Autumn Fun!

"How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts!" Psalm 92:5

Have a great day!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

Christmas 2012

Yes~~I do realize that it is only the beginning of October!  Although, I must be honest~I've been listening to Christmas music for several weeks now!  The reason I'm already thinking about Christmas already is simple~ ORGANIZATION!

Last year, Christmas seemed to creep up on me and I felt I wasn't ready for it.  Not just gift giving, but the decorating, baking, and family parties also.  I decided I didn't want that stress anymore, and made a list of things I wanted to do ahead of time so I could enjoy the Christmas holiday with my family.  Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year!  We take off of school for a few weeks, and like to just spend time relaxing and enjoying the season.  So here is some of my organization tips...

• Get started on holiday baking supplies.  We love to bake cookies, candies, and other treats at Christmas time.  We really enjoy taking those treats to neighbors and widowed family members.  I am stocking up on things like sugar, flour, powdered sugar, chocolate, eggs, butter, and more so when we want to start baking, we already have the ingredients.
• Getting the house ready for decorating.  We get our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving.  Since I really don't want to spend my Thanksgiving holiday getting the house ready for the Christmas decorations, I start getting the house ready the week before Thanksgiving.
• Making a list for gift giving.  This doesn't include our children's gifts, but making a list of people we'd like to bless with gifts this year.  This usually includes teachers, babysitters, close friends, and music teachers.  This way I won't accidently forget anyone.
• Making a list of potential gifts.  I actually start this much earlier in the year.  We give our kids three gifts for Christmas~representing the number of gifts Christ received.  We have a budget to stick to, so I'm always thinking of things our kids would like to receive as gifts.  I also pick things up through the year for our kids as we find them.  I already have our parents' gifts so that is something I can scratch off the list!
• Create our Christmas Card and annual letter.  I love sending (and receiving) photo cards at Christmas.  I start going through our photos or start planning what I want on this years Christmas photo card now so I can get started creating it.  There are many websites with beautiful cards~I start looking now to find our "Perfect" card for the perfect price!  I also start writing our annual Christmas letter for family and friends.  I love writing these, but I don't want to be trying to write it in the middle of December.  I start now(ish) and it is usually done by December!
• Plan Christmas dinner.  Again, I plan now what we want to have both on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, and start grocery shopping for things now.  Saving trips to the grocery store during a frantic shopping season is a blessing itself.  I want to stay out of the stores as much as possible during this season.
• Stock up on hot chocolate and egg nog.  OK, so I can't stock up on egg nog yet, but we love to snuggle up in the evenings with hot chocolate or egg nog at Christmas time.  It's just another tradition that makes me smile!

Of course, I have Christmas music playing while I am doing these things.  It just makes me feel good and gets me excited for the holidays!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

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Frugal Living~Make Your Own Fabric Softner

I found this "recipe" for making your own fabric softner over a year ago on Carrie's blog Farming on Faith.  It is so easy to make.  I have made it often and I think it works just as well as store bought fabric softner. 

You will need~~

2 cups hair conditioner (I use Suave in Lilac or Misty Mountain scents)

1 cup vinegar

6 cups water

Mix them all together in a bottle or container of your choice.  Use as you would store bought fabric softner.  It's that easy!  If you use liquid fabric softner, this will definately save you money.  I got the conditioner for free (combining a sale and coupon!), and the vinegar was less than $3 for the large bottle~~so each load costs just pennies.

It leaves a nice scent, too!

Have a great day!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

Homeschooling~Why or Why Not?

While there are several homeschooling families in our area (and growing!), I still get the wide eyes when I tell people that we homeschool.  When I tell them that we send one of our kids to a public school, many can't believe it.  Why would we homeschool some of our kids, but not all?

Homeschooling is a very personal decision.  Many factors went into our decision of whether or not to keep our kids home.  This is not a decision that any homeschooling family takes lightly.  We know our kids and want what is best for them. 

Our middlest child is on the autism spectrum.  He also has a physical disability.  He see's a psychologist and a psychiatrist to help him sort through his emotions and behaviors, and physical and occupational therapists to help with his disability.  He has certain needs that must be met for him to function well during the day.  Some of these needs just can not be met with homeschooling, especially since I'm also teaching 3 other kiddo's.  He benefits greatly from the services he receives from our public school.

Our oldest son struggles with an un~diagnosed learning disability.  He was struggling in a school that thinks all children should fit into one mold and learn the same way at the same pace.  He actually asked if we would homeschool him.  At home he can learn at his own pace, and in a way that is easier for him to learn.  He benefits greatly from homeschooling.

This is just a couple of examples from our family.  Every family has a story.  The point is that we love our children and want them to blossom.  There are benefits and disadvantages to take into consideration.   And just because something is working now, doesn't mean it will in a few years. 

Let's encourage one another in our decisions for our families.  Don't judge others because they are not making the same choice for their children that you make for yours.  You never know what is going on in those families and how hurtful your responses may be to them.

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

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Note To Self~~LIGHTEN UP!!

Life isn't about schedules or timelines.  Life is about living and sometimes letting the little things go.

When kiddo's just want to play in their pj's instead of starting schoolwork~~~don't always say NO!

When kiddo's make a huge mess of the living room~~Send a quick prayer thanking God for this mess.

Getting out EVERY one of my pots and pans to use as drums?  Go ahead!

Enjoy THIS moment.

It's gone much to fast!

LIGHTEN UP!

They are so worth it!

Blessings,

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

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