Common Misconceptions of Non-Vaccinating Parents

It's no secret that the 'to vaccinate or not vaccinate' debate is a hot topic today. As a non-vaccinating parent, you better believe I have been accused of some crazy things. So, I wanted to clear the air and let you look into the soul of a parent who doesn't vaccinate. This post isn't made to start a debate or even to state my reasons for not vaccinating my kids. I'm simply writing this to give new perspective. Regardless of your stance, take a moment and read these common misconceptions of a non vaccinating parent, written by one. :)

1. Non-vaccinating parents are uneducated
This one literally makes me laugh. It couldn't be further from the truth. Non vaccinating parents, most of us, have done TONS and TONS of research. We've read books, we've read articles, we've attended conferences, we've talked to our doctors, we've prayed continually. We are the opposite of uneducated.

2. Non-vaccinating parents are just trend followers
Right. This makes so much sense, because we are really going to base the health and well being of our child on the word of a celebrity. Poor Jenny McCarthy gets a whole lot of blame for the non vaccinating movement, and homegirl is just trying to spread awareness. She's not a trend setter, because choosing to not vaccinate your child is not a "trend", it's an educated decision.

3. Non-vaccinating parents are putting their children directly in harm's way
No, we aren't. We have outweighed the pros and cons. Obviously the biggest con about not vaccinating is that, according to the rest of the world, your putting your child at risk of a "deadly disease". Since when is chicken pox deadly? Mumps? Measles? These are all treatable diseases. Are they fun? Of course not! But, the media blows them up to scare the living poop out of everyone. When we decided not to vaccinate, we had a very long talk with our doctor. And then I went on a massive study learning about all the ways to treat these diseases. They are not nearly as deadly or life threatening as the media wants us to believe. The media is the real enemy here...but that's an entirely different blog post.

4. Non-vaccinating parents make this decision on a whim
Yep. We just woke up one day and decided it would be so much fun to go against the grain and be the target of hatred by every pro vaccinating person on the planet. Because it's a real treat to constantly be judged and ridiculed for your parenting choices. In a word...no. Just no.

5. Non vaccinated kids are unhealthy
I can't speak for every un-vaccinated kid, but mine are VERY healthy. We haven't had a sick visit to the doctor for either child, in nearly 2 years. In fact, my son has never had a sick visit in his life. They eat healthy super foods, we use essential oils and vitamins to build their immune system, and they are rarely sick. Most parents who choose not to vaccinate, live a very crunchy and clean lifestyle...which often results in very healthy children.

The bottom line...


Ya'll...we all start this road of parenting with the same amount of experience. Babies don't come with instructions. Some choices are harder than others, but we are all just trying to make the best choices we can for our kids. Our decisions as parents aren't cookie cutter decisions. Other parents may have reasons for doing something that I don't decide for my own children, but that doesn't make either of us wrong. Shaming parents for their choices is so destructive. We all know how hard it is being a parent. Why don't we shelf the judgement and give each other the kudos we deserve for doing the best we can. Peace and Love. <3

The Young Living Difference

I am going to be straight up honest with you all...I CRINGE when I hear people talking about how they "saved money" buying cheaper oils at the grocery store or a health food store. I am a bargain loving, frugal-ista...so trust me when I say...I LOVE saving money. However, sometimes we get what we pay for, and that is absolute truth when it comes to essential oils. I want to take a second to show you two very different methods of oil removal. First, watch this short video on Young Living's process... Click Here

Now watch how off brand oil companies "distill" their oils. Click Here

Do you see the difference?? In the off brand oil's video, he mentions the possibility of iron and aluminum being in the oil - not good! They also keep it in a plastic bottle. There's no legitimate testing done. There's no way of knowing exactly what all is in that oil. 

THIS is the quality you're buying when you purchase cheap oils. I'm not trying to step on toes, just speaking truth. There's one oil company you can trust, and that's Young Living. Buy from whoever you want, just make sure you're buying Young Living. ;)

Why I don't watch rated R movies

I might be the only adult on the planet who won't watch rated R movies...or at least it feels that way. I even get a heavy sigh from my hubby from time to time when he sees the previews for a movie that peeks his interest...and I shoot it down when I see the R rating. I get giggles and side glances from friends and family when I tell them I'd rather not watch the R rated movie they just picked. I've heard it before...the gasps, the questions and the teasing. Yes, I'm an adult. Yes, I love watching movies. And yes, I can still enjoy a great movie without compromising.

So, before I explain myself, I'd like to start with this...I don't judge people for watching rated R movies...because let's face it...most people do. (and that's a crap load of judging that I don't have time for) So please know that I'm not shaming anyone for watching a rated R movie. I'm simply explaining why I don't. :)

The Bible tells us in multiple places that our heart is directly connected to what we surround ourselves with.

Luke 6:45
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

What we put in, is what will come out. This is a big reason why I avoid rated R movies. It's just my way of protecting my heart. If you continually watch movies with crude jokes and vulgar language...you risk two things - First, you risk the chances of taking on the kind of language you constantly hear. Second, you risk becoming desensitized. The more you surround yourself with vulgar language and crude jokes, the less they bother you. This isn't a place you want to be.

Ephesians 4:29-30

Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

I truly do feel that sexual jokes and swearing grieve the Holy Spirit. I feel extremely uncomfortable when I'm watching a movie and this stuff is in there. This is also a huge reason why I don't watch too many comedians or listen to certain bands. I don't want to get to the place where I become OK or comfortable hearing these things. And I know a lot of my readers are probably shaking their heads and thinking that I'm a major goody-two-shoes right about now...but these are the convictions God has laid on my heart. This verse truly says it all for me...

Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

I want everything I do to be a testimony of my life with Christ. Anything that can jeopardize my integrity, my testimony and my walk with God isn't worth it. 90 minutes of laughter and crude jokes isn't worth it to me. This is my own conviction. I'm not saying that every person who watches rated R movies is a horrible person. Please don't twist my words. What I am saying, is that today...right now...more than ever before, we as Christians have to fight with all our might to guard our hearts and protect our convictions from being corrupted by the world. So, take this post into consideration and do with it what you will. This is just some food for thought, from a small town goody-two-shoes pastor's daughter...just keepin' it real ya'll. ;)

Must Have Monday: Glass Gallon Mason Jar with Spout

Saturday my hubby and I had a date day in Springfield, Illinois. He took me to this awesome store called Five Below. (Everything there is five dollars or below) I am a total "stuffs" girl. I love buying stuff. Jewelry, sunglasses, trinkets of various kinds...so this store was straight up awesome sauce for a girl like me. I found several awesome items...and then my eyes caught a glimpse of a glass gallon mason jar with a spout...for FIVE DOLLARS! If you have ever looked around for one of these, then you'll know that they do not come cheap. I loved it so much that I bought two.

In the crunchy world of holistic living, these glass mason jars are amazeballs. I got them for brewing kombucha, but you could use them for fruit infused water, homemade kefir or whatever your crunchy little mind can think of. ;)

I bought mine at an insanely cheap price, so if you happen to live in an area that has a Five Below, you can find them there for $5 a piece. (You can search for a Five Below near you by clicking here) If you don't have a Five Below near you, I did find these glass gallon jars on Macy's website, starting at $12.99. Find them here.

Brew your own Kombucha or Kefir? I'd love to hear about it! Feel free to leave your favorite recipe in the comments. ;)

DIY Friday: Thieves Spray

If you're a Young Living user, you have probably used Thieves Spray before. (It's amazing!) There is a way to make your own Thieves spray.

Take equal parts of witch hazel and water, 20 drops of Thieves and mix it all together in a glass spray bottle. Shake well, and use.

You're welcome. ;)

For the moms who want more kids

If you're a loyal reader, then you know that I like to keep things pretty lighthearted around here. So, hang tight for one blog post while I let off a little steam, because there's something I feel needs to be said...

There's a common issue I hear between moms, and I've had it happen to myself as well. I'm not sure if it's the times we live in, or what...but when did it suddenly become ok to tell a mom "You don't need to have any more kids." Or "You can't afford any more children." Or "You've got a boy and a girl now, I guess you're done." When did the activities that go on in a woman's uterus suddenly becomes anyone's business other than the said woman and her spouse? And how in the world do you expect a woman who has been so guilted over the very thought of having more children, handle telling people if and when she does get pregnant again?? It's incredible to me how many young women deal with this issue.

 Here's the bottom line - every life is a gift from God. He planned each one. He knew the number of hairs on our head before we even existed. He knows the number of children we will have. He planned it all out for us. He planned their purpose and their annointing before we even conceived them. So tell me, how is it fair for anyone to tell a woman when she's done having more children? God may have a plan for an incredible person to be born. One of influence and change. And you just shamed that mother for wanting more children. If that life is meant to be lived, God will make a way. It's no new situation that most parents struggle a bit financially. Please find me someone who hasn't uttered the words "We struggled to make ends meet when we first had you." Because the truth is, most parents do struggle a little. Does that mean that we close up shop and call it quits? Maybe for you. Maybe it does. And that's ok. But it's also ok for the ones who don't. For the mom who decides she'd rather struggle a little and have her life fulfilled with the richness of her beautiful children. That's ok too. And it's time we stop acting like a woman is less of a person for wanting more kids. 

So how about we start a new trend where we stop saying stupid things to people? You don't get a free pass to be offensive just because you're talking to a mom. I think sometimes we forget that. Love more, talk less. Or how about this oldie - if you don't have anything nice to say...well...you know the rest. ;)

Must Have Monday: Mireh Shave Oil

Mireh Shave Oil...this stuff is amazing! It's made of essential oils, and works great even if you're not using it in the shower. (It's a fantastic product for an on-the-go shave, because it travels well and doesn't require water) And as funny as it may seem, this shave oil is FANTASTIC for your hair! Applying a drop on your hands and running it through your hair, will make your hair shiny and silky. And it's not just me. People who have tried this on their hair all rave about how incredible it is. Try it! You'll love it! 

You can purchase it here