A Simply Enchanted Life

Oh my goodness! What a crazy week—I wish I could say that my week wasn’t as crazy as it was last week but I think it was just as bad, if not worse! The older girls are preparing for violin recital sometime in May. That means extra practices and lessons.

On Wednesday, Kahlan went to her normal therapy session for her In-toeing. I think this was the first week where she really got frustrated at her lack of ability to perform tasks. My mommy-heart just broke when she growled and stopped her foot in frustration because she couldn’t pedal a bike without help.

In addition to her therapy, she was fitted for orthotics today—I’m not sure how she’s going to do with them. She enjoyed the casting and picking out the girly colors, I don’t think she fully understands that she’s going to have to wear them, every single day.

Despite how busy things are,  I did have a little more time for reading and reviews. I got a little bogged down with a book that I didn’t really enjoy and ended up wasting the extra time that I did have. I’m usually a very fast reader but I finished only one book this week due to how I kept procrastinating with Gift of the Phoenix. My review for that one is due on the 18th so be sure to check out my thoughts. Oh, I also finally reviewed Guardian of the Flame. That book was really good—then again, I’ve never read a Tracy Higley book that I have been disappointed with.

I just finished downloading my next book to read, it’s one I’m really excited about. It’s an author I know well and I’m pretty sure that I’ll probably like it.

Take a three-thousand mile journey with Amanda Pearson as she leaves the disgrace of a broken engagement and enters the work of a Quaker mission in the western wilds. The trip is fraught with danger, and Amanda is near death before reaching her destination. Among those she meets are an Indian woman who becomes her first convert and a half-Indian trapper who seems to be her biggest critic. But love follows her into the wilderness and will determine the course of her future. You are sure to enjoy this historical romance adventure from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter.

Products that I tried this week included Hill Science Diet, Starbucks Coffee, Quaker Warm and Crunchy Granola, Hazelaid and I finally published an updated report of my Godaddy Online Bookeeping experience (which was a bit crazy!)


Speaking of product reviews—did you see the giveaway that I posted earlier today?! I blogged about my daughter’s asthma and gave my thoughts on amber and gemstone therapy. Hazelaid also provided a $25 gift certificate to one of my blog readers—be sure to check it out!


Before I forget, I got a Canon Powershot 2500 for free this week from Cafemom for testing Orajel Naturals, plus an 8gb memory SD card to go with it. Not too shabby! My daughter was drooling over it the minute UPS delivered it. I think she's claimed it as hers but that's okay, I already have a camera! I also got a new Beverly Lewis book in the mail that my mom had preordered for me for my birthday. It felt a bit like Christmas around here this week!


While I’m blabbering on, I might as well share a few of my favorite photography shots from this week. Remember—I told you all last week about my new hobby being photography. Well, my oldest daughter and I have a penchant for villains and decided to start a villain series of photos.


In other news, I went shopping today. I never shop for myself! Check out my awesome finds. Cute shoes, and they're comfy too! I had to have the shirt because it matches my blog...I'm such a dork haha.
That’s pretty much it—another week down and another busy week coming up. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers this upcoming week. Prue has a visit with the pulmonologist on Monday to find out why she still has residual pneumonia after eleven weeks. I’m praying for a miracle and that they’ll tell me she’s all better!

Until next week...

Baltic Cherry Amber and Turquoise

Hazelaid Baltic Amber

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

USE: Effective for teething, drooling, and other pain relief. Must be placed directly on the skin. We recommend moving necklaces to the upper leg during naps and at night for very young children. Baltic amber is meant to be worn, NOT chewed!

I was introduced to amber necklaces around 6 years ago. I believe in them. I have seen them work wonders with my children. Recently, I learned about gemstone therapy and that is how I found Hazelaid. Hazelaid has graciously provided me with a $25 gift certificate for one of my readers as well as a coupon code that you’re welcome to use as often as you like—no expiration! Now...on with my review!

In early January my three year old daughter was diagnosed with Asthma. We were in round-the-clock treatment mode with her. Our day went something like this
Liquid Steroid x2 *then pulmicort x2
Albuterol every 4 hours
(later on they introduced Singular as well)

Nothing seemed to be helping and I decided to check into gemstone therapy. I heard that Baltic Cherry Amber and Turquoise could relieve inflammation and asthma symptoms. I figured with as many chemicals that were being pumped into my daughter’s system—what would it hurt to try something natural?

The problem was finding a company that offered the combination of gems and amber that I wanted—luckily, I found Hazelaid! I was very excited to see exactly what I was looking for with a quick google search and I quickly placed an order. While Hazelaid's website does not claim that their necklaces help asthma symptoms, I was pleased to see they offered the combination that I was looking for.

I was amazed with how fast the necklace seemed to work. Coincidence? Maybe, but within 48 hours of putting her into her necklace we were finally starting to decrease the frequency of her breathing treatments. 4-5 weeks have gone by and at this point we are down to pulmicort once a day and Singular once a day. She hasn’t needed a single albuterol treatment in the last three weeks.

We went without the necklace for roughly eight hours and I started hearing some wheezing—again, is that a coincidence? I’m not a doctor, I’m not a scientist—I’m just a mom. I can’t sit here and tell you absolutely, 100% that this will help your child. All I can do is say that for us—we do not risk being without it. My three year old proudly wears her necklace and tells everyone who asks about it, “it helps my asthma.”

If you’re looking for relief for your child’s teething pain or even something else like asthma or reflux—I strongly suggest you take a look at Hazelaid. They offer amber and gemstone therapy as well as Hazelwood necklaces. So many other sites carry one or the other. Hazelaid is your one-stop shopping for beautiful and therapeutic jewelry.

My daughter wearing her Hazelaid Necklace

WHAT CAN BALTIC AMBER HELP WITH?

Pain Relief: Baltic amber contains analgesic properties and helps take the edge off of many types of discomfort associated with dental issues, headaches, joint pain, etc. It is a well known European method to help decrease the pain associated with teething. Strengthening the body's immune system. In many different and subtle ways, succinic acid helps boost the body's own natural healing ability and immune system.

Inflammation: Where chronic inflammation is present, disease lurks. When the body’s cells are chronically inflamed the human body’s immune system response is to increase production of free radicals. Chronic overproduction of free radicals results in inflammatory-related disease. Chronic inflammation can be the common denominator of many seemingly unrelated diseases.

Restoring Energy: The human body naturally produces succinic acid. The salt of succinic acid (succinate) is one of the most active substances in the processes of cellular respiration and intercellular energy creation. Succinic acid restores oxygen and energy supply to depleted cells and helps the body return to a normal, functioning state.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I received coupon codes in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The views and opinions I have expressed are my own. Giveaway item and codes were graciously supplied by Hazelaid. Products & claims regarding properties & effects have not been evaluated by the FDA or Health Canada. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information supplied is for general reference & educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice.

HillsPet Diet Science
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hill's Pet Nutrition is dedicated to helping pets reach their full potential through quality nutrition and healthcare. Klout influencers received Hill’s® Science Diet® Grain Free dry pet food.

My pretty kitties all enjoyed this food. I’d seen a lot of complaints about cats puking, I was worried about this. I’m wondering if some of these reports are due to people not properly transitioning their cat’s foods.

Cats are not like humans. Their foods need to be transitioned—slowly. You feed new foods in with their old, increasing the amount each time until they’re weaned onto the new food.

I have four cats and none of them had any problems. I actually think that their coats are a little bit shinier than they were.

I would definitely buy this food again for my furbabies. I’d also like to note that one of my girl cats has asthma and certain foods trigger her symptoms. This particular food brand did not cause her to cough the way that some brands of food do. That’s important to us!

The only downside for me is the strong smell. I could smell it through the bag. I keep their food in a plastic container so it’s not a huge deal but for people who store their foods in the bag, I could see that being a turn off


I received this perk from Hill Science Diet and Klout! I was not required to write a positive review. The views and opinions I have expressed are my own.