Kids
Free Ebooks: Warren Buffet 23 Amazing Secrets, Guitar for Kids, Organic Gardening, 250 Laugh-Out-Loud Clean Jokes for Kids, Piano Practice, Wilderness Survival Handbook, Japanese Cooking, Dinosaur Fun Facts, and more!
The price to download these books is currently $0.00 (although the price may change at any time, please confirm prior to downloading). The ebooks are specifically for Kindles, however, you can click here and download the free application that allows you to read Kindle ebooks on your PC.
Download a free copy of Warren Buffett – 23 Simply Amazing Secrets of Warren Buffett for Money Saving, Worthy Investments, and Successful Life (Warren Buffett Biography) by Jason Butler
Download a free copy of Guitar for Kids – A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Your First Guitar by Mark Daniels
Download a free copy of Organic Gardening Book Package – Organic Gardening – Your Guide to Growing Healthy Organic Produce and Seed Saving for the Organic Gardener by Michelle Anderson and Martin Anderson
Download a free copy of 250 Laugh-Out-Loud Clean Jokes for Kids by Michelle Zimmerman
Download a free copy of Piano Practice – How To Practice The Piano Effectively by Piano Exercises
Download a free copy of Wilderness Survival Handbook by Chandan Lahiri
Download a free copy of Cookbooks Of The Week – Fire Dragon Passion – Japanese Cooking – 60 Super Easy, Amazingly Delicious Japanese Recipes Made Hot and Fast by Victoria Love
Download a free copy Dinosaurs – Fun Facts and Amazing Photos of Animals in Nature (Amazing Animal Kingdom Book 3) by Emma Child
Download a free copy of Spanish Reader For Beginners by Elliot Carruthers
Download a free copy of Coin Hunting Made Easy – Finding Silver, Gold, and Other Rare Valuable Coins for Profit and Fun by Mark D Smith
Download a free copy of The Ultimate Book of Quotations by Joseph Demakis
Download a free copy of Cookbooks Of The Week – No Wok Takeout – 80 Chinese Secret, Delicious Ready-In-A-Snap Cooking Recipes Revealed by Victoria Love
Download a free copy of Mercury – Space Books for Kids by IP Factly and IC Stars
Free Ebooks: Grow Your Own Indoor Garden, Fun Tiger Facts, In The Kitchen Again, Electricity – Discover Your World, Shark Facts, Soups & Stews 101, and more!
The price to download these books is currently $0.00 (although the price may change at any time, please confirm prior to downloading). The ebooks are specifically for Kindles, however, you can click here and download the free application that allows you to read Kindle ebooks on your PC.
Download a free copy of Grow Your Own Indoor Garden at Ease by Hillary Stanza
Download a free copy of Tigers – Beautiful Pictures and Fun Tiger Facts for Kids (Discover the World’s Most Amazing Animals) by Angela Daniels
Download a free copy of In the Kitchen Again – Soups, Stews, and Casseroles by Susan Korich
Download a free copy of Electricity – Discover Your World Series by Kurt and Michelle Zimmerman
Download a free copy of Sharks! Shark Facts, Pictures, and & Video Links by IC Beasties and IP Factly
Download a free copy of Soups & Stews 101 – Master Soups and Stews with 101 Great Recipes by Kate DeVivo
Download a free copy of If I Were in the Circus by Barb Asselin
Download a free copy of Sea Turtles (Did You Know) by Breanne Satori
Dirty Rocks + Rock Tumbler = Shiny Gems
It’s amazing how having kids can open your eyes to so many things, including learning more about yourself, life, and God. A couple years ago my cousin got the girls a rock tumbler. They LOVE it and are always on the look out for neat rocks (yes, my girls love rocks). On numerous trips, hikes, or walking through the yard they can be found collecting various rocks to run through the tumbler. It is a great activity for kids and can be a neat teaching tool as well.
The rock tumbling process goes something like this……
- Find a variety of dirty average looking small rocks
- Put them through the tumbler to remove all the grit and smooth out the rough edges
- Polish them
The whole process takes days and seems forever for the kids, but the end result is something beautiful and well worth the wait.
Recently, I came across a bag of rocks while I was cleaning. I had to smile knowing exactly why one of my ziploc bags had been used to stash a handful of ordinary, dull, and plain rocks. The girls know that even though they look like any old dirty rock once they are tumbled and polished their true colors will shine beautifully.
As I was standing there looking at those old, dusty rocks it struck me that my heart is much like those sharp and dirty rocks. There is a lot of junk that needs to be knocked off my heart and life before the beauty of God’s love can shine through. Thankfully with His help and a tremendous amount of patience on His part He slowly and faithfully cleans the dirt away, smooths out the roughness, and round the sharp edges. When His love, goodness, mercy, and kindness radiates from my brokenness it opens the doors for opportunities to make a positive eternal impact on the hearts and lives those around us.
An example of a rock tumbler you can get from Amazon if you are looking for a fun activity to do with your kids!Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Winter and Christmas break for the kids went by too quickly! They are now back to school and the house is too quiet. I loved having extra time with my girls. A lot of fun times, games, activities, and memories have been made over the past couple of weeks. Thankful for the extra time with my family. God has been good and we are blessed.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read a variety of Christmas and Library Books my Kids Picked Out from Home and the local Library, including Old Yellerand Where the Red Fern Grows – still reading Where the Red Fern Grows, but read all the other books to the girls (now to return them to the library)!Plan one special activity with the familyPrepare for Upcoming New Year Holiday EventsPlay a Game with the Kids– we played several fun games over the Holiday breakSpend Extra Time with the KidsCelebrate our New YearsMake Cookies and Goodies with the KidsDo a craft with the kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – there were a couple days I didn’t drink enough water when out and about on adventures with the kiddos
Continue my YouVersion plan(s)Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – still taking me 2 days, but getting closer
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week – our week was a little more off schedule so we remained flexible in the evenings this past week
Clean House (Focus – At least 15 minute daily “pick up” to keep the house clean as we prepped for the Holidays)Organize Chaos (Focus – Gifts Wrap & Boxes Put Away, Gifts Put Away)- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Finish Leaves) – working on it last week we had more rainy days than clear
Pet Care (Focus – New Dog House for Skipper)– Skipper LOVES her new dog house
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsRespond to Inquiry – Business Relation EmailsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork completed for clients
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – working on it
Pay Bills & File PaperworkGo grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Finish reading Where the Red Fern Grows to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Prepare for Upcoming Winter Events
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Dr. Appointments for Kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
- Clean House (Focus – House Cleaned Up After Christmas Decorations are Put Away)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Christmas Items Back in the Attic)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Blow Leaves)
- Pet Care (Focus – Skipper a Bath)
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Free Ebooks: 7 Habits That Will Change Your Life, House Cleaning Made Easy, Daily Wisdom for Women 2015 Devotional, Some Wore Blue and Some Wore Gray, Beautiful Battle, 50 Core American Documents, World War 2 Famous Battles, and more!
The price to download these books is currently $0.00 (although the price may change at any time, please confirm prior to downloading). The ebooks are specifically for Kindles, however, you can click here and download the free application that allows you to read Kindle ebooks on your PC.
Download a free copy of The 7 Habits That Will Change Your Life Forever by Adam Houge 
Download a free copy of House Cleaning Made Easy – How to Clean Your House Fast, Easy, and Clutter Free by Stacey Sutton, House Cleaning, House Organizing, House Organizing, Organized House, Easy Cleaning, Home Organizing, and Cleaning 
Download a free copy of Daily Wisdom for Women 2015 Devotional Collection compiled by Barbour Staff 
Download a free copy of Some Wore Blue and Some Wore Gray by Heather Graham 
Download a free copy of Beautiful Battle – A Woman’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare by Mary DeMuth 
Download a free copy of 50 Core American Documents – Required Reading for Students, Teachers, and Citizens by Christopher Burkett 
Download a free copy of World War 2 Famous Battles by Ryan Jenkins 
Download a free copy of The Working Chicken – Learn Everything You Need To Know To Become A Backyard Egg and Meat Producer by Anna Hess 
Download a free copy of Welcome to Our Home – Knit and Crochet Ideas from Red Heart by FaveCrafts 
Download a free copy of Practical Duct Tape Projects by Instructables Authors 
Download a free copy of Dog Training – Strategic Dog Training Tips For A Well-Trained, Obedient, and Happy Dog by Michael KenssingtonSpontaneous Tornadoes
It is amazing how quickly a mess can be made at home. There are days when I work hard to clean up the house only to have it explode into a mess of toys, crafts, and random stuff within minutes. Our children truly are a blessing in our lives and we love them dearly, however, they are known to make a mess.
How do we teach our children to be considerate of others by picking up their toys, papers, clothes, crafts, and whatever else they have gotten out? We want our kids to have fun, play hard, and be creative, but does it need to end in a big mess?
- Simplify Life – over the last few months it has occurred to me that we just have too much stuff. I am thankful for the many blessings we have been given but the more we have the greater responsibility. This is an area I am continuing to work on in our home.
- Organization – by creating an organized system the kids will have a better idea of what is it be expected and where to put away their items. For example, having a shoe basket inside the front door for them to put their shoes into when they walk in the door is a visual reminder for them to take off their shoes. When they have a place or specific bins for the variety of toys it helps them know where to go both to play with an item and to put it away. The expectation is clear and organization helps tremendously, although the Spontaneous Tornadoes will continue to happen from time to time putting these into place will cut down on the frequency of the tornadoes.
- Communication – talking with the kids about why we need to pick up our toys, clothes and home. Most of the time they will gladly pitch in and help pick up if you just ask nicely. Setting a timer or making it into a game (see how much we can pick up in 10 minutes) will help get them motivated to do it too.
- Actions Speak Louder – be an example to your kids…..this one can be a hard one. Somehow my stuff gets spread out too! If you have all your items all over the place then why should they be expected to pick up their toys, clothes, and miscellaneous items. I realize that it’s impossible to keep everything perfect especially during a busy week and in a well loved home, but by setting aside a few minutes everyday and trying your best to maintain the home (and the items you are responsible for) shows the children what is expected of them.
- Set Some Ground Rules – they want to do a craft? Okay, that it fine with me, however, prior to moving onto the next craft or another avenue of play they must first pick up their current mess. This helps them tidy up along the way so at the end of the day there are only a few items to put away instead of an massive explosion of toys, crafts, and other goodies (plus the glue gets put away instead spending hours drying out). I try to always let them do crafts and creative play whenever possible, although I do occasionally need to remind them to go back and pick up something if they switch to another activity without cleaning up the previous one. Thankfully, the kids are getting better at doing this and are needing less reminders, plus they know where items go so they can put everything away on their own without the help of the whole family (although we pitch in many times because that’s what families do for each other)!
I know Spontaneous Tornadoes will continue to invade our home via our children (and their parents) but with a little preparation and daily maintenance we should be able to keep them to a minimum. There are days when we all take 15 minutes and pick up the house together. When we are work together as a team it can go by quickly and shows the importance of everyone participating in the activity to get the work done.
Do you have Spontaneous Tornadoes in your home? How do you help prevent from having too many?
Happy New Year! Welcome 2015!!!
Happy New Year Fireworks!
Bringing in the New Year 2015 with fireworks, confetti, and family! Thankful for a great ending to the 2014 year. The year was packed full of a lot of memories. I am very excited to see what the new year brings. Fresh start and new memories for the entire family. I pray that it is a year of fun, growth, and good times with family and friends!
Fireworks display was compliments of my sweet husband and two daughters! They had a blast setting off the fireworks!
Celebrating the New Year with a lot of confetti which is always a favorite with the kids. I think we probably just got rid of all the confetti spray from last years party (I kept finding it in random places long after cleaning it up).
It’s not every night the kids get to stay up until midnight! Fun times!
Remains of the party fun spread out all over the floor! Once the party settled down and the kids were tucked into their beds it was time for the “clean up” crew to pick up all the confetti.
Welcome 2015 Treat!
Our “Welcome 2015” Rice Krispy Treat!
The girls and I decided to make our rice krispies festive to bring in the new year. Thankful for a new year! I am looking forward to making new memories with my family and friends! I am blessed! Praying for health, safety, growth, and good times!
The “2” is made out of a Fruit Roll Up and Sour Patch Kids.
The “0” is made out of Fruit Gummies.
The “1” is a Blue Raspberry and Cherry Airheads that were rolled out and twisted together.
The “5” is made out of Starbursts.
Thankful for the many blessings and great memories as we start off the new year!
A Leaf Covered Driveway Becomes the Kids New Race Track
There are benefits living in South Carolina with a lot of trees on the property, we have a lot of leaves! Our leaf covered driveway became the kids new race track one sunny afternoon. The girls took the rake, broom, and chalk out to the driveway and made a race track. They spent the rest of the day riding their bikes, scooters, and cars around on their fresh track. Glad to see them use their creativity and vent some extra energy.
Starting line for the race track!
A maze of kid roads on our driveway!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
I have thoroughly enjoyed having the kids home on Christmas break this past week. It is great to spend some extra time together playing, reading, cooking, celebrating, and relaxing. I haven’t missed running around for school, extra activities, and doing loads of homework. Our family had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas, spending time together, and creating memories. Even with the kids home and in between fun activities I was able to get some extra items accomplished which was nice too. I am looking forward toward another week with the kids home! Several of the activities will be the same because my main goal is to spend more time with the family.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read a variety of Christmas and Library Books my Kids Picked Out from Home and the local LibraryPlan one special activity with the familyPrepare for Upcoming Holiday EventsPlay a Game with the KidsSpend Extra Time with the KidsComplete Our Christmas ShoppingFinish Wrapping GiftsCelebrate our Family ChristmasMake Cookies and Goodies with the KidsDo a craft with the kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – a couple days I was having too much fun I didn’t pay attention to how much I was drinking
Continue my YouVersion plan(s)– almost done with my yearly plan!!!Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – it took more time
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week– although I had to alter it at least once last weekClean House (Focus – At least 15 minute daily “pick up” to keep the house clean as we prepped for the Holidays)Organize Chaos (Focus – Get Gifts Wrapped, Mailed, or Ready to put under Christmas Tree)- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Finish Leaves) – it rained almost everyday last week so it was too wet
Pet Care (Focus – Skipper Dog Food Bought & Bin Refilled / Snowball’s Collar Battery Changed)
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsRespond to Inquiry – Business Relation EmailsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork completed for clients
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – working on it
Pay Bills & File PaperworkGo grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read a variety of Christmas and Library Books my Kids Picked Out from Home and the local Library, including Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming New Year Holiday Events
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Spend Extra Time with the Kids
- Celebrate our New Years
- Make Cookies and Goodies with the Kids
- Do a craft with the kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Clean House (Focus – At least 15 minute daily “pick up” to keep the house clean as we prepped for the Holidays)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Gifts Wrap & Boxes Put Away, Gifts Put Aways)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Finish Leaves)
- Pet Care (Focus – New Dog House for Skipper)
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
