4.28.2016

Spring Cleaning Your Marriage.....

Wow, what a crazy few weeks it has been.....I had my surgery and lived through it!!  YAY Me!  And now I'm busy pulling myself together and getting through the last few weeks of full-time school before we switch to part-time Summer school, I homeschool if you didn't read about that before.  Lot's of cleaning, organizing and working in the yard too.  I love this time of the year because your home and yard can be kind of compared to a dusty old Marriage that gets weeded, spruced up and tended to.  That's what we did and it saved our Marriage.  We plucked out all the distractions and behaviors that caused negativity and stress in our relationship.  We fixed all the cracks and leaks by filling the gaps with the Lord, support from  our Mentors and therapy/Recovery groups.  We got all pretty and fancy by working on ourselves personally with self-care.  And finally we are sitting back and enjoying this Beautiful thing called Life Lived Together.  Reading, playing games together, exploring our city on the weekend, camping, cooking, meditating on God's word and just loving life together.  These are the things we look forward to every single day....thank You Jesus!!!

4.27.2016

GREEMU From Devonian~ REVIEW



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I have been weeding out all my chemical filled products for over a year now.  And I love adding new healthy ones to my bathroom counter.  I did just that a few weeks ago when I was given a bottle of a plant-based green alternative for Emu Oil called GREEMU from Devonian.  You can get this and other products like this from Koru Naturals.  I have been using Emu Oil for years, some people love the benefits of Emu, but don't necessarily feel great about it being animal-based.  I don't really care that it's from an animal, but I value plant-based health and beauty products and really wanted to give this alternative a try.

YWAM Publishing Heroes of History~ REVIEW

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Oh this sweet Family of mine is filled with anxious readers.  I can hardly keep enough unread books available to Kaden.  This next Review was specifically for him, even though the whole Family joined in on the fun.  We were given the opportunity to Review a Physical copy of Heroes of History Orville Wright book and a Digital copy of the Unit Study Guide that goes along with it.  Both products were provided to us by YWAM Publishing.



4.20.2016

Writers in Residence ~ REVIEW

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We have been busy around here lately trying to prepare Mahala for the possibility of College in the next year or so.  And part of that is making sure everything we sought out to learn and do has actually been accomplished or at least attempted. :)  The other day I asked Skylar, who is 2 years into College...to share with me what he wished we would have spent more time on in our homeschool with him.  What could we have done to better prepare him?  He said a few little things like time management and organization.  But, the Huge change that he said would have made his life in College a lot easier was implementing a Writing Program.  He has Dyslexia and we did a lot of his work orally so we never really talked about the importance of writing papers, researching, journaling and such.  Even though I do all these things every single day...I figured it

4.19.2016

A+ Interactive Math ~ REVIEW

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Today I get to tell you about an effective way for your Kiddos to brush up on their Math skills and close those pesky Gaps they've been dragging around with them.  Last year I was blessed to be introduced to the good people over at A+ Interactive Math.  I loved their product back then and I get to share another one of their amazing products now.  A+ Interactive Math gave us a year access pass to try and review 2 of their Math Mini-Courses.  There are several to pick from and since I would be doing this with Kaden I chose the Measurements and Conversions Mini-Course (2nd-6th grade with 23 lessons) and the Ratio, Proportions, Probability and Statistics Mini-Course (3rd-6th  grade with 14 lessons).

4.15.2016

Paws Filled with Love and Compassion

This past February marked 2 years that we have had Kaden's service dog.  Time has went by so quickly, it's amazing how he was born to be in our Family.  He means so much to us all, especially Kaden.  When Kaden is overwhelmed, scared or excited he reaches out for Homer.  And Homer is right there beside him, keeping a watchful eye on his boy.
The other day we went out for a hair appointment.  Kaden doesn't like being out in public, he is bothered by all the sounds, smells and sights.  He will bring headphones, his tablet and books to distract himself the best he can.  But, when Homer is with him he can offer his companionship and a little trick we call pressure!  We have been working on a command we call pressure and that is when he stands over Kaden and lays down on him.  Usually it's his back, but sometimes it's his legs or tummy.  Here he is leaning up against him with his head across his back.  Homer is 60lbs, so the deep pressure and warmth from his body is soothing to Kaden....not to mention his fuzzy magic ears are lovely to touch. :)

We are so thankful for Homer, he has changed Kaden's life.  We are able to do more with Kaden then before.  This Summer we are going on a cross country trip, Homer will be a lifesaver as his traveling Buddy!  When we went to Disney last year it was so cute how he would constantly look up at make eye contact with Kaden.  Disneyland was a long trip, this year we are going to Disney World and of course Homer will be right there with him.

4.13.2016

Homeschool Copywork~ REVIEW

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My next Review is a Lifetime Membership from Homeschool Copywork.  Copywork is something not new to me, but new to my Kiddos.  I grew up with copywork being apart of my daily routine at school.  That's how I learned to write cursive.  My Kiddos though focused more on dictation and not necessarily copywork.  Well, that all changed a few years ago after Kaden's diagnosis on the Spectrum and while working with him and his handwriting.  He still struggles with his writing, but I find if we "practice" writing he get's frustrated, bored and the whole day can go from bad to worse quickly.  But, that scenario was about to change....it started to change with this Review several weeks ago.  

4.12.2016

Exclusive High School Diploma~ REVIEW


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 I can't believe that this time in 2018 we will be getting ready to celebrate Mahala's High School graduation.  Well, if all goes according to plan....hahahaha!  I'm sure it will and that is why I'm so excited to be able to order her an Exclusive High School Diploma from HomeschoolDiploma.com.  Graduation, like many other celebratory times is an extremely busy time in a family's life.  There are so many things to plan, purchase, organize and set up.  I'm a little flustered just thinking about it all. :)  But, no worries....with HomeschoolDiploma.com you have access to not only high quality diplomas, but Graduation announcements, labels, thank you cards, Graduation apparel, tassels, keepsakes, class rings and even gifts for your Graduates at your little finger tips. 

4.08.2016

What's Cooking? 4/11

 It's Friday!!!! Usually this is the day I plan the next week's menu.  That way I feel organized and ready to shop on Saturdays.  Well, that's the plan....

This next week is filled with tons of Doctor's appointments and that is going to take a lot of fuel!!  So, for this next week I am focusing on Protein and having Healthy Snacks for those moments when hunger strikes while sitting in a waiting room or in the car.


Morning Meals: 
Monday-2 slices of Sprouted Bread with protein spread and SugarFree Jam with Egg Whites scrambled with Veggies

Tuesday-Egg White & Bacon Muffinletts and Protein shooter(3oz )

Wednesday-Protein Berry Smoothie with almond milk

Thursday-Greek Yogurt with Berries on top of GF Overnight Oatmeal

Friday-3 Egg Omelet stuffed with veggies, sausage and a smidgen of cheese

Saturday-2 Full Eggs 2 Pork Sausage and Mushrooms with Onions
Sunday-Protein Smoothie with Coconut Milk

Afternoon Meals:
Monday-Turkey/lettuce Roll Ups (everything in a regular sandwich with out the bread)

Tuesday-Salmon over a Green salad with nuts and seeds

Wednesday-Turkey sandwich with Sprouted bread without mayo or cheese and small salad with lime juice

Thursday-Cobb Salad with everything:chicken, eggs, bacon, tons of veggies.....

Friday-Protein Smoothie with Almond Milk

Saturday-Caulicrust Tuscan pizzas...Artichokes, meats, tomatoes, basil, red onions and fresh mozzarella

Sunday-We usually have our Big meal after Church and then a lighter dinner.  Roast with Mushrooms, radishes, carrots and CauliRice

Dinner:
Monday-Cajun Salmon with Asparagus and Brussels

Tuesday-Italian Wedding Soup with Parmesan crisps

Wednesday-Chicken and Bok Choy over Caulirice
Thursday-Bacon Wrapped Shrimp and Veggie Skewers with Quinoa

Friday-Cheese burger salad!!!

Saturday-BBQ pulled pork sliders with roasted veggies

Sunday-Leftovers

Snacks this week:
Jerky, cheese, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, veggies with PB, protein shooters, nuts, smoothies

4.06.2016

Like a Lullaby for His Soul


I remember this picture from 4 years ago.... Kaden was so excited for Summer to get here.  He would play with his sand and water table for hours.  I remember we had brought back some sand from Malibu and used it out in his table.  Even to this day when we go to the beach he loves the sand close to the water.  Letting it run through his hands and scrubbing it on his arms and legs.
There is something so innocent in his eyes when he truly latches onto something.  When he finds that thing that comforts him, intrigues him or connects him to one of us.  
The other day we were listening to a piece of classical music.  He told me that the music was like a lullaby for his soul.  And he put my hand on his chest and his on mine.  And he asked me how my soul felt listening to the music.  I just hugged him and told him my soul was very happy and relaxed.  Moments like these make the hard days easier to get through......Thank You Jesus! 

4.05.2016

Times Tales ~ REVIEW

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2016%20TOS%20Crew/04-04%20Trigger%20Memory%20Co/Classroom%20SprayEDMagazine_zpsr3j9ypho.jpgAnother Math Review....I find it hilarious how the one subject I did so awful in is the one I spend 1/3 of my day teaching now.  This next Review though is somewhat dear to my heart.  Multiplication is where I came to a fork in the road.  I was standing there with a huge obstacle in my way to success...multiplication. I was just so scared of it that I ran away and did anything I could to not have to stand up in the middle of class and mumble off wrong answers to the questions being tossed at me.  I never overcame my fear and struggled all the way through college.  And my Kiddos today have similar Math anxiety along with Dyslexia for my oldest, Mahala has ADD and sweet Kaden has Autism. But, since we homeschool I can work independently with them, so they don't have to feel anxiety or shame.  The Trigger Memory Co. was so kind to send our Math challenged Family their Times Tales program in exchange for a Review.  And we all say together....Thank You!!! (Downloadable files-$21.95 or DVD format-$24.95)