Goodbye 2012!

Reflecting Back on 2012 - Popular Posts 

• 

  Classical Conversations Memory Work Binder (actually this was New Year's Eve last year :)

  In an effort to get ready for the new year, I have put together this binder to use for our Classical Conversations (CC) memory work.  It al...
• 

  The Parent Rap

  Saw this over at Raising Little Rhodies and had to share!  Love it!!
• 

  The Homeschool Mother's Journal - 5/25

  Share your own journal and read others  here . Let summer commence!!!!!! In my life & homeschool this week…   We finished our...
• 

  We are ready! 2012-2013 School Area

  Our first week of school will begin Monday, August 13 and we are ready!  Here are a few more areas of our school room.  This room is loc...
• 

  5 Days of Homeschool Life - Day 1

  You are viewing Day 1.  Here is Day 2 , Day 3 , Day 4 , and Day 5 . I chose the general topic of Homeschool Life because I always l...
• 

  Back To Homeschool - Curriculum

  Day 2 of The Schoolhouse Review Crew Blog Hop is all about the curriculum - the nitty gritty! Here are our 2012-2013 curriculum choi...
• 

  Our Curriculum 2012-2013 - 4th grade

  Again - not my first time teaching 4th grade but a whole different curriculum than what we used before.  I think we finally found our groove...
• 

  Our Homeschool Area

  It seems I change our room a little each year!  This year I decided to give each child their own individual desk.  We are moving very clo...
• 

  5 Days of Homeschool Life - Day 2

  Welcome back to our life - day 2.  Today, I will share "my brain" with you.   Saturday planning cannot be done without "my brain"....
• 

  My Father's World - CTG & AHL Preparation

  I'm pretty sure I've passed my binder love/obsession on to my children.  They love a new fresh binder as much as I do!  Here is how we set ...

Budget and Bills Binder

*****update:  2016 Budget Sheets are now ready!*****

One of my goals for the New Year is to stay on top of our budget.  Inspired by what else - Pinterest.  So, after being inspired I picked the one that would fit our needs the best.

Here is out Bills Binder.

Inside - I purchased 2 of these folders from Staples.  In the clear one is where I place our bills when they come in until it is time to pay them. The blue one will be for deposit receipts and things that can't easily be hole punched.

Tabbed sections include our budget, monthly calendar, and tabs to file the bills once they are paid.

I couldn't find a calendar that had what I wanted on it so I made my own.  Here is where I will list the bills and mark them off when they are paid.  I can also keep up with balances and watch them go down!

Free Printable Budget Calendars - click here.  Here's to 2013!

Motivated Moms Planner Winner!

Congratulations, Jewel!  You have an email waiting for you!

I hope this planner will be as much of a blessing to you as it has been for our family!

Enjoy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Homeschool Mother's Journal - End of 2012 Wrap-up

Christmas Break begins!  Merry Christmas!!

In my life this week…

We are still battling some sickness.  We all will get well and then someone will fall ill again.  As of right now, everyone is feeling better.  Praise God!!

In our homeschool this week…

We finished up Week 14 of My Father's World CTG, reviewed our first 12 weeks of Classical Conversations, and had our annual Polar Express party.

Our favorite holiday traditions are…

baking

Jesse Tree

countdown chain

visiting Santa

Polar Express party

What’s working/not working for us…

We have completely dropped MFW CTG science and we are just using CC's science for now.  I just wasn't crazy about the experiments in Genesis For Kids.

All other subjects seem to be going well!

I’m busy planning…

our next 12 weeks of school

our 2013 budget 

setting up calendars and cleaning schedules for the New Year

I’m grateful for…

The Motivated Moms planners!  Since February, we've used this and it is so simple and easy to get chores done.  See my review, get a discount code, or enter for a free giveaway here.

I’m praying for…

Complete healing and health for our family.  No more sickness and coughing to go away!!

See other journals here and wrap-ups here.  Cheers for 2013!

2013 Is Coming And Cleaning Never Ends! (giveaway)

As a homeschool mom of 3 busy children, house cleaning is sometimes left in the dust - literally! On any given day, if you show up uninvited, you will find some things out of place.  Our home is lived in and I'm really okay with that.  I do like knowing that cleaning is being accomplished though.  I feel like it is a part of my job as a stay at home mom but also feel that everyone in the family must do their part to make our household run smoothly.

Since February of this year, we have been using the Motivated Moms planner consistently and I love it!  I downloaded the e-book version first and loved it so much I purchased the ipod app as well.  Chores are broken down for you on a daily basis.  You don't need to keep track of what needs to be done when.  The planner does it for you!  You can complete the chores normally within an hour especially if you delegate like I do!  I just write the child's name beside the chore I'd like for them to do that day.  We usually complete the daily chores before school and the chores listed by day are completed in the afternoon.  You can see here where I simply added who I wanted to do what.  Simple and fast!  Chores are often hard to get done but this makes it work much easier for us.

E-book versions

The Motivated Moms printable chore list is an e-book that you download and save to your computer. You can then either print the full year out at once, print a week at a time or just view it on your computer. I printed mine during my school planning sessions every 12 weeks.  If you love to check off boxes then this is a great tool.

I love the e-book version because I am a hand written paper planner gal. 

App Versions

As I mentioned earlier, I was such a fan of the e-book version that I decided to add the ipod version to our repertoire as well to help motivate the kids.  They love clicking on their done chore and watching it disappear (it actually drops to the bottom but it feels so freeing :).  I might - just might - try using the ipod app exclusively this year since it allows you to assign chores to people as well.  Each person is color coded - love!  I can add in my own tasks for them to do. I can save on ink costs and time because it's all right there just waiting.  I think I can, I think I can.  :)  Seriously, if you are looking for customization, I think the app version would be the best choice.

With the app you get 15 months of programmed tasks (over 10,000 of them) spanning from October 2012 to December 2013. In addition, you can add unlimited custom tasks and assign tasks to people and rooms.

Key features:

• All tasks in the average home are planned out for you throughout the year
• Ability to add unlimited custom tasks
• Check off chores as they are done and they drop to the bottom of the list out of your way
• No major cleaning days or Spring Cleaning week, do just a little all year around
• Daily items and those that come up less frequently are scheduled for you
• No need to remember when you last changed the a/c filter or dusted the living room – just do the tasks as they come up; the app keeps track for you.
• Tasks can be assigned to people and rooms and sorted accordingly

You can move items to other days if there is a conflict. The application also gives you the ability to “hide” items that don’t apply. Don’t have a pet? Just hide the “Feed Pets” chore, then “unhide” it later if you get a pet part of the way through the year.

Want to be reminded to read your Bible each day? Motivated Moms will help you read through the Bible in a year. Don’t need the bible reading plan? There is a setting to turn off the scheduled Bible readings so you won’t see them in your list.

My thoughts

You know what I think I love the most about this planner?  The simplicity.  It doesn't have pretty borders or fancy pages.  It simply has what needs to be done.  It also has lots of different versions available suiting the needs of every household: half pages, full pages, daily Bible readings, no daily Bible readings, print version, and apps.  Want to give it a try for yourself?  Try out the lite app versions for for free for ipod/iphone/ipad or android or the 2012 - 3 month e-book planners for $2.

Discount Code For ebook version

For 2013, the app versions are available for $7.99ea.  The e-book versions are available for $8ea.  If you use the code GRACE and purchase your planner by 1/4/13 you will receive $1 off the e-book version. 

Giveaway Details

Susan at Motivated Moms has also been so generous to my readers and is giving away one of the 2013 Motivated Moms planners.  Just follow the steps below for your chance to win - your choice of e-book version or ipod/iphone/ipad app!  Giveaway ends 12/31/12 at midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Disclaimer:  I was given a free 2013 ipod app of Motivated Moms in exchange for my review.  I purchased my own planners for 2012! I am also an affiliate with the company since I love them so much!  

Weekly Wrap-Up - Week ?

It's been a while since I've updated.  Really, I know that we are on Week 13, because the top of my well planned My Father's World agenda tells me so.  Other than that, I'm doing good to know that today is Friday. 

I didn't plan a break, but God had one planned for me.  It started with the flu, which ran it's course for about a week, and then the icing on the cake - bronchitis.  My chest felt so tight that I could hardly breathe.  It sounded like pop rocks going off inside my body.  After a breathing treatment, antibiotics, an inhaler, and 2 weeks of rest from couch to bed, I can say I feel human again!!  

My darling little angels took care of their mom and did a week's worth of school ON THEIR OWN - oh independence - how sweet it is!  Sure, I pretended to be teaching as I dozed in and out of consciousness the first day.  Finally, I just forget it and they carried on - by themselves!!  The day has come and I need to shout it from the roof tops!!  That is the goal isn't it?  To teach our children independence and survival for themselves, so that they may one day leave home and do the same with their children.

I'm not saying that we are completely there, since I did have to remind my child to fix his bed this morning.  We've only been doing that for 14 years now.  But times around here, they are a changin'!

And I'm ba-a-a-ack!

Joining The Homeschool Mother's Journal and Weekly Wrap-up.

Week 8 & 9

The weeks are turning into blurs!!  We have so much going on and I really don't see it stopping any time soon!

In my life this week… 

More activities including snakes in the pantry, Pastor Appreciation, Trunk or Treat, having a special time with my sister at Women of Faith, and another dance at our local festival - Whirligig!

This is NOT something you should find in your pantry as you are throwing something away!

Sign we made for our pastor.  We also searched all over and finally found 100 grand bar and at that at the end although it is not pictured.  We really wanted him to have that 100 grand, lol.

Fun with my sis!

Trunk or Treat

The Whirligig Festival

In our homeschool this week… 

crayfish and owl pellets - oh my!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… 

Coming up this week is a prayer walk, birthday party, and science club.

Things I’m working on… 

Sarah and I finished this wreath inspired by a friend who was inspired by pinterest.  Go Wolfpack!  Unfortunately, we hung it on a command hook - it fell and broke in half!  So, we are still working on putting it back together again.  

I’m reading… 

Homeschool Supermom NOT - very good so far!

I’m cooking… 

Not much lately!  I need to change that and get back to menu planning and budgeting around here!

I’m grateful for… 

Everyday in November, I'm listing 3 thankfuls a day so here's what I have so far.

Jesus - my Savior, redeemer, and friend
My husband
My children
My morning coffee
Cool mornings
Pumpkin anything :)
Shawn being off and joining us
God's Word
Friday Bible Study with some special ladies

Family
Church family
Friends

I’m praying for… 

My uncle who was recently diagnosed with cancer and it has spread.  :(  I would appreciate your prayers as well!


I'm linking up with The Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, and Collage Friday.  I love looking at other homeschoolers weeks!

Catching up - Week 7

In my life this week… 

Making memories :).  That's why I haven't had time to update here!  

In our homeschool this week… 

We finished up week 7 at home with Classical Conversations (CC) and week 6 with our local community.  

We also completed week 7 of our My Father's World curriculum.  We are skipping a lot of the science experiments right now due to time.  We cover enough science in CC for me.  :)

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

Pumpkin Patch Field trip!

Shake, shake, shake - butter we will make!

My favorite thing this week was… 

The kids sharing their faith through dance at the local Festival of Faith.  They also enjoyed the other activities at the festival!

What’s working/not working for us… 

So far we are still enjoying everything that we are doing in our curriculum choices.  I'm second guessing myself again on Teaching Textbooks.  Honestly, I am not even sure why!  The kids love it, it gives me flexibility since it grades for me, and everyone is doing well with it.  So, what's my problem?  I don't know!!  I'm crazy like that - anyone else?!

Join the Schoolhouse Crew!

It's that time again!!  If you want to apply to be a member of The Schoolhouse Review Crew here is your chance!

So what does it take to be a Schoolhouse Crew Review team member?

1. You must have a blog

2. You must have at least 22 public followers

3. You must homeschool

Those are the requirements but I'd also like to add a few from my experience.  

• You will need to be flexible in your curriculum.  It is not always each to switch gears midstream especially something you are really enjoying.
• You will need extra time worked in your schedule to use the items and then to write your review.
• Your children will need to be willing to review the items.

The Crew has been a blessing to our family but I will say that it is not for everyone.  I would encourage you to pray before applying and discuss it with your husband and children.

 2013 Schoolhouse Review Crew Application

Crew Review: Beeyoutiful

I would not really consider myself a girly girl but I do love to wear makeup.  I have some red patches to my skin so I wear foundation pretty much every day.  My skin is extra sensitive and extra dry so I have to be careful what products I try.  I usually find one and stick with it but recently I was given the opportunity to review mineral make-up by Beeyoutiful.  I researched the product before accepting the review and found that their make-up is made from 100% minerals with no fillers or additives.  It is also gluten free.  With that in mind, I felt I would be safe to give it a try.

This is the package I received.  You can never get back a first impression and I was impressed and excited just from seeing the presentation of the make-up.  

Included in this adorable little package were the colors I had chosen for myself and 2 brushes.   It included foundation and eye mineral makeup that could be used interchangeably as eye shadow or lipstick. 

So the fun began! I must admit that I have never used mineral makeup before so it was all very new to me. Thankfully, Beeyoutiful also sent along a DVD of how to apply the products I had chosen. You can also watch them online here.

First up was the foundation.  I chose the color Fiona.  It came in powder form and I used the same process given in the video.  I generously applied moisturizer to my skin and then tapped out a small amount of the powder into the foundation lid.  Since my skin is extremely dry, I added moisturizer to the powder and mixed it together with the foundation brush provided.  After mixing completely, I applied the foundation to my face using the foundation brush.  The feel of the make-up is really light and airy and doesn't feel like you have on makeup at all.  It also took a very small amount to get the coverage I wanted.  There are over 20 foundation colors available in 4 gram weight for $25 each.  Go here to find your perfect foundation shade.  Samples of each shade are also available for $1 each.

The foundation brush is so soft!  It sells for $11.

Next up came the eye shadow/lipstick shade.  The beauty of the powder is that is can work in either area.  I chose the apricot shimmer and a sample shade of the pink rose dust.  There are over 45 shades available in .45 gram weight for $10 each.  You can also purchase samples for $1 each.

I applied these using the combo brush also known as the multi use brush.  It sells for $6.50.

I applied apricot shimmer to my lips using some lip balm mixed in with the minerals.  Again, it only takes a very small amount to cover the area. This is all I used.

Then I used the other end of the combo brush to add a little of the pink rose dust as eye shadow.  

And here is the ta-da! I even timed myself - 15 minutes later and that was stopping to take pictures!  The foundation lasts well but I have a tendency to eat lipstick so I would need to reapply by noon I'm sure.  :) 

Sorry no super models were available.  Ha ha.

I would highly recommend this makeup.  It feels so wonderful and light, goes on quickly, and a little goes a long way!  There are also many other products available by Beeyoutiful including moisturizer, lip balm, and so much more!  

Some of my fellow crew mates tried out other shades of the mineral makeup and other products so be sure to see what they thought!

**Disclaimer: As a member of The Schoolhouse Review Crew, I received free products for my review. The opinions here are my honest and true evaluation.