Patriotic Clothing and More

I was recently contacted by tipsyelves to review a couple of products. I have to be honest and say after looking at what they have to offer I did not need any encouragement. Yes, they have cute Christmas sweaters and yes they have cute college themed items but they have more. They also have a huge assortment of patriotic items. Of course I chose the patriotic items. I chose two items. My first item was a long sleeve t-shirt that my teen daughter instantly claimed. I also chose a cute patriotic hat. I have several other items that I cannot wait to try. Next on my list is the patriotic leggings and the jumpsuit. I would love if you took a look at tipsyelves and tell me what your favorite item is.
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Hide and Seek

Haha it is not only mommy who is not left alone. Sometimes when big sisters play dress up with him for hours they try to disappear. And when they disappear Jacob goes on a hunt for them. 

Have I told you how much I love the doors and wood work in this house. It is honestly one of my favorite features.

Pamela

Growing Up

What a amazing weekend. I cannot believe that my baby boy has graduated from high school and is now registered for college. 

My baby boy who struggled to learn to do the basic skills like jumping and talking. 

The day after graduation we had Michael's open house. What a amazing crazy day. We rented chairs and tables and planned a amazing outdoor party. Then the rain hit and then more and more rain. In the end it turned out wonderful. Half way through the weather cleared and they could get outside and play basket ball and have a bonfire. A friend came over and spoke to the youth. I truly feel any time youth are together the word needs to be heard. I am so grateful for the man who gave up his time to spend with our youth. 

So grateful for friends who helped when I asked. They helped with cookies and cutting up fruit. 

My friend Holly posted a picture of a pineapple tree and I quickly asked her to make one for Michael's open house. It worked amazing as a fruit tray. I can't wait to share how how she made it with you. 

I also can't wait to share my sons testimony with you. The last few months have been a whirl wind of amazing things in his life. But that is for him to share. 

Pamela

The Month of June

June is hard, June is amazing, this month has so much joy. 

You see four years ago we were blessed with two amazing little boys, we signed the paper work for these blessings on my brothers birthday. Well what would have been my brothers birthday. You see 18 years ago my brother was riding his bike and was hit by a car. He did not recover. We donated his organs. 15 years ago my amazing daughter was born. Four years ago my amazing father in law passed away. Each of these events have a amazing story of God's timing. 

Pamela

Where I Have Been

Dear Blog, 

     I know I have ignored you and I am sorry. I will be back soon. The last month has been amazing and crazy. My son graduated high school, my mother and mother in law visited, the farmers market started, our garden is finally in the ground and last night we had a baby shower at our house. I cannot wait to tell you all about these events and a fun new blog review that I have coming up. 

Pamela

A Changed Man

The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

I have read this verse over and over. I have clung to this verse. But honest I have doubted. I have thought maybe I did not raise him right. This child of mine who has been raised in the word. This child of mine who would quote the Bible to me had turned from it. It broke my heart watching him hurt, watching him fight with what he knew to be true. 

That has changed. My boy is a new creature. He is not the same son I had a few months ago. His smile is back, his hope is back. In the above picture he had just licked my face. Yes my 18 year old son licked my face to be silly. I don't mind because he was happy.

I am sharing with you today a picture of the day he was baptized because I want you to see his face. Can you see that smile? I could see it and I could not stop smiling. I had to laugh or shrivel in embarrassment as my seven year old yelled timber as another young man was being baptized. It reminded me of the time my child washed her mints in the holy water at a catholic service. 

Pamela 

New Blends

I have been working on lots of blends. This week we made sleepy time spray, bug spray and deodorant spray. We also made muscle rub and owie cream. 

After that we made two new soaps. I love the colors. One is flowery and one is called blue sugar. I cannot wait until they are ready to try. 

I love our date nights. 

Pamela

A Asthmatic Month

Woo this month has been long. Jacob has been sick off and on for months. He is battling ear infections and congestion.

I am so grateful for our oils that have kept  it from getting worse. But one day it all changed, he had a runny nose and cough but that had been his normal. Then it changed and it was in his chest. His breathing sounded scary and we rushed to the hospital. By the time we got to the hospital his oxygen was down to 84. 

The hospital was amazing. They got him on oxygen and realized he also had a double ear infection. He was admitted for observation. We are use to asthma in our family (sadly). This was a different experience for us. This is a small local hospital without a pediatrics unit. At first that fact made me uncomfortable. But they were amazing. We had constant care, constant attention. We were on the medical floor which means all things medical to included ICU and labor and delivery. He is much better now. We have had two follow ups with his doctor and have another one next week. 

Did I mention that the night before I had my husband in the ER. He was trimming our trees and got something in his eye. 

Pamela

It's a Boy!!!

It's a boy!!!!

I was so honored to help a friend celebrate that after four beautiful baby girls she is now having a baby boy. 

I had the honor of co hosting a baby shower with a friend. I asked a friend to make rattles using chocolate and marshmallows. And another friend made chocolate covered pretzels. Can I say again how much I love Pinterest for party ideas.

My friends daughter has a new adventure making cake pops. I could not have asked for better job. They turned out great. 

Pamela 

Big Brothers

These two kill me, my youngest and my oldest. Jacob looks up to his big brother non stop. 

Prepping for Grandma

Grandma'd are on there way. So the kids are preparing the yard. They even stood in the yard and flashed lights so they could find our house. 

I have no idea how this child can walk on gravel. 

Once Oma arrived she was instantly loved on. 

Both the dog and baby went to sleep. 

Pela

Gift Sets

I have not mentioned this recently but I do offer surprise boxes or gift boxes. In this box I had two lotion bars, 5 bars of soaps and a lotion. 

If you are interested in  our current list of soaps please e-mail me at prmpetrie@yahoo.com

Pamela

Sibling Love

Sometime he ask for my food. On the other hand his siblings cannot have any food unless they share with him. 

He ask them for a bite and when they do not share he walks over to me and says Mom MOM, and points to them. He does not understand why they do not just turn over his snack to him. 

Pamela

Stages of Sleep

We are slowly moving this little one to a bed. He is not happy about it but slowly he is moving from the chair to a bed.

When I saw him hanging off the bed I had a choice. Let him sleep like that or move him. I chose to let Grace climb in bed with him. It only took moments and she was asleep.

Pamela

Farmers Market

The farmers market is going at full speed and I am loving it. I love the baking and the packaging.

I love my regular customers and I love meeting the new customers. 

I love explaining to customers that we grind our own wheat and that we make our soap using milk from our back yard. 

I look around at the other vendors and think about how much work each one vendor has put into what they are bringing. They do not just wake up and show up. They plant and they grow, the wash, they cut, they organize, they load and unload product. They wake up while most are still sleeping to make sure that you have access to local  home grown and  home made products. They can tell you exactly what is in the products you buy. They are sharing with love. 

Let  me encourage you to support your local farmers market and the vendors who are there. 

Pamela

Muscle Rub

Coconut oil +Shea butter+cayenne pepper+ bees wax+ wintergreen and deep blue oils = one amazing muscle rub. 

Yes, I found this recipe on Pinterest. I find every thing on Pinterest. I should get a award for the amount of Pinterest ideas I use. 

This actually warms up like a muscle rub and feels nice. 

Pamela

Carrot Zucchini Bread

I think these are the best looking muffins I have made. They are zucchini carrot. I will definitely be making these again. 

I found this recipe on Pinterest. Definitely not a Pinterest fail. The only difference is that I did not have enough zucchini so I added grated carrot. 

Pamela

What a Father Looks Like

This is what Fathers Day really looks like. Two dogs climbing on your lap while your son ask you to look at his foot. 

This is after one child came in the house with a mouth full of blood. This is after he spent the afternoon working in the garden and trying to fix our dryer. The role as dad never stops. From the moment he wakes up until after he is asleep he is either be touched by a child or he is at work providing for his family.

Pamela

Changes

Things are changing. Changing so fast that my head is spinning. What you see in this picture is my child eating pepporoni pizza. My child who ate a hamburger this week. My child who has only eaten a handful of foods his entire life. Okay when he was a baby he ate but by the time he was four he was down to five foods.

My head spins with all the wonderful things this child is doing.

Pamela

How to Handle the Doctors Office

This morning Jacob had his third follow up since leaving the hospital. The doctor has decided it is time for him to see a ENT. His ears look worse this week than last week. 

Not that you could tell by looking at these pictures but his ears are infected again. 

I don't know about you but I tend to make early morning appointments. This appointment was for 7:45. The earlier the better. It helps that the office is not busy, the nurses are not over whelmed and my children are not tired. I also try to be prepared. I brings snacks and a drink. Even for myself. I bring crayons and let the kids color on the papers that are on the beds. 

And I try to write my questions down because I know I will forget them once I am there. This morning I only had one extra with me. I don't mind taking them all but it is easier to listen when we go alone. 

Pamela