Just some tidbits

 Holy smokes that was a long blogging break.  Definitely unintentional, but I guess it just has to be that way sometimes.  I'm hoping I can get back to some posts soon...because I miss it

Life is pretty insane right now.  It's definitely one of those months that I feel like I'm treading water, okay, I mean drowning.  We are WAY too busy.  Why is it so easy to get that way if you aren't intentional about setting those boundaries to keep it from not?  I'm in that mode where I can't even think into the next day, just trying to survive the current one. I'm shocked that I've showed up everywhere I'm supposed to be, because some days I don't even know where I'm supposed to be until the morning of, or an hour before. 

So before I start getting caught up on posts, I'll leave you with a few random tidbits...

*I haven't been to the gym in months.  Everything I had worked for for 4 months is gone. Total bummer.  School started, our routine changed, we had to start waking up early, so my 11pm gym visits weren't working anymore.  And the good-eating habits went right down the drain along with the workouts. I WILL get back there.  I just don't know when. 

*My sweet hubby gave me a gift certificate to my favorite spa/salon for my birthday and I'm beginning to think it will be 2 years before I can actually get there.  {sigh}

*Both of our cars began having major problems in the same week.  We drive OLD cars, and are soooo determined to never go back to a car payment.  But it's so hard to know where that line is as to how much money you continue to put into cars...money that could be used to help buy a new car.  But we are thankful that the Lord is helping us feel confident in the decisions we are making.  In the mean time, you may hear me coming from blocks away. {another big sigh}

*I'm teaching Mason's Pre-K Sunday School class. It's my first experience with any age under 1st/2nd grade.  I love it!  I LOVE the curriculum our church has switched too...even if it does mean I can't cram as easily on Saturday nights.  It's Gospel-centered and the kids are experiencing the New Testament in a way that I only wish I could have when I was little. 

*Gavin is now on a no egg, no nut, no wheat, no dairy diet.  His eczema had gotten to be the worst ever, it was like sandpaper, bright red, and he was miserable.  I had a meltdown one night, feeling like a helpless mommy who couldn't find anything that helped him.  So we took drastic measures and eliminated everything from his diet...and he was 100% cleared up in 2 days flat.  Best skin he's had since birth.  Now to figure out who the culprit is...it's proving to be more challenging than I had thought.

*Taylor turned 7 yesterday.  A week ago, she had no idea what kind of party she wanted.  And I honestly hadn't had any time to think about it myself.   We decided on a "glamping" theme (glamorous/girly camping)  and pulled off her entire party in about 3-4 days.  I was surprised at how fun the theme was!  It was perfect for her first ever slumber party.  I'll show you pictures soon! 

*Mason is playing outdoor soccer with Daddy as a coach.  He is loving it!  And he's so fun to watch.  

*We are now an "oiling" family.   I guess some people would consider that a bit "tree-huggerish". Ha! But with some of the ongoing stuff that we fight often (allergies, eczema, migraines, asthma), I was totally up for trying them. We are using DoTerrra essential oils and I LOVE them.  I don't think they are the answer for everything, for us, anyway.  We are still learning what they work for, for us, and what they don't. But I do know that we've fought off strep two times and Gavin's spell of pneumonia was very short lived compared to the first time he had it last spring before using essential oils. My headaches go away so much quicker and I am currently dousing everyone with On Guard on a daily basis to begin fighting all the yuckiness already going around.

*I'm in the beginning stages of organizing a bone marrow drive here locally.  And my sister-in-law will be having one in Wichita.  Are you on the bone marrow national registry list??  Our niece, Sydney, needs a bone marrow transplant and there are currently only 20 live donors in the nation who match her initial criteria...that is NOT a lot.  And once those 20 are tested (if they can be found), it's not a guarantee they will be an exact match.  There's a chance she may need more options. What if YOU are an exact match????  We want to bring awareness to this registry and get people on it!  While we search for a donor match for Sydney, there's a good chance other lives may be saved as the registry grows.  Stay tuned if you're local!  And if you're not local...and want to get on the registry, you can go to bethematch.org, read more and request a kit be sent to your house.  All you are doing is a cheek swab for them to know your tissue type, you do not donate until you are an exact match for someone needing a transplant.  They will send a kit to your home, and you can send it back...it's that easy. 

Sorry for no pictures, I promise I"ll post some soon!  Okay, I take that back.  I HOPE to post some soon...but no promises.