Mirena IUD = NOT FOR PROMISCUOUS TEENAGERS

One thing about Garibay Soup is I lay it ALL out on the line. My frustrations, my faith, my love, my hate, my EVERYTHING! It's my place. I created this little world and it's the place I turn to and at time RAMBLE! Like I'm going to do right now.....

People arrive at my blog daily to read what I wrote on the {Mirena IUD} from a search engine. So when my 16 year old sister told me that she has decided to go on the Mirena IUD I about had a breakdown.... I looked at her and said there is no way you're doing that! I explained all of my history with it and figured I had gotten through her brain. Well, my step-mom (who is only 2 years 11 months older than me - yes, this is an ingredient to a dysfunctional family) called me today to tell me that my 16 year old sister wouldn't be making it into work. She's my little helper and has been calling in quite frequently lately. I asked why, and my wicked step-mother explained that she had just had the mirena put in and is in pain.

My heart I think stopped. What kind of a doctor would put a Mirena IUD in a young child? If this doctor had done his or her homework they would find that directly on the Mirena website it says that the Mirena IUD is for women who have had at least 1 child and only have 1 sexual partner. Hmmm... I can probably say that little miss 16 year old is not having just 1 sexual partner, because this girl changes boyfriends like she changes underwear - no I'm not saying she sleeps with them all, but come on! And last time I checked little miss 16 year old doesn't have a child.

So, I came running to Garibay Soup to ramble and hope that maybe somebody who is googling Mirena IUD reads that YOU SHOULD NOT ALLOW YOUR TEENAGER TO BE ON THIS!

I really wish that my sister Alyssa had better parents that would actually look into things that would effect her. My heart aches for her, because her mom has moved on with her small children and new husband and tossed her to {my father}, which him and my step-mom are what the redneck parenting jokes are based off of. Definitely people who should not have children. Poor girl.

So now what I need to do is take a deep breath, and just let this go. It is not my problem.... it is not my problem.... IT IS NOT MY PROBLEM. Can you tell, that I am making this my problem?

Friday Favorites - MAKEOVER!!

This is Garibay Soups 3rd makeover. I have to say that this is my favorite so far. Pink and black are by far my most FAVORITE colors together, and my blog is a reflection of me.

It's Friday and I'm picking up my Friday Favorites ~

1. I picked up Tweeting again and am LOVING it! I even got my mom, sister, husband and best friend & cousin to join in with me. It's fun having us all be connected since we're all away from each other. The internet is a great way to stay connect ~ I always wonder how the world worked w/out it.
   

1. Ella now tells me if she has to go poop!!! If she has an accident in her pants she'll run to me with her big eyes and say, "Mama! Poop in pants!" ~ I hope to have her in undies for her 2nd birthday, but I'm not pushing it.

1. We had a relaxing week! We have been running like crazy lately, and this was the first week in a while that I stayed home a lot and started to get back into some of my routines.

1. I may have found a solution to my bloody nose problem! I know I didn't talk about it on here, but I have been waking up with bloody noses and finally went to a doctor and I am taking benedryl at night and IT'S WORKING! I actually can breathe and feel SO much better.

And sadly, but thankfully this was such a layed back week that I really don't have any more favorites to talk about. So, this just might have been the most boring post you've ever read on my blog :) Hope you at least enjoy the new makeover ;)

Feeding Our Families NATURAL FOODS - THE EASY WAY!

For this Works for Me Wednesday I wanted to share with moms out there an amazing new food line that is ALL NATURAL! There's no preservatives, there's no MSG, there's no Dyes. Everything in these products are NATURAL! The company that is making this possible for us is called Wildtree.

I'm a work at home mom, and by the time dinner rolls around I'm cringing as I'm feeding my family junk. Sure, it's a home cooked meal, but half the stuff I used to make it contain horrible things that my family doesn't deserve to consume. However, I don't have the time to spend hours in the kitchen making things from scratch. It just isn't realistic for me.

In addition to all of the above reasons, I have a daughter with a heart condition, a son that has food aversions and reactions to certain dyes (red dye is not a good one if you have a child with ADD or ADHD.... actually any dye isn't) and a husband with high blood pressure.

Another point I really want to express here is about the Grapeseed Oil. I have always been a huge fan of Olive Oil. In my mind I was cooking with the best possible health option for my family.... nope, I was wrong. Grapeseed Oil is definitely the way to go. Wildtree offers a variety of flavored Grapeseed Oils. You can read all about the health benefits HERE.

Wildtree is opening up across the country! It's an all-natural, preservative-free direct sales company that is growing like crazy! It is direct sales/party plan, and it's the simplest party I've ever seen or done, with about 10 minutes of information and then tasting many of the wonderful samples! It's FUN and very social!

Basically there are 4 ways to be involved:

1. As a Representative - and we need you! There are just over 1000 representatives across the country at this point, so you could be THE FIRST or one of the first in your neck of the woods! It's $115 for the kit... and it's risk free if you eat!!

2. As a Host - just let me know when you want to earn tons of free food products (you MUST try the grapseed oils, the Asian Ginger Plum Dressing, and the Scampi blend first!). I can get a host packet in the mail and coach you on how to have a GREAT party. Super easy!

3. As a Culinary Club Member - this is a wholesale buying oppotrunity with specials made available monthly to you! It's $25 for a Lifetime Membership and well worth every penny.... hey, you get 20% off of your purchases!

4. As a Customer! You will LOVE these fabulous products!

See my website for placing your order or taking advantage of our representative opportunity. There is a short video to watch if you are interested in doing so!

Did you know that Whole Foods is the fastest growing chain in the U.S.? Have you noticed that many of the fast-food chains are taking the trans-fats our of their food?

Generations ago, most Americans ate natural, nutritious food they grew themselves or bought from small, local grocers.

Then large food companies were formed and sought to improve their bottom line by extending the shelf life of their products. Scientists added more and more chemicals to foods. Now we all realize that many of those additives are harmful and governments have begun to address the issue.

Smart consumers interested in the health of their families aren't waiting for government action. They are looking for better, healthier sources of foods. Look around you.... That's where Wildtree comes in! It was formed on the premise that food should not only be natural and delicious but also easy to prepare. (and QUICK!) So whether you're a gourmet cook, a wanna-be, or HATE it, Wildtree could be just what you need.

I look forward in hearing from you. My personal website for Wildtree is www.amanda.mywildtree.com, and all of my contact information is on the site if you have any questions. You can even sign up from there to become a rep!

So, this is what works for me, my family and my bank account :) FYI - a lady that started 1 1/2 years ago is making a 6 figure income/year.... WOW huh? For other things that work for other people visit Kristen's blog.

UBP 2009!!! Welcome to Garibay Soup

There's a blog party going on at 5 mintues for mom. If you've never been there, you definitely should check it out!!

My name is Amanda and this blog is mainly a place to document my family's milestones. A place for me to write about how I'm feeling. A place to share my faith on the Mormon religion. A place for me to write about my many ventures in life. A place to brag and complain about my kids and husband. A place for me to discover peace of mind.... it sometimes exists. I hope you enjoy looking around!!

I started blogging November of 2007, and never expected it to become what it has. I have met AMAZING women, received the best advice from strangers. The support in the blog world rocks!

So, you're probably reading the above wondering why in the world I linked up to the mompreneur blogs, well.... I have a new venture going on and it's something I REALLY want to share with moms out there. Especially moms who are trying to feed their families healthy, natural foods with no preservatives, no dyes, no MSG, no high fructose corn syrup, and no trans fats! Especially for moms who on top of the feeding their families healthy foods, are interested in making a little extra every month. So, I'm taking this opportunity for the blog party 2009 to link up and spread the word.

To read up on the word I'm trying to get out there CLICK HERE. I just recently wrote a blog post about it on Wednesday. It contains all the info I want you to know. You know what's even better? I'm hosting a sweet giveaway.

AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!!!
Go to www.amanda.mywildtree.com and leave a comment here telling me what you think about Wildtree, and what you're favorite item is and you'll be eligable to win a 12.7 ounce bottle of your choice of GRAPESEED OIL!!! Good luck choosing, because they're all delicious!!! To double your chances of winning, post about my giveaway on your blog and leave a 2ND COMMENT letting me know you've done so and you'll be entered in twice for the giveaway.

I will choose a random winner on Friday, the 27th @ 9:00pm PST. Make sure you get your entry or entries in before!!

Peace - It has to start with me

I had a wonderful day at church today. It's been a couple of weeks since we've gone thanks to our trip and the flu. Even before all that, we were going off and on due to illnesses and another trip to Sacramento, and I'm so relieved that I have nothing planned and will be attending as far as I know every Sunday.

Ella went to nursery. She still isn't doing very well in there, but she was in there for most of the time. I got a good 20 minutes of sitting in Relief Society and I am so thankful for the 20 minutes that I did get in there. I have no idea what the lesson was on, but I got a message that touched me. It's a song, I believe, and it goes like this.....

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be
As God is our father
Children all are we.
Let us walk with each other
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.

I'm not at peace. I have anxiety, at times I feel my temper is short, and this is something I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to work on. Having peace in my life, and having it start with me. This is a very difficult thing for me, because I don't think I'm in any way a peaceful person, but I want to be.

I want to be that person that people look at and say... wow, what makes her so peaceful and graceful. It can't happen over night, but I definitely want to work on having peace within myself.

Here is how I think I can accomplish having peace:

Get my home in perfect order. Perfect is a very strong word, but I need it to be darn close to it. I worked a lot on this today and am very pleased with what I accomplished. I have a goal of having the entire house in perfect order by Friday... excluding the garage. This is a very easy goal to accomplish... it might not be PERFECT, but it will be in order and I need that.

Reading my scriptures every single day. I am TERRIBLE at this. I want to start my day out by reading a message through scripture reading and I want to end my day by reading a message through scripture reading.

I need to get routines and schedules going in my home. Sometimes it's chaotic and stressful, and it shouldn't be. We need set bedtimes, set homework times, set bath times... I think it would bring peace in our home.

For me, I'm going to start doing Yoga once a week and make it a point to set aside time every evening to take a relaxing bath with a good book. Ever mom needs time away.

So, this all starts with me.

If you have ideas of things that could bring peace within yourself, please let me know.

Things I Love Thursday - Burt's Bees Baby Bee

I LOVE The Burt's Bees Baby Bee products. With all the icky stuff being added to all of the baby products that can cause reproductive problems (this might be way some women can't have kids... scary!) I am at east knowing that Ella is not being effected by this. And that she smells super yummy!

If you haven't tried their line yet, I highly recommend it. A bottle of the Shampoo/Body Wash lasts me a couple of month. I've only bought 3 in Ella's 18 months.

Over at Diaper Diaries there are other things that people love, so if you're interested head over there and read up on the entries. Plus, she's giving away something kinda cool today!!

Wii Fit

A few weeks ago I bought Nintendo Wii. Yesterday was the first day that I actually worked my butt out on it. Today, my abs are sore. This could only mean one thing.......... I THINK IT WORKS!!!! It also means that I'm really out of shape for my abs to be hurting ~ I hardly did any ab work. New goal. Every morning I am dedicating myself workout on the wii.

Happy Monday

Happy Monday. I have a lot of blogging to catch up on. You'd be surprised that I actually have a list of things I need to post about. I'm so overwhelmed right now. I have a huge list of things to do for work, and that has to get done TODAY! So, why in the heck am I on here babbling? Well, I had to get a few things off of my chest.

Jayden is starting 1st grade in a week. In a flipping week my baby will be in 1st grade!!!!!!! I'm happy for him that he'll be back in the routine things of life and he won't be bored with me. Sadly, his girlfriend is not in his class this year. His response to this was, "Ah, bummer!" Poor guy.

Ella has a molar that broke through. It's all the way in the back on her upper right. I think that explains the couple nights of tossing, turning and SCREAMING! She's growing up so fast, and she just gets cuter and cuter every single day! The way she runs is just adorable, and I especially think it's cute when I come home from being somewhere and she runs to me, grabs on to my legs and hugs. She is such a sweet soul.

Ella has a cardiologist appointment tomorrow. She got a blessing last night from the missionaries, and I just pray that her WPW has corrected itself miraculously. I don't want this sweet baby girl to have to have a surgery done. We've been lucky enough to stay out of the hospitals for 10 months! That's an answered prayer if you ask me. She's been nothing but healthy, happy and I hope for a continued future in this manner.

Things with Mitch are going the same. I don't know if he got that job yet or not, I'm crossing my fingers and praying. It's hard having another person living in my home. I try to keep my head up, but it's difficult. The thing that bothers me is he's here to better his life and yet his long term plan is to move back to Sacramento, because he's going to be 21. Makes me not want to help him. He's got a kid now, and he should be thinking about family stuff and not partying. It's time to grow up. You don't get to party and have fun when you have kids to raise, because if that's the choice you make, then your kids will grow up knowing only that and how sad they'll turn out to be.

I'm on day 9 of no coffee. I never thought I'd be able to do this.

Raising Awareness

Alzheimer's Disease is such a heartbreaking disease that seems to take over many people every day. I have not had to deal with this in my family yet, and I hope that I never have to. I've had friends with grandparents that have been diagnosed with this horrible disease and it breaks my heart.

Awareness needs to be made about this and what better way than the Alzheimer's Memory Walk. There are walks in over 600 communities in our nation and finding out if there is one in your area to raise awareness so that we can find a cure for this awful disease.

I personally could not imagine one day having my mom not remember who I am. Can you? Could you imagine looking into your husband or wife's eyes and having them ask you who you are? Like the movie The Notebook ~ how heart breaking.

There is a way to raise awareness, and I hope that you check out the Alzheimer's Memory Walk so that we might prevent ever having to go through this with our loved ones.

Another Shocking Science Discovery

Honestly, I really don't know too much about Stem Cell Research and all of what it entails, but I do know that they talk a lot about how it can cure diseases. I have heard that it is a very debatable subject with people, and I'm not too sure as to why, since I don't really have much knowledge on it to begin with.

I have been given an opportunity to talk about something I've never heard of. They're saying that there are vital stem cells that are actually in women's menstrual blood. Gross, I know, but who would've thought that there really was a reason for that fun little monthly visitor that us girls have come to love so much.

I think that I feel fortunate that I live in a time where medicine gets to be smarter and smarter and finding things within our own bodies to cure things going wrong with our bodies is amazing. Something that was always right in front of us that was failed to be seen.

If you're interested in seeing what this is all about you could always go and read Celle Client Testimonial and see how it has worked for others.

Healthy, Fun Summer

We found a fun thing to do for the summer!! We FINALLY joined the YMCA. We signed up Jayden for 2 1/2 day camps that each last 1 week long. The first one is a swim camp from 1pm-4pm starting Monday. He will get swim lessons and learn safety things about the water. The next week he has no camp and then the following week is Swim & Gym. This one I think he will love. It's also from 1-4pm and he'll spend half of his time swimming and the other half doing gymnastics. If he does well with these then I think I might sign him up for a whole day Pirates Week summer camp. That goes from 8am-3pm....I'm sure he'd do fine especially with something soooo fun!

Yesterday we took a tour and got to see everything and Jayden saw some kids doing gymnastics and it looked like they were having a lot of fun. They offer so much stuff and I'm even excited. Mon, Weds & Fri my grandma and I are going to do a water fitness class and we're going to start doing yoga too.

I'm quitting curves. I joined, I liked it, but they have some twisted hours and it no longer works with my schedule, so it looks like we'll just be doing the YMCA thing for now.

Baby Fat, Baby Fat - GO AWAY!

For the first 24 years of my life I never had to worry about my weight. I ate what I wanted, when I wanted and I didn't gain a pound. Everybody hated me and now that I look back I even hate me. Ever since I had Ella I have struggled with losing the baby weight.

I'm coming to the realization that I can't eat what I want, when I want anymore. I have to stop drinking soda everyday and replace it with water, and I WANT TO GET RID OF THIS BABY WEIGHT!

I didn't know where to start and now I've found a pretty good place called Naked Nutrition Network. I've been browsing around on their website, and honestly I'm loving it! They have awesome tips on Fat Loss Nutrition and that is EXACTLY what I'm looking for.

They have a section called Mike's Blog and I have spent the majority of my night looking through it and I'm pretty darn pleased with how easy it is to find things on this website, and the amount of information that they have is great! They have some cool info on the Carb Diet that I found interesting, since I was always a little hesitant about this.

You really HAVE to go and check out this site if you're looking for a great site, that has great credibility. Come get rid of those pounds with me!!

I'm Getting a Blessing Today

The missionaries are coming over today to give me a blessing. I feel like this is exactly what I need with all of the hormone issues I have been going through. I've prayed and asked for patience and while I have noticed a difference I still believe that there's a missing piece here, and my last resort until I can get this Mirena out is to get a blessing.

I had such a wonderful at time at church today and it's amazing what going there can do to my soul. I can be stressed out with a million things on my mind, and the minute I walk through those doors I feel this relief. Then when I walk out of those doors I feel motivated to strive hard at doing the best I can to follow the gospel. I think that's why it's so important for us to go to church every week, because it sets the tone for the following week. I miss church sometimes, and it always seems like the following week I have a horrible week. I'm not thinking straight, I don't feel motivated to read my scriptures, which always make me feel good, or even pray.

I'm realizing that right now in my life I am struggling with something big within me. To feel stress and anxiety due to lack of necessity hormones in my body is wretched feeling. I sometimes lay in bed and cry, because I hate the way I'm acting. I hate the way I'm treating the people that I love and care for the most. My children need a mom with patience, it's not fair. I know that they, especially Ella can feel my frustrations and I don't like that.

I hope that this blessing will help me to hang in there until this all gets figured out.

Where does he get this stuff?

Gino and Jayden had a father/son day and went to see Iron Man. Whenever they go to the movies Jayden always gets popcorn, soda and candy. Nothing but a bunch of junk, but I don't argue it's "their" thing. I'm not one that has ever said anything like, "If you eat junk you're gonna get fat." In fact I've never even talked to Jayden about stuff like that ever - nor do I talk about that stuff concerning any of us. Basically, there's no way Jayden has heard what I'm about to tell you in our home.

I asked Jayden if he had anything good to eat and this was his reply, "No, I had popcorn and candy and soda. Just a bunch of junk, huh Mom? I better eat some strawberries so I don't get fat."

WOW ~ the stuff he comes up with just blow me away sometimes. Gino and I kinda had a little giggle together about it, because stuff like that just sounds so weird coming out of a 6 year olds mouth.

No more IUD for the sake of my sanity

After having a completely emotional day I think I've come to a decision that might just save my sanity. I really have loved the Mirena, but I'm turning into someone I don't even like. My husband actually said to me today that he doesn't even like to come home on his lunch break anymore because I'm just snapping at him over everything. He compared me to the sister on the movie Knocked Up... she treats her husband like s*%$ I had a hysterical fit today where I sat in the bathroom sobbing. Over NOTHING. I picked apart everything I could on my husband. That's not okay. This isn't me. Of course I have my times of being moody, but this is scary. So as I'm sitting in the bathroom crying it dawns on me that what if these hormones I'm taking are completely screwing up my brain? What happens when I completely lose it? That's when you draw the line. I'd rather have another kid than feel the way I feel.

I've wondered before if maybe it's PPD, but I don't think it is. Especially since my hormone levels are so drastically low. I have to have faith that everything will end up back to normal and I will be okay. My kids don't deserve to have a mom with no patience. Instead of being on anti-anxiety medication and hormones I think I'm going right to the source and having them rip that stupid Mirena out.

If you pray, please pray for me. I'm going to ask the missionaries to come over and give me a blessing on Friday. I also am going to get a massage tomorrow, and that should really help. If you pray, please pray for me. I hate feeling like this. I don't want to drive my husband away being a naggy wife. I've never been naggy. I've never been snappy with Jayden and I'm catching myself being like that with him. Jayden is my heart and soul and I'm so over protective over him and here I am being mean. That's not cool.

I think for birth control I might go back on the ring, which is what I was taking before I got pregnant with Mya. My insurance company is just going to LOVE this. I just fought tooth & nail to get that $850.00 thing paid for. Now I'm taking it out LOL.

**I updated my Book of Mormon Blog