I figured since he noticed, I’d better pop in here and say hello. Keep you up to date on life right now.

Ever since we found out that we are moving, life has been a little…hectic. Packing up a house that really needs to be purged as well, when you have about 2 hours of good energy each day, is draining. We have two months (less now actually), no idea where we will live yet, and lots to do.

Emily has become quite the early riser, waking up at or before 6am and gracing us with her presence each morning. I love the snuggle time with her, but it does mean that I lose my writing time each morning.

Speaking of writing time, I usually write on Fridays, when Emmy goes to her Mother’s Day Out program, but we quit that when we found out we were moving. I need the time at home to pack, and we could use that extra money to put towards moving expenses.

Jon has been working double time, spending his days at work and his nights either at class or at rehearsals for gigs that he has. All great things, but it means that he is home very late each night, and our time together (and my time away) has been pretty much zilch.

In the midst of all of this transition and change (two things I notoriously do NOT handle well), I keep being drawn back to the basics. It’s times like these, when I’m drained and exhausted and rest is not in sight for another two months or so, that I have no choice but to lay it all at the feet of Jesus and say “How do I possibly do this? You have to do it for me. Show me how.”

And He does.

I’ve been reading through Luke and in my quiet time this weekend, He brought me to chapter 9, verses 57-62:

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

These men all *want* to follow Christ, but they aren’t counting the cost. They want Jesus to fit into their lives, to mesh with the responsibilities and comforts that they already have. They are interested in following Him, but they have a couple of things to do first.

I’ve been the same way.

Jesus is my everything, but first I need to make sure my posts are written, and my Facebook feed is up to date. I’m nothing without Jesus, but my responsibilities are so taxing that I’ll just push my quiet time back, again. I really want to follow Him and be the girl that’s always in His Word, but I just have so many things to do.

But.

But.

But.

Reading this passage last weekend, I really heard Jesus whisper this to my heart,

Being a disciple of Me, following after Me, trumps EVERY relationship, EVERY obligation, and EVERY responsibility. 

Reading that now, from a note I wrote in my Bible, I would have thought that I’d feel guilty about that. Instead, I felt freed.

When push comes to shove and life overwhelms, I’m reminded that He is all I need. (<– click to tweet) All I want, when it comes right down to it. And yes, there are things in line after Him, responsibilities and roles that He’s given me, but they mean nothing if He’s not the foundation of them.

Nothing.

So, as this move approaches, and the to-do list grows, I’ve committed to four things that I will keep as priorities during this season.

1. Jesus. I’ve gotta start my day with Him, and keep talking to Him. He’s got everything I need. I’m reading through Luke right now, and reading Beth Moore’s book on the life of Jesus. This summer, I’m going to do an email study with the women in my small group, one way we can stay connected despite our move to the other end of the state. Both of these things will keep me in the Word, keep me plugged in to His voice.

2. Family. Emmy gets that things are changing. Mommy’s belly is growing, her toys are finding new homes in boxes (or goodwill bags), and life is just different. She feels those changes and needs stability. I’m working on spending time teaching some basics each day (colors, shapes, letters, etc.), and playing with her, looking into her face and talking to her instead of just working beside her, or asking her to wait “just a minute”. She needs me. Jon does too, as his work right now is incredibly time consuming and requires much from him. I’m trying (not always successfully) to keep the things he needs handy (laundry, lunches, etc.), and support him as much as I can.

3. Health. I need to be exercising and eating well with this baby, even more so than I did with Emmy, because I never lost the Emmy weight. (Which now is really brownie weight, let’s be honest. ) I’m working to meal plan and cook as best I can on the days I’m not sick, and get exercise in each day, either with a walk or with a couple of Fit2B videos.

4. Packing. The house has to get packed up somehow. And before that, we’ve got a lot of stuff to go through and get rid of. So that’s got to be a priority too.

In the midst of all that, we’re hoping to spend good time with friends and family that we will desperately miss once we move. We’re going on vacation with my family, and Jon’s brother and sister-in-law and their family are coming out here for a couple of weeks, and we are excited to spend time with them too. Plus small group, and dinner with friends, and hopefully just some quality time before we leave. Oh, and we have to fly up to our new city for a couple of days and find a place to live.

It’s a crazy-busy couple of months, and I know my writing here will be intermittent. I’ll write when I can, and keep you updated on big life stuff, but until the move in July, I just can’t promise consistent writing. I know you’ll understand that though, because you’ve got crazy lives of your own.

My prayer for you though, is that in the midst of the craziness, you’ll cling tight to the One who holds everything and everyone together. He really is all you need.

And now I’m going to go grab my snuggle buddy, who slept in till 7:30 this morning and let her mama do a bit of writing.

Psst! If you haven’t already, make sure you join our community on Facebook and Twitter. Even when I’m not posting here, I’m talking about something over there (like which diaper bag would be best for baby #2), and I’d love to hear from you!

The post Back to Basics appeared first on kayse pratt.

I walked into my marriage much the same way Lara did. Rife with insecurities, expecting Jon to meet my every need, to declare me valuable.

Expecting him to do the things only God could ever do for me.

The battle of comparison, the struggle of “good enough”, I think it’s rooted deep in every one of us women. It affects our friendships, our families.

Our marriages.

I remember being engaged to Jon, and feeling like I had finally found my place in the world because someone had chosen me. Someone had declared me worthy enough to claim. Happily ever after was right around the corner.

But, as we all figure out eventually, real marriage isn’t a fairy tale. And all of the expectations I had put on Jon to fill the holes in my own self-esteem, well that’s just too much weight for a man to carry. Especially a man who just plain isn’t God. (Which, clearly, is not his fault. Ahem.)

I had to learn, and I’m still learning, that there is only One who validates me, One who fills my empty places, and One who calls me His own. Believing that I am who GOD says I am, that’s the only way I’ll ever really be able to be comfortable in my own skin. Confident, even.

Beauty, it comes from believing that I’m chosen by the One who spoke me into being. It comes from believing that He knows me, that He walks with me, and that He calls me HIS. Understanding who I am in Christ changes everything. It cancels out the comparison game, negates the idea of “good enough”, and settles me deep in my spirit.

Understanding the truth about who I am IN HIM allows me to stop striving, and start embracing rest. It gives me the freedom to walk in His love, knowing it’s never going to change.

That’s true beauty.

I definitely don’t have that all down yet, but He’s teaching me. I’m grateful for the women who have gone before, who show me the absolutely beautiful picture of what it looks like to walk confidently with our Creator. Comparison-free, full of true beauty.

Do you struggle with the comparison game? Did you walk into marriage with unrealistic expectations? How do you see these truths played out in your own life?

To read more from To Walk Or Stay, visit the Book Club here!

The post Comparison, Self-Esteem, and The Truth About Beauty appeared first on kayse pratt.

My goal was to sell 100 bundles (as an author I received a certain percentage of each sale), and use the profits to build back into this blog (I’d really love to hire a Virtual Assistant to help me with some of the technical stuff behind the scenes), and also help contribute to the moving expenses that we expect to have this summer.

The sale ended at midnight on Saturday, and my end total was 122 bundles sold. I’ve gotta tell you, by Thursday, it didn’t look like that was going to happen. But Friday and Saturday, sales exploded!!

So thank you, friends!! For buying the bundle, for spreading the word, and for supporting this blog in that way. You are such a blessing to me, and I would never have met my goal without you!!!!

And as it turns out, we will definitely be needing those funds for moving… If you’ve joined the community over at our Facebook Page, you know that last week, our little family was traveling all over the state to pursue a couple of job interviews for Jon.

Well, guess what?? He was offered BOTH positions!!! (I am so very very proud of him!)

We couldn’t be more grateful to the Lord, and to all of you who prayed. It is such a relief knowing that our future is set for next year, there will be an income coming in, and we have a place where we will be settling.

Honestly, I’ve felt like our entire marriage has been in some state of transition. 2 years in the military, unsure of where we’d end up after that… 2 years of school, unsure of where we’d end up after that… For this homebody who can’t wait to settle into a place that she knows she can call home for more than 2 years, this new venture is just such a huge blessing.

Jon accepted the job that we believe is the best fit for our family. It really has felt like the Lord has been leading us to that job all along, even from the time Jon saw the posting online. So we followed the Lord’s leading and accepted it. And we couldn’t be more excited!

It means that for the first time in our lives, we’ll be calling a place “home” that isn’t Southern California. It means a huge move (well, huge for us), over 6 hours north, and away from all of our friends and immediate family. It’s terrifying and exhilarating, all at the same time.

I’ll probably write a lot more about it all as the weeks go by, but for now I’m processing all that this means to my faith, my family, and our future. It’s a big deal, and pregnant hormones don’t calm the emotions, know what I mean?

In any case, it’s really been the best week ever. And I’m so so so so grateful that you all were a part of it. Wish I could send you a great big hug today!! Thanks for being such a huge blessing to me.

With that, we’ll return to our regularly scheduled blog posts. And also packing. I have a lot of packing to do.

*Just a note, if you’re bummed that you missed the bundle sale, all of the books are still available individually. You can find that list (with links) here.

The post Best Week Ever appeared first on kayse pratt.

Every now and then, an opportunity presents itself that is just too good to pass up. This is one of those opportunities!!

Today is the LAST DAY to buy The Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle. This bundle is a complete library of homemaking books in one shot. For just $29.97, that’s over 95% off, and just 31 cents a book!! Plus over $140 in bonuses that you’ll love.

Not so sure about eBooks yet? Read this.

Still feel like it’s a little too pricey for you? I get that. You could always…

• …ask your hubby if he would get it for you as a Mother’s Day gift! (I’d bet he’ll jump at the opportunity instead of trying to “figure out” what you want!)
• …split it with a friend (or two! or three!) and divide up the books! (only one of each book per bundle bought.)
• …forgo Starbucks for the next week! I know it’s hard, but it’s worth it!
• …sell all of the toys that your child left on the floor last night! Aren’t you tired of stubbing your toes?

Whatever you do, just hurry. It’s really an incredible resource, and after 11:55 p.m. (EST) TONIGHT, this sale goes away forever. No more eBook deals, no more eCourses, no more bonuses.

So, hop on this train today! I know you’ll be glad you did. I’m still diving into all the materials, and I can’t believe how much great information I have at my fingertips! It’s unbelievable.

And just in case you need one last reminder of the amazingness included in this bundle…

Amazingness, that’s right!! I know you’ll LOVE your incredible new library!!

This post does include affiliate links, and I receive a portion of the sale of each ebook bundle. However, even if I wasn’t an affiliate, I’d still be promoting this bundle – it is just such a great deal!!! Thank you so much for your support of kaysepratt.com!

The post Don’t Miss Out!!! Last Day to Buy the Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle!!! appeared first on kayse pratt.

As a homemaker, we often forget to take care of one really important thing:

Ourselves.

It’s so true, isn’t it? You work hard, doing laundry and dishes and dinner and all sorts of things for everyone else. The needs of others are urgent, and you tend to them because you love your family.

But the truth is that you need tending to, too.

In order to take care of everyone else, we have to take care of ourselves! I know it’s hard, but you know what? You need a break. Moreover, you need to be healthy if you’re going to keep serving others like you do.

For me, this means being real about my limitations. Right now, I’m growing a baby, chasing after a toddler, and trying to maintain some sort of sanity. I need time away every so often, just to breathe. Still, I’m learning there are a few things I can do every day to make sure that I’m as healthy as I can be, even in this season.

1. Get in the Word

I need me some Jesus every day. I simply don’t have the strength to handle the day without Him. Some days I forget that, and I try to do everything on my own. It doesn’t usually work.

Right now I’m working (slowly…morning sickness sort of interrupted my morning quiet times for the last few weeks) through a Bible Study on Living Like Jesus. When I finish this one, I’m thinking about checking out one of these studies next:

2. Get Off the Couch

Now, I’m guessing that pregnant me probable spends more time on the couch than you do (unless you’re pregnant too?), but still.

Exercise!! I’ve been trying to go on a walk every day, and it SO boosts my spirits, gives me time to think (or chat, if I’m walking with a friend!), and gives Emily time outside. So basically it’s a win for all of us.

I am also loving my Fit2B videos. This is the best workout membership I’ve ever had, including the one I currently have to a certain local gym. The videos are short, Emily can do them with me, and I get a solid core workout. Can’t beat that! And with this week’s Homemaking eBook Bundle, you get a FREE 2 month membership to Fit2B (plus a ton of other bonuses)!

I know that when I’m working out I’m taking care of myself, I’m happier, and that means that everyone else is happier too. So, if you want to be happy too, get off your couch.

3. Get Out Of Your Pajamas

As much as I love my sweats, my day is much more productive when I wear actual, presentable clothes. And if I take a shower? Even better! I’m not the most stylish person around, but I’m loving Frumps to Pumps and The No-Brainer Wardrobe (both available in the eBook bundle!). In Frumps to Pumps, I’m reminded that I don’t have to be a frumpy mom, even if I feel like one! And The No-Brainer Wardrobe is helping me figure out staples that I can mix and match in my closet – still comfortable, but a little less pajama-y. Believe me, I need these books. Without them, I’ll just keep buying the same shirt from Target in 3 different colors…

If I’m healthy, then I can be the best version of me for my hubby and my kids. I can’t always do all three of these things every day, but the days I do end up being better days, overall.

It’s ok to take a little time out of every day to keep yourself going. We’re human! In the crazy hamster-wheel of life, let’s not forget to jump off every now and then and take some time to breathe, exercise, and maybe put some jeans on.

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You invest so much into others, why not invest in yourself today? Grab your complete homemaking library, and learn more about every aspect of homemaking, including spending a little time on YOU!

The Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle is only on sale (just $29.97, for goodness sake!) for one more day, and it’s such an incredible resource!!!

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I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s series on Homemaking for the Helpless! Homemaking spans so many areas, and we could all use a little help every now and then, don’t you think? What were your favorite tips and tricks from the posts this week? What other tips do you have to share?

This post does include affiliate links, and I receive a portion of the sale of each ebook bundle. However, even if I wasn’t an affiliate, I’d still be promoting this bundle – it is just such a great deal!!! Thank you so much for your support of kaysepratt.com!

The post Don’t Forget About You { Homemaking for the Helpless :: Day 5 } appeared first on kayse pratt.

Oftentimes, if you’re a homemaker, you’re also a mommy. And a huge part of your job rests in raising those kids of yours.

As moms, we have this giant responsibility on our shoulders. Raising up kids who are responsible citizens, kind people, educated beings, and most importantly, followers of Jesus Christ.

I don’t know about you, but that almost makes me a little panicky.

That’s a big job! Huge! And I have no idea how to do it.

My degree and my career have always been in teaching. I taught third grade for 3 years, middle school for one, and all primary grades for 2 more. Before I was a teacher, I worked at a school and a summer day camp for the 5 years before that. So you might think I would know just what to do with my kid.

But you would be wrong.

The thing is, I feel pretty confident about what to do when Emily is 5. School-age and on, I’ve got a good idea about what to do. I know the standards, I’m a good teacher, I can handle it.

Except that 5 is still three years away. And my two-year-old desperately needs me to be her (fun, exciting, learn-by-playing) teacher right now.

Oh, then there’s Bible teaching. We didn’t talk about the Bible a lot in my house growing up, so I’m really at a loss here. I have a vague idea of what I’d like our home to look like, but without a real plan, I have a hard time implementing it.

Enter Pinterest, and resources galore, right?

That’s just it though. There’s so much stuff out there, I don’t know where to begin. Pinterest makes me overwhelmed and feeling like I’m already light years behind and every other two-year-old can tie their shoes and sing the national anthem.

Or something like that.

Anyways, I’ve settled on two things for now.

Next week, I’m going to start this Fruit of the Spirit Curriculum* with Emmy. It’s really great, focusing on a verse, a letter, a number, a color, and a shape each week. It’s actually really hard to find good curriculum (I need curriculum, or a plan or something!) for toddlers. Lots of curriculum for pre-schoolers, but not much for my two-year-old. So this FOTS curriculum is a gem. Leigh Ann is creating it as she goes (teaching it to her son, who is Emmy’s age), and posting all the resources along the way. You can find everything you need here. (The page will be updated as she adds to the curriculum.)

I’m also going to work on creating a Bedtime Learning Book, meant to reinforce simple concepts learned at this age. I’ll use some of the printables from the official Bedtime Learning Book (found in this week’s bundle!), and create some of my own that are more simple for Emily’s age.

I know that quite a few of you have older children than I do, and if you do, you’re in luck. The Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle has a ton of stuff for older kids (ages 3-12). I’m especially excited about both volumes of The DIG for Kids, and the Princess Training book to use sometime in the future. The ABC’s for Godly Boys and Girls will come in handy soon too, PLUS they come with flash cards, which I love.

After a trip around Pinterest, this heart needs a little bit of encouragement! So that’s when I like to bust out the Mommy books. Hearing how other moms have done it (4 Moms of 35 Kids Answer Your Parenting Questions), learning about shortcuts and tricks that work for moms everywhere (That Works for Me!), and remembering how to lay everything back down at the feet of Jesus (Hula Hoop Girl)? All things this momma needs to know.

(Essentially, if you’re a momma, you will love this eBook Bundle. And I bet you could drop some hints for an early Mother’s Day gift. *wink wink*)

In the meantime, I’d love to hear your ideas for incorporating intentional time with your kids into your normal routine. Also, honestly, if you have any experience with raising kids in a Godly way, teaching them the truth organically, and pointing to Christ each day, I’d really be appreciative if you’d share in the comments. Even just ideas on what works and what doesn’t! I desperately want this for my children, but I just never saw what it looks like fleshed out. I’d love your input and wisdom – and that’s what this community is for!

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Don’t forget, all of the books shown above are included in The Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle! There are only 3 more days to buy, so act now! Mother’s Day Gift, anyone?

*Please note, the FOTS curriculum is not included in The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, but you can find it here, for free.

This post does include affiliate links, and I receive a portion of the sale of each ebook bundle. However, even if I wasn’t an affiliate, I’d still be promoting this bundle – it is just such a great deal!!! Thank you so much for your support of kaysepratt.com!

The post About Those Kids… { Homemaking for the Helpless :: Day 4 } appeared first on kayse pratt.

I really do love cooking. Creating something in the kitchen, especially from scratch, is one of the ways I unwind. I especially love to bake, as my thighs will happily tell you.

Sometimes though, dinner is a struggle. If I haven’t planned ahead, 4:30 rolls around and I have to figure out what I can pull together really quickly. Plus, that’s about the time that the dishes have piled in the sink (leaving nothing clean to cook with), the toddler wants my full attention AND to be held constantly, and my hubby walks through the door, expecting food on the table instead of the pile of mail I still haven’t opened.

Unlike cleaning though, cooking is something I’ve developed a few tricks for. Here are my three favorite methods for healthy, convenient, and delicious cooking:

1. Crock Pot Cooking

Oh, my crock pot is my best friend. Some people keep theirs all stored away in a cupboard, but not me! Nope, mine is out on the counter at all times. I use it at least 3-4 times a week. The crock pot is my favorite, because it’s SUPER EASY. Throw a few ingredients in there in the morning, have a beautiful dinner by 5pm! It’s glorious. Some of my favorite crock pot recipes are…

My Famous Chicken Chili

Easy Italian Chicken

Crock Pot Mexican Chicken

(Yes, we eat a lot of chicken.)

Not to mention, I love Stacy’s book Crock On. Tons of easy, to-die-for recipes that you can make with stuff you’ve already got on hand. Beautiful.

2. Freezer Cooking

I LOVE freezer cooking!! A few hours of cooking for a few week’s worth of meals? Yes, please! I first heard about freezer cooking from Money Saving Mom, and I thought it was so great that I tried it out with a friend. Bethany and I spent 7 hours cooking over 112 meals. Such a long day (with two babes underfoot), but so worth it. Our hubbies had lunches for weeks. Freezer cooking is great because it saves a ton of time and a ton of money. If you plan it well and use overlapping ingredients, you can buy in bulk and save that way too. Add in a friend, and you split the cost! Such a fabulous way to cook, prepping everything in one day and saving yourself the time during the week! For more on Freezer cooking, I highly recommend Crystal’s book (found in this week’s eBook Bundle).

3. Quick Cooking

In a pinch, I default to quick, easy meals. 30 minutes or less, thrown together from stuff I always have on hand. Some family favorites are:

Southwestern Stuffed Peppers

Pasta Bake

Cheesy Zucchini Enchiladas

I’m late to the game, as this book has been out for a while, but I’m just starting to get into 20 Minute Meals, by my friend Leigh Ann. I love that every recipe is less than 20 minutes, and all are super healthy! That’s a momma’s dream, my friends!

I’ll tell you a secret. I’ve got a BUNCH of recipes that are simply incredible, all hiding in my recipe book at home. My aunt is a retired caterer (retired because she was SO AWESOME that she got to retire early!) living in wine country, who is seriously the most talented cook I know. Everything in her meals is healthy, full of flavor, and simply to-die-for. When we go visit her, it’s all good food and good wine and family, and it really doesn’t get much better than that. She’s sharing her recipes with me each time I go visit, and I’m hoping to collaborate with her this summer on a cookbook for moms: easy, healthy recipes that will have your family begging for leftovers! Seriously, her meals are my best ones. They are so stinking good. Anyway, hopefully more to come on that after this summer!

What are your favorite cooking tips? Do you have some family favorite recipes? I’d love to hear them!

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You can find all of those cookbooks and MORE in The Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle, on sale this week ONLY!

Don’t miss it – 97 books in every category of homemaking (including COOKING!), all for the incredibly low price of $29.97! Not to mention 5 eCourses and over $140 in freebies!

Some opportunities are just too good to pass up — click here to find out more!

Books On Cooking Included in the Bundle:

This post does include affiliate links, and I receive a portion of the sale of each ebook bundle. However, even if I wasn’t an affiliate, I’d still be promoting this bundle – it is just such a great deal!!! Thank you so much for your support of kaysepratt.com!

The post I Do Love a Good Meal { Homemaking for the Helpless :: Day 3 } appeared first on kayse pratt.

Laundry and dishes might be the bane of my existence.

Also deep cleaning. Or any sort of cleaning, really.

I like to be organized, but usually I have too much stuff for that. I like to be clean but I don’t like cleaning enough to want to clean all of the time.

Clearly, I am no good at the cleaning aspect of life. Which, in a lot of ways, qualifies me as a homemaker who could use a little help.

To be honest, I really struggle with this. I struggle with motivation (except on those days where I want to revamp my entire house in 24 sleepless hours – anyone else have those?), I struggle with energy, I struggle with there being 750 things I’d rather do than clean.

I’m sure none of you are like that. I’m sure all of your houses are spotless. It’s probably just me.

I really do believe that a big part of my job as a stay at home mom is keeping our house. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it really should be functional. And that means, at the very least, clean dishes in the cupboards and clean laundry in the drawers (instead of unfolded in the basket).

Lately (well, let’s be honest, during the sick weeks of this pregnancy all cleaning took a break, but I’m trying to get back into it now that I’m feeling better!), I’ve been trying to focus on growing my skills in this area of cleaning. For me, that means reading stuff that’s going to teach and motivate me, since clearly there are many homemakers out there who do this better than I do and write about it!!

I’ve been SUPER encouraged by my friend Jenni’s book, Clean Enough. She writes to the overwhelmed homemaker (um, that’s me!!) with encouragement and tips. I love her ideas of morning and evening routines that set you up for success the next day. Like cleaning the sink and sweeping the floor before you go to bed. That is genius.

But most of all, I love that Jenni understands that sometimes the biggest struggle of homemaking is discipline, and there are little things we can do each day to work on that. Really, sometimes this issue of self-discipline is a heart issue, and no amount of schedules or routines will fix that. It needs to be a heart conversation with the Lord first, and then we can dive into the fun schedules that I love to set up (and need God’s help to follow through with!).

Also, I’m all about natural cleansers, and she gives a whole list of those and ways to use them. Score!

The other book I’m loving right now is One Bite at a Time. Tsh Oxenrider is the founder of Simple Mom, and she is brilliant. The thing I love about this book is that it is ONE PROJECT A WEEK for a year. ONE project a week? That’s a huge weight off of my shoulders right there. That’s something I might actually be successful at.

See, I’m a list maker, and those lists just tend to get longer instead of shorter, contributing to that whole overwhelmed, I-don’t-want-to-do-anything feeling. Tsh presents 8 categories (Living Green, Living Well, Money Management, Organizing Your Mind, Organizing Your Space, Relationships, Taking Care of Yourself, and Time Stewardship) of totally doable projects, like setting up a morning routine (sound familiar?), creating a family budget, making your kitchen paperless, and going on dates with your kids. And only one project per week. Yes, I can do that.

Clearly, I am in the helpless category for this area of homemaking, but I’m working on it. Having great resources really helps. And I have to remind myself that I can’t become a totally different person overnight. Changing habits and developing discipline takes time. And probably chocolate.

What about you? Do you struggle to keep your house clean? What’s your favorite cleaning tip or method?

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For the books I mentioned above, and even more, check out The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, on sale this week only! There’s a whole section on Cleaning and Organizing that you’ll love.

The post My Laundry Doesn’t Do Itself { Homemaking for the Helpless :: Day 2 } appeared first on kayse pratt.

Please note: This collection is only available from 9 AM EST on April 29th to 11:55 PM EST on May 4th. There will be no late sales offered.

It’s HERE!!!!! The eBook bundle sale that will set you up with everything you need for life. Or at least every aspect of homemaking. Seriously.

Homemakers everywhere, get excited.

For 6 days only, more than 75 well-know bloggers and authors in the homemaking sphere have joined together to offer The Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle!! This crazy-incredible deal includes 97 of today’s most popular eBooks and eCourses, valued at just over $600, for the incredibly low price of $29.97!

Did you hear that? Over $600 worth of eBooks for less than a pack of diapers. Less than three books on Amazon. Less than a month’s gym membership. (And you never use that anyways, right? No? Just me?) That’s right.

The fact of the matter is that you just will NOT find a more comprehensive collection of homemaking resources anywhere on the web, much less for this ridiculously low price. (Um… less than 31 cents a book, anyone?)

I know 97 books is a lot of books, but look at it this way: With this bundle, you gain forever access to every single one of these resources. Read some today, read some next month, keep them all on hand for future reference, they’re all YOURS! Forever. Honestly, it’s just too great an opportunity to pass up.

This complete homemaking library includes incredible eBooks on…

• Mothering
• Organization and Cleaning
• Recipes and Kitchen Helps
• Home Education
• Spiritual Growth (for both moms and kids)
• Home Décor and DIY
• Pregnancy and Baby Care
• Frugal Living
• Health and Fitness
• Work-From-Home and Financial Tools
• and MORE!!!

It’s almost like you’ll never need to buy another eBook again!

PLUS, we’ve also teamed up with 10 companies to bring you over $140 in bonus offers. These bonuses are AMAZING products (like memberships to Plan To Eat, Fit2B, and more!) that you’ll use and love, either for free or just for the cost of shipping!!

Let’s Break it Down: What’s Included in the Sale?

Well I’m so glad you asked! When you purchase The Ultimate Homemaking eBook collection, you will get instant access to any of the 97 eBooks and eCourses listed below. PLUS all of those bonuses I mentioned (details below).

Home & Property {Cleaning and Organizing}

31 Days to Clean by Sarah Mae @ SarahMae.com ($4.99)
Getting it Together: Your Guide to Setting Up a Home Management System that Works by Kayse @ kaysepratt.com ($3.99) (hey, that’s me!)
Pulling Yourself Together: Implementing a Cleaning Routine that Sticks by Becky @ Clean Mama ($10.00)
Simple Living by Lorilee @ Loving Simple Living ($2.99)
NOT a DIY Diva by Melissa @ The Inspired Room ($3.99)
One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler by Tsh @ Simple Mom ($5.00)
28 Days to Hope for your Home by Dana @ A Slob Comes Clean ($5.00)
Organizing Life as Mom by Jessica @ Life as Mom ($9.00)
Clean Enough by Jenni @ Jenni Mullinix ($4.99)
10 Steps to Organized Paper by Lisa @ Lisa Woodruff.net($5.00)
Handmade Walls by Jamin and Ashley @ the handmade home ($9.95)

Education {Homeschooling & Spiritual Teaching}

Princess Training by Richele @ Under the Golden Apple Tree ($3.99)
The Armor of God by Richele @ Under the Golden Apple Tree ($2.50)
My Bedtime Learning Book by @ Under the Golden Apple Tree ($1.00)
Think Outside the Classroom by Kelly @ Generation Cedar ($6.97)
Raising Rock Stars — Kindergarten Bundle by Carissa @ 1plus1plus1equals1 ($10.00)
The ABC’s For Godly Boys Curriculum by Lindsey @ Road to 31 ($8.00)
The ABC’s For Godly Girls Curriculum by Lindsey @ Road to 31 ($8.00)
K4 Curriculum by Erica @ Confessions of a Homeschooler ($15.00)
Write Through the Bible (print) by Trisha @ Intoxicated on Life ($5.00)
Write Through the Bible (cursive) by Trisha @ Intoxicated on Life ($5.00)
Balcony Girls (books 1 & 2) by Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer ($19.90)
Easy Peasy Chores: An Easy-to-Use Chore System That Brings JOY Back Into Family Chores by Alina Joy @ The Good Old Days Farm ($17.99)
The Dig for Kids: Luke (Volumes 1 and 2) by Patrick, husband of Ruth @ The Better Mom ($5.98)
Music: An Essential Ingredient for Life by Ryan @ Resound School of Music ($6.99)

Budgeting {Finance & Time}

From Debtor to Better by Barry @ From Debtor to Better ($10.00)
Tell Your Time by Amy @ Blogging with Amy ($2.99)
The Homemakers Guide to Creating the Perfect Schedule by Amy @ Raising Arrows ($4.99)
Your Grocery Budget Toolbox by Anne @ Authentic Simplicity ($7.99)
Finding Financial Freedom by Kelly Crawford @ Generation Cedar ($5.97)
Become a Frugalista in 30 Days by Susan @ The Confident Mom ($3.99)

In the Kitchen {Recipes and Cooking}

Crock On by Stacy @ Stacy Makes Cents ($5.00)
Real Food, Real Easy by various bloggers @ The Humbled Homemaker ($9.95)
Wholesome Mixes by Kristy @ Little Natural Cottage ($4.00)
20-Minute Meals by Leigh Ann @ Intentional by Grace ($4.99)
Restocking the Pantry by Kresha @ Nourishing Joy ($9.99)
Money Saving Mom’s Guide to Freezer Cooking by Crystal @ Money Saving Mom ($3.99)
Simply Summer by Kate @ Modern Alternative Mama ($7.95)
Do the Funky Kitchen by Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers ($4.95)
Real Food Kids: In the Kitchen plus 1 month access to select Real Food Kids eCourse videos by Wardeh @ GNOWFGLINS and Jami @ Eat Nourishing ($20.00)
Seasonal Menu Plans on a Budget: A Month of Meals from My Humble Kitchen to Yours by Diana @ My Humble Kitchen ($4.99)
Just Making Ice Cream by Marillyn @ Just Making Noise ($12.00)

Pregnancy & Baby Care

First Bites by Hilary @ Accidentally Green ($9.99)
Confessions of a Cloth Diaper Convert by Erin @ The Humbled Homemaker ($9.95)
Stress-Free Baby Shower by Sara @ Your Thriving Family ($4.00)
Unbound Birth by Jenny @ The Southern Institute ($2.99)
My Pregnancy Journey by Mindy @ Simply Designs ($9.99)
My Buttered Life Baby Edition by Renee @ Made On Hard Lotion ($5.00)
The Minimalist Mom’s Guide to Baby’s First Year by Rachel @ The Minimalist Mom ($5.00)
Redeeming Childbirth: Growth & Study Guide by Angie @ Redeeming Childbirth ($3.99)

Holidays & Special Events

Festive Traditions by Jill @ Modern Alternative Kitchen ($7.95)
Holiday Mixes: Gifts in a Jar by Kristy @ Little Natural Cottage ($4.00)
Flourishing Spring by Michele @ Frugal Granola ($5.95)
Family Camping Handbook by Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship ($6.95)
Truth in the Tinsel by Amanda @ Oh, Amanda! ($7.99)
Plan a Fabulous Party by Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect ($4.99)
iPhone Photography: The Visual Guide by Alli ($9.97)

Spiritual Growth

Pursuit of the Proverbs 31 Woman by Amy @ Amy Bayliss ($3.99)
The Best of Visionary Womanhood by Natalie @ Visionary Womanhood ($5.00)
God’s Word in my Heart: A Scripture Memory Learning Guide with Verses {all 4 versions} by Jenn @ The Purposeful Mom ($3.99)
Kept by Lara and Katie @ Quench Bible ($4.99)
Love Like Him by Lara and Katie @ Quench Bible ($2.99)

Marriage & Romance

Rekindling Romance by Jason & Jami @ A Biblical Marriage ($4.99)
Good Wife’s Guide by Darlene @ Time-Warp Wife ($2.99)
31 Days to Build a Better Spouse by Ashley @ Ashley Pichea ($4.99)
31 Days to Great Sex by Sheila @ To Love, Honor and Vacuum ($4.99)
Entangled: Recognize Your Emotional Affair by Amy @ Amy J. Bennett ($4.99)

Motherhood

The Heart of Simplicity by various authors @ The Heart of Simplicity ($9.99)
True Christian Motherhood by June @ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home ($7.00)
Hula Hoop Girl by September @ One September Day ($4.99)
When Motherhood Feels Too Hard by Kelly @ Generation Cedar ($4.97)
Mindset for Moms by Jamie @ Steady Days ($4.99)
From Cube to Farm by Heather @ From Cube to Farm ($2.99)
4 Moms of 35+ Kids Answer Your Parenting Questions by various authors @ 4 Moms, 35+ Kids Parenting E-book ($7.99)
That Works for Me! by Kristen @ We are THAT Family ($8.00)

Health & Fitness

100-pound Loser by Jessica @ Muthering Heights ($4.99)
Honoring the Rhythm of Rest by Danielle @ Domestic Serenity ($2.99)
42 Days to Fit by Brandy @ The Marathon Mom ($4.99)
Healthy Homemaking by Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home ($12.95)
Personal ePlanner by Jennifer @ ListPlanIt ($5.00)
The Curative Kitchen by Susan @ Handy Pantry ($9.95)

Beauty

Frumps to Pumps by Sarah Mae @ SaraMae.com ($4.99)
The Cottage Mama’s DIY Guide by Kristy @ Little Natural Cottage ($4.00)
Simple Scrubs to Make and Give by Stacy @ A Delightful Home ($3.99)
The No Brainer Wardrobe by Hayley @ The No Brainer Wardrobe ($7.99)
Embracing Beauty by Trina Holden @ Trina Holden ($9.00)
Reuse, Refresh, Repurpose by Kristen @ The Frugal Girl ($3.99)

Working from Home & Blogging

Your Blogging Business: Tax Tips and Tricks by Nikki @ Christian Mommy Blogger ($4.99)
The Bootstrap VA by Lisa @ The Home Life {and Me} ($12.99)
How to Grow Your Blog and Manage Your Home by Jacinda @ Growing Home ($4.99)
How to Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too by Mandi @ Life Your Way ($12.00)
Simple Blogging: Less Computer Time, Better Blogging by Rachel @ Small Notebook ($8.00)

Ecourses

Learning in Love: The Preschool Years by Renee @ Tougas Cafe ($7.99)
Homeschooling from the Heart by Renee @ FIMBY ($7.99)
Grocery University by Carrie @ Colorado Bargains ($24.95)
Vibrant Living Strategies for Moms by Lisa @ Well-Grounded Life ($59)
You Can Do This! The First Five Steps to a Real Food Kitchen by Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers ($5.00)

PLUS, You will receive FREE Bonuses from these companies…

A FREE Two-Month Membership to Fit2B Studio, where their wholesome workouts for the whole family are tummy safe and particularly target Diastasis Recti (split abs). ($19.98 value. No shipping restrictions.)
A $15 store credit to TruKid. With products like their aware-winning sun care, they are dedicated to providing all natural skin and hair care for kids, babies, and now pets. ($15.00 value. Standard shipping applies. International shipping available.)
Your choice of incredible natural products like sea salt and clay for FREE. Choose from the Redmond Trading Earthpaste Bundle ($24.90 value) or the Facial Mud Bundle ($26.90 value). (Standard shipping applies. Continental US only.)
Your choice of a FREE heirloom sourdough starter or FREE yogurt starter from Cultures for Health, the leading supplier of starter cultures and supplies for making cultured and fermented foods ($12.95 value. US & CAN addresses only. Standard shipping applies.)

Amazing, right? I’m SO excited to be able to get this resource into your hands! For all homemakers, whether you need a little help, or a lot of help, you’ll find what you’re looking for in this bundle! At just $29.97, you’re getting each eBook for less than 31 cents each! That’s insane. And you get all the amazing bonuses on top of that. Seriously, I’ve never seen an eBook deal that’s this incredible!

If you’re reading this in a reader or in your email, click the image above to enter!

Oh, wait, did I mention that we’re also GIVING AWAY A KINDLE FIRE HD as part of this amazing bundle sale?? That’s right, enjoy reading all of your new eBooks in style on your new Kindle Fire!!! Just enter the rafflecopter below to win! Squee!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remember, this collection is only available from 9 AM EST on April 29th to 11:55 PM EST on May 4th. Don’t miss it!

Since I firmly believe this bundle is an incredible resource for ALL homemakers EVERYWHERE, consider this the first post in our series on Homemaking for the Helpless! And make sure to come back tomorrow for more!

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The fine print:

Bonus Offers

• Each bonus offer can be redeemed once only per eBook Bundle purchase.
• For each bonus offer, transaction numbers or proof of purchase may be required at the time of redemption.
• All bonus offers are free gifts from the bonus sponsors, are their sole responsibility to provide, and are subject to availability.
• All bonus offers expire at midnight on May 19th, 2013 (2 weeks from the last day of this sale).

General

• It is your responsibility to download and back-up your purchase within the 1-month download time-frame. With proof of purchase, we can renew download links up until August 1st, 2013. After this date we will no longer have access to the books and will not be able to provide any new links to download.
• Due to the nature of this sale, there will be no refunds available. However, we would invite you to read our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the file types, the download process, how the bonus offers work, etc.

Please note: This collection is only available from 9 AM EST on April 29th to 11:59 PM EST on May 4th There will be no late sales offered, so make sure that you get your bundle right away!

Particularly for those wanting to read these ebooks on their mobile devices (iPhones or iPads, Android, Kindle, etc.) you will want to learn more about the file types, how to download them correctly, and how to transfer them to your device.

This post does include affiliate links, and I receive a portion of the sale of each ebook bundle. However, even if I wasn’t an affiliate, I’d still be promoting this bundle – it is just such a great deal!!! Thank you so much for your support of kaysepratt.com!

The post The Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle is HERE! appeared first on kayse pratt.

I have always had, and I will always have, a deep love affair with traditional books. Holding a few hundred pages in your hands and escaping into another world will always be completely magical to me. I love to underline and take notes and re-read over and over.

However, I’m starting to embrace the eBook too. Actually, I’m kinda falling in love with them!

eBooks are fabulous, and here’s why. Currently, our upstairs office is FULL of books. And by FULL, I mean there are 5 full size bookshelves in there, and they are all full. Plus, there are books in our bedroom, books in Emily’s room, and books in the living room. Also, a few unpacked boxes in the garage.

All I’m saying is that whenever we have to move next… well, let’s hope that we’ve got a lot of muscle-y men around to help us carry those heavy boxes.

But eBooks? I can carry a hundred of them around on my iPhone. My iPad? It holds even more! Instead of packing 5 books to take on vacation (I’m a fast reader and I like to read more than one book at a time), I take just one device. It’s incredibly time and space saving. Also, my back doesn’t hurt nearly as bad.

Not to mention all the FREE BOOKS!

I know that a lot of you are still eBook resistant. So with the Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle going on sale on Monday, an opportunity I DON’T want you to miss!!, I thought I’d help you fill in the gaps and explain the tricks I know that make eBooks super worth it.

Why eBooks?

• Like I mentioned above, eBooks are just SO convenient! I love being able to have a ton of books at my fingertips all the time. It’s fabulous.
• eBooks are a great way to stock up on resources. Cookbooks, Biographies, Fiction, anything you want!

How do I use eBooks?

• I’ve had a Kindle and a Kindle fire, but I’ve gotten rid of both of those and I now read eBooks on my iPad. Also, if I’m on the go, I have most of the books on my iPhone too. (More about how to read eBooks without a Kindle or Nook down below!)
• I love to use eCookbooks on my iPad. Pull it up in the kitchen, and follow the recipe! Just like a regular book.

But I don’t have a Kindle/Nook?

• No problem!! You’ve got a couple of options…
• You can download the Kindle app on your smart phone or tablet, and read them there. No kindle required!
• You can read eBooks right on your computer! Simply download the app for your Mac or PC computer.

I’ve got a bunch of eBooks in PDF form on my computer. How do I get them on my Kindle (or Kindle app on my smart device)?

• This is the best thing EVER. All you have to do is head on over to Amazon and download the Send to Kindle app. It downloads to your computer (either Mac or PC) and can find it’s home on your desktop or in your menu bar. Once it’s downloaded, you enter your information (your amazon account, and the location of your kindle or kindle app), you can simply drag your PDF files into the program, and it will send them straight to your kindle or kindle app!
• Seriously. BEST. THING. EVER.

How do I organize my eBooks?

• I’ve got an eBook folder on my computer. Within that folder, all of my eBooks are divided into genres (more folders) like Fiction, Biographies, Christian Living, Kid Books, Devotional, Cookbooks, etc. These folders help me keep everything organized, and I always know which eBooks I have!
• You could also organize your eBooks by title, or by author. Really, the choice is up to you!

Where to find free (or cheap) ones?

• Amazon always has a running list of free classic eBooks, found here: Amazon Free Classics
• Crystal Paine from Money Saving Mom has started a new blog where she lists all of the free (or super cheap) Amazon eBook deals every day! This is a great site to find Christian eBooks, kids eBooks, and family friendly eBooks! Head on over to eReadergirl.com and you’ll see what I mean!
• You can also check out the Kindle Daily Deals, where eBooks are always less than $3, and the deals change every day!
• And don’t forget about the Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle, going on sale at 9am Monday morning! It’s a complete library of 97 eBooks (including books on spiritual growth, organization, cleaning, beauty, health, fitness, homeschooling, and even cookbooks!) for just $29.97. That comes out to about 31 cents per book. Seriously, you can’t beat that!

I hope you’ve found a few things here that were new to you, information you can use to start loving your own eBook collection! Do you have any other questions about eBooks? Or any ideas that I didn’t cover here? Leave them in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them!

The post Everything You Need To Know About eBooks appeared first on kayse pratt.