I'm finally getting caught up on 2 1/2 years worth of scrapbooking! It's been so fun! Now I need to order prints for the last year and get all of them done too! I think it's about 400 photos.:)

Growing in our yard

Galium aparine is a herbaceous annual plant of the family Rubiaceae. It is native to North America and Eurasia. It has several common names, including Cleavers, Clivers, Goosegrass, Stickywilly, Stickyweed, Catchweed, Robin-run-the-hedge and Coachweed.

Growth
The long stems of this climbing plant sprawl over the ground and other plants, reaching heights of 1-1.5 m, occasionally 2 m. The leaves are simple and borne in whorls of six to eight. Both leaves and stem have fine hairs tipped with tiny hooks, making them cling to clothes and fur much like velcro. The white to greenish flowers are 2-3 mm across, with four petals.

It flowers in early spring to summer, with the flowers occurring in most of the leaf nodes. The fruits are clustered 1-3 seeds together; each seed is 4-6 mm diameter, and is also covered with hooked hairs (a burr) which cling to animal fur, aiding in seed dispersal.

It is a common weed in hedges and other low shrubby vegetation, and is also a common weed in arable fields, as well as gardens. As they grow quite rampantly and thickly, they end up shading out any small plants that they overrun.

The seeds are similar size to cereal grains, and so are a common contaminant in cereals since they are difficult to filter out. The presence of some seed in cereals is not considered a serious problem as they are not toxic.

[edit] Uses
When dried and roasted, the fruits of this plant can be used to make a coffee-like drink. The plant can also be made into a tea.

[edit] Herbalism
The plant was traditionally used to treat skin diseases. It is a diuretic and vulnerary. Herbalists use it to lower blood pressure and body temperature, as well as for cystitis.[1]

The whole plant is considered rich in vitamin C. Its roots produce a red dye, and the tea has been used as an anti-perspirant (by the Chinese), and as a relief for head colds (home remedy), restlessness, and sunburns. As a pulp, it has been used to relieve poisonous bites. [2]

[edit] Edibility
Galium aparine is edible. The numerous small hooks which cover the plant and give it its clinging nature make it unfit to be eaten raw. However boiled as a leaf vegetable before the fruits appear it makes tolerable eating. [



Wild Violet

Medicinal Applications
Action
alterative, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, emetic, expectorant.

Flowers: aperient, astringent, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, laxative.

Root: emetic (in larger doses)

Uses

bronchitis
cancer
catarrh
chest tightness
cough
eczema
fever
flu
kidney and liver diseases
lung disorders
rectum and uterus prolapse
rheumatism
sneezing
urinary infections

Sweet Violet has a long history of use as a cough remedy and for the treatment of bronchitis. It may also be used to aid in the treatment of upper respiratory catarrh. It is also used for treating skin conditions such as eczema and rheumatism. Also used for urinary infections. Sweet Violet has a reputation as an anti-cancer herb.

This herb is reported to be a very effective folk remedy for the treatment of types of cancers. The aboriginal tribes of India are reported to have been using the plant for the complete cure of cancer among their people for a long time. Infusion of the leaves is said to relieve the pain of cancerous growths, especially in the throat. Either the water extract of the leaves or the leaf juice is effective in the cure of tongue-cancer. All the plant parts contain the alkaloid "Violine." The stem is a very good substitute for Ipecacuanha.

When mixed with almond oil and senna syrup, this herb is an excellent demulcent and aperient for children.

The flowers of this herb are used in bilious affections, epilepsy, nervous disorders, prolapse of the rectum and the uterus, and inflammatory swellings. The flowers are popularly used for the treatment of coughs, sore throats, kidney diseases, liver disorders and infantile afflictions. The flowers are either used as an infusion in water or as a syrup.

Dosage:
Decoction, infusion, powder, pill, syrup

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoonful of the herb and let infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.

Tincture: take 1-2ml of the tincture three times a day.

Demonic signs and wonders

2 Thessalonians 2:9-15

"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Where unto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle."
"Then some of the scribes and pharisees said to him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." He said to them in reply, "An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the Sign of Jonah the prophet. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights." (Matthew 12: 38-40).

Being raised in the Pentecostal church and having experienced many wonderful works of God, I absolutely consider myself to be "'Pentecostal".
Because of this I believe in things that don't make sense to the natural man. That said, I also believe that we are living in the end times and need to be VERY discerning about what signs are from God and which ones ARE NOT.
"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matt. 24:24
How are we to know if signs are of God? The same way we are to know if ANYTHING is from Him, His WORD!
I hear people getting very excited about things like gold teeth, "gold" dust, magic Manna and people barking like dogs but what does Jesus say about these things?
Popular opinion is that God does these things as evidence (proof)that He is there and approves of what is being said or done.
God says that the way we know if someone is of Him by their fruits.:
Gal 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law

1) fruit(καρπός karpos)

a) the fruit of the trees, vines, of the fields

b) the fruit of one's loins, i.e. his progeny, his posterity

2) that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result

a) work, act, deed
(Notice that it doesn't say gold dust,cross shaped dental implants or barking)

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matt. 24:24
[Mark 13:22; Luke 21:8]
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. . .Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders." II Thess. 2:3,9

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." I Tim. 4:1

Hbr 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Hbr 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein


"Mammon"(treasure) is always shown as being in opposition of spiritual truth. There is NO scriptural basis for Jesus using gold and earthly objects as a sign of his presence. However, there is scriptural reference for gold being used in satanic worship.

I hear the phrase "behold I will do a new thing" used to cause confusion and doubt. Hey, if God is going to do something new, how can we say this isn't it?
NEWSFLASH, HE TELLS US EXACTLY WHAT THE "NEW" THING IS AND HE ALREADY DID THE "NEW" THING!!!

Isaiah 43:19Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
20The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
21This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

So why do I believe in signs like speaking in other tongues, falling down under Gods power, healing and deliverance from demons? Not because I have experienced them (although I have) but because they are specifically taught about in Gods word!

Corinthians 12:7-11 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
Note the phrase "FOR THE COMMON GOOD".

Acts 26:14
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.
(Revelation 5:8
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 5:14
The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.
(There is another references too-where Ananias and Sapphira fell down and died.(Matt 5)
)
God's signs and wonders were and are a sign that Jesus is who He says he is -GOD.
It is not to get us "high" on Jesus or prove a mans message is true. God does not appeal to our flesh to prove our spirituality.

My Flowers

RHEMA MARVANNE

Emma

Emma has her first imaginary friend, her name is Lemon.I asked her what Lemon looks like and she said "just like a lemon". I say"so she looks like a big talking fruit?"No mom, shes not a talking fruit, she's just a person named Lemon." What does the person named Lemon look like Emma?" MOM,(exasperation) she looks like nothing!

Other Emmaisms:
"Mom, did you hear that? My tummy was laughing!"

"Mom, will you finish coloring this? because my hand is getting dizzy."

"Mommy, I am so so in love with my daddy!"

Psalm 16:11 says, You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

We had fun at the circus yesterday. It was so nice of dad to take us and stay to help! The crowds were crazy and if I couldn't hand him the baby I wouldn't have been able to take Emma to the bathroom! The acts were pretty good. I wouldn't say that it's really worth the money but some of it was really well done. Isaiah said the rodeo was better and Emma wanted to ride ponies so I think the fair will be a bigger hit. I am also looking foreword to the River Festival!

Going to the Circus Today!

Noah Malachi Today

Noah has been doing some adorable things lately!
Mom and Dad smoke and therefore cough a lot. Noah seems to think it's their special language and fake coughs at them whenever he sees them. It's so funny!
He just learned to sit up by himself from a laying position. He gets so excited to see people that he waves his arms up and down really fast and yells.
He's a snarler (of course) and makes hilarious faces.
He has been doing this smart, cute and somewhat annoying thing to me. He "milks" me while nursing! He squeezes on my again and again the whole time he nurses to make the milk come faster! He is the first to do that.
Today he initiated a game of hide and seek with Isaiah by covering his own face with Emma's sweater and pulling it down quickly with laughter.
I love it that he gets so excited about nursing that he laughs out loud!

Funny Faces

Bird Watching & Feeding Today At The Park

About Me

I have recently realized that I have changed a lot since I married my awesome man. Not everything has changed but a whole lot has! Here are some various facts about me -the me that I am now. :)
I still like animals but not nearly as much. For instance, I'd rather have a cat put to sleep than have it live in my house; I really don't like cats! I'd still like to own a horse but there are things I'd rather have or do.
I like rock music but prefer Folk and Bluegrass.
I'm bolder than I used to be. I've learned that some people won't like you even when you just smile and nod so I may as well be real.
I am a lot more affectionate, I give lots of hugs and kisses.
I'm not a violent sleeper anymore. Sleeping with babies for most of ten years has cured me. I am also able to sleep with a bit of light in the room, although I prefer complete darkness.
I am not as selfish or as concerned with making a good impression. I guess that goes with being bolder and being a mommy.
I still believe that cleanliness is next to godliness but have realized that humility is more so. My house is never spotless anymore, just a constant work in progress.
I don't really have just one favorite color anymore. Red or green usually jump out at me but I love all colors, even pink!
I love art! I think art is like music, it has the ability to draw out and express the soul. I don't think anyone knows how deeply I am moved by good art!
I don't show my feelings easily. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with emotion that it feels as though it could burst out of me but usually doesn't.
I don't get emotionally riled when someone has a different opinion, (unless it's about abortion.)I realize how much pride I was accustomed to. It's actually OK to think differently and not try to convince others you're right!
I'd rather not attend a "church". I'd rather not be influenced by pop-christian ideas and instead listen to the still small voice.
I enjoy watching the news and actually care about politics and world issues. I vote.
I still love the outdoors. I find the loveliness of trees, birds, grass and wind to be sadly overlooked! I LOVE flowers! All types and colors. I love rain, snow, fires, stars and insects. I love gardening and drinking tea on the front porch.
I love berries,tomatoes and coffee. (My morning coffee is like a cup of joy.)
My biggest pet peeve is when people type "prayers". Prayer is supposed to be between you and God, thus his suggestion that we enter into a closet and not do it before man....
I don't mind mustard on my burgers anymore but still hate potato salad.
Sweet tea, fried asparagus and Rhubarb Pie are traditions that well never end.
could go on and on but think I'll stop for now. ~

Grandpa

Dad in law decided to take Isaiah to the rodeo tonight. It was so sweet to see. Grandpa's are so important, especially when daddy works 14 hour days. :)

The Heart

The metaphorical heart is such a complex thing. I have been thinking about how strange it is that one heart can hold so many memories and feelings, conflicting and powerful yet sharing the same person.
I am so full of love, happiness and contentment! I have the most wonderful man and amazing children. I have fantastic in-laws and incredible friends. I am truly happy.
At the same time I have such a deep feeling of sorrow and agony caused by loving others so strongly and knowing that the love is not truly returned. It's a gift and a curse to be able to have such strong feelings for those who have no regard for them. The all too common "unrequited love" is not always romantic in nature.
My heart has room for both happiness and sorrow, fulfillment and emptiness, love and longing.
I will pray that God uses my heart in both states of being and never lets me have a heart of stone, no matter how much easier that sounds.

Fun Today