Versitile Blogger Award

Thank you so much to Erin from Seven Little Australians and Linda over at Pillars of Pine for awarding me The Versatile Blogger award.





Rules for the Versatile Blogger are:

• Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.
• Tell your readers 7 things about yourself.
• Give this award to 15 recently discovered bloggers.
• Contact those bloggers and let them in on the news. 

7 Things about me ...

1. My first born and I share a birthday.  
2. My first born arrived on a special birthday .... my 21st.
3. I was engaged at 18
4. I married my best friend when I was 19
5. I enjoy Hillsong Simply Worship CDs
6. I walked 10 km in the Sussan Women's Fun Run 2011 in 1 hour and 45 min. Anyone want to join me next year ?
7. I enjoy making beyond the page things.

Here is my list of recent blogs I have been reading

1. Heart of the Matter on line.  This is a co op blog written by and hosted by encouraging Christian women.
2. Princess Warrior Lessons. Jo is a down to earth honest encourager. She is an Australian blogger who homeschools and loves the Lord.  Her writing is inspiring.  Take a cup with you and sit in Jo's company for some encouragement.
3. Our Jewish Homeschool Blog. I have always had a desire to know more about the Jewish way of life and their traditions.  I love the practical ideas that Mommzy shares.  Great insight into the culture of our Lord.
4. I discovered Delightful Learning this morning via Pinterest. Michelle has six children and has been homeschooling for six years.  She has some great homeschool posts to inspire you.
5. Becoming a Strong Woman of God.  I enjoy Sonja insight and honesty.
6. Like a Warm cup of Coffee. Is hosted by Sarah Mae the author of 31 Days to clean.  Laura is guest posting and has written a rather thought provoking series on blogging titled: Social Media Behave. Let’s Get Started! Social Media, Behave! Day 1, Day 2 The Other Woman, Day 3 At what Cost ?? Day 4 If Everyone Else is doing it  Day 5 Get a Manifesto.
7. Women Living Well. Courtney has a gentle heart and passion for woman.  She is a great encourager and loves to call woman to the Lord to live life well for His glory.
8. Raising Mighty Arrows.  Heathers passion is seeking to encourage women in their roles as women, wives, mothers, daughters, homemakers, teachers, and minister’s wives from a Biblical perspective. She uses her blog to strengthen & inspire other women, and as a place to build relationships with other like-minded Christians
9. The Common Scents Mom is hosted by Staci.  Over here she shares her thoughts and recipes for your home using essential oils.
10. A Second Generation of Homeschooling.  This blog is encouraging and insightful.
11. A wise Woman builds her home.
12. The Three Thinking Mothers.  This is a co op blog of three Mothers who share insights from their day to day and encourage other Moms to keep growing.
13. Learning all the Time.  I found Susans blog via Three Thinking Mothers.  Susan hosts a book blog hop and shares some great resources.
14. Our Simple Country Life is hosted by Esther.  I especially enjoy her blog host Hearts for Home Thursdays where I have found some great posts from other bloggers. Esther is currently hosting a Christmas Cookie Swap.
15. Growing Home is hosted by Jacinda.  Jacinda has a passion to encourage and build up woman at home.  She hosts a Teach Me Tuesdays blog hop which has inspired and encouraged me often.  She is also currently partaking in 31 Days of Generosity.

These are a few of the ladies whom I enjoy visiting. All that is left to do now is notify the lucky winners that they have been awarded the Versatile Blogger Award and I hope that you too will be encouraged and inspired in your walks as mothers, wives and daughters of the King.

Blessings

The Christmas Alphabet

A is for Angels, appearing so bright, telling of Jesus that first Christmas night. "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host." Luke 2:13
B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold. "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel." Micah 5:2
C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, there in the stable where He laid His head. "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger." Luke 2:7
D is for David and his ancient throne promised forever to Jesus alone. "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David." Luke 1:32

E is for East, where shone the bright star which Magi on camels followed afar. "Behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" Matthew 2:1,2
F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told. "And when they had opened their treasurers, they presented unto him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh." Matthew 2:11
G is for God, who from heaven above sent down to mankind the Son of His love. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream. "The angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt... for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." Matthew 2:13
I is for Immanuel, "God with us," for Christ brought man back to the Father's house. "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14
J is for Joseph so noble and just, obeying God's word with absolute trust. "Then Joseph being raised form sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife." Matthew 1:24
K is for King. A true king He would be, coming in power and authority. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, the King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation." Zechariah 9:9
 

L is for Love that He brought down to earth that night in the stable in lowly birth. "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." I John 4:9
M is for Mary, His mother so brave, counting God faithful and mighty to save. "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Luke 1:38
N is for Night, when the Saviour was born for nations of earth and people forlorn. "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." Luke 2:8
O is for Omega, meaning "the last;" He's eternal: present, future and past. "I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Revelation 22:13
P is for Prophets, when living on earth foretold His redemption and blessed birth. "I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel." Numbers 24:17
 

Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard hastened to act on that heavenly word. "And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." Luke 2:16
R is for Rejoice. The sorrow of sin is banished forever when Jesus comes in. "And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth." Luke 1:14
S is for Saviour. To be this He came; the angel of God assigned Him His name. "She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21
T is for Tidings related to all, telling of Him who was born in a stall. "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2:10
U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given to show us the way and take us to heaven. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11
V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God's revelation on prophecy's page. "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23
W is for Wonderful, His works and His words, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given... and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

X is for Christ. It's X in the Greek, Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek. "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power." Acts 10:38
Y is for Yes, called God's Yes in His Word; God's answer to all is Jesus the Lord. "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." II Corinthians 1:20
Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ's heart. Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart. "And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." John 2:1

Blessings

Homeschool Mothers Journal {3}

The Home school Mother’s Journal began as a single post on a Friday morning over at The Homeschool Chick, and turned into a link-up for homeschool mothers across the blog-O-sphere to share a piece of their journey with one another each week. The link party is open from Friday to Monday so join me in The Homeschool Journal and lets encourage one another on our homeschool journey.

In my life this week…

 
In our homeschool this week…

• This week we took out our Fun Tales from Sonlight and started reading again. My favourite part is seeing the delight in Sir N's face as he completes reading a book all by himself.  I love the little information section about each animal featured on the back cover of each book and he looks forward to me reading these to him upon completion of each book. We are up to book ten.  I am looking forward to him progressing to I Can Read It from Sonlight.
• We are working through ABeka math.  He is finding recognising all the numbers to 100 relatively easy all accept the numbers 12 - 19!  I think I will make a bingo game with these numbers next week and play that with him till he can recognise them easier.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

• If your student is really struggling to grasp a concept and you have tried every which way to explain it.  Put the books away. Book a cup of coffee with a home school friend and ask her how she taught the same concept.  She might have a different take that your child can grasp.  
• If you don't have access to a friend near by try a home school forum.  In the US I use the Sonlight Forum.  Over here in Australia I use The Rockpool and Aussie Homeschool.  Who do you use ?

I am inspired by…

• . at the moment.  I love how freely everyone shares the gems they have discovered in cyber space.  I love the simplicity of a lot of the ideas out there.

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

• This morning I had to drop my husband at work at 5 AM (yes you read that right AM!!) as he had to get some animals ready for a few live TV crossings for morning TV (Channel 9 weather from 5.30).
• Today we are going to a home school friends house to attend an art co op.  We will be making paper mache masks using news paper, flour glue and balloons. 
• Tonight attending a Lorraine Lee Linen Party. at my sisters house.
• Tomorrow Sir N will be spending the day at his Granny's house where he will join his cousins in the annual put up Granny's Christmas ornaments.  
• I will be attending the Christmas Scrap 4 a Cause day out in Geelong making some Christmas gifts.  I can't wait! That will be 12 hours of uninterrupted creativity!

My favorite thing this week was…

•  Writing about Making Christmas real for our Children.  

• Putting up the Christmas tree, and heavenly host here at home. 
• Making a Jesse Tree and searching for ideas to share with you :)
• Watching Ice Age A Mammoth Christmas with Sir N and his cousin Miss A. Watch a clip on YouTube

What’s working/not working for us…

• Being committed to our routine in the morning and doing written school work before we sit and read together.

Questions/thoughts I have…

• Been thinking of schooling over December and January and how I am going to do that.  I am choosing to do this because we will be going on an over seas trip in April / May next year to South Africa for a 10 year family reunion.

Things I’m working on…

• I am also looking forward to starting our new ART program next week and preparing to do the next week of Expedition Earth. We started this off with a huge bang and some how dropped this along the way.  I am keen to get going with it again next week.

I’m reading…

• Have not had the time this week to invest in Mother Culture.  Will definitely schedule this in next week.

I’m cooking… 

• I am in the middle of planning to make some ginger bread houses next week and will be putting up a tutorial so watch this space .....

I’m grateful for…

• A husband who supports and trusts me to home educate our children.  I am grateful for good health and the beautiful sound of worship.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

"Irons rusts from disuse, 

stagnant water loses its purity and 

in cold weather becomes frozen; 

even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind."
~Leonardo da Vinci, Notebooks, 1508

Blessings

  

This post is linking to:

The Homeschool Mothers Journal over at The Homeschool Chick.