While Daddy was gone...

Jacob and his dad had the amazing opportunity to go to Northern Ireland for 11 days - they got back a couple Tuesday's ago (haha, this post has been in the works for awhile as usual). Although we missed them tons, we had lots of fun here too. :)

Friday: Grammie drove them to the airport in Nashville. About 30 minutes after they left, Lily got a small tack stuck in the bottom of her foot. Thankfully I was able to get it out and "doctor" her foot with essential oils so we avoided an ER visit. Within 10 minutes she was running around and didn't mention it anymore. So thankful! Yaya and Papaw met us in the evening and went with us to Aldi and Walmart.

Saturday: We played and painted. Lily got stung on her chin by a red wasp. :( We got some oils on it quickly and there was no pain (or swelling) after a couple minutes and then she was back outside playing. I was almost scared to get out of bed the next day after Lily getting hurt the first two days Jacob was gone. Thankfully we didn't have anymore crazy accidents!

Sunday: The day actually went very smoothly. I had lots of help at church - Grammie kept Ava during the service, Uncle Judah carried Ava (and her carseat) to the van, Hannah helped buckling the kids, etc. Lily commented, "Everyone sure is helpful today!" lol

Monday: We met some extended family at Cracker Barrel for breakfast. It was a super hot day so we spent lots of time doing puzzles.

Tuesday: Papaw came over and played with the kids, cleaned up junk in our back yard, killed a wasp nest in our garbage can, read books, and ate lunch with us. So fun! We ran some errands in the afternoon.

Wednesday: My mom and my youngest brother watched three kiddos while I took Levi to get new lenses in his glasses. It was a pretty afternoon, so we spent lots of time outside playing.

Thursday: Everyone napped (typically Lily and Levi just rest/read) then we had supper with friends and family. It was so fun!

Friday: Levi and Asher were having some issues being kind to one another, so we had some "holding hands time outs" which seemed to help. Then we went to play at the park and took a nature walk. Friday night we had a sleepover at Grammie's. 

Saturday: My view when I woke up. Asher had some trouble sleeping so he ended up in bed with me and Ava. :) Mom came in the afternoon while the kids were napping so I could run get a few groceries. In the evening, we went for a long walk. 

Sunday: Church, dinner at church, home for naps, back to church, supper with my family...a fun, full day!

Monday: We spent time cleaning, ran some errands, made welcome home signs to hold at the airport,  Aunt Elizabeth came to play, and we went to the park with my sister and her family in the evening. 

Tuesday: DADDY'S HOME!!!!!!!! We went to the library in the morning and ran a couple other errands, then we followed Grammie to Nashville to pick up Jacob and Grandpa. Unfortunately, there was a wreck and we got stuck in tons of traffic. We finally made it to the airport after the plane landed and just picked them up outside the baggage claim area. It was disappointing not to not get there in time to welcome them off the plane, but we were just thrilled to have them home! 

We ate supper in Franklin, TN at Chipotle {yum!} and took the kids to the mall play area to burn off a little energy before the drive home. 

memorial day and a wedding

Uh huh, a few weeks late posting these pictures, but life happens. :) We are enjoying a great summer so far. We are spending lots of time at the park, splash pad, and library - and lots of time inside reading and playing. My word, it's been SO hot the last week or so! 

We enjoyed a yummy lunch with my side of the family on Memorial Day. Jacob smoked some meat and we had potato salad, slaw, chips, and baked beans - one of my favorite meals! The kids had a blast playing in the sprinkler and bubble machine. My sister got a bunch of yard games and we had lots of fun playing them. My brother-in-law taught the kids how to do an egg race (with plastic eggs/spoons). It was the most hilarious thing to watch! :)

Papaw, Cameron (my nephew), and Levi chillin' in the swing.

Jacob and Lily. 

After Memorial Day we had a super busy week getting ready for my brother's wedding. Luke married Hannah, our babysitter and dear friend! I was a bridesmaid, Lily was the flower girl, Levi was a ring bearer, and Jacob organized the music - fun, but crazy! Ha. 

The day before the wedding, Lily and I got to attend the bridal luncheon and then go with all the other girls to get our nails done! It was Lily's first mani/pedi - she loved it! :)

Jacob was amazing help the day of the wedding - he had to take care of and dress the kids and get them to the church for pictures. I had to go early to get ready and have some of the wedding party pictures.

This is how the groomsmen rode to the park for pictures.

Me and my beautiful sister. Love her!

Our family...except for Asher who fell asleep on the pew while we waited for the pictures to start.

Levi and Ridley - ring bearers. Such cuties! :)

Lily did so well! 

Jacob, me, Luke, and Hannah

And they are off...in a shower of birdseed. :)

Lemon Cupcakes

Today I'm participating in the Essentially Summer Recipe Series that has been going on this week. I am looking forward to trying lots of new recipes! Sondra finished up yesterday's Main Dishes with her Veggie Lasagna.

To start off the Desserts today, I'm excited to share this recipe for Lemon Cupcakes. I have made these cupcakes for 5 different events and they always get rave reviews - they are quick and easy, and they are yummy! Win-win! :)

Lemon Cupcakes

Yield about 20 cupcakes

Ingredients

for the cupcakes:

1 yellow cake mix

3 eggs

1 cup water

1/3 cup oil

5 drops Young Living Lemon Essential Oil

zest from one lemon

for the frosting:

1/2 cup softened butter

3 oz softened cream cheese

6 cups powdered sugar

3-4 drops Young Living Lemon Essential Oil

2-3 Tablespoons milk

To make cupcakes, preheat oven to 350. Line cupcake pans with paper liners. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together on low for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping down bowl as needed.

Divide the batter evenly between prepared cupcake liners, filling each half full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pans about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make frosting, cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, lemon oil, and milk (start with 2 Tablespoons and add more if needed). Mix on low until combined and then beat well on medium speed. Frost cupcakes. Store in the refrigerator.

I love adding oils to many recipes. I hope this series inspires you to add some flavor with your oils!

Are you ready to jump in to this wonderful world of caring for your family with therapeutic grade essential oils? The time is now! Click here to learn more or contact the person who introduced you to the “Essentially Summer” blog recipe series! :)

Next up is Becky at Rooted Blessings with Paleo Key Lime Cheesecake. Yummy!

Be sure to check out all the great recipes in the "Essentially Summer" blogger recipe series.

Best weekend. (and how I kick the "mama funk")

This post was started about a month ago...forgive my delinquent posting.

Last weekend was just the best weekend we've had in a long time. Well, honestly, the last few weeks have been the best we've had in months. I have a little secret that has changed my life...it's called Frankincense. Yes, an essential oil. I started using is about three weeks ago on my face because it is so good for skin. I had no idea that it would help kick the "mama funk" (or whatever it was) out the window! 

For months I had been feeling so blah about everything and I wasn't getting out of the house with all the kids by myself, like at all. I just felt like I couldn't handle it. So after I started this routine of applying Frankincense on my face every morning, I started noticing that our days were going much more smoothly. Why? you might ask - because I was in so much better spirits, because I was feeling better emotionally. We've been getting out of the house a ton, and I have renewed vigor for being a mama. I am so, so thankful! I know it probably sounds crazy, but don't knock it til you've tried it! :)

A family walk.

Sweet Ava.

These babies are my sunshine.

We have lots of climbers in the family.

I've even managed grocery shopping with all 4 several times in the last month. You mama's with littles know that's quite an undertaking. :)

Resurrection Day 2014

We had a fun weekend with lots of memories made. On Saturday, the children and I made resurrection cookies. They loved participating in every step of the recipe and of course, enjoying them for breakfast Sunday morning! :) 

We enjoyed worshipping our risen Savior at church and then we had our traditional dinner at Memaw's house (my sister and her family live there now). We are missing Memaw so much as it comes up on a year of her illness and passing. I'm thankful for the many special memories we have of her.

Oh, these sweeties. I'm blessed beyond measure to be their mama!

How thankful I am to share this crazy life with this guy. He is the best husband and greatest daddy!

We always have to do a funny face picture. :)

Detox Your Home - DIY Dishwasher Detergent

Good Morning! A special welcome to those visiting from A Happy Healthnut! I'm excited to kick off the 4th day of the Detox Your Home series. Be sure to follow the links today and check out this post for all the links from the previous days.

I have to admit I was a little skeptical of trying this recipe because I have made 2 other homemade dishwasher detergent recipes in the past and they were both a big fat FAIL! My drinking glasses came out cloudy and my dishes had a weird film on them. 

But, I'm here to tell you that this recipe is amazing and it really does work! I've used it for about a week and my dishes have been clean and sparkling! The best part is that this recipe is quick and easy to make, and very inexpensive! I do recommend using Young Living essential oils as that is the only difference in this recipe and one of the recipes I made before. 

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

(from The Chemical Free Home by Melissa Poepping)

1 cup baking soda

1 cup borax

1/4 cup citric acid (found near canning supplies at Walmart)

15 drops lemon essential oil

10 drops orange essential oil

Mix together in a quart jar or a bowl. Add a sachet of white rice to absorb moisture. Add 2 Tablespoons of detergent per load.

I know this is not the greatest before and after picture because my glass has a bunch of scratches on it, but hopefully you can tell the difference! :)

I hope you are inspired to try the great non-toxic recipes for your home, personal care, and pets that we are sharing during this series!

Are you ready to jump in to this wonderful world of caring for yourself and your family naturally with essential oils?? Click here to learn more or contact the person who introduced you to the "Detox Your Home" Spring blog series! We are all offering a FREE copy of The Chemical Free Home to anyone {in the U.S.} who signs up with premium starter kit through April 7th!! 

To continue the series, head over to The Home Life {and Me} and learn how to make probiotic deodorant. 

Be sure to check out all the posts in the "Detox Your Home" Spring blogger series, click here.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I’m just a mom who has experienced amazing results with essential oils in our home.