True Treasures--Review and Giveaway!

I just finished this really good book! If I could have I would have devoured it all in one sitting, but since obviously that is impossible, I savored it during my nightly bath. I don't want to sound redundant, but I found so many priceless nuggets of TREASURE in True Treasures.

True Treasures is a collection of some of the best articles from the past 10 years of TEACH Magazine, which recently took on the new name, Eternal Encouragement magazine. I treasure my TEACH magazines (there's that word again!) and keep the ones I have in binders to read over and over again, so it was such a treat to be able to add such wonderful articles from past issues to my collection.

True Treasures is made up of six chapters.
1. Jewels that Make the Heart Sparkle
2. Marriages of Solid Gold
3. Parenting Pearls: Practical and Priceless
4. Homemaking That Dazzles like Diamonds
5. Homeschooling Nuggets of Wisdom
6. Godly Living that Glitters

I loved the topical layout and felt so strengthened and inspired in each area of my life after reading each chapter. One of my favorite passages came from an article by Lorrie Flem and it just spoke to me so much about the season of my life I'm in right now:

If the floor doesn't get mopped, and the clothes are overflowing their umpteen baskets, what difference does it make? Some days, being a Godly mother is all we can accomplish--and it is a BIG accomplishment. After all, I don't plan on taking my baskets of dirty laundry and the dirty kitchen floor with me when Jesus returns. I do plan to take my family! There won't be any quizzes to make sure our children know their multiplication tables before they are allowed entry into Heaven's gates. We've got to keep things in perspective. Housekeeping and homeschooling are important,but there are other things even more important. If we keep the right perspective, the Lord will bless all our efforts: homemaking, homeschooling, mothering, and being a loving wife. Eventually, the undone jobs will get done, but in the meantime, our children have a mother who truly loves and cares for them by spending her time with them.

Doesn't that remind you of what's important? This book reminded me again and again of who I am, why I'm doing what I'm doing, and how to do it--and that it is all about Him!

Now here is the really good news for you! TEACH magazine sent me this book to review, but I had already bought it because I knew it was a treasure I wanted in my home! So that means I now have two, which gives me the opportunity to bless someone reading this with a copy of True Treasures. To enter, go to my Facebook page, "like" Homekeeping Heart on Facebook, then "like" the post linking to this post. How easy is that?!?! This Friday I will randomly choose a winner.

And I have MORE good news! If you don't win the book, you can use the coupon code GabbyMom to save $4 off of True Treasures through May 31, 2011.

And if you don't subscribe to TEACH Magazine, I HIGHLY recommend you do. Not only is the magazine itself true treasure, the books and audios by Lorrie Flem are a tremendous encouragement for wives, moms, homemakers, and homeschoolers. So many good things are available at www.homemakingwithTEACH.com.

I received this product for honest review from TEACH Magazine as a part of The Gabby Moms blogging program. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Back to School

Tomorrow we are starting school again and I can't wait to get back into a routine. Everything is out of control during so-called "breaks"! My curriculum looks a lot different than it did at the first of the year. I got all those workbooks, textbooks, and scripted teacher's manuals out of my system REAL fast and have since returned to my true love, Charlotte Mason. Most of my curriculum is following the guidelines at Simply Charlotte Mason. For many subjects I have developed my own system of using the Bible. I will primarily be using the Bible for reading, copywork/handwriting, spelling/dictation, and english.

Using the Charlotte Mason approach, we'll be covering all these areas.
Math--using Teaching Textbooks, Horizons, and Singapore (three different kids, three different needs.)
Science--using Christian Liberty nature readers and an A Beka science reader.
Reading--the Bible along with some readers from A Beka and Christian Liberty Press for added literature.
Copywork--bible verses, hymns, poems
English--Language Lessons from Queen Homeschool as a supplement. These are wonderful!
Character--bible and read-alouds, currently reading Everyday Graces. LOVE this book!
History--read-alouds and A Beka history readers
Geography--map books and GeoPuzzles! We'll go deeper into geography later. For now the puzzles are awesome.
Bible--LOTS of bible! We are also still going through BJU Bible Truths that I just can't let go.
Scripture Memory--verse packs from Simply Charlotte Mason.
Literature--lots of books books books! Right now our A Beka readers and Everyday Graces is covering a wide variety of literature for us.
Poetry--we're going through Favorite Poems Old and New.
Nature Study--this involves me actually going outside with my kids once a week. This takes a lot of discipline from me, but I hope to do it with them at least once a week.
Picture Study--currently studying John James Audubon. There are such wonderful children's books for learning about artists and their work. We're also learning a lot about birds through this particular artist!
Music Study--currently studying Bach. We are using books from Vision Forum that study the lives and music of composers. Excellent. This is the first time I have every studied or even listened to classical music (other than being in ballet growing up) and I love it.
Hymn Study--using Hymns for a Kids Heart. We're currently in Volume 2.
Missions Studies--currently reading about Gladys Alyward
Shakespeare--We are reading a children's version of Midsummer Night's Dream. Unsure about whether or not we will move beyond children's adaptations right now.


That looks overwhelming, but it is really very simple, easy, and relaxing--and fun. Many things are only covered once or twice a week so it is not as much as it seems. Just lots of good books and learning interesting things!

Our Favorite Read-Alouds

Reading aloud is our favorite time of the day. We always read two books at a time--one at rest time and one at bed time. The good thing about this arrangement is that usually the littlest ones fall asleep. I am convinced that we learn the most simply from reading good books. And in addition to all the knowledge we're obtaining, the kids are also learning how to listen and how to sit still, even if they don't understand everything being read. But don't underestimate how young children can retain reading seemingly far above their age level. I find they start retaining at least some of most of what we're reading at around 3 years old. And even before that, imagine all the language they're soaking in.

Here are a few of our favorite read-alouds--the ones that qualify for a definite re-read in the future.

The Bible. Of course I must start there. I started reading very large portions of the bible to my children after reading 10 P's in a Pod. It has been VERY rewarding for all of us. Which naturally brings me to...

10 P's in a Pod. This book really revolutionized our life. Reading the bible 3 times a day is not the only thing we gleaned from this wonderful book.

The Little House Series. We're currently on book five in the series. The history and even science we learn from these dear stories couldn't come close to reading a dry textbook. We'll be re-reading two of the books in our upcoming year of My Father's World and I'm so glad--they're my two favorites.

The Millers Series. These are ultra conservative, at times even beyond our family, but we just love the simple wholesome stories and came to feel like we knew this family. We have read the whole series and definitely plan to read it again.

My ABC Bible Verses and Big Truths for Little Kids. These are my top picks for bible/devotional books. The first one teaches verses with stories and application for each one. The second teaches the Kid's Catechism with stories to go along with it. They are absolutely wonderful. I am looking forward to reading the next book Discovering Jesus in Genesis and after that Discovering Jesus in Exodus.

The Chronicles of Narnia. We are only three books into this series. I didn't even understand the movies till I read the books. I just learn that way :-) I am really hoping they make a movie out of the first book which is my favorite.

Christian Heroes Then and Now. This is a collection of many biographies. There is nothing more inspiring than reading about the lives of great Christians of the past.

Hymns for a Kid's Heart. I have always wanted to make sure my children learned hymns. The way these books present them with the story behind them and even little devotionals makes these books treasures.

There are so many more books we look forward to reading in the future. I am so thankful to have this time with my children every day.

Mother's Curriculum

I put something into my planner that I've been wanting to add for a while: my reading list. A couple years ago I started reading in what I like to call a "mother's curriculum" style. See an explanation of what it is and why on this post at my old blog. I put this list in the "school" section of my planner and now I don't feel so lost when I look at all these books on my shelf longingly. Now I have a plan and I know I'll get to all those good books in time! Of course, the first book on each list is the one I'm reading now.

Bible Study/Devotional
Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be
Lord, Please Meet Me in the Laundry Room
Celebration of Discipline
Walking in the Truth (bible study to Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free)
If
Discipline: The Glad Surrender (second time)
Seeking Him (Nancy Leigh DeMoss)
Holy Habits
Falling in Love With Jesus
Practicing His Presence (third time)
90 Day Walk with God in the Psalms

Marriage
The Love Dare
Created to be His Help Meet (have read multiple times)
Feminine Appeal
Blessing Your Husband
Fascinating Womanhood (second time)
Capture His Heart
Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands (second time)

Mothering
Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood
Creative Correction
Mission of Motherhood
Power of Motherhood
Keeping Children's Hearts
Mommy Survival Guide
Ministry of Motherhood
Training Children in Godliness
The Mommy Manuel
The Parenting of Champions
Raising Godly Tomatoes (third time)
To Train Up a Child (have read multiple times)

Homemaking
The Home Management Binder: The Housewife's Best Friend (have read multiple times)
A Mother's Rule of Life
Taking Care of the Me in Mommy
Passionate Housewives
Professionalizing Motherhood
Home-Making
Biblical Womanhood in the Home
Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping
Juggling Life's Responsibilities (second time)
Managers of their Homes (third time)
Managers of their Chores

Homeschooling
What Every Child Should Know Along the Way
Educating the Wholehearted Child
Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit (second time)
Real Learning
Homeschooling and Loving It
Homeschooling at the Speed of Life
Managers of their Schools
The Charlotte Mason Companion (second time)
Teaching the Trivium

God Gives Emotional Wholeness

I love to hear what other people use in their times alone with God. I'm the type of person who thrives on solitude and quietness, and I'm also a very private worshiper. I could not make it through one day without sitting alone at His feet and drinking in His love for me. How does anyone live without Him???

I am so thankful that God blessed us with His Word so that we can hear from Him and learn His ways, and I'm also thankful that He has anointed other people to expound on His Word to help us dig deeper and really apply it to our lives. In addition to my Bible, I also read my old Above Rubies magazines as a devotional. What an incredible ministry of encouragement for Christian women!

I also have two books that, now that I have them, would be some of the things I would grab if my house were on fire! You've heard me sing the praises of A Book of Prayer before. It's a collection of all the prayers from five of Stormie Omartian's Power of a Praying... books. A couple months ago, I was browsing through the leftovers of a bookstore going out of business and saw another book like it called Prayers for Emotional Wholeness.

When I saw that title, it was like God Himself was standing there handing it to me. If you know me at all, you know how I deal with emotions! I can be an emotional wreck and I'm the type of person who can really be ruled by that. Emotional issues have taken their toll on my marriage, my children, almost every part of my life. And being perpetually pregnant and/or nursing definitely doesn't help!

Anyway, I bought this book for practically nothing and added it to my quiet time stack and it truly was a gift from God to me. I wouldn't hesitate to say it has changed my life.

Isn't it amazing how almost every time we read the Bible there is something that just speaks to us exactly about what we're going through? And no matter what prayer I'm on that day, I know that God orchestrated that I would read that prayer on that day. Sometimes it is unreal and nothing can explain it except that it's God!

Knowing Him is the only thing that makes life worth living.