All about planets

We are doing astronomy this year in school. My kids really enjoy learning about the sun and planets. I thought I would share a couple fun resources I found that have helped me teach them about the planets!


We made a model solar system our first week. I found a cool kit at mardel for that, you can find it HERE


To help them remember the order of the planets we sing this fun song.
(To the tune of twinkle twinkle little star)

I know the planets one by one

Starting with the one that's closest to the sun.

Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars,

Are the first four among the stars.

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

Are the next planets in my tune.

Pluto's the farthest one from the sun.

I know the planets one by one.

It's a pretty catchy song! 

I also printed these free coloring pages found HERE 

I really love our science curriculum Apologia. We are slowly working through our book and the kids really enjoy the activities and experiments! You can find it HERE


What cool things are you doing for astronomy? I would love to hear your ideas too!

Science experiment

This was a neat science experiment we did today during school. The kids enjoyed taking turns picking colors and seeing how they mix together, move around, and make different patterns. Here are the directions for the experiment!

Ingredients needed:

Dish soap

VitaminD milk

Qtip or cotton ball

Food coloring (we used neon so the colors were really bright) 

Directions:

Soak Qtips or cotton balls in dish soap

Fill a bowl or plate with milk

Drop food coloring in and then place the Qtip or cotton ball in the center and watch the magic! 

The dish soap does not mix with the milk. Instead it floats on top and spreads over the surface. As it spreads, it grabs the food coloring. Soap is a "degreaser" so the molecules in it are attacking the fat in the milk, causing motion which creates the swirling of the colors. 

Short video here: http://instagram.com/p/x5AxVhzJWy/

Starting off

The colors made a neat star shape

Then they started swirling all around

This one was pretty cool

Home made puffy paint

My kids love making this paint! It smells good, it's Edible, and easy to make! I let them mix it up and watch it magically change colors. Here is the recipe we use

Cool whip + cool aid packs

That's it! Super easy, and super cheap fun! We use this for finger painting. They love getting messy with it(be prepared, it is a bit sticky).

The best part, When you have one that likes to eat things, no worries! 

How do I do it?

I have three small children, plus I'm a nanny for a sweet little girl, whom I love like my own. I love all of them to pieces. They bring me so much joy and my life would feel empty without them. I stay home full time and homeschool them. I often get told that I must be super mom. Or "how do I do it all?" I felt like I needed to share "how I do it". 

  I have good days where I feel organized, I'm able to cook nice meals, manage a lot of housework, teach a good day of school and have time for ministry or activities. Good days when I love my children and my husband well. These are the days most of you know, because I often take pictures and post to my Instagram page or write about it on facebook. I'm proud of these days and of my children and I like to share that with everyone. 

But then, the very next day I can have three fighting kids that don't get along, a husband who is working all day and night, nothing to cook for dinner (so we eat cereal or Frozen pizza) sweats on and my hair in a messy bun(that is actually every single day, that's why you don't see very many pictures of myself) no make up on(also every single day) no clean laundry to wear. House is a mess, dishes that need done, and a mile long to do list that won't get finished. Definitely not the perfect, organized day. 

 That second scenario seems more the norm than the first day. I get frustrated with my kids, lose my temper and snap at them. Then feel like a horrible mother and run to ask forgiveness. I fail all of the time. It feels like a never ending cycle of good for a while, then bad. Good, then bad. 

Why can't I just be in a good mood and have my life run smoothly everyday like that first day scenario? 

Why can't I love my husband and children well ALL of the time? 

Why do I feel like I'm suffocating in stress and snap at people for no reason some days?
Why can't we have more money and be able to pay all of our debt? 

Why can't we just have our own home already? 

Why does my husband have to work 80hrs a week and miss so much?

Why can't I just talk sweet all of the time and have tons of patients with my children? You know, like the Michelle duggar kind of patients? 

Why can't my house just STAY organized after I spend so much effort to make it that way?

Why? 

Wait a minute. You thought I was sharing a tutorial of how I keep my life together so perfectly and run my household smoothly? Oh yes, on to that. 

The answer is....I'm human. I'm not perfect. My home isn't always together.I can't do it all. Life happens. Life isn't always pretty.  I can't get up and slap a smile on my face every single day and pretend like life isn't happening around me. I can't always control my emotions and not let things bother me. I can't be needed 24/7 by 4 people and not feel tired or run down at times. I cant watch people around me suffer and die and not feel sadness and heartache. I can't add more hours to the day to accomplish my mile long to do list. I can't make money grow on trees. I can't even shower everyday!   I.Can't.Do.It

But.....

 I don't have to do all of that. I have someone who takes care of it all for me. He is pretty perfect and I wouldn't have any of those good days without his help. 

When I'm full of Impatience and irritated with my two year old, He whispers in my ear "calm down, It's okay. I'm here, let me help" .

When I'm feeling run down and tired, he reminds me to slow down and rest. 

When I feel like I'm a horrible mother and wife, he tells me he loves me and I'm cherished. 

When I feel like I can't get up and continue on, he picks me up and carries me. 

When I fail and fall into sin, he tells me I'm forgiven and i'm still loved. 

When Im lost, he directs my steps and brings me back home. 

When someone hurts me, he heals me.

When I want everything to be perfect, he reminds me of what's important. 

When I'm ungrateful for what I have, he reminds me how blessed I am.

When I feel ugly, He tells me I'm fearfully and wonderfully made in his image. 

When I'm in need, he provides.

When I'm sad, he brings me joy and comfort. 

When I need someone to talk to, he listens and he gets me. 

He is my hope. He is my hero. He is my savior.

 I greatly need him more and more everyday. He is enough for me. It's only through him that I make it through the day. He is my all and all, to him be all the glory. I'm not the one in control, he is. He has walked in my shoes, and endured much more than I could ever Imagine. He overcame this life for me and tells me to fear not.

So that's it. That's my secret. Accept it isn't a secret, and I hope that you also will know him if you don't already. His arms are wide open, waiting for you. Calling you by name. He loves you.  It's never too late

"Hallelujah, forever

All the glory, forever

All the praise to you

My heart will sing

No other name

Jesus, Jesus"

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds. The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. (‭Psalm‬ ‭18‬:‭1-19‬ ESV)

Love is patient

This is a wonderful chapter I read in one of my daily devotions. I really think this speaks volumes to a lot of parents, including myself. I just thought I would share with you since I really enjoyed reading this. I hope it brings a little encouragement to you!


Love is Patient

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4 ESV)

When you truly love someone, two key attributes will show up on a regular basis: patience and kindness. In fact, many other characteristics of love are based upon these two attributes. Patients is how love diffuses something negative; kindness is how love initiates something positive. One takes in a deep breath; the other breaths out life. As you know, raising a child requires a unlimited supply of both. But today, we will focus on the first of these two essentials...patience. 

  Patience is when love chooses to "suffer long" for the greater good of another. It is like a experienced farmer who knows that fruitful fields only come if he is willing to endure the heat of the sun. Patience is like a wise builder who spends long hours slaving over blueprints, negotiating contracts, and overseeing supplies so his desired vision can become a reality. Both the farmer and the builder must persist when they want to resist. They must daily keep investing time and hard effort until they can celebrate the great harvest or the open house.

  Likewise, being a loving parent requires a long supply of this amazing attribute. You are cultivating and building up your children, and all of your hard work and sacrifice will ultamitely pay off. But today requires your enduring patience. It is something we all need but rarely delight in demonstrating.  Yet love invites us to exercise it frequently as parents. And when we do, it brings maturity both to us and our children, as well as needed grace and peace in the midst of our problems.

  Children have an amazing ability to test the level of their parents' patients by their tone, disobedience, irresponsibility, or any lack of respect. Sometimes parents can feel so angry, they say or do things in the heat of the emotion that damages young hearts and minds. The impact can leave a deep and lasting emotional scar for many years to come.

  This is why we find God's patients so exemplary. When Moses was on the mountaintop, he discovered why God kept putting up with His rebellious, complaining children: God was "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness"(Exodus 34:6). He let His overflowing love control  His anger. Whenever he did choose to be angry and firm, it was only after multiple, extended demonstrations of His compassion and patience.

  Today, God is still gracious and patient with us as His children. So when we are unlovable and selfish, distracted and disobedient, we need to remember His enduring love for us and let His example of love overflow onto us and our children.

  We must refuse to spring off the handle in front of our offspring. When they see controlling our anger, it teaches them to control theirs. The scripture says "be angry, and yet do not sin"(Ephesians 4:26). Sometimes anger is appropriate, but we should never let it get out of bounds. Discipline and correction must be wisely rationed, but only after we've first demonstrated loving patients.

 Do you children see you as an angry, frustrated parent? Or would they describe you as compassionate and patient instead? Love chooses restraint. It controls your emotions rather than letting them control you. It challenges you to develop a long fuse instead of igniting a short temper. If you unnecessarily blow your top, it reminds you to humble yourself and quickly apologize, knowing much is at stake. Wrath, on the other hand, is cruel( Proverbs 27:4). It divides and isolates. It weakens us and wounds others. I causes us to behave in foolish, regrettable ways. It almost never makes things better and usually generates additional problems.

 If you struggle with anger, ask yourself why. Are your expectations realistic? Are you angry with somebody else, yet taking it out on your kids? You may harbor painful memories of a parent's harsh anger toward you when you were young. But this pain doesn't need to be passed on to your children.

 Sometimes anger is rooted in our own sin or hypocrisy. We often get the most agry with our kids in the same areas where we ourselves are weak. But overreacting to wrongful actions and attitudes that are familiar to us doesn't do anything to "fix"  us, and it only frustrates them. That's where a humble confession may yield more effective instruction then the firm anger of your correction. When they know you love them and can admit your own humanity, your counsel and training carry much more meaning.

  Patience is always welcome. It gives people more time to work through their issues. It beautifully diffuses conflict before trouble has a chance to escalate. It whispers peace into situations brewing towards eruption. It's not a blanket form of tolerance that lets everything go, but rather a wise surveyor of the situation, allowing  proper steps to be taken.

 Parenting does call for action against carelessness and defiance. But we must differentiate between true rebellion and what might be childish ignorance. Our kids don't think like us; why do we expect them to act like us? We must factor in the circumstances, their age, and their level of maturity.
 So instead of raising up and tearing down, let love calm you down. Then you can build them up. The more patient you are today, the more victories you can celebrate tomorrow.


Write the word " LOVE IS PATIENT" on a piece of paper and temporarily tape it to your mirror or refrigerator. When you see it over the next few weeks, purpose to display patients throughout the day as a further demonstration of your Love to your children.

Count your Blessings

Isn't it funny how God seems to bring the right scripture and right devotional to you in a time when you need to hear it most? I needed to read this today!  This scripture I read this morning was a great reminder for me to count my blessings and remember how "rich" I really am. I just thought I would pass it along :)



For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. Grace be with you all. (1 Timothy 6:7-21 NIV)

Imperfect progress

Here is the last devotion from the "No more unglued momma mornings". You can find the full devotional on the you version Bible app. I'm reading her book "unglued" right now and it's a wonderful book, check it out!




Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. (1 Timothy 4:15 ESV)


IMPERFECT PROGRESS 

What kept me from making changes with unglued mama mornings for so long was the feeling I wouldn't do it perfectly. I knew I'd still mess up and come unglued. Sometimes we girls think if we don't make instant progress, then real change isn't coming. 

But that's not so. 

There is a beautiful reality called imperfect progress. The day I realized the glorious hope of this kind of imperfect change is the day I gave myself permission to believe I really could be different. 
Imperfect changes are slow steps of progress wrapped in grace … imperfect progress. And good heavens, I need lots of that. So, I dared to write this in my journal: 

Progress. Just make progress. It's okay to have setbacks and to need do-overs. It's okay to draw a line in the sand and start over again—and again. Just make sure you're moving the line forward. Move forward. Take baby steps, but at least take steps that keep you from being stuck. Then change will come. And it will be good. 

These honest words enabled me to begin rewriting my story. Not that I erased what came before, but I stopped rehashing it and turned the page afresh. Eventually, I started blogging about my raw emotions and imperfect changes. In response, I got comments whispering, "Me too." 

"Being unglued, for me, comes from a combination of anger and fear," wrote Kathy. "I think part of it is learned behavior. This is how my father was." Courtney honestly admitted, "I come unglued when I feel out of control because my kids are screaming or fighting or whining or negotiating and won't listen. I like silence, calm, obedience, and control. When it's not going 'my way,' I come unglued and freak out and it goes quiet. And then the regret comes." 

And the comments kept coming, all of them expressing the exact same struggle, the same frustration, and the same need for hope. So many women whose daily circumstances differed but whose core issues were the same.

I realized then that maybe other women could make some imperfect progress too. And a book idea was born from that simple realization. But I had to laugh at the irony of it. I had just published a book called Made to Crave that dealt with what goes into my mouth. Now I was writing a book called Unglued to deal with what comes out of my mouth. 

This Unglued journey is about my imperfect progress. It's an honest admission that this struggle of reining in how I react has been hard for me. But hard doesn't mean impossible. 
How hard something is often depends on your vantage point. 

For example, consider the shell of an egg. Looking at it from the outside, we know an eggshell is easily broken. But if you're looking at that same shell from the inside, it seems an impenetrable fortress. It's impossible for the raw white and tender yolk to penetrate the hardness of the eggshell. 
But given time and the proper incubation, the white and yolk develop into a new life that breaks through the shell and shakes itself free. And in the end, we can see that the hard work of cracking the shell was good for the new baby chick. 

The shell actually provided a place for new life to grow, and then enabled the chick to break forth in strength. 

Might the same be true for our hard places? Might all this struggle with our raw emotions and unglued feelings have the exact same potential for new life and new strength? 

I think so. I know so. I've seen so. 

Mother Teresa is quoted as saying, "Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." Make some small imperfect progress today and discover your potential for new life and new strength. 

MAKING IT A REALITY: 

For the next week, write the words imperfect progress at the top of every day's to do list. If you have a smart phone, set an alert to pop up each morning of this week to remind you, "Make imperfect progress today." Then determine that making imperfect progress with your reactions is the most important thing you can accomplish today.