"How Firm a Foundation" Marika Lee's Hymn & Scripture Study Sundays

This week’s song is a pioneer song entitled, "How Firm a Foundation". Click here for music.

Scriptures for this song:
Isaiah 43:2-5
Isaiah 41:10
Helaman 5:12

Various facts:
Text attributed to Robert Keen (ca. 1787)
Music attributed to J. Ellis (ca. 1889)

The story behind the song:
Dr. John Rippon, a Baptist minister, brought this hymn to America with a collection of hymns in his hymnal. The earliest copies of this hymn show the composer to have been K______. It is thought that Robert Keen is the most likely candidate to have written this work.

The popularity of this hymn spread across many religions, and has withstood the test of time. It teaches timeless Christian principles.

The hymn was sung at the funerals of several different U.S. Presidents, including Andrew Jackson and Theodore Roosevelt. It was also a favorite of General Robert E. Lee.

One time this hymn was sung by a group of American soldiers on Christmas day in Cuba during the Spanish-American war. More and more soldiers joined in until thousands, even the whole army corps, along the ridge were singing. All were of varying religions, but united in this.

This song was sung early on to the same tune as "O Come All Ye Faithful." Today, it isn't sung to that tune, but to two separate tunes, depending upon what church you may be attending.
I am doing a little research online to find these things out. I also have a book entitled "Our Latter-day Hymns The Stories and the Messages" by Karen Lynn Davidson from which I am finding information on these songs. If you want more info, the aforementioned book and the Internet search engines can get you much more than the little bit I shared.

Oatmeal Add-Ins with Chef Maki

Personally, I like oatmeal, but it is fun to dress it up to make it tastier and offer more variety in the same dish. To prepare a more jazzed up version of basic oatmeal for your family, you can prepare the oats by boiling them in water first, or you can put the add-ins along with the oats as they are cooking.

1. Raisins and other dried fruit are great to put into the boiling water. This plumps them up and makes them full of juicy flavor.

2. Apples are delicious when chopped and either cooked or added directly to the serving bowl.

3. Chopped nuts provide protein to help ensure a filling meal. Try pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, sesame seeds, etc.

4. Coconut offers a surprising, yet yummy twist.

5. Trying out different sweeteners can make for a whole different flavor. Honey, brown sugar, stevia, molasses, maple syrup and jam are all fun ones to try.

6. Wheat germ or flax seed meal are wonderful ways to sneak in a few extra nutrients.

7. Topping the oatmeal with fresh fruit and berries not only adds nutrition, but wonderful eye appeal as well. Adding frozen blueberries or raspberries is my children's favorite way to cool their oatmeal down.

8. Try your oatmeal without milk, or with different kinds of milk. Rice milk, soy milk and almond milk are a few viable options that offer slightly different yet tasty and enjoyable flavors.

Get creative. See what else is hiding out in your pantry or fridge that you never thought to try before. You never know, you might hit upon something fantastic! Let me know what you do with your oatmeal!

"The Star-Spangled Banner" Marika Lee's Hymn & Scripture Study Sundays

A patriotic theme is in order today! This week’s song is “The Star-Spangled Banner”. Click here for music.




Scriptures for this song: "Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation!"
1 Nephi 13:17-19

Alma 46:12-15


Various facts:
Text by Francis Scott Key (1779-1843)
Music by John Stafford Smith (1750-1836)

The story behind the song:
I love this story! I have read it in many different forms over the year, so I shall share my condensed version here.

This story begins in the home that Francis Scott Key grew up in. He was taught the importance of patriotism at an early age by his mother and grandmother. At the age of 12 he had the opportunity to hear George Washington speak and was deeply impressed. He remained an active patriot into his adult life. He wrote poems and spoke with others about his passion for America.

During the war, he noticed that he had not heard from his friend Dr. Beanes for quite some time. Key was concerned that he had been captured by the British. He inquired about and found that he was being kept on board a British ship. He felt compelled to see what he could do to gain his friend's release.

Before going to the ship, he procured information from English soldiers who had been treated kindly and fairly by Dr. Beanes. Then, raising a white flag, Key was able to speak with the captain of the British ship. The captain could see Key was sincere and speaking the truth and planned to release Dr. Beanes. However, since Key & Beanes "knew too much", they would not be allowed to leave until after the attack on Fort McHenry.

Mary Pickersgill had been commissioned to sew an enormous flag that would be able to be seen by all, both the English & the Americans alike. Francis Scott Key could see the flag flying from where he was upon the water. As darkness closed in, he agonized as he waited and watched throughout the night. Occasionally the bursting bombs illuminated the flag, but through the dark of the night, it was difficult to see the progress of the battle. If the flag still stood in the morning, that would mean that the British were unsuccessful in their attempt to capture Fort McHenry and possibly win the war.

The pre-dawn hours carried much suspense. As the first rays of light started shining through, Key was utterly amazed and thrilled by the sight he saw. The flag was still there! Fort McHenry was still in American hands!

Nearly overwhelmed by his feelings, Key penned his thoughts on the back of an old letter he found in his pocket. The words he wrote truly share the story of what he went through that night. Back on shore later on, he finished up his words. A friend copied his poem and distributed them about. The poem spread like junk email, (well, as much as it could do so without modern technology).

Francis Scott Key's words became a dignified, moving, patriotic anthem. In 1931 it was finally recognized as the official national anthem of the U.S.A. Through this song, Francis Scott Key's name will forever be linked with the words true patriot.

Here are the complete lyrics as written by Key. Traditionally we only sing verses 1, 2, and 4. Read through the lyrics and feel what it must have been like for Francis Scott Key on that night.

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!


I am doing a little research online to find these things out. I also have a book entitled "Our Latter-day Hymns The Stories and the Messages" by Karen Lynn Davidson from which I am finding information on these songs. If you want more info, the aforementioned book and the Internet search engines can get you much more than the little bit I shared.

5 Minutes for Patriotism & Family Fun with Mama Rika

This month's 5 minute series is two-fold. I want to make sure that I am fully appreciative of this great land in which I live and I want to make sure my family knows it too! Also, summer should be a time for family fun. Besides all that, I am feeling stressed and need to make sure to put a few little fun things in my day!

Please feel free to join me in making this month a special one!

So, here you have a dozen ideas on being patriotic this month. All of which can take about 5 minutes.
1. Plan (and then do) something to support our troops. It doesn't take long to send a card. Here's a website that lists a bunch of ideas on how we can support our troops.
2. Write or call a public official on an issue that is of interest to you.
3. Make or buy a patriotic dessert--if it isn't obvious, explain to the family why it is patriotic. (For example, an apple pie could be considered patriotic with an explanation.)
4. Do a patriotic crossword puzzle with your kids. Here's a rather easy one. Here's a constitution one. Here's one on the U.S. Presidents.
5. Write a journal entry starting with "I am proud to be an American because..." Really put some thought into it.
6. Read stories about great Americans. George Washington gets bullet holes in coat. Ben Franklin. Abraham Lincoln's beliefs.
7. Learn the stories behind great American songs. God Bless America (There will be a blog post on The Star Spangled Banner this week.)
8. Decorate your home with your family with simple patriotic crafts. Construction paper stars in red, white & blue. Make Uncle Sam hats for everyone to wear to dinner.
9. Have dinner table discussions on U.S. symbols, freedoms we have that are not found in other countries, famous Patriots, what is going on in the country right now.
10. Locate patriotic scriptures. Try this one. Or this one. Or, look for scriptures that include freedom symbols, like this one. Discuss with family members or a friend.


11. Read about what it meant when our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, fortune & sacred honor.
12. Sing great songs about America. America the Beautiful, My Country 'Tis of Thee, America (round), The Star Spangled Banner, I Believe in America, etc.

And, here you have one dozen things to do with the family that can take just 5 minutes, but will put a smile on your face.
1. Read a story together.
2. Tell silly jokes.
3. Play charades.
4. Color a page in a coloring book together. (Never too old for this!)
5. Put socks on and slip and slide around up and down the hall together.
6. Trifold a paper. One person draw a head, fold and pass to the next person who draws the body and then pass again for the final person to draw the legs. Open it up and you have a silly creature!
7. Sing a couple of songs.
8. Play Boggle (Only takes 3 minutes per game!)
9. Do dot to dots, mazes or a word search.
10. Have a tickle fight.
11. String cheerios for a necklace and give to a little kid.
12. Have a paper airplane throwing contest.

When you have completed your Fun for 5 venture for the day, come back here and leave a comment for a chance to win a prize. To easily get back here, click the picture of the “America map” on the top right sidebar.

FAQ's
Why are you putting this on your blog? I thought of doing each month mostly so that I can make myself do this. By putting it on my blog, I give myself some accountability. Besides that, I thought someone else might want to join me in doing this. :)

What do I do? Aha! Good question! My idea for you is this:
**Decide to join me.

**Do it.
**Report back here and leave a comment (or email me at blog@completelee.com) letting me know “I did it!”
** Repeat the process!
**Yes, you can repeat an idea that you have already done!

What about prizes? If you follow those steps, I will willingly lavish praise upon you as well as enter you in to a drawing to win one of these items: {If you win, you choose the item you want.}

~~My “Storyoni” game (The hilarious imagination game that our family hates to quit playing.)~~My “Out of the Mouths of Babes” book (digital version only)
~~$5.00 worth of digital publications (See what you might want here)

{If you have a prize you would like to donate to the cause, let me know!}

How many times can I be entered in to the drawing? For this series, you can be entered as many times as there are days in the month. My goal is to do one of these things every day. If you really, really, really, really want to win a prize, you can also refer your friends and family members to this contest. If you can get them to leave a comment on my blog stating your name (or blog name) as the person who referred them, you will be entered in again 5 more times!

Why 5 minutes? This is an easy question. I am busy! I don’t have time for more stuff, but 5 minutes out of my day seems do-able.

Any questions? Please ask away!

"How to Raise a Non Picky Eater" by Mama Rika

Getting kids to eat healthily is easiest when you make it a focus from their earliest years. Here are some tips that have worked for me in getting my children to be good eaters. {Truth be told, I may have done too good of a job! They eat just about anything and everything in sight and do so constantly!}


Step 1

I suppose it is perfectly obvious that the first step should be to set a good example of healthy eating yourself!

Step 2

Starting from when your child is introduced to solid foods, make it a habit to feed him or her healthy things. Don't feed babies and toddlers sugar laden, artificially flavored cereals to snack on. Choose toasted O's, puffed rice, puffed corn and similar products as finger foods.

Step 3

As the child grows, encourage him/her to try a variety of foods. In fact, the rule at our house is that everyone must try new foods. Our world has a rich supply of delicious & healthy foods to tempt our palates. Don't limit the things you serve. If you don't like peas, your child might anyway!

Step 4

If a child eats something and claims to not like it, simply say, "Thank you for trying. Your taste buds aren't grown up enough yet. Maybe next time you will like it." This becomes true as a child that continues to try foods over and over, they will discover that they actually do like something that they originally thought they didn't like. We have proven this time and time again at my house.

Step 5

We have a rule at our house that applies to those that understand it. Everyone can choose one item to put on their "list". If that item is on your list, you don't have to eat it. Mom and Dad both have something on their list too. You have to guard against people trying to change the item on their list every time something new is served. If you notice a child claiming different foods are on their list each time they come to the dinner table, remind them they have to stick with what they chose. If they chose spinach, but then decide that they hate cabbage instead, then the next time spinach is served, they must eat the spinach! This rule allows a little leeway so that the try everything rule is not so strict!

Step 6

Allow snacks between meals, only if the child ate his/her regular meal. If the regular meal didn't get eaten, cover it and put it in the fridge. When snack time rolls around, pull out the covered plate and allow the child to eat that before eating anything else. Explain that we don't want to waste food.

Step 7

In our home, the kids can eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as snacks. If they want something else, they should ask first.

Step 8

Bring home unusual foods on occasion. Scope out the exotic fruit, try cashew butter, find a way to cook acorn squash, etc. Be excited yourself about trying the new item. Ask everyone's opinion of the new food and discuss what was liked and not liked about the item. Was the texture funny but the flavor good? Do you think it would be good served in a different way?

Step 9

Have fun with food! Create cute snacks. Have a dinner with a theme. Try eating food from a foreign country after reading about it. Pretend to eat as if you were a royal princess or some other character.

Step 10

Always eat together as a family as much as possible! Not only does this promote healthy family relationships, it allows younger family members to mimic the older ones healthy eating habits. It is a great way to be able to encourage your children in choosing good foods. Making time to eat together implies sitting around the kitchen table, rather than grabbing food and rushing out the door. Sitting down and eating in a relaxed and fun environment helps allow your body to properly digest food.

This post is obviously not all inclusive. You will need to tweak things to work for your family. I believe by implementing the steps I outlined, children will eat better, but it isn't a completely fool proof plan!

So, that's some things I do. What do you do?

Mama Rika's Family Travel Kit FREE for 24 Hours Only!

I am a planner. I organize, plan and prepare, probably excessively. This can work to your advantage, though! You can get the benefits of all my planning without going through the hassle of doing it yourself!

Since I have kids that run the whole range from adult to baby, and I am a very frugal person, I modestly consider myself an expert in the field of family travel--fun & cheap. The travel kit I am offering is surely the most comprehensive one around.

Sitting in the car for long periods of time can drive a person crazy, but it can also offer many memorable experiences. I remember road trips growing up where Mom provided coveted snacks and Dad sang along with us in stirring renditions of "You Are My Sunshine". I recall trips with my kids where we got started on something silly and everyone couldn't stop laughing--like when we experienced the "road that never ends", or the tiny tot who kept making us "smile for the camera".

Included in my Family Travel Kit are:

1. A complete packing list for the whole gang that can be tailored to your individual family.

2. A snack food suggestions page for things that are good to eat and entertain in the car.

3. A comprehensive what-to-do-before-you-leave list.

4. Entertainment lists for babies & toddlers, young children, and older children & adults. These are NOT just ordinary ideas that are found on other websites that supposedly offers ideas to entertain kids in the car. Bring along the right toys, games, and objects that will entertain. These are tested and tried ideas that work!

5. A scavenger hunt template for your road trip.

6. Suggestions and tips on how to save money on meals while traveling, including what you can make and bring with you and making the most of eating out.

7. More than 60 fun songs for the road that you can load onto your .mp3 player, zune, ipod, laptop, or burn to CD.

8. An audio recording made especially to entertain babies & toddlers.

9. A couple of dramatic readings of stories for the kids to enjoy.

Caution!!--these paragraphs are going to sound like one of those obnoxious used car sales ad. Hmmm. Maybe not quite that bad. Skip ahead if you want, read on, if you dare!

Do you and your kids get bored on long road trips? Are you tired of hearing fighting in the car? Ever wonder what to do to entertain a baby who is tired of being strapped in a carseat? Want to get the kids doing something other than video games in the car? Do you want to travel and create fun family memories at the same time? These questions and concerns can all be resolved by obtaining Mama Rika's Family Travel Kit!

This travel kit is priceless, but I'm going to say it has a retail value of JUST $99.99! {Pretend that all these words that are presented in a different colors are actually flashing annoyingly.}Not only that, it is yours for FREE!!

Did you hear me? Yes, I said

FREE!

FREE!!

FREE!!!!! {again, think flashing neon sign here}

So, what are you waiting for? HURRY! Go get it now!!

And, here is the fine print: This offer is good for a limited time only. After the expiration date of this offer, the product can be had for a low price, still a signifcant savings and incredible value! If for some reason you don't get anything good out of this kit, the sole cause for fault is completely and utterly yours. I am not liable in any fashion, way, shape or form for your misuse/disuse of the kit. Failure to obtain Mama Rika's Travel Kit could result in hairloss due to travel stress, extreme noise levels within the vehicle, sick children, fighting, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. Driver's licenses are required by law to operate the family vehicle.

Click here to get your Mama Rika's Family Travel Kit now. Don't delay downloading it, because it is only available for free for this limited time. The free link will disappear 24 hours after this blog post has posted! Send your family and friends here to get their own too. They'll thank you for it. In the trial versions I have given out, I've gotten back feedback like, "Terrific!" "Awesome!" "Wow!" and "Great!"


HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU!

Please feel free to share your awesome ideas for travel in the comments section!

DEADLINE EXTENDED on Mama Rika's Travel Kit

Apparently people are having download problems with the kit, so I contacted youpublish (the file hoster) to see how to get it fixed. I will keep the download available for free until I can figure out how to resolve the problem. I may switch to another file host if necessary. Sorry for problems. Thanks for patience.

"Lead Kindly, Light" Marika Lee's Hymn & Scripture Study Sundays

This week’s song is “Lead, Kindly Light". Click here for music.



Scriptures for this song:
Psalm 43:3
Psalm 119:133-135

Various facts:
Text by John Henry Newman (1801-1890)
Music by John B. Dykes (1823-1876)

The story with the song:
John Henry Newman, a Roman Catholic Priest, penned the lines to this hymn after he had been ill and unable to return to England. He lamented this fact because he felt that he needed to get to England to do some work. After spending three weeks attending various churches and travelling in Italy, trying to get home, he was able to spend a calm week. After this week, he wrote the words to Lead, Kindly Light.

John B. Dykes became the assistant organist for his grandfather's church when he was only 10. He wrote many sermons and religious texts throughout his life, but he was most known for having written over 300 hymn tunes.

I am doing a little research online to find these things out. I also have a book entitled "Our Latter-day Hymns The Stories and the Messages" by Karen Lynn Davidson from which I am finding information on these songs. If you want more info, the aforementioned book and the Internet search engines can get you much more than the little bit I shared.

Did you Journal for 5 today?

"Life is Like a Fairy Tale" Says Makiavelli

We've been reading a lot of old fairy tales from the Brother's Grimm, Hans Christian Anderson, and others. There are stories of success, sadness, impossibilities, failure, thoughfulness, thoughtlessness, vanity, overcoming, and many more things that we see in our own lives and the lives of those with whom we come in contact.

I am very inclined to believe that the majority of fairy tales that have ever been written have been done so with the intent that we can learn something from them. I think they give us opportunities to talk with our children about important things in life. We can question which characters they would like to emulate. Do they understand that some people may try to deceive them? Do they believe in themselves, in their dreams, in the goodness of others. Do they understand that hard work pays off? Etc. Etc.

No wonder bedtime stories are such an important part of life. Fairy tales are awesome. :)

For your enjoyment, here are a couple of audio recordings by our family. These fairy tales are told in an animated fashion by our family and a couple of friends. Each character in the story has his or her own unique personality and voice.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen (Free)
The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids by the Brother's Grimm ($.69)

Put these delightful tellings on your mp3 player, ipod, zune, or whatever you have. It is a great way to entertain kids in the car, at home, or wherever you may be! (Truth be told, it is entertaining for grown-ups too!)

We had so much fun doing these that we will be making more. I'll keep you posted.

Mama Rika--Funny Stuff

This is what happens to your face when you try to drink a smoothie that is realllllly thick, without using a straw!
This is what happens when there is a princess in the house...

This is what happens when the princess tries to gain converts.

This is what happens when one of your best buddies has a horse. (And it isn't funny, but it sure is cute.) ;)