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Mid-Year Reflection & Planning Ideas For Christian Families
This year is half over. And whether that feels like “already??!” or “finally!” to you, I want to encourage you to reflect on this year so far. It seems like our years often develop their own themes- growth years, fun years, grief years, rest years, waiting years. As much as we may plan, we don’t…
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Tongue scrape A simple and quick way to improve your gut health- first thing in the morning, scrape all the ick off your tongue and keep it out of your gut! Use a stainless street tongue scraper and scrape from the back of your tongue forward several times before eating/drinking anything when you wake up…
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Don’t overcomplicate healthy eating Focus on nourishment. Not on calories, not on fad-diets, not on “expert” advice. Eat what people have eaten around the world and throughout history. Eat what is nourishing to your cells- nutrient dense plant and animal products from healthy plants and animals. Steer clear of pesticides, additives, preservatives, artificials, sweeteners, etc. …
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Celebrating the first day of Lent today (as an evangelical Christian) by making sourdough soft pretzels with the kids; I put ashes from our fireplace on their foreheads, and mine, and we talked about coming from and returning to dust, our need for a Savior, and what fasting means. “Does putting ashes on our foreheads…
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I want to share my birth story to normalize VBAC (yes, even after 3 c-sections!), home birth and unmedicated birth, and so others can gain confidence in their own ability to birth naturally. Yes, there are risks to VBAC and HBAC (just like there are risks to repeat c-sections), and yes, birth is most often…
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Birth without: Needles, scalpels, sterile metal tables. Bright lights, beeping machines, constant monitors. Restriction of food and water, restriction of movement. Strangers checking progress, changing shifts, unspoken time limits. Numbness, narcotics, dullness. Fear of failure, fear of risks, fear of something going wrong. Birth with: Peaceful spaces, dim lights, maybe music, maybe silence. Encouragment to…
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It’s something that affects all of us from time to time if not chronically- loneliness. Loneliness is a health-stealer we have to watch out for just like toxins and chemicals. I’ve been alone and lonely (even as an introvert)I’ve been surrounded by people and been lonely.I’ve been among a small group of friends and still…
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Imagine this with me: what if you were guaranteed to have a better, easier time in all areas of life- relationships, career, fitness, mental health- if you never say a list of like, 20 words. Say some of them are really useful or common words, like “very” or “flower”. But if you can commit to…
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I’m already halfway through this pregnancy, believe it or not; I believe it, because I’ve been in it the whole time- first trimester fatigue, morning sickness, my body starting to change, feeling a little mango-sized baby wiggle around in there. But from the outside it doesn’t look like I’m halfway, I mean, knowing how much…
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We went to the high school graduation last week, and for the first time ever I was interested in hearing what the speakers had to say. Guess I’m old now. Most of the speeches I did consider to be fairly boring (so maybe I’m not that old), but some were intriguing. A couple truly inspired…
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Or: “how to control a population by manipulation” (Sometimes a system or culture looks “normal” because it’s been slowly adding and accepting things- harmful things- over a long time so that society hardly notices. But taking a step back we can see there is an absolute war on God’s design for people to “be fruitful…
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I always want all of our trips to be to the ocean. No other destination compares to the splendor of the sea. Revelation 21 says that in the new heaven and new earth there will be no sea.. I know it’s heaven- perfect, paradise, nothing missing- but I’ve always kinda thought no ocean didn’t make…
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I’ve been pretty intentional about saying yes and being present over the years but still find myself often making lame excuses when I just “don’t feel like it”. Here’s a practical way to be present and make memories that will allow me to say “the days passed quickly, but we soaked up every one!” Instead…
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“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11 When there are unspeakable injustices or conspiracies, when anxiety starts to rage within me over things that are completely out of my control and out of my understanding, things “out there” that I learn…
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If you made health a part of your New Year’s resolutions, good for you! Health is not a trend, it is well-being, and it’s worth it! Depending on where you are in your “health journey”, you may know some, all, or none of this; but this is my attempt at a list of “basics” for…
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For a few years now, we’ve been enjoying this hot chocolate almost every morning! It’s full of minerals and nutrients that make it a healthy, whole-food treat. (Benefits of each ingredient below recipe!) It’s so simple to make. Feel free to adjust sweetness and cacao strength to your personal preference! 2 cups warm whole milk…
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The beginning of a new year is such a wonderful time for reflection and resolution. There seem to be lots of opinions about New Year’s resolutions; I’ve heard that they’re essentially useless, that habits rather than goals are far superior, that winter isn’t a time for goals but for stillness. But opinions aside, New Year’s…
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New Year’s resolutions can be great, but if you have something you’re “saving” to begin January 1st, just do it today. Part of the reason resolutions fail is because of the mindset “I’ll do it when ____”. This puts the responsibility of accomplishment on whatever the blank is instead of on ourselves. If the new…
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We were just getting home from a family Christmas party, tired, ready for bed. But when we opened the door of the house we were hit by a smell. You know me, I smell everything, but everyone smelled it this time. An obviously toxic smell, like that purple primer you use for PVC pipe. We…
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Yesterday we had our piano tuned. I should back up- I’ve dreamed of having a piano for years but always thought of it as maybe a “someday” thing; well, recently someone Justin knows from work just gave us a piano. Just said, “if you can move it, you can have it” (by the way, moving…
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This time around with a baby, I’ve been so aware, much more than ever before, of how each stage goes by so quickly. It’s so cliche- “it goes so fast”, “blink and you’ll miss it”- but seriously! Most of us realize it, but it’s still surprising, almost shocking. This little chubby infant is already almost…
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Creativity has been proven to increase problem solving skills and cognitive function, improve mental health and memory, reduce stress, boost neuroplasticity, and even improve the immune system and overall health! Everyone can benefit from regularly engaging in some type of creative activity, especially considering that it’s easier than ever before to not be creative at…
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I have to be really careful not to “apply” everything (or anything) to America as I read Scripture, but especially when I go through the prophets. (A huge error in modern study and sermons is focusing completely on “personal application” rather than digging into all the meaning of the text.) Although. The Bible is living…
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“Settle down please”, I interrupted my conversation with an older couple, Ernie and Diane, at church to quiet my children. The kids’ volume and activity had been gradually escalating over the last few minutes; they were in good moods- happy, not fighting or anything- but I wanted to prevent a just-for-fun wrestling match or scream-filled…
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I’m still amazed at the amazing flavor that comes from just flour, water, and salt in a classic sourdough loaf, but sometimes you want to make more than a regular loaf. This recipe for a sweet sourdough bread is perfect for soft dinner rolls, special-occasion challah, real-ingredient cinnamon rolls, and anything else you’d want a…
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Today’s Saturday, which means we were up early doing chores before heading to the local farmer’s market. Late September in southern New Mexico still means 90° temps, so the whole park is lined with shade canopies which we all help each other set up (even though we all bought the “EZ up” versions for their…
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We worked on some house projects today. My husband finished the electric for the schoolroom addition, and the kids and I started painting the house. Moments I loved: My daughter enthusiastically repeating how much she loved painting houses. She said she would never get tired of it and I said I’d remind her of that…
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One winter on a family road trip as a teenager, we were relaxing in the hotel hot tub when our dad dared my siblings and I to jump into the unheated outdoor pool. $20 for anyone who was brave enough. I was young, a little reckless, and broke, so obviously I did it. I didn’t…
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When days seem to run together into one- when they feel exhaustingly long or way too short- bedtime routines can be grounding, connecting, collecting breaks to help end the days on high notes. We’ve made slight tweaks to our family’s bedtime routine over the years, but for the most part it has remained a constant…
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“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise” Ephesians 5:15 One nice thing about living in New Mexico is that you’re always near nature. We can visit lakes, rivers, forests, or mountains in a 10-30 minute drive from where we are. Earlier this week, the kids got an urge to climb…
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I’m sitting on the couch with my nourishing cocoa (raw milk, raw cacao, raw honey), watching, listening to, and smelling the rain come down. It’s so kind of God to give rain. Justin’s been working all day on the plumbing under the house, and it was so difficult and gross. When I saw clouds I…
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Labels can be so helpful. They can identify important aspects of our personalities and callings, making it easier to prioritize what’s important. Being an “intentional parent” will determine many decisions for how one spends their time. Being a “disciple of Jesus” will change the course of a person’s life. Even a label as simple as…
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This 3 ingredient version cleans better than any other toothpaste I’ve ever used and without any harmful additives!
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I know selfishness is wrong, but something we often fail to realize is that it doesn’t pay. The lie it tells is that it will serve somehow, give something good. But, though not necessarily seen immediately, “you reap what you sow”. Selfishness with friends/relatives repays with… Gossip? Loss of opportunities? Lack of closeness? Selfishness with…
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Children’s love for learning never ceases to amaze me. Lately, Leo and Lyla, fourth and sixth grade, have been really into the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and US history in general (or “politics” as they call it). They’ve taken to writing Documents and Articles for their Government Club, and recently have ambitiously aspired to copy…
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“Lord, help me understand my end. What is the limit of my days? Let me know how fleeting I am.” Psalm 39:4 The psalmist here is not asking to be told his fortune; not asking for his fate to be revealed or to know the day he will die. No, he’s asking for something far…
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We’ve been hoping for another barn kitten or two for a while, and the other day I spontaneously called on some listed on Craigslist. Sometimes things just work out so nicely, and it’s just a blessing; the lady who was giving away the pair of barn kittens also had a little farm, and after we…
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Wednesday evening I sat on the porch with Willa on my lap, watching the kids ride bikes and bat baseballs. I combed my fingers through Willa’s curls to peel off some remaining cradle cap I noticed, and I felt something. A bump? Not quite. More like a soft spot, but I know what soft spots…
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As the day went on, first Justin and then I became increasingly aware that this seemed unjustified. Willa was medically cleared- the bone scans showed no other injuries, the neurologist had said she was good to go, her labs were done and normal. Why were we still in the hospital? The blanket answer “we’re waiting…
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When things don’t go my way, simply wishing for different circumstances or outcomes or wherever doesn’t do any good. Nor does trying to busy myself with distractions or becoming bitter or complacent. Not only are these attempts literally useless in helping the situation, they also don’t accomplish the good that God might be working in…
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“Do you want to really live?Would you love to live a long, happy life?Then make sure you don’t speak evil wordsor use deceptive speech! Turn away from evil and do what is right!Strive for peace and promote it! The Lord pays attention to the godlyand hears their cry for help. But the Lord opposes evildoersand…
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“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35 “How can I be a blessing to you today, dear girl?” was how Kim, our pastor’s wife, answered…
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I didn’t know what direction our room was facing until the sun blazed through the window after a couple hours of restless sleep. Again, we’re home now; God is amazing. Just sharing what I wrote while in the depths of uncertainty. It’s still hard; the mornings have been harder for some reason. I cried on…
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We’ve had a very difficult and traumatic past couple days. We’re all okay and home now; God has brought us through and provided His grace every step of the way. I wrote this in the thick of it. Sometimes choppy poetry is what comes out easier than a fluid journal in times when things are…
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I’ve been surprised to find that cooperative games are just as fun as competitive ones for our family to play together! Cooperative games build creative problem solving and communication skills while also teaching kindness, respect, and a sense of security and unity in your family. Like the closeness and dependence that’s formed among members playing…
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There’s an old saying, “pray as if it depends on God; work as if it depends on you”. A more recent quote I’ve heard echoes this: “God is in control, but He doesn’t expect you to lean on your shovel and pray for a hole.” The Bible records many instances of God performing miracles, and…
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“Don’t stomp, it’s too loud!” I whisper-shout to my three-year old, knowing the thumping will likely wake the baby I just eased into bed for a nap. My jumping toddler pauses for a split second, then does one big stomp and looks at me. Frustration, anger and confusion rise up in me at this show…
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Having little routines and rituals as a family is so important for connection and attachment. These little things we may count as “too small to be important” but we don’t realize the deeper impact they’re actually having on us and our children- things like the greetings we give each other in the morning with a…
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We’re beginning our seventh or eighth (depending on if you count pre-k or not!) year of homeschool this year! When we first began homeschooling, we started with a full curriculum. After that year, I started getting more into the idea of interest-led learning as my oldest would grow so intrigued by a single topic at…
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Habits, routines, traditions- they’re deeply formative. There’s a saying: “show me your habits, and I’ll show you your future”. The things we do regularly shape us. They also determine what we’re not doing regularly, which also determines the direction we’re going and thus our future. -If I’m regularly eating real food instead of processed junk,…
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I saw a video by the hilarious Emily Vondy talking about the boldness of her little daughter that was wonderful and laughable- she told her daughter to hold her hand at the grocery store, and when her daughter refused, an older man, with surely the best of intentions, pretended to be “going to get her…
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In our Bible study class this week, we discussed the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Before He does this great miracle, Jesus says “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4) Our teacher asked “what are…
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Though plain sourdough loaves are my go-to, sometimes I just get an urge to make some random other bread. Tortillas and bagels are pretty regular, but recently I started making one that was super daunting to me (but actually SO easy!)- pasta noodles. I first made them purely by hand, which was doable but more…
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It’s so wonderful that more people are recognizing the need to eliminate toxins in order to live healthier lives, but it can certainly be daunting when it seems toxins are everywhere. Here are some small changes you can make in your own home to help make a positive difference for your family’s health: 1. Stop…
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Let’s face it- most new things are full of toxins. Clothes, cabinets, couches, carpets- all of them. Now, while we don’t need to become terrified hermits to avoid every possible toxin, it is important for the health of our families that we’re conscious of this concern and do what we can to limit our exposure…
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Visiting the ocean, there’s really no way to miss God’s lavish abundance. Standing on the shore and looking out over the vast expanse– that’s really the only word that describes it properly- I just marvel at the size and volume. It’s incredible. Wave after endless wave repeating a roll and crash onto the sand. If…
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Our new homeschool curriculum for this year is scheduled to get here today, and I’m so excited! I’ve always been a nerd, I guess- I remember being so excited to fill my backpack with new school supplies each school year as a kid; now I still get to be excited as we get all the…
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It seems that everywhere you look and read these days, there’s a new thing to be “informed” of- particularly all the things that are toxic and bad for us. I know many people are, understandably, annoyed by this. Can’t we just live our lives without being worried about everything from our candles to deodorant to…
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“Life is a trade off” my great aunt Wraye would say when we little girls would have to forego one “good” in order to have another, like choosing between a soda or a piece of cake as a sweet at a party, or choosing between going with Dad to Home Depot or staying home with…
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I came across this poem this week and think it’s so relevant to today, though it was written in 1577. Disturb us, Lord, whenWe are too well pleased with ourselves,When our dreams have come trueBecause we have dreamed too little,When we arrived safelyBecause we sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord, whenWith the abundance…
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This year is half over. And whether that feels like “already??!” or “finally!” to you, I want to encourage you to reflect on this year so far. It seems like our years often develop their own themes- growth years, fun years, grief years, rest years, waiting years. As much as we may plan, we don’t…
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We’ve coined the last couple months “smell-tastrophy” (or something to that effect; you’ll get different versions depending on which family member you ask). It started with the mold (which is a continuing situation)- I kept thinking I smelled something like an old forgotten citrus and had the kids help me empty and re-shelf the entire…
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Recently we had a lake-school day— that is, we went to the lake instead of our typical day at home during “school hours”. I feel both timidly defensive and passionately activistic of the approach we take to homeschooling- an untidy mix of classical, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, and child-led learning methods. There’s loose structure and mismatched…
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The morning Willa was born, after everyone had a few hours of rest, we all just lounged around. We would spend another night in the AirBnb and had the whole day to just nap, talk, be together and coo over brand-new baby. I had thought often during the end of the pregnancy about how I…
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The other day I was doing some research on growing flowers and came across a progress picture of a beautiful tulip farm- the “after” was long planter boxes full from edge to edge with tulips in a huge, green, grassy field, neatly mowed into aisles between the planters, with big bushy trees in the background.…
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Here’s a big question- why would a loving God allow evil? And the big question that comes after considering that one for a while- does God cause suffering or only allow it? This is a theological debate; most Christians probably have an immediate response and opinion. Reading Elisabeth Elliot’s “Be Still My Soul” this week…
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“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do…
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I never had any intentions to homeschool before having kids or when they were very young. Honestly I’d never given it the thought, I just assumed I’d do what “everyone else” did and send the kids to school. But I thank God for having other plans. One Sunday at church after the service, while little…
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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” James 1:2-4 A key step to making good sourdough is the “stretching”. After…
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It seems crazy to me still, to be able to say that I had a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). After three c-sections I had really thought it was impossible. I’m incredibly thankful for what God has made possible for my family, and I hope my story might inspire someone else to believe that a…
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Advent is such a special season- looking forward to the birth of our Savior with joyful expectation and anticipation! It’s a wonderful time to slow down, focus on God and His Word- particularly the birth of Jesus, and have fun together as a family in the days leading up to Christmas. Wanting to make the…
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“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 I’m a week late writing this, as last week was Thanksgiving. I’ve been lovingly made fun of for being the “grandma” of the group at thanksgiving and making everyone take turns saying something…
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The information that led me to opt out of a repeat c-section after having had three, as well as resources and encouragement for anyone considering VBAC and/or natural birth. How we birth All of my births so far have been c-sections. Three times I’ve had five layers of me cut through and my baby extracted.…
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I can’t quite believe how things have worked out, how God has worked things out, for this upcoming birth. From three c-sections and a tubal to a natural home birth (but not in my home)… all of it is just something I could never have orchestrated on my own, and I’m so thankful for God’s…
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No special equipment, gram measurements, or exact timing needed. I have to admit that I didn’t know there was anything different in how sourdough is made compared to any other bread until i was an adult. When I was a kid, my mom bought it for sandwich bread for a while and I just liked…
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“Comparison is the thief of joy” is the famous warning these days. It seems to be a new issue that’s arisen in the age of social media- for the first time we have access to everyone’s inner lives, not necessarily their real lives, but at least the parts they choose to show; we see everyone’s…
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When we sold our house in town and moved out to our 17 acre property two years ago, we didn’t have a house yet. Our family of five moved into a 32 foot fifth wheel where we lived for a year and a half. I say often, and honestly, that the only way it was…
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My story of tubal, regret, and reversal A Seed Planted The first time I thought about a tubal relating to myself was at a prenatal appointment when I was pregnant with Lyla, my second. I was surprised when my doctor asked plainly, as if bored with the idea, whether I wanted my tubes tied after…
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First of all, please believe me that making your own laundry detergent is very effective and very easy. When it comes up in conversation that I make our own, people usually react with either awed amazement like I’m some sort of super-mom, or with dull skepticism like I just don’t care if our clothes are…
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“After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, ‘Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.’”Luke 1:24-25 ESV Elizabeth thought the thing she and her husband had been praying for- a baby- was…
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“Oh what peace we often forfeit / Oh what needless pain we bear / All because we do not carry / Everything to God in prayer” I’ve often forfeited the peace God offers and, instead, fretted and worried and let myself be burdened with fear and anxiety. But how wonderful it is when we carry…
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In 2015 we bought our first house- a plain and simple little 3 bedroom. We loved it, made it our own, and did a lot of updates ourselves. Almost all of the little bit of skill and handiness we have we gained improving that house. Over the five and a half years that we lived…
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Tongue scrape A simple and quick way to improve your gut health- first thing in the morning, scrape all the ick off your tongue and keep it out of your gut! Use a stainless street tongue scraper and scrape from the back of your tongue forward several times before eating/drinking anything when you wake up…
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Don’t overcomplicate healthy eating Focus on nourishment. Not on calories, not on fad-diets, not on “expert” advice. Eat what people have eaten around the world and throughout history. Eat what is nourishing to your cells- nutrient dense plant and animal products from healthy plants and animals. Steer clear of pesticides, additives, preservatives, artificials, sweeteners, etc. …
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Celebrating the first day of Lent today (as an evangelical Christian) by making sourdough soft pretzels with the kids; I put ashes from our fireplace on their foreheads, and mine, and we talked about coming from and returning to dust, our need for a Savior, and what fasting means. “Does putting ashes on our foreheads…
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I want to share my birth story to normalize VBAC (yes, even after 3 c-sections!), home birth and unmedicated birth, and so others can gain confidence in their own ability to birth naturally. Yes, there are risks to VBAC and HBAC (just like there are risks to repeat c-sections), and yes, birth is most often…
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Birth without: Needles, scalpels, sterile metal tables. Bright lights, beeping machines, constant monitors. Restriction of food and water, restriction of movement. Strangers checking progress, changing shifts, unspoken time limits. Numbness, narcotics, dullness. Fear of failure, fear of risks, fear of something going wrong. Birth with: Peaceful spaces, dim lights, maybe music, maybe silence. Encouragment to…
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It’s something that affects all of us from time to time if not chronically- loneliness. Loneliness is a health-stealer we have to watch out for just like toxins and chemicals. I’ve been alone and lonely (even as an introvert)I’ve been surrounded by people and been lonely.I’ve been among a small group of friends and still…
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Imagine this with me: what if you were guaranteed to have a better, easier time in all areas of life- relationships, career, fitness, mental health- if you never say a list of like, 20 words. Say some of them are really useful or common words, like “very” or “flower”. But if you can commit to…
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I’m already halfway through this pregnancy, believe it or not; I believe it, because I’ve been in it the whole time- first trimester fatigue, morning sickness, my body starting to change, feeling a little mango-sized baby wiggle around in there. But from the outside it doesn’t look like I’m halfway, I mean, knowing how much…
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We went to the high school graduation last week, and for the first time ever I was interested in hearing what the speakers had to say. Guess I’m old now. Most of the speeches I did consider to be fairly boring (so maybe I’m not that old), but some were intriguing. A couple truly inspired…
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Or: “how to control a population by manipulation” (Sometimes a system or culture looks “normal” because it’s been slowly adding and accepting things- harmful things- over a long time so that society hardly notices. But taking a step back we can see there is an absolute war on God’s design for people to “be fruitful…
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I always want all of our trips to be to the ocean. No other destination compares to the splendor of the sea. Revelation 21 says that in the new heaven and new earth there will be no sea.. I know it’s heaven- perfect, paradise, nothing missing- but I’ve always kinda thought no ocean didn’t make…
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I’ve been pretty intentional about saying yes and being present over the years but still find myself often making lame excuses when I just “don’t feel like it”. Here’s a practical way to be present and make memories that will allow me to say “the days passed quickly, but we soaked up every one!” Instead…
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“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11 When there are unspeakable injustices or conspiracies, when anxiety starts to rage within me over things that are completely out of my control and out of my understanding, things “out there” that I learn…
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If you made health a part of your New Year’s resolutions, good for you! Health is not a trend, it is well-being, and it’s worth it! Depending on where you are in your “health journey”, you may know some, all, or none of this; but this is my attempt at a list of “basics” for…
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For a few years now, we’ve been enjoying this hot chocolate almost every morning! It’s full of minerals and nutrients that make it a healthy, whole-food treat. (Benefits of each ingredient below recipe!) It’s so simple to make. Feel free to adjust sweetness and cacao strength to your personal preference! 2 cups warm whole milk…
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The beginning of a new year is such a wonderful time for reflection and resolution. There seem to be lots of opinions about New Year’s resolutions; I’ve heard that they’re essentially useless, that habits rather than goals are far superior, that winter isn’t a time for goals but for stillness. But opinions aside, New Year’s…
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New Year’s resolutions can be great, but if you have something you’re “saving” to begin January 1st, just do it today. Part of the reason resolutions fail is because of the mindset “I’ll do it when ____”. This puts the responsibility of accomplishment on whatever the blank is instead of on ourselves. If the new…
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We were just getting home from a family Christmas party, tired, ready for bed. But when we opened the door of the house we were hit by a smell. You know me, I smell everything, but everyone smelled it this time. An obviously toxic smell, like that purple primer you use for PVC pipe. We…
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Yesterday we had our piano tuned. I should back up- I’ve dreamed of having a piano for years but always thought of it as maybe a “someday” thing; well, recently someone Justin knows from work just gave us a piano. Just said, “if you can move it, you can have it” (by the way, moving…
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This time around with a baby, I’ve been so aware, much more than ever before, of how each stage goes by so quickly. It’s so cliche- “it goes so fast”, “blink and you’ll miss it”- but seriously! Most of us realize it, but it’s still surprising, almost shocking. This little chubby infant is already almost…
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Creativity has been proven to increase problem solving skills and cognitive function, improve mental health and memory, reduce stress, boost neuroplasticity, and even improve the immune system and overall health! Everyone can benefit from regularly engaging in some type of creative activity, especially considering that it’s easier than ever before to not be creative at…
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I have to be really careful not to “apply” everything (or anything) to America as I read Scripture, but especially when I go through the prophets. (A huge error in modern study and sermons is focusing completely on “personal application” rather than digging into all the meaning of the text.) Although. The Bible is living…
-
“Settle down please”, I interrupted my conversation with an older couple, Ernie and Diane, at church to quiet my children. The kids’ volume and activity had been gradually escalating over the last few minutes; they were in good moods- happy, not fighting or anything- but I wanted to prevent a just-for-fun wrestling match or scream-filled…
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I’m still amazed at the amazing flavor that comes from just flour, water, and salt in a classic sourdough loaf, but sometimes you want to make more than a regular loaf. This recipe for a sweet sourdough bread is perfect for soft dinner rolls, special-occasion challah, real-ingredient cinnamon rolls, and anything else you’d want a…
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Today’s Saturday, which means we were up early doing chores before heading to the local farmer’s market. Late September in southern New Mexico still means 90° temps, so the whole park is lined with shade canopies which we all help each other set up (even though we all bought the “EZ up” versions for their…
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We worked on some house projects today. My husband finished the electric for the schoolroom addition, and the kids and I started painting the house. Moments I loved: My daughter enthusiastically repeating how much she loved painting houses. She said she would never get tired of it and I said I’d remind her of that…
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One winter on a family road trip as a teenager, we were relaxing in the hotel hot tub when our dad dared my siblings and I to jump into the unheated outdoor pool. $20 for anyone who was brave enough. I was young, a little reckless, and broke, so obviously I did it. I didn’t…
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When days seem to run together into one- when they feel exhaustingly long or way too short- bedtime routines can be grounding, connecting, collecting breaks to help end the days on high notes. We’ve made slight tweaks to our family’s bedtime routine over the years, but for the most part it has remained a constant…
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“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise” Ephesians 5:15 One nice thing about living in New Mexico is that you’re always near nature. We can visit lakes, rivers, forests, or mountains in a 10-30 minute drive from where we are. Earlier this week, the kids got an urge to climb…
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I’m sitting on the couch with my nourishing cocoa (raw milk, raw cacao, raw honey), watching, listening to, and smelling the rain come down. It’s so kind of God to give rain. Justin’s been working all day on the plumbing under the house, and it was so difficult and gross. When I saw clouds I…
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Labels can be so helpful. They can identify important aspects of our personalities and callings, making it easier to prioritize what’s important. Being an “intentional parent” will determine many decisions for how one spends their time. Being a “disciple of Jesus” will change the course of a person’s life. Even a label as simple as…
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This 3 ingredient version cleans better than any other toothpaste I’ve ever used and without any harmful additives!
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I know selfishness is wrong, but something we often fail to realize is that it doesn’t pay. The lie it tells is that it will serve somehow, give something good. But, though not necessarily seen immediately, “you reap what you sow”. Selfishness with friends/relatives repays with… Gossip? Loss of opportunities? Lack of closeness? Selfishness with…
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Children’s love for learning never ceases to amaze me. Lately, Leo and Lyla, fourth and sixth grade, have been really into the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and US history in general (or “politics” as they call it). They’ve taken to writing Documents and Articles for their Government Club, and recently have ambitiously aspired to copy…
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“Lord, help me understand my end. What is the limit of my days? Let me know how fleeting I am.” Psalm 39:4 The psalmist here is not asking to be told his fortune; not asking for his fate to be revealed or to know the day he will die. No, he’s asking for something far…
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We’ve been hoping for another barn kitten or two for a while, and the other day I spontaneously called on some listed on Craigslist. Sometimes things just work out so nicely, and it’s just a blessing; the lady who was giving away the pair of barn kittens also had a little farm, and after we…
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Wednesday evening I sat on the porch with Willa on my lap, watching the kids ride bikes and bat baseballs. I combed my fingers through Willa’s curls to peel off some remaining cradle cap I noticed, and I felt something. A bump? Not quite. More like a soft spot, but I know what soft spots…
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As the day went on, first Justin and then I became increasingly aware that this seemed unjustified. Willa was medically cleared- the bone scans showed no other injuries, the neurologist had said she was good to go, her labs were done and normal. Why were we still in the hospital? The blanket answer “we’re waiting…
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When things don’t go my way, simply wishing for different circumstances or outcomes or wherever doesn’t do any good. Nor does trying to busy myself with distractions or becoming bitter or complacent. Not only are these attempts literally useless in helping the situation, they also don’t accomplish the good that God might be working in…
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“Do you want to really live?Would you love to live a long, happy life?Then make sure you don’t speak evil wordsor use deceptive speech! Turn away from evil and do what is right!Strive for peace and promote it! The Lord pays attention to the godlyand hears their cry for help. But the Lord opposes evildoersand…
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“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35 “How can I be a blessing to you today, dear girl?” was how Kim, our pastor’s wife, answered…
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I didn’t know what direction our room was facing until the sun blazed through the window after a couple hours of restless sleep. Again, we’re home now; God is amazing. Just sharing what I wrote while in the depths of uncertainty. It’s still hard; the mornings have been harder for some reason. I cried on…
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We’ve had a very difficult and traumatic past couple days. We’re all okay and home now; God has brought us through and provided His grace every step of the way. I wrote this in the thick of it. Sometimes choppy poetry is what comes out easier than a fluid journal in times when things are…
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I’ve been surprised to find that cooperative games are just as fun as competitive ones for our family to play together! Cooperative games build creative problem solving and communication skills while also teaching kindness, respect, and a sense of security and unity in your family. Like the closeness and dependence that’s formed among members playing…
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There’s an old saying, “pray as if it depends on God; work as if it depends on you”. A more recent quote I’ve heard echoes this: “God is in control, but He doesn’t expect you to lean on your shovel and pray for a hole.” The Bible records many instances of God performing miracles, and…
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“Don’t stomp, it’s too loud!” I whisper-shout to my three-year old, knowing the thumping will likely wake the baby I just eased into bed for a nap. My jumping toddler pauses for a split second, then does one big stomp and looks at me. Frustration, anger and confusion rise up in me at this show…
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Having little routines and rituals as a family is so important for connection and attachment. These little things we may count as “too small to be important” but we don’t realize the deeper impact they’re actually having on us and our children- things like the greetings we give each other in the morning with a…
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We’re beginning our seventh or eighth (depending on if you count pre-k or not!) year of homeschool this year! When we first began homeschooling, we started with a full curriculum. After that year, I started getting more into the idea of interest-led learning as my oldest would grow so intrigued by a single topic at…
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Habits, routines, traditions- they’re deeply formative. There’s a saying: “show me your habits, and I’ll show you your future”. The things we do regularly shape us. They also determine what we’re not doing regularly, which also determines the direction we’re going and thus our future. -If I’m regularly eating real food instead of processed junk,…
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I saw a video by the hilarious Emily Vondy talking about the boldness of her little daughter that was wonderful and laughable- she told her daughter to hold her hand at the grocery store, and when her daughter refused, an older man, with surely the best of intentions, pretended to be “going to get her…
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In our Bible study class this week, we discussed the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Before He does this great miracle, Jesus says “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4) Our teacher asked “what are…
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Though plain sourdough loaves are my go-to, sometimes I just get an urge to make some random other bread. Tortillas and bagels are pretty regular, but recently I started making one that was super daunting to me (but actually SO easy!)- pasta noodles. I first made them purely by hand, which was doable but more…
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It’s so wonderful that more people are recognizing the need to eliminate toxins in order to live healthier lives, but it can certainly be daunting when it seems toxins are everywhere. Here are some small changes you can make in your own home to help make a positive difference for your family’s health: 1. Stop…
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Let’s face it- most new things are full of toxins. Clothes, cabinets, couches, carpets- all of them. Now, while we don’t need to become terrified hermits to avoid every possible toxin, it is important for the health of our families that we’re conscious of this concern and do what we can to limit our exposure…
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Visiting the ocean, there’s really no way to miss God’s lavish abundance. Standing on the shore and looking out over the vast expanse– that’s really the only word that describes it properly- I just marvel at the size and volume. It’s incredible. Wave after endless wave repeating a roll and crash onto the sand. If…
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Our new homeschool curriculum for this year is scheduled to get here today, and I’m so excited! I’ve always been a nerd, I guess- I remember being so excited to fill my backpack with new school supplies each school year as a kid; now I still get to be excited as we get all the…
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It seems that everywhere you look and read these days, there’s a new thing to be “informed” of- particularly all the things that are toxic and bad for us. I know many people are, understandably, annoyed by this. Can’t we just live our lives without being worried about everything from our candles to deodorant to…
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“Life is a trade off” my great aunt Wraye would say when we little girls would have to forego one “good” in order to have another, like choosing between a soda or a piece of cake as a sweet at a party, or choosing between going with Dad to Home Depot or staying home with…
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I came across this poem this week and think it’s so relevant to today, though it was written in 1577. Disturb us, Lord, whenWe are too well pleased with ourselves,When our dreams have come trueBecause we have dreamed too little,When we arrived safelyBecause we sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord, whenWith the abundance…
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This year is half over. And whether that feels like “already??!” or “finally!” to you, I want to encourage you to reflect on this year so far. It seems like our years often develop their own themes- growth years, fun years, grief years, rest years, waiting years. As much as we may plan, we don’t…
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We’ve coined the last couple months “smell-tastrophy” (or something to that effect; you’ll get different versions depending on which family member you ask). It started with the mold (which is a continuing situation)- I kept thinking I smelled something like an old forgotten citrus and had the kids help me empty and re-shelf the entire…
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Recently we had a lake-school day— that is, we went to the lake instead of our typical day at home during “school hours”. I feel both timidly defensive and passionately activistic of the approach we take to homeschooling- an untidy mix of classical, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, and child-led learning methods. There’s loose structure and mismatched…
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The morning Willa was born, after everyone had a few hours of rest, we all just lounged around. We would spend another night in the AirBnb and had the whole day to just nap, talk, be together and coo over brand-new baby. I had thought often during the end of the pregnancy about how I…
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The other day I was doing some research on growing flowers and came across a progress picture of a beautiful tulip farm- the “after” was long planter boxes full from edge to edge with tulips in a huge, green, grassy field, neatly mowed into aisles between the planters, with big bushy trees in the background.…
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Here’s a big question- why would a loving God allow evil? And the big question that comes after considering that one for a while- does God cause suffering or only allow it? This is a theological debate; most Christians probably have an immediate response and opinion. Reading Elisabeth Elliot’s “Be Still My Soul” this week…
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“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do…
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I never had any intentions to homeschool before having kids or when they were very young. Honestly I’d never given it the thought, I just assumed I’d do what “everyone else” did and send the kids to school. But I thank God for having other plans. One Sunday at church after the service, while little…
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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” James 1:2-4 A key step to making good sourdough is the “stretching”. After…
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It seems crazy to me still, to be able to say that I had a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). After three c-sections I had really thought it was impossible. I’m incredibly thankful for what God has made possible for my family, and I hope my story might inspire someone else to believe that a…
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Advent is such a special season- looking forward to the birth of our Savior with joyful expectation and anticipation! It’s a wonderful time to slow down, focus on God and His Word- particularly the birth of Jesus, and have fun together as a family in the days leading up to Christmas. Wanting to make the…
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“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 I’m a week late writing this, as last week was Thanksgiving. I’ve been lovingly made fun of for being the “grandma” of the group at thanksgiving and making everyone take turns saying something…
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The information that led me to opt out of a repeat c-section after having had three, as well as resources and encouragement for anyone considering VBAC and/or natural birth. How we birth All of my births so far have been c-sections. Three times I’ve had five layers of me cut through and my baby extracted.…
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I can’t quite believe how things have worked out, how God has worked things out, for this upcoming birth. From three c-sections and a tubal to a natural home birth (but not in my home)… all of it is just something I could never have orchestrated on my own, and I’m so thankful for God’s…
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No special equipment, gram measurements, or exact timing needed. I have to admit that I didn’t know there was anything different in how sourdough is made compared to any other bread until i was an adult. When I was a kid, my mom bought it for sandwich bread for a while and I just liked…
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“Comparison is the thief of joy” is the famous warning these days. It seems to be a new issue that’s arisen in the age of social media- for the first time we have access to everyone’s inner lives, not necessarily their real lives, but at least the parts they choose to show; we see everyone’s…
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When we sold our house in town and moved out to our 17 acre property two years ago, we didn’t have a house yet. Our family of five moved into a 32 foot fifth wheel where we lived for a year and a half. I say often, and honestly, that the only way it was…
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My story of tubal, regret, and reversal A Seed Planted The first time I thought about a tubal relating to myself was at a prenatal appointment when I was pregnant with Lyla, my second. I was surprised when my doctor asked plainly, as if bored with the idea, whether I wanted my tubes tied after…
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First of all, please believe me that making your own laundry detergent is very effective and very easy. When it comes up in conversation that I make our own, people usually react with either awed amazement like I’m some sort of super-mom, or with dull skepticism like I just don’t care if our clothes are…
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“After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, ‘Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.’”Luke 1:24-25 ESV Elizabeth thought the thing she and her husband had been praying for- a baby- was…
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“Oh what peace we often forfeit / Oh what needless pain we bear / All because we do not carry / Everything to God in prayer” I’ve often forfeited the peace God offers and, instead, fretted and worried and let myself be burdened with fear and anxiety. But how wonderful it is when we carry…
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In 2015 we bought our first house- a plain and simple little 3 bedroom. We loved it, made it our own, and did a lot of updates ourselves. Almost all of the little bit of skill and handiness we have we gained improving that house. Over the five and a half years that we lived…
