7 Secrets To Success......plus the best secret!

What do you consider success in life?

Just look around you and be amazed at what you might see.

And Pray, Trust God for your success in life always

The Best secret!

Why do you stay home?

As a homeschooling mom I am asked by many well meaning individuals "why do you keep your kids at home?" "don't they need the contact of other children in regular school"? Honestly I want to look at those people and tell them to mind their own business, but that would be rather rude. So I just tell them that it works well for our family and if something is working just fine there is no reason to change it.

Here are my top reasons for homeschooling my children:

• When God tells you to do something you Do It!
• Prayerfully sought out answer
• We tried traditional school and did not like it at all (for our kids that is)
• Due to family illness, we were able to spend more time with my father as he was dying with cancer.
• We get to go visit grandma when we want to and not just on school breaks
• I know what they are learning!
• Can teach biblical principles and apply to our lives
• We have prayer in school
• We sleep late, mom works as a nurse and does odd shifts
• Field trips can be as simple as a drive to the grocery store to learn
• We learn 24/7 365 days a year no matter the weather
• We school all year round so we can take more breaks
• We can take a day off for fun if we want to.....anytime!
• Healthy options for meals and cook at home
• Kids are less affected by external distractions
• No meds needed anymore for ADD
• I have learned all of their learning styles and work around them.
• Done with work in way less time
• Can school anywhere in the house, even snuggled up on the couch or bed.
• Bring your pets to school everyday :)
• Show and tell everyday
• Cooking dinner can become a math lesson very easily
• Our home repairs and renovations become lessons easily
• Tv can be tailored into science and history learning
• I have an addiction for school supplies
• I love books
• Teaching my kids is an honor
• My husband gets to help and teach too.
• We all learn new things daily
• We get to learn and eat our work ie counting M & M's
• No bullies!
• No dress codes or expensive uniforms
• No wasting time, lining up, waiting on other kids that don't behave, lunch lines,etc
• They are living in the real world, dealing with real life problems that happen in our household everyday. Critical thinking skills and problem solving daily.
• My teen and I have had some really deep discussions about life,love and the world,that we may not have had if he was at school all day long.
• Many many more,I could go on and on!

So if homeschooling works for your family, Just Do It! If not that's ok. As long as your children are happy,healthy and learning that is all that matters, right?

 

Learning about the Olympics and free E-book

Olympics Trivia

---

By: Kyrie Collins, Highlands Ranch, CO Publisher Mom

From my local Hickory Macaroni Kids newsletter

The First

The first recorded Olympic Games took place in Ancient Greece in 776 BC. The only event was a "stade," a foot race about 600 feet in length. This is where the word "stadium" originates. The athletes participated nude or "gymnos." This is where the word "gymnasium" originates.

The Countries

205 different nations will be competing in the 2012 Summer Olympics. Greece is the only nation to have participated under its own flag in every modern Summer Olympic Games.

London Calling

2012 will be London's third time hosting the Olympics, more than any other city. The United States has hosted more Olympic games than any other country, with a total of eight in six different cities.

The Official Olympic Flag

The five rings on the Olympic Flag represent the five continents from which the athletes hail. They are interconnected to symbolize the friendship to be gained. The colors of the rings - blue, yellow, black, green, and red - were chosen because at least one of them appears on the flag of every country in the world.

The Motto

Citius, Altius, Fortius is Latin for Swifter, Higher, Stronger.

The Medals

The medals are designed for each Olympic Games by the host city's committee. Gold medals are actually 92-1/2% silver, covered in six grams of gold. Solid gold medals haven't been awarded since the 1912 Olympics.

It Was A Tie

In 1912, the light heavyweight wrestling final lasted nine hours. Neither wrestler gained an advantage over the other, so both received a silver medal.

Cancelled Games

No Olympic Games were held in 1916, 1940, or 1944 due to World War I and World War II. Major boycotts occurred in 1980 and 1984 because of the Cold War.

The Events

To be considered for inclusion in the Olympics, an event must be "widely practiced" by men in at least 75 countries on four continents and by women in at least 40 countries on three continents. (Who knew that the hammer throw was so darn popular worldwide?)

Length of a Marathon

Many people mistakenly believe the length of a marathon (26.2 miles) dates back to 490 BC when a Greek soldier ran from Marathon to Athens to announce that the Greeks defeated the invading Persians. However, the distance between Marathon and Athens is approximately 25 miles. It wasn't until the 1908 Summer Olympics, which were also held in London, that the queen asked that the marathon begin at Windsor Castle so the Royal Children could see the start of the race and end below the Royal Box at the stadium. The distance from the castle to the stadium was 26 miles and 385 yards. For some strange reason, this became the standardized length of a marathon in 1924.

Strangest Event

Club Swinging was an event in 1904 and 1932. Competitors swung a club decorated with ribbons around their bodies and heads. This event is considered by some to be the grandparent of modern-day Rhythm Gymnastics.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Pinterest lots of Olympic Unit study boards and information any homeschool mom will love!! 

                                                                      Source: icanteachmychild.com via Nikki on Pinterest

  This FREE eBook includes:

• A List of Books about the Olympics
• A Gold Medal Map Guide
• 6 Unique Olympic Crafts
• 6 Fun Olympic Games & Activities
• 3 Delicious Olympic-Inspired Snacks

Whether you’re looking to host an Olympic party or just want to have fun with your child during the Olympics…this eBook is for YOU!

So…here’s how you can snag your own copy!

-Go here and enter your e-mail address to subscribe for free e-mail updates.

-You’ll immediately receive an e-mail from “Feedburner E-mail Subscriptions” asking you to activate your subscription.  Click on the first link to activate.

-Directly underneath the link to activate your subscription, you will see the following:  ”As a THANK YOU for subscribing, here is my FREE gift to you.”.  Click on the link to get your 21-page Olympic Activities for Kids eBook as well as our Fascinating Science for Kids eBook.

Worry your Life Away.....what is the solution?

Do you worry, are you anxious? This is the only answer, open the book and start reading these verses, turn it all over to the One that can solve all your problems. Try it, it works! 

                                                               Source: unlockingthebible.org via Leslie on Pinterest

What a week, trials and tribulation ..

This week has to be better...

Gaining Strength in trials and tribulations and this week has been such a week here.


I have had the lovely shingles for a week,itching,burning,rash that hurts like the devil on crack.

My hubby has been sick ( driving me nuts) -- he is better now after a trip to the doctor and some wonderful "Phenergan"

My cable and Internet have been off ~~ we are poor this month.

My kids are so spoiled, that not having cable tv or Internet has been a major stressor to them,at least the younger two. I have heard and been texted the words "I'm bored"

It has rained every day almost daily... Ughh.

Count all this little hurdles in the road as joy and keep moving on.....

 

Thanks Eleanor for the positive thought there :)

An Attitude of Gratitude

 

A Dose of Positive Attitude

Shared from Godvine website ~

Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Michael replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood... or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim... or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining... or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.

"Yes, it is," Michael said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life."

I reflected on what Michael said. Soon thereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw Michael about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied. "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon to be born daughter," Michael replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live... or I could choose to die. I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.

Michael continued... "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read "He's a dead man. I knew I needed to take action."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Michael. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. "Yes, I replied." The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, "Gravity." Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."

"Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything. Matthew 6:34 states: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

After all, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Enjoy each day, each breath and mostly... each and every friend.

And remember to start each day with an "attitude of gratitude!"

 

 

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The Krispy Kreme Panini

The Krispy Kreme Panini

Bacon Krispy Kreme Panini, anyone? Today’s the 75th birthday of the South's favorite doughnut, and we came up with lots of fun ways to serve it.  shared from my favorite magazine Southern Living

This article is via the website here by Donna Florio of Southern Living 

What’s, sweet, pillow-y, vanilla-scented, and nearly impossible to resist? (Hint: It’s not a hug from your Grandma.) It’s Winston-Salem’s most renowned confection, the Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut, which turns 75 today. It may well be the South’s hottest 75-year old, and is not afraid to proclaim it on neon signs.

Nestled shoulder-to-shoulder in the distinctive green and white box, glaze so smooth you can almost see yourself in it, Krispy Kreme glazed rounds are the pinnacle of doughnut perfection. The aroma is so seductive that one whiff, and you'll likely be a goner. No wonder Roy Blount, Jr. wrote, “When Krispy Kremes are hot, they are to other doughnuts what angels are to people." 

The thought of doing anything to mar that perfection may seem like sacrilege, but in honor of the big occasion, we felt obliged to put our spin on the classic. Once you taste a Krispy Kreme flattened on a panini press, the sugar glaze all bubbly and caramelized, you may agree that more can indeed be better. 

Watch the Video here , you can almost smell it thru your screen.......ahhhhhh!!!

Our test kitchen started with just a single plain doughnut on the press, cooking it for about 30 seconds. (see the video for a how-to.) It looked like a manhole cover, tasted like heaven. Then we upped the ante to sandwiches of 2 doughnuts with a filling in the middle.

Consider the sky the limit when creating your own. After all, hamburgers with bacon served on Krispy Kreme “buns” are all the rage at football stadiums and state fairs, so who knows what amazing creation you might dream up?

What would you like to see on a Krispy Kreme Panini?

Video and Photos: Gary Clark and Ralph Anderson

Even though my husband love his Dunkin Doughnuts, I am still a Krispy Creme girl and will always be! Thank you Southern Living for a great idea! Going to buy a press now and a box of wonderfulness!

Our First and Second Responsibilties ~

Our First Responsibility is to be happy, our second is to make others happy. Seems simple enough and a wonderful thought to live by. I was touched by this video and wanted to share. Something so simple yet so hard probably for most people to do, give back to others. Accept change and just do it! Giving back to others is one of my most important life works, my profession as a nurse I guess has lead me to think like this. I teach my children the same thing (when they listen) in hopes that a legacy of doing and caring about others will remain for generations to come.

30 gifts to 30 strangers : how sweet this was to do, celebrate your birthday by making others happy! Do you think we can do this when I am 50? hmmm 50 gifts :)

Enjoy!!

Thank you and big hugs to Lucas for posting on You Tube for people like me to enjoy, made me smile  :)

Here is more of Lucas
Website: www.lucasjatoba.com 
You need to see his work, incredible artist both print and video!! Wow
Twitter: www.twitter.com/#!/iamlucasjatoba 
If you liked the video, watch the making of! www.vimeo.com/28850787

Determination~

Which one are you Determined or Stubborn ? a strong will or not? think about that one and how it applies to your everyday life, relationships and your view of yourself.


Have a determined day! not a stubborn one!