The journey continues....

The journey continues....

Some of you know that I blogged about being sick the other day and how we just don't have time for it as moms. Well sometimes something smacks you down and says LISTEN! Here is a continuation of my journey....

OK so last week I told y'all that they found a nodule in my lung and they were making me go for a CT Scan.

Originally I hoped thought I might have someone go with me but due to unforeseen circumstances I was on this venture by myself. I tried to put on a brave face, I am not sure who I was trying to convince myself or my family.

I think this makes me official? (yes I was born on St. Patricks Day - but no other identifying info on the bracelet! any of you crazy people out there!)

Not exactly what this is but I think I just signed one of my organs away if someone needs it!

Intimidating? Yes, considering I can't walk up stairs without being out of breath. I parked on the wrong side of the hospital, what in the world was I thinking?!

I am heading into the CT scanner and I really wanted to get a pic of that big machine but also didn't want them to think I was crazy and then take a CT of my head. I mean I am already getting enough radiation through this one scan I don't need more cancer risk.

Thankfully when I went in the room the tech informed me that I wouldn't need the contrast (IV) and I was so freaking overjoyed I could have done backflips  grateful. The scan took about 5 minutes, I didn't have to take any clothes off, didn't have to pry remove my belly ring out, and I was lucky and got one of those super warm blankets they wrap you in (doesn't take much to make me happy!).

Since I couldn't eat or drink before the tests and I didn't get done till around noon I decided to treat myself to my favorite! Mongolian! Super yummy!

It only took 48 hours but we heard back about the scan and it might as well have been in a foreign language. Prominent Lymph node in my lung? 3 small lingular nodules likely reactive to granuloma? What? All I know is my primary Dr. doesn't seem very concerned but I have to get a repeat scan with contrast (IV!!) in 3-6 months. I am opting for 3 months because who wants to play around with nodules?

Still no answer on what is making me sick and out of breath. Going to see a pulmanologist as soon as I can. They think pneumonia? One could only wish at this point. Good news - feeling some better in regards to the "sick" feeling so I will take all the good I can get.

So the journey continues......

More than ever with my current health issues I am so happy that our family made the switch to Shaklee!

April's Earth Day Special - with a $30.00 purchase the membership fee is waived! No minimums ever!  Non-toxic! Always Safe, Always Natural!

How safe is your home?

•  Approximately 20 million Americans have asthma. (source American Lung Association 2005).
• Strong Links have been found between the use of domestic and industrial cleaning products and the risk of asthma. (source Thorax, Nov 2003 58(11), 950-954

CHECK IT OUT! Always Safe, Always Natural, Basic H2 Organic Cleaner!

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly - Poop that is

OK so yes I have a house of hunters. All you PETA people don't hate us, I hope you still follow me but if not oh well it is who we are. I mean me personally don't ask me to shoot it, gut it, or cook it - eewww!

However, in light of earth day month and working to go green (sshhhh don't tell my man I associated him with going green he might kick my bootie!).

We've had a bit of a poop problem. Yes I said a poop problem.

OK - here is the poop problem (the Ugly)

My husband worked so hard making our back porch awesome looking by applying concrete stain and now there is POOP all over it!

This is the Pooper (The Bad) - it likes to sit on the light on the top of the porch and just POOP away!

This is the DE-POOPER TROOP! (The Good) lol OK I know I am lame.

Like I said in honor of Earth Day Month and our family trying to go green, natural, and non-lethal, the De-pooper troop decided to take care of business with Nerf guns. AND IT WORKED! They shot at the bird and didn't hit it but it flew away for the rest of the night!

MY HERO! (now I need a volunteer to clean up the poop!)

Tween Bathroom - Loving It!

We have been in our house for 3 1/2 years now and other than changing the shower curtain a few times the kids bathroom has been pretty much the same. One of the struggles we have is that both Cody and Haley share the same bathroom so it has to be a neutral type of theme. I try to get them to compromise but Cody finally said, "whatever Haley wants" I told him to quit giving me a classic man answer. Ended up he did let her have more her way but we still tried to incorporate colors he would like as well.

Before- I had bought the letters and we painted them. The pictures are pictures the kids painted on these canvas and I framed them with frames I already had and painted black.

Black, White, Red, and Gray

Pictures of our family that lives far away. We did the prints in black and white to add to the color scheme.

We started cleaning. Oh and by the way, I am using up the cleaning supplies I have because I think I am going to switch over to Shaklee. Never heard of it? Well I hadn't but check it out at my friend Erin's Blog.(and I have some great info on mine as well!) I am finding that I am loving it and I bought the Gold Premier but you can also just sign up to be a Member which right now with a $30.00 purchase the membership fee of $19.95  is waived with no minimum to ever buy again (but I know you will love these products!). You see that 409 in the background - it is NO more! As soon as I started using that stuff I started coughing again!

Yes, we can't help but join the bandwagon we do love the Zebra print!

The little things can really make the look. So we bought the lime green shower hooks. We went with lime green because Cody liked it and we wanted to try to compromise.

I bought the ribbon but decided on a DIY to transform the q-tip holder.

Changing up the red picture frame mat to be lime green. Haley worked on this project.

I am sure you are wondering what this is. Well seems my kids like millions so many others struggle to remember some basic hygiene tasks. So I used a white board marker to make a to-do list on the medicine cabinet mirror.

We used the same ribbon and glue gun to pretty up this candle (for appearances only).

Still working and figuring it all out.

We are getting there.

It's looking good and coming together (notice my cutie kitty!)

Daily items (the buckets are from the dollar bin at Target)

No more red!

Click here to find out how to be a Member or a Distributor!

Free Membership with a $30.00 purchase. No requirements ever! Check this out for your health, your family's, and keeping our Earth Green!

Let's Celebrate Earth day this month of April!

Fry's Grocery Deals

Check out this weeks deals at Fry's! Visit and Thank Dashing for Deals! Lots of Freebies!

http://dashingfordeals.com/favorite-frys-grocery-deals-for-04-06

A Little Pick Me Up - Zebra Style

I don’t know about you but every once in a while this chicka needs a little pick me up!

It’s been a rough few weeks so I decided while Haley flipped her buns off at gymnastics I would treat myself to a little pick me up!

This is very important women! You have to take a moment to relax and gather your thoughts together!

It was short and sweet but the result is adorable! I love it!

What have you done for yourself lately?

Excuse Me, Hello? I am talking to you?!

Ever had one of those moments where you have completely lost your mind? With your kids? Well, today was it for me. My oldest looked at me like I had 3 horns growing out of my head and like what in the world has happened to you?!

Seriously people, I haven't felt good. You hear me brushing my teeth and you continue to just repeat Mom, Mom......... Hey Mom.......... WHAT?!!!!

I thought I was going to lose my mind. I flipped out and was like what in the world do you want from me??!

Then after they tried to get out of my room quicker than you had ever seen, I felt terrible for how I had just over reacted.  I felt like I was going crazy, I mean I was brushing my teeth and you repeat my name I don't know how many times but when I speak to you I have to repeat the same thing like 5 times before you hear me but that is OK.

It's been a trying day that is for sure. But I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love my babies (I know they really aren't babies when they are this old). It's just been a rough day, but as I always tell my kids - this is a new moment so let's start it over and have a great day!

They look innocent enough? I do sure do LOVE them to pieces! Tomorrow is a new day!

FREEBIE!! This Month is Earth Day Month!!

I have a FREEBIE to offer! I am excited about the changes I have been making in my life, my family, and my home! Back a month ago I started making a change to Shaklee! This company sales products that are ALWAYS SAFE, ALWAYS WORKS, and ALWAYS GREEN!

I have some FREE Samples to give out!!

Do YOU want a free sample? It is super easy! This is what you need to do.

1. Follow My Blog!

2. Email me at codyhaley106@gmail.com and let me know you want a free sample.

3. Post a Review of the sample on your Blog or Facebook by the end of April after you try the product!

See it's as easy as 1, 2, 3!

First 10 people to email me will get a FREE SAMPLE!!

After you post your review make sure you let me know! After the review is posted I will send you a second sample for free to give away on your blog!

Think of all the GREEN you will save your wallet for trying this sample out for free! It makes an entire 16 oz bottle of cleaner and a 16 oz bottle of window cleaner! Saving Green by going Green!

FREE SHAKLEE MEMBERSHIP with only a $30 order!!

No minimum to maintain your membership! (except I know you will love it so you will want to change all of your cleaning supplies and nutritional needs over to Shaklee)

That is our BEST Join Free Offer yet!

A Shaklee membership gives you…

15% discount (off retail prices) on product purchases

Special promotions, offers and discounts

Unconditional money-back guarantee

CHECK IT OUT!

http://lawsonshealthyliving.myshaklee.com/

 The FREE Membership is only for the Month of April! It’s a great time to get the products at a 15% discount forever by getting your Membership for Free!

To order…

Place the items that you want in your cart.  (You need at least $30 of product at member’s price (15% discount)

Join as a Shaklee member for $19.95  (Fill out the application)

Pay for items

Place Order

You will be charged the $19.95 at first and then reimbursed when it ships.  (After a couple of days, everything will be automatic but I know several of you just can’t wait!!!)

Email Me if you have ANY Questions!!

Sick Time? No Such Thing

I always joke there is a difference in a mom cold and a dad cold. And all you moms out there I am sure can guess the difference. When we get sick there really is not down time. Well this time I have no choice.

The last week and a half I have been pretty sick. But I kept chugging on. As I look back I actually have been having symptoms for about a month or two but because they weren't anything major I thought I was just tired or in a slump so I kept chugging on.

I do have asthma so I was thinking I was just having problems with my asthma and I had maybe some allergies and cold stuff going on but I figured the cough would go away. I was really tired and wanted to be a lazy bum more than normal but I just thought I was tired. After much encouraging from my husband and my sister I ended up going to urgent care.

Yep - that's me getting a breathing treatment at the Dr. She said I sounded junky and she wouldn't let me leave before I had a breathing treatment. (go figure right? I didn't think I sounded bad at all)

OK there is the pile of my junk and my gown - BECAUSE they made me get a chest xray - seriously? I couldn't believe it.  The Dr. told me that she didn't see any pneumonia (thank goodness) and said it must be my asthma really acting up but ordered me to stay home from work the next day so I can get some rest.

Later that night I received a call from the Urgent Care to call them back. I though holy cow seriously. I looked over at my husband and so oh great I bet I have pneumonia, I don't have time for this. (he had been so sweet all night and even had dinner made when I got home from the Dr. !!)

I called urgent care back and they proceeded to inform me that they had someone look at the xray and they had found a nodule in my lung - WTC (that's the clean version - What The Crap! lol) She proceeded to tell me that didn't mean I had lung cancer but probably was Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) - uh remember my post about my husband collapsing his lung 2 years ago? Well yes they think it was Valley Fever. She proceeded to inform me I needed to come get the xrays first thing in the morning and get into my PCP so they can order a CT Scan (so much for the rest she had ordered me to get just hours before).

I went down to Urgent Care first thing to get the xrays ( I looked at it - there is a 1 cm nodule in my left lung - the report told me that I am not good at reading xrays lol) and then came home because my PCP couldn't get me in the same day. I was so upset -seriously people I have a nodule in my lung!!!! They only aren't as urgent about it because it isn't their lung!

But these two sweet babies kept me company ALL day while I sat on the couch with my feather pillow, computer, and my marathon of Twilight Movies!

Everyone needs the essentials when you are sick. Large Sonic Cherry Coke (an absolute MUST!), tissues, you nebulizer and medicines, laptop and of course your wallet so you can online shop!

I filled my day with Edward, Bella, and Jacob! And lots of sleep of course!

For now we keep waiting. I finally got into my PCP, had blood work, and now await my CT scan some time this upcoming week. Although I don't want Valley Fever the alternative with having a nodule in your lung isn't good. Keeping my fingers crossed, putting my trust in the Lord, and knowing he has a plan for me. (I'm pretty sure it is Valley Fever, I have so many of the symptoms.)

I will keep living my life, trying to rest and get some energy back and loving my family! I will update my blog as soon as I know what in the world all this craziness is!

Making Positive Changes - With Shaklee

I am super excited about some changes we are making in our house! We are working to make a healthier way of living for our family and our earth. I have posted some about energy saving tips and that is one way we can impact our environment and another way I have decided to change our household is with Shaklee!

I will be honest I had never heard of this company until one of my great friends Erin  told me about Shaklee. She has an amazing blog over at Just a Day in the Life of this Mommy - check it out!

She sent me a free sample to try Shaklee and after using the Basic H2 Organic Cleaner I was hooked and excited that this brand is All Green, All Natural, and All Safe! Haley and I both suffer from Asthma and allergies and I knew the cleaners I had been using for so long contained chemicals that made me cough at times and required me to open the windows to let fresh air in.

I made this full bottle of Basic H2 cleaner with 1/4 teaspoon of concentrated cleaner.

Well Shaklee is a company that is solid and has been around for over 50 years.  I have tried going green with my cleaning before and I found it expensive and I didn't like the quality of clean I was getting. However when I tried Shaklee I loved it! I loved the fact that I didn't cough when I was cleaning and there are no harsh chemicals, it is all natural, and many products organic. AND check out this cost comparison. Because the products last for so long you save lots of money and I love the clean!

I decided to do it! I decided to start making the change to Shaklee

I decided because I love the products and I plan on using them for everything I wanted to be able to be an Independent Distributor. Yes, I know what you are thinking but seriously I would never hassle you to buy from my site but I do want you to know how awesome I think it is! If I am already going to be buying the products I want to be able to offer the great deals to my friends and anyone else that is trying to live healthy.

I got some of my starter kit and decided to go ahead and get going on my transformation and make my new products.  

Here I made two cleaners. I made a bottle of window cleaner and a bottle of All-Purpose Cleaner and see how much concentrate I still have left?!

Shaklee guarantees that every product is 100% safe to use. This a partial No list they have:

• No Parabens
• No Phthalates
• No 1,4-Dioxane
• No Formaldehyde
• No Chlorine Bleach
• No Dyes
• No MSG
• No Petroleum Distillates
• AND this is just a partial list!

One of the first things I cleaned was my humidifier! I know this machine needs special attention and doesn't need harsh chemicals in it when I am cleaning it.  I didn't have to worry about my cat snooping around while I was cleaning it because the products are 100% safe!

I also cleaned the little holder in our shower - it is amazing how gross this little thing gets and the toll the hard water takes on it.

Eeewww! I know - come on I am not the only one that has something looking like this.

The hard water build up is ridiculous!

I used the Basic H2 Cleaner to clean this. Nothing harsh and no hard fumes.

I was amazed at how well it cleaned this without harsh chemicals! After trying the sample I was sold!

Welcome to my new way of cleaning! Always Safe, Always Natural and they DO NOT test on animals!

There are many awesome products and I will share my experiences with each of you honestly. But I am super excited about this opportunity to switch to a greener lifestyle with Shaklee for my health, my family's health, and for our environment. I encourage you to check it out!