Jennie Allen CHASE DVD bible study Review

From the Publisher:

What are you chasing?

We’re all chasing after something, something that we think will make us happy—comfort, success, a bigger house, or someone’s approval. But if we are all honest, it feels like trying to catch the wind.

A man after God’s own heart… As David’s life weaves throughout the pages of Scripture, we see he was a man who spent his life chasing after God. Chase explores the events that defined David’s life and the Psalms that flowed out of those experiences. Through David’s example we’ll discover what God really wants from us.

The lessons in this study are simple yet deep and very interactive, offering Bible study, stories, and projects to dig into Scripture and deeply engage the mind and heart. God has carved out a space in each of us that only He can fill. So whether you are running from God or working your tail off to please Him, David’s journey will challenge your view of God.

My review:

This is wonderful new bible study by Jennie Allen. Who brought us STUCK {which I LOVE} This bible study is called Chase and its purpose is to challenge and enlarge your view of God.

In Chase, Jennie will guide you through a very revealing study of a man named David - a depraved sinner who lied, committed adultery and murdered - yet was loved by God because he passionately pursued Him with all of his heart.

As you study David's life, you'll be asked to look at your own. The study is scripturally based yet intensely personal...

Are you chasing God or are you chasing the wind?

As you participate in this highly interactive study, your ideas and beliefs in the following areas will be challenged and stretched:

Identity
Courage
Obedience
Belief
Repentance
Surrender

Once again Jennie wowed and amazed! She is absolutely wonderful at what she does. She is a normal everyday person and seems like someone I would be bff's with! I love her and her work! 

HIGHLY recommend this bible study for both person or group setting!

New Year's Eve Family Fun!

New Year's Eve is just around the corner!! What in the world...it is almost 2013! Our new year's eve tradition? ULTIMATE family time!  Snacks Games Stories You name it!  This year I wanted to do something fun that could be a keepsake that we could look back for years to come and see how our kiddos have changed!    I created a "Family Fun Mini Pack"

Included: Boy New Year's Eve Printable Girl New Year's Eve Printable {Remember special things about 2012: friends, favorites, best this about the year...ect} For Mom & Dad...It's a brand new year {What do you want out of 2013} Family Time Fill this out together! Let you kiddos pick fun things for you to do as a family in 2013
DOWNLOAD PRINTABLES HERE! Have a happy and wonderful new year's eve and a blessed 2013!

Tot School | Matching and the Letter C

{The Twins ~ Simon and Gabriella ~ 40 months}

After a busy month, being sick and just the utter chaos of the Hoilday Season we are back in {well getting there} with tot school! YAY! We are starting out a little slow!  This week we are also doing a great mini book advent! {see the post here}
The Lovely Letter C!
C is for Cat C is for Cup C is for Carry  C is for Cuddle

~Matching Games~
"Oh no! The Socks are all mixed up!"

Sock matching fun! 

The twins loved this, neither of them like disorder...so this was pretty much perfect. 
"Pretty Popsicle Stick Patterns"

Gabbi loves making things pretty and this was great for her! She said all the colors before she laid them down! It was so much fun! 
"Popsicle Stick Matching Maddness"

Si loved making a pile of all the colored sticks and the putting them in color piles, he actually did it over and over and over. He liked saying all the colors too! 

Advent Mini Book {better late than never}

Here are 4 great printables I made for Advent! Perfect for little kiddos who need shorter daily lessons! Simply click and save image or drag to desktop!!!

page1

page2

page3

page4

  I would recommend printing on cardstock to make them last longer!! ENJOY!!

Lalaloopsy Giveaway...they are SEW CUTE!!

Here is your chance to win a Lalaloopsy Little!!

Enter the Giveway at Our Ordinary Life!!! 

Lalaloopsy Giveaway at Our Ordinary Life!!!

Wanna win a Harmony B. Sharp for your little girl??? I DO!!!

Check out OUR ORDINARY LIFE for the deets!

The Christmas Story Advent Coloring Book

It's not too late to start Advent! 

Print out all 24 coloring pages with quotations from Luke (first 15 pages) and Matthew (last 9 pages) to reinforce the Christmas story.  Color and read one page per day from December 1st thru the 24th.  Put them all together to make a booklet you can read as a family on Christmas day! 

print all the pages here!  What's the meaning of Advent?

A winter BBQ!

The best thing about summer? Hands down for me...BBQ!  I love the smell of yummy food on the grill!
Grilled Chicken Legs with Veggie Cabob and Corn!

Everything was seasoned with black pepper before grilling. Served with Cottage Cheese and Pear!
YUMMMMMMMM!

Little Readers!

For many of us we have one or more children embarking on the journey to become a reader!! YAY!! I love to read and I want my children to have the same love for it as I do! I'm sure you feel the same way too! My oldest son is well on his way to being a reader just like me...you know the ones who read a novel in a day or two because they can't put it down? Yeah, thats me! I read the entire "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" in 2 1/2 days! 

Here are some great and fun reading tips...it doesn't matter if your child is at a very basic level or if they are well on their way to chapter books, these are still great to implement!

At Home:

Turn off everything...the TV's, iPads, ipods, radios...anything that can be distracting to your little reader! Your child will begin to learn that when it is quiet it is time to read! Be sure that you are using book that at your child's level. 

Download my I PICK wall art printables HERE! 

{I would highly recommend printing on cardstock and laminating to make them last!}

Designate a time EVERYday as reading time!  Morning, noon or night! It doesn't matter. For our home it is the afternoon for about an hour. Sometimes my son wants to read to me and other times he wants to read by himself. He must read something from the bible {His favorite book to read!} ((Heartmelting)) Then he may read any of his books. Currently his big favorite is THE CLONE WARS! 
Check out some great Literacy Apps HERE!
Reading Aloud Tips:

Reading aloud should be fun and interactive.  Ask your child questions during the book, like “what do you think will happen next” and make personal connections, “remember when,” that create a context for reading.  This sets your child up for success—even adults need to understand the context of reading materials in magazines and newspaper articles.
Laying groundwork for future independent reading is done when you first read aloud to your children: pause to confirm and revise predictions, ask questions and make connections.  This teaches your child that understanding text is a process that occurs before, during and after reading.

Before Reading
Choose books you or your child can get excited about reading.  There are so many books out there, don’t spend time reading ones you won’t enjoy!

• If you haven’t read the book already, scan it to get a sense of it before you start reading aloud.
• Plan an introduction—find links to personal experiences.
• Introduce the title, author, and illustrator.

During Reading
Read with fluency and expression.  Children need to hear changes in your voice to indicate when you are reading dialogue. Vary your pace, too. Slow down to build up suspense and speed up during exciting scenes.

• Hold the books so your child can see the illustrations.
• Try to establish frequent eye contact with your child.
• Invite your child to question and comment but keep it focused on the story.
• Explain words and ideas you think your child might not understand.

After Reading
Sometimes a book will pique curiosity and lead to questions and conversation afterwards, sometimes not.  It’s ok either way!

• Allow time for discussion
• Encourage various levels of response with questions
• Retell the story or reread it to enhance comprehension.

Reading aloud is a great time to enjoy books together.  The increased vocabulary, correct grammar and comprehension will come naturally.  Soon enough, it will be your child’s turn to say “all by myself” and read these books to you.  Then, it will be the chapter books and “just one more chapter before I go to bed, please?”  Way to go mom and dad, you’re building a strong foundation of readers who WANT to read when YOU read aloud today.

Fun Idea Child Reading:

Cook! Yes Cook, have your little one read a recipe!

Apple Salad

Ingredients: 1 dozen apples 2 cups washed grapes (any seedless brand) 1 cup raisins 1 cup walnuts 1/3 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg Directions: Wash, core and slice a dozen apples, and place in a large bowl.  Add raisins, walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, and stir thoroughly.  Refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes about 6 servings Get more recipes HERE!

Mmmmmmm

This Delicious Croissandwich is my all time favorite quick and easy lunch...ok...it has been known to be our dinner too! 

Yummy Butter Croissant topped with:

Colby Cheese

Roasted Turkey Breast

Avocado

Tomatoes

That's it

So Delicious!