Thursday Thirteen #5

13 of my favorite children's book series...

I love reading! I didn't read that much when I was young, but I do remember that every time I turned around, my Mom had a book in her hand. She was an avid reader. My love for books developed when I was in college and it has only grown more since then. Below are 13 different book series for children that I highly recommend. I have either read these with my children or they have read them alone.

1. The Cul-de-Sac Kids (Vol. 1-24) by Beverly Lewis
2. Chronicles of Narnia (Vol. 1-7) by C.S. Lewis
3. Little House on the Prairie (Vol. 1-9) by Laura Ingalls Wilder
4. Adventures in Odyssey (Vol. 1-12) by Paul McCusker
5. Concord Cunningham Scripture Sleuth (Vol. 1-4) by Matt Halverson
6. The Sugar Creek Gang (Vol. 1-36) by Paul Hutchins
7. Detective Zack (Vol. 1-10) by Jerry Thomas
8. American Girl History Mysteries (Vol. 1-12) Pleasant Company
9. Anne of Green Gables (Vol. 1-3) by Lucy Maud Montgomery
10. Animal Friends (Vol. 1-12) by Janette Oke
11. Summer Hill Secrets (Vol. 1-10) by Beverly Lewis
12. Heroes of the Faith (Vol. 1-43) by various authors
13. Elsie Dinsmore (Vol. 1-28) by Martha Finley (Plus other Life of Faith books!)

I totally had to whittle down my list. I have so many books I could mention, but these have been favorites in our home. Go ahead and pick up a good book today...read it to your kids...you'll be surprised how much fun it is!!

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They just don't get it!

Today Lionel and I had an interesting experience while at the eye doctor's office with my Dad. Since he's in a nursing home, whenever he has an outside doctor visit, the home appoints a nurses aide to ride with him and be his guardian (Dad has Alzheimer's Disease). Generally I meet him at the appointment and then go in with him since it's easier that way. Anyhow...

When I walked in the door with Lionel, we said 'hi' to Dad and then sat down with him to wait for the doctor. I also said 'hi' to the nurses aide, and instead of a simple 'hi' in return, the first words out of her mouth were "why isn't he in school?" Huh? I was taken by surprise by her candor, but I simply answered that we homeschooled. She immediately went into a very offensive tone and proceeded to tell me that it's not legal and that she 'knows' many homeschoolers who really don't like it. She also told me that I needed to put him in school before he is in high school (next year) so he won't miss out on the ring dance, the prom and other 'wonderful' activities. She said how the "poor kid" is missing out on so much and that he needs to "learn" to be social.

I cannot even begin to tell you how much my blood was boiling at this point!!! I bet I was beet red in the face with anger! Believe me, I do not anger easily, but this woman (although being extremely ignorant) had me so upset with her rude comments - which were directed at my son who was sitting right there!!! I had to quietly tell myself to be kind, respectful and not slug her (since my Dad was sitting between us - hee hee).

I knew that she was looking for me to get upset with her, so I chose my words carefully. After telling her that it was in fact legal to homeschool, I went on to say that we choose to homeschool because we want to raise our children to respect others, get along with people of all ages, and most importantly, to have morals and values that are pleasing to the Lord. Most of the things she mentioned were reasons why we do NOT want our children to go to public school. I stated that my children know and play with kids of all ages and they know how to be respectful to both their peers and adults...plus they're smart! = )

Know what she said? "They get that in school"...speaking of morals and values. I couldn't believe my ears, so I had to ask her to repeat what she said! After that comment, I politely disagreed, bowed out of the conversation, and began talking with my Dad. This just goes to prove that some people truly don't know anything about homeschooling, yet they'll be the first ones to tell us how to do it!! That old saying "ignorance is bliss" just doesn't cut it in my book! There are times when ignorance has you speaking lies and looking extremely foolish.

Ahh...just another day in the life of a homeschooling family....

Squirrels....what's the purpose?!?

I really hate squirrels! Don't get me wrong here...I think they're very cute to look at, but they are so pesky!!! My reason for this outburst? I'm sick of them attacking the cute birds out back at our bird feeders! They not only scare them away, they literally sit on our porch and wait for them before they make their move!! Check out this little guy...he's watching! He stayed in this position for at least 2 minutes just watching the birds!



I am a bird lover...can you tell? I enjoy watching them, especially when I'm in the kitchen doing dishes...I can see the feeders right outside the window above the sink. Sweet-Pea and I have been studying birds in her Zoology science class this year, which has definitely increased my passion....and has started hers. Unfortunately, it has also increased my hatred for squirrels. I know, it's a harsh word for such a 'cute' little animal, but the ones around here are just really mean!!!

Looks are deceiving!!!!




OK...so what on earth do we do about those pesky squirrels that keep eating the bird seed out of the "squirrel-proof" bird feeders we have in our yard?!? I don't want to hurt them, but I also don't want them to scare off the beautiful birds we see. Some gorgeous birds feast on our feeders....blue jay's, cardinals, oriels, woodpeckers, sparrows, morning doves and many more. Most of our friendly feathered friends are down south right now, but I know they're coming back, and I don't want them moving away because their territory was invaded by squirrels. Any advice? Don't even get me started on the neighbor's cat - the one that left me a few surprises on our porch this past year...oh the horror!!! My only consolation in that department is that we're going to be getting a dog this month...."here kitty kitty!!" (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

Photo Hunt #95 - Narrow

Climbing over this 'narrow' wall of logs wasn't easy for Lionel!!


This fish has a very 'narrow' snout...he's kind of creepy too!

Music

I don't know about you, but I really love listening to music. It can't be just any music though...I'm pretty picky about what I listen to. I was brought up listening to both Christian and Classical music. My parents also used to put on those 'easy listening' stations as well which drove me nuts...you know...the kind they call 'elevator music'. Bleck! I still cringe when I hear that kind of music today.

When I'm feeling down or need a bit of quiet time alone, music always makes me feel better. My absolute favorite music has to be the slower more mellow inspirational Christian songs, but I do enjoy some of the more upbeat songs as well. My favorite artists are Selah, Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mercy Me, Point of Grace, Mark Lowry, Gaither Vocal Band, Steve Green, and Michael W. Smith. I also love to listen to Il Divo, Andre Boccelli, Josh Groban and Charlotte Church.

Music is soothing for the soul...the Bible has numerous verses which talk about singing, making music and praising the Lord through song. Here are some great ones:

• Ps. 95:2 "Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms."
• Col. 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
• James 5:13 "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms."
• Ps. 92:1-3 "O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms."

As for classical, it's all pretty good...I absolutely LOVE anything by Mozart! I especially enjoy playing his flute concertos! Since Lionel started playing the violin, anything sweet and melodious played by a decent violinist also gives me goosebumps.

All that being said...I am trying to raise my children to also enjoy music...GOOD music. We don't listen to music played on the 'regular' radio stations (sorry, but I can't tolerate that junk!)...only good Christian stations and music from our own CD's are allowed. We also have been learning a lot about hymns and the stories behind them. While the kids are doing their seat work for school, we usually have ZRadio on the computer - they play some great songs on that station which actually helps the kids concentrate. If it's too quiet in our school room they immediately ask me to load the radio station. The only time it's off, is during test time and while Lionel is doing his Spanish since it's on the computer and he needs to listen well.

Here are a few of our favorite songs which were put to music on GodTube, a great Christian alternative to YouTube...enjoy!

Thursday Thirteen #4

13 photos of gorgeous Pennsylvania Farms...

We just spent a few days in PA. While driving in Lancaster County, I snapped a few (OK, a bunch!) of farmland photos. The days weren't real sunny, so it made for some really interesting photos...almost eerie.

I'm NOT a professional photographer - it's just a hobby - but enjoy anyhow...

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As long as these farms are viewed from a distance, they're so beautiful. Don't get too close though...the smell will knock your socks off!!

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I'm back!

Wow, I didn't realized how much I'd miss blogging, but I did. Our family went away for 6 days, so I haven't blogged in a while. I was going to bring my computer along, but I decided not to since I needed a few days without it. I actually enjoyed not being able to blog, having to reply to emails, or update our homeschool website (I'm the president of our homeschool group and I also take care of our website). Now that I'm back, I'm refreshed and ready to go!

First of all, our trip. We went away because Lionel had a big quiz meet in PA. We decided to all head to PA as a family to support him and his team. There were 20 kids in all on the Bible quiz team, along with 4 great coaches. Here's the team...



(Lionel is in the front center...next to one of the coaches, he's wearing a gray shirt with red basketball pants and has a baseball cap on.) The team ended up winning both the upper and lower divisions for the entire weekend which was wonderful!! I'm so proud of them all. They work hard all year long. Currently they are studying Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. These kids eat, breathe, and sleep these books of the Bible all year long so they can do well on the quiz team. It's amazing how much they absorb and memorize!!!

My sister lives right in the area we visited, so we were able to stay with them for a few days as well. We went to Hershey Chocolate World for the gazillionth time too...it never gets old! If you've never been to their 3D Theater presentation, you've got to go! You not only get to view it in 3D, but you 'feel' it as well...the seats vibrate, stuff falls from the ceiling - bubbles, sprayed water, 'cob webs' etc., and things crawl over your feet. It was so much fun!

OK, I'm off to answer a few emails, I'll post more tomorrow!

Photo Hunt #94 - Old Fashioned

I love this 'old fashioned' photo of my Mom with her long red hair!

Miss Potter

Today Edward and I finally got to watch one of the movies I've been anxious to see...MISS POTTER

Oh what a wonderful movie!! I really got to know who Beatrix Potter was. I never knew she fell in love (and was supposed to marry) her publisher Norman Wayne...yet he died before they ever married. I never knew she eventually married William Heelis or that she wrote 23 children's books. We all know her most famous work as being "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" but have you heard of The Tale of Pigling Bland, The Tale of Ginger & Pickles, or The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin ...all part of her original Peter Rabbit series?

The movie has a few flashbacks to her childhood which shows that her creativity began when she was quite young. Her imagination was amazing, her drawings/water color paintings beautiful, and her stories very sweet! The setting is 1902 England....the scenery in the movie is gorgeous and the music just adds to the whole sweetness of the movie.

Funniest quote award goes to Helen Potter (Beatrix's stoogy mother) who says "I wish you wouldn't bring tradespeople into the house. They carry dust." She never wanted to acknowledge that her daughter was famous or that she had money...and lots of it! When Beatrix died in 1943, she left 14 farms and over 4000 acres of land to the National Trust! Wow!

Some great websites to visit:

The Official Beatrix Potter website
Kid's Corner
Miss Potter - the movie site (includes preview video)
Beatrix Potter Attractions


So, do I recommend this movie? You bet!!

The blessings keep coming!!!

WOW! Another package?!? Thank you so very much! I have been spoiled this past week. The package arrived on Saturday which was perfect timing. We had just gone to see my Dad at the nursing home and I was feeling a bit sorry for myself and our whole situation with him. I still battle with guilt feelings about having him in a nursing home. Yes, it's the best place for him now, but it's still so hard to deal with.

Anyhow...the package (and the card - which came separately!) was there when we got home. It totally brightened up my day, so thank you!!!



In the package were 2 Perler Bead kits for the kids - Lionel loved the dog and Sweet-Pea immediately fell in love with the fish. There was also a very pretty journal and a magnetic note pad. The verses on them said "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Thank you again dear Secret Sister, you are too kind!

Saturday Photo Hunt #93 - Important

This Photo Hunt was very easy for me. There are 3 things that are extremely important to me...

1. My relationship with God




2. My wonderful loving husband 'Edward'




3. My two beautiful children, 'Lionel' & 'Sweet-Pea'



See? I told you this one was easy!

Friday Faves - Favorite Kitchen Gadget

Friday Faves: Favorite Kitchen Gadget

I'd have to say that I really love using my Braun hand blender. We use this for a bunch of things, but I'd say that the my favorite way to use it is for making smoothies and mashed potatoes! Stick a few bananas and some frozen strawberries in the container, add a little milk and powdered sugar and blend! It's that easy! Potatoes come out real creamy too when you use this blender. The best part - it's easy to clean. (Is this sounding like a commercial? ha ha)



My favorite appliance is also my Keurig...someday I'll post about that one, but if you don't have one and you love coffee...quick...go run out and grab one!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Well, it's not my 'real' birthday, but it 'is' my birthday. How is that you ask?

Today is my spiritual birthday!! 37 years ago on January 18th (in 1971) I asked Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior. I was only 5 years old then, but I remember kneeling beside my Mom's bed with her beside me as I prayed the sinners prayer. Since then, I have grown to love Him more and more each day. I have dedicated my life to Him and am proud to say that I am His child!!

If you are totally clueless as to what I'm talking about, please visit one of these websites...today just may be the day you too will have your spiritual birthday!

Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Focus on the Family
The Romans Road
Who is Jesus?
How to Follow Christ Video

Blessings,