tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60372115330210834812012-01-30T16:22:48.149-05:00Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.comBlogger5821100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-61973970509650929752012-01-30T15:15:00.001-05:002012-01-30T15:15:39.718-05:00

Last week, I had an unexpected visitor.  The former owner of our new home stopped by.  I am thankful that she didn't stop by sooner.  I had been planning on being gone, but was unexpectedly here and I am thankful for this so that my mom didn't have to field her visit. She came in with her little dog and of course our golden retriever went crazy.  It was difficult.  Then, I took her around and

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-43630827216013637652012-01-25T08:07:00.000-05:002012-01-25T08:07:12.046-05:00

Yesterday in the car, I turned on NPR and listened to a local talk show radio host interview an author about parents and their expectations of their children.  The host was talking about how parents have unrealistic expectations of their children so they can't live up to them.  My 8 year old daughter suddenly says from the back seat that no child can be good enough.  It took me a second to

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-573397670972041312012-01-22T07:41:00.000-05:002012-01-22T07:41:18.544-05:00

My last post was about my coming to terms with the fact that everything cannot get done.  I've been working on reminding myself of this truth every day.  Yesterday was hard.   The project I most wanted to get done was to install the blinds in the den.  The girls weren't able to do their school work very easily last week due to procrastination and the fact that the sunlight was right on their

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-74527347061763852182012-01-18T22:51:00.000-05:002012-01-18T22:51:01.129-05:00

This weekend I completely derailed our plans for Saturday afternoon by trying to squeeze one more task in.  I do this pretty regularly--try to squeeze in getting one more task done.  Sometimes it derails me or my family and sometimes it doesn't.  I've been this way as long as I can remember.  I underestimate how long it will take to get something done or how long it will take to get somewhere or

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-20954341943482886182012-01-10T07:41:00.000-05:002012-01-10T07:41:41.473-05:00

After my last post, I talked with two of my good friends about what I'd written.  I realized that I should give a little more explanation about some parts of the post. One of the lessons that has impacted me the most from reading so many books over the past four years is that I need to consider who is writing the books I'm reading.  What is their perspective?  What is their worldview?  What are

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-29273392303504273422012-01-03T07:53:00.000-05:002012-01-03T07:53:45.139-05:00

I had a very interesting conversation with my brother on the way to the airport yesterday.  We talked about various books and movies and then he asked me what I thought of the Twilight books.  Just to give you some background:  My brother and his wife live in Italy and have lived abroad for several years (both before and since they've been married).   I tried to explain what I thought.  I began

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-1644763005801863312012-01-01T21:22:00.000-05:002012-01-01T21:22:33.342-05:00

As I finished posting the review just now for the Writer's Guide, I realized that I didn't want that to be my only post for the first day of the New Year.  What a horrible way that would be to start off the year! This past year has been such a crazy one.  The past 2 weeks along have been crazy!  We closed on our house Dec. 6th, moved on the 10th, my mother in law moved into our home we

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-71643003531257739362012-01-01T20:47:00.001-05:002012-01-01T20:47:03.557-05:00

I found it a bit ironic that one of the books I had the opportunity to read (and of course review) this past month is The Christian Writer's Market Guide 2012.  Reviewing books on this blog and Amazon for over the past 3 years has been an interesting experience.  In some ways, it has opened my eyes and cut through my cynicism that there are good, solid Christian books being published.  In other

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-35800242199966451702011-12-19T06:52:00.000-05:002011-12-19T06:52:45.924-05:00

I'm not even sure where to begin.  So much has happened in the last month and a half that I want to write about. So, I'll start here. We did move last weekend.  The closing on our new home was very hard and even before we closed we could see that problems with the house were likely ahead.  There were a few that we new about.  What we've found though is much more.  There are little and big

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-83769720245281644042011-12-19T06:23:00.000-05:002011-12-19T06:23:19.940-05:00

When I told my husband about taking a break from blogging, he didn't give the enthusiastic cheer that I thought he would.  Instead he told me, "Well, we'll see how long that lasts.  You may need the outlet in the midst of everything else."  As often happens, he's right in this case.  I've had all these thoughts running around in my head this week, so I'm just going to put some of them down in

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-14220165430912855962011-12-03T06:15:00.000-05:002011-12-03T06:15:50.693-05:00

I will admit that I've read all 7 Harry Potter books.  Many people have different opinions on these about whether they want their children to read them.  After discussions with friends, I decided that I would let my children read one each year beginning when they turn 10 or 11.  Harry gets older in the books and the later books include material (how they address magic) and are often scary in ways

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-14021050554711549392011-11-27T16:31:00.000-05:002011-11-27T16:31:42.765-05:00

Right now, I am sitting down and writing down my homeschooling plans for the week.  Yesterday, I made a list of all the things I need "to do" for our move this week.  It's a big list.  I also have to keep up homeschooling in the midst of it.  So, I thought I'd write this post and say there's a ton of things running through my head that I wish I had time to write about.  But, I don't think much of

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-24185711624036239312011-11-26T07:10:00.000-05:002011-11-26T07:10:45.893-05:00

This week my children and I had the chance to read a new book together.  It is The Barber Who Wanted To Pray by R.C. Sproul.   This picture book is the story of a dad having family worship with his kids.  One of his children asks how to pray.  The father tells the story of Martin Luther and his barber.  This picture book is an interesting thing.  It is written for older children, rather than

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-82125403608577828512011-11-26T06:16:00.000-05:002011-11-26T06:16:12.148-05:00

Two years ago, I had a long conversation with a local bookstore owner about children's bibles.  It was he who explained to me the difference between the ICB (International Children's Bible) and the NIrV.  I've written several posts that reference these two translations (see http://lovetopaint.blogspot.com/search?q=NIrV).  To quickly summarize, the NIrV is a simplified version of the NIV and the

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-40965859876850801372011-11-16T17:40:00.000-05:002011-11-16T17:40:59.132-05:00

19 days and counting...   An update on how we're doing.  Home buying is so complicated and stressful.  This week has us trying to live "normally" while waiting for pieces to fall into place.  This week was the termite inspection.  Thankfully, it came back just fine.   I'm trying to think about Christmas and being prepared.  I'm also trying to plan for Thanksgiving.  I'm trying be present.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-10557005583540574502011-11-15T15:53:00.001-05:002011-11-15T15:53:00.612-05:00

Dan Walsh published his first novel about three years ago, I believe.  I read the first two novels and enjoyed them.  They were a bit cheesy, but I was impressed particularly by his first novel.  The second was quite predictable.  Recently he published his fourth novel, Remembering Christmas.  I sat down to read it, but found that it was a rare book that I had to pick up and set down.  You see, I

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-5151033501221230892011-11-11T15:46:00.000-05:002011-11-11T15:46:04.383-05:00

For the past three years, Revell has published a Christmas novella by Melody Carlson.  I have grown fond of them.  I remember the first one I read, The Christmas Dog.  What I loved most about it was that it was an enjoyable Christian novel that wasn't just a romance.  Then came The Christmas Bus and Christmas at Harrington's.  Both were those books you curl up with a cup of tea on a Sunday

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-80091567342657205952011-11-11T15:42:00.000-05:002011-11-11T15:42:53.146-05:00

When I go hiking, my goal is to keep up with my husband--at all costs.  I don't let on when I'm tired.  I am determined that I will keep up!  What a strong willed woman I am!  Thankfully, I usually can keep up.  But, when I'm hiking with him I don't rest as often as I might if I were on my own.  The past month has been a lot like hiking for me. Last Wednesday night, I had the chance to sit down

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-5033069704293344362011-11-06T16:02:00.000-05:002011-11-06T16:02:05.321-05:00

This was one of those weeks when I went from peaks to valleys.  On Sunday, we had our offer accepted on a house .   It was a huge blessing and we were so excited.  That excitement stayed for a day or two.  And then reality set in--I had to tackle the mortgage application.  I had questions and I couldn't seem to get the answers I needed from the lender we're using.  I left messages and struggled.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-22569397027018624752011-11-06T15:50:00.001-05:002011-11-06T15:50:02.709-05:00

Last week our pastor preached on Psalm 23.  What struck me the most was when he pointed out that it says "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."  He pointed out that it says walk.  It doesn't say run, hop, skip, fly, or jump.  It says walk. This week, he preached on Psalm 24. A Psalm of David. 1 The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof,    

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-39967281779305930312011-10-29T06:45:00.000-04:002011-10-29T06:45:34.010-04:00

A few months ago, I started a website that could serve as a resource for families in the county I live in considering homeschooling.  I didn't realize at the time that I should have defined who a Christian is.  This past Monday, I realized that I need to define it.   Hundreds of years ago, there was a lot of controversy over who a Christian was.  That is why the Council of Nicea met and wrote

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-88553382778116786742011-10-19T06:41:00.000-04:002011-10-19T06:41:35.778-04:00

My brain is a jumble of thoughts and stress right at the moment.  I'm trying to calm down, but I'm not being entirely successful at it.  You see, my mom moved across the country to come live near us a week ago.  This week was filled with the normal homeschooling schedule and activities plus helping my mom get her car (it was shipped), have it inspected and registered, get her driver's license,

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-73981721512052002652011-10-17T10:38:00.000-04:002011-10-17T10:38:41.794-04:00

I spend more time than I'd like on the computer.  I have realized many times that it is easy to gravitate to this thing on the desk which I can turn on and be instantly entertained by or interact with.  But, is it real interaction?  No, not really.  It's this semi-real kind of thing.  I think it falls in a gray area.  It's not entirely authentic and real or entirely fake.  One of the conclusions

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-37253801974837315212011-10-13T07:23:00.001-04:002011-10-13T07:25:45.474-04:00

This weekend I went garage saling with my kids as I often do on Saturday mornings.  My mom was with us for the first time.  She was surprised by how many conversations I struck up with strangers.  But, she chuckled about it and told my husband many stories about our adventures when we got home. One of my conversations was with a woman who has written a book.  She self published it back in 2007.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-62725199032442299222011-10-06T07:34:00.000-04:002011-10-06T07:34:45.268-04:00

Yesterday, I saw our pastor at Starbuck's.  We talked for a moment about facebook.  I have come to the conclusion that there are more cons than pros about facebook.  I actually discourage people from joining if they haven't already.  My belief is that it's not wise to shift your conversation to facebook if it isn't already there.  Facebook lives in the land of quasi-real relationships.  The

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-19267101603982685462011-09-29T07:10:00.000-04:002011-09-29T07:10:37.094-04:00

A few years ago, my husband and I were discussing the Bible and what is and isn't in it.  I have often been puzzled by how much narratives read into the Bible stories.  I became aware of it when I read Francine Rivers' novels about Bible women.  At the end of each book, she included a Bible study.  The first assignment in the Bible study is to read the story in the Bible.  What discovered with

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-3906801490011577772011-09-28T17:29:00.000-04:002011-09-28T17:29:42.106-04:00

I have been writing a slew of reviews lately and I have one more today.  It is for Kinder-Math.  It's a lesser known kindergarten math curriculum by Susan Mortimer and Betty Smith. There are all sorts of math curriculums available today.  There's traditional math curriculums.  There's modern, brightly colored math curriculums.  There's mastery curriculums, like Singapore Math, and then there's

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-41290868270207866812011-09-28T08:26:00.000-04:002011-09-28T08:26:52.585-04:00

One of the books that I recommend to friends who are thinking of homeschooling is Help for the Harried Homeschooler by Christine Field.  It covers the bases of the big picture well of what it looks like to homeschool and what many of the challenges are.  It doesn't go in depth into curriculum recommendations because many other books do.  She does include a short chapter on choosing curriculum

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-19276847345703393502011-09-27T07:31:00.000-04:002011-09-27T07:31:37.598-04:00

This post is the next is my series of art curriculum reviews. Yesterday, I posted a review of See The Light's Art Class Curriculum.  See The Light has also made three illustrated videos with art lessons.  My kids and I have had the chance to watch 2 of them.  The Gift of Love and God's Runaway.  Each of the videos has a 10 minute story and three art lessons.  One is a creative lettering lessons

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-41341607551662999072011-09-26T16:08:00.000-04:002011-09-26T16:08:09.159-04:00

Two weeks ago, I reviewed the first art resource I found.    The CD by Jim Weiss could be used as a supplement.  It could be expanded into field trips and artist studies of each of the artists mentioned.  It could be your base if you wanted to develop your own art history curriculum.   Today, I get to review a second art curriculum resource. See the Light Shine is a Christian ministry that has

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-77983289160927717172011-09-26T08:00:00.004-04:002011-09-26T08:00:16.352-04:00

At lunch one day this week, Autumn brought a book with her to the table.  She actually wanted to read it instead of eating her lunch.  So, what was this book?  It happened to be a new book that's coming out on Athanasius.  Yes, Athanasius.  This book is newest release in a series written by Simonetta Carr on figures from church history. Earlier this year, I reviewed one of the other books from

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-55278081726842217342011-09-22T19:24:00.000-04:002011-09-22T19:24:15.613-04:00

My oldest daughter began reading in kindergarten.  Once she caught onto it, she ran with it.  In first grade, her reading level was that of a third grader.  In second, it was higher--4th or 5th grade.  This year, her reading  is at a 5th or 6th grade reading level.  Last year, her reading ability was higher than her comprehension, but this year it has caught up. I use the QRI-II to test my

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-84695032748905902092011-09-21T21:32:00.001-04:002011-09-21T21:32:26.435-04:00

I was intrigued by this book when I read a brief description of it in Family Fun Magazine as being two stories told side by side--one in pictures and the other in words. I had the chance to review it so I thought it might be interesting.  The cover made me think the story might somehow be scary or eerie, but it isn't. The cover belies the wonderful story inside the pages. Selznick's story and

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-28005959896208659882011-09-21T15:51:00.000-04:002011-09-21T15:51:02.711-04:00

I am a planner.  I like to know what's ahead.  I enjoy planning actually.  It gives me a vision of what my goal is and where I'm going.   Before I got married, I always had a vision or goal for my life.  You might call it having direction.   Then, I got married and God took that away.  That may sound strange, but it is something I am very convinced of.  It is one way that God has shown me how

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-624359749198984142011-09-20T22:52:00.000-04:002011-09-20T22:52:42.613-04:00

Last spring, a friend came over for lunch with her kids.  They were several years older than mine and had been watching the end of Ken Burn's series about the Westward Movement at home and needed to return it after their visit.  So, they watched the ending on our television.  The movie did bring the Westward Expansion of the west to life, but it was appropriate for upper elementary/middle/high

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-4823435603790804792011-09-19T14:37:00.000-04:002011-09-19T14:37:10.705-04:00

I've written before that Amish fiction has puzzled me and given me a bit of concern.  But, every once in awhile, I take another chance on it.  This week I read A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher.  Here's my disclaimer:  This is fiction.  It is not nonfiction.  Please keep this in mind if you read this book.  Suzanne Woods Fisher hosts a radio show called Amish Wisdom.  I

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-1651550662570240562011-09-16T21:55:00.000-04:002011-09-16T21:55:55.311-04:00

I have discovered over the past three years that it is often difficult for me to get around to teaching my children art.  I appreciate and value art, but at the end of the day I find that I am tired and often don't want to get all of the materials out needed for our art lesson.  So, I've been searching for solutions to my procrastination when it comes to teaching art. As I talked with friends,

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-89882221888671745722011-09-13T21:29:00.000-04:002011-09-13T21:29:56.731-04:00

Yesterday, I posted a review of the Great Science Adventures Series published by Common Sense Press.  In my search for a science curriculum that would cross age groups well, I came across another curriculum by a Christian publisher.  It is Eagle's Wings Considering God's Creation.  I was excited to review this curriculum, because the authors' goal is to "introduce our children to God through His

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-26752319565111827392011-09-13T19:01:00.001-04:002011-09-13T19:01:32.295-04:00

My title isn't very noteworthy, but it is just what I've been troubled over today.  I have a friend who is a writer.  We've had several conversations over the past year about writing and what publishers are really like.  She explained to me that publishers are looking for the next "Karen Kingsbury" or "Max Lucado".  They're goal is profit ultimately.  If you examine most Christian publishers,

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-9789711133078299602011-09-12T18:28:00.000-04:002011-09-12T18:28:55.929-04:00

Earlier this summer we had one Saturday that was a bit of a summer "snow day" for my family.  The weather outside was unbearably hot so we all stayed inside.  I picked up Blue Skies Tomorrow and settled down into one of our lazyboys for a long read. After reading The Sweetest Thing by Ann Moser recently and greatly enjoying it, I thought I would give another historical Christian fiction book a

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-84706688348205732362011-09-11T23:36:00.000-04:002011-09-11T23:36:51.437-04:00

As my second daughter entered first grade this year, I began thinking about ways I could potentially group my children's instruction for certain subjects.  For the most part, they each work in separate texts for each subjects.  They listen to each other's stories and Eli comes near to listen as we read from many of their books.  I would like to follow a core science curriculum, but break that up

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-77743373578110661552011-09-10T15:01:00.000-04:002011-09-10T15:01:15.629-04:00

After my oldest daughter finished kindergarten, I realized that what everyone had been telling me was true...  The most important skill for children to work on in kindergarten is reading.  Before Autumn learned to read, reading was the subject I was most anxious about.  My student teaching was in first, third, and fifth grades.  I did fine in third and fifth grades, but my first grade supervising

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-62840930694192626712011-09-10T14:48:00.000-04:002011-09-10T14:48:59.052-04:00

The second cd my children have asked to listen to repeatedly the past few weeks is Famously Funny:  A collection of Beloved Stories and Poems, recorded by Jim Weiss.  This CD includes these stories: The Emperor's New Clothes, The Princess and the Pea, Jabberwocky, Father William, Anansi the Mighty, The Yak and more.  Just as with Weiss' tall tales recording, he introduces each story with

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-12652824320522766662011-09-09T07:43:00.001-04:002011-09-09T07:44:24.358-04:00

A few weeks ago I watched a movie on YouTube called Waiting for Superman.  It was very interesting.  I particularly liked this clip: I entered a master's program in education at the University of Colorado 13 years ago.  It was a program that was aimed specifically at preparing teachers for urban schools.  We were volunteering at an urban elementary school from the beginning and substitute

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-18667597789820069992011-09-04T16:11:00.001-04:002011-09-04T16:18:11.575-04:00

Last spring, I went to the library searching for some audiobooks to play for my children in the car while we're driving in the car.  I found a few recordings that we loved... The Railway Children, The Mercy Watson Series, and the early books of The Magic Treehouse Series.  But, as I continued to look, I struggled to find stories that were age appropriate, interesting, and entertaining for all

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-28437859731110921292011-09-03T10:27:00.001-04:002011-09-03T10:29:16.138-04:00

Since Eric Metaxas biography about Dietrich Bonhoeffer was published, much ado has been made about the book.  The sheer size of it was daunting and so I never gave it much thought.  My husband, on the other hand, wanted it for his birthday--so that was my gift.  I gave him a copy of the Hardcover edition of the book. In August, a paperback edition of the book was published.  I had a chance to

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-72843891744917242242011-09-02T17:59:00.001-04:002011-09-02T18:18:20.911-04:00

We just finished our second incomplete week of school.  That is, we had 3 days of school last week and 4 days of school this week.  I've shared here that school didn't start off the way I'd hoped.  This week had more lessons for me.   Wednesday was filled with unexpected procrastination by my daughters and by me.  It was also filled with commitments and hospitality--both of which were important

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-24307236630640882752011-09-02T15:56:00.000-04:002011-09-02T15:56:52.624-04:00

When I was growing up, my family didn't regularly listen to music.  If the stereo was on downstairs, Joan Baez or The Kingston Trio were usually playing.  Like many families, what dad wanted to listen to was what the whole family listened to in my house.  When I left that house, I listened to classical music once in a while, but not regularly.  Then, when I married my husband ten years ago, a

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-18592104531308692032011-08-30T05:29:00.000-04:002011-08-30T05:29:04.987-04:00

Last year, one of Autumn's friends wrote a poem at school that was quite creative and cute.  When I read it, I questioned whether Autumn could write something like that.  This wasn't the pride kind of questioning.  It was the 'is she even able'--'does she know how to write at all'--kind of question.  I've written on this blog that I decided to switch writing curriculums this year.  For

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-7161976160713317292011-08-27T16:02:00.001-04:002011-08-27T16:06:30.036-04:00

I find that I often straddle a line.  Before I homeschooled, I was a public school teacher.  I earned my master's degree in education.  I learned a lot in my classes.  There is an old saying that teachers teach because they can't do anything else, but that simply isn't true!  It take so much skill to be a good teacher.   When I worked in the public schools, I grew to respect and admire the

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-16815550507054653672011-08-26T17:57:00.000-04:002011-08-26T17:57:35.337-04:00

I only have a minute but I wanted to post this before I forgot.   People who don't homeschool often ask me why I do when I tell them that I homeschool my three children.  What exactly was it that was the catalyst to my decision?  I say "my decision" because it prompted me to bring it to my husband and then we discussed it together.  That catalyst was a conversation I had with a friend when

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-58191538270794960312011-08-25T08:25:00.000-04:002011-08-25T08:25:54.198-04:00

This past week was a bit stressful and busy in our house.   My husband decided in July that he would like to take the week off before we started our homeschool year.  I also had been notified that I had jury duty and we thought that this of all times I could actually go.  So, last Wednesday we headed off to Dutch Wonderland for the day.  It was great.  We all had a good time, though the water

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-67224319569014097732011-08-24T07:10:00.000-04:002011-08-24T07:10:16.081-04:00

A week or two ago, I posted a link to ChristianAudio.com.  They are offering a free audiobook download of Hannah Coulter this month.  Hannah Coulter is one my favorite books.  It is written by Wendell Berry.  What I remember most being struck by in this book is that a man wrote it.  He wrote it with all the reality of life and accurately wrote what a woman would think or feel walking in the shoes

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-55515125074293006412011-08-19T07:34:00.000-04:002011-08-19T07:34:11.285-04:00

I remember when I was student teaching in fifth grade and I asked the kids a few questions.  First, I asked them what was they liked in Math.  I wrote the list on a transparency so they could see it.  Then, I asked them one by one if the items on the list were easy or hard for them.  Then, I went second list of what they didn't like to do in math.  I asked again for each of the items on the list

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-38429270358803640142011-08-15T07:46:00.000-04:002011-08-15T07:46:09.369-04:00

Today was one of those days.  It had its ups and its downs.  It started off with a down.  I slowly climbed back up.  Mid-morning I sat down in Starbucks with Broken-Down House and opened it up to start reading where I'd left off.  I didn't realize it, but I'd opened up the book to a different page.  I began reading and began here... "...as we experience the reality of life in this house,

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-82153692448559717002011-08-11T23:31:00.001-04:002011-08-11T23:31:46.639-04:00

Children have so many fears when they're little.  I remember two years ago when my girls were SO afraid of bugs.  I'm afraid that I wasn't much help since I actually don't like bugs.   Still, I continually tried to encourage them not to be afraid.  I hid my fear of bugs.  When they were upset, I spoke in a calm voice and tried not to make a big deal out of it.  They did seem to grow out of their

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-65359941059922054392011-08-11T22:36:00.000-04:002011-08-11T22:36:11.929-04:00

I love used book sales!  At this time in my life, it is less stressful to fill our house with books from used booksales then to stress about finding a lost library book somewhere in our house.  I am blessed that several of the libraries sell used children's books at their book sales for a quarter each.  Whenever I find children's books about God, I always pick them up.  I take them home and read

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-81025350154211971272011-08-10T14:42:00.000-04:002011-08-10T14:42:18.543-04:00

This morning I went to visit a friend while my kids were at VBS.  This friend happens to be in a nursing home--in the Alzheimer's unit.  She came to live there a little less than a year ago.  At the time she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she and her husband were told to expect about 3 years of coherancy before she she lost touch.   But, doctors are often wrong. She got sick and was given an

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-21238739275857749382011-08-09T16:42:00.001-04:002011-08-09T16:44:17.684-04:00

Hannah Coulter is one of my favorite books.  So, it seems odd that I don't actually own a copy of it.  It's written by Wendell Berry.  It has always amazed me that a man wrote this book.  It's a wonderfully written book full of insight.  ChristianAudio.com offers one free audiobook a month.  August's selection just happens to be Hannah Coulter. If you decide to download it, I do hope you enjoy it

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-5963514382526057922011-08-08T08:10:00.002-04:002011-08-08T08:12:18.888-04:00

I spend a lot of time reading.  There always seems to be something I am pondering, struggling with, or sorting through.  On the first day of this year, I reviewed a book about suffering titled Be Still, My Soul  http://lovetopaint.blogspot.com/2011/01/understanding-and-accepting-suffering.html.  I enjoyed the book and was encouraged by it.  I read the book because I struggled with understanding

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-37228403836750862522011-08-06T17:18:00.000-04:002011-08-06T17:18:58.554-04:00

Today a new book arrived.   I Remember When... is written by Dawn Wynne.  She happens to live in Southern California, where I grew up.   When this picture book arrived, my children wanted to read it right away. So, we did. Even though they are 7, 5, and 3, they all enjoyed touching the book and turning the plastic dial on the phone. I explained to them what each of the items on the pages were

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-25803499332382202912011-08-05T07:56:00.000-04:002011-08-05T07:56:31.653-04:00

Is faith in oneself the same as faith in God?   No. Is Courage based upon who one is the same as courage from God when we are weak? I don't think so. Is Hope that our dreams will come true the same as the Hope we have because of Christ? No. Our culture touts the values of hope, courage, and faith.  But, it bases these values in the potential within ones self.  It grieves me deeply.  

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-42386753026815426852011-08-04T07:47:00.000-04:002011-08-04T07:47:10.991-04:00

This morning I wrote a review for a book on Amazon titled Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur.   I wanted to read this book because of the review another reviewer wrote on Amazon. It sounded like a book my children would enjoy when they are in middle school.  When I began reading this book, it brought back all of my painful memories from junior high. It tore me up to hear how the main character,

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-44684289179554067372011-08-02T15:46:00.000-04:002011-08-02T15:46:55.786-04:00

I am one of those people who only reads a book once.  Most of the time.  Every once in a while I come across a book that I want to read again.  Covenant Child by Terri Blackstock, The Awakening by Angela Hunt, and The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers are three such books.  Right now I'm reading another one that falls into this category: Safely Home by Randy Alcorn I remember reading Safely

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-69316199163233400702011-07-29T17:47:00.000-04:002011-07-29T17:47:47.265-04:00

Homeschooling has taught me many lessons.  One of them is that there is no one "perfect" curriculum--a curriculum that is perfect for every family.  Many families will love a curriculum, but others won't.  We are different and so are our children!  We have different goals for our children and different information we want them to learn.  There are often different skills we want them to learn as

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-62036873947905179722011-07-28T07:38:00.000-04:002011-07-28T07:38:18.116-04:00

A month ago, we went out to lunch after church with some friends.  The husband, who knows many homeschooling families, observed that to be a good homeschooling teacher you have to have knowledge about and interest in a wide variety of subjects.  I remarked back that, "or you need to have a friend who can help fill in the gaps where you fall short".   I grew up in LA.  There wasn't much nature

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-3709093232260229512011-07-28T07:01:00.000-04:002011-07-28T07:01:04.204-04:00

A gal I met this week asked me about what test I use to assess my daughters reading levels.  I use a test called the QRI (2nd ed.).  I was taught how to use this test and interpret it in my classes for my master's degree in education.  It tests reading (phonics and sight words), reading comprehension, and background knowledge.  I wouldn't recommend this test to homeschooling parents.  I was

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-59760040468169494642011-07-26T18:01:00.000-04:002011-07-26T18:01:02.811-04:00

It's been an interesting week.  I'm very thankful that I talked to friends about their experiences with prednisone.  At times, I'm just fine.  Other times, I feel like my blood sugar is low and eating something won't help.  Then, there are other times...like last night.  Those are the times my friend Karen warned me about thankfully.  It was after dinner and I could feel my body getting antsy.  I

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-58587174626560202942011-07-21T01:09:00.000-04:002011-07-21T01:09:03.784-04:00

It is 12:38 a.m. and I am wide awake.  This is unusual for me.  Actually, it's very unusual for me!  For the past few weeks, I've been struggling to stay awake come 8 p.m. each night.  Today I had my first dosage of prednasone.  I do need to take it so for the next 2 weeks I am going to probably be forgoing my morning cup of coffee and taking my dosage as early as I can in the morning--in the

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-6323295444974821682011-07-15T15:06:00.000-04:002011-07-15T15:06:21.106-04:00

I recently wrote of my desire to understand science from a Christian perspective.  I had read a nature book that bothered me because of how it portrayed evolutionary views.  I disagree with evolution, but it was how the authors spoke of evolutionists that bothered me.  I had the opportunity to read another book on a similar subject, Building Blocks in Life Science:  From Genes & Genesis to

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-64681564434317644722011-07-15T08:19:00.002-04:002011-07-15T08:19:52.623-04:00

When I was a child, I had many faults that stood out.  One was that I didn't know how to make friends or be a friend.  I simply didn't have friends.  But, there were other things I did well.  So, even as a child I pursued what I could do in an attempt to please others and to feel better about myself.  I also had a parent who believed that less than perfect wasn't good enough.  I became a

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-82498218921879232652011-07-15T08:18:00.000-04:002011-07-15T08:18:48.164-04:00

When I was a child, I had many faults that stood out.  One was that I didn't know how to make friends or be a friend.  I simply didn't have friends.  But, there were other things I did well.  So, even as a child I pursued what I could do in an attempt to please others and to feel better about myself.  I also had a parent who believed that less than perfect wasn't good enough.  I became a

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-35732131231620743712011-07-13T07:31:00.001-04:002011-07-13T08:21:59.620-04:00

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how I had begun to ponder writing curriculum and what I was going to use with my oldest daughter this year.  Well, it's been interesting since then.  I had ordered 2 new Evan Moor Books and 3 used Evan Moor books.  DON'T buy Evan-Moor books used!  This was what I learned.  Amazon has made a mistake.  They show the new copy with listings for the previous edition

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-22649050076152680732011-07-12T18:12:00.003-04:002011-07-13T03:13:25.444-04:00

Last week, we went on vacation so that is why I haven't posted on this blog since June!  It was a busy trip.  We worked a lot on my mother in law's home and I did a lot of painting.  I scraped, primed, and painted two window frames; scraped a garage door, primed and put 2 coats of paint on it; and primed and painted a mailbox and its post.  I also showed two of my brother in laws how to paint.  I

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-21746168231675023202011-06-29T15:43:00.000-04:002011-06-29T15:43:53.596-04:00

This spring my sister in law emailed me about a curriculum I hadn't heard of before.  It is called A Child's Geography.   The first volume is written by Ann Voskamp.  The second volume is by Ann Voskamp and Tonia Peckover. I have been reading these two books this week.  I finished the first one yesterday, so I'm going to begin by reviewing Volume 1.   This book is titled A Child's Geography

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-18833100769905437772011-06-27T17:04:00.001-04:002011-06-27T17:04:52.687-04:00

Recently, I posted my review of Chasing Sunsets on Amazon.  The author, Eva Marie Everson, commented on my review and we began a short dialogue about her book.  I was challenged and encouraged by the dialogue.  So, I asked her if I could repost it here and she acquiesced, so here it is.  I hope you will find it interesting: My review (which I've previously posted on this blog): Ah, Christian

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-79084408733959209742011-06-25T16:37:00.002-04:002011-06-25T16:38:52.735-04:00

Every once in a while, I get the chance to read a wonderful novel for children.  This week was one of those weeks.  This morning I finished reading The Friendship Doll by Kirby Larson. The Friendship Doll is about a Japanese doll, Miss Kanagawa. This book is a series of interrelated short stories about this doll and several families. When I started reading this book, I was a bit distracted. It

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-91684483883947352402011-06-23T09:07:00.000-04:002011-06-23T09:07:17.157-04:00

I think photography is fun.  Even if I am the only one that likes my pictures, I think it's fun.  Sometimes I think I get caught thinking that it's only worth doing something if I'm good at it or if other people like what comes of what I've done.  I know this isn't true.  It's fun to just do something because I enjoy it.  Taking pictures is one of those things for me.   In March when we sold my

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-20171519280463756642011-06-21T16:11:00.000-04:002011-06-21T16:11:08.154-04:00

I grew up attending public schools.  I read the Bible, but didn't give much thought to whether or not evolution was true.  I had only a little interest in science, so I learned what I needed to know to pass my classes and then I moved on.  I took Biology 101 in college and that was the extent of my science studies in college. When we began homeschooling, I knew I would have to figure out what I

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-76272830982528942752011-06-20T16:53:00.000-04:002011-06-20T16:53:19.115-04:00

A few years I read a book titled Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt.  I love this quote about what good books do: "Good books have genuine spiritual substance, not just intellectual enjoyment.  Books help children know what to look for in life.  Reading develops the taste buds of the mind as children learn to savor what is seen, heard, and experienced and fit these into some kind of

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-1629178243232041152011-06-13T10:03:00.000-04:002011-06-13T10:03:36.185-04:00

Ah, Christian romance.  I haven't read one in a while.  I've been very hesitant to, actually.  I decided to read a new one coming out titled Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson Storyline:  Kim has two boys, 10 and 14 years old.  She and her husband, Charlie, divorced a year ago.  Her dad convinces her to go to Cedar Key for a vacation while her ex-husband has her boys during the summer.  There

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-58322871457106638742011-06-09T07:49:00.003-04:002011-06-09T08:04:58.919-04:00

I suppose I've given this entry a strange title.  A few weeks ago when I had my end of year review, I felt quite confident about what we've been doing and our plans for next year.  I worried that pride comes before a fall and my husband reminded me to just enjoy it while it lasted, because it would likely pass. And it did. Last Friday, I started having a reoccurring thoughts about how I've

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-37695776882343637042011-06-08T15:58:00.000-04:002011-06-08T15:58:30.537-04:00

Last year I read a book that took me quite by surprise.  I did not expect to like it.  I actually expected to dislike it.  But, I found that I loved it! It was a book titled The Sword by Brian Litfin.  It fits into a genre of fiction known as speculative fiction.  Essentially, the world goes into a future dark age when a virus wipes out most of the world's population.  This is deftly described in

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-86620822717462149132011-06-08T07:30:00.001-04:002011-06-08T07:35:08.343-04:00

Last night while I was up writing, I watched a movie on Netflix called Nothing But The Truth.  It was unsettling.  The plot has many ramifications, but taking the basic plot out of context, the basics are these:  all choices we make have consequences.  We may think we know what those consequences will be, but often we don't.  We may justify that we are doing the "right" thing because it is based

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-16977819657907791462011-06-06T17:57:00.000-04:002011-06-06T17:57:03.229-04:00

The idea of a commentary for children was very interesting to me.  With a Bible commentary, you can read a passage in the Bible and look to the Bible for insight and help with concepts or words that you'd like to have more explanation for. Nancy E. Ganz wrote a 5 book commentary series for children that has been published by Shepherd Press.  Recently, I began reading the first book on Genesis.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-24148442415020198022011-06-06T17:41:00.003-04:002011-06-07T15:28:07.636-04:00

On my last post, I mentioned a book by Debi Pearl about marriage. I didn't realize that I had gone on such a tangent in my review until two people mentioned it to me. One gal emailed me and asked me what my concerns about the book are. I thought I would post my concerns here. It was a few years ago when I started reading Created to be his helpmeet. I wrote this review on Amazon at the time...

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-50794532529893514332011-06-02T16:01:00.000-04:002011-06-02T16:01:16.150-04:00

Sometimes I think I would like to write a book.  But, I don't have time.  I'm not even sure what I'd write about.  I do love homeschooling, though.  I love to read curriculum and talk with my friends about what they've found that they love--and what they don't.  I enjoy hearing about my friends triumphs and trials in homeschooling.  I learn so much from them.  I do love to share what I've learned

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-40828134416417680482011-06-01T16:11:00.000-04:002011-06-01T16:11:58.416-04:00

One morning this past weekend, we woke up late and had a breakfast of eggs and bacon as a family.  Then came some time sitting downstairs with legos.  It was actually a really wonderful morning.  In the afternoon, I had a chance to sit and pick up a new book that had just arrived.  I don't have such relaxing days very often, so this was a treat.   The book I picked up to read was The Sweetest

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-32784423291146923492011-06-01T09:51:00.001-04:002011-06-01T09:51:53.936-04:00

Yesterday I posted a review of YWAM's Maps of the United States.  Because I liked that book so much, I ordered their book Maps of the World on my own.  I looked at various websites and didn't find any previews of this book.  So, I ordered it sight unseen. I did really like YWAM's book Maps of the United States, so I expected to really like this book. But, I really don't. There isn't a very

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-14387739510604625872011-05-31T10:28:00.000-04:002011-05-31T10:28:59.143-04:00

A while back, I wrote a review about YWAM's series of biographies of Christian Heroes from history.  Last week, I had the chance to read one of the books from their Heroes of History series.  I liked it, but I liked it even better with the corresponding Unit Study guide.  I'd like to tell you about it and how I felt as I read the book. I read the biography of Alan Shepard: Higher and Faster by

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-84346470204786008642011-05-30T16:46:00.000-04:002011-05-30T16:46:23.332-04:00

My husband's favorite author is Wendell Berry.  Periodically, he will ask me to read an excerpt from one of his books or an essay.  On Saturday, he asked me to read this essay:  http://home.btconnect.com/tipiglen/berrynot.html  The essay is titled "Why I am NOT going to buy a Computer".   Though you may disagree with his decision to not buy a computer, his 9 standards of whether or not to

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-47215580113357080802011-05-27T06:54:00.000-04:002011-05-27T06:54:40.737-04:00

When I was growing up, every Sunday I would check a Value Tales storybook out of our church library.  The books were about historical figures like Louis Pasteur and Helen Keller.  I loved them.  Each story had a "value" that the person exemplified.  Helen Keller was the value of Determination.  My favorite was actually Elizabeth Fry, who was the Value of Kindness.  When I was becoming a teacher,

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-79025645605641382102011-05-25T23:14:00.000-04:002011-05-25T23:14:31.500-04:00

Have you ever been surprised at what comes out of your mouth?  I have.  I was today!  I grew struggling to know how to get along with people and I still make mistakes.  Sometimes I keep talking when people really don't want to.  Sometimes I say too much--way too much!  And sometimes I pry or seem nosy when I really don't mean to.  I'm just curious.  And something else that happens to me is that I

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-19779804478627806442011-05-25T08:19:00.000-04:002011-05-25T08:19:39.256-04:00

A few years ago, we moved here to the community where we now live.  We happened to move two weeks before I had our second daughter.  I was very isolated and alone.  We tried to find a church, but in the midst of experiencing post partum depression and other suffering in my life, I struggled to find someone to turn to.  I wrote this free verse poem after I had sought help from someone and they

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-73510913351810884192011-05-24T15:20:00.000-04:002011-05-24T15:20:31.230-04:00

The more devotionals I read for parents and children, the more I am growing to see the strengths and weaknesses of one compared to another.  Often I have been surprised by some, but disappointed by others. On my lovetopaint.wordpress.com blog, I have posted a list of Children's story Bibles and devotionals.   For ages 4-7 years old, I have found these books which I love: Read and Share Bible

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-59005063917382704252011-05-20T22:48:00.000-04:002011-05-20T22:48:30.926-04:00

Friendship is a curious thing.  There are friendships that whither and some that grow.  There are friendships that survive distance and others that don't.  There are some friends you may talk to once a year and feel as if you just spoke with them yesterday, but there are others that you run into and feel at a loss for words with.  There are some friends you call to rejoice with and cry with.  

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-49456689107704988612011-05-19T08:12:00.000-04:002011-05-19T08:12:36.311-04:00

Last year when I read Distracted by Maggie Jackson, I had no idea that I would be reminded of the insights in her book as often as I have been.  One of the ideas I have pondered often is what is real and what is not.  What was once considered artificial is now considered real in our world.  Online relationships are as real to many people as their relationships with their physical neighbors.  

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-86550658342173829292011-05-17T07:49:00.001-04:002011-05-17T07:50:30.001-04:00

My husband and I are readers.  Interestingly, though, we read very different books.  He loves books by Wendell Berry, Flannery O'Connor, John Piper, and P.D. James.  I, on the other hand, enjoy Francine Rivers, Jerry Bridges, Cynthia Heald, and Lois Lowry.  I do enjoy a good book, but my husband enjoys literature.  I enjoy books that are easy for me to read.  He enjoys ones that are hard--that

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-67814817498125479262011-05-14T12:06:00.000-04:002011-05-14T12:06:13.921-04:00

This morning we were sitting with our kids at breakfast and it felt like the right time to bring out Get Wisdom! because of the topic of our conversation.  So, I went to the homeschool room and brought it back out. We began with the first page which explains what Christian Wisdom is and why we should want to be good.   When the first question talks about the truth, I explained to my children

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037211533021083481.post-90082691018720016502011-05-12T15:07:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:54:47.458-04:00

One thing I love to do is write a review about a book I enjoy!  Yesterday, I received a book in the mail that I've been looking forward to reading for two months.   That book is Get Wisdom! by Ruth Younts.  I shared a few months ago that I'd begun to search for devotionals that I like for children.  I found a good one in God's Names by Sally Michael.  This is another good one.  It's very

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11006242469989144965noreply@blogger.com0