Read Aloud Favorites of 2013

You may well remember my read aloud goals for 2013. As usual, I took those goals as a suggestion, not a dogma. 

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Confession...I veered from the plan a bit.
But, that's OK. The best journeys are the ones with a few unexpected detours. Wouldn't you agree?

So, while I take inventory of the read alouds that we DIDN'T get to for 2013 and begin adding them to my goals for 2014, why don't you take a peek at the ones we DID get to.

The Best of the Unlikely Homeschool 2013

2013 was a year of growth for The Unlikely Homeschool.  After celebrating the one year anniversary of this little on-line ministry, I watched as God grew it to reach thousands of mommas each day.  Our daily journey together here and on Facebook, Pinterest, and Google + has been a personal highlight of the year.  

Thank you so much for joining me for this ongoing homeschool conversation and for voting The Unlikely Homeschool the 2013 Homeschool Vlogger of the Year.  My sincerest thanks!

As we round out the year, I thought I'd just recap some of the highlights.  Here's a look at the top 13 most-read posts of 2013.  If you missed any, now's your chance to get all caught up.

A Few Thoughts on Spiritual Parenting {with a video}

On the day each of my children was born, I was entrusted with a talent. A talent of immeasurable worth. The Master placed these talents in my arms and charged me to keep watch over them, to nurture them, and to grow them until the day when He would require their return.

I have five talents. Five little souls to teach, train, and disciple in TRUTH.

Raising my children in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord" is not something I take lightly. As a mother, it is my greatest and most important ministry...a mission field right in my own living room.

A Christmas Budget for Debt-free Living

With Christmas looming, cashier lines around my little Mayberry are congested with desperate shoppers hoping to snag the latest IT item. Plastic cards are passed from shopper to cashier for quick transactions. Price tags are quickly forgotten as folks scramble to find the next item on their TO BUY list.

Build a Snowman Dice Game

One of our favorite Christmas games on this year's Christmas Countdown calendar is The Build a Snowman Dice Game.  

This simple game makes for a fun addition to any kid-friendly Christmas or New Year's Eve Party...or even just a winter family-fun night.  

Gift from Kids: Edible Snowman Buttons {with Printable}

Each week, forty-eight men and women give of their time. Forty-eight men and women pour out their energies. Forty-eight men and women share some of their talents.

This group of willing-ones dedicate a few hours each week to minister to my children in Sunday School, at Wednesday night Bible clubs, and at a bi-weekly Bible study. They do so voluntarily in hopes of sharing God's love and His Truths with the next generation...asking nothing in return.

What We're Reading in December

With the snow coming down by the bucketful, the kids and I have spent much of the day nestled jumbled together with our noses in a few good books.  I wish I could say that I've been as committed to reading for pleasure as everyone else, but with Christmas prep demanding much of my "free" time (Wow, even typing the words "free time" made me chuckle.), my current book of choice has collected a few day's worth of dust.  I started it mid-November, but since I'm only a few chapters in, I'm gonna dub it my "December book."  (Don't be too surprised or disappointed if I also end up dubbing it my "January book" for lack of free time {ahem} to read it.)

2013 Christmas Countdown for Kids

"Who's turn is it to pick the slip out of the calendar today, Mom?"

With the arrival of December 1st, comes the exhibition of our family Advent calendar and the MORNING QUESTION.  Fortunately for me, I color-code the slips in festive paper, so I don't have to waste brain-power trying to remember whose turn it is to pull the slip from its pocket and announce the day's happenings.

25 Days of Christmas Treats!

Last year, I teamed up with some lovely ladies to bring you A Cookie a Day Until Christmas.  Although cookies are great, I'm more of a Christmas candy kind of girl.  Fudge, peanut brittle, toffee...mmm...excuse me while I drool!  

You can see why I was so excited when the same group of mommas decided to branch out in our self-indulgence to bring you A Goodie a Day Until Christmas.  

Today, I'm sharing the "secret" recipe to The Hubs' most favorite Christmas-time treat.  With just four ingredients, these Chocolate Mint Truffles are oh so easy to make.  But beware, they are also oh so easy to eat!  

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