Huge Homeschool Giveaway

doTERRA

Look at what Brooke and I have added to our list...Yep we are new family members to doTERRA. I have dabbled in EO's (Essential Oils) for a few years before I got married. Then I just kinda put them on the back burner and forgot about them. Then a dear friend and neighbor of mine re-introduced me to EO's and doTERRA after I had my 3rd baby a couple of years ago. She called me one day after having the baby to see how I was doing and could hear my frustration. Not only did I have a newborn that had some health issues but two very active toddlers that were 16 months and 3. She ran over with her diffuser and a handful of oils to share with me. We ran the diffuser with some Balance I couldn't get enough. Here it is 2 1/2 years later and I was talking to Brooke about them and she started using the Slim and Sassy  and she has lost 13 pounds in 2 1/2 weeks. AMAZING (she will have to tell you her story)!

So I just want to share with you are new adventure and if your are interested here is Brooke's link I will get mine tomorrow. We are hoping to share with you our experiences with using the oils. And help you see the benefits of making yourself and your family Healthier and also the many uses of the oils. I use them in my homemade laundry soap, deodorant, use them in cleaning, dusting, add them to my drinking water for something refreshing other then having a sugary soda, and the many ways you can use them to help you feel better. Relieve pain, help sleep better, give you more energy, etc.

Have you ever used EO's? What has been your experience?

Resolutions

New Years resolutions are something I look forward to every New Year. I love setting goals and working toward them all year not just at the beginning of the new year. But I also love the clean slate at the begging of the new year, a fresh start on uncharted territory. So far I have only managed to keep one New Years resolution. No Caffeinated Soda, I have managed to go without my caffeine fix for the past almost 4 months (go me). But that doesn't mean my resolve as wained towards my other goals for this year. I just get to try harder each day to do a little better.

How are you doing on your resolutions?

HaPpY bIrThDaY.. We are 3!

3 years ago we came up with this blog to share things that our Mom would have loved to share with others. More of a tribute to her and all of her hobbies that she passed on to us. The last couple of years since her passing we have had "Grandma J Pay it Forward Days"

The rule is to do something that will help another. We have heard of some amazing stories. Even people that haven't known our mom has stepped in and had great experiences in what they have done. Service was a huge part of moms life and we want to follow her example and do our part. I love that commercial when one person does something nice for another and someone else sees that and they do something and it becomes a full circle from where it began.

Have a great day of Service! And THANK YOU for following our Blog.

Remember the more followers we get we will start having giveaways. We have some already in mind so share with your friends!!!

Indexing

Sunday at church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) I learned how to index records so that it will help those that are working on their family history learn more about their Ancestors. It is so addicting and very easy to do. There is A LOT of work that needs to be done so they are asking for anybody that is willing and able to help. Go HERE to get started! Try it out. I am able to index 20 plus name a day during my kiddos "rest time". It is great for me to make use of some well needed "down time"

How is your Family History coming along? What have you done to help your children to know more about your Heritage?

My New Toy: Part 2

Remember my new toy? The Silhouette Cameo electronic cutting tool Well I wanted to show some of what it can do.
I have been experimenting on what the vinyl will stick to.
Kitchen Aid

Laptop Walls & DoorsI loved the Etching Cream rI used the heat transfer vinyl to make the boys shirts & Rooster's pants. I made the cute dimpled boy too, just not with the Silhouette.

Organize: AM/PM Boxes

The idea for this came from here . I love these for my kids, getting 4 kids ready to go in the morning is chaos. Each kid in our family has a family color (My OCD in high gear) This is the color of their towels and anything that we have to have 4 of. That way I know who's stuff belongs to who, & who left their towel on the bathroom floor. (I'm sneaky like that). Any way I just put the things the need to get ready in the morning & evening into school pencil boxes. Yes that is a deodorant and body spray the younger 3 don't wear it they just pretend to put it on so they get into the habit of putting it on (for those smelly teenage years). It all fits nicely into the pencil box

I found this awesome shelf at a yard sale so they can be easily accessed


This has nothing to do with today's post but I thought this little find was way to cute not to share.

How do you keep your mornings running smoothly?

Guess What I had for breakfast..

Did you know that there are over 13 flavors of Cheerios? Crazy huh? But AWESOME!

My kids LOVED the yogurt blends when they were teething. My daughter would pick them out and eat those and give me the non yogurt ones.

I haven't tried the Peanut Butter ones yet, But they are in my pantry for tomorrow morning.

This is the one I had this morning. It was like sitting in Heaven. YUMMY! I wonder how it would taste if I mixed the Chocolate ones with them!

These are Divine as well. I think I will get a box soon and try them out with the peanut butter ones as well!

But this is the families all time favorite. We LOVE them. My kiddos aren't into all the sugary cereals that they have on the market believe me I have tried them out. So I finally just gave up on them and we are SATISFIED with our Cheerios! Go HERE for some yummy recipes! Great way for your stock that you may have in your food storage!

What is your favorite Cheerios flavor?

Working at the Car Wash...

Who knew that getting your car washed could be such a Pretty Cool Experience? The kids love to go through the touch free car wash because of the colored foam that covers the car.

Happy Leap Day! What are you doing on your "Extra" Day?

Getting Ready for Conference

I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Every 6 months we have General Conference (the first weekend of April and Oct) This is where we all gather together and have the opportunity to hear our Living Prophet Thomas S Monson (and other general leaders) speak to us.
You can go here to learn more.
We have 3 toddlers and we have the opportunity to watch General Conference on TV. Maybe when they are a lot older we can try to attend at the Conference Center .

Last Oct I made "Conference Baskets" for each of the kids. I went to the Dollar store and found each a different colored baskets and then filled them up with crayons, pictures of Christ, Families, Prophets, and other related pictures that they could color. Also had some snacks for each of them like Apple slices, fruit snack, crackers, cookies, and a Bottle of water. Since conference is for the weekend I kept some for The Sat sessions (we have a morning and afternoon) and then had a stash for the Sun Sessions (again Morn/Afternoon).

My kids were so excited for their baskets. I don't expect them to sit for all of it. Like I said they are toddlers. In the pic below they are 2, 3, &4. (Since then my oldest turned 5). BUT they did AMAZING and I was able to listen to all of the very first sessions on Sat and Sun! Even my oldest was able to pick up little things here and there that was said and gave Hubby and I time to share our Testimonies with her.

The reason for the EARLY post of Conference (because I know its not until Mar 31-April 1) is because My now 5 year old asked if we were going to have the special baskets soon. And it got me thinking.... I have Amble of time to start getting things together.

Share some of your Conference Traditions

The Kids are making Dinner!

Its crazy I know especially since my kids are still in the toddler years (5, 3 1/2, 2). Its also true that your kids will eat better when they help you in the kitchen. My oldest is getting so independent now and she loves to help with everything. (I have been waiting for this day!!!) She now sweeps the floor, washes the table off, and helps daddy make sure the garbage is ready to be taken out. I love having her help!
I am a person who LOVES to try out a new recipe. But as of lately... give me something that is care free and take only seconds to prepare. I don't know how our Mom had dinner on the table at 5 while taking care of 6 plus kids that ranged in the ages from 1 to 10. Mom would always make everything for scratch and it would take all day for dinner. Me, I like to find a fast easy way out.
For instance.... We made Pizzas for Dinner the other night. The kids loved them!! Why? Because they made them. I thawed some Rhodes Rolls and the kids made their pizza rounds then we simply added our toppings. Then put in the oven until the crust was golden! Even my 2 year old could do this. They each ate 2 of them! They loved using their "Chef" skills. And now ask me if they can make Dinner tonight. (I dont know if I am ready for Pizza everynight, but maybe once a month we can have a special Pizza night!)

What are you making for Dinner tonight? Do your Kids help you in the kitchen?

Just a little TMI

So this is the reason for my lack of posting. I have been passing Kidney Stones

This has not been a fun process by no means. It all started about 3 weeks ago. I woke up at 2:30 AM in the worst pain ever. I really thought that I was having contractions only I KNEW that I'm NOT Pregnant. I finally woke up my Husband to tell him about the pain and that it wasn't going away, he ran downstairs and immediately got online to see what it could be. All kinds of things came up under side pain...Ectopic pregnancy was one of the things we were most concerned about. We called neighbors and they came running to our house to stay with the kids and Hubby took me to the ER.

Just to let some of you know if you have not had kidney stones but have given birth...I would take giving birth (mine were all c-sections) over this any day! HOLY COW PAIN Galore!

During my ER stay the did a CT scan and found that I had 2 stones (2mm and 4mm) stuck in the Ureter and some stones in the kidney. Also found that I have some Gallstones. (We are taking one step at a time. Take care of the Kidney stones then move on) I had 2 surgery procedures to remove the stones (just a laser thing to ZAP the ones that were stuck then the Doc removed the others to see what type they were which were the most common ones, calcium)

So here it is 3 weeks later. I am still in some pain but NOT like I was in the beginning. That was H*LL! SO I am drinking LOTS of H2O with DoTerra Lemon Essential Oil (if you would like some I have a friend that sells it) ans slowly making other changes so that I wont get any more of these trespasser's. And Slowly I am getting back in to the swing of things.

Have you had Kidney Stones? How did you manage the pain?

Also just a little SHOUT OUT to those that have helped us out during this time of need. We had many yummy meals brought in and the phone calls to check on me and also for the neighbors and friends that took my kids into their homes so that I could get my rest and my Hubby could get back to work. You all are great examples to me and I hope that I can return the favor soon. WE LOVE YOU ALL. I counted up all these that helped and what they did so I can get THANK YOUS out and there were 19 families that were there for us around the clock. I am still getting calls from people that want to help. You all are AMAZING!

How has someone served you? What have you done to help others in need?

Crafters Block & A New Toy

I don't know whether it has been crafters block or busyness, but I haven't been in much of a crafting mood lately. It all changed yesterday when I got this little beauty off the UPS truck. I didn't get to play with it last night due to important family obligations (Family Home Evening & Prison Break with hubby). But as soon as my chores were done this morning I was ready to play. My first project was to personalize my Silhouette Cameo with this beautiful butterfly. My mom loved butterflies and she would have loved this fun little machine.

What gets you out of a crafters block?

Where Have I been?

I am sorry for the lack of posts this week, with one of us down sick & my schedule crazy busy this week. Things have been a little slow going in the craft department.

This is a sneak peek at what we have been up to at the Hansen House

PINEWOOD DERBY

With Shane's ever changing military schedule, he is on nights this week. Unfortunately this means he gets to see the older kids for only about 15min each day, and that helping Mr. Zander with Pinewood Derby car goes on my to do list. I was nervous at first, I have no idea how to make a block of wood into a car. My son was more nervous than me he said "Mom, are you sure about this, I think we're going to ruin it." I think between me & Mr. Zander working on it while dad was at work, & dad help when he was home, we did a pretty good job.

Meet "The Boomerang" Mr. Zander & dad still need to work on the tires, but it is almost done.

It's Miracle Soup!!

We are still under the weather over here (the reason of lack of postings)

The other night for Dinner I made this DEVINE Chicken Noodle Soup My kids (including the Hubby) Felt almost instantly better. Its that type of soup. Packed FULL of Flavor!

Because I wasn't feeling any better then the rest of the clan I made a couple easy steps to it. Instead of cutting all the veggies I used frozen veggies and I didn't have any egg noodles or the energy to go to the store to get any so I used Quinoa (keen-wah). It was great! Everyone asked to have it for lunch the next day. My 5 year old told me that this soup is her most favorite ever and that she isn't sick anymore! IT'S A MIRACLE Soup!!!

I also love to freeze the extra broth for another day. Warm it up in a mug and you really do feel better! Thank you to the Chef of this fine Meal!!!

What meal warms you up?

Upcycled Oatmeal Container

Turn This

Into This

Recycling at it's finest

All you need is an

Empty Oatmeal Container

Scrapbook Paper

Adhesive of some sort

A Label

&

2 rolls of your finest TP.

I figured it was a pretty self explanatory project so i didn't do step by step photos

Do you have an awesome Upcycling project?

Calling in "Sick" Today

Growing up our Mom had a way to make our "Sick" days BETTER days. Almost to the point that we would forget that we were sick. She would make the couch up to be the most perfect and comfortable spot in the house (talking loads of blankets and pillows). Have a tray next to it with books, Hot water with lemon and honey in it, and a bowl of soup and crackers, and A tall glass of ice cold sprite, She would also make me my most favorite get well snack Tapioca. Then after she made sure I was comfy she would put in the Get Well Soon Movies...

For some reason Pete's Dragon and Pollyanna made us feel better.

So its my turn to follow Mom's wonderful example. My 3 kiddos are sick today. I have the baby napping upstairs and the girls each have a couch. They are nicely snuggled with their Blankets and pillows. And Pete's Dragon is playing!

What makes you feel Better?

Laundry Room Makeover

The laundry room in our house is the entrance to our castle, which means that is where everybody drops their stuff before going into the rest of the house. Shoes, backpacks, purses, socks, jackets & everything in between. I just don't like how messy it always seems to look even when things are put away, so i did a little revamping.

Starting with the shoes, I made this counter skirt to hide our basket of shoes (can I just say I love having a utility sink in the laundry room. This is the best when you cloth diaper. It also doubles as a great bathtub for the little ones)

These beauties are a gift from my wonderful hubby. I love the color, the fact that it has a steam option cuts way down on my ironing & I love the storage underneath. The Bins on top say Donate, Toss, & Put Away, I take them down when I am organizing a room or a space.

I also made a curtain for the shelving that was built into the house, I like that the curtains give it a much cleaner look. I also recovered the cedar chest with fabric to match the room.

Of course with my OCD the containers needed to match the room as well, I cut the side to make a template, I printed and laminated it on a sticker sheet so I could adhere it to the laundry soap containers.

Since we make our own laundry soap & fabric softener we will use these containers over and over again.

How to you organize the entry to your castle?