The Reason for the Season

So, if you aren't aware of it... December 25th, was actually a Pagan holiday once upon a time.  It was a horrible "celebration" for the Roman pagans called Saturnalia.  This was a week long period of lawlessness celebrated between December 17 & the 25.  During this week, the Roman courts were closed, and Roman law dictated that no one could be punished for damaging property or injuring people during the week long celebration.  Makes me think of the movie recently released in theaters called THE PURGE.  

In an attempt to convert masses of pagans into Christians, early Christian leaders "hijacked the holiday" and named the 25th, to be Jesus' birthday.  This allowed them to "change" the way this celebration took place.  It took a long time, but eventually the Christian population was able to CONVERT this from a pagan holiday into a mainstream worldwide holiday. Christmas trees were originally pagan traditions as well.  Pagans worshiped trees in the forest, and brought them into their homes and decorated them.  Once painted with a coat of Christianity... it become a Christmas tradition.  Even kissing under mistletoe is a "Christian veneer" twist on a Pagan tradition. The point of this little piece of knowledge, is that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus, even though he wasn't born December 25th.
I am completely fine with celebrating Jesus in an attempt to keep anyone and everyone from participating and witnessing the horror that was the Pagan holiday of Saturnalia.  BUT... I think that a lot of people USE Christmas for a reason that feels pretty down right Pagan.
STICK WITH ME...
I am not Jewish, therefore I have never celebrated Hanukkah.  I wasn't given a Bat Mitzvah when I turned 13, and I do not fast on Yom Kippur.   Why would I celebrate holidays that are associated with a religion that I am not associated with??
I feel the same way about Christmas.  Christmas has become a stressful time when people put themselves into hundreds and thousands of dollars in debt to give people presents that will appease our greedy human nature.  Hard to come by toys, and exclusive electronics are sold out in stores all over the country.  Stocking are stuffed with junk that no one really needed, and already fortunate people who have more than enough, wake up to find a mountain of presents from a make believe man.
This is NOT the reason for the season.  We are supposed to be celebrating the birth of Christ.  It feels as though Christmas has been hijacked from the Christian faith, just as we hijacked it from the Pagans.  People who I know as atheists, celebrate the same holiday as I do.  The tree is in their house, the presents are everywhere, and there is no Jesus.  I go to the store and following my checkout, I am wished "Happy Holidays", because wishing someone a "Merry Christmas" could be politically incorrect or socially inappropriate.  Things have changed so much since I was a little girl, and I hate to see this change continuing.

In our house, we have a few traditions that we adhere to in order to keep the celebration about Jesus, and the gift receiving an added bonus.

1)  Stockings might have small gifts in them, but NO FILLER will be added, because breakfast goodies are the focus of the stocking gifts.  I don't need sugar highs mixed in with the chaos of Christmas morning!

2)  Santa only brings 3 presents to each of our children.  We lay out a Santa Bag on Christmas Eve for each child, and Santa puts 3 presents inside.  If the gift doesn't fit in the bag, it didn't come from Santa.  The story says that the Wise Men brought 3 gifts to Jesus, and I like the way this helps me tie Jesus back into the gift giving situation.  I didn't even take the kids to see Santa this year.  I am hating that I don't have a cute picture of my kids sitting on his lap to frame, but I also don't care!  I will take a bunch of pictures on Christmas Day. And this only encourages the idea of something that we are lying about anyway.

3)  Reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve will ALWAYS happen.  The tradition in my house growing up was new pajamas and a family evening on the couch watching a movie.  Since my husband owns a restaurant, we don't get a family evening.  I also love the kids to wear their Christmas pajamas all month, so our "elf" brings them early in December.  We read the story of Jesus' birth, and we play with the nativity scene.  We will bake cookies tomorrow, so that we have a fun "birthday" treat to celebrate with too.  He is the reason we celebrate, and this is where our focus will stay.

5)  Family time is vital.  We travel on Thanksgiving, but we refuse to travel on Christmas.  This was a rule that my husband and I established when Abbie was born.  We decided that it was important to have our children at home and for us to spend time together.  It also makes it much easier for us to do the traditions we love.  We make sure that we are able to host any family that wants to visit.

4)  Helping those in need is very important to us.  We always participate in Operation Christmas Child, and this year we will be hosting a couple of Marines who will not be able to go home for Christmas!  It is our responsibility to share the love of Christ with those who need it most.

Traditions are different for all families, and I don't think less of anyone because they don't adhere to the one's that we have!  It is hard for our family to do tons of Christmas, because our children have birthdays in January, and in February.  We realized that we could "spoil" our kids when we celebrate their own birthday, and we can make Christmas presents minimal & keep the focus on what matters most.
My kids still get gifts on Christmas morning, and you can call me a hypocrite if that makes you feel better.  I am a bit of a contradiction, but I do enjoy seeing my children's excitement on Christmas morning.  The magic of Christmas is such a sweet experience for parents of small children & I wouldn't want to miss that!
I hope that each person who reads this blog, has a wonderful and merry Christmas.  Enjoy the time with your families, friends, and loved ones.  Make your New Years Resolutions to pay off December's credit card bill, and have a wonderful 2015!!!

Ricotta & Pear Toast

Another deliciously new healthy breakfast option!

I am really trying to branch out and stop eating the SAME thing over and over again just because I know it is a healthy choice.  I found this pin on Pinterest with 21 crazy interesting ideas to liven up your toast!  I decided to give this one a try & I really enjoyed it!

Whole Wheat Nature's Own Bread, toasted.
Spread Ricotta Cheese spread on after toasting.
Drizzle Honey all over & top with pear slices.

I enjoyed this with a small serving of Stonyfield Strawberry yogurt topped with Bear Naked Triple Berry granola, which I am addicted too!  The icing on today's "breakfast cake" was the Dunkin' Donuts Caramel Coffee Cake coffee that I enjoyed with White Chocolate Raspberry creamer.  :).
Happy Monday to you all!

Avocado Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime CauliRice

This recipe is fresh, delicious, and very healthy!

You can find the original recipe here.

Ingredients
2 Cups of Shredded Chicken
2 Medium Avocados (Diced)
1/4 Cup Green Onions (Optional)
1/2 Cup Cilantro (Chopped Finely)
2 Tblspn Mayo
1 Lime
White Cauliflower

 - Shred chicken... this is much easier to do immediately after it is cooked.  Just throw it into your mixer, and in 30 secs you will have shredded chicken!  I went grocery shopping today however, so cooking chicken for tonight's meal wasn't really an option.  I used a can of chicken instead.  When I use canned chicken, I use the Valley Fresh Organic Chicken Breast in Water.

 - Dice up Avocados and add to a bowl with chopped Cilantro.   Add shredded chicken (green onions, if you used them), and mayo.  I always use the Kraft Mayo with Olive Oil.  You could however substitute with plain Greek Yogurt if Mayo is just not your favorite!  Squeeze 1/2 of the lime over this and stir, until mix consistency is chicken salad.  I also added some ground pepper while stirring.

 - In a food processor, add cauliflower florets, and top with cilantro.  Squeeze the other 1/2 of the lime over everything, and blend until mix is the consistency of rice.

 - Serve rice in the bottom of the bowl, and top with chicken salad.
 - I added 2 spoons of Garbanzo Beans to have a bit more "substance", but I actually prefer to eat this on Triscuit Thin Crisps crackers!  It is so delicious!
 - I also used Tony Chachere's MORE SPICE seasoning on top.  I use that on just about everything!!!
ENJOY!

Life So Sweet

I have been a mom for almost 5 years now.  I am far from perfect, and I often fall flat on my face while attempting to be good at my job.  This Christmas season has been hectic so far, as usual.  I was very proud to have my Christmas cards mailed out before Thanksgiving, but we still haven't made it to see Santa yet! We haven't baked a single Christmas treat, our Elf on the Shelf hasn't moved since she arrived, and we haven't read anything from the Bible about the birth of Jesus!  I could sit and beat myself up about the fact that I am not over achieving this year, or I could pat myself on the back for attempting to live in the moment.

I like to give my New Years Resolutions a test run in December!  If it is something I feel I can stick with and will benefit our family, I will openly profess my resolution, and hope that others hold me accountable.  If it is not a reality, than no one is the wiser, and I have the option of naming a much easier resolution as my goal for the new year!
This December, I am finding that my resolution attempt sounded like a MUCH bigger task than it really is.  I am finding that it is much easier to stick with this goal than I expected.  For 2015, I am keeping my resolution simple.  I WANT TO ENJOY THIS SWEET LIFE OF MINE.  That is right... the suspense must have been killing you!
It is funny how something as simple as enjoying life, can really sound completely overwhelming.
Let me Explain
I am a type A, crazy OCD, intensely high strung and high stressed individual.  I am constantly pushing myself past my abilities, and running my self sick trying to be a part of all of my commitments.  I have never been good at saying NO, and I still work hard at doing that now.
I enjoy planning of all kinds (calendars, meals, events), organizing, home schooling, scrapbooking, sewing, crafting, running my business, reading, watching junk tv, sleeping, working out, eating healthy, writing, shopping, dancing, gymnastics, working with my special needs son, date nights with my hubby, small group, girls nights out... and the list goes on and on!
It is really hard to find time for everything I enjoy when you jam the month with Christmas parties, decorating, Santa pictures, baking, Tacky Lights Tours, and Live Nativities!

I am learning that this life is blowing by far too quickly for me to waste another minute stressing out.
Ladies, have you ever experienced one of those days, where you are constantly picking up a bra strap that has slid off of your shoulder?  You do this for several weeks, and then it finally hits you... TIGHTEN THE STRAPS.  The minute you fix the straps, you are so relieved that they no longer fall down all day.  The answer and fix was so simple, yet... it took us too many days of frustration to figure out that tightening the straps would fix it all!
My resolution is to tighten my bra straps!  This means NOT over scheduling myself.  This means NOT over committing to events.  This means NOT leaving the house at the very last minute possible.  This means NOT taking the insult from someone I love, personally.
This means SPENDING TIME with those I love and treasure most.  God, my husband, my children, and my family and friends.  This means spending less time on Facebook, and more time in the MOMENT.  This means smiling more, and frowning less.  This means LIFE IS SO SWEET, so enjoy every second.

I wish the very best Christmas to you all, and may your new year bring lots of wonderful memories that you truly cherish and ENJOY!

A Month of HEALTH

I have decided that November is going to be all about getting healthy!  I have been in need of a serious overhaul in the way I eat and exercise.  I thought I would share my plan for the month with my readers, in hope that you guys will hold me accountable!!!

This is the plan that I came up with for the month.  If you click HERE, you will be directed to a link so that you can print your own copy, if you are interested in doing this with me!

Each day of the month, my workout gets harder and harder.  While the workouts are short, it keeps me exercising, and it gives me an option that doesn't take a ton of time from a busy life schedule.  

The meal plan that I am going to adhere to for the month is one I pulled from pinterest.  My goal is to eat less than 1400 calories on the off weeks, and during the 2 weeks that I will use the plan for pinterest... it goes like this!

I am going to keep up with my weight before and after the month, and I am going to use the My Fitness Pal app to monitor my calorie intake through out each day.  If you use this app, please send me a friend request, so we can help each other stay accountable!

If you are going to do this with me, LET ME KNOW!!!  I would love to have some readers do it with me and let me know how it worked for you!

HERE GOES NOTHING!

Jessica Flavored Jesus

What in the world does she mean by that?!?!  I am sure that those who are reading this blog right now, are not reading it because they follow me consistently, but more out of curiosity of what the title means!  I very wise woman whom I have grown to know over the past month, told me about Jessica Flavored Jesus and this concept is one that I really like!!!
Those who are closest to me, can attest to what I am about to share.  Being a friend of mine, means having a real friend.  I will not sugar coat the truth, but I will not hurt your feelings when I tell you this truth.  If I do, I will apologize genuinely, because that is who I am.  I am very honest, I am kind, I am loud, I am transparent, I am completely unashamed of who I am, I am creative, I am helpful, I am loyal, I am eager to embrace you, I am fun, I am grateful, I am driven, I am selfless, I am passionate... I AM GENUINE.
I do not think that feeling this way about myself makes me conceited, because I feel like I am the way that I am because of what life has taught me.  All of my life experiences, good choices & bad, have lead me to where I am today.  I love Jesus, and I am happy to tell anyone about him.  I will not ever force my beliefs or opinions on others, but I will stand behind them.  When you openly & publicly profess your love for Jesus, you become a witness for him.  People who do not believe in him, or call him their savior, but know you personally will consider you one of the "poster children" for Christianity.  When they hear things about Christians, they will think compare the thought to you.  Example:  "Christians are so judgmental." The friend that knows you may think, "Jessica isn't judgmental, she is honest, but I do not feel judged by her."
THIS IS JESSICA FLAVORED JESUS.
The way people see Jesus through ME.  I make mistakes, but I own them. I am not afraid to humble myself and apologize.  I am honest, and I love completely.  These things are my own personal flavor of Jesus.  I have blogged before about what i think it means to be a Christian, and I have blogged before about who I am.  However, I have never combined the 2, and I think this is critical for me to grow spiritually.

SO... what is your flavor?  How do people see Jesus through you?  If you aren't a believer in Christ, how do you think people see you as a person?  What is your flavor?  I can honestly say that knowing God changed who I am for the better.  Before I knew him, I think people looked at me and thought "she needs Jesus.". And they were right, I did.  Your spiritual walk is for no one but yourself, but your flavor is something you share.  Do you know what flavor you are?

The Art of Apologizing

My wonderful couple's small group had an awesome discussion last night, that really got me thinking.  I have blogged before about my ideals on marriage, and how making a marriage is a job.  There are lots things that you have to learn about your spouse over the years, to better equip yourself for the journey you take together.  Think of this mandatory education as a way to make this journey more fun and less of a challenge! More than most people I know have heard of the 5 Love Languages.  Figuring out your love language and the language of your spouse, can really prevent a lot of fighting.  You learn how they see love, and how they show love.  If you haven't heard of these... here they are for you.

Words of Affirmation

If your spouse's primary love language is words of affirmation, your spoken praise and appreciation will fall like rain on parched soil. Before long, you will see new life sprouting in your marriage as your spouse responds to your words of love.

Acts of Service

Do you remember the old saying, "Actions speak louder than words"? For some people, that is particularly true of love. If acts of service is your spouse's primary love language, nothing will speak more deeply to him or her emotionally than simple acts of service. 

Receiving Gifts

The gifts need not be expensive or elaborate; it's the thought that counts. Even something as simple as a homemade card or a few cheerful flowers will communicate your love to your spouse. Little things mean a lot to a person whose primary love language is receiving gifts.

Quality Time

If your spouse's love language is quality time, giving him or her your undivided attention is one of the best ways you can show your love. Some men pride themselves on being able to watch television, read a magazine, and listen to their wives, all at the same time. That is an admirable trait, but it is not speaking the love language of quality time.

Physical Touch

If physical touch is your spouse's primary love language, nothing communicates love more clearly than for you to take the initiative to reach out and touch your mate.

(These descriptions all come from Focus on the Family)

(If you would like to take the online quiz to find out what your love language is, you can do so HERE.)

I know without a shadow of a doubt that my husband needs love spoken via physical touch.  He needs hugs, kisses, hand holding, and closeness to feel loved.  He speaks love via acts of service.  I speak love through gifts.  I LOVE giving gifts, and it makes me feel like I have shown love when someone loves something I give them.  I need to quality time, and words of affirmation.  Both of my children crave physical touch, but my 4 year old, really needs words of affirmation. By determining what languages your loved ones use and need, it is so much easier to communicate love.

The same concept can be applied to the concept of apologizing.  So, you have taken the time to learn your spouse's love language, have you stopped to think that maybe your spouse doesn't hear your apologies in the same context that you speak them???  We all need a different type of apology & I can really help you avoid additional arguments and a lot of hurt feelings by sharing these with you!

Expressing Regret ("I am sorry")

List the hurtful effects of your action. Show remorse. It doesn't count if the person is only sorry that they got caught! 

Accepting Responsibility ("I was wrong")

Name your mistake & accept fault.  Not that it is easier to say "You are right" than "I am wrong", but the latter carries more weight.

Restitution ("What can I do to make it right?")

How are they now?  Is any debt owed or repayment due?  How shall I make amends to you?  Do they need help dusting themselves off and getting back up on their feet?

Repentance ("I'll try not to do it again.")

Repentance literally means turning around 180 degrees.  Engage in problem-solving.  Don't make excuses.

Requesting Forgiveness ("Will you please forgive me?")

Be patient in seeking forgiveness and reconciliation.  The may need some time or greater clarification of your input from Apology Languages 1-4.

When you know you have offended or hurt your spouse, act quickly & humbly to repair the damage you have caused.  There is nothing wrong with humbling yourself before the person you have promised to love for the rest of your earthly days.  We get too comfortable in our marriages and the complacency can lead to hurtful comments and wrong doings without meaning to do them at all.  You have to keep dating your spouse.  Before you do or say something, think about your dating days, and decide if you would have been willing to do or say that same thing before you tied the knot.  If you wouldn't be, it might be best to think things over for a bit before you move forward.  

Apologize to them when you have hurt them, and do it in the language that they process well!  One of our "couple" friends learned last night that his apology language is Repentance & Requesting Forgiveness.  Her language was Expressing Regret & Accepting Responsibility.  There is potential danger here in the way they hear apologies very differently.  Her apology is short and sweet.  "I screwed it up, and I am sorry".  In her mind, she has owned up to it and apologized, so they need to move on.  In his mind, she hasn't really apologized in a way that he feels is appropriate.  When he apologizes, he gives layers of apology.  "Things will be different in the future, and I hope you will forgive me."  Because she hears apology different that he does, his apology seems forced, fake, and in-genuine.  

Take a few minutes today and take this online quiz.  Learn what language you need to hear apology in, and have your spouse do the same.  Take the time to learn what the other needs, and practice apologizing in the way they will hear it, process it, and feel like their feelings matter to you.  

I bet you it will help more than you thought it was possible!

YOU ARE WELCOME!

Momspirations

If you are a young mother, you almost certainly have momspirations in your life!  A momspiration is another mother (OTHER THAN YOUR MOM) whom you look up too and admire for whatever reasons.  I have LOTS of momspirations in my life, and I wanted to take a few minutes to show them the respect that they deserve!!!
First, let me say that I have a lot of respect for my mom, and I look up to her.  However, my entire life has been me learning and watching her and most of what I already do as a mom, stems from her.  So, I don't call her a momspiration.  I like to think that she was the teacher in how to be a mother!
Like I said, I have a lot of momspirations, but I wanted to name 5 of them, and explain why I look up to them as I do! In no particular order...

Karyn Sterling

Elizabeth Norton

Melissa Wray

Alli Halpin

Amber Scavo

All 5 of you ladies, have had an impact on my life in so way,, and I admire the mother that you are!  I am going to call you out indiviually, and explain what it is that I look up to you for!  

Karyn Sterling

Karyn & I met in 2009.  She lived 7 houses down the street from us at the time, and the sign in her front yard said that they had welcomed a baby girl!!  We hadn't really introduced ourselves to them just yet, but we gave them a baby gift.  I was due in March, and when I met her and her sweet baby, Reagan, I watched her every move!  She was so fluid and natural at the mom thing, that it looked easy!  It made me excited to meet our little girl, more than ever before!  When Abbie was born, the Sterling family brought dinner to us, and we enjoyed the friendship that developed with them!!  We would take walks through the neighborhood often, and Abbie's first "play date" was with none other than Ms Reagan!!  When Abbie was just 8 weeks old we attended a community group that Karyn & her husband, Brad, had invited us too!  This was our first experience with a small group, and we loved them dearly!!  Karyn was my first mom friend that I had, and even better... my first Christian friend as a new mom!  Since Reagan was 3 months older than Abbie, I was able to take notes from her and learn from every phase before it happened!  

The reason that Karyn is a momspiration to me, is her incredible ability to discipline with kindness.  Karyn is a god centered woman, and she is raising god centered children!  She is able to maintain an even tone of voice and still get the respect she should from her kids!  They listen to her, and if they do not listen, the discipline is fair, consistent, and delivered with love.  I aspire to be more like her when it comes to patience with my children and consistency in discipline.  I admire her so much, and I hate that we moved so far away from her 3.5 years ago!!  You are an amazing mom Karyn, and your family is so precious to us!

Elizabeth Norton

Elizabeth & I met in 2011, at a Mom's Small Group through the church I was attending.  Liz did not attend the church that the group was through, but came to the group through a friend who did.  She was pregnant with her 3rd child and I was pregnant with my 2nd!  Her 2 children, were beyond precious, and I enjoyed getting to know them!  I knew Liz through this group for 2 years, when she told me that her couple's small group had lost some members, and they were looking to open the group to a new couple!  The group met on Monday nights and Derik & I felt that this was quite literally an answer to our prayers.  We needed a couples group, and Monday night was the only night we could meet, so we headed off to meet them all in August of last year!!  We fell in love with the group immediately.  Liz & her husband, Clark, are the group leaders & we have enjoyed getting to be a part of their family.  Kalli, is their oldest, and she is one of Abbie's best friends!  Wells, their 2nd, is actually very close to Abbie's age, and Abbie tells me that he is her boyfriend!  Collins is only 6 months younger than Brady, and the 2 of them are great buddies!!!  

The reason that Liz is a momspiration to me, is her surreal ability to be honest & not even slightly judgemental at the same time!  It is a gift, and I envy that gift!!  Since we met, I can ask her anything and know without question that her answer will be honest and genuine.  However, that honesty is never hurtful.  She has the ability to quote scripture and explain it to me in a way that I understand.  Some times people with this ability come across sanctimonious, but not Elizabeth.  It is always heart felt, and real.  She is smart, and cares about everyone she knows!  Those who are lucky enough to call her a friend, never feel left out, and always feel important!  I don't know how she does this with 3 children... all of which she homeschools!!!  She is able to teach her children about God, and the retain it!  I want to be just like Liz when I grow up!!!

Melissa Wray

I don't have a clue when I met Aunt Melissa, because I don't ever remember life without knowing her!  We never lived very close to her, but most of my childhood memories are either at her house, or on a trip with her family!!  Melissa is Mormon, and the Mormon faith focuses a lot on family relationships.  One of my favorite memories as a child is participating in Family Night at her house!  Once a week, the kids got to pick out a snack, a bible story, a game, and so on.  Then we all got to participate in an evening of family fun!  

This is without a doubt the reason she is one of my momspirations!  Her family is so important to her, and I can say I feel that importance without being one of her children!  I still get a birthday card from her, and I even get Mother's Day cards from her!!  She is kind and cares about her family, and I have learned so much from her.  Her blog was my inspiration to begin blogging.  She gardens, and grows a good amount of what they eat in their home!  She is an incredible cook, and wonderful hostess, and does so much for so many people.  I am not Mormon, however, I plan to implement Family Night in our home when the kids are just a bit older.  It is one memory that I want to pass on to my family!

Alli Halpin

I met Alli in 2011 when I moved to Virginia.  She was a part of the Mom's Club & I met her at an event! She is a mom of 4, all of which she homeschools, and her resume is without a doubt the reason that she is one of my momspirations!  

She teaches Sh'bam and lost more weight doing so than I can even understand!  She set a goal for herself, and stuck to it.  That is something I have never been good at, and I envy her ability to do so. But, teaching Sh'bam isn't her only gift.  She is also a Doula & is incredible at her job!  She is a gifted photographer, responsible for almost all of our family photos!!!  She also cooks from scratch, I might add and it is always delicious!!!

She is amazing at everything she does, and I can't understand how she juggles all of these things while being GREAT at all of them!!!  She is always smiling, and will have you smiling in minutes even if your day was horrible.  She is an incredible mom with a beautiful family, and I aspire to be half the woman that she is!!!

Amber Scavo

I met Amber in 2010, when I was in MOPS at Westover Church.  She gave her testimony in one of the meetings, and every woman in the room was sobbing!  We weren't close, and I didn't relate much to her story, until Brady was diagnosed with a rare brain condition in 2012.  Amber has since that moment been one of the most supportive & encouraging people I have ever known.  She understands what I go through, and she feels the pain & heartache we experience.  

Her beautiful young daughter was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago.  Her journey through that experience has been 100% grace filled.  She likely would say that is not true, because she is very humble, but it is!  I honestly do not know how she does all that she does & still have the amazing outlook on life that she does.  Her children are also both very Christ like and say things that show their wisdom!  I know this wisdom comes from their mother, because she has continuously given me wise advice on every twist and turn in our road.

She is one of my momspirations because she is so grace filled, even in the hard times.  I admire this quality, and with every showcase of it, I long to be more like her!

So, stop and think about your mom journey.  Who are your momspirations???  Why do you look up to them, and how have they affected the way you raise your family??  Have you told them that you admire their qualities?  Have you told them that you admire them as mothers, as women?!?!  You should.  Each of these 5 ladies I mentioned have momspirations that taught them to be the moms they are!  I have many other women in my life that I look up to for various reasons.  These are just a few of the women I am blessed to know and respect so highly!  Thank you so much for being you, and for showing me how to do this whole mom thing!  I appreciate each of you more than you can know!!

Turning Life Into A Sitcom

How many sitcoms have you watched and loved over the years?  Facts of Life, Growing Pains, Step by Step, Full House, Family Matters, Home Improvement, Frasier, FRIENDS, Will & Grace, Mad About You, Dharma & Greg, King of Queens, Everybody Loves Raymond, Who's the Boss, 3's Company, The Brady Bunch, I Love Lucy... I could go on and on.  Chances are that at some point in your life, you have watched an episode of at least one of these shows.  I bet you might be able to name the entire cast of at least 3 of the shows I mentioned!!  Why are sitcoms so popular?  Why do Americans love these shows so much??  The answer is pretty simple... we can relate to them!
Sitcoms take relatable situations and make you laugh!  Tough times in high school, they couldn't have been worse than those on Saved By the Bell.  Family troubles, at least your cousin, Carlton, didn't constantly ruin all of your plans!  It always seemed to make life seem fun, and I think we could all stand to laugh a little more often!
So, what would our lives look like if they were sitcoms?  It would mean a few things...

Less Stress...
   While the families and friends in these shows always experienced stressful situations, they never stayed stressed out for very long.  Friends were honest, family members were there for each other, and everything always worked itself out.  I am completely aware that the situations were scripted to work themselves out.  But, let's play a little game!  How would you react in your family if your Mother in Law & Father in Law backed their car into your living room!?!?  That is right... Season 5, Episode 3 of Everybody Loves Raymond started with Marie & Frank driving their car backwards into the front door of Ray's house, where they finally came to a stop after rear ending Ray's couch.
Now, imagine your reaction.  Imagine the chaos, the time, and money that it would take to fix this mess.  Insurance negotiations, Contractor bids, framing work, drywall, the list goes on and on.
It would be stressful yes, but would you be able to find the funny???  Or would you think this was malicious and hold a grudge for life???

More Memories...
  I can name memorable moments from most of my favorite sitcoms.  Joey sawing Chandler's bedroom door in half while trying to build an entertainment unit on FRIENDS! Tim going ice fishing with Al, and falling through the ice, ultimately losing his car keys!  My favorite episode of the Cosby Show was the one where Bill emptied out Theo's room, and made him pay rent, because he didn't want to go to school.  I am not sure that I could name this many memories off the top of my head from my own life.  I remember the day I got married, and the day I met my babies, but what about the chaotic & crazy things?!?!  Those are memories too!!  One of the only memories like this that I have, is Abbie drawing all over her furniture, her walls, her clothes, and herself with a permanent marker.  The reason this memory sticks out, is because I opted for laughter over anger, and I grabbed the video camera!  If we laughed at those situations more and stressed a little less, we would have a lot more funny memories!

Making Others Smile...
  If you are laughing at a show on the tv, there are likely millions of other people who think it is funny too!  You can use life's crazy as an opportunity to find the funny and make others laugh too!  Having kids is really a comedy act!!  Life constantly throws things at you that are insanely ridiculous, and that is part of the fun of having kids!!!  When you find your daughter on the floor with 200 tampons unwrapped and swinging them by their strings... LAUGH.  When you find your sons in the living room with a 5lb bag of floor that has been slung all over your house... LAUGH.  When your toddler pulls out 500 baby wipes and builds a little wipe mountain on the carpet... LAUGH.  Let your kids see you laugh.  Let your family see you laugh.  Share your laughs with your friends so they can laugh too.  Sometimes life gets overwhelming, but tomorrow will come!  Yes, it may take you a year to get all of the flour out of the carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture... but laughing is so much easier than stress!
TURN YOUR LIFE INTO A SITCOM & fill it with laughter and hysterical memories!

Hear We Go!

I am not sure who I have been trying to convince that I am not completely wiped after today, everyone who has asked, or myself! Today was overwhelming both physically & emotionally, but it was worth every second.  I got up at 5am, after being awake most of the night!  I was so excited for Brady, and I couldn't wait to get there this morning.  We headed to the hospital around 5:30, and checked in right on time!  After making our way back to the Prep room, and meeting the large team of doctors, nurses, residents, and students that would be working on Brady's case, anxiety and reality began to sink in!  We gave Brady final kisses and walked with him to the OR doors.  As they wheeled the stretcher away from me, I couldn't fight the tears any longer.  I can be solid as a rock as long as one of my kids are looking at me, but the moment they can't see my weakness, I melt.  Watching him disappear behind the doors was like watching the precious angel I have known and loved for the last 2 1/2 years vanish.  I know this surgery is awesome and such a huge blessing, and I do not take that for granted at all.
Being a special needs momma poses an interesting Catch 22!!  I have been able to enjoy the "baby phase" much longer than most mothers are allowed.  I have gotten rather attached to my baby, and I am not ready to let go of that phase yet.  While I want him to walk, I am okay that he still needs me.  While I want him to talk, I am okay that he still communicates immaturely.  While I want him off baby food, I am not ready to stop feeding him!!!  It is a strange feeling to experience, and watching him go into the OR... I knew that things were changing.  I am excited, and sad at the same time.

The waiting room visit was relatively short for us, but it seemed like a lifetime!  We were informed after 45 mins of waiting that the nurse would be calling us on the phone in the waiting room.  My heart sank thinking something had gone terribly wrong, and I was so afraid of what the call would be about.  The nurse with Brady, Tiffany, was calling to let us know that the procedure began at 8:20 and that Brady had done amazing thus far.  I felt like I could breathe a little, but at the same time, my stomach was in a knot.  I knew that meant we now had to wait for at least 90 mins before we had another update!  Fortunately, I fell asleep, and I awoke to Derik getting up to answer the next phone call!  They informed us that Brady's procedure was finished and they were testing the device!

BREATHE JESSICA!

It was about 15 mins later that Dr. Coehlo appeared in the waiting room in ensure us that everything went exactly as they wanted it too!  Brady had done well, the device was working, and they were cleaning him up for his trip to recovery.  He answered a few questions, and handed us a book bag, and a very large box!! These 2 things held all of the pieces and parts for Brady's newest piece of technology!!  

I was completely floored on how many parts & pieces there actually were!  

My favorite thing was the monkey that came with the entire kit and caboodle! 

 He has his very own cochlear implant!!  

Another patient waiting for surgery in the Pediatric Waiting Room helped name the monkey... Buster!  

It felt like FOREVER, but it was really only a few mins when we heard the most pitiful cry coming down the hall.  It was Brady, and he was waking up!!  

When we got into recovery, I climbed into the bed with him.  

He laid him on my chest, where he fell asleep for at least an hour.  

His wake period was pretty rough, but after his nap, he was much happier.  

Since everything went as planned, we were sent home by noon!

Abbie was BEYOND excited to see Brady, and was such a sweetheart.  

She snuggled with him until he decided it was time for another nap.  

We spent our afternoon running around Midlothian, trying desperately to find Brady's RX pain meds.  We finally found them at a pharmacy in Short Pump, and we were able to give him another dose this evening. Hopefully he rests well this evening, and we have a much easier day tomorrow.  Dr. Coehlo called us this evening, to check on Brady.  He was so reassuring and after hearing a recap of our day, he put my mind at ease, by saying that it all sounded very normal!  

We followup with Dr. Coehlo on Friday next week, and in 4 weeks, we will get to turn this bad boy on and see what Brady thinks!!!  I am SOOOOOO excited to see his reaction, and the 4 week wait, might actually kill me!!!

Thank you to everyone for your prayers, and your kind messages.  We appreciate the incredible support from so many of our friends and family.  

The Mommy Wars

You may not even know it, but if you are a mom... you are a soldier.
By soldier, I mean that you go to battle every day, to defend your life.
The "Mommy World" of 2014, can be a really challenging place to be.  I constantly tell my mom, "I just don't know how you raised babies in the 80's."  It is true that technology has come a long way, and there is much more available to moms these days to simplify life... but the truth is... it isn't the lack of STUFF that makes being a mom so complicated.  It is the lack of confidence.
I mean NO OFFENSE to my mom or any mom who raised children without the luxury of baby swag these days, but you guys had it so much easier than we do!  Sure, I had the Cadillac of all baby swings, dual direction rocking, ac plug in adapter, and 8 sound effects to ensure that my baby was content when I couldn't hold her.  The baby swing you had may have had a crank that you had to do every 5 mins or the swing would suddenly stop moving, the seat didn't recline, and it weighed as much as the baby did... BUT
you had it easier than us!
I have no idea how you survived without a video monitor that pans and zooms, and the pad under the mattress that tells you when your baby stops breathing.  How did your babies survive drop side cribs, and car seats with no expiration dates.  How did you keep your baby entertained without an iPad or a monthly Netflix subscription??
It is ironic that we, as moms born in the 80's, have everything in the world available to make this job easier for us, and yet we find it is so much harder.  There is a VERY logical reason for the difficulty that is being a mom in 2014...

With all of this SOCIAL MEDIA available at any second of any day... 

it is no wonder we stay so stressed out!

Am I doing that right?  Could I have done it better?  Will people agree with that choice?  Will they think I am a bad mom?  What if I don't look perfect?  Am I good enough?  

...MY GRACIOUS...

These questions are exhausting!  Social media was created with a purpose of getting connected.  Yet, without even realizing it, social media has become a weapon of mass destruction.  SO, as mothers... we have to keep in mind a few KEY ideals when surfing the many social media forums.

1)  DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS

I know it seems like such a simple concept, but we forget it way too often.  My strengths as a mom, may not be your strengths and that is ok!!  I enjoy blogging, and I enjoy crafting, and I find joy in challenges like writing a cookbook, hosting a farmer's market booth, and running an Etsy shop.  HOWEVER, I have flaws... MANY of them... just like every mom does!

I HATE, and I can't exaggerate that word enough, cleaning!  I mean it.  I find no joy in cleaning!  Organizing is fun, but cleaning makes me gag!  I am a very BORING cook!  I make what I know, and I do not like being adventourous!  I have learned the hard way that I am TERRIBLE at teaching my daughter! Home school is likely not going to be an option for us, even though I want to do it so badly.  I have ZERO patience, and it works against me every day!  I am not good at playing Barbies, or tea parties, and I am too ADD to color... so my idea of fun with my kids, is popcorn and a movie!  

Instead of comparing yourself to another mom... acknowledge that their strength may be different from yours and use that as inspiration to motivate you.  Comparing is devastating... not motivating!  Ask yourself what your strengths are, and focus on those!

2)  DON'T ONE UP YOUR FRIENDS

All of us are struggling in some way shape or form, and everyone can use a little encouragement.  So build each other up, and stop tearing everyone down.  If you have a mom friend who is venting about her husband's schedule and how she wishes that he was around more... take that opportunity to ENCOURAGE.  

"I am so sorry that you are stressed, and that things are hard.  You are a wonderful mom and you are doing a great job.  Can I help you in anyway?  Even if it is just prayer... I am here if you need me.  On the bright side, you have really cute shoes on & all 3 of your kids have shoes on the right feet!!"

Even the most random compliment can completely make someone's day!

DON'T use this moment to put them down.

"I know your husband works an awful schedule, but it could be worse.  Mine travels 4 days a week, and my sister's husband is overseas for 3 months.  You will be ok."

Yes, reality of the situation, is they will be alright.  And, truth is, someone likely has it worse... BUT kicking someone while they are down is only going to rub salt in a wound.  Find a way to lift their spirit... they probably need the pick me up!  

3)  ALL STRESS IS REAL STRESS

It doesn't matter if you don't have special needs children, you aren't battling breast cancer, or you aren't drowning in a pool of debt.  Your stress is important, and it is okay to feel stressed!!  You do not have to feel bad about being stressed out, even if it is over something that seems minimal.  Try to remember that stress will not solve the problem, but you are human, and being stressed is normal!  

I remember someone telling me after returning from a mission trip, that they were angry at me for stressing out that my car wasn't big enough for the baby that I was pregnant with!  Our family car was a CRV, and I was venting about being worried that our family of 4 would be very SNUG in this car.  They said to me...

"At least you have a car.  You know there are people on this planet, that don't have a car at all, and have to walk where they need to go."

They are correct, and yes, I am aware that I am very fortunate and grateful for all that I have.  However, my response was...

"First world problems aren't equal to third world problems.  Just because they are different, doesn't make the problems in first world families any less valid than those of third world families.  Problems are problems."

Remember that just because your problems are different from someone else's... doesn't make them any less important or stressful!  Problems are problems & stress is stress.

4)  FACEBOOK ISN'T REALITY

What you see on Facebook is about 10% of someone's life!  They do a whole lot of living that they CHOOSE not to post on social media.  While you may have seen a picture of the amazing dinner that Susan cooked for her family of 5... there is a chance that Susan had a really tough day!!!  Maybe Susan's oldest child refused to eat that dinner, and told Susan that she was a horrible mom.  Maybe Susan's middle child STILL isn't completely potty trained at 4, and had an accident in the aisle of the grocery store this afternoon. Maybe Susan took her 2 year old to the grocery store with her wearing footed pajamas, a tutu, and swimmies because that was all they would wear today!  

YOU DON'T KNOW THE WHOLE STORY!  Maybe Susan had an awesome day, and her 3 children are perfect angels, with matching outfits, and clean bedrooms... but you DO NOT KNOW!!!  

Facebook paints a very false perception, so comparing yourself to any of your Facebook friends is just not fair!  You can't win, so don't play!

5)  YOU ARE A GOOD MOM

Trust your gut and don't worry about what other people might think!  You are an adult, and their opinions on your choices just don't matter!  Keep in mind that your children are watching you and learning from every move you make.  If you constantly encourage your friends, they will see that.  If you throw things when you are angry, they will see it.  If you always REMAIN TRUE TO YOURSELF... they will see that!  They will learn to emulate you, so live life like you want them too!  Don't worry so much about what other parents may think. The choices you make are in your families best interest... not theirs!

The Mommy Wars of Social Media are exhausting!!  So, surrender, and stop fighting.  It isn't worth the stress!!  Be the best mom that YOU know how to be. You are already doing a GREAT job at it!

Marriage is Work

Today, is my 7th wedding anniversary.  7 years ago, I walked to the front of a beautifully decorated room, filled with everyone that I knew and loved, wearing a gorgeous princess A-line gown.  My hair was perfect, nails were done, makeup was exactly as I had pictured.  My bridesmaids looked beautiful, the groomsmen looked handsome, and the fountain that we were going to say our vows at, was really the perfect location!  I linked arms with my dad, and we headed down the aisle.  I was happy, I was blissful, and I was completely ignorant to what marriage means!
That day was stressful, but it was literally a dream come true.  From the first time I married 2 of my Barbie dolls, or played dress up with a comforter tied around my waste and a pillow case on my head... I had been planning my wedding.  I knew exactly what I wanted that day to be like, and it lived up to my dreams.  I know the saying is "Money can't buy you happiness", but it can buy you a beautiful wedding day!  The price tag that came with that perfect day, definitely led to some of our earliest financial arguments!  However, the biggest issue with THAT DAY, is the actual wedding!  I was so lost in all of the planning that goes into having a wedding, that I ignored the fact that I was entering into marriage.  I was young, I was a bride, and that was all that mattered.  I can actually remember coming home from our honeymoon & thinking... NOW WHAT?!?!?  I have nothing left to plan.

The truth is MARRIAGE is sooooooooo much more than a WEDDING.  I have seen a lot of divorce happening to people my age, and my heart hurts.  There are a million reasons that a couple simply can't stay together, but I often hear "We have nothing in common.". My immediate thought is, how could you marry someone without having anything in common??  Then I think back to my relationship with my husband in August of 2006.  It was the longest relationship I had been in at that point in my life.  I had dated Derik, for more than a year, and I THOUGHT that we needed to "move forward".  I wasn't ready to get married, really.  I just wanted to live together, I wanted a diamond ring, and I wanted my Cinderella day!  I moved in with Derik that month (Yes, we were living in sin...) and I nagged him every day after that for a ring.  I didn't care that rings cost a small fortune, and I didn't know that he was making payments on one!  I didn't care that he might be waiting for the right moment, I just wanted him to tell me that he wanted to spend his life with me.  I was ...SELFISH.  Selfish, has NO ROOM in a marriage, but I didn't know that.
Derik asked me to marry him on October 22, 2006 at 4:30 in the morning!!!  We had fallen asleep in the living room watching a movie, when our then roommate and friends came in from a night at the club!!  We decided that we should go to bed since it was 4am!!  We headed to bed, and I rolled over immediately to go back to sleep.  Derik was talking, but I heard nothing!  It was like background noise from the TV.  Eventually, Derik said "Jess, could you roll over & look at me?", and more annoyed than I could ever explain... I did as he asked, and rolled over.  In his hand was an open ring box, and there was my perfect 3 stone diamond engagement ring.  It was everything I had imagined.  In that moment, I completely forgot that Derik was actually making a life long commitment to me, and all I cared about was that gorgeous rock!  I put it on my finger, and called 3 people!!  My mom, my dad, and my best friend, Sarah.  All of them were happy to hear that I was engaged, yet none of them wanted to talk about it at 4:30 in the morning!  So, I went back to sleep.
The next day, I began planning the wedding of my dreams.  I had already picked a date, so location, dress, cake, invitations, flowers, tuxedos, bridesmaid dresses, honeymoon, wedding favors, rehearsal dinner, limos... and everything else you can imagine... was where my mind was.  We emailed our pastor, and learned that our church was not willing to marry us, as we were already living together.  So, January 22, 2007, we headed to the courthouse with my mom & StepDad as witnesses & legally tied the knot!  We could have stopped the wedding circus there.  We could have had a party, and tell the world that we "eloped", but I needed my Cinderella story.  Our pastor agreed to officiate the wedding being that we were married already, and we began Pre-Marital Counseling... which was odd because we were married!  The point of this counseling is to prepare you for marriage, so that if you see any red flags in the relationship, you can work on things before you say "until death do us part" or you can call it off.  Since, we were already married... this was really more of a "What are your expectations of marriage?!?!" type of course.  We smiled & said all of the right things, but my head wasn't there.  My head was in the wedding plans, and I was immersed in what September 22nd would hold for us, BUT I should have been thinking about the rest of our lives.

The day finally came, and I was walking down the aisle.  We pledged our love, we exchanged rings, we lit a candle, and we kissed in front of everyone.  We walked back down the aisle, and it was all over with.  More photographs than one can imagine, {an overpriced} dinner, cake, dancing, champagne toasts, and the entire thing was over.  The day I had been so focused on was over.  That is ok, I had my bridal portrait in the newspaper, and a honeymoon to think about!  Airports, fancy cars, expensive hotel room, gambling, more overpriced food, show tickets, helicopter tours, more gambling, because we honeymooned in Vegas!  One week of no problems, and only each other to think about.  Then... just like that, I was no longer a bride... I was Derik's wife.  
I had no clue how to be a wife!  I hadn't thought it through.  I was so young, 22, and I had just promised the rest of my life to someone.  I didn't know what I was doing, and I had no clue how much work FOREVER would be.  So, how do you do forever??  How do you make a marriage work??  I know I am no marriage expert... but in the 7 years I have been married, this is what I have learned about the subject.

Marriage is...
                        SELFLESSNESS & COMPROMISE
You can't be selfish in your marriage.  When you both make the effort to put your spouse first, you will find that both of your needs are met.  When you are selfish, you will ultimately end up hurting the one you love. They will feel unimportant, and like they are not a priority.  Compromise is constant in a marriage!  You have to find that middle ground where everyone can be happy.  Compromise prevents arguments, and it is much easier to find a compromise when you are being selfless!

Marriage is...
                        HONESTY & RESPECT
Honesty is by far one of the most important pieces of the marriage puzzle.  When you spend as much time with someone as you spend with your spouse, you feel betrayed over even the smallest of lies.  Omission tends to feel like a lie, so be open and honest.  In our marriage, we both feel that you can't over share!  If we don't want to know, we say so!  Being honest shows that you respect that person enough to tell them the truth.  Even if that means you may get yelled at!  Respect & honesty go hand in hand!

Marriage is...
                        PATIENCE & COMPASSION
Let's face it, no matter what your mother said, you can't "train" your spouse.  They are never going to do everything the way that you would do it.  Why would you want them to?  Your spouse is perfect to God. That is right, God thinks that your spouse is exactly the way they should be.  So, who are you to think they need to be different?  When they do something differently than you would... think of it as quirky!  Smile, and think to yourself, "He is a mess, but I love him just the way he is"!  Be PATIENT and realize that while you may think your spouse has flaws... they likely think the same thing about you!  Wouldn't you want your spouse to show you compassion when you do something that they think is "wrong"?!?!  When you are patient, you are compassionate!  When you are impatient, you can be hurtful.  Even if you say nothing, impatience is saying "are you an idiot" without even opening your mouth.

Marriage is...
                        LOVE & KINDNESS
You may think this is obvious is marriage, but it is not always easy to be kind.  Make an effort every day to show kindness.  That means being supportive, encouraging, patient, and remembering that words can cut much deeper than real weapons.  Unkind words can leave permanent scars that you can not fix.  So, before you throw that weapon around, rethink the sentence.  Be very careful about throwing the "D" word around lightly.  It isn't a threat you should make.  Using any threats in a marriage is the complete opposite of kind, and of love.  It is easy to love someone without being in love with them... so work hard on staying in love.  It will make it so much easier to be kind!  Stop seeking out your spouses flaws, and focus on their strengths.

Marriage is...
                        ABOUT YOUR SPOUSE, & NOT YOUR KIDS
And, I am guessing that I just touched a nerve on a lot of readers.  I am a mother myself, and I love my children very much.  BUT, the fact is my marriage outranks my babies.  I will be a mother, no matter if I am married or not, but I will not be married if I only focus on being a mother.  My husband needs to feel important, he needs to feel respected, he needs to feel loved, and so does yours.  It was you and him before the kids came along, and it will be you and him after they leave.  Remember that every time your anniversary rolls around!  You spend hundreds of dollars, invite everyone you know, and make a huge hoopla over a child's birthday.  There is nothing wrong with that, but shouldn't the anniversary of your lifelong commitment be just as important??  Make your spouse your top priority in your family.  Your children will respect you for that when they are older, and your relationship will stay lock tight as your raise your children together.

I will be the first to admit that marriage is a full time job.  I am one of those strange chicks who doesn't like The Notebook, I don't need roses to feel romance, and I do not believe in soulmates.  I do not believe that Derik was put on this planet for me.  I believe that I love him, more than I even understand.  I believe that I promised him a life together, and I believe that every day, I have to WORK to make it work!  Marriage is work, and if you are going to be married, you can't be ignorant to the work that is vital for it to be successful!
Happy Anniversary babe.  I love you & I will continue working on our marriage, forever!

Essential Oil Empties: KEEP THEM!

The ideas for empty EO bottles on Pinterest are really not that free flowing.  People have a hard time coming up with ways to reuse their EO bottles, but I have found a few ways to use mine that I thought I would share!  The amber bottles do serve a purpose, and they aren't cheap to purchase online, so I hoard them!
Amber glass keeps sunlight from hurting your oils.  I don't usually keep my oils in direct sunlight, but they are much safer in these bottles.

1)  Blend Mixing...
As an avid EO user, I make a lot of my own blends.  I often use rollers to mix and house the blends, and rollers of course make applying EOs super easy and clean.  However, some of my blends can work really well when mixed in empty bottles.

for example... The Acne Blend that I created for my husband.
It works like a charm FYI, and this is a man who swore by ProActive.
I mixed this blend into an Empty Lavender bottle because Lavender is wonderful for sink issues.

7 drops Geranium

7 drops Grapefruit

10 drops Melalueca

Fill 1/2 way with Vitamin E Oil

Fill rest of bottle with FCO

My husband is a restaurant owner, so as you can imagine his face is
seriously oily most of the day.He uses this in the morning after his shower, and at night
before going to bed.  I haven't seen a bumpon his face since he started using it!
We went on vacation to the beach for a week, and he didn't

bring the oil.  His face was broken out like a 12 year old going through puberty!
One day of using the oil blend when we got home, and all of the bumps cleared up!
Mixing this in the empty bottle made applying this blend a piece of cake for my hubby,
and he said he preferred it in the empty over the dropper bottle that I paid for and BROKE!

You can use these empty bottles to mix any blends that you use often.  Just make sure to use a bottle that housed an oil which makes sense for the blend!  You wouldn't want to mix a sleep blend in a Wild Orange empty!  That would defeat the purpose of the sleep blend!!

2)  Bath Salts...

Fill and scent EO empty with Epsom Salt & put the lid on it!  Keep your stash of various smells in the bathroom, and when it is bath night for you or your kids, let the bottle run under the warm water.  Epsom salt baths are great for everyone, and if you have the right scent... bath time can be amazing!  You can use any empty, but some great suggestions would be Peppermint, Lavender, Deep Blue, Aromatouch, Melaleuca, On Guard, Lemon, Wild Orange, Citrus Bliss, Serenity, & Eucalyptus.  

3)  Use them at Parties & Classes!

This may sound simple and for people who don't "SELL" the oils, it may sound completely pointless, BUT IT'S NOT!  When friends and family members want to smell oils, or try oils... empties are the best thing to have on hand.  At parties, I do not display the full bottles, because people will test them, spill them, and waste them!  The empties have the same smell as a full bottle, and none of your treasured oil gets wasted.  If someone wants to purchase a sample, or you are giving some oil someone, use an empty!  Why waste these bottles?!?!?!

4)  Diffusing Oil...

Last but not least, you can fill an empty with carrier oil, and use it in your diffuser.  An "empty" EO bottle is NOT actually empty!  There is residual oil, and you can get it out of the bottle with carrier.  Fill it with carrier, and then use that oil in your diffuser.  The smell will be much more subtle, but you will smell it!

Hope these ideas help!  If you have any other ideas, please share them with me in the comments below!

Elsa or Bust

If you don't know who Elsa is by now, I am not sure what planet you have been living on!  Disney's Frozen took the children of this generation by storm.  Little girls & little boys of many ages are in love with the characters of this movie, and honestly... I understand why!  I love the movie, and I find myself singing Let it Go now and then!  My daughter is 4.5 years old, and she is one of Elsa's biggest fans!!  I have bought more Frozen merchandise than one person should ever purchase.  Bedding, Dolls, Barbies, Castles, Movies, Games, Books, Clothes, Costumes... you name it, we own it!
So, like the rest of the Frozen Fan Club, I was over the moon when I got notification of early sale tickets for Disney's Frozen on Ice!  I opened the link, picked great seats, added them to my cart, and I stopped.
WHY??  Because this was in May, and the event wasn't until September.  My husband became one of the 2 candidates up for a relocation due to his job.  We thought for sure our family was moving to Salt Lake City, Utah, and I didn't want to purchase the tickets if we weren't going to be here for the show.  You have 15 minutes from the time you add tickets to your cart to purchase them, and I watched the clock tick for all 900 seconds.  I decided to wait, and I would buy them later, if the move didn't happen.  May came and went, and so did the job position.  We weren't chosen, and Richmond remained our home.
With summer season comes added chaos.  As if life isn't busy enough, there is no school to occupy your children, you decide to beat the heat with trips to the pool, and vacations here and there.  Abbie was diagnosed at the beginning of May with Childhood Epilepsy, so we spent our summer battling seizures on top of the already chaotic list of activities.  Abbie started gymnastics, Brady found a new Auditory Team, we had day camps, and therapies, and doctors appointment, OH MY!  So before I knew it... it was September!
The show time that I wanted to go to was Sold Out, and the only seats available to the others were not good enough for me to spend money on.  So, I decided to just pretend that this event was NOT happening!  If I don't think about it, then it doesn't bother me!  Abbie doesn't know about it, so it can't bother here... all is good, right?!?!?!  WRONG.

Well, as I was scanning my Facebook newsfeed, I came across an advertisement for a local "kids gym"!!  

The ad read as follows...

As you can imagine... this mommy, followed the link, and immediately registered my sweet girl!  $20, and she will get to meet Elsa & Olaf, get to play in the fun gym, and do some activities. What a fun afternoon for her, and this will totally make up for the fact that everyone she knows is going to Frozen on Ice, and her mom forgot to buy tickets.  

So, I get Abbie dressed and ready, we grab her dolls, her Elsa bag, her crown, her movie, and of course... and autograph pen!  We head to Romp & Roll for what I am sure will be an amazing afternoon, and then we walk in the door... BUST.  As I am signing the waiver, the lady in charge says, "Thank you guys so much for coming, we are going to have a lot of fun."  Innocently, I look at her and say, "No, thank you.  Being that this weekend is Frozen on Ice, and we are one of the only people not going... this makes up for it big time!"  She smiled, and I said... "They are here right?  Elsa & Olaf???"  And she pointed into a room where I saw this...

Silly me for thinking that the "Join Elsa & Olaf" meant that Elsa and Olaf would really be there.  Trying to explain to Abbie why Elsa & Olaf weren't going to be there was like brushing your teeth while eating an Oreo, completely pointless!!  Thankfully the evening actually turned out to be a lot of fun for her.  She likes events like these, and was very entertained.  I enjoyed watching her run and play, and laugh with her new friends!  She was only disappointed for a few minutes and then everything worked itself out.  Mommy, was still a little disappointed though.  So, after our afternoon party... I took Abbie to see her daddy at his restaurant!  On the way there, she obviously sensed my disappointment, and said in the sweetest voice ever...

"Mommy, it is okay that it was just a cardboard cutout.  Maybe Elsa will be there next time."

This chick is so stinking awesome!!  I am so grateful that I was able to spend the afternoon with her and watch her smile and laugh.  It won't be long before she is all grown up, and I will treasure all of these moments!  

So, to sum it all up... what I feared was a REAL BUST, actually turned out to be pretty freaking great!!  I don't know how long Elsa will continue to be Abbie's favorite Disney character, but I don't see her fading out just yet!!  

Since Frozen is pretty much the biggest and most popular movie ever for kids of this generation, I thought I would create a Free Printable in honor of my Abbie!  

Click HERE to download your own, and you can print and frame it for your Elsa fan!  Enjoy :).