Interesting Sites & Sounds

Things have been busy around our house the last few weeks. We were honored to host family and friends followed by a trip of our own to see the grandparents. In the midst of it all I've been planning our school year slated to begin next week. Lots to do--lots to do.

Whether you homeschool or not, here's some sites I've visited this week in my search for better organization that you may enjoy. Plus, there's a good article and of course some freebies.

Project Girl pretty menu planning forms to print--for free!

SpellingCity is a free site that allows kids to enter their spelling list and it will test, teach, or play games using the list. Great for daily practice leading up to a test!

My Audio School. Molly has put together a subscription site filled with audio books. Great site--check it out!

Freebies this week include everything from Queso dip at Moe's to a free eReader for iPhones, Blackberry, PC or Mac from Barnes & Noble with six free eBooks including The Last of the Mochicans and Merriam-Webster's Pocket Dictionary.

Tebow Leaves Reporters Speechless. Good article on Florida QB Tim Tebow.

John Adams

HBO's 7-part mini-series on the life of our nation's second president, John Adams, is a powerful look into colonial America. The movie is based on the book, John Adams
by David McCullough. I rented the series free at our local library--I could not beat the price! My family spent a week watching a few episodes each night.

The movie includes two inappropriate scenes along with seven bad words. There is enough forewarning to fast forward through the scenes. The language is spread out over the course of the series with most of it towards the end.

The love story of John and Abigail Adams is central to the story with a look into the sacrifice and consequences of political life in Revolutionary America. Their marriage, which spanned 54 years was tenderly marked by calling one another 'my dearest friend.' I particularly enjoyed the final scenes showing the Adams' while snippets of their love letters were being read by the narrator.

Viewers watch as Abigail Adams parents four children alone as John is in Boston for the Continental Congress followed by years in France as a diplomat. Magnificent scenes of the budding of our nation along with introductions to other historical figures of the time rounds out the movie.

My family enjoyed the series. The movies have planted seeds of curiosity to learn more about John and Abigail Adams. I would recommend this for older children and adults -- with a remote handy to fast forward through the inappropriate scenes.

Some books now on my reading list as a result of watching the movie:
My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams
Abigail Adams: A Biography
The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence Between Thomas Jefferson and Abigail and John Adams

Passing It On

My friend Michelle accepted a challenge at church to read her Bible in a year. At the end of the year our church recognized those who completed the challenge with a certificate. As they stood in front of the church, our pastor asked each to share what reading the Bible meant to them.

I can still recall Michelle's tearful answer. The Word had blessed her immensely, but it was what it was doing in the lives of her children that meant the most. Her interest and daily commitment to the Bible had set an example before her children that resulted in their interest in the Bible.

Setting the example of reading God's Word will transcend generations. Our children may be too young right now to realize we do not have all the answers as parents, but one day they will know. It's inevitable, as adults they will face many situations that only God Almighty can handle. They need to know that prayer and God's Word are the only place to turn.

If there's one memory I want my children to have of me it is of praying and reading my Bible.

What about you?

Here is an inspiring video about the Bible.
If you are reading via email you will need to click here and view on my blog.