i'm holding this forever

these two make my world go 'round. 

this life as their Mama is far better than any other life i could have ever dreamed. so i'm holding on. tight. i'm saving drawings. i'm snapping photos. i'm tickling toes and bellybuttons. i'm saying yes to ice cream. i'm kissing foreheads. i'm speaking life into them, speaking God's word over them. i'm taking every chance to hug. i'm keeping them home and keeping them close. i'm thanking Jesus.

i'm tracing their busy little hands. i'm writing them love songs. i'm holding this -- i'm holding them -- forever.

these simple keepsakes were made using 5x5 ceramic tiles, my kids' handprints traced on cardstock and cut out, a black paint marker to write the lyrics, and Mod Podge to seal it. i wrote their names, the date, and their age on the back.

i hold on to the now. i make mementos. i cherish the moments.

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works for me: limiting kids TV time

i don't let my kids to watch a lot of TV. i'm kinda the Mean Mom on this one. there's just so much junk on TV. if it's not in the actual show itself, it's in the commercials. it's not good for their little developing minds. i'm not going to get on that soap box- you can do the research. instead, i'll tell you how i limit my kids' TV time.

TV Time Ticket Punch Cards!

how it works: one punch card per week (7 days) per child. 5 punches per card. one punch every time they watch 30 minutes of their choice show on TV. once the 5 punches are punched, no more TV for the rest of that week. if by chance they have not used all 5 punches in 7 days, they get to shop for a prize from the Dollar Tree or the Target One Spot. 

the TV Time Ticket Punch Card is not valid on family movie night or if they sit beside Dad while he's watching How It's Made.

we started this on Monday and by Wednesday morning they only have 1 punch! my kids are so excited about not watching TV so they can get a prize from the Dollar Tree. my plan is working! 

it's so simple. i cut up black construction paper and drew the design with a silver Sharpie marker. we keep the cards stuck on the refrigerator with a magnet so they can remember the system. 

DIY TV Time Ticket Punch Card works for me for limiting my kids TV watching!

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for Jason

this week's menu: cook it slow

Bubba is in a summer camp in the evenings this week, so all of our dinners will be made in the slow cooker - ready to eat when we get home from camp. i'm sure you are by now aware of my affection for my CrockPot. obviously, the first place i go for slow cooker recipes is to Stephanie's book, Make It Fast, Cook It Slow. (i need the 2nd book!) this week, both the book and the Crock are in the spotlight. plus a bonus recipe from my friend Michelle!

here's what's cookin' & links to the recipes:

monday: minestrone soup & toast

tuesday: baked potatoes & garden salad

wednesday: taco soup recipe from SomeGirlsWebsite

thursday: vegetarian shepherd's pie

friday: steaks (on the grill, not in the Crock)

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surely we would never cease

"Praise Him in the morning,

Praise Him in the evening, 

Praise Him when I'm young and when I'm old. 

Praise Him when I'm laughing, 

Praise Him when I'm grieving, 

Praise Him every season of the soul.

If we could see how much You're worth, 

Your power, Your might, Your endless love, 

Then surely we would never cease to praise You."

David Hodges - Everything That Has Breath

504. a firm foundation, God, for our home and family

505. friendly strangers
506. clearance price tags
507. indoor swimming pools
508. catching up with longtime friends
509. flipflop tan lines
510. Mr. Bob's storytime antics
511. little ones' belly laughs
512. backseat car movies and frozen yogurt
513. a blender that makes me happy
514. being pampered like a princess at Aveda
515. the opportunity to meet friends face to face
516. neighborhood lawn service
517. more time with my husband
518. friends that i know will pray
519. the healing power of time
520. wrapped up with my husband in prayer
521. peace in knowing everything will be righted by God
522. homemade iced vanilla latte
523. old coworkers, new friends
524. my little fish, confident and capable in the water
525. Sonic Oreo Blast
526. newborn baby yawn, stretching in my arms
527. sage advice @ #typeAcon feed
528. miracles in our midst
529. a few quiet moments to sit down and write
530. my children catching on to this kind of gift-counting

   

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Around Here Lately 6.24.11

This week…was our calm. After a week of golf camp and before a week of all-sports camp, this week was the in-between down time. We needed it; we were thankful for it! Unfortunately, my sweet BigGirl got very sick Tuesday night, but we were able to stay home all day Wednesday to get her well. She is better and we are all well rested. 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…one of the highlights of our week was storytime with Mr. Bob at Gorbella's. Gorbella's is a dream come true of mine, and the partnership with Mr. Bob is like the cherry on top of that dream. Mr. Bob (with his iguana, Jimmy) is pretty famous in our community for being the creme de la creme children's storyteller. The children - all ages - just adore his silly voices and animation! We also enjoyed an afternoon at Splash Factory with some of our best friends.

My favorite thing this week was…Chatting about Charlie & Trike at a Moms of Master Books #teachthetruth Twitter Party Tuesday night! We had a great turn-out, insightful and intriguing conversations, I met a lot of new friends, had an opportunity to pray for unbelievers, and we gave away loads of Master Books prizes. Kathy won the Grand Prize - 4 tickets to the Creation Museum in Kentucky! Way cool.  

I am praying…for this house to sell in God's perfect timing. That I will continue seeing the purpose in the waiting. Provision for my friend with a broken-down car. For one of my dear friends to break out of isolation and open her heart to be loved. That the MamasWrite mini-conference will be a huge success. For the healing, recovery, and peace for Kristin. For the healing and recovery of my husband's brother. 

Things I am working on…a recap of my day of being pampered with some beautiful bloggers, a DaySpring product review and giveaway, seeking speakers and sponsors for the Mamas Write Mini-Con, a Tom Thumb training pants review and giveaway, and planning another Moms of Master Books #teachthetruth Twitter Party on 7/19 featuring The Creation Story for Children! 

I am inspired by…What I Wore Wednesday. Crazy as it may seem, I find myself putting more thought into what I wear every day because I'm thinking about the #WIWW challenge - even though I don't post pictures or participate in Lindsey's weekly link-up. I am inspired by everyone that does! So fashionable! Keep it up, ladies, you look fabulous and you inspire me!

And that is what's been going on around here lately! I link up my Around Here Lately post each week with The Homeschool Chick's Summer Version of The Homeschool Mother's Journal. Have a great week, friends!

storm on the inside

the thunder boomed and lightning crackled. the wind was forceful, destructive. the storm violently disturbed the night.

i heard my daughter's cry. it was the bad cry; the cry she cries when she's hurting or afraid. 

she was very sick. and very afraid.

i wanted to reach up into the sky and grab the storm by it's neck and throw it into tomorrow. i wanted to swaddle my 6 year old baby in a receiving blanket and sing her back to sleep. 

she was frightened. "i tried to close my eyes and hold my ears shut," she said. "but it felt like there was a storm on the inside of me." 

that's fear. 

fear is a storm on the inside. physically destructive. a violent disturbance of the normal condition.   

the thunder continued to drum and the lightning zapped. she was sick all night. the damage was done. 

we were weary and weak in the morning. our backyard potted plants were knocked over, beaten down. my sweet princess didn't want to get out of bed, she had been beaten, too. 

like a storm, fear is capable of making the power go out. fear prevents us from being able to overcome. fear takes away our peace. a whirlwind through our spirit, fear knocks down our inner strongholds. 

we have to be stronger than fear. we have to know where to go- which closet or bathtub- for safety in the storms. we have to trust God to be our safeplace.

Lord, i pray my daughter is physically healed. i pray she is spiritually strengthened. i pray the next storm doesn't get to her (or any of us) on the inside. i pray fear can't get a grip on us. i pray we have the peace of Christ, and in His arms we run for safety and comfort. i pray nights are peaceful and restful, even during forceful disturbing storms. amen.

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves,

"Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

Mark 4:39 NIV

If you say, "The LORD is my refuge,"

and you make the Most High your dwelling,

no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 

For he will command his angels concerning you 

 to guard you in all your ways; 

they will lift you up in their hands, 

 so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 

You will tread on the lion and the cobra; 

 you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, 

"I will rescue him; I will protect him."

Psalm 91:9-14 NIV

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10 time-saving tips to make Mama's busy life easier

i'm a mom. yep, been at this gig for almost 7 years now. and i love it. and it keeps me super busy. over the years i've picked up a few time-saving tips and tricks for making this bustling Mom Life a little easier. here are 10:


1. wake up before the children and use that time wisely. yes, i know sleep is a precious commodity and everyone says sleep while the baby sleeps but trust me on this. shower and get dressed while the children are still snoozing. or tackle that sink of dirty dishes. then, when the sleeping angels wake up, you won't feel pressed for time or pulled in a million different directions.


2. invest in a good blender, and get familiar with smoothies and protein shake recipes. drinking your meals is fast, nutritious, and requires very little clean up!


3. fire your dirty clothes hamper. do laundry continually. keep the laundry cycle going. if it's dirty, toss it into the washer right away (but don't start it). when the washer is full of dirty laundry, wash it.


4. prep for tomorrow today. do as much as you can tonight to prepare for the morning. make snacks, fill sippy cups, lay out outfits, restock the diaper bag, and so forth. you will sleep peacefully knowing that you're ready for the morning. 


5. plan your family's meals. i know this sounds daunting but i promise it's a time-saving tip to make your busy life easier. what a relief to know on Monday morning what you're having for dinner that night and all the rest of the week, right? if you're not planning meals, you're probably scrambling and stressed out around 5pm and that just makes your busy life even more stressful.


6. do chores while your children are content. i made it a habit to always do kitchen chores when my baby was content in the highchair. now that my little ones are older i make the most of those moments when they are playing happily together or entertaining themselves. 


7. multitask. i pack my husband's lunch every morning before he leaves for work. while doing this, i also clean out the fridge. since i'm in there anyway getting his lunch stuff, i also grab old take-out boxes and leftover containers, old produce - trash, trash, trash. in just a few minutes the lunch box is packed and the fridge is clean!   


8. slice and dice fruits and vegetables as soon as you bring them home. other than a few exceptions to the rule, like apples and bananas, go ahead and prep that produce! put it in air-tight containers and stick it in the fridge for grab-and-go snacks and recipe-ready ease.


9. keep a snack bag. (and make it a pretty one!) this is a bag dedicated to snacks on the go. what's inside? sippy cups or bottles of water, a variety of healthy and yummy snacks for the kids, and a reusable ice pack. pack this at night. see #4.


10. teach your children to do things on their own. like put on and take off their own socks and shoes. like wash their own hands. like feed the dogs. your little ones are more capable than they let on, and teaching them these simple things will save you tons of time. 


and there you have it. my ten tips for making a busy mom's life easier. in all honesty: i wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Starbucks blogging program, for a gift card worth $30. for more information on how you can participate, click here.

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sow, reap

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; 

whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 

Let us not become weary in doing good, 

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:7-9 NIV

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linked with love to these Word-spreaders:

    

Charlie & Trike Twitter Party tomorrow!

Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure is an interactive story book featuring Charlie and Trike, a one-eyed tour guide, and their adventure deep into the Grand Canyon. Charlie, the monkey, finds himself in sticky situations and has a lot of questions about faith, the Bible, and everything he sees. Trike, a true friend, explains why we can always trust God's Word. together, the two learn a lot about trusting God and the Bible on this fun adventure to the great Grand Canyon.

i loved this book, and BigGirl did too. it's big and sturdy and colorful. on almost every page there is a little something extra to flip up or fold open- maps, quick facts, and Charlie's Green Notebook (adorable!) this book is also a great all-in-one resource for teaching geology, plants and animals, friendship, faith, and about Noah and the flood. a homeschooling must-have!

the story is written by Ken Ham with Karen Hansel for kids ages 4-8. it is a fun and exciting read, incorporating facts and history about the Grand Canyon with a simple lesson on Biblical truth. it was easy for my 5 year old to follow and understand. she fell in love with Charlie and she didn't want the adventure to end...especially when she saw the teaser on the last page!

Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure is easily one of our new favorite books, and it can be yours, too...

 Charlie & Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure by Ken Ham and Karen Hansel is the book of choice for the Moms of Master Books Twitter Party tomorrow night! 

Tuesday, June 21 at 8PM CST

#TeachtheTruth

Join the Moms of Master Books at the Twitter Party and you could win copies of the book, Charlie and Trike puzzles, stickers, pencils and MORE! The Grand Prize question crosses the Twitter border to Facebook for a fun survey that can be shared with even more friends, giving you the chance to win the ultimate grand prize from Master Books!

Follow @masterbooks4u 

and the Moms of Masterbooks Reviewers: 

@mamahall 

@apichea

@bowmania 

@momkaboodle

@getalonghome

@devotionmama

@momsmustardseeds

@thejohnsfamily

See you tomorrow night!

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this week's menu + a peek inside my fridge

monday: crunchy baked chicken *by request*

tuesday: cheeseburger pie (rollover)

wednesday: layered chicken burritos

thursday: steaks on the grill 

friday: breakfast for dinner

something about peering inside a friend's refrigerator just takes the friendship to a new level, don't you think?  the refrigerator contents, and the way they're stored, seem to give an up close and personal glimpse into the user's life. well, i want to take our friendship to the next level. i want to give you an up close and personal glimpse into my life. here is a peek into my refrigerator this morning:

what's inside: organic strawberry jelly, two leftover snack containers from Whole Foods, organic blueberries, organic eggs, organic milk, 2 containers of Dannon All-Natural vanilla yogurt (my son can't get enough of the stuff), apple juice for making freeze pops, organic orange juice, in the drawer we keep organic butter, cheeses, and tortillas, under the drawer is a container of hot dogs and a bottle of organic Root Beer, ground turkey defrosting in the bowl, in the bottom drawers there are grapes and oranges, sweet potatoes and baking potatoes. 

do you feel like you know me better now that you've seen the inside of my fridge?

 

and just for fun, check out this free printable safe refrigerator storage chart from thekitchn.com! this handy printable has information from the FDA on how long you can store food in your fridge or freezer. go here to download the PDF and print.   

happy meal planning, friends!

gratitude is the seed

The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Psalm 85:12 NIV

487. kid-friendly golf course
488. water. fresh, clean, and cold any time we want it
489. safer sunscreen for my babies' sweet skin
490. my "me time" at the gym
491. patient, courteous IRS customer service reps
492. potty training success
493. clean public restrooms
494. a cooling breeze on a 100 degree day
495. G-rated movies
496. battery-operated bubble machines
497. coupons for what i need when i need it
498. protective dogs
499. side streets to avoid traffic
500. God's peace stronger than my anxiety
501. the kind of Dad my husband is to our littles
502. John Osteen audio recordings
503. memory lane

if my gratitude is the seed, God's gifts are the harvest.    

give thanks, love God, and yield His harvest of gifts...

   

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Happy Father's Day

today we celebrate

the man you've become, and the love you pour out on these little ones.

Jeff, our children are forever blessed because you are their Daddy.

you are our rock. we are so thankful for all you do for us. 

we love you.

Happy Father's Day!

show off

i remember hearing children sneer at one another: "show off!"


they said it, spat it, in a fit of jealousy, to the one who was doing something well. this name-calling was always pointed to the one who was good, excelling, succeeding, and showing that they are doing well.


the name-calling - it's not nice. it's not fair. we want to do well. we want to be good, excel, succeed.  


but the only good and success worth showing off is that which comes through a life with Christ. 


it's important to be a show off for Jesus. we can tell people about God and His Son, we can bring them to church, share scripture with them, pray for them, and lead them to the cross again and again. but the truth is, our day to day actions speak much louder than any words.


so show off what it looks like to live a life saved. be a walking, talking, living example of fully trusting in the Lord. handle situations and conflicts the way Jesus wants you to. be the first to offer to serve. show off the difference between fear and faith in your attitude and actions. make decisions, say things, do things that tell people "she's got God on the inside!" behave in a manner that shocks the world but puts a smile on God's face. think and act and be: grace, kindness, peace, self-control, joy, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness. friends, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (1 John 3:18)


someone is always watching and what they see will be much more convincing than anything they hear. i want to be the kind of God-loving girl that makes non-believers think, "show off." because that thought will lead to, "what does she have that i don't?" and the only solid, worthwhile, and true answer is "Jesus." 


St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the gospel at every opportunity and use words if you have to." So go ahead...be a show off.

"But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. 

Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word 

and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 

You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 

But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, 

and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, 

then God will bless you for doing it. 

If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, 

you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless."

James 1:19-26 NLT

"He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: 

and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he." 

Proverbs 16:20 KJV

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, 

gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: 

against such there is no law." 

Galatians 5:22-23 KJV

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Psalm 71:5-6

For you have been my hope, 

my confidence since my youth. 

From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth 

from my mother’s womb. 

 I will ever praise you. 

Psalm 71:5-6 NIV

Chores For Little Ones

My kids are 2.5 and 6 years old. It's about time they earn their keep around here, wouldn't you agree? {wink}

Seriously, they are both old enough now to lend a helping hand. Teaching them to help around the house not only relieves some of my household duties, but it teaches them responsibility, teamwork, and how to take care of their belongings. I appreciate their help so much, and when I praise them for pitching in they are motivated to help me willingly more often, and that makes everyone happy.

We don't keep a chore chart. I simply ask my children to help as needed, offering them direction and guidance, and *sometimes* a treat as an incentive. Chore charts are great, but I really want my kids to know chores are something we do not because they're on a checklist but because it helps the family function peacefully. 

Little ones should always be supervised while doing chores, and your expectations of their abilities should be realistic. I know that when my 6 year old makes her bed the blankets might be a little lumpy, and it's okay. And when my 2 year old puts spoons in the silverware drawer they might be upside down, and it's okay. Even though it might not be exactly right, I would much rather have happy helpful children than an unhelpful or obsessive children! Practice makes perfect and praise makes peace.

Ten Chores My Kids Can Do

1. Unload the dishwasher. I let my 2year old take cups and bowls out of the dishwasher, wipe them dry, and put them in the lower cabinet.


2. Throw dirty clothes into the washing machine. My little ones help move dirty clothes from the hamper, into sorted piles (colors, whites, and towels), and into the machine.


3. Sweep the floors. With a handheld broom, little ones can sweep debris into a corner for Mom to put in the dustpan. It might take them longer than it would take you, but that's okay.


4. Make their bed. Pulling the top blanket up over the bed and putting pillows neatly at the head of the bed is easy enough. We have been teaching to make their beds first thing every day. And teaching by example, too!


5. Clean windows. With a cloth and a spray bottle of vinegar and water solution, little ones can help clean their own fingerprints off of the insides of lower windows and glass doors.


6. Wipe down bathroom counters and mirrors. The same vinegar-water solution will get toothpaste smudges and fingerprints off of mirrors and countertops.


7. Tidy the backyard toys. Balls, ride-on toys, toy lawnmowers, and sidewalk chalk all has it's place in the yard. My little ones are capable of putting their outside toys back where they belong.


8. Feed pets. Our kids take great pride in being responsible for feeding our two dogs twice each day. A simple little chore but it's so helpful and the dogs love them for it!


9. Water plants. What child wouldn't love pouring a big cup of water into the potted indoor plants? Or even spraying outdoor plants with the waterhose?


10. Bring in the mail. We have a shared mailbox with a key. The mail comes about the same time every day and my kids love to take turns going to open the mailbox and bring in the mail. They are even starting to sort it into piles and take the junk mail to the recycle bin. Another small chore that they love to help with!

Make the most of your opportunity to teach your little ones household chores. Make it fun and remember to give high-fives after a job well done! 

"She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, 

   and keeps them all busy and productive.

Her children respect and bless her; 

   her husband joins in with words of praise..."

Proverbs 31:28-29 The Message

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habitual gratitude

472. flowers from a friend
473. kid-friendly coffee shops
474. text messages from Centralized Showing Service
475. old neighborhoods with big trees shading sidewalks
476. water spritz sprayers on a hot sticky day
477. iced coffee drinks
478. borrowed furniture
479. friends i can count on
480. our frog friend on the back porch
481. 4 pounds of strawberries
482. calm and quiet evenings
483. my junior golfers, naturals on the course
484. mental and spiritual "red flag" warnings
485. sweet compliments from my daughter
486. unexpected hugs from my son
487. believing God for provision and He provides
488. watching my kids watch a movie wearing 3D glasses
489. playtime with friends before they move
490. memories to add to my "waiting" journal
491. DEET-free insect repellent and safe sunscreen
492. cheerful trust in the Trust-Giver
483. ready obedience when He calls
484. a praise-filled peace to grasp during an anxiety attack
485. blogger friends face to face, and our children laughing, playing
486. grace for when the words don't come out right

this is my ongoing list of one thousand gifts... and then some. not gifts that i want. gifts that i already have. gifts that God has placed before me, reminding me daily of His unconditional love. i am only almost half way to a thousand, and my life is changed. i count gifts constantly; it has become a way of life.  


there is an entire community of bloggers who have caught this attitude of gratitude and join Ann once a week for Multitude Monday. join in, give thanks, love God, and live awakened to His gifts.

   

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Around Here Lately {Homeschool Mother's Journal}

This week…was busy and hot and fun. We have made a small dent in our summer calendar already!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…we went to the Fort Worth Zoo this week with some MamaChiks (MOPS) friends! It was my first time to take the kids to the zoo without the stroller! And we survived! Both of my kids had a great time and both say the monkeys were the best! The Fort Worth Zoo has a dinosaur exhibit right now which was a special treat for us. Big, animated model dinosaurs were around every corner. I was crazy thankful that we had read Dinosaurs for Kids by Ken Ham so that I could teach my little ones the biblical truth about these creatures!  

My favorite thing this week was…a playdate with some very special friends! My kids and I had a blast with the MamasWrite group- Dallas-area Christian Mom Bloggers. One of my favorite things ever is when blogging friends cross the border and become IRL friends. That, and the Nutella Rice Krispie Treats that I made. Oh my gracious.

I am praying…for this house to sell in God's perfect timing. For the healing and recovery of my husband's brother. For the healing of my neighbor's Father-in-Law, Scotty. For my blogging friends with broken hearts. For the unspoken needs of my family and friends. God knows. For Kristen, her family, and the Mercy House family. I'll be wearing my Love Mercy necklace and praying for specific needs each day while they are working in Africa. Use this printable prayer calendar and join me? 

Things I am working on…tackling many creative projects from my Pinterest boards! My kids are participating in The Homeschool Village Homeschool Summer Reading Program, are yours?

I am reading…the Book of Acts in the Bible. I just started reading and studying it, using this free printable Bible study guide. I've read Acts in bits, pieces, and chunks, but never studied it in-depth before. I am excited about what God will reveal!

And that's what's been going on around here lately! I hope your summer is off to a fun start, too!

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