Do you journal? Keep a blog? Scrapbook? Baby book?

I do them all! I love to write, but more importantly, I want to remember! Can you honestly remember every cute, sweet thing your child said or did? I know I cant. I take pictures and video my kids all the time. I have a library of tapes and boxes of pictures. I love to look back when the older ones were younger and so do they! I dont remember Alex holding Elle for the first time saying "my baby" until I watched the video a few months ago. Can you remember the date your little one took his first steps? I can quickly find out when I pull out their baby book. I also keep a journal where I write everything down. When Elle took her permit test and how excited she was to pass the first time! The time I heard Alex explaining to Avarie who Jesus was and how much He loves her!

I kept pregnancy journals to record when I got my positive test, heard the heartbeat. I also keep a first year calendar for all my babies. I write a little something in everyday! Sometimes its what they did that day, sometimes its just a simple I love you, what size clothes they are wearing, how much they weigh, what their favorite toy is, ect. I really want to remember and I know they enjoy going back and reading what I wrote.

I also write a birthday letter every year to each of my children on their special day. I put the letters in their baby books. Its kind of an overview of their year.

How do I have time for this? My kids have a bedtime, even the teens. This gives me my time to sit in bed, read devotions and write. I dont spend hours writing, just a few mintues to remember.

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Rod and I really enjoy watching movies and I'm really excited to see this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-1JEVpdSCo&feature=player_embedded

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For anyone that reads my blog, thanks! I wish I had more time to post. Do you ever find it hard to keep up with your daily life? Gesh, I've really been having a hard time getting everything done that needs to get done in a day. I love nursing Marlee and am so thankful I've been blessed with a wonderful nurser - a true answer to my prayers! I have many failed breastfeeding stories from my other children. But I have to admit, sitting down to nurse every three hours is really taking its toll on my homeschooling and housework. Nursing Marlee is by far more important then dusting, but its hard to look around at everything that needs done. I think I'll get to it and before I know it I'm dropping into bed promising myself - tomorrow. I want to stop that and enjoy my special time with my sweet baby girl.

Our homeschool year is off to a good start! Co-op started this past Monday. So far the kids are enjoying their classes. Elle is especially loving her writing class. She attends a second co-op on Mondays taking Writing The Novel Way class. She will write a novel and have it published!! Very cool. Alex is very happy to start his senior year. Me?? Not so much. Is it bad that I'm not ready for my kids to grow up??? He is a big boy at 6'6, with a bigger heart! What a sweetie!! Avarie loves her Pre K work and is learning to write her name. She just started AWANA (Cubbies) last night and went in like such a big girl!! She's 4 going on 14! Pheonix is really into drama and did great at drama camp over the summer. Madi, my cooker, is really into Home Ec. Jessa isnt sure about choir yet, but I'm thinking in a few weeks she will love it. She has a beautiful voice!!! Megan my social butterfly has already made several new friends. Precious Ezra is not happy in his 2 yr old class without Mommy. We will work on that, but it breaks my heart to leave him when he is crying for me.

Some pictures!!!

Avarie's 4th birthday party!

The kids at the beach in Aug. We had a great time!!!

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Every parent wants to give their child the very best. When it comes to feeding babies there is nothing as good as breast milk.

Breast milk is perfectly suited to the baby it's made for. If a baby is born prematurely, that mother's milk will be higher in iron than it would have been had the baby gone to full term. As each baby grows, mother's breasts produce milk which changes in volume and composition to meet the baby's changing needs.

Breast milk also provides protection. Until your baby has had time to build up its own immunities, mother's immunities will be shared with him/her through her breast milk. Breastfed babies are much less likely to get gastrointestinal infections, and if they do, the infection will not be as serious as it would have been without breast milk. Breastfed babies will also have some protection against conditions like juvenile diabetes, some childhood cancers and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Research has confirmed that even in developed countries babies that are breastfed are much less likely to be hospitalised in their first two years of life.

Breast milk is an important factor in promoting the best possible development of babies. It is well recognised that breastfed babies have better development of their eyesight and speech. The long chain fatty acids uniquely available in breast milk give babies a measurable advantage in intelligence.

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Got this e-mail last night -

heat advisory in effect from 1 pm to 7 pm edt Monday
The NWS in state college has issued a heat advisory, which is in effect from 1 pm to 7 pm edt Monday.
A hot and humid airmass over the Ohio valley will move into the middle and lower susquehanna valley on Monday. The combination of temperatures in the lower to mid 90s, with humidity levels around 50 percent, will result in heat index values between 100 and 104 degrees Monday afternoon across the advisory area.
Precautionary/preparedness actions,
A heat advisory is issued when a period of hot and humid weather is expected to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. To avoid heat-related illnesses, drink plenty of non- alcoholic beverages and stay out of the sun in an air-conditioned or well ventilated room. If you must be outdoors, wear light- colored, lightweight and loose-fitting clothing, and try to limit exposure to the sun between 10 am and 3 pm. In addition to protecting your own health, residents should check up on elderly relatives and neighbors, and remember to provide pets with adequate shelter from the sun and water.
As this has been a cool summer so far, persons engaged in outside activities early this week should use caution and take frequent breaks.

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I love my sling and wearing Marlee

My 10 kids - From left to right - Blaze, Megan is holding Marlee, Jessa, Madi, Elle, Alex and he is holding Avarie, Pheonix is in back and Ezra in front of Jessa

Elle's Sweet 16 birthday party - this picture is Elle and her two favorite cousins - Elle, Justin and Emily

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In my attempt to save my family money, I like to find great deals in my free time - free time??? That means nights I cant sleep!! Then I like to share them so YOU can take advantage of these deals too!!! Feel free to share the deals you have found, especially now with all the back to school sales coming! Time to stock up and save!!!!

First, if you havent checked out I Heart CVS do so now!! Great ways to save!!! http://www.iheartcvs.com/

Swagbucks anyone??? I just signed up and am earning points fast - love it!!! Check out I Heart CVS for a code for new members to earn EXTRA points!!! Swagbucks is a search engine that rewards you for your searches. Why not use it and get paid to do searches you need to do anyway? Click my Swagbuck link (toward the bottom of my page on the left side) and we both get points!!! You can still use the new member code too!!!

Staples is having some back to school sales next week!

This Is Open ONLY On  Fridays
Free Chocolate Candy
Opens At 9 AM  EST
https://secure.realchocolate.com/

Free GIFT for Nursing Moms

Sample Of Vaseline Aloe Fresh

Free *Sample* of Playtex Sport Tampons

Ck out all Walmart's free samples - http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-Free-Samples-And-Trials.aspx

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Am I the only one that wishes TIME would s l o w down?? I feel like time is FLYING!! Did summer always go by this fast? Looking over the weeks ahead and trying to plan some fun summer things to do with my family I felt limited in time. I usually start school the second week of August and there just arent many weekends left! Then fall will be here and we will be knee deep in co-op, basketball practice and school work! And whats worse then summer flying by is my new baby girl getting so big already. Marlee (at her last doctor visit) weighed 8 lbs 14 oz. I know she is still a tiny newborn, but she is our last and I'm not looking forward to never having a newborn again.  Then Alex, my 17 year old son who will be starting his senior year. His last year of school. Wasnt he just a newborn yesterday? Its crazy I tell you!

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Huggies is offering a sample pack of their Pure and Natural Diapers plus a coupon mailed to you  Samples are only available up to a size 2 HERE

$10.50 in Beech-Nut Baby Food coupons

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Time to enroll in the Book It reading program http://www.bookitprogram.com/enrollment/homeschool.asp

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Our contributors have created an e-book that is jam packed with ideas to keep you and those kiddos busy for the duration of the summer months. Some bring family closer. Some give the kids one on one time but all are fun and have amazing growth and learning potential. Try them and let us know how much your family enjoyed them. From time to time we will share those stories on Heart of the Matter!

Download Free Summer Fun E-Book

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Are You A "Real" Homeschool Mom?

I have news for you. They aren't perfect either!

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Every summer my kids and I look forward to participating in summer programs/reading programs. It's a fun way to keep away the "I'm bored" AND most all of them are FREE with great prizes!! Please feel free to post and share if you know about a program that I dont have listed!!

Check out your local library! Rod and Elle just got home from Mount Joy library gathering up all of their summer reading program info and logs for all of us! Yes, they even have an adult summer reading program with prizes!! They have a 5 yr and under group where 30 books must be read to them and then they color a little picture after each book is read to them, ages 6 - 12 group can do any combination of 15 listed activities including reading time, ages 13 - 18 needs to keep track of 28 reading hours, and adults need to read 3 books and write a small review. http://www.mslibrary.org/mountjoy/cwp/view.asp?a=1226&q=474974  OR check out www.summerreading.org for great resources.

Check out this link for info on the B&N summer reading program! http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/

Chuck E. Cheese Kids Rewards Calendars

Looking for a fun way to reward your kids for their accomplishments? Download and print free reward calendars to help your kids develop in areas that are some of the most common challenges of parenting.

1. Download and print out the calendar
2. Mark the days off with a pen or sticker as your child accomplishes their goals
3. Bring it in completed to Chuck E. Cheese's and receive 10 free tokens as a reward

BOOKWORM WEDNESDAYS - Every Wednesday at 10:00 am beginning July 8th for six weeks. A fun and rewarding summer reading program developed to encourage young children to read during the summer months. BOOKWORM WEDNESDAYS entitles kids to free admission to a select children's film when they present a book report at a participating Showcase Cinemas, Multiplex Cinemas or Cinema de Lux box office. Accompanying parents or guardians and children under six receive free admission and do not need to submit a book report.

Pottery Barn Kids - Book Club
Kids of all ages are invited to join the Pottery Barn Kids story time every Tuesday 11:00am to 11:30am. Members receive an official Book Club Card at their first story time, and a special gift after attending five story times.
To locate a store near you click here.

Borders Summer reading Challenge

Here's how it works:

1. Kids 12 and under read any 8 books.
2. List the books you've read on the Reading Challenge Worksheet. Have a parent/guardian sign the completed worksheet.

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Madi turned 12 years old yesterday and Jessa is 10 years old today!!!!

Happy Birthday Girls - We love you very much!!!

Marlee is two weeks old today, we are all loving our new baby!! I hope to put some updated pictures on soon!!

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Wednesday, May 27th at 1:35 pm Marlee Saige was born. She weighs 6 lbs 14 oz and 20 inches long. She has a touch of dark hair and her Daddy's nose. She is a beautiful addition to our family and we are so blessed and thankful to have her.

Marlee and big brother Ezra

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Do you remember Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey?  Here is a real life event that parallels the book!
 
http://videos.komando.com/2009/05/23/parade-of-ducklings/
 
Happy Day!

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We've had some busy and emotional days the past two weeks. My Dad hasnt been feeling well and was getting sicker by the day. After his second ER trip he was admitted and spent several days in the hospital. We had a cancer scare and many unanswered questions regarding his health. The end of last week he came home, with answers and most importantly, he is finally starting - just starting - to feel better. He still has months ahead of him until he is feeling like himself, but we are all happy to know he will not need surgery and does not have cancer.

My Mom, who is the very core of our family, has been running around taking care of my Dad and his needs and helping me prepare for my new baby. She is, for lack of a better word, amazing. She will be watching all 8 of my other children next week while I am in the hospital and even a few days after I come home so I can have some healing time from my scheduled c-section. I dont know what any of us would do without her.

Yesterday someone called my Mom an inspiration. My Mom seemed almost shocked that someone would think this. How could she not know? So many people look up to my Mom. My Mom would do anything for anyone. Her heart is pure gold and she never ceases to amaze me. I am so blessed to have her and if I even have a fraction of her wisdom then I know I will be a great mom, just like her.

Here is part of an e-mail that my Mom sent out to family and friends -

Tom's attending physician at the hospital said that God does the healing and they (the doctors) get paid for it.  It will take from 2 weeks to 2 months for Tom to be feeling better. We're happy to have a diagnosis and begin the healing process. Not having a diagnosis, was definitely making me anxious and it made me consider my own ability to trust God. As I thought about how much God loves us, and has our very best interest at heart, I was able to lay all my worries, anxieties and cares at His feet and believe that He will see us through. My daughter, Crystal, is about to give birth in a few days and as I was thinking about this precious new life, I was thinking how newborns sleep: with no worries, no cares, no anxiety and no fear. They simply rest with the assurance that their every need will be met by a loving mother and father. And isn't that how it is with God? We can rest safely in His everlasting arms.

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In a week I will be having my last child. It goes without saying how very excited and anxious I am to hold my sweet baby, but I admit I am also a little sad. This is the last - the last time I will pack my hospital bag, the last time we get the crib ready, the last time we decide on baby names, the last time I will bring a new baby home.

I came across a really sweet book where the author expresses the same feelings I am havnig right now in a sweet bedtime story. Its called Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury.

Everyone remembers their child's "firsts", but we tend to overlook the "lasts". The last time he wakes up in the middle of the night or the last time he wants to be held. This heart warming story will stir your heart strings as one mom recalls her child's lasts.

http://www.generationsofvirtue.org/product_info.php?products_id=946

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I love going to our state homeschool convention. It's held every year on Mother's Day weekend and most years my husband and I make a weekend out of it by staying at a local hotel. I love to browse and look at all the curriculum, but I especially enjoy the seminars.

Here are some tips I've collected over the years that may be helpful to you at convention time!

Make a list - There is so much to see and do, its easy to get carried away and spend too much money. I have my list for each child based on what we want and need to study and what we need for co-op. I take a notebook and write down things that I see that I want, but dont need. At the end of convention IF I have any money left over I go back and check out what I wrote down as a want, not a need and decide if its something we would really do or just something I would purchase and it would sit on my bookshelf.

Take along a crate with wheels, bag with wheels or a strong husband - A back pack works well too. Books get heavy if you carry them around all day and it can be a long walk back to your car. Bring something along to keep your purchases in. Many stands also have freebies - pencils, pens, tablets, ect. Its nice to have a bag to throw them into. My kids love the little tokens I come home with from convention.

Take return address labels - Most stands/vendors have mailing lists. You'll save time by sticking an address label on instead of filling out all your info. Some stand also have contests you can enter, address labels work great for this too.

Take a notebook - I do this to write down things I may want but were not on my list. I either wait until the end of convention or I keep my list and look for things elsewhere - like a used book sale or add it to my Christmas list. I also like to have paper to take notes during the seminars. Some give handouts, which I love, but many dont. I also keep notes about things I need and which vendor has the best price.

Plan your day ahead of time - I keep a print out of where certain vendors are that I'm looking for, a list of speakers and where the seminars are located. I have these highlighted on my convention form. We also will stop for lunch about an hour before the lunch hour to avoid wasted time by standing in long lines. Seating can also be limited then too.

Shop around - Dont assume every vendor will sell the same item for the same price. I dont buy anything my first "trip" around the convention. I like to check everything out, especially the used stands and get the best deal. It can take more time looking in the boxes at used book stands, but if you purchase a book for half the normal price, totally worth it!

Take the time to look at your purchase, ask questions and make sure it is what you want. Thats another great part of convention - being able to check things out first hand. For more information about the PA convention click the link - http://convention.chaponline.com/

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My mom sent this to me -

This video will bring a smile to your face.   Try to imagine this happening in Penn Station or Grand Central Station in NYC.   Leave it to the Europeans!  

Turn your sound on.
Sound of Music Train Station   

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/4816051?fr=yvmtf

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