Out of Stock

Recently having acquired a love for Young Living Oils, I purchased a starter kit (such an amazing little kit to explore 11 different oils and a diffuser for the home at a pretty great price!).  We started using one of the oils in the kit on a regular basis.  We started using an oil called Valor.  This was helping Makayla and I every morning.  We would apply it to our wrists and inhale.  This was enabling us to be calm and relieve some stress and tension before we started our day at school/work.  I also started using it for Makayla to keep her calm in hopes of helping her to stop chewing her nails.  It worked!  We had great mornings and at the end of the day when I would pick her up from school she would be less grumpy than before and we were also seeing her nails growing.  We have been on spring break so haven't been using that particular oil as much just to save it (as there is also a shortage of one of the plants to make the oil).  I have seen a difference in our moods as well her nails are being chewed again.  I am on the hunt for another oil that we could use while YL gets the plants that they need for this oil.  

I guess it's a love/hate type thing.  I hate that the oil is out of stock, but I love that Gary Young only uses the best of the best and won't settle for anything less.  Here is a little blurb from one of the higher up girls!

Ever wondered why YL is constantly running out of product? Here's what happened this year and we'll continue to feel the pains this year:

-Organizations plan for supply based on previous year's demand
-Young Living usually grows at 20% so they plan for product for the next year based on that
-Last year? Young Living grew by 100%, which means that the organization DOUBLED in size.
-It also means that YL is now 80% short on every product that showed growth from the year before.
-If they had bought too much the product would sit on the shelf and they'd lose money so it's balance and a guessing game. In this instance, they just didn't see the Lemon Droppers coming! heehee.
-They're working to catch up but plants grow and that takes time and you can't rush it and YL won't compromise quality. They'd rather have an out of stock product than put a sub-par product into your hands and I respect that.
-As they're reaching out to growing partners and testing product they're getting more and more. I believe we'll be back to business as usual in 2015, until then we just have to see this as an awesome thing because it means that we're in an upswing and that means we're in the right market for growth and business success.

I hope this explains the problem a little bit better. It's all strategic and I understand the decisions they made. It's unfortunate for us but I totally get it because if YL was my business, I would have done the same thing. You know? Have you ever walked into a store that's completely devoid of customers and completely full of product and get that sinking feeling for them? You see that huge clearance section and wonder how long they're going to stay in business? We DO NOT want that for YL because that's a circle the drain problem. The opposite? It's a good problem to have if you're going to have one.

I love it!  I love that YL uses the best and only the best.  I love that this product is popular.  I love that so many people are using oils for themselves and their families!  So, now we are on the hunt for a new oil as the one we have will only last so long.  It's also great in the pain cream that I have made which we use for sore muscles and Makayla's legs with her constant growing pains!  As soon as I find something I'll be sure to let you know!

Relay for Life!

I'm super excited to be part of the Relay For Life this year!  Our school staff has put together a team and I am going to take part and do an hour of walking in support of cancer research.  My grandma passed away when I was (I think) 14 from cancer - so this has a dear place in my heart.  We've set a team goal as well as personal goals.  I am pledging to raise $150 to contribute to our teams total.  I know that we can each do our part to raise awareness and funds for this great cause... if you're thinking to yourself, "Self, I'd really like to do this too, but don't want to walk for an hour", have I got a deal for you!  I'll do the walking if you do the donating!  I've been on the campaign for two days and already have $65!  I'm 1/3 there (did I do the math right?).  So, if you'd like to donate click on the link here and pledge some money.  The walk will take place June 1, so I've got one month to get there and I know I can do it!  Thanks for your support!!

What's going on???

Ok, so I haven't been a very faithful blogger as of late.  I still owe you all some more photos from our BC trip that we took in August!  I'll get those up before Christmas, I promise!

Life has been pretty crazy these last few months.  I can hardly believe that it's already November.  I started my new job in the middle of Sept and life hasn't slowed down since.  I have been involved in our church teaching the preschool kids on Sunday mornings, helping with the Plan to Protect program as well we started this new Family Night on Thurs evenings and I am helping to coordinate it and run it!  It's been a lot of fun, but that added to my new job and two little ones, plus the hubby, life has been busy!  Phil's been doing great at work and he has been selected to go do some special training in a few weeks to be part of the Emergency Response Team at work!  It's a pretty exciting opportunity for him and he's pretty excited.  It will be two weeks of physical and intense training, but I know he'll do great.  He's a little bummed that he has to miss two weeks of hunting season as so far this year he hasn't had too much luck bringing anything home, but then most people in town haven't has a lot of luck either.

The kids are doing awesome!  Makayla started preschool at the end of October and has been loving it!  She comes home so happy and excited about what she is learning and the songs that they sing.  She's got two buddies from church who are also in her preschool class.  She will start gymnastics next week and I'm pretty sure she's going to love it.  Our town pool has been under construction for the last few months, so once they are up and running, we'll get the kids into some more swimming lessons.  They did two weeks over the summer and did awesome!

There's so much going on that some days we just can't keep up with the blog.  You can always find us on Facebook and my new addiction is Pinterest!  Hope all you bloggy readers out there are doing well and having a great start to the fall!!!  Cheers!

Family Vacay in August (Part 1)

 Lunch break in Blue River, BC

 At the Vancouver Aquarium

Watching the Dolphin Show!  

It was a hit.

 Being silly

 Just playing and enjoying the sun!

 At the Vancouver Night Market

 Lunch stop close to Fraser Lake in BC

 Just too cute!

 Enoying being out of the truck!

Christmas came early as we celebrated with my mom and dad 

and my brother and his girlfriend - Christmas in August!

 The Salmon Run in Terrace, BC

 Playing at the park

 Even Phil got in on the action!

 So cute!

 We promised Makayla beach time, so here it is

 Having a tea party with Grandma

Group shot!  I need to edit this picture a little!

These are just a few... I need to dig through another album to update some more, so stay tuned for Part 2!

Time

Where does the time go?  I can't believe that it is the end of July.  Feels like we've been so busy and yet we've hardly had any summer.

We are in Edmonton for a friends wedding right now (well actually the wedding was yesterday).  We've been able to see a bunch of friends and reconnect and it feels good (SO good to see you guys again!!!).  I am always so encouraged after seeing people who you have worked with and grown close to see how they've matured and grown!  (*that sentence doesn't make any sense but I don't really want to sit and figure out how to fix it!)

Grande Cache hasn't seen too much summer weather and it's kind of been a bummer.  This past month Taylor started to walk.  It's been pretty exciting but all that attention has made Makayla feel a little left out.  She also became a big girl this past month and now goes to the bathroom - no more diapers!!!  Both kids had swimming lessons for two weeks and they enjoyed it a lot.  I on the other hand was exhausted as I took both of them swimming - Taylor in the morning and Makayla in the afternoon.  I'm glad my kids like the water.

We will be venturing out to the West Coast in a few weeks to see my family.  We are looking forward to a family vacation, but that will conclude our summer.  Can't believe it's almost gone... then hunting seasons starts!!!

I can walk now!!

At the park chillin' on a cool day

 Both of them have a little computer

(you can't see Taylor's very well though)

Someone taught the little turkey to make funny faces!!

Canada Day - belated Foto Friday

Yesterday we got to take in the Canada Day Parade (harade - as Makayla calls it) Grande Cache style!  This was my first ever parade (not including the ones in Disney!).  It was fun to see some friends and then to see the floats (they were more like pick up trucks hauling flat beds with things on it!).  We had a good time even though it was freezing out (some people were dressed in boots and winter jackets) and super windy.  Here's a few quick photos!

I'm not so good with the self portraits!

Watching the cars and "floats" go by

Picking up the candy they were throwing

Excited to see what was coming next

Taylor

Makayla got a flag and she was pretty excited about it

Wild Blue Yonder Rafting had a Pirate Ship -

by far the best of them all!

If you are looking for a great rafting trip, check them out

Wild Blue Yonder

(Feel free to stay with us if you choose to come and check it out!!!)

Sick

Ugh... we've been sick around here, hence the lack of blogging.  The kids have been out with fevers, vomit and diarrhea!  Good times.  What happened to the 24 hour flu?  My kids have had it for four days now.  Today was the first day that Makayla was almost her normal self.  And of course today I start to feel yucky.  Here's hoping we all get better soon.

The other reason for not posting much is that the weather has been great.  I've been out mowing the yard, pulling weeds and just enjoying some quiet time for myself with the littles are sleeping.  We bought some nice deck chairs and a fire pit.  I see us hanging outside a lot more in the next few months!  So glad the snow is gone and the weather is looking up.

Here's a sunset from the other night!

1, 2, 3...

1. Where have I been?  I've been sick and just haven't felt like blogging.  Still not totally recovered, but getting there.
2. Phil is off to Winnipeg for the week for some training for work.  So nice to have work pay for everything!
3. Taylor has two more teeth, bringing his total to two on the bottom and two on the top.
4. Taylor besides rolling everywhere now rolls and then army crawls to where he wants to go!  He is a handful!
5. For the last few days every morning there has been snow - I don't like it at all!
6. I just want to get the yard cleaned up, plant some flowers and some veggies and get on with the ugliness that winter has left behind.
7. I got the kids registered for two weeks of swimming in July.  Since neither of them can swim on their own yet, I will take Taylor to the morning class and then Makayla will go to the afternoon class.  I'm gonna be one tired mommy!
8.  Makayla starts soccer lessons next week for 8 weeks.  She is excited and I am too!
9. Taylor's got some crazy eczema happening and nothing seems to be working.  We've been to the doctor a few times in the last few weeks with different creams and lotions to try.  Nothing is working.  The doctor is going to talk to a dermatologist and see what's going on.  This is one of those times that it kinda stinks to live so far from a major city!
10. We will be leaving for Toronto in 4 weeks.  Should be a lot of fun!!!

That's all for today!  Have a great week!

Family Update

Phil - he's been working!  In his spare time he likes to go out to the frozen lake and ice fish.  He seems to be one of the lucky ones, always catching something.  Whether he keeps it, gives it away or puts it back in the lake he usually gets at least one.  As of next week, he'll have been working in Grande Cache for a year!  He's been keeping busy at work and he is still enjoying it!  Phil celebrated a birthday two weeks ago as well as we welcomed our new niece Abigail (Phil's sister) just days before Phil's birthday!

Jenn - has been taking care of the kids, the house and whatever needs to be done.  Going to ladies Bible study once a week has been a great way to get out of the house and have some adult conversation and interaction.  I also managed to get a whack of photos developed when we went to Edmonton so now I can finish Makayla's first two years scrapbook and start on Taylor's!  I will have a birthday later this month.  Somehow they just aren't as much fun as they used to be!

Makayla - has been going to swimming lessons since September.  She is doing great.  Last week was a big step in that she actually blew real bubbles (not just pretend ones).  We are working at getting her head all the way in the water without me dunking her!  She loves going and the lessons here are really cheap, so we might as well take advantage of it!  She also loves going to church where she gets to play with all her little friends.  She is doing well and we are looking forward to getting her into Preschool in the fall!!

Taylor - is growing like a weed.  He still has just the two middle bottom teeth.  Next weekend he will be 9 months!  It's crazy how fast time goes by.  He is a busy little guy getting his hands on whatever he can.  He loves sitting on the floor playing with toys, especially if his big sister is there to play too!  He loves to roll and will roll all over - especially when trying to change him.  He has a goofy personality and is quite the character!  We are looking forward to him being a little more mobile as he is now well over 20 lbs and super heavy!  We are pretty sure he weighs more than Makayla!

As a family we are already beginning to plan for the summer.  We will be in Toronto from May 7-19 (if you live there and want to visit with us, let us know and we'll start making some plans) and then we will be in Vancouver/Terrace from August 18-Sept 3.  We will be in the Vancouver area from the 18-23/24 (not yet decided) and then in Terrace for the remainder of the time.  If you are in that area and would like to visit, let us know and we'll start making some plans!  It will be so great to see our families and friends and travelling with the kids should bring about some more great travel stories!

That's all for now!  Enjoy your weekend!

Our Island Adventure

Well, it's been over a week since we've been back from our brief weekend trip to Vancouver Island.  Our flight was to leave on Friday morning at 7am and so we thought we'd head up to Grande Prairie on Thursday, do some shopping and stay the night.  All went well on Thursday and we managed to get some Christmas shopping done too.  We were up at 5am to get the kids together and us to the airport on time.  We got there and the line up was huge!  It took us awhile to get our tickets and then Phil said goodbye as we went through security.  We got on the plane and everything was going well.  Taylor ate a little and fell asleep.  About half way through our short 43 minute flight Makayla got motion sick (all down the front of her sweater).  I managed to get her cleaned up and we landed shortly after that.  We packed all our stuff and headed to our next flight.  We had enough time to grab some drinks and a muffin at Timmy's, change a few diapers and got on the next flight.  The flight from Edmonton to Abbotsford was about an hour and a half.  The kids did great until we landed.  Makayla really did not enjoy the landing part and practically put holes in my arm by grabbing so hard.  As soon as the seat belt sign went off and everyone was standing up she started to cry.  I got her down and she just stood there and vomited all over the seat, the floor, Taylor and myself.  Thank goodness there was no one sitting by us and we were able to get our luggage, but I felt so bad for all the people who had to witness that.  One kind lady grabbed some clothes and cleaned up Mak while on of the flight attendants held Taylor.  Makayla was a little upset that someone else was holding Taylor, but I couldn't do it all.  My parents were there waiting so we got our luggage, grabbed fresh clothes, got everyone changed and got in the car to head to the ferry.  We made a quick stop at a drug store to get some children's Gravol and made our way to the ferry.  Oh, and when Makayla woke up that morning she had a fever... we were off to a great start!

We made our way to the ferry and had about an hour to chill.  We walked around, Grandpa bought Gelato and shared it with Makayla (that was about the only thing she'd eaten all day) and I managed to give her a little Gravol as I didn't know how she would take the boat ride.  She had fun on the boat as she saw lots of pictures of whales and dolphins.  We made it to the Island and got settled at this cute little cabin.  We then wen to my aunt's who lived just down the street and had a nice family dinner with some of my cousins and their kids and my grandma and aunts and uncles!  Too bad Makayla was still not feeling well.  She had a fever the whole weekend and was so clingy and I have never seen her cry so much and be so uncomfortable.  We sent my dad to the store for some Children's Tylenol.  Poor little thing.  We headed back to our cabin and got the kids bathed and in bed.

The next morning we got up, went back to my aunts house for breakfast.  Makayla was feeling a little better then and got a chance to play with her second cousins.  It was cute to watch them play and at the end of the weekend she was upset that we had to go and she couldn't play with her friends.  We then went to do some shopping which turned out to be a bust, but I did get a Starbucks coffee!!!  We grabbed some lunch and went back to the cabin to see if the kids would nap a little before we had to take off for the wedding.  Of course they didn't nap!  That meant I had super grumpy kids for the remainder of the day!  We went to the wedding and it was a very simple ceremony.  It was a small wedding and I'm really glad that we could go and support my cousin.  It was also great to see some family that I haven't seen for years.  My cousins took us to this cute little coffee shop and we hung out there for about an hour or so and then made our way to the reception.  Of course they were late starting and there were starving kids everywhere.  We ate, said our goodbyes and took the kids home.  They were foul!  Poor Makayla must have cried for about an hour - she was so hot and uncomfortable and Taylor was just over tired from not napping.  I'm so glad that my parents were there to help out - of course I wouldn't have gone if they weren't going to be there.  The kids went to bed and so did I!

We had to get up early the next morning to get to our ferry.  Seeing that it was the Remembrance Day long weekend the ferry's were really booked.  We managed to get booked on one and you don't want to miss your check in time.  So we got the kids up, grabbed some breakfast and headed out.  The kids did great on the ferry again and Makayla was sad to have to leave the boat with the whales and dolphins.  She also managed to find star fish and seals.  She still talks about the boat and the animals that she found on the boat.  I think I might have pushed the kids a little on the weekend with all that was going on.  We really wanted to do some shopping and we were going to be staying at my aunts house in Surrey so we found a place to have some lunch and then headed to Guilford Mall.  My cousin came and met us there and we walked around for about an hour.  Makayla was just not having any of it and screamed and cried for awhile, so we just gave up and went to my aunts house.  She was finally getting rid of her fever so we just went and chilled out there.  It was nice and relaxing.  It was great to see them and have a nice visit.

The next morning we were up early again to get to the airport on time and my parents were going to attempt the drive all the way to Terrace that day.  It takes about 14 hours with good weather and we could tell that morning that the weather was getting a little ugly.  We made it to the airport, said our goodbyes and got ready for our trip back home!!  I was able to get Makayla to take some Gravol (I love this stuff!) and she was tired and whiny from a busy weekend and lack of sleep.  We were going through security and I had Taylor in an umbrella stroller and the stroller had to go through the scanner.  So Makayla walked through security and I was trying to fold up the stroller and hold Taylor at the same time.  I asked the security lady if she could hold Taylor and she said, "I'm not allowed mame".  The lady behind me offered to hold him and I got my stuff together.  The same lady helped me with my stuff when we got to Edmonton.  They offered to help me all the way out, but I told them I had a connecting flight and I'd be ok - they were so sweet.  We got on the airplane and Makayla was a little apprehensive, "No airplane, mommy" she said.  We got up in the air and after a few whimpers Makayla made herself comfortable and fell asleep.  Taylor fell asleep too.  It was a peaceful trip.  We got off in Edmonton and grabbed some drinks and snacks and got on our last flight to Grande Prairie.  That was a short flight and Mak was still pretty mellow and she just watched tv and Taylor slept.  No messes!!!  It was a good flight.  Daddy was there to greet us when we got off the airplane.  It was snowing and the roads were pretty bad as we headed home.  The drive took awhile but both of the kids slept the whole way.  We got home in time for supper.  We ate and the kids went to bed.

What an adventure.  Of course when you travel by yourself with kids one of them is bound to be sick or have something happen.  We are still getting over whatever it was that Mak had that weekend.  Both of the kids have had runny noses and coughs (Makayla's being the worst) since we've been home.  Hopefully it will pass soon and we'll all be able to sleep through the night again!!  So that was our weekend Island Adventure.

Jasper Review

Phil had a few extra days off last week and we found a deal through Travel Alberta Magazine so we thought we'd take the family and get away for a few days.  We booked a room at the Best Western.  We had a pretty sweet room with a kitchenette and a pull out bed with a loft and a Queen size bed up there (although we think the bed was a double - it felt super small).  We left on Wednesday morning and headed out (the trip is about two hours long).  We made it to Hinton for lunch, did some shopping at Walmart and walked around their little mall.  We got into Jasper around 4pm (just in time to check in!).

We were able to spot some wildlife along the way...

We got settled in our room and got ready to go explore the town and find a place for dinner.  We walked through some gift shops and found some neat little Jasper things.  We found some neat photo ops too!

We had dinner at Jasper Pizza Place.  It was pretty good and it got busier and busier the longer we were there.  Good service and good food, also a good place for kids.  After dinner we headed back to our hotel to try out the pool.  It was fun but it was a little cold!  The kids played in the water and then we scored a few minutes in the hot tub to warm up!  Everyone went to bed after a long full day!

The next day we got up, had our breakfast and checked out.  We saw a sign for Pyramid and Patricia Lakes so we went for a little drive.  There are two beautiful lakes just minutes outside of the town of Jasper.  

 Can you spot the flying rocks?

We walked around the town some more, took a few more pictures and bought a few little things along the way.

Overall we had a great time!  We can't wait to go back (maybe bring some friends who can babysit for us so we can do some hiking or wildlife watching).  We are looking forward to meeting some friends there this winter to do some skiing/snowboarding!  Can't wait. 

Jasper is so cute and quiet.  The funny thing is that come the fall a lot of things close down.  The hotspings are closed, the tramway is closed and a few restaurants and shops were closed.  I guess skiing season isn't as big as I thought it was.  Even some lodging places are closed as well.  So, if you're going to go and want to experience some things, I guess you need to go in the spring/summer!

I guess we tired her out!

Can't wait to go back!

Some photos of our time here

See the deer?  This was on our drive to Grande Prairie

Oh, yeah... we got snow the second week we were here!

A view from my back deck - there is no snow on it now!

Another view!

This is on the way to Grande Prairie.

More on the drive to Grande Prairie.

Playing outside in a nice fall day.

We got some sweet hats made from my good friend 

at buttonbox design!

Makayla and Taylor playing hide-n-seek!

We went to check out Grande Cache Lake the other evening.

Of course Makayla found the playground!

Learning how to throw rocks into the Lake.

A view of the Lake.

Throwing more rocks with Dad!