ain't no hood like motherHOOD

Hey Friends,

I know I have been silent the past 2 months. I wanted to give you an update today and let you know how life has been up until present day.

Sometimes life just happens, you deal with the important tasks and everything else falls to the wayside. Paisley came down with a virus and double ear infection at the end of February. She started getting better 3 weeks in and then caught a second virus 3 days later. Which led us into the second week of April, not to mention, she was still having trouble with her ears. Watching her be sick and uncomfortable lasted way too long. But, I am thankful she has a wonderful pediatrician that is cautious with her treatment plan. See, before this all started Paisley had never been on antibiotics and when it comes to Mastocytosis, you can't just take anything. We have to be careful of reactions and anaphylaxis. Her doctor thought it would be best to give her ears time to drain on their own first before giving antibiotics. In most cases ear infections resolve on their own. Unfortunately, hers did not and it resulted in her fighting 6 weeks of illness along with antibiotics. She responded very well to them and is now doing much better.

In the midst of all of that was happening with Paisleys health, we were packing to move. We moved into our new place on the 18th of April. This is an incredible new journey as Cameron and I have not had our own place our entire marriage. It is expensive to live and on your own at that and with no roommate. We are so thankful to my mom for allowing us to live with her until we were financially able to afford our own place. Moving was so bittersweet. Its like it was an end of an era. We all had so much fun living together and Paisley was able to develop a close bond with her grandma and Uncle B (my youngest brother). The first few days after moving I was a little "shell-shocked". I knew it was the plan all along to move out and have our own place one day, but, what can I say? I am a momma's girl. It was very strange not being able to walk down the hall into my moms room and just talk about our day. You would think a marriage and a child later I would feel like I am an adult but no way; moving day punched me in the face with one big fist of "ADULTING!"

We are about a month into enjoying our new place and loving it! Paisley has been so excited about having her own room and I truly did not realize how many toys this girl owned until moving day, haha! I am loving this close intimate time with my husband and daughter. We have been so blessed with this new home and thankful that we took a leap of faith and trust the Lord in this new journey.

I had some quiet days in our new home where the husband was off at work and our precious girl was napping. It allowed me time to reflect on our life. Yesterday, was a day to reflect and thank moms for their sacrificial love, dedication, and selflessness. But, as I've reflected I want my mom to know that I thank God for you not just on Mothers Day but every single day. You have been my rock through the good, the bad, and the ugly. We have had our growing pains, of course, but you will always be my mom and number one fan---my go-to person. I am thankful that our relationship is not just a mother-daughter relationship but has morphed into a friendship. You have taught me how to be a God-fearing woman. This is the most important thing you could have ever shared with me that I get to teach my children. Thank you mom for never giving up when it was so hard, thank you for facing each day head on to provide for your children; especially when you felt like you couldn't give anymore. Thank you for teaching me to draw that strength from the Lord. I love you.

Last year I created a body butter inspired by motherhood. Often times it can be a bit chaotic but always rewarding. I wanted to share that recipe with you all in case you are like me and needed a little skin pampering that also helps ground your soul. *It also works great as a curl definer too!

Manic Mom Body Butter Recipe:

1/2 Cup Organic Unrefined Coconut oil

1/2 Cup Organic Vegan Shea Butter

1 Tbsp Jojoba oil

1 Tbsp Sweet Almond oil

1-2 Tbsp of Cornstarch or Arrowroot powder

15 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil

15 Drops of White Angelica Essential Oil

15 Drops of Frankincense Essential Oil

On low heat in a medium sauce pan or double boiler add together coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba oil and almond oil until completely melted. then mix in cornstarch or arrowroot powder, stir until completely melted. Remove from heat and refrigerate until solid. Remove from refrigerator mix with a hand mixer until light and fluffy then add your essential oils.

Wishing all the Moms a wonderful Mothers Day!

-manic mom.