My new digs...

I have loved my homeschooling experience.  This year we chose to enroll our two oldest full-time in the homeschooling umbrella school we have always worked with.  I'm home with our littlest enjoying this precious time.

For now, you can find me over at www.kitchensinkmom.com!  I hope you will stop over and follow me there.  I hope to share about faith, parenting, home management and much more (everything but the kitchen sink!).  Join me on my journey to fit it all in, at least the important things!

Hello World!

It's been a long time...my littles are almost done with 2nd grade and Kindergarten...and we've welcomed a new member to the family! Introducing our sweet little girl - Baby E!  

 I have homeschooled my kindergartener this year, and have so enjoyed this time with him.  My second grader has been going to a private/homeschool umbrella school four-days a week this, and is loving it.  Next year, they will both be in school four-days a week.  I have so enjoyed our homeschooling experience this past 3 years.

This week little E has started trying to roll over...except its mostly on accident and she doesn't like it.  She is three months old, sleeping through the night, and is such a joy.

She has also started laughing a little, instead of just those big-wide open grins.

Loving how are family looks now!  

{The Homeschool Mother's Journal 5 - Summer Edition}

In My Life This Week

This week we enjoyed a relaxing 4^th of July holiday.  I spent way less time on Twitter and Facebook (which is a good thing - trying to find a good balance).  We didn’t have any VBS this week for the first time in a while – which was nice.  I did a whole truck load of laundry, because…

Places We’re Going and People We’re Seeing

As I write this we are driving to Ohio – ROAD TRIP! (I am not driving and typing, just to be clear.)  We are looking forward to seeing Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends.  It is the first road trip I’ve taken with the kids (actually the first one I’ve taken as an adult).  So far so good…the kids have been super-duper considering the long day we have had.

My Favorite Thing This Week

We had the biggest turn-out yet at the parenting class we lead at church…22 people!  I love seeing couples that are willing to invest time and energy in improving their families.

Things I’m Working On

Not a whole lot - just enjoying the summer and making memories with my kids!

I’m Reading

Nothing in particular, other than the bible – who has time?

I’m Praying For

A sweet family that I have come to know through a mutual friend, were hit by a drunk driver on their vacation in Georgia on July 1.  They lost one of their precious daughters, and their other three children are still recovering in the hospital.  The littlest boy has a diagnosis of paralysis below the neck.  Please join me in praying for their continued healing and strength.

A Photo, Video, Link, or Quote to Share

This is precious to me!  It brings back sweet childhood memories...barefoot in real grass full of dandelions (at a KY rest stop).  Can't wait to have them catch some lightning bugs while we are up North!!

The Homeschool Village - Team Writer

I am thrilled to be a new member of the writing team at The Homeschool Village!




I will be participating in the Monday Preschool feature on the fourth Monday of each month.  I am beyond thrilled to be a part of this great team of writers.  Weekly features include how to's, unschooling, frugal homeschooling, special needs support, lapbooks and more!


Go on over and check out all the great articles and support they offer to homeschooling parents - and I'll look forward to seeing you there! 

Quick tip - Strawberries

Did you know a Wilton 1M Star decorating tip can perfectly remove the stems from strawberries?

So neato.  Do try this at home (and let your little ones help).

I saw this idea on Good Eats (been using it ever since)!

Scrapbooking our summer memories

What's not to love about scrapbooking?  

Especially when it's a summer activity to keep your new first grader busy.

And it's totally educational...art, spelling, handwriting, figuring out those rolly-scrapbook-tape-things (science?).

Only takes a few supplies (and a 40% off coupon to Joann's).  I bought a 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 pre-cut pad to make it easy for her to mat the photos.  Genius.

The final product - too cute for words and great memories!

Yes, she wrote "By Abigail B." on every page...completely adorable.

My daddy

My dad holds a special place in my heart.  I have fond childhood memories of him, even though, during that time in my life, he was not there very much.  My parents divorced when I was three years old, and so my early memories of my daddy were on Sundays when he would come pick me up.  I would look forward to those Sundays, and still remember our trips to the playground, the movies...and always to McDonald's for ice cream.  


Then around the age of 5, he moved away and I didn't see him much at all.  I don't like to bring up this time to him now, because I can tell it hurts his heart to even think about.  


One day, all of that changed.  It was after my grandmother had passed away, my dad was living with my grandfather.  He found a letter that my grandmother had written, something she had copied by hand onto a sheet of paper.  The letter talked about Jesus, who He is, and coming face to face with him.  That day my Heavenly Father reached down and changed my earthly father.  His life, and my life, were forever changed.


I moved from Ohio to Florida to live with my dad the summer of my seventh grade year.  It was the two of us until he remarried when I was 18.  I was raised by a bachelor, which is why my cleaning skills, to this day, aren't so hot!  Ha!  I had all the love and attention a daughter could hope for.

(My 30th birthday)

Now, my father is "papa" to my two little ones.  My daughter is 5, and just as in love with her papa as I was with my daddy.  He is redeeming the time with his grandchildren, and I love to see them together.


Our story is one that reminds me that it's never to late to change, it's never to late to make things right and have the relationships God intends for us to have.  


I'm so grateful for the great men I have in my life.  I'm truly thankful that my children have a wonderful father, and two doting grandfathers as examples of true men of God.