Twinkies | 4 months

It's hard to believe that just 4 months ago, I was being sliced open at this very second. I never knew how much I would enjoy having boys, but they are seriously amazing. They are smiley (mostly), cuddly, and so sweet.

Jax is the happiest baby in the world. The only thing that gets this kid down is the farts. 

Jett is the serious one. When he's happy, he's giddy. When he's upset, it's the end of the world.

I adore them both. They make me crazy, happy, annoyed, & all the feelings. 

Life is calmer now. Well, no, I lied. If you asked my husband, he would say that life is loud. It is definitely louder here these days, but that's ok. I'm loud, so it's fitting. They're both cutting teeth, so Jax gnaws on his hands & Jett just screams at me. It's like a party around here.

I'm already looking forward to the first holidays with these boys. I'm about 99% sure the 3 of them will be BEES & their Auntie KyKy will go to the Fall Fest with us dressed in her BEE COSTUME. Yep. It's September, which means it's almost Halloween, which means it's almost Thanksgiving, which means Christmas is almost here! Christmas with these 3 will be chaotic, but awesome. We're about to enter the stage of life where all toys make noise. #killme

Send quiet toys. OH! And another thing. The next person who sends my daughter stickers gets the axe. #deadtome

Happy rainy Tuesday!

xo.

Time for a Giveaway!

Welcome to the first oily blogHOP!

We are so excited to have you here.

Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for little bottles of lemon as you read through the blog posts. At the end tally them up and you can enter a fun giveaway to win the Gentle Babies book by Debra Raybern, a total must have for Mom's with little ones.

If you have gone the whole way around the blog and found your way back here, go to http://www.theoilycrunchymama.com/blog/2014/8/28/lets-talk-allergies to enter the number of lemon bottles you counted on the whole blogHOP.

Entries will be accepted until 9AM (PST) on 8/29 winner will be selected at random on Sept 1st!

For today & tomorrow only, if you order your PREMIUM STARTER KIT from me, you will be entered to win this cute little USB diffuser! (This giveaway is my personal giveaway. That means that are 2 separate promos going on.)

For instructions on signing up & purchasing your PREMIUM STARTER KIT, check out THIS BLOG POST & follow the instructions to get started. Once your order has processed, you will be entered in this fun little giveaway!

To continue on the blogHOP, visit my friend over at (http://kateheadley.weebly.com/essential-oils/back-to-school-essentials/) and keep your eyes peeled for the little bottles of lemon!

The BEST Bach in Paradise Recap EVER | Week 4 Part 2

Graham has a panic attack when AshLee offers him the rose. Boyfriend needs some essential oils for that.

AshLee stands at the rose ceremony, smiling as her man runs to the ladies' room.

And he still takes the rose. Possibly a bad sign when you have an anxiety attack when a girl offers you a rose. #runforthehills

And now Lacy is having a panic attack. OMG. Are we competing for Academy Awards?

Lacy is heading to the hospital and Marcus is freaking out. It's been 4 weeks & he hasn't proposed yet.

No one is worried about Lacy, so the rose ceremony continues.

Michelle > Cody
Sarah > Robert
Jackie > Jesse. Aaaand Marquel returns to the friend zone.
Kalon goes home alone. Where he will forever be alone.

Christy enters in the most ridiculous heels. Have these women never walked on a beach before?

Christy picks Zack. Isn't it a coincidence that she's suddenly there when Zack was the one who wanted her to be in the house?! Wow. I mean, it's like it was planned or something!

Zack: "I'm at a point where I need to think about a relationship beyond all of this. It might have been too fast too soon." But then he turns Christy down. I mean, Clare is a lucky girl to have such a wishy washy guy.

Christy has a d-bag ex, so Sarah introduces her to Jesse who is just a lovely, stand-up guy.

Sarah gets the date card.

"Tonight's the night we're finally gonna kiss." Honey, don't plan it. If he wants to kiss you, he'll kiss you. "Do you want me to kiss you?" What!?

Cody: "Am I falling fast for you? Yeah." Ummm you've been here less than a week, dude. We know you want a rose, but you don't have to propose to get one.

Zack tells Clare that their relationship is too dramatic, so she runs off into the jungle sobbing. That'll show 'em.

"You're the only one who understands me."

Exit stage right. "I'm so sick of this." Then STOP going on reality shows to find love!!!!

Weirdo Lucy comes in to shake things up. She'll probably be naked the whole time.

What guy is going to say no to a date when a naked chick asks them out?

Umm...Michelle & Cody are basically having engagement photos taken on their first date. I'm so confused.

Fake wedding? What? This is more whacked out than ever before.

Marcus: "I hope you know by now that I love you." I mean, it's been 3 whole weeks.

Lucy is...very open.

Another girl is crying & whining about going home. Ladies, you're making womankind look so pathetic.

Scrambling to make connections to get a rose ensue.

Robert > Sarah
Graham > Ashley
Cody > Michelle
Marcus > Lacy (Loved all the eye rolls & yawns)
Zack > Jackie
Jesse > Christy

The BEST Bach in Paradise Recap EVER | Week 4

I literally rolled Stress Away on my wrists before I pressed play on this episode.

Chace Crawford's twin gets a date card & picks whiney Sarah. This will be no fun at all, Chace.

Cody, the meat head, enters with a date card & asks Clare out.

Zach hits her with the "I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket" spiel. And suddenly, it's icy cold in Tulum, Meheeco.

As much as Zach hemmed & hawed, Clare still decides to turn Cody down...? Maybe because his arms are wider than his head. That's always a bad sign.

Marcus drops the L word. I mean, it's been a long time coming...what? Three weeks?

Enter Kalon. Michelle: "He's an [bleep]." Perfectly summed up.

Kalon: "Today's date is, obviously, more about me." And no one wants anything to do with him. How many people are you going to ask out, dude?

I suppose he's lucky enough that he likes himself so much. "This is the perfect place to re-fall in love with myself." Get used to it, bro.

Jesse comes strolling up & takes Jackie out. Poor Marquel can't catch a break.

Cody can't get with Clare, so he decides to make a move on Michelle. That's gotta feel good to be the runner up...

AshLee has the audacity to think that there are only a couple of cameras in the house, & that she can run her mouth wherever, & she won't get caught. I'm sorry, honey, have you ever watched a reality show?

So, AshLee is running her mouth about Clare & Pabs doin' it in the ocean. I mean...Pabs was the one who told Clare he liked [bleeping] her. Sorry, Clare.

Michelle: "You don't mess with Clare Crawley. Ever."  #catfight

AshLee (let me pause & say that I couldn't help but picture Regina George as she was talking): "Honestly...I have no idea what I did wrong. I would never say something to hurt you." Funny. Pretty sure you let everyone know what you said. This is what we call backtracking. I had really hoped to see Clare karate chop her throat. Oh well, there's always next week!

Cody: "I wanna be honest with you, I need a rose like you."

Poor Graham is in the dark about Cruela DeVil so Michelle enlightens him. I'm suddenly questioning Graham's ditz level.

Lacy > Marcus
Clare > Zack (which is dumb because he's clearly being open about keeping things light & not being tied down.)
AshLee > Graham...walks off camera.

TO.BE.CONTINUED.

Ugh. You, tease.

Anxiety Girl

If you have read my blog at all, then you know I have anxiety. Not like, "I'm anxious because I have to take a test" anxious, but like, "I have this weird bump on my arm & it's, obviously, cancer, so I'm, obviously, dying" anxious.

My body has decided to give me a weird warning when the anxiety levels start to rise: my left leg & foot start tingling. (Don't worry - I've had multiple MRIs to make sure it's not something else.) So, when this started happening again the other day, I decided to try my oils. I started following CaseyLeigh Essentials & happened to come across a post about dealing with anxiety the very same day. I woke up yesterday feeling crazy anxious, so I opted for the JOY/VALOR combo over my heart & on my wrists. Worked like a charm. (Joy is the oil I rubbed on Maddie's wrists the other day when she was being a stinker. Didn't know it would make her talk to like a hummingbird. I will definitely cut that with Lavender for the next tantrum.)

Off to do some more summering! Happy Thursday!

a.

(P.S. To get started or learn more about oils, check this post.)

The First Day

I have THE most condescending daughter. I suppose I have no excuse. She is MY daughter. Sunday evening & all of Monday morning we begged her to stay home. We weren't ready for her to start school yet. She would laugh at us & say, "But Mama, remember the song from Daniel Tiger? Grooooowwwwn uppps coooome baaaack." We know we're coming back, you rat. You're missing the point.

I expected to be weepy. I really expected to cry. I didn't. I rolled on my StressAway oil in anticipation of being stressed, but all I felt was excitement. I was more excited for this kid than anything. I knew she would love having so many activities surrounding her. I knew she would love having 14 other kids to play with. And I knew she would be so distracted that she would forget we were at home waiting for her. I may or may not have, but definitely, texted #FREEDOM to a few people...

This kid could go on to be an actress & not think twice about posing for a million photos. I would guess I have a million photos of her after these 4 years. Literally.

So, while the first day of Pre-K wasn't as mushy as I had dreamed it would be, it would just as it should have been. This kid, hamming it up, getting irritated at me snapping more & more photos, her being distracted by the kiddos filing into her classroom, & then, yelling "Bye, Mama!" from across the room as she ventured into the classroom. It was perfect for her. 

Today is day 2, and I am currently in sweats, my milk-stained nursing tank, greasy hair. I have to drop her off at school in 30 minutes. I like to make an impression.

a.

The BEST Bach in Paradise Recap EVER | Week 3

Elise: "I want to fall in love with Chris. I want Chris to be my rainbow." Weren't you in love with Dylan last week, & planning your wedding & babies with him!?

Danielle enters & asks Marquel on a date.

What is with Elise & her frickin' rainbows?

Suddenly, Chris gets hurt. Walking. #convenient

Danielle: "I came here to find a relationship." In my bikini.
"We have in sync chemistry." I'm going to venture to say that you didn't take chemistry in high school.
Lightning almost kills Marquel. This is what we call a sign.

Something about Elise reminds me of Cher from Clueless. Anyone?

Elise: "You will be blessed for being so sweet to me." Ummm...
"I came to find my soulmate." I don't think you're going to find that in Chris' mouth.
Chris B: "I want to enjoy her behind closed doors."

Sarah's attitude is really starting to grate on my nerves. "I feel like some prettier, more well-put-together girl swooped in & had the confidence to do what I didn't." Ok, like, for real? Stop feeling sorry for yourself, change your crank, & try to get a date. Why would anyone want to date a crank? Somebody call the waaaambulance.

Michelle: "I was in love with Marquel this morning, but now I love you, Robert." That seems legit.

Jackie struts down the beach with a date card. Marquel is chosen. Again.

Graham: "From day one, AshLee kind of set the precedent that 'I'm with Graham.' She, immediately, made it known that we were gonna explore our relationship and that's kind of all she wanted to explore." Really, dude? Grow a pair. Just tell her this isn't your vibe & go date one of the other rock-hard bodies in the house.

AshLee: "I have a pretty good intuition on who Graham is and what he wants." Girl, you are setting yourself up to fail with a statement like that. "I think love is believing in things that you really can't see." Like, Graham actually liking you.

AshLee gets her date card.

Marquel: "I cannot & absolutely do not kiss on the first date." And then he kisses Jackie. #waytosticktoyourmorals

Clare's dad sent her a turtle from beyond the grave as a sign. Ummm, yeaaaahhh.

AshLee, Graham has been given the opportunity to sleep with you in the Bach suite. He has turned that option down. Let that be a sign to you!

Rose Ceremony.
Zack > Clare
Graham > AshLee
Marcus > Lexi
Marquel > Jackie
Robert > Sarah (literally, yelled WHAT?!)
Chris > "Elise...I can't give you this rose. I'm going home & I want you to go with me." I'm going to go out on a limb & say they are no longer together. Reality Steve confirms.
"There's one person here, who I believe deserves true love, and I would like to give this rose to Michelle." The least douchey thing this man has ever done.

"Next week...paradise turns into hell!" I mean, how can you not watch that?!

Family Yearbook 2014

Yes, you've read this before. Get over it. I'm a huge, annoying, loud fan of family yearbooks. Had I been a mom in the 80's, I may not feel this way. Back in the old days, we had something called photo albums. Perhaps you've seen these antiques at your grandma's house. Large, musty-smelling books with a 3-ring apparatus inside, glossy pages filled with glossy photos of old. Now, these young kids have iPhones with 3482397859 #selfies on them, never to see the clear, glossy sleeve of a photo album sitting on grandma's oak coffee table. It's a shame, a damn shame. How will we know what outfit you wore each day of the year?

So, you've seen the books I created for Maddie. Yes, she was spoiled. What I failed to realize in my one-childness is that when you have multiple children, they do things together. It would be quite difficult to do 3 books for each kid when they are always together. Especially, the twinkies. So, I started our 2014 Family Yearbook. This time, I'm using Blurb. Right now, Blurb is offering 20% off your first book! Just use the code: BLURBWELCOME at checkout. Great product, great price, more freedom in creating your pages. They have software you can download easily, upload your photos & choose from many different page designs. I actually decided to create my pages in Photoshop. I chose the 12x12 coffee table book, downloaded some pre-made layouts here & started planning, arranging & yearbooking.

As you can see, I started a book & then changed my mind.

Here is the cover of our first family yearbook. I chose a hardcover with a photo wrap. Hardcover because duh! I have kids who will do everything in their power to destroy this book. And photo wrap because I want it to be pretty & those kids will destroy a dust jacket.
#kidproof-ish

Because I am making each page in Photoshop, I choose a full picture layout for each individual page. If you don't have Photoshop, but want to make your own personalized layouts, you can do that with PicMonkey. You can add your photos into premade collages, add colors, patterns, text, & graphics.

OR you can use their premade layouts, & add individual photos & text.

 Once you have decided on layouts & collages, you just "get photos" and begin dragging & dropping. Seriously, easiest program. You can't screw this up.

I won't get into all the reasons I love photo books because you already know. You'll notice that peppered into the "nice" photos are TONS of phone pics. That's the camera you have with you all.the.time. That's the camera you're capturing everyday life with. Use.Them.

I'm so ready to get this thing printed & away from the rugrats on my coffee table, but I still have a few months left before I can get printing. I'll update you when I have this beauty in my hands. And if you want to start a book, and need help, drop me an email. I'd be happy to help.

a.

No words Sunday

Twinkies | 3 months

Our cousin asked us when we were announcing that I was pregnant with twins if we were "trying to have twins." As much as I love you, Adam, that might be the dumbest question I've heard. To date.

If I knew what it would be like, the pregnancy, the bed rest, the kangaroo pouch, I would have graciously declined. Then, I met these two baldy boys, and I fell in love. They are the coolest little dudes I've ever met. The sweatiness, leaky boobs, and black circles are totally worth it.

The novelty of twins is so funny to me. They are just my boys. Twins don't really mean a whole lot to me, but strangers sure think they are a freak of nature. Cute freaks of nature, but freaks nonetheless. "Oh, are they twins?" Nope, stole one. "Are they identical?" Nope. "Are you sure? They look exactly alike?" I'm sure. "Gosh, I could have sworn they were identical." I am about to karate chop your neck.

Their personalities are really starting to develop, and thankfully, so are their hair follicles. Jax is a pretty contented little boy. He fusses when he's hungry or wet, but beyond that, he's pretty chill. Jett is my worried, little, old man. The poor boy already has wrinkles on his forehead. But when he locks eyes with you & smiles his big gummy smile, omg. I felt immediate mom guilt when they were born over my tears that I wasn't having another girl. However, I have come to realize that you have mom guilt for every single thing you do with your children, so whatever. Just pile it on the other things I suck at. I digress.

The boys. They're growing, they're changing & they are already 3+ months at this point. And yes, Maddie loves them, but she's not terribly thrilled with the split attention & their crying. The idea that she might not be the center of the universe is lost on her.

The BEST Bach in Paradise Recap EVER | Week 2

Oh, Michelle K. You are always good for a little dose of crazy.

There's a psychiatrist on set?? I love this show.

Love the crew member, Lauren, cracking up during the reenactment of the dude jumping off the balcony. Ryan Putz. Putz. lol

We get rid of Michelle K, so we need some more crazy. Enter: Chris B.

Chris B gets the first date card & asks Clare to go out. "Even if he is a womanizer, douchebag...I'll decide that." That sounds super promising, Clare.

Chris B: "Maybe I don't have the best reputation...I've had my days where maybe I wasn't the best guy, but I've learned from it. And when I find the right person, I will be the most loyal & perfect husband, boyfriend..." Didn't you say you fell in love with someone on Bachelorette...? Maybe we should look at the definition of loyal.

Dylan (while Elise rattles on incessantly): "Everyday that I spend time with Elise, I'm missing out on opportunities to get to know other people. I feel, like, smothered." Back down, Chatty Cathy.
Elise: "There might be another date card, so who do you think's gonna get that?" Dylan: "I hope me. I want to go on a date." So I can get away from you.
Elise: "I know we have a good connection. He's just scared." Of you. Smothering him. "He wants to let me go, so I come back, and I come back to him." This is what we call a stalker, people.

Marcus gets the 2nd date card. He chooses Miss Cantaloupes.
Cue Marcus talking about forever, future, falling in love. This guy. Ugh.

YOPO. Please tell me this is not actually a thing. YOLO annoys me enough as it is, and now we're adding YOPO. #idontgetthisgeneration

So, again, Chris was telling Clare about how loyal he'll be, but he's already moving on from Clare to Elise.

Elise: "He put it out there. He, literally, put it out there." #thatswhatshesaid "If I was the other way around, then I would, like, not so upset, and then, his, you know, test, we would know know that...yeah." 

Elise to Dylan: "Yes, I kissed him, but I was thinking about you the whole time." #classic

Dylan: "I told you to go meet other people, but I didn't tell you to go hook up with someone else." Well played, Dylan, well played. 

Zack joins the cast with a date card.

Dylan gets a date card, and Crazy McCrazy is sure that he'll ask her out. He asks Sarah. "Thank you for asking me, but let me think about it." #ouch The most boring date in Bach history begins.

Confrontation with Ben over his little love note. Michelle: "Why did you come?" Free vacation.

Rose Ceremony. 

Love how the guys are cozying up to all the girls & suddenly declaring, "Oh yeah, I've been talking all week long about taking you on a date!" Really? Funny how no one seemed to catch that.

Dylan: "You're a great friend."

Elise: "So, you're saying...?"

Dylan: "Don't hold back your feelings for someone else."

Elise: "So, you're saying that..."

Dylan: "Don't hold back your feelings like for Chris."

Elise: "So, if I gave you a rose, would you accept it?"

Dylan: "No, I wouldn't."

Elise: "I don't get Dylan. He's sending me mixed signals about what he wants."

OMG! I wanted to throw something, anything at this girl!!! HE'S SAYING HE DOESN'T LIKE YOU, PSYCHOPATH!! No! He is not confused or trying to push you away so that you'll come back to him. He.Doesn't.Like.You. You.Are.INSANE.

Lacy > Marcus

AshLee > Graham

Clare > Zack

Michelle > Marquel (Caught that by the skin of your teeth, bub!)

Elise > Dylan...won't accept it. *carnival music* She is so crazy. "Oh, so, Chris, will you accept this rose?" What.the.hell.

Sarah > Robert

Dylan goes home. Shouldn't have hooked up with Crazytown, dude. That can only end badly. "I feel good about my decision. I think Elise is out of her mind." Bahahahaha!

Until next week!

The BEST Bach in Paradise Recap | Week 1

I know what you're thinking. You're judging me. Hell, I'm judging myself. We have reached a new low as a country when this qualifies as entertainment. Let me say, I do not watch these shows to increase my IQ. I do, however, believe, that by watching people act a fool, only solidifies who I want to be & who I do not want to be. I do not want to be these loons. With that said, let's dive into this smut.

Apparently, Lacy didn't get the dress code memo.

"You're all here to find love." As the girls sit in bikinis & some guy already has his shirt off. Chris, I think the word you're looking for is lust.

Lacy: "I will make myself known & the guys will notice me." I mean, when you have 2 cantaloupes attached to your upper torso...

Marcus: "Everyone is out having fun & partying." And I am sitting here being whiny about Andi months later.

Elise & Dylan are already making out. What is it with this girl & walking down stairs?? It's like watching my 2-year-old nephew!

AshLee & Graham or Clare & Graham. Is it just me or could this guy be Steve Nash's doppleganger? Battle lines are drawn. Clare is the first girl to throw down the gauntlet & move in on someone's crush. Cue: AshLee crying in the bathroom. "I want to be cute & flirty, but I don't want to be overbearing." #clingy #stalker

Clare: "I don't want drama." I love that they cut this scene to make it look like Clare is a crazy mofo talking to a raccoon. 

So, Clare offers to dump Graham so that the drama queen can have her way. Sweet, but dumb. Graham graciously understands Clare's motives. Two seconds later, Clare is running up the beach to ask Graham's friend out. #seemslegit

Graham tries to get AshLee's attention & she walks away. "Let's just talk tomorrow or another time." I'm sorry...what about your behavior is NOT overbearing?

Clare & Robert (aka the poor man's Chace Crawford). We never see the "fire ants" that Clare sees all over Rob's backpack, but I'm sure they were there. #wink Cue: tan, muscular guy taking his shirt off. And let's definitely take our shoes off before climbing up jagged rocks.

I'm guessing she was a cheerleader in high school.

Sarah gets the 2nd date card. She chooses Marcus. Solo traje de bano. "Doesn't bano mean like, toilet or something?" The only logical thing to do is to take our clothes off & head down these dark stairs.

Lacy is crying again. "I need some fresh air." ...as they sit outside...with the wind blowing in her face... how fresh do you need your air, Lacy?

In walks Michelle Money. You can't have drama without Michelle Money.

MARQUEL FTW!! Let's get this poor guy out of the friend zone!

"I feel like the guys are way more relaxed than the girls." Honey, this is called life. 

Lacy gets the 4th date card. "I'm not sure. I'm 80/40." My brain hurts. Josh didn't even believe me when I told him about that math. 

Dylan: "I think Lacy is throwing all of her eggs into Robert's basket right now." So that he can fertilize them.

Marcus: "It's a huge shocker for me, feeling this way, and meeting someone that I could see myself building a relationship with." I'm sorry. Was he being facetious? You declared your love for Andi in week 2. 

Rose Ceremony.

Where has Ben S. been this entire episode? And I so don't want Michelle K. to leave yet. I mean, she is hardcore cray, so let's let her get warmed up before we kick her out of Meheeco.

DANGIT. Michelle, no. We need some of your crazy this season!

Michelle Money: "I can't figure Michelle out. She has this look like she's going to kill you & your whole family, and like she's about to lose it." #spoton

Marquel: "Let's be honest. The coconut doesn't fall far from the crazy tree."

Marquel > Michelle

Graham > AshLee (You shoulda dodged that crazy train, buddy)

Elise: "I literally would have said I love you to Dylan, but...it's so soon." I.can't.even.

Dylan > Elise

Marcus > Lacy

Robert > Clare

Ben > Sarah (I literally yelled NO, SHE'S CRAZY!)

Daniella goes home.

The BEST After The Final Rose Recap EVER

The scarf is back.

"I felt that she gave me purpose."  I could finally use the new handcuffs in the basement.

Nick waltzes into the Men Tell All studio. Chris Harrison should be a therapist.

"You don't just not stop loving someone." My brain hurts.

Andi refuses to see him, so Nick gives Chris a letter to give to Andi. I'm sure that, even though she doesn't want to see you, she'll want to read your desperate letter.

Chris: "Thanks for having the courage to walk out here." Because all of America is revoking your man card tonight.

"Prior to the Men Tell All, you tried to contact her before that. Andi was on vacation in Mexico & you wanted to go see her." Stalking is illegal in Mexico too.

"Do you think she made a mistake?"

"I don't think that's fair for me to answer that question." Then what are we doing here, Nick? Why are you stalking her all over the globe if not to get her to change her mind?!

Grumpy Cat comes out & gives Nick the most awkward, sourpuss-faced hug. Chris Harrison opens the floor to Nick.

"Ummm, I mean, I don't know, like, I..." I cannot roll my eyes hard enough.

"I thought I'd have more to say." Stalkers 101: come prepared. You have followed her to international waters, written her a letter professing your love for her, forced your way onto the Bach set, you finally get your moment in the spotlight & you have nothing to say. Quality television right here, folks.

"...as heartbroking as it is..." I'm getting dumber by the second at this point.

"I think, you know, the hardest part of hearing you say that is, you know, like, thinking back to those moments. And I guess, you know, like, knowing how in love with you I was, if you weren't in love with me, I'm just not sure why, like, why you made love with me." Insert: GASP. I hope she told Josh. If not, that was a super awkward conversation.

"Well, first of all, I think that's kind of below the belt." That's what she said.

Chris: "I'm glad we could have this moment...it needed to happen." For ratings.

Bachelor in Paradise advertisement. Should I recap this crap?

Out comes Mr. Baseball.

"You live 5 minutes away from each other. That's fate." No, that was a requirement for Miss-I-Won't-Leave-Atlanta.

They are planning on planning to start planning a wedding for Spring 2015. Who wants to place bets now?

What did you think of this season? Who was your favorite? Did you like Andi? Did she make the right choice?

A.

The BEST Bachelorette Finale Recap EVER

We did it, people. We made it through the MOST PAINFUL season in Bachelorette history. We watched Andi make out with about 20 different men, saw more scarves than are in a Gap store, and we watched her stalker make a complete a$$ of himself on live television. I mean, 3 ingredients for some great entertainment.

Chris Harrison opens the show by letting us know that Andi has a stalker. Her scorned lover has followed her around, trying to get in contact with her and she has refused. Stalking is illegal, Nick. #restrainingorder

The crowd goes wild.

Nick finally meets Andi's parents. Her mom comments that he isn't very affectionate. Her dad looks less than amused. We have the awkward, obligatory "I'd like to marry your daughter" talk. Hy consents. Congratulations, you just agreed to let a serial killer marry your daughter.

Josh's turn. Let me stop & say I sweat like a 300lb man. Like, I am a sweat-er. And Josh. Wow. He came in like he'd just been caught in a downpour. So, they sit down & immediately entwine their bodies with each other. "Baaabe!" I mean, if there was any doubt that she was going to choose Josh, that was squashed in this episode. He asks to marry her. Hy says yes again. He's clearly ready to get rid of this girl.

Later that night, Josh talks about his two great loves: baseball & Andi. Let me just say that during this finale, I sat with a room full of girlfriends & the main topic was "WHAT THE HELL DOES JOSH ACTUALLY DO FOR A LIVING??" A former pro-baseball player does not a career make. He's going to marry her. He gives her a baseball card with his stats. I mean, ok, it was kind of cute, but for the love of all that is holy! We get it. You love baseball. You live in your glory days. MOVE.ON.

"I spend more time thinking about what could go wrong than what could go right." That's because you're on The Bachelorette. Eggs have a longer shelf life than these "relationships."

Final date with Nick. "Hopefully, today will be a day I never forget." Famous last words.

"It feels good to just let my hair down & have fun {with Nick}." Your hair is in a braid.

"I love her in ways I never thought I'd love somebody." I would love to tie her up in my basement.

"When I spend time with Nick, it makes me think things I've never thought before." Like, that I should carry pepper spray.

That night, Nick talks & hems & haws about being nervous & confident. He's ready. He's going to propose. Grumpy Cat sits & listens to him yammer on.

"I don't really know if Josh is still in the picture." He's in the next bungalow, dude.

"I woke up the morning I got engaged & something wasn't right."  I didn't have my scarf!

Andi knows what she's going to do. She's going to tell one of them he's not right for her.

"My gut tells me I'm going to do what is in my heart." ...mmmkay...?

Andi knocks on Nick's door. And it was the gasp heard 'round the world.

"When I told you I loved you, and you looked at me the way you do sometimes, and the way you respond to me took it that you meant it." It's called acting.

"Sometimes I feel like you took it too far." See above notes.

"When we were in the water & I told you I loved you, and you said 'I wish I could say things back.'" Like, you terrify me.

And he slams the roses into the trash like a temper tantrum.

How did they make it rain right after that??! Aaaand scene.

Proposal time.

Whoever measured Josh must have been drinking. That suit was about to explode. I was pretty sure we'd hear a giant riiiiip when he finally hugged her.

The first words out of Josh's mouth: "Andi, when I decided to give up my first love: baseball. I didn't know if I'd be able to find that kind of love." True love is loving someone as much as you love baseball.

Worst response ever. We're all pretty sure she is going to dump him on the ugliest proposal site Bach has ever built.

Looking at her ring: "ah, are you serious?" And we all shouted: "HE DIDN'T BUY IT!!"

Sitting against the backdrop of a sunset, we watch JODI (Josh + Andi) share disgusto barfo PDA.

Stay tuned for the After The Rose Recap...I should shower, at least, before I start in on that mess.

A.

Harriet Potter

I always wanted to go to Hogwarts. It really annoyed me that it was fictional. J.K. Rowling has the most creative, wild, amazing imagination to dream up such an incredible place. She described it in such detail that you could imagine exactly what she was seeing as she penned each book. Alas, it is fictional. Although, I think Florida has something similar.

So, I'm not going to Hogwarts, wingardum leviOsa doesn't work for me, and I don't have a pet owl who flies letters back & forth to me. I do, however, make potions. Oil potions.

I am the least granola person you will ever meet. I like A/C, not fresh air. I like candy bars, not snap peas. I like my cushioned mattress, not a tent. I like to shave my legs. When the essential oil craze started catching fire (<< see what I did there?), I thought you all were a bunch of hippie looney tunes. Yeah, I said it. Looney.Tunes. I believe in Ibuprofen. I'm not going to go rub a plant on my head & expect my headache to go away.

My very wise friend, Madison, got on my case about not using essential oils. I told her I thought it was hocus pocus. She started to disprove my theory. Testimonial after testimonial, I was riveted by what the oils were doing for people. (There is a large secret essential oil world on Facebook. They are all secretly rubbing VALOR on their husbands while they sleep to stop them from snoring. And it's working.) The clincher for me was a photo of a young girl whose face was burned when a radiator blew up in her face. She began using a Young Living potion on her face & within a week, her burns were more than 80% gone. I couldn't get my credit card out fast enough.

Premium Starter Kit comes with this rainbow of awesome

We started using scar concoctions on scars & burns. We use a sleepytime oil for the kid to help her sleep. She typically calls us into her room 3x a night before finally conking out. The nights I have used her sleepy oil she goes right to sleep. I graciously let my girlfriend use our potion. Now, my kid is yelling & her kid is sleeping. Rude. I also have this hideous little red spot on my cheek that is the bane of my existence. I have been using lemon & lavender on it, & in just a few days, it's already shrinking. I may not be a hideous beast by weeks' end!

Is this a sales pitch? Sure. I want you to buy this voodoo magic because it's awesome. Help your kids sleep so you can watch more Orange is the New Black. Rub some Valor on your husband to shut him up at night. And for the love! Diffuse some Peace & Calming + Lavender & take a hot bath while everyone is knocked out.

I lock the bathroom door, turn out the lights, soak in the hot water & let the glow of the diffuser light the room while the kids scream like banshees just on the other side.

So, just try it. All the cool kids are doing it. Join Team #hocuspocusoils. We're posting on Instagram! Find us! Tell us how they're working for you. Because they totes will. Easy squeezy to get started:

1. Click here for the sign-up page.

2. Select “Sign Up As: Young Living Wholesale Member”

3. The “Enroller ID” and “Sponsor ID” boxes should already be filled in for you.  If they aren’t, my ID is 1935445, and you can fill both the boxes with this number.

4. Fill out your name, billing address, shipping address, and contact info. (The reason you are asked for your SSN is for tax purposes; if you make over $600/year selling Young Living products, you will receive a 1099 form in the mail, as is required by law.  Young Living never shares this info with anyone.)

5. Create your password and pin which you will use to log in to your account and order your oils.

6. Select your enrollment order.  This is where you can specify which starter kit you would like.  You must sign up with one of these kits to become a Wholesale Member.  I recommend the Premium Kit with the Aroma Diffuser.

7. Set up your optional Essential Rewards Program.  Buying one of the ER kits is not a requirement to sign up as a Wholesale Member!  This is a rewards program you can opt into to start earning money back to help pay for your oils.  At this point, you can skip this step by selecting “No. thank you. I plan on enrolling in the Essential Rewards Program later.” If one of the ER kits looks valuable to you, then go for it in addition to your starter kit.

8. Agree to Terms & Conditions

9. CONFIRM YOUR ORDER. Some folks miss this step and end up not fully checking out.  To confirm, the tool will log you in and it will show you your order again and it will make you enter in your payment information again.

And like magic...best decision of your life!

a.

How to Choose the RIGHT Photographer for YOU

I love when blog requests come in. They challenge my brain. This one was a no-brainer, however. A friend from high school asked me to (in my spare time) write a post about choosing the right photographer for you. There are so many amazing photographers out there these days that you may have a hard time choosing. You may even have a few great people to choose from, and they could all be right for you. However, if you are having trouble deciding, you can use these steps to narrow down your decision.

Whether you are picking a photographer for your wedding day or family photos, you need to choose wisely. These are the photos that highlight special times in your life. You display these photos on walls, make coffee table books & even send them to family as presents. These are important moments that need to be handled with care.

So, how do you pick the right one?

1. Find a style you like.
Look around your area (as much as an hour or two away from you) at local photographers. What is their style? What is YOUR style? If you like bright, vibrant photos, find photographers with a similar style. If you like a more relaxed, photo journalistic feel, find a few photographers who take more lifestyle-type photos. If you like posed photos, find some photographers who stick with that style.

Lifestyle family photos courtesy of Maren Miller

2. Decide how much you are willing to invest.
I know how hard it is to decide how much photos are worth to you. I know it is. It's no easier for me. When you are deciding on a budget, allow yourself to stretch a little. Make less Starbucks stops, sell a kidney. It's worth it if you find a photographer you really love. Talk to the photographer you have decided on. He or she might have an option to make payments. Save $20 each week & stash it away until you are able to pay the fee. Whatever you invest is what you will get out of your photos. If you don't invest much, odds are you won't get much from your experience. Quality is important for these special moments.

3. Inquire with a couple photographers.
Beginning some type of dialogue with a couple of photographers will give you a good reading on their personality & their work. This is especially key when choosing a wedding photographer. If you are a snarky, sarcastic dork, please give me a call. We will work well together. If you are more interested in a casual, working relationship, seek out a photographer or 2 who have this kind of personality. This is me. When I met my now best friend, she hired me to take her Christmas photos (spoiler alert: they were terrible). We got along great & she wound up hiring me for her wedding. Our pre-wedding planning meeting was hosted at Panera over brownies. If this is your vibe, find someone like me. If you would rather have someone who just comes in, gets the job done, & hands you your finished product with a smile on their face, then go for it. You are working together to make a moment in your life stand still & you need to be comfortable with their working relationship with you.

Business meeting.

4. Think about how you want to display your photos. 
If you know ahead of time how you plan to use these photos, ask the photographers you are inquiring of what they offer in terms of packages, prints, digital files, canvases, books, etc. You want to know what you are getting for your session. If you prefer having all of the digital files, be sure you know if they come with your package or if it is add-on. Also, ask about what the photographer offers for prints & canvases. They know what they are doing when they have your images printed - TRUST THEM. Just say NO to Wal-Mart prints. These are important moments in your life - they deserve to be printed or canvased professionally.

More photos courtesy of Maren Miller

These photos are important. I am a BIG BELIEVER in taking photos of special events (births), family photos every year, and everything in between. Those moments are frozen in time & they deserve proper care. Spend time researching photographers who may be right for you, set out a realistic budget, and then find someone who will give your family the proper care & attention you deserve in preserving your special moments. They matter. Big.

a.

The BEST Men Tell All Recap You'll Read

A live ultrasound? Really? I mean, I'll give them the fact that we have never done this before, but holy shiitake mushrooms. I guess we can be thankful that it was a standard ultrasound & not a transvaginal... Weird dress, by the way.

"Easily the scarviest season we're ever had."

The introductions are always awkward. Your worth is measured in hoots & hollers. The quiet ones are always embarrassing. I think Opera Man had the least amount of hoots. Can't imagine why.

Bachelor in Paradise aka Giant Orgy on an Island. And did someone get shot?!

Oh, Andrew. Enough.

Marquel.
That man can rock some red pants.
"I didn't realize you guys were all kissing her so quickly." Dude, it's The Bachelorette. The faster you kiss her, the more roses you get.
We love you, Cookie Monster.

Marcus.
Did you notice in the preview for Bach in Paradise that he's already telling another girl he loves her? #desperado
"I matured a lot & grew a lot." So, I'm going to tell a girl just a few weeks later that I love her now.

Chris.
"Why didn't Andi fall in love with this big-time farmer from small town Iowa?" It's in the question: Iowa.
"We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to allow a stalker to stop the show & scare Chris into going out with her." My mouth was LITERALLY hanging open the entire time this was happening. Where was security?! I'm not going to be surprised when we see her mugshot on US Weekly.

Andi.
- Chris: "What changed for you after hometowns?" Iowa.
- Marcus: "Did it scare you that I was so open with you so early?" Yesgodyes.
- Chris S: Was he on the show?

Lie detector test results.
"Marcus said he has slept with less than 20 women. That was a lie." #lookingforloveinallthewrongplaces

These guys would be a lot more likable if the bloopers were a part of the show. Pickles? There's an oil for that!

Who will she choose? Will he propose? Will she say yes?

What do you think? Who do you think she'll choose & why? I'm gearing up for a Bachelorette Finale Party with my girlfriends next week! We'll live tweet our thoughts on the show as we sip champagne & eat Reese's Oreos. Have you tried those? OMG. #fatgirlinsideofmewins

a.

Why The Notebook is the Greatest Movie of All Time

Ryan Gosling. 

The end.




Just kidding. I mean, true, but no. Nicholas Sparks is a real pain. We know going in that someone will die, and yet, we pick up the damn book, read it & curse him when our favorite character dies. What is wrong with us women? We are the worst. And still, we read, and cry, and then we watch the movie, and cry.

I think I speak for the majority of us when I say that The Notebook is his greatest love story. We were immediately sucked into Noah & Allie's love story simply because they are both beautiful. Like, it's annoying how beautiful these two are. Then, we dive into their love story.

1. They were complete opposites.

She had money. He was poor. She had everything she could have ever wanted. He worked for everything he had, which wasn't much. He taught her how unimportant those things were. Love is all you need.

2. He would be a bird for her.

No explanation necessary.

3. They challenged each other.
They fought. A lot. They were different, so they saw the world differently. They didn't let each other get away with things. They called each other on their ish.

4. He stood with her through her illness.

Even though she didn't remember, Noah read their love story to Allie every single day in hopes that his sweetheart would come back to him, if just for a few minutes. 

5. Their love remained strong until the end.
In the most gut-wrenching scene in the entire film, Allie lays on her death bed & is herself again. Noah lays down next to her, they go to sleep & slip away together. I know many girlfriends who have said that this is how they want to go. I know many girlfriend's husbands who roll their eyes at them when they say this.

Waylon Drive

I get weirdly sentimental about things. Not the normal things. The arbitrary things. Like The Office series finale, or saying goodbye to the boys' NICU nurse, or my doctor telling me he's moving away. I guess I just chalk it up to being a lover & having attachments to the people, including Jim & Pam, who walk in & out of my life.

Yesterday was another one of those weird attachment/goodbyes. My best friend is moving. No, not away. To another city that is maybe 5 minutes farther than her current city. Now, I didn't cry or anything, but I felt the pang of nostalgia as we took pictures in the house. The house holds special memories of curling each other's hair, drinking cold beers, and eating donuts while watching Ellen.

K - we ate A LOT of donuts at your house. No wonder we're getting chunky. Not that you are.

Two of my favorite memories involve my boys. In early September last year, I was dog sitting their incredible Labradoodle, Monty. I had borrowed Scott's truck for a bridal show earlier in the day, so I was bringing it back to the house that night. It was the first month on fertility drugs & I was riding the emotional rollercoaster of waiting to find out if it had worked or not. I walked into the garage, took a cold beer out of the fridge, sat down on the couch in the living room, called Kylie & sobbed into the phone. I knew it hadn't worked. It was another month in a long line of months without getting pregnant. She calmed me down enough to convince to run upstairs & take one her emergency pregnancy tests. True friendship is peeing on a stick while talking on the phone. I waited the mandatory 2 minutes, wiped tears off my face, looked at the test & said, "Oh...well...it's positive." I quickly went back downstairs & replaced the unopened beer in the fridge.

The whole middle part of this story was spent in a bed. I'm sure you've heard it before. {There was another fun memory of showing up to Kylie's house with my ultrasound picture, which showed that I was having twins. Her poor cousin was introduced to a very foul-mouthed, terrified, twin-mom-to-be that night. Sorry about that, Seany.}

On May 8, I was the size of a barn, Maddie was with Grammy & Papa, & I was restless. I told Josh I was going to Kylie's for a while. I was hoping that being in the house where I found out I was pregnant would somehow help my water break - she made me sit on the floor. I sat & chatted with Scott & Kylie for about 2 hours before giving up & going home. That night was fitful. I contracted all night. I woke up contracting. I had just a few hours to get these boys out before Kylie was leaving for a trip & could potentially miss their births. But we were in luck. The house worked. The boys were born just a few short hours later, my best friend sitting next to me, while I mouth-breathed in recovery.

Yesterday, I took the boys & placed them in the same spot I sat on the floor. The house is not magical, but it has memories. Special memories. Sentimental memories. I will never forget the night I found out I was pregnant with what I thought was one baby. Or the time I sat stunned beyond words, well, beyond words that weren't 4 letters in length, with the knowledge that I was having TWO babies. Or the night that I spent waiting for these boys to arrive, willing them to come out before Auntie KyKy left.

The new house will hold new memories. My kids will play there with her kids. We'll have donuts & brunches. We'll laugh, we'll cry, we'll watch The Bachelor. But the old house will always be special to me.