Occupied

After a few years of vacancy, our chicken coop is finally occupied again, by one Silkie Bantam and three french hens.  This time, without the sound of a rooster crow.  Our last experience with little hens proved that they were too young to notice that one was, in fact, a rooster ;-)

The children used to race to the coop each morning to gather eggs.  So, last week our new hens started laying eggs, just in time for Easter egg decorating and hunting.  Every morning is like Christmas!

Summer Reads, Gospel Picture Study, and Tonto Natural Bridge

"Children don't stumble onto good books themselves. They must be introduced to the wonder of words put together in such a way that they spin out pure joy and magic."

~Gladys Hunt

We finally found a terrific way to hold our morning devotional.  Even the little ones can participate in our Gospel Picture Study, using the Gospel Art Picture Kit for the life of Christ.  While the kids are eating breakfast (mouths full : ), I read the back of a picture and they "Look and Listen."  Then, I ask them to close their eyes and tell me EVERY little detail they remember from the picture and the story.  We repeat each picture for three days in a row.  We are all RETAINING the scripture stories better, Mom included!  Then, on Sunday, we mix all the pictures up on the floor and create a Timeline.

In Elder Neil L. Andersen's talk titled Tell Me the Stories of Jesus he says,

"The stories of Jesus can be like a rushing wind across the embers of faith in the hearts of our children. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The stories of Jesus shared over and over bring faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strength to the foundation of testimony. Can you think of a more valuable gift for our children?

Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? Do they think about the Savior’s life when they wonder what to do in their own lives? This will be more and more important in the years ahead." 

To top it off, we use our Memorize Board  www.gomemorize.com, so we consistently SEE the picture and the scripture as we pass by this wall in the family room.  Love it!  

September Friday Family Field Trip

Ahhh.... enjoying the view!

Confessions of a Converted Reader

I started collecting Children’s Literature my first year of college. Since then, I have steadily added to my Home Library each year. In the past I have been a reader of scriptures, parenting books, how-to manuals, self-help, and nutrition books.

Once in a while I would hear about those people who eat books for breakfast. Looking back, I think my dad was one of them… But, for those of you who HAVE been hearty readers your whole life… I have some catching up to do!

This past year I completed the first half of a 5 Pillar Certification Program which was created by George Wythe University. It was an inspiring and transforming experience and Wow - I believe in the power of self education! I have caught the reading bug and now “I cannot live without books” as Thomas Jefferson said.

"Because life and time are short, we will be able to read only a few thousand books in our lifetimes. When we pick any book, we are ruling out hundreds and thousands of other books. How important it is, then, to choose time-proven great books that will [uplift and transform us], and enable us to rise to greater levels of truth and beauty and insight and understanding and, hence, spirituality. Many great men and women have found that a steady, systematic approach to literature has enabled them to fill their beings, in a lifetime of good reading, with the great thoughts of men and women of all the ages, for through reading great books we are put in touch with the great minds of all time, and we become their spiritual and intellectual heirs.” George W. Pace

In the last 2 weeks, because I have a break from my 5 Pillar group, I have finished The Anatomy of Peace, listened to 3/4 of Pride and Prejudice and 1/2 of The 8th Habit by Steven Covey. I like to keep a "classic" going along with a "principle" book. I admit that I listen to the audio books of about 1/2 of what I read on my ipod and follow the actual book when I come to something I want to mark. By using audio books, I can do housework at the same time ~ gotta multi-task with a house full of 5 little ones! :)