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HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman

 

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6/20/07 VACATIONS, PACKING, SUMMERTIME, GRILLING, BIRTH FACTS, ARMOUR
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IN THIS ISSUE:

THANKS!

HOMEMADE SUMMERTIME FUN - WATER TABLE AND WATER SLIDE

FAMILY VACATION

VACATION PACKING LIST
MORE TRAVEL TIPS

AN EASY WAY TO CLEAN OUTDOOR FURNITURE

FOR THE CHILDREN - RECALLS AND CRAFTS

SUMMERTIME TIPS 

GRILLED SHISH-KA-BOBS

GRILLED POTATOES AND ONIONS

MAKE AN INSTANT SOUP MIX TO KEEP ON HAND - RECIPE VARIATIONS

ASK A NURSE MIDWIFE
17 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT BIRTH IN THE UNITED STATES

WHAT A WAY TO BATTLE!  WORSHIP!
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

BABY CONGRATULATIONS! 

THANKS TO RUTH BELL GRAHAM FOR HER GODLY EXAMPLE!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR "HEART TO HEART"

 

THANKS TO THE "HEART TO HEART" LADIES who have referred multiple friends to this newsletter in recent months!  THANK YOU Nancy Minton (Ukraine), Mary Sheridan (North Carolina), Donna Buck (Arkansas, Lynne Wight (Maine), Paula Archer (Ohio), Sharon Hockenbury (Washington), and Donna Kauffman (Ohio)!

 

HOMEMADE SUMMERTIME FUN - WATER TABLE AND WATER SLIDE

By Lois Breneman, © 2007, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected], Money Saving Tips

Make a water table for your children.  Use a clear plastic under-the-bed storage box and place it on a table or several cinder blocks to raise it up.  Fill it half full of water.  Give your children kitchen gadgets you no longer use or find some at yard sales - funnels, measuring cups, wooden spoons, empty containers from Cool Whip, clean empty plastic bottles that spray or squirt, whisks and plastic tubing, which can be found at a hardware store.  Save the colorful lids from laundry detergent bottles for endless fun - fitting the lids together, learning colors and pouring water from one lid to another.  Near the end of their playtime as they are getting bored, extend their attention span by squirting a few drops of dishwashing liquid into the water and letting your children have more fun, whisking and stirring as the bubbles multiply!

 

Make a water slide by cutting the sides of a couple heavy duty garbage bags apart into a long single layer.  Sew two or three bags together in a longer strip, depending on how long your hill may be.  Lay the bags on a hill and drizzle water down the plastic and you've created a water slide for hours of fun!  Only one child at a time to prevent collisions!

 

 

FAMILY VACATION

By Lois Breneman, © 2007, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected] 

 

Our family vacation is already over for this year and it's not even summer yet!  Last Christmas

our daughter, Joy, gave us the wonderful news that they were expecting another baby!  Then she mentioned how they wouldn't be able to go to the beach with the family this year, as we always do.  She would be in her third trimester by then, and traveling that far was not permitted.  She said we should just go without them this time.  She tried not to sound disappointed about their family not joining us, though of course, she was absolutely thrilled about a new baby! 

 

At the time of their announcement, we were up north with our older son and new daughter-in-law.  It only took a few minutes for her dad to check a map, remembering there was a nice lake an hour away from their home.  Her dad called back and asked how they'd feel about the family vacationing close to their home, so Joy could still be near her doctor and the hospital.  She was so touched that we would think of giving up the beach trip to include their family, but as far as we're all concerned, a family vacation just isn't the same without all of the family. 

 

As it all turned out, our daughter and son-in-law invited our whole family, totaling 9 3/4, to spend the entire week in their home in Georgia, which is what we did!  Comfortable queen size air mattresses filled in for some of the beds and that worked out fine.  Joy was our social coordinator and found the best discounts on tickets for day trips to the zoo, the largest aquarium in the world and Stone Mountain.  We also went swimming, walking, enjoyed a stenciling demonstration by Joy as she made two large canvas pictures for the baby's room, ate once at the Cheesecake Factory, made homemade ice cream on the sundeck twice, and celebrated four May and June family birthdays within thirteen days.  Most meals were planned ahead of time, making them as healthy as possible.  Some of the food was prepared and frozen beforehand so we'd have more time together.  We grilled a couple meals on the sundeck, including shish-ka-bobs, that were marinated in our home, frozen and transported.

 

During vacation four year old Justin's Aunt Rachael found a new and interesting way to help him try some new foods, since he's a rather finicky eater.  She encouraged him to eat a new food by telling him she would take his picture eating it, then she would allow him to take a picture of someone with her digital camera!  It worked!  He tried several new foods at one meal, then said, "I think I'll try another tomato!"  He was flashing pictures left and right and his aim was quite good!  Last week Rachael sent Justin a package of her special homemade granola, and asked his mommy to take a picture of him eating it, then e-mail it to her.

 

One evening during vacation we "girls" had great fun putting together some meals for Joy to have on hand in the freezer after their baby arrives, but I'll tell you more about that the next time!  It's a concept we can all put into practice for delicious and convenient family meals!  And older children can help assemble them and learn a lot in this fun process!

VACATION PACKING LIST
By Lois Breneman, © Revised 2007, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected]

Lists are great!  For smoother planning and packing, why not copy and paste this packing list, then revise it to suit your own family's needs?   The best thing about making a master packing list is that you will be less likely to forget something important.  This list will fit on one page and can be filed in your "Vacation" or "Packing List" folder for easy access whenever you need it.  I also keep a few printed copies handy in a file.  There are always "Last Minute" items to pack the morning you leave - things that are being used until the last minute.  Add those at the bottom of the page where designated.  If you need to make arrangements to hold or cancel your newspaper, add the local phone number to your master list. 

If your husband does his own packing, help him make a list of his own.  This brings a smile to my face as I think back to one summer day when my very organized engineer husband and I were leaving the house for a relaxing day of sailing at a nearby lake.  We were a block away when I went through a memory check list, asking my husband, "Do you have the life jackets?  U.S. flag for on top of the mast?  Wind gauge?  Bungee cords?  Sails?"  You should have seen the look on his face!  We died laughing, because he forgot to load the sails on the boat!  Imagine!  Going sailing without the sails!  We went around the block and back home again to get the sails, laughing all the way!  He has a sailing list now that he checks before leaving the house, but we still laugh about that day!  I told him he's a good sport for allowing me to share this example with you.  He said I could write, "Used by permission!"

If your children are old enough, have them make up their own packing list.  This is a practical way to teach responsibility.

For shorter trips, you can use the same list and cross off all the things you don't need, unless you want to make a shorter version.

PACKING LIST  

Personal & Toiletries                            Items to Keep Handy in Car
Toothbrushes                        Umbrellas                   Reading Material         State Maps        
Toothpaste                            Pillows                        Hand Sewing                Atlas
Shampoo                              Sunglasses                 Activity Bags - Kids     Directions        
Conditioner                           Extra Glasses            Camera & Film             Phone #’s
Combs/Brushes                   No Doz (just in case)  Flashlight                      Purse/Wallet
Blow Dryer                            Quilts/Blankets           Wrist Watch                  Toll Money
Hair Spray                            Tissues                        Hand Cream                 Audios/CD’s
Body Lotion                          First Aid Kit                 Wet Washcloth             Gum    
Hand Mirror                          Tool Chest                   Baby Wipes                  Cell Phone
Powder                                  Apples - Grapes - Carrots - Celery - Granola Bars - Juice
Face & Bath Soap               Nuts - Crackers - Water Bottles - Coffee in Thermos  
Deodorant
Makeup                                   Apparel                      Don't Forget To:
Aspirin –Adults                        Belts                           Hold Mail - www.usps.com  
Tylenol – Under 21                  Hosiery                       Hold Newspaper
Medications                             Socks                         Make Arrangements for Pets
Vitamins                                   Shoes                         Water House Plants & Outdoor Plants
Cotton Balls                             Handkerchiefs           Pull Plugs in Case of Storm
Q-Tips                                      Underwear                 Turn off Water
Razor                                       Slip                              Adjust Heat or Air Conditioning
Cologne                                  Jewelry                        Set Up Timer for Light
Bible/Notebook                       Pajamas                      Empty Waste Cans
Alarm Clock                            Slippers                      Lay Out Traveling Clothes
                                                 Dressy Clothes           Plan Hostess Gifts
                                                 Casual Clothes          Take Hanging Clothes
                                                                                      Set VCR for favorite program
                                                                                      Get Subs for Responsibilities
                                                                                      Tell Family/Friends Where You Will Be
 
Winter - Coats -  Jackets - Gloves - Scarves - Boots - Blankets for in Car
Summer - Swimsuits - Sunscreen Lotion - Insect Repellent
Beach Items - Beach Umbrella, Beach Chairs - Beach Towels
Laundry Items - Laundry Detergent - Fabric Softener Sheets - Hangers - Clothes Pins
Last Minute Items:

MORE TRAVEL TIPS

 

Activity Bag for Each Child ~ Before leaving on a long trip, pack an activity bag for each child.  It will help transform long boring hours into exciting, fun and more peaceful hours for the entire family.  Enlist your child's help, asking for ideas of some favorite small toys and supplies he would enjoy playing with while traveling.  Sneak out and visit a dollar store without the children and choose other things they would enjoy, but keep those items inside your own little surprise bag!  Pipe cleaners are a suggestion for forming into people, flowers, animals, cars, bicycles, etc.  Decide when you want to dole out your surprises during your trip - maybe one a day.  A padded desktop makes many activities easier while traveling.  Take a lengthy book that would interest your children, and read aloud, a chapter at a time, while riding in the car.  Take audio tapes or CD's of music and stories as well.  Notes: If you take crayons that would melt in a hot car while you're out doing something else, just stick them in the cooler with the snacks. Some other items that will help make your trip more contented are the following: wipes, antibacterial hand cleaner, note pad and pen, small trash bag, pillow cases for hanging at windows if too sunny.

 

Traveler's Alert ~ If you are like me and do not fly much, you sometimes are not sure what you can take and not take on the plane. I had knitting needles with me on one trip and they were allowed, but then on another trip, they were denied and my boarded bag had already gone to the bottom of the plane. Now, I carry a self-addressed envelope with me so I can mail the items back to me without a financial loss. -  Susan W. -  www.stretcher.com

 

Airlines - Carry-On Restrictions ~ Use these key words to do a search for the airline you are using - before packing - ie:  http://www.united.com/page/article/0,1360,1032,00.html

 

In Case of a Lost Suitcase ~ My son and daughter-in-law are traveling to Rome in a few weeks and are allowed only one suitcase each. They are packing half of her clothes and half of his clothes in each of the suitcases just in case one is sent to some other airport.  They are also carrying a backpack for passports, a change of underwear,  their medications, and the rest of their pockets' regular contents.  Hope O. in Charleston, SC - www.stretcher.com

The Trickle Down Method ~ This spring I have been collecting plastic water bottles. I poke a small hole in the bottom (for slow drainage) and plant them in my garden, just deep enough that I can fill them with water. This way I am recycling and I use less water in the garden. The bottles allow the water to get to the deeper, more vital roots of my vegetables. It works great! - Katy W. - www.stretcher.com  (Note: This would work well to refill jugs before leaving for vacation too!)

 

A Little Vacation Humor ~ Pat and his wife, Martha, were getting ready to leave home for a vacation. Martha started out the door, then stopped and said, "Pat, this time you check to see if the coffee pot is off, television plugs are pulled, burglar alarm on, doors locked, and I'll go out and blow the horn." - Cited on WITandWISDOM -  http://www.witandwisdom.org  

 

AN EASY WAY TO CLEAN OUTDOOR FURNITURE

By Lois Breneman, © 2007, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected] 

 

Recently I washed our very dirty round white fiberglass picnic table and benches without much effort at all, unlike other times.  It's a table with connecting benches that we bought for just $20 from Kentucky Fried Chicken when they got rid of them in town about thirty years ago, but it is still in great condition, having had been painted several times.  I think I finally found the best cleaner for the job!  Here's how I did it!  I put on rubber gloves, poured water over the table, distributed dollops of Dawn Direct Foam dishwashing liquid in a pump onto the wet surface, smeared the soap around with a heavy duty scrub brush, and allowed the soap a little time to loosen the grime.  After about five minutes I scrubbed the entire table top with the brush, poured water over it to rinse, used a very worn wet Magic Eraser sponge to remove the few remaining spots of dirt, and rinsed again.  This method worked better than any other powerful cleaners I've ever used on this table.  I have used ammonia, bleach (always used separately because of poisonous gases if mixed with ammonia), Murphy Oil Soap, and many spray cleaners, and found Dawn Direct to work the best.

 

After the table was completely dry, I covered it with a colorful floral vinyl tablecloth, made from tablecloth vinyl at a fabric store and sewn with 1/4 inch wide elastic all around the edge, so the tablecloth hugs the table.  The vinyl was cut extending 2-3 inches larger than the top and rounded edge of the table (all around), so the elastic is hidden completely underneath. Stretch the elastic out as you sew with a zig-zag stitch.  This works for a round or oval table, though not for square or rectangle tables with corners.   If your table has a hole for an umbrella as ours does, cut a hole in the cloth and reinforce with stabilizer and stitch to prevent tearing. 

 

This method of cleaning a picnic table would also work great on lawn furniture, picnic table umbrellas, boats, and wood, vinyl or aluminum siding, though the Magic Eraser sponge is only good on hard smooth surfaces.  Dawn Direct, a scrub brush and some elbow grease cleaned the trampoline on our old Hobby-Cat sailboat.  It does a really great job on lifting the dirt!

 

A few money-saving tips: 1) Save your very used (falling apart) Magic Erasers for the dirtiest jobs such as this, because they still have some mighty power left in them!  Those type could be stored (dry) in a Ziplock bag, waiting for grimy jobs.  2) Dawn Direct liquid dishwashing detergent does not need to be in a pump.  You could just dilute some Dawn liquid, but I know the Dawn Direct in the pump works!  3) Dawn Direct is too harsh for me to wash dishes without gloves, but it's great for other jobs, using gloves.  4) When empty, save the pump for milder natural hand dishwashing detergents (or Ivory).  Dilute - one part detergent to four parts water.  Works great!

 

 

FOR THE CHILDREN - RECALLS AND CRAFTS

 

Thomas & Friends Toys Recalled ~ RC2 Corp. has recalled about 1.5 million Thomas & Friends wooden railway toys - various toys from stop signs to the Ice Cream Factory, sold from January 2005 through June 2007.  The red paint used by the Chinese manufacturer contains lead, and if a child chews on the paint, it can cause serious health issues.  Some toys containing yellow paint are also a problem.  Visit www.recalls.rc2.com for a detailed list of recalled toys and instructions or call (866) 725-4407.  The red James Engine is one among many toys listed.  This link will tell how to get a replacement toy and your postage will be reimbursed, but immediately remove it from among your child's other toys.

 

Check your Toothpastes too ~ Five-ounce tubes of toothpaste sold in discount stores in four states and labeled Colgate, described as counterfeit by Colgate, are being recalled because they may contain a poisonous chemical, according to the importer of the tubes.  The company said the toothpaste, imported from South Africa, was sold in discount stores in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland.  "Made in South Africa" is printed on the box and includes Regular, Gel, Triple and Herbal versions
http://wcco.com/recalls/recalls_story_165063149.html

 

US Patriotic Activities and Crafts ~ Crafts for kids to make and a Fourth of July activity book to print and do.

 

 

SUMMERTIME TIPS 

The first three tips come from www.stretcher.com with their permission.

Summer Cookouts ~ Cover a cotton ball or swab with a light coating of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and use as a fire starter in your open fire or fire range. This is much cheaper than traditional fire starters. And they hold their flame for about five minutes, which is plenty of time to add that dry wood. - Ang
 
Summer Dreams ~ My husband and I spend a lot of time on our veranda in the hot summer nights. We used to live in home with a deck and had tiki torches lit for bug control. When we moved into our 1926 Victorian home, we wanted to keep the feel of the home with wicker furniture, but we were eaten alive by mosquitoes. I purchased small hurricane lamps at Big Lots for around $4 each and filled them with citronella oil. It keeps the bugs away and throws off a beautiful glow. ~ Tressa M. in Tamaqua, PA

 

Basement "Air Conditioning" ~ Our basement is very cool in the summer. The temperature
generally runs in the sixties. So we opened a panel of the heating duct leaving a clear passage between the basement and our living room via the intake air vent. On top of the grate (on the living room floor), we placed a regular fan flat over the grate so that it will pull the air up into the living room. Within minutes, the temperature drops in the living room and eventually circulates into other parts of the house. During the day, we keep our insulated curtains pulled on the south side of the house to keep the heat out. Finally, I do most of my cooking in the early morning. ~ Sarah C.

 

Natural Ice Cones ~ Freeze 100% juices with no sugar added in ice cube trays - orange, grape, pineapple, apple, cranberry, grapefruit or a combination of juices.  You could also blend strawberries with pineapple juice and freeze that combination.  For a special treat with no sugar, crush the juice cubes in the blender and spoon into small paper cups - the cups many of us use in the bathroom.  Both kids and grownups love these cool refreshing naturally sweet treats!

 

Easy Way to Clean Your Grill ~ Layer soaking wet newspapers on a hot grill after using it, making sure it is turned OFF.  Close the grill, leaving the wet newspapers on several hours or overnight to allow the wet newspapers to loosen the grilled-on food.  Lift the lid and clean with a wire brush. - This idea came from Ruth Ann Assaid in Virginia a long time ago and it works!

 

 

GRILLED SHISH-KA-BOBS

1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari sauce        2 tsp. dry mustard

1/4 cup olive oil (or less)                         6 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp. molasses                                    beef tenderloin, cut in 1-2" pieces

2 tsp. ground ginger       (Put together enough for 2 meals and freeze one Ziplock for later.)

 

Marinate the above ingredients in a Ziplock bag for 8 hours or longer.  Marinating overnight is fine to serve the next evening, as long as they are refrigerated.  Soak wooden skewers in water.  Alternate meat with whole mushrooms, red, yellow and/or green peppers, canned pineapple chunks and small onions in a jar.  Baste often with the marinade during the grilling, and remove before overdone.  Note: This recipe can be put together in a Ziplock bag, frozen, thawed and marinated in the refrigerator the day before you need it and grilled!

 

 

GRILLED POTATOES AND ONIONS

On a large piece of heavy duty foil, spread butter or spray with olive oil.  Slice potatoes and onions onto the foil.  They will shrink, so make a little more than you think you'll need.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper, sweet basil or other herbs.  Grated carrots or grated sweet potatoes could be added for delicious flavor and color.  Add slices of butter over the top.  Wrap foil securely by folding over the top several times.  Fold in the ends.  Grill on a medium hot grill, carefully turning several times to prevent burning.  A conventional oven works too.  You may need to peek into one end to see if they are done.  These usually require at least 30 minutes, so if you are grilling meat that takes less time, give the potatoes a good head start.  Delicious!

 

 

MAKE AN INSTANT SOUP MIX TO KEEP ON HAND - RECIPE VARIATIONS

(Recipe variations: Onion, Celery, Broccoli, Mushroom, Cheese)

 

4 cups instant dry milk powder           1 tsp. dried thyme

1 1/2 cups cornstarch                          1 tsp. dried sweet basil

1/2 cup instant chicken bouillon         1/2 tsp. black pepper

2 tsp. onion powder                             (No monosodium glutamate, as in most canned soups)

 

Combine and store this dried mixture in an airtight container.  When a recipe calls for a can of condensed soup, combine 1/3 c. of the mix with 1 1/2 c. water.  Stir constantly while heating to a thicken state.   For more flavor add a vegetable such as diced sauteed onions, diced cooked celery, diced cooked broccoli or canned sliced mushrooms or fresh sauteed mushrooms.  Make cheese soup by adding grated cheese.  Note:  Added vegetables could be pureed as well.

 

 

ASK A NURSE MIDWIFE
By Karen Winstead, ACC Certified Nurse-Midwife - www.newlifebirthcenter.net/
Please send your personal questions relating to pregnancy and childbirth that you would like to see addressed by replying to this newsletter.  Names of those sending questions will not be included in this column, and the answer will be e-mailed to you before it appears in a newsletter .

Question:
I was told if I have a lot of heartburn that my baby will have lots of hair.  Is this true? 
 
There is no evidence that the amount of hair on your baby has anything to do with heartburn.  However, heartburn is a common complaint of pregnant women.  Here are some things you can do that might help:   
    Ø     Try avoiding caffeine (coffee, tea, and sodas), chocolate, fats, decaf tea

                        & coffee, citrus fruits, peppermint, spearmint, nicotine, large meals, and lying

                        down after eating for 2-3 hours.  Some of these may be offenders for one

                        woman but be fine for other women. 
    Ø     Elevate the head of the bed 6-8 inches.  
    Ø     If overweight, losing weight may help.
    Ø    Try antacids.  Tums and several other antacids contain calcium that many

                        women need.  
    Ø     Try these suggestions for 4 weeks.  If no improvement, ask to be tested for H

                        Pylori which is a type of bacteria that causes stomach ulcers.  You can

                        decrease your risk of H. Pylori by eating lots of broccoli.  My understanding is

                        that broccoli has substances in it that inhibits the growth of H. Pylori.

17 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT BIRTH IN THE UNITED STATES
Last updated: May 2007- www.babycenter.com - By the Baby Center editorial staff  

(Note from Lois: This is a report that I thought you would find interesting as I did.  I was disappointed to see that almost 37 percent of babies were born to unmarried women - found under the heading of "No wedding necessary," which, of course, does not follow biblical principles.  I'm sure you'll learn something new in this article as I did.  For instance, I found "Super Tuesdays" very interesting, since 2 of our 3 children were born on a Tuesday - all by the Lamaze Method of natural childbirth - no C-sections.  You'll see what I'm talking about when you read it!)      

More than 4 million babies are born in the United States each year, and the details of how, when, and where they arrive are always shifting.

The news from the final 2004 report and preliminary 2005 report on births from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is that America continues to boast climbing birth rates, following the baby decline of the 1990s. The U.S. birth rate increased 1 percent from 2004 to 2005, to more than 4.14 million births. Births rose for Hispanic women, American Indian or Alaska Native women, Asian or Pacific Islander women, and non-Hispanic black women but dipped slightly for non-Hispanic white women.

For more fascinating facts about pregnancy, birth, and babies in the United States, read on.

When and where babies arrive:
Super Tuesday: The most popular day for babies to make their entrance? It's still Tuesday, which boasted more than 13,000 births on average in 2004. That's about 16 percent more babies than on any other day of the week. Sunday was the slowest day, with about 7,500 births. Differences in the number of births on various days of the week may be influenced by scheduled labor induction and c-sections, according to the CDC.

Some (babies) like it hot: More newborns arrive during the late summer and early fall months of July, August, and September than during any other time of the year. Paul Sutton, a demographer for the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, says it makes sense if you think about what happens nine months earlier in most of the country — the weather gets colder and people spend more time indoors with their sweeties. Also, some people plan their baby's birth to coincide with summer vacations, especially teachers and other folks who get summers off. July had the most birthdays in 2004 at around 360,000, and February had the fewest at about 315,000.

Go west: As of 2003, the states with the highest birth rates are mostly west of the Mississippi: Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah — with Georgia being the lone high-birth-rate state on the other side of the divide. Utah continues to beat every other state, with about 21 babies born for every 1,000 people. Texas follows next, with nearly 17 births per 1,000 people. Vermont and Maine have the lowest baby output, with just slightly more than ten babies born per 1,000 people.

All about moms:
The waiting game: Over the last three decades, women have been waiting longer to become moms. In 1970, the average age for a first-time mother was about 21. Today, she's more likely to be 25 to 29 years old.

Midlife moms: Birth rates for women in their 30s and 40s are higher than ever and continue to grow:
• Women ages 30 to 34: Their birth rate rose slightly between 2004 and 2005, to 95.9 births per 1,000 women of that age range, the highest rate since 1964.
• Women ages 35 to 39: Their birth rate rose to 46.3 births per 1,000, up 2 percent from 2004 and the highest rate since 1965.
• Women ages 40 to 44: Their birth rate also went up by 2 percent to 9.1 per 1,000, their highest rate since 1968.
• Women ages 45 to 49: Their birth rate increased slightly, to 0.6 births per 1,000 women in that age range, the first increase since 2000 and the highest rate for this group since 1970.

Fewer tot-toting teens: The big news for 2005 is that the birth rate for teenagers dropped 2 percent for 15- to 19-year-olds, a whopping 35 percent drop from a peak of 61.8 percent in 1991 and the lowest ever recorded in the 65 years since a consistent series of rates first became available. The drop was mostly among 15- to 17-year-olds, whose birth rate fell 3 percent to about 21 births per 1,000 teens in that age range, another record low for the United States. The rate for this age group has dropped a massive 45 percent since 1991.

No wedding necessary: Almost 37 percent (more than 1.5 million) of U.S. babies were born to unmarried women in 2005 — up 4 percent, following a previous 4 percent increase in 2004. The birth rate among unmarried women has increased by 12 percent since 2002.

Seeking care: The number of women seeking prenatal care — which can help women have a healthier pregnancy and healthier babies — has been on the upswing. It leveled off in 2004, with about 84 percent of women seeking prenatal care in their first trimester, a more than 11 percent improvement since 1990.

Weighing in: Moms-to-be in the United States gain a median of about 30 pounds during pregnancy — which means half gain more, half gain less. This number has stayed constant since 1990.

No-smoking zone: In 2004, about 10 percent of moms reported smoking sometime during pregnancy, which is bad news for their babies. Women who smoked during pregnancy were more likely to deliver low-birth-weight babies (nearly 12 percent of births) than women who didn't smoke (about 7 percent of births). If you're trying to quit, get tips on kicking the habit from moms who've been there.

Birth and delivery
Doctor, doctor: The vast majority of moms in the United States give birth in hospitals (99 percent) with the help of a physician (91 percent). But women are increasingly choosing other providers. Today, midwives attend about 8 percent of births, up from less than 1 percent in the mid-1970s.

C-sections soaring: The number of cesarean deliveries has jumped another 4 percent to 30.2 percent of births — up by 46 percent since 1996, a continuing record for the United States.

Giving labor a push: The number of women whose labor is induced has more than doubled since 1990, to about 21.2 percent of births.

Boy power: Boy babies outnumber girl babies, with about 1,048 males for every 1,000 females — a ratio that's stayed about the same over the past 60 years.

Tons of twins: The number of twins born in the United States continues to rise, with 32.3 pairs of twins born for every 1,000 births. The rate has skyrocketed 70 percent since 1980, as more women are becoming moms at an older age (older women have a greater chance of conceiving twins spontaneously) and more women are using fertility treatments. The rate of triplets and higher multiple births shot up by more than 400 percent between 1980 and 1998 but then started to decline, in part because of improvements in fertility treatments.

Early birds: More babies are being born prematurely.  The preterm delivery rate has gone up more than 30 percent since 1981. In 2005, about 12.7 percent of births were early arrivals — most of them in the moderately early range, from 32 to 36 weeks — up from 12.5 in 2004. Although the upswing in twins and other multiple births has had an impact, shorter gestations have also risen among single-baby births.

Little lightweights: The number of low-birth-weight babies (less than 5 1/2 pounds) has been on the rise, which researchers say is due in part to more twins being born. About 8.2 percent of babies born in 2005 were low birth weight — the most reported since 1970 and a 20 percent climb since the mid-1980s.

For more details, see the CDC's full 2004 report on birth trends. (Warning: It's a 102-page PDF file, so it may take a long time to download if you don't have a high-speed Internet connection.) To get a peek at the 2005 data, check out the preliminary report for 2005.

 
WHAT A WAY TO BATTLE!  WORSHIP!
By Cindy Rushton
 
“Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! Habakkuk 3: 18-19
 
In the midst of a great battle? Hear it approaching in the distance? Just want power in your daily walk as a Christian? Want to stand firm regardless of the storm or battle that is raging against you? Worship!
 
One of my favorite “battle” stories in the Bible comes from 2 Chronicles 20.  In this passage, King Jehoshaphat is sent word that a “great multitude” was coming against him and his people. I don't know about you, but as for ME, I would have just freaked out! Stress is not the word! Oh, but Jehoshaphat did the RIGHT thing ... he immediately “set himself determinedly, as his vital need, to seek the Lord.” He proclaimed a fast in the whole land. What was the answer for the battle that was on the horizon?  Praise!  Worship! What a way to battle!!
 
Yes! The Spirit of the Lord came upon them. He instructed them to do just a few things:
 
Show up to the battlefield
Stand still
Watch God battle for them
And my point in sharing this passage: SING AND PRAISE God!
 
When we show up, stand still, look unto God, we please Him. However, nothing seems to unleash Him to do the battle like PRAISE and WORSHIP!
 
Oh, I am not talking about praise and worship like we have at most of our churches. I am talking about a lifestyle of praise and worship! Not just something we do for 10-15 minutes on Sunday morning. I am talking about 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  I am talking about praise and worship like David knew. You know, when he could soothe his enemy with his praise and worship? When he could dance in the streets in total abandonment as a worship to the Lord in spite of the opinions of those he loved the most (his wife)? When he could pray prayers and sing songs that could woo the heart of God?
 
I want this kind of worship! I want to praise God with all I am! Because of this, I make praise and worship a part of every day. You can too! How? Here are some QUICK and EASY tips:
 
Collect your favorite praise and worship verses from the Bible. Some of my personal favorites have been found in the pages of the Psalms. I also LOVE Bible prayers from the GIANTS of the faith. Begin your collection today! Copy them in your own Discipleship Notebook. Use them as your prayers...read them when you need a word of encouragement ... memorize them! Hummm ... I guarantee that whatever your situation may be today, you will find that this will be a key to warfare!
 
Collect your favorite praise and worship songs and hymns. I keep copies of my favorites in my Discipleship Notebook. They are great for prayers and praise during those moments that I hear the rumbling of the enemies’ feet! I also have a wonderful collection of my favorite praise and worship songs. You may also want to collect tapes or CD’s that feature your favorite songs and hymns. I keep mine in my bag, ready-to-go with me anywhere I go. I pop them in when I am working on the computer, cleaning my house, riding down the road, or sneaking away for a walk at the park!  Anytime, anywhere can easily become a place of worship of our God.
 
Write your own prayers/songs of worship! YOUR story is SO vital! One of my favorite NEW books is a compilation of simple prayers and thoughts written by Ginny Traylor. Ginny’s faithfulness in journaling through her life has inspired me anew to keep even more organized journals of my journey. What may seem simple, may actually bring the greatest glory to the Lord for those that come behind us!
 
Finally, KNOW the power of praise and worship! Just as we see here in 2 Chronicles 20, worship unleashes the Lord to battle FOR US!  Our worship is a sweet, sweet aroma offered to our precious Lord. It is our ministry TO HIM personally. Only in the midst of battle can we offer the sweet sacrifice of praise, it is no “sacrifice” when all is easy and fun!  Then, watch out for Jehovah Nissi! Those battles are not ours — they are the Lord’s!
 
So, hear the enemy coming? Fall flat on your face! Inquire upon the Lord! Pull out those beloved verses ... songs ... and even your own feeble prayers of worship to God. Oh, then! Watch what happens! You can stand still, watch, and see the battle fought by your Jehovah Nissi!
 
“Give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever!” 2 Chronicles 20: 21

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES
I wanted to share a cute thing my 2 year old said recently.  I got a tomato slicer at Salvation Army.  Later Marian (2) got it out of the utensil drawer and was asking me if I got this at Salvation Armor.  Praise the Lord that she knows about the “Armor of God!" ~ Thanks to Rachel Martin in Iowa for this quote!

 

The following quotes are from my grandson - the first when he was 3 and the rest at age 4:

 

When Justin Daniel was 3 he saw an advertisement on TV for the Sonic Scrubber.  Right away he said, making a face, "Mom, you can't use that to clean your teeth, because it has chemicals on it!"

 

After a T-ball game, Justin and his parents were waiting a long time inside Moe's Restaurant for their food.  He was quite hungry as he saw the employees being very busy, serving orders of food out the window, when he asked, "Are those for the people in the driveway?"  Of course, he meant the drive through.

 

As we walked around the zoo during vacation, Justin wanted to hold his Uncle Jeff and Aunt Rachael's hands almost the entire time.  Once as he was holding just Aunt Rachael's hand on this very warm day, he said, "This hand is all sweaty!  Let's switch hands!"  And he promptly walked to her other side and took hold of her other hand, as they walked on.

 

Before vacation Justin proudly told his friends, " 'My family' is coming to visit me!"  Then about a week after our family vacation, Justin asked his mom sadly one day, "Do you think my family misses me?"  He thoroughly enjoyed being with his aunts, uncles and grandparents and we all enjoyed spending time with him and everyone else too!

 

BABY CONGRATULATIONS! 
Anastasia Marie Harris was born June 4, 2007.  She is the third child of Earnie and Stacy Harris in Virginia.  The two older brothers are thrilled with their precious baby sister.

 

 

THANKS TO RUTH BELL GRAHAM FOR HER GODLY EXAMPLE!

We pray for her dear family during this time of great loss!  Her husband loved and trusted in her.  Her children all rise up and call her blessed.  She is now with her Heavenly Father, whom I'm sure told her, "Well done thou good and faithful servant!"  What more could anyone ask!

 

"I saw a sign on a strip of highway once that I would like to have copied on my gravestone.
It said, 'End of construction. Thank you for your patience.' "
-- Ruth Bell Graham, A Hearing Heart, 1969

 

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(¨`·.·´¨)                     God bless you and your family and keep you in His loving care!

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      `·.¸.·´                                              Your Heart to Heart friend,

                                                                                                 Lois

                

The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to encourage women and build biblical values into daily living through practical creative ideas for the Christian family regarding marriage, children, homemaking, and much more.  Receive this free bimonthly newsletter by sending your name, city, state, e-mail address, and name of your referral person to Lois at <a title=mailto:[email protected] href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected].  New subscribers will receive a Welcome, a "Start-Up Kit," and several recent newsletters.

 

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