Life has gotten very busy the past several months.   I don't mind - that's the stage of life I'm at and I feel blessed to be busy.  My mother told me a few years ago, "Mary, it's GOOD to have a sense of purpose".   Those words have stuck with me.  Believe me, I have purpose!  (can you hear me laughing?)


I feel as if I haven't posted as much of the "nitty gritty" homeschool stuff that I have in the past because I've been reviewing products.  I'm trying to strike a balance between the two, so please be patient with me.  I know I haven't kept up with Twitter and commenting on blogs.   I think this has been God's way of steering me away from too much social media.  I spent WAY too much time in the alternate universe of Twitter and Facebook and I'm happy to say I'm not there much anymore. 


I have not monetized my blog and I don't do ads or sponsors. I also don't conduct giveaways on my blog for legal reasons.  (I've been amazed by the companies that say it's perfectly fine to not do a giveaway on my site... I always thought it was kind of something you just had to do, but guess what?  It's my blog, and I run it my way!)  It's just something that I can't keep up with and can't see the benefit for my family right now.  I am in awe of the bloggers that can manage their home life and their blogs -- I'm not so good at it, so I have to keep it simple, especially since I am a part of Three Thinking Mothers, too! 


My first obligation is to my God and family, not my blog.  I do, however, enjoy blogging and it has some distinct benefits for myself and my family.  Here's a little breakdown of how I spend my online time.         



If you're not aware, I am a part of the TOS Review Crew for the 2011-2012 year.  If you aren't familiar with the crew and what we do, you should be!   We help The Old Schoolhouse Magazine review products... there is a huge crew of homeschool bloggers who receive products and offer our honest opinion of these products.  Sometimes they are WONDERFUL, other times they are average.  I always try to give my honest opinion.   I hope you've read some of my reviews! 


Last year I remember reading a review post about something called Talking Fingers: Read, Write and Type.  Wow.   It looked great and upon ordering it for my son he LOVED it.    From then on I kept my eyes on the crew blog, and when they were accepting applications for reviewers you can bet I applied.


In the beginning I thought it would just be excellent to get some free products.  Little did I know the service the crew offers to other homeschool families, or the friendships I would make on the crew.  I am blessed to be involved in such a wonderful program.  


Recently, I've also become a Tommy Mommy - reviewing just one or two products for Tommy Nelson each month.  The Tommy Moms are a great resource for you, too.  So far I've completed one review (for a product which I thoroughly recommend.)  


As you shop for Christmas, or consider curriculum needs for your children, please take advantage of reading reviews and visiting The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew and Tommy Mommy.