Just heard about the new VeggieTales DVD, Robin Good. I'm so glad they are still making movies! :) Such a great thing for kids. So glad my kids still enjoy watching them!
Heard about this great giveaway on one of my new fav blogs, Momma Findings. She's actually giving away a Robin Good DVD! Wow!
Here's where I found out about it: http://www.mommafindings.com/2012/03/faith-for-kids-veggietales-robin-good.html?showComment=1331403537456#c8951112203286582844
Yay!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Recovery
Yesterday, I had surgery. Not major surgery, just an outpatient procedure. Today, I'm recovering.
Even though I have a really low pain tolerance, I always think I'm going to just "feel fine" the next day. I don't know why I think this. It doesn't make any sense, given that I've always had a low threshold for pain of any kind. I guess I just think I should be fine after surgery.
Well, it doesn't work that way. Most frustrating are all the things that are not getting done while I am stuck in bed! Two birthday parties today, for example. So dad is stuck running kids to parties, and I get to go to none. Sigh. And attending church tomorrow is out, too.
Thankfully, I stocked up on library books on Thursday! Somehow, I've ended up with not one but two murder mysteries about ladies that knit! And they aren't old grannies that solve mysteries... Weird. Two very different authors, and different takes on the stories. But how odd that the heroines of each book should have knitting in common!
Is knitting really that popular?
Even though I have a really low pain tolerance, I always think I'm going to just "feel fine" the next day. I don't know why I think this. It doesn't make any sense, given that I've always had a low threshold for pain of any kind. I guess I just think I should be fine after surgery.
Well, it doesn't work that way. Most frustrating are all the things that are not getting done while I am stuck in bed! Two birthday parties today, for example. So dad is stuck running kids to parties, and I get to go to none. Sigh. And attending church tomorrow is out, too.
Thankfully, I stocked up on library books on Thursday! Somehow, I've ended up with not one but two murder mysteries about ladies that knit! And they aren't old grannies that solve mysteries... Weird. Two very different authors, and different takes on the stories. But how odd that the heroines of each book should have knitting in common!
Is knitting really that popular?
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
What a Book!
I just finished reading another one of those books that just makes me want to write about it!
It is The Apothecary by Maile Meloy. To be honest, I picked up this book to read because the cover was so enticingly odd. Even the back cover of the book tells you very little about the book. What a pleasant discovery this book has been!
It weaves together espionage, the atomic bomb's creation, and magic in a way that is totally unexpected. It begins much like any ordinary historical fiction for young people. "I was seven and living in Los Angeles when Japan surrendered at the end of World War II..." Ho hum. But the reader is quickly dumped out of her chair and into a strange world where magic is real, even if you don't believe in it, and spies are everywhere.
One of my favorite things about this book is that the magic seems so believable. It takes for granted that readers will just go along with the story. And it moves so quickly, who are we as readers to question this?
I also enjoyed how quickly the children are swept into the world of spies and undercover mishaps. Though the premise behind the story is a little far-fetched, with this mixing of magic and espionage, what could one expect?
My favorite scene from the book comes near the end, when an atomic bomb is detonated. It could be a textbook example of historical fiction from World War II -- except that the bomb's blast is intercepted and cancelled out by magic! And the description of what ensues is so vividly written that the reader isn't put out by it at all. I was so swept up in the story!
Brilliant work. I'm hoping this novel can be a bridge between those who love historical fiction and those who love fantasy. It worked for me!
It is The Apothecary by Maile Meloy. To be honest, I picked up this book to read because the cover was so enticingly odd. Even the back cover of the book tells you very little about the book. What a pleasant discovery this book has been!
It weaves together espionage, the atomic bomb's creation, and magic in a way that is totally unexpected. It begins much like any ordinary historical fiction for young people. "I was seven and living in Los Angeles when Japan surrendered at the end of World War II..." Ho hum. But the reader is quickly dumped out of her chair and into a strange world where magic is real, even if you don't believe in it, and spies are everywhere.
One of my favorite things about this book is that the magic seems so believable. It takes for granted that readers will just go along with the story. And it moves so quickly, who are we as readers to question this?
I also enjoyed how quickly the children are swept into the world of spies and undercover mishaps. Though the premise behind the story is a little far-fetched, with this mixing of magic and espionage, what could one expect?
My favorite scene from the book comes near the end, when an atomic bomb is detonated. It could be a textbook example of historical fiction from World War II -- except that the bomb's blast is intercepted and cancelled out by magic! And the description of what ensues is so vividly written that the reader isn't put out by it at all. I was so swept up in the story!
Brilliant work. I'm hoping this novel can be a bridge between those who love historical fiction and those who love fantasy. It worked for me!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Birthday Girl
Yesterday, the family celebrated my daughter's birthday. She wanted a Belle/France theme, but we couldn't find Paris decorations, so it became a very pink princess party. She loved it. 
We had a big party at PaPa's house. All the family was on hand, and daughter was allowed to invite a few friends. It began with just three friends, but ended up as five.
I believe she learned a valuable lesson about friendship during the whole birthday invitation process. First she had to decide which three girls (her closest friends) would be invited. After inviting these three, she got to thinking. There is one girl in her class who has always been a friend, but for some reason, this little girl has found herself on the "outside" of the class friendship circles. She really has felt left out and lost. So, after some discussion, my daughter said she really needed to invite this friend. So she did.
Then, there is another friend. She has always been close to my daughter, but definitely is part of a different crowd. You know, those popular cool girls who seem to have it all. Well, she has always come to my daughter's birthday parties. And my daughter said she is still her friend, will always be her friend, no matter what. So, she gets invited too.
So, at this small family birthday party, we also had 5 of my daughter's closest friends. Wouldn't have it any other way!
What's a great book about friendship? Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass. Great lesson in becoming friends with those who may be different than yourself, and learning to be a better friend. Important book for tweens, but everyone could read this book and enjoy its gentle humor.
We had a big party at PaPa's house. All the family was on hand, and daughter was allowed to invite a few friends. It began with just three friends, but ended up as five.
I believe she learned a valuable lesson about friendship during the whole birthday invitation process. First she had to decide which three girls (her closest friends) would be invited. After inviting these three, she got to thinking. There is one girl in her class who has always been a friend, but for some reason, this little girl has found herself on the "outside" of the class friendship circles. She really has felt left out and lost. So, after some discussion, my daughter said she really needed to invite this friend. So she did.
Then, there is another friend. She has always been close to my daughter, but definitely is part of a different crowd. You know, those popular cool girls who seem to have it all. Well, she has always come to my daughter's birthday parties. And my daughter said she is still her friend, will always be her friend, no matter what. So, she gets invited too.
So, at this small family birthday party, we also had 5 of my daughter's closest friends. Wouldn't have it any other way!
What's a great book about friendship? Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass. Great lesson in becoming friends with those who may be different than yourself, and learning to be a better friend. Important book for tweens, but everyone could read this book and enjoy its gentle humor.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Social Media
Today, at home with both kids who are sick, I have been exploring Social Media.
For many people, tweeting and facebooking are key components of their day. I admit, I'm learning more about facebook everyday, and love it! However, I am new to twitter, and I am slow at using Google+. I don't have a pinterest account, although I love going there to browse.
Today, since I have the time, I'm exploring. I started with my facebook. Then I browsed my tweets, clicking on lots of different things. I also follow several different blogs, so I spent time today clicking through blog posts.
The neatest thing was discovering that I can LINK my social media together! For example, if I find something on a blog that I like, I can tweet it out. If I find something on facebook I like, I can +1 it onto my Google+. Fun!
Yesterday, I spent the day reading. The book I finished yesterday was The Wild Ways,
and it (like social media) connected lots of aspects of things I enjoy. It is primarily a modern adventure story, but it incorporates magic, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, country music, Celtic tradition, saving the seals, family relationships, and soooo much more! Did I mention the teenage boy in the novel (typical teen) is also a dragon? Heeheehee.
Enjoy your combination explorations! :)
For many people, tweeting and facebooking are key components of their day. I admit, I'm learning more about facebook everyday, and love it! However, I am new to twitter, and I am slow at using Google+. I don't have a pinterest account, although I love going there to browse.
Today, since I have the time, I'm exploring. I started with my facebook. Then I browsed my tweets, clicking on lots of different things. I also follow several different blogs, so I spent time today clicking through blog posts.
The neatest thing was discovering that I can LINK my social media together! For example, if I find something on a blog that I like, I can tweet it out. If I find something on facebook I like, I can +1 it onto my Google+. Fun!
Yesterday, I spent the day reading. The book I finished yesterday was The Wild Ways,
Enjoy your combination explorations! :)
Monday, February 27, 2012
Hearing God
Another amazing weekend with the youth from the church. We took 8 young people (grade 6-12) to MidWinter. It was great to see so many kids devoted to Christ and to each other. And it made our own kids grow closer to each other. As one of them commented, "I didn't really know what you guys were like before!"
The best moment of the weekend for me was during the Nature Hike led by my husband.
During the nature walk, we were to be thinking of ways that God's love is expressed in nature. Especially how nature reflects the attributes of love expressed in 1 Cor 13. ("Love is patient, kind...") We explored the grounds of the camp, some places the kids had never been before. At the last stop on the hike, he took the kids to his favorite spot on the camp's grounds. It was a sheltered area under a huge tree. We all sat down in a circle, and got quiet. Then we all shut our eyes and listened for the sounds of God's creation. After a few moments, we talked about what we had heard. In those moments, we all felt closer to the Creator than we had for a long time!
If we are quiet, we are more likely to hear the voice of God. Sometimes I think we are so busy rushing through the day, we don't have time to listen to that still, small voice.
So many things make the camp experience worthwhile. Thank you, God, for moments of quiet to listen for You!
I'm a huge fan of the Clarice Bean series, as well as the TV show Charlie & Lola. The author, Lauren Child, has written several books, all of which are great for preteens who need a little humor and who are tired of Wimpy Kid.
The best moment of the weekend for me was during the Nature Hike led by my husband.
During the nature walk, we were to be thinking of ways that God's love is expressed in nature. Especially how nature reflects the attributes of love expressed in 1 Cor 13. ("Love is patient, kind...") We explored the grounds of the camp, some places the kids had never been before. At the last stop on the hike, he took the kids to his favorite spot on the camp's grounds. It was a sheltered area under a huge tree. We all sat down in a circle, and got quiet. Then we all shut our eyes and listened for the sounds of God's creation. After a few moments, we talked about what we had heard. In those moments, we all felt closer to the Creator than we had for a long time!
If we are quiet, we are more likely to hear the voice of God. Sometimes I think we are so busy rushing through the day, we don't have time to listen to that still, small voice.
So many things make the camp experience worthwhile. Thank you, God, for moments of quiet to listen for You!
I'm a huge fan of the Clarice Bean series, as well as the TV show Charlie & Lola. The author, Lauren Child, has written several books, all of which are great for preteens who need a little humor and who are tired of Wimpy Kid.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Missing Mammaw
Today, our family celebrates the birth and life of an extraordinary woman. She was more than just a mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She was head cheerleader, principle planner of all things, and encourager (even when she sounded rough).
We miss her. Many days, I still think, I wish I could tell her... She would be so proud of her son, what he has accomplished in his career. She would be beaming at my "almost" finished masters degree. She would hug the kiddos and love watching them blossom and grow into amazing preteens.
So, today we remember Mammaw. My daughter started the tradition of picking up daisies at the flower shop (MUST be real flowers, she insists) and balloons. The flowers we leave on the headstone, the balloons we release to send to Mammaw.
I believe she is smiling down on us from Heaven today, and watching us with love. Lord, help us to make it through the day!!
The Remembering Box by Eth Clifford
We miss her. Many days, I still think, I wish I could tell her... She would be so proud of her son, what he has accomplished in his career. She would be beaming at my "almost" finished masters degree. She would hug the kiddos and love watching them blossom and grow into amazing preteens.
So, today we remember Mammaw. My daughter started the tradition of picking up daisies at the flower shop (MUST be real flowers, she insists) and balloons. The flowers we leave on the headstone, the balloons we release to send to Mammaw.
I believe she is smiling down on us from Heaven today, and watching us with love. Lord, help us to make it through the day!!
The Remembering Box by Eth Clifford
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