Hope in Tragedy and the Day to Day

                                          image credit

I had a handful of posts that I had scheduled to post this week.  In light of everything that's going on in the world, it just seemed so trivial to post about muffins or our field trips.  

With the devastating earthquake in Nepal and the rioting in Baltimore, it's been a heavy week for the world.  Although, there aren't any weeks or days that go by that don't hold tragedy.

The story goes that we all still have to put one foot in front of the other and life continues to go on.  We all still have to feed our children or go to work or fold laundry or eat a meal, whatever it is that we all do, life still calls for us. As trivial as some things may seem in light of tragedy, life still calls.

Regarding the tragedies and the atrocities in the world, some will do or give nothing.  Others will give everything!  The most important thing we can do is...

Know Our Part in the Story
May we allow our compassion, our grief or even our anger to drive us to do our part. We need to know our part in this story of life.  For many, that means pray and talk to our children about these things. Teach them. Exemplify compassion, love, and servanthood.  Prepare future generations to be and do better.

For others, that means give in some way. Money, time, resources or HOPE! 

Next week, there will be different parts to the story.  Sadly, there will be more tragedy, loss, pain, suffering and injustice.  More people in the East may continue to lose their homes or lives for living for Him. Yet, I may still post about muffins or silly trips to the beach.  That does not, however, mean I will stand by and do nothing!

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, He rescues those whose spirits are crushed."     ~Psalm 34:18

What is your part in this story of life?

Recipe: an alternative to microwave popcorn

Let's face it, the aroma (and taste) of microwave popcorn is amazing.  It's so quick and easy to make and has been a faithful friend at many a movie night.  Sadly, like many great snacks, it makes the list of "too good to be true" on the healthy list.

At the very least, almost all brands of popcorn are made with the bag lined with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).  When heated, this toxic chemical has been linked to infertility, cancer and other diseases in lab animals.  It can also stay in the human body and the environment for long periods of time. 

In our family, we love having movie nights (Among our favorites are: Little House on the Prarie, Star Wars and the new T.V. series, A.D.)  What we don't love are the toxic chemicals that come with microwave popcorn.   

Sooooo, we are very glad to have found an alternative that has an amazing taste without all of the added chemicals.

Stove Top Popcorn Recipe:

1 tsp coconut oil
1/4 c organic popping kernels
Sea Salt or Pink Himalayan Salt

Simply, add about 1tsp. of coconut oil to a pan and melt.  Pour in about 1/4c of organic kernels. Cover with a lid and wait until most of the kernels pop. Add salt to flavor. 

What's your favorite movie snack?

It's great to be back!

So....wow, it's been awhile.  I literally have not posted since spring of last year.  That's an entire year. 

I miss writing here, but life has been happening. Mostly good things, but yes, some struggles, loss, heartache and challenges as life tends to bring to all of us.

Quite honestly, amidst the busyness of life, I committed the "mortal sin" of blogging.  I stopped writing. Any blogging book or training will tell you that that is the one thing you must not do.  Well, I did it.  I will bare my soul a bit with you for a moment. As I just mentioned, I love writing and having a blog.  But.... I allowed frustration, comparision and lack of technical knowledge to keep me from doing one of the things that I love.

We all know how quickly technology develops and changes.  It's so hard to keep in the know.  There were/are so many changes and updates that I want to see happen on here that honestly, I just don't know how to do. Nor am I at a place that I can hire someone to do them (hint hint...anyone want to help a girl out?! LOL) . I got overwhelmed.  So, yes, I just walked away for awhile.  Yet, I missed it the entire time. 
 
It's so refreshing to be back here.  I never knew how much I enjoyed pouring my soul into words on a page and sharing it with friends.  Thank you for reading!  I have been completely humbled by some very sweet messages from friends saying how they enjoy my blog and asking "where I've been".  Humbling for sure!  Especially on the days when I don't even like reading it.
  
During that time, I drafted SO many blog posts in my head that I want to share.  Family updates, recipes, life events, homeschool, healthy living, etc.  So, hopefully, you will see those soon.  

I wasn't planning on starting back up with such a heavy subject, but it just so happens that today is a day that we remember our little baby that we lost in the fall of 2013. Our fifth little sweetheart would be turning 1 today. 

So, say a little prayer for our hearts as we think about the one who could have been a sweet little addition to our family. 

 

Prepping for our new addition : (

On the expected due date, after we lost baby, we wanted to dedicate some time to memoralize what the day could have been.  We decided to get some balloons. Since we weren't sure of the gender, we got different colors.  

The girls released the balloons into the air.  Then, the craziest thing happened.  Within seconds, all of the balloons were missing. Not in the sky. Not in the surrounding trees. Gone.  The only thing we could see was ONE lone PINK balloon floating high up in the sky. Given our track record of having girls, I have my deductions of what that could mean (insert sobbing).  

Lord, hold our precious baby!

 

 

 

What we're learning: Reading

Ahhh reading.  So, even when we had made the decision to homeschool, I was still slightly intimidated by the thought helping my children learn to read.  I planned to just send them to preschool and/or kindergarten and let someone else get them on their way then bring them back home for school.  Seemed like a great plan?!   ; )

In the meantime, when our oldest was nearing preschool age, we found a  Hooked on Phonics program at a garage sale and bought it.  We looked through the program and evaluated it.  We liked what we saw, but it was an older version with cassettes.  Long story short, we resold it and got a newer version for the girls.  

We have used this program as our main reading program and it has truly been awesome in helping the girls learn to read.  Both our first grader and preschooler are reading way beyond their grade level. 

My fears and intimidations have faded and I could not be more proud of how well they are reading, but MUCH MORE than that....how much they LOVE to read.  This is huge!!!

On the days that I'm feeling unsure about whether we are "doing enough" or if I'm on the "right track" with school, my awesome husband reminds me how much the girls enjoy reading and says, "if you can get a child to enjoy reading, they can learn anything by just picking up a book."  We have found this to be so true. 

 Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

Bob Books

We start them very young around here. LOL

Resources and tips that have helped make our reading journey successful and stirred a passion for reading in our girls:

• Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read  (Pre K -2nd)
• Bob Books
• Bob Book Free Printables/Supplemental

We also:

Attend our local library reading programs (starting them at a very young age).

Borrow (loads and loads of) books on their favorite subjects at the library. 

Keep books handy in our car while running errands or on road trips.

Give each girl a reading light and allow them to read in their beds at night when they are not quite tired. 

Implement daily reading time.

Read to our kids often.

Try being an example by reading.

Buy books as one of their birthday gifts.

Happy reading all!

Mini-Makeover Winner!

Winner from last week's Mini-Makeover for Mom:

 TARA in Maryland!

Congrats Tara! Enjoy your gift for yourself and your new little one on the way. You deserve a little pampering!!

Giveaway: Mini-makeover for Mom

Now, say that 10 times quickly....mini-makeover for mom, mini-makeover for mom. ; )


I love giving stuff away, so this is so fun for me. With Mother's Day approaching, I wanted to share some Pure, Safe and Beneficial products with one lucky momma.  

A very important piece of information that I have learned from Arbonne (even before deciding to sell the products) is that our skin is our largest organ and anything we put on it can be absorbed into our bloodstream in as little as 26 seconds.  This has changed everything when it comes to the products I use for myself and my family.

These are some of my favorite Arbonne products that have been quite beneficial for me as a mom of 4 little girls that I have included in the giveaway:


Fizz Sticks (Citrus & Pomegranite):
These are mommy's little helpers : )))    As you moms know, keeping up with 4 small children (or even 1 or 2 or 3) requires a lot of energy.  In addition to a healthy diet, these little antioxidant energy drink packets are great to add to water to give a subtle boost in energy.  They contain B vitamins and chromium for increased energy.  There are NO artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors AND they are alkaline not acidic like coffee.  (They are the ONLY energy drink I have ever tried because so many others freak me out.) 

RE9 Body Lotion/Serum:  I occasionally apply these to my mommy "battle scar" area a.k.a. lower abs, which has been inflated and deflated 4 times.  There's definitely some proof that I've brought some humans into this world.  I instantly see a difference when I apply the body serum and lotion.  Its gives a quick lift and greatly reduces any crazy lines, squiggles, dimples or whatever shapes and forms are going on down there.  Sorry, TMI?!?  Mommies, you know what I'm talkin' 'bout : )) 


RE9 Body Firming Creme:
This creme supports collagen and elastin to help promote a more firmer more toned look and feel to skin.  I use this on my tummy area as well.  The true life before/after pics of this creme are AMAZING!  I had to try it for myself and it works.

ABC Baby Care:
I use only this on my little ones for bathing.  I like knowing that it's safe for their precious skin and that nothing harmful is being absorbed into their blood stream.  This line has been known to help with eczema for adults and children.  The lotion has cleared up little eczema bumps on my 3 year olds face.


Detox Tea:
This herbal tea (a mix of chamomile and peppermint) contains milk thistle and slippery elm which help with liver detoxification.  One of the advantages of detoxing the liver is assisting in hormonal balance and ridding of excess hormones.  We are all familiar with the hormonal ups and downs with pregnancy, delivery and nursing. If you are looking for a more intense detox, try our 28 Day Detox Boot Camp.

Pure Vibrance Hair Mask:
I'm not sure about you, but my hair texture and lustre has definitely changed in this season of childbearing and nursing.  I realize a lot of that has to do with nutrition and hormonal changes, but this mask is a great external fix.  It's a day and night difference that I feel and see in my hair when I use this 1x per week. 

I would also love to throw in our Aromassentials Unwind Bath Salts (with lavender) for a warm foot soak after a long day of doing all that you moms do.  However, it may be a bit too large to throw in the package.  You can check it out here.  It's prettttty amazing, I must say. Maybe that will be another giveaway?!  Come back and visit to find out.

Anyway, those are the product samples that 1 momma will win from this giveaway.   

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

• Enter below by leaving a comment about being a mom (what you  love most about it or how it has blessed/changed your world or why you need these products ha ha)

• All entries must be in by Friday April 11 @ 11:59 pm CST

• 1 winner will be chosen and contacted by April 14th

• To see more posts like this and be updated on other giveaways, simply subscribe to this blog by adding your email in the "Follow By Email" section to the right. 

Don't want to wait for the giveaway or didn't win? Check out my website!  (Don't forget ask me how to shop at a discount and avoid paying retail.)

What we're learning: Our 100th Day of School

Yay! We finally made it. We celebrated our 100th day of school last week.  The girls have been looking forward to this for a while.  Here are some of the activities we did to recognize the day. 

We've been counting down!  (This is from our Daily Notebooks.)

 We read cooresponding books: 100 Days Of School,  Emily's First 100 Days of School 

Coloring time

Aweeee.  She loves "doing cool" and being big. 

Counting by 10's and working on place value with coins for our 1st grader 

Do A Dot Art Marker art

Number practice with our Preschooler.

They have worked so hard and learned so much this year.  They definitely deserved a 100 Day treat!!!  Notice someone in the house lost her first tooth this week...very proud, very proud!



Here's to the rest of the year!!!