Writing Contests for Kids

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hanks to ClubMom blogger and homeschool mom, Melissa at The Lilting House, my children have a new writing assignment to work on!  Melissa shared about a writing contest that children’s author, Tabatha A. Yeatts is hosting, for kids ages 6-18, by writing about this picture titled, Through the Keyhole #1.  The writings can be done as a haiku, limericks, free verse, a 55-word story, a 100-word story, a mystery, a fantasy . . . it’s unlimited!  Be sure to read the full rules.  No fooling . . . contest entries must be received by April 1, 2007!

And, here’s another writing contest, specifically for homeschooled kids called Homeschooler’s Writing Club – Field Assignment.  This looks like a fun one for kids.  They are to take a picture of something local that tells about your area or state and write an essay about it including history, interesting facts, how it relates to your area. Younger children (grades K-2) can write a short paragraph about the picture with parent’s help. Or . . . up to 10 pictures can be taken and write a photo caption about each one, including brief history, interesting facts, etc.  And it appears that each child will get a prize for their submission. 

There’s more!  Homeschooler’s Writing Club also has a Holiday Projects writing projects as well!  The child can write a poem, story or essay about any of the following holidays and submit them for publication:

• Valentine’s Day – deadline 2/14/07
• St Patrick’s Day – deadline 3/17/07
• Easter – deadline 4/8/07
• Spring – deadline 5/30/07

If you are aware of any other homeschool contests, let me know, and I will put up another announcement.  Blogs are not needed to participate in any of these projects above,   so get those pencils moving!

In Other Words: Satan’s Lie

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ow many times do we hand things over to God to give Him control, only to take it back the next day (or even next minute).  We seem to have a better way, or God just is not taking care of the situation in our time, so we try to move things along and resolve it on our own.  We begin to believe lies that we have the only way, we can resolve it without God, and though we may not make a conscience thought such as this, our leaving God out of our everyday decisions is allowing Satan to sneek in and have a grip on us.

When things are going well, the bills are all being paid, the children are behaving, the days are going without too much chaos, and relationships are at their best, God does not appear to be doing anything, and we think we have it all under control.  We don’t give God a thought . . . and continue our days without our devotions, without praying, and brushing aside any thoughts of having a relationship with God.  Satan has us believing a lie that we are indeed in control, and we don’t think how we have given Satan control.  But God is waiting, does not give up, and will immediately take us by His nail-scarred hand.

Scripture says we can only serve one master.  Which one do we serve?

This week’s In "Other" Words is being hosted by Christine of Fruit in Season.  Be sure to visit her site to read other women’s interpretations of this quote.

This Pregnant Body – 32 Weeks

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his week and through the remainder of my pregnancy, begins LOTS of OB visits and tests. We saw the high risk OB last week and he remains comfortable with me staying locally as long as things continue as they are and the baby does not come too soon.  I had a detailed ultrasound done last week, and we saw our little guy – his mouth moving, and a hand near his mouth.  One of our twin daughters went, and was quite thrilled to see this and quite talkative about this later!  The ultrasound went well, and baby is close to 4 pounds by all his measurements.  He did measure about a week less than what I am, but this can be typical for errors with measurements.  And, it was very evident again, that it’s certainly a BOY! 

However because of the high risk pregnancy, I will be having two non-stress tests a week and at least one OB visit a week.  LOTS of running!  (Can’t be worse than last week though, with additional doc visits for a fractured finger, a child getting eyes tested and now needing glasses, another having joint pains, etc. – and more x-rays this week!!) At the last OB visit my blood pressure was up a little and trace amounts of protein remain, but thankfully no swelling or any other alarming problems.  I’ve been having a lot of the Braxton Hicks contractions, so I am suppose to still stay off my feet as much as possible.

So we are certainly getting more ready.  The baby’s dresser is overflowing with lots of baby clothes.  Several friends have given us clothes, including two more big bagfulls yesterday, so our little guy certainly will not lack for clothes.  All the children are pretty excited.  Our youngest is constantly talking to my belly to  "MY baby brother" or "MY baby boy" as she says.  We are not sure how will she will be to share her baby brother!   

Don’t forget to enter our baby contest – for when the baby is born & statistics and the baby’s name. And there are prizes -  one being the book mentioned below will be for who guesses the closest with the statistics and the other, will be the pictured bracelet below for the person who guesses the exact name of our little one.  And, we are adding in TWO MORE BRACELETS, for the first two who comment after we announce the baby’s arrival.  We will not be announcing before of the scheduled c-section date or unscheduled date (This is our 5th c-section, and I have yet to have a "scheduled" c/s).  I will try to get more pics up later of some bracelets my daughters are helping me with.

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Darlene Schacht, Founder and Editor of Christian Women Online (Home of "In Other Words" and "One Thousand Gifts") and author of the book, The Mom Complex, has graciously said she’d donate this book to one of the winners.  Thank you Darlene!

Amazon Book Description:  The Mom Complex is a collection of stories that are written both to humor and to inspire the soul of mothers who are seeking daily devotion with God. It urges us to search inside ourselves, so that we may uncover the path that God has placed our feet on. It’s on that path, where we often discover that His plan for our life is different than ours.

PHOTO HUNTERS: SILVER

~ ~ ~ ~Theme: SILVER | Become a Photo Hunter | View Blogroll

My husband has always had an interest in silver and silver coins.  This is one he still has, a one ounce May Flower Silver Bullion which is worth about $12-$15 each.

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". . . knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."
I Peter 1:18,19

Homeschool Book Reports

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es, our children write book reports. I thought I’d share a couple of "forms" I’ve used for numerous years, especially with my younger children, who are not writing as well, but need help in putting ideas together.  I cannot remember if I got this from someone, but most likely it started out with something from someone, and I made changes and developed it from there.  I have these stored on my computer, with the questions and then lines for them to write on.  Feel free to use any ideas from this . . . and if you have book report type forms or question ideas, feel free to leave a comment below.

Bibliography Book Report

Name: ______________________  Date:_________

Book Title: _________________________________

Author:____________________________________

1.  Tell about the main character of this book. Give five complete sentences about this person – so we know who this person is, giving information as far as what time period this took place in, where it took place, the main struggle and/or accomplishment in their life, and any important information that should be known. 

2.  What are characteristics about this person that were good, moral and/or Christ-like that would be a good example to follow.  Write a minimum of three sentences.

3.  What are characteristics about this person that were not good, possibly struggles and did it hurt his/her characteristic.  Write a minimum of two sentences.

4.  Why would you or would you not want to be like this person.  What did you learn that you can apply to your life?  Write a minimum of three sentences.

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Book Report

Name: ______________________  Date:_________

Book Title: _________________________________

Author:___________________________________

1.  Name three of the main characters and write one complete sentence for each person, describing what the character was like.

2.  Write one complete sentence where most of the action took place.

3.  What did the main character really want or what did he or she struggle with or have a problem with?  Write two complete sentences (or more to completely explain).

4.  What was the surprise or unexpected event that happened?  Write two complete sentences.

5.  What finally happened or how was the main conflict, problem or goal that this person had, resolved?  Did this person become famous because of this?  If so, in what way?  Answer in three complete sentences.

6.  What character from the book would you like to be like or absolutely not be like, and why. Answer in a minimum of two sentences.

7.  Do you think this person was a Christian?  Why or why not?  Answer in a minimum of two sentences.

8.  Did you like this book?  Would you recommend it to your friend or siblings?  Why or why not?  Answer in a minimum of three sentences.

Jail Time for Spankings in California?

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f you live in California, and give your young child a swat on the bottom it could end you up in jail.  And this may be just the beginning.  If this passes in California . . . which state will be next, and what increased restrictions on our parental rights will be given up?

WorldNetDaily gives the full, scary scoop, with first fact that the assemblywoman who brought about this plan does not even have children!  Apparently she has not dealt with a child who has repeatedly tried to touch something hot or tried to stick something in an outlet three times in an hour (after pulling the safety plugs out for the third time also).  This bill is aimed mainly for children through age 3 and "the bill would prohibit ‘any striking of a child, any corporal punishment, smacking, hitting, punching, any of that’ with penalties of up to a year in jail."

In the WorldNetDaily article, Randy Thomasson, president of the Campaign for Children and Families, said "Government regulation of parents’ discipline wipes out the right of parents to raise their own children. This is wrong. God gave children to parents, not to the state. . .  Appropriate spanking is not ‘beating’ or ‘abusing’ a child, which is a ridiculous and offensive comparison . . . When appropriate spanking is lovingly administered, it can help a disobedient youngster to become a well-adjusted adult who respects authority."

The Mercury News of Sacremento had a good statement from another assemblyman:  "Where do you stop?’ asked Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, who said he personally agrees children under 3 shouldn’t be spanked but has no desire to make it the law. ‘At what point are we going to say we should pass a bill that every parent has to read a minimum of 30 minutes every night to their child? This is right along those same lines.’ "

He who withholds his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
Proverbs 13:24

In Other Words: Who Sees Jesus in Me?

  Christian Women Online
  This Week’s Quote: 
"You act more like a Christian by your influence on the lost, then the saved people you impress."
~ Dr. Alvin Reid ~
This weeks In Other Words is hosted by Laurel Wreath.

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h doesn’t this quote hit hard in the heart!  To Christians we probably fit in pretty good (most of the time).  It is easy to go to church, many times two times on Sunday, and take the kids to AWANA on Wednesday nights.  We can sing most of the hymns by heart, and can flip right away to the right book in the Bible.  We take notes and mark our Bible.  But then what??  What is the purpose to be filled on Sundays and fit in with our sisters and brothers in Christ, to read our Bibles during devotions, and then not take it any further outside our little Christian circles?  We might invite our neighbors to church, but if they say "no" do we give up?  What about developing a friendship with them, to see Jesus in us.  What about seeking out those that normally would be considered the outcasts?  How do we "go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15) when we can start right in our own neighborhoods, at our local stores, in our coffee shoppes and in our libraries when we see the same people week after week?  Do these people we see week after week see Jesus in us as much as those do at church?

This quote made me think of Joy William’s song, "Do They See Jesus in Me?"  Here is just the first verse and chorus.

Is the face that I see in the mirror the one I want others to see?
Do I show in the way that I walk in my life the love that You’ve given to me?
My heart’s desire is to be like You in all that I do, all I am

CHORUS:
Do they see Jesus in me?
Do they recognize Your face?
Do I communicate Your love and Your grace?
Do I reflect who You are in the way I choose to be?
Do they see Jesus, Jesus in me?

This writing is in participation with Christian Women On-Line and the weekly In Other Words . . . ."  Click the graphic to read other women’s interpretations of this quote.

The Prayer Room

"So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set." Exodus 17:11,12

Are you an Aaron and Hur, upholding someone, or are you a Moses, being upheld? Who are your Aaron and Hur? Who is holding you up your arms when they get tired? And whose arms are you holding up when their arms get tired? I’ve had many Aarons and Hurs in my life, from Sunday School teachers, to a special high school teacher (who I know reads this) to many friends who have been there, upholding us in prayer, helped us with our children, and helped us in so many ways. And, I think of the opportunities God has given us to be an Aaron and Hur to those who have gone through similiar experiences.

Christian Women OnLine has started The Prayer Room – to share prayer requests.  Women are needed to join the prayer team to be available to pray for the requests as they come in, in which you’d be e-mailed with the requests.  Visit the information page and the recent prayer requests.  Will you be an Aaron and Hur, upholding someone, or are you a Moses, needing to  be upheld?

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Remembering . . . 9 years ago & 34 years ago

In Loving Memory
Angela Hope
born still
January 22, 1998
To think,
the first face
she saw and beheld
was Jesus’.

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Thirty-four years ago today Roe vs. Wade made abortion, legal.  Murder – legalized.  Possibly had it been "40 some years" ago that it had been made legal, I would not be here. My birth mom thankfully, chose life for me. I was adopted when I was 6 months old.

The most dangerous place in the world is the womb. Pre-born babies are being killed in their mother’s wombs at a greater rate than any other section of society. The mortality rate of pre-born babies varies from 1 in 4 to 1 in 3. That is, less than every 24 seconds an unborn baby dies.

Since 1973 more than 48 million babies have been aborted.

Remembering our little wanted ones that await us in heaven, and remembering all the little lives lost to abortion that sit at the Savior’s feet.

National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2007
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Remembering . . . 9 years ago & 34 years ago

In Loving Memory
Angela Hope
born still
January 22, 1998
To think,
the first face
she saw and beheld
was Jesus’.

~ ~ ~

Thirty-four years ago today Roe vs. Wade made abortion, legal.  Murder – legalized.  Possibly had it been "40 some years" ago that it had been made legal, I would not be here. My birth mom thankfully, chose life for me. I was adopted when I was 6 months old.

The most dangerous place in the world is the womb. Pre-born babies are being killed in their mother’s wombs at a greater rate than any other section of society. The mortality rate of pre-born babies varies from 1 in 4 to 1 in 3. That is, less than every 24 seconds an unborn baby dies.

Since 1973 more than 48 million babies have been aborted.

Remembering our little wanted ones that await us in heaven, and remembering all the little lives lost to abortion that sit at the Savior’s feet.

National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2007
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America