Homemade Lip Scrub

I wanted to share something with you. The other day my lips were so chapped that I just had to do something about it.

So, I was thinking about the lip scrub I used to use from Mary Kay, and thought, hmmm, I should just make my own.

So, I went to the kitchen cabinets and got out the sugar and the honey. I mixed some sugar with some honey and scrubbed it all over my lips. IT WORKED GREAT!

So next time that you need a good lip scrub, just go mix one up real fast. It's cheap and natural.

Enter for a chance to win a BIG TOYDLE FORT!

Have you ever wanted a product that would let your child make his own fort without having to destroy your home?

Then Toydle Forts may be your answer.




Your child can build his own fort anywhere he likes and can leave your furniture in place!


All Toydle Forts are constructed with

• Hand made wooden blocks 3” sq. made with high quality, laminated poplar.
• High Quality PVC tubes 29” long & 1/2in wide.

All Toydle Forts include an industrial strength storage bag.

All Toydle Forts include clips to help secure your sheets and blankets.

 Toydle Forts are made in the USA—in Boise, Idaho. Each tube is cut, each wood block is hand-shaped by an American worker.

The PVC pipes are phthalate free.

Toydle will replace any product or piece thereof that fails for any reason, even if your little critters leave a block out in the rain, or try to do pull-ups with a tube.

Toydle Forts come in two different sizes.

The Toydle Fort

Over 45 sq ft of fun! Lots of room to maneuver.

The BIG Toydle Fort

Double the square foot for double the fun!

You can purchase the Toydle Fort for $149, or the BIG Toydle Fort for $229 here.

BUT, here is the great news. You can enter to win one of 3 BIG Toydle Forts. All you have to do is go to the TOS Crew Website and enter to win. Good Luck!

NOTE: This contest is open to residents of the United States ONLY.  TOS Staff and TOS Crew Members (and their families) are not eligible to enter this contest.

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 24th

Today I am thankful for Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 22nd

Today is day 22 of the 2011 Gratitude Challenge and today I am thankful for a comfy bed. We had a good bed, but after about 8 years it started to wear out. Mostly because my son slept in our bed with us and the middle was a lot higher than the sides. lol

Well, we bought a bed from Sears. A Sears-o-Pedic. We went with a firm. I don't know why because we like soft, but the one in the store felt like a firm plush to me.

It was awful. So we exchanged it for the plush version. It was softer, but it was not comfortable. At all.

Well my husband finally said to return it, but two weeks after the 30 days was over. Well, I called and luckily they said I could return it since we had so much trouble with the beds.

Well, they came and picked it up and we had no bed. lol

Anyhow we finally went and found a bed. A comfy bed. So I am very grateful to have a comfy bed to sleep in.

What are you thankful for tonight?

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 21st

Today is day 21 of the 2011 Gratitude Challenge, and I am bummed that I missed posting over the weekend. I totally forgot.

Today I am grateful that my son slept in his own room last night! He was OK and is going to start sleeping in there now! We finally get our bed back! lol

It is good and sad at the same time, ya know? It is hard to watch your babies grow up. I am happy he is sleeping in his room now, but you know how it is as a mommy. He is still little to me and it is different not having him right there to keep an eye on him, but I know it will be OK.

I did sleep good last night without being smashed all night. lol

He can still come sleep with us sometimes. That will make me, umm, him happy. lol

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 18th

Today is day 18 of the 2011 Gratitude Challenge, and today I am extra grateful for all the work that my TOS leaders do. I have recently started to understand a little more about what all they do, and all the stresses that their job can bring. 
I am so grateful for you all. I really appreciate everything it takes to put this Crew together. I am still amazed to be part of this team!

Thank you all of my TOS leaders!

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 17th

OK, so today I am screaming with joy! As many of you know, I am part of the TOS Crew, and last night I found out that I was chosen to review a product from Toydle! It is a fort! Oh my, I am so thrilled.
I am going to give it to my son for his birthday! He is about to be 7! Wow, I am just so thrilled about reviewing this product, and I am so thankful!  Thank You Brenda!!!

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 16th

Today is day 16 of the 2011 Gratitude Challenge. Today I am grateful that my sister has found a home.

Her baby is due in just about 7 weeks, so they were cutting it close! lol

I am very happy for her that she now has a home to come home to after the baby is born.

Everyday Food Storage

Today I want to share with you one of my favorite websites. It is called Everyday Food Storage. You may have heard about it.

I found this website while I was searching for information on Blendtec Blenders. I was debating between the Vita-Mix and the Blendtec. I ended up choosing the Blendtec, and this is one of the videos that helped me make that decision.



I love that she is a mom herself, and that she really uses this in her daily life.

You can read my post about why I chose the Blendtec over the Vita-mix here. There are also a couple other videos on there that helped me in my decision.

Anyhow, after I came across Everyday Food Storage I found ton's of helpful information. If you are interested in food storage, you will LOVE this website.

She has great recipes, tips on food storage, and great giveaways! Check her out!

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 15th

Man, I missed yesterday's Gratitude Challenge. I have tried so hard not to miss a day. Oh well, what can you do right?

I'll tell you something from yesterday that I was very grateful for.

My husband has a signed Kevin Johnson Phoenix Suns jersey, and in all of our 15 years of being married I have never washed this.....Yep, you can see where I am going can't you....Yep, I accidentally washed it. Some of the signature was worn away. I thought he would be so upset. He wasn't. He said it wasn't that important. I was so thankful that he didn't get upset.

Today I am thankful for all of the things we have that make life easier. I am thankful for the simple things like a washer and dryer, a refrigerator, an oven, etc... Just think how life would be different without those things.

I know it is kind of a frivolous thing to be thankful for, but these are things that really do make life easier. Can you imagine not being able to vacuum, or wash your sheets in a moments notice? I know we could do it, but I am thankful that we don't have to. lol

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 13th

Today is day 13 of the 2011 Gratitude Challenge, and tonight I am grateful that I just received a phone call from my brother telling me that he was going to go into treatment.

I am so thankful that he is going into rehab, and trying to fix his life.

Please pray with me that all will go well tomorrow when he calls for his phone screening. I don't want anything to keep him from getting treatment.

The Homeschool Mothers Journal - New Car and Yummy Cookies!

In my life this week… This week has been slow. My daughter and I have both been hormonal and not feeling all that well with that. We have been resting a lot. 

A few weeks ago we bought a new car. Well, a used car. We had a new car, a 2008 GMC Acadia, which we liked well enough, but we really wanted to drop our car payment. So we ended up trading it in for a 2005 Cadillac Escalade. And we love it! 

It is saving us two hundred dollars a month, and it is really nice. The kids love it because it has a DVD player. I love the leather seats, the seat warmers, and the cool wood trim. lol

It is not new and there are a few cosmetic things that aren't perfect, but it is a good car, and we all really like it, and it is saving us a bunch of money. You can't beat that. 

In our homeschool this week… We really haven't done a lot this week. It has been a down week. I have been trying to keep up with my son's reading lessons. We are using Memoria Press First Start Reading Program right now, along with the I See Sam Readers.  

I am inspired by… My Son. When he learns to read something new, it inspires me to keep going too.

My favorite thing this week was... When my son realized that he could also spell the words he could read.

What’s working/not working for us… We are really loving Memoria Press First Start Reading Program. My son's reading has really taken off. He is doing great! It is so exciting to watch your kids learn to read. 

My daughter and I are starting a new Spanish program. We have just begun so I don't have a lot to say about it yet, but it is promising. 

I’m reading…  If Mama Ain't Happy, Ain't Nobody Happy. This is a great book. I just started it, but it is a book about how to find joy even if your life does not feel happy.

I’m cooking… Bread. I try to always make my own bread, but sometimes I don't. I added some flaxseeds and wheat germ to my bread this time. I also made the yummiest cookies I have ever made. You can see them and the recipe here. They were so good!!!

I’m grateful for… All of God's blessings. I have been participating in the 2011 Gratitude Challenge, and it has been amazing to see what others are grateful for.

I’m praying for… God to really work on our hearts health wise. I want to change my life and my families lives. I want us all to be much healthier.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

 YEP, I MADE THESE! 

http://trainingchildrenupforchrist.blogspot.com/2011/11/yummiest-chocolate-chocolate-chip.html

These are my super yummy cookies!!!! MMMMMMMMMM................................

Be sure to visit the other Homeschool Mothers who are journaling this week. 

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 12th

Wow, it is day 12 of the 2011 Gratitude Challenge, and so far I have made it each day! Yay me!

OK, a few of them have been at night, but I still made it. lol

Today I am thankful for herbal and natural medicines. I am grateful that God made these things for us so that we can treat ourselves naturally.

Now, I am not against doctors, don't get me wrong. I just like to try natural methods first.

I'll tell you a couple of things that we really like.

We use Olive Leaf Throat Spray by Seagate for sore throats. At the first sign of one, we start using it. It has always worked so far.

I also like Seagates Ear Ache Remedy. But something that worked for me when I had swimmers ear, when nothing else would, was to take one tablespoon of olive oil, warm it up, and then add 10 drops of tea treee oil.

And of course, foods can be natural healers as well. 

I have also learned that it may take a little longer to heal when you are letting your body heal itself, but it is worth it.

God's ways are always great!

What are you thankful for today?

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 11th

Today is day 11 of the Gratitude Challenge. Tonight I am grateful for my bath time. I know this may sound a little frivolous, but I enjoy my quiet time in the tub. This is usually when I get to do my reading too. lol

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 10th

This is the 10th day of the 2011 Gratitude Challenge. Today I am grateful for my husbands understanding.

OK, I am very hormonal right now, and I just butchered the chicken I was trying to make for dinner. So he is bringing home dinner. Isn't he sweet?

He is very understanding, especially around this time. He appeases me when I am hormonal. lol

I am lucky to have him for my husband. 

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 9th

Today is day 9 of the 2011 Gratitude Challenge. Today I am thankful for my husbands job. He works for a great company, and he works so hard. He is a great provider.

He is well liked at his job, and even if there is no work, they usually find something for him to do. Sometimes this means that he works on his boss's house, but it keeps him busy.

He really loves his job and his boss's too. He is good friends with a lot of his workers as well. We feel fairly confident that he will have this job for a long time. I know that we never know what might happen, but we are so thankful for his job.

What are you thankful for today?

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 8th

Today is day 8 of the 2011 Gratitude Challenge, and today I am grateful for this challenge. I have been so blessed by daily speaking of things that I am grateful for. I have also been extremely blessed by reading what others are thankful for.

If you would like to join us in this challenge, head on over to Garden of Learning and join.

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 7th

Today is day 7 of the 2011 Gratitude Challenge. Today I am grateful that I am learning to keep my mouth shut. lol

I know that sounds funny, but I have learned over the years that it is best not to get involved with drama, or problems. I try my hardest not to gossip, and to be careful what I say.

We have been having some family issues lately, and I have been trying to practice my restrain of telling others what has been going on, even when asked. I think it is better to let others tell themselves if they want to say anything.

Talking behind other peoples backs have ruined many relationships, including some of my own. I have learned to go to the person and apologize if I have been the one in the wrong, and then try harder to keep my mouth close when needed.

Today there has been a lot going on where I could easliy say a bunch of things that would cause more problems to the family drama. But that would not help anything. It would only hurt.

There is a peace when you learn when to speak and when not to speak. So today I am thankful for God's help in teaching me when to keep my mouth shut.

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 6th

Today is day 6 of the 2011 Gratitude Challenge. Today I am grateful for weekends. I love being able to spend that extra time with my husband. The kids love having their dad home all day, and we usually go out and do something fun. It is usually something simple and free, but still fun. We love being together.

Something else I am grateful for is that my husband likes spending time with us. He isn't one who likes to go out with his friends. I am so grateful for this. I know how many problems that can cause in a marriage and a family.

Anyhow, I am grateful for the weekends when we get to spend extra time as a family!

What are you grateful for? Join us in the Gratitude Challenge over at Garden of Learning.

2011 Gratitude Challenge - November 4th

Today is day 4 of the 2011 Gratitude Challenge. I actually wrote up another post and then decided to post it tomorrow instead. Today I want to express my gratitude to the Lord for our family's health.

There are so many problems going around that it is almost unbearable at times. I have so many family members who are suffering from serious health issues.

I have had my fair share of health issues, mostly all related to simply being in bad health.  Thankfully I have not had anything permanent. My children and husband are in good health. For this I am so thankful.

I am also very thankful for the ability to do something about my health problems. I know that if I actually get in shape, my health problems will go away. I am so thankful for the knowledge that I am growing in to treat my family naturally.

God is so good, and He has provided so many things for us to treat ourselves naturally. I am trying to learn how to do this more.

I am so thankful that I can get up and go workout, and help myself. I need to really internalize that more, and realize that I have the option now; I may not have it later. I need to do something about my health.

God is blessing me with the chance to do that, and I haven't been taking it. Well, no longer. I won't waste the time God gave me any longer. And I am going to take better care of my family's health and nutrition from now on. God is so good. Thank you Lord for all of your blessing, large and small. Thank you Lord for the ability to change our health, and to make our lives better. Thank you Lord for the ability to get up and go  and change my health. I am so sorry that I have been wasting that blessing Lord. You are amazing. I ask your forgiveness Lord for ruining my health and not accepting the blessing you have been trying to give me. Please forgive me Lord and see me through this time that it will take to get myself back to the healthy life it should be. You are so good Lord, and I am so grateful for you Lord.

I am off to go and start changing my life. I am going to go workout! lol