Usborne Books has classic books that are very simple for young kids.  Once they understand the story line, it will not seem as daunting to read the original as they get older.  I have since learned that there are many other lines that sell early versions such as Classic Starts.

If you still need a little motivation to get into these brilliant works that have been around longer then we have, check out the book The Thomas Jefferson Education.  It was a huge motivator to me to read myself as well as teach my kids.  I recently finished Jane Austin's Pride and Predjudice and will soon be reading Laddie.

Amazingly Simple Home Remedies/Helpful Hints

1. If you're choking on an ice cube simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat. Presto! The blockage will instantly remove itself.

2. Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold while you chop.

3. Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by using the sink.

4. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.

5. A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

6. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you'll be afraid to cough.

7. You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

8. Remember: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

9. Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.

10. If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

I found this on a blog that I read MMMM..That's good coffee.  It looks like it was one of those forwarded emails.  Funny stuff, I say.

I think this was my son's favorite book this past year.  It is a simple version of Pilgrim's Progress that remains in the original language.It was way above my son's reading level, but he did not have a hard time following the story because of the vivid pictures.  A friend of mine would not read the book because some of the pictures are pretty dark; keep that in mind if that is a concern to you.  I thought is was worth it for the spiritual understanding and discussions that my 6 year old and I had at the start of his first grade year.  We will revisit this book and move on to other versions. 

Click on the book and it will take you to Rainbow Resources, my favorite homeschool store where you can get a copy.  Let me know if you like it.                                                                      

That is about how long that I have been away from this blog.  Why has it been so long?  We started the adoption process in Dec 2006, we have traveled quite a bit, I had my first major homeschool year this past year (1st grade and preschool) and lots going on.  I would like to try and be on here a bit more.  My goal is to do a few reviews of books that I have enjoyed in our homeschool.

21. flax seed

22. laundry that is finished and put away and smells like Tide.

23. good vitamins to take

24. apple cider vinigar

25. candles that smell great and seasonal

26. decorating for Christmas

27. great vegetable soup mix and healthy too

28. organic stuff

29. having a working dishwasher

30. fun coffee mugs

31. potty trained children

32. lots of scrapbooking supplies

33. MOPS

34. polka dot socks

35. a warm and cuddly robe that my mom recently sent to me.

36. Pampered Chef stones (esp the bread stones that I just got and use all the time)

37. kids that want to hug upon waking in the morning!

38. a giant package from Rainbow Resources

39. kids that sleep hard

40. Cowman's devotional Streams in the Desert. (She has been like a mentor to me through her book)

Our assignment this week is to blog about your plans for Thanksgiving Day.....share your day in any creative form.  Please try to include family traditions, your menus, who carves your turkey, do you save the wishbone, the list could go on and on. 

I really enjoy Thanksgiving.  This year we head to my brother's home on the other side of Ohio.  My entire family will be there and that means lots of fun.  There will be six children running around that are eight years old and younger which adds to the festive feeling. 

We get up and have monkey bread and egg casserole.  We might also have these yummy sausage rolls (see recipe below) again this year.  This includes good coffee as well. 

At my brother's house, we usually have a smoked turkey on a smoker that he built with a friend.  We also have all the fixings including and old family recipe of cranberry ice which we start and end with.  We usually have pumpkin, pecan, and carnel pies.  Dinner is served around 4 P.M. usually. 

During the day, we cook, the kids do crafts, we watch parades and games, the men sometimes take the kids outside (weather permitting) and we plan our shopping excursions for the next day. It is cozy and warm and fun.  I really enjoy the day and the entire weekend.  Leftovers are also great!

Yummy Sausage Roll Recipe

1 16 oz sausage (my brother likes spicy; I like mild) cook on stove

1 package cream cheese mix together with cooked sausage

2 - 8 crescent roll packages unroll into individual triangles

Take the mixture and spoon it into the rolls and wrap the rolls around the mixture.

Bake for about 10 minutes at 350 and you are done.

Great served with some type of fruit! I often make this when we have company.  It is easy and well liked.

• This week's assignment is taking a deeper look into our spiritual lives and the warfare that we are individually facing.  I'd like everyone to seriously think and then blog about a situation in your life where you know that the enemy is attacking you and challenging your spiritual growth.  What area in your life are you feeling burdened or challenged?  The purpose of the assignment is to use this as a tool to arm ourselves better for this battle not to make you uncomfortable.  If this is too personal for you, share an area in your life that you have perservered in a spirtual battle or share your feelings on freedoms in general.

The area that comes to mind first as I read this assignment was lonliness.  We have only lived here six months and we moved from a place where we lived for many years.  It is hard to start over.  Although I have had people around me, it has felt as if a fog of lonliness has followed me lately.  As I discussed it with one friend, I felt as though I was to not run from the lonliness.  Perhaps it is part of being in ministry and wanting to do what God tells me.  I asked Him to bring my friends to me, to show me who to speak to and how, and bring people to speak into my life as well.  I also recently asked for prayer in regards to this with the ladies in our mission and come to find out that most of them felt this way after just moving and that it is part of the missionary journey.  How comforting that was to my weariness.  God is good.  I will count my lonliness a blessing and learn from it what I can.  I will also look forward to days of not feeling its tug!

Theresa at Home Sweet Homeschool is hosting this contest and asked each person to answer the folowing questions:

1.  Share 1 healthy recipe that your family enjoys for dinner, along with the nutritional information if at all possible.

B-Vitamin Rich Smoothie

(given to me by a friend.  I actrually had it this morning.  I like it but it is not sweet like a smoothie you would get in a store.)

1/2 c. sunflower seeds

1/2 c. sesame seeds

1/2 c. almonds

1/2 c. oats

1/2 c carob or cocoa powder (I use carob)

1/2 c. wheat germ

1 c. dry milk powder

1 1/2 c. soy protein powder

1/2 c. nutritional yeast

5 1/2 tsp. cinnamon powder

Grind nuts and seeds very fine. (I do not do this; I like it gritty.) Add remaining and mix well. Store in Freezer. Yeilds 6 c.

TO MAKE SMOOTHIE

Blend together:

1 c ice water (or milk)

1/2 c. mix

1 frozen banana ( can use other frozen fruit as you wish)

1 tsp. blackstrap molasses

yeilds 2 c.

2.  What is one book or website on healthy living or eating more naturally that you would recommend.

Apple Cider Vinigar: Miracle Health System ( very interesting book on the benefits of taking this on the inside and outside)

Change your life By Becky Tirabassi (It has been a while since I read this, but I liked her approach to changing you life in all areas.  Her website has good info too.)

Toxic Relief (I have just been reading this.)

3.  Share with me one verse of encouragement from the Word of God.

"When your words came, I ate them;

they were my joy and my heart's delight,

for I bear your name,

O Lord God Almighty."

Jeremiah 15:16

(We need to keep first things first.  Our intentional pursuit of God to know Him is our primary goal and from that all else flows.)

4.  Which type of scale do you prefer... the face or digital and why?

face.  I tried the digital and it broke within a week.  I just do with what we have and it was a cheaper model. 

5.  What is one food or exercise tip that you have always rememberd and tried to implement in your own life.

take quality vitamins.  Presently I take Life Force Multivitamin  by Source Naturals, an Ester- C vitamin, EPA-DHA Complex by Metagenics (Ultra Pure Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids) and I take Braggs apple cider vinigar each day.  My kids take Mega-Kid by Source Naturals too.  These were given to me by a nutritionalist at our natural food store.  PLEASE DO NOT GO OUT AND TAKE WHAT I AM TAKING WITHOUT TALKING TO SOMEONE ABOUT YOUR BEST CHIOCES.  I also take DGL when I have digestion issues and Green Vibrance esp. when overseas where it is hard to get what you need. 

6.  Are you and your family where you would like to be in regards to your eating, exercising and feasting on the Word of God?

no, but I actually woke up today thinking I would work on it again.  I need to really work towards moderation and depending on the Holy Spirit to help me where I am weak.  I want to work towards eating mostly vegetarian because of some digestion problems. My kids get activity and I was but this past month has been crazy and I am now putting off going back to the gym. 

7.  If you answered no to question 6, tell me about it.  Where are the areas in your family that need examining.

see above

8.  This one is going to be by faith... but I would like to ask you to get up out of your chair and either do 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups or 10 jumping jacks.  After you've completed this assignment you can sit back down and mark this as "done" 

done, jumping jacks on the rebounder. (There are great health benefits to a rebounder, BTW, and my kids enjoy it too.

9.  Would you be interested in joining me on this journey?  Would you like to improve your health and that of your families? 

I might, what did you have in mind?

Theresa, thanks for this push to get me thinking.  Thanks also for visiting my blog which led me to your today!  May God bless you on your journey!

One Thousand Gifts

I saw this linked to another site and checked it out.  It seemed a beautiful thing to do, to slowly write one thousand things that are in fact gifts from God as a way of praising Him.   Ann Voscamp, the person who put this idea out there, quoted  John Milton: "Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world."

Check out the above site and start your own list.  I plan to add to mine little by little.  I am not planning on adding God, the Holy Spirit, or Jesus.  It is understanably the most awesome gift we have to be in realtionship with our creator and thus is in a list of its own.

Here goes and in no particular order:

1. My husband to whom the Lord led me and showed me clearly that I was his beloved and he was mine.

2. My son who is a handsome boy full of life and joy. He makes me laugh. I love his wonderful manners and love of learning.

3. My daughter who loves to dress up and is more beautiful then any princess out there. Her sweet squeaky voice and cute ways are a treasure

4. Our cozy home here in the country that the Lord prepared and led us to.  Although not perfect in every way, we enjoy every day here.

5. Flannel sheets that make your toes warm in a drafty upstairs on cold nights.  Esp cute flannel sheets.

6. Target. very cool and fun store.  I so enjoy times that I get to slowly look around and check the end caps for sales and new stuff they put out.  I really like when they change the stationary area.

7. Rolling hills.  How fun it has been to live near such beauty and drive into amish country with breath taking views.  I dream about having my dream house on one such hill with my prayer closet facing the view.  Strong coffee, a perfect view, and time with God. It could not get any better.

8. Coffee shops. I love the coziness and warmth.  I like having a choice although I usually get just coffee.  I like holiday flavors (pumpkin) and cute mugs. 

9. Reading.  What a joy to pick up a novel you can not put down.  Even more so nonfiction that draws me to know my creator in a deeper way or a missionary story that builds my faith.  Reading to my children is also a joy!

10. My Mom , always a phone call away, she keeps in close touch with me.  She wants me to do well and always encourages me.  When I am fearful, she is a voice of calm.  She is very giving and helped me in many, many ways.

11. My Dad , a well read man of God, he has encouraged me to deepen my walk with God.  He has been a rock to our family.  His love for missions and leadership in so many areas inspire me.

12. Penny, a no nonsense friend, who tells me like it is and loves me though she knows me well. She is a reader and loves to discuss them at length.  Often, I love her take on what we have read better then my own. She has many times helped me make sense of what is going on and walked with me on this journey.  She is a valuable friend to me despite the fact we now live so far apart. 

13. Apple Cider Vinigar. I have been reading all the health benefits and am grateful for natural stuff that God made to help our bodies function well.

14. Thanksgiving. I can't wait to be with my family and make food together, watch all the kids play together, watch parades, talk and talk, have fun, and get up early Friday for shopping.  Too much fun!

15. Praise music I just love uplifting songs that focus me on the awesomeness of God.  Right now I am loving Thirs Day's song Show Me Your Glory.

16. TOYS It is crazy but I think I like getting my childreb toys as much as they like getting them.  I esp. like getting educational toys.  Christmas is as fun for me.

17. calendars I have always likes looking at my calendar and keeping track of what I do.  I used to us a Franklin whne I was working which I totally loved, but now I streamlined to one I keep on the side of the fridge facing the computer. 

18. Speaking I just had an opportuinity to speak at our MOPS group on personality types and I really enjoyed it.  I love sharing about missions or whatever God lays on my heart.  It really is crazy and I do get nervous, but I like it.

19. MOPS I like having a group of like minded women who get together on a monthly basis.  I like being part of the team and ministering as God leads.

20. Women's ministry I love bing a part of whatever it is the Lord is doing here.  I like leading or just being a part of studies, I like discipling others, I like helping in any way that I can.

GETTING INTO THE SPIRIT

1. Share your family traditions for Christmas and/or Advent

The night before Christmas, we go to church and have a nice dinner.  On Christmas we have a birthday cake and sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.  We read Christmas stories, watch DVDs, make cookies and decorate them, we have a stuffed elf that visits and "wreaks havoc" (in a fun way) at night for 5 nights prior to Christmas, we get our kids picture made with Santa and display them to see the growth the kids, we hget a new ornament that shows the personality of each child that year and one for my husband and I together that has the year on it.  I always have an ornament exchange with my girlfriends each year.  Chirstmas is my favorite holiday and we focus on Christ as we do all year long.  

2. List 10 ways that you can prepare for the season

• Take Christmas picture and have it made into cards, also write Christmas prayer letter.
• Organize calendar and decide what to do and when to leave my folks home.
• Hire sitters when needed
• Address Christmas cards
• make a few maels ahead of time to freeze
• wrap Christmas gifts for relatives and give to thenm at Thanksgiving to save on shiopping them
• buy gifts all year when they are on sale, but keep a list so you do not over buy
• make sure the kids have appropriate outfits for church on and before Christmas
• plan dishes that you wikll need to take for parties and cookies for exchanges and start buying stuff little by little.
• Pray each day that the Lord will guide during Christmas time that we might be a blessing to each person we meet.

1. Post a scripture that will help you "Get into the Spirit

I am not sure that this get me in the mood, but I have it on my fridge to read daily

"Be very acreful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."

Ephesians 5:15-17

1. my 2007 Suzy Zoo calendar that my mom gave me. I have been using a larger grid calendar for the past few tears but it is nice to have pictures again and so cutre too.  I have it up on the fridge next to this years calendar to add to things as needed.

2 Nicaragua.  I just came back from a short visit to this amazing country.  God is at work there as was evident in several compelling testimonies that we heard. It was fun to help with translating too.  I learned more Spanish and about translating.  I went to see how  supporting church might partner with what God is doing there.  The organization is NRN.

3.  Revolution by George Barna.  Excellent book in my opinion and I think it has some very valid points that those of us in the church need to be aware of and ready for.  I read it on my trip.  Hope to read more of his books.

~A website that you visit everyday

http://www.bloglines.com/

Most of the blogs that I read are organized and can be viewed on this site.  I like it as I can easily see if any have been updated and have them in folders like Christian, missionary, writers, homeschool, scrapbooking, friends….

Well, I am on my way to Nicaragua on Monday.  This is my first planned trip away from the kids and it has been hard on my mama heart.  I talked to my son about bringing him some toys and he wanted legos.  I explained that they might not have those in Nicaragua and maybe I would bring him a T-shirt, but he insisted a toy would be better.  Who knows what I will find.  Well, as I was getting him in bed two nights ago he informed me that he was planning to get me a gift and did I like makeup? Did I like jewelry (his future wife is going to be soooo happy) and then he thought slippers would be nice for both myself and Dad so that we would all have them.  How cute and sweet and thoughtful.  It made my day!

The blogging ABC

Using one word we are to describe our personality or something important to us.  Here goes:

A merican

B ible

C hristian

Determined

Encouraging

Feeling

God

Honest

Ice cream

Just

Keeper

Laughing

Mom

Natural

Obedience

Positive

Quality (as in time)

Reading

Sanguine

Tea

Understanding

Violent (as in chasing after God in a raw, real, authentic, intentional way)

Watermelon

Xcellent (is there anything else for this one?)

Yearning

Zany

So I joined this blogging friend school because I usually blog more if I have assignments or have been tagged and it is more fun this way.   

So, on to the first assignment.

I have been happily married for almost ten years to a Peruvian man whom I met on a mission trip.  We are committed to missions and serve as missionaries presently in Ohio.  We do plan on going overseas in a little over two years.  I just started homeschooling our son Kindergaten and we are loving it. It is a good fit for our family. We also have a preschool daughter.  Reading is the hobby I spend the most time on.  I also enjoy scrapbooking, rubber stamping, pictures, and writing letters.  I have recently started freelance writing which I am enjoying.

My dream home would have an awesome view of rolling hills.  A large porch and patio.  A nice sized prayer closet with a beautiful chair andvv stool, a neat basket with what I study most including my Bible and a book shelf with anything else I might need or enjoy during my time in the secret place.  How awesome would that be.  I would also want a large bathtub that has a place to put a book to keep it from getting wet and a large closet that looks very neat and is organized to easily find anything.  The kitchen would be very modern too and would include every appliance I would dream of first being a nice juicer and water purifier. The house would also have a large playroom and the furniture would be ecclectic and lived in, big and comfy and warm.  I would also have a powerful coffeepot that made it taste like coffeehouses and my house would self clean.

How is that!

Things that make me happy this Wednesday.

1. Apples to Apples game.  I played it once last month with a huge group and then bought it to play this past weekend while my family was here.  Loads o fun!

2.  Cute fall knicknacks!

3.  Netflix that just brought me the next Gilmore Girls CD.

Here is a link to a very cool contest to win Vision Forum stuff!  Click on the link.  It is worth checking out!  I sure hope that one of us wins!

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?

Gilmore Girls Season 2

She's the Man

some movie at the theater with my husband that was not worth our time

What special days did I celebrate and how?

my son's friend's birthday party

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?

My parents and youngest brother and wife came at the beginning of the month

My oldest brother/family and cousin just came

Mission Auto had a fun Friday night 10 year thing

Fish Hatchery/ LLama farm field trip

Air show Locally

two dinners at church (Sunday School and welcome)

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

tools

a couple fall items and large wooden sheep cutout for Lily's room

What were this month’s disappointments?

knowing at the end of this month my husband has to be out of town

What were my accomplishments this month?

several scrapbooks pages done

homeschool started

took many arobics classes

Anything else noteworthy to record?