Just Our Thoughts

Our home, on fire.

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:58:00 +0000

Here's a picture of our house, fully engulfed in flames.

We are so thankful for all the fire departments that responded so quickly.

Thankful for the couple at the end of the driveway who heard my screams and stopped to take the children and I to safety.

So thankful for Seven and Tammy-Lee who took our whole family in for an indefinite amount of time. Thankful for our church family, community, friends, family, neighbors (near and far) who have rallied around us with donations and words of support.

I will share more as time goes on, but right now things are CRAZY around here! We are trying to get settled into a rental home and going through donations.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

So sorry for not drawing a winner

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:46:00 +0000

I know I have a winner to draw but we had a house fire and lost everything. I will draw it when we are more settled.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Gall Bladders and Essential Oils

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:55:00 +0000

I have told you about a couple of gall bladder attacks that I have had in the last few weeks, since getting pregnant. I’ve told you how we changed our diet and are eating more fresh veggies and fruit. I love how much this change is working for us. The children are loving all the berries, and oranges and salads (except for the avocado that I have grown to LOVE). I am also drinking about 20 oz. of warm water first thing in the morning. In that water I squeeze a half a lemon. Wyatt loves to share my water. About once a day or once every other day, I’ll put some geranium in a capsule and take it internally as well. Geranium is the essential oil that helps with gall bladder issues, among other things.

The other night I felt another attack coming on just as I was going to bed around 10:30. My chest started to hurt on the right side, under my ribcage. I quickly applied 3-4 drops of geranium essential oil to the area. I wandered around, closing up the house for the night (shutting off lights, the computers, TV, locking doors, etc.) and by the time I was done, the pain was almost completely gone. I hopped in the shower and by the time I was done in there, I could hardly tell there had been any pain. I applied a couple more drops as I climbed into bed. The next morning… no pain at all.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) has a wonderfully uplifting, calming, flowery scent. It is excellent for the skin, and its aromatic influence helps release negative memories. Used traditionally to support the circulatory and nervous systems, a great deal of its strength lies in its ability to revitalize body tissues.* Geranium has an approximate ORAC of 1,010,011 (TE/L). TE/L is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent per liter.

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

~~REGULAR – 52.30~~ SPECIAL – 48.00

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Random again...

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:37:00 +0000

I realized today that I am finally okay with and starting to even get excited about this pregnancy. It's amazing the difference a couple of weeks can make. I think I might have just maybe felt some movement, which is early for me. I don't usually feel baby move until closer to 20 weeks. And I realized that my uterus is growing! lol. Silly I know, but it kinda clicked that this is why my coats don't do up anymore and I can't suck my gut in! lol

********************

I know it's a little thing but I bought myself a treat today - a copy of Caesar's Way Magazine. I have been working with my dog a lot lately and Caesar is the Dog Whisperer, in case you didn't know. I saw the magazine a couple of weeks ago and didn't buy it then. Today I did. I'm glad I did too. It just reinforces what I'm doing and gives me the encouragement and direction I need to keep going with the training I've been giving our 1.5 year old mixed breed dog, Doc Holiday.

He pulls. I have been working on this for the last couple of weeks. Today he hardly pulled at all. On the way to the dog park he pulled some which is normal for him; we played for about a half hour and then walked to the post office. He did really well after being at the park and then on the way home from the PO, the walk was leisurely and controlled, very little pulling, except for one instance where he lunged toward a truck driving by on the highway! Scary! I'm going to be working on that now too!

*******************

We were watching CSI: Miami with the kids around and there was a sperm donor involved with the crime of the day. Well, until they said this man had over 100 children I didn't have to explain anything... but... I ended up having to explain WHY this man had so many children and why he wasn't actually the dad to all those kids. So this is what I said: There is a liquid inside a man that helps to create babies. This man went to a clinic and gave them that liquid. He got paid for it. Then women came and bought this liquid and used it to make a baby.

OH BOY! lol.

The kids were like, oh okay.

*******************

Today was kinda exciting, I guess. My bus is on its way to the crushers along with a black side kick type thing that's been in my yard for YEARS! In exchange we received a second Ram Charger. This new Charger is either for parts or something. J mentioned he might sell the two of them as a pair and get a mini-truck (Japanese). My yard seems empty now without the tall school bus sitting in the middle of it. I will miss my bus, but at the same time it was very expensive to run - insurance and fuel!

********************

I bought a book about using essential oils during pregnancy and on infants and small children. Gentle Babies arrived in the mail today. I love it already. I can tell that I will be referring to this book on a regular basis just like my reference guide that I use almost daily. I love knowing that my essential oils are safe for me and for our growing baby, as well as for our other children.

Lately the children have been using the oils for boo-boos - cuts and scrapes. Lavender on a cut or scrape quickly takes the pain away and starts to heal the injured skin. They love it. Kristyn used peppermint on her nose today; yesterday she got hit on the bridge and it was hurting. She has discovered that peppermint not only warms but also cools the skin / muscles.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Kitchen Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:55:00 +0000

Well, I wasted the morning on Pinterest, but I’m glad that I did. I am starting to get excited for my kitchen remodel that should be happening this spring. So I typed “kitchen” into the search box on Pinterest and these are some of my favorites among the MANY pins that came up.

Source: brabournefarm.blogspot.com via Joanna on Pinterest

I love the rustic look, but I am leery about how easy this would be to clean. My kids are little and the unfinished wood would collect crumbs and stickiness.

Source: mybluecanoe.tumblr.com via Nicky on Pinterest

What I love about this one is the very basic cupboard, the ease of use – everything is in an arms reach, the open shelving.

Source: google.com via Cody on Pinterest

Our whole home is very eclectic. Nothing really matches. I love how this kitchen is put together with handmade pieces that all serve a purpose. And again, the open shelving.

Source: Uploaded by user via Nicole on Pinterest

This one is very open and bright. Everything matches which would take time for me to do. I think this kitchen would be very easy to clean. And I like the drawers on the bottom. I won’t have room for an island, I don’t think but I am hoping a peninsula. The shelving by the chairs, will be perfect for each child to have a cubby, a place to put their stuff that gets scattered around the house.

Source: free-home-decorating-ideas.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I love the wood counter! I think DH has a concrete counter in mind, and I’m okay with that too. I love the colors, but have always wanted a yellow kitchen. I know we plan to use tongue and groove type of wood for the cupboards, but I’m not sure if we plan to pain them, or to paint the walls. I love the idea of having the mugs hanging. This kitchen has too much stuff on the counter for my taste. I prefer to have everything in a home and to have my counter space available as work space.

Source: designsponge.com via Rosie on Pinterest

I love the white and the under the stairs! So very simple. I don’t know what the rest of the kitchen looks like and I know this wouldn’t work in my house, but when we retire, I would love to have just the very very very basics…

Source: desiretoinspire.net via Joanna on Pinterest

http://www.redbrickbarn.com.au/ – more pictures here!

My kitchen sink is going to be under a window. I love that! I love the way the plates are stored, so close to the sink, for ease of putting away after washing. I’m not thrilled with this sink though. And the little shelf under the winter is awesome! I’m trying to decide if I want a concrete backsplash and counter, or just one or the other.

Source: re-nest.com via Brandon on Pinterest

Again – the open shelving. So easy to put stuff away, and to grab it when needed. No doors to clean! And incentive to keep the clutter at bay!

Source: homemadeinheaven.blogspot.com via Sarah O on Pinterest

Simple. White. Drawers. Shelving. Large pantry (appears to be anyway). Seats for kids near by. I even like the steel blue coloring.

Source: funkybeardecor.com via Leslie on Pinterest

Again, with the rustic wood and concrete counter! I love this combination. The open shelving and the stacks of bowls. I don’t like the pallet on the wall though.

Source: rosesandrustblogger.blogspot.com via Lynn on Pinterest

I love this sink! And the drying rack. I think my dishes would just live there. I love the concrete, too. And what a great use of the wall space at the end of the sink and counter. Normally that space is wasted. I love it! I already have my sink chosen, though I think I’ll be repainting it. It’s currently pink.

Source: catchingfireflies.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

And I love this artwork. I’m thinking of something a little more subway art.

In talking with my DH a couple of things I haven’t taken into account is the fact that I have 2 fridges. But I am thinking I don’t want them BOTH in the kitchen. And the amount of upper shelving I want may not be enough.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Lavender Essential Oil

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:56:00 +0000

I am learning a lot about essential oils since before I signed on as a Young Living distributor. And I learn more every day. Take this morning for example.

It’s really cold here and one suggestion to help keep the house warm (our house is so drafty and our furnace is barely keeping up) is to run the oven – either the self-cleaning feature (which I don’t have) or baking. I decided to bake cookies, something I haven’t done in close to a year I bet (except for with a friend at her house).

Everything is going really smoothly. The kids are cooperating, not fighting. The dough is mixing well. And I’ve got the timing so the cookies are coming out almost perfect. Then, I pull out a batch, transfer the cookies to the cooling rack, and grabbed the hot sheet to move it where I was about to put more cookies on it to bake. Well, I grabbed it without an oven mitt or towel, just my bare hand. All 5 fingers burnt. I dropped the pan and ran to my oil box.

On the way up the stairs, I’m thinking, “what’s the oil for burns??? I think it’s …. lavender… I bet it’s lavender.” I drop lavender on all the fingers and gently massage it in. Then I go find my reference book to see I grabbed the correct oil. Sure enough, I turn to BURNS and the first oil listed is lavender!

They (other oilers) say that very often we are just drawn to the correct oil or oils. I think it sounds kinda hokey to say your body just knows which oil or you get a sense of what oil to use. I know I’d read in the past about oils for burns, but I didn’t know for sure which oil to use, because I have been filling my head with oil testimonies and best oils for type information for about 3 weeks now.

The pan was very hot. I am sure I would have some very red welts at the very least without the lavender, but I don’t. My thumb is a little tender when I brush it against my clothes or something but I can use my hand no problem, just like before I picked up the pan.

I am impressed! I love my essential oils!

Want to try lavender for yourself? (So many uses for lavender.)

Lavender Essential Oil 5mL bottle ~~REG 9.00~~ SALE 8.00 (only one available)

Lavender Essential Oil 15mL bottle ~~REG 27.30~~ SALE 24.97

(shipping not included)

Please contact me to place your order.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Pregnancy…

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:55:00 +0000

I am 13 weeks pregnant.. This pregnancy was a surprize; we were / are emotionally and mentally done. I didn’t want to have any more pregnancies … anymore babies. I wanted to move on to the next stage of life. I wanted to start to enjoy my older children more – teaching, guiding, doing fun “grown up” kid stuff.

I have really enjoyed the last two babies, despite the fearfulness that lasted the whole of Matthias’ pregnancy. This first year and a half of his life has been such a joy. He and Rayna are such great little people. (Not saying the older children weren’t / aren’t, but all of us have enjoyed them!)

I thought that after 7 weeks (found out I was pregnant around 6 weeks) that I would have gotten control of this feeling. I figured that I’d be okay with being pregnant by now, but I can’t say that I am, not totally anyway.

Would I be devastated if this baby died now, before she is born? (We don’t know gender, but Rayna is positive it is a girl, maybe even twin girls.) Of course, I would be extremely upset! But it doesn’t change the fact that I am not emotionally or mentally prepared for this pregnancy or the coming baby.

When this baby arrives, I will love and care for her. I will raise her, see to her education, and be her mom, just as I am to the other children with whom I have been entrusted. But I’d really like to feel some (more) excitement about this baby throughout the rest of this pregnancy. I wouldn’t say I’m stressed about it. I’ve accepted that this is God’s will, that He has chosen to bless us again. I think “resigned to the fact” is too strong of a phrase, but at the same time, it is not terribly far from the truth.

I know I have a friend or two that will say, “well, give the baby to me. I will love her.” But I never could do that! This is MY baby; I want to keep her! I trust that I will come around to the idea, and enjoy this pregnancy more as time progresses. (Maybe when I feel sick less often!)

What a bundle of mixed emotions I am!!

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Gall bladder issues… Changes to be made.

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:30:00 +0000

Remember this post, about my prevented trip to emergency??

I had another attack. Longer, but less intense. Awful, awful pain. I thought I was having a heart attack. Nothing helped this time… except maybe the lavender in my bath water, but the help was very limited this time.

The pain started about 2AM. I’d gone to bed around 11:30 but the children were up and other things kept me awake. I finally got up at 2AM when my chest started to hurt again. The pain was more gradual, not almost instantaneous like last time. The pain was similar to contractions, only very high up and no break in between. I tried warm beverages; I tried hot wheat bags. Nothing really eased the pain. Finally, I just went to bed at my husband’s suggestion, as he was staying up with me. I hate being alone when I’m in that much pain. It was probably close to 5AM at this point.

I didn’t sleep, not really. I just laid there, got up once to reheat my wheatie. And waited for morning. The little ones were up around 8AM and so I got up and moved to the couch. I called my midwife then. When I got to talk to her I said my back hurt (because that’s what I was feeling at the time) and I explained to her what had happened both times. Right away she said, I bet you had a gall bladder attack.

Since speaking with her, I have talked to others – nurses and friends – who have had gall bladder issues and they all say the same. I have done some research and found foods that cause issues. My diet needs to change a bit. It will be good for the whole family! More veggies, less fat. Fewer red meats, less dairy. These are all good changes. And we are looking forward to the new way of eating. The first immediate change I’ve made is to start my day with a large glass of warm water and half a lemon. But now I’m nervous to eat… for fear the something I eat will set it off again!

I do not want to have surgery. I need to keep this under control until the baby is born, at the very least. My mom has had gall bladder issues as well but has prevented surgery by doing a cleanse a couple of times. I don’t think cleanses are good for pregnant mommas, so I’m holding off on that and hoping that diet changes will make the difference for the time being.

I have a book all about essential oils (Reference Guide for Essential Oils), and one oil listed for gall bladder (and expectant mothers) is geranium. It’s going on my list to be ordered later this month.

I’ll keep you posted on how this progresses.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

MyMemories Review and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:23:00 +0000

Okay, it’s time to be honest…

1. I don’t like taking pictures. When I do take them, I take them in spurts. My children will NOT be able to rely on my picture collection for their memories!

2. I don’t like scrapbooking. I have tried in the past, when my oldest two girls were very young. I have tried more recently than that too. I do not have the patience for it. A couple of years ago I discovered digital scrapbooking, but didn’t stick at it very long either.

So, I was hesitant to try MyMemories. I started the four page album you see in this post in October 2011 and I’m just finishing it now and it’s January 2012.

MyMemories is so easy. One of the reasons I like digital scrapbooking is because it’s not messy. I don’t have the patience for messy at this stage of my life.

But back to MyMemories…..The page layouts are there; the embellishments are also simple to use. You just have to plunk in the pictures, create any extra word art you might want and save.

I know I have a lot of readers that love to take pictures, love to scrapbook or stamp or both. I know that you are going to like what I have to say next! I have a giveaway! Yep! A giveaway of the MyMemories program. I would love for you to enter and win! And there’s more, even if you don’t win, MyMemories is offering a discount for my readers. Keep reading for the details.

But first, the giveaway!

Here are the giveaway details.

One reader will receive MyMemories digital scrapbooking software.

To Enter:

Go to MyMemories.com and look around. See what they’ve got. Check out the digital paper packs. Come back here and tell me which one is your favorite.

Follow MyMemories.com on Facebook.

Follow MyMemories.com on Twitter.

Subscribe to Just Our Thoughts, or tell me that you already are subscribed. Subscribe link is under navigation on the right side.

Leave a comment for each entry!

Giveaway Ends:

January 31, 2012

Winner will be contacted via email, so make sure it’s either in your profile, or in your comments!

So here’s the code:

STMMMS58273

(it’s recommended that you copy and paste, so there are no typos)

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Happy Birthday, Jason!

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 22:36:00 +0000

OOPS! I forgot to post this on my hubby’s birthday, yesterday!

Happy birthday, Jason!

J – Just

A – Ambitious

S – Silent

O – Open-minded

N – Non-combative

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Lord

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:55:00 +0000

written by LaDonna (Salmond) Harris in February 1998

after Grandpa Gordon Banks’ heart attack

My heart, it aches for ones I love.

When they do hurt, my heart is torn.

Sometimes I wonder and I ask,

“Why, Lord?”

Pain and death are here on earth,

But in heaven they will be no more.

Will my loved ones make it there?

“Will they, Lord?”

What can I do when I’m so far?

What can I do? I feel so helpless.

What can I do to help them more?

“Show me, Lord!”

Granddad is in so much pain.

Christ endured more pain for him

Who will tell him of Christ’s love?

“Who, Lord?”

Help me to trust You, to be strong

And to know that You are in control.

For friends You give, I’m ever thankful.

“Thank you, Lord!”

The day I was kidnapped… kinda… yeah… I was kidnapped.

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:30:00 +0000

I was reminded by a friend of this incident that happened just after Jason and I got married. I went to see if I had a journal entry for that day. I knew it happened early 2001 and I was journaling a lot around then. I found an entry. I’ll share it with you here.

***** ***** ***** *****

Feb. 7, 2001

What a week! Jason’s been sick since Thursday night. He missed most of Friday, Monday, Tuesday, and today at work. Today he’s actually still in bed…. Anyway, Monday held more than sickness for us.

On Monday morning, I went to school. [I was attending Gardner College at the time.] I took the afternoon off to take Jason to the doctor. We had drama practice at 7:45pm, so we drove down to the school. When we arrived we met A. P. [names withheld for privacy.] and a stranger leaving the building. Once inside we heard a brief story of this stranger. He needed money for gas to fill his truck where his wife and three children were waiting for him. They had given him $65. he and A. P. returned after not finding D. P. who they were hoping would give the man a ride to his vehicle.

I volunteered to take him, if A. P. went along. Jason was unable to go because he was practicing. We understood that the vehicle was only at the Highway 21 Junction. I’d only be gone 20 minutes at most.

We got to the car and the guy said his vehicle was about 20 minutes away and could we spare another $20. We stopped at the Winks for A. P. to get that for him.

We were past the junction when I asked again how far his vehicle was. He told me 25-30 miles. I said okay. But at this point I knew he had scammed us. I was too scared to stop and tell him to get out of the car. I simply did whatever he said.

He said his vehicle was near an ESSO station. We drove by the Esso to Highway 14 into Edmonton. He said then that his vehicle was near a golf course. When we got to the golf course his truck was not there.

In an earlier conversation, he mentioned that he told his wife to try to get $20 for gas and go back to the U of A Hospital where it was warm. We stopped at a gas station in Edmonton to call her. He said that she would meet him at the Greyhound Bus Station down town. We took him there.

At a stop light next to the depot he jumped out and said he’d go find his wife. We turned around and found our way out of the city. I found 50th Street to Beaumont. On the edge of the city I called collect to Camrose. I called my place first, hoping Jason was at home waiting for me to call. I got the machine. Next I called A. D.’s number in the dorm. [Another girl] answered. She accepted my call but was crying and couldn’t speak. E. M. came on the phone. I told her to find Jason and B.W. to let them know I was okay and on my way home. We left the city, drove through Beaumont and home.

Meanwhile, at the school, much was going on. When we had not returned in 20 minutes or 20, A. and Jason drove around looking for my car. Around 9PM, Jason and J.B. drove around looking for my car. D.P. called the Camrose Police around 9:15PM. Then he took Jason out looking for us. I called the dorm at 9:55PM. The police were called again. We arrived back around 10:55PM.

A.P. and I recounted for those waiting at the school the events of the evening……..

***** ***** ***** *****

There you have it! The emotions of those few hours and the hours after were vast and intense. We were so newly married (about 3 months). There were lots of discussion and guidelines and rules set up after this incident for the school, too. It was very interesting, intense, scary and … I don’t know what else.

Happy Birthday, Wyatt!

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:34:00 +0000

Happy birthday, Wyatt!

W – Wondering

Y – Youthful

A – Adventurous

T – Tough

T – Trusting

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

New Favorite Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:11:00 +0000

I got this recipe from my friend, Karen, so we call them:

KAREN’S OATMEAL COOKIES

2 cups margarine

2 cups brown sugar

2 cups white sugar

Cream together.

4 eggs

4 tsp vanilla

4 cups flour

2 tsp soda

2 tsp powder

2 cups chocolate chips

Mix this altogether.

4 cups rolled oats

Do not over mix!!!

Cook in a 350 degree oven for 12-14 minutes. Slightly undercooked is best.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

PEACE

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:50:00 +0000

written by LaDonna (Salmond) Harris in October 1997

Those who’s hearts are torn

Know pain that none may know;

Their anguish is deeper

than any can imagine.

Their tears do fall

like streams of water.

No comfort found

in those around.

I wander to the forests -

I look for comfort there.

I find it not;

They’re not the same.

I walk the roads -

to town and back.

I find no peace;

It used to work.

My heart is torn;

I know great pain

My anguish deeper

than imagined.

My tears are falling

like mighty rivers.

I’ll find my comfort

in only one,

Christ, the Lord.

Prov. 3:5&6, Phil. 4:13

**********

I don’t remember what I was going through at the time of the writing.

Our homeschool–a review

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:39:00 +0000

It’s very common for me to re-evaluate our homeschooling around Christmas time. I think about what I want to spend our homeschooling funding on and whether what we are doing is working or not. I asked the girls if they were happy with their math workbooks, if there was anything specific they wanted to learn about in the near future.

We love Lego. Lego is one thing that I am purchasing more of regularly. Just recently I bought a set that included rescue services – police, ambulance, fire, etc. The kids loves putting together each piece on the cards included. We had quite a “rescue center” built. On my list to purchase are some bigger base pieces so we can build houses and towers and scenes. A second package includes vehicles, at Wyatt’s request. I am excited and so are the kids.

The children are all happy to continue working on their ACSI math workbooks. They are colorful and easy to use. The children are mostly self-directed there, as their reading skills improve, my help is needed less often. The older girls are working more slowly through their books. I suspect the concepts are challenging. Wyatt and Marrissa are close to moving on to the next level.

When asked what they wanted to learn about every single child said SCIENCE. We had been given a level B A Reason for Science but had never used it. I was scared to tackle it, never having been good at science. But at their request I pulled out the books and the box and am ready to teach the first 2 lessons and have looked closely at the ones following. I really didn’t need to be nervous about starting this course. It’s pretty simple. I have on my list to order Level C of the same program.

A Reason for Science is my first choice for science simply because we already have these materials in the house. I asked other homeschoolers what they used and enjoyed for science. I got rave reviews for Apologia. I may look into ordering a book or two from that curriculum as well, to either supplement all the children’s science or use just for the older girls. Apologia has a human body one and the older girls have been asking to learn more about that topic of study. We have one workbook on the subject already, but Apologia is a Christian publisher, while the one that we have is not.

The other area of study that we will be diving into is art classes. We have already started to collect materials (kneaded eraser, pencils, charcoal). Kristyn is the most excited about this, but whenever we talk about it, or have done it in the past, the other children are quick to participate. We have created some pretty good artwork. This course will be in addition to the crafting the oldest three girls do with a family friend. This friend has had them do card making (including stamping, scrapbooking) and a craft project. A number of these projects were gifts for others.

Regular visits to the library is essential. We always have books around. Lately the requests have been for audio books that they can listen to while they are falling asleep at night. Most recently they have listened to Cinnamon Bear (a Christmas tale from old time radio) and the WHOLE Little House on the Prairie series. Kristyn wants to start that series from the beginning again. I have a number of websites where I can download free audiobooks to mp3 players for the girls as well.

Our Christmas and birthday gifts this year for the children were electronic based. We now have 2 dsi’s and a Leapster (I think that’s what it’s called). Educational games were purchased for the most part and I have loved seeing the girls conquer math and problem solving issues. I know there is a lot of guess work involved, but every time they do and re-do the questions, they are seeing and ingraining the information into their minds. I resisted the dsi’s for a long time, but now I am very glad that we have them. (They are a great bargaining tool as well.)

TV programming includes such shows as How It’s Made, River Monsters, Myth Busters, Perry Mason, Matlock, Little House on the Prairie and Swamp People. We watch very few cartoons. Wyatt prefers Diego, but is pretty easy to please with the computer, if we aren’t watching something that he is interested in. The other children are interested in the computer, but nearly as much as Wyatt is showing an interest. What I love about him and the computer is that if someone else wants to use it, and he’s been on there for a while, he very willingly gives them a turn and moves on to something else.

I look forward to watching the children learn and grow even more in the year to come.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

What am I reading now?

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

I have a growing pile of books started all stacked on my desk. I’m only actively reading a few of them, but go back to the others every few days or so.

Complete Jewish Bible: An English Version of the Tanakh (Old Testament) and B'rit Hadashah (New Testament) I refer to this Bible almost daily along with my ESV.

Organizing from the Inside Out, Second Edition: The Foolproof System For Organizing Your Home, Your Office and Your Life I am reading this book with another friend. We are looking for a different perspective on things in our lives. We are hoping this will help. I know that just a few pages in, I have learned some things about myself that should help me get things back in order around here.

Love in the House: Filling Your Home with the Greatest Commandment A friend sent me this book. A very easy read… like having a cup of coffee with a friend.

The Apocrypha I bought this book just before Christmas so I could read the story of the Maccabees. Before I got a chance to read it, I discovered on Christmas morning that one of my daughters had snagged it, wrapped it and put it under the tree for me.

Oops! (TJ and the Time Stumblers) This book is waiting for me to read and review it. Honestly, I haven’t started it.

Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices I have read this book in short spurts – a few pages a couple of days at a time. There is a lot of information crammed into it. The historical information is very interesting and thought-provoking.

Has God Spoken?: Proof of the Bible?s Divine Inspiration This book has been hard to get into. It could definitely be a Bible school text book. This is a review copy. I need to get back to it more consistently.

Reference Guide for Essential Oils 12th Edition July 2010 I have ordered a couple of different oils from Young Living. I have more coming. This book is a great guide to using those oils in every day life!

Thinking On Scripture

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:43:00 +0000

Matthew 27:3-10

English Standard Version (ESV)

Judas Hangs Himself

³ Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, ⁴ saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” ⁵ And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. ⁶ But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” ⁷ So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. ⁸ Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. ⁹ Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, ¹⁰ and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.”

Acts 1:15-18

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁵ In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, ¹⁶ “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. ¹⁷ For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” ¹⁸ (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Where is the Line Up

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:50:00 +0000

http://wheresthelinetoseejesus.com/

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Prevented a Trip to Emergency

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:10:00 +0000

I awoke suddenly. In pain. Like someone had added a 20 pound weight to my insides. (And I’m not that pregnant, so it wasn’t the baby.) At first it just felt like my insides were up in my chest cavity. I walked down to the bathroom, thinking movement would help, because laying back down didn’t. I got to the toilet and the pain just kept getting worse and worse. Within minutes, I was crying out. By the time I got back to the top of the stairs I was in AGONY!

I’ve been through 6 drug-free labors, and a c-section; I’ve suffered through years of tooth pain. Nothing hurt as bad as this pain in my chest. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t talk. Somewhere though my body found the “energy” to get sick. (Just a note: yogurt does not take long to digest because there was nothing left to put in the bucket.)

From the top of the stairs to the dining room table I screamed for Jason over and over again. He’s a heavy sleeper who can sleep through almost anything. He made it in time to get me a bucket. Between heaves, I asked him to get me the peppermint essential oil and rub it on my back. In less than 30 seconds, some of the pressure subsided and I no longer felt like puking. Jason made some lemon tea, after peppermint EO in a cup of cold water didn’t change anything (might have if it were warm). That didn’t help either.

I knew I needed to get warm, but wasn’t sure I could make t back to the basement to get in the tub. I’d like to say that my night in shining armor carried me down the stairs, but he didn’t. LOL. I just did it. I had to and the peppermint had given me enough space to move again. I am so thankful for our hot water. We keep the temperature quite high, and we needed it. I kept the tub temperature has hot as I could stand it and shook while the tub filled. Once I was immersed I still wasn’t sure it would work. The pain was not going away. Finally, I started to be able to breathe deeply again. I rolled over in the tub, just changed position and suddenly I realized that the pain was gone, completely. I couldn’t believe it.

I took a hot shower after that and wrapped up in a warm housecoat, drank my tea and went back to bed, under some extra covers. I was so scared to get cold again for fear that the pain would come back.

I have just started using Young Living Essential Oils. My first purchase was Peace and Calming and Peppermint. I have never regretted the money spent. Not only did the peppermint oil help me last night, but the oil has helped my husband’s arthritic hands, headaches, tummy aches and boo-boos. Peace and Calming has helped with clean up times and bedtime routines.

I totally believe that the peppermint oil saved me a middle-of-the-night trip to the emergency room. The oil saved a friend from receiving a phone call asking her to come and stay with the kids while J took me to the hospital. My bottle of peppermint is almost empty. I need to order some more… pronto.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Some Creative Lettering…

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:08:00 +0000

Well, Kristyn saw me watching that See The Light: The Gift of Love DVD last night and was BEGGING to do one of the lessons. We had time today, so we did the creative lettering activity. The creative lettering lesson is taught by Heidi Shorts and is about 33 minutes long. We took a while longer because we paused the DVD to keep everyone on the same step.

Here’s what our drawings ended up looking like:

It doesn’t show up really well in the photo, but inside the letter O is a drawing of a baby representing Baby Jesus.

LHarris

Kristyn, age 10

Marrissa, age 6

Wyatt, age 5

Rayna, age 3

Wyatt and Rayna kinda did their own thing but I was not going to deny them spending time with us, trying to do what we were doing! They were so proud of their drawings. Cora did not join us this time; apparently a computer game was more important at the time. I have no doubt she’ll join us next time.

I have received a response from See The Light regarding my review post and they have some addition information that they wanted my readers to know! Remember my concern about the black light and the extreme colors??? They addressed that concern as well as let me know about a sale!!!

I want you to know that the art lessons on "The Gift of Love" and on the other Bible stories - "Crossmaker" & "God's Runaway" can be done and enjoyed without the eXtreme colored pencils (made by Crayola and sold in art stores, but sold also on our site for convenience) and without the SEE THE LIGHT black light. You and your readers can also purchase black lights elsewhere, but are often larger and more expensive. So, we do offer it. Kids LOVE LOVE LOVE the POP of the black light with the special pencils and/or fluorescent chalk.

ART CLASS doesn't use the black light or the eXtreme pencils or the fluorescent chalk in any of the 36 lessons. Master artist Pat Knepley does use colored pencils and chalk pastels in some of her later lessons, but not with the black light, etc.

Have a glorious Christmas!!!

JOYfully, because of HIS love,

Pat

If you are interested in seeing your children’s reactions to the black light “POP”, it just might be easiest to order these items from See The Light, but if you live in a bigger center, you probably wouldn’t have an issue finding the pencils or a smaller black light. Thanks, Pat, for that information! I got thinking, too, a black light could be used for many other things, and a good addition to any homeschool supply closet.

And now for the sale information:

Between now and December 9th, SEE THE LIGHT is giving 10% off all products + FREE SHIPPING on every order that totals $25.00 or more. Code to use: MERRY2011

SEE THE LIGHT HAS CHRISTMAS FREEBIES FOR YOU

“ANGEL SKY”

A gorgeous, simple to do step-by-step Christmas Chalk Art Lesson

http://www.seethelightshine.com/media/fun_stuff/downloads/Sky Angels.pdf

4 COMPLETE CHRISTMAS LESSONS

Including the actual script from the SEE THE LIGHT DVD “The Gift of Love”

+

Readers Bible Theatre Scripts

“The Three Trees” & “The People Who Missed Christmas”

+

Much more. . .

http://www.seethelightshine.com/the-gift-of-love.html

I really hope that you will check them out and take advantage of the 10% off and free shipping!

Connect with See The Light:

Website: www.SeeTheLightShine.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeeTheLightShineArt

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SeeTheLightArt

Blog: http://www.seethelightshine.com/blog/

Disclaimer: I received a copy of The Gift of Love in exchange for my honest review!

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

The Gift of Love: Christmas Story & Art Lessons

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:11:00 +0000

See The Light Series: Drawing Children to Him presents The Gift of Love an artful telling of the story of Jesus’ birth. This DVD offers 143 minutes of content: the story, 3 art lessons (creative lettering, colored pencils and chalk technique) as well as some bonus features! The narration is very easy to listen to; the artwork is beautiful. The lessons are easy, step by step, anyone can do it! Recommended for ages 6 and up (art lessons, the story is for everyone). As well there are some Christmas “Grab and Go” lessons available on their website – www.SeeTheLightShine.com .

I haven’t yet shown this DVD to my children. I hope to do a couple of the lessons with the kids during the month of December, but I wanted to get the word out there about this great product and tool before Christmas, just in case my readers might be interested in purchasing this as a gift or simply as a tool for your own educating / education.

Not being an artist or even highly interested in such things – I am NOT crafty at all – I have only one complaint… (but it really could just be my lack of education in this area). In this DVD specifically (they have a whole series of art classes that are GREAT too!!!) the lessons require / recommend some special colored pencils and a black light (both available on their website). Now, maybe you could get these items at Michaels or another art store. I don’t know if I can get these things elsewhere, or if I need to buy them from See The Light. Needless to say, at this point, we do not have these intense pencil crayons or a black light. These tools do not really prevent the artist from doing the work and creating something marvellous. It is simply a bonus feature of the artwork itself. In my opinion.

One day I’ll tell you (and show you what we create) from this DVD and from Art Class Volume 1. (We’ve looked at the first of four lessons and it was about collecting our supplies. We have most of them.)

OOOOHHHHH, and I’m so excited… In going to find the link for Art Class Volume 1 I discovered an online subscription offer where you don’t have to buy the DVDs, but you can just take the classes online!!!! It’s cheaper and there is less clutter. And anyone that knows me, knows that I’m trying to get rid of clutter!

This just keeps getting better and better. They take PayPal. We don’t have a credit card (well, we kinda do now… Canada Post has pre-paid Visas now), but up until this month we didn’t have a credit card and PayPal was my only choice for shopping online! I LUV that See The Light has PayPal!!!

Can you tell I like this product yet? So go try it out! You’ll be glad you did. Maybe I’ll become that artist I once dreamed of being yet!

Connect with See The Light:

Website: www.SeeTheLightShine.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeeTheLightShineArt

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SeeTheLightArt

Blog: http://www.seethelightshine.com/blog/

The website is a GREAT resource! A great place to visit!

Disclaimer: I received (from See The Light) a copy of the two DVDs mentioned in this blog post, in exchange for my honest review!

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

JOY...

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:18:00 +0000

JOY is Wyatt asking for Peace and Calming (an essential oil blend) at bedtime almost every single night.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Starting T-Tapp

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:42:00 +0000

Have you heard of T-Tapp?? I have. A couple of times over the last few years. I need to do something. I was encouraged to start so I got a copy of the book from our library system and started reading. I am anxiously waiting for the DVD to arrive as well. I am greatly encouraged by what I’ve read. It makes a TONNE of sense and seems simple, and yet not too good to be true.

I weighed in this morning with my Wii Fit Board at 184 lbs. It’s not the most I’ve ever weighed, but it’s way more than I should be (in my opinion) a year after having a baby. The only times I’ve been heavier (that I can recall) is at the end of a couple of my pregnancies.

I still need to take some measurements to get my starting point. To see how many inches I will loose with this exercise. I am excited!

I’d like to loose 3-4 clothing sizes. I am currently comfortable in a size 16 pant. With this goal in mind, the author of Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes, recommends the following:

Do a full T-Tapp workout (Basic Plus Workout) ten to fourteen days in a row. (BOOT CAMP)
Then switch to an every other day workout schedule for four to five weeks.
Then take two days off between workouts for another four to five weeks, until you hit your desired size, and then work out a couple of times a week to maintain results.

I was showing my DH the basic stance for the exercises and in just a few short minutes of demonstration while explaining the concept to him, I felt it in my stomach muscles! He was intrigued by T-Tapp as well. I really hope he’ll join me. If the benefits are what I’ve been reading (success stories in the book and online) we will both be slim and trim in no time.

Can you imagine?

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

WonderMaps–A Review

noreply@blogger.com (L Harris) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 21:53:00 +0000

WonderMaps (by Bright Ideas Press) is a customizable collection of over 350 different maps. With nearly endless possibilities, WonderMaps makes it easy to regularly integrate map study into a variety of lessons and make the most of every learning opportunity.

WonderMaps is designed with easy-to-use layers that allow you to enjoy great customizable features with just a click. Select:

historical or modern-day maps

outline, reference, political, or topographical maps

black-and-white or color maps

features including: names, borders, rivers, cities, physical features, and graticules

WonderMaps includes:

60+ maps of the world

60+ maps of the USA

125+ historical maps, including 25 biblical maps

The complete map sets from The Mystery of History vols. I–III and All American History vols. I & II

I LOVE how easy WonderMaps is to navigate. In no time at all I was discovering all sorts of new maps and new ways to change the maps. As a homeschool parent, I look forward to using these maps to supplement our learning in the near future. My children have not yet discovered geography to the extent that I would like, but I am sure it is not long in coming.

As you can see above, this is a great supplement for The Mystery of History volumes. I don’t use and have never looked into The Mystery of History (but I’ve heard good things). I have looked into Tapestry of Grace though, and from my limited experience with that curriculum, I believe WonderMaps would also be a great addition to that as well.

Timberdoodle has many great homeschooling supplies and curriculum to add to your ever growing collection. I hope you will check them out. Some great examples are: their geography puzzles. You might want to have a look at their free catalogue to find even more treasures in all subject areas.

Legal Disclosure:
As a member of Timberdoodle's Blogger Review Team I received a free copy of WonderMaps in exchange for a frank and unbiased review.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,