The Saturday Evening Post 1950: Who Will Be the First Up?

If you felt like deciding who was going to get the crying baby was a unique problem for you, here is proof it has been going on for at least 63 years. Norman Rockwell captured this age old problem. Who is going to get up and help that little tike. It makes me tired just looking at it, and I thought you may enjoy it, too!!

Courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa Farlow's Attic :)

~Julia

How Can You Encourage Someone If You Haven't Experienced the Same Situation?

I can imagine that we have all experienced situations where a friend or family member is going through something tough. While we definitely do not want to come across like we have all the answers or have it all together ourselves, we also do not want to ever believe that unless we have experienced the identical situation we cannot offer any encouragement.

Often we hear, "You just don't/can't understand." And then we think, you are right, I don't because I haven't experienced the exact scenario.  However, II Corinthians 1:3 and 4, says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

That gives us a different picture. God wants us to comfort others, not from ourselves, but through Him.

I love the verse I Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except that which is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." That means, when you are going through something tough, you are not the only one. You feel like you are alone, but many others have experienced this trial. And God will provide a way for you to go through the trial without sinning. If you look, you will be able to see God's hand.  ~Julia

Keep the Weight Off During the Holidays(or Lose!)

I found this amazing free app, MyFitnessPal. I have recently been struggling with thinking about my weight a lot. I want to fit well in my clothes, but then I get comfortable. Then I feel badly when I try on my clothes and I can't wear them without showcasing a muffin top.

MyFitnessPal allows you to weigh in each morning, track your calories throughout the day, log your water intake, and detail your excersize. Here's what I love, love, love about the calories tracker. You can scan the barcode on your food and it will pop up with all of the nutrition facts including vitamins, fiber, etc. I find scanning to be very fun.

I also realized how little water I actually drink. When trying to lose or maintain weight, working with facts is so much better than what we think we ate or drank. Pop is a total killer, but it really puts it in perspective for you.

I have really bonded with this process because if I want to eat peanut M & M's I can, but then I know I can't have supper! Some days it is worth the trade off :)

So enjoy Christmas parties, but save your calories that day and know what you are eating and drinking!!

I hope that you will give this a try with your smartphone or tablet!!! What worked for you?

~Julia

The Heavens are Singing

"Mommy! Look at all those clouds! What are all those clouds doing?" I smiled and my mind starting spinning with excitement. I was in the car, traveling to a friend's house with the kids in the back seat. My 4 year old was pointing his finger at the sky and laughing in delight. Think, think. I had to take advantage of a moment like this! He had no idea what a perfect question he had just asked.

The Heavens are singing about how great God is; and the skies are shouting it out, "See what God has made!" Day after day...night after night... They are speaking to us. (Psalm 19:1-2 Paraphrased in the Jesus Storybook Bible)

"Those clouds are saying 'Look how awesome God is!" I said, "Look how big He is!" I love how Sally Lloyd-Jones puts it in the opening words of the Jesus Storybook Bible,

God wrote, "I love you" - he wrote it in the sky, and on the earth, and under the sea. He wrote his message everywhere! Because God created everything in his world to reflect him like a mirror - to show us what he is like, to help us know him, to make our hearts sing.

Are you ready when conversations like this happen? We have so many opportunities throughout the day, to point our kids to Christ. The opportunities aren't always obvious, but they're in the little moments of life, and the big. The quiet talks, goodnight hugs, star gazing, birthday parties, tearful goodbyes, play dates and shopping trips. Look for them. The skies are shouting a message, gather your children together and listen!

Great resources for children from Sally Lloyd Jones:

        

What Do You Want For Christmas?

What do you want for Christmas? I find this to be one of the most difficult questions of the year! I did not grow up in a family that asked you what you wanted for Christmas. We weren't told Santa was a real giver of gifts, and my parents and grandparents did not have extra money to buy us whatever we wanted. So, typically gifts were made, or it was what they found to buy for you.  On special years, if you really, really wanted something it would come your way.

My husband's family operates off of lists. You think about what you would like put it on a list and you may actually get it. But that creates a whole new problem. What do you ask for? What is the price range? And what if you start to like it so much that you decide to buy it for yourself? :)
I need help!! Any suggestions? What does your Christmas List look like? ~Julia

Thank You, Lord

Lord, today we set aside an entire day to choose to be thankful. We are blessed that our nation set this day aside. We pray that we as individuals, families, and country will continue to choose to be thankful. Lord, we understand that we may not have as much as others, but help us to focus on what we do have.

Because of your sacrifice on the cross, when we accept that you are our Savior we become and will always remain sons and daughters of God.

Lord, please continue to Bless America as you have so generously done in the past. Raise a generation of Christ followers who are not ashamed to be associated with you and stand not on cultural acceptance or changing opinions, but for the truth found in your inspired Word, the Bible.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Julia and Sarah

Messy Mondays: Laundry and Sewing Room

Ok, these posts are not getting easier to do.  Why does it seem like Sarah is not contributing as much to the messy posts as I am? :) Does the scene look dreamier when I add blurred edges?  I didn't think so either.  The good part is the mess doesn't take that long to clean up. Just a day of washing, drying, folding and putting away!

The sewing area is not as easily remedieed (yes, I did check the spelling of that word).  I am working on converting all of the fabric in my storage area into something or nothing, i.e., donating it.  You can see I also needed a snack and a drink.

We hope that you are encouraged to see that not everything looks amazing at our homes all of the time. In fact we can get downright overwhelmed, but we do have fun sharing our lives with you!!

For More Messy Mondays  >>  Messy Mondays
~Julia

Messy Mondays: The Play Room

The dress up area has been my nemeses for ages.  Not because it wasn't picked up today, but this is what is looks like cleaned up!! It's the kind of thing that you don't even think about any more because it's been like this so long.

My book area is supposed to be sorted by size and be changed once a week, so the kids have a variety of books for their age.  

I don't think that has ever happened. 

Underneath this pile is a baby crib. It is a storage area for stuffed animals.  Natalie's poor baby is sleep deprived from never being able to fit.

Someday this will look better.  Happy Messy Monday to You!!  

And Happy 59th Birthday to my Mom :) ~Julia

For More Messy Mondays  >>  Messy Mondays

I Once Did Childish Things

Often we, as mother's become upset when our children do childish things. I am not talking about willful disobedience. I am talking about mistakes, poor thinking, etc.  Childish things. Like earlier this week picking up a two liter from the kitchen literally ten seconds after I put it down, only to have it dropped and sprayed all over their bedroom carpet.  I was stuck in a poor mood after my children behaved childishly. I was very irritable, and I knew it was wrong.  I was doing my best to shake it. I prayed for God to help me have patience with my children.

After 38 years in the same house, my grandparents are moving from the family farm to a house in the city today.  I received a text with a picture from my brother.  

On top of the wooden, antique pie cooling cabinet, was my printed name in marker.  I must not have been much older than my daughter is now, five, when I left my "Julia was here" impression.  (When Natalie saw it, she told me that I should have washed it off :)

I have absolutely no recollection of this event.  I can remember other things that I did at Grandma's, but I do not remember writing my name on top of the T.V. cabinet.  Why not? I do not think that my Grandparents made a big deal out of it. They recognized my poor choice as being childish, not defiant.  They didn't scold me when I spilled pop on their carpet after she advised me it wasn't a good idea to bring pop into the living room and place it on the floor.

The experience was a humbling reminder that at one time I was just as childish as my children are now. I still am in many ways. My heavenly Father is so patient with me, and does not scold me or punish me because I am an inconvenience to Him, but for my good and motivated by love for me.

My prayer for today is that, "Love one another, for Love will cover a multitude of sins." I Peter 4:8 That I would always be a source of overflowing love for my children. In my own strength, I cannot accomplish this command, but with God's help I can do all things!

~Julia

The Power of 15 Minutes: Declutter with FlyLady

FlyLady.net is a great resource if you are looking to clean your house and don't know where to start!! She has an idea everyday, and a weekly/monthly plan. In this video, I will show you my favorite concept of hers.

The song that seemed appropriate: "Working In a Coal Mine".  Cleaning may not be quite that bad, but let's just say it's not my favorite :)

Another great resource for picking where to start is at this link RedflyCreations.

~Julia

This is guaranteed to make you LAUGH!!!

Often I struggle with the mundane aspects of my life. Instead of having fun, I sometimes just focus on the part that is boring or an inconvenience. So today, when I was preparing Jude for a bath, and just thinking how nice it was that he hadn't peed on me lately. He did right then. By the time I realized what was happening, my jeans were wet, my tennis shoes were wet, the floor was wet, and my hand that I tried to use to block the steady stream was wet. So, I looked on my iPhone camera and here is what I found.

My kids are a joy, and I am blessed to spend time with them.  (Even if I do have to repeat that to myself more than once a day :) My kids are not in the way of what I need to do, they are what I need to do. Sometimes I need to refocus and realize what my real priorities are!

~Julia

Change is Good

I LOVE Change! Did you hear me? Seriously, I love it! Changing my hairstyle, a new color of paint on the wall, fresh sheets on a bed, rearranging  the furniture, swapping out something old for something new (or something new for something old). I realized today for the first time, that my favorite season is... the changing of the season! I love living in Michigan where we experience four very unique and wonderful seasons of change. Just when you're getting tired of one thing, wallah: something new! The changing of seasons got me thinking, how at a very young age I learned to embrace change as an exciting opportunity for a fresh start. I've moved enough in my life to thank the Lord for blessing me with this kind of an outlook.  

Now, I know not everyone is as excited about change as I am. Many people appreciate things that are familiar, comfortable and safe. Don't get me wrong, I'm also a HUGE fan of commitment to the important things: one spouse, one church family, kids, responsibilities, etc. I'm all about peace in the home, routines and structure. But there is no talking me out of the fact that change can be very refreshing. 

The kind of change I am most psyched about? Growth! I love seeing growth in a persons life that is so evident, you have to notice! I love seeing the process of change that takes place, from the old to the new, when someone begins living their life for Christ. Just as exciting, is seeing a person that has been saved for years, continue to grow and mature. I want growth in my life to be evident. I don't want to get stuck or complacent. Change is good.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Ephesians 4:22-24 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Colossians 2:6-7 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

In the Beginning God Created

Bill Nye, popular as The Science Guy, has come out with a YouTube Video saying, "Denial of evolution is unique to the United States." 

"In another couple centuries I'm sure that worldview won't even exist. There's no evidence for it. "

We all believe in something...and we all get to choose what that something is. Bill Nye believes in evolution. I believe in God.

Ken Ham with Answers in Genesis has devoted his life to refuting evolutionism. He has developed and built The Creation Museum in Kentucky.

A well written article may be found here stating that in a recent gallup poll 46% of Americans believe in Creation by God. That amazes me since evolution is the only view taught in public schools. Praise God ~Julia

Olympic Opening Ceremonies Remembering the 11 Murdered Israeli Olympians from 1972

Bob Costas

We want to remember the Israeli athletes and coaches who were specifically targeted, taken hostage and murdered by terrorists. This happened before I was born, but if we fail to learn from history we are doomed to repeat it. The Olympic Committee has decided not to honor these athletes with a one minute moment of silence during the opening ceremonies on the 40th anniversary of their death. This decision is being met with resistance. NBC's Bob Costas has raised opposition and said that during his coverage he is going to observe a minute of silence in honor of the eleven Israelis.

Here is the beginning of their tragic account.

During the Munich Games in 1972, security was especially lax around the Olympic Village. Germany wanted to present a different picture of themselves than the militant 1936 Berlin Olympics. While Israeli officials expressed concerns over the security, little was done to shield the athletes.

On the evening of September 4, 1972, while most athletes slept, eight terrorists entered the Olympic Village by climbing the fence with some help from unknowing Canadian athletes. They found the Israeli's apartments and used stolen keys to enter.

"Yossef Gutfreund, a wrestling referee, was awakened by a faint scratching noise at the door of Apartment 1, which housed the Israeli coaches and officials. When he investigated, he saw the door begin to open and masked men with guns on the other side. He shouted a warning to his sleeping roommates and threw his nearly 300 lb. (135 kg) weight against the door in a futile attempt to stop the intruders from forcing their way in. Gutfreund's actions gave his roommate, weightlifting coach Tuvia Sokolovsky, enough time to smash a window and escape. Wrestling coach Moshe Weinberg fought the intruders, who shot him through his cheek and then forced him to help them find more hostages. Leading the kidnappers past Apartment 2, Weinberg lied to the kidnappers by telling them that the residents of the apartment were not Israelis. Instead, Weinberg led them to Apartment 3, where the gunmen corralled six wrestlers and weightlifters as additional hostages. It is possible that Weinberg hoped that the stronger men would have a better chance of fighting off the attackers, but they were all surprised in their sleep.

As the athletes from Apartment 3 were marched back to the coaches' apartment, the wounded Weinberg again attacked the kidnappers, allowing one of his wrestlers, Gad Tsobari, to escape via the underground parking garage.^[24] The burly Weinberg knocked one of the intruders unconscious and slashed another with a fruit knife before being shot to death. Weightlifter Yossef Romano, a veteran of the Six-Day War, also attacked and wounded one of the intruders before being shot and killed.

An Actual Terrorist from the 1972 Olympic Attack

The gunmen were left with nine hostages. They were, in addition to Gutfreund, sharpshooting coach Kehat Shorr, track and field coach Amitzur Shapira, fencing master Andre Spitzer, weightlifting judge Yakov Springer, wrestlers Eliezer Halfin and Mark Slavin, and weightlifters David Berger and Ze'ev Friedman. Gutfreund, physically the largest of the hostages, was bound to a chair (Groussard describes him as being tied up like a mummy); the rest were lined up four apiece on the two beds in Springer and Shapira's room, and bound at the wrists and ankles and then to each other. Romano's bullet-riddled corpse was left at his bound comrades' feet as a warning.

Of the other members of Israel's team, racewalker Prof. Shaul Ladany had been jolted awake in Apartment 2 by Gutfreund's screams and escaped by jumping off a balcony and running through the rear yard of the building. The other four residents of Apartment 2 (sharpshooters Henry Hershkowitz and Zelig Stroch, and fencersDan Alon and Yehuda Weisenstein), plus Chef De Mission Shmuel Lalkin and the two team doctors, managed to hide and later fled the besieged building. The two female members of Israel's Olympic team, sprinter and hurdler Esther Roth-Shahamorov and swimmer Shlomit Nir, were housed in a separate part of the Olympic Village and were not taken hostages. Three more members of Israel's Olympic team, two sailors and their manager, were housed in Kiel, 550 miles (900 km) from Munich.

The assassins were subsequently reported to be part of the Palestinian fedayeen from refugee camps in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. They were identified as Luttif Afif (Issa), the leader (three of Issa's brothers were also reportedly members of Black September, two of them in Israeli jails), his deputy Yusuf Nazzal (Tony), and junior members Afif Ahmed Hamid (Paolo), Khalid Jawad (Salah), Ahmed Chic Thaa (Abu Halla), Mohammed Safady (Badran), Adnan Al-Gashey (Denawi), and his cousin Jamal Al-Gashey (Samir). According to author Simon Reeve, Afif, Nazzal and one of their confederates had all worked in various capacities in the Olympic Village, and had spent a couple of weeks scouting out their potential target. A member of the Uruguayan Olympic delegation, which shared housing with the Israelis, claims that he found Nazzal actually inside 31 Connollystraße less than 24 hours before the attack, but since he was recognized as a worker in the Village, nothing was thought of it at the time. The other members of the hostage-taking group entered Munich via train and plane in the days before the attack. All of the members of the Uruguay and Hong Kong Olympic teams, which also shared the building with the Israelis, were released unharmed during the crisis." 

For more information Click Here

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose."

We can have confidence and trust in our Heavenly Father despite the circumstances.

~Julia

Hubba-Hubba: A Modesty Story

Is anyone tired of hearing about modesty? No? OK then!

I have a short story to share for this installment of Modesty Monday. It's a true story, but the names have been changed to protect the innocent :)

"Sarah!" my friend Michelle exclaimed. "I am so excited to show you what I found on clearance at Target today! I got a ton of cute dresses that are all super modest!" Alright, I thought to myself, let's take a look here. Michelle held up the first dress. "That's really cute!" I said. "I know," Michelle began. "Here's the thing, I have so much to learn. I think my mom kind of gave up on me years ago, because she never really told me what it meant to dress modestly. I've had it wrong all this time. For example, I tried on a lot of dresses today. There were a few that I really, really liked. But when I came out of the dressing room, my boyfriend Mark was like 'hubba hubba' then he was like, 'you shouldn't wear that.' And it totally hit me for the first time; I shouldn't be wearing things that make him say 'hubba hubba!' "That's right" I laughed. "The only time you should be wearing something that makes a man say 'hubba hubba' is when he is your husband and you are alone together!"


Everything else you ever wanted to read on the topic of modesty: I <3 Modesty

Modesty Monday is Here Again...

Happy Modesty Monday! Here I am again, reminding everyone to give some thought to what they are wearing! I warned you all I'd be back to talk about this every single Monday this Summer, right? Well, here's my tip for the day:

Pull your shirt up. I know it totally depends on how you are built. I just so happen to be small in the shoulder area but bigger every where else.... I like to buy larger shirts so they don't cling to stuff in unflattering ways (yes, love handles), but when I buy things bigger, they always end up hanging too low up top or looking too baggy.



Can I remind you all out there in blog land, that clothes off the rack were never meant to fit every body type! No need to get down on yourself, there is a reason you may have a difficult time finding things that flatter or fit right. Clothes produced for the mass retail store are just that, mass produced to fit the "standard" human. Whatever "standard" human may be. Celebrities and people with money have personal stylists and tailors that design clothes specifically for their bodies, and alter things to fit them perfectly and in the most flattering way. If you can learn just a few simple sewing techniques (like, hemming up a pant leg, adding stitches here and there), you too can have custom fit clothing! When in doubt, I buy the larger size dress or bathing suit that I know is going to cover everything I want covered, then I alter it to fit.

It's pretty much standard protocol for me to take my straps up. I usually do so in the non-professional, fastest possible way. Quick and easy! I do a little number like this:

Turn garment inside out and determine how much you want to take up
Sew a seam straight across the strap

This is what it will look like. The access material will be on the inside.
If the fabric is too bulky, I will trim this off or sew it flat against the back of the shirt.

Bonus: This is a dress my husband picked up for me at a thrift store! Score!
But the straps are too long and the neck is too low.

I took the seam out that was holding the straps in place,
then took them up and sewed them back in place.

I also made a nifty little panel that I sewed in place right here!

Oh, what's that? You love talking about modest? Just can't get enough? Well, check out our other posts on the topic of modesty, right here: I <3 Modesty 

Fifty Shades of Compromise

Where do you draw the line? I have been shocked by the number of people, facebook friends and family members alike, that have referenced or admitted to reading the Fifty Shades of Grey books. I really was pretty unaware of this series until just recently. Where have I been?? Now, I am seeing it pop up everywhere! 

This isn't so much a book review, as it is a personal rant on how and why books like this even get so popular! Scroll down to the bottom for some links to actual reviews. In case you didn't know, 50 Shades of Grey has been on the New York Times Best Sellers list for the past 16 weeks and has sold an estimated 20 million copies worldwide.

The world is corrupt, it's messed up. Duh. There was some really twisted stuff going on way back in ancient Rome too, which reminds me that sin is nothing new. For some reason, America has prospered and enjoyed God's hand of protection for many years. I'm not here to claim that the end is near or preach a dooms day message, but our country is changing. There are agendas being pushed that have drastically altered our way of life and the overall opinion of many Americans. This book series is just a piece in the sexual agenda that has only intensified over the years, now to the point of blatantly disturbing. 

There have been plenty of sexually charged movies and books released over the years that have helped pave the way. Singers like Rhianna can now release songs like S&M (and in case you don't get the song, you can watch the video!), which are met with chart topping success rather than disgust and horror. Because Magic Mike will, no doubt, be viewed by countless housewives, teen girls and grandmothers across the country this month, I believe we're well on our way to becoming completely comfortable and accepting of this sort of explicitally sexual entertainment directed at women. 

On the other hand, maybe there is something more we can learn from this! Is there something else going on in the hearts and minds of women across the country that books like 50 Shades of Grey are getting at? I just read an interesting take on this in a blog post written by Melissa Kircher, a frequent writer for Relevant Magazine and Simply Youth Ministry:

There has got to be something going on below the surface, because everything that women say they want, like equality in the workplace, home, finances, etc, is not in this book at all! Western society is doing it's d***dest to erase any kind of gender roles. Yet, here we are with a misogynistic, degrading novel and women can't put it down...

I do think that "Fifty Shades of Grey" hits a nerve in women. That perhaps there is some part of us that is disappointed and frankly exhausted from having to be a million and one different things. We would love to let go and have a man completely be in control, take care of everything and love us with the all-encompassing passionate love...

Does it sound ridiculous to conclude, that the lack of real men, the blurring of gender roles, the fight for women's equality and desire to do it all, has created this emptiness and driving need for something else in the lives of women across the country? A desire for the leadership of a man, maybe (that most woman would never actually admit to because it would contradict everything women have been fighting for all this time)? Could it be possible? Well, I'm not going to go there right now. Maybe another time. But think about it! :)

Shannon Ethridge, author of Every Woman's Battle, refers to this sexually charged shift in our culture as the Sexual Revolution of the Past 40+ Years. She defines this by saying, 

The Sexual Revolution actually isn’t about sex at all. It’s about broken people using other people, desperately trying to medicate their own emotional pain through sexual acts. It’s about loneliness… isolation… rejection… insecurities… co-dependency… selfishness.

Shannon is working on a book entitled The Fantasy Fallacy: A Christians Response to 50 Shades of Grey set to be released in 2013. Check out www.shannonethridge.com for all the great resources Shannon has put out on women's purity and guarding your heart. 

As girls, our minds are powerful things. Guys are visually drawn to pornography, while we are swept away on emotional fantasies and longings of our heart. Soap Operas and romance novels have long been a woman's emotional disconnect into this fantasy world. Personally, I have to be selective and practice moderation even when it comes to "christian" romance novels. Anytime I find myself lost in a book that glamorizes the leading man or makes me long for the perfectly scripted love life of the main character, I am reminded how quickly I can grow discontent with my own life and relationship in the real world. These books, however, take your average romance novel a step further by making their primary purpose; to stimulate sexual desire. 

Read Fifty Ways Porn Might be Sneaking into Your Church for a great list of biblical reasons not to read Fifty Shades of Grey. Dannah Gresh opens with this number one reason for not reading:

Let’s start with the facts. Fifty Shades of Grey is classified as erotic fiction. According to one online dictionary, this genre of literature is defined as that which has “no literary or artistic value other than to stimulate sexual desire.” I’ve been studying what God says about sexuality for fifteen years. According to Him, there is only one who should stimulate sexual desire in me: my husband. Since that’s God’s plan for my sexual desire, anything other than my husband creating arousal in me would be missing the mark of God’s intention. (Translation: it is sin.)

Jesus said it this way: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” The same is true of a woman looking at or reading about a man.

Fifty Shades of Grey...Lady Porn and the Fall of Culture is another good blog post I recently read about Fifty Shades of Grey. Read here, an interesting conversation the author overhears while hovering over the book table at Costco:

One conversation in particular rattled me. A younger woman was holding the book [Fifty Shades] and pondering the purchase. She had an inquisitive and slightly guilty look on her face. An older women standing nearby happened to see the same inquisitive and guilty look and decided to engage the younger lady in conversation. . . . a conversation that pushed the latter to a tipping point. "Thinking about reading it?", the older woman asked. "Yes, but I hear it's a little dirty," the younger woman replied. At that point, the young woman's husband appeared behind her with their cart. Noticing her husband was now privy to the conversation, the young woman turned a little red and muttered something about her husband showing up. . . as if the conversation needed to come to an end. She looked like a guilty kid who had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. The older woman. . . probably in her mid-60s by my estimation. . . looked at her, gave her a little wink, and said, "It's ten dollars well spent." With that, the young woman placed the book in her cart. . . . and I watched her exchange a sly little smile with her husband. That was an interesting mentoring moment that says a lot about who we are and what we're becoming as a culture.

This is a loaded topic. As I have been scanning the internet for reviews and reading what other bloggers have to say, there is no denying that everyone wants to know the same thing: why, oh, why are these books so popular with women??!! For real, why the obsession, ladies? I have a feeling this question could be analyzed and debated till no end. What do you think and where do you draw the line?

Childhood Eczema and Seasonal Allergies

Taylor turned 4 years old this past May. About the time he had completely transitioned onto solid foods, he started having a lot of skin issues and flair ups of a red, itchy rash that would eventually split open and turn into open wounds all over his body. He also demonstrated what seemed like digestive issues and loss of apatite. He was always congested, and had watery, glazed over eyes. He would also go through periods of time with an extremely runny nose and sneezing fits which would result in bloody noses every night. We began researching what could be causing his issues, and thus, the long journey of allergy testing and experimenting with different medications began. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mayo Clinic: Milk Allergy

Mayo Clinic: Food Allergies

Mayo Clinic: Eczema

Mayo Clinic: General Allergies

Childhood Allergies

Dr Sears: Eczema and Allergies

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

Raising Bullies

I have to admit, I've remained a bit synical with regard to the rise of anti-bullying campaigns infiltrating every media outlet, school and social circle you run into these days. I can't help but feel like it's nothing more than a fad. Take it with a grain of salt because for every 3 kids that are finding support and help to rise up against legitimate bullying, 2 other kids are going home and getting their parents all worked up because they were supposedly bullied at school (when in reality, it was a simple misunderstanding between friends or a immature boy saying the girl's feet stink). Bullies have always been around, most of us could say at some point in our childhood we were bullied by someone. So why all the hype and attention to it now, I ask.

Then I watch videos like this of Karen H. Klein, and I am reminded how desensitized and hateful many kids have become. This may not be the way it is everywhere, and not every kid is going to run into a situation like this in their lifetime, but it is a growing problem. The bullying of today is way more raw and hate filled then the bullying that went on in years past. No one can deny this. There was a day when the worst you would be called at school was "four eyes" or "chicken legs" but now, elementary age kids are throwing expletives in with those phrases and adding things like "i'm going to slit your throat" (yes, I've heard this first hand). This is not just happening in inner-city schools or areas of the country with higher crime rates. It's also happening in small towns and private schools across the nation.

Kids have become way too callused by the exposure they are getting in the media and through video games. Parents are continually becoming more disconnected and withdrawn from their kids and way more lenient in holding them to any kind of a standard. I was shocked and horrified the other day when I watched a grandmother and her two grandsons (who looked no more than 3 and 4 years old), sit down next to us in the theater for the Avengers. It was a movie my husband and I were excited to watch, but not something I would ever think appropriate for a 4 year old! If kids are already watching violence like that at 4, it's no wonder how they can move on to video games like The Call of Duty, and not be phased by it's graphic nature at all. Why are we so shocked when stuff like that starts playing out in the way kids treat other kids their own age, or in the case of Karen, adults?

With all the traffic being directed to our site due to these Karen Klein updates, I wanted to make sure we had something positive to provide on the topic of bullying. We are obviously a Christian site (you may not have known that when you first dropped in), but everything we do and write about is based on biblical principles. I want to leave you with some basic thoughts on this from scripture and some links to further faith-based, bullying resources. Because ultimately, the campaign against bullying has to start at home. Kids need to be taught respect for one another and for authority. What are you doing now to make sure your kids do not become bullies themselves?

Some simple things you can do: teach them respect for authority, don't use vulgar language yourself, model respect for others, do not put others down or make fun of people (especially in front of your kids!), serve along side your kids at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, model godly character and love for the outcasts and unpopular, teach your kids to stand up for what is right, teach your kids to help one another out and come to the aid of those in need, teach them to not follow the crowd when it entails having fun at someone else's expense, equip them with the knowledge of what to do when they are in trouble or see someone hurting, show them how to call for help or go to the authorities, encourage them to speak up.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is for building others up 

Eph. 4:29

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone 

Romans 12:18

Do to others what you would have them do to you 

Matthew 17:12

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you 

Luke 6:27-28

Other Faith Based Bullying Resources:

The Protectors

Focus on the Family: Bullying

Update: Help and Support for Karen H Klein Bullied Bus Monitor

Karen H Klein has gone viral. Even though nine years of salary and counting has been given to her, Karen says she isn't planning on quitting her job.

Here's what ABC News is reporting

The 10-minute video of Klein’s abuse has been viewed more than 1 million times and sparked a fundraising appeal in hopes of giving Klein a vacation and possibly getting her off the bus permanently.

As of early this morning, a petition posted on indiegogo.com indicated that more than $110,000 was donated to a fund for Klein, far overreaching the expected $5,000 with 30 days still to go in the online campaign. Of the more than 18,000 comments posted on YouTube, most appeared to uniformly condemn the students’ behavior.

“It does make me feel a whole lot better,” Klein said of the positive reaction. “I appreciated everything. I think it’s awesome.”

Police have interviewed four of the students, but no arrests have been made. The Greece school district said its bullying team is investigating, and the students will be disciplined.

The father of one of the teenage boys who was involved in the bullying says his “heart broke” to see that his son was part of the abuse, but that the boys have suffered enough with their faces made public in the video.

“My family’s received death threats,” Robert Helms told ABC News. “He’s a 13-year-old kid. It was a stupid mistake and he’s paying for it but I just think it’s a little out of control.”

What do you think?

~Julia




View Our original article:

Help and Support for Bullied Bus Monitor: Karen Klein




A Biblical Response to Bullying:

Raising Bullies