DIY Menu Board

Menu Planning is so important when feeding lots of people, healthy food on a budget.

Our Family's Grade 1 Resources

Since we were still living in British Columbia at the start of the school year, I was able to homeschool my son, Zachariah, through a Christian school in Kelowna. This is an optional program through the BC government, which provides funding for books, classroom supplies, sports enrolment, a teaching assistant and lots of other help in exchange for weekly updates and progress reports each term. It was really nice to have the cost of these books covered and the support of my teaching assistant.
Here's a list of the resources we used.

Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Elderberries have been know to be the cure for many ailments, boost the immune system, reduce mucous, improve heart health and fight coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections. Ginger, Cloves, Cinnamon and Honey also have long lists of health benefits, both for preventing and treating various illnesses.  Elderberries syrup can be expensive, here’s how to make some at home.

No More Spills At The Table

Kids + cups of water = spills.  It's just one of those things that's expected.  With 4 kids 6 and under, wiggling their arms around, we never made it through a meal without at least one spill.  Even with lightning fast reflexes, by the time someone picks up the tipped cup, everything is already wet.  This is how I stopped the spills.  

Making Christmas Merrier

I honestly can't remember what my kids got for Christmas a couple of years ago.  I don't even remember what my husband and I got them.  We usually get them new socks and pyjamas every year, and probably bought some LEGO or other toys.  After that, I don't remember.

Our Family's Kindergarden Resources

It was amazing to have the privilege of teaching my oldest son, Zachariah, at home.  We officially started Kindergarden in September, and I thought it could be helpful (to others and myself for future reference) to share my favourite resources we used.

Home Management Book

I updated my Home Management Book, after my last child was born in April, to include her information and our new schedule with her.  I figured now is a good time to repost.

The first time I heard about a Home Management Book, I thought it would take more time then it would save.  After reading the book 'Large Family Logistics', I decided to give it a try, and I am so glad I did.  I'm so much more efficient now.  With hundreds of things to do a day, it's easy to get distracted.  Sometimes I start so many things I never get anything finished.  When everything is organized on paper, in one place, it's easier to stay on track.  If I don't know what to do next, I can reference the Home Management Book.

20 Minutes Of Chaos

Since I spend most of my time with a hand-full of youngins, things tend to get crazy.  There's always so much to do and everyone wants my attention.

And then there are the times when everything goes wrong.  

Keeping Down The Clutter

I'm not a pack rat.  Actually I'm whatever the opposite is.  I like keeping a few important things and anything I use on a regular basis.  I don't like clutter in my house, so I try to keep what I have to a minimum.

Our Family's Daily Schedule

I've found that making a plan is vital to getting things done at home with the kids.  I don't particularly like our daily schedule (I'd love it if the kids were all on the same sleeping schedule) but it's the most successful these days.

A Biblical View On The Mommy Wars

When my first son was a couple of weeks old I was researching something about 'helping baby sleep more at night', online.  I didn't expect to find anything that would guarantee a perfect night sleep, just some techniques to try.  Instead, I discovered how passionate mothers are about this subject...and many more.

Connecting With My Children Through Their Love Language

Dr Gary Chapman discovered that there are Five Love Languages.  And expressing love to someone is magnified by speaking their love language.  In his book, The Five Love Languages of Children, Dr. Chapman details how to identify and speak your child's love language.

5 Baby Items To Keep On Hand... Without A Baby At Home

Before I had kids, friends would visit with their babies and I had nothing in the house to help with feedings and naps or offer them if they forgot anything.  It's not because I didn't want to buy children's things yet, I just didn't know what to get. 

I'm not saying every home needs gates, outlet plugs, mountains of toys, cribs and the whole deal, I just wanted to know what the most useful things were to have in my home.

Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles or anyone who entertains friends with young children might consider having some things handy for little visitors.  

It's also a good idea for moms with older children to hold on to a few baby things a bit longer to share.

My Grocery Shopping Solution For A Large Family

I like shopping for almost anything.

I even enjoy grocery shopping.  I am so blessed to be able to walk into a building, buy food and share it with my family.  So many people don't have that privilege.  And I will not take it for granted.

On the other hand it's tricky when I have to take 3 youngins (whom take up most of the room in the cart), get everything we need without overspending and try to be home in time for lunch.  

We buy a lot of our meat, in bulk from farmers and get our eggs delivered.  So I don't need to worry about those each week, but we can't live on beef and eggs

So I came up with a system.

Home Made Bed Mats

My son recently starting sleeping without pull-ups on at night.  Even after stopping fluid intake hours before bedtime and using the bathroom right before going to sleep and throughout the night, I still had to change his sheets a couple times a night.

Canada Flag Quilt Pattern

In celebration of Canada's 147th birthday, I thought I'd share my Canada flag quilt pattern.

Everyday Graditude

I like to make plans.  I don't need to plan every detail, but just enough to know what's coming.  So when those plans fall though, it can be disappointing and even scary.  

Photo credit: My wonderful Mother-in-law, Susan Regier

Why I Chose A Natural Birth In Hospital

When my family doctor asked me what my birth plan was, at 5 weeks, with my first, I just gave a blank stare.  According to the movies, your water breaks and you go to the hospital, what else it there?  I'm mostly joking, but I didn't seriously consider Obstetricians, Midwives, Birthing Centres, or having my baby right at home.  

After much thought and prayer, I decided to have a natural birth in hospital... 

Actually, I had 4!  

Helping Families Through Medical Hardships

When Zachariah was 5 months old, he was diagnosed with Craniosynostosis.  Of course, we were terrified.  After months of appointments with different doctors and surgeons, and CT scans, our little Zac had reconstructive surgery on his skull, when he was only 10 months old.  It was by far the hardest thing Jason and I had to go through. We are so thankful that he recovered quickly.  Zac is a strong and brave little guy.

When Asher was 3 weeks old, we took him to the ER with a fever.  It took 4 days before his temperature went back down and the tests came back negative. 

We were very blessed to have friends and family help us during these tough times.  Both experiences made me realize what parents go through when their baby is sick, but most importantly, what helps most.  Since every situation is different, it's hard to know exactly what a family needs.

Surviving As A Happily Married Semi-Single Mom

First of all , I am not a single mom...just 50-75% of the time.  

Let me explain... My husband and I have been married for almost 7 years.  For the last two years, my husband has been working on a oil rig.  Not exactly sure what that entails, all I know is he operates an excavator and only comes home for one, or sometimes two weeks, a month.  The time he's home is great, the kids love playing with daddy, we get to have family dinners, go to the park together and get a lot of chores done.  

The other days, it's just me and the kids.  I joke about how the house stays cleaner and I get to adjust the thermostat my way.  But it's tough.  Especially when germs invade the house. 

I want to get everything - or at least something - done.

Now I'm tired and guilty.

So how do I get through this?