Chemical Free

So lately around the Cavalier house, we have slowly been moving towards a chemical free house. When we run out of a product, I've been attempting to replace it with something more natural. Some of these I purchase from a researched toxin free, organic, chemical free company. Some; however, I have begun to try to make! Such as laundry detergent, cloth baby wipes solution, and now lotion. Eventually I'd like to try to make more and more. Maybe dishwasher detergent, soaps, and cleaning solvents!

It seems to be very cost effective, and a little goes quite a long way!

So for my lotion tonight, I used the following ingredients.

2 T shaved beeswax
1/2 C Sweet Almond Oil
1/4 C Coconut Oil
1 C pure distilled water
30 drops lavender essential oil

That's it!

I boiled my cup of water to purify it first. Set it aside in a regular blender.

Second, combined all my oils and shaved beeswax into a small Pyrex bowl. I then placed the Pyrex bowl into a sauce pan with water 1/2 up the side. Set on the stove and wait for wax to melt. As soon as it melts, remove.

Set the blender with water in it to cream or whip, and then slowly add the oil to the water through the hole in the blender lid.

It will begin to emulsify once all the oil is added.

Add desired essential oils. (I used lavender, but want to try other ingredients such as eucalyptus, shea, calendula and jojoba in my next batch).

Pour into a glass container and set aside to cool.

Shelf life is approximately 6 months. For longer life, store in the refrigerator.

Chemical free and super moisturizer!!

Here's a photo of my process.
Feel free to comment with any suggestions or advice!!

Adventures in Momland

So most of you know that I left the working mom world as of this last May, but only this week does it really feel "real." School started Monday, and for the last 18 years, I have been part of the masses preparing for the back-to-school season. So not going through that routine feels almost wrong. But it is so right.

It feel so surreal to not only not be a part of the hubub, but to be at home with our growing boy. I feel alive inside- like I am making a difference. Even if my difference is in his life, I know with a Godly upbringing and morals and consistency, he can grow up to make a difference in someone else's life. If it sounds like I'm making huge plans for a teeny person.. well I am.

My hope is that by investing in our child, we create a responsible, respectful, and caring young person. Coming from experience, more children like that COULD change the world. I've seen these kinds of kids make a huge difference in a school. Kiddos that care about what they do and how it affects the people around them. They make a difference.


So, while it may seem that being a stay-at-home mom is an easy gig, many of you really know what we're living for and why it matters.

Just random thoughts, brought to you by nap time.

Sippy, what?

Lately Hubs has taken to watching Shark Tank on our HuluPlus, and ocassionally I find myself in the SharkTrance alongside him.

Well last night, as I sat munching on yummy quesadillas (also prepared by the awesome Hubs), we saw the absolute coolest product ever. The lollacup.


Lollawhat, you say? The lollacup. It's a sippy with a straw. Well while that isn't completely unheard of, the coolest part is that it is a valve free, weighted straw. No more cleaning icky milk out of spill proof valves that really don't proof the spill and no more baby asking for more when the milk is hovering along side the straw.


So, if your toddler is into straw cups, and you really want a quality, made in the USA, BPA and phthalate-free straw cup, then visit Lollacup! 


Did I mention they're super cute?

{Connor turns ONE!} a month ago... ;)

So we no longer have a baby... we have a BIG one year old. A toddler. Yes, he toddles. EVERYwhere. His actual birthday was really a MONTH ago (I posted a previous post a few days after, but you know, better late in the blog world than never!

We finally had a chance to snap some "one year" photos, and they turned out super-d-duper adorable, and C is super-d-duper sweet.

We are so smitten with Connor and love helping guide him into a Godly young boy. These times ahead of us are only going to be more joy filled, and we look forward to learning along with you, C.


Love you!

Mommy (and Daddy)

On another bright note, Chase and I are now officially Cavalier Photography. It started out as a personal venture, but the photo bug has spread in the Cavalier household. What a fun filled ride awaits.

I love that the Lord has provided this business venture in our household, and I whole heartedly am giving myself to it. I find so much contentment in my life right now, that it's hard imagining what else could be in store. Many thanks be to Him.

Also, if you have provided me your family or pets to take photos of, THANK YOU for trusting me to capture your family's memories.

Love it!

July

This time last year, Chase and I were bringing our baby boy home for the very first time. SO much has happened in the last year- it feels as if last year is a million miles away, yet only happened yesterday.

How can that be? We have a ONE year old boy who is looking less and less like a baby, and more like a toddler every day. He is SO close to walking.

At one year, Connor is doing these things:

- waving bye-bye and saying "bye-bye"
- says ball, bailey, mama, dada, mmmm, more, and a few other gibberish things we can't pick out
- gives kisses
- blows raspberries (future trumpet player, yes?)
- craws faster that lightening (dude can book it)
- stands and sits on his own
- cruises furniture
- walks while holding your hand
- points with his pointer finger-
- eats anything you put in front of him (after giving Bailey a sample first)
- walks behind his walker, and Lightening McQueen car
- sleeps from 7-7 (sometimes waking once for a midnight snack)
- squeals with delight
- chuckles and snorts with you tickle his legs or tummy
- has been camping for a week on the White River
- LOVES Gnomeo and Juliet (must be the music)
- claps when we say "yay!"


and I'm sure other things that I have failed to remember!

Point is, we are so blessed to be your parents Connor, and we love you.


(below are some photos from Connor's first camping trip on the White River!)

(these were all obviously pre-haircut! Look at that shag...)