Super Nanny

I had never heard of Super Nanny until a couple of days ago.  I immediately looked her up on YouTube and endured a few episodes.  Wow.

Let me preface this post by saying that I have been on both sides of the parenting field.  I was 33 when I had my first child.  And I knew everything about parenting!  I was very apt in noticing others' parenting mistakes.  Like a super-power! Then I had a child.  And I had that child!  Suddenly all of my "parental sagacity" proved to be inept and ignorant.  First, he was born about 3 weeks early and without the suckle reflex...I had missed that chapter in the What To Expect The First Year  Book. And COLIC! Colic is real. I continued to survive...day by day--and many days hour by hour.  I was nearing the completion of my first year of motherhood when I found that I was going to get to go through year one again!  {Actually I found out on that first birth day that I was nine short months away from another new baby!}

Yes, I have a great husband--and great grand-parental support group...but even though he was not the first grandchild on one side--we were all in this learning experience together.

**back to SuperNanny...***
So far what I have noticed about Super Nanny Jo is that she will try to instruct the parents on how to get their child to listen to them, how to show love to their child, and how to speak authoritatively to their child. Really?? The same day that I found Super Nanny was the Florida High School Massacre.

Maybe Super Nanny is doing society a service.  No matter my opinion of Super Nanny at least she is bringing to light the need for discipline and love.  Even now as my children are at manageable ages...I am concerned with their training and nurturing.  And now that I have gotten through those years--and you know which ones I mean!--I believe I am more sensitive to parents to children of all ages.  Even those scary teen years.  I am just now arriving in those years...but already I am more emphatic of parents treading waters that I haven't crossed yet.

Thankfully God gives grace.
Also thankful that my young men are in a strong church, active youth group and have a very in-touch youth pastor.

Hillary Clinton made the proverb "It takes a village to raise a child" famous---
but she is not the first to pen that.  Actually it is an old African proverb.  Where communities work together and hold the same values.  

~~choose your village wisely

EX LIBRIS

I love books.
I love to read.
Yeah, usually I have more than one book going at a time.
I love to talk about books.

Today I want to share my must reads. I could suggest so many books. But these are the ones that I am so sure of that often I gift these! {I am a believer in gifting what I love!}

Christian Experience

MISSIONS

MARRIAGE

HOMEMAKING

{these books are my reference!}

ETIQUETTE

There are many, many more books that I love... but these are the top ten that I always have to ask others who are passionate about similar interests to mine if they have read.

I do read by Kindle--but all these are worthy of owning and worthy prominent display in my home.

Book Review: The Life Giving Home

I was wanting a read that would inspire me as a mom. This summer has already been so busy. And I know that May will soon fade into August. I have been de-cluttering, cleaning, organizing, trying to work down my "fix-it" list. But about a week ago I had an urge to be refreshed and inspired.  I asked a few mom friends for a book suggestion. Thinking that someone would know of a great devotional. But that suggestion never came.  One evening I was shopping on Amazon and looking at a book-- for a whole other purpose and this book came up in the "others also bought" list! SO I CLICKED BUY

The book arrived--and I was consumed! My heart was alive! I am constantly remembering small things that my family has enjoyed in the past. I have stopped to take time to do the small things that the boys want to do.

This time of refreshing can only be summed up in a quote I read once:  

"Try to create the HOME you would want to live in."

Review Game: BATTLESHIP

We are out of school for the summer and I am preparing for the new year. As I come across things I meant to share during school I will try to share now!

I have a wipe off grid poster. Across I letter A-J and down I number 1-10.

One player:

* I give out math facts/history questions

*a correct answer gets two "shots" (guesses) to find my battle ship.

*I graph my ships on a piece of graph paper

*game is complete when all of my ships are sunk.

*ship sizes are traditional: 5,4,3,3,2

Two Player:

Rules are same as above. Each player gets their own "hit" and "miss" color.

Happy Summer!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window--today was slightly bleak here in Kentucky...this morning it spit snow and was just a cold breezy day.

I am thinking--that I didn't get everything accomplished that I had on my mind this morning...but I visited an old friend, text a couple distant friends, spent some time with my family just hanging out...so laundry will get caught up... but today's important moments were captured.

I am thinking--that I need more days like today :-)

One of my favorite things--today is TIME.

I am creating--a trial warp on my Ashford Knitters

 Loom---many of the yarns are bits left from past projects.

I am reading--this is the current read-a-loud that I am reading to the boys

I am wearing--a dark green olive turtle neck and plaid skirt that I got for my birthday

I am hoping--that I can come up with a great dish to take to a potluck on Sunday~~I never know what to take to those...sigh...

I am learning--to control the laundry monster!

In my kitchen--I made a breakfast casserole!

Postscript--Anchors Bows and Lace

My niece Hannah's Etsy shop--she is 16!!what a young lady!!

Quote of the day--try to create a home you would want to live in 

[not sure where I heard it--but it is my goal]

Moment of my day--Today I visited a dear friend at her new weaving studio!!  Instantly I felt right at home.  It brought back lots of warm memories of days I sat in her yarn shop learning to knit and weave!  while making a friend that I kept even after the shop closed!

Closing notes--always take a picture...I found this picture today from February 2006-  my husbands grandmother holding Nate's hand.  Granny Eula is gone...but I have this lovely picture to share with Nate!

I am linking this post to The Simple Woman's Daybook

Raising Readers

Raising readers is important to me.  I guess because I am a reader. And maybe it is because that is how I was raised.  My brother and I have both been readers as long as I can remember.  How did that happen? How did my parents raise readers? 

     **They always had LOTS of reading materials around.

     **They got rid of our TV when I was in the 5th grade.

     **When my brother and I got into a series...they helped us get the next book .

     **They talked to us about what we were reading.

     **They talked to us about what they were reading.

     **Often they would also read what we were reading.

     **My parents read to us.  Today if you are at my parents home my dad will at some point read to you.!!

Today Eli started reading a biography of Neil Armstrong.  Yes it is assigned reading, but he must be enjoying it because he is telling facts and stories of that hero.

Ben started reading The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P.Figg.  This is an assigned reading from his language arts class at the co-op.  I am happy that he enjoys reading the assigned selections.

Nate hasn't always been my zealous reader.  Nowadays as he matures and is finding that reading is not a struggle....he seems to be acquiring a love for reading.  He along with his brothers is in love with audio books.

Today we started a new "read-a-long".  At lunch I began reading They Called Me Mama to the boys.  I hope to share a chapter each day at lunch with them.  If you are looking for a great family read check out this lovely story!

If you have a family reading suggestion leave me a comment!

Readers are leaders!

Easiest Yeast Bread!

So a friend is gifting me 2 dozen fresh eggs!  How to graciously accept them?  The only way I know to---

Easy Yeast Bread

First lightly wipe vegetable oil in the bowl that you are going to use for mixing.

6 cups of flour (all purpose)
2t. active yeast
2t. salt
4T. sugar

(to correctly measure flour spoon it into the measuring cup)

Mix all of these dry ingrediants together in a large bowl.

Then stir in 4T. of oil.
Next add 2 1/4c. of hot water--not boiling.
Continue to mix until the dough forms a ball.

Take the dough and knead it in flour sprinkled on counter or waxed paper.

Place the dough back into the bowl and let it rise for 20 minutes.

Next punch the dough working out any air pockets. Divide the dough into two equal balls. Place them into lightly greased loaf pans and allow them to rise for 4 hours.

After four hours place the pans into a preheated over set to 325. Bake for 25 minutes.

Allow the pans to cool for 2 minutes...
--run the loaves with butter then turn them out of the pans
--Leave the loaves lying on their sides to allw the bread to cool evenly (you dont want the bottom of the loave to sweat)

Theresa enjoy!!

January 1st Is Not Magical

January 1st is not magical.  But people wait for it.  We have all heard  and/or said it. January 1st I am going to :
--start a diet
--begin a budget
--get organized
--exercise!
...and we know what happens --January 8th does. {L.I.F.E.} And we have to accept that we woke up no different.

Today is September 1st.  I have been considering what I need THIS September to be.  Instead of overwhelming myself with lofty goals...or chastising myself for ones missed in August, July, June. ...---》 I am choosing to celebrate success, victories, journeys endured--completed.

***
Over the past 30ish months I have lost 60lbs. Currently  13 away from my goal.  This 13lbs seems to be the hardest.  (That is my current feeling --but I know in my heart the slow start was the most discouraging)

***
Clutter has always been a downfall of mine.  I hate parting with s.t.u.f.f. So I came across The Minimalist  www.theminimalists.com. As a Christian I have quoted "Thou shall not covet" since early Sunday school. In my mind has always interpreted that as "wanting expensive things". Nowadays I am seeing it as no contentment.

***
I started eating better July 4th, 2013...when a nurse asked me why I didn't go on the MS Recovery Diet.  I hadn't because I simply didn't know about it. Even after 2 yrs on it I am slacking some and feeling the effects. Definitely don't want to wait on shaping up!

***
At the beginning of the year I started writing letters to old friends ---sometimes people contacted me back. I need to do that weekly.

I could go on and on. ...but I wont---my message is I cannot wait for January 1st...I must live now. TODAY.

Join me in living.

Linking up with:  Wake Up Wednesday

A Measure of Success

Okay so I am back into NON-SUPERMOM role.


And if you truly know me you know that I have never even visited that role.

Mom of three boys.
I have 2 loads of clothes to fold, one to dry and another that needs put away.
The dishwasher needs loaded. {which means it also needs unloaded!}
Yes! All the beds are made!!
The middle child is just now practicing piano.
***B*U*T***
Everyone is done with school for today!  And that is what want to share!  For the past 2 years the boys attended a wonderful christian school. But I had the child that about every third day {sometimes every 2nd....and yes sometimes every single day) would bring home his entire day of school home to do!  Fortunately sometimes I got to work at the school and I could catch him zoning out or be there to promise him a blizzard on the way home if he got his work done.  So I was constantly faced with paying tuition yet homeschooling every night because I have--that kid.

I am determined to have a great school year.  So I have been been asking God to help me with this child.  If the responsibility is mine to nurture him into being diligent and on-task then I am needing some motherhood wisdom.


Here is the idea that I am trying first:

 I listed his subjects. Then I numbered the school lesson across the tom. the top half has wide washi tape to block out Monday since that was a field trip. I drew this up while we were at the library. I school the two younger boys at the library on Tuesdays while the oldest attends a local co-op fro the whole day. I go to the co- op for a couple of hours to put in my volunteer hours.  So on Tuesday I gave him the option of choosing whatever subject he wanted to work and I gave him the option of doing as many lessons in that subject as he wanted.

So here is the big picture ..I explained it to him in bits:

-he has seven subjects
-this is a short week because of the field trip.
-by Friday afternoon he has to have 28 lessons completed.
-he has to do at least 7 a day....but he can choose which ones to do.  We choose a color for each day.
-if he does extra lessons then there is a possibility of having a shorter day on Friday or even having Friday OFF!!

So you can see where we are on this first Thursday afternoon :-) 

He is having a short day tomorrow.

As this moment he feels success and so do I!

I already have next weeks drawn out...And if he gets motivated he may have Friday off next week.{And if he has Friday off that means I do too}

Linking up with:
Learning Kid Link up
Wednesdays Wisdom

Not Back To School

Not back to school--but we are back to learning!  <---I don't think that we ever took a break from that!

We are home for at least one year.

Ben started 6th grade!

He will attend a local academic co-op on Tuesdays where he will receive instruction in language arts, math, history, science and art. The rest of the week I will work with him on his assignments. 

Nate started the 4th grade!  He has caught back up to grade level! I am so proud of him!   This year he is doing the Abeka book program.

Eli started the 2nd grade.  I know in just a few short years I will look back as these days as being simple and easy as I ship each one off to college every other year.

Oh What A Read!

I broke down and finally purchased an ebook!  Several times I had picked this book up carried it through the book store and then changed my mind.  But finally the other night I had the urge to read it again.  So I bought it and downloaded it!

How ironic!

A book about tidying!  And I never have to put it away!  It is a quick and an inspiring read!  Am I where I want to be in my organization? No.  But I have direction.  I am conscientiously tidying, allowing myself to discard and donate things that are not bringing me joy.  I am seeing my closets as awake time centers awake time and not others hiding places.

Clutter not only is a thief of real estate in our homes--but of peace too.  Tomorrow my big plans is to begin celebrating my choice of letting go by delivering donations to some local thrift stores.  

House vs. HOME

I live in a typical house. With 4 males. But that is no excuse. I have decided to show my house some love. Our house is a good size--4 bedrooms, 3 baths. It is fully functional.  And I have neglected continually keeping it "homey" thinking that  guys don't care...but they do!

Last week I ventured a summer mantel. And each of them have loved it!  And not destroyed it...In fact each has even had to reattach the banner a couple of times :-)

Thanks Jennifer!

If I ever meet Jennifer I know I am going to hug her.  I have just read At Home With Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott. 

A refreshing read!  Full of affirmations and permission to enjoy and love making a home.

I doubt that I will ever meet Jennifer...but since reading her book I have done exactly what she encouraged this reader to do:
**considered trouble spots in my home and began to work through them (ex: kitchen island)
**set my dining table--even decorated it with the season(tiny pumpkins and an autumn tablecloth)
**invited a girlfriend over and cooked the lunch

My home/chateau is returning to order. Or maybe I just allowed myself to slow down and come home.
I want to make a home for my children where I would want to be a child!