Audio Books for children (and adults)

I am not really sure where audio books have been all my child raising life, but I have been rather oblivious to them all together. After reading this post by Erika over at Large Families on Purpose, I checked out some audio books from the library and some short stories on CD. Almost instantly, when I popped that CD in the player, my children quieted down and listened intently (this was in the car from the library). Then Katy and Karoline spent the night listening to an American Girl series (which kept them up all night). Even Klaire (who is extremely busy) enjoys them during rest time.

On the adult side, Kris has started listening to them also, getting free downloads from Christian Audio. Since we are currently reading through Knowing God, he has been listening to it on his way to work. The only problem is that he will always be ahead of me in the reading now! But what a profitable way to spend the drive time. (Of course, the bible on CD would be extremely profitable also.)

So, I give audio books 5 stars. They are a great way to improve quietness, stillness, and listening skills in children (and make for a very pleasant car trip). They can also build up the mind and disciple the soul for us adults.

Here are a few other listening ideas for children

Adventures in Odyessey

Sparkle Stories (recommended from another blog)

His Kids Radio

Elsie Dinsmore

Vision Forum

Jim Weiss Storytelling (the girls love these)

By the way. the post I mentioned above is full of a lot of great information- it is a must read.

Knowing God: Chapters 1-2

Kris and I started reading Knowing God by J.I. Packer. It is the first book we have read together.  Our purpose is to read a few chapters, discuss them and see what the Lord is showing each of us. Kris reads faster than I, so he is ahead and waiting for me to get to chapter 5 right now. I wanted to document the thoughts that impressed me from this amazing book.

Here is quote from John Piper about Knowing God

"If there hadn't been Packer's Knowing God and Colson's Loving God there would have been no Desiring God." (twitter-on the death of Chuck Colson)

Chapter 1

- In reference to the study of doctrine and God's attributes... "There was a time when the subject of God's attributes was thought so important as to included in the Catechism which all children in the churches were taught and all adult members were expected to know...Few children today, however, are brought up on the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and few modern worshipers will ever have heard a course of sermons covering the doctrine of the Divine character in the way that Charnock's massive Discourses on the Existence and Attributes of God did."


- "For the fact that we have to face is this: that is we pursue theological knowledge for its own sake, it is bound to go bad on us. It will make up proud and conceited."

Chapter 2

- This really was amazing... (Phillipians 3:7-10) "When Paul says he counts the things he lost, 'dung', he means not merely that he does not think of them as having any value, but also that he does not live with them constantly in his mind: what normal person spends his time nostalgically dreaming of manure?"

- In reference to our vigor in prayer... "If, however, there is in us little energy for such prayer, and little consequent practice of it, this is a sure sign that as yet we scarcely know God."

- WOW... "We must recognize how much we lack knowledge of God. We must learn to measure ourselves not by our knowledge about God, not by our gifts and responsibilities in the church, but by how we pray and what goes on in our hearts. Many of us, I suspect, have no idea how impoverished we are at this level. Let us ask the Lord to show us."

Home Tour: The Kitchen

 I have been intending to give a home tour for some time now. It seems that either my camera battery is dead, the memory cards are full, or my house isn't picture ready (not tidy you know). Well, after a bit of cleaning today- all the stars aligned and I was able to get some pictures.  

Disclaimer: My kitchen is not perfect- the stainless has finger prints that didn't get wiped off and the walls are well loved- but we do live here :)

 I just love- love- love my dining area. Our formal dining room is our school room. The main reason I wanted this house was for the big eat in kitchen. I knew we would need it and am so thankful for it.

 My poor NurtiMill (wheat mill) spent so much time in storage that it has changed colors but it still works wonderfully- with its jet engine sound that would wake the dead. I am so glad to have the space to keep it on the counter to remind me to grind wheat! The round tupperware is a heavenly pecan pie my mother-in-law made -mmmmm.

 The flying pig in the background is a picture my sweet husband sent me for my birthday back in 2003. He ordered it before he left for Iraq and it arrived for my birthday- such a surprise! My mother's tea set and an Easter lily (that needs planting) complete the top of my china cabinet.

 I have been using these little name circles for months now and they work great! All I did was cover them with clear packing tape and they have lasted for at least 5 months. It certainly helps keep all the cups under control.

 On the kitchen table- our napkin basket is filled with cloth napkins. I am attempting to switch to cloth napkins. They seem to be a bit more intentional. When I put them out a few days ago, the girls asked if they could wipe their mouth on them!

 My poor table. We are really hard on tables. I think you probably shouldn't use 409 on a wood finish. Maybe this will be a good project for the summer.

 I keep all my take out menus on our upper cabinet door. It certainly keeps them out of the way, yet always ready when needed.

I Corinthians 13. We memorized this last year and it is a daily reminder of what love does and doesn't do. This has helped me on so many days.

Linking too...

Modest Mondays @ The Modest Mom

Domestically Divine Tuesdays @ Far Above Rubies

Home and Family Fridays @ Home is Where My Story Begins

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Katy's Cardigan

Katy is really growing up. She is growing tall- so tall that at the age of 8, she can wear juniors sizes! This past week we went thrift shopping and found some great outfits. This cute little Gap cardigan was one of them. It seems so strange that my little girl can wear young women's clothing. When I spied the cardigan ($3- what a steal) I knew it would be cute with jeans or a skirt for next fall. When she paired her tangerine colored skirt ($8 from Land's End) I was quite taken aback at her ability to match up her clothes. She really does have a knack for fashion.

My sweet girl amazes me daily with her whit and smarts. I really enjoy the time I get to spend with her, and see that as all my girls grow up into womanhood, we are going to have lots of fun doing all those girlie things that moms and daughters do. What a blessing God has given me :)

Watching

What fun! They are building a house right across the street.