Teish Knits

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What I’ve Been Reading (and Reviewing)

Time for another update on the reviews that I’ve been writing!

“The American Girl book series has been popular since I was a child. I kept my books and was happy to be able to pass them on to my daughter. I was very excited to try out the Girls of American History curriculum that utilizes the American Girl books! Girls of American History is a downloadable PDF file. The complete set contains eight units, each covering one American Girl book series…”

Read the rest of my review and enter to win your own copy of the curriculum here.


“When I first saw the cover of Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions, I knew that I had to read it. I’m pretty sure that most of us have had days when we just wanted to stick out head in a bag and scream! I’m not exactly known for handling stress well, so a book about “coming unglued” reactions and how to better avoid them was on my must-read list…”

Unglued is another winner, and you can read why here.


“With a title like Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe, this was one book I had to read. I don’t think there’s a mom out there who hasn’t thought at one time or another, “I just need to breathe!” Reading this book is just the encouragement I need…”

If you’re a mom of young kids, then you need to read this book! Check out the rest of my review here.

While you’re reading some of my recent reviews, be sure to check out all of the other fantastic reviews by my fellow review team members! Every product and book reviewed is thoroughly field-tested. No, “I looked this over and it seemed good,” reviews are to be found! Definitely take advantage of the Home Educating Family Review site while you’re doing your planning for next year too.

 

Daybook for May 20th

 

Outside my window… yesterday’s sunshine has been replaced by overcast skies and rain. But we do need the rain!

I am thinking… about some of the projects that I plan to tackle this week.

I am thankful for… a quiet day.

From the learning rooms… this is our week off, and I think we’re all glad to have a bit of a break! We’re hitting the home stretch with this year’s books, and I’m elbow-deep in planning for next year. Have I mentioned that I’m glad we have this week off?

From the kitchen… it was a blueberry muffin sort of day. You can’t beat Grammy Lila’s blueberry muffin recipe, especially if it’s raining or snowing.

I am wearing… jeans, a gray Red Sox t-shirt, and my trusty purple crocs. (Yes, I keep saying that I need to replace them, but I’m sort of attached to this well-worn pair!)

I am creating… and finishing up little projects this week. One hat in particular had about 200 ends to weave in…

I am going… to wait until Tuesday to watch the Doctor Who finale. I told my sister that I’d wait and watch it with her. It’s a good thing we went to see Star Trek this weekend, so at least I’ve had a bit of a science fiction fix to tide me over!

I am reading… too many books to name. I seriously can’t believe I just typed that sentence. I’ve got a bunch of review reading, not to mention plenty of books I want to read, and books that I have to read before fall because we’re using them for school. Whew!

I am hoping… that a few things sort themselves out soon.

I am hearing… kiddos playing in the living room, and kiddos digging through LEGOs in the dining room.

Pondering these words… “If you write one story it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.” – Edgar Rice Burroughs

Around the house… every time I wash a load of dirty towels it seems like another pile re-appears. I can’t explain this, can you?

One of my favorite things… is seeing some of the great LEGO creations the kids come up with.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Writing up the next six weeks of lesson plans, working on other writing projects, reading, and laundry.

For more daybooks, please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

What I Thought of Star Trek: Into Darkness

I rarely go to the movies these days, but I did go to see Star Trek: Into Darkness with my sister and some friends today. I’ll give you a general opinion first, then warn you when you should stop reading if you don’t want any spoilers!


Overall, I found Into Darkness to be an enjoyable movie. It’s fast-paced and there’s definitely a lot of action going on. Parts of the movie were similar to events that happened in a couple of the old Star Trek movies. However, viewers who are not familiar with the older movies will still enjoy this one. Benedict Cumberbatch did an excellent job in his role as a villain; his character was ruthless, intelligent, and not someone who could be easily defeated. The returning cast was as fun to watch in this movie as they were in the previous Star Trek movie. We see that Kirk and Spock have forged a friendship, but they still don’t always see eye to eye. Chekov had very little for on-screen appearances this time around, and I also would have liked to see a bit more of Sulu and Scotty. At the beginning of the movie we find that Captain Kirk is a bit lacking in experience and maturity, but by the end of the movie he’s definitely grown as a character.

If you like Star Trek, or even if you’re just a science fiction fan, you’ll probably want to see Into Darkness.

Now, if you haven’t seen the movie, or you don’t want to read any spoilers, stop reading.

*spoiler alert*

There’s always been speculation that Into Darkness would feature Khan. I was not completely surprised that this turned out to be true, and while I do prefer Ricardo Montalban’s Khan, I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance as the notorious villain.

Threads are taken from The Wrath of Khan and a new spin is put on it. I did like the fresh take on the story, but I felt like there was a lot crammed into just one movie. The pace of Into Darkness was much faster than The Wrath of Khan. Khan had already been introduced in the original Star Trek series, when The Wrath of Khan was made, and it wasn’t until the next movie that Spock was brought back. Condensing all of that down to one movie pretty much necessitates a script that moves right along.

I was reasonably sure that one of the main characters would die in a way similar to Spock in The Wrath of Khan. I was however, quite surprised when it turned out to be Kirk and not Spock! I certainly liked that little twist, and of course cried when Kirk died saving his crew. The conversation between Kirk and Spock in that scene was good, but in my opinion was not quite as good as the scene in the older movie. I think that was largely due to the characters in Into Darkness being younger than they were in The Wrath of Khan. At this point in the new movies, Kirk and Spock have not yet been friends for many years either. I will say, the character development over the course of Into Darkness was particularly good, and one of my favorite things about the new movie.

In the end, they did find a way to bring Kirk back. It’s at the very end of the movie that Kirk and crew set off on their famous five-year mission. And so we are left to wonder if another movie or even a TV series will continue the story. J

My final opinion? Star Trek: Into Darkness is an excellent movie that is well worth watching. Even though some things didn’t quite live up to The Wrath of Khan in my opinion, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and won’t hesitate to purchase it when it’s released on DVD.

Daybook for May 13th

 

Outside my window… it looks like today has been warm, but don’t be fooled! In spite of the sunshine, it’s surprisingly chilly.

I am thinking… about some of my writing and about how to more efficiently manage writing time. How on earth do the professionals do it?

I am thankful for… a chance to nap just a bit on the couch this afternoon while the Little Guy napped too.

From the learning rooms… we’re done with our animal notebooks for science. I have to say, the kids enjoyed making them, and have asked if they can do another science notebook. I think it’s definitely something we’ll continue with. I’ll have to stock up on composition books once the back-to-school sales begin this summer!

From the kitchen… meatloaf was on the menu tonight, but I simplified things and just made hamburgers to go with the baked potatoes. Then I discovered that I forgot to pick up carrots. Menu planning is great, but I have to remind myself that it’s OK if I don’t always go exactly by my meal plans.

I am wearing… black pants, a blue t-shirt, and my IT staff’s denim shirt. (I frequently borrow it this time of year when it’s chilly enough for me to want to throw on something to keep my arms warm.)

I am creating… another sweater, but a cotton one this time. I finished up my lovely red wool sweater just in time for warm weather. At least I have something to look forward to wearing this fall, right?

I am going… to see a movie this weekend. It’s been four years since I saw one at the theater. That movie for years ago was Star Trek. Any guesses what’s so tempting that I can’t wait for the DVD?

I am reading… a Doctor Who novel. Totally frivolous, but it’s science fiction, and not something that I would have to review. I grab something like that when I just want to read purely for fun.

I am hoping… to get a few things sorted out soon.

I am hearing… the older kids playing hide and seek.

Pondering these words… “And at the end of the journey we’ll surely rest with God. So let’s keep at it.”—Hebrews 4:10-11 MSG

Around the house… we’ve had mourning doves visiting our bird feeder!

One of my favorite things… is sun tea in the spring and summer. It reminds me of Grammy Lila, who always had a jug of sun tea around during the warm weather.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Just the usual stuff, and then catching a movie this weekend of course!

For more daybooks, please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

When There’s More Bitter Than Sweet…

Mother’s Day is this weekend. It’s a holiday that brings up bittersweet feelings for me. I know that there are some women out there who find more bitter than sweet in it. I know, because some years that’s been me.

I’ve been the woman who miscarried two babies and wondered if she’d ever hold one of her own…

I’ve been the daughter who couldn’t bear to think about the fact that it was Mother’s Day because I’d lost Mom just two months prior…

There are other reasons why thinking about that Sunday in May can hurt. Some of them have been explored on the Home Educating Family Blog. You can find those posts by clicking here.

This Sunday, I’ll hug the four precious children who put crayon and pencil to paper and make lovely cards for me. I’ll reflect on how thankful I am that I have a truly wonderful mother-in-law. I’ll still remember the four babies I never had the chance to hold, and I’ll miss my own amazing mom just as much as ever. But I’ll also remember some of the Bible verses that Mom helped me memorize so many years ago, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV)

I pray that any of you who are hurting this Mother’s Day will find the same comfort that I do in our Savior, Jesus. And maybe you’ll be able to share a little bit of that comfort with someone else too.

Family Photo Albums

One of the things that I love best about my house is the history. In the century since it was built, it’s seen a few generations of my family. It’s pictures like this that remind me just how much of a treasure that is.

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That’s my grandfather sitting right outside of this very house! I look through the old photos and say, “That’s our dining room!” or “That’s right outside the kitchen window!” It’s neat to have that little extra connection with my family. I’m so glad that I have some of these old photos of them. It gives me a little peek into the lives of the loved ones that I’ve lost, and those I never had the chance to meet. Photography is more than just art, though it is that, it’s also a way to preserve the past. It allows us to capture pieces of our lives, so that our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will have a way to remember the family history and keep at least a little bit of it alive.

The blog post my IT staff has on the Aaron Priest Photography blog today is not only a fantastic photograph, it also shows just how quickly things can change. And why it’s important to take photos now.

So, as much as I dislike having my photo taken (and I know I’m not the only one out there who feels that way), I’m going to make it a point not to step out of the frame quite so quickly. Someday, someone may want to know a bit more of your story. The photos that we pass on to future generations are part of that story, and a precious treasure.

A Wretch Like Me

I keep sitting down to write this post, and I never quite seem to know how to do it. I guess it’s an uncomfortable subject. I think a lot of us who grew up in church, regardless of denomination, picked up the idea that we had to present a certain image. We talk about things like grace and forgiveness, but desperately try to hide the fact that we are as much in need of them as anyone else. It’s easier to talk about all of the terrible things that have happened to me, and blame my problems on them. It’s much, much harder to admit that there’s just as much ugly stuff in my own heart. Nearly impossible for me to admit that all of that anger and greed lurking below the surface might have more to do with my problems than I’m willing to admit.

It started out when I read the book Everything: What You Give and What You Gain to Become Like Jesus by Mary DeMuth. It was a book that I was assigned to review. The entire time I was reading it I kept thinking, “Are you trying to tell me something, LORD?” See, I’m a bit of a control freak. I’ve laughed and admitted it on plenty of occasions. The idea of actually letting go and giving everything to God is utterly terrifying. Reading this book got me thinking and asking myself some difficult questions. (I’ll let you know when my review of it goes up on the Home Educating Family review site.)

Then came a free audiobook by Andy Stanley, Enemies of the Heart: Breaking Free from the Four Emotions That Control You. (You can download it for free at the Christian Audio website through the end of April.) Listening to this book was tough. It forced me to take a long look at what was in my own heart. I had no idea what I would unearth. One thing in particular that I took away from this book was that at the heart of greed is fear. Fear that God either can’t or won’t take care of me. It was this book that showed me all my obsessive worrying about money, the sleep lost over expenses that might or might not come up in the future, my constant thinking and planning how we might come up with the money for this or that was just plain greed. I was actually surprised when I discovered just how much anger I’d held on to as well. After realizing all of this, I was thankful for the chapters about how to deal with it.

At last, came another book to review. Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions by Lysa TerKeurst caught my attention because of the cover art. I’ve wanted to bury my head in a bag and scream more often than I care to admit. I don’t always handle stress or conflict well, and I tend to get a little “unglued”. Sometimes more than a little. This is another great book that I’ll mention again once the review is live.

If my blog has been a bit quiet for the last couple of months, this is why. I’ve been doing a lot of reading and soul searching. So many of my problems, including my health problems, are my own fault. Mom was right when she used to say that I was my own worst enemy! I hold on so tight, not trusting God enough to actually give Him everything. I hide attitudes like anger and greed deep in my heart where they eat away at me. I react to situations in ways that hurt myself and those I love most. A couple of years ago, God showed me that I needed to get beyond things in my past that were still hurting me. Now, He’s showing me that I have things in my own heart and mind that are hurting me.

Truthfully, I’m just as much a wretched sinner as the former slave trader who penned the words, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” A terrible price was paid so that where there is repentance, there is also forgiveness. Grace is forgiveness, but it’s more than that. Grace is God constantly at work in our lives. Shaping us. Refining us. Purifying us. It’s a difficult and often painful process. Yet I’m so thankful that God did not leave me the way that I was, and that He will not leave me the way that I am. “Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home.”

Quiet Grieving

“We called our parents and siblings with the good news. We were expecting! This would be the first grandbaby for both sets of parents, and everyone was thrilled with our news. Our siblings were equally excited about having a little niece or nephew. Mom and I even started shopping for little footie PJs for the baby. I picked up books to read and started taking the prenatal vitamins.

A week later, something was wrong. Blood tests, ultrasounds, and visits to both the doctor’s office and the ER filled the next two weeks. In the end, the books, baby clothes, and little stuffed teddy bear were packed away in a box at the back of the closet. I wouldn’t be having a baby in April after all….”

Read the rest of my article over at the Home Educating Family Blog.

Worth Checking Out…

Want to take a peek at some of my new reviews?

“There’s just something about a good regency era romance novel that makes me smile. Don’t get me wrong, I’m beyond thankful that I live in the era of indoor plumbing, electricity, and washing machines! But, it’s still fun to spend some time lost in a period drama. If you enjoy historical fiction, The Tutor’s Daughter by Julie Klassen is a great book when you’re in the mood for an interesting romantic story….”

Read the rest of the review here. (While you’re there, enter the giveaway!)

You could win a copy of this too: “I like the idea of lapbooking. The execution however, is not my strong point. I’d prefer to avoid lapbooks if my daughter didn’t love them! What I need, is a ready-to-go lapbook that doesn’t require my creating the booklets to put in the folder. That’s where Knowledge Box Central’s Classical Composers and InstrumentsLapbook comes in. We have a project recording our classical music study. My daughter has a creative and fun project to work on, and it doesn’t require endless prep work from me.”

Here’s the link to the rest of the review.

I haven’t written a review for this next one, but I just have to share it with you anyway. During the month of April, Christian Audio is offering a free download of Enemies of the Heart by Andy Stanley. I listened to it last week and it gave me so much to think and pray about. It was convicting to listen to, but that’s a good thing! Definitely download it this month while it’s free.

Hope you’re having a bit of spring wherever you are. I’m going to enjoy some sunshine today!

Happy 2nd Birthday Little Guy

Dear Little Guy,

Today you are two years old! I know I say this on every birthday, but I really can’t believe how fast you’ve grown! This year has taken you from a few wobbly steps to flat out running. You’ve learned new words this year, including “Star Wars”. You climb everything. You’re making progress with things like spoons and forks, but still don’t hesitate to dig in with your fingers. You build with LEGOs and scribble with crayons. You have learned so much, and it’s obvious to me that you’re just as brilliant as your siblings are. (I know I’m biased because I’m your mother, but I still think you’re remarkably bright!) You love graham crackers and M&Ms. You’re still my littlest redhead. You definitely know how to throw a temper-tantrum (as all 2-year-olds do), and you have the most adorable, heart-melting smile. I love it when you give me kisses. You may not snuggle on my lap as often, but I still treasure the times that you just want hugs from Mommy.

You’re still so young, but I’m starting to see bits of your own unique personality peeking through. I do know this about you: You have a family who loves you tremendously. No matter what. We are so thankful that God gave us the precious gift of you. Happy Birthday!

With Love,

Mommy