Simple Abundance

I started this book at the first of this year and am enjoying it for the most part. I tried reading once before but only made it through January. This time has been much different; I find my self wanting to read it daily and wanting to find the authentic me. The me that God wants me to be.

I did hit a stumbling for a few days when she talked about focusing back to when you were 10. She describes it as the happiest time for most children. A time when we are happy, innocent and just starting to assert ourselves. She says this is usually before we start trying to please others and are enjoying who we are. I kept picturing me with shorts, boots and a funky shirt and not caring about how my mom thought it looked. She was right in that respect but for me turning 10 was the turning point in my life. My mom made an announcement that would forever change her and our family, my parents divorced, we changed schools, I lost many of my friends and I never remember going back to church with my dad again other than when he remarried. For a couple of days those feelings all came rushing back to me and I felt so alone. I prayed and then suddenly it no longer seemed so overwhelming. I can not explain what happened but I just knew it was time to move on.

As awful as some of things that took place during that time were they did still help make me who I am. I often worry about people finding out all the details of my life but then almost as if God physically whispers in my ear I feel Him tell my heart it is OK, I love you and I can use you.

I look forward to continuing to this book, I am enjoying the journaling and the quotes and her assignments to do. I would encourage you if you ever want to take a closer look at who you are and want/need to love yourself more than this book would be a good starting place.

Funnel Cakes

When we first started homeschooling Sydney was in kindergarten, Ray in preschool and Vincent was a baby. The biggest thing we did from the very start was read and read a lot! To this day all three of my kids list reading as a hobby/pleasure!

I always knew I could not teach them everything, who can, but if I could give them a love for books and the ability to find what they needed they would be set.

Our favorite thing, or at least mine was unit studies. We started off using Five in a Row, next was Beyond five in a Row and then Sonlight which we still mix with Bob Jones for core subjects.

I avoided just reading stories. I tried to make them fun and include crafts, field trips and related foods when ever we could. For example when we read the story of Ping we went to the duck pond, when we read Madeline we studied symmetry and when we read Charlotte's Web we went to the State Fair of Texas and a few days later made funnel cakes.

I had not thought about that for years, that is until I was looking around on one of my favorite sites for a recipe and found Pioneer Woman's recipe for Funnel Cakes. These are easy and fun to make. They are a little messy to make and eat but that is part of the fun of them and you do not have to wait for a trip to the fair to enjoy them.

Think back to a happy event you shared with family and feel free to share it.

Inspiration

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there"

Will Rogers