Monday, December 30, 2013

Well, we made it through the holidays with 3 kids and now the hubby is home the next week so life should be a little easier. We were able to go for a 2 hour long walk today because the temps are above freezing. However, due to last weeks ice storm, there is melting ice falling off the trees. Therefore, one needs to be quite careful walking under huge trees.

Our church has their Christmas program tomorrow. I am playing my flute and singing in the choir.  Then on Thursday the wedding festivities begin.  The Bride's party Thursday, Rehearsal on Friday, Wedding on Saturday, Brunch on Sunday.

The kids have been quite healthy so far this winter. We give them some Vitamin D to boost their immune systems. I also try to get them outside each day, even if it is for 20 minutes.  The kids are also on a vegan diet. No dairy, no meat. Which I believe makes them more healthy. Did you Daniel was a vegan? And his 3 friends too? The caretaker of the 4 men did not want them to appear weaker than the other young men. However, they appeared stronger than the other young men after the 10 days of their fruit, beans, bread and veggie diet.

Daniel 1:6-20

New King James Version (NKJV)
Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the nameBelteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who areyour age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
11 So Daniel said to the steward[a] whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16 Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

17 
As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.



Thursday, December 19, 2013

Working outside the home

To work or not to work. That is the question. I packed up all 3 kids yesterday and we attended my work Christmas potluck.  I loved being among co-workers. I love that we are one big family.  When one works in a stressful environment you feel as though you have been to "war" and back with those co-workers. You have been in the trenches with those special individuals.

My husband and I talk about whether or not I will seek employment outside of the home on a weekly and sometimes daily basis.  I worked hard to get my masters degree, credentials and pay off my student loans. I was in the workforce less than 10 years.  I do have a 401K started and pray that money would continue to grow exponentially.

I love being home with my kids and having a schedule 8am-8pm and that I have control over their schedule. I love that that I have control over their meals and how they are prepared. I love that I do not have to pump breast milk for the baby. I enjoy all the direct cuddles all day long.

And so the dilemma continues, should a woman work outside the home? How many hours? Each family and woman is different. But as I dig deeper into God's word I keep coming back to "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward in one's youth" Psalm 127.  These 3 children God gave me to raise and I want to follow God's best plan for them.

workingmomgraphic.jpg (1436×1236)

http://www.hautemama.ie/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/workingmomgraphic.jpg

http://www.workingmother.com/

http://gingerlouiseclothing.blogspot.com/2010/08/vintage-rosies1940swoman-to-admire_15.html

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Garlic

Today I would l like to talk about garlic.  Garlic is a healing herb that can prevent illness but also heal the outside of the body. One of the books I rely on for my family is "The Natural Remedies Encyclopedia. ( http://www.amazon.com/The-Natural-Remedies-Encyclopedia-Edition/dp/B004GYQ5UU).

I put dump 4-6 tablespoons of garlic in most of my dinner meals. Most of my meals are currently very simple. For example, dry pinto beans with garlic, cooked in the crockpot for 4-6 hours. We eat a side dishes of organic brown rice, guacamole and salsa.  We eat this meal 3-4 days out of the week.

Pinto beans are from Aldi https://www.aldi.us/
Guacamole https://www.aldi.us/
I buy the garlic from Costco

I am currently using Garlic as a healing herb. I have a red rash, the size of a dime near my coller bone. I have been putting Garlic on this spot for 3 days at a time, using bandaids to hold the garlic in place.  The first layer of the red rash peeled off after 3 days of garlic treatment. I let the area air out for several days and now I am going to apply Garlic for another 3 days.  I am thinking that the red rash could be a form of skin cancer so I am trying the herbal route first.  

Here are some other sites recommending to use garlic as a healing herb.  

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

3 under the age of 3

Well now I have 3 kids under the age of 3.  Let me tell you. God gives you just enough strength to get through the day.  No more, no less.  I am staying home for 6 months maternity this time around but am considering being a stay at home mom.  Let me tell you this whole motherhood thing is not for the faint of heart.

In this blog I would like to talk about natural births, gentle mothering, cloth diapering, pumping, homeschooling and raising 3 kids under the age of 3.  Please feel free to comment and ask questions. Thanks.