Thrift Schooling

I am excited to share with you more Ellie Claire products. If you remember, back during the week of Thanksgiving, I shared my version of a holiday gift guide by enlightening you with several awesome gift ideas for the holiday season complete with a giveaway! Now, I would like to highlight one of my favorite companies that I introduced you to then by sharing a NEW line of their products, now.  Previously, I shared with you, Ellie Claire's creative writing journals . Now, I would like to introduce you to Ellie Claire's 365-Day Devotional Journals! I received three beautifully-bound journals to review: Peace Begins With Me 365-Day Devotional Journal   The Earth Is The Lord's And Everything In It 365- Day Devotional Journal Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus 365- Day Devotional Journal These high-quality, thick and sturdy devotional journals are the perfect go-to gift for the mom, grandmother or friend on your gift list. When I first got them I ...

With over 9 million copies sold, the Adventure Bible brand is beloved by Christian schools, churches, and families alike. Now, the #1 Bible for kids, including all of the trusted essentials loved by parents, is available in an exciting polar exploration theme! Ready for a frosty Adventure? Embark on a fun, exciting trek through God’s Word with the NIV Adventure Bible , now in an all-new polar exploration theme! While on this arctic adventure, readers meet all types of people, see all sorts of places, and learn all kinds of facts about the Bible. And most importantly you’ll grow closer in your relationship with God. Features of the NIV Adventure Bible, Polar Exploration Edition Include •             The same trusted Adventure Bible content in a frosty new theme •             Full-color images of polar animals, arctic outposts, and icy landscapes ...

Introducing the Ellie Claire line of creative writing journals.  These journals are more than just simple notebooks but are intended to challenge your more creative side. Each one, the Faith and Lettering Journal, The Illustrated Word and Illuminate Your Story Journal teaches and showcase different creative lettering, drawing or coloring techniques.  When these journals arrived in the mail, I let my oldest three children have a go and pick which one interested them the most. My oldest son picked Illuminate Your Story . This one is perfect for him. It goes through each letter of the alphabet teaching how to creatively craft each letter. This skill is not only fun for journaling but useful if my children want to create crafts on wood (which they enjoy doing) and then hand paint sayings on them. In addition to the tutorials, there are lined pages for journal entries which I noticed my son already has been starting to fill.  My second ...

I made a new friend recently. Since we are presently serving as missionaries in a Mexican border town we decided to join a homeschool group directly across the border in Texas. While receiving the grand tour of my new friend's home, my eyes were immediately drawn to the familiar maroon colored spines filling one of her bookshelves. She too is a fan of YWAM Publishing's missionary stories! I could spot those books a mile away.  I recently have been adding more and more to my collection. Since we are now on the mission field I have officially added "missionary study" to our curriculum. At home, we would always read a story together during our "table time" after Bible and worship time but now, it seemed appropriate to limit our stories to missionary stories to encourage us on our journey.  And it has.  We have been so blessed through these stories.  I actually cried in the middle of reading the Gladys Aylward story aloud to my kids. What a beauti...

How is your holiday shopping going? This year we are taking a break from loads and loads of gifts and are keeping it simple. You probably would not think that I am a big spender for the holidays but that is not true. I love to shop year 'round stocking up on all the good deals that I find. I might purchase a gift my son asked for only $3.00 when it cost $60.00 new. Just because I am thrifty doesn't mean my kids don't get some pretty sweet gifts! That said, even though I am throttling back this year, we are still having some fun  and since I've had the chance to review some intriguing products I have let the kids have a go at them a bit early.  This week, Monday through Wednesday, I will post a fun new product each day that is sure to put a smile on your face. After taking a break on turkey day, I'll share my final gift review on Friday complete with a giveaway! Are you ready to check out the first product? Watch Ya' Mouth 90s Edition will take you back t...

INDIVISIBLE is based on the extraordinary true story of Army Chaplain Darren Turner and his wife Heather. With a strong, faith-filled marriage, the Turners are ready to follow their calling: serving God, family, and country. Fresh from seminary and basic training, Chaplain Turner and his family arrive at Fort Stewart. Yet before the Turners can even unpack their new house, Darren is deployed to Iraq. Heather is left taking care of their three young children alone as well as serving the families of the other deployed soldiers. Despite a desire to stay connected with their loved ones, the harsh realities of war take a daily toll over the course of the Battalion’s extended deployment. Meanwhile back home, babies are born, kids keep growing, and nerves are frayed with every late-night knock on the door. With deeply etched battle scars, the soldiers’ long-awaited homecoming is much different than any of their families anticipated. Carrying burdens the other can’...

While visiting my family in New York, we toyed with the idea of taking a day trip to Niagara Falls. We wanted the kids to get a glimpse of this majestic wonder. We were unsure whether the visit would be worth it since my parents live a good two hours from Canada. We decided to go for it, hence giving us the right to label our summer voyages with the hashtag #CanadatoMexico! Why not? When else will we have the opportunity to be in Canada and Mexico in the same summer? So we went. Knowing that parking can be a bear in Niagara Falls we chose to park on the American side and then walk over.  Yes, I said walk. With five kids.  Honestly, it was not that bad. We parked the car at Niagara Falls State Park. It was around $8 for the day. Walking across was breathtaking and entertaining because it was then that I got to see my children's initial reactions to seeing the falls. They were amazed and they let us know it. My eldest son couldn't stop snapping photos and my daughte...