"...all these things..."

Nothing like a Redwood to keep things in perspective.
Hazel, Lilie, and me 2006

I've had such a beautiful life. I'm so thankful.


This Thanksgiving we are too far away to go "Home for the Holidays," but one of the perks of living in the Northwest is that we are now much closer to Nels's sister Tracy and her family. It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive to go visit them in Colfax, WA and they graciously invited us to join them for Thanksgiving.

We drove down Wednesday evening after stopping for a few Christmas presents in Coeur d'Alene and Spokane. {Can I just tell you how strange it is after years and years of living in the "city" to live an hour or more from any stores beyond the grocery store, Walmart, and Home Depot?? Reminds me of growing up in Coalville --- except Coalville only had the Summit Merc. and a gas station . . . and no stop lights.}

The girls were SO excited to go visit their cousin Winston, who is only a year older than Hazel. The girls had SUCH a good time. Thursday they pretty much disappeared into the Moore's barn, playing and playing and playing --- only to reappear for Thanksgiving dinner and then to vanish for the rest of the day. By Thursday night they were tired and incredibly dirty. :) The barn is a magical place with a full basketball court filled with wonderful toys and games, space to run, and a TV. I think Hazel and Winston played FBI most of the day -- complete with costumes made of black garbage bags and paper plate IDs (taped to their backsides). :)

Dinner was wonderful. Tracy made a beautiful and plentiful spread. Violet enjoyed it most, I think. She happily sampled each dish within her reach. :) The rest of the day included some nice naps, rousing games of Sevens and Catan, a movie, and lots of good company. We are so thankful to be close enough to spend more time with all of the Moores in the coming years. Nels's two oldest nephews are great boys . . . um, young men? Weird. Preston will be 20 next year and Keaton will be graduating. In my mind, they are still the little boys that I met 10 years ago. :) However, if they were, they never would have been able to pick me up a new printer at Walmart on Friday morning at midnight while I was sound asleep. :)

Friday morning we got up early so we could head back to Sandpoint for Nels to work. That evening Nels's other sister, Kendall, and her family came to visit us! My girls could hardly contain their excitement at having Tyra and Shelby come spend the night with us. :) They have family up in this area that they get together with every Thanksgiving, so they swung by on their way home to visit. It was great. I'm so thankful to have married into such a wonderful family.

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I'm just thankful for a lot of things this year. We are truly blessed. Sometimes in the conflict of daily life, it's so easy to overlook the incredible blessings that the Lord has given to us. And seeing His hand is genuinely the key to happiness in this life. What a wonderful time of year to be able to slow down and think of all that we have.

I'm so thankful for my sweet family. We are healthy. We are happy. We have the things that we need. The Lord is guiding our lives and wherever he takes us, we can have joy. My job is not to plan out everything in my life. My job is to ask the Lord each day what I need to do today. He'll take care of the rest. He always does.

As I've spent a lot of time recently contemplating what it is that I can learn through this period of my life, I am brought again and again to the thought that this life is so short. That the things that we worry about so much here are so temporary. Our job is to allow the Lord to help us see the beauty of our experiences and learn to rely on him to bring us through. How sad if we spent so much time worrying about what is NOT that we don't see the beauty of what IS. There are just so many things that really don't matter. Not in the end.

It seems each time my life starts getting too scary, somehow I am always brought to one of the several places in the scriptures that we are reminded to have faith in His loving care for us. I came across these verses this morning:

Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these. 

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith. 

Therefore, take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithall shall we be clothed?  For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.  

Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.        {3 Nephi 13, also found in Matthew 6}

Now, we may not always be worried about food or clothes, but our heavenly Father knows how to take care of his children.

[What] man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give a serpent? 

If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?     {3 Nephi 14, or Matt. 7}

He has truly given me good gifts.

2006

2002

2005

2009

2010

2011

I think this picture is hilARious!

A New Normal

Did you know that sometimes life doesn't go the way that you think it will?

It's true. :)

Sheesh. Life sure has not been quite what I anticipated it looking like the last few months. Sometimes I feel like I don't even recognize my life.

And that's okay. It really is.

Three months ago, I really didn't think that selling the house would be a problem. Our realtor had assured us that our house would be easy. -- And I couldn't think that it would be anything but that. We have a beautiful home. We bought it lower than market value and we've done TONS of work and upgrading since we bought it. It's in a fabulous neighborhood. In a cul-de-sac. I knew that we'd have to sell it for less than what we bought it for, but we had built up some equity and had some room to negotiate.

However, as the months have passed, things are not what we expected. The housing market has continued to decline with the onset of winter and we are steadily running out of our "cushion" as our house just sits empty and we continue to drop the price lower and lower.  We simply can't keep doing what we're doing.

Something's gotta give.

So. The winds of change our coming our way and it's frustrating, but we're resigned to it.

Our realtor told us that we'd have to drop the price by another almost $15,000 to get it to move quickly. We can't afford to do that. We've thought about renting it out but we're hundreds of miles away and, without going into the details, we just don't feel like that's a viable option for us.

So we're going to do a short sale. A decision that we have really, really struggled with, but as we've cried and prayed about it, we've realized that we are yet another family hit by the difficult economy.

I've shed a lot of tears over, "Maybe we made the wrong decision in coming here." But, in the end, I don't think we did. We made this decision so that Nels could move forward with his career. So that we would be able to spend more time together as a family. And things are what they are. We could not have anticipated the future and we're here now.

And even though we're disappointed with some of our plans being turned on their heads, we're still really excited for the future that we have here. We are learning some important lessons.

Namely, what real faith is and that sometimes life just doesn't go the way you expect it to. That doesn't mean that the Lord doesn't love you. That doesn't mean that you've done anything wrong. That doesn't mean that He isn't there.

It's just life.

All part of us learning what is most important and seeing things from the proper perspective. This is part of our experience here. And we're learning. Slowly.

So. We're moving forward. Cutting our losses.

And finding a way to move on and settle in here. In our new life. In a new "normal". :)

The Scoop

Well that's just funny. If you're thinking that nobody reads your blog anymore, just post about how you haven't "washed" your hair in almost a month and that just brings people right out of the wood work. :) Jokes. :) Most of you who commented on my last post are those that usually comment anyway. :)

SO. I've had enough questions about what the heck I'm doing, that I thought I'd just write a post to clarify. I've been a little hesitant to share, mostly because I really wanted to experiment a little longer. Plus, what if you do it and HATE it and then think I'm a weirdo? Or don't try it and then think I'm a weirdo anyway?

Ah. Relax.

I don't really mind people thinking that I'm a weirdo. :) Couldn't let a little thing like that deprive my adoring readers {*wink*} of what I think is mega-cool. Right? Right.

I spent most of a day writing this post the other day and then not posting it and generally feeling annoyed because I'd spent so much time on it and it just wasn't flowing right. -- Something about how I don't like technical writing and about how every time I started down a good thought pattern I was interrupted by a fussy baby or fighting children or someone sticking booger-covered fingers in my fillintheblank. (ears, eyes, pant leg . . . you choose. All would be correct.) So, I'm going to give you the links, minimal instruction and backstory, and my feelings. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask, but I'm still a newbie at this -- you might find better information by doing a google search.

About four weeks ago, I joined Pinterest. {Which, by the by, pinning on Pinterest could easily have the potential to be the biggest time waster since you first stalked all your old high school classmates on Facebook.} One of the first things that caught my eye was a pin about a face "washing" regimen called "The Oil Cleansing Method". Basically, it talks about how your skin secretes natural oils that protect and moisturize your skin and by using soaps, you are rinsing all of those away - doing more damage than good. I pretty much hate washing my face with anything but a wet wash cloth anyway (I don't like getting all drippy and wet and splashy), so this was right up my alley. (Exception: I love St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I use it every time I shower and it's the only skin product I've ever stuck with.)

I've generally been pretty happy with what I was doing until . . . I don't know . . . I had Vi? It's been a little while now that I've struggled with my skin. I've felt like it's looked kind of tired and dry and dull for at least a year. It definitely didn't have me looking forward to a thirty-year-old body all that much. I hated feeling like my skin looked old. Also, over the past couple years, I've realized that I struggle with eczema in some places. My face, occasionally being one of those. So I was up for trying out something for my face that was different than what I'd been doing.

This method uses a combination of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and Castor Oil to clean your face. It sounds totally weird, but it's very simple. Please follow the link above. I don't want to write out all the directions.

I'm sure that all of you have visions of my face gleaming in oily disgustingness and smelling like an Italian restaurant at this point, but amazingly, it doesn't really leave my face feeling oily at all and I've been incredibly happy with it ever since the first time I tried it. My skin is soft and pretty much blemish and zit free. As I mentioned in my last post, even Nels noticed and commented on how nice my skin has been looking . . . and that's really something. :)

On the website, the author suggests that you begin with a basic 1 to 1 ratio of oils. I've realized over the past few weeks that I have fairly dry skin and so I use a ratio of 3 parts EVOO to 1 part castor oil. When I change this up and add more castor oil, I start getting dry eczema patches again (like last week), but if I stick to the 3:1 ratio, my eczema is pretty much nonexistent. Gets rid of blemishes, zits, and eczema? I was sold from the get go. 

Sound weird enough yet? I use oil to clean my face. I use less make up and my skin looks better than it has in years.

Now if all that isn't weird enough for you, just wait. I've also entirely stopped using shampoo and conditioner! Enter: visions of an oily-faced, oily-headed, dread-locked, stinky Rachel. Right? However, that has most definitely not been the case. The day that I read about the Oil Cleansing Method, I also read a crazy article titled, "How To Clean Your Hair Without Shampoo" - using instead baking soda and vinegar. I thought it sounded a little kookoo (not to mention explosive! :), BUT I had recently run out of my favorite shampoo and was debating on whether or not to go fork out the moola for more anyway, so I decided to give it a try. Besides, the rationale behind this method really struck a cord with me. Read it, dudes and dudettes. It just makes sense. - In a hippy sort of way.

Just like the skin on the rest of our bodies, our scalp naturally secretes oils that protect both your skin and your hair. Shampoo, being a detergent, washes all those good oils right out - thereby stimulating your scalp to produce even more of them and resulting in oily-er hair that needs to be washed more often. A vicious cycle. At the suggestion of my hairdresser, I've spent the past couple of years slowly weening my hair off of needing to be washed as often - usually going 2 to 3 days between shampooing. My hair has been happier for it. 

The gal writing the post explains the reasons and the method pretty well, so just read what she wrote. This method has worked really well for me and I haven't really changed it at all. After the soda water wash, I rinse my hair with vinegar. Cool, huh? :) Olive oil and vinegar are now staples in my hygiene regimen. Bread and salad, anyone? :)

Being as my hair, like my skin, tends to be a bit dry, I use the vinegar mix a bit more liberally than the author of this article does. It's been working great.

The very first time I cleaned my hair this way, I was a little skeptical. In the shower, it felt like I wasn't really doing anything and it was kind of strange to not get all "lathered up" and the vinegar didn't leave my hair with that "slick" feeling that you get so used to with conditioner. However, neither was my hair tangly - surprisingly. After brushing it out, I was really impressed with the difference in my hair.

As I've read more about this method, I've learned that hair that is naturally curly or even wavy (like mine) is more likely to also suffer from being naturally drier. Over the past few years, I've spent quite a bit on great moisturizing shampoos. They've definitely helped my hair, but it's so hard for me to fork out the money on them. As I brushed out my hair the first time I used this method, my hair felt different. Not good or bad, necessarily, but different. And I immediately noticed how much easier my hair was curling all on it's own. My hair usually requires a decent amount of product to get it to curl attractively and stay, so I was really surprised.

I've continued to clean my hair this way and I've noticed that not only does it curl easier, but it's softer and generally more manageable. Occasionally I'll still use mousse - for curl definition - or a bit of "De-frizz" when I blow dry it - (mostly because I need a haircut and I've highlighted my hair), but on the days when I don't, I STILL LIKE MY HAIR! Which is saying a lot.

So. My verdict.

I've LOVED the Oil Cleansing Method for my skin. My face looks much more . . . perky. Clear. Soft. Whatever. I love it. I use less foundation because my skin has fewer (or no) blemishes and less dryness. It's much more even that it previously was. I can't wait to clean my face at night. It feels so good. I store my mixture in a $2.00 glass pump bottle I picked up at the craft store. Easy. Inexpensive. Effective.

And my "Poo-Free" :) Experiment? Thrilled. I was going to be happy if my hair just felt as good as what it did when I'm using regular shampoo. But I would honestly say that I'm as happy (if not more) with this method than I was with my expensive shampoos and conditioners. To clarify: my hair does NOT feel the SAME as when I use expensive shampoo, but I am just as happy with how it FEELS. As good - maybe even better - but different.

I've been asked if this method works for color-treated hair. I honestly don't know. Some websites I've read say that it can lighten your color, others say it's fine. Will this method mean you can totally get rid of all the products that you've been using? I don't have any idea. I would imagine it would depend on what the products are, your specific hair chemistry, and the reason why you were using them in the first place.

What I would do is, first: Do your own reading on the subject. There is a plethora of information on the internet from people that have been using this method. How did I not hear about it earlier? Don't ask me, because this is obviously not something that has just recently been discovered. And second, I'd just try it out. Everyone has different hair, different skin, different preferences. Just because I've loved it, doesn't mean that you will, but I thought I'd share the info, should you feel so inclined to give it a shot.

My reasons:
First, I love that both methods are inexpensive. Love that. 

Second, although I'm FAR from being a "green" convert, I love the thought of using fewer chemicals on my body.

Third, to me, it just makes sense that the things that can be the best for us are naturally produced. I truly believe that the Lord has already provided us with almost all the things that we need - naturally. -- Well, maybe with the exception of Magic Erasers. :)

Fourth. And probably my biggest reason. I love not being dependent. Even if it's to something as simple as shampoo. I love watching my body do what it does best. Heal and take care of itself (for the most part) with minimal outside intervention. Bodies are pretty amazing, you know.

I'm learning with age, that I'm a bit of a hippy. Simple is better or me.
And there you have it. The skinny on what I've been doing.

PLEASE. If you try this out, will you give me your feedback? I would REALLY LOVE to know how either of these methods work for you. Hate it? Tell me. Love it? Let me know. After all, this is all kind of an experiment for me. It's not a very good experiment if I only have my own information. So share.

Today . . .

Today . . .

--- I am home from a week long trip to Utah and Idaho Falls. Sandpoint, Idaho Falls, Bountiful. All three places I would happily call home.

--- I do NOT look like this. Instead . . .

--- I am purposefully spending the day in my pajamas. Maybe I'll take a shower. Speaking of showers . . .

--- I have spent the past three weeks or so shampoo-free and using oil to wash my face. What? you say? Well, read more about what I've been doing here and here. I LOVE IT! My hair has not been this shiny, curled so easily, or been so happy in a long time. Also, (with the exception of last week when I was experimenting a little bit with the ratios of oils I was using) my skin hasn't looked so good and been so soft in years. Even Nels has noticed it. And Nels doesn't notice anything. :)

TODAY . . .

--- I fed my kids popcorn and pickles for lunch.

--- my kids have watched about 15 episodes of Dinosaur Train.

--- I am going to let the apartment stay messy and choose to complete a project instead.

--- I am going to plan and start several Christmas presents for my kids.

--- I'm not feeling stressed about what to do with our house in Idaho Falls. Frankly, I'm just all stressed - out about it. Not like "stressed out", but like just "stressed - out". Expended enough stress already to last a while.

--- I am so in love with my baby. And my other baby. And my other one and my other one and my other one. And my man. Man, that's a lot o' love.

--- I am thankful for things like heaters and yarn and crayons and the fact that "Grandma Moon's Chili" tastes even better for leftovers than it does on the day it's made. And let me tell you, it tastes good the first day, too.

--- I'm thankful for five kids that I have realized are the best travelers. Ever.

--- after spending nearly two full weeks apart, all the Chicks are back home together. But when we're apart, we like to keep in touch via texting and picture messaging. :)

How on earth did TWO people turn into so many?

Nels feels awesome after traveling by train, plane, and automobile - all in one night. :)

--- productivity is over-rated. And that's not meant to just be cliche. Sometimes some things just really are over-rated.

--- my baby has been smiling for several weeks. Cutest thing ever. Every time she wakes up she squeals and smiles. Happiness.

TODAY, I am happy. Life is good.