Have I mentioned that I love AWANA? Maybe you don't even know what AWANA is? AWANA stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed and it is a Scripture Memory training curriculum designed to win children to Christ and ground them in the faith. I am so excited for those of you who have been looking for an organized Scripture Memory curriculum but don't have a local AWANA church you can support. I know Continue Reading >>
Scripture Memory: Top Ten Free and Inexpensive Products We Love
I've been collecting products that can help me teach my family Scripture for several years. In my opinion, anything that can help get more Scripture into our heads is a great investment! These days everyone is on a tight budget, and our household is no exception. I've included the price for each product so that you can quickly see what will fit into your budget and I've even included some free Continue Reading >>
Scripture Memory Techniques: Ways to Make it Happen
When my oldest son was about 20 months old at Christmas time, he was absolutely fascinated with our Christmas tree and broke several of the ornaments that year. I think the total count of broken was something like 36 ornaments. One particular time I can still see as if it was yesterday. He got quiet and I realized he wasn't in the play room next to me any more so I left the homeschool table and Continue Reading >>
Scripture Memory: Providing A Lifetime of Protection
One of my fondest memories of church camp was a special cabin mom whom I can still remember chanting this verse with us: "God is faithful, He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. But with the temptation, will provide a way of escape ALSo that you may be able to endure it. I Corinthians 10:13" I remember the whole verse, and every inflection of the chant because she came back Continue Reading >>
Scripture Memory: Essential to the Victorious Christian Life
Let me ask you a few questions. When you are tempted to sin (and we all are), do you stop what you are doing, pull out your Bible or smartphone and look up a Scripture to combat that temptation? I would bet that most of us do not. Jesus, when he was tempted, responded to Satan each time with a Scripture verse quoted from memory. (Read Luke 4:1-13). If you want to have a strong stand against Continue Reading >>
Bacon, Ricotta and Peas on Pasta. Yummm.
Bacon, Ricotta and Peas on Pasta is one of those recipes that is fast, easy, and yummy. It is one of those Italian Dishes that is really filling and not very good for you. Shhh. Don't tell. All of my kids love this dish. The long pole in the tent is the bacon. Once the bacon is done, this dish comes together really fast. So start your garlic bread when you start the bacon and start water for your Continue Reading >>
Sometimes Change Is Good. Are You Ready?
I grew up in a small town. When describing it to others, I've always called it Small Town, USA. The official name of the town is Petersburg. When my sisters and I all got married to out-of-town city boys, they all called it Piddlesburg. Just a tiny little two-stoplight town with not much to offer in the way of entertainment or culture. We were lucky if we came for a visit during the annual 4H Continue Reading >>
Book Review: Children’s Atlas of God’s World by Craig Froman
I went to get the Children's Atlas of God's World out of my suitcase to write this review, and I had to wait for ten minutes while my fourteen-year-old flipped through the book reading bits here and there from every page and studying the beautiful pictures. She was especially interested in the page about New Zealand, because we just watched an episode of Amazing Race that took place in New Continue Reading >>
Curriculum Review: Institute for Excellence in Writing
I thought I was going to have a hard time convincing my daughter to use Student Writing Intensive Level B ($109) Set from Institute for Excellence in Writing. I sat down to watch the first session of Teaching Writing with Structure and Style ($169) on DVD when she just happened to be in the room. Mr. Pudewa was articulate and even funny, and I noticed her laughing to herself even though she Continue Reading >>
Happy Inside the Fence? Setting Rules Your Kids Can Live With
The way I see it, two extremes exist. Those who set no rules for their kids and those who have rules galore. Most of us are struggling to strike the right balance between these extremes. I'm actively seeking ways to achieve that balance. We are trying to set enough rules to keep our kids safe and healthy while at the same time provide enough freedom that rebellion is not the first step they will Continue Reading >>