What Joy

Just wanted to write a little post about one of the many joys of motherhood.

As many of you may know, Saturday's are Science days in our household. We devote half of our day to learning, investigating, and experimenting in all things science. Lately, our units have had so much cool stuff they've bled over into Sunday as well - so we have two wonderful days of science.

One of the many joys I have is hearing my kids say "This is my favorite science unit so far!" or "This is so much fun!" or "Wow, cool!"  I love being able to pass down the love of learning, the love of experimenting, the love of exploring.  It's something I hope my children never lose and something I am thankful that I have yet to lose myself.

Another one of my many joys is to watch Buddy Boy, who just turned 4, dig in and soak up all things science (or math, or writing, or whatever subject we're into at the moment). He may not fully grasp what we're talking about, he may not have as many worksheets to fill in, he may need a little (or a lot) more help with crafting... but to see him so excited to learn, so eager to explore, just makes my heart burst at the seems.

I've been forunate enough that I've been able to experience that excitement in each of my precious children.  Yes, over the years some of their excitement has waxed and waned - especially as we enter long division, or multiplying fractions - something that requires a little more effort - but they still have that "Oh, this is cool!" attitude with most things.

I know I would still see this attitude had we put our children in public or private school, but being able to experience it all first hand, is just something I cannot even put into words.  It's something so precoius and so tender, I'll keep it in my heart forever, like a secret meant for only us...

Those of you struggling in your schooling, parenting, crafting, whatever... perservere, God has these precious little nuggets just waiting for you around the bend.  Search for them, grab them, and never let them go.

366 days

A lot has happened in just one year... one teeny, tiny, year. 366 days (366 instead of 365 thanks to Lulu's birthday, I mean Leap Day).

Since last October, I have...
Lost one of the main men in my life, my father.  The first one, alongside my mother, to love me unconditionally, the hold me, the mold me.

Graduated from college, with my AA.  Took me 10 years and 50 weeks to do it.  Throughout my journey I started a full-time job, got married, had four children, and moved twice.

Celebrated Lulu's birthday at Disney World (in the Presidential sweet.. I mean suite).

Moved back in with mom and the kitties.

Celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary.

Adopted a dog. Lovable, hugable, adorable beagle/cocker spaniel mix.

Celebrated Doodle Bug's 10th birthday.

Gone through a major transition at work that has resulted in a change in employment.

Celebrated Buddy Boy's birthday.

Served on a jury (very interesting!!!).

Almost broken my ankle... fortunate enough to wear a walking boot for the last six weeks.

Celebrated Little Man's birthday.

and many, many more.

I'm not usually a big proponent of change, but God, like usual, is molding me, shaping me, changing me to become more flexible, more pliable, more bendable.  It's not necessarily an enjoyable process, in fact it's quite painful!  But in the end, He's able to mold me more into the woman He wants me to be.

Looking back, if I were in charge, I'd definitely have chosen some different events to occur this past year.  But His ways are not my own, and I lean and trust that His ways are better than mine. SO much better than mine.  Had I been in charge and chosen different events, I'm sure I would've mucked up at least 99% of said events.   Since He's been in charge, he hasn't mucked up one - not even one.

So, it's with excitement, hope, and yes - a little trepidation, I look forward to the next 365 days and what God has in store for me. I hope you're looking forward to it as well.

Snickers and Science

Anytime you can incorporate food into your science  unit, it's a win - trust me on this.

After a busy weekend and a rather long science unit spread over a two day period, the kids were getting a little antsy when we finished our rock unit last Sunday afternoon. They already learned about sedimentary rocks and made delicious sedimentary bars (aka 7-layer bars... SOOO good).  Next they learned about igneous rocks and made homemade popscicles (and I think we put in too much sugar... if that's even possible).  All they had left was to wrap up their unit with metamorphic rocks.

They watched some cute videos online and a Bill Nye episode (I LOVE him!) all about rocks.  So, it wasn't all baking, journaling, and worksheets.  But still, they were getting a little burned out.

But, I saved the best for last....I whipped out the snickers bars... 

Here, I'll explain why: Metamorphic rocks are sedimentary rocks (layered rocks) that have changed composition due to increase heat and pressure applied to them over thousands of years.. Snickers have clear definitive layers... chocolate (mmm), nougat (drool), caramel (drool some more), peanuts (grab a napkin, the keyboard is getting wet), and more chocolate... They were our sedimentary rocks.  But, I wouldn't let the kids eat them (I'm mean like that).

I made the kids draw the snickers, feel the snickers, and even smell the snickers (I told you I'm mean).  But still - they couldn't eat them.. oh boy were they whining!! 

Little Man finished his journaling first, so I brought him to the front of the room.  I asked him to tell me what sedimentary rocks were, then what metamorphic rocks were.  I asked him how we could change the snickers (sedimentary rocks) into metamorphic rocks.  "Put them in the microwave," said he.

"Let's try something else."  I brought out two heavy books and some waxed paper.  I put waxed paper on one book, his beloved snickers ontop, another layer of waxed paper over the candy, and a heavy book ontop of it all.  Then I asked him to gently step on the book, and rock side to side and back and forth.  He was applying heat and pressure!!  I think he thought I was crazy - ruining a good candy bar and all.  But what he saw when we lifted those books and waxed paper off of the candy bar was awesome... a smooshy, gooey, flat candy bar.  His eyes lit up.  "That's so cool!!  Look!!"

He showed his sisters then looked at me with his big green eyes and said "Can I eat it now?"  "Yes son, go forth and enjoy."  He said it tasted even better this way. :)

See?  Anytime you can incorporate food and science, it's a win all the way around.

By the way, the idea above was not mine (sorry, I'm just not that creative.. I steal... I mean, borrow.. other bright ideas.)  Here's where I found this unit (and the other Earth Science stuff we're doing this month) : http://www.squidoo.com/earth-science-unit-on-rock-classification  Check out her site - you'll be very glad you did!

Multi-tasking

I'm typing out this post while enjoying a delicious piece of homemade butter cream ice cream cake. Why am I sharing this?  To make you jealous? Perhaps.  To talk about multi-tasking? Yes, let's go with that...

My mom's birthday was yesterday (Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!) and one of her co-workers made her a homemade butter cream ice cream cake.  Mom told me I should try a piece, being the good and obedient daughter that I am - I am trying a piece.. at least it's almost lunch time - that makes it a little less bad..

Anyways, we're gearing up for our 7 weeks of birthdays, when my oldest daughter, youngest son, husband, and oldest son all have birthdays.  It's a fun-filled, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants, hoping not to gain too much weight, 7 weeks.  I'm getting things rolling by enjoying this homemade butter cream ice cream cake (yes, I'm going to mention this cake as much as I can - it's that good!).

Switching gears now - remember the garden I mentioned in the last post?  Well it's growing more and more each day (ya!).  This weekend I harvested the ripe green pepper and used it in meatloaf, salad, and to top a pizza. My husband, Lulu, and Little Man said it was delicious - I'll take their word for it.. not a pepper fan.

I am, however, a fan of cucumbers.  And right now we have a cuke that is about 4 inches long and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. I cannot wait to eat this sucker!!  We have three other cuke buds that look like they're going to survive the monsoon season (it's what I call August - monsoon season - we've gotten 3 1/2 inches of rain at our house since Sunday -- to put that into perspective, we got 3 1/2 inches of rain in July - the whole month of July - at our house.. I'm rambling on - I'll blame the rain). 

We also have lots of Lima bean pods that are fattening up rather nicely.  (Squeal!!!)

Remember how I mentioned multi-tasking in my first paragraph?  Well, I finally get to it here.. thanks for baring with me.

The kids started school last Wednesday and things are going VERY smoothly so far.  Ryan has done a fantastic job getting things ready for the year and redoing the school room (we've never had a room dedicated solely to school before!!).  So far they've done two units in addition to their regular work - the Olympics (of course) and Mars (of course) and have thoroughly enjoyed it.

OK, now I'm really getting to the multi-tasking thing... When I get home from work, we usually talk about the day and what the kids have done, then I start dinner while the kids start their homework (I'm in charge of math, writing, and science).  The schedule we have for now is that they begin/complete their writing assignment while I cook dinner, then we do math after dinner.  Science is reserved for the weekends (I love science, and I love weekends.. so it works out rather nicely).  

I'm not going to lie, my evenings are hectic and I frequently get overwhelmed and pressed for time.  But thankfully, the last week has been joyous!  We had enough time on Monday night to play a board game (educational of course) and enough time last night to really enjoy my mom's birthday.  I hope this lasts for quite a while!!

OK, I've finished eating my piece of homemade butter cream ice cream cake now, so I'll conclude the post. Hope I haven't made you too hungry.. ;)

Mary Mary Quite Contrary...

Two posts in one week?  What?!? I know.  Pretty cool.

So, growing up, I frequently heard the nursery rhyme "Mary Mary Quite Contrary..."  Especially during preschool and kindergarten. I must say, I kinda hated that nursery rhyme for most of my life.. well, all of my life up until a month ago actually - kinda sad. 

The reason for my change in endearment to this antiquity is that, finally, for the first time ever in my life, I have a garden!!!

I'm excited! (Can you tell?)

Growing up, we usually had some type of flower garden and in Texas we even had a small vegetable garden in the backyard with okra and sunflowers (I'm sure we had more things than this.. but this is all I remember).  My dad's parents ALWAYS had a garden at their house, no matter where they lived (except Alaska.. sorry Alaska).  So I've been exposed to gardening for many years, but never had one for my own. 

When my girls were toddlers,  my dad would plant flowers in the back yard and the girls loved helping Pops take care of them (so did my dad -- I miss that man). The flowers only lasted a few months, but the memories were there forever.  My dad loved gardening, and it's something he left for me to continue on now and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

In April and May, my mother purchased three tomato plants and we planted them in the front yard.  This sparked a desire in both of us to have a small garden in the backyard. In June she purchased a raised gardening structure (wood planks) and lots of wonderfully healthy peat/compost soil.  In the middle of June the kids germinated Lima beans and sprouted potatoes during their final science unit. We planted them in the ground on June 18th.  Since then, we've planted a few more Lima beans, okra, cucumbers, and a green pepper.  It's been so wonderful to watch the garden grow!

We're using the Square Foot Gardener technique (Google it, I dare you) so we're only using up a 4x4 section of our backyard and only have 12 of the 16 square feet plots full.  So we have room to continue planting (yay!).

Yesterday we saw our first Lima bean pod!!! It's less than 1/2 inch long, and is to tiny and cute! You can actually see three Lima beans inside of it.  The kids got a kick out of seeing it yesterday. (I'm tempted to dry it out and hang it on the wall as our first pod.. but that's just a little weird.. maybe..)

We also have some small cucumbers growing, one green pepper growing (almost ripe) with one more on the way, and one of the potato plants are flowering - a sign that vegetables should be growing underneath.

Those that know me well, know that I'm not exactly a patient person (I'm working on it.. slowly.. is that ironic?), but this gardening thing SURE takes patience.  It seems like months ago that we started this garden, but when I look at the calendar, it's only been 5 1/2 weeks.  I'm hoping that this garden produces not only lots of yummy veggies, but patience - a fruit of the Spirit - in me.  Only time will tell (pray for me!).

Next month and in September we have plans to growing lettuce, carrots, radishes, and spinach.  Next spring I hope to have an earlier garden and hope to expand to include two more 4x4 plots.  We'll see!!

I'm thinking of making a sign that says "Mary's Quite Contrary Garden".  What do you think?

Summer Lovin'

Our summer is winding to a close, as school starts next Wednesday.

Looking back on the last six weeks, the kids really haven't done 'anything' this summer.  Unless you count staying up a little later, playing outside until the sun goes down, swimming at the public pool, swimming at the lake (which we plan to do A LOT more of), reading tons of books, playing restaurant, designing houses/hospitals/restaurants/buildings out of Legos, and eating lots of watermelon.

Come to think of it, they HAVE done a lot this summer - they've gotten to enjoy being kids.

A friend of mine posted on Facebook that she only has 15 more summers with her oldest daughter, who's 3 - that really put things into perspective for me.  Our summer is very short - usually only one month long - and I want to make the most out of it for the kids, even if I am at work during most of it.  But 'making the most of it' doesn't necessarily mean going on trips, spending money, or checking off a list - it's about relaxing, enjoying what we have, visiting nearby (free) attractions, and just being a kid.  I'm slowing learning that, and knowing that in just a few short years (one or two) my oldest daughter won't enjoy playing outside with her siblings until the sun goes down, she won't enjoy playing restaurant and legos with them, she'll have different ideas of fun things to do.  It makes me tear up a bit, but that's just part of her growing up. 

We may not have an adventure filled summer, or one full of lavish vacations, but if we can all have time to unwind and relax as a family - then I'm content with that - knowing that our summers together as a whole family are quickly coming to a close - my oldest turns 10 next month.. yes, 10.. can't believe it.

Those of you enjoying another month of summer, make sure you relax, spend time in each moment, and don't get caught up in the crazy mix of summer to-do's.  Your summer's are numbered, hold each one as close as you can.

Savings are wonderful!

So a while back (quite a while back), I posted about saving money through better utilization of coupons and sales.  My success with said savings have waxed and wained this year, but this month - I think I've done pretty well.

So far, just this month (all three weeks of it), I've saved just over $30 in coupons alone.  That's more than half a tank of gas!  In my last Publix shopping trip (my second most frequented grocer), I spent $24 and saved $35 with combined BOGOs, coupons, and sale items.  I stocked up on cereal (a very popular and expensive item in our household - one box for $5?? I don't think so...), muffin mixes, and a few other BOGOs or sale items with double coupons (yeah, baby).

The thing I like about couponing is that it doesn't matter if you save 55 cents in a shopping trip or $15, the bottom line is that you saved and it all adds up.  Think about it, if you save 55 cents per shopping trip and shop twice a week, that's a $13 savings for one year.  No, that doesn't seem like a lot, but it's equivalent to 6 bottles of shampoo (I use Suave, which always has coupons making them about $2 a bottle) or two boxes of K-cups (I'm a Keurig lover now) or eight boxes of cereal (on sale and with coupons).  Generally, people save $1 or $2 each shopping trip, which makes the savings $24 or $48 a year, and that's just with coupons - let alone the savings acquired buy purchasing items on sale.

There are also TONS of tools available online to help you maximize your savings. My favorite sites are: southersavers.com, frugalcouponliving.com, couponmom.com, and coupons.com.  You can also find websites for your favorite products and most of the time the parent companies have 'membership deals' with free coupons every month (General Mills and Kelloggs have TONS of online coupons).

Also, you don't have to spend hours each day or even each week with matching sale items or coupons.  I spend at most one hour a week looking at sales ads, the websites above, and matching (or finding) coupons.  That's broken up over Sunday mornings (finding coupons) and Wednesday lunch breaks (matching sales and coupons). 

It's worked for me and encourages me in becoming a Proverbs 31 wife (Prov. 31:15, 16, 18, and 21). If you're interested, take a prayful step forward - it can be as easy or as complicated as you want.