Ice Skating With Cub Scouts

Today we had a wonderful time ice skating with Chase's Cub Scout pack.  Even Alyssa got in on the act (although she wanted to leave after a while).

Then it was off to cousin Logan's 3rd birthday party.

We have had a very busy day!

In The Christmas Spirit

We have been having wonderful family times these past few days.  Chase and Alyssa participated in our church's children's Christmas program, our main focus leading up to Sunday.  My husband, a photographer and tech expert,  was also involved in the multi-media presentation.  Although this may sound rather routine and unexciting, the past few days held several wonderful surprises for me.

First, I had no idea how cool the multi-media aspect of the program was!  I was so very proud of my husband and the wonderful photographs he took.  Sometimes I  forget how talented my husband is and how he likes to use his gifts and talents for the church.  Afterwards, so many parents approached him wanting a copy for their family.

Next, my one and only ds completely surprised me with the excellence of his very first solo, in a language that is not native to him!  That's right, my shy son sung a verse of Silent Night in Spanish on stage, in front of the whole congregation!  His voice sounded so wonderful I could hardly believe it was him!  I was one proud Mama and spent most of the program afterwards thanking God for his grace to allow my son's talents to be used in a mighty way.

Alyssa's participation was so full of joy and enthusiastic that just looking at her singing filled me  with  happiness and gratefullness for our wonderful Savior for whom this program was presented.

Our final unexpected blessing is that Grandma stayed with us for a few days before and then after the program.  This is an answer to a prayer for me as I have been concerned for her since Grandpa died in September.  I know the holidays can be difficult in a time of grieving.  How wonderful it has been to watch her light up as she plays with the kids and to see the kids getting to show their beloved Granny all their latest tricks and interests.

Most of all, what I have realized is that I need to repent of taking much that is good in my life, that God has blessed me with, for granted.  How much I still dare to complain and moan and groan about life and what is not perfect instead of focusing on my Lord and all the wondrous gifts he has given me, not the least of which is my very salvation itself.

My prayer for myslelf and all my readers and everyone I know this Christmas is that we all have the grace to focus on Christ and all that he has done for us, both now and well after Christmas and New Year's are over.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Sick! Again!

This time my wee one is sick. Poor little thing. She gets so down when she is sick. She has been sleeping a lot but seemed a little happier tonight.

We prayed for a better day for tomorrow.

ABeka Homeschool Sale

Great news for families who want to save money and provide their children with comprehensive Christian homeschooling aided by DVD learning!

I received the following e-mail notification from ABeka Academy:

A Beka Academy announces a special offer to help meet your home-schooling needs!  We're offering your family (for a limited time, January 2—31), the low starting price of $625 for grades K4—6 and $700 for grades 7—12.  This allows you to enroll your child in A Beka Academy in time for the spring semester. 
Included are all DVDs and the A Beka Book materials needed to complete the second half of the school year.  You may be eligible for credit if you purchased books this school year from A Beka Book, Inc.

A Beka has a very strong reputation for excellence among many veteran homeschoolers that I respect. I have and continue to use ABeka readers as supplements for our curriculum.  I wish I had used Abeka to teach my son because I feel his handwriting would have benfitted from learning cursive earlier.  Overall, ABeka is a great homeschool resource.  C

Check out their website for more information about Abeka Academy.

Conquering The Bread Machine Challenge

I finally did it! I made my first loaf of bread machine bread. My wonderful friend Elizabeth over at Home Education Under Grace graciously gave me one of hers. She coached me a bit and today I took the plunge. Even my husband watched amazed as we watched the machine doing it's thing.

Once we could actually smell the loaf baking, the dream seemed to turning into a reality. Could I really have fresh-baked bread without kneading and rising and shaping? So cool!

Once I wrestled the bread out (if anyone has any tips on this, let me know), we ate a very yummy treat indeed.

The truth is, I enjoy making bread with Alyssa and will continue to do that sometimes but using the bread machine will enable us to have fresh-baked bread more often.

Thanks again, Elizabeth!

Also thanks to Hillbilly Housewife for her Bread Machine Missing Manual post. It was very useful.

Rejecting Radical Feminism In Girl Scouts

As Alyssa got older and Chase joined Cub Scouts, Alyssa and I started wondering about scouting for her. I remember Brownies fondly from when I was younger and I always assumed that if I had a daughter, we would become involved in Brownies/Girl Scouts.

I went to the Girl Scouts website to see at what age Alyssa could join Brownies and was I in for a surprise. Girl Scouts was not as I remembered it! A little more research not only confirmed major changes but frankly sickened me.

From the removal of "God" to the horrifying links with abortion-providers Planned Parenthood to the New Age emphasis in the Scouting activities, I uncovered far more than I wanted to know.

The Girl Scouts website seems to have been recently re-designed and now I find no mention of God or country, just a list of programs designed to right all that is wrong with girls in our society. The Girl Scout research arm has uncovered that half of all girls are not interested in leadership, for example, a problem the Girl Scouts intends to fix, not respect. Increasing self-esteem, science and math skills and leadership roles may be noble goals for some girls. Are we not respect "diversity" among girls, however?

What about girls who enjoy traditional homemaking activities and want to learn more about them, in the earliest tradition of the Girl Scouts? Is it possible that one can increase a girl's self- esteem by teaching her that it is OK to honor her deepest urging to nurture, create and care for others by having babies and running a comfortable, hospitable household?

No, clearly the Girl Scouts, like most of modern American society, has completely devalued traditional women's roles and along with that, traditional women. Must they wonder why girls have low self-esteem when they are made to feel bad about everything they are (loving, better at languages than math, not wanting to be a leader or whatever the latest issue is) and they are constantly exposed to media images that encourage them to devalue their very bodies? Throw into the mix mothers who are too busy to mentor and fathers who are frequently absent or at least devalued and what could you expect but "low self-esteem"?

The current "Me" emphasis (the name of their current campaign) on the site replaces an emphasis on community. Global citizenship replaces learning about and serving America. Mothers and fathers are replaced by "trusted adults".   Most of all, worship of God is replaced by worship of the self, being passed on from the leadership of the Girls Scouts (represented by many feminist activist) to the girls they are indoctrinating serving.

The only good news to come of the Girl Scouts abandonment of traditional principles is the emergence of a Christian alternative for girls and their families.  American Heritage Girls is a Christian scouting experience for girls that is growing around the country.  We may end up chartering our own group here although is one chapter about 30 minutes away from us that I know of at this time.

If you are considering Girl Scouts for your daughter,  just know that the Girls Scouts of today may not be the same as the Girls Scouts you remember.

Read this interesting article about a mom who likes the American Heritage Girls for her special-needs daughter.

More on the history of the major changes in the Girl Scouts:

Girl Scouts New Radicalism 
National Review's The Cookie Crumbles
Pro-Abortion Feminist Scouts

Thanks to Mommy Life for the historical links.

Christian Family Gifts On Sale Until Wed.

Looking for Christian and educational Christmas gifts? Vision Forum is offering fantastic deals (20% to 50% off and free shipping) on some of their top items. I took advantage of a similar sale that they had last month and was very pleased with my 50% off items. For most items, it is not too late to order for Christmas.

We especially like the Vision Forumscience kits, nature accessories and role play accessories. Hurry- the sale ends Wednesday.

Here is a partial list of 50% off items (our favorites are highlighted):
50% off items will include:
*Thoughts for Young Men
*All-American Pop Gun
*Passionate Housewives Desperate for God
*Spy Monocular
*Toy Crossbow w/Darts
*Teach Them To Your Children
*1911 Official Handbook for Boys Scouts of America
*Ten P's in a Pod
*Swiss Family Robinson
*Little Bear's Outdoor Adventure Guide
*True Story of Noah's Ark
*Umbrella Doll Stroller
*(DVD) Return of the Daughters
*Western Revolver Cap Gun
*The Coral Island
*So Much More
*Fuel Cell X7 Car
*20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
*Gulliver's Travels
*(DVD) Training Dominion Oriented Daughters
*Frontier Tomahawk
*Air Burst Rocket System -
*Men of Science, Men of God
*(DVD) Putting on the Whole Armor of God
*(CD) Curriculum Advice Volumes 1 & 2
*Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
*Candy Factory
*The Family
*(DVD) Measure Twice, Cut Once
*Juggling Balls A-08-204
*Ice Cream Maker
*Ping-Pong Gun
*(CD) Sabers, Spears, and Catapults
*Fighting the Flames
*The Book of Psalms For Singing
*(DVD) Awesome Forces of God's Creation
*(DVD) History of the World Boxed set
*Silk Ribbon Embroidery
*Princess Ka'iulani Doll Dress
*Coming In on a Wing & a Prayer
*(CD) Bible Lessons for Manhood
*Rubik's Cube
*1599 Geneva Bible
*Prairie Bonnet Multi-Print
*Swiss Military Field Telephone
*Edison Light Bulb Kit
*John Gill's Commentaries 9-vol SET (With Free CDROM and Book)
*Jonathan Park Hat (Blue) Child's Size Adjustable

Click the banner below to browse great Christian gifts for homeschool moms, children and families.