Marx's 18 Month Pictures

It was a nightmare doing Marx's pictures. All he was interested in was the water. Whenever

I'd sit him on the bench, he through the biggest fit. He just wanted to run and point at the water. I was sweating by the time I was done.

Out of about 30 shots, this is all I was able to come up with.

Oh well...

They turned out pretty cute, and it will help me to remember how his little personality was at

18 months of age!

He's all boy!

 

Marx-18 months

Our little man is 18 months old now,

and he's still a little booger...

but a cute one!

 

This is pretty much how our little photo session went last night...

 

Dear Marx,

Sheesh... we made it to 18 months! You are our little stud. But, a grumpy little stud. It seems to be one thing after another with you. You start to be so happy, then you start cutting your "i" teeth, or you start transitioning from 2 naps to one, OR the time changes and it messes up your whole schedule. It's crazy what one hour will do! Don't worry, I still love you to pieces, but you've really taught me some patience! Seriously!

You are a boy through and through. You climb everything that can be climbed, you take bowls out of the cupboard and bang on them, you crash over your toys, you run your little walker toy into the walls and doors, you love to wrestle with your sister and daddy, you love throwing a ball, or playing with balls, you can destroy a room in a matter of seconds, you love the remote, and you even walk around the house with your hand in your diaper. Like I said, a boy, through and through.

You have started the transition from 2 naps to 1. It's still a little rough. Specially with the time change. You'll wake up at 6 or 6:30, which is your normal 7 or 7:30, so by 10:30 you're exhausted. But then they'll be a couple days out of the week that you aren't at all interested in a nap in the morning. Hopefully we'll get that all figured out soon, like in the next 5 weeks before your little sister gets here!

You're not much of a talker yet, but you are trying. You will say, "elp!" Which means, help. You say it a lot, since you're always getting yourself into like predicaments that you can't get out of! You do say aye-a, which is Layla, and dada of course. The only time you say mama, is if you're sad or want something. You're also a great little pointer. Since I can't quite understand what you're trying to tell me, I'll say, "Show me what you want." And you'll take me right to it and point to it. If it's milk, you'll start laughing, but if it's not milk and that's what I think you're saying, you'll scowl at me. So yeah, you have your own little way of communicating with me.

You love love all the Toy Story and Madagascar movies. You have a Woody and Buzz Lightyear and carry them around the house most of the day. You'll even try to laugh like the Woody doll does. And if I need to get something accomplished and you're really clingy, all I have to do it put one of those movies in, and you're glued to the TV.

You are a genius at working the iPad and my phone. You know how to wake up the iPad, you know how to unlock the iPad and you know the exact category to go to, to find the app you want. It's amazing to watch you on it. You are so smart. You're favorite apps are a Toy Story book, Netflix (where you'll watch Dora or Diego), Peekaboo Pets, Talking Tom Cat, and some of the sing-a-long apps.

You a pretty good little eater. The only fruit I can get you to eat though is a banana. You LOVE bananas. Every once in a while you'll eat a grape, but those days are few are far between. You will usually eat whatever we're eating, but mostly the protein part. You're not much of a carb eater. Like you don't really care for bread, biscuits, stuff like that. Which is totally crazy to me! You love cheese and turkey for lunch, and you love a certain brand of animal crackers that you're Grandma Shellie sends you all the way from Utah. You also love pretzel sticks. So yeah, you're pretty easy to please.

You love when your daddy walks in the door from work. It's absolutely adorable when he opens the door. I'll say, "Marx! Who's here?" And you take off to the door, screaming, "dadadada!" Then the rest of the evening, you're his little side kick.

We get so many compliments on your white hair. Everyone around here loves it. As do I. I really hope it stays that way, but I'm sure it will get darker. They call you a cotton top. And I love to style it into a little fo-hawk (sp?) You'll get compliments on that too, specially at church.

You're eyes are still as blue as blue can get. I believe those will stay with you. You get that from your handsome daddy and papa. I have to be careful... you'll look at me and it's easy to let you get away with anything!

You are my little buddy. You're just a stud to me. Every time I look at you I'm amazed at how much you look like your daddy and how adorable you are. Your daddy and I are so blessed that our Heavenly Father sent you to us. I'm so worried that when baby sister comes, you'll all the sudden become this big boy. And I'm sure you will. I just don't want you to grow up to fast.

We love you Marx. Thank you for all the love and joy you bring into our home.

Love,
You're proud mama

Happy Halloween!

 

Mitchell Farms Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend we drove to Collins to check out Mitchell Farms.

We took my mother with us, and I'm so sad that I didn't get a picture of her

with my kids. So mad!

We had a great time, even though it was 48 degrees!

That's cold in the south, and we were not really dressed appropriately.

Thank goodness they had hot chocolate!

 

We started out with a wagon ride aroud the farm, then fed the goats.

After we fed the goats, Layla picked out her pumpkin, Lance and the kids rode down their

big rubber slide, we walked through the little petting zoon, kids played in a big barrel of corn, and played at their park area, and I think by then we were all frozen!

 

 

miss smarty pants

Miss 3 is too smart for her britches.

I decided to do preschool with her for her first year and put her in next year,

and I have to tell you, I've really enjoyed doing it with her.

 

Now, there are days when my patience isn't as great as others, but it's

 such a satisfying feeling, when she rememebers the things I've taught her.

(even when I feel like preschool was a waste on certain days)

 

It's really easy to get frustrated when she doesn't write a letter

just like I do, and I have to continue telling myself that,

"She is only 3! She's doing awesome!"

 

Anyway, I thought I better document this.

We started around the 1st of Septemeber, and she was writing her name that same week.

She seriously soaks it all in like a sponge.

And now writes her name on everything!

 

love these little boogers

It's nearly impossible to get a picture of these two together.

The only way I could get Marx to cooperate is to turn on Toy Story.

I'm going to have to be creative when it comes to taking their pictures

for our Christmas cards.

 

Essential Wellness Tip: Frankincense and Deep Blue

Today we're going to cover doTERRA oils

Frankincense

&

Deep Blue

 

We'll keep it plain and simple.

 

Frankincense

(aka Liquid Gold)

Common Uses:

-Arthritis

-Cold and Flu Season

(better believe I use it everyday)

-Immune Strengthener

-Inflammation

-Seizures

 

*Use to clean and dress minor cuts, bites, and sores

*Apply to neck and forehead with Lavender and Peppermint for stress and headaches

*Apply to feet and take internally in capsules to support immune function

*Use aromatically and topically to help lift mood and awareness

One very important fact:

It has been proven that Frankincense will penetrate the blood brain barrier and is being used to treat

Alzheimer's Disease.

 



 Deep Blue

Common Uses:

-Muscle Pain

-Arthritic Pain

-Inflammation

-Joint Pain

-Migraine Headaches

-Sprains

 

Muscle and Joint Support:

*Apply directly to tired, aching joints

*Rub on muscles before and after exercise to reduce discomfort

*Use with carrier oil for a therapeutic deep tissue massage

 

And for your convience, it comes in three different forms:

 

If you have any questions or comments please email me @ ljspiers@gmail.com or LTS_28@yahoo.com. If you don't have these in your home, it's very important that you learn more about them. I have plenty of information that I can give you.

Delicious Fudge made with doTERRA Essential Oils

This fudge recipe is so simple and SO delish!

I made it for one of the doTERRA classes and everyone loved it.

Infact, they loved it so much, that I had to write down the recipe and

copy it for everyone.

There is only 4 ingredients and takes about 5 minutes to make.

 

5 Min. Fudge

1-12 oz bag milk chocolate chips

3/4 c. butterscotch chips

14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp. vanilla

7-8 drops of preferred essential oil

 

Line a loaf pan with tin foil and spray with non-stick spray.

Put first four ingredients into a sauce pan on medium-low heat.

Stir ingredients until completely melted and combined.

Remove from heat and add your essential oil.

Mix well.

Pour mixture into prepared loaf pan and place in refrigerator.

When completely cooled remove from loaf pan and cut into desired square size.

Enjoy!!

 

My personal favorite is the Wild Orange in the fudge.

And this fudge is also delicious without the essential oils, specially when

you add walnuts!!

 

Would be a wonderful neighborhood gift for Christmas!

 

Essential Wellness Tip: Melaleuca and Oregano

Reinventing Healthcare

Did you know that our country spends $4.5 Trillion dollars on Global Healthcare every year!?

Ah...Holy Cow!

As a society do you feel like we're getting any healthier?

Ah...No!

But, you'd think, after spending $4.5 TRILLION dollars, we would be getting healthier, right?

Well, I think so.

 

Our healthcare today is based on Medication.

-Pharmaceuticals make it

-Doctors prescribe it

-Patients use it

 

And the biggest drug problem is...

Prescription Drug Abuse.

 

"The number of overdose deaths from pain killers more than tripled from 1999-2006"

-National Institute on Drug Abuse

 

 

"The truth is that preschool aged children are the fastest growing age group being prescribed anti-depressants."

-National Mental Health Association

 

Wow! If I can help it, my preschool aged child will not be prescribed an anit-depressants.

Truthfully, any child under the age of 6 should not be taking those drugs.

It's so so bad for them, and they have terrible side effects.

 

I've slacked on doing my essential wellness tips, but I'm hear to tell you,

I'm back!

 

Today I'm going to quickly cover

Melaleuca and Oregano

 

Melaleuca

Common Uses:

-Acne

-Cold and Flu season

-Ear Infections

(I've used on my children multipe times and it's saved us multiple trips to the doctor and the pharmacy.)

-Eczema/Psoriasis

-Immune System Support

-Skin Disorders

(The skin LOVES Melaleuca)

 

First Aid for the Skin:

-Apply to skin blemishes and rashes

-Use the shampoo and conditioner

-Apply to feet and toenails after showering for athletes foot or toe fungus

 

Oregano

Common Uses:

-Athletes foot

-Colds and Flu

-Immune System Support

-Infections

(It's a natural anitbiotic, again, saved me multiple trips to the doctor)

-Kills warts and Skin tags

(Had my own experience with that. Applied it to a wart on my arm and it burned that sucker right off)

-Yeast Infections

 

Natural Immune Support:

-Take several drops in an empty gelatin capsule for immune support

-Dilute and apply to feet as a natural defense

(This is a very HOT oil. You must dilute with children)

-Use internally in a cleansing regimen for GI health.

 

doTERRA is all about prevenative healthcare.

Yes, there are definitely times when you need a doctor.

But, as a society, we don't need to feel powerless anymore when it comes to taking

care of ourselves and our family.

I don't feel powerless.

I use the oils everyday, and I see the benefits from them everyday.

 

Yes, my children still catch little colds here and there.

Maybe an ear infection every so often.

BUT

I can treat it myself.

Without drugs or nasty side effects.

They get better within 2-3 days.

And I know what I'm using is a CPTG product.

It's the purest oil on the market today.

If you haven't checked it out, you must!

 

 

 

If you have any questions or want this in your home today, feel free to ask! My email address is LTS_28@yahoo.com or ljspiers@gmail.com.



A 26 1/2 Week Bump

This poor baby girl!

I think I've blogged about her a handful of times.

I updated the blog weekly when I was pregnant with Layla, and

about every 5 weeks with Marx!

I swear I don't love this baby any less, life just gets busier!

I can hardly find time to blog, and when I do get a minute,

I can think of a billion other things I need or would rather do!!

 

 I took this @ 26 weeks, and I'm now 27 going on 28.

I figured I'd better get a blog post done!

 

This pregnancy has been cake compared to Layla and Marx.

And you wanna know why?!

doTERRA.

Not even kidding.

With the two other kiddlets, I threw up about a half a dozen times a day,

with this little chica,

3 times!

I know it has a lot to do with the Lifelong Vitality pack I take,

and then taking Ginger, Peppermint, and Clove daily definitely helped.

I won't get into it much, but seriously, I love essential oils!

 

I still crave salt.

Salt Salt Salt.

Like @ about 8:30PM, when the kiddlets go down, I could devour

a bag of chips.

BUT

I don't.

I don't even buy them, cause I know I wouldn't be able to control myself

if they were in my cupboard!

 

Layla is beyond thrilled that we're having another girl.

She's so happy, she even blesses her in her prayers, and tells me daily

how much she loves her baby sister.

She just can't wait to change her diaper and help feed her.

Lance teases her that the doctors made a mistake and that I'm infact having

a baby boy, and it really gets her fueld up.

She will not have another baby brother!!

 

Marx on the other hand doesn't even understand that in 3 months his world is going

to turn upside down. All he knows is that momma isn't as comfortable to lay on as she

used to be when he's being rocked, and he doesn't like it!

He'll push at my stomach like, "What the heck is this getting in my way?!"

And he's definitely right about that, she will be getting in his way soon!

 

I can't believe how much faster this pregnancy has gone by compared to my other two.

I need it to slow down just a little bit,

and I know that sounds crazy, but really, I'm not quite ready

for a newborn.

Marx is still a handful, so I need him to be a little older by the time

chica comes. He is getting better, I will give him that.

 

And I think we're finally narrowing down on some pretty adorable names,

hopefully she won't be nameless when we leave the hospital ;)

So excited for this next crazy chapter in our lives!

 

Fall Burlap Wreath

 

 

My friend and I made ourselves a fun fall wreath.

Here's what you need:

 

*Burlap (1 1/2 yds.) 

(I used chocolate brown)

*A wire wreath

*Scissors

*Ribbon

 

How to make:

Cut burlap into 2-2 1/2" strips

Cut strips down to about 6" long

(strip is 2"x6")

Tie strip around wire wreath, once

Continue to do so until the whole wreath is covered.

Move burlap around, trim a little.

Add ribbon,

AND

WaLa!

 You have yourself a darling wreath, for only $7.50!!

 

(make sure to print out a 40% off coupon when going to Hobby Lobby)

 

Happy Fall Ya'll!

A surprise weekend getaway!

For our Labor Day weekend we were headed to Picayune because Lance was on call. Or so I thought! (and it was totally fine with me because we'd been locked up all week in our house due to Hurricane Isaac). So anyway, Lance had taken that Friday off because he had worked so many hours during the week, that he actually had to. The hurricane really kept him away from home.

 

He got up early to go work out, I finished packing, then started nagging him by text to get home cause, "we needed to get on the road so Layla and I would make it to our dentist appointments!" He finally gets home and is in no hurry to get going. So once again, "Babe! We really need to get going! I don't want to be late for our appointments!"

 

He just smiled and said, "Ah yeah, about that. You don't have a dentist appointment this morning, I cancelled it and rescheduled it for another day." Then he proceeds to say, "But we still need to get on the road, make sure you have your swimsuits packed and towels." So now I'm thinking, "where the heck are we going?" (because he wouldn't tell me) "do I have everything we need?" "do I have the right clothes for certain occasions we may be going on?" "what about the kids clothes?!!!!" I was kind of a nervous wreck.

 

He assured me that I had packed perfectly, and we'd all be just fine. Afterall, we wouldn't be to far away from a Wal-Mart if we needed something. I thought, "Fewww... at least we'll be close to civilization!"

 

So here's the rest of the story in Instagrams...

(sorry for those who follow me on instagram, I know you've already seen the pics!)

 

 

 1. All snuggled up, having no clue where we're going

2. First stop: Popeye's Chicken and Biscuits

3. Still not sure where we're going

4. Destination: Destin, FL (our cute little beach house)

5. Layla and I on the beach

6. Marx and I on a walk (he was pointing to the ocean)

7. Marx alseep @ the beach

8. Aquarium at Bass Pro Shop

9. Shopping @ Destin Commons

 

 

1. Splash pad at Destin Commons

2. Cute little beach bum

3. Fireworks @ the Harbor Walk

4. Layla building her bear with Uncle Greg

5. Layla with her bear, "Ally"

6. Goat ridin, as Layla calls it

7. More goat riding

8. Leaving Florida

9. Our exhausted kids!

The weekend before all of this, I had kind of got on Lance's case for poor date planning. We had needed a date so badly, and he made all the plans last minute.
I am not a last minute girl!
I love plans!!

So I have to say, he totally redeemed himself with this getaway!
Destin is special to us, it's where he proposed to me 6 years ago, so of course,
it's always so nice to go back.
I just fell in love with him over and over again on the trip.
It brought back so many great memories!
 

Greg and Amanda, (brother and sister-in-law) and my wonderful in-laws also made this trip with us. We had so so much fun with them. And now we're thinking we'll make it a yearly tradition!

Thanks ya'll for the great time!



Layla-ism

Our 3 1/2 year old is hil.ar.i.ous!
Seriously, she keeps us laughing.

One day I'm listening in on her and Marx playing in their room. She says, "No pol-ee-th off-i-thers! Don't you dare take my brotherths sippy cup!"

A couple weekends ago, on a Saturday morning she wanted donuts for breakfast. Her wish was granted. We had quite a few donut holes left so we put them away. The next morning she pointed to them and said, "Mom, can I have some of those butt-holes for breakfast?" She was as serious as could be. She really thought they were called "butt-holes." Sheesh!

We've been reading the scriptures with her regularly. She'll say, "Mom, Nephi is going to go get the plates so that we can eat our food huh?"

Last night, as I was lotioning her up after her bath, she noticed a tampon under my bathroom cupboard. She grabbed it and asked, "OMG mom, is this a popsicle!" I just laughed and said, "Go ask your daddy!"

While we were in Florida, she asked her 16 yr old cousin, Nathan, if she could sleep in his bed with him. I told her that boys have cooties and she wouldn't want to sleep with him. He added, "Yeah, and I fart a lot." She then says, "It's ok, I fart too!" Wonderful Layla.

When we went go cart riding, she happily would yell, "I love goat ridin!"

I love this stage in her life. She's been such a sweet big sister, that loves looking out for her brother and helping out her mama. She'll get stuck on something and work on it until she has it PERFECT, like, snapping her fingers... she worked on that the whole time we were in Utah, and now, she's perfect at it. Or blowing a bubble with her gum. For a few days there I was worried gum was going to get stuck in the carpet somewhere, because she'd blow so hard that it'd fly out of her mouth, but not now, now she can blow some pretty great bubbles. And now, she's working on standing on her head. It's an everyday all day thing she does, and she get's so frustrated when she falls over. I have a feeling she'll get it in no time!

She's so full of surprises. I just love her to pieces.

Little Lance to a T

Sleeping on the Trampoline

You know what's wonderful about Utah?

You can sleep on the trampoline and not get ate up by mosquitoes!

I remember doing this as a child and loved it.

Layla did as well.

The first night they decided to sleep outside I just knew Layla would be coming

back inside. But I underestimated her. She slept outside the whole night.

Brave little girl!

 

Uintah Cheer Camp

I signed Layla up for a cheer camp while we were home.

The first day was a little overwhelming and scary for her, but in the end

she loved it.

 

She now does her cheers non-stop!

Friends

I was able to get together with some of my greatest friends while I was home.

Some I haven't seen in a few years, and it was so nice to catch up with all

of them. The funnest thing about it was seeing all of our kids play together.

 

I can't believe we're that old!

Old enough to have kids playing together!!

Seems like yesterday we were all cheering together.

 

 {michelle. whitney. lacey. me.}

 

 {myla. marx. millie. layla. bently}

 

{sara. me. jillie. barsie}

Swimming Lessons

I signed Layla up for swimming lessons while we were in Utah, because we were missing

the lessons here while we were gone. She was so excited about it. When we arrived

at the Rec. center I could tell she was a little nervous and she held

tight to my hand. She got in the pool great and waited till the lessons were to start.

Then,

a little boy showed up crying hysterically.

So what did Layla do, she starting crying hystericially.

And WOULD NOT STOP.

I had to leave so she'd stop looking back at me and holding her arms out to me.

 

The next day I bribed her with a kitty cone from McDonald's.

It worked, and she did great the next 2 weeks.

She was even jumping off the diving board all by herself.

She passed her pre-level one, now we just gotta get her in lessons

this fall so she'll continue to love the water!

Let's get caught up!

We had a GREAT time in Utah.

5 weeks goes by in a flash when you're having fun with the people you love.

Let's start with my Utah Instagrams...

 

 1. & 2. Leaving Hattiesburg

3. Stopped in Oklahoma City to get some rest

(it was a rough night, not much rest)

4. Marx being a pretty great baby on the drive

5. Cheesecake Factory with my Grams and Mother

6. 17 week bump

7. Marx's first official haircut

8. His "say cheese" face

9. Climbing up and down EVERYTHING.

 1. One of many days on the lake.

2. Marx wanted some cake and pulled it onto the floor.

Grams just fed him right there.

3. Loved papa's glasses.

4. I joined the ombre bandwagon. Love it!

5. Romeo and Layla used sidewalk chalk as tribal make-up.

6. Headed to the lake.

7. Playing at the lake.

8. Marx LOVED the boat.

9. At her first Demolition Derby.

 1. Aunt Kenny and Layla at the Derby

2. Beautiful double rainbow

3. Entertainment @ the derby

4. Swimming lessons

5. Learning to feed himself

6. 20 week bump! Half way mark.

7. One of many Cafe Rio visits.

8. My dad being a lifesaver @ church.

9. A new addiction.

 1. Facetime with Lance. I love technology.

2. Layla helping with dinner.

3. Going for the diving board.

4. Finished her first week of cheer camp.

5. Visiting Vernal's new library.

6. One of those nights. Had to break out a lot of the doTERRA.

7. Enjoying some snuggles, by watching baby einstein.

8. & 9. Zonked from a day @ the lake.

10. Headed to her first cheer performance.

11. Zadie being a great teacher.

12. Could not keep my kids inside!

13. Was able to witness baby Elsie be born. (the day before I left!)

14. Layla getting some baby Elsie lovin.

15. Kennedy passed out on the way to the airport.

16. My children being angels on our second and final flight.

(so glad it's all over!)

1. Reunited with my best man. I love him!

2. Layla started dance! Such a proud mommy!

3. Marx and is persistant buckling!

4. We're having a GIRL!!

 

(need name suggestions! we totally thought we were having a boy.)

 

More pics to come.

It's great to be back!