Every morning during quiet time, I would pray for my boys to get along, for our day to go smoothly, and for them to cooperate and do their schoolwork with a good attitude. Yet day after day, this prayer wasn’t answered. Well, certainly not answered in the way I anticipated. I was continually discouraged and frustrated. What could be so bad about praying for, and having, a gloriously, cooperative day?

Then God began to show me how my prayers were a little off base. First of all, He never promises me that life will be smooth, easy, and cooperative.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Why do I expect things to go so easily? I think this is another tactic of the enemy – helping me to set up unrealistic expectations. Then when they’re unfulfilled, I am downcast, annoyed, and discontent. I really shouldn’t be surprised or confused by the trials which come my way. In fact, I am called to rejoice. Am I joyful in trials? Not usually. It just doesn’t come naturally for me. I tend towards the whining end of the spectrum.

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13

I am certainly not of higher status than Jesus. So why do I often expect to be treated better than Him, or have an easier life? I am to rejoice to the extent that I am allowed to partake of Christ’s sufferings.

Not only that, but trials bring about my maturity. Isn’t that what most of us want to see as we walk this earth robed in Jesus’ righteousness? I know that I want to be more spiritually mature. But God doesn’t just hand me a pill that I can swallow and be instantly mature. I have to be trained and refined, and in that process, I am to rejoice.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6

I am also reminded that God will give me the wisdom I need in homeschooling my boys. I know that I often lack in this area. But God isn’t stingy or secretive. He merely says to ask Him. Not only will He give wisdom, but He will give it liberally. So I don’t have to try and figure all this out on my own. He will give wisdom that’s so much better than anything the world can offer or I can figure out on my own.

The last thing I see is that I don’t often ask for the right things in my prayers. Maybe that’s why I don’t have those prayers answered in the way I want. If I’m not promised a smooth and easy life, if maturity comes through trials, and if I want wisdom that’s beyond my own limited human version, then I need to change my prayers.

James 4:3 “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

Truly, when I’m praying that our homeschool days go off without a hitch, it really is about my own comfort. It’s so much easier for me if my boys cooperate and get their work done promptly. Then I don’t have to take the time to teach those lessons about considering others before yourself, honoring others, working as unto the Lord, and dying to self. I might actually have some time to do something I want to do. But don’t I really want boys who will live according to God’s will for their lives? Of course I do. And just as I don’t receive an “instant spiritual maturity” pill, neither do they. I’m a tool in God’s hands used to train and refine them. To help them learn to walk worthy of His calling. Therefore, I will immerse myself each morning in prayer and God’s word so that I can stand and persevere in this battle for the souls of my sons.

Heavenly Father, I pray that each morning, I would be diligent to seek Your face and will for our day. Lord, help me remember to pray for strength and perseverance to stand in the battle, each and every day. May I ask for Your wisdom to know how appropriately handle the skirmishes that my boys engage in, with each other and with me. Show me how to use those moments to teach them to draw closer to You. We are engaged in a spiritual battle and I know there is an enemy of our souls who doesn’t want me to train my boys in godliness. Yet I need not fear his attacks, I need to be prepared each day, through prayer and Your word, trusting that You will equip me. Thank You for providing all that we need. Thank You for this blessed opportunity to train up my boys. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

We lied. I told you that we were going to post some polls today. Oops. That was before we all got carried away like teenagers with our microphones over at the HOTM conference room. I kid you not, people, I spent WAY too much time today - laughing at myself, plugging things in to the wrong ports on my computer, listening to many of my favorite bloggers voices… It was all just too overwhelming. And thus - nothing got done otherwise.

So here I am - way past my bedtime - letting you know that both my posts today were tardy and I have no other excuse than “Girls just want to have fun.” And I know that song dates me. It is something I have to live with. Like A.D.D. and freckles.

So maybe Dawn will post her Friday post tomorrow? And maybe she won’t…she’s traveling and helping me get our conference info ironed out. And of course there’s the equipment challenge (since I went to the office supply store today for a headset for the computer and came home with one that only works on cell phones). My husband would call that a “Heather Moment.” After quite a bit of gas money and energy was spent procuring said microphone headset, I would have to agree with him this time!

So be patient with us crazy, blog-addicted homeschool mamas. Even if we don’t have good excuses. K?

Hey - does it count that I actually taught my kids today, too? We went to co-op and had a great time learning about assembly lines, factories, cooperation, and such! Don’t forget to join Dawn and me Friday at the HOTM conference for “Blogging for Dummies” (and Dianne will be in there too, keeping us real)!

Love in Him,

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We’ve been missing some post deadlines around here due to the efforts we have been putting together behind the scenes to bring you the 2008 Blog Awards. We want you to know that you haven’t been forgotten! In fact, YOU have been very much on our minds. We plan to bring you some public opinion polls tomorrow and hope you’ll allow us to pick your brains.

While you are sitting on the edge of your seat in utter suspense, you can stop off at these Tuesday links (but be sure to meet us back here tomorrow!):

TUESDAY 7/29/08 TOUR-ISH STUFF

Dawn is giving away some classics. Any Jane Austen fans out there?

Consent of the Governed has put together an awesome Boy Scout themed Carnival of Homeschooling.

And don’t miss the Heart of the Matter Online’s conference that STARTS TOMORROW. Don’t miss out on the awesome line up of speakers (excluding Dawn and myself)… well, er, we will be speaking - but I wouldn’t call us awesome. Maybe you could call us extraordinary? Because we’ll certainly be extra ordinary. Lots of abnormal ordinaryness going on. With a Southern Twang, of course. Be sure to log on to hear us at 9:30am EST on Friday. We’ll be talking about “Blogging for Dummies”. Sunday at 3:30-4:30pm EST we are covering the topic: “Surviving the homeschool fog: destress yourself” (better known as BURNOUT). Don’t miss it! You can still get your tickets! If you don’t buy them tonight, they are going up 10$ at midnight. So get them now while they are $29.95!

Love in Him,

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I think this is a wonderful meme. I also think the HSBA needs to get in on some of these blog memes! I will be doing this on my personal blog, from a personal view, but I hope it is ok to do this one from a Homeschool Momma point of view as August approaches nearer and nearer…

FOR TODAY July 28th…

Outside My Window… A whole world full of places, flowers, creatures and other things to see and record in a nature journal on a nature walk!

I am thinking… How quickly the 2008-2009 school year is approaching and how much more I still need to plan out.

I am thankful for… children to teach, curriculum to learn by, my own time to do it on and freedom to homeschool.

From the kitchen… menus and snack plans, cooking lessons to be given, and pies and cookies to be baked.

I am wearing… the simplest feminine clothing I can comfortably teach in and still appear in public. And sometimes, when I stay home, I am still wearing my pj’s!

I am creating… a lesson plan and curriculum for the best year we have had at home yet.

I am going… to use all of the curriculum and books and workbooks I never got around to - or give them away!

I am reading… my favorite homeschool blogs (listed in my sidebar), my favorite homeschool resources to brush up on ideas I have simply forgotten, like The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach, The Charlotte Mason Companion, Teaching the Trivium and What Your Child Needs to Know When. I am also reading Rosa of Linden Castle with the HSB Literary Club. That will be changing soon.

I am hoping… Our Home Interiors Fund Raiser through my sister goes well enough to get some extra supplies for the kids this year!

I am hearing… children filled with excitement, asking if we can start school today!

Around the house… 3-ring binders, spanish books, Saxon math, Unlocking the Mysteries of Creation, A Family Guide to Biblical Holidays, A Beka workbooks, lapbooks, In the Hands of A Child Project Packs, Uncle Eric Books and plenty of whole books to read.

One of my favorite things… my laptop on which I keep my homeschool brain, complete with files, records and ideas. Also my 500 gig external hard drive so that I can take my brain from computer to computer!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Moving more books off the shelves and arranging all of the school books in the same area. Wrapping up school plans, ordering last minute items, publishing Growing in Grace Magazine and sending out email blasts about our Homeschool Fundraiser!

Here is picture thought I am sharing…

Here are the Carnivals that may interest you in your homeschooling preparations!!

Carnival of Homeschooling

current issue:
Jul 22, 2008
Life on the Road: Home Business, Homeschool, and Cats!

next issue:
Jul 29, 2008
Consent Of The Governed

current issue:
Jul 23, 2008
The Education Wonks

next issue:
Jul 30, 2008
The Chancellor’s New Clothes

Learning in the Great Outdoors

current issue:
Jun 01, 2008
The Miss Rumphius Effect

next issue:
Jul 14, 2008
Alone on a Limb

Music Education Blog Carnival

current issue:
Jul 01, 2008
So You Want To Teach?

next issue:
Aug 01, 2008
Music, Technology and Education: Mustech.net

The Charlotte Mason Carnival

current issue:
Jul 21, 2008
Praiseworthy Things

next issue:
Aug 05, 2008
Life & Love in the Rose Cottage

The Homesteading Carnival

current issue:
Jul 21, 2008
HowToMe

next issue:
Jul 28, 2008
Diary of 1

If you would like to participate in The Simple Woman’s Handbook and for Guidelines of this meme, visit The Simple Woman. If you would like to read my personal Simple Woman’s Day Book for today, you can read it at Walking Therein.

There is a meme that goes quite well with the Scripture Saturday and its called Saturday Psalm and Praise. It was originated by my Mama and she does it

every Saturday. Next Saturday join her and others with your favorite Psalm, Praise, Hymn or anything that glorifies the Lord.

So for today’s Scripture Saturday I would like to share my Saturday Psalm and Praise: This Blood.

When I was little, my favorite singer was Carman. If you don’t know who he is, you need to search his name and check out his videos on YouTube! He is so great at giving a message of Christ without being sorry for it! He is bold in his faith you and know it!
I have so many favorites from him and I hope to share them all with you because they are truly awesome! When I say awesome in that sentence I am talking about the awesomeness of our God! It really comes out in the Carman videos that God is Awesome and He is GOD!

I am going to share a video of one of Carman’s songs. It is powerful and eye-opening! You will not walk away from watching this videos without it having some impact on your life! Seriously! Please watch the whole thing!

Is that not awesome? I love it! Just a reminder of what Christ did for me a lowly sinner! THANK YOU JESUS for your precious blood!

Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Do you realize that any pain, any affliction, any sin, any sickness is already healed by Jesus’ blood? We do not have to be sick. All those stripes that He bore were so we would be healthy. If we accept Him and His salvation, we do not have to be sick. I am not saying we won’t get sick, because Satan hates healing. But when you pray in Jesus name and two or more are gathered, then it is written that Jesus will be there and He will heal you. Now healing sometimes happens automatically and others it take awhile, but it will come if you have faith and believe in Jesus’ healing power!

I am so thankful for Jesus and everything He has done for me and my life! You are awesome!

I would seriously do a YouTube search for Carman and watch his videos. His songs talk a lot about what I mentioned above!

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I have a friend who is very crafty and is always making something to beautify her home using the most inexpensive supplies. Her end product is always stunning! I just loved her most recent craft. I even made one myself and it didn’t take long at all and cost me nothing but a short walk. Take a peak!

Stitched Little Pieces ~ Flower Dryer

This week’s craft is whimsical, yet homey. A flower dryer is a place to hang flowers upside down to dry, so that the flower is preserved in a healthy state. This project will make flower drying look much more cute and desirable.

Supplies:

- Sticks - pliable sticks that will bend without breaking (I used the trimmings from one of our pear trees)
- Wire - to wrap around the sticks (I used 20 gauge)
- Wire cutters - to cut the wire
- Pliers - for twisting wire, if desired
- Twine - to wrap around wire and to give it a sweet look
- Scissors - to cut the twine

Directions:

1. Get a visual of what it is to look like by laying it out on the ground - come up with whatever shape you want it to be. While in the laying out process, I wrapped wire around the meeting place near the top of the two sides, if you have two that are needing bent and aren’t staying together, just twist the wire around them until it is stable enough to work with.
2. Begin by wrapping wire around each twig/stick intersection - several times in an X to ensure security. At this point you can twist the two wires around each other and the fold the end down, or, like I did, you can leave an inch or two of the wire to be trimmed off later.
3. After all the crossing points of the sticks are wired together tightly, go ahead and wrap it in the same way with twine.
4. Cover all signs of wire (excluding the couple inches left out for clipping later), by making X’s with the twine.
5. On the back side of the intersection, tie the two ends of twine in a tight knot.
6. Snip twine closely, but not too close. If you can see the ends from the front, that is alright, it makes it even more cute.
7. Take the wire cutters and trim off the end of the wires, close to - if not under - the twining. If the end is poking out and sharp, take the pliers and bend the wire back under the twine.
8. The back of each joined twig should look something like this.
9. This is what mine looked like before I trimmed the bottom, and wrapped twine around the joining section of the two sides (shown below).

10. Wrap the wire, all along joined area. Take the twine and lay it along the middle, leaving a tail of about three inches or more.
11. Begin wrapping twine around the sticks, covering up the twine that was laid down the middle, and leaving the tail out at the other end.
12. After covering the connected two sticks, tie a knot with the tail that was left out, and the twine that was being wrapped around. Snip close, but not too close.

This was quite fun to make, and didn’t take very long. It now resides in our kitchen, drying flowers.

Please visit Miss Emily Rose’s blog “the time that has elapsed” to see more wonderful crafts and other interesting articles! It’s one of my favourite sites to visit. She definitely has an eye for beauty.

Memos For The Week

Homeschooler in Germany to be guest on Home School Talk 2008-07-19 via Principled Discovery

European Commission to open dialogue with Germany regarding homeschooling 2008-07-18 via Principled Discovery

The 59th Carnival of Homesteading at HowToMe! If you’re looking for some interesting articles about the homestead or homemaking tips, check it out!

The 132nd COH will be held this week at Life on the Road! Please make sure to stop by and check it out for great homeschooling ideas and experiences from other homeschoolers.

Where Does Our Imported Oil Come From? 2008-07-18 via Consent Of The Governed

The View on Racism 2008-07-17 via SpunkyHomeSchool

Contests & Giveaways

HOST: Save Money
CONTEST LINK: July $25 Gas Card Giveaway!
PRIZE: a $25 gas card
HOW TO ENTER: 2 ways to enter
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CONTEST LINK: CONTEST ALERT!!!

PRIZE: a prize package worth A total value of $166!

HOW TO ENTER: See contest link

DEADLINE TO ENTER: August 9th, 2008

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HOST: mod*mom

CONTEST LINK: mod*mom summer giveaway :: education

PRIZE: a set of summer educational toys

HOW TO ENTER: visit the sponsor then tell what your favorite features + articles?

DEADLINE TO ENTER: .before midnight, monday july 21

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HOST: Life is Colourful

CONTEST LINK: Colourful Blog Anniversary Contest - Win Over $3000 in Cash and Prizes

PRIZE: Participants can win prizes worth $3000 and 6000 EC credits PLUS cash prizes, books, and more

HOW TO ENTER: see link

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PRIZE: a Scrapbook Kit from Modzy, your choice (16 to choose from) === 3 winners

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Homeschool Helps

“Considering Homeschooling” Question (Read Full Post):

I received an email from a Mom who is considering homeschooling her two sons. She, like the rest of us, wants the best for her children in the least expensive way possible!

Hi Jacque,

My husband and I are considering homeschooling our younger two boys. Hunter going into 5th grade and Daniel going into 7th grade. Currently I am looking for any way to do this cheaply. I would have loved to use the A Beka DVD series but we just can’t afford that per month. I have been teaching for 4 years a Christian school and my boys were going there. I taught a combination class of 3rd and 4th graders so I am familiar with A Beka curriculum.

Any tips on how to acquire curriculum cheaply?

If you can give me some great ideas about how you homeschool cheaply, with great resources, let the ideas fly!! If you would prefer to Email Me, that is fine too!

Here are mine:

First of all, if you know the LORD, trust Him to lead you.

Ask Him to guide your decisions and show you ways to homeschool your family. He is concerned with them and you and your relationships - your sanity! - and does want to be a part of these decisions!

Quotes From Oswald Wilde

1. A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything but the value of nothing.
2. A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.
3. A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone’s feelings unintentionally.
4. A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal.
5. A man can be happy with any woman, as long as he does not love her.
6. A man can’t be too careful in the choice of his enemies.
7. A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.
8. A man’s face is his autobiography. A woman’s face is her work of fiction.
9. A poet can survive everything but a misprint.
10. A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it.
11. A true friend stabs you in the front.
12. A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament.
13. Ah, well, then I suppose I shall have to die beyond my means.
14. Alas, I am dying beyond my means.
15. All art is quite useless.
16. All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling.
17. All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling. To be natural is to be obvious, and to be obvious is to be inartistic.
18. All that I desire to point out is the general principle that life imitates art far more than art imitates life.
19. All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his.
20. Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much.

Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary

COUNTENANCE, n. [L., to hold.]

Picture Perfect

Thank you for joining me this week for Memo Monday. I hope you found something interesting and helpful! Please leave a comment and let me know what you thought about the different topics mentioned!

Laura, Phyllis, Judy, Andrea, and Lauren. Congratulations, ladies, and thanks for your participation!

Join Sprittibee and I as we host two sessions: one on blogging and the other on burnout!

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Ephesians 4:14-15, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”

A few months ago, my husband and I drove to a town just a few hours away to hear Dave Ramsey. Dave is known for his financial topics, but on that day he said something that I have been pondering ever since. Dave said that he taught his children in their teens to establish their “no matter what’s” in life. He was referencing a situation in dating, but this principle could be applied to many different situations. I wondered to myself what my “no matter what’s” are. After spending some time thinking this concept through, I thought perhaps I should share it here, so you could also be challenged to set up your “no matter what’s.”

In the area of finances, my husband and I have determined to never again go into debt, no matter what. This means going without and planning ahead. It means staying in a house that is cramped and driving old(er) cars. It means taking large portions of any money we receive and socking it into the debt we currently have until we have paid it off.

In the area of marriage, my husband and I are committed to each other, no matter what. This means letting some things go when I really want to say something. It means embracing each other’s insecurities and inadequacies. It means loving each other even when we don’t like each other. It means forgiveness in some pretty hard areas. We are married no matter what. We are committed to that fact—even when we don’t feel very committed to each other.

In the area of children, we have been determined to have me stay at home with them, no matter what. This has been hard at times. When I first started staying at home, it looked foolish to even attempt if you looked at the numbers on paper. I am not saying every woman should stay home with her children, just like I would not say every child should be homeschooled. What I am saying is that God placed it on our hearts early on that I would be a full-time, stay at home mom. And so, we walked out that calling no matter what—even on the days when a second paycheck looked mighty good.

Most importantly, we are focused on God, no matter what. God and His word are what we turn to for wisdom and instruction in how to do life. God provides our comfort and our strength. He grows and stretches us when we need it. He rocks us in His arms when we need it. We find rest and hope in Him. We have learned what it means to lean on His everlasting arms, as the old hymn says. We must walk out His call on our lives no matter what. As we have learned to do this, we have also learned we can rely on our unchanging God as our culture seems to spin faster out of control.

As our children grow older, it will become increasingly important that we teach them to have their own set of “no matter what’s.” My prayer is that their “no matter what’s” line up with God’s, and that they are faithful to walk out theirs, based on the (hopefully good) model we as parents have set before them. I pray that I can show them how to walk when it hurts or isn’t convenient or fun. I pray that their “no matter what’s” become what they cling to as they face the storms and uncertainties of life. I pray that they allow this set of personal boundaries and parameters to define them and make them stronger. God has used my “no matter what’s” to shape who He wants me to be. I know that above all else, I will continue to stay focused on these “no matter what’s” as the future unfolds.

Hi everybody! It’s time for Tuesday Tour, which is a great way for me to procrastinate. You see, next week I am having hardwood put down on my main floor, which means that this week I have to move all my books and knick knacks and furniture somewhere else. Guess how much I’ve gotten done so far? Yep. Zippo. And I’m posting instead. Priorities, priorities.

Anyway, to start off our tour, I’d like to take this moment to highlight myself, because I can! I’m having a giveaway for my book To Love, Honor and Vacuum: When you feel more like a maid than a wife and a mother. It has a special appendix for homeschoolers, so go on over to my To Love, Honor and Vacuum blog and enter now!

Now that was something for you moms. How about something for the kids?

I don’t know about you, but now that it’s summer, I’m getting sick of my kids doing nothing all day. Well, today they’re going to help me move books, but you know what I mean. So how about finding some stuff for them to do?

High up on my list is devotions, so if you want your kids to do devotions, here are some neat sites and thoughts.

http://devos.kids4truth.com/ Has devotions for kids, but the references are in King James. Older kids recommended.

Keys for Kids, recommended by JoAnn at Homeschool Distractions, looks really fun and very visually appealing. If your kids are on the computer, you may want to check that out!

If you’re looking for Bible reading plans (I like these better than devotions; why not get right into Scripture?), Zondervan has a whole ton of them here. Some would be appropriate for middle schoolers and up.

Here’s a neat one for kids that lasts just a month, and takes them through the gospel of Mark with some good memorization on the side. You can challenge your kids to do it this summer! It’s available in five different reading levels. If your kids haven’t done regular Bible reading before, why not try this one? It’s great to get into a good habit, and even if you’re camping this summer, you can take it with you!

Now that we’ve got everyone reading the Bible, we’d better talk about taking time this summer to plan next year’s curriculum.

So how about thinking about election unit studies? Bow of Bronze is talking about one here, more for high schoolers.

Here are some good ideas from ABC teach with printables you can use, especially for younger children.

And my personal favourite, by Cindy Downes, the Presidents Unit Study. I know it’s early, but you may as well be ready as soon as September starts, because it’s going to be all over the news!

In other news, Robin at Heart of Wisdom loves the new homeschool tool bar for her computer! It organizes her bookmarks, gives to do lists, and lots more!

Under the category of why we’re glad we homeschool, I Think Therefore I Blog is talking about a case in Barrie, Ontario, where a principal reported child abuse based on a psychic’s vision. I kid you not. She heard about the story from little ole’ me. Here’s a follow up column I wrote that mentions the case.

And finally, here are my kids in the pool! Now get off the computer and go outside yourself!

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We are happy to be giving away tickets to the Heart of the Matter Online Homeschool Conference to 5 lucky readers here at the Homeschool Blog Awards!

Here’s how you win:

Just leave a comment on this post to enter. Be sure to use a valid email address.

If you would like a second chance, then post about this giveaway on your own blog and link back to this post. Leave us a second comment with a link to your post.

If you would like even more chances to win, there’s another ticket giveaway for the conference on my blog

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