Random Thoughts

I went to get a pedicure today, it was great! I haven't gotten one in months. Honestly, I haven't gotten time to myself in months. Granted, I was surrounded by other women, and the brave men, that ditched their ego when they walked into the door, but it was nice to have a few moments to myself. I sat there for a bit, looked around, didn't even bother to get a magazine. Then I pulled out my phone.

I have come to the conclusion that we are never really by ourselves any more. Few and far between are the moments that we have to self reflect, quiet our minds, and actually relax. I found myself skimming through Facebook, checking my email, looking at Pinterest for my next DIY attempt. I found myself getting more anxious than before, when I walked into the salon. 

 I worry that I spend too much time on my phone. I worry that I cannot disconnect for even 30 minutes. I worry that the convenience of having everything, and I mean everything, at my fingertips is becoming more of a curse than a convenience. 

I am sure you have been on Facebook, and felt that sudden burst of jealousy. That feeling of wanting to do what those other people do. Having the thoughts, "I want to be that happy.", "I would love to go on vacation, too.", "They are always doing something fun.". These thoughts do cross my mind, and I am quickly sickened about how quickly I disregard my good times, my own family's adventures, and how lucky I am to have what I have. 

Sure, I wish we had a little extra income, I wish we didn't have to skimp in certain areas, and I wish we did do more as a family. But what I need to be reminded of is what we do have, what I have. 

I have a beautiful life. I have my health. I have the support of my parents, whom I respect and love, so much. I have my brothers and sisters, who have literally made me into the person I am today, and who I miss on a daily basis because we don't live close to each other. 

I have friends that have supported me through the challenges of motherhood and who make me laugh. Yes, I have lost a few along the way, ones I will forever miss, but the ones I have who have stuck around, and the new ones I have made, I am so grateful for. 

I have a husband who would do just about anything for me, short of watching Grey's Anatomy. He strives to make this work and he is constantly making me laugh, even when things seem like they couldn't possibly get worse. 

I have my daughter. I have my daughter. 

Today was a good day. I was reminded of how lucky I am. 

I have parents who love me, who gave me so much. I have memories of my grandparents, I was able to talk about my Grandpa to my students Friday because of the ring I wear everyday. I have friends who text me to make sure Delilah is ok and well after being sick, and who share they same joys that I do. My brothers who are so protective, my sisters who are hilarious and caring. My husband, who one day asked me to get in his car and my life was forever changed. I felt Delilah kick and move in my belly. I now know what it is like to be a mother and love something so much. 

It is not always easy, like majority of the time, not easy. But, I am feeling very grateful this evening.

xoxo 

Day Care Lunch Box

As promised, I have gathered a weeks worth of Delilah's lunches for day care. I have realized a few things:

1. My child eats a lot of cheese.

2. I cook a lot of chicken.

3. I could not live with out the bento boxes for her lunch bag.

Her daycare provides snacks, but I usually pack enough where she will finish what she hasn't eaten for lunch, for a snack. 

I always bring her a pre breakfast snack, usually cereal in one of our reusable bags, string cheese, or an orange. 

And I always bring her a snack for when I pick her up, she is always so hungry! That is usually a mango squeezy or her favorite, Pea Crisps. Never have I heard smacking that is so cute ;)

We label everything with our name labels and put it into her ever-so-cute lunch bag. 

Here is Delilah's Breakfast and Lunch for a week:

{Pea Crisps, Dip, Salami, Cheese, String Cheese} {Blueberries, Waffle}

{Leftover Broccoli Cheese Casserole, Fried Chicken, Yogurt Raisins} {Blueberries, French Toast Stick and Whipped Cream. Just Because}

{Leftover Balsamic Chicken (she loves it), Mac & Cheese, Fruit Snacks} {Berries, Yogurt, and Cream Cheese Toaster Strudel (minus the icing, because she doesn't like it)}

{Ham, Alouette Cheese, Pea Crisps, Pretzel} {Strawberries, Orange, and Blueberry Pancakes}

{Leftover Mac & Cheese, Brussel Sprouts, BabyBel, Fruit Snacks} {Strawberries, Orange, and Cottage Cheese}

There are a few things Delilah has never really liked: Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Jelly, and Peanut Butter. Otherwise, I am sure a PB&J would be making an appearance or two ;)

Mac & Cheese is my go to with Delilah. I know it may sound terrible, but when I cook something I know she won't be eating, I will make this for her as a side. Apparently, I cooked a lot she didn't like this week.

I really feel like she is a good eater, when she actually eats ;) I try and make each meal of hers as well balanced as possible, but there are those nights when nothing seems to be going right, and I hand her a piece of bread, because for some reason, the dinner I have made 79 times before, that she loved, is not good and requires not only a "no", but an eye roll-glance over the shoulder-turn of head-I am disgusted that you put this in front of my face look.

A few other items that I include are:

Pasta Salad

Cheese Quesadilla (A huge hit)

Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla RollUp

Any shredded meat (Pork, Chicken, Beef)

Cinnamon Toast

French Toast

Green Beans

Melon

Plums

Pears

Beets (Just boiled)

Cherries

One more thing! Her daycare was really great with working with me and telling me what she ate and what she didn't. For example, she was eating the hell out of cucumbers at home, so I figured I would put them in her lunch. Ha. Nope. They said that she threw them on the floor.   Shit. They gently told me that cucumbers weren't really needed and I could probably skip them. So that is how I got more comfortable making her lunches.

Well, there you have it! Making her lunch/breakfast was once a stressful part of my day, but now, it has become so routine and it usually only take 5 minutes at the most. I am finding that having a well stocked fridge and pantry makes a huge difference. 

I hope everyone enjoys the little bit of the week that is left, yay!

xoxo

A Day in the Life: Oil Edition

I wanted to do a post about using essential oils but didn't know really where to start. I wanted my own routine and today it dawned on me, "holy shit, I have my own oil routine!"

I have been doing so much research and learning a ton about oils, I have favorites, some I use for necessity, some that I can't stand the way they smell, and then the go tos.

After using the oils, I have noticed a dramatic decrease in my anxiety level, and I am going to say some had to do with the oils. I was immediately drawn to Stress Away, Peace & Calming, and Joy. These are constantly in my diffuser and I am telling you they have helped me. I am not overwhelmed by housework, dishes, cooking dinner, etc. It has been really, really nice. 

This week, like I mentioned before, has been a little more hectic than others, and I really noticed I upped my oil usage, this is not necessarily a "normal" day, but this is what I have been doing lately.

Wake up: Brush my teeth with Thieves toothpaste, put a dab of Valor on my wrists, take a shot of Ningxia Red. 

-Valor helps with feeling confident and is a good mood booster. The Ningxia Red drink is like an antioxidant ninja, helps keep that immune system up-

Dressing Delilah: rub the "Wellness Blend" on her feet before putting on her shoes. (1 tsp coconut oil/V6 oil, 2 drops lavender, 1 drop lemon, 1 drop frankincense, 1 drop thieves)

-This is a great oil for preventing illness and keeping germs away, apparently I started using this one a little too late-

Leaving the house: Fill my water bottle with water and add 1 drop of grapefruit and dab a drop of Joy behind each ear

-Adding oils to your water gives it such a refreshing boost, the antioxidants are a plus too, Joy is up there on my favorite oils, besides Purification, which I use for everything, it does what it says, helps brighten your mood, Joy and Valor are a great team, like peas and carrots-

Lunch break: I will reapply Joy (I am in love with this oil) and refill my water

Home from work: Rub "Wellness Blend" on Delilah's feet, start diffusing Purification

-Purification cleans the air, gets rid of smells and germs, and is amazing. I also use it in my laundry, just a few drops will do-

After dinner: Start diffusing Cedarwood, clean up with Thieves wipes

-Cedarwood is another oil that has a billion uses, this time I am using it for a cough suppressant for Byron. I made some wipes out of Thieves, Lemon, Purification, soap and water, loving these things for the kitchen-

Before Delilah goes to bed: Rub "Wellness Blend" on her feet, spray lavender in her room, rub coconut oil and lemon behind her ears, kiss her and love her

-I use lavender to help relax and get Delilah ready to sleep, no tricks just water and a few drops of lavender and spray it in her room. The lemon and coconut oil is for her ear infection, never put oils directly in your itty bitty's ears)

While relaxing on the couch: Roll on Breath Again on Byron's chest, rub Frankincense on his big toes, rub Dill on his abdomen, give him a drop of Thieves in water to drink, while I drink 1 drop Thieves, 1 drop Lemon, and honey in hot water

-The Breath Again blend is great for sinus,  it has Eucalyptus which is also good to relax lungs, the Dill is used for his cough, and Thieves to kill any bad germs- 

Before I go to bed: Roll on Breath Again for Byron, rub Peace & Calming on my jawline, take a shot of Ningxia Red and start diffusing Tea Tree while we sleep

-Believe it or not, Peace & Calming is great for those who clench or grind their teeth at night. I am a jaw clencher and this has really helped me relax and I don't wake up in the morning with a sore jaw. Tea Tree is for Byron's cough-

I am sure that seems like a lot, but it really goes pretty smoothly. On a not so crazy, every-one-seems-to-be-sick-at-the-same-time-and-everything-is-breaking, day I really just diffuse oils that smell good ;) I have really been using them with Delilah since we got the KidScents collection in, the Owie oil has really come in handy ;)

This picture showing off Thieves power absolutely blew my mind.

This week has been crazy. I mean really though, what week hasn't been crazy the past few months?

We have had to do a ton of car work, on both mine and Byron's, he has been sick, Delilah has been sick, I've been sick. 

We decided to build Delilah a sandbox. I was so against sandboxes, but started thinking about maybe getting one that she doesn't sit in. The thought of sand in my house and on the floors gave me nightmares. 

I could not be any happier with how this turned out and Delilah just loves it!

I hope you all have a healthy, happy rest of your week.

xoxoxo

Any suggestions made on this blog are very specific to Young Living essential oils and should not be used with oils from another source. Statements made on this website about Young Living Essential Oils have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Anyone suffering from disease or injury should consult with a physician. Always test with carrier oil before applying directly to skin, not intended for children under 2 years old. Always consult a doctor or pediatrician  If you are currently on medication, please DO NOT STOP.

Delilah in Pictures

Delilah is growing up and talking and being all sorts of cute. Here is the proof ;)

The Tiny Gardner

Here Mom, take it!

Watching one of her faves...

One of her favorite songs...

Let's Dance!

And stop!

I love this little lady.

xoxo

DIY Kinda Sunday

This weekend flew by. Swish! My mom was in town, which means lots of yummy food and dessert. I am finally starting to finish projects that I have wanted to do for sometime, and others will have to wait just a bit longer. 

Let's get to it!

We started the weekend at one of our favorite Japanese restaurants. Delilah loves this place, so much, in fact, that I am thinking about having her second birthday there. She eats the soup like a pro and loves every second of it ;)

A bib and an extra shirt is a must when we visit this place, but the proud look on her face, after each successful spoonful, makes it all worth it.

No trip with my mom is complete without a little shopping, Delilah has her very own baby doll, and it is safe to say, she loves it! She was feeding her the entire way home and probably said "bebah" about 832 times. 

I made homemade diaper wipes, adapted from this recipe, and I am loving them. They were a little soapy at first, but after using them a couple times today, I really like them. I used Roman Chamomile and Lavender essential oils, to complete the mixture. 

I am waiting on a few more ingredients for this diaper rash cream recipe, and I could not be more excited about it. 

I don't know why it took me so damn long, but we are finally Amazon Prime members. Oh yeah!

Last but not least, as you all know Valentine's Day is coming up and I was torn whether or not I should do anything for Delilah's class. Well, I decided to go for it and wanted to keep with some ocean theme because all of the classes at her day care are ocean animals, this is what I came up with. A cute little bag, some fruit chews, and stickers, what more could an 18 month old want ;)

I simply made a whale stencil, cut out hearts, and double-sided taped them to the bag. Easy peasy.

I hope everyone has a great week, and a great Valentine's Day! I think I know what Byron got me (whoops) and I can not wait to share once I have it in my hand. 

And just because her little tired, sassy self is so dang cute...

xoxo

Essential Oil of the Week: Purification

Another crazy week over here at the Citzler household. Delilah had to go to the doctor, again, this time with a double ear infection. I am starting to do some research on products I can use when I first spot a runny nose. I have decided to buy some Mullein Garlic drops and will update you all as I try it. Wish me luck ;)

I have decided to talk about Young Living's Purification essential oil blend. I love it. The way it smells, the way it makes my laundry smell, and most of all, its nasty-germ fighting properties. 

I have been on the verge of feeling really sick the past week, and I have been diffusing this oil, like nobody's business. 

This oil has citronella, lemongrass, rosemary, melaleuca, lavandin, and myrtle. 

It's uses are, but not limited to:

- neutralizing odor

- air purifier

- germ killer

- sterilize wounds

 - bug repeller

- blister relief

I have been putting a few drops in my laundry, and it will come out smelling so fresh and so clean, clean ;)

It will be a sad, sad day when I run out of this stuff. Just kidding. I will always have a backup, always.

I do not recommend ingesting this oil, but sniff and apply away!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

xoxo

Any suggestions made on this blog are very specific to Young Living essential oils and should not be used with oils from another source. Statements made on this website about Young Living Essential Oils have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Anyone suffering from disease or injury should consult with a physician. Always test with carrier oil before applying directly to skin, not intended for children under 2 years old. Always consult a doctor or pediatrician  If you are currently on medication, please DO NOT STOP.