Nurturing Your Marriage

 

Has anyone else noticed how when life gets busy we tend to let the really important things slip? Giving up our personal scripture study time to do another math lesson. Running to another team practice instead of going to  a church function. Going out for a girls night instead of making time to date your husband.

Let me  be clear and say that none of those “other things” are bad. Math lessons with the kiddos are  a VERY good thing.So is the occasional girls night out.But I believe that those things should NOT be first on our list.Not even second or third.

I try to priorities my daily schedule and really my life by prioritizing my relationships.Because honestly 90% of what we do,we do because of our relationships. Some people have trouble prioritizing their relationships. I have found through what I have learned during my  personal scripture study that it is really very easy to do.

#1. My relationship with my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ.

#2. My marriage and partnership with my Husband.

#3. My beloved children and our parent child relationship.

#4. Extended family relationships.

For me to be a good wife I need to be right with my Heavenly Father.Because having a close personal relationship with God makes me a better person all around.More willing to be humble and to serve.

Having a loving healthy relationship with my husband makes me content and makes me a happier momma.It shows a good example to my children and in the long run will help them to have healthy loving relationships with their spouses.

When things are going good within my own four walls I feel like I have more love to give and joy to spread to our extended family.

I’d encourage everyone to sit down with yourself and  really think about your priorities. How are you spending your time?

A healthier option

Now adays life can get pretty busy. A hubby to love on, four kids to care for, a household to run and so on. We all can get busy! That's why I like to find meals that are quick and easy to make.Especially lunches.

I have to be honest and tell you that even after learning what is in a chicken nugget I still feed them to my kids…I know .. its horrible right? LoL But they are so fast and easy.Beyond that is the fact that  the kids LOVE them! So that be confessed said, I was very pleased to get an email from my dear sweet momma with a homemade chicken nugget recipe.

My big qualifiers for whether this was a “successful” meal or not were 1.Was it fast and easy to make. and 2.Was it a good enough substitute that my kids would eat it. We tried the nuggets out for dinner tonight and I can say a resounding “YES” to both. They were supper yummy,the kids loved them and they were very easy to make.

Go on over and check these out at Skinny Taste, you’ll love’em!

Monkeys

Today was such a beautiful day.It was the warmest day of the year so far at 65 degrees.The sun was shining and we were ready for some fun.So we called some friends.A wonderful homeschool family we met recently and headed to the Nisqually wildlife refuge.We had quite a little trek going on with 2 moms,2 dads,4 daughters and 4 sons all said :0) I think my favorite part of the afternoon was finding this great spot with some trees to climb and some dirt to get grimy in!

Biology Fun!

I love talking books,method,curriculum and education with people.Public school families and homeschool families alike. I must say though whenever we get around to science I am shocked by everyone lack of knowledge…

About my FAVORITE curriculum that is ;0)

It never fails that when we get to this part of the conversation  “what do you use for science?” That my reply (Noeo science of course) is always met with a quizzical look! How is it that no one has heard of this awesome program?!

I decided after seeing this for an hour and a half today:

That I really must share! Let me get the link right out there incase your the sort who likes to skip right ahead to the website :0) Noeo Science is a wonderful program that comes with living books on each topic and experiment kits with all the necessary supplies. Biology,chemistry and physics are all programs they have.They have programs for  ages 5 and up.

Here is what they have to say about how the program is laid out.

“Noeo Homeschool Science is variety-filled, with a structure that is best described as a balance between the classical method and the Charlotte Mason approach.   We emphasize narration and summarization, vocabulary development, observation, and the scientific method.  We do not promote rote memorization or the worksheet and test methodology, as we think that this approach is less valuable for long-term retention.”

The best thing I can really say about Noeo is that my children all LOVE it.They ask to do science first EVERY single day.We had about a 3 week break between ending our last study (physics 1) and starting our next (biology 2)  and it was like torture for them!They kept asking (ok whining) to me to get it ordered and delivered as fast as possible because they just really enjoy science so much with this program.

I know I totally sound like I am selling for Noeo or something!But I’m not.I just really love sharing good resources when I find them!So go, check out the website and tell me what you think!

Easter Weekend

What a beautiful start I had to my Easter weekend! The kids,hubby and I spent the day in Seattle. The sun was shining and the sky was blue.If you know anything about the Pacific Northwest you know that its a rare thing :0)

First on our list was to explore the Aquarium for a while.The kids all love the aquarium.So do us parents too come to think of it.Everyone had their favorite parts.I’ll share mine and Hannah’s with you today.

The aquarium has two large touch pools filled with star fish,sea urchins,sea slugs and various other marine creatures.Hannah(our 3 yr old) has always refused to touch anything in the touch pool ;0) Today she kept going back and going back and staring at the water.You could see the debate in her head playing out on her face.Slowly she reached down and stuck a finger in to touch the water.She didn't touch any actual living things IN the water but hey, baby steps! Later on in the day as we were all discussing our “favorite part” Hannah says “ I like I touch BIG water.Not little water, big water!” LoL She was rather proud of herself!

After enjoying the aquarium for a few hours we headed to Pikes Market.The kids were begging to go back for some donuts.They had enjoyed them so much the last time we had been there. I was anxious to go back and get some more flowers.There are rows after rows of fresh flowers at the market.Beautiful bouquets for amazing prices! I LOVE fresh flowers and I really wanted to have some for my table this weekend.

All in all we had a wonderful start to our Easter weekend!

Preparing and helpful resources

Recently our family has had an eye opening experience about being prepared.If your a military family or government employee I am sure you have too. For anyone not in that situation let me  explain.

Our government was recently on the verge of a shut down.Basically our government had spent all there budget WELL before the end of the fiscal year. If an agreement can not be made about how to proceed with funding/etc. then a partial government shut down happens.When that happens  “non essential” government agency's start lay offs and close down until a new budget agreement is made. This year the partial government shut down would also effect troops serving in the military.Soldiers with families to feed would be required to continue working but would not be paid.Even those serving in a war zone.

When you find that your next pay check may not be coming you sit down and take a real look at things.An inventory if you will of expenses,resources,cash on hand,everything. I was thankful to find that in some area’s we were decently prepared.But honestly in other area’s we were NOT prepared at all! Being prepared is now something our family is focused on and working towards. Today I found a preparedness quiz at Pastoral Symphony Farms. It was really eye opening and thought provoking! I’d encourage anyone to hop on over there and take this quiz.

I’d also really love to read  any links,sites or idea’s you all have about preparedness!As I look for good info and resources I’ll be sure to post them here!

Happy Easter Everyone

Oh my its been far too long since I posted anything here.Life has been good and busy and I just haven’t made the time. With Easter coming I really wanted to set aside the time to share a little something here. I Know beyond any doubt that Jesus Christ lives.That he loves each of us and wants us to be able to return to Heaven and live eternally their. I want to share the words from my favorite hymn.

I know that my Redeemer lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living head!

He lives to grant me rich supply;
He lives to guide me with his eye;
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives to bless me with his love;
He lives to plead for me above;
He lives my hungry soul to feed;
He lives to help in time of need.

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly friend;
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King!

He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my savior, still the same;
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!

God Bless and Happy Easter everyone!