The "Dora" Approach

Do any of you have a child who loves to watch Dora?  I do!  My 5 year old daughter loves Dora and would watch it for hours at a time if I let her.
This morning she was watching a few episodes of Dora when my 8 year old son entered the room.  Now, Dora is not high on the list of shows that my son would consider watching.  So, he started questioning everything that happened on Dora and pestering his sister about all the non-sense he thought he saw on the show.  The main argument that my son presented was that it was completely unnecessary for the map to lay out the path for them and repeat the steps necessary to take over and over again.
At this point I started to try to explain to my eight year old that breaking things down step by step was very important for younger children.  I also tried to reason with him that repetition is a great way to remember things (even for someone his age!).
My son finally let it drop, but I continued to think about the approach used in Dora to help teach kids how to break down a task and get it done.  And, do you know what?  I use this approach all the time!  I just never had a name for it until now!
You see, my other son, who is seven, has a really hard time taking a job and breaking it down into steps to get the job done.  So, I often come into the room with him and help him break it down into steps.   Then, we go over the steps a couple of times to  make sure that he will remember them.  For example:  his jurisdiction (area that he is responsible for throughout the day) this week is the Bathroom.  When he walks into the bathroom all he sees is an overwhelming disaster area and he doesn't know where to begin.  So, I come in and show him various categories (dirty laundry, toothbrushes and hair brushes, floor).  Then, we go over these steps a couple of times (just like Map): dirty laundry, toothbrushes, sweep floor!  Dirty laundry, toothbrushes, sweep floor!  (can you hear the little sing-song chant?)
So, the next time I use "The Dora Approach" I think I will bring my eight year old in to see that Dora really is useful! Do you think he'll be convinced?

Everything Beautiful

So, I started my blog, but now I want to take a few minutes to tell you a little bit more of why I started this blog.  As you can imagine the name of my blog is a very important key as to why I started this blog:

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says: "He hath made everything beautiful in His time: also He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end."  I love the fact that God is making everything beautiful!  But, I must remember it is in His time.  One of the things that I know God is making into something beautiful is my life!  Now, does that mean I will be drop dead gorgeous someday?  No (although a girl can dream!), it means that God is taking my life and making it into a beautiful masterpiece for Himself-to bring honor and glory to Him!  Just as a potter works the clay into a beautiful masterpiece, God is working in my life.

As God works, like that clay, it starts off as something ugly, but through pressure and shaping and molding my life will become a useful, beautiful vessel for Him.  Now, to some people a vessel may not be seen as something beautiful.  Something useful - sure, but beautiful - not necessarily.  But, to the artist it is a useful and beautiful masterpiece! 

I have recently become aware of just how far God has brought me.  I have learned so many things and am still learning through my husband, my children, my church, my friends, my family and so many other avenues.  I thought that I needed to be recording these things to look back on.  So, as I go through all the ups and downs and pressures of life I want to share them on here so that you can join me in seeing the masterpiece, the beautiful work of art God is creating in and through my life!  And, hopefully, it will bring honor and glory to His name!  Now, wouldn't that be beautiful?

Jacinda

Taking the Plunge

Okay, I did it!  I can't believe it, I started a blog!  I've thought about doing this for quite some time, but honestly, I know nothing about blogging!  So, please bear with me as I try to get this all sorted out!  I am not really sure exactly where I am going with this blog: 

I just know that God is doing something amazing in my life - making it beautiful in His time.  So, as I travel along the path He has for me, I will endeavor to share with you the joys, the sorrows, the challenges, and the lessons learned along the way. 

I love to do crafts (card making, scrap booking, DIY home decorations, etc.) and I even experiment with making my own cleaning products.  As I try new things I will share them with you on here.  

Well, that sums it up for now.  Hope you enjoy what is to come!

Jacinda