Good Reads

Good reads:

Mean People, by Kristin Welsh of We Are That Family.

What Not to Say, by the author of Pursuing Titus  2.

Validation and Charlotte Mason, by the author of Large Family Mothering.

Autodidacting is an Educational Strategy, by the author of Large Family Mothering.

What To Do When You Want to Give Up And Stay in Bed, by Ann from Holy Experience

bill o'reilly defending sarah palin

I was appalled at the Bill O'Reilly guest in this interview about Sarah Palin.  The woman makes the most ridiculous argument!  Bill handled himself very well.

Palin haters really get on my nerves.  Argh!

an answer

In reference to this morning's post about thunder, I wanted to share one of our breakfast Psalms, which spoke to Peter's heart.

Psalm 16 (excerpts)

Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.  (verse 1)

I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord;  apart from you I have no good thing."  (verse 2)

I have set the Lord always before me.  Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  (verse 8)

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.  You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (verses 9-11)

We are reading the Psalms in order as we also go through the Proverbs in order.  What an awesome thing God did this morning--that on this day of expected thunder, we read this particular Psalm!

This beautiful form of divine reassurance calms my heart as a parent.  We may be memorizing some of these verses today!  So often there's nothing I can do to comfort Peter.  His brain refuses any earthly reassurance.  He fixates on a fear and only fun distractions work to break the cycle of constant questioning.

Anyhow, thanks for listening!  Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

advice for thunder/lightning fears

We've had a couple days of shorts weather.  Today we expect 79 degrees with rain and thunder, and tomorrow it's back down to a 47-degree high.  When a huge temperature drop is expected, the thunder prediction is usually accurate.

I'm writing for advice for dealing with children who are afraid of thunder/lightning.  My anxiety-disordered Peter will drive me insane all day, asking what if questions about lightning,.  I do not exaggerate!  

I know many children are afraid of lightning and thunder.  What has worked for you?

Thanks!

sweet sisters, busy brothers

This was the first time she'd finished this whole puzzle. We're making progress with attention span.  I told her how proud I was of her, and she lifted her arms and said, "Victory!"  One of her pet words. :)

Here is Beth, celebrating Mary's "victory".

I no longer buy grated cheese because I found that it has an additive to keep the cheese from caking.  Good thing Peter likes kitchen work.  He's working on their cheese/bean burritos for lunch.

Peter is taking an English test on the steps of the writing process, and Paul is reading a Bible story.  Paul finished his AWANA book and they didn't give him another one yet.  He usually starts table time with AWANA verses.  

After table time the girls let loose in the playroom.  This used to be a nice looking jean couch.  Now I refer to it as our "gym" couch.  They love it!  Who says girls are less active than boys?  More sensitive?  Yes.  Sweeter?  Frequently.  But not less active--in our gene pool anyway.

Sharing a snack.