Journey to Bethlehem Movie--Should You See It?

 

 We don't go to the movies...ever.   But in case you do and were considering going to see this new movie, I came across a review from a friend that I thought I'd share with you.  This movie strays far from the Biblical account.

Friends, if you are considering taking your children to see the movie: Journey to Bethlehem, we saw this as a preview movie a couple of months ago and I absolutely do NOT recommend. Just a couple of concerns out of many:
1. Mary is pictured as a rebellious teen who does not want to get married but instead wants to be a teacher and is angry with her father for forcing a betrothal on her.
2. Joseph is a flirty young man who is trying to woo a young girl in the marketplace even though he knew he was promised to Mary and the young lady tells him she’s betrothed. Eventually it becomes clear he was actually accidentally flirting with his future wife, but still. No.
3. In this story Herod’s son shows up at the birth of Jesus and because of Mary standing up to him, lets the family go free, even ordering his soldiers to help.
We had many more concerns with this film. Please do not be deceived and take young, impressionable children to see this movie.

(Review by Malia Russell)

Be blessed, ladies.

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Expectant Parents – New Resource from Focus on the Family {And, iPad Mini Giveaway!}

Expectant Parents is a new book from Focus on the Family that was written by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin.  It is designed to help both husbands and wives be prepared for the birth of a new child (mostly for first time parents).   Keep reading to find out how you can enter the giveaway.

This new book includes 12 chapters with eight helpful appendices.  The chapters cover many helpful topics to help couples prepare for their new bundle of joy, such as doing special things as a couple that you won't be able to do so easily after having children, keeping your relationship strong once you become parents, keeping communication open between husband and wife, and taking into consideration what your spouse is going through on the journey to parenthood.  It even covers topics such as hormones, cravings, and weight gain; emotions and pregnancy fears; preparing for the delivery; the first few weeks of being new parents, and much more.

Things I liked:

The author asks many probing questions to get husbands and wives thinking about the decisions they will have to make in the coming months, like who will be allowed in the delivery room?  Suzanne Hadley Gosselin gives a lot of great tips on preparing to become parents.  It is nice to have a Christian resource for this information.  Suzanne goes even goes into the emotional and spiritual side of preparing for a new baby.  There are questions for the couple to discuss at the end of each chapter that really get you thinking and planning.  There is advice for both mothers- and fathers-to-be.  Even if only one spouse was able to read this, I believe it would be helpful as long as the other spouse was involved and cooperative with planning, preparing, and discussion.

Things I did not like:

Suzanne Hadley Gosselin does not hold to the scripture of women being keepers at home.  She devotes an entire chapter to "Planning Post-Baby Career Decisions".  She states that it is up to each couple to decide who should stay home with the baby, either the husband or wife, or even hire a babysitter.  This does not fit with Titus 2:5, 1 Timothy 5:14, or other areas of Scripture where Christian women are admonished to guard and guide the home, and keep it, nor does it fit in with the Scriptural mandate for husbands to be the breadwinners of the family.  If you can overlook this area, you may find this book very helpful when preparing for a new child.

While many books for new parents focus on prenatal development and the health of a mom-to-be, Suzanne Hadley Gosselin's Expectant Parents ' core purpose is to help new parents understand key issues related to the arrival of a new child in the home, offering practical assistance as they prepare themselves for long-term family success.

Learn ways to strengthen your marriage relationship, set plans and expectations for parenthood, increase communication, and prepare for the new stage of your family life. Pick up a copy for yourself or for expectant friends and enter for a chance to win an iPad Mini!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• Expectant Parents from Suzanne Hadley Gosselin and Focus on the Family

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 2nd. Winner will be announced November 3rd on Suzanne's website here.

About the book: 

Many books focus on prenatal development and the health of a mom-to-be. While Expectant Parents  does touch on important issues of pregnancy, its core purpose is help expectant parents understand key issues related to the arrival of a new child in the home, offering practical assistance as they prepare themselves for long-term family success.

It's often said that babies don't come with an instruction manual. This book actually provides parents with information and practical steps for writing their own---as they work to create the kind of home and family they choose to build. This includes strengthening their own marriage relationship, setting plans and expectations for parenthood, increasing communication, and preparing for the new stage of their family life that is just ahead. Ideal for first-time parents, this book would also be helpful for couples wanting to explore and prepare for the emotional, physical, and spiritual life changes that come with the arrival of any new child into the family.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/Csb4w

About the author: 

Suzanne Hadley Gosselin is the former editor of Clubhouse Jr. magazine for Focus on the Family. She is now a regular contributor to Thriving Familymagazine and Boundless.org, and the recipient of several Evangelical Press Association awards for her writing and editorial work. Gosselin writes children's resources for David C Cook, Zondervan and Harvest House. She is also the author ofFaithgirlz Handbook: Let Your Light Shine Through and is currently working on the God's Got an Answer for That children's devotional and activity books to be released in January 2015. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and biblical theology from Multnomah University. Suzanne and her husband, Kevin, who is a children's pastor, have three children and make their home in Colorado.

Find Suzanne online: website, Facebook, Twitter

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mother's Book of Home Economics~Review & Giveaway!

As a homemaker in our modern age, I am always looking for encouragement in my role of being a keeper at home.  It is not always easy to come by.  We are discouraged and sometimes even frowned upon for staying home to take care of children and husband.  Or we are asked why we don't do more outside of the home.  That's why I'm so excited to share with you a wonderful resource today that I know you'll love--Mother's Book of Home Economics: Remembrances, Letters, and Essays from a New England Housewife (please keep reading to find out how you can win your very own copy!).  This is another excellent book from my beloved friend and blogger, Mrs. Sharon White.  In case you don't know, she is the authoress of The Legacy of Home blog, as well as quite a few other books now.  You can see another review I did of her book, For The Love of Christian Homemaking  here.

Mother's Book of Home Economics is yet another gem from Mrs. White.  This one has 312 pages and 121 short chapters on Child Care, Cleaning, Etiquette, Finances, Holiness, Homemaking, Hospitality, Kitchen, and Marriage.  It is very easy to sit down to a short chapter and glean some encouragement for your day, or to get involved in reading chapter after chapter (if you have the time).  It is such an interesting book, as it contains stories and lessons from Mrs. White's own life.  There is also a helpful index in the back of the book.  It is not really a "how-to" book, though you will find lots of helpful information in the chapters on the previously mentioned subjects.  It is a book I am proud to have on my bookshelf and encourage my daughters to read.  Mrs. White knows the value of a homemaker and also shares the wisdom of homemakers of old.  We are losing that wisdom, and we need to not lose it but pass it on to the next generation.

From the back of the book:

"There are many Home Economics books that will teach you important facts, such as how to get out a stain; how to clean your oven; or how to read food labels.  This is all valuable information.  We should certainly have those kinds of books in our homes.  Nonetheless, did you ever just want to enter someone's home and observe how it all works in daily life?  Did you ever want to learn about how a family used to keep house, or how it is working today?

...The writings are designed to encourage the Christian housewife.  You will feel supported in your decision to stay home and care for your family.  You will also notice a gentle nudging to live the old paths, and find peace there."



I am so thankful for Mrs. White and her encouraging writings.  In a world where we are bombarded with pressure to leave the home, send our children out of it often and prematurely, and take up work other than homemaking, Mrs. White is a light shining in the darkness.  She encourages us to cook homemade meals, gather the whole family to the table, listen to good sermons as we do our work, have Bible and prayer time, keep a clean and orderly home, and basically be a light to our families.  I do wish she could start blogging again, but for now we have her blog archives and her books. I hope if you don't win Mother's Book of Home Economics that you will buy it.  You will be so encouraged!

Mrs. Sharon White has generously offered to give a copy of her book Mother's Book of Home Economics to one Blessed Homemaking reader.  To enter to win, please use the below form.  You do not have to use every entry type, but you may use more to gain more entries for the giveaway!  FYI, Art for the King is my Etsy Shop--I'd appreciate the favorites ♥

Entry-Form

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The Modest Mom

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Video You Will WANT Your Children to Watch!

I am not big on letting my children watch videos.  I am picky about what I allow them to watch.  A big reason for this is that I know they will repeat what they've heard (and sometimes seen), and they'll replay it in their heads, over and over.  There are not a whole lot of decent videos out there, in my opinion.  I also don't like them sitting around mindlessly tuned out to something on the screen.

BUT...I have found an exception.  I have found a video I will let my children watch over and over!  (Read through this post to see how you can win your very own copy of this video!)

This video is the latest DVD from Moore Family Films--ABC Say It With Me.  I really, really enjoyed this video, and I was so glad that the Moores sent it to me to review.  My children, even though I limit their video-watching time, still like to request to watch a video more often than I'd like.  And boy, were they thrilled when I told them I had a new video from The Moores to watch.  They excitedly sat down in front of the TV to watch ABC Say It With Me.



This video is a blessing.  We see the Moore family again, with all of their sweet children.  This video will help your children to memorize Scripture--what an important thing to have our children do!  Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” As parents, it’s important to teach our children both to memorize God’s Word and to be “doers” of the Word by obeying it.

In this film, a KJV verse is taught for each letter of the Bible. The verse is repeated several times while a scene is shown that illustrates something related to the Bible verse to be memorized, while children are reminded to "Say it with me". The illustrative scene helps to teach good character to your children. For example, the "C" memory verse is "Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Ephesians 6:1" We see a group of children outside playing a game. The mama calls them in to eat, and instead of complaining and whining to stay out longer, the children get up to go inside, while we hear a cheerful reminder to obey quickly.

Some other examples from the video are:

In “B” a brother remembers to be kind by sharing with his little sister.
In “D” children are encouraged to pick up their toys without complaining.
In “H” children honor their parents through loving acts of thoughtfulness.
In “T” a 13 year-old brother takes time to read the Bible to his younger siblings.
In "Y" a young lady and her family are the "light of the world" to a harried restaurant waiter!

This video is not loud or obnoxious--it has pleasant music and sound affects, and farm animals!  (You can't go wrong with that!)  I enjoy watching it with my children, and it even helps me to memorize Scripture!  Would you rather have your children repeating some nonsense or not-so-good stuff, or repeating Scripture? I know what I prefer!  And I think it will bless the Lord to hear our little ones going around reciting His Word.

So, this video is on my, "Yes, you can watch that!" list.  It is on the top!  It helps them to hide God's Word in their hearts in a cheerful, upbeat way and gives them good examples of loving one another and also shows pleasant family life.

You can watch some samples here!

A: All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray



M: My Little Children...

 

You can either go here to purchase your own copy of ABC Say It With Me, or you can enter to win your very own copy through the Rafflecopter form below!  You have until March 13, 2014 to enter--and don't forget to share this with your friends so they can enter too (thank you!)

Make sure you follow the directions on the Rafflecopter form.  You MUST visit Moore Family Films, look at their other videos, and leave a comment here telling me which other video you would like to have.  If you do not do this, you will be disqualified from winning.  You may also do other things to gain additional entries, as listed on the Rafflecopter form. All entries will be checked and verified.

You can see my other reviews of some Moore Family Films here:

Children Are a Blessing 
It Is Your Life

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Reviving Homemaking Blog Planner Review

Whitney of Reviving Homemaking has created a sweet set for bloggers to help them be organized with their blog posts. Her blog planner pages are designed to help bloggers keep track of just about everything related to their blog.  This is a printable PDF set sold in her Etsy shop.

This set includes:

• a monthly blog planner page with squares for each day of the month to record things for your blog, such as blog posts.
• a two-week planner with boxes for each day to plan in, plus boxes for goals, to-do for this week and next, and income/expenses
• a page for post ideas
• a page to record weekly statistics from different sources such as Facebook and Pinterest
• a contributor post page with planning boxes for things such as topic, research, main points, images and links to include, and more
• a detailed post planner page that includes all the elements of the contributor post page
• a project planner page with assorted boxes for photo/sketch, materials needed and the cost, and more
• a giveaway tracker sheet
• an page to keep track of your affiliate information
• and more!

Overall I think this is an excellent resource for bloggers!  The pages are colorful and pleasing to the eyes.  The pages are clean and not overly cluttered.  Since this is a printable set, you can print out just as many or as few of the pages as you want, as many times as you want. 

If you would like to purchase Whitney's blog planner pages, you may do so here.  She also has other printable page sets available at her Etsy shop.

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See the Light: Shipwrecked Story & Art Lessons on DVD (Review)

I love being able to teach my children at home.  I love that I can teach them about the Lord in every subject that we study.  There are so many materials out there to help us do just this as parents.

I was recently asked to review a DVD from See the Light (Drawing Children to Him).  See the Light is a Christian company that produces art lessons on DVD for children to learn how to draw and paint.  The particular DVD I was sent is titled "Shipwrecked".  This DVD tells the story from the Bible of when the apostle Paul was on a ship that was prisoner on a boat during a very bad storm.  In the story told by See the Light, they show what a young boy and his father may have experienced when they went through the shipwreck with Paul on board.  As the story is told, we see beautiful drawings done in pastel, some even while they are being created.  The artwork does indeed make the story more interesting.  My children were all captivated.

After the story is told, there are three different art lessons.  My children were amazed to see how beautiful scenes can be created using pastel, and they also learned how to do creative lettering.   What is really encouraging is that Biblical values are also taught during the art lessons, such as the faith Paul had that God would do what He promised.  The art lessons are shown step-by-step in an easy-to-understand, clear manner.

Also included are several bonus features:  music performed while you watch one of the artists create a scene based on the Shipwrecked story, the plan of salvation, commentary while a story scene is being created, and meeting the See the Light team.

My children and I really enjoyed watching this video.  The DVD format is great because you can pause it when you need to, and you can go back to it again and again.  Watching something demonstrated for them helps children understand how to do something quite well.  If you'd like to purchase a copy of Shipwrecked or any of the other See the Light DVDs, you may do so here.

Disclaimer:  I received this product for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

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For the Love of Christian Homemaking (Review)

 I have known Mrs. Sharon White online for many years.  She has been a dear friend who has given me advice on more than one occasion.  Her blog, The Legacy of Home, is one of my absolute favorites to read as well.  If ever I am in need of encouragement in my homemaking, I know I can go to her blog to have my resolve quickened once again.

So when she asked that I review her book, For The Love of Christian Homemaking: Pleasant Visits from my Parlour, I was so excited!  I had it on my Amazon wishlist in the hopes that I could one day purchase it. But Mrs. Sharon White kindly sent me a copy to review instead!  And I get to share that with you here.



Come and sit awhile in Mrs. White's parlor and be transported back in time.  Mrs. White is a full time homemaker who takes her job seriously.  Oh and yes, it is a job!  If you have ever doubted that, this book will remind you of the importance of your job as a Christian homemaker.  For The Love of Christian Homemaking is filled with "visits" with Mrs. White.  In her book she shares how she goes about her days, how she serves her family with making a pleasant home for them, how she has battled poverty and illness (Mrs. White is a cancer survivor), how she sometimes fails in her duties, her faith, and so much more.  I love that she shares memories and information from times past and how women of old used to do things, and how they took such pride in their work at home.  This is truly a great encouragement to me, and I'm sure it will be to you as well.

I am so glad this book is in print because now whenever I want to, I can pick it up and read a page or two and be encouraged to go about my day doing my best to make an excellent home for my family.  I am not talking about perfection here, but about really making an effort to make things sweet and lovely in the home.  The different entries are not very long or time-consuming to read, but they are full of treasures.  This book is such a wonderful blessing because we can be so easily discouraged as homemakers in a world that often scoffs at our occupation.  When I read Mrs. White's book I am reminded that my job as a homemaker really is important, and I am inspired to do an even better job, because she speaks with such love of homemaking, and with such high regard for the tasks that it requires.

I think I want to go read some more now!

About the author:

Mrs. White is the granddaughter of revival preacher, LD Murphy.  She is the founder of "The Legacy of Home" blog, which encourages mothers to have peaceful, godly homes.  This book contains many of her blog writings.  Mrs. White and her husband are natives of New England.  They have 5 children and 2 grandchildren.  They live in an old 1800's house in rural Vermont.

Thank you Mrs. White for sending me your wonderful book to read! 

Remember May 31st is the last day to enter the Courage, New Hampshire DVD set giveaway.

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A Lady in an...
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Courage, New Hampshire Review & Giveaway!!!

I am very pleased that I was contacted recently to review a new exciting TV drama Courage, New Hampshire and even more excited that one of you will win the first season!  (You'll have to keep reading to learn how).

Watch the trailer here:




Courage, New Hampshire is an 18th century costume drama that depicts the tumultuous years leading to American Independence. This show has an impressive cast of both British and American talent including Jim Tavaré (Harry Potter), Joe Massingill (Trouble with the Curve), and veteran character actor Basil Hoffman (The Artist). Currently, the show is airing on PBS Southern California affiliate, KVCR.

I really enjoyed getting to watch the first season of this show.  In fact, I would like to watch it again!  I love watching period dramas and this was no exception.  There are heroes and heroines, good and evil, and plenty of excitement to keep you interested and anticipating the next episode.  The women are women and the men are men!

Doesn't the king look evil here?

 This drama is inspiring and will remind you of the roots of this once great country.  From INSP's website:

In 1770 America, family-man, tavern-keeper and local Justice of the Peace, Silas Rhodes strives to balance home, business and politics. Together with British deserter Bob Wheedle, they do their best to fight back against the growing tyranny of the British King. The two men lead a band of ordinary men who are secretive soldiers known as the “Sons of Liberty.” With brave acts of midnight justice against local British officials, they battle the bondage of the King’s oppressive laws in the pre-revolutionary township of Courage, New Hampshire.

This powerful drama depicts daily life for families, tradesmen and British officials living in this early American township during the turmoil just before the Revolutionary War. The people, politics and intrigue of the time are presented with historical detail, bringing this significant period in America to vibrant life once more.

Courage, New Hampshire will be going national on INSP on Memorial Day!  It will air on INSP on Monday, May 27th starting at 7pm Eastern Standard Time.

This drama has just the right amount of excitement, drama, and yes, romance.

In Episode 1 ("The Travail of Sarah Pine") a country girl, Sarah Pine (Alex Oliver) is caught in a scandal with a British soldier, Bob Wheedle, with promises of marriage while he is under house arrest for suspicion of kidnapping.  Sarah is abandoned even after bearing Wheedle's child. When Bob returns to the township a year later, again in search of deserters, he endures a bastardy trial presided over by Silas Rhodes. The arrest of a British soldier is embarrassing to Governor Wentworth and he sends Simeon Trapp to defend the crown's interest. Will Wheedle awaken to his obligations?

In Episode 2 ("The Sons of Liberty") Justice Silas Rhodes travels to Portsmouth for the execution of two
notorious criminals. Royal Governor Wentworth details the “light hand” needed for ruling the New Englanders, and a new pastor Silence Laud (Donel Thoms-Cappello) arrives in Courage, Township. But something seems askance with Laud.  Is he really a virtuous preacher?

In Episode 3, ("A Snake in the Garden"), Rev. Silence Laud grows weary of Abby's icy, but melting, virtue. Country farmer John Hildreth (Eric Drazin) has a run-in with a Tory judge William Bramley (Patrick Finnerty), who under the auspices of enforcing the White Pine act, tells Hildreth he can't clear the
trees from his own farm. What will the men of Courage do about this?

Well....you'll have to watch to find out!

In future episodes, the story of Courage Township will tell the story of the ways the American Revolution took root in the hearts and minds of ordinary people, long before the actual battles took place. Though fictional, many of the story lines will be based on actual events.

My only complaint about this drama was that in a couple of episodes there is a country dance in which many of the women wear very low-cut dresses we sometimes see in these period dramas.  The rest of the time they were so modestly dressed, so I don't see why the gowns had to be so low cut for the dance.  I know several other films such as Pride and Prejudice include this also and are still much-loved in the Christian community.  But still I wanted to warn you because I would rather they had left that out.

Would you like to see this exciting drama for yourself?  Well, I have good news!  The generous folks who produce Courage, New Hampshire have offered to give away the Season 1 (4-pack) on DVD to one special Blessed Homemaking reader!  This giveaway is only open to U.S.A. residents and will end on May 31, 2013.  Thank you to all who read my blog!

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Moore Family Films Review & Giveaway ~ It is Your Life

My children were so excited when I opened the neat little bundle that came in the mail.  It was another video from Moore Family Films!  We have several of their other videos, so they were so thrilled to see that there would be a new one to watch.  This new DVD the Moores have created is part of their It is Your Life series.  This one is It is Your Life:  The Moody Family and takes us into the home and hearts of the Moodys, who are a homeschooling family that is all about living for the glory of God.  The film features interviews with Mr. and Mrs. Moody and their children, grandparents, and others.  The interviews are transparent and show us how the Lord is working in their family, transforming them into His image.  Besides the interviews, we are taken along to see the Moodys in their day-to-day life while they interact as a family.

The Moody family is a real family.  They do not claim perfection which is good because sometimes we can get the impression that other families don't have any problems.  But what this film is mostly about is family togetherness and serving the Lord as a family.  It is about a family that seeks to serve the Lord in all that they do.  It is about a family that loves the Lord and loves each other.

Since the Biblical family gets attacked almost everywhere in the media, and at times even by some family, friends, and churches, I am so glad the Moores have put out this new film.  You will be inspired as you see that yes, there are really other families that seek to give each area of their lives to the Lord.  There are also other important areas covered in the DVD such as caring for elderly parents, the dynamics of large families, chores for children, sibling relationships, biblical reasons for teaching your children at home, and much more!  I definitely recommend this video to all Christian families, and it is even great to watch with your children.  They will love it too!  My children ask to watch the Moore Family Films videos over and over again.

Now for the very exciting part!  The Moores have generously offered to give away one copy of It is Your Life:  The Moody Family  to a reader of Blessed Homemaking!  Thank you so much to the Moores for providing this DVD and thank you to the Moodys for sharing your lives with us.  Please enter through the Rafflecopter form below (it's easy).  If you don't have to wait for the giveaway to end, you can purchase it here.

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I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. 

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Motivated Moms Special Offer

Are you always looking for new ways to be more efficient in your homemaking job?  I know I am.  There are so many things we have to do as homemakers!  We have to do the cooking, the cleaning, the laundry, making lists, doing paperwork...the list of our tasks goes on and on.  I like to find new ways of doing things and try to improve upon them.

One of the tools I enjoy using is the Motivated Moms planner.  It is basically a chore planning system that helps you know what to do each day.  It really takes the load off of thinking what tasks you need to do every day because it's already been thought out for you.  The planner has sheets that you print off with check mark boxes to check off each time you complete a chore.  The planner is a full year of chores.  You can either print it off all at once or print the pages as you need them--it's up to you!  There are chores given for each day of the week for every calendar day of the year, plus chores that you do every single day, week after week.  When you've completed a chore, you can just put a check in the box next to it!

There are several planners available, depending how you much information you want on each sheet of paper.  There are even planners available with a daily Bible reading plan (also with check mark boxes to keep track of what you've read).  For 2013, you can even get the Motivated Moms planner  for many portable electronic devices such as the iPhone and iPad.  To see all the different planners available, along with sample sheets, go here.

And now, for a special offer for my readers.  From now until January 2, 2013, you can get $2 off your purchase of the Motivated Moms planner eBooks!  Just enter the coupon code BLESSED when you check out.

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Managing My Minutes (Review)

What do we all have, equally?  It's not money, for sure!  But there is something that we have all been given the same of: every single person.  What is it?  Time!  We have each, without exception, been given 24 hours in a day.  And we each have a choice to make:  What will we do with that time?  What will we do with each minute?

Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement has updated her Scheduling Bundle.  It is now divided into 3 parts and has brand new content.  This month I was privileged to review part one of the bundle, which is called Managing My Minutes.  I love that Lorrie has created this content because we all can benefit from learning to use our time better, can't we?  And Lorrie reminds us that our time is a gift from God and to be used for Him, and that we will be held accountable for how we use it!  Now that's a sobering thought.

Included in this ebook are several articles that help explain the need for scheduling and help in going about getting a schedule put together.  Lorrie first starts with the importance of putting the Lord first and also delves into the needfulness of priorities and much, much more.  I love how she has kept everything completely interesting and appealing to the eye by putting pictures and information boxes throughout the ebook.

As a person who has made several schedules over the years, I still found this ebook extremely useful.  Especially helpful was the reminder that a schedule is a tool, to be used to help us, and not to enslave us or rule us.  This will be really beneficial to those who fear using a schedule!

So whether you have a lot of experience scheduling or you're a woman who thinks schedules are for the birds, I recommend you get this great resource to help you make even better use of the time God has given you.

I received this resource free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

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Homeschool Sanity-A Review You Don't Want to Miss

If you're looking for help for your homeschool, here is a resource you don't want to pass by.  Sherry Hayes has written a thorough, excellent guide for the homeschooling family who doesn't know where to begin or has tried several methods and come back frustrated and hopeless.

In Homeschool Sanity, Sherry, who is a mother of 15, speaks from experience when she tried several methods that didn't fit her large family.  The research and work that have gone into this book come from 25 years of homeschool experience.  That is no small feat!

Sherry gives us a helpful history of the public school approach and how she came to use the methods she implements instead.  Hint:  they're the methodologies our forefathers used to become educated!  Every subject is explained in great detail as far as what she has found to work.  Specific book recommendations are given, as well as helpful explanations of how to use the books in your homeschool.  These books are not only educational but will also give your children a moral and Biblical foundation for learning.  That is important.

This book will never bore you, as there are beautiful pictures and quotes throughout.

Sherry goes on to explain methods used for Foreign language, history, arithmetic, science, grammar, and more, along with why the method works and what specific texts she uses.   She not only gives the methods she uses, but explains what other methods are used in modern times, how they came about, and how they are flawed.  She also gives websites that have free resources to help you along your homeschooling journey.  Sherry includes photos and examples of the work her own children have done in school, which is quite inspiring and helpful.  Even some notebooking pages for your children to use in their homeschooling are included.

There is so much more included in this book than I can possibly write about here.  If you are new to homeschooling or even a seasoned homeschooler, I encourage you to get a copy of Sherry's book.  I will even be making some changes to our homeschool after reading this excellent book.

Sherry has also written another book called McGuffey's Primer Flashcards, Helps & Hints.  Please continue to read for a description of this book, as well as information on how to get a free download when you purchase Homeschool Sanity.

Here is Sherry's description of both of her books, as well as information on how to get some freebies with the purchase of Homeschool Sanity.  Both books are available in paperback form!

McGuffey's Primer Flashcards, Helps and Hints
 

A Practical Guide to Understanding the 19th Century Mind
Authored by Sherry K. Hayes,
Edited by David M. Hayes

No program can give us a 100% guarantee that our children will learn to read no matter what they advertise, and none of us can precisely explain or predict how each child will react or what he or she will need in order to learn to read for themselves. I have utilized just about
every type of methodology ever dreamed of, and all with varying degrees of success. Children are each individual persons and for that reason quite unique.

Since I now only have three out of my 15 children
remaining that I will need to teach to read (one of these is almost already reading independently), I have been turning my attention to ways I can pass along what I have learned over these 25 years to my adult children so that they will have an easier time of it when they go to teach their own children. That is why I have been led to create reading guides to aid them in their homeschooling journey, and, in turn, I felt it would be nice to offer some of these materials to my dear readers.

After many weeks of careful consideration and work, I have finally created a collection of McGuffey flashcards, advice, and other helps to assist in the instruction of beginning reading and writing.


This has truly been a labor of love, as I set out to create an heirloom for my family by using original artwork, drawn mostly by myself, but also with several contributions from my dear son, Ryan (16). I had so much enjoyment with this project, sitting with clipboard and pen, consulting with my children as I sketched-I haven't made the time for such an artistic endeavor for many years!

I tried to put myself in the place of someone who was starting completely from scratch, and this was my focus.
I also tried to make things as user-friendly and simple to reproduce as possible, especially since I know that many mothers have a number of small children to care for as well as home-school.

I also determined to keep in mind those things I have gleaned from many of the courageous predecessors who have mentored and influenced me, and so you will find that, while I have included the technical, I have also
encouraged the joy of the process, considering the child not only as a student, but also a person, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Here is a list of the things that I have included in this collection:

An introduction to McGuffey's works and how to use them.

A portion from "The Manual of Methods" which gives an overview of different teaching styles, etc. (intended for use with the McGuffey's).

Booklet templates (instead of workbooks) to teach basic writing and comprehension skills.

Tips pages using little snippets of information which can be read easily and quickly for busy mothers.

Bookmarks with suggestions for games that can be played with the different lessons.

Phonics flashcards (with original artwork) of the basic 26 letter sounds, plus the long vowel sounds and "ch", "sh", and "th."

A short vowels and syllable practice charts (respectively).

Penmanship practice sheets.

12 copy work sheets to get started on creating your own.

Flashcards for every lesson (except for the review lessons) in the primer!

and

Get your Four Free Homeschooling Resources today!


It's not easy being a homeschooling parent today. Educating one's children is a huge responsibility. There seem to be more “answers” than there are questions! Everyone has a textbook, a method, or a philosophy. But how are we supposed to figure out just what path to take?

Homeschool Sanity: a Practical Guide to Redemptive Home Educating is Sherry Hayes’ attempt to communicate a way back to common sense learning. We can rediscover the tools of learning that helped our forefathers overcome the great obstacles of their time! It is a pathway back to the simplicity and joy of gaining the knowledge born out of a reverence for the God of the Bible.

Readers will discover a catalog of successful methodologies for their own re-education. You won’t feel tired and anxious after you read this book; you will be refreshed and filled with real hope!

Gain clarity. Find Peace.

When you purchase Sherry's new book, Homeschool Sanity, at Amazon.com from we will send you a FREE download as our way of saying, "Thank you!"

You will receive the PDF versions of Homeschool Sanity, Large Family Mothering's 2012-2013 Homeschool Planner, McGuffey's Primer Flashcards, Helps and Hints along with Ray's Arithmetics Flash Cards and Helps.

Guidelines: In order to get these homeschool resources for free you will need to:

1) Send us your Amazon paid order confirmation, that shows you purchased the paperback version of their our book, Homeschool Sanity then forward an e-mail to us at: largefamilymothering@gmail.com with a subject line stating: Four Free Homeschool Resources!

As soon as the email is received we will send you the absolutely free download link. These four PDF resources would normally cost a grand total of $27.49! You will receive them FREE!!!

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Pursuit of Proverbs 31 by Amy Bayliss

 There are many women who would like to rip out a chapter in the Bible--Proverbs 31. Who is that elusive woman of Proverbs 31?  Was she a real person or multiple different women?  Oh, and how are you measuring up to her?  Amy Bayliss answers these and many other questions in her ebook Pursuit of Proverbs 31.  Amy describes how she struggled with this chapter herself and wore herself out trying to measure up to this woman in the Bible.  This is a book she wrote to dispel the myths surrounding this controversial chapter of Scripture.  It takes us away from a works based mentality and instead dives into the character displayed in these verses.

Chapters in the book cover having a true relationship with God, being a wife and helpmate, having a Biblical marriage, motherhood, home and family management, excellent advice on frugality and budgeting, and ministry.   This 145 page book has helpful tools to apply what you've learned in each chapter:  "focused thoughts", which are like a summary of the chapter, a scripture for memory, and several things to do and questions to answer.  Another helpful part of the book is that Amy includes detailed instructions for studying the Bible.

I enjoyed this different look at Proverbs 31 that doesn't put more pressure on women to perform, and I think other Christian women would also benefit from it.  If you like, you may purchase it here.


I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.


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Help to Stop Yelling!

Last year I reviewed a great book for The Gabby Moms called Yelling: The Cause, the Casualty, and the Cure.  You can read my review at the end of this post. I am very excited to tell you that this will be a FREE Kindle book on July 24th ONLY. (If you don't have a Kindle, you can download free software to let you read it on your computer).


Not only can you get this wonderful book for free, Lorrie is generously hosting a Facebook Party to help, too! The party is called "8 Ways to Stop Yelling and Get Your Child to Listen" and will also be held on July 24th.  So don't forget to bookmark the party page for July 24th, or come back here for the link.

And now, here is my review from last year of this excellent resource! 

I love this book.  I just had to tell you that right away.  Do you know why I love Yelling: The Cause, and The Casualty, The Cure?  Because it is a much needed resource for many moms today.  I have had many moms contact me and ask me what they should do to stop yelling, and I haven't known what to say.

I think first of all, we must acknowledge that we shouldn't be yelling at our children.  Maybe we might yell on occasion when everybody is um, making so much noise that nothing below a yell can be heard.  Maybe we might yell to stop a child from running across the road when a car is coming.  But yelling shouldn't be a regular, everyday occurrence with our kids.

If you have this problem, don't feel too, too bad, because I'm sure you want to stop it but just don't know how.  Also, know that Mrs. Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement Magazine has written from the perspective of experience.  Yes, she has been there too.  And she says about her book,

"So you yell and you want to stop. Here is my 11-Step Stop Yelling Plan."

So really, this is a very practical book.  It gives real, concrete steps to stop yelling.  Lorrie also shares why we yell, and helps us to identify what may be our triggers for yelling.  Then she helps us to stop!  Beyond the problem with yelling at your children, Lorrie states she knows some wives who yell at their husbands too.  So, if that is you, get this book too!

I truly believe this book will be a help to many mothers who struggle with this problem.

I received this product free of charge to review for The Gabby Moms program, but my opinions expressed here are completely my own, honest opinions.

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