Good Afternoon

Good Afternoon
Photographer, Shelly Boyd

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Frugal Recipe of the Day!

 
.18 Tortilla's!
 
 
2 cups Flour (we use all purpose or whole wheat!)
Salt to taste
3 tbls oil
water to make texture, nice dough not sticky or gooey
 
 
We fried this batch in a frying pan for 1 min per side!
 
Then cut them up for chips and dip!  yummmmmmmmm
 
We are always trying out new ways to remain frugal and economical and yummy all at the same time. Which we all know is extremely hard. We try as much to make things healthy and from scratch. Limiting chemicals and add in's and what have you to our food! We want to stretch our dollars and therefore having the funds for organic fruits and veggies as much as possible.
 
The second batch of Tortilla's we pureed garlic and took out oil, these one's I preferred because I am a garlic holic! I love me some garlic! :) Even the children loved them.
 
Did you know that you can eliminate the high in fat oils my simply adding fruit or veg puree's and or low fat yogurts (make sure its plain yogurt or your hubby may not be so thrilled LOL! ) I did that :(!
 
 
Perogies that cost a buck!
 
Thats right I said a buck, $1.00! Sooooooooo excited! You see perogies are my favorite. My Nana and I when I was a little girl used to make them. My fondest memories is on the four acres, rolling out dough an using her cups to make the perfect circles, with the fire going. For you see my grandparents didn't have electricity for awhile and had an outhouse....but this is one of the memories that is in my heart etched like one of God's love notes from my Nana! :)
 
Here is how we did it!
 
Dough
2 c of flour
Water to texture (perfect dough not wet, sticky or gooey)
 
Filling
2 med onion(white)
6 extra large potatoes, boiled and mashed
1 can of corn.
(this filling we used only 1/4 for filling and then refrigerated the rest for our supper today, which will be potato patties!)
 
After rolling out the dough we used a small circular class
Then mixed our mashies with pureed onion(we used a food processor) personal preference
and corn
then filled them up not too full or they will not pinch and close properly
 
Now we just pinched them shut, let them rest for half an hour and boiled!
yummy with sour cream (I put garlic powder on them) the kids also liked Ketchup. I know weird right...lol I like it to. Its kinda a family trait :)
 
You can do a dab of water on your finger as well to "glue" them closed better or use egg whites. We didn't want to add extra anything just to try and they turned out beautifully!
 
Hope you enjoyed my Frugal Recipes!
May each one of you be blessed and equally so be a blessing to others,
Stacey Homemaker~
 
 
 


Monday, June 24, 2013

Focus on the Family: Fight Right , Marriage Seminar in Kelowna, BC


Focus on the Family Presents:
Fight Right with Dr's. Les and Leslie Parrott
Kelowna, BC
June 15, 2013
 
 

Well, I have to start off saying that I came across the seminar from the Thrive Magazine that gets mailed to us from Focus On the Family. I instantly was excited and ever sooooooo eager to go.....
 
My wonderful husband on the other hand (although absolutely loves me) thinks that our marriage is awesome(which I completely agree with) and thinks that a marriage seminar really is not needed.
 
Although, my hubby also knows that anything to do with learning is worth a look into. So I did! Found out location, date and time. Found out that the two hosting the seminar both are Psychologist's. And are Parents and have been married for 14 years.
 
Just so happens, that this seminar landed the day before my birthday (what a bargaining chip that God gifted to me). I also found out that the start time was at 7pm. You see our store is open 6 days a week, 9-5, and Kelowna is 1 hour and 45 mins away from our town, that leaves a wee little wiggle room to stop for a coffee too! You see, you have to get all your facts straight before negotiations. LOL
 
Also, we have three gorgeous children, 8yrs old, 3 yrs old, and 1.5yrs old......hmmmmm who to babysit....we rarely rarely rarely ever go out anywhere....last time was when my mom (adopted) was living with us in November.
 
So, I phoned up my mom! She said, YES!!!!!!!!!!! so my husband was ever so wonderful to indulge me for my birthday present! The tickets were very affordable as well, $15.00 each ticket! Yeah!
 
We had all of this figured out by the end of April, for you see I am a planner LOL......then we hit a slow bump in our road for the store, the money really wasn't where it needed to be....our must haves needed our full attention and our wants needed to be put on hold. You see, the gas, and to eat is not the cheapest, and at $1.40 a litre for gas....we were just gonna to not go....
 
My husband was devastated and really wanted for us to go because he knew how much it meant to me. I held strong and said it wasn't a big deal. Next year we could go. (we both know that I was utterly heartbroken.) We offered to give the tickets away. We prayed and thanked God for the blessing it could be for someone else. We prayed. I prayed to have a thankful heart despite circumstances.
 
I picked up the phone, and called my mom, to tell her that we had to cancel. And although my voice was light and cheerful she knew something was up.....After explaining our circumstances...God used her to bless us. For she now knew what I needed for my birthday....
 
I also found a surprise, my big brother (adopted) was flying in from Calgary to visit with us for the weekend....What a blessing God gifted us. For I would be honoured to spend my birthday and Father's day with my wonderful family!
 
The day before everyone was to arrive, I had a midwife appointment.....I had lost one pound(I have only gained 2lbs in 15weeks), and my blood pressure was phenomenal(which also is such a blessing) then came our test.....Could not detect our precious baby's heart beat...although our midwife was optimistic she was worried so she scheduled us for a rush appointment the following Thursday. I also had to be scheduled for a OBGYN appointment (a must have after having bp issues in the past, I must be deemed fit for midwifery care by a specialist) :(.......
 
God was in this too. Sean and I prayed. At first, I was sooo worried. Then I prayed, I gave it to the God that holds my every best interest at heart and for His Will to be done. I decided right there that no matter what may happen God's Will to be done, and if it is His Will for our baby to return back to Him then it is meant to be.
 
This weekend was meant to happen at the exact moment when we needed it the most. My mom came up the next day, that night her and I had awesome quality time and drove to Kelowna to pick up my brother from the airport. Then we Had the seminar the next night and then the next day was my birthday and it was one of the best yet! For you see, my dad and my grandparents came for dinner. God gifted me amazing family around me....he gave me love and strength!
 
So, lets get back to this seminar.....
 
First of all, I have to really say that I am very impressed on the location that Focus on the Family chose. It was soooo easy to find and get to. It was right off the highway! That was sooo nice....and great for my hubby!
 
We were greeted with amazing and smiling faces. A very warm welcome. We were able to get right into the line for the "picture". Focus on the Family set up a photo shoot for all of the couples. Ours is right at the top of this page. I thought it was so very nice, and what a thoughtful was to commemorate our time at the seminar. I don't know about you but we don't have many pictures at all with both of us in the same photo...unless its our family photo...once a year! lol. So I thought this was a very wonderful addition to the seminar.
 
The seminar had a big screen that was displaying "marriage facts" in a power point for our viewing pleasure while we waited for it to start. Dr. Les and Leslie Parrott are extremely humorous, and warm and very friendly. Sean actually laughed....genuinely laughed at their illustrated stories and analogies on marriage. They were soo fun and animated. We really enjoyed how much fun they were.
Here are my notes.
 
Fighting or Conflict
  • every conflict (or almost every one) can be traced back to perception
  • Perceived Threat or Perceived Neglect
MEN AND WOMEN ARE DIFFERENT
 
GOALS OF CONVERSATION
MEN: Report talking
WOMEN: Rapport
 
Report:Give a spoken or written account of something that one has observed, heard, done, or investigated.
:An account given of a particular matter, esp. in the form of an official document, after thorough investigation or consideration
 
Rapport: a relationship of mutual understanding or trust and agreement between people.
                    :a close connection marked by community of interests or similarity in nature or character
 
You can clearly see why we sometimes have conflict....LOL!
 
Approach to problems:
MEN: want to fix or solve (instantly)
WOMEN: want to explore, talk, feel
 
KNOW YOUR FIGHT TYPE PERSONALITY
Are you a low flexibility, high flexibility, low expressive or a high expressive?
 
Are you a competitive fighter, collaborative fighter, cautious fighter or a conciliatory fighter?
 
C ooperation: fight for a win-win
O wnership: own your share of the pie
R espect: steer clear of belittling
E mpathy: step into each other's shoes
 

**Romans 12:18**

King James Version (KJV)
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men
 
WHAT TO AVOID:
  1. Critisim
  2. Defensiveness
  3. Contempt
  4. Stone walling
XYZ FORMULA
 
in situation X, when you do Y, I feel Z
 
Withholds: are things that you didn't tell your spouse during the week. They can be good or bad.
 
Sharing Withholds: had to happen with in the last 48 hours
One Positive: spousal response is a simple thank you no more no less
One Negative: spousal response is a simple thank you no more no less
One Positive: spousal response is a simple thank you no more no less
 
Do not talk about the withholds now for 30mins give yourselves some cooling off time before discussing.
 
This is all the notes I had. I honestly have to say that although I loved the seminar it was extremely entertaining we both expected more from University Professors and Psychologists. Expected more meat with all of the fun and simplicity.
 
We were also a little discouraged. Focus on the Family is such an overtly "Christian" Organization, and there was very little about God in this seminar. We prayed prior to the second half of the seminar, and praying for the hearts of the spouses. That was really it. We expected that since it was hosted and put on by Focus on the family that the seminar would be how to work through your fights with God, from a biblical perspective. That was just not how it happen.
 
We loved it though, and had a wonderful date night. The night was entertaining and fun and light hearted. Hoping the seminar in November is more biblically based!  I would also like to purchase the Parrott's books, because I know that's where the meat and potatoes is! I just have to save up for them!!
 
Thank you for reading and may it be a blessing to you.
 
 
 

Friday, June 14, 2013

Whats in a Language......Whats in my own.....Part 3

Good Afternoon, Photography courtesy of Shelly Boyd

 

 Good Afternoon,
Praying that today is filling your heart with joy and gratefulness that we are almost into the summer!

We left off with my failure of my first Nyselxcin class....and if you remember correctly I learned quite a bit from and it was the harder class to begin with! :)

In January, my eldest daughter and I began Nyselxcin Naqs which is the beginner course for our language. I loved this class. Now by no means was this class easier. LOL! This language has a lot of guttural sounds, clicking, even the way you breathe is a specific sound when that sound comes out.

I am telling you this was harder to learn than singing for me. The joy I received from learning our language is indescribable. I felt that I fit in, I was welcomed, I belonged and in time I could really be good at it.

At this point I am now feeling not the overwhelmed anxieties of who I was because a piece of my heritage was molding with in my heart. This class was being taught by a wonderful woman, whom believes that anyone wanting to learn should be encouraged and helped as much as you can. Both her and our elder teacher are the most amazing women. I have to say I have never met two woman work so hard for something, with such passion and strength and love. These two taught me so much about myself and about where I came from. The knowledge is priceless and I can never repay them for the price would be far to high. They are worth so much to me.

 
You see our language was going extinct and from the efforts of a few (but growing now) people they are growing, thriving and teaching. I am so proud of all of the hours or effort behind the scenes that go un noted, un documented. The Hours the amazing ppl put in writing proposals, record audio, writing booklets for our amazing children, songs, curriculum, stories......I know from personal experience how much they work. I have to say each one of them deserves a medal for how much they do!

This class we  as an entire class were able to get to lesson 10 before the time was up. And this class I passed!

By this time I was so blessed with many friends and family. I was blessed with my children learning this gorgeous language that comes from our heritage.



 
 
We learned greetings, numbers, food, family tree, and so much more. It made me want to become bilingual and teach my other children as well. So all that summer we practiced until even my 3 and 1 year old understood the words from the lessons 1-10 at least to hear and understand.
 
 
At this time I was trying to obtain my status.....because my parents were so young when I was born there were a lot of misunderstandings yuppers some arguments and what have you, so when I was little I did not receive my status.
 
When I was in high school because alot of stressful situations and fighting occurred again I was unable to get my status.
 
 
When I was born my father was never added to my birth certificate. Which poses a problem when I am older and trying to get my status.
 
As it stands INAC requires that your birth certificate says who the father is. This is just to apply for your status.
 
Because of difficult situations with my mother this was a stressful, hurtful, and extrememly emotional painful process to go through.
Also, I live in the city in which my parents were when they got pregnant with me and where a lot of their growing  up was!
 
So you can imagine stories and rumours and so much else! It was very scary and even some things from my mother made me question whether my dad was my dad.....
 
 
It was an extremely traumatic situation with a fair amount of stress. My beautiful, thoughtful, caring loving husband, God and good friends and family really saw me through it!
 
We got the paternity test and it came back 99.999% my dad was mine!!!!!!!!!!!:) :) 

The relief was indescribable. It was wonderous! Unfortunatley,INAC said they needed my birth certificate changed...and wouldn't you know it! In order for my bc. to be changed my birth mother had to sign the live birth registration for it to be changed......

A door closed, slammed shut frustration, agony, anger my resolve was now slowly falling. Seeking God for strength, endurance and perseverance.

God sent me my husbands love, my husbands grace for my emotions, my husbands arms to hold me through the tears, my husbands ears to listen to the crying, the anger, the disappointment the fear and my husbands amazing faith in God our Creator to hold me steadfast and on the path!

God gave me my amazing Husband!

Well, for today I feel that will be enough. I have talked your eyes off lots probably.
Until next post,
may you be blessed today and may today you equally be a blessing to others.
Stacey Homemaker~

Photography by Shelly Boyd,
www.salishschoolofspokane.org
www.interiorsalish.com

Dish Soap, Hand Soap......two different kinds no more!!!!!!!!!!!

On the Left is my vinegar solution for all purpose cleaning.
In the middle is the Dish Soap Solution, and on the Far left is the bathroom hand soap.

I have to say that all of these chemicals in all of our everyday use cleaning supplies just FREAK me right out. We are a family of sensitive skin, eczema and simply ouchieness to all of these so called sensitive skin products.

I am telling ya sensitive skin is hard to even attempt "new or different" sensitive soaps. So I went searching and found my own.

I found a recipe on one of my fav sites. www.frugallysustainable.com and tweaked to my families needs.


HAND SOAP RECIPE
 
10c of Water
5tsps of ivory bar soap
118ml aveeno baby soap
90 ml of washing soda
105ml of vinegar
9.5 ml Pure Tea Tree Oil
9.5ml Pure Lavendar Oil
7.5ml of Pure Vitamin E Oil
 
Yields 2L which lasts my of five 2 months
=$6.76 cost to make
**remember all utensils and pots, measuring cups are only used for this purpose**
Boil water and the shredded ivory soap
(be careful to boil on a low temp keep stirring so as not to bubble over)
When the ivory soap is all melted, I pour it into a measuring cup
 (so as easier to pour into bottles later)
I then add the Aveeno Baby Soap, washing soda and vinegar making sure all is dissolved I let cool for 15 min.
After cooling period I add the Tea Tree Oil, Lavendar Oil, and the Vitamin E Oil.
Mix well
pour into your bottles, and let sit for 24-48 hours before use. I found I am in a dryer climate at a higher elevation and 48hours to set worked for me.  A friend of mine from a wetter and lower elevation only needed 24 hours.
check after 24 hours if it is a wonderful liquid texture with no clumps and you like it that way then its good for you. After 24 hours it can gel up I like it like that. But make sure to give it a good shake each day to mix it up sometimes like anything else it can settle.
 
DISH SOAP RECIPE
 
Is the exact same except for one ingredient. I use the regular baby soap, the yellow everyday baby soap. In replace of the Aveeno. Reason for it is the Aveeno has a moisturizing ingredient that I like for the more frequent washing of hands.
 
Other than that its all the same. I also really enjoyed substituting the Baby Goats Milk Soap, but I only tried it because it was a gift from a friend. This soap makes the cost  to make a lot higher.
 
To make it easier you can make your dish soap and hand soap with the aveeno and make a double batch, and it works great. We tried that and it wasn't to bad. Like I said I have extremely sensitive skin and need the extra moisturizing action of the aveeno with the handsoap.
 
 

I have to say I love utilizing this recipe with our 9 year old daughter. This is an amazing Homeschool project to do with her, after the little ones have gone to bed and have a mother daughter night. Its so much fun and she learns so much from it. We talk about the antibacterial properties of the lavendar and tea trea oils, and where they come from. Why Vit E oil is essential for immunity of the hands and skin, how it increases the elasticity of our skin. I make into an education but sooo much fun night.
 
Remember each moment with your children is precious. Make it count. I love turning education experiments or anything into a whole family affair to make memories. And I am teaching my children ways in which to be frugal and still be able to have our needs met. To also be aware of what we are purchasing and watching out for sale items like our ivory soap and stocking up when it is really low. We are building our home and family on a debt free basis and hope and pray that teaching our children the fundamentals of a debt free lifestyle through basic financial principles every day will increase their chances of not being in debt when they are older. And that they are more financial minded when they do grow up and leave the safety of our home. God is an Awesome God and His will to be done but our goal is to grow them up with all of the tools and knowledge that we did not get while growing up! All from a bibilical mindset as well.
 
 
I pray that this was a informative and fun read,
May you be blessed each day and may you equally be a blessing to all those around you,
Stacey Homemaker~
 



Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Whats in a Language....Whats in My own......Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2FIXyvfD_c

Way', (hello)!

I am praying that today is a day that you have been gifted the ability to enjoy our beautiful creation. That when you woke up this morning you could count at least one item to be thankful for!

The above link, is to a song that people in the Nyselxcin Language have for a Greeting song. I love this song. I am currently putting it into my preschool program for my two youngest children in the Fall.

So, yesterday we left off on my family and I moving to a gorgeous Valley and starting to come into knowledge of our Heritage!

Through some stressful, thankful, tearful and frightening events we as a family needed to switch up our roles. My husband was unable to find work here in the Valley. The work here is so different than what he has ever seen. For you see my gorgeous 6 foot 3 inches Blonde haired hubby is a city man! Through and Through....(he used to iron his jeans lol).

It was a tough go. We were blessed with my Dad giving my family a place to stay, while we found our feet. So, I found a job. I was terrified. You see I went to college when I was 18 I graduated with a 3.99 GPA in Legal Office Administration Assistant, doubling with a Accelerated program for Office Administration Assistant, but.....that was 6 years before this time. And I had gotten pregnant before I was able to get a job in the workforce.

I found myself sitting at a Desk in a First Nations Immersion Band School. I saw the culture, the language, the people, the children and fell in Love. This new journey had just begun......now don't get me wrong. Working in any job full time for me is not what or how I want our lives to be. My prayer is that we are blessed with myself at home raising and training and educating our beautiful miracles and doing the best we can. For this season in our life I went to work. And we feel nothing wrong with that.

We also were blessed with our third pregnancy during this time. So while I was on Mat. Leave our eldest daughter and I were able to attend a language class.

We had an amazing time, being taught by one of the Elder's and an amazing teacher. We learned, and loved so much this language. Now do not get me wrong this language is one of the hardest, confusing, and at times down right nerve wracking I have ever attempted to learn. But in my heart I found peace. I found a new meaning to the word language. Falling in love with words and teaching my children became an everyday at thing a passion that started deep with in.

Now believe me, this language and culture is a beautiful and most unique entity. I have had so many welcoming, joyful and heartfelt moments over learning this language that words cannot even describe.

Now I took one of the harder courses first. Now....boy although I had so much fun I don't recommend doing the harder course on anything before you do the beginner course. Although, it was so much fun, and I learned so much. The road was difficult and a wee stressful at times.

This also the first time in my life that I had completely failed at something. I went strong into our final exam at a 73% I studied hard. I thought I had this in the bag.....then the final came and oh boy my brain turned upside down and eeeeeeek.

I read the questions wrong. I translated from Nyselxcin into English instead of reading the Nyselxcin and then answering in Nyselxcin....Oh Nelly I tell ya. It was not the easier thing.

When I got that test back.....I wept and I smiled. For I may have failed the course but in the lessons that I gleaned while learning.....This journey was just beginning. :)

When I was growing up. I really didn't learn what parenting was..
I honestly thought it was something to survive and not something that continues through to thrive.

While in this first course...my teacher was (and is) such an amazing role model. The lessons I gleaned from our conversations really helped me grow as a mother, and as a woman. Our Elder teacher gave me the gift of imperfection. You see I am somewhat of a perfectionist. Specially in academics(for reasons that will have to wait for another post). For this beautiful, patient, wonderment of a woman gave me the time, strength and encouragement to practice and that time is what counts and not perfections.

For anyone that knows me, knows that I am my own hardest critic, my own worst grader, and also my own best optimist...for everyone else that is....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQzKJkHJz_U
The above link is one of the stories that we learned in this first class.

It was so much fun, and so amazing to learn the words. It is here that I knew God wanted me to learn a piece that He knew I needed to find.....

For today, I believe that will be enough of writing for me.

I pray that my journey of self discovery and my language will encourage you to go out and learn something new today!
May you be blessed and May you equally be a blessing to those around you. Remember it doesn't have to be much, for most have not enough. But when you look hard enough all of us have something we can bless others with!

Stacey Homemaker~

www.interiorsalish.com
For all of your Nyselxcin Needs this is your most wonderful and amazing site! And the youtube links above gives you a wealth of amazing language videos.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Whats in a Language....Whats in My own......Part 1



Yes, I am Beautiful!
Yes, I am Hardwarking!
Yes, I am a mother!
Welcome to my journey to discovery a most beautiful language. My own. Not only how I am learning the beautiful language of Nyselxcin but also how I am learning my journey of who I am. Who I am as a Wife, Mother, Daughter…Who I am in Christ. Who I am in LIFE! Welcome and lets journey together.

What  is in a language? Does the language you speak dictate your life or how you think? Or wait a minute does it affect how you perceive the everyday things……?

What a concept. I grew up with a Caucasian family. A mother and a step father (or mother’s boyfriend ) for half of my childhood. The other half I spent living with a First Nations Father and a Caucasian (step mother or girlfriend).

I was taught English and French(although I only went to grade 8 French…it was not my favorite subject at all!) In grade nine, I moved in with my dad and I decided that I wanted to try German.

Two years prior I found out that I in fact was a First Nations child…

Now you have to understand, why this was such a shocker….I grew up in a suburban neighborhood predominately Caucasian people. The only children that were the same color as my skin where either African American, and or of Indian descent (ancestory mainly from India). So my skin was closest to the African American skin so I adopted the heritage and felt quite strongly about it! Plus, at the age of twelve the cable network had a ton of really cool shows that were all African American teens or young adults. So for me that worked. J

I never once thought to ask my dad, when I saw him or even ask my mother what or who I was. I chose to assume an identity cause it is what I liked.

I studied German for three years. I loved this language so much and I caught on so well that my thoughts were in German….even the bad words came out predominately German. LOL

Although for most of my life, I was confused what or who I was. During High school I moved to a town that had a large population of First Nations peoples. It was here that I learned of a difference in culture and dance and music. Although I never ever knew that the people in which I came from had there very own language.

I struggled to fit in. For you see, I am not a status First Nation Person. I am a NON Status….In my experiences in my life I find sometimes this is the worst part of learning who I am… because sometimes it feels like I am not fully….real……

While growing up sometimes because I didn’t have that Card….you know the white card that has your picture on it. The one that proudly states the family name, proudly displaying the Band to which you belong…….When you don’t have this card you are a limbo person….The Caucasian people see you as different…and the First Nations people as not full blood, not completely not the same…NOT REAL!

Now don’t get me wrong not all Caucasians feel this way and not all First Nations feel this way, this is only from my personal experiences.

Also, please do not miss understand me.  I know that my identity does not come in a perfect little white card or some silly piece of paper. And to be perfectly honest I am very content with my life and that God is what defines me. And God is the one leading through my blessed life.

With that said, its like there’s a piece of me that is a little not there..it is missing in some way……

I moved to the Valley in which my people are from. I moved back to the Valley in which not long prior my dad was the Chief of our Band. I moved back in a flurry of very stressful and amazing events. I moved back….to find that the people in which I wondered about my entire life. The people in which participated in all of these events and things that I had read about in books, seen a very small portion in real life. My husband I moved here.

Now first of all, I am a born again Christian with a very conservative lifestyle now. I and our family have different ways we do things. (which will come in another post). By all standards, most think we are weird and odd. For most things people tend to think we go overboard for Christ. I don’t mind. I say let them think it…most days…some days I want people to just understand.

 

Second of all, not a lot of people knew that I existed. No one’s fault just never came up. So for the first year of living in this beautiful Valley it was hard for me to find out that most people here (relatives and long-term friends of family) had no idea that I was who I was….

 

Thirdly, I am in an inter-racial marriage. My wonderful, loving, amazing husband…he is as white as they come. No joke lol! Now you may not think that it should matter…you know this day and age. But you would be surprised and how much it does matter.

 

Now I am not saint, I am not perfect. Prior to my life now, I used to do a lot of bad stuff. I never had an easy life. I have never always chosen the right path in which to go. I have been plagued with all the stuff most others are plagued with. I have always had not the best health. I struggled severely with depression when I was younger. With Self Esteem issues. With alcoholism…..the list can go on. I am a born again Christian and made new my life with hard work, dedication, perseverance and the Lord guiding me and giving me the strength to do it all.

So you ask what does all that have to do with language?

Ever felt like your not like everyone else?

Ever felt like there is something about you that doesn’t mesh like everyone else?

Ever felt your alone and don’t belong…like no is like you?

Ever felt like pieces of your identity are missing and you don’t know what to do?

Your language, how you speak it, how you think it, how you teach it to your children…..This truly shapes who you are. Did you know that the language in which you speak can dictate your day…

 

Negative self talk words and to others

Negative tones spoken to children, spouses and family

Negative highlights in your facial expression when a word comes out of your mouth

Positive word self talk and to others

Positive tones spoken to children, spouses and family

Positive highlights in your facial expression when a word comes out of your mouth

A single words said a hundred different ways can trigger a memory, an emotion and a reaction in your mind, body and soul like you would never ever realize until you test out the theory.

Think about it….English is taught from infancy and beyond….

With songs and stories.

With cartoons and motions.

With emotions, facial expressions.

Through history and tradition.

Each language comes with a built in life of culture and ideals.

If you are surrounding yourself with negative usage of words what do you think your face will show. How do you think your behavior will be different?

Do you think it affects much? I do….

Did you know that how you say your words also can filter down to how you walk and how your facial expressions are…..Go to a high school anyday, listen to the teenagers speak and watch how each group (distinguished first by how they talk) stands, how their faces change with each word, their body languages, and even how they right comes right from the fundamentals of speech.

You will notice that when I write. I talk fast, I think fast and I like it when all things mold together the same. I jump sometimes in my thoughts, which filters down to how I talk and write.

Speaking of Which pretty sure this is going on to long…I will stop here. Tomorrow lets really get into the meat and potatoes of me and this language and how it is coming for me…

Thank you for reading, I pray that it made sense and gave you some insight to me.

May you be blessed and equally so may  you be a blessing to others!

Stacey Homemaker~

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

The Why’s The How’s…..Really how Can I get through this?



Ever wonder why your life is the way it is? Have you ever thought, “wow, is this really my life?” I am sitting here and realize how amazing and wonderful my life truly is.

Not that I am wealthy in money. Not that I own a big fancy house or that I have a brand new car. Not that I have nails done and perfect hair…..
 

I am thinking about all of the lessons that I have been shown, the lessons that happen upon me by accident, and the lessons that I had to be drug through kicking and screaming.

I am a proud mama of three amazing children, and pregnant with our fourth child. I almost died with both of our first two children and by all medical means I should not have made it through either one.

Our third child was God’s gift to me. It was His amazing love, strength and encouragement and gift for trusting in Him even when I was so scared to have another child after the first two.

This lesson is one of my greatest of all to learn. I will not be given more that I can bare. I will not be tested without the teacher knowingly testing my true abilities and not just my thought abilities.
You know those abilities that we ourselves limit our own selves. We somehow get stuck in rut, believing that our strength only comes from us ourselves, pushing, running, working, forging on and somehow we wonder why we are so tired. We wonder why we are so stressed. We wonder why it seems that no matter what we can never get ahead.  Key words: Why and I’s.

It is in all of my achievements that I look back on now….I was leaning on how much I could accomplish. I was banking on how much I could handle. I was swimming in a sea of why’s and how’s and oh no’s…

In a single moment, for the first time an un medicated labour, a healthy labour……oh my word the pain that I hadn’t the pleasure of being introduced the first two times around. The single moment where the rubber met the road….where I in my own strength, in my own body, in my own mind knew I couldn’t do it. I wanted those drugs. I wasn’t strong enough. I was not able. I was not willing anymore…and in that instant it was like God himself holding me and urging me and took over and said, “It is then in which I carried you!” “You got this” I gave birth to our third child, a daughter. No drugs and absolutely gorgeous! In the moments I knew that God gave me the gift of endurance, strength and perseverance and never ever left me for a moment.

Now…married for almost five years, we own and operate our own business, I homeschool our children and love our life. But there are still those moments of utter chaos, trials and tribulations….and His love remains. In the business, in the stress, in the OMW moments, in the disrepair, in the moments of pure joy, in the amazing moments of kisses, hugs and I love you’s….and all the mess, all the chaos….I know not ever will He leave me and not ever will I be given more that I can bare.

My husband and I were watching one of Pastor Danny Castle’s sermons and he read out this amazing poem. In so many times this poem showcases how I feel and how I want to parent. I want to share it with you.
 

 

The Race.

Whenever I start to hang my head in front of failures face,

My downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.

A children’s race, young boys, young men; how I remember well,

Excitement sure, but also fear, it wasn’t hard to tell.

They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race,

Or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.

Their parents watched from off the side, each cheering for their son,

And each boy hope to show his folks that he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they flew, like chariots of fire,

To win, to be the hero there, was each young boy’s desire.

One boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd, was running in the lead

And though, “My dad will be so proud.” But as he speeded down the field and

Crossed a shallow dip, the little boy thought he’d win, lost his step and slipped.

Trying hard to catch himself, his arms flew everyplace, and midst the laughter

Of the crowd he fell flat on his face. As he fell, his hope fell too; he couldn’t win

It now. Humiliated, he just wished to disappear somehow.

But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face, which to the boy so

Clearly said, “Get up and win that race!” He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a

Bit that’s all, and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.

So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,

His mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again. He wished that he had quit

Before with only one disgrace. “I’m hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn’t try to race.”

But through the laughing crowd he searched and found his father’s face with a steady look

That said again, “Get up and win that race!” So he jumped up to try again, ten yards behind

The last. “If I’m to gain those yards,” he thought, “I’ve to run real fast!”

Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight, then ten….

But trying hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again. Defeat! He lay there silently. A tear

Dropped from his eye. “There’s no sense running anymore! Three strikes I’m out! Why try? I’ve lost, so what’s the use?” he thought. “I’ll live with my disgrace.”

But then he thought about his dad, who soon he’d have to face. “Get up,” an echo sounded low,

“You haven’t lost at all, for all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall. Get up!” the echo urged him on, “Get up and take your place! You were not meant for failure here!
Get up and win that race!” So, up he rose to run once more, refusing to forfeit, and he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit. So far behind the others now, the most he’d ever been, still he gave it his all he had and ran like he could win.
 Three times he’d fallen stumbling, three times he rose again.

Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end. They cheered another boy who crossed the line and won first place, head high and proud and happy—no falling, no disgrace.

But, when the fallen youngster crossed the line, in the last place, the crowd gave him a greater cheer for finishing the race. And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud, you would have though he’d won the race, to listen to the crowd. And to his dad he sadly said, “I didn’t do so well.” “To me, you won,” his father said. “You rose each time you fell.”

 
And now when things seem dark and bleak and difficult to face, the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race. For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all. And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.

And when depression and despair shout loudly in my face, another voice within me says, “Get up and win that race!”

~attributed to Dr. D.H. “Dee” Groberg

 

My prayer is that you are encouraged today. Not one of us is perfect. We do not need to win the race in the manner we think. You are amazing and you need to rise each time you fall. That is the greatest accomplishment through it all. Praying you have an amazing day.

Stacey Homemaker.
 

Loving Moisturizing Bars Home Made


Homemade is one of my true passions. I love making and creating. It gives me a sense of accomplishment, a sense of “I really did that!” I really can do that. I don’t know about you but I really love that feeling. Even if no one ever saw or uses anything I make, I still am excited and feel accomplished that I created something.

Sometimes as mothers, wives, home makers, chef’s, menders, defenders of all that is right in your children’s world, chauffer’s, maid, laundress and pretty much jack of all trades, and it’s a 24/365 a year career, we forget to treat ourselves to a hobby.

I am talking about a bonified only to do something that is for you, hobby. For me, researching and creating things for my family is mine. Making clothing for my children, making soaps and crafts. All of this is my hobby. Learning to do new things is like a much need fix of fresh ocean air for this busy mama.

Making the time, is a real mind warping conundrum sometimes. I don’t always get to do it every day or even once a week. When I do, it’s like an amazing rush of amazement and content ness.

Now I am not saying by any means that I am not fulfilled completely by my husband or children. But if you’re a mama you can on some level understand what I am talking about.

I have extremely sensitive skin. Most moisturizers burn, itch, or make my skin red and blotchy. When I am pregnant this is magnified and my apprehension for chemically laden products is heightened. Thus, my search for a bar or lotion I could make myself with ease and not needing a bunch of ingredients (some or all I cannot pronounce). Lol!

I happened upon www.frugallysustainable.com and saw her recipe for the bars. Although as you will see in the recipe of my I omitted all but bare minimal of ingredients. I only had four ingredients on hand so I used what I had. I have to say with my eczema and sensitivity I am in love and will never go back to traditional moisturizers again. Although I will share with you what I will do differently next time around!

 

Recipe

ÿ1 ½ cup bees wax

ÿ2 cups Extra Virgin Coconut oil

ÿ1/3 cup dried dandelion leaf

ÿ½ cup dried chamomile flowers

You will need:

ÿa two quart slow cooker (using for this purpose only always)

ÿmeasuring cup

ÿplastic stirring spoon

ÿmolds for your bars

1.   place coconut oil, dandelion leaf, and the chamomile flowers into the slow cooker

2.   infuse for 1 hour on high (make sure you are frequently stirring and watching it)

3.   once the oil and the flowers are melted but it on low for 1 hour

4.   switch to warm and leave overnight

5.   in the morning switch to high and add your bees wax.

6.   This is extremely important that you are watching it closely, bees wax can catch fire if to hot

7.   When all bees wax is melted pour into your molds

8.   Let sit on counter for one hour then move into fridge until completely set

9.   To use rub between hands and the heat from your body will melt the bar enough for you to distribute evenly onto your skin.

The reason I used Dandelion Leaf is because of the healing properties specifically for psoriasis, eczema, dry skin and dry scalp. The reason I used Chamomile flowers is because it to has the healing properties and a natural pain reliever.

Now, although I love these bars and that my skin is soo soft now. It is June and in our neck of the woods starting to get warm and dry. Which means cracking and bleeding usually already for my poor hands. I have not cracked or bled yet. I am so in love with my bars.

This is what I would change with my next batch;

Firstly, I would strain out all my flowers prior to adding the bees wax. The reason for this is that when applying the bar to my hands the flowers are extremely tough and ouchy.

Secondly, I would add vitamin e pure essential oil to the mixture just before pouring into the mold. The reason for this is to add to the healing and strengthening of the elasticity and immunity in my skin.

Lastly, I would use square or rectangle molds instead of pretty molds for myself so that it is easier. Although, I would still use my pretty molds for giveaways!

Overall, I am completely in love with making this for myself and for others! So this recipe was a complete success!

 

I have to say that when researching on the internet, I found the frugally sustainable website (I am in no way being paid or anything and all is my own opinion) is extremely helpful. The author gives step by step instructions, recipes and for those who do not have time to make it on their own, she sells her products as well.

 

Praying that this post was encouraging, and that you can take something new learned!

Praying that you have a spaztastic day!

Stacey Homemaker
 
(purchased our bees wax from, amazing quality)
(where I found original recipe)
(where I purchased my extra virgin coconut oil)