Best Laid Plans

Day 3 is here of our 5 Day Back to School Blog Hop!  Yesterday we talked about supplies- why oh why do we homeschool mommas have such an obsession with pens and pencils?  Seriously, we need to form a support group, I think.

One of the things I failed to mention in yesterday's post, intentionally of course, was a planner.  I know, that calls for an additional support group!  But today since we are talking about plans and schedules I am going to mention the P word!

Planners!  There are lots to choose from and I am not here to sell you any so let me just say this.  Find what works for you and go for it.  I have had expensive, fancy planners that were fun for a while, but eventually wore me out.  The past few years I went to a simple spiral notebook for each child.  I wrote each subject down with the assignment for that day and then they checked off as they went.  On good weeks, I did one week at a time, scheduling on Sundays.  Confession- I have also been known to schedule one hour before the school day starts as well.  My only complaint was I got tired of writing the weeks and subjects over and over.  And over!  So this year I printed off a schedule from Schoolhouseteachers.com, printed 36 copies of it (times 2 boys) and bound them myself.  Now it is just one less step to have to fill in all the tid bit information, and my oldest says is easier for him to read.

The biggest things to remember are-

• Know your state requirements (weeks, hours, courses required, etc.) and keep track.

• As early as possible, teach your child to work independently. (you can see above Colby marks off as he goes)

• Be flexible!  After 19 years of doing this homeschooling thing, I only schedule a week in advance. Yes, I do follow certain curriculum schedules,  BUT I only write them in my child's schedule one week at a time.  Things happen.   Life happens.  And schedules sometimes need to change.  Give yourself a break and BE FLEXIBLE!

All those things will save you a lot of trouble in the end!

On that note, the only other thing I really use for scheduling is a monthly calendar!   This hangs on our school cabinet door so I can at a glance see the week number we are on.  I circle weeks I know we will take off for holidays and can easily keep mental track of how far we are!  Like last year and the year before, we will continue our Sabbath Week Schedule of 6 weeks on, one week off.

Simple? Yes!  I have made it much more complicated in the past and I am telling you it got me no where different.  If fancy planners and fun colors and tape and such float your boat, keep sailing!  Do what makes you happy.  But if that stuff stresses you out, let it go, make it simple and relax!

As for record keeping- for younger grades, I am convinced your assignment notebook is all you need.  We do not keep "grades" at those ages, so I just need proof of what I have done.  At higher levels, we have programs online that keep track of grades that I can print at the end of each year, or I simply keep track of grades on a piece of notebook paper.  Seriously.  I have sent two girls to college.  No one has ever questioned their grades before.  If they do, I would show them my pieces of notebook paper. :)

Do what the law requires to teach your child, and enjoy your days!  After all, enjoyment is one of the great things about homeschooling!

Blessings,

When School's NOT Done By Lunch

With full time school getting ready to start back up soon for many of us, excitement and some change is in the air.  Well, mostly the excitement is for me.  The change for the kids!  Shhh, don't tell them it is coming yet!

Each year we change things up a bit.  Sometimes out of boredom and sometimes out of necessity.  It keeps things fresh and keeps the kids guessing.  Through the years of kids growing up and the changes we make, I have one that seems to be the hardest to transition to-

Schooling AFTER lunch.

I know, shocking, right?  After all, kids in public school attend ALL. DAY. LONG.

But tell that to many younger homeschooled kiddos and you will probably get blank stares.  After all, who still has things to do after lunch?

As a veteran homeschool mom, I advise new homeschoolers to simplify the way that they look at school.  Our goal, after all, is not to reproduce public school at home.  With only a few students to teach, no need for bathroom breaks and hall passes, or busy work to fill in time, school for younger grades can typically be done in a few short hours.  It's true, trust me.  It is also one of the many glories of homeschooling.

But as the kids get older, their workload does grow larger until, gasp, school after lunch is needed.

So how do you help older kids transition to this new game plan?

Warn them ahead of time.  No really, do warn them.  Kids are creatures of habit, and just like us, unless it involves presents, they do not always do well with surprises.  Or change.  Let them know ahead of time that with the new year comes new things, one of which will be to continue school after lunch.

Make lunch enjoyable.  Make time for lunch and make it enjoyable.  Maybe this is a time of family chatting, or reading a devotion together, or even enjoying a chapter book.  You can even enjoy food prep together as a team.  Make it a fun break in your day.

Don't allow for play until after the end of school.  I know this one may meet some resistance, but hear me out.  Most kids, dare I say no kids, want to stop playing in the middle of something to start school, or anything else that they do not want to do for that matter.  Take it from someone who has been doing this homeschooling thing for 19 years, do not go there.  Once they are playing with their toys it will take a drill sergeant or worse to drag them away.  The struggle is just not worth it. Stick to a toys-after-school time rule and you will avoid the battle before it begins.

Start slow.  Rome was not built in a day! If you are new to school after lunch, I would recommend you start with one new subject after lunch each week.  By adding small increments of time, you will build your child's stamina.  Remember when you were fading out nap times?  Each new week they could stay up a little longer.  Same concept, different subject!

Save the best for last.  Do NOT end your day with math, unless math is what your kids love best!  Most kids are more refreshed and able to mentally AND emotionally handle more stress and harder work in the morning hours.  Do the harder subjects early on and save things they really enjoy and look forward to for the end of the day.  We often save electives or science projects til the end.  What better way to finish but with a smile on their face and yours?

Reward hard work.  Every child is different, but we all like to be rewarded in a specific way for a job well done.  Maybe it is as simple as reminding your child that once school is done they will be able to go play in their rooms or with their friends  Maybe your child likes stickers, or you can end your day with a snack.  Maybe you allow a quick video or electronic time.  Find what works for your family and what your child will receive as a job well done reward so they have something to work towards.

Remember mammas, the days may be getting longer, but your homeschool days are growing shorter. Enjoy the time before and after lunch, and all the moments in between!  You are doing a great job!

Blessings,

Schooling Year-Round While Other Kids Have Summer Break

I admit it. I am one of THOSE moms.  Hi, my name is Michele and yes, we school through the summer months!

Before you call the school police on us, let me explain.

During the official school year, August through May, we typically follow a Sabbath School Schedule as much as we can, doing school 6 weeks and then taking one week off.  We have a college student who attends a school in a different state so we have to be flexible because of her schedule sometimes, but we stay as close to the six weeks on, one week off as we can. 

My kids thrive on schedules and consistency and so do I.  It's just how we roll around here.  For that reason, when summer hits, I am just not ready to throw school out the door because-

1. We need some consistency
2. I do not want our learning to end
3. There are so many programs out there to explore
4. It cuts down on the "I'm bored" complaints 

But HOW do you do it when other kids have a summer break and yours do not?

Easy!

START EARLY- In the day that is.  For us, getting school done early and out of the way is an incentive to get to do other special activities.  My boys know when they are done with their assignments they are free to play.

BE CHOOSY- We do not do every subject in the summer.  We continue math because that is a skill that is easily lost with a two or three month break.  We also use the summer months to catch up on anything we may have fallen behind in, as well as adding any electives the kids want to try.

BE FLEXIBLE- There are days when things come up and that's ok.  Sometimes things trump school and we just move on the following day.  Don't become wrapped around the axle when unexpected things happen.  There are lessons to be learned even in those things.



BE CONSISTENT- That being said, we also try hard to be as consistent as possible.  If the kids think they have a bargaining chip every day then school can become a battle.  Just letting them know this is part of our daily routine keeps the complaints to a minimum.

DON'T FORGET TO READ- Whether it is as a family or as individuals, read, read, read!  Summer is a great time to visit the library or pull favorites off the shelf and encourage reading.  In the heat of the day or after a busy morning are great times to incorporate reading into your quiet time.  We keep a stack of books in a prominent place in our living room for our kids to choose from for summer reading.  For older kids, they have wish lists they mark off as they read.


INCLUDE OTHERS-  Want to do art? Invite the neighborhood kids and teach them all!  Never been to a local museum? Take a field trip and include another family or two!  This summer we even have Biology dissections scheduled with 5 or 6 other families.  Let's face it, some things are just more fun with friends!

MAKE IT FUN- Above all, make summer a fun time for learning.  Teach a new skill or explore a new subject.  Let your child choose and let their imaginations run wild.  You may discover a new talent or favorite subject along the way.  Summer unit studies are a great way to immerse your kids in a subject that fascinates them.  They will learn what they love!

So yes, I am THAT mom, but my kids don't seem to mind too much.  It is what we do, and we have fun doing it!  How about you- are you ready to learn this summer?

Blessings,

Take a Peek

If you know me, you know I like calendars.  And schedules.  And clocks.  OK, love those things.  I am a routine type of gal.

Therefore my homeschool is a routine type of homeschool.  As long as nothing weird comes up (that does happen occasionally) we pretty much do the same thing day in and day out.  Boring maybe, predictable for sure, but it works for us.

So what does a normal day look like around here?

9:00- School starts!  Gonna be honest here- if my kids attended public school, they would probably never be on time.  We are NOT morning people.  I am not a night person either, but that is another story!

Colby (age 8) and I start with folder work and he does independent work.  At the same time, my 14 year old starts his school as well.  Now that we have a dedicated school area, he joins us for a few hours.  Prior to this new set up, he did school in his room, so I am glad to have him back in my area. He is still trying to decide if he likes it! ;)

After independent work, we move to the computer for history and math, then back to the table for the rest of our morning work.  As I recently talked about, schooling boys looks different for us than when we schooled our girls, so our computers get a lot of use.

We continue work until noon when we take an hour break for lunch.

12:00-1:00- Lunch and free time.

1:00-3:00- Colby and I finish our day with Science, Spanish, and Spelling.  Salem, who is an 8th grader, retires to his room, where he does several subjects on his computer,

3:00-4:00- Quiet time.  The theory is that everyone is in their own space reading, listening to audio dramas, or playing quietly.  Mom included - for reading, that is.  The reality is I always seem to have something else that demands my time, but I am working on it.

4:00-5:00- Clean up time around the house, dinner prep, errands, and such.

6:00- Dinner

7:15- Family devotions

8:30- Youngest goes to bed

The fun of having older kids is that you get to spend time with them apart from the littles in your life. The disadvantage to having older kids is that they are often on their way out the door for one reason or another just when you are ready to spend time with them!  Lessons, friends, and jobs take up their evenings occasionally, but we try to sneak in time together as often as possible.  With one entering the work force and one in her senior year of school, we know these days are fleeting.

Our one day that is different now is Wednesday, when we have co-op from 12-4.  We do a half day of school in the morning and collapse in the afternoon! ;)

While we may seem a little boring to some, my kids have learned to thrive in a more structured day. I find when we deviate from it too often, we end up a train wreck, and terribly behind.  We have also maintained our Sabbath Week schooling, with the exception of when Dad returned home after a year deployed.  By giving ourselves a week break every six weeks, we have time to regroup, relax, and get extra projects done around the house.

Everyone does things differently of course!  On Friday, click this link to see other homeschoolers' days!  You may be surprised at how different we are!
Blessings,

A Clean Slate

There is just something about January that makes me want to start all things new.  Maybe it is tied to New Years resolutions, or just looking at a fresh calendar and all that white space just begging to be filled, but nothing is safe in our house come January- including my well thought out homeschool plan hatched last August!

You know, the one you spend hours on.  Pouring over calendars, reading reviews, talking to other homeschool moms.  And if you are one of the brave ones, you even put your plan in ink in a fancy planner, or worse, online for all to see! ;)

But, well, it is January, and things look a bit differently now.  Is it just me?

Some of those books are just too boring,  Some of those workbooks are just too hard.  And who knew that your child was a visual learner rather than an auditory learner, right?

Thankfully for homeschool moms everywhere January is Clean Slate month.

Ok, I made that up, but you CAN start with a clean slate!  Here's why.

No where does it say you cannot start fresh, no matter what month.  It is one of the glories of homeschooling.  You pick what you want to use and you pick to choose to change when said choice is no longer working.

YOU know your child best!  So if you know they are miserable doing XYZ program, you can change  Now!

There is a wealth of curriculum out there.  Each year more and more amazing educational-aimed companies are producing even more amazing educational products.  There is so much to choose from that there is no reason to use something you do not like.

Kids' interests change.  Hey, mine do too sometimes. And that is ok.  If doing a unit study was great one semester, then a more traditional approach may be better the second semester.  You are free to choose something new.

After almost 17 years of homeschooling I have found that by just changing things up a bit renews our passion for school.  Starting with a different subject each day, even letting the child choose a new subject to study, or just a bright new notebook and some stickers for your younger kids can jump start your new semester.  Let's face it, January can be difficult for everyone.  The holidays are over, the days a short, and fatigue has set in.  For both kids and parents!

If you are a fellow homeschooler I would encourage you to take a minute to re-evaluate your curriculum as you begin the new semester.  See what is working and change what is not.  Add some spark to your day by making school fun.  After all we are not trying just do school at home.  We are trying to make learning come alive!  Engage your kids. Have some fun and see what happens.

But you know what?  Even if you are not a homeschooling family, January is still a good time to reinvent the wheel.  Maybe not whole wheel, but at least the parts that are not working for your family.  Schedules a mess?  Dinner time?  Chores?  Sometimes all it takes is a clean slate to get things back in shape.

May today be the day you start with a clean slate!

Blessings.

34 Weeks of Clean Revisited

If you are not familiar with my 34 Weeks of Clean series, you will want to start by reading the intro post- 34 Weeks of Clean Intro.

It was a project born out of the need to keep busy during my husband's year long deployment, but turned into a passion I did not even know I had.  Yes, I have always loved lists and schedules and calendars and been a little type-A about my house, but what I did not realize was how passionate I was about helping others take control of their homes and the stuff within.  34 Weeks gave me the opportunity to share some hints I have learned along the way and since then has even allowed me to speak with a local MOPS group about how to declutter and clean, making your house a place that will filled with God's peace, allowing you to open your home to others.

34 Weeks took off and we have been thrilled to be able to share with readers our ebook that my friend and co-conspirator, Kemi Quinn, put together with me.  Kemi was the magic behind all the amazing printables and my cheerleader for the entire project.  I could not have done it without her! Kemi blogs at Homemaking Organized, and I encourage you to go check out her site!

34 weeks not only became a verb in our home and others, you know- "What happened to that basket?" "Oh, mom 34 weeked it!" but it also buried itself deeper and deeper into my heart.  We never run out of the need to clean, declutter, and take control of our homes.  It is NOT a one time deal, as nice as that would be.  As one friend and participant said, there is a need to rinse and repeat!

This may that time for you.  Or maybe you are new to 34 weeks and need a good, fresh start!  Well, here it is.  A complete list of all of our projects, one week at a time.

And yes, do them one week at a time.  Slow and steady wins the race and those who have gone before you will tell you that you will wear yourselves out fast if you plunge forward.

Week 1- Holiday Decorations
Week 2- The Pantry
Week 3- Kitchen Cabinets and Doors
Week 4- Fridge, Freezers, and Floors
Week 5- Recipes
Week 6- The Stove and Dreaded Loose Ends
Week 7- The Dining Room
Week 8- The Living Room
Week 9- Books
Week 10- The Entryway
Week 11- Bathrooms
Week 12- The Family Room + DVDs
Week 13- Pictures and Scrapbooks
Week 14- Arts & Crafts
Week 15- The Master Bedroom
Week 16- The Master Closet
Week 17- The Master Bath
Week 18- Half-time
Week 19- The Bedrooms 1 & 2
Week 20- The Bedrooms 3+
Week 21- The Hall Closet
Week 22- The Laundry Room/Mud Room
Week 23- The Linen Closet
Week 24- The Porch and Deck
Week 25- The Yard
Week 26- The Storage Room/Attic
Week 27- Clothes Storage
Week 28- The School Room
Week 29- The Office (Paperwork and Bills)
Week 30- The Computer
Week 31- Address Books & Office
Week 32- The Garage
Week 33- The Cars
Week 34- The Finale

And while you get started, know that I am cheering you on- while I am busy writing 34 Weeks of Clean- The Book!

If you participated at all last year, whether the whole time or just hit or miss, I would love for you to share your favorite week (or the one that made all the difference for you)with our readers !  Mine was the master closet!

Linking up with friends-

Blessings,

Time? Who Has Time?

Welcome back to another month of the Homeschooling High School Blog Hop.  We will be winding down this series in December but we have two more topics for you before we call it a wrap.  After last months's chat of How Am I Going To Teach High School? , we are off to a new one this month-

How do you fit it all in?

Hmmm, I had to really think about this one.  ALL is relative!  But here goes-

First decide what ALL means to you.  Because it is going to be different for everyone.
   -Do I want my child to graduate in four years or earlier?
   -Do I want my child to have AP classes?
   -Do I want my child to participate in sports or extracurricular activities?
   -Do I want my child to work part time?
   -Do I want my child to take online dual credit classes?

There are no universal right or wrong questions.  But there are most certainly rights and wrongs for your child.  Sit down with your highschooler early on and write down goals - yours and theirs.  Even 8th grade is not too early to begin planning.

Next, form a game plan.  Nothing happens by sheer luck, and your goals will not be accomplished if you have no plan.  Divide a piece of paper into four columns and make a tentative course schedule. Decide how and where those courses are going to be taken.

Now see where there is space and add in the extras.  Because let's face it, anything other than school is extra.  Do those things have value?  Absolutely!  But sometimes our children have to prioritize and make choices  Some kids will do great with full days and months, while others will not.  Know your child and help them to make informed decisions.

Invest in a calendar or student planner.  Now is a good time to teach your child how to use these basic tools.  Write in due dates and work backwards.  If a paper is due the third week in March, write it down.  Then pencil in the rough draft due the week prior, the note taking the week prior to that, and the outline the week prior to that.  Teach your children to think ahead and plan accordingly, always allowing for a few extra days of wiggle room.

Teach your child to become independent.  This is big, my friends!  If you want a organized, confident college student, now is the time to teach them how to be one.  It does not come naturally for most high schoolers.  Little by little, subject by subject, you need to teach your kids to be independent thinkers and doers! Teach them how to learn and then let them do it - by themselves.  Yes, they will still need some oversight, but it is time to let go of their hands and let them succeed, or fail, on their own.  You cannot follow them to college and remind them of when their assignments are due.  Let them learn now, under the safety of your roof, rather than by trial and error in the much less forgiving world of college professors.

Everyone has 24 hours in a day.  No more and no less.  Finding the time to fit it all in during the high school years can be challenging, but with a plan, a little practice, and a lot of guidance, we can find the time to "fit it all in!"

Read more on How to Fit it ALL in while educating in the high school years:

• Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses shares thoughts on the question: Can you fit it ALL in during the High School Years?
• Wendy @ Life at Rossmont shares: Help! How Do I Fit It All In?!
• Lisa @ Golden Grasses shares: Smash, Cram, Smoosh. How do you fit it all in? Homeschooling High School
• Carol @ Home Sweet Life shares: Help! I Can't Fit It All In!
• Debbie @ Debbie's Homeschool Corner shares: Keeping High School Work from Consuming Our Lives
• Leah @ As We Walk Along the Road shares Managing My Homeschool High School Students Without Losing My Mind

Linking up-

Blessings,

What Does Your Day Look Like?

I love how every homeschooler's day looks different.  There is not a right or wrong way to do it, just a better fit or not.  It is up to you to decide what works best for your family and then charge forward with confidence.  Today I want to share a few examples of what the days of some homeschooling friends of mine look like- each from a different homeschooling perspective!

First ours- (eclectic in style)
7:30- Wake, personal devotions and get dressed.
8-9- Chores and breakfast.  This year we have a breakfast chart on our fridge with choices for the boys.  I will spend Saturday preparing anything we need and freezing it or putting it in the fridge.  It will then be their own responsibility to get it out and reheat it.  Once they have eaten and checked off a choice they have to choose something different the next day.  The exception is that they can choose cereal twice, but this eliminates the possibility of them choosing cereal every day.  Trust me, this would happen!  Since we have a Morning Meeting time together as well as the time we eat lunch together, I am trying to let go of the guilt of not eating breakfast together.  This will be the time that I exercise and blog.
9-12- School time, beginning with the Morning Meeting with my 3rd grader.  Each boy has their assignment book to follow.  The 13 year old does most of his work by himself with an occasional touch and go from mom so he has the freedom to decide what order he will do the subjects in.
12-1- Lunch break and free time
1-3- School
3-4- Reading time.  Everyone finds a quiet place to read for pleasure.  Everyone!
4-6- Free time/play time
6- Dinner
7- Family Devotions

Of course, our evenings do get adjusted to fit different schedules.  Our oldest son has Scouts one day and our youngest swims twice a week.  Our girls are older, one of whom has graduated, is working, and is currently living at home, while our senior in high school is busy dual-crediting her last year before leaving for school.

Another eclectic homeschooling friend who blogs at Eclectic Homeschooling says this-
"We tend to have longer school days with a good portion of the school day spent in informal learning rather than just seat work.  On this day my son spent 4 hours and 25 minutes in more formal activities including math, treadmill, language arts, and Greek.  He spent a total of 3 hours in informal activities including active play (exercise), computer logic games, meditation time, and watching science and foreign language videos." Read more!

But what about a family who does most of their work from one publisher (out of the box)? Kemi writes this-

Our Out of the Box Homeschool Day

Sometimes when I sit around and talk with other homeschoolers I feel a bit out of my league. These women are amazing. Pulling together tailor made curriculum for each of their children and following through until the end.

I’m amazed and impressed.

I’m also lazy. We use the Out of the Box DVD urriculum in our home. We use BJU Press for a couple of reasons. First they use the KJV version of the Bible in their curriculum. That’s important to us. Also their
visually appealing courses keep my audial and visual learner engaged. She’s paying attention and all her learning receptors are on go! Oh, and even though I only said two, number three is that the curriculum is
good. She’s learned a ton, stayed at her grade level and gone beyond in a few courses. Them, me or her? Who knows but it works for our family.

Here’s how our Day looks.

We start school at 9am. Before that my husband gets up at the crack of dawn and gets himself out the door. I get up shortly thereafter, do my devotions, sometimes exercise, get a little blogging in, and then go to wake the Sweet Peanut.

After she wakes up and sees to her morning ablutions (I love that word) we have breakfast together and then do devotions before school.

Our courses are on DVD so I check the Lesson plan for each course and pull out the appropriate paper work etc. I check the lessons about a week before to make sure I have any craft or science supplies on hand but on the day of school I check what I need to print and prepare before the class.

Each class on DVD has about a 2 or 3 minute mom’s minute section to watch before the class so you know what to expect. Sometimes I watch these. Sometimes I don’t. I also read through the Teacher’s Manual and various other papers that BJU sends me.

This is our schedule.

English
Handwriting
Math
BREAK (30 minutes)
Reading
Heritage Studies
Science
Spelling

We finish up school about 2:30 or 3. If there is a big science project or craft thing going on it may take longer or we’ll do it with dad when he gets home.

We have piano lessons on Saturday and we’re eyeballing some gymnastics which would take place on our off day mid week. By the way did I mention that we homeschool 4 days a week? This is to accommodate hubby’s schedule so we can spend more time with him.

Well that’s how we get it done here at RavenHill homeschool (my little name for our place on the hill).

Kemi Quinn is a wife, mother, homeschooling mom of 1, church musician, and amateur cook. She loves to read about how women kept home in time’s past (aka Vintage Homemaking). She blogs over at Homemaking Organized.


Or a family with a special needs child-
Beth, from As He Leads is Joy shares "In my perfect world we would start on time in the morning and quickly, diligently work through our learning. Pause mid-morning for hot drinks -- coffee, tea, or hot chocolate depending on what you prefer. Then finish and move on to quiet play, some chores, and just enjoy our day. Well, that perfect world does not exist but the world that does exist is the one I am trying to live in...I have learned that working with her special needs, I need to be flexible, adaptable, give her lots of breaks, and have lots of variety. It does sometimes make it difficult for me and a long day but I love seeing her learn."we  T
o would start on time in the morning and quickly, diligently work through  
To continue reading go here!


And so as you begin your school year, I pray you will find your perfect schedule and be blessed beyond your wildest dreams!  I also pray that the Lord bless you with confidence and patience- you will need both! ;)

Remember, the first day is the hardest!  You can do this!

And speaking of first days- here is a first day idea that I love!  If you are not familiar with Teri Maxwell from Titus 2 Ministires, I encourage you to get ahold of some of her resources! As a fellow homeschooling mom who just successfully graduated her 8th child, she understands the ins and outs of homeschooling.  Homeschooling With A Meek and Quiet Spirit can change the way you school your children, and Just Around the Corner is a great way to start your school day with a little encouragement!


Linking up with friends!

Blessings,

Fun Friday Two Months of Giveaways- Scripture Stickies

Welcome back to week 3 of our Fun Fridays Two Months of Giveaways!  I hope you are having fun...I know we are.

Congratulations to Tracey D. for winning a copy of the Managers of Their School book!  Hope you enjoy it!

So this week, a little something different!

Several years ago we came across a book that encouraged you as family to memorize 100 scripture verses. We challenged some friends to join us and then dove in.  It was a wonderful experience but a little more challenging for the two younger kids as some of the verses were pretty hefty.  I am amazed at what kids can learn, but let's face it, some verses are just more easily understood than others for younger children.  Since then we have chosen our own verses and often shorten them for the younger kids.

Now, I have something even better!  Scripture Stickies!

When founder Julie Alvarez contacted me about reviewing these little gems I was thrilled.  They are perfect for our family!  Many different packs are offered, including kid packs, which contain 10 verses.  These verses are not only slightly shorter, but are ones that are easily understood and quite applicable to our kids' lives.  Verses like Ephesians 6:1 Children, Obey your parents in the Lord for this is right and Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me to name just a few.   Again, the kid packs come with 10 different scriptures for you to memorize.

The best part - each scripture is printed on a post it note-type backing so you can put them where they are easily seen.  Since my kids are sharing a bathroom these days, onto the bathroom mirror they went, one each week.  There they can be seen several times a day and are a good reminder to practice!  I love it!

Scripture stickies are offered in NIV, NKJV, KJV, NASB, ESV and some foreign languages as well.  You can buy individual packs or you can buy the Scripture of the Month club, in which a new pack is sent to you each month on a different topic.  Each of the standard packs have two copies of 5 different verses.  Stick one in your home and one in your car or somewhere else you spend a lot of time and you will be on your way to hiding God's word in your heart.

These fun little packs are perfect for gifts, party favors and would make great stocking stuffers.  Guess what my friends will be getting in birthday cards?  ;)  shhhhhhhh, don't tell!

Ready for the fun?  Julie is offering one reader a chance to win a Scripture Stickie pack of your choice. Enter the rafflecopter below to win!


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Blessings,