Family Movie Review - The Storykeepers

 

Are you absolutely sick of the filth that is being produced for our children to watch and fill their minds with these days?

Philippians 4:8 (King James Version)

" ⁸Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

What can you do as a parent to encourage your children to "think on these things"?

Finding good programs to watch can be difficult. We are very particular when it comes to mind entertainment, and the kids have a "scissors club" that Daddy has started recently (more on that later).

Every week I will be featuring a video from our collection. 

This week it is The Storykeepers by Focus on the Family.(Zonderkidz and Goodtimes DVD)

This 13 DVD collection is one that you can watch over and over. Each individual DVD is 30 minutes long and will help the stories of Jesus and the early church come alive in your child's mind and heart.

"The year is A.D. 64, and in Rome, the church faces fierce persecution. Driven into hiding, Christians gather wherever it is safe, and together they brave the Emperor Nero's fury. At secret meetings they learn about Jesus of Nazareth...And their faith prospers, thanks to Helena, and their family of young orphans: Anna, Zakkai the Zealot, Justin, Marcus, and Cyrus, a young street juggler, keep the stories of Jesus alive in ...the Storykeepers" 

This collection would also be a helpful resource if you are learning about Rome or the early Christians as well.

Let me know if you have this collection and what you think of it - any other questions, please feel free to ask!

(I am linking this article to A Silly Little Sparrow)

Tip of the Week - Pizza Cutter and Pancakes

 

 

Having 4 little mouths to feed is a daunting tasks when they are all chirping for their morning meal.

 

An easy way to get pancakes on the table and ready to devour can take less time if you use a pizza cutter.

Whip that pizza cutter out and cut those pancakes in a flash!

I cut my pancakes in half first, then put the halves on top of each other. Start making cuts to make as many triangles as possible and then pour syrup on last...how do you cut your pancakes?

Do you have a tip that I can feature? 

Email me at thisparentingadventure @ gmail.com (remove spaces).

Full Name Tragedy

Clip art courtesy http://etc.usf.edu/clipart

How do your children know their full names?

You say it when they get in trouble, right? 

He spilled cheerios all over the floor: "Thomas Freeman Watson!" 

She left the hose out in the driveway and the handle got run over and crushed: "Brittany Ray Newsom!"

How much time did you spend deciding on that middle name? You may have spent months doing research on meanings of names, saying them over and over to hear how the first and middle sounded together, maybe looking into family genealogy, and even making sure that it didn't spell a bad acronym!

But now, to use that child's precious full name - the name that you gave him on the day of his birth - only when he gets in trouble? Well, that's a tragedy. 

But what do you do about it?

One thing I have done since my children were infants is to use their full names when saying "good night" to them.

So I will say, "I love you, Victoria Grace Newsom." 

And she will say, "I love you, Mommy Newsom."

Then we will say any other good night words, and I say a prayer for that specific child.

Speaking your child's full name in a positive way, and as a regular ritual, such as before she goes to bed, gives comfort and confidence in who she is as a child in your special little family.

So start a new tradition...lose the full name tragedy, and embrace some new good night words:)

(I am linking this article to Raising Homemakers.) 

RECIPE - Garlic Butter

picture from www.finecooking.com

What goes good on bread, corn on the cob, potatoes and more? BUTTER!!!

But not just any butter, homemade garlic butter that is to DIE for:)

Newsom Homemade Garlic Butter

...don't let me deceive you, I do NOT make my own butter, and it's not REAL butter - it is the fake stuff in a tub:)...

You will need:
A container to store extra special butter
Minced Garlic *
Garlic Pepper *
Garlic Salt *
Onion Powder *
Parsley Flakes *
And don't forget your fake butter:) 

Real butter will work as well, just soften to mix

Everything with an * can be bought at the Dollar Tree!

Just mix a little of everything into the butter with a fork and let sit in the fridge for a few hours to absorb the flavors. But you know what, I have made some on the spot to use, and it still taste amazing!!!

You say, well Angela, how much do I really need to mix in with the butter?

For an 8 ounce measurement of butter, I would use 1 tbsp. of minced garlic, and 3 shakes of everything else (maybe an extra shake of parsley). 

Let me know how you like it!

You can see a plethora of fabulous recipes at

Tasty Tuesday

Tuesdays at the Table

 
Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays!

Thrifty Adventures - Chairs, a table, and a new love

So, I have a new love. I didn't really know that I loved him so much until this weekend. 

His name? 

Craig. 

You see, he has a "list". 

It is amazing what people price for items they put on this Craig's List...some are overpriced, many are great deals, and a few times you will be AMAZED at the treasures that await you when you visit his amazing list.

This week a friend gave us a 150 year old family table that they had no room for. It needs to be painted or refinished on the top, but we LOVE items with a history. 

 

 If you think about it, their ancestors were eating at this table during the Civil War! (I still have to find out if they were fighting for the North or South...)

We have a large table in our rectangular dining room, but if we want to have anyone over to eat, it becomes a little crowded with our family of 6 + guests. So I now have one L-O-N-G table, putting them both together (a little mismatched, but I am thinking of a way to remedy that without using a table cloth), but not enough chairs. 

I quickly checked on Craig's List and found someone selling 6 chairs AND a table for $30...gulp...did I just hit the jackpot?

I called, confirmed, and picked them up on Saturday. They are worn for wear, but I am planning on painting them. I will post before and after pics when I get them finished. They are sturdy high back chairs with some scroll work on the back - absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

 The table? Didn't need the table, but a family member does, so it works out well.

Finding deals is so exhilarating, isn't it?

 So do you have a "thrifty adventure" that you would like to share? If you do not have a blog to show us your pictures, link to your Facebook - just make sure that the pics are for "everyone" to view;)

Please mention that you are linking to this site by copying this word HERE, so that everyone can come back and see more "thrifty adventures" or visit Rhoda at Today's Thrifty Treasures!

Abigail Christiana Newsom - Blessing 4

 

Abigail Christiana Newsom is almost 2. Born in August.

She talks up a storm and can say anything - gotta be a girl thing:). 

She loves books and music. 

Her favorite songs are Bless you and Keep you (The Lord Bless You and Keep You), Twinkle Twinkle Little Tar, and Daddy Bunting (Bye Baby Bunting). 

We are working with her on obeying first time.

Nathanael Caedmon Charles Newsom - Blessing 3

Nathanael Caedmon Charles Newsom is 4 and was a late talker. Born in May.

Now, of course, we can't get him to be quiet for even a minute!

He loves to use adjectives when speaking, and is hilarious even if he doesn't mean to be:)

He loves puppets, cars and the color orange. 

Nate has become a very good frog catcher like his big brother William.

We are working with him on choosing to be happy instead of whining.

William Alfred Alexander Newsom - Blessing 2

William Alfred Alexander Newsom is my 7 year old. Born in July.

He loves to play knights, swords, and "tickle monster".

He loves to collect treasures and trinkets of all kinds. 

William loves his back to be scratched and always wants someone to play with him. 

We are working with him on sharing - and he is getting MUCH better about it!

Victoria "Grace" Newsom - Blessing 1

Victoria Grace Newsom is 9, we call her Grace. Born in December.
She is her daddy’s girl and is just like him in so many ways. 

She absolutely loves to read, if you can’t find her, she is in a corner somewhere reading a book.
Grace has a wonderful imagination that delights people of all ages. 
She has a tender heart for those that are elderly and the little ones.
We are working with her on having a good attitude in all things.

Chad - The Daddy

William Chad Newsom, my husband, is an amazing man that has written a few books, lots of articles, poems, and stories. See his website in progress called Talking of Dragons - Home Education and Cultural Renewal.

He has also written for Veritas Press for their Omnibus (High School Curriculum) and taught for their programs as well. He longs to be a full time writer, but works a regular job to pay the bills:)

He amazes me with his musical ability, and he writes music...for our family. I love it when he gets out the guitar for us to all sing along on Jamie Soles songs, or plays on the piano in the dining room after dinner.

We love historical places and movies. We have been together for 20 years (as of 2010) and been married for 17 years. God is making a great leader out of him, and he is shepherding our family down some amazing paths. Chad is a life-long learner whose one desire is to serve God in being faithful and true. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for our little family at Newsom Hall!

Angela - The Mommy

Mommy Newsom, or so I am called in the evening at bedtime. “I love you Mommy Newsom” they each say in turn as I tuck them in.  My name is Angela and I have 4 little blessings that I call my own.

I teach Coupon Makeover Classes. What’s that? I show people how to cut their grocery bill 75% and even get groceries for FREE. It is an amazing opportunity to share this “coupon knowledge” that has changed the lives (and pantries!) of so many people. May God be praised for the work that is being done. Check it out on www.couponmakeover.com.

I love to do crafty things like “one-stroke” painting and trying to sew. I am addicted to yard sale-ing and have a long list of waiting projects.

Most importantly, I homeschool our children - so in the minds of some people I may be a "saint" or "super mom"...but no, it's just me. I am trying to do what I feel the Lord has called us to do as a family. 

I encourage you to keep an open mind if all these views that I recommend in my writings seem daunting. No one is perfect and we are all trying to do the best we can on this parenting adventure!

More about me to come later…now on to my family!