Postpartum Emotions & Stress Away

I had a LOT of postpartum emotions after my last pregnancy & felt like a hot mess.

Nothing & nobody could help me get out of my funk when it would hit,
& every little thing would send my mind thinking about the worst possible outcome.
Sometimes it would hit me like a train & I would be frozen in my thoughts,
feeling completely & utterly
alone.

Imagine you're driving down the freeway.
Someone switches over into your lane without checking their blindspot
& you have to swerve out of the way to prevent being hit.
The adrenaline kicks your survival instincts in gear
& your heart is pumping with fear,
but that feeling never leaves.
Or you feel like you're drowning & can't breathe,
when in reality,
you're just sitting on the couch.

"It's like having super powers but having no control over them.
It's the strength of  the Hulk, but it comes out as anger.
It's Harry Potter's invisibility cloak, but you can't choose when you get to wear it.
It's wanting to be as brave as Batman, but being too afraid to leave the bat cave.
It's knowing you are a superhero, but you are stuck in a body/mind that won't let you.
It's wanting to save the world, but you can't even save yourself."
-- Bex A.--
<<https://bit.ly/2QkPgeT>>

Those are some of the things I was feeling, even with medication.
It was rough.

My friend introduced me to Young Living essential oils.
Although skeptical, I decided to get a kit & try them for emotional support.
I was blown away by how much Stress Away helped me get through those debilitating emotions!
I felt like a completely different person whenever I used it
& was able to calm down & regain my focus whenever I was frozen in my whirlwind of emotions.
I wasn't expecting such a welcoming community
full of hope, inspiration, encouragement, & friendships!
I can't even begin to describe the gratitude I feel for our team & especially this business.
It has truly changed my life for the better in more ways than I could imagine!

I'm not going to lie...
I still feel those emotions from time to time,
but now I have an arsenal of support that I didn't have before -
including amazing products that support my well-being
& an amazing team that cares about my well-being.
These help me overcome the challenges that come with those intense emotions much easier.

I know I'm not alone in this.
Many people deal with those same emotional challenges I mentioned earlier,
& we ALL have some sort of stress in our lives.
Stress can manifest in a number of ways,
& what's stressful to one person may not be a stressor to someone else.
BUT, we all have it to some degree...

I'm going to be giving away a bottle of Stress Away at one of my Intro to Oils classes later this month
so that someone else can benefit from this amazing blend
& the welcoming community that our team has to offer!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
∙∙∙ Leave a comment below ∙∙∙
∙∙∙ Follow me on IG @rootedinpurelove or join my product education group on FB ∙∙∙
∙∙∙ Join the Intro to Oils class where the giveaway will be taking place ∙∙∙
∙∙∙ Invite a friend that you know could benefit from Stress Away & this community ∙∙∙

Note: This giveaway is exclusively for those that aren't currently Young Living members. Members already have access to these amazing products & communities, & I want to bless someone that is currently lacking those things as I once was.

xoxo

O Christmas Tree

When I was growing up,

we would always travel with my extended family on my Dad's side

to a certain location in the mountains

where we would find & chop down our own Christmas Trees.

My Gramma would bring a giant thermos full of hot chocolate to warm us up

& we would all enjoy each other's company.

It was a wonderful tradition & I love the memories that we shared.

After we moved away we started going to a tree lot & picking one out.

Still fun, but definitely not the same.

Eventually we switched to an artificial tree.
I wasn't too fond of the idea at first because of all the nostalgia I had associated with real trees,
but after going back to a real tree for my first married Christmas
I realized that artificial trees aren't all that bad.
Real trees are meant to stay outside.
So in the words of the Lorax,
"Let it grow"

Here are some things I've grown to love about artificial trees:
With an artificial tree I don't have to mess with needles or sap.
I don't have to climb underneath to water it since it doesn't need water.
It stays green longer.
By longer, I mean forever.
Unless you get one of those white ones.
Then it would stay white forever.
But that's besides the point.
I don't have to balance the tree.
I don't get poked by 3419 needles when setting up
or taking down the decorations.
I don't have to buy a new tree every year.
Although nothing compares to the smell of a real tree,
there are scent sticks that you can hang so that it smells real.
We tried them out last year & were very pleased.
I think my husband's favorite thing about artificial trees is that you can buy them pre-lit.
Stringing the lights was something he definitely didn't look forward to each year.

While I'm on the topic of artificial trees...

King of Christmas sells both lit & unlit artificial Christmas trees
& they are hosting a giveaway right now!
There are two prizes:
-- Their Cypress Spruce 7 foot artificial Christmas tree w/ LED lights --
-- $100 giftcard for kingofchristmas.com --

Pretty awesome, right?
Definitely worth checking out!

We usually try to set our tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving & I can't wait!

When do you start decorating for Christmas?
Do you prefer artificial trees or real ones?

xoxo

This is a sponsored post for those of you that care to know,

but all thoughts are my own.

Promise.

Sneaking Suspicions by Jan Hinds - Book Review & Giveaway

I have another great book to share with you today!
"Sneaking Suspicions" by Jan Hinds
is the first book in the Tharon Trace Mysteries.

"Sneaking Suspicions" occurs in the year 2056
after a flu pandemic killed off almost half of the world's population 5 years prior.
It takes place in Northeastern Indiana in the Fort Wayne vicinity
which made the story much more real to me
since I knew many of the locations mentioned in the book after having lived there.
It's a somewhat plausible future which gives it an eerie feel.

Eleven (almost twelve) year old Tharon Trace & her friends are kidnapped after witnessing a murder
& overhear a conversation while abducted that unveils a much bigger plot within the plot.
They have to escape & let someone know what they heard
but don't know who they can trust.
Their parents & local police are risking their own lives
while doing everything they can to find the missing children.

The children in the book are at that awkward stage in life that I absolutely loathed.
I remember it all too well & connected to Tharon instantly.
Middle school.
Wanting to fit in with the cool kids & grow up,
but also wanting to keep your childhood life & friends.
I wish I could go back in time & give myself some extra guidance...

Anywho, I really enjoyed the close friendships throughout the story,
as well as the faith, love, & dedication the families have in finding their children.

Here's a little bit of insight from the author as to how the story came about...

I thought I'd share with you a little bit about how the process started.

I used to work in the window coverings department at JCPenney and one day I had a customer whose first name was Tharon. As soon as I saw the name I told her I was going to use that name for a character in a book.

Tharon started as a medieval huntress and evolved to the tween of the not too distant future. Current events played a major role in the evolution of the story as well, to shape a frighteningly plausible future. Some of the current events that influenced the story have to remain a secret to prevent too much of a spoiler.

I actually wrote Book 3 first but when it was finished, I decided to write two books to span the time leading up to it, otherwise, too much of the story would be told as a flashback.

I am hoping to have Book 2 available in September and Book 3 in the early part of 2015. The final book in the series will be in the latter part of 2015. I have two or three short stories or novellas planned as well.

- Jan Hinds

"Sneaking Suspicions" is available on Amazon
in both Kindle & Paperback formats.
If you're interested in purchasing the Kindle version,
there will be a Kindle countdown deal running from Friday, July 25th until August 1st.
During that time you can buy it for .99 cents in the Kindle format!

Remember that you can always download the free Kindle app on your smartphone or tablet
to read the eBook even if you don't own a Kindle!

I am hosting a giveaway
for a signed paperback copy of "Sneaking Suspicions"
& a $10 Amazon gift card
so make sure you enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to follow Jan Hinds on:

Facebook

xoxo

eNKSPOTy

I've done a couple book reviews in the past so as you may already know,
I love to read.
Do you love to read?

There's this awesome new site called eNKSPOTy

that hosts constant YA eBook giveaways, freebies, & deals!

Right now they are hosting 3 giveaways:

"A Memory Apart" by Daniel Elijah

"Waterfall: A Novel (River of Time Series)" by Lisa T. Bergren

"The Hunger Games Trilogy" by Suzanne Collins

Don't forget to check out the awesome freebies & deals section...
The deals range anywhere from .99 cents to $3.99, but there are a lot of free ones as well.

There's even deals on classics like "The Anne of Green Gables Collection"!

A sister site is in the works called eNKSPOTc.

It will be geared specifically towards Clean fiction & Christian fiction.

There aren't any giveaways, freebies, or deals listed on there yet

but it will work the same as eNKSPOTy from my understanding...

IF YOU ARE AN AUTHOR:

If you are a young teen fiction or young adult fiction author

and are looking for some extra exposure for your Kindle eBook,

check out eNKSPOTy's current author promotions.

Right now they are offering FREE giveaway, freebie, & deal promotion opportunities to authors.

These FREE promotion opportunities will end on Feb 28, 2014 so act fast!

If you miss that, from March 1, 2014 until June 1, 2014 eNKSPOTy will be offering 1/2 off

to any authors who participate in any giveaway, freebie, or deals promotion.
Pretty sweet, huh?

Seriously though...

What a great site for readers & authors alike!

If you want to check out my book reviews:
"A Memory Apart" by Daniel Elijah
(chapter 1) "Love.Loss.&Oh.My.Heck." by Maryn Hillman

This is not a sponsored post & I was not compensated for this review.
I just wanted to let you know about eNKSPOTy because reading is marvelous.

xoxo

A Memory Apart - Kindle eBook giveaway

So as I mentioned a couple weeks ago
in my "Love.Loss.&Oh.My.Heck." chapter 1 review...
(speaking of which, Chapter 2 is now up on Maryn's blog for you to read)
I finished reading my cousin Daniel Elijah's first published book,
"A Memory Apart"
& I absolutely loved it!
(I promise I'm not just saying that because we're related!)

Here's a quick summary in my words:
"A Memory Apart" is a clean love story from the perspective of a teenage boy named Joshua.
The kind of love Joshua & Hayden had for each other was special
& it had been that way for as long as he could remember.
But with a very unexpected turn of events,
he finds himself torn, confused,
& in the middle of a love triangle
that he never would have anticipated.

I loved Daniel's use of descriptive words throughout the book.
It made it really easy to get a feel for each of the characters' distinct personalities.
At first I thought that Joshua was a little too obsessed with Hayden,
but thinking back to when I first fell in love with Hubby
I realized that he pretty much nailed how I felt.
I was obsessed.
Once I remembered what it's like to be a love-struck teenager
it was much easier for me to get into the book.
I enjoyed it more & more as I read on.
As the plot continued to unfold,
I got so into the story
that I had a hard time putting it down.
Don't believe me?
Ask Hubby.

I asked Daniel to write a special message to you readers,
& am more than pleased with his inspiring words...

Dear reader,

When I set out to write "A Memory Apart," I wanted to write an enduring love story that readers of all ages would find enjoyable, but more importantly, I wanted to craft a tale about living life in a way that creates lasting memories. I have always believed life is the total of our experiences, good and bad. Each of these experiences, and the people we experience them with, create who we are. It's my hope that as you read about Joshua Freemont you will come to better appreciate every moment you have in your life. And hopefully when you're old, and when I'm old, we'll look back and realize that our lives have been monumental blessings.

I hope you'll be inspired to live your life to the fullest, just like I was inspired by Joshua. He let me into his world, and I'm happy to share his story with you. 

Enjoy,

Daniel Elijah

Such great advice (:
I completely agree with Daniel
& think it's important to appreciate every moment of our lives.
Like he said above...
Our lives are molded by not just our good experiences, but also our trials.
So why not live our lives to the fullest,
enjoy the good times,
& learn from the hard times?


"A Memory Apart" was a quick & easy read,
but very enjoyable nonetheless.
Because I enjoyed the book so much,
& because we both enjoy the support of all you wonderful readers out there,
I am going to be hosting a fun little giveaway!

The winner will receive
a copy of the "A Memory Apart" eBook
& a $25 Amazon giftcard!

"A Memory Apart" is currently available in the Kindle format.
Don't have a Kindle?
No worries!
You can download the free Kindle app on your smartphone or tablet to enjoy the eBook.

Enter below via Rafflecopter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
xoxo

1-Year Blogiversary Giveaway

That's right folks!
Life is Fantasmic has officially been around for one year!
Well, almost...
The actual one-year mark is on September 6th.

A couple of my other blogging buddies are also celebrating their one-year blogiversaries this September...
If you have a one-year blogiversary this month,
leave a message in the comments
& I'll update this post with a shout out link to your blog as well!

Lisa over at Pebbles and Piggytails is celebrating her first year of blogging this month!


Her blog is all about the power of Moms.
The gray & yellow reminds us that
sometimes life has sad or gray moments,
but to be cheerful because the sunny & bright times will always follow.
Being a Mom can be tough at times,
but she knows how important it is to stay optimistic!
Love her,
& love her blog (:

Cathy over at A Peek Into My Paradise is celebrating her one-year blogiversary too!

She's celebrating with this amazing month-long giveaway that she organized,

What would you buy with $500?
Amazon, Target, Paypal...
You choose how you want your $500
Awesome, right?

27 bloggers contributed towards that amount.
15 of those bloggers are co-hosting the giveaway on their blogs,
& I'm one of them!
That's right.
You can enter the giveaway right here!
How convenient for you (:

The 15 wonderful co-hosts:

Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

Josi @ That Suburban Momma

Angie @ Snack Cups and Smiles

Ruth @ My Devotional Thoughts

Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty

Jeanie @ Create and Babble

Amy @ Love, Amybecca..x

Melissa @ Home on Deranged

Marissa @ Life is Fantasmic

Cat & Katrina @ Thinking Outside The Sandbox: Family

Kelly @ Hoppy Bottoms 

Sofia @ Something on Everything

Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry

Teri @ The Freshman Cook

Sunnefa @ Coder Mommy

The other amazing sponsors that contributed to the giveaway:

Lisa @ Chronically Content

Elizabeth @ Food Ramblings

Lanaya @ Raising Reagan

Elena @ Cropped Stories

Stephanie @ The TipToe Fairy

Natalie @ At Home with the Hinkleys

Amy @ The Stitchin' Mommy

Lori @ A Pinch of Glitter

Kim @ Enjoy the View

Consie @ Atop Serenity Hill

Jessica @ The Wondering Brain

Britney @ Mommy on Demand

Yep, each of these wonderful ladies contributed towards the $500 giveaway.

The winner gets to choose how they want the money...

The $500 can be divvied out in $50 giftcard increments between

Target,

Amazon,

& Paypal.

It can be split between two or all three of the above options,

or you can spend it all in one place.

The giveaway will be going on the entire month of September

& will close Monday, September 30th at 11:59pm (PDT)

So the question is...

What would you do with your $500?

Enter to win via rafflecopter here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

• Open Worldwide except where prohibited by law. 
• No purchase necessary. To enter, participants must use the Rafflecopter tool, have a Facebook and Pinterest account to have entries in those social media.
• Winner Must have a Paypal account if Paypal Cash is chosen.
• Winner will be selected by Random.org and be notified by email. Winners have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. Please note that A Peek Into My Paradise is responsible for the sending the prize "money".
• I do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner. This giveaway is not affiliated or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.
• Must be 18 or older to enter this Giveaway.

One-year blogiversaries this September:
Life is Fantasmic
Pebbles and Piggytails
A Peek Into My Paradise
Lunchbox Dad

xoxo