Gift of the Earth

How is your December going? I LOVE the Christmas time, as I mentioned in the last post :) We have had an exciting week, what with my thesis being accepted by the library (after formatting and RE-formatting a bazillion times and then converting the whole dang thing-67 pages worth-to PDF) and Christmas get-togethers and business ventures and all. I am cleared for graduation, my skin is clear because of the amazing essential oils I have been using, and the sky is clear of rain. This makes me all very HAPPY!

A few of you asked about essential oils and the skincare line I use, so I thought I'd blog about the products we use INSTEAD of drugs, pills, prescriptions, drug-store facial cleansers and the like. 

My husband and I love health, fitness, and living well. We (like most) do not like being sick, ill, or out-of-sorts. I like having healthy, glowing skin and because my in-laws knew this, they and my in-law siblings, all gifted me the most amazing facial skincare line I have EVER used. And I have used every skincare line-- ALL (and by all I mean ALL of 'em out there). Not to mention that a New York runway model who has used every product available (yes, even more than me, ha!) said that this product line (the one I received) is THE best she has ever used. She felt and saw a difference immediately. WOW. 

The line also carries certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils (CPTG-the highest grade/quality oils can have), which we have used for fevers, sore throats, aches, ulcers, back pain, muscle soreness, laziness (not kidding! peppermint oil really can help you get your butt off the couch. Don't believe me? Ask us for a sample and you'll see.)      

These essential oils are available for EVERYone! You can heal your burns (this happened to me), your ulcers (my husband), or your ZITS (both my husband, me, and others we know) and much MUCH more with these oils--over 200 pages worth of illnesses/sicknesses/diseases the oils help alleviate, reduce, or even cure. This is in essence, God's GIFT to us. These oils come from the EARTH and are a huge gift to mankind. For that I am grateful.

I grew up in a home where my mom treated us with herbal teas, homemade soups, back-scratches, etc when we were under the weather, even though my dad, being a surgeon, could get any medicine we needed. My mom instilled in me a great love for all things natural-and essential oils are ESSENTIALLY the most natural you can get, as each bottle of oil is carefully harvested and extracted for use from the best plants all over the world. The name of this company that so carefully delivers each bottle of oil, supplement, and skincare product to match its highest grade? (see below)

the company's name is derived from a Latin derivative, meaning "Gift of the Earth" 

Best news of all? You can get these products too!! Let us know if you are interested in changing your health for the better-and keeping those deadly sicknesses OUT of your home this Winter.  OH and JUST for YOU, we will hold a FREE class in January at our home where you can try these oils and find out more! Leave a comment if you'd like to be invited (and leave a comment just to say hi too!) :) 

I am going to go drink my hot cocoa with the husband....infused with a drop of peppermint oil- a perfect holiday evening drink :)

Accomplishment

Happy holidays so far! Have you enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the holidays? How about how everyone is being nicer than usual? Or how a lot of people are talking about their faith more often than normal? I have said it before, I LOVE this time of the year!

This last week made the holidays THAT much sweeter...... 

I PASSED MY MASTER'S THESIS DEFENSE! 

I did it! On Wednesday I presented my Thesis to my panel and after 2 excruciating hours of presentation, drilling of questions (holy moly that was hard!), and waiting for them to decide if I passed or not (they made me wait in the hallway while they 'mulled it over').....I passed. I now have an M.S. after my name :) (p.s. I have a friend whose initials are MS, so that is extra fun, yah MEL??)

US right after I passed!!

I must say how grateful I am that my husband came with me and supported me through it all. He is a STUD! My parents are amazing for supporting me, cheering me on, and being excited for me- they too are rockin' :) I have great family and friends- so I too am grateful for all of your support! I am OVERjoyed that this happened. Now all to do is the final edits for the library copy and I am a graduate of a Master's degree. Lov-ELY!!

What else have we been up to, you ask?

-holiday shopping

-gym time

-out to dinner at PF Changs for a celebration for graduating--- thanks honey!

yummy PF Changs

-teaching BodyPump like it's going out of style. hehe (seriously, my husband calls it 'perma-sore' because of how often I am sore)

-daily using the BEST essential oils in the world. SERIOUSLY. I have the best facial products because it all comes from essential oils (natural, not synthetic) ***let me know if you want to know more because this has changed my skin. totally. completely. My mom is even buying some for my sister***

-finished teaching my LAST fitness class at BYU

-finally sat down with my husband for a meal and a movie

-ate caramel and Swiss chocolate --- you can go ahead and be jealous. kidding ;)

-WORKED

-burned my finger this week and rubbed Lavander and Melaleuca essential oils (used for healing) on it and there is NO scarring and IMMEDIATELY the pain went away. ROCKin'

-reading our scriptures, going to the temple, and praying (to learn more of why I do this daily, click the button on the left that says  "My Faith") 

-chatting on the phone with siblings, good friends, and my awesome parents

What we're doing soon, you wonder?

-Ward Christmas party tonight

-Stake Christmas fireside tomorrow

-FHE Monday- making pizzas and going to a holiday play

-making cookies for KATE because she won the cookie contest!

 -BodyPump, Zumba teaching

What has been your favorite part of the holiday season so far? We love hearing what you all have going on!

It's beginning to look a lot like.....

.....a WINNER! Congrats to Kate Moore for winning the Grateful/Cookie contest! I loved turning my thoughts to gratitude during the month of November. Kate, please leave a comment letting me know which kind of cookie you'd like (choc chip or choc chip/oatmeal). I'll bring them to you next week.

For those of you interested how the contest worked, 4 people left 3 comments, and of those 4, 2 became followers. My husband did a coin toss after I assigned heads/tails to those two ladies, and Kate won the toss. Congrats! All, keep checking back for more fun contests.....December and January are great months for giveaways :)

It is also beginning to look a lot like St. Nickolas Tag! Today is December 6th, which means St. Nick came  this morning! We had shoes set out and he filled em' with oranges, chocolate, and nuts, as is normal for every Swiss/German/Child to receive on the 6th of December. I remember growing up and LOVING this tradition with my family. One time I swore I even saw St. Nick coming up the drive.

what a cool puzzle!

ALL made of candy. wow!

Caroline and Jason's  house in Alaska...haha

look at all those gingerbread creations behind us!

BYU/Utah rivalry ON a tree

rock-n-roll tree

Snowman tree-SO cute!

My new favorite stockings for next year....
...who wants to buy these for me?

the advent tree

 How have you decorated your tree or house this year? What other giveaways do you think could be fun? Happy St. Nick to YOU, this day...it is not too late to set your shoes outside the front door. He might come by still....

p.s. I defend my Master's Thesis on Wednesday...then I can graduate and will have an M.S. after my name! Any extra prayers are welcome ;)

your LAST chance to score some cookies....

we'll get to how to score some cookies in a second....check this out first,

during our 11 days on vacation in StL with family:

we both got deathly ill (my husband more so than me)

stayed up WAY too late each night hangin' with the siblings and parents (but don't regret it one bit)

played with the nieces and nephews for countless hours

ate delicious salads, wraps, turkey, pumpkin everything, cookie-cake-pie-ice cream, and cranberry salad

slept, ate, and laughed our way through my parents' home

thoroughly enjoyed Zumba with the sisters daily (side note: this was just me, not the husband)

had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with ALL my siblings (excluding a brother on a mission)

swam, played, and read with siblings/nieces/nephews

slept in WAY past any normal hour (hello 11:45 a.m.?!)

stayed in PJs all day long just for the heck of it

watched the kiddos and some adults take a whack at a homemade pinata

nursed my sick sick husband back to health (with the help of my parents)

visited my amazing dad's new office 

more shopping and laughing ensued 

saw Harry Potter 3 in theatres (LOVED it), watched Toy Story 3 at home on the big-screen

had to say good-bye to the most amazing parents and siblings on the planet (not to mention the cutest nephews and nieces ever)

HOW is that for some amazing 11 days?? We are VERY blessed.

the whole clan (minus my missionary brother)

Okay back to how to score cookies....we want to hear what you're grateful for these last few days of November. You could SCORE some cookies if you leave a comment, become a follower, and tell us what YOU are grateful for.

Here is our list from the past few days:

Nov. 28th: We were very grateful for Church meetings with the family in StL. I LOVE sitting with my family at my home ward (to learn more click "My Faith" button on the left)

Nov 29th: We were grateful for kind parents who purchased Christmas decorations, chocolate, and other goodies for us to take back to UT.

Nov 30th: Today we were grateful for good pilots, extra security space to get us through the airport faster, a warm car, each other, and having had a wonderful vacation in StL.

What are YOU very grateful for this last day of November? We are truly excited about the Christmas season, the decorations, the excitement, the lights, the beautiful snow (hello WHITE Utah to greet us today!), family, Christ, service, and so much more!

Happy Grateful weekend to YOU

a section of our Thanksgiving table

Happy late Thanksgiving! We were celebrating with my family and thus did not post at all this week....plus me AND my husband got pretty sick (he is still somewhat sick: gastroenteritis. It is even worse than it sounds. boo)

 Here are some things we've been grateful for since last week (and extra bonus, I am grateful for my husband tucking me in on the eve of Nov 18th...) :

all tucked in

Nov 19: We were very grateful for my Master's thesis being turned in, a successful BodyPump launch, and a safe flight to my home in StL

Nov 20: We were grateful for sleeping in......

Nov 21: We were grateful for the Sabbath and seeing friendly faces again (to see more, click the "My Faith" button)

my cute nephew

Nov 22: What a great day to be thankful for hot showers and a comfy bed

Nov 23: We had delicious homemade pizza and gobbled it right up. SO grateful for sisters who can cook! Also, for my Master's Thesis being ACCEPTED for DEFENSE in December!!!

Nov 24: We were grateful for our health because on this day, we both got deathly ill. LAME

little sis with a nephew

Nov 25: We were grateful for my ENTIRE family being home together for Thanksgiving day (except my brother who is serving a mission for our church in Chile). It was a FABULOUS day and dinner!

with a homemade pilgrim hat

Nov 26: We were grateful for dancing with siblings, white elephant gift exchange, late night chats with the siblings, and lots of delicious leftovers

Nov 27: Today we are grateful for the chance to serve and to have enough. We are also very grateful for my wonderful parents who are currently hosting over 20 people in their home :) They wouldn't have it any other way.

My parents gifted us an advent calendar!
We are SO excited

What have you been thankful for this last week? We'd love to hear it!!

 Again, thanks for leaving comments and following us.....you only have approx. 2 more posts to do so and have a chance to SCORE yummy chocolate chip cookies!!

INSANITY + grateful part 3

Love the title, much? I sure do because it perfectly describes our life right now....yet we are very grateful for all the opportunities thrown our way.

Nov 12. We were grateful for the temple : the peace, answers, and blessings found there can not be found elsewhere. (Want to know more? Click on the link on the left side that says "My Faith") What better place to go than the one which reminds you of your wedding to the man of your dreams?!

Our Wedding DAY

Nov 13. I was SUPER grateful for a getaway to Park City with my man. Complete with swimming, hot tubbing, birthday presents, streamers on my door (a Bailey birthday tradition), healthified carrot cake, and family. Wonderful, wonderful day!

Nov 14. My husband was grateful I was born on this day! haha. I adore birthdays and my husband pampered me crazy-I am one lucky gal (more on that to come)

Nov 15. We were grateful for pillow talk-this day was NuTtY. Oh wait, the whole week has been....

Nov 16. He was grateful for a nice, hot shower and I was grateful for a professor who was very patient with me....he still is, because the thesis is not done. YET. 

Nov 17. We were grateful to answers to prayers and I was super grateful for a successful 'practice BodyPump class'!! (We launch it TOMORROW at 24 HR!)

Nov 18. I was especially grateful for computer, the Internet, and jump drives, as I spent ALL day (minus the 3 hours I taught classes) typing, re-writing, editing, uploading, and managing documents for my Master's thesis (the thesis I turn in TOMORROW might I add, for review, before I can schedule my final defense)

It has been CRAZY around here, so we sure are grateful to head to St. Louis, TOMORROW (have you noticed yet-- the theme......tomorrow is a HUGE day for us) for 11 days of family fun, Thanksgiving, and good times. Hallelujah! 

What are YOU thankful for? We want to hear it....and YOU want cookies. Follow us, leave a comment, and you might score some delicious fresh-baked cookies.

for my birthday, TODAY....

.....check HERE

Happy Birthday to me! :) I feel very loved. More exciting posts to come about such a great day and weekend. I love my family and friends and especially my husband!

love,

ME

p.s. the post was made by my hilarious and sweet sista, Caroline

lovin' the grateful kick

I adore November :) I also really love reminding myself daily what I/we are thankful for. 

Nov. 8: We were very thankful for a great evening with neighbors (and delicious food, too!) Also this day, I loved my hot shower, working cell phone, and Christmas music.

we had spinach/Gruyere stuffed chicken

with whole wheat noodles!

Nov. 9: We are grateful for each other :) Jared mentioned he is grateful for his wife (when I asked him what he's most thankful for) awww. This day we were also grateful for fast Internet and a great car!

Nov. 10: This day we were grateful for compliments, the Book of Mormon, dreams, and adversity.

Nov. 11: I am especially grateful, today, for my Master's program and thesis. It IS hard work to write a thesis, but I am grateful for the experience, for what I've learned, and hopefully what it can do for me.

What ARE you thankful for this week? 

Remember, if you follow us, leave comments, and tell us what YOU'RE thankful for, you could score DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES! YUM

Grateful (part 1)

It IS November. The month which celebrates all things Thankful :) (and my birthday VERY soon) 

So we're going to be grateful and share it with y'all, okay?!

It has been 6 days already and we'll do one to count on (for tomorrow).

Nov. 1: I am grateful for sleep and its ability to allow my body to heal from the torture it went through (heinous workouts, too much candy, and not enough good sleep, anyone?!)

Nov. 2: I am grateful for the classes I get to teach. I absolutely LOVE teaching fitness and making others work harder than they normally would themselves.

Nov 3: We're grateful for a temple nearby. Well actually, several temples nearby. Want to know more? Click on the tab to the left that says "my faith"

Nov. 4: We're grateful for indoor plumbing because it is freakin' cold outside and I have a small bladder! See more on that HERE 

Nov. 5: We're very grateful for wonderful neighbors who lend a helping hand when in need. Plus, we're grateful for our love and that we're married now-hello awesome cuddling and a warm bed!

Nov. 6: We're grateful for the sunshine and cell phones. 'Nuff said, right?

Nov. 7: We're already grateful for an extra hour of sleep. Yep, even I can't get enough sleep!

What are you grateful for so far this month?! We want to hear, so leave a COMMENT. We know you read about us : )  Oh and JUST for fun (and so my husband can get some cookie dough), leave a comment and by the end of the month we'll randomly select a winner (must leave a comment on each grateful post to win---so follow us, read up on our exciting lives, leave comments, etc) and you could

score some yummy cookies.

*Leave a comment AND *score cookies by the end of the month, what could be easier?! Now that can be something to be grateful for!

Halloween...Perkins style

and we are....PENGUINS! in-love penguins at that!

We thought we were pretty hilarious!!! By the way, Halloween is WAY more fun with kids around- just throwin' it out there! (and no, we did not magically have kids-) we spent the weekend with Jared's parents, siblings, niece/nephews. A smattering of photos follows- we had a lovely weekend, hope you did too!

my husband hangin' out before our debut

isn't this great?!

we're trying to kiss here

and he's proud of his penguin wifey!!

hello penguins!

he got so excited about holding me, he stepped out of the picture!

he is so hot in a bow tie- yah? :) I think SO

sportin' the good ole' black/orange combo on Sunday (notice my shoes and his tie)

mummified hot dogs at dinner (I helped make them, did not help eat them-Jared said they were good, though)

my festive fireplace is behind us....HAHA j/k-MEL is the master crafter! love this lady!
(we partied it up at her place late Sunday) check out her cute blog HERE

Jared's sister, bro-in-law, and niece/nephews

all of us dressed up-Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Didn't you love the Penguin idea?! It came from my dad and little sis, actually. My dad was a penguin last year (yep, Jared wore his costume), and my 10-year-old sis let me borrow hers. By the way-I didn't have the feet b/c she couldn't find hers (and she wears like kid size 6 anyways)...Thanks to Dad and little sis for lettin' us borrow their costumes for this holiday! What were you for Halloween?!