Healthy Children

Question #2 - What do I use to healthify my children?

I do use oils and vitamins. I started taking classes from Dr. Christopher -  He's local here so it's easy to find his products. I'm not sure how easy it is to find his products elsewhere but they are available online.
  I've started reading a really good book called "Disease Proof Your Child" - basically the first line of defense is feeding them right. It's filled in a lot of holes where I had questions before (plus it has some tasty looking recipes I'm excited to try). Dr. Christopher says similarly that we create an environment in our bodies where disease can thrive by what we eat/don't eat.
  
  Everything that I go on as a "foundation" is found in the LDS Scriptures - particularly The Word of Wisdom - Daniel's story in the bible has been really helpful for me as well.The others are just "programs" I guess that help me to know how to apply truth. That being said, as a general rule I shy away from things that seem "fad-ish". Lots of essential oils (though I'm just starting to learn about it) are VERY strong and many people use them as a replacement for eating healthy. Not that I'm against oils, I just like learning about all the methods and applications from a non-biased standpoint so I own the knowledge more and know better how to use it. (plus, honestly, I'm cheap and I hate paying for multi-level marketing mark-ups). If you're interested oils I've HEARD (still getting into it) that Butterfly Express is a quality company, but much less expensive than other brands...

  Last - there are a MILLION things I've found in studying about different illnesses you can do to help remedy them.  Usually, in the middle of it, I don't have time to do them all and I sometimes feel overwhelmed trying to decide what is best. God knows everything. When I pray to him about my children, who can't really pray themselves (esp. babies), I am amazed at how fast answers come! He really loves them and wants what's best for them and us. They are His, and I love how he works through me to to care for them!
  Everyone is different, which is the best thing about going to God. He works through the same basic doctrines and principles (which don't change from person to person), but he knows us each individually and what we need (what level we're on and what our specific body needs are). I recommend continued prayer through the process of know what is best for you and your children.

 Oh - some other recipes sites I love -
www.passionatehomemaking.com,
www.superhealthykids.com,
www.momessentials.net

Good luck!!

What are we doing for homeschool?

• I have an old friend who started asking me some questions lately about how I do things. I've been so grateful! It reminded me why I started this blog in the first place. Perhaps people have questions about what I do and want to know more... So, I'm grateful to my friend for getting me writing them down for some type of public (or at least for me to refer back to when others ask). 

  
  

  Question #1 - What homeschool curriculum do you use?

  
  

    I think the best book I have read which really helped me lay a foundation was A Thomas Jefferson Education: A Home Companion. They help you really identify what your motives are and desires for schooling. Once you do that, choosing a curriculum seems easier because you have something to bounce it against. I just started another great book available from Deseret Book called: "Increase in Learning" by David A. Bednar. It's helped me find a greater purpose in teaching my children, and that teaching them HOW is just as important (or more so) than WHAT. Neither books are light reads - they really make you think! I'm grateful now though that I took the time to go through them and solidify WHY I'm doing this and what God wants for family (as a unit) and my children (individually). Just know that none of your learning about different curriculums will go to waist. Your daughters may each need something different, so the more you learn, the better prepared you'll be to provide that for them. I try to focus on the foundational homeschool ideals separate from the current needs of each child and it seems a little easier to digest.

  
    For preschool this year we are using some ideas from www.confessionsofaslackermom.com AND www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com They're both free (or free in parts) and have plenty of what you need. I think the best thing for us has just been giving our kids opportunities to explore and ask questions and do random science projects when they're curious. Library story time is great, and so is having a regular time to read to your kids everyday. It goes far! I try to just pick some books at the library every time we go of things they've showed an interest in. Then, I let them choose some of their own (they're surprisingly good pickers!!) You're probably already doing all (or at least some) of these things anyway - you're so thoughtful in your mothering!!
  Next year, when we start kindergarten, we are going to use this program http://latterdaylearning.org/the-family-school-lds-homeschool-curriculum/ - I love it because
  1. It teaches "whole truth".
  2. I love that it causes children to ACT on what they're learning.
  3. It teaches them how to reason and relate for themselves (to discover truth on a personal level).
  4. I can teach one lesson to all of my children, instead of having to battle multiple curriculum for different grade leaves.
  
   I'm still in the process of choosing a math and language curriculum, but for this K4 (early kindergarten) year for Cadence, I think I'll do the book "Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons".

A More Meaningful Easter

 In the past month, we've had several friends and associates pass away. It has been a time of real mourning for a family and a new look at the lives we live. Death can take us at anytime, and are we prepared to meet God?
  Each Easter seems to have had it's own emphasis in the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Chirst. This year, Easter is the reality of resurrection. The mourning and sorrow will all be turned to joy, as we greet Christ and our loved ones again. They will live again, as will we, just as Christ rose from the dead on the 3rd day, Easter morning.
 So, what are we doing to celebrate this year? I made a plastic egg Easter lesson that we've used in past years. This year I found another, similar plastic egg Easter lesson here. I think I'm going to try it this year because the scriptures are much shorter, for my young children.
 I also love the simplicity of this Easter lesson, from the Nursery Manual. I wish we had done it for family night, but I'd still like to do it, perhaps Easter evening.
 In general this year, we made Easter MORE about gifts, and Christmas LESS extravagant. We're trying to spread the love out a little more. We've really loved the thought: something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. They are still very simple gifts and the kids need new clothes at this time of year anyway. I want them to understand the reason we gift - in remembrance of the greatest gift we have been given, the gift of Jesus Christ.
 I really enjoyed watching this video about the Savior's Atonement. They have so many more touching videos I plan to watch as well in the coming week with the boys.

Debt Limit - A Guide to American Federal Debt Made Easy

I thoroughly enjoyed this video. It's pretty comical and so clearly illustrates our national debt. Let me know what you think!

Debt Limit - A Guide to American Federal Debt Made Easy