Monday, December 23, 2013

Diaper Kits for Dads


This year for Christmas my husband and I decided to have a little fun with our kids.  The kind of fun that is funny to us.  

My eldest daughter is married and living with her husband.  Lately when I visit her home there has been at least one occasion that allowed me to share helpful household tips in which baking soda was the solution.  ~I can't help it if it's the cheap wonder cleaner of the century, but it can help me and since I am a helper of others, I share.  :)  Because of this there has sprung a new family joke that "baking soda solves everything" and I am the one at which it is mainly directed. This same married daughter is the culprit of said joke and she is getting SO MUCH baking soda in her gag gift wrapping!!!!

Also, she is pregnant.  READ: Ima B. Agramma!!!!!!  In light of this, my husband and I spent a good amount of time planning for and compiling a fun "gag" gift for her husband.  I had seen a pin for this idea on Pintrest but it had no instructions or list. Because I couldn't find instructions or list of supplies my husband and I made our own. Knowing that some of the items will likely not be used in the context of the gift due to the humorous nature of it. and since we did not want to waste money we tried to be thoughtful about what we put in it. Feel free to use our list or create your own. :)  I made our list in the form of a "helpful hints" letter, underlining the words of the items which were contained in the box(es), to insert into each box so they'd have a written inventory along with a humorous explanation of each item and it's "intended" use.  

I made two boxes because the tool box we picked had a bonus smaller tool box inside of it.  The larger box represents more of what may be contained in an actual diaper bag.  The smaller box is one that represents a smaller diaper bag that I always left in the car when I had kids.  It has "bare necessities"  and is left in the car for those times when the regular diaper bag has been forgotten. This is usually when there has been too much else to grab or when one is running late.  Either way, the likelihood for needing to change of diaper when you get some where on these occasions is increased and is no time for having no supplies.  :)

This post includes pictures of what I used and how I packed the boxes.  At the end of the post are the two letters that I included in the boxes.  Please feel free to copy and paste the letters if you'd like to use them. :)


To stock the large tool box I began with the bottom.  It contains:  
Diapers
Plastic bags
Changing pad*
Onsies
Face mask
Cup, wash cloths and baby wash
Hand sanitizer
Antacid
Contents of Large tool box, bottom section
Contents of Large tool box, bottom section with inside view

Filled bottom section of Large tool box
Next, the top section which contains:
Cotton balls (for applying antacid)
Toys for baby to hold
Safety glasses (in the midst of the toys, look closely :) )
Baby powder
Ear plugs
Ointment
Wipes
Letter (not pictured here)
Contents of Large box, top section

Large box, top section filled
Top and bottom sections together
Don't forget the letter :)
For the "Emergency" Kit I included:
Changing pad*
Diapers
Onesie
Toys for baby to hold
Cup with washcloths
Plastic bags
Wipes
Letter

Contents of "Emergency" Kit




First I added the wipes



Then I added the diapers and plastic bags



Next I put in the toys, cup and washcloths, and the onesie (tucked  in on the side of the diapers)



Lastly went the Changing pad and letter

Both kits with letters inside


Large and small box stacked

Letter for larger box:



Daddy Diaper Tool Kit

Dear Dad,
Just in case you find yourself in a situation which requires a diaper change, here are some tips to help you out.

Take out the changing pad, because one mess is more than enough to clean. :)
Lay it on the floor for baby to lie on while you’re working.
Place gloves on hands, safety glasses over eye area, ear plugs in the ears and mask over nose and mouth, because accidents happen even when the diaper is off. :)
Get a diaper and at least one wipe.  Two or three is better, just in case. :)
                Unfold everything BEFORE you take off the dirty diaper, because one mess is more than enough to clean.
Be sure to hand baby a toy to keep hands busy.  This is not the time for finger painting. :)
Have the antacid, cotton balls and hiney ointment handy in case of diaper rash. :)
Remove dirty diaper using any clean part to take away extra “mess”.
Fold the diaper in half.
Use wipes for extra “mess”.
Remove dirty diaper.
Put clean diaper under baby’s hiney.
Use antacid on any rash and/or maybe some powder.
Close the diaper.
If the mess is just too big, use a washcloth, body wash, cup and some warm water from the sink or tub nearest you. :)
After you’re all finished be sure to wrap the diaper in a plastic bag if you’re not near a trash can and if you’re not near a sink, apply some hand sanitizer. Also, it’s not a bad idea to wipe of the changing pad with a clean wipe. :)
Feel free to put on a new outfit (onesie) if the mess was too big to be contained.  {The plastic bags work well for holding dirty clothes too}. :)

 Letter for smaller box

Daddy Diaper Emergency Tool Kit

Dear Dad,
Just in case you find yourself in a situation which requires a diaper change and you don’t have the ”big kit”, here are some tips to help you out.
***ALWAYS keep this kit in your vehicle.  It goes where you go, right?***
(Bring supplies to it, don’t’ bring it into the house to refill because you may forget it at just the wrong time. :) )
Take out the changing pad, because one mess is more than enough to clean. :)
Lay it on the floor for baby to lie on while you’re working.
Since you don’t have the gloves, safety glasses, ear plugs, and mask you’ll have to do it commando style and just “dive in”. :)
Get a diaper and at least one wipe.  Two or three is better, just in case. :)
                Unfold everything BEFORE you take off the dirty diaper, because one mess is more than enough to clean.
Be sure to hand baby a toy to keep hands busy.  This is not the time for finger painting. :)
There’s no antacid, cotton balls or hiney ointment for diaper rash in this kit so be sure to treat this as soon as you get to the necessary supplies. :)
Remove dirty diaper using any clean part to take away extra “mess”.
Fold the diaper in half.
Use wipes for extra “mess”.
Remove dirty diaper.
Put clean diaper under baby’s hiney.
Close the diaper.
If the mess is just too big, use a washcloth, cup and some warm water from the sink or tub nearest you.  There’s no body wash, in this kit but you can use a wipe after you get the mess off  if you’d like. :)
After you’re all finished be sure to wrap the diaper in a plastic bag if you’re not near a trash can and if you’re not near a sink, apply some hand sanitizer.  Also, it’s not a bad idea to wipe of the changing pad with a clean wipe. :)
Feel free to put on a new outfit (onesie) if the mess was too big to be contained.  {The plastic bags work well for holding dirty clothes too}. :)




*The changing "pad" is a plastic table cloth I bought and cut into three sections.  I unfolded it from the package until it was only folded in half. (Short ends together) then I cut it in thirds (long ways).  I kept the fold and will sew it that way when my sewing machine is fixed. :)  {Before I sew it, it measures 20" x about 40"}

Sunday, February 10, 2013

A Plea to the Backslider





 My heart aches for you.
My heart breaks for you.
So blindly turned from truth are you.

The deception in your eyes
Brought by devilish lies.
The falsehood you believe
That makes you want to leave
The shelter of my wings,
The Salvation that I bring.

From the path you went,
 Come now, and repent.
I stand with open arms,
For the moment your heart conforms.


Seek me diligently and with humility,
You will surely find
I Am Here. 


I longingly wait for you, my precious treasure.
Please come back to me.

The  world's attraction,distraction,
cares and pain,
Are nothing compared to my Reward.

In me you will find
Life, 
 Peace,
Hope,
Grace , 
 Strength,
 Comfort,
Rest,
All you will ever need.
Come, find these in me.


Forgiveness I give 
As forgiveness you give.
Do not measure me by man.
Do not forsake me because of man.

Seek me diligently and with humility,
You will surely find
I Am Here.




Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Is God Really in Control? Part 2

            Properly maintaining a vehicle in order for it to perform as intended requires special care.  The owner’s manual spells out the steps which need to be taken so that the vehicle will operate at an optimal level.  If these steps are not followed the vehicle will be inefficient and ineffectual in performing the purpose for which it was created.  Again, for us we must live according to our Owner’s Manual, following the Manufacturer’s instructions.  If we are lax in doing this we will find that we will be inefficient and ineffectual in performing the purpose for which we were created, knowing God and making Him known.
                If we add the wrong kind or amount of oil, radiator fluid or fuel the vehicle will malfunction or not work at all.  Just as we must be attentive to add these “life bloods” to our vehicle correctly, we must also be attentive to the Life Blood of our own life.  We must read our Bible.  We must pray; speaking to, listening to, and waiting on the Lord.  We must fellowship with the saints- preferring one another, loving one another, forgiving one another, submitting to one another, serving one another, enjoying the body of Christ.
                When the water floods the tread of our tires and causes us to lose traction, our wheels are riding on the flood waters, spinning along without capability of receiving guidance from or control by the driver.   The vehicle must slow down in order to have the chance to disperse the water that is flooding the treads.  This will allow the tires to have direct contact with the asphalt; guidance and control by the driver can be regained. When the circumstances of life flood our thoughts it causes us to lose our focus on God, our lives can be being lived according to these circumstances, spinning along without capability of receiving guidance from or control by God.   We must slow down and take the time to focus on Him, allowing our mind to be focused on the Lord, dispersing worldly thoughts that have been the cause of our losing focus.  This time spent focusing on the Lord allows us to have direct contact with the Spirit of God; guidance and control by God can be regained. 
                       When the steering wheel locks up, the driver cannot guide the vehicle in the proper direction.  It continues its course usually until a crash ensues.  When the steering wheel of our heart locks up the Driver cannot guide us in the proper direction.   We must yield our hearts to the will of God and trust that He will guide us.  This allows Him to be in control of our life and we can be comforted knowing that we are safe in His care.  
               As a vehicle is protected by wax from the acidic consequences of dead bugs and bird droppings that assail it so are we protected by the shield of faith from the acidic consequences of what assails us?  Just as we must protect our vehicle from decay by washing it and applying more wax, we must also protect ourselves by washing our minds with the water of the word and reapply our faith in each situation.
                There are safety precautions in the manual with warnings.  If they are not followed, death or serious injury may occur to us or to others.  The Bible contains these types of warnings/danger avoidance instructions for us as well.  We must heed these or risk dangerous consequences of walking against the Word of God.
                With a thorough reading of the Bible we will find that lives lived according to God’s plan lead to life.  Lives NOT lived in this manner lead to destruction and death.
The Bible is clear and true testimony that it is we who have control over whether or not we make choices aligned with God’s will.  Our choices have consequences, good or bad and they not only affect us, they can affect others.
                So ask yourself this of your own life, 
                          “Is God really in control?”