photo of his Flat Stanley with camels in the background. I offered to hold FS for him, and he was overjoyed (literally–he was quite the character). So in some old guy’s photos, there’s my hand with a FS.
Husband was royally freaked out by this, having never heard of a FS. He thought the old guy was nuts. I explained how sweet it was, and that he was probably doing it for his grandkids or his sickly wife at home or something, but Husband still found it odd. Ah well. I’m glad you appreciate a FS!
And the heart chain is adorable, by the way.
January 30th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Yea, I don’t do crafts. Period. Yay you!
January 30th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Those are both really sweet crafts! And you say you’re not crafty!!!
January 30th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
What great ideas. You are such a good Mama. I am praying for you as you prepare for your journey. I’m praying especially for peace for your family while you are apart.
Also, it warms my heart to know that there is at least one other mom out there for whom the scrapbooking induces twitching. I just can’t do it, and sometimes I have these flashes of my kids saying to a therapist someday, “All the other kids had scrapbooks, but not me. My mom just wasn’t crafty enough. All she could do was blog.” I just pray they’ll understand.
January 30th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Flat Howard. Perfect. Too bad he doesn’t have on his swimming trunks!
I hope you have a great time and your family realizes how much they miss you and can’t get along with you, only with everything done so you don’t have to wade through the undones and spend days catching up.
January 30th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
2 crafts in one day – there will be no stopping you now!
January 30th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Cute! We’ve loved our Flat Stanley advertures here!
January 30th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I’m with you on the scrapbook making. Makes my head hurt. LOVE the flat Howard and heart chain. Praying you will have overwhelming peace as you get ready to leave for your trip.
January 30th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
That looks fabulous!
Why don’t you stretch your crafting muscles a bit more and make Alex/Howard a Flat Boomama? Get him a disposable camera to go with it. That way he can document what HE is doing while you’re away.
No pressure.
January 30th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
If you don’t like traditional scrapbooking, you might like digital scrapbooking. You just download your pictures into page templates and type in any text you would like. Then the company makes a beautiful bound book and mails it to you. I made one from Creative Memories for Jack for Christmas. It was fun and easy, and Jack loved it! You could make an Africa book to remember your awesome experiences.
January 30th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
You done good. Of course, I realize that you’re really doing all this for D. It wouldn’t do for A to have to hold his sobbing father for all that time.
You’re a true giver.
January 30th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I’m tempted to make one of those paper chains myself–for Troy, of COURSE. The only problem is that scissors are not my friend either and I would take the entire year to cut out the 400-ish hearts. My hand would get mighty tired, I’m afraid.
January 30th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I love Kelli’s comment. That is so true anytime we leave the hubby . . . far more trauma for him than for the kids.
You are a precious, sweet mama, and I think your crafting outside of your comfort zone in honor of Alex is outstanding!
Take that much-needed break and go to Family Fun.com in ‘09 when you’ve recovered!
January 30th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I love it being Flat Howard! That kid will never live that down, will he?!
Glad that you are working on projects to make you both feel better about the upcoming trip.
:)
January 30th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Oh my. That’s a lot of hearts.
January 30th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I saw that comment that suggested the paper chain idea, and I thought it was genious! I’m so glad you used that one!!! And I love your “take” on it! I’m highly impressed!
January 30th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Those are awesome ideas! I bet they will help the little man out too!
January 30th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I’m just thankful that you didn’t try running with scissors.
The thangs you do for your kids.
Well done, Sis.
January 30th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Wonderful craft work – Howard will be so comforted! I love the flat thingie – although the concept of scrapbooking is WAY beyond me. I do think a nice daily blog entry of Flat Howard checking trash cans for bad guys (that young man has a future in international relations – or a Rambo sequel!) Flat Howard wiping Sophie tears, Flat Howard posed with a beautiful little boy just his age! You know – you have a zillion creative ideas – even ones that don’t involved cream cheese OR fried things!
Bless you girl – the Lord is using your family in a mighty work here.
January 30th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Boomama:
The paper person thing reminds me of a paper bear that Baylor people take around the world and take pics of in cool places. Other Baylor people that is.
And by the way, thanks alot for State stealing one of our top football recruits. We need help at defensive end, and were counting on that guy starting as a frosh.
January 30th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
One more idea that I have heard Navy wives will do for their kids. Count out enough Hershey’s kisses for each day you are gone. Each day he can get a “kiss” from you.
January 30th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I love the paper chain! What a clever idea!
January 30th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
When Youngest Child was in kindergarten, her class made Flat Stanleys and they were to give them to people who were traveling so they could “map” wher Stanley had been. Well, you know her over-achieving mother…and it was fall…and I am the ultimate Nascar fanatic…yes, you guessed it…Flat Stanley went to the Atlanta Motor Speedway with me, complete with garage passes and all…The look on some of the drivers’ faces as they posed with Stanley was priceless! But they were sports and they did it willingly…as will the people on your trip. Think of the conversations you can have upon your return!
January 30th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
This is too sweet for words. I will be praying right along with Howard for a safe a rewarding trip for you.
Blessings!
January 30th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
What a wonderful way to help your little one get ready to welcome Mommy home!! Praying for you in Uganda. May God’s hand be directly guiding you and your group; may Satan’s attempts to disrupt be totally blocked!!
January 30th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
I remember Flat Stanley when my son was in 3rd grade. We sent him to Vegas to visit family…lol.
I love the heard chain, and it matches nicely with the painting!
January 30th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Ooops…I meant heart chain.
January 30th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
You go girl!!!
January 30th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
what awesome ideas!! not only will it help your little man, but I believe it will ease your mind a tad too! both ideas are awesome! i really like the idea of the paper chain because your right, lil ones have no concept of time!
January 30th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
dude, i’m a mess over here in texas. i so wish i could bring big h and the goo over and marvel at your craftiness. i love the hearts and yarn. i love the scripture. i love the flat howard. and i love the fact that it’s 830 on wednesday night, and i’m just so moved by your post tonight.
like i said, i’m a mess.
and who are all these crafty people? do they think of this stuff in their sleep?
January 30th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
you are my craft hero.
January 30th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
You with your scissors and me with my sewing machine – surely these are also signs of the second coming soon approaching.
January 30th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
How perfect. What a sweet improvement over the paper chain.
I’m very proud of you. ;-)
January 30th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Good job, SuperMom!!
You probably had 40bajillion people share this idea with you, but JUST IN CASE… I’ve wrapped up little gifts for my girls when I’ve left them; one little gift (or note) a day- a lollipop, stickers, new movie, gum, etc. That’s back when I was SuperMom. Two crafts in one day, though? You’ve far surpassed me.
January 30th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Adorable! You are a good mama, Sophie! The cost of your obedience to go will result in blessings that you can only now dream about…..but which are totally REAL, nonetheless!! The best is yet to come, for you, D. and Howard! Thank you for sharing the ride with us!! Kelly
January 30th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
What wonderful ideas. So sweet.
January 30th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
very cool and i think flat howard is an awesome idea. you don’t have to go super crafty scrapbooky with it, but just having the photos in an album would be fun.
January 30th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Flat Howard? Love it. You’re awesome.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:02 am
Very cute! You get a pass until 2009. We’ll be hanging on to know what is next.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:31 am
Flat Howard… love it! My name is Emilie by the way ha ha – but some man at church has called me Leslie for the past 15 years so I guess that is a payback to the Emily’s out there – some how – in a round about way…
January 31st, 2008 at 12:41 am
Overheard, at my house:
Me: Aww..that’s so sweet. What a great way to help Alex not miss mommy so much!
Hubby: Flat Stanley? I’ve never heard of that. That’s just weird.
Sigh…men…:o)
I think it’s precious. I’m pretty sure my ovaries did a little ballet just reading that!
January 31st, 2008 at 5:48 am
Oh my word, whatever is the world coming to? At the risk of sending you into craft-coma, you should make a “flat sadie” to stay here with Alex so that he can take pictures with it and show you what he did while you were gone. And you could make a paper heart chain for you too. That way you’d both be doing the same thing, praying the same scriptures, etc.
January 31st, 2008 at 6:11 am
Well, now…color me impressed.
WAIT! DON’T! That would be yet ANOTHER craft, and we can’t have that, can we?
:)
Precious ideas…and everything…EVERYTHING…IS gonna be alright :). But you already know that ;).
January 31st, 2008 at 6:46 am
The great ideas melt my mommy heart :-)