Raising Future Leaders

Vaccines & Liberty: Let Freedom Ring

2011-07-04T20:47:00.001-04:00

Family Strategies: Practical Issues for Building Healthy Families

2011-04-08T20:46:00.000-04:00

Purchase the 20 Week Family Strategies Audio Series - $95 here.

As I've mentioned many times before on my blog, our family has been blessed and benefited from numerous insights from Doug & Beall Phillips of Vision Forum Ministries over the years while raising our future leaders. They now have a new series, Family Strategies, consisting of 20 weekly, encouraging messages delivered right to your inbox with a link to download and listen to at your convenience!

From the site description:

To Survive and Prosper: It’s Time to Think Strategically
About Your Children, Your Household, and Your Family Culture!

strat-e-gies: The art of devising or employing plans or stratagems toward a goal.

If you are a Christian parent living in the twenty-first century, you need to think strategically about your family. Settling for the priorities and practices of the world is a proven formula for disaster. As parents, we must do more than settle. We must self-consciously choose. This requires strategic biblical thinking. It means self-consciously building your family culture. And whether the subject is entertainment choices, home décor, travel, music in the home, or dealing with antagonistic relatives, it means that wise, Scripturally-informed parents must think creatively as they aggressively engage impediments and obstacles to success.

A 20-Week Energy Boost of Strategic Thinking and Encouragement from Doug and Beall Phillips

Family Strategies: An Invitation from Doug and Beall Phillips.

These are the weekly messages from Doug and Beall that you will receive:

1. How to Organize Your Home to Promote Family Unity
2. How to Cultivate a Love of Reading with Your Children
3. How to Make Mealtime Meaningful
4. How to Prepare for a Year of Home Education
5. How to Take Children Safely Through an Airport
6. How to Involve the Whole Family in Family Worship
7. How to Address the Plague of “Jive Talk” in Your Home
8. How to Encourage Masculinity in Sons
9. How to Encourage Femininity in Daughters
10. How to Handle a Social Worker Visit
11. How to Wage War on Sibling Rivalry
12. How to Use Household Decorations to Teach Character
13. How to Talk to Your Children about Miscarriage
14. How to Involve the Whole Family in Hospitality
15. How to Build an Entrepreneurial Spirit in Your Children
16. How to Watch a Movie As a Family
17. How to Cultivate a Love of Meaningful Poetry with Your Children, and Why Doing So Is Important
18. How to Prepare Your Children to Listen to a Symphony
19. How to Take a Road Trip with Your Family
20. How to Select the Best Locations for Family Vacations

As the parents of eight children and the founders of Vision Forum Ministries, Doug and Beall Phillips have spent the last decade collecting and implementing helpful strategies for building a strong, safe, and visionary family culture.

Doug and Beall share some of the most practical and proven strategies for building a vibrant family culture through their new 20-week, 30-minute episodes audio series called Family Strategies.

Purchase the 20 Week Family Strategies Audio Series - $95 here.

Receive a New Family Strategies Message in Your Inbox Every Tuesday!

A weekly energy boost for the price of a fancy cup of coffee.
For about the price of a fancy cup of coffee, you can get a real energy jolt — a weekly encouragement boost from Doug and Beall in which they share their favorite and best strategies for building family unity.

If you have been listening to these or decide to, I'd love to hear how your family is being blessed by this new series.

The Homeschool Channel

2011-04-07T15:48:00.000-04:00

Have you been to The Homeschool Channel lately? They have some great programs lined up and two nice giveaways lined up for their "Freebie Friday" this week.

The following is from their latest email:

Homeschool Channel Newsletter/Program Guide

Ch Ch Ch Changes - To make The Homeschool Channel Web site easier and quicker to navigate, we have made some minor changes. The discussion forum is now located in the left hand column, along with our blogs. The center column is now all about video. That's where you will find our live stream and a host of helpful videos you can watch any time and as often as you like.

Homeschool Channel On Location - James Nickel
Have you been to a homeschool conference? One of our goals at The Homeschool Channel is to bring the inspiring speakers from the home education movement straight to you.

This week we will be featuring James Nickel. Log on and watch these sessions:

Mon. 4 p.m. EDT Ep. 203 Algebra: The Language of Science
Tue. 4 p.m. EDT Ep. 210 The Third R - Restoring the Rudiments
Wed. 4 p.m. EDT Ep. 219 Mathematics: Is God Silent?
Thu. 4 p.m. EDT Ep. 232 Study Habits from the Proverbs
Fri. 4 p.m. EDT Ep. 245 A Truly Christian View of Education

The video stream can be viewed on our home page at www.thehomeschoolchannel.tv.

Freebie Friday - We have two giveaways this week: America's God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations By Bill Federer and The Greatest Hoax On Earth? Refuting Dawkins on Evolution By Jonathan Sarfati. Enter any day before Monday. We'll pick two winners this week, so get your name in the hat. Instructions for entering the giveaway are located in the top left corner of on our web site (www.thehomeschoolchannel.tv). Respond to the Forum Discussion Post "Freebie Friday 4/8 Entry."

Thank you for watching and supporting the Homeschool Channel. Plan to catch all the exciting programs coming up. Click here to view the program guide for the upcoming week.

Sincerely,

The Homeschool Channel

FREEBIES! The Home Educator's Tutor

2011-04-01T14:46:00.000-04:00

I'm technically still on a blog break until the end of April, but just have to share this with you...

If you're a Charlotte Mason or Classical Education fan, you won't want to miss this one! The owner of HomeschoolRadioShows and Homeschool FREEBIE of the Day! is offering this 100 page sampler full of wonderful little gems to use in your homeschool.

To download THE HOME EDUCATOR'S TUTOR SAMPLER EDITION, go here.

From the site: "The Home Educator's Tutor (also known as "The Tutor") is a nine-volume resource library in the Classical Education / Charlotte Mason tradition that is designed to give your students an understanding about the things that make civilization, knowledge about the world and the arts, and the ability to express oneself. It starts where the "Three R's" leave off.

This terrific 100 page PDF Sampler Edition of meaty excerpts from the series, includes nature studies & activities, stories from American history, art appreciation, elocution exercises, literature, copywork, a bit of Shakespeare & Plutarch, character building stories and much more. Don't miss it!"

While there, read more about how you can also get the entire 9 volume resource library, now available on 1 CD in PDF format, for just $27!!! I just received mine last weekend and started using it in our homeschool on Monday. My children are raving over it and said it was one of the best weeks they've had all year! I so wish I would have found this years ago.

To download THE HOME EDUCATOR'S TUTOR SAMPLER EDITION, go here.

Enjoy!

HUGE 4000 Fan Celebration & Boys Will Like To Read!!!

2011-02-28T22:25:00.001-05:00

My poor blog has been so neglected. I'm so busy having a HUGE 4000 Fan Celebration for my Bless Others With Cards Facebook fan page that I haven't had a spare minute for blogging. The good news is I'm almost at 4600 fans and loving every minute of the Celebration!!! We have 282 FABULOUS giveaways donated by some of the best bloggers & pages on Facebook!!! You heard me right, it's HUGE ~ 282 gifts to give away to our fans!!! If you haven't been over to Celebrate with us, please stop by Bless Others With Cards on Facebook! The giveaway ends this Friday, March 4th. Be sure to say "Hi" on my wall.

Anyway, I just read this interesting little article on my CurrClick Newsletter about boys and reading. Having 5 boys who do not care much for reading, I just had to post it.

Boys will like to READ…

Boys will like to read when we provide topics that captivate their interests and create an atmosphere that meets their needs. Recent research studies reveal a disturbing trend: Boys have always lagged behind girls in reading during the early years. Some 50 percent of boys, in fact, are more likely to be held back at the end of eighth grade than girls. If we look at brain development theory and gender-based education, we can understand why there is such discrepancy in the academic success of girls and boys, especially in reading achievement.

Boys’ brains are 10 percent larger than girls, but girls have a larger corpus callosum. The corpus callosum is the part of the brain that allows for the exchange of information between the right and left hemispheres. Because girls have a larger corpus callosum, they can apparently use both sides of their brain more readily than boys can. Girls also appear to have verbal ability residing in both hemispheres, which inc reases their ability to verbalize. Boys tend to have verbal ability in the left hemisphere and have weaker auditory memory. Boys, however, excel in right-sided dominated tasks that require visual/spatial intelligence. That’s why they often succeed in hands on-manipulative activities. Boys’ brains also produce greater level of testosterone than girls, so members of this sex have tendency to be aggressive and enjoy competition.

The average classroom is feminized. About 79 percent of teachers in the United States are female. School activities often call for using verbal skills and doing “seat work,” with little opportunity for physical movement. Parents who want to provide equal opportunity so that their sons will succeed academically, especially in reading, should engage boys in some of the following activities.

1.   Create a listening center in your son’s bedroom.  Alo ng with CD and/or DVD players, provide read- along books and sing-along tapes.
2.   Incorporate movement when reading a story. For instance let your son march around slowing and chant, “I think I can, I think I can” when you’re reading The Little Engine that Could.
3.   Use non-traditional literature such as Highlights Magazine.Boys respond to literature when they can see a practical use for reading and getting information.
4.   Use visual stimuli to engage your son. Help him make puppets from popsicle sticks and cardstock, or socks.
5.    Let him select books that he likes. Take your son to library and bookstores to select books that are interesting to him.
6.   Let him dictate his own story. Use a computer to rewrite the story. Then let him read it out loud.
7.   Read a read-together book. The words of the characters are often color-coded to enhance the shared reading experience.
8.   Involve his father. Encourage his father to read to him. Let your son see his father read books for pleasure.
If you follow many of these tips, there is a great probability thatYOUR SON WILL ENJOY READING.

Kathy Nash MSW is the Director of Programs for TNG Publishings in Conyers, Georgia. TNG is committed to publishing materials that promote character virtues. Kathy most recently co-authored the read aloud/read together book and animated DVD “Big Box, Little Box” with her son Damien Nash.

Featured Birthday Blog!

2011-01-20T19:40:00.000-05:00

We LOVE celebrating birthdays around here!!! Bless Others With Cards would like to wish a very special Blog & Fan page friend a VERY Happy Birthday!!!

Please stop by Kayla's Blog, The Arrowood Zoo, and wish her a Happy Birthday!!! Having more followers would be a great birthday present, so don't forget to follow while you're there! Just click on her banner below. What a great way to meet another awesome blogger!

Happy Birthday, Kayla!!!

The Arrowood Zoo

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." 3 John 1:2

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I don't think Kayla's birthday card arrived yet. I was hoping it would reach her today on her birthday, but the mail seems slow. This may ruin the surprise, but her family is just so beautiful I have to share it with you!

This is the front. Look at this gorgeous family!!!

This is the inside with a photo of my family spanned across a 2 panel card.

We would love to celebrate YOUR birthday!!! In case you missed my earlier post on birthdays, read it here. We would love to feature you on your birthday! Join our birthday list here so we can remember you on your Special Day and send some Blog Follower Love your way!

All Featured Birthday Blogs are now being celebrated on both of my blogs - Bless Others With Cards & Raising Future Leaders!

To see some more of my fabulous Picture Plus 2.0 cards sent with SendOutCards click here.

It's My Other Blog That Is Featured!

2011-01-20T09:55:00.001-05:00

If you're stopping by from the blog hop today to Congratulate me on being featured, thanks so much!!! But it's not Raising Future Leaders that's featured today, it's my new blog, Bless Others WIth Cards! :) The featured post is correct, but there was a little mix up with the button that was entered in the featured spot and it couldn't be changed after it was done.

It should have been this one:

I'd love it if you'd pop over there and follow. It's just a click away! I will follow you back no matter what. :)

Special Offer - "This Little Church" Trilogy

2011-01-19T18:48:00.000-05:00

My good friend, founder of Teaching the Word MInistries, and host of The Scripture Driven Church weekly half-hour radio program, Dr. Paul Elliott, just sent an email announcing a special sale on This Little Church trilogy by Dr. Gary Gilley.

I was so excited to see this! I have This Little Church Went to Market and it is an excellent book based on sound, biblical principles. What a great price for all three.

Now only $24.99 + free shipping!!! (Save Over 50%)

Limited time

Click for Details

Regular price

$52.88

Many churches, riding the faddish waves of our times, have "gone to market" — but not all. Some churches are trying to remain firmly grounded in the truth of the Scriptures. Still, the pressures mount, the temptations are repackaged, and the schemes of the world become more and more persuasive.

Dr. Gary Gilley explores the manifold pressures on conservatives churches to sell out to un-Biblical trends and innovations, including the present temptation toward mystical theology. He challenges churches that are toying with "new paradigms" to remain true to God's Word and to God's chosen means of converting sinners: the authentic Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pastors, church leaders, students, and church members who want Scripture to be paramount in their lives and ministries will find in these three books a timely message to a Christian subculture that has become focused on human methods rather than God's power.

Set includes:

This Little Church Went to Market:
Is the Modern Church Reaching Out or Selling Out?
This Little Church Stayed Home:
A Faithful Church in Deceptive Times
This Little Church Had None:
A Church in Search of the Truth

Click for Details

Tuesday Blog Trail

2011-01-17T21:49:00.001-05:00

I just had to join this blog hop and promote it because the host, Jenilee, and I have something very special in common. We are both moms of 6 children!!!

Welcome to the WEEKLY blog hop hosted by Six in The Nest!

Come back every Tuesday to find new blogs and new readers!

This blog hop is simple, there are no rules, but please follow Six in The Nest! She will follow every single blog that links up!

And of course, follow Raising Future Leaders while you're here! Please leave me a comment with your link so I can come follow you back. I ALWAYS follow back!

Also, if you grab a button, post it to your blog, and leave the link below you will be entered to be next week's featured blog!

This week's featured blog is....

Please take a moment to visit!

Featured Birthday Blogs!

2011-01-11T10:00:00.003-05:00

We LOVE celebrating birthdays around here!!! Raising Future Leaders would like to wish a very special Blog & Fan page friend a VERY Happy Birthday!!!

Please stop by Trisha's Blog to wish her a Happy Birthday today!!! Having more followers would be a great birthday present, so don't forget to follow while you're there! Just click on her button below. What a great way to meet another awesome blogger!

Happy Birthday, Trisha!!!

3 Four and Under

I just found out late last night that Trisha's birthday is TODAY!!! Please help her have the best birthday ever!

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." 3 John 1:2

All Featured Birthday Blogs are now being celebrated on both of my blogs - Bless Others With Cards & Raising Future Leaders!

Featured Birthday Blogs!

2011-01-07T13:16:00.002-05:00

We LOVE celebrating birthdays around here!!! Raising Future Leaders would like to wish 2 very special Blog & Fan page friends a VERY Happy Birthday!!!

The birthday cards are being sent (just learned about their special days) and now it's time to celebrate these wonderful blog followers of mine!

Please stop by their Blogs to wish them a Happy Birthday today!!! Having more followers would be great birthday presents. so don't forget to follow while you're there! Just click on their buttons. What a great way to meet some new, awesome bloggers!

Happy Birthday, Tabitha!!!

Saving Toward a Better Life

I just found out the other night that Tabitha's birthday had already passed, it was Dec. 26th when so many birthdays are overlooked. So, please stop by and say Hi to her. Tabitha also has a Fan page for you to Like while you're there.

~*~and~*~

Happy Birthday, Karren!!!
Oh! My Heartsie

Karren's birthday is actually TODAY!!! I'm so glad she let me know this morning so we can celebrate with her! Please help her have a lovely birthday!

We hope you both have the Happiest Birthdays Ever!!!

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." 3 John 1:2

We love to celebrating YOUR birthday!!! In case you missed my earlier post on birthdays, read it here. We would love to feature you on your birthday! Join our birthday list here so we can remember you on your Special Day and send some Blog Follower Love your way!

All Featured Birthday Blogs are now being celebrated on both of my blogs - Raising Future Leaders & Bless Others With Cards!

Charles Dickens Classic From Homeschool Radio Shows!

2011-01-06T15:46:00.000-05:00

I don't know about your children, but mine absolutely LOVE listening to old time radio broadcasts and audiobooks. My 12, 10, & 8 year old boys listen to something every single night before bed. My 16 & 14 year old sons used to do the same thing, but it's not as frequent as when they were younger.

They have been through every episode of Sherlock Holmes, The Great Gildersleeve, The Whistler, Father Knows Best, and Family Doctor ever recorded. I can't even begin to list the 100's of audiobooks they've listened to, from the unabridged versions of Alice in Wonderland and Pilgrim's Progress, to The Iliad and Treasure Island. It's such a great way to enjoy these classics. HomeschoolRadioShows got us hooked many years ago!

I was so excited to learn that HomeschoolRadioShows just posted a great hour long audio dramatization of Charles Dickens' GREAT EXPECTATIONS at their site this morning! This is a terrific "living book for the ears", especially for ages 10 & up...

Listen or download at:http://www.homeschoolradioshows.com

Enjoy!

I'm Featured! Thursday's Train to Facebook

2011-01-06T11:10:00.000-05:00

Yay!!! My new blog/fan page ~*~Bless Others With Cards~*~ is Featured in the #3 spot today! We are having an absolute blast on Facebook!!! Please be sure to say Hi on my wall with your link so I can Like you back & give you a Shout Out to send more fans your way! I'm dong nightly fan page Shout Outs for my fans, so let your fans know they are welcome to drop by and I'll help them get more fans too! In case you missed yesterday's post, I also have a ~*~Link Love~*~ (under the Discussions tab) where you can list all your blog, fan page, twitter, & website links so my fans can find you too. I do repeat fan page Shout Outs for everyone on the list! I will be doing blog Shout Outs real soon too! ~*~ I LOVE helping my fans get more fans!!! ~*~

Welcome to the 24th edition of

Thursday's Train to Facebook!!

The train is about to leave the station!

$aving Toward A Better Life and Buzzing the Day Away have teamed up to bring you this hop aimed at gaining more Fans to "like" your Facebook page, as well as allowing you to check out some new pages you may not have known about!

If you would like a ticket for this train, all you have to do is follow these steps:

Check out the Facebook pages of the two engineers (also known as the hostesses); $aving toward a better life and Buzzing the day away.We will be in the first two slots of the linky. Please also check out this week's Featured Blogger who will be in spot #3. "Like" us and leave a comment on our wall with a link to your Facebook page and we WILL "like" you too!
Link up your blog name and the URL to your Blog's FACEBOOK PAGE. (You only need to add your info once and it will be seen on all lists).
Grab our Thursday's Train button (located in the left sidebar) and include it in a post on your blog to help us spread the word. The more people that know about this hop, the more fans you will get for your Facebook page! You can include the linky code (at the bottom of the post) if you like as well.
Go to as many other Facebook pages on the linky as you want and "like" them as well. Be sure to leave a comment on their wall with a link back to you and let them know you rode over on Thursday's Train!
Be sure to "like" back any new fans you have gained through our Facebook Hop! A hop only works if people like and like back.

**** Featured Blogger ****

Each week one participant will be chosen at random to receive spot #3 on the following week's train list. In addition to the #3 spot, we will also be posting an entirely separate blog post featuring this person and highlighting their blog and Facebook page!!

If you would like to be eligible for this fantastic exposure, you must follow the rules of the Train: follow hostesses, say "Hi" so we know you're following and which blog is yours, and post the Train button on your page.

This week's featured blog is....

Bless Others With Cards

She is in the #3 spot this week. Her feature will be posted tomorrow, so stay tuned for that! Also, please remember to stop by her Facebook page and let her know you "Like" her!

The Busy Buzzer will be absent from blogging until mid-January. She's moving into her new house! So the hop is being run by Tabitha at $aving Toward a Better Life (heaven help us all because I have no idea what I'm doing! LOL!) You still need to Like Buzzing the Day Away on Facebook to be eligible for the #3 spot. She'll like you back as soon as she's online again!

Facebook Like You Back

2011-01-05T10:04:00.001-05:00

Come join the Facebook Hop!

We are having a blast on Facebook from my new Bless Others With Cards fan page! Do you want more fans? I am doing nightly Shout Outs to help my fans get more fans!!! We are seeing our fan pages grow at an incredibly fast rate.

Come read all about it and link up to Facebook Like You Back here.

By the way, if you have followed me recently (or left a comment) and I have not followed you back yet, I will be visiting your blog very soon. Maybe even today! I apologize for the delay. :)

Follow Me Back Tuesday Blog Hop

2011-01-04T18:19:00.000-05:00

It's everyone's favorite day of the week again, Tuesday..

So that means it's time to link up & follow for

Follow Me Back Tuesday

Hosted By:

Survey Junkie, Little Yaya's & Boobies,BabiesAndABlog

& This Week's Guest Host's Are...

Shanna from Mommy of One

Brenda from Brenda's Handmade

Follow all 3 Hosts & Guest Host's - Spots 1-5 leave a comment w/ a link to your blog so we can follow you back (only leave a comment that you follow if you actually follow)
Snag our button & make a F.M.B.T. post.
After you post use that link to add your blog to the hop along with your blog name

( NO BLOG HOPs & GIVEAWAYS PLEASE ) These entries will be deleted.

Follow the blogs you like & Follow Back who follows you ( Remember to leave a comment so you can be followed back )
And most importantly - Have Fun and Come back and see us every Tuesday !!

I will follow everyone who follows me. It takes me a little while to go through the comments, being a busy mom of 6, but I WILL be over to visit your blog! I ALWAYS follow back!

10 Things I Learned in 2010 Mini Lapbook

2011-01-03T14:44:00.000-05:00

What a cute way to start the New Year with your kids! The Whole Word Publishing is offering a FREE Mini Lapbook called 10 T hings I Learned in 2010.

Download it now from CurrClick here.

Featured Birthday Blogs!

2011-01-03T10:34:00.002-05:00

We LOVE celebrating birthdays around here!!! Raising Future Leaders would like to wish 3 very special Blog & Fan page friends a VERY Happy Birthday!!!

The birthday cards have been sent and now it's time to celebrate these wonderful blog followers of mine!

Happy Birthday, Shruti!!!

Shruti's birthday was actually yesterday, Jan. 2nd. Her birthday card was the 1st one Raising Future Leaders sent all the way to India!!! Let's hope it arrived on time.

~*~ and ~*~

Unionvale HomeSchool

Happy Birthday, Cariann!!!

~*~ and ~*~

Happy Birthday, Amanda!!!

We hope you have the Happiest Birthdays Ever!!!

Ring In 2011 Blog Hop

2010-12-30T10:26:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ~ RAISING FUTURE LEADERS ~ EVERYONE!!! Wishing you & your family blessings abundant the whole year through! XOXO

Welcome to Ring In 2011 Blog hop hosted by
Melissa at Day 2 Day Living and
Heather In The Land of Mom.
This is our first annual end of the year blog hop.
What a better way to ring in 2011 by making great new friends here
in Bloggy Land and finding lots of great new blogs.

So what do you need to do?
Just grab our button

Follow both of the hostesses, link up and follow as many blogs as you want.
Let them know you found them through the blog hop. You can also grab the code from the linky to add to your own blog hop post!
Easy peasy!

So hop your way into 2011!
Linky will be open from December 30th until Sunday January 2, 2011

I'm Featured! Traveling Through Thursday Blog Hop!

2010-12-29T21:08:00.000-05:00

My blog is in the featured spot this week!!! Yay!!! Read my interview below for an exciting announcement about a brand new blog I started ~ Bless Others With Cards!

Welcome to the Traveling Through Thursday Blog Hop 12/23/10 hosted by Living on Love and Cents, Mom On Dealz, Our Kids Mom , and Belly Charms (The Blog).

This week's Spotlight is Lisa from Raising Future Leaders. Raising Future Leaders is a fabulous blog that I love to visit! She is #5 on this weeks linky. She had some fun things to share with us.

When did you start blogging?

I actually set up my blog in Oct. '09 and then it just sat there for months with no activity. I was so clueless about blogging, I just didn't know what to do next. Then in May '10 I had an "ah-ha" moment and have been blogging ever since!

Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging to share information about my life, my faith, my family, homebirth, natural immunity, homeschooling, being a Mompreneur, and most importantly, raising productive children. I gave up my career as a Dental Hygienist when my 1st baby was born and I've been home raising my future leaders for 16 years now. I'm a homeschool mom of 6 amazing kids and blessed to have had 6 wonderful labors. None of them were pain free by any means, but each was really empowering. My 1st was born at a birth center, the next 5 were born at home, and the last 3 of them were completely planned, unassisted waterbirths. My 6th, and only girl, was a footling breech and the easiest, most peaceful birth yet! I hadn't really spoken publicly on the internet about my unassisted births and felt it was time. I had spent years reading other women's birth stories and was so thankful for the time they took to share their experiences. I really wanted to offer what I could to those searching for answers and help dispel the "birth fear myth". I'm always the one friends call for advice during pregnancy and when their kids are sick, so I thought it would be a good idea to file the information online. :) That's basically how my Raising Future Leaders blog evolved.

When you are not blogging what do you like to do?
When I'm not blogging, I'm mostly busy being mom, homeschooling, and keeping my household running smoothly. We spend a lot of time at the skateboard parks too, my boys are avid skateboarders & into aggressive scootering. Three of my sons are Civil Air Patrol Cadets and contribute a lot of their time to community service. My 16 year old is the Cadet Commander for his squadron, so we're very busy with CAP activities. My 14, 12, & 10 year old sons are mentors to down-syndrome children. They spend every Wed. night helping them learn to play the piano through a piano lab. So, I guess we're a pretty busy family. :)

In between, I'm usually reading. For the past 2 years I've been devouring every personal development book I can get my hand on. I've worked from home off an on in the Relationship Marketing industry for 14 years. Anyone who has been on my blog for more than 30 seconds knows I also love blessing others with cards! I take a few minutes each day to send an unexpected, heartfelt card to someone to let them know I care about them and they're appreciated in this world. I send 100's of birthday cards a year!!! I recently started featuring my blog followers and fans on their special day on my blog, so please make sure you're on my Birthday List here!

I also started doing counted cross-stitch again and I'm loving it even more than I did years ago. You can also find me connecting with my friends and fans on facebook at Raising Future Leaders & Lisa Wible

What do enjoy most about blogging?
I really love the relationships I've made! Hands down, that has been the best part of blogging for me. Meeting other bloggers has been such a blessing for me as a stay at home mom. Many of those are developing into lifelong friendships. I'm also an infoholic. Is that even a word? I love reading other blogs. I can't even remember the last time I watched tv. I could totally give our tv away and just read books and blogs!

And anything else you would like to include!

I just started a brand new blog devoted to my passion for touching lives through sending cards, Bless Others With Cards. I'll be documenting my journey and the blessings it's had on my life as I send cards with 1,000's of others around the world. I have so many stories that I can't wait to share. Many of them will literally make you cry! I'm hoping it will be inspiring and encouraging to others. I'd love to have some new followers and fans, it looks pretty lonely on there right now. :) You can find my new blog at http://BlessOthersWithCards.blogspot.com and Fan page - http://www.facebook.com/BlessOthersWithCards

--- THANKS Lisa!

Everyone stop by and tell her hello! She is #5 this week!

Each week we pick a spotlight / co-host! All you have to do is follow these steps. Next week will it be you?

Please do these 3 simple things:

1) Follow the first 4 pages in the linky. These are our hosts. Be sure to comment so that we can follow back!

2) Please only link up your the network we are visiting for the week!--GOOGLE

3) Post our button in a post or sidebar!AND this week post about it on GOOGLE!

For more followers- Grab the linky code and post this on your blog for your followers!

Happy Traveling! Be SURE to leave a comment so that we can return the follow.

Happy Birthday To...

2010-12-29T09:47:00.000-05:00

Raising Future Leaders would like to wish 2 very special Blog & Fan page friends a Very Happy Birthday!!! I'm so blessed to have met these 2 wonderful ladies!

Please stop by their Sites, Blogs, and Fan pages to wish them a Happy Birthday today!!! Having more followers and fans would be great birthday presents!

Happy Birthday, Jeni!!!

from...

Website - Simply Stated Creative

Facebook Fan page - Simply Stated Creative

~*~ and ~*~

Happy Birthday, Nicole!!!

from...

Blog - By Word of Mouth Musings and Memoirs

Facebook Fan page - By Word of Mouth Musings and Memoirs

and her other Blog - Eat, Pray, Homeschool

Facebook Fan page - Eat, Pray Homeschool

Hope your birthdays are as Sweet as YOU!!!

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." 3 John 1:2

We love to celebrating YOUR birthday!!! In case you missed my earlier post on birthdays, read it here. Join our birthday list here.

Ring In 2011 Blog Hop!

2010-12-27T17:35:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to let you all know about a fun blog hop on the horizon. If I don't write it down, I'll forget. :) I know many of you would love to know about it too. I can't believe it's going to be 2011 already!!!

Join the "Ring In 2011 Blog Hop" - Thurs., Dec. 30th - Sun., Jan. 2nd!!! Hosted by Day 2 Day Living and In The Land Of Mom.

See you there!!!

Is Your Blog Hop On My List?

2010-12-15T20:40:00.000-05:00

All Blog Hops Wanted!!!

I'm creating a master list of Blog Hops. If you have a Blog Hop and you'd like me to help spread the word, please let me know. Leave me a comment with the link. Check to see if you're already listed on my Blog Hops page above. If not, please let me know.

Blog Hops for blogs, Facebook, Twitter, RSS, Giveaways, Crafts, or anything else are all welcome!

Here's one I'm on for Thursday. If you follow me, please leave a comment with your link if you want me to come visit and follow back. Can't wait to see your blog! XOXO

Happy Birthday To Me And A Gift For YOU!!!

2010-12-10T10:34:00.000-05:00

I'm celebrating my birthday today!!! Woo-Hoo!!! I'm so thankful for the wonderful life the Lord has blessed me with. I couldn't ask for anything more. My family is looking forward to taking me out to dinner and I can't wait to visit one of my favorite stores, Barnes & Noble!!! Ahh, books. “When I have a little money, I buy books. If any is left over, I buy food and clothes.” ~ Erasmus

But that's enough about me. :) I'm more interested in celebrating YOUR BIRTHDAY!!! And I have something very special just for you.

One of the things I thanked the Lord for this morning was all the amazing online friends He has brought into my life over the past 6 months since I started blogging. You my blog friends, are a priceless gift!

It brings me great joy to remember your birthdays. Lots of you have received a birthday card from me already and many of your touching responses have brought tears to my eyes.

Whether you're already following me or visiting today for the first time, please make sure you're on my birthday list. Leave me your info at the link below so I can remember you. I'll be featuring you on my blog on your special day and my family will be sending you a very special birthday card! We send 100's of birthday cards every year to those who have touched our lives in a special way. We'd be honored to remember YOU on your birthday! As a stay at home/homeschooling mom I'm so blessed to connect with you and I want you to know how important you are in my life.

Just click here now: Add Me To Raising Future Leaders Birthday List

And Like us on Facebook so I can give you a Shout Out there and have others Like you too! :)

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." 3 John 1:2

Some of the Friday blog hops I'm on today are below, others are on my blog hops page.

Please let me know you're following me by leaving a comment with your link so I can follow you back. I ALWAYS follow back. and I can't wait to visit your awesome blog! Sometimes it takes me a while to go through the comments. Life is busy with 6 kids. If I haven't been by your blog yet and it's been a while, it's not intentional. Please don't hesitate to let me know and I'll come right over to see you! Thanks for following!

Happy Birthday, My Heart's Desire!!!

2010-12-09T09:00:00.004-05:00

I just wanted to wish a very special blog friend a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Lynda from My Heart's Desire is celebrating her birthday today! She is an amazing Homeschool mom who also takes care of her disabled mom. She leaves some of the sweetest comments on my blog. I'm so blessed to know her and proud to say I was one of her very 1st blog followers! Please stop by and wish Lynda a Happy Birthday today! I know it would make her day.

Happy Birthday, Lynda!!! Enjoy your special day and may you be blessed with lots of joyful memories this year!!!

FREEBIES! 20 Amazing Homeschool Downloads from CurrClick!

2010-11-30T14:32:00.000-05:00

Hurry over to CurrClick to get 20 fabulous free homeschool resource downloads before the Cyber Monday special ends! I almost missed this myself. I received an email yesterday but was so busy preparing for my sons' piano recital, which was super spectacular last night, that I didn't have time to take a look. I just stopped over there and WOW!!! is all I can say!

Here are just a few of the titles that I'm excited about. There are so many that would make great workbox activities too:

7 Secrets of Highly Successful Kids

A Treasury of Bible Verses on Love

Adventures at Fort Faithful

Big Box, Little Box Lapbook Kit

Manliness vs Man-pleasing

Presidents in Order

Study Your Bible; By the Book or the Chapter

Understanding the U.S. Constitution

You don't have to be a homeschooler to enjoy these. They are available to everyone. Many educational, encouraging, family oriented resources for the holidays too.

Here is the link: CurrClick Cyber Monday Free Downloads

Be sure to Like us on Facebook & Follow on Networked Blogs - buttons on rt.===>>

Enjoy! xoxo

Awesome Surprise ~ I'm Featured!

2010-11-29T11:24:00.000-05:00

What a great surprise to wake up today! I was checking my email this morning and found out that my blog has been featured on The Things We Find Inside in the Spotlight Sundays!!! My little button will remain in the spotlight over there all week! Wow! Thanks so much, Marie!!!

What a lovely post Marie wrote for her readers. I am so honored and blessed to have touched someone's life through my blog.

"...it's time for another week for 'In the Spotlight Sundays.' This week I again choose to spotlight two blogs that I am in awe of. From day one, I noticed these blogs and their owners and was in awe of the quality and standard that they bring to the table. Their blogs are what I model The Things We Find Inside after. They give us all something to strive for, they set the bar high...portraying only excellence and success, encouraging others to be just as great.

So, without further ado, the blogs that I have chosen to spotlight this week are...Lisa from Raising Future Leaders and Kim from Chubby Cheeks Thinks. Just look at those adorable blog buttons on the notice board!!! I encourage you all to visit and follow them, I guarantee you won't regret it. They have something to offer everyone...and not to mention their owners are super nice and wonderful people to get to know."

Please stop by and visit The Things We Find Inside when you get a chance. Marie is a young school teacher in Trinidad and we have become great blogging buddies.

Monday Blog Hops are here! To see others I may be on visit my blog hops page at the top!

Tuesday Facebook Follow

2010-11-23T19:43:00.001-05:00

It's a little late, but still time to jump in. Join the Tuesday Facebook Follow by clicking on the button above. Don't forget to "Like" Raising Future Leaders before you go and let me know so I can Like your fan page too!

If you're visiting for the first time, I'd love it if you'd follow my blog. I WILL follow you back. Just leave a comment with your link so I can find you! xoxo

We Have A Winner!

2010-11-22T10:18:00.001-05:00

And the winner of the FREE File Folder Games and Pocket Charts is... (drum roll please)

Theresa!!!

With this comment:

CONGRATULATIONS, THERESA from Being Refined as Silver!!!

Theresa is one of the sweetest women I know and one of my dearest blog friends.

Thanks so much to everyone who participated!

I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to post this earlier this morning, my 3 littlest future leaders & I are a bit under the weather today. It's a good thing we're on our homeschool break this week. :) God is so merciful!

FREEBIES! Agent: Chores C.S.A.

2010-11-15T16:47:00.000-05:00

This looks like a really fun way to motivate your children to get their chores done. I know my younger ones will love this! Download a free copy of Agent: Chores C.S.A. by Made By Mom Materials. Available right now at CurrClick.

Subscribe to the newsletter so you don't miss any of their other great weekly free downloads.

Enjoy!

FREE File Folder Games & Friday Blog Hops

2010-11-12T10:23:00.000-05:00

If you're stopping by the from the Blog Hops today ~*~ WELCOME ~*~ Please be sure to leave me a comment to let me know you're following me and I WILL follow you back. I can't wait to come visit your blog!!!

The blog hops I'm on are listed above on my Blog Hops page. If you have a blog hop that's not listed, please let me know so I can add your button.

Please Like us on Facebook too. I'll Like you right back! :) Would love some more Networked Blog followers, too. Just click over on the right sidebar. I promise I'll do the same for you!!! I'd love to help you expand your audience. XOXO

Do your kids like File Folder Games? My blog is mostly about raising kids, homeschooling, natural health, and just blogging in general, but I'm giving some really nice ones away. I'll tell you all about it in the video below. Take a look. It's a great way to get to know me better. :)

Enter to win the FREE File Folder Games now before they're gone next Sat.!!!

In Honor Of Our Heroes!!!

2010-11-11T17:40:00.000-05:00

When my oldest leader, Noah (now 15), was about 9 or 10 years old, he was so moved by an email I received with a story about a young Marine named, Brian Chontosh. Brian was awarded a special medal of honor, the Navy Cross, for his service in Iraq. The Navy Cross is the second highest award for bravery the United States can bestow. Capt. Brian Chontosh, a young husband and father, is a true hero who put his life on the line to serve our country.

Noah was so inspired by the story that he decided to do something special to show his appreciation for this hero. While we were at the craft store one day, he came to me with his arms full of supplies and said he just had to have them.

This was the result, a 3 page layout honoring our military! He made it all by himself except for the text that he asked me to print out for him. My heart just about melted when I saw it. I had to get it out today and take some pictures to share with you.

This is the entire layout

Inside Left Panel

Center Panel

Inside Right Panel

Not too bad for a little guy whose mom has never completed even 1 traditional scrapbook layout. Unless it's digital I just can't do it. :)

Below is a recent photo of my 2 oldest leaders, Noah (15) & Jacob (14), who are Cadets actively serving their community and fellow citizens through Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the Air Force. Noah is currently the Squadron Commander of his squadron, serves on the Cadet Advisory Council, and was award his Pre-Solo Glider Wings through the National Flight Academy. Jacob is the DDR Officer (Drug Demand Reduction) for their squadron, also serves on the Cadet Advisory Council and along with Noah (and my 12 year old Josiah who recently became a Cadet too) devotes countless hours helping others in CAP.

I think they were not in the mood for a photo session at the time, but they love being in uniform! If you have a son or daughter between the ages of 12-18 who is looking for a rewarding experience that will help shape their future while serving others, learning about leadership, aerospace technology, and so much more, please look at the Civil Air Patrol link at the top of my blog.

We just want to say THANK YOU from our family to all of YOU who serve our great country and defend our FREEDOMS!!! May you be blessed!

Please don't forget to vote for us!

http://hsbapost.com/best-homeschool-mom-blog-2010

Just scroll down and click for "RAISING FUTURE LEADERS"!

Thanks so much!!! XOXO

What State Does Your 3 Year Old Live In?

2010-11-11T10:21:00.000-05:00

I was reviewing some easy spelling words with my 8 year old, Seth, and I asked him to spell "state". Using it in a sentence I asked, "What state do you live in?". Emily, my sweet little 3 year old who was standing next to me, asked, "Do you live in a state?". I said, "Yes, I live in DE. What state do you live in?". To which she replied without any hesitation,

"Walmart!"

I asked her again to be sure she understood the question and she very confidently told me, "Yes, my state is Walmart." I think maybe her daddy has been taking her shopping a little too often. :)

Have you heard the news? Raising Future Leaders has been nominated for the annual Homeschool Blog Awards in the "Best Homeschool Mom Blog" category!!!

I'd LOVE it if you would take a few seconds to for us!

Please vote here, just scroll down the list until you see "Raising Future Leaders":

http://hsbapost.com/best-homeschool-mom-blog-2010

Thanks so much!!! XOXO

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please Vote For Me! - Homeschool Blog Awards

2010-11-09T19:07:00.000-05:00

I'm completely overwhelmed and SO EXCITED!!! I just learned that I've been nominated for this year's Homeschool Blog Awards 2010 in the Best Homeschool Mom Blog category!!!

Thanks so much to all of my wonderful blog friends and those who nominated Raising Future Leaders! I had no idea!!! I can't tell you how surprised and thrilled I am just to be on the list with so many wonderful blogs. I still consider my blog fairly new and I so enjoy sharing information on it. It's humbling to know that someone took the time to nominate me.

Voting is open to everyone, you don't have to be a homeschooler.

If you would please vote for Raising Future Leaders I'd be forever grateful. Click this link: Best Homeschool Mom Blog

Please share, tweet, and ask all your friends to vote too. :)

FREE File Folder Games & My 1st Video Blog Post!!!

2010-11-06T16:30:00.003-04:00

This is my 1st Giveaway AND my 1st Video blog post!!! No, I'm not turning my blog into a giveaway blog. This is just a special giveaway for a specific purpose which I explain in the video. :)

Please watch the video to learn "the story" behind these wonderful File Folder Games and WHY I'm giving them away!!! Read my personal note on WHY I made a video in the first place at the end of this post.

This giveaway is open to everyone. These file folder games make great workbox activities, or just wonderful, fun review for any child to aid in memory retention, even older ones. Who doesn't love playing games? All of my children enjoy them.

File folder games include 8 brand new, unopened, fully assembled games:

Coast to Coast State Trivia
Dinosaur Trivia
Math Mania
Word Challenge Homophones
Earth Matters
Take it to the Bank
Place Value Picnic
Matching Blends

NO cutting involved. All edges are perforated, just pop out the pieces and start playing.

For those of us who spend 1/2 our lives printing, laminating, & cutting out learning resources for our children, these are a dream come true! No velcro required either. :)

***Added Bonus - I'm also throwing in 2 Pocket Charts (21 in x 14.4 in)!!! Use for sentence strips or with any pocket chart cards. (Purchased from Target)

Mandatory Entry:

Leave me a comment telling me if you would like this for your child or for someone else.

Enter as many times as you'd like by leaving a comment. Please use a separate comment for each entry! Following my blog is automatically 1 entry. If you already follow me that counts, just leave a comment letting me know.

Additional Optional Entries:

Follow my blog Publicly by clicking the Follow button on my Google Friend Connect above - make sure you follow, I will check. Leave your link in a comment & I will follow you back! (1 entry)
Subscribe to my blog via email (on the right sidebar), make sure you confirm it (2 entries)
Like Raising Future Leaders on FACEBOOK - (1 entry)
Follow Raising Future Leaders on Networked Blogs - (1 entry)
Make a blog post linking to this giveaway and leave a comment with the link to it (3 entries)
Tweet about this giveaway and leave a link to your tweet and a comment (1 Tweet per day is 1 entry each time)
Comment on YOUR Facebook about this giveaway and leave link (2 entries)
Click for me on the Picket Fence Button below - (1 click per day is 1 entry each time)
Click to vote for me on the Top Mommy Blogs button below - (1 click per day is 1 entry each time)
Grab my blog button and make sure to leave a link telling me where it is on your blog. I'll add your button too! (3 entries)

Giveaway information:

The giveaway will be open until midnight EST Saturday, November 20, 2010. US only. Winner will be picked by Random.org and announced on Monday, November 22, 2010. Please respond within 48 hours, or a new winner will be chosen. Please make sure I have a way to contact you by leaving your email or your link to your blog.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Personal note:

If you aren't interested in entering the giveaway, would you please click the Picket Fence & Top Mommy Blog buttons below for me before you go? Just a click, nothing to fill out.

Doing that video was a real stretch for me. I took on a challenge from someone I highly respect, Eric Worre, as he was being eaten alive by fish (well, just on his feet, a whole other story), to do something outside of my comfort zone. I've done live national trainings on stage in front of 1.000's of people and more conference calls than I can count in my networking career, but I've never spoken to a video camera before! Up until last night I honestly didn't think I could do, it but I told myself I wasn't going to bed until I tackled this goal. The thought of it was dreadfully uncomfortable. After numerous tries (over 70) and encouragement from my oldest future leader, Noah, I finally got the hang of it. And you know what, it was actually fun! We were hysterical by the end. I may even do it again soon.

Just 1 click and I'll {Heart} you forever! :)

Blog Hops I'm on today!

No GMO's on Facebook

2010-10-23T21:44:00.000-04:00

Good news! Evil Mosanto is finally reaping its just desserts! Visit the No GMOs Facebook page for the article. http://www.facebook.com/No.GMOs

There are some great articles about the dangers of genetically modified foods on their FB page so I'd highly recommending becoming a fan if you're not already. GMO's are making their way into so many foods these days. Be sure to read the labels on the foods you buy and make sure it says "GMO Free" or "No GMO's". Even waterways in Indiana were found to be contaminated with poisonous GMO's, according to a recent USA Today article.

Also, you can download a very helpful Non-GMO Shopping Guide here.

I'll soon be posting the link to a petition to ban all GMO's in the US, so stay tuned. They are already banned in Europe so we CAN get it done here too!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It's a little late on a Saturday night, but I couldn't resist joining the "Show Some Saturday Love" blog hop because the button is just so darn cute!!! Please join us and follow some great blogs.

If you follow me, please be sure to leave me a comment with your link so I can find you. I always follow back! xoxo

Amazing Vision Forum Sale!!!

2010-10-11T17:33:00.000-04:00

Over 300+ wholesome products for your future leaders are currently on sale at Vision Forum! Our family has enjoyed Vision Forum products for years. They are really wonderful. Save up to 70%! Hurry! Only 2 Days Left!!!

Click on the ad above or HERE

FREEBIE: Happy Scribe ~ Police and Fire Copywork

2010-10-07T22:20:00.000-04:00

What a great copywork e-book with 3 types of handwriting for your little ones to choose from - block, D'Nealian Italic, and Cursive! My boys have really enjoyed the Happy Scribe Copybooks from Westvon Publishing over the years. In fact, when I asked my 10 year old what type of copywork he'd like to do this year he specifically asked for the Happy Scribe Ancient Egypt copybook to go with our History studies, the same one he completed 5 years ago!

This Police and Fire Copybook is available for free for the month of October.

Click Here to Download the FREE Police and Fire e-book

You can also visit the Main site here for even more FREEBIES- Everything is currently 20% off too! - The Homeschool Shop

Enjoy!

I'm In The Spotlight!

2010-09-06T23:13:00.001-04:00

I'm technically still on a blog and Facebook break while busily getting my future leaders back into a peaceful, daily homeschool routine for the new school year, but just wanted to say thanks to all who've come by and commented or sent me a message letting me know I've been missed. I'm so touched by each and every one of you and I will be back soon. I'm making a brief appearance for this one post because it's a very special day. :)

I'm in the Spotlight today @ the Tuesday Blog Hop by NimblerGrove!!! Yay!!!

Discover new blogs, make new friends and gain more followers! Happy Tuesday Blog Hopping!

Hosted by

Fabulous Finds by NimblerGrove, Chubby Cheeks Thinks & New to Mom

1. Follow all 3 of your hostesses including the Spotlighed Blog of the week. Make sure to leave us comments (we do follow back). Link up to this hop by adding your blog to the linky list below. Please remember this is not a "giveaway link up" also keep this clean and family friendly.

2. Grab the Tuesday Blog Hop Button and make sure to indicate it in a post on your blog so fellow "hoppers" know where to comment.

3. Make sure to follow our "Spotlighted Blog" of the week Raising Future Leaders. Each week a new Spotlight blog will be chosen at random.

4. Start Blog Hopping!

Have Fun!!!

FREEBIES: Leonardo da Vinci & Egypt Lapbooks

2010-08-25T11:01:00.000-04:00

There are 2 FREE Lapbooks available for immediate download @ Handle on the Arts website. I just found these from a Homeschool group I'm on, so I'm not sure how long they will remain free. Lapbooks are a great way to reinforce your child's learning and build long-term retention.

Leonardo da Vinci

Egypt

Download both here.

You can find many more free lapbooks and templates for just about every kind of mini book at Homeschool Share.

I also have lots of links to lapbook resources on my right sidebar, as well.

And of course, one of my favorites for a broad selection of lapbooks to purchase can be found at In the Hands of a Child.

Enjoy!

I'm So Close & New Tuesday Blog Hop!

2010-08-23T21:57:00.003-04:00

I'm busy making final preparations for our 11th year of homeschooling this week. We officially start back full-time the day after Labor Day, but we'll be easing into our routine next week. It's going to be a fantastic year!!! My oldest future leader, Noah (age 15, 10th grade), is shooting for Honors English this year with Tapestry of Grace. Thanks to the richness of the History & Literature booklists and assignments, he has discovered a love for reading & writing. This is my son who hated reading and couldn't even read fluently until the age of 11. I had supplemented with lots of audiobooks from the "Great Books" lists (not twaddle) and old time radio theater programs. (I have some links on my right sidebar) Once he really took off, he was reading and comprehending on a college level. He recently had the 29th highest score on the Civil Air Patrol Drill Team written exam at the Nation Competition in OR this year. That was out of 91 Cadets, many of which were already in college and/or had been on Drill Team for several years already. I think I told that story before. Did I mention that he attended the National Flight Academy and received his Pre-Solo Wings at age 14, acing some serious Aerodynamics courses & flying a Glider 19 times? If you're child is struggling to read, don't give up hope. Everyone's brain develops at a different rate and it WILL all come together.

With that said, I'm really limiting my participation in blog hops this week. The button for this one is just too cute to say "no" to, though. :) Don't you agree?

Welcome to our very first Tuesday Blog Hop!

Hosted by Fabulous Finds by Nimblergrove and Co Hosted by New to Mom
and yours truly, Chubby Cheeks Thinks

The rules are very simple!

1. Simply follow our three blogs and leave us a comment (we do follow back). Link up to this hop. Please remember this is not a "giveaway link up" also keep this clean and family friendly. I'll will be watching.

2. Grab the Tuesday Blog Hop Button and make sure to indicate it in a post on your blog so fellow "hoppers" know where to comment. (grab the linky code and add to your blog post, you will get the exact same list as us!)

3. Start Blog Hopping! Have fun you all :)

*Please be sure to let me know you followed me through my Google Friend Connect by leaving a comment with the link to your blog so I can follow you back.
~*~ I ALWAYS follow back! ~*~
"Like" me on my new Facebook page, too! :)

Like Me On Facebook

2010-08-21T16:34:00.000-04:00

So excited to say, Raising Future Leaders is now on Facebook!!! Yay!

I spent a lot of time yesterday trying to figure out how to create a page for my blog on fb. I wasn't sure if it should be a Business page, Community page, or a Group. I was leaning towards the option: Business page ~ Brands, products, or organization - Website but didn't want to make a mistake and mess it all up. Thanks to the wise wisdom of KIm @ Chubby Cheeks Thinks who confirmed it, you can now 'Like' me on fb! :) I'd be so honored if you would. Simply click the 'Like' button below. And of course, I'll 'Like' you right back or become your fb friend too! Just leave me a comment and let me know.

If you've been wanting to create a Facebook page for your blog, it's so easy! Just click the "Create a Page for My Business" link on the bottom left of mine or anyone else's fb fan page and you'll have one set up in a matter of minutes. You'll find the code for the 'Like' box to put on your blog there too.

I Was Wrong About Blogging & Saturday Blog Hop

2010-08-21T00:26:00.000-04:00

I just LOVE blogging!!!

I still can't believe it's me saying this considering how I resisted it for so long thinking it would just be a big waste of time. I was so wrong! I have met, become friends with, and learned from some of the most incredible women through blogging, and a few men too.

I actually set up my blog in Oct. '09 and then did nothing with it. I couldn't figure out what in the world to blog about that would be of interest to anyone else. I posted a few things on Holistic Wellness & Natural Immunity and of course, my incredible Homebirth experiences, Homeschooling & Workboxes, and my amazing, productive Future Leaders. Once my creative juices started flowing, the digi scrapper in me took over and I posted some Tutorials on the things that I thought others would want to know about as I gave my blog a face lift. Then I posted on another subject so dear to my heart, Relationship Marketing. But the light bulb really didn't go off for me until a couple months ago. I'm still learning every day.

Then IT happened. I learned about blog hopping!!! Exactly 4 weeks ago today I joined my 1st blog hop ~ Surfin' Saturday ~ with only 17 followers on my GFC. It's become my favorite Saturday hop and one of the hosts, Kim @ Chubby Cheeks Thinks is now a dear bloggy friend of mine. I {Heart} her.

Thanks to these wonderful blog hops, I've found some really awesome blogs and now have 600+ followers, plus received 8 blog awards (which I have yet to post about)!!! I have friends who come by and leave really lovely comments when I least expect it. It's time consuming sometimes and it can literally take me 3 hours to get a little post done with Emily running around and my 5 boys always needed something, but it's so worth it!

Thanks so much for visiting! Please leave me a message that you are following me and I ~*~ WILL ~*~ come follow you back. I love making new friends and reading all your awesome blogs! Make sure you can see yourself on my google friend connect before you go.

Emily's Pretty Sandals

2010-08-20T00:24:00.005-04:00

~*~ Happy Friday Everyone!!! ~*~

Hope you had a great week! I told Emily I wanted to get a picture of her pretty sandals before she grows out of them. She scrunched up her little toes on her left foot like she was trying to pose in them. So cute!

It's hard to believe we're nearing the end of summer.

Enjoy what's left of it!

Please click to help keep Raising Future Leaders at #5!
Just 1 click!

Bloggy friends, if you're on the Picket Fence blog roll let me know & I'll click for you too. Don't hesitate to ask. Just guide me to your link or button.

Join in the fun blog hops today! Meet some new bloggers and get new followers. Please don't forget to leave me a comment with your blog link if you follow me so I can come visit you. I WILL follow you back!! Be sure you see yourself on my followers above before you leave.

'Today A Year Ago' Thursday Blog Hop

2010-08-19T00:00:00.058-04:00

Welcome to 'Today A Year Ago' Thursday Blog Hop!

Let's go down memory lane! Every Thursday, come join us in 'Today A Year Ago'!
Let's remember what happened 'Today A Year Ago'. It can be something you posted on your blog a year ago, a memory, or even better, a photo taken a year ago!

Here is my "A Year Ago" memoir: I just love this photo of Emily & Josh. They were almost 2 & 9 at this time last year. A little girl Emily's age came to church a few days before with pigtails in her hair and a little spout on top. Emily brought her little hair bands to Josh and said, "Sides, sides." She wanted her hair done the same way. While she was patiently waiting for him to finish she entertained herself by watching them fall from the top of her head. Too cute!!!

_____________________________________________________________

So What Happened With You A Year Ago Today?

It's all simple:

1. Follow your hosts: From PDX with Love, Mommy Only Has Two Hands, and Raising Future Leaders (we will follow you back)

2. Grab the button and post it in your blog.

3. Come back and add your link to the post.

4. Visit as many blogs as you can. And remember to leave some love. Comments are like food for us!

5. And the most important thing:

*Please don't forget to leave me a comment to let me know you're following me and your blog link so I can follow you back!

**~~ HAVE FUN! ~~**

Other blog hops I'm on are listed on my Blog Hops page.

Chrisitians Courageous! Historical Fiction Collection Sale - Plus FREE Multimedia Sutdy Course!

2010-08-17T13:58:00.003-04:00

New

Since I'm in the throes of gathering our homeschool materials for this school year, I'll be listing anything noteworthy here on my blog over the next week or two that I think you might benefit from. This sale ends tomorrow!

I'm so excited to find another fabulous treasure to add to our homeschool library! I'm always looking for high quality reading material for my future leaders and this is not the first time I've found it through Vision Forum. They have some of the most wonderful, wholesome resources online. Historical fiction is my husband's favorite so I know he'll be thrilled with these and will probably read them even before the boys. He's read every G. A. Henty novel we've been able to get our hands on.

These would be great as part of a homeschooling curriculum or simply as a family learning activity. I'm so glad I didn't order the Vision Forum Reformation History Tour a few months ago since it's now included here for FREE!

Here's a description... don't miss the video clip below highlighting what's included free!

New Christians Courageous Historical Fiction Collection

“Christians Courageous!” Sale Ends August 18
Includes Free Multimedia Study Course — $99 Value!

Reminder — there’s only one more day to save on the “Christians Courageous!” historical fiction collection and get your bonus multimedia study course for free!

From the early Church in ancient Rome and the rise of Mohammed and Islam, to John Wycliffe’s fearless Bible translation efforts and the Reformation’s earliest days in France, the adventure-packed tales in our “Christians Courageous!” historical fiction collection are filled with exciting storylines that will captivate your children’s imaginations and encourage them in their walk with Christ. Read of men and women who boldly lived and proclaimed God’s Word regardless of the cost, and the souls of those whose lives were forever changed as a result.

Save 34% and Purchase the “Christians Courageous” Collection

Plus, Get $99 Multimedia Study Course for Free!

(Watch Video Sample)

Through August 18, purchase this six-book collection for just $99 — a 34% savings off the $150 retail price — and receive Vision Forum’s 2010 European Virtual History Tour & MP3 Collection FREE with your purchase! By itself, the 2010 European Virtual History Tour & MP3 Collection is a $99 value, and includes more than fifty video segments and fifty audio messages filmed and recorded all over Europe. So, not only do you get to read six fascinating novels about great Christian history for just $99 (the book series sale price), you also get to see some of the very places featured in those novels for yourself! In these in-the-field video and audio recordings, watch and listen to Christian historians such as Doug Phillips, William Potter, and Joe Morecraft as they explain God’s providence in the history of the Church for the past 2,000 years and learn about God’s providence throughout western civilization — for no extra cost!

Save 34% and Purchase the “Christians Courageous” Collection

Plus, Get $99 Multimedia Study Course for Free!

Sale Ends August 18, 2010

If you already own this, how do you like it?

Dollar Tree File Folder Games

2010-08-16T19:20:00.000-04:00

Woo-Hoo! They've finally arrived!!! I've been on the lookout for the Dollar Tree file folder games that the ladies on my workbox group have been talking about for months, but just couldn't find them anywhere. On Friday, as I was strolling down the educational resource aisle, low and behold, there they were tucked neatly into one of the bins barely even noticeable. I almost missed them! The Dollar Tree in my area is probably the last one to get these in the entire nation. I picked up every one they had available, except for Dinosaurs.

Coast to Coast - State Trivia
Place Value Picnic
Word Challenge - Homophones
Matching Blends
Earth Matters
Math Mania
Take It To The Bank

I usually print, laminate, and cut out all the pieces myself from places like File Folder Fun online where they are free, but these were just too cheap and convenient to pass up.

Yay!!! More great workbox activities for the new school year!

Last Days FOREVER For abcteach 50% Discount!

2010-08-14T11:28:00.001-04:00

There's only 1 Day Left to get an abcteach full year membership at a 50% savings - for only $20!!!
Don't miss out!

Offer Expires 08-15-2010 at 11:59 pm Eastern

This is the very last time Homeschool Buyers Co-op will be able to offer this incredible discount for abcteach.

This discount has been offered through Homeschool Buyers Co-op since Sept. 3, 1009 and abcteach feels it's time to bring it to an end. An individual, annual membership to abcteach normally retails for $40, but by joining the Group Buy, you can get it for only $20!!!

You do not have to be a Homeschooler to take advantage of this offer. It's open to everyone.

Visit Homeschool Buyers Co-op and search "abcteach" before it's over!!!

Or go directly to the registration form.

abcteach is an online educational resource featuring over 35,000 pages of printable worksheets and activities, custom document generators, and more!

I've been an abcteach member since 2002 and find it extremely helpful. In case you missed my FREE: Phonics Word Slides post a few weeks ago, take a look at just one of the dozens of abcteach resources I use in my homeschool here.

Don't forget to let your friends know before it's over.

Scrap It Saturday!

2010-08-14T11:20:00.001-04:00

There are 2 brand new Scrapbook Hops going on. If you do any kind of scrapbooking link up with Shibley Smiles and Young and Crafty today!

I'm linked to a previous post I did last Saturday 14 Year Old's Version Of A Thank You Card because it's just so fabulous!!! Definitely the coolest Thank You card in blogdom! :)

Congratulations New Cadet Commander!

2010-08-12T21:43:00.011-04:00

Congratulations to my

Amazing, Fabulous, Wonderful, Totally Awesome son, Noah, the new
Cadet Commander
of the Middletown Cadet Squadron!!!

We're so proud of Noah for his hard work and dedication to

Civil Air Patrol. Serving others is what makes a great leader!

Mommy loves you, Noah!!!

Please vote for us with 1 click before you go. Just 1 click!

THANKS SO MUCH XOXO!!!

To see all the Friday Blog Hops I'll be on click here.

Please don't forget to leave your blog link in the comment so I can find you and follow back. I ALWAYS follow back and I would be so sad if I missed your blog!

Dedicated Dads & I'm In The Spotlight!

2010-08-12T00:06:00.004-04:00

I'm incredibly blessed to have a husband who devotes all of his free time to our family. He works hard to support us and he's involved in every aspect of our children's lives. It's not easy being a dad to 6 children, especially with 5 boys who continually take his tools, unintentionally break his things, and are constantly asking him to take them fishing, to the skate park, ice skating, exploring in the woods, and a dozens of other places. One day our oldest son showed him a diagram of a competition size skateboarding half-pipe in his Popular Mechanics magazine. Buy the end of the weekend my husband had one built to scale right out back!

He is my biggest supporter of homebirth, breastfeeding, and natural immunity. Most of the homeschooling responsibilities are mine, but he's great about leading us in family worship and teaching the kids anything bible related. He's always been helpful with changing diapers and helping with anything to make the house run smoother too. Here he is holding Emily after church when she was littler and only wanted to be on dad's shoulders when he might rather have been hanging out with the adults.

We hardly have any pictures of the two of us because we're usually so busy taking pics of the kids. This isn't the best, we were dying in 96 degree heat at the zoo a few weeks ago. We'll be celebrating our 20th Anniversary later this month! We met on the front steps of our jr. high school 31 years ago and became instant friends!!! We've been through a lot together and it hasn't always been easy, but by the grace of God we've made it this far.

This totally cracked me up! Have you seen this "Dad Life" video? It's hilarious!!!

If your husband is a great dad please tell him how much you appreciate him today.

~*~Thursday Blog Hops ~*~

I'm so excited to be in the awesome #3 spot on the Keepin Company Thursday Blog Hop this week!!! Yay for Raising Future Leaders!!!

Thanks so much Heck of a Bunch and Traci66!!!

Thanks for stopping by! Welcome new visitors and {{{HUGS}}} to my returning followers! If you follow me today, please be sure to leave me a comment with a link to your blog so I can follow you back. If you don't type your link in the comment I may not be able to find you. I will be so sad if I don't get to visit your blog! I'm a busy mommy of 6, but I WILL follow you back. Promise! I follow ALL my followers. I love encouraging the new bloggers that are just starting out. That was me just a few months ago! And I always learn something from the veteran bloggers.

Welcome Wednesday Blog Hop!

2010-08-10T23:33:00.006-04:00

Welcome to the "Welcome Wednesday" blog hop, hosted by Take It From Me! Welcome Wednesday is a great way to meet new people and learn new things as well as increase your blog followers! So let's have some fun!!

If you want to be a part of Welcome Wednesday, just follow these 5 simple steps:

1. Follow the Welcome Wednesday Host (Take It From Me) as well as the 2 Spotlighted Blogs of the Week. (These will make up the top three slots on the Linky)
2. Link up your blog name and URL with our Linky. (You only need to add your info once for it to be seen on all the blog hops)
3. Grab our Welcome Wednesday button and include it in a post about the event on your blog.
4. Go to as many blogs on the MckLinky as you want and Follow them. Be sure to tell them you are from Welcome Wednesday!
5. Be sure to Follow back any followers you have gained from our Welcome Wednesday event!

------Blog Spotlights of The Week-----

1.) Debbie from Lucas's Journey with Sensory Processing Disorder writes: "My name is Debbie, I am a SAHM and live in NJ with my husband and my two beautiful boys sent from heaven, Charlie and Lucas. I started my blog, Lucas's Journey w/SPD, in May because I felt a calling to write about our journey with Lucas. I was overwhelmed by the struggles that we went through getting a proper diagnosis and care for Lucas for the first 18 months of his life. I almost felt as if only one person in the world could read our blog and not have to go through the same thing we did, it would make it all worth it. I've met so many wonderful people since starting our blog and to meet so many different people that SPD has affected it has made my mission even stronger to bring awareness to SPD."

2.) Veronika from Fabulous Daily Deals writes: "Hello I am Veronika and my blog Fabulous Daily Deals was created when I was pregnant with my daughter who is 5 months old now. I knew there had to be a way to get all my baby stuff without paying the shelf price! Now I consider myself a pretty hard core couponer and deal finder! I often have people(especially cashiers) ask where I find coupons and deals and it's nice to have my own site to tell them about!"

What's neat about our Blog Hop:
-Put the same linky list code on your blog and you'll have the exact same list!
- Your blog visitors can add their blog to your list and it will show up on Everyones lists!
- By adding your blog YOU MAY BE RANDOMLY CHOSEN FOR OUR BLOG SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK!!!!

**Leave a comment with your blog address and we will follow you back**

a href="http://www.3fourandunder.blogspot.com/">

We {Heart} Tapestry Of Grace

2010-08-10T12:00:00.010-04:00

This is one of my favorite times of the whole year! I'll be spending the next 2 weeks gearing up for our 11th Homeschool year, gathering supplies, organizing everyone's workboxes, and ordering new books. Yay! I love unpacking the boxes and scattering the books all across our dining room table.

This will be our 5th year using Tapestry of Grace as part of our core curriculum. This year I'll have 1 in the Rhetoric stage for the 1st time, 2 in Dialectic, and 2 still in the Grammar stage. Emily will be 3 next month and just tagging along for fun. I'm so excited and can't even believe I'm actually saying this ~ it's the 1st summer in 5 years that I'm not stuffing every single page of all 4 units into page protectors and putting them into binders!!! It's already done! What a relief!

We're cycling back around to Year 1 for the 2nd time, for a more in depth study of Ancient History from Creation through the Fall of Rome. I'm also very excited to have access to the awesome DE (digital edition) this time which makes printing out the student activity pages from the online version a breeze! In addition to all the wonderful, high quality reading, writing and thinking assignments, there are so many super fun hands-on projects to choose from that my future leaders can't wait to work on.

Here are some old photos of one project they really enjoyed. Making salt maps to identify various landforms was a big hit!

Jake, 10 & Noah, 11 in 2006 working on a Tapestry of Grace salt map landforms project.

Here's a very short video clip of Jake identifying a couple landforms.

Josiah, 8 & Joshy, 6 working on their salt map. Each of the boys has their own Geography binder with photos of all the landforms to refer to for labeling.

I remember when I was just considering Tapestry of Grace and spent every free minute reading through all the discussions in the forum. I was so confused and could hardly follow the conversations because I didn't actually have it in front of me. Once I finally ordered Year 1 in April of '06, I spent the whole summer just trying to figure out how to implement it. When I finally jumped in and starting using it with the boys in Sept., I found it wasn't nearly as complicated as I had feared. TOG is so comprehensive, but it's designed to meet the needs of every type of family. I just pick and choose what works best for us and don't stress over not being able to complete everything offered in a Week Plan.

Homeschooling is more than an education, it's a journey. For us, it's destination is educated kids who love God and have a heart for serving others. TOG has served as a great road map for us. It's a comprehensive humanities homeschool curriculum covering 8 academic subjects. If you're still wondering what to use for a Christian based curriculum covering History, Literature, Fine Arts, Geography, Church History, Government, Philosophy, Writing and Composition for multiple levels of learning in your Homeschool, I would highly suggest checking out Tapestry of Grace.

After looking at those old photos of our homeschool room I can't wait to get the new pics of our completely overhauled and redecorated rooms up soon!!!

Please vote for us. Just 1 click! Thanks xoxo

Happy Tuesday, Everyone! Love these Tuesday blog hops. Be sure to leave me a comment with your link so I can visit your blog and follow you back! If you follow me, be sure to let me know. I love reading new blogs and I ALWAYS follow back!

Early Shopper & Monday Friends

2010-08-08T22:54:00.001-04:00

Note to husband ~ please remember not give Emily a brand new toy 5 minutes before bedtime and let her keep it in her bedroom so she can wake me up at 6:30 AM on Saturday morning with it. :)

Here she is after she came barreling through my bedroom first thing in the morning with her brand new shopping cart. I had to bring her downstairs because she was waking everyone in the house up. Missy, as we often call her, was not happy about it.

Happy Monday Everyone!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by! There are some great Monday blog hops going on. *If you want to follow me, just click my Follow button before you leave my blog and be sure to leave me a comment with your blog link so I can follow you back. Please type it in, not all Google profiles show the link and I would be so sad if I didn't get to visit your blog. I'm a busy mom of 6, but I WILL follow you back. Promise!

Please Vote For Me! XOXO

14 Year Old's Version Of A Thank You Card & Saturday Hops

2010-08-07T12:07:00.006-04:00

My son, Jake, recently celebrated his 14th birthday and had a wonderful party with his friends. I helped him make this awesome Thank You card and he sent it to each one of them. It's a 3 panel card highlighting the days events. It's so important for children to learn to reciprocate with kindness. With my help, it took very little time for Jake to get this done and another lesson in character training was accomplished!

This is the front of card.

Inside of card with the main photo spanned across all 3 panels.

(click on the photo to see it larger)

Back outside panel.

Here is the inside of the actual card he sent to his brother, Noah.

Is that not the coolest Thank You card ever? I'm sure these kids will save this for the rest of their lives to look back on. I so wish we were able to do this when I was a kid.

As always, I used my absolute favorite online system, SendOutCards, to create and send the cards. We just uploaded our photos, chose the backgrounds and elements, added the text, and then SendOutCards printed, stuffed, stamped, and mailed them out for us. We entered all the names and addresses into the built in contact manager so when we were ready to send the cards we just put a checkmark next to their names and clicked "Send". (We'll now get reminders of all their birthdays, too!) They were all sent at the same time with 1 click and each person's name was automatically inserted into the spot on the inside right panel on the note from Jake where it says "Hey, First Name!" (shown in the 2nd photo above).

So fun and easy!!! Each card cost me only $1.37 including postage! You can't even do something like that with a dollar store card.

I get so many people asking me, "How did you do that? or saying, "I want to do that too!". Want to try it out? You can actually visit the site and send a card to someone for free. You won't be asked to buy or join anything.

Free Card Demo

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today I'm linking up with Shibley Smiles for their brand new Scrapbook link up. If you do any kind of scrapbooking please visit and link up.

Here are the Saturday Blog Hops I'm on today! Make some new friends and follow some awesome blogs! *If you want to follow me, make sure you click my Follow button before you leave my blog and leave me a comment with your blog link so I can follow you back. Please type it in, not all Google profiles so the link. I WILL follow you back. Promise!

Happy Saturday! Have a Blessed Weekend!!!

Raising Future Leaders

Vaccines & Liberty: Let Freedom Ring

Family Strategies: Practical Issues for Building Healthy Families

The Homeschool Channel

FREEBIES! The Home Educator's Tutor

HUGE 4000 Fan Celebration & Boys Will Like To Read!!!

Boys will like to READ…

Featured Birthday Blog!

It's My Other Blog That Is Featured!

Special Offer - "This Little Church" Trilogy

Tuesday Blog Trail

Featured Birthday Blogs!

Featured Birthday Blogs!

Charles Dickens Classic From Homeschool Radio Shows!

I'm Featured! Thursday's Train to Facebook

Facebook Like You Back

Follow Me Back Tuesday Blog Hop

10 Things I Learned in 2010 Mini Lapbook

Featured Birthday Blogs!

Ring In 2011 Blog Hop

I'm Featured! Traveling Through Thursday Blog Hop!

Happy Birthday To...

Ring In 2011 Blog Hop!

Is Your Blog Hop On My List?

Happy Birthday To Me And A Gift For YOU!!!

Happy Birthday, My Heart's Desire!!!

FREEBIES! 20 Amazing Homeschool Downloads from CurrClick!

Awesome Surprise ~ I'm Featured!

Tuesday Facebook Follow

We Have A Winner!

FREEBIES! Agent: Chores C.S.A.

FREE File Folder Games & Friday Blog Hops

In Honor Of Our Heroes!!!

What State Does Your 3 Year Old Live In?

Please Vote For Me! - Homeschool Blog Awards

FREE File Folder Games & My 1st Video Blog Post!!!

No GMO's on Facebook

Amazing Vision Forum Sale!!!

FREEBIE: Happy Scribe ~ Police and Fire Copywork

I'm In The Spotlight!

FREEBIES: Leonardo da Vinci & Egypt Lapbooks

I'm So Close & New Tuesday Blog Hop!

Like Me On Facebook

I Was Wrong About Blogging & Saturday Blog Hop

Emily's Pretty Sandals

'Today A Year Ago' Thursday Blog Hop

Welcome to 'Today A Year Ago' Thursday Blog Hop!

~*~ HAVE FUN! ~*~

Chrisitians Courageous! Historical Fiction Collection Sale - Plus FREE Multimedia Sutdy Course!

Dollar Tree File Folder Games

Last Days FOREVER For abcteach 50% Discount!

Scrap It Saturday!

Congratulations New Cadet Commander!

Dedicated Dads & I'm In The Spotlight!

Welcome Wednesday Blog Hop!

We {Heart} Tapestry Of Grace

Early Shopper & Monday Friends

14 Year Old's Version Of A Thank You Card & Saturday Hops

**~~ HAVE FUN! ~~**