Bragging on My Boy

I know the Matthew 6:3 tells us "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."  If no one ever told of good deeds done, the world would seem a dark and scary place.  So, today, I want to brag on my little boy.

Xavier heard about a fire last spring in which some children lost their home, everything they owned, really.  His heart broke so much for those kids, he began to wonder what he could do to help other children in similar situations.  He devised a plan and I spoke with a friend of ours who works for the Red Cross.  Then we spoke to the local fire chief who also liked Xavier's idea.  By summer, we were shopping to see his plan come to fruition.

We thought that what these kiddos needed most was to be comforted and to have something new that was just for them.  I purchased six school backpacks on clearance for just $3.50 each.  Then we started collecting stuffed animals, fleece throw blankets, coloring books, and crayons for each bag.  As we were nearing Christmas and I started to really feel a need to finish up, I put the word out and three of my friends helped us complete EIGHT backpacks which even ended up including a picture or chapter book and a small puzzle or toy.  We are so grateful for each of the people who caught Xavier's vision and wanted to help him make it a reality. 

Sorting stuff for Xav's backpack project.

We recently took those backpacks to the fire station where the boys were treated to a tour, played on the fire trucks, and even rang the bell.  We learned how the toxic exhaust was sucked away from the trucks to keep the firemen safe in the truck bays.  Though Xavier's reward will be in Heaven, it didn't hurt to have a little treat here on earth.

When we left, Xav told the firefighters to let him know if they needed more backpacks.  One of the men said, "Hopefully, these will last us forever." 

Amen.

If you think you would like to start something similar in your area, contact your local fire chief.

Watermelon Lemonade

Lop the top off of a watermelon.
Scoop out guts and freeze.

Dissolve 1 cup sugar in 1 cup hot water.
1 cup lemon juice (this took about 8 small lemons).
Juice one lime.

Mal and Xav liked this part.  I nuked the fruit for 20 seconds or so, left it for a minute, and then they rolled them and mushed them a bit on the table.

Puree frozen watermelon in food processor to make about 3 cups. 
Puree some more to eat.

Seven more cups of water and ice.

Throw in slices of another lemon and watermelon chunks.

Hide it from the children because those punks will suck it down so fast that those with a more discerning palate will miss out.  People will cry.  I'm not kidding.

Review of SchoolhouseTeachers.com

Guess what!  I'm back on the Schoolhouse Review Crew!  That's right.  I get to try out all those cool homeschool related products you've been wondering about, and maybe even a few you've never heard of yet, and tell you all about them.

The first product of 2016 is a Yearly Membership to SchoolhouseTeachers.com and it is A. Ma. Zing.  I've had a membership off and on for years (like since The Old Schoolhouse Magazine ceased to be a print magazine in 2011) and now I'm all set for another year.


Q. What is SchoolhouseTeachers.com?
A. SchoolhouseTeachers.com is a vast depository of classes utilizing printable PDFs and videos.

That sounds all official, doesn't it?  SchoolhouseTeacchers can seem pretty overwhelming at first.  I recommend that you start with the New Members Hub under the Start Here tab.  It's tempting to jump right into the course lists, but this is where you'll find the FAQs and tutorials to help you navigate the website.

SchoolhouseTeachers has made and is continuing to make lots of updates and additions to the site since I last reviewed it in December 2013.  One of the nicest new features is called Quick Links.  Instead of searching for your class by grade or subject and requiring several more clicks for the lesson you want, you go straight to quick links and select "lessons."  From there, you simply choose which lesson to open.  If you want to learn more about a class, there is a Quick Link for that, as well.

SchoolhouseTeachers also has a new chat feature.  If you ever have a question, just click and chat with a representative

There are some terrific teachers on this site.  I've worked with Diana Waring, Amy Puetz, Scott Turansky, and Bonnie Rose Hudson personally online before.  There are scads of other names you'll recognize from homeschooling blogs and businesses.  The quality of instructors pays off in the quality of courses.

You'll want to check out the Focused Learning Centers where SchoolhouseTeachers has compiled loads of related resources in one neat, tidy location.  You might find classes, webinars, ebooks, worksheets, and articles.

A membership to RightNow Media is included with your SchoolhouseTeachers.com membership.  We have all of the What's in the Bible? series of videos, but if you don't own them, you can see the videos on RightNow Media.  This is a fantastic bonus anyway, but I'm mentioning it because I have *planned* (had good intentions *ahem*) to create worksheets from the What's in the Bible? lessons and had just never done it.  That is exactly what one of the courses consists of.  All I will need to do is collect the vocabulary from the episodes for the boys to add to their personal dictionaries.

Watching What's in the Bible? and working on the worksheet questions.  A first lesson in note taking.  Merrick is pretending to be "like Daddy" with his pencil in his mouth and a hand selected sheet of "drawing paper."  I love that he doesn't care if the paper has a chunk cut out of it.  It's all good.

We are afternoon homeschoolers, but I've been wondering how to make more intentional use of our mornings without making it seem like just an extension of our afternoons.  I recently started putting together ideas for daily morning family time.  I plan to add several courses to those school mornings.  Not all at once and not to overwhelm us, but one or two days each week.  I think the archived Tinkers Club is right up our alley and will put a spark of fun in our mornings.  Another day, we'll probably add Everyday Explorers: USA.

I always find plenty for the older boys to do and Merrick always wants to "do school."  I've introduced him to the Character Training for Young Princes lessons now that we've worked through our internet troubles and can watch videos easily.  Bonus!  The big boys enjoy those stories, too.

If the courses at SchoolhouseTeachers.com aren't enough to sell you on the site, there are various resources available.

• Each month of your SchoolhouseTeachers membership, you'll gain access to bonus ebooks.
• Access all six of the MEGA HUGE Schoolhouse Planners; Special Learners, High School, Big Mama, etc.
• The Old Schoolhouse Magazine back issues to 2007.
• A certificate gallery.
• The silver plan for AppleCore online Record Keeping.
• Forms for tracking the courses taken and skills learned.
• And don't forget RightNow Media.

You'll find classes for every family member from toddler to adult. Every subject is represented from Art to Science and Bible to Math.  Learn a new language with your kids (choose from French, Spanish, Hebrew, Latvian, or ASL) or take a class just for parents.

Use the code CREWFOLLOWER for a half price one year subscription.  This coupon is valid through 1/31/2016.

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One Word for 2016 - Peace

For about six years or so now, I've picked a word for the year.  I don't remember many of them for certain.  I do recall Smile and Improve and Gracefull (sic).  I really haven't been super intentional about any of them.  Words are small.  Words are also powerful.  They can lift someone up or let someone down.  I had an awful time trying to choose a word.  I didn't think I was going to know it when I heard/saw/thought of it.  Thankfully, my word came to me when, twice in one day, I read

  

Peace

This year, I plan to really make the effort to think on my word regularly and what it means to me.  How can I use it to connect with my family?  How can I use it to sooth my anger?  What does God tell me in His Word about my word?

Peace

This year, I'm also going to study verses regarding my word. I'll study many verses, but I'm beginning with these two key verses.  I want to come back to these verses any time I need a reminder.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7


Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27


I like to use Webster's 1828 dictionary when learning about a word.  I've copied the definitions that I feel mean the most to me this year.  They mostly have to do with inner peace and peace in relationships.

PEACE, noun [Latin pax, paco, to appease.]
1. In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind.
4. Freedom from private quarrels, suits or disturbance.
5. Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquillity; calmness; quiet of conscience.
7. Harmony; concord; a state of reconciliation between parties at variance.

To be at peace to be reconciled; to live in harmony.
To make peace to reconcile, as parties at variance.
To hold the peace to be silent; to suppress one's thoughts; not to speak.

It was interesting to me that the words used most often in the definitions were FREEDOM and HARMONY.

Peace, my friends.

Chalkboard Vases and Jars

At co-op last year, we decided to have each family make or buy individual thank you gifts for our board members rather than give an impersonal gift card.  This is the craft I decided on.

I used Valspar Chalkboard spray paint to cover some inexpensive glass vases.  It was a really simple process and I was pleased with the results.  The finished product was nice and smooth.  I wrote a monogram on each vase and covered *just the monogram* with hairspray to seal it.  That left the rest of the vase to be decorated and changed by the recipient however and as often as they wanted.  Just an FYI, if you make this project, when I sprayed the sealant, the monograms became very light until it dried.  I would not expect the monogram to hold up to much washing.  But how much washing does a chalkboard vase need?

I also had these hinged jars.  They're a lot like old mason jars.  Since I had chalkboard paint left over, I removed the metal hardware and sprayed these two jars as well.  I gave one to Trish for her birthday (along with a "I eat glitter for breakfast" Tshirt).

I finished up with three small magnet boards.  I had purchased them at The Christmas Tree Shop ages ago.  I always want to spell that shoppe.  I hot glued magnets to some neat flat, white, glass pebbles I had.  Those were gifted to my mom, step-mom, and mother-in-law.  I was a little disappointed in the texture and am not sure if it was because I painted metal, the weather the day I worked on them, or because it was nearing the end of the can of paint.

The Everywhere God Review and Giveaway

I've been included in a mini-launch for a sweet new, godly children's book. Cricket's father, Pastor Bob Nelson, wrote a lovely poem for a family member during a tough time.  The poem is warm and endearing.  Coupled with watercolor illustrations by Robin Tillman, it also makes a lovely book.  The Everywhere God is available in paperback or Kindle.

Pastor Nelson's poem is poised to become a children's classic.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading every line.  The tempo worked well.  The illustrated situations, both serious and silly, remind us that God is everywhere and with us always.  It's a great reminder for everyone.  If you're a grown up lucky enough to get to read this book to children, you will find a pleasant few minutes shared in conversation about the Creator who loves you.

My three year old, Merrick, declared this was his favorite book ever.  I often noticed the eight and ten year old also reading the story at random downtime moments over the past week.  With the hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas, it was a joy to see them redirecting their focus.

Enter the giveaway below.  Four readers will win.

This giveaway will have 4 winners. The grand prize winner will receive a new Fire 7" Tablet loaded with the Kindle edition of The Everywhere God.  The Fire tablet includes: 

• Beautiful 7" IPS display (171 ppi / 1024 x 600) and fast 1.3 GHz quad-core processor. Rear and front-facing cameras.
• All-new Amazon Underground, a one-of-a-kind app store experience where over $10,000 in apps, games and even in-app items are actually free - including extra lives, unlocked levels, unlimited add-on packs and more
• Enjoy more than 38 million movies, TV shows, songs, books, apps and games
• 8 GB of internal storage. Free unlimited cloud storage for all Amazon content and photos taken with Fire devices. Add a microSD card for up to 128 GB of additional storage.
• Updated user interface - Fire OS 5 designed for quick access to your apps and content plus personalized recommendations that make it easy to discover new favorites
• Up to 7 hours of reading, surfing the web, watching videos, and listening to music
• Stay connected with fast web browsing, email, and calendar support

Three more winners will each win a print copy of The Everywhere God. 

The Everywhere God is a book about hope for children of all ages. Written for his young granddaughter during a particularly difficult time, the late Pastor Bob Nelson wanted to be sure she knew God was with her no matter what else was happening. Despite people and circumstances, his message is clear, God never leaves or forgets about us and His love never ends. Upon it's completion, he knew it was something special and wanted to make it a children's book. Unfortunately, time passed and things never fell into place for his vision to come to life. He passed away in 2008 before he could see it happen. More than 20 years after it's original writing, Bob Nelson's daughter remembered this treasured poem and like her father, felt it needed to be shared with the world. For many years she kept this special story in the back of her heart and always dreamed of making his vision for a children's book a reality.

To enter the giveaway, please use the Rafflecopter below after reading the terms and conditions.  a Rafflecopter giveaway Terms and Conditions: This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.  Void where prohibited by law. Must be at least 18 years of age. This giveaway is in no away associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest. No purchase necessary for entry. Odds are determined by the number of entries. Selected winners will have 48 hours to respond to email notification to claim their prizes or another winner will be drawn. Entry into this giveaway will subscribe you to The Everywhere God email list.

Mac and Cheese with or without a Southwestern Twist

The original recipe from Hillshire Farm:

Ingredients

• 4 Hillshire Farm® Turkey Pepper Jack Links
• 1 pkg. (7.25 ounces) macaroni and cheese mix
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• ½ cup prepared salsa
• 1 cup frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
• 1 cup corn chips, crushed (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut links into 1-inch pieces; set aside. Cook macaroni in a large pan of boiling water for 7 minutes or until tender; drain well. 2. In medium bowl combine cooked macaroni, contents of cheese sauce packet, milk and butter. Stir until butter is melted. Stir in salsa, corn, links and ½ cup of the cheese. 3. Place mixture in a greased 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining Monterey Jack cheese combined with corn chips, if desired. Bake, uncovered, 25-30 minutes or until hot.

This is how I changed it.
We buy a variety of Hillshire smoked sausage pretty regularly, so I just sliced up half of whatever I had on hand.  Rather than a boxed mac and cheese, I just cooked half a pound of rotini (or spiral, or whatever you call it in your area!).  I used a can of Mexican corn instead of frozen corn.  Lastly, I added more cheeses since I didn't make boxed macaroni.  It turned out pretty good, actually.

Now, recipe reviews where people say, "This recipe is amazing.  Here is how I replaced or omitted every single ingredient..." drive me up a tree.  That's why I'm not rating or reviewing the Hillshire recipe.  I'm posting for two reason.  1) I can find it again.  2) To encourage you to try a new recipe even if you don't have what seems like required ingredients.