Spinbrushes and Static

February 18, 2022

This week we learned a few lessons about static electricity. 

Like rubbing a balloon all over yourself and throwing it up means it doesn't come back down. 


After that I rubbed all three balloons on Elliot's head, he hysterically laughed, until none of them came back down from the ceiling. 


For a hot minute they were believing in some sort of magic. 


 

As usual, these two did very little that they were supposed to do. 


Most afternoons are spent with us trying to convince a future dictator that we are in charge. 


Yesterday I told him: 

"Listen to me. I am the boss, I am in charge of you."


To which Elliot replied: 

"No, I in charge of me." 


He going to go far as an adult, if he can hone this behavior into something positive. Otherwise y'all reread this when he tries to take over the universe through world domination. 


Raising children leaves you somewhere between laughing and crying at all times. 


While I was working out yesterday Elliot found an electric toothbrush the OT had suggested we use with Harry. Elliot was going to see none of this injustice. He told both Jeremy and I that he "found it first". 


Jeremy continued to try and nicely talk him into handing it over while Elliot backed away while quietly saying "I just gotta go first" in an attempt to escape Jeremy and toothbrush removal. 


If you're curious how it ended, it wasn't an easy removal. Elliot is far too stubborn for that. 

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Meal Planning Wednesday

February 16, 2022

 I need to change the name of my Meal Planning graphic, if I'm being honest. 


With groceries being wild like they have been for most of the pandemic... we've swapped our 1st of the week day to Thursday. I pick up groceries after work and the week begins. Granted my lunches run Monday to Saturday, dinner meals run Thursday-Wednesday



Thursday | Healthy Hamburger Helper  (still haven't made this) 


Friday |   Grandma Pizza and Salad  (can you tell life has been busy, this hasn't changed either) 


Saturday | Eating out - it's Harry's birthday party afternoon.


Sunday | Greek Chicken Bowls 


Monday | Chili (minus the beans for low carb) 


Tuesday | leftover 


Wednesday | Sam's Chick-fil-a knock off nuggets and fries (the kids fav and my fav on single mom night) 


Lunch - Greek Chicken Bowls


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Teeth, Parades, and Mama Escape Plans

February 10, 2022

Life is interesting, seasons are faster or slower. Some times I feel like I have plenty of time to get things done, other seasons lend themselves to a constant state of catching up. 


This is a catching up season.  


My to-do list is long, and my time is still only 24 hours in a day - with 8 of those needing to be sleep. 


If there were an award for multitasking, I'd get at least the top 3. 




This week Harrison lost his first tooth. If you look into his mouth in this photo and can't figure out where... that's because he refused to lose it until he had just about grown an adult tooth. 


Until tooth fairy payment was made, he wasn't a fan of this tooth losing business. 





I say this often, but Elliot is pig headed. 


Maybe a pig isn't stubborn enough, he would give a donkey a run for it's money. 


At the store this weekend he wanted to be buckled in, but didn't want to sit in the seat, so he improvised. 





We also went to a Mardi Gras parade! Elliot had a blast once the floats started and he saw that he could catch toys and candy. He was horrified at the noise before then. 


Harry, with his newly outfitted headphones, enjoyed the entire spectacle. He waves just like that the entire time, float or no float. I repeatedly told him he could put his hands down, but he was very concerned that someone might miss him if he did. Harrison also leaned over a few times to ask me "What is it that I yell again?" 


And if you're from Louisiana you know the answer to that - "Throw me something mister!" 





For the first time since my cousin's wedding when Harrison was about 20 months old I got away for a night. I met a dear friend at the Abide conference in New Orleans (at the seminary) and we had such a great time. 


Jen Wilken was the main speaker and really encouraged women to be biblically literate - not just someone who reads devos and studies only. 


Possibly the best part - we saw so many old friends. I ran into our former worship pastor's wife and one of our wonderful women who attended FBC Thibodaux when we were both there. It was so encouraging to hug so many necks and to eat lunch with old friends. 


Funny enough, our Air B&B cancelled at the last minute and we crashed on the couch of Stephanie's pastor's wife. Y'all not only were we from the same hometown but we were related to the same people (me through the husband and her on the wife's side). 


We laughed about the balloon race and the year Mr. Peanut went into the river, you know... only things people from the Miss-Lou would understand. 


The boys had quite the weekend highlight too. Other than the parade and their boy's night (they were excited to be with just Daddy) Jeremy had pointed out that Chick-Fil-A in town had their play place open. 


Poor little pandemic Elliot has missed all the fun, he started walking when the world shut down and hasn't had the opportunity to lick other kids germs off an indoor slide. But his day finally came. 

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Meal Planning Monday

February 7, 2022

It's Monday and I've actually thought about posting this. Let's see how many weeks in a row I can keep it up. 



Thursday | Healthy Hamburger Helper 


Friday |   Grandma Pizza and Salad 


Saturday | Thai Black Pepper Chicken with Garlic Noodles 


Sunday | Snack Night - Totally went rouge with a Sam's Ultimate Nachos Dip 


Monday | Spaghetti - with Spaghetti Squash for me


Tuesday | leftover 


Wednesday | Sam's Chick-fil-a knock off nuggets and fries (the kids fav and my fav on single mom night) 


Lunch - Pulling items out of the freezer that I've been saving. 

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Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipe Box || February

February 1, 2022

 This month's Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipe Box is live today and it's all things skin care! 


This month I also received a Big Bonus Box - let's dig in to what all is included! 



Some recipes call for items that your monthly box doesn't include... that's where the Big Bonus Box comes in. It contains Beeswax and 3 types of carrier oils.



You'll also get several bottles, roll-on and bottles for mixing your own blends. 



Now onto this month's box! 

I'll show y'all the basics today, but check out Instagram and I'll be making the recipes throughout the month. 




This month included three single oils and one blend. 


Clear Skin: improves skin appearance
Palmarosa: calms, skincare, supports rest, soothes
Peru Balsam: uplifts, skincare, warms
Lavender (Bulgarian): skincare, supports immunity


Ever since Simply Earth started hinting at the Clear Skin oil for this month, I've been pumped. Skincare might be one of my bigger obsessions - as a woman in her mid thirties who developed acne after having kids. 



This month you'll get recipes to make a blemish roll-on, jelly face mask, bi-phasal facial cleanser, shower gel, body polish, and a Valentine's inspired diffuser blend. 

The extras included are: 

Vegetable Glycerin
Xanthan Gum
Body Wash Base



I say these things frequently, but I really love that Simply Earth gives me the chance to try oils I normally wouldn't think of buying and make products I would never try on my own. 

Body wash? Never. 

But this month, I'm making it. 

How about these two helpers? They were both incredibly interested in what I was taking photos of. 



A few things before I wrap this up - 


Next month's box will contain the Clean & Fresh, Tea Tree, Tangerine. Can y'all guess the theme? 


This month's 13% to end human trafficking is going to the organization Wipe Every Tear, they help combat human trafficking by offering opportunities and means to leave or escape trafficking, providing safe homes for survivors where they can receive care, and quality education so that survivors can make a living and follow their dreams. 


Also - - here are a few tips for what you can do with your box every month! 


1. Add items to your box to get free shipping. 
2. Exchange oils. 
3. Gift a month to a friend. 
4. Get 50% off your next box by sharing your unique voucher code with friends, they'll also get $10 off their first 5 months -  you'll get 50% off for every friend that subscribes! 


As always head over to Simply Earth to order your FEBRUARY box and use the code LABRIDEFREE to get a $40 giftcard/credit towards your next order when you get your Bonus Box! 

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