Monday, December 14, 2009 - Keeping Christ in Christmas Copybook-Week 3
The third booklet of my Keeping Christ in Christmas Copybooks is ready. This book uses passages from Luke 1 and Luke 2 and focuses on Gabriel’s visit to Mary and her giving birth to Jesus, fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Next week passages are from Luke, John, and Galatians about the promise from God fulfilled.
Download Keeping Christ in Christmas Copybook-Week 3 HERE.
If you missed Keeping Christ in Christmas Copybook-Week 1 or Keeping Christ in Christmas Copybook-Week 2, you can find them by clicking on the respective titles below.
Christ in Christmas Copybook-Week 1
Christ in Christmas Copybook-Week 2
Dec. 14, 2009 - Advent 2009
Right after Thanksgiving, we started Advent. I LOVE this tradition! I believe we've been doing Advent for 8 years, since my youngest was born. I just love watching my kids sing with me. They always stare at me in concentration while they are singing and I try to look at each one and store up their sweet faces in my heart. Candlelight makes everything look so amazing anyway. And now they all sing and learn the words easier. It hasn't always been this way. Every year, a different child would be obnoxious during Advent. And even this year, they sometimes fight over who's turn it is to blow out the candle(s) or complain that someone isn't singing right, etc. I don't like that part. And one night last week, I actually got up from the table in disgust, saying they could finish without me. I think that made an impact, though I wasn't trying to make a point, I was just tired of the complaining (from my younger two kids). But I can honestly say that they are trying to be fair about the candle-blowing and Carmen isn't complaining (as much) about Alec. Chad just wants to keep singing all night - he also plays piano to some of the songs, something else I love. And they have learned most of the songs in our book so the singing is so much sweeter. Now they need to work on the silence we try to keep after the candles are blown out and we sit in the dark for a minute or two. Alec can't seem to be still or keep quiet so he breaks the silence and Carmen complains. Oh, well, it doesn't ruin my Advent time, at least. For Advent, we use a page out of a Focus on the Family magazine that I got years ago. It lists which candles to use and explains their meaning. It also lists Bible verses for the entire 4 weeks. After dinner, my oldest (Chad) lights the candle(s) and I pray (or Todd, when he's home). Then either Chad or I read the Bible verse and we talk about it. We've had some great Bible studies during Advent. After that comes the singing which is everyone's favorite part. That can go on awhile which greatly reduces the candles but, who cares! We can get more candles! This kind of family time doesn't happen every day ... well, except during Advent, when it DOES happen every day. On Christmas Eve, we light a white Candle for Jesus and have birthday cake to celebrate His birth. We sometimes do Advent on Christmas Day but if depends on how long Todd's parents stay. After Christmas, I am sad that Advent is over. I think the kids miss it, too. Perhaps this year, we can continue with Bible study after dinner and even sing some worship songs. I would love that. But for now, I will treasure and enjoy each night we gather around the wreath, share the joy of the coming Birth of Jesus and sing in worship. The light shining on my children's faces will always be with me. Their sweet voices will be remembered in my ears. I try to look at each one of them as much as possible and take that mental snapshot. And sometimes I sing more quietly just so I can hear them better. Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him!
Dec. 13, 2009 - My om always told me that babies are more fun than a circus!
AND THEY ARE!!!
Dec. 8, 2009 - Grooveshark measurably improves your workout!
Well, not so sure about the "measurably" part. But it sure makes it more fun!
Hits from the '80s...
and 15 minutes, each punctuated with 5 clean and presses (15 lb dumbbells) and 5 rows (bodyweight on chin up machine)
our '80s workout music tonight:
In a Big Country (Big Country)
West End GIrls (Pet Shop Boys)
Heat of the Moment (Asia)
Tempted by the Fruit of Another (Squeeze)
Take Me Home Tonight (Eddie Money)
Making Love Out of Nothing At All (Air Supply)
Holding Out For A Hero (Bonnie Tyler)
Don't Stop Believing (Journey)
Tennessee (Arrested Development)
When the Levee Breaks (Led Zeppelin)
Misty Mountain (Led Zeppelin)
Too Much Time on My Hands (Styx)
Is one of these songs an "altar to the Unknown God" by musicians who are singing about God's unbelievable love? Vote yes or no in the comments! And tell me which one *you* think may fit the bill!
Prize will be the fame of having your name on my blog!
Dec. 8, 2009 - the cutest essay ever!
My friend, Mrs. Crystal, alerted me to a cool competition for children grades 4-12, Atco's Celebrating Excellence Challenge, with prizes of trips to the Olympics, and new laptops. My eldest wasn't that interested, but my oldest daughter was!
Here is the link to the contest, and here is her essay:
How I work for excellence and leadership as a big sister
and babysitter
By Haven F
As a big sister of 5 siblings, and a babysitter, I work for excellence. I wish
to have those small children, my siblings and the children I baby sit, like it
when I’m there and miss me when I go.
I am usually always helping with my baby sister, as my mom home-schools us all,
and usually needs a bit of help from us older children. I usually help by
keeping her occupied, or babysitting her while mom is away. As I got older, I
started changing her diaper, and putting her to bed. I sometimes baby-sit my
younger siblings for mom, or try to think of ways have fun with them. I want
them to know, if they’re hurt, or if they fall down and get a bump, scratch, or
skinned knee, I'll comfort them. That’s what I’m there for.
I want them to know that I’m there, that if they want someone to give them
attention, look at what they’ve done, or even just play a game, that I’ll do it.
I also work for leadership. In a household of nine people, that’s not too hard.
The little guys love to follow me around, or copy me. When we were decorating
our Christmas tree, for instance, I grabbed a long gold garland, and immediately,
my younger sister did the same. When I start reading, one of the little babies
picks up a book, upside-down, and pretends to read with me. Also, my baby sister
always pretends to talk on the phone, just like me. We have an old, burnt out
one exactly for that purpose.
I love playing group games, in the backyard, or elsewhere. My little brothers
and sisters love making ‘baby worlds’ with me, which usually consist of as many
blankets and pillows as they can find, twisted up into little nests. One of my
favourite games to play with little kids is called hide-and-go-tag, a mixture
of tag, and hide-and-go-seek. They almost all love it. Or I tell stories, when
they’re not too rowdy. They also love attention, and hugs. I’m always wishing
I can get better, and better, at what I do.
isn't she a doll?
Monday, December 7, 2009 - Keeping Christ in Christmas Copybook-Week 2
Wow, almost 100 folks have already downloaded my Keeping Christ in Christmas Copybook-Week 1. If you missed it this is the link to that post.
This week's Keeping Christ in Christmas Copybook-Week 2 focuses on the Scriptures from Isaiah which prophesy about who Jesus is and what He will do.
You can download Keeping Christ in Christmas Copybook -Week 2 HERE.
I sure would love to hear how you are using these in your classrooms.
Dec. 4, 2009 - Workouts using babies!
This isn't my husband, but i think i've seen him do all of these "exercises" at one time or another... I love the curls part... "You don't have to look at the weight. You know the onesie won't rip, just feel the burn..."
LOL!
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/baecbe8a16/how-to-work-out-from-home-from-lastpictures?rel=player
Thursday, December 3, 2009 - Focus on the Family Freebie
I ran across a magazine that I guess came in the mail while I was ill adn just had a chance to read through it. I'm not sure how it ended up in my mail, but I must be on some mailing list. Anyways, It's from Focus on the Family and is called Thriving Family. Not a huge publication but it was filled with interesting tibits. One such tidbit was about how to get 2 free Passages episodes downloads. You'll have to hurry because those downloads are only available unitl the end of December. You can also find a summary and discussion questions to use for exploring the lessons further. You can also listen to various other episodes on line.
For the Free Episodes go HERE.
To listen to other episodes go HERE.
If you have time you may want to explore The Adventures in Odyssey site a little more. Looks like there is a lot of good stuff there.
Friday, December 4, 2009 - School, Christmas Activities, and News
It’s that time a year again for the bustle and hustle of holiday preparations. We are incorporating some of these activities into our homeschool days. The kids always make contributions to the family newsletter and putting them into the Christmas cards, but this year I am enlisting their help in addressing the envelopes and writing little messages in the cards themselves. In the past I have taken several days to do this, but with their help we should make short work of it. This will be in lieu of some of their English assignments. We are also planning to do some festive cookie baking and will need recipes doubling and even tripling. This will provide some good math fraction practice and excellent home economics skills.
My son has chosen to read Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol for his literature this month. I am so tickled by his choice not only because Dickens is one of my favorite authors but also because he has finally shown an interest in reading to a certain extent. Last month he read The Time Machine and the month before The Call of the Wild and totally enjoyed them both. I consider this a huge accomplishment considering his disdain for reading. My daughter has discovered the original Nancy Drew books and has finally found a vein of books that she thoroughly enjoys. The kids finally enjoying reading something is just huge in my book.
On a completely different note I wanted to share some exciting news. The day I went into the hospital my oldest and his fiancé announced a date for their wedding. They will be getting married March 20th. I am so excited for them and can’t wait to have a daughter-in-law. There is so much to do and so little time but I am sure it will be the perfect wedding for them.
Dec. 3, 2009 - My Master's Face
No pictured likeness of my Lord have I;
He carved no record of His ministry
On wood or stone.
He left no sculptured tomb nor parchment dim
But trusted for all memory of Him
Men's hearts alone.
Who sees the face but sees in part; who reads
The spirit which it hides, sees all; he needs
No more. Thy grace -
Thy life in my life, Lord, give Thou to me;
And then, in truth, I may forever see
My Master's face!
William Hurd Hillyer
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