Anniversary! -

This day, four years ago, I felt would never come. I had planned and planned. I went shopping on numerous occasions to get just the right things. I found a special dress. I had my hair done. I had a pedicure and a manicure. I got up early after barely sleeping from excitement.

I met up with friends and ate breakfast at a salon. We laughed and giggled as we drove to the church. We got dressed. We waited. We waited some more. We had our pictures taken.

THEN! The big moment had come! I had the veil flipped over my face and took my father's arm. I watched as my three friends walked one by one down the aisle towards my waiting fiance. It was my turn next!

The music swelled and my father and I took the slow walk down the graded aisle. My fiance's eyes lit up. I smiled so hard my face hurt.

Daddy gave me away. We sang, we listened to words of wisdom, and we vowed. We signed. Then we had our first kiss ever.

It was such a great day. I'm so glad I was able to share it with so many people that we loved. We had friends from all over share in it with us.

These past four years have been an adventure. We've had amazing highs and incredible lows. We've fought and made up. We've laughed and cried together. We've lived life together.

We had a son together. We are anticipating another little one.

I can't wait to see what the next years hold for us. Each year has drawn us closer. Each year we pray that we are a good example of Christ and His Church.

Here's to a lifetime together!

XO,

Bliss

An A-peeling Mask

I've always liked peel away masks. The make me feel like I'm actually doing something to my face. The slather on and wash away ones can make my face feel really good, but the peel ones, make me feel like my face is cleaner than clean.

Before I got married, I did a facial day once a week for about 6 months. I would wash an exfoliate my face, put on one of three different masks I had at the time, steam if I felt ambitious, and then slather a good moisturizer on top. It was fun, and I think my face was the better for it.

Now, I just don't really have the time to do it once a week...or almost at all for that matter. When my little mister goes to bed it's high time to get other things, like maybe dishes or a shower, done! It's rare indeed that I can make it a facial DAY. That being said, I do sometimes have a few minutes before my shower, where I can whip up a simple chemical free peel off mask!

Here's what I do:

grab a packet of knox gelatin

put it in a little dish

add about a tablespoon and a half of milk (or water, or juice from a tomato [as opposed to bottled tomato juice])

mix it together quickly

pop the mix in the microwave for about 10 seconds

spread the mix all over your face evenly. (make sure it's a little thick – if its too thin, you will have the HARDEST time getting it off)

wait for about 10 minutes

peel it all off!

It's not that hard now, is it? The difference between the different liquids you could put with the gelatin are as follows : milk is for dryer skin, water for oilier, and tomato for acne prone. Simple.

I try to do this about every two weeks, but lately it has been more when I remember. A word of warning – don't let it sit for too long. You will feel like you are peeling off your face instead of just the mask. I would also avoid getting any in your hair, as it is really hard to get out.

Hope you have fun with this!

Let me know how it goes

XO,

Bliss

Diaper Free....

Hubby and I are in the middle of potty training. I don't have time to think or write today, please forgive the break.

If you would, please pray for patience, wisdom, and willingness on the boy's part. :D Also sleep...good sleep to get through the next few days.

It's about one and a half days complete and the little mister is asking to go potty, and has pooped in the potty three (!) times!

We're super optimistic that he'll get this down pat in the next few days, but we're not going to be too upset if it takes longer.

This week will not see another post - we'll see about next week.



XO,
Bliss

Rocky Mountain Soap Company

The other day, I had a friend up from Calgary. I've known her since high school, well, maybe even a little before. We've caught up recently, and she makes jokes about how husband and I are almost Amish in our ways. I always laugh it off and point out that we regularly use our x-box and computer, and have ubiquitous light switches and the like.

Anyway, after church on Sunday, we went out for lunch at the world's second largest mall (read: West Edmonton Mall). It was a ton of fun, and then I asked if she wanted to go to the soap store with me to get some new soap.

Husband and I haven't made our own yet, and I'm not sure if we will be able to before our newest bundle of joy joins us. SO! We made our way up to the second floor and walked to Rocky Mountain Soap Company.

The last time I was in there, I asked if they had Castile soap. The kind store clerk told me no, and pointed me to the organic store that is downtown. I have since done my research. Apparently, the average Rocky Mountain Soap Company clerk does not know what Castile soap means – they think it is either a brand or a liquid, or something other than they carry.

This however is FALSE! And! Much to my delight! If you read the labels on the bars of soap (or online at EWG's Skin Deep database) you will see that they can in fact be called Castile soap (because, as we talked about earlier, Castile just refers to plant oil soap, as opposed to animal fat based soap)!

These bar soaps they carry are wonderful! They smell scrumptious, and they lather really well. Soaps are scented with essential oils or other plant matter they incorporate in to the soaps – like lavender blossoms or what have you.

My friend got seaweed and spearmint 'flavour', and I got an avocado one. Each of us got a free sample bar to boot as well! Handy dandy, I say. (I also got their spotless stain removing bar, but I'll talk about that later when I tell you about my laundry soap!!)

This store is jam-packed with different products that are chemical and toxin free! If you live near one, I encourage you to visit and even just smell the stuff they have. Husband loves their foot butter, but I'm not such a huge fan of its smell. I'm secretly trying to get him to switch to their lemon butter or unscented butter, which both, I believe, will be just as effective.

A word of warning : know your stuff before you go in to that store. I am a person who is very easily won over by beauty and packaging. I admit it, and in doing so, I remind myself to take a closer look at what is in stuff, and not judge it based on its cover (or label). The staff, while kind of knowledgeable (in my experience) are told that everything in their store is natural and safe and this and that and perfect for everyone! I doubt, though, that they actually read labels themselves and have a deep understanding of what each ingredient does. While their products are safer than the ones you'll find in a drug store or Superstore, they aren't necessarily *safe*. I'm just going to leave it at that, but please do read labels and be informed before you purchase!!

Something else about their store – I saw some cleaning products that they touted at eco-friendly. They are. They are also all about marketing! I found it kind of funny that this product was about 12$ and all that was in it was water, vinegar, and a few drops of essential oil. I can make it for you, and you could give me the 12$. Again, labels are important!

My overall impression of this store and their products are wonderful! I just wish is wasn't so stinkin' expensive! This is why, you will probably not find their soap in my home often.

If you have shopped there, what have you gotten? What's your favourite 'flavour'?

Have a squeaky clean day!

XO,

Bliss

ps. no one asked me to write this. I just want to spread the news.

A-Z About Me

I thought you would like to know a little more about who writes this blog. Maybe that, or I am a tad narcissistic.

Anyway, here goes nothin'.

A. Age: 24! Sometimes, though I feel like I'm 80 with all the silly aches and pains caused by Little Bean.
B. Bed size: Queen. - Hubs and I prefer it that way
C. Chore that you hate: Laundry...
D. Dogs: I don't have any, but if I did... I would want a great dane and name him Hamlet.
E. Essential start to your day: Getting my little guy out of his crib. He is usually my alarm clock.
F. Favourite color: blue or green. I like the cool colors
G. Gold or Silver: silver if I'm wearing it...gold if I'm spending it :D
H. Height: 5'2'' I'm super short
I. Instruments you play: guitar, and I can plunk out notes on the piano if I have to
J. Job title: Mama, Moooooom, MOMMY....
K. Kids: 1 little guy who turns two on the 19^th!! and one on the way!
L. Live: in Edmonton, Alberta
M. Mother's name: Becky
N. Nicknames: Joyful... my name suits me, so not many nicknames.
O. Overnight hospital stays: Only when my little guy was born. Three days in labour and then two more to make sure all was okay.
P. Pet peeve: incompetence from people who should know better
Q. Quote from a movie: as in my favourite quote? I have no idea. I like to make up quotes from Stranger than Fiction (for instance – Harold trashed his room in record time, and just didn't know why)
R. Right or left handed: Right.
S. Siblings: One older brother, two older brother-in-laws, and one older sister-in-law
T. Time you wake up: depends on the boy
U. Underwear: always on...except in the shower...and when I'm changing
V. Vegetable you hate: um, not quite sure. I think it more depends on how they are prepared, although bitter squash is pretty nasty.
W. What makes you run late: other people or traffic
X. X-Rays you've had: far too many to count. Most recently it was for my knee to see how extensive my arthritis is.
Y. Yummy food that you make: oo...most things, I would like to think, but one of my favourites is double chocolate wacky cake.
Z. Zoo animal: that I would like to see – cheetah. They are so lithe!

Now you know a little more about this crazy who wants to change the world by ridding her family of one thing at a time :D

XO,

Bliss

Worry

Journey to being Spiritually Free

These last few weeks have dredged up about a billion reasons for me to worry. I left my son for the first time over night (for four whole days!), my whole little family was in a minor car accident, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and a thousand other small things too! The stress and worry of things like this can really impair me. I get headaches, my morning sickness doubles, and I get crabby...I mean really crabby.

Worry is a highly toxic waste of emotion, wouldn't you agree? I mean when you have wrinkles named after something, it cannot be good! (okay, maybe the exception is laugh lines!)

How do we rid ourselves of worry? Do we just crawl into a cave and hide? For me, even that wouldn't work. I would worry about the bats and other creepy crawlies just waiting to get me in the dark! How about we look at what the Bible has to say about the subject.

Jesus taught about worry in the Sermon on the Mount. Here's what He had to say:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

That is a whole lot that He said. Let's break it down a little. Jesus asks a few simple questions to try and put everything in to perspective - isn't life more than food?; isn't the body more than clothes?; aren't you more valuable than the birds?

He basically is saying that God takes care of the birds and he clothes the grass! If He does this, why wouldn't he take care of us? I think that is an extremely comforting thought. The God of the universe who made me knows what I need and will provide!

But, is there a catch at the end? The whole seek first the kingdom seems like a pretty tall order, doesn't it? It really does seem hard doesn't it? I thought so too, until I realized God's kingdom benefits from obedience to God's will, and God's will for my life is far easier to follow than carving out my own crazy ways. (I mean really, if I had my own way, I would have been married to a person I now know I could have never lived with, been in a profession I couldn't have handled, and not be on route to France with my amazing small family!)

When I personally seek God's kingdom and righteousness above my own wants or needs it is easy to see how God provides. For instance, a few weeks ago, I was wondering how I might be able to buy what my son needs in clothing. We have an extremely limited budget, and he grows quickly. My husband and I were praying about our situation, when a few days later an acquaintance of my husband asked if we could use little boy clothes. Awesome, isn't it?! I'm not saying it always works like this, but God has always given us what we need (not always what we want, but that's another story).

So, right now, with diabetes looming over my head, I am choosing to not worry, and do what it says in Philippians: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I really do find it is much easier to pray than to worry, don't you?

How have you seen God give you peace though times of worry?

XO,

Bliss

Oiling Your Face

I stopped using soap on my face a few months ago. I now use oil. Every article I've read on it has the phrase, “I know it sounds crazy, but it works!” in it. I wanted to avoid saying it. I really did, but it's true : it sounds crazy, but washing your face with oil works!!

We've been taught for so long that extra oil on our face will clog our pores and make us break out. While that is true, the science behind the oil cleansing method is pretty simple. If you remember back to high school science like dissolves like. That means when we put and oil on our face, it will dissolve the one that is there. Pretty neat, huh?

I've also found I very rarely, if ever, need a face moisturizer now. I'm not stripping the natural oils that should be there, I'm simply getting rid of the nasties. Kinda nice, isn't it?

Here's what I'm using right now : olive oil, castor oil, and apricot kernel oil. It's about a 2:1:1 ratio. The olive oil is the carrier, the castor dries out the bad oils, and the apricot kernel is moisturizing. It's super nice, and you only have to use about half a tsp every time you wash your face. I only do this about every other day and my face is doing wonderfully!

How to do it:

1. mix up your oils (I have mine pre-mixed in a little squirt bottle)

2. pour out a very small amount (about the size of a quarter)

3. rub it in the palms of your hands to warm it

4. slather all over your face in little circles

5. get a wash cloth and put it under hot water (and by hot, I mean as hot as your hands can stand) and wring it out a little

6. place wash cloth on your face and chill out until it completely cools

7. wipe off the oil

8. enjoy your face!

It's not too hard now, is it? I do have to warn you, though! There is an adjustment period just like with when you stop shampooing your hair! My adjustment time was about a week and a half. I had gone from using a LUSH soap (which on first glance was awesome...and then I read the ingredients list closer!!!) and a prescription gel for my rosacea. I have only used oil and more recently honey on my face for the last almost three months, and I would say there is a noticeable difference in the redness and breakouts on my face! AND! Not to mention, I'm pregnant too – so the acne-causing hormones are on a rampage.

It may take a while to get used to, but I like it quite a lot. If you do try it, please stick it out past the adjustment period. It is worth it!

Oilier than most,

XO,

Bliss