Year of the Staycation – Roundup

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Kelly

Yesterday I posted my part of the Year of the Staycation. In it, I highlighted cheap and free things to do in McKinney, TX. Today I am going to give you links to posts for other cities around the country that my fellow bloggers have put together. It is my sincere hope that you will be able to find some family-pocket-book-friendly items for fun this summer in your part of the country.

New England

Connecticut – Parenting Miracles
Boston, Massachusetts – ? Maven of Savin’
Manchester, New Hampshire – Common Sense with Money
Western Maine – Bubblegum and Lollipops

Mid-Atlantic

Erie, Pennsylvania – Growing Kids Ministry
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – Somewhat Crunchy
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – Family Balance Sheet
Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York – Coupons, Deals and More
New Jersey – Oh! Diane

Midwest

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Indoor Garden Musings
Mansfield, Ohio – Live the Adventure
Cincinnati, Ohio – Savings Lifestyle~Cincinnati
Mount Vernon, Ohio – Living Better One Day at a Time
Dayton, Ohio – Savings Lifestyle~Dayton
Grand Rapids, Michigan – Kitchen Stewardship
Metro Detroit, Michigan – “Cents”able Momma
Oakland County, Michigan – Bargain Shopper Mom
Warren, Michigan – Saving Dollars and Sense
Grand Forks, North Dakota – Frugal Front Porch
Indianapolis, Indiana – Bargain Briana
South Bend, Indiana – Excuse The Mess
Kansas City, Kansas/Missouri – Kansas City Mamas
St. Louis, Missouri – The Pickledpigsfeet
Branson, Missouri – Getting Freedom from Debt
Springfield, Missouri – I Think I Can
Rochester, Minnesota – Everyday Notions
York, Nebraska – Heavenly Homemakers
Omaha, Nebraska – Mom Endeavors
Madison, Wisconsin – Many Little Blessings
Oshkosh, Wisconsin – A Little Bit of This and That
Chicago, Illinois – Chicagoland Homeschool Network
Champaign, Illinois – Chambanamoms
Black Hills, South Dakota – Little House on the Prairie Living

South Central

Checotah, Oklahoma – Blessed With One Income
Tulsa, Oklahoma – Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures
Gadsden, Alabama – Aint Mimi
Dallas, Texas – Funky Faith Girl
Dallas, Texas – Grocery Shop For FREE
East Dallas, Texas – Surviving The Stores
Fort Worth, Texas – Smockity Frocks
Austin, Texas – Stetted
Houston, Texas – Moms Travel Tales
McKinney, Texas – Wisdom Begun
East Texas – The Full Pantry
Murfreesboro, Tennessee – Life in a Barn
Nashville, Tennessee – The Country Chic Cottage
Mobile, Alabama – A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
Birmingham, Alabama – iGoBOGO
Alpharetta, Georgia – Cuponeando
Atlanta, Georgia – See Jamie Blog
Augusta, Georgia – Hyperactive Lu
Athens, Georgia and Mississippi – Tractors and Tire Swings
Little Rock, Arkansas – It’s Real Life

South Atlantic

Brunswick & the Golden Isles, Georgia, Teri Lynne Underwood
Ft. Bragg, North Carolina – Military Wives Saving
Charlotte, North Carolina – The Carolina Clipper
Charleston, South Carolina – The Tween & Me
Greensboro, North Carolina – Mrs. Happy Homemaker
Jacksonville, Florida – Saving The Family Money
Orlando, Florida – Orlando’s Best Deals
Virginia Beach, Virginia – The Singley Fam Blog
Richmond, Virginia – Daily Dwelling
Hampton Roads, Virginia – A Home Made by Kiki
Charlottesville, Virginia – How to Have it All
Blackwater Falls State Park/Davis, West Virginia – Holy Spirit Led Homeschooling
Treasure Coast, Florida – The Cardamom’s Pod
Saint Augustine, Florida – Jypsie Visions
Lake Norman, North Carolina – Stretching Pennies Saving Dollars
Washington, DC – The WiC Project
Baltimore, Maryland – The Happy Housewife

Mountain

Tucson, Arizona – Saving with Pam
Phoenix, Arizona – Mom Endeavors
Albuquerque, New Mexico – The Chou Life
Kalispell, Montana – Our Family Adventures
Salt Lake City, Utah – Just the 2 of Us
Thermopolis, Wyoming – The McDonald Family
Denver, Colorado – Denver Bargains
Colorado Springs, Colorado - Colorado Springs Bargains

Pacific

San Diego, California – Life As Mom
Yosemite National Park, California -Handbook of Nature Study
Seattle, Washington – Queen Bee Coupons & Savings
Whidbey Island, Washington – Manning the Homefront
Olympia, Washington The Coupon Savant
Portland, Oregon – Frugal Living NW
Willamette Valley, Oregon – An Oregon Cottage

Frugal Vacation Tips

Vacation or Stay-cation: Eating without Busting the Budget – Eat at Home

The Year of the Staycation – McKinney, TX

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Kelly

Welcome to my part of the Year of the Staycation! I will be highlighting inexpensive or free things to do in McKinney, TX. Gas pricing are rising (ouch!). For most of us, this forces us to think a bit more local instead of a the usual family vacation that involves lots of travel.

McKinney is very family friendly. The majority of the events that the city holds are FREE. There are plenty of parks to go play in and some quaint little shops to visit on Main Street. Events for July 4th, Cinco de Mayo, and the like are planned every year.

Just because the usual family vacation may be out of your price range doesn’t mean you cannot have a great time this summer. Below you will find inexpensive or free things to do. Some are available to do all summer long while others are date-specific. Feel free to comment or email me via the contact form above if you have something to add!

To begin with, if you live in McKinney you need to check out the awesome activity guide. This is sent out three times a year and lists the city’s events, lessons and classes, and special happenings.

All Summer Long

Parks

McKinney has lots of parks. Al Ruschhaupt Soccer Complex, Aviator, Finch, Horizon, and Whisenant have free splash pads that the little ones especially will love. There are many walking trails and Towne Lake Rec Area is a favorite. North Park also has swimming facilities.

McKinney Farmer’s Market

Farmer’s Markets are fast becoming cheap family entertainment. Whether or not you are there to buy fresh produce or homemade items, usually you will find live music and good food to make a great family outing.

Third Monday Trade Days

This is a HUGE flea market. Get there early or you will need to park across the street!

Main Street

Main Street McKinney boasts restaurants, quaint little shops and boutiques, and is also the area where you will find many of the year’s events held.

Heard Natural Science Museum

This is not expensive if you look at it as a whole, but for a family pass ($75) spread out over a year, this ends up a really great deal. There are also homeschool classes and the like available.

Grisham Farm

From 10-1 on Tuesdays, this farm (which boasts horseback riding lessons and a petting zoo as well as animal assisted learning) is open to the public. Be sure to call ahead to RSVP.

Specific Dates

Picnic in the Park

Friday, June 10, 2011, is the opening of McKinney’s The World Collection Park. McKinney has some of the loveliest Crepe Myrtles and this Picnic in the Park is a great way to see them while eating outside as a family.

Crank off

Held in Chestnut Square, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm on June 11, 2011, you can get homemade ice cream for $2-$3 a scoop. This is a great way to spend a hot Saturday!

Jammin’ in June

If your family is of the musical persuasion, McKinney hosts three groups this June at Towne Lake Park: Vocal Trash, Acoustix, and Phares Corder Orchestra. Bring your own food or purchase meals there. Held June 16, 23, and 30th from 7:30 -9 PM.

Traxxas Day in Craig Ranch (perfect for the boys)

“Come out and meet Traxxas (www.traxxas.com) – the fastest name in Radio Control on June 11 from 9am – 1pm! There will be food vendors, live demonstrations, live music and all the race cars you could possibly hope to handle! This event will be open to all of McKinney and is a great opportunity to have some fun for all ages – there will also be demo cars and tracks set up for guests to play”

Red, White and Boom

Beginning at 10AM on July 4, McKinney is providing FREE of charge a full day of activities to celebrate Independence Day. Included are a parade, car show, family activities, music, and, of course, fire works beginning at 9:45 PM.

This is NOT a complete listing of all the free and inexpensive things to do in McKinney, however I feel it is a great start for those who want to plan their staycation. This list will be updated as I become aware of things to do that are affordable for families.

On Humanness

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Kelly

It seems that no matter which road I decide to take, I am always amazed that my plans really are NOT God’s plans.

I like to call last year “The Year of My Humanness.” No, it is not that I have failed to realize that I am one of God’s creations before last year. It is more that how frail and feeble and weak I am was made more apparent to my perfectionist, slightly OCD brain.

Last year was rough, friends. My pregnancy was so overwhelming, such a flat-on-your-face reminder of how not in control I am. Everything seemed spinning towards chaos during that time and I wondered what in the world was going on. I had been every bit of the word confident with my previous pregnancies and had felt mostly great during each of them.

My husband also got a new job and we moved during last summer. As if packing and moving ourselves while pregnant in a Texas summer was not enough of a feat, the rental home we moved in to was in shambles. It was utterly filthy and smelled like dog and cat pee. It was gross, folks, and I hemmed and hawed quite a while about that. If it wasn’t for my mother-in-law who pulled out pills and trash from under the stove and cleaned cigarette tar off of cabinets and scrubbed floors, I don’t know what we would have done.

A Full Table was born and unfortunately I had to abandon it for a bit while I went through that last trimester. Hopefully it will be up and running again very soon.

I also experienced a heart-breaking situation last year that I never in my wildest dreams thought I would have to encounter. While I cannot discuss the details on this here bloggy blog, suffice it to say that it was a roller coaster of emotions that I care to never live through again.

Of course, I cannot end such a year in any other fashion than with a 7mm kidney stone needing to be surgically removed 2 days after I gave birth to my fifth child.

Yes.

Yet, there were absolutely wonderful, beautiful things that happen. Baby Wisdom Begun #5 was born at home in December.

Yeah. Pretty cute, huh?

Anyways. Back to my first sentence about roads and plans.

I am going to pick blogging back up here at Wisdom Begun. I cannot promise I’ll come up with witty stories and amazing wisdom every day. But I have missed writing and I have missed you, my friends.

I am so glad to be back.

Oh, What Joyous News!

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Kelly

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.” -Psalm127:3

It is with the most intense excitement that I announce that my husband, children, and I are expecting baby #5. We are so grateful that our prayers have been answered and that another sweet blessing is being added to our family. I covet your prayers during the early stages of this new one’s life.

Photo credit: ugaldew

A Bit of Everything

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Kelly

As is normal at this time of year our family has been battling one illness after another. These times test me to my very core, forcing me to be miserable or to choose to give up that much more of myself. Dying to self so that others may benefit. Not fun, not easy, but the benefits promised are eternal.

Today will not feature a post from me. Caring for my family while they are sick is top priority. Instead I will deal with some “housekeeping” issues for Wisdom Begun, things I want you to be aware of. Below you will find a list of things on my heart that I want to share with you and also a thing or two that I hope you will take advantage of! Enjoy your weekend with your family. I pray you will be a blessing to those God has called you to serve!

Building a community is a hot-topic in the blogosphere at the moment. I desire this personally from this blog for many reasons. I changed the focus for this blog for a reason: to serve you. You will find here my heart in this matter of raising young children. Practical tips and resources to help you will be found here. Most of all I want this to be a place of encouragement. To this end, I hope you will check out the free forum I have set up over at Blog Frog. Some topics have been posted already in order to facilitate discussion. However, you are more than welcome to start discussions of your very own. Let’s encourage and pray and love one another through this journey! You can visit the Wisdom Begun forum and check it out for yourself or you can subscribe, or do both! Don’t be afraid to post a new topic just to introduce yourself.
I will be starting a new blog chronicling new steps I am taking toward frugality as well as share deals I run across with you. I will keep you updated!
On my heart is raising daughters to become mothers and homemakers, to turn away from feminism and turn back towards the biblical role of women. I am unsure if I will make this topic a series of post, a monthly column, or a brand new blog. Again, I will keep you updated.
You may have noticed that many of my posts have been reviews lately. As my time on the TOS Crew will be ending in the next few months I will be posting less of these. I hope that you have found some of the products reviewed here helpful.
Coming up will be a series on how to use your Point and Shoot camera by a special guest poster. Have you ever desired to have gorgeous photos grace your blog posts but you do not have those fancy cameras and lenses many bloggers have? Learn how to use your point and shoot camera in order to take the best photos you can.

That is all for now. Please pray for me as I nurse back to health those dearest to me. Much love to you all!

Photo credit: svilen001

Friday Links

Posted on January 28, 2010 by Kelly

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Heather from The Mac Rak has posted an awesome listing of five great Valentine’s Day crafts to do with your children. These are perfect for “beautifying” your home. What better opportunity to discuss the immense love of God to your children as you work on these?
Need some inspiration for your homeschool room? Look no further than Ideas From My School Room 2nd Edition by Brenda at The Tie that Binds Us. (Shhh. . . don’t tell anyone, but I secretly want to be this lady when I grow up!)
I am so going to try this Egg Roll Recipe from Liz at Hoosier Homemade. I love egg rolls but I have always been a little intimidated at the thought of making them. If you try these out let me know how they turned out.
Okay, so we know that true happiness comes from a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father, but still, I wouldn’t mind one of these Coca-Cola Happiness Machines in my house. Does it change diapers and do laundry too? (Link goes to a video)
I apologize for another recipe link but I was really hungry this week. Use homemade refried beans and this Mexican Pizza would make a perfect, simple, and easy lunch for you and the kidlets. Yum!

Photo credits: getwired

New Year, New Direction

Posted on January 1, 2010 by Kelly

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Over the past year and a half since I launched Wisdom Begun, I have struggled with what exactly I should focus my blog energies on. The very idea of this blog was born from the epiphany I had one day of who I am. For me, education did not stop after college. Fascination with methods and new things and “just how does that work?” has continued. I get this from my mother and I think it is a pretty neat trait. Sharing what I learn with my bloggy friends is a great benefit. I am grateful that my desire to learn never ended once I achieved adulthood, but rather was enhanced.

Learning about this and that does not a coherent blog make, however. Streamlining topics is very important to me for two reasons:

To give people who visit my blog an expectation of what they will find here
And, to allow me to focus my time and thoughts to write posts I can be passionate about

Over the past year and a half you have read my thoughts on environmentalism, learned what my children eat, and read my reviews. Recipes pop up, I share the announcement of the birth of my youngest, I share how to menu-plan, and some really useful homeschool links are posts that you have encountered. Rarely have you known exactly what you will get when you come back for a visit. This year will be different.

How?

I told my husband last night that young mothers are the forgotten ministry. People pat us on the head, tell us it gets easier (if that!), and then go on their way. As I am in the very midst of being a young mother (I’m 29 years old and have 4 children ages 6 and under) my heart is in this stage of life. This is where God has put me and I can relate to all the struggles that being a modern stay-at-home-mom/wife entails.

So. Beginning today, January 1, 2010, you will find a blog that strives to be THE one-stop site for young mothers. You will find crafts and home education tips geared toward the younger set, short devotionals to encourage, continuation of product reviews of items that you may find useful, quick and easy meal time helps, and more. I am going to go ahead and give two disclaimers:

I am a Christian. That is my life and who I am. Any posts I publish will have that as the groundwork for what I write, regardless of whether or not I actually write about anything “religious.” I am also a SAHM who home educates her children. Many of my posts will focus on that. However, and this is a big however, it is my hope that even if you do not match exactly how I live my life that you will still get something out of this site.
I reserve the right to right about topics that may not be “on topic.” There are many things that I am passionate about. I have a major desire to learn how to garden. I also want to learn how to can. Web/blog design is a hobby. Photography with my little P&S is something I want to learn as well. In fact I have in the works right now a series of guest posts from a pretty awesome photographer. So you may find posts that go off in these directions. Like I said before, I am learning wisdom along the way. My learning style takes me in what some may call little rabbit trail directions. I like that and I hope you like the diversions, too!

Now. For your part. Ask questions, whether by emailing me or using my contact form at the top or in the comments section. I’ll get back to you either personally or maybe you will find my answer as a blog post! If you are a young mom yourself then consider this a place to find encouragement. If you are an older mom why not offer advice?

There you have it. 2010 will bring big personal changes for me as well as for this blog. Thanks for stopping by if you are new here and thanks to all of the great folks who continue to visit. I appreciate you all!

Photo credit: ba1969

Randomness

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Kelly

I cannot believe I am sharing this, but. . . .

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I have a busy day ahead of me. Anyone want to come help?

Sigh.

What do you cry out for?

Posted on October 23, 2009 by Kelly

hiking boots

Yesterday was a . . . day. Not a good day. A day in which I dwelt in funk-land. I put on my “I can do it by myself” boots and attempted to scale Mt. Funk. I even put on my special DeLusional sunglasses. I really thought it was something I could get the better of if I just did this or just did that.

I shoulda known better. Really. This mountain is unclimbable on my own and yet I never seem to remember to learn that. Inevitably I slip and slide down and I have the bruises to prove it.

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My heart was in the wrong place. Focused wholly on my poor attitude and everything that was seemingly wrong with my life I ended up pushing myself deeper down in the nasty mud of self-pity. It is never a nice place to be and like muck that has been festering for too long, it stinks.

This morning I turned to Psalm 84. Coffee in hand I had one of those slap-in-the-face moments in which the realization that I’d taken over the driver’s seat of my life. My heart was longing for self, for control, for comfort in all the wrong places.

“How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” -Psalm 84:1-2

Where is my longing, what do I focus my thoughts on? If my whole being is not crying out for the living God, then I will never conquer Mt. Funk. No way, no how.

Now if I can only remember this when I am knee deep in diapers, dishes, and a messy floor.

Photo Credit nkzs

Introducing the Wisdom Begun Kids

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Kelly

I am one of the few who do this but I never share my children’s faces or names on the groovy internet. Some people who are way more creative than I am and I am so jealous of that creative types have come up with nicknames to protect their children’s safety in the online world. I have been thinking years on this, folks.

Yes, years. Please do not laugh.

I thought a long time about this and never could come up with something that was us. It is rather sad that I have such a hard time thinking up stuff like this, but there it is. But it has finally happened. Finally Mr. Incredible and I hit upon a great slew of nicknames for our brood based on Pixar movies.

Yes, Pixar movies. Please do not laugh.

Without further ado, I present our newly-nicknamed-for-safety’s-sake children:

Sally, my six year old eldest born daughter

Dory, my four year old daughter

Mater Boy, my three year old son

and Boo, my 1 year old daughter

So when I refer to these personages as I wax verbose on my blog you will not think I am totally gone crazy.

Again, no laughing please. Unless you go into your closet to guffaw. Because I won’t hear it then.