Rosemary Beach: OUR Vacation

When your husband tells you he's booked a vacation for JUST THE TWO OF YOU...what do you do?

Well...if you're me, you get a stomach ache and you over analyze and you 'what if' and you have anxiety for 2 weeks.  

BUT! THEN YOU GO AND YOU HAVE THE BEST TIME and VOW TO DO IT EVERY YEAR!

Lance booked us a trip to Rosemary Beach, our favorite vacation spot before we had kids.

He arranged to have Honey take care of our babies and off we went.

Packing + Planning + Grocery Shopping prior to the trip was ALL WORTH IT.  

And the worry and anxiety was for nothing, as always!

I am SO thankful that he booked this trip for us.  He knew I'd never book it, but knew that we needed this trip.  This relax & unwind time.  Just us.

The first day was a little weird.  What do we do without kids?  What do we talk about?  Wait...we CAN talk without being interrupted.  We can eat what we want to eat.  We can do whatever the heck we want!  SUCH A STRANGE FEELING.  

After that first day, it got easier being away and just relaxing.  

The kids were in great hands and having a wonderful time.

Bedtime was going smoothly and they were all smiles every time we face-timed. 

That's Lance in the yellow going to get our chairs for the day.

I mean...going to the beach with 1 bag and 1 cooler...now, THAT is vacation!

Lance is definitely the more adventurous of the two of us. 

But I love that he made me do something that I wouldn't have normally done.

We rented a Kayak for an hour and did our best to find some sand dollars but with no luck.

Well, we found them...but with no goggles and news of shark attacks, we (he) played it safe.

He knew I wasn't dare getting in the deep deep ocean!

Next time, we'll bring the goggles for the big kid.  

We walked the beach in the early morning and found tons of shells.  

Something I always want to do but with kids we never make it out there that early.  

It was nice to just walk and collect.

Easton would have loved finding all these shells!

I'm pretty sure there's a spot just like this for me in Heaven.  

This is as close to Heaven on Earth as it gets to me. 

Our last full day was my favorite.

We didn't pack lunch.

When we decided we were ready to eat, we walked off the beach and found a little restaurant in town.

Swimsuit clad with sand on our feet we sat down and had a yummy little lunch, just the two of us.  

With full bellies we headed back out to the beach to soak up that last little bit of sunshine left before we had to come home.  

Now, I love a family vacation just as much as the next person, but to just be the two of us for a few days was so wonderful!  

We certainly missed the kids, but to know they were happy and well taken care of allowed us to fully relax and enjoy ourselves.

It is so important to make time for your spouse.  I would really love a monthly date night but we don't do that near as much as we should!  Hardly ever, to be honest. 

This trip was so wonderful and I'm so thankful for a husband who made the effort to plan this trip for us.

Until Next Time, Rosemary!

And in my dreams.

And thank you, Boo, for making this trip possible, with all your hard work for us!

A lesson from the Birds

The nest is empty.

Yesterday I went out to check on my babies and they were gone.  All 4.  Without a trace.  

In the back yard, there is another nest.  The babies are bigger.  One had decided he was ready to leave the nest and he hopped around the back yard all day yesterday.  He perched up on the trampoline for several hours, afraid to fly, or waiting for someone to do it for him. Lance coaxed him off and he flew to the fence to sit. He must have slept on the fence all night, because he was in the same spot as I saw him last night before dark.  All alone.  This morning he was on the outside of the screened in porch and let me get right up next to him to take his picture.  He flew off and flew to the back corner of the yard.  He couldn’t get outside of the fence.  His skills just weren’t there yet.  A little while later, I came out to check on him and see where he was and I found him in the kids swimming pool.  I had to scoop him out myself.  

All of this has me thinking.  And questioning so much.  Yes, they are just birds, but there must be a lesson here.  My mom told me to sit down and pray and think this over and listen to what God wants to teach me about this.  So after some time, I’ve come to this.  Bare with me.  

As I was getting ready, I was looking in the mirror and behind me was yet another nest.  Up high on the gutter.  The same place as at least 3 other nests are.  Tucked in between the brick and the aluminum downspout, under the roof.  Safe from the elements.  Safe from any predator on the ground.  There were 3 birds, bigger than my ones on the porch, peeking their little heads out of the nest.  Wanting so bad to get down out of there and spread their wings and fly.  Yet.  Waiting.  It wasn’t time yet.  In my research I’ve found that once hatched the babies are in the nest around 2 weeks before they fly off.  So, I’d say they were close to that 2 week old mark.  But they are up there, safe, knowing and trusting that they are going to be cared for and they will leave the nest when nature says its time.

If only that little one in the back yard would have done the same.  If only that momma that built her nest about three and a half feet up on the side porch, would have built hers up higher.  In a fern.  In the downspout crevice.  I’d still have 5 little birds to watch. Yes, there are plenty more tucked in around here, but the loss of those 5 has me heart broken.  

I started to compare those 5 to my own life.  Trying to make sense of it and see a lesson.  Because theres a lesson if we’ll just Be Still and look.  

How often does my life look like the bird in the back yard.  My life all safe and secure in my little nest with my family.  Food being provided.  Shelter from the storms.  Yet, I decide to branch out and try it on my own.  Because, hey, I’ve got this.  I can do it.  So I hop out.  The landing not so graceful, but I’m out of the nest, I’ve done it.  Yet, I flit and flutter on my own, trying to do life on my own, without the help of My Father and I end up hungry, alone, without the shelter of His Wing.  And eventually I fail.  Thankfully, I’ve not drown because of my own shortcomings, but there have been times I sure feel like I’m drowning.  

Or what about the momma that made her nest too low.  And something got her babies.  Why did she build it so low?  Was it easier to do it right there?  Less of a trip from the ground, up, to build her nest.  Close to the flower bed where bugs and worms are plenty.  Did she feel safe on my porch, where it looked cozy?  Was she too confident in her own self that she could protect those babies?  No matter how low her nest was.  Lance commented several times ‘that’s why they build their nest up high, so no one gets them.’  But she set her focus on the easy.  She didn’t focus on looking UP to see where else she could build her nest, find security. 

Yet, again.  I can see the correlation between myself and these birds.  I see things eye level so many times.  That nest on the porch was right below eye level.  But it wasn’t safe.  The things of this world are eye level.  They look easy. I can do it myself.  I can protect my children.  I can keep watch over my nest.  But I can’t.  I have to look above to see the bigger picture.  That my nest is only safe when I place it up high, in the hands of The Father.  Only truly safe under His watchful eye.  He gave me these birds in my own nest to care for, and to look over, but I cannot care for them on my own.  I can only care for them when I’ve fully trusted in Him.  

For a week now I’ve been taking Emerson’s blood sugar, on recommendation of her genetics team.  It’s been in the 60’s every morning, despite late night feedings, and early morning wake ups.  It just wasn’t making sense.  But, it donned on me yesterday, what the cardiologist reminded me.  “You know your child better than any doctor ever will.  You are the parent.”  And God gave us these children to care for.  And He gave us the intuition to know how to care for them.  My abilities as a mother don’t come from me.  They come from Above.  Where moth & rust will not destroy.  Where there is no pain.  No sorrow.  No light momentary affliction.  So last night, I threw it all to the wind.  Or shall I say, to the Father.  And this morning, her blood sugar was right where it should be, in the 70’s!  

That salvation, and hope that we have “is kept in Heaven for you, pure and undefiled, BEYOND THE REACH of change and decay.”  1 Peter 1:3-9 portrays this Hope so beautifully.  As easy as it SEEMS to do it on our own, it’s not.  It’s so much better to put our trust and hope in Him.  He is our protector.  Our reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of our souls.

Press on dear friends.  Keep the faith.  Keep looking up.  Build your nest under the protection of His Wing.  Stay in the nest.  Because He is the only REAL protection that there is.  

Easton Turns FIVE:: Ninja Turtle Birthday Party!

We had such a fun time this weekend celebrating Easton's upcoming FIFTH Birthday!

I really can't believe he's going to be 5!  TOMORROW!

We sat down together a few weekends to look at Pinterest to see what kind of party he would like.

We saw one Ninja Turtle Party and he was sold!  

I did my best to make that happen in the cutest, non Ninja Turtle graphic way!

Touches of green with red, orange, blue & purple and away we went!

The food is always the most fun for me!

Ninja Turtles eat Pizza, so we started with that!

We also had Pasta Salad, Fruit (do you see the ninja turtle on the fruit?!!!), chips & salsa and dipped pretzels. 

It's not a birthday at the Farrar house without dipped Pretzels.

And of course, cupcakes.

The cupcakes were just a white cake mix that I made green and then made the white icing a color for each of the Ninja's.  

I got the cute Cupcake wrappers and toppers at The Wal-Mart's.

For Party Favors, I purchased Ninja Turtle cups at Target and also had a Ninja Turtle coloring set (not pictured) that I found at Joann. 

I added washi tape to the straws for the kids so we could add their names.

The decor was simple.

I made a fabric scrap bunting, Ninja Turtle Paper Lanterns (from these---they sell them in green sets), and then I got 4 sheets of felt and some elastic for the masks.

My dad picked up the balloons for us on his way to top off our green theme!

I designed the invites myself, using Ipiccy.  So easy and they turned out so cute!

Shirts by my SIL, Jamey! Fabric from Joann.

Cowabunga Dude!

Essential Oil Series:: Part 3:: DIY Oil Recipe

So!  This week I thought I'd show you how I use 2 of my oils.

This cream is wonderful to have on hand.  Literally.  

Dry skin.

Chapped Skin.

Diaper Rash.

Eczema.

The options are endless!

You will need:

1 cup of coconut oil

10 drops Lavender Essential Oil

20 drops Melrose Essential Oil

Blender + Small Glass Jar

Directions:

Put 1 cup of coconut oil in mixing bowl.

Drop essential oils on top of the coconut oil.

Blend slowly, increasing the speed gradually.

Continue mixing until the coconut oil becomes light & fluffy.

Once all combined, use a silicone spatula to get alllllll that goodness out of your bowl.

Transfer to glass jar & enjoy!

**also-did you know that once you WHIP coconut oil it doesn't harden again???

You'll want to whip all the coconut oil once you try this!  Promise!

I made a batch of this up last week for a friend who's little fella had an allergic reaction to his antibiotic.  His little skin was red and itchy.  She said within a few hours the itching had stopped and it wasn't near as red!  #oilsforthewin #again 

I saved a little extra for us and have been using it on my little's as well.  Both have super sensitive skin and this has really calmed those dry, itchy patches.

This combo works excellent for diaper rash too!  

I talked about Lavender & Melrose individually here last week if you missed it!  

If you are interested in learning more about Young Living Essential Oils you can email me:

a {dot} farrar {at} hotmail {dot} com

If you are ready to purchase your very own Premium Starter Kit, click on the link below:

KIT LINK

• Make sure to select Wholesale member- this will give you that 24% discount on all future order
• Enter my # in the sponsor and enroller ID section, if it isn’t already filled out: 1958042                   {{This will put you on my team- we have a great Facebook group ready to help you LEARN!}} 
• Enter your personal info
• Select your starter kit (Premium Starter Kit, $150)
• You can add additional oils at this time
• Complete your order!
• WELCOME!!!! You are going to LOVE these oils!!!

TIP:: Please follow the link from a computer. It doesn't work right from iPad or iPhone.  

I would LOVE to have you on my team!

REMINDER: this information is MY OPINION.  I am NOT a health care professional.  This is merely how my family uses our oils.  As always, consult your own health care professional when making health care decisions for yourself and your family.  These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

Essential Oil Series:: Part 2:: My Top 5

This is so hard for me to narrow down, because I do use SO MANY of them every. single. day.

But these are the ones I reach for the most and why.

My first answer is always THIEVES! THIEVES! THIEVES! when someone asks me what my favorite is...but really, I love them all!  And they can all do so many things!  I love having these oils as my first line of defense for the care of myself & my family but I will certainly treat with meds if need be.  

Thieves:  As I mentioned before, we use thieves daily.

I put a dime size amount of coconut oil in my palm and a drop of thieves on top of that, rub together and apply to little feet.  Cover with socks and shoes and we are ready to go.  My kids know they get thieves before we leave the house. I sit them on the edge of the bathtub so we don't get oil everywhere.

I diffuse thieves in their rooms each night.  We come in contact with so.many.germs on a daily basis so this is one way I can do my part to keep our house clean.  Thieves can clean the air when diffused. 

I use Thieves to clean with as well.  I will put a drop of thieves + a drop of lemon in a bucket of hot water and mop my floor.  SO much better than harsh chemicals!

I also occasionally add a drop of thieves on top of my toothpaste.  Thieves is a "hot oil" so be ready for a bit of a burn, but it feels good to me!  That first time is a shock though!  

I love to make Thieves Tea also.  If I feel a tickle in my throat, my first approach is to make a cup of hot tea.  I use Orange Tea + local honey + 1 drop each of thieves + lemon.

Thieves is immune enhancing!  Sign me up for that!

Lavender: I love Lavender.  I didn't at first, but I've found so many uses for it.

Just recently, Easton bumped his chin on the monkey bars at school.  When he got home we make a little paste of coconut oil + lavender.  I applied that to his chin 3 times that night and then once the next morning.  I was shocked at just how fast the strawberry disappeared.

We love Lavender for sleep.  It helps me relax and sleep soundly.  I have also used it diluted on Emerson's back and feet when I feel like she's geared up.

Lavender in the bath is so wonderful.  Mix a few drops in some epsom salts and soak in the relaxation.

When I was Pregnant, I got TERRIBLE carpal tunnel in my wrist.  It will still flare up occasionally when I'm crocheting or making rulers.  I rub a little on my thumb and wrist and it feels so much better.  I like PanAway with this combo too if its really sore. 

Stress Away: Copiaba, Lime, Cedarwood, Ocetea, Lavender & Vanilla

NEED I SAY MORE!  Lime + Vanilla is what I smell when I apply this oil.

I apply this at night time before bed on my neck and shoulders.  I carry my stress in my shoulders and this does a wonderful job at easing that load.  

I'm overly anxious at night.  I don't know why, but I am.  I have found that this really addresses that anxiety and helps me relax.  

This blend really does smell wonderful.  Sometimes I just apply it simply for the smell.

Cedarwood:

I use Cedarwood primarily for sleep.  I find that it really helps me go to sleep and stay asleep.

Again, being a nervous nelly at night time, I need all the help I can get.  

Cedarwood is great for your hair.  I have mixed it with my shampoo and really love it.

I've also heard of folks mixing it with coconut oil to rub on cellulite.  I'm making no claims here...but that's what i've heard!

Melrose:

I LOVE MELROSE.  ALMOST AS MUCH AS I LOVE THIEVES!

I use Melrose as my moisturizer. I use about 5 drops of Grapeseed Oil+ 1 drop of melrose and apply to clean skin.  I was an avid name brand moisturizer user.  But I ran out of grape seed and went back to my bottle of moisturizer until I could get more grape seed oil and my skin was not happy.  I had major blemishes start popping up.  Within 1 night of using my melrose combo again, I was already clearing up!  I will NOT run out of grape seed (or jojoba is good for skin too) again.

I have used Melrose + grape seed on easton eczema spots.  He has a few that flare up in extreme hot or cold and this really helps him. 

Melrose can get rid of odors in a room too! It's a good one to diffuse.  It has Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree Oil) and Clove in it, along with some other wonderful oils.  But I pick up the Mel A and Clove the most.  Both are wonderful oils!  

I've applied Melrose to cold sores with a little bit of carrier oil as well.  Love using it on cold sores.  

Melrose is a great oil to use on scrapes, cuts, burns & rashes.  I love this oil.

I hope you've enjoyed this little overview of my favorite oils.  

If you are interested in learning more about Young Living Essential Oils you can email me:

a {dot} farrar {at} hotmail {dot} com

If you are ready to purchase your very own Premium Starter Kit, click on the link below:

KIT LINK

• Make sure to select Wholesale member- this will give you that 24% discount on all future orders
• Enter my # in the sponsor and enroller ID section, if it isn’t already filled out: 1958042
• Enter your personal info
• Select your starter kit (Premium Starter Kit, $150)
• You can add additional oils at this time
• Complete your order!
• WELCOME!!!! You are going to LOVE these oils!!!

TIP:: Please follow the link from a computer. It doesn't work right from iPad or iPhone.  

I would LOVE to have you on my team!

REMINDER: this information is MY OPINION.  I am NOT a health care professional.  This is merely how my family uses our oils.  As always, consult your own health care professional when making health care decisions for yourself and your family.  These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

Essential Oil Series:: Part 1:: Why Oils?

Most of you know I love me some Young Living Essential Oils!  

I haven't touched on this topic yet on the blog so I thought it would be good to tell you why I use Essential Oils for my family!

Why Oils?

• They keep us healthy.  At the first sign of sickness, we oil.  Early & often is the key!  If I feel a tickle in my throat, I apply.  And reapply.  And reapply.
• They help me sleep.  I'm a nervous nelly at night.  I get anxiety.  I take a warm bath before bed and finish with a few drops of oil behind my ears and then on top of my ears.  They help me fall to sleep and sleep soundly.
• They feel great on my skin.  I've started using jojoba + essential oils on my face each night.  My skin has cleared up & isn't dry like it was in the past.  I also use it for diaper rash, eczema & minor cuts + scrapes.
• They give me confidence.  Maybe it's mental, maybe it's oils.  But I know, when I apply our oils, for whatever need it may be for, I am confident I'm doing what's best for my family.  Whether it be caring for my family in time of sickness, promote sleep, calm a fussy baby or even to increase immunity (and keep #allthegerms away), I believe I'm doing what is best and right for my family.

We started using oils before all the cool kids were doing it.  I bought Thieves Soap from a local Homesteading family.  I didn't know what I was using, except they told me it kept germs away and I was sold.  We started using it when Easton was about 2.  Then when Emerson was born with a metabolic disease that can effect her most at times of sickness, I stepped up and purchased Thieves + Purification Essential Oils.  Then, my best friend became a distributer and I purchased a kit from her to help her business.  I started sharing how we used oils and the rest is history!

I try oils first anytime we have any sort of health issue.  I am not so far crunchy to say that we don't use medicine, because I'll be the first one to call the doctor if my kids are sick. But I've been pleasantly surprised with how well we can reroute a sniffle or tummy trouble with the help of essential oils.  

It's hard for me to narrow down what my favorite oil is.  I would first say THIEVES!!!...but then I think, no wait...I really love Purification because it makes my house smell so fresh & clean...but then I remember that lovely Vanilla smell when I apply Stress Away at night and drift off to neverland...and then I think, oooooo, Peppermint...it soothes my headaches and sore muscles....and Lavender opens me right up when I have a cold...There really is no way to narrow down to just one.

That's why I recommend starting with our Premium Starter Kit.  You get 11 of our most popular oils + a Home Diffuser.  

If you are interested in learning more about Young Living Essential Oils you can email me:

a {dot} farrar {at} hotmail {dot} com

If you are ready to purchase your very own Premium Starter Kit, click on the link below:

KIT LINK

• Make sure to select Wholesale member- this will give you that 24% discount on all future orders
• Enter my # in the sponsor and enroller ID section, if it isn’t already filled out: 1958042
• Enter your personal info
• Select your starter kit (Premium Starter Kit, $150)
• You can add additional oils at this time
• Complete your order!
• WELCOME!!!! You are going to LOVE these oils!!!

TIP:: Please follow the link from a computer. It doesn't work right from iPad or iPhone.  

I would LOVE to have you on my team!

I'll be back next week with my Top 5 oils! 

REMINDER: this information is MY OPINION.  I am NOT a health care professional.  This is merely how my family uses our oils.  As always, consult your own health care professional when making health care decisions for yourself and your family.  These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

What's Cookin?

Ok!  So in my attempts to eat better, get healthier, feel more organized in the food department, I decided to Meal Plan & Grocery List again.  Brilliant.   I know.

I have some picky & special needs eaters at my house, so this requires a lot of organization on my part.

And yeah, it's Tuesday...so I'm a day late (and a dollar short), but here's my SupperTime Menu this week!

Monday: BBQ Take Out 

Tuesday: Chicken Pasta with Spinach + Cherry Tomatoes with Roasted Green Veggies

{{Cut up chicken tenderloins with Kitchen Scissors.  Cook in coconut oil in skillet.  Cook Pasta in separate pan.  Add Pasta to chicken.  Pour in 1/2 cup to cup of Tuscan House Italian Dressing.  Add in quartered cherry tom's & spinach, cooking till warm.}}

Wednesday: Chicken Casserole + zucchini

Thursday: Hamburger Flatbreads + Sweet Potato Fries

Friday: Chili Soup + Grilled Cheese

Saturday/Sunday: Burrito Bowls or Out to Eat

Meals are SO stressful to me.  But having it all planned out, and the fridge stocked puts me in such a more creative mind set when it comes to dinners.

What's on the menu for y'all this week???

Happy Cooking! {and saving money eating at home!}