For more Wordless Wednesday, head over to see 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordless Wednesday.

For more Word Filled Wednesday, head over to Internet [...]]]>

For more Wordless Wednesday, head over to see 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordless Wednesday.

For more Word Filled Wednesday, head over to Internet Cafe Devotions.

Munchkin learned how to make these while she was at VBS this year.  She enjoyed it so much that she requested that we pick up some wooden dowels in order to make more at home.  We just used some yarn that we had on hand, so these were a very inexpensive art project.

Munchkin is demonstrating how [...]]]>

Munchkin learned how to make these while she was at VBS this year.  She enjoyed it so much that she requested that we pick up some wooden dowels in order to make more at home.  We just used some yarn that we had on hand, so these were a very inexpensive art project.

Munchkin is demonstrating how to make the God’s Eyes in the collage below.  You take 2 wooden dowels and cross them.  Taking the end of the yarn, you tie a knot around the center of the X.  You make a single loop around the first dowel.  Continue this for each dowel.  Making sure you keep steady tension on the yarn, keep up with the same process until you almost cover all of the dowels.  To complete the project, make several loops around the final dowel and tie a knot.

Munchkin has decided that she might like to hang some of these from her ceiling in her room for a fun decoration.  She has a blast making them.  In fact, she has been bringing the yarn and dowels in the truck with her when we go places, so she has something to keep herself busy.  She had fun showing me how to make them and allowing me to take pictures of her making them.  I think she got a kick out of being able to teach me how to do a craft. **grin**

It seems that lately Munchkin and I are making the most of our summer afternoons by working on various craft and sewing projects.  She’s still having fun playing on the Wii and playing outdoors with her friends, but almost every day, we’re doing some little project together.

I’m so enjoying this time together with her and the [...]]]>

It seems that lately Munchkin and I are making the most of our summer afternoons by working on various craft and sewing projects.  She’s still having fun playing on the Wii and playing outdoors with her friends, but almost every day, we’re doing some little project together.

I’m so enjoying this time together with her and the chance to talk with her without outside distractions.  I’ll be posting some of these projects as time allows.  She wants me to show off her latest projects – God’s Eyes.  Lord willing, I will pictures of them along with instructions tomorrow.

D has been able to come home almost every day for lunch for the past week or so.  It’s been nice to have him home with us.  It does mean that I’m cooking 2 full meals each day, so my creative juices when it comes to meals are running a little low.  Thankfully, my crew doesn’t mind repeats as long as the food is good.

I can hardly believe that Munchkin only has 2 more weeks for her summer reading program on base.  The summer will be gone before we know it.  We’ve been having fun picking up school supplies at the various back-to-school sales.  While we school year around, it’s nice to take advantage of these excellent sales when the opportunity presents itself.

Late afternoons and evenings find Munchkin jumping on the trampoline with her friends.  They have the sprinkler running underneath it to cool them (and the trampoline) down.  This does lead to lots of laundry since Munchkin just wears her regular clothes, but it’s worth it.  I like that she’s having fun and getting a good bit of exercise.  I’ve even gotten on the trampoline a time or two with her.  Whew!  That was tiring.  She thought it was great.  Occasionally, Daddy will hop on the trampoline with her.  That’s a hoot as he sends her flying with just a few bounces.

I guess I better get back to my laundry.  What do you and/or your kids like to do during the hot days of summer?

Album Description:

Andrew’s songs remind us again and again of simple, solid things like love and friendship and hope and redemption and beauty and how our stories were meant to be shared, and how the darkness will not always hold sway, and how we, being human, need to [...]]]> Counting Stars
by Andrew Peterson

Album Description:

Andrew’s songs remind us again and again of simple, solid things like love and friendship and hope and redemption and beauty and how our stories were meant to be shared, and how the darkness will not always hold sway, and how we, being human, need to hear those things over and over again, because otherwise we become disconnected from the very stories we’re living in.

Andrew Peterson’s new, twelve-song project, Counting Stars (produced by Ben Shive, with Andy Gullahorn) manages to do all that without ever leaving home.  Framed in a largely acoustic context and underpinned by a sense of gentle but ancient and unyielding strength, Counting Stars aches and glows, finding infinite wonder in the stuff of hearth and home, family and friendship, struggle and storm. Perhaps it’s because the writing approach this time around involved a conscious departure from the string of concept albums Peterson has released in recent years. Opting for a more introspective, confessional approach seems to have opened a greater sense of vulnerability in the writing process.

Counting Stars features the following 12 songs:

1. Many Roads
2. Dancing in the Minefields
3. Planting Trees
4. The Magic Hour
5. World Traveler
6. Isle of Skye
7. God of My Fathers
8. Fool with a Fancy Guitar
9. In the Night
10. You Came so Close
11. The Last Frontier
12. The Reckoning (How Long)

About the Artist:

Over the last ten years Andrew Peterson has quietly carved out a niche for himself as one of the most thoughtful, poetic, and lyrical songwriters of his generation. More recently he’s established himself as the grassroots facilitator of an online literary and songwriting community and an emerging fantasy novelist as well (The Wingfeather Saga).

Peterson resides with his family of five to a charming little house on the side of a hill just south of Nashville. The storybook dwelling offers a respite from the artist’s hectic schedule, while also quenching the boyish side of Peterson, always thirsty for a new adventure.

Our Thoughts:

D enjoyed the songs, but felt that for him, these would be best listened to while he was trying to relax and not while he was trying to drive.  They were soothing, slower songs with beautiful guitar playing.

This album and songs on the album quickly became favorites for Munchkin.  She has requested that they be placed on her mp3 player for listening before bed.  Andrew’s soothing, soulful voice will be great for helping Munchkin fall asleep in the evening.

Both Munchkin and I enjoyed the soulful, beautiful, heartfelt songs contained on this album.  The relaxing, thoughtful music is wonderful for listening to at night or in the car.  We quickly found ourselves drawn to the songs with the meaningful lyrics and catching music.  Each song is a wonderful life story set to lovely music.  Andrew’s love of the Lord and love of life shines through in each and every song on the album.

Album Details:

• Audio CD (July 27, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Centricity Records
• ASIN: B003SPJ50A
• Retail Price: $13.98

Enjoy a sneak peak of Counting Stars at Andrew Peterson’s website.

I received a copy of Counting Stars from Centricity Records for the purpose of writing this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own. This post contains Amazon affiliate link(s).

Campfires and Smores – the two go hand-in-hand don’t you think?  The dark, star-filled sky twinkles overhead.  The flames crackle and hiss as they lick at the slightly damp firewood that we just collected.  The smell of the smoke from the fire wafts over those sitting around the fire.

As the fire dies down, Daddy stirs the [...]]]>

Campfires and Smores – the two go hand-in-hand don’t you think?  The dark, star-filled sky twinkles overhead.  The flames crackle and hiss as they lick at the slightly damp firewood that we just collected.  The smell of the smoke from the fire wafts over those sitting around the fire.

As the fire dies down, Daddy stirs the coals.  Munchkin grins as she knows what’s coming when the coals are ready. Mommy heads to get the marshmellows, chocolate, gluten free graham crackers, and roasting sticks.

The embers glow and a hint of excitement fills Munchkin’s eyes.  It’s time for smores.  We roast the marshmallows over the fire until they are just right.  Carefully, we take the marshmallows of the hot, metal skewers and place them between some chocolate and graham crackers.

Munchkin takes the first bite and the gooey marshmallow along with some of the melted chocolate ooze out from the graham cracker.  The chocolate and marshmallow are all over her face as is a look of pure delight.

Mmmm… Yep! Campfires and Smores definitely go hand-in-hand.

This post is part of the SmoresSmiles campaign.  I am entering a contest for a S’mores prize pack as a member of the Mom Bloggers Club.

He touched me!!!

I’m bored!!

She’s staring at me!

Are we almost there?

I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard those statements more than once on a car trip.  Wouldn’t it be nice if the kids (and parents) looked forward to the car trips instead of dreading them?

Travel [...]]]> Are we there yet?

He touched me!!!

I’m bored!!

She’s staring at me!

Are we almost there?

I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard those statements more than once on a car trip.  Wouldn’t it be nice if the kids (and parents) looked forward to the car trips instead of dreading them?

Travel Kits: A Simple Way to Bless Others
by Donna Rees

Travel Kits is a wonderful e-book put out by The Old Schoolhouse.  It’s packed with beautiful illustrations and ideas to help you create fun filled travel kits for your family.  In addition to blessing your own family, you can create personalized gifts for others that keep on giving.

Travel Kits is a treasure trove of ideas for one-of-a-kind gifts to go.  They’re great for young and old alike.  The recipient of your special travel kit will no doubt love the time and thought that went into their own travel kit.  Not going on a trip soon?  It doesn’t matter as these ideas would be excellent for use anytime – on the road or at home.

Book Description:

• In Chapter One, readers are introduced to the concept of travel kits – the who, what, when, where, how, and why of travel kits.
• Chapter Two contains brief thoughts on travel kits and homeschooling.
• Chapter Three covers the planning aspects of travel kits.
• Chapter Four discusses presentation and distribution of the items in the travel kits.
• Chapter Five gives some ideas on what to use as the package for the goodies in the travel kit.
• Chapter Six is all about the goodies in the travel kit.  (A great reminder that travel kits do not need to be expensive.)
• Chapter Seven talks a little about edible gifts.
• Chapter Eight gives some ideas about books and stories for the travel kits.
• Chapter Nine goes into games for the travel kits (simple to a little more involved – free to a little more expensive).
• Chapter Ten leads to more inspiration for fun things to include in the travel kits.
• Chapter Eleven talks a little about the rewards of creating travel kits.
• Chapter Twelve expands the travel kit themes into gifts that would be great for everyone and every occasion.
• Chapter Thirteen lists some helpful websites for traveling families.
• In Chapter Fourteen, readers are encouraged to dive in and start creating.
• The e-book concludes with bonus resources including some recipes, food ideas, tips from others, and recommended books.

My Thoughts:

After reading Travel Kits: A Simple Way to Bless Others, I jumped right in and started creating a surprise travel kit for Munchkin.  We were getting reading to head out camping for the 4th of July weekend, and I wanted to whole trip to be special.  I decided that my package was going to be a handmade totebag.  I filled it with inexpensive goodies that I found on clearance and in the dollar section at various stores.

I located a How to Draw book on clearance and decided to include that in Munchkin’s travel kit.  I could put that in there without a sketch book.  Unfortunately, that wasn’t in the budget.  I was able to create my own sketch book by taking some cardboard and covering it with scrapbook paper.  I used my three-whole-punch on these to create front and back covers for her new sketch book.  Add 3 o-rings and some copy paper and you have a great, personal, inexpensive sketch book for the artist.

I placed Munchkin’s travel kit in the truck to surprise her once the trip started.  She was thrilled!  The travel kit worked for the trip to the campground, at the campground, and the trip home.

I appreciated all of the ideas that were in the Travel Kit e-book.  The pictures were great.  I also liked that Donna encouraged us to think outside of the box.  She also reminded me that “travel kits” aren’t just for kids or even just for those going on a trip.

Book Details:

Travel Kits: A Simple Way to Bless Others is available to purchase through The Old Schoolhouse Store for $12.45.  If you would like to see a sampling for yourself prior to buying, you can download sample pages here.

I received a copy of Travel Kits: A Simple Way to Bless Others as a member of the TOS Crew in return for an honest review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own. This post contains TOS affiliate links. If you decide to purchase something through this link, I will receive a small portion of the sale.

For more Wordless Wednesday, head over to see 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordless Wednesday.

For more Word Filled Wednesday, head over to Internet [...]]]>

For more Wordless Wednesday, head over to see 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordless Wednesday.

For more Word Filled Wednesday, head over to Internet Cafe Devotions.