August Fields

40 bags in 40 days. preparing for easter.

today is ash wednesday.  the beginning of the season of lent.  40 days until Easter (not counting sundays).

this can be a time to clear the house and make more room for God.

when i was younger i would hear of lent in church and maybe jump on the bandwagon of fasting t.v, or pizza, or chocolate.  i never remember the fast lasting very long, and i don’t remember it meaning very much to me.

as i have grown deeper in my faith, lent has become a time of fasting for the purpose of giving more to God and knowing His grace.  participating in a fast of any kind does NOT make me more worthy to God or a better Christian.  my choosing to celebrate these days holds the purpose of glorifying God, giving more to others, making LESS of me.

i first heard about the 40 bags in 40 days from sarah.  it intrigued me and we did this last year.  it is a commitment and pairing this with devotions, prayers, discussions and activities relating to lent can really make the season more meaningful.

this process allows me to feel the buildup to Easter physically.  Easter the day to celebrate the fact that Jesus arose from a 3 day death!

would you like to join me in the 40 bags in 40 days?

1.  make a list 1 through 40.  write down areas you want to go through and simplify or purge.

2.  each day go through the designated area and decide what you will throw away or donate.

3.  glorify God for who HE is.  what He has accomplished.  Love Him more and show His love to others.  its not about me.  its about Him!

emails

i am answering emails.  from last may.

yes, i am admitting total defeat.  thank you for all the amazing, supporting, inquiring emails!

i am working my way through answering them and then sorting them into an “answered” folder.

so, if you receive a random email from me answering your question from almost a year ago……

“HI!” 🙂 🙂

alright….back to it.

p.s.  do you have your garbage bags ready for tomorrow?  40 bags in 40 days will be explained then.  be ready!

sneak peek: the office.

busy busy busy.  a good busy which can also read: ‘not much time left for the computer or blogging’ busy.

i do have this going on though.

the office.  it’s coming along.  i have to order window hardware, find some wall art and a few pieces of decor for the bookshelves.

i’m looking forward to wednesday.  a fellow homeschooling friend is coming over and we’re making a candyland type game for the 40 days until easter.

i also want to start 40 bags in 40 days on wednesday.  if you want to join in and use this project as a way to prepare for lent, make sure to have a box of garbage liners on hand and i’ll explain on wednesday.  ðŸ™‚

craft time.

some days it just works to get the paint out and get a little messy.  
i love this shot of hank.  he is the world’s funniest face maker.  hands down.  he’s not even trying here 🙂
dancy would paint all day if i let her.

boone informed me this morning that he either wants to be:  “one, an athlete. or two, a painter”.  um. okay.  i’m still pushing “a dentist”. 
and really, when daddy paints with you?  that’s the best.  really.

friday favorites: the medicine chest

i am so honored to be making a little appearance today over at

kirsten is a very talented interior designer located in utah.  peruse through her work over on her blog.  thank you kirsten 🙂

if you’re visiting from 6th street design school, welcome!  please stay awhile 🙂

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for my favorites today i wanted to share how we fight off the flu, colds, earaches, sore throats etc.  we get sick, but we have not had to go to the doctor in years, but once (for strep throat).

here is what i always have on hand.  this stuff works so well for our family i just have to share!

ear aches:

mullein/garlic drops by herb’s etc.  it has to be this exact kind.  we purchase ours at the local natural health food store.

the moment anyone complains of achy ears i put a few drops in and have them lay on their side.  for dubs and when the other’s were babies i put the drops in while they were in the bathtub or while they were sleeping.  by the morning time you will feel better.  if the ear is achy during the day the ‘patient’ will lay low and receive the recommended dosage throughout the day as well.

sore throat:

activated charcoal.  my mother in law has used this for years and brought many of her children through sickness’ with charcoal.  i keep capsules and powder both on hand.  any brand is fine for this.

for adults, you can either put a capsule in the back of your mouth and let it disintegrate over night, slowly swallowing what is released (put a towel on your pillow)  or you can put a tiny amount (tip of your pinky) of powder on the back of your tongue, every 30 minutes to an hour.

achy/flu/cough:

boiron products.  hands down.

never has a cough syrup calmed me down at night when i needed it like this one.  without feeling groggy in the morning too!
the oscillococcinum are tiny little pellets that come in a vile.  my kids think they taste like sugar.  
the key with the osci. and cold calm is to keep them in your mouth as long as possible.  this is easy for everyone since there is no taste.
these are a MUST in your mama nurse arsenal.  
the other thing we do with a cough is put cold packs on the chest.  lay a towel down, then the cold pack. keep it on for as long as you can stand it.  the older kids, daddy and myself will put it on at nite before we go to bed if a bad cough is present.
hopefully you won’t be needing to use any of this, but if you’re not feeling well, i hope this helps!