In “4 Sanctified Rhythms to Rejuvenating Order To Chaos Heart And Home,” this blog post offers Christian homeschooling moms a heartfelt guide to creating structure and purpose in their chaotic lives. It emphasizes the importance of establishing intentional rhythms that nurture both the home environment and spiritual growth. By integrating practical strategies for Bible study, lesson planning, and household management, moms can transform feelings of overwhelm into a thriving, faith-centered homeschooling experience.
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Holiday Magic Continues: Top Gifts for Boys That Are Perfect Anytime!
Christmas Gifts for My Boys: A Joyful Celebration of Play
This Christmas, I had the pleasure of finding some amazing gifts for my four boys, aged 8, 6, 4, and 2. Each gift was chosen with their unique interests in mind, and I couldn’t be more excited to share what I got them! From imaginative play to physical activity, these gifts are sure to keep them engaged and entertained throughout the year.
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1. LEGO Car and Space Sets
For my older boys, I picked out some fantastic LEGO sets that cater to their love for building and creativity. The LEGO City Explorer Space Rover is a standout choice. It transforms into both a space shuttle and an off-road rover, allowing them to embark on intergalactic adventures right from our living room. With features like a retractable grabber arm and shooting cannons, this set promises hours of imaginative play.
Additionally, I found a LEGO Speed Champion that allows them to build their dream vehicles. These sets not only enhance their fine motor skills but also encourage teamwork as they work together to create intricate designs.
2. Balance Bike
For my 4-year-old, I chose a balance bike to help him develop his coordination and confidence on two wheels. It’s the perfect way for him to learn balance before transitioning to a pedal bike. Plus, it encourages outdoor play and physical activity, which is essential for his development. Watching him zoom around the yard has been a joy!
3. Sleeping Queens
A fun addition to our family game nights is Sleeping Queens, a delightful card game that my 6-year-old loves. The game combines strategy with a bit of luck, making it engaging for both kids and adults alike. It’s a great way for us to bond as a family while also helping the boys develop critical thinking skills in a fun environment.
4. Outfoxed!
Another game that has quickly become a favorite is Outfoxed!, which is perfect for my 8-year-old. This cooperative whodunit game encourages teamwork as players work together to solve the mystery of who stole the pot pie. It’s not only entertaining but also promotes communication and problem-solving skills among the kids.
5. Book Series
To foster a love for reading, I picked up a series of books that cater to each boy’s reading level. From picture books for my 2-year-old to chapter books for my 8-year-old, these stories will ignite their imaginations and encourage them to explore new worlds through literature.
Check out my Amazon Storefront for the several books they received this Christmas for fun Family read-aloud series!
6. Fisher-Price Ride-On Pirate Ship
This awesome toy doubles as a ride on and Pirate Ship imaginative play piece with endless play opportunities your child is sure to enjoy hours of fun!
Lastly, I couldn’t resist getting the Fisher-Price Play ‘n Scoot Pirate Ship for my youngest. This ride-on toy is perfect for imaginative play as he sails the high seas in search of treasure! With its vibrant colors and interactive features, it’s sure to be a hit during playtime.
Conclusion
This Christmas was all about thoughtful gifts that cater to each child’s interests while promoting creativity, physical activity, and family bonding. I can’t wait to see how these gifts inspire play and learning in the coming months! Each gift not only brings joy but also helps my boys grow in different ways—what more could a parent ask for?
New Year’s Resolutions: Setting and Achieving Realistic Goals
As the New Year unfolds, it brings with it a sense of renewal and the perfect opportunity to reflect on our past experiences. Many of us are eager to set resolutions that inspire growth and positive change. However, the challenge often lies not in the desire to improve, but in how we approach these goals. In this post, we’ll explore practical strategies for setting realistic New Year’s resolutions that you can actually stick to.
From utilizing the SMART criteria to breaking down larger goals into manageable tasks, we’ll provide you with actionable steps to help you stay motivated throughout the year. Whether you are aiming to enhance your health, boost your productivity, or culture new skills, these insights will empower you to make meaningful progress. Let’s embark on this journey together and turn those ambitious resolutions into achievable milestones.
Turning Your Fashion Illustration Passion into a Profitable Career
Being a fashion illustrator allows you to combine your artistic talents with your love for style and design. While it’s a highly competitive field, there is a huge demand for skilled fashion illustrators who can bring a designer’s vision to life. If you have a natural gift for rendering figures and capturing the essence of clothing, you may be able to turn your fashion illustration passion into a full-time career.
The first step is to master the technical skills required. This includes learning how to draw the human form and clothing accurately from various angles. You’ll need to understand how different fabrics drape and move on the body. Studying fashion design, color theory, and trend forecasting will help you create illustrations that resonate. It’s also crucial to develop your own unique illustration style through experimentation.
Once you’ve honed your skills, there are several avenues to explore for making a living as a fashion illustrator:
1) Freelancing for Fashion Houses and Designers
Many high-end fashion houses and designers hire freelance illustrators to bring their clothing concepts and collections to life through illustrations. As a freelancer, you can build a portfolio showcasing your ability to capture a brand’s aesthetic through your illustrations. Having this specialized experience can lead to ongoing freelance gigs or even a full-time position.
2) Working for Advertising Agencies and Magazines
Advertising agencies often need fashion illustrators to create conceptual illustrations for campaigns. Similarly, fashion magazines hire illustrators to provide illustrations for editorial features and advertisements. This type of work requires a versatile illustration style to bring different client visions to life.
3) Selling Products with Your Illustrations
Another option is to create your own product line featuring your unique illustration style. For example, you could design and sell apparel, accessories, home goods, and more featuring your fashion-inspired illustrations. E-commerce platforms like Etsy and your own website can help sell these products.
This is where I focus making money with fashion illustration. To have your own style and market that is key to this path. You can see more on this in my article here.
4) Teaching Fashion Illustration
If you love to share your knowledge, you could teach fashion illustration courses at local colleges, art schools, or online learning platforms. This allows you to pass on your skills while earning a living from your expertise.
No matter which path you choose, having an outstanding online portfolio showcasing your best fashion illustrations is key. Promote your work through social media and build a following to attract clients and customers. With dedication and perseverance, you can absolutely make a living doing what you love as a fashion illustrator.
One of my favorite fashion illustrators is
Holly Nichols be sure to check her out.
A prayer for June
Do you feel like change needs to happen in you? no? what about in your city? the nation? your neighbor or the world as a whole? Have you ever tried to change and realized you were fighting a losing battle? Prayer changes things.
“The prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can achieve.” James 5:16
In the last year, I have come to realize how hard it is for us to change. This is regardless of our best intentions and best attempts. I have come to realize that the only way to change is to go to the source of our lives, the rock. God. We do this through prayer, repentance, and faith. We do it consistently and with thanksgiving, knowing that He will hear our prayers and answer.
So for this month, I have made a prayer calendar. Simple prompts for the day to pray for revival, a pouring out of God’s spirit in me and others. I wanted to share it with you. Join me in praying for God to change what we cannot change, ourselves, because if we want this world to be different we have to be different.
Homeschool Routine with Three under Four
How to get a productive homeschool daily rhythm with small children
Have you ever been told you aren’t good enough?
There have been so many times in my life when I have doubted myself. Doubted my worth, doubted my place in this life. What is the purpose? Why am I here?
Over the years things have stuck out to me. One of the biggest things ever said to me came from my sister. I was in a relationship that was abusive and demeaning. I was giving everything, pouring myself out, trying to make it work thinking that it was all I deserved. That this was the best I could get. Then one day, I went to lunch with my sister, and she said, “Blessing, you know you deserve better than this.”
And, I looked at her and asked her what I had been afraid to ask before, “why?”
Without missing a beat, “Because you are God’s daughter. You are a princess of the King of Kings.”
At that moment, Heaven met Earth piercing my heart and soul, Like a lightening bolt. Yes, I am a Daughter of the King and as such I deserve what royalty deserves. I deserve respect and love and care. I deserve more than abuse and self loathing.
It was like this whole time I had been holding onto a burning coal. Fighting and fighting to keep it in my hand because I thought that I deserved it. I had asked for it, so I don’t deserve to let it go. Then she came along and said to me simply, you don’t have to do this anymore. You can let go and live in freedom.
I don’t know if I left there that day and something immediately changed. But, I do know that this was the beginning of knowing that I could leave. That there was better out there for me. Not because of anything I had done or could do but simply because I am a daughter of the King of Kings.
If no one has told you, I am here to tell you today the same thing. You are the Daughter of the King. He loves you very much, so much so that He died for you. He gave His life so that you could live better than this.
Daughter, Sister, Friend, breath that truth in. You deserve more than what you thought. You deserve love and kindness, and respect. You are worthy of that. Not because of anything you can or can’t do. Not because you are a woman or your station in life. You deserve more because someone paid the highest price for you.
The value of something is what someone is willing to pay for that. Your value is the life of the God of the Universe. He lived the perfect spotless life, and took your punishment. He came and took the coal from you that was burning you and destroying you, and has set you free. Walk in that freedom today!
You are a treasure in the arms of Christ!
Lyrics from my favorite song at that time:
Forgiven by Sanctus Real
Well, the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I’m reminded of the wrong that I have said and done
And that devil just won’t let me forgetIn this life, I know what I’ve been
But here in Your arms, I know what I am
I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry the weight of who I’ve been
‘Cause I’m forgiven My mistakes are running through my mind
And I relive my days in the middle of the night
And I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry
And in this life, I know what I’ve been
But here in Your arms, I know what I am
I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry the weight of who I’ve been
‘Cause I’m forgivenWhen I don’t fit in
And I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
When I don’t measure up to much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ’
Cause I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry the weight of who I’ve been
‘Cause I’m forgiven
What Liberties are we giving up because of COVID 19
As we enter a new age, do you wonder what the future looks like? Have you thought at all about the constitution and the freedoms you have as an American citizen? The horror that people read about with the Wuhan lock down, yet we are headed in that direction if we don’t stand. What Libertities have we given up in the name of being safe?
On March 11th, a day I will well remember because my third son was born that day, the WHO declared COVID 19 a Global Pandemic. Slowly, as time has unraveled what that meant we have spiraled through an extraordinary catastrophe of our freedoms infringed upon and our rights slowly taken away.
What do I mean? Did you know that you are Constitutionally allowed to gather in Public Places?
First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Some argue that the right to assemble only goes toward petitioning the government. That, however, is not the case based on how our Founding Fathers wrote it. You can read more about that here.
Why have we been so quick to sit in our homes and wait for someone to save us from such a “deadly” virus. The population of our country and the numbers that have proved over time do not show the virus to be any ore deadly than the flu would. Nad yet we sit, not acting, and not fighting being told when and where we can go because of “health concerns and public interests”. What has happened to the people that they have been so scared or blinded by fear to act?
One thing could have led us down this path. It started over 15 years ago in the form of MySpace. Then, slowly transformed into Facebook, and instagram, twitter, Snapchat and more. Why do I point to these as being the culprit? They, in and of themselves, are not bad. However, have you ever been with a group of friends and one of you gets spooked by something then the entire group is running in fear? As I have seen since March 11th, fear is a powerful controller. And who is spreading fear? We are! We see something about Corona/Covid 19 and share it to our stories, or tweets, or feeds. Another person shares it, and soon it goes viral. Just like the virus. Fear is viral.
If you leave your house, you will catch this disease and if you have it, you will die. Everyone has poor health and is at risk. Or, so that is how they made us feel. Don’t let your grandparents get it because then they will die alone. Don’t be the one to kill your friend. Now, a lot of people have been getting it AND recovering, they are saying that the second time you get it is the deadly time.
Thankfully they have produced a vaccine in the shortest amount of time ever in the history of vaccines. Now, with this being release they will begin to ask people to prove they have been vaccinated, just to work or go to a store. Discrimination will be up and if you do not vaccinate you will not be allowed to leave your house. It is coming, and yet we do not fight. We sit back thank them for controlling us and giving us a hardly tested medical injection and thank them for it. We get sick, we have reactions. But, who will be held liable for that?
In the meantime, as those vaccines roll out, our country has been in a flux of shut downs and lock downs. No one is calling it quarantine, because they cannot. The government cannot quarantine you especially if you are not sick.
Under 42 Code of Federal Regulations parts 70 and 71, CDC is authorized to detain, medically examine, and release persons arriving into the and traveling between states who are suspected of carrying these communicable diseases. As part of its federal authority, CDC routinely monitors persons arriving at land border crossings and passengers and crew arriving at U.S. ports of entry for signs or symptoms of communicable diseases.
That does not say that if you are a healthy individual, that they have the right to detain you. It does not state that states and local governments have the power to tell you to stay home. But wait, how did so many states and local governments get people to stay home? They have the power to control businesses. And, with marketing to encourage you to stay home because you will be “safer at home”. What did they do? They issued a mandate (not a law) that stated that businesses, except for restaurants and “essential” businesses, would not be allowed to open. So, why would you leave your house? You have no where to go except “essential” businesses.
Yet, where was the public outcry? There was none because you were distracted and afraid. You were told you were “safer at home” and didn’t want to die. Unfortunately, we will all die one day. Unfortunately, because we have allowed this to carry on… America may never be free again.
One day, it hit me, I may be okay with sitting at home but my children and children’s children will look back at this time and ask me… why didn’t I fight? Why didn’t I do something to stop it? And that is something I cannot live with.
This is just the beginning. The beginning of the freedom we had as Americans taken away. It will get much worse and this new “normal” will indeed be something of a horror when we look back on from the cages of our own making. Led out of fear and chatted into.
What will you do? Sit, “safe at home” or Rise and fight for the freedom that you were granted by those who fought before you?
As for me and my house, we will fight.
Top 5 favorite books for boys ages 2 to 5
Part of our nightly routine is reading our three sons stories before we tuck them in their beds, kiss them, and turn off the lights. I have loved reading different stories to them over the past few years. We all had those stories or movies that are our go to for feeling good. It is comforting knowing how the story will end and still exciting to relive the adventure every time we experience it. Here is a list of just that, five stories my sons have wanted to relive over and over for months on end.
1. LIONHEART by Richard Collinridge
Follow the story of Richard, a little boy, in the whimsical fairy tale of running from monsters and overcoming his fear of monsters and the dark with the help of his stuffed animal Lionheart.
Why you and your sons will love it: Enchanting and captivating as Richard runs through a magical forest and plays with animals while being chased by his fears and monsters. In the end, he realizes the strength he has in his own heart and is able to overcome the fear once and for all.
2. Storybook Knight by Helen Doherty
Follow this tale of one of the bravest mouse knights you will ever read about. He uses his whits to overcome and enchant different mythical monsters he meets on a journey to face a dragon.
Why you and your sons will love it: the captivating illustrations enchant you as you go on an adventure to face a dragon and along the way you learn the power of books. As well as learning that to overcome the worst of things, sometimes you need to think outside the box and show everyone a different way of doing things. That you don’t have to conform to everyone’s views but be yourself and that will be enough.
3. Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
A funny little tale about a gloomy fish whom no one understands and everyone thinks should just be happy. He declares thoroughly that he cannot change because that’s just who he is only to be proven wrong by the act of one special fish in the end.
Why you and your sons will love it: Little boys live funny sounds and this one has them in it. Making funny faces and sounds as you travel through the story, you and your sons are sure to be giggling by the end of it.
4. Roadwork by Sally Sutton
A book about the ins and outs of constructing a road. This one is a fast read with funny rhyming words that boys everywhere will love. See how they ping bang and tap everything into place.
Why you and your sons will love it: If your sons love cars, he will love this book and seeing how roads are paved. Every time I read this, I ended up making it into more of a song because of how well the rhythms and songs move together. The boys love to read it again and again.
5. Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
Find out what happens in this fun little story about a rusty blue truck making its way through the country side. He enjoys the views and the animals only to be passed up by a big important truck.
Why you and your boys will love it: A car and animal book, your sons will love the sounds he hears through out the book and you’ll love the helping hand lesson he learns from this one. What better way to learn to stop and say hey to all the people you meet along the way? You never know when you will need just that friend to lend a hand!
Other books my sons and I really enjoy are:
Boys ListWhat are some of your favorites?