All Things With Purpose

Memorial Day Food, Crafts and Decoration Ideas

2013-05-20T22:22:00.001-04:00

Memorial weekend is here which means Summer has officially begun! Fire up the grill, mow the grass, plants some flowers and pull out the patio chairs because backyard BBQ season is open for business. These crafts, decorations and desserts are things that normal people (like me) can do this weekend. You do not have to be SUPER crafty to make these adorable, festive Memorial Day ideas. Go ahead and try one of them!!

Food

Apple Snack

Easy Patriotic Cut-Outs

Popcorn Firecrackers

Patriotic Trifle

Patriotic Cake Pops Tutorial

Fruit Pizza for Memorial Day

Non-Alcoholic Layered Drinks

Decorating

Easy American Flag Bunting

American Flag Wreath

Free Printables

Robot Centerpiece Thanks spoonful.com

Patriotic Burlap Wreath

Patriotic Luminaries

Crafts and Activities

Make an American Necklace

Find More Ideas on Our Pinterest Board!

We Join These Great Link Up Parties!!

Giant Ice Cream Sundae

2013-05-18T17:45:00.000-04:00

Make this awe inspiring, GIANT ice cream sundae for a birthday, family reunion or church event! We did this for my son's 5th birthday party instead of a cake. For adults, have serving spoons available to dish ice cream into smaller bowls. For the kids at this party, we sectioned off areas, gave them all spoons and let them have at it! Of course they were all mostly related and no one was showing symptoms of any sickness... yea, I understand if you find that absolutely disgusting. But hey, it's a pretty much a kid's dream come true!

To create this masterpiece, we purchased a new rain gutter from Home Depot for about $6. We lined it with heavy duty aluminum foil, then scooped chocolate and vanilla ice cream into it, and covered it in syrup and sprinkles. Yum! You could also add bananas, nuts, brownies, you name it.

We Link Up With These Great Parties!!

Baby Food Jar Lego Heads

2013-05-16T23:34:00.005-04:00

These fun Lego head candy holders were used as favors at my son's 5th birthday party! I happened to have a bunch of empty baby food jars on-hand to use for crafting (seriously, you just never know when you'll need something like that!). I cleaned the jars and dried them really well, then I primed them with a spray primer that was specifically formulated for glass.

I then had my husband pick up a can of "Lego yellow" spray paint (good job, Babe), and covered the outsides and lids to each jar. Side note: there is no such thing as "Lego yellow" spray paint as far as I know. My husband brought home Rust-Oleum #7747 Sunburst Yellow and it's about as close to "Lego yellow" as they come! I'm not sure how well this method will hold up for the long hull, but for my immediate use, it worked. You could go to more extensive measures to make the paint stick to the glass, but hey, this was quick and easy! I used a black sharpie to draw faces on each jar. I googled "Lego expressions" to come up with a variety of cute options.

Each jar was filled with Lego candy of course! We bought a whole box of this stuff from a local candy shop... you can actually build stuff with it!! The brand we bought is called Candy Blox and taste like Sweet Tarts.

We Link Up with These Fabulous Parties!!

All Things Thursday Link-Up {No. 23}

2013-05-15T22:21:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the party! We host a weekly link-up every Thursday to partner with fellow bloggers, make new friends and feature what YOU are up to. Check out some of these great posts from last week, link-up a few of your own, then come back next Thursday to see if you've been FEATURED...

The Crafty Blog Stalker

If you've been featured by us, this button is for you!! Go ahead, you deserve it :)

If we choose to feature one of your post, we try really hard to notify you, pin your post and like your facebook page! Thank you to EVERYONE that participates!! Now have some fun :)

Does {ItWorks} Work?

2013-05-14T11:26:00.003-04:00

YES, IT DOES!! Ok, I have had three kids. The youngest is turning two this week. I always hoped I wouldn't get stretch marks, but I did. I never wanted to have love handles and a pooch, but I do. I understand that eating right an exercise are an important part of my life, but I was very discouraged by the saggy skin around my belly button. If you have had kids and don't know what I'm talking about, then you are blessed. I am very happy for you. But, for the rest of us...keep reading.

This is not mine, and for vanity reasons, I'm going to tell you that my stomach was not this bad, but this is what I'm talking about. The picture is a little fuzzy since I pulled it from the internet. I did think about posting my own and realized that I am not crazy :)

My husband was on his way back from a Missions Conference in Tampa, FL when he ran into another group at the airport headed back from a convention. They represented a company called ItWorks out of Grand Rapids, MI. The gal told him that they sell of line of products, but said the most common item are the body wraps. On the plane they demonstrated by "wrapping" a lady's arm and by the time the flight was over he could see a noticeable reduction in her arm size.

My husband is very frugal, but seeing is believing. He bought me a set of four wraps. The "wrap" is basically a very thin piece of plastic pretreated with their special lotion (for lack of a better word). It smells like eucaliptis. You unfold the plastic and place it on the area that you need a little boost. For me it was my stomach, but you can put it anywhere except your face (they have another wrap for that).

I felt and saw a difference in my skin, by the fourth wrap I just couldn't believe it. Even my husband commented, and for mine that means it was noticeable :) I am on my sixth wrap. I have done it on average once a week. The first wrap they tell you not to exceed 45 minutes to test how your skin is reacting to it, but after that I leave mine on for up to two hours. My skin is pink when I take it off and feels warm, but oh man I just can't believe the difference in my skin.

I also use a Defining Body Gel each morning, and then the wraps once a week.

I know a lot of people use it for the fat reduction, because in my laymen's terms it breaks up the toxins that your fat holds on to and helps your body release them. So you want to drink water before, during and after your treatment. That is a great benefit and I can tell my stomach is much flatter, but I can't get over how different my skin looks. We all say we wish we could choose where to loose, and now you can!!

If you decide to try this product, I found out that I have a friend and former co-worker in the area who is an ItWorks distributor. Her name is Leasha Sorenson. Her phone number is 989-450-2962. Her website is www.ltd.MyItWorks.com and her email is LTD_ItWorks@live.com. In all my interactions with her, I have found her to be hard working and courteous. She will definitely get back with you in a timely manner and take care to help you with your goals!!

For Facebook specials, check her out at on FB, too. ~Julia

We Link Up with These Great Parties

My Mother's Day Weekend!

2013-05-11T18:33:00.000-04:00

I've had a very busy week, and one amazing husband who made it all possible! Julia and I started out the week with a trip to the INCH homeschooling convention on Thursday (more about that later!!). We met up in Lansing with two other friends, for some quality time away to plan and reflect on the coming school year, find some great used curriculum deals, check out some new books and make new friends!

Above: Julia pulling our empty wagon on the way into the used book sale!

Below: Standing in line with our amazing deals!! Everyone walked away with almost everything checked off their lists.

I returned home from the INCH conference on Friday afternoon (thanked my husband for watching the kids) then went to bed (I was mentally wiped out from all the curriculum choices!!). I woke up on Saturday morning and headed downtown Detroit for the Color Me Rad color run with a group of friends. I ran the Detroit half marathon in 2011, which was challenging and epic, but this was way more fun!! I highly recommend doing a color run with friends. We all went out to eat afterwards, of course, in our colorful attire :)

I confidently declared to my husband that I felt great and could totally run another 5K as soon as I finished lunch. Well, my body had other plans in mind and decided to pass out for the afternoon in bed. Hubby let me veg out on the couch through dinner and decided to present me with the kid's Mother's Day project a day early! Let me tell ya, he scored major points by coming here to the blog for tips on what to make. While I was away at the INCH conference, he looked up last year's post on Mother's Day crafts. I had totally forgot about that post, but it just happens to include a note to Dad, urging him to be thoughtful :)

Didn't they do a great job??!

These printable Mother's Day bookmarks (and other simple crafts for Dads) are available at the Crafty Crow!

All Things Thursday Link-Up {No. 22}

2013-05-08T19:32:00.000-04:00

Something about this just seems AMAZING to me! Grilled angle food??

I have to try this. Find it at Crumbs and Chaos

These tea bag covers would make a beautiful Mother's Day gift.

Find them at The DIY Dreamer

This is a great tutorial for a scrap fabric banner found at the Glamorous Bride. This is exactly what I made for the bridal shower I hosted last month!

Find mine, here.

Turn a t-shirt into a cute Summer dress for your daughter!

Find it here: The Tip Toe Fairy

A great collection of everyday uses for vinegar! Find them here: Craft Cravings

If you've been featured by us, this button is for you!! Go ahead, you deserve it :)

If we choose to feature one of your post, we try really hard to notify you, pin your post and like your facebook page! Thank you to EVERYONE that participates!! Now have some fun :)

Update Your Burlap Wreath for Spring!

2013-05-08T08:22:00.000-04:00

Have you updated your burlap wreath for Spring? I love the versatility of the tan colored burlap! This one has been hanging on my front door since last Fall. I added a red burlap bow during the Christmas season. I used chalk to write on my door, this time I wrote an L for Lemp. It washes off easily each time I change things up.

Just a few days ago, I removed the bow and added a cluster of silk hydrangeas. A little birdie had left a present on the front (eww), which wiped off easily with a wet cloth. If you haven't made a burlap wreath yet, check out my tutorial here: Burlap Wreath Tutorial and Video

We Link Up with These Great Parties

Gun Safety 101 for Kids

2013-05-06T12:59:00.001-04:00

With all the craziness in our world, some have decided that their children will not be around guns. We have hunters in our family and have guns for physical protection. How can you be sure that your kids are safe when they are around guns? Teach them.

In the same way that you have a designated place to meet if your house catches on fire (ours is the mailbox) your children must be educated about guns. A very healthy respect must be instilled in your children, so they do not consider experimenting with guns. We most assuredly keep guns out of their reach and locked, etc, but it is still important to educate. My husband has done a very good job with that process.

He set up a firing range in our basement for the BB gun. He printed a target and walked the kids through the safety of being around others who are holding guns.

1. Wear eye protection.

2. Stand behind the person with the gun.

3. Don't point the gun at a person.

Jeggings are Pants {and Other Common Misconceptions}

2013-05-03T22:39:00.000-04:00

The popularity of this post (originally posted last year) has been overwhelming. Not only is it ridiculously long, it's about a controversial topic that most women are just too annoyed to even talk about. Maybe when you hear the word modesty it brings up images of Little House on the Prairie, Sunday School teachers, legalism or the word outdated.

Well, when I think of modesty, I think of it as a lost art. Too many young women have missed out on lessons in modesty, normally passed down by their mothers or grandmothers. As teens, we either rebel against the principle of modesty, over-think it with philosophical arguments and call it emotionally damaging, or remain stuck in blissful ignorance of basic skills that should have been taught by an older woman

Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel,
with modesty and self-control -1Tim 2:9

Ebook Now Available!

I have had so many people comment about using this material with teens at church or at home with their kids. I worked really hard to compile it into a convenient ebook as well as an easy to assemble half-page booklet. These files come complete with discussion questions for small group or personal use. Feel free to print and use at home or in your ministry. Click on the link below >>
Jeggings Are Pants Ebook

There are so many people and institutions out there that have sought to make this a black and white issue. Christian universities and private schools have tried for years to come up with a set of guidelines and rules for their students to follow in regards to dress code and modesty. While it is noble for an institution to try instilling a sense of modesty and train students to dress for success, they inevitably find themselves adjusting this list of rules on a yearly basis as they attempt to learn what works and what does not. This is a controversial topic, with a lot of gray areas and varying opinions on how to define it. It's a daily argument between parents and teens, and wherever the line is drawn, there will always be someone to push it.

So why am I writing this?

Frankly, I am just plain fed up with "Christian" girls who push the line or live in complete naivety of their clothing choices.
Because I want to teach my daughter the delicate art of modesty. If I don't teach her, she will get all the help she needs from the media. I want her to be confident in who she is, not insecure, not pressured to dress provocatively to get attention from men. For her to know that she is beautiful, and that God designed her for the love of one man.
Because I want my son to respect women and value them for their personalities, humor, talents, and friendship. I want him to learn to overt his gaze rather than gawk, to look a women in the eyes rather than stare at her chest, to guard the purity of his sisters rather than exploit it or take advantage of them.
Because we are raising daughters in an over-sexualized world where child abuse, human trafficking and sexual assault is much more prevalent than we like to believe. Talking about good boundaries and modesty with our daughters will give them a better grasp on appropriate behavior, situations to stay out of, and how to talk with us when they feel something is wrong or someone has made them feel uncomfortable.

Please remember: Jeggings and leggings are basically just tights.

Cover stuff up! Wear a long shirt to cover your butt.

Rules without reason can quickly sound legalistic

How can I convey my heart on this matter without coming across too authoritative? Well, God's Word is my ultimate authority, and there is a lot of direction in there for finding a balance between Christian liberties (freedom) and love for brothers and sisters in Christ that may take offense with certain things we do. Do you have a loving and humble heart that is sensitive to the weaknesses of others? Or is your motivation to do what you want, because it is your right and you find nothing wrong with it? Are you angered at the thought of someone telling you what to do, or are you willing to lay aside your right to something (even if it is perfectly acceptable) because you know it will promote peace and unity?

“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial.
“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
-1 Cor. 10:23-24

Leggings are not pants! Wear a long, tunic style

shirt that covers everything!

Are we trying so hard to look like the world, that we have failed to set ourselves apart?

It is evident from scripture, that God wants us to strive for a life of purity. As Christians, we're called to be in the world but not of it, set apart, different. We're far from perfect, but we should seek to give God our best in all we do. What it comes down to is, we are not our own. Our bodies are dwelling places for the Holy Spirit, we were bought at a price, do we dress in such a way that reflects this? Are we setting a good example and representing Christ well? Are we sincerely in love with Christ and grateful for what He has done for us, so much that it is an honor rather than a burden to follow Him in every area of life?

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. -1 Cor. 10:19-20

Too low...

Girls, are we conscious and considerate of how we dress and how it can make life incredibly difficult for our brothers in Christ to keep their thoughts pure? Well, see the paragraph above, if you don't care about others and think guys should be totally on their own with this one. No, you are not ultimately responsible for his actions, but you can show love by looking out for him and proactively guarding his heart through what you choose to wear. You just might be showing a huge consideration to his wife or girlfriend as well!

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. -Philippians 2:3-4

Girls, we really have NO IDEA what it's like to be a guy. Getting married opened my eyes to a lot of things and has given me a lot of insight into the mind of my husband, but I will never know the feeling of being so visually driven. Girls are easily caught up in emotional fantasies and are attracted to guys who appeal to us on a mental and emotional level (even us girls that aren't all that emotional). The way men are wired is not bad, just different from us! We need to be consciously aware of this on a daily basis.

When it comes to modesty, where do you see yourself on this scale?:

A shirt like this would be way too annoying for me because I'd

constantly be pulling and tugging at it all day! Too wide on the top
and low/loose fitting. You could possibly remedy this

with a cami underneath or double sided sticky tape.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. - 1 Cor. 10:31-33

Modesty is very subjective

There are a lot of factors that go into determining what is considered modest. A huge role in this is culture. In some countries and religions, it is greatly offensive for a women to even show her ankles. Many conservative Christian organizations today, still believe women should only wear long dresses and skirts. At some point, we have to step back and determine what biblical modesty looks like. I love C. J. Mahaney's take on biblical modesty in his book: Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World Mahaney reflects on 1Tim. 2:9 which begins by addressing the men of the early church and then the women. Mahaney writes that Paul,

"...is concerned because some of them are imitating the dress and adornment of the ladies of the Roman court and the prostitutes. Those women were known for their expensive clothes and jewelry and elaborate hairstyles; they dressed, not only to attract attention, but to seduce as well. When the women of the church arrived dressed like this, it’s no surprise that they distracted others from worshiping God. What’s more, through their ostentatious dress they associated themselves with the wealthy (thus separating themselves from the poor) and the ungodly (thus distancing themselves from their fellow church members). Their dress was distracting, and maybe even divisive.
That’s why Paul urges them to dress in “respectable apparel” and “not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire.” He wants the Savior, not seductive style, to be the focus of the church gathering—and indeed, the focus of all of life. So the real issue wasn’t actually braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly attire. The issue was—and is—clothing that associates with worldly and not godly values: clothes that say “look at me” and “I’m with the world.” Let me be clear: Paul is not categorically prohibiting a woman from enhancing her appearance—on Sunday or any day of the week. In fact, you’ll find other places in Scripture where godly women wore fine clothing and jewelry."

Continue reading from Mahaney's chapter on modesty here: The Appearance of the Modest Woman

On the opposite end of the spectrum are Christians that feel it is sexually oppressive to impose the idea of modesty on women. Yes, I believe an over-emphases on the wrong things and a wrong motivation can be oppressive. However, I'm not talking here about a denial of all things feminine, beautiful (sexy even), a call to cover yourself from head to toe at all times, or to carry the sole responsibility of a man's purity based on how you are dressed. I'm not saying to turn the switch off and shove all feelings of sexuality so far down that you a hard time turning it back on at the appropriate time. On the contrary, I love fashion! Just as I love beauty and creativity in many areas of life, I love buying clothes, changing my hair style, painting my nails, accessorizing and looking good.

What it comes down to is a place in the heart that desires moderation

What Paul was addressing in the early church was the issue of women dressing to draw attention to themselves rather than to God. They were using over the top adornments, accessories and daring outfits that were a distraction to everyone around them because they were conducive to the way flamboyant Roman citizens and prostitutes dressed. Even secular TV stars and self proclaimed fashion police will tell you there are some outfits that are just over-the-top or totally inappropriate for certain events. If we've learned anything from What NOT to Wear, it's how tacky an ill fitting or tight pair of pants can look and how out of place a plunging neckline would be at a funeral. Use discretion!

1920's beach scene: "modesty police" measured to make

sure a bathing suits were no more than 6" above the knee

I read an article recently that spoke out against the burdensome demands of modesty in the Christian church, based on the argument that it can be oppressive to a women's sexuality. My thoughts on this argument, are that this may have been the case years ago, but not nearly as much in America today. Women in America were oppressed at one point, some may point out that they are still today in certain areas and churches. However, not anywhere near what they were before the original women's rights movement took place, or the burning of bras in the 60's and the marketing of women's sexuality that has taken place through Madonna, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. No one can argue with the fact that we live in an age where modesty is not the norm. The minimal amount of clothing that is required to reach social acceptability has shrunk to surprising lows. This cultural standard has seeped into the church and affected godly people. I'm talking to a very small crowd out there that actually has a problem dressing too modestly and is at risk of feeling sexually oppressed.

My heart goes out to those of you that grew up in a conservative circle, where modesty was ruled by legalism

Somewhere along the line, you were told sexuality was bad (and dirty), or that it was your fault you were raped, because "you must have been asking for it" or because "men will treat you based on how you are dressed." Maybe you grew up with the understanding that if someone found you attractive, that was bad and it was your fault. Maybe you missed the real reason behind a complicated list of rules, so it all just seemed stupid and pointless. Maybe you were taught to cover yourself physically and hide behind your clothing, which has resulted in years of hiding emotionally. Again, my heart goes out to you. Someone mislead you or you misunderstood. But if you've now completely turned your back on modesty in search of sexual liberation and rebelled or written it off as irrelevant, you are now the one in the wrong. There is a better way!

I in no way want to claim a position of final authority on the definition of modesty

I don't claim to make the rules (in fact, there are no actual "rules"), but I will share some tips. In an attempt to help my sisters out, here is my take on modesty and a summary of the kinds of things I try to take into consideration every single time I pick out an outfit:

Too short...
Too low...

Bend forward and stand up straight: Does it show cleavage in front or too much booty in back? Are my underwear visible? = A YES to any of these means an instant NO GO for me. Add a higher necked tank top to cover cleavage, layer a cardigan that goes down past your butt to cover underwear lines or wear a longer shirt/tank underneath. If a skirt is too short, wear leggings underneath. Use a slip if the skirt is too see-through.
Some people use their hand to judge how low a shirt should be. If you're having a hard time discerning, simply place your hand at the base of your neck, palm against your chest with fingers together. Your shirt usually shouldn't be lower than your pinky finger. Hey, some people need guidelines like this, let's not roll our eyes and throw them out because they sound slightly ridiculous!! LOL
Bend from side to side: Does it too easily move around and expose skin? If so, wear a longer tank top underneath.
Sit in front of a mirror to check the length on a skirt. How much do I see? Remember to always sit in a "ladylike" manner when wearing skirts of any length (no crossing legs, only ankles). Again, wear leggings under a skirt that seems a little short, or just don't wear it.
How short is too short? I generally want my shorts to come below my fingertips, skirts and dresses to fall no shorter than mid thigh - longer for church or when I am going to be standing in front of people/elevated above anyone or moving around a lot.
If I were standing up on a stage or stairs and someone was lower than me, how much would be visible? If someone was looking down at me from a higher point, how much could they see?
Is my bra or bra strap visible? If so, secure with pins, wear a tank top, etc.
How tight is too tight for my particular body type? My weight has fluctuated a lot of the years. Curvy girls, I hear ya. The magazines say flaunt your stuff, be proud of your curves! Hey, I'm all for confidence in who you are, and loving the body God has given you, but there is no excuse for showing off an enormous amount of cleavage or wearing pants that look like they've been spray painted onto your body.
What area is this shirt or pants attracting attention to? Is it way too bootylishous or boobalishous? When in doubt, add a layer that covers things a little more.

Way too low

I'm a huge fan of being comfortable and safe. If I put something on that I know I will constantly be tugging at, pulling down, pulling up, buttoning up, pulling together, sucking in... I'll usually just opt not to wear it.
When in doubt, wear a long tank or a higher necked cami underneath, pin things in place, ad some stitches or layer a flowy cardigan over a tight shirt.
Bathing Suits: I only wear one pieces, tankinies or swim dresses that cover my whole mid section. My biggest hang-up is the coverage on top. Yes, it is a pain finding a modest baiting suit! Check out Lands End for some good options. Use a cute cover-up when not in the water.
Strapless tops, spaghetti straps and halters. Yes, I do own these and I know where it is appropriate to wear them. Let me tell you, it's usually not at church or the work place. For everyday activities, it comes down to the fit, look, style and coverage of each of these. Some strapless tops are super trashy looking, while others do a good really job of covering things and hanging loose. I use discretion!

Do you know how to behave as a modest lady?

Years ago, every young girl was taught manners and how to properly conduct herself in public. Some even had lessons or went to finishing school to learn to act as a lady. It doesn't just come naturally. We have to learn how to stand with good posture, how to sit in a skirt and cross our ankles properly. We must learn not to bend or lean over in front of a man while wearing a dress or low cut shirt. This is something that is very often overlooked now a days. My grandma always says "little girls should where dresses, how else will they learn how to sit like a lady?" This is true. My daughter has embarrassed me on more than one occasion, as she sits in the front row at church and raises her legs up in the air so the whole band on stage can see her underwear. She has no idea that this is wrong, she's a kid. Kids squirm and wiggle. She has to be taught! In the same way, teenagers wearing leggings should not be laying on the floor practicing their stretches and splits or raising their legs over their heads in front of a group of onlooking boys. Unfortunately, this has happened at youth group, in the basement of our church. Did their mothers really never mention that was not proper behavior for a lady? I want to give most of them the benefit of the doubt, though I am sure at least one in the group knows 100% what she is doing to those guys. This kind of behavior is not just immodest, it is tacky and un-ladylike.

A very common style for a prom dress these days.

Really?!? Mom and Dad, really??

Ask a friend!

Let your husband or friends (that also value modesty!!) know it is ok to be honest with you. No one wants to be in that position, and very rarely will someone have the nerve to address you to your face when you're pushing the line. Your husband may not have even looked at you before heading out the door, and he may be afraid for his life to speak up even if he did notice something! Self image is such a sensitive thing, and your friends just want to build you up, so they may need a little prodding to give you the cold hard truth.

Now, where do you think the attention

is being drawn to with shorts like these?

Parents, when did you just give up?

As a youth leader, and the wife of a youth pastor, I have a lot of contact with teens and a lot of interaction with parents. Many times my husband and I have looked at each other and asked, what were her parents thinking letting her out of the house like that?! We can only do so much, the majority of it comes down to where you draw the line as a parent.

A young contestant on

the show Toddlers & Tiaras

Start young

Pace yourself, don't let your daughter dress like a teenager when she is 10, or she will be pushing the line even further when she is 16. This may entail saying no, for now, when your 6 year old asks to wear high heeled shoes. There is no rule saying high heals on a 6 year old are un-biblical or that God would not be pleased, in fact they are probably pretty cute! But I can say, with full confidence, what pleases God is a heart that seeks to parent using wisdom and discernment. Wisdom helps discern the amount of interest your daughter may be taking in physical appearance vs. how much time you have invested in her inner beauty.

Girls are feeling the pressure to act and look a certain way at a younger and younger age (remember the controversial push-up bathing suit abercrombie was marketing to 12 year olds?). 10 year olds are now considered "tweens" because that's about the age they start feeling pressure to dress exactly like their teenage role model. Sadly, their role models include older sisters that dress provocatively, and a hand full of Disney stars that have traded their squeaky clean image for the bad-girl persona. Be cautious of what shows you allow your daughter to watch at a young age (is the plot too intense, too mature, do the characters idolize materialism, etc).

Learning ladylike behavior can be fun! At a young age, most (though not all!) little girls love wearing dresses. Most (ok, not all) like princess movies and playing dress-up. Even if you have a daughter that would prefer to wear jeans and play in the mud, chances are, she would still go along with it if you decided to plan a princess party or host a manners lesson. Invite a group of young girls and hold a nice dinner, have everyone wear a dress. Talk about how a princess would sit, how she would eat. Discuss what good table manners would be and then have girls practice walking with books on their heads!

Though some of these things may seem silly in our modern culture, this gives a fun opportunity to talk about manners, how all little girls should act, what is appropriate to talk about, what areas they should cover up with clothing and what areas no one else should see. We are raising daughters in an over-sexualized generation where child abuse, human trafficking and sexual assault is much more prevalent than we like to believe. Talking about good boundaries and modesty with our daughters will give them a better grasp on what is appropriate or not appropriate adult interaction and touch.

If you have teenagers

Stay strong and hold your ground. Protect your daughters innocence - because it's worth it. But don't just lay down a bunch of rules, explain WHY this is such an important issue. Dads, don't be afraid to talk candidly about what you know of the male population. Go beyond the "I'm a guy and I know how guys think" or "guys only have one thing on their minds." We live in such a sex-saturated society, your teenage daughter is not going to be as taken aback by what you have to say, as you may think. Share your heart with her and make sure she knows you love her.

Miley and her 9 year old sister

Many girls just really need to make sense of it all
because bottom line, we don't get it.

My Current BIGGEST OFFENDERS:

Pushing the line. I might wear

this at home, but never in public!

As soon as you start moving

or bending in this shirt, it is

going to show serious cleavage.

{Leggings and Jeggings} Leggings ARE NOT PANTS! They are basically a step up from tights. Yes, the degree of thickness does correlate with the length of shirt you can get away with, but in general, you should NEVER wear a shirt shorter than what covers your entire bottom and lady parts. Most of the time, I shoot for mid thigh when wearing a nice thick legging. Around the house, I may get away with a t-shirt that hits just bellow my bottom, but there is never a reason to do this in public. PLEASE NOTE: I am only 5' 2" sorry to say, taller ladies need to take their height into consideration and opt for a longer shirt than what I could get away with. Jeggings are a small step up from leggings in thickness, so for me, the rules still apply! There is also something to be said about your environment. Wearing jeggings with a long t-shirt (that covers your butt) to the grocery store is one thing, but church or the office would still be out of place.

{Cleavage} Yea, cleavage. It bothers me so, so much when Christian girls sport cleavage on a regular basis. Can I be honest with you? I don't care if you're a 34A or a 38FF, if your shirt is low enough to see any amount of a crease, it is too low. There is no such thing as "church cleavage" or any appropriate, magic amount to show. I've been there. At my heaviest weight, there were days a regular t-shirt that came up to my neck would have still shown a healthy eye full. I am acknowledging that the bigger you are, the harder you must try and the more creative you must be. But really girls, the biggest problem I see is that you're just not even trying. Yes, life happens, clothing shifts, wardrobes malfunction. But, if you put a shirt on and can already foresee a lot of tugging and "pulling up" going on during the day, just don't do it! Or, use double sided tape, pins, etc. to secure things in place.

Yes, you have to be extra creative at times, when striving to dress modestly. Most of the time, you wont be able to just take a cute outfit off the rack and wear it as-is. I alter a lot of my clothing, by doing a simple stitch job in the shoulders to pull the neckline a little higher. You may have to layer a lot of outfits with tank tops, cardigans or shrugs. You will probably have to say no to a lot of things that could be really cute. In general, the companies and designers that are creating clothing for the masses are not concerned with modesty. You have to be on the defence. But, it is possible to dress attractively in trendy clothes from popular stores, by being a little creative in how you wear things!

Lord, give me the wisdom and discernment necessary to make choices that will honor You! ~Sarah

For modest fashion inspiration, check out my pinboards! Fashions and Fads (a little bit of everything) Fit and Flare (my favorite style of dress)

P.S. Some tools that may be of help:

Lilla Rose Giveaway - Enter Today!!

2013-05-02T11:06:00.000-04:00

We're giving away a Lilla Rose Flexi Clip (up to $16 value), just in time for Mother's Day! Enter as many times as you like (until this Saturday) by sharing the featured post found on our facebook page. You can also enter by "liking" our page and Rachel's Lilla Rose page - Just click on the links below!! -->>

All Things Thursday Link-Up {No. 21}

2013-05-01T18:49:00.000-04:00

Just in time for strawberry picking season! Create this adorable basket for displaying your Summer fruit: Brown Paper Bag Basket

Check out this cute Easy American Girl Dress that was sewn by an 8 year old! Check out the post for a video tutorial. If you're looking for easy patterns your daughter can tackle on her own, check out our post for a dress that's Sew Easy, Your Daughter Can Do It!

This is a cute Tablet Case Tutorial using a downloadable pattern from a pattern store. You may also like to check out our tutorial to make a Netbook or iPad Case Using an Old Cloth Diaper.

Homemade Laundry Soap

Strawberry Goat Cheese Quinoa Salad

Camper Trailer Decorating Ideas

If you've been featured by us, this button is for you!! Go ahead, you deserve it :)

If we choose to feature one of your post, we try really hard to notify you, pin your post and like your facebook page! Thank you to EVERYONE that participates!! Now have some fun :)

The {Best} Kid Friendly Apps

2013-04-29T13:27:00.000-04:00

We'd like to introduce a new series of posts we'll be doing, called "Media Mondays!" Between Julia and I, we have iPads, iPods, iPhones, Android phones and Nooks. They're great for educational purposes, surfing the web, and boy do they come in handy when you're out to eat with kids! :)

We've got the tablet technology covered, which leads us to the never ending quest for quality apps! The free ones can be a pain with their annoying ads and the "light" versions aren't always that great either. 1.99 may seem harmless at first, but after purchasing numerous apps in the hunt to find one that really stands above them all, you can end up spending a boatload of cash.

I have searched the internet for a good collection of app reviews, but had a hard time coming up with anything helpful. I'd like a really good, concise collection of recommended apps that have been mom-approved. We'd like to start by sharing a few of our favorites, and then open it up for you to share yours! Add a link to the app's homepage, or comment below with your favorites!

iPad Apps

Our favorites:

Starfall ABC's - $2.99
GarageBand - $4.99
More Coming Soon...

iPod/iPhone Apps

Our favorites:

Starfall ABC's - $2.99
Thomas & Friends: Diesels and Steamies - $4.99
American Girl - Offers quite a few apps and books for girls. Most of the apps are free!
Pocket Phonics - A pretty nice app for letter sounds, first words and writing - $2.99
Phone for Kids - This is a cute app that mimics the look of a phone so kids can pretend to call, text, learn ABC's, music, etc. It's Free!
Super Why Paint - 48 coloring pages to paint $2.99
PBS Kids Mobile Apps - They offer quite a few really nice educational apps
Lego 4+ Easy to Build - Free!
More Coming Soon...

Android Apps

Our Favorites:

Toddler Lock - Turn your phone in to a toddler's play toy! A great app that locks in place, so no child can get out! It's very simple; touch or "draw" on the screen to create colors and sounds. An adult must tap all four corners in order to get out. Free!
Star Wars Angry Bird - Kids of all ages love this game. One draw back is how much space it takes up on your phone, but it's free!
Fruit Ninja Free - The free version of this mindless game is perfectly fine on a small Android phone screen.
Tetris - We have the free version, but it has quite a few pop-up ads that kids could easily click on. Buy the full version for 2.99
Lego 4+ Easy to Build - A free app that is easy enough for my 2 year old, yet still entertains my 6 year old. It's cute, and it's free!
Lego Duplo Zoo - Another cute app by Lego. Their apps are generally really nice quality, and are mostly all free.
Monkey Preschool Lunchbox - Basic preschool concepts made fun: matching, colors, letter sounds, big and little, puzzles, counting, etc. $1.99
Plugged In Media Reviews - A handy app for quick reviews of movies, music and video games. Before letting your kids see a movie, check with Plugged In! Free
More Coming Soon...

Nook Apps

Our favorites:

Star Wars Angry Birds - A mindless game, but my kids love it. $2.99
Pop Goes the Bubble - A simple game to entertain a 2 year old, you literally just tap to blow a bubble and tap again to pop them. $.99
Monkey Preschool Lunchbox - Basic preschool concepts made fun: matching, colors, letter sounds, big and little, puzzles, counting, etc. $1.99
Kids ABC Phonics - A variety of simple games that teach letter sounds, word building, etc. $1.49
Alphabet Tracer: My First Letters - Simple letter tracing with the option of different colored pencils and stickers. You could use this to trace letters or to doodle. $.99
Fruit Ninja - Another minless game! Slash fruit using your finger as the sword... why is it so addicting?? $1.99
Bowling Paradise Pro - A fun bowling game with different levels and settings to choose from. $1.99
Where's My Water? - Honestly I've never really got the appeal of this game, but it is one of the only Disney apps available on the Nook and my 6 year old daughter thinks it's the greatest thing ever invented! $2.99

Kindle Apps

Our favorites:

Bowling Paradise Pro
More Coming Soon...

Mother's Day Giveaway!

2013-04-27T16:57:00.001-04:00

We're excited to announce a giveaway, just in time for mother's day! Head over to our Facebook Page for complete details (the post with details will be pinned to the top, so you wont have to look far). This special mother's day giveaway will be for a FREE Lilla Rose Flexi Clip of your choice (up to a $16 value), courtesy of our friend, Rachel Kirsch, Lilla Rose consultant. Like our facebook page, share the giveaway post and like Rachel's page for more chances to win. Head over there right now: All Things with Purpose on Facebook

Check out this video and others, for lots of great hair styling ideas

at the Lilla Rose YouTube Channel!

Blessing Bags for the Homeless {to Keep in Your Car} Using Dollar Store Items

2013-04-26T09:56:00.000-04:00

What a great idea! Keep these "Blessing Bags" on hand or in your car for passing along to someone in need. We live in a suburb of Detroit. Quite frequently, we find ourselves at a traffic light downtown, next to a homeless man or two standing on the corner. Have you been in this situation before?

You may feel compelled to help, and wish there was something you can do. Maybe you're not comfortable handing them money, but you feel guilty not doing something...

I first saw the idea for these "Blessing Bags" on Pinterest a while back. I just love the idea of being proactive and thinking ahead, so you are ready when you face a need! I've had this idea tucked in the back of my mind and have been looking for an opportunity to make them with a group. I organized a ladies retreat this past weekend for our Church and our theme was on the book of Ruth. The curriculum called for our group to put together bean soup mixes for those in need, but I thought this project would make a great alternative.

I purchased everything I needed for twenty five ladies to make one bag each. I got everything I needed from the Dollar Tree! Each bag came to about $3 total. I was very excited about the supplies I was able to get for my money. Many of these things you may already have lying around your home! The most costly thing that I bought was the toothpaste and toothbrush set which were $1 each. Everything else were individually packaged products that were sold in a large quantity.

What our bags contained:

Toothbrush and toothpaste
Tylonal (individual packet of 2)
Tissues
Antibacterial wipes
Bandages
Razor
Juice box
Peanuts
Granola Bar
Safety pins
Crackers and cheese
A Gospel pamphlet

Some ideas for other things you could include:

Change for making a phone call
Socks
List of homeless shelters or food banks in the area
Deodorant
Bar soap
Mouthwash
Comb

Be sure everything you choose is safe to keep in car! For example, you wouldn't want anything chocolate or crackers that would easily crush. After you give one out, make another to always keep on hand! These are small enough to fit into a purse. I would love to have one on me whenever we go downtown to eat or catch a game. You could even have your kids hand them out! A simple way to demonstrate kindness and teach them about giving to those in need.

All Things Thursday Link Up {No. 20}

2013-04-24T20:15:00.000-04:00

These sweet rolls look super yummy!!
Find the recipe here: Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

Is it just me, or is "Salted Caramel" a big deal right now? It seems to be the trendy flavor of the year, because I've seen it pop up everywhere! Of course, it must be because it's just SO GOOD!! Find the recipe for these grown up rice krispie treats here: Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats

These are the fanciest, most adorable looking doghnuts I have ever seen... is it possible for a doughnut to look adorable?? I wonder if they taste just as good as they look! Make them yourself using the recipe found here:

Pear and Elderflower Doughnuts

I love the idea this mother came up with to make breakfast prep easy for her son to do on his own! Find out what she did, here: Breakfast Box

I appreciated this post very much! What a great job she did of taking pictures to compare how the different cleaning products cut through a scummy layer of hairspray (that every woman has) on the floor. find our what worked best, here: How to Remove Hairspray Residue

If you've been featured by us, this button is for you!! Go ahead, you deserve it :)

If we choose to feature one of your post, we try really hard to notify you, pin your post and like your facebook page! Thank you to EVERYONE that participates!! Now have some fun :)

Getting Vaccinations

2013-04-23T22:11:00.000-04:00

Getting shots is neither fun for you or your kids. The debate about when to get them is very intense. (Go here for CDC Recommendations) With claims of vaccinations too early being linked to autism, etc., taking your kids to the doctor's office can be a little scary

(click here for the VacTruth). My husband's Uncle contracted Polio as a child, so we feel that vaccinations are an important preventative measure, and we are thankful for them. We have however chosen to delay them and spread them out a little more than what the Doctor's office would recommend.

Dr Sears has some good material out there on alternative vaccination schedules. Here is an article on his site about this topic: Ask Dr Sears I'm not sure an actual schedule can be found anywhere on-line, since it is published in his book. However, at this link you will find a schedule that someone posted on a message board, to give you an idea!

When we took our two sons to get vaccinations, we have one son who falls in the 50th percentile and another son who is literally off the charts in both height and weight. He's the one on the scale. The nurse insisted that any child under the age of two be weighed on the baby scale in the nude. So we stripped him and sat him down. Only to discover that the scale was overloaded because it only goes up to 30lbs. He was embarrassed. ~jk

He did well with his shots and received a safety measure for getting through the experience alive :) TIP: When taking your kids for shots, ask the nurse what vaccinations can be combined so you avoid extra needles. ~Julia

Are You a Lover of the Truth?

2013-04-22T09:10:00.000-04:00

Are you raising your kids to be lovers of the truth, or manipulators of the truth?

First off, get this: your kids are watching you... ALWAYS watching! [insert creepy music] You are teaching them through your actions and they are soaking it all in.

Do you frequently manipulate the facts to meet an agenda? Do you ask your kids to lie for you by saying "she's not home" when someone calls? Are you frequently conniving and manipulative? Do your kids watch when you make excuses to a friend for not being at church or work, instead of just being honest? Have you ever worked the system, manipulated the facts or rounded things in your favor? Maybe you don't even realize you're doing it half the time, because dishonesty has become so commonplace in your life.

To Tell the Truth

Let's go beyond the usual scenario, shall we? We've all heard stories of how one little lie can grow and lead to another lie, and to another lie, and to another, and so on. We know about the little boy that cried wolf. But as easy as it is to hear those stories and agree, how well are you doing at actually living out a life of truthfulness? What about your over-all honesty level? Do people trust you, or have they grown to take every word you say with a grain of salt?

Nothing But the Truth

I've felt the bitter sting of being lied to by people I love. My blood boils every time a friend tells me a half-truth to cover a fault or make an excuse. The absolute worst is overhearing a parent "bending the truth" in front of their child, just to get what they want. I don't like being lied to, because most of the time, I can tell it's a lie! If you've made a habit of bending the truth, you probably don't realize how often you are doing it, and this is tragic.

The Fib From Outer Space

Kids don't need to learn how to lie (that comes naturally), what they learn from their parents, is how to be a "good" liar or to value honesty and openness. Kids that become good at lying at a young age, will inevitably be good at lying in their teenage years (i don't need to mention how unfortunate for you that will become). In our home, we have established consequences for lying. I want my kids to take the truth seriously. They know that lying is just as bad as fighting with a sibling or disobeying a parent. This is all because I love them. I want to have a trusting relationship with them and I want them to grow into considerate adults that are dependable and trustworthy in their friendships or marriages.

Proverbs 12:22

The Message (MSG)

God can’t stomach liars;
he loves the company of those who keep their word.

Ephesians 4:25

The Message (MSG)

What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.

If truthfulness has not been a priority in your home,

make the commitment to start today!

INCH Convention in Lansing Michigan (Information Network for Christian Homes)

2013-04-19T09:13:00.000-04:00

I have been to the INCH Convention two times. Each time I dipped my toe in a little more. This year I am diving right in. The first time I went, my oldest was three. I had been teaching her at home for over a year, but no one really knew I was homeschooling because she wasn't school age yet. I went to the convention to be able to see all of the curriculum available. I wanted to flip through the pages and see what was out there. I know that you can see a lot of things online, but this wasn't one of them.

The Hall was an absolute dream. More homeschooling materials than I could have imagined (and so many manipulatives!!). I was able to comfortably pick out Bob Jones PreSchool Curriculum, and I was exposed to many other names, such as, Abeka Books, My Father's World, and even video P.E.

Last year I went for the used book sale that starts on Thursday night. That was also very huge!! So

many options, but you need to think fast and make a move because there are a lot of other families there with the same goal. Make sure you research a little ahead of time so you know what you're looking for because it does seem to go fast. Also bring your check book! If I had not had a friend there, I would have been in trouble.

This year I get together once a week with another homeschooling mom and we have a mini co-op, but in my homeschooling time, I have been predominately by myself. So, one of the most exciting aspects is showing up and realizing you are not alone. Thousands of families just in the state of Michigan are homeschooling their children for a variety of reasons, and they are successfully graduating well rounded, competent students. Instead of being tentative about homeschooling, I left the convention reaffirmed in my choice to homeschool.

On May 9-11, Sarah and I will be attending the INCH Convention, and we urge you to come and check it out with us. What an amazing opportunity to come and be refreshed and encouraged for the coming year of school! Please let us know that you are coming. We can't wait to see you there.

~Julia

P.S. I laughed when I saw people with those little cart dollies, but when I was done I realized they were probably laughing at me for not having one :)

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All Things Thursday Link-Up {No. 19}

2013-04-17T14:33:00.000-04:00

Braided Cuff Tutorial

Pasta Sauce Bottle Soap Dispenser

Guiltless Chicken Alfredo

Filing Cabinet to Desk Redo

No Bake Peanut Butter and Pretzel Granola Bars

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If we choose to feature one of your post, we try really hard to notify you, pin your post and like your facebook page! Thank you to EVERYONE that participates!! Now have some fun :)

Before you LINK...please LIKE!

Comparison Games: Be {Thankful} for Your Child's Accomplishments

2013-04-17T12:21:00.000-04:00

Are you one of those moms? You know, the mom that {constantly} brags about her kid's accomplishments? Or, how about the mom that is so focused on what her kid is NOT accomplishing that it's disturbing? Secretly, many of the moms that are bragging about accomplishments are still inwardly comparing their kids to everyone else,
hoping to stay ahead of the game. Many mom's suffer anxiety over what their kids aren't doing, what milestones they have not reached and if anyone else has noticed. We live in a society where the comparison game will drive you insane!

We're given check lists of what our kids should be doing and when. The problem is, no kid is the same. God has created us all uniquely and individually. Your child may not fit the mold or even come close to resembling the mold...and guess what, that's OK!!

Early intervention is extremely helpful for some children. But the system is flawed, because it assumes that all children develop at the same pace.
Use milestone check-lists as a guideline, but don't get too freaked out if your child falls behind in any one area. My girls were slower verbal developers, but they were both running and jumping by 10 months. My 5 year old LOVES art, crafts, reading, writing, etc. but took quite a while to "get" anything numbers and math oriented (I am the same way). One of the best parts about homeschooling is that I can keep her moving ahead in the areas she is excelling, while taking extra time to focus on the things she is not grasping yet. We work at her pace, not a nation-wide, general pace set by the average student.

I am one of those moms that got freaked out early-on, when I saw other kids progressing faster than my daughter.
Isn't it just crazy that at 6 months, we're already comparing our kids and taking note of the things that they're doing in comparison with everyone else? Wait a second, it starts earlier than that! How about within the first week of life? We've been programed to search for something that will give us bragging rights, something that will immediately label our child as "above average." Whether it be, how early they sit up, how early they say their first word, how early they start reading, at what age they master algebra or graduate high school. It's a never-ending comparison game! Have you lost your mind yet?

Last year at this time, I sat down to write up a progress report for my 5 year old.
Initially, I was just curious to compile a list of the academic milestones she has reached and see how it measures up with the national average. I was again reminded of how far she has come. I am so quick to get down about the areas she is struggling in, but God really reminded me how blessed I am by all the things she CAN do! I ended up making lists for all 3 kids, writing down as many positive things that I could think of. I would recommend for anyone that is getting freaked out over what their kids AREN'T doing, to make a list of all the things they CAN do! Pray for your child and thank God for blessing you with their life. Your child may have been diagnosed with a learning disability or have mental and physical limitations - thank God for their accomplishments and talents! These may include things like: being kind, sensitive, having a joyful personality, affectionate, etc. Assessment has it's place, and special needs may require extra attention. Just remember, every child is unique, "fearfully and wonderfully made!"

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. -Psalm 139:13-16

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Fight for Your Marriage

2013-04-14T17:27:00.003-04:00

I had a speaking engagement this weekend at a women's event. As I was preparing, I had several moments of, "Why did I agree to this!?!" I was at my mom's for some of the time and she watched the kids, let me practice on her, and gave me some great ideas.

The subject was Spiritual Warfare mostly on the Shield of Faith. Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. The way that we can combat those fiery arrows is by believing God's truth over Satan's lies. I felt like I was being attacked during this time, and when I recognized it for what it was I realized that God thinks I can handle this. So, bring it on Satan. With my faith in God, your temptations for me to sin will be totally extinguished by my Shield of Faith!!

So what was I being tempted with? For whatever reason my husband has not asked me once about what I was speaking on or how it went. Today at church he was standing right next to me and many ladies said so many sweet things to me about how much the message spoke to their hearts. But, the man I care the most for and whose opinion I value the most said nothing.

Instead of being upset with what he has not done for me or how I wish he would have treated me, I thought: What haven't I done for him and what does he wish I would have done for him? Men and women are so different. After being married almost eleven years, I am finally starting to figure some things out :)

I am very selfish by nature. I think that I am special stuff if I am kind to people or serve them. But what happens if they don't appreciate me? What happens if they don't respond the way I had planned in my head? Who am I serving? Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men."

This is such a great reminder. Yes, I have had a conversation with God that sounds something like this. "Look at how well I cleaned the toilet or I was able to clean the puke out of the car seat and didn't just leave it by the side of the road! Isn't that great God!!" Because I did that for the Lord, not for recognition from men. I do like recognition, but I am able to get it from God. I have been practicing going to Him to meet my needs.

I have faith that God's design for marriage is right. I trust and believe that I must fight for my marriage. I need to protect myself from being vulnerable to an affair emotional or otherwise and the best way to do that is to be spiritually mature leading to a strong marriage. So ladies, FIGHT. Fight Satan and how Satan would tempt you to be discouraged in your circumstances with the Word of God.

You'll probably be hearing more on Spiritual Warfare :) ~Julia

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Tips for Kids with Eczema and Allergies

2013-04-13T18:41:00.001-04:00

My son, Taylor will be turning 5 in May. By his first birthday {about the time he had completely transitioned onto solid foods} he started having a lot of skin issues and flair ups of a red, itchy rash that would split open and turn into open wounds all over his body. He also demonstrated what seemed like digestive issues and loss of apatite.
He was always congested and had watery, glazed over eyes. He would also go through periods of time with an extremely runny nose and sneezing fits which would result in bloody noses every night.
We began researching what could be causing his issues, and thus, the long journey of allergy testing and experimenting with different medications began.

We thought it was food allergies at first, and began experimenting by taking him off of dairy products, wheat, gluten, eggs, nuts, you name it. Sometimes there seemed to be an improvement, but not great enough to convince ourselves of an explanation. We had a very hard time convincing our pediatrician to do anything or give us anything. He didn't believe in allergy testing on a kid Taylor's age, and was convinced that he'd grow out of whatever it was he had. I was convinced there had to be something out there to ease his discomfort, so we continued searching.

This is Taylor's skin on a really good day. We've seen a lot of good days and bad days since he was born, but it's hard knowing that even on the best days, he's always uncomfortable.

My advice for anyone concerned with the possibility of a food allergy, seasonal allergies or skin irritation, is to start researching, experimenting, getting blood tests or skin tests done if possible, and figuring it out through trial and error. I have many friends who were able to get a simple blood test done to determine their child's food allergies. We have not had an easy road, but have discovered what works best for us to keep Taylor at his best.

If you can, see an actual allergist who may choose to conduct a skin test. We finally got in to see an allergist after years of hearing from the pediatrician that allergy testing was not necessary. The allergist was a great listener and decided to do the skin test just to be thorough. He chose to test him for a broad spectrum of common environmental allergens (nothing food related). It was uncomfortable for Taylor, but just for a moment. The test results showed he was allergic to trees and cats. OK, so not real helpful as those are things that will be found literally, everywhere. There is no real way to stay away from them.

The allergist was concerned with Taylor's hearing because of how congested he is on a regular basis, so he checked his ears and prescribed the nose spray, Flonase (Fluticasone Propionate). The nose spray has been great and has almost completely relieved Taylor's symptoms of: runny nose, nose bleeds, itchy watery eyes, swollen eyes and dry skin around his nose and eyes. Yep, those are the symptoms he was experiencing on a regular basis and are now almost completely gone, as long as he consistanly uses the spray. The reason the nose spray works better than loading him up during the day with other antihistamines (like Benadryl, Claritin, Allegra, etc), is that it targets the medication directly at the spot it needs it most.

The allergist also did the best job of explaining what eczema is and how we can help treat it. He finally was able to assure me that there is nothing we can do to heal it completely or make it go away (I say "assure me" because I have been convinced for years that there must be a reason and a cure). For some, eczema may be a symptom of a food allergy. For Taylor, he is one of many that is more prone to eczema because of his seasonal allergies, but it is not necessarily a symptom. We can't cure the eczema, but we can treat it and keep his skin on the defense against it. Here is a list of things we have learned over the years may help fight off eczema and other allergy related skin outbreaks:

Avoid all allergens that have been established as triggers for flair ups (environmental allergens, specific foods, certain kinds of animals, etc)
Use a free and clear (dye free, fragrance free) laundry detergent
Do not use fabric softener or fabric sheets
If possible, bathe your child as soon as they come in for the day after playing outside. Or, at least wipe their face off and wipe down their arms and legs with a wash cloth and slather on some lotion
Use a special, sensitive soap and lotion like Cetaphil
Use specifically fragrance free lotions designed for sensitive skin
Cover their skin several times a day in a lotion like Aquaphore or Eucerin
Administer an antihistamine like Zertec (cetirizine) at night (the allergist said Zertec, specifically, is best for eczema)
Treat open sores caused by the eczema like any other wounds, with a triple antibiotic ointment
Use a prescription strength cream like Triamcinolone Acetonide, Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1%), or Mometasone Furoate Cream on bad skin outbreaks (these are all tubes of ointments that we've used and it takes just a tiny bit to do a lot of good)
Keep skin protected with socks and shoes, long pants, etc. Limit the exposure of skin to grass and other allergens.
Use special allergy pillow case protectors to fight against dust mites and other allergens
Wash bedding on a regular basis in free and clear detergent
Keep bedrooms clean and clutter free - vacuum regularly. Wood floors are best, but keep carpet clean.
Limit exposure to pets that may have a heavy dander, like cats.

We do our best to follow ALL these steps on a regular basis. I know it's a lot, but it's just a way of life for us. Start by checking out some reputable web sites. I really like the information provided on the Mayo Clinic site, and I know it is all trustworthy:

Mayo Clinic: Milk Allergy

Mayo Clinic: Food Allergies

Mayo Clinic: Eczema

Mayo Clinic: General Allergies

Childhood Allergies

Dr Sears: Eczema and Allergies

I hope this is helpful! Don't give up seeking the answers you need and figuring out what will work best for your specific child. ~Sarah

Linked Up with these Great Parties!!

Tops and Bottoms Read By Grandma

2013-04-12T20:06:00.003-04:00

Grandma Deb came over to do some science about Gardening. The kids planted seeds in clear cups and watched them grow. This is a fun story about a Bear who owns land, and a Hare that needs to do crop sharing. Only every time the Hare outwits the Bear. It's a really good lesson on what grows where, too.

Once I get the camera set up and my crying son removed, this turns out really well :) All the noisy household drama takes place in the first minute!! You'll also hear some classical music quietly in the background. I could not resist. ~Julia

All Things Thursday Link-Up {No. 18}

2013-04-10T21:47:00.001-04:00

Two Ten Designs

{Adorable gift card holder idea}

Redfly Creations

{DIY Sisal Coasters}

Bible Love Notes

{Cute and easy bag tutorial}

Posed Perfection

{Cinnamon chips and fruit salsa recipe}

Faith Filled Food for Moms

{Make-ahead smoothie starter cubes}

Ashley's Dandelion Wishes

{Cute Spring wreath tutorial}

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