Full House aka Our New Life

Do y'all remember the sitcom Full House? I'm sure it's alive and kicking out there in rerun land. Anyway  it was the story of the Tanner family; a widower, his girls, and their unconventional family. The theme song always made me smile.

Family watching television, c. 1958 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What ever happened to predictability? 

The milkman, the paperboy, evening TV. 

Everywhere you look , everywhere you go (there's a heart). 

There's a heart 

A hand to hold onto. 

Everywhere you look , everywhere you go. 

There's a face 

Of somebody who needs you. 

Eveywhere you look, 

When you're lost out there and you're all alone, 

A light is waiting to carry you home, 

Everywhere you look. 

Everywhere you look.

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/

Why am I babbling about this and what the heck was my post about last Wednesday? Well, my life has taken a turn that makes me think of Full House. Little Miss and I have moved across the state to live with my ex-inlaws. Yes, you read that correctly. I was so nervous, but it's not awkward at all. We've been here a week and so far everything is going well. Mostly. Little Miss is struggling with the school transition, so prayers for her would be awesome. I truly believe this is going to be a positive change. For the first time in nearly two years I have both my kids under the same roof. The work opportunities should be much better than back in Podunk. Positive things are happening all over the place. There are seven of us in the house, four generations. Th house id full, but there is no weirdness; these people were my family for 15 years and they didn't choose to change that. I am so blessed to have them as well as my family who are all so incredibly supportive. We've started a new chapter in out lives, one that's sure to be an adventure! Now, if only I could locate Uncle Jesse....

He Isn't A Baby Anymore

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.  She never existed before.  The woman existed, but the mother, never.  A mother is something absolutely new.  ~Rajneesh

Fifteen years ago, I began an amazing adventure. I became a mother.

It was the most amazing day. I remember every little crazy detail. Getting to the hospital, being nervous and excited all at once. The terrible moment when the baby's heartbeat dropped off the monitor. The fear of being whisked away for a c-section. Being put under thinking about nothing but the safety of our daughter. Yes, the little girl we'd prepared for. Then waking up and finding that we had a son.

Tristen. He was tiny and perfect and ours. I had never felt anything like the rush of emotion I had when they placed that precious bundle in my arms. I knew nothing about babies and was so scared to even take him home. But, home we went and I found out I could be a Mommy. Tristen changed my life for the better. I learned the meaning of unconditional love when I first looked down on that perfect little face.

He is a baby no more. He's not even a little boy. That tiny little person is a young man. He can talk all day about football, paintball, and girls. He's incredibly smart, has the best sense of humor, and an infectious laugh. His personality is a lot like his Dad's and I think he looks a lot like me. He is kind and loving and such a good person. I am more proud of him than I can ever explain. He is an remarkable young man.

Happy Birthday, Tristen. I love you so much and am so proud of the young man you have become.

Things I'm Discovering

Other than the obvious reasons divorce sucks, I discover new things everyday. Like today, I finally got to speak to my son after a month of not hearing from him. I cannot explain how it made my heart swell just hearing his voice. But, it was the things I heard in the background that had me in tears the minute the call ended.

When a couple splits, you lose more than your spouse. You lose a whole family. For 15 years these people were my family. I love them, all of them. How do you just turn that off? How do you wrap your mind around the fact that your husband was posting on Facebook about his plans to leave you (true story, shows how often I check Facebook) and they were cheering him on. I'm not just losing my husband, but parents, grandparents, sisters, a brother, a niece and nephews. All of whom are dear to me. It hurts more than I can explain and I don't know how you just let go of people who are important to you.

Honestly, I've never felt more alone in my life. I know some of y'all have been in my shoes... does it get better? How do you get through losing a whole family?

School's Out for Summer...Maybe

Image by Mr Tickle - Wachoo Wachoo Tribe Congressman via Flickr

I wrote last year about the early release program offered by the local school district. If the kids pass the state mandated TAKS test, they are released about two weeks earlier than everyone else. This year, the test scores were delayed, so I figured the kids would be in school until they arrived. Wrong! A week ago, the school released all the students and sent them home with a letter explaining that if the results came back and your children had failed, you would have to bring them back immediately. It caused major problems for a lot of families, as they scrambled to find childcare. I was just not prepared to have the kids home yet, didn't have food ready, things like that. Here we are a week later and still no TAKS scores. So, the kids have started their summer filled with dread that they might have to go back to school for another week and Mom started summer vacation completely unprepared. Oh well! Let the choruses of "I'm bored!" begin!

Are your kids out for summer break yet?

YourSphere.com Safe Social Networking for Kids

Both my kids have been begging me for months to be allowed to get on Facebook. Hubby and I both were not huge on this idea, feeling it is just not safe. I trust my kiddos, but I just don't think either one of them is mature enough to handle that yet. They are children after all and kids aren't exactly known for having the best judgment.

I was recently selected by Mom Central as a YourSphere Test Drive Mom. Myself, along with 50+ other wonderful moms get to test drive Yoursphere.com, a safe place for kids to test their social networking wings. Yoursphere is a mom created site that verifies the identities of all those on the site. Check out this video to learn more about why Yoursphere was created and how it works.



Tristen and Ashley are both all set up on Yoursphere and having a blast! It was fast and easy to get verified and all our accounts set up. The Parent Dashboard is a great feature that allows you to see what your kids are doing on Yoursphere. I love that I know everyone on the site is who they say they are; there is no worrying about impostors getting through on the site. I finally feel that my kids are safe on a social networking site.

The kids love all the different Spheres they can join, on topics from books to sports. There is lots to do on Yoursphere and they can even create their own Spheres for what interest them. I can safely say my kids aare really enjoying check the site out!

If your kids are interested in social networking sites, but you aren't comfortable with the idea, you might want to give the site a try. Yoursphere is completely free to use. If you and your kiddos would like to check it out for yourselves, please sign up with code: YSMC-0049 and let them know Ramblings of a Texas Housewife sent you.

"I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review."

Wild Monkeys

I'm pretty sure wild monkeys are running around my house right now. I don't remember actually owning wild monkeys, but that must be what they are. I do not think human children could produce the level of noise that is filling every room in the house. They are enjoying themselves, laughing, and playing. Yes, they've occasionally moved a little faster than I would prefer, but haven't broken into a full on run yet.

I am enjoying the sounds of my children enjoying each other. It seems it is a rare event these days. They are both getting older and seem to want to be around each other less and less. Instead of the giggles I hear now, my ears are usually treated to the wonderful sounds of "He hit me!" or "She's in my room!". So, wild monkeys or not, I am enjoying the loud, fun filled shrieks of laughter while they last. It's the little things like this that make life worthwhile.

Terrified

That is the word of the day. It is my job to wake everyone up in the morning. I wake them up they get dressed, they kiss me goodbye and are of to school and work. This morning, I apparently hit the off button instead of snooze at 5am. I shot out of bed at 7:03. For the kids this was no big deal. But, this simple mistake on my part probably just cost my husband his job. The big orange store he works at is not very forgiving about tardiness, as they are schedule "variances" and a big no no. The fact that I've probably just cost our family their one source of income and my husband a job he's been at for years is nothing less than terrifying.

Friends, I am so upset. How could I have been so careless? It's an awful mistake that there is noway for me to fix. I don't know what we will do. I feel like an idiot.

Please pray for us. It means more than you could know.

A Tap in the Night

The rest of my family is long asleep and I am up answering emails and such. I am all wrapped up in flannel jammies, trying desperately to stay warm. I sit here in the silence, listening to DH breathing and the soft meowing of the new kittens in our closet. It is peaceful and I am alone.

Then I hear it. A soft tap, tap, tapping noise on the back door. I should point out that our back door is in our room and leads to a covered porch/mudroom area. Anyway, then I hear scratching noises. I flip on the back light, peer out the window in the door, but see nothing. All is quiet for a bit. Screech, squeal, scratch...those are the next noises and this time I see who is making them. It's mice! Eek! They are making a lot of noise and strangely enough, no one in the whole house seems to care. Now, I know when the cold sets in mice want to come in the house. I know living in the middle of a field makes us more prone to mice. But, I don't have to like them.

Image by sean dreilinger via Flickr

I am currently resisting the urge to toss poor Cookie outside to attack them, but taking her away from feeding her babies seems quite cruel. I suppose I could try to coax Annabelle outside, but she would probably just stare at them, anyway. Plus, if I open the door, they might very well run in while I'm throwing the cat out!

The really bad part of this story? Well, it addresses how bad I am at housewifery. You see, in my infinite wisdom, I sorted through all the dirty laundry, put appropriate loads in all the hampers, then drug them out on the back porch. My thought was that they are closer to the laundry room this way. I got a good chunk of this laundry done today. But, their are still hampers out there! Mice are probably eating my clothes as I type this. I am too scared to go get the hampers back in the house because 1. I could bring the mice in with them and 2. I am like crazy afraid of the little rodents. So, I am sitting here, fretting about our laundry, hoping we don't all get the Hantavirus from the rodents, listening to their little clawed feet scurry about. I seriously think they are climbing up my walls and trying to chew through the door. I doubt three little mice could do that, but there is probably a whole mouse army I didn't see. I am freaking out!

So, lesson learned, I will not put the laundry hampers on our enclosed back porch ever again, no matter how great of an idea it seems like at the time. To all you other country wives and moms, how do I get rid of these things?!?

Y'all have a good night.

Interview With Claudine Wolk Author of It Gets Easier! . . . And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers

Today I am thrilled to bring you my interview with Claudine Wolk author of It Gets Easier! . . . And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers. My own experience with motherhood was quite interesting. Tristen was such a laid back baby, we actually had to wake him up to eat during the night. He gave me the (completely unrealistic) idea that all infants were that easy. Then came Ashley who spent her first year scream all the time. She was quite a wake up call. I am so drawn to the title of this book because, well, does it ever get easier? Be sure to check out It Gets Easier! . . . And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers. I think y'all will enjoy it.

Thanks so much Claudine for taking the time to visit with me! I really appreciate it and am sure my readers do as well.

Nessa: What inspired you to write this book?

CW: Motherhood changed everything for me. I was clueless after the birth of my son, going literally from the office to home with a fussy infant! As soon as I found tips from other moms, that actually worked, that weren’t in any other books, I decided that I had to put it all down in a book for the moms who came after me. It was almost a mandate - honesty, for the love of Pete, honesty! So, the book really started after the birth of my first son. My other two children were practically guinea pigs used to apply the information I had learned with my first son to make sure the success of the tips was not a fluke, and oh, yeah, we wanted more kids!

Nessa: How long have you been writing?

CW: I guess I’ve been writing for about 16 years, from the time that my son was born. I started to submit stuff much later (not unlike many other aspiring writers) about 5 years ago.

Nessa: What do you think is the biggest "lie" you were told as a new mother?

CW: I think the biggest lie I was told – actually it was more of an omission than a lie – was that a baby eats and falls asleep after he eats. Who knew that the little critters actually stay awake after they eat and sometimes even scream their little faces off? I was expecting the “Downy Baby” baby, who was peaceful and cherub-looking. I was also expecting to look just like the fully-makeuped and peaceful mom in that commercial. Reality was a bit different for me.

Nessa: What is the best piece of advice you ever received as a new mom?

CW: The best piece of advice I received as a new mom I actually read in Dr. Spock’s Baby and Childcare. Dr. Spock said that as moms we know more than we think we know. This one sentence gave me the freedom to trust my instincts and that it was OK to make decisions regarding my new family. That realization took a lot of pressure off and opened me up to try a lot of the advice I share in the book.

Nessa: What projects are you currently working on?

CW: Right now I am trying to find new ways reach new moms. I’ve come up with a new venue that I like to call “Cocktails & Conversation.” It’s a way for me to visit new moms and facilitate their sharing of stories and ideas that work for them. One mom hosts a “party” and I come, speak a bit, and get the mom-conversation rolling. It’s like “Bunco” but without the dice (or the money.) The cool thing about it is that all different moms come – new moms, pregnant moms, more experienced moms, and even women just thinking about getting pregnant. The best part is that once the ball gets rolling, the sharing is incredible. Everyone speaks and shares their concerns or the ideas that have worked for them. Moms learn that they are not alone. Everyone comes away with a smile. It exhilarating!

Claudine Wolk

www.Help4NewMoms.com

www.Help4Newmoms.blogspot.com

Day of Discontent

I have officially named today the day of discontent. Everyone seems to be on edge and tempers are on a very short fuse. Myself, I can't seem to complete one whole task, rather am flitting from project to project. It is making for a day of accomplishing very little. We are trying to spruce up the house and yard in preparation for family coming to visit next weekend. Ashley's birthday party will be in six days, so things have to be perfect. Well, not perfect because it will never be that, but I am hoping for a really good day. I am trying to rally the troops and get things done, but the kids keep hiding from their chores. I think the little miss figures I'll finally get aggravated enough that I'll end up taking care of her room for her. She is sadly mistaken, as I have enough on my own plate. Dan is actually the only one on his game, managing to really make the yard look great. Me, I am just leaving a wake of half done chores behind me. I figure tomorrow, when I am alone is when I'll be my most productive. Anyway, it's just been a very strange day. I wish we were all in better moods. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

Have a great Sunday!

In A Funk

Image by Lst1984 via Flickr

Okay folks, it's time for a confession. Lately I've not been a very good housewife, mom, blogger, or any of the other titles I hold. I've been in a deep, dark funk. Depression is no picnic and you'd think after years of dealing with it I'd be better able to cope, but alas, that is not the case. For those of you who have no idea what depression is like, I wish I could explain it. For me, it is like I had just quit functioning for about a month. My family suffered, my friends suffered, my house completely fell apart, and poor Ramblings just got pretty much neglected. I forgot so many things, turned into a complete scatter brain. I pretty much just stopped doing life for awhile.

I am telling you this because I want to apologize. I feel like I've not done right by my blog readers and I am sorry. I hope to be back to my old self soon. All I can say is I am trying to get it back together, because it felt like my life was falling apart. Thanks for sticking with me!

I have lots of good reviews and giveaways coming up, plus posts on doing the holidays without breaking the bank, and of course stuff about life here in Podunk. I look forward to getting back into Ramblings and reconnecting with my readers. I may also write about trying to regain control of my home, and well my life while battling depression. If there's anything else y'all would like to see me write about, just leave me a comment or email me at nessa(at)texashousewife(dot)com

How to Lay Low as Helicopter Moms

Today I bring you a wonderful guest post by Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. and Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D. This article really hits home with me as my oldest if starting to spread his wings. Dan and I talked just the other day about how in trying to keep him on the straight and narrow, we've actually been smothering him and actually make him more rebellious. Parenting is such an adventure! Anyway, this article is great for those of us having a hard time letting our kiddos start to find their independence.

Huge thanks to Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. and Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D. for this great post. Stop by their blog, Nourishing Relationships for more wonderful family information.

How to Lay Low as Helicopter Moms

By Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. and Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D.

As your teenagers begin to drive and enjoy their new freedom, you may find that letting go is harder than you thought. Are you having trouble cutting the apron strings? Perhaps you're stuck in a new phenomenon that falls under the colorful moniker, Helicopter Mom. If you're hovering - offering protection from life’s ups and downs or micromanaging from afar - you fit the description perfectly. Begin to step back by following these practical tips:

1. Encourage your kidults to take on more personal responsibility. Insist that they get a part-time job and open a bank account. Pull back as they learn new time and money management skills.

2. Resist taking on chores that now should fall to your growing children. As much as cleaning their rooms and helping with homework have been part of your job description for many years, it may be time to pass the baton.

3. As they make more of their own decisions, be supportive but let them deal with the consequences. They will face lots of decisions about assignments, dating and extra curricular activities. It’s been said before, but experience really is the best teacher.

4. Make sure that school activities are on your agenda. You'll meet other parents, teachers and administrators who understand - this is the best way to find out what's going on.

5. Focus on your kidults’ positive qualities and think of reasons to support their unique ideas. Remember that part of their job right now is to develop problem solving skills. In preparation for college, they need to learn more about the joys and responsibilities of independence.

6. Discover what you feel passionate about. Follow your dream of returning to school or changing jobs. Join a hiking group or exercise class. Take up bridge or yoga. Put yourself front and center for a change.

It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. In the end, your emerging adult children need to be accountable for their own actions. That's the only way they'll become more self-sufficient and self confident. Isn’t that what you really want anyway?

© Her Mentor Center

Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. & Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D. are co-founders of www.HerMentorCenter.com, a website dedicated to the issues of midlife women and www.NourishingRelationships.blogspot.com, a blog for the sandwich generation. They are co-authors of a forthcoming book about women and their family relationships. As psychotherapists, they have over 40 years of collective private practice experience.

Big Changes for WIC Families

Image by Daquella manera via Flickr

You all know that I am a frugal mama. These days, everyone seems to be tightening their belts and trying to make the most budget friendly choices on everything from clothes to groceries. If you work at it, you can find a way to save on most things you spend money on.

WIC wants mothers to make the frugal decision to breastfeed their babies. By breastfeeding, you can save as much as $2000 yearly because of the price of formula. WIC has always encouraged breastfeeding, but it seems they are now really stepping up there efforts. They have created a new food package that provides nutritious foods for the breastfeeding mama, but does not provide baby formula. They are also now giving moms who do both breast and bottle or exclusively bottle feeding 13% less funding towards infant formula. With this change, families who at one time had all their formula provided by WIC may be having to buy additional cans of formula out of their own pocket. Formula costs an add up quite quickly, so this may come as a shock to many WIC families.

When talking about infant formulas it is important to remember that all formula has to meet the same stringent FDA guidelines. So, there is truly no nutritional difference between the value priced store brand and those popular brands put out by the big pharmaceutical companies. I did not know this and think it is information that all parents should be aware of. I know that some mothers simply cannot breastfeed for one reason or another, so this information can help them make an informed decision about choosing formula on a budget.

I am a huge fan of the WIC program. I do not know what I would have done without them when we had infants. I had so much trouble nursing and their lactation experts were so much help! I never did manage to nurse Tristen successfully and I think I might have been able to if I'd had their help like I did with Ashley. You can go to WIC with any questions or concerns about breastfeeding and get an informed answer. The program is a truly great resource for low income families.

So, what about you? did you do breast, bottle, or both. I'd love to here your thoughts on the subject.

Family

Today I bring you another guest post from a talented blogger friend. Bobbi Janay is one of the nicest, most supportive folks I've had the pleasure of "meeting" in the blogsphere. Here blog is a fantastic read ans I am sure you all will enjoy her as much as I do!

Bobbi Janay is a 24 year old wife and mother who lives in Plano, Tx with her husband Casey, 6 month old son Ian, and faithful furry friend FootFoot. She is a girl from small town Texas, who woke up one day and realized holy cow when did I become a grown up? You can read more about their adventures (uninhibited, unedited, and uncut) at When did I go from a kid to a grown up? You can also find her on twitter @BobbiJanay.

While sitting in Starbucks one night it was empty except me and the staff. Then walked a family of four who were happily spending there Friday night together. They got there drinks, sat down opened a pack of cards and began playing hearts. While watching them enjoy there time together doing something as a family without technology. Listening to them reminisce and lovingly pick at each other, made me hope that in the future that my own family will become that way and my extend family will remain that way.


I grew up in a tight knit family we all lived with in 15 minutes of each other. We saw each other at least once a week. I love my Aunts, Uncles and Cousins they are some of my best friends. We are an open family where no subject was taboo (didn't mean we wouldn't argue about it), if you had a question you could ask anyone and they would try to answer it to the best of their abilities and at the level you were on.


2007 was a rough year for my family on July 2 we lost my Cousin Rusty who was only 19, who left behind a Wife and 2 babies under 2 and then at the end of October we lost my Grannie. She was the rock of our family. At that point in my life I had never been more angry or depressed. I was terrified that my family was going to fall apart. That everything I loved about my family was going to slip away, but Christmas came and we rallied together determined to come through all of the sorrow that had recently gripped our family.

Nearly two years have passed since my family was overcome with sorrow. So much has changed in the past two years five babies have joined our family. One of which was my own son Ian, it is amazing how my family has banded together to make sure the newest members see that we are as close knit and loving as ever. Even though we don't all live with in 15 minutes of each other anymore. We may not get together in person as much anymore, when we do not everyone may be able attend. We might accidental plan birthday parties, baby showers, and other family events on top of each other(true story just happened last month). But the love I grew up seeing and cherishing so much is still there. I hope to be able to show that love to Ian and let him drink it in. I want my son to grow up loving his cousins and end up being as close to them as I am to mine. I also want Ian to have the same kind of relationship with Casey and I as had with my parents, open honest two way communication. I know that having that with my parents helped turn me into the woman I am today.


I guess what I am trying to say is that family is the greatest thing a person is ever given. Even when you are at your worst, family are the ones that try to help you over come the obstacles that stand in your way. So no matter what place you are in with your family make sure they no how much you care, cause you never know what might happen in the next instance.

School Clothes Swap

Image by sanjoyg via Flickr

The following is a guest post by my pal Lynette355 from Crazed Mind. Pop over and check out all the craziness at her place.

Lynette, thanks for the great post!

Well we all know it is back to school time. And that means shopping when times are at the toughest they have been in over 20 years. So how do we manage to purchase all the back to school supplies, clothes, shoes and odds and ends when the budget is squeezed tight? Well, I do have a lil tip that can help.

We organized a neighborhood swap. I asked the local elementary school to let us use their parking lot for a Saturday School Clothes Swap. Now we could have done this in a back yard, local community center or church hall. But I thought it would draw more attention at the school. Then I placed notices in our small town newspaper, put up fliers around town and signs on street corners.

Image by Quesomanrulz via Flickr

COME ONE COME ALL FOR A SCHOOL CLOTHES SWAP

BRING ALL THE CLOTHING ITEMS YOUR CHILDREN CAN NO LONGER WEAR OR USE. DONATE THEM TO THE COMMUNITY. IN RETURN GO THROUGH THE DONATED ITEMS TO FIND WHAT YOU NEED!

I set up tables with signs for boys and girls on different sides of the parking lot. Then each table was marked by sizes. Shoes were done the same way. As people showed up we asked that they divide their donated items on the correct tables. There was also an area for donated toys, school supplies and accessories.

We also had horded all the bags and boxes we could for people to use. Each family then found what they needed. After two days of allowing families to come and go we packed the remaining items. Those we donated to the local clothes closet. Now those clothes too will find homes. This was a bit time consuming but provided a much needed commodity. Clothes for children of all ages. And all as no cost to anyone.

You can do this on a smaller level with church groups, family and friends and neighborhood programs. Yes take the time and share what you have with others. You never know you may find your needs met too!

A Big Ball of Emotions

Image by Philipp Klinger via Flickr

Warning: This may be the most rambling of all of my rambles. I am not even sure that it will make sense once I'm finished. But, I know I have got to get this out, so thanks for understanding.

Have you ever been through something that tested you beyond what you thought you were capable of handling? That was my weekend. In the past 24 hours I have felt life a failure as a mother, questioned what kind of life partner I am, and have pretty much decided that I am much too naive. I am too trusting, thinking everyone is good at heart. Now I am afraid I might never be able to trust again. Which is bad, because you should surround yourself with people you care about, who care about you in return...the kind of people you can trust.

I find myself questioning the word friend. The definition is "a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard." We found out that one person we thought of as a friend is not one at all. And I found out that maybe I don't know others as well as I thought. I needed a friend yesterday to let me cry on their shoulder and to understand why I am flopping back and forth between being mad and feeling like a fool. I needed to talk about what's going on rather than act like nothing is going on. And I needed it to be okay that I am a big ball of emotions. But I didn't have that. We are all too interconnected in our little neighborhood family, all of us processing the events of the day in our own way. Some thinking it is no big thing, others just completely at a loss as to what to do. Did I mention yesterday was a bad day?

So, now here I am going back and forth between want to curl up in bed for the next week, wanting to beat up the world, wanting to lead a crusade against all the evil in the world, wanting to cry until I can't anymore, and trying to not let things get to me so I can function as a wife and mom. It's like having the worst mood swings ever!

So, I ask my dear readers if you will keep me and my little family on your prayer list. We are all okay...no one is sick or dying or anything like that. We just need your prayers, the Lord knows why, even if you don't specifically. That is one of the most beautiful things about Him, He knows our needs.

I apologize for this long, disjointed ramble.

Family Friday ~ Family Fishing Trip

Dan loves to fish. He had not been for over a year, so last Sunday we and our family across the street hit lake Proctor for some fishing fun. Lynette had never actually caught a fish, so this was great for her. Ashley is never much into fishing, but our little water baby stayed in the lake all day long! We all had a really great time. Check out these great videos and pics. It was such a great day!







Dan says that fishing is the best stress relievers there is. Plus, it is frugal family fun. The best part? If all goes well, you come home with dinner!


Does your family enjoy fishing? I'd love to hear from you! And for more family friday fun, click the button above to head over to Homemaker Barbi's weekly feature!

Deck of Chores Review

Chore time around here can be a nightmare. We've done sticker charts, online programs, and everything in between with little success. It seems that I spend more time trying to get the kids to do their chores than a) it would have taken me to them myself or b) it would have taken them to do them if they were not griping about it. So, when the Homemaker Barbi team was given the chance to review Deck Of Chores, I was thrilled.

I was provided my own Deck Of Chores to review. I must say from a parent's perspective that they are bright, colorful, and have nice illustrations. I would give them two thumbs up for being very child friendly. The idea is to either shuffle the cards and make up your own game to play with them, or just draw cards. Each card has a chore listed on it. Anything that can make chores more appealing is a hit in my book.

The only negative I can see is that my kids were just not that interested. Having tweens in the house, well you never know what they will go for. I had a hunch that the cards would work well for younger kids, so I passed them on to another family. Turns out I was right as their 4 and six year old actually ask to do chores now! So, I give the Deck of Chores two thumbs up for families with young children. In fact, this will probably be a gift to my nieces and nephews this year, since they are all of the age I think the cards would work great for. As a former preschool teacher, I must say a system like this would have been marvelous in the classroom; although not all the chores would apply, the idea is great.

So, I suggest you check out Deck of Chores for yourself. The website is full of useful information and you can order the cards from there. I would love to hear what you think about this product, so come back and let me know.