TrentTribe's Xanga

It's a "lose your first tooth" kind of day.

Tue, 14 May 2013 20:10:32 GMT

He's very proud.

Too Much Birthday Cake Detox

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:29:14 GMT

A few weeks ago, we celebrated two birthdays! We had a lot of cake... and ice cream... and pizza.

All of those treats triggered some bad eating days for me. I felt crummy awful. We all know a treat once in a while is no biggie but when we treat ourselves several times a day? For several days? "Houston, we have a problem."

I was in desperate need of something to cleanse the digestive system, get rid of bloat and reset the eating plan. Of course, there is an oil for that. ;)

I started by having a dose of Digestzen essential oil blend (2-3 drops of Digestzen mixed with 1/4 cup of water). I used Frankincense on the liver reflexology points in the hands and feet. I followed that up by drinking lots of water with Lemon essential oil throughout the day, two more doses of Digestzen and another application of Frank to the reflex points. I repeated the detox for two more days (3 days total).

This was a great way to reset my appetite and get back to eating healthy God made foods. The detox curbed my sugar overloaded cravings, got rid of the bloating, and just made me feel so much better!

DigestZen^® is a proprietary blend of seven different essential oils, formulated to provide soothing, all-natural relief from digestive symptoms, such as heartburn and indigestion. For many individuals, digestive issues are difficult part of everyday life. In fact, Americans spend close to $1 billion per year on popular over-the-counter (OTC) antacids. Heartburn, indigestion and sustained inflammation from unwanted microbes are only a few of the digestive problems with which they contend. Clearly, there is a problem here, and the common approach to dealing with it has not been proven very effective. But, there is a better way.

It has been well established that certain essential oils contain compounds that are very therapeutic for the digestive sytem. Many essential oils, such as peppermint and ginger, have been researched and recognized as powerful agents to help restore normal balance in the digestive system. Other oils, like tarragon, fennel, caraway, coriander and anise oils, each have specific attributes that, when blended with peppermint and ginger, add to the overall efficacy of the blend.

I know I could have gotten back on track without the detox and eventually the bloating would have left and my body would have felt normal again but it was wonderful to have something to speed the process along and help my body heal itself from my poor choices. I highly recommend digestzen! You can learn more about essential oils here.

It's Just Who We Are

Fri, 10 May 2013 17:56:49 GMT

I love being a mom. It's just who I am. It's just who you are. Whether a mom by birth, by adoption, or spiritually - it's who we are. Some of us will mother a tribe, a community, generations, neighborhoods... We mother those placed in our care.

My oldest daughter, Katie is teased by our student ministry group for being the "mom". She takes care of everybody. Sends reminders. Keeps up with their stuff. It's just who she is. Her sisters are following in her footsteps. They grab up all the little ones everywhere we go and tote them around. If I could speak into the lives of all young ladies like my daughters I'd say, the Lord has a plan for your life. The enemy will try to deceive you. The enemy wants to give you a counterfeit plan. The enemy wants you to settle. Don’t be deceived. God doesn't do things half way. He doesn't give you a half way future. He gives you the total package. Purpose in your heart today to not settle for anything less than the total package.

I have friends who are aching to be mothers. I want you to know that we feel your longing. We long with you and we desire to bear your burden to the Lord. We desire to pray over you and ask that the Lord open your womb. We have the faith for this. You have the faith for this. We ask right now that the Lord raise up intercessors all over the world to pray for you.

My friends with small children, God is with you. Each day that you face another day of too much to do - God is with you. You are never alone. He is your rest, your peace, he will see you through this season. And someday not so long from now, you will remember these days with joy and even longing to return to them. We pray that you feel his presence, his rest, his peace, and his joy each day!

My friends with grown children, be at peace. God carries your children in the palm of his hand. You don’t have to be the fixer, just be the pray-er. Bear the burden of prayer. Lean heavily upon the Lord to lead and guide. Exercise your authority as the prayer warrior of your family.

My friends and family that are mommas of spiritual children, the privilege of carrying a soul is always yours. Your heart is always open and welcoming another person to find nourishment and comfort. You are an influencer. You pour into the lives of others.

Happy Mother's Day weekend, sweet friends! My gift (prayer) for you:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7

What do you see?

Thu, 09 May 2013 23:40:26 GMT

When I first saw this picture, taken by Gracie, I had to focus a moment to find my sweet Emrie at the end of the tunnel. This set in motion a whole bunch of thoughts about perspective and how we see things.

So many times, we can completely change our lives without actually changing anything in our lives. Perspective and focus are that important. Change the way you see your life and you'll change your life.

When I was a single college student, I spent a summer working at a christian camp. There was one week that I had a particularly difficult group of campers. I had a bedwetter, a thief, a constant rule challenger, a cryer, a fit thrower... Did you know homesickness is contagious? It is. When one camper gets it, everybody gets it. Even I had it. It was B. A. D. I remember going to the camp director and pouring my heart out about the challenges I was facing. I was overwhelmed and it was getting the best of me. The camp director listened quietly and when I was done, she said to me, "I know you have a tough group. That's why I chose you. I knew you were a person who could do hard things. I wouldn't have given you this group if I hadn't known you could make a difference." Wow. Talk about changing my perspective. Suddenly I went from overwhelmed and upset to determined and ready to meet the challenge. I squared my shoulders back, asked the Lord to give me more understanding and strength, and I faced my group determined to make something of our week.

If I could do anything for you today, it would be to give you perspective. The tough things you face, the hard times... they aren't meant to defeat you. They are meant to refine you. To grow you and strengthen you. You are a person who can do hard things. That's why He chose you.

"So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." 2 Corinthians 4:18

It's happening.

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:19:06 GMT

Less baby. More boy.

I want to be sad.

Then I call to mind that "less baby more boy" sleeps through the night.

Takes the edge off my sadness.

Leg Cramp Fix

Mon, 06 May 2013 12:09:34 GMT

My sweet girl, Gracie, experiences leg cramps.

We call them "Growing Pains".

The more active our kids are the more often they get them. I'm so excited to have a "fix" that soothes those cramps away.

For Gracie, I do two or three drops of Deep Blue (a blend of Peppermint, Wintergreen, Camphor, Blue Chamomile...) and several drops of fractionated coconut oil (can use olive oil). I mix the oils in the palm of my hand and massage them into Gracie's legs. Within minutes her growing pains are gone.

According to modern medicine, more than half of us suffer from inflammation — whether chronic or acute. This inflammation causes pain and discomfort, and is linked to almost every degenerative disease, from heart disease to diabetes to cancer. But, found in nature is some of the most functional analgesic compounds known to mankind. And, unlike the over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics available on the market today, these compounds are not only efficacious, they are safe.

Essential oils, containing many of these compounds, have been blended together by the scientists at doTERRA into the Deep Blue^® blend. These oils produce what can seem like miraculous — and sustained — results, penetrating deep into the body's tissues to reduce inflammation and provide you with truly amazing relief from inflammation's pain and discomfort. These oils are combined so that the anti-inflammatory properties of their chemical constituents work synergistically, to reduce inflammation, ease achy joints and sore muscles and provide you with deep, penetrating relief — that lasts. One of these oils is wintergreen — only one of several oils studied for its amazing ability to diminish pain and discomfort. Wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, blue tansy, blue chamomile, helichrysum, and osmanthus work collectively to provide you with truly remarkable relief from inflammation and its associated pain. It can be applied directly to areas of discomfort. Its cool, therapeutic benefit will be felt almost immediately. Deep Blue^® can also be diffused into the air.

Gracie 's Deep Blue.

I being Dr. Mom!

I just wish doTERRA had come into my life sooner. Want to learn more?

What's that you say?

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:51:53 GMT

Josiah is trying to say everything. My favorite right now is his version of "Oh Well." It comes out kinda like "Oh lell." For diaper, he says "Biper". "Eww" and "bah-ll" are his faves.

Around age two most children have a vocabulary of 100 to 200 words, and the ability to form simple sentences. So you might say that you’ve been saying words all your life. But the real question is, “What have those words done?” Sure, most of them, are gone and forgotten. Others, though, had profound and lasting consequences.

We are responsible for what we speak into other people's lives. Our words can be balm that brings healing or our words can be nuclear and destroy everything in sight. We should use them with caution. We have the power to heal through the words we choose. The Bible mentions the healing power of the tongue several times. In Proverbs, the Bible mentions the "tongue of the wise brings healing" (12:18); "tongue that brings healing is a tree of life" (15:4); "pleasant words are ... healing to the bones" (16:24). The Bible also warns us to be wary of the destruction that our words can bring (James 3). We’ve all been hurt by words, and sometimes the effect lasts years. Proverbs 12:18 tells us that reckless words pierce like a sword.

We can't deny the power of words. In our tongues is the power to build or destroy; to bless or to curse; to heal or to wound; to instruct or to corrupt. Choose blessing. Choose to build. Choose to heal. The Bible tells us that words are the expressions of our hearts. What are our words expressing about our hearts? Choose carefully.

Just Like the Braves

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:38:11 GMT

"Mom, I hit the ball just like the Braves!"

I love my boy. :)

My Headache Arsenal

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:55:30 GMT

There are headaches and then there are HEADACHES.

For headaches, Peppermint essential oil works great applied directly to the temples, forehead, or the neck. Peppermint is really one of my faves.

For HEADACHES,

Start as soon as any warning appears.

• 1 - 2 drops of Frankincense on your finger and rub on the roof of your mouth

• 1 - 2 drops of Deep Blue on the temples and forehead. Also Deep Blue can be applied to the neck and shoulder region.

• 1 - 2 drops DigestZen internally if nauseous.

Repeat every 15 minutes - 2 hours as long as necessary. Nap if situation allows.

If you suffer from frequent headaches, it's beneficial to stay hydrated and drink water with a couple drops of Peppermint in it for prevention of frequent headaches!

Want to learn more?

Homeschool Life

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:16:50 GMT

I have so many reasons to homeschool.

I really only have to see this

to remember.

(One of our less chaotic homeschool moments.)