HOMEmaker's Challenge - May 2011

Ok, I'm not sure what I'm getting myself into ... but I'm going to attempt to join in this Homemaker's Challenge (click above).  I have been complainig, talking about, planning, making promises, having false starts, attempting to begin CLEANING AND ORGANIZING my house for a long, long time now ...  and I need to JUST DO IT.  As my husband often says, "Don't try, do."  :)

So, the other day, I got a FREE copy of Sarah Mae's eBook 31 Days to Clean:  Having a Martha House the Mary Way.  The promotion for a free download is now over - but you can purchase the eBook for $4.99. 
I have browsed through it, and I am fascinated.   I might be able to do this!!  The daily challenges are simple, and the tasks are definitely attainable.  It does not require you to empty out and deep clean a WHOLE ENTIRE ROOM each day, but just tackle a few simple jobs that need to be done.  In 31 days, you will have gone through the whole house while learning more about what motivates you to have a clean home, what is most important in life, and mainly, what GOD wants for us as homemakers...withouth stressing ourselves out!  Sounds good to me.

So, I'm in on the Joyful Mothering Challenge!  Now, time to GET BUSY!!!!!  :)

Conny

Sunshine

After many rainy days ...

the sun is shining.

After many rainy days ...

the grass is greener; the flowers seem brighter!

After many rainy days ...

my outlook is clearer.

It's been a crazy, busy week.  With my extra duties as substitute lunch lady at school and many evening activities (church, band concert, ladies' banquet), my family is finally HOME today.
Well, Dan took the kids out for a while - to the library, to grocery shop ... and I have a few hours to putter around, clean the house up, maybe even cook a meal we will eat together as a family tonight!  :)
I appreciate days like today so much more after a week like we just had.  The sunshine just adds to happiness of this day.  :)  Peace, quiet, family time, calm.  And butterflies.

Left-Over Ham & Broccoli Skillet

CREDIT:  from Campbell's Kitchens

1 can Condensed Broccoli Cheese Soup
(I used 1 can Cream of Broccoli soup)

2 cups broccoli florets or 1 pkg (10 oz) frozen cut, thawed

1 cup milk

1 tbsp spicy brown mustard

1 1/2 cups cooked ham, cut into strips

2 1/4 medium shell-shaped pasta (I used egg noddles), cooked & drained

Heat the soup, milk, mustard, and broccoli in a 10 inch skillet over medium-high heat to a boil.  Reduce the heat to low.  Cook for 5 minutes or until the broccoli is tender. 

Stir the ham and pasta in the skillet and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling.

Makes 4 servings.

for more recipes, visit The Diary of a SAHM

Random.

I love my new computer ... we got it a few weeks ago with left-over tax refund money (what a blessing!!).  Our ancient desk top that I bought in 2003 when Dan deployed to Iraq was on its last leg.  Its GI-NOR-MOUS monitor took up all the room on my desk and the tower took up all the room under the desk. 

Looking at computers, we were AMAZED at what is out there now!!  I guess the newest thing is the all-in-one's where the workings of the computer (hard drive??) are inside the monitor!!  WOW!  We didn't get one of those, but I'm very pleased with my much more economical, very basic HP.  It does have a small tower - and a 20 inch monitor (that's almost bigger than our living room TV! ha!!).  The only thing I do NOT like is there is no slot for my photo card!?!  Seriously?!!   I hate writing posts with NO pictures - and right now, I have no time to search for clip art to liven things up. 

Really, I don't have a lot to say right now - just a few things to share off the top of my head:

I have an article up at Blissfully Domestic again.  :)  It is part one of two or three in a series about the pressure Christians put on themselves to be PERFECT.  It is something I've struggled with a lot.  I am slowly accepting God's grace and just the way God made ME ... and that although I need to learn and grow and improve, I also need to cut myself some slack and not try so hard to gain God's favor and please people.  While I know God loves me, I sometimes wonder how many people really do like me and think I'm doing a good job (in life, with my kids, in my Christian growth, being a good church member, etc).  The older I get, the less I worry about the people, but I always wonder what God "thinks" of me and hope He is well pleased.   

I was a little discouraged by things yesterday, as Blissfully Domestic (BD) was hiring staff writers - $25 each for 2-4 articles a month (which would be awesome supplemental money for me!!) ... I applied in mid-April - and found out just yesterday that I did not make the cut.  I have been writing articles for BD each month since December - and I touted my college degree (thinking maybe I'd finally put it to good use) - and promoted myself as well as I could (first time I've written a resume in years!!) ... but apparently, it wasn't enough.  At first, I wallowed in my self-pity.  :(   I wasn't good enough; maybe these websites (Blissfully Domestic and Mama Buzz) publish my pathetic articles because they just need content that is half-way grammatically correct - and they'll accept about anything ... maybe my blog is just my little world of make-believe where people occasioally stop by, but actually, they just kind of feel sorry for me or read my ramblings because of the "train wreck" that I tend to be!!  :-/ 

BUT I knew I'd prayed about applying for BD ... and I've always prayed about if and how God wanted me to write ... and so far, He hasn't allowed me to do so for much, if any, profit.  And even so, never fear, dear reader (how writer-ish does that sound!!?), I will keep on writing, if only for me (because I *have to* write, here or in a journal or somewhere, anywhere).  I will not worry if people are reading my posts or deleting them.  I will probably still consider if I have any influence or connection with those who do actually read what I say/think - and I'll probably continue to wonder if maybe I'm the only one who thinks/feels the way I do or sees God or the Bible or life the way I do ... but I will continue on... 
So, if you're sticking with me, at least in my little ol' blog, thank you!!!  :)  I know I do have a few kindred spirits among my few readers - and I'm so glad we've connected!  :)

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, anyhoo,

Have you heard about all the flooding in Missouri (and Arkansas and maybe other places)? 
The little towns around here are having some flooding - I noticed one of the rivers (the Gasconade) that goes to the town we technically live in (address-wise but 11 miles from the town itself) had waters creeping up to the bridge/highway yesterday as we drove to piano lessons there.  The other river in our nearest-by town is also flooding out the nearby campground and park (the Roubidoux Creek, a tributary of the Gasconade); this has happened before a few years ago.  Businesses and homes were affected even here.  Also, the Big Piney on Ft. Leonard Wood, our local Army post is flooding out some of the training areas! 

It's ironic that a local church here is building a new building that looks like an ark!  Really.  I drove by it today and was reminded of Noah.  I'm sure he felt a lot like we do today - very soggy.  ;)

Conny

The Bridge of Peace - A Review

I stayed up last night to finish this book, THE BRIDGE OF PEACE by Cindy Woodsmall. 

It is the second book in a series, but I certainly did not feel like I had missed out by not reading book #1 - in fact, I now want to read book #1 in this Ada's House series since I feel like I "know" all the characters:















and I'm looking forward to book 3 of the series coming in paperback in the fall of 2011! 















But back to THE BRIDGE OF PEACE ---
If you like Amish fiction, this book is like an Amish suspense novel, with just a touch of romance.  The focus is not so much on the details of the Amish ways, although there is definitely enough mention of the traditions and customs that you may learn something you didn't know. 

I found the story itself really interesting once I figured out who all the characters were (and there were a slew of them, with several sub-plots going on).  Though some of the characters were somewhat stereotypical, as most Christian fiction seems to tend to be, there was enough twists and turns in the plot to keep me guessing.  I really enjoyed this book!

I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for this review.  The opinions are all my own. 

Conny

Daybook - 4/25/2011

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...
58 degrees and overcast :(  We're gathering animals 2x2 here in Missouri!!!!!!! 

I am thinking...
my children are growing up so quickly ... am I doing all I need to, all I can do to prepare them for life, to show them how much I love them, to turn their hearts toward God. 

I am thankful for...
the sane people in my life.  ;) 

From the kitchen...
no doubt something with leftover ham!  I found a new recipe for ham & cheese pasta casserole.  If it's any good I'll post on Thursday (if I remember). 

I am wearing...
comfy clothes.


I am creating...
part 2 for my article about why Christians feel the need to be perfect ...

I am going...
to be tired until I die, I fear.  ;)

I am reading...

ALMOST FINISHED!!!!!!

I am hoping...
my husband has a good day at school tomorrow ... and that the school year would end well.

I am hearing...
Little House on the Prairie on TV

Around the house...
stacks that need to be sorted through - stacks of coupons, stacks of paperwork to be filed, stacks of my to-do lists, stacks of magazines. AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!

One of my favorite things...
sleeping babies.  :)  Quiet nights at home. 


A few plans for the rest of the week:
back on school lunch duty each day this week.  Piano lessons on Tuesday night, Kids' club at church Wednesday night, band/choir concert on Thursday night, Mother-Daughter Banquet on Friday night. 


Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
I have a new computer now - and there are NO pictures saved on it - and it doesn't have a photo card slot either.  So, this is a clip art I am using for my article (see above)

To see more daybooks, visit the Simple Woman's Blog.

Conny

Easter Day 2011

In some ways, today did not feel like a special day...

It was gray and rainy outside.

The morning was rushed, trying to get everyone dressed, trying to bake a ham to take to the church potluck.

I missed singing the Easter hymns, hearing the special music (Dan sang in an ensemble), and the Easter sermon because I was helping in the nursery during the morning service...

By the time we got home in the afternoon, I was exhausted and totally forgot I wanted to get pictures of the children in their Easter outfits!

I did catch barefoot Miriam and relaxed Anna, my lovely girls.

But in the end, it doesn't matter that I didn't celebrate Easter in a special way today ...

JESUS is RISEN, and we can celebrate that ANY DAY, ANY TIME, ANYWAY.  



Daybook - 4/20/2011

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...
dark ... it's 11:20 p.m.  It's 47 degrees according to my toolbar.  Brrrrr!!!!

I am thinking...I hope I can fall asleep before midnight or at least by 1 a.m. tonight.  Got a lot on my mind - my husband is having to deal with some tough situations again.  Praying for him and everyone who is involved. 

I am thankful for...God's grace.

From the kitchen...not much. I haven't been home much at all this week.  I definitely haven't taken time to plan menus or to cook anything substantial. 

I am wearing...comfy clothes

I am creating...an article for Blissfully Domestic.  "The Pressure Christians Feel to be Perfect" - it may take 2 or 3 parts to get all my thoughts out! 

I am going...to my in-laws for Good Friday & Saturday.  We'll probably end up at Silver Dollar City for a few hours. 

I am reading...
The Bridge of Peace for review


I am hoping...God will work in some hard situations. 

I am hearing...TLC on the TV - Extreme Couponing & Hoarding:  Buried Alive (yikes!!!)

Around the house...the washer & dryer are going; gotta get caught up on laundry because I won't be home this weekend to do it :(

One of my favorite things...quiet nights after everyone has gone to bed.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  I have been helping with lunch at school each day and will continue to do so until our lunch aide returns in a few weeks after being with her very ill mother.  Basically, Miriam and I are gone from 10 a.m. til early afternoon nap time each week day. 
We have the day off on Friday, but we are going to visit my in-laws until Saturday evening.  No internet or blogging for me there :(

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

More daybooks at The Simple Woman's Daybook blog.

Unmerited Favor

God's grace has been defined to me in many ways. 

A popular acronym I've heard all my life is

"God's Riches At Christ's Expense." 

At Easter time, that is something I dwell on often:  Jesus Christ, the sinless Lamb of God, sacrificed Himself on the cross for ME.  My sin-debt was paid at His expense.

G-R-A-C-E

Another definition I've heard often is that grace is unmerited favor.  For some reason, that is harder for me to wrap my head around.  Yes, I know I don't deserve anything God gives me, and yet He gives.  But why?  How?  Why would He love ME, and as my pastor often says, even DELIGHT in me?  I guess I know me all too well, that I fail so often, let myself down, and don't meet my own expectations.  But GOD - my Father - continues to delight in ME, His child, even as He observes the ways I mess up.

The only way I can truly grasp this concept is through my own parenting.  I continue to love and delight in my children even when we aren't clicking.  Just recently my 10 year old daughter and I had an altercation, at the end of which we concluded that even though we totally DID NOT understand each other, we were going to continue to love each other.  And I am going to continue to attempt to show her my ways because I have her best interests at heart.

 

This year, I wasn't going to buy any Easter clothes.  Sometimes in years past, we have gotten new dresses/clothes for Easter, but this year, the budget envelope for clothing was EMPTY.  I had just recently bought my daughter a casual dress she really wanted, telling her if I got it, I wouldn't be buying any more clothes for her for a while...

But today, after surveying her closet and seeing she really didn't have any nice spring dresses, I bought her an Easter dress (and it's not that we don't have any money, it's just not in the allotted budget, making this a very special purchase).

It isn't anything too expensive, just a Walmart dress ... but it is MY way of showing my daughter I love her, to do something for her that she wasn't expecting. 

A little unmerited favor.

Someone gave me a dress & shoes for Miriam ... and a tie for Andrew. 

That was an unexpected blessing too!

I think on Easter Sunday they will be a nice-looking trio of kids ... and I will be reminded that God delights in me and in my children - so much so that He sent His Son to die for us - and to victoriously RISE AGAIN - that God extends this grace to all of us.  Unmerited. 

Humor:

 Miriam acts like she was "weaned on a dill pickle..."

Stick 'Em Up!

My son has a friend who has an arsenal of "air soft guns" ... I never really heard of them until Andrew told me about them.  And who'd a thunk it that VISION FORUM sells them?!  In fact, the deal-of-the-day model today is similar to a World War II .45 handgun.  Because my son LOVES World War II history AND air soft guns, I'm seriously considering this purchase ... 40% off today (for the next 3 hours!) ... for a special occasion (like his 13th birthday in September).   This regularly priced $50 gun is $30 today! 

I know some people have "issues" with boys playing with guns ... and we too have made "rules" about gun play (IE "don't shoot to KILL your friend"), but being a former military family, it is just totally unavoidable to play with guns!  Particularly NERF ones!!!  :)  I even like those!  :) 

I'm also considering THIS BOOK for Andrew (though it isn't on sale, but it is "only" $10):

Vision Forum is pleased to announce the publication of The Boy’s Guide to the Historical Adventures of G.A. Henty, by William Potter. An indispensable tool for the boy who loves heroes and histories. This 126-page guide is the perfect tool for the student of history and the lover of the greatest adventure literature of the nineteenth century.



The Boy’s Guide offers two unique features. First, it gives the history of the remarkable life of Henty, and the reason why Christian boys should read his adventure stories. Second, it gives the reader both a plot summary and an historical overview of each of the more than seventy works of historical fiction that flowed from the pen of a man whom Sword and Trowel named “the king of storytellers for boys.”

SO MUCH good stuff at Vision Forum ... I love to browse & make mental wish lists ...




(and yes, I'm an affiliate, but only because I think their products are SO awesome).

Conny

Inquiring Minds (My Part)

I'm doing a little independent study for a potential future article - and/or maybe just to connect some dots in my own mind.  If you haven't already, would you consider answering my questions at the original post? 

And just to be fair and open, here are MY answers:

1. Do you consider yourself a morning person, a night owl, both, or neither? (talking about natural tendency, not what life/job/family requires you to be)
Night owl, always have been - have tried to change my ways but I CAN NOT (at least not happily!).  My production level rises the later in the day it becomes. 

2. Do you like books (to read, buy, collect, get at the library)?
I love to read!! 
3. Are you known as being chronically late, always early, or right on time?
I tend to run late but I can be right on time for the most important things and appointments.  I am hardly ever early.


4. Is your natural tendency to be introverted or extroverted?
Once upon I took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test with a group of Army wives at a team building event ... and I got the most extreme introverted tendency score of the whole group and that the grader/rater had ever seen.  I was also the MOST awkward, didn't-know-what-to-do-with-myself person  at the meeting since I didn't know anyone and was completely out of my element.  That pretty much describes me:  total social reject!!  ;) 

5. What are your favorite kind of blog posts: lots of pictures? lots of words? a mix of both? depends on time/mood?
I like them all ... If I have time, I enjoy reading long blog posts of stories or anecdotes or teaching.  Sometimes a short, poignant post is sufficient as well. 

6. Do you consider yourself even-keel or moody?
I am definitely moody.  In fact, my husband calls me "Melan-conny" because I can fall into a state of melancholy very quickly...

7. Are you a very private person or is your life an open book?
I think I am a strange mix of private and open book ... I can't really get up in front of a crowd and spew my guts, but I don't mind to share what I am struggling with on my blog or with a friend - or more so, what I've struggled with in the past and learned.  I want to be seen as "real" and I definitely want people to know that just because I'm quiet doesn't mean I think I'm perfect - or even worse, sitting in judgment of others' faults.  That said, I do not like it when people I don't really know well want to know all about my business!!  I am private enough to not like being interrogated. 

8. Would you rather talk on the phone or write a letter/email?
I do not like talking on the phone at all.  That said, I don't mind chatting with a close friend or family on the phone for a while, but I really don't like making phone calls for business ... and even with friends, if they have email, facebook, or can text, that's how I prefer to share information. 

9. Would you rather be among a large crowd or just talk to 1-2 people/close friends?
The older I get, the less I like crowds.  I don't really even like big functions any more ... even things like church functions or dinners, I just feel more comfortable keeping along the perimeter instead of being right smack in the middle of the action.  I also prefer to have just a few really close friends instead of many surface relationships.  I force myself out of my comfort zone because I could easily be a hermit - but I know that isn't good for me, and I'd be of no use to anyone if I just hid out at home all the time.  I do want to be useful in God's service - and that involves stepping outside of my home-body tendencies. 
Conny

Inquiring Minds ...

If you have a moment, can you answer my questions? 

1.  Do you consider yourself a morning person, a night owl, both, or neither?  (talking about natural tendency, not what life/job/family requires you to be)

2.  Do you like books (to read, buy, collect, get at the library)?

3.  Are you known as being chronically late, always early, or right on time?

4.  Is your natural tendency to be introverted or extroverted?

5.  What are your favorite kind of blog posts:  lots of pictures?  lots of words?  a mix of both?  depends on time/mood?

6.  Do you consider yourself even-keel or moody? 

7.  Are you a very private person or is your life an open book?

8.  Would you rather talk on the phone or write a letter/email? 

9.  Would you rather be among a large crowd or just talk to 1-2 people/close friends?

I'd really appreciate your input ... I have this theory & was just wondering if a few personality traits & preferences were connected ...  :)  I'll share my results if I get enough participation!  :) 

Family Fun

Blissfully Domestic requested an article on Family Field trips - and I gave it my best attempt to oblige as spending time with my family is one of my FAVORITE THINGS to do!!  :)

This article was meant to run in March ... but I guess it doesn't matter that it just came out today.  Fun Family Field Trips.

My next assignment is going to be GOOD (not because I am writing it but because it is something I am looking forward to delving into)!!  It's about Christians feeling the pressure to be PERFECT.  This is the story of my life ... and I'm getting over it. :)

Water, Water, Everywhere ...

I've shared before that I really don't LIKE drinking water.  I know it is important in so many ways ... I've read about it, been lectured about it, and experienced that a hydrated body functions better than a dehydrated one.  And yet, I hate drinking water :(~  If I drink it first thing in the morning, it makes me feel sick; if I swallow a pill with it, I have a hard time making it go down; if I drink too much, I just feel like my belly is all sloshy ... Excuses, excuses ... but I just don't like water.  :0)~

SO, this year I challenged myself to DRINK MORE WATER some how ... maybe by adding lemons, maybe by pacing myself, maybe by buying a pretty water container to use.  Well, here we are in APRIL (? is it really APRIL already??!), and I have FINALLY gotten serious about this water thing.  It was step 1 in my "getting healthier" plan for 2011.  So, it's only taken me 4 months to get here.  Step 2 may not be accomplished til July!!?  But this my own "no pressure, at-my-own-pace" program, so it's ok. 

Here's my new water-drinking program - a convenient 32-ounce water jug and packets of Advocare SPARK.  No, I'm not "advoca"ting or selling Spark or any Advocare products; I happen to get them from my friend whose sister is a (I wanted to say dealer?) distributor and gets me this stuff at cost.  Spark is a powdered energy drink.  DREW BREES endorses it ... and hey, he's a Super Bowl Champion ... it's gotta be good.

So, you put a scoop (or packet) of SPARK in 8 ounces of water - and you should be "good to go" for the rest of the day with energy-giving, focus-enhancing, all-natural supplements - and the secret, just a "spark" of caffeine (so take it early in the day). 

My take on it is to fill my jug (32 ounces) and use 1/2 a packet ... and that's all I need.  The SPARK comes in several flavors, and I'm using grape.  The slight grapey flavor helps the water go down - and I'm giving myself some added, steady energy.  :) 

My next step is to start drinking a second 32 ounce water jug of PLAIN (or lemon) water to complete my required 8- 8 oz. of water/day requirement.  And yes, this is all that big of a deal for me to write an ENTIRE blog post about it.  This water stuff does not come easy for me ... so I've really got to plan it out carefully. 

What's next for me:  LOSE WEIGHT & EAT RIGHT.  But we'll tackle that - well - maybe in July?!  ;)  Actually, that's an on-going process with me as I have recently gained back all my "baby weight" :(  I had lost 22 lbs after having Miriam - and now it's back & worse than ever 15 months after having her :(  I fear my PCOS is back with a vengence, and with it comes "metabolic syndrome" and insulin resistence.  :( 

Any other water-drinking, healthy eating, hormone-helping tips for me as I attempt to become a healthier hausfrau? 

Happy Homemaker - 4/11/11

The weather in my neck of the woods:

high's going to be 74 degrees, with a few showers predicted.  We had some pretty big hail/thunder last night.  Thankfully, my kids slept through it!!

 Things that make me happy:
When Miriam brings me a book & turns backwards towards me, meaning "pick me up & read to me, Mommy" ...

 Book I'm reading:
for review



What's on my TV today:


Go, Diego, Go ... although Miriam's not really into TV yet (I guess that's a good thing; I know I don't need to encourage it!).



On the menu for dinner:
maybe chicken divan ... or something with chicken anyway ...


On my To Do List:
time to hit the bathrooms thoroughly again
more - slow and tedious - cleaning out & organizing
and I still haven't finished my delayed-Christmas, now-gonna-be-Easter cards to my German family

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
I did make Sandra's chicken parmesan (in the crockpot) with spaghetti noodles last week (or was that 2 weeks ago!?) ... and everyone liked it.  :)


Looking forward to this week:
just being close to home this week, as far as I know.  Last week, it seemed we were on the road, going out of town every day (which is true for every day but Tuesday!).

Tips and Tricks:


If you are mailing 26 envelopes of DVD's, you may want to consider printing the postage ON LINE ... it makes the postal clerk & the people in line behind you MUCh happier. 

 My favorite blog post this week:
The Midlife Housewife's First Steps to Frugality

 Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):


I'm really enjoying & relating to Lorie @ The Midlife Housewife (after realizing that I too AM a mid-life housewife!!). 



No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):
Girls' Picnic (Anna, Miriam, and Friend)

Lesson learned the past few days:

Frugality is not about money ... but about contentment. 

On my mind:


I have several friends who are going through some uncertain things right now.
My husband  is, of course, never far from my thoughts, especially concerning things he deals with at work.  Right now some of the tougher issues are resolved - but I've learned, with 180+ students, parents, and faculty, things can change in the blink of any eye.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Job 28:28
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.


For more H/HM posts, visit Sandra's blog.

Some of My Favorite Things

There are so many wonderful resources out there yet for the conservative Christian family.   My biggest complaint is that sometimes the "wholesome" stuff is SO EXPENSIVE!!  :(  

For example, personally I think that the whole American Girl thing (especially the historical dolls, stories, and movies) are great in helping little girls to stay "little" just a while longer (unfortunately the historical dolls seem be getting "retired" but not replaced with other historical characters).   My 10 year old daughter LOVES to browse the A/G catalog and dream ... Thankfully, there are "knock-off" dolls at Target and Walmart where you can get similar 18 inch dolls and accessories, although I have noticed the quality really isn't the same.  There are some great web-sites to get clothes for the dolls, and I've also found them at craft shows and antique malls.  My 2 favorites on-line are emily rose and the queen's treasure.

My son loves Lego's ... particularly the Star Wars sets, but they too are expensive!  We have given him some of the smaller ones for Christmas or his birthday, but otherwise, I personally can't justify paying that much for them.  We have plenty of regular Lego's, but Andrew loves to follow the directions on the big sets, find the pieces, and display the finished product.  He has tried model airplanes, but Lego's are still his favorite. 

As you might know by now, our family LOVE books.  Sadly, good books are often expensive too.  We buy most of our books from yard sales, Goodwill, used from on-line sites, and used book stores.  But when you are looking for something particular, it would be nice to just go to the web-site or store and buy that particular item.  This brings me to Vision Forum:



Thankfully, they sometimes have sales or offer free shipping, which make their materials a little more affordable.  They also offer a "deal of the day". 



My kids have recently been introduced to several new series and products that we are borrowing from friends at church, which are perfect for this tween stage that my older 2 are in (10 & 12 years old):





And for me, this would be PERFECT (ha ha!):



If you haven't heard of Vision Forum - or if  you haven't looked at their products lately, you can check them out by clicking the banner below where you can also request a catalog in the mail:



And yes, in hopes to somehow earn a few pennies to get more VISION FORUM material for our home, I have become a Vision Forum affiliate!  If you ever consider buying something from this company, please consider clicking into their on-line store via my blog!!  :)



Conny

Narnia Update:

Yesterday (Friday), Miriam & I took this stack of envelopes to the post office...

Officially, I mailed 24 envelopes, containing 28 DVDs of the first Narnia movie (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe).

I still have a few to mail out, but for the most part, if you requested one (or two or three), they are ON THEIR WAY!  :)

I had fun addressing the envelopes, looking at the various states I was sending them to.  The most sent to one state went to Washington.  Because we lived in Washington for 2 years (while stationed at Ft. Lewis), I could imagine the long path the envelopes would travel to get there!  :)  However, the furthest any DVD is going is England to an Air Force family stationed there. 

While the shipping was more than I expected to pay (media mail is NOT as cheap as I thought!!), I was still glad to do this give away - AND would you believe my bank gave me a bonus for signing up for their bill pay service this month that was almost EXACTLY THE AMOUNT I paid to mail these envelopes, so I was not set back one bit - in fact, I even had all the envelopes - bought many years (?) ago - already in my desk, waiting to be used!

So, honestly, I think this give-away was meant to be!  :)

By the way, we did watch Voyage of the Dawn Treader last night - and I liked it a lot.  I liked the subtle humor & "zingers"; I thought the actor who played Eustace did a splendid job; the adventure/action scenes were a technological wonder.  I liked it more than #2 (Prince Caspian).  Have you seen Narnia #3?  What'd you think?