Sunday, December 25, 2016

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!


Adoration of the Shepherds
Domenico Ghirlandaio


"For, this day, is born to you a Savior, 
who is Christ the Lord, 
in the city of David."

Luke 2:11


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Saturday, December 24, 2016

Our Weekly Wrap Up ~ December #1



I know, I know! It's been a long time since I posted a weekly wrap-up. In fact, I haven't done one yet for this school year and it's almost 2017! So this will be the first for this school year and the last on for 2016!

So where have been? 

Here, there, and everywhere. Life just got very busy. In fact, it was down right hectic. We took a month long vacation in September and I've been trying to get back into the swing of things since then. I can't believe it's almost Christmas and a New Year! A month off at the beginning of the school year has thrown things off. We've struggled with getting back into things. The kids have had a hard time getting into school and their lessons. Now with two in middle school, I swear it feels like more work. I miss the days of learning to read and fun crafts to learn new things.

We are already a little behind this year, but hey it seems like we fall behind every year. Officially school didn't start until October for us, since we were traveling across the United States the month before. We did a lot of hands on learning that month. Geography, history, science, nature studies, animal studies, etc. We were able to see so many beautiful places in our country. It was an amazing trip! Stay tuned, I'll be sharing all the places we traveled over the next few weeks.

So we are a little behind but that's O.K. since we can school whenever we want and go year round. I've found schooling year round helps solve summer boredom and all that forgotten information from months off of school. I've been saying we homeschool year round for the last few years since we fall behind or take breaks when the first warm days after winter arrive. When it's warm and sunny after a snowy, cold winter who doesn't want to head outdoors. As long as they are learning then we are doing fine.

So what have we been doing in school.....

We are now into our 3rd month of school. We are figuring out what is working and what doesn't. The kids are part of few co-op classes...science and art (I'm teaching that one). Therese is still doing her St. Zita's Home Ec. club. They've made pillows, a memory board, embroidered a hot pad, made a Christmas ornament, and had a Advent party last week. We are slowly, very slowly getting back into the swing of things. Te kids are figuring out what subjects they are enjoying and which ones they are not. We switched a lot of our curriculum this year, so it's been a little challenging so far. I think we've made the right choices so far, but only time will tell.

In history, we are learning about the Civil War, reconstruction, and heading west. We bought fabric this week to make fake coon skin hats. We haven't started the hats yet, but the cats keep fighting over the fake fur to sleep on. They've even growled at each other. Silly kitties! The fabric is currently in their sleeping baskets and they love it. We may not get it back.

What are the kids working on....

Michael is teaching himself how to play the guitar. He found some old books in our basement and is trying hard to master the different cords. So far he is doing great. If he keeps up the interest, we'll look into lessons for him. He's getting an electric guitar for Christmas. SSHHH...don't tell! I know he will be extremely excited about it.

Therese is learning to sew. She's still practicing her singing. She wasn't able to try out for the play this year, but plans to give it a try next year. She is getting more and more interested in fashion and hair. My baby girl is growing up into a beautiful young lady. I don't think I'm ready for that.

What I'm working on....

Well, I've been busy. Of course, we decorated for 
Advent and Christmas. We've made a few Christmas cookies. Actually the kids did this while I was sick.


I've been busy sewing. I made one of our hens a chicken apron, since you didn't get all er feathers back with this years molt. I didn't want her to be cold.
I made curtains for our back door.The sun comes in during the late afternoon hours and blinds whoever is sitting in there. 


What the kids are reading....

Michael is rereading The Hobbit. He will finish it tonight, He then is going to move onto The Lord of  Rings trilogy.

Therese is reading through our Christmas book collection. 
You can see a few of our favorites here, here, and here.

What I'm reading.....

I just checked out A Call to Mercy: Hearts to Love, Hands to Serve by Mother Teresa from the library. I plan on starting it once things settle down after Christmas day.









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Friday, December 23, 2016

Daybook Post~ Fourth Week of Avent


Outside my window~


Bare trees and downed limbs from the wind, but the temperature s a little warmer here right now. Last week it was in the single digits. This week it's a hot 36 degrees. It's sad when 36 degrees feels warm.

With the cold temperatures, I know have a little yellow chicken wearing a coat. This past fall she didn't get all of her feathers back, so she had a few bare spots. I couldn't let here freeze! What could I do? Make her a coat. She wasn't happy about it at first but now she doesn't mind at all. I'm happy she will be warm this winter.

What I am thankful for~

~our wood burning stove
~a warm house
~ a cup of hot tea
~heavy blankets to curl up with
~ a hubby that pulls the blanket up around me when he gets out of bed
~ twinkling Christmas lights

What I've been reading~

Nothing! We have been to busy with getting ready for Christmas....decorating, baking cookies, making new ornaments, wrapping gifts, and sending out Christmas cards. 

Our homeschool~

Last week Therese and Michael work sick on different days,so school was a little different. Whenever was feeling well did the basics, while the sick one rested. We started Christmas break this week. All subjects are done for now. The only subject you can say we are still doing is religion, but religion is just not a subject you learn. Our faith is something we live everyday.



My work is not yet done. I've been working ahead and getting the next semesters lessons lined up. When our Christmas break ends, we will be ready to get down to business!


What we are listening to~

Advent and Christmas music of course. I just love this time of year.




What I am praying for~

~ our country as a new president takes over
~ for people to respect human life and each other
~ my great aunt
~ the repose soul of my great uncle who passed away (He was 102!)
~ my family
~ our priests
~ safe travels for everyone I know who is traveling this Christmas season





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Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Wordless Wednesday


Fall has been warmer than usual, so we still have flowers blooming!


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Monday, December 12, 2016

Our Lady of Guadalupe


"Let your heart not be disturbed. 
Am I not here who is your mother?
Are you not under my protection, 
Am I not your health?
Are you not happy within my fold?
What else do you wish?
Do not be grieved or disturbed by anything?

~Blessed Mother to St. Juan Diego

You can see how we celebrate this beautiful feast day on this post.
Be sure to make some Mexican Wedding Cookies. They're a favorite in our house.
We even make some gluten free.

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Sunday, December 11, 2016

Living Like a Saint~ St. Juan Diego





"I am a nobody, I am a small rope, a tiny ladder, 
the tail end, a leaf."

~St. Juan Diego




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Thursday, December 1, 2016

Traveling Thursdays~ The Corn Palace



After a brief stop in Indiana, we headed west again. So far. we have traveled though VA,WV, OH, IL, IN, IA. We are now stopping in South Dakota. 
A fun place and very interesting place we stopped at was The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota.
It's located in the middle of nowhere, but is a great place to get out and stretch your legs.


The Corn Palace was first established in 1892! Mitchell, South Dakota at the time was a small town. The palace was built to be a community center and a place to celebrate the crop, the growing season, and the all important harvest.


Each year a theme is picked. This years theme was rock of ages! It commemorates America's music.


Willie Nelson


Elvis



The place is created using a variety of corn, grasses, and grains. They currently use 13 different colors of corn!


It's amazing to see the  beautiful pictures they have created using crops from our great nation.


Inside the palace, they have a wonderful exhibit that contains pictures of the previous year's Corn Palace designs. Some of the creations in the past were incredible! 




We crossed over the Missouri River!


Next stop......Prairie dog town!


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Thursday, November 24, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving!




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Sunday, November 20, 2016

Living Like a Saint~ Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque


"My Divine Heart so ardently loves men that, unable to contain within itself any longer the flames of its burning love, it needs must spread them with your assistance, and thus it will show itself that all men may be enriched with it most precious treasures."

~Words spoken by Our Lord to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

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Thursday, November 17, 2016

Traveling Thursdays~ A Search for Garfield




Like most children of the 1980's, my sister and I were huge fans of Garfield. We had stuffed animals, posters, pajamas, cups, and t-shirts.
Garfield, the famous cat cartoon, was created by Jim Davis. Jim Davis was born in Fairmount, Indiana.
While driving west, we stumbled upon Grant County, Indiana. As we were driving,  the kids saw a Garfield statue. This would be one of many we would see.


Grant County, Indiana actually has a Garfield Trail. 
You can download a map to follow and find all 12 of them. 



Paws for Thought Garfield
Scream for Ice Cream Garfield
Along the Lazy River Garfield
A Worldly Cat Garfield
Firefighter Garfield
Basketball Player Garfield
The Cool Cat Garfield (James Dean)
Golfing Garfield
The Big Boom Garfield
Doctor Garfield
Rails to Trails Garfield
Speed King Garfield



This was a fun scavenger hunt to do. It definitely broke up the long hours driving in the car for the kids. We found about half of the Garfield statues. 
While searching, I definitely suggest stopping by Ivanhoe's Restaurant. 
They have delicious ice cream. 
They offer over 100 milkshake and 100 sundaes!


If you need to get out and stretch your legs for a bit. There is a beautiful garden in Marion, Indiania. It's is absolutely breath taking It's called The Gardens in Matter Park. It reminded me of te English gardens in London. I wish we had a garden back here at home. 
Sadly, I completely forgot to take my camera with us.

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Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Wordless Wednesday~ Fall






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Tuesday, November 15, 2016

TOS Review~ Commissioned from Chara Games

Board Game

Does your family enjoy playing games and spending time together? Our family loves playing board games. We try to have at least one night a week that is game night. I will admit that there are some weeks this doesn't happen. We get too busy. Even when times get too busy, I always keep my eye out for fun new games to add to our collection. We were thrilled to add the game Commissioned from Chara Games to our collection.


History

Chara Games is a Christian company started by Patrick and Katherine Lysaght. The company was started to offer families creative and fun games with a Christian theme. Chara is the biblical Greek word for unshakable joy. Chara Games want to help families find joy with each other while building those special relationships that grow when families spend quality time together. What better way to spend time together than to play a fun board game. Of course, building a close relationship with God will fill us with so much joy. A family that plays and prays together stays together.


Bible History Game

So What is Commissioned?

For this review, we received the historical and biblical themed game Commissioned from Chara Games. Commissioned is the first game available from this wonderful company. You can purchase the game through amazon or at your local store! The game costs $44.00 and already has 5 stars on Amazon. They now have the game 3 Seed available too.

History


The game is a cooperative strategy board game that 2-6 players can play. It takes about one hour to play. The first couple of times the game is played will take a bit longer as you try to figure out what you are doing. Be sure to watch the instructional video online. Commissioned is recommend for ages 14 and up. Both my kids are under fourteen, they are 11 and 13. The did fine with the game once we understood what we were doing.

The game comes with the following pieces.....

1 Double Sided Game Board
5 Double Sided Scenario Cards
6 Apostle Player Boards
6 Wooden Player Pawns
96 Faith Cards
27 Trial Cards
4 Wood Missionary Meeples
75 Wood Church Member Cubes
1 Wood Elder Staff
30 Double Sided Stop Tokens
5 Double Sided Extinguished Tokens
1 Converted City Leaders Token 
1 Roman Legion Token
1 Die
1 Rule Book
1 Theme Appendix Book


As players play the game Commissioned, they will be placed into the roles of the early Christians, the Apostles. Players will travel back in time 150 years. Players have to work together to build their faith decks, grow the early Christian church, collect the books of the New Testament, and overcome the trials and persecution the early Christians had to face.

So How Do You Play?

First off, this game it not very easy to understand when you first start playing. It has a lot of components that take some time to get a hang of. After reading the instructions, I will admit I was lost. Thankfully, there is an instructional video to watch. 
Since the game is a cooperative game, players must work together. This is a little different from most games. Usually in games players are trying to win and beat their opponent. With Commissioned, players are learning to work together! This is great for working on teamwork and cooperation. The game is a little tricky to explain, but I'll try m best to briefly describe it. 
The game is played in three rounds...Arm, Live, and Mature. 

Christian


~Arm Round~
Players draw 6 faith cards to play with during the game

~Live~
This round has 5 actions
Trials
Pray
Share
Move 
Grow

~Mature~
After completing the 5 actions during the Live round players use their faith cards to get more faith cards.

This may seem a little confusing, but if you watch the video it will all make since. I promise!

The first thing players do when they start playing is to choose a scenario card. This will determine what side of the board players will be using during the games. They do make recommendations for new players. Players then become one of the Apostles. 

Strategy Game


Players can choose from Peter, Paul, John, Andrew, Thomas, or Barnabas. Each Apostle has their own board, pawn piece, and faith cards. Once these things have been decided, players will start going through the rounds I mentioned above.


Strategy History Board Game

What Did We Think of Commissioned?

The game is extremely well made. The boards are thick and sturdy. They definitely seem like they would last a long time. The game is colorful and the drawings are very well done. 
My biggest issue with the game is learning to play. It's very confusing. I didn't find the directions very helpful. I actually found them very confusing to follow. When I started reading the directions and trying to play with the kids, we all became a little frustrated. The kids were more so and were ready to quit within a few minutes. Thankfully, Chara Games has a video online that shows you how to play. It explains the game and makes it easy for players to understand what is expected. I highly recommend watching the video! I would suggest watching it and figuring out how to play before bringing the kids into the equation. Less stress for mom and the kids. 
The first few rounds take longer than an hour. I'd say the first 4 times we played, no one was really enjoying it. I will say that Therese and I are not big fans of strategy games, so we may not be the best people to ask. However, by the 6th time playing everyone was getting the hang of it and was starting to have some fun. 
If you have a strategy game lover in your family, they will thoroughly enjoy Commissioned from Chara Games. If you are not a fan of strategy games, this might not be as much fun for you. Out of all of us, Michael enjoyed the game the most. He loves these types of games. Therese didn't find the game all that exciting. 

Just in time for Christmas, Chara Games has a new game available for families to play. 


The new game is called 3 Seeds. 3 Seeds is a strategic card Christian theme game. The game is for 2-5 players and play lasts in between 30-45 minutes. Players use the 3 seed cards (time, money, & labor) to complete crops, use special event cards to earn bonuses, and find hidden harvest cards. Players need to remember that it's not just what you sow, but where you sow. 



Some of the crew review members will be reviewing, so be sure to stop by and see how much they've enjoyed this new Christian game from Chara Games.


Find out more about Chara Games.....



Want to see what other families thought of Commissioned?
Click the link below and read the reviews!

Commissioned {Chara Games}
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Please Note~ This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you. 

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