• Fall Favorites

     
    Fall Favorites

    \\ Hello Pumpkin Mug // blanket scarf // knit throw // slippers // nail polish //

    twinkle lights // buffalo check rug // wreath // Pumpkin spice coffee // knit pillow //

    socks // pumpkin //

     
    I know, I know. Someone will say it’s too early for fall. Get that negativity out of here. You have to shop in advance, right? Preparedness is key. I love all things cozy in the fall. There are so many warm colors and cozy textures. I just love it all.
    Today feels like the perfect day to share these favorites. My windows are open. There is a cool breeze blowing through. My kids are sitting quietly at the table doing school work. I’m drinking a cup of pumpkin spice coffee. Scott brought me a gift for the first day of school…  pumpkin spice coffee creamer. He speaks my language and I love him for it.
    So, lets dive in. I love twinkle lights. I don’t really burn candles anymore because they are full of toxins. (I saw you roll your eyes.) I miss the cozy light though, so twinkle lights take their place. You can put them just about anywhere to get the cozy light. Wrap them around a wreath. Put them inside of a wicker pumpkin. Put them inside of a pretty glass vase. I also put Thieves oil or any other spice oil (clove, nutmeg, cinnamon) in the diffuser to get that wonderful scent.
    Cozy slippers, socks, blankets, and pillows are also key for fall. Big chunky scarfs are a great way to layer some warmth without adding too much. Some people really struggle with blanket scarfs, so any cozy scarf will do. I also really love the buffalo check rug. You can layer your normal welcome mat over the top and it is so pretty. I want one in every room.
    I also love a good fall mug and pretty nail polish. I can’t wait to have some real pumpkins decorating our house as well. We try to save those for closer to the actual season of fall though.
    What are some of your favorite fall items or activities? Is it too early to even think about fall for you?
     

  • Port Huron, Michigan

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    In our 7+ years of living in Michigan, Port Huron is my favorite place that we got to explore. The water is so beautiful and blue. You can see right down to the bottom. Just across the water is Canada. In fact, the Blue Water Bridge to/from Canada was over us when I took this picture.
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    The girls always call Lake Huron the ocean, which cracks me up. It’s bluer than the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s unsalted. It quite literally takes my breath away every time we pull up to the water and I catch a glimpse. I could sit and stare at it all day.
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    We sat and took it all in for a while before we headed to grab lunch. Our favorite place to go is the Raven Cafe. They have SUCH delicious food, and it’s in such a cool building. We used to go when we lived in Michigan, and have returned every time we visit the area. It’s that good. The people are that awesome.
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    There is art everywhere.. I love the whole vibe of the place. They have the best grilled reuben. Their chai tea chiller is so good. So, so good.
    Once we devoured lunch, we headed to the beach. One thing that you NEED to know about Port Huron beaches is that most of them are rocky. Water shoes are needed if you want to be able to move comfortably. I wore my Tevas in the water without problems. Scott ended up putting on socks to dull the pain. It seriously is SO painful if you aren’t prepared. ha!
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    Since the beach sits close to where the river begins, you get to see tons of huge barges coming and going.
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    This particular beach sits next to the Fort Gratiot lighthouse. We have yet to go up in it since we never remember that you have to wear close toed shoes. Who wears those to the beach?
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    We moved up the coast a little bit and found a tiny slice of beach that was practically empty. It is a public beach sandwiched between two sections of private beach. It’s not as rocky, and the water didn’t have the same current as the bigger beach.
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    Soak that in. The clear water. The beautiful rocks beneath. The blue.. so much blue. Every time we go, I fall more and more in love. I have seen three of the five great lakes, and Lake Huron is my favorite so far.
    I hope that if you are ever in Michigan, you can visit Port Huron. If you do, you must stop in at the Raven Cafe! Also, find this house and if it’s ever for sale let me know!
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    I will share more about our trip another day. For now, you can soak in the ten million pictures of this beautiful city with me.
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  • My New Favorite Shampoo and Conditioner

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    I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

    I have been on the hunt for a good, clean shampoo and conditioner for quite some time. Two years ago, I dyed my hair platinum blonde and it got destroyed. My hair had never been so unhealthy, and it’s been a long process of restoring the health and stopping the breakage. When Moms Meet contacted me about trying Desert Essence anti-breakage shampoo and conditioner, I jumped at the opportunity!
    Honestly, I always get a little afraid. What if I hate the product and have to write that?! I won’t ever be dishonest or deceitful in what I share with you.Thankfully, that was not the case. I have been using Desert Essence Shampoo and Conditioner for several weeks and LOVE it!! I’ll have a special discount for you later so you can give it a try for less!
    Here are some facts about Desert Essence Anti-Breakage Shampoo and Conditioner:
    – It is infused with an exclusive blend  that helps reduce breakage by up to 61%. There is biotin right in the product, which is what you get when you buy any vitamins for your hair!
    – It is rich in nourishing jojoba and coconut oils, aloe, and saw palmetto, which smooth and fortify hair cuticles and revitalize hair strands to minimize breakage.
    – The botanical oils and radish seed extract provide shine!
    – The aloe and moisturizing shea butter in the Anti-Breakage Conditioner help de-tangle and condition hair.
    Another fun fact- Desert Essence was the first company to bring Jojoba oil into the marketplace! So cool!
     
    The shampoo lathers up really nicely and leaves my hair feeling clean. The conditioner is thick and creamy. I love that when I am done washing and conditioning my hair, I don’t feel any build-up. Do you know what I mean? Some conditioners leave behind a lot of build-up that feels so gross and weighs down your hair.  My hair just feels fresh and clean. It feels smooth and much less frizzy than it had been. After having such badly damaged hair, it is so nice for it to feel healthy again.
    I am sure that you are wondering about the scent. I always want my hair to smell nice. There is not a fruity or spicy scent– it’s just clean and fresh. Are you noticing a theme? I really love the way my hair smells after I wash it.
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    Earlier, I said that I had been on the hunt for good, CLEAN shampoo and conditioner. I don’t want a bunch of hormone disruptive and unnecessary ingredients in my bath products. Every Desert Essence product is rated incredibly well on the Think Dirty app. While the anti-breakage shampoo and conditioner and not specifically rated YET, I feel really good about using a brand that’s worst score is a 4; most of the time just for fragrances that may trigger allergy or asthma problems.
    If you are unfamiliar with the score system, ten is the worst. Each product gets a score and a green, yellow, or red color for how harmful the ingredients are. Most of the Desert Essence products are a ZERO! How awesome is that! Desert Essence really cares about the ingredients that are put into their products. Each one serves a purpose. The Anti-Breakage Shampoo and Conditioner is also gluten-free.
    Now, I know that many people roll their eyes at this. “It goes on your skin. Who cares what’s in it?” Did you know that EVERYTHING that you put on your skin (including your scalp) can be found in your bloodstream after a certain amount of time; some as early as 26 seconds after application? THAT is why you should care. That is why I am passionate about products like this. We put tons of chemicals onto our skin that get in our blood stream, and then wonder why everyone is so sick and infertility is so common. At some point, we have to say enough is enough. Speak with your dollars, and only spend your money on the products that aren’t harming us and our children.
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    You can find Desert Essence at Natural Grocers, Lucky’s Market, MOM’s Organic Market, and many other local natural food stores. If you want to find it in your area, visit desertessence.com/store-locator. My readers can take 20% off Anti-Breakage and Smoothing Hair Care Products on dessertessence.com with the promo code DELovesMomsMeet
    Please let me know if you have any other questions about Desert Essence Anti-Breakage shampoo and conditioner. Let me know if you give it a try! I’d love to hear what you think!
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  • Stove Top Popcorn with Malaysian Palm Oil

    Malaysian Palm OIl
    I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

    We have been cooking up stove top popcorn in our house for a couple of years now. I never knew just how simple it was until I finally gave it a try. The one downside is that my family isn’t a big fan of the traditional cooking oil used for this. Enter Malaysian Palm Oil. Have you ever heard of it? This was a new product to me, and I was thrilled to learn about it.
    I’ll tell you more about it later. Trust me, it will blow your mind. You know I am all about health and wellness.

    Here is the lineup:
    3 Tablespoons of Malaysian Palm Oil
    1/2 cup of popcorn kernels
    salt to taste
    1. Pour the oil and popcorn kernels into a deep pan or pot with a lid. Admire the beautiful red palm oil, because it’s such a gorgeous color.
    2. Place the pot (or pan) over medium high heat with the lid vented slightly. Lift the pot and shake periodically while it heats and cooks. Listen and watch for the popcorn to pop. It will begin popping vigorously.
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    3. When the popping slows, remove it from heat. It will continue popping for a little bit, so be cautious. When the popping is stopped, remove the lid and add salt. You can also do fancy spice combinations if that is your thing. My kids and husband like the basics.
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    Look at how golden that oil is! There is no butter on this popcorn; only Malaysian Palm Oil and a sprinkle of salt. This recipe made plenty for our family, so if you are making it for just yourself, definitely cut the recipe down by 1/3.

     
    Now for some facts about Malaysian Palm Oil!

    • Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil is trans fat free and rich with nutrients- how awesome to have an oil with benefits!
    • Most of the palm oil used in the US is is sustainably grown and produced in Malaysia.
    • Palm oil is non-GMO and ideal for high-temperature cooking.
    • A one-acre palm oil plantation produces 11 times more oil than a one-acre soybean field. SUSTAINABLE.
    • Malaysia is a very progressive, environmentally friendly country. By the end of 2019, the country plans to have 100% of its palm oil certified sustainable.
    • Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil comes in golden and red varieties. Red Palm oil is particularly rich in nutrients, such as vitamin E.
    • Sustainable Malaysian Palm oil IS compliant with the Autoiummune Paleo diet!
    • Malaysian Palm Oil is cholesterol free!

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    I had to share this nutrition information! This is a great way to work in beta-carotene for those with an allergy to other sources. It is also full of vitamin E, which is great for healthy skin/hair/nails and building up the immune system. It is always best to get your vitamins from natural sources first.

    Like I said before, Malaysian Palm Oil is great for high heat cooking– up to 450 degrees. Scott has been brushing it on the grill to keep our food from sticking, and it has been working great! It is so much better than using other grill sprays that are full of chemicals.
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    Run, don’t walk, to get yourself some Malaysian Palm Oil and enjoy the many health and taste benefits! Let me know if you give it a try! I would love to hear your thoughts.
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  • Plum Paper Homeschool Planner Review

    **UPDATE 12/29/18: Plum Paper has made a recent change. I cannot send you a discount if you have already set up an account with them. If you would like me to e-mail you a discount code, let me know what e-mail is available to receive a discount. I can still send codes and would love to send YOU one. **
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    I am so excited to share this Plum Paper planner with you! These planners are completely customizable! I LOVE that they offer a homeschooling version, as the options are incredibly limited for those of us who homeschool.
    Let’s start with the cover. They offer so many options for prints and colors on the front cover- florals, stripes, geometric prints, teacher quotes, etc. The year, name, and school name are all optional. It is free to customize however you want. There are so many different shapes, colors, and fonts to choose from when it comes to the customization. The cover is tear proof, water resistant, and super sturdy.
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    You also get to choose what month your 12 month planner will start at. Mine is set up to start in August of this year, since our first day of school is August 13th. I love how colorful everything is!
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    This is what the first page of each month looks like. I love that we can set goals for each month, and have all of the important information all together on one page.
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    Each month also has the usual monthly layout. This is great for keeping track of field trips and special activities, along with holidays and school breaks. Then, it’s broken down into weekly planning. We use Abeka homeschool curriclum, and it is easy to write which lesson we will be doing each day. I like to color code things, so I use the girls’ favorite colors for their lesson plan. There is room for 6 subjects each week, along with a place for checklists and notes.
    Now, for the homeschool pages:
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    Isn’t that beautiful! All for homeschooling families! I added an extra homeschool section to mine for an additional $2, so I have a section for each of the girls. There is also an attendance record page, which is really great for those of you who live in a state where you have to log your hours. I love that this is a planner and grade book in one.
    There are also sections for notes and checklists, which you can add more pages to if you’d like for a few extra dollars.
     
     
     

    Plum Paper planners are incredible. You can go to their website and see just how many options are available. They also have this planner for teachers, and offer normal planners for those of you who just love to be organized.
    If you are wanting to purchase something, leave your e-mail in the comments section (or shoot me an email at myfourarrowsblog@gmail.com) and I can send you a 10% discount!
     
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    I was given a slight discount in exchange for my honest review. All opinions and photos are my own.

  • Be Kind to Companies

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    I took a poor quality photo to share something with you. These items were all free. If you notice, they are organic, gluten free, natural foods. For. Free.
    The Solera fruit bars were a coupon that Kroger offered. Brazi Bites had a free coupon that you could register. These GF bread balls are seriously so good, and I genuinely love them. I’ve had them before. Yum. (Check out Hip2Save.com to find free products and samples) The other products were all free from me reaching out to companies that I LOVE and telling them so.
    Something that I learned a few years ago was that if you e-mail companies, they typically will send you coupons. Here’s the thing though. I don’t believe in e-mailing every company claiming that you like them just to get coupons. That’s dishonest and wrong. I only e-mail the brands that my family uses and loves a lot. If there is a product out there that I want to try, I’ll e-mail the company and be truthful. I tell them that I haven’t tried their product, but would like to. Then, I ask if they ever offer any coupons. Most of the time, they will e-mail a coupon back to you.
    I don’t know if every company sends everyone the same things, so don’t be upset with me (or them) if you get anything different. Maybe I just have a way with words. HA! (kidding)
    HappyFamily is the brand that sent me coupons for the free pouches and snacks. Harper is obsessed with applesauce pouches. I still like to buy the baby food pouches for her because I know she will get more variety of nutrients– just in case anyone wondered why I got baby food. She wouldn’t quit stealing them while I was trying to get a picture, so this is what I got.
    I love Perfect Bar. They are REAL FOOD bars that you keep in the fridge. They have tons of protein and nutrients, and I like to eat them for breakfast. I asked them if they would like to partner up, and I would share their brand on my social media. They sent me a couple of free bar coupons, and I shared that I was eating them for breakfast on my Instagram stories. I had shared that I was eating them for breakfast before that, so it wasn’t really abnormal for me. haha!
    Hellmann’s mayonnaise is my jam. I love mayo. They sent me THREE free product coupons when I raved about how much I love them. And, if you know me, you know that I literally rave about mayo.
    Silk and SoDelicious sent me three $1 off coupons each. These are great for us because of Harper’s dairy allergy, and are some of the brands we buy most often. They are under the parent company of WhiteWave Foods, so if there are any other brands of their you like, I imagine you’d get something similar from each.
    Daiya is a brand of vegan cheese, yogurt, macaroni, salad dressing, etc. This has been our go-to for Harper so that she can have the same food we are eating; just adjusted some. I contacted them quite a while ago, so I can’t exactly remember the coupons. I want to say that they sent a couple of $1 off coupons.
    Back to Nature sent me a few $1 off coupons. They have lots of really yummy snacks and soups.
    Annie’s homegrown is a brand that is ALWAYS in my house. Always. They respond with a link to where you can print coupons out on your own.
    Now, my favorite. I LOVE International Delight coffee creamer. I know some people like black coffee. You do you. Me, I love some creamer. I e-mailed international delight when we were living with my parents. I don’t remember what I said to them. They sent me a few $1 off coupons. Then, a month or two later, a package showed up at my parents’ house. I was really confused because I hadn’t ordered anything. I opened it up, and they had sent me a coffee mug, earbuds, crochet coffee cups, a book full of inspirational and funny quotes, and a coupon for a free creamer. I’m not sure why, but it made my day. I felt really special.
    Some companies will simply respond with a “thank you” and say that they will pass my kind words on to their team. Either way, I genuinely love the brands that I am reaching out to. If my words only solicit making them feel good, I am totally ok with that. It feels good to lift others up; even people that are a part of a big company.
    I will be sure to update this if I get any more coupons. I encourage you to reach out to brands that you love and tell them how much you appreciate what they are doing. It feels really good to spread some sunshine.
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  • Sustainable Kitchen

    I know Earth Day isn’t until next month, but we should start being responsible NOW. Plastic is a huge problem, and recycling isn’t the total solution. This video was really eye opening.  We absolutely should be recycling, so don’t misunderstand what I am saying. Responsible recycling is so important. But, trying to eliminate waste is the best solution.
    I’m going to share some of my favorite products that we use in our kitchen to eliminate waste; since most of our waste comes from there.
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    Stasher Bags– I know I’ve shared these before. They are pricey, so just buy one at a time when you can afford it. They are so thick and well made. They have the easiest zipper to use BY FAR. I’ve tried several brands, and this one is the winner. They come in three sizes, which is awesome. You can put them in the oven, freezer and dishwasher. I put them on a drying rack to make sure they are completely dry before storing it away. But, honestly, it goes from use to use.
    Produce Bags– I love these. My only issue is consistently remembering to take them to the store. I prefer to pick my own produce rather than grab pre-packaged produce. I can make sure I’m not buying beat up fruit and veggies. These are really soft, and there are so many sizes. (At the time I am posting this, there is a 5% off coupon that you can clip.)
    Water Bottle–  (15% off with this link) Water bottles are probably the biggest culprit of plastic clogging up landfills. A stainless steel water bottle keeps your water cold. Get a cute one that you love, and you are much more likely to use it.
    K-cup– This is a cheaper way to enjoy a single serve cup of coffee, and you waste a whole lot less. I also just discovered this coffee company that has a compostable k-cup. I bought some of their coffee and it is delicious!!! (Salted Caramel is the best.)
    Cloth Napkins– I love using cloth napkins. I’m admittedly a messy eater. How Scott didn’t leave me sitting at the table alone on our first date, I will never know. I go through a LOT of paper napkins in one meal. Cloth napkins work so much better. Plus, there are so many cute patterns. I watched the end caps at Target, and was able to get a lot of cheap napkins that way.
    Bee’s Wrap– Full disclosure- I have NOT tried this yet, but want to so badly. I’ve seen tutorials for making your own. I just need to find the right fabric. This would be great for wrapping around fresh bread.
    Glass food storage– I love my pyrex food storage containers. The don’t stain like plastic does, which is a huge win for me. This set is on sale right now for a great price!!
    Other tips are the obvious avoid using paper plates and paper towels as much as possible. Also, start a compost pile. It doesn’t have to be huge. Throw your food scraps in the compost bin/pile/whatever. They break down and are so good for the soil.
    We have made these small steps over several years. Change isn’t always easy. It’s hard to get used to using reusable zip bags instead of grabbing a plastic baggie and throwing it away when you’re done. I’ve loved the money we have saved in the long run. Napkins aren’t super expensive, but the savings add up over 8 years!
    Is there anything you would add? Do you already use any of these in your own home?
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  • Book Review- Girl, Wash Your Face


    Rachel Hollis is probably the most relatable insta-famouse person. She gets frequent blow-outs and gets to go to the Oscars, but she also admits to peeing her pants. She feels like she could be my way-more-glamorous best friend. But, not the kind of friend that makes you feel inferior. She is just so real and hilarious.  If you don’t follow her on Instagram, you should.
    When she announced that she was writing a book, I knew I had to get on it right away. I pre-ordered Girl, Wash Your Face.. and waited. I honestly didn’t fully know what to expect. I just know that I like Rachel, and she always inspires me.
    I did not expect to get slapped upside the head with so many good things. The premise of this book is that Rachel breaks down 20 lies that she used to tell herself. These are lies that most women tend to believe in one way or another. She shares how she overcame these lies and has become the inspiring woman she is today. She shares the gritty and uncomfortable. She makes you laugh. She makes you cry. She makes you feel like a fire has been lit under your rear end.

    “if you’re unhappy, that’s on you.”

    Ouch, girl. That hurts.
    How often do we spend in our lives saying “I’ll be happy when..”
    If you aren’t happy now, you sure aren’t going to be happy when you lose 15 pounds, or meet the man of your dreams, or land your dream job. Your happiness is ultimately up to you.
    My happiness is ultimately up to me. I always feel like I can’t get comfortable and happy because my life could be uprooted at any time.  It gets uprooted constantly. Then, what? I have to leave all that happiness behind to become miserable and start chasing happiness all over again. So, what have I done? I’ve allowed myself to just stay in this miserable mindset because it is so much easier than being happy to have a sudden shift again.  I don’t allow myself to get excited about things, because they could, and probably will change.

    “Sit down and decide what’s really important to you. Not what’s important to your mother-in-law or your girlfriends… Decide what’s really important to you.”

    This. Is. Key.
    If I listened to what everyone else said, there are so many things that I would be doing differently. There are also times that I did listen to others, and regretted it.
    You want to know my biggest regret? Changing my major from interior design after only a semester. I changed it because I worried what people would think. “That’s not a real career and I could never make it.” I LOVED my design classes. For the first time in college, I was having fun. I was super intimidated to be in classes with all of these ultra cool men and women. But, it was so fun. I let what I thought people would think change it all. Don’t let what other people think define what you do.
    These were two of my biggest takeaways from the book. Almost every chapter resonated with me in some way. There is a chapter where she talks about how she reached a point of saying “I NEED a glass of wine”. I don’t drink, but I just replaced that with any other crutch I use in my life. I need to feel like I belong, so I’m going to go waste too much time on social media. *eye rolls all around*
    I read this book much more slowly than the others I have read this year. I knew I needed to slow down and soak in what I was reading.
    I guess what I am saying is, you need to pick up what Rachel is laying down. It doesn’t matter if you are married or single, a mom, never want to have babies..whatever. You need this message. You need a kick in the pants to know that you are enough. You are worthy. You CAN do hard things.
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  • Book Review- To All the Boys I've Loved Before


    I have deviated from my initial list of 10 books I’ll read in 2018. We took a trip to the Library.. That’s really all that needs said. I read a book for this blind date thing the library is doing. They wrapped up several books in kraft paper, and put a little note on the front with a short synopsis of the story. If you read and review a book, you are entered to win a prize. I got this book. It was really good, but not something I’d typically read.
    I also saw that To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before was finally in stock, so I snatched it up. Janssen has recommended it a lot. I mean A LOT. She loves it, and she has never once steered me wrong before. Here is her review.
    This book is Young Adult fiction. What I love about young adult chick lit is that it’s typically not trashy. I’m not a fan of romance novels. I’m not a fan of books that make me feel like I need to take a hot shower after to wash away the filth. Just HEARING about 50 shades makes me want to take a shower and cry for anyone who thinks that is romance.
    Lara Jean is a teenager whose mother passed away when she was young. She has two sisters, and is the middle child. Her older sister, Margot, goes off to college, which leaves her “in charge” of many of the motherly duties.
    She has written letters to every boy she has ever loved over the course of time. They are essentially goodbye letters when she no longer loves them. One day, her letters are mysteriously mailed out to these boys. It makes her life a whole lot more interesting as the boys who receive these letters confront her. Some reveal that they liked her also. Some still do.
    I don’t want to give away a lot of the story, because that is where the fun is.
    I know a lot of people roll their eyes at teen love stories. Me? I married my high school sweetheart. I found myself literally smiling through much of the book because it made me think of the time spent dating Scott. Lara Jean’s curfew is 1 AM though, and mine was 10 PM. haha!
    This really is a delightful story. I finished reading the book in two days. As soon as Scott got home from work, I went to the library to check out the second in the series. I was seriously disappointed when it was already checked out. I grabbed the third one and read it in less than 24 hours. Now, I wait for my hold on P.S. I Still Love You to come in. Though, I really should just buy them all at some point, because I want to read them over and over again!
    If you are looking for a fun read, I cannot recommend this book enough.
    A move is currently being made, too!! My image of Margot looking like Sadness from Inside Out is going to be ruined..which will be a good thing!
    I have read 5 books so far this year. I just started Girl, Wash your Face today and am ready to be blown away with inspiration.
    What are some good books that you have read lately?
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  • Homeschool Update

    Happy Thursday!!
    I have to start every post that way so that I can remember what day it actually is. I feel like the days have started to just blend together. Harper has been battling some virus that has left her super congested. She had a very croupy cough for a few days, and now the other stuff is just left behind. It makes it difficult for her to sleep well, obviously, so we don’t sleep well either.
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    She thought that getting a breathing treatment was super amusing. I’m glad she thinks it’s fun instead of torture.
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    As you know, I homeschool the big girls. We use Abeka curriculum this year, and it is my favorite. I’ve tried a different curriculum every year- in a search for one that works best for us. I love Abeka. If you don’t know, there is an actual Abeka academy where they teach classes. It is also the curriculum taught in most Christian schools. They do streaming or DVDs of the classes at the academy that you can purchase for a hefty amount of money. We didn’t purchase these, but they sent an e-mail offering a free 15 day trial of streaming. Sign. Me. Up. We have had stuff going on every weekend, leaving me feeling frazzled and unprepared for the week ahead.
    It has been life-changing for this month. The girls have been so excited to watch their classes each day. I fully believe that the excitement will wear off quickly, but for now I am thoroughly enjoying it. Everything is exciting when it’s new. I think we are going to try and save up to buy them next school year.
    I have been able to go back and start phonics from the beginning for one of my children that struggles with that area. I’ve observed the teacher’s tricks for teaching the rules, etc. and it will help me teach her a lot better, since I don’t remember ALL of the tricks we learned in school. (Do you?)
    img_2940This sneaky stinker finds a way to get into trouble during school. She got sprinkles and had dumped them everywhere. I found her like this in her bedroom. It’s a good thing she is cute.
    All of this to say, I think Abeka will be the winner for our homeschool from now on. It was always recommended, but so expensive that I tried to find something else. If you are interested in Abeka, you can e-mail them and ask about a trial of their video streaming. There are also sample videos that you can check out. There are a lot of worksheets with this curriculum, but that really helps to reinforce what is being taught.
    This is absolutely not sponsored at all, I just want to share what we love because I have many friends that are thinking about homeschooling their kids. I’m happy to answer any questions that I can, but I am certainly not an expert!
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