Motherhood Essays

This rainy day has me dreaming about the beach! What’s your favorite type of vacation? Beach, mountains, big city, or open country? (Or something else?)

My littlest baby had a 106° fever on Friday. It was one of the scariest moments of my parenting career. These two were quite the handful while we were trapped in the doctor’s office for 4 hours. I had to capture this sweet moment because it was a bright spot in a tough day. He’s doing so much better. Temperature is back down to normal and he’s acting silly and happy again. I am super thankful for my online businesses that allow me to take a day off to hold my sick baby. And still receive a paycheck. What a cool world and time we live in.

Easter triumph, Easter joy! This alone can sin destroy; From sin’s power, Lord, set us free, Newborn souls in you to be. Alleluia! Happy Easter friends!

📍Living that beach life in St. Petersburg, FL! What’s everyone else up to this Easter weekend?

Así es la vida. One of my favorite phrases in Spanish. I was thinking that all day. So much on my to-do list, but I end up spending my afternoon taking my babe to the doctor and entertaining both boys for over an hour to find out Lewis has another ear infection. A double ear infection this time. But hey! That’s life. That’s parenthood. Our days don’t go as planned and we just gotta roll with it or we end up being bitter and resentful about little things that don’t matter. I’m learning to embrace the ups and downs and find some good in every day. I’m learning to say “Well that was annoying/frustrating/the worst,” then move on with my day. Así es la vida. What’s going on with you guys? Tell me something good!

I got these head wraps in Ecuador when I was in college and for some reason they make me feel like the most fun, adventurous version of myself: Emília de la Playa. Time to go back to Ecuador to get more...this time with the kids! (That’s the dream anyway...)

3 reasons why I choose to build a health and wellness network marketing business: 1. Flexibility. Parents, you know what I'm talking about. Stuff comes up all the time. Sick kids. Travel. After-school activities. The list goes on. This gives me the flexibility and freedom to work when I want and still contribute steadily to our family's income. 2. I use the products every single day, come hurricane, snowstorm, or travel to other countries because they make me feel so good! They make eating healthy so simple. Wouldn't it be rude not to share something that I rely on so heavily to look and feel my best as a mom? Sharing is caring :) 3. My kids are watching. They watch as I carefully set up photos and edit them. They listen as I talk about the importance of eating lots of protein and fruits and vegetables. They watch me enjoy a donut without guilt, too. They watch as I step into my creativity and use my gifts to empower others. They know Mommy is passionate and excited about her work. They also know I'll set it aside at a moment's notice when they need me. It's a family affair.

And some days all is right with the world. Loving a slow morning sipping coffee, then a family walk on the beach. What are you up to this weekend?

Spring is coming! That can only mean one thing: COLD BREW COFFEE SEASON IS UPON US! There’s nothing I love more than sipping an ice cold coffee on that first warm morning of the year...windows down, flip flops on...you feel me? ☕️☕️☕️ Have you guys tried @civilizedcoffee ? They have a blend made specifically for cold brew so it’s nice and smooth with low acidity. I also love they the company is local to Jacksonville. Bonus? You can order it on Amazon! (I’ve linked to it in my bio). Use my discount code: 12SPLASHED ☕️☕️☕️ How do you take your coffee? I like a splash of salted caramel creamer in mine...

World’s best kitchen helpers 💕

We don’t have to soak up and enjoy every moment of parenthood. 🙄 We can have side hustles, jobs, hobbies, and lives outside of our children. 👩🏼‍💻 I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough of the pressure to shower my children with my undivided attention every moment of their adorable little lives. It’s not realistic, and it’s not healthy. 🙅🏼‍♀️ Read them a book, then let them play independently while you fold laundry. Do a puzzle together then let them color a picture while you get work done. Drop them off at school or daycare while you put in an honest day’s work. It’s all good, mamas. It’s ok for your kids to know the world doesn’t revolve around them. 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 It’s not a contest to see who can log the most hours with their child. There is only love. If your kids know they are loved and safe, you’re doing a great job. 💕❤️💕

Meet my sister Maggie. She’s a powerhouse 4th grade teacher who works incredibly hard at her job. This week she was able to put an unexpected amount of money toward her student loans - something she’s really been hustling hard to do. I want to share how she did this. 3.5 years ago she decided to give nutritional cleansing a try and had amazing results. She released over 10 pounds and gained confidence and energy she had been missing. Some friends saw her newfound confidence and energy and decided to join her. Health is contagious! Maggie does not actively build a business because she’s a crazy busy school teacher. She simply loves the products and uses them every day. She loves how the shakes and nutritionally supported cleanse make her feel. She loves how it cuts down on her grocery budget. She loves the convenience. Anyway, this company is awesome because it rewards loyalty. She’s had business volume slowly accumulating beneath her. When another friend decided to restart her health journey, Maggie received a huge "thank you" referral bonus for actively ordering every month. I just want to let that sink in. I shop at Target every week. I tell everyone I know how much I love Target. But Target never pays me for sending people to buy their groceries. You don’t have to actively build a business or be a salesperson to share something you love. When you get your spark back because of good nutrition, people take notice. It’s a solution many are praying for. Maggie just took the opportunity to share what was helping her, and it paid off big time. Thanks for trusting me, Mags! Congrats on your big week. #teachersofig #teacherlife

Five Fun Friday Facts about Me! [One] I love to travel. I’ve been to 10 countries and counting. I was a Spanish major and taught high school Spanish and German, so most of those trips have been mission trips, immersion trips, or chaperoning school trips. 🗺 🛫 🛣 [Two] I was born in New Jersey, raised in the Midwest, and now call Florida home. 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 [Three] I recently achieved a life goal when I was featured on a podcast - @notthetypicalmom. @stefanireinoldmd is amazing. Go check put her podcast 📱🎙 👂 [Four] my faith is the most important thing to me. I attended Lutheran schools from preschool all the way through college. When you understand God’s grace, nothing can compare. ⛪️ ❤️ ✝️ [Five] I wanted to work from home after I had my first baby so I started a health and wellness business. I never dreamed that the products would change my life or that I would become so fascinated by nutrition! I love sharing with other moms because we ALL deserve to feel that good! 🌱 🥦 💦 What’s something fun about you?

In honor of FREE MEMBERSHIP this week and spring cleaning your body from the inside out, I’m going to share a few things I want you to know about this health journey I’ve been walking the past 4 years. 💕Quick fixes won’t stand the test of time. This is a program designed to flood your body with the nutrition it craves through every phase and stage of life. 💕Each body is fearfully and wonderfully made. Each body is different. Your order will be customized to fit your specific needs. 💕I’ve been lifted up, supported, and loved on by an amazing community. I want that for you, too. 💕Once you order your first box of magic, you have access to wholesale prices for a year, but you have no obligation to keep ordering. 💕You get to try cellular cleansing. It’s a form of supported intermittent fasting. It’s backed by science, and coffee and chocolate are encouraged on cleanse days. 💕Yes, I have seen wonderful physical results, but the biggest change has been on the inside. 💕You can start with friends and have a built-in accountability group, which means you’re more likely to be successful. It also means you can collect on some sweet referral bonuses (and so can your friends). 💕You can also start by yourself, and still have a built-in community of people cheering you on. 💕People start for lots of reasons: better sleep, less stress, wanting to lose stubborn pounds and inflammation, better workouts + faster results, and healthy aging. People stay because it works. 💕I love this stuff and would keep taking it if I never made another dollar. I’m not here to make a sale. I’m here to make sure you have the best resources you need to meet your goal. Your wins are my wins. And with that I raise my glass of Creamy Dutch Chocolate in a toast to almost 4 years of the good stuff. Here’s to many more years, and more friends joining in the feel-good, look-great revolution!

Who likes chocolate? How about organic gluten-free chocolate? 🍫 Yeah. Me too. In fact, I love @ochocandy candy bars so much (I mean my kids love them…) that I’m teaming up with them to give away a chocolate-lover’s care package! 🍫 These candy bars did NOT last long in my house. In fact, we will be stocking up on more for Easter baskets and for me to steal and snack on while hiding in a closet. 🍫 To enter, just follow me and @ochocandy and leave a comment on this photo telling me what you would do with a giant package of organic candy bars (Easter basket? Snacks for mom? Bribery for the children?) 🍫 I’ll pick a winner on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. eastern. Good luck!

The big kids! We had the BEST few days in Orlando with my parents. The kids were pumped that they got to sleep in a hotel. Even though it was a little too chilly to swim the morning we checked out, we still enjoyed the views around the pool! Love my little travelers!