Summer Time Diy: Citronella Candles

The number one summer enemy where I am from is the hated mosquito! They are  aggressive and painful around my house and 100% times worse at my fiancés. So for us to be able to enjoy the summer outdoors we need citronella candles and bug spray! Today I will show you how to make the Citronella Candles and tomorrow I will show you how to make essential oil Bug Spray.

First let me explain why I make my own instead of buying them! The ones that come from the store are full of fragrances and chemicals. We all end up breathing the fumes in and they end up in our blood stream. So in my book thats definitely a NO NO. In mine I use organic beeswax, cotton wick, and therapeutic grade essential oils. All perfectly good for your body.

You'll Need:
♡Organic Beeswax (I got mine on amazon)
♡Mason Jars (Walmart)
♡Cotton Wick (Michaels Craft Store)
♡Small Washers (Lowes Or Home Depo)
♡Young Living Citronella Essential Oil (Got to the Oils
♡Bamboo Skewers (Walmart)

What to do:
First you will want to tie your wicks to your washers for each masion jar. Set the washer with the wick tied to it in the bottle of the jar. Place a skewer on top of the jar and wrap the wick around it 2 times. Then cut the wick and tape to skewer. Shown in a picture below!

Now you want to get busy melting beeswax. This took me forever. There is not exact science to melting wax. I got a glass measuring pitcher and microwaved it at 50 second increments. Do this until 100% liquid with no off white floaties. For each 2 cups of melted liquid beeswax I added 40 to 45 drops. I filled the jars to the line where the tin top would end. Then repeat this process till all mason jars are full.

Let your jars sit over night before trimming the wick and lighting! Once they are done you can light them and enjoy! The scent is very light and not at all over whelming!

Hope you enjoy comment below and let me know how this works for you.

My First Doctors Appointment with my OBGYN!

I can not explain to you the nerves and anticipation that led up to this doctors visit. So many thing were running through my mind. I hoped I would be healthy and the baby would be as well. I worried about possible problems since we were seeing her for the first time with I was 12 weeks according to the hospital. It is amazing how many questions and concerns you can have and when you get there they all just kind of went away.

So on May 20th we went to the Doctors Office. Daniel was sweet enough to come with me even though he had been working a 12 hour night shift. He was just so thrilled for the possibility to see our sweet baby. We got there 20 minutes early and filled out paperwork. Then waited another hour till we were able to go inside. Nothing about going to the doctor is quick and easy.

Once we were in they took my weight and blood pressure. Then we went into a room and answered all of the hundreds of questions. I was given my little packet to read about all things pregnancy. I was formally notified of all my testing I could do. It amazed me that I had to sign a form saying that the nurse informed me of these testings. I wonder what they BIG deal is. But oh well I declined. My baby is in God's hands and is perfect just the way he/she is. No need for testing.

The nurse informed us at about 12 we were not going to be able to do an ultrasound because the Tech did not come in until the afternoon. So Daniel gave me a kiss and went home. He was so exhausted and desperately needed sleep. He works so hard and sleeps so little; it did not bother me that he left. They continued with talking to me and then gave me a "beautiful" paper gown to wear. I was waiting in my room and a nurse came in and told me to put my clothes back on because I am getting a ultrasound. I dressed and texted Daniel seeing if he was close enough but he was about 15 minutes away. I also didn't have enough time to send him the address. So I went on to get an ultrasound with out him.

It was the most amazing experience seeing your baby for the first time. It did not make me want to cry it just gave me pure joy. It gave me this knowledge that I can be a mother and God gave me a beautiful child to love and to raise. My OB quickly realized that I was much further along than 12 week and my due date of Dec 1st was no longer accurate. Her first give away was the sized. It was a huge and well developed baby. Second, the baby was already drinking amniotic fluid. She kept trying to measure the baby from rump to crown but someone just wouldn't sit still. It was a blessing to see how excited my little one was to get attention. She got measurements of the head, tummy, and leg to decide a new due date. My new due date is November 8th and I am 16 weeks today! It is crazy how time flies when you just fast-forward 3 weeks of your pregnancy .

I don't mind about the change in due date though. I am just so happy to know what is beautiful face, spine, arms and LONG legs look like. Oh and to hear and see its heart beat was just the happiest thing. I swear all I want to do is watch an ultrasound all day. I even googled how much one would cost for giggles. But sadly I don't have 4,000 for one.

In summery I am more overjoyed that ever before. I cannot wait to meet this little one!!! I love the though of knowing it can feel my touch and get excited when it gets attention. I also love the fact of how busy it is. It shows that it is healthy and going to be active. I am so thankful for God's amazing hand in this and giving me such peace from the ultrasound.

The Search for a Positive Pregnancy

Today I did some soul searching. I just felt as though I wanted more for my life. I am so tired of settling. I want my dreams to come true and to live life to it's fullest. I had that dream before the baby and half heartedly pursued it. But now I have every reason to chase after.

I realized in my sould searching that I feel a missing joy and excitement that I always envisioned with my first pregnancy. I want that!!! I have been so caught up in my hormones, worrying about others judging me, and just trying to survive. I have been caught up in the fact that many people around me are disappointed I got pregnant before marriage. I can't bring a baby into the world like that. I can't bring a baby into the world being worried and concerned with everyone not being happy as they would if I were married.

So I have decided right here and now to make this the most enjoyable, positive, and adventurous pregnancy. I had an eye opening moment today at the pregnancy resources center in my town. The lady who was talking to me and walking through the class with me is pregnant as well. As we were talking I felt such joy being open and positive about that baby. I knew then and there I wanted that all the time. I know not everyone in my life can get on board but just ignore my glowing vibes!

So I thought you know of course the best way to be positive abot my pregnancy is to surround myself with other expecting mothers. I searched all day for Birth Classes, Pregnancy Workout Groups, Doulas, and Pregnancy Support Groups. Unfortunately my schedule works doesn't work with the maybe 3 possibilities I found. I couldn't find anything to easily fill this need of mine. I jumped on pinterest with high hopes of an answer and found NOTHING.

Instead of falling into the trap of defeat and crying/eating my sorrow away; I decided I would make it my goal to find out how to have the most enjoyable and positive pregnancy I can!

So I encourage you to tune into my life and follow this journey of mine. In hopes you may one day help someone have a positve pregnancy when the odds are against her.

Maybe I am Just a Pussy, But Pregnancy is not an Easy Thing!

I had always had this vision of my pregnancy being perfect. I would be fit and healthy. I would do an amazing workout daly. I would just have this complete and amazing feeling.

Don't get me wrong I am so happy about being pregnant, I work hard at being healthy, and I workout when I can. But I am exhausted 60% of the time, I get nauseous from time to time (especially when I am tired), my IBS is acting up more, and Daniel would tell you I am moody.

No one told me that you could feel this bad and not be a super mom.

Back Pain! I have lived with it all my life but never this deep in my back. I can't seem to tak enough baths to relax thats all I want to do when I get home. I have tried KT tape. It helped alot, but I dont think I have mastered the art of putting it on and choosing the right angles and lengths. My Ortho Sport Oil has also been a HUGE help! It makes all those evil knots go away without needed a massage. After I apply the Ortho Sport I use my massage roller to make everything relax. I just wish I could do ALL my remedies at work!

Could you just imagine walking in to buy a car and seeing a pregnant woman laying on her back useing a massage roller???

I think I need to start having a monthly chiropractic visit to just make sure my back stay in alignment since my body is loosened due to Relazin.

For my stomach problems I am really at a loss. I am doing all my normal regimen to keep my IBS in line. I take the highest strength probiotics, use oils, eat yogurt, drink my Shakeology, and try to eat clean. Maybe it will subside soon.

I am just hoping in a month I can write all of you to let you know my glowing pregnancy has started. That is my dream. I would love to be a super mom, but for now I will do my best.

UTI Pops!

Since I was in the hospital I have been struggling with a UTI. I chose to go the modern medicine route because of my pregnancy and I have gone through 3 rounds of antibiotics with no luck. I finally decided for the sake of my head to stop trying antibiotics and do home remedies.

I am drinking all kinds of cranberry juice, taking cranberry tablets, drinking teas, and using oils.

So for my UTI Pops!

Only 2 ingredients!!!
-Cranberry Juice
-Thieves Essential oil

You need a Popsicle mold. Pour cranberry juice into each of the holes, then drop 4 drops of Thieves essential oil into each hole. Stir gently. Place the sticks into the holes and freeze!

Once frozen enjoy! I suggest eating one a day and having a paper towel handy it melts and will easily die your clothes.

Let me know if this helps you and share with youe friends! ♡

Adding One More Member to our Family

On March 15, Daniel and I got a huge surprise when I went to the hospital for a UTI and Bowel Infection. The doctors informed us that I was 2 to 3 weeks pregnant. It was a massive shock. We hadn't planned on having kids till a few years down the road when we were financially stable. But as always God had other plans.

So we had to start planning for our future a lot faster than we planned. We are currently saving up for all the furniture and home goods we will need to furnish a house with a baby. I am shopping all the sales and looking for amazing deals. I am so excited and extremely nervous.

I am so glad I have blogging to keep me positive. When I can put my thoughts, ideas, and life down in words I can process everything better. Not to mention I feel so much better having the news about our baby out in the open! It makes me sick hiding secrets.

So I hope you will tune in and join us on our complicated beautiful adventure to homesteading! ♡