Good morning friends. It has been a very long time since I have written a personal post for my website. I know you all probably get pretty sick of my Young Living promos being the only thing popping up on here anymore. I really am a human, most days. I apologize, in a way, as I cannot say enough good things about the Young Living company and their essential oils. I have already felt and seen their phenomenal effects on my "little" family. Let's chat for a bit shall we...
This year has been full of many ups and downs. Some people may say mostly downs but there has been a lot of good happening around me too. This year brought about the loss of my uncle and my father in very close proximity this fall. My father has been very sick the last couple of years and I am glad he is finally at peace, but I miss him everyday. This year also brought cancer to several close friends and family members who are still struggling daily to kick cancer in the butt. It's such a terrible disease. Isn't it amazing how much cancer has multiplied tremendously over the past 30 years. I'm not going to get into conspiracies but something seems awful fishy to me. I think no matter how people are related you feel a deep loss when you lose a friend or family member and it changes your life. I know it has sparked a lot of change in my life in a very short amount of time. Next year is going to be a tremendous year for me with my personal and business goals. I just have that Gibbs gut kind of feeling going on lately.
Our home schematics have changed so much this year with all our kids approaching adulthood. How can that possibly be?! I just turned 30. Well, maybe it's been a few years since then. They are all busy becoming awesome adults, working, dating and such. It just feels strange to me. I know it's normal but it doesn't mean I have to like it!! What happened to my babies?! So we've had a little bit of a struggle getting used to all of that nonsense. Our youngest daughter is a senior this year. Say what?! Our youngest son is a junior, so next year is it for us and the whole high school thing. Enjoy your babies peeps, because you blink and those years are over. I know it doesn't feel like it when your in combat, knee deep in mud, not sleeping, chasing toddlers all day, but trust me, it happens fast!
We visited Lake Tahoe for a family reunion this summer. I haven't been there since I was a kid. I forgot how beautiful it actually is. I am looking forward to dragging it out a little longer next year and going on a few more adventures. The drive was a killer considering we drove all night and then some to make it there for a few days and then drive back over the same weekend. Totally worth it though.
My garden was crap this year. The weather just did not cooperate with me and it showed. Complete opposite of what it was last year. I did get a few things from it but nothing to write home about. Planning for next year already and hoping for the best. I need to learn to rotate crops better for different seasons, instead of being all in for one season and then done with it. Some of my favorite crops are not in the summer.
Training for work took me to Maryland and Chicago this fall for Cisco classes. Class was pretty intense but I made sure to get out and try to have a little fun after work hours. I was also able to see close friends on both of my journeys. Those kind of friends where time seems to stand still even though many years have gone by. A lot of things change but you converse like old friends who have seen each other every day since you parted. I love them and look forward to the next time.
I've been blessed to be able to enjoy my new grandson this year. He melts my heart. He is the best, most beautiful baby I have ever been around. He makes my soul smile, even on the worst days. He is almost 15 months old already (tomorrow actually). He has the best temperament. He is always laughing and smiling. He runs all over the place now and gives that mischievous smile when he is going to touch something he knows he should not. That boy has slept all night since first arriving here. What baby does that?! Oh yes, his mother, who slept all night since pretty much birth too. We are so lucky to have this little guy. He just got his first "official" haircut yesterday. We gave him one on his first birthday (Opa and I) and it was stressful and terrible!! He went to a professional this time around.
Spent some downtime at the beach with my sisters again this year. I enjoyed their company and taking the time to catch up with our busy lives. We didn't make any type of schedule which was good considering we were there during a huge storm. It was a good year to just be together considering the recent loss of our father. We crafted and actually painted this year, with real paintbrushes! I found a company that let me order a party kit with everything included and had it shipped to the rental house we were in. I highly recommend. We laughed and painted for hours! We all consider ourselves a little on the "artsy" side now and quite talented. I may even do it again next year!
I finally made it to my last state a few weeks ago, meaning that I have officially stepped foot into every state in the U.S. now. Hawaii was my last and beyond words, and that's saying something coming from me. My two favorites just happen to be Vermont and now Hawaii. I think possibly they couldn't be more opposite. I've always visited Vermont in the winter to ski so I can't speak for the other seasons but I am guessing it is just as beautiful no matter what time of year it is. We took the whole family. It was an experience I hope none of them ever forget. The road to Hana was my favorite. I know some people would disagree but we saw the most that day of the beautiful island of Maui. We will definitely go back again. Although, my husband is in trouble now as I am ready to conquer Europe next. Just a small feat after this one, right?!
This year also marked my first year in direct sales. Well, I say that lightly because Young Living is not really about "direct sales" per se. I am not required to sell anything. I share Young Living by choice. I have seen how amazing 100% therapeutic essential oils can be and I want so badly for everyone to use them in their homes. I have to say, I do not have a sales mentality and I never imagined I would do anything even similar to it. I am a pretty private person. I have had a lot of people approach me in the past to join different sales groups, so please understand when I say that it would take a pretty amazing product to force me out of that shell. I do already work an intense full-time job but Young Living has been totally worth a little less sleep. I don't just talk smack and never touch the stuff. They are so much more than just oils. Did you know that? I am on a mission to replace all the chemical laden crap in my house with natural stuff and they are playing a huge role in that. I use ALL of it, from their oils all the way to their food items and all in less than 6 months. I have never been so determined in my life. It's scary to put yourself out there, but the way I have started to look at it is if you consistently live in a bubble your life is never going to change. Change can be a good thing. You can't reach those big goals without being a little uncomfortable at times.
This next year is about bringing these products to all of you. Hopefully, in a non-creepy sales kind of way. If you want to know more about essential oils or just want to chat please email wildflowerwest@yahoo.com, drop me a PM on Facebook (Wildflowers West) or leave me a comment on Instagram @wildflowerswest. Is there something you want to try a sample of or get a small order? I would be glad to order it for you to give it a try, no pressure, because these oils can sell themselves and I am totally banking on that. I look forward to coming up with some promos of my own starting this month. Stay tuned for some free products coming your way when you sign up with my Wildflowers West group starting soon. I know you are so excited you are sitting on the edge of your seat, right. Joining our group also gives you the ability to be on our private page on Facebook where we talk and share more in detail of how these oils work and how they are changing our personal lives.
And now, this all brings us to the Christmas season. I am looking forward to slowing down for at least the month and just enjoying life for all that it has to offer. I am just waiting for the snow, which is my absolute favorite of all! Maybe we will actually get some time to ski this next spring. Now that would be something! May you enjoy this holiday season. Take the time to remember how really blessed you are, even when you are trudging through those dang trenches on the bad days. Until next time.
Be well my friends!
