How to Organize a Sock Drawer in a Snap

This morning the girls were given the task of organizing their chaotic sock/underwear drawer.  That can be a daunting task for little girls, but thanks to having a willing big sister to help it wasn't too bad.    I found these simple organizers at TJ Maxx on clearance a while ago for $2 per 2 pack! 

So, the drawer was quite messy.  It was a sea of socks, which lost their match and underwear which amazing looked like they were just scrambled into the sea of socks.  This is NOT how they are given to the girls to put away!

With big sister's encouragement and help, they emptied the drawer, matched socks together and then folded the tops over its match to keep each pair together.  The underwear were each laid flat, folded into 1/3's and then rolled from bottom to the top band.  

Each drawer organizer was snapped together, then placed in the dresser drawer.  Two organizers were used for each drawer.

Next, simply load each organizer with the clothing.

Easy, peasy!  Bringing order to chaos!  A simple, successful morning project.

  

And if you want to know the ages...5 & 7 with the 11 year olds help.  It can be done!  Now the challenge of keeping it orderly.  😉

Blessings,

Jarnette

Homeopathic Remedies and Cleaning Giveaway WINNER

This morning all entries were placed in a bowl, mixed up and, with the aide of my eldest daughter, a WINNER was selected.  I'd like to say "thank you" for sharing such great recipes and ideas!  The winner will receive the items in this basket:



Thank you for participating in the giveaway and for those of you which left comments for entries.  So, without further delay...

The WINNER is...

Our First Home Birth ~ Rejoicing Over Logan Thomas

On Thursday, January 20, I was consistently having contractions about 5 minutes apart, so we called our midwives.  Lynn was with clients, so Michelle came.  When she arrived my contractions almost completely stopped - I was 4 cm and 100% effaced, but no real labor.  Michelle went home and said she’d stay on alert.

Mark took the day off and we enjoyed the time together…the last as a family of “four”.  Mark and I went on a dinner date, leaving the two boys with my mom.  I began having small contractions again regularly during dinner.  Yah!  A middle name still had not been decided for Logan so during dinner, Mark finally chose Thomas for his middle name.  I teased that Logan wouldn’t come until he had his name; little did we truly know how soon he would be here.

Family Fun ~ Summer Bucket List 2014 Printable

Summer is upon us!  Those that do not school year round, whether homeschool, private, parochial or public, may be asking, "What will we do with all this free time?"  If you aren't careful, the days will quickly slip by and before you know it, school routines will be back in action.  So, how about making strides to have some family fun?  What about using your summer to tie heart strings with your children by spending time together and making some fun memories together?

We usually take a summer vacation, but have decided to save that money this year, using some to get home projects done and the rest will be saved, going toward a family vacation next year.   This morning the children and I sat down to make a master list of all the FUN things they like to do or would like to do this summer.  There were two rules:  it could not be far away and it could not be expensive.  So, one by one I went around the table, youngest to oldest asking them for an idea.  We did this several times until we reached 30 ideas.  The kids thought it was great to give their input!  Some reminiscing happened and lots of giggles.  I took their ideas an created a printable.

Our First Daughter ~ Alyssa Grace

Free Banner Printable

I remember when when we first went to have a sonogram done to see what we were having.  I was sure number four would be a boy.  I mean, I have had three already.  I know how to do boys, so this was sure to be another, right?  October 2002, lying on the examine table and as soon as the transducer was placed on my tummy there "SHE" was.  My reaction...

"No.  It can't be.  I don't know how to do girls.  Check again."

Essential Oil Giveaway Gift Basket

Who doesn't like something free?  And what if the free gift is aromatic?  And what if it has health benefits, too?  Well, that's what I have for blessed one reader!  Entering is easy and should be done by June 24th 11:45PM EST, so don't delay.  What do you need to do to enter?

How to Make the Most of Attending a Home Education Conference

The 'end-of-the-school-year' and beginning of summer seems to be the most popular time for home education conferences.  Our family has always looked forward to attending family friendly conferences over the years, which serves a purpose for each of us.  As a home educator since 1996, I look forward to gleaning from those who have been on the journey longer than myself.  I am always encouraged and thankful for the memories that we make.  Conferences provide the benefit of learning ways to make our days more productive and intentional, providing the opportunity to find resources that can bring delight to learning in our home.  Attending a conference, allows me to be able to pick up and look at curriculum, speak with others about various topics that relate to home educating and provide a reminder that we are part of a much larger community than just our four walls.

Conferences range in size from a local setting, with families from around the area ranging in attendance of a hundred or so people, to much larger ones, that are on a state or national level ranging in attendance of thousands of people, usually gathering together in a span of a couple of days.  I have attended many since 1996 and find my happy place is in the hundreds; just enough to refresh and regroup to prepare for my next 'school year'.

Whatever size the conference, it is a good idea to have a plan of what you hope to attain from it.  Today I am going to share some things I do to prior to attending any conference.

Kitchen Cabinet Updating ~ Fall 2013 Project

We are blessed to work in the construction industry, even in these challenged economic times.  There are many skilled tradesmen in our area and it is a blessing when opportunities work out to swap work with other tradesmen in order for projects to be completed.  This was the case last summer/fall.  A skilled cabinet maker helped us to update our kitchen.  One day we hope to remodel the kitchen, when funds are saved for doing that, but until then a simple way to update a kitchen is to replace cabinet and drawer fronts.

Here's how our kitchen looked before the update last year:

Bringing Style, Function and Organization to a Small Laundry Room

How do you view doing laundry?  In a large family, it may not be a task approached with excitement, but more a task approached due to the necessity of it.  Considering the amount of laundry we do in our family of 10, the laundry room is a room often visited and hours each week are spent there.  If hours are going to be spent in a room, shouldn't that room provide some joy, beauty and purpose?  I believe so.  My laundry room wasn't necessarily a chaotic place or one that needed great improvement, but seeing the amount of time we spend there it did need some revamping.  Last summer, we set out to liven it up, improve the usability of it and add a little bit of motivation to the room.

Natural Remedies, Herbs and Essential Oil Treatments We Turn to First

Our Liz ill at Christmastime 2013.

When our family is ill, we have some go to remedies we use first to help manage the illness naturally.  We are not opposed to over-the-counter or prescription medications, believing there is a time and place for them, however we do try to use the natural resources first in helping the body fight what may be ailing it.

So, what if there is a cough?  Or what about ear aches?  Then the low grade fever...what for that?

Who's Got Time for Keeping a Clean and Tidy Home?

In the hustle and bustle of this world we live in and all the demands that the modern day momma has on her, how is having a neat home possible?  Aren't most of us just trying to stay afloat and keep our heads above water?  Life has a way of spiraling out of control when you think about all a momma has to do!  Well, there's hope and some simple things you can do each day to help maintain your home and have an appearance of order.

1 Corinthians 14:40 ~ Let all things be done decently and in order.

1 Corinthians 4:2 ~ Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Disclosure Policy

A note to my readers and guests...

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT:  This policy is valid from 28 May 2014.


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 This blog is in affiliation with the following companies:

• Exodus Books

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Homemade Powder Laundry Soap Recipe ~ Yield 4+ Gallons

Don't you love to pull your clothes from the washer and breathe in that 'clean' smell of freshly washed laundry?  It's like when you open the lid of powder laundry detergent...the aroma can fill the room.  I thought my powder detergent days were done when we bought our high efficiency washing machine several years ago.  I am glad to say that I was wrong.

Pinterest is a wonderful resource to finding all kinds of information and in my search for a powder detergent, which suds more {not too much though, as that is not good for a HE washer} and had a lasting scent, I came across one worth a try.  The recipe is easier to make than the liquid recipe I made for 4 years, although the cost is greater.  However, even this can be managed if you keep an eye on sales, take advantage of Buy-One-Get-One sales and use coupons.

Memorial Day 2014 - Freedom Isn't Free!

Remembering all those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country.  Thank you.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 

John 15:13

In Remembrance and Uplifted Prayers ~

Homeopathic Recipes & Linkup

Join the party and bookmark or Pin this page for future use!  Use the button above within your post or Pin, then link back below.  Let's build a resource that will be filled with homemade recipes of homeopathic cleaning products, room sprays and other essential oil uses in caring for your home and family.

What a blessing it is to have such an array of sweet aromas to draw from, each one serving a different purpose and health benefit!  Do you need something to calm you?  Or maybe the opposite, something to give you a pick-me-up.  What about one that smells good and has disinfecting elements?  Essential oils are a natural way to enhance the atmosphere of any room.  I have used a few recipes to achieve this as well as disinfecting benefits.  These are a few to get you started:

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap Recipe ~ Yield 6 Gallons

Can you believe the costs of laundry detergent today?  We have been paying over $20 per bottle of liquid detergent and considering how much laundry we do, it certainly doesn't last long!  We have a high efficiency washing machine {not a front loader, though} and I am always on the look out for how to stretch our family dollar where I can.  In search of saving money on laundry detergent, which was costing me over $20 a bottle, I began looking for a homemade liquid laundry detergent recipe.

The recipe had to be easy to make, economical and work!  So, what did I find?

Lego Clean-up Idea

Kids LOVE Legos!  Moms LOVE the educational value of Legos!  What we don't love is the "OUCH!", when we feel those unexpected little pieces on the bottom of our feet!  So, what's a mom to do?

Sacrificing pedicures because of Legos on the floor...no!  There must be another option...

How to Organize ABeka Curriculum for Elementary Grades

Have you ever wondered how to manage all the paper the ABeka full-grade elementary curriculum creates AND stay current with grading?  I have used the ABeka full-grade elementary video home school program with 5 of my children and until this past year have always struggled to tame that paper monster, while staying current with grading!  As a home school mom of many, the need to be available to all the different ages, can sometimes cause delay in handling the paper end of all the book learning after it takes place.

For our family, we have chosen to use the full-grade video curriculum for K-2 due to the solid foundation in the core subjects that ABeka offers.  The phonics program provides a concrete method of teaching children to read well and the arithmetic really nails the basics of math, at an accelerated level.  The Bible lessons are filled with memorization work and the remaining subjects are equally challenging, engaging and provide a thorough framework of lessons.  The video curriculum has worked well for our family, as it provides CONSISTENCY, the teachers are forward moving with an enthusiasm for each subject and the accompanied workbooks and readers are vividly illustrated, keeping the younger children engaged.

My personal challenge has been to keep all those workbooks from becoming ever so tattered by the end of our year, managing the mass amount of paper from them and keeping up with the corrections on each child's work.  This year has been a winner!  Here's why...

Austin's Beach Home School Graduation Celebration

It's hard to believe we have graduated our 2nd son from our home education program!  The years progress ever so quickly and it seems like yesterday that this young man was tagging along while we planted flowers, hatched butterflies and did all the fun hands-on learning with Zach, his older brother.  Those years were wonderful years BUT the years ahead are filled with anticipation of what the Lord will use him to do.

Senior Pictures taken April 2014 Mantanzas Inlet, Flagler Beach and Marineland

Upon his request, no 'formal' ceremony was held; no speeches, no diploma presentation or no walking in cap and gown.  His desire for his high school graduation,{and completing his first year of college classes} was to relax {before his summer college classes began - just 4 days after his celebration was held}.  He wanted to enjoy time on the beach with his friends, family and mentors.  So, the planning happened over a 4 week period, he made his guest list, postcard invites were mailed and the preparations began.  It was to be more than "just" a beach day so here's what we planned for...

FL Home Education Summit 2014

I want to personally invite you to attend Florida Home Education Summit 2014! This is a state-wide homeschooling event being held right here in Flagler County!

I am so excited to be sharing this opportunity with you! Never before have we assembled such a large group of homeschoolers and such an amazing line-up of speakers in this area. The event will both encourage and inform us as we hear about many relevant homeschool topics, including:

- Effective Time Management
- Homeschooling the High School Years
- Large Family Homeschooling
- Working Moms Homeschooling
- Homeschooling Preschoolers
- Learning Differences and Exceptionalities
- Outdoor Homeschooling -- Frugally
- and more!

See the flyer below and be sure to share with your friends.  Order your tickets today here.  Be sure to follow their Facebook page to stay informed of the most recent information.

Home Education Graduation 2014 ~ Austin

It is with a joy filled heart that we celebrate the completion of our second eldest son's home education graduation.  I think the pinnacle of homeschooling is when your children grow into young men and young women, who are strong in their faith, walking according to their convictions and the training of years of love, discipleship, admonition and even rebuke.  Austin has become a young man with determination, motivated by goals he has set and the plans the Lord has laid before him to walk in.