Awhile back I blogged about the new Purex Ultra Packs Laundry Detergent that we recieved to test out and review.  If you would like to read the review, you can click here. 

We’ve been pretty happy with the product, especially while we are teaching our two youngest daughters to do the laundry. These Ultra Packs make adding laundry detergent to the machine easy and mess free!  As busy as our household is in this season, I am thankful for this little gift in the laundry room.

We have 2 coupons for FREE Purex UltraPacks detergent that we like to give away this week, 1 each to 2 different visitors.  

If you would like to win one of these coupons, please share with me a tip you have in teaching kids to do their laundry, or other household tasks.

The drawing will be held on Friday February 10 and announced here on the blog.   Drawing winners will need to email us with mailing information.

I’m excited to share these coupons with you!

Petal Rose with Kyoshi Haynes, Mrs. Nance her first Karate instructor and Sensie Nester

In the course of a week we celebrated achievements of all the students at our dojo’s winter award ceremony, recieved new belt ranks in our classes and enjoyed International Tutu Day, which was celebrated by ballerinas in tutus of all colors and styles. 

With Beloved Builder’s help, I typed up a hefty reading list for 2012.  After reading A Thomas Jefferson Education last fall, my desire to read to learn became hard to satisfy, what with reading to kids, making meals, driving to classes.  But I’m carving out the time because I now understand that my own education and growth is also very important, as an example to my kids, as a person and it is just plain enjoyable.

This month I have read:

Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman.
I read this story on my iTouch via the Kindle app as we travelled home from visiting my Kansas family over New Year’s week.  It is the story of Mary Beth’s journey to hope, after the tragic death of her little Maria.  My heart grieved as the story unfolded, such heartache this family, and others, have been given to carry.  At the same time I was very encouraged by Mary Beth’s REALness.  She shared so openly about her struggles with anger, pain, and depression and the faith that keeps her moving forward.  An encouraging book.

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
This is a book that will be on my mind for a long time.  There is so much to think and act on that my heart and head are full.  Again, I was surprised by and encouraged as Ann shared so openly about her own struggles.  We really are not alone in these dark places we find ourselves.  So many of us have different circumstances, but the same struggles.  Eucharisteo has become a song in my mind, as I am learning to look deeply for the gift in the daily grind, in the desperate pain I see all around and in the sweet moments that abound in each day.  Joy is increasing as I search out the gifts the Father has lavished right here, where I am.

Money Saving Mom’s Budget by Crystal Paine.  While much of what Crystal Paine has to say in this book is material on her blog or in other resources I’ve read, there are some points she expands on that really build upon basics that I know or am learning.  The chapter on time management has me looking at my own schedules and habits more closely with the intent to redeem more of my 24 hours per day for productivity, relationships and eternal focus.  The charts in the back of the book are great tools, to use as they are printed, or to springboard from. 

This book is one that I plan to have my daughters read.  Crystal is a young woman who is a homemaker and a business woman, with a far reaching platform.  She is also a woman who recognizes what she has been given, and offers it back to the Lord.  It brings me great joy to be able to introduce my daughters to women who are living in faith, wisdom and fear of the Lord. 

The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien
What a fabulous time we had reading The Hobbit in January as our family read aloud.  My precious, those sweet people who share life with me, have made reading a great story together the best of time!  During the month we enjoyed quoting poor Bilbo, discussing our favorite dwarves and playing the riddle game with our Karate instructor. 

The movie is scheduled to be released in December, so we may have to read the book again next fall.

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Audiobooks

Driving kids to here and there, actually the driving after we’ve reached their drop off point, or before they’s hopped back in the van, is a time I’ve decided to fill with Audiobooks.  We have a rather large collection of audiobooks on cd, and downloads on the computer that I chose from.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
One of my great enjoyments in recent months is the discovery of classic literature.  This was indeed a swashbuckling tale that I enjoyed during the hours of driving to and from ballet & piano classes.  This story has enriched several conversations with my family and I look forward to spending time with more classics on my own, and with the kids!

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
This recording by Ancient Faith Radio, has been delightful.  It is one of my goals this year to listen to all of The Chronicles of Narnia and I am excited about these recordings by Dr. Chrissi Hart.  The Chronicles of Narnia are available as podcast for free download from Ancient Faith Radio. 

made with Sculpey by Chica’s loving hands

When we had shared a little about the search for a doll family,  Chica told us, “I just couldn’t tell the Doll family they would have to move out. They are my doll family.”  The search is over, we have found the perfect dolls.

linking up with SouleMama, and Amy Finer Things.

whenever man is made the centre of things, he becomes the storm-centre of trouble.  The moment you think of serving people, you begin to have a notion that other people owe you something for your pains…You will begin to bargain for reward, to angle for applause.

I read these words and hear a hearty agreement rise up in me.  A recognition of the doing for appreciation as the Author of joy has shed more light on this dark heart of mine.

The words of Isaiah are printed on the page in front of me and I hear Him

And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday.  And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.  Isaiah 58:10, 11

do it for Him, through Him.  He guides, satisfies, gives the strength and will make me a spring of living water that does not fail to pour out LIFE.

Each day is filled with the many graces, gifts of a loving FATHER.  And each day is full of the grace to offer all gifts back to Him through through the pen and voice and through the serving of others.

These past few weeks I have been sharing some of that which I have read in Ann’s book,  One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  I encourage you to check it out, see if the words touch your heart as they have mine.
    
still counting #700-715
pink sky through the tree branches
spelling board is hung
doves nest making
reorganized book shelves
the Father does not leave us in our sin
and He reminds me, I am one of His favorites
cold air on my face

Learning to open my hand to the gift, even in the hard moments.

Sweet talking, even for the no no nonsense among us.

What I am learning to do when anxiety tightens its grip on my throat.

Coupon for Bath & Body Works new Pink Chiffon (free bottle)

A sampling of our evening activities as we wind down from the busy fullness of the day and enjoy simple, finer things, gathered together, with a little independent creating and delighting in a little music and an excellent story.

{this moment} – A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Visit SouleMama if you’d like to join us or see more moments.

also linking in with