Thursday, March 18, 2010

Adorable Children's Books - for *Free! And Another Random, Unrelated Thought or Two...

If you would like to print out some books that you (or your parents!) may have read as a child but haven't been around for your own kids, here is your chance!


This link will take you to a site where you can choose from about 2 dozen really cute books that you can print out yourself on your printer.

So if you are as economically challenged as the rest of us, just print these off for your kiddos.  Even though nothing in life is ever really free (see* below) these books certainly retail for significantly more. 
http://www.childrensbooksforever.com/index.html


*well, printer ink is not free, but just dimes per page....

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Have you seen on the news where some states are not going to send out income tax refunds right away, and in some cases, for several months?  If you want to find out more information about it,  go here: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Tax/states-hold-tax-refunds-months/story?id=10083227
North Carolina, Hawaii and Alabama are already doing it and others, such as New York and Kansas, might have to as well.
This might just cause more than a few people to have fewer taxes withheld from their checks instead of having the Govt. tax program act as an alternate savings account. . . .   ya think?

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Here is a topic that I have never commented on before:

Do you watch or have you heard of the show "19 Kids and Counting!"?

I watch the show pretty regularly, and I am always impressed by their faith, and their devotion to each other.  Yes, the older kids do each have a younger sibling that they are responsible for when they get ready to go places and are out on trips and during activities. If you ask me, it's a pretty ingenious idea for a family that size.  I have heard people be critical of that system, even saying that the mom doesn't do anything at all but take care of the newest baby.  But please, they home-school!  I know what that's like.  And just keeping things organized and moving is a full-time job.  Pretty sure here that mom Michelle has not a moment to spare while nursing the newest child.    Can you imagine the chaos that would ensure if they did it any other way?  I wish I had thought of it for my own kids, and I "only" have seven.  (But now that my youngest is 6 1/2, and my 3 oldest are grown, that ship has kinda sailed.).   

I also admire that those children are being taught how to be responsible for themselves and others.  And isn't that one of the most important things there is?  For a child to grow into a responsible, caring, loving adult and eventually have kids of their own that they can raise to be loving, caring adults, is a blessing.

Now, I know that the Duggar's are quite the oddball family.  And I don't advocate having that many kids.  But this family possesses a set of qualities that make it possible for  them to be successful.   I believe they do a better job at raising that  many kids than a lot of families with far fewer children do.  If you only have one or two kids, is it anybody else's biz why your family is so small . . ?   (I know that she does a better job of it than I!) And what if Michelle has babies clear up until menopause?  It's not something that I would have chosen to do for sure (well, not quite - I had my last at 39) but who are we to say she and her husband can't do it, in spite of the challenges that the family is facing raising a severely premature baby?   I realize I am probably in the minority for admiring the Duggars, I do.  I don't know why I decided to share my point of view here.  But it's been on my mind.

It's been a trial for them, but I know I learn the most when I am challenged the most . . .


6 comments:

Joey Lynn Resciniti said...

Personally, I don't care for the Duggers. I think it would be really unfortunate to be born into a family where you have so much responsibility for a little kid at a young age even if it is your brother or sister. They fly in the face of my let kids be kids philosophy.

Thanks for the link to the kids books - that's a great resource!

Merri Ann said...

I share your feelings on the Duggar family. I think they are doing an amazing job ... the kids seem healthy and happy. I think kids need to have responsibility ... too many families, in my opinion, want their kids to be free of them and I think it creates a "me first" mentality. We strive in our home to make a connection with chores ... we constantly point out that doing your chores contributes to the function of the family. I think the Duggars are doing the same ...

Sorry to be so long winded :))

Hope y'all have a great weekend..

Liz said...

Don't care for the Duggars either, but I like to let people live their lives! I just don't watch.

This isn't a free book, but it's a) wonderful and b) gives people a GREAT idea for enjoying nature with their kids! The book is PersonaliTrees and is nature photography (just stunning) by Joan Klostermann-Ketels of trees being resourceful, elated, happy, sad, whatever. Each picture matches the tree's emotion or spirit, and there's a quotation to go with. It is just wonderful. You won't look at trees the same way, I promise you. So don't. Get a camera, get the kids and find some trees and do a "spirit walk," for lack of a better word. I just love the idea of making my own book of human trees, and then having the kids find various quotations, in poetry, history, literature (we like books, so that will be a natural!) to illustrate the photos. I bet someone will try to use Harry Potter...

mCat said...

The Duggars are a very intriguing family. I don't watch the show, but I read updates about them in my trashy magazines.

While I admire the attitude they have towards children and their family, I can't help but wonder if there will be some residual resentment amongst the older children who have been responsible for a sibling virtually their whole life. Just from my own experience, I was determined to NEVER have children since I felt that I had already raised my two sisters.
I still think it teaches some great lessons and values, but I am going to be watching with curiosity to see how it all plays out.

At any rate, those are 19 spirit children who have a body. Right?

tammy said...

I love watching that show. While I could never have even half that many kids, I admire how they make it work. I came from a family of five kids, and being the oldest probably had almost as much responsibility for the younger ones and the Duggar children do. And I like how their kids have so much respect for their parents and others and go out of their way to serve others. I don't agree with critics. Who are we to judge another anyway?

Holly said...

I am impressed and amazed by the Duggars!