Oh, life... you get in the way.

It has been nearly a MONTH since I wrote in this space.
Do you ever feel like you really have nothing to say?
Like nothing is new or different under the sun?
The last month or so has left me
 -BUSY
         (homeschooling, violin lessons, bible studies, church activities)
 -BLESSED
         (God is pressing more and more on my heart every day that I am so very blessed with a wonderful family as well as amazing Christian friends and the ability to study and grow in his word)
 -TRAVELING
         (Jimmy's grandma passed and we took a week to trek to Milwaukee and stay a weekend in Pierre for a wedding)
 -TEACHING
         (Homeschooling is wonderful and exhausting at the same time.  Sometimes it feels as though it gets in the way of life - and sometimes it feels like life gets in the way of our homeschooling.  Perspective.)
 -LEADING
         (Began co-leading Shepherding a Child's Heart as a small group at church.  I am being shown SO much.  I hope it is blessing the other mommies as much.  We will change the world if we can apply these principles.  More on that in a future post.  It greatly deserves it's own.)
 -LEARNING
         (My BSF study is amazing.  Every week.  So timely.  God is showing my parts of the Bible (Matthew - which I have read many times) that are so convicting to me.  Definitely provoking change.  Also helping Arabella to trust others and be comfortable when mom isn't in sight!)
 -CREATING
         (I've been making baby gifts for friends and costumes for Lexi and clothing for Arabella.  Feels good to be creating again.  I long to make more time to create.)
 - MOSTLY JUST TAKING CARE OF ME AND MY OWN
         (My family is my first ministry.  My husband.  My kids.  First, my God.  If I don't have the time to devote to those three - nothing else should get any time.)

I haven't even wanted to read blogs.  When I say that, it may not mean much in your life - but I LOVE reading other blogs.  I love seeing how people create and what their family dynamic is.  I am quite partial to those who love God, love to live simply, love to create, love to garden....

What are your favorite blogs to read?

I'll leave you with a little "quack,quack,quack" from the bathtub!

Discipline?

What "style" do you use for discipline?

My husband is a gigantic fan of Love and Logic.  Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood: Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years 

I was having a hard time with the cheese-factor of it.

I was searching yesterday for something more biblical.

I came accross Creative Correction.  So far, without actually having the book, I like what I've read.

Confessions of a Homeschooler has a printable - fillable chart you can put on your fridge. 

Anyone already use this as a guideline for discipline????

Little Leaps Day 1

Click the pic above to see today's challenge!
It is a great little way to show you care.
I will DEFINITELY be doing it for all THREE of the ones I love  :)

Breakfast???

I need help!

My boy is turning 11 next month.
Suddenly, he doesn't eat breakfast.
He says he's not hungry.  Nothing sounds good.
We homeschool, so he doesn't need to eat rught away.
I'm thinking some sort of high nutrition "snack" or "shake".
I offered my homemade granola bars, but  he really isn't interested in eating.

????

Ideally, I'd find something not too high in sugars.  Mainly natual if possible.  Not to expensive per serving. 

Here's some internet options....















Any opinions?  Ideas???

Packing up AGAIN....

So, we are once again packing up to go camping for the night.
It's a LOT of work for just one night, and I'd MUCH rather stay home in my cozy bed and start working on that LONG list of things to do before school starts.
BUT, the kids are SO excited.
We'll be back tomorrow afternoon. 
Thought I'd leave you with some of the pictures from last week's excursion.

Here is BOY helping me put the tent up :)   He'll be an expert in 30 years when he has his own kids.

Here's GIRL playing on the playground at the campground.  (YES, we are in a campground - none of us would ACTUALLY brave the wilderness!)  Not a care in the world.

Building a fire is a FAMILY event.  Those inchlong sticks allover the ground REALLY helped cook their smores!

Even RILEY got to share in the hot dog roast.

See you tomorrow after freezing my butt off camping, grilling, and hiking. 

Introducing.... ME, MYSELF, and I

Hello! Hi! Hola!
I've been thinking about the beginnings of a blog for quite along time now.
Do I really have anything worth reading??? Would anyone care about what I have to say??? Am I boring? crazy? silly? Well, I finally decided to jump in - just as everyone ELSE in the world....

Here we are:

First and formost, we are Christians. My husband is Teacher, his students are 5th graders. BOY is a baseball and bass guitar playing 5th grader. GIRL is a princess all around hoping to begin ice skating lessons as well as 1st grade. We recently moved back to my childhood city to be near my awesome family.

I just began a daycare.... well, I kind of inherited it from GRANDMA. I love coffee, the OFFICE, and finding GREAT bargains :) I look forward to getting to know all of you!