I Couldn't Protect Them

We are a homeschooling family. Some of you might think that means we shelter them. In some ways I agree. For us, it is a matter of letting them experience life as we feel they are ready to experience certain situations.

THAT IS NOT TO JUDGE HOW YOU RAISE YOUR FAMILY.

This is what we feel is right for our family.

But, as much as we try to protect them, we can't always...especially because we choose to be involved in many various activities each week where Tom and I are not with our kids....though we know who is!

This week, at one of the places that we go weekly (that I LOVE LOVE LOVE), Libby was playing with a friend who told her about a monster that lives in her friends basement. She apparently went into a lot of detail and I am not entirely sure how they even had time to have this conversation. I was not in her class with her.

She was terrified.

She asked me about it all day long. I tried to brush it off and not make a big deal out of it in hopes that she wouldn't make to big of a deal out of it.

But then bedtime came....and there was a lot of crying and screaming. She was so scared and I have never felt so bad in my life.

We prayed. We sang songs. She started to calm down but was NOT going to let me leave her room.

And then her sweet sister (who fights with her daily, I might add), invited her to sleep in her bed.

Instant cure. Instant cuteness.

I've never been so happy that my kids have siblings. I have never been so glad that they share a room.

This might be permanent and I don't even care.

Its so cute. I am not sure how a twin bed looks so roomy.

As a mother, I want so badly to protect my children and the reality is that sometimes I can't. So, when we can't protect them, we need to do our best to make them feel safe.

I feel like we had just recovered from The Shed incident and now it will start over.

Isn't it supposed to be the baby that keeps me awake at night?

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This weeks deals...something for everyone!

If you have been looking to start saving money on your grocery bill, check out some of the deals I have posted at The More Important Deals!

There are many printable coupons that make this simple. Whatever store you are headed to this week, you may as well ad a few things to your list that you can get for free for for a significant savings and keep them for when you do need them!

You will find deals posted for Target, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart, The Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General, Publix and many more!

Start saving now!

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A Four Year Old's Question

Bedtime around here can be...well...a nightmare. haha. It is often filled with children thinking of ways to stay up later. Thinking of things that they NEED to do before turning out the light. Baby crying because he is put to bed in a different room and then hears chaos ensue in the room next door.

Usually at least one kid gets out of bed after we leave the room and tries to stall just a bit longer. You know...the usual.

Don't get me wrong. It CAN be filled with the good stuff too. Sweet Prayer time and songs about Jesus together. Hugs and Kisses galore and heavenly "I love You's".

But mostly, bedtime itself makes me exhausted.

Sometimes God give you those wonderful surprises, right when you need them though.

Tonight, after bedtime, we heard the girls door open and someone head to the bathroom...ok...no big deal. After that, the footsteps tiptoed over near the stairs. Tom headed over and Libby said, "Daddy, I was just going potty, but what does Redeemed mean?"

What an amazing question from our four year old. He took her back to bed and explained to her. (I have no idea what he said but he was gone a while).

She had heard a song on the radio that was stuck in her head and wanted to know what she was singing about.

I LOVE IT!

Parents, please understand that your little ones hear everything that is near them. Understand that their little hearts are open to hear and learn what they are surrounded by. I am so thankful that she was asking about redemption and not something horrid.

What a wonderful Bedtime stall tactic. If You only knew, sweet Libby Grace, you could stay up late every night asking questions like that.

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By Your Side...Even When We Fail.

This was a rough week for so many reasons. I won't go into any details but as you can imagine, life with 4 little ones, a husband who has a new job and can never take time off, not too many breaks....and because I am human, with human husband and four little human children! I definitely failed this week on so many levels. 

But this song just kept me going. It seemed to come on the radio every time I needed to hear it....and it got stuck in my head. So, I thought I'd share. 

I love the way that I can imagine Jesus talking to me. Lifting up my face. Reminding me that I cannot run or hide. He is enough. I need to stop fighting His hands that are holding me and when I do. Oh how life improves! 

By Your Side--Tenth Avenue North

Why are you striving these days

Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away 

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching
As if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

'Cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands at my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life 
I want to give you life

And I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Here at my side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you 

'Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, yeah I'll love you
I'll never let you go, no, no

And I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Here at my side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you 
Here at my side, my hands are holding you
Ohhh...





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More I've learned, Cold/Flu Bomb "class" AND a Calming/Focus Blend Trial

I am just more and more baffled by the fact that I love Essential Oils...they are truly a God given gift to us that many of us have been overlooking!

First of all, I am looking for a few people who might like to try an oil blend for me. There is a blend out there called "Peaceful Child" and it is known to help kids AND adults with an array of issues. Here are a few. Autism, Asperger Syndrome, OCD's, ADHD, Tourrets, emotional trauma, anxiety, and insomnia....to name a few. It isn't meant just to calm a hyper child (though that may work too) but to calm the brain. I have been using "In Tune" which is a blend that doTerra sells for Keira who has a hard time focusing on her school work and have seen UNBELIEVABLE results but really want to give this a try too and wanted to get a few peoples feedback before I try to sell my own version of the blend. If you want to give "In Tune" a try or order anything else, check out my Essential Oil Page!

I wish I could give it away for free but I just can't afford to, however, I am willing to give it to 2 people who have children that suffer with one or some of these issues for 1/2 price. ($20) for a bottle. You would need to commit to applying it to your child's feet each night and morning (and in the afternoon if needed) and after 2-3 weeks send me a review on it. This would be completely anonymous (to everyone else) but it would help me know if it is worth marketing it a little bit more!

Just go to my Contact Page and e-mail me there and I will be sure to let you know when it is ready!


Moving on...

This past week, I had a horrific cold. I woke up Friday with my throat feeling a bit weird and by mid afternoon, I felt downright awful.

Well...last weekend, I had looked up recipes for what is called the "Flu Bomb". Some people take it internally in a veggie capsule. I personally can't fathom swallowing it so I made a bottle of the mixture that came recommended.

I started Friday afternoon by putting some of this on my feet, chest, and behind my ears and I even took a detox bath in Epsom salts and put a few drops of the flu bomb oils in my bath.

I still got a really bad cold. But seriously by Saturday night, I was already on the mend.

THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED FOR ME.

I ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS end up on an antibiotic for either a sinus infection that won't go away or for Bronchitis. This stuff works, people!

So, I am going to host a make-and-take class at my house (for anyone local) on Monday night October 20th. If you would like to come, please go to the facebook page (and like it!) and join the event. Feel free to invite a friend. You are welcome to come and just learn some of the basics on oils (bear in mind, I am still learning myself) and if you would like to make a cold/flu bomb for your family to give your immune systems a boost at the first sign of illness, you will need to RSVP (so I have enough supplies) and bring $12 to cover the cost of the products. (normally, I sell it for $15) On that note, if you cannot come (or don't live here but would like to try it), I sell it for $15 a bottle (FREE SHIPPING).

Again, just go to my Contact Page. I accept paypal payment either way.

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A Shed, 2 Girls and a Traumatic Blessing!

A few days ago our home experienced a traumatic blessing. That is what I decided because everything was perfectly fine in the end and really nothing was wrong for very long.

Keira and Libby asked to go outside and ride their bikes. Keira is apparently doing "bike school" with Libby and teaching her to ride without training wheels. I have yet to witness this happening but Tom says its true. haha.

We have pretty specific rules about them being outside without a grown up and at the time, I really needed to stay in. So, I had my work at the dining room table where I could look out the Front Window (which was also open). They were instructed to go to the shed TOGETHER, get their bikes, TOGETHER and bring them to the front where I could see them on the sidewalk.

I quickly went upstairs to put Levi to bed while they went out the back door into the yard.

When I came back down, I sat at the table, opened my laptop to catch up on a couple of things and waited. Probably 3 minutes later, I noticed that the girls had yet to appear in the front.

A bit frustrated, I put my shoes on and headed out the front. I must admit, I expected to find them arguing in the back yard or something of the like.

I got around to the back yard....they were not there.

Libby's bike was in the middle of our small back yard but the girls were no where to be found.

Believe it or not, I did not panic.

Like I said, when I thought they were going outside, I went up to put Levi to bed which probably takes about 2 minutes.

So, I figured, they must have changed their minds and went up to the playroom (3rd floor) instead.

I headed in and up and checked.

They were not there.

At this point, I grabbed my phone and was running. I also have to say that these girls usually follow the rules. I cannot imagine them leaving the yard or walking away from the house on purpose because that just isn't who they are....now, when Janessa is a bit older, that will be a different story...because she thoroughly enjoys breaking the rules and apologizing. Ugh.

As I rounded the corner to the backyard, I heard faint crying.

They were IN the shed. (Being the paranoid person I am, I of course was just praying they were alone!)

I thought they had locked themselves in there by accident but apparently they had seen a cat.

A Cat.

Why my children have a crazy fear of cats, I will never know. Maybe its a subconscious knowledge that I am severely allergic?!?!??!?!

They saw a cat while getting their bikes, quickly shut the door and cried.

So, where's the blessing you ask? Here it comes.

The total time they could have been in the shed AT THE MOST was 5 minutes...which of course to them was an eternity. BUT, this is what they told me.

First, they tried to look out of the shed to see if the cat was still there and they heard it meowing. Then, they started crying....and hugging.

Keira tried to calm her terrified 4 1/2 year old sister by telling her that mommy would come soon when I noticed they didn't come out front. (correct, my sweet girl)

And then they prayed. My sweet, naughty, adorable, fighting, kind, frustrating daughters prayed together. Because they knew that Jesus would bring mommy quick.

And then I rescued them....or Jesus did depending on how you want to look at it.

After that traumatic experience, I did have to sit and console them for quite a while. Then I allowed them a tv show because they were completely exhausted from the drama of it all....but this is how they sat.

 We talked a bit about how important it is that they always have a buddy because that way, if something bad happens, they will not be alone. I pointed out how much better it was that they had each other.

Now, I know that they will continuously go through phases and they will argue and disagree but the the last few days since that experience they have been completely inseparable.

What a blessing to have such a wonderful best friend sister. And of course, I feel completely blessed that there wasn't anything really wrong...well...except a stray cat!

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Save on Apples!

Here is a link that I am posting on my deal site...but it was too good not to share with everyone! Seriously....who isn't buying apples this time of year???

I love SavingStar...it is free money back on things I am already buying! Click the link below to sign up!

And...for more good deals, check out my savings and deals blog!

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Don't Burn Out!

It seems like every where I am lately, I am being reminded to "not burn out".  It must be something that God wants to drill into my head. haha.

I think it is something that, as a mom, is always a great reminder. Especially living in the time we live in.

There is so much pressure to be involved in EVERYTHING. Partially because there are a ton of great things available to us now.

My grandma tells me how it was when she was a young mom and I remember what it was like when my mom stayed home with us (from a kids perspective, of course).

They were NOT involved in organized play groups and moms support groups or even Bible studies that incorporated a children's program. In fact, most of the time they didn't even have a car to go anywhere at all.

They may have gotten together with neighbors for coffee and they definitely sent the kids out to play in the neighborhood (unfortunately, we live in a crazy sinful world and really can't do that anymore).

I am in NO WAY saying life was easier because in many ways, I think that women used to feel much more alone than we do and we've been blessed with some pretty helpful modern day appliances/technology! Also...we seriously don't have to iron every work shirt and pants for our hubbies...well most of us don't! Haha

We have support. Some of us have husbands who are extremely involved in caring for our kids and helping with the house. We have the internet to get creative ideas and to read blogs about how other moms feel the same way that we do. We can easily glean helpful ideas from others in the same boat.

But, we also live in a time where we feel the pressure to keep up with the world. We take it upon ourselves to feel like our kids need to be smarter, better, healthier, and more "well rounded". We feel inadequate. 

Well...mommy...give yourself a break. I am trying to.

It is a different life for everyone, certainly, but take time to evaluate your limits. How many days do you really want to be out of the house each week? Is your schedule stressing you out? Your kids out? Your husband? 

Is the playgroup that is stressing you out going to matter to your child when they are in high school? Probably not!

I don't want my kids to look back at their childhood and remember all of the activities they were in and how crazy I was trying to get them there.

I don't want them to look back and think. "Wow...mom really let me do lots of things and go lots of places."

I want them to remember me....and smile :)

I also don't ever want to forget how precious they are. 

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Friday Night Fun!

Do you ever get sick of fighting about dinner with the kids?

I do.

Every night, someone doesn't want to eat or doesn't want to stay in their seat or throws some kind of a tantrum during our family dinner. I know that some of you simply cannot imagine this since our kids are perfect (haha).

So, Friday was our first day of our homeschool co-op (which was awesome by the way). The kids get to do arts and crafts and music and learn all kinds of awesome things that would otherwise make homeschooling a bit more stressful to me!

Well...in thinking ahead, I realized that dinner time may not be all that fun with REALLY tired kids. So, we ate junk! 

We made mozzarella sticks, potato skins, cheese and crackers, of course baby carrots and bananas AND milkshakes. 

We also let them eat on the couch while we all watched a silly movie together! Silly baby brother had fun too...he played and then he'd pop his head up for a snack!

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It was delightful. While it was fun for the kids, it was a nice break from the dinner time battle that sometimes rages at our house.

While it wouldn't be healthy to eat like this often, it was well worth it for a special treat for the whole family!

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A lesson from me....for me.

Do you ever feel like, "why do I never learn"? That's me.

Like most people in our area, we started school this week.

While some may feel that life gets more difficult when that happens...it is quite the opposite for me.

Sure...we have actual things that NEED to be accomplished each day but I must admit that I thrive on being busy.

I don't just say that. I really mean it.

I know that everyone is different and some people truly need down time (ahem...that would be my husband!) but down time to me is sitting on the sofa while we watch a movie and I work on something...writing, cross stitching, crocheting, a photo album, coupons, a sudoku puzzle...anything!...etc.) I feel the need to be accomplishing something at all times or I simply cannot relax.

So...my point.

I get so much more done when we are busy and I have a set schedule. While I am sure that the years ahead of homeschooling 4 children will take up much more time than doing 1st grade with Keira and some Pre-K with Libby, I have to say that I love it.

We use a fantastic curriculum that tells me exactly what to do each day and I have an intense Calendar that maps our days out. Living on a schedule goes much smoother [most of the time] than summer days when we can "do whatever we want".

So, why do I do that to myself. Next summer I need to just remind myself to make a set schedule for us and stick to it!

The house ends up cleaner, the kids more content, I feel more accomplished and most importantly, I end up spending SO much more time reading the bible and praying!

So...the lesson for myself. Just because we don't have to do school, co-op, set dance class, Community Bible Study, Pioneer Girls, Choir...etc. doesn't mean I can't make a schedule for myself and the kids so we can feel like we are doing something worthwhile.

Maybe next summer I will look into different ways we can serve in the community together to give us something that we are committed to each week, I could be better at making actual play dates with poeple and we could visit a different park for a picnic each week. Simple. Fun. Scheduled.

I am a happy mama to be on a schedule again! What about you?

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The day I finally lost it!

Have you ever had a day when you thought you literally just couldn't take it anymore? That was me a couple of days ago.

It's funny because I still cannot pinpoint what the problem was exactly.

Maybe it was coming off of a week where my sister and her awesome family had been in town visiting and we had gone from fun every day to feeling a bit shut in with a sick 2 year old.

Maybe it is my subconscious knowing that we are starting homeschooling up again next week and that summer will officially be over?

Maybe it is the fact that I put a lot of pressure on myself to make things perfect in my life which of course I fail at completely.

The kids weren't listening. I couldn't stay on top of the house cleaning. Life is busy and Tom can't use any vacation until at least December (with a new job that we are so blessed with!).

All I do know for sure is that they other day, I was ready to quit! Seriously. I was ready to find a job, find childcare and enroll the older two in school rather than continuing with the home school route God has clearly called our family to.

I have an amazing husband who is forever patient with me when I have days like this but I cannot expect him to fill me up. I cannot expect that the kids will be perfect and that will keep me content. I cannot even expect that if the house was perfectly clean, I would be happy.

I ended up spending a great deal of time in prayer (eh hem...probably should have done that sooner) and then reading my Bible.

Of course that always helps but then I picked up a book that I love to turn to by Lysa TerKeurst. Sometimes it is scary to me how much I can relate to this woman but what I love is that I am always pointed to scripture that really speaks to my heart. I highly recommend this book to any mom!


Psalm 73:26

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of 

my heart and my portion forever."

This is a verse that I NEED to live by! I can read the Bible every day and spend time in prayer but if I am not allowing the Lord to be my portion and fill me up, than I will never be full and I will always feel unsatisfied. 

I can have every good intention to get up before the kids and spend time with God but the reality is, it doesn't always happen. Sometimes they wake up earlier than expected. Or I didn't sleep well...or...well...the snooze bar looks too appealing, haha. 

What I do know is that I need to let God fill me up completely, not the things in this world. I need to wake up each day and say. "Lord, be my portion today. When my flesh and heart fail, be the strength of my heart."

Will you do this with me?

(Photo Credit)

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Feeling Crazy....a post on essential oils

I am not a naturalist. I am not saying there is anything wrong with being one. It has just never been for me. My take has always been that God gave us modern medicine, so why not use it.

However, I have allergies that usually cause me to get no less than 10 sinus infections per year. I easily get bronchitis from any and every cold I have and have been recently introduced into the wonderful world of migraines.

That is a LOT of medication and I have even developed allergies to many of the available antibiotics to treat said things.

So, when I was invited to attend a class on essential oils, I thought, sure, why not go and learn. While there, it all sounded great but still, I was hesitant to believe that these things could actually help me!

But, I bought a basic kit of oils and a book to help know when to use them and started "playing" with them.

This Book is absolutely amazing! It literally gives you every ailment and what oil(s) can help you! I have found it to be spot on!

They have changed my life and I feel like a crazy person. I feel like when I mention them to people, they are thinking, "yeah...right". I think that, because that is how I was...exactly how I was..

It was the "thanks...but no thanks" attitude.

I feel like I need to share this because I have already seen oils work in amazing ways in my life and I would like to share that with others.

I have used them AND SEEN THEM WORK for the following things: Allergies, Sinuses, Bug Bites, Cuts/scratches, Cold Sore, Sore Muscles, Healed Dry cracked heels, Wart (that they doctor couldn't get to go away), Headaches, Anxiety, Increased Energy....etc.

The thing I am most amazed at is that I have not needed to take allergy medicine for 2 weeks! If you know me, you know that it is a miracle! I also survived a cold without it turning into a sinus infection which has not happened in at least 5 years if not longer.

The thing is, I am not opposed to using modern day medicine but if the oils can help me cut down on how often I need them, it is saving my family money AND probably healthier for me in the long run!

For example...when I get a headache now, I use some peppermint oil. It works immediately about 90 % of the time. When it doesnt work, I take Ibuprofen. I like that difference!

I am using a line called doTerra and I love it. I personally wouldn't trust any other brand...you will NOT get the same results from oils you find in the grocery store.

If you are interested in learning more about how they work and what kinds of things they can help with, let me know...I'd love to teach you what I have learned!

But for now...I still feel a little bit crazy for even saying any of this out loud!

If you interested in taking a look This is my website however, I highly recommend chatting first before ordering anything. It can be completely overwhelming at first but there are small things you can start with that will change your life forever!

Yep....I'm still sounding a little bit nuts!

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Are you conforming?

So, this post has been swirling around in my head for a while but I wasn't sure how to write it down in a way that makes sense, so here goes!

I often hear people say that they would not want to be a "Christian" because it means they would have to follow a strict set of rules. They would have to "conform" so to speak to live life a certain way. It has come up a LOT lately and being the person that I am, I never have the right thing to say in the moment. However, it has led me to spend quite a deal of time thinking, praying, reading and listening on the subject.

The thing is, believing in the one true God is freeing. I don't and never have felt trapped in some sort of world that doesn't allow me to think or act freely. But I have grace that no other religion out there offers.

God gave each person a conscience to know the difference between right and wrong. Being a Christian doesn't make robbing a bank any more or less wrong. Being a Christian doesn't make murdering someone any more or less wrong. Wrong is wrong. Sin is sin.

I find more and more that NON Believers are the ones conforming. Trying to be accepted by this world, their friends and family.

Romans 12:2 says " Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

You want to fit in. You want to be loved and ultimately, you want acceptance.

So, why does Christianity take all of the slack for following a set of rules? As a Christian, I actually think the goal is to be set apart. Different from anyone else. So....why in this world full of people claiming to want to be different, don't they turn to Jesus?

And besides that. I have yet to meet another Christian who sees eye to eye with me on everything...we are not all the same. haha.

The Bible has been the most freeing thing in my life. It teaches me and is a resource for me to turn to for guidance. I have never felt stuck in a set of rules, but more guided and protected from things that could hurt me physically and emotionally.

If you are reading this and don't know who God is, I urge you to check this out.

I mean...what is the purpose of life without Jesus?

Ok...end of rant.

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Save This week!

I have partnered up with Savings Angel and am now going to be posting great deals each week! I don't want to clog up this blog with all of the great deals so I will just periodically post on here to remind you to check out my other blog.

It doesn't look too pretty yet but if you want to start saving money every week on things that you need, I highly recommend checking it out!

There is also a link above to The More Important Deals

If you are in the Rochester Area and would like to sit down sometime with me and I can explain how to use coupons or find deals to save on your shopping list (not extreme couponing), I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to help you save money!

Right now, I am posting for the major drugstores (Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid) and also The Dollar Tree and Target.

More stores will be coming soon!

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Happy Birthday Levi

I simply cannot believe that it has been an entire year since Levi joined our family on the outside! He has been such a gift to us despite my initial shock of expecting him.

There are so many things that I wish I could store in my memory forever (and be able to recall it) and it makes me sad to know that I will forget.

At his first birthday, I always want to remember

How his 5 tooth smile looks when he grins at me

How he crawls on his butt dragging one leg behind him, just like Keira did!

How he LOVES to eat anything put in front of him

How he clapped when we gave him his birthday cupcake at one of his family birthday parties

How he has such an easy going personality

How he outweighs his 2 1/2 year old sister!

How much he looks like all of his sisters....and his daddy!!!

How when I pick him up, he wraps his arms around my neck and squeezes

How he digs through a pile of barbies and other dolls to find a car or a ball!


My labor and delivery with him was so easy and other than the first 2 months of reflux, he has been the most easy going baby I could have ever dreamed of.

We are so blessed to have our little buddy, Levi Daniel.

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Seven Years a Wife!

Seven years ago today, I married the man that God made for me! How special is that to think about? I love it!

In some ways, I can't believe that it has already been seven years but mostly, it kind of feels like longer...in a good way! haha.

We have crammed a LOT into the last seven years.

We have welcomed four children into our lives

We have lived in seven different homes

Tom started AND finished first and associates degree and then a Bachelor's

He began his career

We homeschooled Kindergarten

We have served in our church

We have maintained old friendships and also made new ones

It has been amazing. I am excited to see what God has planned for our future.

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Learning new ways to Save

I have recently been trying to figure out how to incorporate some coupons saving ideas on this blog. Although I have not quite figured it out completely, I did come across an interesting opportunity that I would like to share with you.

I was told I could review 5 video's in this series, "90 days to Abundance" which is an e-course that teaches how to save every day on so many levels.

When I was first approached with this opportunity, I was a bit skeptical on what they would actually be teaching but I was pleasantly surprised with what I found.

 I have often been asked how to "coupon" and I have even taught a few classes. Although I can get into the specifics of my local stores, I really believe that this course (which costs $20 and guarantees that you save $100 your first month) can truly help people save money and also reduce stress from your daily lives.

I am a firm believer that we should be trying our hardest to please God with how we spend our money....I fail miserably all of the time, I'm sure. But if you are looking for some new, basic, simple ideas on how to save, I highly recommend this course.

This is NOT about EXTREME COUPONING....this is NOT about just buying Junk food or things that you will never lose. It seems to truly be about saving on the things that YOU or YOUR FAMILY uses.

For this review, I only watched five videos that were hand selected. They were "intro's" to the rest of the course and I am definitely excited to watch the rest of them. They included, saving on groceries, Saving on Hotels, Being a more productive person, teaching kids about finances and also knowing if your "stuff" owns you! haha.

Overall, they are all topics that I think most of us can improve upon and I have already made some changes based on those.

If you do create an account, you will have access to the first five videos for free. Check it out!

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Letting Them Thrive

Two years ago, I entered into the Perinton Rec Center having no clue what I was getting myself into. Since Keira turned 2, I always had her signed up for a little class with her peers as a way to keep her busy and socialize...and let's be honest....to give myself a 45 minute break!

This time, it was a 6 week beginner class for Irish Step Dancing. 2 years later, we are in a much different place than I ever imagined.

From the first class, she was hooked. She started skip-two-three-ing everywhere we went. Through the house, the grocery store, church....wherever!

Of course, I signed her up for the next 6 week session. It was then that we found out that her teacher, Amy, who we love, was opening up her own studio. It seemed like no big deal. We signed her up. The class was a few minutes further down the road but at the same time. She was 4 years old so we weren't going to get carried away.

Now, let me digress for a moment and tell you that although I would never have imagined being enthralled in this, I am completely loving it. I have fallen in love with the culture of Irish dance and absolutely LOVE the way that Amy runs her studio. It is an extremely modest form of dance. There are no words in the music that I don't want her to hear (I rarely hear any words at all with the dance music actually) and never any provocative movements. Her studio is run like a family and if you are ever considering your child (girl or boy) getting into Irish dance, I cannot say anything about other studios but Dunleavy Irish Dance in East Rochester is amazing.

Ok...that was my plug for the studio.

Well...last July. A little less than  a year after she began, she participated in her first Feis which is a competition. Because she was ready and because she WANTED to!

I learned how to curl her hair the right way. (She has to sleep with these babies in her hair!)

On July 13, 2013 she danced her Beginner Jig and won 2nd place. I will never forget what she said on the way home. "Mommy, next time, I hope I win 3rd!"

Only a child who has no idea what competition really is would say that.

In the fall, she added her Beginner Reel and competed in two dances. She got her wish and took 3rd in both.

Feis season starts in the spring. We get to choose which ones she will participate in and competing is NOT REQUIRED. Of course she told me that this year she would like to do 20....ha! I think when all is said and done, she will do 5 this year. 

We went to Syracuse in April where she danced her Advanced Beginner Reel and Jig. She took 1st in her Reel and 3rd in her Jig. She also had a hair cut and got to use more colorful curlers. In her mind, it helped her sleep better!

We also signed her up for a Feis in Buffalo and made a day of it to visit Tom's grandparents. She placed 3rd in her Reel and 2nd in her Jig.

 

A Couple of weeks ago, she was part of the Rochester Feis again and this time added her Slip Jig. (For me, every time we add a dance, it makes it more worth the hours of hair curling!)

This is the Feis that made me the most proud I've ever been of my Keira girl. Her 3 danced were one right after the other. The way these competitions work is that they line each child who is dancing up and they all stand at the back of the stage together. Then, three at at time, they come out, do their dance, bow, and go back to their spot. They are supposed to dance with 2 kids from different schools so they are not doing the same steps.

Let me also say that in order to move up to be a novice, you must place in all three of these dances at some point in the Feis season, then, the next year, you move up a level. (That is about all I know at this point myself!)

So, she got up, danced her Reel, no problem.

Then came the Jig. Where she ended up dancing at the same time as one of her classmates who is also an excellent dancer. Keira watched her the whole time. Later she said. "Mom, I did all of my steps, I just wanted to see her do hers too!" So cute.

Then the Slip Jig. Her new dance. The one that stood between her and her "fancy dress" (the dress made in Ireland special for her school when you move to Novice). She started beautifully. Halfway through, she stopped. Frozen. Looked like she might cry. Of course I got all teared up for her. Then, she jumped back in, finished at the right time, bowed and took her place in line.

I had been prepared for this moment. All along, all we have said to her is that she should have fun and do her best. Everyone will mess up sometimes and you just have to keep going.

When she came off the stage, she said. "I messed up. But it's ok because I will just try again next time."

I wanted to give her the world in that moment. What a maturity for a six year old!

Well. She placed 2nd. She also got 3rd in her Reel. (no placement for the Jig where she watched her friend dance instead, haha)

 Although I am unsure she deserved the medal for her steps, she certainly deserved it for her attitude. I have absolutely no idea what the judges judge on or what she should or should not be doing. I know that she made a mistake but I also know that it is a big deal to start and end on time and her form during the rest of the dance was great. It all looks cute to me.

I also have no idea how we are going to afford the dress we have to buy this year but we will find a way. We will find a way because we want our daughter to thrive. We want her to push on toward her goals. To work hard. To persevere. As beautiful as this type of dance looks to me, it is also great exercise, an awesome team building experience and our entire family is enjoying her participation in this sport....so we will find a way to let her continue....

...because we want to let her thrive!

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