This Life.

This life is a cycle, full of ups, downs, ins, outs and turns.
This life will surprise you, give you goosebumps, warmth, and sometimes even burns.

I have experienced all these emotions, throughout different phases in my life.
It is a natural part of growing, not just into adulthood, but even now as a mom and wife.

This life is unpredictable, as each phase comes you learn more and more.
It is never a game, it's to be self aware and learn as you go, no need to keep a score.

This life is interesting, full of new meetings, adding to your family, and sometimes sad goodbyes.
You can never say never, or take things for granted...as we all know, time flies.

This life has given me my biggest blessings and changed in so many ways.
There were times I would've never imagined being me now, not in my hay days.

This life moulded me to do exactly what was expected of me, to make everyone happy and never think of me.
How crazy was that, because I'm a better person now, and I finally feel so free.

This life is a journey and you trod along for years, trying to find what aspect feels just right.
There is no age upon which it will come to you, you just know because in you, you feel no flight or fight.

This life is different for every person, as each is unique has their own views.
It is about respecting and not judging, not knowing what it's like in anyone elses shoes.

This life is about appreciating all the good and even the bad.
I am thankful for all the things I've learned, be it happy, sad or mad.

This life is surreal, as I often say over and over, and over again.
The realizations growing daily and being open to learning should never come to an end.

This life is about enjoying who I am, in all that I am in this moment in time, here and now.
It is ok that things may change, so create memories, make goals, but cherish and be present, that is how.

This life is love. This life is for me. This life is a journey...and I am happy to BE.

Essentially Essential Oils for Me

I have always been interested in health and wellness, and never really great at taking medicines. I do love to pester the people in my life (and definitely is following suit in my children) about how to better take care of themselves too, hopefully, avoid or prevent some ailments and/or issues.  Of course, not everything is preventable, and as a parent, some things are completely unavoidable.

So it wasn't too much of a surprise when I took to trying out essential oils. To some degree, I used to use it aromatherapy, and have always used coconut oil with the kids in massage, and also for myself. I always felt that there was so much to say about how the massage, scent, or even the effect of the oil made me feel, or my kids feel, either calm, relaxed, or fixing a nasty cold...the use of oil and/or massage revolved around that. 

So when I was introduced to DoTerra oils, I immediately felt that there are some I just need to have. 

I chose DoTerra as a brand, for a few reasons:

a) Purity - there is absolutely no other fillers, additives, etc. the oil is exactly what it says it is

b) Potency - because there is nothing but the oil of the ingredient, these babies are potent and so you need very little, in the case of the kids you actually dilute with coconut oil. So buying one, lasts you a long time.

c) Reliability - there is something for everything, and so much information and research behind it, as a science major, this is extremely important to me - it is backed up scientifically, not just holistically.

Here are the oils that particularly resonated with me, but I kid you not, there are so many out there that you will need to discover this for yourself (your needs).

Serenity

I originally got this for sleep...days where Ray was up all night, using it as a calming scent in the room. However, I found for myself, I love this. I rub a little on my chest on days I am feeling overwhelmed or a bit nuts...and the scent of it just is so soothing and clears my head a little better. I love this scent.

On Guard

This is a daily at my house. It is a daily with the kids, diluted with coconut oil. We rub it on our feet (I sometimes forget for myself, I admit), and it just boosts immunity and gives a sense of boosted health, ready to fight the cold season. I wanted to try it, after hearing about it, and other than some runny noses here and there, generally the kids have been pretty good. 

Citrus Bliss

This is just something that really spoke to me, well what I mean by that it is, it seems like MY scent. I needed energy, writing, embarking on a new career path...and when I smelled it, I immediately felt a boost. When I read about it, that is exactly what this envokes, it's strong citrus blend and aroma is meant to give you a spark...that it does. I use this when I need to feel inspired and less sluggish, especially to write.

Breathe

This one is a must-have. If you love Vicks, use camphor at all when you are sick...this is for you. The smell is camphor (for my Indian friends, kapoor). Just a few drops in the diffuser or vaporizer and it's amazing. Diluting it with coconut oil and rubbing it on your back and chest and feet, if you have a bad cold, works wonders. I haven't needed it a lot, due to the On Guard, but I'm not kidding, it's awesome.

DigestZen

I wish I knew about this a long time ago. However, this is the tummy oil. I always use asafetida powder (hing) and coconut oil to help with this department, with the kids. But this oil serves the same purpose, without the strong smell/taste. I used it on our trip to Mexico and no one had any issues...so far so good.

There are actually quite a few others that I want to try, and have in my arsenal.  One of them being Lavendar and Balance. Lavendar for relaxation/sleep, and Balance on days I feel I need some grounding and clarity. So I still have to try those ones out. 

At any rate there are soooooooo many out there, so many that you really need to just talk to someone who knows about this and is able to recommend one that you may need. I know for me, I'm happy having these on-hand. I also feel comfortable knowing it's completely natural and safe and clean. Caiden loves them...he knows he uses On Guard daily on his feet, and says "momma I put tickle oil on myself" (the diluted oil is in a roller bottle which tickles his feet). 

In the end, I just want to feel revitalized when I need to, slowly etch towards living more natural, and feel healthy and well and balanced. I mean...don't we all?

For any questions on essential oils, how to use or even all the many uses please contact Carsen of Metamorefit Wellness by visiting the site 

http://www.metamorefitconsulting.com/

You can also follow and connect with her on Instagram  @metamorefit_wellness . 

I always like to tell moms things that just work for me, this is one of those "things".

Ok time for me to run on some serenity and totally zen out and sleep.

Xoxoxo

This Halloween I Realized My Babies Are Not Babies

How did this happen? How did time pass so fast that I feel this feeling and realization has come out of left field? How did it not sink in before that this baby phase is slowly fading?

Ok maybe I'm being a tad dramatic.

I was just a bit taken aback, mostly in awe, of watching the kids on Halloween. We took them both trick-or-treating, thinking they will tire quickly, that we would need to carry both at some point,  and that they would be timid or scared at some points (they are only 1 and 3 after all).

But no.

Caiden had a big day, dressed as IronMan. He embodied the whole character. He went to a party at school, had a blast, and then came home to rest...he knew he had big plans in the evening. Sure enough, when the time came, he was eager saying to the rest of us "C'mon!!" 

Rayna was her favourite character, Minnie Mouse. She looked adorable and once given her pail, was walking around signaling for her shoes.

As we all, dressed, headed down our block, it hit me. We have hit the years where we don't just dress them up for pictures and visits to family. We have entered the age of them actually wanting to partake in activities and us enjoying it with them. Where they know what's to come and actually look forward to it and it become a known family venture. I love it. At the same time, I an taken aback at how quickly it seems to have come.  As we walked house to house, Caiden would turn to us at each house and say "wait...I go myself", wanting for us to go to back off and let him be a big boy. With the same token, I would follow suit with Rayna, who, shockingly, would stand there and reach for the candy then say "that tu" as she received her treat.

This was all super cute, so amazing to be out with my family and watch my kids reach this stage...yet so unfathomably crazy surreal it feels to have two walking, semi-talking toddlers enjoying Halloween.

Toddlers...not babies...soon they will be kids...sigh.

So of course I must chronicle and take pictures!

What a great one. Our other festivities included the pumpkin patch, Vandusen Glow and a family Halloween party!

One for the books!