He is almost here!

Hello my friends!
I hope that the last 19 days has been peaceful, joyous,  happy and meaningful for all of you.
I have been spending my days teaching my children and trying to stayed grounded- amidst the chaos that surrounds us all during this season.
I don't know if I am just getting OLD or if it is something more profound in my heart, but whatever it is...I find myself drawn to my own home with my own family this year.
I used to be the fool waiting in line with the masses at Rockefeller plaza for that massive tree to be lit,  the first one in lone to see Santa at Macy's...with my children perfectly outfitted for photos.
This year though, I have enjoyed so much more. Something different. Home. Our giant tree that we cut down as a family. The gingerbread houses that we made with such a MESS! The singing of Christmas songs and memorizing scripture for the Christmas play, the handmade ornaments, the world vision gifts and the feeling of contentment has overwhelmed me.
Family.
A family is what we are celebrating this season. The beginning of real family.
A family of three. An unlikely family of three.
Mary was pregnant,  Joseph KNEW the baby was not his.  But, God came through.  He showed Joseph that His love was SO strong, SO safe, SO pure.  He helped Joseph to see that it didn't matter what anyone else thought. That HE was the only judge that mattered, and that HIS love was safe.-That HE would provide.

Joseph believe in God. Joseph believed in salvation. And, because Joseph believed...a family was born.  In a tiny manger,  in the little town of Bethlehem, the City of David.

The only twinkling lights were stars, the only gifts were those given to the Babe in honor of what HE was going to GIVE us.

He gave us FAMILY.  A family of believers. A family with love and light and hope. A family who looks towards the JOY of this season, as the birth of our salvation.

Pray with me?
Lord, guide our hearts in the same way that you guided Joseph's heart so many years ago. That we may feel Your safe, true love.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.

{beBlessed} and have a GREAT day!

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles...

NOVEMBER!
WOW!
These are a few of my Favorite Things!
1. The end of a bountiful harvest

2. My husband- it is so nice to have him back "home"!

3. My babies
4. Our parents
5. My church family. It isn't easy to make a church move. It is, actually,  REALLY hard. But, we have been welcomed with open arms. Thank YOU LCF!
6. Date night., It has been 100 days since our last date night!
7. A date night at home with Italian dried sausage, cheese and chicken wing dip.

8. Motorcycles
9. The Chronological Life Application Study Bible with all of its awesome maps and time lines and photos...Jackson LOVES it as much as I do!
10. Gratitude Journal from 'I Love it All' shop on etsy  www.iloveitall.etsy.com

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11. My Young Living Essential Oils. Always my favorite, , always necessary.  (Member #1401485)

12. Soda Stream
13. Homeschooling my boys

14. Cranberries
15. Cold nights
16. My fire place
17. My home
18. The Little things
19. My dog

20. Christmas trees
21. Twinkle lights
22. Old Navy Rockstar jeans
23. Converse All Stars
24. Leggings
25. Sweaters
26. Pumpkin...anything. muffins, cookies,  pies
27. Treasuring Christ- When Your Hands Are Full.
28. Crazy Love by, Francis Chan
29. Food Network Magazine
30. Hedua Magazine
31. The start of Musical season
32. Naptime Diaries- advent calendar and journal
33. Calligraphy pens
34. ThriveMoms- the friends that I have made who live forever away, but I know that we are kindred hearts in the way we live,  love our Lord and our families and want to live each days with purpose.
35. BLESSINGS
I have so many. In my goal to live a more authentic life, I am finding that I am using, wanting, needing less of the "worldly" things and enjoying...downright THRIVING off of the things that I can experience- with my kids, my husband- my friends, our families... our Lord gave us all we need to live this life...I think I may have finally started to do it the right way.

Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief...

I am a terrible blogger. Seriously, I am.

There are some days that are SO hard for me to even function as a human being, that my commitment to writing feels like an unreachable task.
Cushings Syndrome sucks. It does.  there is no easy way around it.  There is no real cure.  There are herbs and oils that are helping to lessen my symptoms, BUT no matter what I am doing to counteract the effects of the over production of cortisol, if I am adding STRESS, nothing is going to help.

This season = stress.

Stress from being the only adult that is parenting my children during this season.
Stress due the only intelligent conversations that I am having on a daily basis, occur with a 6 a 5 and a 1 year old.
Stress because when the man I love works more than 80 hours per week, the last thing he wants to do is deal with a crying, tired child, or a crying tired wife.
Stress because I feel like a failure as a follower of Christ. I know that I should just trust the Lord to take control and take care of us.  But, the exhaustion of this disease is REAL.  The emotions are REAL.  The work is REAL.
To many, I look normal.  I can muster up enough "pretty and poise" to go out in "public" and seem put together. I'm not
. 

This. Season. Sucks.

We all have them.

I know that we all have  crummy seasons in life. I know that every single person in this world does NOT live an instagram perfect life. Sometimes, I wish that more people would commit themselves to living an honest, authentic life. To portray their TRUTH via social media, instead of a fantasy.


 Dont get me wrong, everyone deserves to have a fantasy. Shoot, in my fantasy, I would look the way I looked 10 years ago, my children would be perfectly behaved and my husband would leave his job and wisk us all off to a week in Disney World! But, as awesome as that sounds. (man a week at Disney is SO needed right now) It is NOT my TRUTH.

My truth is this:
My name is Danielle
I love Jesus.
I live in a small, small, small town on a gorgeous apple farm.
I am married to the most wonderful man and he is my best friend. He works day and night to provide for our family.
I have 3 precious gifts from the Lord.  They are smart, and funny and loving...and crazy, and exhausting and hard.

I am committed to giving my children a life full of love, and faith and exploration and truth.
I don't have the outward appearance that I would like to have, but I am content with who I am.
I am always tired.  I am always dreaming. I am always wishing that I could be whisked away to someplace fantasmical.
But, when the day is done, I am Danielle, I love Jesus and I love my family.

We were meant to live this life in community with others. HOW can we find a community of others LIKE us, if we are not being authentic with our portrayal of ourselves?

I challenge you to be real.  Be You. Be tired.  Be natural. Be messy-haired. Be yoga pants and tank top. Be YOUR TRUTH.

This is me, right now, 4:30PM on Tuesday.  Yoga pants, tank top, no make-up, bags under my eyes. But what you can't see in the photo, is that I have an adorable baby at my feet, an inquisitive 5 years old chatting with me while I type and a smart 6 year old laying on the couch reading. Truth, may not be pretty, but it sure is BEAUTIFUL to me.

Use Social Media to help create authentic community. Don't contribute to the illusion of "perfect".

This season, is a season of TRUTH.



{beBlessed} and have a GREAT day.

Brown paper packages, tied up with strings...AUGUST FAVORITE THINGS!!!

August Favorite things!

1.        My Mom! (Happy Birthday!)

2.       My niece Lillian! (Happy Birthday!)

3.       Bubba cups- seriously this cup is amazing. 34 oz. at a time and the straw (you can get extras) is washable and durable and perfect for smoothie sipping!

4.       Pink pens

5.       Summer storms

6.       VACATION

7.       Dave Ramsey.  This man has changed our lives.

8.       Kristin Schmucker. I have never met Kristin, but our online interactions have been genuine, real, truthful and special.  I have been blessed to have “found” her and you could be too!  www.kristinschmucker.com  she speaks truth and makes pretty things to go along with it!

9.       Forgiveness

10.   Grace

11.   Rest

12.   YOUNG LIVING! I know that I have my YLEO on every one of my lists, but seriously people,  the longer I use these amazing gifts from God, the more I see and FEEL the difference they are making in my life.  (www.youngliving.com   I am distributor # 1401485)

13.   God’s promise

14.   School supplies! (Home schooling is simply the greatest!)

15.   Smelly markers

16.   Chart paper

17.   “Prah-jecks” (spoken with the BEST 4 years old vernacular possible)

18.   Singing babies

19.   The Lego Movie. (seriously, it is entertaining.  I was a skeptic.  Like, HOW could an ENTIRE movie be about little block head people and their removable arms?  WATCH it…Everything is AWESOME!)

20.   Beautiful  fruit growing on these trees.

21.   Garden Fresh veggies

22.   SMOOTHIES

23.   MY HUSBAND! (Happy Birthday!)

24.   Women of Faith! (If ya’ll have never been to a WofF conference…YOU HAVE MISSED OUT! This is the weekend that I look forward to ALL YEAR! You will feel ALIVE, EXCITED, REJUVINATED and LOVED…plus this year, Natalie Grant, Matthew West, Sheila Walsh, Patsy Clairmont, Lisa Harper and MORE will be HERE, in Rochester, NY, to share their hearts with YOU!!! Ticket’s are still available, contact me if you would like the contact info of our amazing event coordinator)

25.   The Bible

26.   My supportive, loving friends

27.   My family. Not just the 5 of us…but my extended family. I love you all so much and we don’t see each other enough and when we do…it is TRULY special.

28.   Road trips

29.   The UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! (Seriously, ya’ll, let’s love on OUR country again. We may not agree with the politics and people enforcing them, but THIS COUNTRY IS OURS…WE can initiate the CHANGE!)

30.   Hampton Inn beds

31.   Yellow Gold (yes…I’m back to that again.)

32.   HEDUA ( a GREAT spot for Home Educators to “meet” up, learn from, share with and subscribe to their awesome magazine)

33.   The Well-Planned Day planner.  ( I LOVE this concept! I use the lesson planner and blog planner. They are my catch all for organizing EVERYTHING. If I had found this book while still teaching public school…I would have used it for my plans…it is THAT good.)

34.   Dressing your Truth ( I have always been pretty savvy in my personal presentation choices.  Consistently wearing “on-trend” outfits and fashionable accessories, make-up and hair styles. HOWEVER, since leaving the “professional” world and not having to “dress up” anymore, I have been more comfortable “experimenting” with my style. I came across a blog post by Carol Tuttle and explored further to find her “Dressing Your Truth” program. Lo and Behold…the “comfortable-experimental” style I had been going with…really was MY TRUTH. No wonder I feel uncomfortable and out of place when I try to present myself as being “professional and put together”…I am not representing MY truth. This program has taught me so much about perception, comfort and knowing MYSELF.)

35.   Kate Monroe. (Kate is a beautiful soul. A beautiful woman. A breathtaking photographer and a lover of the Lord. She is real. She is inspiring. www.katemonroe.com)

36.   Adoption. (some of you know how much my heart yearns to become a Mama to another child. Please pray for us, pray for a birth Mama to think of us, Pray for guidance and truth as we walk this rocky path)

37.   The Eye Doctor. (I am going next week. I had a HUGE realization, as we were driving across the country…I think I may need to wear my glasses all the time. And…whoa…I think I may need a different prescription.  I couldn’t read the road signs until I was right up next to them.  I think my days of awesome , huge vintage Hollywood sunglasses are over. )

38.   Fashionscents.( I can wear my YLEO with beautiful jewelry! www.fashionscents.com)

39.   John Deere.(well, not really. But my little boys sure do love John Deere.  We visited the John Deere Pavillion and store in Moline, Illinois. The boys had a FABULOUS time. I made a new friend. [the store manager who happens to be a former New Yorker] and can now order DIRECT for a fraction of the price! Amen, right?)

40.   Vacation Bible School (we did things a bit differently this year and spent a jam packed FULL weekend learning about David and Esther. The weekend wasn’t JUST for the kids.  I feel refreshed and renewed in my faithfulness.)

41.   Fluorescent Colored Pencils. (you read that correctly. They are awesome. They are perfect for Bible writing and they are ALL MINE. [no munchkin sharing of these])

42.   Weekly Bible study. (Necessary. Scheduled. Time with other Christians to discuss the word.  I HIGHLY recommend finding a weekly study in your area.)

43.   My daily bible study time. (Oh, how I LOVE my time in the word.)

44.   {beBlessed} Women’s Ministry ( this ministry is my baby…and it is GROWING. My heart is listening to God, and He is telling it to keep offering His word to women. You can find {beBlessed} on Facebook and if you are interested in attending a {beBlessed} event, you can comment here, email me or send me a message via facebook.)

45.   John Holt (I am reading a book written by John 33 years ago regarding the education system and the gift a parent can give a child via homeschooling. It AMAZES me how SPOT ON this man was…so many years ago!  Teach Your Own:  The John Holt Book of Homeschooling)

46.   The book of Ruth ( every time I read this book, I find something new, special or different that applies to my life)

47.   Younique Mascara (this stuff is RIDICULOUS!  3D fiber lashes. Natural. AMAZING)

48.   Pocket charts (it has been a long time since I have used pocket charts in my classroom. It was time to resurrect them. And I love it.)

49.   Smiles from a stranger (have you ever received a real, genuine smile from a stranger? I’m not talking about the forced smile, or social pleasantry, I mean a REAL smile.  One that is intended to make you feel GOOD, to show love for the human race and to let you know that, “Hey, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, we should love each other.”  THAT is a smile I like to receive.

50.   My Great Aunt Edith (small but mighty is the best way to describe this little bundle of fire. She is 94 years young, and last weekend had as many of her family members possible, present to celebrate her and the life she truly LIVES. She “gets it” folks. Love the Lord, Love your family, keep both of them closer to you than anything else, and you will TRULY. BE. HAPPY.)

{{beBlessed} and have a GREAT day...and weekend!!!

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And I will give you REST.

I am writing this on my phone!  How cool is that? So cool, in fact, that I'm still in bed. Why? Because I CAN'T get out of it.

Believe me when I say that treatment for Cushings Syndrome/ Adrenal Fatigue has been successful. However, in choosing natural medicine versus traditional treatment- there are some very specific things that are 100% necessary for healing.   Key treatment steps that I have started to slack on....BECAUSE I felt better. And, in order to continue to feel better, these steps that I MUST follow for the long haul. I have gotten off track.

They A-#1 most beneficial practice, for me,  has been my water consumption. It is SO necessary for me to continually flush my system.  My kidneys NEED this. My whole body NEEDS it.
After my diagnosis and beginning of my treatment,  I purchased a 32 oz. Water cup called the "Bubba". On an average day, I will drink 4-5 Bubba's of water. That's 125-150 ounces of water daily!  Hydration makes me feel great! 

Taking our mini-vacay this past weekend knocked me off my water horse, though. (Not for LACK of water...at a water park!)
I didn't bring Bubba with me, and instead finding a replacement. ..I just skipped the water intake all together. HUGE mistake #1.

The treatment practice that I have been slacking on the most, though? 
Rest.
The one thing that my medical doctor and my eastern and natural practitioners all prescribed was REST. To "take a daily nap." "Know when to say no". "Make it a game with the kids." "Allow yourself your time."
Well....2 months ago when I was feeling downright horrible, this step was EASY!. HOWEVER, once I started to feel better, and the weather got nicer and nicer and the boys wanted to be outside all day and the pool was so refreshing and...and... and...
The naps fizzled....and I stopped taking MY time to rest.

We have been busy...I have been busy...

SO...this morning...I woke up...absolutely fatigued. My whole body feels weighted down. My head is aching, (not to mention a killer ear ache), my eyes just. want.to.close.

Wake up call! (Haha..."wake up")   I NEED to take care of ME in order to take care of my family. SO, as hard as it is going to be today...I NEED to rest. ALL day. It sounds so incredibly crazy to me. I have 3 boys under the age of 6. HOW?
Well...time to get creative. ;-)
PRAY
Ask for help
Coloring books
VeggieTales
Rewards...yes. I am willing to bribe them today. ;-)

This is a perfect day to work deeper in my study of "Abiding" with the Lord. (www.naptimediaries.com)

I do believe that this study came into my life at the PERFECT time.
Isn't it great how God works?  He is So great!  I thank Him for all of His greatness- providing what we need- when we need it.

** check out my instagram throughout the day for photos of our "Day of Rest" activities. @daniteeple

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

{ beBlessed } and have a GREAT day

From the Mountains, to the Prairies. ..

During my lifetime, (a mere 36 years) there have been more than enough international crisis that easily could have developed into World War 3.
In the early 90's, when Operation Desert Shield/Storm began, the Patriotism felt within our country was electric. We, as a nation,  supported our troops in their effort to not only help bring justice to the land effected by the disturbed actions of Saddam Hussein but, in doing that, defending OUR freedoms here at home.
Popular fashion quickly converted to combinations of Red, White and Blue...the Eagle would soar above sporting events and an influx of patriotic music began to flood the airways.
At the time, I was just beginning my performance career and some weeks, I was booked to sing the National Anthem 2-3 times at various events and meetings.
Fast forward 10 years.  The fear of an attack on OUR own soil became reality and, again, it was socially acceptable to be patriotic. We, as a nation prayed together,  asking God to help us stand firm and protect the Land that We Love.

Now, 13 years later -our great Nation (the Free World) is involved in a crisis. It is one that doesn't involve Middle Eastern terrorists, there aren't any weapons involved (well..none that are being used maliciously) and no land or territory is in question.  The conflict we are suffering through, right here on our own soil, is based on the principle of FREEDOM itself and what should be allowed as part of our freedom.
It seems as if the guidelines set forth by our forefathers aren't good enough for our left wing friends of the bipartisan political arena. We hear things like "those rules were created 200 years ago", "things are different now". The knee-jerk legislative reactions to isolated events involving an individual with mental health needs, is disturbing in the least and the illegal maneuvers within our checks and balances system has created such a rift between political parties it seems as if there is no resolution. Whereas our Nation was built with a 2 party model in mind,  this fact is dividing the very land that we call home. Is that what our forefathers intended to symbolize freedom?
Whether you like it or not, our Nation was founded, developed and has thrived as "One Nation Under GOD." Our financial freedom was strengthened "In God We Trust" and we, as Americans,  took an oath of allegiance for ONE Nation, under GOD, INDIVISIBLE with LIBERTY and JUSTICE for ALL.
We are ONE nation. We are not many. We were not created have sub - cultures that celebrate all that the "Mother Country" allows with the bonus prize of American Freedom. Real, Red American blood has already been shed on our soil to escape that! America didn't want to be known as "Little England"...and America doesn't want to be known as an amalgamation of "Little" countries now. We WANT to be AMERICA!
The nations that have created the citizens of this great American fondu pot have brought such unique and amazing people- rich in their own heritage and ethnic traditions.
Some of our early settlers came here through a voyage that they were lucky to even survive. BUT...they came here for the right to live free. Work for personal gain. Worship GOD freely and live a happy life without FEAR of the government or rights being eliminated. This great Nation,  fought for the Freedom of those brought here against their will to fulfill a practice carried over here from the European "Mother Countries". This war, again, fought on our own soil- shedding American blood to fight for "American" freedoms.
And yet...we are fighting a war again. Not to free ourselves from the indoctrination of another country, king or master. We are fighting to KEEP the freedoms that have already been earned. 
What baffles me though..."WE" are not fighting. "WE" are going about our days...occasionally bickering with a political opponent. But, "WE the PEOPLE" are NOT fighting for our country. Our rights. Our land. Our money. Our LEGACY.
Where is the patriotism?
Where are the flag t-shirts?
Where are the patriotic songs?

Instead- an overt display of patriotism- gone -viral earns a mother of 3, backlash so severe as a death wish for her baby?
Really, America?
Land of the free, Home of the brave?
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness?
We the People of the UNITED States, in order to form a more perfect union...?

Aren't you proud to live here?

Where is your allegiance?

SHOW it.  We have no problem wearing our colors during sporting events...how about EVERY. SINGLE. DAY?

I challenge you.  Be a Patriot!  Show your PRIDE and DEVOTION to your country!

FLY your flag!
SING our Nation's songs!
SPEAK well of your country!
SUPPORT YOUR TROOPS (they are YOURS! Thanks to America)
Get INVOLVED in your government,  not just when it's socially acceptable.  But  ALL the time.

Patriots tend to keep quiet because they are striving to live their INDEPENDENT,  PRIVATE lives- granted to us by our constitution. Where as the "change-seekers" are more vocal due to their younger age and access and knowledge of modern technology and social media.

Let's be VOCAL Americans! Let's SHOW our Patriotism and love for OUR country.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands ONE nation, under GOD, INDIVISIBLE with LIBERTY and JUSTICE for ALL!

Lord, protect our Nation as we continue to strive and live in the way YOU see fit.
Amen.

I've got the Joy (joy joy joy) in my soul!

I love that song. I'm not even positive how it really goes, but that is how my head sings it every time I think of the word, JOY!
My babies have been SICK this past week. The stomach bug has been traveling through our area like wild fire.  I will be SO happy when my house is free of all yuckiness!
As for me....I. FELL. AMAZING.
I guess I had forgotten what it actually felt like to feel "good". Thanks be to God, for bringing me to LIV Wellness for treatment. I could not have felt this good, this quickly, via any other method of treatment.
I still have one boy getting rid of the stomach bug,  so I will keep today's post short, but I wanted to make sure I wrote something about Mother's Day and it's significance, to me.
Actually, I don't feel like mother's day is any different than any other day. In my world,  every day is mothers day. If we train our children up in the ways of the Lord,  they will honor and respect us, as their Mama's every day!  What good is a day AWAY from your babies when they are the ones that made you a Mama, anyway! I like to spend my Mother's day with my family. We spend it with animals, outside, together. No gifts,because, let's face it- flushing the toilet is a better gift than ANY piece of jewelry, candle or bottle of lotion ANY DAY.
So, I guess what I'm saying is; Mama's -we all are tired, we are ALL being pulled in a thousand different directions. BUT, we have all been given a gift. The privilege of raising and training these little hearts to be loving, kind, generous, faithful and true. To love their God,  to love their family and to live simply.

Our babies are the ultimate gift...they are all that we really need.

{beBlessed} and have a GREAT day!