Broken Chairs

I'm sighing.
It seems like every other day I find something broken around this house.
A broken toy, basket, dish.
A broken vintage chair.
No one seems to know how any of these things broke.
It's a mystery!
I cried about the chair.
I'm sighing.
Aren't we supposed to take care of the things God gave us?
I'm wondering if we have too many 'things' and we just don't care anymore.
What's the big deal?
Just get a new one!
I think we DO have too many things and you all know how I am trying to simplify by having less stuff.
After I found the broken chair, I threatened to get rid of EVERYTHING!
All the 'extras'.
Why have anything if we won't take care of it.
It just doesn't make sense.
Oh, and I know some darling little children who are probably eagerly awaiting the Christmas gift RECIEVING season.
WE DON'T NEED ANYTHING!
We can't even take care of the things we do have!
Sighing, sighing.
But today is Veteran's Day!
I had the kids attention at the breakfast table.
Listen, children, about those who gave so much to defend our country and fight for freedom.
Your own Grandpa and Uncle.
And countless others I could name.
And what about the ultimate sacrifice of forever freedom in Heaven someday.
Jesus didn't even have a home to call His own and we can't even be thankful for the chair we get to lounge on every day!
We are making an attitude change.
When I cried about the chair it was more for our attitudes and how we are so flippant sometimes with the things God has entrusted us with than just the hole in the chair.
We have been given so much that I wonder if we even realize just HOW MUCH!
We are taking too much for granted.
I want a thankful heart and a desire to take the focus off of ME and onto others.
And I want to truly be thankful for ALL THINGS.
I don't want to be crying over broken chairs.
So today we started 51 Days of Giving!
51 days from today, Veteran's Day, until the end of the year we will focus on giving, not getting.
Giving, because we are given so much.
Giving, because we truly want to be thankful.
We went to the library and found books and VeggieTale's DVD's about giving and one book, of course, about Veteran's Day.

This giving thing is going to be fun!
I think it's the perfect antidote for my broken chair!
The kids and I brainstormed for ways to give (and there's no need to stop after 51 days!)
1) Give thanks to God-give Him our hearts.
2) Use kind words.
3) Call a veteran to give thanks.
4) Tell someone about Jesus.
5) Make bookmarks and leave them in the library.
6) Leave coupons in the grocery store.
7) Invite someone new over for a meal or dessert.
8) Visit someone new.
9) Rake a neighbors leaves or shovel their sidewalk.
10) Send someone a 'thinking of you' card.
11) Decorate lunch bags for Meals on Wheels recipients.
12) Visit a nursing home to pass out treats and sing songs.
13) Bring treats to the fire and police stations.
14) Leave a kind note for the postal carrier.
15) Fill shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse.
16) Donate to Toys for Tot's.
17) Pick a name off the Giving Tree at the local library and buy a gift for a recipient in need.
18) Give a favorite book to someone you know who'll enjoy it.
19) Make a special craft with a special child.
20) Call an old friend.
21) Give a dollar to a child for no reason
22) Give hugs and kisses.
23) Send an encouraging note to a minister or teacher.

Maybe you will want to join us in our giving quest. Just start where you are and
please feel free to share any ideas you have for the encouragement of all of us to give during this beautiful thankful season!

My Super Simple Health & Fitness Plan

I am trying to not be so preoccupied with health and fitness.
I do not want it to take precedent over more important things like spending time on building relationships, especially with God and those He gave us to love.
I still think it is so important, though, to try to keep our bodies as a temple, feeding it good, God-given food, drinking pure water and keeping it in good shape so we can enjoy the life God gave us and to perhaps even be a helper in His plans.

So, here is my plan:
1) I get up early so I can 'hem' my day in prayer and read a little scripture (this is the number one thing that has helped me with my day!) while sipping on warm lemon water.  This takes anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes depending on how early I get up. (I unload the dishwasher while my water heats up.)
2) I then put on my tennis shoes and start the laundry and immediately start exercising while the laundry is going.
I workout anywhere from 20-45 minutes depending on how much time I have. I do not stress about it at all. Whatever works is good enough but I never NOT do it. I exercise every day, but I make it easy by doing it early in the morning right in my own home in between household activities, which is usually when it is still dark outside, before kids get up.
Here is my workout schedule:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
Total body workout-alternating strength moves with cardio
My current workout, though you can make up your own, alternating strength with cardio.
Jump rope 100-200 rotations
push-ups
jump rope 100 rotations
assisted pull ups
jump rope 100 rotations
bicep curls
run stairs 5 flights
triceps dips
jump rope 100 rotations
kettle bell swings
REPEAT 2-3 times depending on how much time I have.
End with 200 jump rope rotations, cool down, stretch
You could just do jumping jacks alternating between push-ups, squats and tricep dips.
SO SIMPLE! NO EXCUSES!

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday:
cardio and abs or glutes
5 minutes jumping rope
5 minutes running stairs
alternating for 20-30 minutes
5-10 minutes abs or glutes exercises
cool down and stretch
Again, SO SIMPLE but very effective!

Sunday: 15 minutes of yoga and maybe a leisure walk with hubby. Nothing serious.

3) I drink a protein shake with ground flaxseed added mixed with water after every workout. I use All-natural Body Logix protein powder 'decadent chocolate' found at Meijer.

4)  Shower time: I dry skin brush before every shower using a natural bristle skin brush found at health stores, using long firm strokes starting from feet and brushing upwards towards the heart.
I take a shower using baking soda water (1 tablespoon per cup of water pre-mixed in a water bottle) for my face, body and hair; rinse, and then I use apple cider vinegar water (1/4 cup per 1 cup of water pre-mixed in water bottle) for hair conditioner and face toner; rinse.
I keep a large bag of baking soda and 1 gallon apple cider vinegar under my bathroom sink for refills.
Honestly, my skin and hair is SO soft!
And, really, it is just so simple, and cheap, too!
I towel dry and use coconut oil on my face, neck and entire body.
Now I'm glowing! Yes, I keep a jar of coconut oil under my sink!
Teenage daughters and hubby are saying how great my skin looks and it is super cheap and no yucky ingredients!
Super simple!

5) After my shower, I get to dress in something other than workout clothes now that my early morning exercise and shower is done!
Yay! I was tired of always being in workout clothes! 
It's done for the day and now I can enjoy my other tasks without worrying about it!
Plus, I feel great and perfectly ready now to start the rest of my day with that out of the way!

6) I focus on drinking at least 3 quarts of water each day and getting veggies in at every meal.
Breakfast is usually 2 whole eggs with sautéed onions and some other veggie. Love it! I sprinkle a little Braggs liquid aminos on my eggs which is a lighter version of soy sauce!
I am currently eating a large veggie salad every day for lunch with homemade olive oil and apple cider vinegar dressing and protein-chicken, salmon, hardboiled eggs. Sometimes I add nuts and seeds and olives.
For dinner, I usually have some kind of meat, venison, chicken, salmon with vegetables and a salad with healthy fats like olives and homemade dressing.
I keep almonds in my purse in case I need a snack when I am out, sometimes dark chocolate is added!
I eat fresh veggies for snacks, also; cucumbers, radishes, broccoli.
I limit my dairy, fruit, grains, starchy carbs and sugar, though I do not cut them out completely.
I just feel so much more energetic when I limit these foods. Usually I limit them to 2 servings total per day.
I do eat dessert here and there but try to just have a taste instead of a whole piece if I feel I have eaten way too much of the limited foods during the week. Otherwise, I do eat the whole piece!
If things have gotten out of hand with the eating, (which they do), I cut out all limited foods for a few days.
This is KEY to keeping me in my skinny jeans, plus, I feel so much better and energetic!

7) I try to get outside for fresh air and sunshine every day and get to bed at a decent hour.

I hope this schedule of mine encourages you to have your own little schedule no matter where life finds you.

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 2

Bless the Lord, O My Soul!

My heart gets troubled by many things.
The child who gets left out.
The child with constant headaches.
A messy house.
Not enough time in one day.
A never ending pile of laundry.
Worry for the college kids.
Sorrow over others grief,
Am I helping others enough?
Do my loved ones know I care?
Am I too busy with busy stuff and not spending enough time with 'needful' things?

I am learning to give up my little worries with the simple act of praising God.
Oh, and it is helping me let go of worrying.

I was fuming the other week at church, (of all places) when one of my children and a friend were obviously bypassed by the other kids of the same age.
They had the nerve to walk right past and sit at a different table even though there was plenty of room at that table!
Every single one. Probably about 10 others!
As I was saying, I was SO mad!
What little brats!
I could feel myself heating up.
OK, so I thought, I'm in church, singing these beautiful songs and yet, here I am, fuming at these kids.
Give it to God, I'm saying to myself. Or was it God saying it to me?
Find praise for Him!
Oh, Dear Lord, I praise your Holy Name. You are So Good. How great Thou art!
Immediately, my heart calmed down.
This child that I worried about fitting in is precious to God.
Everything doesn't have to be picture perfect in a worldly sense.
"I love this child. This child is so special to me" is what I heard when I decided to give God praise during that somewhat stressful time for this mother!
I felt a little sheepish then, of course, when I thought of how I automatically labeled those kids as brats. I mean, after all, they are precious to God, too! And some other mother's special child.
Though my heart just ached for this child of mine-a quieter child and not very outgoing, though friendly. Of course, I want my children to be accepted by their peers and they probably are, but that night it just didn't look right to me.
As I was giving praise to God, I realized that I was making a way bigger deal out of the situation than was needed.
Another friend came over and it ended being the three of them while the other10 squished around another table.
Praise the Lord! He gives everyone a friend!
God is Good!

Thank you, God, for these dishes I get to wash and the food you provide.
Thank you for this laundry and all our beautiful warm clothes.
Thank you for providing health providers for this child with headaches.
Thank you for a husband who fixes the washing machine and provides so adequately for our family.
Thank you for a home that I can lovingly clean and share with my family and others.
Thank you for providing us with a wonderful church family and people who love us.
Thank you for taking care of all our needs.
Thank you for loving me when I am unlovely.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;"  Psalm 103:1-4

Amazing Grace, is all I can say!

Our Lesson on Joy

I flip the pages of this precious Book, this Book that breathes Life, in search of those precious words written in red.
Joy.
Just the sound of it fills my heart with such gladness.
I use my best handwriting to copy it onto our kitchen blackboard and wonder at the love that overflows from it.
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John15:11 KJV
We read the meaning of joy in our dictionary and this is what it says:
A condition or feeling of high pleasure or delight; happiness; gladness.
These precious words were spoken by our Dearest Friend.
Our Dear Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
He is Light. Full of Beauty and Goodness.
Full of unending Joy!
And He freely and joyfully gives His Joy to US!
So WE can be FULL of JOY!
Full of HIS JOY! The Joy of all Joy!
Full to the tippy top!
If that isn't the 'highest of pleasure'!

We are searching for comfort in sorrowful times. Loved ones are called Home and we aren't ready for them to go.
How our hearts ache and will go on aching for maybe forever.
The tears will not leave our eyes.
Oh, how we need these Precious Words of Life to breathe life back into our barely breathing souls!
"He will swallow up death in victory;and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.."
Isaiah 25:8
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." Psalms 126:5
"And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." John 16:22
That's our Dearest Friend again-the words in Precious Blood Red!
Feel the Breath of Life in these Precious, Holy, Beautiful words!
Words of comfort. Words of peace. Words of joy!
Living, breathing, words of LIFE!
And the promise to give us His joy so that ours may be full!
Fill our hearts, oh Lord, with your Perfect Joy!
Oh, what a Friend we have in Jesus!
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalms 30:5
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:18
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

May the Love, Peace and the Joy of the Lord be with you always, dear precious friends!

Memorial Day

Here is an essay that I found on the internet that was written in 2001 by Ali M, 3rd Grader, Academy Elementary School, Madison, Connecticut.
I think it is quite wonderful!

Memorial Day

As the flowers rest on the decorated graves and the sunlight shines on the beautiful sailboats, Uncle Sam whispers in my ear about how we should care for the soldiers and remember the ones that have died.  Swimming pools open, BBQs fry.  Today is the day to think of what they have done for us. There are blurs of red, white and blue marching down the street and flags are lowered half-mast.  But we should always remember and never forget what set us free, from this very day on.

I love working out at the local track.
Here is one of my favorite track workouts:
1) Run the bleachers up and down 10 times.
2) 25 incline push ups on bench
    25 triceps dips on bench
REPEAT #2 for 2 complete sets
3) Sprint track straight ways and recover on curves. 2 times around track for a total of 4 sprints and 4 recovers.
4) 25 crunches
    25 bicycles (elbow to right knee, elbow to left knee is one full rep)
REPEAT #4 for 2 complete sets

REPEAT #1 THROUGH 4 two more times for a total of 3 sets!

Great workout using high intensity cardio and strength for maximum fat burning and muscle building!
Go home and drink a protein shake!

Every time I go to the chiropractor I am reminded of Life's Little Instructions since it is posted on the back of the restroom door.
I love it!  Here it is:

Life's Little Instructions

Sing in the shower. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated. Watch a sunrise at least once a year. Leave the toilet seat in the down position. Never refuse homemade brownies. Strive for excellence, not perfection. Plant a tree on your birthday. Learn three clean jokes. Return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank full. Compliment three people every day. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them. Leave everything a little better than when you found it. Keep it simple.

Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. Floss your teeth. Ask for a raise when you feel you've earned it. Be forgiving of yourself and others. Overtip breakfast waitresses. Say "Thank you" a lot. Say "Please" a lot. Avoid negative people. Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards. Wear polished shoes.

Remember other people's birthdays. Commit yourself to constant improvement. Carry jumper cables in your trunk. Have a firm handshake. Send lots of Valentine card. Sign them "Someone who thinks your terrific". Look people in the eye. Be the first to say "Hello". Use the good silver. Return all things you borrow. Make new friends but cherish the old ones. Keep secrets. Sing in a choir. Plant flowers every spring. Have a dog. Always accept an outstretched hand. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life. Wave at kids on school buses. Be there when people need you. Feed a stranger's expired parking meter. Don't expect life to be fair. Never underestimate the power of love. Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation. Don't be afraid to say "I made a mistake. Don't be afraid to say "I don't know". Compliment even small improvements. Keep your promises (no matter what). Marry only for love. Rekindle old friendships. Count your blessings.

Call you mother.

Train Up A Child

The children are the future of the world.
They will be the mothers, fathers, neighbors, leaders, teachers, mentors of the coming generations!
What they learn today will shape them for the future, yet what are they learning today?
Children learn what they live.
Here is another poem that I remember on Grandma Storm's wall when I was a young girl:

Children Learn What They Live by Dorothy Louise Law Nolte

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
But,
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those around them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

When we first started homeschooling, I worried about what to teach our children.
 I would constantly ask God to just hit me on the head with a brick with a note attached so I would know exactly what to teach the children he loaned to us.
And in His gentle, loving, very patient way, this is what He 'told' me:
"Teach them about Me.
Teach them about Jesus and My love."
So, I asked, "well, what about math and science and history and geography and public speaking and physics and government and foreign language and, and, and,....?"
In His gentle, loving, very patient way, this is what He 'told' me:
"Teach them about Me.
Teach them about Jesus and My love."
Okay, so......hmmm....um, anything else?
The note on the brick came.
And in His gentle, loving, very patient way, this is what He 'told' me:
"Teach them about Me.
Teach them about Jesus and My love."

I am NOT kidding! 
This is EXACTLY how it went!
I worried. I wondered. I read endless books on education, homeschooling, how to teach children, etc.
Would my children measure up?
Are they going to succeed in life?
Will they FAIL???
I was certain they would be the first homeschooled students to FAIL!
And this is the message He sent with the brick!
"Teach them about Me.
Teach them about Jesus and My love."

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22: 6

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
Deuteronomy 6:6, 7

And the brick keeps coming!
Thank you, Lord, for being so patient with me! 
I think I've got it!
Ouch! My head hurts!

"Peace I Leave With You"

Our worries of the day make it hard for us to sleep sometimes. 
 Proper rest is said to be one of the most important things we can do for our health and well being.

Here are a few ideas for peaceful sleep!
1) Go to bed early!
Put the kids to bed and start on your own bedtime ritual! Stop all chores, start a bathing ritual, settle into bed, read a little, count the days blessings, say your prayers and turn out the lights!
2) Create a morning routine: 'hem' your day in prayer, sip something warm, count your blessings, take a few deep breaths and plan your day.
3) Take mini breaks throughout the day to just breathe deeply-inhale slow, exhale slow-all the way to the belly and back!
4) Increase your exercise.  Make sure your physical activity is as great as, or greater than, your mental activity.
5) Get plenty of fresh air and sunlight.
6) Eat food the way God made it.
7) Sip on herbal teas.
8) Take a short nap.
9) Keep your sleeping room dark and quiet.  Eliminate all blue and red lights from electronic devices.  Keep your room as dark as possible.
10) Buy a good mattress!
11) Practice yoga~google relaxing yoga poses.
12) Don't eat anything crazy before bed!
13) Live in peace.
14) Let go and let God!

"A day hemmed in prayer rarely unravels." ~a saying on Grandma Storm's wall.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." ~ John 14:7

"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." ~ Psalms 4:8

God's Peace to all!
Love,
Laura

I'm Dreaming of Vegetables!

I've started exercise classes again and I am so thankful that the ladies come over so I can get my butt in gear!  I was actually quite lazy this past fall so it feels good to be back into a routine of exercising and eating healthy!
Sheesh, I actually fell off the bandwagon for awhile there!
But, don't worry if you've done the same! We'll just keep on trying!
So, every week when we have class, we try to add something beneficial to our week.
Last week was trying to get in 12 cups of water a day and this week it's veggies and I was thinking maybe some of you would like to get a little encouragement, too!
Here is the email I sent:
"Hi Everyone!
This week we will continue to drink our water & do our kegels (now is a good time :) and trying to incorporate 1-2 NEW vegetables into our weekly menu!
Here are a few ideas:

*Kale: tear bite size pieces off of the stem and put on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake in 350* oven for approximately 15 minutes or until crispy.
~we love it this way! Also, great in soups, smoothies, and stirfrys.
*parsnips, Brussels sprouts, turnip, rutabaga are all great in roasts & stews.
*seaweed, kelp are easy to crush & sprinkle in soups, sauces, dips, stew, pizza etc.
*bok choy is delicious in stir fry
*eggplant and zuchini can be sliced & topped with tomato & mozzarella for mini veggie pizzas.

*pickled artichoke hearts are great on salad and pizza!

*all kinds of greens can be added to green smoothies

*sautee asparagus with olive oil and spices

*wrap partially cooked bacon around fresh blanched green beans or asparagus and finish baking in oven, drizzle with homemade dressing

*shred a variety of cabbage, beets, etc for a fresh cole slaw

*okra is great in jambalaya

Our local Meijer grocery store has signs above their produce that give suggestions for using the vegetables.

Also, try different ethnic recipes for great ideas for using different veggies and spices. One year around Easter, I made our whole dinner from middle eastern cuisine! It was so fun trying new recipes with 'exotic' ingredients and spices! I felt like quite the gourmet chef making baba ganoush and falafels!

Anyway, I didn't realize how fun it would be to try new veggies and recipes so go ahead and have some fun with YOUR new veggies!"

 

It really IS exciting! You might just want to go get yourself a new apron!

 

Wellness Mama

I just wanted to share one of my favorite health sites that I stumbled across in my search for how grains can impact our dental health and found out grains have a huge impact on overall health.
It's been a very interesting learning experience for me and I have been slowly implementing a lot of what I learn to our everyday life.
The site is full of great homemade natural household & beauty recipes and wonderful recipes and menus for grain-free, sugar-free, nutrient-dense meals.
It's Wellness Mama and you can check it out at the link below.
I think you will enjoy it, too!

www.wellnessmama.com