![]() It's that time of year where Moms everywhere shop, wrap, bake, shop, wrap, and bake with occasional breaks for coffee or chai tea. After 33 years of Mommying, 5 children, 3 grandchildren, and numerous friends and family to shop for, I have developed my own system of Christmas shopping. My Christmas shopping system was developed and refined all the years I shopped for Daddy. He would give me money and I would get gifts from him for the whole family. Plus I had my own shopping. I had to streamline. I start early in the fall, thinking about Christmas gifts and trying to notice what everyone I love is enjoying or needing. If I see something that I know someone will LOVE, I pick it up and save it for Christmas. If I see something that would make a great Christmas present, but not sure for who, I will buy it if the price is cheap and put it in my gift drawer. Then I go through my Christmas shopping process:
I do a lot, but not all of my shopping online. Okay, let's start with the lists.
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![]() It's almost Christmas! Do you have a girl on your list and your not sure what to get for her yet? I have some great ideas for you. They are fun, wholesome, and will lead to afternoons of fun. With four daughters who are all very different, I know what girls like. Here are some gifts that will be a hit with girls of various ages. I hope this will help you in your Christmas shopping or at least inspire you in a new direction. When I give gifts, I want to inspire people to love Jesus and reflect the joy He brings. These are not "Christian" gifts, but they are wholesome and fun! So check out the gifts below. You can buy them all on Amazon. Just click on the links. From our home to yours, we wish you the merriest of Christmases. Warmly, Meredith Curtis ![]() I love Christmas Music! In fact, Christmas music is one of the highlights of the holiday season for me. I make playlists for the car, the house, and parties. You will notice that I have very eclectic taste from classical music to the latest Christmas song from Kari Jobe. Amy Grant is one of my favorites. No one sings Christmas songs like Amy. Unless, of course, it's Twila Paris or Julie Andrews Trans-Siberian Orchestra is another favorite. I have several of their albums. Here is my Christmas playlist. This is the music we will listen to on Christmas morning this year. It is a combination of worshipful music and Christmas classics. Notice there are 3 different versions of Canon in D. I just can't help it! I love that song! I also love some not-so-well-know songs like "Wandering Pilgrim" and "C'mon Ring Those Bells." How about you? What are your favorite Christmas songs? Please comment below. Merry Musical Christmas! Warmly, Meredith Curtis ![]() Our family loves to snuggle up together and read Christmas picture books. After all, who can resist a picture book, especially if it's about Jesus' birthday. There is something magical about reading aloud together. It calms everyone down and bonds the reader with the listeners in a precious way. We have collected Christmas picture books over the years and even now, I am adding to the collection for the grandchildren. All of these Christmas picture books are inspirational and sweet. The focus on the magic of Christmas: a baby in the manger who didn't belong here because He created the world He came to out of deep love for the people living in it. Some of the books focus on kindness and hospitality--2 important aspects of Christmas for our family. Reading Christmas picture books aloud can be a meaningful Christmas tradition in your home. Why not start that tradition this year with these amazing Christmas picture books. ![]() At Powerline Productions, we have so many gifts that will make your loved ones happy. From picture book and cookbooks to unit studies and Bible studies, there's something for everyone! Little children love our I See Colors series of picture book with bright happy photos combined with engaging text. They will learn their colors without realizing it! Everyone loves our cookbooks. Along with a quick tour of exciting places or times, you get easy-to-make recipes to make history and geography come alive in your home school. Bible studies are a great way to give a meaningful gift while investing in a loved one's future. Check out our Real Men, Ladies, and God's Girls studies that make Scripture practical and applicable to daily life. Of couse, there's so much more! Let me introduce you to some great gift ideas that won't break the bank. After all, who says Christmas shopping needs to be expensive. ![]() Celebrate Christmas in Germany Unit Study is a way to experience a more meaningful Christmas while learning and having fun! Travel to Germany with me and discover so many of the festive Christmas German traditions we have adopted as our own. We will explore cities, castles, churches, the Black forest, and a Christmas museum. Each day will start with reading one of Grimm’s fairy tales, followed by a Bible passage. The devotion ties the fairy tale and Bible passage together. Reading time is followed by learning about a different topic every day ranging from Christmas markets or Advent to St. Boniface or bears. Hands-on learning fun follows! Crafting, mapping, baking, cooking, drawing, and planning will keep children happy while they learn at the same time. Are you ready to visit Germany for Christmas? Learn more about Celebrate Christmas in Germany here. You can purchase Celebrate Christmas in Germany Unit Study at Amazon. Celebrate Christmas in Germany Unit Study E-book is available for purchase at PayHip and TeachersPayTeachers. Have a festive, fun Christmas. God bless you! Meredith Curtis ![]()
It is an honor to write a review of Douglas MacArthur: What Greater Honor by Geoff & Janet Benge from Benge Books. Like all of their other amazing biographies this couple has written, it is full of historical fact and inspirational wisdom. This book is a perfect addition to my homeschool.
General MacArthur has always been a hero to me in a vague sort of way. I admired his "I'll be back!" when he was forced to leave the Philippines and he kept his word. I liked the way he handled the Korean War until he was let go suddenly by President Truman. However, to be honest, I didn't know much about his life, his values, and his families. That has all changed! Douglas' parents were born on opposite sides of the War between the States. His father Arthur MacArthur was a highly decorated military man who had been thrilled to meet Abraham Lincoln when he was a young man. His mother Pinky idolized Robert E. Lee and reminded him every night, "You must grow up to be a great man like Robert E. Lee." Interesting that God brought his parents together from opposite sides of the Civil War. I think that gave General MacArthur an ability to see both sides of issues in a clear, calm way. Douglas grew up in the late 1800s riding horses, moving place to place wherever his father was stationed, and eventually ending up at West Point. His momma moved to be close to him for the four years he attended West Point and when he graduated, he left the podium to embrace both his mother and father. His love for his parents was deep and demonstrated by the inner call he felt to live up to the heritage his father had left him. I was fascinated by his love and concern for the people around him throughout his life. He had tremendous wisdom, especially in dealing with the Japanese people when he occupied Japan. He was truly a man who lived honorable in peace and war. When I finished the book, I realized that I had not just learned about Douglas MacArthur, but so much more about World War I, World War II, and the Japanese occupation than I even imagined. As a history lover, that is so exciting to me! Heroes
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