Chair Massage in Mt. Laurel Today! And a little of our weekend....

I am so excited to be going back to my favorite little town to do chair massage at Pharm South this morning!
I can't tell you how it makes me feel right at home there!
Today I'm bringing treats I've made out of essential oils & each week I'm going to try to diffuse the oil I'm cooking with while I'm there....
Here is a sneak peek of what will be today!

Each lollipop is made from organic ingredients & essential oils! I am in LOVE with this process & this will be my new little signature thing I do & possibly sell within the transitional pharmacy.

We had the most wonderful time together this past weekend, just us four at the lake.
Here is a little recap in pictures ....

My heart is so full. My most favorite times are just being with my family & having a relaxed fun time.
For a place that just last year I thought was so much trouble, has turned into a peaceful haven for us to be together. I really am thankful.

The Friday Five

I'm experimenting with Joy's Friday Five!!

I'm new at this, so hold on tight.
I'm not so sure what five things I need to choose, so I'm just going to pick the top 5 things that come to mind from this week.

1. When my shy last year, but so confident this year first grader marched her happy self into school on Day 1 without her mother!

2. Logan's smile from being so excited about some really cool projects & trips he will be taking this year. He was a little sarcastic with this smile, but TRULY excited. 

3. Doing chair massage in one of my favorite little towns on Earth. Mt. Laurel. Where it all began for me & massage. Such a BEAUTIFUL moment realizing I am going to be back there soon doing massage upstairs within Pharm South. See the little sign that says Blue Room? That is exactly where I spent massaging during my pregnancy with Kenlee. Talk about coming full circle. I will be in the EXACT same bldg with Pharm South doing the same thing! LOVE LOVE LOVE this!

4. Creating treats out of my essential oils that actually have health benefits. Sore throats, nausea, depression. Stay tuned...I'm amping this up & will be selling them. Logan helped me with this & I appreciated his help, so much. Right now I'm just giving to get feedback & taste testers. But I'm officially out, so I will be creating more over the weekend.

5. And the Best FEELING of all, was celebrating 15 years of marriage with my husband. We've come a long way! I am looking so forward to the next 15 because they are just going to get better & better.

I hope you have a fun filled, light hearted, positive, easy going, good feeling weekend!

15 Years ago today....

Let me be as truthful as I can be. I have dated this guy since 1994. I married him in 1998. We have had some crazy highs, some crazy lows, some in betweens, some major meltdowns.
He IS HANDSOME, he is WONDERFUL, we love, we fight, we get on each others nerves, we laugh so hard together, we pick at each other, we drive each other nuts. Some days we want to drop kick each other (well, maybe not that extreme) but we really are just meant to be.
I love his soul, his eyes, his laugh, the way he is with our kids.

We loved our honeymoon 15 years ago. We were 21. We also fought on our honeymoon to the point that I told him I was flying home! HAAAA!
He is STILL by my side.

He loves us. He would lay down his life for us. He works too hard for us (he's currently looking for another job and can do anything with his hands, has his CDL, never calls in sick, HOLLA!) ~ I'm hoping for a less stressful job with just as good of pay for him to come his way. He doesn't get to see any of the kids programs unless they are at night, missed all of Logan's golf tournaments because he has no back up as he is the plant manager for a concrete plant. He DESIRES to be with his kids & ME! He deserves the best.
He makes me laugh & drives me nuts. I get on his nerves with not being the most organized fish in the sea. Our house is a wreck when he comes home from 15 hour days, but hey. I always have dinner ready for him. We share dreams together, hopes for our future, and have the biggest love for Logan & Kenlee we could ever dream of. He is my dream man because I love his soul.

August 22nd is one of the most special days to me because I have my life partner by my side. He supports my crazy health habits, he even takes coconut oil in a capsule for me. I love this man more than I ever dreamed I could love a man! He lets me smear essential oils on his feet & back all the time, he will eat anything in the world I cook. I could go on & on. I don't like the way he turns the TV up real loud, but I can deal with that forever.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, JOSH!!!
I truly love you.

First Day of School! ~ 8*19*2013

These two had a great day at school!

I was SOOO very happy about this!
We have a new school system behind our city now & Logan said the changes taking place are already so noticeable! This is a great thing for our city!

And I was so thinking she would be scared or worried going in. I told her I would walk her in, but this big first grader marched herself in like she owned the place! The transformation in this girl is amazing!
Hmmm. I know she loves that oil as much as I do! It also goes to show that last year I was constantly worrying "is she ok at school, I know she misses her pre-K school, is she going to get sick this year, etc) and this year, she & I are in a totally different mind set. It just goes to show, if I put out nervous energy, my kids feel it. This is a lesson it took me 36 years to learn! And who wants to live nervously?! This is something I have totally worked on throughout the summer & this school year started out totally different than one's past!
She even has her Biggy's first grade teacher!

And this guy right here is in an Honors History class that might get to go to NYC this year his teacher reported! What an amazing field trip that would be!! Lots of good things coming up & I am so excited for him.

Also, if you notice your kids getting a cough/cold with this weather changing, here is a good oil to rub on their feet and chest. Be sure to use a carrier oil with it, such as olive or coconut oil. This is a great oil for croup. If I could count the times my handsome boy had croup when he was little, I would be here for a while.

Hoping that your families had a great day back to school!

Feeling Anxious?

There have been certain times in everyone's life when anxiety plays a part. Lately, I have had several people ask me if the oils can help with anxiety or mood swings. I've done my research. Trust me, my husband goes to work between 3-5 am & most of the time I read or get on YouTube & research the heck out of things I want to learn. It's my quiet time, my time to improve my education & really understand what I love to use.
First of all, they are EASY to use. I use them daily giving massage & wearing them :)
You can diffuse them and they enhance meditation & concentration. (Great to have in the air with kids starting school) ~
They cross the blood-brain barrier in seconds. This sounds a little medical term-age here, but the amygdale is the emotional center where emotions are controlled and stored (anxiety, fear, depression, anger, joy all originate from here) - when the oils get in the skin & cross the blood-brain barrier, they then reach the amygdale and other parts of the brain. The amygdale also can influence the hypothalamus which is our HORMONAL CENTER. No wonder they can help these issues!
By inhaling the oils, we can minimize our stress, anxiety or any emotional trauma we have in our past or present! Anxiety is a FEAR based emotion which creates an emotional and physical response in the brain. Some of these symptoms can cause the following:
Sleep - difficulty falling or staying asleep
Respiratory - shortness of breath, can't breathe
Cardiovascular - Heart palpitations, racing heart
Digestive - upset stomach, diarrhea, lack of taste/hunger
Immune - Increase Infection
Endocrine- Fatigue, hormonal imbalance, dizziness
Muscular - stiffness, tension, HEADACHES

Some EMOTIONAL Symptoms of Anxiety include:
Fear - losing control, can't change
Apprehension - feelings of insecurity, overwhelmed
Mood- not consistent, irritability, sadness
Concentration- hard to concentrate

So I have put together a list of oils I suggest to inhale, diffuse, add to some coconut oil & smear on your skin. Here is my list! If you have questions! Don't hesitate to ask. This is a learning process for us all! If I don't know the answer, I will find out.

Roman Chamomile: Used for restlessness, depression and insomnia.

Geranium: Helps release negative memories and nervous tension.

Lavender: Reduces mental stress, one of the most studied for relieving anxiety.

Marjoram: Herb of HAPPINESS!!! Calms the nerves. I just got a bottle of this & can't wait to diffuse it when my hubby comes home from a crappy day at work with his negative drivers!

Sandalwood: Stimulates the limbic system of the brain, the center of emotions.

Valerian: Very grounding, relaxing and emotionally balancing

Bergamot: Calming and uplifting.

Jasmine: Uplifting and relaxing. Used for nervous exhaustion.

Black Pepper Oil: Stimulating and Energizing.

Tangerine: Contains esters and aldehydes that are sedating and calming helping with anxiety.

Orange: Elevating to the mind and body and brings joy & peace.

Melissa or Lemon Balm: Releases emotions of the heart. Used for insomnia & anxiety.

Neroli Absolute: Natural relaxant.

These are just a few that I have used, smelled & tried out on some clients. Some I haven't used yet, like the black pepper oil, or the Valerian.

This is just food for thought for you if you know someone with anxiety issues.
I'm available if you have questions!
Yesterday I did my first consultation to a couple that bought the Essential 7 oils from me & really just encouraged them both to rub each others feet for 10 minutes at night before bed. They both take Tylonol PM & want to get off of it, what better way to reconnect with your mate & relax them at the same time! Try it out!

Countdown!

Back to school time! I've gotten everything done I have needed to this week!
Score!
Haircuts! Room redo! Dentist! Shoe shopping!
Before....

After....

Teeth cleaned....

(Biggy was in another room getting his cleaned)

New shoes....

I can't find Logan's shoes right now to take a picture....

I am feeling accomplished and that is a new thing in my life! I don't know about you, but I feel so much better when I set out to do things & actually do them! 

I'm teaching more & more people about these oils, talking about doing classes in Mt. Laurel to educate some ladies that want to know more about the benefits of oils, setting goals for my massage practice, gotten everything done for the kids for school. I love feeling good about checking things off of my list! This has not been the case in the past! I was often all talk & no action, but I'm here to tell you, things are changing!

We had a Duck Dynasty viewing party of the wedding from last night's episode tonight. I just boo hoo'd! It was beautiful & their vows to each other were priceless! I'm extra mushy I guess since our 15 year anniversary is next week! 

Today is my brother & sis -n- law's anniversary! Let me think....I think it's 21 years! I know my sistor reads my blog, but I don't think my brother knows it exists! They had a wonderful wedding with a huge party afterwards & it was a truly special day!

My Dad is on the top left. My Mom's Dad is next to him & that is who Kenlee is named after. His name was Ken & my middle name is Lee, so we just smushed them together. Then my Mom, brother & Uncle. Below from L to R is my Mom's Mom, Mom's step-mom, sis-n-law, and Dad's Mom, my Mamaw. I really love this picture!

So much good has happened to our family in 21 years! That's a long time!

Next week I will be wishing my babes were with me at work instead of school! But I'm so very excited for this year & the good things yet to come!

A busy week!

This is the last week before back to school! I'm excited, yet sad! It's tricky keeping my kids occupied & still trying to work, but I love both & at the end of each summer, I sure am glad that I've gotten to do both.

 I love a routine, too! So as hectic as school gets, at least we know what they will be doing daily & I can schedule away when it comes to massages while they are learning!

We've been getting our teeth cleaned, haircuts, maybe some pedicures in the middle :) 

Do you guys wait until the last minute for your "to do list" before your kids go back to school?

We had "the girlfriend" over last weekend & grilled out steaks for her birthday! He's seen her a couple times this summer & talked a handful of times. She is a sweet girl, and happy that Biggy enjoys her company. Our boy is a teenager now & growing up! But he still likes to be around his friends & is so easy going. 

 Kenlee baked while she was here....

 And conducted activities.

 Then I brought her inside to ham it up with me, while Josh played basketball with Logan & Kayley.
Sometimes not having her in charge of all activities is a good idea :)

Remember me telling you about "The Pink Store" in Pell City?

It's full of treasures. I think it's really called "The Pink Variety Store" ~ Here's a little variety of treasures I loved in there.

I think we will go back to the lake at some point this weekend & I'm going to try & hit it up! I loved it! 

My great Uncle Pete who collected everything under the sun in his garage would have loved this store. He was the most precious man that always said the Lord's Prayer before we left & I remember watching him pray, closing his eyes, and that is a memory I will love forever.. I didn't realize at the time that I would be able to close my eyes in my 30's and remember him doing that every single time we were visiting. He was such an easy going person. I always remember him being happy. He lived with a not so positive person, but they loved each other & were each other's true companions in life. A sweet memory to me was going to Indiana to see them when I was growing up. Isn't it funny how just all of the sudden you think of someone that you haven't thought of in a long time & you are very thankful for their presence in your life? Divine!

Anywho, I hope you have a good Wednesday! 

I'm going to try and do a good post on dealing with anxiety & depression and some good ideas for natural ways to ease these things from ruling your life tomorrow. Stay tuned! 

Kenlee's Room Redo!! NEW!

This is the big FIRST GRADER's room!
Kenlee wanted her room redone. Time for a bigger bed & more grown up stuff!
I was happy to finally get full size bed in there, because if she ever does get up in the middle of the night, I am SMUSHED in the twin bed with her!
Drum roll please.......

 I found mostly old picture frames & mirrors & spray painted away this afternoon! I really loved how that pink mirror turned out!
Below is her artwork from "Jaycee" ~ her imaginary friend. She's a little wild! I LOVE this & did not want to cover it up! I changed the fading on instagram, so this isn't the true blue that it is in person. Kenlee & Jaycee did this when she was about 3!

 I spray painted this pink frame below & I just added a hair bow on top!

 This was stolen from another room in our house, but she wanted something to hang her necklaces on!
Done!

 Below in the blue frame is a picture her sweet sitter, Chandler, drew for her. It's perfect because her quilt is horses!

 She & her Daddy. I LOVE this picture so much.

 I didn't do so good on this, but I'm going to redo it. It was pink & brown polka dots & I don't love the way it is now, so I need to think on this a while!

 The finished product!

 It felt SO good getting this done.

 She helped me dust & vacuum.

 Biggy layed down with her to begin with tonight. I have rocked Kenlee every night until about a week ago. We moved the rocker to our room. I love reading & rocking her, but she's 45 lbs & I wanted it to be easier to get her in bed. I will still read to her every night, but not rock her. Although, anytime she wants to rock, she won't have to twist my arm. They are only little once. I'm also trying to get a different bed routine for her because in November I'm flying to Michigan to be in a wedding & I want it to be easy on she & her Dad when I'm gone. I have a feeling he will be a sucker & let her sleep with him, though! HA!

My babies are growing up. I'm already missing summer but, I am really excited for them both to have a really fun & wonderful year. Ready for a little bit of a routine. Tonight I found Logan's cat from when he was little, "Molly" and he said "this really brings back some memories!" ~ They are never too old to think of memories!
Love my babies so very much.