Belated Thanks for Me Ecanta Tu Blog Award

In the midst of being without my own computer due to a hard drive failure in late November and early December, Leann at Montessori Tidbits was kind enough to send me encouragement by passing along the Me Encanta Tu Blog (I Love Your Blog) award to us here at Training Happy Hearts.  Thank you, Leann, not only for thinking of us during our forced blogging hiatus, but also for pointing me toward your blog once more- which I love!

As I understand, to accept the award, I am supposed to answer the following questions:

1. Why did you create the blog?
To share our homeschooling journey, as we wrote about in our first post.

2. What kind of blogs do you follow?
Many, when I can make time to do so.  Most commonly, I follow homeschooling, SPD, Montessori, Charlotte Mason, Classical, Reggio, preschool, parenting, organizing and Catholic-Christian blogs.

3. Do you have a favorite brand of makeup?
Nope.  I never got into wearing make-up, besides on stage, and I haven't been on stage in about four years now, I think.

4. And a favorite clothing brand?
None - just comfortable, conservative and, usually, with a dress or skirt line!

5. What makeup products are essential for you?
None.  But drinking a lot of water is vital, I believe,

6. What’s your favorite color?
It's always been red, but lately, yellow (not for wearing, but for looking at) is growing on me.  I love its brightness.

7. What’s your favorite perfume?
None. Perfume scents often give me headaches.  But, we do like the scents of cooking and baking here.  Vanilla, cinnamon... even garlic has its place.

8. What’s the film you liked the most?
The Wizard of Oz has always been a favorite, even if we have yet to share it with the kids,

9. What countries would you like to go to?
Prior to marriage and family, I was lucky enough to work, travel and/or volunteer in over 30 countries.  Since then, I have barely been beyond state lines.  One day, I would like to travel with the kids.  Following the footsteps of my heritage (mainly Irish and Italian) and Mike's (mainly Slovak and German) would be fun.  Hiking hut-to-hut in Switzerland would be a dream come true.  Visiting friends in many different nations would be heart-warming.  Volunteering/doing missionary work as a family in a developing nation is a goal I would love to see come to fruition if it is God's will for our family.
Now, with a quick Google search, I did not see any rules about who or how many folks to pass this award onto, so I am keeping it simple (Simplicity is a goal fo mine for 2011) by passing the award onto a single person -Rebecca at Raccoon School, who shares my interest in SPD, Montessori and Homeschooling, and whose well-organized blog is chock full of helpful photos and ideas.  Rebecca, Me Encanta Tu Blog.

7 Quick Takes and Another Honor

Oops!  Some things get lost in the shuffle of want-to’s, should-do’s and need-to’s every day.  On the want-to side, thanking A Grace-Full Life for honoring me with a Versatile Blogger award was one of those things.  And, jumping back into Conversion Diary’s 7 Quick Takes Friday is another.  So, today, I am doing both.  Since part of accepting the Versatile Blooger award is sharing seven things about yourself, I figure I can do that as my seven quick takes (although, admittedly, the last take won’t be quick since I need to include 15 blog links in it.)  Here goes…

-1-

I am honored to be awarded the Versatile Blogger Award again and at the prospect of finding more wonderful blogs through clicking the links over at A Grace-Full Life, and the links those lead to… and the links those links lead to…  I admit, sometimes I fall prey to the temptation of happily hopping down such bloggie-love bunny trails instead of attending to the long list of need-to’s I have going.  Good time management and prioritizing, which was once my forte, escapes me far too often these days.

-2-

The kids and I have enjoyed the best centerpiece ever at our breakfast table for the past couple days.

Yep, Jack!  At  four-moths-old tomorrow, he likes to be where he can see us.  I like to give him motivation for working his neck muscles with some Boppy-belly time.  And, we all enjoy giggles at having him at – well, on – the table!  So, he has become our breakfast time centerpiece.  (And, yes, I know, Charlotte Mason aficionados, this is not the best habit-training.  I will likely have to spend much time re-training him not to lay, sit, stand or walk on the table as I find Mike and myself doing with Luke and Nina.  But, for the joy it is brining us now, I will willingly suffer through that.)

-3-

Speaking of breakfast, I was very humored by and proud of Luke and Nina this past Wednesday.  While I nursed Jack, they decided they were hungry.  So, instead of whining while they waited, they decided to be proactive.  They fetched themselves and me breakfast.  Needless to say, since the camera was nearby, upon finishing up with Jack, I took some pictures of his siblings proudly preparing and serving what they felt was a delightful breakfast – yogurt and crackers for Nina, almond butter on a roll (white, not wheat, because it was on sale and a little organic white won’t kill us now and again) for Luke and almond butter and greens with yogurt for me.  Sometimes, I get oh-so-frustrated with their inflated sense of self-sufficiency.  At other times, I appreciate all their Montessori-esque practical life skills and independence.  Wednesday morning, it was definitely the latter.

-4-

When we started the school year (if you could call what have been doing a formal school year), I selected the wonderful Fill-a-Bucket books as our weekly reads.  I also ordered How Full Is Your Bucket at our library.  It just came in and we picked it up at storytime on Tuesday.  I must say, it is not quite as appropriate for Luke and Nina’s level, and it is much more traditional-school-image based, but it is still a book I’d recommend others check out.  And, if nothing else, it brought bucket-filling and dipping back to the forefront of the kids’ brains.  We’ve been having so much fun filling each other’s buckets.  I just love the concept and so do the kids!

-5-

Was it really a decade ago that I loved the song “My Next 30 Years”?  Must have been, because I am the big 4-0 tomorrow.  Yep, my youngest will be four months and I will be 40.  How did that happen?  Not sure, but am thanking God for grace and blessings and looking forward to lots more in my next 40 years!

-6-

As I listened to “My next 30 years” again today, the line that really hit me was “laugh a little more”.  I neglected to do that enough over the past 10 years, I think.  Mike will tell you I have definitely becoming too serious at times over the past six.  I want to change that.  Make me laugh!

-7-

The rules for the Versatile Blogger award are:

Rule number 1:  Thank the person who gave you your award. – Check!

Rule number 2:  Share seven things about yourself. – Check, as of this #7!

Rule number 3:  Pass the award onto 15 bloggers whom you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic!  - Well, I have done this before – and, honestly, have not been surfing as much lately as I try to focus on other things, so I do not have a handy seemingly endless list of newly-found blogs under my Internet “history” tab for easy copying, so I am going to bend the rules and list 15 blogs I have found that I have (or want) to join in the memes, hops, carnivals, etc. of.  Here goes (in no particular order):

1. I found Mom’s the Word through the Making Your Home  Sing meme it hosts, which was posted on another blog I read.  I have joined in once, since I love the idea of sharing ideas to make our homes happier places, and look forward to doing so again, as well as to browsing the links there on Mondays when I have time.
2. We sometimes participate in Life as Mom’s Frugal Friday.  What a great way to share ideas to help keep things fiscally sound (or as sound as possible) at home – and I love the other posts at the site, too.
3. Half Pint House’s Tourist in Your Town is something I have been meaning to take part in as it will encourage us to take advantage of a blessing of homeschool – field trips whenever we want – while sharing some great local places with others.
4. Steady Mom hosts the 30-Minute Blog Challenge, which I think is a fab concept for reigning other sometimes Internet-addicted-but-should-be-doing-other-things-moms like me in!  What a fun and easy Tuesday carnival it is!
5. Luke loves drawing so I think we might start taking part in Harmony Art Mom’s sketch Tuesday.  What a great sight harmony Art Mom is in general, too!
6. I love Thankful Thursday and Gratituesday, which I have mentioned in previous post.  Now, I have just found PRAISE! at My Chocolate Heart .  There is so much to be thankful for and to praise God for.  We can never get enough of looking for the blessed moments!
7. I ran across Hearts for Home at Cherished Hearts at Home and look forward to participating as a way to keep myself more focused with our homeschool goals as well as with just living and loving together.  What a wonderful way to share, inspire and encourage one another.
8. I just ran across You Capture at I Should Be Folding Laundry, which I think looks so fun!  I want to play along one of these Wednesdays and, hopefully, will find the receipt for my camera that needs fixing under warranty so I can stop using the kiddoes cheapo one for all our family and blog shots.
9. Maybe I can get some of those laughs I am looking for at Homesteader’s Heart’s Friday Funnies.  I know I sure have things to share with the things the kids come up with during our play and learning times.
10. Blessed with Grace hosts tempt My Tummy Tuesday, which I want to browse and participate in as part of our Power Foods Labs, which sorely need starting again!
11. Along the same lines, but with frugal cooking in mind, $5 Dinners $5 Dinner Challenge comes to mind.  As the kids learn about money in the coming years, I want to challenge them to help me plan some meals and tea times to meet this challenge, counting the costs and delighting in the cooking.
12. Money Savings Mom Super Savings Saturday is a great place to share ideas for frugality and fun – a must in our home(school).
13. Saved by Grace’s monthly Music Mondays sure seems like is will be a fun way to remind us to keep the music alive in our home.  We dabble in Cahrlotte Mason-inspired composer studies every once in a while and want to progress with our Montessori  music studies, too.
14. Southern Daydreamer’s Outdoor Wednesday looks fun for sharing some of our nature study and motor skills play outside, as well as for inspiration for drawing, etc.
15. May Dream Gardens has a fun one called Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day on the 15^th of each month hat interest us.  We want to partake in it to encourage ourselves in developing green thumbs as well as to help us with our homeschooling nature studies. 

What memes, carnivals, hops, etc. do you have on your list?  Leave a comment to share their names and links.  We like exploring new ones for inspiration.  Thanks!

An Award and A Giveaway

What a treat!  This morning, when I opened my mailbox, I found a comment from Deb Chitwood at Living Montessori Now, as well as a Sunshine Award from her.  It truly makes me smile to receive this award again since its premise - honoring bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blogging world - is something I constantly aim to experience and share.  So, thank you, Deb for making my morning and thank you all who keep the positivity and creative inspiration flowing over the Net!

Now, onto the rules of accepting this award:

1. Post the logo on blog. (Done) Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers.  (See below)
2. Link the nominees.  (Also below.) 
3. Let nominees know they have won this award by commenting on their blog. (Will do!) 
4. Share the love and link to the person you received this award from. (Done above.)

So, what 12 blogs have I recently discovered that inspire creativity and positivity?

- Step-by-Step at Home with Montessori:  I am so excited that Karen Tyler, whose wonderful online Montessori course I have taken, has just begin a blog.  She is a fantastically helpful and positive person, and I know her will be rich in Montessori resources as it takes shape!

- Itsy Bitsy Learners, written by Allison, is a helpful preschooling blog with great stuff for workboxers and others who want run printable work.  Want a taste of the printables Allison offers?  See the second half of this post about the GIVEAWAY of Allison's great stuff I am offering.

- This and That is all about crafts, photos and blogging.  I want to explore it more, after seeing Tonya's cute post about making a teeth felt board set.

- The Learning Ark is a Montessori at home blog I want to explore more after seeing the creative, helpful post about pin maps there!

- A Litte of This, A Little of That is not updated much by the busy, Catholic, home educating mom of eight that writes it, but I found the children's Eucharistic adoration post there so inspiring I wanted to include it.  Adoration is something I want to start, and reading that post made me realize I CAN do it with my kids!

- The Well-Rounded Mama is a blog I bookmarked for its helpful homeschool classroom post as well as workboxing and organizational ideas.  Scrapbooking, cooking, parenting, homeschooling... There is a little bit of everything there.

-Barefoot in Suburbia offered a post on scheduling the school year with concrete ideas and examples of how she fits in Montessori, nature Studies, art, Music and more.  It inspires me, as do some of the other posts of this stay-at-home mom of three kids, who is also into allergy-free cooking and versed in Autism.

-Coming Home Catholic offers not only a blog, but a truly rich in resources website that is a wonderful resource for cradle Catholics, converts and reverts alike.

- The Write Start is a blog I was happy to run acorss when looking up mudpies of all things.  (Oh, where my mind takes me.)  Written by an upbeat and  resourceful Mom and a pediatric occupational therapist, the blog offers ideas about the "hows" and "whys" of getting young children ready to write, as well as a visual and textual feast of other goodies.

- The Artful Parent is a blog I found when looking for photos of Reggio-inspired home spaces.  I think I am one of the last people to find this very helpful blog that encourages creative expression, imagination, joyfulness and a love of learning. Now, i just have to make time to dig into it!

- Rhythm of the Home has a great mudpie kitchen post.  Not sure if you would call the site a blog or a site, but either way, I call it inspiring with ideas for seasonal celebration, play and connection with a Waldorf-y flair.

- Teacher Tom is a blog I found by chance that I LOVE for its preschool teaching ideas -- on nature, true creativity, etc. all written by a man who obviously has found the nexus of where his great loves meet the (children of the) world's needs.  I cannot wait to try some of his gutter ideas with our kiddos with the piece of gutter I tripped over in our garage the other day!

- Filfth Wizardry is a blog I found recently and bookmarked for its DIY spellers with Duplo bricks post.  I want to explore more of the messy art and creative craft and preschool fun ideas there.

Oops!  I listed 13 while reviewing my recent bookmarked links before I realized I had reached the award "rules" amount.  That's okay!  More sunshine to spread with one extra.

And, now, onto the GIVEAWAY!

Want to win a set of Circus Printables from Itsy Bitsy Printables* that includes:

       - Lowercase Alphabet Tracers

       - Uppercase Alphabet Tracers

       - Clothespin Counting

       - Shadow Match

       - Simple 2 Piece Puzzles

       - Uppercase to Uppercase matching Game

       - Magnet Sheet

       - Workbox Numbers 1 - 6

Then, by Wednesday the 25th, enter to win up to five times!

1st Entry Chance:  Head on over to Itsy Bitsy Printables and take a look around,  Then, come back here and, in a comment, let me know what your favorite printable is.  (Everyone who enters must do this!)  And, as a bonus for you, if you see something at Itsy Bitsy Printables that you love, simply use the coupon code ITSYGIVES1 when ordering to receive $5.00 off a minimum purchase of $7.50!  Whoo hoo!

2nd Entry Chance:  Subscribe to Training Happy Hearts via email.  (Look at the top of the right column!)  Then, leave a comment saying you have.  If you already subscribe, just say so!

3rd Entry Chance: Become a Training Happy Hearts follower (Again, look right!).  Then, leave a comment saying you have.  And, of course, if you already are a follower, just say so.

4th Entry Chance:  In a comment, answer the question:  what makes your heart happy today?

5th Entry Chance:  In a comment, explain how someone has spread a little sunshine in your world this week.


Each entry will get your name in a box next Wednesday that my kiddos will draw a winner at random from.  The winner will be announced by next Saturday and will later receive their Giveaway package directly from Itsy Bitsy Printables.

Good luck and have a blessed day!


*Itsy Bitsy Printables ... and more, is dedicated to providing you with affordable, quality, downloadable printables for children aged 2 to 6.  You simply order, download, print and use!

Awards and Belated Thank You's, Part 2

On Tuesday, I promised to finish my Awards and Belated Thank You’s post by passing along brief descriptions and links to blogs I have recently found or rediscovered that I like.  As the best kind of promises are kept ones, I quite thankful to have a moment today (okay, a bunch of stolen moments over the past couple days) to keep that promise.

So, here goes:  Rule number 3:  Pass the award onto 15 bloggers whom you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic!  

That makes 15 Versatile Bloggers, 15 Outstanding Bloggers, plus 1 blog I am Wild about that I have recently clicked on and that are now on my ever-increasing list of blogs to go back to when I have a moment

Versatile Bloggers

-An interest in workboxes led me to Rockin’ Granola, a fantastic blog with detailed inspiration for organization, crafts, simple living ideas, preschooling, etc.  Love it!

-A link to butterfly matching cards brought me to Mama Jenn, a truly versatile blog with homeschooling, A-Z activities, workboxing, crafts, printables, recipes, etc.

-A local homeschooling group link brought me to Deborah Jean’s Dandelion House, a blog I want to explore more for its fabulous ideas on homeschooling, home arts, recycling, gardening, photography and art.

-In the Heart of My Home is so well established that it needs no bloggie love award like this.  Yet, it is so comprehensive, it is one I think of when I think “versatile”.  Rich with cooking, prayers, faith, family, learning, nature…  It is a quintessential resource for Catholic Home educators and others, too!

-Summer Adventure Boxes was an idea I found and liked that brought me to Kinder Days, a blog I want to check out further with its focus on Five in a Row, Lapbooks, Learning Centers, Workboxes, etc. 

-A little bit of everything Catholic can be found on Conversion Diary, from the theoretical to the practical.  And, the 7 Quick Takes Friday carnival there is lots of fun, too.

-Falling upon “A Story + Art” led me to A Mommy’s Adventures, who began this fun blog carnival.  Since I love the idea and am inspired to do more stories and art than I already have been doing because of it, I wanted to award the blog here.  There are recipes and crafty stuff on it, too.  

-I recently stumbled upon Homeschooling the Chaotic Family and had to list it here because, although I have not delved too deeply into it, the list of categories is one that screams, “Bookmark and read when you have time” to me.  So many of my interests, concerns and ideals are reflected in it.

-Five in a Row and ABC research brought me to Delightful Learning, which I want to check out more for its many ideas on Nature Study, Tot School, Five in a Row books, ABC ideas, etc. 

-I recently stumbled upon Blue Yonder Ranch and the writer’s “about me” alone made me want to come back!  Eclectic, passionate, inspiring, fun… Science, Nature, recipes, crafts.  So much there! 

-Walking by the Way is an easy-to-navigate blog I found when looking at other folks’ activity bag ideas.  It is rich with ideas for reading, ABC’s, activity bags and lapbooking. 

-I originally found Seven Little Australians Plus One when looking for ideas about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, but recently rediscovered it and recalled how much I wanted to explore on this blog, with ideas for nature study, Montessori, Reggio, the Liturgical year and so much more all written by a mom so much more experienced than I am!

-Not that a published author needs bloggie love awards, but Barbara Curtis’ blog is one I love when I have time to read it.  I found it through her wonderful Montessori-inspired preschool books and find myself enjoying it sometimes for its on-the-mark pieces on politics, culture, parenting and more.  Mommy Life is a blog with bite and wisdom, too! 

-I loved the Nature Based Play Yard I found at Earth Friendly Mama and am equally delighted by the Montessori, homesteading and other ideas.

-My interest in Reggio brought me to Amongst Lovely Things.  Its Seasonal Plans, Reggio and project based Learning, Relaxed Homeschooling and Gluten free made me want to linger.

Outstanding Bloggers

-I also recently rediscovered Gladdest Hours when trying to recall where I had seen stuff on making a Baptism Box.  I’m glad I did.  As I glance down its complete list of categories, I want to click-click-click!  

-Sew Liberated is a blog I just found again when looking for inspiration for toddler-friendly rooms.  I immediately remembered that it is a super resource for Montessori, recycling, crafting, tutorials, art, etc.

-Catholicism, Nature, Montessori, Real Life…  Wildflowers and Marbles has it all and I love it! 

-I have just discovered the fantastic, fun outdoor activity ideas at Let the Children Play.

-Circle Time, Story Time, Montessori, Play, Art…  The gentle The Wonder Years blog is one I have recently found inspirational for its simplicity, photos, thoughts and help when I am able to linger there. 

-A link to the incredible Book of Virtues download, which I am eager to dive into, brought me to Shiver Academy.  What a work to share! 

-Montessori topics brought me to the Homeschool Den, which is a good Mama-Educator blog with lots of free Montessori downloads, workboxing, etc. 

-I love books and Montessori, so 3 Readers Blog with detailed descriptions of Montessori activities and good related book reviews is helpful to browse.

-A common interest in SPD brought me to Our Out of Sync Life.  A fantastic place for inspiration, reflection, concrete ideas and the ABC Jesus Loves Me curriculum, which I need to check out further.

-Wow!  What a resource for Charlotte Mason aficionados and those interested in nature study and all things Outdoors Handbook of Nature Study is!  

-Counting Coconuts, especially with its play dough and sensory tub ideas, is a fantastic blog so full of photos of Montessori, craft, toddler and pre-k ideas. 

                                                                                                  

-An incredibly helpful resource for Montessorians is Montessori for Everyone, with detailed instructions and ideas and free downloads, too. 

-Helpful easy to navigate, full of big photos, tutorials, Montessori, craft and educational ideas…even a category list by age and stage.  I just love how Glue Sky does things! 

-Offering free paper dolls of saints and other figures, good insights and lots on Catholicism, I just love Paper Dali.

-As I look ahead to the coming school year, I know I will be checking out this blog more for our kitchen explorations and Saint Day teas: Catholic Cuisine! 

And one blog I am Wild About:

-Besides a Montessori school or a Reggio school, if there were one pre-school I would send my kids to for a few days a week (if I had money), it would be a Nest in Nature, a local place that offers gentle learning, lots of creativity and a ton of outdoor time!  Marcia, who runs it and who I have yet to meet in person, has a delightful blog full of inspiring photos, reflections and ideas about nature, art, green living and embracing the beauty of the child within each of us.  I think others will love visiting Child in Harmony! 

Now there are many others that I might list here, since lots more folks definitely deserve kudos for their wonderful writing, inspirational ideas and selfless sharing.  So I am glad that “bloggie love” awards like the ones above are so inclusive, not exclusive, by the very nature that they are passed on...Truly, I am constantly amazed and grateful for the wonderfully diverse and delightful community we share here online.  One and all, thank you.

This post is linked to Thankful Thursday at Women Taking a Stand, another rich blog folks should check out!

 

Awards and Belated Thank You's

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<-- Mama-Educator with the Principal and current students in our outdoor classroom. :)

 When this Mama-Educator was still in the full-time working world, she rarely took breaks or lunches with colleagues, preferring to spend such time offering extra help to my students, contacting parents or creating plans and curriculum.  Still, I loved that colleagues were so readily available to chat each day before the official work day began and after the kids went home.  I always appreciated the opportunity to bounce ideas off one another, share funny stories and, of course, lend and receive an ear on not-so-good days…  Now that I am an at-home educator, I miss this time.

There is no “before or after the kids go home” anymore.  The kids are here 24-7 and so am I.  There are no colleagues to bump into in the hallway.  Indeed, adult conversation throughout the day is often limited.  Discourse with like-minded educators is even more so.  So, as much as I never thought I would say this: I thank God often for the community I have found through blogsophere.  Knowing I can share, help, witness and chat with other Mama-Educators at the press of the computer “on” button is something I appreciate.  Doing so inspires me, gives me a break when I need one and offers me the camaraderie I miss from my full-time teaching days.

It also sometimes gives me that “boost” I need to keep on going.  This past month has been very blessed, but also quite out of balance, since baby Jack came on the scene.  Some of my bloggie friends have offered words of wisdom through comments and personal emails.  THANK YOU!  And, a few fellow bloggers have honored me with awards – an unexpected and appreciated honor. 

Thus, much belated, I thank all these folks and am finally passing the awards on…

As I understand, the first two awards have identical rules (which follow) and the final one has no guidelines besides being passed to someone whose blog you’re wild about.  So, here goes:

Rule number 1:  Thank the person who gave you your award. 

First up, thank you, Carine from Lily Tots for the Versatile Blogger Award.  I love browsing all the wonderful Montessori-inspired pictures of Carine’s little one at work and know others do, too!  Seeing how easily common Montessori works and principles can be applied and caught-in-action makes for much inspiration.

Second, thank you, Sandy at Raising Ian for the Outstanding Blogger Award.  Sandy’s wonderful photos, descriptions, details and ideas about applying Montessori to home teaching are so helpful!  And, I just love some of the mini photo collages of her child at work!

And, finally, thank you, Colleen from Sunrise Learning Lab for the Wild About Your Blog award.  How cool is it to be among the first to be honored with this new award designed by Colleen and her children – especially since Colleen’s blog is one I am crazy about, too – replete with loads of pictures, links, ideas and, well, everything Montessori, Reggio and homeschool.  What a resource it is!

Rule number 2:  Share seven things about yourself.

1.  Those who read this blog know that our first goal in training our children up is to love God.  What they might not know is that I went through some very unloving moments in this respect – dark periods of turning away from my faith.  The good news?  God never turned away from me.  I only hope I can model that kind of love for my own children.

2.  When I was in college, I wanted to graduate with my BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) and my MRS (Mrs. So-and-So, having met a husband at school).  I only achieved the former and, then, decided if I could not be married I would set an arbitrary goal to travel to at least as many countries as I am years old.  I did this, traveling in over 35 nations before finally meeting my husband. 

3.  A little over five years ago, I was planning a year-long world trip.  I had worked, volunteered and traveled abroad, but had never continued to explore place after place at my own pace for an entire year unfettered.  So, I saved up money, found a travel buddy and said a prayer: “God, keep me safe in my travels.  If you don’t want me to go, send me a sign…perhaps a good job or a husband.”  Well, he sent both – I met Mike and a teaching offer came through.  Long story short: a different journey began for me – one with obligations and in one location, but one that I would not trade for anything.

4.  Three of my biggest obligations are Luke, Nina and Jack.  What a privilege and a responsibility it to be the steward of them.  I have taught countless children in the US and abroad, have worked with even more though jobs at camps, on the Disney Cruise line, etc., but nothing compares to the joys and the challenges of having three little miracles all of my (and Mike’s, but truly God’s) own.

5.  At several points in my life, I wanted to open my own daycare, pre-school or drama-and-arts space.  The most recent one was since Mike and I married.  Ironically, in collecting “stuff” to do so, I added to the clutter in our home which is now my biggest stumbling block for many dreams and plans.  I now recognize how “stuff” spoils and impedes living.  (Can we say, “Do not store up…”?)  I am in serious need of organizational efforts and help!

6.  Another dream I have harbored since getting married is becoming a homesteader.  (Luke, who seriously wants to “build a farm”, is all for this idea right now.)  Unfortunately, I have no green thumb and few practical skills.  All in due time… Our first vegetable garden has failed this year, but at least we have a beautiful compost pile going!

7.  I am known by some friends as the “Queen of Free”, and have recently learned that what is free is not always what is good nor needed (relating to 5 above).  But, if it is an experience for the family, it usually is.  I LOVE spring and summer and all the fun, free events and venues we find to enjoy moments of family time.

And Rule Number 3:  Pass the award onto 15 bloggers whom you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic!  

I really want to finish this post right now, but my children need me more than this post does at the moment, so I will attend to Rule #3 on Thursday.  Be sure to check back for brief descriptions and links to some great blogs I have recently found or rediscovered and also check out the three mentioned under Rule #2.

Have a blessed day!

This post is shared at Heavenly Homemakers Gratituesday.

The Sunshine Award

Today, fellow bloggers brought me a smile by nominating Training Happy Hearts for the Sunshine Award -- an honor given to those who inspire creativity and positivity in others through blogging.  And, for this I am grateful.

I must say, that the effect of the award is self-propelling.  For while receiving it means that Training Happy Hearts has been noted as a positive, inspiring blog, the award, also makes me feel increasingly positive and inspired myself!  Truly, as I began catching up on comments, emails and blogging after a brief baby-break, only to realize that Kyle from Montessori for Learning, Evanspor from Walk Beside Me and Marcia from a Grace-Full Life had each presented me with the award, I was overwhelmed.  How encouraging to discover that our little family homeschooling blog is not only being followed by folks we've never personally met, but that it is also affecting others strongly enough that three such fantastic bloggers honored it with the Sunshine Award at virtually the same time.

Truly, I am humbled and delighted to have Training Happy Hearts nominated from within the wide sea of blogs out there.  Not long ago, I gingerly dipped my toes into this sea and, since, have sometimes found myself floating happily away in it as a source for inspiration, support and community.  To know the current of Training Happy Hearts might be carrying others along at times is fantastic.  So, thank you Kyle, Evanspor and Marcia for making my day today, and thank you to all who share honesty, faith, support and ideas through their blogs -- making many of my other days!

Upon hearing about our Sunshine Award nomination, of course, being me, I tried to discover where and when the Sunshine Award originated.  I could not trace it back far enough to figure that out, though...  So,if you know, do tell.  I would love to thank the originator for beginning such a fun, pay-it-forward with a smile sort of award.  Simple, yet so full of positive energy!

Just how simple is the award?  Well, the Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blog world.  And, the rules for accepting this award are:

• Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
• Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.
• Link the nominees within your post.
• Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
• Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

The only difficult part, as I see it, is picking just a dozen blogs to nominate for the award when there are so many I discover daily that more than earn kudos for creativity and positivity!  Thus, as I move onto nominating 12 blogs below, let me say, there are MANY more I could name!!!!  These are just a small sample of ones -- both established and new, with varying focus -- that I enjoy and learn from:

• Shower of Roses was one of the first blogs I found myself clicking back to time and time again -- a wonderful, well-established blog by a homeschooling, Catholic mom, chock-full of practical and inspirational posts.
• Ditto By Sun and Candlelight -- such a rich resource for homeschooling, faith, nature and other ideas!
• Catholic Icing is a favorite blog for faith-filled, timely and fun activity, craft and cooking ideas.
• 2 Pequenos Traviesos is a fantastic Montessori homeschooling blog with loads of photos and ideas -- and it is bilingual no less!
• Hartley's Life with 3 Boys is a refreshingly real, yet positive and proactive blog, for parents and others blessed and challenged by SPD kids. 
• Try Defying Gravity is another honestly written blog I enjoy, written by an ASD mom.
• Mondorfment is written by a homeschooling, SPD mom, inspired by Montessori among other things, who not only blogs, but is very helpful in her posts in several yahoogroups.
• Living & Loving & Laughing with SPD says it all with its name.  It's a newer, very real blog written by a faith-filled, homeschooling, SPD mom. 
• Nostalgia for the Future is written by a single mom who is working to make Reggio-inspired learning accessible to those in her community.  It is a wonderful example of Reggio-inspired documentation and ideas for home educators. 
• One Hook Wonder is a delightfully helpful and inspiring Montessori-based blog for parents of young ones.
• A Munchkin's World is a blog I recently found that is full of photos, ideas and tidbits for Montessori, crafts, etc. with young ones.
• The Catholic Toolbox is such a rich resource for Catechism games, lessons, activities and ideas for home, school or CCD -- a generous planning and inspiration tool put together by a talented, experienced woman of faith.

Keep the warmth radiating!

And, to see what others are grateful for this Tuesday, visit the Gratituesday links at Heavenly Homemakers -- a place where loads of sunshine is spread!!!!