I'm really enjoying my new blog, but I'm missing all my HSB friends. If you have an account at Google, please come over and FOLLOW ME. You can also follow via bloglines, etc. Hope you'll keep in touch!
So, I've decided to move my blog.
I'll try to pop in here from time to time -
but you'll find most of my posts at my new home on the web - Reviews & Reflections.
I hope you'll come and visit me there!
Be sure to "follow" me!
I've had so much fun here at HSB over the past many years. I've just been feeling, for awhile, like I need to move my blog and keep up with everyone else.
Christmastime is here again – it’s time to write our letter.
We thought long and hard on what to write – and decided to go one better . . .
So, we offer you this poem – all about our year.
We hope you find it fun to read and it brings you a bit of cheer.
Brian still works at Campbell’s, crunching numbers every day.
He blows his whistle in the evenings when the basketball’s in play.
Heidi’s still a homeschool mom, working from home with joy.
She loves sharing her days with her two girls and one boy.
Ashley spends her days reading, writing, singing, and playing guitar.
She’s 16 now and waiting to drive – hoping the car will take her far!
Tenth grade is full of ups and downs, hard days and fun ones too.
The years are passing much too quickly – she’ll graduate in two!
Gracie enjoys doing math and lots of crafts and art.
She plays the piano quite well now and recently the violin did start.
Fifth grade is going well this year and passing quickly by.
It’s hard to believe she’ll be 10 in 6 months – my how time does fly.
This year, Ian has changed and grown and learned many new things
He entertains us every day – especially when he sings.
In school, he’s learning letters and numbers; in his spare time he plays with toys.
He teaches us so much each day – the fun of living with boys!
In January, we traveled to Florida to spend some time with Mickey Mouse.
In the spring, we worked on the attic of our 80-year-old brick house.
Now each child has their own room – their own extra special place.
Summer took us on day trips and Brian went to Iowa for the big race.
We visited the Historic Triangle in Virginia for a few days this fall.
Even the rain couldn’t stop us from exploring, learning, and having a ball.
We’ve been through some hard days and learned lessons galore -
About friends, church, and cancer, and waiting to see what God has in store.
Now 2009 is ending and we’re looking forward to 2010.
And we want to send this poem to our family and our friends.
May God bless you with a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a new year full of fun.
And, if at all possible, let’s get together this coming one!
My family loves games. Once in awhile, a game comes along that just stands out above the rest. Triviathon is one such game. I was introduced to Triviathon by a friend, and was thrilled when it arrived in the mail yesterday and we had a chance to sit down and try it out for ourselves. Though the box says that it's for ages 8-128, even 3 year old Ian was able to "play" this game!
The byline for the Triviathon game is "the trivia game where you can compete and win without ever knowing the answer to a question" (hence the reason that Ian can not only play this one, but win it too!) There are 3 different types of questions that make up the game cards - how many spaces do you want to move? (2 types) and to what colored space do you want to move? Here's an example of one of the cards (taken from the website): How many spaces do you want to move?
A. The number of countries that border the Sargasso Sea
B. The number of hearts in an octopus
C. The number of people named Oscar to have ever won an Oscar
D. The number of dogs that survived the Titanic
You can only move 1, 2, or 3 spaces (or 0, and stay where you are). Of course, you want to move the most spaces (as the object is to make it around the board first). So, which one would you choose?
The questions are fun; and, while they do require some thought, they can also be answered "off the top of your head" and still get you a good move on the game board. In addition to the cards, though, there is also fun to be found in the playing pieces. This game actually comes with 12 playing pieces (which I find a wonderful asset - most games require you to play in teams if you have more than 4-6 players). Each playing piece is a different color, and each one has a name/personality - such as The Flirt, The Whiz, or The Bully (you can find out more about each character here). Each character comes with a card that explains its personality trait, and a special "move" that the character is allowed to make throughout the game. We haven't used these special moves yet, as we're still adjusting to the game itself; but I think they will be a fun addition to the game and would make Triviathon hilarious to play at a party. (You can also create your own character).
Triviathon was invented by the Herbert Brothers, whose Doritos ad gained the distinction of "#1 Super Bowl Commercial of 2009". I'm impressed, as this is a game that definitely required much thought, time, and research in order to create it. The game sells for $29.99 and is, in my opinion, well worth that price. It will pay for itself in fun in no time! It can be purchased from the Triviathon Online Store or at Amazon.com.
Though I think that Triviathon would make a fabulous Christmas gift, it's too late for Christmas delivery now. However, there is plenty of time to get Triviathon to you before New Years Eve! I'm sure your friends will thank you for it!
Oh, and did I mention that we had almost as much fun reading the box and the directions as we did playing the game?!
NOTE: I received Triviathon for free in exchange for sharing my honest thoughts about the game. These results and thoughts are mine, and may or may not be typical (though I can't imagine not liking this game!)
We're not literally snowed in - yet - but the snow is coming down pretty quick. I don't like being cold and I don't like driving in the snow - so I'm as good as snowed in! Sounds like much of the east coast is buried in snow! What are YOU doing on your snow day?
I'm testing a recipe for an upcoming Crock-Pot cookbook for Molly Green of Econobusters. I've been testing new recipes all week, and it's been quite fun. Today's recipe (the last one I'm testing) just happens to be Potato Chowder - and this is the perfect day for a nice warm bowl of soup.
We also enjoyed spending some time with the West Ladies from Homestead Blessings this morning. We learned all about soap-making. I'd love to give it a try - but all the talk of lye and how caustic it is sort of has me freaked out. Maybe we'll just attempt the hand-milled soaps (made with an already prepared soap bar). Those actually look like more fun to me anyway. If you've never seen any of the Homestead Blessings dvd's, I'd encourage you to check them out. We have all 6 of them now (with the exception of the newest addition - The Art of Cooking), and I just love watching them. Truly, I'd love to go and visit with the West Ladies in their home - it looks so cozy and they all seem so hospitable.
We also spent some time with Tim Hawkins this morning. That guy is always good for a laugh! We have 3 of his dvd's now and, no matter how many times we've seen them, we still laugh each time! I'm looking forward to seeing him in person at the Midwest Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati this spring! Speaking of the convention, are YOU going to be there? If so, be sure to stop by the TOS booth and say "hi".
I think we'll spend some time playing games and baking Christmas cookies today. That sounds like a good plan, doesn't it?
Can a band comprised of six very talented but very different musicians make a difference with their music?
What made it possible for Diamond Rio to weather the storms inherent in the fickle world of fame and fortune and go more than two decades without a single lineup change? Any reader in search of transparency and a behind-the-scenes look into the life of the band as a unit as well as the individual lives of the players and singers will be well satisfied. Can true loyalty exist within the competitive, seemingly unforgiving music industry? In A Beautiful Mess, Marty Roe, Dan Truman, Jimmy Olander, Brian Prout, Gene Johnson, and Dana Williams each has an entire chapter devoted to his personal and professional life. A Beautiful Mess is a wild ride from the edge of disaster and a little-known secret to an ongoing heart-warming revival.
What can I say? I'm a Diamond Rio fan. I have been, ever since their very first hit - Meet in the Middle - debuted on the country music charts in 1991. I was raised on music and, right away, I could tell that this was a band that I was going to love. The rich harmonies and the wonderful musical sounds were addicting. I quickly bought their cd and I was hooked. I bought the next cd, and the next . . . I loved singing along with their songs - both the catchy, fun ones and the hauntingly beautiful ballads.
I was thrilled when I heard that they were coming to our local county fair in 2001. Having a famous band here in our little corner of PA was big news (and, in my personal opinion, there have been no acts to rival them here before or since). Brian bought me tickets to go see them, and we had front row grandstand seats. I loved that concert! (I only wish I had pictures to share!)
I hadn't heard anything from Diamond Rio in awhile, so I was excited last week when my daughter came to me and said "Guess what, Mom? Diamond Rio has a book out!" She knows I'm a fan - she is too (it's in the genes). So, needless to say, I was thrilled when I saw the book on the Thomas Nelson blog review list! Call me crazy; but the book came in the mail yesterday and I finished reading it today. I just couldn't put it down!
Marty, Jimmy, Dan, Gene, Brian, and Dana all contribute to this book by sharing their personal stories. You'll learn how they got their start in Opryland, USA, how the band was formed, how they decided on a name, and all the twists and turns in the road that got them where they are today. Guess what? It wasn't all easy and fun. These guys have faced adversity and trials. But, they've remained true to themselves and true to Diamond Rio as a whole.
I enjoyed learning a bit more about each group member as an individual - learning about their personal lives, upbringing, and the things that led them into music.I also enjoyed seeing all the great pictures - straight from the member's personal photo collections. And, at the end, I was thrilled to learn that, even after 20 years in the music business, Diamond Rio is still going strong. I was especially impressed to learn of all the work they do in support of Big Brothers & Big Sisters (a very reputable cause) and that their latest release is on Word Records - The Reason. (I'll definitely be adding it to my cd collection - can't wait!)
Diamond Rio fans, this book is a must! You can learn more about the book by viewing this video.
NOTE: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson, in exchange for my honest review.
Had I paid for it, my thoughts would still be the same.
When Sue was first diagnosed with cancer, we wanted to order t-shirts to show our support. But, we just kept putting it off and she got better; so we put it out of our minds. Then, when the cancer returned, I thought that we really needed to get those t-shirts! It's just a small thing, but it's a great way to show support and love. So, we ordered them from an online company - they came quickly, but were horrible quality - so we sent them back.
We looked for other online sources, but just couldn't find anything that we liked, that was within a decent price range. So, we decided to take matters into our own hands. After all, we had made our shirts for our Disney trip in January. We could do this too. And, what a fun school project for our Christmas Fun School!
And, just in case you'd like to create your own t-shirts in support of ovarian cancer (or maybe you want to make some just for fun), here's a step-by-step guide through the process . . .
You will need:
t-shirts (white or light colors work best for this particular project - see note for alternatives)
Elmer's School Glue (the washable kind - I think it all might be)
Fabric Spray Paint by Tulip (any color or combination of colors)
OPTIONAL: stencils or cardstock and scissors to create your own
Use the glue to draw or write your design on the t-shirt (you'll want to put something between the layers of the shirt, such as a piece of cardboard, wax paper, or - if you're crazy like we are - a lid from a Rubbermaid container!) These pictures may be a bit hard to see, but you get the idea:
For Ashley's t-shirt, I cut a large awareness ribbon template out of cardstock. My t-shirt has a smaller awareness ribbon, also cut from cardstock. You simply lay these on the t-shirt where you would like them to be positioned. Let the glue dry for at least 24 hours.
Next - the fun part - painting! Take your fabric spray paint and paint the area that you want colored.
Wait until the paint has dried, then remove any of the cardstock templates (or, if you're impatient like we are, remove them right away; but don't be surprised if your fingers turn a different color!)
Then, wait 2-3 days (I know, it's very hard to wait!) and throw your shirts in the washer to remove the glue (it washes right out - I did run mine through 2 wash cycles). The finished product looks like this:
I don't know why, but mine seems to have faded more than the other two. Oh well. Not bad for designing and creating them all by ourselves, right? And they were much more cost-effective than the ones we had originally ordered; so the cheapskate in me is pretty proud.
NOTE: A few alternatives/variations on this project:
Instead of using the glue and painting AROUND it, you could use stencils and paint INSIDE them. That would create a very different look, but would still be fun.
If you would prefer to use darker colored shirts, you could still get the same effect by putting some slightly-watered-down Clorox in a spray bottle and spraying that on over the glue. It would fade out the color and create a very similar look, in reverse. I haven't tried this yet, but think it would look neat.
"but there is a friend who sticks closer
than a brother"
~Proverbs 18:24b
Over the course of my life, I've had several people that I've considered to be my best friend. Circumstances change, people change, and friends tend to drift in and out of our lives. Thanks to Facebook, I am back in touch with many of the BF's of my past (if you're reading this on FB, you know who you are! )
But, for the past 16 years of my life, there's been one constant friend in my life - my best friend Sue. We met at church when Ashley was just a baby. We had an instant bond. I looked at her and pretty much knew that we'd be friends. At the time, of course, I had no idea what all we'd go through together - but I knew, right away, that we'd be friends.
We have a lot in common; and in the areas where we don't agree, we compliment each other quite well. We sound alike (which could be the result of so many hours spent talking on the phone), and have even been known to make each others' phone calls on occasion (you know the ones I'm talking about - the calls you just don't want to make!)
Over the years, our friendship has grown and changed - but, through it all, Sue has remained my very best friend. She was there for me when I had my tubal pregnancy - and even came to check my incision when I called to say there was something wrong (and, trust me - that was a huge sacrifice on her part!) We've both left the church where we first met; and we've learned that church wasn't the glue that held our friendship together - God is!
So, suffice it to say, I was quite shaken this past summer when she found a lump that turned out to be an ovarian cancer mass. She had a hysterectomy, followed by 3 chemotherapy treatments, and was declared cancer-free. Even when she lost her hair (and I can only imagine how hard that must have been), she never looked sick to me.
Then, a few months ago, we were out for a girls' night together (our first since before the cancer). Sue was having some back pain. One thing led to another - a doctor visit, another CT scan - and the scary prognosis - it looked as though the cancer may have returned in her lymph system. There were a few very rough weeks there - back to the surgeon, the news that she would need to go through chemo treatments (again!), and another surgery to come (to remove the infected lymph node). Sue was in a tremendous amount of pain and it was horrible to see her that way.
I went along for her chemo treatment. We were able to smile and laugh a bit. Honestly, I was afraid they might kick us right out of there! The next week was another rough one. But then, like a miracle, she called the following week and sounded like herself again. She stopped in later that week; and, I thought she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen (she was a sight for sore eyes, to be sure).
We continue to walk this road called cancer, one day at a time. Some days I'm scared, I confess. There have been days when I have literally cried out to God, begging Him to spare my friend and make her well again. I don't want to lose her. I hope she feels the same way about me! Cancer is a scary thing, and it has no favorites, that's for sure.
But, I've learned a lesson or two through this trial. I've learned not to take things and people for granted. I've learned to be thankful for every new day.
Sue, if you're reading this, thanks for being my friend. Thanks for being you! Thanks for always accepting me as me. You're the best and I love you to pieces. I'm looking forward to better days ahead and lots more memories in the making.
We have a tendency to complicate Christianity. Jesus simplified it: Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. If we are to live out the essence of Christianity, we must commit to being great at this Great Commandment.
In Primal, Mark Batterson explores the four elements of Great Commandment Christianity: compassion, wonder, curiosity, and power. Along the way, he calls you to be a part of God’s reformation, starting in your own life.
As Mark writes, “Is there a place in your past where you met God and God met you? A place where your heart broke for the things that break the heart of God? Maybe it was a sermon that became more than a sermon. Maybe it was a mission trip or retreat. Maybe it was a vow you made at an altar. In that moment, God birthed something supernatural in your spirit. You knew you’d never be the same again. My prayer is that this book would take you back to that burning bush—and reignite a primal faith.”
Primal will help you live in light of what matters most and discover what it means to love God. It will help you become great at the Great Commandment.
The author of Wild Goose Chase and In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. One church with nine services in five locations, NCC is focused on reaching emerging generations and meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the D.C. area. Mark has two Masters degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago. He and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill with their three children. www.markbatterson.com
In the past, I've made it pretty clear that non-fiction books are not my genre of choice. However, this past year, I've read several non-fiction books that I've LOVED. Primal is one such book! I loved ever single word of this book - sometimes I found myself reading back over a page - not because missed something the first time or quickly skimmed it - but just because I wanted more. The author, Mark Batterson, takes one of the most important verses in Scripture - the Great Commandment - and expands on it. He gives you ideas and ways to put the Great Commandment to work in your life.
Do you know how to love God with all your heart? Sounds easy enough, right? Not so much! I guarantee that, if you read this book, you'll feel convicted to work on your heart and loving God more. What about your soul? mind? strength? Read the book! I'm just sayin . . . If you choose to read only one non-fiction book in the year 2010, may I be so bold as to suggest that Primal be that book. Seriously! This book has changed the way I look at myself and my Christian walk, it's convicted me in many areas of life (one of which is my study of the Bible), and it one that I'll pick up and read again and again. That's saying a lot, for a non-fiction book!
I've not read either of Mr. Batterson's other books, but I'll be picking them up when I find them. I appreciated his "real" and transparent writing style - he's not "preaching to the masses" but speaking from experience. If I lived in Washington, D.C., I'd be worshipping in a movie theater, that's for sure.
NOTE: This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.
Equips parents to guide their young children through all major doctrines in an understandable, chapter-a-day format.
Sure, it’s easy to teach your children the essentials of Christian theology when you’re a theology professor. But what about the rest of us?
With Big Truths for Little Hearts, Bruce Ware, (you guessed it!) a theology professor, encourages and enables parents of children 6–14 years of age to teach through the whole of systematic theology at a level their children can understand. Parents can teach their children the great truths of the faith and shape their worldviews early, based on these truths.
The book covers ten topics of systematic theology, devoting several brief chapters to each subject, making it possible for parents to read one chapter per day with their children. With this non-intimidating format, parents will be emboldened to be their children’s primary faith trainers—and perhaps learn a few things themselves along the way.
Bruce Ware is an evangelical theologian and author. He is currently Professor of Christian Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Formerly, he was at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he served as Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Biblical and Systematic Theology. Prior to this, he taught at Western Conservative Baptist Seminary and at Bethel Theological Seminary. Dr. Ware has written numerous journal articles, book chapters, and book reviews.
Crossway is the publisher of the English Standard Version of the Bible that I won several months ago. I've been so enjoying that Bible - it's easy to read because of the large size and the additional study notes are so helpful in learning and researching more about the Bible. Dr. Ware's new book - Big Truths for Young Hearts - is a great way to utilize my Bible (or your version of choice) to teach my kids important Biblical truths.
I have not actually started working through this book with my children yet, as I thought it would be a great way to usher in 2010 - by starting the year off learning more about God and His Word. This book could be used in a family setting, for family devotionals (daily or weekly, depending on how much time you choose to spend); but it would also be useful for Sunday School teachers. It's been my experience that so many of the current Sunday School curriculums are extremely dumbed down; so if I were teaching a younger children's class right now, I'd enjoy using this book to teach truths and stir up intelligent discussions. Children are so smart and absorb so much. This book will help them absorb things that are important.
NOTE: I received this book free from Crossway in exchange for my honest thoughts.
The byline for the Triviathon game is "the trivia game where you can compete and win without ever knowing the answer to a question" (hence the reason that Ian can not only play this one, but win it too!) There are 3 different types of questions that make up the game cards - how many spaces do you want to move? (2 types) and to what colored space do you want to move? Here's an example of one of the cards (taken from 
The questions are fun; and, while they do require some thought, they can also be answered "off the top of your head" and still get you a good move on the game board. In addition to the cards, though, there is also fun to be found in the playing pieces. This game actually comes with 12 playing pieces (which I find a wonderful asset - most games require you to play in teams if you have more than 4-6 players). Each playing piece is a different color, and each one has a name/personality - such as The Flirt, The Whiz, or The Bully (you can find out more about each character 
Triviathon was invented by the 
I'm testing a recipe for an upcoming Crock-Pot cookbook for 
We also enjoyed spending some time with the 
We also spent some time with 
Can a band comprised of six very talented but very different musicians make a difference with their music?
What can I say? I'm a Diamond Rio fan. I have been, ever since their very first hit - Meet in the Middle - debuted on the country music charts in 1991. I was raised on music and, right away, I could tell that this was a band that I was going to love. The rich harmonies and the wonderful musical sounds were addicting. I quickly bought their cd and I was hooked. I bought the next cd, and the next . . . I loved singing along with their songs - both the catchy, fun ones and the hauntingly beautiful ballads. 
Be Astonished Again
The author of Wild Goose Chase and In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. One church with nine services in five locations, NCC is focused on reaching emerging generations and meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the D.C. area. Mark has two Masters degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago. He and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill with their three children. 
Equips parents to guide their young children through all major doctrines in an understandable, chapter-a-day format.
Bruce Ware is an evangelical theologian and author. He is currently Professor of Christian Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Formerly, he was at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he served as Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Biblical and 
