The Importance of Reading Scripture

There is absolutely no substitute for reading God's Word. On a stresssful day, chocolate, caffeine, a bubble bath, and a long walk are all to be desired, but the greatest calming agent is truly God's Word. And sometimes that's all you've got.

In a recent 4 Moms 35 Kids blogging marathon, Kim Brenneman, author of Large Family Logistics (an awesome book!) joined the discussion on basically managing the large Family. You'd expect a list of great tips, lists, and time-management advice. But since she already covered that in the book, she went straight to the real issue. We cannot do this alone.

"Wear out your Bible. Plan to buy a new Bible next year because your current one gets worn out. Put it beside your favorite chair and read daily. Read it to your children, not only yourself. If a child interrupts your quiet time then start reading outloud to that child. Don't get frustrated, just make that child part of your study time. Take the Bible to the breakfast table and read to the children while they eat. Do the same thing at your lunch hour. Take it to bed with you and read it before you go to sleep. When you wake up, read a chapter right away. "

You can read the full post here.

I think my favorite part is to wear out your Bible. Plan to buy a new one every year because your current one gets worn out. That has really stuck with me; it's convicted me. I want to wear out my Bible!

Movies for History

In our homeschool, we enjoy a good movie to round out certain periods of history. It really helps the times, the culture, the era to come alive. And if you've done your study before you watch the movie, you'll hear your children exclaim that they recognize this person or that place. Plus, it's lots of fun!

I was recently sent a list of historical movies in chronological order. For a Type A homeschooling, list-obsessed mom, it was like winning the jackpot! Click here for the full list.

Obviously, parents need to filter this information for their families. Some are not appropriate for children, but there are a couple of ways to verify their content.

Internet Movie Database or IMDB is an exhaustive list of movies that you can search, by title, producer, actors, and almost anything else. It is pretty good about giving you the breakdown of what's included, like launguage, themes, violence, etc. It's a secular site, but I still find that it gives lots of helpful information.

Plugged In Online by Focus on the Family is a great resource for Christian parents for all things media. The only drawback is that it's mostly current movies (meaning this generation) that they review. Okay, two drawbacks: I find that Focus on the Family is not nearly conservative as I used to think they were, or that I am more conservative than I used to be. So, again, you'll need to filter it yourself.

One of my standards for judging movies is the older the better. You almost can't go wrong if it was made in the 60's or before (I say almost, because there are always exceptions.)

Some examples of movies we've enjoyed this year: Shennandoah (Civil War) and The Alamo (Texas History). We are getting ready to watch Sargent York as we study WWI, and then there are numerous titles to choose from for WWII.

So pop some corn and rent or stream a historical flick after school!

Primary Kids Room Theme

Until we move into a MUCH bigger house, our little Catie Pie shares a bedroom with her two brothesr, 5 and 3. So how to decorate a kids' room for two boys and a girl?

Primary colors!

And since I found Pinterest, I've found the cutest, easiest ideas that can be copies in our home. Like this one:

It's crayons hot glued to a canvas, and then heated with a blow-dryer to create this effect. The whole family enjoyed this one!

Then I saw this and decided to adapt it with what we had on hand:

There's also an alphabet wall that I'm working on. I'm trying to collect 26 different letters and paint them different colors. It's a work in progress. And framed board games! I'll be scouring garage sales for these.

And lastly, I already made these clipboard/memo frames for my girls, and it was super quick and easy. So, I took some frames that were just sitting around and spray painted them red, added a couple of binder clips, and now we have a place to hang the latest artwork from the boys! Ours are very similar to this photo.

I've found a whole new world of great ideas, and I'll share some more of them later this week. Like a bajillion pictures you can make with your children's handprints!


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Roots

I am a history buff, so loving and teaching history come naturally to me. It's not school; it's fun. I hope I am making it second nature to my children, as well. Not because I need them to be like me, but because knowing our roots is so important as Christians, as Americans, and as families. It gives us a big-picture perspective, which I think is sorely lacking in so many today. Our world is too small; our focus is very narrow.

I want to broaden it for my children, and I want them to be able to look back and see how history relates to them.

As Christians, it is important to know where the world came from, Who governs it, and Who created us. Reading the Bible reminds us of God's power and sovereignty, and how He keeps His promises. It's the first history book. And it's full of some amazing stories!

In our home, the big kids read the Bible through in a year (chronologically), and memorize the Westminster Shorter Catechism. The little kids listen to Mom read from The Children's Story Bible by Catherine Vos and memorize an easy children's version of the Catechism. At Christmas and Easter, we take special time to read and discuss God's gift of a Savior.




As Americans, it's important to know how and why we came to be Americans. Knowing why the Puritans and the Pilgrims braved everything to sail here, why the colonists chose to resist the king, and what was behind the Constitution give us the inspiration to preserve what we have today.

In our home, we read about the Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving in November. We read about Columbus in October. The Declaration of Independence and the Revolution are hot topics in July. Our form of government is always brought up in the light of current events. And we always tie this in with God's design for America and how "God governs in the affairs of man."

As Texans (and I apologize and sympathize with those of you who aren't) we relish the story of Texas' War for Independence from Mexico. If you don't know it, by golly, you're missin' out!


The story of Colonel Travis and the defenders of the Alamo, Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, the mothers and wives, oh! I could go on! It makes one proud to be a Texan!

And if you visit the Alamo in person, you'll get chills. I promise.

We recently enjoyed the book A Time to Stand, which details the Texas Revolution. Reading that book just before our visit to the Alamo made it so real.

In our home, we remember Texas Independence Day in March. We visit museums every chance we get. And if I ever see a Texas Historical Marker on the side of the road, we stop and read it.

As families, it's important to know about our ancestors and their relation to our faith and local history. Knowing the grandparents, great-grandparents, and beyond, knowing where and how they lived, and knowing what part they played in our history gives us roots and tall shoulders to stand on.

We need that, and our children need it.

Here are just SOME of the books we enjoy:

I don't have any roses...

How to Have Fun

Wow, what a bold title, huh?

Okay, I don't necessarily claim to be the life of the party, but I have spent a lot of time thinking lately about the need to change my focus. NO, it's not about eating, drinking, and being merry all the time, but rather making sure that life isn't all about getting it done, checking off the to-do list, and completing a day.

I believe God is reminding me of this as I go through each day. I tend to get focused on things like getting all the laundry done before my husband comes home, finishing a math book by the end of the month, or other lofty goals. But I tend to forget about things like laughing off the spills, reading a book 5 times in a row to my toddler, singing Itsy-Bitsy Spider, and pushing the kids on the swing.

I KNOW God is telling me constantly to BE WHERE I AM. I tell my kids this, too. Focus on the people around you. Get your work done, but don't let it consume you. Make sure your goals are people-oriented instead of stuff-oriented. Skip the math lessons once in awhile. Read a fun book together. Whistle while you work. Stop and smell the roses.

You get the idea.

Some people come by this naturally, but I do not. I need to be reminded to relax and laugh and have fun.

So in the interest of having fun, I try to be more spontaneous. I try to say YES more often than NO. I might make a batch of caramel popcorn in the middle of the day. Or suggest impromptu movie time. Or get slushies at Sonic during Happy Hour. Or let the laundry get behind (okay, this isn't much of a stretch!).

I don't know how to whistle, but I will sing or play fun music while I work. And if I had some roses, I would stop and smell them. I do have a sweet baby girl, and babies smell sweet, so maybe I'll change it to Stop and Smell the Baby. : )

Whatever works!

DIY Wipe-Off Boards

While I was shopping for my daughter's birthday, I actually came up with this idea IN.THE.STORE. I devised it as I went down the aisles. It is a combination of things I've seen on the web, adapted for us.


DIY Wipe-Off and Memo Boards:





Since my girls are trying to update their bedroom to a black and white theme, Claudia asked for this quilt for her birthday:

(It's from JC Penny)

She's always needing a place to write and hang notes, but plain ole wipe-off boards are so boring. Since I've already done the frame/scrapbook paper wipe-off board, I new that was one angle I wanted to use. And recently I saw this idea for a memo board from Shanty 2 Chic.

It was easy and inexpensive: black 8x10 frames, bright-colored scrapbook paper, extra large binder clips, and a hot glue gun.

I just glued the binder clips right on the glass for the memo boards. The wipe-off board is obviously best with a paper color that is light and bright under the glass.

I can see these all over the house, with a variety of frame colors, paper backgrounds, and different uses!

And another daughter is ELEVEN!

My sweet Chloe has passed the TEN mark, and is now slowly moving into the teenage years. What I love about Chloe is that she is still SO little girl. She loves to play with all kinds of toys, play games and make-believe with her little brothers, and all kinds of other childish things.

(She has just joined our local homeschool volleyball team. And what a great number!)

She has a very quiet, sweet, and sensitive personality. She is compassionate, creative, and athletic. She loves to read. She loves fairy tales.

All of her friends say that Chloe is their Best Friend! She's just that kind of girl.

She is also VERY happy to have a little sister!

Oh, and she wants to open her own cupcake shop when she grows up.

We like Chloe a LOT!

Making Birthdays Special

In the interest of making my children's birthdays really special, I like to do simple things throughout the day to add to the celebration.

This year, for my oldest daughter's birthday, I came up with this birthday breakfast.

It's really just donuts and fruit, but presentation is everything! This was the first surprise of the day.

There are lots of fun things to do to make birthdays a really special day, like filling the child's room with balloons before they wake up, cooking their favorite meals, and looking at their baby book. At our house, we cancel school, give the birthday girl or boy the day off from chores, and take them out to dinner.

Amanda Bennet has a really fun Birthday unit study for homeschool, and I hope to do this with my younger kids this year.

I'm seriously considering asking my husband to schedule vacation days on everyone's birthday next year. It will give him 7 days off to look forward to each year and we won't have to wait until the end of the day (when he gets home) to let the party begin!

Please share your ideas in the comments below for other fun birthday ideas!

Lila Rose Winner!

And the winner, chosen by Random.org, is . . .

drum roll . . .

Lisa said...
I'd love the med. princess tiara clip!

Congratulations, Lisa, and thank you to everyone who entered!

If you'd still like your own Lila Rose products, visit Bambi at In the Nursery of the Nation to order!