Monday Update....October Already?

We had a normal Monday: Our morning was spent at our Classical Conversations community (And Keely spent her whole day there since her jr. high classes last 'til three), then we braved Walmart, made it home, and cleaned out the van--I could take the trashiness no more. Between school, and chores, and dinner, and dealing with training issues with children small and big (the children and the issues!), I am ready to crash. It's been a while since I sat down to blog, though, so I'll share some pictures interspersed with what (little) I have to say. :)

On Saturday afternoon we enjoyed a beautiful day at a new friends' house. The kids enjoyed the rare treat of horseback riding. Annes was very concerned that she get the purple helmet. Such a girly-girl!

During our CC class' oral presentation time, Noah introduced the newest, ah, member of our family: Eugene the rat. I acknowledge Eugene from afar, and we get along fine that way.

I bought this little power-wheels toy for $7 at a garage sale, thinking batteries were affordable. Not so. However, Samuel spends a lot of time sitting on/climbing on/hitting it with a hammer, so it was a well-spent $7 after all.

These are some pictures from our trip to the cider mill. It was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed watching the process and eating cider donuts with our hot cups of cider. Above, the kids watch the apples getting washed before they're processed.

On Saturday, Kevin and I watched a very interesting movie: The Conspirator. I had no idea there were other assassination attempts on the night Lincoln was shot, and had never heard about the notorious trial that followed the roundup of the conspirators. It seems like I'm amazed a lot lately at how much I don't know.

Speaking of learning new things, I am reading a really great book right now: Total Truth, by Nancy Pearcey. Pearcey systematically examines the causes of our compartmentalized Christianity, beginning with the ancient philosophers' ideas through modern day thought. There have been some chapters that have been a bit slower and required more concentration, but parts of the book are really riveting. I just finished reading the chapters about the First and Second Great Awakenings, and how those movements have shaped the modern church (for good and bad). Really fascinating stuff.

Well, friends, my eyelids are beginning to droop, and I need to go elevate these tired pregnancy feet. Blessings, and have a happy week!

Pizza and a Movie (Review)

I thought I'd let you homeschool Moms of elementary age kids that Pizza Hut's Book It! enrollment is open for the 2011-2012 year. Go here and click on 'enroll'. My kids love getting to get a free personal pan pizza each month for reaching their reading goals!

Also, though I haven't seen this movie and really don't plan to, I know lots of people have seen it or plan to. I thought this was a careful, balanced review.

Pixar Movies Are the Best

Even though going to the movies with lots of kids costs a small fortune, we always plan on catching the newest Pixar offering. Loved Toy Story 3! I think it's one of my very favorites. Take your kleenex, though... :)

A Christmas Carol

This week my Mom and Dad have graciously encouraged Kevin and I to go out as much as possible before he leaves on his two-week Thailand trip (or...have they just been trying to get us out of the house so they can feed the grandkids too much ice cream?! Hmmmm...). We had a great time Monday night going out for some BBQ (SO worth the indigestion!) and taking in a movie.

We went to see the new computer-animated version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and we loved it! This was actually my first ever time to see a movie in 3-D, and I was so amazed at the realism. As the movie was starting, Kevin was laughing out loud because he was so enjoying the effects. (The last movie he saw in 3-D was Jaws. Just a wee bit of advancement since then!) You feel like you're getting snowed on through much of the movie. Very, very fun. The 'acting' was great, the animation of the characters was life-like, and who can beat the story line? There were some parts that would be too scary for younger kids, but I think we'd take our 9- and 12-year olds and they'd be fine.

If you're looking for a fun movie to enjoy this Thanksgiving weekend, I'd definitely recommend this one!

Here's a more thorough review if you want more information.

John Adams Series

It's been several weeks since we watched it, and I keep forgetting to write about it, but Kevin and I really really enjoyed the John Adams HBO mini-series that's available on DVD now. It's pretty rare that we find something to watch that we feel is worthwhile, and this definitely was. It's about seven hours long, so it'll give you something to look forward to over several nights. One word of caution: You might want to have your remote handy for the surgery scenes (sans anesthesia) and the reunion love scene between John and Abigail Adams.

See This

Kevin and I downloaded Indoctrinate U (DVD) several weeks ago and I keep meaning to write about it. It was very interesting and I enjoyed it as much as you can enjoy something that makes you shake your head. After seeing a glimpse of the war for intellectual freedom raging on college campuses today, I kept thinking about how the meaning of "tolerance" has completely changed. Classically it has meant allowing others to air opinions different from your own with an attitude of respect. Dictionary.com notes that "Tolerance suggests a liberal spirit toward the views and actions of others." Ask a guy on the street today, and you'd likely get a very different definition. Tolerance has come to mean accepting all liberal ideas and opinions and keeping your mouth shut if you happen to hold conservative ones. Irony of ironies. Funny in a sad kinda way. But scary. Very scary when people's freedoms are trampled in the name of the "T" word. I think Christians especially should see this documentary and arm themselves for what we're up against.

Weekend Movie Recommendation

Since I seem to be on a media-blogging kick, I will spend a minute telling you about a movie I saw recently that I thought was worthwhile. I say 'worthwhile' because there aren't many movies at all that I feel are worthwhile these days. I think having a large family and busy schedule has caused me to be more guarded about my time. But, I digress...The movie is called The Painted Veil. I recommend it, but with a few cautions. It does have some scenes where there's implied hanky-panky going on. (Don't laugh at my term!) There is also a quick shot of a man's rear...so discern for yourself if this is something you want to sit through.

Anyway, I liked this movie for several reasons. The first is that it shows the ugly and painful consequences of sin. Lots of movies have you cheering for the couple 'in love' to get together, even when they're married to other people. This is not one of those movies.

Another reason I liked this movie was that it, like the book I wrote about yesterday, caused me to ponder the brevity of life, and particularly how that perspective affects my marriage. I think arguments and bitterness would all but disappear if we lived each day as if it could actually be our last.

Also, the cinematography is really beautiful in this film. So, if you rent it, leave a comment and let me know what you think. I watched this with my Mom when she was here last month, and it left me thinking about it for days afterward. Now, if I can just convince Kevin that it isn't a 'chick flick'....