Happy Reformation Day!!

Just wanted to share some last minute ideas for Reformation Day today!


Currlick is offering a freebie of The Lutheran Rose. It describes the meaning behind the symbols and colors of the Lutheran Rose. This is from Creative Learning Connections.

Another item from Creative Learning Connections that we've used previously is the Martin Luther Lapbook and Mini Unit. As I mentioned in my review, it is master copies only. There are no instructions. It's only $1.25 today.

Go over the 95 theses or print them and hang them up on your door.

Here's a Reformers word search.

Here's some notebooking pages for Reformation Day and the Five Solas.

And don't forget the Reformation Rap!

Friday Funny---Mother and child art

This is almost more sweet than funny. Definitely an idea to try!

When artist Mica Angela Hendricks got a new sketch book a while back, her 4-year-old daughter was insistent upon being able to try it out herself. Hendricks tried to say no, but her daughter used a phrase on her mom that she must have heard a few times herself…

If you can’t share, we might have to take it away…

 



Check out the linked article for more. Or go to the artist's original post.

I've still been exercising...and more

 A couple of weeks ago, I posted about exercising. I mentioned that I had been using PraiseMoves: The Christian Alternative to Yoga, DVD
What was really cool was that Laurette Willis herself commented on my post! Go read it. I wait here for you to come back!

Well, I'm still at it. I've been averaging about three times a week. 

Yes, I have been noticing a difference. My body feel much looser. Not so tight. Also, I've been getting down and up from the floor more. Not easily mind you, but down and up. I had gotten to the point of fear of getting down on the floor that I may not be able to get up. Well, I've been getting up without fear. 
That's probably a foreign concept to most of you, but it is what it is.

Mija continues to do it with me for PE credit. She has been really enjoying it.

I've also being tracking my food on My Fitness Pal. It's similar to Weight Watchers online except it's free. I have definitely noticed a challenge to stay on goal on those days that have been extremely stressful. It makes me see all the times I go for comfort instead of the Comforter.

In case you want to join me on My Fitness Pal, my "code name" is mrspriceisright. I know. Very original. ;-)

Inspired--Shaping Parents

The Math of Manners

My latest piece over at Home Educating Family.

Dating sites use all kinds of math equations and algorithms for matches. Did you know that there is a math equation which leads to manners? A friend explained it to me a few years ago.

An Equation for Manners

I was in amazement that people commented on my daughter’s manners. We had been to a craft fair, and numerous people had complimented me on how she routinely said please and thank you without the usual parental prompt. It is kind of a sad commentary on things that good manners are noticed and not assumed, but I digress!

A few days later, I commented to my then four-year-old daughter that she has nice manners. I asked her if her momma had taught her manners in homeschool. She replied, “No.”

- See more at: http://hedua.com/blog/the-math-of-manners/#sthash.VkLAFOOF.dpuf

All this mess is "because he has dealt bountifully with me."

Last night was Cubbies. The director/leader didn't make it.

Why?

We had a flat tire. And a poor donut (replacement tire not pastry!)

Hubby even had to call in for work last night.

Had to cancel my appointment to get new eyeglasses today because the money had to go to replace the tire.

Then in my morning Bible reading, I read Psalm 13.

After complaining to God about the situation, David ends the Psalm in praise. In verse six he states, "I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me."

Things haven't seemed very bountiful in the last 24 hours.

I remembered, however, what I actually deserve. I deserve hell. Anything besides eternal damnation is God dealing with me more bountifully than I deserve. 

Phone worked. I was able to let the Commander know and call and ask a friend to help in Cubbies. The computer and internet were working which allowed me to email lesson plans and worksheets to the church secretary to get to the class. Hubby's call in will be covered meaning no loss in pay. We had the money set aside for my glasses which we could use for the replacement tire.

Yes, "He has dealt bountifully with me."

Friday Funny--Fatherhood Batman-style

What Once Was Lost--Book Review

Through Blogging for Books, I had the opportunity to read What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer. It was just released Sept. 17!

I think I've established before that I do enjoy historical fiction. Now 1890 is not as far back in time as I usually like to go, but since the story occurs in my home state of Kansas (Go Wildcats and Jayhawks!), I thought I'd give it a try.

I was really please by the story line. There were twists and turns. There were disappointments and challenges. There was growth in the characters.

Poor farms. Fires. Unplanned pregnancy. A blind boy. A reclusive miller. A mission board. Counterfeit money. These things and more work together to grow Christina Willems on greater dependency on God, heal Levi Johnson's past hurt, and eventually grow them together in marriage and ministry. Thankfully like real life, it takes take a hard journey to get to that point.

I appreciate the fairly accurate sample the story gives of the culture and mores of this time AND how they agree or disagree with living true Christianity.

Click HERE if you would like to download and read chapter 1 of the book.

And go HERE if you would like to purchase you copy!

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

In the spirit of full disclosure, this is an affiliate link, which means that I may get a commissions if you decide to purchase anything from Christianbook.com. I only recommend products & systems that I use and love myself, so I know you’ll be in good hands.

I've exercised for 2 days in a row---PraiseMoves: Christian Alternative to Yoga

My health is on a downward spiral. My weight is elevated. My blood sugar is elevated. My blood pressure...well, it's okay for now, but you get my point.

I decided to buckle down and start doing some exercise.

But I don't really like to exercise, and my health and weight actually makes it hard to exercise.

There was once an exercise I enjoyed and actually excelled. It was yoga. I took a class back when I was in college. For the first time in my life, I felt that I could be physical. I enjoyed it and continued doing yoga after class was over. I grew more flexible, of course, but also stronger and with more stamina.

Imagine my chagrin when God spoke to both me and my husband that He didn't want me to participate in yoga any longer. There was the whole pagan aspect that I could no longer accept. It was really hard to surrender the one thing that allowed me to exercise my body for the first time. 



Then I found out about Laurette Willis 
and PraiseMoves: The Christian Alternative to Yoga.

It was a blessing to find someone who not only understood our new concern about yoga but offered something that I could do instead.

She offers a page of questions and answers on her website offering her testimony, experience, and philosophy behind PraiseMoves. 

One of the biggest differences between yoga and PraiseMoves is the meaning of meditation. In yoga, meditation means emptying your mind while in Christianity and PraiseMoves, meditation means to focus and think on God and His Word. Each movement relates to a Scripture and Scripture is quoted throughout.

I've made it most of the way through the 20 minute workout. I just can't do the getting down on the floor and back up...yet! Mija has been doing it with me and has enjoyed it. Another benefit is 20 minutes of PE credit for her!

I know to most doing not quite 20 minutes of exercise for two days in a row is not a big deal, but to me it is. Maybe a little public accountability is what I need.

In the spirit of full disclosure, this is an affiliate link, which means that I may get a commissions if you decide to purchase anything from Amazon. I only recommend products & systems that I use and love myself, so I know you’ll be in good hands.

2013 Homeschool Blog Awards--Now taking nominations

Just wanted to let you all know that the Homeschool Blog Awards are now taking nominations through Oct. 21. Voting will take place in November. 

Last year, I ended up becoming one of the Top 10 Funniest blogs of 2012. Besides me, I know of a lot of awesome blogs to nominate!

Have fun.

Keeper of the Home---Katherine Von Bora-Luther

A great article about Katherine Von Bora-Luther from archives at "ah the life" blog.

Keeper of the Home of the Month 

Since October is a time when we turn our hearts to remembering the reclaimed truths of the Reformation I would like to take the time post about a remarkable woman, Catherine or Katharina Von Bora. Behind every great reformer is a great wife!

Katharina von Bora, Martin Luther’s wife, was a remarkable woman whose life was as unusual and exciting as the reformer’s...
Read the rest HERE.

I had fun portraying her for our AWANAs last year.

Tons of Hasbro Coupons--Great for Christmas

Okay, not really tons, but a lot! 
These are affiliate links, so if you click and print, I make a little change.

AWANA Cubbies studying Creation Week

One of the reasons I've been too busy to check in daily is because I'm the director/leader of our Cubbies group.

Over the next few meetings, we'll be covering the days of creation. AWANA provides a lot of great things to use, but I get bored with just worksheets in class. On the other hand, I've been trying to provide parents with some additional worksheets which support our memory verses and preschool learning in general. 

I thought I'd share some things I have found to incorporate. 

First, I think this is so cool. It's the days of creation by a Jewish homeschooler. I LOVE how to tell a Kosher fish!


I am going to be using a simpler version of this for our next meeting. I had the Cubbies hands traced a few times, will cut them out beforehand, and make a smaller version of the sun for day 4 of creation. We'll stick the memory verse in the middle instead of a face.


I had also like this idea but thought it too much for one Cubbies meeting.


This is a cute creation book. Love it being hands-on.


This creation pack is cute but practical. It covers the days of creation and includes number and letter writing practice.


Lastly, here's a site with all kinds of worksheets, activities and even a Genesis lapbook!


Do you have any great resources for teaching creation?