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Quiet

I had a post to share with you today, but today isn’t the day. Like you, the events in Sandy Hook have left me heartbroken. No words, no gifts, no acts of service will ever take away the pain, but we want those affected—the parents like us in particular—to know we’re praying for you.

To honor the memory of so many who needlessly lost their lives on Friday, we are choosing to be quiet today. We’ll be back tomorrow.

We’d love it if today you visited Jamie Martin, editor Simple Homeschool. She lives in Newtown.

Thank you for stopping by today, and we hope you’ll join us in remembering and praying.

Weekend links & poetry

Like everyone, my heart has been torn in two the past few days. My mama mind and heart has been restless, feeling weak (and yet hopeful) that the most I can do right now is pray for everyone affected. These few links reflect that, and Sarah’s poem today makes me all the more grateful for my children.

How do I talk to my kids about tragedy? 10 expert tips :: Babble
Thinking the unthinkable :: The Anarchist Soccer Mom
26 moments that restored our faith in humanity this year :: BuzzFeed
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” -Mister Rogers

The winner of yesterday’s giveaway from Every Breath I Take is Jenn. Congratulations, Jenn! Be looking for an email in your inbox soon. Everyone else, don’t forget that Every Breath I Take is offering all Simple Mom readers 15% off any yoga package this month. Simply register here with the code SIMPLEMOM.

The Simple Mom Podcast

In case you missed the link on Facebook or Twitter, there’s a new Homefries podcast! In this episode I’m talking to my friend Kat of Inspired to Action. We’re talking about fizzy drinks, working out in the cold, music, and more. And just so you know, there will be a new Simple Mom Podcast ready for you (almost) every Thursday evening, to kick-start your weekend. Hope you enjoy!

We love getting comments from readers, so don’t be shy over there, and we also love answering your questions, deep or shallow. If you’d like to hear us chat about something, let me know with the contact form. So grateful for your feedback and your excitement—I love that so many of you love listening. Such a treat.

This month’s poem by Sarah Dunning Park is from her book, What It Is Is Beautiful. Enjoy!

Their Eyes All Aglow

What, I wonder,
will they remember
from their childhoods?
If everything experienced
is somehow stored—
stitched into the brain’s cortical folds
like a heap of colorful rags
carefully braided and coiled
to make the rug underfoot—
which bits and pieces of memory
will present face-up,
to be felt and seen
and trod upon daily?

[Read more...]

Weekend links

Time to dance walk, baby! :: Ben Aaron (click on the other video in the description, too…)
Top 10 reasons Christians should stop whining about a secular Xmas :: The New West
When you have a deadline closing in :: Chatting at the Sky
Santa is a game people play :: Charlie Park
Texas twang fixin’ to ride off into the sunset :: NPR

The winners of yesterday’s giveaway from The Confident Mom are Desiree, Dineen, Heather, Krista, Melinda, Deirdre, Emily, and Cheryl. Congratulations! Be looking for an email in your inbox soon.

If you didn’t win, don’t forget that you can still use the coupon code “SIMP2” at checkout to receive $2.00 off the regular price of $14.00 for the Planner with Supplemental Packet. The coupon code will be valid until Monday, December 10, at 12:00 noon.

“Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.” -Eric Sevareid

Weekend links: giveaway winners!

Whew… Another holiday giveaway week to check off the list for the year. I hope you found some good gift ideas, but I also know you’re eager to hear the winners, so I’ll get right to it:

• The winner of the KitchenAid Waffle Baker is Carrie R.

• The winner of a collection of some of my favorite books is Sarah K. (And if you didn’t win, head to the post if you’d like to find good book recommendations, all of which would make good gifts.)

• The winners of Financial Peace University are Annie P., Patty G., Sara R., Jenna K., and Sarah K. (a different Sarah K. from the one above, in case you were wondering…).

Congrats to everyone! Hope it makes your holidays a bit merrier. Be looking for an email in your inbox soon.

Also… I noticed a few of you commented on the FPU post something akin to wanting to take Dave Ramsey’s class but not being able to afford it. I understand—it’s not the cheapest class around. But the lessons learned are worth gold, making the registration fee an investment you really won’t regret. Save up for it as you can, and register when you’ve set aside the funds. You’ll thank me later. Really.

Thanks again to all our amazing giveaway sponsors!

We’re so honored to partner with these companies this year, and several of them have given you coupon codes:

• 31 Bits: Use the code HOMEMADE15 to get 15% off during December
• Alison Glass Designs
• Ahh Prods Bean Bag Chairs: Use the code SLM5 to get 5% all bean bags (even the ones on sale!)
ª Dave Ramsey: Use the code “ChristmasDeal” and a purchase of $10 or more to get a free mp3 of the Financial Peace University lesson “Relating with Money” and a free mp3 of one of our popular children’s books “A Special Thank You”
• Epiphanie Bags
• fawn & forest
• Gadanke Journals: Use the code WITHSTORY for 10% off journals and kits through Friday, December 7
• Gussy Sews: Use the code SIMPLE20 to get 20% off your entire from today through Wednesday, December 5th (And hurry—their holiday order-by deadline is December 12!)
• HearthSong: Use the code BLOGIT to get 10% off your order
• Imagine Childhood: Use the code SIMPLEHOMESCHOOL to receive 10% off your order through December 5th
• Invite.L
• KitchenAid
• Kiwi Crate
• STYLEVISA: Use the code SIMPLE20 to get 20% off your entire purchase

And don’t forget to support this year’s charity spotlights:

• Compassion International
• Krochet Kids
• Love146
• The Mother Bear Project
• Trade as One

Merry (early) Christmas!

Weekend links & Poetry

5 unexpected ways to help a new mom :: The Happiest Mom
Target: Take the high road and save Thanksgiving :: Change
In case of emergency :: Joy the Baker
Dads and daughters :: The Lettered Cottage
The moistmaker :: The Simple Mom Podcast (it’s the latest episode with Emily!)

Here is our monthly poem from Sarah Dunning Park, whose first book, What It Is Is Beautiful, is now available for pre-order from Amazon. You can also get a free high-res download of the above art if you head to her site!

I love them all,

but if pressed, I’d have to say
that fall is my favorite season,
for the brazen way the trees
decide to ditch the party line —
then flaunt their divergent views
with more colors than are nameable.

Now, when independence and rebellion
spring up in the ways of my children,
I label them chronic conditions
that are terminal and incurable —
rather than natural elements
of a changeable season.

[Read more...]