A Song In My Heart

Do you have one of those songs where the lyrics just stick with you? I mean really stick with you. On great days and on not-so-great days? This is mine. I've been scheduled to the hilt lately and I have had a string of pretty great days. Its so nice to be able to say  that! But this is the song that has been on replay in my head, even on the great days. I'm reminded of the promise that God will NEVER leave me. He is there to guide me through the dark. He is there to comfort me when I'm hurting. And I know He loves being there to celebrate in accomplishments, to find joy in the routine and the relish in the success of a great day. This is the link to the recording. I hope you'll listen and that this song will stick in your heart like it has stuck in mine. And remember He will never ever ever EVER leave you!

I lift my eyes up...

Psalm 121 has really been on my heart the last few days.


I know, you thought I was going to talk about the Wolfberry Eye Cream I snagged at Young Living Beauty School. :) Another post for another day.


Back to Psalm 121. I've had he honor of knowing some pretty amazing people in my lifetime. They have all been good at different things. Some are living on this earth and some are now living with the Lord. One thing they all had in common is that they wanted everyone around them to follow their dreams. They were personal friends to many people, yet everyone they interacted with felt special, like they were an important part of their lives. These people are the game changers. These people are the dreamers. They push you to be better...not who they want you to be, but to be a better YOU. They loved the Lord deeply and seem to have an understanding of grace and love that I'm just coming to understand. They trusted the Lord like the Psamlist trusted in Psalm 121. An un-waivering sense of "it will be okay because God has my back." I hope this Psalm is encouraging to you today, wherever you may be on your road to fully trusting in God.

Until Next Time,
Julie

Young Living Beauty School:::Sneak Peek!

I just realized that I didn't post at all in February! I was a busy bee! I did a health fair, 5 classes for brand new Young Living members and two Advanced Education classes! And it showed in the growth of my entire team. One thing I'm learning from the leaders I've had the privilege of being in close proximity to is that hard work pays off. Leaders are in the lead because they're working hard to get the job done and they're constantly learning new things to grow as a person as well.

My husband and I just returned home today from the first ever Young Living Beauty School! It was at the beautiful Zermatt Resort in Midway, Utah. Not only did we get to have a bit of a get away, I got to rub elbows and learn from some of the leaders and up and comers in Young Living. Relationship is key in growing in any business, but for me its the fuel that drives me. Honestly, if I didn't make a dime, but still had the chance to impact positive change in the lives of others, I'd still do everything. Its about learning from people who have been where you are, gleaning the wisdom they have to offer and making it your own.The people are the best part about Young Living!

Before I show you the sneak peek, I want to publicly announce our March classes.

Saturday, March 9th is HOLY HORMONES! (yep, its capitalized for a reason). Do you feel like a slave to your hormones? Come learn some ways to manage what is happening in your body! This is the link to register. http://holyhormones.eventbrite.com/

Saturday, March 16th is Healing Oils of the Bible. This class is an incredible opportunity to experience each of the Twelve Oils of Ancient Scripture. Not only do you get to use these oils, but we'll make the link between scripture and the science behind why each oil was used in each circumstance listed. This is the link to register: http://bibleoilsokc.eventbrite.com/

Okay, now to the Sneak Peek! The photo below includes product from my new nightly regimen because of what I learned at YL Beauty School. As you know from previous posts, I'm a terrible face washer. I just get tired and lazy at night (especially after late night blog posts!) and I skip the face washing. So stay tuned to the blog and like us on facebook so you can keep up with what is to come. I think its pretty exciting. This routine takes about 5 minutes. And lets face it, when you're already up, what is an additional five minutes to maintain youthful, healthy, nourished skin?

 Orange Blossom facial wash, ART toner, Essential Beauty Serum, Juenesse, Wolfberry Eye Cream and ART Night Reconstructor Cream. All with incredible, pure essential oils.

Until Next Time,
Julie

Trusting God

Do you ever have those weeks when everything seems to be falling apart? I kind of had one of those weeks. But the awesome thing that happened in the midst of this weird week was the feeling that it was all still held together. There is something incredible and amazing that happens when you just decide to let go and trust God completely with everything. I mean everything. Your finances, your marriage, your children, your health, your job/career, everything. The scriptures that have just been playing over and over in my head are two that have been written on my heart for a long time, but they never get old and I never get tired of them. They're always comforting and always seem to have a new meaning every time I'm reminded of them.

The first one is Colossians 3:23 ( I like the NIV for this one):

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not human masters."

Its just what it says...do everything with the degree of love and affection that you would do it for God himself. Folding sheets? Fold them like they're going in the bedroom cabinet of Jesus. Typing a memo for your boss? Be careful, be efficient and be mindful just like you would if you were sending out a memo on behalf of Jesus. Seems simple, right? Well, its not always simple. I know sometimes my ego and human nature get in the way. I forget to assume the best of people like Christ would. I forget to give grace first...if I did this, I might not jump to conclusions so easily. I'm a work in progress and I love that this scripture is never very far from me. I need the reminder a lot. 

The second one is Jude 1:2 (I like this one in the Message version):

"Relax, everything's going to be alright; rest, everything's coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way!"

This one comes to me so often I might as well tattoo it on my body. I'm a type A person. I like to plan, I like to have a plan and planning is the key to success. Yep, its that intense. This scripture reminds me that God is in control. He doesn't need me to plan one thing for His plan to be successful. BUT when I allow Him to take over my plans, He perfects them. When I allow Him to work, things flow smoothly. When I allow Him to move, He moves me to places I never could have dreamed of going. So I'm practicing letting go...just like you practice love, just like you practice forgiveness, just like you practice a skill. Because that's what it is...its a fine tuned skill. You know how your grandmother just keeps her thoughts to herself even though you know she has something to say? Some people call that being a Lady. I call it maturity. You know what Grandma does later? She prays about it and gives it back to God. She lets go and trusts that He will work it out. 

What scriptures are on your heart this week?

Until Next Time, 

Julie

Stress Away...Thank God!

Today was a crazy crazy crazy day! It all started when I woke up to the sound of water. It sounded like someone had turned on our garden hose in the front. Its a common morning sound in the summer, but not on a 31 degree winter morning. I did some investigating to find the noise at all of our floor vents. I also found mega condensation on the inside of our windows. Yep. We had a leak and the water was running through our ducts. No water in the actual vents or in the house, but outside the pipes. Ugh. Like any smart, self respecting woman, I called my very handy father-in-law. Hubby was already at work and probably in class (he's a teacher). After doing some investigating with FIL on the phone and getting a steam facial while checking out one of the vents, we decided I should call the plumber. I was nervous...leaking pipes in the foundation did not seem like in ingredient in the recipe for a good day to me. Luckily, the plumber we use is also a heat and air guy too. He's awesome. Like AWESOME! Hubby coached his son a few years back, he knows super handy FIL and is an all-around good guy. I knew that if I was going to trust anyone with this mega job, it would be him. (On a side note, if you need a great plumber or heat/air guy in the Oklahoma City area, email me. I'll give you his info.) I called, he diagnosed almost immediately: slab leak. He would be able to fit us in this afternoon. I'm not sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to home stuff, but slab leak in my head sounded like jackhammers in my house and all that comes with those. I was not excited. I retreated to work.

I came home as soon as I got the "headed your way" call. After some walking around my embarassingly messy home (c'mon ya'll! I have a toddler!), we figured out that the leak was under my wash room floor. It has been oddly hot for the last 3 or 4 days. Now we know why. Mr. Amazing Plumber was able to figure out exactly which pipe was leaking, stop it and re-route things through the attic. NO jackhammers! Yeehaw!

So Julie, what oils did you use today? So glad you asked! I basically bathed in Stress Away before leaving the house. It helped a lot. It put things in perspective. I was able to count my blessings instead of counting my problems. I realized that this was fixable. This was not life-threatening. We have savings for a reason. I have a good job that allows me to take a day off for stuff like this. ALL Blessings. After the walk thru, I put Stress Away in my cheeks - yes, in my mouth. It was the suggestion of a facebook friend. It doesn't taste bad at all. And I felt very relaxed very quickly. I knew things were in good hands. So I got to catch up on the long neglected chore of finishing un-decking our halls. Yep...there was still some stuff up. Its a process friends. I'm also diffusing Thieves like its going out of style and we're armed with Theives Cleaner too.

That leak and this day are now in the bag. Time for some good sleep. Mommy and me swimming lessons are tomorrow morning!

Until Next Time,
Julie

10 Simple Steps to Happiness at Home

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! ***cue the horns and confetti***

I hope you had a great time ringing in 2013 with people you love. I know we had a spectacular time with some old friends. You know, the thing about old friends is that they know how you used to be, they've seen you grow and they still love you. Its a great feeling. Here is a picture of our little ones ready to party down for the new year. 

Cutest kids you've ever seen, right? Me too :) 

Well, in honor of the changing of the calender to a fresh new year, I want to share this list with you. I found it on apartmenttherapy.com. You can view the original here. I really think this list is a wonderful way to start fresh, whether its January or July. Just make the decision to live your life and live it with gratitude. Now, if you want to implement some essential oils, take a whif of Young Livivng Peppermint before you hop out of bed. It will wake you up. And start your day with some Valor on your feet and some deep breaths while standing. It will help to ground you for the day and get you started off right. Apply Frankincense to your forehead during your prayer time for a deeper spiritual connection. And why not add some Joy to your gratitude journal? 

Well here is the list. Enjoy it. Share it with friends. And most importantly, love your life. You get to start fresh every day. Act like it!

-----the following is from apartmenttherapy.com-----

1. Make your bed. In a popular post last month, I explained the many benefits of daily bed-making. Gretchen Rubin, New York Times best-selling author of The Happiness Project, explains that this three minute task is one of the simplest habits you can adopt to positively impact your happiness.

2. Bring every room back to "ready." I learned this trick from Marilyn Paul's clever book, It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys. It's a known fact: Clutter causes stress; order creates a haven from it. This mood-boosting routine is simple: Take about three minutes to bring each room back to "ready" before you depart it. (Unless you have a toddler, or a partner who likes to simulate earthquakes, three minutes should be sufficient.)

3. Display sentimental items around your home. One reason that experiences (and memories of those experiences) make us happier than material things is due to the entire cycle of enjoyment that experiences provide: planning the experience, looking forward to the experience, enjoying the experience, and then remembering the experience. Make your home a gallery of positive memories.

4. Start a one-line-a-day gratitude journal. Before bed, simply jot down one happy memory from that day. (If you have kids, you can ask them, "What was the best part of today?") Reflection is an important part of happiness, and pausing to reflect on a positive event from each day cultivates gratitude. (An added bonus: Later, when your memory is defunct, you will already have all of your meaningful adventures recorded!) If you have trouble getting started with journaling, consider buying a book to guide you. Simple Abundance, by Sarah Ban Breathnach, is a great one.

5. If you can't get out of it, get into it. This tip comes from The Happiness Project. I love the message: The dishes are not going to clean themselves, so you will do it, and you will like it! (Unless, of course, you can outsource this job, in which case I say: Nice work!) Otherwise, get into doing the dishes. Feel the soothing warm water on your hands. Enjoy the tickle of the tiny bubbles. Crank your favorite album at an unusually loud volume, do a couple fist-pumps while shouting "Can I get a hell yeah for the dishes? Hell! Yeah!" and pretend you love it.

6. Before you get up each morning, set an intent for the day. In The Art of Happiness, the Dali Lama says ""Every day, think as you wake up: today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it." Wow. What a wise man. I tend to wake up with a strong visceral reaction that says, "Attention human beings: Be afraid of me before coffee. Be very afraid!" Setting a daily intent makes a huge difference. Your daily intent could be something like "be productive" or "enjoy today's delicious moments" or it could be something more specific like "say thank you to my loved ones today." But it should not be another "to do" item on your list.

7. Do small favors for your housemates, expecting nothing in return (not even a thank you!). (That's right, I said it: nothing!) Mow the lawn for your husband, but don't expect him to pat you on the back. Make the bed for your wife, but don't try to get bonus points for it. Take the trash out for your roommate, just because. The ability to cultivate strong, healthy relationships is one of the biggest contributors to health and happiness, but when you start to keep score, the benefit is lost. (No! It's YOUR turn to clean up the dog poop!) It's a well-known fact: When you do good, you feel good.

8. Call at least one friend or family member a day. You can do this while you clean, while you make the bed, or while you walk the dog. Texts and emails do not count! Make an actual phone call to a loved one, just to chat and catch up. We humans are social beings and studies show that even when we don't feel like it, even if we are naturally introverted, socializing with our loved ones makes us feel better.

9. Spend money on things that cultivate experiences at home. Save money for a new grill for parties or a new DVD for family movie night — something that will encourage you to have people over and entertain. Plan a summer barbeque, invite your closest friends, kick back and relax. (And don't forget to print out the pictures to remember the good times.)

10. Spend a few minutes each day connecting with something greater than yourself. Whatever your spiritual beliefs — or non-beliefs — may be, studies show that connecting to a high power is correlated with happiness. Just stepping back to realize that we are part of an enormous universe can put some perspective on your annoyance with the those-are-definitely-not-mine-and-they-are-abso-fricking-lutely-repulsive socks under the coffee table. Before bed, spend just a few minutes contemplating something larger than yourself. Take a walk in nature. Write in a journal. Create a sacred space in your home. 

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Okay, so now that you have some new ideas on how you can be happier with just a few little steps, what are you going to do next?

Until Next Time, 

Julie

If you want more information on the Young Living Essential Oils menitoned in this post, visit www.ylscents.com/julie or email me directly at juliehanneman (at) gmail (dot) com.

Monday, Monday

Well, goooood morning!
So on the facebook page, I mentioned last week that I was going to participate in this photo challenge offered over at A Content Housewife.I really really really like it! In my own true style, I'm already two days behind. Ooopsie! That is okay though. Today I'm going to share day 1 thru day 3 pics with you.

Here is the challenge: Take a picture each day to match the prompt.

Day One: 

Your view for today. It was my pretty decorated living room! We had a pajama day at our house and just enjoyed resting and hanging out together. 

Day Two:

My favorite holiday movie. Its White Christmas for so many reasons....the dancing, the singing, the romance, the outfits! I love it so much that I even have the soundtracks on two of my Spotify playlists. Its almost sad, really. Just call me up if you ever want to sing some White Christmas songs. I know all of the words. :) And really, what girl wouldn't want to wear one of these fabulous dresses at least one time. If I had a Christmas wedding, you can bet your bottom dollar one of these dresses would have made an appearance. 

Day Three: 

Red. Well, I see red every time I see this guy. My son named ours Jingle. Pretty appropriate considering Jingle Bells is the bed time song of choice for about two weeks now. We love the tradition of Elf on the Shelf. Its really fun, but at some point we're going to have to cross that theological "is it real" bridge. For right now, its more of a fun hide and seek every morning for our sweet little two-and-a-half year old. 

Lastly, I'm a bit sad that "today's temperature" isn't the picture for the day. The projected high in good ole Oklahoma City is 76 degrees. Yes, you read that correctly. Seventy Six degrees. It feels like May on December 3rd. I'm wearing capris and had my toenails been painted, I would be wearing sandals too. 

So in the spirit of spring like weather, I would like to remind you that the best way to fight the daily allergies is with Young Living Lavender and Peppermint! Just put a drop of each in your hand and apply to the sinus reflex (just under the toes) on the bottom of your foot. It will go a long way. Another way to get rid of the stuffy feeling is to swipe a q-tip on the top of your Lavender bottle and swab the inside of your nose. Or for a quick anti-histamine effect, swipe your finger on the top of the bottle, then put that finger in your cheek. This stuff works fast friends! 

Until tomorrow, 

Julie