Arm & Hammer Power Gel Review

I was really excited about this opportunity to use a new laundry detergent and to review it for Tackle it Tuesday on the 5 Minutes for Mom blog. One of the ways I love to serve my family is to do their laundry. It's a time where I get to be in prayer for each of them as I touch their laundry and think of each person God has put in my life for me to serve.

So, here is my review.
I purchased my detergent and used the coupon provided to allow me to have a free bottle of Arm & Hammer Oxi Clean Power Gel. This detergent wasn't very pricey as Safeway was carrying it on sale for $3.99 for the bottle at the time of purchase.

When typically doing my laundry I use a different detergent for my little ones than I use for the adults in the house. They are extremely sensitive to detergents and once I found one that worked, I stuck with that one but it was pretty expensive so I thought I would try this detergent to see if this bothered them at all. As of yet I've seen no reaction, but it usually takes a while for them to work it through their wardrobes so everything has been washed in a specific detergent and for them to have full exposure to it. I'll have to update at a later time to see if they reacted to this detergent at all.

The first thing I noticed with this detergent was its scent. It smells wonderful. Just walking near the laundry room when the washer was running you were given this wonderful clean scent. A huge bonus I never expected! Very exciting as all of my good smelling things around the house have run out and making it to the store these days have been few and far between.

My biggest tests I wanted to do were on stains, mostly because the bottle states multiple times that it is a 'stain fighting' detergent and does it really do 31 loads of laundry.

First test...Stain Fighting. It does include Oxi Clean which is my go to detergent and stain remover in most things. What a great week it was to try this detergent as well. There were two meals in particular that my little ones chose to use their outfits as napkins and of course when we were having Blackberry crisp and something with a red sauce.

I didn't pretreat the stains at all, I wanted to see what the detergent would do on its own. It did wonderful. I ran them through the wash and upon removal I could still see the stains but they were barely there. So I hung these items to dry and then I figured I would run them through again at the end of my laundry day and try again. Much to my excitement, there was no need. The 'stain fighting' continued working while they were drying and the stains were gone when I went back to throw them in the wash. Woo hoo, an exciting day in the Moore home. We have enough laundry and not to have to run things through twice makes my life that much easier.

Second test...does it really do 31 loads of laundry? To be honest, this test isn't complete. I'm 15 loads in and will update when I've completed the bottle of detergent. This is really important to me though because as I budget out our expenses I want a detergent that is going to do what it says it's going to do. In doing this test, I have run into my first negative thought of this product. The bottle states to fill 1/3 of the cap full of detergent for a medium load. So upon filling the cap I notice that inside the cap there are multiple lines and markings. None of which have a 1/3 fill line. The levels it provides is 1. 30ML, 2. 60ML 1/4 cup, 3. 85ML 3/8 cup, 4. 115ML 1/2 cup. A little frustrating for this Type A girl wanting the back of the bottle to match the markings in the cup. So, I'm not sure if we'll make it to 31 loads as I'm filling the cap to the 3/8 cup line as that is the closest line to 1/3 on the cup.

That's it for my review...thank you Arm & Hammer and 5 Minutes for Moms for allowing me to take part.

Psalm 9

Written on Tuesday 6/22.

A lot of life has passed since I last wrote in November. I did start a blog post or two in between here and then but never finished them to post. Possibly at some point I'll post those.

Why write today of all days?

In my time in scripture today (I'm reading through the Psalms for the summer) I was struck by a few verses.

A little background first; the family has just complete what Mars Hill calls Redemption Group. I say the family because it really has been all of us. Josh, Lexi and I attended intense biblical group counseling one night a week for the last 8 weeks and the two little ones lived it out with us through our "homework" every other day of the week.

For myself, it was an intense time, and the Holy Spirit has convicted me on many levels. What is my relationship with the Lord: Answer: After exhausting all of my own ways of being my own Savior, I would go to the cross. However, this rarely happened because I minimize anything and everything so I rarely feel a need beyond my own human capabilities. Essentially I have hardened my heart to a point where I'm so numb, nothing hurts, nothing makes me feel and I don't need Jesus. [I've learned many of the places I go to remain numb but I am not going to go into that part today.]

As a result, I'm repenting. This is a process for sure. As much as I would like this to be fixed this instant, it's just not going to happen that way.

I'm on this journey to see what it looks like to run to the cross.

So, right now I'm reading the Psalms. What does it look like to praise my heavenly Father? What does it look like to be joyful? What does it look like to be hurt or sad? What does it look like to cry out during each of these times?

So back to the point of this post. I read Psalm 9 and 10 today and a few verses in Psalm 9 jumped out to me.

Psalm 9:1-2, 11
1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
11 Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion!
Tell among the peoples his deeds!

Reading this prompted my heart to want to praise Jesus for those deeds he is responsible and proclaim them to his people.

New baby, the pregnancy has been a test. Maybe a test to make me feel? Anyway, she'll be here in approximately 4 weeks. I can't believe how close we are and she seems to be a healthy little girls so far. Praising God for the endurance to make it through the pregnancy so far and asking for grace for the next few weeks.

Lexi. Lexi has been in our life for quite a while but in February she moved in with us. Shortly after she moved in, the 3 of us decided it was best that she would be fully adopted into our family . We sat down at our kitchen table and prayed through a covenant we made with her and she made with us and that the Lord's blessing would be upon it. God has already blessed us in so many ways through this. To Him be the glory.

Josh finished school. God's grace was so apparent through this time. He was able to endure work, full-time ministry, and school. Our family was a definite support to Him during this time. I praise God that he saw us as a support and not another drain on him. [Most of the time.] That we didn't jump on the priority list because of what was on his plate. Anyway, he graduated on the 11th with his Masters in Missional Leadership through the Resurgences Training Center. Then he finished his thesis on Friday . Officially complete. In true Josh Moore form I received a text today with his Re:Train stats. Since August of 2009 to last week; 42 books read (including 9114 pages) and wrote 16 papers (including 232 pages and 71,071 words.)

Isaac is potty trained. We did Lara Jensen's 3 day method - Very tiring! 3 days describes for us how long it took for him to be day pee trained. Poop training took approximately 3 weeks because of a sudden anxiety regarding pooping and we are now approximately 90% night trained. Last night was the first night where he didn't come and get us during the night. We think he had to have woken up on hi s own and went by himself. If that is in fact what he did, we're excited about the nights of sleep to come. Oh wait, I'm 9 months pregnant and will have a newborn soon!

Ali is beginning to read and loving it. I'm also reading a book right now called "A Praying Life." The beginning chapters are talking about becoming like a child when we go to our heavenly Father. Her child like excitement when reading and coming to me when she has read something new has been so timely. Praising God for her excitement and what I'm learning through her!

Many of these things are new phases in our life. However today I was reminded in a conversation I had with Ali that our God is sovereign over all things. Jesus is our Creator and Sustainer. He is responsible for our very existence and every breath I take. He is responsible for our baby and her safety as she comes into this world, He is responsible for Lexi coming into our family, He is responsible for Josh finishing school, He is responsible for Isaac being potty trained, He is responsible for Ali beginning to read. To say otherwise I would be a glory robber. To God goes the glory.

Life and Busyness

Life as we know it in the Moore home is just a little crazy these days, even for us. You know when you first meet someone and they tell you about all the things they do each day and you're absolutely amazed that they can do everything that they are telling you? Well, I just met someone that when you hear the list of all that they're doing, you think they're crazy or even foolish.

After realizing that I hadn't blogged in quite a while, ah hem, due to busyness, I started thinking about what I could blog about. Here is the list I came up with. ..Date nights, talking to Josh, playing with the kids, disciplining the kids, Community Group, Gymnastics, Kindermusik, Life Group, Meeting with friends, watching a friends kids, church, Redemption Group, daily bible study, BSF, homeschool, meal planning, grocery shopping, prayer, reading prep for Life group, redemption group and BSF, preparing meals for friends with new babies, packing our home to move, phone calls to family members, phone calls for our house sale and purchase, email to friends and family, TV, laundry, cleaning, sorting, purging, and I think the list can go on but that's all from just this week. (Disclaimer…not all of these things are being done well, but they are being done.)

Then I realized that I was now one of those people that I used to be amazed at. I'm not saying this to be prideful or bring attention to myself in anyway…but I actually don't get it. How are all of these things being accomplished each week? I feel like I'm getting sleep, so it's not that I'm not sleeping, how is this possible? Then I remembered a sermon that our pastor preached on Grace.

What is Grace? A gift, something we have done nothing to get, just a gift. What I think of most often is God's saving grace, that he has chosen me and saved me from my sin and has given me eternal life. Our pastor calls that electing grace, but that's a blog post for another time. So what other types of grace does God give us? Well, there's preached grace, regenerating grace, converting grace, justifying grace, adopting grace, ministry grace, sanctifying grace, empowering grace, provisional grace, miraculous grace, persevering grace, and glorifying grace. Basically, grace in abundance!

What I remembered most today was the empowering grace. It is grace where God is "enabling us to do the good works that he has appointed for us to do with great power and humility." I write this because I relate to what Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10;

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I think what I'm experiencing is what Mark Driscoll talks about in his book Religion Saves that "empowering grace enables Christians to live lives that are more fruitful and productive than they would have ever dreamed possible."

Thank you God for your Empowering Grace and may this blessing continue as I continue to boast in all my weakness and in your strength!

Hands on Homeschooling

Many have asked what we're doing for our curriculum this year. Last year when the idea of homeschooling first sounded appealing, I looked into curriculum for preschool and found a woman in Texas who had written her own curriculum for her kids and then put it together for others to purchase.

I purchased the 3 year old curriculum last year, only $90 for the entire years lessons plans, and used it on and off and found it enjoyable as it included many typical daily activities and used them for park of the curriculum. I found that it fit in so nicely in our natural schedule. It was a good reminder that in every activity we do, it's a learning opportunity.

So, this year, now that we're formally doing homeschool preschool, I love it even more. I purchased both the 2 year old ($80) and 4 year old ($100) curriculum but am pulling very little from the 2 year old stuff except for the readiness skills. Isaac fits right in with about half of the activities that Ali does and they really enjoy doing the same activities together. Actually, it's much easier for me, as I'm not teaching each of them separately.

What do I love about this curriculum? The Biblical portion sets the theme for the month…it is the focus. The wonderful ideas for craft projects, cooking, etc are simple and enjoyable for both the kids and myself. And that it's all in one package. For the first year of officially homeschooling, I was looking for something easy. It's definitely that. I spend 3-4 hours of planning (mostly to include some of the skills like knowing colors, shapes, or physical activities that I want to teach Isaac) each month. I may spend 5-10 min each day gathering supplies, but it's pretty minimal.

If you're interested in this curriculum, feel free to come over and check out what I've purchased, join us for "circle time," or check out the website as she has sample curriculum online . http://www.handsonhomeschooling.com/

Isaac

God has given me the privilege of being a mother to a boy. He's not just a little bit boy, he's all boy!

When thinking about the day we found out he was going to be a boy, I was terrified. We already had a girl and I thought I was a great mother for girls. Josh too thought he was destined to be a father to four girls. While that still may come true, we know now that God always intended us to be the parents of a boy as well.

I have had to pray to Jesus many times for Him to open my eyes to see the joy of having a son. Our son has so much energy and has tested something that I often hold too dear, my comfort. After eight years of marriage I see now that marriage is not just for happiness but also for holiness, and I would say the same thing about parenting. Parenting is not just for happiness but also for holiness.

Today, however, joy filled my heart because I have a son. We began a bible study today called Bible Study Fellowship and will be going through the book of John for the remainder of the year. They have a fantastic children's program so I was very excited to take the kids to a place where they will be enjoying time with other kids while learning how to study God's word and worship Jesus as God. When I picked up Isaac today, the teacher said, "Isaac had a great morning in class, he was filled with energy! And when they sang their welcome song and it was Isaac's turn to say his name, he jumped right up and shouted his name. He was the only one in the class to do it, as all other kids were very shy on their first day." Many mom's would be scared at the thought of Isaac "being filled with energy" but I felt great joy as I know the teachers did a great job in helping him channel that energy toward worshipping Jesus. Thank you so much to all of you volunteers who will be pouring into our children's lives this year.

Then on the way home, I was again reminded that my boy, is all boy. But instead of being annoyed, I saw joy in it. Lately Isaac has been able to make a weapon out of any object he comes across, therefore my most common statement to him lately is "Isaac that is not a weapon, please do not hit anyone or anything please. " Usually upon saying this, I'm very annoyed that he created an object into a weapon. But today, when he took his McDonald's Happy Meal box, and used it as a weapon, and after saying the ever common saying of explaining that it is not a weapon, I had a smile on my face.

Thank you Jesus for showing me joy in raising a son!

Homeschooling

I know many of you are looking forward to seeing our pictures from our trip to Greece and Israel, as we are too. There are quite a few to sort through so I'm hoping I'll get some time over the next couple of days to look over them. The trip was amazing! We both learned so much and many things I never expected. Can't wait to share all the details but today it's all about homeschooling.

Today it officially begins. Both of the kids and I are "super duper" (our Israeli guides favorite adjective) excited to begin our adventures of homeschooling. I don't fully know what it will be like but I spent all weekend prepping and trying to figure out a system where we'll all teach, learn, and most importantly enjoy.

Ali has been counting down the days, and I think Isaac will love it too, he just doesn't know what's coming.

So far the schedule looks like a "Circle Time" in the morning including a morning worship of praying, singing, and thanking God for our day. I'm hoping to use this time to begin teaching the kids a little bit of public speaking by asking them to announce the day and what we have planned for the day, and counting. Then we'll do our Bible Story and Memory Verse.

In the afternoon, we'll do like 15 min of the kids together then Isaac will go down for nap and I'll continue for about 30 min with Ali.

That's it. About 1 hr a day. Some days may take more with our cooking or bigger craft projects but it's not going to take much.

I feel so blessed to be home with the kids where I'm able to love them and teach them!!!

Our Anniversary

Today is our 8th Anniversary…for some reason I was actually alert enough this morning to tell my husband happy anniversary before he had to leave. I'm very greatful for just those few minutes today as he'll be gone the entire day at school. Yes, school. He began pursuing his Master of Missional Leadership on Sunday and this is day 3 of school. Well, technically he's been in school for about 2 weeks now doing all the pre-reading they wanting him to do.

So, because I can't spend the day with my hubby. I'll take this day away from all the business of preparing for our trip and spend it with my children and thanking the Lord for them and how he has blessed our family on the 8th anniversary of our family.

There is lots to do to get the home and kids stuff ready before we go; meal planning, food shopping, house cleaning, stocking the house full of it's necessities, weeding, watering, fertilizing, mowing, preparing emergency medical paperwork, signing our will with 3 witnesses present, providing daily routines, providing locations of things to do in the area, laundry, packing for Josh and I, packing for the kids weekend with friends to give grandpa and grandma a break, and keeping the house clean in the process so we'll hopefully sell our house soon.

Instead, I'm taking the day to spend with the kids. On the agenda, free movie at Regal Cinema and lunch with friends, nap for Isaac, special one-on-one time with Ali, to the park to enjoy the sunshine, dinner, reading the kids their favorite books, bath while worshipping Jesus in song, and then cuddle time with Bible reading, and bed.

So thankful for my two little ones, that God gave them to me to enjoy and disciple. Jesus, please remind me through out the day that this day is a special day and to continue in my enjoyment even when I'm tempted not too.