We walked through the doors of the orphanage to the sight of 20 or so toddlers going outside to play.   One little boy was looking a bit wary as the orphanage worker was telling him I was his new mama.  What a shock to his little system.  We would later learn that he probably still remembered his birth mama and I was not her. Our first meeting with him was o...

A Few Things to Know Before Making Essential Oil Roller Bottles Recently, I was trimming ivy in my front yard and ended up with lots of mosquito bites. Not fun and super itchy.  Thankfully, I had a roller bottle of lavender essential oil on hand and have been applying that whenever the itch gets the best of me.   So, thought I would share how easy it is to u...

Going back to school is always filled with the excitement of seeing friends, getting school supplies, new teachers, new clothes and a fun lunchbox.  It also, brings with it anxious feelings.  For our FASD kiddos this can be a time of extreme stress and anxiety, which in turn causes some extreme emotional and behavioral issues. How can we help our FASD kiddos...

Living with and raising children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a wild ride!  It presents challenges that go beyond the typical scope of parenting.  I don’t know about you but many, many days I was (and sometimes still am) in survival mode. What is  FAS D? FASD or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder happens when the birth mom drinks alcohol durin...

Words of Wisdom For Future Adoptive Parents Adoption is such an exciting and yet personal journey.  You share with everyone and yet there are those precious moments you share only with your spouse.  Looking back on our 20 year adoption journey, there are so many bits of information that would have been so helpful when we were first starting the process of ad...

Fall is in the air!  Pumpkins, spice, fall leaves!  What better way to bring fall into your home than with some amazing essential oil diffuser recipes?!  When I diffuse  CPTG essential oils in my home, I know that what I am putting in the air is healthy for my family and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals.  That is great in and of itself…BUT…the oils that I ch...

Out of control emotions, compromised immune system, digestive issues, physical discomfort, lack of sleep, food allergies. Sound familiar?   Several years ago, my husband and I adopted two children.  We were newly married, ready to start our family, and a bit naive as to the adventure we were about to embark on.  Our adoption story is like so many others, a b...

You probably already know that there are 3 main ways to use your essential oils…   ●     Aromatic: When you inhale your oils from the bottle, diffuser jewelry, or use a cool mist diffuser ●     Topical: When you apply essential oils directly to your skin (usually diluted) ●     Internal: When you ingest approved essential oils for therapeutic benefits. Toda...

You probably already know that your skin is the largest organ in our body.  Taking care of it is super important to the aging process and helping us feel like we are staying young or at the very least aging gracefully. While there are many fabulous natural skincare products out there, they can be super expensive and not always a reasonable choice when trying...

Recently, my girls and I had the opportunity to have a water experience with dolphins. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Both girls love dolphins but my oldest daughter has expressed a more serious interest. We traveled to Phoenix with much excitement and wonder. It was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine (not a surprise in Arizona). We spent about 15 minutes ...

Diffusing essential oils is one of the easiest yet most effective ways for you to experience the aromatic benefits of your favorite essential oil. Over time, your diffuser will develop an oil buildup that potentially can prevent it from working properly, so it is important to understand how to use and take care of it. Here are a few tips that will help you h...

If you are looking for a fun and decorative way to diffuse essential oils, then you will love this DIY reed diffuser. This easy diffuser is great to have at home, in the office, at school, or anywhere you would like the aroma and benefits of essential oils. Ingredients ¼ cup Fractionated Coconut Oil 15 drops favorite essential oils Reed diffuser sticks Note:...

The doTERRA On Guard Sanitizing Mist is the perfect addition to the well-loved doTERRA On Guard collection. It is infused with the doTERRA On Guard Protective Blend you’ve grown to love. In addition, the active ingredient in doTERRA On Guard Sanitizing Mist kills 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria. The doTERRA On Guard Sanitizing Mist will help protect your ...

Dish Soap Everyone uses liquid dish soap so why not make your own? This super simple recipe is great for removing grease, adding shine, and waking up your senses.   Ingredients: 2 cups unscented castile soap 20 drops Lime essential oil 8 drops Lemon essential oil 6 drops doTERRA Citrus Bliss essential oil Directions: Fill a large, clean bottle with castle so...

Spring has sprung in our area!  The cottonwood in our backyard is leafed out and blowing in the wind today.  Soon cotton will be flying all over the neighborhood from our tree and the others in our area. Which only means one thing: seasonal threats abound.  Every where I go I see people with itchy eyes and sneezy noses. We used to have these threats invade o...