Exactly a week ago, I stepped into a world I never, ever imagined I’d enter, a direct-sales program.

So, what made me decide to be a Barefoot Books Ambassador? Two things.




First, they’re a quality book publisher specializing in, “…diverse, inclusive and inspiring books.”

When I read that, I thought, “That’s a company I can get behind, tell me more.”

I read over every page on the Barefoot Books site, watched all the videos, and came to the conclusion that their dedication to helping young minds become world citizens through literature was a message I wanted to share on My Very Educated Mother (MVEM).

I truly can't wait to start sharing more about literacy, reading, and books!

Second, they had a deal this book-lover could NOT refuse. 

I received a HomeRight Finish Max sprayer in exchange for this post, as always the views expressed are my own. 

 It’s no secret, I love color! About a year ago, I shared our Colorful Pallet Table and mentioned that we still needed to do something about the chairs. I wanted to paint them, but to be honest, the thought of painting chairs makes me tip back my head and say, “ugh.” I hate it.

Then came the January 2017 “Spray It Pretty” Fab Furniture Flippin’ Contest® featuring the HomeRight® Finish Max sprayer. That’s when I finally learned the EASIEST WAY TO PAINT A CHAIR!

Selling Girl Scout cookies is really one of the best and worst aspects of being a Scout Mom. It's such a great lesson in setting and working towards goals and understanding the work that goes into success.

Of course, there's also practicing patience and kindness when you run into the not-so-nice strangers at cookie booths, and let us not forget ALL THOSE COOKIES. Chances are, you will order too much and at one point or another grow - gasp - bored of them.

Thankfully, bloggers and cookie moms have you covered with a host of possible recipes to make with your overflowing stash. Today, I'm sharing such a dish featuring this year's *new* cookie, the S'more!

For the past couple years, the kids and I have celebrated the Chinese New Year by creating a paper plate animal craft. So far we've made sheep and monkeys, and this year we tackled a rooster. I have to be honest, the holiday snuck on me this year, it's January 28th! That's only a little over a week away, but it's still plenty of time to create a rooster headband of your own!

More and more these days I find myself and the toddler twiddling our thumbs while the older two work on their school work. It worked out perfect for this project because his little hands were the perfect size for creating a cock's comb and coloring bright squiggles! Unfortunately, he wasn't up for modeling, but his sister gladly took a break from Math to fill in.

I've written and rewritten a million words to go along with this quote but keep coming back to one sentiment.

Today, this week, this month, this year, listen to your neighbor's needs. Extend your hand. Open your heart. Look to heal the world outside yourself. As we are all related, you'll be helping and healing yourself in the process.

If you waited the 18+ seconds it took for this page to load...thank you and welcome to the newly designed site!

Obviously, I'm nowhere near getting all the bugs worked out, but I'm still pleased with the new look and it was LONG overdue.

I don't know why it took me so long to try new things, oh wait, yes I do - Fear. Fear of messing up. Fear of not getting it right the first time. Fear of not being perfect. Fear of what others will say. You know, fear.

This year I've decided to confront that fear and just go for it. To stop making new plans or obsessively going over everything I should be doing, and just doing something. If there are mistakes along the way, so be it. Maybe I'll even make that my Word for 2017...Mistakes.

What mistake are you afraid to make?