Oil vs Water

Posted on April 5, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

Science Fun Day!

Vocabulary Words:

Emulsion: is a mixture of two or more liquids that are normally nonmixable.

Density: the condition of having parts that are close together; the amount of something in a specified volume or area.

Items you’ll need for your experiment:

Small soft drink bottle or a container that has a lid that screws on tightly
Water
Food coloring (We didn’t have any liquid coloring but we did have Amarillo powdered, for our Cuban yellow rice dish 😉 )
2 tablespoons of cooking oil
Dish washing liquid (one or two squirts)

Instructions:

Add a few drops of food coloring to the water.
Pour about 2 tablespoons of the colored water along with the 2 tablespoons of cooking oil into the small soft drink bottle.
Screw the lid on tight and shake the bottle as hard as you can.
Put the bottle back down and have a look, it may have seemed as though the liquids were mixing together but the oil will float back to the top.

We observed oil and water do not mix! Water molecules are strongly attracted to each other, this is the same for oil, because they are more attracted to their own molecules, they just don’t mix together. Oil and water separate and the oil floats above the water because it has a lower density.

Now add some dish washing liquid and shake it up. The soap is attracted to both water and oil, helping them all join together and form something called an emulsion.

Have fun trying to make oil and water mix but remember to screw on the lid tightly 🙂

Workout Challenge…Day 2

Posted on April 4, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Just to review, I’m starting to workout after not working out in over a year and a half (because my pregnancies are considered high risk and also nursing). It’s important to progress slowly. If you have an injury or a medical condition, consult your doctor or a physical therapist for help designing a fitness program that gradually improves your range of motion, strength and endurance.

On Monday we worked out our lower bodies (legs), today we are going to concentrate on the upper body.

Objects that can be used as dumbbells: canned food, plastic bottles or even books. If you wish to exercise both arms at the same time, find items of equal weight. If you can’t find two similar items in weight, exercise one arm at a time.

Today’s Upper Body Workout:

Bent Over (Back) 2 to 3 sets x 10 *Hold dumbbells (2lbs to 5lbs) with your palms facing in and your elbows slightly bent. Bend at the waist with your feet shoulder width apart. Use your upper back to bring the weights up. (If you don’t feel comfortable, you don’t have to use weight.)

Basic Push-Ups (Chest) 2 sets 8 to 10 reps *There’s no shame in performing this exercise on your knees. It’s better to have proper form than to over do it and injure yourself.

Bicep Curls 2 to 3 sets 10 reps *With elbows to sides, raise one dumbbell and rotate forearm until forearm is vertical and palm faces shoulder. Lower to original position and repeat with opposite arm. Continue to alternate between sides.

Tricep Kickbacks 2 to 3 sets 10 reps *Tips: keep your abdominal in and your knees relaxed, don’t allow your back to round. Don’t lock your elbow at the top of the movement. Don’t allow your upper arm to move or your shoulder to drop below waist-level. Keep your wrist straight.

Front Raises (Shoulders) 2 sets 10 reps *Raise dumbbells forward and upward until upper arms are above horizontal. Lower and repeat.

I set up my workout area like a circuit and go from one exercise to the next. At the end of each circuit I perform one set of 10 jumping jacks. I enjoy working out more when it’s exciting. Remember to BREATH, STRETCH, DRINK WATER, and always perform the exercises SLOW and CONTROLLED! If something hurts you, it may be that you are not performing the exercise properly, listening to your body is key. So have fun but and be safe.

All pics taken by the lovely Alayna. Thank you sweet girl ❤

It’s Time..Workout Challenge

Posted on April 1, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

I believe it’s important to take care of the body God has given you. With that said, it’s been over a year and half since I worked out! All four of my pregnancies were “High Risk,” so I couldn’t workout when I was pregnant. I was not able to workout once I had my little ones because my milk supply would decrease. Well, my little boy is now 12 months and we started him on milk last week…he’s not a big fan, but is starting to accept it. This means that Mama gets to start working out again!

Being a Personal Trainer for over 10 years, I know a little bit about working out. First, it’s important to start out slowly, which means, this week’s challenge will consist of two days of working out for 15 to 20 minutes.

Today’s workout:

Legs (using just body weight):

-Squats 3 x 15 (make sure your knees don’t go over your toes)

-Reverse Lunges 2 x 10

-Side Lunges 2 x 10

-Calf Raises 2 x 15

-Bridge 2 x 15 (hold for 2 seconds before lowering your hips back down)

Basic Tips:

*Make sure you are drinking water.

*Don’t forget to breath. It seems easy enough but people tend to hold their breath while working out.

*Stretch!

Feel free to join me in this workout challenge! Like I use to tell my female clients, “Before you can take care of your family you must take care of yourself!”

More Than a Craft

Posted on March 26, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Today we had a time of sharing. We talked about things we are struggling with. We then wrote them down on a piece of paper and stuck them to the cross. I explained to the girls that Christ died for these sins and these negative feelings. When we come to the cross daily, He helps us to overcome these battles.

This was more than a craft, it brought awareness to the hearts of these little girls that sin had been covered. It brought acknowledgement to the weaknesses they have without seeking God’s face everyday, all day. Prayers were spoken with repentance around our kitchen table this afternoon.

Finding ways to make the word living and alive sparks the connection our children hunger for. The next time you have a craft I challenge you to take it a step further!

Exhausting Grump!

Aside

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing” Philippians 2:14

One of my favorite verses of the Bible!

Experiment One:

*Scrunch your eyebrows downward.

*Turn your lips downward.

*Tighten your arms across your chest.

*Grumble, “I can’t!” five times.

Experiment 2:

*Relax your face.

*Raise your eyebrows.

*Smile.

*Say, ” I can do it!” five times.

What difference did you notice between the two experiments? Which one took more energy the frown or the smile? It actually takes 43 muscles to frown and only 12 muscles to smile.

So turn that frown upside down and you’ll have extra energy to play all day with a positive attitude 🙂

But I’m Scared!

Posted on March 13, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

It was bedtime and we were going through the night-time routine and I had just finished bathing the girls. Alayna and Victoria (my older two), went to their rooms and got their jammies on. Victoria came out first, she was dressed and ready for me to brush her hair, a few minutes later Alayna sat down for her turn. As I was brushing Alayna’s hair I noticed Kayla, my youngest daughter, still standing in the hallway with just her towel. I looked at Kayla and I told her to go get her clothes on and she said, “I’m scared”. “Scared”, I questioned. I was sitting right in front of her bedroom door. I asked her, “why are you scared, I’m sitting right here beside you!”

That’s when a small voice spoke to me. Have you ever felt called to speak at church, maybe teach a Sunday school class, or even give a presentation at work? For most people fear comes over them, but why? Our heavenly Father is with us at all times. He will never make us go alone, He will never make you stand by yourself. He is always with us, giving us the strength and courage to do what he has purposed us to do.

Kayla was scared because her room was dark and she felt alone, but what she didn’t realize, is I was right there with her. Take comfort in knowing you aren’t walking into a dark place by yourself, God is right there beside you and He loves you.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Where in the World is Uncle Robert? – Newfoundland

Posted on March 12, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

Mark 16:15 “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

I have a younger brother named, Robert Martin. He began preaching at the age of fourteen! At that same time he gained a passionate addiction to missions and has spent time overseas every year since. He has been to Israel, Canada, England, Dominican Republic, Africa, Peru, and Vanuatu, to just name a few.

I wish I would have thought of this a long time ago when my brother started traveling as an evangelist, the girls and I would be experts in world geography.

This week he is in Springdale, Newfoundland, which is in Canada, so we are diving in to find out all about Newfoundland.

Springdale is a town in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, which had a population of 2,764 in the Canada 2006 Census. The community is located on the North-Western shores of Hall’s Bay, in Central Newfoundland, near the mouth of Indian River. Wikipedia

Newfoundland’s capital is St. John’s. In Springdale, it’s a rainy 42 degrees today. Even though it’s not that cold here in Orlando, FL, we are sharing in the rainy part. Their provincial bird is the Atlantic Puffin, their provincial flower is the Pitcher Plant.

I did a Google search for Newfoundland color sheets and found a great one on the Crayola website.

After learning a little about the province of Newfoundland, we took some time to pray for Uncle Robert and the people of Springdale. My hope is by researching the places Evangelist Robert Martin has traveled or is traveling to, will give the girls a heart for these different nations and an appreciation for the missionaries serving around the world. Who knows maybe one of them will have the call on their life one day, to bring the message to all the nations.

Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

Is Homeschooling For Me?

Posted on March 11, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9

I have many women from all aspects of my life reach out to me in the past three years since I’ve been homeschooling. They’ve all had the same questions…The main one being, “How Do You Do It?”

When I began my homeschool journey, I felt alone. I asked and asked people around me but everyone always seemed to say, “it will just work out…don’t worry about it.” Well, that doesn’t work for me. I need to know details, I need to know what I’m getting myself into. With that said, here are a couple of things I would like to share with mothers and fathers thinking about homeschooling their children.

First, you need full support from your spouse. As a couple you need to have the same family goals. Mark 3:25 “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

Second, you must be committed. When you make a commitment, you are making a pledge to not give up. Through stress, frustration, and rough times, you are dedicated to the decision you have made.

Third, know that it is normal to have days you will want to scream into your pillow, cry and kick like a three year old, and run around your house like a crazy person. On those days, stop what you are doing and take the kids outside to the park or the pool. It’s important to take the temperature of your “classroom”. If you’re, frustrated just think how your kids might feel.

Fourth, by making this decision to homeschool, you are making a sacrifice. You most likely will live off of one income, the house won’t always be clean, and you won’t be able to chase after a career (not a big deal to me at all, but to some it is a huge sacrifice).

Fifth, homeschooling is the best reward and achievement you could EVER have in this lifetime. To be able to teach your kids how to read and write then watch their world come to life in front of them, is amazing. To daily sit beside them and solve riddles, problems, and equations, to cuddle up with them during reading time on the couch, ahhhh…there is no greater reward!

If you can read these five things and feel confident in knowing God has placed this on your heart and you can make a commitment to not give up in this calling, then, Welcome to Homeschooling. Feel free to write me any time…I will also take screams and tears 🙂

Hands-On

Posted on March 8, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

Field Trip Day! The hubby was off and the weather was beautiful. I had bought a Groupon a while back for Green Meadows Farm (www.greenmeadowsfarm.com) so, we took advantage of it weather and off we went.

To me, there is no greater way to learn than hands on. There is a powerful connection that takes place when you holding something…you learn about it. It is no longer a picture in your head or words from a teacher (parent), but the idea, the lesson, the thought becomes alive right before you. Hands-on activities encourage a lifelong love of learning and motivates students to explore and discover new things

Scheduling one field trip a month or every other month will restore focus and spark engagement in our children’s learning. You won’t regret taking breaks from the “classroom” and jumping into the world that was created for us to explore and play in.

Psalm 104:10-14 “He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate-bringing forth food from the earth.” (NIV)

Psalm 104: 24-25 “How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number-living things both large and small.” (NIV)

A New Creation

Posted on March 5, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Having daily devotions with our kids should be a priority, but I have noticed, if our day does not start with the word, we most likely will not fit it in any other time. Yes, this is sad, but true. Our day can get crazy with school, baby distractions, toddler distractions, house chores and so on.

Today our devotion was about “…everything is made new!” We talked about a butterfly and the changes that take place in a cocoon. While the butterfly is in its cocoon, there are changes taking place, when it breaks free, it is a new creature.

I think of a cocoon being a place where we seek God, where we take time to pray and listen to his voice. During this time there is a change taking place and when we arise we are new.

I explained to the kids there are times when we don’t want to share, when we lose our temper and we make bad choices, but in those times if we are quick to kneel before God, he makes us new again. We don’t have to live in guilt or condemnation, but walk in the assurance that we know Jesus. He gives us a new morning everyday, when we seek his face (in a our own personal cocoon) we will emerge into a beautiful butterfly ready to fly!

Activity: Have the kids draw and color a new butterfly after emerging from a cocoon. Then write the scripture 2 Corn. 5:17 to remind them they are a new creature in Christ, the old has passed away.