Advocare - Direct Sales - Now

Hi guys!

We have had some questions about Advocare, so it's about time I share what happened...

In 2012 after having Amadeo we were faced with an opportunity to get healthy and earn some extra money on the side. After a lot of research we decided to try it out.

We ended up loving the products and doing the business. I followed the rules and made a list of all of my friends/family I felt would enjoy the product (read: everyone I ever knew). We quickly became the friends that were kind of uncomfortable in social settings. Although I didn't mean to be, I felt the standoffish vibes from my friends. You know, the ones where they are concerned you're going to sell them whenever you see them. Which they weren't totally wrong about. I cringe thinking about some of my facebook posts. So very infomercial of me. Did we turn off some friends, acquaintances and family? Absolutely. For those of you reading this I am sorry and please let's go grab a coffee, no sales pitch included! :)

This isn't going to be a post bashing direct sales or how they cheated us because that isn't what happened.

We read many books. GREAT books and focused on our own growth. We also made enough for me to continue staying home. We met some of the nicest, most genuine and hard working people along the way and learned about ourselves and how to better communicate. I learned how to be a better friend, listener, support for those that needed it, even how to be a better wife and parent.

What ended up happening is I was forcing something I wasn't passionate about, and it was taking time away from my heart's desire. It isn't a stay-at-home opportunity, it's a work-from-home opportunity. It was a great one that God provided for us and it and allowed me to work from home while the boys were young and provided money we needed at the time. It taught me a lot about health, food etc. Really it could be a separate post entirely because some of what we learned we will carry through our entire lives. When Paris started bringing in more from his job we were able to step back from Advocare and I was able to really focus on where I truly felt called: Homemaking and homeschooling.

We still drink our Spark and still recommend you try it if you haven't (I have friends that will help you!) 😜- We will always be thankful for the incredible opportunity we had 3 years into our marriage as new parents that grew us and allowed me to stay home. I am also thankful God has provided us with other means so that we can focus on the desires of our hearts. 💖

I learned something Sunday. But not in the pews.

Yesterday at church was one of those days I felt completely defeated. Like, I cried to another church member thankful/tired/overwhelmed tears for helping watch my 2 oldest while my 2 youngest were in the car asleep after church type of defeated. It was one of those days I just couldn't muster up the energy to chase around the 3 year old in the pew, keep the 1 year old from blurting (too incessantly), while encouraging my 2 oldest to *just pay attention* all while trying to be respectful of others. All pressures I put on myself, for sure.

I like to have clear set rules. That are followed. I continue to learn, however, that is not how children operate. I know it's encouraged to keep our kids in mass. I think it is wonderful! Especially yesterday while driving home when my 3 year old sings at the top of his lungs, 

"GLOOOORY BE TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON AND TO THE HOOOOLLYYYYYYYY GHOOOOST!"

It is incredible to be in a church that encourages inclusivity of children in the mass. They are just as important! However, there are those times, I believe, that you just need to regroup and decide what matters most. Yesterday, I let that "encouraged to keep the kids in church" change into law. I let it turn into *If I can't keep them in here then what is the point?!* Hence, I felt defeated. 

Sometimes, us moms (and dads) need to hear the sermon and the "shed for you" to fill up our empty cups without chasing a toddler and feeding a baby and trying to encourage the older 2 to pay attention and not poke each other or pull each others' ears or (fill in the blank). Sometimes, that is OK. We made it to church after all.  After a long night of laying with the toddler after a bad dream, only to hear the baby wake up and crying in the other room to eat, getting back to sleep and waking to a crying 6 year old whose foot was hurting at midnight. Then waking up, getting them fed and ready. We made it to church after a discouraging morning of mom once again having nothing that fits her postpartum body. Even with 1 child there were hard moments so don't think if you have less than 3 or 4 that your needs/burdens are less! They are just as real!

Jesus knows. He knows I tried my best. He knows my desire that the boys have a love for Him. He knows. I unfortunately, let my thoughts get to me and I left with the 2 youngest early. I left and drove around in tears. Completely discouraged and overwhelmed because this can be so.hard. 

What I WISH I would have done is go to the nursery. Let my 3 year old play with the blocks even though we should be in mass. Let my baby crawl around the nursery floor, even though he should be in the pew with me. Because you know what? That speaker in the nursery, it's meant for us parents that need to hear but can't muster up that extra energy. And that is ok. So... I will continue to come to church, and if the nursery is where I spend the entire homily, well, that is ok and Jesus knows.

Holy Week = Morning Glory Muffins!

Hi friends!

I was working on limiting my time on social media, but it seems to be the perfect time to post the BEST recipe EVER to have on hand!

Perfect season for the carrot/apple goodness that are MORNING GLORY MUFFINS! I have doubled the recipe to have on hand for a quick Holy Week breakfast/heading out the door treat.

Me leaving the kitchen when the boys hear the muffins are ready

I will post exactly how I make the muffins. There is a lot of flexibility so switch up however you'd like!

MORNING GLORY MUFFINS
(makes about 18 muffins)
preheat oven to 350

• 2 cups flour (or 1 cup flour/1 cup oat bran)
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 3 tsp. cinnamon
• (combine above ingredients)

• 2 cups shredded carrots (heaping)
• 1 apple peeled and shredded
• 3/4 cup pure maple syrup 
• 3/4 cup coconut oil (or 1 cup vegetable oil)
• 3 eggs
• (mix together)

OPTIONAL ADD INS: 1/2 c shredded coconut, 1/2 c raisins, 1/2 c walnuts, 1/2 c sunflower seeds etc.

Fold the flour mix into the carrot mix until combined.
Pour into lined muffin tin
Bake for 20 minutes.
Enjoy!