We Made Some Soap!

Last night after a long last minute trip to Wally World on Christmas Eve Eve Eve :) I decided I would round up the family and we were going to make some laundry soap.  Usually I do this by myself or Kenzie joins in, but I am worn out here lately.  I have made liquid laundry soap for about 2 years now. I started making it when I was trying to find something to help get rid of the girls awful eczema. So of course I got on Pinterest and searched for home made, natural, DIY eczema friendly laundry detergent. It didn't completely cure it but I would have to say its made a world of difference.  After buying the supplies the first time, making it and seeing how long it lasts our family I could not believe the money we were saving monthly. Normally I would buy whatever detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets had a coupon or was on sale. Still on average I was spending about $20 a month totaling around $240 a year or so.  Well I don't spend but about $30 a year now!!! If you are anything like me that puts a huge smile on your face.

I have had many people ask me about both recipes, so here they are!

Ok, my first batch I ever made was off of the Duggar website.
Its simple and very cheap! 
Here is a link to the recipe.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value - Duggar Recipes - The Duggar Family


After making it once or twice I began to double the batch and make 20 gallons at a time which lasted us about 4 months. 
I also started adding one cap of Gain softener to each gallon before using it. I love Gain and it gave it more fragrance, but not enough to upset the girls skin.

This is a GREAT recipe and washes everything pretty well.

Here lately I have wanted to give the powder detergent a try, but I have been hesitant due to how well this has worked with both girls skin.  The powder lasts much longer and I think its easier to make and you don't have to let it sit over night and gel.  I also don't have a lot of storage room.  The 20 gallons were taking up a bit of room if you can imagine!

Well I decided to mix and match a few different recipes that I found on good old Pinterest and this is what I came up with.

Ingredients:

1 (4 lb 12 oz) Box of Borax- Found in the detergent aisle

1 (3 lb 7 oz) Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda- Found in the detergent aisle

1 (3 lb) Container of OxyClean FREE- Found in the detergent aisle. (This is optional but seemed like a good idea to add) I used the FREE kind because its better for my girls skin.

1 (14.1 oz) Bar of Zote Soap- Found in the detergent aisle only at Wal Mart (I used the white bar, because I had it on hand) 

2 Bars of Fels Naptha- Found in the detergent aisle only at Wal Mart.

* you can use any variation of 3 soap bars.

1 (4 lb) Box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda- Found in the laundry aisle

1-2 (55 oz) Bottle of Purex Crystals Fabric Softener- Found in the detergent aisle OR 3-4 Downy or Gain softener beads ( I used 1 bottle of Purex Crystals this time)

Directions

1. Grate bars of soap with cheese grater or food processor.

2. Mix all ingredients together in a large bucket then transfer to any type of container.  I chose this 2 gallon jar from Wal Mart.  You can use almost anything.

3. Use 1-3 Tablespoons per laundry load.

It smells fabulous and washes VERY well!! I am impressed so far!

I was introduced to Zote a while back from a dear friend for stain removal.  It has saved us a pretty penny not having to buy Shout on a weekly basis..  Just wet the stain and the tooth brush rub it on the bar and then on the stain until you see it start to go away. I have used the same bar for over a year now and barely put a dent in it.... and you know who's clothes I wash :))

I hope this is helpful and useful for everyone!

Happy Laundry Day y'all!!

Meg

My Husband My BFF :)

WOW! Do you honestly believe that God himself has someone picked out for you? I do! That's because I know without a shadow of a doubt that The Almighty God knew exactly what He was doing when He sent Aaron to me. God's plan is far better than my own, and He proves that time and time again.

I needed someone to love me unconditionally.  I have always had a family to do that but God knew I needed a best friend.  From day one Aaron has shown me an unfailing love. He truly does have a heart like Jesus. He put no judgement on anything my past had in it, and has held my hand and walked me through almost 8 years of the most amazing friendship I will ever have. 
There have been good times and bad.  Times when I didn't even like me, but he kept on loving me. I was immature, foolish, completely irresponsible but he helped me to grow and become a strong woman who can handle a lot more now than I could have then. 
December 23, 2005 was a day that changed my life forever and I can't imagine life any other way.  Aaron walked into my life that day, and has never once turned away or batted an eye when things got ugly or scary. And trust me it's been ugly and scary. I am soo proud to say that my husband is my best friend and there's nothing in this world I wouldn't do for him. 
Aaron, it's a little early but here's to 8 years of us together 3 kids later and you still take my breath away, give me butterflies and make me smile and laugh when I feel like punching you.  You are amazing.  I can't imagine where I would be without your love for me and I can't wait to see what all God has in store for our life.

You are and angel, you taught me how to fly
You picked me up when I was down turned me around and you made me fly high
Were a little bit older now, together weve seen some change
But I love you more now than I did on that very first day"
Brandon Rhyder 

I love you,
Your Crazy Wife

Our Family Pictures

I haven't posted a blog in foreverrrrrrrr...... But it is my personal goal to get this thing going and keep it going. So, I thought what a better way than to start with our family event for today.
Some times you just have to bite the bullet and take the family pictures... Matching outfits, wiggly kids and all that comes with it. Well, that's how we ended the day today. I have to say it went much better than I had anticipated, THANK GOD!
We have been trying to find a time when everyone is well and the weather was nice, and that has been tricky here lately for us Crims.  Luckily it all fell into place today and I couldn't be happier.  Our third precious one Masyn Lee will be making her arrival pretty soon and it was really important to me to have some family pictures taken.  My husband doesn't really enjoy taking pictures but he's always a good sport. Thank you sweet man for all you do :) Aunt Rhonda always saves the day and catches some great shots of our little monsters. Here's a preview for ya'll.   Just us Crims in the front yard playing on a dirt road, and living the life!

"Family is not an important thing. It's everything"

Michael J. Fox

Children and Jesus

Church was great today, as usual!  But something really spoke to my heart this morning and moved me in such a way that I have been in such a sweet and tender mood the rest of the day full of faith that Christ moves in all of us... even more so the tiny children of God. 

It came to the time of invitation and I will admit this is my favorite time on Sundays anyways... So here we are sitting in the pew my good friend Amanda and I with her precious daughter Alyssa.  All of a sudden Alyssa starts to make her way to the altar... this picture will be burned into my memory forever.  How beautiful it was to see a sweet little child of God walk the aisle and make her way to the front of the church... not worried about anything or anyone... just trying to make a cry out to Jesus.  She stayed there and prayed with our Pastor and then made her way back to her seat between us.  Pastor Jason looked up to Alyssa after the song was over and said "That was one of the sweetest prayers ever!" He asked Alyssa if he could share with the congregation about what they prayed and she said "Yes!".  He told us that Alyssa had felt like she disrespected her teacher in school this past week and felt really bad about it.  For the record... it couldnt have been that bad because I know her well and good and I know for a fact she is such a great kid!  Which is why I am sure this bothered her soo much. :)   Anyways- Pastor Jason continued to tell us what they had prayed about and that Alyssa planned to apologize to her teacher first thing in class this week.  With tears rolling down my face I thought to myself... WOW! How amazing is this little girl and how blessed are we to have children in our lives to remind us how passionate we should be when it comes to our relationship with Christ.  Putting everything aside and coming to God, letting Him know that we are sorry for our actions and to please forgive us and show us a way to make it right.  I told her mother later on today how much I enjoy being around these little miracles because I feel like they are young and soo fresh from Heaven that they are truly who need to teach us the way we should act, talk, pray, and have unending faith...  So here it is folks, proof right out of the 18th chapter of Matthew.


^{Matthew 18 1-5
1} At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
 ² He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. ³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.


I hope and pray that those who read this will be as touched as I am.  Alyssa, Baby Girl... you have completely reminded me today of many things I should be doing, and I thank you for that!  Amanda, you are an amazing mother and you are doing a wonderful job in this whole crazy parenting thing!  That is a blessed child!! You go MOMMA!

Thank you God for children!!!

Lots of LOVE,
Meg

working on MY words

Lately I have been trying to watch my words, my tone of voice, and all that that entails... I found this little thingy-ma-bob to help me along.  You see I now have two little girls who watch me each and every day and I swear Kenzie hears from a mile away (only when she wants to). I really don't want to be that Mom that's always running around screaming at the top of her lungs... 1. because that's just ugly and 2. I know that my children don't deserve the nastiness that can come from all of that, not to mention it gives them them OK to think that they can yell when angry or gossip about someone behind their back.... and number 3. My blood pressure can't handle  the yelling!! :-) I also have realized that we are the words we speak... I don't want to be that person who has always got a negative spin on life or the dreaded "gossiping girl".  I want everyone to feel the love that I have over flowing in my heart and what better way to show that than to speak with pure kindness.  I have also found scripture on this as well... because that's what I do when I am lost, confused, need encouragement or just plain need help :-)

The LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say (Exodus 4:11-12, NIV).

How amazing is that! It's only EXACTLY what I needed to hear... straight from the Lord himself. 


So hear it goes... I will be working on the things that come out of my mouth from now on.  It won't be easy all the time because I tend to just let go when it comes to how I feel.  Anyhow I need to do this and I will give it my best shot!

Lots of LOVE,
Meg