happy 2 year anniversary, lemon droppers!

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of the Lemon Droppers. Two years ago my friend Lindsay Teague Moreno came up with an idea... a plan... a DREAM.... that would change the world of essential oils and ultimately the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. I'm one of those lives.

I joined the Lemon Droppers in April 2013 and in the past 23 months my life has evolved into something I never imagined possible.

I've turned my family into oil obsessed fools (we use oils like we're freaking granola hippies. WHAT? That is so not us!).

We've learned so much about using essential oils and how to replace so many OTC medications in our home. We don't rush to the doctor when we get sick... we know with a majority of ailments we can take care of it at home- naturally and more quickly than with OTC/prescriptions- if we begin oil use early and apply often.

I've build a business that gives me the flexibility to live my life the way I've always dreamed of.

I have made a job I love and never want to stop thinking about.

This team... my job... has allowed my husband to quit his life-sucking J-O-B and work from home with me.

We've been able to pay off debt and student loans that I'd come to terms would take me decades- or until my death- to pay off.

I've formed relationships and strengthened friendships with some of the kindest, most encouraging, supportive people ever.

I have and will be traveling to places I never thought would be possible.

It is amazing, really, to think that so much could and has happened in the past two years. I'm forever thankful and so blessed to be a part of this team. To be able to experience all that life has to offer and to live life the way we want to. You only get one shot at this life. Go big or go home, and make the most of it! I can't wait to see what the next 2 years has in store. Without a doubt, it's going to be big and life changing.

you belong

Remember that time I was in Utah filming some videos with an awesome tribe of Lemon Droppers? When we first got our script, I'm pretty sure there wasn't a dry eye in the room. There may have been a few sobs from one preggo Lemon Dropper. This... this speaks to me. This is our heart. This is what it's all about.

“We’re not just about business. We’re a tribe. A clan. A family.”

Two years ago I was at a really REALLY low spot in my life. I was working from home in an oversaturated field (photography... you know it.... have SLR, become photographer... talent or not) in a market area where quick and cheap rules. Making ends meet was barely happening. My kids had been sick all winter and at the time, my oldest was home with a sore throat.

That day in April, when I had all 3 kiddos home with me, feeling lost and overwhelmed and like I was on a dead end road to forever being in debt, forever feeling like I was overworked, underpaid and under-appreciated- that day I took a huge leap of faith. Multiple things over the previous few weeks had pointed me to essential oils and after a long phone conversation with a friend (Michelle Heroff Sauer), I decided to charge my essential oil kit and try it out.

What I didn't know was that decision would change so many things in my life beyond our health. It changed friendships. It changed our habits. It changed our comfort zones. It changed our view on life. It changed our jobs. It changed our life. IT CHANGED OUR LIFE.

To say that investing in this little (awesome) kit of oils (because back then we didn't even get a diffuser with our kit!) changed me for the better is the truth. This team, these amazing, talented, strong, brave, funny, kind, encouraging women (and a few men!) have made me into a much better version of myself. We are all better today because of this crazy team called the Lemon Droppers. Because to be honest, that's what this business is all about- the people. Everything else, the health, the money, the rewards, the perks, the events, it’s all icing on the cake. The people are the core of the Lemon Droppers and they will always be. And, at the core of us, don’t we just want to belong to someone or something?

So, thank you, Lemon Droppers. Thank you for believing in me. For dreaming with me. For pushing me. For cheering me on. For empowering me. For trusting me. Thank you.

https://vimeo.com/123219458

first day of daycare

I have decided to put Amelia on daycare two days a week.  This is causing me some mommy guilt.  First let me preface this with "I am IN LOVE with the daycare she is going to".  Marleen is a good friend of mine and had taken care of Hudson from the time he was 1 until he went to preschool. She is amazing.  She loves her daycare babies and she is an amazing caretaker and teacher.  Yes.  She does amazing educational things every single day.  She is the best.  By far.

However.   I feel slightly guilty that I work from home and I'm "pawning" her off.  Now.  I can honestly say that I could send her to daycare 4 days a week and fill every hour of those days with work.... But even 2 short days feels so.... I don't know.   

Mondays is my day to volunteer in the boys' classrooms.  I'm gone from Amelia on Mondays anyhow, and I was having our teenage sitter come over on Thursdays to babysit while I was home so technically it's a better situation for her to go to daycare because she'll be around other kids her age and will be learning lots of educational things... Beyond what Sesame Street can teach her haha!

I'm really kind of excited for her to go.  Marleen was one of the reasons I had such a hard time deciding to stay home.  I love love loved her taking care of Hudson and when I quit my job I was so heartbroken that Amelia wouldn't get the chance to be cared for by Miss Marleen.   I know she is going to love going. She's such a social butterfly and so outgoing.  I can't wait to see pictures and videos Marleen takes!  

First cold of the year

Wouldn't you know that after over a year of no sickness in my house (kid-wise... If you recall I was sicker than a dog all last fall and winter, but praise God the boys were as healthy as horses since last summer? Spring!? I can't remember the last time they were really sick!) that all 3 of my kids would get sick the first week of school!?  Maybe it's a coincidence that we were all just at the geeky doctor for check ups/ flu-shots, or it could have been our recent visit to the Treehouse.   Whatever it was, I'm not amused.  My sweet bitty baby has her first cold :-(. Her little nose is all stuffy and she snores when she sleeps.  I hope it passes through quickly!

Tonight we went to Hudson's preschool open house.  I was pleasantly impressed with the program and classroom and think it will be great for him.  He seems excited to go back, too.  (couldn't have a thing to do with all the cool cars, trucks and construction vehicles they had...)

I am getting anxious to get into a routine once Hudson is at school 3 afternoons a week.  I'm on day 2 of this SAHM/WAHM gig and so far feel so unproductive!!  I will say, though, that I'm thoroughly loving it and feel like the events leading up to this change have been a blessing.  I get to snuggle my baby girl anytime I want, and see her sunny grin all day and hear her babble to me.  I also get to focus more attention on Hudson while he is my only big kid at home.  This year is going to be great.  I know it.  I just pray I'm able to create enough of an income to continue down this path.  I'm not sure I'll ever want to go back to working outside the home!

Another big change- I whacked off my hair today!  I have been living with my hair in a ponytail most of the time and it just isn't very flattering.  So I decided to go back to my super short haircut   At least it is an actual style.  I'm not thrilled with it yet-  I think it may need to be thinned out a little.

The other day I went to JoAnn for a few things and brought home a bag of $1 beads for Hudson.  He was SO excited over them.  I pretty much made his day.  He made 2 bracelets and wore them on his ankles for days.