What's hiding your jetted whirlpool tub?

Oh, sigh, the luxury of having a jetted whirlpool tub in your master bathroom.  You know it's a great selling point when you buy a house and you imagine how many wonderful, candlelit bubble baths you'll have while you read a good book and soak in luxury, right?
Well, then there were kids.....and laundry........and toys. The list goes on but my recent discovery about my beautiful jetted spa was not that I didn't have time, I just simply couldn't find the thing.  It was always hiding under things and got so neglected that I just didn't have the time to clean up all the things in the tub to actually get in!
So pregnancy has set in and the aches and pains tend to get a little bit worse near the last half and I needed a solution.  The kids were at grandma's house taking a short summer get away and I was left, to myself, with nothing to do....errrr, a million things to do. I was doing the laundry and decided to make a goal of getting it ALL caught up and completely & deeply clean my bathroom. While picking up the last load of laundry piled high in the re-purposed luxury jetted tub I discovered that I HAD a luxury bathtub and it was dirty.  Spiderwebs and lurking spiders, potted plants with dried up leaves, empty bath salt jars, all left to rot and untouched for months. Well, I said to myself, this has just gone too far.  How could I let my perfectionism get away like this? Shame on me.

So, I dove in and tackled the job.  I did a thorough job of filling up the tub with water and cleaning out the jets, I swiped up cobwebs and cleaned up my plants.  Then I filled up my lonely jars with epsom salt, polished the jar with dried lavender in it and placed my loofah right there in the midst of them.  I put a clean cloth and towel on the edge and waited for the hot water heater to refill so I could finally enjoy my luxury.   After all, I deserved it and really needed the soak while I listened to spa music and watched the baby in my tummy kick and make waves in the bath.  Oh, so nice and long overdue.


Soaking recipe:
1 c. epsom salt
5-10 drops Young Living Essential Oil (lavender is nice)
tablespoon of baking soda

A word of advice: ok, well a list of things to keep from neglecting your tub and take some time to refresh yourself for a change;
1. Don't use your tub for dirty laundry, EVER. Just use a portable hamper if you need the space and just take it out when ready for a spa time.

2. Keep your bath supplies ready and filled and dusted.  You don't want to see dirt while you're in the tub. Use glass canisters to give it a spa luxury feel.  Using a large apothecary jar is nice filled with epsom salt.  Add some essential oils nearby for quick access.

3. Keep a fresh towel and cloth on the side for quick moments of peaceful relaxation.  Even a 20 minute soak with jets will give you an all over boost.

4. Use fresh and organic plants near the tub and don't pile up ANYTHING unless it pertains to a spa time.  You don't want to see rubber duckies or spiderman diving gear anywhere near your quiet time....it just ruins the mood!

5. Keep the tub rinsed out and dusted and ready to go, otherwise you'll just walk on by!


Please feel free to write your thoughts here, I'd love to read them!

Roasting Marshmallows Indoors?

Whether you like your marshmallows a burnt crusty black or a nicely toasted light brown, you can have the same great taste indoors.  Granted it won't have that woodsy & smoky campfire taste, but the taste is a close second when you use the Broiler in your oven. 
 Having pregnancy cravings have pushed me to find a way to have a toasty marshmallow without the effort of a huge campfire in our backyard fire pit by myself.  No, i normally sneak one when the kids are napping or playing by themselves.  I just don't like to share sometimes or maybe because it's almost dinner.
I've found that the biggest delight is from the Giant marshmallow roasters. For one serving  I like to stick 2 marshmallows on a non-stick baking pan in the oven and turn on the Broiler to Lo.  Caution: Oven Broilers should not be unattended.  Once you turn that bad boy on, just stay right there in front of the oven on a stool and turn the oven light on.  Don't check your email or phone messages while you wait because things can go really crazy if not watched.  Just really like watching your marshmallow on the open fire.....you never know when it could catch on fire.  Take the swollen marshmallows out when they reach the desired layer of toasty and enjoy immediately.  The longer they sit on the pan the harder they are to get off.  The outside is crispy and inside is ooey goodness!  An extra bonus comes when mixed with Nutella or almond butter and honey. Yum.

If you want to make indoor s'mores, just put your graham crackers on a separate pan and take them out sooner then your marshmallows, they brown very quickly. Once you get them out of the oven, put your chocolate squares, Nutella or almond butter right on the warm cracker.  When your marshmallows are toasted enough, just layer it in between and eat up.






Please feel free to write your thoughts here, I'd love to read them!

Last Minute Father's Day Idea from Younger Children

As I researched Pinterest this week for some backyard ideas and also a few photo prop ideas, I stumbled across the idea of an adventure box for Dad on www.howdoesshe.com.  Inside was just a few items to use your imagination to play with your son in the backyard or outdoors inside a nice treasure chest box. Check out her site for detailed information.
 
 So this sparked my idea to make adventure boxes from my son, who is 6, and daughter, who is 2 1/2, with some real activities. Since my husband needs a little help in the creative & planning department (given his little free time), I gave specific ideas on index cards! Some ideas were; biking on trails, fishing, geocaching, bird watching, canoe riding, archery, building kits, catch lightening bugs, camping in back yard, roasting hot dogs on the new fire pit, etc.. 

The boxes were not fancy, which is unusual for me to hold back, but I wanted the kids to say they are completly decorated by themselves. They had a blast drawing on these most of the morning.  Most items inside were no cost activities, but are guaranteed to give many lasting adventure memories.

 Items here (already from his room): Race Car kit (opened but not finished), Train Painting/building kit, a robotics kit (both from Christmas, and unopened), flashlights, glass jar with lid and holes, duck calls, fishing poles, tackle box, sleeping bag, a new tent (not pictured) for camping in the backyard on Saturday evening, Davey Crockett Hat, pirate treasure map, bucket, bungee cord, magnifying glass, air sky blades shooter and an envelope with tickets on Father's Day to the Naturals baseball game.

I researched the local Nature Center and printed out packets with maps and calender of events.  I also found a bird watching booklet, a trail guide and a fishing guide plus coloring books. The Janet Huckabee Center offers free tackle gear, hunting trails, a lake to fish for free, bicycle trails,  archery classes, summer fun camps, Arkansas river boat tours, camping tips and so much more.  Their site is www.rivervalleynaturecenter.com for those in the ft. smith, AR area.

In his eyes, this was the most amazing box ever. He was so proud of his drawings and ultimately proud of the things in the box representing lots of fun times with Dad ahead.  My son is a planner and he wakes up and goes to sleep worrying about what's coming next....especially if he doesn't know.  This will give him many planning projects to count down the days.

My camera battery died, so I have no more pics. My daughter's box was a smaller box with crazy marker artwork and multiple stickers.  Inside her we will put ideas on index cards and put items like; tea party set, bubble wand, kite, baby doll outfit, coloring book and a few other littles. She loves to go to the park so I will put those ideas on cards for her dad to read and plan a father/daughter play date.  

I hope this has helped you last minute gifters or those just simply on a tight budget, to prepare some memories for the Dad of your children at least it's sure to get you a little free time with one less child running around. Happy Father's Day to all the dads who want to be a role model for their children and play the most important role in their child's development and simply just being there for their child. Hats off to you!

Please feel free to write your thoughts here, I'd love to read them!

Monogram Burlap Embroidery Hoops

I have just finished some new projects after being down for nearly 14 weeks of first tri-mester pregnancy. Whew! We then went on vacation to Fort Walton and had a wonderful time, since the weather has not gotten too hot yet for this little prego lady.  
So, here are my newest releases and are available to buy before going to market. I can make custom orders but they are limited, since the hoops are special finds and are vintage or antique.  Sizes vary and I can use most color burlap ribbons and any letter for monogram.  I used a cotton duck fabric on the "mr. and mrs." signs and those can be done on burlap as well. 
Here is what is available now:

 Monogrammed Large: $19.50

 Mr. and Mrs. 10" : $16.50

Please feel free to write your thoughts here, I'd love to read them!

Frozen All Natural Homemade Kids' Mouthwash Recipe

I just made some minty fresh "Frozen" mouthwash for my kids today.  My kids blew a gasket when in walmart shopping for a toothbrush when they saw this awesome angry birds mouthwash pump dispenser with a special cup inside that matched my daughter's new light up toothbrush from firefly.....

   
I almost said, "Yes, of course"......but then I always make a conscious decision to read the labels. Sugar Free, check, alcohol free, check, fun pump, check, fluoride, ugh not recommended from my research. Turning it around and reading the label and harmful chemicals I had to explain why we can't buy them.  How the coloring in them and preservatives are not safe for the inside of our bodies or the outside for that matter. In fact, I just researched the use of artificial colors and found that the U.K. and other countries have completely done away with them and deem them a hazard to health and have found that they lead to all kinds of disorders, including ADHD, Autism and others. That is crazy.  What is wrong with our standards in America.  Also, I read where Kraft and McDonalds, among other companies, use separate recipes when serving to the UK, eliminating any chemicals or artificial ingredients, hummm, interesting.
Back to Mouthwash:  With a 2 1/2 yr old and a 6 year old, sometimes things get swallowed and not to mention the residue from the mouthwash soaking up in their mouths and in their bloodstream under their tongue.  Here is what the label reads:

Active ingredient                                                                    
Sodium fluoride 0.05% (0.02% w/v fluoride ion).........................

Purpose: Anticavity Rinse

Uses - Aids in the prevention of dental cavities

Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age.

Warnings

If more than used for rinsing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Directions

- Adults and children 6 years of age and older. Use once a day after brushing your teeth with a toothpaste. Vigorously swish 10 milliliters of rinse between your teeth for 1 minute and then spit out. Do not swallow the rinse. Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after rinsing. - Instruct children under 12 years of age in good rinsing habits (to minimize swallowing). - Supervise children as necessary until capable of using without supervision. - Children under 6 years of age: Consult a dentist or doctor.

Other information Store at room temperature

Inactive ingredients
Cetylpyridinium chloride, citric acid, disodium EDTA, disodium phosphate, Bubble Gum Flavor, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, FDandC Red No. 33, sodium benzoate, sodium phosphate monobasic, sodium saccharin, sorbitol, water, xylitol.

DR.Fresh

Question? Comments?

Toll Free. 1-866-373-7374

comments@defresh.com

visit us online at:

www.drfresh.com

So, without hesitation, it went back on the shelf and I told my kids we would make our own mouthwash.  So I went to the hand soap isle and got a ceramic pump and my son asked if he could decorate the pump and I said, "of course, great idea".  Here is our homemade mouthwash dispenser with paper (not plastic)disposable cups to rinse.  I decorated the pump for pictures but I'm sure the kids will want to do their own thing later.  The ingredients are all plant based and I do not have to call the Poison Control Center if it is swallowed.   
With my recipe I do not have to worry about any of the ingredients because they're actually improving their health if they swallow a little. Distributor #1481459 Young Living Essential Oils

Here's the recipe:
2 drops of Thieves Young Living Essential Oil
2 drops of Peppermint Y.L. Essential Oil
1 Drop of Melaleuca (tea tree ) oil
A drizzle of Agave Nectar for sweetness kid approval
Add to a metal or ceramic container filled with distilled water.  Add more Thieves as tolerated by your kids since it is spicy.
Go to www.youngliving.com and enter Distributor  #1481459 to order these oils.  Become a distributor and get a discount and earn rewards as well.  

Benefits of the above oils have been known to help prevent gingivitis, strengthen tooth enamel, help kill all bacteria, freshen breath, help prevent viruses, and not to mention the long list of other uses for these oils.  I can't be more satisfied knowing my kids are improving their health each time they use mouthwash.  Knowing if they drink the whole bottle that I am not worried one bit.  I'm certain if my daughter can get the lid off, she will try when I'm not in the room!







Please feel free to write your thoughts here, I'd love to read them!

What we used after finishing Teach your child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons?

During our Kindergarten year we have done some trial and error in finding what works for my son to learn but mostly have stuck with what I started with. That's what home education is all about.  It's flexible and sometimes you have to learn to move and change with what is best for your child's learning. 
We started in summer using "Teach your child to read in 100 lessons" the first edition and were finished on time and decided to try the book suggestions from the Library to work on sound blends.  I quickly discovered that a lot of the books recommended were out of print at our library so we just got the ones we could.  We needed something else to supplement to the end of the year but could not use other kindergarten phonics because he had already mastered those and were an entirely different method of identifying sounds by the pictures. This book method teaches the child how to break down the words and read entirely different words using the same method.  Here is the new edition which probably suggests newer books to follow:


If anyone has feedback on this new edition subject, please feel free to comment below.


I was able to discover a church library who supplied home school curriculum and scrolled through the different early reading books.  I recognized the Explode the Code books and remembered another Mom educator who used these throughout the years.  I thought I'd give it a try.


They come in 1/2 increments so the 1 and 1 1/2 were too easy for my son after finishing the reading lessons, so we started with 2.  My son is so excited to do these every day.  It is probably a first grade spelling and writing and reading level, which he was prepared for.  It also includes problem solving choices using the new words blends learned.  It's just all around great.  So excited to continue using these throughout.




Please feel free to write your thoughts here, I'd love to read them!

What Does God Think About Facebook?

I guess all of us have problems with the comparison game at some time or another in our lives.  More commonly as people join Facebook and begin to post the amazing events in their lives, brag on the accomplishments of themselves or their perfect children or simply just post a superficial view of their perfect world.  So is it these people on facebook, you know the people we became 'friends' with accepted their friendship and our beloved family members who we want to share our lives with.......is it these people who have just gotten on our very nerves. 

 Awe, the audacity of a 'friend' of ours or family to show me their greatest events in their life.  Oh, a shame to let the world see that the highlight of their day.  Is it really shameful?  Do we cringe when someone rejoices over these wonderful, happy moments in their life to the point we decide to stop looking at facebook all together.  We become so depressed at the wonderful things happening to others and begin comparing one amazing moment to what seems like a complete failure in our own.

Recently several people I talked to said that they just cannot get on facebook because of the struggle they have with seeing all these wonderful things.  They begin comparing what their 'friend' is doing to what they themselves are accomplishing and doing.  It becomes such a burden and a foothold that they have decided to just stop looking at Facebook, because of this emotional and mental torture.
                                           
So what is really going on behind this struggle?  What is the real need in our lives that would cause us turn a head away from seeing what's going on in the lives of our friends and family?

Well, what does God think about Facebook?  After all, God invented the first people connections from Genesis, right?  Doesn't he see all from the beginning of time? Doesn't he know all, already?  Doesn't he see all of our faces and the things written in our hearts that are in secret and in public?  Doesn't God see all of the good and all of the bad in our minds and hearts?  Doesn't he know us even when he knit us in our mother's womb and even numbers the hairs on our head ?    The answer is YES. So is Facebook Evil or Good? Let's first take a look at the practial application and then search the Bible for anwers. 

Here's what I know for sure.  There are many tools out there, via the media and technology that are being used for good. And many others and the same, that are being used for evil.  So the problem is not with the media or technology, but it is with ourselves and how we choose to let us affect us and how we decide to utilize it.


So what does God's opinion of Facebook have to do with US when we view facebook.  I believe that there might be a problem or a challenge that is put before us to see if we will allow something to become sin in our lives.  Oh my goodness, Can facebook be a sin?  Um, yes......it can become sin. What sin has it become? Jealousy and Coveting. Just plainly said, Facebook can be a tool for temptation to be jealous and covet or as an outlet for other people to be cruel and insane, all for the whole world to see. 

Here's a note from Proverbs 14:30
30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
    jealousy is like cancer in the bones.


We were watching Sesame street this morning and the emotion they were explaining to kids was 'jealousy'.  It's not 'mad' or 'sad', it's just plain jealousy when you wish you had or were something or someone else to the point of having a strong emotion towards it or them. Such a great addition to the simplicity of my thoughts today.

 It seems so juvenile to think that adults can have this problem, but it is truly a challenge to alot of people.  It is something that can take over our lives and affect our children, our spouse and our families.  We strongly direct our children to not want another kid's toy and take it. I constantly tell my kids to be happy with what they have already and not complain or insist they get 'more'.  But by nature, we are born selfish and greedy. So what does the bible say about these things? Here's some scriptures that come to mind and yes they stepped on MY toes, ouch!:

Galatians 5

13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[c] 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

Living by the Spirit’s Power

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

So what does God love about facebook? Here's a summary of what I know to be in his character and from scripture: 
1. He loves seeing all his Sons and Daughters sharing the good news of Christ and sharing their blessings to uplift him. 
2. He loves it when we ask people to pray together with us
3. He wants each of  us to learn to have empathy.
4. He longs for us to learn to abstain and refuse to let Jealousy enter our hearts, but to learn to Rejoice with a friend when they are rejoicing.  To laugh with a friend when something is funny. To Grieve with a friend who is going through loss.  To see the world through another person's eyes forces us to get out of our mode of "Self" and get into seeing things the way God see it. Here is the scripture to back it up:

Romans 12

The Message (MSG)

Place Your Life Before God

12 1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

3 I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
4-6 In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.
6-8 If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
17-19 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

The Message (MSG)Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

This is so hard to do, but God is only asking that we take baby steps.  To use Facebook as a tool to encourage others with words.  To share in their family events and to support one another in a world that does not want to get personal and does not want to connect to people in a REAL way.  God wants us to use Facebook as a Tool and not a weapon to harm ourselves.  To teach us to accept life, even when we're not receiving the blessings that another is enjoying.  To not let the devil convince us that what we are seeing is a product of God's love poured out on someone else and not even considering that we are simply not good enough for these same blessings.  We begin to put and allow the devil to control our thoughts and we begin to fight this horrible battle inside our self.  This battle paralyzes our thoughts and our emotions and on top of all that: IT steals our JOY.  Remember the childhood acronym J.O.Y.  Jesus, Others, You........In this order is how we have our joy.


Practical Help:
So this might be a struggle to make this big step, so maybe a good first step is to pray over who you NEED on your facebook list.  Perhaps categorize them into close friends and family only for your main post listings.  For those friends who you haven't seen in 5-10 years, just add them to your other list of old friends. You don't need to see everyday what your long lost ex- boyfriend(fiancee) is doing these days.  You REALLY don't need to open up those old doors to painful memories that can further traumatize your issues. Trust me, I know from experience! If there is someone who you have a problem with, just remove them from your everyday posts. 
 There was one exception for me: I had a girl who bullied me in school and made my school years miserable because she was jealous.  This issue of bullying was, by the way, not really taken seriously by  teachers back in the 90's, but simply ignored it due to the fact that my Dad was the counselor and didn't want to be partial.  They never saw the devestation it had on my social life.  It took a decade to get over some of those issues, and still trying to forget.........however shockingly,  she wanted to friend me on facebook a few years ago. I reluctantly accepted but quickly I realized that she had become a sincere christian.  She never apologized, but I chose to forgive with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Without it I would never have seen the grace of God in her life.  She even sends messages at difficult times to encourage me.  We can't live in the past, so if we need to forgive some things, maybe we need to let it go and look for opportunities to reach others on facebook. 
 Just be real with your close friends and family and use it as a tool to gain strength instead of tear you down.  I use facebook as a tool to share with my kids' grandparents and family and friends we moved miles away from........to share in our moments spent far apart.  Before I had a smart phone.......a few weeks ago, 2014, I had no texting or way of communicating to anyone via words or pictures, so this was my only outlet to the outside world of a stay at home wife and mommy. My ONLY way of communication!  I used it to help me through some tough ttimes.  And now I have this blog to share with those who need help in many ways.  I don't want to become one who boasts, so Lord forgive me if I've done any boasting.  I only hope to share my life with family and friends.....not intending to make others feel inferior, or tear them down and belittle them.
So I need not say another final word, but share this scripture to wrap this subject up. And it's almost shocking, by the way, that jealousy is added as 'evil' behavior. I am certainly convicted by this: knowing that even the smallest amount of jealousy is still 'evil behavior'.

1 Peter 2

New Living Translation (NLT)

2 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

Please feel free to write your thoughts here, I'd love to read them!

UPDATED Followup: I'm not a hippy because I started using Essential Oils

UPDATE: March 4, 2014
Since the following post, I am proud to announce that I am finally and completely done with Zyrtec. A prayer answered after nearly 2 years after being diagnosed with Chronic Hives.  A condition with no known cure and no certain known cause.  I have survived a roller coaster of events; emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually.  I am proud to say that after 14 days of no Zyrtec that I am finally coping with temporary  and sporadic flare ups.  I have found the main cause which I am almost 99% positive it is gluten products.  With the help of YL essential oils I am now able to get help with my symptoms.  I have taken Sulferzyme, which has the Ningxia Wolfberries(lycium barbarum)fruit & MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) in it.  These support a healthy immune system, aids in carbohydrate metabolism and promotes proper liver function.  Along with the other oils I am using to help the Eczema outbreaks on my face I am able to walk away from the cabinet and leave the Zyrtec on the top shelf.  I am controlling my diet with meal replacements and gluten free foods.  When I do eat gluten I am very aware of it within a very short time.  Side effects include: skin outbreaks, hives, eczema, dermatitis, runny nose, sneezing, swollen eyelids, cramping, diarrhea, headache, itching, bloating.  I am going to continue to take the Sulferzyme and I have ordered the Life5 to help replace good bacteria in my colon.  I think I am still in the process of a detox in my liver and colon.......and entire body. I am also taking Progessence Plus to balance horomones, which also play a part in skin problems and bloating. 35 years of Gluten intolerance can take a toll on your body. I'm just so sorry the research wasn't there back when I could have enjoyed life a lot more!
Post from 2/17.......
Although I am not a hippy there are several reasons why I've started using essential oils so I will use the initials EO throughout the rest of this post to reference and also will use YL for Young Living. I have done so much research over the past several years about getting rid of chemicals in my house due to a life long allergy crisis and the need for meeting my families' health needs due to lack of health insurance, better awareness of natural remedies and refusal to let the government push western medicine as to being the only option, which it is not.

So many people do not know about EO's because they either haven't researched them or had the vague concept that that's what hippies do.  But entirely the opposite is true because EO's have been around since ancient Biblical times.  In fact if you've watched any Christmas play or read the Christmas story you always hear "gold, frankincense and myrrh" as the 3 gifts to Jesus.  Well why do you think he was given the latter two?  Why did they use oils in the Old Testament for anointing and healing and worship?  What was it in these oils that was so great?  It's so simple, they are simply all from plants and things already given to us on this earth, in natural form, to use and learn about. It wasn't until Western Medicine came along that we find people relied less and less on natural things but sought after quick, get it over with, help me get rid of this symptom type mentality.  They stopped learning about natural ways and decided that life was just to busy to stop and treat yourself with some herbal tea take a few minutes out of the day to rest and apply natural plants to help the body heal itself.
I never liked taking medicine to begin with because I knew it was not natural, but man made.
Granted, western medicine has made amazing discoveries and wonderful solutions for human health and discovered treatments, therefore prolonging lives of thousands of people.  But there is something that Western Medicine leaves to be desired and that is much in the way of SIDE EFFECTS of the medicine.  There is not one medicine that has been created by man that doesn't, in some way, affect another part of the body in a negative way.  Now I am no doctor, nor did I go to medical school, so I am not claiming to know everything. However I do claim to know my body better than any other doctor.  In fact a Doctor can never help cure you unless you tell them what problem your having.  And a doctor may have to use several different ways to try and treat and sometimes misdiagnoses your problem.  The medicine they prescribe will only bandage up your problem and eliminate the symptoms, but the health problem is still there, just only covered up.  So now if you're treating your migraine headaches you can't drive because the Rx. impairs your nervous and mental capabilities.  Even the more modern topic of Marijuana causes the legal system to refuse because of it's physical impairments brought on by side effects.

So without further discussion I will explain why I am now using EO's.  I have researched many household recipes to clean using all natural, man made ingredients.  Even to the point of soap, shampoo, detergent, toothpaste, deodorant.......home spa treatments, facials and you name it-I've tried it. They're great but they're not as great until you add the EO's.  So I researched Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca) and bought a couple brands and then I tried Lavender, both from a health food store.  These did help but they labeled the bottle with "not for internal use" and aromatherapy use only.  I tried one brand of Lavender for my daughter's wet wipes and she broke out in a rash, not good.

Speaking of rashes and such, I have had a terrible battle with trying to discover what is causing chronic hives after my second child was born. I had been diagnosed with this along with allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis and I have had several outbreaks of eczema on my face and some of my body.  This is an entirely different post to write on, but I thought I would share the background of what has pushed me to rid my body of these problems. I am tired of taking Zyrtec every day or two. I know it's not good for my body and is just pushing away the symptoms.  I want to go to the source of the problem whether it be hormones, stress, food allergies, skin allergies, etc. and remove the source instead of cover up the problem.

I have a nurse friend who had a best friend from Texas who discovered YLEO's which helped get rid of a serious infection when the antibiotics were only causing her and her family severe side effects.  Through YLEO she was able to heal and has completely stopped all use of OTC medicine and prescription drugs.  When all her friends are catching the latest bug, they wonder why her and her family are not sick all the time.  She simply shares her oils and tells her testimony.

My friend and I began educating ourselves about what makes a plant based and derived oil work and why it works.  The more I research the more I realize that our bodies weren't meant to handle man made chemicals.  It is the EO's in fact that contain the exact element that our body responds to without ANY side effects. How amazing is that? 

I have also learned that there may be a couple different oils that you need to try because the pH in each individual is different, based on the foods & drinks you consume. If you eat horrible and don't exercise, the oils have a harder and longer time at helping reach the cells in your body and are less effective.  I have discovered that the ingredients in an YLEO called Copaiba have a higher content than marijuana at helping with pain but with no side effects.

I have been using the oils since August of 2013. I ordered a kit which included the generally used oils along with a diffuser.  As a testimony, my son, who is 6 now, was able to get off of his children's zyrtec and his seldom used inhaler.  He no longer has an allergy problem for more than a day or two.  I begin immediately when I hear his symptoms: coughing or sneezing, runny nose.  If I don't start right away, it worsens throught the night and by morning he is croupy and sounds horrible.  He, in fact, had the Croup 2 times since he was two years old.  They were both VERY scary and had to take him to the ER.  The first episode he was turning blue and the second he was barely breathing with tears running down his face and saying, "mommy, I can't breath" all the while the inhaler was doing nothing to help.  After these episodes we would just whip out the in haler and use homeopathic cough medicine and at the last resort use a zyrtec.  When his fever would go up I'd break out the ibuprofen/children's advil.   Now with YLEO's I just use peppermint, lavender and thieves on his feet.  I start the diffuser with R.C., an oil that helps with respiratory problems and allergies and by morning he is doing better.  By the next day........not much symptoms.  By two days, the problems are gone.

I am so thankful for these precious oils, which I know our creator meant for us to use.  I also use the oils if the kids get a fever.  Peppermint and Lavender help reduce a fever and usually my kids, IF they get a fever, are just feverish for a day or so.  I am so thankful that I have the peace of mind that I am doing what is BEST for my children's health.  I don't have to feel guilty that I had to give them medicine to cover symptoms, but actually found something that their body craves and needs. BUT, not all EO's are equal.  In fact Young Living oils are the highest standard from seed to seal.  If you want to read more detailed information please check out the process here www.youngliving.com and please use my distributor number if you want to place an order  #1481459.

Now, back to my problem!  I have been using the lemon/peppermint oils in water to drink along with Thieves oil on our feet.  The lavender and peppermint help soothe the hives and help delay me needing to take the Zyrtec.  Until I find the source of my problem I will continue to use the oils and keep taking away and adding in my journal of what is going on with my body.

As I researched about chronic hives I discovered that doctors do not know the cause in chronic cases.  So the patient must eliminate the cause to try and figure what is causing it.  So I have eliminated most all chemicals and have narrowed down the cause to a few things. I'm trying to find what has been constant since about the time of the beginning of the hives.  I found myself using a lot of coconut oil in most things and started those around the time of the hives beginning.  Now I have wondered, through the scientific method and overwhelming questioning, if I was allergic to coconut oil.  So I have gotten rid of my Kirk's soap and am using goats milk soap.  I have rewashed nearly everything in my house and still no end of the hives. 

Along with the skin questions I also had to question the foods I was eating.  So now I am down to going gluten free.  This has helped with the chronic bloating and helped my skin break outs.  This might have something to do with causing the eczema with is leading to hives, but I am still not sure. From what I read I found that gluten allergies can react for up to 8 months. 

So the research goes on, but I am certain that the oils have helped my family.  If we have a headache we get out the peppermint and valor.  If we pull a muscle, we pour on the valor and PanAway.  If the kids get a scratch we use the lavender.  When we wake up each morning, we use Thieves on our feet.  This particular oil blend was used by Thieves when they would rob graves to prevent from getting diseases from the dead bodies.  I also have been using an oil called Progessence which helps balance hormones.  I had been getting these horrible cysts on my chin area each month and now they are gone.  My husband uses R.C. and Purification EO's on his externally exposed blood vein blister.  I can't think of the medical term for it.....however I do know that it is almost shrunk to nothing.  Before it looked like a huge purple mole on his lower cheek area. How amazing is that?

On top of these topical oils we can take most of them internally.  This is how I was convinced that this was the best and safest company. No other company and compete with the standards of YL.  Make sure you educate yourself. Not only with the companies processes but also read lots of blogs and books about EO's.  Compare the companies ethics and business practices and also research the history of the company.  I do know that YL is a company that has been around for a while longer than DoTerra and some members of YL split off to form Do Terra. I'm not into putting down another company, but I do consider business ethics when I research a company and I am pleased with YL and their extensive line of oils that no other company can compare to. YL founder, Gary Young has been asked to set the standards for all other oil companies when the new guidelines are going to be set.  This says a lot about Gary's scientific research and travels all over the world to research new plants and share them with people.  I know that Aura Cacia is not to be taken internally which is a red flag.  I just don't trust any other oils and am afraid of using anything that might be diluted or mixed with something else or does not list the complete ingredients.    I know that if you put it on your skin it only takes a few seconds to reach every cell in your body. 

Please research the oils and educate yourself before using them.  They are simply something that you'll never be sorry for using and will be sorry you never heard of them before now.  I know I am so grateful for the oils and I thank God everyday for his provision during this time that could be scary without insurance.  But I have hope that God will meet all our needs as long as I keep seeking him for answers to help our health and wellness.  He has shown me great things since YLEO.  And I am going to keep researching answers to help my body get rid of the hives and more importantly praying for a supernatural healing in my body.  Thanks for reading and feel free to share your questions or comments.  If you're among the few 5% of the population that has chronic hives or have had them, please share what you discovered to get rid of them or if you still suffer them.




Please feel free to write your thoughts here, I'd love to read them!

Science VS. Bible?

It's so nice watching the snow fall and the variety of birds in our backyard eating on the feeders.  It's such a privilege that I can sit with my children and look out the window and explain "why" the little birds know how to find food and how to take a bath in the dripping icicles and how to drink from the melting snow.  To explain that all this creation has a Creator and his name is God. And how if he can care for and create these little birds to know how to survive then this science proves there is a God.
 All of science does point to God from the ground up as we learn all we can about this world around us, however it is not in authority over the universe, because there is a higher power that is holding all this science together. You can believe science and teach science, but science will never give you an answer to why we're here on this earth.  To deny the fact that we're a people of social interaction and relationship is senseless, and therefore proves that we have a deep need to connect to someone. I am intrigued by apologetics and Ken Ham's Answers in Genesis. I am excited to see the opportunity of debates being presented with the world watching.  I'm ready for God's people to be awakened from their slumber. 
This week a bible lesson presented Josiah and how the people had forgotten God's book.  They found it under some rubbish and began to read it.  They repented to God for their forgetfulness of his word.
Let us remember where we came from and not be found with his word under some dusty books.  Let us repent as a nation and turn back to the true God. He said he would heal our land and prosper a nation who honors and serves him. Let us not forget the Lord.


If you haven't heard of Louis Giglio, please take the time to watch his videos and his session on Laminin and explanation of science theories.

Our little minds will never be able to wrap around a being who created this universe because we simply are not God. We simply cannot link ourselves to the knowledge of God unless we allow Jesus Christ to make that connection from us to God.  We can make ourselves gods on this planet and believe the lie that we control our world. But we can never determine how many days our bodies are alive on this planet and we cannot control what happens to our bodies after we die. What a scary thought, but a thought that can only be comforted by knowing the creator of this temporary place we call home.  Knowing this is not our real home.  Our creator put a soul in us that can never die.  That is something eternally necessary to insure our real future, to know where we came from, why we are here and where we are headed after we die on this planet.  This is what makes sense to me because my Heavenly Father has given this knowledge to me and granted me grace & mercy and shown me my place in this universe. God~he's the best science teacher ever! Science class never taught me this. 

I believe the answer to our nation is to return the History of the Bible with an accredited theologian teaching it in the classroom. Atleast, give the option! It sure makes my job easier as a Home Educator to answer my child's questions with, "God just did it that way" and show him the answer in the text.

Please feel free to write your thoughts here, I'd love to read them!