awakening.

The past few weeks everyone has started to awaken from their hibernation. Warm weather is finally here {hopefully to stay}. The sun rises earlier and sets later; the birds are like an alarm clock in the morning with their chirping and songs, and people are in an abundance whether that be taking a stroll, working on their lawn or purely just enjoying the warm sunshine. Ah, Spring!

Spring brought on a new set of hobbies and adventures for Cameron and I.  Cameron woke up one day and stated that he thinks gardening is something he would enjoy. So, naturally he decided to give his green thumb a shot.  We went to home depot and he was in his only little happy world carefully picking out seeds to plant in which he had researched.  We now have snow peas, jalapenos, banana peppers, and bell peppers.  I love watching him tend his potted garden, bring them inside if it's going to get too chilly and his pure excitement when the green sprouts rise from the dirt. Now me? I don't garden & I certainly don't like getting my hands dirty. But if it's what the hubby loves, I will try to cultivate that desire of his and share in his joy.

 

We've also become fond of walking and experiencing the areas in which surround us.  Dreaming of which home we love and will someday buy {keyword: dreaming}, chatting about our bible studies and future family, basking in God's creation & the place we call home...these moments are so near and dear to my heart.  What a blessing it is to do life with my best friend, husband, and such a man after God's heart.

combatting sickness.

A nasty cold snuck up upon me in the night and I blame Michigan's tempormental weather (i.e. Sunday = huge snowflakes in the morning with gusts of wind, followed by sunshine and 50 degree weather in the afternoon). Regardless, as I sit here feeling worse each passing minute, it made me think about sickness, remedies, and natural vs. chemical substances.

Now, I have never been one to take medicines even when it was deemed necessary. I boycotted pain meds {until I could bare it no longer} when I had my tonsils removed, I will suffer with headaches instead of poppin' an ibprofen, and I won't be caught using even the simple things such as cough drops. Why is this? Simple answer. I'm stubborn.  Eventually, I cave, admit defeat, and accept any medine or remedy thrown my way that is proven to make me feel better.

Lately, I've been finding out about so many natural ways to help cure the common illnesses as an alternative to pharmecutical drugs. For example, my beverage of choice tonight is elderberry tea.  It's simply dried elderberries steeped in boiling water for an extended period of time.  It has many beneficial properties with one being that it boosts the immune system and helps fight off colds....& it's tasty!  Just what I need!

As much as I'm loving the whole natural/organic way of life, am I against medical intervention if it's not natural? Absolutely not. In fact, sudafed is my go-to drug when nasal decongestion gets the best of me. And I do realize that there are certainly more complex illnesses that do require the intervention of medical professionals and pharmecuticals. But I do find it fascinating all the natural ways to go about day-to-day living instead of opting for the synthetic man-made products. 

& now, this girl is off to go have puppy cuddles and sleep.



catch up.

It's been some time since I've been able to just sit, reflect and relax.  The DeMann's have been entering an entire season of change and we're learning what our new normal is going to look like.  Typically, it looks like: 6am: roll out of bed, wake Cam up, start to get ready, wake Cam up again, and then when he finally wakes up, we're learning how to dance around each other in our small cozy home in order to stay out of each other's way {mainly him trying to stay out of my way because I'm not a morning person. AT. ALL.}

So what have we been up to?

 Enjoying the sunshine as of lately.  Nevermind that it's only 40 degrees, I need vitamin D and so does our pup.  And to mask the cold temperatures, I take my hot tea outside with me.

 

We also traveled back to my parent's house this past weekend. I love comparing our home and my parent's home and what makes each feel like home.  I find comfort in our little details in our decorations that make it unique to us as we make new memories.  While my parent's house is full of family antiques and personal touches.  I think my favorite is the childhood bible of my grandmother's that is displayed on the mantle.

 



 

 

 

 

And while we were back home, our family threw a babyshower for my brother. Books, stuffed animals, flowers, and everything blue adorned my parent's house for decorations. 

                                                      

 

And once it was all over, Cam and I were able to breathe for what seems to be the first time in the past few weeks.