Happy Birthday Elaina! !!!

2 years old!!!!!! Seriously didn't I just birth her?

Her birth was a little tumultuous but she arrived "sunny side up" with a few flat out distractions if not violations from the doctor she arrived a few hours after my Mother and I arrived at the hospital..

Happy Birthday Elaina!!!!

Predictable Sunday

Kids at church.....

Kids at the creek....

Bennie found a tadpole!!!

The mice will play

I leave Dad at home with some little kids and popsicles. What did I think would happen?

Etta experimenting with food

I found this awesome combination of flavors for Etta to try. She isn't into baby food yet. I like to offer homemade baby food or just feed off my plate but I couldn't pass up this choice. She tried it. Not a fan yet. I like it though. It would go great in yogurt or pancakes.....

To the library again

With 7+ 1 kids in tow we headed to the library and then on to Whole Foods. I left dad at home to have some quiet time. Lyn brought a friend along and after we picked up Annika we ran around town. I love driving my air-conditioned passenger van and not having to pack a diaper bag. I grabbed a few diapers a baby sling and nursed my baby as needed. After a long nap Lyn, her friend, Annika, and Eliot and I headed to the creek to play but it was really crowded so we didn't stay long. 

Roadside beauty

I see these all over especially on roadsides. I need to look up the exact species but I am sure they are a thistle. I uprooted and transplanted two smaller ones. Hopefully they will take in my yard. I know most people consider them a weed but I see them as an important herb.

In need of reflection

I love my children and husband.  I know I need to work and help take care of my household. There are so many things around the house that need to be taken care of. Little cosmetic things like new flooring and big things like a new toilet and water heater. I would also love to convert the garage into a bedroom or possibly two.

But I so want to take a weekend and reflect on life and it's meaning in general.  A nice retreat into the woods or to the beach would be awesome.  Connecting to the life force driving the universe would be nice.....

Teaching 2 year olds rock (sometimes)

Finger painting octopuses in class today. Or, are they octopi?

First foods

Etta tried a little oatmeal with bananas tonigjt. She had a few bites. She may be getting ready.

Antibiotic Essential Oils

I am a firm believer in using nutrition,  herbs, rest, sunshine,  and essential oils to maintain my health and sometimes to cure or treat a health problem. I am not a medical professional and am not saying this is for everyone but it worked for me.

I teach toddlers and 4 of them came down with strep this past week. I got a sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils with pustules.  I also had the makings of mastitis on top of it all. I do not have health insurance and could not afford a trip to the doctor.  I assumed I had strep throat because of my symptoms and exposure.  I broke down and treated the pain with ibuprofen even though I didn't want to. I took detox baths diffused lemon EO. I then ingested a capsule of each of the oils pictured twice a day for two and a half days. All of my symptoms disappeared from my throat and my breast.

A lot of people are afraid to ingest EOs. I don't blame them. They can be harmful if misused or of poor quality.  But so can drugs.  More people die or are harmed from prescription drug and OTC drug use than from EO use everyday. I never take my health lightly. I am well. It may have totally been a coincidence or the oils could have been the perfect treatment.  All I know is I am thankful I am well.

Pre Summer Fun

The kids played in the sprinkler a little this Memorial Day.