This week, we are testing more goat-milking-in-peace theories, trying to finish up my husband’s school year, and wrapping up my voice students’ recitals. The garden is doing well and doesn’t need a lot of maintenance just yet. (And hopefully it won’t need as much this year thanks to some of the good practices shared in The Art of Gardening.)
This week, I’ve been on a mission to try to make my mornings more effective. Since getting the goat, milking has added to my already frantic list of morning-to-dos. I was feeling tired of being groggy and rushing around before getting everyone out the door- which leads us to the first pick of the week. (This post contains affiliate links.)
Make Over Your Mornings– I got a free copy of Crystal Paine’s newest e-course for review. I saw it advertised on a morning I was feeling most desperate for a reset button for the first hour or two of my day. I’m not usually much of one for inspirational/self-help type courses, but let me tell you, this really has been effective so far in helping me to get ahead and have a good start to my day. My house is cleaner, I’m more productive, and I’m in a much better mindset by the time the rest of the house wakes up. Today is day 5 out of 14- I’ll be sure to share a full review once I complete the course.
10 Things to Do If You Wake Up Feeling Like a Grouch– I’ll admit it-I am often a morning grouch, particularly if I’m woken up by a child climbing on top of me. Maybe it will seem endearing in hindsight, but for now it just makes me want to hide under the covers. Crystal shares some great ideas here to help turn your morning around. (But thankfully, I find that I’m feeling a lot less grouchy now that I’m getting a better start to my mornings with Crystal’s course.)
When “Christian Parenting” Isn’t Christian– When J was a baby, I was overwhelmed by often-conflicting advice from my Christian friends in different crowds. I was always worried that I would somehow go astray by making the wrong parenting choices, and never felt secure that I was doing the right thing. I think I could have been spared a lot of agony if I had adopted this perspective earlier in my parenting career.
With that, I’ll leave you to enjoy the June sunshine and (perhaps?) end-of-school season for you families out there. Happy reading!
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the link, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for supporting my efforts with this blog!
– Ironically, I began reading this book at a friend’s house the morning before I broke my phone. This startling book pictures what our constant relationship with technology does to our relationships within our family. The author discusses how our affinity for gadgets and social media can be destructive and dangerous when given an improper place in the family’s life. Many scenarios were frighteningly familiar and unsettling- but most saddening was hearing what children and teens really think of their parents’ screen addictions. I cannot yet vouch for the entire book as I only read a couple of chapters, but it is on my library check-out list for next week.
– I recently finished rereading Homer’s Odyssey as part of the classical education program for adults outlined in Susan Wise Bauer’s 
. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this “Great Book” as a thirty-year old, compared to when I was a disinterested teenager. What’s better? My husband and his 7th & 8th graders were reading it at the same time, so we got to have nightly discussions on it!
– My husband bought this book after hearing Ben Falk speak at an organic farming conference a couple of years ago. Pretty soon after, he was digging up the yard to put in swales and small ponds supplied by spring water, as well as burying rotting logs underground. Turns out he was inspired by Falk’s innovative permaculture- based agriculture at his research farm in Vermont, 
– by John Holt. I’ve been paging on-and-off through this educator and author’s book on what really can make or break a students’ grade. His views on how trust and mistrust, fear, and expectations can greatly color a student’s school experience are eye-opening- and convicting. Well worth the read for any educator- home or otherwise.
