This blog is my attempt to document our busy but BLESSED lives raising and educating our children for His glory. A child of God, wife to one, and mom to 6 fabulous kids. We are in our 17th year of homeschooling using a Classical ~ Literature based approach.

Come along for the good, the bad & the ugly.



Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Koru Naturals: Emu Oil and Pure Lanolin Lip Balm ~ a TOS review

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I have a gem of a product to share with you today. While I mostly spend time doing reviews of educational products and books I was blessed to be able to review two natural products over the last few weeks, Emu Oil and Pure Lanolin Lip Balms from Koru Naturals.

Koru Naturals ReviewKoru is the Maori word from the New Zealand aboriginal culture that means "new, unfurled fern frond". This frond symbolizes the new growth, life, strength and peace within the aboriginal community. Since 2002, Koru Naturals has been producing products to promote health to the body and to the skin.

Koru Naturals Review
The Pure Lanolin Lip Balm comes in a handy four pack for just $8.90. In our family that is not enough for each girl to have their own tube, so I picked myself, Montana and McKenzie to get tubes because our lips have been so chapped lately. I reserved the last tube for later use.

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This lip balm comes in the exact same tube as you would expect from a lip balm and contains no added fragrances or additives. Upon opening the tube you may be thrown off by the color but rest assured it is just fine and all natural. It is thicker than most products sold over the counter and a little goes a long way! It feels heavenly on your lips especially since we have been having such a cold and blustery winter.

Koru Naturals Review

In addition to the lip balm we also received a      2 oz bottle of Premium Grade Emu Oil ($9.85). Emu Oil is hypoallergenic (doesn’t cause reactions) and contains vitamins, minerals and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.  Emu oil can be used on your hair or skin as it quickly penetrates for a moisturizing treatment, however, it doesn’t clog pores. It should be noted that the oil should only be used on unbroken skin. This oil is also available in 4 oz and 8 oz bottles.

before

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after

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I used the Emu Oil on myself on my face for my dry skin with fabulous results. I loved the way that it did not clog my pores and that it was a light oil without causing any excess oil build up. I also used the oil on Mikayla's hands and wrists which get so dry from the chalk at the gymnastics gym. I was so pleased with her results. Not only did the Emu Oil take away the dryness it helped to coat/protect her skin from the chalk during practice.

I also wanted to use the oil on Madison's hands because they get so dry and cracked but I didn't want to chance it with her cracked skin. I am hopeful that once warmer weather comes to be able to use the oil with her and get a jump start on protecting her hands before the cold weather sets in again.

Overall, I love these two products that we received! They each have helped my family tremendously and I know we will continue to use them even after our supply runs out. I am especially looking forward to trying out some of the other products that Koru Naturals sells.

Be sure to check out what my CrewMates thought of these two products and the other products being offered for review including, Koolpurrie Restoring Balm, New Zealand Pure and Simple Lanolin Cream, and Manuka Oil and Honey Shampoo and Conditioner by clicking the banner below.

Koru Naturals Review


Company ~ Koru Naturals

Product ~ Emu Oil and Pure Lanolin Lip Balms

Price ~  oil $9.85, lip balm $8.90

Ages ~ all

Koru Naturals Review

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Friday, February 27, 2015

In Freedom's Cause ~ a TOS review

Some days I feel I should just paint my van yellow because I spend a great deal of time driving to and from the gym and to the ball field in the spring and fall. Thankfully, I have found a new passion to keep me busy while driving, Audio books. Audio books and audio theater are my new favorite things to listen to while I am out and about. A few weeks ago we were asked to review the new audio drama from Heirloom Audio Productions called In Freedom's Cause.

In Freedom's Cause Audio CD Review
We received In Freedom's Cause Single Package which includes:


In Freedom's Cause (CD Set - Physical Copy)




The two CD set of this high energy and fast pace story focused on building character for the next generation while bringing history lessons to life within the chapters. With the extremely high quality audio reenactment of this story it is perfect for ages 6 years old to adult. My youngest daughter who is 5 years old has also enjoyed this radio drama too!

The two disk story comes in a handy fold out CD case and includes a study guide booklet. The study guide is broken up into three sections for each chapter:

Listening Well ~ includes comprehension questions to make sure you are understanding the story

Thinking Further ~ have your child think a little bit with these questions to increase understanding of the characters actions or intentions.

Defining Words ~ enhance the understanding of the story by knowing what selected vocabulary words mean prior to listening.

As part of this review, I also received a PDF copy of the study guide which is just an expanded edition of the one included in the CD set. The study guide also includes three brief Bible study suggestions to help you and your child gain a clearer understanding of godly character.

There are several purchasing options to order In Freedoms Cause directly from Heirloom Audio Productions  including:

$20.00 for an audio MP3 download that gives you instant access and includes bonuses like the Study Guide and printable copy of The Prayer Of William Wallace (Psalm 23 in the Latin Vulgate).

$29.95 plus $6.95 shipping gets you the two CD set plus the two bonuses above and the MP3 download.

$99.97 plus $9.95 shipping gets you the Family Four Pack this gets you 4 CD sets, all of the bonuses mentioned above, plus 5 additional bonuses: 30-minute video documentary download titled, "Behind The Scenes In London". Free unlimited access to the In Freedom's Cause Membership Website. G.A. Henty's original In Freedom's Cause E-Book with all new colorful graphics. A professionally designed, printable promotion poster featuring the star-studded cast of In Freedom's Cause.

$249.97 gets you the "Patriot's Freedom Package” which includes 25 CD sets to give away to friends and family. This set is great for churches, community groups or to give to extended family members.

All of the prices listed above come with a 90 day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied.

Since we are on the go almost every day of the week we strictly listened to this while traveling. The girls were silent as the story played, eagerly listening for each detail. Sometimes we would stay in the van until a chapter had ended just so we could hear the end of the story. I really like the fact that the stories where numbered so we could find our spot quickly.

So, what’s the bottom line?! I was so excited when this new audio CD arrived in the mail!  We love this CD and the values that are represented. I would recommend this product to any and all looking to add a bit of family friendly audio / radio drama into the home. The girls and I are especially excited to hear that another installment from Heirloom Audio Productions, With Lee in Virginia, will be released soon. Cant wait to check it out and add it to our collection too!

Be sure to see what my Crewmates thought of In Freedoms Cause by clicking on the banner below.

In Freedom's Cause Review
Company ~ Heirloom Audio Productions Product ~ In Freedom's Cause Price ~ see different pricing option above Ages~ 6 years old to adult
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Thursday, February 26, 2015

Great Commission Films: IndoctriNation ~ a TOS review

Hi there! Can you believe It, review season is back upon us for 2015. I am so excited to share with you some fantastic products this year! So hang on for the ride, it's going to be exciting and I hope you find something to use for your family.

In 2011,  Great Commission Films produced an eye opening documentary about the state of our country's public school system called IndoctriNation.

IndoctriNation DVD Review

IndoctriNation was produced by a Scottish filmmaker and homeschooling dad of seven, Mr. Colin Gunn. During the documentary he and his wife embark on the ultimate field trip with their children as they travel across the United States in a big yellow bus. The symbol of public school education.

Within the DVDs an hour and forty-two minutes you are taken on a journey through the history of the public school system including interviews with whistleblower teachers, administrators, parents, and students. Mr. Gunn asks and addresses several questions during the DVD including:


~ How was the educational system established in America?
~ Are public schools religiously neutral for all?
~ Are my kids morally and physically safe within the walls of the schools?
~ Should Christians send their children to public schools to be the "salt and light" within the school system?
~ Can the public school system be converted back to its original purpose?

As the viewer you get an eye opening account on the state of our public school system. Did you know that there are 14 nations that score better than our great country in reading? Or that 30 million adults in our country over the age of 18 can not read  simple everyday sentences? How about the fact that 1/3 of the children in the school system drop out of school before graduating?


"Conflict with God's laws and man's law"

The DVD states that 90% of Christians send their children to public school to be the "salt and light" within the school system. Research has shown that this argument/approach is not working. School is supposed to be a safe haven but with the increase of violence, drugs and alcohol abuse, and s****l sin happening against our children it is far from that. Facts like these are mind blowing to me!

We did not start off homeschooling our girls from the beginning. My oldest three girls, Marie, Madison, and Mikayla, were exposed to both public and private school setting before we brought them home to school when moving to our current state of residence. I will say that the deciding factor to bring them home was an overwhelming sense put in my heart that I would be throwing the girls to the wolves if I sent them to the local schools. I knew deep down that my husband and I could provide a better education than that of the school system we reside in. Sure we looked at the local private schools as an option, but at the time of the moving here we were not in the position to pay for two mortgages plus private education for 4 children in preschool through 7th grade.

I am the product of the public school system from kindergarten through twelfth grade graduation, and I would say that I turned out pretty well. However, this is a different world we live in with different evils that come along with it. I watched this documentary several times over the course of the six week review period and learned something new each time. Sometimes my mouth dropped open with the staggering facts presented.

Do I think every parent should homeschool? No! Do I think every parent should watch this documentary? YES! I am not saying that homeschooling is THE only way to go, but we as Christians must be careful of who and what our children come in contact with on a daily basis. We must keep our guard up and protect our children so that they do not fall pray to the evils of the world. I love the fact that God has provided a way for me to stay home so that I can educate my children without all of the worldly distractions.

Be sure to check out what my fellow CrewMates thought of this documentary by clicking the banner below and reading some of the other reviews.

IndoctriNation DVD Review

Company ~ Great Commission Films

Product ~ IndoctriNation

Price ~ $19.95 for DVD

Ages ~ adults

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