Homemade Bug Spray

I've been working my way towards a chemical-free lifestyle. What does this mean? It means that I don't use any more conventional cleaning products...things like, comet (this used to be my favorite bathroom cleaner), Clorox wipes (hello, easy toilet cleaning!), or even seventh generation products which seem to be relatively safe. Instead, I use a vinegar/water solution, about a 1:1 ratio. This kills germs, leaves things looking nice and shiny, and this way Charlie is allowed to help too!

I'm also very careful with products that I put on our skin. For the kiddos, I use soap from the farmers market at bath time, and coconut oil for a moisturizer when they need it. 

This summer, the bugs have been horrific. I don't want to send my kids out without bug spray, and definitely don't want to use "regular" bug spray on them. Have you read the ingredients? Interesting enough, they only put 5% of the ingredients on the website...the rest are just labeled as "other ingredients". SO, instead of using something like that on the kids, I decided to make my own. I found this recipe on pinterest, and had Mike make it up (I had to change a few things, because we didn't have epsom salts, and I added another oil.)! I had to reapply it a few times, but haven't had ANY bug bites since using it! If you're needing something great, and safe to use on yourself and kids, try this!

All Natural Bug Spray

8 oz. water

8 drops purification essential oil

8 drops peppermint essential oil

8 drops lavender essential oil (mosquitoes stay away from lavender!)

pinch of baking soda

1. Mix the oils and baking soda together. This will keep the oils from separating from the water.

2. Mix the baking soda mixture with the water.

3. Pour into a spray bottle.

4. Spray!

I hope this works for you as well as it has for us!

Weekly Goals

It's time for weekly goals again! I feel like I've gotten a lot done in the past few weeks, and that setting goals has been incredibly helpful. My main goal for this week though, is to just spend time with my kids. Of course,  I have one big-ish goal for the week though...just to get things hung up! I'm hoping to get pictures hung up, which will help our new place feel more homey. I still have a few things that need to get done though:

*Bake bread

*Clean bathrooms

*Dust

*Vacuum

*Laundry

*Thrift Store run

*Start thinking about the kids' birthday parties

It should be a pretty easy, and relaxing week!

Proverbs Bible Study (Week 2)

I have been learning SO much from reading Proverbs these past two weeks. Who knew that wisdom and discernment were so important?! I'm so thankful that God has provided us with His words, and tells us how to live a life that will glorify Him. Here's what I picked up this week:

Proverbs 5

5:1-6 He gives a description of an adultress. She is smooth, good at persuading, and doesn't even realize what she is doing, or that she is sinning.
He also says to keep away from her, or you will regret it later in life.
5:15 Keep to yourself. Do your own work.
You will be blessed.
Always be satisfied with your spouse. Never lust after others.
5:21 God always sees what you are doing. I think that this is a good way to hold yourself accountable.

Proverbs 6
6:1-6 Do not rest until you get out of your sins.
Always acknowledge your sins and ask for forgiveness.
6:6 Hold yourself accountable for your actions.
Be responsible and plan for your future.
6:17-19 A list of things that God hates. The one that sticks out the most to me, is the hands that shed innocent blood. I don't think he necessarily means actual killing, but even picking and choosing who we think is "worthy" to hear about Jesus. The people who haven't heard are the innocent ones, and if we ignore them, we are shedding their innocent blood.
This passage also makes me think that I need to regularly "check" myself. See what is causing me to sin, and to stop immediately, and ask for forgiveness.
6:20-22 I'm noticing that this passage is constantly repeated, which must mean that it's incredible important!
6:27-29 You can't have both. If you choose to commit adultery, you will be punished.
6:33 Once you commit adultery, it will become your identity. You will always be known for it.

Proverbs 7
7:1-5 Another repeat of these words. Memorize them, and live them!
7:7 "The youth who lack judgement", there is no moral code. Without knowledge or discernment, he was easily swayed toward the prostitute, he did not realize that it would cost him his life.
7:27 She leads to death.

Proverbs 8
8:10 "Choose instructions over silver, knowledge over gold." I love this. We are working on becoming minimalists, so that we can truly live this.
8:12 Always have discretion with knowledge, they go hand in hand.
Be humble, hate pride.
8:17 He loves me, because I love Him.

Image from pinterest

8:23 I love this. It speaks of Jesus' great power.
8:30 Be filled with delight always. This is SO difficult for me. I'm one whose attitude is swayed by circumstances.
8:32 Do not ignore His instruction.
8:34 Listen, watch and wait for Him.

I took so much from this week's study. The main point was to love Him, and His instruction more than "things", and to use discretion when in a tough situation.

What did you learn this week?

**Please share in the comments, any questions or insight that you have!**

Introduction

Today, I thought I would introduce you to my kids! 

Of course, I think they are the smartest, most adorable kids out there...and I'm sure that I'm not biased at all. Right?!

 My two cute kiddos

Charlie

Charlie and momma

 Maddie

Cuties in the tub

I'm so blessed to be able to spend everyday with these babies. Somedays they drive me absolutely insane, but I wouldn't have it any other way! They do and say the funniest things, and are constantly making me smile. I hope they make you smile too!

Proverbs Bible Study (Week 1)

It's the first week! I learned so much over the past few days of studying Proverbs 1-4. Throughout the week, I realized that I truly love reading my Bible. I love the wisdom that pours out of every single word. I believe that it is the Word of God, and that He loves me and wants to give me direction on how to live my life. 

For this study, I'm going to go through my notes, and then leave questions that I have at the end. Please feel free to add your notes and questions as well. Also, please share this with your friends and family, I would love for this Bible study to reach those who need it!

Here's my notes for the week:

Proverbs was written by Solomon, son of King David. 

Proverbs 1:1-8 This passage tells that you should desire to gain wisdom so that you are able to pass it on to others.

Proverbs 1:9 Your father's instruction and your mother's teaching are things that you will always keep with you.

Proverbs 1:19 Be less focused on "things" (things you want to buy, do, see) as it will consume you. Be more focused on the Lord.

Proverbs 1:20 Rejecting His teachings and wisdom is rejecting Him.

Proverbs 2:1-5 If you follow Him, He will provide for you. He also shares the results/consequences of not following Him.

Proverbs 2:6 The Lord gives wisdom, He is knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2:7 I loved this verse. He loves us, and will keep and protect us.

Proverbs 2:12 Wisdom will keep our paths straight

Proverbs 2:20-22 I understood this as  a prophesy to when Jesus comes back, 

Proverbs 3:1-2 Not prosperity in a worldly sense, but in love, joy and peace.

Image from crosscards.com

Proverbs 3:6 In ALL your ways acknowledge him, not just some

Proverbs 3:9 I have a really hard time with this. We are to honor the Lord with the FIRST FRUITS of ALL harvests. This doesn't mean to give back when you have enough (money, time), but RIGHT away!

Proverbs 3:13-15 Nothing compares to wisdom and understanding.

Proverbs 3:25-26 I'm anxiety prone. I really struggle with understanding that God has gone before me, and will protect me. I can put my confidence in Him.

Proverbs 3:28 I can see myself putting things off, especially in my home. I view it as laziness. 

Proverbs 3:34 Do not mock God. He gives grace, but do not abuse it.

Proverbs 4:4 I need to teach this to my children. I also think that He is saying that you will have a long eternal life, not necessarily a long earthly life.

Proverbs 4:12 He will guide your way.

Proverbs 4:13 To me, instruction=the Bible. 

Proverbs 4:15 Ignore evil. Stay as far away from it as possible.

Proverbs 4:18 This was just a beautiful passage. I had to put it in here...I love picturing it in my mind!

Proverbs 4:20 I noticed that this was repeated over and over - Pay attention and listen closely!

I thought that this section was pretty straight forward....the only part that I struggled with was the verse Proverbs 1:17. If you have any thoughts, please add that or any questions in the comments!

Proverbs Bible Study (Outline)

Want to know something funny? Proverbs was set up perfectly for an 8 week Bible study! I was feeling a little bit nervous, and didn't know how to go about setting up an outline for it, but it came together almost effortlessly! 

I was too excited to wait until tomorrow to start thinking about it...(It also helps that Charlie is at the park with Mike, and Maddie is sleeping!) so I did it right away! The last few weeks there will be a little bit of skipping around-I just wanted to keep themes together.

Here's what the next 8 weeks will look like:

8 Week Online Bible Study

Week 1: Proverbs 1-4 (Wisdom)

Week 2: Proverbs 5-8 (Warnings)

Week 3: Proverbs 9-13 (Wisdom)

Week 4: Proverbs 14-16 (Proverbs of Solomon)

Week 5: Proverbs 17-18 (Proverbs of Solomon)

Week 6: Proverbs 19-22:16 (Proverbs of Solomon)

Week 7: Proverbs 25-29 (Proverbs of Solomon)

Week 8: Proverbs 22:17-25, 30, 31  (Sayings of...)

Hopefully that's not too much reading at one time. I will post my thoughts and questions on Monday morning.

*Please feel free to share with friends and family!*

Bible Study

During the school year this past year, I attended a weekly Bible study. BSF or Bible Study Fellowship was every Wednesday morning. Each week, you would receive a packet of notes and then a lesson to work on throughout the week. I absolutely loved it. I was able to get into a really good routine, and was studying my Bible every week. Not just reading through it like I had been doing, but actually studying it, and learning SO much about Jesus. 

Wouldn't you know it though, as soon as I was no longer held accountable for reading my Bible every week, I got out of habit...and quickly. I didn't know where to start, and I didn't know if I was capable of understanding what I was reading, without questions to follow up. Obviously, that was Satan trying to convince me that my studying the Bible could wait again until September. It really worked, up until about a week ago. I felt a gentle nudging to start reading the Word again. It wasn't that dreaded feeling that I often get, when I think "I should really read by Bible today...after I wash the dishes, clean the bathroom, take a nap.") Instead, it was an excited feeling, I couldn't WAIT to start reading and finding out what God was wanting to teach me. The wheels in my head began turning. I felt like God was telling me to lead an "over the internet Bible study" this summer. Doesn't that sound so...drive-thru weddingish? Here came the thoughts again: "You don't know enough about the Bible to teach it", "You are still so new at this", "No one would really want to commit to it". I let that sit and simmer for a little bit...until I realized YET AGAIN that it was Satan talking to me. I wish I would really realize things like this sooner. I started feeling really excited about having a Bible study that ANYONE could join! Anyone who wanted to learn from other people across Minnesota, or really anywhere, since it's online! I feel hopeful that this could really affect others, and especially someone who really needs encouragement. So...without further ADO....

SUMMER 2014
ONLINE BIBLE STUDY

An 8 Week Study of

Proverbs

Right now, I'm so excited that I can hardly contain myself. I will plan to post one time per week (Monday?), with my thoughts and more than likely a few questions that I need help answering. My hope is that we will have an ongoing discussion, and that everyone will take something away from this. Please don't be embarrassed by ANY question that you have, and please be respectful of every person on here. I will get an outline set up over the weekend, and have it posted by Monday morning. Feel free to share this with your friends/family, and anyone else who you think would love this!

**If you have questions about BSF, please ask! I would love to share my experience, and would be happy to help you find a location!**