Today is a Gift

What a rough week we have had.

Last week, my mother-in-law passed out while getting ready for her day. She was rushed to the hospital and my husband drove the 7 hours quickly to get to her. He stayed with her for 3 days. He came home not knowing what was going to happen but he knew a lot of tests were being done on his mom.

On Wednesday, I received a text from my husband to pack us up and pick Jacob up from school ... we had to go to Kentucky. We got in the car and got there as quickly as I could.

On Thursday night, my mother-in-law went to be with the Lord.

We had her funeral on Saturday and are now back home.

I know that this will be a long journey.

We honestly cannot believe that this even happened.

We know that she loved the Lord and we know that she is in a better place but that doesn't make us miss her any less here.

My husband was a momma's boy in the best possible way and he is really going to miss her during this holiday season.

I would love prayers for our family and for my father-in-law.

They were married for 53 years and have been together since high school. They even went to prom together. They are such a great example of love.

My husband says he remembers them dancing in the kitchen after they were supposed to be in bed.

What an amazing memory to have.

I posted this last night on Instagram and I hope it resonates with you. As a mother, the days are long but I am grateful for each and every day. 

It is late and this sweet little boy is wide awake. We have had a rough couple of days and his schedule has been completely thrown off track. But instead of being frustrated, I am grateful. I am grateful to be his mother. I am grateful to spend a little extra time snuggling with him. Life is too short and tomorrow isn't promised to us. I refuse to take moments like this for granted. I am thankful for all the love I am surrounded by each and every day. I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful for my children. I am thankful for all of my family. I am beyond lucky. So I am just going to cuddle my youngest son tonight until he falls asleep. No matter how long it takes. #hudsonthomas #tomorrowisagift #sograteful

I am hoping to get back into blogging and to start my Periscope book club in the next week. I haven't decided if I am going to start the book club in January or just start now. I promise to let you know. 

Until later.

Mindy May 

Healthy Home Wish List

I don't know about you but my family has been fighting colds for over two weeks now.

I am over it.

Every day there is a new symptom.
Stuffy nose
Uncontrollable cough
Pain around my 12 year old's belly button

Our schedules are off and we either can't sleep or are exhausted.

I am seriously over it.

We already have a pretty healthy household.

If you didn't already know ... I am a little crunchy. I still shave my legs but no candles or toxic ingredients over at my house. No sir.

But I know there are a few items that we could add to our home that would make it way more healthy.

1) I buy bottled water.
Boo ... I know. But I just don't like how the Brita filters work and tap water is just plain gross (in my opinion).

If I had this bad boy ...

 

 The Berkey Water Filtration System ... I would no longer need the bottled water. 

And let me tell you, the water filtered through this thing tastes amazing. 

It does cost $288 but I think it is well worth it to have a the junk removed from the water we drink. 

The only downside is that it sits on a counter and we just don't have a lot of counter space in our small kitchen. 

2) Pink Himalayan Sea Salt Lamp

 

Ok this does look very crunchy but the health benefits of this lamp are amazing. It is relatively inexpensive around $35 or less. 

The Wellness Mama has a post about the benefits but the short list is that it provides cleaner air, eliminates allergies, and increases your mood!  

If I was really wishing I would want one of these bad boys in each bedroom and then one in the living room. 

3) Young Living Aria Ultrasonic Home Diffuser

I love everything Young Living! I already have 2 home diffusers but this one is on my wish list. It is expensive at $225 but it has a remote with built in sounds and LED multicolored lights. I think this would be beautiful in our bedroom. Since we co-sleep it would be beneficial for the littles who sleep with us as well. See how I am trying to justify it. 

Right now if you purchase it through Young Living you get a 5ml bottle of Northern Lights Black Spruce for free. 

Side Note: If you are interested in Young Living oils please contact me. I would love to talk oils with you!

4) Hydrolyzed Collagen

Ok I am sure that this sounds gross ... if you are not the crunchy type ... but if you are the crunchy type then you probably already know what this is. 

And right now The Humbled Homemaker is having a giveaway. 

I was so glad that she admitted that she doesn't like to drink bone broth to stay healthy because I don't like it either. I would drink if it was in soup but I would never just drink a cup full. 

No way. 

So this is an easy way to get the healthy hydrolyzed collagen your body needs to stay healthy. 

Go here and enter the giveaway. I know that I will. 

5) A friend's get-together

I don't know about you but I need to get together with people in order to stay emotionally healthy. Especially people you think and believe like I do. Actually, it can be fun to have people around that are nothing like me either. 

But with the weather getting colder in the midwest, it gets harder to get together with people. 

Winter = house bound for me! Boo

So because I need adult interation I decided to start a book club on Periscope! That way I don't have to leave my house but I still get to hang out with people ... not just people ... adults! 

The book we are starting next week is called Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and Restore Your Passion for Life. 

I just did my first Periscope today ... just introducing myself and saying hello. 

I hope that you come find me and join in. 

Disclosure: Affiliate links in post

 

Currently ...

I thought this would be fun and also a way for you to get to know me & my life a little bit better.

So ... These are my currents.

Current Book:

 

I am so in love with this book.

Current Music:

I don't really listen to music that often. But right now I am obsessed with podcasts. My current favorite is ... Cultivating the Lovely the podcast by MacKenzie Monroe

You can click here to listen.

Current Drink:

Water with slices of oranges, lemons, and limes. FYI, I don't like water that much. So the fruit helps.

Current Food:

Tacos for dinner ... yum yum


Current Favorite Show:

Law & Order: SVU ... always my favorite

Current Wish List:
That all my Christmas gift were purchased and wrapped. I haven't even bought one ... yet.

Current Need:
Sleep. Jacob hasn't been feeling well so Tuesday night I slept on the couch next to him to make sure he was ok. Then last night I worked. So needless to say, I am exhausted. Hopefully, I don't get a second wind and stay up until 1 am.

Current Indulgence:
Trader Jacques, Fleur De Sel Caramels ... so good and it hits the spot when my sweet tooth is calling.

Current Blessing:

My crazy family.

Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World

I just wanted to jump on here really quick to let you guys know about something A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Kristen Welch, from We Are That Family blog, has written a new book.

Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World

 How One Family Learned That Saying No Can Lead to Life's Biggest Yes

As part of the book launch team, I have been able to read an advanced copy of this book in pdf form.

Let me tell you ... every single line is just blowing me away. And at this particular time... hello Christmas wants ... this book has been life changing for me.

But right now, you can pre-order this book and get some C-R-A-Z-Y awesome freebies!

If you order right now you will get ...
* Free shipping
* The Global Family Kit
* The Quick-Guide to Gratitude

Pre-order here

This book will be shipped in mid-January.

So seriously ... go ... go order this book.

Let it change your life and the life of your kids.

You can thank me later!





Disclosure: Affiliate links in this post
 

I am just going to write

So here is the deal ...

1) I wanted to write about money because I love reading about and talking about money with everyone I know. We don't have a lot or most months enough. I try to save and be frugal. I try to live within our means but at the end of the day my husband and I are just not on the same page. I am finding it near to impossible to show what we are doing if I am constantly seeing extra purchases or spending. I cannot be authentic with you and I just won't do that. I am going to continue to do my part but I am going to leave my money series alone for right now. I am hoping to get into a new rhythm with my husband in the new year.

2) I am going to start a book club on Periscope!! This one I am so excited about. I have been a long time follower of Crystal Paine from Money Saving Mom and the first book we are going to read through is Say Goodbye To Survival Mode! I was a part of her launch team for Money Making Mom the book and I just loved it so much. After reading that book I knew I just had to read her first book and I am loving it so far. Next week we will start. I am sure this isn't such a great time because of the holidays but I cannot wait to jump into this book with you.

 

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: 9 strategies to stress less, sleep more, and restore your passion for life by Crystal Paine

So come find me on Periscope here  and join in.

3) I want you to get to know me more and I want to get to know you! My next post will be a bunch of random Mindy May facts. My every intention is to blog and connect more. So please reach out to me!

This post contains affiliate links.