Future world traveler!?!

I picked up an old world atlas the other day at the thrift store and had it out today.  I had a few books on Australia out as well as this is Australia Day.  After an early bath, this is what I saw while I was preparing dinner:

Now I just need to study it to keep up with her geography skills.  I am looking forward to getting this book this summer or even starting it with both girls next fall. 

Love that my kid is interested in something as "boring" as geography.  What are your kids interested in that may be considered "boring"?

Words of encouragement

I have long thought that my oldest daughter is a quality time person like me (five love languages) but after a recent comment about when I was going to write another note to put in her mailbox I began to see just how much she loves words of encouragement. 

This last week of the gentleness challenge has been eye opening and great.  Each member of our family is totally on board.  Posting scriptures from Proverbs all around our house I recognize we are constantly reminded to make sure our words are wise and bring healing to one another.  I am encouraged by the girls ability to memorize and review scripture.  I even heard Lydia in her room one day singing a song with Proverbs 12:18.  It was sweet to hear her putting her own melody to the words that are life giving.

This week as we continue the gentleness challenge with Courtney from Women Living Well I am focusing on encouraging words and notes to my family members.  I started a Mama and Me journal book with Lydia and can't wait to see her reaction and her first entries into the world of journaling and letter writing.  I hope we can fill that book and many others with questions, hopes, dreams, encouragement and words that build up rather than tear down.

Blessings to you!

Words, words, words

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires. James 1:19-20

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26

I have had these memory verses for a long time yet they are constantly being put to the test.  I want so much to open my mouth only in wisdom and allow loving instruction to be on my tongue as I spread the fragrance of God's love an grace throughout my home and my relationships.  This a constant struggle because my selfishness and my desires to please God are always at war with each other. 

I am joining this month with Courtney at Women Living Well to fight this battle with the Gentleness Challenge.  My first order of buisness is to post Proverbs all over our house.  Using my words wisely is not possible without the Word of God being firmly planted in my heart and to do that I am going to post it all over the walls of our house so there are constant reminders of His wisdom. 

Lord, You are the author and perfecter of my faith and I pray that You use this earthly challenge to produce Your lifelong eternal purposes.  You are the only one who can give me strength and I know You care deeply that I use my words wisely.  May I turn to You alone in the struggles that threaten to overwhelm my life.  You are the One that I want to lead my and guide me through this life.  Amen.

Christmas Pictures

Lydia has been wanting one of these for a long time and was very excited to finally get a purse to color.

Littlest Pet Shop - always a big hit

Perler beads - definite favorite

Both the girls got a decorate your own Littlest Pet Shop

Sparkle shoes and Twinkle Toes! (Thanks to a great clearance price this mama found)

Read along princess books and cd's

Look and find style book - very magical

More LPS

Emma can't be left out of the coloring fun

Gifts from Mana and Hoppy - Little Ponies and LPS

Lydia wants to learn how to sew so we are starting with this kit

Final Product

They did a great job - Lydia really does have quite the artistic eye

We had a simple and very blessed Christmas.  We are not huge gift givers and toys are not the way to my girls heart.  Quality time and the touch they both crave are far more suited to crafts and games than toys.  My Christmas gift this year was the tree you see in the background. Justin surprised me one day and went to Sam's and got it for me.  I love it! Justin and I rarely get anything for each other so it was a really nice treat.  Hope you had a fun Christmas and that you have a blessed new year.

Christmas Learning Fun

Here are just a few snapshots of some of the fun learning activities we have been doing around here this month.

Alphabet soup - yummy!

Boy, look at ALL that snow.

Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair. Obviously we like dress up around here!

Now Mary, that's more like a pastor's kid, right?

Another, older version of Mary.

Not sure about this one....she said she was a cowgirl. Lasso and boots?

Roll and Build a Nativity from 2 Teaching Mommies.

Nativity Word search

Nativity timeline from 2 Teaching Mommies

Alphabet match, upper lower case

close up

Color words candy cane matching. Emma could read them all!

Day 20 of our Christmas fun days, decorating an ice cream cone tree.

Always some dramatic flair.

Notice: not all ideas to be an out of the box teaching mama lend themselves to good results. Dry erase markers on our fridge did not go well.

The math problems were answered correctly but the result on the fridge seems permanent.

Several different home remedies later and it is still there.

Be blessed!

Family Fun

PJ's are a must when we snuggle in for a movie or a good book!

Our family is so very much enjoying our celebration of Advent with some really fun activities thrown in. Last night we had family movie night and the movie of the night was "Snow Buddies". The girls loved seeing the cute little puppies and lets just say that Justin and I suffered through it for the sake of our children.  Not what we would consider quality entertainment here folks.  Other than that it was a fun way to spend a night with my favorite people in the world. 

December Fun

Here is the final list I put on the pull out cards in my homemade Advent calendar.  So far, the girls are having fun and I am pleased with the way they are listening when we do our Jesse Tree devotions.  Really feeling the peace and calm this year for the Christmas season.

December
1 - Tree Decorating
2 - Family Movie Night (FMN) - Rudolph (with special Rudolph chapstick from Target dollar spot)
3 - Serve meal at the Union Mission
4 - Decorate Christmas Canvas Bags
5 - Christmas Shape Tracers
6 - Window Clings (2 from Target dollar spot and Nativity set from Christmas Walmart Clearance last year)
7 - Color Bookmarks
8 - Jesus - paint over his name with q-tips
9 - FMN - the library has several good Christmas picks
10 - Paint Ornaments
11 - Dress Fancy for dinner tonight (even mommy and daddy)
12 - Hot Chocolate Treat
13 - Coloring book fun
14 - Nativity Puzzle
15 - Happy Birthday Jesus activity book
16 - FMN - library again
17 - Bake something yummy for neighbors and deliver
18 - Christmas bookies in PJ's
19 - Legend of the candy cane with craft
20 - Legend of the Christmas Tree - decorate ice cream cone Christmas tree
21 - Legend of Saint Nicholas with Santa craft
22 - Nativity craft
23 - FMN - Small One (my favorite from childhood) and The Very First Noel
24 - Make Birthday Cake for Jesus - Christmas Eve church service
25 - Christmas Celebration!


I found so many great ideas this year when searching the web that I have a folder full of ideas for next year already! I really am grateful to so many online communities that provide such great resources for free. Someone else's hard work is making it easier to focus on what is most important and do it in a creative way. Blessings!