Home made laundry detergent

Ah ha! I did it! I heard about easy ways to make your own laundry detergent for very cheap on bulk and I just had to know more!! I found a recipe online and followed All of the steps and viola!!!! Home made laundry detergent!! The best part of it is it is all natural and HE compatible. I got a 5 gallon bucket for $2 at Lowes, a box of Borax for $1.85 at Target, a box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda for $3.00 and a bar of Fels-Naphtha laundry bar soap for $.98 at Walmart.

You use:

1bar of Fels-Naphtha
1/2 cup of Borax
1 cup of Arm & Hammer washing soda

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

•Works well in traditional or HE machines.

•Low sudsing. It is the ingredients in the soap, not the suds, that does the cleaning.

•Clumping and geling of the detergent is normal. Stir before putting in dispenser, and shake before each use.

Pieces of My Heart

Before I became a Mom I swore I would never be the type to show off every picture of my child. I have officially became, "One of those!" I mean, really? How could you not want to look, swoon over and demand to see more and repeatedly pictures of my adorable children whom make up the pieces of my heart!

Viv, 8 and Little Optimus, 3 1/2 were so easy to get pictures of together

My loves! It was a little hard to get Bear, 6months, to take a picture with the older kids because he did not enjoy them holding him. 

This pictures makes me want to cry. ALso, because Little Optimus has my late Dad's eyebrows. 

This one was super funny because while Vivi and Bear were scared out of their whits to be up on a tree branch (Hubby and I were spotting them from behind) Little Optimus was laughing at both of them. 

I love the effects that Erin put on this picture. Its so gorgeous!

I don't even want to tell you why he was laughing but this is a perfect picture for my silly boy. his really is his personality. 

He melts my heart

My baby bear cub can just melt you with those eyes!!

She really got some great pictures here

AAAAhhhhhh sniff sniff

I seriously started crying when I saw this. I love my Baby bear and those eyes!

When did my little baby girl turn into such a beautiful young lady? 

So gorgeous!

What a model she is! Erin got some great angles!

I finally got a good shot of her with her cowgirl boots!

This smile is the best! You can't help but laugh.


My very good childhood friend Erin did these pictures for me and I am absolutely in love with them. She is very talented and just Amazing!  I've know her for ...gosh, umm... 15 years? She is very talented. She does pictures on the side but also does everything wedding related. You can see her work at http://erinsweddingdesign.wordpress.com

Autumn is almost here

One of these days I will update my blog on a regular basis! Until then, I will continue to add a few random sentences on as time allows. :)

Random sentence #1. School has started and I am not enjoying getting 3 kids out of the door by 8am everyday and out the door to pick up the eldest from school everyday. Getting everyone is the car and out for drop off or pick up takes about 5x longer than it should. Why did I decide to not homeschool? Sigh.. Ok rant is over..

Random sentence #2. #1's sentence was way more than sentence.

Random Sentence #3. I just love living in the country! It's so peaceful!

Random Sentence #4. I swear I love being a woman but I am mostly excited and have been anticipating fall for one thing...Hoodie Sweatshirts!! I could wear them everyday all day!! It is the definition of comfort meets power suit.

4 am

What's on my mind-

Homeschooling

My daughter wanted to go back to school this year... So we're giving it a try.I just can't shake the homeschool bug so I've been very eagerly coming up with a Preschool plan for my 3 year old. I am very excited and looking forward to our new schedule.

Also.. My son is awake.. I like schedules.. My 4 month old usually sleeps through the night from about 10:30-7am.. But today he decided to be wide awake at 4am... And I can't stop thinking about how this will effect my day with my older kids today... Is it too early to start my coffee... Where is my espresso machine? O yeah, I don't have one. Have to add that to my Christmas list.

I heard something amazing yesterday and I have been so excited that I am going to try it! Baby led weaning!! I am all about no fuss and leave out all the bells and whistles with this baby and he seems to be my happiest yet so I think this might just work! Anyone have any experience with this? Let me know!

What else... I had no idea that the train comes by twice between the hours of 3-4:30am.

Moving

Just an update...

We are Moving!!! Yes, we finally made the leap and found the next home for our family. As you know, we live in a 2 bedroom condo now with now 3 kids. We have been praying for some time now for God to lead us to our next home and we are happy to announce we are moving in 2 weeks!

Our new home is more into "the country" than the suburbs I've lived in for 27 years. It is 15 minutes away but it really does take you away from all of the city...or crowded suburbs.

Although it will be an adjustment for me, our kids are so excited!! They love the outdoor space and the beautiful views!

So back to moving.... Phew!!! It has been a good 4 years since I have moved and it defiantly is different now. It is making me feel so old! I used to be able to get it all packed in a day or two but now I am finding myself taking
More breaks. There always is a good feeling about moving!! Cleaning out all your junk and getting rid of all unnecessary things is so refreshing!! It is also a good way of letting things go!

The Struggles...

My toddler! My wonderful and spirited 3 year old son is having a harder time with boxing up his toys and getting rid of the old ones... All of sudden they are all his favorites! Go figure??!!

But I have a hard time boxing up my books and convincing myself that I can go 2 weeks without needing to read them!

The fun part....

Thinking of all the new decorations and furniture that will complete our new home!

And the feeling of closing a chapter of our lives and starting a new one... And trust me..there are quite a few things we are closing the chapter on!