Changing of the Chore Guard

We have been making some changes in our chore routine lately. Basically, that means that all of the kids are moving up to the next level of chores. It's a big project to tackle.

Although actually, the kids are thrilled to be moving up in the world. But for me, it means remembering patience and letting go of needing things to be done just-this-certain-way. That will come in time, I know.

Alex has been especially excited with his new chores. He is now in charge of taking all recycling items out to the recycling bin and loading the dishwasher after I rinse dishes. He is very proud of these new chores and he's definitely taken ownership of them.


I love seeing the sense of pride and accomplishment in his face as he works. I am so grateful he is excited to be getting the new responsibilities that come with being 5.


The girls are taking to their new chores just as well, although the progress there is a little slower. But that's only because I'm dragging my feet. I'm definitely using Alex's reactions as motivation to step things up a bit. I'd be crazy not to!

Stop by 5 Minutes For Mom for more tackles and Heavenly Homemakers for more Gratituesday.

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Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of 8/31

As much as I love summer and summery foods, I'm always so happy when September rolls back around and I can get back on track in the kitchen. It definitely feels like there's a change in the air around here too. Our weather for the week will be be in the mid-60s to the low-70s. Sweater weather isn't too far off...

The family birthday party for Isabelle got moved to this coming weekend. We'll be spending the day at my in-laws lake house, so having the party there will be perfect. I haven't decided on what we'll take. Isabelle really wants to do a taco bar. I guess that wouldn't be too hard to transport.

Here's what we'll be eating the rest of the week:

Breakfasts

• M - Oatmeal & smoothies
• T - Banana splits. toast
• W - Strawberry-cheesecake muffins
  
• Th - Cheesy scrambled eggs, English muffin bread
  
• F - French toast sandwiches (I'm still debating on what filling I'll use though.)
  
• S - Blueberry pancakes & sausage (If there's time before we head out.)
  
• Su - Bagels with peanut butter and honey
  

Lunch

• M - Pepperoni pasta salad
  
• T - Quesadillas, applesauce
• W - Sandwiches, carrot sticks, grapes
  
• Th - Pizza pockets (triple batch for freezer) & cucumber salad
• F - Chicken salad pitas (triple pitas for freezer), apple slices
• S - At the lake house
  
• Su - Hummus, homemade pita chips, kiwi quarters
  

Dinner

• M - Cap'n crunch chicken fingers, rosemary roasted potatoes, green beans
• T - Dirty rice w/ smoked sausage, black beans & garbanzo beans, corn muffins
• W - Chicken Lasagna Roll-Ups (we didn't get to this last week.)
  
• Th - Something with ground beef...
  
• F - Parmesan chicken over garlic spaghetti, zucchini & mushroom saute with garlic
  
• S - At the lake house... taco bar, etc.
  
• Su - Fajita stuffed shells, Garlic bread tortillas

Stop by Org Junkie for lots more menu plans.

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Weekend Linkage ~ The Just Because Edition

I truly feel blessed to have so many wonderful blogging friends. And just because I feel like it, here are some recent good reads from some of their blogs.

• I really admire FishMama's honesty and ideas in her post Take A Financial Snapshot and Dream a Debt-Free Dream. I find their story incredibly encouraging.
• Katie at Good Life Eats has some seriously mad skill when it comes to food photography. I dream of taking pictures like hers some day. Check out her Blueberries and Cream Muffins post to see what I mean. And make sure you try that recipe too, because it definitely sounds like a winner.
• You can never have too many good bread recipes. I have read about Artisan Bread In 5 Minutes A Day before, but Lynn's post on the challah bread recipe and the different things she does with it has convinced me I must buy this book!
• This might be one of the best ideas I've read in a long time - Using Twitter to plan your travels, courtesy of Mom's Travel Tales. We have a trip to Disney coming up in a few months and I'm definitely going to start following everyone Disney related that I can!

So many great friends...so little time. That's it for this week.

Have a great weekend!

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CFBA Review ~ The Frontiersman's Daughter

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Frontiersman’s Daughter
Revell (September 1, 2009)
by
Laura Frantz
My Thoughts:

This was a remarkable read! It took me a chapter or two to really get into the story, but after that, I was hooked! As readers, we are privileged to share in so many growing and stretching opportunities of the main character that it's hard to not become personally invested in her story. It's always a pleasure to read a book that feels like an old friend by the time I turn the last page.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I was born and raised in Kentucky and my love of history goes deep - way back to the 18th-century when my family first came into the Bluegrass State. It will always be home to me, even though I now live with my husband, Randy, and my sons, Wyatt and Paul, in the misty woods of northwest Washington. I go back as often as I can to visit family and all the old haunts that I love.

I grew up playing on the original site of Fort Boonesborough and swimming in the Kentucky River and climbing the Pinnacle near Berea and watching the great outdoor dramas of the early settlers. Often my cousins and brother and I would play in my Granny's attic and dress up in the pioneer costumes she made us and pretend to be Daniel Boone, Rebecca, Jemima, or the Shawnee.

As I grew up I began to write stories and they were always historical, filled with the lore I had heard or read about. It's no accident that my first book (which is actually my fifth book - the others were practice!) is about those first Kentucky pioneers.

I feel blessed beyond measure to write books. My prayer is that you are doubly blessed reading them.

Note: Laura Frantz credits her 100-year-old grandmother as being the catalyst for her fascination with Kentucky history. Frantz's family followed Daniel Boone into Kentucky in 1792 and settled in Madison County where her family still resides. Frantz is a former schoolteacher and social worker who currently lives in the misty woods of Washington state with her husband and two sons, whom she homeschools.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Lovely but tough as nails, Lael Click is the daughter of a celebrated frontiersman. Haunted by her father's former captivity with the Shawnee Indians, as well as the secret sins of her family's past, Lael comes of age in the fragile Kentucky settlement her father founded.

Though she faces the loss of a childhood love, a dangerous family feud, and the affection of a Shawnee warrior, Lael draws strength from the rugged land she calls home, and from Ma Horn, a distant relative who shows her the healing ways of herbs and roots found in the hills.

But the arrival of an outlander doctor threatens her view of the world, God, and herself--and the power of grace and redemption. This epic novel gives readers a glimpse into the simple yet daring lives of the pioneers who first crossed the Appalachians, all through the courageous eyes of a determined young woman.

Laura Frantz's debut novel offers a feast for readers of historical fiction and romance lovers alike.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Frontiersman’s Daughter, go HERE

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Time To Be Frugal

The phrase "time is money" is as true as it is cliched. That's why, throughout our frugality walk, Eric and I have learned the importance of being frugal with our time.

We treat our time the same way we treat our money. We try to use it wisely and save as much as possible. We try to make sure our expenditures are wise and appropriate. And we lavish it we when a situation calls for it.

So in the day to day of our life, it kind of looks like -

• We don't waste time on activities that take us away from our family, that we do not enjoy, and that could be better spent somewhere else.
  
• We save time by combining chores and projects. We work together when possible.
  
• If something requires a large investment of time, we make sure it is truly worthwhile.
• When it comes to spending time with the kids or each other, we spend it recklessly and without abandon.

Frugality comes in all shapes and sizes, and this is just one of the many ways we live frugally.

Are you frugal with your time? Do you agree that the two go hand in hand?

Stop by Life As Mom for more Frugal Friday.

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Potty Mouths & Hero Worship

Like most kids, our kids have a huge case of hero worship for Eric. They want to be near him always. They want to be just like him. If they see him do something, they have to do it too. When he says something, 4 little mouths quickly repeat him. In other words, whatever dad does must be worth doing.

And so a few years ago when Eric began dropping little bits of potty talk into his conversations with the kids, I thought it was funny. When they would repeat him and call each other poop, I thought it was funny. But yet those words didn't become part of their everyday speech. It was just something they'd repeat when playing with Eric.

I miss those days! Now, all 4 kids clearly fall into the potty mouth category. I could give thousands of examples of how bodily functions get worked into their daily conversations, but I'll spare you the agony.

Although the kids have started talking this way on their own, Eric is clearly still the ring leader. Just imagine what would happen if he started spouting off mathematical theorems or the poetry of Robert Frost. Talk about power!

So I spend a lot of time groaning and rolling my eyes. But I'll admit, there is a little bit of me that cracks up whenever one of the kids runs over to another and says "I'll poop on you!"

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Building A Bunk Bed - A Must See

Today was a big day. It was a day of transitions. Olivia officially said good bye to her toddler bed. Gracie officially said good bye to her crib. And I cried a little as I realized I may never lay one of my babies to sleep in a crib again.

But the tears couldn't last long because there was work to be done!

While Eric ran out to IKEA to pick up the bunk bed we chose over the weekend, the kids and I got to work on getting the girls old beds pulled out of the room.

Once Eric was home, the fun really started. He can not do anything in our house without a little team of helpers tagging along. But this project required lots of work. (It is from IKEA after all.) Eric knew that the kids would just get in the way, which would slow down his process and which could be dangerous for them.



So...what to do?


Watching dad work is entertaining. In case we ever doubted it, the way they stuck to their front-row seats proved it.

A few hours later, the new bunk beds were in place and everyone took a turn trying them out. I made sure to keep my emotions in check. I got in on the excited action with them.


So many things worked for us today - IKEA, working together, transitioning from baby to big girl, enjoying a dad matinee. Fun stuff!

Stop by We Are THAT Family for more Works For Me Wednesday and Amy's Finer Things for more Finer Things Friday.

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Sunflower Serenade ~ Blog Tour

I am a huge fan of Tricia Goyer's writing. Her style is just so friendly and touching. I've never read a book of hers that I haven't enjoyed. (And I love the fact that following her on twitter gives a little insight into her day to day and her writing life.)

Additionally, I love the Home to Heather Creek series. This is the fifth book I've read in the series and each one is as good as the last. I feel like I know this family and I'm invested in their outcome. That's just the way the stories are written. You can't help but get involved!

About Sunflower Serenade:

A small-town summer...

The days are long and lazy, the corn is high, the sunflowers are in bloom, and everyone in Bedford is gearing up for the biggest event of the summer: the annual county fair. But when a Nashville music producer approaches Bob about using Heather Creek Farm to film a country star's new music video, he and Charlotte are faced with a dilemma. Will they allow the glamour and enticements of big-city life to encroach upon their peaceful home? Will the excitement of celebrity drown out the simple joys of summer?

About the Home to Heather Creek series: Charlotte Stevenson's world is turned upside down when her daughter, Denise, dies in a tragic car accident. She ran away at eighteen and Charlotte has never forgiven herself. Now, Denise's children, abandoned by their father, are coming from California to live on Heather Creek Farm in Bedford, Nebraska.

Charlotte is uncertain about her ability to care for three grandchildren who are not thrilled to give up the beach and sunshine for snow and farm chores! But she sees a chance to make amends and will do whatever it takes to keep her fragile family together. Feel the courage, strength and commitment of this family as their lives unfold in the Home to Heather Creek series.

Buy the book! The books come in a series and you can order those at the link. However, if you just want to order Every Sunrise you must call the customer service number (1-800-431-2344). Please include this information in your post!
About Tricia:
Tricia Goyer is the author of eighteen fiction and non-fiction books, including Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. Tricia writes magazine articles for publications like Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia also enjoys speaking. She and her family make their home in Montana.

Contest:
Playing on one element of the book - big city entertainers vs. old county fair – the contest for this blog tour is City Girl Goes Country! Share your funniest story (about you or someone you know) about a time when you as the “city girl” goes to the country or “country girl” goes to the city. Enter the contest here.

Read along with the rest of the Sunflower Serenade blog tour.

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CFBA Review ~ Surrender The Wind

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Surrender The Wind
Abingdon Press (August 2009)
by
Rita Gerlach


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rita Gerlach has published three historical novels plus articles in Writers Gazette, Write to Inspire, Will Write 4 Food, and The Christian Communicator.

She also is the editor of Stepping Stones Magazine, an online website focused on writing, marketing, and promotion for writers. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and The Western Maryland Writers Guild.

She currently lives in Frederick, Maryland. You can also visit her at her Blog





ABOUT THE BOOK

Seth Braxton, a patriot of the American Revolution, unexpectedly inherits his loyalist grandfather's estate in England. Seth is torn between the land he fought for and the prospect of reuniting with his sister Caroline, who was a motherless child taken to England at the onset of the war.
With no intention of staying permanently, Seth arrives to find his sister grieving over the death of her young son. In the midst of such tragedy, Seth meets Juleah, the daughter of an eccentric landed gentleman. Her independent spirit and gentle soul steal Seth's heart. After a brief courtship, they marry and she takes her place as the lady of Ten Width Manor, enraging the man who once sought her hand and schemed to make Ten Width his own. From the Virginia wilderness to the dark halls of an isolated English estate, Seth and his beloved Juleah inherit more than an ancestral home. They uncover a sinister plot that leads to murder, abduction, and betrayal--an ominous threat to their new life, love, and faith.

If you would like to reas the Prologue of Surrender The Wind, go HERE

Watch the trailer:

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(Mostly) Happily Imperfect

I woke up this morning ready to just tackle the day. I was excited to get some things done and I was looking around the house, trying to decide which tackle would be blog-worthy. And then next thing I knew, the morning was gone and I hadn't gotten a single thing done. Not one thing!

Days like that tend to send me into a bit of a funk. I despise feeling like I've wasted a day, especially when I can't even name where the time went. I stewed about for awhile, until Eric suggested I just get a grip back on the day, make a list and start over. Great advice, right?

And I did do just that. I eventually managed to get a few things done, although not nearly as much as I had originally planned to accomplish. Yet the whole time I was working on crossing things of this new to-do list, I kept thinking about how this is a somewhat common occurrence for me. It's a flaw of mine. I know it.

And actually, I'm okay with that. As someone who spent way too many years attempting to be perfect and do it all, assuming that the only way to truly be a good wife and mother was to do everything, saying that feels like an accomplishment. I have flaws. Lots and lots of them actually. I've finally come to a point in my life where I'm willing to own them. Some of them require work and I long to get better at them, if not get rid of them altogether. Yet I'm also willing to admit I'll have some of these flaws all my life. And I'm okay with that too.

I could list hundreds of flaws. But I'm going to limit it to my Top Ten.

1. I'm not very good at keeping the house clean. I can tidy with the best of 'em, but actually scrubbing and cleaning and dusting and shining just doesn't happen all that often.
   
2. My sense of follow-through is SORELY lacking! I love creating new schedules, envisioning the organized house and well-behaved children that will result, and putting it into action. Until about 2 days later. I so want to combat this and find a system that truly works for me and that I can stick to. I'd love to surprise myself (and Eric) by proving that I really can stick with a plan for more than a few days. At least I'm willing to keep trying...and trying...and trying. (I gotta tell you, it feels good to know I'm not the only one that struggles with organization. Check out this awesome resource list Amy put together.)
3. I lack self-control. I can not make a batch of cookies without sampling at least a few (dozen). If there is hot coffee within a 10 mile radius of me, I have to have some. I must sample any candy that comes into our house. You get the picture, right?
4. I don't put the new toilet paper roll on the holder. I set it on the counter instead. Inevitably it ends up on the roll, but not because I put it there. This used to baffle Eric. He doesn't even mention it anymore though. I guess it's just one of those quirks you learn to accept after a while.
5. I don't take care of myself as much as I know I should. I rarely get enough sleep. I usually skip breakfast. I don't exercise nearly enough. I only go to the doctor's when I absolutely have to.
   
6. I am a horrible verbal communicator. Some days I do just fine, but more often than not I stall and stumble my way through a conversation. I can't think and speak at the same time. It's one or the other.
7. I stink at keeping in touch with people. I joined facebook a few months ago and was so excited to reconnect with some old friends. I sent messages and replies to everyone the first day. Since then, I've been on maybe once. Our Christmas cards from two years ago are still waiting to be mailed out. (I didn't either bother last year.) I forget to return phone calls. I rarely comment on the blogs of all my wonderful blogging buddies.
   
8. I snap at my kids, and not only when they deserve it. If I've had a long day and I'm feeling stressed or frazzled, I've been known to yell. I'm not proud of this, but it is what it is. Exasperation happens.
9. I have irrational fears when it comes to the kids' health. Just the thought of anyone throwing up is crippling. If I had my way, I'd keep us all locked in the house any time a stomach bug goes around.
10. I act without thinking first. I do stupid things all the time. I'm not always mindful of my surroundings. Unfortunately, this seems to be a learned trait that I am passing on to a few of the kids. Except when they do it, it is way more annoying than when I do!

So there, that's something I can proudly say I tackled today, right? It's not fun to look at ourselves honestly, but it is sometimes necessary. For me, it gives a much clearer picture of areas where I need to focus on improving and areas that I can just learn to live with.

Stop by 5 Minutes For Mom to see more tackles, Oh Amanda for more Top 10 lists and Hooked On Houses for more Hooked On...

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Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of 8/24

I'm not sure what this week holds for us. Eric's work schedule could be a little extra, which always throws of our regular plans. And that redecorating, rearranging bug is still at the top of the list, so I'm hopeful we might get some more of that work don. We'll see though.

On Saturday, we are having Isabelle's long overdue birthday party. She is deciding on the menu. I'm excited to see what she picks, although I think she is leaning is toward a taco bar. Once we get the menu decided, I'll leave it up to her if she wants to help with the cooking and baking, which she loves. A girl doesn't have a 10th birthday party every day, no matter how late it is. So we want it to be special for her.

Here's what's on our menu for the rest of the week -

Breakfast

• M - Oatmeal with raspberry jam
• T - Cheesy scrambled eggs, toast
• W - Chocolate chip breakfast biscuits
• Th - Tropical crepes
• F - Zucchini bread
• S - Bacon & egg cups
• Su - Smoothies

Lunch

• M - Pepperoni pasta salad
• T - Hummus, pitas, carrot and celery sticks
• W - Leftover pasta salad
• Th - Cheese and crackers, grapes, plums
• F - Chef's Salad
• S - Leftovers
• Su - TBD

Dinner

• M - Tamale casserole
• T - Chicken & biscuits, green beans
• W - Mexican rice bowls
• Th - Chicken lasagna roll-ups
• F - Braised sausages and horseradish smashed potatoes, sauteed spinach
• S - Isabelle's birthday dinner - TBD
• Su - Ribs, corn on the cob, sweet potato fries

Stop by Org Junkie for hundreds more menu plans.

And if you're looking for menu planning help, check out my fully personalized menu planning service - Stolen Moments Menu Planning.

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Weekend Linkage - All About Decorating

Eric and I have been tired of living in our on-the-market, ready-to-sell house for a while now. White walls with no pictures do not provide a very homey feeling. It's been a year and a half since we first listed it for sale. We're not sure what the future holds. Our house could sell next week (which we'd be thrilled about!) but it seems more likely that we'll still be here for at least a little while yet.

Add to that the fact that the kids are growing. They no longer play with half the younger toys we have. They are excited to do school work and crafts. Gracie is ready to move out of her crib.

All these things collided for us over the past week or so. And we've decided we're just going to go ahead and take the plunge. We're going to do some decorating, rearranging and furniture purchasing over the next few weeks or so. (There's a table and 6 chairs on Craig's List for $60 that is at the top of our list.)

So, I've obviously been spending some time looking at home and decorating themed blogs lately. I can't believe all the beautiful and smart things I've come across. How could I not share a few of them here?

• Fixing up my work space is at the bottom of our list of priorities, but that doesn't stop me from dreaming about it. I love these ideas from Imagine Cozy. And I could even follow her tip now by just adding a lamp, fabric and flowers or a plant. Love that!
• I am in love with each and every one of these ideas for Children's Bedrooms: Sharing Spaces from The Inspired Room.
  
• One of the first things I mentioned to Eric the other day was that I wanted a new book shelf. His accurate reply was, "No, you don't want a new book shelf. You want a whole room of book shelves." And he does too. Some day! But for now, I loved looking at all these options in Booked from Velvet & Linen.
• This homeschool room on Unclutterer is amazing. And...that book shelf is from IKEA. It just so happens that we are going to IKEA tomorrow. Hmmm....
• And another awesome homeschool room from Day In Day Out. I love all the organization!
• Okay, last one...another homeschool room. I just found out about the not-back-to-school blog hop going on. It's hosted by Life With My 3 Boybarians. Last week was homeschool room week, so I had LOTS of rooms to drool over. And Darcy's room definitely has everything I could ever possibly want!

Have a great weekend!

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CFBA Review ~ Kathryn's Fountain

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Kathryn's Fountain
Cladach Publishing (November 8, 2008)
by
David Claassen
My Thoughts:

What appears to be just a simple little story is really so much more! Kathryn's Fountain was a captivating read that stayed me with for a long time after I turned the last page. What a great reminder of the little ways we can impact another person's life!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I'm a follower of Jesus Christ and seek to live my life to please Him and for His glory. I'm walking this journey with my life's partner, Diann. We've been married since 1972 and have two grown children. Our daughter Julie serves as a missionary with her husband Victor in Mexico in a ministry they founded called Fishers of Men. Check their ministry out at www.fishersofmenmexico.org. Our son Dan is married to Teri and he's a detective in a police department in a suburb of Indianapolis.

I have pastored the Mayfair-Plymouth Congregational Church of Toledo, Ohio since 1975, having just celebrated 33 years at the church. You can check out the church at http://www.mayfairplymouth.org/. You can also visit me at my blog, where I add material about every other day or so.

I enjoy photography, that's why I'm treating you with a different photo of mine each week on the web site. Over three hundred of my photos are for sale at www.istockphoto.com.

I'm also a ventriloquist, of sorts, and treat the children of my church with a "visit with Ricky" every third Sunday of the month in the morning worship services.

Raising white homing pigeons is another of my hobbies. I enjoy watching them soar overhead.

That's just a little bit about me. Thanks for visiting. God bless you!


ABOUT THE BOOK

Kathryn is resigned to living out her last days at Victorian Manor, a beautiful old home for senior citizens. Then one day a miraculous experience happens to Kathryn at the garden fountain, and she begins living an adventure beyond her wildest dreams. Love and sacrifice take on new meaning as she involves a social worker and a police detective in carrying out what she believes to be her calling -- to rescue a street child named Jasmine.

Kathryn's Fountain celebrates the gifts that the generations can bring to each other. The conclusion is a resounding affirmation that it's never too late to make a difference.

If you would like to read an excerpt from Kathryn's Fountain, go HERE

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How Do You Define Frugality?

Frugality looks different for each and every family. For years, our frugality was born out of necessity. Now it is just a way of life and a smart choice. We are not rolling in money, but we have all that we need and we are rich in life and love.

We once defined frugality as doing whatever we needed to do to survive with a roof over heads and food in our stomachs.

Today, our frugality is defined as being smart with our money and only spending it on things that we really need. (And yes, sometimes we really need a trip to the local ice cream parlor.)

Every situation calls for a different definition of frugality. And that is okay. Regardless of our personal definitions, all of us who are trying to live frugally are doing it for the very best reasons. And we all have something we can learn from each other.

There seems to be a slight divide between those that must and those that just choose. I've felt that way myself. But lately I've come to realize that the reasons aren't important. The finances of one family over another aren't important. If you're living frugally while making six figures a year and you teach me a a money-saving tip that really works for my family, I'll thank you just the same.

So my frugal tip for today is to embrace your family's personal definition of frugality while remembering that it is just that - your personal definition. And good advice is good advice. Don't begrudge others their own definition.

How do you define your frugality?

Stop by Life As Mom for Frugal Friday and some of the best frugal tips around.

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Slip-N-Sliding On A Wednesday Afternoon

Sometimes Eric's work schedule makes planning "normal" things a little difficult. But for the most part, we all love his schedule. We love that most days, he is able to be home with us all day. This means we can pull out the slip-n-slide during the middle of the week and spend a few hours playing together as a family.








A flexible work schedule that allows for some really great family time is definitely a finer thing! (Almost as fine a thing as watching dad take his turn on the slip-n-slide too!)

This post is being linked to:

• Finer Things Friday at Amy's Finer Things
• Hooked On... at Hooked On Houses

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

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Peace...on the Lake

This is my first time participating in Beth's You Capture series. I've been loving my camera lately though, so I figured it was time. Plus, this week's theme is Peace and I caught my share of peace during our mini-vacation at my brother-in-laws over the weekend.
Stop by I Should Be Folding Laundry to see the peaceful pictures captured this week.

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Teaching Our Kids To Read

This school year, Alex and Olivia will be doing a combination of preschool and kindergarten work together. At 10 1/2 months apart, they are close enough for me to school them at the same grade level. So we'll be starting with preschool level work and moving on to kindergarten as the year goes on.

One of the top things on their curriculum list for the year is learning how to read. They are excited about this. I am excited about it too, but also a little hesitant.

Isabelle learned to read fairly painlessly. We used a combination of Christian Liberty Press readers and Bob Books. We worked hard and had many sessions that ended in tears for both of us for about a week. Then I loosened up a bit and within a month, everything just clicked for her and she was reading like she'd been doing it all her life.

I would love to have a repeat of that experience, minus the first week of crying of course. But I'm not getting my hopes up. I have heard many times that teaching a boy to read is a much different process than teaching a girl to read. So, I'm just trying to be realistic. I want to be optimistic, but I'm also prepared for a possible struggle.

We do have one thing going for us though - our kids love books! They love being read to and they all can sit with a pile of books and look through them for hours without complaint. Alex already claims that he can read. He can't, but he does recognize a word or two every now and then. I am counting on this love of books to really boost the learning process.

My plan for now is to start with simple letter recognition and printing, move on to simple word and letter combination recognition and printing, and then slowly introduce the early readers. I haven't decided which early readers to use yet though. I would love some suggestions if you have any. And I am more than open to any other tips or ideas you may have for me. Is teaching a boy to read really that different from teaching a girl to read?

Stop by Five J's for Joy's awesome series, Thirsty Thursday.

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CFBA Review ~ Montana Rose

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Montana Rose
Barbour Publishing, Inc (July 1, 2009)
by
Mary Connealy

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book! There were many times while reading that I could completely relate to the struggles faced by the main character and her views of marriage. I loved following along as she bloomed into herself and at the same time, became the wife her new husband longed for. It was a thrilling journey.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary's writing journey is similar to a lot of others. Boil it down to persistence, oh, go ahead and call it stubbornness. She just kept typing away. She think the reason she did it was because she was more or less a dunce around people—prone to sit silently when she really ought to speak up(or far worse, speak up when she ought to sit silently).

So, Mary had all these things, she wanted to say, in her head; the perfect zinger to the rude cashier, which you think of an hour after you’ve left the store, the perfect bit of wisdom when someone needs help, which doesn’t occur to you until they solve their problems themselves, the perfect guilt trip for the kids, which you don’t say because you’re not an idiot. She kept all this wit to herself, much to the relief of all who know her, and then wrote all her great ideas into books. It’s therapeutic if nothing else, and more affordable than a psychiatrist.

So then a very nice, oh so nice publishing company like Barbour Heartsong comes along and says, “Hey, we’ll pay you money for this 45,000 word therapy session.” That’s as sweet as it gets.

Mary's journey to publication is the same as everyone’s except for a few geniuses out there who make it hard for all of us. And even they probably have an Ode to Roast Beef or two in their past.

Mary has signed an exclusive contract with Barbour that will have her writing eighteen (18) books for them over the next four years! This book is the first in the Montana Marriage Series. The second book will be the Husband Tree, and the third will be Wildflower Bride



ABOUT THE BOOK


Fire up your love of romance with Montana Rose.

When surrounded by a mob of ill-bred, foul-smelling, women-hungry men, the newly widowed and seemingly spoiled Cassie “China Doll” Griffin has no choice. Marrying handyman Red Dawson seems the only alternative to Cassie’s being hitched to a brutal rancher. But can this “China doll” bear exchanging smooth silk for coarse calico? Red was reluctant to be yoked to an unbeliever, but sometimes a man has no choice. Will Red change Cassie’s heart by changing her name? Wade Sawyer is obsessed with saving Cassie from a marriage of convenience. How far will he go make her his own?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Montana Rose, go HERE

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Look Away Woman. There's Nothing To See Here.

Stop by 5 Minutes For Mom for more Wordless Wednesday.

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Crazy Pajama Night

Over the years, we have been blessed with tons of hand-me-downs for the kids and our wonderful families have gifted them with lots of clothes. So they all have a plethora of pajamas. Sometimes, as often happens with kids, we lose a pajama top or bottom due to staining or the deep, dark pits under their beds. So we have a collection of mismatched pajama pieces that is second only to our mismatched sock pile.

And every so often, we have to dig into that mismatched pile if I get behind on laundry or if I just want to mix things up for fun. I pick out a bunch of pieces, dump them on the floor, declare it crazy pajama night and let the kids have at it. They love to pick out the craziest bedtime outfit they can put together.

(Sorry for the poor quality of the picture!)

It's such a simple little thing, but to the kids it's a riot. It makes me a fun mom in their eyes. And that definitely works for me!

Stop by We Are THAT Family for more Works For Me Wednesday.

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What A Chore!

We spent this past weekend house and dog sitting for my brother-in-law. And let me tell you, it was such a chore!
It was a chore to sit inside the house and have to look out on this view.

It was a chore to watch our oldest two children play together in the lake.

It was a chore to watch our youngest two children build intricate rivers and roads in the sand.

It was a huge chore for Eric to lose at least 30 years worth of maturity and become a kid again.

It was a chore for Gracie to trail the dogs all weekend long and imitate their every move.

It was a chore to relax as a family on the couch while watching a movie on the 5 foot flat screen tv.
It was a chore to build a bonfire and sit around said bonfire while roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories.

Now if I could just figure out how to make all of my real chores as trying as these chores!

What a wonderful, mini-vacation weekend we had.

Stop by Heavenly Homemakers for more Gratituesday and 5 Minutes For Mom for more Tackle It Tuesday.

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Menu Plan monday ~ Week of 8/17

It looks like we have a pretty easy week on the horizon, which sounds wonderful after last week. Eric and I have been talking about doing some furniture rearranging and decorating around the house, so maybe with a lighter schedule this week we'll be able to get that done.

I'm also planning on finishing up our homeschooling plans for this week. I've decided that our start date will be August 31. Fortunately I can order our books and be able to pick them up in just 3 days. That gives us 2 full weeks of summer left, so we'll do our best to make the most of those 2 weeks!

Here's what we'll be eating this week -

Breakfast

• M - Bagels & smoothies
• T - Peach and Oatmeal muffins
• W - Peanut butter/honey toast and smoothies
• Th - Cinnamon rolls
• F - French toast (made with homemade banana bread)
• S - Breakfast cookies and smoothies
• Su - Leftover breakfast cookies or cinnamon rolls

Lunch

• M - Hummus, pitas, cantaloupe
• T - Tostados, yogurt
• W - Veggie wraps, cheese slices
• Th - Tuna pasta salad, grapes
• F - Grilled cheese, berry salad
• S - Leftover buffet
• Su - Egg salad sandwichers, celery & carrot sticks

Dinner

• M - BBQ chicken sandwiches, red potato & pea salad
• T - Florentine stuffed shells and garlic toast
• W - Chicken pasta salad made with grapes, bacon, and walnuts
• Th - Vegetable stir-fry over brown rice
• F - Italian turkey sausage and peppers with pesto white beans
• S - BLTs and fruit salad (Unless Eric and I are able to head out for a date night.)
• Su - Tacos and root beer floats

You can find tons more menu plans over at I'm An Organizing Junkie.

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Weekend Linkage

It was an interesting week around here and I'm glad to wrap it up. We have a fun weekend of house sitting for my brother-in-law planned. Mainly it involves sitting in the sand, enjoying the lake and sitting around a bonfire. Sounds like pretty tough duty, doesn't it? I'm not sure who's more excited, the kids or Eric and I. We're going to swing by the grocery store on our way there and pick up some fun camping-style food. Even though we aren't camping and will only be 20 minutes from home, we're choosing to treat it like a mini-vacation.

Here is some good reading for your weekend enjoyment.

• Thanks to Meredith from Like Merchant Ships' tumblr page, I found the amazing blog Walk Slowly, Live Wildly. I love it! I especially like all the pictures and details from their latest RV renovation. Since Eric and I dream often of road-tripping in an RV, I can't get enough of reading through all their RV adventures.
• I loved following along on all the details from Lora's trip to Mexico with her family. She captured some truly beautiful pictures in this post. Stunning!
• The title of this post says it all - You Tell Me: If you could have everything you wanted, would you take it? Great stuff from Lynnae at Being Frugal.
• I have considered Laura at Heavenly Homemakers a blogging buddy almost since the beginning of this blog. But now? Now she is my very bestest friend in the whole wide world because of this post - Make Your Own Funnel Cake. Could it get any better?
• I always love seeing what treasures people manage to snag at yard sales. Get a load of this stash Amy Lynne found. Impressive!

Have a great weekend!

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CFBA Review ~ Night Watchman

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Night Watchman
Multnomah Books (May 5, 2009)
by
Mark Mynheir
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book. The suspense kept me turning the pages. It was some great night time reading that led to a few late nights! This one is next on Eric's list too.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Mark Mynheir was born and raised on the east coast of Central Florida. Like most boys growing up, Mark enjoyed sports, mainly football and martial arts.

In 1983, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and went through basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina. After serving four years in the Marines, Mark changed gears and pursued a career in law enforcement.

During his career as a police officer, Mark has worked as a narcotics agent, a S.W.A.T. team member, and a homicide detective.

Over sixteen years ago, during a health crisis involving his oldest son, Mark gave his life to Jesus Christ. Shortly after his conversion, he felt God leading him in a new direction: writing. Now he balances dual careers as a police officer and novelist.

He has authored Rolling Thunder (The Truth Chasers Book One), From the Belly of the Dragon (The Truth Chasers Book Two), and The Void (The Truth Chasers Book Three).

Mark is married to the love of his life and has three fantastic children, and they all currently reside in Central Florida.


ABOUT THE BOOK

When everything is ripped away...

Eleven months ago, Ray Quinn was a tough, quick-witted Orlando homicide detective at the top of his game-until a barrage of bullets ended his career.and his partner's life.

Now medically retired with a painful handicap, Ray battles the haunting guilt for his partner's death. Numbing the pain with alcohol and attitude, Ray takes a job as a night watchman at a swanky Orlando condo community.

But when a pastor and an exotic dancer are found dead in one of the condos in an apparent murder-suicide, Ray can no longer linger in the shadows. The victim’s sister is convinced her brother was framed and begs Ray to take on an impossible case─to challenge the evidence and clear her brother’s name.

Ray reluctantly pulls the thread of this supposedly dead-end case only to unravel a murder investigation so deep that it threatens to turn the Orlando political landscape upside down and transform old friends into new enemies. As Ray chases down leads and interrogates suspects, someone is watching his every move, someone determined to keep him from ever finding out the truth─at any cost.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Night Watchman, go HERE

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