The Most Clicked On Post of All Time (cue drumroll...)

It's been one busy week here, so I am four day late joining in on:

But, I thought it would be fun anyway.

This month's category is your most clicked post of all times.  I was pretty sure I knew what mine was before I even checked blog stats to be sure.  And, I was right:

The Training Happy Hearts Post 

with the Most Clicks of All Time!

Alerting Activity ABC Cards

Alerting Activity ABC Cards came in on my Blogger stats just now with over 17,619 clicks, which is way ahead of the next two most popular posts here:

• Resource Roundup: 10 Free Felt Stories, Flannel Stories and Magnetic Board Pieces Resources (which currently has an amazing 11, 710 clicks, especially considering it is a short post with no image that I threw together quite quickly one day.) 

• Resource Round Up of Body Parts Cards (which currently has 7,456 clicks)

I guess that just goes to show that folks here like freebies, printables, resource lists and hands-on (or, in some cases, full-body-engaged!) activities.  No  wonder.  I do, too!  So, to make everyone happy, I will be sure to include more round-ups, printables and sensory smart body-engaging ideas in the weeks and months to come.  Be sure to check back, subscribe (using the feedburner tool in the right sidebar) or join us on Facebook so you don't miss any.  And, if you have any special requests, just ask away!

Plus, if you are more blog savvy than me, perhaps you could answer a question:  The numbers that I get on my Blogger stats page and those I get on my Analytics page are significantly different.  We're talking but up to a couple thousand at times.  Any idea why?  Thanks for chiming in if you know and also for sharing your favorite free ways for tracking your blog.
 

Growing in Giving

There are times when you wonder why God ever gave you the children He did because you feel like you’re doing such a poor job raising them.  The children's behavior is challenging and you cannot help but to wonder if your parenting is at the root of it all.

Then, there are times when you realize that less-than-stellar behaviors that your children are exhibiting may be only because they are sick, tired, or both.  At these times, you your babies close, thankful for the opportunity to care for them no matter what kind of day you've all had.

And, thankfully, there are many more times when you praise God for doing whatever He is doing in (and through!) you and your kids to spread His Light in this world.  Times when you see evidence of your children's growth and feel confident in your own willingness let God guide you in guiding your children.

Last night, as two of my children lay sick for the third night in a row, and one exhausted, I sat in the quiet reflecting on such things and smiling with thanksgiving at just how many of moments in recent weeks have been knitted together with gratitude and giving.

Like a cozy blanket, the memories wrapped me in warmth:

Nina digging into her Give envelope and pulling out coins to help Luke get something he wants at a museum gift shop...

Each of the children using the little Spend money they have, plus their imaginations, to come up with gifts for each person in our family for Christmas.

Nina and Luke not having enough money in their Spend envelopes to ride a carousel with Jack, but realizing that if they share some of their Give money with each other, they can make up differences and enjoy a ride together.  Then, Luke standing in line to purchase the tickets to they can do just that.

The children taking turns offering each other the last coveted end piece of toast...

Nina laying on the couch, too sick to go to Mass, asking me if we can watch Mass online with me instead.  Then, when I am heading off to church, Nina calling out, “Mommy, take a quarter from my give envelope and give it at church,”  despite the fact that she doesn’t have much more than twenty-five cents left in her Give envelope...

Luke, seeing how much is in the baby bottle of normal change we are donating at our church, asking me if he can have his Give envelope, and, then, taking a dollar bill out of it to put in the bottle...

Nina asking to talk to our priest after church and then handing him a dime – a portion of her Give money that I did not even know she had held all through Mass to hand as a gift to our priest...

Jack generously helping his siblings and me with tasks...

Nina writing a letter to leave Santa's elves a gift since they always make gifts to give to others but may not receive any themselves...

The smile on each of the children’s faces countless times over the past weeks as they offer their moneys, time and service to others, and, the smile in my own heart as I cannot help but to notice consistent evidence that my children ARE growing in wisdom and stature, every single day (even on the days when there are plenty of challenging moments, too!)

Indeed, this morning as I reflect on all this again, I am smiling.  I am ever so thankful for the gift that God has given me in and through each of my children.  I am grateful for the gift he gave us all in His child and the guidance He offers us in the Word.

Growing in giving truly is magnificent, isn’t it? 

How will you continue to encourage hearts of giving in your home in 2014?

Celebrating the Epiphany - Sick or Not!

"Kings" Nina an Jack bring babydoll "Jesus" gifts during their annual Epiphany dramatic play.

Celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany has become a tradition in our home, celebrated on the 6th, which is when my mom always recognized the day growing up.  Being sick on the Epiphany, thankfully, has not.  Although it seems like it may be a reality for us for this year.

Yes, two of our three children got hit with a belly bug yesterday and, so, Mike went to Epiphany Mass on his own yesterday and I did, today.  It appears there will still be sickness in the house tomorrow, when we plan to celebrate at home.  However, having kids who are under the weather won't stop the day from coming.

Nope!  And, thus, with photo inspiration from last year's Epiphany, I have us set to enjoy as many (or as few) Epiphany activities as health allows tomorrow.

An Epiphany Breakfast Tea

Hopefully, it will be all smiles at tea again this year!

Those still under the weather will be treated to "star juice", "star pops" and "Wise Men Tea".  That is, yellow popsicles, orange juice and herbed bone broth (instead of tea).  The rest of us will feast on a simple-to-fix GFCF Epiphany "tea" like last year's

I wish I could find these GFCF gingermen cookies again this year.

There will be two types of "Wise Men Tea" (herbed bone broth and ginger-lemon tea), "Star Juice"  (orange juice), "Starry Skies" (blueberries with pineapple and - coconut shreds by request this year - stars) and "Jesus' Stable/House" (cinnamon donuts).

Our children love these GFCF cinnamon donuts as a special treat!

Plus, of course, we'll have Chocolate Almond Silk (for no reason other than that our children love it and request it every feast day.)

An inexpensive musical snow globe brings pleasant,calming auditory input to the table.

The table will be set with our Nativity Snow Globe and a yellow candle (as the star the Wise Men Follow and our Nativity Set King figures (who will later make their way to join the rest of the Nativity scene) and our favorite Epiphany read aloud, The Story of the Three Wise Kings.
A Read Aloud.

If the kids up up to it, we may do a few of the book study ideas I came up with for The Fourth Wise Man, republished as The Greatest Gift,or the curriculum and  sensory ones I shared at Catholic Mother's Online for Small Camel Follows the Star.

Chill Time Activities

Since some of the kids are sick, we'll most likely stick with chill-time activities, such as cuddling for lots of read alouds with whichever favorite seasonal read alouds come in at the library....

... making paper crowns...

Every year, the crowns change a bit, but for some reason, the children always ask for orange paper.

...and playing with homemade starry glitter dough.

We just add yellow coloring and glitter to our homemade playdough and - viola - glittering stars!

If the Kids Are Up for It...

Depending on how the kids are feeling, we might enjoy some of our more active traditions, too.

"We three kings..."

The kids can process down the hall singing while following star and, then, put the kings in our Nativity set scene.

"We've come to honor the baby king."

And, we'll do the chalk blessing and home blessing, with the kids writing on each door of the house.

Nina always loves doing the Home Blessing!

Plus, of course, sick or not, we'll PRAY, at Mass, at home or both.

What is sweeter than a little one blessing himself?

Perhaps the oldest child asking to bless Daddy?

And, finally, we'll admire the Christmas tree before we say good-bye to it after the 6th.

Decorating the tree on Christmas Eve this year.  Up on Christmas Eve and down after Epiphany is our family tradition.

What are some of your favorite Epiphany Traditions?

 

(If you receive this post via email and cannot see the linky, be sure to actually click over to the blog to read browse the rich catalog of ideas there.)

THANK YOU!
When you click through Amazon affiliate links in this post and make purchases, we receive a small portion of your purchase price.  Thank you for gifting our family in this way should you choose to do so.

Kicking Off the New Year with a Question, A Prayer and Most Posts of 2013

In the wee hours of this morning, our family rang in the New Year as we traditionally do, surrounded by family, enjoying board games, eating appetizers and, at midnight, making merry by welcoming the New Year with a flurry of confetti and silly string. 

Tonight, I have decided to welcome the New Year on this blog by doing three things:

(1) Looking ahead to the next 364 days of 2014 by asking you, the readers, what you’d most like to read about here? 

Seriously, leave a comment on this post or over at Facebook to let me know. I appreciate it! 

(2) Offering a prayer for you (and me, as well) as we encounter each other online: 

Lord, as we enter 2014, please bless each of us with incredible motivation to find and reflect you in each encounter that we share online. 

As we read, learn and share, help us to understand what it is that You want us to hear, act or reflect upon in a given moment.

As our fingers tap on keyboards, direct us, ensuring that we act as conduits of Your Light and Love in everything we write.

Whenever we are online, grant us the discipline to know when it is time to pause from our pursuits in order to more fully attend to things offline. For while the Internet has become a great modern tool of encouragement, evangelization and, of course, entertainment, it just that – a tool.  Please help us to remember that in the right hands at the right moment, the Internet can work to build Your Kingdom, but, when used without wisdom, it can become destructive.

Lord, in the year ahead, please let every encounter we experience, on and offline, magnify You.

(3) And, looking back at 2013 by joining in the fun Most Posts of 2103 Link –up  

Post with the Most Clicks

When I looked at the Training Happy Hearts stats from 2013, I was surprised to see that the post written in 2013 that got the most clicks was the Stations of the Cross Round-Up.  Until I saw just how many clicks that post got, I thought all the clicks on it may have been my own, since I accessed it frequently last Lent and, gladly, with success.  In fact, although I did not grow up with a Stations traditions, I can now definitely say my children are doing so.  Some of our experiences with Stations last year are still held warmly in my heart, especially the ones I wrote about at A Diary of Starting Stations of the Cross with Special Needs in Mind.

 Post with Most Comments

Hands down, the post in 2013 that received the most comments was A Child’s Geography: Explore The Classical World ~ A Rich Resource Review and Giveaway! I guess everyone loves a good giveaway opportunity.  If you missed the chance to win, but would like to check out the book, be sure to head over to Knowledge Quest where you can download the first three chapters free, and, then, if you like the book, purchase it.  (If purchasing, thank you in advance for using our affiliate link.)

Post with the Best Picture

Because I am an average-to-poor photographer wielding a series of low-end cameras that keep dying, truly beautiful photographs are in short supply on this blog.  (My apologies!)  So, I am going to interpret "picture" in a different way and choose one that my son drew.   I just love what happened when we were Highlighting Virtues with A St. George Resource Round Up (Or What Mama Has the Kids Do When She Is Sick. 

However, if I had to pick a snapshot, I think I'd pick this one from my Spotlight on Nina at 5 1/2 Years Old.  As with many of the other photos in the same post, it evidences the true joy that Nina so often shines with.  Yep, that girl just lights up my world so often and cracks me up with what she gets excited about -- like tape in her Christmas stocking!  (It's the little things in life...)

Post that Was the Hardest to Write

Again, I am interpreting loosely here, since A Pre-Christmas Confession was not difficult to write once I actually sat down with my computer.  Rather what I was confessing was challenging for me.  Not wanting Christmas to come?  Really!  Was I really thinking that a mere week or so ago?  And am I ever grateful the Spirit worked on my heart and changed the thoughts in my head.

Post that Was My Personal Favorite

I am so bad at picking favorites!  In fact, I just cannot pick ONE from the posts I wrote this past year.  SO, I'm going with three. And my personal favorite post hard to decide, but I am going with two:

Softening My Heart:  An Anniversary Lesson During Lent reminds me of how much learning I experience even as I choose to be the main educator of my children.  Our Lord is continually drawing me closer, even when I am hard of heart and head!

And, An Intentional, Experiential Day Processed Through Play reminds me of how how full (literally and figuratively!) a day of homeschooling can be and what a blessing it is to experience life with my children.

To check out others' Most Posts, pop over to Amongst Lovely Things.  Before you do, though, I'd love to hear what you'd like to see here in 2013, because, as always, I have a million posts milling about in my head, but only one to three a week that will likely make it from pondering to post.  I'd like to make those the ones that will bless my family and yours the most. :)  Thanks!

Listen. Yes, Just Listen to a Word for 2014

Last year, some of my live-and-in-person-friends, as well as some folks I "know" online opted to choose a single word to focus on for an entire year -- a word that summed up what they felt God calling them towards.  One that inspired who they wanted to be, how they wanted to live or where they felt growth needed to happen.  One single word that would guide their actions, reactions and even, at times, their (purposeful) inaction over the course of 2013.

This year, I thought I would do the same.

As a lover of words, a perpetual goal-setter, and someone who likes to think and reflect, I thought the exercise of actually choosing a word would be easy.  In fact, I was certain that with a bit of thought and some quiet time at Adoration, a word might choose me.  Indeed, I smiled, confident that THE single word would enter my mind, and, in a quick and striking moment of epiphany, I would know, "Yes! THAT is what 2014 is meant to be all about for me."

How. wrong. I. was.

The fact is that as I sat at Adoration on two different recent occasions praying, a number of words came to mind.

Then, more tumbled through my consciousness as I went about my daily life.

And, as the New Year drew closer, still more words raised their hands saying, "Pick me. Pick me!"

Soon enough, there was an entire cacophony of possibilities.  Yet, not a single one consistently spoke louder than the rest.

And so it was that I almost opted out of the entire One Word exercise for 2014.  

Yes, I almost decided not to listen to the still, small voice inside that had initially prompted me to reflect and pray about what I was to do in the new year, for the din of the possibilities was simply crowding it out.

But the whisper wanted to be heard.  And, it was.

I head myself thinking, What is it I am to do in the New Year?

What does God most want me to do... Do... DO!

Okay, it was not a whisper anymore.  It was a bit of an in-my-head, shout:

DO!  Duh... The profusion of words that have danced about your brain and heart for weeks are all nouns!

The fact is, you are just not a noun sort of girl.  

Well, sometimes I am.  But not when it comes to goal setting or guidance.  In both of those cases, I am a verb-person.  I like action, something concrete I can do.  Something I can try.  Something that may bring me closer to where  -- or who -- I am called to be.

So it was I began to listen to the now not-so-small voice inside of me that directed my word for 2014 was to be a verb.

A verb that could encapsulate many of the nouns on the busy collage of words that had popped into my mind and played tug-of-war my with heart over the past few weeks.  One that would help me grow as God's child.  As a unique individual.  As a wife.  As a mom.  Even as a homemaker and as a partial provider for our family.  A word that, ironically, the Spirit been trying to reach me with the entire time I had prayed at Adoration and in all the time since.

When I finally heard the word, I laughed.

Listen

 Yes, listen.

LISTEN is the word.

Stop thinking.  Cease searching.  Pause praying.  Just listen.  To your children.  To your husband.  To your heart.  To. Your. God.

That is what I am to do in 2014.  That is what will guide me.  What will guide you?

Share and be inspired with others at the Word for 2014 Round-Up.


You can also link up and share more folks' words at Plain Grace.

Are You Ready to Weed Wheat Our of Your Diet?

Okay, these Christmas cookies may not look as pretty as the ones I grew up indulging on, but they were just as fun to make with my children and – better still –they work with our children's diet, which is gluten-free, casein-free, dye-free and, also, mostly white sugar-, additive- and preservative-free. 

In essence, these cookies are symbolic of a journey towards better eating that our family has been on for several years now – not always pretty, but increasingly easy to digest and, at times, a delightful treat.

If you are considering a similar journey for your family, I would like to suggest a book I had the pleasure of reading a a part of the Bow of Bronze Launch Team:

Luke and Trisha Gilkerson's Weeding Out Wheat!

When I was offered a chance to review Weeding Our Wheat in exchange for an honest review, my curiosity was peaked.  Whereas I had done a significant amount of reading about why my family might want to go wheat-free and felt fairly secure in the science behind our choice, I had not given much thought to any potential faith-based pros and cons to a wheat-free diet beyond the fact that it did seem a bit odd that I was asking my children to eschew typical breads even when our frequent Bible story readings evidenced ample consumption of such foods.  And, so it was that when I received my e-copy of the Weeding Out Wheat, I dove right into it.

And, I do mean dove!  For, after opening the book on my computer, I did anything but browse it.  Instead, I found myself reading it all in one sitting and typing out six pages of notes and quotes as I did.  (Trust me, this is a rarity for me!  I almost never have time to red a book all in one sitting, much less to do so with enough concentration that I can take a few notes, much less pages of notes, on it.  So, I would say that Weeding Out Wheat, is an easily digestible read!)

What Weeding Out Wheat Offers

In Weeding Out Wheat you'll find nearly 100 pages of well-researched, well-thought and easy-to-understand text that explains:

• why modern wheat is causing mayhem to so many people's bodies
• what a wheat-free diet has to do with faith
• and, what in the world you can eat if you go wheat-free

You'll also find that authors Luke and Trisha have stayed true to the book's subtitle, for Weeding Out Wheat is indeed "simple", "scientific" and "faith-based".

As I already mentioned, I read the book in one sitting.  That stands as testimony to the fact that it is written in a conversational tone that can be understood despite momma-bleariness.  In fact, as I read the book, I was impressed with how well Luke ad Trisha did cutting technical terms down to bite-size pieces that any layperson can digest and explaining the findings of their own research without being confusing or boring.

An an example, I found it real and refreshing they way they dealt with explaining "phytates":

Phytates cause minerals to be “bio-unavailable.” That means, when phytates are around, it makes it much more difficult for your body to utilize the vitamins and minerals that are present.

Phytates do this in two ways:

1) they bind up minerals and
2) they prevent minerals from being properly absorbed.

They’re sneaky little suckers...

Now, I’m not going to tell you that phytates are all doom and gloom... (page 32)

Likewise, I was wowed with how thorough Luke and Trisha's research was.  For while Weeding Out Wheat's style is easy-to-read, the research that went into writing the book was obviously intense.  In fact, ten pages of End Notes are included so that anyone wishing to corroborate facts like this one that struck me can.

Modern wheat has been so modified by humans, these strains are unable to grow in the wild anymore because they depend on pest control and nitrate fertilization. (page 9)

And the faith-part?  I found it interesting, logical, and, for me, comforting, as examples from the Bible and the authors' argument boiled down to the idea that the Bible does not mandate any specific diet, but that our faith does tell us to take care of our bodies.  As Luke and Trisha eloquently put things:

Just as we should never make an idol of food or any specific diet, neither should we ignore our diet...We should love taking care of our bodies, because our bodies are a gift from God—an eternal gift. (pages 74-75)

Some Take Aways

As I closed my e-copy of Weeding Out Wheat, I found myself sending links to the book to several friends whose recent complaints and ailments came to mind, for the book reminded me about just how many modern diseases seem to be connected to modern wheat.

I also found myself planning to take further steps in my family's journey to cleaner eating.  For while my children have been gluten-, casein, plus other-things- free for some time and my husband and I have been limited, we all too often replace the wheat, gluten and other things we used to eat with nutritionally deficient foods eating healthier junk food than others might at times, but junk food nonetheless.

Adding more and more nutrient-dense foods to our diet is in order!  (So is Mom finally taking the total gluten-free plunge for herself.  Wish me luck!)

But enough about me and mine.  How about you and yours?  Are you ready to weed wheat out of your diet?  or at least ready to learn more about why you might want to?  Then, I highly suggest reading Luke and Trisha's Weeding Out Wheat as a way to enlighten yourself and invest yourself in the journey.  And, then, as they say, just doing it.

To find out if you have a problem with wheat:

Give it up. Give wheat up for a minimum of 2 months with strict adherence. Some people can tell a difference within days, but it can take months for gluten and other wheat toxins to clear out of your system. Months. Sometimes longer than 2 months. (page 43)

Good luck if you do!  And don't be afraid to ask for help.  You can even join others in the Weeding Out Wheat Encouragement and Support Group on Facebook.

To Purchase Weeding Out Wheat

You can find Luke and Trisha's book as:

• Amazon for your kindle – Regularly $9.95, but now only $1.99 for a limited time (December 30th through January 1st!)

• At Luke and Trisha's website as a pdf – $9.95

• Paperback at Creatspace – Regularly $14.95, but now only $9.95 for a limited time (December 30th through January 1st!)

• Paperback coming soon to Amazon.

Want More Information?

• Pop on over to Bow of Bronze to read what others are saying about Weeding Out Wheat: A Simple, Scientific, Faith-Based Guide.

• Read more about the book, and see what other products author's Luke and Trisha offer, at their site Intoxicated on Life.

•  Think about things as you watch this short video:

 

• Join the Facebook Launch party for the book, where you can win great prizes, too!

Thank You!

This post includes affiliate links to Amazon and Intoxicated on Life.  Should you choose to purchase anything by clicking through one of these, it won't cost you any extra, but it will bless our family with a portion of your purchase price.  We appreciate that!

Love and Look Up This Season

As we enjoy the Christmas season here, I have been limiting my online time for blog reading and writing in order to focus more on faith, family, home and homeschool.  Thus, I missed posting the Training Happy Hearts link-up last Sunday and am only posting a brief message today.

I just wanted to pop on to wish everyone a blessed Christmas Season  and a fruitful New Year!

May God's love shine in you, through you and around you and may every experience be obviously touched by His light.

By the way, the photos on our "card" above were taken on an afternoon that I wrote about at Signature Moms.  As I reflected on the time with my children, I recognized 6 Lessons I Learned While Sledding.  That post culminated with the words:

Go play. Ride. Roll. Share. Love. Look up. The rest of today awaits you with abundant blessings! True beauty awaits us all…

I truly believe this and know I am focused on loving and  looking up as Christmas and the New Year unfold.  How about you?