After doing a lot of research, I use organic coconut oil, with carrot seed oil added. Coconut oil is SPF 8 ish, carrot seed oil is SPF 45 ish.

oohhhh the screaming! I hear you!!! My DD 3 is teeny tiny and has a HUGE shrill scream. Also, I think it's about attention and siblings about the get her. I think it's when she very excitable as well. Good luck, we're in the same boat. My husband and I often fantasize about having a cop car-style clear shield in between the front seat and the back seat in the car to drown out the noise. ha ha...

Not sure in regards to the migraines, but the way the amber works is basically that amber is fossilized resin (tree sap) and it has a very high content of succinic acid, which is a natural anti-inflammatory. When warmed against your (warm) skin, it releases the succinic acid into your skin and has an anti-infl/pain reducing effect. This is my laymen's understanding of it. HTH. I use an amber necklace for my arthritis and I feel like it has helped. Good luck!

My husband (bless his heart) works a swing shift (5PM-2AM). This means that he generally wakes up around 11AM and leaves for work @ 4PM. This also means that I have 2 shifts. My short morning shift with the kids and my ('I'm so exhausted) second shift, which involves bedtime, etc. Currently, I think we are stuck with this situation. Its been like this for 8 years, and I'm praying for a day shift, but for now this is it. My issue is this: I feel like my school time/errands/life is, frankly, interrupted by my husband being home during these day hours. Just when we get into the swing of the day (morning trip to the park, start on school, etc.) we go home, clean and have to *switch* to the 'dad-mode.' Our second chunk of time which is 5PM and on, I'm so darn tired that I couldn't possibly do school. I do try to get some school work done when DH is home (after lunch), but it really seems to put a strain on our family life/time together. Obviously the education is important, but I'm just so annoyed that he's home smack-dab in the middle of the day. Our life feels so chaotic. Sorry for the rant, any practical tips or advice from moms who have swung the swing shift or others who have ideas? ;) Thanks

I use the liquid spray on my arthritis neck muscles and love it. I'm glad you mentioned this, my son has tics/tourettes

My husband and I sometimes consider ourselves to be white trash. We live in Idaho, 6 people in 900 sq.ft., dirty little kids runnin' amok, chickens squakin'...LOL. No, seriously, I just thought I'd put a little humor in this thread. That is really what our lives are like; messy, crazy and not well-to-do, but centered around family, faith and farming. Of course somebody that uses that term 'white trash' in a true judgment has some issues. It's not the house, it's the value-system that matters.

thnx everyone...good to know...

Has anyone had an indoor pet rabbit? I will want to adopt a spayed/neutered one. I am curious if you can really 'crate-train' them, and let them hop around the house. Someone mentioned that they are as much work as a dog, but that sounds strange to me. Any advice/experience. PS-This is not an impulsive "Easter bunny pet" purchase either...we have been thinking about getting a small animal for awhile. Thanks

PS- The basics of why there is a connection has to do with the highs and lows of blood sugars over a long time... the artery walls compromise & harden. Similar to why diabetics have problems with eyes, hands and feet... It all has to do with vessels & blood exchange.

My DH is 32 and has had Type 1 (childhood) diabetes for the last 26 years. If you look at him, he looks like a handsome ;), fit 32 year old man. He manages his diabetes fairly well. Last Thursday morning he had a major episode that involved major chest pain, numbness in both arms and hands, and trouble breathing/vomiting from the pain, etc. I was shocked to realize the STRONG connection between diabetes and hardened arteries! He fortunately did not suffer an actual heart attack, but we are seeing a heart specialist tomarrow AM, because it was like a warning sign before an actual heart attack. So please keep him and myself in your prayers (his name is Chris), and also if you have any diabetics in your life be aware of the connection...

My DH is going to be heading out to North Dakota for the oil rigs. He will be approx. 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off. During his working time, we are wanting to have video chat. I am sooo not tech-savvy. We still have basic flip phones-lol-, but are open to buying 'smart-phones' so we can facetime, or Skype. How do both work, or any other suggestions? Minimal money put out is preferable. Thanks tech-savvy gals!

food coloring on the toothbrush.... muah-ha-ha

I would strictly not allow any play dates at there house, & only very supervised under your care. In the mean time, it would be good to keep an open ear/open convo with the mom to see if she has more to say (which may give you more to stand on in the event that you report anything formal). Although this is very difficult, its so important that someone is keeping their eyes open for this kiddo.

My favorite one he says a lot is calling a curb a 'curve' which actually does make sense...lol. "You ran over the curve!"

I know there is such a slew of information to go through, but from my mama research I understand that 1 in 5 people are on some sort of the dyslexic brain spectrum. It is VERY HEREDITARY, meaning if you think that it runs in the family, be on the watch out... Like I said in another thread, I am planning on purchasing Barton Level 1 ($250) to tutor both my husband and my son. I am going to see how it goes, then purchase the other levels, one by one. Barton is a high-quality, Orton-Gillingham based method that teaches dyslexic and non-dyslexics alike. PS- I'm sure you're NOT a lousy teacher, just a mama that's dealing with a lot right now! Obviously you care and have good awareness, being on here talking with others, figuring this all out...

I am so blessed to happen upon this thread!!! I have been realizing that my DH34 and my DS4.5 are dyslexic. With my husband, we have gone through the range of emotions (Why is he so smart in some areas, yet he cannot spell simple 4 letter words? Does he just not care?). Just yesterday I heard him say to my preschooler the word capitiller instead of caterpillar. We are planning on purchasing the Barton system in small chunks. I will be tutoring him. Although expensive, I believe that my 4 year old is very dyslexic (speech delay, blends letters and numbers still after much work, etc.). The people over at the Barton system are very helpful, and she has awesome videos online. Best wishes, and you're not alone! PS- I've found interesting that with both my husband and son, they are extremely hands on/inventive and have wonderful out-of-the-box ways of looking at things. Have a blessed day..

Susan, I just recently made the jump to homeschooling. I have read the WTM, and am dipping my toes into the waters...My son was half way through the 3rd grade at a private, classically minded school and although they were doing 'dictation', it was structured that he was more doing copy work than dictation. I'm just not really sure where to throw him in. He does not even understand the concept of true dictation. I have already purchased WWE 3, and he does have strengths in language. Should I just use WWE3 and temporarily shorten the dictations, and gradually lengthen them to what the book has? Thank you very much...

I myself am not crazy about the style of writing-- "Hey dude, where's that thing called the plymoth rock?" etc. but I think it is good for some kids who find the fluency enticing and would consider it a fun/easy historical read. :)

I am a La Leche League leader and LLL officially recommends chiropractic for infants when concerning spitting up and latch problems, etc. Obviously, it would be advisable to find one specializing in babies/children, maybe some referrals from friends...? I have had many moms give good reports. It is also, like others have commented, a gentle technique-- more like finger pressure, not a bone twist...best wishes!

You probably have already done this, but making sure that he understands the scopes of WHY he cannot have free access is important. Much of this reminded me of my soon-to-be 9 year old son. I've found that when we all cool down and calmly discuss the logic behind our concerns he is a little more reasonable, and its not steamy from angers, accusations and hurt feelings swirling about.

Fleet Feet is around the nation. See if they have a location near you, they have a program called No Boundaries that is a ground up beginning running program for people of all ages and sizes. Hope that helps.

We haven't checked out the audio book yet, but I imagine it's awesome! The voices would be super fun...

I am not trying to get political here, but...I do have to give a shout out to Rush Limbaugh's newest book Rush Revere and the First Patriots. His first children's book Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims was also great. My DS8 read First Patriots in 2 days. I actually caught him up at midnight reading by the glow of the nightlight! There are entertaining illustrations as well as diagrams. All of the pages have an antiqued look. There are no references to current political affairs FYI, just the foundations of our country. The other day while driving in the car my son said "mom, I'm giving you a pop quiz on the Boston Massacre....also on the Stamp Act!" Wow! The basic storyline is a boy named Tommy from modern day who time travels back to various dates and witnesses major historical moments along with a talking horse named Liberty.

My mother in law (bless her heart) came over and decided to deep clean my boys' room. We're talking vacuuming their dresser drawers out. This woman loves to clean...SO, I made her dinner (Au Jus) and now date-movie with my hubby. Yay!

A friend of mine homeschooled her son, and when he was about 9ish, they decided to send him to a local small country school out in a rural area. They figured that there were small class sizes, they generally knew the teachers, and it would probably be a decent experience. They were surprised when even at a country school in a rural area, her son was being exposed to sexual videos and pictures on his school buddies phone. My point is that besides the academics, public school by its nature exposes children to a huge variety of things...many things being bad. My husband and I are both products of public schools and we have COUNTLESS memories of innocence lost through vile conversation and example. I remember being as young as in first grade when a boy classmate told me that when he got a girlfriend he was going to hump her. I was like ????? Just something to think about... Innocence is a precious thing.