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Our littlest: Jude Wolf

Last Friday, I called Mike to come home from work. 
It was time.
 The littlest person of our family, Jude Wolf, joined us last Friday, September 25th at 8:05 p.m.
He is so beautiful, I feel like I can't take in enough of him, and
my head is still in the clouds with this tiny bundle.
 It's hard to put into words what bringing life into this world is like.
I just can't believe that God has blessed us as He has.
I give Him all the glory.
 I had so many fears about this labor and birth, so many.
I had so many prayers and requests, yet God answered every single one.

We got home late last Saturday night, another prayer answered, with only being in the hospital 24 hours. And yes, that's a pie in my hand.

Eden couldn't sleep with the anticipation of Jude coming home, I don't blame her.
I feel like I haven't slept in a week because of the same reason.
And in the morning, everyone couldn't wait to see him.
 This picture above is one of my favorites, with all my favorite people, thank you Dad, for capturing it.


I am blessed beyond words.
Welcome home Jude!

So not a saleswoman

I have debated long and hard about writing this post. I'm not a salesy person, and I probably never will be. I think everyone has their own opinion of things, and I usually don't try to change it. UNLESS, it's life changing!
I really don't think there are that many things in life that truly are. With the exception of Jesus, duh! of course I will stand and argue for that cause any day.
But lately, there's something else, not near the impact of Jesus, but the health benefits are pretty amazing. Some of you will roll your eyes at this point, oh well with you, it's Young Living essential oils. It's so popular right now, I know, and I've talked to many people about them. Most people are either eye rollers or else they're sold just by sniffing and testing a few on their skin.
Our family was introduced by our pediatrician. She's more holistic than most pediatricians, but also happens to be part of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She would always suggest an oil that could promote sleep, or maintain a healthy immune system. Her office holds regular essential oil classes and sells Young Living essential oils.
It just so happened that I was going in there more often than I liked with three kids in tow, just to buy more oils. I finally decided I had to sign up for myself, and am so thankful I did.
It's been an education process, but I love it, and the kids love learning about it too. How different oils promote different things in your body is truly amazing. It's been cool too, to see their transition to a more healthy, holistic life. This summer, it seems the bug bites were constant, and they'd consistently come to me asking for "itch cream" aka benadryl cream or the like. Doesn't that look awful?

After trying oil only once or twice, they're request became "can you please put oil on me?".
I love that I know what's going into their skin instead of all these chemicals that I can't pronounce the names. It's really cool.
I've learned a lot on my own, just by doing my own research, and I want to make the total switch to being a chemical free house. It's a slow process starting out, but so rewarding knowing that I'm doing something good for my family.
I would love to share this wonderful journey with others. The health benefits are amazing, and you really can't argue that point at all. To sign up, go to youngliving.com, from there, go to "BECOME A MEMBER" at the top left of the screen. I would highly suggest signing up as a distributor, you get 24% off of retail prices. With this option, you do need to buy a premium starter kit, but it's worth it, and ah-maz-ing. You won't regret it. The frankincense oil alone, makes the price worth it. If you would please put my member number in the "Who Introduced you" section on that first page. For the enroller and sponsor, put in 3081678, for both of those sections.
If you do sign up as a distributor, you have the option of being a part of Essential Rewards. I so didn't understand this when I signed up, and wished I had someone walk me through it. Basically, you put in an automated, fixed order every month. Trust me, you'll have lots you want to order! After your second month, you get 10% back on most things you buy, to spend on oils. It's a win-win if you ask me.
For those who do sign up, I'm giving and sending a set of four dryer balls to you. These have been one of those steps for us in eliminating chemicals. They're balls, made entirely of wool, roving wool, that replace dryer sheets. With a drop of lavender oil on each, I've found they give as much scent as a dryer sheet, but it's natural. So you don't have all the chemicals from your dryer sheets on your clothes, which then in turn are on your skin. Not only that, they're economical, and with four dryer balls, it reduces your drying time of your laundry.
I honestly have never heard of anyone who has tried Young Living's products, and doesn't love them. Let my confidence, be your first step in your natural and holistic journey.

Spent

i have never been this exhausted, physically and emotionally, in my life

i think it's because I'm pregnant, and constantly chasing Ezra, and breaking up fights, and cleaning, and cooking, and trying to maintain normal

two friends have written me off, that I know of, I suppose it could be more

i want to simplify everything

every week, we take a car load to goodwill

my creativity is bursting at the seams, though my flesh is weak

i'm desperate for life to slow down and at the same time it's crawling at a snails pace


i had to quit exercising this past week, such a bummer, but we go on walks nearly every day

Micah is never without a dress up sword

when I cut the kids fingernails and toenails, that's 60 little nails that I cut!!

i look at Eden and feel overcome with how beautiful she is and grown up she's becoming

i can't wait to give birth to our baby and feel like myself again, I wonder if the friends that wrote me off will realize what pregnancy takes out of you

facebook is dead to me


i envy Micah's joy all the time

my newest aspiration is to start a Bible art journal, it will happen

i don't know what I'd do without Jesus

my husband is a rock


don't know what I'd do without my little family, my whole world

blog shmog

I think I may be the worst blog writer ever. Every time I think of coming back to this space though, I feel as though I need to write some sort of excuse. And that, actually keeps me from it. No more excuses, just great big gaps of time because this mama is busy and tired.
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I think what I love the most about reading blogs is the characters and the stories. So often, I want to look back on here and see the ups and downs just to feel like life is normal to go like that. It is. Being 21 weeks pregnant right now, I'm so wishing I had documented pregnancy with this little monkey.
 He's such a joy. Seriously, he's the most dependent child we've had yet, but I love it. I think when we went through miscarriage and all that yucky fertility stuff, it changed my heart and my brain forever. I think God made me a little more patient for the time being. A little more attached as a mom and a little more intentional. I think the longing changed my brain. Please don't get me wrong, we have super hard days where I had this one over to Mike the minute he walks in the door from work. 

And my sweet girl. She can push buttons I never knew I had. She talks about her birthday every day. Seriously. EVERY. DAY. And her favorite stuffed animal. I feel so guilty when she does because I'm anti-stuffed animals. Space, dirt, stuffed animals, it's just not a good combo. 

And Micah. Taunting, teasing, Micah. He has a sweet heart but he loves to tease his little brother into oblivion. So, yeah, we have hard days.
But we also have some really good ones.
I think the past two days, Eden and Micah have both said to me that "this is the best day of my life". I love that, and want to feel that and believe that every day too.
I still get impatient, and sometimes I'm rude to my kids, but I think I have the frailty of life in the front of my brain and not the back. I remember when I was pregnant with Ezra, I would constantly tell myself that I'd celebrate when I held him in my arms. I feel like I have ever since. It's all so short, and not to be taken for granted, this beautiful life.

A goal and a simple start

I've often wondered how to get back to this little space that I used to love to look back on. When I do have the time, this blog has been one of the last places I want to go to. But when I look back, it's so fun to capture the memories with only a few minutes of time.
In 2014, Ezra was born in January, and I feel as though I hardly took any pictures because of always having a baby in my arms.  I wouldn't trade the pictures because I love that sweet time, but I know I can do better this year. My posts may be short and concise, but it'll be better than nothing. So, here's to more pictures, more stored memories.
 January 10th
Ezra's first birthday. His humble little party was already started downstairs, yet he was sound asleep in his afternoon nap. Just love him so much.

 January 21st
Eden didn't like how Ezra was obsessed with her baby. So, she gave him an old one. He's obsessed with poking the eyes, but other than that, I don't think he's a huge baby doll fan.

 January 23rd
There are legos everywhere in my house. I try to limit the rooms they're in, but even that doesn't work. Micah's in heaven in this picture with his two favorite things: Eden and legos.

January 23rd
Ezra, my little mess maker. Always. (See all the legos in the background?)