Around Here Lately 9.30.11 {& a free printable}

{did you enter my devotional CD giveaway yet?}

TGIF!


this week... was all about apples! we studied apples and Johnny Appleseed, and incorporated apples in our lessons somehow every day, culminating in a field trip to a real working apple orchard! i found some great ideas at "Homeschool Pass it On" resource link-up. we had a fun week of eating apples, planting apple seeds, cooking with apples, doing art projects with apples, reading books about apples, and finally picking our very own apples. BigGirl likes apples, however, she is a little timid to eat them now with her top front tooth missing! and the remaining top front tooth is wiggly! it was all applesauce and No Bake Apple Cookies for her.

unfortunately, my little one was down with a double ear infection this week. high fever, no appetite, antibiotics, extra clingy...which means extra snuggles, no schoolwork, high doses of TLC, and lots of quality stay-home time. Bubba loves going to see his pediatrician, he loves to take medicine, he loves to nap on the couch, and he loves it when Mama prays for him. he's a trooper, but i am glad he is feeling better today.

as for me... i dug into the Book of Acts with some friends and discovered my "mission field": areas where i can be a stronger witness for Jesus. i planned our menu and included some of my favorite Fall-time recipes. i told you how i go to God concerning our homeschooling days. i gave you a chance to win a CD of devotionals for busy "Chiks" on the go. and i participated (finally!) in the what i wear party. i also vacuumed and dusted, kept up with the laundry, remembered to drink my Fruit of the Spirit every day, told my husband how much i appreciate him, prepared for a HappyBaby event, gathered donations for a pick-up, found and returned a late library book, freaked out about Relevant being less than a month away, taught BigGirl to play Solitare, fed the fish, and about a bazillion other things in between. with coffee in hand :)
 

just for you.. scriptures to pray over your homeschool. simply click here or on the image above to be taken to the printable file. the same scriptures that i listed on Tuesday are here for you (in my handwriting!) print, clip, and pray often. i keep mine tucked in my planner.


and that's what is going on around here lately! thanks for visiting and check out The Homeschool Chick and Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers for more weekly homeschoolers' updates. have a great weekend, yall!

 

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Chiks on the Go {giveaway}

{this giveaway is now closed}

WINNERS: Comments #2, 7, 8 & 9 selected @ Random.org

Congratulations! 

you can't read your bible while you're driving.

but sometimes... don't you wish you could? i do. because let's face it, some days it just seems impossible to get alone with God.

He longs to spend time with us. He knows i am on the go, that i have places to be, people to see, and things to cross off of my to-do list. but still, He wants us to immerse ourselves in His Word, to learn more, to get closer, to grow stronger in our faith.

"...faith comes from hearing the message, 

and the message is heard through the word about Christ."

Romans 10:17 NIV

after too many too busy days, and no room to add anything else to my to-do list, i prayed with all sincerity that i would find time to spend with God even on my busiest of days. 

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; 

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; 

and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

Matthew 7:7 NIV

He answered my prayer quickly. i may not be able to read my Bible when i'm running errands, but i can pop this into my car CD player:

drive time devotionals! "for the busy Chik"! YES! 


Chiks on the Go is 15 brief but powerful messages brought to you by April Simons. her light-hearted  messages will encourage your heart and draw you closer to the Lord. April Simons has five(!) children, so naturally, the devotionals are designed for women, and she can definitely relate to busy moms. she is fun and funny as she shares practical, insightful, biblical word.

these CDs are perfect for listening to in the school drop off lane, on the way to soccer practice, to the grocery store, in 5 o'clock traffic, on your iPod at the gym, or wherever it is you're going whatever it is you're doing. you might even find yourself volunteering to run extra errands just so you can listen to more Chiks on the Go devotionals. maybe?

April serves alongside her husband, Gary, as they pastor High Point Church in Arlington, which just so happens to be my church. April is The Ultimate Chik and i just love her so much. please look how gorgeous she is...and trust me she is just as gorgeous on the inside:

did i mention she has 5 kids?! 

are you a busy Chik? 

could you use some QT with God when you're on the go?

i am giving away Chiks on the Go Drive-Time Devotionals from April Simons! one copy for you AND one copy for you to bless someone with! give the extra copy to your friend, your sister, your neighbor, your small group leader, or any busy Chik in your life.

to enter, simply leave a comment telling me what a busy Chik you are. :) 

for an extra entry, tweet about the giveaway with a link to this page + @mamahall, @aprilosimons, and @hpcarlingtontx. 

please leave your email address with each entry. 4 names will be selected at random and announced on Tuesday, October 4. this giveaway is open to US residents only. 

enter now! tell your friends! 

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full disclosure: i was provided with ample copies of the CD for the purpose of giving them away here. i was not compensated in any way. all opinions are always honestly my own.
   

prayers for our homeschool days

BigGirl's first year of homeschooling, age 2 

when we started homeschooling BigGirl 4 years ago, i had no idea what i was doing or how we were going to do it. but, we made the decision to homeschool her and it felt natural and right from the very beginning. (i think that's how you know it's what God wants.)

over the years i've learned that homeschooling takes a lot of work and a lot of prayer. when we are overwhelmed, worried, stressed out, or just downright tired, we pray. we struggle with time management, staying on task, and sometimes subjects that just aren't any fun. when the going gets tough, we stop what we're doing and look to Jesus. God gives me the strength to continue on this path, and He fills our homeschool days with peace.

i keep this little note tucked in my planner for daily or as-needed reference.  

here are 10 scriptures (NIV or NKJV) that i pray specifically for our homeschool days, my lesson plans, and my children: 

1. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

2. Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

3. 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

4. Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

5. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

6. Isaiah 41:10 do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

7. Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

8. Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

9. Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

10. 2 Timothy 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

"i don't know how you do it..." is the response i get most often when i tell people that we homeschool our children. 

and i'm not kidding when i reply: "...with lots of prayer." 

what are your favorite scriptures to pray for homeschooling?

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linked with love @ OhAmanda.com Top Ten Tuesday

this week's menu + my fave Fall recipes

these vintage pots found on etsy remind me of the warm yellow kitchen in the little house where i grew up. maybe my mom had a similar set? my most vivid memories of that house are of the kitchen and dining room. and for some reason, the smells of Fall- stews, chili, roast, cornbread- take me back to the kitchen in that little house on Westwood Drive. 

what smells, what season, reminds you of home?

it makes me wonder, with a smile, what smells will remind my grown children of these years in our home? the thought of it reminds me to be intentional, to engrave memories in all of their senses.

these are the dinners i'm making this week with links to the recipes: 

open-face grilled cheese with tomato slices and tomato soup

eggplant & zucchini casserole with quinoa 

creamy avacado pasta with garlic toast

homemade chicken noodle soup

it's almost October and i am in the mood for Fall! is it Fall in your neck of the woods? it probably won't feel like Fall here for a few more weeks, but that won't stop me from making it feel, taste, and smell like Fall in my home!

here are some of my favorite Fall-time recipes (with links, photos from the recipe link)... come on Fall-time temperatures! 

Salsa Chicken and Black Bean Soup from Crockpot365

Crockpot BBQ Chicken and Cornbread Casserole from Crockpot365

Taco Cornbread Casserole from What's For Dinner

Italian Meatball Soup from the Pioneer Woman

Homemade Graham Crackers modified from Baked Bites

Restaurant Quality Crockpot Tomato Soup from Crockpot 365

Homemade Cheese Crackers modified from Splendidly Imperfect Miss M

    

this post is linked lovingly @ OrgJunkie.com Menu Planning Monday.

happy cooking, everyone!

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i am sure, i am thankful

"For I am sure (beyond a doubt) that neither death nor life, 

nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening 

nor things to come, nor powers,

    Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation 

will be able to separate us from the love of God 

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:38-39 AMP

695. "you're the BEST!" little squeals of delight
696. a new hole in BigGirl's smile, making her look so grown up
697. identifying my fears and strengthening my faith
698. daily assurance: they are listening and learning
699. from the other room, hearing someone else washing dishes
700. 60 minutes of ultra fun cardio dance class
701. overwhelmed, shaking and tears, at the sound of His names
702. mini-me pushing a shopping cart, checking her list
703. mini-Jeff pounding a hammer, using a drill
704. coffee brought to me on the bedside table
705. Fall-time white noise: football on TV
706. popping on Twitter just in time to see an urgent prayer request
707. packing up things to give and then a need arises
708. little home improvement projects that make big impact
709. friends that challenge me to be creative
710. an invitation to encourage others
711. Facebook birthday reminders
712. DaySpring Heart Connection Card Club
713. stagnant grass
714. breezy afternoons, fresh air-filled home
715. dinner prepared by BigGirl
716. Bubba and his lost but found beloved "Bible Book"
717. quality time with Granny
718. Chapter 5 "What Women Fear" by Angie Smith
719. potted Aloe Vera in our backyard, natural healing
720. more oranges, browns, purples, and golds
721. tender loving teachers at Bubba's preschool

living the sure life, the counting life, the thankful life... 

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  photo credit

my bible

this is my bible. and i believe every single word of it. 

i believe it's either all true or none of it's true. 

there are parts that comfort me when i'm discouraged,

words that give me peace when i am afraid,

promises that inspire me, encourage me, instruct me, guide me.

there are parts that disturb me, and make me sad for this world.

there are stories that break my heart and make me pray harder. 

this is my bible. i believe all of it is true, and alive, and real. 

...i need to remind myself of this from time to time. 

just something to think about...

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It's news I'm most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message 

of God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, 

starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! 

God's way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, 

confirming what Scripture has said all along: 

"The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives."

Romans 1:16 MSG

"If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree 

to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 

they are conceited and understand nothing. 

They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels 

about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, 

evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, 

who have been robbed of the truth and who think 

that godliness is a means to financial gain."

1 Timothy 6:3-5 NIV

looking up

"...he was taken up before their very eyes, 

and a cloud hid him from their sight.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, 

when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 

"Men of Galilee," they said, 

"why do you stand here looking into the sky? 

This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, 

will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Acts 1:9-11 NIV

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eyes wide open in gratitude

Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude.

Colossians 4:2 The Message 

671. rain 

672. girly time with my daughter
673. child strangers forging a quick friendship
674. the bond of homeschooling and of being homeschooled
675. my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season, on the patio heart to heart with a dear Sister in Christ
676. new books, free, each week from the library
677. my daughter's smile, peeking out from behind her latest paperback
678. out of the blue "hello how are you" text messages
679. conversations with friendly strangers in the check out line, a distraction from my busy mind
680. paying for the next (unsuspecting) customer's coffee drink
681. retailers that honor a coupon even though i left it in the car
682. Clinique Bonus time at just the right time containing just what i need
683. celebrating 7th birthdays of little ones i've loved since they were tiny tots
684. a day with my husband undivided
685. Bubba's new phrases: "actually" and "does that make sense?"
686. surprise pizza delivery
687. friends in my home, hungry for God's Word
688. finding vegan cheese and tofu at Target
689. easy return policies at big box stores
690. green frosting stains on Bubba's face
691. men and women who serve our country with pride and pleasure
692. Veggie Tales CDs in kid's meals
693. almost no more car payments
694. the quiet and calm of our home, relaxed on a sunny Sunday afternoon


so much to be thankful for. i remain alert, with eyes open in gratitude, counting His gifts... 

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photo credit 

around here lately 9.16.11

i love this print (a Pinterest find). there have been {many} moments this week when i have actually thought this to myself and giggled.

this week...BigGirl (6) finished (finally) her math prep book. now we can crack open the textbooks and get some serious math done. i was adamant that she finish the prep book so that when we got to the "real" math, she would be well-practiced. she has been studying the earth in history and science, and the week culminated with a science project regarding the earth's layers. this book has been a great resource for homeschool science "investigations." BigGirl used a little set of Legos from a party goody bag to do creative art/architecture and problem-solving. she is doing excellent in all of her studies: i couldn't ask for a better student! 

Bubba (3) had a two busy days at preschool this week, where he was the class "prayer leader." i'm so proud of him. he learned the pledge of allegiance and memorized two scripture verses this week! also, he has *almost* mastered writing all of the letters in the alphabet. this amazes me because i never thought he was paying attention (smile). boy moms, you understand this, right?

as for me... i gave myself a craving for a Pumpkin Spice latte, invited some lovely friends over to study the Book of Acts, spent some time searching for vegan meals on Pinterest, and clung to sweet memories of my Dad. i met with DevotionMama to recap the Mamas Write Mini Conference...we already have great things in mind for the next one! and finally, i prepped for the #teachthetruth Twitter Party on Sept. 20 at 8pm CST. you'll be there, right?

some of my favorite moments...

(pardon the iphone quality pics! i'll try to use my *real* camera more often)

storytime at Gorbella's

Big Girl at gymnastics

Bubba at the library

and that's what is going on around here lately! thanks for visiting and check out The Homeschool Chick and Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers for more weekly homeschoolers' updates. have a great weekend, yall!

 

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home

i'm gonna wrap my arms around my Daddy's neck and tell him that i've missed him...

tell him all about the girl that i became, and hope that it pleased him...

there's so much i wanna say... there's so much i wanted you to know...

when i finally make it home.

my Daddy was called suddenly 

home to heaven on this day 16 years ago. 

i miss him like crazy.

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lyrics adapted from Mercy Me Finally Home

Pinterest as a search engine

you know i love Pinterest with a passion. the concept is absolutely genius. and doesn't it make you feel so organized to have all your ideas filed on their own boards!?

lately i have been using Pinterest for more than just pinning and and re-pinning. shhhh... don't tell Google, but i've been using Pinterest as a search engine.

case in point: the adorable egg carton.

it's sturdy. it's clean. it's recyclable. once empty, this little guy screamed "do something creative with me!"...but what?

so i went to Pinterest and started my search. at the top of the Pinterest dashboard is the search box. i typed in "egg carton."

look at all these egg carton ideas!

it was easy to weed through the 26,551 egg carton pins because i knew that i wanted something educational and somewhat temporary. these are the two egg carton ideas that i liked the best, earning the Repin status:

and that is how i use Pinterest as a search engine!

try it! Pinterest search works for me.

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