Marriage is a Walk in a Field of Daisies . . .

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www.pixaby.com

. . . until you chance upon a hidden snake in your path. Or two or three. Or more.


Ya know, I really didn't have a clue that my fairy tale ideal of marriage would be blown away so easily as a pile of dead leaves. And so soon, too. I guess I have to admit, I was naive. I thought that because we were doing things "differently" it'd be easier for us.

My husband and I are celebrating 16 years of marriage tomorrow, and I must say we've battled quite a few snakes in our little field. I wish I could say we've managed to shoo 'em all away or better yet blow their brains out, but a few have managed to rear their ugly heads and sink their venomous fangs deep into our very souls. Poison spreads fast if you didn't already know.

Over the years, I have come to realize that snakes are as much a part of fields as problems are a part of marriage. You won't ever be able to completely get rid of them. The reality for me is that marriage has been hard, and sometimes life gives you lemons and there's no sugar to make lemonade.

That's just life.

So, what's the remedy for sour lemonade and snake bites? Well, as for sour lemonade, you just have to learn to like it sour. (Just kidding.) As for the snake bites, there are quite a few healing balms: perseverance, faith, hope, love, forgiveness, obedience, trust, steadfastness, and did I say perseverance? The only catch is that these balms cannot come from our own hands, but only from our Heavenly Father's. When He applies the soothing balms, the poison that was meant to cripple can be used make us stronger.

I am so thankful that I married a man whose first love is God through the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Seriously, if we weren't standing upon The ROCK, we'd be on that other ground -- the sinking sand one.

I am thankful that my husband is committed to me no matter what and that I "will never, ever walk alone." He'll be with me on this journey (and unfortunately the ever faithful snakes will be, too) until death do us part.

My prayer is that somehow even with all of our faults, our marriage can be a testament to God's grace and glory. Sixteen years ago, I wrote a sweet quote by Christina Rossetti in my wedding album, and I'll write it again today . . .

Happy Anniversary to us.


* I just love my leaf-heart photo. I saw this pile of leaves one morning after a little desert storm, and I ran back inside to grab my phone/camera. I immediately thought of my marriage and how the storms may come and go, but our love will remain steadfast. :)

Spanish for You! {Schoolhouse Review}

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A while ago my children expressed interest in learning Spanish, and what a blessing it's been to review several Spanish programs as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew! Recently the Crew had the opportunity to review a couple of Spanish for You!® products.

Spanish for You! is a curriculum developed by Debbie Annett and illustrated by her daughter Amanda Annett for grades 3-8 for home or class use. It teaches children how the language works, and helps them to be able to truly communicate in Spanish. My fifth grader is using Estaciones which is currently one of two themed packages available. The Estaciones theme is seasons. You can click the link to view the Table of Contents, instructions on how to use the program, a lesson guide note to parents, and a sample lesson. All of this information is included in the book, too.

We received a Spanish for You! Estaciones physical book; an audio download (MP3) of the entire book (you can choose to listen to a native speaker or the author); downloadable lesson guides in PDF format for grades 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8; self-checking worksheets in PDF format for all of the grades listed; and flashcard/activity pictures in PDF format as well.

Downloading and finding files is easier than ever with the few changes Ms. Annett has recently made. She says, "All worksheet files are now in folders according to grades - grades 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8. All audio files (native and non-native) are now in folders according to lessons - leccion 1, leccion 2, etc. I divided the non-native audio file into 2 parts so that downloading is faster and easier."

This entire package can be purchased for $64.95. Individual grade levels can be purchased separately for $39.95, and extra books can be purchased for an additional $12.95. The package is a great deal considering the fact that you can use it with multiple children.

 

Ms. Annett developed Spanish for You!while she was teaching Spanish classes at a homeschool co-op. She noticed that no single curriculum seemed to meet the many needs for teaching Spanish at the 3-8 grade levels. With Spanish for You!, she meets the following needs:

• Ability to teach many grade levels the same content at the same time
• Audio of entire book
• Affordable for families, co-ops, and schools
• Helps children develop fluency
• Prepares children for high school Spanish
• Teacher-friendly - no need to know Spanish

In each package, children learn:

• key language components
• pronunciation
• useful vocabulary
• verb conjugation
• syntax
• grammar concepts
• sentence building

All of these concepts are learned through reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities/worksheets and games.

Spanish for You! is not based on completing levels, rather the more packages your children complete the more components they know. This gives them the ability to put together everything they've learned which in turn helps them to be able to communicate more effectively. So, the packages can be completed in any order. As I said before, there are currently two available, but a third will be ready in June.

There are five lessons in Estaciones which cover the calendar and weather, fall and school, winter, spring, and summer. Each lesson is broken down into several weeks. For grades 5-6 there are a total of 24 weeks which can definitely be spread out over an entire school year. This book is designed to be used 4 days per week but can easily be adapted to fit any schedule. My son chooses to work on Spanish Monday-Thursday, so the suggested 4 day schedule works well for him.

Before beginning Estaciones, parents should read the instructions for using the curriculum in the home and the Lesson Guide Note to Parents. There are several reference pages before the actual lessons begin. The reference section includes:

• The Alphabet
• Common Words and Phrases
• Commands
• Making and Practicing Flashcards
• Games and Activities

Before jumping into the lessons, you may want to have some of these extra materials on hand:

• Colored card stock
• Scissors and glue
• Dry erase squares and markers
• Index cards
• 2 fly swatters
• Items for marking a bingo card
• The board of any board game

So far, we've gotten away with using index cards only. Because my fifth grade son is the only one using this curriculum right now, we don't need supplies for games that require more than one person.


How We Are Using Spanish for You!

Beginning on Monday of each week, I give my son the 5-6 grade lesson guide for the appropriate week. Each lesson guide consists of one sheet of paper. I have already printed all 24 weeks and am keeping them in a folder, but I only print the worksheets my son needs by the week. (I just follow the lesson guide to know what to print for each day.) I have also printed all of the flashcards onto white card stock for each lesson. (Less than 10 pages.)

Basically, all my son has to do is follow the simple, detailed lesson guide in the order the material is presented. It's divided into days 1, 2, 3, and 4. Really, it's extremely easy for him to follow on his own. Here's a sample of what a day might look like: (taken from week 6)

Day 1:

• Read p. 10 in book with audio
• Do Learning Your New Vocabulary p. 10 - Making Flashcards part.
• Optional Extra Challenge: Write the conjugations for the following verbs - rastrillar, saltar, trepar. (Look up their meanings.) Use what you know about conjugating mirar to help you. Just do your best!

At his age, he is doing everything on his own. He does ask me to help him review his handmade flashcards every once in a while, though.

 I am amazed that after only 4 weeks my son can easily write in Spanish a few sentences about what the weather is like in Mexico City. When I asked him to translate for me, he didn't miss a beat! I asked him if I could record him speaking the sentences in Spanish, but he'd have no part of that. However, he did have fun editing the following photo of himself. :)

 

Here's what my crazy boy had to say about Spanish for You!: "It's good and it's easy. I can do it on my own and there's not a lot of writing. I can really say stuff and am learning a lot of words."

 

He did tell me that he doesn't like having to grade his own work. I actually think it's great that he's supposed to check his own work because then he really has to look at what he misses, and he can correct it right away.

I am quite pleased with this Spanish curriculum and plan to continue using it with my son. Next year, I will pass it on to my daughter who will be in third grade. Right now she is finishing up a different Spanish program that just teaches the very basics, so she should be good and ready for Spanish for You!.

 

Click to read more Spanish For You! reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew.

 

 

   

Cheesecake Cookie Cups

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I don't make these often, but they are such a fun and pretty dessert!

Cheesecake Cookie Cups


Ingredients:

• 12 pieces Nestle® Toll House® Refrigerated Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar Dough
• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sweetened, condensed milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling (or whichever flavor you prefer)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325°. Line muffin tin with paper muffin cups.

Place one piece of cookie dough in each muffin cup.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookie has spread to edge of cup.

Beat cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, egg, and vanilla in a bowl until smooth. Pour about 3 TBSP cream cheese mixture over each cookie in cup.

Bake for an additional 15-18 minutes or until set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Top with pie filling and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Peel off paper and enjoy!


Cheesecake Cookie Cups are the perfect ending to a yummy dinner of Baked Parmesan Chicken with Spinach, Italian Green Bean Side Dish, Mashed Potatoes, and homemade yeast rolls. Haven't posted a recipe for those yet, but I need to. They are crazy amazing!!!


*Linked to Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Try a New Recipe Tuesday, and Works for Me Wednesday.

Joining a new linky:

Papa's Pearls {Schoolhouse Review}

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Homefires presents:

 

Ninety years ago in the city of San Francisco, a baby boy was born 2 months premature. His parents named him Carol Joseph Flynn after King Carol I of Romania. Carol Joseph Flynn grew up and became the father of Diane Flynn who affectionately called him "Papa." Well, Diane grew up and became Diane Flynn Keith, began a family of her own, and eventually became the author of Papa's Pearls: A Father's Gift of Love and Wisdom to His Children and Grandchildren.

Diane Flynn Keith was inspired to write this book after her papa's death in December of 2011. Inside, she shares life lessons and practical bits of wisdom that were handed down to her and other family members by her father. Diane says, "Papa's life was a demonstration of his belief that daily exercise, the power of positive thinking, support from family, and meditation and prayer helps maintain a healthy body, mind, and spirit."

 

She continues her father's legacy by sharing in her book his insights on how to live a positive, productive, and satisfying life. Each chapter revolves around several of Papa's sayings and real life stories that inspire readers to work hard, build loving relationships, and live life to the fullest. Some of the sayings for which he was known are:

• "What's the worst thing that could happen?"
• "When you fall down -- get back up!"
• "Tell yourself you like it."
• "You gotta roll with the punches."
• "Keep a foxy pocket."
• "I am so grateful I have a wonderful family -- there are no Kook-A-Loonies."
• "I love you. You know that, right?"

Just to name a few.

 I found it interesting that "Papa" didn't always have it so easy. Early on in life, he experienced much hardship and adversity which led to misbehavior in school and eventually to involvement in criminal activity. What he thought was the worst thing that could happen to him actually turned out the be the very thing that helped him to turn his life around.

Through discipline, hard work, and a good attitude, Papa was able to lay a foundation for a successful and happy life. He was a man who put family first, proclaimed his love often, and made life fun. I didn't always agree with all of his tactics, but I liked that he believed that you could learn from both success and defeat and realized that the process was more important than the outcome and that he thought that "believing in yourself is important for success, but it doesn't mean a thing unless you back it up with action." He really seemed like a neat guy, someone everyone would want to know.

The book, which is just a little over a 100 pages, was a quick and easy read. Quite enjoyable, too! As I was reading, I could truly feel the love and admiration Diane has for her father. It's obvious that her papa's pearls of wisdom have greatly impacted her life. Her father's love and encouragement have helped Diane become the successful woman she is today.

Diane is a veteran homeschool mom who began publishing Homefires: The Journal of Homeschooling in 1992. This resource is now available online at www.Homefires.com. Besides Papa's Pearls, she is also the author of Carschooling: Over 350 Entertaining Games and Activities to Turn Travel Time into Learning Time. She publishes a free e-newsletter, Clickschooling, in which she provides a daily curriculum idea or activity that is available online, and she's also the founder of www.UniversalPreschool.com, a resource to help parents teach their little children (ages 2-5) at home.

 

An autographed copy of Papa's Pearls: A Father's Gift of Love and Wisdom to His Children and Grandchildren is available through Homefires for $21.97 which includes shipping. The book is also
available for less on Amazon in paperback or Kindle edition.

Before I recommend this book, I wanted to point out that there is an expletive included in a quote that may be offensive to some. I think, too, that Papa's Pearls is more for parents (adults) than kids. It could certainly be read aloud and discussed as a family, though. I most likely won't be reading it aloud at this time, but I do hope to implement some of the wisdom shared, especially the part about Papa being an overachiever but having a relaxed personality! If only those two traits could come together for me, I know my family would be especially grateful. :) I try, really I do.
 

 

Click to read more Papa's Pearls reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew

 

 

   

G is for Give (and how to teach your kids to do it cheerfully)

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A couple of years ago, I wrote a post titled, "The Very Ugly Can."

Basically, I wrote about how in December of 2010, our family decided to put out a "Giving Jar." All month we put money in it, and then before Christmas, we blessed a chosen family with gifts. Well after that, I thought I'd try setting out a giving jar all year long. :)

When we first started this, I only made 2 rules:

1. Once you put money in, you can't take it back out.
2. The money in the jar can only be used for charity and the like.

We started this whole thing when finances were extremely tight. I didn't think I'd have anything much to give, but I felt led by God to do it. By faith and obedience, what started out as ugly on the outside (just a big, silver coffee can) quickly became beautiful on the inside. To read the back story, click the above link.

Fast forward to the present - April 2013. Our giving jar, what we affectionately call the Money Bucket, is still going strong. Honestly, I wondered if the whole idea would sort of fizzle out over time, but I stand in awe of how God continues to use this small thing. I am amazed at how spare change and dollar bills add up over time.

 

*All you need is some type of container and some willing hearts! (I covered a large coffee can with scrapbook paper.)

Since starting the Money Bucket, It's been especially rewarding to see how God leads my kids to cheerfully participate in giving. Just by observing my kids in the midst of this experience, I've come up with a few reasons why I think they are able to give cheerfully.

1. They are not forced to give.

We let our children choose whether or not they put money in the bucket. We want their actions to be Holy Spirit led in this area, not parent led. It's not that we don't ever encourage or talk about giving. We do. We teach what the Bible has to say about giving, and that all Christians are called to give in some way.

2. They are not required to give a certain amount.

This is kind of an extension of the first point - obviously if we don't force our children to give, then we don't require a certain amount either. Here's why: My husband and I believe that according to the New Testament, believers are not required to give a certain percentage of their income. We believe this falls under the requirements of the Old Testament Law. I am certainly not trying to stir up a debate or anything, I am simply giving insight as to why we personally don't require a certain amount from our kids.

Our belief is not an excuse to get out of giving. To the contrary, we believe Christians are free to give more. The more money you've been blessed with, the more money you are free to give away. It's not about stopping at a certain amount or percentage, it's about giving when God leads. And sometimes it's about obeying even when we think it's going to hurt a little. (Like when I felt led to start the giving jar!) We truly want to impart a spirit of giving to our children by teaching them to listen to the Holy Spirit.

3. They are included in giving decisions.

For the most part a lot of the ways in which we give our "Bucket Money" is the same, and our kids know how the $ will be spent. They know we use it to buy our Compassion child birthday and Christmas presents, they know I like to give to Mercy House every month, they know we use it to be able to prepare meals for people from church, and they know we try and donate items to an orphanage that our church supports.

This past Christmas, we still had some $ left in our bucket, so for the first time the kids and I decided to pick out items from the Gospel for Asia gift catalogue to donate to needy families. I let the kids choose what items they wanted to give. I could tell that it was real blessing for them to be involved in that.

Other opportunities to give come up throughout the year as well. We can't do everything, but it's truly been wonderful watching God work with what we have.

4. They are kept up-to-date on how our family's willingness to give is blessing others.

I always read aloud or have my kids read the letters from our Compassion child. He always sounds so incredibly grateful. I try to keep them up-to-date with what is going on at the Mercy House. I keep a list in the bucket of all of our donations, not so we can boast and brag, but so that we (my kids especially) know exactly how the $ is being used.

5. They are encouraged to keep what they give between God and themselves.

It's not that it's taboo for someone to see them dropping coins in the Money Bucket, but we just want to keep boasting and bragging about how much so and so is giving out of the picture. When we're all rolling coins together or adding up dollar bills, we don't talk about who gave what. It's all God's money, and it's all being used for great causes! It's much easier to be cheerful when the focus is NOT on ourselves. :)

I am so thankful God put it on my heart to start this. I think it's great that my kids get to really experience the joy of giving. Hopefully starting the habit now will make it easier for them to keep the habit throughout their lives!

How do you teach your children to give generously?


Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

                                                                                    ~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-7