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.

Happy 8th Birthday, Porter Evan!

Porter.... again, I will always say this... HOW are you getting so old?  The days are SO so long, and sometimes filled with grumpiness and frustration, but the years are SO short, and so bittersweet.  I adore the person you are becoming.  My god, you are the most sensitive, caring boy ever.  (Well, not exactly sensitive and caring toward your brother, but... we're working on that!).  I am always amazed at how big your heart is.  

The other day I sent you to school with snacks for the week.  It is your responsibility to eat one snack a day at snack-time.  On Wednesday you told your dad and I that you had "14 tiny heart candies for snack, and that's all"  I started to grill you on why you didn't have a snack, as I'd JUST reminded you that day that you need to be responsible with your snacks.  You explained "I gave it to Max.  He didn't have a snack because he gave his to Leah, so I gave him mine."   Stopped me dead in my tracks... and my heart exploded on the spot.  My boy, never lose your kindness... never lose your heart.

You are such a helpful boy, and always have been.  Whenever it snows, you shovel our sidewalk and often our driveway.  And then you head to the two neighbors houses and shovel their sidewalks.  Even if its only 1/2" of snow.   The other day Mr. Steve's dog Dexter was loose before school.  You threw on my Uggs, a coat and ran out to get him and take him home.  Never mind it was 5* out, or windy and cold.   You came back and said your feet were frozen because my boots had fallen off of you.   Later that evening Mr. Steve told daddy to thank you for bringing Dexter back.  And he told him that Dexter had drug you through the 3' snow drift between our driveways, and that's how you lost your boots.  Oh my goodness we laughed so hard!

You're very interested in becoming a Police Officer when you grow up.  I can definitely see this happening!  You love to be bossy and try to make people follow the rules.  Especially Hudson and Amelia!  You're a true oldest child, that's for sure!

This year I've noticed some new traits in you.  Well, maybe they're traits you've always had, but they're just blossoming more now that you're getting older.  Your teacher mentioned to me one day that "he remembers being the shy kid in class too" meaning... he could empathize with you being quiet and shy in class.  This stopped me dead in my tracks.  Porter?  Shy?  No way.  But the more I watch you in class, the more I observe you at school, you are reserved. And quiet.  And I wouldn't go so far as to say shy but you aren't the loud, boisterous, obnoxious boy we see at home.   You're still friendly and outgoing, but you have this reserved peace about you.   You're a good kid... a dependable one in class.  You are proud of your accomplishments, and kind to others.

You can still be kind of sneaky though.  One Thursday while I was volunteering at school, you came down to Hudson's class at 2:45, a whole 15 minutes before I usually take you guys out of school on my volunteer days.  I asked what you were doing and you said you'd asked to use the bathroom and then "just decided it was close enough to the end of the day I'd come down and see if you were ready."  I shooed you back to class and as you walked by, one of the teachers at school said "Is he your son?"  I told her yes.  She said "I just love him!  He is such a neat kid. We have some great conversations.  He's a good kid."   I am telling you, Porter... that made me so so proud.  I was beaming.

This year has been challenging with you as you've started to lie to us.  Its not usually anything serious, but we catch you in lies quite often.  I'm not sure if it is a stage, or if its just your age, but oh my.... I can't wait for it to be over.  We've stressed over and over how important it is to tell the truth, and that we are family and we don't lie to each other.    Still, we will catch you in fibs.  A lot of times it is sneaky things like... Daddy told you not to take anymore hotwheels outside so you told him you were going to go upstairs to play legos.  You came back down with some hotwheels stuffed in your pocket and Daddy busted you.  You told him "I changed my mind and decided I didn't want to play legos."  Yeah... still doesn't mean you don't have to listen to what he told you earlier!   Porter, Porter, Porter.  

You still love football best out of your sports.  You enjoyed wrestling and you seem to really enjoy baseball as well.    I'm excited for your new adventure with Cub Scouts this year- I think this will be right up your alley.

Porter, I know sometimes I can forget how sensitive you are.  And sometimes... okay, a lot of times... I can be really hard on you and expect a lot from you.   There are times I realize I've crushed you and I apologize and I feel terrible.  I pray that you will always remember that I'm only human, and I love you so much even though there are times I know you think otherwise.  I know the road ahead has many ups and downs and there will be times you don't like me at all, and times you'll think I'm against anything you stand for.  But Porter, please always remember I love you so much and I'll always be proud of you, and always be your biggest fan.

Love, Mama.

Disney Day 6: Resort Tour

We bought 6 day passes to Disney but on our last day we couldn't muster up the energy to go back to one of the parks.  The thoughts of walking in the sun all day, and standing in lines, and pushing a stroller and wrangling kids and quieting whining... bleh.   It was also my birthday, so I got to call the shots.

First off we all slept in.  We needed it!  (Well... wait... I bet my kids were up early with my mom, but she is awesome and I got to sleep in!).  Then I thought it'd be fun to go check out some of the resorts.  The main one I'd been interested in was Art of Animation so... we headed there!

I kid you not.... I think this was the happiest I'd seen the boys all week- posing with all the different Cars characters! What.  the.  hell.

Ryan also surprised me with Cirque du Soleil tickets for that evening!  I was SO excited, and really couldn't believe it!  I've wanted to see Cirque for quite awhile but could never justify the expense of the tickets.  Well, our motto this week was "We don't do Disney often..."   We were going to eat out afterwards but the kids were really excited to eat dinner with me on my birthday so we all headed to Applebees before Ry and I hit the town.  

Cirque du Soleil was AWESOME!   We had great seats--- the stage was like less than 10 rows away.  I loved the performance.  Just amazing.   Afterward we walked around Downtown Disney enjoying a kid-free evening and then headed back to the condo.  I'd forgotten I really wanted to check out the outlets too, but oh well! 

Just another Manic Monday

I actually feel like I got something accomplished today and that feels GOOD!

Hudson doesn't have preschool on Mondays so he was home all day. Honestly, I prefer him to just be home all day and I think, to tell you the truth, if I had to do it all over again I'd have kept him home this year and (forced) myself to do my own preschool curriculum.  It'd have saved me $150/month and the hassle of packing up the kids and taking him to school at noon, and then packing up the baby again at 3 to pick him up.   Oh well... what's done is done.

Anyhow.... I'm already planning a fab 5th birthday party for Hudson.   He's really into painting/art right now so we're going to have a painting party!  I'm going to actually put some effort into planning his party because the last few years he's done Lightning McQueen parties and they've literally been bo-ring to plan for.  Not to mention I've put in minimal effort.  

What was I saying?   Oh yes... the party..... I have lots of ideas... I'm super excited about it!   Today we painted a big "5" on cardboard.  We're going to have a photobooth, face painting (per the birthday boys request) and painting a canvas picture.   Super duper fun stuff!   I love Pinterest.... have I said that yet??

What else did I accomplish today?  Oh yes.... Duncan.  Duncan Duncan Duncan.   He was looking like a polar bear, and his hair was getting matted on his hips where he laid down.  I wasn't wanting to spend $50-$60 on his haircut (so many other things I could use that for right now!), so I decided to play doggy groomer myself.   Hacked up his hair.  I sure did!  I did wash him after this and brush him out, and he looks SO much better.  Not too bad, really.  

Hudson was being such a good listener today and was really campaigning to take his rest on the couch. He talked me into it by voluntarily picking out some books and reading on the couch while I got Amelia ready for her nap.   By this time I'd battled ants (ugh... ants are back AGAIN... every darn spring..... I tried something new this time.  Borax + Sugar + Water.   Currently I have about 100 ants in a pile on my office floor sucking up this concoction.  They'll either die tonight or be back tomorrow for more sweet treats.) and was feeling exhausted so I laid down with Hudson on the couch.  This weekend he found the little mini pocket bible that each of the kids have and has been carrying it around.  (Overheard this weekend, as Porter asked Hudson to help him clean up toys.  "In a minute, Porter.  I'm reading this book.  Called.  The BIBLE."  Cue the sassiness as he said THE BIBLE haha!).  He asked me to read some of the bible so I got through part of Genesis and decided to go get his kids bible and read him a few of those stories.  Then we headed upstairs and I took a good hour nap.  Much needed!  

I also managed to slip in a little mini session with my kiddos for a prop shoot I needed to get done for my From Her Lens photography group (more on that later!).   It didn't turn out as great as I'd envisioned but oh well....

The weather was fabulous today.  I really want to mow the friggin lawn... we have patches that grow longer than others and it sooo needs to be cut.   However, the drive belt or something broke on the lawnmower so it's out of commission right now.    The boys had a blast all evening outside.   They rode scooters, pushed Amelia around in the blue car, had McKenna over to play for a bit and played on the swingset.   My yard looked a mess by the end of the day but that just means we had a good day, right??   

Ry's dad came over for dinner, and afterward I went grocery shopping.  WHEW.   Finally sat down at the end of the day around 9pm and then chatted photo biz stuff with Carrie for a few hours.  Long long day, but I feel pretty accomplished, so that's good.  

Porter's 7th Birthday Party | Army Style

Porter REALLY wanted a Mario Kart birthday this year, and while I typically like going all out on decor and treats and goodies and all that stuff, the last year or so I've just been bleh..... let's buy some plates and napkins and call it good. Ok, so I DO still kind of do a theme, but I'm just finding the cost that goes into it is kind of silly when I can do something simple and its still just as special.   

I also have been such a slacker on planning these things.... I first went from wanting to take Porter to a waterpark over the weekend instead of having a party.  Make it a "family fun" thing.  Then we were going to have it at the Bounce Castle, but then I decided I could do it cheaper at home even though that meant cleaning up after 5+ kids.   

His party was Friday.  On Thursday I had to pick my mom up at the airport, so I planned to hit up the Party City store near the airport.  Well, turns out they don't have Mario Kart.  Or Mario anything.   So I was torn between Lego and Army and Detroit Tigers.  I settled on Army theme and Porter LOVED it.  

I made army cupcakes with green frosting and little army men on the top, and the kids got "dog tags" as their little party gift.  Voila.  HAHA!   

I accidentally bought trick candles and it was quite hilarious watchign Porter try to blow them out.  I didn't know they were trick candles until he blew them out for the 3rd time.   At one point Eian, Nathan and Donnie were all trying to help him blow out the candles.  I'm pretty sure that cupcake had a nice coating of spit on the top.   Yumm.....

Thirty-One

Thirty one seems like an insignificant year. It really is. It isn't the age you are allowed to legally drink. Nor the age that takes you out of your forever young twenties Nor is it the age that sends you over the hill. It's easy to forget thirty one.


My husband, however, did not. What I thought was an unsuspecting annual "birthday buddies" dinner with the Huffs (Don and I, along with Heather Morrison, share December 10 as a birthday) turned into the results of a month long conspiracy between Katie and Ryan to surprise Don and I for our birthdays!

Sure, There were a few instances where I wondered if something was going on... My sister mentioned my mom was going to be in town (and then insisted she was just overtired and losing track of the date), and then the fact that we were going to a different restaurant than normal, in which Ryan blamed it on each of us as an excuse (he told me I picked the restaurant last year and Don wanted Buffalo bBQ wings- even though I was so craving a chocolate thunder for my bday I kept my mouth closed for the sake of compromise). And there were a few other things that made me think hmmmm but for the most part I was clueless. I blame today on being uuber cranky and missing lots of signs. I was dreading dinner.... Was grumpy and irritable and just wanted to hole up at home.

We picked don and Katie up (should have been another clue... We normally meet up), and Katie was impatiently texting me "where are you?? Mamas hungry!!" And on the way there we got into a deep Disney vacation conversation.

When we got to the restaurant I saw Adrian, and it still didn't register until we walked around the corner and there were family members and amazing friends all gathered to celebrate with us!! My best surprise- my mom flew into town!!! I was floored. Could not believe they pulled it off and that they thought to do something like this. It sure makes thirty one seem a lot more significant. Thank you to everyone who came (and thank you to those who couldn't make it but I know you wanted to be there!). And even more thanks to Ryan and Katie for showing Don and I how loved we are, and that thirty one (and thirty six) don't have to be as insignificant as they seem.

Changing Times

This past week has flown by!  My mom was here to vist and as usual, it went by way too fast.  :(   I miss her being nearby and seeing the kids often.

The time change is tonight... in 40 minutes to be exact.  That technically means I get an extra hour of sleep (or editing... or web surfing...) but since I have kids it pretty much means I'll be getting up at the butt crack of dawn because my kid will think it is 7am and it will really be only 6am.  Ugh. This morning the boys did surprise me by letting us sleep in until 9am... we found them downstairs watching Madagascar 3 surrounded by empty Halloween candy wrappers.  Typical.

November is NaBloPoMo.... and for the past few years I've done a great job at attempting to post each day and year after year... failing.   Well... since today is the Time Change, I'm going to use this Time to Change my bad blogging habits.   Or at least put in a good effort to attempt to change them :)  Anyone else care to join me?   I'm going to try to set aside at least 20 min/day to jot a little something down on the ol' blog.

So let me recap my last week:

Saturday:  Porter had a Halloween party at a friends house.  Its so neat that he is old enough to have these kind of friend parties!   The school doesn't celebrate Halloween and P's friends parents said they felt like the kids should get to see each other dressed up.  She did a great job with the party... I picked Porter up and they'd had a Halloween snack, made a craft, played outside, had goodie bags.  Good times!

We celebrated my Grandma's 70th birthday!  My aunt threw her a huge party and I loved seeing her so happy and everyone there celebrating her!  She is an amazing person- I love her to death.  Happy Birthday Grandma... you don't look a day over 75! HAHAHA!  (inside joke y'all)  

Sunday:  More Halloween fun!  We went to church, spent the early afternoon at my grandma's so the kids could have ice cream with her.  Her party was no-kids, so we wanted them to have a chance to celebrate too.   Addi also got a late b-day present from my mom:  Butterscotch the mini pony!  She is such a little animal lover- reminds me of me!   She also loooves horses!  

Sunday afternoon we headed out to the Huff Compound for a hayride/bonfire and hotdogs.  Between all of the Huff grandkids (4 girls and 3 boys), and just the couple friends who went there were quite a few kids!  The boys, typical, spent the evening rough housing and wrestling.  I just don't get boys.  

Monday:  Ry had taken the day off work so it was a nice surprise to have the day with him home.   He took Porter to school and then in the early afternoon decided to take Hudson to a movie.  It was around 1:30 and he decided he'd pick Porter up early from school and surprise him.  So, the boys had an extra special date day with daddy!  We met my mom and Aubri for dinner at Hunt Club and then had our traditional ice cream at The Parlour.  YUM!!

This family got the Dare To Be Great:   21 scoops!!!

Tuesday:  Hmm.  I don't remember Tuesday. 

Wednesday was Halloween.  I'll give that it's own post :)  

Adios!  It's now 2am and I'm pretty sure I'll hate myself in the morning.   

Hudson Turns "4" | **another** McQueen Birthday!

Big surprise.... third year in a row that Hudson has chosen his birthday theme to be McQueen.   I was all McQueened out of cake ideas so we went the easy route.... Sam's Club!  Hudson was so so excited to pick out a mini cake and cupcakes (he got to choose between that, all cupcakes, or a sheet cake).   Cheesy store bought cake, yes.   But he was so thrilled with it!

We had a small family party for him and he was so excited over all his presents.... a skateboard, automoblox, a cars playset, squirt guns and..... a Powerwheels Lightning McQueen!   I knew this car wouldn't last him long as it was only a 1-seater and he was 4.... let's face it, these things pretty much top out at 5 years old.   However, we got a great deal on it at Toys R Us and I just knew he'd love it.  He did!   

As usual, Hudson was bashful when we sang Happy Birthday to him.  No tears this year, though.   I just love this little nugget!