Essential Oils...Placebo effect?

 The past few mornings have been very calm.  I have been diffusing the Rose Essential Oil throughout the house and instead of listening to the morning news I have been playing relaxing music instead.  I think those two behavior changes have actually started to make a difference in how I feel.  Inhaling the sweet aroma is forcing me to take more intentional deep breaths, which perhaps is a reason for my calmness.  And the relaxing music is just so nice.  The morning news just made me feel upset and overwhelmed.  It's nice to be able to know what's going on in the world...but perhaps I don't need to listen to it first thing in the morning.  Perhaps I can just find one good news source and read it rather than listen to it.  It's only been a few days...but I think the essential oils have really started to make a difference.  I have also been more intentional with my morning prayers after exercising.  Taking a few deep breaths prior to beginning my prayer to see if it helps me feel connected to Heavenly Father.  With more practice, I'm sure I will get better at it.

Anyway, whether or not the oils are actually helping or if it's just the placebo effect, I have felt much better the past few days since using them.

This is Caitlyn's Social Studies Assignment.  She had to email a picture to her teacher.

The primary sent each child a "Flat Prophet".  The kids are supposed to take their prophet puppet with them to different places, take pictures, and post them to the primary facebook page.  Such a cute idea!  The kids took the prophet with them to school today!

We went on a walk this morning and I had to laugh -- the kids were dressed as if it were in the middle of winter!  It was maybe 70 degrees outside when we left for the walk but quickly warmed up.  The kids were still adamant about wearing their winter coats and beanies, ha ha.

I'm so proud of our children.  I love them so much and feel so blessed to have them.  I hope and pray that we were not supposed to add another child to our family.  I hope God knows that I am willing.  I hope that He is pleased with our family and my efforts to try and raise them up in a way that would be pleasing unto Him.  I am far from perfect.  Some days I want to give up...other days I have a strong desire to do the best that I can.  I hope that my good days count for something.