Simple Side of Life

SEPSIS - How do you know?

2018-01-07T22:34:00.001-06:00

It seems like just yesterday that we were introduced to the world of SEPSIS. We continue to be grateful for everyone that was surrounding Mike, their diligence with saving him and prayers that flowed in. During this time of year that illnesses are more prevalent, I wanted to takes some time and pass along information about SEPSIS and warning signs to look for. The second time in the ER was when they determined what was transpiring with Mike. If you or a loved one exhibit any of these warning signs, please make sure you are advocating and asking questions. I continue to hear many stories of how SEPSIS has affected people's lives.

Great informational site: SEPSIS

SEPSIS ALLIANCE

DoTerra Essential Oils

2014-12-31T14:21:00.002-06:00

Greetings everyone –

I have been using DoTerra oils for a while and love them! I wanted to pass along and open information up to my family & friends. I used to pick up oils at the Food Coop / Whole Foods, but have found a significant difference with the quality of DoTerra oils. They are therapeutic grade, just like the Young Living Oils (another oil company). A little goes a long ways. They can be applied topically, put in a diffuser or used as a room spray. The options are endless. I have one that I especially love, Wild Orange, that I put a drop in about 16 oz of water. I’ve tried different powder packets or liquid drops from the store, but have found this flavoring to be the best. I use many of the single oils or blend them together to support my family’s health. I have a diffuser that I also use and have it going throughout the house.

Here is a link that can provide you with more information on pricing, options, etc. They have a great link to their DoTerra Living magazine and product guide that can provide you with more information. If you are interested in more information or would like to try them out, send me a note. Blessings for the New Year!

http://www.mydoterra.com/emilyvoelker/

L & K Wenzel Tranportation to the the Receoption

2014-06-18T11:40:00.003-05:00

Here are some more photos!

Click HERE to get access to the photos.
password: laurakyle

Enjoy!

L & K Wenzel Reception

2014-06-17T22:35:00.001-05:00

Here are a few more photos of Laura & Kyle's reception.

Make sure to click on LIKE on the Simple Side of Life page to get updates on pictures.

Click HERE to access the photos.
Password: laurakyle

Enjoy!

L & K Wenzel Dance Photos - LINK

2014-06-14T22:04:00.002-05:00

I still have more to add, but here is a preview of some of the photos from the dance. If anyone would like to download the images, click on the arrow below the picture and you can download the full size image. Enjoy!

Click here for the photos!
Password: laurakyle

Click LIKE on FACEBOOK to continue to get updates on the photos.

Summer Fort Making

2014-06-12T19:20:00.001-05:00

Our summer fort making has begun! Stay tuned for our transformation, but we simply "upcycled" some old curtains and reused some flags from Ava's first birthday party. We added a couple of details, picked some flowers from the garden and the kids made themselves at home! We'll add a few more touches to the fort throughout the summer. Here is just a glimpse of what we have started! I'll post some more outdoor fort ideas to keep your creative juices going this summer!
Enjoy!

Congratulations Laura & Kyle!

2014-06-08T12:40:00.000-05:00

What a beautiful couple! I had the privilege of spending the day with Laura and Kyle! Here is a glimpse of one of many photos that I captured! Congratulations Laura & Kyle!

Woodland Fairy Village

2013-12-16T21:29:00.002-06:00

The simple wonders of what birch branch can do for a child are endless! All you need is a branch, some sticks, saw and glue. The woodland fairy village continues to change, but here is a start. Enjoy! If you like what you see, click on LIKE on my Simple Side of Life Facebook page to continue to get updates.

Got Junk? - Part II

2013-11-23T17:41:00.005-06:00

Our invention box has moved indoors! With the weather turning to 10 degrees, I needed to get our invention area arranged for the kids. The invention materials used to sit in a box that would get pulled out every now and again during the cold winter months. This seemed completely backwards to me! When we get into a creative state of mind, we need to have the materials available!
I recycled a toy box that we were already using and added all of the invention materials to it. Where did I get the invention materials? I gathered things that may typically get thrown away, such as: empty paper towel tubes, toilet paper tubes, string, pumps from lotion bottles, covers to bottles, cardboard that comes in packaging, etc. Just make sure to rinse any items that have food or lotion on them before you add them to the box. I then have a supply area that contains scissors, masking tape, scotch tape, glue, string and duct tape. I set it up in a designated area and let the kids dive into the box! I'll post a few of the inventions that the kids created. Enjoy!

Mr. Nordlie, Thank You!

2013-11-17T12:49:00.000-06:00

A simple thank you is all it takes, but sometimes we weren't in the moment to recognize when the thank you was needed. We have all had those teachers that have left an impact on us and those that had a day to day presence that is vividly remembered. The contributions you made to all of us are immeasurable and the lessons so important. Thank you for never being afraid to greet us like real people and creating an environment each and every day that was memorable. Your simple gestures and words of encouragement will always continue! Thank you Mr. Nordlie!! If you have a favorite memory, what was it?

Elf on the Shelf

2012-12-22T12:51:00.000-06:00

Elf on the Shelf Part 2

2012-12-12T06:57:00.000-06:00

Here are some more ideas of what to do with your Elf!

Elf on the Shelf!

2012-12-01T13:38:00.000-06:00

Need some Elf on the Shelf ideas? Subscribe to my blog, follow me on Pinterest, like me on Facebook or write a comment and I'll send you a PDF of ideas for 15 days. Keep checking back for more goodies that are in the works! Make sure to suscribe to this blog so that you can continue to get updates!

Waiting for the School Bus!

2012-10-15T16:03:00.000-05:00

It is the little things in life! Every morning Owen hops up on the bench and waits patiently for the school bus to come by. His birthday is coming up and was trying to find some truck videos for toddlers. I came across a few below. Let me know if you know of any other ideas!

This is one that I came across. They also have other DVDs that they make.

Time

2012-04-18T09:12:00.000-05:00

Where does the time go? I have been enjoying my time back in the classroom and have a fantastic group of students that I get to see each and every day. Time...well, it simply has not been put into this blog. As I am gearing up for summer plans, the excitement is starting to build on how I get to use my time away from work. I'm looking forward to soaking up all the adventures with my family and friends. I am in planning mode, so stay tuned to all kinds of fun activities you can do with your kids!

Happy Birthday Owen!

2011-10-28T06:41:00.000-05:00

So many changes in one year! The one thing that doesn't change is the smile that is on his face all the time! Happy 1st Birthday Owen!

Check out this fun give away!

2011-10-28T06:39:00.000-05:00

Shelley, from the blog Crazy Wonderful has a fun giveaway that she is doing! Check out the fun burlap clutch that she makes!

Little Guy

2011-10-27T06:50:00.000-05:00

Our little guy will be turning 1 tomorrow and have been looking for some adorable ties for him. I came across this great shop on Etsy that has some fun designs to work with. How cute is this one!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83834694/fun-to-be-one-collection-in-orange-white

Fall Must-Take Photo Checklist

2011-10-09T15:57:00.000-05:00

Before all the leaves are blown from the trees this weekend, I wanted to share my Fall Must-Take Photo Checklist. It is just a few ideas to use when taking phtographs this fall. Here are just a few things you can capture this fall:

à Carved pumpkin

à Cozy sweater while sitting by a fire

à Ringing the doorbell while trick or treating

à Details of your Halloween costume

à Initials carved in a pumpkin

à Favorite Halloween book

à Raking the leaves

à Basket full of apples

à Picking apples at the orchard

à Sitting in a pile of pumpkins

à Sitting on a bale of hay

à Biking down the street surrounded by fall colors

à A tasty apple

à Thanksgiving tradition

à Write in chalk what you are thankful for

You can find the full list of ideas here in my Must-Take Fall Photo Checklist. Download it and put it in your camera bag! Now get out there and soak up this beautiful day! What are some of your favorite moments to capture throughout the fall?
If you like what you see, check out my FACEBOOK page and hit like to be notified about new ideas.

Minnesota State Fair!

2011-09-05T14:51:00.000-05:00

Enjoyed a great day at the Minnesota State Fair! This was one of our favorite stops! What did you enjoy at the fair this year?

Our Little Guy is 10 Months Today!

2011-08-28T15:04:00.000-05:00

Where does the time go? Hard to believe the little guy is 10 months old already! Stay tuned for some great ideas of what you can do with a 9-12 month old. It is always the "non-toy" items they love the best! Enjoy the day!

Got junk? Create an Invention Box for the Kids!

2011-08-27T09:54:00.000-05:00

It is a beautiful Saturday morning to get out our Invention Box. Ava LOVES this box! The next time you think about throwing something away, decide if that junk would be a good addition for your Invention Box. Just make sure all the containers are cleaned and washed out!
It could be anything…here are just a few things that are in our box: spray pump from an empty bottle, paper towel tube, rubber bands, sponges, empty coffee can, endless covers from containers, old stickers, small cardboard boxes, anything that is shiny and sparkly, old wires, etc. You can also go around your house and see if there are any extra things you might want to add like Q-tips, straws, cotton balls, etc.
The only extras that I provide are a pair of scissors, glue bottle and a few drops of paint that she can jazz her project up with! Take a look at the pictures to give you a little idea. When I pulled the box out today, Ava decided that she was going to make a giraffe. It then turned into being an elephant. Love how the mind of a 3 year old works! A few hours later you can see what her version of an elephant looks like! Enjoy!

Summer Must-Take Photo Checklist

2011-08-25T10:22:00.000-05:00

I love photography and can spend endless hours looking at tips, techniques and ideas! The summer flies by way too fast and wanted to capture every moment of summer. Here are a few ideas of photos to capture throughout the summer with your family:

à Playing in the sand at the beach

à Doing a summer craft

à Swinging

à Eating sweet corn and watermelon

à Watering the garden

à Picking fresh food from the garden

à Picking strawberries

à Drinking lemonade or selling it at your lemonade stand

à Flying a kite

à Roasting a marshmallow

à Water balloon fight

à A summer picnic

If you would like a copy of the list, click here to like me on FACEBOOK and then I can provide you with the checklist. You can find the full list of ideas here in my Must-Take Summer Photo Checklist. Download it and put it in your camera bag! Now get out there and soak up this beautiful day! What are some of your favorite moments to capture throughout the summer?

If you like what you see, check out my FACEBOOK page and hit like to be notified about new ideas.

Summer Bucket List

2011-08-23T11:52:00.000-05:00

The summer seems to fly by and all the best laid out plans sometimes get forgotten. At the beginning of the summer, I created a Summer Bucket List to keep us focused on all the fun things we wanted to accomplish over the summer. Summer isn't over yet and still getting things checked off the list! There are a lot of great ideas out there on how to make a bucket list, but I simply made it on a sheet of paper. I kept it hanging in a place that we could see it all the time. You can also cut out each idea and put it in a jar. When you need a last minute idea of something to do, draw one from the jar. Feel free to download the Summer Bucket List and add items for your bucket list next summer. Keep your eyes open for my Fall Bucket List! Enjoy! What was on your bucket list?

Welcome!

2011-08-17T12:32:00.000-05:00

Thank you for stopping by! My name is Emily, founder and editor of Simple Side of Life. I am also a mom to Ava & Owen and wife to Michael. I love to discover, create, celebrate, explore and share all the things that help keep life simple so you can soak up every moment! I live in Minnesota where the summers are hot and winters are incredible. I hope you stick around to find useful tools and fun ways to be creative, live your fullest and celebrate each and every day!

Hang in there as I get all of the tweaks out of this blog!