"It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!"

It sure is! From the cats tearing the ornaments while chasing each other up and down the tree to cookie exchanges and The Big Guy you'll see below.

 We also had the opportunity to see the reindeer at The North Pole as you can see in the picture below.

In all the hustle and bustle of the season though, we've been able to keep our eye on the truth of the season, the birth of  Jesus Christ!   For without Jesus, there would be no eternal gift. There would be no forgiveness and we'd be doomed for hell. Without the Savior's Birth, there would be no unconditional love that would take HIS place for ours.  For this we are truly grateful and remembering that the gifts of this world are not the same as the eternal gift we have received because of the Birth of Jesus which we celebrate in December.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Let's Talk Finances For A Minute...The Recovering Spendervention Part I

Lauren discusses the importance of a budget and how keeping checks and balances is a safety net for families. See how here and drop by Lauren Greutman's Website

Healthy Baking Substitutes

We have been trying to transition to a healthier lifestyle. In that process, I like to use whole foods in place of over-processed. I don't make a whole lot of baked goods, but when I do, I want the most nutritious bang for my buck. Thankfully new substitutes are readily available for families. Here's a list I found for baking substitutes...

Something New Is In The Horizon

It's been a while and I have to say that life has been good to us. I've decided to use this blog again to catch the day in the life of Little Bear and the new journey with homeschool. It will continue to be a day in the life and since I'll have more time than before to share, I hope to combine my love of being a stay at home mom and wife with home-making and raising, loving and teaching our darling little girl.  Expect healthy recipes, parenting posts, book reviews and more.

See you in two weeks!
SaveSave

Make You Feel My Love

http://www.smule.com/recording/adele-make-you-feel-my-love/395098512_271557692

Happy New Year!!

Here's To A Happy And Healthy 2014! God Bless Everyone.

A Friendship Filled With Gods Promises

Someone close to me has blessed me with scripture.  I have two close friends who do this. One is Patti who lives in Idaho and the other is someone I met before I really knew her. It started when I was looking at head stones in the cemetery. We were urged to take a look and see if there was anything that caught my eye.

At the time, I was so broken after the loss of our son that all I could do was just walk through the peaceful place that my son and someday WE would call our resting place. I noticed several things.  1. we were NOT the first to lose a child so young and we probably wouldn't be the last sadly.   2. I found peace there in the quiet. I found love there with those who were no longer part of THIS world.  3. I came eye to eye with my own mortality.  4. I found the headstone that caught my eye.

While the headstone was "similar" to the one we had made, they were both very different.  Little did I know that the mother of that child would be my good friend. Would be the person everyone told me I should meet at church and didn't until a month or so later.  She has been through SO much, yet she took that anger, sadness and frustration and daily gave it to God where HE used it to build on her strength. The very same strength God had given her to lift her even on days when it has been hard for her to stand.

Now, I'm not going to go into detail about my dear friend. That's HER story to tell if she ever decides to do so. I will say that she has been a HUGE drive for me as I watch HER faith walk just as I have with Patti.  BOTH women have such faith and it really helps me through this chronic fear that I've held onto for so long.  I've been ready to let it go. Read to put down the fear, TRUST GOD and step out of my comfort zone to better my life Physically, emotionally and spiritually.

The last several months I've been praying about where to go from here. I've noticed on my own that  I can't be fully fit without all three in balance. If one is off, there is a HUGE imbalance.  I can be physically fit but what good would it do if I was SO emotionally incapable to LIVE because of the chronic fear and anxiety that seemed to get worse after the traumatic loss of our son?  Furthermore I can be in EXCELLENT shape and finally free from anxiety but without God who brought me here and walked me through the worst experience and best experiences of my life, my life would be...empty. Like a HUGE part of me is missing.

So today I have chosen to LIVE. Not just live but REALLY FULLY LIVE life on purpose! My goal is to get all three aspects (Physical, emotional and spiritual) in balance and in great health. God as my center of course and the rest will come.

Today, as I share a piece of the chapter with you that my dear friend used to encourage MY walk.  I pray that each of you LIVE FULLY.  We only get one life here to live. LIVE it FULLY with God, LIVE It fully with good health in the vessel God has given you and finally, LIVE fully away from Anger, disappointment, fear and judgement. It will only keep YOU from living a life FULL of blessings that YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER Has for YOU! Let go and trust God. There's a purpose for your life!

 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.

I will protect those who trust in my name.

 When they call on me, I will answer;

I will be with them in trouble.

I will rescue and honor them.

I will reward them with a long life

and give them my salvation.”

Psalm 91 Verse 14-16