Presidential Research, Timeline and Worksheets
Friday, July 31, 2026
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
What I Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll July 2026
Nonfiction:
Holy Sexuality and the Gospel by Christopher Yuan
Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie
Jumping into homeschooling can be overwhelming. You're suddenly solely responsible for your child's education as well as all the other tasks on your plate. It's sometimes hard to wrap your mind around how you're going to get it all done... let alone do it peacefully. Teaching from Rest is all about finding that peace and sitting in it, even when your homeschool day goes awry. This a a short, quick read that really challenges the homeschool mom to slow down and focus on the souls in front of them.
Better Together by Pam Barnhill
I read this one every summer as part of my Morning Time planning. It always gets me excited for the new year and feasting on all the riches. It really simplifies the idea of Morning Time of a new homeschool mom, but it's also a great encouragement for us seasoned veterans as well. Pack full of ideas and resources, I look forward to reading this one again and again.
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi
Born and raised in a loving Muslim home, Nabeel fully embraced his family's faith. He studied, quoted, and embodied the tenets of Islam. But quietly, behind the scenes, God was working in his heart. Through a series of investigations into Christianity, the Lord slowly revealed Himself to Nebeel. This book is an intimate look into the heart and mind of deconstruction. Qureshi details his former faith with clarity and sincerity in an attempt to bridge the gap between a Muslim and Christian mindset. His writing gives valuable insight to through with Muslim neighbors and friends. All in all, it was a fascinating read.
Fiction:
The Melody of Love by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Lorine Brunstetter Van Corbach
Our Homeschool Read Aloud:
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
This book is small, but mighty. Through rich arguments, Tozer challenges his readers. How to fully release one's self to Christ, how to quiet one's spirit, how to recognize counterfeit faith, how to properly view meekness... and why it matters. I read this one with my 10th grade son and while I struggled with it at times, it was a worthy read. It caused both us to sit and reflect on how we are following the Lord and viewing ourselves in light of His Word. HIGHLY recommend this one for parents and teens.
What are you reading?
Monday, July 27, 2026
15 Chores Your 2-4 Year Old Is Capable of Doing
*This post was originally published on 1/21/15. Enjoy!
And while he's my baby, he's more than capable of helping out and doing chores around the house. So I have to remember what 3 years old realistically looks like. It looks like "my big boy" and "Mommy's little helper." As a reminder to myself, and maybe you too, this is the list we're working off to help our Little Man learn his chores around the house.
1. Wiping up spills-- Littles have all kinds of spills. But the good news is with a small cloth and some elbow grease, they are also capable of cleaning up those spills.
2. Sweeping under the table--Investing in a small sweeper and dustpan will yield a much cleaner dinning room. :-)
3. Setting the table-- My little guy loves to take silverwear, water bottles, plates, napkins, and more to the dinner table. It's not perfect, but it is very helpful.
4. Serving drinks-- Right now we're working on taking glasses to the table, but serving drinks from a small pitcher or getting water front the fridge are also useful skills.
5. Making the bed-- Yes, it's a process, but these kiddos work on spreading out their blankets and organize pillows and lovies.
6. Putting away clothing-- I wash and sort, and my Little Man is learning what drawers store what items. And he loves getting out his jammies at night.
7. Picking up toys-- Really, this is such a basic beginning and my kiddos learn early on, "You make the mess? You clean it up."
8. Getting dressed-- Watching your little one get dressed is really quite comical. But it's a life skill to be learned. And even though they want to "be the baby," these little guys are ready to learn.
9. Spot clean up after a meal-- Just like cleaning up spills, kiddos this age can easily wipe up the dinner table after meals.
10. Load dishes into dishwasher-- We start with the kiddos bringing their plates into the kitchen and eventually we move into scraping plates, rinsing and putting dishes in the dishwasher.
11. Wipe windows-- It's so easy to have Mommy spray a cloth and let the kiddos wipe down the windows.
12. Care for pets-- What kiddo doesn't love having a pet? Filling water and food bowls, as well as brushing a pet are all chores that can be learned by a 2-4 year old.
13. Wipe down kitchen cabinets--With a small cloth, little ones can wipe down cabinets. And they're at the ideal height to get those little finger prints.
14. Dust furniture--We love books in our family. But with that, comes dusty bookshelves. Small cloth for small hands and you have a dusting buddy.
15. Water plants--My little guy loves to see how things grow. And with a little supervision, watering is a great way for him to be involved.
What chore is your little one working on?
Friday, July 24, 2026
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
The Melody of Love {Review}
Single mom Amelia Miller loves her little boy. Although raising her autistic son has its challenges, she is happy and content in the life they've built. But when taking part in a family wedding, she meets Christian Yoder and something begins to blossom between them. Can they navigate the challenges of a long distance relationship, blending families, and their own painful pasts?
I love the interaction between Amelia and her son in this book. Although Amelia is just learning of his autism diagnosis, she takes it all in stride and learns what she can to help him grow. I really admired her calm acceptance and peaceful pursuit for answers. I believe the author's intent was to bring greater awareness and tools for parents in Amelia's situation. The Melody of Love contains a lot of helpful ideas and tips for parents navigating a similar diagnosis.
The books also has layers of likable characters. Although the main action of the book centers around Amelia and Christian, there are several secondary characters that fill in the story. Amelia's son, Micah, in particular, is a wonderful addition to the story, and might be my favorite from this title.
The plot line was pretty predictable. But for a light summer read, it was decent. The bits about autism felt a little elementary, but would certainly bring awareness and insight to any parent in a similiar situation. And it's nice to have characters that are relatable to real life questions and relationships. All in all, it was a light, quick read that will leave fans of Brunstetter happily satisfied.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Monday, July 20, 2026
34 Things Every Married Couple Should Try Together
*This post was originally published on 6/23/14. Enjoy!
My husband and I were in the grocery checkout line this morning. A rare treat we had to spend time together. I was glancing at the trashy gossip magazines, skimming the headlines. And it saddened me to see another marriage breaking up. An 18 year marriage reduced to the headline in a trashy gossip magazine. And it just reminded me that we never get to rest.
We're approaching our 13 year anniversary this year and on occasion, I find myself thinking, "Hey we're actually doing well." It's so easy to breath a sign of relief thinking, "This is it! We made it!" How easy it would be to just relax and coast from here, thinking 13 years qualifies us for a break.
But it's stories like this that just remind me that there's never a time for rest, never a time for thinking we've proven our commitment. Thinking over the past 13 years and all the years we still have together (Lord willing), I'm reminded of the big (and little) ways that my husband and I have stregthened our relationship and plan to continue growing in our marriage.
1. Take a hike in the mountains
2. Star gaze in the backyard
3. Take a picnic to the lake
4. Dream storm about the future
5. Keep a letter journal
6. Read a book together
7. Play on a sports team
8. Have a picnic on the beach
9. Watch a thunder storm
10. Go on a mission trip
11. Host a small group
12. Take a walk in the rain
13. Go to a concert in the park
14. Kayak on a lake or ocean
15. Go camping
16. See a play
17. Zipline in a rain forest
18. Plant a tree
19. Travel overseas
20. Cook a new meal
21. Take a class together
22. Volunteer in ministry together
23. Go on a trip with your in-laws
24. Find a workout your both enjoy
25. Ride a rollercoaster
26. Host a block party
27. Pray
28. Go to a professional sports game
29. Learn to dance
30. Go tubing down the river
31. Work on a project together
32. Plan a second honeymoon
33. Split "his" and "hers" favorite desserts
34. Have a couple's massage
How do you keep your marriage strong?
Friday, July 17, 2026
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Our 2026-27 Homeschool Read Aloud List
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nicholas Day
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Animal Farm by George Orwell
The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis
The School of Obedience by Andrew Murray
The Hour that Changes the World by Dick Eastman
The Sprit-Controlled Temperament by Tim LaHaye
A Kidnapped Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote
What are you reading in your homeschool?
Monday, July 13, 2026
Preschool Book Flip Through ll Resources for Homeschool
(Click on post for video)
Sharing one of our favorite preschool resources for preschool on a budget!
Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑21yrs led to 👱16 yrs, 👧14 yrs, and 👱 11 yrs. Don't Waste Your Money on Preschool Curriculum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsBcVZOC46w&t=31s Homeschool Preschool Favorites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw8_-SW4Glo&t=8s Teaching Social Skills to Your Homeschooled Preschooler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_0RWZGXIKk Our Homeschool Read Aloud List ll 2022-23: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0bBWBJNXyk&t=657s Summer Reading List ll 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn-MkLOsVbY&t=3s Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored. *This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.Friday, July 10, 2026
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Holy sexuality and the Gospel {Review}
From the author of Out of a Far Country comes this timely discussion on faith, love and relationships. Christopher Yuan writes from both his knowledge as a Biblical professor, and his personal experience as a former agnostic before his radical conversion. Dr. Yuan explores what he calls "Holy Sexuality": chastity in singleness and faithfulness in marriage. Thoroughly researched and supported, this book is written to help all of us see how grand God's story truly is and how to celebrate in the good news of His design.
I've wanted to get my hands on this book for awhile. After reading Out of a Far Country, I was compelled by Dr. Yuan's story. His thoroughness and personal experience combined made this book a treasure trove of information. Holy Sexuality and the Gospel isn't just about what we believe, but also why we believe. It's about first seeking who God is, discovering His compelling love, and then centering our lives around that reality. Every page is dripping with research and Scripture. But the book also very centered on coming alongside people... real people with real emotions, lives, and stories. Whether you have a loved one who identifies as gay or you're questioning your own identity, this is a very clear and well-written resource.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Monday, July 6, 2026
Five Challenges To Take One With Your Kids
*Originally posted on 5/1/17. Enjoy!
Summer is just around the corner. I'm planning the last of our lessons and dreaming of days by the pool, homemade ice cream, and sleeping in. Since we only have a few weeks of school left, we've been talking about what we want to do over the summer. And while we've been creating our bucket list (to come soon), I've been thinking about ways I can intentionally spend time with the kids. So these are 5 Challenges You Can Take On With Your Kids:
1. Book Club-- This would be a fun challenge with an older elementary student on up through high school. Pick a book that you're both interested in and just start reading. Set a deadline for yourselves of when you want to get together to discuss it. Once a week or after you've finished... it's up to you. Make your meetings fun with book themed snacks and drinks. Talk about the characters, the setting, and what your child would do in various situations. And don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone with your book choice. You may discover that your child has pretty good taste after all.
2. Fitness Challenge-- We all like to be active in our family. Whether it's taking a bike ride, swimming, or jumping on the trampoline, we like to get our heart rate up. So how fun would a summer fitness challenge be? Maybe take a new class together, take on an abs & squats challenge, or sign up for a 5K together. Or maybe yoga is your thing. Try a kids' yoga challenge every morning. Whatever it is, get up and get active with your kids.
3. Gratitude List-- The best thing for improving your outlook on life is being grateful. We all have a tendency to loose sight of our blessings once in awhile. So why not challenge yourself and your kids to be more grateful people. How? Pick up an inexpensive notebook and spend some time each day writing down your blessings. Write about your thankful list at meals times or bed time. Reflect back on your day and try to find a handful of things to be thankful for. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can fill a notebook once you get started.
4. Kindness Challenge-- Trade names in your family and have secret friends. Do something nice for your secret friend. Do one of their chores, make their bed, or help them with their homework. Try to do it secretly without being found out. Or practice kindness in public. Open a door for someone. Give up your seat in church. Or encourage someone. What can you do to practice random acts of kindness? If you're doing this outside your family, share around the dinner table each evening.
5. Art Challenge-- Pinterest is full of art challenges. How fun would it be to do a 30-Day art challenge with your kids? Invest in some inexpensive sketch books, set the timer for 30 min, and just create away. After 30 min, come back together and share your drawings. If you want to, you can spend more time on the drawing later, but for now, just share what you have. What a fun way to create together, encourage each other, and work on a new skill.
Whatever you decide to do with your kids this summer, be sure to do it together. Stepping into a challenge together can be bonding, reassuring, and fun. So embrace the lazy days of summer, and take on a challenge.
Which challenge most interests you?
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