You look too young to have 10 children!

It's funny to see/hear the reactions people have when they find out how many children we have! Usually, the first comment is "You look too young to have 10 children!" Then, the second one is "You mean, they all came from YOUR body?!?!?" I'm very grateful that my husband and I still look young at my 40 and his 46! :o)
People often ask me about my diet, exercise, etc. So, I thought I would answer some of those questions now. Actually, I will tell you by listing my top 4 priorities for anyone, but because I am pregnant, I'll also talk about what's important for pregnancy.
Tip #1: Spend time with the Lord everyday in prayer and his word...nothing is more important than this. When I neglect my time with the Lord, my day usually is lousy...on days I've spent time with the Lord, my day goes so much more smoothly, because I'm more likely to see people and things from God's eyes, than from my own...need I say more?
Tip #2: Drink lots of water! I have not always drunk lots of water. In fact, for a good portion of my life, Coca-Cola was my preferred drink! I finally weaned myself off of Coke, when I read one of Dr. Mercola's articles about what happends to your body when you drink soft drinks...in fact, soft drinks are #2 on his list for worst foods to eat/drink! Yikes! You can read the article here: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2001/03/10/soda-pop-dangers.aspx
Then, after I got over that addiction, I moved to coffee...now, I'm not one of those people who can drink coffee black...I always said "I have my milk and sugar with a little coffee, lol!" Well, this wasn't so funny, when I realized I really did have an addiction to coffee and sugar! Not to mention, all of the negative side effects of coffee and sugar!
I realized I needed to clean out my system and rid myself of these cravings (addictions). So, I found a natural cleanse last year by Nancy Desjardins (I needed to do a healthy cleanse since I was nursing), http://7daysugarfreediet.com/, and by the end of the 7 days, I was free of my addictions for coffee and sugar, plus I lost 8 lbs.!
I still eat some sugar and coffee occasionally, but not very often. I've replaced most of my sugar with Agave Necter, which is so much better on your sugar, etc.
Water is the perfect drink and if you can drink filtered water, that's even better! Water will keep you from getting dehydrated and is so healthy for all parts of your body...plus, it's cheap! :o) Water has so many other benefits...one of them being curbing your hunger, if you drink a glass before a meal...So, drink LOTS of water!
Tip #3: EXERCISE! It doesn't matter how much, just do a little (or a lot, depending on your energy level) each day! This isn't easy...many days, I have to make myself, but I know that once I've exercised I'm going to feel so much better! It's best for me to exercise first thing in the morning, because it gives me energy for my whole day...plus, I get it over with and don't have the "I've still got to exercise" voice inside my head all day. My favorite form of exercise are T-Tapp fitness, www.t-tapp.com, because it is healthy exercise and anyone can do it and you don't need much space at all! It's great...plus, it's "rehabilitative fitness" and is designed to work your muscles from the inside out...very effective...you can get in shape without having weights and I like that! :o) ***Note: In my pregnancy with baby #9, T-Tapp saved me! I learned the simple tasks of "tucking my tail bone under," having good posture and keeping my feet turned straight (or even pigeon toed, a little) when I walk. Just the simple exercise of keeping my tail bone turned under during pregnancy (while walking, sitting, standing...you name it!), it kept me from having back pain in the last trimester of my pregnancy! I couldn't believe something so simple, could be so powerful! :o) It also helps to firm your tummy and when your pregnant, it's harder to feel your abs, but when you tuck your tailbone under, you can rest assured that your abdominals are also at work, LOL!
Walking is the best exercise for anyone, that almost anyone can do! I can't always walk outside, and I've been doing a Leslie Samsone dvd the last two weeks and I love it! I do the 5-mile dvd and I can do 1 mile a day or 5 miles a day and it's so much fun! When I get tired of listening to the same thing day after day...I do the dvd, while listening to my "Curves Freedom Fitness Music" while I do the dvd and it works out great! :o) http://store.afa.net/p-10000018-curves-freedom-fitness-cd-vol-7.aspx. I love this music, because it's Christian music/lyrics with a perfect beat for exercising to keep you going!
Tip #4: Eat healthily! I know these things seem basic, but they really do work! If I exercise without eating healthy and vice versa...I will have trouble losing weight. But, when I combine them, the pounds come off! I am eating more protein than carboyhydrates, eating the healthy carboyhydrates found in greens and other foods and eating whole grains instead of "white" flours, rice and potatoes. I no longer buy salad dressing because the store-bought kind is filled with perservatives, fillers, etc. Plus, homemade salad dressing is so easy and cheap to make!
Please here me saying this: make your health changes slowly and don't try to do everything at once; otherwise, you'll get discouraged and fail. When you make your changes slowly, you WILL see progress and that's exciting! :o) When you combine all of these things: Having a Quiet Time with the Lord, Drinking water instead of other junk, Exercising and Eating healthy, you will be healthy spiritually, emotionally and physically...I've discovered that I'm the best servant of God, wife and mother when all these things are accomplished. On days when they're not, I forgive myself and start over the next day! :o)

Matcha Green Tea...a life saver (enhancer)!

Matcha Green Tea has really helped improve my health and well-being! Let me tell you how...for the last 14 years, I have had "sinking spells," (for lack of a better term). I believe the spells were brought on when I took birth control pills before my husband and I were married. I would just "zone out" for a minute or two. I could hear and see what was going on around me, but I was unable to respond. It was as if a dark feeling came over me...I don't know how else to explain it. I tried homeopathic medicine to treat my thyroid and adrenals, exercise, etc. Nothing worked until I started drinking Matcha almost a year ago. I realized after drinking Matcha, that my "sinking spells" went away completely! I was so relieved. This was confirmed when I stopped drinking Matcha for a month or so and I had another "sinking spell." Since drinking Matcha again, I have not had any more problems.

I like to drink Matcha mixed with milk and agave nectar, for sweetener. Sometimes I put 1/8-1/4 t. in a warm cup of water and drink it like that (the healthiest way to drink it). Matcha has so many wonderful health benefits! It is a mood enhancer and it has a ton of antioxidants! Cheap Matcha is bitter and not very good. For the most benefits, it's best to get Matcha from Nishio, Japan. It's not cheap, but it's SO worth the cost, because the health benefits are greater and the taste is sweeter. For an extensive look at the benefits of Matcha, please see this link: http://products.mercola.com/green-tea/

An update on the Gordoni family

Here is a quick update of some things going on with our family (More details later):

1. BABY #11 is on the way!!!!!
2. Don has been cast a movie called "Framed!" He will play the role of a pastor. The shooting schedule has not been set yet.
3. We are excited about developments with After Eden Pictures. However, we won't be receiving an income for some time, so Don is actively seeking opportunities to keep the family fed. :o) (He is a "jack of all trades" and can do almost anything). So, give him a call if you think of anything that he can do for you! 214-578-2644
4. Nathan just got his driver's license!
5. Noah successfully revived an old go-cart that a neighbor gave him. It wasn't running when he received it and now it's fully functional!
   

Making Sisters Best Friends

I've learned that sisters (and brothers, for that matter) can be best friends or worst enemies. Isn't that true of husbands and wives sometimes too? I am very grateful that Don and I are best friends most of the time! :o)

Through much trial and error, I've learned what works best for me in encouraging them to be best friends. It's not ing, coaxing or talking to them until I am blue in the face either, LOL! When two of my daughters are fighting, I simply send them to their room and tell them not to come out until they've "made things right with each other" (apologized for their own wrong-doing in the situation) and become best friends again! In doing this, I am not "the bad guy" and they work things out on their own. So many times in the past, I've been the judge in countless arguments, etc. That's so tiring, especially with 10 children!

Usually, they come out of their room within minutes and they both have good attitudes...it's amazing! Sometimes they will stay in their room for awhile. If for some reason, I don't think they were honest and genuine and came out of their room prematurely, I just send them back!
Our children really should be best friends with one another. We tell our children, "God first, family second, friends and others third."

Unfortunately, we live in a society that does not promote those priorities in that way. Often in TV shows, movies, etc., the parents are depicted as being dumb, aloof, not in touch with today's youth, etc. The children and teens are the ones who are often portrayed as being superior to s. Often in TV and movies, children and teens are disrespectful to parents and other siblings. This is so sad. It's easy to see how Satan has gotten a foothold in so many ways in the media today. Also, it is typical to see brothers/sisters on TV and movies fighting with one another. Many families have fallen apart and are continuing to fall apart...

We need to instill godly characteristics in our children. Most of all, we parents need to godly characteristics for them. It is possible for children to be best friends, but we need to encourage them to be that way!

What Homeschooling is all about!

A couple of months ago, one of our dear neighbors gave Noah an old go-cart. He blessed Noah by saying if you "like to tinker on things," here is an old go-cart you can have, with the warning that "it doesn't work." Noah was up to the challenge and after working on the go-cart, studying small engine mechanics and numerous trips to get parts and a couple of online purchases for parts, Noah got the go-cart to run! The first time, it ran a little then quit. However, today he and Nathan were able to drive it for about 15 minutes before the engine stopped. As you can see, they had a fun time riding the go-cart in the mud and got quite dirty!

For our family, this is what homeschooling is all about! Noah had to do a lot of research and spend his own money, but he's learned a lot about small engines and is proud of this accomplishment. He's decided he would like to take a small engine class and start a small business. We are supporting him all the way! This kind of hands-on learning is the best. We are grateful God led us to homeschool our children and we will continue to do so until He instructs us otherwise.

The Real Good Humor Man, by Don Gordoni

The first of our family's goals is to have fun together. That may not sound too spiritual but before you get all high brow and skip on to the next article, please hear me out. One of my best friends, Richard, is a wryly witted, storm chasing meteorologist who is married to a free spirited, adventurer named Paula. Paula's parting words are usually "have fun" to which Richard sometimes replies "oh, yeah, it's all about having fun." Yes, Dr. Richard there is more to life than fun but there is a wonderful proverb that says "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). In fact my wife proposed that we adopt that Bible verse as our household motto, she even painted it over the mantle of the home we were in at the time. By the way, under the cool austere and scientific shell that Richard wears, lurks the mischievous grin of a very fun loving and funny fellow.

With all that is dark in the world today and the certainty of things growing darker in the end times, wholesome fun is of great value and is one of the distinguishing marks of those who know that with Christ all things will one day be made right. My wife and I are both youngest children and one of the common laments that we hear from the first born crowd is how strict and distracted their parents were and how they loosened the reigns for their younger siblings. In essence they say things like "you youngest kids got away with !"

My parents loved to laughed and were always looking for the up side and it wasn't because we were living on easy street. My mom had crossed eyes until she could afford to pay for surgery at age 19, my father went blind, lost his career, his first wife, and his life savings and suffered from recurring brain tumors, surgeries and hospital stays. However, through all their trials they both kept smiling and laughing. Prayer and trust that God would see them through showed real faith in difficult times. There is a creative movie called "Life is Beautiful." The movie features a loving Jewish father who keeps his young son hidden in a German concentration camp. This film is not for young children and falls short of speaking of God and Christ but it displays the power God has given us, to be able to have a positive attitude amidst extremely difficult circumstances. Another example is Corrie Ten Boom in The Hiding Place. She and her sister had amazing God-given courage in a concentration camp. Corrie's sister Betsy's positive attitude encouraged Corrie to persevere even after Betsy died.

It is important to distinguish between what is good-natured humor and what is fun at other's expense. Anything that creates shame or demoralizes or promotes hurtful stereotypes is not funny to God. Certain types of silly, foolish behavior are not becoming in men, women or teenagers. Discerning when humor is appropriate is a key part of maturity. The best forms of merriment are usually associated with celebrating achievements. The Bible contains feasts to be observed as a recognition that all true success comes "down from the Father" (James 1:17) and is meant to be a refreshing time of merriment. The sentiment is "wow, isn't God good?" It is as though God says, "you've done well, now sit down and enjoy some of the fruit of your labor." With ten children, we don't always have the means to accept every party invitation but we try to make it a priority to be there for the most significant events whenever possible. What makes an event significant varies depending on the person involved. Granted, some events like a wedding for instance are always significant but we need to listen very carefully to our loved ones to discern what it is that they really want to celebrate. I have one son who at this point, is much more interested in me observing his finely honed golf swing then almost anything else.

Okay, for those of you who are convinced that piety and laughter can never inhabit the same person, I have a few questions for you. Think about some of the Christians who have been the most influential in your life, directly or indirectly. For instance, D.L Moody and C.S. Lewis have influenced me indirectly through their writing (like I'm trying to influence you now). People I have known face to face have also influenced me directly. One such person was a little old lady named Evelyn Bell. Evelyn had polio when she was young and it left her with a great hump on her back. She never learned to drive and lived in a tiny house where she took in sewing jobs to earn her keep. In the winter her clothes had the odor that came from the fumes of a gas stove and she was the only that I knew who was shorter than me when I was twelve years old. Evelyn loved Jesus and people and more than her diminutive crippled body or the odd odor of her clothing or her poverty. I remember her broad smile and her warm hugs. Now that you have these people who have influenced you in your mind, how do you picture them? Is it their serious mood and furrowed brow that you reflect on? Granted you may think of them in some passionate state performing some great feat but when you think of the their faces do you see their smile? When you hear them speak in your mind, is there a lilt and hopefulness in their tone? For me, when I think of D.L. Moody I picture him playing with children, spinning around in circles with his forehead on the end of a baseball bat so that he can gather a group of children and tell them about Jesus. When I think of C.S. Lewis, I think of funny illustrations woven into deep spiritual truths such as his famous proposition that there are only three ways to look at Jesus: Lord, liar, or lunatic. He quips that if Jesus is not God but only thinks He is, then he is like a man saying that he is a poached egg. If that doesn't strike you as funny then your funny bone is broken.

Harry Burt had a heart for people, a knack for candy making, an innovative way to keep your hands clean while eating ice cream, and a resourceful way of getting his product to the people. This entrepreneur who we have to thank for ice cream on a stick, also had strict standards for those who worked for him. Here's what one history book had to say about his army of Good Humor men:
Burt hired and intensively trained men who lived up to the image the Good Humor Ice Cream Company wanted to portray. Clean, white uniforms and a cheery manner became trademarks of the Good Humor Man. The qualifications for becoming a Good Humor Man included the ability to be friendly with children and look after their safety. Burt was so successful in molding the image of the Good Humor Man that by the 1950s such virtues as enthusiasm, dedication, friendliness, dependability, and honesty had come to be associated with his ice cream company. Newspaper reports of the local Good Humor Man rushing a baby to a hospital for treatment and breaking up a counterfeit money operation in Long Island, New York, only added to the image.
- Source: International Directory of Company Histories, Vol. 14. St. James Press, 1996.

I was thinking about the real Good Humor man, He is the God Humored Man and when I get to see Him face to face, I will be dressed in white (Revelation 3:5). Like Harry Burt He has very high standards for those who follow Him and He commissioned His people to take to the streets dispensing truly satisfying refreshment. Just as the Good Humor men held children in high regard and watched over them, we too are expected to hold them in high regard (Matthew 19:14) and be on the alert against those who would harm them (Mark 9:42).

Nehemiah 8:10 says "Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." The people had been weeping because Nehemiah had been reading God's law and it was evident that they had been neglecting it but afterward they rejoiced because they "understood" what had been read to them (Nehemiah 8:12). Yes, we live in sober times too with evidence all around us that God's law has been neglected even among His people, but when we realize the power of Christ and the hope that we have in Him there is great cause to rejoice! A realization that allows us to: "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).

It seems only right to conclude an article like this one with a joke: why did the chicken cross the playground? (drum roll please) To get to the other slide.

If you have a favorite joke or story, please email me at don.gordoni.creative@gmail.com or make a comment on my family blog at http://neveradullminute.blogspot.com/

Yyyyaaaaaayyyyyy Don!

I just had to make a quick post to tell Don "CONGRATULATIONS!" on being a runner-up in T-Tapp's 60-Day Challenge contest! He did great! If you want to see his results, here's the link: http://www.t-tapp.com/challenge2009/60-DayChallenge/dong/index.html