Use Your Common Scentsy!

 

YOUR NOSE, KNOWS!

Now, I know I probably shouldn't advertise a particular brand or item...but it's my blog, so I'm gonna do it. lol  My latest drug of choice, you ask?  It's simple! Well, actually no, it's SCENTSY! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE MY SCENTSY!!  For years and years, I've spent shameful amounts of money on scented candles with the hope of making my living space smell like anything from a tropical, coconut grove to an Ontario apple orchard, in mid Fall.  Sometimes I was successful, and other times, I just had a thick tube of scentless wax burning up my time and my money!  Then, in 2010, my world would change forever. When I returned to Canada for a visit, I was introduced to Scentsy.  A Scentsy warmer can come in all sorts of designs and colours to match pretty much any room in your home.  You can buy a mid sized warmer or a full sized warmer.  I have 2 mid sized and they're quite big.  Anyway, the best part is the wide variety of scents that are available AND, it's wickless.  It runs on a very low voltage, so, you can plug that sucker in and leave it without worrying about burning your house down.  Now, I wouldn't suggest leaving it on while you're not at home (although I do all the time), as I'm sure, with anything, there is a hazard.  One of my absolute favourite Scentsy scents is Red Candy Apple.  It is LUSH!  Sweet, sugary, warm, candy apple...yum! ...And no calories!!  I usually use this one in my kitchen.  For hallways, entrance ways, bedrooms, etc., I tend to go for warmer or floral scents.  Lilacs and Violets, Iris Petals, French Kiss, Honeymoon Hideaway are amungst my many, many favourites.  If anyone is interested, I can hook you up with a rep, whether you're in Niagara or here in Essex.  I'm sure Michelle and Rebecca would be more than happy to introduce you to your newest addiction!! lol xx

Anyway, kids...there's my two Scentsy for the day (ba dum dum)...have a great Thursday! xx babiesmumma xx

Time it was...and what a time it was, it was!

Time it was, and what a time it was...It was.
Last night I was chatting on the phone with a good friend of mine.  We were taking a stroll down memory lane and divulging all the crazy things we did as teenagers. When I look back at some (most) of the things I've done, I'm surprised I'm still alive! God definitely had His eye on me, and protected me from some pretty catastrophic scenarios.

Now, over 20 years later and having children of my own, I can see that I was the kind of kid that I would warn them to stay away from! lol  Seriously though, I was always trying to find acceptance, either with my own self or from other people. I did dumb things that I wished I hadn't.  I wanted so desperately to fit in.  Being a chubby kid in the 70's and 80's was NOT a fun time. It is far more acceptable, almost majority, to be overweight now...which I am not at all condoning.   Anyway, back in my day, you didn't have cool plus sized clothes for chunkers like me.  You had to go to the ladies section, where a sea of polyester and Lycra laid waiting for you.  Gloria Vanderbilt may have been ok for your big sister to wear, but as a 12 year old girl, huge shoulder pads and flowing floral chiffon dresses were just not happening! Every store had an Abercrombie and Fitch mentality...except for K-Mart, you could always count on K-Mart. lol

Now, at 40 years of age, I still screw up...ALOT, but now I have little eyes watching every move I make. I need and want to be a good example to my children. I want my little girl to grow up wanting to experience life and not be afraid of anything.  I want my son to know the world is his oyster and that he can accomplish anything he wants, if he puts his mind to it. Most of all though, I want them both to know how loved they are by God, first and foremost and that their mum and dad think they're the most precious jewels in the universe. Parenthood isn't an easy job, and I'm just at the tip of the iceberg!  I dread the day that either of my kids come home from school crying because they were picked on, or they're hurting because they didn't get the role in the play that they worked so hard to audition for.  I'm also learning another very valuable lesson, LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS, because what your Mother told you 30 years ago, was RIGHT!

So, pray to God and give Him thanks every day for what you have, and don't worry about what you don't have, wear clean underwear because you might get in an accident, don't point...it's rude,  treat people the way you want to be treated, and ultimately, respect and love your parents, because you never know how long you'll have them with you. Happy Day Closer to the Weekend, everyone!! xx babiesmumma xx

...And then there were two.

I remember the first time I laid eyes on our son, Jack, I was in disbelief.  I couldn't believe he was mine.  He was this perfect little boy with fair skin and big eyes and a sweet disposition.  I lost my Dad about 7 years ago, and Jack is the spitting image of him, yet, he also looks a lot like my husband.  It's a win win, really, as both men are handsome and wonderful role models.

When I was pregnant with both Lily and Jack, I suffered enormously with something called SPD, now referred to as PGP (Pelvic Girdle Pain). Because my pregnancies were so close together, I never really had a chance to get over the symptoms from my first child to the next.  Therefore, with Jack it was severe.  I could barely walk, especially towards the end.  I remember going grocery shopping with my husband and daughter, and having to go and sit by myself in the cafeteria that had shut down for the night.  I was in so much pain and so embarrassed that I sat there while I waited for Rob to finish up, and just cried and cried.  Needless to say, I didn't enjoy my second pregnancy very much.

I wasn't very sure about Jack, I felt frightened.  I didn't think I could do this...take care of two young babies under the age of two.  Lily was 15 months old when Jack was born.  I was worried that I wouldn't love him as much as Lily.  She not only was my first child, but my miracle child.  Lily was the baby that I was told I could never have, so she was and is my joy, my tiny piece of heaven on earth.  How could I possibly love any other child like I love her? Then came Jack...

My little bundle of happiness who had me at "waaaaa waaaaaaa". lol.  As I mentioned before, my pregnancies were not fun, but with Jack, it was even more difficult.  Although I had a planned C section, it wasn't quite as easy as I thought it would be.  I won't get into detail, but, they had to knock me out to have him.  I had never been put under in my life and it felt horrible when I woke up...but thankfully, those little gingernut cookies the midwife brought me worked a treat!  I felt much better, and so they rolled my little Pumba in to see me.  He was perfect...and still is.  I have never seen a child smile and giggle so much at such a young age.  He's my happy little dude. 

So, now, not only do I get to love and BE loved by one of the most beautiful little girls in the world...I get it X'S TWO!!  I have won the baby lottery!! Now, this being said...I am no longer buying lottery tickets!!!  WE...ARE..DONE!! lol  Happy Weekend, everyone!! xx babiesmumma xx

Little Things Mean Alot.

My daughter has been playing with a piece of paper she took from an old CD cover, and has been ripping it into shapes for about half an hour now.  Lily is surrounded by toys galore.  Some play music, some talk, some spin and some...well, I don't even know what some of them do because she hasn't played with all of them.  This just proves the point that you DON'T NEED TO SPEND alot of money to make your kids happy.  My kids are happiest when we're singing songs together, or when I make them laugh by making silly faces or noises.  I remember as a kid, (not that I'm recommending this activity, as it's dangerous, but, oh so fun!) one of my favourite things to do was to grab an old Comisso's cardboard grocery box, drag it to the top of the staircase, then hop in and slide all the way down the stairs! My parents NEVER saw me do this, as I'm positive the box would have been confiscated and my behind lightly tapped! ha!  I would love to play outside all day, and all night if I could! My friends and I would play skips; double dutch was my favourite, hide and seek, and all sorts of things that didn't require an entry fee or plastic card to swipe.  I sometimes feel like my kids are missing out because they don't have ipads, ipods, whatever the heck they're called, but, I think good old fashioned one on one time with Mum and Dad is so much better.  It's a win, win!  They get to learn, and we get to look at their adorable faces and steal a few kisses and cuddles.  After all, it won't be long before we start to hear the dreaded words, "Ewwwwww Mum!  Not in front of my friends??!!".  Happy Hump Day everyone! xx Babiesmumma xx

Stay at Home Mother vs Working Mum...what to do, what to do.

Over the past week or so, I've been doing a lot of thinking.  I know, you can probably smell the smoke all the way in Canada.  I would like to go back to work.  I haven't decided yet if I'd like to return on a full time or part time basis, but, the itch is there.  I love staying home with my babies, I really do, but, I miss the social aspect of working outside the home.  I love the hustle and bustle of the daily grind.  There is a confidence you feel when you enjoy what you do for a living.  I used to love getting up, putting on a nice dress, tights, heels (sometimes), and going to do something I really loved...and getting paid for it too!  The down side to this, if I return full time, I'll be missing out on time with my children.  I've waited so long to have them, and now I get to enjoy all these special moments with them.  They grow up so quickly, too quickly, and I'd hate to regret the time I missed with them just to make a few extra bucks. Soooooo confused!! xx  babiesmumma xx

...On a more serious note.

I'll never forget the day Rob, my husband, and I, found out the sex of our first child.  We had one of those 3D scans that can show you an accurate picture of your baby...but more than anything, I wanted to know the sex.  I remember both of our eyes filling up as the sonographer confirmed we were having a girl, our little flower, Lily.  The same joy and overwhelming love came when we found out the sex of our second child, our son and future footballer, Jack.  Our two, tiny little jewels, give Rob and I so much to look forward to in life, so much hope for a wonderful future together as a family.  Then, I read stories online on Yahoo News or when watching the evening news on TV that send fear and rage running through me.  Stories of children being abducted, and taken away from their families, never to be seen again.  I am a believer in Christ.  I love my God, and am thankful, so very, very thankful for the love He's given me and the blessings He's showered my life with.  However, I don't understand how and why these things happen.  I know that I serve a loving God so this is NOT His will, but why does He allow such things to happen?  I don't know the answer to this question, a question I ask myself very often these days.  Each night before I go to bed, I lay my hands on my children's doors and ask Jesus to please watch over my little babies.  I pray that He keeps them safe and gives them sweet and peaceful sleep.  Being a parent has changed my world for the better.  I love bigger, stay angry less and am just, in general, a more content person.  However, the worry that comes along with my new title as Mum is not easily shaken off.  I pray for God to give me peace so I don't worry so much.  That's a big task seeing as I'm a born worry wart.  I worry about everything.  I worry about things that haven't even happened and create scenarios in my head of what MIGHT happen.  Some people choose to just not listen to the news because it's just too frightening, and I do see their point.  But, there are also so many good stories of human kindness that would be missed as well, if we tuned out life.  I read this quote the other day “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”    ― Mahatma Gandhi  

 So, I will continue to pray each day and night for my babies, my husband and leave our lives in God's very capable hands.  I'm sure one day, we'll have our questions answered. xx babiesmumma. xx

Chips? Crisps? They're both made from potatoes, why can't we just get along!

 

Since moving to the UK, I've had to adjust to the language barrier.  Yes, they speak English. I speak English. But, there are so many words for things that I never knew existed!  Back home, when your child goes to school and needs to cross the road, generally, a friendly crossing guard is waiting there to help your little tot get to his/her destination.  Well, in the UK, we have people helping to do the exact same thing, however, they are not your neighbourhood crossing guards, they are your Lollipop People.  Yes, here in the United Kingdom, the job title for men and women assisting your children to get from one side of the road to the other, is referred to as a Lollipop Person.  Even just saying this I imagine Umpa Lumpa's dressed in uniform, carrying Lollies on streets paved with chocolate and smarties for the road markings.  Here's another one. Housecoat.  After taking a shower, I like to put on my housecoat and do my hair and makeup.  Although the ritual is still the same for my British pals, I'm sure, they are not putting on their housecoats, but rather, their dressing gowns.  DRESSING GOWNS??  When I think of dressing gowns, I picture Clarence the Angel from It's a Wonderful Life!  I'm really trying here folks, but it gets a bit confusing. Crisps are chips, chips are fries, let's just say potatoes and call it a day! lol xx babiesmumma xx