10 Things every Mom should Know

An Open Letter To Moms from Kid President 

Blessings this Mothers Day

HSMJ - we experienced a partial Annular Eclipse

In my life this week…

It was a delightfully busy fruitful week.  A few things changed at a drop of a hat and my healthy eating is happening.  The scales showed a good drop on Monday but this week has not been as good eating wise as last week so we shall see on Monday. . .

In our home school this week…

•  We discovered Col. Chris Hadfield on Facebook and spent a delightful few hours watching YouTube clips that he made about life in space answering all sorts of questions from children.
• We watched a documentary on his life before his latest space adventure
• We attended a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presentation of The Happiness Box
• We drove to Ballarat to the observatory to witness the annular solar eclipse today and since we were in Ballarat we decided to visit Sovereign Hill and explore the gold mine town museum.
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Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

• Why I'm comfortable with my Kids being Un-Socialized over at Walking Redeemed
• Are you over committed ? over at Above Rubies.
• FREE Butterfly Preschool Printables over at Homeschooling Hearts & Minds
• FREE Sunflower Unit Study from The Old Schoolhouse

I am inspired by…

The Ultimate Girlfriend gift

•  The Ultimate Girlfriend Gift over at A Holy Experience. 
• Scripture Illustrations Hope over at Practical Pages

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

• Ballarat Observatory to watch the Annular Solar Eclipse and enjoy a breakfast at the 3rd Rock Cafe
• Iwaki Auditoriam to see the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra present Family Classics Kids: The Happiness Box
• Tennis
• Sovereign Hill
• Kelly Sports

My favorite thing this week was…

• My bloggy friend Marcy's post: On Becoming a Mommy -- Our Miraculous Birth Story.
• Reading Kasey's post: A few things to know before you read another blog . . .

What’s working/not working for us…

• Getting the children to all help with chores in the morning after breakfast.

Questions/thoughts I have…

• I want to join in a 5 day blog hop but a topic is alluding me can you help me with some ideas ?

Things I’m working on…

Release the butterflies.  A month of celebrating the uniqueness of our children and you are invited to share about your precious children with us.

On My Bedside Table ...

• A new book from Sovereign Hill

In Bloggy world I’m reading…

• A shelf of Australian Treasures over at A peaceful Day
• Keeping your home 'Company Ready" without the Stress over at Walking Redeemed
• Victoria's Secret Model Kylie Bisutti Quits Modeling and Turns to God; Launching Christian Clothing Line 
• 'They attended school of life': Mother who spent family savings on round the world trip defends taking children out of education
• How to find the healthiest fare in Meat and Produce Aisles
• The 'new legalism' over at World Mag
•  Victims in Boston Face a Difficult Path to Recovery over at The New York Times
• List of Inflammatory Foods over at Live Strong

I’m cooking…

• Lots of healthy food

On Pinterest I found...

• Nothing new I haven't been there this week.  Shall remedy that next week.  What's your boards address I'm looking for new people to follow.
  

I’m grateful for…

• The honesty and integrity of my friend Jo who has invited us on her journey of healing. This week she shares Not Fighting the Depression, but resting in Him.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Blessings

Photo collages made with: Photoscape a FREE photo editor

Releasing Butterflies this May

On Saturday Susan launched Ichthyosis Awareness Month with an amazing post about who our children are.  Susan's son Peter is more than his skin condition he is an intelligent, creative funny little boy.  He needs to be seen for who he is.  The FIRST foundation symbol is a butterfly and is the inspiration for the theme this month. Susan says: "I’ve always loved that image, that of a child being freed from a “cocoon” that keeps him from being seen in all his splendor as the wonderful child of God he is."

Paul and I have been blessed with three children.  Starting next Wednesday during the month of May I would like to introduce each of my children to you.

• 8 May - Releasing Butterflies this May
• 15 May - Hoping for the Butterfly - Mr T
• 22 May - Anticipating the Butterfly - Miss J
• 29 May - Preparing the Butterfly  - Sir N

This past weekend I was at Crop 4 a Cause and was touched by this statement

I would encourage you to take some time over the next week and look, really look at each of your children and appreciate them for who they are right now.  Not whom they could be.  Look at them and ask the Lord to help you see that child the way He sees them.

I pray the Lord will fill your week ahead with the wonder of each of the children He has placed in your care.

Blessings
Chareen

--ooOoo--

May is Ichthyosis Awareness Month. I will be partaking in a month long blog hop in honor of Peter and other children with Ichthyosis. Release the butterflies is more than about children with a rare skin disorder it's about each and every one of our children.

Susan will be having a weekly link up.  Please join me in celebrating each and every child and just how special they truly are.

Here is Susan's Schedule
Links will be added here as the posts go live.
Release the Butterflies Posts:

1. Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Susan  Embrace the Wild Child, Release the Butterflies
Nicole Releasing the Butterflies. Turtle...
Lisa All the Same and Yet Different
2. Wednesday, May 15, 2013
3. Wednesday, May 22, 2013
4. Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Giveaways

1. Have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids Bundle (ends 5/12)
2. Monday, May 13, 2013
3. Monday, May 20, 2013
4. Monday, May 27, 2013

Freebies

1. Thursday, May 9, 2013