The Lone TV

We only have one TV in our house. I realize that in this day and age that is rare. Although it's an easy thing to complain about, I am beginning to see some positive elements too. It's in the family room, so that means when its on, the show must be ok for anyone in the family to watch. We do not have extended cable, we just pay the $10 a month to ensure a clear picture and local channels. It is not on all the time, it's only on when someone has purposed to turn it on and has something specific to watch. Because we don't pay for extended cable, we do pay monthly for Netflix. We have enjoyed that because we can pick and choose. If for some reason the movie is not good, we simply put it right back in the mail without feeling like we've wasted a lot of money. We enjoy watching shows together as a family and we also enjoy having family movie night. So, with one TV, all those things work out great. So, to most we are "deprived" and "unfortunate", but to us, we are thankful to share these moments of togetherness!

About Morgan................

Hi I am Morgan!!!!!!!!
I love to sing and dance!!!!!!
My favorite color is pink!!!!!
My favorite food is pizza, ice cream!
I love to go to the beach!
And I love the Jonas Brothers and
High School Musical and Hannah
Montana.
My favorite animal are dogs and puppies!!!!!!!!
I am the 2nd oldest in my family!
I am 7 years old.
I am almost 8, in September!!!!!!!!!!!!
vnnvbnnn

About Maci....................

Hi im Maci! I am the oldest kid in my family. I have three sisters and one brother.I am nine years old. My favorite show is Hannah Montana. My favorite movie is High School Musical. My favorite band is the Jonas Brothers.
I like to read American Girl books. My favorite American Girl book is the Felicity books.
I love to sing and dance.
I also like to read hannah montana books.My favorite radio station is Radio Disney.
My favorite Food is Pizza.My favorite type is pepporoni and cheese.
My favorite colors are Green and Purple.

Last Day of School.....Hooray!!!!

Offically the last day of school. Tradition is to go out for ice cream..............yummy! Each year we choose a different place. This year we are doing the new Cold Stone Creamery that opened very close by. What a better way to start the summer than with ICE CREAM!!!

Are we content or are there too many options?

I am beginning to see that sometimes our lack of contentment is because we allow ourselves too many options.

Don't like our hair color? let's change it.

Don't want to watch a commercial? Watch 2 or 3 shows at the same time.

Don't feel like cooking dinner? Well, have it delivered to your doorstep.

Don't want to read The Bible? There are 50 million other books out there about The Bible.

What to do about school? There are neighborhood public schools, charter schools, year round schools, christian private, secular private, homeschooling.

Don't feel like making a cup of coffee in the morning? well..............you know all the yummy options out there!

Sure all the above things are great, and I am glad they are all available to us. But, sometimes they can get in the way and distract us from just the bottom line.
Jesus said when he left this earth :"Peace give I to you, not as the world gives"
I am coming to realize when I don't feel God's perfect peace, maybe I am searching for contentment in too many options. When I am grounded in the basics, it makes it easier to enjoy all the options and not be overwhelmed by them.

Works For Me Wednesday:Read Alouds

Read Alouds have been something I have always loved and implemented. I have found though, that it is a lot easier to read one on one. But, because I have felt it important to read to the kids as a group too, I have tried different ways to work it. One thing I have found does work, is to read to them while they are eating lunch. I get everyone situated at the table with the meal and I sit with them and read. This way, they are actively doing something but sitting still and the same time. I don't set a certain number of pages, some days 5 is plenty and some times they will sit through several chapters. We do picture books as well as chapter books. Another way we have tried to do it, is to have Dad read to them before bedtime. A crowd favorite is the Narnia Books. This is not regular as it won't work everynight for us. But we do it preiodically throught the year.

It works for me!!!

What's In a Name

When we began having children, then we experienced the wonderful opportunity of picking out a name. There are lots of different reasons parents pick the names they do for their children. Some are family names passed on from generations, some are names from heroes or people of influence, some like the meaning, some just want something different. Whatever the reason, the name of your child is important to the parent and the child.
When we started down that road, we decided to pick original first names and then use family middle names.(except for the boy who is a Jr.) Not really paying particular attention to the meanings. But since, we have come to learn what each childs name means and how it is important. I encourage you to learn what your name means and each of those close to you. You will be suprised at how a name fits a person by personality, physical appearance and virtue. Tell your children what their name means and why you chose it. Here are our childrens names and meanings:

Maci Marie-Enlightened and Consoled

Morgan Leigh-Bright and Guided of God

Maddie Sue-Graceful and Prayerful

William Bradley-Protector,Noble, and Joyful

Mia Michelle-Devout and Godliness

I have been impressed to start speaking these meanings in each childs life so they can see the individualness of thier particular name. It's important that we each are confident of who we are and who our Creator is.