How Do I Do It?

I have gotten a few comments and emails lately, especially after Ladybug's birth, asking me how I do it all. By *it all* I believe they mean...homeschooling, blogging, maintaining my website, and normal mom, wife, woman stuff. First I have to say I do not do it all and we are ALL DIFFERENT!!! We all have differing abilities, talents, gifts, passions, etc. We also all have differing circumstances that allow us to do different things during different seasons of our lives. If you read nothing else in this post read that! Don't look at what I do and think it is better than what you do...it's just different.

With that said, I will do my best to help you understand me a little bit better :)

First, I think it's important to note the ages of my children...7, 3 (in 2 weeks) and newborn. That is MUCH different than 3 under 3, 4, or 5. Although my 7 year old is dramatic and draining at times, he is still 7, which is much more independent and responsible than 3 or 4. My 3 year old is wild and crazy but much different than a 1 or 2 year old. AND, my newborn is pretty easy...so far. With several years between each child, it has made my life easier. I am NOT one of those moms who wanted kids close together and thankfully God agreed ;). Those of you who are raising/homeschooling 2, 3, 4 or more kids who are all young --I don't know how you even survive one day, let alone get anything productive done!!!!!

Next, blogging is my hobby, my down time, my personal time. I love to do it. It is not a chore for me as I love to design, write, take and edit photos, etc. Everything I do on my blogs and website is enjoyable to me, if they weren't I wouldn't do it. Blogging is never a chore for me, that's what makes it so great. I love to do it, it's such an outlet for me...and others seem to like that I do it! I know for some blogging can feel like a chore, and the thought of maintaining 4 blogs (my private family blog, this one, Totally Tots, and Lil Ladybug) plus a website (not to mention I oversee our church website too) seems daunting. For me it is NOT. Like I said, blogging is relaxing for me. I love learning how to do different things (like adjusting html on my blog), love sharing ideas, love writing, etc.

Homeschooling is my priority during the day. It is why I stepped down from working full time in ministry (which I did when Pac was little and the only). If I am not homeschooling to the best of my ability, I might as well go back to ministry life and send my kiddos to school. I don't do things half way, and homeschooling is at the top of that list for me.

Finally, it is very important to remember how really sick I was during my pregnancy with Ladybug. I spent weeks 5-13 with Hypermesis, confined pretty much to my bed and bathroom during that entire time. It was miserable. Then around 24 weeks my severe physical pain set in and lasted through week 37 when I delivered her (2 weeks ago). Yes I had a c section, and yes it hurt to recover, but recovery has been NOTHING like the pain I endured for months. Seriously I could barely walk. Also, my husband got and recovered from cancer during the middle of it all (from about week 14-20 of my pregnancy). Our lives have been SO out of whack for the entire pregnancy...I couldn't wait to get back to my role as a woman, wife, Mommy, and teacher.

I got back to "normal" on Monday and things went well. I haven't done laundry, dishes, cleaning, etc. for months and I took back over all of my duties and it feels great (wonder how long that feeling will last). I haven't put my boys to bed in months, and I could finally read to them, bathe them, and snuggle with them in bed. I wasn't able to discipline Krash with the effectiveness he needs, and finally I can.

I think I am a better mom of 3 than I am of 2, and I was better with 2 than I was with 1. The busier I am, the better I am. When I get focused on myself for too long, I get annoyed when a child needs me. With 3, one is needing me all of the time. I don't have time to waste until they go to bed and by then I am tired too!

I also want to say that even though I may seem to have it all together, I am still a sinner saved by grace. I make mistakes constantly. I yell at my kids, and I get frustrated over little things when I should offer grace. I speak harshly to my children or husband when I should be gentle and calm. I overlook chores or household duties at times, just because. I don't answer the phone (and often frustrate people) because I don't want to be interrupted. I get stressed out over simple things, and my anxiety has a tendency to run high when it shouldn't. The list could go on and on, but those are a few for ya!

I have come a long way in my selfishness as a human being, and overcoming some of that selfishness is mostly what allows me to do what I do daily. The things I do are for my family, for the Lord. When I felt called to step down from ministry leadership, I knew I was stepping into another ministry role for the Lord-my role as the mother of this family, and as the wife, and WOMAN. From that moment on (about 2 years ago), I began to take it seriously and haven't looked back. Before that time, I mothered halfway, I homeschooled half way, I cleaned half way, I took care of myself halfway, etc. I wasn't the woman, wife, mother, or teacher I should be

I am still NOT, and nor will I ever be but that doesn't stop me from trying each and every day.

I will leave you with a couple of life guiding verses, that seem to put it all in perspective for me...

A Time for Everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.


Colossians 3:17
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Look...we're back!

We actually did school...the real way! We even jazzed it up a bit by working outside for about 30 minutes this morning!!! It felt SO good to be teaching my kiddos again, to be able to bend down on the floor with Krash, to have the energy to prep for Pac and work with him. I am sure I will become stressed soon, but for today it was SO nice to be back!!! Ladybug loves her sling, so she was with me most of the day, or snoozing in her awesome swing, which she also loves!!!

Tot School ~ Almost back to normal...

~Krash is currently 34 months old~

This is our last *week off* and we hope to transition back into school next week! This week it was all about loving on Ladybug, and enjoying the grandparents while they visited!!!! Krash continues to be in love with his sissy and I am in love with watching them together...The weather also finally warmed up here so it has been living outside for us these past few days!!!!

• Read more about Tot Trays here!
• Visit our NEW SITE...Totally Tots!!!
• Want to see more Tot School posts? Click HERE!
• Visit our Tot School Webpage HERE
• Visit our Tot School Tools store HERE
• Tools for Tots HERE

If you have a tot (approximately ages 1-3) at home, join in the fun and share what you're doing with your tot! Here's how to get started if you're new...

If you've never read this: Go HERE 1st for more details- please do!!! Then if you have any ideas you'd like to share, link up your exact post to Mr Linky (if you have questions about how to do that, let me know in a comment or email-links to homepages will automatically be deleted).

New: when you add your name(blog name) to Mr. Linky will you put your tot's age (in months) after it, like this: 1+1+1=1 (34 mos)? I think this will help new readers a lot as they look for ideas for their specific aged tot!

If you are unsure of how to add your direct link to Mr Linky-I added a tutorial with photos here, scroll down to see it!

Happy Birthday Pac Man

My *baby* turned 7 yesterday!!!! Hard to believe he was once the newborn love of my life! Now he's the big kid love of my life!!!He is still in LOVE with whales (and wants to be a whale trainer), thus his Shamu cake...I found his new music curriculum!!! He got Wii Music, and it is awesome!!! Super fun and he'll learn a thing or 2...or 3!!!My big baby and my little baby...

Never too young...

My dear friend Shannon gave Ladybug her first *girly* books, including this one, That's Not My Fairy. We were all excited--we've never had any of those! Today Pac asked if he could read to her while he snuggled her, of COURSE I said YES!!! It was absolutely precious and just made my heart swell to watch...He even helped her touch the special parts of the book...Can you tell he's just a tiny bit in love???

I began a new blog a few weeks ago, in honor of Ladybug's arrival. I have been doing tons of research about living healthy and needed a place to keep it all straight. Since my mind naturally turns to blogging, it was a perfect fit. I wasn't sure I was even going to open the blog up to be public, or keep it just for myself. I did decide to make it public after she was born, and that's now!

I plan to record all of my research on that blog, about things like organic eating, safe cleaning products, healthy eating, etc. I also plan to write about Ladybug, and also post photos of her.

I will share my favorite baby products, record my special memories and moments with her, and probably more. It is just my place for all things baby, since I know it will consume (is consuming) my life now, along with my other passions. All things baby didn't really fit into any of my other blogs, so I just made a new one!

If you'd like to join me, feel free to hop over and visit.

Tot School ~ BIG Brother!!!!

~Krash is currently 34 months old~

We are SO happy to say that Krash is THRILLED with his new sister!!! We weren't sure how he would react, but he has blown away any expectations we had. His response was adorable, these photos only capture a bit of his enthusiasm!!! He didn't get to visit her in the hospital because he was a bit sick, so this is the first time he had met her!!! He immediately went upstairs and got his beloved blankee and gave it to her!!!!!!! I got tears in my eyes when I saw him do that, he LOVES that blankee and doesn't go anywhere without it. It was the best way he knew to say, "I love you."

He was so gentle touching her and holding her...He tried to entertain her...He even brought her one of his (bedtime) papis, we then gave him a pink one and he was so happy to give it to her...He's had a few "I am not the baby anymore" moments, but they have actually been really cute and sweet. He is expressing himself in a way that is healthy and we are trying to respond with tons of love for him. I actually can't wait to have a "date" with just K, I miss him the most, as it was so hard for me to be with him a lot when I was sick.We are so incredibly blessed, in SO many ways. Thanks to all of you who prayed for our family, and for our precious baby girl-who by the way is the most perfect baby :).

• Read more about Tot Trays here!
• Visit our NEW SITE...Totally Tots!!!
• Want to see more Tot School posts? Click HERE!
• Visit our Tot School Webpage HERE
• Visit our Tot School Tools store HERE
• Tools for Tots HERE

If you have a tot (approximately ages 1-3) at home, join in the fun and share what you're doing with your tot! Here's how to get started if you're new...

If you've never read this: Go HERE 1st for more details- please do!!! Then if you have any ideas you'd like to share, link up your exact post to Mr Linky (if you have questions about how to do that, let me know in a comment or email-links to homepages will automatically be deleted).

New: when you add your name(blog name) to Mr. Linky will you put your tot's age (in months) after it, like this: 1+1+1=1 (34 mos)? I think this will help new readers a lot as they look for ideas for their specific aged tot!

If you are unsure of how to add your direct link to Mr Linky-I added a tutorial with photos here, scroll down to see it!

She is HOME!!!

Our little angel is all better! She was disconnected from everything, discharged to the well-baby nursery, slept in our room with us last night and came HOME with us today!!!! She is breastfeeding like a champ and we are all doing well! Thanks for your many supportive comments and prayers, we are SO blessed!

Here's a few photos from today...

She's Here!

Our little *Ladybug* is here! She was born on 4/14 at 2:33pm, weighing in at 7 lbs 4 oz. She was sent straight to the NICU because of breathing problems and she is still there. Things are looking up though--way up. She has already had her breathing tube down her throat removed as well as her central lines through her belly button. She has an IV in her foot and a little tube in her nose right now. It was a hard first 24 hours but our faith got us through and is getting us through. She is a trooper and is reacting well to all of the treatments.

One of my biggest concerns was her not breastfeeding and us having trouble. I am happy to say she nursed the last 2 feedings!!!! I am SO happy about this!

She has to make it to the 48 hour mark, which is tomorrow afternoon, and then hopefully she will be transferred to the well-baby nursery and then get to go home with us on Friday-that's our prayer!

Here's a few photos from our first days with her...

Tot School ~ Life School

~Krash is currently 34 months old~

Life is school for Krash right now! His life is about to change drastically...hopefully on Tuesday!!! We are scheduled for the amnio on Monday morning and if all is well, the c-section on Tuesday!!!! Krash is in for his world to be rocked, I can't wait to see how he reacts.

The only day my camera came out this past week was our one warm afternoon. We had fun playing outside together. Krash used bricks as cymbals...

Finally learned to blow bubbles on his own... and practiced playing catch with Daddy and Pac Man...It doesn't get much better than that for a little boy!

He also got to dye Easter eggs, which he really enjoyed this year...

Finally, this morning, he almost had his first experience singing up on stage at church, but he decided at the last minute it just wasn't time for his debut yet...After church was MUCH more fun!

• Read more about Tot Trays here!
• Visit our NEW SITE...Totally Tots!!!
• Want to see more Tot School posts? Click HERE!
• Visit our Tot School Webpage HERE
• Visit our Tot School Tools store HERE
• Tools for Tots HERE

If you have a tot (approximately ages 1-3) at home, join in the fun and share what you're doing with your tot! Here's how to get started if you're new...

If you've never read this: Go HERE 1st for more details- please do!!! Then if you have any ideas you'd like to share, link up your exact post to Mr Linky (if you have questions about how to do that, let me know in a comment or email-links to homepages will automatically be deleted).

New: when you add your name(blog name) to Mr. Linky will you put your tot's age (in months) after it, like this: 1+1+1=1 (34 mos)? I think this will help new readers a lot as they look for ideas for their specific aged tot!

If you are unsure of how to add your direct link to Mr Linky-I added a tutorial with photos here, scroll down to see it!

It worked!

Awhile back I signed up for this....

Of course I was unsure of it and a bit skeptical that a check would ever arrive. I am happy to say, that after completing some online surveys, I got my first $10.00 check in the mail, it is legit!!!

I know this has nothing to do with homeschooling, but if any of you are like me, $10 can help a bit! I thought I would share in case any of you want to give it a try. And YES I do get $$ for everyone who signs up (if you use my link)!!! So, there is a benefit to me also, but I wasn't going to share until my first check came in the mail and I made sure it worked! After you sign up, you can refer friends too. The surveys are always optional, they come into your email inbox and then you decide if you want to do it. Some you don't qualify for after a couple of ?s but they still give you 50 points for those. It takes 5000 points to earn $5.00. It's certainly not a get rich thing, but can bring in some pocket change for you!

New Blog Buttons

I have noticed that my original blog link buttons are a bit too big for some of your blogs, so I made a smaller set for those of you who want to use them, but have smaller sidebars on your blogs/sites. I made a page with the html links for all of them here, let me know if any of the codes don't work, I think I tested them all...but you never know!

Thanks to all of you who link back here somehow, I really appreciate it!

And a note on Tools for Tots,I am still adding your ideas to the main page, I just haven't made anything new myself. I get your links though! You can continue to add your links to the most recent Tools for Tots post...I get them via email that way!

Big Sale, EXTENDED!!

I know some of you missed this on the day it was valid but they extended the offer!!! If you missed it the first time, now's your chance, click on the link below, and at checkout Enter Coupon Code: 1409SOSUB to receive the great $14.09 price through April 8th!!!!Click here to get it for $14.09!!! That's for both the paper magazine and the digital copy-so you can read either place, this is regularly $41.95!!!!