Public or Private?

I started this as a private blog, and only allowed friends and family to see it. However, I decided to let it go public a while back. This was something that I felt was helpful to several people who were just starting to homeschool and wanted some advice. But I have recently decided to go back to a private setting. I don't know if it will stay private permanently or not... But I'm happy to share with my friends and family any time... thanks for understanding. :)

Lamplighter

I have always loved the idea of sitting in our living room couch with our boys and a good book. I have loved the picture in my mind of me reading a wonderful book to the boys that is not only interesting to us all but has a great lesson. I've tried. And once in a while it works. But so often I find that I have picked a book that wasn't as wholesome as I'd hoped. Or the book is just plain boring. Or both. Oh, once in a while I find good ones, but it's hard! And I don't have a lot of time to preview books. Not only that, but I like to experience the book along side my boys.

Over the years I have looked longingly at the Lamplighter catalogs. But I hadn't had the chance to see them 'in person.' I'm a tactile person, I have to see the books, touch the covers, and turn the pages. I finally had the chance to see the books up close and was I impressed!!

If you are a book lover you may identify. At first glance, I fell in love! The books are hard cover and beautifully bound! Right away I can see that these will become heirlooms that will last for years. I don't know who will fight harder to own them, my oldest son, youngest son, or myself!

Once you get past the amazing quality of each book, you'll look deeper at the stories. The stories are some of the best, most engaging, "living books" I've ever seen! Read the first paragraph of nearly any of the books they publish and you will be hooked!

Are they just good stories, entertaining? Not at all! While they are good and entertaining, most were written in the 1600-1800's, and they go deep into issues of the heart. Character themes represented in these books include... Laziness & Perseverance, Choices & Consequences, Courage, Obedience & Boundaries, Peer Pressure, Pride & Willfulness, Salvation, Self-Control, Selflessness & Selfishness, Sibling Rivalry, and Virtue & Purity.

Not only have they published fantastic literature, but if you are like us and love a good audio drama while in the car, you will not want to miss out on the Lamplighter Theater! We just listened to Sir Malcom and the Missing Prince. Prince Hubert is in need of a lesson. He's lived a pampered, priviledged life and is a bit spoiled now. He and needs guidance before he can be a worthy king. The boys and I were silently on the edge of our seats for 2 hours. We had a wonderful discussion about the lessons Prince Hubert learned and how we can also be servants to others. We have yet to read the book, but I can only assume the book is equally (or even more) engaging! Right now, we are listening to The Captive and eager to see how it ends! Not only entertaining and well produced, but each story has amazing lessons that our children (and we parents!) need to hold close to our hearts! If you love Focus on the Family audios, you really must listen to Lamplighter Theater.

Lamplighter recently began producing illustrated books for younger audiences. Some are the same stories as some of the favorite books for older readers, like Teddy's Button. But they are shorter, a bit simpler to understand, and very well illustrated.

Are you intrigued? Would you like to see more? I'd love for you to check Lamplighter out online and see for yourself the amazing collection of literature and audios! I am an affiliate for Lamplighter and that means that my friends and family can order at a 15% discount by using this link (you may have to copy and paste it in your browser with no spaces.)

http://www.lamplighterpublishing.com/emailpromotion.asp?key=LAMP107&dest=http://www.lamplighterpublishing.com/products.asp?dept=49

When you put an item in your 'cart' it will then show your discount. If for some reason it isn't showing your discount, you may need to use my code, LAMP107. You can also request a free catalog on that site, which I recommend so that you can make a wish list. The catalog is also very good at breaking down what books are good for which ages, and it shows what character themes are covered in each story, too.

I hope you enjoy the Lamplighter site, I'm so excited to share it with you! Please let me know if you have any questions.