Flourishing or Failing?

When it comes to Homeschool moms we often put ourselves in one of two categories...Either we are flourishing or we are failing as the teacher.  We are guilty of comparing ourselves with EVERY single homeschool mom we know! I'm completely guilty of this! There are weeks when we are at Homelink {Our co-op type group} and I see these other moms preparing for the next week surrounded by school books and calendars and I think 'Ok, I am so far behind. I'm failing' In reality I know that I'm not! In fact have a schedule {ha a laugh when I write "I" and  "schedule" together...FYI organization is NOT my middle name...not even close} ok back to what I was saying! I have a schedule that I like and works very well for us! However, when you are in that moment and you are talking with other moms who seem like that are so on their game it is so easy to feel like you just aren't measuring up. Why?!? Her kids are not my kids! I know the way my kids learning and chances are they are totally different then her kids.
Is it really true...are we either Flourishing or Failing? How are we gauging this? Is comparing our kids to another moms kids, comparing our school week to someones else really going to give us a clear answer?
Recently I was chatted with a few 'Teacher Mom' friends of mine. I asked what the average week looks like in their home....
Teacher Mom #1  "We get up, the kids eat, they play! We do some math and reading, then they play. Later we do some history and science, then they play. Ending our day with some spelling and writing."
Teacher Mom #2 "7am is breakfast, then we spend anywhere from 45 mins to 1 hour per subject with lunch at noon. ending our school day at 2:30-3:00"
Teacher Mom #3 "There is NO schedule, every day is different, every week is different."
Teacher Mom #4  "5 subjects per day, they vary. We play games, do art projects, I read them books. We try to make every subject engaging!" Which of these moms is doing it right? Could they all be doing it right even though they are nothing alike? Yes! I think so! Something that my mom loved about homeschooling was the freedom to teach your child in the way that works best for that child! That is what I love about homeschooling! 
Oh! by the way EVERY single one of the moms above told me that they have some much fun and so do their kids!!
Homeschooling for our family is to instill a LOVE for learning! That love that I have and that I know a lot of you have as well. I don't want to ever hear my kids say "NO not Math" or "I hate reading" because of that it is my job to create a environment where my children are excited about learning! Where they can thrive and flourish! 
There are so many different ways to achieve this!
What's your Style?

• Eclectic {using two or more styles

• Charlotte Mason Method
• Classical {the classical approach to homeschooling}
• Uncschooled {child-led schooling approach}
• Traditional {aka Text Book}

...or you do something totally different! 

Are your kids learning? Are your kids having fun? Are you having fun and enjoying it? 

GUESS WHAT!?!?! You ARE Flourishing! NOT FAILING!

It DOESN'T matter if your friend Sally is on such a schedule that it put ship captains to shame. 

It DOESN'T matter if your friend June is disorganized and rarely has a schedule.

What DOES matter is that your child and you are sharing a love for learning...how ever you get to that point is up to you! 

Flourish on Mama! Flourish on!

Makes My Monday

My little loves!

Our Beautiful Drive to Church!

My beautiful tree!

my silly littles

What's makes my monday? My kids, my family, this beautiful weather!  I am so thankful for all the blessings we have! 
What makes your monday?

Wishing everyone and happy and beautiful Thanksgiving!

Lord, can I stay here forever?

Five Minute Friday {stay}

Start:

It's a happy morning! The smell of hazelnut coffee fills the house. Laughter is heard coming for the kitchen while the kids eat their breakfast. Daddy is in his office downstairs and the kids know it and are eager to go tell him "good morning!!" Breakfast is over the kitchen is cleaned and I sit at the table in the dining room watching my little play together! Elias is teaching the twins how to put the letters in a new alphabet puzzle...they just want to force them in like most toddlers do! The morning is filled with "mommy I love you!!" "let's play together" "it is time for math?!" {he loves math}
I look at them and I am filled with so my joy I almost can't handle it. These little people are my children!! The Lord gave these little to me! In that very moment my husband walk up the steps...his hair is a mess, he is in his pajamas, and desperately needs another cup of coffee...but...I feel butterflies in my stomach, the kind I felt on our first date, or when we got married, or countless times since we met! I'm so in love with him! My life is full of blessings! I'm a very blessed wife and mommy! I'm filled with love, joy and a lovely sence of peace! I close my eyes tight, eyelashes damp with tears of joy..."Lord, can I stay I this moment forever?!" is my prayer. I know that at some point the arguing and fighting will start, someone will hurt someone else's feelings, he'll have to go back down to the office. But right now is this very moment...deep breath...I want to stay here forever.

Stop

Friday Road Trip!

A few months ago my brother-in-law and sister-in-law moved from Seattle {which about 4 1/2 hours to 5 hours away} to Moscow {which is only about an 1 1/2 hours away max!} We have been planning to drive down to see them for weeks...but work schedules have not worked out.

This weekend the local Fair was taking place and my hubby got of work at 9am and my sister-in-law was off! PERFECT! The kids were so excited to see their aunt and uncle and go to the fair!

Well surprise surprise we were about an hour and half behind yesterday. We had to drive 20 minutes in the opposite direction to drop off enrollment forms for Elias' new Enrichment Study Program {Another Post soon all about that!! } THEN, we were finally on our way!

Any other parent would assume that at least one of our twins would fall asleep during a 2.5 hour car ride...right?! Yeah, they didn't! They talked, they fought, they sang and they yelled...but they didn't even come close to falling asleep! This made for a VERY long car ride, considering it was nearly 3 hours past their regular nap time...I had the brilliant idea that we should push out nap time because "they will fall asleep on the way there" ha!

Things that I said 1000 times in 2.5 hours!

"yes you do sing pretty"
"no we don't have the Word Girl cd"
"stop touching your brother"
"stop touching your sister"
"stop spitting"
"stop yelling"
"yep those are wheat fields"
"please take a nap"
"stop yelling, I'm sitting right here"
"no we are not there yet"
"I'm hungry too"
"I'm thirsty too"
"I'm board too"
"quite kicking each others seats"

After asking "are we there yet" 1000 times we were finally there!!! YAY!

It was smooth sailing once we arrived! We got to see Uncle and Aunties new house, the kiddos had a great time playing with dogs!



At the fair we looked at animals, played games: all three kids won a multitude of prizes, the twins rode their VERY first Roller Coaster! We ate food...at little too much fried food for my liking but that all part of the fair right!? It was a tiny small town fair so we only spent a few hours there.

Then we heading to the College Grizzly Bear conservation area nearby. The kids LOVED being so close to the Bears! They had the adult ones out while we were there, they were huge! We could see the babies playing and growling...it was pretty darn cute!

We ended our day at a favorite Mexican restaurant! By then Gabbi had about reached the end of her rope, she was exhausted and Simon wasn't too far behind. We loved the little town we were in...right out side the  restaurant was a play ground! The kids loved it. It made me wish that we had fun little areas like that nearby!

When we headed home the twins were out within about 5 minutes! Elias was in 15! It was a GREAT car ride home! My hubby and I got to talk about so many things, make decision, and just enjoy each other!

All in all it was a amazing trip and we are looking forward to doing it again...car trip and all!

And Im back...

Towards the end of last year I decided to step back and take a break from blogging and focus on family. I also wanted to evaluate the direction i felt my blog was going. In 2011 I started feeling like I was becoming some that I wasn't me. I feel like I need to brake away from what ALSNS was in 2010-2011 and focus on what is really important to me...not what I think everyone else will find interesting!

Today is feb. 1st and I have decided that I am back!!! I have plans for some fun posts over the next few weeks!! We are slowly but surely potty training the twins so I have a lot to share about that!! Potty training two is WAY different than potty training one let me tell you! :) Although it is just feb. I am so looking forward to spring and summer! The kids love being outside and like I have mentioned before we are a very outdoorsy family...and this rainy winter we are having really isn't fun:( I'm turning 30 in a few weeks and unlike most of my sisters I am really excited!!! I am so ready to be done with the 20s!! With Valentine's Day just around the corner we have been doing all kinds of crafts that I plan to share with you next week!!

I'm really excited to be back! I have missed this so much!! Over the next few day you will notice some changes about the look of ALSNS...with a new year and a new mindset there needs to be a change!!! Lookout for lots of crafts tons about homeschooling my little man!! Tot school! Sewing, pinterest, and what the Lord is doing in my life, my marriage, and my parenting!!! oh and my new love...my iPad...which has become a essential in our homeschooling! I have TONS of awesome FREE apps to share with you!

I hope you all have a wonderful Feb. 1st!!

Review - Belvedere Designs

Featuring:

More than a decade ago my husband and I didn't have kids, and always said "We will NEVER have a Mini Van!" Well...hmmmm fast-forward 10 years and here we are with three kids and surprise surprise and a Mini Van!! When we first go our Town and Country, I kept thinking 'there is something missing' We wanted to make our Mini Van ours...but how??


Have you ever been at a stop light or pulled into a parking spot only to see the car in front of you has stick figure stickers of their family on the back window? I've always thought they were just so cute! It's fun to see how families vary...Daddy, Mommy, and 1 kid, Daddy Mommy and 7 kids, 4 dogs, 2 cats, and a fish, or even Daddy, Mommy and 3 dogs:)

To tell you the truth we never got the stickers because although cute, the stick figure family is just not us. Along came Belvedere Designs...
 
Belvedere Designs specializes in Custom Wall Letters, Vinyl Words & Wall Quotes, Family Stickers, Wall Art, Graphic Design and More!

I was given the opportunity to Review Belvedere Designs car decals! I choose the "FOOTPRINTS" The Stickers came of a vinyl backing to you can place them on your car straight and easily! I was VERY surprised how quickly the footprints were shipped and arrived.

 

The Sticker were all printed on one long sheet. Then gently rolled for shipping. When they arrived all I had to do was reactivate them (when you get your order you get step by step directions) Because they were print in order of size and on one sheet, it only took about 4 minutes to: Clean and Dry the window, Peel the backing off the stickers, place the stickers where we wanted and rub them on to insure they were sticking all the way, last peel the transfer paper off, and there they are beautiful, straight and perfect...Our family!

Belvedere Designs quality is amazing! The stickers are beautiful and sturdy. I noticed when I put them on the car that the are made out of a nice thick vinyl, not the thin stuff that I have seen that easily tears! The Footprints have only been on our window for a short time, but they have already had to with stand a lot! Hot beaming sun, snow and Rain almost daily. I am pleased that there is ZERO curling or peeling of the stickers. Absolutely NO bubbling either!!

Belvedere Designs share specials and sale pricing on their Facebook Page! They run a monthly photo contest that allows one lucky fan to win a $50.00 gift certificate! Just submit a photo of your wall quote to be entered. It's just that easy! If you want to stay up on their latest and greatest ideas you should check out Belvedere Designs Blog too. It's full of great ideas!

Big Thank You to Belvedere Designs! I can't tell you how impressed we are! I can’t wait to place a order for some special quotes for my children’s rooms!!

This Giveaway is now Closed! I hope you enjoyed the Review!


Would you like to win some Stickers???

One lucky winner will create a family sticker of their own from any of our several categories of family stickers (custom stick figures, footprints, etc.) up to seven figures (including pets). Whooo hooo!!

Here's how to Enter!!

Mandatory Entry -

Head over to Belvedere Designs and tell me which Family Stickers you love!

Extra Entries - Leave a different comment for each extra entry!

- Follow ALSNS

- Like Belvedere Designs on Facebook

- Like ALSNS on Facebook

- Follow ALSNS on Twitter

The Belvedere Designs Giveaway will run from Wednesday March 30th, 2011 until 12noon pst April 5th, 2011!! The winner will be posted April 5th by 9pm pst!

Good Luck!!

Meal Plan Monday: March 21st - March 27th

Don't get stuck asking yourself "what should I make for dinner?!?!" at 5pm

Meal Plan for March 21st - March 27th

(This weeks Dinners)

Monday: Grilled Chicken Breast Salad:

(I like to add avocado, onions, tomatos, olives, green peppers,

 pepper and olive oil. searved with cottage cheese)

Tuesday: Pork Chops and Applesauce

Wednesday: Grilled Turkey Peach/Mango Burgers

Thursday: Homemade Chicken Strips and Salad

Friday: Whole Chicken Crockpot with Veggies

Saturday: Grilling at Grandma's

Sunday: Something Special...just haven't decided yet!

Do you do menu planning in your family? If so, please share your menu on your blog and leave your link below. Feel free to use the header above. For those of you not currently menu planning but would like to then this might be just the start you need. Please leave a comment and tell me what you think of My Meal Plan Monday.

Happy Eating!! :)

Join in the Fun...



We Gab * We Giggle * We Glitter



The Gabby Mom’s Question of the Week - March 7-11 2011!

Opened to anyone living in the US or Canada is welcome to enter (not just Gabby Moms) All of our March winners will receive a $5 Gift Card to Starbucks! Enter HERE!

This week’s question is:

What is the number one thing you do to refresh yourself, your kids and your homeschool mid-year?

My answer...
We homeschool through the year so we 'refresh' twice a year on average. Once right around now, when it seems like winter is going to last forever, and we are stuck inside. Something special that I like to do is have my 6 year old pick out a few new activity books! This past weekend we did just that. Elias was so excited! I have noticed over the last few months that he has a deep love for science, nature, and weather. So it was no surprise to when he chose WEATHER LAB and SCIENCE LAB from Silver Dolphin books! These books have 50 projects each and are TONS of fun!

Another Refresh time for us is summer, which is perfect because it always hits us right around our summer vacation. Last year we when to Glacier National park. He was able to learn about bears, deer, moose, mountains, water life and nature! He was able to see a Black bear up close, and see how big they really are. He got to see and touch the vast span of the mountains that God created. We were even able to play in the snow in the middle of July!! This year we are off to the Oregon Coast! We will be able to learn about sea life while playing at the beach! There is nothing more fun then learning while you play!

Other than these we often have a nature hike every few weeks during nice weather to keep things fun. In the winter, something as simple as the local childrens museum can refresh us!

Head over to The Gabby Mom's and join in the fun!

Gabby Mom Britni

We Gab * We Giggle * We Glitter

The Gabby Mom's - February Mission: Encouraging Moments

THE GABBY MOM'S

We Gab * We Giggle * We Glitter

I want to be totally honest, I do not like Newsletters. I dislike e-Newsletters even more. When I found out that The Gabby Mom's Feb. Mission would be to review Encouraging Moments the newsletter from Eternal Encouragement Magazine, I was um...less than thrilled. I found my self procrastinating, and making excuses on why I didn't have time to read the...ugh...newsletter.

One night when the children were all sung in their beds, I decided to give the newsletter a go. I have to say, I REALLY enjoyed Encouraging Moments...A LOT!

I love that the first thing in Encouraging Moments I read was on Marriage! This year my husband Abraham and I will be celebrating 10 years of marriage!

Abe and I have been truly happily married all these years. But, 10 years later I have a heavy heart. When we got married it seemed like everyone we knew got married too. Within 5 years 50% had already divorced. Last year we were one of 4 couples still married. Sadly this year there are only 3 couples.

Lorrie wrote:

The differences between the successful marriage and unhappy one are:

living life "around" your disagreements


taking a "team" attitude toward compromise


loving in spite of differences


understanding and empathy for your husband's position


knowing that quietly talking about differences can strengthen the relationship and improve intimacy


knowing that avoiding conflicts doesn't make them go away


This is how my Husband and I have lived for the last 10 years. Before we got married it seemed our marriage was being tested, for lack of better word. Let me explain...

My parents had been married for 25 years. They had always had their problems, but I never thought they would get divorced. The day Abe and I were looking at the Church and meeting with the Pastor who would marry us I got a phone call. My mom was crying. My dad had left my mom for another woman and was moving to Texas. I was sad and angry. Abe was so wonderful. He was there for me when I pushed him away...and I did! "If my dad was a cheater what is to stop Abe from doing this to me?" I thought. I brought this before the LORD and was given peace. It would have been so easy for me to say "all men are cheaters, and I can't marry you" and trust me there was a point when I wanted to. The Lord showed me how I was beginning to punishing Abe for something that he didn't do. I realized that I was allowing my hurt inflicted by my dad, to hinder my own relationship and how truly unhealthy it was.

Our Wedding day came and went, my dad walked me down the aisle, then quickly moved to Texas and I haven't seen him since and very rearly speak to him. That hurts, but my marriage is not paying for something that he did.

Ok, so back to the 'successful marriage' - To be honest when I read the points Lorrie has listed (above) I laughed out loud...not because they are funny, but because it was like she take my own thoughts and and looking at my marriage when she wrote them!

There are two points that really stood out to me:

taking a "team" attitude toward compromise...

We actually refer to our family as "team wood" It seems silly, but there is a deep reason behind it, and not just the fact that we are HUGE Football fans. We are one before the LORD the ultimate Head Coach, and became one in his presents 10 years ago. However, just because we are one that does not mean that we think and do things exactly alike...I mean come on we are a man and a woman! Referring to us as "team wood" reminds us of how a team will totally fall apart if the players are doing what they want and not considering the team best interest. In football the quarterback's job is to keep everything going, to read the situation and to know how to get the job done, sure the other players might think they have a better way, but they are a team and listen to their captain. It is the same in our marriage and family. Abe my quarterback.

understanding and empathy for your husband's position...

Many years ago my Abe and I made the decision that I would be a stay at home mom when we had children. This was one of the best decisions we have made. I get to spend everyday with our kids and watch them grow. Recently, the twins have become...toddlers, getting into everything. A few months ago I had one VERY HIGH stress afternoon. Abe arrived home that day, and as soon as I saw him I started telling him about my horrible day, how this had happened and how that had happened. He just stared at me. Truthfully I got mad at him because he wasn't responding. Later, I asked him "what was the deal, why don't you care" he responded "I do care."  After a long talk, I realized that I was only focused on my day, what was going on with me...I didn't even realize that he had worked a 10 hour day, and had only had a few hours of sleep. He does all this for me, for our kids, for us. Now, we talk about his day, I listen to the feelings that he needs to get out, the high stress that he has everyday. I need to make time for him, and I have!!

Encouraging Moments is full of all kinds of great things, like the 'On Facebook this Week' if you don't already like Eternal Encouragement here is the link. In addition to that there is 'Chick Flicks for Mom'

"Few things make a mountain out of a molehill more often than communication does. Understand how your husband wants to hear a story and how it may be just the opposite of how you like to tell it." Be sure to visit and watch a great video!

However, it was something at the very bottom of Encouraging Moments that made me love it.

Timely Tip: Marriage Matters – Ties That Bind by Kimberly Lacey

A wonderful article that everyone should read. I felt as if was personally written for me! But the best part of all was after the article. The 'Praying for our Husbands: 31 day plan' is now printed out, sitting on my counter top so every time I walk toward the kitchen it catches my eye!

Praying for our Husbands it 31 verses - one verse for each day. As wives we need to be praying for our husbands, our providers, our quarterbacks daily! This is the perfect plan for busy mom's and wives. After reading the verse for each day, I am able to reflected on the verse and what it means to me, thus filling the day with prayers for my quarterback!

A few of my favorites so far from Praying for our Husbands: 31 day Plan -

Day 8:

"That the LORD might give him wisdom to lead his family physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually." Ephesians 1:17-19

Day 14:

"That he might make me holy, cleansing me by the washing with water through the word." Ephesians 5:26

Be sure to visit www.homemakingwithteach.com/ and subscribe (on the top right of the website) to Encouraging Moments Newletter!

**Read more reviews from other Gabby Mom's on Encouraging Moments at thegabbymoms.com

“I am reviewing Encouraging Moments as an official member of The Gabby Moms blogging program for Eternal Encouragement magazine.  I did not receive compensation for this post and all opinions are solely my own.”

A fruitful spirit

I have been living for many years on a roller coaster of emotions...happiness, sadness, extreme anger and hurt, fear, and every other negative emotion. However, It is now 2011 and I refuse to allow this to continue to control my life and emotions for yet another year. This has turned me into a doormat, and made me be afraid of being who I am. I have been seeking God, asking God to help me in this.
The Lord showed me this:

Galatians 5:22-23But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, Patiences, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

As a Christians I have read this many, many times. This time it was different.

Lord Please give me LOVE for those who, knowingly hurt to hurt. Draw them close to you.
Lord give me JOY in every aspect of my life. Help me focus more on the joy not the "I have to do's"
Give me PEACE, when I feel so unglued, and overwhelmed with life.
Bless me with PATIENCES Lord, when the day has been long.
Lord give me KINDNESS to friends who are seeking me to encourage them.
Bless me with the GOODNESS that I need to train my children in your Word.
Please give me the FAITHFULNESS I need when things seem so hard and out of control.
Bless me with the GENTLENESS of words when talking to my family, Children and friends.
And SELF - CONTROL Lord, help me to have self control when my mind start wondering and I become afraid.

 

 

Makes My Monday: Family Picture day!

MAKES MY MONDAY!!

© Copyright WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
Please be advised that all images and designs are property of WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

Family Portrait Day...Makes my Monday!

I love looking at these faces!!

I am so blessed to have my beautiful family!

Bless the Lord, O my soul:

And all that is within me,

bless His holy name!

Psalm 103:1

New to Makes My Monday?

Share on your blog what warms your week's beginning: Post a picture and tell the tale.

Go visit Cheryl and leave you link! Spread some Monday cheer, and don't forget to leave a comment when you do...comments from friends old and new are always Monday makers!

Aloha Friday!!!

Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy, and relax!! Aloha is hosted by Kailani! You can playjust post a question in your blog and link up on Kailani's current Aloha Friday post. Then visit the other blogs in the link up and answer their fun question!

My Questions is:

What is your favorite October Family Tradition??

Me:

Every October we go to Local Farms and Pick Apples! We also go and get Pumpkins!

It is so much fun we go 2 or 3 more times:)

Wordless Wednesday....a little late:)

Summer...Finally

Well it has been a LLOONNGG few weeks! 2 of my sisters were visiting and meeting my twins for the 1st time!!

SISTERS

lisa. me. julie.

I was so much fun, and oh so hectic! We are starting to get back into our regular routine...ahhh it's so nice!

The Inland Northwest FINALLY has nice weather!! Yay! We actually got to get out the slip n' slide 2 days in a row...E loved it...the twins are still unsure:) They all love being outside in the beautiful weather!! I'm so excited for more days like this...there is nothing better than a lazy Sunday

with the hubby and kiddos...doing nothing:)

Mini Vacation!!!

I am taking a blogging vacation for the next 2 weeks!!! I have 2 sisters visiting:) My sister Lisa is here from Indiana with her 3 kids....I haven't seen her in 3 LONG years!!! It is so fun to have her here. Her Little boy and Elias are the same age, and having a great time playing!! Her older girls ( 9 & 13) are in love with the twins!!! Tomorrow my sister Julie will be here from Seattle!!! I haven't seen her in 2 years!!....I can't wait!! :) I will see you all in a few weeks!!!