On a roll here

Here's an event. The Skagit County Free day for kids. This brings up something else. A lot of times I find out about free events from radio stations. Some that post community events are www.kmps.com, www.spirit1053.com, and www.praise1065.com

Date and Time: May 30, 2009 10am-6pm
Description: Join us at the Skagit County Free Kids Day! We will have demonstrations in the arena, farm animals, education, activities, entertainment, kid's cooking demonstrations (Haggen Market Street Catering -yum!) and lots more. All kids who attend will receive a free pass to the August Skagit County Fair and a free pass to the Children's Museum of Skagit County. We are providing free admission and parking to the event. We still have a few spots for the Community Stage so if you are interested in performing please contact the Fairgrounds (360-336-9453) for an application!
Cost: FREE!
Location: Skagit County Fairgrounds
For more information: www.skagitcounty.net/fairgrounds

Free & Cheap Family Fun

I am all about finding stuff for free or cheap. My husband laughs because he sees my ears prick up at key words and phrases like "deal" or "free day". But hey, we have a big family and I like to be able to take them out in public once in awhile without breaking the bank. So, here's a list of stuff we usually do in the summer and I'll add to it as I think of more.

1. The Beach. *Free* This one is obvious, but we seriously spend as much time as possible there. There's a lake near our house with a shallow swim area, toys and sand and with enough sun screen and a picnic lunch we can be there all day.

2. Jetty Island. *Free* This one is donation based, but even putting in $5 (you don't have to donate anything) is a deal for a ferry ride to and from a nice sandy island off of Everett. Bring a picnic and be aware of the ferry times so you're not left stuck on the island overnight. Here's the website with times http://www.everettwa.org/default.aspx?ID=503

3. Jennings Park and Petting Zoo. *Free* Another one where we can definitely spend a few hours. There's playgrounds, a big barn and petting zoo, old historical buildings, a pond where kids can fish (I don't think I would eat any fish from there), a beautiful garden and many paths. Don't forget your camera at home. Click here for directions and more info

Jennings Park

4. VBS. *Free* Pretty much the same as day camp for kids but it's free. And they learn great memory verses. Our favorite is always at Warm Beach Free Methodist Church, because they really go all out for this.


5. Museums. *Free* We haven't taken up on this because my little ones are still too little but most museums have free days every month.


6. State Parks. *Free* Besides visiting the State Park, there's usually lists of tours and workshops available to join. Usually they teach something that has to do with environmental conservation.


7. The Pet Store. *Free* I am sorry, but I am not going to be like my own mother and allow my kids to bring home any animal they would like. One cat is good for us and maybe a dog later and possibly some fish if they ever ask, but if they are interested in rats, mice, Guinea pigs, hamsters or birds they're just going to have to get their fill at the local pet store. They can also see all sorts of lizards, ferrets and snakes. If we read the labels on the cages we can learn about what they eat and what they habitat is like. The owners never mind us coming in to look although I sometimes pick up some cat nip for Rockey.


8. The library. *Free* Okay, this one is obvious, but sometimes forgotten because it's so obvious. Story time doesn't happen in the summer, but they have other workshops. I usually order my books online so they are waiting for me and I can focus on my kids there.

9. Seattle Center. *Free* My kids can play all day in that fountain. We never walk over by the rides and someday I'm sure they'll figure out that they're there, but then it wouldn't be free or cheap. We usually do go in the Center House and buy ice cream and watch the taffy being pulled. http://www.seattlecenter.com/

Seattle Center

10. Hiking. *Free* and good activity. My favorite two for kids which are easy and lead to a good place are the Ice Caves up past Granite Falls and Clayton Beach up on Chuckanut Drive. Bring a picnic. If the tide is out Clayton Beach is a great place to swim because of the warm bay water.

We also visited the ice caves for a cheap anniversary date

11. Forts. *Free* I think there are a few forts around Washington but the one we usually visit is Fort Casey. We usually camp there with our church but we also like to go there as a family for a picnic and exploration. The kids love exploring the jail like underground rooms and my husband likes looking at the WWII era guns. I personally like the beach, the lighthouse and the beautiful view.

Fort Casey

12. Festivals. More on this when I can look up dates and websites.

13. Free Kids Movies. More on this later.

Lastly I just asked my two little girls what was their favorite field trip. Emma says hers is the fire station. Just bake those fire fighters some cookies to thank them for the job that they do and they'll gladly take your kids on a tour and let them try on some gear. Ruby says that her favorite place to go is Grandma's house:)

Worth Listening To!

Beth Moore was speaking on Focus on the Family Thursday and Friday this week. She spoke about marriage and opened up about her own marriage and the struggles they've gone through. Go to focusonthefamily.com to listen online.

At the end she quoted Tony Evans. "Submission means ducking so God can hit your husband." I love that!

Pray for the Persecuted Church

I've been reading a little of what I can find about what is going on in the state of Orissa, India. Of course most of the news from there is coming from Hindu sources and is subsequently biased.

In this time of financial crisis, election preparation and overall stress I've been praying and asking God for some perspective. This is a great article from J. Lee Grady. If you don't subscribe to his blog I would recommend it. He has good stuff to say!

www.fireinmybones.com

Firstborns and Birth Order

Today's Focus on the Family was really good. Kevin Leman talks about his book "The Firstborn Advantage". Since I am a firstborn and I am raising a firstborn what he said made so much sense and challenged me in my parenting. Go to family.org and click on today's broadcast, which was part 2 of the talk so listen to yesterday's also if you can.

I really enjoy most of Focus on the Family's broadcasts but on Monday night I was flipping through the set radio stations in my car and clicked it away from Focus because the broadcast was already half over, but I heard a still small voice say "Turn it back and listen to that". I had to be obedient and I heard the most amazing testamony. Click on www.family.org and find the broadcast from September 1, 2008 called "Rescued by the Hand of God". David and Barbara Anderson have an amazing story about how they were rescued from a plane crash.

The part that really spoke to me was when Barbara talked about her own experience. She talked about how she had to let go of her lifesaving floatation device in order to be rescued. She didn't talk about the spiritual symbolism in that but I thought 'what "lifesaving devices" keep me from reaching up to God?'. Then she talked about how after several rescue attempts she slipped from the helicopter and found herself in the water once again. She completely gave up and accepted her death but while she floated on her back the word "Jesus" was on her lips. At that moment the rescue worker came to right above her and yelled out "I am here!"

"Nurture" by Lisa Bevere

"Nurture" is the first book I've read by Lisa Bevere and I absolutely love it. Her writing is lovely to read and I believe she has, in her book, answers to some of the main problems facing women today in regards to their relationships with each other.

Lately I've heard over and over that women are looking for best friends, that they are longing for that Anne of Green Gables/Dianna Berry relationship. Not only that women are looking for mentors/mothers and they are hoping to mentor women/daughters.

This book responds to that longing and has really inspired me to continue seeking those relationships because God is doing something significant in the church today; gathering us together in order to grow us in our gifts, help us in our weaknesses and "strengthen [our] hearts so that [we] will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones." 1 Thes. 3:13

Also, Lisa Bevere will be speaking next February at Christian Family Center on Camano Island, Wa. I'll post more information when it becomes available.

Good Article

This is a good article from Focus on the Family about tolerance and about what a Christian's approach should be.

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/focusmagazine/publicpolicy/A000001074.cfm