Memorial Day Weekend - Decoration Day

We enjoyed our usual tradition of decoration day by taking a bag of flowers and flags out to Union Cemetery.  It's pretty forgotten, sitting in the middle of a farmers field.  The girls get a kick out of driving through the tall grasses to reach the cemetery.  We always find it undecorated when we get there, but by the time we leave, most headstones are covered with flowers and the lone Civil War soldier has a flag...  We LOVE doing this and each year we buy more and more flowers and leave graves decorated at many other places.  

Silver Dollar City - Memorial Day Weekend

What a great weekend we had over Memorial Day when all my family came to visit!  We headed out to Silver Dollar City and spent a great day riding rides and just goofing off!

Kayley discovered that she was too big to ride these swings this year...  Bummer!  He let her ride anyway and told her to keep her feet up!  That was probably her last ride...  Maggie is nearly too tall too!

When you gotta go... 

Troublemaker, Malcontent, Lollygagger!

Silver Dollar City is a lot of fun.  

It was a little warm but not too bad.  

We had a great time! 

The Life We Never Expected {#FlyBy Giveaway!}

Andrew and Rachel Wilson know what it means to live a life they never expected.  As the parents of two children with special needs, their story mingles deep pain with deep joy in unexpected places.  With raw honesty, they share about the challenges they face on a daily basis -- all the while teaching what it means to weep, worship, wait, and hope in the Lord.  Offering encouragement rooted in God's Word, this book will help you cling to Jesus and fight for joy when faced with a life you never expected.   (excerpt from the back cover of the books)

Andrew and Rachel have 2 children.  Both with autism.  When I read the sample on Amazon, I knew I HAD to read this book and jumped at the chance to review this book from #FlyBy!  Andrew and Rachel Wilson drew me in from the very first chapter.  I marveled at these parents who were living a life of joy against unsurmountable odds.  How did they stay so focused on the positive?  While I don't have children with special needs there are days where I still cannot stay encouraged...how did they do this?

Their book, The Life We Never Expected takes you through 5 cycles of weeping, worshipping, waiting, witnessing and breathing.  Each cycle shares a personal story (many of which are, in hindsight, very funny, others are very humbling), how they found joy in Christ, how they shared their joy and stories with others, and how they, on some days, just barely got through it.  Their faith is so strong throughout the book and they lean heavily on the Lord and rely just as much on their family and friends.

I would really recommend this book to anyone.  If you have a child with special needs, this book can hopefully help you to find joy in your circumstances and realize you are not alone.  I read this to get a better understanding of what families who have children with special needs go through on a daily basis.  It was eye opening...and exhausting.  Everything from a lack of sleep and eye-contact to dealing with the state on education plans, medical issues, and more.

If you are interested in reading the sample, find the excerpt of the first chapter of The Life We Never Expected on Amazon!  #lifeweneverexpected

You can also enter to win a copy right here on Swinging On Small Hinges!  Use the Giveaway Tools below to enter, contest closes on Monday, July 11th at 11:59pm.  Good luck!

Entry-Form

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Turtle Time {Nature Study}

The girls got a chance to do some impromptu nature study on our walk a couple of days ago.  We found another turtle!  So far we have found at least 4 different ones that live in our yard.  Kayley started naming them and marking them so we can identify each one as they pass through.  So far we have Fred and Dandelion... 

The girls discovered that box turtles do not eat daisies but they gobble up dandelions.  This one, aptly named Dandelion, ate several while we watched.  He really isn't afraid and when you pick him up he kept on trying to walk.  It was pretty funny.  It is fun to enjoy nature in our own yard!

The Christ-Centered Home by Emily Belle Freeman

In the hectic scramble of a world that asks us to do everything, be everyone, and make it all look easy, we often lose track of the experiences that really matter most—quiet moments in our homes with our families when we feel the peace of Jesus Christ.
The lessons Jesus taught in the homes of His followers were simple. They were basic. And they were—and are—essential. In The Christ-Centered Home, you will discover how to fill your family's hearts with the principles Jesus taught in the most sacred of classrooms: the home.
There is a humility that comes when we invite the Lord into our most private spaces. Within the hush we hear the gentle whisper of His voice, we experience the touch of His hand, and we feel the prompting to rise. Invite Him in, and experience the added measure of peace, strength, courage, and hope that comes when Jesus Christ becomes the central focus of your home.

I have been blessed to read several of Emily Belle Freeman's books in the past.  Her books about Easter and Christmas have been wonderful additions to our home library.  I was excited to see that she had a new book out!  Called The Christ-Centered Home, this book offers readers a 12 step/lesson process that will help you to have a calm, peaceful home that is focused on the Savior.  Each lesson is a single chapter sharing New Testament stories, various scriptures, simple talking-points for discussion, and helpful, challenging ideas to implement these steps in your family.  Did I mention she has a recommendation for treats?  Yum!  The idea is to spend one night a month focusing on each Christ-like attribute, then spending the month continuing to work on developing the habit.  Use it as a family home evening!  It is more than a jumping off point, it offers "conversation, connection and celebration."

For our first month we have enjoyed studying about Love.  The lesson we did together told the story of the 4 men who brought their friend to Christ.  The man suffered greatly with palsy and the 4 friends knew that Christ could heal him.  Unable to get in the door they climbed up onto the roof and lowered him down through the ceiling.  How hard that must have been!  I have never put that much thought into that story, but what amazing friends they were!  How they got a bed-ridden friend on the roof is beyond me...and then they would've had to take the roof tiles off (heavy and hot work) and once they managed to open it up...they then carefully lower their friend through!  Wow!  Those were good, dedicated friends.  And because of their faith, Christ DID heal the man.

How much are you willing to do, to bring your friend to Christ?

To finish up our evening, we discussed ways that we can do likewise.  It really was a great lesson for my kids who are elementary age and the treat of oven-baked smores was a real winner!  

If you are looking to make a difference in your home, check out The Christ-Centered Home.  I know for us, we will be using these 12 attributes for the next 12 months for a family home evening!  

The Christ-Centered Home can be purchased wherever books are sold.

Disclaimer:  I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my very own.  Thanks so much!  :)