My husband and I have been married for 8 1/2 years. We married on June 12, 2010. It was a beautiful and very special day that I will always hold near and dear to my heart. The only days that even compare are the days my children were born, the day Koda finally talked, and the day we found that my mother-in-law is cancer free. Wow, what a list of special days!
The minister that married my husband and I normally requires a few premarital counselling sessions with him before he will consider doing the ceremony. However, we were special circumstances. We were pregnant and wanted to go ahead and get married before Tbomb came along because we knew that doing it afterword would be more difficult with a baby. This minister was very close friends with the Mr's grandparents, so he simply asked them: "Are they meant to be married?" With an answer of yes from them, he considered it good enough, so we were able to go on with our vows.
The Mr and I have our fair share of problems and fights. We disagree with each other a lot, but to this day, we have never spent a night apart because of arguing. We don't go to bed angry, or go to bed or leave the house without saying "I love you." These are rules we made when we first got married and have not strayed from them. Even though we do have our fair share of problems, our marriage is strong. We do not believe in divorce, so we make it work. We were also the last of our friends to get married because we do not believe in divorce. We look at life like this "If it's broke, fix it, don't throw it away." This works for cars, furniture, electronics, and marriages. Unfortunately, not everyone feels this way.
Another thing we realize is that not everyone should stay married. My parents, for instance, cannot be married. They have married each other twice, both times divorcing. They are best friends, but as soon as they say "I Do," problems start. I guess you could say that not all marriages are created equal.
Having been married for 8 years and looking forward to another 60 or more, I know that not everyone has our same situation. Looking back over our marriage, I can see the merits of premarital counselling and actually would recommend it to any couple considering getting married. I know that many of our disagreements and fight would probably not have happened if we had gone through it. You never truly know someone until you are married, but counselling could help that along some.
For instance, there are many conversations that couples should have before marriage, but not everyone thinks of them. Do you discuss your personal 5-year-plan, along with your family 5-year-plan and what they mean to each other? Are there hidden pet peeves, hidden bad habits, or other things you would rather your significant other not know? You better get them out in the open. For instance, the Mr had no clue just how much I hate feet until he put his on my pillow one night. I had to change the sheets. He also had no idea just how much I hate short jokes until after we were married. I didn't know that he hates fake fingernails (although I wore them all the time) until after we were married.
There are so many things in our day to day lives that we take for granted or just do not think about because we are creatures of habit. These things do not come to light until after you are married. Then, there are the big things. Having someone help navigate the waters of tough discussions can make a big difference and make sure that you know the answers to those big questions. While my husband and I did not go through premarital counselling, I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get married.
Therapy for Couples: Is It For You?
I know that traditionally, couples and marriage counselling is thought to be for relationships in trouble. However, that is not the case. Why not get help before your relationship is in trouble? All couples go through bumps and turmoil. There is nothing wrong with that, especially if you get the help you need to save your relationship or to decide that you do not want to keep going with your relationship. Most couples could benefit from some type of therapy or counselling. Here are just a few reasons to consider couples counselling.
1. Are you moving from one phase of your relationship to another? Getting engaged, getting married, starting a family, etc? Therapy can help you navigate the rough roads and make sure that you are ready for the different commitments and changes that will be headed your way.
2. Therapy can help couples facing major financial decisions and help prevent major arguments from coming to fruition. These decisions could be changing jobs, buying a home, saving for college, or even as simple as setting a household budget and allowances. Money arguments are among the most common, so having a neutral third party could help keep things from getting out of hand.
3. Are outside forces causing tension? Jobs, school, children, in-laws, churches, organization, and so many other factors can affect a couple's relationship. If there is a rift or tension in your relationship due to outside forces, consider therapy for an objective look at the problems at hand. No outside force should ever destroy a relationship and a therapist or counsellor can help you work through these problems.
4. Is your nest about to be empty? Finding yourselves alone in a big house that has been previously full of loving family members can cause problems with some couples. Many times, people just do not know what to do with themselves and they find that they no longer know themselves or each other like they once did. A therapist can help you work past this, get to know each other again, and possibly help you find hobbies to fill the time with. Instead of fighting through your empty nest years, you can be enjoying each other's company like you haven't in years.
5. Have you had a major life upset? Have you lost a child, lost a parent, been fired, found that you cannot have children, or had a similar let down in your lives? Therapy can help you work through this together and your relationship could come out stronger than it has ever been. Situations like this are hard on any individual, but navigating through it together and remembering to keep the other's feeling and thoughts in mind can be even harder. A therapist or counsellor can help with this.
While counselling or therapy should be considered if you think your relationship is headed towards failure, there are many times that it can be helpful to prevent a couple from getting to that point. You owe it to yourself and your significant other to have a happy and healthy relationship, and to do whatever it takes to make sure that you are living in that type of relationship. Therapy or counselling may be your win!
1. Are you moving from one phase of your relationship to another? Getting engaged, getting married, starting a family, etc? Therapy can help you navigate the rough roads and make sure that you are ready for the different commitments and changes that will be headed your way.
2. Therapy can help couples facing major financial decisions and help prevent major arguments from coming to fruition. These decisions could be changing jobs, buying a home, saving for college, or even as simple as setting a household budget and allowances. Money arguments are among the most common, so having a neutral third party could help keep things from getting out of hand.
3. Are outside forces causing tension? Jobs, school, children, in-laws, churches, organization, and so many other factors can affect a couple's relationship. If there is a rift or tension in your relationship due to outside forces, consider therapy for an objective look at the problems at hand. No outside force should ever destroy a relationship and a therapist or counsellor can help you work through these problems.
4. Is your nest about to be empty? Finding yourselves alone in a big house that has been previously full of loving family members can cause problems with some couples. Many times, people just do not know what to do with themselves and they find that they no longer know themselves or each other like they once did. A therapist can help you work past this, get to know each other again, and possibly help you find hobbies to fill the time with. Instead of fighting through your empty nest years, you can be enjoying each other's company like you haven't in years.
5. Have you had a major life upset? Have you lost a child, lost a parent, been fired, found that you cannot have children, or had a similar let down in your lives? Therapy can help you work through this together and your relationship could come out stronger than it has ever been. Situations like this are hard on any individual, but navigating through it together and remembering to keep the other's feeling and thoughts in mind can be even harder. A therapist or counsellor can help with this.
While counselling or therapy should be considered if you think your relationship is headed towards failure, there are many times that it can be helpful to prevent a couple from getting to that point. You owe it to yourself and your significant other to have a happy and healthy relationship, and to do whatever it takes to make sure that you are living in that type of relationship. Therapy or counselling may be your win!
Bedside Organization by Thirty-One Gifts
Disclaimer: I received items to review. All opinions are my own.
Over the last couple of months, I have redone the kids' room several times. In fact, I have one more major change to make and we will be finally finished. I have tried regular beds and organizing that way, but found for their rooms, loft beds are all that will work and they will be going up as soon as they are over the flu, or whatever it is that they have.
In making these changes and seeing what works versus what doesn't, I have found some tips that may help other families organize bedrooms. Let's start with bedside organization. Whether the kids (or you) are in traditional beds, toddler beds, bunk beds, or even loft beds, organizing the area where one sleeps is a must. Here are some ideas to help with this.
1. Double Duty Caddy: The double duty caddy will allow for organizing electronics, books, or whatever the kids like having beside their beds.
2. Hang-It Pocket: The hang it pocket allows for organizing when there isn't furniture beside the bed. You can even use a pocket for a water bottle.
3. Littles Carry-All Caddy: These caddies are perfect for corralling everything.
4. Mini Storage Bin: I love this storage bin for keeping books and coloring supplies handy, but corralled.
5. Oh-Snap Bin: This is absolutely perfect for a bunk bed or loft bed- allowing them to keep whatever they want handy by the bed!
How do you organize your bedside?
Over the last couple of months, I have redone the kids' room several times. In fact, I have one more major change to make and we will be finally finished. I have tried regular beds and organizing that way, but found for their rooms, loft beds are all that will work and they will be going up as soon as they are over the flu, or whatever it is that they have.
In making these changes and seeing what works versus what doesn't, I have found some tips that may help other families organize bedrooms. Let's start with bedside organization. Whether the kids (or you) are in traditional beds, toddler beds, bunk beds, or even loft beds, organizing the area where one sleeps is a must. Here are some ideas to help with this.
1.
2.
3.
2.3.
4.
5.
5.1. Double Duty Caddy: The double duty caddy will allow for organizing electronics, books, or whatever the kids like having beside their beds.
2. Hang-It Pocket: The hang it pocket allows for organizing when there isn't furniture beside the bed. You can even use a pocket for a water bottle.
3. Littles Carry-All Caddy: These caddies are perfect for corralling everything.
4. Mini Storage Bin: I love this storage bin for keeping books and coloring supplies handy, but corralled.
5. Oh-Snap Bin: This is absolutely perfect for a bunk bed or loft bed- allowing them to keep whatever they want handy by the bed!
How do you organize your bedside?
School On The Go With Carson-Dellosa
Disclaimer: I am a Carson-Dellosa Brand Ambassador and was sent items for review and for the completion of a project.
Because we homeschool and I work at home, I try to get all of our errands and appointments done at once when we have to be gone during the week, so I am always sure to take some school work along so the kids can do it while we wait. After the first of the week, Snapper will be having speech twice a week and I have to find her a group to join with other kids her age. This is all exciting, but it means that we will be gone much more often than what we are now. So, I'm trying to make adjustments to make sure that we stay on track with school.
Carson-Dellosa has some awesome products that are helping me get ready for this change.
Grade Specific Workbooks
Workbooks that are specific to a grade level and that cover a variety of topics are great for using for school on the go. They are like reviewing and helping to cover the lessons you are working on. I always include a few pages along with our school work for the day that can be done without my help. Then, when we get home or on the weekend we can work on the lessons that need mom's help.
Think outside the box with a second-grade math and language arts workbook that appeals to young learners.
Filled with engaging language arts activities and math puzzles for second grade, Not Your Usual Workbook by Thinking Kids helps children build skills for success in a standards-based classroom. This workbook focuses on:
Not Your Usual Workbook for second grade provides a variety of interesting ways to develop essential skills. Perfect for car rides and the kitchen table, this workbook captivates attention and engages children with colorful illustrations, unique puzzles, and exciting activities.
Fun, unique, and challenging, the Not Your Usual Workbook series for kindergarten to third grade offers a fresh, exciting approach to important skill development.
Help your child build skills for prekindergarten success with this early learning workbook!
The Prekindergarten Skills workbook helps your child learn these essential skills and concepts:
Each page features a learning activity specially designed for young children.
Prekindergarten Skills provides fun, child-friendly activities to help early learners practice writing, counting, matching, drawing, and more. Special features along the way promote a growth mindset and remind your child to try hard, get along with others, dream big, stay healthy, and be positive. Prekindergarten Skills challenges your child to develop the academic and social skills needed to thrive in the classroom.
Complete early skills instruction and practice—all in one big workbook! With developmentally appropriate activities, an emphasis on the social and emotional skills needed for classroom success, and a child-friendly design, each workbook offers comprehensive resources to help young children succeed in school.
Specific Lesson For Days Outside Of Home
The kids have started learning a little of different languages. Some I am excited about, others not so much. However, I do not want my lack of excitement to affect them, so we break it up. They have learned some sign language, some Spanish, some Japanese, and some French. They have even gotten to read some braille. I have been wanting to work Spanish more into our curriculum, but haven't really been able to work it into our schedule, so I decided to do something different.
Since we are gone 1 to 2 days a week and I need school work for those days, I thought Spanish would be perfect. A workbook that is self explanatory makes it even more perfect. Now, I take him a few pages and he can work through it on his own. He loves learning things on his own, so I know he will do great. Then, by next year, I can make it a regular part of the curriculum, but he will be a little ahead.
Set a solid foundation for Spanish fluency with a beginner Spanish book for kids.
The Complete Book of Starter Spanish for prekindergarten to first grade provides focused instruction on the following skills:
The Complete Book of Starter Spanish to help children build knowledge and skills for a solid foundation in Spanish provides focused instruction. Filled with kid-friendly activities, The Complete Book of Starter Spanish supports skill mastery, encourages learning, and helps children hone the skills for Spanish proficiency.
The Complete Book series offers activities that encourage independent learning and support skill mastery in these topics:
Each subject-specific, comprehensive workbook engages children with detailed instructions and fun activities. The full-color photographs and illustrations hold attention while children learn important concepts
Workbook Kits
These workbook kits are my ace in the hole for Snapper. Both kids carry backpacks- school work, tablets, on the go fun, and other goodies are much easier organized in the backpack. Plus, their action figures and dolls can ride along. Tbomb usually waits in the car with his Grani, so he's not stuck in the waiting room. Because Snapper is in the waiting room sometimes for a while, I need stuff for her that is contained and is easily cleaned up. These workbook kits from Carson-Dellosa are perfect for her. We just grab a kit, put it in her bag and we are good to go!
Strengthen early learning skills with an early childhood kit, packed with kindergarten flashcards, stickers, and more!
The All Set for Kindergarten Kit provides a variety of ways to practice these standards-based skills:
This early childhood kit includes alphabet flash cards, kindergarten activity books, and more.
Prepare your child for school success with the All Set for Kindergarten Kit. The kit is packaged in a sturdy, clear, child-friendly bag with handles and a hook-and-loop closure—ideal for on-the-go learning! The All Set for Kindergarten Kit features these fun learning materials:
The Thinking Kids® All Set for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Kits feature engaging materials to help your child learn essential skills while having fun. From shape and color recognition to addition and subtraction practice, the concepts covered in these kits are important for early learning success.
Prepare children for school success with an early childhood kit featuring prekindergarten activity books, flash cards, and more.
The All Set for Prekindergarten Kit provides a variety of ways for children to learn the following important concepts:
From alphabet flash cards to age-appropriate workbooks, this kit includes a variety of hands-on learning resources.
Your child’s educational journey starts now—prepare him for success with the All Set for Prekindergarten Kit. Designed for easy travel, the kit is packaged in a sturdy, clear, child-friendly bag with handles and a hook-and-loop closure. The kit contains these engaging learning materials:
Help your child strengthen early learning skills while having fun with the Thinking Kids® All Set for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Kits! From number and letter recognition to addition and subtraction practice, the concepts covered in these kits are important for early learning success.
Because we homeschool and I work at home, I try to get all of our errands and appointments done at once when we have to be gone during the week, so I am always sure to take some school work along so the kids can do it while we wait. After the first of the week, Snapper will be having speech twice a week and I have to find her a group to join with other kids her age. This is all exciting, but it means that we will be gone much more often than what we are now. So, I'm trying to make adjustments to make sure that we stay on track with school.
Carson-Dellosa has some awesome products that are helping me get ready for this change.
Grade Specific Workbooks
Workbooks that are specific to a grade level and that cover a variety of topics are great for using for school on the go. They are like reviewing and helping to cover the lessons you are working on. I always include a few pages along with our school work for the day that can be done without my help. Then, when we get home or on the weekend we can work on the lessons that need mom's help.
Think outside the box with a second-grade math and language arts workbook that appeals to young learners.Filled with engaging language arts activities and math puzzles for second grade, Not Your Usual Workbook by Thinking Kids helps children build skills for success in a standards-based classroom. This workbook focuses on:
- place value
- time
- money
- addition
- subtraction
- parts of speech
Not Your Usual Workbook for second grade provides a variety of interesting ways to develop essential skills. Perfect for car rides and the kitchen table, this workbook captivates attention and engages children with colorful illustrations, unique puzzles, and exciting activities.
Fun, unique, and challenging, the Not Your Usual Workbook series for kindergarten to third grade offers a fresh, exciting approach to important skill development.
Help your child build skills for prekindergarten success with this early learning workbook!The Prekindergarten Skills workbook helps your child learn these essential skills and concepts:
- Colors
- Shapes
- Letters
- Numbers
- Social Skills
- and more!
Each page features a learning activity specially designed for young children.
Prekindergarten Skills provides fun, child-friendly activities to help early learners practice writing, counting, matching, drawing, and more. Special features along the way promote a growth mindset and remind your child to try hard, get along with others, dream big, stay healthy, and be positive. Prekindergarten Skills challenges your child to develop the academic and social skills needed to thrive in the classroom.
Complete early skills instruction and practice—all in one big workbook! With developmentally appropriate activities, an emphasis on the social and emotional skills needed for classroom success, and a child-friendly design, each workbook offers comprehensive resources to help young children succeed in school.
Specific Lesson For Days Outside Of Home
The kids have started learning a little of different languages. Some I am excited about, others not so much. However, I do not want my lack of excitement to affect them, so we break it up. They have learned some sign language, some Spanish, some Japanese, and some French. They have even gotten to read some braille. I have been wanting to work Spanish more into our curriculum, but haven't really been able to work it into our schedule, so I decided to do something different.
Since we are gone 1 to 2 days a week and I need school work for those days, I thought Spanish would be perfect. A workbook that is self explanatory makes it even more perfect. Now, I take him a few pages and he can work through it on his own. He loves learning things on his own, so I know he will do great. Then, by next year, I can make it a regular part of the curriculum, but he will be a little ahead.
Set a solid foundation for Spanish fluency with a beginner Spanish book for kids.The Complete Book of Starter Spanish for prekindergarten to first grade provides focused instruction on the following skills:
- numbers
- letters
- expressions
- parts of speech
- days and months
- family and community terms
- This Spanish activity book for children includes a Spanish-English glossary.
The Complete Book of Starter Spanish to help children build knowledge and skills for a solid foundation in Spanish provides focused instruction. Filled with kid-friendly activities, The Complete Book of Starter Spanish supports skill mastery, encourages learning, and helps children hone the skills for Spanish proficiency.
The Complete Book series offers activities that encourage independent learning and support skill mastery in these topics:
- Spanish
- handwriting
- maps
- geography
- the alphabet
- numbers
- time
- money
- arts and crafts
Each subject-specific, comprehensive workbook engages children with detailed instructions and fun activities. The full-color photographs and illustrations hold attention while children learn important concepts
Workbook Kits
These workbook kits are my ace in the hole for Snapper. Both kids carry backpacks- school work, tablets, on the go fun, and other goodies are much easier organized in the backpack. Plus, their action figures and dolls can ride along. Tbomb usually waits in the car with his Grani, so he's not stuck in the waiting room. Because Snapper is in the waiting room sometimes for a while, I need stuff for her that is contained and is easily cleaned up. These workbook kits from Carson-Dellosa are perfect for her. We just grab a kit, put it in her bag and we are good to go!
Strengthen early learning skills with an early childhood kit, packed with kindergarten flashcards, stickers, and more!The All Set for Kindergarten Kit provides a variety of ways to practice these standards-based skills:
- handwriting
- phonics
- counting
- addition
- subtraction
This early childhood kit includes alphabet flash cards, kindergarten activity books, and more.
Prepare your child for school success with the All Set for Kindergarten Kit. The kit is packaged in a sturdy, clear, child-friendly bag with handles and a hook-and-loop closure—ideal for on-the-go learning! The All Set for Kindergarten Kit features these fun learning materials:
- 1 activity workbook
- 1 skills workbook
- 26 number flashcards
- 26 alphabet flashcards
- 10 sheets of punch-apart manipulatives
- 10 double-sided activity prompt cards
- 4 double-sided dry erase practice sheets
- 162 stickers
- 1 dry erase marker
- 1 parent guide
The Thinking Kids® All Set for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Kits feature engaging materials to help your child learn essential skills while having fun. From shape and color recognition to addition and subtraction practice, the concepts covered in these kits are important for early learning success.
Prepare children for school success with an early childhood kit featuring prekindergarten activity books, flash cards, and more.The All Set for Prekindergarten Kit provides a variety of ways for children to learn the following important concepts:
- letters
- sounds
- numbers
- colors
- shapes
From alphabet flash cards to age-appropriate workbooks, this kit includes a variety of hands-on learning resources.
Your child’s educational journey starts now—prepare him for success with the All Set for Prekindergarten Kit. Designed for easy travel, the kit is packaged in a sturdy, clear, child-friendly bag with handles and a hook-and-loop closure. The kit contains these engaging learning materials:
- 1 activity workbook
- 1 skills workbook
- 26 number flashcards
- 26 alphabet flashcards
- 10 sheets of punch-apart manipulatives
- 10 double-sided activity prompt card
- 4 double-sided dry erase practice sheets
- 162 stickers
- 1 dry erase marker
- 1 parent guide
Help your child strengthen early learning skills while having fun with the Thinking Kids® All Set for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Kits! From number and letter recognition to addition and subtraction practice, the concepts covered in these kits are important for early learning success.
Book Review: I Am Wonder Woman
Disclaimer: I was sent a book to review. All opinions are my own.
An entertaining look at some of the most influential women in history.
I Am a Wonder Woman is an entertaining and inspirational look at some of the most influential women in history, from ancient times to the modern day. Each page is filled with amazing stories about the women who have shaped the world and inspired others to follow in their footsteps. Readers can step into the lives of these pioneers by completing unique activities and answering thought-provoking questions. Quirky artwork throughout helps bring each woman’s story to life.
This is such a wonderful gift for a young girl, especially a tween girl. Most girls this age are trying desperately to find their personal strength and to find out who they are. This workbook will help girls with this struggle. It will also teach them about so many women in history that were strong and made the world what it is today. Many of these women are forgotten about in history books. I have gifted this particular one to my niece, who wants to be a teacher now more than ever!
An entertaining look at some of the most influential women in history.
I Am a Wonder Woman is an entertaining and inspirational look at some of the most influential women in history, from ancient times to the modern day. Each page is filled with amazing stories about the women who have shaped the world and inspired others to follow in their footsteps. Readers can step into the lives of these pioneers by completing unique activities and answering thought-provoking questions. Quirky artwork throughout helps bring each woman’s story to life.
This is such a wonderful gift for a young girl, especially a tween girl. Most girls this age are trying desperately to find their personal strength and to find out who they are. This workbook will help girls with this struggle. It will also teach them about so many women in history that were strong and made the world what it is today. Many of these women are forgotten about in history books. I have gifted this particular one to my niece, who wants to be a teacher now more than ever!
Get Help Online For Seasonal Depression
Seasonal depression, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, is a mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs at the same time every year. It affects more than three million people a year in the United States alone. If you suffer from this disorder, there is help, and you are not alone.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is treatable, usually resolves itself in a few months, is usually self-diagnosable, and does not require lab tests to diagnose. Many people suffer during the winter months, when it is colder, less daytime, and more people are inside. This is no reason to suffer for the whole season. Counseling is available. In a disorder like this, online therapy can be especially helpful.
SAD is sometimes known as the "winter blues," and can dramatically affect your life during the particular season. Seasonal Affective Disorder can happen in the warmer months, but is less common, and starts and stops around the same time each year.
Here are some facts:
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is treatable, usually resolves itself in a few months, is usually self-diagnosable, and does not require lab tests to diagnose. Many people suffer during the winter months, when it is colder, less daytime, and more people are inside. This is no reason to suffer for the whole season. Counseling is available. In a disorder like this, online therapy can be especially helpful.
SAD is sometimes known as the "winter blues," and can dramatically affect your life during the particular season. Seasonal Affective Disorder can happen in the warmer months, but is less common, and starts and stops around the same time each year.
Here are some facts:
- About 5% of the US population experiences seasonal depression in any given year
- The further you are from the equator, the more likely you are to experience seasonal depression.
- 4 out of 5 people with seasonal depression are women
- While symptoms can appear earlier, the usual onset of seasonal depression is between 20 and 30 years of age.
Symptoms include depression, anxiety, mood changes, sleep problems, lethargy, overeating, social problems, and sexual problems. The cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder has been linked to the reduced level of sunlight in the fall and winter, lower serotonin, and increased melatonin. Phototherapy, or bright light therapy, antidepressants, and even cognitive behavioural therapy have been shown to achieve results in treating SAD. Luckily, because the onset is around the same time each year, it is a very predictable cycle, so you can prepare yourself.
If you or someone you know suffers from Seasonal Depression, I encourage you to look into help. Even if you do not want to venture out for help, online therapy can be a godsend.
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