I just ran across this quote and had to share. I'm adding this to our Monday morning discussion. Have a great weekend.

“Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.”

– W. Clement Stone



A New School Year a New Motto

We started school last week. We're a homeschooling family, but we start and end with the rest of the kids in our neighborhood. My kids were SO excited about beginning a new year. And I'm happy to report that it was a great success.

One of the things we do at the beginning of each school year is to choose a family motto. Last year our motto was "We Can Do Hard Things". I loved that I'd hear them remind each other of the motto when they were working on something that they did not think they could do.

This year I wanted to somehow incorporate our last name. I found a family motto that went with our name from days long past. It was perfect for us and my boys were thrilled to find out that it had once been the motto of a Turner family during the time of "real" knights.

Our motto for the 2011- 2012 school year is

 Animo et fide     "By Courage and Faith" 

We spent the first day of school discussing the motto and how it would apply to our school year. I'm liking this motto so much that it may prove difficult to find another next year.

The school year may have started, but it's never too late to sit down as a family and come up with a motto for the year.

Want to find out more about your last name? Visit Armorial Gold to find a motto that works for you.

Tell Them in a Note: 50% off Inspired By It Cards

My kids are hard workers. They work hard on their schoolwork and are great at helping out around the house. Just last night my 6 year old insisted on running errands with me so that he could keep me company. I mean, what was a mom to do running errands all by herself? I love and appreciate my children and am so grateful that they are in my life and that I have them to "keep me company". So, with that being said . . .

I'm really loving this deal from Plum District today. For only $8 (woohoo--shipping is included) you'll receive 12 beautiful cards designed with kids in mind by the company Inspired By It.  That's less than 75 cents a card shipped! You can't beat that! If you're new to Plum District and you sign up through THIS LINK you'll get a $5 credit making this deal only $3! Now that's a steal at a quarter a card!

These cards contain fabulous lines like You're not just a kid, you're a Shining Star, kids will feel incredibly special receiving the fun, yet simple cards. Each card also contains lots of room to write your own loving message, these cards are perfect to accompany a gift or for a just because thought. I'm looking forward to sliding them into their schoolwork or setting one on their pillows for a fun surprise.

What a fun way to let your child now how special they are to you, while creating an even tighter bond as a family.

The Fine Print

•Limit 2 per person
•Expires 12/31/11

This deal was also posted on Hip to Clip.

Welcome to our New Blog!

Hello! We're so very excited to share what goes on in our homes with you. We truly believe that family comes first. We cherish this opportunity that we've been given to be parents and are excited to share our joy in the journey with you. We love comments, ideas and suggestions so don't be afraid to leave your own tips and tricks of the parenting trade. We believe that it's HIP to be with your family and our number one goal is to Help Inspire Parents to make the most out of the time they have with their children. Welcome to our blog!