FREE STUFF!!!

Happy April! 

I decided to wait to post this treat AFTER April Fools Day. 

I am certainly not a prankster. 

I'm a s'rious girl, I tell you! 

As you might know, I am a Reviewer (in capital letters) for the Old Schoolhouse Magazine. I can't even begin to tell you all the wonderful blessings I've had because of this experience. 

Several weeks ago, we all got a note from Gena (publisher of TOS) with great news. She let all of us browse through the TOS online store and pick 3 digital products to offer to our readers for FREE. 

What?!??!!

I immediately went and made my wish list. 

Before I show what I picked out for you (and reveal the secret code), I encourage you to visit the TOS Homeschool Crew Facebook Page. You'll find encouraging posts, articles and of course, links to our reviews. 

Now to the goodies. 

First, I chose the Naturally Clean Planner from Molly Green Magazine. Here is what the site says about it. 

This amazing planner is filled with cleaning schedules, weekly & monthly checklists and natural cleaning recipes. 

And it is cute! And very, very practical. I wanted to give you something to make your life a little easier. 

Next, I want you to have as much encouragement in your life as you can get. Gena Suarez has written this delightful devotional called "Hey Mama: 31 Day Devotional." It is a precious devotional to add to your day. 

The last product I chose was Wise Words About Teaching Reading: You Can Teach Your Own Child to Read Well. I chose this product because I wanted to encourage all those mommas out there who have been in the same boat I'm in. You are raising a struggling reader and feel inadequate and unqualified. This product provides advice from parents who have walked that road. 

Here is what you do to receive your free goodies.  

1. You can choose one or ALL of the ebooks. Just go to the Schoolhouse Store (or click on the links above) and add the products to your cart. 

2. When you are ready to checkout just put RTCREW16 in the COUPON CODE box and hit APPLY COUPON.

3.  It should take your total to a BIG FAT ZERO. Unless you've found some other goodies you would like to purchase. :<)

Now you might be asked to create an account, but don't worry. They won't bite, ask you for your first born or sell your information.  Just be sure to get your free stuff BEFORE May 1, 2016. The coupon code lasts the entire month of April. 

Let me know what you think of your goodies! 

What Your Momma Never Told You: My Favorite Tips for the Worn Out, Burn Out and Just Plain Fruity Momma (Back to School Blog Hop)

This is it! The last day of the Back to School Blog Hop! I hope you've enjoyed yourself and found an idea or resource that you can take back to your life. Today I have more advice (ready or not!)

We all get worn out. Frankly, some of us wear it like a badge of honor." I am worn out and frazzled and scattered, but my kids need so much…"

I am not going to get into what our kids need (or don’t need). This life if not an easy one. There are many challenges. I frequently have to remind myself that it won’t do any good to write a post entitled “You people don’t know what I go through. So don’t judge me.” Or “My pet peeves about the human race.”

Whining doesn’t get us anywhere.

Neither does the competing we seem to do with each other. After hearing about your friend’s bad day, do you find yourself trying to “one-up” her? “You think that’s bad…”

Just stop it.

Please. (I'm using my nice tone)

I don’t have all of the answers. But I do have a few little things I do that help me along the way. My ideas won’t solve world hunger or encourage honesty among politicians.

There just might be something among my ramblings that you can think about adding to your life.

Some of them might seem kind of silly. Just remember those silly little things are what make up the moments of our lives. Let’s be kind to them.

Some of my advice is fairly blunt. I apologize if I offend. It is only my intention to encourage. Sometimes encouragement can only happen by recognizing the things in our lives that needs attention. At least, that is how I see things. I am not speaking about anything I haven’t personally experienced.

So maybe your Momma gave you similar advice.

Good for her.

First off. You are doing a wonderful job with the whole momma business. Give yourself grace. There will be seasons of your life that are just hard. I wore the same thing 4 days in a row last month. Josiah has eaten a peanut butter sandwich (which he has made himself) almost every day this summer for lunch. You are God's beautiful creation; made in his image.

I put just a pinch of cinnamon in my hot tea or coffee every day. The cinnamon has wonderful therapeutic properties; not to mention it is an excellent natural help for blood sugar issues. Plus, it smells yummy.

I have a friend who loves to put hot chocolate mix in her coffee. Yum. I don’t drink coffee every day, but when I do I like it to be special.

I don’t have a dishwasher. The water has made my hands feel horrible….all cracked and dry. I started using gloves to help with that, but also found an extra benefit by slathering lotion liberally all over my hands before putting the gloves on. I know am giving my hands some extra TLC. I don’t even use fancy lotion or fancy gloves. No use it overthinking it.

Momma’s need a Time Out. If you are feeling ragged and rundown, chances are you are ragged and rundown. It’s time to declare a truce with your schedule. It’s hard for me to feel like I have let anybody down. But I’ve learned that now and again I have to say, “I’m sorry, but I really can’t.” Give yourself a day or a week. You’ll thank me. I do accept chocolate.

Are you aware of this scripture found in I Thessalonians?

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)

…and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

I don’t do drama. It wears me out. Some of us need to learn a quiet life. If you are causing drama…Stop it. Take a nap and a time out. Let God speak to your heart. He’s got this.

I journal several times a week. Even if its to just write a scripture out in my best handwriting. I like using sparkly gel pens. Sparkly makes me happy.

We live in a culture of the “gimmes.” Some of us (especially in the homeschool world) are existing on one income.  I personally have had to force myself not to complete an “eye roll” whenever somebody talks about not having something new and shiny. New and shiny won’t make you happy. However, times do get hard. Whenever our pockets are empty and there is a need, I simply make myself write out all of my blessings. They are without number.

After a long and tiring day, we like to watch old movies.  I like something with singing. Lots of singing. I will pop some popcorn and hot chocolate. What is it with me and chocolate?

Do you have a hobby? My friends. You need some sort of hobby. Even if is simply reading or putting puzzles together. I like have something that can my occupy my hands during quiet moments or while watching television. I like to doodle or loom knit. I have read that those folks with busy lives need hobbies even more. Hobbies help de-stress and stimulate the brain.

Once a week I try and set up a little spa in my bathroom. I generally use a little bit of baking soda in my tub. It helps detox my body from all of the impurities that I expose it to. Baking soda also relieves discomfort from yeast infections and soothes irritated skins. You can also use Epsom salts and an essential oil. I have a corner of my tub that I keep a scrub, pumice stone, an orange stick, nail clippers and nail polish remover. I scrub my feet and take care of my toes. I will also put a deep conditioner on my hair during my tub time. Often I will light a few candles and bring in a recording of soft classical music. I want to encourage mommas with tiny kids to hang in there. Eventually you will be able to bath in private. Eventually. If you aren’t a fan of classical music put on something that soothes you. However, I recommend Debussey’s Prelude to an Afternoon With a Faun.

A benefit of growing older is becoming comfortable with yourself. I think it’s because you can look back and see God’s faithfulness at every turn. You know yourself. You know your quirks and faults. If you are wise you recognize that you don’t have to be everything to everybody. You just need to be what God has called you to be.

That leaves me to my next little thought. There is great comfort in giving control of your life to God. Perhaps there is a situation that seems impossible. When you have done all you can do…Stand. Let God hold it for you.

If you are married treat your husband like you adore him. Let your smile be one of the first thing he sees when he comes home. When you constantly belittle his choices and air your grievances (especially those about him) the Bible says you are like a leaky faucet. I realize there might be issues with him as well. Let God take care of your husband. You are responsible for you.

Do your best to make your home a place of peace. It should be a shelter for your family. This doesn’t mean that we won’t have bad spots or times. Pray. 

Sometimes we just have to Regroup. If something isn’t working take a long and hard look at it. Are you using a particular curriculum because your friends are telling you it is the best thing on the planet (including me)? If it's not working for your family don't use it. You might need to slow down. You might need to get your act together.  Just change direction. 

Move. Not to another house. Move. Your Body.

Stay hydrated. I have a big mason jar that I fill with ice water every day. I might refill it a couple of times. Some days I add lemon. Other days I put a few strawberries in my water. Most of the time I don’t make it complicated. I don’t have time.

Do you get distracted? Are you spending too much time on the computer? Or with a task? Time yourself. I have several little projects going on at once. I am doing some freelance work and trying to get a little business going with my Mom.  It is in my nature to do something to completion. However, I have had to learn to time myself. Say for example, I need to work on our little business for a while. I will give myself an hour. For projects that I am dreading (like finishing the dishes), I will time myself. I will put 15 minutes on the timer and do all I can in the kitchen for 15 minutes. You will be surprised what you can get done in 15 minutes.

Rituals aren’t just about human sacrifice. (too many Indiana Jones viewings?) There is something lovely about doing one special thing every day. My special thing usually involves a cup of tea and my sparkly pens. What is the one thing you can do every day that will help you focus? It might be journaling.  Or reading a portion of Psalms. 

Be gracious. There is no need to be hateful to the people that you come in contact with. We experienced a little road rage incident this past week. The young man involved used every dirty word he could think of….nothing like being screamed at while driving. My husband handled it beautifully. He apologized and we promptly went another direction. Just be nice. We have all been guilty of feeling like we “just need to be ourselves.” Sometimes we need to do less of being ourselves and more of showing Jesus.

Smile more. Even if you don’t have much to smile about.

I could write some more, but then I would just start meddling. 

I hope you have a lovely weekend, my friends! 

 This post is part of the Back To School Blog Hop from my friends at  the Schoolhouse Review Crew and Homeschool Blogging Connection. Be sure to check my landing page out for their links...I know you will blessed! 

Just a walk in the park...

Today was a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Won't you be my neighbor?

Josiah's Daddy. Aka The Studly Muffin. Troy (as his mother likes to call him) is out on a boat somewhere with my Little Bro.

Josiah and I needed to do some errands so we grabbed some frozen custard (don't judge) and swung by one of our local parks for a nature study.

I brought the usual. Water. Camera. Sketch Stuff (always supplied by my Mama) and our Anna Comstock's Handbook of Nature Study. 

The park we visited isn't one I generally use for this purpose. It is a beautiful park, but I prefer some of the other parks in our neck of the woods are just more conducive to the study of nature.

When Josiah and I got to the park there were peoples. And more peoples. In fact, too many peoples for me. Josiah loves the peoples. He spent more time watching people than he did nature.

I think I need a hammock to carry with me where ever I might go. I'm browsing pinterest for some do-it-yourself inspiration.  Stay tuned.

 The Dogwoods are out in full force. And just plain gorgeous. This one is looking a little sparse, but I won't hold that it against it.

Josiah kept inching closer and closer to the peoples. He's a fan. He did more people watching than nature watching.

More beautiful dogwoods.

A Dogwood closeup. Did you know that the official state tree of Missouri is the flowering Dogwood?  Or Cornus Florida. Though why Florida had to get involved....

This park has some old trees. I could imagine little fairy creatures making their homes in the base of this tree. Josiah told me it just looked dead. Fine. Just suck all the joy out of my life!

This photo is Josiah's contribution to our pictures here. He told me he liked it because it looks like a Christmas tree. Well, of course!

Just Darlin' ...though I probably need to disclose that this isn't the first time I have seen this shirt on Josiah Bevan this week. It must have been handy. Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday...and Friday.

For our sketch today, we decided to draw the persistent Dandelion.
 

Very intense work here.

Here is my sketch.

Josiah tried to talk me into letting him color his dandelion red. Normally I am all for artistic impression. However, this is a sketch of what we are observing in nature. When I explained this to Josiah he said, "But I could create some sort of new dandelion never seen before." Then we had a little discussion of Creation and the term "observing in nature." Then we had to talk about an episode of Clone Wars he just saw on Netflix. Rabbit Trails!

Before we left the park I wanted to get a picture of us together. This is our attempt at a selfie. I told you I'm horrible at them.

Josiah is certainly of his generation. I was going through some old pictures and found this gem of a selfie.

 

Isn't it precious? There are many more where this came from.  It had to be from a few years ago. He's lost some of those caps he's so proudly displaying. 

Have a great weekend!

Rejoice! Even though it's Wednesday

It's Wednesday. And the forecasters are saying that we having a winter weather mess approaching.

Snow we can handle here. Mention two little words. Ice. Storm. And you've got all of us heading to the nearest Walmart stocking up on candles, batteries and chips. Nothing like an Ozarks Ice Storm. Most of us would barter out our first born for a generator. And I'm not kidding.

In the meantime, (although I don't think they are calling for an Ice Storm of the ages) I am doing my best to make sure we're ready. I'm charging up the Kindle and heading to the library today to make sure we have what we need to get by. After all, I've got my priorities right.

I woke up cold this morning. I don't know if I'm actually cold or if it's because there is ice in the forecast. I also woke up a bit overwhelmed. I'm considering petitioning for a national holiday.

It would be the "All the Mommas Take the Week Off Just To Catch Up" Holiday. Catch up on what? Well that would be up to the Momma. I personally need to catch up on more than I'm willing to disclose. Let's just say that I keep washing the same 3 pairs of underwear. And the same few spoons.

It probably wasn't a coincidence that when I downloaded pics from my camera this morning that I found the treasure above. Josiah never sings in public. Hearing him sing 10,000 Reasons at the top of his lungs made my heart glad.

He also took a few videos of himself playing Lego Star Wars, but that's neither here or there.

I have so many reasons to sing. To rejoice.

Today I'm starting over with a little rejoicing of my own. Bless the Lord, O My Soul!

Swimming Like A Fish

Warning! This blog post contains a ridiculous number of pictures. View at your own risk. The photographer is a proud momma)


Early this morning we loaded up the car and headed out for an adventure. A Swim Meet! The swim meet was at another Y...about an hour away. An 8:30am warm-up comes early!

Warm-up! Did mention it was 8:30am?

 

What in the world? Our Downtown YMCA doesn't have any of these fancy diving blocks. Which means a crash course in diving off the blocks. (we love our swim coach...she is wonderful!)

 

Ready! Set! 

Oops. That's not going to end well. 

The staging area was set up in the Y gym. We set up with our team into a little city of camper chairs, towels and enough distractions to keep a group of kids occupied for a very long time.

 

And their parents. 

 

In a swim meet the swimmers are assigned "heats"...depending on what they are swimming and their age groups. When their number comes up they are seated in a holding area...called a "deck" until they are escorted out to the pool area. It is all exciting and very "Olympic" like. Except for the whole endorsement/other countries/fame and glory thing.

Josiah's first event. The dreaded butterfly (also known as "The Fly"). Josiah said, "At least I didn't have to swim the backstroke."

Healthy snacks. 

A little game of football to pass the time. I just have to share. The little guy in the very back of the pic carrying a towel? His swim trunks shined. I want some. I've got some dangly earrings that will match.

 

In the holding deck waiting to swim the breaststroke. They are seated according to what lane they will be swimming in. Josiah told me that his swim cap makes his eyebrows hurt.

More football. 

After his breaststroke heat. 

Freestyle!

Getting reading to swim a 50 Free in a Relay. 

 

And there he goes!

And what is this? Some kind of secret code? My old locker combination? It's the numbers of his individual events. The swim coach wrote all their events on their arms...so they wouldn't forget. Good thing. I referred to it all day. I'm considering using this method for my grocery list.

 

Go Get 'Em!

 

Daddy and son. They did spend a few minutes this evening watching some youtube videos of Michael Phelps. A little more inspiration for a great day of swimming.

And almost the best part of the day? A celebratory early dinner at Steak and Shake (which happens to be Josiah's favorite restaurant...ever)

 

Sigh. The cutest. I'm one blessed (and proud) Momma!

 

 

 

Bag Boy

This, my friends, is when you know you have a problem. You see your son with a plastic bag on his head. And instead of saying, "Get that plastic bag off your head...you'll suffocate!" you say..."Keep that bag on your head until I get my camera!"

I don't know what he was doing...I didn't ask. Perhaps deep conditioning his hair? Those things hanging from his ears are ear buds. Maybe the bag helps insulate outside noises...making for a better listening experience.

I also realize (in my defense) that it is unlikely that I need to worry about an 11-year-old suffocating via plastic bag, but don't you think Denouncing All Plastic Bag on Heads should be a Natural Mommy Response?

Sigh. I've got issues. Then again...Don't we all.

Hen Pecked

So it's fall here at the old homestead. Better known as the our Apartment On The Second Floor. I promise some pics this week on some of my fall projects. After I get my house cleaned. If I let you see the condition of our humble abode now I would probably have to go into hiding for a least a year. And a half. The shame alone would drive me into seclusion. Which now that I think about it might not be a bad idea. I need some alone time.

In the meantime I thought I would share a few thoughts and pictures from our wise old resident sage. Not The Studly Muffin. I mean the other wise old resident sage. Mr. Josiah...who will be turning 11 in just over a month. What??? How did that sweet baby grow so fast? And how can I be the mother of an 11-year-old? Okay. So some of my High Schools peers are parents to young adults and some are even have grandchildren, but in my head I'm still like 16.


This isn't the best quality. But it does give some indication of the quirky personality of my guy. Who takes a picture of the bottom of their own foot? It's just plain weird. Anytime I tell Josiah he's being weird he asks me, "But aren't you weird, Mom?" Point taken.

I assure you I haven't let Josiah loose on the world with sharp objects. Unless he's within arm's reach. He loves to help me in the kitchen. At least to cook. He tells me he's "not big on washing dishes." Sigh. Who is, my son, Who is. Here he is helping prepare a casserole to go in my handy dandy Bean Pot (of which I would love to sell you one). He also is dressed for the occasion. Every chef needs a cool Hawaiian shirt and a Fedora.

I want to also assure you that this sight is a rarity in my home. Something sugary and gooey on my kitchen cabinet. It just ain't happenin' nowadays. But Josiah wanted to take a treat to his Royal Ranger group (they were working on their cooking badge) and this was it. He made them himself (with my verbal coaching, of course). I did partake. That is my confession. I had one. But considering I've lost (drum roll please) 55 pounds as of this week it didn't hurt me too much.

Another self portrait. He's at my mom and dad's farm. These are my mom's reading glasses.

He also tried them on the cat. I shared this pic some weeks back. It still cracks me up. She's such a good cat. And she loves Josiah with all she can muster. Which is quite a bit.

Speak of love. This week one of our read aloud's was Washington Irving's short story, Rip Van Winkle.  I need to first encourage any readers with kids to expose them to the classics. Don't be afraid of what might be perceived as archaic language or complicated verbage. Bring out the dictionary. Talk about it. I made several copies of the story (which I found in nice e-form with illustrations) and we gathered around with highlighters in hand. My nephew, Christopher, was over for school that day and we had a lot of fun reading it. When I was little and read so much (many books that were considered beyond my years) my mom set me up with a little notebook to write down words I didn't understand. We would look them up together. We did the same this week with Rip Van Winkle only we took advantage of our brightly colored highlighters. The boys loved it.

Rip Van Winkle is about an easy-going guy with an aversion to "profitable labor." He is also described as a "hen-pecked husband." I explained this little piece of the story as Rip Van Winkle's wife being hard to live with sometimes. Josiah perked up and said, "Mom! That's just like you!"

Ouch.

Then again he later complimented me and told me that my hair looked just like Anakin Skywalker's hair in Star Wars Episode 3. I'll take it where I can get it.