Friday, October 5, 2012

Artsy


1) Skirts or Jeans?
Well since becoming a mom I have lost my figure dramatically and can barely stand anything that is not elastic around my waist so I usually have to go with skirts though they can be a little hard to find at used clothing stores which i swhere I tend to shop to keep cost down.  I love feeling feminine, too.

2) Cats or Dogs?
My husband thinks I am unfeeling or lazy, I am not sure which, but I don't really like animals.  I don't have a close connection with them and frankly I can't read their moods so I am almost always a little scared of them no matter how "friendly" they seem to be.  I associate dogs with too much work (pick up poop, walking them, training them etc.), but I did have a cat that I dearly loved so if I had to choose- cat.  I love how they can just sleep any where and make you feel warm and peaceful.  

3) Cows or Horses?
Oh dear, another animal question.  Again I am EXTRA afraid of horses ("superman" was nearly killed by one for goodness sakes, what does that tell you?)  Cows seem much more useful in that they provide beef and milk so cows is my final answer.  Though horses look very beautiful and majestic from a distance.

4) Wood floors or Carpet?
I love the look of wood floors, but since becoming a mom running a vacuum cleaner over things and hiding them in shaggy brown carpet is a whole lot easier than sweeping every 10 min.  Our hard wood floors are sadly taking a beating from toys, kids furniture, and markers.  I think I have to prefer carpet at this time in my life.

5) Rain or Sun?
Well I live in Salem, Oregon where it rains quite frequently, which I did not realize before I moved here.  I have grown to love it to an extent and it gives me an extra excuse to continue in my comfortable introverted ways.  Though as soon as the sun comes out you usually will find me reading outside under the trees or having a picnic with my girls.   

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Domestic


According to dictionary.com
Definition of Domestic-
1.
of or pertaining to the home, the household, household affairs, or the family: domestic pleasures.
2.
devoted to home life or household affairs.
When I was thinking of linking up on the Domestically Divine Tuesdays I wasn't sure if anything I contributed was under the definition of "domestic" so I had to look it.  I LOVE being at home and doing homey things (not homie rap-friend or gangsta but, you know, comfy things). 



Since we are not rich monetarily and I am not ACTUALLY gifted in decorating I keep things simple and everything is from something someone has given me or the dollar store.  This picture is really dark but here is my kitchen window.  Yes, it is dirty.  Yes, it is tacky and simple, but that is me.  I don't want to have to worry about my kids breaking something expensive.  The apple candles were from a neighbor.  I am really into the Scentsy right now too.  I can't wait for my fall scents to come.  

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Colossians Bible Study


I am trying to limit myself to one post a day at most so I promise no more today because this is pushing the limit, but I just wanted to remind myself and promote Good Morning Girls just in case I have a reader or two ;-).  We are studying Colossians and I am so excited every morning to wake up and read what God has in store for me!




Thanks for Giving Me a New Reading List- Like I Need One






From Far Above Rubies there is a new book list for me to add to my ever growing books I want to read.  I haven't read much on marriage, parenting, or a whole lot of nonfiction so this is where I will start.  I have to be honest and say I have never read any of these books but I have read many a review on them (especially concerning the first one).  Here is to another challenge- reviews will most likely be posted on Owloysius Girls or Good Reads.  The first book is Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl.  Oh!  I can't wait for the controversial topics. 


Thursday, September 20, 2012

School Fun for All Ages

 This is our first year with someone in school!  It has been pretty exciting around here.  Hermione has started Kindergarten at Aumsville Elementary.  She is having fun learning and meeting new friends.  She can sometimes be hard to wake up so early in the morning, but we (which mom has had to work on too) are getting into the swing of things.  Mom gets up at 5:30 to get at least half an hour alone to do Bible study with Good Morning Girls, then wake up Lucy and nurse her while listening to a sermon or Focus on the Family, wake up the other 2 around 6:40, and start breakfast.  I have been learning to make it simple.  We either have eggs and toast or oatmeal.  We get dressed, brush hair, find shoes and sweaters, and pack up.  Goal is to be out the door by 7:30. 
Hermione doesn't talk much about school, but she seems to enjoy it.  She can write her name if you tell her the letters to write, which I find pretty impressive in itself since her name is so long.  We practice at home and the thing we are focusing on is making sure we start as far to the left as possible so we have plenty of room to write.  She is expressed a great interest in letters and she enjoys The Berenstain Bears books and Hello Kitty accessories.  We have made a deal to pick at least one favorite thing at school to tell me about at the end of the day.  She usually says recess, crafts, or coloring.  We have had a lot of fun singing "I Love My Blue Shoes" from the Pete the Cat book.  
 Ariana, along with Hermione, are working on the program Little Hands to Heaven.  Some days are great and some days are just too silly and some days everyone is a little too tired.  The time it takes to do everything for the day's lesson always seems just right.  I have set up file folders for all the crafts and paper work.  It keeps thing so much more organized.  Since the program basically focuses on one letter a week I have added a couple things.  On Monday we pick snacks that go along with our letter ex. B= bananas, brownies etc.  This week we are working on D so we have been eating WAY too many donuts and Doritos.  There aren't a whole lot of healthy foods that start with D (hehehehe).  We also pick extra literature to read with the letter of the week which we get most of our suggestions from Letter of the Week
 


Ariana is so much fun when she isn't over tired and frustrated.  She can also be very whiny so I have had to use a new discipline plan I read about in 123 Magic.  She is responding well.  But I love teaching this little girl.  She knows what she likes and loves to recognize the letter A especially since it is the first letter in her name.  She has started Cubbies just yesterday so she is surrounded by much spiritual training this year.  These pictures are from our last summery thing before it started cooling down- fountains at Riverfront Park.  Ariana's favorite things are anything fashion related, ponies, the color purple, coloring, and painting.  She has also made me take back something that I thought my kids would never do- color on the walls.  




Lucy- she has a lot of explaining to do.  She is 9 months old and so tiny for her age.  At almost 16 pounds she can sit up and army crawl where ever she wants to go.  She wants mom pretty much 24/7 and almost always smiles for the camera.  We love her!  She is just too cute except for when she doesn't want to take a nap.  As for school, she has finally warmed up to the idea of being read to.  We use the Brightly Beaming Baby Lessons so we read a lot.  We rock back and forth to Love You Forever and can't get enough of Are You My Mother? 




We can't wait to tell you more about what we are learning and doing.  Right now I am currently involved in teaching 2s and 3s Sunday School class and on Women's Ministry Committee.  Next school year I hope to homeschool full time so all encouragement and prayers are greatly accepted.  Jeremiah 29:11-  "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Friday, August 3, 2012

Stumped and Slumped

Lately I have not been able to finish reading a book (at least not one in the adult section of the library).  I have even been having difficulty starting books.  This truly bothers me because I LOVE to read.  I think it is a mixture of things right now.  First of all I have a baby.  She is seven almost eight months old.  She is sitting up now though she is still spitting up a couple times a day.  She certainly loves her mama.  I am holding her now and typing one handed.  This little cutie has made reading very difficult.  I usually read AT LEAST 30 min every day but with the one particularly needy child it has been hard to carve out this time.

Secondly, I have just discovered Heart of Dakota.  I have been debating whether to homeschool my girls on and off for awhile now.  Financially, even with all the "free" homeschool help, we just knew it was not possible.  But God has truly blessed us with better finances though we are not monetarily rich, we are in a much better place.  Heart of Dakota is budget friendly AND not confusing or time consuming.  It looks AMAZING and I can't wait to get started.  I have to order every piece one at a time, which is about one book or resource a week and I am getting impatient to start.  So every time I get a chance to read I end up looking through the catalog to see what I am able to order the next week.  I am getting so excited about teaching!

Thirdly, I usually make a book list and I have really been convicted of reading junky things.  I can usually read my way through some crazy stuff, but I am getting older.  I just want to read good books now.  I hope I can find them because many of the "classics" are not cutting it.  Here is to hoping I will fall in love with reading again soon. 

Friday, June 15, 2012

I Am (Sometimes) the Overwhelmed Mom

I aim to do a lot more than I should, and that is why I am overwhelmed.  I have tried schedules, lists, chore charts, and work books etc.  It is an endless cycle.  I feel like I am walking on a treadmill.  I am constantly moving but not getting any where. 

Getting the Children to Help
My oldest is 4 (Hermione).  She is actually very helpful these days.  She will get cereal for the baby and towels for all the spit up and has an attention span long enough to finish cookie recipes.  I recently bought her a responsibility chart which was going very strongly for the first two days now we have already been slacking off.  Please, LORD, help ME be disciplined enough to keep up with the day to day things that need to get done.  See how this doesn't help an overwhelmed mom very much the weight is again put on my shoulders.  Ariana (2) is slowly learning.  We changed things up at home recently that has her in tears almost every day.  I want us all to be dressed for breakfast and they want to be in pjs.  I want to change this around because of all the appointments we seem to have (especially in the morning).  We have daily battles right now, again, another overwhelming thing to deal with.  The baby has reflux and obviously can not help except to make cute faces, which do brighten my day.  In the long run, I know all the overwhelming stuff can't compare to the joy of teaching every day lessons and learning to work together and instructing in righteousness.

Let my yes be yes and my no- no.
Usually not a big problem, but Hermione is a good negotiator and sometimes I actually have to be flexible on this because she can often come up with something more important that needs to be done that mommy forgets about.  I don't love to see my children cry.  I hope I am doing the right things.  Right now I am battling the television.  I praise God that we do not have cable or any tv channels at all.


Stop excusing your child's inappropriate behavior
I guess I don't know how this helps with not being overwhelmed.  What am I SUPPOSE to do when my daughter won't say anything to her teachers or people who are passing her at church?  Stop right there and discipline or instruct (talk about super overwhelming)?


Ask Others for Help
This I do not think I have a problem with.  I am not afraid (any more) to ask for help though sometimes I don't know the right people to ask.  My neighbor has definitely been one of the most helpful with last minute baby-sitting and bringing over coffee when I have run out.  I am not above anyone in asking for help.

Me Time
Ahh...the ultimate balance in life.  I never know if I am just plain lazy or do I really need all this me time.  Take last night for example.  We had spent the day making some cookies and Lucy was having a very rough reflux day (a lot more spit up than usual).  The kitchen was a mess but it was beautiful outside.  My husband was not home.  I just heated up a can of chili, plopped in their bowls, let them watch T.V., bathed, and read to them and sent them to bed.  It was almost 10 o'clock by the time I got this all done.  Now do I go clean the kitchen?  spend time with my husband?  take a me time bath and read for fun?  I chose the last one.  And now my kitchen is still a mess and my husband and I spent time watching a couple shows he likes.  I didn't get to bed till 12:07am.  Now was that right?  Should I just clean the kitchen and go straight to bed?  I just have so much guilt over "me time".

Well that is me-  one overwhelmed momI pray that I can become more disciplined so my children will follow suit.

These tips were given from Far Above Rubies.  I was just giving my responses to feelings to the list.  




  

End the Chapter

  Dear Reader, I don't think I have ever been more angry, embarrassed, disappointed, and ashamed.  We are at the end of the chapter.  We...