Happy Birthday, Kari. I think of you often. I am so sorry for your losses. I will keep in you in my prayers.

We use Rod and Staff Bible curriculum. Grade 2 is too much writing IMO, so we did most of it orally. If you are not interested in a curriculum, we also like: The Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos The Lion Read & Know Bible A Child's First Bible by Taylor The last two are at different reading levels and are very appealing to children, so that they will read them and learn the stories on their own, or will ask you to read them to them. Another great way for them to learn them would be The Story Keepers dvds. They are a fun way to learn the Bible stories.

I grind a lot at one time and freeze in large ziploc bags. These recipes use many cups of flour, so the bags don't stay in my freezer too long. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. When I first started reading it, I had doubts that the bread could really be that good with so little work...but it is!

I recognize your avatar, Trez. I will pray for your family. I hope your DH finds a job soon.

The Durham/Chapel Hill area is a great place to live....within a few hours driving distance to the beach or the beautiful mountains of WNC (hiking, skiing, Blue Ridge Parkway). Some nice things about the area include: Nice weather (though it does get hot in the summer) Quality healthcare Raleigh Symphony Duke chapel Duke botanical gardens Whole Foods Market Trader Joe's :D Friendly people Beautiful campus with a lot of green space

If you want to make homemade bread, but do not have much time to make it, I highly recommend: Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day and Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day We prepare large batches of dough in these containers, store them in the refrigerator for up to five days, and remove the dough and bake it any time we need fresh bread. The recipes are easy enough for a child who can make cookies.

I try to incorporate extra protein into foods I serve as snacks. I keep boiled eggs in the refrigerator and make recipes like spinach quiche and brioche, which incorporate a lot of eggs. I buy large blocks of cheese at a co-op. The kids can get cheese from the refrigerator any time they are hungry. The energy bar recipe Ali linked is great, and includes peanut butter for protein. I also like Mollie Katzen's cookbook, Sunlight Cafe, which offers recipes for delicious, protein-rich breakfasts. Another favorite is Miracle Muffins (Neeley).

Ali, That's it! We prefer dark chocolate chips over semisweet in this recipe, and I use less than called for. They freeze really well, so I often make a double batch, cut them into bars, then freeze what we won't eat in a few days. I hope you like it as much as we do!

I use the Pioneer Woman's granola bar recipe: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/09/granola-bars/ My energy bar recipe is from the Bosch cookbook called "Sensible Cooking." I will be glad to post it if you do not have this cookbook.

My nephew did the same thing. She might try lightly blowing into the baby's face during the crying. Sometimes this causes the ba y to take a breath rather than hold it.

I would start by looking online to find churches nearby that share the same beliefs as your family. It is fairly easy these days to read a church's website and be able to determine whether it is a good fit theologically, as well as style of worship. I would also see if I could find any sermons by local pastors on Sermon Audio. You can learn a lot about churches that way.

I make my weekly menu from grocery store sales flyers. I buy several bags of whatever fruit is on sale, which saves us quite a bit. I purchase large packages of ground beef, cook some in a dish, cook some to freeze, and freeze some raw. We save a tremendous amount of money grinding our own wheat and making our own bread. We buy oats, molasses, honey, etc. in bulk from a local co-op. We make all of our own desserts, and do not eat desserts after every meal. We eat pancakes, waffles, eggs, or oatmeal for breakfast. We do not buy breakfast cereal. We do buy Rice Krispies as an ingredient for homemade protein bars and granola bars. We drink milk, water, and tea (green, black, oolong, herbal purchased in bulk). I keep bananas on the counter and boiled eggs in the refrigerator for snacks when the kids get hungry outside of meal time or snack time. We eat something before we leave the house, or take snacks with us to keep from eating fast food. I keep nuts and peanut butter crackers in the car most of the time. We feed a family of eight this way.

We use TOG for LG, UG, and D and love it. I agree with TXMary2 and others who enjoyed it for the lower levels. Another plus is that you will have time to figure out the system and develop a rhythm before the dialectic stage.

Thanks for updating, Faith. I am praying for you and your dad. :grouphug:

I am so sorry. :grouphug:

:grouphug:

Elderberry syrup helps me. I hope you are better soon.

:grouphug: I hope the transition is not difficult for her.

Mine flares only at the start of the season. During that time, I wear lightweight SPF 50 clothing. I usually wear capris, a tank, and a long-sleeve shirt, and sunscreen. It helps to get very lightweight fabrics.

Thanks for the update. Will continue to pray.

Praying, Suzanne. :grouphug:

Sounds lovely! I can't wait to hear about the sounds you hear at night. That is something we really miss now that we do not live in the country. When I think of your new property, I think of the banner on your blog.

I am so sorry, Faith. :grouphug:

Another vote for #1 at the shower and the mixer as a surprise in the kitchen after you clear it with DS. These are wonderful, thoughtful gifts.

Congratulations!!