It should have been a simple assignment.  That's what they said.  Buy a map, slap it on your wall and use it to stick the 'story disks' to it for Geography lessons.  But I am an Interior Designer.  My mouth gaped open in horror at the thought of some sloppy map plastered to my wall in a prominent location.  Thus was born an awfully brilliant idea (or maybe just awful).  I set out to find a magnetic map in a nuetral palette.  I found them...for $200. 

Plan B: make a magnetic world map.  So this is your How-to course on 'How to make a (beautiful) magnetic world map'. 

First, find a map.  I set off to Hobby Lobby.  I found maps for $25 in primary colors.  The price tag and the colors were both a no no for my design scheme.  So I found a map at www.allposters.com A beautiful, nuetral tone map for $4.99 (plus shipping, came to $9.99 total) Make sure you are purchasing a current world map, not an 'old world' map.  You should purchase one 24"x36"

Second: I puzzled over the 'magnetic' part of the map.  I finally decided on a can of sprayable magnetic paint.  I wore protective gear, but I'm certain it still took a year off of my life, breathing in those toxic fumes.  After it dried, I tested it.  Nope; not magnetic.  I walked back into Michael's in a huff.  Can't believe I have to drag my kids back to the store in this heat! (my car thermometer said 113 degrees!!) She assured me that it does work...I just need more coats.  I purchased two more cans of the infernal spray paint and applied them both.  It was only mildly magnetic.  A major meltdown ensued.  Plan B: I headed to Lowes in pursuit of sheet metal to cut to 24"x36".  What luck!  I found one already my exact size   The guy selling it to me warned over and over how sharp the edges were.  Beware!!  It was $18, which may seem pricey.  But if you consider I had wasted $24 on three bottles of magnetic spray paint, it turns out it wasn't that pricey after all.  (check to make sure it's magnetic before you leave the store!)

Third: Spray spray adhesive all over your sheet metal.  Mount the map slowly and carefully.  I'm not much of a perfectionist, so it didn't really bother me that it was a 1/4" off  (oh well!)

Fourth: Check for frames at Hobby Lobby and Michaels to see which store has their open back frames half off.  You can buy a simple one if you like, or even a poster frame.  You do not need the glass.  Take your map spraymounted to your sheet metal into the store and place it in a 24x36" open back frame.  Ask them for cardboard of the same size and have them 'frame' it (they will just shoot little metal prongs into the back of the frame to hold the map in)  OR you can forget to bring your map and just decide to do it yourself (I hammered small nails into the side to hold it in...it worked very nicely!)

Five: Make your magnets.  You will need glass bead vase fillers (get the largest ones you can) And some liquid glass and bead glue and a roll of magnetic tape.  Cut out your paper and color it, if desired.  Attach with glue.  Attach the magnetic strip to the back of the glass bead. Voila! Magnets  

Finally!  You have a magnetic map!! 

As we read each weeks story in school, we will take the corresponding magnet and place it on the country where the story is set.  (for example, "The Story About Ping" is set in China, so the 'Ping" magnet would go on China)

And yes, the magnets do stick

Miriam at 4 months...I wish I had time to edit and make these photos really spectacular; but I don't!  So here they are in their unedited, uncropped state.  And she looks gorgeous!  But first....here's a picture of one of the boys...can you guess who she looks like?  Did I have the same kid twice??!!

Caleb is starting school in two weeks (yikes!) He will be doing two days in class, two days of homeschooling through a classical school.  This means I have to be organized!!  In nearly six years of living here, I have never had a office area or 'command' station.  As a homeschooling mother of three, this has to change!  I grabbed an old, very beat up, hand-me-down desk from upstairs (it looked too bad to use downstairs!) and decided to remodel it  

I'm too lazy (busy?) to sand it down and paint it properly.  So I just sanded off the worst parts and then decided on a nice can of black spray paint (what a timesaver!)

Oh, and those outdated knobs and drawer pulls had to go!  For $35, I got two cans of black spray paint and all the appropriate hardware (8 knobs and pulls)

Here is the beautiful finished product!  I'm so proud of it

A close up of the beautiful hardware

I added this molding along to the bottom, where a very plain board had broken and fallen off.  I think it adds a nice touch!  The project took about two naptimes (or 3 hours) 

So it's a great time for a smoothie!  Don't judge a beverage by it's color   This smoothie is delicious!  Here's my recipe:

1 banana

1 c frozen fruit (blueberries, peaches or mangos)

1/2 cup organic yogurt (plain)

1/2 cup (or more) of liquid - can be orange juice or apple juice, but I seldom have those, so it's usually milk

Blend all of the above well.  Then, with the blender running, drop in:

1 T of Wheat Germ (for protein, iron, vitamins)

1 cup of spinach leaves, feed in slowly, one leaf at a time

This is a great smoothie and you can't even taste the spinach...it doesn't taste green. It's totally yummy And full of great nutrition!!

Here are some belated pics from the rain we had... a month ago!  When it started raining I said, in a sarcastic tone, "What's this wet stuff falling from the sky?!!"  To which Caleb raised his hand and replied excitedly "I know Mommy!  I remember...it's called RAIN!!"  (has it really been that long since it rained?)

Here's Jackson...to young to remember the last rainfall...wondering why he's getting all wet!

She hates pacifiers and bottles; but those fingers sure are yummy!

Because grocery shopping necessitates toting three small children with me,  I have grown to dread it. So yet again, Saturday finds us with nothing but ketchup and butter in our fridge.  Since this wasn't much of a meal, I decided it was time for our trip to the grocery store...an ill fated trip it was destined to be. 

It started raining while we were loading in the car.  I thought about not going.  But then what would there be for supper?  The boys were grumpy the whole way there; tummies growling no doubt...poor starving children!  I parked and sat in the car a minute, breathing deeply and trying to get the gumption up to go in.  Not wanting to be the brunt of social criticism (again) I ran through the growing list of shopping rules with the boys: 

No hitting, screaming, or loud bodily noises

No throwing stuff out of the cart

No putting random stuff in the cart

No begging for anything...or you won't get it!

Stay on your side of the cart...hands to yourselves...etc

As an added bonus, I promised a treat (ahem...'bribe') for them as we shopped.  Miriam in the sling and both boys squeezed into the double seater shopping cart, we headed straight for the lunch counter and purchased two bags of chips for the boys to munch.  That should allay their hunger!  If only I could finish shopping before the bags run out of chips! 

I worked quickly through my grocery list...weaving my way through a very congested store (NEVER go shopping on a Saturday afternoon)  I was less than halfway through my list when I heard Miriam "squirt" into her diaper.  (if you have infants, you are familiar with this dangerous sound)  The very best way to get your infant to poop is to put them in their very cutest little outfit and head out to a public place.  Then they will be sure to have an explosion that will humiliate you and make others question your parenting.  I could tell by the sound, this was to be such a diaper.  I began racing madly around the store, careening dangerously around corners with my loaded cart, brushing past strangers in my haste.  Somewhere on the condiments aisle, trying to decide on a jar of mayonnaise, I suddenly noticed that somebody had dripped mustard all over the floor.  How thoughtless.  I looked for where the mustard originated....oh horrors!!!! The 'mustard' was dripping down by leg, originating from  the general direction of my babies' overflowing diaper.  (for those of you who do not have young babies, their poo is a mustardy yellow color..yep) 

In a panic, I raced for the checkout. The boy's chips were finished now and the moans of hunger were beginning to grow to a roar again.  I didn't have to tell the cashier to hurry...he was as eager to get me out of there as I was.  The grand total displayed on the monitor was atrocious....and amounted to more than the cash I had stuffed in the pocket of my baby sling. I took four items off..including the dog food...sorry Coco; you can eat scraps for a few nights.  Gathering what was left of my change (and my dignity) I held my head high and walked out the door.  I was about to cry...it's so hard!  So exhausting!  Why!?!! 

To make matters worse, some car followed me to my parking spot and put on their blinker, waiting to take my space.  SERIOUSLY?!?!!  If you're going to wait for a mom to load her three children and a cart full of groceries, you are really desperate for a close parking spot.  Get a life!  Get some exercise!  I was hurrying as fast as I could, sweating in the 102 degree heat, self concious of some lazy being sitting in their air-conditioned car watching me....waiting on me.  I was just about to give up when...what was that?  Some woman was running up towards me with....dog food??? "Here you go, I bought this for you" She said simply "I hope this helps" and with a smile, she was gone.  "Thank you!" I yelled after her.  She probably thought I couldn't afford it.  Or maybe she realized how hard it was to shop with kids, and didn't want me to have to come back.  Whatever her reasons, it made my day.  Instead of crying, I found myself grinning the whole way home.  A kindness that I can never repay, she gave expecting nothing in return.  It makes it all better.  I hope I am never so self-absorbed that I can't take time to notice those struggling around me and offer a helping hand.  Don't forget to give random acts of kindness!  They mean more than you know. 

Now that you know how I wash my hair   It's time you heard about how I wash my face!  (as if you care!) About a year ago, I started washing my face with oil.  Yep.  Sounds odd, I know. Before I tell you how to do it, let me first tell you why.  Traditional facewashes work on the concept that the oil on your face needs to be washed with heavy soaps and astringents to dry out the oil and prevent blemishes.  The error in this thought process is that your skin will simply make up the lost oils, overcompensating by producing excess oil and, potentially, even more acne.  When I started selling Mary Kay skincare two years ago, I was excited to be able to get the Velocity facewash for my sisters and friends who wanted it.  What I discovered was that for some of them, it made their blemishes much worse.  This confused me and I set out to find a solution.  After I learned the above information about facial soaps, I found out about the oil method. 

Facewash:

Take a bottle and fill it half full with castor oil, half  with olive oil.  Shake it well.  Get your water as hot as you can comfortably manage and get your washcloth wet with this hot water.  Pour about a teaspoon (or less) of the oil mixture into your palm and rub it all over your face and down your neck.  Take the hot washcloth and drape it over your face.  Let it sit there for a few moments to 'steam' your face.  The heat will open your pores and the castor oil will penetrate your skin and provide a deep cleansing effect, much like a facial.  I usually reheat my washcloth again and let it steam twice; then I wash it off and pat it dry. Your skin will literally GLOW!  Your skin will be moist, but not oily and will be so so soft. 

Night Cream & Eye Gel:

 If you want to add a 'night cream', use coconut oil (it will be solid in the jar, but will melt as you apply it)  For an 'eye gel' I use raw honey.  Moisten your fingertips and eye area.  Apply a few drops of honey and pat dry.  If you do it right, it will not be sticky, but will smooth wrinkles and tighten skin around your eyes.  The enzymes in the honey work wonders on rebuilding skin cells!  Sometimes I even use it all over my face.  They even recommend using it for putting on blemishes to clear them up faster. 

Sugar Scrub:

Recently, I started bathing with a sugar scrub...a homemade mixture of sugar and grapeseed oil and a little sea salt.  I do this once or twice a week, and it has made my skin so soft!  Even with this dry summer heat, it has made my knees, feet and elbows silky smooth and softer than they've ever been.  Mix 1 cup of sugar with 1/4 cup of sea salt and add grapeseed oil to a stirrable consistency.  Add a few drops of lavendar essential oil (grapefruit is also nice) and put it in a container with a tight lid.  Enjoy a luxurious bath.

So that's it! My secrets to beautiful glowing skin I've been doing the oil wash for about a year and a half now and LOVE it!!  Since I've been doing it, I've gotten more compliments on my skin than ever before.  My mother-in-law recently started using it and loves it!

So here's your shopping list for naturally soft and glowing skin:

Grapeseed oil, Castor Oil, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Raw Honey, Sea Salt, sugar and Lavendar essential oil. 

The best part about all of this, is that it is completely edible and totally great for your skin! For more ideas on natural body care, you can read "Beauty Secrets of the Bible" by Ginger Garrett...the coconut oil and honey ideas came from her book.  Have fun!!

It all started with a shortage of diapers.  Which subsequently turned into a impulsive decision to potty train.  (Jackson...not Miriam) A few days into this and things were going well.  I was beginning to feel pretty proud of myself and my totally sweet parenting abilities.  Then Wednesday happened. 

I knew he needed to poop.  How I knew this is maybe a little too much information.  Suffice it to say, there were external signs of his readiness...noises and fragrances I'd rather not describe.  This was one time I wasn't going to allow him to poop in his pullup - it was going to be on the potty.  I sat him on his potty (with Teddy beside him, on his own potty). I informed my little charge that he would be sitting until he did the deed.  Five books, three marshmallows and one hour later, no progress had been made.  By this point, I could tell he was holding it in...he kept telling me he needed to put his pullup back on (a sure sign he felt more comfortable pooping in a diaper than a potty) But no!!  Today was the day we would conquer potty training; I pressed on corageously.  But I did move the potty to the Kitchen so I could cook dinner while I watched him.

Caleb came downstairs and was craving a snack and some water.  I provided him with the necessary sustenance.  But when I turned around, I noticed to my horror that Jackson was no longer on his porcelain  throne.  Panicked, I raced around the house calling to him, knowing he had sought out a solitary corner to poop in.  Please not the carpet, I thought.  No; it was  much worse than that.  Yesterday, the boys had gone bananas in the toy closet and pulled everything out of it's place and scattered it over the floor.  It was on this canvas of scattered books and toys, nearly a foot deep, that he chose to 'paint' his poopy masterpiece.  I was stunned...I didn't know where to begin.  I put Jackson on the 'big' potty in the bathroom and then systematically began wiping off every toy, book, etc.  Then I smelled dinner burning; but not in time to keep the smoke detector from wailing.  This woke Miriam up and she began screaming.  Meanwhile, Jackson was about to fall in the potty and was crying...Caleb had broken at toy and was weeping.  The good news is, it can't get any worse!  I thought.  Then I looked up to see Coco sniffing at the poo...well, yes it can.  So much for my awesome parenting!  Glad nobody stopped by to see the mayhem.  For those off you who don't have children yet and are thinking 'I'll never let that happen to me!'  Just you wait...this is your future!!

"Mommy, kiss my teddy"  calls Jackson.  I give teddy a kiss and Jackson beams in delight and runs off to play.  His love language is touch.  It's how he shows love and how he receives it.  "Mommy, kiss my eyes...my ears..." etc. You get the idea.  I've grown accustomed to kissing every body part; including the dirty little feet that he extends upward, hopefully, begging for a smooch.  Though it's true that I had never kissed a guy before my husband, in the past month I have kissed every flying fireman and stuffed animal that the kids own...including Elmo.  I'm beginning to see how our home has been a harbor for infectious disease for the  past three months!  In the twelve weeks since Miriam's birth, we have had strep throat for two weeks and chicken pox for 5.  A total of 8 weeks that our home has been ground zero for these highly contagious plagues.  I believe we even made it to the Missing in Action list of our church...we keep getting phone calls from the prayer team and the nursery workers.  Being homebound is the hardest part of motherhood for me.  I have boundless energy.  But staying at home, the feelings of isolation overwhelm me and steal my joy and energy.  True, I'm never alone.  I can't even go to the bathroom alone! I race in there and lock the door, hoping to finish my business in peace and quiet for 90 seconds!! But inevetably the kids notice I'm missing and the knocking on the door commences. 

"Mommy?  Mommy?!! Are you in there??" (panic creeping into their voices) 

"Yes! I'm in here." 

"What are you doing in there?" 

"What do you think I'm doing?!"

A moment of thoughtful silence...."Are you sleeping in there?"

*sigh*

Hoping to resume my social life, now that the plague has left our house.  Desperate for some adult conversation!!