What's Up Wednesday - March Edition

I don't even know how we are at the end of March already...like what the even?

I have always loved these posts put on by Sheaffer and Shay so why not jump back in during my Birthday Month!!

1. What We're Eating

I love food.  While I don't live to eat, I sure do love to eat 😂  I've been on a sweets kick lately and I am not even mad about it.  Of course we are probably going to have our favorite pie and then I've been needing a quick breakfast lately so these muffins are going to happen.  For dinners we have some delicious chicken and tarragon sausages to pair with some tortellini and then we almost always have Pizza Fridays!!

2. What I'm Reminiscing About

As I was writing Séamus weekly post I got to check back on the girls and OH MY WORD!! they were both so cute!  Additionally March is a huge reflection month for me, 7 years ago my mom lost her battle with brain cancer, we had our second miscarriage and 5 years ago my horse of 15 years passed away just days after my birthday.

3. What I'm Loving

The girls have been "putting on a show" in the evenings and it has Thomas and I both crying with laughter.  They dress up, fight over the step stool (their "stage"), sing songs and dance.  It just cracks me up so much and I just love how they enjoy playing together...that has been a dream/goal/desire of mine since we brought Finnley home and to see that realized is just the best.

4. What We've Been Up To

we have been doing so many things!! The girls started up with Gymnastics again (and Séamus gets to participate in Finnley's) and it has been so much fun seeing them flourish and learn. I celebrated my 35th Birthday and got my hair cut.  We've gone to our favorite Island, on lots of outings and to several parks.  I've hosted several Oils classes and had a Make & Take at my house, I just love sharing about Oils with my friends, and I hosted Supper Club this month too!

5. What I'm Dreading

I can't really think of anything

6. What I'm Working On

The girls birthday's are coming up so we are having a together birthday for them again.  Getting all of the things organized for that is on my brain.  Additionally Ellie is going to have a Friend Birthday as well that I am sure is going to be lots of fun!  I have plans for a couple of series here on the blog that I have been mulling over in my brain for several months so I am excited to get "pen to paper" and get those started.

7. What I'm Excited About

The March Proms with Young Living are hands down exciting!! It's all about Spring Cleaning and getting so many Thieves cleaning products for Free is just spectacular.  Let me get on my Soap Box for just a minute: there are no regulations on the testing of chemicals found in our cleaning products and it turns out that many of them present are major toxins.  They can be linked to infertility, endocrine disrupters, hormone disrupter, cancer, asthma, allergies, and and affect our air quality just to name a few.  Thieves is natural and plant based, is actually more effective than what you get on the shelves at the store, and because it's infused with the Thieves Essential Oil blend these products are actually supporting your immune systems while cleaning 👏👏

Also, we finally got the flooring replaced in our Master Bathroom!!!! Y'all this has been an item on the list since we purchased our home 11 years ago.  We finally got to say goodbye to the original 1989 linoleum flooring - that was yellowing, peeling, and just yuck!!  We now have clean, bright white tile in there and I am loving it so much.  We also got to replace the original toilet which is additionally exciting! I love how it's coming together.  I just need to do some touch up paint on the walls, cabinet and doors and then add in the baseboard and it's going to look so fresh.  The last two items to check off in our bathroom are the countertops with new sinks/faucets and to replace the shower insert with custom tiling.  I'm not sure when we will get to that (if ever) but hopefully by next summer.

8. What I'm Watching/Reading

I just binged working moms and I just loved it so much, it was raunchy humor and just super funny. I also just started watching Ugly Betty, I am not totally into it but it's been great background noise for when I'm working.  We are also watching Real Housewives (New York and Beverly Hills), I'm loving The Daily Show, and of course TWD and This is Us.  I am perusing my Martha Stewart and BHG magazines, just finished reading The Four Year Career and am about to start The Road Back to You!

9. What I'm Listening To

 Oh my gosh I am deep in the world of podcasts.  As I am on a journey to Sustainability, Minimalism, and Essential Oils that is what my Podcast lineup is full of.  Some of my favorites have "run their course" and aren't releasing any new episodes but what they have in their archives are totally worth mentioning. Minimalist Moms, The Practical Minimalists, The Sustainable Minimalist, Revolution Oils, The Essential Oil Quickcast.

10. What I'm Wearing

I just your basic girl.  Jeans and my nursing tanks with whatever loose fitting shirt I have over the top.  It's been nice out so I have been sporting my Birks and I love them even more than before!!  On my face I have been using all the Young Living products and I just have to rave on them for a minute.  The Satin Mint facial scrub is so nice and gentle (I only use it once a week), the Orange Blossom facial wash is my nightly wash, I made up a Glow Girl serum and have started putting oil on my face (which I said I would never do!) its just Organic Jojoba Oil with drops of essential oil in it: Geranium, Cedarwood, Tea Tree, Lavender, Frankincense, and Copaiba.  I love it so much and my skin has never been this smooth.  As far as makeup goes (another soap box moment similar to cleaning products except beauty care gets directly absorbed into your body via your skin 😷) I have switched over to Savvy Minerals by Young Living, it's natural and safe mineral makeup with great coverage and none of the crap!!  If you want to revamp your beauty routine you can get a Savvy Minerals Premium Starter Kit and join my Wellness Community!!

11. What I'm Doing This Weekend

Thomas has to get his oil changed and then the moms from my Centering Group are getting together for a baby playdate!! I am so excited!  I am also hoping to get outside and get some yard/garden work done.  Back in the throes of infertility and leaned so hard on nurturing my garden and doting on my plants.  They still give me so much life and joy...I just love being out there with them!

12. What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

Finnley's birthday is happening and she is going to be THREE!! oh my word how the heck did that happen?  I am just thrilled to celebrate her!  We are having a together birthday for the girls and it is just so much fun seeing all the fun they have with their family!!  We also have Spring Break and thankfully both Ellie and Thomas get to have the same one.  We don't have any big vacation plans but I'm hoping to check a few house projects off of my list.

13. What Else Is New

Séamus is crawling everywhere and getting into all the things.  He still falls over (from a sitting position) so hard on his head!  He is pulling up on everything and just gets so proud of himself for standing up!!  He is quite adventurous and is trying to stand unassisted...I might actually get my wish of an early walker!! I know that sounds crazy but y'all when they can walk you get to do so many more things...like use the bathroom out in public!!!  I also signed up for working out at home, I have done a couple of workouts and Finnley has so much fun doing them with me.  I love that she is interested in it and it actually makes it so much more fun for me to have her be involved!! 

Also I'm running a giveaway with my Oils Business!! when you enroll between today and Sunday March 31st, you'll be entered to win a second diffuser!! I'll choose the winner on April 1st and get it sent out to you ASAP!!!

14. What is your Favorite Easter Side Dish

Well since I married Thomas we do his families tradition of homemade chicken and noodles over steamed potatoes.  We don't really have any side dishes, except maybe carrots to give our plates some color!  BUT, some of my favorite side dishes in general are Honey Thyme carrots (just boil some carrots until tender, drain, then add in some butter and honey with a little Thyme and BAM delicious!), Sue's Pasta Salad, and Green Bean Casserole.

Thanks for Stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed learning a little about our life here!!  You can follow along on IG @lifewithkidsblog and @lifekidsandoils

♥ Ashley

The Séamus Weekly - week 35

I'm so behind in posting about Séamus at 35 weeks.  But let me just tell you that he is living life to the fullest and keeping us on our toes.  He is crawling and moving everywhere and pretty much is loving everything about life except maybe the pain that comes with cutting teeth.  Séamus is also a whole 8 months old and I just cannot get over how quickly this year is flying by!

Eats: little Séamus is still a nursing fiend but he is quite the fan of solid foods.  He prefers to have finger foods over purees, aside from sweet potatoes I don't think we've come across anything that he doesn't like...which is so nice!  I still absolutely adore breastfeeding and I don't ever want to stop.

Sleeps: I think we're doing better in this dept.  We had a couple of nights where he slept for several hours and then he has been napping throughout the day.  They have been hit or miss with time duration but I think we've gotten over the hump and we are on our way to better sleep.  He tends to get pretty tired around 7:15-7:30 and I usually get him in his crib by 8:00.  He naps in the car for school drop off (and usually pick up too) and then I have been successful at getting him to nap on his own in his crib a couple of times.  Here is what I've found to be helpful: a full belly, a sleepsack, and Seedlings Linen Spray get it here.



Does: sweet baby boy is crawling everywhere, destroying my house plants, and getting into all the things.  He has become quite fond of pulling up and standing and has been tempted to try to stand on his own...though he hasn't actually tried it yet I know he really really wants to.  His head does take quite a beating, even though he can crawl like a maniac and has been sitting up for nearly 3 months he still will tip over and land hard on his poor little head and he is not a fan.  He is super adventurous, loves the bathtub, and laughs and squeals so so loud.  He has been working on feeding himself and makes the cutest little grunting sound when he is focusing on trying to pick up his food.  His rash has finally started to heal and go away and I still have absolutely no idea what the cause of it was.

Goes: we've been to gymnastics for the girls and I love that he gets to participate in Finnley's class, by crawling all around and playing with the toys.  We've been outside and then just to the regular outings.  Thomas took the girls over the mountains to visit with his parents so it was just Séamus and I for the weekend.  I had some friends over and we had a Supper Club and Séamus was quite the little man during our party.
 

 

 

Mama: feeling so good and at peace!  This has been an amazing month for my business and I am just so pumped to keep the momentum going.  We are growing and bringing Wellness to new families which just absolutely thrills me.  I have had the opportunity to connect more with the people in my life and truly embrace myself and who I am becoming.  I have had times where I have been tired but these kiddos and Thomas keep me going.  I get exasperated but then quickly forget and am so full of love and adoration for my children.  I have been focusing on learning how to be a better mom and how to adapt my parenting skills to meet the needs of my dynamic children....much to my chagrin there is no such thing as "One Parenting Style Fits All" and what works for one child does NOT mean that it will work for the next.  So I am constantly learning, trying new things, and huffing all the Joy and Valor while dousing myself in Peace & Calming and Stress Away.  No matter what it is all so so good.





Sisters:  Ellie is still the best big sister I could have ever asked for.  She is kind, caring, and concerned.  She is stretching her "grown up abilities" and carries Séamus around, is super helpful at helping to unbuckle the littles and is working hard on her reading and remembering to use the bathroom (she just gets so busy playing and learning).  Finnley does what Ellie does and thinks that she can carry him all around as well, which is so terrifying for me.  I have been trying to figure out a way to manage that and my new form of enforcing is to try and get her to grasp that she can only carry Séamus when I tell her too.  So she is quite the help when he is pulling apart my house plants, or getting stuck under the table, or getting into the pantry, or crawling into the bathroom...but she still thinks that she can pick him up whenever and is now the expert on when he is doing an "Oh No Séamey Schu, No No!!" and will just move him as she pleases.  She is loving her preschool, is so excited for her teacher to bring her into class, and lately the weather has been so beautiful that she has been able to go outside for recess at the end of the day!!  There is nothing quite like these three kiddos and I am so so lucky and blessed to get to be their Mama. 

Previous Weeks
Séamus week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, 13 weeks, week 14, week 15, week 16, week 17, week 18, week 19, 20 weeks, week 21, week 22, week 23, week 24, week 25, week 26, week 27, week 28, week 29, week 30, week 31, week 32, week 33, week 34

Finnley at 35 weeks
Ellie at 35 weeks


♥ Ashley

So this is 35

Last weekend I turned another year older.  I am now 35 years old and it is so much better than I thought it would be.  It's so funny because when you're a teenager you think you know all the things and have your life perfectly figured out...so not true.

I am so much more confident and comfortable in my own skin, I have life experiences that have shaped who I am, and passions that drive me.

So I want to pause and share 35 things about me you might not know!

1. I love Pumpkin Pie and this recipe is my favorite ever!

2. Since we purchased our home in 2008, we have been growing a vegetable garden every single year.

3. We were Annual Passholders at Disneyland the year I finally got pregnant.

4. Loss is no stranger in my life.  My grandpa passed away when I was 8, my mom when I was 27, my horse just days after I turned 30, and 5 miscarriages.

5. I love self development and am a 3w2 on the Enneagram.

6.  Sustainability has been a lifestyle I have been striving for since we got married in 2008.  I don't always make the best choices, sometimes out of convenience and sometimes because I just don't know, but I'm learning and that's what matters.

7. Vacuuming is my very favorite chore, Mopping is my least.

8. Becoming a business owner has brought so much satisfaction, joy, accomplishment, and purpose to my life.  I absolutely adore Essential Oils and the difference they've made in our home and family.  I get so giddy when a new member joins my community because I know all the benefits and goodness that is coming their way and the changes they're going to get to experience!! The more people using oils means that many less chemicals are being introduced into the world!!

9. I am always surprised at what a can of paint can do for home decor and it's probably one of the most satisfying changes to make in your home.

10. I'm obsessed with Martha Stewart and I think she is hilarious.

11. I come from a maximalist upbringing and desire so much to be a minimalist, every day I take one step closer to reducing the amount of stuff we have.

12. I prefer to be barefoot.

13. Traveling with our kids is my favorite way to travel.

14.  I want to go to every Disney Park in the world, so far I've been to 2 (Disneyland and Walt Disney World).

15. My mom was the queen of entertainers and I strive to be like her.  She made all of her food from scratch and always had the best dinner parties.

16.  I have always dreamed of living in a different state than Washington but have no idea where else I want to live.

17.  Green is my very favorite color, it always has been and always will be.  I'm not sure if it's because I was brainwashed into loving green - my birthday is on St. Patrick's Day or if I am just legitimately drawn to it.

18. I love to fill my brain with all the information and know about all the things.  Knowing random facts and sharing them makes me so giddy.

19. I recently started listening to podcasts and now they give me so much life.  I love listening while driving in the car and filling my brain with all the information: minimalism, zero-waste, sustainability, growing your business, essential oils.  You name it, I love it.

20. I love to laugh and I'll laugh at most anything.  That being said my personal sense of humor is incredibly dry and sarcastic that most people just don't get it...could be my delivery or could just be my audience.

21. I am Pro Woman, probably you could consider me to be a feminist but I also lean on the "traditional" roles.  I love to cook and clean and be my family's caretaker but I also love to fix things, problem solve, be in charge and want to be the financial provider for our family.

22. I've danced most of my life but cannot do a pirouette to save my life.

23.  Being a mom is my favorite role I've ever had.  I wouldn't change the way I became a mom for anything, I am so blessed by my children and they give me so much love.

24.  I am honestly married to my best friend, I love our relationship and how we can just be ourselves with each other.  We are equals in our marriage and respect each of our roles.

25. I didn't love being pregnant.  It was not like I had imagined or fantasized about.  I had built it up so much in my head about how amazing it would be and it was a total let down.  There were parts that I appreciated but my overall experience was very clouded by my brain and thoughts and worries thanks to years of infertility and multiple miscarriages.

26. Birth on the other hand was much better and not as scary as I had imagined.  It was exciting, nerve wracking, painful and oddly comforting.

27. I came home from school one day to my mom having a pot bellied pig in the back seat.  We named him Pigger Wilbur Snort Arnold Brewer and he had a song.  At the time my sister and I still played in our playhouse so we had to place for him in the winter time (and he kept escaping) so we gave him to some friends who had a farm.

28. I chose to live on campus in college in the All Girls dorm and it was really my favorite thing ever!

29. I started an Equestrian Club in college my Junior year and it is still going strong.

30. My first real job out of high school was in a jewelry department, then I got a full time job at a small independently owned jewelry store and took a year off of college to work.  Even though I am not a jewelry person I enjoyed working there and learned so much from my seasoned co-workers.

31. I was obsessed with Charmed when I was in High School.

32. In High School my friends would always come over to my house after Football Games on Friday nights and my mom would make us pancakes.

33. My mom introduced me to some of the best things in my life: Harry Potter, Gilmore Girls, Martha Stewart, and the desire to be a Mama.

34.  I used to be an incredibly sentimental person and would hold onto all of the things, then when I got pregnant the switch flipped and I just wanted to get rid of all the clutter and things that didn't bring me joy (that was before I even knew about Marie Kondo!).

35. I've had grey hairs since I was 16 or 17 years old.  I used to be so embarrassed about them, but now I have fully embraced them and have some serious roots that I am not planning on covering any time soon.  This is so crazy because I had dreams of becoming a Hair Stylist when I was a teenager and used to get my hair colored all the time.  I miss that fresh color but the thought of having a head full of virgin hair is so enticing that I just have to stick it out and try!

Now tell me something random about you!

♥ Ashley

The Séamus Weekly - week 34

The weather this week y'all, I cannot get over it!! Today is the first day of Spring and we've been in the high 60's low 70's all weekend long!! We've spent our fair share of time outside, playing, enjoying all the sunny goodness (I see you Summer and I can not wait!!).  This week we celebrated my 35th Birthday, did some yard work, and prepped the floors in our Master Bathroom for some new tile!! Goodbye 1989 linoleum!!

Eats: little Séamus is still a boobie boy, though he is leaning more on that solid food more and more.  He really does like to eat all the things.  He loved my shepherds pie I had for my birthday lunch, he ate some pumpkin pie that I made for Pi Day, pizza, bread, corn, rice, and just like Ellie he loves pureed prunes!! He also tried some grapes this week and as far as I can tell he is a fan.  Much like last week, he is most attached to my boobs at night so I am going to try and figure out something new.  Last night we brought a chair into his nursery and when he woke up at 11:15 I sat in there and nursed him then placed him back in his crib.  He stayed in there until 3:30 so I'll call that a win.  We will continue this trend until he will hopefully sleep all night again.

Sleeps: see above for nighttime sleep.  I have been starting to put him in his crib tired at afternoon naptime (around 12:30) and letting him fall asleep on his own.  I figure if he can do it in the car, he should be able to do it in his crib, and if I get him used to it for naps maybe he will be able to do it at nighttime too.

Does: y'all Séamus is pulling up on all the things.  He just adores standing and I think he has a huge urging desire to start walking 😀.  I want him to crawl a little while longer so he can really develop his fine motor skills but I CANNOT wait for walking.  It's one of my favorite stages and the fact that he is working on standing gets us one step closer.

Goes: Séamus still has his rash but has been fine in every other way.  We have been to the Library and Gymnastics and he made some moves for walking.  My Grandpa ended up in the hospital over the weekend so we made a trip up to visit with him and by the time we got there he was doing much better.  We went out for lunch for my birthday and made a Costco run, which looks much different these days with three kids and only getting food items.  Thanks to Young Living we get all of our cleaning products on our Essential Rewards order and use Thieves for all the things, it's safe, plant based, supports our wellness and is more effective than conventional cleaning products!

Mama: I love love loved my birthday this year.  They honestly haven't been the same since my mom passed away but I had so much peace and joy this year knowing that we are all here and all my wishes came true.  We had lunch at a local Irish joint, they gave me some flair for my birthday, and Thomas brought in a candle and lighter (much to my surprise) and highly encouraged my to order a dessert.  It was so special and low key and I really enjoyed it. And believe it or not....I got zero pictures of me and Séamus this week.

Sisters:  I've been trying a new approach with Finnley and her inability to leave Séamus alone.  I am now overly praising her when she is being nice and gentle and leaving him alone.  I've only been at it a couple of days but I think things are better...or maybe I'm just focusing on her positive behavior more? Anyways we are all a bit happier over here so I will just keep it up.  Ellie has been fantastic as ever, carrying him around everywhere, smothering him with kisses, and excelling at school.  She is spelling so many words and remembering what she is learning.  She loves to play, do art, and create things.  I am hands down so lucky for all three of my babies.

Previous Weeks
Séamus week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, 13 weeks, week 14, week 15, week 16, week 17, week 18, week 19, 20 weeks, week 21, week 22, week 23, week 24, week 25, week 26, week 27, week 28, week 29, week 30, week 31, week 32, week 33

Finnley at 34 weeks
Ellie at 34 weeks

♥ Ashley