tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57569971567940180292024-03-13T15:43:55.591-05:00Thinking Christian MamaLiving Intentionally in Light of EternityNataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-2278487223482681032012-05-27T22:12:00.000-05:002012-05-27T22:12:58.781-05:00When it feels like too much to carry...Overwhelmed.<br />
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Tired.<br />
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Weary.<br />
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Discouraged. <br />
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Feeling like I am spinning my wheels.<br />
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This has been me lately. <br />
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A four year old with an attitude who has decided that sleeping at night is not really that fun. An 18 month old who likes to nurse a few times at night, often clamping down when she is finished. A house that <b>really </b>needs a deep clean. Noisy kids that don't allow me to get a word in with my husband. Another meal needing to be planned, prepared or cleaned up after. You get the idea. <br />
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Things could be so much harder, I know. But without a real break or real night of sleep in months (18 possibly) I have felt like my patience is wearing thin, my fuse is getting short and my joy is faded.<br />
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Then my hope was restored.<br />
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Today I was listening to a service from an awesome church in LA, Expression 58. Shawn Bolz, the pastor, was sharing a testimony about a business person who gave the management of her business over to the Holy Spirit. Immediately I realized that is what I had to do. I know that God alone holds the wisdom I need for every decision I make in life- parenting, household managing and being a wife, friend, and daughter. So right then I prayed and asked Him to have my life fully and to give me the wisdom I need for my children, my home and my marriage.<br />
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What freedom I immediately felt! Hope and joy returned because I am confident that God is able and willing to help me in all things. Tonight as I was bathing that sleepy 4 year old it was like time stood still as I looked into her eyes and realized I had the perfect opportunity to pray over her as I shampooed and conditioned her hair. Instead of feeling resentful at how fussy she has been lately I saw my unique position in her life as her mom to be able to speak a blessing over her and call forth the good things that God destined her for. <br />
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It was powerful and I know it was His leading me. I am confident that if I look to Him and listen for Him, His grace will take me to new places of breakthrough in all that concerns me.<br />
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If you are feeling run down, overwhelmed and frustrated I encourage you to do this too. Give the Holy Spirit your parenting, your home managing, your marriage, your career. Ask Him to show you how to do things and to impart His perfect wisdom for your situation. You will be amazed at how much He cares!<br />
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<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NIV-23488"><span class="woj">“<b>Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.</b> </span></span> <span class="text Matt-11-29" id="en-NIV-23489"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">29 </sup>Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. </span></span> <span class="text Matt-11-30" id="en-NIV-23490"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">30 </sup><b>For my yoke is easy and my burden is light</b>.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><span class="text Matt-11-30" id="en-NIV-23490"><span class="woj">Until recently</span></span> I always thought about verse 30 pertaining to oxen and didn't really get it. I heard someone say it is like a person who is carrying two water jugs with a yolk or beam across their shoulders that balances the weights. By dispersing the load it is easier to carry more weight. His yolk is easy and His burden light; He makes it easier for us and lightens our load. He promises that if we will come to Him with our burden He will give us rest! Thank you Jesus for your rest and for lightening my load!Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-81860080527331396252012-02-29T01:09:00.001-06:002012-02-29T01:17:27.695-06:00Pinterest to Real LifeIsn't Pinterest the best thing ever! I love all the fabulous ideas that are just waiting to be discovered. Usually the things I pin don't make it into my real life but it is always so fun when they do.<br />
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I just came across this <a href="http://simpleorganic.net/from-pinterest-to-real-life-february-2012/" target="_blank">Pinterest to Real Life</a> link up over at Simple Organic and thought I would share one of my favorite creations that came from a Pinterest idea.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyOVAzMme1Gl9J38B0JEoWSPIckLd8e3U2YKZkZq3SAMXdxs8evr7lBeOyDCOQfBrSqWshJeKGWWg8dhuiUcp5Wtp6ImANQPe3xLgQ5iLw7SOvcgU7fbwUO2T4kcwlAxHtvnrxClrTKo/s1600/IMG_4181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyOVAzMme1Gl9J38B0JEoWSPIckLd8e3U2YKZkZq3SAMXdxs8evr7lBeOyDCOQfBrSqWshJeKGWWg8dhuiUcp5Wtp6ImANQPe3xLgQ5iLw7SOvcgU7fbwUO2T4kcwlAxHtvnrxClrTKo/s400/IMG_4181.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
It is a canvas that I stretched myself in college oil painting class and never loved what was painted on it. So after coming across this <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/42784265179521525/">pin </a>for a wall paper pattern template, courtesy of <a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/decorate/painted-wallpaper-a-tutorial/" target="_blank">Jones Design Company</a>, I thought why not do it on the canvas and see how it looks.<br />
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I painted over the previous mistake of a painting with acrylic paint. Since the original art was done in oil, some of the previous color bleed through which was an unexpected but nice effect. Once it dried I traced the template onto the canvas. The template was super easy to trace with a pencil and then trace again with a paintbrush. After it was dry I traced again with my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C015IE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000C015IE">Krylon Gold Leafing Pen</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thinchrimama-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000C015IE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (which is awesome!) and voila! A really cheap and really big piece of original art for my bare wall! Thanks Pinterest!!<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/nwaters/"><img alt="Follow Me on Pinterest" height="26" src="http://passets-cdn.pinterest.com/images/follow-on-pinterest-button.png" width="156" /></a>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-33226859335444000992012-02-28T08:00:00.000-06:002012-02-28T08:00:09.030-06:00Book Review: Just Being Audrey by Margaret Cardillo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Qgk3idqPFyOU3uV4Oi_VLvlP_eLtUyAS5WEXQjIb1hKlW_EkqpvFtMqGF6YmIWbuVyCev4iSaep7rrof0rf0v-t-107BOXiWpf_DlHIYiDAe1WR0RPV2LVEsV5TUvZuO-nVQEOfBZdI/s1600/IMG_4155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Qgk3idqPFyOU3uV4Oi_VLvlP_eLtUyAS5WEXQjIb1hKlW_EkqpvFtMqGF6YmIWbuVyCev4iSaep7rrof0rf0v-t-107BOXiWpf_DlHIYiDAe1WR0RPV2LVEsV5TUvZuO-nVQEOfBZdI/s320/IMG_4155.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>My oldest daughter's name is Audrey. We chose her name because we liked it and liked the meaning (noble strength), not because of any celebrity association. However, after learning more about Audrey Hepburn I am pleased for my daughter to share her name and was so happy to come across this lovely book.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006185283X/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=006185283X"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=006185283X&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=thinchrimama-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thinchrimama-20&l=as2&o=1&a=006185283X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><br />
<i>Just Being Audrey</i> is beautifully illustrated and tells the story of Audrey Hepburn's life from difficult childhood to iconic legacy. It celebrates uniqueness and kindness as more desirable than outward beauty. It deals with the difficult subjects of war and human suffering in a way that children can grasp while keeping an optimistic tone. Accepting one's self, working hard and being kind are the primary themes that make this book an excellent quick read. My three year old has it memorized and I know she will enjoy it for years to come. It is available through Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006185283X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=006185283X">here.</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupPiHEDfQMKid78-IRYSVt0l9FYYtqTNfNZPZyGtSHXx2tLTZhyphenhyphen1w8UrIiJh3wozxt-aprBImiDovKLboJdA7CLMO1LT9VTDi4a8gI_4LP-9j8ICYQUFWuOfxE4emxCX1G02FTla70cU/s1600/IMG_4167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupPiHEDfQMKid78-IRYSVt0l9FYYtqTNfNZPZyGtSHXx2tLTZhyphenhyphen1w8UrIiJh3wozxt-aprBImiDovKLboJdA7CLMO1LT9VTDi4a8gI_4LP-9j8ICYQUFWuOfxE4emxCX1G02FTla70cU/s320/IMG_4167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thinchrimama-20&l=as2&o=1&a=006185283X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-70482175323645290552012-02-28T01:50:00.189-06:002012-02-29T22:51:28.213-06:00Consignment Sale Tips<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOcS2_Z9ZzP93UAJXPeIYh59AKN11wfh58H41U2P4slYEsYPTzkDGDD8tlJpX9QQwroHFHdaQ_GeFCqFstd9lr2SjZ7AivRULj-FSBhkU2JzqGhNPffRk0vyw0FVeyBuU3SJ_ed7NbrA/s1600/IMG_0776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOcS2_Z9ZzP93UAJXPeIYh59AKN11wfh58H41U2P4slYEsYPTzkDGDD8tlJpX9QQwroHFHdaQ_GeFCqFstd9lr2SjZ7AivRULj-FSBhkU2JzqGhNPffRk0vyw0FVeyBuU3SJ_ed7NbrA/s400/IMG_0776.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audrey Sporting a Consignment Hat, Skirt and Shoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Spring is right around the corner and what a welcome change it brings! One thing I really look forward to with each change of season is new clothes for the kids since they outgrow everything every year. Although it is fun to buy new (or new to you) clothes, an entirely new wardrobe for little people can cost a fortune! The twice a year overhaul of clothing for each child can really get out of hand, especially if you gravitate towards brand name clothing and shoes.<br />
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In light of this, I have found my new obsession- Consignment Sales! I have been shopping various sales over the past 4 or 5 years and have learned some lessons along the way. I have more than once ended up with a closet full of clothes with very few "cute" outfits to make from it all. I have gotten home with something that should fit my child only to discover that this particular brand (Kissy Kissy or Ralph Lauren for instance) runs a good size smaller than most. And the mistake I have made most often is failure to take inventory of things that do still fit or things that were purchased ahead of time to know what is needed and what would be a waste of money.<br />
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So here are a few tips from my lessons learned that I hope can help you make the most of Consignment sales! To find consignment sales in your area check out consignmentmommies.com. Happy Shopping! <br />
<ul><li> <b>Have a plan:</b></li>
<ul><li>As I mentioned above, <b>inventory </b>what you have. A good time to do this is when you sort through clothes to find any that you can consign, separate all the clothes that might work for the upcoming season. Have your child try on anything that you are unsure about and make note of anything that is needed in order to create outfits. Note what size shoes they will need also and when in doubt buy slightly bigger than you think you will need. Most consignment sales are held a few months before the seasons change and children grow fast so make sure you are looking for things that will fit all season long.</li>
<li><b>Evaluate</b> what items of clothing and shoes your child really needs based on how you live- and be honest with yourself. I know I usually end up with too many dressy clothes with few opportunities for them to be worn. I usually don't have enough play clothes for my girls that they can get messy in without me stressing. Looking ahead to a summer full of outside play, homemade popsicles and messy crafts I know I need to look for more clothes that fit well but aren't anything too fancy. </li>
<li><b>Do your homework</b>. Check online auction sites and retailers that you buy from to know what prices are acceptable for the clothes and toys that you will be searching for as well as for help pricing what you are selling. A fair sale price increases your odds of getting a little money for something and not having to see it again! When shopping and trying to make lots of decisions it is important to know the going rate for things so you don't end up getting ripped off. It can seem like something is a deal but it is really being sold for close to the retail price. I see this a lot with brands like Circo and Cherokee that start out pretty inexpensive to begin with and are often being sold for 75% of the original price. This kind of preparation is especially helpful if you are looking for a particular item like a jogging stroller or specific toy- you want to know if you are getting a fair price. Consignment is final sale so you want to make sure you don't leave with any buyers remorse! </li>
<li><b>Know the specifics</b> of each sale before you go or consign. Most sales have info available online such as payment methods they accept, whether or not they allow children to attend, and specifics on their consignment policies.</li>
</ul><li><b>Shop Early: </b>To avoid missing out on all the best deals, consider consigning or volunteering to earn a presale pass.</li>
<ul><li><b>Consign </b>any items that you don't love or use. Just be honest with yourself! If you rarely reached for it amid all your other choices of clothes you probably won't miss it. You would be better off with a few dollars in your pocket and space in the closet. By consigning you will earn money and more importantly, you will get a pass to shop at the consignor presale. </li>
<li>If you are going to shop a sale that you know is excellent (large number of participants, upscale items) you may consider signing up to <b>volunteer</b>. Volunteers get to shop first (usually before the consignors) and that is certainly worth your time if it is a great sale and you have arrangements for childcare.</li>
<li>If you are new to the mommy thing you can usually shop early also at a special time set aside for first time moms. This is usually after the volunteers and consignors but still before the public sale. </li>
</ul><li><b>At the sale:</b></li>
<ul><li>You may want to bring a <b>laundry basket</b> or rolling tote if you are planning to buy a lot or are buying bulky items. </li>
<li><b>Shop in order</b> of importance to you. Large items go first. If you are looking for that double jogging stroller or ride on toy look for it first! Chances are lots of other moms are looking for the same thing so you want to be quick! Some sales have you bring large items to be held at the front, others ask you to just remove the tag for purchase so it is good to find out ahead of time or ask a volunteer. Next, items such as electronics that are pricy and really worth buying second hand should be what you look for before heading to the shoes and clothes. I start out in the size that my oldest will need since her little sister mostly wears hand me downs. I also look through the next 2 or 3 sizes for her and grab anything that I will be glad to have stashed away for the future. I just grab anything that looks like a possibility and then spend time before checking out examining everything and deciding what to discard. Some sales have such long lines that there is plenty of time for this in line. Often times there will be discard racks near the checkout to place things as you change your mind- this is also a great place to find something you might not have seen before. Last week I found a beautiful Baby Lulu dress with legging in excellent condition for $3 on the discard rack!</li>
<li><b>Inspect everything!</b> It can be hard in gymnasium or warehouse lighting, but do your best to look for stains and holes. For baby clothes look closely for yellowing near the neck and diaper leak stains too! For older children look closely at the knees for wear or grass stains. </li>
<li><b>Listen to your intuition</b>. I usually regret the purchases that I went ahead and made despite being a little unsure. That seems obvious, but I often feel like I need to get something in order to not regret missing out. Go with what your gut is telling you! And if you do make a buying mistake, make a note of what you paid and set it aside to consign next time. Chances are you will be able to get your money back.</li>
</ul></ul>Did I leave off anything that you would like to add? Please share any tips or info that has helped you! <br />
<ul></ul>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-7226493653431097912010-09-14T10:53:00.000-05:002010-09-14T10:53:27.912-05:00An Organized Home: Creating a Chore ScheduleWhen my home is clean and decluttered it gives me a deep sense of peace and certainly more energy. I feel like the day holds more options and potential when I wake up to a clean home with everything in its place. Unfortunately this does not happen often enough! I have found that between caring for a toddler and trying to feed our family three wholesome meals each day, keeping up with the laundry and dishes are sometimes <strike>all</strike> more than I can manage. I knew I had to find a way to schedule all the chores that I want to have done into my week, especially before welcoming a new little one into our family in November. I came up with a list of all the things that I want to do each week and then a smaller list of all the things that should be done monthly. I then ordered the weekly chores into a Monday through Saturday list, assigning smaller tasks to days that are more hectic than others. <br />
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Here is what it looks like:<br />
<ul><li>Monday:</li>
<ul><li>Vacuum </li>
<li>Clean out refrigerator (our CSA pickup is Monday afternoon)</li>
</ul><li>Tuesday:</li>
<ul><li>Meal Plan for the week</li>
<li>Clean mirrors, sinks, tubs and toilets</li>
<li>Empty trash</li>
</ul><li>Wednesday:</li>
<ul><li>Water plants</li>
</ul><li>Thursday:</li>
<ul><li>Dust and clean surfaces</li>
<li>Dry Mop floors</li>
</ul><li>Friday:</li>
<ul><li>Pay bills and update budget</li>
</ul><li>Saturday:</li>
<ul><li>Change all linens</li>
<li>Catch up on laundry</li>
</ul></ul>For my monthly list I have included:<br />
<ul><li>Mop floors</li>
<li>Wipe down entire kitchen</li>
<li>Dust blinds</li>
<li>Dust light fixtures</li>
<li>Vacuum upholstery</li>
</ul>I have been using this plan for a few weeks now and love it! Even when I miss a day I am still getting so much more done than I used to. I no longer feel overwhelmed not knowing where to begin and I no longer feel guilty that my house is dirty! Even my husband has let me know how much he appreciates the extra effort I have been putting in lately. Housework is never fun, but by breaking it down into manageable daily tasks it is so much easier!Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-63838249116509474572010-09-07T16:27:00.000-05:002010-09-07T16:27:08.821-05:00A Soup That Restores Health<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YefC-u_HzdGbf35w_7sWEGmkvPpXdPvRC6JibNImx-7BnTA8wl5gFOUs5023lLQXsk_756mzUSLIvzU7ztt-KyPN1oWdLprCvy9TiYp33XkpBO_sIn3Ydgz23WaUtt9Bcv6kGsIrEw8/s1600/Garlic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YefC-u_HzdGbf35w_7sWEGmkvPpXdPvRC6JibNImx-7BnTA8wl5gFOUs5023lLQXsk_756mzUSLIvzU7ztt-KyPN1oWdLprCvy9TiYp33XkpBO_sIn3Ydgz23WaUtt9Bcv6kGsIrEw8/s320/Garlic.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Lately I have gotten tired and run down and have not stopped and taken the time to care for myself. I noticed the first signs of a sore throat but just made sure to cut back on sugar. A few days later I could feel something <u>really</u> coming on. Being pregnant and caring for a two year old doesn't make sickness very easy to live with so I immediately pulled out all my health boosting remedies that are safe during pregnancy. I took some homeopathic remedies, drank lots of water with olive leaf complex mixed in and made a pot of this soup. I also had my husband and daughter pray for me and I got to bed a little earlier (not that I could sleep, but that is just pregnancy I guess). Now it is two days later and I feel completely fine! I am sold on this soup for whenever my immune system needs a boost.<br />
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As usual, I don't measure anything (especially not when making soup!) but here is the general idea. I strain my soup before drinking it so I don't worry about cutting things uniformly and even leave the thyme leaves on the stem.<br />
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Combine the following in a pot and simmer until desired doneness:<br />
<ul><li>Chicken broth (home made bone broth is ideal)</li>
<li>lots of garlic, roughly chopped</li>
<li>diced onion</li>
<li>lots of crushed red pepper and freshly ground black pepper</li>
<li>salt to taste</li>
<li>fresh thyme (or dried is fine)</li>
<li>bay leaf</li>
</ul>Once everything has had time to mingle, add fresh lemon juice to taste. You can also add more (minced) garlic towards the end of the cooking for an extra garlicky kick (yes, you will have horrible breath!). I like to drink mine strained in a mug. It stays warmer this way and is easy to drink a lot at once. It will be spicy (the peppers and garlic make it therapeutically hot) but should not be uncomfortable to drink. Dilute with water if necessary. I like mine really spicy and strong and feel like I have really helped out my immune system after a few cups of this soup! Enjoy!Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-1108376870765299112010-08-31T15:11:00.000-05:002010-08-31T15:11:11.516-05:00Home Education for Preschoolers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDh1CQeGll9kcH6LaYu70mc0wi7xHol-KqCTcNb4UYZjQfS9hsmj-PXP5z-omgXwwWVA1A2aOpoxQjGb3CwS7bqoQdjUqV79QM8qm4X3OVKLmdKJo9KJgD5NdGcBaeINuY7A8QYuWXTvM/s1600/IMG_5517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDh1CQeGll9kcH6LaYu70mc0wi7xHol-KqCTcNb4UYZjQfS9hsmj-PXP5z-omgXwwWVA1A2aOpoxQjGb3CwS7bqoQdjUqV79QM8qm4X3OVKLmdKJo9KJgD5NdGcBaeINuY7A8QYuWXTvM/s400/IMG_5517.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Little ones are like sponges! I am constantly amazed at what my two year old daughter retains, often after only hearing or seeing something once! She is eager to learn and I want to take full advantage of this time and not miss a precious opportunity to teach her about God, about creation and about life. <br />
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I was inspired by reading about what other moms are doing with their preschoolers but didn't want to pay for a curriculum just yet. I also wanted to have the flexibility to come up with my own plan and not feel like I needed to adhere to someone else's lesson plan. I wanted the teaching to center around God and give Him credit for all He has made. I came up with five categories that I wanted to teach Audrey more about: <br />
<ul><li>God Made Animals</li>
<li>God Made Plants</li>
<li>God Made Our Bodies</li>
<li>God Made Our Earth</li>
<li>God Made Our Day</li>
</ul><br />
Some categories will take longer to cover while others will be only a week or two. Under each category I came up with subcategories and we will cover one each week. For each subcategory I make a list of crafts to do together, books we own to read, themes to discuss, field trip ideas and also music or videos to listen to or watch. We also go to the library each week and pick up quite a few books that correspond with the topics we are learning about. I try to find a few titles that are educational and a few that are just fun or fiction. I want this to create a love of reading and learning and not feel like work at all. I am also giving myself lots of grace- if one week is too hectic to take on a new category we will just put it off a week and maybe continue to review last week's theme.<br />
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The Internet has been such a help in coming up with ideas! I search Google Images for line drawings that can be traced for coloring pages. There are so many websites offering preschool craft ideas. When I am feeling not so creative these have been really helpful! I look for videos on Youtube that would be educational (always preview first!). There are all kinds of sites like the National Wildlife Federation that offer tools for teaching children. Whenever I come across something useful I save it to a special folder in my favorites so I know right where it is when I need to refer back to it.<br />
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I find that the hands on learning experiences are the most fun and memorable. Making a craft together, going to a farm or even a trip to the pet store will make such an impression on a little one! It really doesn't take much to engage your child and make learning so fun.<br />
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So far our home education has been such a treat for both of us! Now every day Audrey asks when we are going to do our craft. I know I will look back and be so glad I was intentional about teaching her things and spending quality time with her!Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-58539058692550351442010-08-26T15:48:00.001-05:002010-08-26T16:35:06.288-05:00Teaching Our Children to Look to GodWhat is your child's first response when something isn't right? When an illness causes discomfort, when a fear comes up, when something is out of our control? And more importantly, what is your first response in these situations? I wish I could say that mine is always to turn to God in prayer. It often is, but not every time. I have tried to teach Audrey to think this way, to look to God when she is in need, and it seems to have worked. <br />
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A few weeks ago we were on our way home from church and I casually mentioned having a headache. Immediately the response from the back seat was, "Mommy! I want to pray for you!" After chewing up her snack, Audrey held my hand and prayed a sweet and simple prayer for my head to "not feel bad." I was so blessed by her quick and correct response to my need. We have taught her that Jesus heals and I love seeing her child like faith in action. I am so thankful that the good things we have sown into her are taking root and bearing good fruit. I feel like I fall so short so often and it is times like these that I feel such encouragement to press on. <br />
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I have seen God's faithfulness all throughout my life. I know that God still heals based on His Word, but also because of personal experience. My little sister was born blind. Her optic nerves had not developed and she was completely unable to see. My mom took her to three different doctors and they all gave the same diagnosis. They all said there was nothing that could be done, no hope of her receiving her sight. My mom refused to accept that her child would never see so my parents took her to be anointed and prayed for at our church (based on James 5: 14 and 15). The following evening they observed for the first time, Lauren following a moving object with her eyes. She was completely healed and now doesn't even wear glasses. This testimony has been such a powerful force in my life. Even in times when I strayed from God, I always knew that He is real and that He cares about me. I want my children to grow up with that same sense of God's love and power.<br />
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Children are never too young to learn about God and to hear about His love and faithfulness. They are little sponges, thirsty to suck up anything we put before them. We must be so diligent to seek out good things that nurture faith and godly character in our little ones! Spending time reading Christian children's books together, listening to worship music or scripture put to song, and patiently explaining who God is to our children really pays dividends. Our favorite books to read together right now are two that I had as a child and remember enjoying the rich detail in the illustrations. They are <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/084230164X?ie=UTF8&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=084230164X">Big Thoughts for Little People</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thinchrimama-20&l=as2&o=1&a=084230164X" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0842310231?ie=UTF8&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0842310231">Giant Steps for Little People</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thinchrimama-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0842310231" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />. Both are available through Amazon and teach biblical truths and godly character. We are also enjoying listening to God's Word from A to Z by Abe and Liza Philip and also the Seeds Family Worship music. Both are available through the Itunes Store and make scripture memory so easy.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-87958610943147204042010-08-18T15:49:00.000-05:002010-08-18T15:49:30.005-05:00Make at Home: Simple Display Solution for Children's Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjV4X4RLDClsKSjS4rT4YA7W9e-38aBqhOAGXIBh5bJtKxhp77WhenTNYCu17CI9RowNrytRi0HBsnOMAsZfVaTGyTfmRWbvtLeBEBC9bD_66Q5WHOT3czzuoagtx_lId6z4pv5BWhFE/s1600/IMG_6646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjV4X4RLDClsKSjS4rT4YA7W9e-38aBqhOAGXIBh5bJtKxhp77WhenTNYCu17CI9RowNrytRi0HBsnOMAsZfVaTGyTfmRWbvtLeBEBC9bD_66Q5WHOT3czzuoagtx_lId6z4pv5BWhFE/s400/IMG_6646.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Arts and crafts are such a fun part of childhood but can be a challenge to display. My daughter LOVES for her art work to be appreciated and cherished! I will never forget the time I was decluttering our (cluttery) art display during nap time and forgot to cover the evidence before Audrey woke up. She saw her prized creation in the trash and I wanted to sink into the floor. I felt like the <u>worst</u> mom ever! I just had to weed out some of the art to make room to display new pieces. I had no idea it was such a special piece and we immediately made a new one. Thank God I had the supplies we needed! I learned how special her art is to her and will never make that mistake again! I have been trying to find a way to show off more of her art in a way that is playful and fun just like the art itself. I didn't want to spend a lot or be stuck with something unattractive so I decided to just stick push pins in the wall and string ribbon between them. Art can be clipped to the ribbon with clothes pins and they can be easily changed out as new pieces are created. I am also planning on buying a large acid free box to store the pieces that I take down (most of them anyway). The art adds a fun, child friendly feel to her play room and makes her feel so special!</div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-1977107642004595212010-07-30T15:56:00.005-05:002010-07-30T16:14:19.954-05:00Make at Home: Hair Bows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrChFz8fw_XgDLw_3l11_uGYnab3M9F1YYqcGbM0z4qzgkzOkZ-AC4lfnQf4xr731fMZLLviW-Bcpipd6Lt5LpJyAqRSV8FQSN65IU-Dd3OoO2x7zhEE1Ns1ZMjibI0rPK1fyJA8DP5a0/s1600/IMG_6381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrChFz8fw_XgDLw_3l11_uGYnab3M9F1YYqcGbM0z4qzgkzOkZ-AC4lfnQf4xr731fMZLLviW-Bcpipd6Lt5LpJyAqRSV8FQSN65IU-Dd3OoO2x7zhEE1Ns1ZMjibI0rPK1fyJA8DP5a0/s320/IMG_6381.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Making your own hair bows and clips for your children is so simple and frugal! My daughter has never been very happy to wear a hair accessory for more than a few minutes and even used to pull them out of other little girl's hair as a baby! Now that she is two and has more hair to hold them, she will wear a clip or bow for an hour or more if she forgets it is in. She loves to hold them and can't see them when they are on her head I guess. For this reason, I have not wanted to spend much on cute little bows that will be pulled out and possibly lost. In two years I have only purchased 5 clips and bows for her and we are now down to 2. With her hair in a growing out stage it was time to do something! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I ordered <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001M7D7A?ie=UTF8&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0001M7D7A">Alligator Clips</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thinchrimama-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0001M7D7A" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />online (my local beauty supply store did not have what I was looking for) and went to my favorite fabric store for ribbon. I purchased a small bag full of ribbon for around $20 and the box of 80 clips was about $13 shipped. Despite my desire to keep chemicals out of our home, I did break down and purchase fray check when I realized that the non toxic glue I planned to treat the ends with would not securely keep the ribbons from fraying. Fray Check cost me roughly $3 at a local craft store and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Dnb%5Fsb%5Fss%5Fi%5F0%5F7%26fsc%3D4%26ih%3D3%5F1%5F1%5F1%5F1%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F1.218%5F226%26field-keywords%3Dfray%2520check%26url%3Dsearch-alias%253Daps%26sprefix%3Dfray%2520ch&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">Amazon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thinchrimama-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> also has it. (I got rid of all my nail polish a few years ago or I would have used clear nail polish instead.) With these supplies and a hot glue gun I can make dozens of hair bows to coordinate with her outfits. The bows and clips I have purchased in the past ranged from $3 to $5 so it really is a significant savings over purchasing them pre-made. So far they have all been simple embellished clips but I hope to make some actual bows soon! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was a great mommy craft that I enjoyed one afternoon during nap time. I ended up with 7 new bows and a holder for the wall! To make a simple bow display just cut two pieces of ribbon to your desired length. Treat the ends with clear nail polish or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Dnb%5Fsb%5Fnoss%26fsc%3D-1%26ih%3D1%5F4%5F4%5F1%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F1.46%5F68%26field-keywords%3Dfray%2520check%26url%3Dsearch-alias%253Daps&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">Fray Check</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thinchrimama-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />and hot glue one over the other. Sew a simple loop on the back for hanging by a nail and you are finished! This keeps your bows out to be enjoyed and easily accessed. Audrey loves her new bows and holder and I had fun making them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt7KRdnZCDK2G6tpTkPEx-gnfv_dBt9wb_sequ0d_RLooGfWyIPOPTHJ97SRYvmKyEZXHtngfNmRqB6DnDneG-iBG3JVLLXmmQYIXTL37VtJRZQSm-jLb6aO46jMF7SqvADPgOXZyNbM/s1600/IMG_6380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt7KRdnZCDK2G6tpTkPEx-gnfv_dBt9wb_sequ0d_RLooGfWyIPOPTHJ97SRYvmKyEZXHtngfNmRqB6DnDneG-iBG3JVLLXmmQYIXTL37VtJRZQSm-jLb6aO46jMF7SqvADPgOXZyNbM/s320/IMG_6380.JPG" /></a></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-21135246187129838402010-07-30T15:18:00.002-05:002012-02-27T23:06:34.348-06:00Children's Book Review: Counting In the Garden by Kim Parker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tuu4bPMA4jP4Qo1XcI8pH1wV3h00hY0DrpEx8yrAC3mN5ctknTtDmJJYP16ssHzhzT5nEcrLPmhTKs3vgoKe-cjtLCJe3c8WpBLX9sjxaOwF7ljuEuwSr2hmk07M58HbkRc0TVl-VRY/s1600/IMG_6408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tuu4bPMA4jP4Qo1XcI8pH1wV3h00hY0DrpEx8yrAC3mN5ctknTtDmJJYP16ssHzhzT5nEcrLPmhTKs3vgoKe-cjtLCJe3c8WpBLX9sjxaOwF7ljuEuwSr2hmk07M58HbkRc0TVl-VRY/s320/IMG_6408.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lately Audrey's favorite book has been <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439694523/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0439694523">Counting In The Garden</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thinchrimama-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0439694523" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>by Kim Parker. It is such a cheerful, fun book that helps children learn their numbers. Kim is an amazing artist and her work is so beautiful! Each page is rich with creative, colorful flowers and lovely animals and insects to count. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRAyeYG27Mid-XYfj4L573yz6YyKqv9dil93RPfdrKMJpz2mHwYPUbhyphenhyphenzAE8sByVKZRAGAtNJK6b15Xdqf9ioOTorWcvydbebA_8Acz8TG6cfOuhIo7LeT1vSWWhU-aK2Z6gLWaFeqoE/s1600/IMG_6409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRAyeYG27Mid-XYfj4L573yz6YyKqv9dil93RPfdrKMJpz2mHwYPUbhyphenhyphenzAE8sByVKZRAGAtNJK6b15Xdqf9ioOTorWcvydbebA_8Acz8TG6cfOuhIo7LeT1vSWWhU-aK2Z6gLWaFeqoE/s320/IMG_6409.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whenever we read it (which is like 5 times a day) Audrey points her finger and wants me to trace each number with it. This book really makes learning fun and it is so beautiful! I was thinking of buying a second one to frame some of the pages for our kid's rooms. It seems the book may not be in print anymore but is still available through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439694523/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0439694523">Amazon.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
I also found that many of the pages from the book are available as <a href="http://www.art.com/gallery/id--a7056/kim-parker-posters.htm?RFID=054402&GCID=s15529x001&MTID=2&MKID=294937&keyword=Kim%2bParker">prints</a> to be framed. For more of Kim's beautiful work check out her <a href="http://www.kimparker.tv/gallery.html">gallery</a>.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXI85CeMTuWUEczrDzDuMAH71ON7QMHPZyVcN5phlQaDun_oFmO3yGlxqCRXecEIxKGqnNFwkGR-muCUe12r1qqYOi0ciIy-jonXWxU3xORaJIa594NizgXai7YYo1-6AtbnZy_E6Z84/s1600/IMG_6411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXI85CeMTuWUEczrDzDuMAH71ON7QMHPZyVcN5phlQaDun_oFmO3yGlxqCRXecEIxKGqnNFwkGR-muCUe12r1qqYOi0ciIy-jonXWxU3xORaJIa594NizgXai7YYo1-6AtbnZy_E6Z84/s320/IMG_6411.JPG" /></a></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-64380118284937141242010-07-29T17:59:00.000-05:002010-07-29T18:02:24.341-05:00Keeping a Healthy Snack Close at Hand<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzldf6m63h4Sgsfj-HTQ3uP5IazjyuG8ApIsS50cmODAF6Dfj7MSlrWdf6k-RsXAMEAAy9RVH6nRK_ZFmF00zgRu80yO88WWNkwQHlVHEQzZbqbd-JF40ayeRRGkSavmfzFr6_IdkypM/s1600/IMG_6424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzldf6m63h4Sgsfj-HTQ3uP5IazjyuG8ApIsS50cmODAF6Dfj7MSlrWdf6k-RsXAMEAAy9RVH6nRK_ZFmF00zgRu80yO88WWNkwQHlVHEQzZbqbd-JF40ayeRRGkSavmfzFr6_IdkypM/s320/IMG_6424.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Isn't food in Summer wonderful! I have been in awe lately of all the fabulous produce we get every week from our farmer's market, CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and even our own garden. It feels so good to eat such perfectly ripe foods just moments or days after they are harvested. With a fridge full of delicious fruit I decided to start keeping a fruit bowl on the counter every day to encourage us to eat more of it. I know it is helping us eat healthier snacks by keeping us out of the pantry. We all could use a little more fresh in our diet and this has really helped!Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-23569801145662062392010-07-23T15:21:00.000-05:002010-07-26T16:13:36.545-05:00Cloth Diapering- Easier Than You Might Think!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Q7my_TyAkjT0SufsZwukIBHcs4AYo_bPGfCcHcZtQuiAYfhcrD4yjR9_jNjJuy6dGy-HBxOiseYLqnxAfChuOqTP4dlByuug_d2-YAezMW55G_AxZ_8Zsa4Z_0Dd__20SFFk1GqIaz0/s1600/CIMG3599b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Q7my_TyAkjT0SufsZwukIBHcs4AYo_bPGfCcHcZtQuiAYfhcrD4yjR9_jNjJuy6dGy-HBxOiseYLqnxAfChuOqTP4dlByuug_d2-YAezMW55G_AxZ_8Zsa4Z_0Dd__20SFFk1GqIaz0/s320/CIMG3599b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audrey at Two Months Wearing Fuzzi Bunz!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I love cloth diapering! I have been diapering Audrey in cloth since she outgrew newborn disposables. We do use disposables for times when we run out of cloth, when she is in a nursery or when carrying around dirty cloth diapers would be inconvenient. I imagine she is in her cloth diapers 85-95% of the time. <br />
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Like many new moms, I was very interested in cloth diapering but was afraid it would be a mistake. I was afraid it would be so gross that I would regret spending so much up front for my diapering system. I knew once I invested a lot in diapers there was no going back! I was also unsure about their performance- I was not interested in spending a lot on leaky diapers! My fears were put to rest however when we took the plunge and tried Fuzzi Bunz pocket diapers. I spent hours reading and comparing all the available options and found Fuzzi Bunz to be the best fit for us. They are pricey (I paid between $18 and $20 per diaper) but with proper care, certainly pay for themselves over time. Fuzzi Bunz were similar in price to other pocket diapers and all in ones (AIO). They are far more expensive then classic prefolds that are used with diaper covers, but for the convenience and comfort to baby I think the pocket diapers are worth the extra cash. I have since tried an AIO diaper and another brand of pocket diapers, both of which I was unhappy with. My daughter refuses to wear the particular AIO I purchased as it is rougher against her skin than the fleece of the Fuzzi Bunz. The other pocket diaper I tried is acceptable, but the proportions make it not fit as well as Fuzzi Bunz.<br />
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Pocket diapers are made of two layers between which you insert the absorbent pad (or pads) that will determine how much the diaper will hold. The customization is great! For smaller children who wet less at a time, the single liner or insert is perfect. For overnight use you can add a doubler or soaker pad to hold more moisture. Now that my daughter is 2, I find that the single insert is not enough and I use two inserts or an insert with a doubler around the clock. This does make for a bulkier diaper, but I don't think she minds. Each diaper comes with one insert and doublers are sold separately. Of all the doublers I have tried, I love my hemp ones (BabyKicks Hemparoo Joey Bunz) the most because they are very absorbent.<br />
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Fuzzi Bunz are made with a soft fleece layer on top (against baby's skin) that rarely stains and helps to keep baby a little drier. They have snaps rather than Velcro which is nice during laundering and the snaps are harder for little hands to open- a huge plus! When I purchased them, the one size fits all option was not available so I purchased smalls and now Audrey is wearing mediums. I did buy one of the one size diapers recently and really like it. It has elastic in the leg that can be easily adjusted for a snug or loose fit. I can't imagine this diaper on a tiny newborn, but I am sure it will continue to fit my daughter until she is no longer wearing diapers. If I had it to do over, I would probably still have purchased the smalls and then the one size diapers once she outgrew the smalls.<br />
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One problem I have encountered is the elastic not standing up to so much washing and wear. I found a <a href="http://www.celticclothswholesale.com/pages/ReplacingDiaperElastic.htm">tutorial</a> online showing how to replace the elastic. It was a pain to do, but will add a not of use to my diapers. Compared to spending $18 or more per diaper again, I can spend a few hours replacing the elastic! <br />
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Another thing I love about cloth diapering is using cloth wipes! They are so thick and so much cheaper than disposable wipes. Also I use half as many cloth wipes getting her really clean than I do with disposables. I found the thicker terry cloth wipes to be the best. I simply wet a handful of wipes with tap water and store them in a wipes warmer. I found no need to make a cleaning solution to soak them in. I sometimes will add a few drops of tea tree oil to the wipes (making sure it is diluted with the water). When I feel she needs a little more than just the wet wipes I will use a diaper spray such as California Baby to get her extra clean. I use a large trash can with a lid that can be operated with a foot pedal. Inside the can I use a cloth diapering pail liner that I take out and wash with each diaper load. <br />
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Washing cloth diapers isn't that bad. I find that if you don't have too many diapers you will wash more often and the smell will not get as strong. When Audrey was little I remember being pleasantly surprised at how her diapers did not smell that bad. Especially for exclusively breastfed babies this is true. Now that she is older, the ammonia smell is pretty tough but I think it is still worth it. I would strongly recommend using disposable gloves for processing your diapers! I don't separate the liners from the pockets when I am changing diapers so wearing gloves to do it as I put them in the washer is a big help. I add all my diapers and wipes to the load and run a prewash cycle with no soap before adding the pail liner to the main wash. I use Charley's Soap because it doesn't have any fragrances or garbage that we try to avoid in laundry detergent and it leaves no residue to irritate baby's delicate skin. It is also very economical and concentrated. So after the prewash, I run a heavy wash cycle on hot with vinegar in place of fabric softener and a second rinse at the end. <br />
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To dry them I throw my diapers, wipes and liner in the dryer and run them on low heat for about 20 minutes. Then I take out the diapers (usually almost dry at this point) and the liner and dry the inserts and doublers a little longer. Usually the doublers will still be damp so I hang them to finish drying. I store everything in a large basket in the bathroom (where I change diapers) and sort them into smaller baskets when I have a minute. It really is convenient and not throwing so much away just feels good.<br />
One of my biggest fears about cloth diapering was what to do with poop! I didn't want to get a toilet sprayer attachment- that just seemed so messy and gross. When Audrey was not on solids yet, the poop would simply wash away in the laundry. Once she got older I started changing her in the bathroom (more convenient for practicing early potty training or elimination communication) where I could dump any solids into the toilet. Now that she is 2, she is pooping in her diaper less and using the toilet more and when she does mess up and use her diaper it is usually easy to just plop it in the toilet. The poop aspect of cloth diapering is not pleasant but for me it was not a deal breaker. Also, it is your child's poop and as a mom God gives you a special grace to deal with it!<br />
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To determine the number of cloth diapers to purchase count (or estimate) how many diapers you use within a 24 hour period. Then determine how often you want to wash and give yourself a cushion to allow for the washing and drying time. We started out using 12 diapers and then felt the need to add 6 more. Eighteen was certainly enough for our frequency of washing. To determine the number of wipes to buy estimate how many wipes you use at each change and multiply that by how many changes you will need between washings. You really never can have too many cloth wipes as they can be used for household cleaning as well as for diaper changes. While my daughter is on the toilet I will often grab a wipe to clean the mirror or wipe down the counter and just toss it in the diaper pail when finished. Cloth wipes are so economical and are such a step up from disposable ones!<br />
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Websites selling cloth diapers abound! I have found that larger sites such as <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.kellyscloset.com/?AffId=320">Click here to visit Kelly's Closet</a>">Kelly's Closet</a> are a one stop shop, often offering free shipping with a minimum order. They also carry all the accessories you will need such as doublers, diaper pail liners, etc and even cloth products for mommies too!Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-89265157377035580402010-07-21T15:30:00.002-05:002010-07-26T16:16:54.735-05:00"I really need to nurse, Mama!"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWE1TLzrntehpZVDJzzrJT-fmaVPFzAy_m_kPbKOYIl9AyTKYdqTevdFPXPccLUr1W3ZGMcYZkPSzK10b5mn9y-UepnP747S5MX27gh5p6PlKQdBRxt2UvNEDb56e6lEnPl4qR8PkNl5Y/s1600/The-Breastfeeding-Mother-xx-Marguerite-Gerard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWE1TLzrntehpZVDJzzrJT-fmaVPFzAy_m_kPbKOYIl9AyTKYdqTevdFPXPccLUr1W3ZGMcYZkPSzK10b5mn9y-UepnP747S5MX27gh5p6PlKQdBRxt2UvNEDb56e6lEnPl4qR8PkNl5Y/s320/The-Breastfeeding-Mother-xx-Marguerite-Gerard.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marguerite Gerard, The Breastfeeding Mother</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
While rocking my daughter this afternoon before her nap she hit me with, "I really need to nurse, Mama!" It struck me as funny considering most people don't even consider nursing into toddlerhood, when a child can express themselves so clearly! Yes, I am still nursing my 2 year old. Nursing a two year old is so different from nursing a baby! She no longer nestles comfortably in my arms but rather lays across my lap or beside me in bed. She is not still for long but it is nice that I can now tell her how to adjust her latch when it gets uncomfortable.<br />
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Nursing while pregnant has created some changes to our nursing relationship, mostly the tenderness I have been experiencing and also the decrease in milk production. But I am so glad to still have those special moments of closeness with her. She is so very independent now and our occasional nursing times together are special. Some days she is distracted and forgets to nurse all day and others she "needs" to nurse quite a few times. I am thankful to be able to comfort her in this way and knowing that my milk is still a source of excellent nutrition is a plus. <br />
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When I first found out I was pregnant with baby number two, I made a list of things to do to get Audrey ready for this next phase of life. At the top of the list was weaning and potty training. I have since put that list aside. I no longer have the desire to wean. Who knows what her nursing will look like 4 months from now, that is if she is even still interested in nursing. Children change so quickly! I just want to go with the flow and offer her what she needs from me at each stage of life. I don't want to miss out on something special just because it isn't a cultural norm.<br />
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I don't know any other moms who have nursed their children well into the third year of life (I am certain they are out there!). I know extended breastfeeding is not for everyone, but I wish our culture would embrace breastfeeding as an important part of childhood. I think the nursing relationship between mother and child should not be limited to a given period of time but rather allowed to persist as long as mother and baby are benefiting. Not everyone has success with breastfeeding and not everyone's lifestyle would allow for extended breastfeeding, but for those who are able it can be such a blessing! It saddens me to see how convenience oriented our society has become. Aren't our children worth going the extra mile and giving them access to such a perfect food for as long as they would like it?Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-83683649078169736902010-07-21T15:13:00.002-05:002010-07-26T16:16:12.324-05:00Something Worth Pondering: Forgiveness<div style="text-align: left;">"Forgiveness is releasing the captive and realizing the captive was you." - RT Kendall</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Forgiveness is such a powerful force. True forgiveness causes even the most ungodly person to gasp in amazement. When we give ourselves the gift of forgiving others our own bitterness and anger is lifted and we receive a sense of freedom. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As Christians we have been forgiven of so much. In light of all that God has forgiven us of, should we not be quick to extend forgiveness to others who have hurt, taken advantage of or offended us? In Matthew 18, Jesus tells a parable of an unmerciful servant who owed a debt he could not pay. The merciful master forgave his debt even though it was equivalent to millions of dollars. The servant came across another servant who owed him a much smaller amount. Instead of remembering the mercy he had been shown, he demanded that the other servant pay him in full. When the master heard of this he turned the unmerciful servant over to the torturers. What a powerful picture of what we must look like to God when we hold grudges against people. Is there anyone that you need to forgive in order to walk in freedom? Forgiveness does not mean that what someone has done was ok. It only sets you free from the burden of unforgiveness.</div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-86456569868720329382010-07-01T17:15:00.003-05:002010-07-21T18:42:56.167-05:00Easy Composting<div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhlIOF6l3CnmQBwA50xgfR2tXp0nBJETsvMd5EKzpXguYAokjas5GvvHZqACnfnDBOawnivCe4sr7hyphenhypheniuGr-72LxwflnKLGT8i6-r2AVl1tmp2AmyFbqePI5vdsNpEB75ADvg85n5L1Y/s1600/IMG_6033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhlIOF6l3CnmQBwA50xgfR2tXp0nBJETsvMd5EKzpXguYAokjas5GvvHZqACnfnDBOawnivCe4sr7hyphenhypheniuGr-72LxwflnKLGT8i6-r2AVl1tmp2AmyFbqePI5vdsNpEB75ADvg85n5L1Y/s320/IMG_6033.JPG" /></a></div><br />
When we moved to our new home in December, my sweet husband built a stacking <a href="http://www.sunset.com/garden/backyard-projects/build-perfect-compost-bin-00400000014936/">compost bin</a> into which we had been happily discarding our kitchen scraps and yard clippings. Our compost was coming along nicely and was getting quite full when the flood hit! We live in Nashville and were hit by a record breaking flood at the beginning of May. Though our home suffered very little damage (we are so very grateful!), our compost bin was almost completely washed away. Only the bottom tier remained after a river flowed over our entire back yard for 24 hours. Discouraged by our loss of 3/4 of our compost, we stopped our usual collection of kitchen scraps in order to wait until a new compost bin could be built. Weeds began to pop up in the bin and as they grew we realized they were mostly not weeds but rather tomatoes, potatoes, and a vine we think is a squash plant. I had started my garden from seed weeks before the flood, but the plants coming out of the compost bin were healthier and much bigger than my seedlings that had been given far more care and had more time to grow. I was amazed at how much the richness of the soil impacted the plants. <br />
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Now I am more passionate about our composting than ever! I am always looking for things to add to the pile. I hope to have lots of mature compost to spread over our entire garden next year. Composting is so easy! If you have the space there is no reason to not do it. I always thought it would smell and attract undesirable animals or bugs but this has not been our experience. There is no odor whatsoever (unless you are turning the pile, then you will notice the smell of things breaking down). And other than the cost of the bin, the collection container and tool used to turn the pile it is absolutely free. I have been using a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002EZYY6K?ie=UTF8&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002EZYY6K">composting pail</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thinchrimama-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002EZYY6K" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />with a charcoal filter in our kitchen to collect scraps each day. I am so happy with it! It has no odor and it a convenient way to transport things to the compost pile.<br />
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Tips for composting successfully:<br />
<ul><li>compost plant material and egg shells only, avoid meat, dairy and bones as these will attract unwanted critters</li>
<li>keep a pile of grass clippings or other yard waste beside the bin and cover each addition of food scraps with it in order to cut down on flies</li>
<li>pile can be in a bin or standing alone, make sure it gets plenty of sun and stays slightly moist. Turn the pile every few weeks to allow air to circulate</li>
<li>the smaller the pieces added to the pile, the quicker they will break down. Smashing egg shells and cutting up citrus rinds will help them to decompose more quickly.</li>
<li>I found a good resource with more detailed info <a href="http://www.compostinfo.com/tutorial/CanICompostIt.htm">here</a>.</li>
</ul>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-39977311535020296652010-06-30T16:22:00.003-05:002010-06-30T16:33:41.023-05:00Preparing for Childbirth<div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaq4IT_5Y4E2ttdAJ1Sp4Atg267zqWTSrTWGLrzsafD1dTdb-b1aEF9_9cvUFmOcT1hLPWP6whf-ylBTq6qr6M-eK9Ugr0R1aqfJV39zXXHdRfZrREbxvFBwkZAXGG7U_6FGVnO__cdY/s1600/CIMG2328b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaq4IT_5Y4E2ttdAJ1Sp4Atg267zqWTSrTWGLrzsafD1dTdb-b1aEF9_9cvUFmOcT1hLPWP6whf-ylBTq6qr6M-eK9Ugr0R1aqfJV39zXXHdRfZrREbxvFBwkZAXGG7U_6FGVnO__cdY/s320/CIMG2328b.jpg" /></a></div><br />
With baby #2 on the way I have been thinking a lot lately about gearing up for my next birth. What a blessing children are and I am overwhelmed with God's goodness to us as I look at my precious daughter and picture this next baby coming into our lives! Being pregnant is not always easy and certainly labor and delivery is challenging, but children are so very worth it! <br />
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I had a (mostly) wonderful birth experience with my daughter just over two years ago. My husband and I took <a href="http://www.bradleybirth.com/Main.aspx">Bradley classes</a> and were so glad we did. I felt so prepared and excited about what her birth would be like. I was not afraid but rather confident in my body's God designed ability to produce, grow and birth new life. I would have loved a home birth, but the need to be on blood thinning medication (Lovenox) made the hospital my only option. The Bradley classes gave me the knowledge I needed to come up with a birth plan for the hospital setting. <br />
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I started contracting three weeks before Audrey was born. Sometimes they were strong contractions but mostly mild ones. I was around 4 cm when I went into "active" labor and Audrey arrived five hours later! With the threat of induction hanging over me, I took a long walk, ate almost an entire pineapple and then double pumped for 45 minutes! I think I overdid it a little as labor came on fast and strong. (I would not recommend the 45 minutes of pumping!) I stayed home for the first 3 hours and labored mostly in the bath. The warm water was so comforting and I enjoyed being alone while my husband packed the bag. At the hospital I was coached and comforted by my husband, sister (who is a midwife) and my mom. Other than wanting to induce me, my doctor was supportive of my choice of a natural birth. Each contraction was so painful but I knew that they had a purpose. I was not suffering but rather working hard to bring my baby into the seen world. I knew that with each passing contraction, that was one less separating me from my baby. I took them one at a time and relaxed as much a possible. It was amazing! <br />
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Everything went so well until Audrey was almost out and they realized she had aspirated meconium. They feared that this could lead to pneumonia and she was taken to the NICU after only moments in my arms. I kept waiting for the nurses to bring her back. I had no idea that she would be in intensive care for 4 and 1/2 long days. During that time my birth plan was completely ignored. They administered eye ointment, gave her formula and a paci dipped in sugar water. They didn't allow me to nurse her for 2 days. This was all a very difficult end to an empowering birth. My heart goes out to parents whose precious children stay in the NICU for much longer than our daughter did. In retrospect we were so blessed but at the time it was grueling. Our prayers were answered and she did not have pneumonia. We were able to take her home on the 5th day. What a joyful time that was! She was finally ours!<br />
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Birth is unpredictable and no one is exactly alike. It certainly helps to be prepared though. I highly recommend the Bradley Method of Husband-Coached Childbirth! After 12 weeks of class once a week you are armed with the knowledge and skills you need to welcome your baby into the world the safest way possible. You learn how to have the healthiest pregnancy possible through proper <a href="http://www.bradleybirth.com/PD.aspx">nutrition</a> and exercise. When you remain low risk you have options during labor and birth. My Bradley teacher also prepared us for breastfeeding by explaining what to expect and teaching proper latching. She was available to answer questions both during pregnancy and after birth. She was amazing! Click <a href="http://www.bradleybirth.com/Main.aspx">here</a> to find Bradley childbirth teachers in your area.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-5422462213757608292010-06-28T14:15:00.002-05:002010-06-30T15:29:54.229-05:00Cheap Seventh Generation Diapers and Wipes!<div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwjCTIBwttJiNK-7X5S-OpI-e3WbgFI3MMZIN88YmU-IqYERGrpR1oFf_U3GVEhARzHROythrEsrbumSVrTLkA2gGiZrwDme7Ra4BghwDluvcRXKr_Bob5GJzYyDINFkiMM1RIQPYdd8/s1600/IMG_5945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwjCTIBwttJiNK-7X5S-OpI-e3WbgFI3MMZIN88YmU-IqYERGrpR1oFf_U3GVEhARzHROythrEsrbumSVrTLkA2gGiZrwDme7Ra4BghwDluvcRXKr_Bob5GJzYyDINFkiMM1RIQPYdd8/s320/IMG_5945.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In a previous <a href="http://thinkingchristianmama.blogspot.com/2010/01/more-money-saving-ideas.html">post</a> I mentioned how much I enjoy Amazon's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSubscribe%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D979895011%26ref_%3Dgro%5FSnS%5Fsparkle%5Fshop&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">Subscribe and Save</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thinchrimama-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> program- such a great deal! Then today I received an email letting me know that their Seventh Generation <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Dnb%5Fsb%5Fss%5Fi%5F0%5F10%26field-keywords%3Dseventh%2520generation%2520diapers%26url%3Dsearch-alias%253Daps%26sprefix%3Dseventh%2520ge&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">diapers</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Dnb%5Fsb%5Fnoss%26field-keywords%3Dseventh%2520generation%2520wipes%26url%3Dsearch-alias%253Daps&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">wipes</a> were an additional 15% off when you purchase them through their Subscribe and Save program. That makes them 30% off of their already low case price. I ordered two different sizes and a case of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Dnb%5Fsb%5Fnoss%26field-keywords%3Dseventh%2520generation%2520training%2520pants%26url%3Dsearch-alias%253Daps&tag=thinchrimama-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">training pants</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thinchrimama-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />and wipes. I purchase the travel size packages of wipes because they are small enough that they don't dry out before we use them up. They were only $1.69 each! The diapers ended up being $6.99 per package! I think they are closer to $12 at my grocery store. We use cloth diapers and wipes 80% of the time, but there are always times when we need to have disposables on hand and I have been really pleased with Seventh Generation. It is great to know you aren't putting harsh chemicals like chlorine against your child's delicate skin.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Amazon indicated that this was a limited time promotion, so I don't know how long it will last. Enjoy the savings!</div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-3235596645849985582010-04-29T14:28:00.000-05:002010-06-30T15:29:29.520-05:00Enjoying Every DayWe are expecting our second child this November and are so very excited! Being pregnant the second time around seems much harder than the first, mostly because of the two year old that keeps me hopping. I have felt so very tired that I have often forgotten how precious this time is with her, our last few months as just us. Having the new baby brother or sister will be so wonderful, but it will be a change and I don't want to miss out on the special time that is now. I want to shower my daughter with love and make the most of her time as an only child. I came across the lyrics to this song by Malvina Reynolds and I cried. It was really a wake up call for me to not let one day go by without appreciating how precious life is, to not wish for an easier day but to fully appreciate the one I am in. Hope it inspires you too!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">"I wish you were here to get underfoot,</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish you were here to get in my way, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">To call me from work, to call me to play,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish you were here again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh what did I do that had to be done, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And what did I read that had to be read, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I might have turned to watch you instead,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish you were here again."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-77792504676207634292010-03-18T22:37:00.000-05:002010-07-26T16:22:15.238-05:00Amazing Garlic CroutonsHere is an excellent use for bread ends or bread that isn't as moist and fresh as it used to be. These croutons add an incredible pop of flavor to any salad or soup. They are a great way to sneak more garlic into your diet. Start to finish they take about 25 minutes and are very hands off.<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
Stale bread or bread ends (any kind will work)<br />
Fresh garlic cloves (to taste, going a little overboard will make them extra tasty!)<br />
Butter<br />
Pepper <br />
Parmesan Cheese<br />
<br />
Start by preheating the oven to 350 and dicing the bread into little cubes. While the oven is preheating, throw a generous amount of butter into a heat proof dish and stick it in the oven. Once the butter has melted, mince the garlic into the butter and stir to combine. Next throw in the bread cubes and toss to coat them evenly. Sprinkle them with pepper (they really don't need salt) and then transfer them to a baking dish (glass works well for this). Make sure they are not too crowded because you want them to crisp up nicely. Bake for about 20 minutes or until desired crispness. Grate some Parmesan cheese over the top and allow to cool if using on a salad. Enjoy!Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-82821265481955160142010-03-15T15:45:00.001-05:002010-07-26T16:17:23.583-05:00Quality Apps for Kids<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rd-CBIx5mcM&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rd-CBIx5mcM&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, I would not advocate the use of any electronic entertainment for preschoolers on a daily basis or for long stretches of time. Children should be nurtured and cared for by real adults with real conversations and real world experiences. I used to be very anti- video, dvd, and battery operated toy, but found that sometimes these forms of entertainment make life much easier. I think they preserve our sanity as parents and when used minimally do no harm to our children. I remember very well those days when a DVD meant I was able to get a shower without hearing my child screaming the whole time. My pre baby ideals sorta went out the window at that point.<br />
<br />
With that being said, I want to share with you these adorable preschool applications for Iphones and Ipods. My 2 year old (23 months actually) LOVES my Ipod Touch and can turn it on, unlock the screen, scroll through a few pages of aps to her page. Then she bounces back and forth between a few of her favorites (Jingle Bells, an animal spelling game, tic tac toe, doodle aps, etc). Today I was trying to find one she had enjoyed playing on my sister's phone when I came across these adorable aps from <a href="http://tickletapapps.com/">Tickle Tap Aps</a>. We purchased Sound Shaker first and I knew we had found something special! Then I picked up Field Flier because the little bird was such a hit, and since I want her to get a better grasp of numbers I got Count Caddy as well. The graphics are so much cuter than anything else I have seen and the games are more creative. These aps were $1.99 each but I think they are worth that. Just make sure your kiddos enjoy them responsibly :) Now if only Apple made something to keep toddlers out of the other applications (calendar, contacts, etc) when they exit their games!<br />
<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-Om3Pn8jKJM&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-Om3Pn8jKJM&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-6865335672632030272010-03-15T15:20:00.000-05:002010-07-26T16:22:15.240-05:00Swiss Chard Even a Toddler Will Eat!<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14gvRa5fiUfZwP7xmALNnCsKg2Ofd19Z3dqlUFAcIJSOta5WNp8G6nnRwzCQfFTazBpKiiWY2PTt-8rwnsEvDjklkg1C1o4F_JSQTx3JxHiTXU3DnQnvtJ2bJtqDi4FdOximwoWNHuU0/s1600-h/IMG_9986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14gvRa5fiUfZwP7xmALNnCsKg2Ofd19Z3dqlUFAcIJSOta5WNp8G6nnRwzCQfFTazBpKiiWY2PTt-8rwnsEvDjklkg1C1o4F_JSQTx3JxHiTXU3DnQnvtJ2bJtqDi4FdOximwoWNHuU0/s400/IMG_9986.JPG" vt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I am new to cooking greens and sometime feel intimidated by them. I know they are so very nutritious but I wonder how they will taste and if my family will actually eat them. Swiss Chard (or Rainbow Chard) however is easy and tasty! I am sure there are many ways to prepare this green but here is what worked for me. As you can see, I don't really use measurements when I cook things like this. Just put the amount that looks right and enjoy!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">Ingredients:</div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="text-align: left;">one bunch chard (I used Rainbow as you can see above)</div></li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 red or yellow onion</div></li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="text-align: left;">fresh garlic to taste (3 cloves for us)</div></li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="text-align: left;">Butter or Coconut Oil, be generous! It adds such good flavor.</div></li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="text-align: left;">Salt and Pepper, other seasoning to taste</div></li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="text-align: left;">Frozen Corn</div></li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="text-align: left;">Precooked sprouted lentils (optional)</div></li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="text-align: left;">Parmesan Cheese for topping</div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;">Thoroughly clean your greens then separate the stalks from the leafy part. Chop the stalks and the onion and saute in butter or coconut oil for a minute. Add in the garlic and salt and pepper as well as any other seasoning you like (crushed red pepper, granulated garlic, dried thyme, etc) and cook until just tender. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lQzITyZ5e8ZxxSnUqtSfgIJx2reIaeAShk3BihS3O43MiOai8aQQmPNMoZgRyLv0bkrx-7o8pyOMM7fmEuvcVvCEDhmUiUyfCwsHe_X2_AmIk0Mb4GvdN0ROMU_rV22aGl10IAlmVxQ/s1600-h/IMG_9991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lQzITyZ5e8ZxxSnUqtSfgIJx2reIaeAShk3BihS3O43MiOai8aQQmPNMoZgRyLv0bkrx-7o8pyOMM7fmEuvcVvCEDhmUiUyfCwsHe_X2_AmIk0Mb4GvdN0ROMU_rV22aGl10IAlmVxQ/s320/IMG_9991.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Meanwhile, roughly chop the leafy greens and add them once the stalks are slightly tender. Continue to stir and cook until the greens are wilted. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLV-m_EUkOnn1NYtvbBa_qaZDtkwJSvV2KyLTwkj085nBLEdlUQCHUz15fNSM6aqWzlBUduLCasUnAgsFXUWL8quUSq2LP8Er3a3QwyGOvDx1thsOCG9iUeP1TV8XvRIJvZ_PG4QF13k/s1600-h/IMG_9996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLV-m_EUkOnn1NYtvbBa_qaZDtkwJSvV2KyLTwkj085nBLEdlUQCHUz15fNSM6aqWzlBUduLCasUnAgsFXUWL8quUSq2LP8Er3a3QwyGOvDx1thsOCG9iUeP1TV8XvRIJvZ_PG4QF13k/s320/IMG_9996.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then add frozen corn and lentils if desired. The corn adds a sweetness that balances the earthy flavor of the chard and the lentils add protein and make this dish more satisfying. Test for doneness and for flavor and top with Parmesan Cheese if desired. If only it ended up as pretty as it started!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dcnFD4_RESHiah7Gi_g-_l9nbXm4Ljv1slbXKIwaq9-IWRs5My7ZelQQDWm3KbGmpEEkCpaEGROxybFcjs0SK8s3-qhn-dkJAMS3J0B9-IvKM6ANBPam_Z_5gQwkeTWln11lU5qdTbI/s1600/IMG_9998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dcnFD4_RESHiah7Gi_g-_l9nbXm4Ljv1slbXKIwaq9-IWRs5My7ZelQQDWm3KbGmpEEkCpaEGROxybFcjs0SK8s3-qhn-dkJAMS3J0B9-IvKM6ANBPam_Z_5gQwkeTWln11lU5qdTbI/s320/IMG_9998.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-43292642584517260702010-02-27T17:45:00.001-06:002010-07-26T16:22:15.241-05:00Delicious and Nutritious: Smoothies<div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKHvaFHeILtUBBRSpiDOxVjE1hrNfBBhnM4CjEgHKcaqg3-elCHrFHVYEzRJdqZEmpxKyf1LGPvP_WWVgl5IHltSauXlw3ApxUUh1tx6WXZRAROjb-6uaiOFDOHXewriTrtLIR6R7L5E/s1600-h/IMG_9965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKHvaFHeILtUBBRSpiDOxVjE1hrNfBBhnM4CjEgHKcaqg3-elCHrFHVYEzRJdqZEmpxKyf1LGPvP_WWVgl5IHltSauXlw3ApxUUh1tx6WXZRAROjb-6uaiOFDOHXewriTrtLIR6R7L5E/s320/IMG_9965.JPG" /></a></div>One of the biggest challenges of being a mom is getting nutritious, whole foods into our children. It is especially hard to get them to eat a variety of healthy foods when they are small and don't have all their teeth yet. I introduced smoothies to my daughter a little before her first birthday and it was a hit! For the last year we have been sharing a smoothie for breakfast almost every morning. She learned to drink from a straw very quickly and will drink quite a bit! <br />
<br />
Here is how I make our smoothies:<br />
<br />
Start with a whole, peeled orange and blend it up with either yogurt, kefir, raw milk, hibiscus or other herbal tea, or fresh juice of your choice (I don't recommend juice unless it is fresh juiced from organic, whole foods because of the sugar content and pasteurization of commercial juices).<br />
<br />
Once this mixture is smooth add any or all of the following:<br />
<ul><li>organic frozen berries or fruit (I use blueberries, strawberries, peaches, cranberries and pineapple)</li>
<li>fresh organic spinach or other green (spinach is mild and doesn't really change the flavor)</li>
<li>banana or other fresh fruit</li>
<li>green powder (we like Garden of Life's Perfect Food Berry)</li>
<li>ground flax seeds</li>
<li>spirulina, beet powder, olive leaf complex, zinc lozenge or other healthy supplement</li>
<li>for a treat you can also add cocoa powder, cinnamon, or vanilla extract</li>
</ul>Your smoothie will be loaded with fiber and vitamins! It tastes great and will help you get more fruit and veggies into everyone's diet. When my daughter is sick I love to add supplements to our smoothie that she would not take alone. Recently she had a runny nose that she just could not shake and we tried olive leaf complex. Within 2 days of introducing it into her smoothies and mixing it with her water she was completely better. Try to use organic ingredients when possible to reduce your exposure to toxins and to get more nutritional bang for your buck. If your budget limits your organic choices try to stick with organic for the most contaminated fruits and veggies. A helpful list is located <a href="http://www.foodnews.org/fulllist.php">here</a>.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-36680489239824840302010-02-17T15:34:00.003-06:002010-07-29T18:08:41.350-05:00Make at Home: Refreshing Mouthwash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zbEdCIEfcAR0au5py6SruFa-gADhOQYuELQ4iTM956YYiP_Kabs083aKQKrLu5COXX__Vzmoyl_j_K6bgc3IzvAWpaq_MPNK0gk3KPhZSZOkY06n7C7PYa47TZGUisyH5JOWGUTo16I/s1600-h/IMG_9948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zbEdCIEfcAR0au5py6SruFa-gADhOQYuELQ4iTM956YYiP_Kabs083aKQKrLu5COXX__Vzmoyl_j_K6bgc3IzvAWpaq_MPNK0gk3KPhZSZOkY06n7C7PYa47TZGUisyH5JOWGUTo16I/s320/IMG_9948.jpg" /></a></div>I have been making my own personal care products for the last few months and have had mixed results. Occasionally something will turn out better than what I have been buying. There have also been times I have had to throw my concoction out and start over, or repurpose it (for example sticky lotion can become shaving cream). I mixed up this mouthwash yesterday and am so happy with it! It really left my mouth minty fresh with a slightly herbal taste. It is made of simple ingredients and you can tweak it to fit your individual preference. Here is what I combined in a glass jar:<br />
<ul><li>water</li>
<li>baking soda (aluminum free if possible)</li>
<li>aloe gel</li>
<li>vegetable glycerin</li>
<li>peppermint oil</li>
<li>clove oil</li>
<li>lemon oil</li>
<li>tea tree oil</li>
</ul>I did not measure the ingredients, but this is roughly organized by largest quantity to smallest. Once combined, shake well and try it! I had to tweak mine a few times to get that strong peppermint flavor I was looking for. Make sure to use organic or high quality oils that can be used internally (not labeled external use only). I found my peppermint oil and baking soda in the baking isle of my grocery store and the rest I have purchased from <a href="http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/index.php?AID=109865">Mountain Rose Herbs</a> or Whole Foods. It is so fun to make your own products, especially when they really work well! I would love to hear what adjustments you have made to make this recipe work for you!Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756997156794018029.post-49587499641706684312010-02-03T16:18:00.002-06:002010-02-03T16:26:49.621-06:00Putting God First in Our Traditions<div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSpK66OVCL-sVUX90vPQQOagQ2eG9-BiMoXgZ4upXgxBdiqYIt-HzzQ7ki-BUIYUPqXdR0Qd1pTfaYSHSLIy8KnlEkvfAaS_8cdMwztC5cSCC2ZsliYiKuEiR8Wh4CnVeDB4TMuuWsjQ/s1600-h/IMG_8550b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSpK66OVCL-sVUX90vPQQOagQ2eG9-BiMoXgZ4upXgxBdiqYIt-HzzQ7ki-BUIYUPqXdR0Qd1pTfaYSHSLIy8KnlEkvfAaS_8cdMwztC5cSCC2ZsliYiKuEiR8Wh4CnVeDB4TMuuWsjQ/s320/IMG_8550b.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The holidays are behind us now and unfortunately that is a relief to many of us. The stress and hassles that come with Christmas are really a shame. One major source of stress is deciding on, buying and wrapping gifts, not to mention mailing or delivering them to each person on your list and trying not to leave anyone out. In years past I have felt the joy of Christmas diminished because of the pressure to find something thoughtful for each person on my list without going way over budget. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, two years ago my husband and I tried something radically different! We decided that since it was Jesus' birthday we should give Him something He would like! So we decided to take the money we had saved throughout the year to buy Christmas gifts with and instead give it to a ministry who would use it to help the poor and show them Jesus. We believe it is God's heart to love and care for those in need and most importantly introduce them to Jesus. So we wrote a letter to all of our friends and family letting them know what we were doing. We asked that they partner with us and send any money they would have used to purchase gifts for us to the ministry we choose or one of their choosing. That year we selected a ministry that was drilling wells in Africa and this past year we selected <a href="http://www.irismin.org/p/home.php">Iris Ministries</a> who also ministers in Africa to orphans. It was so very rewarding to send a check to these ministries who are saving lives and saving souls. We so appreciated everyone who partnered with us. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On a much less eternal note, it really made my Christmas less stressful. Although I did not miss receiving gifts at all, I did miss the fun of giving (at least giving to the people who are easy to buy for like my mom, sister, girl friends, etc!). We did not go over budget and were able to spend more time together, less at the mall or in traffic. I don't think we will do this every year but once in a while it is a great way to honor God and have less on your to do list! How do you keep God first in your celebrations? I would love to hear your ideas!</div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09169078533272314693noreply@blogger.com0