I tend to accumulate favorite stuff and tips that I mean to post.  Then if I don't post them, I start forgetting them.  So here's a short list of some of our recent favorites:

1.  Favorite toy from Christmas!  http://www.klutz.com/catalog/product/105  We got several bags of the critter and people 'extra supplies' and now have a nice tupperware full of pop beads.  These can keep my oldest three busy for HOURS.  Yes, I find pop beads tucked here there and everywhere...but I'd say it's worth it.  Thankfully, Leah is just past the stage where she eats such things.  Klutz is a great site and catalog...we've also really loved their Window Art stuff. 

2.  Best Recipe site!  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Too-Much-Chocolate-Cake/Detail.aspx  This site makes finding a great recipe for anything so easy!  There are lists of recipes, all with reviews that often have tips and suggestions in them.  This was my most recent one I used for Matt's Bible study guys...Oh man, was it ever good.  I also used the 'satiny chocolate glaze' to put over it.  Yum.  I've found everything from Rainbow Jello to garlic crusted tilapia on this site.  Tons of great crockpot and soup ideas too. 

3.  New cooking tip:  roll out sugar cookie dough btw. sheets of wax paper.  It makes it less messy and easy to chill.  I learned this in August while making flower cookies for Anna's birthday tea and also used it at Christmas with our cut-out cookies.  Made the whole process much quicker....I had a nice stack in the fridge of ready rolled out and chilled dough.  Just pull out the top one, peel the top piece of wax paper off, use it and grab another.  My counter top stayed clean. 

4.  Here's a site I like to visit every now and then.  http://www.familywatchdog.us/  It brings up any child sex offenders who live in your neighborhood.  I imagine it might be overwhelming if you live in a larger area!  Rib Lake (pop 800) has 3, so I can't imagine how many live in a suburban area.  But, it's nice to zoom in and see if there are any right on your block or close by.  It gives you their address and a nice, clear, in-color picture of them.  One used to live right down our street, but recently moved across town...I see him walking around quite often.  It's just nice to be informed.

5.  Here's a great article.  It's an interview with John MacArthur on the emergent church.  http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n4/emerging-church  Matt has been very interested in the "emerging church" b/c as he works with college age staff, it seems to be coming up more and more.  He's been trying for himself in the last year to define it, evaluate it, recognize it, etc.  We've read several books of the popular emerging church authors.  I think that this trend is becoming extremely noticeable and can be very damaging.  It's not that I'm against relationships....relationship is key in the body of Christ, relationship to each other and our relationship with Jesus.  But Grace goes hand in hand with Truth.  I remember last year at staff retreat, we talked about the balance btw. grace and truth and how we really shouldn't see it as a balance as in 50% of each....where you give up a little of one in order to emphasize the other.  It's more that we should be doing everything with 100% grace and 100% truth.   We need to be FULL of both. 

6.  Here's a site I found recently.  http://www.avko.org/  It's research is focused on teaching dyslexics how to read and spell.  It's very focused on multi-sensory learning (Audio, Visual, Kinesthic, Oral)  I just bought their first sequential spelling book off ebay to try with David.  Still trying to find a way to help him with his phonetical difficulties.  Something that has turned out quite beneficial is that our pastor's wife has been an assistant in his SS class this year.  She is a 5th grade teacher in the public school, and has lots of experience working with a variety of learning disabled kids.  She's been particularly interested in David, and has been very helpful in evaluating him and offering suggestions to me as far as things she thinks might help.  The Medford school district is in the middle of a big scuffle over dyslexic teaching methods right now, so she's been particularly informed on the multi-sensory approach.  She's had some great suggestions and observations, and I've told her to please continue letting me know anything that she notices that might help us overcome some of his learning weaknesses. 

7.  I wish I could post a favorite book of the year.  It seems like I had one, and it's not coming to mind.  Phooey.

Well, I was going to post some more family update.  But, I think I'll make that a different post.  Matt's off travelling this weekend....Iowa and the Twin City area.  He left this morning.  I think I'll end this with a funny quote from Johnny.  I was reviewing an AWANA verse with him from Ephesians 6 ("Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power").  I said to prompt him, "Be strong....."  He said (confusing it with the verse in Joshua), "Oh yeah, I know that one.....Be strong and contagious!"