Adventures in Crochet ~ Endings and New Beginnings

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Now that it's 100% totally winter, it just feels right to be sitting on the couch surrounded by my favorite yarn as I work on a crochet project! My husband likes to tease me and say it's my "old lady habit", but I just ignore him. I love that I am able to create something that will keep my family warm. 

A Simple Prayer

Dear Lord. Please bring us cold enough weather to kill all the germs and mold that continues to plague my family and the people around us. Yes, I know I am asking for cold weather. Yes, I know that means it needs to stay awhile. So if it's going to be cold, can you please throw in some snow? That will at least make it pretty and fun to play in. Besides, this weekend is a time when people really want it to be white outside. So yeah. Let's start this weekend, okay?
Sincerely,
A Mom Who is Sick of Snot and Coughs

The Battle Against the Germs: Natural Remedies to Help You Win the War {Fresh From the Cabinet}

Hello hello. Here I am through the fog of vinegar and my other natural cleaning products. I don't know about you, but we are SOOOOOOOO sick of germs and nasties! There have been days recently where I wondered if I could ever totally get the snot out of the house! But even though we get hit a few times, we tend to be up and going again quickly. Today, I am going to share some tricks we have used to keep us able to bounce back when we get knocked down in the battle with the germs during the cold and flu season!
*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical provider. I am simply "Doctor Mom" who does a lot of research to find the best things to help her family stay as healthy as possible. I am simply sharing ideas for what has worked for us time and time again. 

1. Never Underestimate the Power of A Cup of Tea

My family members are MAJOR herbal tea drinkers. I make my own teas with loose leaf herbs (I buy all my loose herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs), but also have a couple of store bought varieties I am never

Ten Under $20 Gift Ideas for Children {2017 Gift Guide Series}

I know that for many of you, it's the time of year when you are grabbing gifts for family and friends--and you are hoping to find great gifts that won't break the bank. Whether it comes to shopping for kids, sometimes the best gifts are the ones you don't have to spend a lot of money on. In fact, I know that with my boys, they would rather get several smaller things than just a single big thing! So today, I'm going to share 10 Ideas for Children's Gifts that are under $20 as part of my Gift Guide Series.

The links on this blog and in the posts may be affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!

*Note: All pricing current as of the date of this post 12/6/2017*

1. Magic Stix 12-pk Washable Markers (retails $9.99)
New from the makers of Kwik Stix comes Magic Stix! Washable markers with a 7 day cap off guarantee! Seriously. These should be musts for the kiddos. We have gone 3 days already with the cap off on purpose--still works! Let's not forget they are also washable and non-toxic! And they come in a handy clear snap case. My son is loving having them for church and I love that even if he decides to get creative on his fingers, I can easily wash it off!

Draw Near To Me {Five Minute Friday}

I have missed out on the last few Five Minute Fridays, so I'm going to try to finish the year strong! This week, the word of inspiration is...NEAR.

A lot of words come to mind when I think of the word Near. So many scriptures rush to the brain of how God promises to stay close to us as long as we draw near to Him. But I am also thinking more of my boys. Both of them are growing up so fast--one is 7 and the other is 11 with a birthday not too far away. They are navigating this adventure we call life and I enjoy seeing their personalities grow.

One of my sons is a snuggler. Oh how he LOVES to come near me ALL THE TIME. His day cannot begin until he has "mommy lovin's". And he's so soft and warm fresh out of the covers, that I never complain and could hold onto him forever. We have all sorts of lovely conversations. And throughout the day he loves being by my side to help me, or he simply wants me to watch him and be there in case he needs me.

My oldest son loves his lovin' time, but he's getting to be a big old clumsy puppy dog. He's zipping between the need for me and the need for independence. He loves attention from me and being near me, but can't sit still worth a dime. He comes to me for small sessions. But oh how refreshed his emotions are when I give him that one-on-one time he so desperately NEEDS.

We are the same you know.
We need God in similar ways.
Some of us are like my youngest son. Content to dwell in His presence all day long. To never leave His side. Asking Him to constantly let us give it a try--but only if He stays near. But you know most of us--probably the vast majority of us--are more like my oldest. We come near when we feel like we need Him the most. Maybe we are too busy with our lives for any LONG periods of time with God. We are sure we can't slow down long enough to encourage that relationship. But then we remember how much we do need Him, and we drop everything to draw near to Him. And our souls become refreshed. And we can tackle the world again.

I guess the balance is finding a way to do both. Seeking Him first thing every morning. Knowing we can count on Him to help us with anything and everything. Yet boldly going forward with our souls refreshed to tackle whatever this world has for us.

Yep. This is what I am thinking as I ponder the word...
Near.