Thankful Thursday 7/12/07

Today, on this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for:

My children--I love them more than I can possibly ever say. They mean EVERYTHING to me and I am so grateful to have them in my life!

That the Lord has protected my children on the bike rides and walks they've been taking.

American Soldiers/Military and the extreme sacrifices they have made and continue to make each and everyday so that I can live here in a free country with my family.

For computers and the web that allows me the opportunity to try to supplement my husband's income and communicate with other ladies at the same time.

For the cooler weather and the BEAUTIFUL breeze that is blowing today!

For the gorgeous blue, sunny sky!

For the bird's peaceful songs that sing outside.

For my husband's patience and diligence as he is still trying to fix his van so we can have 2 cars, and that he has NOT given up!

For all the volunteers who are working everyday this week to make our church's Vacation Bible School a big success!

For all the kids who have attended this week at our church's Vacation Bible School!

For our window air conditioner and that it has been working so well!

For this "Thankful Thursday" activity and the fact that it forces me to see the blessings God gives.

If you'd like to participate in "Thankful Thursday" or just read other lists, visit Sting My Heart.

Wordless Wednesday! 7/11/07

It's just like a cat to jump into the infant carseat and hangout isn't it.

To see other Wordless Wednesday participants, click on Wordless Wednesday

Win a NeatReceipts Scanalizer & Reduce Paper Clutter!

Wow! 5 Minutes For Mom has this awesome contest going on and they are giving away 10 (yes 10!) NeatReceipts Scanalizers!

The NeatReceipts SCANALIZER is a scanner and software solution that helps you organize your paper. Receipts, bills, medical forms, business cards -- everything. It scans, analyzes and organizes your papers and stores everything in a database on your PC. You can scan your child’s artwork and date it by month or year and store it forever! You can also scan recipes or articles from magazines and then sort them and search for them by title or categories that you have assigned.

I have never heard of this before but am so intrigued by it! I'd love to be able to scan my kid's drawings and then be able to share them with my family who is scattered all over the US! :)

Want to buy one now? They have even offered a discount to all 5 Minutes For Mom readers when you purchase the Scanalizer from their site in the month of July. Use code 5Minutes at checkout, and save $20 off the already reduced price of $199!

Homeschooling Family Needs Help–Homeschool Ministry Opportunity

As a homeschooling mom, I was touched by an email I read that told of a fellow homeschooling family who is in need and I wanted to post this information here for other people to read and possibly see this as an opportunity to help them. I do not know this family at all, but my heart immediately began to ache for them.

The Estes family, owner of Hands and Hearts, have seven children. Their youngest, Noah, who is almost a year old, has some major health issues. He is on a feeding tube right now, and their insurance does not cover the cost of his formula, which is about $25 a day. Also, as I read their blog, there is an entry saying as of 7/6, this poor little babe is back in the hospital undergoing a long list of tests as they attempt to diagnose the problems he is experiencing.

MANY other Homeschool publishers have gotten together to offer some beautiful FREE products to everyone who makes a donation of $27 to the Estes Family. The family gets 100% of the money and you get a huge list of great products! It is only offered until the 13th of July.

There are a number of free gifts for you if you choose to make a donation. The link is http://www.chirotoons.com/benefit. If you are unable to make a monetary donation (or in addition to making one), PLEASE uplift this little one and family in prayer. Also, feel free to post this on YOUR blog for added exposure for the Estes family.

Wordless Wednesday! 7/04/07

This is my eldest son this past winter. It was his 1st tractor WITH a plow and he plowed driveways with. It was a proud moment for him. Checkout the full bucket of snow hanging over him!

To see other Wordless Wednesday participants, click on Wordless Wednesday

Free 4th of July Ebook packed with Goodies!

With the Fourth of July holiday coming up quickly, I just wanted to share some great sites with you that have all sorts of fabulous Craft ideas and terrific Activities for everyone:

http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/_4th.html

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/july4/

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/fourth_of_july_theme.htm

Also, as a special treat, I am giving away a FREE ebook called A Family 4th of July Celebration! It is filled with all kinds of great Recipes, Crafts, interesting 4th of July Facts, and Stress-free Party Planning Tips!

You can download it here:

http://www.thewahmshack.com/fourthofjuly.pdf

To save this ebook to your computer, right-click on the link and choose "Save Target As".

This is a pdf file, so you'll need a pdf reader to view it. Most computers already have this, but if yours doesn't, you can download Adobe Reader for free at http://www.adobe.com

Enjoy & have a very SAFE 4th of July!

Family Games/Activities!

I mentioned before that I have an Article Directory on my work-at-home mom (wahm) website and I just love to read all the articles that get submitted. This particular article jumped out at me because it sounds like so much fun! I hope some of you will enjoy it too. :)

5 Tips to Make Your Life More Fun by Christine Louise Hohlbaum

Are you working too hard? Not spending enough time with friends or family? You probably could use more fun in your life! Here are five fun games to invite more laughter into your day:

1.) The Hat Game

What you need: hat, three or more players

Age group: 2 and above

How you play: Each person takes turns wearing the hat. Whoever wears the hat has to sing a line of his favorite song. See how fast you can play the game!

2.) The Chocolate Game

What you need: timer, goggles or glasses, hat, 2 oven mitts, winter scarf, bar of chocolate, knife, fork, plate, four or more players

Age group: 6 and above

How you play: Each player takes a turn putting all the items on (including the oven mitts!), then trying to cut the bar of chocolate with the knife and fork. Allot about 30 seconds for this on the timer. When the timer rings, it is time to take everything off and hand it to the next person to try.

3.) The Dictionary Game

What you need: dictionary, pens, paper, four or more players

Age group: 6 and above

How you play: Each player takes a turn choosing one word that no one knows. All the other players write down what they think the meaning is or a funny alternative and use it in a sentence. The dictionary master reads everyone’s definitions, and then it comes to a vote. Whoever gets the most votes wins.

4.) Hide the Bunny

What you need: stuffed animal (we use a pink bunny), three or more players

Age group: 18 months and above

How you play: One player hides the bunny somewhere in the room while everyone else closes their eyes. The other players have to search for it. Whoever finds the bunny first gets to hide it next!

5.) Sardines

What you need: at least five players

Age group: 6 and above

How you play: This game is a hide-n-seek spin-off, but everyone wins. Darken the room. One person hides and the others seek. As each person finds the hidden person, he or she stays with the hidden person until the last person finds the entire group. The object is to stay as quiet as possible until the last person joins everyone else.

Laughter truly is the best medicine!

Christine Louise Hohlbaum, author of DIARY OF A MOTHER and SAHM I Am: TALES OF A STAY-AT-HOME MOM IN EUROPE, is a parenting humorist, motivational speaker and overall curious person who can’t stop asking questions of other people and the Universe. Subscribe to her newsletter at http://www.diaryofamother.com

Article Source: The WAHM Shack Article Directory

***THIS ARTICLE is Free for reprint only if it remains in its entirety, the Author's Resource Box AND our Article Source Credit Url are included, and ALL links remain intact.***