Living Unabridged

Yesterday we got to spend the evening with friends. They left a child here to spend the night. So now the kids are outside playing in the snow. (The leftover snow, because the Great Storm of '16 dropped nary a flake on us.) Tonight Philip and I will probably go out to supper. And tomorrow we'll celebrate his birthday with a special Sunday dinner and one of his favorite desserts that I make.

And then Monday our co-op starts back. We are all ready and excited, with homework done and most gear packed into backpacks. (I say we're ready but ask me again Monday morning and you may get a different answer.)

I hope you have a great weekend ahead of you and, just in case you are snowed in, here are some links to peruse.

Learning

• Using Times Tales for Tricky Multiplication Facts from Homeschool Creations. This review caught my eye because one of my daughters is still struggling with multiplication.
• This was an encouraging and timely post: Dear Homeschool Mom, You Didn't Mess Him Up by Lea Ann Garfias.
• 10 Ways to Reclaim the School Room by Betsy at Family Style Schooling. Practical advice.

Living

• When You Feel Like an Island by Katelyn Fagan. This is an older post but I could identify with much of it, even though I'm not a "people person."
• What If God Says No? by Eddie Kaufholz at Relevant. Compassionate, real advice for when we're afraid God isn't going to answer our prayers the way we hope.
• The New Morality: Raising Kids in a Confused Culture by Ed Stetzer. I loved this post. I almost wrote a post this week called, "Why We Take Our Children to Church Even if They are the Only Kids There" (I know, the title is way too long winded for good SEO). But it really comes down to: we don't go to church or do family worship or pray before all meals and at bedtime and throughout the day or whatever because other people also do it and it's expected. We do it because we - my husband and I - believe it is right. (And P.S. If you want a headstart on his 4th point, consider homeschooling. Just had to throw that in.)
• Somewhat related (at least in my mind): Are You Called to a Ministry of Rejection? by Aaron Armstrong. I'm not asking for sympathy here, but let me just ask you to love on your pastor or church staff, if they are preaching truth and serving to God's glory and not their own, in whatever ways you can.
• YES: There is No Such Thing as a Prosperity Pastor by Steven Jennings at TGC. Calling things what they really are is always the best course.
• Have You Missed Your Life's Calling? Probably Not by Katie Fox at The Art of Simple. Another encouraging, timely post.

Loving

• Donald Trump is the Price We Pay for Sarah Palin by Robert Tracinski at The Federalist. I'm am so tired about hearing about both of these people but this take rings true to me. (And I'm reminded of this cartoon. Because I need a sign like that.)
• Another editorial that is probably accurate: The Accidentally Racist Oscars by Hans Fiene also for The Federalist.
• Made me LOL: Snark Week: The Great Bobby Pin Shortage of 1990's-2010's from Frock Flicks. "Her hair, Louisa!"
• Vintage thing that caught my eye: New York's First Subway was Pure Luxury from Messy Nessy Chic.

This week on Living Unabridged:

• Four Diagnostic Questions for the Mid-Year. (A nitty-gritty homeschooling post.)
• 52 Family Game Nights: Qwirkle. Latest in a series. This is one of my personal favorites.

One year ago:

• 15 Tips for Keeping Warm this Winter (if you're snowed in right now you might want to revisit this one!)
• 12 Booklists from 2014: Favorites and Duds (which reminds me that I didn't really do this for 2015, although you can find a lot of the books I read in 2015 on this page: Books of 2015. I kind of slacked off later in the year, though, so it's not complete. Bad blogger!)

What caught your eye this week?

Are you planning for Valentine's Day yet? Here are some of my favorite recipes, cards, games, and printables:
Follow Karen (Living Unabridged)'s board Celebrating - Be Mine on Pinterest.