I want to be LIGHT!

“The light still shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.” John 1:5

Did you know that the word light is used in the Old Testament 168 times and is used in the New Testament 76 times? ~Donna Rees

When you think of ‘LIGHT’, what comes to your mind? I think of joy, forgiveness, a new beginning, peace, restoration, salvation…Jesus! It is my deepest desire to be LIGHT in this dark world…to point others to our Lord, but I can only do that by following ‘the light of the world’ ~Christ Jesus [John 8:12].

In the summer of 1989, I stood at this very place [Pat Neff Hall], looked up at the words inscribed on the building [“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm112:4] and asked the Lord to ‘light my path’ and show me direction for my life. It was a time in my life when I was desperately searching for, and needing God’s light! Soon after, I transferred from Texas Tech University (talk about from ‘darkness to light ’~hee!) and began my wonderful life-chapter at Baylor University!

I believe it was this simple prayer [desiring God’s light in my life] that led to my personal relationship with Christ and set my ‘faith journey’ in motion! So it is no wonder that I like ‘LIGHT’! That is why I jumped at the opportunity to read and review A Light Unto My Path by Donna Rees.

Wow...another super Wee-Book from TOS! It'a a short, easy read that outlines a simple, effective way to meditate on God’s word, do a word study, & become enlightened…all through a wonderful study of ‘LIGHT’ in the bible! Do the study to strengthen your relationship with the Lord, or use it to enhance your science curriculum by studying light with your children and seeing what God’s word has to say about it!

Donna includes many ‘light’ verses to get you started on your study, internet links [for deeper study], & 9 wonderful copywork pages! This Wee-Book is a huge blessing!


EnJOY!

JOYful, Kristi

Universal Pre-K...good idea?

Today’s Wee~Book review covers the controversial issue of 'Universal Pre-k'. It's a hot topic that needs to be addressed...with TRUTH! The Wee-Book, titled Are Parents Really Necessary? A Guide to Preschool Education, is a must-have for ALL parents who are concerned about the NEA’s push for universal Pre-K!


Universal pre-K was one of President Obama's campaign promises, and most Americans agree with him [due to media hype and distortion of the facts!]. Sixty-seven percent of Americans think the government should pay for every child to go to preschool, [according to a June 2008 poll by Peter D. Hart Research Associates/American Viewpoint], but is it a good idea? Take a look at the [TRUE] facts in this book!

Amelia Harper, outlines the 4 myths that the NEA wants parents to believe. She does an excellent job of backing each statement with sound research, including internet links for further study [for stat lovers like myself!].

She goes on to outline the fact that YOU, the parent, are the MOST important factor in the academic success of your child…parent-child relationships greatly affect school readiness and it is important to build that relationship while the child is young [0-5] and at HOME!

Many people who “try” homeschooling in the preschool and kindergarten years become committed, long-term home educators. Parents are necessary to preschool education. In fact, you are the most important part.~Amelia Harper

She completes the book with 10 good things to teach your preschoolers…a simple, fun preschool program that any parent can follow! The Appendix includes 10 preschool worksheet pages that will help you teach the alphabet, numbers, and early reading skills.

This is another itty, bitty [13 pages] e-book that is packed with facts, research, practical tips, & resources to help you navigate the important preschool years! And it will prepare you with a ready answer when you are asked, "Do you support Universal Pre-K?"

EnJOY!

JOYful, Kristi

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus!"~ I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Wow, Wee! I like Wee~Books!

Do you love E-Books (electronic books)? I do…they are easy to read [I like to print a few pages at a time], easy to store, and immediately downloadable [no shipping fees and no waiting on the mail]! TOS Magazine’s Schoolhouse Store has a HUGE selection of E-Books in every {homeschool} category, from Art to Foreign Language! And an E-Freebie each month…I do love FREE stuff!

They also have WEE-Books...an itty, bitty E-book at a an itty, bitty price [$1.95!] with a LARGE amount of information! And you’ll love the large selection, too! Check it out here.


This week I read three awesome Wee-Books! The first was an incredible book that reaffirmed my decision to keep my kids home! It is titled, 10 Big Reasons Not to Send Christian Kids to Public School [by David d’Escoto] and it outlines the main reasons why Christian parents should not send their children to secular-humanistic public schools. His facts are well documented and backed with alarming statistics.

Okay, here are The Big 10 reasons [with a short summary of each]:

1. A Cookie Cutter Approach: This approach does not nurture the child’s individual gifts, talents, future calling, & learning needs.

2. Anemic Academics: Can you believe we pay $9000/ per student/ per year?!? When year after year, our literacy rates continue to decline and overall academic standards are lower than they have ever been!

3. Misplaced Authority: Parents have no say in how or what their children are learning...scary!

4. Family Fragmentation: With the average child spending 1,000 hours a year in school...families are not as close as God designed them to be and peer relationships take over.

5. Peer Dependency: 180 days a year, 5 days a week, 7 hours a day with 25-30 other kids the same age…remember “a companion of fools”? (Proverbs 13:20b).

6. Bad Company: Schools (even ‘good’ schools) are rampant with poor attitudes, low self-esteem, hostility toward teachers, vandalism, bullying, drug use, gun threats, fear, and chaos…need I say more? *Side note: I was in a public school recently and posted on all the doors, in the halls, and in the bathrooms were signs that outlined the school’s ‘No Bullying Policy’…did that really cut down on the bullying? Come on…how many bully’s really stop to read those signs ~what a joke!

7. Propagating Promiscuity: Roughly one-quarter of the nation’s sexually active teens have been infected by a sexually transmitted disease and according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, 8,000 teenagers in the United States become infected by a sexually transmitted disease EVERY day! The public schools answer? Free condoms!.. [our government Spends $12 on Safe Sex and Contraceptives for Every $1 Spent on Abstinence]!

8. Bye-Bye Bible: The bible has been successively removed and now many schools are down right hostile toward Christianity.

9. Perishing Generation: 80% of children from Christian homes are walking away from the Church by the time they reach college age and this is greatly due to the the intensive secular-humanistic indoctrination occurring in the public schools.

And #10…did you really think I was going to give you all 10? Nope, sorry…you’ll have to read the book! Buy it and keep it...this is a great book that will encourage your commitment, if you do homeschool [and give you a ready answer as to WHY? you homeshool!].

Also, if you do not homeschool, but God has laid the idea on your heart, this book will challenge you to bring your kids home [where they belong]!

It is a very easy read (8 pages) full of well-documented statements, facts, & stats! The author [David d’Escoto] is a homeschool dad. He and his wife, Kim, have homeschooled their five children for over ten years. Enjoy!


Tomorrow’s Wee-Book review is on a topic that is special to my heart…preschoolers (I have 2 in my home!). The book is titled: Are Parents Really Necessary? A Guide to Preschool Education. Another great, 'eye-opening' book!


Joyful,
Kristi

E-Book Review...Homework

This week I had the opportunity to review TOS newest E-Book, Homework [Juggling Home, Work, and School Without Losing Your Balance]. I must admit that when I first saw the title I was thinking this book would be of little use to me, due to the fact that I do not have a home-based business...boy was I wrong!

Yes, the book is focused toward those that have a home-based business or those that desire to have a ‘work-from-home’ situation, but it is truly a book for all homeschoolers that have a desire to make their homeschools run smoothly! For those that do have a home-based business: it is full of tips, encouragement, and advice to help you run your business better. For those that want to start a home-based business [many moms feel the pressure to supplement the family income, but have no idea how to get started!]: it will give you ideas and inspiration to set up your business [it outlines specific details and mechanics of how to run a successful business] and ways to explore what would work best for your family [LOTS of ideas from sewing to pet-sitting, to writing!]. And for those, like myself, that need help in the areas of home organization, prioritization, and time management…this book is for you, as well!

Would you like to ‘peek’ into the homes of 16 REAL-life homeschoolers and see how they manage their homes (work, chores, school, etc…)? Well, this book gives you the opportunity to do just that, and it will leave you encouraged, inspired, and feeling ‘normal’! I’m convinced that Satan [the father of lies!] wants us to think that we do it all wrong and there is only one right way to homeschool! That is absolutely not true and this wonderful collection of stories proves that every home is different [unique & special!] and God works in and through our unique circumstances to accomplish His will! Get ready to be motivated and encouraged as you read story after story of God’s direction, guidance, and faithfulness…and you might even pick up a new trick or two to help your home run smoothly. One of my favorite tips, that I plan to implement right away, is a scheduled “de-clutter day”…sounds good, huh? It is just one of many useful ideas you will gain from reading this super book!

Overall, I absolutely loved Homework…all 92 pages! It is packed full of practical tips, internet resources, real-life stories, encouragement, and inspiration! The common thread, woven through out the book is the fact that God provides! For me, each story was a needed reminder that God makes our paths straight as we look to Him and trust Him for ALL of our needs! The book has motivated me to start writing again [a long held desire and passion that I thought was impossible with my crew of 4!] and I look forward to where God leads as I follow.

Ready to get inspired? Click here to order Homework and start reading it today! Enjoy!

Joyful,
Kristi

Kid Questionaire...faith lesson for me!

As a homeschool mom, sometimes I have days when I wonder if my kids would be better off in school...those days when I'm not kind, patient, or gentle! Anyone else have those days? Well, last week I had a few of those days [home from vacation, sick baby, trying to get everything back in order and on a schedule, etc...]. I was a bit snippy and not very fun to be around! :) I do not like myself on those days! So when my friend, Sandra, from Texas sent this to me on Facebook ~ 21 questions that you ask your kids and just type what they say, I was a sorta scared to ask them the questions (after a tough week). Sandra's kids had great answers...she's a great mom! What would my kids say? Would it make me sad? I went ahead and asked and the answers surprised me and taught me a great lesson!

See below:


Kid Questionnaire - This one is fun and sure to make you smile while you're doing it!

Ask your child(ren) to answer the questions and type their answers

( just type what they say...do not edit...Other than answering for Chloe, I did not edit any answers.)

a. Katelyn, age 10
b. Cason, age 7
c. Carrie, age 4
d. Chloe, age 1 (I answered for her!~hee.)

1. What is something Mommy always says to you?
a. Keep the peace! [yes, I do]
b. Wash your hands with soap! [ha]
c. I love you!
d. Hey, sugars!

2. What makes Mommy happy?
a. when we mind.
b. when we say yes ma'am with a joyful heart[yes!]
c. when I stay by her at Walmart (that's true!)
d. when I sleep through the night

3. What makes Mommy sad?
a. when I have a bad attitude in school
b. when we disobey
c. when I'm mad at her
d. when I don't take my morning nap

4. How does your Mommy make you laugh?
a. says funny things like "snickle pickle" and tickles me
b. saying silly words
c. makes a silly face
d. tickles me

5. What was your Mommy like as a child?
a. poor, didn't have a daddy, bright red hair, and pretty [true & funny!]
b. like Katelyn...nice and pretty [that's too sweet]
c. bright red hair and never mean [hmmmmmm]


6. How old is your Mommy?
a. 39 (correct)
b. 38
c. 21 (yes!)


7. How tall is your Mommy?
a. 5'3" [I'm 5'4"]
b. 6 feet [wow]
c. as tall as me on my tippy toes [not even close!]

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
a. doing stuff for us and homeschooling us
b. spending time with our family
c. play with me [wish I did that more often]
d. rock me


9. What does your Mommy do when you're not around?
a. clean the house
b. work on the computer and do stuff for us
c. clean
d. unload the dishwasher [w/out me sitting on the lid!]

10. If your Mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?
a. helping other people not get shots [not vaccinate]
b. homeschooling (wow)
c. going to Disney World [hmmmm...never been]
d. fast diaper changing skills

11. What is your Mommy really good at?
a. taking care of kids
b. homeschooling us
c. teaching us about birds [we are studying birds!]
d. multitasking [changing a diaper while nursing~ha!]

12. What is your Mommy not very good at?
a. being mean and ugly [ooh, but sometimes I am. :(
b. I can't think of anything [yes!]
c. climbing up a giant mountain [true]
d. doing anything before her morning java!

13. What does your Mommy do for her job?
a. homeschool teacher
b. taking care of us
c. teaching bird things [the bird unit is really sticking w/ Carrie ~hee]
d. taking care of me

14. What is your Mommy's favorite food?
a. chocolate [I do love it!]
b. vegetables
c. a giant chocolate bar


15. What makes you proud of your Mommy?
a. because you want us to grow up to be godly husbands and wives and you take the time in your life to raise 4 children [wow!!!]
b. because you are a really good mommy
c. because you play basketball [??]
d. when you take time to hold me

If your mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?
a. Snow White b/c she's pretty and she likes birds and animals [funny!]
b. Minnie Mouse
c. Cinderella b/c she sings a beautiful song and all the birds come [birds, again!]
d. Caillou's mom ~she's ALWAYS patient & never yells ~ha! [I wish...I try to measure up, but life is real...not a cartoon!]

17. What do you and your Mommy do together?
a. run errands and talk
b. go to fun places and do fun things
c. go to Chuck E. Cheese and play
d. rock, look at little books, & dance

18. How are you and your Mommy the same?
a. we both have freckles
b. we are both in the same family
c. we are both happy [sweet!]
d. both like to sleep a lot

19. How are you and your Mommy different?
a. I have brown hair and you have red
b. I'm a boy and you are not
c. nothing
d. Mommy eats more

20. How do you know your Mommy loves you?
a. because we are your kids and you want to always take care of us
b. because you always tell me
c. because you say that all the time
d. she tells me a bunch and takes care of me

21. Where is your Mom's favorite place to go?
a. Camping and hiking [true!]
b. Guisano's Pizza [yes!]
c. Chuck E. Cheese [hmmmm...not really!]
d. Outside to pull me in my wagon

Lesson I learned in this simple exercise...
This fun exercise made me realize that my prayer [Lord, work in my children's lives in spite of my inadequacies and failures] is being heard! Praise the Lord! I pray that prayer each morning and I ask God to use me in my kid's lives...to point them to Him. And then life seeps in and gets in the way of that lofty goal, but the good Lord works his will for good and He works it even when I'm not having a perfect day! Isn't that wonderful!

My true desire is not to be like Caillou's mommy [she doesn't spank enough~ha!]. It is to be Christ like...patient, joyful, loving, kind, gentle, self-controlled, peaceful, good, & faithful...each day and in each situation! This goal is only attainable by allowing Christ to work His character into me as I strive to know and serve Him each day. The good news is that He 'equips me with everything good' for doing HIS will AND He works in me what is pleasing to Him! That is all I need to carry out His plan...Hebrews 13:20-21 gives me such HOPE:

"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

I'm thankful my sweet friend sent this kid questionnaire my way...it brightened my day and renewed my faith in a special way! I pray it does the same for you! Give it a try and please share the results...they will surprise you, too!

Remember it is God who is in control...not you! PTL!

Joyful, Kristi

I made Petite Fours!

Our friends, Michelle & Jason, are adopting a little boy from Russia and our Sunday school class had an 'adoption shower' for Michelle a few weeks ago. I sign-ed up to bring something sweet and thought petite fours would be fun and yummy! Then I had a crazy idea to make my own! No, I've never made them before, but I love them and I have paid up to $2 a piece for them! So, I googled 'how to make easy petite fours' and found a blog that lined it out step-by-step with pictures! It looked simple enough, so I headed to Walmart and bought my supplies. The key is to freeze the sheet cake for at least 12 hours, so I followed the directions to a tee and mine turned out delicious and cute! The older kids were at Treehouse that day, so my kitchen helper was Chloe...she helped by tasting everything! I used icing tint to color my icing brown & teal [the shower colors] and decorated the little cakes with bows, lines, & dots...cute! Everyone at the baby shower loved them! It was fun to make my own...give it a try!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook