October Favorite Things: Books I'm Reading

Today I picked up two new books that I've been hoping to read.  Daring Greatly by Brene Brown seems to speak to where I am personally in life right now.  Her call to live wholeheartedly resonates in my heart.  I've heard great things about this book and can't wait to dive in!


Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

Crucial Conversations, on the other hand, is more of a necessary read for me.  I don't handle crucial conversations very well. I often feel like I failed miserably, did not communicate what I had hoped to communicate, and made matters worse.  Obviously, I have work to do in this area.  Communication is key to all areas of life including my marriage and family life, work, teaching, and so much more.  I'm already two chapters into this book and look forward to being challenged to be more effective in this area of life!

Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler

October Favorite Things: Favorite Bloggers!

I love this quote by Bob Goff, "Everyone's leap looks different; comparison is a punk".  I don't think I'm the only one out there that has struggled with comparison, especially when there are people out there already doing what you one day hope to do!  We all have our "leap", our road to take.  It might be similar to what others are doing, but it will still be different. That's because we are all unique and we all have something to offer. That something, whether it's a gift, talent, or insight, whatever it might be, makes us ORIGINAL.  One of a kind.

That said, I wanted to highlight two of my favorite established bloggers, and one up and comer!

Monica Swanson (The Grommom) is one of my favorite's! I do not personally know Monica, but as a mom of boys, I really appreciate her perspective on life, parenting, schooling and so much more.  She just finished a series on parenting pre-teen/teen boys that was excellent, provided lots of tools and resources, and was just down right encouraging to read! I highly recommend you check the series out here, as well as the rest of her website! She just posted this banana bread recipe that I might have to try in the morning...

Shanti Landon's Life Made Full is another favorite website of mine!  And I am thrilled to say that I DO know Shanti personally.  I met her through the homeschool network the boys and I were a part of while we lived in California.  She is beautiful inside and out, has an amazing story, and has worked hard for several years to get where she is at now.  I definitely look up to her, all that she has accomplished, and the positive impact she has made in the lives of so many.  She posts great recipes and so much more! You can click the link above or check out her website here!  Thank you, Shanti, for all of your help and encouragement! P.S, I love this idea of serving a vegetarian dish once a week!

The last blogger I want to highlight, Jenn Milroy, is a new friend that I met through my son's soccer team.  She has such a positive energy about her and is passionate about helping others!  You can check out her new blog at jennmilroy.com.  I'm looking forward to working with Jenn in the future!  Welcome, Jenn!

October Favorite Things: Favorite Story Books

I love literature in general, specifically books that tell a fascinating story!  One of my favorite parts about homeschooling is that I am able to take the time to read engaging stories with my boys. Yes, I still read out loud to them. :) I think it is extremely important to continue reading out loud to them for as long as I am able to!  (Of course, I don't read everything to them!)

I want to highlight three of my most favorite story books that I have read to the boys in the last couple of months!


Noah Webster and His Words
If you've ever wanted to know the story behind how Webster's dictionary came to be, this is the book to read.  It is a fascinating story about diligence, focus, and determination!

October Favorite Things: Family Adventures and The Windy City!

Not only do I enjoy exploring new places, but the whole family does!  The boys are at such a great age to be able to appreciate new places and experiences.  We really look forward to going on family adventures together!  This past September we were able to go to the Windy City to explore for a few days and celebrate M-man's 8th birthday.  Wow! 8 years old!  Where has the time gone?? Anyway, back to family adventures...

We spent M-man's birthday at the Shedd Aquarium.  It was a very fun aquarium

 and we really enjoyed our time there!  The Amphibians special exhibit was a favorite exhibit of ours.

October Favorite Things: Noonday Collection

I am so excited about today's post! Noonday Collection is one of my all-time favorite fair trade companies to buy from!  I love the heart behind what they do and how they help to bring social responsibility along side the designing and selling of beautiful, inspired jewelry and accessories.

Noonday has ambassadors who help to tell the stories of each piece of jewelry or accessory that is created.  Behind every piece is a person who is valued, appreciated and justly compensated for the amazing work that they do!  I had the privilege last spring to meet a local ambassador here in the Tulsa area, Emily Collins! She is beautiful inside and out and has a contagious passion for what she does! At the beginning of the summer I hosted a Noonday Trunkshow with her! It was so much fun!  I enjoyed hearing some of the stories behind the Artisans who make the pieces as well as seeing many of the pieces in person.

I will be hosting another Trunkshow in 3 weeks!  This one is extra special because 10% of the show sales will go towards the adoption costs of a sweet family in the middle of the adoption process right now! Noonday Collection was originally started to help fund raise for adoption and the company is passionate about supporting families who are in the process of adopting!

 The Howard Family, who will benefit from the show, are friends of friends and they live in TX, not too far from where we used to live in Allen, TX.  I am so honored to be able partner with them to help raise funds for their adoption! If you want to learn more about the Howard Family and their adoption story, click here!  If you want to help support their adoption in other ways besides the Trunkshow, click here to learn more.  

**And if you want to participate in and shop at the upcoming Trunkshow, comment below and I will get the info to you!!  If you are in the Tulsa area, please save the date (November 5th) and join us!  If you are out of town, no problem!  You will still be able to shop online!  Hope to see you there!  

Here are the boys and I out getting donuts awhile back...and I'm wearing one of 

my favorite pair of Noonday earrings, the Calypso Earrings!

October Favorite Things: Chickens and Bees

One of my favorite things about living where we live now is that we finally have chickens again!  We really enjoyed having them when we lived in California!  A few weeks ago, we were able to purchase some Rhode Island Reds, not quite at egg laying age.  They've been so funny to watch, but as of yet they haven't been quite a friendly as our old chickens.  These are easily scared and don't seem very interested in us yet.  Hopefully that will change.

We have made an interesting discovery, though.  We've wondered from the start if two of our seven 'hens' were actually roosters.  I did some research into the matter today.  We have yet to hear them crow, but are 99% sure that we've got two roosters on our hands.  They've got saddle feathers, huge tail feathers, and strut around like a rooster might.  Yikes.  So, we'll what happens with that!

As for bees, they are still on the list.  At this point, I'm hoping for early spring!

October Favorite Things: From the Word

It's been an interesting week. I'm almost laughing at my post two days ago about homeschool, because this week has been anything but my favorite.  Isn't that how it goes sometimes? And I have not been the most fun person to be around for my family. It's always hard to admit that you haven't been who you hoped you would be.  I'm tired and a bit discouraged.  So I thought tonight I would share one of my favorite scriptures...Isaiah 40:31.  It has always brought encouragement to me!

Starting a couple of verses before that...

"Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint."

                                - Isaiah 40:28-31