Mother’s Day is right around the corner and I’ve gotten together with a group of bloggers to bring you a giveaway and blog hop that we are hoping will bless your socks off! We not only hope to bless several moms with some pretty awesome giveaway prizes, but we also hope to bless many more moms through the Letters to Moms Blog Hop (that you can find at the end of this post).

So please, hop around to the many other bloggers below, and of course enter to win the giveaway too – there will be 4 winners with the total prize value over $1000!

Dear Veteran Homeschool Mom,

I know you’ve been doing this homeschool thing for a while. It’s demanded so much of you. You have given up career opportunities, the financial ability to have things you want, and so much time. You penny pinched and baked from scratch, you bought clothes at thrift prices and prayed – a lot. You have been dedicated to your children because you know how important a good education is and because you wanted to give them the best. You have made many sacrifices.

You have been dedicated to your children because you know how important a good education is and because you wanted to give them the best possible.

You may be feeling less inspired than ever and now, homeschooling is no longer easy elementary material. You may also still have younger children who require most of your time. As your older children progress so has their intellect. Now, you have to do more with less and be an expert on heavier and more advanaced coursework with more grading. You have to think about SAT’s and college entrance. In addition, your children are asserting their independence. They challenge you more and finish their work less. It’s not the fun and engaging teaching you remember. But it’s real and you’re doing it.

You may be feeling less inspired than ever and now, homeschooling is no longer easy elementary material.

You’ve done everything right. You taught them right from wrong. You led by example. You purchased the best curriculum you could find. You read great books and had family read alouds. Is it possible the world still spoke louder than you in this age of technology and self fulfillment?

I’m here to tell you. No. It didn’t. You DID do everything right! Don’t doubt yourself. This is a natural stage that you and your child must go through. It’s essential for them to do before they go out on their own into the world. I know it would be better if everything could be as you planned, getting easier every year. But that’s not real homeschooling. All of our kids are different and have different needs.

Don’t doubt yourself. This is a natural stage that you and your child must go through.

Rest assured, from someone who has been there, that even if your child strays a little ( or even a lot), they will come back to those important things you have taught them about family, life and love. They will return to the message you gave them by your sacrifice and dedication. It may not be right away, but they will. What you have done for them will never be forgotten. And you did the right thing.

They’re just trying to figure life out- it’s natural. And if you’re lucky they will come to you for advice when they need it, but beyond that they must search for themselves.

This may affect your homeschool a little. That means it’s time to revise your plans and strategies, finish strong, and find your own inspiration to see you through those nitty gritty days to graduation and beyond. It’s time to get inspired and be inspired! Read something you love and surround yourself with things you love. Focus your time on things worth your time and energy and that reward you personally!

Be sure to care for yourself a little and continue to be someone they can admire. Don’t get discouraged. Keep praying. Let them go ever so slightly and cheer them on from a distance. Trust them. Reimagine the homeschool of your dreams. Modernize it a little perhaps and work smarter, not harder.

That means it’s time to revise your plans and strategies, finish strong, and find your own inspiration to see you through those nitty gritty days to graduation and beyond. 

Don’t worry about being the homeschool mother of the year. Don’t compare your homeschool to others’. Be confident in yourself- you know what you’re doing. Outsource what you need to and focus on what’s required.

This endeavor was never about you. The children you have homeschooled are their own people.  They have something different to give the world. God has a plan for them. So, be at peace and remember! Remember why you homeschooled in the first place, how far you have come, and how marvelously your children have grown. Soon they will be men and women of their own and have their own dreams and missions.

Be confident in yourself- you know what your doing. Outsource what you need to and focus on what’s required. 

Don’t quit now veteran homeschool mom. You’re a success! Reinvent the homeschool of your dreams and take it to the next level!

Your friend and fellow homeschool mom,

Now enter the Bless A Mom Giveaway:

The prizes will be as follows –

Prize 1 – Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer

Prize 2 – Slow Cooker

Prize 3 – Keurig Coffee Maker

Prize 4 – ALL 3 of the prizes above

Each winner will also win a digital copy of I’d Rather Be Your Mommy by Stacy Farrell!

Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And while you’re at it visit more beautiful mom letters below!

The post Dear Veteran Homeschool Mom appeared first on Dymphna's Song.

Around the web there are tons of art freebies to enjoy in your homeschool. Here are a few art lesson favorites of mine, Freebies here on Harrington Harmonies you may not know about, as well as art printables beyond.

Free Art Printables:

• Elements of Art– Lesson plan for teaching the elements of art to all age levels.
• Color Harmonies Workbook ( Subscribe to Harrington Harmonies)
• Artist Notebook Pages ( Subscribe to Harrington Harmonies)
• Art Printables from Harmony Fine Arts
• Tons of Free Printables and PDF’s from The Art Curator for Kids
• How to do Picture Study and Freebie List from Homeschool Giveaways 
• Famous Artist Report Form from 123 Homeschool 4 Me
• Free E Book: Getting Started in Chalk Pastels By Tricia Hodges and Lucia Hames

Free Art Lessons and Tutorials:

• Artist Blog Lessons & Tutorials  on Harrington Harmonies
• Three Very Wonderful Beginner Drawing Lessons from See the Light ( You can also receive a free Watercolor Butterfly Lesson when you subscribe.)
• Chalk Pastel Tutorials from Hodgepodge
• Free Chalk Pastel Video Lessons from Hodgepodge
• Free Lessons from Concordia University of Chicago & Free Printables to go with from Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus
• Mega Free Art Lesson List put together by These Temporary Tents
• List of 44 FREE Art Resources from Homeschooling Hearts and Minds

And Now the Giveaway!

This giveaway totals $90 worth of program and supplies. When you enter the giveaway, you can earn up to 33 entries to one win all three prizes pictured above! One winner will receive:

1. See the Light’s  Tiffany Window Project -TIFFANY WINDOW includes an in-depth Art History focus on the style of Louis Comfort Tiffany, explores related Art Elements and Art Principles, and uses a variety of media. Biblical integration is woven into every single lesson! ($14.99 value)
2. Springtime Splendor from Alisha Gratehouse – A 4 week e course on Mixed Media that  includes sketching, acrylic painting, watercolor painting, chalkboard art, collage art, sculpting, hand lettering, art journaling & more. ($60 value)
3. Arts & craft supplies and materials which includes: 25 sheets of multicolor construction paper, 5 large foam sheets, 4 small foam sheets, foam shapes, 3 acrylic craft paints, sidewalk chalk 24 ct. , 2 glue sticks,  1 bottle white glue, 6 no. 2 pencils, 9 ct. craft buttons- 5 hearts and 4 butterflies, small black canvas, 4 bottles of glitter, wooden heart ornament, 2 chalk holders, 2 craft years and 1 round plastic needle, 2 craft brushes, 1 pack of junior pastels, picture frame to decorate, & heart box to decorate. ($25 value)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Art Freebies for Artistic Kids & Giveaway appeared first on Dymphna's Song.

~Enter at the end of this post~

Something Delicious: Italian Knot Cookie Recipe

These are a family favorite! Stop over and try this wonderful recipe and add something new to your Christmas goodie repertoire.

Something Advent:  Jesse Tree Ornaments & Resources (week 1)

The Advent season is upon us! Celebrating Advent with the Jesse Tree has always been a big favorite for our family and I have always enjoyed teaching both my own children and religious education students about salvation history this way.

You will find that the series I put together last year on the Jesse Tree is a great resource. You can start today with an ornament, daily reflection, and several ideas to choose from for each day of Advent.

Advent Week 2
Advent Week 3
Advent Week 4

 And now the Stocking Stuffer from iHomeschool Network- Christmas Giveaway $400 Cash Prize (pay pal)

The post Stocking Stuffer- Christmas Giveaway $400 Cash Prize (pay pal) appeared first on Dymphna's Song.