Category Archives: Education

If You Don’t Have a Joyous God

21 Sunday Dec 2014

Posted by in Celebrations, Gratitude, Joy, Life Long Learner, One Life, Uncategorized

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This week we will be joining with extended family to celebrate the life of a kind, funny, Jesus loving uncle, father, grandfather.  The sharing of this video is so timely for me, so maybe for you too?  My Uncle Paul was one of the funniest and kindest men I’ve ever know.  His ability to correct me without making me feel demeaned is something I remember from my rebellious youth.  Thinking about it now, I imagine that Uncle Paul could see that there was more behind my deviant behavior.  His humor lightened the mood wherever he was.  It is with a grateful heart that I remember Uncle Paul, and the joy he shared so generously, as we head off to celebrate his life.

Please take a brief 5 minutes and reflect with me on Joy.

“If you don’t have a joyous God, you better run for cover.”  Dallas Willard

This Moment ~ Practice Time

21 Friday Nov 2014

Posted by in Gratitude, Life Long Learner, Parenting, teens, Uncategorized, {This Moment}

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{this moment} ~ A weekly stop. A single photo – or two – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment that I have been given. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

practice time

dream realized

Grocery University ~ Graduated!

19 Wednesday Nov 2014

Posted by in Life Long Learner, Menu Planning, Uncategorized

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As usual, I am a little behind the curve, ha!  During our fall break road trip I downloaded and listened to Grocery University by Carrie Isaac.  This audio course has been around for some time and has even been re-released by Money Saving Mom, but as I said, I finally got around to listening this fall.

As a seasoned mom and homemaker, I have practiced many of the things shared in Grocery University .  But I was encouraged and inspired as the miles clicked by and I listened.  It is good to have a refresher from time to time.  And in the past year, as life has gotten a little more complicated, meal planning, coupon clipping and deal shopping has definitely taken a back seat!  I was inspired upon arriving home to pull out the coupon box and step back into more intentional meal planning and coupon shopping.

Another benefit to listening to the audio course during that road trip, my 15 year old sitting next to me listening in.  We had some good discussion about what refreshed me and what she learned.  Seeing as she already is a coupon clipper and uses swagbucks, she was able to make some good connections.  She is well on her way to learning the ins and outs of frugal living and managing her money.

Isaac recently sold the rights to Grocery University to Money Saving Mom.  If you are interested in purchasing Grocery University, you can do so below.

Grocery University

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affiliate links are included in this post.  If you sign up for swagbucks or purchase Grocery University through By Quiet Waters, I receive small compensation or bonus swagbucks.

This Moment ~ September 30

30 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by in Education, Gratitude, Nature Study, One Life, Parenting, teens, Uncategorized, {This Moment}

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This Moment

Lately I haven’t been on the computer much until late in the evening, and some things are getting left on the back burner.  Late last week I woke the kids (late) and told them we were heading out for the day.  Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are 2 of my favorite places and we have not made the 3.5 hour trip in a long time, so we loaded up and headed north and west.

Mountain Run

Mountain Hike/Run

With the late start and a little dwaddling we arrived pretty late in the day, but still had time to walk to Alberta Falls.  With “baby kitty” the little short legged toddler with us,  some of us were moving very slow.  My two longer legged girls were itching to go for a run, so off they ran.

It was a blessing to hear their laughter and chatter as they dashed off.  It was also a joy to walk along with Mae and “baby kitty”.   I am so treasuring these days with my teen and preteen daughters.  The years are passing quickly by so I will continue to grab them from time to time and head out away from homework and screens to just enjoy a little outdoors time together.

 

Linking with SouleMama

What I’m Into, August 2014

31 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by in Books and Thoughts on Books, Celebrations, Education, Gratitude, One Life, Recipes, teens, Uncategorized, {This Moment}

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What I’m INTO August 2014 Edition

This month has been full of dust, sun, new starts, laughter, frayed edges as the remodel work continues, as new school year gets going and summer dwindles down. Week four of no kitchen left me feeling out of it, and I discovered that while I am not frustrated or discontent, the adventurous energy that I started this venture with has dissipated and I feel as though I have frayed edges. Still holding it together and pushing forward, but with a little less gumption.

Read and Reading:

The Antelope in the Living Room by Melanie Shankle  This book was a delightful piece of comic relief as my home continued  the craziness of kitchen & bathroom remodel and sending the kids off to new school situations.

Sheba’s Song was another quiet time blessing.

Currently reading:

Where There Was No Church, Families Where Grace is in Place, Clutterfree with Kids, Generous Justice

(I completed _2_ books this month, but read a chapter or 2 or more in several others.)

TV:

We turned Netflix back on and started where we left off with Dr Who. Slowly, the 5 of us have become Whovians to varying degrees.

Music:

I’m really enjoying the classical station on the way to school on Monday morning, and listening to the Newsboys as we continue to work on the house.

Things I Love:

This bench and these plans. Thank you for sharing Ana White!

What I'm Into, August 2014

grilled nachos

your one life

Beautiful words

Winnie the Pooh

an old favorite shared with a new generation

 

porcelain tile

progress

friendship

friendship

The Newsboys in Concert

Singing the Gospel

1GirlNation, Lindsey

Young women encouraging each other

In the Blogosphere:

~ “I’m slow to process, slow to think, slow to respond. Rather than fight against that, I’m learning to celebrate it in my own way.” Oh Emily, thank you for the admonishment to stop fighting my slow processing thoughts and responses! Spending some time this month pondering the idea of celebrating that aspect of introverted me.

… take no relationship for granted. 

My sisterinlove recently shared a link on facebook that led me to The Imagination Tree, oh my.  This playdough looks like a recipe for fall fun with a precious little one I get to spend a few days a week with!  I just can. hardly. wait. for the new kitchen!

On The Blog:

I shared

why my family is committed to child sponsorship

and my “back to school” plan for September/October

 

Your turn, what are you into this grand month of August?

Linking with Leigh Kramer

 

 

This Moment ~ Sixth Grade!

29 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by in Education, Gratitude, Parenting, Uncategorized, {This Moment}

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{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Back to School

Back to School, 6th Grade!

 

This picture is a week late, and it was a day late.  Chica started back to her Cottage School class a week after her sisters started their College Pathways classes.  And wouldn’t you know, I forgot to take a morning picture.  This one was taken just as she was walking out after school.

Oh the days, they are so long, yet the years they just fly by.  Sixth grade, one last year of elementary school and then she is off joining her sisters in youth group, mission trips and all the wonder of the next season.

Oh how very thankful I am for all the days and all the years and this precious surprise, our youngest daughter.

 

Linking with the lovely Amanda.

Grocery University, Offered by Money Saving Mom

19 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by in Life Long Learner, Menu Planning, teens, Uncategorized

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Tired of Spending Too Much at the Grocery Store?

Want to find more ways than clipping coupons to stretch your food budget dollars?

See Below for Money Saving Mom’s special pricing for today, August 19!

“You don’t have to bust your budget to feed your family! Enter Grocery University: a 2 hour, 19 minute audio course that will teach you everything you need to know about making the most of your grocery budget, regardless of whether you’re new to bargain shopping or have been a super-shopper for years.

This original, in-depth course goes deeper than anything you’ve ever seen before and will have you stretching your grocery budget farther than you ever thought possible! I’ve taken years of experience teaching live seminars and developed a comprehensive strategy that’s proven to reduce your grocery budget.

And there’s no reading required! If you’ve been wanting to learn about saving money on your groceries but haven’t had time to sit down and read all the websites you’ve had bookmarked for months, this is the course for you – just download the MP3s and listen anywhere! You’ll learn everything you need to know by listening to the series.

It’s so well-rounded and comprehensive that it will help everyone from the most experienced coupon shopper to a newbie who doesn’t want to clip coupons at all!”

 

What’s Included?

The Grocery University course includes:
Grocery University

✓ 139 minutes of audio MP3 files – learn everything you need to know by listening!
✓ 40-page student workbook (PDF) with more tips, visual aids, and example scenarios.
✓ BONUS! The Grocery University Rock Bottom Price Database PDF ($10 value on its own!)

All information is delivered digitally so you can start learning right away! Keep reading for more information or buy now so you can listen immediately.

 

More Information & To Buy Now

Affiliate links are included in this post.  If you sign up for swagbucks or purchase Grocery University through By Quiet Waters, I receive small compensation or bonus swagbucks.

Back to School Goals for August 11-16

11 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by in goals, Homeschooling, One Life, Parenting, teens, Uncategorized

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Back to School Goals for August 11-16

Two of my kiddos are starting back to school this week, but it is very different than in the past.  We’ve home schooled since the beginning with them, but this fall Mae and Petal Rose begin a full time course load at a school with a hybrid early college program.  So they don’t go full time (Monday through Friday) but it is still a significant amount of time away.

I am committing this next week to a little less of my own endeavors and plans, and a lot of watching & note taking to do my best to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Last week…

Intentional Relationships

Go to “Step into My Shoes” event with Chica

Backyard Smores & Stargazing – we did a few fun things, but not this one. Most nights we were falling into bed dog tired after dinner.

Receive Mae & Petal Rose home from their mission trip into a period of comfort and rest before they hop right into school classes on Tuesday

Intentional Self Nourishment

Get back on James 1 memory work

Reading:  What He Must Be, Where There Was No Church, Pursue the Intentional Life, Families Where Grace is in Place and Sheba’s Song

Continue the nightly walk or bike ride (4x), Strength exercises (4x)

Making this One Life Count

Attend Step into My Shoes and spend time after processing. Not letting this the opportunity to learn and grow pass me by.

Other Pursuits –

Create syllabus for General Science (Petal Rose & Chica will be in general science this school year)

Clean one fridge

Organize laundry/dish washing roomDone, some plumbing and gas work and not things are a bit jumbled again. This will be an ongoing job until I can move dishes back to the kitchen!

Intentional Relationships

BBQ with young family friends on their way to Alaska

Be open to the new rhythm & changes this year brings

Intentional Self Nourishment

James 1 memory work, Justice Study

Reading:  What He Must Be, Where There Was No Church, and Families Where Grace is in Place

Daily walk or bike ride (4x), Strength exercises (4x)

Making this One Life Count

Back to school outreach event on Saturday

Stay present and calm

 

 

Summer Volunteer Work

23 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by in Colorado Springs, Gratitude, Homeschooling, Life Long Learner, One Life, Parenting, teens, Uncategorized

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Our youngest 3 daughters’ summer volunteer work includes acting as historical interpreters at Rock Ledge Ranch.  The ranch has 4 historical sites, with junior docents working each site.

Summer Volunteer Uniforms, period appropriate clothing

Summer Volunteer Uniforms, period appropriate clothing

The ranch allows guests to visit the different time periods of our area and learn about the people who lived there, and what life was like at that time.  The historic buildings have been restored as close to their original state as possible.  The National Register of Historic Places added the ranch in 1979.

One benefit to my kids through their volunteering at the Ranch has been their deeper understanding of our local and state history.  Anything they now read about Colorado history, or even western US history, is greatly enhanced by their experience working at ranch.  They also apply what they learn outside the ranch to their conversations at the ranch.

It has been a rich experience and one our kids look forward to each January when they complete the application for the following summer.

Ticket Booth, TB Hut

Ticket Booth, TB Hut

If you are visiting the Colorado Front Range think about adding Rock Ledge Ranch to your plans.  Maybe you’ll get a tour led by some sweet junior docents and enjoy a peak into Colorado History.

Birthdays, Spellbinders Paper Crafts & a GIVEAWAY!

10 Thursday Jul 2014

Posted by in Celebrations, Education, giveaways, Parenting, Uncategorized

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SANDRA READ is the winner of this giveaway.  Congratulations!  We have two other giveaways listed this month, here and here.

 

What a fun surprise it was to find a Spellbinders paper crafts kit in the mail one afternoon.  Birthdays are always happening around here, and one of my daughters had just told me that another friend of her’s had a birthday the next day.  A package of cute cardmaking kit and gift bag decorations arriving in the mail was just the thing!

This is what arrived in the mail that afternoon!

spellbinders paper crafts supplies

Spellbinders Creations supplies

whipping up a cute card

whipping up a cute card

an "ice cream" card

A sweet papercrafter & her ice cream cone card

spellbinders "best day ever treat bag" filled with sweet things

decorated treat bag filled with rolos and starburst tuc

The kits were very easy to assemble as everything except the glue was included in the kit, and the design was quite simple.  I can see how these kits would be nice to have tucked away for a quick project, but since we enjoy cardmaking and crafting, we usually have a stash of supplies to whip something cute together.  It was fun to try out this product but more than likely I wouldn’t purchase the Spellbinders paper crafts kits.

One the other hand we were sent the Spellbinders Celebra’tions “Many Words” polymer stamps to give away and I could see us using these often!  It is almost tempting to just keep them… but no.  We have a good supply of rubber stamps and embossing supplies so I’ll go ahead and share this with YOU!

many words stamp set

many words stamp set

A set of 15 clear polymer stamps includes words such as Thank You, Surprise, Celebrate, Happy Birthday, Yummy and more! Perfect for special occasions to everyday, use alone or put words together to create your own saying. Easy to clean and condition with our True Color Fusion Stamp Cleaner.

Spellbinders® Celebra’tions™ Line by Richard Garay creates a heartfelt greeting or event that has never been easier until now. Inspired by Richard’s passion for paper crafts, event hosting and handmade greetings, he designed this line to help others achieve those beautiful results every time. Every element is coordinated so this cheerful, bright and yummy collection makes creating a Celebration not only easy, but also inspiring!

Approximate Stamp Sizes:

4 x 6”

If you would like to win this set of clear polymer stamps enter below!

Leave a comment telling us if you enjoy paper crafts & card making.

Share this giveaway on facebook, twitter, pinterest and leave the link in the comments.

Like By Quiet Waters. and tell me in the comments

This giveaway goes until July 19.  PLEASE leave your email in the comments so I can easily contact the winner.  We are in and out of town, mostly OUT without wifi the rest of this month.  Leaving your email in the comments will make it simple for me to contact you if you win this giveaway.

Thank you for reading this review.  The product was supplied to me by the Spellbinders brand in exchange for a product review.  The opinions expressed on this blog are my own.