Today's science lesson was on Fireflies and LadyBeetles (Ladybugs) - because officially neither of them are bugs or flies....they are both beetles :) There is your science lesson for the day. Also note that I was spelling beetles like the rock group...but spell check didn't like that! LOL
Anyway, Bear is terrified of any bugs, but especially ladybugs and fireflies. No matter how much you explain about their good qualities, he screams whenever he sees one. Heaven forbid they be in a herd. LOL But he participated and drew a fantastic rendition of a ladybug...in purple. But hey, that's something anyway. He has also been "teaching" us all about ladybugs and fireflies. I hope he remembers some of it for his dad this evening!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Heads Up
Feel free to head on over to Sew Blessed if you are looking to do some early Christmas shopping or perhaps something for a wedding/baby shower. Just up are knitted dishcloths. They are 100% cotton. Check them out! More items to come :)
Walking through the Teen Years
Leland turned 13 this summer. That statement makes me feel old and I worry about what will happen to our relationship as he gains independence and becomes his own person.
I usually walk around town while the boys have soccer practice. Usually I am pushing a stroller, but last night Norman kept the babies at home. I had my ipod in my hand and was ready to go when Lee offered to go with me. Now, walking is my time. I zone out and have a terrible tendency to ignore the ramblings of Bear (isn't that horrible???) while I try to refocus and relax. Last night I was going to be able to be ALONE! And Lee wanted to go with me. So I left my ipod in the van and we walked. And talked. I shared some life experiences and learned a lot about my teenage son. I am so very glad that we were able to have that hour and I hope that he and I (Greg and I, Bear and I, Abby and I) can carve out more time over the next few years to spend some one-on-one time and get to know each other better. Maybe the teen years won't be so bad after all..................and for the record, I am going to forever be 33 :) So maybe getting older won't be a problem after all. LOL
I usually walk around town while the boys have soccer practice. Usually I am pushing a stroller, but last night Norman kept the babies at home. I had my ipod in my hand and was ready to go when Lee offered to go with me. Now, walking is my time. I zone out and have a terrible tendency to ignore the ramblings of Bear (isn't that horrible???) while I try to refocus and relax. Last night I was going to be able to be ALONE! And Lee wanted to go with me. So I left my ipod in the van and we walked. And talked. I shared some life experiences and learned a lot about my teenage son. I am so very glad that we were able to have that hour and I hope that he and I (Greg and I, Bear and I, Abby and I) can carve out more time over the next few years to spend some one-on-one time and get to know each other better. Maybe the teen years won't be so bad after all..................and for the record, I am going to forever be 33 :) So maybe getting older won't be a problem after all. LOL
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Remembering
I had to do something today that I never wanted to do. I had to explain Sept. 11th to Greg. My oldest 2 children were 17 months and 3 years old on Sept. 11, 2001. Although Lee (3) watched the news with me, I knew he didn't understand and didn't remember the frantic 3 hr. drive home or the anxiety that kept me up nights for the next few weeks. However, he has seen the news coverage, the TV specials and has heard me talk about it many times. Apparently Greg has not, or didn't realize what I was watching. He came out and watched the news with me for a bit this morning. And the questions started.
I found it relatively easy to explain the facts, the actions, the events. Just like a history lesson. What I found more difficult was to explain my feelings......how do you explain the fear? The need to get home to a safe place immediately? How do you explain that to a 10 year old that hasn't ever experienced anything remotely similar in his young life? I tried and I am sure failed miserably. Honestly, I hope he never feels those same things. I hope that nothing like this ever happens again. I can never forget.
I found it relatively easy to explain the facts, the actions, the events. Just like a history lesson. What I found more difficult was to explain my feelings......how do you explain the fear? The need to get home to a safe place immediately? How do you explain that to a 10 year old that hasn't ever experienced anything remotely similar in his young life? I tried and I am sure failed miserably. Honestly, I hope he never feels those same things. I hope that nothing like this ever happens again. I can never forget.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Fall is Here
I am my father's daughter.......a farmer's daughter.....so nothing smells more like fall to me then the smell of corn dust :) I know, people with allergies hate me, but really, you know it is fall if the combines are running! LOL So, my parents shelled the corn in the field between our houses.....so now I can see what they are doing and EVERYONE on the road can see what we are doing. I hate that.
This is day 2 of Norman on dayshift. Yesterday was anything but normal with a bunch of emergency trips to town for my brother thrown in, but I still think everything went well. Today is going great! School is almost done (its 9:40) and chili is simmering in the crockpot for supper. Laundry is almost done and the house is picked up. I just have a few more small tasks to complete before we head to town for a library event this afternoon. I look forward to having Lee and Norman home for supper :)
I think I may have to pack up my shorts and capris though. I am sitting here freezing! LOL Have a great day everyone!!!!!
This is day 2 of Norman on dayshift. Yesterday was anything but normal with a bunch of emergency trips to town for my brother thrown in, but I still think everything went well. Today is going great! School is almost done (its 9:40) and chili is simmering in the crockpot for supper. Laundry is almost done and the house is picked up. I just have a few more small tasks to complete before we head to town for a library event this afternoon. I look forward to having Lee and Norman home for supper :)
I think I may have to pack up my shorts and capris though. I am sitting here freezing! LOL Have a great day everyone!!!!!
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Choosing Joy
In this lifetime I will have many choices to make. Many choices to be made every single day. Although most of the choices I make have no bearing on my eternal life, many will impact how my day goes or how others perceive my life or how my life experience is remembered.
Some of the choices I have faced today include:
*when to get up (although for the most part, Abby did that for me)
* what to have for breakfast (don't tell WW but I had leftover pizza)
*TV news or Bible study (sadly, today I chose TV news)
*shower or just dress (I showered)
*chores or my fun stuff (I did "must do" chores and then knitting)
* lunch menu (leftovers)
You get the idea. Out of that list, the only thing that I can see that would have eternal value was the choice NOT to have Bible study. However, several of those choices will impact my outlook on the day - did I feel rushed because Abby got up the same time I did? How is my energy level because I chose a crummy breakfast? Am I ready to face the day since I chose a shower? Do I feel somewhat justified in my choice to do something for me (knitting time) now that I have the household running somewhat smoothly?
No matter what option I choose at each crossroads I always have the choice of JOY. Choosing joy means that I am at peace no matter what time Abby or the clock wake me up. I can feel JOY that I didn't have to make myself a big breakfast (or JOY that I had the time/ability/desire to make a healthy breakfast). JOY keeps me smiling when I don't have the time to do my things. JOY breeds patience and kindness when Bear tells me something 25 times or wants me to build the lincoln log town.....again. JOY reminds me that having my husband home every evening is worth the 4:45 a.m. wake-up call. Joy leads to contentment when I wish we could go out to supper, or I can sit on our "imaginary porch".
Living a joyful life enables others to see Christ through me. Do I lead a joyful life daily? Unfortunately not. I hope though, that most of my days are filled with joy. I ask God daily to give me joy in my heart and that the joy I feel will lead others to see the joy of Christ in my life.
Sometimes it is easier not to choose joy. Sometimes feeling joyful takes effort. I have found though, in my life, that the little effort required to find the good in each person or situation leads to wonderful blessings in my life. A day may go from bad to better or at least memories will be made.
My lincoln log mayor is calling me to rebuild his town :) So for now, I am choosing joy in playing with this little boy.....one who won't be little for very much longer. Thank you God for the ability to live with JOY!
Some of the choices I have faced today include:
*when to get up (although for the most part, Abby did that for me)
* what to have for breakfast (don't tell WW but I had leftover pizza)
*TV news or Bible study (sadly, today I chose TV news)
*shower or just dress (I showered)
*chores or my fun stuff (I did "must do" chores and then knitting)
* lunch menu (leftovers)
You get the idea. Out of that list, the only thing that I can see that would have eternal value was the choice NOT to have Bible study. However, several of those choices will impact my outlook on the day - did I feel rushed because Abby got up the same time I did? How is my energy level because I chose a crummy breakfast? Am I ready to face the day since I chose a shower? Do I feel somewhat justified in my choice to do something for me (knitting time) now that I have the household running somewhat smoothly?
No matter what option I choose at each crossroads I always have the choice of JOY. Choosing joy means that I am at peace no matter what time Abby or the clock wake me up. I can feel JOY that I didn't have to make myself a big breakfast (or JOY that I had the time/ability/desire to make a healthy breakfast). JOY keeps me smiling when I don't have the time to do my things. JOY breeds patience and kindness when Bear tells me something 25 times or wants me to build the lincoln log town.....again. JOY reminds me that having my husband home every evening is worth the 4:45 a.m. wake-up call. Joy leads to contentment when I wish we could go out to supper, or I can sit on our "imaginary porch".
Living a joyful life enables others to see Christ through me. Do I lead a joyful life daily? Unfortunately not. I hope though, that most of my days are filled with joy. I ask God daily to give me joy in my heart and that the joy I feel will lead others to see the joy of Christ in my life.
Sometimes it is easier not to choose joy. Sometimes feeling joyful takes effort. I have found though, in my life, that the little effort required to find the good in each person or situation leads to wonderful blessings in my life. A day may go from bad to better or at least memories will be made.
My lincoln log mayor is calling me to rebuild his town :) So for now, I am choosing joy in playing with this little boy.....one who won't be little for very much longer. Thank you God for the ability to live with JOY!
Saturday, September 04, 2010
Nobody Should Pay Full Price for -------
I was going to entitle this post "Nobody Should Pay Full Price for Diapers", but then stopped because most of the points I make will apply to just about anything that you buy on a regular basis. For the ease of understanding, I will be discussing diapers.
I have a 4 month old in diapers. Unless you have already bought cloth diapers and are using them exclusively then you will be buying diapers at some point in the future. Here are some ways to get your diapers cheaper or even free!
Diaper coupons abound. They are everywhere. You can get them from your local newspaper or the internet. They are also included if you order a diaper sample. I get diaper coupons in the mail after having signed up for new baby type information on the internet. If you haven't done this, then you should. You can also earn diaper coupons if you have a favorite particular "brand" like Pampers or Huggies. These diapers contain a code on the packaging that you can enter into an online account. Save the "points" from Pampers and you can earn a $3 coupon sent to you by mail. I assume you can do something similar with the points on Huggies packages as well. These codes are also available on packages of wipes :)
Occasionally CVS will have store coupons for diapers that print at the bottom of your purchase receipt. You can use this with a regular diaper coupon for more savings. I try to never pay more than $5 a jumbo pack for diapers and I almost never buy a store brand (although some are very, very good).
By far the cheapest way to get diapers is from Amazon.com. Most name brand diapers cost around $8 for a jumbo pack. I can get the equivalent of 3-4 jumbo packs of diapers for $23 (a savings of $1-$9) with free shipping by choosing to have diapers shipped to you on a regular schedule. It is called Subscribe and Save. Anyway, I get my diapers for FREE using this option. Want to know how?
Go HERE and sign up for Swagbucks. Install the toolbar on your computer(s) or use their homepage while doing your internet searching. Shop through regular stores from Swagbucks. Take surveys and check out special offers. While doing all these things you will be earning points. Every 450 points earns you a $5 Amazon gift card. You can also use your points for other gift cards or items from their store, but we are talking diapers and other items here! Stay with me :) Anyway, you can store these $5 gift cards on your Amazon account, allowing them to accrue. Then you use that "money" that you "earned" to buy your diapers (or whatever other items you can get from Amazon). Remember that Subscribe and Save shipping is FREE :) So I have huge boxes of diapers shipped to my house with NO money out of my pocket - or very little depending on how much internet searching my kids or husband do. You can start doing this also by going HERE and signing up. I promise, this isn't some weird way to get your banking information or making you buy something you don't want. You use their search engine just like you do google.
I know times are hard economically for a lot of people nowadays. I hope that this information will help you stretch your budgeted dollars a little farther. Have a great day!
I have a 4 month old in diapers. Unless you have already bought cloth diapers and are using them exclusively then you will be buying diapers at some point in the future. Here are some ways to get your diapers cheaper or even free!
Diaper coupons abound. They are everywhere. You can get them from your local newspaper or the internet. They are also included if you order a diaper sample. I get diaper coupons in the mail after having signed up for new baby type information on the internet. If you haven't done this, then you should. You can also earn diaper coupons if you have a favorite particular "brand" like Pampers or Huggies. These diapers contain a code on the packaging that you can enter into an online account. Save the "points" from Pampers and you can earn a $3 coupon sent to you by mail. I assume you can do something similar with the points on Huggies packages as well. These codes are also available on packages of wipes :)
Occasionally CVS will have store coupons for diapers that print at the bottom of your purchase receipt. You can use this with a regular diaper coupon for more savings. I try to never pay more than $5 a jumbo pack for diapers and I almost never buy a store brand (although some are very, very good).
By far the cheapest way to get diapers is from Amazon.com. Most name brand diapers cost around $8 for a jumbo pack. I can get the equivalent of 3-4 jumbo packs of diapers for $23 (a savings of $1-$9) with free shipping by choosing to have diapers shipped to you on a regular schedule. It is called Subscribe and Save. Anyway, I get my diapers for FREE using this option. Want to know how?
Go HERE and sign up for Swagbucks. Install the toolbar on your computer(s) or use their homepage while doing your internet searching. Shop through regular stores from Swagbucks. Take surveys and check out special offers. While doing all these things you will be earning points. Every 450 points earns you a $5 Amazon gift card. You can also use your points for other gift cards or items from their store, but we are talking diapers and other items here! Stay with me :) Anyway, you can store these $5 gift cards on your Amazon account, allowing them to accrue. Then you use that "money" that you "earned" to buy your diapers (or whatever other items you can get from Amazon). Remember that Subscribe and Save shipping is FREE :) So I have huge boxes of diapers shipped to my house with NO money out of my pocket - or very little depending on how much internet searching my kids or husband do. You can start doing this also by going HERE and signing up. I promise, this isn't some weird way to get your banking information or making you buy something you don't want. You use their search engine just like you do google.
I know times are hard economically for a lot of people nowadays. I hope that this information will help you stretch your budgeted dollars a little farther. Have a great day!
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