Parenting can be so stressful!!

Why does being a parent have to be so stressful?!  I swear, my kids must totally hate each other, like 99% of the time!  And it's mostly Skyler and Dalton.  She seems to not be able to stand him, and he seems to enjoy annoying the heck out of her.  So, either I try to ignore it and it drives me totally insane with their constant bickering, or I interfere, and then I get even more annoyed, because it's always "his fault/her fault" and I usually feel like a horrible mom for fussing at them.  Seriously, just get along for a change!!! lol

Side note: Dalton is adopted.  He's been a part of our family since he was 2 months old, and we adopted him at 2.5 yrs old.  I sometimes wonder if this is why she is so mean to him.  I've never hidden the fact from any of them, as I don't feel it's right to spring it on a child when they are older that they are adopted, and them have feelings that their whole life has been a lie.  But sometimes it feels like she hates the fact that I have adopted him.  Then again, she has her moments with Ashley as well, but it is never as bad as with Dalton.  Deep down I know she loves him, but she truly drives me insane with the almost constant arguing/fighting with him.

"Parenting is the most rewarding thing in the whole world, but it also the one thing that will drive you into an insane asylum or an early grave!!!" - quote by ME

Constant Foot Pain Sucks!!!

I've been having a lot of foot pain, especially my left foot, and I have no answers as to what the cause it.  The majority of the pain is from standing all day on a hard floor at work, and me being overweight.  But the pain in my left foot is different, and I had it before I started working.  Back at the beginning of June, I went on a 2.5 mile walk, and the next day my foot was killing me.  It happened once before that, but it went away after awhile on it's own.  This time is worse, and it's almost a continues pain.  It feels really stiff and hurts after I've been sitting for awhile, or when I first wake up in the mornings.  There is a pinching pain across the top, and on the sides near my arch. 

The doctors have done xrays, but that isn't showing anything.  There is no swelling or bruising either.  My doctor is sending me to the hospital to have a bone scan (I think that is what he called it) done, to see if there are any microscopic fractures or even if it's just arthritis.  I'm personally not convinced it's something in my bones, but maybe with the nerves, or something else.  I'm really hoping I'll get answers though, because I'm tired of this constant pain.

Update to Homemade Deodorant

Just wanted to let everyone know that even my hubby is trying the homemade deodorant.  I won't say he's completely sold on it, but he doesn't seem to mind using it.  I never asked him to try it; he did it on his own, and then asked me to put some in his regular deodorant container so he can put it on easier.  YAY!!!! lol  Oh, I'm still completely sold on it, and don't plan to go back to store bought deodorant at all.

Please feel free to share the recipe with others, so maybe we can get more people trying something that is good for them, and the environment (less ingredients washing down our drains and into our water supply).

Homemade Deodorant

I got a request to give the recipe for my homemade deodorant, so here it is.

1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup cornstarch
5 tablespoons coconut oil
favorite essential oils (optional)

The blog that I got this from, said with her trial and error, she realized that the baking soda may be a bit much for some people, as she got rashes and actually had raw armpits, so I decreased the baking soda and upped the cornstarch (1/8 cup less baking soda, 1/8 cup more cornstarch).  It makes it a bit "gooey" like wet cornstarch can be, but it works well.  She also stated that it's best not to use it right after shaving your armpits also. lol  I didn't use any essential oils, because I actually love the smell of coconut oil.  Some people store it in their fridge if the temperatures are higher, as coconut oil will turn back into a liquid state, but I keep mine in the bathroom, in a ziploc plastic bowl... it just gets a bit moist at times.  Just dip your finger(s) into it and rub some into your armpits.  I opted to not use the essential oils, as I like the smell of coconut oil anyway, and I'm never funky from using it.

So, say goodbye to store bought deodorants that contain aluminum (which HAS been linked to cancer), and say hello to all natural!! lol  Also, aluminum products are designed to block you from sweating, but sweating is your body's way of eliminating toxins.  I feel a bit moist with the homemade deodorant, but I actually feel moist with ANY deodorant I've ever used, so it's not like it's worse for me now.  The coconut oil actually works against the bacteria that grow in your armpits after they get wet, and that's why you don't get funky.  I love this stuff and don't plan to go back to the store bought stuff again.  In the long run, this is much cheaper and way fewer "I can't pronounce them" ingredients going under my arms, and in my lymph nodes into my body!!!