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The Flourishing Family

Faith, Family, Health and Home

  • About
  • My Novel: Aliisa’s letter
  • Remembering Steven
  • Healthy Birth Practices
    • Preparing for Birth
    • Waiting for Labor to Start
    • Pelvic Measurement: Will the Baby Fit?
    • Emotional Support and Guidance During Labor
    • Is the Intervention Necessary?
    • Pushing Positions
    • Mom & Baby: Skin to Skin
    • A New Perspective: Home Birth
  • Family Health
    • Essential Oils
    • Colds Flu and Garlic
    • Calendula for a Healing Salve
    • Measles and the MMR
    • What about Vaccines?
    • Easing Painful Periods
  • Affiliate Links
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • My Novel: Aliisa’s letter
  • Remembering Steven
  • Healthy Birth Practices
    • Preparing for Birth
    • Waiting for Labor to Start
    • Pelvic Measurement: Will the Baby Fit?
    • Emotional Support and Guidance During Labor
    • Is the Intervention Necessary?
    • Pushing Positions
    • Mom & Baby: Skin to Skin
    • A New Perspective: Home Birth
  • Family Health
    • Essential Oils
    • Colds Flu and Garlic
    • Calendula for a Healing Salve
    • Measles and the MMR
    • What about Vaccines?
    • Easing Painful Periods
  • Affiliate Links
  • Privacy Policy
  • Book Reviews
    Book Reviews - Family - Finland - Women

    Book Reviews: Historical Fiction

    April 3, 2026 - By Carol

    Recently I watched a documentary about Alexander Hamilton, learning about his contribution to our country and the tragic death of his son, as well as his own untimely death. When I noticed the book, My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, at the library, I picked it up.  It…

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  • Ocean glory
    Faith - Family - Flowers - Nature

    The Wonder of Heaven and Earth

    March 27, 2026 - By Carol

    During a recent trip to Galveston, Texas, our family enjoyed time on the beach. The young ones walked into the crashing waves, riding the waves. I was content to listen to the rhythm of the waves while sea gulls and pelicans made designs in the sky, traveling in groups. We…

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  • Following Jesus
    Faith - Family - Grandparents

    College Years and Spiritual Growth

    March 20, 2026 - By Carol

    During my college years at the University of Michigan I regularly attended church and participated in Bible studies. I valued the relationships that I had through church and Intervarsity. Along with a roommate I attended a Bible study led by former missionaries to China. It was a time period to…

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  • Snowdrops, Rabbits and Patience
    Children - Faith - Family - Gardening

    Snowdrops, Rabbits and Patience

    March 13, 2026 - By Carol

    The crocuses and snowdrops are blooming. It is time to tour my yard and see how my plants have weathered the winter. During the frigid temperatures I saw rabbit tracks in the snow but I didn’t know what the critters were up to. I am dismayed to see that the…

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  • Gift of Life
    Abortion - Children - Faith - Family - Women

    Life is a Gift

    January 23, 2026 - By Carol

    Today I am participating in Five Minute Friday. We write for five minutes with a prompt. Kate’s prompt is UNUSUAL. It is unusually cold today. The thermometer outside of my window registers -10 degrees fahrenheit and that is -23 celsius. It reminds me of the year that I went on…

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  • Angel Appears to the Shepherds
    Christmas - Faith - Family

    Why Were the Shepherds First?

    December 19, 2025 - By Carol

    Recently I attended a concert that my granddaughter sang in. As I listened to the choir sing Angels from the Realms of Glory, my thoughts lingered on the second verse.  Shepherds, in the field abiding,Watching o’er your flocks by night,God with man is now residing;Yonder shines the infant light Why…

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  • Chocolate & Books
    Book Reviews - Family - Marriage - Women

    Chocolate and Books

    November 14, 2025 - By Carol

    Chocolate is my favorite sweet treat. Sometimes I will have a bit while reading a book. But that is dangerous. Chocolate tends to melt on fingers and soon there is a smudge on a page that must be quickly addressed.  My worst disaster with a book was not caused by…

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  • The Farmer's Market
    Family - Finland - Nutrition

    Fall Farmer’s Market and the Homely Vegetable

    October 31, 2025 - By Carol

    Today is the final day of our local farmer’s market. It is a pleasant outing and I go almost every week to purchase fresh produce. I will miss it. Many of the vendors had crates of apples. The apples are beautiful and abundant this year. I was delighted to find…

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  • Fall Film Release
    Family - Health - Parenting - Vaccines

    HHS and Children’s Health

    October 24, 2025 - By Carol

    One definition of capacity refers to leadership: legal qualification, competency, power, or fitness. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has the role of Secretary of Health and Human Services, and he has angered and upset people. Why? At one time Kennedy was involved, as a lawyer, in environmental issues. Parents of vaccine…

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  • Abundant Apples
    Family - Michigan - Nature - Recipes

    Applesauce Cake

    October 17, 2025 - By Carol

    The apples are abundant this fall. The trees on the old farmland were heavy with fruit.

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Welcome to my blog!

As I write, I give thanks for God’s design of the family and the gift of His word, the Bible.

It gives me joy to be a woman, a wife, a mother and grandmother. For many years I was a childbirth nurse, assisting mothers and their babies.

 

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My faith journey throughout Steven’s illness is included in this anthology

I was featured at the senior salon pit stop
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