Samuel's New Bible

Our kids have all had a Precious Moments Bible of some sort since they were born. They have all had a small hands edition NKJV. Nathaniel had a beautiful CEV. The pictures in it were more vibrant and colorful than most Precious Moments pictures. Now that they are older Nathaniel has a plain, black Bible, Benjamin has a Faith to Grow on Bible, and Samuel has gone through several kinds. I have gotten tickled at how he points out things in certain storybook Bibles that are either illustrated too cutesy or or just worded poorly. His favorite Bible story is Noah's Ark. Ever since he found out that Noah's Ark was not a tiny boat with smiling animals sticking their heads out the many windows, he points out that what is in his Bible is not "real".(actually i was a little unhappy about one being too "real" in the Adam and Eve illustations) Tapestry of Grace recommends The Children's Illustrated Bible, but I just have not been super-impressed with it. I have really wanted something he could help read. But not a happy baby story book. Is that too much to ask?

I found a Bible at Lifeway in Huntsville one day. I really wanted to get it, but the dust jacket was ripped. Granted, it was just the dust jacket. Being the perfectionist that I am I was not paying $22.00 for something ripped. I planned to go home and order it online.

The only problem was, I forgot the name of the Bible. Do you know that if you just type in "children's Bibles" into your search engine you might stare at the screen for days? I went to Lifeway and to Christian Book Distributors with no luck. I even called the Lifeway store to ask them what the name of the children's Bible with a ripped dust jacket was. They said they could not find one with a ripped dust jacket.

So I was determined that I would find it. No matter how many hours I was not getting out from in front of the computer until I had found it. I searched all the Bible publishers that I could think of first. granted, that meant Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. Nothing else would come to mind. Then I did remember that the Bible said something about a big picture or a timeline. Every time I typed "big picture Bible timeline" I kept coming up with this, which looks nice, but is not what I wanted. But truthfully, I had never gone past the first few results from that search. I finally found it!!! Not only did I find it, but it was cheaper than it had been at Lifeway!!! Hooray!!!

I am a big fan of customer reviews. I read some of the reviews. They were mostly very, very good reviews. I only saw two negative ones. One of them said that their kid did not the Bible because everyone in it had a sad face. Because I had flipped through it myself, I knew that was not the case. There were lots of smiling, happy people drawn in the pictures. The other said this:

I am a very conservative Christian and I just didn't see this Bible giving an accurate account of the stories. It seemed to have a very "interpretive" spin on them. One I didn't think was accurate or appropriate. I was really disappointed, to say the least. I did, very much, feel like a lot of the stories emphasized God's "punishment" of people. While I believe strongly in discipline, and believe that "God chastens those whom He loves," I do not think the theme of "punishment," which I thought was pretty blatant in this Bible, was doing God's word justice at all. Yes, there is eternal punishment, and the Bible teaches that, but it is not what is being taught in this Bible. Further, the themes of love, redemption, grace, etc are too subtle to really be enjoyed, much less even seen by children. For instance, this Bible says that God kicked Adam and Eve out of the Garden to "punish" them. This is interpretive. It was not a punishment, it was a disciplinary measure to help them see their sin and their need for God. It was to teach them what life is like without God, and realize how they had been wrong. Further, it was to protect them--God did not want them to eat from the Tree of Life, and "live forever." I interpret that to mean, as in a mortal life, in their sinful state. God, in His *mercy," protected them from eating from that Tree, which would have been far worse since they were in a fallen state. I know that is *my* interpretation, but the "punishment" theory in this Bible is also interpretive. It would have been much better to simply leave out the interpretation, and just tell the story.

Uhm...okay. I always thought that banishment from the garden, hard labor (work), pain in childbirth, etc... WERE punishments.

It came the day before Easter!! How cool is that??? I ordered enough to get free shipping (because I am a cheapskate) so that meant it could have taken longer to get here. As a matter of fact we were not expecting it until the next Wednesday. Samuel LOVES it!!! Most of it is not something that he can sit and just read all by himself, but he can read parts of it. He gets excited that he can read it. Being a "Storybook Bible" means that it does not have *all* of the Bible stories in it. What is does have in it, however, is that Jesus is the theme of the Bible. It shows how the Old Testament gives us hints about Him. It shows how the New Testament is all about Him. It even talks about end times. Most of our story Bibles do not. It is a wonderful Bible!! No, it is not one he can use from now until he is old and grey.
But it seems just right for now.

ps. We threw the dust jacket away. It just gets in the way while we are reading.

Three Posts Rolled Into One

Three things that are worth sharing, totally unrelated, but all worth sharing.
First: I have been enjoying learning the Shorter Catechism with the boys. We have been using lessons that we found online here. We love it! I have been going to Kidzone to print pages for Samuel to trace printed and Benjamin to trace cursive copies of the questions and answers. I was happy with it at first, but the past few months I have been getting pop-ups and having problems getting the pages printed. I am enough of a cheapskate not to actually purchase software to print worksheets. Yes, I know that is pathetic. But now I have come across a sight that I can print trace pages or pages for copy work, that also has math, geography and other things along with it. It is called Worksheetworks. . No pop-ups or times where the page freezes up and refuses to print. Happy and Cheap. That's me.

Samuel did something today that has the potential to be very embarrassing. We were walking home after church. Samuel took off and to the door way before us. Mark and I were talking and I looked up and said, "Where did Samuel go?" We looked for him and it seemed like he had disappeared. Then he came from behind a tree. He had to go the bathroom, and the door was locked so he found a tree. In the front yard. The front yard that is attached to the church parking lot. Nobody said anything about seeing him. Maybe nobody did. We had a talk about not *going* in the front yard. How did we have such a redneck son?

I have a new workout routine. If the physical activity is not enough, the political garbage of listening to Obama will turn my stomach to the point where I can't eat. I should lose weight either way.

Hm.... Guess Its a Good Thing We Opted Out Of Calling Him Mephibosheth Habakkuk

We have been studying Courage as our character trait in our Konos studies. Our Bible study that we are doing is on the life of Paul. While studying Paul we are learning about several of the people who crossed his path. One of them being Barnabas. In children's church we have been learning about the patriarchs, learning how names have significant meanings. So I thought that it would be interesting to tell the boys about what the name Barnabas means. (Son of Encouragement)

I was doing something one night and Samuel was saying, "Great job, Mom." He kept saying it over and over. I told him that he was such an encourager that maybe we should have named him Barnabas. He said, "I like Samuel better. Besides, If my name was Barnabas, I wouldn't even know how to spell my own name!"

AAHH!!! I'm Hideous!!!

Why is it that my face breaks out? I am getting waaayy to old to be seen buying Clearasil. (actually I tend to buy stuff that says it is okay to use old skin. I just can't remember what it is) So anyway, I have a zit to decorate my face alongside my wrinkles. Right on my chin, near my mouth. Keep that in mind, it will make since later.
We were playing Apples to Apples <
the other night.
Since Samuel does not actually read well enough to play, we modify our game to allow him to be the judges over every round. Someone put down a card with the word "Warts" on it. He asked what a wart is. I told him, "A wart is a really gross thing that grows on your skin. It is all hard hard and looks icky. Some people say that you get them from a frog peeing on your skin, but that is not true. They really are super gross-looking." He looks at me so sweetly and says, "Looks like that happened by your mouth."
Out of the mouths of babes......

Fun With Math U See Blocks

Can you tell we have too much fun around here? School in pajamas, building robots out of math blocks? Samuel built this by himself after he finished his math one day.

Sharing the Weirdness

Just thought I'd give you a little glimpse of Samuel's, uhm, uniqueness. Earlier today he said, "Mom, you know what the best snack ever is? Green beans and chocolate milk." (oh, yuck!!)
Also today, he asked if he could do an extra math worksheet. What mom would say no to that?? He ended up doing the rest his math sheets for this and most of next week!!!
Tonight he went to his room to put on his jammies. He has cars, rockets, Batman, Superman, Cars the Movie (which has to be in class by itself, you know), army man, (camo, for those of you who do not speak "boy"), and some others that have left me. What does emerge from his room wearing????


That would be an argyle sweater vest and Tigger-striped sweatpants. This boy definitely has his own sense of style!!!

How Dinosaurs Became Extinct

Many scientists over the years have pondered the question "What caused the dinosaurs to become extinct?" There are those who believe that the Ice Age killed them. There are others who believe that a meteor struck the earth and caused the sudden death of the entire race of dinos. I have traveled back in time to once and for all put all theories to rest. With the help of my trusty camera to document the proof, I will solve this ancient mystery. Please be warned: these photos contain graphic images. Anyone who is faint of heart might not be able to handle it. For the rest of you, the curious lot, keep reading and your questions will be answered.
Notice the Giant Candycornasaurus and the herd of friendly Mini Toysonthetops co-existing in peace and harmony.





Along comes the Birthday Boyraptor, seeming happy and innocent, but secretly plotting how to get his claws on some Candy Corn Spikes.



Behold: the mighty savage warriors known as boysandgirlsataparty come out of their caves to celebrate one of their own making it through one more tough prehistoric year.


Notice how the savages are all wearing looks of total satisfaction as they devour the helpless dinos.




The carnivorus Auntosaurus Rex toys with her food before eating it.


Behold the destruction left behind.


What about the mighty T-Rex? Did he die out from famine when all the others were eaten up like some books say he might have? The pictures prove otherwise:


First we see the mighty Samuel armed with the ultimate weapon: a Sith Lightsaber.


Uh-oh, the T-rex is too powerful for the lightsaber to do any real damage.





How about a tennis racket?


Nope again


Big Brothers even get in on the action



To no avail





The final weapon that Sir Samuel chooses: a drumstick(?)




Ha-ha!! Not so mighty now!!


Behold!!! the first piece of bubble-gum!



Oops, looks like Rexie is losing his mind (I warned you this was going to be graphic!!)


Victory belongs to Sir Samuel, Dinoslayer!!!


Goodbye, Dinosaurs!!!


One more non-dino pic: Benjamin FINALLY lost the tooth that has been loose since MAY!!!! HOORAY!!!!

The Birthday is Finally Here!!!!

Today is Samuel's fifth birthday. He is soooo excited!!! He has been counting down the days for a week now. He is such a precious little boy. He is having a dinosaur party tonight. We should have lots and lots of fun. I have to brag on my little(oops, I mean BIG) Sambert for a while. His is the labor and delivery that I do not like to talk about for fear that some poor, unsuspecting pregnant lady might be nearby. He is also the unexpected blessing given to our family. We were talking about not having any more children, and SURPRISE!!!-pregnant again. He is the greatest surprise ever. He is sweet. Oh he is so sweet. He especially has a tender heart when it comes to small and weak things. He loves animals, especially the small ones. He wants to go feed the ducks at the park almost every day. He likes to make sure the big ducks do not get all the food from the baby ducks. He also has a tender spot for the powerless. He prays daily for orphans. If one of his friends is hurt he tries to comfort them and he prays for them. Oh- and I almost forgot to mention that he is talented. He is a singer. He has even made up a few songs. When our Math U See order came in, the boys had a blast with the blocks. Nathaniel and Benjamin built airplanes with them. Samuel built a stage, and then a little Samuel to sing on that stage. He gets up with Mark occasionally to lead the music at church. He is brave and fearless (which is sometimes not my favorite thing about him). He even helps others be brave. Benjamin has always been somewhat of a scaredy cat. When he sees his little brother do something, it lets him know that it is safe. So here's to my little (BIG I mean) gift from above: May he always remain talented and not shy, bold but tender, and full of love and compassion.

This is him with Mark the puppy