In Chicken News…

If you didn’t know, we have backyard chickens.

We have learned a great deal about chickens.

They each have their own little personality.

This little bantam (Chicken Little) likes to crow like a rooster.  I think she is just confused. 
(Lana likes to live in denial.)

This other little bantam (Laurel) also likes to pretend she is a rooster, by crowing.

(Denial is a beautiful thing.)

We caught a opossum in our coop the other night.  It is amazing how this thing even got in the very very small hole. 

Our dog actually found it.  Kudos to Brighton!

 

We think it may have killed our beloved “Paula Deen.”  This picture was taken a month ago.  She was huge!

The kids are going to be sad. 

We are still trying to figure out this one…the kids named her Rojo, Red in Spanish.

She is just not friendly.  But, she has no spurs and doesn’t crow. 

Time will tell!

Now that has been our monthly Chicken Report!

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Don’t forget to enter in both our giveaways that are ending soon!

$35.00 gift card to Dayspring

and

$100.00 gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods

A little way to spread some encouragement! You need some right? Plus giveaway!

Contest Closed.  Winner has been chosen!

Have you needed encouragement lately?

Who hasn’t?

It is easy to be critical.

The nerd in me actually looked up “critical” in the thesaurus. 

Here are just a few words synonyms of “critical”.

 belittling, condemning, cynical, demanding, demeaning, derogatory, disapproving, discriminating, disparaging,  finicky, fussy, hairsplitting, humbling, hypercritical, lowering, nagging, nit-picking, overcritical, reproachful, sarcastic, scolding, severe, sharp, and withering

Do you recognize any of those in yourself?

Unfortunately, I do.

(In me.  Not you.  Well, maybe you.  What are we talking about?)

My main theme lately:  I want to leave a conversation and think I encouraged that person!

Who doesn’t need a cheerleader in their life?

So…how have you encouraged someone lately?

Sometimes biting my tongue is better encouragement than my “sharp” or “disapproving” tone. 
I want to be able to bless others and have kindness on my tongue always. 

 

Dayspring would like to give one of my readers a $35.00 gift code to use in their online store.
(Shipping is the responsibility of winner.)

Three Easy entries:  Leave a separate comment for each entry! 

Mandatory Entry:

Tell me how you have encouraged others lately, either in word or deed?  

2nd entry:  (Please leave separate comment.)

Is there something in your home that encourages you?

3rd entry:  (Please leave separate comment.)

Go and like ilovemy5kids' facebook page. 
Then head back over here and tell me you did!

Winner will be picked on June 30th!  Better hurry and enter! 
Leave me a way to contact you or you forfeit your prize!

I pray this blog encourages you! 

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Note:  I was sent complimentary copy for review purposes only.  This review has not been monetarily compensated.  The review was my honest opinion and views and not influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Let me introduce you…my newest friend!

Let’s just say…I have human friends.

 

Then I have other friends, who have sharp teeth.

She never argues and does exactly what I say.

 

She is a she. 

Because I said so.

 

I feel all powerful when we work together.

She makes me use math and a tape measure.

Oh, it feels so good to measure to the nearest 7/8th of an inch. 

 

 

Let me introduce you to Lady Crafty Cut.

You may call her “Lady!” – she doesn’t mind.

 

Be nice to her.

She is going to be very busy the next few days.

 

Can’t wait to show you some awesome remodel work!

 

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

7 things about this week…

First of all…
I would like to thank you for reading this crazy blog.   You guys simply encourage me.  Thank you!  Do you Twitter?  Or Facebook?  Find me on there too!

Second…

I don’t usually worry about things.  I’m simply not a worrier.  But, this week has been different.

I lost a couple of keys to a safe deposit box.  To replace the keys, the bank is going to charge us over $200.00.  I hate paying money for something that is unnecessary.  My hubby and I have searched high and low for the keys.  I keep thinking $200.00 would pay for a little child’s dinner for an entire year in some remote village.  How could I have lost some stupid keys to an “empty” box?  Yes, the box is empty!  Ugh. 

I’m trying to get over it.  Bear with me!  Just being extremely real.

3rd…

We have started tearing down our playroom – inside out.  The kids are still at their Grandparents.  So it is a perfect time.  I have thrown away more “junk” than ever before!  I love being organized.  I just dislike organizing.  I truly need a system that would work for me.  I’m on the right road, I just keep making little pit stops on the way to true organization.  I’ll be posting pictures next week.

4th…

We received rain.  One local farmer reported we haven’t received rain since last September.  Wow!  We are suppose to get more today.  Praise the Lord.  He has it under control.  I put my faith, my keys and my life in His hands!

5th…

Our little chicken, “Chicken Little”, has started to show rooster traits.  Like crowing.  I keep thinking it might just be a phase.  My hubby thinks I’m crazy – it is a rooster.  I like denial.  I went to our neighbors to see if they minded…they will let me know.  Our local parrots that live in the palm trees are louder than “Chicken Little” but my relationship to our neighbors means more.

7th…

Yes, I skipped 6th.  I just don’t like that number.  (GRIN!)

I’m crazy in love with husband.  He makes me laugh daily.  He prepares me coffee and brings it to my bedside every morning.  He truly gets me.  I’ve enjoyed the last couple of weeks with just us.  It is nice to re-connect!  Although, I do miss my kids.  (I don’t think they are missing me, yet.  Grandma and PawPaw’s house is too much fun!)

7th again…

Today and today only, Amanda Bennett is offering a Unit Study for just $5.00.  Just thought I would share this great homeschool gem. 

Also, don’t forget to enter in my $100.00 gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods?

Thanks for reading!

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Women of Faith Worship Rejoice

Rejoice (Women of Faith Worship)



When I was on bed rest in the hospital for weeks (with my youngest), I got sick of television.  The drugs they had me on  (to prevent labor) made me shake, so I couldn't read without getting a severe headache.  I would turn to music.  Many people who came in my hospital room remarked how my room was so peaceful.

Music does something to my children as well.  When I put on this CD - they got quiet.  Then they just started singing and praising the Lord.  I love it.  The songs themselves just make me you want to sing along and praise Him.  

Anything that promotes peace in my home and gets my kids to praise the Lord earns merit in my book.

From the publisher:

In arena events across the U.S., the Women of Faith Worship Team leads audiences into deeper communion with God. Through the songs on this new studio recording, they bring that experience to the listener, no matter where they are. There’s a sound for every situation; a song for every emotion. This is not just worship for women - it’s music for anyone and everyone who is ready to rejoice over the incomparable love God has for us.

Includes:

1. Beautiful Redeemer

2. So Good

3. Forever Reign

4. Come As You Are

5. Hosanna

6. Our God

7. Glory To God

8. You Brought the Sunshine

9. Greatness of Our God

10. Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Blessings to you!  You are loved!


©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

Note:  I was sent complimentary copy for review purposes only.  This review has not been monetarily compensated.  The review was my honest opinion and views and not influenced by the sponsor in any way.

How Great Thou Art

“O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.”

How Great Thou Art…love that hymn!  So powerful.  So true. 

Can't wait for that day...when I see Him in the sky.  Oh, what joy shall fill my heart.

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

After 5 kids and a DIY remodel…

 

We are still in love.

We are real.

We have disagreements.

But, we don’t let them linger.

We have different styles.

But, we compromise.

We grew up in different cultures.

But, we chose to broaden our horizons.

We find things that interest us both.

He is the nerd.  She is the free spirit.

She has 843 emails – he has  to  empty his inbox or he can’t sleep at night.

She reads 10 books a month, he reads 4 a year.

We both love our children and desire to be better parents like our Father in Heaven.

We both love our Lord Jesus and desire to be better children to Him.

We are still in love.

We are real.

 

 

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Organization and My Play Date Blunder Post

For some reason, my commenting system failed.  Big time.

So, I’m sharing all the comments that disappeared yesterday.

Some of them are really going to simplify my life.  Thanks so much for participating in my first Homeschool Village Playdate!

Okay, here they are…in no particular order.  (I hope  I got them all, if not, please leave another organization tip!)

 

Jessica 

Holy cow, I am all kinds of in love with that laundry tip. I think you've just revolutionized my system!
Um, okay I have a lunch with little ones tip. Don't give them individual plates. Provide a tray of different foods and let them pick what they want from it. Less clean up, less fuss.
My recent post My attention is all kinds of deficit

Lisa~

I love my white board. It has changed the way I do school. I got a huge one at the office supply and framed it with trim from the hardware store. I have an IKEA shelf below it that holds all of our supplies and teacher manuals. Everything is in one place and I can write lists, teach, leave instructions....all on the board. It's the best thing I ever did. Lisa~
My recent post The Anniversary Party- Part II

Melissa Newell

HI there....great blog, thanks for hosting the playdate today at HSV! My BIGGEST tip on organization is LISTS...LISTS and more LISTS...I have 4 notebooks going...homeschooling, party planning, everyday life stuff and My inspirations! The only way I can function!

anne 

For workbooks and soft-bound textbooks, I use magazine holders to put them in. I have one for each kid and one for instructor's guides and answer keys for me. When it's time for handwriting, spelling, math, phonics, etc., I just pull out each kid's magazine file. When we're done, it's much easier to put this one thing back on the shelf, and it makes it easier to find everyone's books.
My recent post Friday photo

KelaYN 

I never thought to do that with my sheets!
I need the homeschool organization tips too! I get most of mine from Samantha Kelley (www.thekelleyeight.com).

Marci@OvercomingBusy 

We really like the workboxes idea for homeschooling, but don't have room for actual boxes. So we use the bottom drawer of our office file cabinet and those expandable hanging files. The office area is right outside the homeschool room so it works great and doesn't take up anymore space.

dandieconner

We have a small house so I am always having to come up with new ways to store our stuff. One problem we were having was DVD and Wii game cases. They took up so much space and the discs never seemed to make it back in them. So I bought zipper media cases that are used to store music CDs. We threw out all of the plastic cases and now have easy to flip through cases that hold all of our DVDs and games.

Momma Rae and the Deputy

sometimes after washing breakfast dishes i just set them on the counter-- ready for lunch-- instead of putting them away. Also as for laundry my kids hang up all the shirts on hangers then i put them in the closet...

Ktribe

OO I like my binders and My hanging organizer!
Donna young.org is also one of my favorites!
Kelly

There is still time…Add another organization tip! 

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Home Organization Play date

Welcome to The HSVillage Play Date!

I’m very honored to be hosting!

Let me just say, this post is not just for those who home school or even have kids.

Who doesn’t like a little organization? 

Everyone can benefit!

Let’s make this simple –

Share with everyone (by leaving a comment) your favorite organization tip! 

Anything goes! 

Don’t think it is common knowledge…I forget tips and need to be reminded of old ones as well!

Here is my tip:

After washing the sheets, I stuff all my sheets in the pillow case it belongs in. 

I try to fold them but they always get messed up anyway.  So, in the case it goes. 

I then just put them in the linen closet. 

Okay, my kids put them away. 

That is another tip…have kids and they will beg to do the laundry!

“Beg”…might be to strong of a word…”desire” or “obey” is better.

So, tell me your tip!  (P.S.  I really NEED home school organization tips!)

If you don’t have one…you can make one up…I won’t tell! 

This is my newest lil’ niece…isn’t she a doll baby? 
Oh, I could eat her up!  I just had to show her off…now tell me your organization tip!

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Gone Fishing…

And swimming…

And walks on a moon lit beach alone with my precious hubby!

Yep, we are on vacay…

without kids.

I love my parents.  {Really, really, really love them!}

They are keeping my beautiful kids.  {Just want them to know we appreciate them!}

I can’t remember their names right now.

Because…we are in paradise.  (Just kidding…sort of.)

I won’t even smile at all the cute children on the beach…thinking they might want me to take them to the bathroom.  You know “that” look.

Yep, paradise.

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

A Marker Party

Seriously, we love to party for any reason.

 

This was no exception.

Markers can bring the artist out of anyone.

This is just some of the kids.  Their not-so serious faces.

Seriously, I do not allow standing on my couch.  Unless, there was a mouse.  We have never seen a mouse in the house.  Hopefully, we never will.  I’m sure my innocent child – just thought he saw a mouse.Now for the serious faces…each kid got a dry erase board and a pack of washable markers.

If you ever need a door prize – this was the bomb.  One of the Moms told me the next day, her kids were still drawing away.

The boys and girls split into teams and played a few different games with their markers and dry erase boards.  Sometimes – it is better just not to plan anything and let the kids use their imaginations.

My heart doeth good when I see children use their minds for creativity.  It breeds less boredom.

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Guest Post: It's about Time by Mom’s Mustard Seeds

When I was a teen, I watched a movie (I can't remember the name) that used time.....as money. You either earned time through your deeds or you spent it on your wants/needs/desires. People could give you 'time'....you could share, you could use it wisely, or you could squander it.

When it was gone....your body crumpled.

You know how much time you had. It was not a mystery. You had your own 'watch' that showed you how much time you had. You could watch it add/delete the time.

I thought of that movie, as I sat to read my Eternal Encouragement (previously Teach) Magazine. It's been sitting, looking at me...daring me to open it.....the Spring Theme: TIME FLIES (Tempus Fugit)

Inside, are many different beautiful articles about time....

Your Account is a story about a guy being given $86,400 every day of his life. He had to spend all of it. He could not 'carry' any of it over.

The recipient walks through all of things he would do with that money from paying off debt,traveling to helping others. As the story moves forward, you sense a strong need to help the recipient think of great ways to spend that money, not waste a single penny.......and then,something else begins to stir.....you realize that it's not really about money.

It's about Time

86.400.....that's how many seconds we are given each day

Do I use them to their fullest?

Do I squander them?

Do I consider them as valuable as the $86,400?

Some days, I do better than others. I don't have a time piece to tell me how much time I have left.

But,I have my Bible and God. He knows the time I have on this earth. He knows the purpose of my life. I have to read his word, pray and submit to him....to know how I should spend the time he has given me:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you see me with all your heart." Jer 29:11 13

None of us ever really know how much time we have.

I lost my brother (he was 14) when I was 5. It was a beautiful afternoon,the first day of June in 1977.....we did not know, his time had been spent.

My Mother...2008, left to be with our Heavenly Father. She had been sick for years. The Dr's constantly 'guessing' on how much time. I sat in the room with her....3 days. Praying, reading, crying and laughing.

Those last few moments were beautiful, peaceful...the Spirit of the Lord was there.
Young or Old....our seconds are passing by.

I pray that the seconds and minutes you have spent reading this, encourage you to spend your minutes in the way God has Purposed for YOU!

Each of us different. Some blogging to encourage others, some reading blogs to find encouragement....

Spend your seconds wisely.....they matter!

Lana, Thank you for inviting me to be a 'guest writer'. I am humbled and honored. I pray that you are blessed...and I know that your readers are blessed by your writing! I can't wait to spend more time with you!

Tempus Fugit Picture by emijrp

Rebecca lives in a little town just north of Atlanta, GA. She is a Child of God and is incredibly blessed to be happily married to the man she fell in love with at 17 and is blessed with three amazing children. She moved from point shoes to combat boots...and high heels up the corporate ladder before trading them in to be a Preschool Teacher. Now, she homeschools her three children and blogs over at Mom’s Mustard Seeds.

©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

Spider had babies.

I’m not a good mother.

I don’t protect my children from spiders.

I encourage them to take their pictures.

I encourage them to leave them alone and NOT to bring them in the house.

I do not worry. 

I live in denial and pretend the spiders are figments of my kids’ imaginations.

This picture is just a figment in my kids’ imagination.  The spider and all her babies are really not in my garage by where I walk every.single.day.  Ugh, I dislike spiders!  and snakes!  and mosquitoes! and bowling on television!

Do you even see the picture of a spider? Yeah, me neither.  It is really not hot outside, either, and I can see mountains with snow.  Are you living in my dream world, too?

I’m very thankful they just found spiders and not snakes or bees or a man bowling in the garage!

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Summer is here and some of my new MUST HAVES!

First of all, we live where the heat stays in the 100’s until October.

  Thus the reason we homeschool through the summer.  I’d rather not go outside unless we are in the pool or air conditioner.

However, the other day we went swimming.

Did you know that sunscreen goes bad?  I now have children who could be considered in any court of law, evidence.  They are lobsters.

My new favorite product in our home is…

LavaDerm Cooling Mist by Young Living.

It cools and feels awesome.  Plus, takes the burning away.  Love it!

Our City has a new Splash Park!

We went this week with some of our homeschool friends and it was a blast!  Not to mention – FREE!

This is my friend’s baby, S.  Isn’t she just a doll-baby?  I could just take her home with me.  But, I think her Mom would miss her.  Plus, I might be charged with kidnapping.  But, other than that – I think she would fit in our family nicely.  Ever have those days – where you just miss having a baby in the house? 

Speaking of babes, my eldest daughter is growing leaps and bounds.  I’m so thankful for her.  She is a born organizer and loves to have everything in order.  I’ll have to take a picture of her clothes inside of her drawers…perfection! 

My eldest in one of his “baby” hats.  He just loved wearing it for his sentimental Mom.  Notice the “fake” smile.  Things my children do for their favorite Mom.
I’m so thankful for my children!  They truly make me smile – daily.

Hope you are having a great summer thus far!

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

EASY RECIPE - Black Bean Salsa

It is begging for a chip!

So EASY!

A chip makes it perfect!

She tries it...

In it goes...

It is a WINNER!

Want to make it?

Black Bean Salsa
2 (15 oz) black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 (15 oz) corn (drained)
2 (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 fresh jalapenos, seeded and diced
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3 avocados, diced

Combine all except avocados. Stir in those right before serving. Serve with corn tortilla chips. 8-10 servings. YUMMY!


©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

Partying with:
Beauty and Bedlam

No phone! No internet! Plus $100. gift card giveaway!

Not happy!

Something went dreadfully wrong in our line of communication.

I mean our phone and internet line.

It went dead wrong.  For a few days.

Then the Cable guy came into our house.

His name was Juan and  he deserves a raise.


Seriously.

Not to mention, that he fixed our cable line but just had proper manners. In the past, with this particular company, we have had problems. I was anxious about this company having to come to my house and was glad my hubs was home when the man showed up.

Maybe all the calls to the supervisors really did make a difference. Or maybe we just got a break. Or maybe my hubby's presence made a change.

Who knows? Who cares?

We now can make phone calls and surf the web.

Whohoo!  Thank you Juan!

To make this day even sweeter, would you like to win a $100.00 gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods? I thought so. Talk about a sweet Father's Day gift!

Go see this post and leave a comment to win! Super easy!

The post is also my interview with Mia Hamm's (Multi-Gold Medalist in Soccer) Mom, Stephanie Hamm.

Blessings to you! You are loved!



©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com