Gratitude Challenge ~ Day 20

Answered Prayers

 Ever since I started homeschooling almost 3 years ago I have been searching for a curriculum that is all laid out for me, can be used for ALL my children at the same time, includes history (the history in chronological order and starts with creation), geography, science, literature, art, music and, most importantly, incorporates the Gospel of Jesus Christ (LDS Doctrine) in to each lesson! I was beginning to think that what I desired didn't exist, and it didn't, at least, until this year that is! Yesterday, I got an email from an LDS news organization and there was an article about Latter-day Learning and their Family School curriculum! I spent hours on the site yesterday learning about their curriculum, downloading the scope and sequence and sample lesson plans, and reading their mission statements, FAQ's, blog and exploring their networking forum! I am so excited to finally find what I have been searching for. Now, I need to save up some money so we can purchase it! :)

Click the Graphic below to learn more!

In a Nutshell

Complete Year Pre-Printed Version: $390

Complete Year Download Version: $285

Includes: History, Geography, Science, Literature, Art and Music 

Not Included: Math, Phonics/Reading and Spelling

Christmas Coupon Code: GIFT2012 $40 off good through 12/31/12

If you join their network please mention that I sent you. Thanks!

{Disclaimer: This is not a review. I do not own this product (yet) and I have not received anything from the company. I am just sharing this information because I am grateful that I have finally found what I am looking for!}

Gratitude Challenge ~ Day 19

Books

 Today I am grateful for books! I love me a good book! ;)

Gratitude Challenge ~ Day 18

March of Dimes

 Yesterday was World Prematurity Day. Two of my children were born premature. 

Unicorn was born at 33 weeks and was 3 pounds 11 ounces. I had eclampsia (I skipped over toxemia and pre-eclampsia) and started having seizures. Her father found me unconscious on February 29, 2000 at about 3:00 pm and called 911. She was born via C-section around 5:30 pm. I woke up 2 days later. I was in the hospital for 5 days and she was in NICU for 15 days. It was a terrifying experience that I will probably never remember. She is now 12 years old and happy and healthy. She has only one health concern that may be related to prematurity! I am grateful we both survived!

Ladybug was born via a scheduled C-section at 38 weeks and was my only "full-term" baby and my biggest at 6 pounds 4 ounces! Her birth was nice and uneventful (other than the 4 1/2 months on bedrest)!

With Monkey I went into labor at 34 weeks (April 15, 2008). I was given a shot of turbutaline and had an allergic reaction. Since the only other medicine that can stop labor has to be administered through an IV I was immediately admitted into the hospital where I spent the next 2 weeks on magnesium and in labor. At 36 weeks the doctor did an amniocentesis and determined that Monkey's lungs were fully developed and that it was time to deliver. He was born at 36 week and was 5 pounds and 8 ounces. He is now 4 years old and happy and healthy!

I am grateful for the March of Dimes and their mission to help prevent premature births!

Gratitude Challenge ~ Day 17

French Fries and Chicken Nuggets

I am grateful that we have a deep fryer and that potatoes are fairly cheap so we can have homemade French Fries a couple times a week. Unfortunately they disappear faster than I can snap a photo! I am also grateful that my hubby makes awesome chicken nuggets! Yummy!

Gratitude Challenge ~ Day 16

Unexpected Blessings

The other day my husband came home from work and said that one of his co-workers (a single woman who is taking care of her niece) needed to find someone to watch her niece while she was at work and asked me if I knew anyone local who might be willing. He told me that this young woman is taking care of her niece because the little girls father is making some decisions that are not conducive to taking care of a child. She also lives in a neighboring city, drives to another neighboring city (thirty minutes out of the way) to drop her niece off at a daycare and then drives to our city for work. The cost of gas alone for that kind of daily commute is enough to break the bank and then she has to pay a weekly rate for daycare even though she is a teacher and has many days off. I told him to have her stop by after work and if she was comfortable with it that I would watch her niece.

Long story short: 

She gets to save money on gas and childcare (because she is only going to pay for the days that I watch her niece) and I get to make a little money and Unicorn gets to practice babysitting! 

Win - Win - Win!

Gratitude Challenge ~ Day 15

Diet Dr Pepper

Yep, a little trivial but hey...it helps keep the headaches away!

Gratitude Challenge ~ Day 14

Generosity of Strangers

Had a really neat blessing/experience on Saturday. 

I went to Old Navy to check out their clearance items to see if I could find some clothes for the kids for Christmas. I found a few things for the girls and went to check out. While I was pulling out my debit card to pay I saw that I had some Old Navy "money" and pulled it out. Under my breath I mumbled that it was expired and put it back into my purse. The cashier asked to see it and then called the manager up. I told her she didn't need to accept it but she said that it was ok and that they usually will still give the customer at least half of the value. Well, the manager didn't give me half the value...she gave me the entire $20 off my purchase! I was in tears...money is tight (as it is for most people) and I have NEVER had this type of thing happen to me. 

So very grateful for the generosity of these two strangers!