Old Dog, New Trick

We went to the Teach Them Diligently conference in NW Arkansas over the weekend. It's been several many years since we attended one, so we really needed it as we are heading into teens this year and high school in a year and a half.

That was all good and well, but God actually wanted us there for parenting. 

Isn't it interesting that when we are looking for something to change a person or situation, it's often us God wants to change?

So, it was an encouraging, informative, convicting and entertaining weekend. Yes, things can be convicting and entertaining at the same time...at least in my book.

So, hubby and I came back having repented and realizing we needed to make some changes. We were good.

...but then something happens and you've got to put the new pedal to the old metal.  

It's all great when it's fresh and theoretical, but then when your child actually needs some issues majorly addressed, it's actual work!

It would be easy to fall into routine, but we haven't (so far, thankfully).  We decided to think and pray before we address it instead of just coming down on her which is what we often did. 

I'm also choosing not to deal with it in fear of her response or what others will think, but instead, in faith that God has promised a great plan for mija and this is just one of the lessons/bumps that will lead her into her future purpose (and her current purpose for that matter!).

So pray for us as we consider how to handle this new issue now that we have to be responsible for the new lessons God has taught us!

Saved 84% yesterday

Went to our "big city" about 35 minutes away to do some couponing yesterday. I purchased $100 worth of stuff for only $16! Not bad and worth the gas.

I did Krogers, CVS, and Walgreen stops, matched coupons with sales, and applied some online rebates through Ibotta and such, but what was really interesting was that there were actually two mail-in rebates. I haven't seen those in years.
One is for the Right Guard Xtreme Precision Dry Spray. It's only available through purchases at CVS, Walgreens, or Rite Aid. You have to purchase by the March 31 and postmark by April 15.
The second mail in Rebate was for a Swartzkopf Gliss Product. It's not store specific and needs to be postmarked by January 15, 2018.
Remember to do any online rebates before these because you need to mail in the receipts with the mail-in rebates.

Homeschool Freebies

 It's time for the annual freebie directory from The Old Schoolhouse magazine.

Excuse my daughter's long legs
in the picture!

I recently received a lot of free science magazines from Natural Inquirer (get the play on words?)  I requested a sample pack and was surprised by the extent of what I received!I requested the middle school selection. Get your free science magazines HERE. Warning: not necessarily a Biblical worldview but still informative information.

Lastly today, my friend shared a new freebie from Nat Geo. It's free, printable, topography maps. You can select where you want in the United states, and it will print 5 PDF pages up for you which includes:  

• Page 1 is an overview map showing the topo in context
• Pages 2 through 5 are the standard USGS topo cut in quarters to fit on standard printers

Find your Nat Geo topography maps HERE