Mitchael Family Update June 2014

Wow! Is it July already? -- We just completed our 4th month here in South Florida, and we are loving being involved at Coastal Community Church! Josh and I are having a blast co-hosting connect groups this summer! Josh is co-leading a Music Connect group for songwriting and musicianship, and I am helping with an Art Journal small group! Both communities meet weekly and are such a creative outlet for us and those involved :) I also have begun serving in Coastal Kids and student ministry, Catalyst -- which has been such a blast! We have continued to serve on Adopt-a-Block -- myself with the kiddos and Josh praying down the block or cooking up the hot-diggity-dogs!

other big things this month -- 

1. Jay, Jennifer and Jayni visited us! We had a wonderful reunion together and enjoyed one another's company. The Mitchaels rented a vacation home with space for us, and we had a restful and memorable time! We took them to one of our favorite places --Butterfly World! 

 

Did you know Coconut Creek is nicknamed the butterfly capital of the world? You know I like that! My mom and I raised Monarch and Eastern Black Swallowtails for many many years (and she still does when she has time between mission trips and children's ministry at church!) I love LOVE to share the beauty and wonder of butterflies with family and friends! Need proof of my butterfly obsession? Look no further than my childhood scrapbook::

We also got to make a trip up to Melbourne to visit Josh's uncle for a chill day by the coast. Thank you for visiting, family we love you and miss you!  

2. I've started writing more on the blog, hoping to make it a regular part of my routine and a way to stay connected with friends and family and to meet and resource people with similar interests and activities! Please comment and share if you like what I'm writing, I'd love some feedback! I also made a Facebook page, for those that want to receive updates there:: Mitchael Journey

If you'd like to get caught up, click below to view some of the top posts this month:

• Anyone Want a Free Essential Oil?
• Updates on the MUSIC page
• Art Journaling Intro
• Having Fun Isn't Hard When You've Got a Library Card!

3. Technology is my friend -- thank you friends and family for letting me see your faces on video chat! Here is a picture of my wonderful sister, Natalie and her darling baby girl!

4. This month was Father's Day and Josh's 25th birthday! 

JOSH--You are the BEST!!! I am so proud of you and am SO blessed to be able to treasure you as my husband and live life alongside you! You're an amazing daddy -- thank you for being who you are!

Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear from you:: What was one of your favorite memories from June?

Having Fun Isn't Hard...When You've Got a Library Card!

So for those of you who don't know...that silly title is from my dear ol' pal Arthur from PBS Kids! Need an introduction? Here is the song itself: 

Well, thanks Arthur --for putting it so well! Having and utilizing our library card is something I love doing, no matter where we live! In fact, it was one of the first things we did once we moved to South Florida -- make a trip to our local Broward Public Library to pick one up! All we needed was a local ID, and before we had ours we used a simple utility bill to prove we were county residents.

When did the love for libraries begin?
I grew up going to library story-time as a kid, checking out all of the children's arts and crafts books or anything related to animals or being a veterinarian and browsing through the super cool American Girl Magazines! One of the best things about the library I grew up going to [shout out to Springdale Public Library] was participating in fun classes about wildlife as well as going to the park to swing and feed the ducks!

photo from Springdale Public Library Facebook

Why do I still love the library?

Nowadays I enjoy our local library:: 

• to check out artistic or craft books...that hasn't changed (I even brought a stack of them to our Art Journal Connect Group for inspiration)
• pick up DVDs [1 week for FREE, people...plus you can usually renew for another week!]
• make copies or print for minimal cost [ours is 15 cents] (we don't have a printer...so we've actually printed a time or two, when in need or a big value coupon!)
• weekly toddler time to get little man out to play with other toddlers, and to meet-up with other moms ... or his Pops (see photo! too cute!) :) --we have songs, stories, bubbles, parachutes and toys -- all with NO membership fee, of course, because it is the li-li-library! Makes my heart go pitter-patter!
  
• aaaand my BIG favorite -- DOWNLOADING FREE AUDIO BOOKS ONLINE! I don't even have to check anything out in person. I just download the FREE OverDrive App, entered my library card info BAM! I had access to wonderful Audio and E-books [they have a over million titles!] aaand can access them from the same place I left off even when I change devices...pretty cool if you ask me!
• PLUS options for so much more -- movie nights, Freegal Music downloads, CD checkout, language learning software, common interest classes, discount book sales, special guests and book clubs for all ages and genres! 

What do you enjoy about your local library? Do you have story-time memories of books and puppets from your childhood?

Enjoy that library card, best plastic card you'll ever add to your wallet!

NEW MUSIC: Janelle Monáe

The weekend is here --and I've got a few things to share!

1. Oh my soul, I love listening to new (to-me) music and sharing it with you all! My hubs and I were watching some Hulu and came across THIS performance! I couldn't resist sharing this electric lady! There is tons to learn from her in regards to stage performance, energy, dancing skills, expression, uniqueness, engagement, and amazing vocal chops. I don't know about you, but I couldn't help but smile the entire time and want to sing along! Janelle Monáe is a ball of fire at 5'0 and all suited up for being noticed.

Janelle Monae - Electric Lady (On The Maya Rudolph Show) (Live) (2014)

After watching that first performance, of course I went onto a YouTube frenzy and came across a eye catching and brilliant video that is SUPER fun (minus the creepy hooded weirdness) and shows of some sweet dancing skills!

2. For those of you who have not yet noticed I've been learning about essential oils! Today's topic: Orange Oil!

3. I have some new buttons on my left side, here! I'd like to welcome Our Yellow Door and Homegrown State of Mind to my little blogging circle! Check these ladies out! They have encouraged and inspired me already to keep writing, adapt my blog to make it better, get creative and pick up tips as I go along through the web! Thank you both already :)

4. I'm gearing up for an Open Door Traders GIVEAWAY! Look out world -- teethers are coming your way PLUS a few other baby goodies! Check out their website HERE and let me know which 2 wooden teethers are your favorite and I will request those animals! You're comments matter!

5. Subscribe to follow Mitchael Journey so you won't miss an update!!

What do you think of Janelle Monáe? What new music have you been listening to?

Orange Oil

Hey everyone! I'm excited to teach you a little more about Essential Oils today! 

Today's Oil:: Orange!

I've always been a big fan of oranges! They are so refreshing and energy boosting-- we would always down a couple of oranges each on the sidelines of our JBU Ultimate club tournaments! Little did we know the rinds that we peeled off have even more to offer!

How is Orange Oil made?

Orange oil is made from cold-pressed orange rinds from the USA, and packs a high dosage of the power of an orange in one little drop! 

Why would I want Orange Oil?

• It can be added to laundry to freshen the stinky load!
• It is known for the purifying and cleansing properties that it naturally gives
• The aroma can be diffused and has a refreshing sugary-sweet citrus smell throughout the home that helps invigorate and energize! 

Anything else I should know?

You can use orange oil without dilluting, but =

It's pretty amazing what God's creation can do!

Questions on essential oils? 
Please reach out to [ifrog4fr(at)gmail(dot)com]! 

*Remember, I'm not a trained medical professional and would encourage you to read those labels! These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

[remember that other brands of essential oils are different (and I cannot recommend them for the same uses!)