At 4:00 a.m. The World Stands Still

This morning, my 6:00 a.m. alarm never went off. Why? Because at 4:00 a.m. I woke up to a sound I have heard only once before: My daughter gasping for air. She is not known to be asthmatic, but has been running a fever with upper respiratory discomfort. So, as had happened months ago; it was most likely a mucous plug, or just drainage clogging her airways. Regardless of what caused it, bells and alarms were going off inside of me:

My little girl was crying, "mama" as I was (trying to remain calm) calling on the name of Jesus, Y'Shua!

Because she was able to say my name, though extremely raspy, I knew she was getting some amount of air (thank you to the Infant CPR class a paramedic conducted at a MOPS group I attended years ago). I got her to the humidifier and then focused my attention on steam.

When I was little, I suffered severely from allergies. I have memories of my mom holding me over a pot of boiling water - just waiting for me to breathe. My memories include an extremely calm mother, sweetly telling me to breathe in. I was never afraid. Knowing that if I panic, my daughter would also panic - I stepped inside the calmness of my own mother from years gone by. At 4:00 a.m., when you're holding your little girl who is gasping for air, time stands still! I waited, for what seemed like an eternity, for the water to come to a boil. Then, I held my daughter close enough to the steam to loosen her airways of the phlegm. She clung to me as if I had the ability to help her. Feeling helpless, I continued to cry out to my Lord, "Jesus, Y'Shua" under my breath.  This little girl has been the source of so much joy, and so many fears.  She has been the answer to many prayers.  As I felt her abdomen to see if air was going in deep (it was rising up and down), I called to mind many other times she has been in harm's way.

• The little girl who I prayed longingly for after losing 3 babies in utero
• The little girl who is my only child to suffer a febrile seizure (when her temps. spiked during Roseola)
• The little girl who is my only child to fall and hit her head at a swim lesson at our community center
• The little girl who is my only child to be knocked down at a waterpark by the dumping bucket of water
• The little girl who runs into walls, trips over siblings, and has been known to get hurt while sitting on a chair quietly.

 This child was my miracle baby from the start, and continues to keep me in prayer for her safety.  She is the baby I never thought would be in my arms, and the one I never thought would be brave enough to leave my arms.  She just celebrated her 5th birthday, and I'm not about to let any harm come to her on my watch.  My husband and I have a vigilant watchful eye over her.  I held her almost constantly till she was 2, and she didn't give up nursing till she was into her 3rd year.  Yet, she is the one who seems to be in the path of some sort of danger at all times.  She is also the little girl who:

• Makes us laugh
• Never ceases to amaze us with her vocabulary
• Is so eager to learn how to read, that we have started her in Kindergarten - even though her birthday calls for her to start next year.
• Learned to walk before my other children did
• Looks into your soul when you look into her eyes
• Loves to be cuddled
• Is our little Florence Nightengale - She is the one who runs to the freezer for an ice pack when her siblings are hurt.

As I type this, she is sleeping calmly next to me - breathing freely!  My son has had the same fever and virus she is suffering from, but no signs of respiratory distress.  Between the two of them, we will get very little formal education accomplished today.  Though, my other daughter jumped out of bed and immediately dove into her studies.

I thank God for his grace for getting me through another fearful moment in time with my little girl.  I feel honored that my arms have been used to hold a miracle on more than one occasion (my daughter at her birth, and at all the times God has given her back to me).  And, I am so very thankful that not every 4:00 a.m. is like this one.

P.S. If you read this and believe in prayer, we sure wouldn't turn away your prayers for our health and for continued safety for my little girl.

Switch To Contract-Free Straight Talk And Save You Money On Your Family Phone Bill

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Making the decision to stay at home with your children to provide their education is a decision that causes many families to cut back and become a one-income family.  In the process, all expenses are looked at closely.  Your cell phone may be one of the first expenses you examine.

You search plan after plan only to arrive at the conclusion that cell phones cost more money than you have in your budget.  Yet, if for no other reason, you need a cell phone for safety while on the go.  What if you could find an affordable phone plan to meet your needs?  Hear what one mom has to say about saving money on her cell phone bill, in this video.

Hook, line and sinker, Straight Talk has the answers to your phone budget needs.  If you are currently on a cell phone plan, Straight Talk could save you quite a bit of money each month. In fact, you might even cut your monthly phone bill in half, without signing a confining contract.  That's a lot of money each month to save, or put toward your child's education.

The benefits of Straight Talk includes:

• No surprise bills
• No Contracts
• Great Nationwide Coverage
• Excellent Connectivity and Reception
• International Long Distance (at a low rate)
• No Fees for activation, reactivation, or termination
• No Credit Checks

Call a friend - Sometimes spending the day with your children means needing to blow off some steam, or talk to someone who understands.  You can choose from phones that come from well-known, trusted manufacturers such as:
 

• LG
• Motorola
• Kyocera
• Nokia
• Samsung

There are several phones available, including Android on Straight Talk, and reconditioned phones (complete with mp3 player, web access, blue-tooth capability, and a camera) for just $10.

The monthly plans start at $30, which includes an "All You Need Plan" to cover 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts and 30 MB of data.  For $45, you can have unlimited calls, picture messaging, texts, and use of the web.

Feeling relieved yet?  If not, you will once you visit Straight Talk website to find out how you can have all the coverage you need, at a price you can afford.

 

Take the Clorox2 Challenge on Worldwide Day of Play September 24

My family recently had the incredible opportunity to go on a 3-week trip around Lake Michigan. We started our trip in Holland, Michigan, and ended it in Sheboygan, WI - Traveling up through the UP, and into Door County. It was fabulous! I realized that one reason why I liked it so much was because everyday I was outside doing something active with my kids. So, I vowed to take at least 30 minutes to an hour everyday upon our return home to get outside and get moving with my kiddos. Then, I discovered there's actually a name for this:

It's called the Worldwide Day of Play - It's happening on September 24!

The idea is to turn off the TV and get outside to play. It sounds simple, and maybe you're even thinking "what's the point?" However, it sometimes takes making a pledge to get it going. It's very easy to sit in front of the TV and watch one show after another. It's not so easy to pull yourself up, off of the chair, gather your children, dress them for outside fun, and actually get yourself moving.

I remember, when my children were toddlers, wondering when I could be the mom on the bench - watching my children play, instead of standing under them as they climbed up the steps to the slide, or standing behind them so they wouldn't fall off of a swing. Now, I realize I am that mom on the bench if I want to be. Or, I can make a point to move right alongside my children. You'll be surprised what you learn through a play day with your kids. Will you take the Clorox2 Play 2Day Pledge? You can find out more at their website: http://clorox2play2day.com

Why should I get up and play with my kids? Here's what you'll discover:

1. After about 10 minutes of movement, you feel alive
2. You'll feel like a kid again
3. You'll relate to your kids on a level you never thought possible
4. If you swing with your kids, you'll discover a great therapy for the part of your brain that supports balance.
5. Your kids can run very fast
6. You feel old, but not too old to swing, play hopscotch, or walk around a playground
7. Talking is more fun when you're screaming with delight
8. You just might crack a smile
9. Parenting is important, but just for a moment - you become their friend
10. You might find yourself fitting into those jeans you never thought you'd wear again, you know the ones you wore when you and your hubby were dating.

Don't take my word for it, get out and find out for yourself.

Note: Though my computer froze up in the middle of writing this, and by the time I got back to post it on the Social Moms' wall, I got a message saying my account had to be approved first (thought it had been already), so my entry does not even qualify for the contest. Still... I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Clorox2® blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” http://clorox2.socialmoms.com/about

Be Smart at KES 2011 Korea Electronics Show: The Latest in IT Products

If the most you know about technology is how to turn on your child's laptop so he can use a learning software, you will be amazed and delighted to discover what more lies ahead in IT products at the Korea Electronics Show!

Are you ready for the ultimate field trip learning experience? Or, learning about Information Technology and cultures from around the world? Korea's biggest electronics show is coming in October. If you want to take a learning trip across the ocean, simply keep informed and up-to-date, or if you live in Korea - On October 12-15, 2011; you can visit Korea Electronics Show (KES 2011). Find out more when you visit their website at kes.org. Visit KES on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter. Leave a comment on their wall, or Twitter status telling them you heard about the conference at Teachable Scotts Tots Homeschool blog. Read what the Korean IT Times has to say about the show.

The world is changing, and the 750 exhibiting companies are keeping up. It's an electronics extravaganza! The show will exhibit 25,000 products related to the latest in telecommunications, semi-conductors, multimedia, consumer electronics, and more.

Find out all you need to know in this English version of the KES 2011 brochure.

If your student is learning the Korean language; or if you live in Korea and want updates on the show, you'll enjoy the KES app. Smartphone app will be released soon for KES 2011.



Want to know more? Watch a Slideshow presentation about the conference here.

Making Bedtime More Peaceful with Night Night Blessings by Amy Parker

Lullabies, rocking, and a last-minute drink of water are all part of many household's nightly routine.  Sometimes our drinks of water go on for hours.  Is your bedtime routine all you thought it would be?  Ours is not always the way it played out when I dreamed of being a mom - when I was just a kid, and my babies were nothing but cloth dolls with open/shut eyes.  It's nice to, every so often, take a moment and snuggle up with a good bedtime story. 

Night Night Blessings, by Amy Parker, is a sweet addition to your child's bedtime.  Filled with comforting, and praise-filled thanksgiving; the book is written on a level a child will understand, and an adult will enjoy.  Illustrated by Marijan Ramljak, the pictures are colorful, yet soothing - perfect for drifting away into a good night of slumber.  How about sending her off into sweet dream land with a blessing, and a prayer - a soft reminder that God is carefully watching all night long.

The book is 16 pages of rhyme and beautifully childlike illustrations that help your child connect the words to her innocent world.  It's sure to calm any night-time fears lurking in the dark.  It is a peaceful reminder of the happy things in your child's life.

The book not only draws your child into a peaceful night of shut eye, but creates a sense of rhythm and rhyme, an attitude of gratitude, and reminds your child that God is in control.  Who could help but have a sweet night filled with happy dreams after hearing this story read, while snuggled up in the lap of mom or dad.

I had the opportunity to review the book as an eBook on my Mobipocket Reader (for the PC - I do not have a fancy Kindle or Nook).  I do have a laptop, and the book easily downloaded for my review, from the BookSneeze program.  I received the eBook free, in return for an honest review.

Review of Time 4 Learning

"Really?  This counts as school?"  "It looks like fun!"  "I really like it!"  These are the quotes I heard from my children as they discovered all that the Time4Learning.com teaching site has to offer.

I had the recent privilege of reviewing the teaching website, Time4Learning.com.  I should say, my children had the enjoyment of the review.  I have seen the site advertised, and it looked interesting to me.  However, I did not know how well my children would receive it.  See, we have a history of mom (me) getting extremely excited about curriculum, until I present it to my kids.  Suddenly, my enthusiasm is drained like a flat balloon.  Fully anticipating this could be the case with Time4Learning, as it has been with other curriculum packages we have tried, I presented it to my children.  Here's what happened: 

My 11 year old son is a computer fanatic.  He is very bright (I don't just say this as his mother), his SAT test scores were falling into the post-high school level, in 5th grade.  However, this child absolutely hates using text books to learn.  I knew he would like the idea of the lessons being on the computer, but I was not prepared for his response.  The first day of school, which he dreaded with a passion, I told him to turn on his computer and go to the Time4Learning.com website.  Then, I told him that I wanted him to complete at least one lesson in each subject, set up his home page, and spend some time getting to know the site.  All I wanted in return was his honest opinion.  His reaction? 

"You're kidding!  This counts as school?"

The rest of the school day was a breeze.  He thoroughly enjoyed learning, using Time4Learning as a teaching tool.  He discovered games, interactive teaching, and some reading/instructional segments.

I was curious to see what he thought of the level of teaching.  At first, he described it as mostly review lessons.  However, after a few days of use, he began to say that they are right on par - not too hard, not too easy.

I am definitely considering using Time4Learning as his core curriculum base, for the rest of the year.

My 9 year old daughter -  My oldest daughter loves using workbooks, so I was not surprised when she examined Time4Learning and gave me her response.  She told me that it was really fun, and she enjoyed it a lot.   However, she would prefer to stick with the workbooks for daily learning - using Time4Learning as a supplement, for fun!  She found the first lessons to be review of information she already knew.  As she dove deeper into the lessons, she found them to be challenging.


My Kindergartner - My 4 year old, turns 5 in September.  According to her birthday cutoff, she would not be in Kindergarten until next school year (if she went to public school).  However, she is begging me to teach her how to read, and can already count above 100.  So, I decided to start her in Kindergarten this year.  She loved the games on Time4Learning.  She said, "I think it's going to be really fun!"  As I watched her work through the site, I noticed that it seemed to present the lessons in a preschool manner.  Being a Dora The Explorer fanatic, it reminded us all of how Dora talks - slow, and precise.  It was asking her questions about stripes, etc. which she was working through with ease.

All in all, I found Time4Learning to be a helpful site, which I am considering using for my son.  I think it is definitely a good supplemental learning site, possibly fills in the blanks to form a complete year-long curriculum as well.

I was given one month to check out the site, and then describe what my family thought of it, giving our honest opinion - whether good or bad!  I did not receive payment for this review, other than the 30-day free review trial.  Everything in the above review is 100% my opinion.

Hermie, A Common Caterpillar: An Essential Addition To Your Child's Early Reading Library

Hermie is a classic Max Lucado book for children.  Now, released in a Level 2 Reader, your early reader can read it all by herself.  A wonderful book in many regards:

• Great message of God's purpose for your child's life
• Easy to read (for you and your early reader)
• A lesson of science (caterpillar to butterfly)
• A lesson of change
• Reading Lessons
• Religious Studies (Christian Lessons)

I was allowed to download a free e-reader version of the book from the BookSneeze program, in exchange for my honest review.  I am not required to give a positive review, and have received nothing in return other than the e-book.  All of my opinions in this review are 100% my opinion.

The story of Hermie is about a common, everyday, caterpillar who hangs onto hope that God has something more in store for the unsightly "worm".  As Hermie continues throughout his day, he encounters many beautiful friends, such as the lovely-spotted lady bug, a snail who carries his home with him, and others.  He, and his friend, continue to believe God has something more in store for the two of them.  However, they struggle to believe.

One day, Hermie falls asleep.  When he wakes up, he is a beautiful butterfly.  As for his friend, well, I'll let you discover what happens to him as you read this book, with a classic message, to your child.

The story of Hermie leaves you feeling important and beautiful, as God created you.  Now, with this Max Lucado book in a Level 2 reader version, your early reader can read the message to himself.  Of course, it's fun to share a little snuggle time with your child reading along.  So, if you prefer to read it aloud, the message never gets old.

Fresh-Brewed Life Book Review

As a coffee lover, I liked the title of this book from the start.  But, I had no idea how rich it would be between the covers.  My life has changed for the better, thanks to Nicole Johnson's revised & expanded Fresh-Brewed Life book.  The book was provided to me to review from the Book Sneeze program, but the following is 100% my own opinion.

I loved the references to coffee, which the author intermixes cleverly.  Whether you are a coffee lover or not, this book will stimulate you to draw you into thought-provoking chapter after chapter.  Like sharing a good cup of coffee with a friend, you will discover truths that will change your life.  It, then, finishes off with study questions.  The book is not about coffee.  It's about enriching your life.  The questions could be used in a Bible Study group setting, or just for your own use.

The book was originally published 10 years ago, but has been revised and expanded as the author's life has been revised and expanded.  She shares it all, holding nothing back.  The book has inspired me to begin journaling.  It has also encouraged me to look deeper into aspects of my life to grow a deeper relationship with Christ and make the most of my talents.

From a call to surrender everything to God, to a deep talk about sexuality and beauty; this book will make you tap into your thought life as you align it to the desires of your God.