Our 'Official' Nature Trail Walk

I've been wanting to walk this trail since we moved here and we FINALLY took the time today to do so. It was a lovely day and we enjoyed all the sights and sounds...well, most of them! ;-) Here's how things went:

Bead For Life

I attended a wellness fair a couple months back as part of my class requirement (we gave a free chair massage to participants). In looking at the other booths there I was introduced to the organization: Bead for Life. First off, I was drawn to the beads themselves and as I looked and them the young ladies there shared with me the purpose of this organization and why they felt they should be an active part.

I've taken the following information directly from the site: Bead for Life and ALL the images I've used here were taken by Charles Steinberg.



Bead for Life is a non-profit organization dedicated to overcoming extreme poverty in Uganda through the support of an international grassroots movement rather than aid. Through the work of Bead for Life, women in Uganda make and sell paper beads to people around the world.



There are several videos on YouTube that you can watch to find out more information. I'm looking into hosting a beading party. If nothing else, I plan to make some more purchases through the online store. They are very pretty beads made from recycled newspaper & magazines so I see this as not only helping the women and their families in Uganda but also helping our world.



Please take a moment to check them out and consider what you can do to help this cause.



**this is also a great way to buy handmade!

Order, Organization, Routine, Etc.

In my attempt to Do Less and clean more things off my "plate" and create a space that is sheltering for my soul, I am beginning a month of cleaning on 'one layer deeper'. My BFF and I often joke about finding things we thought had long been disposed of when we clean "one layer too deep." However, I'm finding that I need to clean on this level so that I can actually have things in order. So my home can breathe!

I'm doing way too much. I'm feeling very emotionally drained. I need a bit more organization of what we do have. I also need to make some deep purges for myself and with my family. We've gotten rid of (passed long, donated, recycled, thrown away) a lot, seriously. But even after all of that, there is still a lot left to be removed in addition to all the clutter that piles up on a day to day basis. (Oh, the piles!) I often feel like I'm losing my mind.

I read an article on Simple Mom entitled The Clutter You Can't See. It talked about relationship clutter, time clutter, body clutter & mind clutter. Areas of our lives where others don't always see the piles of mess we have but that are cluttered nonetheless. This clutter is sometimes harder to remove and adds to the overall pressure in our lives. There were some good suggestions given for how to de-clutter these areas. I totally see that my life has been full of clutter and I am SO ready to de-clutter!!!

I've been working on coming up with a routine for us that is flexible but consistent so that the things the must get done--can and the things that need to happen--will! On paper it looks so easy--translating it into real life is more challenging. I'm including the children more and they have daily chores that they must do to contribute to the good of our home. They've gotten to help out all along, but now I've made it a daily thing as opposed to a random activity.

Just the other evening I read a an article in a parenting magazine about how to organize children's spaces. I have to say I've read so many of these, looking for something cute & quick to help us get organized. All these articles are basically the same. I'm now learning that just like anything else that is worth getting/learning/doing/having--this is going to take time as well. And, something else that I'm seeing is that I do have time. Time is what I have.

So, how do I eat this elephant since I'm not a big fan of elephant meat? One bit at a time, with tipping sauce and some good company, baby! ;-) Anyone want to join me??

For the next month I will be taking my time de-cluttering, putting a little more order in our lives, getting in the flow of a more natural routine and being thankful for the time that I have to do so.

I found the picture at the top at: Apartment Therapy.

Wordless Wednesday

"Family Picnic"
by Jaya

Piano Lessons for Jaya

So Jaya wants to learn to play the piano. It's in my "plans" to teach all of them to play the piano--or at least get them lessons. I've spent the last 30 minutes going through my stack of piano books which I've saved from when I was young. I remember my mother teaching me--and I thought I had that original book (the one she was taught from as well) but can't seem to find it.

I am going to read through the theory books so that I can give her a good foundation. Then, we'll get started. I haven't done much checking into the school system here but in talking with another homeschooling mom she shared that this system allows homeschoolers to take advantage of ALL the activities and resources provided to children in attendance of the public schools. She has used their music and sports program since they were old enough to participate--all for free. So perhaps I'll look into something more 'formal' in the way of piano lessons for the fall.

It's exciting and scary--for me! But I think we'll figure it out! She's definitely ready and it will add to her confidence and self assurance.

I'll keep you updated on our progress!



(two hours later)
...and so we did our first 20 minute lesson. She still wants to learn and I haven't lost my sanity!!! (two good judging points! lol!)

I have to say that she did excellent, once I got her to focus. I explained that she first has to learn the rules for playing the piano before she could just "start playing." Once she understood this, things went very well. I used the penny balance thing that my mother used with me to teach me how to hold my hands over the keys. We learned about the main staff, the treble cleft and the bass cleft, how our fingers are numbered for playing and located middle c on the keyboard. We ended with her practicing playing middle c following the notes on the main staff, alternating hands (as written). She was very proud of herself and I must say that I'm proud of her as well.

We've made a plan for her to practice what she's learned while I'm fixing breakfast and we'll do a 20 minute lesson daily after our devotional time. I'll see what kind of pacing I need to do with her as she becomes bored long before she understands a new concept. The good thing about keeping all my beginner books is that I can use all of them which will give her variety but reinforce the skills as necessary.

Book Sharing Monday

So this week was Kari's turn to select a book to share. We've been searching for her favorite book, looked through all the books on the bookshelves, under her bed, every where we can think. We're guessing it's in the van, which dh has taken to work. So, Kari is very disappointed not to be able to share what she wanted to--we'll save it for next time.

This is the book she's sharing instead: Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen, Pictures by Kadir Nelson.

Sassy is a rather tall girl who lives with her mother and brother. She loves to dance and takes ballet lessons.

Because of her height, she doesn't have a partner tall enough to dance with so she practices in the wings and dreams of the day it will be her turn to be in the spot light.

A visiting teacher comes to her school to do tryouts for an upcoming dance. Sassy tries out. You'll have to read the story to find out what happens.

It's a great story that your little dancers will enjoy!

To participate or to find a list of others who do, contact Alex.

Snapshot Sunday

Happy Father's Day! and a few snapshots from our life today: no people, no cleaning, no arranging.





Join in! Contact Sarah at The Napping House.

8 Things: Songs for the Soul

To get a full explanation for this week's 8 Things check out Rachalle atMagpie Girl.

8 Things: Songs for the Soul
Just a few of the songs that speak to my soul...

1. Every Season by Nichole Nordeman from This Mystery

2. Mercies New by Nichole Nordeman from Wide Eyed

3. Be Myself Again by Eric Benet from Hurricane

4. Take the Time Out by Stevie Wonder from Conversation Peace

5. I Choose by India.Arie from Testimony Vol. 1:Life & Relationship

6. Say by John Mayer from the Bucket List

7. River God by Nichole Nordeman

8. He Heals Me by India.Arie from Testimony Vol 2: Love & Politics

Wordless Wednesday

Grocery Shopping

I typically go major grocery shopping once a month, around the 15th, and for the past two or three months it has totally rained on that day. Last month it was simply a mess, pouring rain, three kids, bags of groceries...needless to say, I was soaked by the time I got everyone/thing in the house. Today, although very overcast, it didn't. I was more than thankful about this!

As the kids get older I'm really trying to include them in this 'day of adventure' so that we all don't just lose it! Shopping here (in PA) is different than shopping in Atlanta where I did most of my shopping between Sevananda & Krogers (within a mile of each other). Here, I'm having to drive all over the place to get the items I need. Because of this, the kids get tired quickly.

To include them, I allow each of them to pick out something new to try--in the produce section mainly. Last month we tried acorn squash which was new to everyone, except me. My oldest liked it until her father gave her 'an out', my 2nd only ate a few bites of hers and my son wouldn't touch it! lol! This time we picked a cantaloupe, blackberries and raspberries. We'll see how they go over.

Another trick I've learned, to get through the produce section at least, is to allow my girls to bag things. This is the third time I've let them pick green beans. They each get a bag and can fill it half way. I tell them to pick green beans without bruises or marks on them and they really do a good job at this. I've found that there are two wonderful benefits from this activity: 1) it takes them a while to do it, so by the time they're done, I'm done in produce section and 2) because they've picked the green beans, they eat them with no problem! ;-)

I usually read the list to them and have them look for the items we need. It can get to be a lot--one starts running down the isle, another is singing quite loudly, another is begging for some candy or treat. As we were walking the cereal isle we heard another mother instructing her children to "get out of the way of the other cart", "stop swinging on the cart", "please stop running down the isle." My kids got quiet as they past us. I looked at them and said, "huh, now doesn't that sound familiar?" They nodded. I said, "I'm so glad to hear another mother saying the same things as I do!"

They all seemed to straighten up as well rounded the next isle. That lasted about 10 minutes, but we were almost ready to get in the check out line. I tell you, running errands with three can be challenging. Today was better than previous times and I'm grateful for that!

Every activity is a learning experience and they're learning so much about life!

Book Sharing Monday

I asked my oldest, Jaya, to choose this week's book. She picked The Bravest Girls in the World by Olivia George, Illustrated by Randy DuBurke. It's a level 3 book from Scholastic.

The story is about a girl named Toshi who isn't afraid of anything, well, almost anything. She climbs tall trees, jumps off the driving board and can watch scary movies. But she is terrified of dogs. When her family moves to a new neighborhood she's afraid to go out and make new friends because of all the dogs there.

In the end she makes a new friend, Meeka, who helps her get over her fear of dogs and in turn Toshi helps Meeka get over her fear of climbing trees.

I usually replace the girls' names with my daughters' names. They really enjoy reading it that way! Then I look for ways to remind them just how brave they are.

Want to join in or find out what others are sharing on Mondays? Contact Alex at Serendipity or click on image below.

Snapshot Sunday

My life at present: no people, no arranging, no cleaning.
This past week I've been identifying shapes & patterns with my 2yo so I decided to let that be the 'theme' for this week's snapshot Sunday.





To join the fun contact Sarah at The Napping House.

Rainy Day Tuesday

We woke up to a thunder storm. It was nice! Yes, all the rain and wind and thunder and lightening. My son came and climbed into bed with us...and went back to sleep. There's just something about the sound of rain. It stopped by the time the girls got up, but still very overcast and looks as if any moment it will pour down again.

It's even calmed the children down. They're acting out different parts of stories we've read and incorporating different characters into their imaginative play. (It sounds like a cross between Charlotte's Web, Amazing Grace and The Lion King. They're actually cooperating!

I'm still in the midst of my very late spring cleaning. Since I'm doing a thorough, deep clean it does look like I'm not getting a lot accomplished. But if this house could talk...(smile). I decided to check on them to see what things they're getting into.

My son is doing art, just handed me one of his creations. I think it's pretty amazing and he's only 2 years old!

He said that it's a picture of the lion king:


He immediately started on another picture:


It's a frog...(can you tell?)


The girls have now incorporated art into their play: