I held the poor boy’s head as he leaned over the toilet heaving and I just thought how pleased am I that he is now old enough to know to run to the bathroom first, then seek out parental assistance.  How many times, parents, have you been awakened in the middle of the night by a child, “Daddy?  I think I’m gonna be…BLEEECCCHH!”  I expressed my great satisfaction in his course of action and told him how proud I was of him and that I really hope he feels better soon.  

My wife and I pulled out an extra mattress onto the boys’ bedrooom floor for him to try and give him and his brother some space (they share a bed).  I asked him to lay with his head opposite his brother’s (the mattress is on the floor between their bed and the door.)  After dealing with this as much as we have, I know it’s only a matter of time before the culture growing in our other little “petri dishes” bears fruit in much the same fashion, so I wanted the path between my next oldest son and the bathroom to have the least resistance possible.  We tucked him in and laid the baby back down (he was awakened during the “upheaval”) and came back downstairs.

So, we’re stocking up on bedsheets, towels and making sure there are plenty of extra pajamas, clorox wipes and washcloths around for the coming storm.  To try and defeat the coming bug we have several weapons in our arsenal.  Mainly, probiotics for good digestive health, lots of handwashing, tinctures and plenty of water.  Oh yeah, and if you’re fighting the 24-hour flu, it never hurts to remind all of them, when your tucking their little full tummies into bed, where the bathroom and nearest garbage cans are and that you will come running if you hear them.

My biggest struggle in these situations is having a good attitude at 3 in the morning when I’m standing in the driveway hosing off a comforter.  Many times I’ve jumped out of bed in a huff because somebody just sat there, in bed, mouth gaping open.  I can’t stay mad long, though, because they’re so sad (especially the little ones) and really need me.  My wife and I made a deal, she takes care of the giving birth part and I clean up vomit.  Funny enough, when we’re in the middle of either, the other one feels like they got the better deal.  Well, I’m off to stock up on some sleep…it’s going to be a long night.  God bless.

By Cindy Nabb

Avocados, I love them.  There are so many reasons to love avocado.  The are a great source of good fat, fat without cholesterol,  vitamin K, and many others.  Avocado is a perfect baby food.  My little guy trembles with joy when I am cutting into his daily avocado.  It mashes to a perfect texture for little ones and it even comes in it’s own bowl, how great is that?  Most of us just eat guacamole and call that good but consuming more of this wonderful fruit could change our overall health.  Avocados contain more potassium than a banana and are full of vitamin E.  Avocados are not only good in our bodies but on our bodies too.  Mash up half an avocado, 1 tsp lemon juice and an egg white use it as a facial mask, add some oats for an exfoliating scrub.  Replace the lemon juice with 1Tbsp olive oil and apply it to your hair (use more avocado for longer hair),  makes for silky, moisture rich hair.    The oil of avocados have been used to make cosmetics and soap.  We use avocado oil in a soap that we make and it has become my favorite soap.  It is so silky and smooth.  It leaves my skin feeling clean yet rehydrated.   

Next time you are at the grocery store pick up a few slightly firm avocados if you plan on eating them right away.  Put them in the fridge to slow down the ripening.  If you find your avocados need to be ripened/softened a little place them in a paper bag on the counter and they will ripen faster.  Make some guacamole, slice it on a salad or sandwich, add a little salt or dip in sour cream and ENJOY! 

Check out  these avocado recipes for more avocado fun!

also www.purelightsoap.com