Enjoying New Curriculum.

Last year, we used Abeka K5.  I think maybe it was too many books for our first year.  I needed something all-in-one.  Thankfully, I found it (on Craigslist too!).

This year we've been using My Father's World First Grade for our curriculum.  It is broken down by day with daily Reading/Writing, a Number of the Day, weekly Science lessons and Bible lessons, and a weekly memory verse from the book of Proverbs.  You can buy additional books for Art and Music lesson. 

So far I have really liked the lessons, but we go through them so quickly, I have also been supplementing with extra practice sheets and reading.  I can really appreciate the Bible lessons because not only do the kids learn verses (and discuss them for understanding, but they are also learning about Bible history, being introduced to Hebrew and Greek, and learning to use maps.

Here is one of my favorite projects, one that we did while learning Proverbs 12:18:  swords for reckless words, and band aids for healing words.

Sisters Word Art

Today I discovered something amazing:  wordle!  I've been looking for some "sisters" subway art and can you believe I haven't found anything decent.  I have this adorable green frame that I stuck in the girls' room that's just asking for some colorful word art.

Anyhow, I was browsing through some stuff on Pinterest, and came across a post that used wordle to design your own Christmas ornaments.  I gave it a quick try and after 5 minutes, came up with this:




Pretty cute, huh?  You just type in a bunch of text and then adjust the colors, fonts, and layout to your own liking.  You can even choose to make the words horizontal or vertical or more of either way.  I'm going to hang this one as a portrait, so I chose to make most of the words vertical on the layout. 

What a great way to throw together something new and fun in no time!  I think I'll make some for the holidays too!

Things Your Mom Says & Jambalaya Recipe

In an effort to start keeping up this blog again, I'll be adding "what's for dinner" and some of our renovations from the house to keep it all well-rounded. ;)

You know those crazy sayings you heard growing up from you mom?  It turns out that some of them actually make sense!

"Don't count your chickens before they hatch!"

When we started working on this house, we were ready to tear out all the dirty, tar-covered cabinets from the kitchen.  Except we spent all of our "house savings" on paint and refinishing the floors and a new mattress and ... well, we don't have any left for new cabinets.  It's a good thing we didn't tear them out after all (for now!).

Kitchen Before

Kitchen Before

What we did take out was that very dirty range/oven.  It was a gas oven, but the gas line was cut, and nothing else in the house used gas, so we decided to buy new (or used).  We also decided to rearrange the cabinets and fit the fridge against the wall as it was so very oddly placed and very soon we will begin painting the existing cabinets.  In the meantime, I've been using my trusty crock pot, a little toaster oven, and an electric skillet to cook as the new oven and stove and cabinets haven't been installed (aren't kitchens always the last to finish?!).  Sometimes you gotta do with what you have!

Last night I used the skillet to make one of my mom's go-to recipes:  Sausage Jumbalaya.  It was very easy and everyone loves it!

 SAUSAGE JAMBALAYA

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cup chopped onion*
   1/2 cup chopped green onion*
   1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
   1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley*
1 cup (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1 tsp minced garlic
   1/4 tsp crushed dried mint
1 cup white wine
1 1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
1 lb. smoked sausage (I used Oscar Mayer turkey sausage)
salt to taste
hot sauce or ground cayenne pepper to taste

In large skillet heat oil over medium heat and saute' onions, bell pepper and parsley til onions are clear.  Stirring, add tomato sauce, garlic, mint and wine, then the rice, salt, hot sauce (if desired) and smoked sausage (half and slice), and enough water to cover rice by about 1 inch.  Cook til most of juice is gone.  Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer for 1 hour, don't lift lid for at least 45 minutes.  This makes a red jambalaya.  4-6 servings.
From Justin Wilson's Homegrown Louisiana Cookin'

*I use 2 cups of chopped onions and don't bother with the green onions.  Maybe a tbsp of dried parsley in place of the fresh.  I don't put hot sauce in it while cooking but let everyone add their own individually if desired.  I do not cook it that long; the rice cooks dry pretty quickly after letting the juice cook down before covering, so keep an eye on it and check after maybe 20 minutes.  Consider it done when the rice has cooked dried (and tender).

Like a Racehorse

Tonight we all watched Secretariat together.  I have to admit that for whatever reason, I didn't expect it to be this good!  We all loved it....okay, so Reese wasn't too into it but she's only two. ;)  Rachel asked a few questions at the beginning, and then really got into it, even cheering for Secretariat during the race scenes.

In the middle of the movie, Rachel had to take a potty break.  We paused the movie while she ran to the bathroom; I told her to hurry up and she replied, "okay, I am!  But I'm not as fast as that horse!"  Love her!

Gentle Reminders

There is nothing like the innocence of a child to show you non skeptical, non stereotyped thinking.

Over the weekend, my 5 year old spotted a homeless man on the side of the road.  She asked what he was doing, read his sign that said "Need Help", and observed quietly for a few minutes.  Her conclusion about the whole situation had nothing to do with the way he looked or why he didn't have a job, but "why are there so many people passing by him and not helping??!!"

I am guilty of being one of those people.  Sure, I gather items and donate to the homeless shelter and give money to needy kids, but I also sometimes find myself being skeptical of those asking for money or even judging them.  Thank you, Rachel, for the reminder to love my neighbor as myself.


"She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:20 


"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

Book Review: 31 Days of Drawing Near to God

I don't generally pick up my bible, open to a random page and start reading.  I like structure and guidance, so I prefer to have a devotional book that gives me specific scripture to read and helps pull things together and give insight.  I was glad to see "31 Days of Drawing Near to God" by Ruth Myers was available for review. Anything that helps me get nearer to Him is exactly what I need. 

Myers starts with a moving introduction by telling "her story."  She gives an overview of her life up to now with it's many ups and downs including the ups and downs of her faith.  Her daily devotions include more details of her story that point to who He is and who we are in Him.  The subtitle of the book is "Resting Securely in His Delight" and Myers gives wonderful examples in scripture that show we truly are His delight.  The book is full of reminders about the true relationship that we should have with the Father and of our identity as His chosen and cherished children.  I really enjoyed each day of finding or rediscovering the overwhelming love He has for me.  The devotions were just the right length as were the suggested scripture readings.  I would recommend this to anyone, but especially to anyone who is feeling distant from the Lord or who would like to be reminded of His love and drawn closer to Him.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review; however my opinion was not influenced in any way.

Before I forget...

Tonight at dinner Rachel told us, "At church they said when Jesus comes back, we need to be paralyzed."  Of course, she meant "prepared"
but we all still laughed, and it reminded me of what she said a few weeks ago...
trying to remember "image" she asked me, "God made us in his own...village?"
Reese is also quite capable of making us laugh as she can be a total clown...
after we all laughed at/with Rachel at dinner, and then Olivia was saying "Mmmmm" to everyone, Reese decided she had to throw something out there, so she started hitting herself in the head and said, "why you hitting myself on my head?"  which she definitely learned from her daddy.

I love these moments and need to be better about writing them down.  Or at least posting them here...

Seeds Family Worship

As part of our homeschooling, I try to have a weekly Bible verse for the girls.  This month we have started using Seeds Family Worship songs to help us learn the verse through music.  I have to say that all three of us have really enjoyed it; it is definitely geared toward the whole family, so we can listen to it over and over without me wanting to pull out my hair!  :)

I've even found some great coloring sheets to go along with each verse/song at Totally Tots.  If you're looking for worksheets and projects to do with your little one, this is a great website!

A unique and awesome feature of Seeds Family Worship is that when you order an album, they send you two identical CDs - one for you and one to pass along to a friend!  You can also purchase the mp3 album through Amazon. 

Check out the website for more info on Seeds Family Worship and how you can even have a Seeds live event at your church!

Passing on the Good Things

Who can argue that living by example (good or bad!) is one of the ways we most influence our kids?  Whether we're aware of it or not, they're always listening (well, almost always) and always watching what we do.

Think of all we give up for our kids!  From day one, we sacrifice sleep, energy, and sometimes even meals so we don't miss out on a single moment of our precious new life.  Then we change our schedules and trade in our "fun car" for a "family car".  And still, the lack of sleep continues.  We re-budget to have money for new clothes because they grow out of them so fast, and oh, the diapers!  Then we try sleep-training and we stand next to the crib while they're crying for what seems like an eternity, and when they finally fall asleep we try to use our stealthiest moves to get out of the room without waking up baby, but of course we find that one squeaky board or trip over the loudest, noisiest toy and we have to start all over.  But when they do finally start going to sleep on their own and staying asleep...ahhhh, it was all worth it!

So back to passing things along...
Once our children are old enough to realize wants and vocalize those wants, it's hard to eat whatever we want whenever we want without hearing, "I want some!"  So we eat healthier foods to set a good example.  And we don't take the last bite of ice cream, (no matter how much we need it!) when those little eyes are looking up, just waiting for more.  That's exactly what Rachel has started doing for me.  She saves me the last bite of whatever treat she's eating and says, "Here, Mom!  I saved you the last bite, because I know there's no more and I know you like it!"  When her sister eats all of her m&ms (so much for eating healthy!) and wants more, she is happy to give some, and sometimes all, of what's left of her own.  She is learning that being selfish is not as fun as giving something good, especially to someone you love.

Break's Over!

The holidays are over, after-Christmas clearance shopping is done, and by now, we should be getting back into the swing of things!  With the start of a new year, I'm also starting a separate blog to post my favorite deals of the day!  Choosing What Is Right will continue with more of what's going on with our family and home school.

So go check it out!   Meg's Daily Deals