Family Archives - Page 20 of 26 - The Sparrow's Home

Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Became Parents

November 2, 2016 by Susan 11 Comments

Do you ever think we spend way too much time preparing for the wrong things? Think about it. We spend way more time preparing for our wedding than we do our marriage. More time preparing to get pregnant and “have a baby” than becoming parents.

Gary Chapman’s new book, “Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Became Parents” takes a look at preparing for parenting both in mind and practice. Early in the book he says, “In addition to attitude changes, we also need to take practical steps..” And this book helps you do both very effectively. If you’d like the chance to win a copy, read on!

Harry Potter Party & A Recipe for Butterbeer

October 31, 2016 by Susan 14 Comments

Easy ideas for your Harry Potter themed party, including a recipe for Butterbeer!

We enjoy Harry Potter. A lot.

The boys have a friend who just finished the book series for the first time and hadn’t seen any of the films. Loving a themed party as we do, of course we made it into a full fledged 2-day movie marathon.

I did a lot of searching online, and found some pretty incredible parties. Ones where you actually felt you were in Hogwarts.

Our Harry Potter party was nothing like them.

I wish.

But with work, school, and college visits, we shot for a much more do-able party. Authentic, no. Loads of fun, and something anyone can do…you bet!

Yucky Delicious Pizza Intestines

October 26, 2016 by Susan 4 Comments

Pizza intestines are a yucky but delicious way to gross out a crowd. Whether you have zombies on TV, are studying the human body, or just want a spooky snack.

I know I told you this recipe was coming yesterday…so sorry! Let me tell you, I’m exhausted! My eldest has been making some changes to his plans for next year (he graduates this spring), so I’ve been in full time academic advisor/homeschool mom mode. We’ve also been making some college visits, and doing loads of research to get to a decision. None yet!

So with no further ado…I give you…pizza intestines!

This is so icky. And so easy. And tasty, too!

Whether you’ve got zombies on the TV, are studying the human body, or just want an ooky snack (if you’ve got boys, you get this possibility) – intestines pizza may be for you!

I made this as an appetizer, but it could be a main dish or a side just as easily.

Fall Poetry Printables

October 12, 2016 by Susan 20 Comments

One thing I really do love about Minnesota are the distinctive seasons. On Monday I got to spend the day in Duluth with a friend. Wow! God was really showing off! (Sadly, I didn’t get any really good pictures of the leaves. Sorry!)

I frequently and sincerely thank our Father for his creativity. I mean, He could have made everything black and white, one kind of tree, one season. Thank you, Lord for your goodness to us with these lovely gifts!

In honor of the crisp air and the crisp leaves, I’d like to share some snippets of poetry in printable form with you.

I hope you find something that reminds you to savor this beautiful season.

When You Can’t See God Anywhere

October 10, 2016 by Susan 24 Comments

You’re reading Scripture but it just feels like empty words. You can’t see God anywhere you look. Abandoned. Defeated. Alone. Those are the words going through your head.

I think we all have fleeting moments of these feelings. Sometimes, however, we get stuck there. Instead of passing through, we unpack and move in.

During seasons of darkness, we need the light of truth more than ever. Truth doesn’t always feel true, you know. And it especially doesn’t when we’ve set up camp in the land of ‘nobody understands’. That’s why I believe that we must do two things when we find ourselves there.

I Want to Live in a World Where I Can Filter Content in Movies

October 5, 2016 by Susan 8 Comments

Gah! I am sold out on this service we’ve discovered!! We just had a friend tell us about it last week and we’ve already used it twice.

I can’t count how many movies we’ve skipped over the years because of a just a scene or two with sexual content or pervasive language. Or movies that we watched years ago that we’d love to show our boys…except for that one part. You know what I’m talking about, right? If only we could filter content in movies…

Some years ago, there was a service that allowed people to rent movies and filter content as they chose. It was shut down pretty quickly, if I remember correctly, by Hollywood big-wigs crying, “Censorship!”

Enter VidAngel.