Our Dental Unit

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January 20, 2015 By Jennifer Lambert 2 Comments

We learned about teeth this week!

I found some really fun science, crafts, games, and activities for us to learn about dental health.

We’re using Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology by Apologia as our primary text. We love the fun experiments and learning activities.

We learned about stained teeth with an egg and cola.

Alex demanded an experiment page like his sisters. And he did awesome!

The kids made predictions and drew their ideas. Kate drew a time lapse of the egg sinking, changing colors, and then exploding. She’s special like that. Tori drew the egg sinking and turning brown. Alex drew the egg floating.

The egg didn’t explode, much to Kate’s chagrin. It did sink and turn an icky brown.

We used Thieves toothpaste and baking soda to brush the shell. It cleaned off a lot, but not all.

I put the colored egg beside a clean one to show the difference.

The girls did a great job on their science experiment pages.

We learned about cavities.

I stuck a hole in an apple and we watched it turn brown and get soft and rotten.

After one week, it was disgusting:

We placed a tooth in cola and watched it rot. It turned brown and soft.

Alex made a happy fluffy tooth.

We visited the dentist.

The kids (and I) all had dentist appointments – and NO CAVITIES!

We practiced flossing with egg cartons and ribbon.

We labeled teeth drawings.

I found some fun literacy works for the girls – sentences, matching, ABC order.

They played this teeth game with mini marshmallows a gazillion times.

We learned a poem about dental health. Subscribe to the blog for the free download (and others!)

Follow Jennifer’s board Dental Unit on Pinterest.

February is Dental Health month!

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Ham and Bean Soup

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January 19, 2015 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

On dismal cold winter days, I just want soup.

My husband used to love a certain canned variety of ham and bean soup.

This is a much healthier, more natural version of that soup.

Warm comfort food – filling and cozy on blustery days.

We put our holiday ham bone in the freezer with just this soup idea in mind. A frugal way to use the flavor and hammy tidbits rather than wasting.

When we’re in a pinch or hurry, this is my favorite stock to use. We often keep quarts of homemade stock in the freezer.

And I am absolutely in love with this soup starter seasoning. I seriously put it in everything. I can’t vouch for the chemical-free-ness of this product in the States, but it is a pantry staple in Europe!

All good soups being with mirepoix, no?

All ingredients in the slow cooker. (I need a bigger slow cooker!) It smells heavenly after simmering for a few hours.

This ham and bean soup was a HUGE hit for dinner with the whole family!

Ham and Bean Soup Recipe

*If I were making this for myself or a special event, I would add chopped red pepper and peeled, cubed sweet potatoes. I think that would be mighty fine. My husband and kids aren’t big fans of peppers and sweet potatoes.

What’s your favorite warm soup for cold days?

Ham and Bean Soup

Course Soup

Cuisine Soup

Ingredients

1 Ham bone or chopped ham or smoked pork shank (we froze ours after a holiday meal). You could even use smoked sausage – or a beef or turkey product. I love versatility!
1 bag of mixed beans
1 large carrot, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
1 box chicken stock
1 Tablespoon soup seasoning optional
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Soak beans overnight or according to package instructions. Combine with hambone in slow cooker. Arrange veggies, stock, and seasoning around hambone. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Adjust seasoning. Serve with cornbread and salad.

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Prevention and Education with TRICARE Dental

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January 15, 2015 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

I participated in an Ambassador program on behalf of Influence Central for the TRICARE Dental Program. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Dental Prevention and Education equals NO CAVITIES!

At the beginning of each new year, it is important to see if there are changes to monthly rates and premiums from health care providers. That way, there are no surprises later on when you make appointments!

Did you know that February is Dental Health Month?

NOW is a great time to brush up on program benefits and check on the upcoming changes.

Premium amounts change annually each year on February 1, so don’t get caught unaware! Premiums also vary depending on the number of member enrolled and the sponsor’s status. Enrollment is a 12-month commitment. However, after completing the minimal enrollment period, membership may be continued on a monthly basis.

TRICARE Dental Program premiums also vary based upon a family member’s military status (Active Duty, Selected Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve and type of enrollment). The Dental Program is an extra enrollment feature with TRICARE. Check out the costs.

What are the benefits of the TRICARE Dental Program?

When enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program and members visit a network dentist, there are no costs for exams, cleanings, X-rays, or fluoride treatments.

Active duty members typically only receive one cleaning and exam at base clinics each year, so they can receive the recommended second exam with this dental program!

I love the flexibility of this dental program. Even when we are able to get dependent appointments at the base dental clinic, we keep our coverage up to date for emergencies, just in case.

I love that sealants are only 20% cost share for kids through age 18. I received sealants when I was younger and I have gotten them on my kids’ permanent molars for added protection.

Orthodontic treatment is available for enrolled family members up to age 23. We’ve had one with braces and I’m sure our other three kids will need some help in this area eventually.

The kids recently learned about teeth and dental health in our homeschool. We all had dental checkups this month and NO CAVITIES! We’re doing something right!

Our dentists commended us for our preventive measures and education: “Oral health is an important part of overall wellness. Preventive and diagnostic dental care helps maintain good oral health which leads to overall wellness.”

For More Information:

To enroll, visit the TRICARE website.

Refer to the fact sheet on TRICARE Dental Program.

The Defense Health Agency continues to offer a comprehensive dental care
option available for purchase by eligible active duty family members and
National Guard and Reserve members and their families. Effective May 1, 2017,
United Concordia Companies, Inc. (United Concordia) will assume responsibility
for administering the TRICARE Dental Program, replacing the outgoing dental
contractor. Your monthly premium rate will also change and you may
need to find a new dental provider.

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Art Journals

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January 14, 2015 By Jennifer Lambert 16 Comments

I got the kids supplies for art journaling for Christmas.

They’ve been DYING to try it out!

Amazing how some notebooks and stamps get kids so excited.

Kate had asked me a couple months ago: “What’s scrapbooking?”

I seriously felt like a failure. I need to turn in my girl card, y’all.

I have failed as a woman.

My girls didn’t know what scrapbooking is.

So, of course I showed them some examples on Pinterest.

They picked out some complementary papers and got to scrappin’.

My son, Alex, wanted an art journal too. So I relinquished the one I bought for myself.

Sacrifices, people.

And he wanted a flower sticker on his cover page.

Of course.

Alex really loves the shaped scissors that cut in pretty designs. He LOVES the paper punch outs for stars.

The hibiscus paper was his very favorite since he was born in Hawaii.

Katherine loved the letter stickers.

And of course, there’s no pattern. That’s how she rolls.

I am very impressed with her pattern pairing. She also loves the stamps and paper punch-outs.

She won’t need much guidance with art journals as we work along. I won’t even try.

Tori used a flower sticker for her letter O.

I’m surprised she didn’t get a ruler to line up her letter stickers or something. She’s my perfectionist and I hope that art journaling will help her confidence.

I love love love Tori’s paper choices.

She said the blue was like water so she stamped swimming animals.

I plan to be more diligent with arts and crafts this year.

I will get out of my comfort zone and allow my kids freedom of expression. And messes. Maybe even glitter glue.

Baby steps.

Art is good for the kids and for me.

It will help my kids express their individuality and have some fun yet productive downtime.

It’s good for me to embrace a mess and realize it doesn’t matter as much as the process.

Check out my art board:

Famous Artists & Picture Study Notebooking Pages

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Reasons Why People Become Loyal to a Place of Worship

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January 13, 2015 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

Generally, someone who is a regular attendee of a particular church has several reasons why he or she returns to the same place of worship each week. One of the most common reasons is that the person feels comfortable. He or she feels welcome there and that makes it a pleasant place to worship. The church or other place of worship may not be large or have a lot of elaborate decorations, but it possesses an inviting atmosphere. Whether it’s a simple chapel, an annex building or an expansive auditorium, it’s the tone of the atmosphere that matters. Take a look at some other typical reasons why a person returns to the same place of worship each week.

Worshippers Who Share Beliefs

Many people are loyal to one place of worship because they like spending time with others who share their own beliefs. It’s not likely that everyone in a place of worship shares exactly the same thinking, but they share the same fundamental beliefs. This can be very appealing to those who like to have discussions about faith and ask questions about the experiences of others.

A Relaxed Atmosphere

Most people return to a place of worship because they feel at ease there. For instance, they don’t feel like they are being pressured to think a certain way. Instead, they are invited to listen to the sermon or the lesson to make their own decisions about it. They freely believe what they want to. One example of a person who creates a relaxed atmosphere for attendees is Ed Young, Jr.

Friendly Worshippers

People who encounter friendly people at a place of worship are likely to return each week. They may be unsure about attending a service, but find that they feel at ease due to the greetings they get from fellow attendees. Sometimes churches put volunteers at the entrances so every person will receive a greeting as they enter. This helps people who are uncertain about the place to know they are always welcome.

The Choice to Give Money

Another reason why people attend a particular place of worship is because they don’t feel pressured to make a financial offering every week. They can make one if they’d like to support a certain undertaking or project, but they don’t feel that they will be looked down upon if they don’t contribute an offering each week. In fact, many people attend a place of worship for several weeks before they decide to make a financial offering on a regular basis. They want to see the sort of work that is done by the place of worship before they put aside a portion of their income to donate.

Finally, most people stick with a place of worship that offers activities that are appealing to them. For instance, they may love the weekly dinners hosted by their church or perhaps there is a particular discussion group they like to attend. Some churches arrange for bus tours to historical places or host vacation Bible school for young children. Many people look at the activities offered by a church to get a feel for what they can get involved in.

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Self-Care in Winter

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January 12, 2015 By Jennifer Lambert 2 Comments

Here is how I take care of myself during these winter doldrums that try to take over.

I try to be proactive with our health.

We see social media statuses of all our friends with sick families, and we’re over here giving you stinkeye and crossing our fingers against the ickies.

We don’t like going to the clinic to be told which medicines to pick up at the pharmacy. We like homeopathic care, but prevention is best.

During these dark days of winter when the “bugs” like to burrow into the moist, warm snuggly mucous membranes, I like to ward off that potential with a few tricks.

5 ways I am proactive about my health:

1. A Sun Lamp.

I really love my Philips goLite. It really does “Help to Alleviate the Symptoms of Winter Blues.” The special “BLU energy light” helps me when the short winter days are dreary, cold, and rainy. It’s portable and rechargeable and durable.

I use it for 20 minutes every day, usually between lunch and breakfast. I have noticed that I am much more energetic and cheerful than previous winters.

2. Supplements.

We love superfood smoothies, cod liver oil, and essential oils. My girls take iron and D. The kids take a liquid multivitamin.

These supplements help us to perform at our best while they supplement our diets, maintain our healthy immune systems, keep our energy and sugar levels stable.

3. Exercise.

Regular time outside and being active at least thirty minutes a day helps keep our bodies healthy. This is a struggle for me and I need to try to do better and be a better example for my kids to follow. I want to stay strong and healthy for my kids.

I plan to implement some fun fitness into our school days, even inside if the weather is just too miserable to venture out.

4. Eating well.

We really can heal with food. I like to keep homemade stock on hand. We eat real food and not the processed junk I grew up with. I love introducing new foods and fun recipes to the family so we can have a fun, healthy, tasty variety. We love eMeals for their simple meal plans: Healthy Meal Plans to Match your Active Lifestyle.

I get up and make hot breakfasts most mornings and my husband is great about doing this on weekends and his days off. This helps us all start our day off right.

We’re into juicing and the kids know that colorful food is healthy food. They like to arrange their plates in pretty patterns.

We drink lots of water. It helps having that neato little dispenser in the freezer door.

We like to have tea time and listen to music and poetry about once a week. This is a fun, easy way to try new foods.

We don’t make our kids clean their plates. There isn’t always dessert. Water is the drink available at mealtime. We don’t have regular snack times every day. It’s normal and ok to get hungry between meals. The kids know they can almost always have yogurt, nuts, cheese, fruit, or veggies if they get hungry during the day.

5. Getting enough sleep.

I’m very little use to anyone before 7 AM. I don’t like mornings and if I can, I will sleep until 8 in the morning.

We send our kids to bed before 9 PM and often by 8:30 so they get enough sleep. It’s harder in summer when the sun doesn’t set until very late. In winter, it’s easier since the light is gone by 4:30 PM, but we have activities and dinner…then reading and prayers.

Alex usually doesn’t make it through the reading time.

I try to get in bed by about 10:30. There are nights I stay up reading or working, but those are now rare and it’s best that way.

Going through this routine helps everyone get prepared to sleep.

To ensure everyone stays asleep and sleeps soundly, we apply dreamy-scented essential oils and make sure everyone is warm and snuggly.

Each evening, I like to make sure the kitchen is clean for a happier morning. I often set the coffee pot for the morning. I make sure the floors are clear and homeschool goals are printed for the next day.

If we do get ill, we have an arsenal of essential oils and home remedies. Fluids and rest usually help us get going again quickly.

How do you stay healthy?

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Homeschool Planner

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January 7, 2015 By Jennifer Lambert 12 Comments

The kids are finishing up curriculum and January is typically when we evaluate our successes and whether we need a change.

We tend to follow a calendar year rather than a fiscal or traditional school year.

I realize that my teen needs some direction for time management and must learn to keep a time budget for herself so she can stay on track with her school assignments and not get further behind.

I have some great planning printables on my Pinterest board, but I realize that some of them aren’t exactly what we need.

There are some great calendars and planners for sale all over the Internet but they’re not exactly what we need either and I’ve been so disappointed when I’ve purchased them in the past and they didn’t work well for us.

We made our own student planner.

Here’s what we found and put together for the perfect planner.

A pretty cover.

We love this neato zebra cover page that’s just perfect (she has oodles to choose from).

Goal-setting pages.

Since I’m raising servant leaders, we need goals. I love these free printable goal-planning pages.

I plan to take some time after our holiday to discuss goals with my kids. She can have these planning pages to refer to throughout the year and make sure she stays on track. I think this would be a great motivational tool so she will complete her work.

Calendar pages.

I love the colors for these monthly calendar pages!

And I printed some pretty weekly planning pages to help Liz keep track of her school and extracurricular schedule. I saved them ages ago and have no idea where I got them.

Assignments pages.

I designed some weekly assignment planning pages of our own. There are some really beautiful pages out there, but I need simple, lots of room to write in assignments, checklists, and no bells or whistles to distract. Download our simple student pages below.

As we complete her planner and get all the pages printed for the rest of the year, I will comb bind it and help her fill it out and coach her to keep track every day.

What I’m not including:

cutesy journal pages
artsy freestyle pages
Bible study journals

I saw oodles of these pretty pages to print, but I just know it would end in disaster if I included these in this planner. They would distract the girls and take the focus off time management. They would waste lots of time playing with filling in the blanks and doodling rather than completing and checking off appointments and assignments.

I have an art journal and a great Bible study for teen girls as part of regular homeschool work.

I pray that this pretty new planner will help Liz with time management this year!

I also like this blog planner for me.

Subscribe to the blog and download our student planning pages:

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Bible Studies for the New Year

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January 5, 2015 By Jennifer Lambert 17 Comments

I love the Advent and Lent Bible studies we read through each and every year. I feel so close to God and my family as we snuggle on the sofa and read these stories and Scripture.

What do we do for Bible studies the rest of the year?

I’m at a loss.

I Googled and searched for studies recommended for the rest of the church year.

I guess there’s a reason the liturgy is called “Ordinary Time.”

It can be pretty disappointing and boring after Christmas and Easter Bible studies.

But God is never ordinary. He is extraordinary!

I plan to use this ordinary time to focus on Bible stories, Scripture memorization, and worldview studies.

Here are some of our family’s favorite Bible studies and resources.

Some great Bible reading plans:

Read through the Bible in a year or 90 days
YouVersion Bible app with a multitude of study options. We do this every evening before bedtime.
PrayNow from Concordia Publishing House app
BibleMinded from American Bible Society app
Bible Study Plans from Bible Study Tools. I love their apps!
Bible Studies from Bible Gateway
Bible Studies from Ligonier

Some great Scriptures series, devotionals, and worldview curricula:

Apologia What We Believe series – Read our review.
I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist book and curriculum. My teen daughter and I read through the book last year!
Beauty in the Heart for young ladies – Read our review.
Praying the Scriptures with His Mercy is New
Scripture Memorization with Welcome to the Family Table
Online Bible studies from Time Warp Wife. My tween girls really love these!
Monthly Scripture writing plans from Sweet Blessings. I do these daily, usually right before bed.
Hymn Study with Ambleside Online
Memoria Press Christian Studies
Hero Tales: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes – 2 volumes – and this great copywork from Mama Jenn
Studying God’s Word workbooks – 1st grade through high school levels. My kids complete a lesson daily in these easy to use workbooks.
Seeds Family Worship CDs with printable Bible curriculum
Songs for Saplings CDs and ABC printables

We don’t do Bible journaling or draw all over our Bibles. We read them and learn Scripture. We’re not into coloring book Bibles. The Word of God is sacred. It’s not entertainment. I have a scripture and prayer journal.

And we don’t feel the need to post every little thing we do online to receive praise from other people. Our faith is private.

What do you study during this time between Advent and Lent?

Here’s a funny:

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Brushing Up on Our Smiles

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December 29, 2014 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

I participated in an Ambassador program on behalf of Influence Central for the TRICARE Dental Program. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Every new year, I review our family goals, make resolutions, and plan dental appointments for the year.

Doesn’t everybody?

Teeth are important.

We’re learning about teeth in science this week and the kids are all fascinated with how they’re made and whatall they do.

It’s a great time to teach them the importance of taking good care of our teeth and mouths with frequent flossing and brushing and healthy diets.

We love the kids corner and teens corner to brush up on our knowledge about dental care.

Two of my kids will visit the dentist in January. We pray they keep our family record of the past year with no cavities!

I love the convenience of visiting local dentist and oral specialists for our dental care. It’s easy and affordable, and my kids think going to the dentist is fun!

Fun fact: Wisdom teeth extractions are covered by TRICARE for patients between the ages of 15 and 30.

This coverage is considered with a 30% cost share for pay grades E1-E4, and a 40% cost share for pay grades E5 and above. This would be subject to the plan maximum of $1,300. Coverage for extractions outside of the age range can be considered if specific documentation is provided that substantiates the need for removal and is approved.

This is great to know since I have a teen daughter who will surely need this done soon! My husband had his wisdom teeth removed as an adult. I do not recommend waiting. Get it done as soon as a dentist notices the need!

Check out cost shares for dental services and plan premiums.

Another fun fact: December is the National Guard’s birthday – it turns 378!

I have friends and brothers-in-law who are Guard members. Awesome!

December 13, 1636, marks the beginning of organized militia, and the birth of the National Guard’s oldest organized units – symbolic of the founding of all the state, territory, and District of Columbia militias that collectively make up today’s National Guard. More history.

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Setting and Keeping Goals

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December 29, 2014 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

With the new year, come all these resolutions that seem almost impossible to keep for more than a week or month or so.

It’s overwhelming and frustrating.

Like we need another reminder of failure, right?

We all have room for improvement.

Whether it’s more exercise, eating healthier, to stop saying bad words, eating at home more, stopping smoking, losing weight, reading our Bibles regularly, or budgeting better, whatever {your goal is here}.

Don’t go crazy and set like thirty goals. Don’t set yourself up to fail. Start with one, or five, or ten. Go slowly and complete one goal at a time.

No matter what your goals might be, here is an action plan to keep those resolutions through to completion.

1. Set a realistic, specific, measurable goal.

Instead of just saying “eating healthier,” state your goal very specifically.

“I will:

limit my sugar intake
get up earlier to make and eat a protein-rich breakfast
eat an extra serving or fruits and vegetables each day”

This is absolutely achievable. It is specific. It can be measured.

2. Write your goal down.

For real. You need to think it, read it, say it, learn it. Internalize that goal. Make it your own.

Write your goal down:

in your planner or calendar
on your dream board
in your prayer journal
on the bathroom mirror.

Write your goal down and place it somewhere you will see it regularly and often to remind you.

3. Tell a friend.

We all need accountability.

Ask someone to help you stay on track lovingly. Ask her to pray for you and help you during those times when you want to quit. Text her when you’ve reached a milestone or have her set up a reminder to check up on you weekly.

4. Set reasonable milestones.

Remember, goals should be measurable. But be realistic with your abilities to change. It’s difficult to stay motivated and harder to get out of a rut of bad habits.

Don’t expect to lose 50 pounds in a month. That’s not healthy or actionable.

Just like all the experts say not to weigh yourself every day so you don’t get discouraged.

Set reasonable stepping stones. Take each day at a time. Set weekly or monthly check-ins.

5. Celebrate and don’t beat yourself up.

We all have bad days. We forget. We get distracted. We lose hope. We get busy.

We eat that double chip mocha fudge almond ice cream sundae with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, sprinkles, chopped nuts, and a raspberry on top. And we love it. Until the tummyache later.

Tomorrow is another day. Start over the next morning. Clean slate. Forgive yourself and move on.

But when you hit a milestone? Celebrate like crazy! Praise God! Call your friends and family to rejoice with you.

Send me a message and I will squeal like a teenage fangirl.

We set personal goals. I set goals for our family and homeschool to achieve each year.

What are your goals this year?

Linking up: Happy and Blessed Home, The Jenny Evolution

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