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.

Mother's Day DIY Idea!

Hey everyone!!

I actually created these books for Valentine's Day, but these would be perfect for any mommas or grandmothers in your life who adore the hand and foot prints of your little one(s)! 

The black books themselves were something I snagged from the $1 Spot in Target. It was an impulse purchase I'm so glad I made! I got an 8 pack of these for $3! So many books to make! I then used craft materials I had on hand - paint, paper heart doilies, chalkboard markers, tissue paper, etc. 

Anyways, here are a few things I learned along the way. These will make your life easier - trust me!

1. Plan out the number of hand/foot prints you will need. This will make it go quickly which is always beneficial with short attention spans! I distracted my kiddos with their own painting materials and made the prints while they sat in their chairs making pictures! 

2. Have wipes or a wet washcloth handy in case your kids decide to try to jump out of their chairs and leave paint on the floor! Ask me how I know...

3. Use washable paint and strip down to as little clothing as you can tolerate - my kids paint in their undies. When the kids were super small I would take them to our walk-in shower and let them paint there so I could immediately rinse off ALL the paint. Now we settle for painting outside on a disposable tablecloth or at the table with newspaper on top. 

Ready to begin? Perfect!

The cover was created by Elise. We did this separately, and then I added it onto the front. I made a heart shape for her which she then filled in using stick glue and balled up tissue paper pieces. Super easy and so cute!

For the inside of the book, I used a blog for inspiration, but I can't seem to find the link! I searched Pinterest though, and there are TONS of handprint and footprint crafts!! I basically combined these individual ideas to make one big book of LOVE. We added pictures I printed at Walgreens, paintings the kids made while I was doing their prints, and love notes throughout the book for the recipient.

I started with the monkeys - painting each little foot brown and stamping it in the book. In retrospect,  construction paper to be cut out later would have made life much easier. Not having to wait for pages to dry between prints makes for happier kids as I discovered! I made three books so each kid made 3 footprints per picture so that each book included 1 from each child.  Next came the race cars created with little blue feet.

Followed by red feet for "love bugs" and then multicolored hands for our flowers. I let Elise & Ben help with this one, and the swirls of pinks and purples turned out really cute!

 I laid the paper out around our kitchen to dry while I cleaned up the kids, table, and their artwork. Cue a long break for my kids, and I continued the rest while everyone napped.

Once all the paint was dry, I cut around the outline of the prints and glued them in the books. I then decorated each foot/hand to go along with that page's theme complete with a corny love catch phrase. Pictures interspersed in between the prints and some hand written heartfelt notes make for a tear jerking present any mom (or dad!) is sure to love!

It takes some time to complete, and I honestly did it in three different stages, but the result and reactions were SO worth it. Hope this project sparks some creativity! If you recreate or even use my idea as a jumping off point please let me know! I would love to see pictures or hear how it went.

When Mr Sun Sun Isn't Awake

The other morning, a little before 5am I heard the small squeak of our bedroom door being opened. I sighed inwardly. My alarm was set for 5am and I had planned to do my early morning devotions before working out - a little bit of me time before the kids are awake.

Elise, our 3 year old, walked around to my side of the bed. She already knows her dad doesn't wake up, and I sleep very lightly. "Mommy my night time panties are wet" she whispered. "Do you want to take them off?" I said. She nodded yes. We changed her underwear after which she looked at me expectantly, ready to start the day. "Mr Sun isn't awake yet, honey so it isn't time to get up yet. Would you like to go back to your bed and sleep more?" She nodded no. "Would you like to snug with me and daddy for a while?" A quick climb up into bed and under the covers signaled a yes.

Great I thought, now I really can't get up and workout. Two weeks of sickness and early morning wake ups as Elise fought off a cold (waking up coughing and sniffle very early every day) made for a snag in my routine.

I can't say I wasn't annoyed that morning as my alarm went off and then David's alarm went off. He got up and around to go workout before heading into work while  I lay in bed trapped with a 3 year old on top of my arm.

Embracing my imprisonment, I went back to sleep and snuggled in. Elise finally drifted off and rolled away, clutching her favorite "cupcake blanket" and one of her stuffed animals. Being a morning person, my body automatically wakes by a certain time, and so I lay there awhile before venturing out of my room to start my day with a little bit of quiet.

I thought about it, and honestly, that snuggle time in the morning was so sweet and fleeting. She isn't going to crawl into my bed much longer asking to "snug", falling asleep in my arms, secure in the knowledge that mom and dad are there.

I don't know what woke her up to make her come into our room, but I am so thankful for little girl's love and snuggles, even if it meant postponing my workout to later in the day. My workout ultimately  isn't important. Sure, I want to get it in, but I will have a lifetime of workouts if I so choose.
Snuggles with my girl are only going to be around another couple of years, and then awkward 'tween hugs may turn into teenage angst. 

 

 

For now, I'll wait for Mr. Sun to wake up and snug with my girl.

 

 

 

DIY Heating Pad with Essential Oils & A Make 'n' Take Party

Evening friends!

It's Saturday, and we just returned from a strenuous afternoon of exploring the JBE Playground! If you've never been I would highly recommend it! The kids had so much fun exploring, and they find more and more to do every time we go there. From little to big kids, it seem to be a hit.

On to the point of this post though - my DIY Heating Pad!

I've had great success with making this super simple rice heating pad, and I even gifted them to my MOPS table this year at Christmas. I've had one myself for ages that nana made for me forever ago. While perusing pinterest (the bane of all crafting ideas), I saw the idea pop up and decided I too could make some! Being a sewing novice, I felt confident I could tackle a few straight lines sewn in a square.

This really takes little sewing skill, and it's super simple. I knocked out 9 for friends in a few hours start to finish, and my friends and I completed 7 in about hour with each person making their own.

What you need:

Sewing machine or needle/thread
1 yd of fabric (I prefer a soft cotton, think almost PJ pant material)
A bag of white rice (5 lb bag)
Funnel or measuring cup
Tupperware bowl (if using essential oils)
Essential Oils to make it smell nice! (lavender, deep blue, peppermint, citrus bliss are a few!)

How to Make It:

Start by cutting your fabric into squares. I made 4 bags out of 1 yd of fabric. Each bag measured around 4.5 in x 4.5 in. To cut your fabric, fold your yard of fabric in half and cut down the fold. You should have 2 large pieces now - approx. 18 in each. Repeat the following steps for each piece.

Fold your fabric in half and cut down that fold (it doesn't matter if you fold it hamburger or hot dog - whichever you prefer!). Now fold each 9 in piece one more time and cut down each of those folds. You should now have 4 equal sized pieces measuring about 4.5 inches each.

Repeat the above steps for your other large piece. You will now have 8 small squares of fabric which will make 4 bags total!

Place the fabric in pairs with the front or patterned sides facing each other and the "wrong" side out.

You will now sew around this square leaving a small seam and one small section open in the corner of one of the sides. Do not forget this opening! This is where you will insert the rice!

After sewing, flip your bag right side out.

If you want your bag scented, now is when you will add the oils!

Using a large tupperware container or even a large gallon ziploc you will add your rice, approx. 4 cups if you used my measurements. Now, grab the scent you want. At my Make 'n' Take party, Deep Blue was a huge hit. This blend is made of wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, blue tansy, blue chamomile, helichrysum, and osmanthus! It is known for its relaxing qualities as well as ability to help with tension headaches and muscle soreness. Really, it's the perfect scent for an athlete or someone who needs to de-stress quickly!

 I typically make lavender heating pads as well for its calming properties which makes this heating pad great for bedtime or when dealing with monthly cramps. The possibilities are endless so whatever scent you prefer, add it just don't mix them randomly!

We did 2 - 4 drops depending on the scent intensity preferred. Stir in the oil and let sit. Ideally, you want to add the oil and walk away for a few hours before finishing. Don't have time for that? That's okay too. It's just nice to do if you can, stirring every 30 min or so.

Using a funnel or measuring cup, scoop your rice into the heating pad bag. I prefer each bag about 2/3 full, but again this is all personal preference so add a little more if you want. Don't worry about adding plain rice if it's scented, it will absorb the scent as well.

For the next part, I did happen to spill rice all over my floor at my party so be careful when picking your bag up that the open side is not facing down! Once the bag is filled, carefully slide it into your sewing machine and add a few stitches over the opening to make sure it stays shut! If you are hand sewing it do the same, making sure to knot each end off well.

Annnnd you're done!! A personal heating pad for monthly cramps, sore muscles, headaches...anything you can think of! The drops of essential oil just make this a little more special and effective too! Look, you have 3 extra bags too! Gift them to friends, relatives, whoever could use one! I keep finding people to give one to.

To use, heat up your rice heating pad in the microwave with a small cup of water for about 2 minutes. The water helps keep it moist and is essential when heating up your heating pad!

I had such a great time making these for friends and then with friends! Doesn't our party look like fun?! It was Valentine's Day themed (the heating pads were mostly made for significant others) so we had lots of chocolate, some wine, and all things pink/hearts. It was a great first party, and I'm so happy so many great ladies got to join me for it!!

Thanks for following along! If you make one too, please comment or post your results!! I would love to hear about your experience. If you want to host your own make 'n' take party, send me a message or email! I would love to help you make your own deodorant, bud spray, cleaner, or even seasoning for your food!