tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84140238917202672652024-03-19T00:59:34.518-04:00Dirigo Christian HomeschoolWe are a Christian homeschooling family of 10! We are answering God's call to train up our children in the way they should go. Every day brings new adventures and new ways to understand a little more of who God is and what His purpose is for our lives. This blog is my life at home homeschooling my kids. I write book and product reviews and thoughts on homeschooling and raising eight children, and hopefully encouraging others along the way. Join us!Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-4176048106920692232016-04-21T12:40:00.000-04:002016-04-21T12:40:17.519-04:00A Review of Girls of American History Curriculum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I was contacted about writing a review for <a href="http://girlsofamericanhistory.com/">Girls of American History Curriculum</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> which </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">was chosen as one of the Top Picks of 2015-2016 in the Homeschool Curriculum Guide I </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">was very excited to take a look!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two of my girls are turning ages nine and seven this fall and I had been thinking about what history I wanted to study with them. I had pretty much settled back on American History since I already owned the entire Sonlight Core D American history package. However, I wanted another way to make it more fun, more hands on, more "girly", although boys needed to enjoy it too, since our youngest son, turning five would be joining in as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was asked to pick any of the units I wanted. I chose to review the first one since that would be the one I would likely start with.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The website, although it is set to be updated, was pretty user friendly. The author of this curriculum, <a href="http://www.homescooleducation.com/blog/an-interview-with-justine-gamble">Justine Gamble</a>, has done a great job explaining how the units work based on the fictional book series centered around the popular <span style="background-color: white;">American Girl collection.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first unit is titled "<span style="color: #222222;">Nez Perce-Kaya®" and covers the time period starting with the Native Americans in 1764. The units are broken up into six week studies. Each week covers which book to be read, a craft and field trip to go along with each story.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Justine also offers other great resources to supplement the hands on experience such as <u><i>History Pockets</i></u> and the popular <i><u>Draw Write Now</u></i> series including which books that include the crafts for each unit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In addition to these outside resources for purchase Justine also includes fun FREE resources. That was a nice bonus to see lists to FREE resources to supplement each unit study.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A weekly plan and schedule to implement this enrichment history course is also included, which I really loved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you purchase a unit study you have special access to even more online ideas! Justine will send you an email with your special code to access TONS more fun stuff to enrich your child's learning! Some of the fun crafts (with links to find the supplies to make them) for this unit are:basket weaving, drawing, make a canoe, make a teepee, necklaces, cave paintings. Field trips suggested were to visit a fish hatchery, create your own Pow Wow, as well as additional video sources.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Justine suggests that this curriculum can be both an enrichment curriculum to go alongside another core curriculum you are studying, or it can be stand alone by adding a few sources to it. It can also be used in a co-op setting with so many fun hands-on ways to learn and expand children's knowledge of American history!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I look forward to updating this post with pictures of our fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you would like to make history more hands on, fun, and grab the attention of both young girls AND boys why not check this out for your family?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://girlsofamericanhistory.com/">You can learn more here!</a></span>Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-66928527020005688522015-06-01T08:22:00.000-04:002016-09-19T17:48:20.464-04:00Essentially Pregnant!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Yes it's true! We are expecting baby number 8 in December! We are very excited to welcome this new life into our family and I am particularly excited to welcome this baby as my first essential oil baby! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">An essential oil baby? Yes, an essential oil baby! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Glad you asked!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts that are naturally found and distilled from different parts of a plant, including leaves, flowers, twigs, bark, peel, and roots. A plant has oil sacks in these various parts which help to protect it from disease--and we can receive the same benefits!!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">But wait? You read somewhere on the internet that essential oils are not safe for pregnant women? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I am here to share that </span><a href="http://everythingessentialforme.blogspot.com/2015/07/contact-us.html">CPTG Essential Oils</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>ARE</b></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> safe for use during pregnancy.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Hop on over to <a href="http://www.everythingessentialforme.blogspot.com/2015/05/essentially-pregnant.html">my Essential Oil Blog </a>to learn why I trust and use them while I am pregnant. See what plans I have to use them before and after the delivery too! <a href="http://www.everythingessentialforme.blogspot.com/2015/05/essentially-pregnant.html">CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE...</a></span>Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-49429255525487331762015-03-31T09:58:00.004-04:002015-07-10T19:00:18.834-04:008 Ways To Jump Start Your Spring!<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I don't know about you, but this Winter of 2015 has been a really tough Winter! We have had SO. MUCH. SNOW! It has been SO COLD!<br />I am ready for Spring!</span></h3>
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(This is a photo I snapped of my father's garden LAST Spring 2014)</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">I thought I would share some of my family's ideas inspired by tips from the new Living magazine on "Getting the Most Out of the Spring Season" on pages 16-17.<br />Here are your </span><i>8 Ways to Jump Start Your Spring!</i></h3>
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<b>1. Make A Plan</b></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Grab a pen and start writing down the things you would like to accomplish this Spring. Are you going to tackle a garden this year, or maybe try a new method of planting tomatoes? Write it down and set some goals! Other items on your list might be clean out the garage, or maybe you're going to be adventurous and build a chicken coop like us! Whatever project you have been dreaming of, make a list and develop a plan, or it won't happen.</span></h3>
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2. Declutter and Organize</h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Every home will feel brand new with a bit of clutter removed and better organization. In our family with seven kids this is our biggest issue, clutter and lack of organization, but I'm working on it!<br />Shoes, muddy boots, Spring jackets mixed in with snow pants (are we really going to need these again next week?!), along with toys and homeschool clutter, ugh! My new motto after having baby number seven became this:</span></h3>
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<b>"If you come to my home and it's clean, you are blessed. You are a special guest! If you come to my home and it's messy, you are blessed. You are family!</b></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">However, I really do enjoy living in a clean home ALL THE TIME! Our new essential way of living has truly inspired me to tackle this daily chore of cleaning and organizing one small project at a time.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Here are a few of my favorite natural cleaner recipes you can try for yourself at home.</span></h3>
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<br />Floor Cleaner<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">10 drops of Melaleuca essential oil</span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">1/4 cup Castile soap</span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">1/4 cup Baking Soda</span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mix in a bucket of water and mop.</span></h3>
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<br />Multi-Purpose Cleaner<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">12 Drops of any citrus essential oil</span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">4 tsp white vinegar</span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Water to fill a 16-20 oz spray bottle</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Read the rest on getting a jump into Spring over at my new blog dedicated to just living naturally, </span> <a href="http://everythingessentialforme.blogspot.com/2015/03/8-ways-to-jump-into-spring.html">EVERYTHING ESSENTIAL FOR ME</a></h3>
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Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-27528144505040976002015-03-11T14:19:00.000-04:002015-03-11T14:19:31.956-04:00Amazing Love by K. Dawn Byrd A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When Valentine's day was fast approaching, LOVE was in the air!</h4>
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I was looking for a good book about love. </h4>
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The title of this book, "Amazing Love", </h4>
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first caught my eye because I do believe in God's amazing love</h4>
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and it's one of our very favorite worship songs to sing any time of day!</h4>
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<br />"Amazing Love! How can it be? That You, my King, should die for me?<br />Amazing Love! I know it it's true! Now it's my joy to honor you, in all I do!"</h4>
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(For your listening pleasure!)</div>
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But back to the book!</h4>
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The cover was a little more intimate than the typical books I read, but the story intrigued me as it is presented as a modern day tale of the Bible's story of Hosea and Gomer.</div>
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I remembered bit and pieces about Hosea's story about how God told him to marry a prostitute and so I thought it might be an interesting read to see what a modern day interpretation might look like.</div>
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I was not disappointed!</div>
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This book covers so many difficult topics including rape, incest, abortion, prostitution, all things I know nothing of but since I knew it was a Christian book I decided to keep reading. It was easy to get drawn into the character of Dee, named after the Bible character Delilah, and really feel for her horrible past and her desire for the all American dream to be fulfilled.</div>
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This book is definitely for mature readers and may be a bit too edgy for some. Overall, though, it helped me to understand the Biblical story of Hosea and Gomer better as the character, Gabe, the local pastor wrestles with his feelings and learns the harsh truths that love is often painful and requires a sacrifice. A far cry from the "Valentine love", I was hoping for, but still a good read, nonetheless!</div>
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About the Author:</h3>
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K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational novels in several genres, including, historical, suspense, romance, and young adult. Some of her favorite things are chocolate, cars, and her pets. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and riding down country roads in the passenger seat of her husband's Corvette Stingray. When asked why she writes, her response is, "For the simple joy of placing words on the page!"</h4>
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I received a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.</div>
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<br />Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-80571988313103401152015-02-02T16:58:00.002-05:002015-07-14T16:07:47.524-04:00Another Round With Mastitis! Ouch!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Let's face it, a breast infection, aka, mastitis, is no picnic on the lake!</h3>
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This is my seventh baby I have nursed and inevitably I always come down with mastitis at some point with each breastfeeding baby.</div>
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Sometimes several times throughout the months we are nursing I will get these infections seemingly out of the blue. They are quite painful and frankly, this is why men do not nurse babies, mastitis HURTS!</div>
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But I press on and thankfully I know the early signs of mastitis so I've never had to go on antibiotics to clear them up.</div>
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What it is:<i> <span style="color: purple;">"Mastitis is a breast inflammation usually caused by infection. It can happen to any woman, although mastitis is most common during the first 6 months of breast-feeding. It can leave a new mother feeling very tired and run-down. Add the illness to the demands of taking care of a newborn, and many women quit breast-feeding altogether." (WEB MD)</span></i></div>
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Pain, swelling, redness, tenderness in the breast tissue are all telltale signs of a breast infection for me.</div>
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How it happens: <i><span style="color: purple;">"Mastitis most often happens when bacteria enter the breast through the nipple. This can happen when a nursing mother has a cracked or sore nipple. </span></i><i><span style="color: purple;">Going for long stretches between nursing or failing to empty the breast completely may also contribute to mastitis. Using different breast-feeding techniques and making sure your baby is latched on properly when nursing will help with emptying the breast and avoiding cracked nipples." (Web MD)</span></i></div>
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So this morning when I woke up with these symptoms I knew I had better take care of myself today and fight this head on.</div>
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<i>Disclaimer:<br />I am not a medical professional. I'm just a mom to seven kids whose found a way to manage mastitis at home without wrangling my kids to a doctor's appointment for a seemingly embarrassing issue that can turn quite painful and lead to further complications Oh, my breasts! But for the love of these precious babies I will not quit! Talk to your medical provider if you have serious health concerns. This blog is not meant to diagnose or treat just to share my experience with essential oils!</i></h3>
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(Here is baby number 7, Julia Rebecca)</div>
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At the first sign of a breast infection, the first thing I always remind myself to do is DRINK WATER and NURSE, NURSE, NURSE, on the very breast that hurts. It hurts like heck, but it's the only way to guarantee the breast is being emptied of the infection. I don't worry though. That little precious germ harboring child who probably gave me the infection to start will not be harmed by nursing from the infected breast. She will still be getting all my amazing healing properties from the breast milk.</h3>
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A warm shower and rest will often help with the soreness and I've even applied a warm compress I make by simply taking a wet washcloth, warming it in the microwave and placing it in a ziploc bag and applying it to the swollen, tender breast. </h3>
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Today, however, I have even more options! Since using essential oils I have a whole host of new natural options to help whatever is ailing me!</h3>
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Lavender and Invigorating Blend are recommended. I just so happen to have BOTH on hand and I was doing my little happy dance (despite my pain) because I LOVE knowing I actually have an oil on hand WHEN I need it!</h3>
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Lavender is a very soothing essential oil.</h3>
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It helps calm and promote freedom from pain.</h3>
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Invigorating Blend is a blend of oils that help to soothe the skin and the senses.</h3>
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With its powerful blend of Wild Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, Mandarin,</h3>
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Bergamot, Tangerine,Clementine, as well as a hint of Vanilla</h3>
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this works to knock out infection and soothe the breast tissue. </h3>
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I also placed a few drops of Oregano, Maleleuca, Protective Blend and Frankincense in a gel capsule and took these internally to help my body fight off infection. Again, LOTS of water on top of this and I am feeling a lot better this afternoon!</h3>
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To learn more about Essential Oils click below!</span></h3>
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<a href="mailto:jmsmith@fairpoint.net"><span style="font-size: x-large;">EMAIL ME!</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To read my other blog dedicated to Everything Essential and oils click below!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.everythingessentialforme.blogspot.com/">Everything Essential For Me</a></span></div>
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Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-54990289701103326632015-01-31T12:48:00.002-05:002016-09-19T18:06:44.038-04:00Measles Outbreak? Vaccines? What's A Mom To Do?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="goog_1405978135"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1405978136"></span>I have been vaccinating my kids on schedule for 18 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All of seven of my kids are up to date on their shots. In the last few years I have been questioning vaccines though. As a homeschool mom, I am always studying! With such high rates of autism and other neurological disorders how can a parent NOT be concerned about what we are allowing nurses to inject into our precious little babies?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But with the<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/disney-measles-outbreak-came-overseas-cdc-says-n296441"> newest outbreak across the country of measles </a>many parents are rethinking their desire to NOT vaccinate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After signing up as a Wellness Advocate in July of 2014 I am learning so many more natural alternatives exist to help in so many areas of health concerns. First and foremost, our bodies are amazing! God gave us these incredible bodies to help heal from injuries and ward off disease.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> It really amazes me and I actually blew my doctor away at my 6 week post-partum check up after my 7th c-section how quickly my stomach healed from surgery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I'm joining this vaccine discussion. I'm researching a TON!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't want to subject my healthy children to anything just because the doctor says it is safe. I am completely aware of all the potential toxins put into vaccinations as well. That information is readily available on the internet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We do not get flu shots as I feel they are unnecessary and don't often work to prevent the flu. I have also begun to space out vaccinations on my babies. It's hard to ignore the reports and side effects of these vaccinations from parents across America though. There are many health concerns that could possibly be from vaccine injury but it's hard to prove.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm so thankful<a href="http://dirigochristianhomeschool.blogspot.com/2014/12/winter-wellness-holiday-joy-and-giveaway.html"> I have discovered</a> essential oils and I can help my children both before and after their vaccinations. You may be against vaccinations, or sitting on the fence about them. It's a hard call for a parent to know what the right answer is. My decision has finally come down to this, take it slow, you can always go back and vaccinate, but you can't undo damage done from a vaccination. Eat healthy and use detox protocols to help your children rid their bodies of anything that could harm them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few things to look into when considering a detox for your kids or helping them heal from vaccines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Frankincense Essential Oil</b> prevents infections and repairs DNA damage, and can also soothe pain and inflammation around the injection site.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Helichrysum Essential Oil</b> has anti-catarrhal, (anti-mucous), anti-coagulant properties which make it effective for detoxification of the blood, lymph, and liver.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lavender</b> on injection site to relieve pain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Protective Blend</b> starting one month before vaccines to build immune system.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lemon</b> in water to help protect the brain from neurotoxins.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Digestive Blend</b> to ease "tummy trouble" following vaccines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Respiratory Blend</b> to open airways following vaccines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cilantro Essential Oil</b> to rid the body of heavy metal toxins contained in vaccines.</span><br />
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Another step often overlooked is that even before you vaccinate you might want to also consider reducing your overall family's toxic load by decreasing environmental toxins from conventional household cleaners, synthetic personal care products and processed foods. </span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Protective Blend toothpaste: fights harmful microbes in your mouth. Adheres to a strict "none of the bad" philosophy and is safe for children. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Protective Blend Cleaner Concentrate: use for all household cleaning to fight harmful pathogens without destroying the beneficial colonization. A little bit goes a very long way!</span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Protective Blend Throat Lozenges: These are NOT your average throat lozenges! They are worth every penny! I take these when I feel a tickle in my throat, meaning a cold is coming on. I used these last week while my kids were sick and really felt it act like a powerful karate kick to knock out my cold coming on! </span></h4>
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<br /><span style="font-size: large;">Protective Blend Foaming Handwash: Better than antibacterial soaps for killing harmful pathogens on your hands without getting rid of the good microbes your body needs to stay healthy. </span></h4>
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If you are ready to help YOUR family on a natural journey to wellness, your purchases today help my family too! Become a wholesale customer to begin <a href="http://everythingessentialforme.blogspot.com/2015/07/contact-us.html">purchasing these oils</a> above today! </span></h3>
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This post is linked up over here at:</div>
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<a href="http://rensredeemed.blogspot.com/2015/02/essential-fridays-link-up-1.html">Rens Redeemed</a><br />
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Hop on over to check out other bloggers sharing their essential oil journey!Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-57157074392102992842015-01-31T11:42:00.002-05:002015-02-01T09:40:46.512-05:00A Little Faith Can Move A Mountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />"I've seen dreams that move the mountain,<br />Hope that doesn't ever end,<br />Even when the sky is falling.<br />I've seen miracles just happen,<br />Silent prayers get answered,<br />Broken hearts become brand new!<br />That's what faith can do!"</h3>
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-Kutless</div>
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<br />My oldest daughter, now seven, was picking out this tune on the piano this morning and it hit me again, SHE is my dream come true! I remember after my tubal reversal and suffering a miscarriage hearing this song by Kutless and it brought me so much more hope. I would work hard to raise the three amazing boys God had already blessed me with but I would not give up on my dream to have a daughter. I remember looking out at the White Mountains of New Hampshire as I drove my son to another baseball game.</h3>
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I was thinking about how this song tells us our faith can move mountains.</h3>
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<br />Well, I don't think my faith actually moved THIS mountain but it did overcome fear and doubt. The day God gifted me a precious baby girl I had prayed so hard for was a dream come true for me.</h3>
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<br />Every baby is a precious miracle and gift from God. Some gifts arrive, however, after a long walk in the desert of the unknown.</h3>
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What dream has God placed in your heart that you have yet to see fulfilled? I believe if it is your dream and doesn't go against God's will, your dream is God's gift to you and only He will fulfill it when He knows you are ready to receive it! Often we are the ones standing in our own way of receiving the very thing we are longing for! </h3>
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"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."<br /> Matthew 6:33</h3>
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<br />Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-58847194717445453192015-01-13T14:02:00.003-05:002015-01-13T14:31:01.413-05:00Preschool Bible Learning Cards A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"It's Bible time kids!"</h3>
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I love getting my kids together in the mornings for Bible time! The kids love to grab a special blanket or pillow and their Bibles and maybe some coloring depending on the age of the child and his/her attention span.</h3>
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With five kids and such a span of ages (14 months to 12 years right now) it can sometimes be difficult to find ways to engage my little children in a way that my older child will not become easily bored. With that in mind, I was so excited to have the chance to review a set of Bible cards for my preschool aged children with the <a href="http://christianwomenaffiliate.com/">CWA Review Crew</a>!</h3>
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<a href="http://nebula.wsimg.com/b1f6af2f943656833f00e3f8dd31baca?AccessKeyId=CB8E8EC8D57F70B6D9A6&disposition=0&alloworigin=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://nebula.wsimg.com/b1f6af2f943656833f00e3f8dd31baca?AccessKeyId=CB8E8EC8D57F70B6D9A6&disposition=0&alloworigin=1" height="320" width="229" /></a></div>
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Words2remember4kids is based on the idea of getting children and parents to learn encouraging, comforting and classic Bible verses through illustrations and discussion starters on large flash cards. These cards are great for every day use around the house and in the car. </h3>
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<a href="http://www.words2remember4kids.com/home.html">Their website</a> says these Bible verse cards will get young preschoolers "off to a good start as a member of the family, as a friend, and in their walk with God."</h3>
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My thoughts:<br />The cards are made of a durable material and have holes punched in them to insert a child safe ring (included) to keep the cards together when they are out of the box.<br />The pictures on the cards are really wonderfully done. I found there was often plenty in each picture to make a whole discussion with my little kids based on the picture and scripture to talk about a way to grow closer to God.<br />The color coding is a great help and makes it easy to use to find the different cards that have different themes. The themes in this pack were Learning, Loving, Growing, and Playing!</h3>
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About the company:</h3>
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<a href="http://nebula.wsimg.com/e0dafe93cb440baab44fccb038478a48?AccessKeyId=CB8E8EC8D57F70B6D9A6&disposition=0&alloworigin=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://nebula.wsimg.com/e0dafe93cb440baab44fccb038478a48?AccessKeyId=CB8E8EC8D57F70B6D9A6&disposition=0&alloworigin=1" /></a></div>
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Vicky has been a children's book illustrator and a Christian for many years. When a friend suggested the idea of creating Bible verse cards, she thought here was a chance to use her art to share the Good Word.<br />She selected verses that speak to children and to parents and created three sets of cards, 1 for young preschool children and two for elementary school children.</h3>
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They are a small company, with Vicky Enright as the illustrator, and Kristen Smith, who has her Masters of Divinity who helps with the verses and discussion starters. Their company is located in the Boston area.</h3>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="243" id="vp16GGQ3" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/embed.animoto.com/play.html?w=swf/production/vp1&e=1416967983&f=6GGQ350NUsbOfYJEWHPiQA&d=0&m=p&r=360p+720p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&asset_domain=s3-p.animoto.com&animoto_domain=animoto.com&options=" title="Video Player" width="432"></iframe> </h3>
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Watch this cute video to learn more!</h3>
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Purchase your own set here!</h3>
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<a href="http://www.words2remember4kids.com/">http://www.words2remember4kids.com/</a><br />
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Bible Learning Cards<br />List Price: $14.99 per set|Format:Each set has 20 different 5" by 7" cards</h3>
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I received a free box of preschool cards in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.<br />
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Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-24525107467041935002014-12-30T15:34:00.001-05:002014-12-30T15:34:18.152-05:00Christmas Behind the Badge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPv2mfcMtr9nnz2D6O1x6ZGIVxnxQQdoiK4tU8HTA1nSfcOfwayRHgBjrRD0YSQi0abx6tbvkJoYZN7kJHqj2xeWzoWCOvLfA-ZukgAGQHhj41B-Ht6_6zk05FKWDiNrS34uGQD0CF9Mv/s1600/Julia+and+Daddy+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPv2mfcMtr9nnz2D6O1x6ZGIVxnxQQdoiK4tU8HTA1nSfcOfwayRHgBjrRD0YSQi0abx6tbvkJoYZN7kJHqj2xeWzoWCOvLfA-ZukgAGQHhj41B-Ht6_6zk05FKWDiNrS34uGQD0CF9Mv/s1600/Julia+and+Daddy+2014.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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"We all have a role to play and joy awaits each one of us. The Lord appoints and anoints as He chooses and we should delight in our individual callings."- Patti Tingen,<u> <a href="http://dirigochristianhomeschool.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-god-for-all-seasons-by-patti-tingen.html">A God For All Seasons</a></u>.<br />
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It's the Christmas season and we are busy getting ready for the holidays. </div>
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The stockings are hung by the chimney with care.</div>
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My husband took all the older kids out on his birthday on the "great Christmas tree hunt" while I stayed back with the baby.<br />
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(Here is my husband with four of the kids when we started cutting our own Christmas tree at a nearby Christmas tree farm in 2008.)</div>
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It's a tradition we started because we didn't have the extra money to buy a tree one year, so we cut one down in the woods behind our house on my parent's property. Now we can't imagine buying a tree when cutting our own has turned out to be quite a lot of fun! <br />
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(Here is our "second chance clan"all ready for Christmas.)</div>
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So our tree is up inside. I made a wreath from its trimmings and hubby hung it on the front door. He hung lights on our growing fur tree outside. Every year the tree grows and we need to buy more lights for it. It looks magical in the evening when the moon shines high above and is then reflected by the crisp, white snow. Magical indeed. I love that tree! <br />
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Our kids are growing too. All seven of them, each with different talents and gifts and abilities. There's never a dull day here homeschooling these precious kiddos for sure! (I love it when they try to help each other too!- They don't know they are actually learning MORE by teaching their siblings!)<br />
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(My oldest daughter, age 7 helping her younger sister, age, almost 5)</div>
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With all the busyness of this most wonderful time of the year though my heart is very heavy. <br />
Two police officers were executed in New York for simply doing the job they signed up to do, to protect and serve. My heart is broken for the families having to get through the holidays without their beloved officer. It's so hard to understand. I watched the wife of one of these officers sobbing on t.v. and my heart was with her. I may not know her personally, but I know her. Every time the phone rings in the middle of the night and my husband puts on his uniform, I pray. We are sisters in these moments.<br />
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(May these officers lives not be forgotten. R.I.P. Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos)</div>
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I don't write about my husband's job on my blog usually. It is his chosen profession and his calling. I have supported him through 21 years of marriage while he worked as a military policeman and then as a small municipal officer, to where he is currently serving as a Maine State Trooper. We've been through a lot together. I know what it feels like to have officers show up at my door and not know whether my husband was going to survive.<br />
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(This is the car accident my husband survived in 2006</div>
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with thankfully only a broken arm and leg and cuts and scrapes.)</div>
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I've pushed him in a wheelchair and cared for him while he recovered from a terrible car crash while on duty nearly nine years ago. He has also seen me through seven c-sections, several knee surgeries, an appendectomy, and a tubal reversal. He is my rock. He keeps me going when I want to quit. All the while he, himself works tirelessly to provide for our growing family as he puts on his blue uniform and performs the often thankless job of protecting and serving in our State. He usually works Christmas on call too. Thankfully this year he was able to get the day off. We are so excited to be able to have him home with us for Christmas!<br />
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So as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and prepare to ring in the New Year let us remember the fallen as well as the officers out there working around the clock to protect us so we can sleep in Heavenly peace. They are NOT monsters, and hateful people. Many of these officers are like my own husband, just trying to come home safe to their wife and kids at the end of each shift. Just trying to carve out a little peace, a little hope, and spread little more love than hate.<br />
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We leave a candle glowing blue in our window each night to remember the fallen and those who currently protect and serve our great country nationwide.<br />
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How will you show your support to your local police and stop the spread of violence and hate?<br />
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Thank you to all our officers who put on the badge each day to protect and serve our great country!<br />
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May you have a blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year!</div>
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<br />Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-83737168647726904472014-12-21T14:45:00.001-05:002014-12-21T14:57:44.646-05:00A God For All Seasons by Patti Tingen A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With Winter upon us I am pleased to know a few moms like me who love to read AND talk about the books they've read. We love to share books we have enjoyed that are shaping our lives! Winter in Maine is taking on new meaning for me...</div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">BOOK CLUB SEASON!</span></b></div>
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We read fiction and non-fiction and learn and grow from each book chosen and discussed. Before our next book club meeting begins and since we are now in a new season of Winter, I was pleased to be chosen to review this book for CWA, <u>A God For All Seasons</u> by Patti Tingen.</div>
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Hope for all seasons. Encouragement for all times. Love from God for all year. “There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT) </div>
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ISBN: 978-1621417705| List Price: $13.95|Format: Softcover | Page Count: 110</div>
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My Thoughts on this book:</h3>
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I really loved this book. It is a quick read but jam-packed with wonderful words of wisdom from Patti as she shares her life's lessons in different seasons while weaving scripture though out.</div>
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The book begins in Winter with December and coincidentally that is right where I am at in the calendar month! What I liked about this book was it isn't just another book about the "seasons of life". As I read along with the author she not only describes the different seasons of life but she walks you through each MONTH of the seasons bringing hope and inspiring her readers to keep looking for God every day no matter what season He is bringing you through! In Winter's darkest days, "Hope, renew, and wait on the Lord". In the Spring she encourages the reader to "change, plant, and trust". In Summer, we should "give, celebrate, and rest". In Autumn, we should practice "harvest, believe, and thank".</div>
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I think this is a wonderful little book every woman should read to inspire and reflect on life, no matter what season they are experiencing right now!<br />
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtBpV4bVWag<br />
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About the author:</h4>
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Patti Tingen is an award-winning author and speaker. She also serves as an elder at her church and is involved in various ministries including prayer and teaching. Patti’s nonfiction inspirational books have offered hope and encouragement to many. Her book, A God for All Seasons: Inspiration and Reflection for All Times, won the 2014 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal for Christian Non-Fiction. Patti’s prayer is that her words of personal experience, humor and testimony will continue to bless and inspire others. Patti lives in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with her husband Doug and their cat Braveheart. Please visit http://pattitingen-author.blogspot.com/ to learn more.</div>
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<a href="http://getbook.at/AGodforAllSeasons">A God for All Seasons at AMAZON</a></div>
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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.</div>
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Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-37904425203031864102014-12-06T11:40:00.003-05:002016-09-26T07:47:52.584-04:00Using Essential Oils on C-Section Scars <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">I was first introduced to <a href="http://neweverythingessential.me/brief-history/">essential oils</a> after the birth of my seventh baby last Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">My cousin had begun using them in her own family to support them through environmental and seasonal issues. She gave me a sample of Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, and Digestzen (and a cute little pair of baby shoes too!).</span></span></div>
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</b>I fell in love with the Lemon right away and began using it in my water. I liked the Lavender too!</span></div>
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I attended one of my cousin's classes on making over your family bathroom cabinet and thought it would be wonderful to use all natural products!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> I eventually signed up with my own wholesale account to save money on my oils and I began to do more <a href="http://doterra.com/US/en/blog-science">research</a> on my own and learned about so many more health benefits from using essential oils. It seemed endless the possibilities and the uses of these amazing oils and what they can do for a body, especially one like mine that has been through seven, (UPDATE now EIGHT, yes EIGHT C-sections) and an appendectomy AND a tubal reversal!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">We began applying the ten oils and learned how to use them! We put the On Guard to the bottoms of our feet, Digestzen on upset tummies, Lavender on cuts and scrapes, inhaled Peppermint for occasional nausea on car rides, Lemon in my water, Oregano and Melaleuca in the diffuser for environmental threats, and the Deep Blue! Now that stuff is AMAZING! It really sold me after I applied it to a hurting wrist and it took the pain away in less than 5 MINUTES!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1467967263490022/">SING OVER ME ESSENTIAL OILS </a>WAS BORN!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">I started my own<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1467967263490022/"> Facebook Page</a> to save all my research and invited everyone I knew to join along with me! I never intended to<a href="http://everythingessentialforme.blogspot.com/2016/09/business-building-tips-from-wood-pile.html"> build a thriving team</a> with <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/singoverme/">doTERRA</a>, but I couldn't help sharing! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I got a FREE bottle of Immortelle for purchasing 200 PV (product value) on my LRP (Loyalty Rewards Program, super way to save on oils!) back in early September of 2014. I thought, "well, I'm 40 now, I'm going to need help with wrinkles! I'll jump on the deal of the FREE bottle!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Then I read somewhere on one of the Facebook groups I follow that someone uses this for their c-section scar. I thought, "I'll have to try it!" </span><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">So I did!</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">"A proprietary blend of powerfully renewing, rare essential oils used throughout history for their beautifying benefits, Immortelle Anti-Aging Blend is formulated to protect and nourish skin while helping to reduce contributing factors to the appearance of aging skin. These powerful essential oils help sustain smoother, more radiant, and youthful-looking skin. Immortelle easily absorbs into the skin and can be used on the face, neck, and décolletage to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and aging skin."-doTERRA blog.</span></div>
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After less than two weeks, I noticed much of the redness had disappeared in my top c-section scar.</h2>
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(I have two c-section scars from 9 surgeries). My lower scar had become less lumpy and less sensitive and in general, after 10 years, looked less "angry". This stuff is incredible and a true gift from God in my opinion!</h2>
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(I am not a medical professional and I make NO claims that this WILL work for you, but it has worked for me. If you have been wondering how you'll ever get back to normal after your c-section, you might want to give this amazing essential oil blend a try! After <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/singoverme/#/">placing your order</a>, it will come straight to your home and arrive in only 2-5 business days! )</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With less sensitivity I may even begin doing this massage technique, although the video below is kind of hard to watch the whole thing!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.pregnancy.org/article/massage-your-c-section-scar">http://www.pregnancy.org/article/massage-your-c-section-scar</a></div>
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How to Properly Massage a Scar.</h2>
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If you would like to know where to purchase this amazing essential oil and help your c-section scar, go to<a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/singoverme/"> my website</a> to order.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
There are two ways to order Imortelle, <a href="https://www.mydoterra.com/ShoppingCart/index.cfm?retail=1&OwnerID=1127637&pid=16553377789477686">Retail</a> or <a href="https://www.mydoterra.com/Application/index.cfm?EnrollerID=1127637&Theme=DefaultTheme&ReturnURL=www.mydoterra.com/singoverme&LNG=en_dot&iact=1">wholesale</a>. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
I am not a medical professional and I make NO claims that this WILL work for you, but it has really </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>diminished my redness and supported my body in its recovery process</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">. Your order will come straight to your home and arrive in only 2-5 business days! If you have been wondering how you'll move on after your c-section, you might want to give this amazing essential oil blend a try!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you are here on my page and read this far, you might be interested in the emotional piece that comes from recovering from delivering by cesarean. DoTERRA is working on the scientific research on the significance of how essential oils work through our olfactory senses to help our bodies recover and support our emotional health as well as our physical health. I will be writing and sharing about this more soon! But I am excited to announce that doTERRA has just released an entire roller bottle "Touch" kit with all of their emotional oils!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://everythingessentialforme.blogspot.com/2015/07/contact-us.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt=" ORDER HERE" border="0" height="640" src="https://doterra.com/medias/2x3-566x819-10ml-21850001-ea-touch-us-english-web.jpg?context=bWFzdGVyfGltYWdlc3wxNTQzNTl8aW1hZ2UvanBlZ3xpbWFnZXMvaGM3L2gzMi84OTY2NjM1MTkyMzUwLmpwZ3w4NGM3MTNhNDE4NTRjNzRlNDBiZjA2NWU2NTUyNTdhNjhkZTg4ZmFhNWQyMDRmMGQwZjIwZDVkMGFmOTk1NzE3" width="440" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">This kit is simply splendid and contains six unique essential oil blends combined with Fractionated Coconut Oil in 10 mL Roll-Ons. They are super convenient and have are meant for a gentle topical application. "These proprietary blends provide targeted emotional health benefits for the entire family and can be applied every day to specific points on the body to help balance and brighten your changing moods."-doTERRA blog-***COMING OCTOBER 3, 2016*** (Because I went to convention we got to purchase these products before they are available for purchase, and they are wonderful! More details to come)</span></span></div>
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.</div>
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You can also see my latest posts on other oils and supplements at <a href="http://www.everythingessentialforme.blogspot.com/">Everything Essential For Me </a></h2>
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<br />Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-38591391086897924052014-11-22T21:30:00.001-05:002014-11-22T21:30:03.385-05:00When Chicks Hatch by Heather Randall A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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ASIN: B00OZQP3OS| List Price: $2.99 kindle (on Amazon) or $10 print (on author website)|Format: Softcover or Kindle |<br />
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I write reviews for Christian Women Affiliate and when I saw that our very own Heather Randall, the CEO of the company was offering up her own book for review, I jumped at the chance to deviate from Day Planners and historical fiction to a good "chick book"! I was not disappointed!<br />
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"She had prayed for it in secret, exposing her loneliness only to God. She knew God had heard her, just as he’d heard every other prayer, whether it was a silent prayer from her heart or spoken out loud. Could it be that a door was opening and her life would soon be moving at a faster pace with love front and center?"<br />
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This is just one of the heart cries of the five women in this book who come to realize that life has ups and downs. No one is perfect. But there is a God who forgives and when we walk in God's amazing grace, we can find hope once we break free of our shells and cast our cares on Him.<br />
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In <u>When Chicks Hatch</u> we meet Nicky, who finds out her boss is having an affair. Sydney, a college student, who gets involved with a married man and lies about it and has to pay the consequences for her actions. Then there's Alexis who's marriage is falling apart and has no happy ending in sight. Alexis' sister, Kristen, a nurse, who has always had guy friends but has she pushed them all away leaving her to be alone the rest of her life? And don't forget the "princess", Jennifer who desires one thing that her husband hasn't been able to give her but maybe her friend can?<br />
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At first this book was a little hard to follow because of the five different story lines. But I quickly found it amusing as I learned to follow the lives of these five different women as their stories began to slowly intersect. I won't give away much but I was in tears near the end. The author has written this book so beautifully that you feel so much love for the characters that you wanted to hate in the beginning of the book. There are a lot of life lessons learned in this book. One of my favorite lines comes from the mother of Sydney, Mrs. Flannery.<br />
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“You'll learn. It takes time to kill the flesh, honey. It's kind of like those candles your father used to put on Mitchell's cake--the ones that relight when you think they're out. You've got to keep huffing and puffing and maybe even use the help of water before it's over, but eventually it's over, and that candle can't be lit even if you try<br />
-Mrs. Flannery”<br />
― Heather Randall, When Chicks Hatch<br />
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That line really drove home the lesson for me about how we don't change overnight. As much as we would love to see others make a 180 in their life or see a 180 in our own life, it takes time to see the results we want. Often God has a bigger plan and the answers to our prayers may not be at all what we were expecting!<br />
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If you like a fairly quick read and a good, clean, Christian, chick book, full of twists and turns and want a greater sense of how God works out every last detail of your own life for His greater purpose, you might want to pick up a copy of this book! Better yet, download a copy, now!<br />
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About the author:</h4>
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Heather Randall began her writing career with baby steps, literally. In 2003 she started blogging about her mommy adventures and connecting with like-minded women online. During this time she was also preparing the final bits of a novel that had been written with pen and paper. A friend typed it all up properly for her and, at last, in 2011 When Chicks Hatch was published.<br />
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In 2013 He paved the way for her to purchase Christian Women Affiliate.<br />
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She now serves as the CEO of Christian Women Affiliate, LLC and all of its divisions including the CWA Radio Network and The CWA Review Crew. She especially enjoys serving fellow writers through her company. Heather still leaves time for God to fill her up with stories and she is currently working on a second novel.<br />
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Heather's hobbies include spending time with family, writing, reading, creating and trading mail art, homeschooling and blogging. Heather and her husband, four children, Mom, three cats, a dog, and a frog all reside in Oklahoma.<br />
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Website:<a href="http://www.heatherrandall.com/%C2%A0"> http://www.heatherrandall.com/ </a><br />
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Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeatherRandallBooks">https://www.facebook.com/HeatherRandallBooks</a><br />
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Facebook Fan Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/CWAreviewCrew/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/CWAreviewCrew/</a><br />
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Twitter:<a href="https://twitter.com/HeatherMRandall"> https://twitter.com/HeatherMRandall</a><br />
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Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pub/heather-randall/19/8bb/b61">https://www.linkedin.com/pub/heather-randall/19/8bb/b61</a><br />
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Google+: <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+HeatherRandallCWA/posts">https://plus.google.com/u/0/+HeatherRandallCWA/posts</a><br />
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Pinterest: <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/heathermrandall/">http://www.pinterest.com/heathermrandall/</a><br />
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Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/cwaheather">instagram.com/cwaheather</a><br />
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Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11475687-when-chicks-hatch?ref=atw">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11475687-when-chicks-hatch?ref=atw</a><br />
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I received a free Kindle download of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.<br />
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<br />Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-12184489172781138512014-11-06T20:55:00.001-05:002014-11-06T20:55:41.967-05:00Faith Joseph's Story A Novel and Christian Bible Study A Review<br />
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A novel, a Bible study, a leader's guide all in one book?! Yes, it's true! <u><i>Faith, Joseph's Story</i></u>, by Sandra Lea Hardage has beautifully crafted the Bible story of Joseph's life written as though it is from his own perspective, while adding a full Bible study AND a leader's guide right in the book!</div>
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<u>About the book:</u></h4>
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"At the age of seventeen, Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, faces the wrath of jealousy, hatred, and deceit from his own brothers. He is thrust into a world of slavery, lust, and power. Joseph experiences a culture so different from his own that he must adapt quickly just to survive. He learns to trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and be content in the difficult circumstances that challenge him far too often.</div>
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Narrated by Joseph himself, FAITH Joseph’s Story communicates the power of this young man’s faith-faith that began in the midst of a plot to murder him and ends with his rise to power in Egypt. It show the perseverance one must find to overcome the negative experiences that happen in life, and it provides a testament to the importance of placing complete faith and trust in God."</div>
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<u>About the author:</u></h4>
Sandra Hardage considers Jesus Christ her Savior and her family including husband, children and grandchildren the chief blessings in her life. She has been married to her husband Jim for forty-four years, has three grown children with Christian spouses and eight grandchildren between the ages of two to fifteen.<br />
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From the age of ten, God began to stir a desire in Sandra’s heart to become a teacher. She did in fact fulfill that desire and has worked in education all her life. Positions she held in pursuit of teaching include: public school teacher, coordinator of a televised GED-ONTV program, coordinator of an Adult Education Learning Center, coordinator of Technology, Distance Learning and Media for an education cooperative, Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader, associational women’s ministry director and online Bible teacher.<br />
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During years as Sunday school teacher, the Lord placed on her heart the sensitivity for the feelings of Biblical characters. As a result, she began writing stories of God’s people. After retiring, the Lord placed Joseph on her heart and over a four and a half years period, she wrote FAITH Joseph’s Story, a novel and Bible Study. <br />
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Sandra holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters of Science in Education degrees and has taken many courses along the way to hone the skills needed for the jobs that God placed in her path including computers, web design, distance learning, curriculum and much more. She feels that every area in teaching and learning were in preparation for her current role as creator and founder of the online ministry: My Journey of Faith. http://myjourneyoffaith.com<br />
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The ministries website is a gathering place for encouraging Christians women in their daily journey of life. It is her desire for this ministry to be used by God to encourage Christians and uplift the name of Jesus Christ by sharing stories through CWA Radio, My Journey of Faith magazine, Bible studies, blogs and more.<br />
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<u>My thoughts:</u></h4>
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I thought this was a great book! I really enjoyed revisiting the story of Joseph from the Bible and reading it again from a fictional perspective of none other than Joseph himself! I love historically accurate fiction and I thought the book captured Joseph's story in a way that draws the reader in to really consider what it must have been like to be one of twelve sons, and favored by his father. It helped me consider Joseph as a real person and not just a character in a Bible story. I had never given much thought to how many years Joseph was in the Pharaoh's palace before the story reaches its climax. I recommend anyone could read this book and gain a little bit more insight to the real Joseph of the Bible from a fictional perspective.</div>
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The other great part about this book is the fact that it is actually three books in one! The novel begins on the opening pages but is a quick read and ends on page 67. The rest of the book is a Bible study followed by a Leader's Guide as a companion to the Bible study. This is a great way to take the history of the story and go really in depth into a Bible study of the history of Joseph's family, their family traits, family life, the study of Joseph's dreams, and many more topics. Along the way Sandra also shares a bit of her own faith walk and truths of the Bible regarding the salvation message.</div>
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If you re looking for an in depth Bible study on the life of Joseph this would be a great one to choose!</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Faith-Josephs-Story-Novel-Christian/dp/1462727832/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377018768&sr=1-1&keywords=faith+joseph%27s+story">You can order your copy over at Amazon here.</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/faith-josephs-story-sandra-lea-hardage/1115844521?ean=9781462727858">Order at Barnes and Noble here.</a><br />
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ISBN: 978-1-4627-2783-4(sc) |List Price: $14.99 |Format: Softcover | Page Count: 206<br />
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ISBN: 978-1-4627-2785-8 (hc) |List Price: $33.95 |Format: Hardcover | Page Count: 206<br />
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ISBN: 978-1-462-72784-1 (e) |List Price: $3.99 | Format; E-Book | Page Count: 206<br />
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For more information about Sandra Hardage come check out her sites!<br />
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<a href="http://sandrahardage.com/">http://sandrahardage.com/</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_792907898"><br /></a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/myfaithjourney">https://twitter.com/myfaithjourney</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_792907900"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MyJourneyOfFaith">https://www.facebook.com/MyJourneyOfFaith</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sandra-hardage/75/812/529">http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sandra-hardage/75/812/529</a><br />
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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.<br />
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<br />Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-74542172284630794782014-10-28T07:29:00.003-04:002014-10-28T07:29:40.309-04:002015 Daily Planner by Sue Hooley, A Review<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;"><b>Everyday</b></span><span style="color: orange;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="color: orange;"><b>May not be good,</b></span><span style="color: orange;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="color: orange;"><b>But there is</b></span><span style="color: orange;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="color: orange;"><b>Something good</b></span><span style="color: orange;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="color: orange;"><b>In every day.</b></span></h4>
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I am so excited to share this with my readers! I was chosen to review the 2015 Daily Planner, a homemakers best friend! Here it is! Introducing Sue Hooley's newest planner!</div>
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2015 Daily Planner</div>
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List Price: $13.99 with free shipping on three or more|</div>
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Format: 6x9 Spiral bound </div>
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Order at:<a href="http://www.homemakersfriend.com/"> http://www.homemakersfriend.com</a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>"A homemaker’s life consists of innumerable details. Appointments, church activities, school schedules, and homemaking in general, repeatedly demand her time and attention. Written tasks help to organize our days and duties and it frees the mind to focus on what is most important.</b></i></span><br />
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<b> The Daily Planner was designed by Sue, wife of Dan for 24 years and mother to six lovely children, two girls and four boys ages 5-21. The planner was developed after several years of motherhood and homemaking. Sue understood that a homemaker's day can rarely be scheduled and structured the same as the one before – not every task can fit neatly into the time-slot allotted by other planners. Since her first publication in 2010, thousands of homemakers have benefited from the daily planner.</b><br />
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This daily planner is divided into the following seven sections:<br />
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Yearly Calendar<br />
Monthly Calendar<br />
Weekly Planning<br />
Tasks List<br />
Projects and Events<br />
Information<br />
Shopping Lists<br />
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Some helpful tips on using the Daily Planner from Sue;<br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b><u>yearly calendar</u></b></span></i><br />
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This is for jotting down upcoming events,or making note of a special happening. To remember the one-year anniversary of the death of a friend’s husband, just post it in the appropriate space of the following year. If passports expire in October of 2016, make a note for future reference.<br />
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<b><i><u><span style="color: red;">monthly calendar</span></u></i></b><br />
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Make an entry of all the upcoming events such as church meetings, weddings, school activities, appointments, reunions, holidays, etc. on the Monthly Calendar. It is helpful to see at a glance what will be happening over the next several months.This becomes useful for weekly scheduling.<br />
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<b><i><u><span style="color: purple;">weekly planning</span></u></i></b><br />
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Under the heading Tasks for this Week are spaces to jot down things that need to be done such as phone calls, appointments, balancing the checkbook, etc. It’s beneficial to take time to sketch out the weekly tasks in advance. If a dentist appointment needs to be scheduled, write it down. If laundry is the biggest event on Monday, write it down. Look for short slots of time to do small projects. It only takes a few minutes to schedule a dentist appointment or to send a card. If it is written down, you are more apt to grab those precious few minutes when the opportunity arises. If a suit needs to be taken to the dry cleaners, jot it down so it isn’t forgotten on the next trip to town. If cleaning is consistently done on Friday, then consistently write it down. As monotonous as that may seem, it is still a big accomplishment.<br />
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Plan the basic menu for the main meal each day. This can be done before the week arrives or it can be decided on a daily basis. Deciding on the type of meal for each day will lessen the choices. Example: casserole on Monday, soup on Tuesday, meat and potatoes on Wednesday… When Monday comes, just decide what type of casserole to make.<br />
To make the current weekly layout easy to find, clip the top corner of the page on the dotted line. Write with a pencil so daily tasks can easily be erased and rearranged to accommodate the unpredicted issues that come along. Written tasks are to serve as a guide so you can plan what is reasonable and comfortable. Freely modifying a schedule is not a sign of weakness, rather it is a mark of strength. This approach will help to make wise choices that are best for you, your husband, and your children.<br />
To view more on how to use the Daily Planner just click over to their website under <a href="http://www.homemakersfriend.com/blog.html">How To Use The Daily Planner.</a><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts:</u> </span><span style="color: blue;"><b>This planner is fantastic! I was given the 2014 planner to begin using right away to prepare for this review and I have loved it! It is portable and fits right into my diaper bag! It is thick but not too bulky. The pages stay intact despite being tossed in my bag and being on the go. I use it for planning meals, carpool, play dates, essential oil classes, field trips, trainings, journaling, recipes, grocery lists, and so many more things! I have NEVER been a planner type of person but have always wanted to be more organized. This was the perfect planner to set me on the right path toward being the type of mom, wife, homeschool teacher, and friend I long to be. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>The beautiful artwork on the front of the durable cover makes it a joy to take out and schedule events in my calendar. There is a lovely photo and scripture on the front that reminds me to always put God first in all of my preparations. Only He holds the plans of my life, I can only prepare. This planner helps me to be more diligent in helping me to live my life on purpose not just let life events roll on by.</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">"My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest" Exodus 33:14</span><span style="color: blue;"> This scripture graces the cover of the 2015 edition of the Daily Planner. May we all sense the Lord's presence in our daily lives as He grants rest to our weary minds by writing our days down!</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Grab one for yourself before January, details below. Let your comings and goings be a testimony and light for the Lord each time you open your Daily Planner! God bless!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">2015 Daily Planner</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">List Price: $13.99 with free shipping on three or more|</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Format: 6x9 Spiral bound</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Order at:<a href="http://www.homemakersfriend.com/"> http://www.homemakersfriend.com</a></span><br />
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I received a free 2014 and 2015 planner in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.<br />
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<br />Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-24153975293103652562014-09-21T19:38:00.001-04:002014-09-21T19:38:34.663-04:00Let My Light Shine, Julie Kinscheck A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am so excited to write this review for all of you! I was so happy to be chosen as one of the twenty fabulous women who got the chance to write a music review and set aside our books, (for a short bit anyway)! This is SO COOL!</div>
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INTRODUCING... JULIE KINSCHECK!!!</h2>
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"Let My Light Shine" by Julie Kinscheck & LIFLIGHT is Gospel-Jazz with an infusion of pop-rock and country. </div>
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Julie's music reflects a Christian world-view, sometimes boldly, but is really about the hope God can provide- especially to women and Mom's- expressed with some humor, SCAT solos, lush arrangements and depth of heart.</div>
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This music is her ministry to shine God's light in a dark world.</div>
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<a href="http://julieksings.com/store/">Purchase Her CD HERE!</a></h4>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/QueenOfSCAT/info">From her Facebook page:</a></div>
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Singer-songwriter, folk, country/ gospel with Jazz on top!</div>
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Recently called "An ambassador for unfortunate children in the world and for what faith in God can do!" by a representative from Hope Worldwide. Julie Kinscheck has written songs and/or performed for Hope Worldwide and Compassion International. </div>
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Named one of the most promising unsigned writers by the National Academy of Songwriters, Julie has played across the US and Europe. She has been honored to play on large stages such as Madison Square Garden, NYC and the Fleet Center, Boston and also many conferences, small churches, restaurants, weddings and coffee houses.</div>
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Raised with folk roots in Ithaca N.Y., she launched a street tour of Europe, followed by a few years training at Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio. At last she landed at Berklee College of Music in Boston on a full scholarship. Some fans have named her the : Queen of SCAT!</div>
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“Julie Kinscheck’s songwriting and outstanding vocal work will satisfy you to your soul…” - Metronome Magazine Jan 2010</div>
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I really enjoyed the different styles of music Julie sings on this CD, "Let My Light Shine".</div>
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Just after enjoying a country style song, "Nothing Like the Love", talking about the love of children, and an even softer country style song in "Jesus Wept", Julie breaks out the guitars in "Waiting on You". </div>
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I loved the words in Julie's songs. In "I'm a Mess", she sings how she can't even get her eight year old to bed, "I'm a mess!" My favorite song was "Love Life Like I Should". It is a fun, light-hearted song about living life with less worries, with lots of fun scat singing. "Oh, oh, oh, gonna love life like I should, Zabbie at, zabbie at do day"! (Or something like that!)</div>
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While my family didn't care all that much for Julie's singing coming out of my laptop speakers, I can just imagine her live in concert she would probably really get the crowd hopping with her songs about children, life, love, and Christ!</div>
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"Oh, oh, oh, gonna love life like I should, zabbie at, zabbie at do day"! (Or something like that!)</div>
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<a href="http://julieksings.com/store/">Purchase Julie Kinscheck's CD HERE!</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.julieksings.com/">Julie Kinscheck's WEBSITE</a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/Julieksings">Follow Julie Kinscheck on TWITTER HERE!</a></div>
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I received a link to review Julie kinscheck's music in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.</div>
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Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-65419945024436675172014-09-12T16:58:00.000-04:002015-07-10T19:25:14.076-04:00Essential Oils? How Is That Going To Help Me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What is the deal with essential oils? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Few people in mainstream medicine will want me to share this post with you. First, they’ll say it’s because they have an aversion to all things quackery. Then, they’ll have a change of heart and try to classify essential oils as “medicine,” of which nobody else can give advice on because these oils are used to “prevent or treat disease” – along with carrots, garlic, herbal tea, and wheat grass.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then, they’ll make an exception for reading package inserts and make up one on the spot to warn you about the potential atrocity that could result from you using something natural that has little to no side effects and is responsible for zero hospitalizations and deaths each year. While they’re busy scaring your socks off, they’ll forget to tell you they’ve had no training on essential oils and have no clue what they’re talking about.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">No worries. I’m not going to diagnose you with a disease today, nor am I going to treat you. I’m not going to try to sell you essential oils either. I’m just going to sell you on them because really, life just seems incomplete without a good essential oil in your back pocket.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know what you’re thinking…what are my qualifications for speaking on this “trend?” No worries guys. My quack degree in quack medicine taught me everything I needed to know, and what I didn’t pick up in one quack school I picked up at another, and what I didn’t pick up there, I picked up from Google University. Rest assured, you are in good hands.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pleasantries aside. Let’s talk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Essential oils are not a trend. They’re not voodoo, woo woo, or foo foo. They’ve been around a long time, are mentioned over 188 times in the Bible, were referenced in Chinese manuscripts and the Dead Sea Scrolls, and were even used during the time of the ancient Egyptians as medicine. People survived the bubonic plague thanks to this stuff. No joke</span>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">An essential oil is a volatile liquid carefully extracted from a plant that’s used medicinally for all sorts of health imbalances. Once carefully extracted these oils can be used for inhalation, ingestion, absorption, and are used for all sorts of household and personal products like laundry detergent, shampoo, toothpaste, and lotion. It’s the chemical properties in these oils that provide the benefit and once applied to the skin these benefits hit the blood stream within three seconds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Essential oils are amazing. They’re powerful, and they’re safe when used appropriately. You shouldn’t take my word for it though." <a href="http://www.livingwhole.org/essential-oils-fad-or-fantastic/">Read the rest here.</a> www.livingwhole.org</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Help nurture your family today! <a href="mailto:jmsmith@fairpoint.net">Ask me how to get these oils!</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Join the essential oil discussion! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1467967263490022/">Sing Over Me Essential Oils</a></span><br />
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Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-11539151804271963852014-08-15T18:02:00.000-04:002014-08-15T18:02:57.389-04:00Come Back To Jesus And Don't Bring Your Blackberry by Tanya Logan A REVIEW<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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ISBN-13: 978-144978207-8 |List Price: $14.46 |Format: Softcover | Page Count: 120<br />
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Finding time to be in God's presence with seven children can be at many times very challenging. Just as I'm about to sit down in the morning and enjoy a nice cup of coffee and my Bible I seem to have a little one eager to greet me with "hello" and hugs and kisses.<br />
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I mean seriously! Look at those cheeks!<br />
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My kids are truly a great source of joy and also a distraction. What drew me to this book was a conviction in my spirit to the things in my life that maybe I was the problem and I need to be the solution. "I am my own worst enemy" I mumbled to myself recently. Maybe God was speaking to me to reach for greater things, instead of easy things, like Facebook to pass my time. Why not teach my daughter to cross-stitch while she is little? Do I have the time?<br />
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I'm HUNGRY!<br />
For. God's. Word.<br />
For His Heart.<br />
For His Love.<br />
For His Time.<br />
If God can make time for me, maybe I can find a little time for Him!<br />
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So with a little reservation, and a humble heart I signed on to review this book to take a look into the things that might be getting in my own way of deepening my relationship with God. Maybe you too have similar issues?<br />
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<i style="color: red;">"Have you drifted away from the Faith? Or has life gotten in the way? </i><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><i>If any of these:</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><i>Busy-ness</i></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><i>Relationships</i></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><i>Hurts</i></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><i>Addictions</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><i>have held you up, you need Come Back to Jesus.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><i>Renew your love of Christ and your joy in building on the gifts God gave you. STOP just going through the motions. Find the time-stealers and replace them by starting afresh with prayer; center yourself in The Word.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><i>Explore the things that could lead you off the "narrow path." Practice opening up to God, being in His presence....</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><i>Experience the love of the Lord like you may never have before. Read the book as a personal growth guide, or use it as a 6-week Bible study and share insights and encouragement with your small group."</i></span><br />
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Week One opens with a question to the reader, "Who Is My God?" This week is followed by five more weeks titled "Seduced by the World", "A Week Without My Little Gods", "A Week with the (Di)Vine", "Responsibilities of Salvation (How to Remain Pruned)", finishing with, "Staying Free in an Idolatrous World". Each week contains five days of devotional studies for a total of 30 small devotional studies leading to ways to stay free from idols and come back to Jesus!<br />
In addition to sharing her own journey in coming back to Jesus, the author uses plenty of scripture quotes and describes Biblical characters and their flaws and strengths to draw the reader into identifying their own weaknesses and areas that need improvement.<br />
I enjoyed the study and there is plenty of room to write your own <strike>convictions</strike> answers in the spaces provided.<br />
At the end of the book is also a helpful Leader's Guide that anyone can use to lead discussions in order to do this Bible study in a small group setting. This would be a wonderful way to dig deeper into the study by sharing in the journey with others!<br />
Don't let the "And Don't Bring Your Blackberry" subtitle sway you though. The title seemed a little outdated to me, but the book is still very relevant.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Come-Back-Jesus--Bring-Blackberry/dp/1449782078/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1359478602&sr=8-7&keywords=tanya+logan">Purchase on Amazon Here</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.comebacktojesusv.com/Download-Sample.html">Check out a sample here!</a><br />
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Author BIO:Tanya Logan found herself drawn to Christ while on a cloud-gazing walk at the age of 9. Since then, she has seen His hand in nature from her native East Tennessee to Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA and now Southwest Florida. A writer all of her life, Come Back to Jesus—and Don’t Bring your Blackberry is her 4th book. She has also freelanced extensively and is the ghost author of 11 books, 2 of which are required reading for college courses.<br />
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“If I never have another word from God, this one is enough: Go tell the people to get the “stuff” out of the way so they can worship Me better,” Logan says. Thus the 6-week study Come Back to Jesus was born.<br />
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<a href="http://tanyalogan.com/WomensBibleStudy.html">Tanya's Website</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.comebacktojesusv.com/">Book Website</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/TanyaRDavis">Author's Facebook</a><br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/myfaithjourney">Author's Twitter</a><br />
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<i><span style="color: purple;">I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.</span></i><br />
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<br />Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-85672561883397416732014-08-02T11:30:00.000-04:002018-05-28T18:33:21.152-04:00Surviving Camp on a THM Diet! 10+ THM KETO Camping Meals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's time to get ready for our annual camping trip!</div>
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We can't wait to get back and make some more memories! Swimming, fishing, boating, 4-wheeling, and lots of relaxing and EATING!</div>
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Since starting Trim Healthy Mama back in March both my son and I have lost 20 pounds each! Yep, that's 40 lbs of flab gone! (All with minimal "exercising" mind you. Just THM'ing life)</div>
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It's been<a href="http://dirigochristianhomeschool.blogspot.com/2014/03/week-one-on-my-trim-healthy-mama-journey.html"> an interesting THM journey </a>to say the least! I've learned what GGMS, MIM, CIB, gluccie, and "doonk" mean. Learning how to make all the foods we love so my kids are growing and satisfied while my son and I lose weight has been more than a challenge. There were days I would stand in front of the open fridge and cry, "I can't eat anything in here! Ugh!"</div>
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But I've learned to come up with some of my favorite "go to" meals and snacks.</div>
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My favorite "go to" snacks are:</div>
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cheese sticks</div>
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mixed nuts</div>
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Greek yogurt</div>
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cottage cheese</div>
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eggs</div>
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skinny chocolate</div>
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protein shakes</div>
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<b><i>But this blog entry is going to be about getting ready for CAMPING!</i></b></div>
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How do I take all the delicious THM recipes on the road and still make the week FUN and YUMMY? Here are some meal ideas I have put together to get me through our week of camp eating! </div>
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Who knows, maybe our other kids will want to join in on our THM meals too?!</div>
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For our camping trip, we have access to modern conveniences such as fry pans, stove, and even an oven! We have a small refrigerator and coolers to keep food cold. We have a camp fire for cooking too.</div>
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Breakfasts!</h3>
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1. <a href="http://jellytoastblog.com/2014/06/campfire-breakfast-burger-burgerweek.html/">Campfire Breakfast Burgers</a></div>
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jellytoastblog.com has a great recipe for morning breakfast. I will take this recipe and sub out the regular biscuit for the two on the THM diet and use THM Muffin in a Mug for the biscuit. Almond meal and coconut flour biscuits with whole egg and sausage patty will make this a very satisfying camp breakfast, S style! Yum! </div>
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<img alt="rolls_final_sm" src="https://debbielundphoto.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/rolls_final_sm.jpg" height="133" width="200"> 2. <a href="http://debbielundphoto.com/blog/raspberry-cheesecake-rollups-with-cinnamon-sugar-s/">Walking In Light</a> has a great recipe called Raspberry Cheescake Rollups with Cinnamon and Sweetener. I will use Joseph's Lavash wraps and this will stay in S territory thanks to the yummy fat in the cream cheese. Just warm the wrap and spread some cream cheese and roll and cut then roll in truvia blend sweetener with cinnamon!</div>
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<img height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XxlbUy4jfDtK4Ui2MhajmyLeuiAsXimX0RTSPwQCrC_aLIX70eJRI8ATTYVCXAR0XkuS2yJxq5opzt3HU23HnFxCgPSihI2m5qXFyxqgwTm3Fars275ZDFRwcUXHdMtVDRwAxasD7VkI/s200/suasage+roll+bites+low+carb.png" width="200" />3. <a href="http://247lowcarbdiner.blogspot.com/2013/05/yummy-breakfast.html">Sausage Roll Bites</a></div>
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<a href="http://247lowcarbdiner.blogspot.com/">24/7 Low Carb Diner</a> has a fun recipe for mini sausage bites. I'll buy precooked sausage links and bake these up in our camp oven. Serve these with some scrambled eggs and spinach, a yummy S breakfast!</div>
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<img alt="Cottage Cheese Scrambled Eggs (S)" src="https://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/7c/03/17/7c03173b96ad66f147348f16c7db8d4f.jpg" height="146" width="200"> 4. <a href="http://dietrecipesblog.com/2008/07/22/cottage-cheese-scrambled-eggs-recipe-137-calories/">Cottage Cheese Scrambled Eggs</a> Speaking of scrambled eggs, this is a really yummy recipe with lots of extra protein thanks to the cottage cheese. Easy too! I'll serve these with fried French Style green beans maybe some bacon or sausage. Yum!</div>
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Lunches!</h4>
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Lunches for us at camp often have to be portable because we are usually boating or out on the ATV's. When not having leftovers, these will be great go to lunches!</div>
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5. <a href="http://homeiswheretheholmansare.blogspot.com/2010/03/spicy-chicken-tortilla-roll-ups.html">Low Carb Chicken Wraps</a> <span style="font-weight: normal;">These look really yummy. I can make these with Joseph's Lavish Wraps. Serve with some pork rinds and celery while everyone else eats Doritos and I will be a happy camper! Taste and crunch needs satisfied!</span></h4>
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6. <a href="http://www.gwens-nest.com/family-favorite-recipes/taco-salad-3-ways/">Taco Salad Three Ways</a> This is s a great recipe for making a taco salad three different ways, S, E, or FP. Î will probably eat this a couple times and try it in the different versions to keep my body guessing while on vacation! I sure would love to come back from vacation and have lost weight, not gained. This recipe will be a great way to shake things up. The kids will eat taco meat in flour tortillas. I may even enjoy this salad filling inside a Joseph's Lavish as a taco wrap one day! Lunch anyone?!<br />
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7. I couldn't find the link to this gorgeous wrap, but it looks pretty straight forward. Turkey, bacon, cheese, and lettuce all on a low carb wrap equals one yummy S lunch!<br />
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Dinner!</h4>
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<img alt="Classic Burgers (S)" src="https://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/8e/fd/46/8efd467be9a77703d3a4cb6e67277961.jpg" height="145" width="200"> 8. BURGERS! We will most likely eat burgers several nights while at camp. While everyone eats theirs on white buns, I'll be eating mine inside a Joseph's Pita. So good! Low-carb deliciousness, keeping a burger, even with bacon and avacado in S territory for a slimming meal!</div>
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<img alt="Jalapeno Popper Pizza (S)" src="https://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/7d/93/3f/7d933fa2b167cb5803afa8f4235b88cb.jpg" height="150" width="200"> 9. <a href="http://happyredkitchen.com/2013/10/22/jalapeno-popper-pizza/">PIZZA!</a> These are a great go to meal I use at home and can easily make while at camp.</div>
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<img alt="Atomic Buffalo Jalapeno Poppers (S)" src="https://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/51/12/d5/5112d5861899748dab4192948f06939f.jpg" height="640" width="123"> 10. <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/spicy-lil-smokie-bacon-wrapped-jalapeno-poppers-389459">Jalepeno Poppers!</a> These will make a fun appetizer staying in the S zone. I will probably leave out the little sausages.</div>
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<img alt="Fall Off the Bone Oven Ribs Recipe: these were incredible. They were sweet and smoky and sticky... I used Sweet Baby Ray's sauce and they were perfect. They fell off the bone and I was incredibly impressed! Definitely a keeper!" src="https://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/54/cc/ca/54ccca4ee7e662755639361d67bfa161.jpg" height="200" width="200"> 11. <a href="http://deepsouthdish.ziplist.com/recipes/fall-off-the-bone-oven-ribs/6ae07ed0-b7ad-012e-34ae-12313b088211">Fall off the bone RIBS!!!</a> I'll make these when our company comes for dinner! I. CAN. NOT. WAIT!!! Camp Dobsee here we come!<br />
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For more KETO Ideas grab your FREE book "Bacon and Butter"<br />
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Learn more about sustainable energy sources for your camp below.</div>
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<a href="http://7f3be5yjo80bofy5pwsm10qbte.hop.clickbank.net/" target="_top">Click Here!</a>Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-42283479053528020562014-06-19T23:53:00.002-04:002014-06-19T23:55:31.792-04:00Esther Queen of Persia by Jim Baumgardner, A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been busy homeschooling my kids and getting ready for our oldest to graduate from our homeschool, but thought I might get another review in for you, my readers! I read a couple of books over the winter that were really great and inspiring. I was looking for something inspiring again, maybe empowering too as I conquered oodles of paperwork to get my son ready for college. Something historical I thought, because I love history, since history is after all, His Story. So something also biblically based, but not necessarily a dry history book sounded just right. When I read about this book Esther Queen of Persia I was excited to dive in and see what it was all about. It did not disappoint.</div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>ISBN: 978-0988410718| List Price: $16.95 | Format: Softcover & ebook | Page Count: 304</u></span></div>
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About the book:</h4>
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Hadassah, the beautiful, Jewish teenager from the city of Susa in Persia, is taken by force to the palace of King Ahasuerus. His command to find the most beautiful virgins in his kingdom, and bring them to the house of women, has placed Hadassah under the supervision of Hegai, the king's custodian of women. Hegai and his servants, have one year to prepare each virgin for one night with the king. Although Hadassah was taken from her home by force, she refuses to become bitter. She accepts being called Esther, but inside remains always, Hadassah. She continually wonders why she is there, yet remains faithful to her God, and to her identity. It is years before the answer is revealed. Her people face annihilation, and it falls upon her shoulders to stop it. Her first thought is to shirk her duty, but Mordecai, her cousin, will not allow it. His words, '"Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"' brings her to her senses.</div>
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Unlike many of the novels written about Esther, this book seeks to remain true to the Biblical account, while supplying additional historical information from the time period 486-473 B.C. The book has a five page Introduction, which gives insight into some of the things found in the story. It has a page, listing the months of the Jewish sacred calendar and the corresponding month of our modern calendar. Also in the back of the book is a listing of Scriptures mentioned in each chapter, along with a listing of works consulted in research for Esther Queen of Persia.</div>
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About the Author:</h4>
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Born in Wichita, Kansas, Jim Baumgardner, raised by Christian parents, gave his life to Christ in 1957. The author continues to reside in Wichita with his wife Linda. They have three children and nine grandchildren. Jim has seven published books. Four are known as the Sarah books, which tell of the adventures of a girl named Sarah, set in the 19thCentury. The other three are Bible novels, including the author’s latest release Esther Queen of Persia. All of Jim’s books are primarily written for his grandchildren’s benefit.<br />
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You can learn more about the author by clicking on the websites below.</div>
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<a href="http://www.biblenovels.net/">www.biblenovels.net</a></div>
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<a href="http://kansasjimbo.bravejournal.com/">http://kansasjimbo.bravejournal.com/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.sarahbooks.net/">http://www.sarahbooks.net/</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Sarah.19thCentury">Facebook</a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/FictionHeWrote">Twitter</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/956432.Jim_Baumgardner">Goodreads</a></div>
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The Author was also nominated for:</div>
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<a href="https://botya.forewordreviews.com/finalists/2013/religious/">Finalist for Book of the Year</a></div>
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You can purchase your copy on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Esther-Queen-Persia-Jim-Baumgardner/dp/0988410710/ref=la_B004YY6E12_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391098376&sr=1-1">Amazon</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.cwareviewcrew.com/products/queen-of-persian-by-jim-baumgardner">See what others are saying about the book.</a></div>
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My Thoughts:</h4>
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Before reading this book, I went and reread the book of Esther to brush up on the biblical facts of the life of Esther. I found the book followed the biblical account of Esther but from a fictional perspective. In our homeschooling we have really enjoyed reading historical fiction to gain a better understanding of the time period we are studying. I think this would be a great book to read alongside the Ancient History time period during the rein of King Ahasuerus. It is a very descriptive account of Esther's time in the King's palace and how she is chosen to become Queen and ultimately helps her Jewish people. I have always loved stories of simple people God uses in big ways. While this is a fictional account of the life of Esther, it does follow the Biblical account and is a good read. I would recommend you pick up a copy and check it out!</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.</span></div>
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/YHxUaCuwrsppqtqW2CnkmTt7OcLxFeejHZuF4GHtI9YudxgWoNQjr8*JQ3Egu2fcQUDSXXOBH8U4y1fdjkR-17g0fgIOuphF/CWAReviewCrew125x125.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://api.ning.com/files/YHxUaCuwrsppqtqW2CnkmTt7OcLxFeejHZuF4GHtI9YudxgWoNQjr8*JQ3Egu2fcQUDSXXOBH8U4y1fdjkR-17g0fgIOuphF/CWAReviewCrew125x125.gif" /></a></div>
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<br />Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-13721914085818448452014-03-13T16:32:00.000-04:002014-03-13T16:32:15.469-04:00Week Two On My Trim Healthy Mama Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So here I am drinking my <a href="http://healthylivinghowto.com/1/post/2013/02/healthy-recipe-bulletproof-coffee.html">Bulletproof Coffee</a> diving head first into week two. This is still very much a learning process for me as I basically deconstruct my diet on this path toward wellness and hopefully lose some weight! If you missed my Week One post you can click below and read why I started this book and what I learned in Week One.<br />
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<a href="http://dirigochristianhomeschool.blogspot.com/2014/03/week-one-on-my-trim-healthy-mama-journey.html">WEEK ONE</a></h4>
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On to week two!</div>
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The things I'm learning this week have to do with how the food I eat breaks down at the cellular level. I noticed the first time I drank a full can of coconut milk as a shake (yes, I really drank the full can!) I started feeling tingly all over my body. It felt like I had just stepped into a warm milky bath, except on the inside. The can reads that it contains five servings at 22 Fat Grams per serving. Now obviously I need to drink this in a better moderation but my body actually is craving this healthy fat! In the first few chapters of THM the authors talk about how eating fat does NOT make you fat. <span style="color: red;"><u>Carbs and sugar make you fat!</u></span> Our bodies need fat, therefore if we don't eat enough fat our bodies will convert our excess carbs and sugars INTO fat. THM also addresses vitamins and supplements toward the end of the book. I'm not ready to dive into all that but I am gathering information while I still try to get a handle on "S" and "E" meals versus a Fuel Pull or a Crossover meal. PHEW!</div>
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I found this interesting article on <a href="http://blogs.naturalnews.com/the-best-dietary-sources-of-iodine/">Natural News about iodine.</a></div>
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Iodine is essential in producing thyroid hormones. Unbalanced thyroid hormones lead to weight gain, infertility, and many other issues. I have suffered many years with infertility even though I now have seven children!</div>
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I'm planning to add some Himilayan Salt to my next shopping trip! Now I'm not looking to necessarily improve my fertility (ha ha), but I am looking at how to heal my body so my hormones are more stable.</div>
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This week I am loving all the extra advice in following this diet I have found through Facebook. I've joined three different THM Facebook groups and my newsfeed is constantly buzzing with ladies asking questions very similar to what I am asking myself! The THM for beginners and the Nursing and Pregnant THM groups have been wonderful resources. They have places where people upload their own documents like menus or recipes. I've "met" some great women in these groups and been really encouraged by them and their testimonies of their own THM journey. Who knew buying a book would open so many doors to information of how to live this THM lifestyle?!</div>
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For week two however, I did go "off plan" twice. We had chinese food one night which was so nice so I didn't have to cook. A few days later, we celebrated my son's 16th birthday out to the movies with burgers and sweet potato fries! Other than those two meals however I have tried to stay "on plan" as far as I can tell. I tried to think of my two eating out meals as "crossovers" and not beat myself up too badly over them. I'm still nursing a baby so I don't want to lose weight too quickly and hurt my milk supply.</div>
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My favorite recipes I tried and loved this week were the Bread in a Mug recipe, Oven Flax crackers, Ultimate Chocolate Cake and chocolate frosting, <a href="http://ditchthewheat.com/1-minute-flourless-chocolate-cupcake-lc-gf/">Chocolate Cake in a Mug</a> (that one is seriously amazing!), <a href="http://buttoni.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/lemon-coconut-fat-bombs/">Lemon Fat Bombs</a>, <a href="http://sherigraham.com/trim-healthy-mama-cottage-cheese-berry-delight">Berry Cottage Whip</a>, and Berry<a href="http://sherigraham.com/trim-healthy-mama-waffles"> Waffles</a> with bacon! Am I on a diet? Seriously, look at this amazing breakfast I made this morning!</div>
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(This is an "S" meal, I think, still learning! ;) Two slices of bacon, one bread in a mug recipe cooked in my waffle maker, cottage cheese, berries sweetened with Truvia, small dollop of Redi-Whip. I even get to put real butter on my waffle! Yum!)</div>
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Overall I am feeling great and while I would love to say I lost 10 lbs on this diet in the first two weeks, I have not. I have lost about 2 lbs though. Chapter 12 in the THM book was a great reminder, slow and steady is a much healthier way to lose weight. I wish I had taken measurements though because I did notice a difference in how my clothes feel at the end of week two. My stomach feels less flabby and my pants fit better. Here are my two week changes, subtle, but changes to say the least. I noticed that my shirt hangs lower on me now there is less gut! I also noticed when I went to put my hand on my waist like I did in last week's photo, I actually had a waist!</div>
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On to Week Three!</div>
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Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-29003103547042850592014-03-07T14:39:00.000-05:002015-04-29T13:57:58.369-04:00Week One On My Trim Healthy Mama Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been reading too many success stories from women who are not just getting healthy from reading and applying THM but are losing weight, a lot of weight. After my pregnancy, this being my seventh little blessing, and getting ready to turn 40, I am determined to not just be healthier but to actually LOSE these stubborn baby pounds for good! <br />
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So I dove in and bought the book on kindle e-version last week for $19.95. It was cheaper than the hard copy version at $35 and I can carry this massive book (it's over 650 pages!) right on my windows tablet wherever I go. I really want this to be the beginning of my own THM success story but I have my doubts as to how dramatic my own weight loss journey will be. All I know is that we eat fairly healthy with occasional treats now and then. Even though I exercise and have used some wonderful <a href="http://dirigochristianhomeschool.blogspot.com/2012/11/shapelygirl-fitness-final-post-and.html">DVD programs </a>I never really seem to be able to blast away the fat I have carried for nearly 18 years! I have had success losing inches and pounds through running and <a href="http://dirigochristianhomeschool.blogspot.com/2012/06/road-to-fitness-checking-in.html">a fitness program</a>, but again, the really stubborn fat remains.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">The answer has to be in the way I am eating. Duh!</span></h4>
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<span style="color: blue;">I know I need to drink WATER, LOTS OF WATER! Especially since I am a nursing mama.</span></div>
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I think I'm ready to shake things up a bit. Stop feeding my body what I've been feeding it and give this THM diet a try! I've already been adding Stevia to many things thanks to a <a href="http://dirigochristianhomeschool.blogspot.com/2012/11/nunaturals-stevia-review-and-give-away.html">NuNaturals product review</a> I was fortunate to be a part of with Christian Women Affiliate.<br />
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Here is one of my reasons to get healthy, little Julia is four months old and I still look four months pregnant!</div>
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I am loving this book so far. I love that the authors actually WANT me to eat butter!</div>
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But we also have to incorporate healthy foods too of course!</div>
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But I get to eat CHOCOLATE!!! Yes, it's part of this "diet" too!</div>
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<a href="http://thenewlighterlife.com/trim-healthy-mama-skinny-chocolate-3-different-ways/">More Skinny Chocolate Recipes Here!</a></div>
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You see, because this really isn't a diet. It's a way of reshaping the way you eat and consuming it in the way our bodies can process it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXQnxYULnbSjT1nPB4zrRCOEdKqrE8gq4bdWVZzp84m60vbJcw20WqHoDOa7uQ4xioGySb7pEz5Wqwlw8mAcVOhsPKGVX8HaYKaeLEHOBnBlnr31CyrLe2nA_HSfGLMXWFtk6xjt9osmv/s1600/tumblr_m3u495m2w71ru34oko1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXQnxYULnbSjT1nPB4zrRCOEdKqrE8gq4bdWVZzp84m60vbJcw20WqHoDOa7uQ4xioGySb7pEz5Wqwlw8mAcVOhsPKGVX8HaYKaeLEHOBnBlnr31CyrLe2nA_HSfGLMXWFtk6xjt9osmv/s1600/tumblr_m3u495m2w71ru34oko1_500.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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So if I am feeling like bacon and eggs for breakfast, great!, I can have bacon and eggs then! I can even add veggies and cheese to those eggs and I have myself what THM calls an "S" meal. "S" is for Satisfying and boy are they ever satisfying!</div>
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You know what? If I'm feeling like toast for breakfast but I still want eggs, I can do that. I just need to not go crazy on the carbs in my toast by choosing a lower carb version or <a href="http://www.gwens-nest.com/family-favorite-recipes/easy-bread-recipe/">make my own</a> and forget about the bacon and only use 1-2 tsp of butter on that toast to keep the fat content down. This would be an "E" meal. </div>
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I am not going to even try to touch "FP" (Fuel Pull) meals/snacks or crossovers until I feel confident in the "S" and "E" meals. More on these at later time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ulx53GzhAqTwYR3AZMw6s4s3bKuTD1KFVh2W_ejHn13h_JCIOv7BEusJIrXFgTgpHVL-7jateUl44UhklIjekhpWIqsw_FZxn1FjcCamOGygVoUgya04t20DbrkgYAnGit0BUla6S6u0/s1600/motivational-health-quotes-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ulx53GzhAqTwYR3AZMw6s4s3bKuTD1KFVh2W_ejHn13h_JCIOv7BEusJIrXFgTgpHVL-7jateUl44UhklIjekhpWIqsw_FZxn1FjcCamOGygVoUgya04t20DbrkgYAnGit0BUla6S6u0/s1600/motivational-health-quotes-1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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But this is only my first week and I've made a ton of mistakes, but I'm learning!</div>
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I've learned that I don't eat enough protein. I've also learned I need to eat more frequently to keep my body fueled. I also eat way too many carbs and sugar, well, that's just a given. I have a sweet tooth!</div>
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I've even learned about these really cool noodles made from the konjac root called Miracle noodles.</div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRzahq6ndVoF6CgQm3zvYssf8mvZYkLAMJ3f3oE6bveqNqnOkbi0grp28jg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRzahq6ndVoF6CgQm3zvYssf8mvZYkLAMJ3f3oE6bveqNqnOkbi0grp28jg" /></a></div>
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They are calorie free, gluten free and make a wonderful substitution as pasta or rice so you feel full but not all loaded up on all those carbs from pasta and rice!</div>
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I've also learned how to make bread in a mug! Yes, you read that right, <a href="http://www.thelaundrymoms.com/trim-healthy-mama-bread/">Bread in A Mug!</a></div>
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The basic recipe is found on page 265;:</div>
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These are the basic ingredients</div>
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Ingredients: an egg or egg whites * golden flax meal and optional almond flour * baking powder * coconut oil or butter * sea salt and other optional seasonings</div>
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I even let the kids make their own bread in a mug muffins yesterday. These low carb babies literally cook up in one minute in the microwave! I'm not kidding, try it! You can google Bread in a Mug recipes and find all sorts of great blogs out there of ladies doing this THM diet and find TONS of free ideas and recipes and even printables to actually make the leap into this Trim Healthy Mama way.</div>
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I started at this lovely lady's site; <a href="http://www.gwens-nest.com/natural-remedies/trim-healthy-mama-book-review/">Gwen's Nest</a>.</div>
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I also found these and I plan to add more so I can remember where they are.</div>
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<a href="http://www.bigtastetrimwaist.com/2014/03/07/chocolate-chip-cookie-throwdown-results-jos-cookie-s/">BIG TASTE TRIM WAIST</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thelaundrymoms.com/trim-healthy-mama-bread/">The Laundry Moms</a></div>
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<a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/healthy-homemade-salad-dressing-ideas">Heavenly Homemakers</a>-Ranch dressing recipe</div>
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<a href="http://sherigraham.com/category/trim-healthy-mama">Sheri Graham</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.stacymakescents.com/trim-healthy">Stacy Makes Cents</a></div>
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<a href="http://traditionally.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/the-everyday-trim-healthy-mama-e-foods-chart/">Traditionally Me</a></div>
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Pinterest has tons of sources for inspiration too!</div>
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This mornings' favorite change I made thanks to THM is switching out my coffee and vanilla flavored non-dairy creamer (yes, I know they are not good for me but I can't resist them...until now :) ) I found a recipe thanks to my FB THM Beginners group called <a href="http://healthylivinghowto.com/1/post/2013/02/healthy-recipe-bulletproof-coffee.html">"Bulletproof" coffee.</a> Now I haven't read this far in the book yet to really <a href="http://www.therisingspoon.com/2014/01/what-is-bulletproof-coffee-benefits-of.html">research "Bulletproof" coffee</a> but let me tell you, it is AMAZING!</div>
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I made mine with vanilla stevia and it was just so good!</div>
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<a href="http://thepaleomama.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/bulletproof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thepaleomama.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/bulletproof.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here I am 16 months ago after my 6th baby. Still carrying a gut and heavy in the thighs. Feeling happy but, oh the fat in the thighs, it's just got to go! THM has taught me that I am basically eating myself into this fuller figure by all the carbs and sugars I consume.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ECx1mNaH6ZArmD10ECb6gejKveUKYrrp6Ev_OuvwxKur4dFo0oR6SgSiz42P0DJuV5m6YkKE9BymVxqrJDzjGb4hyphenhyphenEGTTkzdYtjVdTrNbS9hTJtRtkTqzB3q9EpwfU12q4p7MQgRxq0W/s1600/1st+shapelygirl+video+workout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ECx1mNaH6ZArmD10ECb6gejKveUKYrrp6Ev_OuvwxKur4dFo0oR6SgSiz42P0DJuV5m6YkKE9BymVxqrJDzjGb4hyphenhyphenEGTTkzdYtjVdTrNbS9hTJtRtkTqzB3q9EpwfU12q4p7MQgRxq0W/s1600/1st+shapelygirl+video+workout.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now here I am at the end of week one with THM after my 7th baby. The scale says I lost a pound or so, but mostly I am happy I can fit back into my favorite black pants. I really hope this THM diet will finally be something that will work for me!</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">TRIM HEALTHY MAMA WEEK ONE</span></h4>
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(Four Months Post Partum Baby Number Seven)</h4>
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Changes and purchases I hope to make next week:</div>
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Grass-fed butter for my "Bulletproof" Coffee</div>
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Protein powder to start FP meals/snacks</div>
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Peanut flour</div>
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Glucomannan powder</div>
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Almond flour</div>
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More Miracle Noodles</div>
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Naturally sweetened jam</div>
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More eggs, my chickens aren't laying well right now and I went through all my eggs I just purchased!</div>
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Are you ready to get healthy and try the THM lifestyle too?</div>
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Get your book today and get started!</div>
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<a href="http://www.trimhealthymama.com/">Trim Healthy Mama Website</a></div>
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<a href="http://dirigochristianhomeschool.blogspot.com/2014/03/week-two-on-my-trim-healthy-mama-journey.html">Click Here to follow my journey to Week Two!</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.everythingessentialforme.blogspot.com/2015/04/5-ways-to-use-essential-oils-to-lose.html">Click here to learn how I got started using CPTG ESSENTIAL OILS for weight loss too!</a></div>
Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-13553296807958620642014-02-26T08:19:00.001-05:002014-02-26T08:19:07.450-05:00Tender Mercies by Vicki Watson a Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://blogs.kqed.org/stateofhealth/wp-content/blogs.dir/39/files/2013/11/RS7207_IMG_0061-scr-640x480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://blogs.kqed.org/stateofhealth/wp-content/blogs.dir/39/files/2013/11/RS7207_IMG_0061-scr-640x480.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lovehoofbeats.com/about-us.html">(Kaitlyn Pintor)</a> </div>
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Horses are amazing animals. They can be a real source of comfort on the road to healing for many people. I was moved to tears when I learned about my cousin Kaitlyn Pintor who suffers from a <a href="http://sonomahope.wordpress.com/">pain condition</a> and found some relief while caring for horses at <a href="http://www.lovehoofbeats.com/index.html">Hoof Beats</a> in California. You can read and listen to her story below.</div>
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<a href="http://www.californiareport.org/archive/R201311130850/b">My cousin Kaitlyn finds relief from her pain in the comfort of horses</a></div>
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<u><i><span style="color: red;">But who cares for the horses who are destined to be discarded?</span></i></u></h3>
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Vicki Watson explores the world of horse rescue</h3>
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in her newest fictional book <i><u>Tender Mercies</u></i>.</h3>
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<b>Our favorite homeschooled girls Carrie and Rosie are back!</b></div>
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<b>Homeschooling and horses!</b></div>
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<b>Life lessons, Christian faith, adventure!</b></div>
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In the fourth book in the Sonrise Stable series, Vicki Watson pens a story that follows a small newborn foal. The reader is introduced to the foal from its own perspective from its first moments with its mom and being taken away from her to being rescued by a wonderful horse rescue farm called Last Chance Corral to being adopted. Written from the perspective of the little foal at times the reader gets to not only learn about how and why horses are rescued but to see how a small foal taken from his mother might feel. This book opens the readers eyes to some of the horrible ways that humans can be cruel to animals. A cat who is speared with an arrow is one particular chapter that really drove the message home as Grandma quotes Proverbs 12:10 on page 73, "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel". Bible scripture, footnotes throughout, and wonderful black and white sketches make this an exciting learning adventure for any young horse loving child to read.</div>
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My girls and I have so enjoyed reading these stories</div>
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about two young homeschooled girls and their love for horses.</div>
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You can read my reviews of Vicki's other books here:</div>
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<a href="http://dirigochristianhomeschool.blogspot.com/2012/12/carrie-and-bandit-by-vicki-watson-book.html">Carrie and Bandit</a> Book Two</div>
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<a href="http://dirigochristianhomeschool.blogspot.com/2013/10/clothed-with-thunder-by-vicki-watson.html">Clothed With Thunder</a> Book Three</div>
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/H50gt7Te-00xNLECGBOw8is5Xbcdz4AE2MHqy*BH*c8naIlU7Esf70UTh-UgMTdMz3M1thKCw2eFNn3Nf4Pyf81Tum6o2Yik/nikkivicki.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://api.ning.com/files/H50gt7Te-00xNLECGBOw8is5Xbcdz4AE2MHqy*BH*c8naIlU7Esf70UTh-UgMTdMz3M1thKCw2eFNn3Nf4Pyf81Tum6o2Yik/nikkivicki.jpeg" height="320" width="243" /></a></div>
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Author, Vicki Watson</div>
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"The Sonrise Stable series combines my love of God and horses in stories that I hope will help children learn more about both." </div>
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To learn more about Vicki click the link below.</div>
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<a href="http://www.sonrisestable.com/horse-books-author.php">About the Author- Click Here</a></div>
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Follow Vicki on <a href="http://twitter.com/christ_cowgirl">Twitter!</a></div>
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Watch a wonderful intro to the book below.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/LsqcIi9cVvA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Go on over and pick up your very own copy of Tender Mercies at one of these sites!</div>
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ISBN: 978-0-9847242-3-9| List Price: $8.95 from <a href="http://www.sonrisestable.com/">Vicki's website</a> or $9.86 on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sonrise-Stable-Mercies-Vicki-Watson/dp/0984724230/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379443689&sr=1-4">Amazon</a> </div>
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I received a free copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.</div>
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Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-91133807772440240932013-10-31T08:52:00.003-04:002013-10-31T08:58:41.123-04:00day7 Whales Tale Baby Blanket Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://day7dotcom1.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/whales-tale.jpg?w=236&h=300" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://day7dotcom1.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/whales-tale.jpg?w=236&h=300" /></a></div>
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"Wrapping your little ones in the love of God."</h3>
I was so excited to be chosen to review this beautiful baby blanket from <a href="http://day-7.com/2013/04/04/whales-tale-available-july-2013/">day7</a> through the <a href="http://christianwomenaffiliate.com/">CWA Review Crew</a>! Mine came in the mail Monday morning just four days before my 7th child arrives!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOttyYsy4dQJuEVJrAprplSDWY_VLj6oBmvVaP1riBDRpK14c8lEzc9hG0WvXQ0hINCPncGLLFjGeYn9sqq_U8gLrJ4zWi8aSbGtfAcn0nKAfWco7jRlyfdPQQ7uRtwC4U1eiZWVwK1kT/s1600/baby+blanket+in+package.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOttyYsy4dQJuEVJrAprplSDWY_VLj6oBmvVaP1riBDRpK14c8lEzc9hG0WvXQ0hINCPncGLLFjGeYn9sqq_U8gLrJ4zWi8aSbGtfAcn0nKAfWco7jRlyfdPQQ7uRtwC4U1eiZWVwK1kT/s400/baby+blanket+in+package.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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My blanket arrived in a nice sealed plastic bag. It comes in three colors, white, (shown above), blue and green. I received the green one. I love it! The first thing I noticed was how incredibly soft it is. My older children ages 5, 3, and 22 months began to fight over who was going to snuggle with the blanket first.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5Rx-Vq-bFqFOyTNuTYvX0RLCJWvdmleBC6Dkcrd4hMMovQQUV47NPeaVjEbBnh1sZMbpUcTTM9-kV10SbURZqzP1LJq8mCzzfyf_Ew9SFnOcojC_n-xuEKyS3fN8DtQCZ8Airklvz4aL/s1600/day7+blanket+with+Wyatt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5Rx-Vq-bFqFOyTNuTYvX0RLCJWvdmleBC6Dkcrd4hMMovQQUV47NPeaVjEbBnh1sZMbpUcTTM9-kV10SbURZqzP1LJq8mCzzfyf_Ew9SFnOcojC_n-xuEKyS3fN8DtQCZ8Airklvz4aL/s320/day7+blanket+with+Wyatt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is our 22 month old snuggled up with our new day7 blanket.</div>
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The dimensions and care instructions were placed directly in the front so they could be easily seen. You do not want to bleach nor dry clean this blanket. Here is a little more information about the brand new day7 Whales Tale blanket.</div>
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About the company from their website:</h4>
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”<br />
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Genesis 2: 2 & 3<br />
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This verse is the foundation of our company. We are designers, and quilters, and home makers, but above that, we are Christians who desire to share our gifts and abilities. We want to be able to wrap God’s love around each person, and let them find a soft place to rest.<br />
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The founder of day 7 is Myra Harder, who has been working as a designer in the textile industry for the past 15 years. Through her career, her work has produced over 6 quilting titles, resulting in 100,000 copies of her books, she has produced thousands of yards of fabric for top design companies, and she has designed work for over 30 magazines, with 12.5 million copies in print. You will have seen her work on the covers of many top magazines on your local newsstands. However, as she worked, she felt the increased desire to share her faith in her designs, and a small idea started forming in the back of her mind. 2012 brought a decided change on the direction she wanted to create, and today we can introduce you to the first results of her new direction.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">100% plush polyester fabric, double sided blanket</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Original fabric design, featuring a verse from Psalm 23:3</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Large 28″ x 34″ size, to wrap around your little one</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Wash in cold water in the gentle cycle, tumble dry at low temperature</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Do not bleach, iron or dry clean</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Available for $34.99.</span><br />
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If you are looking for a wonderful baby shower gift or for a gift for a special small child this blanket would make an amazing gift! The scripture on it allows you to literally wrap your child in God's love! We were so blessed to get a chance to review this blanket. I can't wait to welcome our newest child and wrap her up in God's Word in this super soft blanket! Buy yours today at <a href="http://day-7.com/">day7</a>, or <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/node/index.html?ie=UTF8&me=A2P95GTTUU0ATY">Amazon</a>, or their<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/day7"> Etsy shop</a>.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I received a free blanket in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.</span><br />
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/YHxUaCuwrsppqtqW2CnkmTt7OcLxFeejHZuF4GHtI9YudxgWoNQjr8*JQ3Egu2fcQUDSXXOBH8U4y1fdjkR-17g0fgIOuphF/CWAReviewCrew125x125.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://api.ning.com/files/YHxUaCuwrsppqtqW2CnkmTt7OcLxFeejHZuF4GHtI9YudxgWoNQjr8*JQ3Egu2fcQUDSXXOBH8U4y1fdjkR-17g0fgIOuphF/CWAReviewCrew125x125.gif" /></a></div>
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Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-72462672176054194942013-10-29T14:25:00.001-04:002013-10-29T14:25:36.801-04:00Are You Playing by House Rules? A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/YkmP9nutIoIUr-5*22TvDo*S2a68VowI02dROF626mGP06Z80wTLIk7B*Y4akkrngWPgjelffi4ljn9nB-YA3cmAtWtBHoko/AreYouPlaying.jpg?width=226" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://api.ning.com/files/YkmP9nutIoIUr-5*22TvDo*S2a68VowI02dROF626mGP06Z80wTLIk7B*Y4akkrngWPgjelffi4ljn9nB-YA3cmAtWtBHoko/AreYouPlaying.jpg?width=226" width="248" /></a></div>
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Joe's estranged wife has just been involved in a horrible car accident. The doctors want to declare her brain dead so they can harvest her organs for another wealthy patient. But the hospital soon becomes aware that Joe's wife is actually pregnant. Now more than one life hangs in the balance. A spiritual battle has begun for the life of Mary and her unborn child. In walks Robert. An outspoken Christian man with some strong values and heavy knowledge of the Constitution. He even has strong opinions about social security numbers and birth certificates. The hospital bills are growing, the Christian school where Joe teaches is being threatened with lawsuits. How much more can Joe take and will he be strong enough to make the right decisions to help preserve the life of his unborn child if his wife never recovers? Will his new faith in Jesus Christ really help him trust that God has everything in His control including the very soul of his wife? Will God hear his prayers and save his wife and child?</div>
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About the Authors:</h3>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Darren Grant, has a B.S.Ed. chemistry,M.S. Science Education, and has been a certified science teacher since 1991. For the first twelve years he taught within the public school systems of Kansas and Missouri. He became frustrated with all of the systematic built in problems inherent in public education. He learned first hand while he was a state representative delegate for the Kansas NEA that the problems in public education exist by design. The NEA exists to indoctrinate students - not educate them. He was tired of being part of the problem, so he left and taught for seven years in a private christian school. Darren is still certified, and continues working as a teacher and presenter for Real Ark Ministries.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Cara Grant, B.S. Vocal Performance, worked as a CPhT until our marriage in 1999. Since that time she has devoted her life to raising our six children. In December 2005 they formally launched Real Ark Ministries as an educational ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of their friends asked what led them to investigate these issues and write this book. It certainly wasn’t an abundance of free time! They had plenty of activity to fill their days with running a small goat dairy, building a debt-free home, raising and homeschooling their six children, and Darren working full time outside the home as a science teacher. In 2000, they began to study freedom, the Constitution, and the Code of Federal Regulations. These topics eventually led them to study socialism, communism, and the New World Order. As they studied, they saw an evil no one seemed to be warning others about: the slavery of the church and the slavery of the common man. After the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, they felt even more compelled to warn others of the dangers of enslaving our churches and our children.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">After a wildfire in Aug. 2011 took their home and most of their earthly belongings, they again evaluated what the most important issues in life should be. In this book, Darren and Cara have only provided a small sampling of the body of knowledge that exists on these two topics. Their prayer is that readers will take the time to study not only the dangers of church incorporation, but also the dangers of social security numbers and birth certificates.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Why social security numbers and birth certificates? Because these documents are the foundational documents for the enslavement of this generation and the next.</span></i> </div>
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My Thoughts:</h3>
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I could hardly put this book down! It reminded me a little like some of Frank Peretti's writings as this book shared with the reader some of the hidden powers of darkness that were at work effecting the characters lives. There were many ideas in the book that challenged me such as birth certificates and social security numbers as well as church incorporation, three of the main themes running through the book. A few times I even stopped to look up a website or book or author and was impressed that this book, even though fiction, had real research with real websites that I could go and look up for myself.<br />
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This book had a great story and was worth the read if you read the more challenging issues like birth certificates and social security numbers with a grain of salt. However, if you are concerned about government and its role in your family's lives and would love to be inspired and challenged to research more, this is a wonderful book to make you think and research for yourself what is really going on in America. Do you know what the Constitution really says or are you willing to have your life played out by others using "House Rules"? </div>
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<a href="http://www.realarkministries.org/_/Are_you_playing_by_house_rules_%28Christian_NOVEL%29.html">Buy the book here!</a></div>
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ISBN: 978-0983835967 | ASIN: B009XMDY4U| List Price: $17.99/ 9.99 in Kindle | Format: Soft cover and kindle | Page Count: 370</div>
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Or at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Are-Playing-House-Rules-ebook/dp/B009XMDY4U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351364478&sr=1-1&keywords=Are+You++playing+by+house+rules%3F">Amazon</a>.</div>
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I received a free copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.</div>
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<br />Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414023891720267265.post-3844149678674997592013-10-12T22:35:00.000-04:002013-10-12T22:35:24.562-04:00Thanksgiving Table Cloth Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/68329_4980388950952_1748071761_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/68329_4980388950952_1748071761_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was such a fun project I did last year before Thanksgiving. I had seen this idea somewhere on one of my homeschooling websites, I'm sorry but I don't remember where. But I basically went to the Goodwill and bought an old sheet in a neutral color and some fabric paint in assorted fall colors. I poured the paint onto paper plates to make it easier to apply the paint to everyone's hands and I went around the table having each child press their hand prints in the spot where they would normally sit for a meal. The ones who were old enough signed their own names, (including my silly husband.) I then took a permanent marker and wrote out the Bible verse in the center of the table cloth. "O, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34<br />
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Such a fun project and a wonderful keepsake table cloth! Looks like we'll adding some new hand prints this year too!Jennifer Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04288339761759868291noreply@blogger.com0