Creating Contentment--review

This month, my Gabby Mom review is a new seminar series that Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement is doing. 

The first seminar was Creating Contentment. It was great to watch this cool PowerPoint presentation while Lorrie spoke. It was almost like seeing her in person. The slides were colorful and held your attention.

Lorrie spoke on the need for contentment and gives 14 ways to gain contentment. She ends with a heartfelt entreaty about contentment in marriage.

I was able to watch it live and it was nice, BUT because I could watch the whole thing again and it really ministered to me the the area of disciplining my daughter. I need to be content that the challenges I'm facing are approved by God for His glory and my (and mija's) good. Contentment vs. pulling my hair out in frustration...hmmm, which should I choose? 

Oh, and please understand that I don't mean being content with my daughter's poor behavior. I mean being content dealing with the challenges of it.

Right now, you can get a great deal on this recorded seminar. Regularly, it will be $6.00, but you can get this one for only $3.00! Remember, that includes your own copy of the slides Lorrie used and access to watch the seminar whenever you want as many times as you want!

 You can also pre-purchase the next seminar which is True Womanhood is not for Wimpy Women. Unlike Creating Contentment, you won't be able to watch this one live but instead will access to the pre-recorded seminar and all the slides and literature that goes along with it. It will be available on or before March 15 and is on sale for $6.00.

So check out these seminars you can watch in your pjs. Watch them as many times as you want. Print out a copy of one of the slides to post as an encouragement. 
Create some contentment and then avoid being a wimpy woman! 

I received Creating Contentment for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wednesday Websites--art and craft

I'm starting a new series on Wednesdays. I'll be sharing websites that I come across. 

I'll also continue to post them on my Helpful Homeschool Website page.
Have you used my page before?

Today's topic will be Arts and Crafts.

One email I look forward to checking out comes from All Free Kids Crafts. The ideas I really like I pin. You can always just go check out the site instead of getting emails. 


Everyday Art was a community art project from a few years ago, but each assignment is still available online. There is a gallery of photos of projects that were submitted at the time. Some projects take months, some only a few minutes. Some cute ideas to use or use as a jump off place.

Garden of Praise is really cool. It has entries for famous artists which tell their stories and show a variety of their artwork. Then it has online puzzles, games and printables which review the artist and what was covered. These are at an elementary level but enjoyable for all.
The site has a lot of free resources on other subjects, too!

What are some resources you use? Please share!

Anne of Green Gables--11 book set only $0.99!!

Right now, The Anne Stories: 11 Books, Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne's House of Dreams, Rainbow Valley, Rilla of Ingleside, Chronicles of Avonlea, Plus Audiobooks is available on Kindle for only $0.99!!

There are 8 Anne books and 3 other books by Lucy 
Maude Montgomery. You will also get links to download the unabridged audio books for all 11 titles, too!

For only $0.99!!

Well, worth the deal.

And remember, you don't have to have a Kindle device to get Kindle books. Just download the Kindle app to your computer, tablet, or smart phone!

Thanks to Kansas City Mamas for the heads up!

Quote

“Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.”-- Vladimir Ilyich Lenin(1870 - 1924), First Leader of the Soviet Unionhttp://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Vladimir.Lenin.Quote.7B3A

Toy Coupons

Swagbucks--join the party

I've mentioned before how I've gotten things for free through SwagBucks.
Well, today, SwagBucks is celebrating it's 5th birthday with chance to win $1000 and Swag Codes that can earn you up to 135 in Swag Bucks.
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Friday Funny--National Sweet Potato Day!

One day two sweet potatoes, who were best friends, were walking together down the street. They stepped off the curb and a speeding car came around the corner and ran one of them over. The uninjured sweet potato called 911 and helped his injured friend as best he was able. The injured sweet potato was taken to emergency at the hospital and rushed into surgery. After a long and agonizing wait, the doctor finally appeared. He told the uninjured sweet potato, "I have good news, and I have bad news. The good news is that your friend is going to pull through." "The bad news is that he's going to be a vegetable for the rest of his life". 

source: http://www.jokes4us.com/miscellaneousjokes/foodjokes/sweetpotatojokes.html

Getting Out of Bed In the Morning

I've mentioned the challenging journey we've been living through. It can really get you down even when  you are trying to walk through it by faith. Any encouragement during the hard times is appreciated.

Alice Wisler has authored five novels including a couple of Christy Award finalists. She lost her four-year-old son to cancer in 1997. As a result of her grief and healing, she has recently written a devotional for others who are also going through various forms of loss.

Her book entitled Getting Out of Bed in the Morning: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache is the resulting devotional. There are 40 days worth of devotions broken down into five sections. Each day starts with a verse followed by the devotional, a reflection, prayer and an activity to do. She entitled this last part "While You Walk" because she encourages you to get out and walk.

Before I continue, I need get on my usual soapbox about devotionals. Because mature believers need the "meat" of the Word, I liken devotionals to vitamins; you get some nutrients but no where near what you need to thrive. A solid diet of just devotionals tends to leave one weak.

Now, down from my soapbox and on specifically to Getting Out of Bed in the Morning: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache.


This devotional is par for the course. It does not give you much depth, but that was not the purpose of this book. The purpose of this devotional is encouragement through the rough patches in life. In that case, it could accomplish its goal. 

I had a hard time following the book. Maybe because I was expecting more cohesiveness in each section. The individual devotions were well written. You could tell the author wrote from experience, and she wrote generally enough about loss that it can minister to those dealing with a loss of a person, a loss of a job, a loss of a health, etc. 

In addition to the book, there is a blog that accompanies the book and Alice Wisler's own personal blog. It is kind of cool that she does not leave her ministry to just the book alone.

I would recommend this book to those dealing with a loss. I know personally that during those times of sorrow and grief, God can seem far off. The nice thing about this devotional is that it can be that link that keeps one connected to God and His grace, as well as, ministering to their hurt during that time.

In fact, this would make a nice gift. When you know someone dealing with a loss, and you just do not know what to do to help. Give them a copy of this book to express your concern.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

One of the Top Ten Funniest Blogs of 2012

Guess what!  Remember last fall when I asked for votes for the Homeschool Blog Awards?

Well, I knew I didn't win, but what I didn't know was that I ended up in the Top 10 Best for Funny Homeschool Blogs!

What a blessing and surprise!
Thanks for all those who voted way back then!

Get your taxes done for FREE!!

You know I love FREE!!
I don't like doing taxes, so getting them done free is a big plus!

Last Friday, I did our federal taxes in one evening using H & R Block free online. I then I e-filed it.

And yes, it was more than just a free 1040EZ. It was a whole 1040 with itemization and all. It asks all the questions you need just like one of the programs you buy to use on your computer, but with things like Max Refund--Guaranteed and Audit Support and Representation.

You can always try it out and if you don't like it, just stop!

More evidence of Spiritual growth

Last week, I wrote about some challenging questions mija asked my hubby and me.

I want to continue my conversation with some encouraging news and comments made by mija.

The very night she asked those ponderous questions, I came home to find out a friend had passed away. Mija had never met my friend and this conversation resulted. 

"Was your friend a Christian?"
"Yes."
"Well, since I'm saved, I'll get to meet her someday."

I appreciated that first, she was concerned about my friend's salvation (a little late, but still). Second, she claimed her salvation (which she has done before). Third, she shared her eternal hope.

The following night we attended the church business meeting. Our pastor mentioned baptism. Mija hasn't been baptized yet because we want her faith to be her own and not something we artificially forced on her. Well, when he mentioned baptism, she whispered, "Can I? Can I?"

We talked more about it on the way home. We're praying about it with her and having her write out her testimony as we know that is a requirement at our church.

So, while we made sure we didn't freak out with the previous conversation, we also made sure not to show extreme excitement about her choices. She knows we approve, but once again, we want her to do it for the right reasons and not just because her parents want it for her.

I'm sure more updates on this issue will be coming along!

Toy Coupons

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• $3.00 off any Fisher-Price Giggle Gang
• $10.00 off Laugh & Learn™ Stride-to-Ride Puppy
• $5.00 off Laugh & Learn™ Love to Play Puppy

Every Day's A Holdiay!

Credit Home Educating Family

Forgot to mention that I posted today at Home Educating Family Blog! Come join me!

God Gave Us Easter

I thought it was very timely to be able to review God Gave Us Easter since Easter is just around the corner.

God Gave Us Easter is part of a series of books written by Lisa Tawn Bergren and illustrated by Laura J. Brayant. Some of the other books in the series include: God Gave Us You, God Gave Us Two, and God Gave Us Christmas.

Here's a short video about the series and this book.

In general, the book is cute, but I do not recommend it if you want to truly teach about Easter. Let me explain why.

I like how it started by explaining there is more to Easter than the Easter bunny, but then I felt it jumped around topically. The author discussed how things need to die in order to bring new life and how you have to let go of things in order to receive something greater. Then she briefly discusses the sinfulness of people at the flood and after. There is a simplistic mention of Jesus providing the need of forgiveness. She ends with Jesus speaking to your heart.

I think the story does not progress in a logical order.  Papa Bear mentioned that God had a plan for Easter from the beginning, but the hopping back and forth does not show it. I think younger ones might miss the meaning of Easter in the midst of discussions of the “root of Jesse” and the river running to the sea. I also have an issue of animals dealing with theology, but that is a topic for another post.

Or is it? You see, I had my 8 year old read the book.

It is recommended for ages 3-8, so she is on the high end. She thought the book was “okay”. She liked that the book dealt with Easter, but in her words, “Why polar bears? Animals don’t need salvation.” Then she lapsed into how fun it would be to talk to the animals, but I (and she) digress.

The polar bear family is a cute family,however…for a family of polar bears that is. The illustrations are really nice.

So, here are my final thoughts. If you want a book to teach or reinforce what you have taught your child about Easter, this one is not it. If you just want a book to deal with Easter as a way of keeping some focus on the real reason for the season, this book would be a cute one to have.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Friday Funny--Classical Hokey Pokey

I'm glad I didn't freak out...what would you have done?

I didn't freak out.

Last night, mija started a VERY interesting discussion that I could have easily overreacted to. 

She started asking questions like:
"So, how do you know God really exists?"
"How can God be alive forever?"
"How do you know the Bible is true?"

I KNOW!! I'm thinking, "Oh, no! My daughter is only 8 years old and she's already questioning her faith!"

Some of the answers included:
"Because the Bible says so."
"That is why it is called "faith". If we understood or knew for sure, we wouldn't have to believe."
"Daddy and I tell you what the Bible says, but that doesn't mean WE understand it either. You don't have to understand to believe."
"The fact that God is eternal and knows everything just goes to show us how BIG God is and how little we are."

So here are my thoughts.

• Props to my hubby and me for not going off half-cocked and saying things like "Because we told you so" or "How in the world could you ask that!"
• Thankful that mija felt that she could openly discuss her questions with us. I pray it stays that way about Biblical things as well as other things.
• These things means she's been thinking about her faith. She's not just taking things at face value, but evaluating them. She's making sure she knows what she believes and why.

What do you think? Do you think my thoughts are right or am I missing the mark?

And the Valentine Winner is...

Have you missed me? Life has been in an uproar the past week. It looks like more uproar is coming in the near future, but hopefully, I can get back on top of things. Thanks for your patience.

I posted about possible Valentines mija could make for  our homeschool group today.

The winner is...

The Flower!

We made a few changes to the original one from Pinterest.

Source: stamping.craftgossip.com via Betsy Price on Pinterest

We left off the phrase "I'm as sucker for you, Valentine" and added a leave where she signed her now. She colored each flower, too, instead of pre-printed paper.Here is a close-up of a finished flower pop.

Making Valentine's Cards

Mija will be going to our church's homeschool group next Tuesday, and of course, Valentine's will be exchanged. She's never actually participated in a Valentine exchange before, so I'm sure it will be fun for her.

Not as fun for me, however, since money is scarce. Looking at some Valentines on Pinterest to possibly make. Here are some of my choices.

Source: stamping.craftgossip.com via Betsy Price on Pinterest

For the one above, I'd make a template, cut them out and decorate them since I don't have stamps.

Source: mudpiestudio.blogspot.com via Betsy Price on Pinterest

I'd have to buy pencils.

Source: krokotak.com via Betsy Price on Pinterest

It would be a lot of cutting to make enough for the whole group, but really cute.

Source: lessonplans.craftgossip.com via Betsy Price on Pinterest

Cute and usable past Valentine Day.

Source: froggyfriendsfun.blogspot.com via Betsy Price on Pinterest

I'd probably make them smaller to be Valentine cards.

Source: blissbloomblog.com via Betsy Price on Pinterest

I think this would be cute with "I'm so glad we both home 'school'."  Lot's of parts to purchase, however.

Source: lilsugar.com via Betsy Price on Pinterest

I'd have to learn how to help her make a friendship bracelet and then there is printer ink to consider.

Source: mykidsguide.com via Betsy Price on Pinterest

This is cute especially since we did some sign language before.

Are you making any cute, homemade Valentines? If so, share your ideas. PLEASE!!  I could use some help.

Learning about Electricity and a Video to help

Mija has been doing some "shocking" learning. Electricity has caught her eye.

I all started with her sheet and blanket. One night she saw the "tiny lightening" and was actually a little freaked out. I explained that she was just seeing static electricity...like when one of us rubbed a balloon over our hair.

That calmed her, but she was intrigued.

And then this happened when we were folding clothes one day.

Two strings from this rag (yes, I cut up old things to make rags) were just standing up, side-by-side, due to static. You could put your hands over them and under them and they wouldn't move. It was really cool.

So, now I am finding little lessons to teach about electricity.

One that I found was through Super-Charged Science. I've posted about free classes with them before.  Well, I found one lesson and experiment on electricity and am using it. 

I really like how Aurora Lipper of Super-Charged Science makes everything easy and accessible.
So, if you want a fast lesson about electricity check out HERE. It mentions an access code, but I didn't need one. All I used was my email address, and it took me straight to the lesson.

Lesson Pathways--African American History Month

A quick idea for African American History that I'm using from Lesson Pathways.

First of all, I started using Lesson Pathways for our language. I have it listed under curriculum on my Helpful Websites page. It's FREE. 

What I like is how it integrates literature with spelling, vocabulary, and more.

For third grade, one of the reading units is Dream Variations by Langston Hughes. It looks like a great unit to combine poetry, black history, and more. I'm thinking of adding some science be review the day and night cycle. 

Will you be integrating some things for Black History Month this February?

Friday Funny---Groundhog Day