Songs

Just a few songs I've enjoyed listening to on YouTube the past few days:
Mister Sandman

Nature Boy - this is so hauntingly beautiful. I love it!

Never on Sunday - this one cracks me up.

They Say It's Wonderful

A few more summer freebies

This is as much for myself as anyone else. My kids have fun getting rewards, and these are all great things to do!

From REI:
http://www.rei.com/passport
Print the "passport" here:
(just realized they linked to last year's) http://www.rei.com/pdf/kidsPassport/pta_journal_09.pdf
And then print the form to send in for your prize:
http://www.rei.com/pdf/kidsPassport/passport_to_adventure_mailer.pdf

From Half priced Books:
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/free_PDF_downloads.html
Their flyer:
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/pdf/flyer4up_english.pdf
And the reading log:
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/pdf/generic-log2-C_english.pdf

Barnes and Nobles:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/
Their passport (reading log):
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pimages/resources/events/2010/summerreading/pdf/2010_PassporttoSummerReading.pdf

Cinemark Theaters:
http://www.cinemark.com/summermovieclubhouse/index.htm

Bowling (check to find one near you):
http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/
The list of participating locations - there's a lot!
http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/all_centers.php

Lowe's - free projects for children:
https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx

Home Depot:
Kid's workshops

Of course, check your local library. Ours offers weekly activities, story time, and prizes for reading.

I'll be posting more as I see more. Summer can be lots of fun!

Summer means reading, and free stuff!

First offer that I have seen this summer - I know, it's still spring, let's not get too technical - is from Borders. This one is very simple. If your child is 12 or under, all they have to do is read 10 books, list them on the form, and get you to sign. Then bring it in to Borders and get 1 free book. You choose from 10 titles. Most of them seems like great classics. this promotion lasts until August 26th. I hope to post about more summer fun as I hear about it.

Bible in 90 days - #3

I've been thinking a lot about King David, and his fall from grace. When you read the whole story in such a short time, the contract is stark. He was an amazing man, with such strong faith and trust in God. He refused to kill Saul, even though he would be justified in doing so, and had multiple chances. But when life became much easier, he let Satan creep in. It's interesting to think about what was a sin, and what wasn't. David stayed home from war. A sin? Not sure, as we don't know the circumstances. Then he was hanging out on the roof of his home, and noticed a beautiful woman bathing. A sin only when he continued to watch. He wanted to know who she was. No outright sin there. But when he found out she was married, he should have stopped there. Even after he laid with her and got her pregnant, he could have admitted his wrong. But instead he tries to cover it up. When that doesn't work, he makes sure her husband is killed in battle.

The man that was unwilling to defend himself against the King that chased him down, was willing to kill one of his trusted soldiers to steal his wife and cover up his sin. How quickly he fell!


On a different topic, two Psalms that struck me as I read them:


Psalm 13

1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

If you think of the enemy as being Satan, the verse takes on a whole new meaning.


Psalm 37

37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

I want to make this into a plaque on my wall. Beautiful, simple, and profound.

I am now halfway through the bible, and almost caught up again. I'm in the middle of yesterday's reading.

The bible in 90 days - #2

I have fallen behind again, and caught up again. The Old Testament is hard for me to get into. So much of it is so repetitive, that I have to force myself not to skip.

Still, there are some things that I've noticed, that I don't know if I had realized before. Joshua didn't first show up when the spies went out to survey the land and people. No, he was there as a companion to Moses on mount Sinai. I do not think he went up the mount, and saw what Moses saw. But I'm sure he learned much from those experiences as well as from Moses' teachings. He shows that in his response to the 10 spies who were afraid.

One thing that is so difficult with the Old Testament is how harsh the judgments seem to be on the people. But then you have to think of what they have seen and heard. The Israelites saw the Red Sea part. They saw springs suddenly start in the desert at Moses' command. The Lord talked to the people from a cloud. Food showed up from nowhere. And yet, they complain multiple times about how it would have been better if they had died in Egypt. How could they be so faithless? How could they forget those miracles so quickly? But then, would any of us done better? I would like to think so, but there are many times that I'm not so sure.

The bible in 90 days - #1

I decided to take the challenge from Mom's Toolbox, that I came across from a blog I subscribe to. I'm reading the King James Version, since that is what I'm used to. I am on day 4, and have just finished reading Genesis.

A few things strike me. First, is how many good parents have their own faults, as well as children that make terrible mistakes. Cain killed his brother out of jealousy. Lot's sons-in-law laughed at him. His wife turned back. And his daughters made him drunk so they could become pregnant by him. Isaac favored Esau, even though Jacob was the one who truly feared God. Reuben slept with his father's wife. Simeon and Levi killed a town because one man slept with their sister. Rachel stole her father's idols when they left his home.

What is to be learned from all this? Perhaps we need to be all the more watchful and vigilant in doing what is right. But also that we all make our own choices. I cannot force my children to be good, but I can teach them.

Today's reading was mainly the story of Joseph in Egypt. I seemed to understand more this time of why and how Joseph tested his brothers. He either hoped that they had changed for the better, or that he could keep his younger brother with him. It is amazing how much Joseph endured for so many years, and how quick he was to forgive his brothers. I hope I can become as forgiving.