Life at this Moment

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The last two months have seemed so chocked full of activity. We’ started back with school at the beginning of August and had what seemed like a non-stop array of visitors during those first few weeks.

Rick has been working like crazy to get our bonus room finished above our garage so we can have a separate space for our schoolroom. It’s been a work in progress over the last few months and we’re just about finished!!

Painting is just about done and we’re finishing up trim and moving everything into the room. And organizing.

We had this past week off from school and are starting back up on Monday ~ and the kids and I are so very excited to be in the new room!! Can’t wait to share the finished room and give you a tour around.

We Choose Virtues ~ Developing Positive Character in Kids

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So very excited! I just downloaded the Teacher’s Handbook from We Choose Virtues and am waiting for a few more pieces of the program to arrive so we can start using it with our kids. We Choose Virtues is a program that focuses on developing positive character in children.
From the website…

Need some Patience? Or maybe the kids in your life do? How about Perseverance, Honesty, or Kindness? We make Virtues super simple to teach so YOU can inspire your own kids or the students in your class every day!  How? Virtue becomes more than just “big words”. Each one comes to life through our positive catchphrases and fun demonstrations.

You have to admit…the cards and characters that are part of the program are pretty cute ~ and catchy! Until the end of September, We Choose Virtues is offering a few discounts:

~ 15% off your entire order with the code VIRTUE15 {no expiration}
~ 25% off the Teacher’s Virtue Cards for Families or the Home School Kit using code Virtuemom {expires 9/30/11}

Can’t wait to start using these with the kids!

My Influence on My Children…

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I’ve been reading Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson {yes, the same author from Ministry of Motherhood ~ have I mentioned how much I love her?}.  There was a passage that I underlined and highlighted and wanted to share…

“Because God has blessed me with a husband and children, a part of His call to me is to follow His plan for families. And that means I am to shepherd the hearts of the children whom He has providentially placed in my care. I am to care for them tenderly and to partner with God and my husband in leading my children to know and love His Word and to follow His will.

This design doesn’t mean I have to lose myself in my children’s lives. On the contrary, following God’s design for living is the true key to finding myself – to becoming the person He had in mind for me all along. And saying yes to the mission of motherhood has certainly not meant giving up ministry. To a great extent, it is my ministry….

…my influence on my children is limited only by the smallness of my dreams and my lack of commitment to the Lord and His purposes.”

~ Sally Clarkson, p 15 & 16

 

Our ‘New’ Little Boy

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A little over two weeks ago we took Kaleb to the doctor’s after a strange rash began showing up all over his body.  Truthfully, he hadn’t been feeling well for awhile, but nothing seemed to make sense. Our doctor had him tested for Lyme disease and it came back with a BIG fat positive.

Enter the antibiotics.

We’re now almost at the end of treatment and can I just tell you ~ oh.my.word. The difference in the boy is nothing short of amazing. Where we once had a little boy who complained about how tired he was, we now have a little boy FULL of life and energy. The little boy who hardly ate a thing on his plate is asking for third and fourth servings.

It’s like we’ve had a new little boy deposited into our household.

In short ~ it’s wonderful and we are so happy to have him here.

Hidden Affections ~ Book Review & Giveaway

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Annabelle Tyler is reeling from the death of her mother and the recent betrayal from her now ex-husband ~ not something that is spoken of in polite society in the early 1800’s. Although she had no part in any of the scandal that has shaken her world, she hopes for a new start where no one is familiar with her situation.

When her carriage is overtaken by highwaymen, she and a fellow traveler are put into a compromising condition and forced into a marriage neither expected.

Harrison Graymoor is one of the most eligible bachelor’s in Philadelphia society with a reputation that is not impeccable. He has no desire to marry and when forced into the situation, quickly scrambles to find a way out.

Although the situation is less than desirable, as they begin to spend time together in their sham marriage, affections quietly come to the surface that neither expected to face. Will they continue the course to resolve their marriage or will their affections lead them elsewhere?

My Thoughts

This was truly one of my favorite reads lately ~ and one that I’ve already passed along to several others to read. I absolutely fell in love with both characters in this book and the relationship that developed between them. Out of all the character though, the meddling housekeeper, a true gem of a woman, was probably my favorite though. Through her gentle {and often not-subtle} nudging, emotions are uncovered and relationships developed. This is one book that I’ll be keeping on my bookshelf for some time!

The Giveaway

Would you like to win a copy of Hidden Affections by Delia Parr? Bethany House has offered to give away a copy to one of my readers!

Leave a comment on this post ~ be sure there is a way for me to contact you. The giveaway will be open until Tuesday, September 13th, 2011 {US residents only}.

About the Author

~ Visit Delia Parr’s website

~ Buy Hidden Affections at Amazon

~ Keep up with the latest book releases from Bethany House

This book was provided for review by Bethany House. All opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

BUNCHES of New Kindle Freebies

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Many of you know that I keep {usually} current list of Kindle freebies linked in my sidebar.

Today I had to share that there are a BUNCH of new freebies added to the list, so be sure to click over and check them out! There are over TWENTY current freebies!! Here are just a few of the new ones:

A Daughter’s Inheritance by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

No Place for a Lady by Maggie Brendan

The Preacher’s Bride by Jody Hedlund

The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

Check out the full list of current Kindle freebies here:

http://www.noordinarymomentsblog.com/p/kindle-freebies.html