Sleep

This above chart is an estimate of what experts recommend for proper sleeping hours. They also recomend a sleep schedule (fall asleep and wake up about same times each night and morning.)

I pretty much have been unable to establish such a sleep schedule. At night I get energy and even if I go to bed lie awake hours before I can fall asleep. But come morning sometimes I can't even get up. And I sure hate too. I love to sleep in. I could sleep until 1:00pm if left undisturbed. Also no matter what time I fall asleep and wake up I almost never wake up refreshed and also dream about napping throughout the day.

What is wrong with me? I guess this is a sin and I need to give this over to God and ask Him to help me go to bed and get up.

Do you have a sleep schedule? Do you get enough sleep for you? What helps you not to fall asleep throughout the day?

-Becky

Tornadoes

My heart is grieving for all those affected by the recent tornadoes. We had one in NJ (very rare) Wed. night. We only got strong winds at our house, as it was not that close to my house. But we were watching so many in other states who lost so much, some even their lives.

One woman was in her house with her family (spouse and two small boys.) Her entire house was lifted and spun around for 15 seconds before being dropped 2 streets over from where they lived. They all survived, but the 18 month old has a skull fracture. How scary! Praise God they survived.

I pray these survivors would turn to God in these troubling times. I pray that they can begin to rebuild their lives. I pray that those who still have can give, and then give some more.

I am praising God tonight for all I have!!!

-Becky

Reading

I love reading. I have a goal to read fourteen books by Labor Day.

I just finished one.
It is called Sugar Changed the World.

It is a history of sugar, and those who made bringing sugar to us (commoners) possible. Mostly it was slave labor, and the life a slave led was terrible. This book, although written to young adults, was very educational and informative for me.

I also am reading with Joshua Spring with the Moody's, which is number 4 in a series for children.

This series is written by a homeschool graduate about a homeschooling family. You can check out all the books here. Joshua really enjoys these books and begs for me to keep reading after each chapter.

I love reading, and am so glad my boys enjoy it too. Jason is known to get lost in a book for a few hours. Joshua has just started reading a few chapter books on his own, but still really enjoys being read to. Joshua also has taken to reading to Kaiden every day. It is really sweet. Kaiden also enjoys being read to and looking at books independently.

I have this theory that if you read to children everyday or at least a few times a week from birth, they will enjoy reading. I actually read a study that just having books in the home will create lifelong readers. One of my homeschool goals is to instill a love for reading in my boys. I also want them to be able to comprehend what they read and be able to discuss it as well. A good thing about this goal is that books can be free (library or getting books from people giving them away) or very inexpensive (used book sales, yard sales, and thrift shops.)

Do you enjoy reading? Do your children? Do you use the library? If yes, how often?

-Becky

June Budget

10% tithe
$ 38 Compassion for sponsor child
$ 22 offering to local pregnancy center

$400 Mortgage
$450 taxes (due Aug. 1st)
$300 home insurance (due Nov. 1st)
$ 0 electric bill (already paid)
$ 50 gas bill
$ 50 water bill
$125 sewer bill (due July 1st)
$100 car insurance
$120 gas for car
$ 60 Kohl's charge
$ 17 on dental bill
$ 50 car registration due
$ 60 homeschool convention to get in
$400 food

Any extra money I get this month will go on camp supplies for daycare kids (art supplies, snacks, etc.) And if I get some extreme extra money will go with me to homeschool convention for next year school supplies (books needed, etc.)

-Becky

Homeschooling Mom Bible Study

I am super excited as starting June 27th for 8 weeks I will be hosting a Bible study for Homeschooling moms at my house. We will be using Homeschooling With a Meek and Quiet Spirit. We also will be creating or tweaking our homeschool visions.

With all the work I will be doing this summer I am glad to have something just for me. I really need to work on my relationship with God as well as my homeschooling vision and goals for the 2011-2012 school year.

I have been homeschooling Jason for three years, and Josh for two. I can't believe it has been that long.

I want to continue homeschooling, but want to be sure that it is God's will and I homeschool for Him each day.

Speaking of homeschooling, Josh and I have some math to do. lol.

-Becky

p.s. I just found an awesome homeschool site with so much free stuff for homeschooling. Check it out here.

May bills

I was able to pay most of May bills. I still have to put aside money for my home insurance (which is due Nov. 1st, but I budget $100 a month for it.) Also I am a bit behind on my taxes (which are not actually due until Aug. 1st.)

All other house and car bills are paid for this month.

As far as my debt I paid minimum payments and still owe:
$700 Mastercard
$50 Kohl's
$217 dentist

I just did my budget for next few months and increased monthly amounts for home insurance and taxes so that they will be fully funded when bills are due.

Once those are back on track I will make it my priority to pay off Mastercard, then dentist. Kohl's I will be taking care of this month.

This may take longer than I hope as my child support payments have been missing lately. Oh, what fun.

How is your budget going?

-Becky

So proud of Josh

Josh got some money in the mail for his birthday today. He spent it on dinner for us at church $10.00 and these items at food store:

3 boxes cereal $4.50 (sale)
1/2 gallon organic fat free milk $3.50
1 gallon Arizona $2.50 (sale)
1 bag apples $4.00
2 organic pears $1.50
2 boxes cheeze its $3.00 (we had a coupon)

This was his idea to spend his money this way.

He is so sweet.

I wouldn't usually get the Arizona, although we LOVE it, it is on the no limit list in our house with the high fructose corn syrup, but since Josh was spending his money and so kindly on everyone in our family I allowed it.

I also am proud that at the store Josh and Jason were really careful to stretch that money. This will give everyone in our house breakfast (cereal w/milk and fruit) and snacks (cheeze its and a piece of fruit) for 4 whole days. We already have items for lunch and tomorrow's dinner (Fri., & Sat. dinners I will be at work, boys with family.) Then Sunday we can go food shopping for real (YEAH!!!!)

My boys are such a blessing to me!!!

-Becky