“C” is for ……

Today is day 3 of the “Blogging A to Z” challenge, NaBloPoMo Challenge for April,  and the Ultimate Blog Challenge.  So today, “C” stands first for Christian Homeschooling materials.  We are blessed to have an abundance of Christian Homeschooling suppliers for materials.  One of my favorite books for finding Homeschooling materials is , 102 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum by Cathy Duffy.  This is a wonderful resource for finding material.  She does a wonderful job of leading the readers through developing a philosophy of education,  determining teaching styles and the children’s learning styles before going into various homeschooling materials.  She even includes a detailed chart saying what teaching and learning styles each item tends to work best with that item.  She does an excellent job with this.  I was blessed to be introduced to this book shortly after beginning our homeschooling journey.

“C” is also for crocheting.  One of the first things I learned from the women in my husband’s family was how to crochet.  Through the years, I have made a number of blankets.  These blankets have been for my immediate family as well as gifts for friends or other family members.  I enjoy crocheting as a way of relaxing.

“C” is also for #Create, one of the words I have chosen for the year.  My Bible verse to go along with this is the one that is at the beginning of this post.  I truly want God to create in me a “clean heart”

So these are some things that come to mind for the letter “C” for me.  What comes to mind for you?

reasource for finding

The Last Thing I Made

The last thing I made was a blanket I crocheted for Christmas.  I used turquoise and cream shades for it.  I began by making 9 squares that I attached to one another.  Then I began a border that went all the way around the blanket until it was larger enough to satisfy me.  I gave this blanket as a Christmas gift to my mother.  She loves it.  Now I want to make one out of the same yarn for me.

I am currently working on a quilt for my daughter.  I usually work on this while watching TV or movies with the family.  So this is being done by hand.  Right now I am primarily concentrating on sewing strips of three squares together so I can then sew together my blocks of 9.  However, I have to admit, I have sewn several blocks of 9 together.  I really enjoy doing this.

Finally, I have ben working on Bible and Art journaling, which I shared one of my pieces I had finished here on my blog.

So what are you creating these days?  I would love to hear from you.

Balancing My Time

I am a mother and more specifically I am a homeschooling mother.  This means that more often than not my needs and wishes go by the wayside.  Even if I am sick, the children still need to do school.  Food still needs to be prepared and so forth.  I think you get the picture.  But every once in a while, this mom needs a break.  I need a chance to do something just for me.  I need to make sure I am balancing my time and doing somethings I enjoy doing.

I am blessed to have a husband who loves to cook and doesn’t mind cleaning the kitchen.  I also have three teenage sons and one almost teenage daughter to help around the house as well.  Our children are getting old enough now to do most of their schoolwork with minimal supervision on my part.  So when Dennis has the opportunity to travel for the army, I often go with him.  Cell phones, computers, texting and emails all make this much easier.  Plus having an 18 year old in the house also helps.  I know my daughter will listen to him and his 16 year old brother.  My third son works well when allowed to do schoolwork with his grandmother.  So all in all this allows me a break.

I enjoy crocheting and am working to learn how to quilt.  Plus I have recently discovered something else I am interested in, which is Bible Journaling.  This allows me to spend time developing some of the talents God gave me.  I love seeing what others are creating.

Another way I take time for just me is by reading.  There is nothing like a good book to help get away from the world.

So how do you balance making your time?  I would love to hear from you.