The Cupcake Change.

Ok, I'll be the 1st to admit it. Cupcake is freak'n cool!! He/she/it has changed so much in the week that he/she/it has lived with us. It's almost like it's happening right before your eyes. Mother Nature, you rule!

It's been so fun to experience as a family. We spend a lot of time looking and studying Cupcake. We discuss what's different today, what we think will happen tomorrow, and how big we think he/she/it will end up.

Cupcake is no longer as see through, but turned a darker color with spots. Has lost his/her/it's round head, so looks less like a fish and more like a frog. The tail has shrunk significantly and the arms and legs are much bigger and being used to move him/her/it through the water. If you look closely at the back legs you can see tiny claws.  And the eyes are differently more frogish. Yup, I make up words.

You can look back to my original Cupcake post to see the metamorphosis.

Fairy House & Fairly Patient.

Back in September during my ceramics class I decided to make Fairy Houses, mostly because the wheels were all taken and I couldn't think of anything else to create. But as I carved and molded them, I envisioned my daughter and I setting them up in the flower bed. The sun shining, birds chirping, and her and I working together to great something magical.  They took me the whole 8 weeks to make and by the end I was super excited and my expectations were great.

But here's the thing with expectations, they can ruin a moment if you let them. Rarely, does anything exceed our expectations and it's almost as rare that something actually meets them. Most of us have high hopes and grand plans.  But life is messy and unpredictable even under the best of circumstances. Throw in an extra toddler and you might as well kiss those expectations good-bye. 

I have been trying hard to enjoy moments as they come and to go ahead and kick the expectations to the curb. Life can be just as beautiful without them, actually usually even more so. I've been working on my patience and allowing the kiddos the freedom to create moments for themselves. Which I will be honest, is hard for me. I have vision and just like anyone else, I love to see it come to fruition. 

Over the years though, I have come to realize that I need to relinquish some control. I'm suppose to be the one helping them find, create and rejoice in THEIR vision. They need this from me. As life will give them plenty of people who will squash or try to control their creativity. So, I let go of my expectations, mustered up all of my patience, and guided instead of controlled.

The sun was shining, birds were chirping and I think, in the end, we did create something magical. 

And, I can't help that the fairies decided to move things around in the night...Like I said, I'm trying!

Summer Sixteen.

We are two and half days away from Summer Break in my household and I'm thinking all things SUMMER! Swimming, camping, grilling, being outside, bonfires, and late evenings on the porch. Gosh, I sure do love the lazy days of Summer!! But then I start thinking (cause I'm practical, like that), sun burn, bug spray, bug bites, burns, and poison ivy. As many of you know, a few years ago, I made a change for my family to go chemical free whenever possible, and plunged head

first into the world of Young Living Essential Oils. These oils are so versatile and absolutely amazing. They are a part of our daily routine, from allergies to sleep, germs to skin care. And with summer approaching fast, it was time to check my stash and make sure I have my Summer Sixteen on hand, need to get that Essential Rewards Order summer ready!

1. LavaDerm Cooling Mist (#3249| 13.75PV) While, unfortunately, this on is currently OOS, you are going to want grab you some as soon as it comes back. This spray is a MUST for sun burned skin. While I'm a spaz about sun screen, sun burns do still occasionally happen in this family, thanks to our super fair complexions, and this spray is so soothing. Takes away the sting and keeps our skin from peeling. Even my hubby asks for this one when his skin gets scorched. Also great to cool you down on those warm summer days, a few sprays on the back of your neck and face, refreshing!! Smells heavenly too!

2. Lemon (#3578| 11.25PV) Help stay hydrated with a drop or two in your water. You can diffuse the allergy trio, Lemon, Lavender, and peppermint on the days the grass has been just been cut and the head gets a little stuffy. Also makes a great stain remover for those extra stains that kiddos acquire while playing hard. SUPER STAIN REMOVER: 1 part Dr. Bonner's Castile Soap, 2 parts Hydrogen Peroxide, 1-2 drops Lemon. Mix together and spray or pour onto stain.

3. Lavender (#3575| 23.50PV) This is one that I always have on hand. What can't this oil do? Soothes sun kissed skin, cuts, burns, and bruises. A cheek swipe for allergy congestion. If you can't get any LavaDerm, you can make this great AFTER SUN GOO: Mix 1/2 cup coconut oil and 1/2 cup Aloe Vera gel, 2 TBSP Witch Hazel, 20 drops Lavender, 20 Drops marjoram (if you got it) and 5 drops Peppermint. Can store in fridge for extra cooling sensation, but not necessary.

4. Peppermint (#3614| 21.50PV) This is one that goes everywhere with me. It has so many great uses. A few big whiffs straight from the bottle for an energy boost...got to keep up with my kiddos. A drop or two on the back of the neck for a instant cool me down, and a drop in water for heartburn from all the yummy summer BBQ.

5. Purification (#3399| 18.75PV) This oil is amazing for all things stinky. Forget to take those wet towels and swim suits out of the bag you used to lug them home from the pool? Please tell me it's not only me who does this!! Wash them, and then add a few drops of purification onto a wet wash cloth and throw it into the dryer with them. Get rid of that mild dew smell. Stinky sneakers, shove a cotton ball with purification in there and let sit overnight. Purification is also great on bug bites. Stops the itch. 

6. Thieves (#3423| 33.75PV) Cause germs don't take summers off. I also use it in our homemade, Deet free bug spray.

7. Citronella (#3085| 19.50PV) Put a drop on diffuser jewelry to keep the mosquitoes away. A simple leather bracelet works great for kiddos. 

BUG SPRAY: 4-7 make a super powerful chemical free bug spray. 10 drops of each in a spray bottle and fill the rest with Witch Hazel. Spray as needed. Smells nice too!

8. Kidscents Owie (#5308| 30.75PV) Skinned knees increase with the wearing of shorts, so this stays stocked in the diaper bag. My kiddos insist on a kiss and then their "boo-boo" oil. Stops the tears and I like knowing it helps against infection and that it's already diluted for their little bodies. Plus, it works great on this clumsy Momma's boo-boos too! 

9. Lime (#3074| 12.25PV) Kick up those Margarita and Guacamole recipes. Also makes the most delicious smelling diffuser blends. Peppermint and lime diffuses regularly in this house, and screams Summer Time!

10. DiGize (#3324| 32.75PV) All those summer time get-togethers and BBQs, means extra treats and over indulgence. Digize to the rescue, works quickly in a capsule or rubbed counter clockwise on the belly. Taking a boat ride or road trip? DiGize is great for motion sickness as well.

11. Sandalwood Moisture Cream (#5148| 61.25PV) Get those feet sandal ready!! While this cream is meant for your face, and I apply it daily to keep my face looking fresh, it works miracles on those dry out, winterized feet. Put some on your feet, cover with a pair of socks and let them soak it up while you sleep!

12. Mirah Shave Oil (#5156| 22.75PV) Shorts and bathing suits weather means that I actually have to shave!! But if I got to do it, at least this wonderful stuff makes it worth it! Less nicks and cuts, fewer bumps and razor burn. Plus I can skip the step of adding lotion after the shower and it smells like you're at the spa!

13. Tea Tree (#3587| 26.00PV) For when you do still get those bumps from shaving or pesky ingrown hair in your sensitive areas, this oil works like a charm!! It also dries out Poison Ivy. POISON IVY TONIC: 2 TBSP Water, 2 TBSP Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 Tsp sea salt, 3 drops Tea Tree, 3 drops Peppermint, 3 drops Lavender. Mix in a bowl or bottle and apply with a cotton square several times a day. Shake or stir before each application

14. Frankincense (#3548| 73.50PV) This oil is plain out amazing. It's one everyone should have on hand. It's wonderful healing abilities are a must for skin and over all health. I put a drop under my tongue every morning to stay healthy and it's in all my homemade lotions and serums. It also has a divine earthy aroma which provides mood boosting and grounding effects. Who doesn't need that with kids home all summer long!?!

ALL PURPOSE HEALING STICK: 10 drops lavender, 10 drops Frankincense, 10 drops Tea Tree. Put in a 10 ml Roller Bottle and top off with alcohol free Witch Hazel. I use this before bed on all those bumps, scrapes, bites, and bruises.

15. Cool Azul Sports Gel (#5436| 39.75PV) This gel is great to apply to aching muscles on the long days of hiking, bike rising, swimming and running around in the sun. During summer we are on the move!

16. Orange (#3602| 10.75PV) A drop makes those late evening patio beers that much more enjoyable! Also, makes amazing summer time diffuser blends. Joy and Orange in the diffuser brings the sunshine indoors. Patchouli, Ylang-Ylang, and Orange make a light summertime perfume. 

Gale Jenkins Young Living Member #1597647

Cupcake.

In the last year and a half we have lost both of our beloved doggies, who were our babies before we had babies. Who had my heart. And I swore that I was done with anything that poops (well, besides the adorable little humans that already rule my world). I went as far to proclaim that if the Hubby dared to bring any creature into this home it would magically disappear the next time he went to work, and I meant it, I still do. And no, it's not that I'm a cold hearted animal hater. I actually love animals. It's just that all of my patience is currently occupied. Used up. I'm raising little humans. And I have to clean up after them enough as it is. I'm learning not to spread myself so thin. When to say "no, I just cant handle that right now." Animals are on the list of, just can't handle that right now. As seasons change and children grow that list will change as well. But for now. It's a nope. Huge NOPE. 

Which brings me to Cupcake. 

I've been had. Duped. Conned. 

My 1st grader came home a few weeks ago, all excited about the tadpoles that his class would be hatching from eggs. He immediately followed up with "They will be available for adoption. Can we have one?" and my answer, "nope, " said with a little inward grin for sticking to my guns and putting the whole ordeal to rest.   

Ha! Any mom knows that was just the beginning of the persistent asking for a tadpole to come home. After awhile, I stopped to consider, my thought process went a little something like this...

"Ok, I can totally use this to my advantage. Let him bring the tadpole home. We get to keep it for a couple of weeks. Watch it metamorph into a frog and then have a parade down to the pond to set it free with all the other frogs to live a happy and fulfilling life. I can then use the fact that we had the tadpole to get me out of the next 2-5 creatures that are asked for! Boom! I'm winning at this parenting thing!" 

Signed, sealed, delivered. I promised to adopt a tadpole. Within hours of making the commitment, I come to find out that these are African Clawed Frog tadpoles and releasing them into the wild is a big no-no. They need special food and spring water. These things can live for 20-30 years. And they poop, ALOT. 

FRAN-FREAKING-TASTIC.

So let me introduce you to the newest member of the Jenkins Family, Cupcake, our pet "fishing pole." (C can't remember the word tadpole and calls him a fishing pole instead)

He will be with us for the rest of our lives, apparently.  

The kids think he, she, it? I don't know. Whatever, is pretty darn cool! But we'll see how long that lasts, I'm guessing a week.

You can see right through the thing!! Not the cutest pet, but sure does make for a neat photo.

And of course, we had to have cupcakes to celebrate the adoption of Cupcake, it seemed like the right thing to do.