
My people, my family living the best healthy life style
Why I chose health and a chemical free lifestyle for me and my family…
- I don’t want to get sick. Who does? I want to be a healthy, active grandma. I’ll do whatever I can to minimize my risk of getting cancer, having a stroke or heart attack, or suffering an autoimmune disease.
- I want to have enough energy to do what I need to do each day.
Everything I do takes energy from cooking healthy meals, to being a wife and mom, to getting outside and playing with my grandkids. The diet and lifestyle choices I make...directly affect my energy. - I want to feel good. When I feel good I’m a better mom, a better wife, and a happier person. I want my body to be strong, able, and fit.
I started this new life style in 2014.
Why all of a sudden was this important to me?
It’s because ... ONE DAY A LIGHT BULB CAME ON!
I finally started to connect the dots.
After my Mom passed away due to Breast Cancer and... 6 years later my dad passed away due to bladder cancer... It got me thinking.
It got me thinking how my immune system may have been compromised while pregnant with our 2nd child who was born with a birth defect. Really? Could there really be something to that?
And then I ask myself...What caused my husband at the age of 61 to have a heart attack?
These are all questions I think about and I wonder if there were toxic chemicals that could have been avoided or... the hundreds of chemicals I was exposed to and put on my body each day or ... could it have been the many toxic cleaning products I used and most times had to covered my face with a towel so as not to breath in the chemical smell that literally made me feel like I was passing out.
Looking back now I shudder to think how I was so naive and unaware of what I was really doing to not just me, but also compromising my families health.
So the day that light Bulb came on was the best day ever! That is the day, with my husbands encouragement, I took a few wash baskets full of toxic products that were literally in every room in our home and I chucked them!!! I did!! I threw away hundreds of dollars worth of products and ... I made that first step to living a toxic free lifestyle, the best that I know how.
That included checking labels on all the stuff I put in my grocery cart. Talk about time consuming ! Yes! but ... so worth it!
After doing a ton of research I decided to start my new life style journey with "Young Living"
So why Young Living you might ask?
I had heard that Essential Oils had many health properties and I thought I would try them.
With so many essential oil companies to choose from, which essential oil company is the best? After doing research I chose Young Living as my essential oil company for my family’s health. And here is why…
My sister and I at the Young Living farm in Utah
Who is Young Living?
As the world leader in essential oils, we believe that everyone deserves a life full of abundance and wellness. Our vision is to bring the life-changing benefits of essential oils to every home, family, and lifestyle.
Not all oils are created equal. In fact, most of the oils on the market are synthetic, especially if they’re cheap. I know first hand that many oil companies try to stretch their oils and use fillers to do just that. Yucky fillers! Please beware. You get what you pay for.
Young Living oils are so pure, they’ve even developed their own purity standard called the Young Living therapeutic-grade standard. They’re marketed as the purest oils on the market, never synthetic or diluted, 100% “Seed To Seal.” check it out here.
The YL story started more than 20 years ago with a simple, home-built essential oil distillery. Today, our farms and community span the globe. Because of our proven commitment to provide nature’s best, millions trust us to deliver superior essential oils.
Young Living is a high quality company that consistently exceeds all of my expectations. I never worry about if they are pure or not. I went to the farm in Utah and when you see how they "plant the seeds to when you put that drop of oil on your skin" it is simply amazing!
Another reason I choose Young Living is because of the Young Living foundation they are passionate about and ... to know I have a part in this makes my heart glad! Such a good cause!
Check it out here, ]https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/company/media/partnerships/young-living-foundation
As I share my story with people I meet, it has led to a growing community of friends and has given me the opportunity of an unexpected successful business venture. I love to help people and there is nothing more fulfilling then that. I love what I do!
follow me on our facebook community @https://www.facebook.com/groups/521561731863879
Order here...https://www.youngliving.com/us/en/referral/1853613


My brother was a very unique and cool kid! Most people would refer to him as a special needs child but I never looked at him that way. Ever wonder why we refer to them as “Special Needs"?
That never did sit well with me. First of all we All have needs in one way or another. I feel like it’s singling them out in a negative way. Maybe it’s just me.
Never the less… my brother was the coolest kid ever. He was my buddy! His name was Nelson and man oh days… I loved this kid! He called me Nun Nun. That was his nick name for me. Not because he thought it was cool or fun to have a nick name for me but the reality is… he was non-verbal. He could only voice "nun nun. My name is Verna, close enough, right?
He passed away very unexpectedly when he was 12 years old just 3 month after my husband and I got married. The pic above shows just how proud he was of us on our wedding day. The suddenness of his passing left me heart broken to say the least. The connection and bond I had with him was strong. Yes, he was nonverbal but he sure had personality. He was loved by everyone who ever met him, he was silly, inquisitive and... maybe not typical in the worlds eyes but in my eyes he was my brother. It didn't matter, I loved him just like he was.
One thing I wish...I wish we had access to oils back then. I think of so many ways the oils could have benefited him not only with his immune system but for brain health, stress levels and anxiety.
Because he was nonverbal… I set up a school room in my bedroom when I was 12 years old and he was 6. I was the teacher and he was my student. I wanted him to talk so badly so everyday I would flash a stack of flash cards in front of him and hoped that he could sound out the words for me. It never happened. Only girbish sounds like Nun Nun.
Nelson would be 59 years old today. I suppose if he was diagnosed today he would be on the autism spectrum and... looking back it changed who I am today. The privilege of being his sister has made me more aware of kids and adults who the world labels as “not typical” but... lets me see the beauty behind their eyes and look into their beautiful souls. I also have two nieces who are on the Autism spectrum and I love them to bits! They are blessed to have a mom that uses oils on a daily basis with them and… have seen great results.

Below are ways to use essential oils if your child or adult needs support emotionally or boost their immune system. The three main ways to use essential oils are aromatically, topically, and internally.
As always, when using essential oils on adults or children, you never want to put them directly into the eyes or ears. You also want to be aware of any blends that may contain citrus oils as these are photosensitive and should be avoided if being exposed to direct sunlight.
You may have to get creative with how you will get the oils into your child’s system, especially if they are sensitive to smells, but it can be done!
* Infuse sensory materials with essential oils, rice, DIY play dough, bubbles.
*Add ‘diffusers’ to the room where your child is working or playing…use cotton balls, corks, felt pads, anything that absorbs oil and place around the room.
*Diffuse while your child is not in the room, the effects will still linger but the scent won’t be as strong when they enter.
*Spray your child’s sheets with a calming blend about an hour BEFORE they go to bed.
*Add oils to everyday-use products like shampoos and lotions.Add Vitality oils to your child’s smoothies, drinks, or food.
*Be sure to avoid plastic containers when adding oils to food and drinks.
**As you begin to use essential oils on and around your child, it is best to start with just one oil at a time so you can appropriately determine the effects. Then build from there.
Common Oils...Though this is not an all-inclusive list, these are some of the most commonly used essential oils for children with special needs and the benefits they provide.
Vetiver - promotes calm and relaxation; can help with sensory-processing issues
Lavender - can help calm, relax, and balance emotions rooted in anger & frustration
CedarWood - can help promote peaceful and restorative sleep
Frankincense - can help with focus and can reduce negative emotions or reactions
Peppermint - soothing and can calm restlessness
Bergamot - increases feelings of wellbeing, relaxing for the mind and body
Valor - promotes courage and self-esteem
Peace & Calming - can help to calm nervous tension and promote relaxation
Focus & Concentration...There are many reasons a child may struggle with a lack of focus or concentration, some of which could include the following:
Separation anxiety
Fear of what others may think
Stress or trauma
Learning disorders
Let’s talk about a few Young Living options that can help with concentration!...Brain Power seems to be the first go-to for many parents in helping their children with better focus and concentration. This is one of my favorites for me!! It contains powerful oils such as Sacred Sandalwood, Cedar wood, Frankincense, Melissa, Blue Cypress, Lavender, and Helichrysum, which are very high in sesquiterpenes. Google the benefits of sesquiterpenes… very interesting. Diffuse or apply topically to the back of neck, brainstem, temples, or under the nose as needed.
There are plenty of other oils and supplements you can use to support your child’s focus and concentration. Dilute and apply the oils below to the back of neck, top of head, and their big toes. Allow your child to inhale these oils from the bottle or out of the diffuser. Remember that consistency is key with the use of essential oils and supplements.
Mindwise - an incredible supplement that gives the brain essential fatty acids to support normal brain function.
Mighty Zyme - an all-natural, vegetarian supplement designed to help children combat the negative effects of enzyme depletion, which is a precursor to body dysfunction that could impede growth and brain development.
Vetiver - an essential oil with a distinct earthy and grounding scent, which can help your child stay calm during tense times.
CedarWood is an essential oil high in sesquiterpenes, which makes your brain happy.
GeneYus is an essential oil blend with similar sesquiterpenes levels as Brain Power, which can help your child focus and concentrate on the task at hand! Plus it comes prediluted so it’s ready for use! Note: If your child has a nut allergy, you should NOT use this blend.
Clarity - an essential oil blend specifically designed to provide greater mental concentration and alertness.
Peppermint - an essential oil with an energizing aroma that boosts alertness. (Extra dilution suggested to decrease cooling sensation when applied topically.)
Here are a few other non-oily tips for increasing focus and concentration in children:
- Prepare an environment, free from distractions
- Establish a schedule or a routine
- Allow time for frequent breaks or a power nap
- Break large tasks or goals up into smaller ones
- Add more protein into their diet, which has the ability to raise concentration levels
For some children, the lack of flexibility in their thinking can make a seemingly simple task of transitioning from one activity or place to another extremely challenging. There are several different strategies you can employ and oils you can use to help your kiddo stay calm and accept these transitions.
Transitioning Strategies:
- Clearly define how long the task or activity will last using a timer or some other visual cue.
- Allow your child to see what is coming next by using pictures or creating a schedule.
- As much as possible, stay consistent in your daily routines and transitions.
- Plan ahead and don’t rush; this will only cause added stress for you and your child.
Suggested Oils:
Surrender - helps one surrender control
Acceptance - opens the mind to accepting new things
Grounding - promotes feelings of stability and balance
Common Sense & Brain Power - help to support clear thinking
Ylang Ylang - boosts confidence and balances emotions
Northern Lights Black Spruce & Idaho Blue Spruce - promote feelings of confidence and calm
White Angelica - repels negative emotions and energies; known as the “tantrum tamer” oil
Please keep in mind, all children are different. You may need to try a few different oils to find the one that works best for your child. All of these oils can be diffused or applied topically. As we talked about previously, dilute as needed. Allow your child to choose an oil, ask them what scents they prefer, and how they feel after using it. Sometimes they know better than we do!
The following essential oils are not recommended if you have epilepsy. Note that this is not a full and complete list:
- Eucalyptus Essential oil
- Fennel Essential oil
- Lavender (Spike Essential Oil) I find that regular Lavender is perfectly fine.
- Sage Essential oil
- Yarrow Essential Oil
- Rosemary Essential Oil (all types)
- Wintergreen
- Please do your research ....

Moms, family members and caregivers ... Here are some oils I recommend to help you get through the challenges of everyday life.
- Stress Away: Melt away the tensions of the day.
- Valor: This blend creates feelings of courage and confidence.
- Forgiveness: This blend helps release hurt feelings and negative emotions.
- Acceptance: This blend allows you to overcome feelings of denial and be open to accepting new things.
- White Angelica: This blend dispels negativity and creates feelings of peace, calm, and security.
https://getoiling.com/VernaSmoker
See what I'm up to here...vernsmoker.com/sayyes

For more of our story simply click on the link at the bottom of the page...
Caring for an adult child with a physical disability is extremely challenging
Half the time I have no idea what my role is. I am Mom, caretaker, nurse, counselor, all at the same time.
All very unique roles and all very important but to do all of them at the same time is hard and very challenging.
Guilt... Help!
Mom guilt...frustration, anxiety, worry, feelings of... I'm doing it all wrong. The question I ask myself, what if? What If I would have checked on him sooner in his apartment? What if I had found him sooner after his seizure? Surely we could have avoided all this and he wouldn't need to deal with these stroke like issues.
Our adult son had some sort of episode (we still don't know what happened) and lost mobility to walk and use his upper limbs due to stroke like symptoms.
He's single and came home to live with my hubby and I for a period of time to nurse him back to health. It's going on 3.5 years.
Just prior to this my husband retired so... this was not in the plans of how we we had planned to do life after retirement.
But then again, life is not made up of "drinking sweet lemonade" every day... sometimes we're handed a bitter lemon.
It's life, things happen. What we do with the lemon is really the most important.
I’m the kind of person that wants to fix everything and make everyone happy. I often feel angry and frustrated because I can't. I can't fix it all.
I spend hours researching hoping to find the next right thing. Because I feel sorry for him, I do things for him that he could maybe do himself just so I don't need to see him struggle or... the fact that I could do it faster for him.
I struggle with feelings of helplessness, feeling like I don't do enough but then guilt because I do to much. It's a vicious cycle in my mind.
Am I An Enabler?
When does doing to much for your adult child hinge on the side of an enabler? I certainly am guilty of that and struggle with it constantly.
It's a frustrating, emotional rollercoaster...
I will say though that I often find internal strength that I never thought I had. God desires that we be utterly dependent upon Him and when we trust in him he will never leave us alone. He is always there and he will always provide a way even where there seems to be no way. God is ever so faithful and I often hear him say, "Don't panic, I've got this. Simply trust me.
So... I come up for air and I become intentional about looking at the progress that was made. I savor the good moments and realize how blessed we are. I thank him for the progress our son has made and continues to make.
I'm thankful he can walk again even though he struggles with his balance.
I'm thankful he can use his upper limbs again even though he only has use of one hand. It's peepy steps but it's progress in the right direction and for that I am thankful. I savor the good days and moments and... I don't take them for granted.
I look for and find joy in even the smallest milestones reached that were predicted never to occur. Yet, I will occasionally feel like I failed my son when we have our moments of lashing out on each other because one of us or both of us are not in our lane. Thats the emotional rollercoaster ride I speak of.
-How to give him structure and support yet give him the freedom to be.

It's 7:30 am. I hear the ding of a text... It says... Help! “I have a massive headache”. I make a straight beeline to my adult sons room to find him holding his head in excruciating pain!
One can only imagine how painful this type of headache really is!
As I access the situation I’m thinking, oh goodness, is this an aura to a seizure? It’s all too familiar. I gather my wits…I stay calm, I try to keep my son calm hoping and praying it does not turn into another nightmare.
Several minutes pass…. The monster headache doesn’t stop there but instead it leashes out to a full blown seizure!
We’re not talking a couple of minute seizure but one that refuses to stop! 90 minutes!
What I see in the next 90 minutes is a hard image to forget. It’s an image of feeling incredible helplessness. I watch my son In sheer desperation cry out to Jesus… Help me! Please help me!
He is fully aware and seizing at the same time. Never losing consciousness and... fully aware of the intense pain that is accompanying the seizure.
911 is called. And me?… I just crawled out of bed minutes before, my hair looks like a balled up spider web, I'm not fully dressed... and I really was not expecting company at this early hour!
I put myself together in short order and hope and pray the ambulance will put the “Pedal To The Metal”! Praying they will get here sooner then later!
The paramedics take over and administer an IV. The medicine trickles through his body, only… it doesn’t even phase the seizure one bit.
This seizure is not giving in. It continues to shake the body, fixate the eyes, all the while… my son is still conscious and moaning with pain in his arm!
90 minutes later it finally says, “Enough is Enough” The seizure releases it’s grip just minutes before arriving to the hospital.
This particular hospital is really… not the best equipped to handle the situation. The Dr. makes a decision that it would be best to air lift him to a Philadelphia hospital 1.5 hours away but… a mere 15 minute helicopter ride. I’m like …What?
My husband and I watch… the roar of the helicopters rotating wings nearly sweep us off our feet. We firmly plant our feet so as to not be blown away! All the while fictating our eyes upward into the bright noon sky. We watch until it’s merely just a speck in the sky. Up... Up and away he goes. Watching and praying…hoping everything will be ok.
Once again …it's ok. Another seizure, another hospital stay…
Everyone has a story and everyone handles their story differently.
I have people say to me…you are so strong! You are super Mom!
To set the record straight, I have no desire to be super mom! I may look strong on the outside but what you don’t see is... a scared mama that is totally freaking out not knowing if her son is going to make it this time.
At one point when a situation like this would happen (and yes, it has happened on numerous occasions) I would go into a full blown panic attack! I would be totally useless and my body and limbs would go limp. Talk about a helpless feeling!
With good nutrient, essential oils, talking to my counselor and simply leaning into Jesus, I no longer get those debilitating panic attacks.
Now when there is drama to this degree... I typically sail right through it. I have my wits, I don’t panic, I pray a lot and I am able to stay calm.
But… its after the fact that I literally fall apart!
I withdraw... I feel sad, depressed, and I feel like a failure as a mom. Why couldn’t I fix it?
I literally can’t think or make decisions. I want to curl up and bury my head in a pillow. I'm tired, scared, worried. I feel like I'm crawling through a dark tunnel in slow motion with no light at the end of the tunnel.
Life is like riding a wave. Big waves! Waves that take you under the churning waters and toss you around like a tin can. It's rather jarring... whiplash.
I really must get better at riding the waves!
It literally takes me a few days to process what just happened and the emotional trauma that played havoc on my mind and my body eventually quiets. The sea becomes calm, the waves become a sea of glass. I lean into Jesus. It’s really my only source.
My conversation to God goes something like this. Why? Why when Randall was crying out to you and seizing at the same time crying out... God, Help Me! Please help me! Why did you not stop the seizure? Why?
If I would continue to dwell on the Why? (And I’m sure we all do it) I would probably drive myself crazy.
It’s then that I literally make a conscious effort to look at how God really Did show up. He showed up by allowing me to stay in the hospital the several nights he was there when all odds were against me because of Covid restrictions.
He showed up when I was told I could sleep in the next bed instead of a hard uncomfortable recliner. What a tender "God Kiss" that was!
He showed up by giving us caring Doctors and nurses that genuinely had Randall’s best interest in mind, He showed up when friends called and said, How really are you…the texts saying, I’m praying for you friend...seeing a friend at the grocery store and her telling me how God laid me on her heart and that she had been praying for me.
I call these "God Kisses" That is truly what they are.
I'm learning how to ride the waves...taking deep breaths and... moment by moment I pull myself back up and then... just like that the sun comes back out, the skies are blue, the grass is green again. But... it's not without a struggle.
Do you need a "God Kiss"?
Your story may be a lot different and more intense then mine.
What are your "God Kisses"? Do you notice them?
I promise you… if you look, you will find them, just like I did. It may be just what you need to get through your situation.
https://www.youngliving.com/us/en/referral/1853613

I always say… being a grandparent is like icing on a cake or...whip cream with a cherry on top.
The day we became Mom- Mom and Pop- Pop was a day that forever changed our lives.
The hugs, snuggles and smiles melt my heart every time. Running towards me with arms open wide and the biggest smile on their face is the best medicine ever! I could be having the worst day, and those little faces change everything.
There is something incredibly special about the bond between grandparents and grandchildren, and it's so much deeper than the snack drawer and free babysitting.
One of the things I enjoy the most is when the little grandkids sleep over. To them, sleeping on the floor or in the big walk in closet are memories they will never forget. And oh ... I can't forget to mention the precious moments when the wee little ones pray their most precious prayers. with their child like faith, their payers surely reach heaven.
A study, published in the Journal of the North American Menopause Society, found the highest cognitive scores among older women who spent one day weekly babysitting their grandchildren.
However, a heavier schedule of babysitting five days or more each week was tied to reduced thought-processing speed and working-memory ability. Interesting for sure. There needs to be a good balance.
The life of a Mom Mom …. how I see it.
Missing them when I don’t see them - even if it’s just a few days.
Being ME with no inhibition’s, They just love you for who you are
Singing loudly and they are ok with it
Not getting enough of them
They actually think you are cool
Melting at the site of them
Heart to heart talks, even the teenagers
Seeing the world through their eyes.
They love your stories, over and over again. Especially the ones of their own parents
Did you know …
-Although grandkids (especially the young ones) can be mentally exhausting, spending time with them can actually boost your cognitive performance.
-Studies have shown that having a relationship with grandkids can add an average of five years to grandparents lives. I'll take that.
-A good relationship between grandparents and their young adult grandchildren can benefit the psychological health of both the grandparent and the grandkid.
-Caring for grandchildren can help with depression, boost social connections and keep older adults mentally sharp..
-Grandparents provide stability, safety, wisdom and fun.
-One study found that in families where grandparents regularly spent time with teenage grandchildren, the teens had lower rates of depression than teens who didn’t see their grandparents often
-They were known to have higher academic success, greater self-confidence and higher rates of competence and maturity
-Studies have found that children who are close to their grandparents have fewer emotional and behavioral problems, and are better able to cope with traumatic life events, like a divorce or bullying at school.