I love summer days where at least for me deadlines and responsibilities relax to move with the flow of warm weather.  Now that summer is in full swing, my projects and to do list has surpassed the mile high mark but my thoughts and time have been spent planning and pinning!  My list of projects to get done before fall dictates a more structured schedule has already spent all of June and my sons although they have enjoyed the lackadaisical behavior of their mother are missing out on what makes summer summer. 

It took a morning devotion on excellence in obedience to see that my struggles of procrastination, over-commitment, not living my priorities, and the full blown distractions such as technology are truly my battlefields for obedience. Time is more often than not a major battlefield for me. I want to be obedient to the Lord, I want to train my children to love God and love others to Him.  Time will disappear.  It may be a few hours, a whole day, or even as today's realization sinks in - most of June. It's time to move from summer bucket list-maker to fun checking off marker.  It's time to get er done and enjoy the process.  So I'm off to love my children, niece and nephew at the pool! 

Monica

CC Memory Board for Home

Because we participate in Classical Conversations, practicing our memory work is an important aspect of our homeschool day.  I've tried various approaches to memory work time at home, including keeping a memory work notebook and using a memory work board for review. Since our family's four year old has joined us at CC, we have been using our memory work board exclusively. 

This DIY board was created by taking a full size project board and cutting it in half.  If you are familiar with CC memory work you will recognize the Veritas Press Timeline Cards on the bottom half of the board for an accurate size marker.  I placed the memory work for each of the seven subjects on this board plus the week's science snippet card and our name that state board. 

Using the memory work CD, I printed off each week's memory work in color as power point slides.  I chose to print them three per page and then laminate them. Using binder rings I attached the math, history, and geography cards to the top of the board so that I could simply flip the card over to change that week's sentence. 

Of course not every subject could be close to the top edge so for science, English Grammar, Latin and the time line cards I used these little plastic clips.  They cost $1.50 for a package of fifty.  These little clips must be attached as they are not sticky backed.  I used some doubled sided foam tape from my craft drawer.  The cards easily slip in and out of the clips making it easy to change to the next week's work or like our youngest son so enjoys you can take the time line cards down, mix them up and then have him put them back up in the correct order. 

Our memory board has been a successful addition to our school day and a great reference point for practicing our memory work in the morning. We go over the current week every morning and choose to review one subject in its entirety each day.  Monday is Latin, Wednesday is History, Thursday is Science and Friday is English.  The timeline, math, and geography we review daily. 

Maple, Apple Oatmeal

My favorite way to make oatmeal for one! 

Core and thinly slice an apple into bite size pieces.  Drizzle 2 Tbs of pure maple syrup over the apple, cover with a paper towel and microwave for 1 -2 minutes or until soft.  Put 1/2 cup of old fashioned oatmeal and 1/2 cup of water on top and microwave again for a minute or two!  Mix well and garnish with a dollop of plain yogurt and a pinch of cinnamon or maybe a tad bit of milk. 

Fit or Fat For Forty Flops!

Back in April I felt so determined to shed all the extra pounds that have been accumulating mostly around my middle. Since it's now almost October you can guess - I fell off the wagon. :(

On April 27th, five horrendous tornadoes ripped through our town putting everyone in a tailspin.  My local church joined with the Salvation Army and went into action.  Everything fell to the wayside as our focus was to just help our neighbors through this devastation.  Everything including my diet.  I lost a total of 12 pounds and have been successful at keeping 10 of it off my hips!  Still wondering how in the world manual labor plus heat + tons of water equals maintaining the same weight but I dare not complain.  My house is still standing intact! 

So I guess I need a new goal.  I still have about 60 powdered "meals"  to reconstitute and enjoy!  Maybe it's that thought that keeps me from diving back in.  I really did like the program while I was walking through it, and of course it helped to have a friend and her husband encouraging me towards success.  My husband, even though he winced at the price weight loss was costing his wallet, was also very supportive.   Not completely sure he would be gung-ho to fork out another months supply but then again neither am I. 

It looks like it's back to the old fashioned work following the more sweat and less food method!  Nothing worth it comes easy, right?  It took 3 babies and plenty of cupcakes to get into this shape so what makes me think I can blink and see my 25 year old skinny reflection staring back at me?  Time to dust off the tread meal, oops I meant treadmill, dig out the water bottle and buy less sugary processed foods!

I'll let you know how it goes!

Fit or Fat for Forty Continues…

Day 3 - Another -2.2 pounds down or so says the scale. Today ended with me helping serve in the nursery at our CC host church. There were only two ladies with the small babies and since I didn't time my meals correctly. I ate an Oatmeal Raisin Crunch Bar(one of my meal choices) ASAP.  I should have been eating my lean and green during this time. I ended up eating my lean and green meal after 11:00. Then I went to bed. Will this hurt my progress?

Day 4 – Today's the DAY! Do I feel different? Absolutely! First I am relieved to have dropped another -2.2 pounds for a total of 8 pounds plus I feel great today! No I don't feel like going out for a run but I definitely feel a surge in energy. Maybe tomorrow I will add back in a little exercise! Tonight I have to work in the nursery again but I will be better prepared and feel more energetic. After working for those four hours I felt thoroughly exhausted and only made it through a single bite of my 11:30 Strawberry Crunch Bar.

Day 5 – The scale says I only dropped .2 pounds today. But I am not discouraged, that simply means I've averaged 2 pounds per day! The big accomplishment today was adding back in some exercise. I started with 15 minutes on Wii Fit, but also took the boys to the exercise room and went shopping – both of which meant more walking for me. I did have to make myself come home at the appropriate time because it was time to eat my lean and green meal. I sure hope my dh sees this as an added bonus to this diet! Will my weight fluctuate or the loss rate begin to taper off now that I'm in fat burning mode? Can't wait to find out.

If you would like to follow along on this journey of weight loss that would be great.  Accountability and encouragement are always welcome! 

Monica

Check out Raising Rock Stars at 1+1+1=1

Have you visited the blog 1+1+1=1? Several weeks ago while blog surfing, I clicked through the Tot School blog to this addition savvy site purely for curiosity's sake. Instantly I knew this was a blog worth following. As I read, "To the world it makes no sense but to God it is perfect sense" I knew what she meant, but after reading the explanation for her title, my heart felt a kindred spirit with the author. The name took me back 17+ years to my own wedding preparations as we used this same verse as the theme for our big day. It is still our prayer to remain a threefold cord!

As I dove into this site, I came across Raising Rock Stars and it literally brought tears to my eyes as again I connected with her purpose and plans for the littles God entrusted to her care. My heart screamed, "Me too! Me too!" I feel such relief finding Raising Rock Stars for our youngest. I've printed off the notebook cover and some of the inserts, I'm preparing to incorporate most of these suggestions into Timmy's day. I love the flexibility and personalization it allows, and it will be easy to add in our CC memory work as well. I'm still exploring and reading the link ups and am excited to include our home centered preschool in the mix! If you have a toddler or preschooler you absolutely must check out this site. I'm positive you will find just the right resource to encourage you along in this homeschooling journey.

Monica

Fit or Fat for Forty?

40 is staring me in the face. May 25^th is lurking right around the corner and I still haven't been able to budge the 14 years of pregnancy weight (can I still call it that?) from off this figure! Well my hope has been renewed as I spoke with a friend who had recently lost thirty pounds. Her husband has lost even more! Hook, line and sinker, I dove straight in and ….

Day 1 – The meals taste good. Today's menu included a Strawberry Shake, Oatmeal, Chicken with Wild Rice Soup, Grilled chicken with veggies and a spinach and cucumber salad, later on a PB Bar, and pretzels. I had a slight headache in the evening but went on to bed and slept well.

Day 2 – The scale reads -4.6 this morning but I will hold my breath a few more days. Today's menu included a dark chocolate shake, an oatmeal raisin bar, scrambled eggs, and banana pudding. I have to work tonight so a strawberry cream bar will go in my purse and when I get home I'll enjoy a lean and green meal before bed! I am hopeful that the scale will sing a softer tune in the morning as well but I have been known to fluctuate 5 pounds or so!

They tell me I will adjust to small pre-packaged meals by the 4^th day when I go into fat burning mode! Can't wait, maybe I'll buy a new dress for my Birthday and celebrate a lighter me at 40! Feel free to join me on this journey back to a more fit and healthy me.

Monica