Interview With My Boys 2014

I'm so excited to do this again this year! Last year I asked my boys these same questions, (Lincoln was five and Asher was two), and their responses were great! Here is the link from last year http://pacefamilyplace.blogspot.com/2013/07/interview-with-my-boys-2013.html They didn't disappoint this year either. Loved hearing their perspective and how much has changed or stayed the same since last year. Lincoln looks so much more grown up and Asher is still obsessed with Batman but talks much better. I also noticed Lincoln's responses are more grown up, after having been to kindergarten he understands more about bullies and how people can be mean. He didn't want to answer these questions originally either because he hates being "drilled" on questions, it reminds him of school and he gets anxious. Love these dudes, maybe next year at this time I will be able to include Marsden since he will be talking more and understanding more at that time! Enjoy. :)

Lincoln Age 6 years 4 months

• What is the meaning of life?

I dont even know that. If we dont breathe, we will never get to breathe. Because God made our world. He made trees and everything for us to live.

• What do you want to be when you grow up?

An underwater person.

• What brings you the most happiness?

People make me happy by saying good things to me.

• When do you feel the most loved?

Sometimes, I see girls I like, and I feel like I like them.  

• What are you afraid of?

Im afraid of bad guys. Bullies.

• If you had one wish, what would you wish for?

I would wish for a boat and being superman.

• What is the funniest word?

Funny.

• What is the hardest/easiest thing to do?

Coloring a shirt is the hardest thing to do. Yeah, i did that before in school, and now Im just telling you. Easiest- coloring trees, legos are super easy too.

• What is the best/worst thing in the world?

Best- Looking at glasses. Worst- Looking at eyeballs.

• What makes you mad?

People being bullies at me. When Asher hurts me. Looking at Asher being crazy.

• What is the meaning of love?

True love.

• If you had all the money in the world, what would you do with it?

Put it in my piggy bank. I would keep it then sell it to other people.

Asher Age 3 years 8 months

• What is the meaning of life?

Um, because of our blood. Our blood makes us alive.

• What do you want to be when you grow up?

Batman. I’ll get a batman that has real batarangs and I’ll be back and you will see them.

• What brings you the most happiness?

When I smile.

• When do you feel the most loved?

You. with mommy.

• What are you afraid of?

Ghosts. Bad guy ghostes, not good guy ones.

• If you had one wish, what would you wish for?

A toy.

• What is the funniest word?

He giggles. The funniest word is this “hahahhahahaha”

• What is the hardest/easies t thing to do?

Um, play a hard game. Playing on the Nook.

• What is the best/worst thing in the world?

Best- Reading a book, I like you to read, I want you to come and I want Kullin’s house 100 days. Worst-bad cookies. Bad cookies that have smoke in them!!

• What makes you mad?

Baby Marsden throwing toys at me.

• What is the meaning of love?

You are going to be married. To get married.

• If you had all the money in the world, what would you do with it?

Um, Get a flying spiderman toy. And a bicycle that can fly without wings. And then gives the other moneys to somebody.

My thoughts on going Paleo.

Whew, let's talk about our family's experience with going Paleo. In December of 2013 I was challenged by family (as a combined effort) to make some future goals for my health and to start taking steps towards our goal. My biggest goals were to eliminate most grains and sugar from my diet, and to get flexible. ;) I knew I needed Zack in on this with me, as it would be impossible to do with just myself. He agreed to two months, and we stuck to it for a solid months very strict, while slowly introducing some gluten-free options and limited grains in during the 3rd and 4th months. It was HARD, I challenged myself more than anything but I am stubborn as shit and knew that I could do it. I felt good. Never got that yucky full bowel feeling after eating, stopped getting headaches, and had such a healthy feeling gut. We could pile yummy fresh veggies on our plate and feel good about what we were eating with our kids.

What was Paleo for us? 
Paleo eating seems to be defined differently for everyone. I followed a few different guides and was incredibly strict to begin with (about 3 months before introducing "cheats"). We ate absolutely no grains. This included any bread products, chips, anything with flour in it. Also, we cut out refined white sugar and all by-products as well. I slowly introduced local raw honey as a sweetener for baking and coffee after I was able to "wean" from the sugar cravings. We also did not eat white potatoes or corn, as these were some of the restrictions for paleo eating.

Some of the websites we followed and got recipes from:
http://wellnessmama.com/category/soups-stews/
http://paleomg.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/elanaspantry
http://nomnompaleo.com/

                                         The Positives

 Weight loss was a big positive for us, especially for Zack who lost close to 30 lbs in 6 weeks. It was pretty extreme. I lost about 20 over the course of 3/4 months. (But gained back half of that as soon as I stopped being strict on no grains).
We felt energetic, had no headaches, and felt like our digestive systems were on track.
Felt good about what we were eating, and what we were giving our kids.

The Negatives
Cooking: Cooking for Paleo eating takes TONS of prep, buying all kinds of new ingredients and more work then I was used to doing. I enjoyed it, but not everything turned out yummy. It was a learning experience, for sure.
Milk Supply: My milk supply dwindled immensely. With no grains, I was able to only pump 2 oz at times, when I would usually get 12 or so! In order to give my baby enough milk I would have to eat something with grains in it before pumping if I knew I would be going to a birth soon. This was one of the biggest downfalls, and why I wouldn't go completely grain-free again.
Cost: The initial costs of switching EVERYTHING were pretty tough.We had to purchase new sauces, yogurts, dressings, snacks and meats. It has definitely changed the way we look at ingredients, and now we stick with the same sauces (the ones that do not have any added sugar or no refined white sugar) and have come to love and prefer them.

Would I do it again? Yes, if for a short time. I still try to do most dinners with a no grain or sugar mentality but we do have bread sometimes, or an unhealthy snack, and I am ok with that! I would absolutely introduce exercise while you've gained back your energy because I think the benefits would be enormous. I was never able to get in regular exercise while doing this eating plan and I wish I would have, for sure.

Why my son is the smelly kid in class.

Yes. I think my son may be that stinky kid in class.
But, hold up. It is not because he does not bathe!
Lincoln does not smell bad, at all. He smells like oils, and I think he smells marvelous!
Every morning before school we have a routine where I roll an essential oil blend on specific points on his body. We are doing this as a way to help him with his attention issues in class, along with a few other things that have been known to increase attention span in children.


Let me also set the record straight, I am not trying to diagnose my child. I know that he has attention span issues. It is very, very evident. But, I also know that kindergarten nowadays can be ridiculous and I do not agree with their expectations set upon my child. While we are in school there I will do my darndest to make sure Lincoln has whatever advantage I can give him so he does not feel labeled or left behind.


 I read an article that over viewed the symptoms, causes and ways aromatherapy can help with Behavioral Disorders. I am not a doctor, but I can read and be proactive now while he is young! This article was very, very informative.  ~
"Where psychopharmaceuticals can provide immediate relief to difficult symptoms, the body provides the door for healing and protecting itself, and given the right environment, it is able to thrive and heal from outside influences.  We hold the key to opening that door of healing through natural nourishment.  Awareness, education, and finally our nutritional choices, provide the body with the keys to heal and protect itself.  Psychoaromacology is a very promising method of treatment and provides immediate relief as well as long term healing.  Mental health and nutrition are not a separate entity.  They are interlinked and one in the same body (literally), therefore need to be treated as such and nature has provided so many solutions. The research is there, and it is scientifically proven.  Practical application takes education and dedication, however the results are life long and invaluable." (Danielle Daniel https://www.aromaticscience.com/source/behavioral-disorders-adhd-causes-essential-solutions/)

I have been doing these oils now for almost a month and we are absolutely noticing a difference. We are doing many other things like: probiotics, decreased grains and sugars, taking dha/fish oils, doing yoga and doing more one on one time for homework in the evenings. So, it is hard to say if one thing in particular is helping more than the other things. I just know that he really is able to relax and we enjoy our morning ritual of putting the oils on. He likes to call them his "thinking oils". :)


My friend, Hillary, that gave us the blend told me what was in it:

"Oils in your blend are- Balance, Patchouli, Serenity, Lavender and Vetiver
Balance is a grounding blend, it contains Spruce, Rosewood, Blue Tansy and Frankincense. It's to bring a feeling of calmness, peace and relaxation. Aid in Harmonizing the various physiological systems of the body and promote tranquility and a sense of balance.
Serenity- Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, and Vanilla Bean Extract. Relaxing blend to help calm and soothe feeling of stress, excitement, and anxiety to help the body maintain its natural state of health."

Here are some studies I have found on the science behind essential oils, for any skeptics out there.
This one is my favorite, about the use of Vetiver EO and how it suppresses the decline in attention https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/biomedres/33/5/33_299/_pdf  

Matricaria chamomilla may also help improve symptoms
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19097772 

Just the abstract here, but it looks interesting. How our olfactory system can effect our moods and behavior
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20923005

I like this because it simply describes how essential oils work and is not a .com website, or endorsed by a company http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/aromatherapy/how-do-essential-oils-work

I love the fact that everyone is jumping on board this essential oil train. I am not loyal to a brand, nor do I love the pyramid stuff associated with some of the brands of oils. I do think it is a great tool to use if you have any ailments, especially to try before reaching for man made medicine. We have had lots of luck healing up cold sores, ear infections and tension with essential oils as well. And on that note we NEVER ingest the oils, only apply topically. :)

I will go on letting my kid be the smelly kid in class. At least it is a beneficial and pleasant aroma.

10 Months. a poem

10 months old and getting bigger

two teeth, sweet feet and so much vigor

Taking steps and loves his daddy

Naps two times but sleeps pretty crappy

Follows his big brothers all day long

Giggles, plays and is crazy strong

Poops so much, and wow it smells

Mimics our words and even yells.

Loving this time with my littlest boy

His smile, his laugh they bring me joy

10 months old, and so much fun

Marsden, sweet boy. I love you, son.

Playing Catch Up

Oh I have been gone for a long time from here. I missed blogging about:

• my birthday
• my husband's birthday
• Thanksgiving
• Asher's 3rd birthday
• finishing my CNA class
• Christmas
• New Years
• New doula work for 2014

SO.... I suck. But the good news is we are all very well and thriving. Im very very busy with school and doula work which makes me immensely happy. Lincoln is absolutely doing so great with kindergarten, even though he has some rough days. Asher is learning new things every day and Mars is getting so big. Zack is busy with work and being such a huge support for me. I'll be back in the blogging game here soon. Maybe Ill do a picture up date with my new camera I am trying to get the hang of using.