Fame!

So, I now have my 15 seconds of fame.  I received a Vera Bradley e-reader sleeve (for my Amazon Kindle) for my birthday and VB invited me to write a review.  I wrote it, and it's been approved.  If you're totally bored and want to see it live, then click the link below to be taken directly to the e-reader sleeves on Vera's site.  Then scroll down to the bottom and click the tab entitled, 'Reviews'.  You will have to scroll for it and my screen name is: autumnsmom.  http://www.verabradley.com/product/E-Reader-Sleeve/1001154/defaultColor/Buttercup/p/1001154.uts


If you're not quite that bored, but have a slight curiosity about my review, I copied it below :)

Gorgeous e-reader sleeve at a great price!

January 26, 2011

Posted by  AutumnsMom

from Spokane, WA

The E-Reader Sleeve came out just in time for my birthday and I received one in Very Berry Paisley. Not only is it beautiful, but the L-shaped zipper prevents the reader from falling out when unzipping. The quilted fabric is more than adequate to prevent damage to the unit, and the roominess of the sleeve allows me to store my power cord and users guide; all the while being small enough to tuck into my Vera Bradley handbag.

I never considered another E-Reader Sleeve, however once I received mine, I curiously checked prices on other brands and comparable brands were significantly more money, yet not nearly as pretty.

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So there you have it.  I'm famous.  But not nearly as famous as Robyn, who got her scone recipe printed in the Gooseberry Patch cookbook.  Someone's still a little envious over that one :)

Valentine's Day!

You know I love holidays, and with Valentine's Day approaching, I'm already decorated and looking forward to it.  While some people think Valentine's Day is just for people in love, we tend to make it a family day and spend it with the girls, sampling chocolates from pretty boxes adorned with ribbons and roses.  I start the day by giving the girls gift bags filled with "happy's" and candy, and most years we have dinner, complete with candles, as a family.  Of course Cory and I exchange some little something or other, but it's generally a low key holiday that we revel in all by ourselves.  So, from me to you....."Happy Valentine's Day!"

Homeschool!

Since so many homeschooling moms read my blog, I thought you might enjoy the comic relief. Feel free to laugh out loud, when they're true it makes it all the more funny!

You might be a homeschooler if:

• You come to school in your PJ's.
• Your biology lab consists of assisting in your sibling's birth.
• Your stacks of books to check out is taller than the librarian.
• Your PE comes from chasing little toddlers around.
• Your school bus is a 9 passenger van.
• You consider school work after lunch to be cruel and unusual punishment.
• Your father has ever told the check-out lady at Wal-mart, "We're on a field trip."
• Your social life is viewed by some to be one rung lower than that of a Benedictine monk.
• Your teacher has ever written your report card on a napkin.
• You have to move dirty laundry off your desk before your can start school.
• The signatures on your diploma all end with the same last name.
• Everyone else in the world is referred to as "Non-homies."
• Your Mother's wardrobe consists primarily of denim jumpers.
• Your first real date is on your honeymoon.
• The word 'homework' sounds like an foreign language.
• Your yearbook is also your babybook.
• A snow day means that you shovel the driveway after you finish your school work.
• You enjoy the pastime of watching public school kids walk home from school.
• You have to look at the clock to see if you can call your public school friends yet.
• You think that public-school-kid is an insult of the highest degree.
• Health class consists of eating breakfast.
• You have to decide what year you want to graduate.
• You are always late but just call it "homeschooler time."
• You can remember nearly every single day you went to public school.
• Your teacher can kiss the principal, and no one thinks it's unusual.
• You get to school and the teacher asks you if you've done all your chores.
• You are one of the best people in the world! :)

Happy MLK, Jr. Day!

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I selected a few of my favorite quotes by him. I hope you will read them, and let them sink in. I saved the best for last.

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. Martin Luther King, Jr.

History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Nothing pains some people more than having to think. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Science investigates religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge which is power, religion gives man wisdom which is control. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King, Jr.

There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love. Martin Luther King, Jr.

To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Autumn's Reading!

It's nearly 10:30 at night on New Year's Day and Cory and I are checking out the internet when Autumn comes in toting a "Little Critter" book saying, "Mom, I can read this." And she proceeds to read a line to me. After reading the first line I asked her if she wanted to read anymore and she said yes. She wanted to continue reading, and after a few pages she said she wanted to finish the book. I was elated. If you know my struggles teaching Autumn to read, you will understand that tonight's UNPROMPTED reading was the best Christmas gift ever. It just might be the best gift I'll receive in 2011, and I'm good with that.

In true Autumn fashion, before coming downstairs, she was sitting in bed employing the reading skills she's learned thus far, and I think she surprised herself by being able to read some of the words. This encouraged her, and as a fiercely independent thinker who insists on tackling jobs on HER time schedule, she realized she could actually read.

Now, lest you think she came down and provided a flawless reading, I'll admit I did have to help her with some words, especially words that are 'sight' words, or words we haven't learned yet. But the point is, she's reading, and this home schooling mom is ecstatic. I've been praying the Lord would allow me to be patient with Autumn, and give her the motivation to begin reading. And I know it's not a coincidence that she's jumping into reading. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer.