New Year Planning

So, are any of you beginning to think of things you want to accomplish in the new year like I am?  I have been considering this topic for quite some time and, as always, feel like I just have so many things I want to change/do with the fresh start of 2010 (and by the way, I am having a hard time getting used to calling it 20-10 instead of 2,010- is anyone else having this hang up?!  Maybe it's just me!).

So far I have in mind to get back on track with FlyLady, establish more of a family schedule/routine (including earlier to bed and earlier to rise- ugh!), be more diligent with our home-preschooling, and more, but I am still working out the details. 

Do any of you have any wisdom to pass on to me?  Or ideas for how to be more successful with all this?  I would love to hear!

I can't believe I won!!

I have won a few things I have entered in bloggy contests but for the most part it is a big zilcho!  This weekend, however, I was shocked and elated to find out that I won an ENTIRE YEAR of Itty Bitty Bookworm curriculum from Homeschool Creations!  EEEEEEEK!!!!  I am sooooo stinkin' excited!!!!

Check out Jolanthe's Blog (she just won a Homeschool Blogging award!  And yes, I voted for her!):



And of course I will be blogging about my win on R-Man's blog as we begin to use the curriculum in January! 

Thanks again Jolanthe- such a huge blessing for a mama who can't afford much of anything right now!

hmmmm, Tuesday already?

So, I didn't mean to take a bloggy break, but a week and a half ago things became utterly crazy!  We went from rarely having anywhere to go or anything to do to having at least one outing every day for EIGHT days!  It was nuts!  Then, as soon as we had a full day at home (well, technically my husband and I were supposed to go on a date that night) both boys came down with colds (hence, canceling date)- so that pretty much did us in for the weekend!

Now, here we are on Tuesday and I am wondering where time went!  To be honest, much of the holiday season will probably look like this on my blog, despite my best efforts.  Many times throughout the day I longing stare at my computer as I hold a screaming baby in my arms, wishing for some quiet alone time!  But let's face it- it's just not happening much these days!  And when I do get a chance to be on the computer I am usually working on Christmas gifts or attempting to catch up on the boy's blogs (a couple weeks behind) and I just have to adhere to some sort of priority list. 

So it is.  I just need to get over it!

"Treasured" Book Review

Can I just say that I think the cover of this book is simply beautiful!  I know you aren't supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but man, the stunning image wrap on this one sure makes you want to!  Better yet, the inside truly lives up to the beauty of the cover!

This is a wonderful book to use as a devotional.  I have found it to be especially insightful as I have been using it in companion with a Bible study I am doing on contentment.  It helps reinforce the fact that God remembers us, no matter where we are in life and that He treasures us.

This is also highly relevant to my current life circumstances, with my husband nearly completely out of work.  Sometimes the Lord can feel so absent, but you read Treasured and are reminded that He does indeed know what you are going through, and beyond that He has a plan and can be trusted.

I thought that Leigh did a very nice job of incorporating her own applicable life events to bring these classic Bible stories into a modern light and make them seem very tangible.  I especially connected with her recounting of Hagar's story and Noah's as well.  Treasured is beautifully written and I think it would make a fantastic gift to the women in your life this Christmas.

Here is the publisher's summary, if you would like a little bit more insight into the book:

In Treasured, Leigh McLeroy considers tangible reminders of God’s active presence and guides readers in discovering evidence in their own lives of his attentive love.

            “The idea for the book came from a cigar box filled with odds and ends of my grandfather’s life that arrived a few months after his death. Sifting through the objects in the box, I experienced him in a fresh new way. This made me wonder what treasures might be tucked away in Scripture that could frame God for me in an equally intimate, tangible way. This process also helped me uncover my own “treasures” of my walk with the Lord: objects that remind me of my history with him and his faithfulness to me,” says McLeroy.

            Drawn from the pages of Scripture, the author considers twelve such treasures and personalizes their meaning for readers, such as a green olive branch that offers  proof of God’s “new every morning” mercy and a scarlet cord that demonstrates his willingness to adopt “strays” of every sort.

            Weaving these treasures together with scenes from her personal history, Leigh McLeroy invites readers to discover God’s heart for them and embrace their unique role in his redemptive story. Treasured offers readers a guided experience of God’s love and character and invites them to consider their own treasures that point to their part in God’s ongoing story.

To purchase your copy of Treasured you can visit Random House.
You can also find out more about Leigh McLeroy on her website.

This book was provided by the publisher for honest review.

To find out more about reviewing books for Waterbrook Press, you can go here.

Talk softly...

"MOMMY!!!  I need a napkin!"

The noise I just heard clammer upstairs begins to register.  He spilled his milk.  The very last, eansy bit of (expensive) milk that I had been saving for his breakfast. 


I stop doing the laundry and climb the stairs in frustration. 

"What happened?  Why did you spill it?  How did you do it?  Were you messing around?"

Of course he was messing around!  He is a three-year-old boy!

As I spew out my litany of questions and kneel on the floor to mop up the mess, certain humbling and convicting thoughts begin to enter my mind.

Would Michelle Duggar get this upset over a little spilled milk?  Nope- she would talk softly.  Does it really matter that much?  At least it was in the kitchen and not on the carpet.  Change your tone.  He didn't mean to. 

But he woke up like a whirlwind!  Did someone sneak him a Redbull sometime in the middle of the night?  How can he have this much energy?!  Can't he just sit still for 5 minutes?!  He is already driving me crazy and he has only been awake for an hour!



Just calm down.  He is three!!  You are doing a Bible study on peace and contentment- prove it.

But I was going to do that study right now, while they were both being good and content for that precious half an hour I have every morning!  Now I may not even get a shower!

HEY!  Knock it off!!  Get it together!  This is no way to have peace in your house!!!  Be the example!  STOP and pray- right now!

Jesus?  

Give me patience today.  

Help me stay calm.  

Help me to not use an exclamation point at the end of every sentence (or word) today.  

Help me think of the good things.  

Thank you for my little boys.  

My vibrant, crazy, unique little boys.  

Help me see them as your gift and not my inconvenience.  

Help me to honor you in the way I care for them.  

Help me follow your plan for my day instead of mine.  

And most of all... 

give me GRACE!

Amen!