Marty's Musings

DIY projects, thrifty home decor and easy crafts

Homeschooling Children with RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder)

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A veteran adoptive and biological mom shares her story of homeschooling children with RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) with helpful tips included.   Trying to sum up 18 years of experience with homeschooling both biological and adopted children is a daunting task but here is my best advice for you mothers homeschooling children ... read more

this and that

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Just a few pictures from the weekend. The first ones are from MY weekend. My oldest daughter came by to visit and we went pedal boating. My calves hurt. And a biker gang came to visit. No, not really. They were a church motorcycle club raising money for something or other. This is as close as I got :-)  Scrapbooking, walking, ... read more

Project Life February 2012

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This is a Project Life layout I did to celebrate my son's 13th birthday and his first experience shaving. Even though I blog about some of these events in our lives I love having my albums as a representation of our day to day lives. My kids love to flip through these last four years of albums, and I have found them to be invaluable when I'm trying ... read more

Repeat Posting

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I'm on a scrapbooking retreat this weekend but I wanted to share a post I wrote last year about this time. I was at a crossroads, wondering if 11 years of parenting my RAD son even really mattered. To you trauma mamas who parent this kind of child day in and day out, I want to encourage you. My son has changed a lot this past year. More than I ever ... read more

52 LIsts in 52 Weeks #17

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Week #17Words or phrases that are uttered in my home daily:Are you serious?Put your fork down and take a breath.You're muttering.What is your plan for the day?Can we do Bible drill?School is about practicing life.Did you do your chore?We're going to read.Can I have a hug?What did he say?Are you okay?Did you finish your schoolwork?Can I have a ... read more

Thorns

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One of my most read posts is the one below. As so many of us struggle with family crisis, relationship failures, church disappointments, financial needs and health scares, let this story encourage you to stay strong and "thank God for our thorns."       The Blessing Of Thorns Sandra felt as low as the heels of ... read more

Trust Meter

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My husband says I have trust issues. I told him he has control issues. Half in jest, I asked if one is better than the other. Which got me thinking about trust.We all have dysfunction, baggage, junk, issues, "quirks." Some of us own ours. Some of us don't.My question is simple. As an adoptive/foster mom or mom of a blended family, do you trust less ... read more

Defining Moments

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  We all have defining moments in our lives. Those times encapsulated in our minds that forever changed the direction of our lives.   I have a few. 1980  Senior year in high school I planned on majoring in piano performance in college. My first theater audition, first show, first tour and I was hooked. No longer piano but ... read more

Project Life March 2012

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I am finally getting caught up with my Project Life pages. I keep my memorabilia, journaling cards, pen and protectors in one location. Once I get the pictures printed I can then decide on the layout. This year's album has taken me more time to select layouts because I'm doing more themed instead of a picture a day.  The layout below is a local ... read more

Family Game Night

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Join us for our Family Game Night.  The pictures tell the whole story.The game: CraniumThe opponents: boys vs. girlsDaddy dancing to the beat of his own drummer.Really? Not again. Mama, it's only a game. Never!!!! We will win!Hark. Can you hear me?No, seriously. Can you hear me?Sister vs. brotherDidn't you get that?Okay. One more time.Who won? I ... read more

My Favorites…….

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God's unfailing lovemy kids getting excited about going to the librarymy rocking chaircelebrating 25 years with my husbandmy new Ipod Nanosongs that make me cryS's 70% improvement in math skills in 3 years on her testingrainy days curled up with a good book and a fuzzy blanketsleep, pure and uninterruptedmy scrapbooksthe sound of laughtera freshly ... read more

Closer to You

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Mark Schultz is an amazing singer/songwriter/musician. If you've never listened to his music, his Stories and Songs is fabulous. He has a gift for telling stories that captivate the heart and stir the emotions. As I was listening to the album today this song popped up on my Nano and I don't think I've really paid attention to the lyrics ... read more