That's Weird!!

Yesterday, I found myself at a Heath Foods Store, called Greatest Grains on Earth, looking for some Brown Mustard Seeds to make Mustard for my family! While I was there I found some Chia Seeds. These sweet little seeds have had me searching for quite some time!!!! Packed full of protein, fiber and healthy fats, these seeds are tiny, but pack a super punch!!! You can add them to smoothies, bread, rolls, granola bars (or mustard...unless that's too weird).  You can research their benefits by clicking HERE, Fox News explains them perfectly!

Another, what I feel, secret that I found was Organic Bananas!!! I had to eat one right away, mainly because they looked horribly intimidating to me because I've been brainwashed to thinking bananas are actually bright yellow, so my brain kept thinking something was wrong with these. The first bite was firm and delicious! My husband is NOT a banana eater, but he LOVED these!!!! The taste was incomparable to a non-organic banana! I'm not sure what all those companies are doing and what I've been eating all these years, but they are not bananas.

It made me want to research these little fruits and find out what makes the taste and color so different! What I found was shocking! I mean, I always knew they had "stuff" on them, but never to the extent of what I found!

By eating Organic, this is what you're saving from entering your body: (In order by most to least percentage in a single banana) Below info was found HERE.

• 63% Thiabendazole (Toxin can cause Developmental or Reproductive problems and is a probable Carcinogen)
• 26% Imazalil (Toxin can cause Developmental or Reproductive problems and is a probably Carcinogen)
• 7.4% 5-Hydroxythiabendazole
• 4.2% Azoxystrobin 
• 2.0% o-Phenylphenol (Known Carcinogen, Causes Developmental or Reproductive problems and is a suspected Hormone Disruptor)
• 1.5% Pyrimethanil (Suspected Hormone Disruptor, Possible Carcinogen, Slight Bee Toxins)
• 1.1% Oxamyl oxime 
• 0.4% Chlorpyrifos (Contains Neurotoxins, Hormone Disruptor, and has High Bee Toxins)
• 0.3% Myclobutanil (Causes Developmental or Reproductive problems and Hormone Disruptor)
• 0.2% Bitertanol (Hormone Disruptor)
• 0.2% Carbendazim (MBC) (Hormone Disruptor, Slight Bee Toxins and Possible Carcinogen)
• 0.1% Carbaryl (Contains Neurotoxins, Causes Developmental or Reproductive problems, has High Bee Toxins, Hormone Disruptor, Probable Carcinogen)

To sum it all up, in every banana, you are putting 7 suspected Hormone Disruptors, 5 Developmental or Reproductive Toxins, 4 Known or Probable Carcinogens, 2 Neurotoxins and 2 Honeybee Toxins (which mainly effect the environment) --->> How CRAZY is that!!??!! All these pesticides don't even account for the amount of radiation in our fruit (radiation is to keep our fruit nice, bright, yellow and appealing! Is it really that important to peel a bright yellow or dingy yellow banana??)

I understand that buying Organic isn't feasible for everyone as it is a little pricier, but if you can...DO!! Those toxins are just bananas, what about strawberries, apples, carrots, lettuce!!! We wonder why our children are hitting puberty sooner and why Cancer is running around like a Terrorist!! We can change our lives and our children's by distilling healthy eating habits in us now!!

If you can't buy ALL Organic, here is a list of FRUITS from Highest to Lowest Pesticide Load:

• Peaches
• Apples
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Grapes
• Pears
• Raspberries
• Plums
• Oranges
• Tangerine
• Cantaloupe
• Lemon
• Honeydew
• Grapefruit
• Watermelon 
• Blueberries

VEGETABLES from Highest to Lowest Pesticide Load:

• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Green Beans
• Hot Peppers
• Cucumbers
• Cauliflower
• Mushrooms
• Winter Squash
• Tomatoes
• Sweet Potatoes

As far as MEAT goes, I would recommend getting meat from a farmer who raises their cows free of antibiotics, no added hormones or human growth hormones. These animals are typically raised more ethically and humanely as well.

My curiosity sparked with a single banana and it led to so much more! I'm grateful that I purchased that banana and I cannot envision buying another non-organic fruit or feeding it to the ones God has entrusted me to take care of!! Some things, I won't be able to help, but this I can!!

Now that you know, what are you going to do??

I could NEVER do that!

"He who calls you is faithful, He will surely do it." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:24

One phrase, as a homeschooling momma, that I hear most is, "Good for you for homeschooling, but I could 'Never' do that!"  Today, I received one of those comments and it got me thinking about my "Never"!

My oldest son went to Kindergarten and I had a heart as any other mom did: Sadness, happiness, anxiety... I LOVED his teacher and so did he! We are still friends and I value her wisdom! My son eventually had a bully on the bus :( You know that moment when they've been hiding in tears as to not get made fun of, but as soon as they see momma they just can't hold them back anymore?! Yeah, that was when God started working!

I contacted the school and the bus facility... it got a little better, but it didn't stop! I kept thinking, talking, praying, seeking and researching homeschooling. I didn't want to do it! I kept telling God all the reasons I couldn't do it... I don't have a degree in education, I haven't held a job in years, all my friends will be kid-free, I don't know anyone else who home schools! 

The Superintendent and I talked and worked out a part time schedule (as I still couldn't quit arguing with God that He actually knew more than me, hmmm). Tuesdays and Thursdays I had my boys! Both of their teachers were amazing and very supportive! Around November I caved! The boys finished the semester, wrote Thank You notes to the teachers and they gave them time in class to say, "Bye!" It was perfect, except now I didn't know what to do!

Luckily, I had a few friends that home schooled and a wonderful support group. I later joined a homeschool coop, which we attend every week and is one of the biggest blessings in my life.

My oldest doesn't love his math, but he's over a year advanced and loves to write, read and spell! My second struggles with reading, but is also over a year advanced in math and loves to draw and get creative. My daughter is sassy and smart! We have time to focus on what my kids love, they all three have a lesson a week and it doesn't take away a single evening of family time. We foster children and see our friends many times through the week. We serve others, go on a field trip at least once a month and spend lots of time outdoors.

I said, "I would never homeschool" too, but now God has showed me that my never wasn't His! It's funny the things He calls us to do. If we always got to do what we were the best at, than when would we ever lean on Him?! He has shown me that no degree or job teaches my child, it's the love that teaches them. It's God and how He uses me and guides me in training them for life. My prayer is that I listen!!

I pray I argue less with God in the future, but I take comfort in knowing that He knows when we will and when we need a little extra push!

God has called me to a road less travelled and I am grateful that He did!

"For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." ~Luke 12:12

Question?...

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance ~ Proverbs 1:5



I am sitting here with my husband after finishing up at a graduation party for a sweet high school girl and answered lots of questions about our foster children (which I LOVE to do!) I would much rather people ask, then sit and wonder! So, if you're curious, please ask :) I have decided to pull together, from memory, a list of questions that have been asked over the months! Enjoy :)


Q: Why did you decide to foster instead of just adopting?
A: We originally decided to adopt, so I called the agency to find out more about the process! She sent me information and in that packet, I seen a brochure about foster care. I called back to ask more and she filled me in on how Illinois only uses foster families and they are in GREAT need! Then, she said they had just turned away 3 week old twin baby girls! My heart sank! I called Dan and we decided to go in and talk more details...the rest is history!


Q: What is the process of becoming licensed like?
A: Starts off with a 13 week session of classes (3 hours each). You can choose between one per week from 6:00-9:00 pm or two a days (Saturday from 9-4 with an hour lunch) or two per week in the evening! There is also a required background check, fingerprinting, reference checks, three house visits, measurements and questions! During the sessions, you will have homework every week!


Q: How much does it cost?
A: Nothing! Our children need YOU and our state knows that!!! Good families are hard to find for these children who can't call a home a "home"!


Q: How many bedrooms do you need and how big?
A: Bedroom number and size depends on how many kids you wish to become licensed for! We are licensed for three at a time, we have three kids of our own and we have three bedrooms!! Each child requires 40 square feet each! Siblings of opposite sex can share a room under age 6, then need to be separated. We have a boys room and a girls room (4 boys and 2 girls)


Q: How long will you have him? Will you keep him?
A: The way the "system" works is based on 6 month increments, on court dates. Every 6 months, the mom/dad is reevaluated and the judge decides if the child will stay with the foster parent or return home. Our life with these children is based on 6 months at a time. I have the outlook that they will return home (as I sincerely do hope their parents get help and better), but if that were to change and the child was a good fit for our family...YES, we would have the choice to adopt!


Q: How do your kids feel about it?
A: We talked to our kids a lot before we decided to take this step and we are very open with them along the way. They love and have bonded very well to the children that have passed through our home. Elli has shown the biggest struggle with sharing momma more when a new kid comes, but after a few days, it balances out! I just have to make sure to shower the same attention and love on all my kids :) 


Q: How can you do it, love and release?
A: I think all parents release (to an extent) at some point in your children's lives. Letting go and praying that they keep their hearts turned to God! It's sorta the same for us! We have to let these kids go! We pray they have seen God when they were here and we pray they felt loved, but if they pass on from our home, we know their time with us was precious and valued. We pray for the children and their families. I know, as a momma, how hard it would be to not have your babies...so we pray! Another comfort that we have is knowing that God loves each of these kids far more than their birth parents, foster parents or respite care takers. He loves them SO much!!! That's where my strength lies!


Q: Why do you just have some kids for just a couple days?
A: That is respite care (babysitting provided by the state). We babysit kids due to foster parents going on vacation and one just needed a break! A respite provider is usually given second choice to adopt a child (if foster parents decline). Believe it or not, not all foster parents want to adopt!


Q: Can you strictly adopt out of the foster care program?
A: YES!!!!!!! Yes, you can! There is quite a substantial waiting list of children! Visit: AdoptUsKids to view the children who are waiting for a home!! 


This is just a few "off-the-top" questions that came to mind as I am writing, if you have one that's not listed, please ask! I do hope I answered some questions on this topic and hope you act on that nudge you may be feeling.


If you're reading this and you're simply just interested...you never know where or how God may use this knowledge :) My learning has definitely increased and I have heard the cry! Do you?

A Continuously Changing Family

And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. ~Matthew 18:5


A lot has changed in the past few months in my life and I feel ready to start blogging it again! In October 2011, we got our Foster Parent License in the mail thinking, "Great! What next?" A month later, this happened!

"Ring, Ring" "Ring, Ring"

Me: "Hello!"
Amber: "Hi Kisha! How are you?"
Me: "Good, thanks!"
Amber: "Well, we have a child for you!"
Me: *Shocked and speachless at how fast...* "Okay..."
Amber: "He is two days old, his name is Ziekeal. He is African American and will be ready in about two hours." "Do you need to call Dan and talk about it?"
Me: "I know that Dan and I are here for this reason and we would love to have him in our home!"
Amber: "Sounds good. Meet me in two hours!

At that moment, I hung up and called Dan and then three good friends who provided everything I needed in those short two hours! Blessings indeed. In the next weeks I received an abundance for this sweet baby!

He is now over 6 months old, just cut two bottom teeth, started on baby food and loves to laugh, sleep, eat and poop! He is a joy and we are so blessed for saying, "Yes!" to that phone call on November 14, 2011! What a blessing!

In the weeks to follow, we had two other children come into our home (a brother and sister) and in the months to follow we had a 6 year old boy come through our home! In 6 months, we had 5 children pass through our home, some multiple times, one long term and one short term, but they each have left an impression.

I have seen the first hand need of foster parents or adoptive parents to adopt out of the foster system. These sweet kids are confused, unsure and probably scared, but they all have one thing in common...they all need love and routine! If your heart is even thinking about this area, I urge you to talk to someone you know, myself or call an agency!

One thing my husband and I have said from the beginning is, "Whatever the reason or the length of stay, every child who walks into our home will feel loved!" It's a simple concept we all know to well! I can't tell you how many times I hear, "It would be so hard, I could never do that (you know, love a child, care for a child with the very good possibility they will return home)" I can assure you that is not me, Dan or our family...It is God! He has softened and opened our hearts to children and we have faith that He will not leave us when the time comes for a child to return home. He has been with us thus far and I can assure you that we have needed and leaned on Him many times for comfort, peace and understanding!

I do know that God does not lay these lifestyles on the hearts of every family, but I do know there are some who are nervous to get started, scared, too many questions, etc. Just ask :)

Oh, and how do our kids feel about it? Ask them! I can tell you that I have never been more proud of my boys then seeing them take these younger kids under their wing! From holding their hands in a parking lot to wrapping their arm around them on a carnival ride! Seeing those moments gives me peace! I used to say, "I pray my kids have a passion for children when they are older!" But, it's funny...I already see it!!!


I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! ~ Matthew 25:40

Milk Art

So... The other day we had a fun milk experiment! We did this in the Spring with Cream and Skim milk (it did work a little better) and we decided to do it again! What kid doesn't have fun playing in something that would otherwise not be allowed?!

The above ingredients include:

(2) 9x13 pans (or however many different forms of milk you decide to use)

Different forms of milk. I.E. Whole, Skim, Cream, Half & Half, 1%, 2%, Soy, Almond, etc.

Food Coloring

Toothpicks or Q-Tips

What you do:

1. Pour milk into the 9x13 pans (If I would have been better prepared, I would have had one pan per child so each one could make their very own design).



2. Drop a few drops, of each color, into the milk and have the kids design the milk. Stop after every couple of minutes to discuss why each one is so different.



Yes, our chickens and turkeys are definitely a part of our family! If we are outside, they are following closely behind like a dog :) We love it!



The many swirls of colored milk.



Then, take paper and lay that over the top of the design! This is what we came up with! We, then, compared the different designs with the milk they were dipped into. The center was the Whole milk and the two outer were the Skim. You can clearly see the better of the two! After cleaning up, I baked the paper in the microwave for 30 seconds to dry it!

This experiement had no major learning curve or Einstein form of brain work, but it was MAJOR fun and we did learn a few things! Here they are:

We learned that the thicker the milk, the better it holds the design

We learned that moving the toothpicks quickly through the milk, mixed the color rather than swirled it.

We learned the further you held the Food Coloring from the milk, the bigger the splatter of color it made.

We learned that carrying a 9x13 pan is easy and so is carrying a jug of milk, but carrying the 9x13 pan filled with milk is quite difficult...Hmmm?! That was a thinker!

We learned that depending on how you poured out the milk, made a difference in the rainbow of colors it left behind on the bottom of the pan.

Having fun without making it a major, stressful, organized agenda can be lots of fun and very memmorable.

I really enjoy these days!

Hard Hats, Elevators & Rooftops...

Today was memorable! I'm not sure who enjoyed it more...me or the kids :)

My husband is a Lineman and was able to pull a few strings to get us a field trip. We got to go see how Electricity is actually made! From the coal coming off the train to the steam to the ash! It was neat to see it all in action.



We were able to invite a few friends along with us and their children. One of the moms said to me, "This will be remembered far longer than the same thing read in a text book." I'm so blessed to be able to give these memories to my children! Not to mention the generosity we received from the Plant Manager and Service Manager! They, literally, took us everywhere they could. We seen offices, stair cases, elevators, an antique 1925 Boiler and vintage house meters.

With us three moms and our 9 kids, we just followed in amazement. Like these little tidbits:

Did you know...The left over water and steam is pumped into a pond where the ash is settled, then the water is filtered and put back into the Mississippi. The water goes back in better than they found it.

Did you know...The ash that settles on the bottom of that pond is gathered and shipped down to a concrete business to use as fill for roads, sidewalks, etc.

Did you know...This plant uses low sulfur coal that's shipped in from Wyoming. Illinois coal has a 2% Sulfur level and Wyoming coal has 0.3% Sulfur level.

Did you know...Mid American Generating Plant has the best and longest record for safety.

Did you know...This generating plant was the largest West of the Mississippi until the mid 70's.



My children were able to see the coal being ground up into a powder form. They were able to see it being dumped in the lines that took it to the boiler. They seen the boilers, seen the fire inside that was a raging 2,500 degrees. They seen the steam stacks, the master control room and lots of buttons and gadgets. This is a day that I know will never be forgotten. The great part is...it's only the beginning... It's the beginning of the year, the beginning of their life ahead. So many more exploring adventures that are ahead of us. Oh...AND THE BEST PART OF THE FIELD TRIP: HARD HATS, ELEVATORS AND ROOFTOPS!!!!!
Speaking of that rooftop, we got to go up on it!


What a gorgeous view!! We were overlooking the Mississippi River! It was beautiful! We were standing right next to the smoke stack that you could see miles and miles away!



Up on the rooftop we also gotto see a train unloading the coal. There was a tractor out there on that huge mound of coal. He was levelling it out as the train slowly pushed along. The coal then goes into this huge elevator and makes it's way through the process. It was quite neat to see all the coal that goes into giving us our lights! What a neat process!


What adventures have you been on lately? Any adventures in your own yard?

Homeschooling Fun with Homemade Puffy Paint

Homeschooling holds a very special place in my heart. I love the moments of Ahaa! I love being able to spend time with my children and actually raise them. I love seeing improvements in their school work. I love that my kids know that whole milk makes better art than skim milk. I love seeing the look on their faces as their artwork comes out of the microwave! I love that my kids have a relationship with our mailman, water guy, Fed Ex and trash people. I love that we go on atleast three field trips per month and my kids are seeing the world around them. I love homeschooling my family!

Today was another fun experimental journey. We created puffy paint. I have had this recipe for quite some time. (Not sure where I got it from) I didn't have the ingredients as marked below, but thought I would try it anyways. I used all-purpose flour instead of self-rising flour, but it still worked nicely (not as nice, but still rised enough to make my kids grin from ear to ear).

Today myself and my kiddos created some puffy art!


It is really quite a simple recipe...and fun, too!

Ingredients for Puffy Paint:

--> 1T Self-Rising Flour
--> 1T Salt
--> 1 1/2 T water (just enough to make a paste)
--> Food coloring of your choice (just a few drops will do it)

Mix the flour, salt and water until it forms a paste. Too much water will make it watery and project will not turn out puffy! After mixed, put in food coloring until desired color. Paint your pictures as you normally would, then place each piece of artwork in the microwave for 45 seconds.

As you see in the picture above, I put each color in it's own bowl with it's own paint brush. I like this idea because the glass bowls all have lids and I can store them for a couple of days to use. They just loved the texture.



Painting with my children and teaching my oldest son his Roman Numerals today has been amazingly peaceful. I know that my children are really looking forward to tomorrow's craft...Flubber :)

Do you have any recipes to share? I would love to hear them...and try them, too!

2 days, 20 hours, 54 minutes and 13 seconds

I haven't written in awhile and I could think of a list of excuses why, but I think, instead, I'll just pick up where I left off. I will be writing about the life of a Lineman's wife.

Our daily lives are like any other 9-5 job...except my husbands starts much earlier; at 5:00am to be exact. We wake up at 5:00am together to do our daily reading. My husband gets ready for work as I have newly added a walk to start my day. He leaves at 6:15 to be at work before 7:00. His day starts and SO DOES MINE and my sons, my other sons and my daughters!!!

We have breakfast, usually a playdate or playing at home, an appointment, etc. Then lunch, nap for my daughter. My husband then comes home at 6:00pm, currently, as he is working 6 ten hour days. We have dinner together...ALWAYS TOGETHER, then play and bed for the kids as my hubby and I spend some quality time together.

That is how our weeks TYPICALLY go!

BUT...

On-call

weeks

ARE

SO

DIFFERENT...

The kids and I still have the same schedule and routine, but Dan does not!

He works...

And works...

And works...

And works...

In the past 4.5 days he has worked TWO 25-hour days!!!!! Yes, I didn't think that was possible either, but to my amazement, it is!

So, needless to say in the past 4.5 days, I have been on my own, COMPLETELY!

I know it seems like a simple task, but this also happened to be the week of

1. Two physicals,
2. Two eye exams,
3. Due to the physical, a lump was found on one son's knee who has to get a sonogram tomorrow,
4. Due to the eye exams I have two kids who now need glasses,
5. A dog who needs to go to the vet for a rabies shot,
6. A family reunion,
7. A youth group skit at TWO services last Sunday, which led us to church from 7:30-12:30,
8. Our first youth group girls study and
9. Our last home group meeting!

So, as I was talking to a friend today about not wanting to go to the grocery store, I think I can give myself a little credit on knowing that it is okay to simply be exhausted! I am there! I am exhausted and I CANNOT wait for Dan's on-call week to be completed in 2 days, 20 hours, 57 minutes and 18 sec...15 sec...12 sec...

You get the point!

So, I hope to encourage any other momma who may be feeling the same way. I know how you feel! I know what it's like to be scared to fall asleep because you're scared of what the next day brings, lol. I feel your pain, I feel the grays popping up, but I ultimately feel blessed. <--(Bet you didn't expect that one, huh?!) I do feel blessed.

I am blessed that my husband has a job that he adores every day, (even with lack of sleep and a grouchy wife every 12 weeks as he enters this crazy week) kids who are amazing with the transitition and a Lord who gives grace. That's the most important isn't it?

Grace!!!

My God gives me grace, my husband gives me grace, my kids do and so do my friends! That is a blessing and now is a time that I need it the most. So, thank you for that grace this past week! It's been noticed!!!

Now as I part from my blog on rambling, (Can you tell I haven't had an adult living with me the past few days?!) I hope you all have a fabulous end to your week. Mine will end in 2 days, 20 hours, 54 minutes and 13 seconds...

I did splurge...$1.00 for a Moolatte

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and dust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Matthew 6:19-21

The above verse was what I woke up to this morning. God didn't stop there, He had more in store...

I normally don't watch a lot of tv, but this afternoon I flipped it on and it happened to be on Fox where The Desperate Housewives of Orange County was on. I watched it for about 10 minutes before I could no longer stand to see it. Here's what I witnessed...

A lady was having a birthday party on a private ship which her husband rented for her and had all of her friends as well. They were giving gifts as I witnessed her opening the gift from her husband...to my surprise it was a Rolex, but not a simple, ordinary Rolex... No, this one was laced with diamonds around the band, inside and out of the face, etc. Of course the price was announced and it cost over $40,000.00. This one was to replace her previous Rolex which "just" had diamonds on the face...

I couldn't help but think throughout that conversation, with looks from friends of jealousy and excitement that I felt bad for them. I mean $40,000.00 on a watch...

I'm not saying that I don't splurge, I mean I did just buy Velveeta shells n cheese and a shirt from the clearance rack at Old Navy, and a Moolatte at DQ for $1.00...Haha. It was Mocha flavored in case you're wondering.

I just find it SO important that we think about our money before we use it in a senseless manner. If all you're doing is thinking or worrying about money, that's a sign that it has control over you. Money itself is not sinful in nature, but what we choose to do with it can be. I'm not perfect in this by no means, there are many things that I purchase that I could live without. I do, however, find it important to enjoy a little something here and there. God gave us money to do good. What we give is because of Him that we're able. Just because you have the money, doesn't make what you're spending it on "right"...just a thought.

As part of homeschool we designate a finance lesson once a week and we talk about how we earn money, save it, tithe it, spend it. What its purpose is and what what God intended with it. To see my 6 year old son take all of his "spending" money from his jar, stick it in his pocket and take it to church for offering is one of those teachable moments. It may have been a pile of change, but it was all he had. Reminds me of a story... Teach your kids, its never too early to start!!

I pray that you hear this post with encouragement. Whether you are doing 'all the right thing's financially or have gone off the deep end and spend like theirs no meaning just because you can or maybe you've made the commitment to make wise choices and are still trying. Whatever phase you're in, I hope this blog post gives you just a little more encouragement to make it a little longer. The rewards speak for themselves. If you need help getting started in gaining financial wisdom, visit: for budget forms, saving tips, etc.


"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and dust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Matthew 6:19-21