I do EASY slow cooker stuff: Chicken and salsa - shred and use in tacos Chicken and pesto - shred, add tomatoes and mozerrela and serve over pasta chicken and BBQ sauce - shred and goes on a bun (you can do the same with buffalo sauce for spicier)

I think it was nice of her to offer them back!

I wouldn't ask for a refund, especially with a discounted rate. I'm a doula and have used doulas for both births (will this time too). Every contract I've used (as the doula or the client) has strong language about refund only occurring if the doula is in error and it's their fault they can't come. There's a LOT that goes into being on call for so long too, which is part of what you're paying for! By taking you on they are saying no to someone else. Sometimes births are long, sometimes short... It's not the doulas fault!

I would say a huge amount depends on your priorities and how strongly you feel about them. For some people, fully funding college is a huge priority, for others traveling, etc. For us, me being at home and homeschooling is HUGE. Any other option would be a last resort. We have made BIG decisions and sacrifices because of those priorities. My husband doesn't have a fancy job with a high salary that makes me staying home easy for us financially. We sold our house and downsized so I could stay home. My husband also went to his back up back up grad school instead of the top 10 program he got into bc he wanted me to be at home with our children. I don't say those things to toot our horns by any means. Some might think it's foolish to make the decisions we have made (sacrificing vacations, a nicer home, more savings etc) so I can be home even on a modest income. For us, it's completely worth it and we wouldn't change it for anything. So I'd say to talk as a couple about your highest priorities and go from there. Sometimes, even with being home and homeschooling being the ideal there's truly no choice, and I get that - families do need food and a safe home that is dry and warm. I hope your hubby will find a job soon and that you will be on the same page and have clarity and peace about what to do! And I agree with PP that maybe you working would be for a short season!

A hospital where I live just started using it for births!!! All the doulas in the area are thrilled as the side effects are supposed to be almost nil compared to other alternatives! It's super popular for births in England. I soooo am tempted to switch providers/hospitals. I love Me some nitrous oxide 😳

Do you do Nature Study with your kiddos? If so, what does it look like? Do you use a particular resource or just DIY? I'm reading Charlotte Mason's original writings and wondering how people put them into practice.

Not too often but I keep some on hand for convenience. Today we had a mom and 4 kids for lunch and it was nice to be able to do paper and avoid a big mess!

I love Charleston and Savannah!! They are truly lovely cities with excellent restaurants! We're coming up on 10 years and had hoped for something bigger to celebrate but I'll be 34 weeks pregnant and nothing sounds too fun at that point. So I think we will stay where we did on our wedding night and just keep it simple.

Our policies are Term 80.

We have 250,000 on me and 750,000 on DH. Mine would easily cover private school/childcare expenses, and his would allow me to pay off the house and hopefully continue homeschooling for quite some time.

63 items entered, tagged and now ready to consign Groceries purchased and put away 2 loads of laundry done, none folded/put away Started reading for my Charlotte Mason book group

We have lots to do!! Prep items for consignment sale Laundry (and lots of it!) Groceries I'd really love some time to do some reading. I'm doing a local book group reading Charlotte Mason's Vol 1 on homeschooling and haven't had a chance to start. There's probably some other stuff to do but I'm drawing a blank...

This happens to me when I'm pregnant and postpartum or when I stop nursing, definitely seems to be hormones. Last night was particularly miserable!

Today our little in home homeschool coop (we have 4 families total and all just have kers) is meeting for the kids to play while mamas have a reflection/brainstorm time and discuss what's going well, what's not working, etc. I'm such an external processor so I'm looking so forward to this! So, our day: Make lunches co-op reflection for mamas (play date for kids) Poetry teatime this afternoon It looks like a lovely day to me!

Specifically looking for daily schedules for moms with younger kids (or moms with olders that could tell me about their schedule from when they had littles). I have a 5yo and 3yo. We do Bible at bfast and usually 30ish min (sometime longer) of me reading to them in the morning. I do K (reading, handwriting, math) with my son while my 3yo naps. My (young) kinder is very bright - we started AAR1 in Aug and are now 1/3 through AAR2. He's also progressing well through our math (Right Start). I've posted before that my kids struggle with playing independently. Just wondering what other people's days/weeks look like when school doesn't take too long.

Carrots, bell peppers, cucumber slices, applesauce, fruit, cashews, fig bars from Costco, fruit leathers, corn chips

That's crazy!! But crazier, in the last year I've seen not one but TWO moms throw THEMSELVES a baby shower at their own home!! One posted something grumpy on FB about people not coming!

I've been using Right Start A 1st edition this year. It was given to us which was a huge blessing as we had a rough year financially and being able to buy new would have really stretched us. I was also given Right Start B 1st edition. I've liked It a lot this year, and plan to continue RightStart. We are in a place where I *could* buy B 2nd edition if it's really worth it. Is it? What about C? Which edition to people like better? This is my first K-er. I have a 3 yr old and a baby on the way and we do plan to homeschool indefinitely, if possible. (Though I know kids can be different) Is it worth investing in RSB 2nd edition or should I just use what I have? Should I switch to 2nd edition for level C?

Yes!!! We are in our first year (K) and the academics (which isn't too much, HWOT, AAR, Right Start and good read Alouds) are going GREAT! For me, by far, the hardest part is the rest of the day/dealing with behavior issues

Done, small return. It'll be used for baby expenses and homeschool curriculum!

Nothing to feel guilty about! A personal note of thanks is perfect

My grandma gave my son a lovely wooden train where each letter is a train piece.

I agree with maize. After having struggled with anxiety and depression myself I'm much slower to judge!! You could look at me and think its laziness but I promise it's not!

I live in Charlottesville :). I love love love it here! Monticello UVA/the Lawn Downtown (it's adorable and lovely to walk and there are so many good restaurants) Bodos bagels There are tons of really fantastic wineries and craft breweries in and around Charlottesville. Do you like wine or beer? Pippin Hill is my favorite winery. I love Bold Rock (hard cider) and Blue Mountain Brewery. What are your favorite types of food? There are TONS of amazing local restaurants. There are some great hikes nearby - Humpback is close, Crabtree falls is further but I love it :)

What are some good ideas? This is for My own daughter but I'm stumped. We have good blocks, a couple dolls, doll stroller, crib, bottles, books, puzzles, lots of dress up... Grandparents want to give something to open but I don't know what to ask them for.