Toddler/Preschool Schedule

In my post on the Easter lapbook I mentioned the need of some structure. I finally finished our chart and I am really happy with it! Let's hope Kyla is too! A few things I like about this is Kyla will know what to expect once she learns what each of the pictures means and I will have some sort of routine to follow. I love the idea that it is flexible and not the law! The box next to the pictures I can either use a photo of Kyla and move it when we are onto the next subject or write in what we are doing that day! I did another video just because it was easier and quicker for me!!! 

I would love to hear what works for you!

God-Centered Holiness

Along with my daily Bible readings I am reading some sort of short, thought provoking meditation. In February I read Comforts From the Cross by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick and I just started Holiness Day by Day by Jerry Bridges. 

My reading for today was titled God-Centered Holiness.  

Many believers want to be holy, strive to be holy but we don't experience it daily! We struggle with our sin and we constantly feel defeated! Bridges states, and I agree, our first problem is our attitude toward sin is self-centered not God-centered. We tend to focus on beating sin and claiming victory rather than the fact that our sin grieves God. We don't like sin because we fail... when in reality we should hate sin because it is offensive to God. 

Bridges reminds us that God wants us to walk in obedience not victory! Obedience orients us toward God and victory is oriented toward self. To walk in holiness we must pursue obedience, not victory! The good news is that victory is a by-product of obedience. 

Believer, let focus on honoring God by following him obediently and rejoice in the victory we are granted over sin! When our eyes are on the Savior, they are far from self!

Spring has Sprung

It could be the fact I had the windows open today, or that I wore flip flops, or the yellow jonquils but spring is in the air... and on the blog! In honor of spring I had to get a new header photo and change up the colors a tad. I painted Kyla's toes with Piggy Paint (check it out, it is an all natural nail polish!!) and she wore her new flip flops and I thought a new header was in order! 

Happy Spring! 

Easter Lapbook!

We are planning on homeschooling. At times I feel overwhelmed, not with the responsibility but with the choices of curriculum and such!! I have realize I get to take it slow and learn as we go. One thing we need is structure, well I say we... it is really me. So I have been working on a routine chart that I will fix for Kyla everyday and we will have a routine. (More about that when it is finished) 

Since I have been thinking about structure I have been thinking about school. (I feel somewhat silly posting this because I know MANY of you that read this are veteran homeschool moms, so forgive me :) ) One resource I ran across a few weeks ago was called Lapbooks. It takes unit studies on certain subjects and you combine it into a book! There are many ways you can do this, I choose to make my first one for Easter. I don't cover math or science but that is okay, the others I make will have it all. What I really like is when the lapbook is based off of a book. I have started one based off of Muncha, Muncha, Muncha by Candace Fleming. We will be learning about vegetables, gardening, rabbits and all subjects will be included. I will start that when we start our garden in a few weeks! 

Here is a short (poorly made) video of my lapbook. It was easier to video than take pictures and then mark what everything is! Sorry I sound sorta spacey :)
(I re-uploaded it, sorry for those of you that saw half of it!)

Here are some great links to get you started! 

This is a great place to start with Unit Studies (click on unit studies)

(also where I got most of the stuff for Muncha, Muncha, Muncha)

Homeschool Share

Basic Idea of a Lapbook 

Cindy Rushton PDF

These two go together, awesome, AWESOME ideas for "schooling toddlers/preschoolers"

1+1+1=1 Blog

Totally Tots Blog

Beware, it can be addicting!!

Welcome Spring!

I say welcome Spring slightly tongue in cheek. Considering God decided to dump about 6 inches of snow in our part of the country it wasn't the first day of Spring I would of chosen but it is beautiful nonetheless. 

Things have been a little slow on the blog because life has been busy in real life. We celebrated Justin's birthday with dinner out and some friends. That weekend they stayed with us a few days and we went fishing at Roaring River. It was cold and rainy but we all had fun and I caught my first trout! We tagged Kyla so she could reel one in.. maybe next time :)

Then mom came for a visit. It is always fun to have nanny in town! Then we went to a youth conference and had to come back early because of the weather. So here we are, snowed out of church and really taking a day of rest! 

Here are a few springy pictures of my big girl! Have a great week!

30th | Us

Here is our family for 3 celebrating Justin's 30th Birthday! 

Thank you Lord for giving me such an awesome man! May he continue to be used to bring you glory!

Monday Musings

It is March, that means the month before April, which is when taxes are do, and who hadn't even started her book keeping (business wise) until today.... ME! So yes I have been at the computer all day working on that, and will probably spend one more day doing that!! 

I really dread this time, we always always owe, once I know the amount though all my stress melts away!

You know those tasks you put off and they keep getting larger and larger, this is one!! When I get this done I will have a monkey off my back... scratch that, KING KONG!

The Lord has really been teaching me a lot lately through the word and other things I have been reading, I am excited to share... just need to find the time! 

Since the move photography has been on the shelf, I think it is about to come off again!

Here is a funny conversation I had lastnight with my toddler in the car on the way home at around 11:00 pm... her = "Momma I want to watch, TV" 

me = "No baby we can't do that, it is too late it will be time to put your pjs on and go night night." 

her(with a pout on her face you could hear) = "momma you make me sad!" 

I finally finished a few books, yahoo! I started Reason for God by Tim Keller and am excited to read it! 

I really LOVE having a bird feeder. I have been amazed at the different types of birds I have seen, this morning I heard a distinct song and had only heard it the day before, I looked and it was a beautiful Meadowlark in the field behind us! So pretty with the bright yellow breast! 

What's fun is even Justin is getting into it!! 

That's all for Monday Musings, and because this post would be better with an image!

Yummy Chicken Salad

I love chicken salad. If we go out to lunch at a "girly place" I almost always order chicken salad! I love when it has nuts and grapes. A few weeks ago I went in search of a yummy chicken salad recipe that had those two things, it was nearly impossible. So I found this Basic Chicken Salad recipe and it was a great place to start. 

I scaled it to 4 servings and it made more than 4 sandwiches but here is what I did.  

1 Cup Mayo (I used miracle whip)

2 T lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon of black pepper (I just added some, unmeasured)

4 cups chopped cooked chicken

Onion (just a little bit, what you think you might like)

2 ounces Chopped Walnuts

2 Stalks Celery Chopped

Handful of grapes halved

I took 4 chicken breasts and defrosted them and then cubed them and boiled. Then I added the cooked chicken to my food processor and shredded it. After that I added the onion, celery, mayo, lemon juice, and walnuts to the food processor and mixed it until it was mixed through and the consistency was how I wanted. (you should add your pepper too, I just forget) Then I add to bowl, add grapes, mix well and refrigerate!

I usually toast two pieces of whole wheat bread for mine, yummy!! 

enjoy!