Weekend Links

A Valuable Lesson From The Eclipse

Dollar Store Pumpkin Topiary

Pumpkin Carving Stencils

Brie Stuffed Cranberry Turkey Burgers

Seasons Song

This Week:

What I'm Cooking:

There hasn't been much healthy food in this house the past week.  Last Friday, we had family rolling into town to celebrate Josiah's birthday.  That was the beginning of some really back food choices.  :-)

So getting back into the week, it was back to routines.  Thursday night I made a yummy crockpot minestrone with tortellini and homemade bread.  It was full of vegetables, full of flavor, and filling for these growing kiddos.

What I'm Reading:

I just finished a true story called All Saints (you can find the review here).  It's based on a true story about a priest, a struggling church, and group of Karen refugees so come together for a true miracle.  Very inspiring!

What I'm Doing:

Three kids... busy life...  I realized earlier this week that Noah's birthday is coming up quickly and I've got to get busy.  So I started working on birthday invitations and a piñata.  On the homeschool front, we're working our way through Ancient Egypt and I'm loving it. We're all learning so much.

What I'm Watching: 

We've been watching through Last Man Standing on Netflix.  It's only available through 

September 30th so we've been watching several episodes after the kids go to bed.  Tim Allen is so funny and this show in particular gets me every time.  And bonus... I don't have to worry if the kids happen to walk into the room while it's on.

What I'm Enjoying:

Ancient Egypt history... fall baseball games... celebrating Josiah... soup in the crockpot... 

homemade bread... fresh pressed apple cider...

What are you up to?

All Saints {Review}

A young priest... a grieving church... a refugee community... all converge in a series of unlikely events to witness one extraordinary miracle.

Michael Spurlock, fresh out of seminary, dreams of a church where he can be mentored in the priesthood.  Instead the diocese sees fit to assign him to a grieving church that is struggling in the aftermath of a split.  While he and his wife, Aimee, agree to the challenge, the church is also facing a financial crises, with months left in their building before they'll be forced to sell.  While Michael is still coming to grips with the church's situation, a group of Karen refugees discover the little church and begin attending services.  The Karen are seeking not only practical help in adjusting to a new country, but also spiritual guidance.  When one day, Spurlock hears the Lord speak to him about a solution for them all.  Start a farm!  What ensues is a series of unlikely events that saves a church, restores dignity to a people group, and builds a community.  

While the first half of the book was somewhat difficult to follow, moving back and forth with backstory information, once I learned the characters, it was quite an enjoyable read.  Hearing of the faith of the church and the people involved was truly inspiring.  Who, but God, would call on a split church and a young priest to start a farm?  Restoring dignity to the Karen and reviving a community is truly a story of healing and miracles.  If you're looking for a book to inspire you in the faith, All Saints is certainly it.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review.  All opinions are my own.

September Homeschool Favorites

We're finding our rhythm for the homeschool year and pulling out some of our favorites.  From drawing books to character development, these are some of the tools we're using in our homeschool.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱11 yrs, 👧9 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Collab w/ FullTimeWifeLife: https://www.youtube.com/user/FullTimeWifeLife

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Music Attribution:

Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
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I created this video with the YouTube Video Editor (http://www.youtube.com/editor)

Weekend Links

Lunch Box Notes

Nature Smash Painting

Easy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Modern Cafe Light Project

This Week:

What I'm Cooking:

Josiah's birthday was on Tuesday so he got to pick our dinner menu.  His absolute favorite meal is Parmesan Pasta.  It's listed on Pinterest as Creamy Garlic Pasta and it is incredible.  I don't complain too much when he requests it.  Although it does require a little extra time in the gym.  :-)

Besides that, we tried to eat light this week: salads, chicken pesto sandwiches, ... yummy, but end of summer light.

What I'm Loving:

This week was a little crazy.  There was lots of ups and downs, and some crazy emotions.  But that's what you got when you're living and doing school and doing life together for 24 hrs a day.  So what am I loving this week??? Birthday plans coming together... and cooler weather on the horizon.   Cooler weather moving in has meant more evenings in the backyard, more giggles on the trampoline, new life for the play tunnel, just lots of outdoors fun.

What I'm Reading:

I'm still reading Slow Down by Nicole Nordeman.  Cute little motherhood gift book and has been good for my heart this week.  :-)

What I'm Doing:

We've been enjoying the fall season and all the festivals and activities that pop up this time of year.  Last weekend, we attended the Honeybee Festival.  There was a ton of vendor booths, singing and entertainment, and a live bee beard demonstration.  That was awesome!

What I'm Watching: 

I've gotten hooked on This Is Us.  Totally binge watching in the evening.  It got me hooked when one of the main characters was adopted and I can see the struggles he goes through.  I think ahead to how I'm going to deal with those issues with my son.  But all the characters are well done.  This show totally has the same feel of Parenthood.

What I'm Enjoying:

cooler weather... sun tea... Story of the World... parmesan pasta... capture the flag...

What are you up to?

Slow Down: Embracing the Everyday Moments of Motherhood {Review}

Doesn't it feel like life is moving at the speed of light?  Just when you think you've caught a moment, it's gone.  Days filled with baseball practice, and piano lessons, and cub scouts... till eventually they become a blur.  And one day you realize, you've missed some of the greatest moments in your children's lives.  Some stages you're happy to be over with (potty training), while other stages you'd give anything to have back (snugging before bed).  Slow Down is a reminder to embrace your children at whatever stage they're in.  Whether you're embracing the stage of ABC's and peek-a-boo, or struggling, yet embracing, through the pre-teen years, these moments will pass too quickly, and the only way to hang on is through this realization.  Grab hold of the moments, pick your battles, and enjoy the ride.

This hardcover book includes 14 chapters encouraging moms to recognize the how brief life is.  Each chapter includes tips for motherhood, as well as beautiful photographs.  The book is gorgeously bound with a nice cover, perfect gift for moms at any stage of life.  I would recommend this book for any mom needing a little encouragement in this wild ride of motherhood.

*Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher for free.  All opinions are my own.