Blog Look

I LIKE the black backgrounds because the make my photos POP....but its a bit dreary to be greeted by all that green and black day after day (so it's only been 3 days - I HAVE to have a reason for changing the look again so quickly. ::snort::).

Here's the thing - it's LATE here and I'm tired. ALL color fonts are hard on my eyes. I got Jamin to give his opinion...but if this is truly nasty....I'll go with a different color font in the a.m. He thought black would work well....I thought a bit lighter....who knows....but feel free to leave your color suggestions. We thought white was a bit stark - I left gray in the sidebar - but it seems light too....

Mom, is this better than "putrid green"? ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Lent...Passover...

Lent is HERE....nearly....Passover...this year is NOT slowing down. Click HERE to download a free 15 page Lenten Activity Booklet (Protestant bent). The author, Miiko Gibson, also has a Holy Week Family Devotional at CurrClick. Miiko is the lady who hosts the annual Inductive Advent Study that we like to use.

THIS is a lapbook on Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. I'm not sure if we'll do this or stick with our readings and the free activity folder.

For those who wonder WHY our family is doing Lent these days - read A Protestant/Low Church Family Does Lent. I wrote this last year and I feel the same this year. I actually wrote quite a few posts on Lent last year as we explored the concept. If you want to read more, enter "Lent" in the search box.

I'm amazed this season is upon us already. I'm determined not to stress over the busy-ness of the next 6 weeks, or trying to celebrate Passover...I'm going to focus on the meaning of this season...for us (being you know - Low Church Protestant) the celebrations of Lent and Passover are aids to focusing on Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.....I intend to focus and be drawn into ever-deepening intimacy with the Savior of my soul.

I DO want to find a cool cross with candles to light during our devotions the next six weeks....

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

The day began bright and early when I heard this.

I gave him a piece to play with and started yogurt in the crock pot.

Zander was very excited. He showed Jamin all his viking books. This is the ferocious dragon book.

I ran to the gym.

Nolan used Zander's pages as a template, and cut out his own.

We did school, put lapbooks together, made hand outs and played. I discovered how useful Mike's workshop can be...Super Glue too. LOL

Spies in disguise....

I attended Mom's Night Out. Dropped off a friend's books for her as she was sick and couldn't stay at MNO.

Discovered really THIN yogur back at home....I'll use it in smoothies...and I'm making Greek Cheese with some of it.

I called Mike but we only said, "Hi, I miss you..." before he had to run.

I'm going to sleep....5:30 comes bright and early.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

REMINDER

If you won one of the books during the Valentine giveaway you need to email me your address at dschoosingjoy@gmail.com - unless, of course, you live locally (2) or are my daughter.

If I do not have you address by Wednesday of this week, I will pick another recipient for your book. I HAVE to do this to keep things moving....and I've personally commented on your blog or sent you an email if you won.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Zander's Awesome Discovery

Zander and Nolan had a bit of a falling out over Nerf guns and ammo. It seems that Zander tends to lose the ammo and Nolan owns the guns. One gun was totally out of little darts. Nolan threw the gun away. I didn't realize you could buy REPLACEMENT darts....oy vey. When I think of the Nerf guns we've thrown out. ::snort::

Zander hauled the gun out of the garbage and asked me if I thought I could buy more ammo. I did a quick Amazon search and whatdayaknow! ::grin::

Zander, Stacia and I headed to Walmart....Zander is well-known by several clerks at Walmart. He is such a sweetie...but that lack of impulse control means that he's missing a few filters...and so....he's remembered.

He picked out the ammo. He had his allowance.

He paid. Miss Ida handed him back $1.47 and a receipt. She said, "Thank you, Sir."

He smiled real big and yelled, "AWESOME! Mom, I gave her some money and she gave me a WHITE PIECE OF PAPER and more money back!" By this time Miss Ida and all the shoppers around were smiling.

He continued, "I need to buy MORE things in this store, and get more money!" ::snort::

Back at home Zander tells Jared, "It's really COOL to buy things at Walmart!" Jared was less than overwhelmed at the awesomeness of his OWN receipt.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Pastorless Pastor's Wife

It's always a bit "strange" to go to church without Mike. But that's what we did today. It was fun to hear Ch. B and hug on Mandy. They of the dream assignment. ::snort::

I got up bright and early and started a crock pot full of yogurt. I FORGOT that I did this and discovered some very nasty smelling milk this evening. ::snort::

Josiah and Jamin went to the rodeo with friends.

Jared and the rest played games.

Zander had an adventure at Walmart - a mommy blog that I'll write later.

I kept working on coming up with something that would look like a Viking Longboat for the lapbook. I also put together a hand out of lapbook resources to put on our table tomorrow night. Jen pointed out how funny it is that 2 - 3 years ago I was congratulating myself on 3 years with TOG and NOT HAVING MADE ONE LAPBOOK. ::snort:: Then came Zander...and Nolan....

The kids all enjoyed a round or two of Spy Alley. Then Josiah had to go home and study for three exams that he takes tomorrow. (Some of those spies are very sinister looking, aren't they?)

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

SCORE!

After seeing THIS last night....

Nolan told me he thought it would be best if we put his viking lapbook in a "normal" folder. ::snort::

Zander is REALLY into Vikings...which is why we've moved into the Renaissance but are still spending oodles of time reading about Vikings etc. I figure if I can turn the alphabet into Viking work, I have a fighting chance of teaching him to read - or at least recite the alphabet. ::snort::

I combined Thoughtful Mom and Debbie's ideas and this is what I came up with.

Not bad? I used legal size file folders. I still have to figure out how to connect it at the bottom....stapler won't work. I think Mike has some leather in the workshop and I'll stitch it somehow...or something. I'm going to find a stick for the mast and let Zander decorate the sail. And if Nolan repents and wants a Longboat book? I guess I'll let him make one for himself. ::snort:: Nah, I'll help. This would be much easier with card stock...I thought copy paper would be too flimsy.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.