Kidscents Round 1

So, I ordered Kidscents when they came back in stock in July.  My packaged arrived the beginning of August and no kidscents :(  backordered.  Randomly on Friday my kidscents showed up!  I was so excited to try them and so was my 3yr old who kept saying, "theyre MINE???  Just for ME!!"

We leave to go out of town and I pack my oils and the kidscents.  MY oil bag somehow never left my bathroom counter but thankfully the kidscents were in one of the kid suitcases.  So here we were, outdoors all weekend, staying in a hotel and no oils. 

M had been sick the latter part of the week so the first thing we did was rub tummygize on her tummy.  She was already feeling better when we applied it but she still asked for it.  no tummy issues all weekend :)

Then since I'd forgotten my purification, I rubbed the bite buster on M as a bug repellant.  Had no idea if it would work for that but I knew it had purification in it so it was better than nothing.  No bites all weekend!!  (don't tell M but I rubbed it on myself too after I heard family members complaining about the mosquito bites!)

M immediately developed a runny nose/cold as soon as we arrived at our destination.  We go there every year and the window unit is damp and always gives us sinus issues.  We applied snifflease to her nose and a little inside her nostrils and thankfully the runny nose stopped!  She was still a little stuffy all weekend but no longer grabbing for tissue.

All in all it was a GREAT first weekend with kidscents!  Hope you all had a wonderful holiday with family and friends, back to the grind in the morning and this mom is going to need a double shot of NingXia red, I'm beat!

Toddler tummy troubles-win!

So I wake up in the 4s this morning and my 3 year old had snuck in bed with me.  I'm normally a light sleeper but this is the first week of school and I'm worn out.  I realize that she is sans-sleep diaper (she's potty trained during the day but I haven't been brave enough to try nighttime) and I asked her where it was.

Well, she'd used the sleep diaper in a major way and brought me a new one in the middle of the night but decided to just crawl in bed.

I walk her back to her room, take her to the potty and discover that she's had an upset tummy.  This is the first time she's had the big D since she could walk and it's confusing to her.  She keeps saying, "my poop is weird and my tummy hurts."  She asked me for some oils (love that) and I grabbed my DiGize (for anything digestion-related) and rubbed it on her tummy.  She said she was hungry but I was fearful it was confusion about the tummy pain and I didn't want to give her anything.

As I walked back to my room I heard a noise and was devastated to discover that my alarm was already going off.  ugh.

I got ready and woke her up about an hour later.  Her tummy was still bothering her but she was acting fine, not warm, etc.  I put more DiGize on her tummy and she said it felt better.  Packed a bland "brat style" lunch for her and sent the bottle of oil in her backpack.

They called to tell me she'd had an accident (unlike her) and her bottom was red from it.  Said I didn't need to get her as she was feeling fine but wanted the protocol for her bottom.  I told her about the oil and asked her to get some diaper cream I'd made from baby brother's room.

Fast forward to the end of the day, I pick up the kids and she has had "regular poop" (her words) and feels great.  I checked her bottom when we got home and it wasn't pink at all.

Double-oils win!  (the diaper paste is 1 tbsp coconut oil and 4-5 drops lavender)

And the bonus is I got home and my kidscents oils arrived!  I'm super excited as these are already diluted by Young Living and I don't have to mix up my own little batches for the kids....stay tuned for a report on them!

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Baby teething gel win!!

So my 5 month old started "school" last week as I returned to the classroom.  When I pick him up after the first day I'm told that they struggled getting him to take the bottle.  We discussed how I feed him and we went on our way.

Day 2 I get a call around 11am that they haven't been able to get him to eat yet (his last bottle was at 6am).  As he weighs 17lbs, I'm not worried about him missing a meal but I want to make sure he is hydrated.  He went down for a nap and at 12:30 they tried again and he took about an ounce.  I offered to leave school to feed him but we both agreed that they have to figure this out because I can't always go over there.

By 1:30 I called and suggested they apply some of the teething gel I made for him whenever he's fighting a bottle and then feed him.

I pick him up at 4 and they almost hugged me as they said "THAT WORKED WONDERS!!!  WHAT IS IT?"

Score 1 for mom and Young Living!

Teething gel is just 1TBSP coconut oil and 4-5 drops of thieves.

He's still not up to 8oz bottles per sitting with them but gets at least half of that each time and is improving daily.

Back to school lunches

So, unfortunately it's that time of year again and I'm sad to send my kiddos to "school."  While we're excited about this new chapter in our new city, I've loved spending the last 6 months with them.  Our previous school provided lunches so this is my first attempt to send lunch with my kiddos.  To be honest, this is what first started me on a healthier path because I didn't want to just send my daughter to school with quesadillas, lunchables or grilled cheese everyday.  I feared her lunches would all be in the tan/brown/orange family without any color or nutritional value.

So, I have a lot of ideas for what I'm going to send and I'll be sure and post successes and failures as we go along.

In preparation though, I've found some great containers and accessories that I plan to use.  **I'm experimenting with links, I apologize in advance if they don't work...I'm a novice.

I found some  Thermos Ice Mat, 6 Cube packs at my local store but they also make these in 9 and 18.  They were $1 per 6 cube pack.  I ended up finding some other ones that looked more like ice cubes and you can cut in the size you want.

I'm still on the hunt for the right lunchbox and the Land's end ones were recommended by the crew at www.100daysofrealfood.com but, of course, I'm shopping locally if I can.

I love love love this Thermos FUNtainer Bottle, Disney Princess, 12 Ounce ...it stays cold all day and lasts forever!  It's not recommended for hot stuff because it keeps it HOT and could burn your little one's mouth but for cold stuff its AWESOME and doesn't leak!


I went to the store looking for the ziploc take along sectioned containers but my grocery store is a little smaller and I didn't have any luck.  What i DID find were these awesome Sistema 21652 Klip It Lunch Plus To-Go Container .  They come in all different colors, shapes, sizes, functions.  Some even have utensils that snap together.  My mom first found some of these and I'm addicted now and excited about having reusable containers that won't be thrown away.  You can find these at a ton of different stores and there are so many styles to choose from!



I can tell you that day 1 (and every day for awhile) he will have bottles and she (3.5yrs) will have carrots, cubed organic cheese and turkey pieces, veggie crackers, watermelon and a note from me (she can't read yet, just hoping Ms. Chrissy reads it to her).

Best of luck with your back to school lunches!  I think I'm stressing about this more than my lesson plans!!!

Shout out to moms of all shapes and sizes

I'm having one of those rare moments when both of my children are resting....AT THE SAME TIME.  I found myself thinking, "what do I do now?" and then immediately started laughing at that statement.  The reason I laughed is because the answer to that question is ridiculously overwhelming and unending.

I've always struggled when I felt overwhelmed.  In college, when everyone else was cramming for exams during "dead week" I found myself out enjoying things.  Not because I was overly confident or prepared for the upcoming exams but because the realization of everything I had to do what a bit too much.  So what did I do?  I decided to do the opposite of prepare.

As the end of the summer is less than a week away, I've found myself doing the exact same thing...not preparing.  It's like I'm clinging to my time to be lazy and willing to suffer the consequences later.  Like I'm rebelling against the stress and anxiety that I'd probably have if I wrote down the "to do" list swimming in my head.

The end of the summer is an odd mix of feelings for any teacher.  On one had we are excited to get started on the classroom and put our summer "pinning" into action, on the other hand we loathe the idea of an alarm clock, coffee on the run, lunch at the printer, only checking email at the end of the day.

This being my first year as a mom of 2 and my first time in the classroom in almost 6 months, these extremes are bigger and since I'm going to a new district, new school, new grade level and new state expectations....well, nervous is the word.

I'm nervous that I won't spend the time I need/they deserve kissing my kids in the morning, dressing them, making them a healthy breakfast and sending them to "school" confident and ready.  I'm nervous that if I do spend that time with them that then my students and my teaching will suffer.  I'm nervous about the evenings and getting the nighttime routine down so that they don't stay up until all hours of the night (even though that means less time with them).  I'm nervous about overwhelming my husband with "my needs" now that I'm working and being able to ask for help.  I'm nervous about our high maintenance dog and what the heck we're going to do with him.

But with all that nervousness, I'm thankful.

I've learned with our son and being home these past 6 months that I'm not cut out to be a stay at home mom, at least not right now.  I don't have the discipline or the budget to do it.

My time at home consisted of many extremes.  Either I'd go too long without showering or putting on a bra or I'd have my kids in the car for too long and we'd spend too much $ and come home tired and cranky.  Add in some post partum hormones, potty training, teething and moving and you've had a crazy 1/2 year.

I won't lie, when we moved to this house and had our son, I prayed that my husband would bring up the idea of me staying at home full time.  I didn't want to bring it up because he is a "fixer" and would find a way to make it work, but I wanted it to be a joint decision rather than finding a way.  Ultimately because I carry the insurance for the kids and myself, I decided to accept a position closer to home.

This was the right decision for me and for our family.

What I've come to realize is that there's no "right way" to be a mom.  A stay at home mom isn't a better mom, a working mom isn't a better mom, a single mom isn't a better mom...what makes a mom great is how she loves her kids.  As much as I wish that I had what it takes to stay home with them and teach them, nurture them, cook/clean/drive and provide for them all of the time, I've realized that I will still do that...just during different hours.  I can still be a great mom to them and hopefully a great teacher to other kids.

I just want to give a shout out to moms...all moms.  Being a mom is an amazingly challenging and rewarding job and you're doing an incredible job....all of you.

And as I transition from a stay at home mom back to a working mom, I'm going to try to be less nervous, more loving and remember that I'm still a great mom...even if my kids socks don't match or their lunch is missing a food group.  I'm going to go put on some motivation oils and maybe do some laundry until they wake up....(or maybe I'll watch Bachelor in Paradise).

Granola from scratch from someone who doesn't like granola!!

I'm all about trying to give healthier versions of our favorite foods when it comes to feeding my family.  I found a meal plan online for kiddos and it included this recipe and used it several different ways:  as cereal, on yogurt, in a smoothie, etc.  My little 3.5yr old chef and I gave it a shot. 

The hardest part of this recipe is getting all of the ingredients.  You have to go to that aisle in the grocery store with all the healthy stuff that you never go down.   You know, the one with the dispensers like the candy stores?  This mom is not a fan of those but I was willing to try.

I loved this and so did my 3.5yr old!  It was an easy recipe for her to help with as it just has a lot of mixing, stirring and pouring.  It made my house smell FANTASTIC!  It didn't make an enormous amount like most granola recipes which is awesome because we actually ate it all before it went bad (lasted us about 2 weeks).

Shout out to the crew at 100 Days of Real Food for coming up and sharing this one.  I adapted it a bit.

Granola Cereal

makes 3 lbs

Recipe adapted from Anson Mills and 100 Days of Real Food

Ingredients

• 3½ cups rolled oats
• 1 cup raw sliced almonds
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• ½ cup raw sunflower seeds
• ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1½ teaspoons ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon grated or ground nutmeg
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ cup honey
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Also need – parchment paper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Cover a rectangular baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix the dry oats, almonds, coconut, seeds and spices together in a large mixing bowl.
3. Heat the butter and honey together in a small saucepan over low heat. Once the butter melts stir in the vanilla and salt.
4. Pour the hot liquids over the dry ingredients and stir together with a rubber spatula until evenly coated.
5. Spread mixture onto prepared pan in one even layer. Bake for 75 minutes.
6. The granola will become crisp as it cools at which point you can break into pieces (if making bars) or break it up into small chunks by pounding it in a zip lock bag (if making cereal). Store in air tight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Placebo effect and oils....you decide

So I have friends and family who are asking me about the "hippie oils" I use.  I think this is awesome.  I don't like to broadcast my use of oils and the benefits of it other than this blog because I don't want to look like a saleswoman.  I think most of my friends don't even know I have a blog!  Occasionally I'll make a comment on FB or I'll have an oil with me and use it when I'm with someone but other than that I try not to make a huge deal about it.

Not that I don't WANT to but I get annoyed that I'm constantly bombarded with sales tactics from my friends who earn extra income with whatever product they recommend.

It's not a bad thing for them and I wish I had enough money to throw around and buy something to help them with their business.  But, I'm a teacher and a mom and that just isn't in the budget.

I've had friends tell me that oils are just placebo.  That it's all in my head and there's no real effect.

Well, I'm not a scientist (but I do teach science) and you know what...they could absolutely be right.  I have no scientific evidence that oils work.  I also have no scientific evidence that the migraine medicine I used to be on worked.  But the fact is, you could have scientific evidence that a pain reliever gets rid of a headache or a nausea medicine makes you feel normal but anyone who has ever had a headache or been pregnant can tell you that it doesn't always work.

Most of the time when someone asks me about oils and really wants to know, it's because there is something going on with them or someone they know and whatever they're trying isn't working.  A lot of the time they're at the point where they'll try anything.  It's such a compliment when someone comes to me in need because it shows a lot of trust in my friendship as they often are sharing things that are going on in their lives that they wouldn't tell just anyone.  Not only am I humbled by this act but I'm so happy to help and try to get them as much information as I can.

To be completely honest, I don't really care if this is all a placebo effect because that is working for us.  If it's placebo effect that an oil just got rid of an awful rash my 5month old had on his back from an exploding diaper that went everywhere....well give me more placebo because it's not there anymore.  If it's placebo that some stress away, pan away and NingXia red helped me feel normal/functional after having a few too many glasses of wine the night before...good lord, bring on the placebo.

I'll tell you one person who IS using it as placebo...my 3.5yr old.  Everyday she tells me about something that is wrong and wants oils.  Yesterday it was that her back hurt and she wanted oils (she's seen me use them on her daddy's back who has a crushed S2) or her throat hurt and she wanted oils (my neighbor loves the thieves).  She knows that the green bottle (peppermint) is her magic potty potion, the pink oil (Joy) goes in her diffuser to help her sleep and the purple oil (Valor) is what she gets to put on in the morning.  As a mom, we're at the age where when I ask "where does it hurt?" she can tend to be a little dramatic and say, "it hurts EVERYWHERE."  Or she can come up with some interesting ailments that need curing.

I'm so happy that I have a natural alternative that I can use on these "ailments" that won't harm her and can satisfy her placebo-desires.

Fighting the cold without medicine Testimony!

I've been using oils for a few months now and thankfully we haven't had any trips to the doctor other than "well checks" for my almost 5 month old.

We went out of town for a 4 day get away with family and the first morning we woke up (Monday) at home, my 3.5yr old had a nose like a faucet and was coughing/hoarse.  great.

The sick part of me was excited to have a good reason to try oils because as any mom knows, if you take your kid to the doctor with these symptoms on Day 1 with no fever they are just going to tell you it's a virus and send you home $30 poorer.

So, I put Young Living Thieves in the diffuser, rubbed Thieves neat (undiluted) on her spine and the bottom of her feet.  I added Peace & Calming to her big toes and got her settled on the sofa with a pillow, doll, blanket, Doc McStuffins and lots of tissues.  I didn't put anything on the baby but moved his exersaucer near the diffuser.

At lunch I put lavender on a q-tip and rubbed it along the inside of her nostrils like you do with a Zicam swab (she did NOT like this...she once got a peanut stuck in her nose and now hates anything in her nose)

Her nose stopped running in less than 30min and I knew she could smell again because she said the house smelled like Christmas!!  She felt so much better that afternoon that I was a little bummed I didn't get more "quiet time" haha.

I didn't do the lavender in the nose again but continued the rest for 3 days and alternated between Thieves, Purification and RC in the diffuser.  On Thursday evening my son was congested, ugh!  He hadn't started breathing out of his mouth yet so I feared that it was going to be a LONG night.  I moved my diffuser to the nursery and put RC in it.  I let it go in his room for about a half hour before putting him down.  After a half hour in his crib, I finally heard him take a deep breath!!  I couldn't believe it!

No one ended up sick!!  Yay oils!

At this same time my neighbor was complaining of a terrible cold.  I made her the Cold/Flu bomb recipe, the morphine bomb for headache and gave her Thieves tea.  I think she's now obsessed with the tea, haha!

Life in balance

I'm no health food expert.  I don't have a magic pill/potion/drink that makes you healthy without putting in any effort.  I don't have any certification or credentials that should make you believe anything I say.  What I do have is a lot of family members with opinions (all who love to read and research) and I have friends on all ends of the "health" spectrum.

I've always bounced around when it comes to weight and "size."  I've never considered myself as someone others would reference as healthy but I don't think I've been in the unhealthy category either.  I'm a typical female in that I always want to be healthier and look better than I do. 

What makes me different than the average female is that I don't look in the mirror and see a version of myself that I dislike.  I'm a positive person and a silver lining seeker and I've always liked what I've seen in my reflection.

Why is this a bad thing?

Because it makes me rationalize every decision to have a piece of cheese, glass of wine, ice cream and anything other than exercising or making a healthy choice.

I've tried diets, juices, fad programs, supplements and crazy tactics.  Thankfully I never dedicated a tremendous amount of effort to anything other than happiness.  When I started dating my husband, I realize that it wasn't about how I looked but about how I felt.

I read and follow a lot of healthy people blogs.  I try to stay up to date in the battle of the GMO and what I should/shouldn't give my children.  I don't think there are enough hours in the day to know everything you need to know.  When I research and learn about healthy habits/lifestyle the one thing I'm always coming back to is balance. 

Ultimately there is no cure for laziness, there's no perfect solution that fits everyone's needs and everyone's lifestyle.  And think about it...if a pill existed that could make you fit and healthy without doing anything....would you really want to take it?  What the heck would you be taking?

My journey for a healthier lifestyle is all about balance.  I love essential oils and I've started drinkin NingXia Red daily.  I believe that they help keep my family happy and healthy.  I love cooking.  I believe that I can cook a healthier meal from scratch than I can from a box.  I love to be outside.  I would rather burn calories playing with my family than going to the gym.

BUT....

If my kids get really sick, I'll take them to the doctor and I'll leave there with a perscription.  I'll try oils for what I think is a reasonable amount of time and then I'm giving them modern medicine (hopefully we won't get to that point).   I love to cook for my family but I will always have a box of macaroni in my pantry and when my choice is to spend time with my kids or spend time alone in the kitchen, I will always choose my kids.  And when it comes to exercise, I love to spend time with my kids but I will happily choose to sacrifice burning a few calories to picking up my camera and capturing a precious moment or two.

It's about balance.  It's about making a healthy choice and understanding what is a sacrifice and what is not. 

There are plenty that are far past me in this journey for healthy and what I consider a sacrifice may  not be on their radar...and that's okay!  I challenge you to find the balance in your life whether it is financial, emotional, psychological, physical, spiritual or professional.  It's about the journey, the experience, the lessons and the memories.  I hope yours are filled with laughter and love.

Potty Training Testimony!

I should start off by saying I'd accepted the fact that my 3.5yr old was going to graduate in diapers.  I rationalized by saying to myself "at least she won't graduate pregnant" (depends=chastity belt?).  Potty training was a LOOOONG journey for this family so this is a long post but hang in there because it has a happy ending!

When she was 18mo old she would come to me and say "pee pee" and I was NOT ready for potty training, plus I thought there was no way SHE was ready.  Regardless, I ordered supplies: disposable potty liners for non-home pottys, toilet seat with potty seat attachment (I was not doing a portable potty...gross), step stool for getting on/off the potty and washing hands, potty training book, sticker chart, etc.  Talked to my pediatrician who said to wait until she was old enough to pull her pants up/down so we decided to wait.  The summer after she was 2 we started talking about the potty.

We started changing her diapers in the bathroom, talking about where our pee-pees and poo-poos go and bought big girl panties.

She was also at daycare and they requested pull ups and said she'd potty train with all of the other kids as she was moving up in classrooms.

She did great at school, very few accidents.  Home was a different story.  She HATED the potty.

I did the 3 day potty training during a break from school.  It turned into 5-day before we quit.  Basically they go nude from the waist down so they learn what accidents feel like and start to become aware of what is happening.  Well my kiddo could care less!  She'd pee/poop on the floor and either point it out like it was no big deal or just leave it and keep playing.  She started whining and saying she wanted her diapers, she didn't want to be a big girl, she was still a baby, etc.  (Side note: I should mention that I was 4 months pregnant at this time).

Around November she started regressing at school and EVERY DAY would come home with multiple soiled outfits from school.  We were about to put our house in the market and I was 6 months pregnant and having to deal with this at the end of the work day was too much.   I'd heard about regression with potty training whenever life changes and we were about to move, our dog passed away and a new baby was on the way so this momma said "Forget it!"  We will worry about it when all of these things are behind us.

Fast forward to spring.  New house, new dog, new baby brother and she's now 3.  I was home on maternity and we talked about the potty alot.  All of our friends/family knew to encourage it.  Our neighbors had a 3yr old as well and he was fully potty trained.  She would occassionally pee in the potty but only for candy and only after a negotiation and 30 min sitting there...she HATED the potty.  She'd have dirty diapers around her friends and not care, even when they said "whats that smell?"

Summer and now I'm into oils.  I'd read that peppermint oil was good for constipation (I drop in the potty) and I shared this with my husband (Side Note:  peppermint oil is also good to help you breathe again when someone spends some quality time in the loo).  We get home from a weekend trip and he decides to take her potty.  I gave him the "voodoo oil" and told him 1 drop.  She pee pees in the potty and she washes her hands.  I'm in the other room and she runs in naked from the waist down asking where Daddy is and it turns out she pooped in the potty after he left her.  "maybe it was a coincidence, maybe it was the oils...either way who cares Woohoo!"

We start the potty training process with a LOT of accidents...EVERYWHERE.  She was embarassed, didn't want anyone to see, ashamed, etc.  I started applying 1 drop of Stress Away and 1 drop of valor on my index finger and rubbing them on her wrists.

The days I forgot...we had hidden accidents...GROSS.  The days I remembered she wanted to show me what was in the potty...oh great, haha.  When she started showing pride in the potty I switched to just Valor.  She never had a poop accident, THANKFULLY, and a month later we only have diapers for the baby...WOOHOO!!!

I use Valor when she is having a fussy day/tantrum, when we're going some place she doesn't want to go, when we're about to have a playdate.

This momma loves some VALOR!!!

Superwoman!

If you're my friend on facebook you've already heard this story, but it's a big enough deal for me to post it twice.  This is my testimony on how Stress Away helped me in a REALLY stressful situation.  I use this EO on myself when my baby is teething or when my daughter is being 3, haha.  I apologize in advance for the long post but I tell long stories as I really want you to "feel my pain."

Picture this.  You're a mom of a 3.5yr old, a 3 month old (who doesn't like their carseat) and a dog who suffers from seperation anxiety/throws tantrums (like ripping the curtains off the wall) when he's left alone.  You plan out the day:

1. get all 2 legged and 4 legged children changed, pottied/diapered, fed and have a toy for the car.
2. get diaper bag ready for 3 mo old and for newly potty trained/nervous in public restroom 3.5yr old
3. load the car with 3 tubs of clothes to take to consignment store
4. get coffee (should've been #1)
5. get items 1-4 done by 9am so you're not all in the car when it's hot outside.

I accomplish items 1-5 beautifully and we all are in the car.  I attempt to start the car and it won't start.  I hear a few clicks and I roll the windows down to hear again. "Oh no....no no no...come on...puhleeeeeeze"  Nope.  Lights don't even turn on.  Ok...plan.  Step 1...APPLY STRESS AWAY.  One drop on my wrists and rub together like perfume, rub the excess under/behind my ears.  Step 2...call husband.

I should mention that we have a 4 car garage.  I know...it's excessive but whenever I get pregnant my husband buys an old car.  I should also mention that I have an irrational fear of jumper cables as I was burned when trying to start a sea doo in high school.  Leak in fuel injection system+spark from battery when cables were attached=fire and me rushed to the ER with 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree burns on hands, face, neck.  (I didn't have eyebrows, lashes or nose hair for awhile)

Ok, so I call husband (who was 45 min away) and he explains where a spare battery is in the garage.  WHAT!?  I don't even know how to check the oil.  I follow instructions and manage to hook up the car battery to spare battery without freaking out....shaking, yes...but i did it.  Keep in mind it had just rained, it was comfortable temp in the garage and the windows were down so my kiddos were fine and asking me a gazillion questions.  

It didn't work.  It charged enough for the headlights to come on but thats it.

I turned on the battery operated fan attached to the 3mo old carseat as he was starting to remind me that he hates his carseat.

Husband suggests putting the Tahoe in neutral and pushing it into the driveway.  I'll give you a moment to stop laughing.  Husband offers to come home and I said, no...I'm going to figure this out.

Yeah, that didn't happen.  I called 2 neighbors to see if their husbands were home and one was on his way, SCORE!

In the meantime, I try again with the jumper cables and realize they can reach to husband's camaro parked next to me.  I try to start the car again...nope.  I ask husband, "isnt' the other car supposed to be on?"  he said it doesn't have to be.  Neighbor arrives and we take the kids out of the car and she takes them inside (his camaro has a different engine in it and its SOOO loud).   And he suggests turning the camaro on (like I said in the first place...duh).

It starts!!!!  Holy moly I AM AMAZING!!!!  I thank neighbor profusely, load everyone back up in the car and start the day.  Shockingly this whole process only took a little over a half hour and I was able to go about my day.

I kept giving my husband the opportunity to say what an amazing wife/mom I am as I think most women would say, "honey, you better come fix my car!"  I think I got a high-five later, haha.  It's ok, I constantly remind him that he married a superhero.

Stress Away is one of my favorites and to me it smells like vanilla.

If you're my friend on facebook you've already heard this story, but it's a big enough deal for me to post it twice.

Picture this.  You're a mom of a 3.5yr old, a 3 month old (who doesn't like their carseat) and a dog who suffers from seperation anxiety/throws tantrums (like ripping the curtains off the wall) when he's left alone.  You plan out the day:

1. get all 2 legged and 4 legged children changed, pottied/diapered, fed and have a toy for the car.
2. get diaper bag ready for 3 mo old and for newly