tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75965429570094155042024-09-01T23:31:08.402-04:00a place to relax, relate, and reevaluate the meaning of "Mom".Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-90228015602177810992014-08-13T16:31:00.000-04:002014-08-13T16:31:11.021-04:00

Dear Matt, Robin Williams died Monday...but I'm guessing you probably already knew that.  Our sister celebrated another year of her birth yesterday...but you already knew that too.  Today...well, you know what today is. Most of the time I keep it together.  In fact, most of the time I don't even have to think about "keeping it together"...I just do.  Most of the time I'm

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-43045639251664061172014-02-24T17:49:00.001-05:002014-02-24T17:49:39.304-05:00

Those of you that are close to us know how much we enjoyed Cub scouts as a family.  Our boys could sell the heck out of some popcorn, too!  Two years ago we registered Jackson as a Tiger Cub thinking this would be the perfect outlet for him.  Our aspie would learn how to work with members of a team without feeling the heavy weight of competition.  In most instances, the only

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-69480011257388089522014-02-08T16:12:00.000-05:002014-02-08T16:12:28.908-05:00

We woke up to a blanket of white this morning, which came as a complete surprise to me.  (I guess I should check the weather reports more often. ;))  Frankly, I quickly became busy with my day and somewhat forgot about our recent accumulation outside.  (Priorities- sheesh!) My lovely daughter snapped me back to reality, though, just in time for us to catch a little excitement

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-72029605394771575262014-02-05T12:03:00.000-05:002014-02-05T12:03:50.293-05:00

**I know this is long and I'm sorry I don't have any pictures this time to hold your interest, but especially if you live in Searcy, I beg you to please read all of this.  It's a lot to ask, I know, because your time is your most precious commodity and I do not wish to waste a second of it.  I hope to make it worth your while.  I think it will be.** I cut coupons.  I "price

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-80362292704111456642014-01-10T21:59:00.000-05:002014-01-10T21:59:28.138-05:00

My son and I had this discussion today.  He was upset with me because he didn't get his way.  He had just received a consequence for disobedience and he was mad.  Instead of responding to his anger and just telling him no, he wasn't going to run away, I used this opportunity to teach a life lesson in critical thinking and planning.  I mean, he may still want to run away but at

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-27409617369815386292014-01-09T11:32:00.000-05:002014-01-09T22:18:41.556-05:00

Josiah- "Mo-om, Sadie's making zebra soap.  She's using glue and black crayons and sugar and she's making a mess." Me- "What?  Where?" I follow him to the kitchen table where I find her concoction.  What I wouldn't give to know where my camera is right now!!  A picture is totally worth a thousand words here. Me, in my calmest voice- "Sadie, what did you put in there?" Sadie,

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-43972677811967954972014-01-04T20:42:00.000-05:002014-01-04T20:42:09.166-05:00

You try and try to teach them, tell them, remind them, encourage them over and over again, hoping that it will eventually, inevitably sink in..."control your temper" and "respect your things".  But sometimes kids just insist on learning the hard way. Not only is there now a new broken toy in the house, but a broken heart as well, as a result of both the toy and the new rule in this house as

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-46710301612089089312014-01-02T22:45:00.000-05:002014-01-02T22:45:58.597-05:00

Naturally, at the top of most people's new year resolutions list is weight loss.  It was on mine last year and it is there rearing its ugly head again this year.  The good news is that I'm 21 lbs lighter than I was at this time last year!  Booyah!!  The not-so-good news is that I didn't reach my goal and actually gained a few pounds back near the end of the year. (Stinkin'

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-56174533441424907592013-10-11T15:59:00.000-04:002013-10-11T15:59:21.980-04:00

My favorite paragraph from Matt Walsh's blog post "You're a stay-at-home mom?  What do you DO all day?": "Of course not all women can be at home full time. It’s one thing to acknowledge that; it’s quite another to paint it as the ideal. To call it the ideal, is to claim that children IDEALLY would spend LESS time around their mothers. This is madness. Pure madness. It isn’t ideal, and

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-75185269478443789672013-10-10T22:33:00.000-04:002013-10-10T22:38:33.944-04:00

I'm sure President Obama would urge you to "reject these voices" but I sure hope you don't!  Believe it or not, tyranny IS lurking around the corner and has been since our country's conception.  That's why our founding fathers created our government with a set of checks and balances of power and gave that power to the People.  The power to protect our freedoms.  You.  Yes

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-15421282013807734332013-09-28T11:03:00.001-04:002013-09-28T11:03:19.688-04:00

Our kids lost their media privileges for a whole week.  We're two days into this consequence now and Thursday seems like an eternity away.  I suppose it helps that our laptop is functioning like a crippled turtle right now...lessening the desire to use it in the first place.  In the meantime, our young ones have taken to reenacting their favorite shows and singing their favorite

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-85683583353572134602013-09-19T11:09:00.000-04:002013-09-19T11:09:41.114-04:00

One thing I love about homeschooling is having the opportunity to stop, relish and learn from unexpected experiences that occur rather than having to pass those moments by.  A strict schedule or curriculum rarely affords this luxury and I'm so thankful that we can enjoy these special times. I left one of our garden cucumbers on the dining table last night- just had one of those mommy

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-18357896766101460392013-09-17T22:16:00.000-04:002013-09-17T22:16:20.730-04:00

My 7 year old.  Bless him.  For some reason, my darling youngest son decided that his "Fun with Money" class today was going to be far from fun.  So, he thought he could just decide not to go.  Yeeeeaaah, I don't think so.  I say it's time to go.  He remains seated.  Not budging.  Plenty of fussing happening, but no walking.  Little does he know that

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-22265217555139879672013-09-16T10:02:00.002-04:002013-09-16T10:02:21.156-04:00

**This post was written back in April.  I have other posts that I'll publish later.  For now, here's a taste.  I plan to write regularly about our homeschool journey.  For any parents out there who are on the fence or considering homeschooling, we're only 2 weeks in "officially" but I highly recommend it!  Have a blessed day! Our family has been wrestling with this

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-61487131214519439452013-08-14T00:54:00.000-04:002013-08-14T00:54:59.847-04:00

Another blank screen with a blinking cursor.  I type something just to fill the space.  There isn't anything of great significance to say...nothing I haven't already said.  And what could I possibly say anyway that is of any importance at all?  I'm not that wise.  None of us are.  I've had a really hard time lately getting my thoughts down in print.  There are

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-48061152919532139802013-06-05T23:15:00.000-04:002013-06-05T23:15:04.138-04:00

I'm forming an organization.  I know you've been here.  Membership is free!  Join now!  ;) Dear grocery cashiers and bag checkers all across America, I realize that you aren't getting rich at your job (and the sight of my coupons just annoyed the bejeezes out of you), nor are you generally receiving mountains of praise to keep your spirits up but please, please, please,

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-53985380055981005712013-05-04T17:44:00.000-04:002013-05-04T17:44:07.040-04:00

Feminism seems to be rearing its ugly head everywhere I turn.  I say "ugly" because the older I get, the more convinced I become that this is not a godly way to live.  Call me old-fashioned, that's okay with me.  Honestly, I didn't used to think this way.  I was mostly on board the "feminist bandwagon" not that long ago (never did go the "pro-choice" direction), declaring the

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-4929527192149921622013-04-17T18:01:00.002-04:002013-04-17T18:01:38.809-04:00

My husband and I watched an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" on Netflix last night which led to the following conversation: Justin:  Just think, you were 11 years old when this show first came out. Me:  Yeah, but I didn't like this one as much.  I was still a Captain Kirk fan. Justin: Why is that?  This one is so much better. Me:  Well, the original

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-61628922336820295652013-03-25T18:03:00.002-04:002013-03-25T18:03:36.532-04:00

You may have heard of the recent comments made by the CEO of Starbucks.  His intolerance of those who support traditional marriage made me seriously question why we allow them on our Christian campuses.  I am all for free speech and freedom of religion.  I'm not about to demand that they see things my way or keep their mouth shut.  However, I do not think it is wise nor

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-27742611008373804162013-03-17T15:11:00.000-04:002013-03-17T15:11:18.048-04:00

The following is a conversation that Justin and I had in the car on the way home from church this afternoon.  I am blessed with a husband who is very good at noticing inconsistencies and shining a spotlight on them.  Not everyone can appreciate such a gift, but I do.  It keeps things interesting.  :) Justin: "Ah, Searcy, Arkansas!  The greatest town in all of America!&

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-81879171082905777472013-03-06T12:14:00.000-05:002013-03-06T12:14:15.280-05:00

 My facebook status update last night:  "I think I missed my calling as a firefighter since all I ever seem to do is put out fires. I'm really highly qualified. ;) Currently, I'm trying to smother the flames that Rhea Lana consigning has created. In the meantime, our apartment is catching fire. Then, of course, there's the MOPS newsletter that is FULLY ablaze. (Whose

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-3678669861148606432013-02-15T18:07:00.001-05:002013-02-15T18:07:48.009-05:00

Photo courtesy: Arkansas Autism Network As many of you know, our son has Asperger's Syndrome (and we recently learned that this term is no longer being used.  Now, it's just called high-functioning autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD).).  Anyway, I'm often asked about the signs of autism.  Parents want to know the symptoms so they can keep an eye on their own children and

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-89402969294928369802013-01-28T15:44:00.000-05:002013-01-28T15:44:06.366-05:00

I got a little emotional during class Sunday morning as we discussed finding joy in our affliction.  We are studying the book of Isaiah, which I've really enjoyed.  It's not really the most uplifting book (overall) but there are great moments of hope to be found as well.  That's one of the many awesome things about God.  He never leaves us without any hope.  The people of

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-65467863799241363282013-01-25T20:25:00.000-05:002013-01-25T20:25:12.329-05:00

So, I decided to use the kids' bathroom earlier this evening, rather than disturb my husband who loves to sit in ours with the hair dryer running while he either reads or uses the laptop for his schoolwork.  (I just realized how that sounds.  Kind of weird, I guess?  Well, we're a pretty weird bunch for those who hadn't yet noticed. ;)) Anyway, the point is that when I

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596542957009415504.post-15638597592151374482013-01-24T21:27:00.000-05:002013-01-24T21:27:23.079-05:00

for they shall receive...eventually!  After much weeping and gnashing of teeth, we FINALLY have our AR tag!  Seriously, that was WAY too complicated.  Shortly after our move, we discovered that our title was lost.  Some of you are already aware of the unpleasantness in our home associated with that.  Yes, we played the blame game.  I kept the title in the van. 

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15534382179269561979noreply@blogger.com0