My concern about reading this book was that I would feel condemned and preached at. That was not the case. Pete writes in a conversational style full of anecdotes, with pointed questions inserted here and there that had me carefully examining my life and identifying idols in places I never expected to find them. I did not feel guilty and condemned. Instead, I was reminded again and again of how much God loves me and how He wants me to turn to Him in every situation and to fulfill every need. Even though my copy is digital, I highlighted a lot, and I will keep this eBook on my device to refer to regularly.

If you’re interested in taking a close look at your life to find the areas where you’re not completely surrendered to God and places you’re looking to someone or something else to fulfill your deepest needs, you need this book. Don’t expect to finish it in one sitting, though. You’ll need to stop regularly to let your toes recover and process what Pete’s saying.

Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of Empty Promises from BookSneeze (Thomas Nelson) for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I received no further compensation for this review.

On Tuesday, May 15, 2012 (tomorrow!), my friend Tabitha (a.k.a. Meet Penny), is hosting a Mommy Time Facebook Party. She’s going to have a question and answer time and some great products to give away! If you RSVP, you’ll be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card too! She’ll be leading discussions on everything from Family Nutrition (including picky eaters) to homeschooling. Please join us tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. CST for two hours of fun and fellowship. I’ll see you there on her Facebook page!

The Notebooking Publisher Launch

As if that weren’t enough fun, I’m going to another party next Tuesday, May 22, 2012, to celebrate the launch of The Notebooking Publisher! I’m new to notebooking but recently discovered that I accidentally started doing it with the kids this school year as part of our social studies curriculum. I’m excited to have the opportunity to use the extensive resources at notebookingpages.com to continue the fun. The Notebooking Publisher will allow those with Treasury Memberships (which are on sale!) to design their own notebooking pages with ease. Join me on the Facebook event page from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. EDT!

For more information about the launch, read this post at iHomeschool Network.

Disclosure: I received a free one-year Treasury membership to notebookingpages.com in exchange for helping to promote The Notebooking Publisher launch. I love what Debra is doing on her site and will be using it regularly next school year. This post contains affiliate links.

I had bronchitis the week that I left for 2:1. I started feeling better, and then I developed an ear infection and sinus infection. I have had a tube put into one eardrum and am on my third antibiotic in three weeks. I’m waiting for cultures to come back so the ENT can see what this is and how to kill it. And tonight, I feel like it’s moving back into my chest. Please pray for me! I desperately want to feel better and get my energy back!

I’m going to share several pictures of some things we’ve done as part of my weekly gratitude post (yes, I’m behind on those too). I’ll try to give you more pictures and information on these events as soon as possible!

Some of the many reasons I’m thankful:

#1321. Two beautiful reasons that make Mother’s Day more special than ever.

#1322. A great weekend doing all the “girly” things that go along with a dance recital.

#1323. Finally meeting some of the women I’ve developed friendships with online over the past couple of years. (More pictures with labels coming later!)

#1324. Posts from new 2:1 friends like this one that make me laugh . . .

#1325. . . . and posts like this one that made me cry. (God is so good!)

#1326. Mother’s Day afternoon at a science museum.

#1327. Enjoying the Bodies Revealed exhibit with BookGirl. (She has been studying anatomy this semester and shows a strong leaning toward medicine and science for future courses of study. The human body is amazing!)

#1328. Some rain for our garden.

#1329. Trusting and resting during this illness.

#1330. Support and encouragement from friends and family members.

What are you especially thankful for today?

Photo credit: Jennifer A. Janes

I’m home from The 2:1 Conference! I had a wonderful time and fully intended to write about my experiences there long before now. Unfortunately, I came home from the conference with a sinus infection and ear infection—and I was recovering from bronchitis when I left. My energy level is nonexistent, so I’m checking in to let you know I’m still here, still okay, and I’ll fill you in on all the details as soon as I get some energy back!

BUT, I did want to let you know about that great code I shared with you before leaving for 2:1. My sponsor Always Icecream / Clever Dragons agreed to let me share the special conference code with you, and it’s only good for a limited time, so here’s the scoop. (Pun intended.)

Until Mother’s Day, May 13, 2012, you can use the code TwoToOne to get up to 40% off a membership to Always Icecream or Clever Dragons. The code gives different levels of discount for different membership options, so use the code no matter which membership you’re signing up for!

I’m frantically searching everywhere for my lost energy, and as soon as I find it, I’ll get back on a regular posting schedule. In the meantime, have a blessed week, and enjoy the Always Icecream / Clever Dragons code!

Last Friday, Princess and I made a special shopping trip together to find things to make her wheat-, egg-, and milk-free cookie cakes extra special. We made the happy discovery that Wilton products don’t have the egg white solids that lurk in some of the other edible candy decorations. We picked up some of those, some icing tint, and some princess sprinkles. We made two cakes so we’d be sure to have plenty. I can’t show you the all-pink one because it has her name on it, but here’s the other one. (The girls helped me decorate.)

On Saturday morning, we had a great time at a local fast-food restaurant. The kids had fun visiting and playing with one another, and everyone had lunch and enjoyed the cookie cakes! Princess especially enjoyed opening her gifts. (Her primary love language is gifts.)

I’m calling with some of my 2:1 peeps to sing “Happy Birthday” to Princess Roo today.

Won’t you take the time to leave her a birthday message?

Photo credit: Jennifer A. Janes

The comment selected was number 5 . . .

. . . which means the winner is Jennie!

I have sent an e-mail notifying Jennie that she is the winner and have also notified my contact person so that she can receive her Premium Pass!

Now, a general note: I fully intended to share more here this week, but BookGirl and I got sick, and I’ve spent time getting well enough to go to The 2:1 Conference, so I’m not going to have time to write those posts. Please look for a post about Princess Roo’s birthday on Friday, and then I’ll get back up to speed after the conference.

Have a great week!

I’m leaving for The 2:1 Conference soon, and I had a lot of help to get there! If you don’t have the time or funding to leave home for an extended weekend right now, don’t despair. I just learned of a great opportunity taking place May 1-3!

If you’re part of a Christian homeschooling family interested in making God’s Word the foundation of your homeschool, you won’t want to miss this online conference!

Here’s the 4-1-1:

The goal of the Homeschool How-To Conference is to teach families how to use the Bible to teach all subjects.

The speakers at HHTC can show you:

• How to set up your homeschool.
• How to choose effective curriculum.
• How to manage your days.
• How to plan with a biblical worldview in mind.
• How to use God’s Word in every subject.

Gain inspiration and wisdom from speakers such as Davis Carman of Apologia, Lee Binz -The Home Scholar, and Kraig and Anne Elliott from Foundations Press

You can watch the workshops online for free—or sign up for the Premium Pass and have them available whenever you have time to watch. The Premium Pass is full of extra goodies, including:

• the MP3s from each seminar
• 1 full-year Bible Curriculum from Foundations Press
• eBook – Biblical Home Education by Anne Elliott
• 2 Bible-Based Nature Unit Studies:  Wildflowers & Clouds – Kelli Becton, Adventurez In Child Rearing
• Printable Bible Verses about Creation to use in your homeschool studies for memory and copywork
• and much more!

It’s easy to enter. Leave one comment below telling why you would like to win the Premium Pass. One winner will be chosen by Random.org on Tuesday, April 24, at 9:00 p.m. CDT. The winner will be notified by e-mail and will receive the ticket directly from HHTC.

If you don’t win the Premium Pass, don’t worry! My readers receive 10% off the purchase of a Premium Pass with the code adventurez! If you win the pass, you’ll get a full refund!

Be sure to sign up—whether you are there for free access or the whole thing!

Note: I received one free Premium Pass in exchange for posting about the HHTC and hosting the giveaway.

For those of you who have been following my Facebook page, you know that Princess Roo had some specialist appointments last week. She saw endocrinology for the first time and visited her allergist/immunologist. (This is a different doctor than the one we saw last month.) The endocrinologist didn’t think that her growth issues are caused by a problem with her endocrine system, but she did some lab work to be sure. Those results should be ready in two to three weeks, although we think they might have already found something that’s borderline because of some mail we got yesterday. I’ll have to call about that tomorrow and see.

The allergist/immunologist agreed with the immunologist’s plan of staying off the infusions this summer to do some tests on her immune system. Hopefully, we’ll have all of those results in and can look at them as well as her overall state of health to make some decisions for the fall and winter.

All business aside, it has been a couple of weeks since I have posted a gratitude list, and lots of wonderful things have happened!

#1311. Safe travel to and from our specialist appointments (something I never take for granted).

#1312. Zoo field trips with online-turned-in-real-life friends before heading to the hospital.

#1313. Specialists who are in agreement on the plan for treatment.

#1314. A great birthday party for Princess Roo. (This is just a sneak peek. Check back Friday for more pictures!)

#1315. A successful blog transfer from wordpress.com to wordpress.org. (If you haven’t re-subscribed, be sure to do that!)

#1316. New opportunities that I can take advantage of because of the blog transfer.

#1317. The connections being made even before we arrive at The 2:1 Conference.

#1318. A special mother/daughter nature walk with BookGirl.

#1319. The project BookGirl is working on (with my help) . . .

#1320. . . . and the warm response she has gotten from many of you. (Thank you!)

What blessings are you giving thanks for today?

Photo credit: Jennifer A. Janes

10. I’m flying to the conference, and this is only the second time I’ve flown commercial. In. My. Life. 

I’m nervous (especially about the layovers and making connecting flights), but I know lots of people are praying for me, and God’s got it!

9. I’m just me.

If you were expecting something else, you’ll be sorely disappointed. I’m bringing nice jeans, nice but comfy shirts, and a very loud pair of comfy flats I bought this week (because my old faithful pair broke—holes in both).

8. If you have a child with special needs, I’m hosting a meet-up on Saturday night, complete with giveaways, and would love for you to come.

Dress comfortably, grab your favorite snack and drink, and connect with other parents who are sharing the journey. We’ll visit, encourage one another, give away some great books, and enjoy the time together!

7. I like to talk. A lot.

I’m looking forward to meeting you and can’t wait to swap stories with you! I’m glad there’s lots of time to socialize marked out on the schedule!

6. It seems to contradict #7, but I actually like my alone time.

If you see me off by myself, sipping iced tea or a Coke Zero, don’t assume that I’m lonely. I may have pulled aside for a few minutes to process everything. #7 still holds true, though, and the weekend is short. Come on over and start a conversation with me!

5. I’m tall.

You can’t tell in those little avatar pictures, but I’m 5’10″ tall. Don’t be surprised when you meet me.

4. We’re wrapping up our fifth year of homeschooling.

I’m excited that we’ve made it this far, and we have some serious spring fever. We’ve already had 163 days of school this school year, so we’ll be wrapping it up in short order after I get back from the conference.

3. I’m from the South.

Please do not be offended if I say things like “Bless your heart” or other stereotypical Southern sayings. I’m not trying to be condescending. That’s just how we talk. (I’ll try not to laugh when I hear you say “you guys” instead of “y’all.”) See #9.

2. I’m not eating sweets much right now.

Please offer (in case I’ve changed my mind), but don’t be upset if I decline. Enjoy your treats, and know that we’ll both be happier if my blood sugar remains stable during the conference.

1. I’ve been praying about this conference for a long time, and I’m excited to see what God is going to do in and through us!

Another HUGE thank you to my wonderful sponsors, Always Icecream/Clever Dragons and Total Yearbooks for helping with my travel expenses! They’re also going to bless you with some great codes for their products!

Reminder: While my blog looks unchanged, it has actually changed locations in cyberspace. If you were an e-mail subscriber before (or would like to join!), please take a moment to re-subscribe.

Therefore my heart is glad 
and my spirit rejoices; 
my body also rests securely.

Psalm 16:9 (HCSB)

I looked up the entire chapter because I wanted to see why my heart can be glad and my spirit rejoice, why my body can rest secure. It’s a beautiful Psalm, and it brought even more peace to my heart. I highly recommend that you read the entire chapter.

I have so many things I’m thankful for today, and lots of wonderful pictures to share!

#1296. the beautiful weather on Saturday that made our family celebration of Easter an outdoor event.

#1297. all the fun we had with sidewalk chalk,

#1298. bubbles,

#1299. cheap plastic frisbees,

Used as a frisbee

Used as a bat with a plastic egg as a "ball"

#1300. and empty plastic eggs.

#1301. recent rains that have significantly eased the drought conditions.

#1302. enough “drying out” that we can plant the garden.

#1303. lots of time to work on vitamin D production.

#1304. Princess Roo’s love of critters,

#1305. and her ability to calmly remove herself temporarily from social situations when she gets tired and overwhelmed.

#1306. beautiful dresses to wear to church on Easter Sunday,

#1307. and the ability to enjoy yourself in them!

#1308. precious memories to cherish.

#1309. family and friends who make our lives richer.

#1310. the cross and empty tomb, which give meaning to it all.

What gifts of spring are you celebrating this week?

Photo credit: Jennifer A. Janes