Our Summer schedule

Summer is here!It is great to get outside and play.It is also a time I do homeschooling with the kids!I want things to be relaxed, but I still want some structure.

This week I introduced our schedule and we started journal writing.Even my 3 year old!I have writing prompts,but they can write anything really.They can write about what they did yesterday or a story.I will be writing in their journals as well.I might just tell them I love them or comment on their stories they write.This is in addition to correcting letters and punctuation.

Reading is big in our home!I try to encourage it as much as I can!We went to the library to start their reading program.I picked out a book to read too!

We have a daily prayer and devotional.I like to center it around a behavior or character trait I want the kids to develop fully.One day this week we talked about likening or applying the scripture in our lives and then the kids acted out scripture stories,while the rest of us tried to guess.The kids wanted to keep doing it so that took up a lot of our time.I have more planned in a day than we can possibly do,but I like the kids to lead me in what they want to do.The pressure is off.We just have Fun!

For my Preschooler and baby I will be doing a different letter each day.Nursery rhyme each week.We are working on his name.So for each letter we sing a song and read Richard Scary's Fun with words.It has an awesome letter dictionary to really immerse a child in their letters.

Letters:W,E,R,N and O

Number:5

Nursery Rhyme:Rock a bye baby

Name song(tune of B-I-N-G-O

There was a Mom who had a boy(girl)

(Insert name) was his name O

This week has mainly been walking the kids through the routine M-Th.Friday is our family newspaper and field trip day!This Friday we will be going to a water park!

• Breakfast
• Get dressed and put clothes in hamper
• 3 b's-Make your BED,BRUSH your teeth and hair!
• Devotional and prayer
• Older kids do morning chores(rotate each week)While they do this I have music and letter practice with my Preschooler and baby.
• Journal and other activities(approx.1hour)
• Outside/free time
• Lunch-12p.m
• Quiet time(1 hour long) 
• Outside/free time-2p.m.
• Kitchen chores and dinner-4p.m.
• Bed time chores-8p.m
• Scriptures and books
• In beds but they can still read -8:30 p.m.

May 27-31 days of May-keovers

I have really been enjoying myself with these small changes.This last week I was not able to write everyday,however,I still have been trying to work in the areas I originally planned to.I have discovered along the way things that were not on my list,that became more pressing to me.I was able to put down my phone for the whole weekend and be with family and celebrate some birthdays.

There have been several late nights,migraines and some setbacks with my baby.His eczema has really flared up, and he is congested again.My hormones are all over the place!Hot flashes?!Really? I am not that old!It can be so frustrating to have to take steps backwards.For every step backwards, I hope to take 2 giant steps forward.My first attempt is to change my attitude!This is not going to happen in a day!There are still days I cry because I can't eat something I want to.There are days my family eats something and I lock myself in my room.The phrase I catch myself saying over and over again is "I can't" .I can't have that food or do this anymore.I am lucky to have a patient husband.

When I got to my may-keovers with my relationship with my husband,making time to connect and be with my kids,nothing else seemed to matter!I put my phone down and just had fun!I have missed writing though!

I am excited now that Summer has officially hit our home!It is my chance to have one on one time with my kids and I love it!One more week until week one of my Summer of success!

3 ways to get outside more often for May 19th-31 days of May-keovees

Today's assignment:
Get outside as much as you can!I am still transitioning from my hibernation during the winter.My body dislikes both the extreme cold and heat.Due to this fact I don't get out as much as I should!I also don't go out because the baby puts everything in his mouth or might crawl through dog doo in our backyard.Now that it is warming up,you need to remember to drink more water.

Here are my 3 sure fire ways to go outside more often.

1.Go for a walk-One way I have more success is going for a walk after I drop the kids off at school.Find some friends who will get you out of the house.

2.Schedule it in-Have your kids ever complained that recess is never long enough?Well,I agree!If you want happy and tired kids let them play outside.Plan at least 2 hours a day outside.Not sure how?Schedule picnics,or outings at the park.Mix it up!A lot of activities you do inside can be done outside!One of my favorites is yoga.On the days my husband is home,this is one I should try!

3-Small doses-Start small and work your way up to more time!Gardening in the morning and late afternoon is a great way to get outside.

Here are a few more ways to to get outside more often.

Sorry I am playing catch up.I have had 2 migraines this week and it was the last week of school for the kids!Keep checking my blog for my summer of sucess plan!Yes,a lot of it will be outside! :-)

Stress less for May 18th-31 days of May-keover

I have been thinking about how I could possibly lower my stress when it is all around me!I feel like most days I am being pulled in every direction! I do feel that I have not payed attention to what my body has been trying to tell me.I tend to worry about something ,and as I dwell on these worries,stress creeps in.Before I know it I am a stress ball of nerves!

A mother sets the tone of her home.She is like the trunk of the roots of a tree.She provides nourishment and safety to the branches of her family.So if I am not strong,my family is also weakened. Stress over time can weaken us all.

My favorite way to be more present in my day is to breathe deeply more or do yoga.These two things cause me to slow down and let things go.I know a lot,and mean a lot,of people have done variations of the movie, Frozen's Let it go.I think that Elsa's view of her power and feeling out of control,is a lesson to us all.To conceal and not feel is not going to help.She finally feels freedom and can let it go.That is what we must do as Mothers,let things go.This doesn't mean we explode in anger like a volcano!Instead we learn to control ourselves and learn healthy ways to let it go!Sometimes I have to turn away and close my bedroom door.We can be strong roots of our family without shutting everything out.We may be feeling guilty for being tired or frustrated.We can't ignore what we need everyday!

Today's assignment:
Make sure you are taking deep breaths throughout the day.Take a minute during your day to think about where you might be stressing more than you should.Once you have identified the where the stress is coming from, write down how you want to let it go.Let it go,so you don't blow!

Be more confident for May 17th-31 days of May-keovers

We are more than halfway through our May-keovers! Yesterday,I talked about finding your style.I looked through my closet and got rid of 7 items!Yay for de-cluttering! I found some cute dresses to retry and some cardigans to layer. I want a softer more elegant side to be noticed.Have you found a style that works for you?

Something I found out about Audrey Hepburn is that she didn't get caught up in fads.I still have some clothes from 10 years ago!I dabble a bit with the fad but ultimately I go with what is inexpensive and comfortable.

If you have a sense of style or are stuck in the 80's,90's or make your own style;are you confident?Are you just throwing whatever on,and calling it good?
One of the first ways to show more confidence is to stand a little taller.Posture and how you carry yourself says a lot about how you feel about yourself.I am reminded by a quote I read:

"Let us stand a little taller, if you don't, you will never strengthen yourself"Stand a little taller by Gordon B. Hinckley

 Baggy or sloppy clothes and bad posture are not good combinations.Don't get me wrong I love sweats and a t-shirt!Learn to use what you have and accentuate your assets.I am tiny and not very curvy.I just started wearing skinny jeans and blouses,dresses and shirts that make it look like I have a waist.Don't hide in your clothing!If you ever walk into an art gallery it is filled with an array if lines,color and beauty.Some pieces are abstract or disproportionate.Are we not God's creation,a work of art?

Isn't loving yourself an art,in the fact that it takes time and effort on our part?

That being said, since yesterday  I have been struggling with myself.Why am I doing this diet for me and the baby?What am I going to eat?Why am I upset?The house is a mess and the kids aren't listening.I raise my voice and I feel worse.It has just been one of those days!

I got dressed though!I put on mascara and lip gloss.It is like I am telling myself that I am in charge and I am going to make something of today!I am putting in the effort!

"When I’m feeling a little low, I put on my favorite high heels to stand a little taller.” -Dolly Parton

I look at this picture of my kids, and think back to when I wanted to be in any ones shoes but mine.I stumbled in my Dad's over sized shoes. Yes,a mother's, wife's,friend's shoes are big shoes to fill.But no matter how big the task seems, if you jump in with both feet and stand taller,you will fill those shoes!

Today's assignment:
 Think of the message you are sending with your style and clothes.What message would you like to send?Dust off that outfit you have been wanting to wear and stand up tall.Tell yourself you are beautiful and you deserve to take care of yourself.

How to find your style May 15-31 days to a May-keover

Most days I doubt,as I walk down the supermarket aisle,that people say to themselves,

"She has style"

It is true as a Mom,oftentimes,that we put ourselves last.I have many clothes in my closet that I never wear.Honestly,it is mostly because I have no idea if it looks good.I lack inspiration!

That is when I looked to a very classy and elegant young Audrey Hepburn.I have always been inspired by her.I was excited to look up and peek more into her wardrobe and style.

Today's assignment:
I was inspired and I want you to be too!Pick a celebrity or a friend whose style you would like to emulate. Look at pictures and get an idea of their style. Look through your clothes and see what you have.Before you go out and buy all new clothes, try to use what you have,first!Have fun.Maybe do a fashion show for your kids or spouse!

I found many good "how to's"online.
How to look like Audrey Hepburn.Audrey knew what looked good on her.She wore white blouses, the little black dress.I have some of those!:-) I need to get back to my research!Excited squeals!Happy hunting!

May 13th-14th-31 days of May-keovers

Last night I wanted to write but I had a terrible migraine, which lingered into today.I did manage to put on some mascara though.

This is my daughters idea of how to wear make-up.That is blush all over her face not a sunburn!

Do you know the tips and the proper way to put on make-up?

There are so many beauty tips and how to's available.As Moms we are limited on time.So many of these tricks take time.Here are a few of my favorites and some new ones I have tried.

1.White liner on the bottom inner eye lid.This tip and trick makes you look more awake!
2.Pick the right mascara for you.Know what you want it to do.Do you want more length or volume? Color?
Find your perfect mascara brush here
3.If you warm up your eye curler with a blow dryer it is like a curling iron for your eyes.
4.Play with eye shadow techniques and tricks
5.Red lipstick is not for everyone.I have tried it and don't feel I pull it off.It is bold and I am more subtle.I like pinks and lip gloss.

Today's assignment:
Try something new.Have you tried the smokey eye look.Try a pop of color on your lips or eyes.Look in the mirror and tell yourself you are beautiful!You have time for yourself!Walk around with confidence and a smile.