Monday, March 31, 2014
Extra-curricular Activities In Homeschool
Thursday, March 27, 2014
~A Typical Day~
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
~Why We Had Another One: Our Story~
We're not completely sold on that idea at this point. But I don't regret all the decisions we made to bring us to where we are now.
Would I have done things differently, now that I can look back? Yes, I probably would.
But who's to say what we would have done. Hindsight is always 20/20.
. She brings joy to our hearts. She brings smiles to the kids' faces. She is one of us :)
Saturday, March 22, 2014
~Why Health is Really Just One Decision At a Time & a FUN FOOD Post Round Up~
one small step at a time. Don't quit!
~SOCIAL MEDIA SUNDAY!!! LINK-UP~

<div align="center"><a href="http://fromabcstoacts.com/" title="From ABC's to ACT's"><img src="http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y311/abcstoacts/SMS225_zpsb70454fc.jpg" alt="Social Media Sunday-From ABC's to ACT's" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
It's that time again friends! Time for another Social Media Sunday!
Natasha @ Epic Mommy Adventures
Penny @ The Real Housewife of Caroline County
Ruby @ Slightly Hippie Housewife of Suburbia
Rachael @ Diamonds in the Rough
Would you like to guest host?
Just fill out this form and Amber will email you to get you scheduled!
As you know Social Media Sundays are a place for you to connect with other bloggers in as many ways as possible, since meeting other bloggers and making new friends is one of the best parts of this online world!
The rules are simple!
Follow your hosts and guest hosts and leave a comment letting us know so that we can follow you back.
Grab the button and spread the word, the more the merrier!
Get to hopping! Check out your fellow bloggers and make a new friend or two!
Most importantly, have FUN!
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
~Nourishing Brown Rice Pudding~
Friday, March 14, 2014
~"Your Marriage is Worth Fighting For" & a Marriage Post Round Up~
I certainly was feeling justified in my anger.
The frustration had been welling up in me for so long: I couldn't understand how he couldn't understand MY point of view! My points, that I had always believed, that were 100% correct!
He withdrew his emotions for the duration of the evening. Only spoke when he had to.
Later, the kids retire and off to bed. Then the back & forth banter continues.
Once the tears are spent, I now face myself in the mirror. Why Lord? Why can't he see MY way?!
The situation above may happen every once in a while . For others, it could be a daily occurrence.
However, don't think this is a new 'phenomenon'!
I am convinced that ever since Adam & Eve first sinned, the potential for strife between ANY two people has been there. Especially a relationship that is as intimate, as marriage is.
*For interest's sake, and if you don't believe me, you should read this author's take on famed Martin Luther's marriage to Katherine (former nun)--> Marriage As a School of Character
Let me finish the above 'squabble' lest you think that my hubby & I are still in the 'dog house' with one another!!!
First the emotions subside, and the conviction begins...over the years we've both learned the 'art' of reaching out to the other. His fav way to connect with me is through laughter: all he has to do is get me to crack a smile & I'm toast to 'winning' my argument! It reminds me of how my father used to do the very same thing when I was a little girl (having a fit over some thing or another). Yes, it always works :)
If hubby doesn't feel up to that, usually by this point I'll have had some time to think or pray. Then I (usually) approach him asking if we can talk. He is (most of the time) all too eager to make amends about whatever the issue was...most of them seem small. Insignificant. Petty. At least when reflected upon later.
Then, as married people all know, it's time to make up & move on!
If you don't, then quite frankly, the 'walls' will continue to build up & up... becoming all that much harder to break down later.
~A Marriage Reminder for Today~
Marriage is a covenant,
Between two people who have been brought together by love.
They may not FEEL that love all the time,
Nonetheless, it is a CHOICE to honor God & that other person.
It is a choice that is NOT always easy,
However, the Lord will give us strength to fulfill our commitment,
And to find JOY in the journey!
Marriage Post Round Up; did you miss any of these inspiring posts?
Learning Through Our Mistakes (& it's all about doing the growing TOGETHER!)
"Frugal & Fancy" (touching on the financial side of things)
Messy Marriage (why it's REALLY worth fighting through the 'hard' stuff)
Boy Meets Girl (single mom with 2 kids finds second chance love...yes, that's me!)
Grateful for My Hubby (from "Yes They Are All Ours") & A Marriage Post Link-Up
Thursday, March 13, 2014
~"Savor The Moment" & a Parenting Post Round-Up~
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
~When Parenting Gets Very, Very "Hard"~
~Josh McDowell
~Are you focusing on building supportive (and healthy) relationships?
~Are you having ANY time without the children?
~How about taking care of yourself physically?
~Who can you run these issues by?
― Lisa Wingate
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Lean Turkey & Veggie Quinoa Sauté!!!
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Vive La Difference! Boys Vs. Girls
Today, I want to share a new TOP TEN LIST. Ten ways I have found raising girls & boys poles apart. Ten observations I've personally made. Some will sound serious. Some tongue in cheek. And even though I do indeedy know that there is a wide spectrum of males & females (my sister & I are like night & day; so different yet both created unique & special!) I cannot get over how much I find solace in those oh-so frustrating moments (Boys! Boys! Will you stop climbing the furniture...nope, I already said no 'cops/robbers' today. Quiet Mommy said...quiet....) that I am not alone. Far from it. I enjoy reading other bloggers who share their fun & challenging moments with boys & girls alike. One is not better to raise than the other. One's attributes are not superior. Far from it...but one may present a teeny-tiny bit more of a challenge to an unsuspecting mother who has not been exposed to the strong testosterone drive of males. One may 'feel' more frustrating at times simply due to the sheer way it can wear you out :)
And here goes....
~top ten differences I've found in raising dem boys~
- Mama, your boys will like to play & play some more! The more activity the better...gym time is NOT an option. Neither is going outdoors. A ball will make a great first toy. The association with playing, or watching, a ball flinging around may continue as a life-long obsession (& why is TSN so popular we ask?!).
- Mom, you may find, that from birth onward boys are not as verbal as girls. Girls may coo earlier. However, boys may make up for this by starting to roll over faster... they tend to be have stronger gross motor skills. Girls may talk & talk some more....some in our home don't EVER stop!!! Boys, on the other hand, tend to want to climb things...I swear this starts in the womb, so be ready...
- Boys are not satisfied unless they use their creativity. And creativity for them equals mess. Mess is okay, but I still get antsy when the house looks like a cyclone went through it... We've compromised and moved to the country side...lots of room for mess outside!
- Creating forts are normal 'family furniture' play. Forts will be made at leisure ~whenever we are bored or have friends over~. We like to conquer & play 'kingdoms'. Boys love to be the 'king of the castle'. Princesses have to watch out as they are usually seen as 'fair game' to be 'rescued'. I tell my eldest daughter to stay away if she doesn't want to participate..
- Body noises are not rude Mom. They're funny. So is body noise talk. End of story.
- Mom, we enjoy watching you cringe when we do/say something 'gross'. It is not gross to us, but oh so fun to watch everyone's reaction. Sisters' reactions are included in this!
- Food is more fun when we use our hands to play in it. We can eat civilized of course, but this may not happen until at a much later age than with your girls. For some boys it may not ever happen. That is okay too....(just ask the Mama here who still tries to sing the 'we are not barn yard animals' song to her tweens)
- Don't 'overtalk' to us (we call it nagging, lecturing, or going on & on) We can only listen to you for so long. Short increments. It works for all children, but for some reason seems to work even better for all males....
- As I was writing this blog entry, my eldest came up to tell me his 'army barrack/fort' was complete. And now the play guns come out...I am not joking. Nerf guns abound in this house. I WAS that Mom that said no guns, and no violence. No wrestling period. They didn't agree & they did it anyway when I wasn't looking. Wrestling & shooting with their Dad's full approval.... Before I supplied them the harmless Nerf variety, guns were made out of: food items, toys, sticks, pieces of garbage...anything! My friends up north think we are a little bound up. They regularly let their kids go hunting. I have had to re-think this area. For the most part boys will find ways to make guns. Research this. Don't always believe modern pop culture parenting mags. They only trend for so long...
- Boys can be taught to be gentlemanly too. They can be mannerly, well-behaved & enjoy a fun time out without acting like wild stallions. However, the 'suit & tie' will come off when they're ready to relax. For the most part boys like to dress up for only short periods of time (some for like a nano-second!) & are not into 'primping up' like their sisters may be. I just ask 'no holes' in the clothes. No stains. And please try to comb your hair. It works, oh about 50% of the time ;)
