Easy Ideas for Volunteering

So I have gotten a few questions about how to serve locally while juggling life. Being that I am a SAHM I am going to include easy ways for working parents or fur parents to incorporate volunteering into their lives as well as opportunities for those with little ones in tow!

Ways to Give (without kids):

Donate blood
This one is super simple, takes an hour of your day & you usually leave with some kind of freebie. [My favorite place to donate is Chick Fil A because it often includes a free lunch!] The ladies now know me so check-in is super simple, you can schedule in advance & it really is helping in your immediate community. Easy peasy!

Serve in your local church
Churches always need volunteers - from greeters to nursery workers to the ladies who make the coffee - if you are willing I guarantee they will find somewhere for you to serve! I only serve one time a month for one hour. The commitment is low, they work around your schedule, and the reward of getting to serve others is pretty amazing. It's a great way to get to know others in your church that you may not otherwise too!

Volunteer at your local animal shelter

This one is best done kid-free unless you have older kids/teens. Shelters need volunteers to foster animals, walk and play with them daily, clean cages, and show animals to potential families. No time? Donate your old blankets or stuffed animals or pick up some chew toys or extra food when getting some for your pets! Most places have a wish list you can purchase from or a need that you can give towards monetarily.

Love on your local homeless population:

Again this is best done kid-free, with older kids, or prepped at home with little ones who are then left safely at home during delivery. We have an amazing local organization called Elev8 Hope that knows this population and is a great resource for those looking to really get involved and help locals. Looking for a one time project? Put together a blessing bag or hygiene bag for ladies and stow them in your car to hand out when you see a need. This is an easy way to help without handing out money!

Blessing bag ideas:
Socks (large sizes)
Deoderant
Wipes
Non-perishable snacks
Bottled water
Small first aid kit
Flashlight
Deck of cards
Visa Gift card/publix or walmart gift card

*All in a large ziploc*

For the ladies, add:
Pads/tampons
Motrin

Anything else you all can think of to include??

Ways to give (with kids):

Operation Christmas Child

This is probably one of my favorites to do with my kids. We do a few boxes as a family in November and select kids close in age to ours. My kids pick out items (based on the list provided) and help pack the boxes for the kids. It's a great teaching activity!!

Sponsor a child

Our family personally sponsors through Children of the Nations because our church in Orlando did mission trips through them. We selected a little girl close in age to Elise & love on her throughout the year with a monthly donation and then extra "gifts" like sponsoring her to attend summer camp,  mailing fun items/letters at Christmas and Easter, and helping with their Christmas celebration.  I hope as my kids get older and understand the concept more they will take ownership of writing to this special girl and maybe even get to meet her one day!

Visit a Nursing Home

For the past few years, a group of us have gotten together for various holidays to visit at the local nursing home with our toddlers. Trunk or Treat at Halloween, caroling at Christmas, handing out Christmas cards, and Easter egg hunts are a few we have done. The joy on the faces of both young and old is amazing! A lot of the elderly patients are so excited to have a conversation & love on the little ones that you don't even need to bring anything or come for any particular reason - the company is worth more than anything! 

Painting rocks

This one is a two-for-one! Art & you get to brighten someone's day! First, find some rocks (or buy them). Let kiddos paint them. Let dry. Seal (I just use mod podge). Done! Now hide them next time you're out and about to share joy in your area!

Beach clean up

Heading to the beach? Bring a few disposable bags & clean up as you walk out or for the first 10 to 15 minutes of your visit. Kids LOVE collecting things so throw on some gloves & show your local beach some love by picking up what others have left behind.

Bring food or water to a fire or police station

This is another one of those dual purpose visits! Kids get to check out fire or police vehicles and see the uniforms up close in a friendly situation while officers or fire fighters are blessed with food or water. Different places may have stipulations on what they can accept (some don't want homemade for instance) so check before showing up! Our local station loves coffee, water, quick wholesome snacks and of course, desserts.

Cook for a friend or neighbor

My kids love helping me cook, and it seems like we are often surrounded by adorable new babies! Bringing a freezer meal (for later) or a hot meal soon after new mommas arrive home is a welcome relief when navigating parenthood!

Honestly, I think the best thing that parents can do overall is to lead by example. Give of your time to friends and family. Share your talents and love. Forgive graciously and live in the now. Our kids need to know that everyone has value and worth - the forgotten, impoverished, young and old.

What other ways can you think of to volunteer? I know there are tons more so I would love to hear any ideas!

So this is growing up...

So my kids are 3 & 4 y'all. Can you believe it?! This year has flown by! Below is a brief snapshot of how we've spent our summer. We opted for lots of relaxation, sleeping in, and playing in/around the water to escape this Florida heat. In two weeks Elise turns 5 and then starts K the next day! Ben will also be starting tot school with a few of his buddies! I may have agreed to teach these 6 crazy toddlers twice a week. I am excited to be back to teaching even in this capacity! I have some fun lessons planned & can't wait to share more!

Popsicles are a quintessential summer staple and ours had plenty! This pic is from Fourth of July when my kids spent literally all day in the pool in between eating. This summer they really mastered swimming and can dive, cannonball, swim across the pool, and terrorize each other with ease all within the water!

One of our sweet friends brought us some kinetic sand, and this is one of those fun indoor activities that occupied them for at least an hour! We also painted rocks, made watercolor paintings, and colored endless pictures. 

Cooking is something my kids are always ready to help with! They have upped their skills in the kitchen this summer from observing and stirring to really taking ownership of dishes! Elise and Ben both can spread their own PBJ, microwave popcorn, mix the batter and flip pancakes, add the ingredients for and stir brownies as shown above, and help start my coffee. They will be great chefs one day!

We have spent almost every weekend at the beach this summer! We pack up in the morning and stay through lunch in time for everyone to go home and nap! Our new favorite is Waveland - small and secluded with a great walk-out for the kids. They both have recently taken to body boarding too - it's so cool to watch them "paddle out" and ride the waves in! 

We are sad to see the lazy days of summer end but so excited for a great new school year!

For the love

I've always enjoyed writing; its cathartic power allowed me to put thought to paper & work through some of my toughest and best experiences.

Since I could write I have kept a journal, writing in large script indicitive of a beginner, my Mickey & Minnie notebook was full of lists of friends, days spent with family,  sibling fights and elementary school musings. The writing continued to a pretty floral notebook full of Leonardo DiCaprio cutouts and first crushes to a plain, adult looking one that I just now use when inspiration is so great - or grief overbearing - that I must physically write to get it out of my head.

I pick up my writing on and off. Life is so busy I go weeks or months without writing anything but grocery lists or birthday cards. I often feel the mundane ins and outs not worthy of documenting. Still, there is beauty in the mundane & ordinary.

It is with this thought that I begin writing anew - ready to examine motherhood & health in all its facets - physical, spiritual and mental - in this beautiful beach town I'm lucky to call home.

Hey friends, Join me! This is our year!

My Life at the moment & Little Boy Gifts

Hello friends!

I'm enjoying the outdoors from my comfy lawn chair while my kids play with bubbles, the hose, on the swings, the trampoline.... you get the idea! They're so fun to watch. Elise pretends to take her favorite stuffed animal, Penny, to the store and around the yard for their "trip". She "cooks" for me in her sandbox, and Ben follows her lead.

This week I decided to break out of my standard dinner repertoire and broke out the cookbooks in search of some fun recipe ideas.

This is what I ended up with for the week:

Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs with rice and broccoli
Greek salad with sliced turkey & feta cheese
Grilled Chicken Burgers with sweet potato fries
Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and asparagus
Chicken Enchiladas & rice
Pork tenderloin and zoodles with stir fry veggies

A lot of these dishes I've made before, and some are on our weekly rotation. However, it's mainly a new way to prep/season these things or maybe something we haven't had in awhile.

I will confess that Elise and Ben aren't as excited about broadening their food horizons and may have already eaten hot dogs one night out of refusal of my brilliant dishes. Anyways, here's to long & warm summer nights, new food, and fun! The end of this school year is quickly approaching, and I'm sad but excited to see Elise starting PreK in the fall. My kids are growing up so quickly!!!!

The other week when my best friend Ashlea & her daughter were down visiting from NC we took the kids down to our small downtown area and had a picnic in the park where the food trucks were setup. The food trucks come starting in April through the summer, and they are a much anticipated event. Beer! Greasy cheesy food! Ice cream! I'm in food heaven.

We went to the beach that morning, played outside, and then after naps ventured to the food trucks. It was a LONG day for toddlers! Nevertheless, the kids were running back and forth across the open fields, playing with balls, and enjoying finding sticks, leaves, and rocks. Ashlea and I sipped drinks and chatted on our blanket, just enjoying each other & the silliness of kids.

Ben especially found hunting for sticks fascinating. He kept bringing over big sticks, little sticks, every one he found - he showed them to me and then offered them as little gifts.

I'll admit, I got emotional. About sticks. Yes, these are the things motherhood does to you. Anyways, I just found it so sweet and pure - this love offering of sticks. He doesn't have anything with earthly value to give - yet the sticks that he loved to collect and carry about he offered to his mom instead.

Don't grow up, sweet boy. I'll lovingly hold any outdoor treasure you bring me (as long as it doesn't crawl!) until you no longer want to bring them to me.

No Kids Cruise Tradition

Hey friends!

So, I'm embarrassed to say its been more than a month since I posted. *sigh*

I didn't draft 3 posts, but they were never finished and are somewhat irrelevant as they discussed events in March. Oh well! Moving right along, here's a picture summary of our last month before I dive into my and David's "No Kids Cruise" tradition that I think you all will enjoy!

In March & part of April we.....

Celebrated Ben's 2nd birthday @ home

Spent the afternoon @ Busch Wildlife for Ben's bday

 I ran a 5k with MOPS for CareNet

 We setup a MOPS table at Taste of TC3. Our "walking tacos" were a hit!

We watched David play soccer

Had an Easter egg hunt with friends

Visited with cousins & played in "rocket ships"

Dyed Easter eggs

Started soccer

LOVE it!

Visited the Environmental Studies Center for Earth Day

Visited with some amazing friends from out of town at the first food truck rally of the year!

There was definitely a lot more, but this is a good summary! On to our cruise!!

So last year when Ben was 1 we decided we needed an adults - only trip to reconnect, rejuvenate, and just get away. Parenting toddlers and infants is hard work. I felt overwhelmed with the 24 hour task of parenting. As any mom knows, the weekend is not a break for us! We still have to cook, clean, and wake up at all hours. This trip was really my first REAL vacation since before Elise was born. We voth found afterwards that we were refreshed, our marriage stronger and renewed, and we actually missed our kids! We decided then that cruising would be our new yearly tradition.

This year we booked a 4 night, 5 day cruise to the Bahamas on Royal Caribbean. We previously traveled on Carnival to Cozumel & Key West, and I have personally been to the Bahamas on Carnival 2x other times with friends and family.

This trip, our intention was to relax, explore the destinations as much as possible (sans excursions), and to focus on each other. We are so lucky that both grandparents found time to come watch our kids so that we could cruise worry-free. Thanks mimi & nana and pop!!

As for the cruise, it was so fun! I know that I get bogged down with the day to day grind that having almost a week without technology to really spend time with my significant other was much needed! We met some great cruising friends, took in the cruise entertainment, laid by the pool, ate lots of food, and soaked up lots of sun.

 To make this happen we really had to look at our budget. It's tight, but we found room in it to take time away. It's so important that we not lose sight of who we are as a couple and even individuals! My kids are my heart and soul, but I want to know when they grow up and leave that my relationship with my husband is strong, that I have hobbies, and that our life doesn't just "end".

Anyways, here's a few fun pictures from our trip!! I'll be back with a few more posts - ideally more frequently!!

Essential Oils 101: The Why & How

Helllllo friends!

It's Saturday, and I'm SO EXCITED for the weekend! This morning I was up bright and early for the Carenet 5k with some MOPS moms and my church small group! Adrenaline really kicked in because my training consisted of all of 2 runs right before, and I clocked in this morning at 29:40 which is better than my time last year when I was consistently running. Go figure. I think not breastfeeding like I was this time last year and being more well rested definitely contributed!

Back tracking a bit to last weekend when we spontaneously adopted a new kitten from the local humane society. Around Christmas, our cat Reggie who David and I adopted towards the end of college, left one morning and never came home. We put up signs, walked the neighborhood talking to neighbors, and called every local vet and humane society to no avail. So, three months later we've added a new family member, and what we hope will soon be a friend for our other cat, Kit Kat. She isn't a fan as of yet, but its only been 4 days!

On to your scheduled post though - essential oils 101!

I held an online class a few months ago, and I completely forgot to add it to my blog as a resource for others to look back on!

So, here is a rundown of the basics! Feel free to ask me questions via email, in my Facebook group, A Healthy Beach Life, or on here!

Part 1 of 2 - Doterra Essential Oils 101: The Why & How

 So, how did I start using essential oils??

 I obtained oils from my mom. She sent me ginger, lavender and peppermint to start, and I remember using all 3 for morning sickness when I was pregnant with Elise. Being that you can’t really take much medicine when pregnant, I got hooked on using oils which carried into when Elise was a baby. I also didn’t want to use tons of medicine on her and so for her chronic ear infections, teething pain, fevers/colds, we turned to oils. I didn’t really ever consider selling them until recently. I’ve always shared oils and been passionate about them so getting them directly for my friends and family (with a nice discount) really is a no brainer.

There are SO MANY oils, and it’s very overwhelming when you’re first starting which is probably where most of you are looking to take this class. Don’t worry, I’ll break it down into lots of posts, and I REALLY want you to ask as many questions as you have along the way! My Intention for you to leave this "class"  feeling educated and empowered about how YOU can use essential oils in your home. As you learn, think about others who may benefit from these oils! 

 What are Essential Oils?

They are....

-Naturally occurring volatile aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of the plants.

-Protect the plant against environmental threats and provide beneficial properties.

-Highly concentrated when distilled for purity, potency, and efficacy.

-Used historically for food prep, beauty treatment, and health-care practices.

Why doTERRA Essential Oils?

 Most Important is that their oils are CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential OIls that are sourced from a global network to ensure the most pure oils. They are rigorously tetsted for standards of purity and potency. Lastly, they are free from fillers or artificial ingredients as well as contaminants, pesticides, or chemical residues.

doTERRA provides health-conscious users with a SAFE and NATURAL alternative.

• Use for a wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications!

• They have few, if any, side effects when used as directed.

• One drop is literally all that is needed to achieve a powerful benefit!

How are essential oils used?

Aromatically

• This method is through diffusion or inhalation (from the bottle on rubbed on hands and then cupped to nose). This can be calming, stimulating, or soothing. Diffusing essential oils can also cleanse and purify the air. 
• Breathe is a blend that when diffused clears airways and promotes a restful sleep. 

Topically

• Essential Oils can be safely applied for massages or topical therapy. Their chemical structure allows them to pass through the skin for an immediate systemic response.
• Ex: Deep Blue is a topical rub that sooths sore muscles

Internally

• Certain oils are widely used in cooking and can be used as dietary supplements. Good examples of these oils are cilantro, lime, lemon, basil...there’s too many to count!
• You can also gargle with a blend such as On Guard to support healthy immune function.

 

 

Dilution

Why are we diluting them? With topical application, many oils call for dilution with a carrier oil like coconut oil.

 

Since the oils are highly concentrated, some oils run "hot" on the skin. Oils that are "hot" are things like ginger, cinnamon, clove, oregano, and peppermint. These oils can cause visible skin irritation on some users unless diluted. It is recommended to dilute ALL oils used on kids. Use your own discretion as some kids are more sensitive than others, just like some adults. 

Are they as effective?

Yes - they can actually be MORE effective when diluted as the carrier oil penetrates the skin and allows the oil to spread to a higher area of skin. Once the oil penetrates the skin it allows for longer, localized effect from the oils.  

You only need ONE drop to feel the benefits, and this is stretched even FURTHER when you dilute! Each 15 ml bottle (the big one) contains approximately 250 drops of oil. That's at least 250 applications! 

So that's the basics in a nutshell! Stay tuned for part II where I delve more into specific oils!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

What it Means to Love

This week, we had a scare. One of those incidents that knocks you down emotionally and makes everything stop. It was an experience that makes me grateful for health and the petty problems that plague our day to day lives like picky eating and potty training.

Wednesday night, I was tired and cranky. I was ready for the kids to go to bed so I could relax. We had a busy morning visiting the fire station with friends and then to the mall to do some pre-Easter shopping and grab lunch. By 8:00pm, I was ready for some peace and quiet. We were all in the playroom, David, Elise, Ben and I. I was sitting on the floor looking at my phone, and David was watching the kids as they ran back and forth tackling each other to the ground and giggling.

Fire Station Crew!

Ben started crying, and I looked up to see the kids getting up off the floor. They had tumbled on top of each other; David said it looked like in the fall Ben hit his head on Elise's foot. Ben ran to me and plopped in my lap, crying profusely. What happened next was the most terrifying moment I've experienced so far as a parent. That weird slow motion effect that takes place in movies seemed to happen to me.

All of a sudden Ben was crying, and then he suddenly went silent, slumping over in my arms while his eyes rolled back into his head. His lips turned blue. Elise cried out, and David screamed Ben's name. I remember shaking his arm, thinking about the infant CPR and choking sheet I keep on the fridge, wondering if there was time to grab it, scooping him up towards me as he convulsed and his arms jerked and then crying out in happiness as Ben gasped loudly and started breathing again. The entire thing must have lasted a minute, but it felt like an eternity. Other than being a little frightened and not knowing what had happened, Ben was fine. He smiled and walked and talked like nothing had happened. David and I were not okay. We cried in relief. We hugged both kids tightly, and that night we prayed like we never had before.

Thinking about your mortality is a scary thought, but it is even more scary to imagine losing a child. Our week stopped, dead in its tracks. I watched Ben all night, sleeping next to him and reaching over to feel his little chest rise and fall, rejoicing in the little kicks and movements that are often annoyances when trying to share a bed with a toddler.

David went to work and then turned back around and came home, unable to concentrate. We started calling around. The guilt was worse the next morning when we were questioned by every single person we spoke to,"Why didn't you take him to the ER?!" Going by gut instinct apparently isn't something you should do as a parent anymore, you should be shamed into doing what others want. That's a whole other post though! Thursday passed quickly encompassed by prayer and support from friends and family, calls to doctors and neurologists. Watching and flinching anytime Ben cried out or fell, we were emotionally done.

We finally got an appointment on Friday with a neurologist in Tampa, not local to us, but who my sister uses for her epilepsy. We were hoping to get some answers for what this scary incident meant - seizures? minor concussion?

EEG "Helmet" as the nurse called it.

After a 3 hour drive, restless sleep, an early wake up, and finally a 20 min EEG we were given great news - a normal reading. The doctor explained that it sounded like Ben had a breath holding spell. (Why couldn't the after-hours nurse figure that out?!) Basically, he exhaled all his air without inhaling and passed out. The spells are a reflex to pain or fear, and something that happens to young toddlers. So, it could happen again, but (if there is a) next time we will know what it is!

Post-EEG hair - super crazy from all the sticky stuff left in his hair!

Overall, I'm so grateful that everything is okay. It was a scary process we've endured these past few days; I can't imagine what parents with terminally ill kids go through on a daily basis! I know we are lucky. We are not totally in the clear; we will always watch our kids more closely than most for signs of seizures. However, our family came together,  and all of the miniscule and unimportant things faded. This morning, we snuggled in our bed with our kids and thanked God for his grace and mercy.