Almond Coconut Fudge is where I'll begin.

This post ends with Almond Coconut Fudge, 

so bare with me.

I have two napping babies, and you know, 

you've got to make the most of that...

After a nearly a year of feeling miserable, and learning to deal with it day by day, I realized (along with friends and family telling me to see a doctor) it was time to get rid of whatever made me sick.

I started missing out on plans from severe stomach cramps, my dry skin has suffered long enough, and I'm just plain tired of being tired. Once I began reading about gluten intolerance, and candida (even celiac disease symptoms) I knew. Last week after seeing a doctor of alternative medicine, taking blood for food allergy testing and leaving with a million supplements and food lists...she said "I want you eating meat and vegetables for three months. You can have berries if you need sugar."

Once I got back to my car with my list, it's safe to say I was in shock.

Not because I didn't know this was coming, 

but because I knew I had no choice but to change my habits.

Which I choose to see as a blessing, because otherwise, left up to myself, I'd still be downing Starbucks and eating the kids goldfish crackers for lunch. 

The chain of events that led me up to this point began with taking conventional medicine rather than alternative. Being that I'm so sensitive to everything anyway, the side effects to what I was taking began another series of problems that led to more problems....and here I am today.

Story short- I'll never treat anything with conventional medicine as long as I live (if I have the choice, that is) 

and I now get to learn the habits of the healthy.

And truth be told... I am excited.

So that's that, and here we are. 

I'm the cook for this family of four, and darn it, we will have sweets.

You know, sparingly and all...

I've found clean (made-over) recipes for everything that I craved!

The most exciting is homemade bread from this amazing cookbook.

(Which I will be making a ridiculous amount of and freezing.)

Exciting food like avocado pesto and oh...vanilla frosted cupcakes.

The list goes on and on...

The original recipe that I found, I changed, so here ya go....

Almond Coconut Fudge

3/4 cup pure coconut oil

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup raw honey

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/8 tsp sea salt 

A couple handfuls of sliced almonds

In a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Whisk well until the chocolate and coconut oil are both smooth. Spread out over a (small) parchment lined cookie sheet, sprinkle almonds over the fudge and chill in the fridge or freezer overnight. Cut and enjoy. 

(I'm not sure how long these freeze for, but this is great to store when you've GOT to have that chocolate fix faster than lightening.) 

I'll be posting lots more clean eating recipes,

 probably mostly sweets if you want the truth... 

Hope y'all enjoy!!!

Living with Intention.

    Between December and this very second, 

life has been a whirlwind. 

I read that "Type A's" are very sensitive to stress... I assume you understand

 how "Type A" I am by now. 

I know, I hate it too. 

December held for our family, like everyone else, a lot. 

Life intensified, packed all into one month.

Christmas was wonderful.

Birthdays were wonderful.

Being with family was wonderful. 

The kids birthday party was great. I was exhausted, and I'm sure all my wonderful family that helped was too. My babies are just growing so fast! I am l o v i n g  it though...growing independence is slowly happening to both of them, and I can't even tell you how much I embrace that. No huge diaper bag, no formula, bottles, burp cloths and bibs to tote around. Hallelujah!!!!

Marcy's learning to walk. 

Brady acts like he's 25.

 He thinks she's his child. 

They love each other and it's a beautiful thing.

2014 is the year. 

Today I had a heart to heart with someone about

living with intention. 

Intention, from the very small things to the reason why we are alive.

It affects every decision we make from the 

breakfast we eat to how our children are raised.

Intention is a powerful word. 

It gives purpose to our lives, and it molds our character.

Why we do the things we do.

or

Why we don't do the things we did.

I've been praying for new beginnings, discernment in relationships, 

but most importantly, 

I've prayed for my heart to be filled with God.

God is changing this family and it's amazing.

He has surrounded me with friends that love Him, 

that encourage with love and support for each other.

I am forever thankful for His grace.

Being intentional takes effort. It takes will and drive. It's not lazy. It doesn't make excuses. It leaves behind the unnecessary and embraces truth. 

It hurts me to see people I love turn their faces 

against what they know is right.

It's a decision we all make. I know why that path is chosen. 

It's easy. It's "normal". 

It's an excuse.

I must sound awful right now, right? 

Not one person alive is perfect.

 God didn't create us to be successfully independent. 

We need Him.

This year, I've made a promise to myself to live intentionally. From communicating with God, to the relationships I keep dear to my heart, to the food I prepare for my family. Everything.

 Because a decision is a decision whether you choose the right path or wrong. 

It would be foolish to choose the wrong path just because. 

There are things that stick with you that you'll never forget. 

Conversations with folks that just stood out to you. 

Those talks can remind you who you are.

They'll remind you what you stand for,

and you're faced with a decision to say the right thing or the wrong.

 and you can confidently walk away knowing that you may very well be headed a different direction than they are. Still, love. Forgive.

But move on confidently.

Making the decision to live in the Light doesn't just happen.

I've learned it's intentional. And you will be blessed.

I'm looking forward to a beautiful year.

And I'm thanking God for holding our family in His hands.

No worries, mama.

      The past two days I've felt lucky to have the kept the kids alive and survived myself.

I can't tell if it's getting a little easier with both babies at the age they are 

...or if I'm just telling myself stories. 

One and three years.

We've had one wonderful year with this beautiful baby! She loves to be in the middle of it all. While we shopped today for birthday decorations, she screamed throughout the whole store. 

Not because she was mad or fussy. 

She was excited!  

I'm so thrilled that both babies have such strong personalities. 

...Which leads me to tell you that they're both 

Capricorns and yes, I definitely did my reading.

Things like "Capricorns carry the great strength of willingness to work hard and determination to succeed." and "Their ambition is boundless." 

...I'll take it.

Regardless of the things we choose to believe or not, 

raising babies is no simple task. 

It's no simple lifestyle. It's 100% selflessness and 100% sacrifice. 

They don't just become responsible, well-rounded adults 

because their sign says so.

Darn it.

But all while we try to be the parents we want to be, daily life happens and you feel like pure insanity.

It's making a complete fool of yourself in a store while you try to keep the baby happy and your toddler in the buggy. (Cart. Whatever.) You're trying to pay in line and your phone rings. You remember you had a coupon. Where the heck did it go... Your kid is carrying on a conversation with someone behind you, the baby just saw you reach in your purse and there was her bottle. She's hungry. She screams.

You're a lunatic. 

Life is crazy and life is good.

My husband made me laugh today when I told him

 I put a grand dent in my car.

It's the little things. The crazy days. The big whoops...

Tis' the season for the crazies.

With the easy days and the tough ones, 

 God created us to be dependent on Him. Always.

So, life is good. Life is wonderful because even in the middle of the chaos, it's our opportunity to call for Him. Through beautiful moments, truly difficult times, or even making a 

family scene in a store...even that. 

Even the tiny things take a toll after so long. 

It's called gray hair. 

The Crazy Month.

It's that season again!

That chilly, comfy, cozy, crazy season.

Thanksgiving holiday really got to me last week. 2013 is almost over, but that's fine by me. It's been an exciting, mostly exhausting year learning life with two babies and work, then shifting to no work at all, (which meant more work) life at home, and learning more about myself as these two grow. 

A few things I've learned as a mother of two little ones...

First, two it is. Two is the magical number for us. 

Two is perfect, and two is plenty.

I hope I'm not speaking too soon.

 Second, I'm a doer. I love crossing things off my lists.

 I love to get things done and keep moving. 

And guess what. You can't always do these things with two babies.

 You just can't.

Third, I love to work. I love that good feeling, I'm pleased with my long day kind of exhaustion. I miss it already. The long hours, the funny requests, the many jobs that a hairstylist can do. We cocktail products, formulate color, we're your therapists, 

(you're ours too, you know) and on and on. 

It's amazing.

I love what I do, and I love the company, too.

My heart was torn between my love for work and my life at home.

You know what? The way time is passing, these precious babies will be both be in school before I know it... and back to work it is.

 Life at home has been a blessing, and the hardest thing 

physically and emotionally I have ever done in my life.

It's only been 4 months.

I'm still pushing through, some days are wonderful and others are just not.

God gave each of us unique gifts...and all the gifts you need to be a stay at home mom, like patience and the gift of being still 

(whatever that may be called)... 

I'm definitely a work in progress.

My husband has been a saint through it all. I wouldn't know where to begin. He has the all the patience that I lack. When I go weak, he takes charge. 

He's my hero.

The month of December is wild, and within two years it's 

become even more of a big deal.

Christmas on the 25th, Marcy's 1st birthday on the 26th, New Years day right before Brady's 3rd birthday on the 6th. The smartest thing seems to pace myself... Christmas shopping, birthday shopping, 

decorating, planning, lists galore!

How is shopping going for y'all? I made my list today and I was surprised!

I've got a LOT more to do than I thought...

Cyber Monday is tomorrow, whatever that really is...maybe I can find a good deal here or there while I sit in my pajamas. Dragging two kiddos out to look for Christmas gifts just ain't happenin' friends...

Today was the first day of the last month of the year. I hope you all actually enjoy this month! The music, the company, the lights, the food & drinks, 

the parties...

it can get a little wild, but just enjoy.

Every day, I'm waiting on little Marcy to take her first step. 

Brady's ready to start school.

It's flying by friends.

Enjoy this happy season!

A Glance Forward.

I promised myself during the time change I'd make the most of my hours and choose to sleep longer. Looks like even when I get every opportunity to enjoy my rest, I find something to do, or in this case, think my way out of sleeping. This week, happy thoughts have been on my mind. For no new reason, just because. It's not the season (although this is my favorite), but a season that I can relate this to. 

God is definitely working in my life, I can feel it. 

The Bible study with the group of ladies I'm with is an unbelievable answer to prayer. These gals are amazing and I can already see how we're lifting each other up, and the lasting friendships that will come from our conversations. 

   This past week, I said said a prayer that I meant with my whole heart, but I was asking for something I wasn't even sure of...

God's blessed me tremendously and continues to bless this family daily.

So much, that after I prayed, I knew He heard me. I just felt it.

I'm excited and nervous with no idea what's in store for our family...

I prayed for God to use me. 

Few words, enormous request.

Sounds small, but no...

He listens, and He has big plans for our family, I know it. 

If you've opened your heart to understand that we cannot control life, you've definitely seen that He can work in mighty ways.

My favorite (from what I've learned from Ezer, the nature of a woman through relationships) is God working through friendships.

Friendships can do so much good for us, but unfortunately, I've learned...not everyone is beneficial to our lives. Which is a total bummer because I'd love to see everyone love each other, but some folks...God's teaching me something, that's all I can figure. My eyes have been opened to the beauty of blossoming new friendships, the healing of wounded relationships, and that sometimes cutting complete ties with others is the only option we have left. I truly hate that, honestly who wants that?

We are human, God is in control, and we were not made to understand everyone. 

As much as I'd love to.

I've felt bitter towards others, and prayed for a change of heart.

He will change your heart. 

But He will also open your eyes to things you need to see. 

It's not always the others who need to change folks...I have to remind myself of this daily...

God will work in your life if you let Him, ya know. 

He's surely used others to bring light to my life.

What a small and huge request that was. To ask to be used.

And having no idea what's in store for us...

Getting back to the basics here, that's the purpose we were created. 

He's blessed me with far too much,

 never failing His promises for me to become passive now.

Prayer and trust for what He has planned!

What's done is done.

I have so many things jumbled around in my 

head to say, and sorting it out seems like too much.

Have you ever been so busy with everyday life and doing, 

that by the time you get a moment of rest, a lightbulb goes off. 

You've become who you 

never thought you might be.

I've just recently started a bible study with a group of women, and this good thing just came in great timing. I can't say why, but the words I'm reading are so humbling and they're fitting like missing puzzle pieces into my life. How many women have gone through life with no definite direction, no definite calling, and painful effects of "trying to be it all"...as in taking responsibility to roles that we're not created to handle. I am so guilty. This study, in my eyes, may be different from another's, but it's opened my eyes wide to my calling. It's a study on Biblical Femininity. 

Click here to learn more.   

Beyond the study and how it's already completely "WOW'ed" me, I've unintentionally realized how my life has changed and who I've become. The first chapter of the study asked how you see femininity. 

Whether you lean towards feminism or traditionalism and the 

positivity and negativity that can come from both. 

Without a doubt, I lean towards traditionalism. 

After reading further, it's amazing what I've learned about myself. Especially in the areas I'm not expressing my own core capacities like God intended. And just like that, reading what God designed women to be, An Essential Counterpart, put so many misunderstood views of what I should be on a level perspective. The only one perspective that supplies true hope of life throughout humanity. 

Wow.

So that's that...this book is a treasure.

Learning more about myself through the everyday things as a mom is just plain funny.

Not sure if it came from watching my own mom play that role or if it's just how God designed me, but I truly do love to iron...seriously. I love to cook. I love to clean. I love staying home and being mom. I love this chapter of my life. And as this book calls it, "Season". 

I'm a traditionalist. I'm not sure I could've ever seen that coming. 

Funny though, you wake up and oh my goodness, you enjoy cleaning toilets... what in the world...

Regardless, I've learned, whether living from one end of the spectrum to another, 

God designed all women for one common calling. 

And what a deep comfort it is to know it's not up to ourselves to create our own lives, 

it's already done.

October Weekends.

October weekends are more than wonderful for the reason that we experience that hint of cool air, more outside play time, and we can dream of the days to come, full of love with 

family time, holidays, 

and the all around coziness of this season. 

Brian surprised Brady by a camp out last night...

He held both his pillows tight as he jumped and smiled his way out to the tent.

Yesterday, the kids and I threw out a 

blanket in the yard, and enjoyed this 

perfect late afternoon beauty. 

Brady roasted marshmallows, Brian showed me the right way to roast the perfect marshmallow and together, we sort of soaked up a special fall night together.

These special times together as a family mean so much to me.

We're still in our pajamas, I've started re-organizing the entire kitchen (it's a disaster) and...

I've got sauce on the stove, ready to make a 

baked spaghetti cheesy goodness to devour for lunch.

 It's Brady's favorite.

(and maybe one of mine, too.)