Here's one that Brittany did when she studied Hitler....

Here's another one on the study of "bones"...

Here's another on Koalas...for some reason the front of this lapbook did not download....errr...uh....upload...well you know what I mean! LOL

Here are a few examples of the fun we have had doing lapbooking. I am thinking of buying some materials to instruct moreso on how to do labbooking and to get more ideas. But until then we are doing it the way we've learned off the internet and by adding our own imagination. It's fun and educational at the same time. If we're not interested in the subject, and aren't having fun learning, then how are we expected to retain the matter?

I hope that you enjoyed a glimpse into just a wee part of our fun, homeschooling adventures.

Once I sit down and think of all we have and how we have what we have, my heart overflows with gratitude. I think of the fellow who brought us a bunch of fresh strawberries on Saturday. We were all so thankful towards this man and enjoyed these tasty-sweet  bits of joy with delight. On the very same day we had a church outing. Hamburgers and hot dogs were grilled and we were able to bring home leftovers of hamburgers, chips and hot dog buns. We are so thankful to the fellows who cooked this. We are thankful to the pastor's wife for suggesting we take some home. This made a fabulous lunch for us the next day. Another lady there had put some sub buns in our van seat to take home. There were six, just the right amount for our family--one whole wheat and five white---just as everyone would want. Funny I had some sub meat in the fridge. This same lady gave us a bowl of chopped lettuce and tomatoes. This was great for topping those burgers and subs. We are thankful for her sharing these things to make our meals even more palatable.  With being thankful to these people, I was thinking of where the blessing are passed FROM. They are passed THROUGH these people but the LORD is the one from all blessings are passed FROM. Thank you, Lord, from whom all blessings flow.

Some people have so much more...lavious meals out everyday...never having to cook. They never really have to worry about what's for the next meal, lining up a menu, or stretching a budget.  There's one thing they are missing though. They are missing seeing how the Lord blesses. They are missing being able to pray for their daily bread. They are missing gained faith in seeing how the Lord provides. I remember feeling jealous because I'd like to live like that...eating out all the time and being served, versus serving. But then I realize that what I have so much much more gain. It is of others versus self. Yes, this is what the Lord wants. Yes, we are blessed.

I have learned a few valuable things in order for me to make our budget for the month. This applies to me, personally, but could be applicable to others as well.

• It's impossible to get every  "good" deal out there and still stay under budget. There are really so many fabulous deals that one must become picky in which ones to use. Making sure that all nutritional categories are fulfilled is vital. Then extras can be just that....extra.
• It's sometimes good to just sit and wait. Instead of buying almost all of the things needed to fill out the menus, sometimes better deals come along later in the month. So I think for the month of May, if I don't do Angel Ministries, I will try to buy partially of what we need the first two weeks. Besides that HUGE trip is a killer on the back. My Kroger buggy was literally sliding across the floor instead of rolling. There was 13 gallons of liquid(milk and juice) plus all the other loot that weighed down the buggy entirely too much. So, I think I will try to stagger the shopping a bit more for May.
• I don't really care for Walgreen's so much after. Per conversation with a friend of mine, we were talking of how the deals sort of don't pan out for us. For me, I have missed filling out mail in rebates and thus, spent more than I would have normally on those products. For my lifestyle, I don't have time for mail in rebates. Once when I got $12 register rewards, they expired in 2 weeks. For those two weeks there weren't any very good sales going on. I had to go in and use or lose those register rewards. The groceries I found to buy with the RR came out costing more than I would have paid elsewhere. So, earning those RR was not all that great afterall. I wanted to roll them over into other good deals. No could do. Oh, also I have been in there to get good grocery deals before and they'd be out of what's on sale even though the sale had just started. Nothing is more frustrating in making a special trip into a store(sometimes with six children in tow) and they don't have their advertised sale items.

There is this "I'm worth it" and "pamper yourself" thing going on everywhere and it's invading even the christian community. There's reminders on FlyLady to not forget to pamper yourself and on other boards to do something for yourself. I thought that this was a natural lust of the flesh to do and having pride of life. Don't get me wrong... the Lord didn't intend for us to treat ourselves as dogs but how many of us really allow that to happen? What I see in scripture is for us to bring ourselves down a bit and to humble ourselves as it's our sinful nature to do the opposite.

Are there cases where some really have low self esteem? Sure there are! I'd be willing to say that a large percentage of those who do have a sin of selfishness. Isn't this "ME" thing a selfish state of mind? And then there are others who may truly be going through a hard time such as having an abusive husband or parents. So is the solution for them to go out and get a manicure?  Will this solve their troubles? Hardly a chance! This is only temporal. So what an eternal solution? How about a good ole' long bath... not the kind you're thinking of... I'm talking about going through the blood. The blood that was shed for EACH of us. How can our Saviour going through such a thing and then proving He is the One True God by rising again not make you feel that you are worth anything?
It makes me feel like royalty( I am by the way) and I don't need a hair commercial to convince me or a hair stylist or anyone else to let me know how much I'm worth. That was done before I was even thought of  and conceived.

 John 13:34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. :35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another *.

 John 15:17These things I command you, that ye love one another.

 Ephesians 4:2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

 Galatians 5:16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

 I John 2:16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Mark 7:21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

7:22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

7:23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. This scripture passage speaks of what truly defiles the man. In this passage it includes lasciviousness and pride. Lasciviousness is  unbridled lust, excess, wantonness. It's all about having "me" things, doing "me" things, eating "me" things...on and on. I'd be willing to say that if the world would get off this "me" trip then a lot of marriages would stay strong, children would be happier, weight loss scams would be close to nil and everyone would turn toward one another and Christ.  This is a lifelong lesson and surgery of the heart. It's something that is a thing to fight daily. I know I have to fight it all the time. Okay, this "me" subject is making me a little sick on the stomache so I'll go now.