Had I truely lost my H.E.A.R.T.?

I plopped down on my couch. I was tired, cranky, exhausted, and sick of my daily routine. The dishes from last week's dinner were still all over the counter, the dirty laundry was soon going to eat me alive if I didn't do something with it, and our children avoided me for fear the screaming banshee would return. As I sat there that hot, miserable night, I was hit with the reality of what I had become. And I didn't like me.

After much time spent crying out to God, I picked up a book recently delivered to my house. Titled, How to have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids, I began reading. And it struck the chords of my heart. Showing me how inward my sight had become. How I was only caring about myself. My wants. My needs. I saw my family as a burden. And I needed to change.

From the first paragraph, author Rachel Carman was telling the story of her heart, and speaking directly to mine.  It was as if she had stepped into our home, observed me for a few days, and this was her assessment.

Mrs. Carman takes the letters of the H.E.A.R.T. acronym and expounds each into its own convicting chapter. After marking, notating, highlighting, and dog earring nearly the entire introduction, I hit chapter one thinking my hand might get a rest. But I was so wrong. Each chapter was just packed with wise council and drove me back to my knees. I was encouraged through Mrs. Carman's experiences and through scripture after scripture upon which she shone a light. I was also challenged by the Heart checklist found at the end of each chapter.  Through it all, I was reminded my world, my children, my husband are not my own. Nor does my world revolve around me or my family.  Not even partly. I had to give my whole heart back to God. I had to die to my self, so I could live abundantly in Him. Then, I could have a H.E.A.R.T. for my children.

If you would like to experience How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids for yourself, it is available for purchase through Apologia for $13.00. You can read a sample chapter, to experience the book for yourself. Visit Apologia to see a whole line of resources designed to encourage and strengthen homeschooling families.

Beth

As a member of the TOS Crew I was given a copy of this book for review purposes. I was not paid to write this post and my opinions are my own. 

What's for dinner?

I have been drawn in to the new world of Pinterest.  I tried so hard to not get sucked in. It would just be another habit that would use up what little precious time I had. But as always, I had no willpower and reluctantly looked at the site.  And then waited a week for my invitation to be approved.  Then jumped into the deep end.  For those not on Pinterest, it's basically a fancy favorites list. Only with pictures. Oh the pictures!! 

Well today, I have decided to put my pinning to use.  In an attempt to salvage the time I have wasted, I am making my menu for the week from all the recipes and new foods I want to try.  I'll be honest, it was a little difficult. It seems most all the foods I have pinned are desserts. Go figure. But I've got the list made, with Thursday's being a little questionable since it wasn't actually pinned. It's going to be my interpretation of a recipe. So with out further ado...

Monday: Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps
Tuesday: Chicken and Mushrooms
Wednesday: Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Thursday: White Cheddar Chicken
Friday: BBQ Chicken wraps or Chicken Enchiladas
Saturday: Pizza Muffins
Sunday: Taco Salads

I know there is a bunch of chicken this week.  I roasted three chickens this weekend and have all the meat ready to use this week.  I promise you, you will want to click on the links.  The names just don't do the pictures justice. I just hope they taste as good as they look!! And head over to I'm an Organizing Junkie for more Menu Planning!

My neighbor

This guy/gal has been showing up often at our house. This particular day, it was for a birthday party. One night, it showed up for dinner (found it in the chicken coop eating an egg). As long as it doesn't try for a slumber party, it will be welcome. Living where we do, I'll keep the "good" snakes. While this one isn't the best snake to have around (You want a King snake. They eat all the venomous ones), it does eat mice, rats, and other small rodents. So it has a home for now.

So tell me, do you have odd visitors at your home?

New Adventures

It's the start of a very busy time of year.  It's back to school time!!! And in a homeschooling house, it's just as busy and exciting as in a public school home.  There are new clothes, new supplies, butterflies, and excitement.  Hopefully there isn't any disappointment over what teacher the kids get for the year!

Today, I'm over at The Homeschool Village sharing some practical tips about how we teach with so many students and non-students in our home.  If you aren't a homeschooler, go ahead and check it out here anyway. I know you are dying to see how things work around here!  I'll be at The Homeschool Village once a month on Fridays starting in September sharing with you things from our BIG family life!

There are many new things coming up this fall here at Sew Anyhow.  Guest bloggers, new Reviews, writing a few other places.  Please be sure to sign up to get emails so you don't miss anything!

A year already

Today, we mark the first anniversary of our baby's birth day.   That's a really formal way to say, Georgia Beth is ONE!  And what a wild ride this last year has been.  My children were lamenting how fast the year has gone (Daniel said the older you get, the fast time seems to fly). But for once, this last year seemed to have taken it's time for me.

If you want to go back you can read about this Sweet Peach's birth.  She really has been a charmer. She doesn't fuss.  Is really content. Has a smile that will melt a heart of stone. Georgia Beth clings to her family. Literally. It's like having an ape baby hanging on to you! She of course has done all the little things a baby should; has hit all the milestones at the appropriate times.  So what do you say about this baby? 

I could write about how she has changed our family. How everyone seems to gravitate around her. How all the kids counted the days until her arrival. How they all cheered over each milestone. That she brights every one's day, and we all treasure time with her. I could...

I could write about how she is one of the happiest babies.  She sleeps through the night. Didn't fuss too much over new teeth.  Doesn't cry for attention.  Isn't spoiled by the love she gets from everyone.  How she is willing to let strangers (to her) hold her, talk to her, play with her. I could...

Instead, I think I'll write something very personal to my baby daughter for her birthday.  When you were born, Georgia, I was again taken by surprise. Me, with another girl. A daughter. I was thrilled. And a little sad. There were many women who have come and gone before you that you would not know. And scared. It is up to me to pass along to you all the wisdom that has been passed to me.  And today, I'm all those things and one more. I am humbled. The God of the universe chose this family for you. His creation. His child.

So today we celebrate you. And I look to the future. I'm not worried about the unrest in the world. All the political mumbo jumbo. Debt, famine, or other issues. Not for you. For I know that He that created this world is still in control.  And while I do not know what your future holds, I know Who holds the future.  I pray for the day you will surrender your will and heart to Him. That you answer His call on your life.  I do not pray for happiness for you. Not because I want sadness for you, but because happiness is often a dead end, empty path the world has offered. Instead I pray for joy to reign in your life. That you live a life following after God, and live selflessly in His path. It will be a hard path, but the only one that has the Lord.  I pray that whether the path is favorable or unfavorable, you will obey the LORD.  And I pray that you will be a servant unto the Lord. Never quarrelsome, but kind to all, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, and correcting with gentleness.  This is your path Sweet Georgia Beth, and I pray you are a beacon of grace, mercy, and light to the fallen world.  Your name, Beth, means consecrated to God. May you carry your name well, dear, and bring honor to the God on High.

You have been such a joy and blessing to us this first year. I love you, my daughter. Happy first birthday!

Beth