Valentine's Day 2015

It is time again for my annual Valentine's cards post. Making my kid's handmade Valentine's Day cards has become a tradition along with a bag of M&M's (except Destini received some OMG's)  and a book. This year I took my collection of Valentine's paper and used that instead of purchasing new paper. I also made a card for my mom, but I forgot to take a picture before I sent it. Here is a look at what everyone received.

Caleb:

  

  

Destini:

  

 

Chantry:

Delani:

 

My husband:

Wednesdays with Words (Penrod)

 I just started reading Penrod by Booth Tarkington to my kids and have been greatly challenged in my reading abilities. Tarkington likes to use big words and not just one here or there, but as many as he can in a sentence. Here was my challenge sentence that I read last night.

Any flavour of sweetness remained in the nature of Penrod Schofield after the dismal trials of the school-week just past, that problematic, infinitesimal remnant was made pungent acid by the imminence of his destiny to form a prominent feature of the spectacle, and to declaim the loathsome, sentiments of a character named upon the programme the Child Sir Lancelot. 

 I survived that sentence only to run into this one:

There was a long soliloquy upon the fence, a plaintive monologue without words: the boy's thoughts were adjectives, but they were expressed by a running film of pictures in his mind's eye, morbidly prophetic of the hideosities before him. 

Well, if I survive reading this aloud we should have an increased and rich vocabulary!!

Happy Birthday, Shade!

 

Isn't he cute?

 

To a wonderful husband, father and friend. We love you!

Reading Journal: Hitty Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Fields

 

Book Description:

Hitty is a very special doll who belongs to Phoebe Preble. Phoebe is proud of her beautiful doll and brings Hitty everywhere she goes. This is thrilling for Hitty, who finds herself involved in the most wonderful adventures both on land and at sea. She meets many people and makes new friends.

This is the story of the first hundred years of Hitty's life. And that's only the beginning for a doll as special as Hitty.

My thoughts:
Hitty Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Fields tells the story of Hitty, a doll made out of mountain-ash, who becomes the property of Phoebe Preble. She enjoys many adventures while living with Phoebe including being captured by a crow, is miraculously saved from a burning ship, and is rescued from natives, only to fall from Phoebe's hands while in India. She spends some years stuffed in a horsehair couch before being rescued and going to live with a Quaker family. She went on to meet a famous poet, Charles Dickens, and then was put on display for an Exhibition. After many more adventures she ends her memoirs sitting in an antique shop.

This was a cute story and I was surprised how well I ended up liking it. It was a fun story. It was also interesting to see how many places she ended up going and all the things she did even if it included sitting in a hay barn for a while. Any girl who likes dolls or fun adventure stories would enjoy this story.

Reading Goals for 2015

I am really late in posting my reading goals for this year, but I haven't forgotten. I started setting reading goals a few years ago and it has helped me be more intentional in my reading. My main goal is to work through the books I have bought in previous years and have not read. This would work really well if I could quit buying books throughout the year, but that has yet to happen. Sigh. But--I am going to keep on trying.

When I have finished the book I will decide if I will keep the book or get rid of it by selling or donating to my library. This year I didn't pick as many as I have in the past since life seems a little more hectic than it was a few years ago. I want this to be enjoyable--not stressful.

Here are my 2015 goals:

• Bible Reading - I have found that reading the Bible through in two years vs. one works better for me. This year I will be reading from Isaiah-Revelation and through Psalms and Proverbs.
• My Classics Club list - I must revive this. I have read quite a few off of the list, but have yet to write my thoughts up.

Books from my shelves: 

1. Let Us Pray by Watchman Nee - I'm not sure if this title was suggested to me or just the author. I have owned this book for close to 10 years so on the list it goes. (Feb. 19) - Donate
2. Twelve Ordinary Men & Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur - I saw my dad reading Twelve Ordinary Men years ago and it looked really interesting. I came across this copy and snatched it up and it has since just sat on my shelf. (Sept. 2) - Keeper.
3. Thirsting for God: Spiritual Refreshment for the Sacred Journey by Gary Thomas - I really enjoy Gary Thomas' books and I had an previous version of this book on my TBR list. I came across this title last year while at Lifeway and saw it was an updated copy and since the price was right it came home with me. (Dec. 18) Donate
4. Consider This: Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition - It is about Charlotte Mason and come highly recommended so yes, I had to buy it. (June 16) - Keeper
5. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney - Another "bargain" at Lifeway that I picked up a couple of years ago. (May 11) - Keeper
6. Rite of Passage: A Father's Blessing by Jim McBride - We bought this a few years ago to use with our oldest son, and though my husband started it it never was finished. Since my youngest son will be turning 13 this year I will read it and narrate it to my husband.  (Mar. 10) - Undecided
7. Raising a Princess: Eight Essential Virtues To Teach Your Daughter by John Croyle - I had to pick this one up since I already owned the one for boys (see #8).  (Sept. 12) - Sell or donate
8. The Two-Minute Drill to Manhood: A Proven Game Plan for Raising Sons by John Croyle - Another book I bought at a great price at Lifeway (I see a pattern here that tells me I need to stay out of Lifeway!)  (June 30) - Sell or donate
9. Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss - I like Nancy Leigh DeMoss and found this book used for a great price so it came home with me and has sat for a year at least. (Feb. 18) - Definitely a keeper. A wonderful resource to have on hand.
10.  The Excellent Wife: A Biblical Perspective by Martha Peace - I have had this on my shelf forever. I have seen high recommendations for this book so we shall see. (Oct 2) - Donate, though the trash can may be good option.
11. Adolescence Isn't Terminal It Just Feels Like It! by Kevin Leman - I have owned this book far too long and should have read it before my oldest hit adolescent, but I really, really like Keven Leman so on my list it goes. (Apr. 21) - Keeper. I collect his books.

Wednesdays with Words (Lies Women Believe)

I have just started Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and by the end of the first chapter have already read a quote that has me going down a rabbit trail.

 

Satan deceived Eve by causing her to make her decision based on what she could see and on what her emotions and her reason told her to be right, even when it was contrary to what God had already told the couple:   

"When the woman saw the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom , she took some and ate it." Genesis 3:6   

Eve took a bite. But instead of the promised rewards, she found herself with a mouth full of worms--shame, guilt, fear, and alienation. She had been lied to--she had been deceived. As Puritan pastor Thomas Brooks put it,  

Satan promises the best, but pays the worst; he promises honor, and pays with disgrace; he promises pleasure, and pays with pain; he promises profit, and pays with loss; he promises life and pays with death. (p. 31)

The quote by Thomas Brooks really caught my eye and I found it came from the book, Smooth Stones Taken from an Ancient Brook, which is a compilation of quotes put together by C.H. Spurgeon.  I have been browsing through this book and it has really piqued my curiosity in his actual writings. Oh, if only I had the time to read where all my rabbit trails take me!

Book Review: Motivate Your Child by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN

 

Having a motivated child is probably every parent's wish. How to achieve that goal is a whole different matter. Recently I had the opportunity to review Motivate Your Child: A Christian Parent's Guide to Raising Kids Who Do What They Need to Do Without Being Told by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN, founders of the National Center for Biblical Parenting.

Motivate Your Child is a practical book that is filled with ideas and examples to help parents equip their children to have internal motivation for life. The book is divided into two parts.  The first part deals with moral development in children. It covers such topics as:

• Internal vs. External Motivation
• What is the Conscience?
• Helping kids choose to do what's right
• Learning to value integrity
• Compassion
• Consequences
• And more

The second part deals with the spiritual development in children. It covers such topics as:

• Family Time
• Relationships are foundational
• Practicing your faith
• Using scripture creatively and connecting them to the Bible
• Children and the Holy Spirit
• And more

One of the main premises of this book is teaching your child to be aware of their conscience and how it helps them learn to do what is right, deal with wrongs, be honest, and care about others. Of course, the conscience is so much more powerful with the power of the Holy Spirit, and the authors don't disappoint in showing how to implement the Bible and teaching your child how to have a relationship with God.

Throughout the book there are many practical suggestions and examples for parents to use with kids. But don't worry, there is also thought provoking questions and advice for the parents themselves.
I found myself shaking my head in agreement many times and jotting down a note here and there to implement with my kids. Such as:

When we rationalize a child's bad attitude, we miss opportunity to teach honor. p. 93

One of my favorite suggestions was the use of a Weekly Family time where you take the time to develop godly character in your kids. I know for a fact that this is hard to do. I found it reassuring that they encourage over and over to keep working for this goal no matter how times you drop the ball.

I think one reason this book resonated so much with me is that I was blessed to raised this way and I was strengthened in my resolve to pass this on to my kids. Some days I have my doubts if I am really getting through and I found this statement encouraging:

You're only influencing your children for God's purposes. It's God who ultimately changes your children's hearts. (p.195)

Motivating Your Child can be a "motivating" book for any parent and I highly encourage you to check it out. If you order your book TODAY (January 31) you can email your receipt to gift@biblicalparenting.org and you can receive The Bonus Parenting Strategy Pack which includes: • Toolbox of Consequences Video and Study Guide • Kids and Conscience Video and Study Guide • Children’s Activity Lessons for Conscience Development • Child Teaching Points • Make Devotions Fun MP3 • How to Develop Gracious Speech MP3nce Development • Children’s Activity Lessons on Correction • Strong Willed ($150 value).

Motivating Your Child is available through the National Center for Biblical Parenting, Amazon, Christianbook.com and many more retailers.

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