First installment of "Troy Says" (on Mom)

Welcome to the first installment of "Troy Says". In these "Troy Says" blogs, I will be asking Troy a series of questions and typing the answers out for you to see. This morning he had been fighting me over eating his breakfast, and you can tell by his answers. He wasn't so witty this morning, which is surprising because he usually is. Be on the look out for more installments of "Troy Says", because, you never really know WHAT this kid will say.

1. What is something mom always says to you? 

Get up to the table and eat

2. What makes mom happy? 

When I eat

3. What makes mom sad? 

When I won't eat

4. How does your mom make you laugh? 

Tickles me

5. What was your mom like as a child? 

A Barbie

6. How old is your mom? 

30 or 57, I don't know

7. How tall is your mom? 

35 inches

8. What is her favorite thing to do? 

Go camping

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?

I don't know, she leaves me

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? 

Being a model 

(Gosh I love this kid, he's good for the ego)

11. What is your mom really good at? 

Cooking

12. What is your mom not very good at? 

Cooking cinnamon rolls 

(can you guess what was for breakfast and what we're battling about today?)

13. What does your mom do for her job? 

helps people breathe

14. What's your mom's favorite food? 

Protein drinks 

(Gag, but I guess he sees me drink them a lot)

15. What makes you proud of your mom? 

Troy...that's me. I'm proud that she has me. 

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? 

Mario

17. What do you and your mom do together? 

Play

18. How are you and your mom the same? 

We both wear glasses

19. How are you and your mom different?

She has long hair and I don't, and our ears aren't the same.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

She makes me work 

(I have no idea folks, I just write the answers)

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? 

Wal-Mart 

(Not hardly...but I do have to go there a lot)

My funny...

I had been seeing this "comparison" pictures and I thought of one that suits me to a "T"...enjoy

Artistic Pursuits- Review

We reviewed Artistic Pursuits, Junior High Book 2: Color and Composition

I jumped right into this with my 8th grader, Michaela. She has had some *bad* art experiences in life. When I pulled this out, she moaned and groaned and begged not to. I agreed with her, that we would do just the first two units, and then if she didn't want to continue, we wouldn't. After I did unit one with her, she has continued on to do unit two and says she will keep doing them. She enjoys them, and doesn't feel the pressure to be perfect. Of course, she is finally making art that looks like "art", which has boosted her self-esteem and she is proud of what she has done. 

I would love to share with you her pastel picture she made of an elk, but I can't get my camera to upload to my computer. Just let me tell you, it's going to be framed and hung in our home. 

The program doesn't just teach art, it teaches art history, art appreciation, techniques, and how to apply all of those things. Also, it helps the student to build a visual vocabulary. 

The price for this book is $42.95. They also have books all the way from pre-school age to 12th grade. The books are non-consumable, which means that your family can use them over and over again. You can also buy the art supply packs to go along with the curriculum.

I received this product free of charge in exchange for an honest review as part of The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew. You can visit the blog by clicking the banner below, and read reviews of this product and others. 

2011 Gratitude Challenge-Day 10

Day Ten:

Laughter...I am grateful for laughter. It is truly the best medicine for what ails you. There is something even more magical when the laughter is that of your children.  No matter what, though, I am glad God gave us the gift of humor and made it feel so good. 

Wordless Wednesday

My husband and my sister-in-law...I just love this picture.

2011 Gratitude Challenge-Days 8 & 9

Day Eight:
I was out of town yesterday getting my six-week check-up after I had the surgery for the revision of my colon. That being said, I am very grateful for my surgeon and grateful for the technology to help me get rid of a part of my body that was causing me much pain and my system infection. Praise God for the wisdom he gives to surgeons and all those involved in the process. 
Day Nine:

I am grateful to have a washer and dryer in my home. I do not have my dream washer & dryer (yet), but it does not matter. I have a working washer and a working dryer. I am so happy I do not have to hand-scrub clothing clean, and that I only hang on the line if I want to. 

"The Person I Marry", Bower Books- Review

I am going to start out this review by telling you that this book, "The Person I Marry", is a book I believe should be on every family's bookshelf. Society today has put a different definition on marriage, and has almost made a mockery of the sacred institution. That standard in today's society is not god enough for my family, and it is not good enough for God. Marriage is a beautiful gift given to us, and it is one that is to be taken seriously. This is the very accurate description they give of the book on their website:

Respect, kindness, honesty, faithfulness, thoughtfulness, patience - qualities like these make strong marriages.  Created by award-winning author & illustrator team
Gary & Jan Bower (married 32 years), this adorable book warms the hearts of all ages in its celebration of commitment,purity & true love!

My children have talked about "when I grow up and get married" since they were tiny tots. Of course I have told them the importance of character when the time to court or date comes along. But, how do I reinforce that? What exactly are those character traits that will help to make a marriage stronger and align more clearly with the plan God set forth for marriages? 

This book "The Person I Marry", by Gary (Author) and Jan (Illustrator) Bower answers that question beautifully.

The Person I Marry from Bower Books on Vimeo.

"The Person I Marry" can be purchased for $11.99. It is part of the "Bright Future Series" which includes:

• There's a Party in Heaven (for encouragement in times of loss)
• The Person I Marry (looking for character traits in a mate)
• There's a Jingle in my Pocket (dealing with money matters for children)
• What do Heroes Wear (about serving others)

From the Author & Illustrator:

"The Person I Marry" has received wonderful endorsements from Gary Smalley, Eric & Leslie Ludy, and the Duggar Family.  This book is part of our "Bright Future Series" which shares Biblical principles for families in beautiful and down-to-earth ways.  The Person I Marry was awarded "2010 Book of the Year" by the Christian Small Publisher Association.  We created this book the year of our 30th anniversary as a tool for tenderizing the hearts of our own 12 children, and sparking comfortable conversation about marriage amongst ourselves.  We hope you like it!

Bower Books has many other books available that I am sure are just as lovely. We have some on our shelves already, and after reading "The Person I Marry", we will be adding more.

Disclaimer: I received this product in exchange for an honest review. My favorable review was not a condition of this arrangement. For this review, and for other reviews of the same product and more, please visit the Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew Review Blog.