Teaching Kids About Where Our Food Comes From (And Why We Should)

Let's go back a couple of decades to when I was about 16. I had a friend over and my mom had made burgers. The conversation after dinner blew my mind. It went something like this:

Friend: Thanks April (my mom), that was the best burger I've ever eaten.
Mom: We really like venison burgers, so I thought you would too.
Friend: A what burger?
Mom: Venison, deer meat.
Friend: You fed me Bambi?

After this, my friend always asked what the meat was because we could have venison, wild boar, wild turkey, anything in our freezer. Did she not realize that bacon came from Wilbur and beef came from Ferdinand?

Dad didn't hunt because he grew up having to hunt for food in the mountains of West Virginia. However, he liked the meat, so he would cover the processing fee when friends would get an extra deer or hog for us.

This was life for us.

Lately, it seems to be going further than that. It seems that more and more kids think our food comes from the grocery store. This is disturbing in that there seems to be a lack of traditional knowledge and common sense. What are these kids going to do when they grow up and have to find a way to feed their families besides just what is on the shelf? Are they only eating produce that is chemically processed and sprayed with dyes to look ripe?

Our kids know where food comes from and we talk about it a lot. We don't want them freaking out because someone fed them Bambi (actually, they've never seen Bambi). We had burgers one night and were explaining that's why you see cows in fields all over our community. Actually, there is a pasture across the street. I took them to the top of the yard and we talked about cows and moo'd at them. 

If a friend gets a deer, boar, or turkey, they will sometimes come by the house and let the kids see it. We explain that it will be eaten and the kids tell the animal thank you for the nourishment. Many times, we will get a pack of meat off that animal (hunters appreciate that we are teaching the kids like this) and we talk about it again. 

The kids learn that there was a sacrifice made so they can eat. It has really stuck with them.

We also grow a garden with turnips, green beans, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, blueberries, blackberries, and more. The kids love helping out and eating fresh picked produce. They get involved from the beginning. 

They learn that there is a sacrifice of time and energy made so they can eat. 

When we are walking around the property, we show them the things that grow naturally that can be eaten. They have tried wild blackberries, muscadines, figs, dandelions, pigs ears, and more. 

They learn that God provides for us by putting these plants there for us to eat. 

We make it a point to have these conversations with the kids and to stress that food doesn't just appear in front of you. That there is so much more involved, including the cooking. The kids have learned to appreciate what they have and be grateful because so much has been put into it. 

One of the biggest things that my kids have gotten from learning these things is not to waste. In fact, if there are scraps, Tbomb always reminds me to put them in the scrap bucket, which we take to the edge of the woods each night for the wildlife. So, after we eat, we are feeding stray dogs and cats, deer, raccoon, opossum, foxes, and other animals. Even when we clean out the freezer and have things we can no longer use, this food is taken to the woods. They especially love it when we put the trail cameras out on the food so they can see what animals come to eat. 

I encourage you to have these conversations with your kids in one way or another

Book Review: Britfield

Disclaimer: I received a book to review. All opinions are my own.

Tbomb is an exceptional reader. He reads his bible (New King James Version), Nat Geo Kids' Almanac, and more. He will read for 30 minutes or longer at a time and comprehends what he reads exceptionally well. However, he is not a fan of reading fiction. Getting him to sit and read a fiction book has been near impossible (unless it is Spider-Man), but it is something we have been working on. Britfield is changing that! He really has enjoyed it, although his favorites are still nonfiction.

Tom has spent most of his life locked behind the cruel walls of Weatherly Orphanage, but when he learns that his parents might still be alive, Tom knows he must do what he can to find them. He can’t leave Weatherly without his best friend Sarah, so armed with a single clue to his past, the word Britfield, the two make a daring escape by commandeering a hot air balloon. Now they’re on the run from a famous Scotland Yard detective and what looks like half the police officers in England. Tom and Sarah’s journey takes them from Oxford University to Windsor Castle, through London, and finally to Canterbury. Along the way, they discover that Tom may be the true heir to the British throne, but even with the help of two brilliant professors, it looks like Tom and Sarah will be captured and sent back to the orphanage before they have a chance to solve Tom’s Royal mystery.

Tbomb has enjoyed the idea of reading a mystery and trying to figure it out. I love that because it is a mystery, it really makes him work on his reading comprehension. Plus, there is history, geography, critical thinking, and so much more. More than anything, I love that there is a good, Christian based story within it. What more could a mom want? Britfield & The Lost Crown is a good book for your chapter reader all across the board.

Guess what? You can win one! Just click the picture below!

Tbomb and Snapper's First Concert: Home Free in Agusta, GA

Our whole family just loves Home Free. They are an a capella country group. Not only do they have amazing talent, but they really care about their fans as well. My husband, MIL, FIL, and I went to a concert in July 2018 at the Peace Center in Greenville, SC. We knew that we absolutely had to take the kids. The kids love their music and the concert was very family friendly.

I had the opportunity to get VIP tickets (just for a Q&A session), so I bought 3. I gave these to my MIL, FIL, and Tbomb. Tbomb loved the experience and even got to ask a question. I got my hubby, Snapper, and I tickets just a little further back. We weren't sure how Snapper would do, so we didn't want her to sit so close up (they were in the 2nd row!).

It was a wonderful concert as always and a wonderful experience for both kids!

When they came out on stage, Snapper took off. I caught her and asked what she was doing- she was going to see Tim and give him a hug (the bass singer). I explained that she couldn't go up there, but she could see him at the signing line after the concert- she pouted for the first half of the concert, but he made it up to her. Tbomb even got a hug from his favorite- Rob!

Agusta is a beautiful city and the drive home was a fun adventure in itself!

This concert was March 1, 2019, in Agusta, GA. My husband and I went to Charlotte to see them on May 8, 2019, and treated my inlaws to backstage passes for their anniversary. We cannot wait to see them again- Just waiting for an announcement about them being close enough.

Easy No Churning Homemade Icecream (And Its The Best Icecream EVER)

My mother in law makes me the best ice cream in the world every year for my birthday. It is creamy and delicious- with a texture similar to soft serve, but oh so much better!

I'm going to share how to make this super easy ice cream with you (but I am leaving out her secret). Don't worry without her secret, it will be just as delicious!

What you need:
2 Cups Whipping Cream
1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 Cup of Flavored Syrup- Your Choice
Plastic Container
Cling Wrap

How to do it:
1. Beat whipping cream until peaks are formed
2. Fold in condensed milk and syrup
3. Pour into a plastic container
4. Cover with cling wrap
5. Freeze for several hours until it is the consistency you desire.

Seriously, can it get any easier?????

Tips:

Experiment with syrup flavors. We have tried chocolate and strawberry- they are both delicious!

Try out different mixins (Reese's cups, M&Ms, Peanut Butter Chips, Chocolate Chips, etc)

Get the whole family involved!

Tips For Keeping Children Safe this National Internet Safety Month

By Ken Huening, Founder, MiLegacy

The internet is a world of opportunity. But like the real world, it is often populated with risks and predators. This June is National Internet Safety Month, a moment in the year when it is important to think about the dangers posed to children on the internet and to offer some critical tips aimed at keeping your kids safe online.

Sadly, children can be the most likely people to be victims of crime on the internet. For instance, they are up to 35 times more likely than adults to have their identities stolen online. Sixty-five percent of children aged 8 to 14 have been exposed to incidents of cyberbullying and law enforcement officials estimate more than 50,000 sexual predators are active online at any given time.

According to BroadbandSearch, 95 percent of teenagers are connected to the Internet and 85 percent are using social media, meaning that virtually no family is immune to the dangerous threats posed online.

These statistics aren't meant to be salacious or to scare anyone. They are merely a reality we all face and an opportunity to have a discussion about what it means to be safe online. To help keep children and families safe, here are a few tips parents can use to protect their children.

• Spend Time With Your Children Online — As with many of the risks young people face, having an adult help them understand those risks goes a long way toward avoiding them. Point out potential threats by identifying what suspicious contacts would look like and educate them about what information never to reveal. By providing a first-hand analysis, your children can ask questions and interact with the screen.  

• Explain Security Risks — While schemes like phishing and malware are quite complex to understand, explaining them in basic terms that children can understand will provide them with a baseline of the potential threats. 

• Talk Openly About Social Media — Discuss the benefits that social media provides but also the dangers, like cyberbullying. Give your children the tools they need to be able to spot the signs and feel empowered to walk away.

• Address Risks Related to Computer Camera — Explain that there is technology out there (Malware) that can use the camera to identify a child or key information through the picture, so urge your kids to remove the camera cover only when they are connecting with someone that they know. 

• Explain The Permanency of the Internet — Ensure that your children understand that once something is posted online, it is likely there forever, so encourage them to think twice before that quick click.

There are no foolproof ways to keep anyone safe online but these tips can surely help to keep risk to a minimum. One other important thing to consider is where your child spends their time online. Not all social media platforms are created equal. Some have better parental controls than others, and some are simply just not appropriate for children of certain ages to take part in.

This is part of the reason we began MiLegacy — a social media platform aimed at preserving our memories. We felt that the tenor of the conversation on so many social media sites didn't fit the kind of social media experience we wanted to have. MiLegacy is an opportunity for people of all ages to share the most important moments of their lives, the wisdom they've gleaned from years of experience, and the connections they cherish, in a safe environment that promotes inclusivity, rather than division.

With MiLegacy, users can choose what they see and who has access to their profiles, providing an added layer of protection for young people, and giving users of all ages the positive social media experiences they crave.

National Internet Safety Month is an excellent time to have a conversation with your children about internet safety and to renew the vigilance necessary to keep them safe for the rest of the year.

Easy "Homemade" Poptarts

So here's the confession of the day: my kids love pop tarts. I mean really, really love them. We take them on vacation, have them for breakfast in the car, send them for sleepovers, and even eat them for breakfast at home on those days that I choose not to have the breakfast battle.

I know, I'm horrible. I should be cooking a breakfast of eggs, grits, bacon, biscuits, gravy, and whatever else my mom and grandmothers cooked every morning. However, I don't. That will change this year when Snapper starts kindergarten, but for now, the pop tarts work.

A few years back, when Tbomb was being tested for ADHD, we took all the sugar away from the kids (well, all sugar that wasn't natural). What in the world was I going to do for a quick breakfast when we had an early appointment? I was getting peanut butter for Snapper and looked over to an epiphany! No sugar added jams! Holy Moly!

I grabbed some strawberry and apple no sugar added jams, then proceeded to grab their favorite bread (they love that Pepperidge Farm wheat bread that is small), and grabbed some sugar-free icing and some sprinkles. (I know sprinkles are sugar, but they have to have some fun!

Seriously, the only thing that could be easier than this is opening a package of pop tarts!

1. Put jam in the center of the bread

2. Put the top on the sandwich

3. Using a fork, seal the edges

4. Toast it in the oven

5. Spread a little icing on top while it is still hot

6. Do some sprinkling

With the apple jam, you could even sprinkle cinnamon on top. 

Seriously- too easy!!!

5 Tips For Preventing Summer Learning Loss

Summer is upon us— the time of year most school-age students long for. For many students, the summer means an end to schoolwork, lowered responsibility, family vacations, and plenty of time to spend with friends.

Unfortunately, it can also be a time when many students lose much of the academic skills and knowledge they've gained throughout the school year.

The fact is, Summer Learning Loss is a common, preventable phenomenon. The education experts at Brainly— the world's largest peer-to-peer learning community— are well aware of the risks of three months out of the classroom can have on students, and they have tips aimed at combating it.

Consider this: One study on the impact of summer loss on students found that on average, students lose about a month's worth of education potential over the course of a summer. Students pick up their studies again in September worse off than they were when they left in June.

So how can parents prevent their children from backsliding during the summer months? Here are Brainly's 5 ways to stop summer learning loss.

1. A LITTLE PRACTICE GOES A LONG WAY
Stalling regular learning for three months has adverse results on performance. But just a little bit of practice every day during the summer can keep those skills sharp, especially in math and reading comprehension.

2. GET CHILDREN A LIBRARY CARD
It may seem so 20th Century, but by encouraging students to take advantage of the local library can keep reading skills up, give them access to educational tools, and help them to expand their scholastic interests.

3. ENROLL THEM IN AN EDUCATIONAL CAMP
Camp is fun for kids. But before you blindly sign up for the local rec. program, look for some specialized camps designed to keep children learning and take advantage of the summer months to boost problem areas.

4. ENCOURAGE THEM TO KEEP THEIR CURIOSITY PIQUED
Even inquisitive children can use some coaxing to keep learning over the summer. There are many services, like Brainly, where children can ask questions, learn new things, and keep stimulated to prevent summer loss.

5. TAKE UP AN EDUCATIONAL HOBBY
Summer is the perfect opportunity for students to take up a hobby. Learning a musical instrument, taking a coding class, or joining a trivia league can help students of any age stay sharp through the dog days. 

Regardless of what you choose, staying mentally active throughout the summer can give your child a leg up come September. Find out more at www.brainly.com.

Tips To Keep Your House Clean All The Time

To us, the house doesn't always look clean, especially at the end of the day. However, I know that the house is clean and whenever someone comes in, they are shocked that a house with 4 adults, 2 kids, and 10 dogs, 2 cats, and a lizard can be that clean. Why? Because we have tricks that keep the house clean!

1. Do something every day. This is crucial. Even if I don't feel good or I'm running around like crazy, I do something every day in the house. This may be straightening a shelf, doing a load of laundry, or scrub the toilet. 

2. Schedule weekly and monthly tasks and put them in the calendar.

3. Keep a running list of tasks that need to be completed on the fridge. This lets everyone in the house know what is going on. These are items that are not weekly, monthly or seasonal- they are just things that you see that need to be done.

4. Know how often you need to do tasks like sweeping your floors- we have to do ours every other day because of the dogs and the kids running in and out. 

5. Don't go to bed with your kitchen dirty. This is something I've done as long as I've been an adult and it feels so good to pour your coffee in a clean kitchen.

6. Every morning and again before bed walk through your house and straighten things up.

7. Have a list of daily chores available to the whole house and expect them to help out.

8. Keep cleaning products handy- we keep our general cleaning spray in the bathroom and the kitchen- then it is always available. All of the other cleaning products are easy to get to in the hall cabinet (but away from little hands and dogs)

9. Use products that make it easy. We dust with rags that we can throw in the wash. Actually, we use rags we can throw in the wash for almost every kind of cleaning. 

10. Keep the clutter down- it really does make it easier to clean.

11. Remember- A place for everything and everything in its place. 

12. One thing we do is - we do not leave the house without it being clean. What if something happened and we needed to get someone to come to the house for some reason. We don't want anyone coming into a mess. I really learned this the hard way when Tbomb went to the hospital. I was in the middle of redoing and sorting their room- it was a horrible mess. I ended up having to buy things because I knew I wouldn't be able to find them and it was hard on my hubby finding things for Koda. So, I haven't done that since!

13. The key is figuring out what works for your family, streamlining it, and keeping up with it. 

14. Teach your kids to clean up their messes when they are made. Just like putting things away when they are finished.

15. Don't stress- have fun with your family. Remember, Children don't keep.

There is something I want to discuss after #15. Not stressing over everyday life is essential to happy living. The journey my family has been on for the past year has taught me this. After watching my MIL battle breast cancer, watching my son struggle with ITP, and facing some scary tests I have coming up, I have realized that stressing about a clean house, work, and everyday school work is pointless. Is stressing making it easier, no! Is stressing helping get it done? No! This is something I have always struggled with. Stress was my natural state for many many years, starting in middle school. It is not easy to stop doing that. However, if you make a conscious effort and realize what is truly important in life (not a sparkling spotless house), it makes it easier.

I do also know that for some people, there is so much more than stress involved. That has been my situation, but with a loving and supportive family and some outside help, I am getting past this. Getting outside help isn't always convenient. But, did you know that you can talk to a therapist or counselor online now? Even better, therapy is available online and may be exactly what you need.

Tips For Working At Home During The Summer Break

During the summer break, routines tend to go out the window in our home. We have day trips, weekend trips, lake days, hiking days, and so much more. Dad also tends to take more time off work to spend with the kids. They are only young once, so we try to make the most of it.

However, I still have to get work done... at least sometimes. I've had to get creative with finding ways of getting work done, so I thought I would share some with you!

1. Keep your calendar organized and schedule work and meetings around it. If your husband is planning on taking a day off, write it down. If you are going to the lake, write it down. This way you know which days are available and which are off the table. 

2. Talk to your husband and children. Let them know that you need quite times sometimes to get work done so that you can spend other days having fun with them. 

3. I like to put a movie in for the kids during the hottest part of the day. Then, I can work on my laptop while they enjoy the movie, and usually fall asleep. 

4. Schedule quiet time during the day. The kids can play quietly, watch TV, play tablets, draw, whatever- but they have to be quiet (usually in their rooms). This way I can make phone calls or record if I need to. This also gives me a little quiet time to think. 

5. Take the kids to the library. While they are occupied by the children's section, you can use the library's wifi and work. 

6. Send an email to all of your clients that you work with on a regular basis. Let them know that your children are out of school and while you will still get your work done, you will just be on a different kind of schedule. 

7. Don't take on new clients during the summer- I learned this the hard way. 

8. If you have an Etsy store or make custom things, adjust your timing to allow for the summer fun. 

9. Take it easy on yourself. You do not have to constantly be working (this is something I struggle with). Give yourself more time to complete tasks and be honest with yourself and your clients. Getting yourself stressed out will make your projects take longer and you won't be able to enjoy the time with your children. 

10. Enjoy the summer weather with the kids. Take your laptop, notebook, tablet, or some type of work outside and watch them play while you work. I spend a lot of summer days like this:

Organize Kids' Prescription Medications

Tbomb was recently diagnosed with ITP (low blood platelets) and spent a week in the hospital. With this came lots of medications. Every day, he has to take medicine in the morning and at night. There are 4 prescriptions and 3 over the counter medications he has to take. It can get hard to remember when the kids are going crazy and I'm trying to get the day started or get them ready for bed, so I use medication organizers to help out. The problem with this is that there are 3 things I have to keep on hand for "just in case," as well as having to take his meds to the doctor and if we go away for the night, I have to take it all.

It was getting a bit much, so I had to find a solution.

I packed him a hospital bag for his last doctor visit, just in case. They were considering changing his treatment plan and the first one they had him on he had an allergic reaction to, so I knew they would want to monitor him overnight. Luckily, they didn't change his treatment plan because his platelets had gone up again. (This sure has been a journey). While I was packing his bag, I found a toiletry bag just hanging out in his duffel and I knew it was the solution!

Not only does it excite him because it is used every day and he gets to look at the cool camo, but it is the perfect size. I even have room to tuck Koda's meds in if I need to!

I have all of his prescription medications, over the counter medications, and "just in case" meds in one case. I also throw in a sucker for after he gets his blood drawn.

Everything fits in nice and neat with his daily meds and nasal spray right on top (green is morning and blue is evening). Those just in case meds are handy as well!

While I attacked this, I went ahead and took care of organizing the kids other medications. They are handy for my husband as well. This is the best way I have found and I just stick it on a shelf where the kids lunch items and snacks are!

It has anything needed for any ailment, boo boo, and allergic reaction. It even has our aromatherapy melts for when they have colds. It works perfectly!

How do you keep medications organized?

Free Printable: Summer Bucket List

I haven't shared a free printable in a while and I came across this one and wanted to share it. I hope you get some ideas for some fun summer adventures with your kiddos! Don't forget the pictures!

Just right click and "save as"

Prepare Now For Back To School

So, Koda is doing some homeschool, but next year, she will be doing less homeschool and be at public school all day. This will be our first year of this, so I'm trying to make sure I am prepared and organized. I was doing some things the other night and realized that my routine might help others as well. These things will keep your August from being hectic. Do it a little at a time and you will have more summer to enjoy.

1. Make a list of everything that needs to be done before school starts back. Put that list on your refrigerator so everyone can see it. When there is a free day, see if something can be knocked off the list.

2. Sync the school district's calendar with yours. Go ahead and do then, then you can plan for appointments and even fun weekend getaways!

3. Make appointments- yearly physical, vaccinations, eye doctor, dentist, etc. Spread these out over the summer and it will go more smoothly.

4. Get the kids some workbooks to do on days they are at home, especially those scorching summer afternoons. This will keep them in the habit of doing school work and they will not forget what they learned the previous year.

5. Organize the Pantry. While you are doing this, make sure that you give yourself room to store lunch making items. Your mornings will go much smoother!

6. Deep clean bathrooms and restock toiletries.

7. Deep clean bedrooms and organize. Get it done now, get them in the habit, and they will have a fresh start when school goes back. Be sure to organize school items with hooks and other areas that storage is needed.

8. Sort clothing. Try on items, check for stains, etc. Make a list of what needs to be replaced or added to their wardrobe. Stick this list in your purse and then you can grab things if you catch them on clearance.

9. Make a list of everything that needs to be done in August and stick it in your planner- haircuts, clothes shopping, etc.

10. Make memories- do not let the summer slip away, you may regret it once the school year starts back!

What tasks do you like to tackle over the summer?

Get Organized: Packing For Quick Trips

I don't know about you, but I'm not going to spend an entire day or two trying to pack for two or three days away (read: ever again!). With four of us and the kids needing certain things that other families don't have to worry about, I tend to spend a lot of time making lists, packing, and checking! That no longer happens. Now, I can basically check my list and spend a couple hours gathering and I'm good to go. I have a new routine that makes life much simpler!

Today I am going to share some things with you that I have started doing. These things have really helped me make packing for weekends away quicker. It still takes a while when the trip is longer, but we mostly take weekend trips. We prefer more weekend trips to one or two weeks away- plus with the dogs, it is much easier.

1. I have a specific tote (its a tote and backpack) that I always use when we travel- I even use it for day trips occasionally. Inside this tote, I keep our travel first aid and other travel specific items all the time. I also stuff our duffel inside of it. I keep it on the closet shelf, so I can grab it to pack quickly or to throw things in for a day trip. This has really saved my sanity!

Thirty-One Adventure Backpack

"G" in Teal, Feathers in Silver

2. Because we are huge coffee drinkers, and are not fans of buying snacks at convenience stores and vending machines, we also keep a tote ready with food items. It contains a coffee pot, travel disposable cups (awesome Dixie cups), gingerale and pretzels for my carsick kid (his carsick kit goes in there too), paper plates,  paper towels, salt and pepper, and other items we always need to eat in the hotel room. We generally plan on one or two meals out, but the others in the room. (Afterall, 6 of us travel together and usually a dog!)

Love these Dixie Cups- they eve come with lids!

3. We keep our toiletries packed. We keep travel sizes of all toiletries we use. I even bought a mini spray bottle and keep Koda's detangler in it. When we are packing for our trip, we don't have to worry about toiletries, even perfume is included! When we get home, we replenish anything we use so we are good to go once again! Until recently, I even had a travel hair dryer that I kept ready to go. I do have a travel size straightener that I keep in my makeup case. 

4. I keep a dry erase list in my planner for weekend trips. I can mark out what I don't need for that trip and I make sure that I have everything covered. I don't end up at our destination and realize that I have to go buy a swim vest for the kids because I forgot to pack it. 

This may not work for all families, but it does work for us. What do you do to stay organized for trips?