Fun in the dirt

Mothering and birth control

A great article!

Time to Stop and Think?By Mrs. ChanceyApr 10, 2008 - 8:02:06 PM
Email this article Printer friendly pageFor years, chemical birth control (from "the pill" to "the patch") has gone unquestioned and uninvestigated in the wider press. After all, the FDA approves this stuff, so it surely can't hurt us, right? We here at LAF have posted dozens of articles exposing the dangers of the chemicals women so blithely ingest--dangers to the physical health of women, the reality of the abortifacient nature of many forms of chemical birth control, and even the hazards to the environment (drinking water, animals, and more). We've wondered how long it would take the public at large to wake up to what medical and scientific journals have been quietly reporting for years. It seems that day has come. This post provides links to many recent articles about the ugly truth behind the birth control industry. These aren't just commentaries; they come from scientific, legal, and health-related publications. Time to stop and think.

Man Sues Birth Control Company In Wife's Death ~ Note that, as tragic as this death was, it's wrong to hold others responsible when the fine print has stated from the beginning that these drugs can cause clots, strokes, and death. The drug maker should not be producing chemicals that kill while promising benefits, but consumers shouldn't be sheep, either. Read the fine print. Read the ingredients.

Birth Control Pill Linked to 20 Percent Higher Plaque Buildup in Arteries ~ "Women who take oral contraceptives may have more plaque buildup in their arteries, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Ghent, Belgium, and presented at a conference of the American Heart Association."

Death, Lawsuits, and the Pill ~ "To this day, the Pill and other hormonal methods remain some of the most popular contraceptives out there. It seems so easy and modern to take a small pill every day, or to get a shot or implant like Depo Provera or Norplant, or even to wear a patch like the Ortho Evra. But there’s definitely a dark side. Aside from the fact that these methods don’t protect against HIV and STDs, hormonal birth control increases one’s risk of many serious illnesses." [Note that we totally do not agree with the conclusions drawn by this writer. The obvious answers are staring us all in the face: abstinence and monogamy--no sex outside marriage--guarantee you'll be free of STDs. It's also a crying shame that, while women are waking up to the dangers of contraceptives, they are still totally closed to the idea of having many children and look for alternative ways to prevent them. We've posted many articles about the birth dearth across the Western world; time to wake up to it as well.]

J&J Hid Safety Risk Data on Birth-Control Device, Women Claim ~ The old cliche' "Follow the Money" applies here. It's already been shown that many FDA doctors are in the pay of the big pharmaceutical companies. Someone who gets paid to conduct scientific trials evaluating the potential harm of a drug should not also be in the pay of or receive benefits from the company that stands to profit from the sale of the same drug. There's a lot of finger-pointing going on here, but the main point is that both the FDA and the drug maker need to answer for their shoddy research and for pushing life-threatening chemicals on women.

Woman warns others not to use NuvaRing ~ "Misty Liebert had been using a new birth control product for three weeks when she awoke at 2 a.m. on March 22 choking and gagging. She dashed to the bathroom, lights still out, and began coughing up something in the sink. It came in waves. When she finally flipped the bathroom light on, Liebert realized it was blood."

Birth-control patch in the dock ~ "Lawyers for women suing Johnson & Johnson claim the manufacturer hid or altered data on the health risks of its Ortho Evra birth-control patch and flaws in the manufacturing." [ Be forewarned: This sidebar of this article has an immodest image of a woman applying the patch.]

Johnson & Johnson Looking to Ban Ortho Evra Lawsuits ~ " Court papers filed last November as part of Ortho Evra litigation underway in Ohio show Johnson & Johnson knew about Ortho Evra’s potential problems long before it informed the FDA. Despite such evidence of a cover-up, Johnson & Johnson is trying to convince Judge David A. Katz of Federal District Court for the Northern District of Ohio that patients should not be allowed to sue the company because the FDA approved the patch and its label." [Follow the reasoning here? "I covered up the evidence and lied, and so-and-so believed me, so that means I shouldn't be held responsible, because everyone knows that so-and-so is trustworthy." No child would get away with it.]

New York Times Examines Johnson And Johnson's Pre-Emption Defense Over Safety Of Birth Control Patch ~ "The New York Times on Sunday examined Johnson & Johnson's use of the legal doctrine of preemption to defend against claims that the birth control patch Ortho Evra causes blood clots or other adverse effects. Under this legal argument, if a product's safety has been approved through a federal regulatory agency such as FDA, then its safety cannot be questioned in individual lawsuits."

Planned Parenthood hawks "free love" and encourages promiscuous sex for teens ~ This is another "follow the money" case. Planned Parenthood makes big bucks from teen pregnancy and from the pharmaceutical industry for pushing low-dose (read ineffective) chemical birth control. For a full expose' that includes extensive documentation, read George Grant's book, Grand Illusions: The Legacy of Planned Parenthood. For another excellent article on Planned Parenthood's (mis)use of our tax dollars, click here.

Pharmacist loses appeal in birth control pill case ~ "Former Barron resident Neil T. Noesen lost a court battle last week to clear sanctions against him in a 2002 case where he declined to fill a birth control prescription because of his religious beliefs." [Dare to question the benefits of birth control or point out their abortifacient nature, and this is what happens to you in our free country. No room for a conscience here. Profit (disguised as "choice") must win the day.] Now, some may say this is one-sided reporting of risks with no mention of benefits. After all, the pill is supposed to offer increased protection from ovarian cancer, right? There are two problems here. First, the studies cited do not compare their results with women who began having children early (young 20s as opposed to 30s and later). Women who have children early and have more than one child are also less susceptible to ovarian cancer because of increased progestin production. Yet hardly anyone talks about the health benefits of early pregnancy and multiple pregnancies over time. Secondly, promoting chemical birth control use as a way to lower ovarian cancer risks is a little like recommending putting a loaded gun to your head and pulling the trigger as a sure cure for headaches. Sure, you won't have headaches any more, but, on the other hand, you'll very likely be dead. The health risks (all so well-documented above) of chemical birth control drugs and devices far outweigh this one benefit. If I knew a drug was 100% guaranteed to prevent ovarian cancer but had an equally high risk of causing blod clots, stroke, increased arterial plaque, heart attack, breast cancer, and death, would I want to take the drug or recommend it to my friends? Not on your life. It would be irresponsible to do either.When it comes down to it, we live in a culture of convenience. When we weigh health risks against convenience (less work, more time for me, more "freedom" to pursue what I want), convenience seems to win hands-down today: It would be too much trouble to have more than one or two children and take care of them, so I'll just take this pill to stop them (regardless of the health risks to me or others). It takes too much time to make meals from wholesome, fresh ingredients, so I'll just open this box and pop this processed food in the microwave (trans fats, MSG, and preservatives notwithstanding). It takes too long to save up for what I want, so I'll just take this "free" credit card and get what I want now. I can always pay later (20% interest be hanged). The time has come to stop looking for what's quick and easy and "free." Isn't it worth the time to do what's most important, what supports and promotes a healthy life, what takes our eyes off ourselves and puts them on others?With that in mind, here are some positive articles on the benefits that come with long-haul investments (pregnancy and breastfeeding)--benefits that no pharmaceutical company can replicate, no matter how hard it tries:

The Unexpected Benefits of Pregnancy ~ " Many women feel healthier than ever when they are expecting – and research is under way to find out why, reports Christine Doyle." [This has to rate as one of the most underreported stories of all time. There are a plethora of health benefits tied to pregnancy and breastfeeding, particularly for women who start families young and have many children. Read on below.]

How Breastfeeding Benefits You and Your Baby ~ " You're probably well aware that breast milk is best for your baby, but did you know that the benefits of breastfeeding extend well beyond basic nutrition? In addition to containing all the vitamins and nutrients your baby needs in the first six months of life, breast milk is packed with disease-fighting substances that protect your baby from illness. "

Extended breastfeeding: Are there still health benefits? ~ " The health benefits of breastfeeding do extend throughout the entire time you nurse. A longer duration of breastfeeding has been found to be directly associated with not only fewer infant illnesses, but subsequently, fewer toddler illnesses. "

Breastfeeding babies offers them long-term heart-health benefits ~ " Having been breastfed in infancy is associated with a lower average body mass index (BMI) and a higher average HDL (high-density lipoprotein or "good" cholesterol ) level in adulthood, even after accounting for personal and maternal demographic and CVD risk factors that could influence the results. " Does pregnancy carry its own risks? Of course, but so many of those risks are self-induced by poor diet, lack of exercise, and a lack of information about how to have a healthy, full-term baby. And we need to remember that fertility is not a given. Even career-minded women are waking up to the fact that you can't put off child-bearing until it's convenient or until you feel like it. (The sobering book, Unprotected by Dr. Anonymous documents the folly of late marriage and delayed childbearing and shows decisively that this is one area of women's health not being covered on college campuses--even as the "hook-up" culture pushes women into senseless one-night stands that bring depression, anxiety, and disease.) We need to understand how God's commands protect us as well as benefit our families and others. The information is out there, and it is worth learning all we can about how our bodies work and what they were designed to do. When we work with that design instead of against it, the benefits are manifold. Isn't it worth taking the time to investigate these matters when our health and the long-term health of our daughters is on the line? Which will it be: short-term convenience or long-haul benefits from serious, thoughtful investment? Let's encourage more women to study these issues and learn the truth for themselves.

HOME

Fun cuddles


Dancing dolls



Getting this mom?




Daddy helps Emma find eggs.

Easter girl

Sweet Bubba lets Emma climb on him.

Sleeping doll

Isaiah and Rocky

Lovey

Nap time

Emma Oakley

Isaiah taking pictures of himself

Nap time with Daddy

Every stick is a gun!

"In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." (Job 12:10)

I have always found the topic of conservation fascinating. There seems to be a prevailing attitude that only a left - wing liberal can have a passion for the care and protection of nature. Many Christians seem to consider it a nonspiritual,and thus unimportant concern.

To me, the opposite should be true. If you believe that the Earth, and all that is in it, was created by an intelligent and loving God, than you should believe that all of creation is important!

I would think that the people who believe that everything happened by chance and will eventually end, would put a lot less value on it!

It saddens me to see how twisted this issue has become.

O.K., just so you know, I am not a vegan. I don't think that humans are of equal value as frogs or that hunting is immoral. I do think that humans should place value on the care and treatment of animals and our planet. Why? Because God does! The killing and consumption of animals was not God's original design. Death was not supposed to be a part of life. It is, that's a fact, but not a happy one.

While we may eat meat, that does not mean that we should not care that animals are treated in a compassionate manner. It does not mean that killing should be a sport. It does not mean that we should not put effort into helping and preserving endangered wild life!

I love God and my family. I believe that Humans are supposed to have dominion over the Earth. I believe that only people have eternal souls, but don't be surprised if you see me hug a tree or try to save the wolves..... I love those too.

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." (Genesis 2:15)

You shall not pollute the land in which you live.... You shall not defile the land in which you live, in which I also dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the Israelites." (Numbers 35:33-34)

"Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." (Job 12:7-10)

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight." (Luke 12:6; cf. Matthew 10:29)

"In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety." (Hosea 2:18)

"He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate-bringing forth food from the earth." (Psalm 104:10-14)

"To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it." (Deuteronomy 10:14)

HOT DOGS & CANCER

I love a good hot dog! I quit buying them after hearing rumors that they cause cancer. It turns out that those rumors are true for a lot of hot dogs but there are some that are o.k.

Cancer is one of the scariest things in this world! I have grandparents,aunts,and friends who have had to live with this terror,and some who have died.

If there's something that I can do to reduce the risks for my family than I certainly will!

Here is the best article that I found on the subject.

Hot Dogs and Nitrites
Childhood Cancer Risk
Q. What's wrong with hot dogs?A. Nitrite additives in hot dogs form carcinogens.Petition to ban nitrites Three different studies have come out in the past year, finding that the consumption of hot dogs can be a risk factor for childhood cancer.
Peters et al. studied the relationship between the intake of certain foods and the risk of leukemia in children from birth to age 10 in Los Angeles County between 1980 and 1987. The study found that children eating more than 12 hot dogs per month have nine times the normal risk of developing childhood leukemia. A strong risk for childhood leukemia also existed for those children whose fathers' intake of hot dogs was 12 or more per month.
Researchers Sarusua and Savitz studied childhood cancer cases in Denver and found that children born to mothers who consumed hot dogs one or more times per week during pregnancy has approximately double the risk of developing brain tumors. Children who ate hot dogs one or more times per week were also at higher risk of brain cancer.
Bunin et al, also found that maternal consumption of hot dogs during pregnancy was associated with an excess risk of childhood brain tumors.
Q. How could hot dogs cause cancer?A. Hot dogs contain nitrites which are used as preservatives, primarily to combat botulism. During the cooking process, nitrites combine with amines naturally present in meat to form carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds. It is also suspected that nitrites can combine with amines in the human stomach to form N-nitroso compounds. These compounds are known carcinogens and have been associated with cancer of the oral cavity, urinary bladder, esophagus, stomach and brain.
Q. Some vegetables contain nitrites, do they cause cancer too?A. It is true that nitrites are commonly found in many green vegetables, especially spinach, celery and green lettuce. However, the consumption of vegetables appears to be effective in reducing the risk of cancer. How is this possible? The explanation lies in the formation of N-nitroso compounds from nitrites and amines. Nitrite containing vegetables also have Vitamin C and D, which serve to inhibit the formation of N-nitroso compounds. Consequently, vegetables are quite safe and healthy, and serve to reduce your cancer risk.Q. Do other food products contain nitrites?A. Yes, all cured meats contain nitrites. These include bacon and fish.Q. Are all hot dogs a risk for childhood cancer?A. No. Not all hot dogs on the market contain nitrites. Because of modern refrigeration methods, nitrites are now used more for the red color they produce (which is associated with freshness) than for preservation. Nitrite-free hot dogs, while they taste the same as nitrite hot dogs, have a brownish color that has limited their popularity among consumers. When cooked, nitrite-free hot dogs are perfectly safe and healthy.HERE ARE FOUR THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO:
Do not buy hot dogs containing nitrite. It is especially important that children and potential parents do not consume 12 or more of these hot dogs per month.
Request that your supermarket have nitrite-free hot dogs available.
Contact your local school board and find out whether children are being served nitrite hot dogs in the cafeteria, Request that they use only nitrite-free hot dogs.
Write the FDA and express your concern that nitrite-hot dogs are not labeled for their cancer risk to children. You can mention CPC's petition on hot dogs, docket #: 95P 0112/CP1.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:Cancer Prevention Coalition
c/o School of Public Health, M/C 922University of Illinois at Chicago2121 West Taylor StreetChicago, IL 60612Tel: (312) 996-2297, Fax: (312) 413-9898Email: epstein@uic.edu
References: 1, Peters J, et al " Processed meats and risk of childhood leukemia (California, USA)" Cancer Causes & Control 5: 195-202, 1994.2 Sarasua S, Savitz D. " Cured and broiled meat consumption in relation to childhood cancer: Denver, Colorado (United States)," Cancer Causes & Control 5:141-8, 1994.3 Bunin GR, et al. "Maternal diet and risk of astrocytic glioma in children: a report from the children's cancer group (United States and Canada)," Cancer Causes & Control 5:177-87, 1994.4. Lijinsky W, Epstein, S. "Nitrosamines as environmental carcinogens," Nature 225 (5227): 2112, 1970

Cooking with Kids: "Nitrate-Free" Hot Dogs, Now With More Nitrates
Posted by Matthew Amster-Burton, January 7, 2008 at 2:00 PM
At a recent playdate, the subject of hot dogs came up, and I heard one mom say that, okay, she does let her child eat hot dogs, but only the "nitrate-free" kind from Whole Foods. I didn't say anything, but the portion of my brain devoted to ruthless debunkings lit up.
Last year, you'll recall, Ed Levine took Consumer Reports to task for naming Hebrew National skinless franks the top dog. I'm with Ed: franks with natural casings are better. (You can read the CR report at Consumer Reports.)
But there was this tasty tidbit in the report:
While the three uncured franks might boast of "no added nitrates," our testing found that Applegate Farms, Coleman Natural, and Whole Ranch contained nitrates and nitrites at levels comparable to many of the cured models.
That's because "no added nitrates" is—how to put this gently?—a lie. The manufacturers add celery juice, which is naturally high in nitrites. In answer to your next question, yes, the nitrites naturally occurring in celery juice are exactly the same as the pure sodium nitrite added by sausage makers. (Note that I am fudging the difference between nitrates and nitrites, but as Consumer Reports said, they tested the levels of both compounds.)
In any case, here is my public service announcement to parents: "nitrate-free" hot dogs do contain nitrates and are not nutritionally superior to any other hot dogs. Some of them are tasty, but they are not generally available with natural casings, which are to my mind essential to a great hot dog.
Don't want to serve your kids hot dogs? Fine with me. But if you are serving franks, choose based on taste. We buy Boar's Head all-beef with natural casings, and my four-year-old loves them. Though it's not like she'd turn down any hot dog.
About the author: Matthew Amster-Burton lives in Seattle. His work appears frequently in the Seattle Times and Seattle magazine. He also maintains the blog

TV and Video games ~ finding balance

Lately,I have had reason to think more about the effects of TV and video games.

My very intelligent and gifted 8 year old would watch or play all day if I would allow it and I have to think about why. Why are these things so addictive? Why do they stir up so much emotion? Why do the kids who play these games still play them just as much (or more) when they are grown ups? I have decided that I won't get all of the answers. What matters is that I do the best thing for my kids with the information that I do have.

Here is what we are teaching Isaiah.

Video games/TV are frosting. Frosting tastes good,but if you eat too much it will make you sick!

The only way that you can eat frosting without getting a stomach ache is if you've already had a healthy meal. Pertaining to games/TV ,the meal is the substance of life,

i.e. work, exercise, reading, learning, family interaction....etc.. and always focus more on the meal than the frosting!

God gave as a huge world to explore and conquer. When your mind is absorbed into that box(screen),that becomes your world. I don't want my boy to live in such a tiny box!

The first thing that God told Humans to do was WORK. Working and accomplishing a goal is the only way to be satisfied. The attitude of Americans today is that our goal is to work as little as possible and satisfaction comes from playing.

Because we have a need to accomplish a goal/win ,playing a video game can bring about a false sense of accomplishment and pride. Thus the extreme emotion when one fails. If this is a young mans primary past-time, his connection and feelings will be very intense.

Watching TV satisfies our need to escape reality and to put our brains to sleep. Literally, studies have shown that the brains activity in both sleeping/watching TV to be the same!

So what is my point? I am not going to say that I will never let my kids have frosting.

I am saying that it shouldn't be a big part of life's diet and we should think about what amounts are healthy.

Here are some links and a few facts that I've found on the subject:

In a study of more than 1,000 families, U.S. researchers found that 40 per cent of three-month-olds and about 90 per cent of kids aged two years or younger regularly watch television, DVDs or videos. The study found that the infants and toddlers were spending up to 1 1/2 hours a day viewing television shows or DVDs, an activity the researchers say can be harmful to cognitive development.

"And the best available evidence to date suggests that certainly watching a lot of TV before the age of two is in fact harmful - harmful in terms of children's attentional abilities later in life, harmful in terms of their cognitive development, both of those measured at school entry."

"It's very attractive, but it's probably not as good for the child's brain as actively doing something and finding their own fun," Ford-Jones said Monday. "A child's mind at the earliest stages works in such an active way. They can be fascinated by things . . . They'd be better off with a cupboard full of pots and pans than they would be with passive sitting in front of something that looks cute and pretty and colourful and has jingles and nice tunes."

http://www.commercialexploitation.org/news/candzstudy.htm

Researchers have found that every hour preschoolers watch television each day boosts their chances — by about 10 percent — of developing attention deficit problems later in life.

TV may overstimulate developing brainThe study, appearing in the April issue of Pediatrics, focused on two groups of children — aged 1 and 3 — and suggested that TV might overstimulate and permanently “rewire” the developing brain.
The study involved 1,345 children who participated in government-sponsored national health surveys. Their parents were questioned about the children’s TV viewing habits and rated their behavior at age 7 on a scale similar to measures used in diagnosing attention deficit disorders

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4664749/

Ryuta Kawashima is a professor at Tohoku University in Japan who specializes in brain imaging.

A story about the research by Tracy McVeigh appeared in The Observer reporting with the headline "Computer games stunt teen brains." According to McVeigh, Kawashima was in need of funding for his brain imaging research, so he decided to investigate the levels of brain activity in children playing video games hoping that his research would benefit game manufacturers. Kawashima presented the findings at the annual conference of the private learning program Kumon Educational UK. His findings are unlikely to win him any friends in the video game industry.
Kawashima made use of new techniques in computer imaging that can tell us which areas of the brain are being used in real time.

Kawashima compared brain activity in children playing Nintendo games with brain activity in children doing an exercise called the Kraepelin test, which involves adding single-digit numbers continuously for 30 minutes. The Nintendo group was found to only be using parts of the brain associated with vision and movement, while the arithmetic group had activity throughout the left and right hemispheres of the frontal lobe - areas of the brain associated with learning, memory, emotion, and impulse control.

Is a task such as the Kraepelin test a fair comparison? I believe that it is more than fair. Adding single digit numbers is a very mundane task that does not sound like it would require much of the brain. If video games use even less of the brain than the simple task of adding single digit numbers, then imagine how much less of the brain that they use than more complex activities such as socially interacting with peers. Frontal lobe development is necessary for learning to control behavior, as well as for developing memory, emotion and learning.
Professor Kawashima is quoted by The Observer as saying "There is a problem we will have with a new generation of children - who play computer games - that we have never seen before. The implications are very serious for an increasingly violent society and these students will be doing more and more bad things if they are playing games and not doing other things like reading aloud or learning arithmetic." He appears convinced that children who play computer and video games excessively will not develop their frontal lobes and may be more prone to act more violently as they grow up. His research findings bolster earlier findings that violent video games contribute to violent behavior. http://mentalhealth.about.com/cs/familyresources/a/videojap.htm

Emma's Frosty nap

This was the first time Emma got her own Frosty. She was so surprised when I handed it to her that she stared at it and giggled.

Contentment

But godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6).

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:11-13)

Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15).

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up. Psalms 5:3

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.Psalms 143:8

PBS

It is getting harder and harder to find good,educational programming! For a long time PBS was one of the few places that we could semi-trust. NOT ANYMORE! Sometimes it's subtle,like the other day when I watched 'IT'S A BIG BIG WORLD'. The whole episode was about "the spirit of the tree"and how it was whatever you perceived it as. To anyone paying even a little attention,it was teaching our preschoolers tolerance for the Oprah view of "god". Anyone who says there is only one truth is mean and ignorant (to say the least).
I also watched an episode of 'ELMO'S WORLD' where the topic was how different people have different kinds of families and showed a boy with two "daddies".
The more I look into PBS the more annoyed and alarmed I become about it.
Here are some interesting links that I've found.

POSTCARDS FROM BUSTER- Lesbian episode: http://www.infowars.net/Pages/Jan05/260105_gay_cartoon.html


BARNEY AND MANY OTHERS - http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42253


THE 'WE ARE FAMILY' SITE' - http://www.wearefamilyfoundation.org/

The Sin Of Tolerance:


Most moral boundaries are written in stone, clear to anyone who can and will see. We all know
it’s wrong to smoke crack, watch MTV, or beat our wives.

But it is mostly the subtle mental corruption that mostly vexes our souls, sneaking into our minds at unguarded moments. We must constantly be on our guard with our shield of faith and the sword of truth. It’s scary. I watch my second child, born just three weeks ago, and already the gravity of life and the weight of eternity seems to be even more real than it already was.
Jocelyn, our first born, is now a little over two and a half, and Lori and I think she’s borderline genius. We’re probably the only ones who do, but she’s certainly learning quicker than we are. Everything sticks. Recently we got PBS, Public Broadcasting Service. It’s a relatively clean, commercial free, government station that comes in free over the air with a lot of nature shows and some great programs for kids, but I’ve noticed an underlying tone in some of the kids’ shows. It’s not always out front, but it’s always there. It’s like a strange worldwide conspiracy. It’s the religion of tolerance. It’s one of the things the Muslims hate so much about us. It started as a snowball, but has become an avalanche. It’s constantly smothering the flame of truth, to the point where we become a lukewarm television-preacher society, incapable of standing up in a crowd of people and declaring that there is only one God and one way to him.
I guess that is really what it boils down to. Their main agenda isn’t really freedom of choice or right to push their so-called gay lifestyle onto our children, but it is the slow, persistent neutering of the truth that almost makes it unrecognizable. Fellow Christians, the world would like nothing better than for us to feel guilty about boldly standing up and saying that God is the only God and that He hates sin and is not tolerant of it. We are strangers and pilgrims in this world, but clearly not of it, so let’s guard our minds from the world’s influence, especially the developing minds of our children.
By: Gabriel Pearl http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/articles/child-training/influences/article-display/archive////the-sin-of-tolerance/?tx_ttnews%5BbackPID%5D=7

Turkey Sausage

Today I have been making several pounds of turkey sausage. With meat prices getting higher and higher we rarely buy beef and instead opt for Aldis ground turkey. It saves a tremendous amount of money! Unfortunately for me, I have spoiled taste buds that really don't care for turkey, at least not plain.
I have found a way to make turkey a much more desirable meal staple and actually enjoy it; sausage. Actually, any spice combination allowed to marinade in the meat for a day makes a great difference.
I make breakfast sausage, Italian Sausage and also marinade the meat in Mexican spices.
The Italian sausage is great in Pizza, Lasagna,Spaghetti, or Patty's!
Here are my 2 favorite recipes.

Italian Turkey Sausage:
1 LB. Ground turkey
1 1/2 tsp. fennel seed
1/2 tsp. Paprika
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion salt
1/2 tsp. sage
1 tsp. coriander
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. basil
2 tsp. rosemary 2 tsp. thyme
1/2 - 1 tsp. salt
cayenne to taste
Mix well and refrigerate overnight. I like to make several pounds at once and freeze them in separate baggies.


Turkey Maple Breakfast Sausage:
1 Lb. ground turkey
2 TBLSP. Maple flavored syrup
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. sage
Mix well and refrigerate overnight. I usually shape some into patties and freeze them on a cookie sheet before putting them into baggies. The rest is put into separate baggies for yummy sausage gravy.

Crazy homeschool days

Emma thinks she HAS to be with Isaiah when he's working. OH NO! definitely was what he was thinking here.



After some frustration they came to a compromise. Emma actually lay quite still for several minutes! ( Note the stacks of clutter we just unpacked......argh!)



Next day.....here comes Emma. (flooring,tools and varied clutter making the back drop)




Isaiah puts down the math book and reads the cookbook that Emma asked him to read. (She always signs read and says "eed", I love it!)




Lately, we have been EXTREMELY unorganized! Moving and construction have been going on and on and..........
It's my nature to hate that particular state of being but I am learning to roll with it and enjoy these silly moments.
(For any strangers who see this,we don't normally do things this way!)

Making doughnuts

We have been on a doughnut making kick lately.


Emma is my little helper.



The really fun part!




Isaiah gets almost as messy as sissy does!

These are really yummy and not as bad for you as store made. Here is the recipe,as I've adapted it.
YUMMY CAKE DOUGHNUTS:
2/3 C. dark brown or raw sugar
2 Tblsp. melted butter
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 C. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1 Tblsp. baking powder
1 C. unbleached flour
ABOUT~ 2 C. Whole wheat flour ( use enough to make a fairly firm but sticky dough)

For each doughnut ,Roll a "snake" about 3/4 inch thick and 8 inches long; shape into a circle or make little doughnut balls. Fry in hot oil until brown and done inside. We either roll them in powdered sugar or make a chocolate frosting. YUM!

Outside

I took all of these pictures while standing on our front porch.



We don't have acres of land but our big,private yard feels like heaven!



It's still a mess,but we will get settled soon. For now,we're just happy!

Emma gets her nails painted

This is what she would do when I'd say "let me see your fingers........ kinda hard to get a picture.

I could get her to hold her nose!

The Play room floor

We started working on the floor about an hour before Teymoor was called to work. I decided to do it myself. Actually, Isaiah helped me all day but I don't have any pictures of his hard work.



Isaiah is my camera man.




Emma takes notes.





She also brings me things and stays close by me all day long.





We still need trim but now we have a play room!






The view outside is the best part!

I love Homemaking!

I love homemaking because my time is my own. I dictate how my day will go and that is an awesome thing in this world. Many high paid executives do not have the freedom that I have almost every day.

I love homemaking because yeast, water, and flour make the best smell in the world!

I love homemaking because I get to decorate a corner of God's Footstool in exactly the way I like it with total creative freedom. No other person on earth will decorate in quite the same way.

I love homemaking because my kids get to lick spoons and bowls and smile with whipped cream and sugar on their lips.

I love homemaking because I can sit and read to my children all day if I want with every pillow we own under us.

I love homemaking because my uniform is a simple apron. When I put it on I feel like my grandmother and want to do so many "homey" things for my family.

I love homemaking because I get to keep learning new things to make my home a special place for my kids and my husband.

I love homemaking because I get to work in my garden and cut beautiful plants from it to bring into my house.

I love homemaking because I get to listen to beautiful music all day long which causes me to think of my Savior and LORD. My work doesn't even seem like work with Him on my mind.

I love homemaking because I get to cook some of the most wonderful food on a slim budget causing me to give thanks and praise to Him who shows me the way.

I love homemaking because I can go to the library and check out other women's wisdom which inspires me in my own kitchen and home.

I love homemaking because I can stop my kids at any time of the day and say, "Let's pray."

I love homemaking because I can lay on my bed and have great talks with my kids about the LORD and life.

I love homemaking because I get to smell up my house with some of the best smells on earth: homemade bread, apple pie, fried chicken, baked beans, and cole slaw. And that's just one meal!

I love homemaking because I can sit with other women and their babies and compare struggles and trials; then come away feeling so much better to handle my own babies and struggles and trials.

I love homemaking because I can look at each room in my house as a blank canvas to paint a beautiful picture on for my family. And slowly, here and there, I pick up the beautiful treasures at thrift shops or swap meets to make those canvases come alive with love.

I love homemaking because I create the atmosphere all day in my home. If I am at peace, they are at peace.

I love homemaking because I have permission to fail while I learn. I have granted permission to myself recently which makes me feel a whole lot better about learning new things and not being afraid to fail.

I love homemaking because I can plan special little surprises for my husband that bring him such delight.

I love homemaking because I fill little mason jars with homemade jams and watch my kids open them in anticipation for breakfast.

I love homemaking because when my kids are sick it is no inconvenience. I get to put them right to bed in their pajamas and bring them a "tea table" with a flower, tea, and some special treat to make them smile.

I love homemaking because I get to do things with beautiful fabrics.

I love homemaking because I can gather my kids in my room if I am sick and have them take care of me or just lay next to me and play.

I love homemaking because I get to cut my kids' hair . Then I get the pleasure of looking at their hair for days knowing that I cut it.

I love homemaking because I get to scrub my floors by hand just the way my grandmother did. Then I get to tell everyone to stay off the floor just like she did.

I love homemaking because I get to hang out my clothes on the line just the way my mother did and smell the sweet air in them when they come back in the house.

I love homemaking because I get to stretch a budget beyond measure which gives me great joy to see so much done with so little.

II love homemaking because I get to smell a freshly bathed child

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I love homemaking because I can put a fresh tablecloth on my table and transform it into a fancy restaurant with a rose in the center.

I love homemaking because there is always a new recipe to try.

I love homemaking because I can see those one time only moments all throughout the day.

I love homemaking because I can cover up stained couches with beautiful couch covers in a rose pattern my grandmother would have worn to church.

I love homemaking because I can sit in any room in my house and it is used to its fullest. No room is for show. Every room is pleasantly occupied.

I love homemaking because Emma can follow me around with her little broom and be just like momma.

I love homemaking because no one can make me laugh like my kids.

I love homemaking because I can grab my camera and capture two funny kids in a moment.

I love homemaking because I can take full advantage of all the seasons. Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring never get by me. I enjoy each immensely.

I love homemaking because I can bring home some of the best books in the world and know they will get read.

I love homemaking because I know my kids very well and can work with them like no other.

I love homemaking because if I am sick of being inside I can go outside. And if I am sick of being outside I can go inside.

I love homemaking because I can kiss my kids thirty times a day if I want.

I love homemaking because the weather never affects my plans to stay home.

I love homemaking because it makes me more in awe of my grandmother, causing me to notice her work in great detail.

I love homemaking because my kids can get really dirty and jump in the tub before anyone's the wiser.

I love homemaking because I am the " LORD's Home Servant."

I love homemaking because no one can run this home like I can. No one knows that man of mine like I do. And no one can tell you about those kids that I live with like I can.

I love homemaking because I can watch a "Leave It to Beaver" or "Andy Griffith Show" and be inspired by June Cleaver or Aunt Bee to do a better job in my home.

I love homemaking because I have time to light candles, put on soft music, and enjoy the quiet.

I love homemaking because I know where my kids are, and that gives me great peace because they are beside me.

I love homemaking because I get to be HOME.

I love homemaking because God called me to this job and I love it!!!!