It's the little things, you know.

Often times I get way too caught up in the details of some thing, some conversation, some assignment that I forget the bigger picture of what's beneficial. That's not always the case (as seen in some of my household responsibilities ;), but I definitely do have randomly assigned obsessions.

As I child, my dad would often say "Don't sweat the small stuff, Maija." Every once and awhile that will still ring through my head. The dust bunnies are ever glad! However, I've been challenged lately that it can be the little things that make the biggest difference:

* The son who said 'Thank you' without being prompted

* The coupon for buy one, get one FREE I used at the store

* The $1 tithe from the babysitting income for my daughter

* Taking the credit card out of my wallet, and leaving it at home

* Giving my husband a hug and a kiss when he comes home

The list could go on and on for each of us. These little things add up over time. A consistently thankful child would lighten any mom's heart. I'm not an extreme couponer by any means, but 20 different $.50 coupons each week saves $40 in a month. Little things done repeatedly become very, very big things in our lives.

Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace class has led me to consider this verse lately: Luke 16:10 "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?".

It's the little things, you know.

"Mom, Can I blow something up?"

The question came after 30 minutes of rambunctious chasing from my 6 and 9 year olds around the house. Not a surprising question, after all. All young men have an innate desire to rescue, conquer, and dominate some aspect of their environment, don't they?

We live in a tri-level home. Most of our time is spent on our main level which includes the kitchen and family room. This is also the favorite area for chasing, wrestling, rolling, tickling, and other forms of modified mixed martial arts from only the kids....of course ;). Our backyard is a basic midwest one, settled in the middle of a subdivision. We don't live on a farm, or have any relatives that do. My husband doesn't have the hobbies of fishing or hunting. Technology drives a good part of our families interests. So...what's available to "blow up"?

The basic go-to option of vinegar & baking soda came to mind. I gave it to my boys with instructions to do it in the tub, hoping the drains would benefit from the revelry as well. But it left me wondering, where can I find ideas on things they could make, do, dominate? They enjoy their video games, but can I provide something where they are conquering a reality, not just a fantasy world? With major potential for only minor injuries (not the reverse!), how can I help them enjoy being a boy?



I recently saw this book at a friend's house. It was exactly what I was looking for: diagrams, recipes, concoctions and descriptions of all things in the likes of snakes, snails & puppy dog tails. I am excited for the boys to work through it with their Dad and I (I don't want to miss out on all the adventure :). Potato guns: Here we come!!

What I'm doing to build immunity for the season

I've gotten a lot of questions lately regarding what we are doing to build up everyone's immune systems for the cold/flu season. I've got my plan together now, so I thought I'd share it.

1. Water. Everyone is going to drink more water. I think a few of us are truly camels in our family, so those especially will be challenged by this. For me, I bought one of those BPA-free 2 L personal water jugs to drink from so that I reach my goal of 100 oz. in a day.

2. Echinacea. For preventative use, my daughter attending public school is taking a double dose once a day 5 days a week. 5 days on with 2 days off during the weekend keeps her immune system sharpened. Currently, she is using Viramune by Trilight Health. I also recently placed an order for a highly rated Echinacea product form iherb.com. It is called: Esberitox. This product is new for us, but I'm looking forward to trying out their chewable form. For treatment of colds, depending on how well each of us fights off the cold, we start the echinacea in some form. If the kids shake it off pretty quick, then I don't give them any. If they seem to be struggling and are running a fever, then I start the echinacea.

3. TrilightHealth.com is a long time favorite herbal company of mine. We have used it for 10 years now. My favorites to keep on hand: Viramune (for basic colds), Scout Out (for colds that turn worse, especially for us adults), Throat Care (by far, the best sore throat soother around...my kids ask for it every time and I always grab for it...even throughout the night), UrinaryTone w/cranberries (has always done a better job than antibiotics for UTIs for me.) My husband was very skeptical when I first started using these. He used to laugh and tell me that he wasn't going to 'drink grass' to get better. However, we have been antibiotic free for 5 years now, and I am convinced these have helped. He is now a regular proponent of these herbs and uses them himself.

4. Probiotics. Since the colon is one of the first lines of internal defense against viruses/bacteria, our entire family will be on this all year long. It's safe for all ages. We are currently using Jarro-Dophilus + FOS by Jarrow Formulas. It also has received very reliable ratings at iherb.com. With some many probiotics on the market, it is really important to get one that actually makes it alive to the colon. One of the things I have really liked about this product is that the capsules are small enough for my 10 and 7 year old to swallow whole, and of course, I just sprinkle it on applesauce, etc. for my 4 and 1 year old.

5. Vitamin D!! The research available now is so compelling regarding the connection between Vitamin D and immunity to colds/flu. The current recommendations in multi-vitamins appear to not be enough. From the research I could find online, it appears that a good maintenance amount per day (include all sources: milk, multi-vits, other vits.) is 4000 IU for adults, 2000 IU for children (1000 for toddlers). Adults should take 15,000 IU for three days at the onset of a cold. Again, I found products at iherb.com that I am excited to try. For the kids, Rainbow Light Vitamin D 1000 IU Sunny Gummies. For my husband and I, Bluebonnet nutrition, Vitamin D3, Natural Lanolin Source 1000 IU. If the kids are outside for more than a good hour in the day, then I will back down their necessary amount by 500 IU. Through the late spring to early fall, I won't be supplementing with extra vitamin D for my older children, since they are outside so much. If they are using sunscreen that day (i.e. at the beach), then I will give them extra vitamin D since sunscreen prevents Vitamin D absorption from the sun.

6. Multi-vitamins. I almost forgot the obvious! The kids are taking Animal Parade (comes in liquid and chewable forms). I am taking New Chapter Organics. These both are made from whole food sources. I like that since the body recognizes them as food and thus these have a higher absorption rate. That is why the % will be lower in these than in manufactured vitamins. My husband is taking Source Naturals Life Force Multiple. We have ordered these from amazon.com and have found them at our local health food store.

There are plenty of vitamin and supplement options out there, and a lot of them are not good or effective at all. Not all vitamins are created equal, so make sure you do your research and ask around about good ones for your family. Staff at local health food stores can be very helpful with this. Also, check online sites for ratings and see what people are saying about them. Dr. Mercola's site is a site that I often check to see what his opinion is on things. It's good to be informed and balanced when spending money and hoping things will work.

Whew! Well that's our plan.

10 Best Decisions I Made This Summer

1. Enrolled my kids in swimming lessons as soon as we moved. They swam M-F for 6 weeks. We met new friends, and my once fearful water babies are now more like fish.

2. Bought the boys loft beds for their cracker box room. Instead of bunk beds, we made the decision to buy University Loft Jr. loft beds. What an awesome purchase! Those 'caves' under their beds will be priceless play and storage spaces once the weather turns cold.

3. Showed my daughter how to help scrape off wallpaper.

4. Stocked the cupboard with Magic Shell.

5. Had 2 garage sales.

6. Learned how to play Cornhole. What?!

7. Inquired about the warranty on our windows. Yes, they get replaced for free!

8. Realizing that pleasure and contentment aren't as far away as I thought.

9. Picking up my 4 1/2 year old son as much as he'll still let me.

10. Sleeping in.

Threats to my security

What a strange 10 days in my life!

In a nutshell, I had what appeared to be an attempted break-in at my house during the final night that my husband was planned to be gone. Over the following week we prepared for our move and closing on our old and new home. I watched as our belongings were packed up and loaded on a truck by people I did not know (moving company). While driving half of our children (my husband and sons were in the other car) to our new home in a new state, I was nearly sideswiped on the interstate and almost flipped our van as I swerved and tried to recover from avoiding the crash. Later on that afternoon, we arrived at our new home which I was then seeing for the first time. Not to mention last minute financial hang-ups with both closings and illnesses among our family to name a few.

From the outside, it seems insurmountable. A strange twist of fate, random events that make one want to stick their head in the sand. Threats to take away so much.

However, I do not believe in fate nor do I believe these were random events. My life is held in the One who created me, and knows the number of hairs on my head. Yes, the Lord quieted my spirit when I was trembling inside, and reminds me that He watches over and out for me. He is a good and faithful God. I do not understand why He protects me from some pain, but not others that I think He should. In recent months I have had more questions than answers. However, the Lord has taught me that His wisdom is beyond measure. He is threatened by no one and no circumstance is out of His control. It is why He is God and I am not. For that, I am grateful.