Little Okie Homestead

Normally at this time of the morning I would still be sleeping. Not sound asleep but still sleeping. Of course that's because I'm a night owl and love staying up late. I know there are many more benefits to rising early than staying up at night but it's hard not to just enjoy the peace and quiet of the night curled up on the couch vegging out watching my favorite shows. But everything is different now! I've changed my schedule and although today is only day 2 I'm loving it! I have found so many benefits to rising early! First look at the list I have already completed this morning and it's only 7:15! 45 Minute Cardio Workout Complete Breakfast for the hubby before he left for work Showered, Dressed, Hair Dried and Make-up on (make-up never happens) Bed Made Laundry in the washer Laundry from yesterday folded and put away Dishwasher unloaded and reloaded (my goal is to never have dishes in my sink in the morning, still catching up) This blog post...

I have many things that I would like to accomplish this summer so I thought it would be a good idea to create a summer bucket list for myself! This way my goals are right there for me to see and to check off as I complete them. PERSONAL SUMMER BUCKET LIST Y Walk everyday Y Teach   Y Play with the Kids Y VOLUNTEER Y EAT HEALTHY MEALS Y have fun    Y Complete my first 5K Y Plan Family Activities Y weekly library trips   Y Read 5 Books Y Move Y BBQ    Y GO TO A BASEBALL GAME   Y Reach half way to weight loss goal Y Date Night with Hubby Y FAMILY GAME NIGHT  Y be in the WORD daily Do you have any personal goals that you are setting for yourself over the summer? I love to hear about them or post your link and I will stop by and read your bucket list!

Have you heard about common core? It is absolutely horrifying when you read about it and discover what the government is trying to teach our children. Now we are a homeschool family and this still affects us! It also affects many children that I care about and I really want to find out more about it and how to stop it! Our schools now have the power to collect data on our children while in school about everything in their lives and ours. They will not only  collect test scores but income levels, our children's posture and pages upon pages of other data that can not be related to raising the education level in our country. When you start reading things about common core it will scare you! Or it should! Please do your research! Start right now and help our next generation before it is too late! We need to stand and stop this now. I'm still new to my research but I'm so horrified that I have to share so you too can start looking into it. I know many of ...

We were at the zoo with friends when I over heard a nice mom near by say to her kids... "You all have been such great listeners that you each get a Mommy Buck when we get home." So naturally it sparked my interest and I had to ask what exactly are Mommy's Bucks and she was nice enough to share the idea with me. I was so excited to get started and I did that night! Mommy Bucks is money that you make from home (google it and find printables, cut up paper, go to the dollar store and find the fake money) and that your kids can earn around the house and/or for good behavior. Then you have a bin full of goodies such as books, crayons, stickers, snacks, toys, etc. that they can buy with their money earned!  I loved this idea! It has worked wonders! It can teach so many things while also accomplishing good behavior. Of course I'm not opposed to other forms of discipline when needed also. I'm excited for Monkey to start learning the concept of money and of ...

So I planned Monkey's birthday party for this Saturday because his actually birthday is Easter which we will spend with family. Once again I tried to plan his birthday party at the park which is always a toss up with a March birthday. I have plenty of experience with birthday's at this time of year as mine is only 3 days after Monkey's and the weather here in Colorado can change quickly! So we have had to move his party to inside our house which means that I have to find things for the kiddos to do instead of spending time burning energy on the playground. Well as I have been getting everything together for his new party everyone started canceling on me. We were down to one child and 2 babies coming as of Wednesday and then it dropped again to only the one family with the child and baby. I feel horrible for Monkey. I completely understand everyone has things going on and that came up so I'm not upset I'm just feeling like a failure because his 4th birthday is lo...

We have maybe finally figured out a bedtime routine with both boys. They share a room so there are some difficulties because they are both pretty light sleeps but I'm hoping this schedule will continue because it is just awesome! 7:30pm: Cleaning up toys (Time depends on how many toys are out). Goose nurses.   8:00pm: PJ's, potty and brush teeth for Monkey. PJ's and diaper for Goose    8:15pm: Story time. This includes several books. A fun library book, a learning library book, a book of Monkey's choice, a Goose board book, a chapter from The Magic Treehouse book series and a Bible story.   8:45pm: Prayers. Monkey doesn't like to pray so we all sit together and hold hands (Goose too until he gets to antsy. I try to pray for each member of our family, for good rest for the night and prayers over whatever our plans are for the next day, and then for anyone else that might need prayers that relate to the boys such as their...

Well I'm not sure there should be an exclamation point up there because I haven't been doing so well. I still keep finding myself in this funk that I'm not sure how to fix but I'm trying. I have only 5 more pounds to lose until I reach my pre-pregnancy weight!!! Ya!!! I only was able to workout 3 days last week but that's good still. I was able to drop 6 pounds in the week just by doing a little exercise in the morning and watching my portion size. So here's to another good week...that I have yet to do any form of exercise but I've been watching portion size! Starting pre-homeschooling hasn't gone well either. I really can't make an excuse because I should just do it but I've been in this funk and it's leading me into vegging on the couch in front of the TV way to much during the day. Add a teething baby to the funk and I'm just screwed. So starting today I'm not turning on the TV! I will only do it at night when I'm nursing a...