One of the Most Overlooked Essentials in the Parenting Tool Bag

 

Parents of littles, if you don’t own an otoscope yet, I highly suggest you order one now. 

Like RIGHT NOW, before it is 11pm on a Friday and you need to check your 2 year old’s nose to :

A) Figure out which nostril the popcorn kernel is in, if she did in fact put one up there. 

B) Be sure she didn’t stick more than one popcorn kernel up her nose, even though she’s denying there are any up there at all, but you’re sure by the look on her face there IS at least one. <-- How’s that for a run-on sentence?  Pretty good, eh?  I just want you to read it fast and feel the anxiety I did for a sec.

The verdict:  One kernel, easy to dislodge after spotting it in her tiny little nostril, covering the opposite nostril and asking her to blow hard.

#toddlersmakemesweat

The thought of trying to explain at the ER why my 2 year old is even up at 11pm, that was just unfathomable.  I don't think they'd be that understanding of my honest excuse:  "Uh, well Doc, because it's summer and any sort of regular evening routine or schedule has been completely thrown out the window.  Tonight it's 11:30pm, tomorrow may be 7:30pm.  Oh, and the popcorn? Well right now she's terribly picky, so we just feed her whatever she wants to eat so she doesn't die of starvation or something.  I mean how long can a kid live off of Larabars, popcorn, pineapple, and marshmallows?"

 

 

Just save yourself the trouble and order an otoscope, okay?  Now I do have a slight background in nursing which helps slightly with checking for ear infections, but anyone can use one of these.  They do come with a handy visual chart that is all sorts of helpful.  We've also used our otoscope recently for checking out a bee sting to the eye, a sliver to the foot, and details on bugs. 

I've had mine (the same one in the link) for just over 3 years now, and it's still working just like it did the day I opened it. 



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I'm Feeling Well Prepared

Today I'm cleaning the homeschool room and preparing our materials for our summer session AND the fall school year.  I'm actually having FUN with this.  I don't know that I've ever been THIS prepared, or enjoyed the planning and prepping this much.  I'm actually smiling as I page through our new workbooks.  I can already pick out the parts that I think each child will especially enjoy.

When we started HS'ing I was anxious over everything, confused, overwhelmed, and felt like an overall failure, quite often.  I knew it was what God wanted for our family, but I resisted it and was consumed by it all. 

I prayed through it, talked through it, and lived through it. 

Thankfully I've had a few great HS moms and teachers to bounce ideas off of, get encouragement from, and help support us on this journey. 

Maybe some of you are in the stage that I was a few years ago?  I just wanted to share tidbits of advice I've been given, or have given to others:

 "Homeschooling gets easier, better, richer, the more you do it"

 "There's no perfect curriculum, find what works and stick with it, if it isn't working, don't be afraid to try something else"

 "Ask questions"

 "Don't focus so much on the big field trips and impressive studies, but focus on the everyday learning"

 

 

 "Build their confidence and watch them grow"

I am thankful for the confidence I've gained, and the passion in my heart for education.  I have the 2015-2016 school year just about planned out.  I'll do a post with our curricula choices like I did for our 2013-2014 school year.  

Watch For God

This was part of my view during worship at church this morning.  I could complain about the mosquitos, but instead I'll rejoice at the sounds, the beauty, and the people that surrounded me. 

My son gave me a bracelet from Vacation Bible School that says "Watch For God".  I've been wearing it often and thought I'd ask YOU, "Where have you seen God working in your life?" Take a moment to quietly reflect and thank Him for what he's doing in and through you. 

The Amish Pantry Experience

A couple months ago we were driving home from a volleyball tournament and I saw a BAKERY sign.  Yippee!  Being the sweet-treat-lovin’ woman that I am, I followed the sign.  I figured our hard working volleyball player needed a treat after a strenuous morning on the court.    

That sign led us to an average looking farm house that had an “OPEN” sign on the door.  Hmm, I wondered if we were in the right place.  Could this farm house actually be a bakery?

I opened the car door and realized I would have to walk past a whole bunch of chickens to get into the bakery, but I could tell by the aroma in the air it was indeed a bakery, and I’d spent 2 hours on bleachers with a toddler.  I was determined and went for it.  Turns out the chickens could care less that I was there and I made it to the door without any troubles.

I opened the door to this place that we later discovered is called The Amish Pantry.  

OH my goodness. I couldn't believe my eyes!  Cinnamon rolls, cookies, fudge, breads, flavored crackers, spices, cofffffffffeeeee and more.  It all looked so beautiful and smelled so good! 

I can’t even put into words how glad I am that we stopped there that day.  It turns out this was their first day open.  They had two 3 day old goats that needed names.  They were looking for a boy name that started with a C.  My little guy piped up and said “I know, you could call him CARTER, that’s my name!”  So now we go back each week to say hello to Carter the goat. 

On our first trip there I asked if I could take some pictures of this unique little place, so I could tell my friends about it.  As I went back to the van to get my camera, my husband opened his mouth and landed me a gig as their Social Media Coordinator, or whatever. 

Basically this just means I take some half-way decent pictures and post them to a Facebook page I created for The Amish Pantry.  Okay, it’s slightly more complicated than that, but I am loving it so far.  I am so grateful that the owners, Frank and Roxann, have allowed me to take on this adventure.  It’s truly encouraging for me to be able to grow my skills through this “job” (I use that term VERY loosely, it’s mostly just fun) and still be able to be with all my babies each and every day. 

Each time we visit their farm we learn a little more about the owners.  We hear stories from all sorts of people, that just like us, saw the sign and stopped to check it out.  We’re always making new friends because of this welcoming place. 

If you’re curious what this place is all about, visit TheAmish Pantry’s Facebook Page where I’ve uploaded dozens of pictures, and Roxann shares stories from the bakery. 

Forewarning, it’s not your typical bakery experience, and it’s really not all about the sweets (although the sweets are amazing).  There’s something so much more special about this place than any other place around here.  It just feels like home.  I’d love if you stop out and try it for yourself.  If you do, please leave a review on the Facebook page, or back here on my blog.   

If you need recommendations on what to get, my favorites are the Rye bread (Trim Healthy Mama style), 7 grain bread, Flavored cinnamon rolls (only available on Saturdays), and the coffee.  Oh that coffee is darn good! 

Indoor Seating is limited, but cozy.  If you love intermixing with new people, pull up a chair at any old table and someone is sure to join you soon. 

The Outdoor Seating is plentiful.  Just grab a spot anywhere on the lawn. 

The Saturday Breakfast menu includes Biscuits and Gravy, or Breakfast Sandwiches.  Both equally delicious!

 

To My Dear MOPS Moms

Good Morning,

As we were driving to Clear Lake yesterday I noticed a beautiful flowering bush in the ditch just a quarter mile from my house.  It was so full and bright that I actually slowed down and made sure everyone in the van saw it.  I told my husband and kids of the theory that you grow where you’re planted. 

I started to tear up, but also rejoiced, knowing that it’s so true.

I have felt God nudging me to lay down my role as Publicity Coordinator for more than a year.  I don’t want to.  I love every aspect of being on the steering team, even the tough ones.  I’ve been a part of MOPS for 7 years, and it’s really carried me through so many different stages.  The speakers and women I’ve learned alongside of have inspired me in so many ways.

But the deal is I just can’t go where I don’t feel God personally leading me.  It’s overwhelmingly scary and exciting to think, “What’s next for me?”  I’m not sure exactly what God is calling me into doing, but I am trusting that he will help me to grow wherever I am planted. 

I trust that whoever fills this position, and any other open leadership positon, will grow where they are planted too.  All for the glory of God, and his people. 

I swear to you this was NOT an easy decision.  I’ve prayed over it, sought out wise counsel, and taken on another year even after I was sure God was telling me that I needed to be done.  Sometimes I just go ahead and do my own thing, but life is always so much more satisfying when I do what I feel God is leading me into doing, not just what I enjoy doing.

I have such a passion for moms, kids, families, and social media.  I bet there is someone out there with these same passions that could fill this role.

I’d be happy to help train new leadership and continue adding updates to the Facebook page through the summer.

I apologized to the steering team for stepping down, and they have been gracious in their understanding.  Now I’m also apologizing to all of you fabulous MOPS moms.  I am really sorry to do this, but I already know in my heart that God has a person to fill this positon and that they will do an even better job than what has already been done.  Please pray with me that they would be BRAVE and come forward to fill this position. 

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

 

Carving Out Family Time

 

I’ve been telling our friends and family that it’s been a busy couple of weeks.  But it wasn’t until I tried to schedule plans with two different friends, and couldn’t hardly find any open hours, that I realized just how busy we were.  It was ridiculous.  For people that preach about how important time alone as a family is, we seemed even more ridiculous.  So Saturday we declared it a FAMILY DAY. 

 

I’ll be honest, we had a rough time communicating together in the morning and figuring out what would make everyone happy, since we’ve been so used to doing things on our own for the past however long.   It was rough, but we filled our bellies with breakfast, talked it over, and worked out our plans for the day, TOGETHER.

 

We cleaned the house as a family, visited The Amish Pantry, Breadeaux Pizza, and Fort Custer Maze!

Price Breakdown:

Cleaning- FREE. 

{Cleaning motivation:  We filled a bag of things to donate within 30 minutes.  The less items in your home, the less your air has to run this time of year to cool those items.  In the winter, the less your heat will have to run.  It’s like you’re paying yourself!).

The Amish Pantry- Average cost for a family of 5, with adults getting rolls and kids getting donuts, is about $12. 

{Tip:  You can get a 4 pack of rolls for $5.  The bigger flavored rolls are $3.50, and worth every penny, but if you’re feeding a big family on a budget, go for the 4 pack, or a couple 4 packs!)

Breadeaux Pizza: 1 large pizza, 1 large order of breadsticks, and 5 cookies.  $22

Fort Custer Maze: $6 for adults, $4 for kids, 3 and under Free.  We had a gift certificate we bought from the newspaper, so this was $12 for us. 

Total: $46.  Now I know we could’ve found free things to do around home, but we just really needed to get away.  $46 for a full day out, was so worth it. 

We capped off the day with a stop at Shopko for shoes, and Target for some birthday gifts. 

{Mama Bear Tip: Never head out for the day on an empty stomach.  Eat something, anything, and feed your husband too, because he’s just as likely to get H-Angry, but his may kick in a little later than yours {you know, after he’s had time to complain about your hangriness, but before he realizes he feels the same way.  Wait for it, it’ll hit him too}  I’m sure you keep snacks with you for the kids already.  That’s wise!). 

Oh you guys, It was a good day together, such a good day.  This is exactly what we needed. 

We did have to sacrifice dog sitting (my kids love this), attending a birthday party, watching friends in a race, and a few other little things, to make this happen.  I know it was the right move though.  God first, Family second, then everything else.  We’ve got to keep our priorities straight.

I’ll do separate posts about each of the places we went when I get time. Maybe next week, maybe not, we’ll see! 

Knit, Rock, Repeat.

 

It's VBS week.  I'm sitting in the church nursery's old wooden rocking chair, knitting.  I imagine many women (probably grandmas) before me have done the same and that makes my heart so happy!

 

I wish I knew these women I'm imaging and could learn from them right now in this stage I'm in.