Passionate Parenting

Have you had a chance to visit CWAHM this week? My latest post is up and running!
This weeks article is called "Passionate Parenting".

I am sharing some of the key points from a teen parenting class we took at our church. I absolutely loved this class. Even now, I sit and go over the notes, reread the bible verse that were shared and spend time in prayer examining my parenting and asking the Lord to guide me each and every step of the way!

Whether you are in the middle of raising teens, or even have teens that are about to set out on their own, or if you have only wee ones under foot, the principles are relevant!

Head over to CWAHM and check out Passionate Parenting!  You can also find a list of all of my articles (3 to date) by visiting here.

The 5 Love Languages of Children - Review and Giveaway!

Have you ever wondered why you are not connecting with your child. You are spending time with them, taking them places, and telling them that you love them every day.. and yet, something  just seems to be a little off.

Then this handy book, The 5 Love languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell is the book for you!  You might be familiar with the original 5 Love Languages book, this edition of the 5 Love Languages helps parents to know how to translate those love languages into their relationship with their children.

When I first picked up this book, I was not sure if it was going to be a book that would apply to me or not. The title left me feeling like it was going to simply be about the parent/(young) child relationship.  This is not the case. Throughout the book, your are given examples of how each Love language applies to the various developmental stages, all the way up to teenagers!  This was a real blessing to me. I knew that I would get quite a lot out of the book simply, because of the content. I am very thankful, however, that I did not need to modify what I was learning to fit teenagers! The authors thought of that, and covered all age groups!

The first part of this book, focuses on explaining to you the Love Languages and how you as the parent can learn how to discern, perhaps, behavior patterns that you are seeing and what they mean.

However, for me the most useful part of the book, was the back 1/3 of the book, where the book looked at "Discipline and the Love Languages, Learning and the Love Languages, Anger and Love, Speaking the Love Languages in Single Parent Families/Marriage and finally the "What Might Still be Ahead" and "More Help for Parents" sections.  Once you have read the first 2/3'rds of the book, you will have full understanding of the 5 Love Languages. The back portion of the book, serves as  'where the rubber meets the road', giving you some real practical help!

When you visit the 5 Love Languages website, you will see that they have a FREE Study Guide to go along with this wonderful book!

No matter the age of your children, no matter the circumstances in your home, I recommend that you pick up  this book! It will help to knit your heart to your child's  heart, which will ultimately grow them closer to the Lord.

If you have small children, you are going to want to check out my review for The Perfect Pet for Peyton, where the 5 Love Languages are introduced to children. You can also follow Gary Chapman on Twitter, and Facebook.

I am excited to announce that I have been given the opportunity to give one (1) copy of The Five Love Languages of Children away. Please take a moment to enter to giveaway below!

Homeschooling: A Journey Worth Taking!

I will be graduating my first set of high school graduates this June. With that comes many trips down memory lane!  Here is a little something, that expresses my true sentiments...

Homeschooling.. it really is A Journey Worth Taking!!!

Happy Homeschooling my friends.. enjoy every minute... it goes by way too fast!

FREE Missions Trip To Italy!!!

How does that sound?  Well,  you could have a chance to win just that, by visiting Homeschool Mosaics. We are hosting our first monthly giveaway at Homeschool Mosaics, and we have a WHOPPER of a prize! Landry Academy is sponsoring this amazing giveaway.

 I suggest, that you stop reading this post and hop on over to Homeschool Mosaics now.. to learn more about all that is included with this prize. I will tell you that it is a 12 day trip!! Now go and enter for your chance to WIN!!!

Wordless Wednesdays - Youth Conference

Today was the beginning of the most anticipated of the school year, to date, for my kids! 

It's the WCBC Youth Conference! 

Praying for them.... can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for them..

This is a photo from day one.. 2300 teenagers all excited and having a great time listening to God's Word! 

The Homeschool Mom's Multiple Personalities

There is a new website that has taken the Homeschool Community by storm! it is Homeschool Mosaics!  Have you had a chance to check it out yet?  We had our official launch on April 2nd. We opened up with a rip, roaring good time at our Facebook Party! 

The site opened up with a month's worth of articles all about homeschooling! We have gathered 25 pretty awesome homeschool mom's, who each tackle homeschooling from a different perspective! I am honored and humbled to be a part of this amazing group of ladies! 

  

So, what is my column?  Yep, you guessed it, The Homeschool Mom's Multiple Personalities!  Are you a homeschool mom who struggles to balance all that is on your plate? Well, then this column is for you! 

I must admit, today was one of those days, that I really could tell that I had a lot on my plate. I was really thankful that this week, the kids were on spring break.. which allowed me to focus on some of my other work!  

Join me over at Homeschool Mosaics, as we look at the many roles Homeschool Mom's Play! Who are you today? 

Homeschooling - Nurturing the Entrepreneur

One of the awesome aspects of homeschooling, is that fact that our children can come up with their own home businesses.  As we see their passion grow in particular areas, we can help them turn their passion into an entrepreneurial adventure. 

Carol Topp has some wonderful books that are geared for the teenager who is interested in starting a business. You can find them here. 

My boys have come up with their own business,  it is a business is of making videos. I have put a few here in this post, along with further links at the bottom of the page. 

These videos are great for graduation videos, party favors, advertising and much more! 

This one is from their Summer Birthday Bash!

This one was made for my business. 

Here is a video that they made for a fundraiser - Every Right to a Beautiful Life - Team Miranda Sarah

This one is about our local homeschool group - C.H.E.A.V.  A Family of Homeschoolers. 

You can visit their Facebook Page and send them a message if you are interested in pricing. 

Not on facebook? You can leave a comment below and I will pass it along to them. 

What I love about their business, is it is fun, and it matches their personalities! What are you children creating? Can they turn that into a home business? 

Finding Your Way!

My column on CWAHM posted today! Have you had a chance to check it out.

This edition of my bi-weekly column is talking about Homeschooling Special Needs Kids.

Are you homeschooling a special needs student?  While homeschooling in of itself is challenging, add in special needs, and you have a very rocky road.  I hope that by sharing some of the lessons I have learned after homeschooling my special needs children for the last 12 years, you will find some practical tips and encouragement.

Check out my post on CWAHM and learn more about Homeschooling your Special Needs child.

If you have specific questions you would like me to address on my CHWAM column, post them here!

Wordless Wednesdays - Why I love Homeschooling

5, 4, 3, 2, 1.....Lift Off!!!

I cannot tell you the excitement I feel right now about our new website Homeschool Mosaics. Today is launch day, the website is officially up and running! Tonight is the HUGE Launch Party with over 60 sponsors hosting giveaways, just for you!!!

Homeschool Mosaics, is a place for you to find a new article everyday of the month to encourage you in your homeschool journey. We have assembled 25 ladies to share about homeschooling, from their unique perspective.  You will find homeschool how to's, you will find encouragement, you will learn about homeschooling methods, budget homeschooling and much much more!

Visit the site today, and you will find a month's worth of amazing articles, just waiting for you to read! And then visit the site each and everyday to find the encouragement you need as you travel down this journey called Homeschooling!

Don't forget to join us for the Launch Party Tonight! We are going to have a 'Blast'  and can't wait to share it with you!