I’ve mentioned before that we are semi-unschoolers at our house.

What does that mean? That means that while we enjoy worksheets and some structure, we believe that life offers incredible learning opportunities {or “teachable moments”} that often missed when the focus of schooling is on the academics.

So we look for opportunities to apply academic knowledge {or gain it} as we are busy doing life.

Though our yard does not welcome a tree house {we have no trees}, I’m always on the lookout for ideas of ways to turn doing life into learning, so Lessons from the Tree House caught my eye.

Lessons from the Tree House

Author Carol Alexander says,

I’ve been a mom for 24 years, homeschooling for 18, and trying to raise most of our family’s food on our modest acreage for the last 10. In my spare time, I’m a freelance journalist whose credits include regional parenting magazines, national homeschooling and homesteading magazines, our local paper, and several blogs. Currently, I am working on a series of ebooklets for homeschoolers (or involved parents) called Lessons from the Homestead. These booklets each contain at least 50 lessons for math, language, science, and more for all ages using areas of the homestead for study.

Lessons from the Tree House is the third booklet in the Lessons from the Homestead series.

I love the way Carol’s mind works – seeing the learning opportunities that can be found in “play.”

Lessons from the Tree House is a collection of more than 50 learning opportunities (including math, science, language, and more) that can occur when you children take on the challenge of building a tree house.

For example, the Design Phase includes lessons in: math, computer skills, drawing, writing, public speaking, research, and science.

Even as Carol shares the practical lessons of math and science, she points out spiritual applications as well and gives you Scripture references to share with your kids.

What a great little booklet to take summer time fun and turn it into a learning experience!

—

Disclosure: I was provided with a free copy of Lessons from the Tree House in exchange for my honest review.

Related posts:

This March, we had the opportunity to travel to Florida for nine days.

Part of our trip was spent in Sebring, FL, where my grandparent winter each year. Before heading to Florida, I looked for kid-friendly outings we could go on {so as not to drive my grandparents crazy with two active kids in a quiet retirement community}, and I found a website for the Children’s Museum of the Highlands – right in downtown Sebring.

We decided to check it out on Saturday afternoon, and we were definitely glad we did!

I took over 200 pictures while we were at the Children’s Museum of the Highlands in Sebring, FL.

It was an incredible kid-friendly place with unlimited opportunities for learning and fun!

Throughout the museum, there were different “stations” set up with props for the kids to be able to pretend to perform different jobs or life skills.

Our top ten favorite “learning stations” from the Children’s Museum of the Highlands.

1. The Mail Truck

2. J and I {as well as the kids} enjoyed the human bubble station

3. The grocery store area was a big hit

4. David found a computer to play on {any surprise?!?}

5. Jenny enjoyed pretending to be a doctor

6. David loved the train

7. Jenny got to watch herself “on TV” as she gave the weather forecast in the “TV Studio’

8. The water table kept David busy

9. Jenny enjoyed checking out the “Forest Service” area

10. Both kids enjoyed the dress-up/puppet stage area

If you’re planning to visit the Sebring, FL, area, be sure to schedule a few hours to spend at the Children’s Museum of the Highlands.

We’re definitely going back on our next visit!

—

See all the posts from our Florida Field Trip series.

—

See where I’m linked up…

—

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Related posts:

It’s the prayer of every Christian parent to raise kids who love the Lord, but how do we go about doing it? Dave Stone’s new book, Raising Your Kids to Love the Lord is a great resource helping parents to seek Christ first and model life with Him for their children to follow.

About the Book:

No matter how perfect the family pictures look, every family struggles and is dependent upon God’s grace and mercy. As a father of three, Dave shows parents that they have more influence on their kids than any other factor in their lives. Brimming with warmth and humor, Stone gives parents creative examples of how to help kids develop their own faith with ideas such as praying at significant times, encouraging kids to display Scripture in special places around the home, and serving others alongside their parents.

About the Author:

Dave Stone is Senior Pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, where he preaches to more than 22,000 people each weekend. He and his wife Beth have three children. Dave believes the most practical way to teach the gospel is through moms and dads who model a genuine faith for their children.

Quotes from the Book:

“Only perfect parents raise perfect children.”

“Christian homes don’t just happen; neither do kids who love the Lord. There’s a lot we can do to help determine the outcome of our children’s spiritual lives. We can become intentional in our efforts. We can pave the way for them. We can model true faith and continually pray that God will transform their hearts.”

“If we want to grow a family that loves and honors the Lord, that process begins with our authenticity; with the kind of faith that makes a difference in the ways we live and love every single day.”

“When parents are fleshing out their faith and living out their days with joy and honesty, their children will be attracted to it. Children want something that is real; they want to follow someone who is genuine.”

The Giveaway:

{If you cannot see the giveaway form below, please visit the blog to enter.}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

—

Disclosure: I received a free copy of Raising Your Kids to Love the Lord in exchange for this post.

—

See where I’m linked up…

*A

Related posts:

Miscellaneous Musings

Yesterday was Jenny’s Spring Piano Recital

Both sets of grandparents traveled down from Michigan to watch her perform her two songs: The B-I-B-L-E and Oh, How I Love Jesus.

She did a great job and loved showing off what she’s learned in piano lessons this winter/spring!

{If you can’t see the video below, please visit the blog to watch it.}

Jenny no longer needs training wheels on her bike

Last week, I noticed that Jenny really wasn’t using her training wheels to keep her bike balanced anymore, so I asked J to take them off last Sunday. She was excited to have her training wheels taken off, but she lacked the confidence to just keep pedaling once they were off.

I let her practice without them all week, and today when I went outside to watch them, I noticed that she was riding confidently without any issues!

{If you can’t see the video below, please visit the blog to watch it.}

Submission in Marriage

J and I have been having a disagreement lately. I want to create a change, but I can’t do so on my own. And he has no desire to create a change.

And it requires both of our participation to create the change I want.

I’ve been incredibly frustrated with feeling like my opinion doesn’t count, since if he says “no” the answer is “no.” And “that’s not fair!”

I’d started praying that God would change his heart regarding the issue while expressing my growing frustration. This morning while I was praying about it, God opened my eyes.

It is fair. J is the head of our marriage – I am called to submit to him. If he says “no,” I have zero right to complain or argue or nag about the issue {which I’ve been doing and thus causing tension}.

God has declared that J’s opinion on the matter is the one that counts. Sure, it’d be nice if he considered my side of it, too, but in the end, he has the final decision.

I’m going to be OK with that. I’m going to intentionally submit my will to his leadership, trusting that he will make the decision that is best for our family as he submits to the will of God as the Holy Spirit reveals it to his heart.

Teaching from the Word

David’s been “forgetting” who is in charge fairly frequently lately.

Last night, after such an episode, I asked him, “Who did God put in charge? Parents? Or children?”

He answered, “Children!” knowing that his answer was wrong.

Since he happened to have his New Testament in his hand, I said, “Let’s see what the Bible says…”

We opened to Ephesians 6.1 and read, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.”

What a great opportunity to take him directly to the Word of Truth and be able to apply it instantly to his life!

{P.S. Watch for a review of the Child Training Bible coming next month for more on this topic!}

Counting My Gifts: #276-290

276. a beautiful day for a beautiful wedding
277. coming home to a clean house after a long weekend
278. spending time with each of my siblings and their families
279. a weekend at “home”
280. flowers “from Jenny” for Mother’s Day
281. family that are willing to drive 2.5 hours one way to listen to Jenny play piano for less than 2 minutes total
282. a full weekend unplugged
283. a chance to share my “expertise” with my mom
284. a visit with my best friend
285. a big win for our men’s softball team
286. motivation and inspiration for blogging and social media
287. a new blogging “class” to inspire me to productivity
288. putting together a summer blogging schedule
289. a forecast of sunshine and warm weather
290. a non-manic Monday

—

See where I’m linked up…

Related posts:

The Messenger is FREE for Kindle app users TODAY ONLY {05.14.12}!!

From the Publisher:

Hannah Sunderland felt content in her embrace of the Quaker faith… until her twin brother joined the Colonial cause and ended up in jail. She longs to bring some measure of comfort to him in the squalid prison, but her faith forbids it. The Friends believe that they are not to take sides, not to take up arms. She is not allowed to visit him, even if she were able to secure a pass.

Jeremiah Jones, a Colonial spy, needs access to the jail to help rescue men important to the cause. Upon meeting Hannah, a plan begins to develop. Who would suspect a pious Quaker visiting a loved one?

But Jeremiah is unprepared for Hannah, for her determination to do right, to not lie. How can one be a spy and not lie? Hannah, in turn, is surprised by Jeremiah… for the way he forces her to confront her own beliefs, for the sensitivity and concern that he shows her despite the wounds he still carries.

In a time of war, can two unlikely heroes find the courage to act?

My Thoughts:

I have always thoroughly enjoyed Revolutionary War period historical fiction, and The Messenger was another well-researched and exciting read!

Written in a two-character first-person narrative style, The Messenger tells the story of a Quaker girl and a former British soldier turned Colonial spy as they team up together to reach an unseemly common goal. Throughout the story, Hannah is forced to face discrepancies in her Quaker lifestyle and religion as she decides what’s most important in her life and figures out what she truly believes about God.

Though I would not categorize The Messenger as a “Christian” fiction title, there are definitely aspects of faith woven throughout the story as both Hannah and Jeremiah seek out God in their own ways.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Messenger and will be on the lookout for more great titles by Siri Messenger.

—

Disclosure: I received a free copy of The Messenger from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

*A

Related posts:

In lieu of a vlog this week, I thought I’d join the Homeschool Mother’s Journal link-up at iHomeschoolNetwork.com.

In my life this week…

I’ve got way too many irons in the fire right now, and in my attempt to be “rid” of all the chaos in my life before summer, I’m working like crazy. The few times I’ve been able to focus on one task at a time {which is rare with two kids running around}, I’ve been quite productive. The rest of the week, I’ve felt less than productive, though I actually have managed to get more accomplished than I’ve realized.

In our homeschool this week…

Monday and Wednesday were both quite productive in our homeschool. We started out the week about 3 weeks “behind schedule” from where we’d hoped to be at this point in the home stretch, and we finished only 2 weeks behind. It’s amazing how much we can get accomplished when we both sit down and work through the curriculum together!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

I keep seeing and hearing it, so I guess I’ll share it, too:

What works for one family probably won’t work {or at least not in the same way} for another family. Stop comparing and do what works for you!

I am inspired by…

I’ve been so full of inspiration this week – part of the reason I’ve gotten less done on my to-do list than I’d hoped. I’m looking forward to starting the Content Brew class on Monday, and just signing up for it has already formed a burst of creative content and push to get more organized!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We’re headed for Michigan today, as my sister’s best friend is getting married tonight. We’re looking forward to the weekend with family!

AND, on Sunday, we’ll be hoofing it back home in time for Jenny’s spring piano recital {watch for the video of it next week}.

My favorite thing this week was…

God woke me up early on Monday morning, and I was able to spend some time in the Word and get some work done before the kids woke up. It was wonderful!

Things I’m working on…

My next eBook is set to be released on June 1… I’m frantically trying to finish writing it while creating the graphics and setting up the website and Facebook page for it!

{P.S. If you’d like to be on my “review” team, send me an email – review copies are going out May 21st!}

I’m reading…

Last weekend, I read Loving by Karen Kingsbury and The Messenger by Siri Mitchell.

This weekend, I’m reading The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport.

I’m cooking…

Hahaha… we all know that’s not happening! Although, there is a new cookbook out {in ebook form} that might just change all that.

Check it out: Simplified Dinners {and there’s a giveaway!}…

I’m grateful for…

I am grateful for so many things. Check out my weekly list of thankfulness.

What’s been happening in YOUR life this week??

—

See where I’m linked up…

*A

Related posts:

Join me in Finding Freedom this summer – freedom from perfection, control issues, and the tendency to listento talking snakes {i.e. believe the lies of the devil}.

Each Thursday we’ll be looking at three chapters from I Blame Eve, discussing what God is teaching us through what we’ve read and looking for ways to applyour learning to our lives.

Chapter 4: I Crave Apples and Other Things That Don’t Satisfy Me

This chapter was full of so many convicting and challenging truths – truths that challenged me to my core.

“I tend to crave things that make me feel good.” {p. 44}

“She rationalized that this fruit that God had told her to say no to should instead be a yes… She made what was wrong seem right in her own mind. What she wanted became her truth.” {p.45}

I was convicted of my tendency to rationalize sin in order to get what I want – to see my desires become reality.

And I was reminded that getting what I want on my own terms rarely results in lasting joy. The temporary pleasures of sin have lasting consequences.

“When we shut out God’s truth and the leading of his Spirit in our lives, we leave an immediate opening for the enemy of our souls to come in and wreak havoc.” {p. 46}

It’s not that the things I desire are always wrong – it’s that I try to fill the holes on my own.

“We are so desperate to be full… We want all the things God designed us for – relationship, wholeness, love, community, security, etc. – but we want them on our terms and we want them now.” {p. 46}

There are holes in my heart for a reason – and things of this world will never fill them the way they were intended to be filled. Only God can fill the holes – they are God-shaped holes.

“The gaping hole in us, that soul emptiness, was meant to be filled with a relationship with our Creator. We can go crazy and fill up on a variety of substitutes, but we won’t feel full. God is the only ONe who can offer us peace and joy and wholeness and a love that satiates the irrational hunger that seems to overwhelm us at times.” {p. 48}

“We have a deep need, and it can be met only in God. In fact, without God we can’t truly live. Our fullness doesn’t come on our terms but instead when we recognize that we need God more than anything else… God is the only One who can satiate the great hunger that seems to be overtaking our lives. And more importantly, it is his heart’s desire to fill our lives with his presence.” {p. 48}

What holes are you trying to fill on your own terms?

—

Chapter 5: I Think I Need Some Fig Leaves to Cover Up My Shame

When we do something that we know is wrong, we feel shame, and shame leads us to attempt a cover-up.

“Shame is a reaction to seeing ourselves for who we are when we have done something wrong.” {p. 51}

“Cover-ups. We’re pretty good at them. We are well practiced in hiding our faults. Despite our best efforts, our cover-ups are about as effective as Eve’s fig leaf couture. God sees us for who we are. Broken. Exposed. Sinful. Sorry. Vulnerable. Every one of us. None of us can figure out a way to get God to look past who we truly are in all our humanness.” {p. 52}

Even my 3.5yo has perfected the cover-up! It’s a naturally sinful response to realizing that we’ve fallen short of the glory of God.

Instead of living in a state of poorly designed disguises and cover-ups, let’s step out into the light and let God peel back the layers and put His righteousness on us.

“It is only when we recognize ourselves for who we are (sinners) that we can let God begin to do his work in us. Standing in the light of his glorious rightness, we see ourselves for who we really are… This is the moment… when we realize how much we need the One who is on his way… So if you find yourself, even now, sewing a skirt of remorse and shame, put your needle down. Wipe your tears. And get ready. His grace is on its way. This is just the beginning of your journey toward freedom.” {p. 53}

What masks do you need to remove today?

—

Chapter 6: I Want to Hide from God

As children in Sunday School, we learn from an early age that we can’t hide from God {remember Jonah?}, but as we learn to hide our true selves from those around us, putting on our masks, we seem to forget that we can’t hide our hearts from God.

In fact, God is the only One who truly knows our hearts – even better than we do!

“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it? ‘I, the Lord,search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.’” {Jeremiah 17.9-10, NASB}

Adam and Eve learned this lesson as they attempted to hide from God in their sinful state among the trees of the Garden. But as long as they stayed hidden, they were stuck in their sin, with no way to remedy the situation.

“There is no help for us… when we stay hidden, keeping our hearts and lives from God, tucking away our sins, and peering at him from behind leafy branches. When we stick to the trees, when we harbor our sins in secret, we remain separated from the only One who can help us, the only One who has a solution for our dilemma.” {p. 58}

Just as God knew where Adam and Eve were hiding, and He called to them to come out, He knows where you are hiding and He is calling you out by name.

“He knows where you are, and he is calling you out even now. And there is just one thing to do. Come out with your hands up and find out how much the God of the universe loves you.” {p. 59}

Will you yield to His call in your life today?

—

Your Turn

What stood out to you this week as you read? What light did God illumine your heart with, challenging you to grow in your knowledge of Him?

Share your thoughts with us – you can blog about it {and share the link in the comments} or simply comment below.

Life is not meant to be done on your own – when we do LIFE together, we grow together as we encourage and challenge one another on the journey!
—

See where I’m linked up…

*A

Related posts:

Here’s Lily!

Grow with the spirited, sometimes awkward, but always charming Lily as she learns what real beauty is…

In this fun, entertaining story, readers meet awkward sixth grader Lily Robbins who, after receiving a compliment about her looks from a woman in the modeling business, becomes obsessed with her appearance and with becoming a model. As she sets her sights on winning the model search fashion show, she exchanges her rock and feather collection for lip gloss, fashion magazines, and a private “club” with her closest friends. But when the unthinkable happens the night before the fashion show, Lily learns a valuable lesson about real beauty.

This best-selling, biblically based fiction series for girls-with a fresh new look and updated content-addresses social issues and coming-of-age topics, all with the spunk and humor of Lily Robbins as she fumbles her way through unfamiliar territory. As readers come to love Lily and her stories, they’ll also benefit from the companion nonfiction books that will help them through their own growing pains.

Here’s Lily is…

• perfect for tween girls, ages 7-11
• super fun fiction for girls that will also help them deal with the issues tweens face
• an engaging story with a charming, clever, and not-so-perfect main character to whom girls will relate

The Giveaway…

{If you cannot see the giveaway form below, please visit the blog to enter.}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 —

Disclosure: I received a free copy of Here’s Lily in exchange for this post.

—

See where I’m linked up…

*A

Related posts:

I have been so blessed by Today is Your BEST DAY….and while each day speaks to me and my heart…there is one that truly has a special place.

Because of Change

“For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!” (Isaiah 43:19)

Until a few years ago, I imagined that one day…I would find that sweet spot in life that so many of us chase after. That spot where I have everything I need (possibly most of what I ‘want’) and have no problems….and no CHANGE.

I imagined a life with God – walking his path…..a life that was simply…..simple.

That’s not how my story has been written, though. Has yours? Have you ever found that state of sheer perfection without the need for change?

I have not, either.

You see, I had decided that since God never changed….he would take me to a point where change would no longer exist.

I know…go ahead, smile, giggle…laugh. I chuckle at how naive that thought is/was, too!

Because of Change is sweet to my heart….due to the sweet words the author uses to describe wine being poured from one vessel into another. For a season, the wine sits in one…and then, moved to a new one.

A new vessel.

To become ‘more fragrant and sweeter to the taste.’

I now see my life…as an opportunity for the one who never changes…to change me into something that is beautiful for his senses.

Are you letting him change you? Pour you from one vessel to another?

Rebecca is a homeschool mom…who was never going to quit her job…and definitely was not going to homeschool….then, she gave her life fully over to God…and took never…and made forever! She blogs about life, encouragement, God and homeschooling over at Mom’s Mustard Seeds.

Read all the post in this series: Today is Your Best Day on LIFE by Ashley Pichea.

—

See where I’m linked up…

*A

Related posts:

This March, we had the opportunity to travel to Florida for nine days.

We knew we’d see some oranges when we visited Florida, but we weren’t prepared for the number of oranges we’d see!

Before we left, I did some research online to see if we could find an orange grove to visit while we were in Florida. I discovered that Florida’s Natural wasn’t too far from where we would be staying, and it was on the way to the Tigers Spring Training game we had tickets for, so we planned to take a field trip.

Florida’s Natural Visitor’s Center

When you get to the Grove House, you have to stop and try the various varieties of orange juice that Florida’s Natural produces.

After you’ve tasted the orange juice, it’s time to learn how orange juice is made.

We watched a 20 minute video about Florida’s Natural orange juice and explored the Grove House.

There were lots of fun facts to learn about orange juice!

We had a great time at the Florida’s Natural Visitor Center!

And the Tigers won their game, too!!

—

See where I’m linked up…

Related posts: