Our Inspiring English Unit!

"Through hard work, perseverance and a faith in God, 
you can live your dreams".

For this term in English, my two eldest children (year 10 and year 7) are studying the novel 'Gifted Hands' by Ben Carson, M.D.

So that I could effectively help my kids with answering some of the questions if needed, I decided to read the novel for myself. I devoured it in two days, it was such an inspiring read!
His life story and the dedication of his mother, who was determined to have her sons believe the best in themselves, is powerful.

Ben Carson becomes a world-class pediatric neurosurgeon at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Growing up in poverty-stricken Detroit with his mother and elder brother, Curtis, Ben could have never dreamed of the future that lay ahead for him. When 9-year-old Ben's father abandons his family, his heart is broken with the hurt lasting a life-time... (read the rest here)

“By reading so much, my vocabulary automatically improved along with my comprehension.” 

I learnt a lot through this book, as a Christian, as an individual, but most of all, as a mother. I'm encouraged by the strong will and the sacrifices of Sonya Carson, and I could only pray that my influence on my childrens hearts, minds and lives will be anything close to hers on her boys! 

"My favorite subject was recess. Fortunately for me, I had a mother who believed I was smart."

If you've not read this book, I really encourage you to. 
It makes a great English unit for our children to learn the requirements of the English language, but even more than that, it implants a contagious zeal into their hearts to be the best they can be in whichever area they choose; to put God first, to treat others with respect, to use the gifts and talents God gave them for the benefit of others, and to keep on keeping on when things seem to be impossible.

“No knowledge is ever wasted.” 

I've found some links for you, in case you're wanting to use this book as a resource for your childrens learning, or just to read for yourself! For study guides, click here, here and here. You can purchase the book for yourself here, here, or here! Also, here is a link to FREE Ben Carson note booking pages and handwriting... love free stuff!

“God has an overall plan for people’s lives and the details get worked out along the way, even though we usually have no idea what’s going on.” 

I hope you and your children enjoy this biography as much as we have! 

What an inspiration Ben Carson is to so many! 
Praise God for his wonderful, life-saving, gifted hands!




(Linking up with this blog here!)

FFW: Sloth Home

For the past two weeks, our family has been battling a horrible case of the flu. Yuck! Between the constant noise of sniffling, the never-ending reminders to 'blow your nose', razor sore throats and the sleepless nights of coughing, we are just about had it.

 

The kids stayed home from school yesterday and despite the sickness, it's was actually a lovely day. They played beautifully together. The whole house was completely covered in Lego, marble runs, cars, blocks, scrap booking, dinosaurs, John Deere farm trucks and Tonka trucks, barbies and believe it or not, wood shavings (in the kitchen - my eldest tried his hand at wood carving, with only two slips needing band aids, not too bad!). The house looked like a family of sloths inhabited it ... but it didn't take long to put it back in order, so what's the harm?!

 

I was coughing so hard that I spilt my tea all over myself ... and the lounge ... several times. The washing wasn't thought of, the beds weren't made, the kitchen -  well, I just ignored that, the kids stayed in their pyjamas all day, the music was playing, and I enjoyed reading books and perusing some lovely new blogs while trying to recover.

 

My sweet man kindly said that he would do a quick grocery shop on the way home from work, as I didn't think the general public would be quite so considerate of our wheezing and spluttering everywhere; best hibernate a little longer.

 

And so, today's post is about nothing in particular, just a quick stop in to write about a nice day spent with my children, watching and listening to them play and enjoy each others company ... amongst the ever growing pile of wadded tissues.

Today, I've managed to do some washing, some Bible study and bake two batches of blueberry muffins ... I must be on the mend ... but I'm still ignoring the rest of the housework!

FFW: Some Inspiring Quotes

A Christian home should be a place of peace,

and there can be no peace where there is no self-denial.

 

- Elisabeth Elliot

 

 

You are as much serving God in looking after your own children,

and training them up in God's fear,

and minding the house,

and making your household a Church for God,

as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts.

 

- C.H. Spurgeon

 

 

I can interact with the members of my family in a constant state of dependence and prayer, asking God to work in me and through me,

and resting in the fact that He will accomplish His will in spite of me.

(unknown)

 

 

My life is an on-going story that my children are reading everyday.

What kind of story am I?

(unknown)

 

 

God has entrusted us to prepare the hearts of our children for the Saviour.

We are tools used by God to whittle away the calluses of the heart,

keeping the heart tender and inclined to obedience.

(unknown)

 

 

 

Have a beautiful week resting in His grace.

 

(All photographs are property of Sufficient Grace please do not copy in any way, thank you)



FFW: Busy Little Hands

One of my favourite things to do as a mummy is to watch little hands being busy at work and play. Watching little minds grow and develop to learn new skills and accomplish new feats. Seeing the smiles on their faces when they have learnt something new. It's all just so precious.

 

 

 

 

As I type this I am watching my Little Mr R playing beautifully with a set of stacking marble tracks. He's not been able to put it together on his own before ... but today he did!

 

 

  He's jumping happily around the room, then watching as the marbles slide down and around the loops of the tracks.

 

 

Watching our children discover new things (no matter how small) is a beautiful part of being their mummy. It's also a beautiful opportunity to build confidence and self-worth into the hearts of our children through praising their efforts and accomplishments. We can teach them to persevere when something's tricky and they're getting frustrated at themselves. We can teach them to be kind and helpful to others by helping them. I just love it!

 

 

Little Mr R has really begun to enjoy drawing lately as well. I love the drawings that are typical to this age with legs and arms sticking out from the head! Little fingers grasping pencils and becoming aware of the world of colours and art.

 

 

Our whole family has been receiving these lovely little artworks almost on a daily basis, and my mummy box is filling up fast! I'm really loving this stage of my children's lives (reality check ... there are still times of stress in this home, we are a real family, it's not all bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils!)

 

 

This season of my mothering won't last forever. Soon, there won't be little fingers and hands eager to explore and discover. So, for now, I'll cherish these small moments, taking it all in and making the most of the precious little people in my life.

 

 (All images on this blog are the property of Sufficient Grace, please do not copy in any way, thanks)

Family Friendly Wednesday: Our Date Night ... Finally!

We finally went on a date night! It's been months! My mum very kindly came up for a visit to look after the kids for us (which they were ecstatic about!) and we set off on our date.

 

It was just so good to have this man all to myself.

 

You know what I mean. You love your kids but sometimes it's nice to have a conversation that is not interrupted by questions like, "Do you know how to say 'How are you' in Latin?" or "You know that song, like that one that we sung a few months ago ... ?" or "Can we please open up the new packet of toothbrushes because this one is leaving little bits in my mouth?" (What is it with kids and new toothbrushes anyway?! I brought some out shopping the other day and left them on the bathroom counter to open later, and Little Miss P saw them and excitedly exclaimed, "Thank you sooooo much mummy! New Toothbrushes!!" ... I just don't get it!)

 

And if it's not kids and questions it's phone calls. "Hello I'm calling you about this top of the range ... " No thanks! Or a work phone call or extended family (you know the ones that you love, but they always have the worst timing to call!), or the school or it's texts messages galore!

 

Not to mention the normal day to day things that must be done, work etc. and pretty soon you're left absolutely craving your man and some time away from responsibility to just enjoy your relationship. Just to have fun, chat, laugh, plan and dream. (also to not cook and clean up after a meal!)

 

Well, I finally had this time with MR S. It was really really really nice!

 

When we were dating, and living in a different suburb, our 'dating spot' was a gorgeous old-fashioned drive-in that we would frequent almost weekly. We would enjoy fish and chips and maltezers (you always have to have maltezers!) ... they were lovely days.

Now that we have moved 'out into the sticks', there is not as much choice for date night 'adventures'.

 

However, this last date night saw us creating a new tradition. We found a new restaurant that we love, and a new chatting spot after we've eaten together where we can enjoy our friendship. It was just so good to remember why I fell in love with this incredible man. I don't know about you, but sometimes with the hum-drum of life we can lose the 'freshness' of our marriage and it can become 'stale' and well ... boring.

 

We are looking forward to many more nights at these places together, it's just so important to us to make the most of this marriage we share as (Lord willing) it will be our only one. We are realising that after many years of marriage that we can't ever get to a point where we don't take time out for each other. It was a wonderful night and we enjoyed it so much!

 

What about you? What are some of your date night traditions with your man?

 

 

 We have a few exciting days ahead of us! Our Little Miss P turns nine tomorrow (I will not cry!) and on Saturday we are going on a family holiday for a week at the beach! So, I will be taking a break from blogging here for a week or so ... look forward to seeing you when I get back!

Enjoy your beautiful families!
 

Family Friendly Wednesday: Hillsong Conference - Healthy Homes (Part One)

I need to apologize for this blog post being a day late. I had it written and ready to go for you all, and clicked 'publish', but didn't realise until now that it didn't actually publish! So sorry about that! Here's the post for yesterday, hope you enjoy! ...


*****

The speakers in the 'Healthy Home' elective at Hillsong Conference this year spoke to us about how we can be more effective in our families in our day to day lives. I thought that I would share some of my notes from this session with you.

 

The most pertinent point that they made was:

generosity is the key to a healthy home.

 

Are we generous in our homes with:
 

our respect?

our trust?

giving praise?

giving our time?

our listening?

our teaching?

 

We were encouraged to have an excellent generous spirit.

Generosity is not about us.

 A wise man (or woman) devises ways to be generous! How beautiful is that?! We have the opportunity to purposefully plan ways to actively show generosity to those in our own homes to the glory of God.

To live with a readiness to give.

 

Reminders of simple, yet vital practises were given.

 

Be an active listener - for someone to be heard is a way of esteeming, respecting and honouring them.

 

Give eye contact when you speak with family members; this shows that you have a sincere desire to hear the other persons heart.

 

When you are an effective listener and you give eye contact, you can really hear how that person is thinking and feeling and be more able to guide them.

 

Generosity flies in the face of self.

 

As we sew into our families generously, we reap so much more than we can ever imagine.

 

We need to do whatever we can to show our husbands we love them.

 

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

Prov 31:12

 

 

We need to be generous within the house in every area and for everyone within the home.

 

What a beautiful privilege we have as wives and mothers! To be daily showing (with God's help) generosity to our family members and providing tangible ways for them to know we love them.

What do you think about their advice? Would any of it be helpful to your beautiful family like it has been for mine?

*********

Here's a couple more photo's I made with Instacollage of Conference ... did I mention it was a brilliant time?!

 

Have a fabulously generous week!
 Part two will follow in the next couple of weeks in Family Friendly Wednesday! Would love to have you stop by.

 

Family Friendly Wednesday: Home Happenings

We've been enjoying ourselves the last little while. Although there has been sickness in the home, we have still been trying to make the most of our days. I'm a very glad the sickness is on it's way out though! Definitely makes a mothers job even more challenging!

 

 

Mr R enjoyed driving his cars and trucks through the dirt. It's what every boy needs; cars trucks, dirt a tractor and a shed! He makes the best sounds effects when he drives and as you can see, he is such a happy little man!

 

 

 We enjoyed a visit from my mum (prior to sickness) and had a great time together. The kids love colouring in with Nana and they enjoyed exploring outside with her and lots of cuddles. Mum and I went out to lunch together and had a great time chatting and laughing together! I love my mum!

 

 

I love Little Mr R's head poking through in this photo!

 

 

This was a beautiful sight that I walked in to one morning ... two little chilluns snuggled up with books. Oh how I love that my kids love books! I love the smile on Mr R's face as he listens to the enthusiastic reading of Little Miss J.

 

 

 

Mr S. reading Gulliver's Travels while resting from sickness. Days home sick from school are always best spent with a book. He looks so relaxed.

 

 

 

Our kids love to have adventures at home. This is our very tall Honeysuckle tree that they enjoy climbing (which gives mummies prayer life much exercise!) And these chairs are the cubby house rooms and door etc. (yes I checked they were stable!) I love how my kids can create their own fun!

 

 

We have a favourite park that we like to visit as often as possible. It is almost magical, especially when the sun shines through the trees and the kids go hiding under the branch rooves. We have discovered lots of beautiful things at this park and the kids rarely hesitate to visit such a glorious spot for a picnic lunch.

 

 

Our beautiful friend came up for a visit for a week and brought her lovely little daughter (who shares the same name as our Little Miss J) for some play time with Mr R. We visited a local lavender farm and enjoyed morning tea together and walking through the rows of gorgeous smelling flowers.

 

 

 This lovely lady is such a precious friend, and we enjoyed many late nights scrapbooking, chatting, laughing till our stomachs ached and eating probably waaayyy too much cookies and cream ice-cream. We went for coffee and lunch and a fantastic night out at our church (a post to come on that later!!)

 

 

These two little cuties had such wonderful fun together, and it was such a blessing to have them visit!

 

"Life is what you make it", quote un-quote my wonderful husband. We love making this life as beautiful as possible together ... after all, we only get one!

 

Enjoy your week! I've linked up with A Wise Woman for more inspiration for you!

Family Friendly Wednesday: Lovely Poetry

We have a beautiful friend (with her beautiful daughter) visiting with us this week, so I am hoping to be computer free as much as possible so we can make the most of our time together! So, today's post is just a couple of sweet little poems I found, that I hope you enjoy!

 

"The Home I Love"       

Some homes are quiet, polished, neat
But one I know is far more sweet
Where tiny smudges on the wall
Tell of fingers dear and small.
Where toys are sometimes strewn about
And doors are banging in and out.
Where little children play and sing,
And laughter's often heard to ring...
The home I love is filled with noise
Of happy little girls and boys!    

Author: Kay Hoffman

 

 

 

"Family"

There's a special kind of closeness
that only families know,
That begins with childhood trust
and deepens as you grow.

There's a special kind of happiness
in sharing little things,
The laughter, smiles, and quiet talks
that daily living brings.

There's a special kind of comfort
in knowing your family's there,
To back you up, to cheer you up
to understand and care.

Of all the treasures life may bring,
your family means the most,
And whether near or far apart,
That love will hold you close

Author: Glenda Campbell

 

 

I hope you're all having a beautiful week!

Family Friendly Wednesday: Pondered Treasures

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19) 

 

I had asked my four year old son to get out something for a task for me to do, and to my surprise he began doing it for me! Unasked and happily! My heart melted. My first reaction was to quickly grab my iPhone, take a photo and post it on IG and FB. Then I stopped and thought, ‘hang-on, this was a moment just for me to enjoy’. I wonder how many times we rob ourselves of ‘pondering’ things over in our own hearts, by just quickly broadcasting it to people who do care, but not exactly the same as we do.

FB and IG are great tools of communication if they are used positively, and especially if we live away from extended families, or children studying away from home etc. However, this thought really stirred in my heart a desire to always ‘keep’ something as just my own, or just between my husband and I, or our immediate family. This is what helps to create family culture, identity, memories and bonds. It’s what makes a heart filled with irreplaceable, priceless, treasure memories of our children once they are gone and left home. The really special things I record in my diary. I still take photos of these moments (because I do love photographs, and IG for that matter!), but just save the gems to my camera roll instead of posting to FB or IG.

Treasured:  to keep or regard as precious; value highly. Cherished, precious, wanted, loved.

Pondering:  deeply or seriously thoughtful. To weigh in the mind with thoroughness and care. To be reflective.

 

Of course when this was said of her, Mary was pondering on the things that the shepherds spoke of, concerning what the angels had proclaimed about the beautiful boy she has just given birth to. But I can’t help but think if she had acquired a beautiful habit that would have filled her memory with beautiful treasures that were just hers as her son grew into a man.  Can you see her? Admiring her son, the Son of God. Admiring His wisdom, His kindness. Being full of motherly pride when she saw Him bend down low to help those in need; the lowest, the ‘scummy one’s’ of society. I wonder if she blabbed it all over the market place what her son was doing, what her son said. I don’t think she ever did. I think she continued in the habit of quietly pondering.

There’s nothing wrong with being proud of our children’s achievements, character, skills etc. But I think Mary was on to something. She reflected, not rushed. She pondered, not paraded. She treasured up, not talked out. She filled her heart, not filled her need of outward praise. What a beautiful example to us mothers in just that little sentence in Luke.

Before I reach, before you reach to ‘announce’ positive things on FB or IG, be picky and choosy. Obviously I don’t not share anything at all for others to see, but I do first consider if it’s a beautiful treasure that God has gifted only me with to ponder upon in my heart. I hope you do too!

Take the time to enjoy cherishing your moments thoroughly!

Family Friendly Wednesday: Two Cute Boys and One Cute Dog

It was a glorious day outside when I was enjoying watching my two sons playing with our puppy, Prince Caspian. It was one of those times where I stopped as a mummy and remembered how privileged and blessed I am to be the mother of these two young men.

 

  

 

It's so important to notice our children, to enjoy them at each stage, even if difficult. To try and purposefully observe the moments that we share with our children. These are the moments that make up our blessed lives. I fear my babies will be the same as yours, older, wiser mother - grown up and gone in the blink of an eye.

 

 

 

But for now, I will remember that nearly twelve year old heart, his sweet nature, the way he still loves to hug his mum, his young man's body changing and growing stronger by the minute. I'll remember my little four year old still chunky and squidgy, with that melt-my-heart smile, that contagious giggle and that way he shows kindness and love with ease. 

 

These are my boys ...

 

 

 

 ... and I love them to bits and pieces.