Are we that Family?

Have you ever seen two young people in love and thought, "wow they will have gorgeous children." Or saw a church directory and thought: "how in the world did THOSE two people make those beautiful children." Terrible. Horrible Shallow. I know I know.

I dont think I'm all that wonderful but I also dont hide under a paper bag. I think my husband is OK. I'm attracted to him. I think my kids look nice. They are mine and I like them. I dont turn away from framed pictures of them.

Every once in a while a good friend will look me square in the eye and explain that I have really beautiful children. OK. This has happened more than once. Are they surprised? Is this some odd encouraging word of affirmation someone somewhere suggested we say to people?

This weekend my husband and I saw several people that we hadnt seen in YEARS. Some not sicne our wedding. I got this statement a few times again. It wasnt a casual thing it was that look you square in the eye and state a fact that you JUST must hear.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN? I'll never know. Now that I've posed the question, you all will be squinting at my family photo and giggling. You'll think you need to say something encouraging or shoot me down in my attempt at getting compliments. I'll never know if we are one of those families.

Audio Books and reading out loud (a giveaway)

I love literature. I love books. My husband loves books. Literature shapes us and there is nothing like hearing a book read out loud to you. There was a period of time where I had surgery and my husband had a back injury, we read out loud. Most of the day. We read and read and enjoyed so much together. We both got on our feet again and were blessed with two more babies. Life got busier and busier.

Don't misunderstand, we read. We read and read and read. We read to our youngest children. Our older children read to younger children (and to each other) but there are also times when its just easier to turn on Sponge Bob. I want to make it easier to quickly get good literature.

Spurred on by June being national audio book month.  I wanted to set my 10 year daughter up with an Ipod of audio books but when I started looking online for downloads I had trouble finding ones worth reading/listening to.

I was contacted by Molly of My Audio School, which she founded in 2009 to "give children safe and easy internet access to classic audio books, educational radio drama and television and radio broadcasts of historic events." I was so so impressed by the site. It's content and quality are exemplary. While searching the internet myself I had trouble finding worthy titles, but once on My Audio School, I immediately wanted to listen to many. And I could. We could.


My Audio School came out of Molly's desire for her children. Molly has a son with dyslexia, she didn't let that stop him from having access to good literature and a good education. She has chosen titles and content for her site with amazing vigor. Vigor that our families can now benefit from. I am so grateful for that.

There are many areas in my life where I could improve. Many that I want to. Honestly though, sometimes there just isn't the time or energy or resources to figure out or implement these changes. Starting in June, our family will be exposed to and benefit and grow from more literature and more reading out loud thanks to My Audio School.

********AND guess what? My Audio School has generously offered a one year subscription (a $14.99 value) to one of our readers!!

to enter:
tell me a book from your childhood that stands out in your mind

extra entries:

<3 head over to my Audio School and come back to tell me one title you want to sink into right now
            Keep in mind that what you see listd is only a small fraction of what is available to members.
<3 like my Audio School on Facebook
<3 become a follower of this site

I will choose a winner (through random.org) on 6/30

Washcloths by Madelyn

Our 10 year old daughter Madelyn wants lip gloss and silly bands and other silly things. I was raised by two strict people who lived through the depression. I am cheap. beyond cheap. I also dont have money to spend on these things.


I am not crafty. I really like the idea of WAHM. Of "stealing" little snippets of time while babies nap and between drying tears and wiping noses to make small crafts etc to add to the families extra money. Trouble is that I am not crafty.

Madelyn has been in an amazing Girls Club for a few years now and has learned some really neat things: baking, knitting, jump rope, camping, quilling, needlepoint, painting and crochet.

She has been hoarding yarn under her bed. (in a sealed plastic container) It bugged me. I tried to find a good parenting moment here. I found a pattern that seemed easy enough and made some prototypes. She is making washcloths to sell. We talked about 10% going to her Girls Club dues, 20% for tithe and needing to pay for supplies. There is a homeschool craft fair in the Fall and we are preparing for that. Then I got carried away and thought about Etsy. And a logo and business cards and blog giveaways and.....

I also dropped and broke my camera.

Today I tried to get my act together for her and took some pictures with a lame camera and posted to Etsy. There will be matching ribbon tied sets soon, more (hopefuly better pictures) and if money comes in a logo and some giveaways. Maybe some money for lip gloss and silly bands and popscicles from the ice cream man.

Please do take a look. the Washcloths are well made and clean and very scrub worthy:)