Happy Mother's Day!

To all of you sweet mamas out there, Happy Mother's Day! I hope your day is filled with love, hugs, and giggles! Being a mommy is the best thong that has ever happened to me. I was blessed with 4 wonderful, beautiful children and I am forever grateful for the blessings that they have brought into my life. I learn from them everyday.They make me smile, cry, scream, and laugh...but I would not ever change a moment.
Here are some photos of me and my 4 little loves, and one of their Grandma too :)

Enjoy these beautiful poems...they are some of my favorites :)

Before I was a Mom
Before I was a Mom -
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.
Before I was a Mom -
I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on - Pooped on - Spit on - Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and My thoughts. I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom -
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom -
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life
so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known The warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

Only One Mother
Hundreds of stars in the pretty sky,
Hundreds of shells on the shore together,
Hundreds of birds that go singing by,
Hundreds of lambs in the sunny weather.
Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the world wide over.

And Grandma's too...
While we honor all our mothers
with words of love and praise.
While we tell about their goodness
and their kind and loving ways.
We should also think of Grandma,
she's a mother too, you see....
For she mothered my dear mother
as my mother mothers me.
Author Unknown

 PS: I am doing a giveaway in honor of Mother's Day! Please go to my Facebook fan page to learn more http://facebook.com/elizabethgwenoriginals

Luxurious Oatmeal Milk Bath Tutorial compliments Forest Hill Soaps

Just in time for Mother's Day! Thank you Susan for this wonderful tutorial! Please be sure to check out Forest Hill Soaps for beautiful handcrafted soaps, lotion bars and more!

Oatmeal and milk are well known for their skin soothing and nourishing qualities.  It only takes a few minutes to make an oatmeal milk bath.  You can even ‘dress it up’ into an aromatherapy bath!

Instructions

You will need

·       3/4 cup uncooked oatmeal

·       Blender

·       Mixing bowl

·       3 cups powdered milk

·       1/4 cup sea salt or Epsom salts

·       Several drops of your favorite essential oil or blend. (optional) examples: lavender, peppermint, rosemary

Using the blender - pulverize oatmeal into a fine powder. Or you can use baby oatmeal—just be certain it contains only oatmeal, and no fillers.

Transfer the powdered oatmeal to a mixing bowl and stir in the powdered milk and sea salt or Epsom salts.

If you want an aromatherapy experience with your bath add the essential oils to the oatmeal/milk/salts mixture

Mix until the oils are thoroughly incorporated with the other ingredients.

Store your oatmeal milk bath in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Add about ¼ cup to running bath water and relax!!

Feature! Forest Hill Soaps

I have been MIA for a little bit, and I apologize, but I am back with a wonderful feature for Forest Hill Soaps!

 I absolutely LOVE handmade soap! It always smells and feels wonderful, not to mention how beautiful it is! It is like a small piece of art that will keep you clean :D
Don't forget to Like Forest Hill soaps on Facebook

Here is what Susan had to say...
 My name is Susan Peterson, and I am a wife and mom of 2 (17 and 18 yo) and registered nurse.  I have always been interested in natural skin care, but found it difficult to find quality products; hence the start of our soapmaking adventure.  Over time we perfected our 'receipe', and at the urging of family and friends, began Forest Hill Soaps in 2009.  We make cold process soap using  high quality vegetable oils, essential and quality fragrance oils, natural colorants-----no dyes, and no preservatives.  The only animal products we use are honey and goats milk in select soaps.  I also enjoy handpainting our casted soaps---these are individually handpainted--a process that takes several days to complete. Some of our other products include bath salts and teas, milk baths, whipped body butter, and our very popular Solid Lotion.