Merry Christmas~Free Gift

December 23, 2014 by 2 Comments

I want to wish all my readers a Merry Christmas!! Our family will be busy over the next week or two spending time together, making memories. This is likely the last blog post for 2014…

I would like to give all of you a freebie for your family to save a few of the memories you make this Christmas. Add this to the cart below, use code MerryChristmas at checkout and enjoy!!

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Filed Under: Christmas

A Christ Centered Family Christmas

December 15, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Over the last week, we have set the books aside and tried to focus more on Christmas celebrations… Well, in between doctor appointments that is. As we got rolling through December, I quickly realized with four to six doctor appointments a week, we were going to miss having a Christ Centered Family Christmas if we didn’t set the school books aside on the days we are home. Being rural we have to travel to appointments and these end up taking at least a half day if not a full day away from home.

Celebrating a Christ Centered Family Christmas Taking time to spend time together doing more than the daily grind during a super busy Christmas Season

So, Tuesday (Dec. 9) we did school as I said we would the night before… but then we put the books away until well, until the appointments slow down a bit. Most of these appointments are for baby’s lip and tongue tie revision post op, eye glasses for kiddos, or my shoulder (older injury that I keep re-injuring). With all this “fun”, I quickly realized if we were going to have time to carry on any of our family Christmas traditions, we had to put the books away and focus on family and Christ when home.

Putting the books away has allowed us to do a few major decluttering/deep cleaning tasks that we had just not found the time for.

We have attended a field trip to a Christmas Tree Farm.

We had time to attend a homeschool field trip to a Christmas Tree Farm

We have baked goodies, and spent evenings watching a few Christmas movies!!

We normally start baking Christmas Goodies right after Thanksgiving. However, with all the appointments, we hadn't yet had time. By putting our books away, it made a little extra time to do some yummy baking!!

Instead of doing lesson plans on Saturday, I attended a craft class with adults… as in, a class for adults… not a class for my children. We have connected, had fun and enjoyed some precious time together, making memories…

 

By setting our homeschool books aside before the middle of December, we are able to do a few fun activities. Even mom too a craft class for MOM... as in not helping a child at a class.

 

Our oldest has had time to go with daddy to work on some projects in the shop. He learned to run a drill press and a metal lathe.

 

Our Oldest got time to learn to use some shop tools and build a jig for his wire wrapping art.

 

The further we got into December the less it w felt like Christmas was right around the corner… we had already packed and sent our Operation Christmas Child Boxes out. We hadn’t started gathering gift for anyone, hadn’t decorated, or anything. Now we have decoration us, music playing, family activities going, and lot of fun… even with all our appointments.

Have you found seasons where you have to make time to keep traditions? How did you adjust to make that time?

Filed Under: Christian Family, Christian Home, Christian Wife, Christmas, encouragement

Easy Crafty Christmas Gifts

November 30, 2014 by 1 Comment

The month of December is a great time to get your craft on. And while you get your craft on, why not make a few quick and easy gifts for your friends and family? Most all of these crafty items can be made even with your kiddos around and they may want to help a bit too!!

Many times making a few crafty gifts will also save you quite a few dollars. These gifts also tend to mean more years down the road. I still have the stocking my grandma made me when I was about 15 months. It is tattered and not as spiffy as it once was, but so well loved and has such means as she passed away when I was 12.

Here is a list of crafty goodness. Some are links to Pinterest finds!!

 

  • Jamberry Jar of Goodies…

I am going to be giving a Jamicure in a Jar away at a couple of Christmas Gatherings.

You will need some hand cream, Jamberry application Kit, Jamberry nail Wraps, and I am making a sugar scrub and a jar with fabric for the lid.

For a simpler set, you could get the Jamberry Holiday Gift Set.

Pampering Hands in a Jar with Jamberry

 

  • Take a sketch book and decorate the covers with fabric, and or scrapbooking paper, then write a sentiment on the first page. Now you have a very special customized journal for someone.

Photo Credit Debra M.

What are you crafting this year? Do you have links to an Easy Crafty Christmas Gifts? Leave it in the comments!!

Filed Under: Christian Family, Christmas, DYI Tagged With: ,

$400 IBN Amazon Giveaway

November 30, 2014 by 33 Comments

I am part of a group of bloggers known as Inspired Bloggers Network. We work to network and promote each other in our blogging endeavors. Part of our work includes putting together GREAT giveaways and offering bigger ticket items as group, rather than smaller items individually. So, for Christmas, we are giving away TWO $400 Gift Cards!!

I know so many who could use this for so much, not just Christmas gifts. With the economy still having struggles there are those who could use this to get a few goodies to eat. The wonderful thing about Amazon is that there is about everything you could ever want available. Four Hundred Dollars could go a ways in helping a family with REAL needs. That is one reason I was Inspired to give in this giveaway!!

The bloggers of the Inspired Bloggers Network have gathered to add some SPARKLE and SHINE to your December with TWO $400 gift cards to Amazon!

 

Giveaway Sparkle

I am excited to be on the SPARKLE team with these other awesome bloggers:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter the giveaway from Team Shine!

And check out all the wonderful gift ideas below…


What is one item you would be able to use the $400 Gift Card on if you won?

Filed Under: Christmas, Giveaway Tagged With: ,

Mom’s Christmas Wishlist

November 29, 2014 by Leave a Comment

What to get mom for Christmas? She has it all! Well, I have heard all this, and so I put together Mom’s Christmas Wishlist… more than just clothes and kitchen gadgets… but those won’t hurt either.

Homeschool Planner and Magazine on Sale

One of my favorite homeschool companies is having a BIG Cyber Sale over the next few days. Home Educating Family provides numberous planners and a wonderful magazine

Pencil Sharpener like NO OTHER!! This is the BOSS!!

In our home we sharpen pencils… a lot of pencils. I had gotten to where I felt like I was spending a tremendous amount of time sharpening pencils with pencil sharpeners that didn’t really get the job done.

A Binder Machine to Keep Paper Clutter at Bay

In our homeschool we do quite a bit of printables. If you have had papers scattered all about your home that really need to be contained together in an organized manner, then this ProClick Binder will be a hot gift for your family. I use this all the time for short units and so forth. One the units are complet I unbind the pages from the coils… 30 second job, three hole punch them and put them in a subject 3 ring binder as part of their portfolio.

Mom’s Night Out the Movie… Give mom something to laugh about!!

At the end of the day, moms need to be able to laugh. Mom’s Night Out, will do that. She will laugh until she cries. It is like someone came to our homes and really got a look in to see what REALLY happens…

Another way to Cut Paper Clutter

We use our laminator to make dry erasable or wet erasable practice pages for drill pages in our school… Math Facts, Spelling, Grammar Drills and more. I also laminate our chore charts and such so they can mark their color when completed.

A Planner to Help Mom Get and Stay Organized

Erin Condren or Plum Paper Planner

I love these planners. Any mom would love to have one of these to help get her days and weeks organized!!

2014 & 2015 Planner

My favorite notebooking pages life time

membership is $25 off!!

We use Notebooking Pages in our home on nearly a daily basis!! There are pages for nearly EVERY subject!!

NotebookingPages.com Cyber Week Membership Sale

Keeping Mom’s Nails Pretty

I have been loving keeping my nails a little nicer. I tried Jamberry a month ago, and fell in love. Little did I know my hubby LOVED me doing my nails. I hate polish, the smell, the time, the time to dry and the time to redo, because I didn’t wait for them to dry. So, Jamberry is AWESOME for me.

Jamberry is bringing back 12 Sister’s Style Exclusives from the last year and they will be available Black Friday through Cyber Monday! You heard us right, your favorite styles that you thought were gone forever, are back for a limited time starting Friday, November 28 at 12:01 a.m. through Monday, December 1 at 11:59 p.m. MDT

Black Friday (November 28) only, we are offering a FREE limited-edition Black Friday nail wrap when you spend $50 / C$60! This nail wrap will be automatically added to your shopping cart when it reaches the required amount. This exclusive design cannot be purchased on its own. Only one exclusive Black Friday wrap per order.

CYBER MONDAY
New plum Application Kits will be available and announced on Cyber Monday alongside the December Sister’s Style Exclusive. The new plum Application Kits will still include the same application tools as before, but they will now come in our new plum bag!

Black Friday collage

A note about using Jamberry… If your hands are in oily products or very hot water, the wraps will come off easier and quicker. I use kitchen gloves to help protect them. Also, DO NOT peel them off. Use acetone nail polish remover, olive oil, and heat. This will help keep your nails healthy!!

Erin is having a huge Recipe Bundle Sale at $5 Dinners!!

Check them all out!!

Moms spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Here is a bundle that will save mom time and money in the kitchen and give you some new foods to enjoy.

Holiday Bundles with Meal Plans & E-Cookbooks from $5 Dinners

Freezer Cooking Bundle with Meal Plans & Ultimate Freezer Cooking Guide

Humidifier for the Car…

No, I didn’t know they made one of these until about a month ago… Well, we have this, and it is wonderful!! Why? Well… first during the winter months, the heater runs non stop in our van and that dries out the air in the van. When that air dries out it dries out the kiddos mouths and airways. This makes it much easier to get sick… It also cuts down on the need to stop for drinks so much. We are more comfortable and happier for those longer car rides.

Knitted Head Band

This little gem, makes a bad hair day good, and will keep Mom’s ears warm. I love my head band, and my hubby thinks it is pretty cute!!

Socks infused with Aloe

Dry cracked feet are no fun for a mom on the run, and lets face, moms are on the run whether they are actually running or not. A pair of these socks, will help heal the cracks in her feet and keep them toasty warm on these cold days. You may even find her sliding around jamming in the kitchen as she cooks up a meal or two…

Filed Under: Christian Family, Christian Home, Christian Wife, Christmas

40% Off Super Holiday Sale

November 26, 2014 by 1 Comment

I love a good deal, and well, I have one for you this weekend. One of my goals with my blog is to provide a few printables at a reasonable price. Well, that price just got better, all products are 40% off through December 2nd.

There are Recordkeeping pages, house hold organization, Pearl Harbor Study, Christmas Memories and so much more!! I have and do use all of these products in our home. They were originally designed for our children and family.

Now is a great time to stock up on things to keep you kiddos learning during the busy Christmas season with something new and fun, and also grap a few things to help you get organized for the new year!!

PC Super Holiday Sale copy

 

Peace Creek Store Products

The Thanksgiving Plan Book A Simple Plan for a Thanksgiving of Gratitude

The Thanksgiving Plan Book
The Thanksgiving Plan Book, A Simple Plan for a Thanksgiving of Gratitude eBook is a 15 page ebook with pages to help you get organized, decorate, menu plan, a place to create a book list, activities to do with your children, Gratitude list, and more!! it is designed to be used in different sized planners by how you print it or cut on the borders on each page!! Erin Condren? YES!! Plum Paper Planner YES!! 8.5 x 11 inches? YES!!
Price: $5.00

Cricket Notebooking Style Nature and Unit Study

Cricket Notebooking Style Nature and Unit Study
This fifteen page notebooking style study will help your children learn a bit about crickets and gain a little more interest in some of God's creation. They will learn the parts of the cricket, habitat, what they eat, and more. When your children bring you a cricket grab these pages and turn it into a learning experience.
Price: $2.50

Basic Space Vocabulary Notebooking Pages

Basic Space Vocabulary Notebooking Pages
These pages are to help your student gain a basic space vocabulary. There are lines to write about the terms and place to draw a picture about the term, to help your students learn and remember what they have learned.
Price: $2.00

Family Christmas Memories Notebooking Pages

Family Christmas Memories Notebooking Pages
A set of notebooking pages to help your children record their memories from your family Christmas Celebration. There are pages to use their art skills, writing skills, and more. 25 pages total.
Price: $3.00

Pearl Harbor Notebooking Pages

Pearl Harbor Notebooking Pages
A quick study of Pearl Harbor to help your children grasp a bit about that day.
Price: $2.00

Mommy’s Weekly To Do List

Mommy's Weekly To Do List
A single page layout for the week including space for daily to dos, weekly and daily projects, groceries, scripture, prayer needs and more with check boxes for nearly all of it. Being a single page with nearly everything you could need to keep your week moving and organized, you are sure to use this page to keep you on track.
Price: $1.50

Daily Schedule Page

Daily Schedule Page
This daily schedule allows you to set up a schedule for up to seven member of your family. There are places to list your menu, housework, errands/shopping, and to do list. I laminate 2-4 of these and set them up for the week using a wet erase marker to save on paper and printing cost.
Price: $0.50

Daily Routine Page

Daily Routine
Daily Routine
A Timed Schedule doesn't work for everyone. This routine is set up around times of the day, not by the clock. This Daily Routine allows you to set up a schedule for up to eight members of your family. There are places to list your menu, errands/shopping, prayers, and to do list. I laminate 2-4 of these and set them up for the week using a wet erase marker to save on paper and printing cost.
Price: $1.00

Weekly Student Assignment Sheet with Lifestyle of Learning Record Space

Weekly Student Assignment Sheet with Lifestyle of Learning Record Space
Student Assignment Page with Checkboxes for student and teacher, what I am reading, places I have gone, people I have seen, Life Skills Learned, Projects I am working on, Character and Bible. I use this to assign a week's work of lessons to help foster independent learning.
Price: $2.00

180 Day Subject Record

180 Day Subject Record Keeping Forms
There are 24 pages in this download, one for nearly every subject you can think of. There is even a blank page. I use these pages to help keep track of the number of days we have worked on a subject. I record the basics of what we completed, pages, field trip etc.
Price: $5.00

Grade Record

Grade Record
This is a two page record, and contains space for 45 days, and to average at the middle and end of the 45 days.
Price: $1.00
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Filed Under: Christian Home, Christian Wife, Christmas, homemaking, Homeschool Deals

Holiday eBook Bundle to Help Your Family Stay Focused

October 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Thanksgiving, Christmas and all are just around the corner. It is time to get organized and focused on the true reasons for these special holidays. This bundle of 25 books for JUST $25 will be sure to help you. There are planning pages, homeschooling helps, pages to help your children record their memories, crafts to do, and many more.

Inspired Holiday Bundle - 25 products for holiday inspiration at only $25 #InspiredBN

Our family normally takes from Thanksgiving to Christmas off from our regular homeschool lessons, and we do more holiday focused studies. This bundle will take all the work of gathering all the resources.

Several of my close blogging friends have put together the 25 eBooks in this bundle. I even have a couple included!!

The holidays are quickly approaching and with many ways to celebrate between October and December, you might start feeling a little stressed and uninterested.

Inspired Holiday Bundle - 25 products for holiday inspiration at only $25 #InspiredBN

Do not let this holiday season slip by! Make each moment special and gather the inspiration you need from the Inspired Holiday Bundle - 25 products for holiday inspiration at only $25. You save over $125! In this bundle, you will receive the following eBooks, printable, and webinars available for only $25:

  • Extreme Christmas Savings E-Book & BONUS Planner Pages by Alicia Myers from Extreme Christmas Savings
  • Good Old Days Farm Play Set by AlinaJoy Dubois from Good Old Days Farm
  • Be Thankful: Cultivating Year-Round Thankfulness by Amanda Pelser from Kids in the Word
  • Celebrate Jesus: An Advent Celebration for Families by Amy Blevins from Bow of Bronze
  • Pearl Harbor Notebooking Pages by Betty Eisenhour from Peace Creek on the Prairie
  • Christmas Memories Notebooking Pages by Betty Eisenhour from Peace Creek on the Prairie
  • Gifts and Celebrations by DaLynn McCoy from For the Display of His Splendor
  • Homeschooling & the Holidays Giving Thanks by Felice Gerwitz from Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network
  • My Book of Thanks: A 25 Day Gratitude Journal for Kids by Heather Bowen from Upside Down Homeschooling
  • Hickory Dickory Doc Holiday Edition by Jennifer Gerlach from Upside Down Kids
  • The Sassy Christmas Season Planner by Jill Craft from The Sassy Slow Cooker
  • God’s Joy In The Season by K.M. Logan from K.M. Logan Inadequate But Strengthened
  • Loving You Long Distance: Tips for Strengthening Long Distance Family Relationships by Katie Hornor from Paradise Praises
  • WriteShop Christmas StoryBuilders Writing Prompts by Kim Kautzer | WriteShop from In Our Write Minds
  • Christmas Activity Book For Children, 12 Pages of Christ Centered Fun by Laura Anne Miller from Laura Anne Miller, Children’s Author and Illustrator
  • Everyday Christmas: Helping your kids find Jesus in the everyday moments of the season by Lori Fairchild from Everyday Truth
  • A Time for Remembrance: Thank You Notes for Kids by Misty Leask from Simply Helping Him
  • Christmas Fun for Preschoolers by Monica Pruett from Happy and Blessed Home
  • 25 Days of Easy Christmas Crafts for Children by Sarah Robinson from Sidetracked Sarah
  • Grinn N’ Giggles Holiday Printable Pack by Sarah Warren from The Climbing Tree Academy
  • The Adventures of Grinn N’ Giggles Friends Can Count on Each Other by Sarah Warren from The Climbing Tree Academy
  • Sensory Bins by Sharla Kostelyk from The Chaos and The Clutter
  • December Planning Pack for Children by Stephanie Eidson from The Multi Taskin’ Mom
  • November Planning Pack for Children by Stephanie Eidson from The Multi Taskin’ Mom
  • Weekend Potluck Fall Favorites by Tabitha Philen & Friends from Frugal Family Favorites

Inspired Holiday Bundle - buy it now

Terms: Sale ends November 3rd at 11:59 PM Eastern. All sales are final. You will receive the encrypted download links by email after purchase. You will have 24 hours to download the links before they will expire. We will not offer refunds for items not downloaded before the links expiration. Downloads are contained in THREE zipped folders. Please verify that you are able to save the files before downloading as you can only download the links twice before they expire.
Each product is copyrighted to the author as mentioned above and may not be copied unless otherwise noted in the individual product. Additional terms and conditions may apply to individual products. Please read the copyright information contained in each file.
Filed Under: Christian Family, Christian Home, Christian Mothering, Christian Wife, Christmas, homemaking, homeschool, In the Kitchen, winter fun Tagged With: , , ,

Teach Them Diligently Convention Deal, only available here through Jan. 5

December 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Have you been considering registering for the Teach Them Diligently Convention? Now, is the time to do it.

I attended Teach Them Diligently Convention last year in South Carolina. I was very blessed, not only by the speakers,and some new vendors, but also by many of the attendees. There is just something so encouraging about gathering with several thousand like-minded parents. Talking, and crying together as we share our trials and triumphs in this parenting/homeschooling journey.

Well, today through Jan. 5 I have a special code, for you to use when you register. PeaceCreek will give you $5 off all events on the

Teach Them Diligently Convention’s

website.

 

This would make an AWESOME Christmas gift for the homeschool family, or a family considering homeschool.

Filed Under: Christian Homeschool Convention, Christmas Tagged With: ,

Turning to God When You Would Rather Have a Mommy Meltdown

December 20, 2012 by 4 Comments

So, this morning, has been CHAOTIC!! Crazy, and I let Satan have it for a bit, he succeeded in pulling out nearly all the Christmas Joy for just a tiny bit. But, then I stopped in my tracks…or rant, and realized what was going on. Satan was working hard, we had let him in, and gave him free range of our home all in about 20 minutes time…Scary how that can happen isn’t it?

Turning to God When You Would Rather Have a Mommy Meltdown

Isaiah 24:10

The city of chaos is broken down; Every house is shut up so that none may enter.

See, I made a list, and was so proud that I knew what needed done and had it all figured out…However, I had one child not get all their stuff from the last few days done, and a website crash that had some of my to do lists on it. How was I going to get all this stuff done? It has my grocery list, my to do list, my baking list…How can that crash today? How? I was having one of those toddler type meltdowns, only well, I am a grown adult…trying to set an example for six children?

 

Proverbs 14:17
A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated.

1 Timothy 3:11

Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

Well, see God knew there really was no way everything on that list was going to get done…while keeping the joy in Christmas for our entire family. Really, I mean, there are only twenty-four hours in a day, not forty-eight. He knows what we can and can not get done, and when we try to get more done, well, it can seem like the world is crashing down on us. This crash started by nine am. Not a great way to start our Christmas Vacation…

Well, God must have seen me about to have a Pre-Christmas got too much to do, Mommy Melt Down as suddenly all the little things leading up to a big thing, have started falling into place.

See that is how it tends to work. He sees us getting too involved in the busy-ness of our day to day lives, and slipping away from His plans for us. What does He do? He drops us to our knees, has us right where he wants us, so we will turn and see His hand in everything and then we realize He has all those details worked out for us. Why did we need to throw a fit or get worked up and worry ourselves? We don’t, if we will just turn to Him when we are lost, whether we are lost in how to get the house ready for Christmas, or lost as to how are we going to feed our family with only $10 left until the end of the month. God has it all worked out, before we ever even knew there was going to be a problem…

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Have you been on the verge of a mommy meltdown? What verses are you turning to?

Filed Under: Blessings, Christian Family, Christian Home, Christian Wife, Christmas, Devotions by Betty, encouragement, homemaking Tagged With: , ,

Look at What’s New on the Farm

December 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Back in September, I got a birthday present, that most wives would probably balk at…

Daisy, our Dairy Cow.  She isn’t the tamest, cuddliest, or even calmest cow.  She will let you scratch her if there is food involved.  This is better than the day we brought her home.  That day, if she saw ya, she was likely to try and take ya…

Well, back when my Hot Guy bought her for  me, yes, I begged for her, we were told she would calve (have the calf) in early November….However….she umm, waited and waited and waited…and had the calf this morning (Dec. 17).  He is ADORABLE!!  I mean, cute…

So, what is his name?  Ebenezer…yeah, that would be the Hot Guy’s name for him…I though Grinch was good, but…I will let The Hot Guy name him this time…next year…well…we will have to see about that. Winking smile

Who will be milking Daisy?  Well, probably The Hot Guy, simply because he is very experienced having grown up on a dairy, and considering she isn’t the tamest cow.  Someday when we have a tamer cow, we hope to all get to help with the milking.

What’s happening on your farm?

Filed Under: Christian Home, Christmas, Cows, Farmwife, Homesteading, Livestock Tagged With: , , ,

Christmas Shortbread Cookies~Three Ingredients

December 17, 2012 by 1 Comment

Do you love a simple, easy, fun cookie to make during the Christmas baking season? Well, this is the best cookie we make, it is easy, fun and only take s 3 ingredients. When I do frost these, I just make a basic butter cream frosting. We don’t always frost them. Many times we just use a few sprinkles.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour

That’s it!!

Now, cream the butter and sugar together, add the flour and mix well. Roll out onto floured surface with rolling pin, to 1/4 inch thickness. Now, I let the kiddos have at it, with cookie cutters. Arrange on ungreased baking sheet, prick the top. Bake at 300 for 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle while warm or frost when cooled. Makes about 4 dozen. Simple huh?

 

Filed Under: Christmas, homemaking, In the Kitchen Tagged With: , , ,

Christmas Craft: Sun Catcher Nativity Scene

December 5, 2012 by 7 Comments

I have spent the last few weeks looking for some fun Christ centered Christmas Crafts to work on with my children. I have always wanted to do a craft with a Nativity Scene as the focal point, but had never come across one that would be simple enough to do with my children’s wide age ranges.

Then I stumbled upon this blog post on Pinterest. For lots of ideas, be sure to follow me on Pinterest. Winking smile

Suncatcher Nativity Craft

I decided to take this project a bit further and change it up a bit.

We used something I loved to do as a child, and I haven’t done it since my oldest was about 3 or so, waxed paper and crayon shavings…

Supplies needed:

  • Print the below link and paste to black construction paper and and cut out. Winking smile.
  • Waxed paper
  • Scissors, and or and Exacto Knife
  • crayon shavings
  • Iron
  • Paper Towels

Sun Catcher Nativity Craft

To make the silhouette, I printed the above PDF on white paper, and then glued it using a spray adhesive to black construction paper.

Sun Catcher Nativity Craft

Then I used an exacto knife to cut it out. Leave the bottom attached so it is a bit more sturdy. To cover the white or lighter areas (only at the bottom), I took a black marker and colored them in. All the other white, should be cut away.

Sun Catcher Nativity Craft

My children really enjoyed grating crayons. We used a grater, vegetable peeler and crayon sharpener.

DSCN5038

In this picture, I have a piece of waxed paper, larger than the nativity silhouette, then layered the silhouette on top of it. Now, add your shaving/gratings to the non-blacked out areas.

Christmas Nativity Sun Catcher

Now cover the nativity scene with another piece of waxed paper, then place a paper towel over it, and iron it. Don’t sweep the iron yet, just press it for 10 seconds, lift and move it over and place down again. After you have pressed over the entire picture, you can now sweep it around.

Let the nativity cool, and then cut it out, about a half an inch from the edge of the black outline.

Nativity Scene Sun Catcher Craft

Are you doing any special crafts with your children this month?

Filed Under: Christian Family, Christian Home, Christian Mothering, Christian Wife, Christmas, homeschool, Homeschool Arts and Crafts, large family homeschool, winter fun Tagged With: , ,

Celebrating a Christ Centered Family Christmas

December 3, 2012 by 2 Comments

Growing up Christmas was about parties, presents, lights, and decorations.  Early on, it was about family too, but time and things happened and it became less and less.  Once I had my first child, I found that Christmas wasn’t what I wanted or knew it should be, we made changes and worked to give our children a Christ Centered Christmas, in today’s modern crazy chaotic month of December.

Celebrating a Christ Centered Family Christmas

Below is part of a post I did a couple of years ago.

In our family, we do give gifts, but our focus is on the giving.  Christ gave his life for us, and we enjoy giving gifts as a reminder of that.  We also do decorate some, though I try to keep the Santa and other non-Christ centered items to a minimum.   There are several of those decorations that are from both mine and my Hot Guy’s Childhood.   Many are from grandparents that are far away or already at the feet of Jesus.  They bring back memories that we want to try and share with our children, so they come out and are enjoyed.  We also have four Nativity scenes up.  This helps keep baby Jesus at the center of our Christmas.  At the top of our Christmas tree is an angel made several years ago when we didn’t have anything to use.  It is made from a paper towel tube, tissue paper glue and markers.

Our gift giving is not the fancy, crazy gifts that are so typical of our society now.  It is a normal thing for me to get a vacuum cleaner, mixer, dryer, or some other wonderfully useful item that will make my life a little easier.  Our children get needed clothes, homeschool curriculum, books, and other needed items.  Grandparents get a family picture.  This makes it simple to give gifts.

Christmas isn’t about the decorations, lights, presents…It is about the birth of a miracle, a savior, a little boy who still today gives us hope, peace, comfort and joy.  He has taught us what true love is for thousands of years

Some ways we have or are keeping Christ at the Center this month and spending extra special time as a family:

  • Reading many books…Some great lists here and don’t forget to check out what is free on Kindle here.
  • Jesse Tree
  • Truth in the Tinsel
  • Christ Centered Crafts (be watching as I share a few DIY/Tutes on these) To be sure you don’t miss any by subscribing.
  • I am doing this You Version Advent Reading Plan
  • My friend Jennifer has a very LONG list of Christ Centered Christmas ideas for the family.
  • Baking together~recipes other than what we normally make.
  • We picked out some things to help people through Gospel For Asia

How do you keep Christ as the center of your Christmas celebrations?

Filed Under: Christian Family, Christian Home, Christian Mothering, Christian Wife, Christmas, encouragement Tagged With: ,

Celebrating the Advent with Christ at the Center~Truth in the Tinsel

November 25, 2012 by 1 Comment

This year we are doing a new Advent study.  Though it is said this is geared for younger children, as I have looked through it, and started planning, I have found that it can easily be adapted for use with the WHOLE family.

We are using Truth in the Tinsel this year. 

Spend December impressing God’s Word on your kids’ heart! You’ll get 24 days of Scripture reading, ornament crafts, talking points and extension activities. Plus fun pintables and templates!

The printable ornaments are $3.99 and the book is $7.99.

Over the last week or so, I have been gathering our supplies to make the ornaments.  I also purchased the printable ornaments for days we don’t have all the supplies, or days that get a little frazzled.

I love how there is a supply list by day also.  This could be really helpful to maybe place all supplies in zip lock baggies by day and number them.  I haven’t done that, but I can see where it would be super helpful.

Here you can see the step by step instructions and the pictures to help you along.

Here are a few of the templates that are included with the main book to help you make some of the ornaments.

This is a picture of a few of the printable ornaments.  You can have your children color them with crayons, markers, pastels, or oil pastels.  For older children they could use glitter glue, water colors, yarn and more.  Let your children use their own creative ideas.

We will start our Truth in the Tinsel activity on December 1 with many other families around the world.  Will you be joining us?

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Filed Under: Bible Study, Christian Family, Christian Home, Christian Mothering, Christmas, Homeschool Arts and Crafts, winter fun Tagged With: , ,