I had a friend of mine in Arizona email me today and ask for pictures of fall leaves. I guess that there is only one season there:
I normally don't get too involved with blogging about politics, but when I saw this, I felt that I needed to share it. Many people that I know have lost their jobs, and homes and are living on pure faith.
I normally don't get too involved with blogging about politics, but when I saw this, I felt that I needed to share it. Many people that I know have lost their jobs, and homes and are living on pure faith. 
My friend, Amy, over at The Seasons of Our Life gave me this award! Thanks so much!!
Go on over and check it out.
Now...to pass it on myself! The rules are simple:
1.) Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award based on creativity, design, interesting material & overall contribution to the blogger community.
2.) Post the name of the author & a link to his or her blog so everyone can view it.
3.) Each award winner has to show the award & put the name & link to the blog that has given him or her the award
4.) The award winner & presenter should post the link of the "Arte y pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of the award.
5.) Post these rules.
Here are my choices, in no particular order.
My friend, Amy Bayliss for her heart for God, women, children, and homeschooling. She can make you laugh, cry, and Praise God all at the same time.
For Jessica, over at Bargain Banana, for all her efforts to share what she has learned about saving money.
For Tara, because I think she has a neat view on things.
For Angela, because I bet we are very much alike...
For Nikowa, because I love her simple way of getting to the "heart of the matter" on her blog, and she isn't' afraid to say her opinions. And she has a really neat blog design!
I will not complain about having to wash dishes...it means that I had food to eat.
I will not complain about my electric bill...it means that I have the ability to control the environment in my home, and I have access to lights when it's dark.
I will not complain about the doctor bills...it means that I have access to quality medical care when I need it.
I will not complain about the kids' messy rooms...it means that I am able to bless them with material things.
I will not complain about gas prices...it means that I am able to drive, and able to own and operate a vehicle.
I will not complain about washing laundry...it means that I have clothing to wear on a daily basis.
I will not complain about the kids outgrowing their clothes again...it means that they are strong, and healthy.
I will not complain about the mess that my kids make in the house...it means that I have been wonderfully blessed with children.
I will not complain about the kids' fights...it means that they are becoming unique individuals, with the ability to think and reason.
I will not complain about not having time for myself...it means that I am loved, needed, and wanted.
I will not complain about having to grade papers, or make lesson plans...it means that I am able to homeschool my children as my choice.
I will not complain about the prices of things...it means that I live in a country where business can compete, and others can achieve.
I will not complain about the news and what is broadcasted...it means that I live in a free country where people are able to speak their mind.
I will not complain about others...it means that each person on this planet is blessed, and made in the image of God, and I will realize that if everyone were to be like me, life would get rather boring.
I had a fairly decent trip to CVS this week. I had received $10 in ECB for being part of the CVS advisor panel and had $5.99 from the previous week. My store was out of the VIVA paper towels for the buy $25/get $10 ECB promo, and that was what I really wanted. But, they were kind enough to sub a different brand and they had kept a UPC symbol off the correct ones, so it still counted towards the deal. Yeah!!!
Here's how it went down:
TRANSACTION #1
Total OOP $4.33 ECB earned $2 (for crest) $4 (for addidas) $4.99 (for body wash)
TRANSACTION #2
minus coupons
Total OOp $3.13 no ECB actually earned this one
TRANSACTI0N #3
minus coupons
Total OOP $6.43 ECB earned $10 (for Kotex, paper towels, tp promo)
Total for the day
If you are a Christian mom, homeschooler or not, you may have heard some myths that seem to surround them. I would like to dispel some of them, as well as tell you what I have learned along the way the last 10 1/2 years. If you homeschool, you have the added job of being full time teacher and the pressure to "do it all". If you work outside the home, you have the added job of employment as well as running a household. Even those stay at home wives, without children, have the "perfect images" myths burned into their skulls. I hope that this can encourage all of you!
1. Let go of the "perfect house" image I used to think that being home all day would equal a sparkling clean house in the evenings for my husband to walk into. I would work myself into a tizzy, trying to keep up the "June Cleaver" image. You know, the party dress and pearls while cleaning an oven? My dear friend, Ambra, taught me that you have to let go of your expectations sometimes. What that means is that my children are home 24/7. And, even though I only have 3, sometimes, my house looks like I have 10 or more and a tornado has run through it. I have let go of my expectation to have a sparkling clean house for the realization that my children are children. We have dogs, cats, and friends over. As long as we can walk through the house without breaking a leg, arm, or other appendage, the dust is ok. You can even write your name in it, if you want...just please, don't date it.
2. Your children are going to behave perfectly since they are around you all the time and do not have much outside influence
Please let this one go. My children do not have a lot of other influences as far as behavior, but they are still human. The Bible teaches us that man is born in sin, and even homeschooling won't solve that. Or public school. Or private school, for that matter. I have had days when I have spent more time being "MOM" than teacher, and have lost my voice simply because I have had to holler at my children a lot. Can you have peace? Of course!!! But, understand, there will be times that you will have some dissension in the ranks. It's through God's grace and mercy that we are all forgiven. It's okay if they get a little wild, you are not doing anything wrong. All that you can do is your very best to model the type of behavior that you expect from your kids. As my friend, Lisa, has taught me, you can't expect your kids to behave at the dinner table if you do not show your manners, but they are still just kids!
3. My children are going to grow up to be whiny brats since they aren't homeschooled. Now that is a total outright lie! I have many friends that do not homeschool their children, and they are just as well behaved, if not better, than some homeschooled children I have seen. (of course, not my angels...hahaha!!!) I think that the pressure to homeschool your children has become so great in the last couple of years that we simply forget that even if you aren't teaching your kids math, history, and such, that you are still teaching them. So, it could be truthfully said that all parents are homeschooling parents. Let go of the myth that you aren't enough or that you are failing your kids because you choose a different method of education. As my friend, Annette, has taught me, each child is different, and sometimes, you have to make decisions that others would spurn you for because you know it to be best for your child. Don't let others take away what you are...the best mom ever!
4. Being home full time will ensure that my family has nothing but hot, healthy meals. I would never think about serving food high in preservatives! If that is you, and you are able to really come through with that, CONGRATS! This isn't for you...please skip to the next one. The rest of us are now free to admit that somedays, we skimp on the cooking, baking, or homemaking. My children do not see anything wrong with Cheerios for dinner, or with macaroni and cheese on occasion. Somedays, I am just tired! And, it's okay if you are, too. Go ahead and open a can of soup for dinner vs. making it from fresh if that will free you from stress. And please know that my hubby actually thinks that Frosted Flakes is a delicacy...and if you happen upon a take out night, I would appreciate a Big Mac and iced coffee!
5. I can't schedule time for myself, my family needs me! Please, please, please do not keep going with this one! As I have learned from my dear friend, Laverne, you need to carve out time for yourself daily. Even if it's only 15 or 20 minutes. You need to have some time to refresh and be recharged so that you can take better care of your family. If you truly can't get away some days, you can always turn your bathroom into a "Teacher's Lounge"...hey! I still get knocks on the door when I'm in there, but at least I can ignore it for a minute or two!
7. My children will not be complete unless they are involved in sports, music lessons, dance....{go ahead and add yours here}
Hmmm...that's a hard one. Really! Ok, I am joking, it's not! However you choose to educate your child(ren), they do not have to be involved in ANY extra-curricular activities to be well rounded adults! Seriously! I have heard, "What about college, it will look sooo much better if they are involved in this and that..." Well, that my be true, but do you really have to do it all? Why not just pick one that they really like and go with that? Would Michael Phelps have won 8 gold medals for swimming if his mom made him take piano, art, and several other activities as well?
Being a wife and mother is a hard enough job. We need to stop placing so much pressure on ourselves to "have it all together". We all have different talents and abilities. What I would say to you is that you don't have to be like me, or like the other mom that you know. You are the best mom for your kids, and the best wife for your husband. You may think that you are falling short, but you are what God knew they would need! You are doing a great job!
I would love to hear about any other myths that I may have missed, and what you have done to overcome them!
I am not sure who the original author of this is...is someone knows, please leave a comment so that I can give proper credit! Thanks!
Take heart in this!!
The Greatest Man in History
J E S U S
had no servants,
yet they called Him
M a s t e r.
Had no degree,
yet they called Him
T e a c h e r.
Had no medicines,
yet they called Him
H e a l e r.
He had no army, yet
kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet
He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet
He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!
from Boucher's Blog
"I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." What power in that verse...Paul wants to see Philemon sharing his faith. BUT THERE IS SOMETHING MORE THERE...
WALGREENS
Transaction #1
I found this list posted on the Well Trained Mind message board today. It was originally written by Deborah Markus, from Secular Homeschooling Magazine, Issue #1, Fall 2007.
"For all those who know nothing about Homeschooling"
1 Please stop asking us if it's legal. If it is - and it is - it's
insulting to imply that we're criminals. And if we were criminals,
would we admit it?
2 Learn what the words "socialize" and "socialization" mean, and use
the one you really mean instead of mixing them up the way you do now.
Socializing means hanging out with other people for fun.
Socialization means having acquired the skills necessary to do so
successfully and pleasantly. If you're talking to me and my kids,
that means that we do in fact go outside now and then to visit the
other human beings on the planet, and you can safely assume that
we've got a decent grasp of both concepts.
3 Quit interrupting my kid at her dance lesson, scout meeting, choir
practice, baseball game, art class, field trip, park day, music
class, 4H club, or soccer lesson to ask her if as a homeschooler she
ever gets to socialize.
4 Don't assume that every homeschooler you meet is Homeschooling for
the same reasons and in the same way as that one homeschooler you
know.
5 If that homeschooler you know is actually someone you saw on TV,
either on the news or on a "reality" show, the above goes double.
6 Please stop telling us horror stories about the homeschoolers you
know, know of, or think you might know who ruined their lives by
Homeschooling. You're probably the same little bluebird of happiness
whose hobby is running up to pregnant women and inducing premature
labor by telling them every ghastly birth story you've ever heard. We
all hate you, so please go away.
7 We don't look horrified and start quizzing your kids when we hear
they're in public school. Please stop drilling our children like
potential oil fields to see if we're doing what you consider an
adequate job of Homeschooling.
8 Stop assuming all homeschoolers are religious.
9 Stop assuming that if we are religious, we must be Homeschooling for
religious reasons.
10 We didn't go through all the reading, learning, thinking, weighing
of options, experimenting, and worrying that goes into Homeschooling
just to annoy you. Really. This was a deeply personal decision,
tailored to the specifics of our family. Stop taking the bare fact of
our being homeschoolers as either an affront or a judgment about your
own educational decisions.
11 Please stop questioning my competency and demanding to see my
credentials. I didn't have to complete a course in catering to
successfully cook dinner for my family; I don't need a degree in
teaching to educate my children. If spending at least twelve years in
the kind of chew-it-up-and- spit-it-out educational facility we call
public school left me with so little information in my memory banks
that I can't teach the basics of an elementary education to my
nearest and dearest, maybe there's a reason I'm so reluctant to send
my child to school.
12 If my kid's only six and you ask me with a straight face how I can
possibly teach him what he'd learn in school, please understand that
you're calling me an idiot. Don't act shocked if I decide to respond
in kind.
13 Stop assuming that because the word "home" is right there
in "homeschool, " we never leave the house. We're the ones who go to
the amusement parks, museums, and zoos in the middle of the week and
in the off-season and laugh at you because you have to go on weekends
and holidays when it's crowded and icky.
14 Stop assuming that because the word "school" is right there in
homeschool, we must sit around at a desk for six or eight hours every
day, just like your kid does. Even if we're into the "school" side of
education - and many of us prefer a more organic approach - we can
burn through a lot of material a lot more efficiently, because we
don't have to gear our lessons to the lowest common denominator.
15 Stop asking, "But what about the Prom?" Even if the idea that my
kid might not be able to indulge in a night of over-hyped, over-
priced revelry was enough to break my heart, plenty of kids who do go
to school don't get to go to the Prom. For all you know, I'm one of
them. I might still be bitter about it. So go be shallow somewhere
else.
16 Don't ask my kid if she wouldn't rather go to school unless you
don't mind if I ask your kid if he wouldn't rather stay home and get
some sleep now and then.
17 Stop saying, "Oh, I could never homeschool!" Even if you think
it's some kind of compliment, it sounds more like you're horrified.
One of these days, I won't bother disagreeing with you any more.
18 If you can remember anything from chemistry or calculus class,
you're allowed to ask how we'll teach these subjects to our kids. If
you can't, thank you for the reassurance that we couldn't possibly do
a worse job than your teachers did, and might even do a better one.
19 Stop asking about how hard it must be to be my child's teacher as
well as her parent. I don't see much difference between bossing my
kid around academically and bossing him around the way I do about
everything else.
20 Stop saying that my kid is shy, outgoing, aggressive, anxious,
quiet, boisterous, argumentative, pouty, fidgety, chatty, whiny, or
loud because he's homeschooled. It's not fair that all the kids who
go to school can be as annoying as they want to without being branded
as representative of anything but childhood.
21 Quit assuming that my kid must be some kind of prodigy because
she's homeschooled.
22 Quit assuming that I must be some kind of prodigy because I
homeschool my kids.
23 Quit assuming that I must be some kind of saint because I
homeschool my kids.
24 Stop talking about all the great childhood memories my kids won't
get because they don't go to school, unless you want me to start
asking about all the not-so-great childhood memories you have because
you went to school.
25 Here's a thought: If you can't say something nice about
Homeschooling, [please be quiet]!"
It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
and his/her book:
Pure: A 90-Day Devotional for the Mind, the Body & the Spirit
FaithWords (September 3, 2008)
Australian born Rebecca St. James is a Grammy Award winner and a multiple Dove Award recipient, with international success that has driven her record sales into the millions. In January 2008, she was named Favorite Female Artist in Contemporary Christian Music by readers of CCM Magazine for the seventh consecutive year. Rebecca also won Best Female Artist of 2007 from Christianitytoday.com--her fifth consecutive year to be given this honor. She's been involved in several film productions and voiced the character of Hope the Angel in VeggieTales' bestselling DVD production The Easter Carol. 
Get your sample of of Gain here:
Free Sample of Crest Expressions
Free sample of Tampax Pearl
Free sample of Pledge Multi Surface
Free sample of Huggies Diapers
Although CVS deals have been slowly becoming slim pickins, I still managed to get a couple of deals today.
My Uncle Tony was diagnosed with cancer about 2 years ago. He was doing fine, but has recently taken a turn for the worst. I do not know how much longer he really has. My biggest prayer right now is for his soul. As I am not sure where he stands in his beliefs, I am coveting your prayers right now for his soul. Please pray that God leads someone in his direct path that will minister to him and that Tony is receptive to it. I would also ask prayer for Tony's daughters, Camille and Nicole and my Aunt Lynn during this time, that they have peace and that they too, are open and receptive to the Gospel of Jesus. Thanks so much!
Here are some more pictures of the angels in my keeping!
This is what I got from Walgreens today:
