Read today!

In 1986, Gordon Wells, reported only one factor was of importance in predicting how well a child would read and write at age ten: how many times the child had been read to before coming to school.

-from Spelling Through Phonics

Heavenly Muse

Heavenly Muse, Spirit who brooded on
The world and raised it shapely out of nothing,
Touch my lips with fire and burn away
All dross of speech, so that I keep in mind
The truth and end to which my words now move
In hope. Keep my mind within that Mind
Of which it is a part, whose wholeness is
The hope of sense in what I tell. And though
I go among the scatterings of that sense,
The members of its worldly body broken,
Rule my sight by vision of the parts
Rejoined. And in my exile's journey far
From home, be with me, so I may return.

-Wendell Berry

What are you reading today?

Organized the bookshelves with the help of a dear and talented friend! What will you read to your children today?

What A Gift

Had a great weekend away. To think this is less than 2 hours from our door! My husband gave me a gift of 24 hours alone in a hotel to just be, to plan for our upcoming school year and to rest.

Try to get some time to yourself, out of the house, even if just for a few hours in a quiet hotel lobby or a library. It will help you hear God more clearly and love your
family better. Just do it! Plan today to take some time in the next week. Ask your husband for help and support in this. We need rest and rejuvenation if we are going to successfully accomplish this job of raising hearts for eternity!

This makes me happy.

Books.

T-shirt to save a child?

Hi Friends!

Amy and Court having started fundraising for their upcoming adoption and are selling these adorable pink ladies T-Shirts. See her blog for more information.

http://james127family.blogspot.com/2011/07/t-shirts-anyone.html

Have a lovely summer evening!

Books: Strengthen Bonds

My favorite mommy author, Sally Clarkson, often talks about tying heart strings with your children as often as you can. Last Christmas, our family wanted to do some activities and gifts that were more meaningful than just "stuff." We decided to record each adult reading a children's book. Today, my boys were so thrilled to hear their Nana reading to them! We even had a page turn chime so that the pre-readers can read along. What a gift! These recordings will last long after the kids' grandparents leave this earth. What a GIFT!


There are many simple ways to record audio, whether using a computer mic or a free iPhone app. I then uploaded the audio files to iTunes, which converted them to email-able mp3 format. Easy peazy lemon squeezy! Go tie some heart strings!

A Special Day

Happy 15th anniversary, babe! What an adventure we've had! I love you.




Today would have been my Dad's 65th birthday, it made our wedding extra special in that it was on his 50th birthday. He was so glad to get Eric as a son, golfing buddy, football fan, and friend.



Dad with Josh, 2003.

How does your garden grow?

Your backyard garden, your soul's garden, your children's spirits? Are you tending, nurturing, weeding so that you can harvest?







(thanks to Sally Clarkson for this analogy- it's one I love)

Another Daddy Project

Last week Daddy decided to build a kidwash for the hot summer days. PVC pipes, a drill, some sort of hose attachment.... Very exciting!









Go outside! As much as you can!

Botany and Art!

This morning, Jack brought in a branch from our honey locust tree. I
photocopied it first so that the boys' fingers could trace and practice the
shapes. Then we used colored pencils and drew them into our art pads. We
learned how the veins bring the water and nutrients from the soil. A
wonderful activity for a stormy day.

Chalk art

While watching the demolition for my Mom's new above-garage apartment, we made some chalk art.