Spring Cleaning Made Easier

Have you started spring cleaning?!

I would love to tell you I'm done.....

I'm not.

It's a bit overwhelming, huh?

Especially with all the nice weather.

Did you know that nice weather makes my spring cleaning a little harder?

Yep.  And not because I want to be outside instead of in. (Although, that's true too.)

It's because that nice weather calls my kids outside for extra long periods of time to get extra grubby and dirty.  I then end up with dirty foot prints on my recently mopped floors or sinks smeared with streaks of mud in the bowl and countertop.

That's just the way it is.

So why is the title of this post 'Spring Cleaning Made EASIER'?

Because by using Shaklee cleaners, I've essentially taken all the guess work out of my cleaning.

Did I just throw ya?  Are you thinking.... 'Wait a minute!  I thought the great thing about using Shaklee cleaners was all about them being non-toxic and good for the environment!'

It is.  And that's the whole reason I started using them.

Now...... That's just a huge bonus.

I have my life simplified by only having four cleaners for the surfaces in my home.  Yep.  Four.

Here's my thought process for cleaning.......

So..... my 'nerd' side came out on this one, but you get the idea, right?

And, did you also notice WATER is one of my main cleaners?  I use it all the time to wipe down counters, cabinets, sinks, spots on the floor.... just about anywhere.

However, water does very little to help me clean up oil or grease type messes.  That's when I reach for my Basic H2.  And, it's safe on all the surfaces around my house.

I use it to mop my floors and clean up all the tracks my kids leave behind.

We use it to clean our vehicles.
Outside....

and in....

In our bathrooms.

I also use it to clean glass and mirrors, baseboards, marks on walls and doors, stainless steel appliances - anywhere I need to clean!  Basic H works well and it works fast so I can get on with my day.

Pretty simple, right?  

Want some for yourself?  Order Basic H2 here.

Are you looking to get started cleaning cleaning in multiple areas in your home?  The Get Clean Starter Kit gives you everything you need to start cleaning all around your home with natural, non-toxic cleaners- including laundry, kitchen, and bathrooms.  

Looking to get FREE membership and FREE shipping?  Follow this link for the Get Clean Kit and scroll down to select your kit.  Such a great value!! Plus, I'm giving a Free Scour Off with purchase of the Get Clean Kit.

Okay, I'm off to do more of that cleaning I've been writing about!

Have a great rest of your day!

Another Milestone for Madi

Today marks another milestone for little Miss Madi!

Chemo ended about 5 months ago.  Now that cold and flu season are winding down, we are hoping to finish her IVIG treatments this month.

This is pretty major!

Why?

Because if her immune system is working well enough on its own, and she no longer needs to receive IVIG......   she no longer has a need for her port!!

That's right!  No more port means no more restrictions and fewer worries.  Our little girl can really be a normal kid.  (Well, as normal as the rest of the family, anyway.)

She's already had blood drawn from her arm a couple of times to make sure she can do that.  (The girl has some great veins!)  So, no worries there!

So, either in May or June we will have some extra blood work done to see how her little body is doing on its own.  From there, we will be able to schedule her appointment to remove the port and get on with life.

Timing is perfect with summer just around the corner, too!

Say a few extra prayers for us as we see how the next couple of months go.  I'll be keeping you all posted!

Happy Easter (a little early)

The long weekend is coming at me quickly, and I'm really not sure I'm ready!!  Ah, the story of my life!

Here are just a couple of things I've seen around the internet that would be ideal for our family to do to get ready for Sunday.

Bunny Butt Cookies (by Pillsbury)

Kings Hawaiian Rolls Copy Cat Recipe (by Fabulessly Frugal)

We'll be doing eggs (I think), but I'm pretty sure they won't look anything like these at Family Sponge.  Beautiful!

Sara at momendevors.com has gathered 20 different egg dying ideas.  We should be able to do at least one of these, right?!

We won't be giving the kids as much candy as usual this year, so that will be a little different for them.  (Us too, since we usually get at least a little for ourselves.)  Maybe we'll just go do something fun or get some summer fun things that we need anyway.

Have a wonderful Easter Weekend, everyone!  And safe travels to any of you traveling!


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Do You Chia?

There are many things I'm trying to do better about in my life.  Sometimes this list seems really long. How about you?

The big thing right now is getting healthy.  Exercise is still a distant thing these days, unfortunately. However,  getting better foods into my diet more often has been going much better.  Baby steps, right?!

This has become my breakfast just about every morning.

Two simple things to add to your oatmeal that can take it up a notch and add some great extra nutrition.   One tablespoon of chia seeds and a big spoon full of vanilla yogurt.

Mix and eat.

Adding just one tbsp of chia seeds helps keep me full longer in the morning and helps keep me from 'grazing' through the pantry.  It also adds extra fiber, omega-3, protein, and calcium to my diet in a very easy form.

Other areas where we've added chia seeds - 1/3 C to our blackberry cobbler, homemade jam, and in almond milk to make pudding.

Now, while these little beauties have no flavor, there is no way to hide the texture of having all those extra little seeds in your dish.  Not a problem for me; but, for those with food texture issues (like my daughter), this could pose a major problem.

So, do you use chia seeds?  What's your favorite way to use them?  Share with us!


Extra Reading:
Top 10 Health Benefits of Chia Seeds 
11 Proven Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

My Baby Turned 5. WHAT?!

I used to think time didn't like me.  Really.  I know I did it to myself, but there for a while life was a bit overwhelming.  Okay, completely overwhelming.  Nothing like having five kids in six years.

Now that I finally feel like I'm getting my proverbial feet under me, time is starting to pick up speed and go maybe just a little faster than I would like.

It really hits home when the baby starts to no longer look like a baby.

He's growing up just a little too fast.  It's a mixed bag of emotions for this momma.  On one hand, I love seeing my kids grow and learn new things.  On the other hand, he is definitely our last and we will never go through all those baby 'firsts' ever again.

He was very adamant that he wanted a cake this year and not cupcakes.  (I really liked those cupcakes from last year, though!)

What he wasn't sure about, was what would be on said cake.  One day before his birthday celebration, he finally narrowed it down to either The Hulk or TMNT.  At least they have the same colors.

Once he settled on TMNT, I got to work on the cake.

I really had a lot of fun doing this!  No, it's not professionally done.  I'm sure I did so many things 'wrong', but I don't care.  He could tell what the picture was supposed to be and he was happy.  That made me happy and the work worth it.

So, what are the popular picks for birthdays?  I'm always curious if my kids just like what they like or are going with the current popular trend.

Do You Know What Tomorrow Is?

This is where the nerd in me really shows.....

A couple of others I thought were funny....

Do a quick 'pi day shirt' search on Google and you'll see all kinds of creative pi pun shirts.

I also find shows like Big Bang Theory hilarious.  Now you probably know a little too much about me.  :)

Have a great weekend!

A Little Update On Madi

Many of you know our daughter was able to end her chemotherapy treatment for leukemia in November of  2014.  A great time for all of us, but especially her.  She's been doing great since then and we are VERY grateful for her progress.

She's about four months out and sometimes it's amazing the difference in her.  If you asked her before treatment ended how she felt, she would always say 'good' or 'fine'.  And really, she did - compared to how she had felt for the previous months during heavy treatment.

Now you can ask her how she feels and you'll get 'REALLY good!' as a response.  It's a great and unexpected change!

She's able to keep up with her siblings a little bit better these days.  And she's always up for any activity.  The timing couldn't be more perfect now that the weather is warming up.

Madi is still being monitored closely by her group of doctors.  Something that definitely gives Dad and Mom some extra piece of mind.  Blood work is done every two weeks (for now).  She is also receiving her IVIG (immune therapy) to keep her compromised immune system strong during cold and flu season.  We also give her supplements that have been cleared by her doctors.  

So, once a month we head over to the treatment center for several hours of IVIG, art therapy, playtime and candy for the little ones.  I go fully prepared to do some work - although, I rarely get much done.

Other things that have been progressing for Madi?  At six months out from the end of treatment, Madi will have the option of getting her port out.  To say the least, she is looking forward to it.  It doesn't bother her, unless it gets bumped, but it does come with some restrictions that would be nice to not worry about any longer.  In order to get that port out, she has to be okay with getting blood drawn from her arm.  Once she found out what was required, she was ready to start practicing.  

This girl doesn't seem to be intimidated by much of anything!

Being a mom, I certainly have concerns as we move forward.  I liken it to being a first time parent and going straight to panic mode whenever anything happens.  You probably know what that's like, right?  "The baby has a fever!  Should I call the doctor?" or "I know head wounds bleed a lot, but is this too much?" or "Does that cough sound worse today?  Is that a wheezing sound when he's breathing?"

Only mine sound like this now.... "She just fell asleep in the middle of the day.  Is it because she had a sleepover a few days ago, or is she getting sick?" and "Hmmm.... is she looking pale or is that her normal coloring?" and "How long has that bruise been on her leg/arm/body?  What color is it?  Does it look like it's healing?" and my favorite "Where did that rash come from!"  It's a new place for me to be when my usual MO is "Suck it up, sweetie!  It's just a {fill in the blank}.  You're going to be fine."  I'm learning to adjust!  

There's been some crazy energy swings lately, so the doctor humored me and ordered some extra blood work.  At this point, everything continues to look good.  Keep praying she continues to do well and can leave this part of her life in her past.  Thanks for all your concern and continued request about Madi and her health!