Turn off Your TV Week

Found on a wall in Glasgow, Scotland
Photo taken by Brian Aslak Gylte from Norway

Did you know April 20-26th is TV Turnoff Week? I love this concept!!! Now, in our house, we celebrate TV turnoff 365 days a year, but for many families this week could be an opportunity to shut off the television and do something other than watch the screen.

Some fast television facts:

• Number of 30-second commercials seen in a year by an average child: 20,000
• Number of minutes per week that parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children: 38.5
• Number of minutes per week that the average child watches television: 1,680 (compare with the above statistic - so sad!) (italics mine)
  
• Percentage of children ages 6-17 who have TV’s in their bedrooms: 50
• Percentage of day care centers that use TV during a typical day: 70
• Hours per year the average American youth spends in school: 900 hours
• Hours per year the average American youth watches television: 1500
• Percentage of Americans that regularly watch television while eating dinner: 66

source: http://www.csun.edu/science/health/docs/tv&health.html

Deciding to not watch TV was an easy choice for our family. We didn’t want our children bombarded by commercials promoting sugary cereals, fast food, or cheap, made in China toys. We also didn’t like that fact that even if we were watching a “good” show inevitably a preview for an upcoming show (one that we would never allow our children to watch) could be seen during the commercial breaks. Not to mention it became harder and harder to find “good” shows. We decided to make our job as parents much easier and just quit watching television altogether.

Before you begin to wonder about us, we do have a TV! We watch videos and DVD's, but in doing so, we get to choose the program and we don't have to deal with the commercials and unexpected images associated with watching TV. We still enjoy family movie night once in a while and when our kids are sick sometimes they watch movies to pass the time.

Usually we are so busy we don’t have time even for movies. When the weather is nice I would much rather be outside than sitting in front of the television. We love to read, craft, listen to Adventures in Odyssey and Your Story Hour and play games. These types of activities encourage creativity and force my kids to interact with each other. I want my children to be able to get along and play together, not be able to watch a movie together - that is easy.

Now, I realize that what works for our family may not work for another's, so this post is not meant to be judgmental in any way! But, the statistics being what they are, why not try the challenge, turn off the TV and see what you can do with your family this week!

BTW, what is your opinion on television - love it, hate it, own it, live without it? Movies, cable, commercials? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

A Cool Quote:

"I must say I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on I go into the library and read a good book."
--Julius "Groucho" Marx

The life and times...

There is so much going on around here these days. I decided to do a picture post with a few comments to fill you in on some of the details.

A couple of weeks ago, we went on a field trip to St. Augustine. The Lighthouse there was doing a homeschool day and we decided to take advantage of the fort while we were there. Here is a picture of my children with the Thomas children (our new sweet friends) outside the entrance to the fort.


While we were there, a man dressed in original Spanish clothes showed us some things that the people back then would have used for medicinal purposes. He said that MaKenna's hair was the perfect length for sutures (she kept it hidden from him!). It was truly a time to be thankful for modern inventions!


Delaney is the Thomas' 7 year old daughter. (They have 2 boys as well.) She loved hanging out with Holly and MaKenna and wanted to take lots of pictures with them!


Although it was a little chilly that day (we had a cold snap come through the night before and it was only 40 when we got there!), it was a BEAUTIFUL Florida day, as you can see from this picture of us at the top of the fort.


We left the fort, had a picnic lunch and went to our scheduled event at the lighthouse. They had a great amount of info for the children with songs from sailor's back then, to native plants that they are restoring on the grounds and info about the lighthouse itself. We all learned so much and then got to climb the 219 stairs to the top! Thankfully, it had warmed up some, though it was still windy.


One of the highlights of our view was the control burn that they had going on nearby. This kept all of us fascinated for quite some time and we got to talk to one of the rangers about why they do this and how often. It was so interesting!


We were so glad to have Nina and Paul and their family join us at the lighthouse. Here is a picture of all the kids at the top.


I love this picture of MaKenna and Max, Nina's youngest - he just loves MaKenna and asked me take their picture - so cute!


After leaving the Lighthouse, Melissa and Micah introduced us to letterboxing. Basically, you go online, find clues to a letterbox and then follow them to find it. Once you do, you take their stamp and stamp your journal and take your family stamp and stamp their journal with the details of when you found the box. We loved doing this and will continue to find more wherever we go! Here is our family and their family in front of the keeper's house where we found our very first letterbox!


OK, that's all for that day. Here is a neat shot that I took of my beautiful girls last week. I think that it is so neat!


We have also been gardening and have many things growing, but that will have to be another post! I hope that you enjoyed catching up on our life and times!

Swagbucks

OK, I know that I am behind on my posts and I WILL get caught up very soon, but I wanted to add this quick note before I start my day.

On the right side of my blog, there is a note "check out this opportunity with me" and a button. I have been using "swagbucks" as my search engine since I first found out about it. Here is the deal - when you need to find out something, if you use swagbucks instead of, say, google, you can earn "swagbucks" which can be redeemed on their website for LOTS of different things. Right now, I could get a $10 Amazon GC for about 2 months of regular searches! Not bad for a freebie!

The searches are not quite as extensive as google, but I have had no trouble finding whatever I have needed. There are other ways to earn them, as well. For one, if you click on my link at the right, I will get one swagbuck for every one that you do until you reach 100- and anyone who comes under you will help you earn!

I haven't mentioned this before because I wanted to make sure that it was OK and legitimate - so far so good! I can't wait to start redeeming and getting free things!

Easter 2009

We started off our day with an awesome Easter service. Pastor said that this is his 30th Easter at our church, but his message was fresh, inspiring and relevant. My baby brother was there with us, so that was just an added blessing! During the service, as part of the worship and music, Eleanor Hawthorne painted, mostly with her hands, this beautiful painting:



After church, we had some family over for dinner - a very unconventional Easter dinner! We had a cookout with hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni salad, cole slaw, corn pudding, chipped beef dip, chips, baked beans, grilled veggies and also some ham! It was yummy. The girls and I also made this yummy cake for dessert:


It is called Hummingbird Cake and is as delicious as it is pretty!

This is my 82 year old grandmother being cute as a button:


The whole gang - (L to R) London, Bear, J, Mom, Dad, Nan, Mark, Me, Caleb, MaKenna and Holly and Maggie:

(Yes, Caleb was swimming right before we took the picture!)

Holly, MaKenna and Caleb at church. (The girls had to wear red, black and gray for choir):


We had such a nice day today remembering the resurrection of our Lord and spending time with family. We are blessed indeed!

He is Risen!!

Just wanted to say Happy Easter to all of my friends out there! Remember, "He is not here, for He is risen as He said!" I pray that you have a blessed Easter and celebrate the joy of the true meaning of the day. Check out the video here for a blessing!

Easter Sacrifice

Tonight, we remembered the sacrifice that the Lord made for us on the cross by receiving communion. It is such a powerful experience for my family, one that I don't know that I can even put into words. To think of what Jesus did for me is humbling, to say the least. Easter is the most powerful holiday to me - to celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. To remember that He went through it all for me. For my family. For all of you. How can I not love Him and serve Him and give my all to Him after all that He did for me?

Dr. Kloepper reminded us that there are 3 important truths we must remember:

1. We are ALL sinners. We can not do or be good enough. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

2. We ALL need a Savior. None of us can do anything to save ourselves.

3. That Savior is JESUS. He died on the cross for my sins, for your sins.

Without the sacrifice of what He did for me, I would have no hope in this world. Do you know that He died for YOU? Do you know that without Him, you would have no hope in this world?

The old song says it best.

'What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh precious is the flow, that washes pure as snow. No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus.'

It is my prayer that you remember what Easter is truly about throughout this weekend. That you realize that all that He did, He did for each one of us. To give us hope that this world can not give. If you let that truth sink in, it will change your life!

When I call on Jesus, ALL things are possible!

I had to come in and post this really quick - for someone! Some of you know that our pump went out on our pool last week. So, for a week, there has been 10,000 gallons of stagnant water in my backyard - not good! I am not wanting to grow tadpoles. Well, yesterday, we took the old one to a motor repair store and got it fixed. I brought it home, good as new, for Mark to hook up.

Well, when the guy fixed it, he added some things to make it more efficient, but the one piece was now in the way of us being able to hook it back up. By the time we realized this, he was closed. So, that meant that I needed to take it back in today.

However, Mark forgot to detach it from the pipes and since we are out of town for a field trip tomorrow, we HAVE to get this thing running TODAY!!! Well, I went out there and tried with all of my measly strength to get them off, to no avail. I called the guy at the motor store for help and he said, yeah - those are really hard (his emphasis) to get off - you need a tool or something.

Oh, boy. I was feeling a little nervous about how long this pool has had no pump. So, I called my husband. He suggested that I go to the neighbor and see if they have the tool (which Mark had in his truck!).

I went to 3 doors and no one was home anywhere! (These are people who work from home and they were not there. 3 of them!)

Well, I came home and went out to that pump. And you know what. I was desperate. I had tried everything I could think of, with no effect. Why do I wait until then to call on Jesus? Why does this tend to be a pattern in my life? Well, I don't know why, but here's what I did.

I prayed over that pump. Out loud. I prayed for me - for supernatural strength. I prayed for the pump - that it would loosen easily. I prayed In JESUS Name. Then, I tried again to turn that thing - with ALL my strength.

Let me tell you, God does have a sense of humor. Because I used ALL my strength and that thing flew off so fast that I face planted onto the pump. I even cut the inside of my lip! (not too bad)

I should have known better, because when I call on Jesus, in His name, ALL things are possible! I did not need all of my strength any more - because I was asking for His.

So, there you go. My testimony for today! Be encouraged that whatever you are going through, God is just waiting for us to call on Him to take over where our own strength fails. His strength truly is made perfect in my weakness.

Let's Go Fly a Kite

It has been so windy here. When I was growing up we said that if March blew in like a lamb, it would blow out like a lion and vice versa. Well, this year, February blew out like a lion, March blew in like a lion, March blew out like a lion and so far, April has done nothing but blow like a lion! It does make for good kite flying weather, though. So, Mark decided to show Caleb how it was done. Here is the event in pictures.

Mark shows Caleb how to get it started:


Caleb is feeling like he is ready to give it a try on his own:


Getting it started:


Off the ground:

Flying high:


He kept that kite up there for quite a while while we all watched:


So pretty:


What are you doing to enjoy your spring days with your family?

An Unexpected Blessing

For the past couple of years, there have been a few items on my "wish list." These are not things that I need, they are just things that I would like to have! They are things that, when I go out, I keep an eye out to see if I can find a really good deal on them. Since I don't really need them, I refuse even more than normal to spend full price! Well, one of those items is something like a pie safe or some sort of cabinet type item for the kitchen for all of my bread supplies. I look everywhere and when I can find them, they are over $300, or they are way too big for the space that I have. So, there is the background info on what I am about to tell you.

Saturday, we decided to go out to the flea market in Mt. Dora. We weren't planning to buy anything, just sounded like something different to do for the day! Well, when we go to this flea market, there is one door that we ALWAYS go in. My 2 favorite little shops of the whole place are on this row, and I just like to start there. Well, for some reason, this time we decided to start on the whole opposite end! In fact, we started outside!

We found a vendor who had things that I really like, so the girls and I went in. (Mark and Caleb were looking at guns and knives - guy stuff!) As we were walking, I noticed a cabinet against the back wall of her little area and we headed for it. It looked just right, but we asked for a tape measure to make sure that it would work and sure enough - just right! Next was the price. Well, it was close to that $300 mark that we always find and I stood there thinking, Lord, why is it always that much? Why can't it ever be 1/2 that?

I no sooner thought that, when the lady who owned it walked up behind me and said, "Oh, by the way, that is 1/2 off today!" Well, that was a quick answer to an unspoken prayer if I ever had one! (Maybe I should have asked for 75% off??!!) So, I proceeded to take stock of all that it had and that everything worked. I opened a door and saw some dishes, right as the owner came up behind me and said, "Oh, and those dishes are included in the price!!" Oh my - can it get any better?!

I called Mark to come and look and he loved it too and we decided that it would be my Mother's Day and Bday presents all in one. The lady there was so nice. We told her what we wanted to use it for and she hugged me, so happy that a family who would truly appreciate it was buying it! She proceeded to offer Holly and MaKenna 3 tins full of paints - oil based and latex - very good quality, nice paints.

OK, so we bought the piece, now to get it home! We had all of us, the pool pump (whole nother story!) 3 empty chlorine jugs (2 1/2 gallons each!) and my quizzing cart in the van and had to get this thing home. Where there is a will, there is a way! We managed to squeeze everything in, but it was tight! Here is a pic looking back:

MaKenna is sitting on my quizzing cart! The piece that we bought is taking up the whole back of the van.

The next problem, though, was that the back couldn't shut and we had nothing with us. Well, Cat, the owner, went to find anything and came back with a pair of men's suspenders! Mark tied it up just right and would you believe, they took us the whole way home! Caleb used them for crazy praise today!


Here is the beautiful blessing, partially set up. The picture really doesn't do it justice.


I didn't like how the mill and bread maker fit on it, so I left them on the other cart. You can see them to the right in the picture.

And here are the dishes that came with it - they are from Czechoslovakia, numbered and everything! It came with a soup tureen and gravy bowl:


A teapot, creamer and sugar bowl and service for 6 - cups, plates and bowls:


Even though it was a big splurge for us, I am thankful for the blessing of such a great deal on something that we all love.

Fusion week

Well, you probably wonder why I haven't been posting much lately. There is just so much going on around here these days! Last weekend was Fusion, the Annual Youth Conference at our church. There were lots of practices and prayer meetings in preparation for that event. I had a surprise for them that weekend too! Jess, their best friend, was coming to town and was spending the night after the Friday night service. I did not get pictures because of timing and schedules, but here are a few that Holly took. (Next time, I will make sure that I get some pictures!)

This is Jess, MaKenna and Holly on Saturday. I was so sad that we didn't get any on Friday - they just had to be there so early and we had so many other things going on at the same time, that it just didn't happen.


This is on the platform, inside the sanctuary:


We didn't get home on Friday night until about 1:30AM and stayed up talking and catching up until 4. I got back up early to make them a nice breakfast before they had to be back for day 2. Jess got to come home with us again on Saturday, but we were all so tired that we just sat around and talked and relaxed! My dad came over, too, for a while and visited with us - such a busy day!

I have so much to be thankful for this week! Mark's truck and my van are fixed and up and running; my kids love Jesus and had a great time at the youth event; good friends who invite us over for yummy food, fun, fellowship and "confession"!!; a good, hard working husband; provision at all times; being tired from working at something that is satisfying and fulfilling; and blessings that come from nowhere, among so many other things.