update

Beginning March Update: March 2018 {Thoughts From Me}

March 7, 2018 by Dana

March has come in quickly. I can hardly believe it’s already the 6th! It was just February.

This month brings lots of reviews. Things from the Crew and lots of other places. Great books from great authors we love to read!

I spent last week gathering a menu for the month. I haven’t done one in quite a while. 32 days to get us through to next month. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snack since we are homeschoolers and we’re home all day most days.

My biggest challenge is always feeding the picky eaters and keeping up with who eats what and how they prefer certain foods. Laycie isn’t a bread lover. Jack doesn’t like variety. Win’s least favorite is veggies. Emma doesn’t eat cabbage and has recently decided she’s not a fan of toast.

This month provides some fun for our menu though. We will eat mostly Irish meals the week of St. Patrick’s Day. We also have Easter on April 1st so I chose the plan to include that as well. Lots of variety and fun new foods to try.

Last night, we had Pigs In A Blanket with brats instead of hot dogs. We’ve cut out hot dogs a lot because of the processing of them and switched to sausage when we can. They were good but not a favorite for us this time.

I’m still writing. I’m also diving into our ancestry which is fun. It’s been awesome seeing who we’re all related to and just how unique our family truly is. The kids have enjoyed the lessons as well. I hope so share more on this in the future.

I’m feeling better, health and energy wise. I think it shows. Healthier me will bring more time to work online as well as get out and do more. I’m looking forward to taking photos again and sharing more of those here on our little blog.

Well, that is us, for now.

Until next time…
Dana

End of February: Update Feb 2018 {Thoughts From Me}

February 28, 2018 by Dana

I’ve contemplated what to write here for 15 minutes. Sometimes, you just don’t have anything to say. Silence is one of my favorite things. Sitting and listening to nothing but the breeze brings about a sense of peace and balance.

This was a busy month for us. First Mom’s birthday, then Valentine’s and then Emmalee’s birthday. It makes for a fun week.

This month also brought our first review for the Homeschool Review Crew. The curriculum we receive through them is always a blessing.

Several other reviews happened this month as well. I’m happy we are again in a place where I can provide those for our readers. We enjoy our reviews.

Emma has started diving into her own business of bracelets. You’ll see more about those soon. They will eventually be for sale. This has been a long time goal of hers. Art has her heart, and jewelry design does as well.

This month, I realized I had lost my camera charger somewhere on our travels. I was able to get a new one and look forward to working on imagery again. I mean, what was the purpose of my time in college if I’m not going to put it to use right?!

I started a book this month. You’ll see more to come on that soon as well. It’s a hard thing for me to announce and I’m almost fearful of it’s release but it’s been long in coming.

The kids are good. Our family is good. Life is good.

Life continues…

Until next time…

Dana Lambert-Hodge

Windows 10 Update Killed My Laptop {Thoughts From Me}

January 25, 2018 by Dana

Windows 10 update killed my laptop y’all. Seriously. It shut down and wouldn’t come back on.

I tried everything known to man to get her to work and repair but it didn’t work. Nothing… absolutely nothing. My baby was stuck in reboot mode. It couldn’t access the built in files that restore the programming. It was scary.

Computer recovery disks to the rescue!

I had to order the recovery info on USB. It took FOREVER to arrive. Finally, today, it showed up and I was able to restore my system to working order again.

Sadly, I lost all of my files and programs that hadn’t recently been backed up. I was able to access my adobe files through their website and safe storage of my licenses for those programs. I’m thankful because that’s a lot of money that could have been lost!

So the rest of this week will be devoted to restoring lost files and items, tracking down what I need to download again for reviews and setting this computer back to working order. I’m just thankful she is working again! Momma can’t blog or review without a laptop!

Until next time…

Dana

P.S. I’m thankful I’m smart enough I could do this on my own! Phew!

January 2018 Update {Thoughts From Me}

January 7, 2018 by Dana

I haven’t been posting as much lately because life’s been busy. We’ve been moving into the new house and we’ve had Christmas and Winston’s birthday to celebrate. December is always our busy month.

My baby turned 17. I can hardly believe I’ve been his Momma for 17 years now. Time has rushed past me and my son is almost a man.

He’s kindhearted, helpful and such an inspiration to me. He’s struggled with learning over the years but he’s never stopped trying to overcome his learning difficulties. He’s taught me what perseverance is. God blessed me with this boy of mine and now I understand why he was my first born. I’m proud to be his Mother and can hardly wait to see where God leads him in his life. But we’re in no rush to get there. I plan to enjoy this last year with him before he’s a “man” by law.

17 years I’ve been a Momma. That’s an accomplishment to me. I have 13 years to go before my youngest baby reaches that “man” stage. 13 years will fly by I know.

I’m proud of this accomplishment. When I was a child, being a Mother to four children was my goal in life. To be a Mother and a teacher and singer. I do all three of those now.

Homeschooling was chosen for my children when I was married to my ex-husband. It was a choice we made together. It was a choice I prayed over and it was a choice that God led me to. It’s also a choice my children and I have never regretted, nor do we plan to change. It’s been the best for us.

I’m looking forward to continuing this journey as a Momma. I’m looking forward to sharing many experiences still with my “almost grown” son and with my other 3 beautiful babies as well. They’re all growing up on me so fast but every minute we have is cherished every single day.

I hope this post finds you all blessed and as loved as I am,
Dana

Another Week Bites The Dust {Thoughts From Me}

June 10, 2017 by Dana

And another week bites the dust.

I’m totally off schedule. I feel behind in the plans I had. I need to set up a better plan to stay on track.

Emma is talking my head off. Distracting me from what I need to do but that’s okay because I don’t mind hearing her talk. She’s such a social creature.

Laycie is putting all her energy into learning about baby possums. She’s learned so much about them. Next week we will dive deeper into some lessons to learn a little more.

Winston has been working on his Minecraft game, mowing grass, building social skills. He’s ready for another Georgia trip. He had a lot of fun. I’m glad.

Jackson is busy busy. He’s learning big, little and middle in sizes. He’s learning that Daddy is big and Mommy is big and he is little. He’s learning colors like grey. He is counting to 10 on his own. He’s gaining new skills every day. He can balance on his head on the couch. And today he actually held the possum. He asked without prompting. I was totally proud of him.

So life is busy and unorganized right now but we’re working on it and we’re enjoying life together. Life is messy but joy overcomes the mess every day. So for now I’m living in the moment and letting life go as it will.

Until next time…

Dana