Down In The Valley

Have you ever heard it said that it takes 21 days to make or break a habit? What do you think? Do you think it's true??? Research is up in the air about this 21 days thing, but  here  is a link to a good article about some research done on making  and breaking habits. Well, I definitely think that there is something to making and breaking habits and 21 days. I don't necessarily think that you've got it made if you reach that 21 days, but I do think that the more and more you repetitively do something, the more it will be come second nature, and almost as if you can't live without it! At the beginning of this month, I set out to make some changes in my health and in my children's health. Here are the goals I made: Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Doesn't matter what kind of exercise, just do it.  Stay within my carb limits for meals and snacks.  No cokes No chips I am happy to say that today is day 21 of my goal setting and habit making/br...

 My Dear Sweet Bethany,       Today is your first day of school. When Daddy went in to wake you and your brother up this morning, you excitedly and repeatedly asked, "Is it time to go to school now?". You had a beautiful smile on your face and a great attitude all morning while getting ready. You were giddy and sweet, but a little sad that you wouldn't get to take a nap beside Josiah when the time came. My little girl, you are growing up. I can't believe in a few months you will be fine. I pray that this year is a great one for you. I pray that you enjoy your time at school and love to learn. I pray that you will be respectful and obedient to your teachers as we have taught you. We love you and can't wait to see you come home today and tell us about your day!  My Dear Josiah,      The first day of school is "old news" to you. You could write a book about what to do on the first day of school and include all of the times and dates of...

I'm feeling a little bit old and a little bit teary this week. Both of my kiddos will be headed to the local schools. Little Miss B will be starting preschool and Little Mr. J  will be headed to 1st grade. They are so excited. They will be going to two separate schools, but both schools are within a mile or so from our home. They will be riding two separate buses and they just really are excited. Bethany assures me she won't cry when I put her on the bus Monday morning, and is quick to tell me that I shouldn't cry either. Um, yeah, okay...we'll see how that one works out, okay? We have been through orientation at both schools with both kids. Their teachers seem nice, well-educated and eager for a new set of students. Josiah is very excited because this year the classroom will be using stability balls to sit on at their work tables instead of traditional desks and chairs. He also gets his own locker. Bethany is excited that she has her own nap cot and gets to take her ...

Hey, everybody! It's that time of year again when you are trying to get your kids and their things ready to go back to school. So, in honor of August, Back to School month, I have posted some new creations in my Etsy shop. I have adorable little hair bows that your girl will just love and the price has come DOwn...way DOwn! To get to my shop, click on the tab "My Etsy Shop" and it will take you right there! Prices and shipping are way down, so come and take a look around. I will be posting more and more over the next few days too, so keep coming back and checking things out. If you have any questions, please send me a message. And, by all means, please share this with anyone who loves hair accessories and hair accessory holders!

My goodness, I love setting goals. Is that weird? Well, if it is, then color me weird! Goals inspire me, motivate me and encourage me. I set goals ALL of the time. If I didn't, I wouldn't get anything done. I write almost all of my goals down on paper, because I love lists. I love to see my handwriting and I love to see lists. For the past few days, I have been looking at how I make goals and how I can set better goals for myself and I thought I might share some goal making tips here. The first thing I do when trying to set some goals is I get out one of my favorite pens and a notebook. To write your goals down is to make a statement of your willingness to accomplish what you set your goal to be. Some people then take their written goals and hang them up where they can be seen often, which is an awesome idea. If you are like me, though, a lot of goals are personal and I don't want to share them with others, so I keep them in my notebook and review my goals daily in order ...

Have you ever thought about how hard school might be for a young one with autism? What about how hard teaching children with autism may be? I admire teachers in general, but I really admire teachers who teach children with disabilities. Josiah had a wonderful pre-school teacher and kindergarten teacher. I admired the way they worked with several children who had one developmental disorder or another. This school year for Josiah is going to be very exciting. He is being transitioned from the special care classroom to a normal classroom. I am so excited to see how he works. I have so much faith in him and pray that this is just what he needs. Here are some school-related symptoms of autism that you may be seeing: School-Related Symptoms:    Using fine motor skills, such as coloring and cutting with scissors and is difficult or an inability. Ability to comprehend reading may not be good, even though answers can be quoted easily. Difficulty with...