The winner is...Leat! Congrats!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Molly's Money-Saving Digest January 2010 Review
Do you know Molly? I know several that want to be Molly, myself included! I have just found something, that while it can't help me be Molly, it can help get me closer. :)
Molly, if you haven't heard of her, is a wonderful Organizer, Evaluator, and Prioritizer. She has wonderful ideas to make your life simpler and more organized. Now, if you know me in real life you know I need all the help I can get! I really think Molly could do that for me.
Molly is from the Econobusters. They have a website that is so much fun to look around because it is packed with great information. It's pretty too! I'm sorry, I should have said, "It is visually stimulating." There I have sounded official. lol
Molly has ebooks that are put out by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. They are chalk full of information and useful tidbits. But it's not too intimidating like a full 300 page book on organizing. That would completely overwhelm me. It's like Molly knows that I need to take baby steps then she shows them to me, points me in the right direction, encourages me to get started, and helps me to keep going.
Each book is split into chapters. The January edition has wonderful chapters such as Molly's Minute, Begin with the Basics (speaks to my heart), On Sale This Month (seriously love this one), Tips and Tools for Organization (should read this many times), Feather Your Nest Frugally (husband approved), In the Kitchen With Molly (always good to have new recipes and tips), Kids' Corner (to keep them entertained long enough for me to drink my coffee), a monthly feature, letters written in to Molly, and then....drum roll please...a Directory of Links.
Yeah, that's what I said. All that AND a Directory of Links. And, and, and, what's even better is that the links are divided up by chapter! Woohoo! So you are reading away on a chapter and you are inspired, which you will be, so you go to the Directory of Links and you find the chapter you are on and viola! there are all your links. Way too cool!
I haven't even included the charts. There is a Family Budget, To Do List (that is just too cute), and Family Clothing Inventory (that we will be using in a few weeks). These are seriously great tools to have. In the kitchen chapter you get recipes, but you also get a menu plan and a SHOPPING LIST for the menu plan. Seriously! How cool is that? The Kid's Corner has a checkbook ledger and checks to help teach them to manage their own money.
I could go on and on, but I won't. I encourage everyone to check out these ebooks, they are great. You can get them at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine website or Econobusters.
Try Molly you'll get hooked, too!
You can buy them here.
Molly, if you haven't heard of her, is a wonderful Organizer, Evaluator, and Prioritizer. She has wonderful ideas to make your life simpler and more organized. Now, if you know me in real life you know I need all the help I can get! I really think Molly could do that for me.
Molly is from the Econobusters. They have a website that is so much fun to look around because it is packed with great information. It's pretty too! I'm sorry, I should have said, "It is visually stimulating." There I have sounded official. lol
Molly has ebooks that are put out by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. They are chalk full of information and useful tidbits. But it's not too intimidating like a full 300 page book on organizing. That would completely overwhelm me. It's like Molly knows that I need to take baby steps then she shows them to me, points me in the right direction, encourages me to get started, and helps me to keep going.
Each book is split into chapters. The January edition has wonderful chapters such as Molly's Minute, Begin with the Basics (speaks to my heart), On Sale This Month (seriously love this one), Tips and Tools for Organization (should read this many times), Feather Your Nest Frugally (husband approved), In the Kitchen With Molly (always good to have new recipes and tips), Kids' Corner (to keep them entertained long enough for me to drink my coffee), a monthly feature, letters written in to Molly, and then....drum roll please...a Directory of Links.
Yeah, that's what I said. All that AND a Directory of Links. And, and, and, what's even better is that the links are divided up by chapter! Woohoo! So you are reading away on a chapter and you are inspired, which you will be, so you go to the Directory of Links and you find the chapter you are on and viola! there are all your links. Way too cool!
I haven't even included the charts. There is a Family Budget, To Do List (that is just too cute), and Family Clothing Inventory (that we will be using in a few weeks). These are seriously great tools to have. In the kitchen chapter you get recipes, but you also get a menu plan and a SHOPPING LIST for the menu plan. Seriously! How cool is that? The Kid's Corner has a checkbook ledger and checks to help teach them to manage their own money.
I could go on and on, but I won't. I encourage everyone to check out these ebooks, they are great. You can get them at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine website or Econobusters.
Try Molly you'll get hooked, too!
You can buy them here.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Help, Lord, I'm Getting Ready to Start Homeschooling My High Schooler! Review
It's everywhere! Really, it is. You may not know it because you aren't looking for it yet; but, it 's there. I only started noticing it a few months ago because some ladies in my homeschool group were talking about it. I started wondering if I should be thinking about it too. hmmm Na, I would think about that later. I have plenty of time.
Ahem, I'm thinking about it now! What, you wonder has all this attention of mine? Homeschooling High School. I have to admit, I wasn't too concerned about it before this year. Of course, I didn't think too much about it either. lol But, the more I hear the mom's around me talk about it and the more I see in magazine's and online, I am starting to get a little concerned.
My main questions are Can I really do this? and Will I mess their education up completely if I do? Nothing too monumental, right? Haha
So, I started listening. And listening. I was hearing some good ideas and information and even some stories that helped a little. But, they were mostly families just like us or at least very similar to us (in some ways!) and I was desperate to hear some different real life stories that I could draw from to create a big picture for myself. I wanted to hear stories of people who school differently and hear that they succeeded. I wanted to know that their kids went on to lead successful lives in their chose professions. But, beyond that I wanted to know that they became successful people.
I found what I was looking for. Now, this ebook is not a How-To. It is not a fill in the blank and come out with a plan. I would like that also, though! This book is a compiliation real-life stories of families that made it. They did it in ways that worked for their families and children and they succeeded.
For each story you get to hear a little background on the family, and there are all kinds of families in there! You hear their story and where they are coming from. Then you get to hear some of their journey. Every story is real and relatable. Like Kelly Rottenberry stating, "It has been a few years since I homeschooled high schoolers, but I remember it vividly. They are years that I wouldn't trade for anything despite the challenges that came with them." That gets me excited! That makes me anticipate it more. I can so relate to some of the situations with her children. It helps to see that they turned out alright, maybe mine will too!
There are so many wonderful stories that encouraged me. Honestly, I will read them often and can't recommend this book enough. Like I said, it is not a How-To book, it is more like sitting with a friend drinking a cup of coffee and being encouraged. There are thirteen different authors/stories, each one wonderful. The introduction by Amanda Bennett and the Epilogue by Deborah Wuehler are great in and of themselves- just little nuggets of truth and encouragement for the journey.
As if that wasn't enough, there is an Author's Recommended Resources section. Wow! Talk about a wealth of information. Between book recommendations, websites, Scripture references, transcript helps links...I could go on and on with what is included. But I think you should get it for yourself and see what I'm talking about. :-)
I highly recommend this ebook from The Old Schoolhouse. It is a tool to have in your arsenal for when you are doubting whether you can do it or not. Buy it and be encouraged.
Ahem, I'm thinking about it now! What, you wonder has all this attention of mine? Homeschooling High School. I have to admit, I wasn't too concerned about it before this year. Of course, I didn't think too much about it either. lol But, the more I hear the mom's around me talk about it and the more I see in magazine's and online, I am starting to get a little concerned.
My main questions are Can I really do this? and Will I mess their education up completely if I do? Nothing too monumental, right? Haha
So, I started listening. And listening. I was hearing some good ideas and information and even some stories that helped a little. But, they were mostly families just like us or at least very similar to us (in some ways!) and I was desperate to hear some different real life stories that I could draw from to create a big picture for myself. I wanted to hear stories of people who school differently and hear that they succeeded. I wanted to know that their kids went on to lead successful lives in their chose professions. But, beyond that I wanted to know that they became successful people.
I found what I was looking for. Now, this ebook is not a How-To. It is not a fill in the blank and come out with a plan. I would like that also, though! This book is a compiliation real-life stories of families that made it. They did it in ways that worked for their families and children and they succeeded.
For each story you get to hear a little background on the family, and there are all kinds of families in there! You hear their story and where they are coming from. Then you get to hear some of their journey. Every story is real and relatable. Like Kelly Rottenberry stating, "It has been a few years since I homeschooled high schoolers, but I remember it vividly. They are years that I wouldn't trade for anything despite the challenges that came with them." That gets me excited! That makes me anticipate it more. I can so relate to some of the situations with her children. It helps to see that they turned out alright, maybe mine will too!
There are so many wonderful stories that encouraged me. Honestly, I will read them often and can't recommend this book enough. Like I said, it is not a How-To book, it is more like sitting with a friend drinking a cup of coffee and being encouraged. There are thirteen different authors/stories, each one wonderful. The introduction by Amanda Bennett and the Epilogue by Deborah Wuehler are great in and of themselves- just little nuggets of truth and encouragement for the journey.
As if that wasn't enough, there is an Author's Recommended Resources section. Wow! Talk about a wealth of information. Between book recommendations, websites, Scripture references, transcript helps links...I could go on and on with what is included. But I think you should get it for yourself and see what I'm talking about. :-)
I highly recommend this ebook from The Old Schoolhouse. It is a tool to have in your arsenal for when you are doubting whether you can do it or not. Buy it and be encouraged.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
This Little Prayer of MIne Blog Tour
This Little Prayer of Mine
by Anthony DeStefano
illustrated by Mark Elliott
Author Anthony DeStefano’s adult books, The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven, have sold a quarter-million copies. Illustrator Mark Elliott’s cherished artwork has appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s ever-popular Princess Tales series.
Now, these acclaimed inspirational experts have come together to create This Little Prayer of Mine, a beautiful and alluring book designed to guide children into a very simple, real and expressive relationship with God.
Through engaging rhymes and alluring illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine shows children—and their parents and grandparents—that complete dependence on God is what brings peace and fulfillment. It invites children to know and believe that God is always just a simple prayer away and that He longs to respond to them with a resounding, “Yes!”
This Little Prayer of Mine appeals to readers from all different faiths. Easy-reader format allows children to read alone, or with someone older, and encourages them to openly express their fears, thanks, and needs directly to God.
Could this book be any sweeter? The artwork is just adorable and poignant. The faces on these little kids are absolutely adorable. The situations in some of the pictures are funny and so relatable. This is a hardback book and the pages are thicker and would seem to be more durable for multiple readings.
The prayer is simple. It is beautiful and just what a kid might think. No need for flowery words and deep theological stuff, you can get to the heart of God with the simplicity of children. This book has done that. My children read it and they all commented at different times throughout the book, "I have felt like that" or "Oh, I know what they mean". The prayer deals with the stuff that kids are going through and turns them into a prayer of comfort, praise, and a cry for help.
The last lines of the prayer made me cry. They are:
"There's really just one other thing I'd like to ask again.
Please love me God, forevermore.
That's all I want.
Amen."
And really, that's all I want too.
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
If you would like to purchase this book,here is a link:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307458049&ref=externallink_wbp_thislittleprayerofmine_sec_0223_01
Now, I have a copy of this precious book to give away. If you want to be entered into the drawing just leave a comment. I will be gone all of this week and don't know if I will get to check the blog. So just leave a comment and I will moderate when I get back.
The drawing will be on Monday(12th) this time.
by Anthony DeStefano
illustrated by Mark Elliott
Author Anthony DeStefano’s adult books, The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven, have sold a quarter-million copies. Illustrator Mark Elliott’s cherished artwork has appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s ever-popular Princess Tales series.
Now, these acclaimed inspirational experts have come together to create This Little Prayer of Mine, a beautiful and alluring book designed to guide children into a very simple, real and expressive relationship with God.
Through engaging rhymes and alluring illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine shows children—and their parents and grandparents—that complete dependence on God is what brings peace and fulfillment. It invites children to know and believe that God is always just a simple prayer away and that He longs to respond to them with a resounding, “Yes!”
This Little Prayer of Mine appeals to readers from all different faiths. Easy-reader format allows children to read alone, or with someone older, and encourages them to openly express their fears, thanks, and needs directly to God.
Could this book be any sweeter? The artwork is just adorable and poignant. The faces on these little kids are absolutely adorable. The situations in some of the pictures are funny and so relatable. This is a hardback book and the pages are thicker and would seem to be more durable for multiple readings.
The prayer is simple. It is beautiful and just what a kid might think. No need for flowery words and deep theological stuff, you can get to the heart of God with the simplicity of children. This book has done that. My children read it and they all commented at different times throughout the book, "I have felt like that" or "Oh, I know what they mean". The prayer deals with the stuff that kids are going through and turns them into a prayer of comfort, praise, and a cry for help.
The last lines of the prayer made me cry. They are:
"There's really just one other thing I'd like to ask again.
Please love me God, forevermore.
That's all I want.
Amen."
And really, that's all I want too.
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
If you would like to purchase this book,here is a link:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307458049&ref=externallink_wbp_thislittleprayerofmine_sec_0223_01
Now, I have a copy of this precious book to give away. If you want to be entered into the drawing just leave a comment. I will be gone all of this week and don't know if I will get to check the blog. So just leave a comment and I will moderate when I get back.
The drawing will be on Monday(12th) this time.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
We Have a Winner
Rachel is the latest winner of a book! Woohoo!!
Mom, I swear I'm not avoiding your name! lol ;-)
Mom, I swear I'm not avoiding your name! lol ;-)
Friday, April 2, 2010
It's a Jonah kind of a week!
Someone asked me if I felt like Job. No, not really. There have been times in my life that I might have felt that way, but I'm a long ways from there right now. The girls were watching Anne of Green Gables this week and a line stuck out. I love those movies and books and we watch them pretty regularly. Anne said that she was having a Jonah kind of day. hmm Yeah I think that describes it pretty well.
Wednesday finished and Thursday started. We still didn't have our car back. Our 8yodd had an appt. with a pediatric dentist. Steven came and boy was I glad. She had some major work that needs done and I don't think I could have handled the news alone. She has a long road ahead of her and it breaks my mommies heart to see her going through. Mommy guilt is a great thing, isn't it?
Thursday was pretty quiet. We went through the day with little to nothing happening. It started making me nervous actually, the quiet! That evening we decided to ride our bikes to soccer practice since we wouldn't all fit into the car. Our youngest did awesome on the way. Then she played for an hour at the park. Our trip home wasn't so pleasant. She was tired. I mean REALLY tired. She cried the whole way home. It was so sad. And yet kind of funny in a way! lol
At home we put all the bikes away and when Steven was shutting the big garage door, it fell. We went around through the house and into the garage and found that the cable had broken and the spring flew off the track. Praise God no one was in the garage! But, it is definitely broken. :(
Our car is still in the shop.
Today, I had a crown put on my tooth. It was almost $500. I tried not to cry in front of the people at the dentist office. But as soon as I saw Steven, the dam broke. It was just the last straw.
Actually not, because we have to pick up the car tomorrow and pay for it.
Then maybe this week will come to an end!
Wednesday finished and Thursday started. We still didn't have our car back. Our 8yodd had an appt. with a pediatric dentist. Steven came and boy was I glad. She had some major work that needs done and I don't think I could have handled the news alone. She has a long road ahead of her and it breaks my mommies heart to see her going through. Mommy guilt is a great thing, isn't it?
Thursday was pretty quiet. We went through the day with little to nothing happening. It started making me nervous actually, the quiet! That evening we decided to ride our bikes to soccer practice since we wouldn't all fit into the car. Our youngest did awesome on the way. Then she played for an hour at the park. Our trip home wasn't so pleasant. She was tired. I mean REALLY tired. She cried the whole way home. It was so sad. And yet kind of funny in a way! lol
At home we put all the bikes away and when Steven was shutting the big garage door, it fell. We went around through the house and into the garage and found that the cable had broken and the spring flew off the track. Praise God no one was in the garage! But, it is definitely broken. :(
Our car is still in the shop.
Today, I had a crown put on my tooth. It was almost $500. I tried not to cry in front of the people at the dentist office. But as soon as I saw Steven, the dam broke. It was just the last straw.
Actually not, because we have to pick up the car tomorrow and pay for it.
Then maybe this week will come to an end!
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