My first groupon.

Have you ever actually bought a Groupon?  I get emails often but until about 3 weeks ago, I just looked and passed.  Here's what changed for me.  I really needed a hair trim.  My girl left and is now working in Portland, Oregon so I figured I needed to suck it up and try to find someone I liked.  Not fun.  Once you have a gal you really like, it isn't easy trying to "replace" her.  *I miss you, Grace!!*  Gosh, especially when they're so dang cute and nice and you hang out with her because of it...sorry.  She was truly fab.

The Groupon that got me was only $25 for a hair cut, style and an oil treatment.  I thought, "How perfect!  I can just try it and it will be inexpensive!"  No harm there, right?

Wrong.  Here's my experience but let me first tell you what I expect from spending money, getting out of the house, being pampered, and just salons in general.

I do not treat myself to getting pampered often.  I mean, I have 4 kids and the budget is tight.  Maybe once a year.  Promise.  Anywho, it.is.a.big.deal. when I let myself go to a salon and get pampered.

When I get out and Andy is with the kids, I want that time to be spent wisely so that when I return, I have a renewed sense of strength, I feel taken care of and I am ready to take on another 10 months of mothering before I pamper myself again. ;)

I love the atmosphere in a salon.  I love the smell, the look and feel and I am truly obsessed with watching the stylists cut and color.  So much so that I have seriously questioned whether or not I should become a hair stylist myself.  My expectations are high and I want to feel like my hair is being worked well for the amount of hair I have and the length and style I want.

Are my expectations high?  Yes, but I am willing to pay the big bucks for it (ya know, once a year and I refuse to get my hair colored until the grays decided to grace me with their presence in which this will all change).

I want to have fun.  I want to feel pampered and I want people to take their time without taking up my whole day (or maybe that'd be amazing, too).

My experience was quite the opposite and I left wanting to bawl and cry my eyes out.  Like a baby who is lacking sleep...wait.  I am lacking sleep.

I walked in and I guess it was assumed that I knew to seat myself without being greeted.  Not even a hello from afar.  I had to ask the other guest what to do.  That's always fun. 

So, I sit down and probably 15 minutes later someone comes over and says, "BreAnna?"  It's okay, I know my name is hard to pronounce.  Ya know, Breena.  It has two "e's" which I guess can somehow be pronounce BreAnna.  ;)

I follow her to the sink.  She isn't saying anything.  She's just washing my hair.  I feel I need to let her know that I have a nursing baby and shouldn't be more than 1.5 hours because I really didn't know how long an oil treatment would take.  I was afraid to tell her because she wasn't very kind or so it seemed but I needed to for the sake of Bexley-girl.

So I gently say, "I just want to put a bug in your ear..." <--I know.  Clearly I was a little nervous to say something that stupid. "I have a nursing baby and if I could be no more than an hour and a half that would be perfect!"

She responded, "Okay, well I am working on another girl and the oil treatment should only take about 5 minutes but I'll need to keep it on longer because of working on her hair."  Me, "Okay."

I am under the heater-thing with the oil treatment for about 20 minutes.  It was relaxing and I had a good magazine but I was becoming really annoyed with the way I was being treated....like a number.

She asks me one question for which I will give her credit, "So how many kids do you have?" When I answered she said, "Aww."  And that was that!  I asked her if she had any kids and she said she had one and pointed to her picture.  That was it.  She took about 10 minutes, 10 MINUTES, PEOPLE to cut my hair!  Have you seen or touched my hair?  There's enough for 5 wigs!  I was so annoyed but kept on smiling.

She was drying my hair and I could tell she wanted to be done so I said, "You don't have to dry it as long as it's not dripping."

The last thing she said to me was, "Next time you schedule with me, make sure you have me block out more time since you have so much hair."

Sorry lady, there will NOT be a next time!!  Of course, I felt bad and left her a tip...I know!!!  I'm too nice (sometimes) hehehe

And there you have it, a TERRIBLE waist of my time and money...

The story doesn't end there, after telling two of some of my friends, they realized I was talking about the same place that they go to and LOVE but with another girl.  So, lesson learned was that just because you don't like one person working at a particular salon doesn't mean that all are bad?!  Oh, and groupons are not all good ;)

Have you ever bought a groupon?  What would you have done in this situation?  POLEASE!  Do share!

Free Glasses? Yes!

So, I have been in need of a pair of glasses for about a year now.  I can see, but details are faint and driving at night is, well difficult ;)  Ask any of my gal friends who have bravely sat in the passenger seat during a date night out! 

So, I "liked" a few glasses companies on Facebook and found Coastal.com and their AMAZING deal for first time guests!  FIRSTPAIRFREE!  Put that in the coupon code when you check out and yes!  Your first pair is FREE!!!  If you do not like them, you just send them back and they pay for shipping while you exchange them for a different pair.  Kinda genius!  Why wouldn't you try a pair out?! 

Oh and yes, you do need a prescription to type in so go to your dr's first if you do not know yours.

 I only look slightly awkward...haha!

I LOVE them!  I LOVE seeing better!

Now go out and try something a little trendier than what you are currently wearing.  Do not get stuck in an era where the style is long gone.  No, you do not have to go all "hipster" like I have...

...(although I would commend you if you did) but there are other ways to look a bit more hip ;)  You THINK no one notices, but we do! ;)  haha!

Glasses are an accessory and fun!  I even thought about getting bangs again but talked myself out of it.  These glasses are just what I needed to change up my look, feel like "me" but stay away from a "permanent" trend (although bangs are not really permanent, but you get my drift).

I'll SEE ya around!

Vera Wang ‘Black & Nude’ Bridal Line

I am fully aware of my tardiness in addressing the amazingness of Vera Wang's new bridal line.  So, where do I begin?  First off, have you seen the gowns?  I got a few minutes to myself while nursing Bexley and decided to pop on the t.v and see what was on.  I found The View (yay...) and so I decided to watch it a bit.  Praise the LORD that I did!  I was pleasantly surprised to see Vera Wang come out who brought down her latest pieces of art on a mini runway.

I.

Was.

Salivating....Literally.  No sarcasm. 

Take a look!

Part 1

Part 2

My top picks...

My favorite.

 A close second and similar to the shape and fitting of my own wedding dress.

Oh, the DETAIL!!!  I'm literally clenching my teeth right now!  LOVE!

The black lace over the nude is gorgeous.

What do you think?  Here are my thoughts.  I'd NEVER wear anything but ivory.  I love ivory over white but the bit of lace on my wedding dress was the nude color you see in Vera Wang's line.  Besides all of that, the impeccable detail, the unique designs and how they present as real pieces of art amaze me and get me biting my nails to create my own things...

Would you ever consider wearing anything but white or ivory for your wedding?  Do you love or hate this line?  Please do tell!

Stayin' Sane Saturdays

Saturday was a good one.  It started at 6:30 (if you do not count going to bed at 12:30 am) with the chimes of my sweet, two-year-old, squawking foreign bird and a very hungry Bexley.  I took the babes downstairs and let the hubby sleep in.

Next, I decided we needed to re-clean the basement.  The kids weren't super excited but as we cleaned we found places for everything.  This made them excited to dance around in the cleanliness.

At about 10:30, Andy sent me on my merry way!  I went to La Chatelaine (duh) and enjoyed a healthy lunch to myself as I looked up verses on friendship, anger, etc.  I was asked to speak at the ARC's conference this year and since 'friendship' has been put on my heart so much in the last year, I chose to speak on that.  I'm excited and a bit nervous but praying that I'll come across clear and will be able to reach the hearts of the woman and touch on some things that hit home for them.  I just want God to use me to open their eyes (and mine) on how our friendships are and how we could better them to glorify God.

So, that was nice.  Next I headed over to a favorite spot (an indulgence if you will) Blue Frost Cupcake.  Have you been?  Omagosh.  You walk in and are hit with a wall of yummy-ness.  It's fantastic.  I'd could make millions if i could bottle that up and sell it as a perfume.  Did someone already try that?<---That will bring back some memories and serious laughter! 

My flavorite, yes FLAVORite is the chocolate coconut.  I am SO excited when they have it and completely brokenhearted when they do not.  It's okay though, I always find something I like there ;)

See?  My sanity is slowly showing back up on my face.  You don't see it?  Oh...

Next I was off to the Ole Worthington Farmers Market and was sad that my favorite Oink Moo Cluck farm was not there :(  But it was redeemed with buying some awesome soap from Gretel's Handcrafted Soap.  She even through in a free Salve which is said to "heal even a farmer girl's hands!"  So, I will let you know!

I always feel so dang good after a few hours to myself.  My hubby is good to me so I can be good back to him and the kids :)

Zeke's first at-home speech therepy session.

Do you remember me talking about my little Zekey who is now almost 2.5 years old?  I talked about how he wasn't speaking and I wasn't sure if we should just trust that he'd eventually speak, or have a specialist check him out.

                    I just love this boy!                    

As time went on (not much time) I realized it was time for an intervention.  Our first session was yesterday and it was amazing!  A woman came to our house for an hour.  For the first 5 minutes, we talked about what Zeke can say and what he seems to have a difficult time with.  Next, we all headed to the floor and I could tell Zeke was anticipating what was in the big bag that she brought.  Maybe he remembered it from when we visited "Help Me Grow"?

The first toy she took out was a ball game.  You pull the lever down, a ball comes out and you have to pop it back into the top.  Simple but whenever he would say "aaaa" (short a sound) she would take the item he wanted, which in this case was the ball and put it next to her mouth and say, "Baw.  Baw".  Then she would hand it to him.  Zeke was very interested in watching her mouth as she showed him how to form the word.

With anything Zekey wants, I need to put it to my mouth and have him watch me exaggerate (extremely) the word.  You'd laugh because my older kids do ;)

The next game was a shape game.  There were 3 shapes and Zekey practiced inserting them into the correct shaped hole.  Again, trying to get him to say "block" exaggerating the "B" sound. 

As we played, she would recognize sounds that he would say and the ones he was avoiding.  He does what is easiest for his mouth.  "N" sound, "D" sound and even "tch" sound.  If you think about it, it's with little effort those sounds can be made.  There is no need for him to put his lips together or pull his lips in such as a "B" sound.  I think of it as a lazy way to talk although I know there is more to it.  He has an over bite which makes the effort to do some sounds more difficult for him. 

Next, she pulled out a Zip Lock baggy with a dog, brush (little for dolls), doll, baby blanky and a cup.  She wanted to give him simple directions to see if he'd follow them.  We found out that although he knew what each was, he wasn't staying focused on what we were trying to get him to do.  "Brush the babies hair."  He would brush my hair at first but then after repeating it many times, he'd do what we asked.  So, I need to start working on giving him simple directions because he gets complicated ones such as "Please take your cup and put it in the sink." 

It was really great.  The woman was extremely patient and was super sweet but firm with Zekey.  It was a good reminder and model for me.  This time showed me how I need to be with Zekey and his speech.  When he would hit I would say, "Oh, gentle buddy."  Right away she would say, "Oh it's really okay.  He's just excited."  It was simple but eye opening.  When he kicks and hits by reaction, that's just a way he shows excitement.  Since yesterday I have been letting him do that more (with me) and it's been really fun!  If he screams, I scream with him to show him how my mouth does what his mouth is doing.  We've been laughing more and playing more intentionally.  I'm excited for it all!

Here is my homework.

1. Body Parts.  I worked with Zekey a long time ago on body parts but didn't continue asking him once he seemed to catch on.  I did this a lot with him with words as well.  Once I thought he knew a word, I didn't pay attention to being sure he said it again and again.  I guess with the 3rd I naturally didn't have as much time as I did with #1 and #2 and I became lazy unintentionally.  I look back and think how he was on the right track but I let it go.  So, I am going to re-teach him body parts.

2. I need to buy him a sippy with a straw.  This will build his muscles around his mouth to help him form words better.  She reminded me a few times so I assume it's important.  He knows how to use one but she wants him to only drink from a straw.

3. Toys that make him have to blow.  Totally makes sense.  I will be purchasing some kind of horn (yay) and bubbles for him to learn how to blow.

4. I will be taking Zekey to the mirror and give him simple commands so he can watch my mouth and try and imitate it with his.  He'll be able to see what his mouth is doing (or trying to do) while looking at the mirror.  Genius!  Commands such as, "Together, open mouth, smile, close mouth, ect." 

5. Zekey currently gives open mouth kisses.  It's cute but can REALLY hurt and he's too old to be giving open mouth kisses.  He also hangs his mouth open and it's just not as cute with a 2 year old as it is with a baby ;)  So, we need to practice kissing (I LOVE THIS ONE!!!!), lip pops which is basically a sound you make with  your lips that sounds like a bubble popping, the "P" sound, "B", "M", and "W" sounds repeatedly.  Also, "whooo whooo!"  like a choo choo train.  Any funny sounds that he thinks are fun while trying to get him to repeat me.

6. Hold the desired object by my mouth and exaggerate the word so he can see and try to repeat it.  Problem is, he doesn't like to actually repeat.  I guess this is one I'll be doing on faith hoping he'll just start to say it eventually.

7. Teach him to sign "more".  Again, something he knew a long time ago but I never enforced it.

8. Meal time clean up I should give him the simple commands.  "Give me cup.  Give me plate.  Give me fork." etc.  It's the simple commands I guess I kind of skipped with him ;)

With Zekes motor skills, which he scored high in the original testing, I just have to be sure that he is NOT sitting in a "W" form.  That is when a child puts both feet back with knees bent and pointing forward.  It's REALLY bad for their hips and knees and so this is going to be a difficult habit to break but I must!

I really want to stress fun with ALL of this because he NEVER gets upset if I am smiling and just playing.  I'm secretly teaching him.

With the 3rd, simple things I naturally taught my older babes isn't as easy to teach because of less time.  Sad but true.  So I am now going to have more focused time with Zekey and I'm also going to be more aware of all of this with Bexley!

Now that I know all of the practice and work we have ahead of ourselves, I am for SURE it was the right thing to do in getting Zekey to talk sooner.  It's only going to bring blessing!  Yay!

I hope this helps any of you momma's out there with questions on your own child!  Looking forward to hearing more fun games from a friend that I'll share with you and also my sweet Zekey Zoo Zoo talking sooner than later!  I have 2 other scheduled meetings and will continue to make this a huge priority.  He only gets free help until he turns three. 

Phil 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  I love my God.  One I can go to with big and little things and He's always listening and staying involved. 

Amen.

Have you tried the new Fresh Take from Kraft?

I was hesitant at first, but when I went to Kroger and they literally handed me a coupon to try the new Fresh Take from Kraft, I thought, "Why not?"  Have you seen the commercial?

Why was I hesitant?  Well, I'm not a fan of buying things that are not real or all packaged up but I wanted to cut myself some slack and see how easy it really was! 

With coupon in hand, I went ahead and plopped the Italian Parmesan (yes, they have different flavors to choose from!) in my cart less hesitant than before.

Here's just how easy (and so yummy!) it was to use!

I plopped my Farmers Market chicken (which made me feel better about eating it! ha!) in the bag and just tossed it (maybe cheated a bit and pressed it) all in there reeeeal good.  I put it into the oven just as the directions said and started on my side dish.  Brussels sprouts.

Not sure about brussels sprouts?  I cannot promise you'll love them but I can't stop eating these with the way that I prepare them.

Cut them in half and place them on a cookie sheet.  Drizzle EVOO and Kosher salt, toss a bit and put it in the oven with your main dish.  It takes about 15 minutes for them to brown.  Ahh-mazing, healthy and of course, quick and easy.

Ready for the final product?

So darn good!  The kids (2 out of 3 eating kids) LOVED...the chicken but they know they have to eat their veggies! ;)

When Cyrus is in a good mood, he tells me that he's happy to eat the veggies because he wants to be healthy!  This was that kind of night ;)

Poor Eisley girl is a vegetarian and HATES meat.  I do not serve a lot of it nor do I make her eat much.  So, although she's smiling...she's not a fan of our dinner. :)

Zeke eats anything.  He also likes me to feed him like a baby which I secretly love.

Have you tried it?  Will you now?  I highly recommend it!  Happy healthy cooking!

Bee Pollen and why it's apart of our morning ritual.

This is what our breakfast usually consists of.  I substitute oatmeal with the Ezekiel bread on some days.

Ezekiel toast with honey and almond butter (whoops, forgot to add that in) and apple slices.  After they eat they GET to have a spoonful of bee pollen with a drizzle of honey from none other than Honeyrum Farm, of course. 

I cannot say enough good things about this farm and their owners Jayne and Isaac.  They're so sweet and their products are fantastic!  I always purchase my honey and soap from them at (say it with me!) the Ole Worthington Farmers Market, but I wanted to see what this bee pollen was all about. 

Isaac told me that it had a ton of health benefits and his kids get excited to have it daily.  I was intrigued (and a little weirded out by eating bee pollen) but I bought some anyway.

He gave me a slip with some amazing facts about bee pollen.  I was so excited to try it when we got home! 

Although he warned me that bee pollen tastes kind of chalky tasting, I was not prepared.  Ew.  It's gross.  Ya want to know what I think it tastes like?  Farm.  Fish food.  Your pick.  I have never tried "farm" or fish food but if you could bottle "farm" up, it'd taste just the same I am sure of it.  Fish food? Well you know what it smells like from "getting" to feed your class fish back in grade school and I'm convinced I now know what it tastes like.  Sick.

But flavor isn't why I bought it.  I was excited to see how this would be another thing we could add to our diet to benefit our bodies in a healthy way.

I put bee pollen and a drizzle of honey on a spoon and I swallow it with water.  It's becoming easier to down but I highly doubt it will ever be a walk in the park.

The kids LOVE it!  I mean it!  I talked to them about it, telling them it doesn't taste great but I would drizzle it with honey.  I also told them that it's really healthy and their bodies would LOVE to have it.  They think of it as a treat :)

Here's what you should know when buying bee pollen.  Buy local.

Actually, there's a lot to know...I'd HIGHLY recommend you checking out this website where you'll find EVERYTHING you need to know about bee pollen and why it's amazing for you!  Click around and get tons of questions answered.

So, will you try this farm-tasting super food?