Mother Moments~ Simple

A post or two ago I was asking tips on Christmas Gifts for the kids. The next day for 30 minutes my 2 year old fell in love with something so simple. All he did was pour dry beans, macaroni noodles into a egg carton and yoplait yogurt containers. That was entertainment to him. When I mentioned it was time to clean up we had to go to the library he had a meltdown.



I had know idea he would even think it was a lot of fun. Then of course my daughter had to do it.



A thought came to me about how simple things can bring such fun. We can spoil kids with tons of fancy flashy stuff. Some is really fun and neat. But some just takes up space and clutters their room.

Same with us moms. I have at times in my life let a ton of "fancy" things clutter my view from the things that are simple and true. Even with the Lord we are looking for a big bang in our lives. We clutter are view with adding more things in it that we think would make us more connected to the Lord to see that big bang. When in reality (most of the time) the bang is in your bible, prayer, or a simple message from our pastor. Those things are a simple connection to God and it is immediate. We don't have to dig through clutter to get to it. We aren't blinded by all the flashy stuff. Our ears aren't drowned by noisy. That simple time in prayer, and bible reading can give us divine revelation and answers we have been needing in our life.

Take some "simple" time this day to connect through the Lord on your own. Listen to Him.

Chrissy

Sunday Soul Food

When you depend on God alone and walk in GOD-CONFIDENCE (rather than self confidence) there is no limit to what God can accomplish in and through your life. ~ Donna Partow

Happy Sunday,

Chrissy

I am a Bit Early, Christmas Planning!

You will probably laugh at me about asking you this question. I know it is super early to be asking about Christmas. I know, you are saying for Heaven Sake let us do Thanksgiving. But this year one of my desires is to have a very Simple Traditional Christmas. Now, that sounds funny being I am going to be asking stuff this soon. But one of the things I noticed is my lack of planning and prep usually costs me a lot of time, energy, and money. I always look back wishing I would have done this or that.

Due to us trying to be money conscious and to create some traditions this year that focuses on simple and fun we would like to get a little jump start. That way I don't have that feeling of regret when the season rolls by and the things I really wanted to do that is memory making gets passed by because of shopping at last minute and all that jazz.

So, when do you start Holiday Planning? Shopping? We have our money budgeted out for each kid. We really do not go out. I mean REALLLLLLY. We have a few gifts and stockings.

I am kind of stumped as to what to get my kids.

Ethan- he is all into sports, reading, and experiments
He is 9 and does anyone have any cool gift ideas for this age?? He doesn't play with toys so this makes it very difficult. Any ideas??????

Hannah- she loves animals, anything PINK, ballet stuff, art stuff, cooking stuff
She will be 5 in December. Any ideas??????

Kyle-cars, trucks, dinos, anything boy. I kind of have him covered.

The other two I just don't have a whole lot of ideas. We rarely watch TV, never go into the toy isles, and so we don't have any ideas about all the new stuff. I am also big on not having a lot of pointless stuff. If it is just a space filler it is not for us. I would rather my kids cook in the kitchen with me with real stuff than a kitchen set. That is just me. Not condemning those that have a kitchen set. ;0 I have very limited space.

I do not make gifts. I just don't have time. I always admire people that do. I just don't have sewing experience, painting and all that. I like to make baskets and do themes and be creative but making it from scratch isn't my forte. Kudos, to those that do. I am envious. ;) Really, I am.

So, share your ideas! Please!!!
Chrissy

Our Thankful Tree

This year I was wanting to do some traditions for Thanksgiving Month. Of course we have the dinner, football, and extra pounds added tradition. But I wanted to really teach my kids about the meaning of Thanksgiving. So, this month our Character Trait we are working on is Gratefulness.

Everyday during our Bible/Character Time they color a leaf and write something or someone they are thankful for. They hang it own the tree. We also sing Count Your Blessings Hymn.

Are you doing something special to teach your kids or remind yourself of being Thankful?

Share things you might do, please.

Chrissy

Our Halloween 09

Here are a few pictures of the kids on Halloween. Ethan was Mario, Hannah was a Monarch Butterfly, and Kyle was Superman.

Prayers Again

I will be having oral surgery tomorrow to remove some very complicated wisdom teeth. Please, be in prayer for me. I need a smooth surgery. I can't be put to sleep. So, local stuff is all I get. I also need a speedy recovery.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Chrissy

I have a Job!

Yes, that is right ladies I have a job. The Lord has been really ministering to me lately about how I conduct my days. I waste a lot of precious moments because I don't look at my current position as a JOB!

Raising children and homemaking is a FULL TIME job. When I worked in the work force I got up early and on time to start my day. I got dressed to the hilt. I had all my stuff planned out for the day. Why should it be any different because I am at home. The is really the most rewarding job.

I am grateful that I can spend my days at home and work. :)

Have a good Monday!

Friday's Happenings

Today was super hectic. Hannah had her Halloween Party at pre-school and parade. She is a Monarch Butterfly. It was very hectic. It was pouring down raining and the school insisted the kids still do their parade. It was outside and around a block. I mean it was RAINING. But none of the kids complained and it was fun for them I am sure.

We also had a party. It was a little rushed. After this we were invited to come and try a New Homeschool group that was starting in our area. So, we loaded up to do that. It was fun. It was a little overwhelming with the kids. It was the first meeting so kids were getting to know everyone and it was smack dab in the middle of nap time for a lot of our kids. It seems like every group I come in contact with always does afternoon stuff. Makes it a little more difficult when you have nappers. :0 But we were troopers and I am pooped. I am very excited. The group is small and we have a lot of desires and it seems like we all are on the same page in a lot of areas. That makes a difference when you want to be apart of something. It has a lot of younger kids. The one issue I am having is the groups are either all pre-teens and teens or all 3rd grade and younger. So, Ethan just can't find that age connection. Even age doesn't matter just level of thinking. Some of them seemed pretty young. But he seem to connect with one kid. I will give it a try. We have been so disconnected from people in the homeschooling community. We can't seem to find the right spot. I pray this is a great avenue for us to build friendships, get support, tips and advice. We are planning on doing several activities with the children monthly. Cooking, PE, Music, Art, Community Services, and Crafts. I am excited. :)

If you homeschool, do you belong to a group? Do you find it helpful?

Have a good Friday,

Chrissy

Update

My Pawpaw (grandfather) is doing a little better as of now. My son is getting better slowly. ;)

School was totally threw out the window this week. We did Monday. That is is. We have read though and did bible.

I got up this morning early for exercise, bible and prayer. I went and had much needed Girl Time with my "bestest" friend. Thanks, Jo! We had a gift card from two years ago to a Tea Room and we needed to use it. So, we went and had way to much to eat. I had a the biggest sandwich. Here I was trying to be healthy and the sucker came out bigger than a Big Mac. I didn't eat it all. Very tempted though! :) Then we had dessert, of course. Here was a Puff Pastry layers with strawberries, Whip Cream, and like a custard. I had a Apple Turnover that had warm whip cream. I know!!!!!!! I had no breakfast and I am having a VERY low Calorie Supper.

It was refreshing. We hadn't visited with each other in 2 months. So, it was so nice to chat and catch up. I mainly talked. :) Imagine That!!!!

I have decided to add some things to our homeschool. So, I will be working on redoing our stuff this weekend. Oh, the joys of the first year of homeschooling. I will be adding Time 4 Learning to Ethan. I will probably scale back on some of the Life Pac's. I am also adding journaling, some unit studies for all of the kids to do, and digger deeper into Reading. Ethan has just been breezing through his workbooks. That is good but maybe not challenging him. I want him to be challenged a little. I really have a hard time with just workbooks. It just seems like there are so many great learning things out there and to be stuck doing workbooks for 4 to 5 hours is just hard to swallow.

I hope you all are having a great week.

Chrissy