Winner for Visa Gift Card is.....

Heidi!

Through the extraordinary use of the scientific method of asking my brother to "pick a number", he chose 10!

I will be emailing you later today. You will have 72 hours to claim your prize or the extraordinary use of the scientific method of "pick a number" will be used again, and another winner will be chosen.

Thanks so much to everyone who has been following us and welcome to all our new followers! Remember that we *like* to bribe our followers into sticking around give away things to our readers, so look out for your next chance to win!



and

A Scent-sational Christmas Deal from Scentsy

I have a FANTASTICALLY SCENT-SATIONAL Christmas deal going on right now as a personal special. However, due to Scentsy corporate rules I can not advertise the special here. Please email me at molder.anna@gmail.com to hear about the special. I promise that you will not be disappointed with this one! This is directly through me so you won't be able to see it on Scenty's website! 

Jessica's Workbox System

I have been homeschooling for a couple of years now.  I really love it!  But, I did not love having to direct every single little thing about the children’s day.  Contrary to popular belief, I am NOT a micromanager.  Or, at least, I will never admit to being one!  I needed to organize the kids school stuff in a way that they could get started on the work they do independently, until I was ready to get out of my pajamas start their corporate work.  I heard a lot about the workbox system by Sue Patrick, but knew that there was no way I could implement her system.  I don’t have room for 3 carts holding a total of 36 shoebox sized boxes, and this would be before I added Bekah’s.  So I read blog after blog after blog, searching for the answer.  What I came up with is more of a combination of what I found. 
I have a workbox, singular!  I decided to go with a file folder system.  I bought a box from Office Depot (on sale for $4.99), a box of hanging file folders, and some clips I found for a buck.  I could not find the medium point sharpie markers my friend Sam found, but perhaps this was because I had my husband and all four children in tow. 
When we arrived back home; I got to work.  I labeled 10 folders with Jaela’s name and numbered them 1 – 10.  Then I did 5 for Quin and 5 for Micah.  I used the remaining six folders for my own things.  I got out my lesson planner, scanned down it, and put all of Jaela’s stuff in the folders; math in one, drawing in another, reading instructions with the book in yet another, and so on. 

I interspersed some fun things, like time for snack, in other folders as well.  The idea is she will start with the first folder and continue working through them in order.  Every few folders, or after a particularly long activity she will find a break with something fun.  This will, hopefully, keep her motivated.
 
I did the same thing for the little ones as well.  I will make up some pretty snack break and computer time pages today.  Then I am going to laminate them with my spiffy new laminator.  (How did I EVER live without that thing?)  But a sheet of paper and a marker works for now!
Tell me what you think?  How do you organize your children’s schoolwork?

Welcome Sixmunchkin Stitching!

Welcome to our newest sponsor! Take a moment to read about her and visit her Etsy shop for some great Christmas deals!


My name is Lisa Mather, owner of Sixmunchkin Stitching, a family owned and operated business. I am a wife to a wonderful man, stay-at-home(schooling) mother to six 'munchkins'. I started Sixmunchkin Stitching as a way to bring extra income to our home through something I love doing, making quilts and other small items for people. I currently have a promotion going on through Christmas where you can save 15% on your purchases if you enter 60daystochristmas in the coupon code section upon placing your order.



I love doing custom orders, so if there is something you want but would like it in a different color scheme, send me a message and I'll do my best to accommodate.



 and

Overruled: Invasion of Your Parental Rights

This is very interesting and terrifying at the same time. The government is slowly ripping away at parental rights and we know that. I don't think we always realize how serious it has actually become. Take a moment to watch this video (about 38 minutes) and let me know what you think!

What you See

What you see

I'm tired. I lack the desire to do what I need to do.My kids have had PB&J for lunch every day for a month. Except the times I bother to go out and get pizza. My Facebook status are mingled with cries of frustration. It is so clearly written on my face that words of encouragement come to me in emails, messages and phone calls. And their advice rings true, stay consistent, be strong, this will pass. Logically, I know that. But after weeks of not sleeping properly, my son's sudden strong will, my oldest daughters hormonal outbursts and just life in general, I struggle. I even might have threatened to send all the kids to public school at one point this past month.

What I really feel like at this moment

I don't write this for sympathy (though I certainly appreciate it!) but rather to remind my readers that this is real. We are a real family with real struggles. Homeschooling hasn't been a magical cure all. We are still living in the same world you are. This isn't always the way it is, but right now I truly can not see past the end of this "season".

Blogging gives a snap shot. But only as much or as little as the writer wants to share. Often we share the best, giving the impression of perfection that simply isn't true. It isn't meant to be a blatant deception, but rather the "put on a joyful front" that not only represents the homeschooler but often the Christian in general. Being anything but joyful will damage your witness! I disagree. What better time for Christ to show His grace and glory than when we are struggling! What better time for us to lean on his sufficiency and to show the world that Christ is enough!

So I sit here, praying and crying. Wondering when things will be back to normal. And then I rest and remember that peace will come in God's time.

2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Soy, Dairy, Dye Free Dark Chocolate Cupcakes

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes
Soy, Dairy, and Dye Free!



Mix together and set aside:

2/3 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 tsp of baking soda

1 tsp of  baking powder

pinch of finely ground sea salt

In a mixing bowl, cream together:

1/2 cup cocoa

2 tablespoons of coconut oil

3/4 cup of rapadura

Stir in:

1 egg

Go get a
scant 3/4 cups of almond milk

and the flour mixture and alternately add them to the bowl.  Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes until creamy.

Pour into greased or lined muffin tins. Should make around 6 to 8.  Bake in a preheated over, 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.  Cupcakes are done when toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

 I haven't tried this, but I am thinking you could add in the soy, dairy, and dye free Enjoy Life chocolate chips in to the batter!

*Notes:  These cupcakes are not overly sweet. If you want them sweeter, add less cocoa.  If you do not like the somewhat grainy texture of whole wheat flour, use white (at your own risk of course!).