Words have meaning. Sometimes those meanings change with a culture. For example, "gay" no longer means merry, cheerful, or happy; the term "liberal" hardly conjures up images of benevolence and generosity. Rather, we tend to think of greedy politicians with their hands in everyone's pockets.
Christians would do well to understand the importance of onomasiology - the study of choosing words to best express a concept. The impact of our outreach depends greatly on the words we use and how we use them - especially when it comes to current issues that are often painted in more palatable terms by the left.
If you home-school or send your children to a private, Christian school, you have the advantage of capitalizing on this opportunity as those who are sent through the public, secular system are taught to be well versed in leftist rhetoric with little room to think outside the box. One needs only to look at how passionate the average six-year-old is about saving the whales, being "green," and "celebrating diversity" with homework from books like Heather has two Mommies for verification.
Using words like "choice" to describe the murder of an unborn child, "tolerance," "diversity," and "anti-bullying" to promote homosexuality, and understanding "contraception" to be "a women's health issue," are clever ways to promote the devil's agenda under the guise of Mr. Nice Guy.
I'm all for choice, tolerance, diversity, and women's health. I differ from those who call themselves "pro-choice" because of what choice they are making. I believe tolerance or the ability to get along with those who differ from us is an admirable and biblical character quality to the extent that it does not make permissible that which God has clearly labeled as sinful. Women's health is an important issue, too important, in fact, for the government to be using the term to distribute publicly funded contraceptives in high-schools so students can "safely" engage in premarital sex.
The next time someone claims to be pro-choice or tolerant, ask them what choice they are in favor of. If they say, "A women's right to choose," ask, "To choose what?" If "Abortion." is their response, ask them what they are aborting - make them spell it out. One is forced to reconsider their position on the matter when faced with black and white terms like life and death. "Killing a child" is harder to defend then "choice."
Tommy De Seno in his article Stop Using The Words "Abortion" and "Choice" says it well, "This is the place in the conversation where you can take control of the description, because the proponents of child killing will never, ever describe it. They can't face what they favor... you will be accused of anything from being intentionally inflammatory to rude and inappropriate... This is what is most perplexing about the left: They can't bear to hear someone speak of stabbing a child to death but actually letting people do it doesn't bother then them."
At the very least, those who fund, promote, and encourage things like mass infanticide and homosexuality in our country ought to clarify their destructive agenda by sayin' it like it is. Let's take away the intentional distractions of clever guises like "choice," "tolerance," "women's health," "black markets," and shed some light on the situation by saying what we mean and meaning what we say.
Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well, Deep Roots At Home, Little Natural Cottage, Raising Arrows, Time-Warp Wife, Far Above Rubies
Like any area of life, homeschooling can quickly become a complicated monster. You can sometimes find yourself battling through the darkness in search of homeschool sanity.
We’ve been in the homeschool mentality for almost 10-years. When our oldest child was two-years-old the Lord did a whammy on my heart and introduced me to the world of home education. Boy, was I thankful, I’d get to stay home with my children everyday and learn and grow with them. I knew that I was made to homeschool our children. That sounds poetic, and truly-many days are an overflow of blessing, but honestly there are seasons in which we all need a reminder to homeschool with joy and purpose. None of us want to be the un-showered mom who is still reheating her one morning cup of coffee in the microwave at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Sometimes, I’m that mom. Here are 6 Ways to Keep Homeschool Sanity for those less-than-perfect ruts.
Take it day-by-day: You can only live this one day well. If the spelling book is screaming at you-reminding you that you’re 2-months behind-remember who is boss! You’re are in charge, not the curriculum. If pressure mounts about tomorrow and what you still have yet to do, refine your focus onto today. I’ve had to remind myself on more than one occasion to live in the moment —that’s the best place to dwell.
Homeschool year-round: After a few seasons of trying to maintain a traditional schedule, we finally moved to a year round routine. This has allowed us greater flexibility, and has additionally strengthened our homeschooling experience. By homeschooling year-round we’re able to keep our life and school intertwined without too much of the hard-line differences between “school” and “life.” And if those complications arise, see number 3.
Take a mental health day: Does today feel crazy? Did the laundry goblin ransack your laundry room and spill his carnage out into the hall? Taking a mental health day for the benefit of your family is prescribed! Develop your children’s life skills in the morning by having them roll socks; then expand their cultural horizons in the afternoon with a bowl of ice-cream and a family movie marathon. You have permission to put your feet up, too!
Don’t compare: This is a trap. Susie will always start her 5-year-old in Latin first, and most likely her son will have all of his school work independently completed by 9 a.m. I’m not Susie, and my kids were made for me to parent. The End. And this non-comparison business goes for comparing children in other modes of education as well. Your home is just that, home. Like it, learn in it, live it!
Do something different: If I need a change of flow for myself, and a field trip is not in sight, I may load the kids in the van at 8 a.m. for an impromptu morning romp at the playground. I also like to invite a few other homeschool families over for a massive fellowship day—it’s okay to change things up a bit. We have these fellowship days at least twice a month, they're vital to our homeschool health!
Remember what is really important: It’s easy to find ourselves caught up in the academic success that homeschool affords. We must remember to keep our eternal focus. I listed in the Reasons Why We Homeschool that raising our children in a Christ following, family centered, atmosphere was our purpose; to bring these young souls up in His ways. Jesus is what is really important. The salvation and training up of our children in the way they should go. All the homeschool benefits are just the cherry on top. ____________________________________________
Jamerrill Stewart is the wife to one and mother of five. You can find her most days authoring Holy Spirit-led Homeschooling where her family is living the life of faith. Also, join her Christian Homeschooling Community on Facebook.
Like many of you, we are a single-income, larger-than-average, (1.8 or more children), homeschooling family.
And both my husband and I come from a rich, Dutch heritage.
In other words, whether or not we need to be, we enjoy frugal living. I'm also a lover of nutritious, from-scratch, whole-food cooking. Overtime, we've found that you can have one and the other! Here's how we can enjoy a mainlywhole-food diet on a budget (we still eat take-out more often than I'd like to admit!).
Cheap foods that are good for you
1. Whole grains. Oatmeal, brown rice, and quinoa are cheap! For ultimate nutritional value, choose any of these grains and soak them for a hearty breakfast that'll keep you energized all morning.
For a fabulously healthy, gluten-free, blueberry-muffin smelling breakfast, pour 1 cup of steel-cut oats, brown rice, OR quinoa in a crock-pot. Add 1 1/2 cups of almond milk, 1 1/2 cups water, 1-2 Tbsp of ground flax seed, 2-3 Tbsp butter or coconut oil, 1 cup fresh blueberries, cinnamon, sea salt, and sweetener (honey, maple syrup, stevia, or brown sugar) to taste. Stir. Cook on low overnight. Alternately, try using diced apple and a handful of walnut in place of blueberries. 2. Beans and legumes. Beans are one of the cheapest proteins available and can be used to replace meat in a meal. Given a good, over-night soak in purified water, they are a highly digestible form of fiber, complex carbohydrates, iron, and folate - ideal if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
Our favorite way to enjoy beans are in chili, taco salad, and brownies (there's a Special Agent Brownie recipe in Trim Healthy Mama that's absolutely fabulous!).
3. Eggs. Eggs are one of the very few complete proteins available to us (they contain all 9 essential amino acids), contain only 70 calories, and are chock full of nutrition. Besides being excellent sources of protein and good cholesterol, they also contain iron, vitamins A, D, E, and B12, folate, selenium, and lutein.
Eggs can be cooked quickly in a variety of ways (hard or soft-boiled, fried, poached, scrambled) and provide great structure and texture when added to baked goods.
We enjoy them on their own and in omelettes, crepes, breakfasts bakes, and pizza crust.
Foods worth paying more for
No matter how tight our budget, there are certain foods I don't cheap out on as we feel the extra dollars are insignificant compared to the health benefits. We'd rather "pay the farmer than the pharmacy," as the saying goes.
1. Oil. It's a safe bet that anything you can get in a big plastic jug for $4 is not good for you. Vegetable oils and margarine derived from cheaply grown or genetically modified plants like sunflower, corn, soybean, canola, safflower have little nutrition to begin with and are chemically altered and deodorized in order to make them palatable. Our bodies were not meant to consume them.
Opt instead for healthy saturated fats that are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. These include butter (preferably organic), coconut, olive, and red palm oil. 2. Fresh, local, organic produce. We can't afford to purchase all of our produce this way, but we try our best to grow or purchase the infamous "Dirty Dozen" organically as these fruits and vegetables contain the highest pesticide residue otherwise:
Peaches
Apples
Celery
Peppers
Nectarines
Strawberries
Pears
Cherries
Spinach
Lettuce
Potatoes
Grapes
12 fruits and vegetables that contain the contain the least contamination we don't worry about paying the organic price-tag for:
onions
avocado
sweet corn
pineapples
mango
asparagus
bananas
cabbage
broccoli
papaya
kiwi
3. Dairy products and alternative beverages. Although we use several cultured forms of dairy, we don't drink animal milk products as they are difficult for the body digest. If it was legal to purchase raw cow's milk, we would certainly give it a try!
Instead, we use coconut or almond milk. They contain high levels of vitamins A & D and are lactose free. They cost slightly more than pasteurized, hormone enhanced cow's milk, but since we rarely use it for more than our morning smoothie, we don't notice a difference in our grocery bill.
As our budget allows, we try to purchase higher quality dairy products like kefir, greek yogurt, cream and cottage cheese. 4. Meat. Cheaper cuts of meat are usually that way because they come from animals that are pumped full of genetically modified grain products, growth hormones, and antibiotics - the sole purpose of which is to fatten an animal up as quickly as possible for slaughter. Food Inc. is a fascinating documentary that explains how the food industry is making us sicker, fatter, and poorer through this process.
Although more expensive, grass-fed, locally raised, organic beef and chicken is a far more nutritious alternative and of much less consequence to your health. 5. Sweeteners. Sugar is cheap, appeals to our pallet, and is easy to come by. Consequently, diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart failure, and a host of other health concerns are also the norm. We stay away from refined sugar as much as possible and use raw honey, pure maple syrup, and stevia instead.
While they should still be used in small quantities, these sweeteners contain healthy enzymes and minerals which are difficult to get from other foods. They also have a healthier Glycemic Index which means they don't mess with your blood sugar levels in the same way refined sugar does.
Where to get healthy food for less
1. Garden. Anyone can grow their own produce, even a little bit. Be it a pot on the balcony of your apartment or a 3 acre market garden, all you need is some seed, soil, water, and sun and you're in business.
We put in a large raise bed last year for free - my husband made a tarp in exchange for a truckload of triple-mix and I used the gift cards I got for my birthday to purchase our seeds and plants. 2. Farmer's Market. Farmer's markets are great places to find local, seasonal produce, cure meats, eggs, honey and maple syrup at a fraction of the price you find in the store. Plus, farmers generally care about individual relationships with their customers and often offer a faithful buyer further discounts and "throw in a little extra." 3. Local Farmer. In the fall, we often purchase 1/4-1/2 a cow from a Christian farmer who grows his beef organically. We get to choose how we'd like it butchered and our freezer is well stocked for several months. We estimate purchasing our meat this way saves us 30% of the store price.
If we had the space for it, we'd love to keep our own chickens. We go through plenty of eggs around here! Thankfully, they are cheap to come by! We buy them from Brad's co-worker whose family keeps organically raised laying hens as a sideline business.
In the summer, we pick our own berries, freeze most of them, and turn some into sauce or jam. A relative of ours keeps a bountiful raspberry patch where we can come and go as we please.
It didn't work out last year because of pregnancy complications, but this summer, my mom, sisters, and I plan on putting up other produce from local farms that we don't grow ourselves: peaches, pears, carrots, pickles, etc.
4. Bulk Stores. I buy most of our grain from The Bulk Barn. We often receive coupons for $3.00 off a purchase of $10.00 or more (which I can easily spend in one visit!). I blend whole kernels with my Wondermill and the stuff I purchase pre-ground (flax), I purchase in small quantities as it goes rancid quickly. I purchase my organice herbs, teas, sea salt, and spices from The Bulk Herb Store.
I also purchase soap and other dried goods here like coconut, almonds, walnuts, and cranberries. 5. Grocery Store. You can save money at the grocery store by using coupons, ad-matching, checking the clearance shelf, and purchasing store-brand non-perishables like brown rice and tomato paste.
The clearance shelf where everything is ripe and ready, is a wonderful place to get greatly discounted produce. If you have a juicer, freeze your juice into Popsicles for a healthy summer treat or into ice cubes for slushies. Peppers and onions can be cut up and bagged for pizza toppings, apples turned into sauce, and mushrooms sauteed in butter for a fine steak topping. 6. Online. I must admit to rarely purchasing groceries online. I prefer to see the product myself. The exception to this is the extra virgin coconut oil I get from Tropical Traditions. The quality is truly remarkable. We use it a lot, especially in desserts like Chunky Cream Pops, Skinny Chocolate, and Peppermint Patties. I'm thankful it regularly goes on sale for 40-50% off.
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. I humbly thank you for your support! Linking to: Mind Body Sole, Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Frugally Sustainable, Natural Living Raising Arrows, Time Warp Wife, Far Above Rubies, Homestead Barn Hop, The Better Mom,
My husband and I, both unbelievers at the time, decided to end our fertility after having two children. Our reasons…we had one of each (a boy and a girl), my health had not been good during our pregnancies, our marriage wasn’t the greatest, and honestly, the whole “stay at home mom” thing wasn’t all that fun!
Fast-forward one year after the vasectomy...
The Lord had opened our eyes to Him. We were heavily convicted to reverse what we had done. It was not an easy process but by many miracles the Lord worked through the hands of a doctor to fix what we had decided to break.
“I praise you Lord for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). Being fixed didn’t necessarily mean more children. Fixed meant that our marriage union had been restored to the way God had designed it. To be able to give yourself completely to one another defines the “oneness” that God speaks of in Genesis. “The two shall become one.” (Genesis 2: 24b)
God in His timing did decide to open my womb. Nine months after the reversal we found out that we were expecting. This third pregnancy (and first reversal miracle) brought such joy to my heart. Along with the joy also came major health issues. This was one of the many reasons we had the vasectomy to begin with. However, I looked upon the complications so differently this time around because God had really opened my eyes to His purposes for my life. I was created by Him and for Him AND for His glory. He made the reversal happen, and He chose to create new life within me. I honestly was not bothered by my severe high blood pressure. I knew that God was taking good and perfect care of me.
Needless to say the gift of faith in Him that He had given me carried me through that very difficult pregnancy. When we made it to delivery, my blood pressure had rocketed to new levels - 220/130. The hospital stay was one to remember as they tried to pad the bed and strap me down anticipating that I would start having seizures.
Luke Isaac was born by cesarean section (just as the first two had been). He was healthy and absolutely beautiful! Luke, one of the gospel writers in the New Testament, was a physician. Since the Lord worked through a physician to heal my husband, we decided to name our baby boy, Luke. Isaac means laughter. If you had told us when we had gotten married that we would have had more than two children, we both would have laughed!
Shortly after Luke was born, we were warned heavily against having more children. My husband and I had already been down that road and decided we were not taking charge of our fertility ever again. With that being said, we were told that we should find out what was going on. What was causing these very high sporadic blood pressures that would typically begin around week twenty in all three of my pregnancies? Our OB referred us to another Dr. for some lab work. Our OB had indicated to us that twenty years prior she had delivered a baby, and the mother had very similar issues during pregnancy. This particular patient though went into a coma right after delivery and died three months later. My OB discovered that her patient had a very rare tumor known as a Pheochromocytoma. I of course thought my OB was crazy to even suggest I had a tumor that acted up only when pregnant. But since we were going to remain open to children, it was worth us checking into.
Wouldn’t you know it! After some testing, we soon found out that I did indeed have this rare and life threatening tumor. Three months after Luke had been born, I had surgery to remove the 5cm tumor that was encapsulated in my right adrenal gland. The reason my blood pressure started rising around the twenty-week point was because the baby then had enough weight to apply pressure to this adrenaline releasing tumor!
Indeed the Lord saved my life through childbirth!!! “Yet she will be saved through childbearing.” (1 Timothy 2:15) If we had not had the reversal and our third baby, we would never have discovered that I had this life threatening tumor.
Three months after the tumor was removed we found out that we had been blessed again with baby number four and a complication free pregnancy! After baby number four-came number five and after number five-came number six! Number six is scheduled to make His appearance the first week in August.
Ellie (2nd born) and Marah Joy (4th born)
Connor (1st born) and Luke (3rd born)
Lucy (5th born) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Malachi Jacob (6th being knit in my womb) His name comes from Malachi 2:15…Hasn’t He made the two of you one? Both of you belong to him in body and spirit. And why has he made you one? Because he was looking for godly children.
Has it been an easy road? No. Are my pregnancies a walk in the park? No. Do I get scared sometimes and question? Of course I do! But the facts remain…God’s Word is true and never changes. He restored my marriage by literally pulling us both from the slimy pit. He made us whole (as He created us to be). He opened our eyes to His blessing of children. May He continue to give me the faith to offer my life as a living sacrifice to Him and His Kingdom!
*Note: The Dr. we used for our vasectomy reversal was Dr. Leverett. He does reversals as a ministry and at low costs. You can find more information as his website: http://reversals.com/ ______________________________________________________
Angela is the wife of her best friend Ken for 11 years and the mother to six children, four of which are post-reversal blessings! She enjoys being a homemaker and delights in finding new things to craft, bake, or sew. Occasionally, you can find her posting at Angela's Sewing For Sanity.
Virgin Coconut Oil is a staple in our house. I use it for everything from cooking chicken, adding good fat to my morning smoothie, making our own hand cream and lip balm, and best of all...
... in the Skinny Chocolate recipe from Trim Healthy Mama! This is the best, healthiest, yummiest chocolate you will ever eat! Guaranteed. We can't get enough of it and that's okay, because it's actually good for you! Skinny Chocolate Recipe from Trim Healthy Mama, pg. 371
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup Virgin Coconut Oil
NuNaturals (stevia) or other natural sweetener to taste
Bring Coconut oil to liquid state by gently warming in a double boiler over a stove top. Add cocoa powder and sweetener to taste (we like it dark). Line a plate or container with wax paper and pour chocolate mixture on top. Freeze until solid. Refrigerate if you like a softer chocolate. Break off piece and enjoy! Optional: add nuts, cranberries, or seeds to chocolate before freezing. Our Virgin Coconut Oil of choice comes from Tropical Traditions.
Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?
You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:
Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.
Photo source: Getty Images When we were on our honeymoon, I picked up a bacterial infection. I couldn't keep anything down and spent a day in the hospital on IV. The doctors gave me an antibiotic designed to kill the bacteria. I took it as prescribed, but the problem got worse. I sought the advice of a Doctor of Natural Medicine who suggested I take Black Walnut tincture. The infection was gone in two days.
A few months later, Brad lost thirty pounds in three months (and he didn't have a pound to spare in the first place). He saw multiple specialists and had every test under the sun. No one could make a diagnosis. He was eventually told, "Maybe this is your ideal weight. Not everyone is meant to be the same size." Another doctor recommended that he should start drinking Boost to gain weight.
We took a look at the ingredient list and were shocked to discover that the first three ingredients were water, sugar, and corn syrup which made up 47% of the actual serving! That's equivalent to swallowing your vitamins with a 237ml glass of water containing 7 teaspoons of sugar.
Brad wanted to gain the weight back but in a healthy way. He chose not to drink Boost. We quit going to doctors and started doing our own research. For two years, we tried various diets and eventually eliminated gluten, and limited corn, and cow's milk (we still love dairy, just not store milk itself). I started making smoothies full of good fat and kefir for breakfast and he started taking probiotics with his meals. We still have a long way to go, but he's slowly putting the weight back on.
When our then 18 month old son started getting chronic ear infections (at least one a month), we took him to a specialist. He said our son would eventually grow out of it, but in the mean time, we could either choose to have tubes put in his ears, or relieve the pain with Tylenol and Motrin. I knew Tylenol and Motrin would do nothing more than mask the real problem and was concerned with the toxic effect regular doses of ibuprofen would have on his liver and kidneys. A friend of mine recommended I take him to the chiropractor. After a series of four adjustments, he hasn't had an ear infection in over a year.
When our daughter was born 6 weeks premature, I was denied the right to breastfeed our daughter because the nurses said she would burn too many calories if I let her work for it instead of using the tube for feedings like they recommended. My midwife was happy to intervene on our behalf and when I finally got the chance to breastfeed our little girl, she gained four ounces overnight - more than she had gained on the tube since birth!
We were told our youngest baby's life was not "viable" (worth trying to save) until I reached 24 weeks; I hemorrhaged nine-days postpartum after a botched manual placenta removal; our ex-gynecologist had no problem delivering a child in one room and aborting another in the next.
Doctors are but men.
They have helped us on many occasions and to a large extent, we place a lot of faith in their expertise. However, we must be careful not to credit them with an infallibility they do not have, and remember that it's an individual's right and responsibility to choose who they trust with their healthcare.
We've been reminded many times over the past few years that the best men are men at best. Doctors make mistakes, just like everybody else. They don't have a solution to everything, and often their solutions are atomistic instead of holistic. If that's what you like, it's not a problem, but if your philosophy of healthcare has got you believing that we ought to focus on healing the root cause of a malady in addition to providing symptomatic relief, then it makes sense to investigate alternatives to conventional medicine.
It's odd to me that our advocating the use of natural means (which have proven to be effective and superior to conventional medicine several times in our experience) can bring out the worst in people. There seems to be some sort of understood rule that if you don't put all your money on a conventionally trained M.D. from the Mayo clinic, you must therefore be a fringe greenie who will drink herbal concoctions to the death!
We make our healthcare decisions based on a position somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. I'm not comfortable putting all my eggs in a basket I've seen break before, and I'm skeptical of advice that comes from a doctor who doesn't believe all of life is sacred, beginning at conception and ending with natural death.
I don't trust natural "medicine" doctors who believe the power to heal lies within yourself (this philosophy contradicts everything Scriptural), and I don't buy the lie that you can discredit diet, exercise, and proper hygiene so long as you take several handfuls of supplements and chug them down with a bottle of Pepsi. With conventional medicine now the third leading cause of death killing 225,000 people each and every year as recognized by the Journal of the American Medical Association and half of doctors routinely prescribing drugs they know won’t work, learning to stand up for yourself in any sort of medical situation and not take advice blindly can be a lifesaving skill. An informed patient is no doubt a doctor’s worst customer.~ The Healthy Home EconomistSo, who do we trust?
That's for you to decide, but these are a few principles our family tries to take into consideration when we have a decision to make regarding our health:
Find a Christian, pro-life doctor who respects your parental rights and invites inquisition. If your doctor ignores your questions, fails to give straight answers, or gets agitated when you don't immediately jump at his offer to write up a prescription, it's time to find someone who treats you like a human being instead of another cog in the wheel. Get a second opinion, and a third, and a fourth. I feel more confident of a diagnosis and prescription if multiple doctors are in agreement. If four doctors tell me four different things, I don't know who to believe and start seeking the counsel of others who have been in a similar situation. Seek counsel from seasoned mothers. Is there anything more sincere than a mother's love for child? Mothers who have dealt with a sick child are usually well-studied in all the different options available, and tend to have an empathetic heart to go along with it. Do your own research. By that I mean, don't believe everything you read online. Study reputable sources, consult with herbalists, chiropractors, nurses, nutritionists, doctors, and homeopaths. Self-educate and become well-rounded so you can make an informed decision. Trust your intuition. God gave that to you!
Pray! Too often I forget that the miracle worker of Nazareth is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). God is not limited by time, space, medicine, or a diagnosis. He invites us to touch the hem of His garment when we've spent all our living searching for answers and finding none (Matthew 5:25-29). Remember that God has all our days planned. I can't explain the paradox of God's Sovereignty and man's responsibility, but it's a comfort, not a curse, to know that even though the responsibility of their healthcare falls into my lap, God entrusted them into our care after He had planned out all their days (Psalm 139:16). Not a hair can fall from their head without His permission (Luke 12:7). Recommended Resources:
Treating Fevers Naturally by Meagan Vissers, RN, FH. Meagan is a Christian friend of mine who has been trained in both conventional and herbal medicine. The information in her eBook was the answer to my concerns about Tylenol and Motrin's effect on our organs, and gave me a plethora of effective, natural solutions.
Treating Fevers Naturally taught meeverything the doctor didn't:what a fever is and why it’s a good thing; what’s going on with your child when they have a fever; what the difference is in “degrees” of fever; the concerns of fevers and how to deal with them appropriately; the difference in medical vs. natural treatment options; and natural treatments for bringing a fever down and making your child comfortable.
Treating Fevers Naturally sells for $14.97, but the education and confidence it gives a mother in charge of her child's health is priceless.
The Bulk Herb Store. The Bulk Herb Store is a Christian, family-run business that sells a vast collection of organic herbs and teaches people how to use them for practical and medicinal purposes.
I used their herbs to help a complicated pregnancy, and to make the post-partum herbal bath I enjoy after each child is born. Their book, Making Babies, taught me how to make my own herbal tinctures and salves and how and when to use them. I also use their spices and sea salt in my baking and cooking.
Other hugely informative books and videos they carry include:
Be Your Own Doctor by Rachel Weaver
Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride MD, MMedSci(neurology), MMedSci(nutrition)
Herbal Antibiotics by Stephen Harrod Buhner
Herbal Antivirals by Stephen Harrod Buhner
Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar
Practical Herbalism by Phil Fritchey
The Green Pharmacy by Dr. James A. Duke
The Herbal Drugstore by Linda B. White, M.D., Steven Foster.
Trust Your Intuition by Jenni Wilson, M. H., wife of an M.D. Trust Your Intuition is the combined work of several Christian medical experts (three of whom are my personal friends), and seeks to provide balanced, grace-filled, information regarding both conventional and alternative medicine.
It offers easy ways to protect yourself and family from synthetic medicine and it's negative side effects, help you avoid toxic treatments, and choose natural therapies that have proven to be effective in homes all across the country.
The Maker's Diet by Jordan Rubin, Ph.D., N.M.D. We were thrilled to discover this book shortly after Brad's weight reached an all time low. Most diet books are designed to help people lose weight, but The Maker's Diet is the story of how Jordan Rubin, a once healthy young man in his prime, who experienced the same kind of weight loss as my husband and was eventually given up on for dead by several doctors.
He started patterning his diet and nutrition according to principles he discovered in the Bible, attained his ideal weight, and wrote about his journey in book that has helped people boost their immune systems, improve their physical appearance and digestion, regain their energy, and reduce their stress.
We don't follow The Maker's Diet explicitly, but it was the foundation for much of our diet change and investigation into holistic healthcare.
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(Our family in 1997) There are days when I struggle to be the 60-year-old mother of three active and involved young adults, aged 19, 19, and 21, but as my husband and I look back over what the Lord has done, we marvel at God's grace and mercy! We can't imagine life without these young people!
There is great joy in what the Lord has done for us... for you see, we were married for almost 19 years before we had the blessing of a child! The reason? We had not obeyed God's commands, and we suffered consequences that would reach over many years. In some ways, those consequences still continue today, though forgiven.
I will tell you the sad story.
The early 50s, when we grew up, saw increasing prosperity. After the terrors and hardships of WWII, families in the U.S. were focused on getting that new dishwasher, television, and maybe, even two cars. Women were leaving home for the job market in record numbers to have the extras.
(My family) Then in the 60s and 70s, rebellion and 'free love' on college campuses exploded onto the scene. Most parents were totally unprepared to deal with it all, and thus, by default, didn't. Busy with earning a living, many parents were out of touch with the social pressures their young people faced, the anti-God stance in schools, and the growing fractures between generations.
(We are in the couple in the middle; not too serious about life) My husband and I both had parents who loved us, but their generation generally did not find it easy (or were unaware of the need) to discuss deeper issues with their young people.
While on campus, we 'married' ourselves (without family or friends) in a chapel before 'God' on the I.U. Bloomington campus, and I lived in the frat house from Thursday to Sunday night. Life was all partying or studying. This was not at all abnormal during those years ('69-73) in the middle of the sexual revolution, the Vietnam War, Woodstock, and and the devaluation of life with the Roe V. Wade decision (1973).
Immediately out of nursing school, my boyfriend (now my husband of 38 years) and I lived together as did many, but certainly not all, of our classmates. We finally did get properly married, much to my mother's relief. We were 21 and 22.
Upon graduation as an RN, I worked in open-heart surgery at a large metropolitan hospital. Occasionally, when there was a need for extra personnel in the abortion area of that hospital, I would be called on to assist as were other surgical nurses. Even after being raised in a private Christian school environment (and calling myself a Christian), I was unable to apply the things I studied in my catechism class to real life decisions. I was for all practical purposes "dead in my trespasses and sins."
"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—" ~Eph. 2: 1 I am ashamed to say that we had an abortion several years into our marriage. We had bought into the worldly view of living for ourselves, careers, money, and things.
Two decisions forever changed the direction of my life~ 1.) breaking God's protective commands regarding the sacredness of marriage (having sex before marriage) and 2.) disregarding the sanctity of life (participating in and having an abortion). I didn't know it would affect my health, my fertility in years to come, or undermine our own self-respect or our respect for each other.
Nevertheless, God faithfully lead us to a solid Bible-believing church, and I finally accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at 29. By this time, I was really suffering emotionally. The pain got my attention. You can't tell me that abortion doesn't mess you up! I had already had several miscarriages and knew there were other things wrong.
The worst were flashbacks to assisting in a surgical abortion one day at the hospital where I found a perfect, tiny hand less than the size of a dime stuck to the side of my gloved hand. It is terrible to remember it. I ran out of the OR and refused to go back. It has taken years for those scars to heal. I learned the value of human life in a split second. It wasn't tissue to me anymore; it was a baby!
Now slowly my perspective changed. My whole being desired to be a mother, to bring forth new life within our marriage and before God. And we could not! Years went by with several more miscarriages. We did two home-studies in order to adopt, one Korean, and one local, but the Lord chose to close the doors. These are stories in themselves... Many, many people at our church and other friends were praying for us.
After 8 years of pursuing medical help to conceive (Clomid and surgeries for endometriosis), and then 4 years off, I got a call from a surgeon I worked with who told me about a new procedure called GIFT (gamete intra-fallopian transfer). I was working nights, 7 days a week, to afford the earlier procedures since insurance wouldn't pay for infertility treatment. I felt the clock ticking the years off my life...
After much prayer and many tears, we decided to go ahead. The first GIFT produced 2 tiny heart beats seen on ultrasound at 4+ weeks. One was in the (wrong) fallopian tube... the damaged tube! We had a tubal pregnancy which is dangerous, but both babies failed to grow. It was so discouraging: over $11,000 and nothing to show for it, but stress and grief and high levels of drugs (Metrodin, Lupron, and Pergonal).
I was determined to continue since there was a 36% chance in those days of delivering a live baby. We were told there was no other way.
(I clung to the verses of Isaiah 54: 11-15, especially verse 13) The second attempt went perfectly in every way. Twins! We were SO excited! My middle quickly got big, but in the fourth month I realized I was not growing in measurement. I was getting smaller!
(Two babies) A hastily arranged ultrasound revealed that one of the little lives I carried had died several weeks before. We saw a separate sac with little bones, and were told our second baby might miscarry, too. We were crushed, and I was in anguish. I was guilty of all those earlier years, and just knew I was being punished.
I almost forgot about the life within me as I focused on the loss. "Why God?" Satan almost destroyed my joy, except that Jesus is greater! "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5: 8)
Later, even though our other baby would be fine, I felt such frustration because if we didn't want an only child, we would have to go through another of these uniquely stressful procedures with all the costs, shots, and stress leading up to it. Then once the procedure is over, there is the waiting for that determining ultrasound to give you the news, good or bad!
Having a baby can easily become an idol! I had to get over it so I could focus on having a joyful heart for my husband and new son. It was the will of a loving, sovereign God, and His comforting presence was very real. "... give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." ~1 Thessalonians 5: 18
Finally, the day arrived, and the Lord in His mercy gave us a beautiful, healthy son. My aching arms were filled, and we dedicated him to the King of Kings for His glory!
I can't describe the joy and wonder of it all. We had been married 19 plus years!!
My doctor said I was 'jump-started' with all the hormones, so we did a third GIFT to give our new son a little brother or sister. We were blessed with adorable, healthy twins exactly two years later. We praise God for His abundant grace and mercy!
Now I value life!
It has been a long road to forgiving myself for assisting in and having an abortion, but I found the Lord has welcoming arms to forgive us when we come to Him in repentance. We are sinners, but by His grace, we have hope... and now can see His guiding hand in it all. Thank You, Lord, for birthing in us new life, spiritually and physically! "... I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live." ~Deuteronomy 30: 19
The takeaway: We have been able to share with our children (appropriately, through time) the curses we had brought upon ourselves. That has protected them, to a large degree, from repeating the same mistakes which we made. It is a blessing to tell them of the mighty things that the LORD has done for us while we were yet in unbelief and of the restoring power found only in trusting Christ Jesus. Today we enjoy a rich relationship with each of our children by the grace of Almighty God. I share this with you to encourage and strengthen YOU that no matter where you find yourself, our gracious God is always at work. Never give up hope, dear one. ______________________________________________
For 38 years now, I have been first a wife, but also a teacher of our children in the home. Now a new season is here, and with the blessing of my husband, I write DeepRootsAtHome as an encouragement to myself and others. (Titus 2: 3-5) What I share will be varied and practical…focused on being a good steward at home, of our time, and our relationships…but I also love to do things that bring beauty and order to our hectic lives and reflect God’s creativity. Oh, may we learn how important our jobs are as we become older women of God to speak into the younger woman! The habits of the home in one generation become the morals of society in the next. As William Ross Wallace said: “The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world.” 10 May, 1996 Washington Times.
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Holy Spirit Led Homeschooling, The Modest Mom, Raising Arrows, The Better Mom, A Mama's Story, Time-Warp Wife, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well, A Wise Woman,
I'm no prophet, but excepting Christ's return, our children have a very bleak future ahead of them.
They will grow up in the most godless state their country has ever been in; they will inherit a debt load that will enslave them to the government through astronomical taxes for their entire lives; there will be too few of them to adequately support the health-care of the dying Baby Boomer generation; they will live in a world where the murder of unborn babies and people who have "lost their dignity" is normal while the right to defend and protect their own families will be taken away; they will live in a country that somehow tolerates homosexuality and radical Islam while dismissing anything God's Word says as hate speech.
At first glance, it's easy to understand why one would take action to prevent any of their own children to be born into a society that's "going to hell in a hand-basket."
However, there have been many times in history where God's people had an equally good excuse not to procreate. The persecution of Christians under King Nero, The Protestant Church in France during the 17th and 18th centuries, World War I and II, The Great Depression - these are periods in history where it was much harder to be a Christian compared to the relative freedom we enjoy now.
Take the story of Moses for example. If ever there was a time in history where it could be considered completely irresponsible and irrational to have children, this was it. 400 years of slavery to the Egyptians under some of the cruelest conditions imaginable - who could blame the Israelites if they decided that surely God didn't mean for them to keep bringing children into such a terrible world! "Be fruitful and multiply" must have been meant for periods of peace and prosperity.
Not only did the Israelites obey during their frightful circumstances, but the more they were persecuted and afflicted, the more they multiplied! Pharaoh's attempt to rid himself of the Israelite nation by literally working them into the ground was met with supernatural fertility among the people of God (Exodus 1:12).
To combat the influx in birth rates, Pharaoh ordered the midwives tokill the male children as they were being born to mothers still on their birth stools (Does this ring a bell? Sound anything like the partial birth abortions Obama is in favor of?). Again, God gave His people exceptional labors and deliveries so that the midwives, when asked why they let the male children live, had to explain, "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them (Exodus 1:19)."
We know how the rest of the story goes. Eventually Moses was born to lead God's people out of slavery to the Promised land, flowing with milk and honey. Through times of bondage and affliction, trials and persecution, God faithfully provided and the Israelites continued to multiply. Who are we to assign limits or terms to God's commands just because money is tight, impending judgment is on our country, or the survival of the nuclear family seems impossible?
No matter what circumstance we find ourselves in, we ought to obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). The second we think, "You've got to use your head. God gave you a brain for a reason," and rely on our own understanding instead of acknowledging God to direct our paths, we dismiss God's unchanging faithfulness, compassionate mercy, and amazing grace for a humanistic, self-absorbed agenda that makes the devil dance.
Satan hates it when God's people multiply! What a sinking feeling it would be to witness the birth of a covenant child into a family who serves the Lord and relies on His saving grace when your mission is to rob God of His glory by destroying His people! Christians have every reason to "be fruitful and multiply" because it is the nature of our God to bless the future generations of righteous parents who diligently teach His ways to their children (Psalm 14:5; Proverbs 20:7; Isaiah 44:1-3).
Neither a balanced budget, nor a heterosexual nation will be able to save the souls of our children. I can't save them, homeschooling can't save them, church can't save them. I'm not worried about bringing babies into our world because the One who has the power to deliver them from eternal death, also has the power to raise up Moseses, Billy Grahams, preachers of righteousness, godly mothers, and Presidents who fear the Lord. I have no reason to doubt His timing, grace, mercy, or faithfulness. The children who are born to us, are born "for such a time as this (Esther 4:14)."
1. Bible There is only one thing needful in a child's education: the Lord Jesus Christ. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are all very important, but of what eternal purpose do they serve if our child's soul is lost? Don't get me wrong; we can't save our children. Their salvation rests solely upon the grace of God. But instructing our children in the paths of righteousness is a parental commanded uttered from the mouth of God that we must obey - for our sake, and more importantly, so that our children would be given every opportunity to enter into a saving relationship with their Creator. (Ephesians 2:8; Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:6-7) How To Produce Godly Children is one of the best articles I've ever read on the subject.
Not to mention, that Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16). It is here where our children will learn God's pattern for society, how we are to live and work, and all that makes for a peaceful and joy-filled life.
2. Reading and Writing God has chosen to reveal Himself in His written Word which we are commanded to read. From the plumber who writes out a bill, to the pastor in the pulpit, to the mother who reads bedtime stories to her children, reading and writing are life skills used every day by people everywhere. These are the greatest gifts you can give your children. With them, they will be able to discover the Word of God for themselves, engage in every other secondary subject (science, history, foreign languages, etc.), and accomplish necessities like writing out checks, following a recipe, and filling out health card forms, etc.
3. Mathematics Though perhaps not consciously, people use math skills everyday in construction, cooking, banking, and grocery shopping. Basics like adding, subtraction, multiplication, and division allow the homemaker to be a prudent spender (and saver), and enable most men to land a job and excel in the workplace.
4. Their individual, God-given gift If your daughter is naturally fascinated with horses, run with it! Delving into something she loves can be the most effective means of teaching her about everything else she thinks she's not interested in. You can't learn a lot about one subject without learning something about the others.
What about all the other subjects and how do you teach them so that it sticks?
As much as I hated it, I aced biology in school merely so my grades would stay high. Ask me to name the parts of a dissected frog now I'll give you a blank stare. I had no purpose for it. I knew how to memorize something just long enough to pass a test.
Show me an ultra-sound, on the other hand, and I could probably tell you the gestational age of the baby. I know what the purpose of a placenta is and what it looks like, why I need a rhogam injection each time I get pregnant, what a molar pregnancy is, and what happens when the body miscarries a child. I know these things because I love babies. I've experienced the miracle of childbirth and have grieved at the loss of life inside my womb.
History, Science, Handwriting, grammar, music, art - I would love it if each one of my children excelled in these subjects, but I know they'll survive if they never manage to sing on key, speak French fluently, or understand the recessive genes in fruit flies. These facts are merely useless trivia that will be forgotten soon after the assignment has been handed in unless they know why or how it relates to real life. Focus on their God-given strengths and they'll learn something of all these things in the process.
Can she develop her math skills by calculating how many square feet a pasture for five thoroughbreds needs to be? At $X per eight feet of fencing, what would the total cost be? Could she describe the thrill of winning her first race for a creative writing practice? What new words from the thesaurus could she learn how to spell to replace the ones in her story to make it even more exciting? Does she know how often the horse is mentioned in the Bible or what it is compared to? How has man's use of the horse shifted over the years? Could she make a historical timeline that documents the major changes? Is it possible to watch a foal being born at a nearby barn? Have her look at various horse paintings by different artists. What style does she gravitate to? What influenced the artist's rendering? Could she go riding for a few hours every week or help muck stalls for exercise?
Now you've got a child who's thrilled about learning because it involves something in His Creation that God has given her a passion about. Horses maybe just a quarter inch in the string of things there are to lean about, but her knowledge is a mile deep and in the process, she has learned valuable Math, English, Bible, Science, PE, History, and Art skills that she will never forget. Find out what your child is interested in and facilitate experiences in that area.
As ya'll are probably well aware of if you've ever visited my blog... I LOVE... ADORE... OBSESS... over boudoir dolls! I don't know what it is about them that draws me like a magnet? Perhaps it's that they represent one of my favorite time periods in history... the roaring 20's. Outside of 18th century France, the 20's are my favorite time period. It was such a period of change with the "flapper" redefining womanhood and the dawn of jazz and art deco. (two of my other favorite things) These lady dolls were not created for children. They were often naughty minxes smoking cigarettes with "come hither" eyes and lounging silk pajamas. Every chic Miss of the 20's would have had at least one (or more) adorning her bed or vanity. One could often purchase the doll unclothed and then demonstrate one's fashion sense as well as sewing accomplishment. I look at each doll as a little piece of art. My favorite dolls are those that resemble Marie Antoinette (combining both of my favorite time periods *winks*) My little collection has grown since my last post about them HERE so I would like to share some more of my dolls with you.
There are a gazillion pictures! So I hope you don't mind? If you love dolls please go grab yourself a cuppa and relax for a while! If dolls aren't your thing I'll be back to my thrift store finds next week *winks*
I'll start with one of my newest dolls, this wonderful smoker. I had long wanted one, but the prices can get fierce. I finally got lucky and "Genevieve" came home to live with me! I love her sultry devil may care expression, the feather in her hair, and her smoking pucker! Remember in the 20's smoking was seen as the height of sophistication, and thought to be perfectly fine for your health... We've come a long way huh?
Just lounging elegantly in her silk pajamas *winks*
Here in my guest room armoire is where I keep most of my dolls. I've currently run out of room so if a new doll comes in, an older one will have to go to a new home. I'll start with the group views.
Top shelf...
And bottom.
OK lets zoom in on some close ups of some of my favorites. This darling Marie-esque doll is my version of DIY *winks* I already had the little bust, and I found another doll at the Goodwill that had on this lovely silk dress (for $1.99) but a really ugly plastic head (New and made of some dense plastic resin... ick!) So I cut off the old bust and glued this 20's lady to the base and "VOILA!" Another Marie for me! WHOO HOO! I LOVE her!! Isn't her dress perfect?! Usually DIY is NOT my strong suite lol! I tend to fall somewhere bellow "awful" and "hideous" but this vision actually worked out! Yes there really are miracles! *winks*
Moving on to my favorite Marie... this amazing paper mache doll bedecked and bejeweled in splendor! She has the most exquisite details from the little rose in her hand to all of her bracelets, rings and necklace...
to the string of pearls and rhinestones on the back of her mile high hairdo.
I only wish I had a Louis to go with her!
This is another of my favorite Maries in her tattered blue silk sitting on an antique couronne de mariee chair.
This is my newest Marie. She was a birthday gift from my sweet hubby. She is a Lilli Bates German doll. I adore her beautiful gown! Doesn't she look as if she has been running through the gardens at Versaille?
Her nose is chipped and she's a little shabby, but beautiful none the less!
And this Marie is more casual in her peasant style gown and flower covered hat.
This little lady bust is just a little bit Marie too don't you think?
This sweet lady is another one of my favorites. Her dress is silk and her bodice was made from some old beaded lace. Her nose is chipped which seems to be what most often occurs with these. I really need to learn how to fix them... I could probably do a brisk business *winks*
Here she's sitting on another antique French couronne de mariee chair.
This little lady is also charming in her purple gown!
Another one of my favorites...
A sloe eyed beauty...
This is my only couple... I think they look like George and Martha Washington. Male boudoir dolls are quite rare. I think it's interesting that the same face that has been used for so many of my lady dolls has also been used for this male doll?... Or perhaps it's supposed to be a woman dressed as George Washington? (His chest is flat) The jury is out on this one.
I love the outfit and expression on this lady. Did you notice she has the same face as the sloe eyed beauty? It's amazing what a difference a hairstyle can make isn't it?
This lady was feeling a little shy about being nekkid so she's hiding behind a ribbon...
This chalkware doll has such a sweet face.
[ This is a rare candy box doll.
I believe this sweet lady head was part of a boudoir pillow at some point.
This one is a lingerie bag.
A pair of Victorian clad composition ladies in green out for a stroll.
A darling little girl hat stand.
A blond vamp?
A sweet senorita.
A fiery redhead holding a bird... And yes she has the same face as George Washington! Did you notice?
A couple of bed lamps.
And finally a grouping of some of my larger girls.
Well that's all for now. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed the tour and I didn't overwhelm you? If I haven't already burned your retinas with all these pictures you can find more boudoir doll beauty HERE... But I think I might have... Lol! I hope you'll leave me a comment. I LOVE to hear from you even more than I love collecting boudoir dolls *winks* Vanna I'm joining the sweet Paula and Patti at Ivy & Elephants for:
I'm trying to get back into the blogging grove... It's been so long I've forgotten how anything works!
I'm so thankful and grateful to all of you who emailed me and left me a comment to see if I was still alive. I missed y'all more than I can say! Thank you so much for your kind wishes for good health. I'm doing much better. It's still a struggle day to day... But enough about that... On to the Finds!
I do have something wonderful to share this week (well it's wonderful to me anyway *winks*) It's a 19th century French sedan chair vitrine. I have wanted one of these little buggers for years! I would spot them in magazines and dream of finding one at an estate or better yet... a garage sale! They're not very easy to find...
Sedan chairs (the full size version) were commonly used in the 17th century to carry people around the streets and paths of Europe too narrow for a carriage to navigate. As well as helping to alleviate some of the street traffic. Some things never change huh? *winks* I found this littler version on ebay and for a steal of a price! And because I'm a blog that does share prices (I always wonder what others have paid for a cool treasure?... Don't you?) I'm gonna tell you with shipping from France it was only $270. Yes I do know that that's a lot (It's a lot for me!) But not for one of these cuties this large (15" tall) I'm still doing the happy dance over finding one that I could actually afford!... Even if it does possibly mean more boxed macaroni and cheese... It'll be worth it!
Covered in a quilted silk brocade with gold metallic trim and gold cording... Isn't it fab?!
The glass is beveled.
The front door has a little handle latch that opens up to two small glass shelves for display. I had a hard time actually finding little things to fit in here, so please excuse my less than stellar composition... I needed to use something!
The little figurine couple at the top are Nymphenburg (History HERE if you're interested)
They're so sweetly detailed for only 3.5" tall
At the bottom sits this cute little nude bronze lady with a French trinket box. Doesn't it look like she's gazing fondly at the beach and chateau? *winks*
Now on to my latest obsession... these vintage porcelain stem flowers... I just LOVE em! Can't get enough of them! They probably date from the 70's and were also probably really inexpensive back then, but now they're getting dear! I'd love to have an ENORMOUS bouquet of these beauties!
This pink vase is Victorian bristol glass and came from a local garage sale for $15.
And in a twist of perfection... I had listed this 1920's wicker vase in my etsy store HERE when I found these large Capodimonte blooms also on etsy. They were so much prettier in person, but I didn't know what to do with them? I searched the house for inspiration and finally tried them in this wicker vase and "VOILA!" Loved them! So I pulled the vase off etsy faster than you can say "match made in heaven" Lol!
Chippy shabby tattered love... *sighs*
The leaves are made of foil.
Another wonderful garage sale find was this 1920's wicker barbola vase for $7. (They were asking $10 but I wheeled and dealed) *winks* I've never seen another like it. You might have already guessed I'm crazy for the 1920's AND for barbola! Old flower swags make me swoony! I think this is one of the neatest vases I've ever found and it's a keeper!
It stands about 10" tall. Have any of you ever seen a barbola vase like this? Just in case you didn't know, barbola is : the decoration of small articles (as of wood or glass) with colored models of flowers, fruit, or other ornamental objects made from a plaster paste
Well... did I tempt any of you to look for a sedan vitrine of your own? Rubylane has some cute ones HERE. Do you already have one? Below are two examples that have me drooling!
Or how about the porcelain stem roses? Mounded together like this don't they make a luscious picture? *winks* The carnations are my favorites.
Here's a group shot.
Thanks again for stopping by! I hope you'll leave me a comment and I'll do the same. I LOVE hearing from you! Vanna I'm joining my sweet friends Paula and Patti for:
Who would've thought there'd come a time in my life where I'd wonder where my next breath would come from when I'd be able to squeeze in my next shower? Not me! But here I am with 3 kids in three years, wondering some days when I'm going to find the time to do things I used to take for granted.
"When do I take a shower?" If Brad is home, then I have it after the oldest two have gone to bed while he watches our newborn, Anna. If I'm away in the evening, then I attempt to have one before the kids wake up in the morning. If that doesn't work out, then I wait until Anna's morning nap - place her in the bassinet, Judah (2) in his crib or a playpen with several toys to keep him occupied, and trust our 3-year-old to keep herself occupied and out of trouble. So far, so good (famous last words)! Worst case scenario, I look like a slime ball when someone unexpectedly pops in for a visit.
"When do I have my devotions?" My friend Anna, from Feminine Adventures, covered this question in beautiful detail. Go and read her post if you haven't already!
I try to have them while I'm nursing in the early morning or late evening. It never hurts to involve the kids either should they wake up earlier than expected. If I'm not too sleepy, I go through my prayer list when I'm nursing in the middle of the night.
"When do I make supper?" Raise your hand if 5 o'clock seems to be the most hectic time of the day. Okay, you can put it down now. Someone is guaranteed to be nursing, crying, needing to use the potty, discovering (and spilling) things in the pantry (like flour) while the rest of the house sits in disarray. Plus, the kiddlets are starting to get cranky from hungry tummies and you're expecting your husband home from work any minute.
This is why I try to make dinner first thing in the morning. I love using the recipes from Trim Healthy Mama (you can read my entire review here). They are easy, healthy, whole-food dishes that can be prepared quickly and made ahead of time. That way, even if the rest of the day is chaotic, there will still be a nutritious meal on the table, and hopefully, an atmosphere of relative peace and calm for my husband to come home too. He deserves it after a long day at work!
"When do I clean my house?" I used to reserve one day a week to do all the major housework like cleaning the bathrooms, scrubbing floors, vacuuming, and dusting, etc. Now with 3 kids, 3 and under, I spread it over two days.
The biggest jobs I try to finish on Thursdays, leaving Friday and Saturday morning to wrap it all up. Brad has Saturday afternoons off from work and we like to spend it relaxing with the kids, visiting our grandparents, or having friends over.
"When do I fit in exercise?" Normally I like to take a brisk 1/2 hour walk in the early evening after the kids have gone to bed while Brad stays home with Anna. We've been having so much rain lately though, that I've resorted to torturing myself with Jillian Michael's 6-week six pack during the first 35 minutes of the kids afternoon nap time.
I've joined the Redeemed Health and Fitness Facebook group for accountability purposes and encouragement. All the ladies in this group are mothers (most with larger than average families) who are seeking to shed unwanted pounds on a tight schedule. We share our highs and lows, praise each lost pound, steal each other's great ideas, and kept accountable with a daily check-in. "When do I nap?" HA HA HA HA HA! Good one.
***For further reading, I recommendLarge Family Logistics: my favorite resource for learning how to build household routines within a larger-than-average families. Brad bought me this book for my birthday a few years ago, and I've been giving it out as gifts to other young moms ever since then. It's filled with step-by-step procedures, organizational advice, and a myriad of tips for efficiently managing a home in a way that honors God and builds up family relationships.
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. I humbly thank you for your support! Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Modest Monday, A Mama's Story, Raising Arrows, Homestead Revival, Time Warp Wife, Far Above Rubies
The chemical aerosol fresheners you can purchase in the store may send off a pleasant odor, but they wreak havoc on our health! The highly condensed level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and artificial fragrances can cause headaches, earaches, diarrhea, vomiting - even wheezing in young children!
However, sometimes it take more than just an opened window to clear out an unpleasant odor from a room. This Herbal Mist Air Freshener is completely natural and the scent is as lovely as you choose to make it! Mist in the kitchen after frying onions and bacon, spray inside the diaper pail, and store a bottle in the bathroom.
To make your own herbal spray air freshener, all you need is a clean spritz bottle and 2 basic ingredients:
Distilled water
Essential oil (I've provided some blend suggestions below)
Prepare by adding 7 drops of an essential oil (or a combination of oils) to every 8 oz (1 cup) of water. Experiment with different oil combinations to create a scent that is uniquely you! My personal favorite is a combination of lavender, tea tree, and spearmint - so fresh and invigorating! Essential Oil Air Freshener Blends:
Country Spice | cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, bay
Spring Morning | lavender, rose, geranium, rosemary, sweet orange
In the Woods | sage, thyme, cedar, patchouli, frankincense
Lover's Lane | vanilla, sandalwood, ylang ylang, jasmine, neroli, rose
Far East| patchouli, cedar, sandalwood, lime, coriander
Energizing | basil, lavender, orange, nutmeg, mint
I'm so sorry I've been gone such a long time. My health has been really shaky (literally) I've been suffering with non stop debilitating dizziness... Yes I AM a dizzy blond! I just never in a million years would've thought I'd be THIS dizzy! I was afraid I wouldn't be able to blog again, but I've been feeling much better and have missed y'all soooo much!
Needless to say I haven't been able to get around and shop like I used to, so I don't have a bunch to share, but I did manage to find one interesting treasure (at least to me *winks*) So I hope you don't mind a lot of pictures of one item instead of the usual plethora-o-stuff?
If you (once upon a time) read my blog you might remember how crazy I am for the French Victorian bridal domes (Globes de Mariee)... Post HERE... Well I have a new globe to add to my collection. This time it features not a bridal couronne but instead a petit bébé Jésus.
A local antique dealer friend who was closing her space at a mall, called to tell me she had a French dome I might like. So I sent my husband over to check it out for me. Sure enough he knew instantly I would LOVE it!... That man knows me so well! For $225 (a lot I know, but hard to find)... home it came! I DO love it! And I hope you'll enjoy it too *winks*
Here is the precious little baby boy without his glass dome so you can see him better. He is made of wax and has real blond hair. His robe is silk with metallic trim. And he's lying on the sweetest little polonaise bed with ruched pink fabric and a bed crown made from gold foil paper.
And here he is with his glass globe. I added the white ostrich feathers.
Isn't he adorable?!
He even has little metallic thread tassels hanging from his bolster pillow. I really adore all the charming details. I also added the porcelain roses that were a great find from a long while back. I found a whole bunch of them for 50 cents each (happy dance) and thought they might make a good addition to this little fellow? *winks* What do you think? Keep em or loose em? And doesn't the bed trim look like tiny scallop shells?... I just noticed that right now!
Here is the top of the bed crown. It's a little shabby, but still so charming.
Somebody back in the 19th century sure must have spent some time and thought on this little labor of love!
The velvet is getting a little threadbare... But that's OK. Only makes me love him more.
And here is a grouping with the new dome and a few of the oldies.
An arty farty shot... just because *winks*
Pretty details... Little pieces of history... J'adore les Globes de Mariee!
Well what do you think? Have I tempted you at all to bring home a French globe of your own? I've got some more tempting French globe de mariee eye candy HERE I just LOVE to inspire and enable *winks* And I also LOVE to hear from you!! I hope you'll leave me a comment and just tell me how you're doin' Vanna I'm joining Courtney at French Country Cottage for:
I really feel for women that deal with infertility. Most women have a strong, natural desire to have a baby. I don't know the pain of never being able to conceive, but I know the strong desire to hold my own baby in my arms and can only imagine how painful it would be to not have had that experience.
I conceived my first 3 children fairly easily, but knew I was dealing with infertility when baby #4 wasn't happening. Most of you may be thinking, "You should have been happy that you at least had three healthy children." And you're right - I was thankful I had 3, but I had such a strong desire for a forth. I read and researched and came across some information that hit home to me. The information was on imbalanced hormones. I had several symptoms of having imbalanced hormones, and one of the symptoms was infertility. What can cause imbalanced hormones?
The birth control pill {I do not take birth control} ~ The pill contains progestins and progestogens, which are man-made, synthetic hormones. These synthetic hormones cause low progesterone levels. These hormones are highly toxic to our body. They mess up our natural hormones, and can cause miscarriages, heart disease, migraines, depression, high blood pressure and cancer. The birth control pill is just not a good option for any woman.
Hormone Replacement Therapy ~ Hormone therapy is used to ease the symptoms of menopause, but it contains synthetic progestins, which again, confuses our natural hormones.The side effects of HRT are far worse than the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause! The side effects of hormone replacement therapy can include: osteoporosis, high blood pressure, blood clots, cancer, vaginal bleeding, rashes, acne and weight gain. If you suffer from menopause, try taking the herb red raspberry for a safe, natural remedy.
Eating non-organic meats and produce ~ most of the non-organic meat bought at the store contains estrogen steroids, which causes our estrogen levels to be higher than they should be. Non-organic produce contains dioxin from pesticides.
Eating a diet of too much sugar and processed foods
Stress
Cosmetics {use only natural make-up}
Plastics
Toxins {be sure to cleanse on a regular basis}
Paint
Ink
How To Know If Your Hormones Are Out of Wack:
If you have 6 symptoms or more from the list below, your estrogen level is probably too high:
PMS
Heavy Periods
Painful, lumpy breasts
Puffiness and bloating
Rapid weight gain
Headaches linked to monthly cycles
Mood swings
Foggy thinking
Anxiety
Depression
Weepiness
Insomnia
Infertility
If you have 4 or more symptoms from the list below, your testosterone levels are probably too high:
Irregular periods
Ovarian cysts
Mid-cycle pain
Acne
Excessive hair on face and/or arms
Thinning hair on head
Hypoglycemia
Apple shaped body
Infertility
Excessive weight around abdomen
If you have symptoms of too much estrogen or testosterone, I have good news! These hormones can easily be balanced naturally!There are three herbs that I used to balance my hormones:
Red Clover Fenugreek Saw Palmetto This is the schedule I followed: Days 1 and 2~ Take one red clover pill 3 times a day Days 3 and 4~ Continue taking the red clover 3 times a day, and add one fenugreek capsule 3 times a day. Day 5 and beyond~ Continue with the red clover and fenugreek 3 times a day, and add one saw palmetto capsule 3 times a day. Note: Take two saw palmetto capsules instead of one if you are too high in testosterone. It is recommended to take these herbs for at least 2-4 months; for some women it could take up to a year for hormones to be balanced. I recommend taking them at least until symptoms subside. These herbs have many other healthy benefits and can be taken long term.
In less than a month of starting this herbal program, I found out I was expecting our 4th daughter! She is an adorable blessing to us! I don't understand all the reasons for infertility, but I know that the situation is ultimately in God's hands. If you deal with infertility and have any symptoms of imbalanced hormones, try balancing them naturally and perhaps God can use it to bless you with a sweet bundle of joy. Disclaimer: These statement have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat, cure or prevent disease. ______________________________________________________
Jill is a Christian and has been married to her dear husband for 12 years. She's a homeschool mom of 4 and is thankful for God's goodness in her daily life. As a certified family herbalist, her passions include reading and researching about health and home remedies, and sharing with others the knowledge she gains. You can find her blogging at Jill's Home Remedies and connect with her on facebook and twitter.
The first step to becoming an excellent manager of your home is to understand your role and why it is so important.
As a whole, our culture dismisses the impact of a faithful homemaker and constructs stereotypes that are outlandishly opposed to our exemplary in Proverbs 31. For instance, note who gets attacked when one young girl says she's going to be a nurse and the other says she's preparing to be a homemaker, which, biblically and historically, is God's normative plan for women. It is considered a waste of talent and intelligence to bless your family with the gifts God has given you for eternal rewards, but admirable if a paper certifies a particular area of focus and you get paid monetarily.
We must not rely on society's view of homemaking as our source of strength, purpose, and encouragement. Our value and fulfillment is found when we understand that the almighty God of the universe has called us to this task, and therefore, there is no greater work as a wife and mother that we could be doing. "... teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2: 4The title "manager" denotes different types of jobs we must oversee to ensure our homes are running smoothly. Let's list them:
Accountant
Baker
Chauffeur
Cheerleader
Chef
Coach
Counselor
Dean of Education
Entertainer
Fashion Coordinator
Food Service Manager
Filing Clerk
Fitness Trainer
Gardener
Gift Coordinator
Health-care Practitioner
Interior Designer
Laundress
Maid
Purchasing Agent
Referee
Secretary
Short-order Cook
Travel Agent
Phew! It's no wonder conservative estimates suggest a homemaker's value is somewhere around 100K annually. Do it all "as unto the Lord," (Colossians 3: 23) believing that "as much as you do it unto the least of these my brethren, so you have done it unto me," (Matthew 25: 40) and you can be sure that your work is eternally priceless!
A woman who purposely trains to do all these things well will not just be an asset to her husband, but should the Lord call her to singleness, she will be able to minister well to anyone, wherever she is planted. This is why I tell my daughters that preparing to be a godly homemaker thrills Mommy's heart just as much, if not more, than having them trained, indebted, and degreed, in one particular field of interest at college. "Putting up the lunch for the children or cooking a good meal for the family may seem very insignificant tasks as compared with giving a lecture, writing a book, or doing other things that have a larger audience; but I doubt very much if, in the ultimate reckoning, they will count for as much." ~Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House in the OzarksOnce you begin to understand and embrace the importance of your place inside your home, you can begin to draft a "mission statement" to refer to when you're feeling weary in well-doing, or you need to be reminded of your vision. It can be as simple as photo-copying Proverbs 31 and posting it on your fridge, or writing out your own summary on a note card and placing it above your sink. I've written mine inside my journal where I see it everyday:
"Called, authorized, and empowered by my Redeemer and Friend, with the blessing and support of my husband, my mission as the Keeper of our Home is to create an atmosphere of grace and forgiveness, order and flexibility, warm love and gentle affection, nutritious meals and fragrant aromas, conversation and education." I want our home to be: (Check all that apply)
Welcoming
Stressful
Warm
Light
Dark
Messy
Cluttered
Happy
Perfect
Neat
Chaotic
Tidy
Educational
Shiny
Sloppy
Organized
Attractive
Dusty
Beautiful
Positive
Well-arranged
Tense
Fun
Calm
Rigid
Creative
Chaotic
Cozy
Unique
Balanced
Homey
Joyful
Tacky
Intense
Purposeful
Simple
Appropriate
Immaculate
Functional
Fresh Bright
Expensive
Relaxed
As the Manager and Chief Executive Officer, you set the tone! Consider the list of words above; think about how you want your family and visitors to feel within your home. We'll start talking about practical ways to make your vision a reality next time!
Recommend Resources These titles encourage Keepers of The Home in their God-given calling. I'll list resources specific to organizing and maintaining different areas of the home as we cover them in this series. These are my affiliate links, but you are under no obligation to use them!
Passionate Housewives Desperate For God by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald
The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
Queen of the Home by Jennifer McBride
The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson
Praise Her In The Gates by Nancy Wilson
Home-Making by J. R. Miller
Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman
Part 1: Keeping A Growing Home | A Management Series for Moms Part 2: Keeping A Growing Home | Know Your Role! Part 3: Keeping A Growing Home | Making Priorities & 15 Good Things I Don't Do Part 4: Keeping A Growing Home | Time-Saving Home Management Tips Part 5: Keeping A Growing Home | My Daily Schedule
If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox. Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed, The Better Mom, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family,
It feels as though everyone I know has come down with seasonal colds and flues over the last week! Thankfully, we've been spared so far. I'm sure our turn is coming though so I made up a stockpot of Chicken Soup on the weekend for when the time comes.
Grandma knew what she was talking about when she said chicken soup is good for the cold! When chicken is cooked in a soup or broth, it releases an amino acid called cysteine that helps break down mucous and heal the lungs. The addition of other vegetables (garlic, onion, leeks, carrots, and celery) provide vitamins A, B, C, and E, and provide antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.
So if the family's feeling queasy, simmer up this traditional favorite and enjoy the flavorful health benefits! There are a zillion variations to Chicken Soup. This is how I make mine (and how my Mom made hers). Gluten-free.
Healthy, Healing, Old-fashioned Chicken Soup For THMer's this is a Fuel Pull. Ingredients: 1 whole organic chicken water 6 carrots, peeled and sliced 2 large onions, chopped 1 leek, chopped 1/2 stalk of celery, chopped 2 garlic cloves 1 Tbsp dried parsley 1 Tbsp oregano 2 tsp Herbamare (or sea salt) 1 tsp freshly ground pepper 4 cups prepared GF Chicken Boullion (I use the Epicure brand) 4 bay leaves
Directions: Place whole chicken in a large stock-pot and cover with water. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Boil for 30 minutes or until the meat is ready to fall off the bone. Remove chicken from stock-pot until it's cool enough to handle. Carefully pick apart the meat and return it to the soup in small, bite-sized pieces. Discard the bones. Simmer soup for several hours - the longer, the better! Remove garlic cloves and bay leaves before serving.
If you're feeling well, nothing beats a bowl of warm soup served with crusty white bread, sharp cheddar, and a handful of saltines. :-)
Makes 20+ servings. Freezes well.
For more healthy recipes, I highly recommend The Cottage Mama Plans Her Menu eBooks. This is the one set of eBooks I continually go back to for recipes (especially the homemade BBQ sauce!). They are to simple to prepare and are generally loved by the whole family.
This scrumptious, healthy soup is a beautiful way to serve beets! It's simple to prepare and takes only a few ingredients, all of which have incredible health benefits (well, except for the cream). Beets are loaded with vitamins and minerals including potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber, vitamins A, B, and C, and folic acid. Throw in some anti-oxidant rich garlic and onions and good fat and you've got a pregnant woman's perfect meal!
Serves 8.
Ingredients:
6 Tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
6 cloves garlic (or one small bulb), chopped
12 beets, peeled and chopped
4 cups beef stock (I use a gluten-free bullion)
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
heavy cream for garnish
Directions:
Warm olive oil in a large stock-pot over medium heat. Stir in onions and garlic. Cook until soft but not browned, about 7 minutes. Stir in beets and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until beets are tender - about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Pulse in food processor or blender until soup in liquefied. Return to saucepan and gently heat through. Ladle into bowls and garnish with a swirl of cream!
