...randomness on a Sunday

my last blog post was about self care and how we ALL need it. These the last two weeks have been a true testament to that statement. My home is filled with ill people. My two children have been sick on and off for almost 2 weeks. Colds that have turned to stomach bugs, or stomach bugs that have turned to colds, then fevers happening at random. I have changed vomited covered bed linens about 4 times in the last week (my poor boy). It is always so awful when the kids are sick, they don't understand what is going on. It's a heart breaker. Not only are they sick, but my husband who just flew back from NC informs me on his ride home that he too is sick. Sure enough all day today he has been in bed. In between he is slugging Gatorade and sipping on Lipton Noodle Soup. At night he is downing the Alkaseltzer. This mama is the only one who has not caught the bug. I am trying with all that I have to  not catch it. I opened the windows today and let the air in....it was a balmy 60 degrees here, perfect for such a thing. I am drinking tea, eating citrus, washing my hands a bazillion times and diffusing oils. I do have a small tickle in my throat and I am hoping that it disappears before turning into something nasty. If I am sick than this house is screwed.

All of this brings me back to my main point of self care and taking care of me. I have made a decision in this and have already informed my husband. He probably thinks I'm kidding...but I certainly am not. I have decided that once a month I am taking a ME day. I will choose the day based around what is happening that month, he will be taking the kids (or one of them and my mother can take the other) and I am going out alone. It wont be all day b/c of course I am still nursing so that makes my time short (I have no saved milk). I may go get a pedicure, I may go to Target, maybe Ill go out to the bookstore, maybe to visit a friend...who knows. All I know is that I deserve a day...at least part of a day to do what I want. I don't feel bad about it either. I may not bring in a paycheck, but I do my fair share around here and taking care of two kids under 2 . 5 is a job itself. You mamas know what I mean! If you don't yet, you will. 

So I think that any other mamas out there who are SAH moms or working moms should get in on this if you don't already. Pick a day, put a big bold circle around it. Tell your significant other it's YOUR day. Tell em way in advance so they know not to make plans. My husband is a hard worker and he busts his butt to bring in money to support us financially, but he gets to have his fun after work. He golfs in the nice weather, he ice fishes during the winter, skis when he can, he hangs at his local watering hole a couple times a week with his buds...you know what I do? Nothing. MAYBE I get to go grocery shopping alone! (Don't get me wrong, I actually love it hahah) But it's pretty sad when a solo trip to the grocery store seems like a vacation. Puttin my foot down on this one. It's mama's time. Boom.

xo

 ps. check out a recipe for Thieves tea on the EO Recipe tab....good for anyone who wants a natural way to fight off the germies!

switching things up a bit

 after I put the littles down for their naps yesterday and I had a chance to sit myself, I was looking over my space here and I realized it needed some sprucing up. I still want to keep it a simple space, but things in my life have changed a bit since I began writing and my topics of choice are proof. After becoming a mom, my attention has been solely on my kiddos. They are still very young so I am still learning and growing in parenthood. I used to sit on pinterest and browse craft boards and DIY pins, now I am looking for healthy recipes for picky kids and how to make yummy baby food, alternative methods for bringing down fevers, and photos to match the rash my kid got at random. This stuff takes over. I still have my same passions... being a chemical free household, making my own products using natural ingredients like essential oils, raising chickens for eggs and growing gardens for veggies, etc...its just that now I have other important things to worry about. Once I thought about this, I realized I needed to re name my space so that it was more "me". While "A Natural Approach" was exactly what I was taking the last two years, "the caffeinated mama" is way more appropriate now lol. It gives a little humor to the life I'm living, and I'm sure a lot of other mamas (and dads) are on the same page. The new name shows my love of the beverage, which I am always talking about...and that its a "mom"  who is ranting here. 

So, my topics will continue to vary...but at least now it will make more sense. I'm just here to have fun, to have a place where I can think out loud, share some things with those who care to read, and follow other bloggers who have the same interests as myself. I love to write and so I will. One of my goals for this year was to focus more on this space...I'm holding myself to it. I have only been at this for two years but am looking forward to growing it more and more. 

xo

New year, New things...

Here we are again. The start of 12 new months on dear planet Earth. I have to be honest, 2015 was an insanely busy year here. A baby, a toddler, school , taking care of a house, (barely) managing bills and in between all of that...trying to find time for myself. It was great, and stressful, wonderful and exhausting. At this very moment I am sitting down for the first real time today. My kids are in bed, my hubs is making popcorn and we are getting ready to continue RE watching "Breaking Bad" on Netflix. I love this time so much, though in the back of my mind I am thinking that I shouldnt stay up too late because my darling little one will be waking to eat at some point. That point is usually as soon as I am falling into sleep. Oh well, as mamas we do what we have to do. I will take my two hours a night with my love and risk less sleep. It wont happen forever, and one day I will be missing snuggling my babies in the middle of the night. 

I am not one that believes in making New Years resolutions. I feel like when trying to make one of these promises to yourself, it is just really for talking purposes. It is hype. I am sure there are people out there who do it and can stick to their guns and that is wonderful. I am not one. I wish I was. No, what I believe in is setting goals. Taking little steps to accomplish something you truly want. There are a few things I want to try and change this year. Things for my family, but also for me. Since 2012 I have either been pregnant or nursing (with about a yr in the middle off) and yep, still nursing at the moment. However, there is no reason why I cannot set a few goals now evem though part of me still physically belongs to someone else for the next few months. Dont get me wrong, I love being home with my children. The thought of having to have left them and gone back to work makes me want to cry! I wouldnt trade one crazy day of the last 2.5 years, but when you are a mama, one that stays   home and probably one that works also, you tend to lose a bit of yourself. You become so wrapped up in taking care of your little family that you sometimes forget to take care of yourself...or perhaps youre just too darn tired. I have decided that this year that will change. In order for me to be the best mother and wife, I need to be happy and to focus a little on myself. And there is nothing wrong with that. 

So, here are a few goals I am setting for myself in 2016. They may not happen in order, they may not happen at all...but I am going to do my best to tackle them in small bits. If I try to many things at once, forget it. I will become overwhelmed and will give up all together. 

1. Budget!! By The end of March I will have a budget in place and will stick to it best I can. With a husband who works seasonally and myself who does not work...you can imagine how tight things get this time of year. I WILL find a budget that works for us. No more sweating and stressing over bills.

2. Use my cook books. I have many cookbooks that are taking up space in my cabinets and I refuse to get rid of them. Every few weeks I will take out my books and plan meals. I will post each that I do. 

3. Keep up with my blog. I was not great with this in 2015. This is a wonderful space to be creative and get my thoughts out, even if noone reads it. I will try for the first 3 months of this year to organize and plan blog topics. I will try to make this page more fun and informational. Continuing on the theme of natural living.

4. Me time. This will be sporadic b/c I do have two littles who require my attention 95% of the time...but I am promising myself that I will find time to do something that I want. Read a book, take a drive, get coffee with a friend, take a bath, etc...It is going to happen. 

5. Take charge of my health. Even if it is only 30 minutes a day, I need to get some exercise in. I do not do anything besides chase kids and go up and down stairs. I have this post-double C section pooch that I want gone. I will try to add healthier options to my food choices and try to work out at least 3 times a week.  

6. Random Acts of Kindness. This is something that I have done and enjoy doing, but would like to do more of. I think I can handle a RAK once a month.

In fact I KNOW I can. It is important to think of others even when trying to better yourself. There is so much negative going on on the world, we need to remind people that good still exists. 

7. Put more energy into my business. As I may or may not have mentioned, I am a Young Living Essential Oil distributor. Hoping to spread the word about a product I love and help out my home financially. My goal for this is to have sold at least 1 full kit by April. I will invest more time in talking to clients and sending samples etc...time to get serious. 

For now, these are the main things I want to focus on in my life for the start of 2016. It seems like a lot, but like I said...they may happen randomly and when timing allows, or they may not happen at all. I set them as goals however because I plan on meeting each one this year. No matter when it happens. I will follow up with posts and I encourage anyone else to set their own goals. Start with one and once its met, try another. Just the thought of it already makes me smile!!

Have a peaceful sleep all 

Xo