Faith

Originally today's post was going to be all about mindset and why it matters.  But the truth is, things have been super crazy lately and that means things get a little off balance.   That's all okay, because in all reality, the wheel is never fully balanced.  It rotates and there will be times one area needs a bit more help than others.  For me right now, that area is health.

A week or so ago I was told by a friend about a holistic practitioner in the area.  I didn't really think I had anything major to go in for but wanted to get my foot in the door and knew it had been a while since I'd had a good checkup.  So I scheduled an appointment.  That appointment was today.  The news wasn't quite as I expected.  I fully thought she'd agree that I'm premenopausal (which she did) and that I have a few gut issues going on.  My thought was that it was just "normal" things that a good cleanse could take care of.  No biggie.

Though these are all areas that came up, it wasn't necessarily for the reasons I expected.  So, what exactly is going on?  Lyme Disease.  The funny thing is that, though it hadn't really crossed my mind that I had it, I also wasn't super surprised.  I live in central Oklahoma and the ticks can be thick at times.  So, yes, I've had tick bites before.  However, it's been a while so I was surprised that it's something that is just now coming up (which I also found out isn't so uncommon).

What now?  Thankfully, since I'm already health-conscious and try to give my body what it needs, this process should go a little faster than the projected 11+ months that it can take.  

Step #1 is to open up the drainage system.

Step #2 is to kill off all parasites.  Thankfully she said I really don't have a lot to deal with here.  That's a big plus!

Step #3 is a series of steps to actually kill off the Lyme Disease.

I'm feeling pretty confident about the action steps we are taking and I can't wait to heal my body from the inside out.  It's so important to listen to you bodies and find ways to treat the core issues, not just the symptoms.  Like I said above, I felt I needed to go in but not for anything major.  But I was also relieved to have the appointment set just to know what all is going on.  And you better believe I'm happy that I didn't put it off any longer.  Now we can head things off quickly and get my body back to where it needs to be.

As for mindset, well, it plays a part here too...having a positive attitude when healing the body is a must!  The results will be so much better when you face things with a positive outlook.  Stay tuned for my original blog on why mindset matters...and having a healthy body is just one reason why!

This year has been a year of change for my family.  I'm not big on new year's resolutions, so this year I thought I'd choose a word.  To be honest, I totally forgot I had done that until I was looking things over and deciding on a word for 2022.  But, I also realized that the word I chose for 2021 was always on my mind.  The word was "balance".  Wow...did I achieve it?  Well, that's all a matter of opinion. What I do know is that I was working towards finding more balance in my life and I did...almost...just not without a bit of extra chaos along the way.

We found out in August that the time had come for us to make another move.  This move, by far, was one of the hardest moves yet.  For one, the house we were living in was the house I had lived in the longest...ever.  We had been there for just under 9 years.  The record before that was 6 (and that was before I was married).  Always before we just followed the next job.  This time, we decided to stay put...well, at least in the same town.  We still had to move to a different house since the other one was a parsonage.  

We did things the hard way.  Since my husband has been a full time pulpit minister for the past 13 years, getting back into the secular world wasn't easy.  So why did we choose this route?  Because of our kids.  We now have 3 teens.  Our oldest just graduated last May (another "new" for our family this year) and was still attending the area Vo-Tech.  Our younger 2 and I are still a part of an active (and amazing!) co-op group for homeschool.  We have several friends in the area that we just weren't ready to let go of.

On top of it all, I have also been working on truly launching my coaching programs.  My goal is to help as many moms as I can by helping them rediscover who they are meant to be.  This better allows them to follow the path God has for them and helps them present their best self to their family and all those around them.  It truly is a win-win for everyone!

These changes weren't easy, they weren't what we had planned.  But God always has a better plan in mind and if we let him, he will guide us and we will be so much happier!  So, while this year has seen its fair share of ups and downs, job changes and financial changes, me needing to find a new version of what "balance" means for me right smack in the middle of the year, it has been a year of good changes.  Though it wasn't what we had in mind, it has lead us where we need to go.  

All in all, I'd say that the whole year was bringing me to a better balance...mission accomplished!  I can't wait to see what the coming year has for us.  

My family and I, along with 2 of my nephews, went on a mission trip to New Mexico.  We were able to do some volunteer work helping out a children's home, followed by a VBS in the evenings.  The kids had a lot of fun working with the home, being servants (ripping out old carpet!) and getting to know the kids there.

At the end of the week we had some time to do some exploring.  We put in a 16 hour day, a 4 hour drive from our hotel and several site-seeing and shopping spots in between.  It was well worth it!  Why?  Because we were able to experience the Grand Canyon. My kids and I had never been before.  To say that it was amazing is an understatement.  You've probably heard it said before that pictures just don't do it justice.  I agree.  We tried to capture it's beauty, but when I look back on the pictures it just doesn't quite compare.

Some of the kids (and men) were a little more adventurous and went out on some ledges.  The views they captured were awe inspiring.  

My hubby even met a friendly squirrel!  He sat on his lap, allowed them to pet him, and begged for food.  I know, not the way wild animals should be, but it was still a neat adventure for him and the boys who were with him.

On the way back that evening, we stopped at the painted desert.  Talk about some amazing views!  Not only did it have the variations of the colors of rock, it also had a beautiful lake and stream at the bottom.  One area had benches where you could sit and look over it.  What I wouldn't give to have that spot for my home office!

At Lavender & Coffee, we love making custom mugs!  Not only does it give us new items to present to our customers, it also gives us a glimpse into what matters to others.  Custom mugs have a very personal meaning to the one who has them created.  And knowing that we have a part in turning that special meaning into a visual is pretty amazing.

Here's the story behind our rainbow lighthouse mug.  The two rainbows represent the two miscarriages she had.  The lighthouse represents a magnet she bought after her first miscarriage, after she found out she was pregnant again.  She had the ultrasound to see the heartbeat and found the magnet in a gift shop.  It had Psalm 18:28 on it.  She bought it as a reminder that God turns darkness into light.  She was excited and glorifying God's name that she was expecting again.  

Soon after, while at work (working in the ICU), she was about 8 weeks pregnant and felt a lot of cramping.  She was checked out in the ER and was sent home by the other nurses.  She was in disbelief that this was happening again.  As she was home that night, she felt the miscarriage happening and felt as if God was asking her "do you trust me?"  While in the shower, suffering the miscarriage, she was crying out to God and making the decision to surrender and trust God.  She chose to trust that HE knew best and that he loved her and those babies.

This mug, with the scripture, lighthouse, and double rainbow, represents God's faithfulness. He turns our struggles, our darkness, into light.  Today she has 2 healthy boys and knows that God has provided.  Every time she sees this mug, it is a great reminder that God cares for us.

To purchase this mug, check out Lavender & Coffee!

Do you have a story you would like to tell through a beautiful mug?  Contact us here for custom mug requests.

Raising kids is hard work, letting them spread their wings and fly is sometimes even harder!  I've been a stay at home mom for 18+ years.  Though my kids started out in public school, we have homeschooled for the past 6 years.

Now, here I am with my oldest about to graduate from high school.  I've been home with him from day one.  That's a lot of time together!  Some may think that after all of these years, 3 kids, homeschooling, and not working outside of the home that I would be looking forward to a break.  That's far from true!  I thought I would be easing into the letting go process, and in a way I have.  Kaehlen (my senior) started Vo-Tech this year, which has him away from home for a few hours every day Mon-Fri.  But then, not long after my daughter turned 16, she decided to get a job.  It just so happens that she and Kaehlen decided this at the same time.  So, all of a sudden, I was having to adjust to not just one, but two kids working away from home.  This may not seem like a big deal.  But let me tell ya, it was a struggle!  

Suddenly adjusting to just one kids at home was interesting.  Even though my kids don't do a ton together things were a bit more quiet.  Just the idea of my youngest being the only one home was enough to make him feel more lonely.  Then there was the whole cooking for three instead of five bit.  You'd think that would have made things easier, but with our special dietary needs it really didn't.  I was left with one with very specific needs, one who can make due as long as it's not all the time, and one who is very picky and has a hard time with certain meats.  

Let's just say that life continues to be interesting and ever changing.  These changes help me to cherish the moments we have to sit at the dinner table as a family even more, even if that is just once a week.  And those family nights we used to have on Friday's...well, those are becoming less and less (at least with all 5 of us), which means we do what we can with whoever happens to be home and enjoy the moments we have together.

I've always heard it said that time goes fast and before you know it your kids will be leaving home.  Yep, that's true for sure!  The other day I was watching one tired pregnant momma chase a little toddler around and I thought, "that seems like just yesterday!"  Yes, time certainly flies by.

I've said for a long time that I won't be a good empty-nester.  Though I have a ways to go for that to happen...I'm still thinking it's going to be true. lol With that being said, I just want all you mommas to know that I get you.  I'm here to help support you along the way.  If you'd like to join a support group of other moms working together on this journey, please check out this free group and let me know how I can help.