We welcomed a new baby boy {Haddon Cromwell} into our home right before Christmas!

He is SO PERFECT!!
7 lbs 6 oz || 19” long

It was a crazy 2019 and I’m excited for this new year! For now, I want to tell Haddon’s birth story, so I never forget the details!

A little backstory: This pregnancy came as a TOTAL shock and surprise on April 25th, 2019. I thought I was having peri-menopausal symptoms. My pregnancy was wonderful. I worked out 5-6 times a week, felt great although tired at times. I really had no complaints. My midwife appointments were wonderful. I adore my midwives. SO much. They are my friends and I love how they always take time to really connect with me. They put my mind at ease and listened to every “silly” concern, worry, thought or emotion I ever have.

I had prayed for a birth before Christmas. I just wanted to be able to stay home and enjoy my new baby rather than having to hoist my massively pregnant self to every family gathering.

Friday, December 20th, I woke up feeling off and I began having contractions that were different and more intense than all the Braxton Hicks I had had throughout this pregnancy. We weren’t SURE if this was it, but we got the kids dispersed to the grandparents and I got in the labor “let’s have a baby today” zone. I was breathing through contractions, but the timing was sporadic. Haddon had been posterior, so I had seen an amazing chiropractor who specializes in pregnancy. She is a miracle worker for helping pregnant mamas get their babies in an optimal position for birth. I also did a lot of spinning babies stretches, inversions and pelvic rocks too.

I labored on my birthing ball, read my affirmations, used my oils, listened to music, got in my zone and just enjoyed a quiet house. Late morning my midwife {Wetawnya} came to check on me. I was dilated…..”maybe a finger tip” width. I thought, “Are you kidding me?!” My cervix was thick and not effaced at all. All of a sudden I  felt defeated….what about all the Braxton Hicks? What about all the contractions I had worked through?

I cried. It felt good to get it out.

This “labor” was so reminiscent of how I felt in labor with Ridley almost 11 years ago.

Ridley was also posterior and I had THE WORST back labor. The medical staff did nothing to help move him. They never even suggested that my erratic and irregular contractions could signal he was posterior. Thank God for chiropractors and midwives! Wetawnya did several rebozo techniques on me to help loosen up my hips to help the baby move. She felt like he was just moving down and getting into a better position for birth whenever he was ready.

I was annoyed and frustrated, so I decided I wasn’t having a baby that day. I threw up my hands and said, “He may never decide to come.” I changed into my gym clothes, packed up everything. Put away all the birth supplies and decided to go the the gym. My mental health needed a good sweat.

It was our gym’s 12 Days of Christmas workout. I scaled everything and only did 3 sleds. When I finished around 26-27 minutes, I just knelt on the floor stretched out over my box. I felt WEIRD. My pelvic area felt strange. I even wondered if I had a bladder infection.

I dragged myself to the car slowly and came home. We got Ridley and Nora back from my parents. Cameron stayed with Ernie’s parents. I can’t remember what we had for dinner that night. I didn’t feel very hungry. I was so uncomfortable.

We fed the kids and put them to bed. I got in an epsom salt soak and tried to relax so I could sleep. I called Wetawnya around 10PM just to let her know I felt different. I got in bed and tried to sleep. Maybe I dozed a little. At midnight I got back in another epsom salt bath to try to calm down the serious discomfort I was feeling.

I got in bed around 12:30AM and dozed between contractions. They were about a minute long and anywhere from 8-12 minutes apart. Finally at 3:30AM I told Ernie, I have got to get out of bed. I can’t deal with how much it hurts when I am laying down!

So I got up and everything changed.

My contractions became more intense, started lasting longer and were closer together. Ernie dug his fists into my back through each surge. I could have used a couple more men pushing their fists into my back too. It just wasn’t enough for the pressure I was feeling. LOL

I called Wetawnya and told her she needed to come. This was either the real thing or I was done. Then I called Kelly. I started crying and wailed, “What if this isn’t real labor again?” She said, “It is real. I can hear it in your voice.”

Kelly got here first. She heard me grunt at the end of a contraction. She said, “Um, was that a push?” I said, “I think so?” She called Wetawnya who was still 15 mins away and told her to hurry.

When Wetawnya arrived she checked the baby’s heart tones and then I asked her to check me. I told her if I hadn’t dilated I was done and wanted to go to the hospital to have my baby cut out. I was 1000000% serious.

She checked me and we looked at each other with big eyes. She said, well, you’re ready whenever you’re ready to push.

The other midwives and Mom got here. I remember the house being so dark and peaceful. I felt SO SAFE. Remember Ridley and Nora were here too. Asleep. I prayed Nora would stay that way.

The midwives got settled. They are so competent and amazing. They think of everything. Birth is messy and they are so respectful and easy going about all of it. Nothing grosses them out ever. They are so attentive and forward thinking with many things (oxygen, medications etc) available “just in case.”

The contractions were the most painful I’ve ever experienced in a birth. I have a super high pain tolerance and I’m very much in control of my body through being in control of my thoughts. Mindset is everything. I imagine I’m somewhere else (usually at the beach hearing the waves roll in with my toes in the sand) and just work through it. I do this when I’m working out too.  If you see me with my eyes closed I’m pretty much always at the beach.

I breathed through each surge with a very low, mostly quiet moan. The key to staying loose and relaxed (as my sister taught me!) is to have guppy lips. You just flap those lips and keep your tone low and everything will be okay. I imagine my body being full of liquid discomfort and I focus on breathing it all down and out my feet with each contraction.

Finally around 5:30AM I really started feeling the real need to push. After a while I still didn’t feel like he was moving down and I began to feel discouraged. I had an idea in my head that this time I would only push a few times. Well, some things are out of our control and this was one of them.

I said to the midwives, “I think he’s never coming out.”

They were so encouraging and said just enough to help me keep going. I labored and delivered standing up…that was a first. I’ve had a baby with my feet in the air flat on my back in a hospital bed, twice kneeling on the bed over a birthing ball and once standing up. I love working with gravity rather than against it. It just makes sense.

I FINALLY started feeling him coming down. Those were some longggggg contractions and long pushes. I remember saying, “Oh my word, he’s right there. Can you see him?” They couldn’t. Yet. But I knew he was close.

The next few pushes brought my sweet babe into the world. I’ve experienced the “ring of fire” twice before. Gasoline and matches accurately describes it. But this time didn’t hurt at all. I just felt pressure. His head was out. I knew with the next contraction he would be here. So we waited. Meanwhile Ernie and the midwives were thrilled that he was en caul (still in the bag of waters!) I could hardly wait for the INCREDIBLE relief I knew was coming when he was fully born.

The next surge came and I pushed with all the primal, deep, mama bear, gentle force I had. Sweet relief, he was out. When Ernie caught him the bag of waters broke so we didn’t get photos of him en caul. It all happened so fast. Haddon was born at 6:20AM, December 21, 2019.

I remember standing there just so happy he was here and safe. It took a minute or two for me to get on the bed so they could hand him to me. It was the SWEETEST moment evrrrrrrrrrrr. I won’t ever forget it.

They listened to his heart and lungs. He is perfect.  We waited a good long while for the cord to stop pulsing and then Ridley got to cut the cord. It was really special that Ridley got to see his youngest sibling come into the world and that he got to participate in a small way too.

After a little bit the placenta was born and it was perfect too. We slathered my belly with Helichrysum essential oil. It’s an incredible tool which resulted in my bleeding being minimal for which I’m SO grateful. It was much less than Nora’s birth.

Haddon latched right away and the after pains were INTENSE. OUCH. They get worse with each baby and good grief it was awful. I was able to manage the pain with Arnica tablets and a wonderful herbal tincture called Birth Ease.

The midwives treated me like a queen. They spoon fed me oatmeal, held my cup with a straw so I could drink a Zyng, they took me to the bathroom and waited on me while I showered. That post-delivery shower is the best thing in the entire world. Seriously, there is zero care like the tender care, availability, attention and love from midwives.

They did all the weighing, measuring, stats etc. Then Nora woke up. Oh my word, HOW did she sleep through the entire ordeal? With chatter and people outside her door? With me moaning a baby out right beside her room?

One word.

Grace.

Nora wasn’t sure what to think. She’s still adjusting a month later, but she ADORES her baby brother. She’s convinced I have “a sistah” in my belly. Haha! Poor baby.

Haddon’s birth was everything and more that I prayed (and dared to hope) it would be. Redemptive. A crowning moment for my child bearing years. Peaceful. I did a LOT of spiritual, mental and emotional work through my entire pregnancy. I KNEW I had to have my heart and mind in the right place. I used copious amounts of Valor, Believe, Surrender and many other oils. I had a routine with affirmations for each one. I imagined myself grounded in Jesus, strong like a massive tree that nothing could blow over.

On the Friday before Haddon was born when I was having Prodromal labor, I was listening to Shane and Shane sing “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”. That song wrecked me in the best way. A phrase jumped out at me and has stuck with me ever since…

“Believe Him and all will be well.”

Simple, powerful truth.

Simply believe.

So that’s what I did. And that’s what I’m still doing. All my fears, all my anxiety, all my worries, all of me I surrendered to Jesus. I gave it all to Him knowing full well that He has it all in the palm of His hand. All I have to do is believe and trust. It’s a daily surrender. A daily giving it to him. Believing….

All is well.

All will be well.

My recovery has been wonderful. I’ve been able to rest and enjoy Haddon. He hasn’t given me the best sleep, so I may say something weird or completely forget something I was supposed to do. Ernie has been a champ making my breakfast, taking care of kids, the house, school etc. Kelly has been a total gift keeping me well fed with whatever sounds good. Our family and church family have been a huge blessing with meals and anything else we’ve needed. I’m so thankful for incredible support.

Haddon is a gift. A gift I didn’t know I needed.

I’m so grateful.

XOXO

Myra

The post Haddon’s Birth Story appeared first on My Blessed Life™.

But it’s also for you. It is for you who feel beaten down. It is for you who don’t feel like you’re enough. It’s for you who love Jesus and also need extra help. It’s for you to feel loved and that it’s okay to enjoy the gifts that God has given you and not be in bondage to someone else’s, unbiblical, legalistic opinions.}

Okay? Okay.

Jesus is enough. His grace is sufficient.

But is He really?

Yes.

Is His grace sufficient for EVERY need?

Yes. Of course.

Without doubt or question.

Without addition or subtraction.

BUT….we can’t stick our heads in the sand whether ignorantly, immaturely or idealistically and pretend that THAT is the end of the story.

It’s not.

Why?

Because it denies the gifts God has given us.

What does “grace sufficient” really look like in real life, in the real world?

• For some people who struggle with depression that may look like counseling and medication.
• For some people who are chronically ill that might look like indefinite pain pills just so they can have quality of life with their loved ones.
• For some who are terminally ill that might look like a LOT of medicine to help them be comfortable.
• For some who have diabetes that might look like taking insulin just to stay alive.

Does this mean that THEY are NOT relying on Jesus?

Are they suddenly unholy because they “need” more than a “Jesus juke?”

Should they just suck it up?

Grin and bear it?

No. Absolutely not.

How beyond RIDICULOUS.

• What about the woman whose hormones are ALL over the place whether from childbirth, motherhood or going through the change of life? Does it matter if she chooses to take a pharmaceutical drug or use an essential oil?

Does ONE choice make her holy and the other not?

Pretty sure that would be a, “no.”

• What about someone who has a headache and wants to take an Advil or, perish the thought, use an essential oil?
• What about someone who wants to wear makeup because it makes her feel more confident? Should she just pray for God to make her more confident? More beautiful?
• What about or men who are struggling mentally and emotionally? Is it more holy to take a pill or use an oil?

NEITHER.

• What about people {everyone?} who want to just LIVE? They need to eat and drink, right? Food and water. I’m sure you’ve heard of it.
• What about air? That comes in handy for breathing and living!
• What about work? Can we just sit around and expect Jesus to provide when we are capable of taking care of ourselves?

Um, no.

Are you unholy because you need more than Jesus?

No.

The constant assumptions and judgment of each other’s hearts, bodies, mind and spiritual state is wrong. Flat out, plain WRONG.

The blanket statement that Jesus is enough and that’s that…is sadly way out of line.

Is He enough? Yep, absolutely.

But He also made us with human bodies. And thanks to Adam and Eve we have to deal with the fact that they are falling apart….body, soul, mind and strength. And He has allowed men to come up with remedies–ALL of them, ALL options.

Are they THE remedy for our soul? Are they THE remedy for our happiness, peace, joy, and righteousness before God?

NO.

I am SO thankful that yes, Jesus is enough for my soul, He is the great physician, He is the miracle performer, He is the redeemer. MY redeemer. 

He is a good, gracious, kind, loving Father who has provided not just His life, death and resurrection for our salvation, but remedies of all sorts for our well being, comfort, stability and peace here on earth.

Jesus is enough. His grace IS sufficient.

Yet, He has graciously blessed us with LOTS of “PLUSES.” 

Just take a minute and think of all the other amazing, bountiful, plenteous gifts {man made or God made} He has graciously provided {Jehovah Jireh!} for us to live peaceable lives with all godliness, love, kindness, graciousness and understanding toward our fellow believers. Simply amazing!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”  James 1:17

And girl, if you want to wear a t-shirt that says Jesus + oils + coffee, you go right on ahead. Enjoy ALL His gifts!!!!

XOXO

Myra

The post Jesus + ALL His Gifts appeared first on My Blessed Life™.

Why?

Well, because the backyard {my place of peaceful rest, beauty and quiet} isn’t so pretty right now.

Last night, I had enough of my “poor me” attitude and I just got in the hammock anyway.

It was such a good decision for my soul. I closed my eyes and imagined how everything used to be and what everything will look like when it’s all put back together again.

What you don’t see in this picture….

-a pile of leftover brick

-a massive yellow dumpster

-a embarrasingly huge spray painted sign that says, “Please leave parcels here” that Dad made with a shelter over the picnic table, since the carport is gone.

-a porta-potty

-the grill and a box fan for the workshop

I mean, the back yard is a class act….if you’re a hoarder.

I’ve struggled with the mess, the ugly, the junk everywhere, the things out of place.

But today I’m embracing it because progress and improvement is messy.

And I’m likely getting back in that hammock today to enjoy some more solitude.

XOXO

Myra

The post The Picture Doesn’t Show It All appeared first on My Blessed Life™.

It’s happening. And I don’t like it one bit.

But I’m telling myself that it’s going to be okay, the sadness and grief is worth it and the BEST is yet to be.

It HAS to be.

{But first, the backstory…it’s long…settle in for a bit!}

One of my favorite photos of our slice of heaven.

Two years ago, I sat around a table with some pretty incredible women eating sushi in Las Vegas. One of those women was Melissa Michaels, long time friend, design blogger and author extraordinaire. Seriously, she’s amazing. I poured out my frustrated and disappointed story to her. 

 How we purchased Memaw and Granddaddy’s house on a STUNNINGLY beautiful slice of heaven which we adore.

 How we poured multiple six-figures into preserving it, improving it and making it ours.

 How we dreamed of adding on to give our family more space as well as to provide more room for hospitality on a grander scale.

 And then how we came to find out that the foundation repairs we invested were actually for nothing because of unfixable cracks and deterioration.

My heart was broken.  My dreams shattered.  And I was scared because I deeply value memories. Not just mine, but also the precious memories of my immediate and extended family. And I treasure our sweet family relationships deeply.

Ernie and I were left to simply pray and ask, “What now?” 

That day around sushi, Melissa said to me, “Why don’t you build a guest house to live in while you figure out what to do with your house?”

It was literally a lightbulb moment for me.  So I started designing and working with an architect on a plan that would work for us temporarily and then be an amazing space for hosting friends, family or angels unawares.

I did this on faith that the Lord would provide for Memaw and Granddaddy’s house. That HE would make the way clear. 

All through the process of building the guest house I wrestled with the Lord, asking for guidance, wisdom and HIS will. The questions were, “Do we salvage all we can and demo?” “Do we move the house?” “Do we give this house to someone?” “WHAT do we do?” 

One morning I woke up and I knew the answer. This house was for my parents. 

Mom and Dad live next door in their mobile home where they raised their five kiddos {Joshua is still there.} and hosted alllllllll kinds of amazing people over the years. Their home has so many wonderful memories too! But it’s 30 years old and Ernie and I dreamed of helping Mom and Dad build a house that would be perfect for this season of their lives….with a dining room…something that Mom always wished for, but she put in her request for the Lord to give her a dining room in her mansion in heaven. 

So, that’s where we are. We have moved into the guest house after putting a lot of our stuff in storage.  Mom, Dad and Joshua will be moving soon out of their house into an RV while we do the switcheroo of moving out the mobile home, building a foundation, moving Memaw and Granddaddy’s house over for them and getting it settled for them – including light repairs and necessary remodeling.

THEN we will begin the process of building our new home {just finished the plans!} in the same spot as our current house. It’s basically the same footprint, but two stories to give us more room and space. Since Ernie and I both work from home, and we homeschool, and we LOVE having people in our home, we need SPACE for everyone. 

I’m still sad about things not going as originally planned, but THIS is the way that the Lord has guided us and we will trust Him every single step. He truly makes everything beautiful in HIS time. And his timing is perfection. 

++++++++++++

Back to the mantel and the fireplace… This was one of the first projects I did to love on Memaw’s house. It brought me so much joy to update and restore. The fireplace wall was a focal point of our living space. So many conversations and memories have been made around it in the last few decades…so many. And I’m confident that many more will be made as well once it’s all put back together again.

The guys prepping the house to move did all they could to preserve this wall. But it all came crashing down.  If Mom and Dad want it put back up, we will do it for sure. 

I want to forever remember all the beauty that came from this space. It has brought me SO MUCH JOY to share this space, my creative side, and the celebration of life and family. Here are a few of my favorite mantel/fireplace designs from the last few years.

This next one made it into a full page in Woman’s Day Magazine. SO grateful for the amazing opportunities given to me to share inspiration with the world.

All of this to say, I’m understandably a bundle of various emotions. More than anything, in the middle of all the changes, I am hopeful, excited and anticipating a glorious future.

I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with anyone who would like to follow along.

I’ve been needing to blog again and this is the perfect place to start. I will share photos of the guest house soon!

XOXO

Myra

The post The Story of A Mantel appeared first on My Blessed Life™.

Today, I’m sharing my plant-based skin care routine that I absolutely LOVE. But, first, I have to tell you a story. When I was a teenager I had the worst skin. I had acne like crazy and in an act of desperation and with a sliver of hope I followed the instructions I read in a waiting room magazine and rubbed fresh lemons all over my face. It was a Saturday night and I believed the LIE in that magazine that the lemon juice would take off the top layer of skin to reveal beautiful, clear, vibrant skin. Um, I was wrong. And so was the magazine.

About 10 minutes into this “treatment” my face was BURNING from all the acid. It was BAD. Major ouch. It took years for the red splotchiness to completely go away.

I used Clearasil for my cleanser for nearly two decades before I transitioned to castile soap after researching what’s really in run-of-the-mill skin care products. Yikes! While I really liked the non-toxic nature of castile soap, I could tell that it wasn’t actually nourishing my skin. I never moisturized except for the very rare coconut oil on my face. Oh the beauty of being in my 20s. Ha! I realized a few years ago that I needed to change my skin care routine…ahem, those 30 year old wrinkles. Bah, humbug! Haha!

What’s REALLY in “typical” skin care products?

Did you know that the American government doesn’t require health studies or pre-market testing of the chemicals in personal care products, even though just about everyone is exposed to them. Yikes!

Many cleansers, scrubs, moisturizers, serums etc are nothing more than a toxic cocktail of chemicals, artificial coloring, and fragrance. I would encourage you to research the dangers of:

• sodium lauryl sulfate
• alcohols
• fragrance
• parabens
• petroleum based oils
• salicylic acid
• benzyol peroxide
• mineral oils

Did you know that the average woman puts 515 synthetic chemicals on her body every single day without even knowing?? Guess how much of that is absorbed through our skin {holla, the largest organ!!}?? 60%. CRAZY!

The European Union has banned over 1,300 chemicals found in cosmetics. The FDA has only banned 8 and restricted 3. Huh? That’s definitely something to think about. Download the Think Dirty app and check out the personal care products in your bathroom and cosmetic bag! It’s quite eye opening.

Because of learning all of this I looked for better options. I was already a Young Living member and LOVED the oils, but I hadn’t jumped into the skin care side of things. It was the BEST decision to take the plunge into some incredible oil-infused, clean and safe skin care products.

I baby-stepped my way into using these products. It wasn’t an overnight change. It’s quite budget friendly and doable for anyone to transition SLOWLY into a new routine rather than just trashing one and starting over with something else. Am I right?!

So here’s what I do every day! I may or may not occasionally collapse into bed with my makeup still on, but those nights are few and far between!

1. Cleanse

I absolutely LOVE what is left out of these cleansers. However, I am so thankful for the wise additions Young Living has included in all their products. Regular use of these products will assure that these amazing plant-based cleansers will nourish your skin! I sometimes alternate them depending what mood I’m in. 😉

Orange Blossom Facial Wash contains many amazing ingredients including MSM which is a natural sulphur containing compound that promotes healthier and clearer skin, wolfberry seed to hydrate the skin, and rosemary and lavender essential oils which are amazing for the skin. This facial wash is non-abrasive and smells amazing! I use this every day. Did you know you can dilute this face wash in a foaming soap pump? It lasts for months and is very cost effective.

ART Gentle Cleanser provides a very soft and gentle cleansing lather. I love that it has Orchid flower extract which is coveted for its ability to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. That’s what I’m talkin’ about!! Orchid flower extract also soothes and conditions your skin.  This cleanser also has Frankincense essential oil and Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood which are both well-known for amazing skin!

2. Exfoliate

Exfoliation is a SUCH an important step in skin care and in maintaining the look of youthful skin. I need ALL the help I can get! LOL Did you know that the process of exfoliation triggers cell regeneration as dead skin is removed and new skin replaces it? As we mature, our natural exfoliation process slows down and we need help to maintain our youthful glow. This is why exfoliation is an absolutely necessary step in your skincare regimen. This gentle Satin Mint Facial Scrub contains jojoba oil, mango butter, MSM, aloe, and Peppermint essential oil to minimize the appearance of pores and invigorate dull skin. I LOVE this product and I use it 2-3 times a week. A tiny dab does the job just fine! 

3. Tone

I used to think that toner was much-ado-about-nothing, but the ART Refreshing Toner is incredible and has completely changed my mind. It gently removes impurities without drying the skin. It has a perfect blend of essential oils {peppermint, royal hawaiian sandalwood, frankincense, lavender, lemon and melissa} helps balance your skin’s pH, while leaving your face clean, toned, and refreshed. I use this 3-4 times a week with an organic cotton ball or pad after I cleanse and exfoliate {if I’m exfoliating that day}. 

4. Renew

I have a confession. I dug my heels in about this serum. I mean, I’m not THAT ancient. Surely I don’t need a renewal serum, right? WRONG. Haha! I’ve been using it for about 6 weeks and the difference in my skin is incredible! The ART Renewal Serum is an intricate blend of exotic orchid extract and essential oils such as frankincense, coriander, ylang ylang, bergamot, jasmine and geranium that benefits the most delicate areas of the face.

Check out the incredible difference from using the renewal serum twice a day!!

These premium ingredients are formulated to deeply nourish, hydrate, and help maintain a youthful appearance. After the toner dries on my face, I apply the renewal serum and once it absorbs then I moisturize!

Talk about spoiling my face…moisturizing is where it’s at!

5. Moisturize

I have three favorite moisturizers. I use them at various times. I either use the ART Light Moisturizer or the ART Intensive Moisturizer in the morning after the renewal serum and I use Sheerlume at night right before bed especially around my eyes.

ART Light Moisturizer helps my skin retain and maintain proper hydration. If I feel like I need a super light moisturizer this is my go-to. With royal hawaiian sandalwood and frankincense essential oils and other amazing ingredients, my skin feels silky soft!

ART Intensive Moisturizer is a bit heavier than the light moisturizer. I love this deep, ultra-hydrating lotion that recaptures the qualities of younger-looking skin by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helping skin feel smoother and more pliable. Seriously, bring it on! Ha! It has a light floral scent and luxurious experience that leaves your skin feeling soft, refreshed, and radiant. 

Sheerlume is my best friend. I’m not even kidding. This was one of the first skin care products I purchased from Young Living. It smells like heaven and makes me feel like ROYALTY right before bed every. single. night. Sheerlume contains a powerhouse combination of essential oils that are fabulous for the skin — sacred frankincense, clove, jasmine, peppermint, spearmint, royal hawaiian sandalwood, blue cypress and vetiver.

Whew! If you made it through that, HUGE kudos to you!!

One more tip! Scrubbing my eye makeup off every night isn’t something I want to do. The skin around the eyes is thin and delicate. Pulling on it doesn’t keep wrinkles away. A few months ago I started using the Mirah Shave Oil as eye makeup remover. It’s a dream and it smells DIVINE! I’ve never used it for shaving. Ha! I’ve heard it’s also fabulous as a hair serum when used very sparingly.

I recently switched my makeup to Savvy Minerals from Young Living. It’s my favorite. I’ve never been a big makeup person…I mean if the barn needs painting, paint it. I’ve never obsessed over high quality, clean makeup that I love to wear until now! I will be back another day to share all about that!

If you have questions about my skin care routine or any of the products, leave a comment below! I would love to chat with you!

If you’re looking to get started with a plant based skin care routine, I would wholeheartedly recommend Young Living’s ART Skin Care System that includes the Gentle Cleanser, Toner and Light Moisturizer. It’s a great place to start and a little bit goes a long way. If you’re just now getting curious about dabbling in essential oils, I would LOVE for you to join my amazing community!

Talk soon, friends!

XOXO
Myra

The post My Plant-Based Skin Care Routine appeared first on My Blessed Life™.

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Yum!!

Lavender Vitality isn’t just amazing for flavor in lemonade. You can add it to homemade jams and jellies, sorbets, baked goods and savory dishes with other vitality oils including Thyme and Basil.

Young Living’s Vitality line is especially labeled for using internally in recipes and capsules. The uses and benefits are endless and amazing. A quick google search will show that! *wink*

PLEASE do not consume cheap aromatherapy essential oils. The risk to your health isn’t worth it. I promise.

My family and I have been using Young Living therapeutic grade essential oils for four years and to say they have changed our lives is an understatement.

You can read more about our wellness journey and I would love for you to join me!

Happy lemonade making!

XOXO
Myra

The post Lavender Lemonade Recipe appeared first on My Blessed Life™.

But, I MUST show these wonderful photos to you that totally capture Nora’s sweet personality.

She is a total light and JOY in our lives!

Nora is seriously my doll baby. I just can’t even get over how much I adore her. We all adore her. Her daddy and brothers are quite smitten.

She’s a petite little thing and she’s FINALLY creeping along furniture and trying to take a few steps. She lets go and takes two steps and falls into me.

I hope you’re smiling today and that Nora brightened your day too!

XOXO
Myra

The post Nora is ONE! appeared first on My Blessed Life™.

Homeschooling is going well. Our home businesses are going well. The kiddos are growing like weeds and I wish they would slow down a little bit. We are busy with many different things, but it is good. This time of year is my absolute favorite. The crisp and cool mornings make me feel so alive! I pulled out my boots for the first time this past weekend. That was fun!

I stopped by the local nursery on the way home a couple of days ago and picked up some pumpkins and gourds to complete our simple Fall decor this year. To celebrate this accomplishment I pulled out the big camera and took photos of the mantel and den. You get to see our new built in bookcases. I love them. So much.

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I shopped my home for everything except the metal feather garland that I found on Zulily several weeks ago…and the pumpkins, of course.

I love the mixture of textures and earthy colors.

It’s just pretty and peaceful. And I don’t have to keep any flowers alive.

Faux cotton is a huge win. Ha!

Knobby, warty gourds are the best. Hands down.

I might have literally swooned over these pumpkins. They are so unique!

Now you can get a peek at the built-ins! I LOVE how they turned out.

More warty pumpkins!

Happy Fall, y’all!

I hope to be back before Christmas {haha!} to share more about life!

XOXO
Myra

The post Holla!!! It’s Our 2016 Fall Mantel! appeared first on My Blessed Life™.

I parked at the wrong entrance {duh!} and we had to walk further than I planned…right past Victoria’s Secret. And we all know what that’s like – scantily clad women in provocative poses…it’s soft porn. Let’s just call it what it is, okay?

I have to preface this by saying that obviously stores have to sell lingerie – I’m not making my own, thankyouverymuch. I don’t care if you shop at Victoria’s Secret or not. This post isn’t about their products, service or the experience you get there.

Got it? Cool.

However, for the LOVE of all things good, holy and pure, the advertising needs to be dialed back a lot.

A. LOT.

It makes me sad, angry and ill. Let me explain myself.

1. Victoria’s Secret advertising cheapens something that God made special.

A woman’s body, the marriage relationship, the act of sex = SPECIAL. Do you think everyone who looks at those ads thinks about that?

Nope.

Not a chance in hades.

2. Victoria’s Secret advertising isn’t real life.

Hello photoshop, airbrushing and editing out the wazoo. I mean, c’mon. You don’t REALLY think that’s all real, right??

Lies, people.

All lies.

3. Victoria’s Secret ads give men, women, boys and girls an incredibly heartbreaking, SKEWED view of true beauty.

Self image issues, eating disorders, depression, addictions of a million different sorts and many other sad, sad issues are ruining our society and our culture. Marriages are falling apart, relationships are in turmoil, expectations are often unreasonable, women feel like they will never, ever, ever measure up to whatever they think men *really* want, and ultimately women think they will never be enough just as they are…it’s a disaster. A disaster fed by lies.

THOSE ADS ARE NOT a depiction of true beauty. At all. And they never will be. 

But sex sells. We all know that.

Victoria’s Secret knows that. And every other company’s marketing team knows it too.

So you’re probably wondering what I’m doing to fight back in my own heart and in my own home because you better believe I’m doing something proactive.  #mamabear

No, I’m NOT boycotting Victoria’s Secret. Good grief. Please, don’t even tell me you were thinking that.

1. I’m working hard to guard my own heart and my own thoughts.

We have probably ALL walked past those ads and thought about how “fat” and imperfect we are. You know you’ve done it! Except those thoughts are wrong – total lies.

God programmed me as a woman to want to feel beautiful, to want to be noticed, to want to be attractive. That isn’t innately wrong! I am passionate about fitness and eating healthfully. I want to be the BEST person inside and out that I can be…compared with myself…not a scrawny lingerie model who has been photoshopped to death.

I can’t lie to myself and say that I’ve never wished I looked a tiny bit more like a Victoria’s Secret model. You know…a little less fluffy, definitely more tan, without excess skin and sag-ish-ness from having babies…oh, and that thigh gap that everyone seems to be talking about lately. Seriously, people?

But that’s not my reality and I’m guessing that it’s probably not yours either.

I am beautiful just the way I am. YOU are beautiful too just the way you are. 

That scrawny lingerie model is NOT a measuring stick for my beauty or your beauty either. So there. Just shut up the lies right now and let’s move on. 

2. I’m slowly teaching my children to guard their hearts and their eyes as well.

My babies are 7.5 years old, 4 years old and 9 months old, so I’m doing tiny, almost unnoticeable things that will help to shape their character.

I usually don’t take my kids to the mall…because I usually don’t need to go there….problem solved, right?

Not really.

The agenda to define what “true beauty” is doesn’t begin and end with Victoria’s Secret ads…they are just an example. This agenda is pushed everywhere – billboards, check out lanes, magazines – everywhere. 

Ridley is learning to just look away or look at his shoes. I’m not trying to protect him from reality. I want to be faithful at encouraging him to think right. Right thinking leads to right living and there’s some pretty whacked-out crazy people who aren’t thinking right these days. Can I get an Amen?

Cameron is a sweet heart. He says to me, “Mommy, you are so precious. Mommy you are so boo-ful.” I jokingly told him several months ago to tell me that every day. Rarely does a day go by that he doesn’t tell me. My heart almost bursts right out!

I have overcome a lot in the last two years with my body image. I thought I was “fat” when I got married. How blind I was. But I am super passionate about encouraging Nora as she grows up that true beauty is on the inside…and it will show itself on the outside. I just want to be a good example for her as she grows up and deals with her own self image.

I am 100% sure that many of you reading this are thinking…

-“Uh, this is the 21st century, lady. Get over it!” 

Ha! Yep it is. But I am responsible for myself and my children. I like to sleep at night. I’m not in charge of you or your family, so don’t try to be in charge of mine.

-“This stuff is EVERYWHERE! What’s the point?!”

By God’s grace, my faithfulness and consistency will separate my children from their peers. I want to instill in my children the ability to discern right from wrong. I want them to have God’s perspective on truth and justice. And with every cell in my body I want them to have peace with God…in their innermost heart, mind and soul…where no one but they and God can see. THAT is the point.

-“What about swimsuits? How is that different? Do you not go swimming?”

Look, the point of this isn’t about swimming…it’s about blatant advertisements. But since you asked, I’m not a swimmer. I just don’t really enjoy the water, but I do love me some beach time with a good book. Did you know it’s possible to find quiet beaches away from the crowds? Yeah, very cool.

-“Do you ever feel like a weirdo?”

Um, yep! Don’t care. I embrace it to the fullest! You can also refer back to my thoughts on being in charge of my home (with my husband, of course!) and liking to sleep at night.

I believe with my whole heart that this message needs to be heard. Our hearts need to hear it. Our minds need to hear it. We have to be prepared to fight for ourselves and for our families. The enemy wants nothing more than to destroy us. He wants to dumb us down and de-sensitize us to his agenda.

So, what in the world was the point of this post? I wanted to get back to blogging, (Holla! Back with a bang, I guess?), to share my thoughts and feelings about over-the-top lingerie advertisements with my mama-bear claws out {Totally owning that! LOL } and to tell YOU that…

You are beautiful just the way you are.

For real.

Ignore the LIES that are lingerie ads and tell yourself what I just told you.

YOU. ARE. BEAUTIFUL.

The end.

XOXO

Myra

The post Victoria’s Secret Ads Are Lies. All Lies. appeared first on My Blessed Life™.

Good morning! I am excited today to share our Summer Mantel with you today! I am loving citrus tones lately and it’s my favorite thing ever to pull out the old orange life ring each Summer.

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So pretty!!

I kept the mantel simple and symmetrical this year. The white lanterns are Better Homes and Gardens products found at Walmart. I just added twigs and cotton stems to those. Easy peasy.

I thought it would also be fun to add mason jars to the lanterns and then I could add fresh flowers to them. Candles would also be pretty!

I also picked up these cute green pots by Better Homes and Gardens as well. You could plant something in them, but with my brown-ish thumb, I went with fresh flowers. Haha!

My colorful Child Craft books make me so happy! They are perfect display during Summertime.

So bright, fresh and happy!

That’s it for our Summer Mantel this year!

Have a beautiful day!

XOXO
Myra

This post is sponsored by Better Homes and Gardens products at Walmart. As always, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. Follow BHG Live Better on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram.

The post Summer Mantel 2016 appeared first on My Blessed Life™.