We Homeschool Wednesday - Artist Studies

  This school year I wanted to do something that we have not done before.  I wanted us to do a series of studies on great artists.  Renoir, Da Vinci, Monet!  At a recent seminar I went to, they had a great selection of story books about some of these artists with vivid illustrations of a few of their paintings.




  These are lovely stories and they are a great doorway to getting your child excited about art.  Along with these great books, I have also found several awesome activities to go along with them.  I will post the links below.

  This first link will show you how to paint using watercolors, glue, and salt.  At first glance it may seem like it is for the very young, but my oldest is 12 and I really think that all of my children would enjoy doing this!
1)  http://www.sweethappylife.com/2012/activities/preschool-activities/painting-with-watercolors-glue-and-salt/

  This link contains some wonderful coloring pages of the artists paintings.
2)  http://www.funnycoloring.com/painter-cassatt.htm

  Loving this link to a craft based on Monet's famous painting, "Bridge over a pond of water lilies".
3)  http://www.thecraftyclassroom.com/CraftArtistMonet.html

  And of course, saving the best for last!  I love this one!  To give your child an idea of what is was like for Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the great cathedral, this one is a must.
4)  http://educationcreateshumanimagination.tumblr.com/post/22842913829/paint-like-michelangelo-what-a-great-idea


  Don't forget that you can also google each artist and look at pictures of their beautiful paintings!  So, drag out your dusty old box of craft supplies and have some fun!

After too long away - I'm back with a Tasty Tuesday

  So happy to be back y'all!  These last several weeks have been filled with ending our summer, starting our school year, and lots of things in between.  We have had a wonderful bounty from our garden, things have been frozen and canned(my mom is a great canner).  We have been on the exciting journey of purchasing land for a future home.  And Finally, we have started our school year with an excitement that I hope sets the pace for the days to come.

  I have lots of things to share in the coming weeks, but of course today is all about the food!  Since we talk a lot about kids and homeschooling, it is obvious that when I plan recipes, they must be kid friendly and healthy.  And, I have a house full of little grazers!  They are constantly looking for food.  With that in mind, this recipe is just perfect for the grazing child in any home.  It uses fresh or frozen fruit and not much else, I am loving it already!  It does take a little time, but well worth it. 

  Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups:
   http://www.loveumadly.com/2012/04/100-pure-love-for-100-real-fruit-snacks/


  So if you have time, make some healthy snacks for your little ones, and we'll talk again soon!

Tasty Tuesday - Gluten Free Lemon Bars

  Okay, Okay!  Going Gluten Free is hard.  I knew that I would have to approach it slowly and I knew that I could not just go to my pantry and throw away all things gluten.  I decided that when I run out of an item containing gluten, I would just replace it with a gluten free item(or something like that). 

  My mom found a book called the Wheat Belly Cookbook and it has some great tips and recipes in it.  Especially if you are just starting on the gluten free journey.

  With gluten-free items becoming more and more available at your local market, it is easy to buy a lot of processed and pre-made foods that are still not good for you.  The Wheat Belly Cookbook talks about the importance of staying away from these items and using flours such as Almond flour and Coconut flour.  When you use the potato starch, tapioca starch, and rice flours to cook with, you are getting a lot of unhealthy carbs.  They have a lot of wonderful recipes, using almond and coconut flour, in the book and I have found many recipes on Pinterest. 

  I am trying lots of new things, some are yummy......some are not!  To get you off to a good start, I am going to share with you one of the yummiest gluten-free recipes I've made so far.  It's for lemon bars!

  http://therealslimsunny.blogspot.com/2012/03/lemon-bars.html

  Now, I must also make a confession:  I followed the bar recipe to the letter, but I did make my own icing.  Powdered sugar is gluten free(woo hoo)!  I am not usually a measurer so I will tell you what I put in it.  Lemon juice and zest, powdered sugar, a little butter, and a little coconut milk.  End result = delicious!

  My husband even enjoyed these.  There is hope!!

 

 

 

Raising Grateful Children

  I have always said that one of the hardest things to teach children is how to be nice to others, even when others are not always nice to them.  I pray that my children will always be kind, thoughtful, merciful, and hospitable toward others.  I also pray that they will always be grateful!

  Today I want to share a link with you called "Raising Grateful Children".  Just a few pointers to help us on our mommy journey!

http://awesomelyawake.com/how-to-raise-grateful-children/

  1 Thessalonians 5:18  In every thing give thanks(be grateful): for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

We Homeschool Wednesday - Homeschooling for Free

    When I first started homeschooling, I came across a book called "How to Homeschool your child for free".  It is full of websites where you could go to print off worksheets or get help with math problems, etc.  With a few years of experience under my belt, I have found that my local Library is the best "free" resource that I have.  This year I will use 2 brand new math books that I purchased for $15.00 each(each book even contains two grades) called Practical Arithmetic, a borrowed Apologia Science book, and our Library along with many books that have been bought used over the years.

  I feel confident schooling with just these items because I have learned so much by going to seminars, reading books, and by seeking out information from other homeschoolers and the internet.  When I first started, I needed a curriculum to lay things out for me and tell me what I needed to do next.  I also feel that I will need that again when I approach the high school years.

  With all that being said, I was very excited when I was introduced to Easy Peasy All in One Homeschool: http://allinonehomeschool.com/ !  A complete homeschool curriculum for grades K-12, day by day schedule, with suggested resources.........ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!  This is a mom who began writing her own lessons for her older children and realized if she kept it all, her younger children could also use it as they were coming up.  Then she thought, why not share it with everyone!  If you are looking for day to day guidance, and especially if you are on a tight budget, please check out Easy Peasy! 

Tasty Tuesday: Homemade Ice Cream

  Some of my fondest memories are of my grandpa making homemade ice cream with his hand cranked contraption.  We were always so excited for the end result!  To this day, I still love homemade ice cream.

  Since summer is officially here, I am sharing over 150 recipes for homemade ice cream.  Just in time for the 4th of July weekend!

http://tipnut.com/homemade-ice-cream/

Wife and Mommy Monday in Pictures

  No greater role was I ever given than that of wife and mother!  The Bible gives wonderful instruction to help us every step of the way.  In Ephesians the Lord tells us to Reverence(deeply respect) our husbands.  In Titus He tells us to love our husbands, while Proverbs says that we are to be trustworthy as wives.  The Bible also tells us that we are to learn from our husbands, be chaste(sexually pure), and to be keepers of the home.  As mothers we are to be nourishing, comforting, hospitable, and loving, for our children(and our husband) are gifts from God.  I want to do all these things in obedience to God and prayerfully!

  Today I want to share with you some favorite photos of my gifts! 

15 Things You May Not Know About Me

  Today is This 'n' That Thursday so I decided to share 15 things about myself that you may not know:

 1.  I had Spinal Meningitis at the age of 3.
 2.  One of my fondest memories as a child, is singing with my mom!
 3.  As a child I was allergic to all dairy products.
 4.  I have always talked in my sleep......even on my honeymoon, I was so embarrassed!
 5.  I was named after my dad's college roommate, Ray Stacy.
 6.  I love to laugh.
 7.  I wore braces for 2 years.
 8.  The ocean is my most relaxing place!
 9.  When I started wearing make-up, my dad nicknamed me "Old Blue"(blue eye shadow, blue eyeliner, blue mascara)!
10.  I love chocolate!
11.  When I was a high school sophomore, we had a foreign exchange student that year from Sweden.
12.  I got married at the age of 18.
13.  When I graduated and walked across the stage to receive my diploma, Steve yelled out "Old Blue"!
14.  From the years 2000 to 2005, I was pregnant at least 2 months out of each year!
15.  I would love to move to New Zealand.

  I hadn't thought about some of these things in a very long time.  I got a good chuckle out of this list!  I hope you do too!

We Homeschool Wednesday

  I have so many exciting things to share with you today!  First I want to say that if you have not been to a Homeschool Curriculum Fair, I highly recommend it.  Many fairs have already come and gone, but Chattanooga has one coming up in July.  To find out more information, go to http://csthea.org/.  I also recommend any used curriculum sales that you can find.  It is true what they say:  "One man's junk is another man's treasure"!  I have found some wonderful items at used sales.

  Second, I want to share how important it is to educate yourself about homeschooling.  The more you know, the better decisions you will make!  I am currently trying to learn more about "unschooling" and "interest-led learning".  I have never wanted our schooling experience to be about scheduling math from 9 to 9:30 or how many worksheets we do.  And although math is part of our daily routine, I love more of a hands-on approach or the times that my kids pick up a book and seek out information for themselves.

  I have recently found a few blogs that I am really enjoying.  Blogs are another great way to learn more about educating your children at home.  When others have already experienced the things that you are about to embark on, they will often share ways that will make your journey much easier and more enjoyable.

1.  10 tips for gentle homeschooling:   http://naturalfamilytoday.com/parenting/ten-tips-for-gentle-homeschooling-and-parenting/#axzz2X6tsdanc 

2.  Letting go of the school mentality: 
 http://www.holyspiritledhomeschooling.net/2013/06/letting-go-of-the-school-mentality/

3.  Down a rabbit trail:  Interest-Led Learning:
http://downarabbittrail.blogspot.com/?m=0

  There are so many different approaches to homeschooling.  Part of learning more will help you to decide what methods inspire you and what methods you want no part of!  Read as much as you can, take notes, save websites/blogs that you have found to your "favorites" on your computer - You've got this momma!  Our precious Lord has equipped us for such a time as this!

It's Strawberry Season

  Oh, how I have missed thee......let me count the ways!  This is the one place that I can put all my thoughts together without interruption.  I had almost forgotten how much I enjoyed this wonderful little creative outlet!  Things have gotten so busy and I just had to lay a few things down.  This little momma's brain was on overload.  So many exciting things have been happening, but I will talk more about that in future posts.

  Thanks to my precious parents, we have the most beautiful garden growing in our back yard.  I cannot wait to harvest the yummy goodness!  Speaking of yummy things, we have been buying lots of strawberries lately so I had to share this wonderful recipe for strawberry sauce.  You could use it over homemade ice cream, cheesecake, waffles, crepes, etc.  I hope you enjoy!

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/05/strawberry-sauce/

  Don't forget, tomorrow is "We Homeschool Wednesday"! 

We homeschool Wednesday - Lots of homeschool helps

  When I first started homeschooling, I remember the overwhelming thoughts I had and the uncertainty of whether or not I could really do this.  Even now, six years later, I still have fears.  On the other hand, I did teach my children to talk, I potty trained them, I taught them to tie their shoes, and the list goes on and on.  I have often thought that this is why God allowed me to have my children later than sooner, because he knew that my heart would be to drink in every moment with them - loving them, feeding them, cuddling them, and teaching them!

  Early in my homeschooling adventure, I am so thankful that I surrounded myself with other homeschooling and like minded friends.  This is where you will find so much support and your best advice.  Today I am going to share with you some of the great advice that I got early on and will put in some important links to some really awesome websites.

  One of the first things that someone ever told me, was how wonderful unit studies, lapbooking and mini books were when you needed to teach the same subject to multiple grade levels.  For instance, if I wanted to teach my 1st, 3rd, and 5th grader about the state of Tennessee, I could give all three of them a coloring page of the TN flag and my 1st grader could color it and write the word "Flag" on the bottom of the page.  My 3rd grader could write two sentences about the flag and my 5th grader could do research to find out things like, our state flag was officially adpoted in 1905, but wasn't raised for the first time until 1911.  He could find out that it was designed by a Colonel in the Tennessee National Guard and that in 1976 the United States Postal service issued a sheet of stamps that included a stamp of the Tennessee Flag.  You could get books from the Library about TN and/or about flags, or both!  Imagine the topics and the possibilities of learning this way!  If you want to learn more about Unit Studies or Lapbooking check out these two links:

1)  http://www.homeschoolshare.com/  - I highly recommend this website, they have so many unit studies and lapbooks that are FREE!

2)  http://www.squidoo.com/lapbooking#module12673419  - This website has lots of great pictures and how-tos!

  Another great resource that I have discovered is free spelling!  Woo hoo!  This website gives you free spelling lists for the entire school year and even provides activities to do with each list.  The only down side is that they only give lists for grades 1-4.  But, four years of FREE spelling "ain't" too bad!  On the up side, they also cover a slew of other subjects, with more FREE worksheets.

3)  http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/  - Just scroll down the left side of the page to find what you need!

  I know I am covering a lot on this post, so I am just going to give you two more links and these are just because I think they are great.  Lots of great resources and extras to help you along the way!

4)  http://www.millerpadsandpaper.com/  -  When the curriculum fairs come in the summer, I think I spend more time at this booth than any other.  Love them!

5)  http://www.visionforum.com/  - This is another great website that is so full of great helps.  They have books, audio books, toys, DVD's, and so much more.  Even some great stuff for the parents too.

I hope you find some of these as helpful as I did!  And, I will be happy to answer your homeschooling questions.  Just leave your questions in the comment section and I will respond!

A loved staple in my pantry

  I love to cook!  It makes me feel good to see others enjoy something that I have prepared or to hear my littles tell me that I am the best cook in the whole world.  I care for my family in many ways, but providing warm and healthy meals for them is one of my favorites. 

  I love the Food Network, I love kitchen stores, I love thumbing through cookbooks, I love that I have a friend who sells Pampered Chef, I love it when my mom buys me spoons and spatulas to cook with, and I love to gather around the table with people I hold dear!  Even the Bible talks about breaking bread and being hospitable......I love that too!

  Today I'm going to share with you the easiest and most versatile food that I always have in my pantry.  Carb haters beware!  It is Jasmine Rice. 

  We love this stuff!  I always start with olive oil and an onion.  Finely chop your onion and sautee it in the oil until it starts to caramelize(brown around the edges).  Now just follow the directions on the bag, but instead of using water to cook your rice in, you need to use chicken broth(or vegetable broth).  This adds so much flavor and makes all the difference. 

  This rice is so much better than white rice and can easily stand alone, but there are so many great ways to add it to your main dish.  We have added ground venison and made dirty rice, roasted vegetales and tossed with it, it even goes great with salmon or as a fried rice.  Sometimes we even order some Teriyaki Chicken(just some awesome chicken on a stick) from our local Chinese Restaurant and have it with this wonderful rice.  The possibilities are endless.

  Bon Appetit!   

 

Mommy Monday - 51 Ways to Bless Your Child

  Being a stay at home and homeschooling mommy, I am rarely away from my children.  My days are filled with the most tender hugs and kisses, sweet little voices that say, "I love you, mommy", lots of cuddles and even occasional smiles from precious little faces when our eyes meet.  These moments are truly treasured and will one day be missed beyond measure.  But, if I am being totally honest, we all know that there is also lots of correcting, discipline, saying the word "NO", and trying to keep my patience.

  I cannot begin to tell you how seriously I take the role of motherhood and like most mothers, I fear failing at it!  I want my children to have old fashioned values, believe in absolutes, respect those that are older, and mostly I want them to have a true "love" relationship with Jesus Christ.  I don't want motherhood to be my job, I want it to be my joy!

  My joys, the past few days, have been spending one on one time with Dawson(7) when we went to the Library together, standing at the pantry and having Gage(11) walk up and wrap his arms around me, and having Macy(9) climb into bed in the early hours of the morning, snuggling up to me, and having her tell me that my hair smells so good.  These moments are priceless!

  Today I am posting a link that gives us 51 ways to bless our children! 

http://rachelmariemartin.blogspot.com/2012/11/51-things-you-can-do-that-will-bless.html

  I pray that your journey of motherhood is also a joy!

24 Muffin Tin/Brownie Pan Recipes

  It's Tasty Tuesday!  After telling someone how busy we've been for the 4000th time, I thought it would be great to share some recipes that you can make in your muffin or brownie pan(Pampered Chef sells the brownie pan).  All of these recipes could be made and then frozen for a quick breakfast, afterschool snack, or even an easy supper with a little salad on the side.

http://www.recipebyphoto.com/24-awesome-muffin-tin-recipes/

Here's to hoping that your week is stress free and you get to spend very little time in the kitchen!

Earth Day

  Today is Earth Day and I am excited to use this day to be thankful for all that God created!  I am also thankful for the compassion that God gave to people, all over the world, to preserve wildlife and our environment.  It reminds me of people like Steve Irwin(the crocodile hunter) and others who work tirelessly to make us aware of what we take for granted each day. 

  Should we care about recycling and saving trees?  Should we care about pollution and all the waste that lays in the landfills?  One last question......when was the last time we read the very first verse of the Bible?  Genesis 1:1 says "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"(just let that soak in a minute).  God loves what He created and he put it here for us to enjoy it's beauty!  I think He wants us to appreciate it and do our best to take care of it!

  Today I want to share a few links to help us celebrate Earth Day and enjoy God's creation!

1)  20 Fun Earth Facts(these are so interesting!)
http://www.momontimeout.com/2012/04/20-fun-earth-facts-for-earth-day/

2)  Great Earth Day Activities for Kids
http://www.mykidsguide.com/great-earth-day-activities-for-kids/

3)  Kids books & websites to celebrate Earth Day
http://www.kcedventures.com/earth-day-2012-books-a-websites

  Happy Earth Day!

When Groceries Go On Sale

  I love a great sale!  I found this great article about how groceries go on sale in predictable cycles.  Well, thank you grocery blogger lady......thank you I say!

http://www.yourownhomestore.com/grocery-sales-cycles/

  I'm sure I will be referring to article often, I might even print this one.  I love to save money! 



  Have a great weekend!

By Faith.....

  Today, instead of talking about myself, I am talking to myself.  I am telling me that I need to have more faith, and this is what I have learned:

  Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

  This same chapter says that by faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God.
  By faith, Abel offered a better sacrifice that Cain.
  By faith, Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death.
  Without faith, it is impossible to please Him.
  By faith Noah, being warned by God, prepared an ark.
  By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed.
  By faith, Sarah received ability to conceive.
  By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac.
  By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.
  By faith Jacob, as he was dying, worshiped!
  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents.
  By faith, he refused to be called the son of Paraoh's daughter.
  By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land.
  By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down.
  By faith, Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient.

  The Bible also tells us that we are saved and justified by faith, we are to walk by faith, and live by faith in the Son.  In 1 Thess 5:8 it says that we are to put on the breastplate of faith.  James tells us that when we pray, we should ask in faith without any doubting. 

  I want the faith of these men and women of the Bible!  And I am excited to tell you that God says, "if you have the faith of a mustard seed....nothing will be impossible to you".

Spring Cleaning Tips

  As I mentioned yesterday, I am starting my spring cleaning.  I am a strange bird when it comes to cleaning as I tend to make things look worse before they look better.  I remember when I was growing up that my mom used to tell me that I tear everything down, then put it all back together.  You can imagine that this would be a little time consuming. 

  I don't really have a strategy when it comes to cleaning, but I have learned that I am a "one room at a time" kinda girl.  I have also learned that because I spend so much time doing dishes and picking up the living room, that when I do spring clean, I like to start at the back of the house first.  Just a change of scenery I guess! 

  I have found lots of great tips on Pinterest and I am determined to try out a few.  I want to try mixing a few drops of essential oil(maybe lavender) with baking soda, sprinkle it over our mattresses, then just vacuum it off after about an hour.  I also want to try the all-natural oven cleaner recipe that I found, instead of using so many chemicals.  I would really love to master washing my pillows and not having them come out looking like the caricature art where they have really big heads and really small bodies!  Wish me luck!

  If you have not yet found your inspiration to start spring cleaning your house(I am having company soon), I am going to post a link that has some great tips to get you started.  And, just in case you were wondering, there is lots more laundry to do!

http://myblessedlife.net/2011/03/10-simple-spring-cleaning-tips.html

  I am off to put that load of towels in the dryer!

Homeschool Balancing Act

  I cannot believe that it has been a week since I wrote a post!  The days have been so long, yet passed so quickly.  We have been in constant motion.  Well, today I have decided to pause and do some therapeutic blogging!

  I know that I have said this before, but when you homeschool, it is impossible to do all things well.  The last few days I have been driven to do some, much needed, spring cleaning.  On days like today, where house cleaning is our main focus, school work is at a bare minimum. 

  In my post last week I mentioned that we like to watch Drive Thru History.  I want to share with you a link where you can watch "all" of the Drive Thru History videos.  You can use them as a supplement to the history curriculum that you already use or you can watch them just for fun.  These videos are biblically based and have even received a Dove Award.  The host is very funny(when appropriate) and my little ones often giggle at his antics.

http://www.itbn.org/search?search=drive+through+history&submit_search=search

  I am going to go start my fifth load of laundry now(just in case y'all thought I was kidding about the title of this blog)!  Today was a perfect day for a little Drive Thru History!

When choosing a curriculum

  I have never regretted my decision to homeschool.  I am so thankful for a wonderful opportunity to teach and train my children in a loving environment.  If you are new to homeschooling or if you have just made the decision to start, it can be a little overwhelming.  Of course, you must pick a curriculum, but there are so many out there to choose from......what is a momma to do?  I am in my sixth year of homeschooling and I will share with you what I think are some great choices for the early years.  I will also share with you some great websites that will actually help in making curriculum choices. 

  When I first started, I was terrified of failing to teach my child how to read and write, but it did not take me long to realize that no one would put in more time, have more patience, or love this child as much as I do.  I did not start with a formal curriculum until each child was 6 years old.  I wanted them to enjoy being little while they could and I knew that many things would be easier for them to understand with more maturity.  I started with Bob Jones Math and Phonics for Kindergarten and only added handwriting to this for 1st grade.  Starting out, I needed the structure of this curriculum to tell me what to do and when to do it.  By grade 2, I had new ideas!  I was much more eclectic and pulled from several different sources.  Now, with a few years under my belt, I use my Bible, a math curriculum, and my library card.  I would consider myself very relaxed, I love the idea of interest led learning, and enjoy discussing books with the kids that we have read aloud.  They do read on their own as well, we also do some copywork, and on a really good day we do nature studies and even watch episodes of Drive thru History.

  The best advice that I could give to a new homeschooler is to do your best to get out of a "classroom" mindset.  You do not have to do math from 9:00 to 9:20, spelling from 10:00 to 10:15, and you do not have to do 4000 worksheets on what you've just learned!  Your child will tell you if they don't understand, then you just go over the material as many times as you need to until they get it.  I would also suggest lots of hands-on activities.  Go outside and put mentos in a bottle of coke, find things in nature that are unique and then look them up on the computer, build a fort, ride bikes together for PE.  The possibilities are endless!

  When mine were younger we loved "Five in a Row".  It gives you the names of books that you can find at your local Library.  You read the chosen book five days in a row(hence the name of the curriculum) and then it gives you several activities to choose from for each day.  My kids loved this!  I also highly recommend Bob Jones, especially for the early grades.  It is very colorful and fun, it is also very effective.  I would also suggest that you read, read, read to your little one!  Read great classic literature like The Tale of Peter Rabbit(by Beatrix Potter) and When We were Young and other Winnie the Pooh classics(by A.A. Milne).  Think of it as an adventure, not a job!

  When looking at curriculum choices, there are a couple of websites that have parent reviews.  These are a great resource to find out how others liked/disliked a curriculum before you spend money on it!  Also, talk to other homeschoolers that you know, go to a curriculum fair in your area, these are great ways to learn more about all the wonderful teaching aides that are at your fingertips.

1)  http://www.cathyduffyreviews.com/

2)  http://homeschoolreviews.com/


  I love my job.......I mean, my adventure!

Love for my children

  I have pondered, so much lately, the love that I have for my children.  I see young mothers with their babies or hear the cries of little ones in the grocery and I go to that place.  It's a small place, I think, but it lives deep in my heart.  It is that place where I can feel the tiny heartbeat of my baby as it sleeps on my chest, I can feel and smell their sweet small breath on my face.  It is a place where their tiny head rests gently in the bend of my arm and their little body fits perfectly in my arms.  It is a place where their small warm hand touches my face and their wet puckered lips kiss my cheek.  This wonderful place is filled with tender hugs, precious smiles and the love of a mother's heart.  

  I love this memorable place and sometimes it even makes me long for another child, but how truly and deeply thankful I am for the three precious children that God gave me!  It is in these times of pondering that the chaos and struggles of life just seem to melt away.  The long days seem too short and the important things rise to the surface.  These are the moments when love shines most brightly.  

  I have always admitted that I am a very sentimental person, I guess this post is proof of that.  I just know that I want these memories, feelings and smells, to be burned in my mind for as long as I live!  I know that I don't want motherhood to be a job with distinct tasks, but instead, I want it to be a joy!  Psalm 4:7 says, "Thou hast put gladness in my heart..." and Psalm 23:5 says, "...my cup runneth over."

  Thank you Lord for the gift of motherhood!

Shredded beef tacos

  I actually sat down and made a menu plan before going to the grocery last week.  I am so proud of myself.  Normally, I don't have very many quiet moments to spend the time on it, but I must say that it is well worth the trouble.  It saves me money at the grocery and it saves me having to come up with meal ideas through the week. 

  This is one of the meals that I have planned for this week:
      http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/slow-cooker-shredded-beef-tacos/

  Enjoy something yummy, it's Tasty Tuesday!

Finally, we are well

  Well, what they say is true!  If one gets sick, they all will get it!  Kind of like, "if you build it, they will come".  We came, we ran fevers, we coughed, we slept and.....we are done!  I am thankful to say that we are all on the mend.  Being sick and puny for 2 1/2 weeks is absolutely no fun.  I have to say that for the 3 days that I held the couch to the floor, my sweet hubby and my littles totally came through!  While hubby picked up necessities from the grocery and dinner from the local fast food, my littles dusted, vacuumed, sorted laundry and even cooked noodles when the troops were starving.  The question is, should I act sick a little more often?

  I really hate being sick.  Mommy isn't supposed to get sick anyway, you know!  I am so glad to be off the couch and to not be in such a fog.  I am also glad that a wonderful, intelligent individual was so inclined to invent "Pinterest"!  Thank you wonderful, intelligent individual!  If you are sick with sore throat, cough and head congestion, have I got a great link for you.  Just click and find out how to make these homemade vicks shower discs.  When you feel yucky, you just toss one of these into the shower with you!  Note to self:  you want to learn more about essential oils.

  http://beingfrugalbychoice.blogspot.com/2012/03/homemade-vicks-vapor-shower-disks.html

  I pray that you all stay well!

30 Ways to Love your Husband

  As I have mentioned before, I adore my husband, love him dearly.  Sometimes, I am so busy being mommy that I forget to be wife.  Today I am sharing, from another blog, some great ways to remind your husband that you love him.  And remember, our husbands were here before our children came, and they will be here when our children have left home.  The relationship between husband and wife should always be cared for and nurtured. 

http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.ca/2012/11/30-ways-to-love-your-husband.html


 

The $5.00 bill savings plan

  The $5.00 bill savings plan.  Has anyone heard about this?  What you do is, anytime you find that you have a $5.00 bill in your possesion, you set it aside instead of spending it.  Save it, somewhere.  Maybe in an envelope in your sock drawer or something, but save it.  Eventually all those $5.00 bills will add up.  Apparently there was a woman who did this and at the end of a year she had saved $12,000.00 - WOW!  I'm guessing she came across a lot more $5.00 bills than I will, but I am going to give my first challenge.  Who's with me?  Join my $5 bill savings plan challenge!  I am going to give it a try and see what happens.

  If $5 is too much, you could also do $1.00 bills!  I am thinking that there has to be a better way to afford a vacation or a more expensive purchase besides putting it on a credit card.  Now only savings $5 at a time may take me a while to save much, but I'm up for it!  By not charging your credit card and accruing interest, you would be making a frugal decision!  By waiting until you have saved, to spend your money, you know that you are not acting on impulse(delayed gratification).  Not buying on impulse is also a great way to be frugal.

  In about six months or so, I will let you know how I've done so far.  Have a great weekend! 

Take up your cross and follow Christ

  I have been listening to the wonderful music of "Selah" this morning and I have been blessed to tears.  It seems as though they pick their songs from the depths of their soul.  I listen to them over and over again, but one particular song has been tugging at my heart strings for some time now.  It is a song about being the heart, hands and voice of Christ.  Going out into a broken world and caring about the souls of others.  

  Matthew 16:25-25 says .....if any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whosoeer will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.

  To me this means that we should not be putting so much time and effort into earthly things, trying always to appease ourselves, but instead putting all that time and effort into following Christ.  What does that look like?  Drinking in His word(read, read, read), kneel in prayer, love others(family, friends, strangers) as you love yourself.  We already do this within our own homes.  We love and care for our spouses and our children with a deep, sacrificial love.  Now just let that extend beyond your four walls.  Prepare a warm meal for someone who is hungry, take clothes or blankets to someone who is cold, pray for those in need.  Care about the soul of another!

  Please click on the link and listen to this beautiful song!  I hope your as touched by it as I am!

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMaKpnKhHDk  

  What are we willing to do, to sacrifice, to follow Christ?  I deeply ponder my answer.  Lord, let your voice be heard through mine, let your love be felt by my giving to others, let the love of your heart shine brightly through me!  I praise His holy name!

Scavenger Hunt

  I have been wanting to do a scavenger hunt with the kids.  I think it would be a great way to get them out in nature and make learning fun.  Well, in my search for just the right hunt, I came across so many great ideas.  Today I'm going to share, what I found, with you!

1) http://www-personal.umich.edu/~espring/personal/drgndrop/scavHunt.html - This is a link for a winter scavenger hunt.

2) http://www.thechocolatemuffintree.com/2012/11/photography-abc-scavenger-hunt.html - Now, I am particularly fond of this idea!  You find things in nature that are shaped like letters in the alphabet and you take a picture of them.  How cute is that and great for littles!

3) http://cleverlyinspired.com/2011/12/scavenger-hunt-for-kids/ - This is a great hunt for older kids(tweens) and even includes clue ideas.

4) http://www.imom.com/tools/seasonal/4th-of-july/usa-scavenger-hunt-game/ - This is awesome!  This scavenger hunt could actually be a part of your American History curriculum.  I think this one is my favorite!

  All of these look like so much fun!  You could do a scavenger hunt with all the kids in your neighborhood, at your child's next birthday party(I have a friend who did this and the kids loved it), you could even do it at your next family gathering with all the cousins.  A great way to get everyone active and involved.

  I know that my kids would love an activity like this, but I truly think that I would enjoy it just as much.  Drag out the field guides, I feel a good scavenger hunt coming on!

A year of crockpotting

  Do you remember how I've said that I don't do all tasks well?  There are days that are better than others and on a really good day I will have washed a few loads of laundry, cleaned and put away the breakfast dishes and will have supper in the crockpot before lunch time.  Now in all honesty, I probably only use my crockpot about 2-3 times per month, but let me say that it is one appliance I have that is grossly underused!  On those really good days, it makes me feel so good to have a large white bowl cooking our dinner with no assistance needed from me.

  With that said I want to tell you about a lady named Stephanie O'Dea!  She is a best selling author, a mom and a blogger.  A few years ago she made a committment to use her crockpot, everyday, for an entire year.......everyday.  Below is the link to all her crockpot recipes.  She also has pics of each recipes, list of ingredients, and she even tells you if her family liked it or not.  So, if you need a night off from the kitchen and you have a crockpot, I say "put that baby to good use"!

http://www.crockpot365.blogspot.com/2007/12/alphabetical-listing-of-recipes.html

Happy Tasty Tuesday y'all!

Taking care of the sick

  My boys have been sick this weekend.  They have been so pitiful.  Even today Gage, my oldest, has been weak as water.  The poor boy was 8 lbs lighter this morning.  I have washed 2 loads of dishes in the dishwasher(could do a third since we just finished supper), putting my third load of clothes in the washing machine and have wiped down every surface possible(with the help of my shadow)!  The girl went to her daddy's building, got a pair of his rubber gloves and the disinfectant wipes and has been wiping stuff down for 2 days now.  Mostly I chuckle at the sight, but the possibility of OCD does cross my mind!  On the bright side, it is nice to have the help.

  Steve helped with supper tonight which was really nice.  On this "Wife & Mommy Monday", even a stomach bug won't keep me from being thankful!  I am so thankful that God gave me some very precious people to love and care for!  I covet your prayers!  Stay well.

  The dryer is calling!

Kids Eat FREE on this Frugal Friday

  Today I'm sharing an awesome list of restaurants where your child can either eat at a discount or for free!  This would be a great way to spend time together with the family, without breaking the bank.  I know that hubby and I don't get a date night very often because in addition to paying for the date, you also have to pay a babysitter.  That can get pretty expensive.  A dinner out with the family is still wonderful to me!  I get to change out of my everyday uniform(my pajamas), put on a little make-up, and I don't have to cook - this is what I call a win/win!  Just click on the link below.

Have a great weekend!  Go out and eat!





Kids Eat FREE – a HUGE List of Restaurants from Coast to Coast!

We Homeschool Wednesday - Nature Study

  Wanted to share this wonderful article on how to start your own Family Adventure Journal.  This would be a great way to include nature studies as well.  Just click on the link below!  I think I'm gonna go explore something!

goexplorenature.com/2012/01/how-to-start-your-own-family-adventure.html

Another Tasty Tuesday

  Today I've got a recipe that has become one of our favorites.  It always leaves leftovers(frugal) and I always make it with ground venison(which is free meat - very frugal).  We have had this several times and it is very yummy!  You could serve it with a little garlic bread or salad - both of these are a big hit at my house as well.  This is a very hearty dish and great for a large family.

 

Classic Baked Ziti

Recipe type: Main

Author: Sara @ Budget Savvy Diva

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 30 mins

Total time: 45 mins

Serves: 8

Comfort food at its best.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 cup onion , chopped
• pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of pepper
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 (32 ounce) jar meatless sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1 (16 ounce) package Ziti pasta , cooked and drained
• 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven at 350
2. In a large skillet – heat oil and cook onions for 8 minutes than add garlic and cook for one minute. Add beef and cook till no longer pink ( drain excess fat).
3. Stir in sauce, chicken broth, pepper, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and oregano. Heat through.
4. Stir 1 cup of sauce into the “cooked” ziti pasta.
5. Place 1/2 of the ziti into a 13×9 baking dish.
6. Place 1 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese
7. Top with rest of sauce.
8. Top with rest of pasta.
9. Cover and bake for 20 minutes.
10. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
11. Cook till cheese is golden browns well.

  I pinned this recipe on Pinterest from a website called budgetsavvydiva.com.  Must give credit where credit is due!

 

  I did omit the two cloves of garlic and the dried oregano leaves when I made this, just because I did not have them on hand, it was still delicious.  Hope you enjoy!

 

Mommy Monday

  I've been thinking a lot lately about the personalities of my children and I wonder if anyone else has a child where your personalities clash?  I do!  For me, it is my middle child, my only daughter.  Some people say that it is because our personalities are so alike, I believe it to be true! 

  Macy is 9 and she is a little girl who knows what she wants.  She is very passionate about the people she loves and enthusiastic about the things she loves to do.  She hates to be idol and loves busy work.  She will gladly fold towels and wash cloths while the boys plop down in front of a movie and just the other day she was begging me to let her iron pillow cases(yes, I'm serious).  She will help me with any task, but will melt down when asked to go and do a task on her own.  This is where, I think, the clashing begins.  Not only is she my precious little girl, she is also my shadow!

  On the days that are filled with chaos and running to and fro, I have literally stepped on my little shadow.  On the days that are filled with frustration and no quiet time, I have fussed at my little shadow.  But today......and everyday......I adore this precious little person who longs to be like her mommy!

  Just this morning I read a great article on the Focus on the Family website and it said to always look for the positives in your child's personality.  So on those chaotic, frustrating, noisy, busy days, I see a child who hugs and kisses her brothers when they are hurt or upset, a child who offers to give her little brother a bath because I have so much to do and who even picks out his pajamas and reminds him to brush his teeth.  She helps with the laundry, the dishes, and can even prepare meals.  This is the child who gets her daddy his house shoes every evening, tells him when he's buying the wrong brand item at the grocery and at the end of the day, climbs in the chair with him as they cover up with her favorite pink blanket.  She is my sweet child, my helper.......my shadow!

  Philippians 4:8  ...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely.......think on these things.

Repurposing

  It's time to be frugal again and today I just wanted to help you with a few ideas on repurposing items that you probably already have in your home.  Instead of throwing so much away, you might just find a new way to use it!

  Let's start with ice trays!  These are great for freezing homemade baby food, giving you just the right portion each time.  You can also use them to freeze fresh herbs.  Just place a few herbs in each hole, cover with water and freeze.  The next time you are making a pot of soup, pull out an ice cube or two and just drop them in!  Ice trays are also great for crafty little ones.  Each compartment could be filled with different paint colors or craft items like beads or buttons for gluing.

  You can also repurpose empty baby food jars.  These could be used for storing small items like screws or safety pins(my hubby also uses empty baby wipe containers for storing items like this in his building).  You could also put labels on them or paint them with chalkboard paint(for labeling) and then fill them with dried herbs or fresh spices.

  You know those canned vegetables that you buy at the grocery?  Wash and paint your empty cans, then fill them with colored pencils, crayons or other like items.  You could also use the cans to grow your fresh herbs in or start your garden early and plant your seedlings.  This would be a great way to involve your kids in some great homeschooling science!

  Lots of ideas on being more frugal, would love to hear your repurposing ideas, I'm sure there are many that I have not thought of!  Leave a comment and share your frugalness!  Have a great weekend!

Happy Valentine's Day

I Carry Your Heart with Me

by E.E.Cummings

I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart) I am never without it (anywhere I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling) I fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) I want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true) and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)

Homeschooling Art Ideas

  I recently came across a great way to make Art fun for my kids!  This is really something that I don't do enough of.  When you homeschool, it is hard to do all tasks well.  If you have a great day of schoolilng, you have let the housekeeping go.  If you have a spotless house, first I am envious, but you have let the schooling go.  Many days, it is hard to find my balance.  Needless to say, Art does get pushed to the bottom of my "must do" list.

  Children need an outlet for their creativity, ways for their little imaginations to just run wild!  And, when you're stuck inside during the cold and rainy days, Art is the answer.  Just click on the link below!  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!


http://artmommie.blogspot.com/2012/03/young-explorers-class_10.html 

Something Yummy

  Well, I totally fell off the blogging boat yesterday!  I was so busy and by the evening exhaustion quickly set in.  It was such a long day that I fed my poor family scrambled eggs and Sister Schubert's rolls for supper - that's pitiful!  But, leading up to that sad little dinner, was a very fun and eventful day.  It started with a 60 mile road trip to get some great curriculum on clearance.  We enjoyed all there was to see, a large part of our drive was along the river, very beautiful!  So many little giggles filled my car yesterday because we also very much enjoyed each other's company.  We were off to Chick-fil-a next for the kiddos, then back to the grocery to pick up a few necessities.  After supper, I had to get hubby's clothes ironed for the next day(yes, I'm an ironer), threw in a load of laundry, loaded the dishwasher and it was nearly time to put little ones to bed - whew!  Today........not much different than yesterday!  I did, however, let the littles plan our meals for the next 3 nights.  This took a huge load off my shoulders and thankfully they are very easy to please.  Gage picked first and it was dirty rice, peas and corn - I can do that!  Macy was next and it was baked chicken, sweet potatoes, green beans and more Sister Schubert's rolls.  Then, it was Dawson's turn......wait for it......$5.oo pizza from Little Ceasar's!  Where did I go wrong?

  Since it is another Tasty Tuesday, I want to share with you how to make a simple compound butter.  This is what I will use on the whole chicken that Macy picked for this week.  All you need is a stick of softened butter(I totally recommend the real stuff) and 2 tablespoons of any combination of herbs and spices that you like.  I also add a little salt and pepper to taste.  Just combine all your ingredients together in one bowl and you now have a compound butter.  There are several things that you can do with it.  With the chicken I will use Pampered Chef Italian Seasoning Mix and some salt and pepper in my butter.  I will gently run my finger in between the flesh and skin of my chicken to seperate and then I will place the butter under the skin and press gently.  I also use some of the butter to rub on the outside of the bird for more flavor, then bake.  

  You can also reform your butter by rolling it up in some plastic wrap and putting it back in the fridge.  This method would be great for a chive butter that could be sliced and then put over a hot cob of corn.  You could even place a pat of this butter on top of a steak, fresh off the grill!  Just the thought of it makes me smile!  Don't be afraid to get creative.

Hope your Tuesday is very Tasty!

Frugal Grocery Shopping

  Buying the cheapest thing on the shelf is not always the best answer to being more frugal.  But, on this Frugal Friday, I want to share a few tips that might help you on your next visit to the grocery store.

  Start with making a list.  This is a must!  Do your best to stick to it(which can be very difficult when you take your littles........GO ALONE!).  It is also a great idea to keep a running list at home, maybe on the fridge, of things as you run out of them.

  Making a weekly menu plan is another great way to be more frugal.  You can plan around items that you already have in your pantry or fridge and possibly buy less on your trip to the market.  Try to plan meals that will leave you with leftovers.  Getting two meals in one, is a great way to stretch your budget.  A great example would be spaghetti, a large pot of soup or chili or maybe using left over chicken from last night to make fajitas tonight.  You could also plan 1 or 2 vegetarian meals per week or meals that could be prepared with little meat(again, spaghetti).  I will also add that clipping coupons is a great way to save, but only if the coupons are for things that you already use.

  Finally, I would just add........"don't go hungry"!  I've done it and it wasn't pretty!  All I can say is that the people that make oreos love me!  And the dairy farmers, the dairy farmers love me too, because who can eat that many oreos without dipping them in milk?  What was I saying?  Oh yeah, don't go hungry!

  Happy Friday!  Have a great weekend!

     

Priorities

  Have you ever just stopped and thought about what your priorities should be?  What should come first?  I can't tell you how often I ponder things like this, probably because mine are so out of order!

  I have recently discovered a blog called "a holy experience" that is written by a lady named Ann Voskamp.  It is so beautifully written, so eloquent.  One of her posts is what she calls her Sanity Manifesto.  It is a list of about 25 rules(for lack of a better word) that she allows to guide her through each day.  It is the first 3 points on the Manifesto that really reached out and grabbed me!

  1)WORD IN - God's word......read it, study it, soak it in!

  2)WORK OUT - Physically, do some exercise!  It will make you more alert, clear your mind, and it's just plain good for ya!

  3)WORK PLAN - Here she talks about our habits and how sometimes we need to give our habits a makeover.

  What a great way to start each day!  And, I have found that if something matters to you, you will make time for it.  If it doesn't, you will make excuses.  So when you lay your head on your pillow and all is quiet, take a moment to think about the things that matter(or should matter) most in your life.  I definitely have some habits in my life that need a drastic makeover!

  So, this is what my new list of priorities will look like:
  1)SPENDING TIME WITH MY LORD!  **What if you made a new friend and you knew that you wanted this friendship to last.  You would make a point of calling your new friend and find ways to spend time with them - lunch, chatting over a cup of coffee, etc.  If you made no effort to contact your friend and he/she did not contact you, you wouldn't end up being very good friends.  It is the same with Jesus!  He wants you to make every effort to spend time with Him(Word In)! 

  Really this is as far as I've gotten, wanna know why?  I let too many other things consume my time and I want to get this one right before I move on to anything else!  I do read my Bible, but what about the days that I oversleep and have to start breakfast for my littles as soon as my feet hit the floor.  I do read my Bible, but what about the mornings that Facebook is more important.  I do read my Bible, but..........do you see one of my habits?  I do spend time with the Lord, but it is not FIRST on my list - this makes me very sad!  How I long to spend more time with my dearest friend!

   

Learning through Literature

  Last year I attended my first Carole Joy Seid seminar.  Her approach to homeschooling is both exciting and proven successful!  She homeschooled her own son who has a master's degree from Wheaton College.  Her method is deeply rooted in rich literature.  Very similar to Charlotte Mason in her approach, she believes in great living books, lots of nature and not rushing your child.  I cannot begin to tell you how captivating she is as a speaker and how confident she is as a veteran homeschooler.  With each seminar, she provides her attendees with her booklists.  These lists alone are worth the price of admission! 

  Many parents begin reading to their children at a very early age.  Carole is telling you to continue doing what your child already loves!  Read them books that grab their heart, books that say something important and make them think.  Read them books that appeal to their imagination!  This.....is the makings of a great "Living Book".

  I have been homeschooling for 6 years now, but this is our first year using this literature based approach.  We are all loving it and I see us using it for many years to come.

  I encourage you to visit her website, CaroleJoySeid.com.  You can watch her videos on healthy eating, listen to small portions of her seminars(which you can also purchase), and while your there take a minute to click on the testimonials and read what others have to say.  You will leave encouraged and inspired!

 

Baked Chicken Fajitas

  Today is Tasty Tuesday so, of course, I'm going to share a yummy recipe!  I've always loved the the concept of breaking bread, fellowship, just gathering around a good meal with people you love.  It's one of the things that gives me much joy!

  I have many fond memories of being in the kitchen with my little momma as she prepared meals or canned vegetables.  I also remember washing a lot of dishes in the sink back then!  My mom and my grandmother before her, were never ones to do much measuring.  Their recipes consisted of "a little bit of this" and "a little more of that".  Needless to say, that's how I learned to cook as well.  This kind of cooking can actually have its benefits.  You can add more of what you do like, omit the things you don't like, and really make a recipe your very own.

  The recipe that I am going to share today, making it my own, is exactly what I did!  I'll explain as I go!  I do want to mention that these were a huge hit at my house!

Baked Chicken Fajitas:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
*I can usually find hormone/steroid free boneless, skinless chicken tenderloin strips at Food City for $1.99/lb!  That is what I used in this recipe!
2 tbsp vegetable oil (I used light olive oil)
1 15oz can diced tomatoes
1 4oz can diced green chilies
*Instead of using either of these, I just used 1 10oz can of mild Ro-tel.
1 medium onion, sliced
1 bell pepper, seeded and sliced (I used green)
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
*In place of chili powder, cumin and oregano, I used several shakes(sorry no measurement) of Southwestern Seasoning mix by Pampered Chef.
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Some salt and pepper to taste

Toss oil, vegetable and spices into a large bowl and stir them together.  Add chicken and toss until well coated.  Put all ingredients into 13X9 pan and bake at 400 degrees for 25-35 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. 

We served these on flour tortillas, very yummy!

  *This is a recipe from SixSistersStuff, which they got from 'Eatin on the Cheap.

Learning from our children

  As a mother, so much of my time is spent in the instruction and discipline of my children.  It is, after all, our job to teach them.  I think so often though, that our children teach us, if we would just sit back and take notice.

  Hubby and I were married almost 9 years before Gage was born.  This gave us plenty of time to develop habits and become very set in our ways.  Now, three children later, I can honestly say that I have learned so much from them.  Have you ever noticed that the world looks much nicer through the eyes of a child.  The colors are brighter!  I have learned to see and appreciate their innocence and I long to preserve it!  I have learned to slow down because children do not get in a hurry.  I have learned to stop and listen to the birds sing and smell the flowers(literally).  Most recently, I even relearned the joy of sledding in the snow, and laughter......lots and lots of laughter!

  Most importantly, I have learned the true meaning of unconditional love.  I now know what was in the heart of my own mother when she gave us a hug, held our hand or mended what we thought was broken.  I have learned that it is with this innocence and pureness of heart that we are to approach the feet of our Lord, Jesus Christ! 

  Don't spend so much time talking that you fail to hear what your children are saying!  God gave them to us as a blessing!


 

Frugal Friday

  It's Friday!  I can't believe this week is already gone.  Before I had children and went off every day to an office job, I can remember being so excited for Friday to come because that meant date night with hubby and time to catch up on laundry and endless television.  Well(with a laugh), those days are long gone!  But, here to stay, are the days of dirty floors and windows, little giggles and more hugs than any mommy could ask for!  Did I mention that there is more laundry now too.  Lots and lots more laundry! 

  These days I look forward to Fridays for much different reasons.  Now, the weekend means that daddy doesn't have to go anywhere and the three littles get to take full advantage of the fact that they all have him wrapped around their fingers.  This is a man who has literally fixed three different things for lunch just to please each child(this wins lots of points with littles)!  The same man who refuses to wear a pink shirt, but lets his daughter paint his toenails pink......with SPARKLES!  He will also watch hours of terrible cartoons at the simple request of the baby(no whining needed).  He has taken the Hunter's Safety Course with our oldest and loves it when they can go hunting or fishing together.  To see him brush his little girl's hair after her bath or put pajamas in the dryer, just so they're warm when the boys get out of the tub.  This is the man I married.  This is the man who loves our children.  And thankfully, this is the man that God sent to make our weekends more special!

  All of this to say:  You don't have to spend a lot of money to have fun!  I have a lot to learn about being more frugal, but here are a few things that we've done so far.  We have done away with satellite tv and gone to Netflix.  We have done away with a home phone because we only use our cell phones.  We don't eat out very much, I do a lot of cooking.  And, I like to use my clothes line whenever possible.  There are also things that I am learning more about that will help us to be more frugal in the future.  Gardening, canning, and growing and drying herbs.  There are so many ways that we can save money.  I want to challenge you, over the next month, to find one way that you can save money!  Then just build on that!  Good luck!