I’m so thankful for the wonderful businesses that we partner with each month to bring you helpful resources that cover historical literacy curriculum to weekly household planners to teaching kids God’s Great Rescue Plan and more! I’d love it if you showed them some love by clicking over and seeing what they have to offer.

The Confident Mom

The 2013 Confident Mom Weekly Household Planner will keep busy moms from all walks of life motivated and on track with all their to-do items day after day, week after week, all year long. This weekly planner breaks down household tasks into manageable daily and weekly bite size pieces, utilizing smaller increments of time to keep the tasks from becoming too large and overwhelming.

BrimWood Press

Tools for Young Historians (TfYH) is a line of teaching products dedicated to developing historical literacy in children. We build historical literacy in 5th to 8th graders through teaching three fundamentals or critical concepts rarely taught through other curriculums.

These critical concepts entail; teaching children the language historians use for time, developing an awareness and understanding of worldviews and learning the flow of history. TfYH also provides two valuable tools that no young historian should be without. These tools are a history binder organizer and Historical Fact Sheets.

All of our products are designed to complement and augment any classically based curriculum or unit study products currently available to homeschooling families.

eMeals

eMeals is a simple system to solve your dinner time dilemma with easy meals based on delicious recipes and a consistent grocery budget.  You’ll receive weekly meal plans based on your preferred grocery store sales and specific meal plan type (regular, gluten-free, low fat etc.) with 7 days of easy to follow dinner recipes and a corresponding grocery list.

Motivated Moms

While the Motivated Mom’s planner will not do your chores for you, it will help you stay organized and following the planner does keep your housework managable. There are no big cleaning projects because you do a little bit every day. I hang my planner on the fridge and assign the kids chores from the planner too. It is easy for everyone to see what is expected of them, and they can check off the job when they are finished.  Many of you requested the Motivated Moms planner in app form and I’m excited to tell you it is now available! And, it’s a great deal at $7.99. You can also try the app for two weeks before you buy it!

A Slob Comes Clean

Nony has created a lifestyle of changing your habits to create a calm and clean environment in your home with her eBook, 28 Days to Hope for Your Home.  It includes:

• Twenty-eight days of specific instructions to help you develop four basic (but essential) home management habits.
• Insights into why these concepts seem foreign to you.
• Practical tips to keep you from giving up.
• Bonus sections with realistic strategies for laundry management, meal prep, and decluttering.
• More than 45 pages of all new, exclusive content!

What’s in the Bible?

The Bible Made Easy!  Buck Denver and his friends take your children through the WHOLE Bible. Perfect viewing for the entire family – laugh and learn together. In his first new project since VeggieTales, Phil Vischer has set out to teach kids (and parents!) the story of the Bible – God’s great rescue plan! We know the stories of Moses, Noah, David, and Jesus, but in this groundbreaking new series, we learn how they all fit together to tell one big, redemptive story. Vischer’s signature wit shines through with his all-new cast of characters, fast-paced flash animation, and catchy tunes. This is one journey through the Bible you won’t want to miss!

Grab all 5 eBooks for only $7.40 (more than 75% savings!) and treat yourself to some great go-to resources to discover the secrets to jump starting your energy, inspiration to get your weight under control, and beauty and fashion tips to help you prioritize yourself even as you juggle your busy life!

Embracing Beauty by Trina Holden

• In this candid and sometimes hilarious book, Trina shares her journey to embracing beauty in the season of motherhood. Every chapter is crammed with practical inspiration and tips for defining your style, choosing clothes and accessories that work for you, and combining it all into a look that will bring joy and confidence to your day.

The No Brainer Wardrobe by Hayley Morgan

• The No Brainer Wardrobe is a book to help women learn to love the clothes they have, lose the clothes they hate, and shop for items to fill the gaps. Hayley offers images outlining outfit selections, tips for how to shop, and instructions for creating a lookbook plus encouragement to help you save time and money and feel great in what you wear.

Energy Explosion by Arabah Joy

• Energy Explosion will give you the plan you need to regain your energy. In this 7-day guide, Arabah gives step-by-step instructions for jump starting your energy by addressing your body, mind and spirit, plus printable charts and checklists to track your progress!

Frumps to Pumps by Sarah Mae

• Getting dressed in the morning often makes us more hospitable, more productive, more playful and more energized. In Frumps to Pumps, a one-month motivotional (motivation + devotional) from popular author Sarah Mae, you’ll find encouragement and practical tips to help you get into the habit of getting dressed so you can love people (and yourself) well.

100 Pound Loser by Jessica Heights

• Jessica’s 100-pound weight loss story is inspiring, encouraging and motivating. In this short but candid ebook, she shares her story plus practical advice to help readers conquer their weight loss goals and appreciate their bodies, regardless of the numbers on the scale.

Purchase all of these Beauty & Fashion eBooks bundled together here.

Groovebook is a free app designed to help moms get photos quickly and easily from their phone to their door. I love it, and I’m planning to make a GrooveBook with all my Yes Mom pictures!

It’s very simple:

• Upload up to 100 photos a month from your phone
• Receive a keepsake photo book of your photos in about 7 days
• The books are made with quality photo-paper and perforated edges so that you can use the photos however you please.
• Learn more with this GrooveBook YouTube video

The app is free, but ordering a book costs $2.99 for shipping and processing.  However, my readers can try it out and get their first book free by using promo code HAPPYGROOVE.

GrooveBook has a Mother’s Day contest going on through Sunday.  They are giving people the chance to nominate the Most Deserving Mom. The winner gets a year of GrooveBook absolutely free for themselves and the Mom that they nominated!

This eBook is a practical step-by-step guide for outdoor summer adventures and is chock-full of creative, active, and hands-on learning activities for you and your family.  It contains supply lists, detailed instructions, printables, diagrams, and resources to take each activity a step further.

7 Reasons You’ll Love This ebook:

• 50 Simple Ideas to Get Outdoors & Connect With Your Child
• Promotes Hands-On-Learning, Creativity, & Active Adventures
• Frugal Fun for the Family
• Suitable Ideas for Kids Ages Preschool to Preteen
• Clearly Outlined Step-by-Step Ideas
• Seasonal Suggestions for Every Climate
• Additional Printables, Diagrams, and Resources

Purchase it as a PDF today for only $4.99 and have your summer activities all planned out!  Or you can grab it for the Kindle here for only $2.99!

Last year we started playing Words with Friends against each other. I would think after twenty years we could play a game and still get along. Since I was pretty good at Scrabble I usually won our games on Words with Friends. Over time I picked up a few games against other people I know and given the fact that I’m still teaching phonics I think I’m pretty good, although I just got creamed by my friend RuthAnne. (who is also teaching phonics so that is probably why)

Yesterday, Crystal Light Liquid, a cool new product that adds customizable flavor and vibrancy to water, along with Zynga, the world’s leading provider of social game services hosted the world’s largest group game of Words With Friends. It was the first time more than 2 people could play the same game at one time! It was also one of the first times I was out of my league during the game.

There were over 50 rounds played and I saw some great words. I mean seriously, some of these players were awesome! I saw many of my old standby words played like QIS and QAT, but I also learned some new strategies to ensure I keep beating my husband.

I had a great time at the event, but the fun hasn’t stopped. You don’t even have to do anything new, just keep playing your games. Words With Friends  is giving away real prizes to winning players who solve a puzzle.

Last night I was blessed to be able to share my heart on being a “Yes Mom.” I’ve seen wonderful changes in my family since I started saying yes more than I said no.

I did not become a “yes mom” overnight. Being a yes mom is a lifestyle, and it takes time. But it is worth it. Being a yes mom is freedom, creativity, and abundance. But it is also hard.

Here are 10 practical ways you can start becoming a Yes Mom.

Schedule in fluff time- stop being so busy.

Allow time to say yes. When you are overwhelmed with activities, projects, appointments, and life in general it is easy to say no and almost impossible to say yes. Build in fluff time to your schedule so you can say yes to your kids.

Get control of your home. An organize home makes it easier to say yes.

When my home is out of control I’m a no mom. I can’t handle one more mess, one more “disruption,” or sacrifice any of my time. When my home is in order I’m able to say yes to my kids because I’m not running around just trying to keep my head above water.

A routine makes it easier to say yes.

Just like an organized home makes it easier to say yes, so does a routine. When my kids have completed their school work and finished their chores I’m able to say yes to all sorts of things. These things are more easily accomplished when we have a routine.

It’s okay to say yes- but later.

Being a yes mom doesn’t mean saying yes to everything, every time. It means saying yes to things that are the best for our children. I often get questions such as:

• Can I have a bowl of chips? Yes, after you finish your lunch.
• Can I play a game on the computer? Absolutely, after you finish your chores.
• Can I go play basketball with my friends? Yes, as soon as you turn in your school work.
• Can so-and-so spend the night? Yes, as soon as your room is clean.

My kids know I want to say yes to them, but they know that they have responsibilities too. They know if they complete their responsibilities I will most likely going to say yes to their questions. This has transformed our family. When you say no for no reason kids are deflated, unmotivated, and stop asking.

Say yes to something different.

8am: Mom, can we build a giant fire in the back yard, roast marshmallows, and sit outside and do our school? (true story)

My response: I would love it if you gathered sticks for a fire, found the bag of marshmallows, and worked on your school (outside) so that when daddy comes home we can have a bonfire. 

You don’t have to say yes to everything. My kids have some crazy ideas, and sometimes they aren’t the safest ideas! I try to find something in their request I can say yes to, and guide them in a better direction. Remember you aren’t saying yes to everything, just the best things.

If you need activities for your kids check out the Mom I’m Bored Jar. 

Be prepared to say yes.

I want to be able to say yes when I can, so I try to set myself up for success. Keep a bag in the car or stroller of snacks, juice boxes, bathing suits, towels, sunscreen, etc so you can say yes. Plan for spontaneity. I’m more likely to stop off at the park after a long morning of errands if I have snacks in the car.

I don’t want to feed my kids fast food all the time, so I know that hungry kids will force me to say no. If I have a box of crackers, fruit snacks, or granola bars in the car I can say yes and be a fun mom.

You initiate the activity.

When your kids are little what they really want is you. (Big kids want their parents around too- especially if you start when they are little) They want more of your time, attention, and influence. If your kids ask for outrageous things (like my kids) take the first step and initiate the activity.

I’ve never had a child turn down the opportunity to play a game, read a book, build with legos, play play-doh, or have a tea party with me.

Get your attitude in the right place.

Why are you a “no mom?”

For me it came down to priorities. I didn’t want to deal with the mess, inconvenience, or time it took to say yes. When I examined my heart I realized that my attitude was out of whack.

If I say that my priorities are God, husband, children, then I need to live it. I work from home and I have to get work done during the day. That means sometimesI have to say no to my children when I’m on a conference call, creating presentations, or responding to emails. But, when my priorities get turned upside down and all my activities come first, I’m not living right.

I use to say no because I simply didn’t have time to say yes. Then I realized that when I say yes to my kids I’m so much more productive. My children’s hearts are filled and when I need work time they understand that work does not come before them. If you believe it you have to live it.

Summer is a great time to get started.

Being a yes mom is hard. I didn’t become one overnight. It has taken me over FIVE years to make these changes in my life. I hope you learn faster than I did, because it really can transform your family.

Our summer routine is more relaxed and I have more opportunities to say yes to my kids. Use your time wisely this summer to start making changes that will help you say yes more.

Remember mess is temporary, memories are forever.

My friend Heidi says we’re on the diapers to diploma’s track, which means I had a child in diapers and a child graduating in the same year. One of the benefits of having young and old children is that you realize how precious the time is.

When I had two children hadn’t slept in two years and was up to my eyeballs in poop and spit up I just wanted to survive. There was no thriving going on in my life. I spent my days trying to avoid mess at all costs!

This week our oldest finished her first year of college (away from home). There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t look at my four year old and think, it seems like just yesterday I was peeling the skin off the apples for her big sister, pushing her on the swing, and answering all those “why” questions.

I know every older mom says this, but we say it because it is true.

Time goes so fast, enjoy these moments with your kids! 

I wish I would have invested more in memories when my older kids were younger. I love a clean and organized house. I tremble at words like paper mache, play-doh, and glitter. I don’t like dirt (especially on my floors), bugs, or science experiments. God made me this way!

But I love my kids. 

In order for my kids to grow, develop, and learn what God has for them (not me!) I have to let them be a little messy, create, and thrive. I need to say yes.

And sometimes it is hard. 

But it is worth it. Being a yes mom has transformed my family, from youngest to my oldest. My husband says yes more, my kids say yes to each other more. We have more fun, we learn more, and we are happier.

It’s crazy that saying yes could make such an impact. But it does.

So try it. Be a yes mom.

They have amazing prizes you can win and the games start at 8pm ET tonight, so don’t forget to head on over and play to win! I hope to beat you see you there!

I’m partnering with Crystal Light to spread the word about the biggest Words with Friends game ever! All opinions are my own.

Years ago I was challenged to say yes more than I said no. Given that my natural tendency is to say “no” this was difficult for me. I changed my “no” ways slightly, but this year I recommitted to being a yes mom.

Being yes mom has changed my relationship with my kids! If you want to find out how and why I made these changes, and become a yes mom too, you can join me tomorrow night for Mommy Jammies Night.

The best thing about Mommy Jammies Night is that you can listen for free from the comfort of your living room!

Here’s what you need to do:

• Go to http://www.mediaangels.com/expo/listen-live-3
• Click the Web Cast Tab during the event times.
• Ask a Question – I’ll answer them at the end of the presentation.
• Receive bonus handouts and prizes info for joining live.

JOIN US LIVE HERE

Webcast begins at 9 PM ET Tuesday May 7, 2013.

• Visit the website: http://www.mommyjammiesnight.com
• Click the listen live tab.
• Listen to the webcast on your computer or your phone.
• Bring a friend! All are welcome. There is no charge.
• Bonus giveaways details during our event.

Before Mommy Jammie Night begins I will be co-hosting a fun Twitter party (8pm ET) with lots of great prizes. Follow #MommyJammies to win some great prizes!

I want you to become a yes mom too! So join me tomorrow evening, Twitter party begins at 8pm ET and webcast at 9ET. See you there! 

Grab all 5 eBooks for only $7.40 (more than 70% savings!) and treat yourself to some great go-to resources to discover the secrets to beautiful iPhone photos, how to get organized using free apps and programs, the beauty of online friendships and more.  The included 5 eBooks are:

Once Upon the Internet by Marla Taviano

• Once Upon the Internet is the funny and touching memoir of the Tavianos’ one-year quest to visit 52 zoos in 52 weeks — and the online friends who helped make it possible. Through the course of their journey, they stayed with 31 different families, 17 of whom they’d never met in person (and countless others met them at zoos along the way), and today some of their dearest friends are ones they first met on the internet.

iPhone Photography by Alli Worthington

• Alli’s iPhone Photography: The Visual Guide is your go-to guide for the best iPhone photo editing apps. With plenty of full-color images, you’ll find step-by-step tutorials to capture and create stunning images yourself as well as ideas for using iPhone photos to stay organized, save money and just be happier.

Pin-terpretation by Holley Gerth & Stephanie Bryant

• Your Pinterest account and the images you pin say more about you than you might think, and the ladies at Squee! wrote Pin-terpretation to help you step back and really see yourself. Their goal is to help you see your Pinterest boards with fresh eyes — to provide questions as well as insights into you, your personal brand & your blog. It’s kind of like a Cosmo quiz for your Pinterest boards.

Paperless Home Organization by Mystie Winckler

• Organize your life with a digital home management “binder” that you can take with you, doesn’t use up extra space, works on every platform and doesn’t cost anything. In Paperless Home Organization, Mystie shows you how to get organized using only free, web-based applications that sync with free apps on both Apple and Android devices.

Evernote for Moms by Lauren Rothlisberger

• Lauren’s specialty is providing tech tips for “non-geeks”, and Evernote for Moms is the quick and easy guide to help you use Evernote to organize your ideas and information. It includes a quickstart guide, simple template files and step-by-step instractions for installing, launching and adding items to Evernote through your smartphone or computer.

Purchase all of these Tech & Internet eBooks bundled together here.

The Marathon Mom co-wrote a fantastic eBook resource called 42 Days to Fit that will realistically challenge you to spend 42 days, six weeks, learning and applying how to eat healthy and exercise with no excuses.

This 122 page is a realistic diet and exercise challenge to help you get fit…and stay fit for life!  It also includes a fantastic section on strength training exercises that is perfect for everyone regardless of your fitness level.

You can buy it today on Amazon for only $0.99! 

If you prefer the PDF version you can purchase that for only $0.99 too.

More Fit For Good

• Join the Fit for Good Facebook group for daily encouragement, tips, and accountability
• Read previous Fit for Good articles
• Submit a link to your blog article about getting fit, and it might be featured on The Happy Housewife. Link submission form.