Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Books of the Month Collab Jan '18



Sharing what I read this month... the good, the bad, and the ugly... some heavy reading to start off the year, but some life changing reads.  And find out my one of my favorite parenting books of all time!

This Open Collab is hosted by Ingrid @ Mommy & Mia Homeschool Chronicles: http://bit.ly/2zpOZBU
and April @ The Simple Rugged Path: http://bit.ly/2zqFXo3

Playlist link: http://bit.ly/2hXr8zl

Full Resync Your Life Review:
http://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2018/01/resync-your-life-review.html

Full In Step With The Spirit Review:
http://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2018/01/in-step-with-spirit-review.html

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

C O N N E C T
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read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
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Wednesday, January 24, 2018

In Step With The Spirit {Review}


Many of us "know" that God loves us, yet we walk through life wondering where He is.  Why can't we see His work in our lives?  Where is He when the storms of life get crazy?  And how can we possibly know His path for our lives?  Sarah Bowling would say that He's always with us... we just need to open our eyes to his presence... in the mountain top experiences of life, the lowest of valleys, and yes, even the mundane moments of our day to day living.  Living In Step With the Spirit is less about a formula and more about awareness of God all around us.  

I wanted to like this book.  I really did.  I read what people were saying about it and I thought, "Yes, that sounds wonderful.  Practical wisdom for walking in step with the Lord."  I tried.  In fact, after my first failed attempt of getting through this book, I picked it up again a few months later and tried a second time.  But again I just couldn't get through it.  As far as practical wisdom, I really could find none of it.  In Step With The Spirit read more like Bowling's personal testimony and adventures rather than an encouragement to find the Lord in my own life.  And while there is encouragement to be found in how the Lord has cared for other believers, this just wasn't one of those testimonies.  Bowling seemed to loop back into the same stories and principles over and over again, until I could take no more of it.  I was sorely disappointed with this one.

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

Friday, January 19, 2018

Women in Science Book Haul



We love science.  There's so much to learn about how the world and how it all works together.  In researching scientists, I stumbled upon several books highlighting women in STEM fields and wanted to share them with you.  Hoping this leads to a fruitful and inspiring study!

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

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.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Resync Your Life {Review}


Authored by four time #1 Fitness Trainer in the World, Samir Becic promises that if you give him 28 days, he can give you a stronger, leaner body.  But that's not all.  Resync Your Life focuses not only on your physical health, but your mental and emotional health as well.  The Resync program looks at the body as a whole, not just physical fitness.  Becic takes his audience through four weeks of synchronizing body weight exercises, a healthy eating plan, emotional health, and mental realignment, all in an attempt to build a "stronger, leander, smarter, happier you."

With more than 15 years experience in the fitness industry, Samir Becic has developed an easy to follow plan that he's clearly laid out in this book.  Everything is included from illustrated multi-level exercises to a food journaling pages to a prayer and meditation component that is so often overlooked.

There were a lot of things that I loved about this book.  I love that the food plan is broken down to a level of being very approachable.  Sometimes eating plans can be complicated and overwhelming.  Not this one.  There was lots of options and variety to keep you interested.  Also, I think it's really important that the author spent some time focusing on the mental and spiritual aspects of life as well. Our bodies work together as a whole the these areas of our lives certainly have an affect on our physical health.  Finally, the exercise plan was very doable.  With no equipment needed, the Resync program can be continued anywhere, even in traveling. 

This book is best geared toward a beginner or someone of lower moderate activity level.  It's very non-threatening and approachable.  As for someone of a higher activity level, the exercises may not be life changing, but the eating plan and mental/spiritual aspects would still be of great benefit.

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

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

2018 Read Aloud List

We're on our quest to include more Read Alouds in our homeschool.  I always feel that reading good books with the kids, combined with introducing them to wholesome characters and worthy heroes is a worthwhile use of our time.  This year's list includes several books that we didn't have time for last year as we detoured into the Indian in the Cupboard series.  There are also some great literary pieces, a biography, and a number of adventure stories.  I hope this list inspires you to do more reading with your children as well.  What's on your Read Aloud List this year?


Helen Keller by Leslie Garrett


The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder


Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder


These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder


The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder


The Candymakers by Wendy Mass


More about Paddington by Michael Bond


Kim's Island by Wendy Orr


Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DeCamillo


Number the Stars by Lois Lowry


Hatchet by Gary Paulsen


Monday, January 15, 2018

Meal Prepping/ Motivational Monday



 Having the time to cook/prepare food the way I want to can be a challenge to keep in balance with homeschooling and our other commitments.  So today I'm taking some time to prep snacks and breakfasts to keep things running smoothly.  How do you find time to prep meals in your kitchen?

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

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

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Music Attribution:

Spanish Summer by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Friday, January 12, 2018

How Do You Start Your Homeschool Morning Collab



 Join me today as we talk about how we start our homeschool morning?  How about you?  How do you start your homeschool morning?

The Simple Rugged Path:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7HVorQE8LgvYfw8_zPiDAQ

Playlist: https://goo.gl/hgwcqj

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

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

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom
follow me on http://twitter.com/creative2xmom

FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Monday, January 8, 2018

Putting Away Christmas/ Motivational Monday



 Sad, but true... it's time!  What does it take so much longer to take down Christmas than it does to put it all out?  Whether it's cleaning up from Christmas or tackling an organization project, now's the time to get it done!  Let's get motivated!

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

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

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom
follow me on http://twitter.com/creative2xmom

FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Music Attribution:

Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

My Goals for 2018

And just like that, one year has ended and another has begun.  It's hard to believe that we're turning the page into 2018, and yet here it is.  In the past couple of years, I laid down setting goals for the year.  Time marched on and while I had dreams, I didn't really set down goals.  As 2018 comes into view, I wanted to purposefully write down a few of my priorities for the new year.

1. Spend a weekend away with my husband

In the past we've taken a yearly retreat to sleep, eat, and just have an uninterrupted conversation.  Due to some time and financial constraints, we missed that weekend in 2017.  We're hoping to get a weekend away in the spring.

2. Develop a weekly planning time with my husband

I think it would be really helpful for us to sit down sometime on the weekend, just to talk, plan, and make sure we're on the same page.

3. Establish a date night

Financially we can't get out of the house for a weekly date night.  However, I'd like to start incorporating an at home date night or even an occasional night out with my husband.

4. Learn better publishing techniques for Youtube

I mentioned in my End of the Year Reflections video that I really need to work on my thumbnails.  Additionally I want to continue growing in my editing and polishing techniques.

5. Learn more about making printable

One of the things I'd like to include on the blog is some printable, specifically some calendar printables.  But I have no idea how to start that.  So doing some research, learning lots, and hopefully bringing more into 2018.

6. Read through the Old Testament

Yes, ideally, I'd like to read the whole Bible in one year, and yet, that seems very overwhelming.  So for now, let's just say, I'm working on reading the Old Testament.

7. Write one handwritten note a week

One of my goals this year is to really connect on a personal level with a handful of women in my life.  In order to do that one a deeply impactful way, I want to hand write notes, let them know that they're worth my time.  More time than a text or an email.

8. Read 12 read aloud with the kids

Reading to our kids is a huge value in our home.  Each year, we start out with a list of 12 books that we plan to read in the new year.  And while we don't always finish the list, it's a great goal.

9. Start a Family Evening routine

A new idea that we'd like to try out this year is to incorporate a Family Evening with worship and games.  A night when we're all at home and can just bond as a family.  Yes, we spend a lot of time together since we homeschool and try to stay involved in all our kids' lives.  But this will just be a time without a schedule and having fun together.

10.  Practice a Sabbath/offline day

It's hard for me to turn my brain off.  Turn off social media and shut down the computer.  But I think it would make me a better blogger, better Youtuber, better mom, better wife... So it's an experiment.  We'll see where it goes.

I'll be posting updates on my progress throughout the year.

What are your goals for 2018?


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