It’s been a week around here. Not a bad one, but for a week that on paper looked like it was going to be packed full, we ended up doing a lot more just hanging out at home because of a cough Kaitlyn developed last Sunday. Because of the cough and the low-grade fever (100.5), I cancelled my sitter and kept her out of school. That made it a far less productive week than I originally had planned, but once I accepted that, the extra downtime became a welcomed change.
Long story short, the recipe I wanted to share with y’all today will have to wait until next week, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to sit down, sip something warm (currently I’m trying a new matcha latte), and chat with y’all for a bit.
So, if we were meeting for coffee…
I’d first tell you about my dad. I know I haven’t talked about it much, but my mind is always with my family right now. This experience has given me a new level of compassion. I have such a heightened sense of how much may be going on under someone’s surface because the world doesn’t stop even when you sometimes feel like it should. So we keep going because there is no other option. My dad is a man with an innate ability to help others. Through his profession and in his personal life, it’s just what he does, which is lighting a fire in me to try and do more of the same- to love (sometimes he doles out the tough love though, don’t ya dad 😉), help, spread kindness, etc.
So many of you have reached out via instagram and email to ask how things are going. The love and support mean SO much. Overall, we are doing OK. I keep meaning to try and come up with a better answer but the reality is right now we’re just in it. We’re going through it and trying to do the next right thing. Dad started chemo. Mom is juicing and together they are implementing a lot of varied natural approaches in conjunction with the chemo. We are researching and staying up to date on all the incredible advancements that are happening all the time. We are throwing everything we can at this cancer, including love. And love sometimes means you have to chill out, laugh, and let some normalcy creep in for everyone’s sanity. It’s a new road for me (for all of us) and I’m learning to navigate it as I go. Some days I feel like I’m doing a pretty terrible job, but then I remind myself that all I can do is show up and to love my family.
There is no way to gently transition from cancer to any other topic, so just turn sharply with me and go with it.
If we were having coffee…
I’d admit I’m not quite sure what to do with Kaitlyn next year. As of right now I have her signed up for 2 mornings a week in our beloved preschool. I feel like still have some one on time with Hailey for homeschool would be good, but having Kaitlyn home all this week makes me wonder if it might actually be easier to just start homeschooling her too?
The girls generally enjoy being together and the flexibility is really nice. Just yesterday for example, we (yes all three of us, haha) met Julie and Jen for coffee/tea at Summit Coffee in Davidson. We get together every couple of months and I can’t tell you how much I thoroughly enjoy spending a couple hours with these ladies. If you read their blogs, I can assure you they are as thoughtful, compassionate, and loving in real life as they are online and I’m grateful for their friendship. Since my two girls were tagalongs, they spent the coffee date as screen zombies, much to their delight.
Since we didn’t have to rush afterwards to pick anyone up from preschool, we stayed out, enjoyed the gorgeous weather, climbed trees, and took our time getting back home. It was a lovely, relaxed rhythm to the day and it has me wondering if we should just transition into homeschooling both of them?
If we were having coffee…
I’d share that I’m really into self-care/health-care things lately. First of all, I’ve become a bath addict. It’s almost a nightly ritual now that I’ve discovered bath bombs. I’ve tried bath bombs from Thrive, Sky Organics, and was recently sent a lovely bath box to try from Zayith (use the code DIXON20 for 20% off your first order) and I am HOOKED. I just think these would make such a fabulous gift for a mom, sister, gal pal, etc.
Though I wouldn’t call my exercise schedule steady by any means, I’ve fallen into a nice combination of Burn Boot Camp (I hit up the 5AM today!) and yoga. I’ve taken some classes at a local yoga studio, which have been OK, but I am looking online for some good options too. I’ve done several of Yoga with Adriene– are there any others you’d recommend?
I rejoined Thrive Market (affiliate link) after a hiatus because it’s really such a convenient resource for finding new health products.
Bath soap for kids, vitamin B12 (a good vitamin for anyone eating less/no meat), organic coffee, some new warm drinks to try- so much good stuff! I tried these Snacklins for fun, which are made of mushrooms and yuca but resemble pork rinds. So random! But the girls liked the BBQ flavor a lot.
I’m also dry brushing, making tofu breakfast burritos, diffusing oils daily, eating garlic, drinking tonic, and making lentil soups, like this one from Cookie+Kate which is a good, and even better the second day!
I think that about covers life at the moment. Hailey has her rock concert tonight (she’s playing the drums!) and a basketball game tomorrow. Kaitlyn’s cough seems to keep fading more everyday so I’m hoping the trend continues. David, though not mentioned much in this update, is good too 🙂 He recently hacked into our old college computers and recovered all the pictures from those years. We’ve had a lot of good laughs over them though I wish a few would have remained unable to be recovered!
Stay well, my friends, I know the flu is everywhere right now! And I hope you all have a wonderful weekend <3
Fill me in- what is the latest with you?
Have you had an off week? It seems quite a few people have!
What healthy living habits/foods are you into right now?
Karen says
I agree….rough week here also.
It’s 5 oclock somewhere right…..wine anyone!?!?
Can I ask…did you like those coconut wraps?
Brittany Dixon says
I haven’t tried these coconut wraps yet, but I’ve tried a similar kind in the past and would consider them “pretty good.” It’s not a flour tortilla by any means, but it works well enough (not toooooo coconutty) for a simple lunch wrap.
Jeannie says
We have mindfulness meditation at work and also the meditation podcasts.
What helped Kaitlin cough? Any tips? Now my son has started with one.
Have a great weekend!
Brittany Dixon says
I’ve heard a lot of people talk about meditation podcasts! Any you recommend?
I’ve been giving Kaitlyn garlic 2X/day in peanut butter, elderberry syrup 2x/ day, Zarbees nighttime cough medicine (in the evenings), lots of water and lots of rest. She’s still snoozing now (almost 8:00, so I know her body is needing that downtime!)
Jeannie says
Meditation oasis
And
Meditation minis podcast
Brynn says
I’ve been thinking of your family and keeping you in my prayers.
Brittany Dixon says
That means so much to me; thank you <3
Miki says
Check out Yoga by Candace on YouTube or her blog. Have a great weekend.
John J. says
How fortunate I am to have such a loving, supportive, creative daughter. You continue to amaze me with your gifts. So proud of you!
Donna says
You seem to be an absolutely wonderful father! I am sending you my prayers. You have a beautiful family and have raised good, kind and loving children it appears. You are all very blessed to have the love of your amazing family to get through life together, the good as well as these hard times.
John J. says
Thank you, Donna. We are blessed. May your be as well.
Erin says
Thinking about you and your family and keeping you in my heart. It’s been a week here too and I’m so thankful for the weekend. The boys are going camping with the cub scouts so that means it’s a girls night which means nail painting parties and the my little pony movie. I can’t wait! Hope you have a good weekend.
Liz says
It’s been a long and rough week here too! Half our house is just now finally getting over the two-week-long flu, plus this is the second snow day this week and I am SO SO SO over winter!!! Living in Michigan has its perks in the summer time, but winter is so long and awful.
It’s nice to hear an update on your dad, even if there isn’t much to tell. I’ll be sending positive thoughts his way!
I bought a nicer mini trampoline right after Christmas and have really enjoyed rebounding for exercise lately. I’m specifically interested in the benefits it may have for the lymphatic system and drainage, although so far I haven’t noticed an extreme difference. Combining it with my Zumba class and a boot camp class has given me a good mix of strength and cardio and keeps things fun.
Amber P. says
I really enjoy Leslie Fightmaster Yoga on YouTube. She has SO MANY videos and range from 15 minutes to 90 minutes.
Prayers for your Dad❤️ my 84 year old grandmother just beat lung cancer last year, It can be done!!!!
Sarah says
I love reading your blog! Keep it up!!
I had a question – I saw the container Vega in your photo – what are your favorite things to use it for. Smoothies? Baking? Or just plain with water? I’d love hear about your favorite ways of using it.
Thanks!!
Brittany Dixon says
Hey Sarah! I’m not actually quite sure how I plan to use it yet! I was thinking smoothies, but I don’t actually drink smoothies very often so I’m go to play around with it in water or in no-bake energy balls just to have an option for some added protein if I feel like I need it. I’ll report back if I find anything good!
Sarah Herring says
Continued prayers for you and your dad! You seem like such a strong family! ❤️
I would like to hear more about dry brushing!
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you <3
I still feel like a newcomer to dry brushing, though I've been doing it for a while. It's supposed to be great for lymphatic drainage, but on a more superficial level, it has made me skin so much softer and smoother!
Emily says
Sending you guys love, every day. It’s not the fight anyone chooses, but when it’s teh fight you’ve got, you put everything you have at it! <3 <3
Brittany Dixon says
Sending love to you everyday too! <3
Erica says
Preschool has been giving me stress lately! I was hoping to get my 3-year old (in June) into a 3 morning a week program, but despite logging on the moment I was allowed to, I’m still #10 on the waiting list. This ticketmaster approach from a school which we fist checked out over a year ago has greatly soured me on the process. I’m finding many of the church programs are also ticketmaster style or don’t start morning session until 9 a.m. I visited some Montessori options and in a brief moment of panic considered just enrolling both my children full time and becoming a regular working mom! Alas, that has passed and I have a few more places to visit. I’ve decided just to go with fate on this one. I’ve done a lot of work on this and if nothing works out, he will just stay home full time for another year. I should be devoting some time to developing projects for my nanny to do with him, but I don’t have the energy on weeknights and weekends for that. I am always SO impressed by your planning, organization, and everything you get done! I need to search your site for some 3-year old stuff 🙂 Or if you have a good website recommendation for older toddlers/young preschool please send my way! My thoughts are with your family and especially your dad. It sounds like they are remaining very positive and proactive and working in healthcare I’ve seen that help so much!
Marci Gilbert says
I know what you mean about being “in it” and just trying to keep going. Our house flooded during hurricane Harvey and we are still displaced. Friends, mostly more like acquaintances, assume we are back home and everything is fine, but it is not. We will all get through these days!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh Marci, I’m so sorry to hear you are still displaced. That has to be incredibly challenging not to be settled. I hope things work themselves out quickly and you are able to put this behind you soon!
Rachel says
Sending warm thoughts. Watching a loved one deal with cancer can be tough on everyone – caregivers and adult children included.
I’m sure you know this already but cancer thrives on sugar. Juicing sounds awesome if it’s low sugar fruits and veggies.
Can you talk more about the protein powder (how do you use it?) and dry brushing, and daily oils…. inspiring!
Brittany Dixon says
The protein powder is new to me but after I play around with it I’ll report back! I’ll have to put dry brushing and oils on my list of things to write about more! I don’t feel like I know everything I need to know about them, but enjoy both!
Maggie says
Hi Brittany! I’ve followed your blog for a few years but I’m a first time commenter. I love reading about your family and life updates, especially as they relate to homeschooling! Just wondering, do you know how long you’d like to homeschool H & K?
Sherry says
You are so articulate, sweet, and caring. I do appreciate you -all you do and all you are-a wonderful daughter and friend! Your positive outlook on life is contagious-you spread kindness to all who know you! Thanks for being there for all of us. We are so fortunate to have the two best “kids” in the world.
John J. says
Sherry says it best! Ditto!
Katie says
I think EVERYONE had a rough week!
If you ever need to talk, I’ve been through having a sick parent- let me know!
Eva says
Thanks for sharing life lately! I don’t have a blog of my own but I do follow along with a bunch of bloggers (including Jen and Julie) pretty regularly and feel funny as this behind-the-curtain semi- stalker *insert laugh/crying emoji*
Anyway just wanted to reach out and say all the best to your dad & family! I actually work as an oncology pharmacist at a large cancer hospital in New England so if you ever have any chemo questions, you can always reach out to me! Although I’m sure you have plenty of resources at your treatment center as well 🙂
For YouTube yoga recs— if you haven’t come across Sean Vigue fitness yet I would highly recommend his stuff, not least bc he is goofy and hilarious and totally different from the usual hippy, meditative-voice yoga ladies — not that there’s anything wrong with them, but I love how he keeps it super down-to-earth and you feel like you’re just hanging out with a friend. And his yoga flows are quite effective too!
Brittany Dixon says
Hi Eva, I really appreciate that offer and may take you up on it. There is so much to learn so quickly and it can be confusing. People who work in oncology have special hearts so thank you for what you do!
PS- I’ll check out Sean Vigue too- thanks!!
Emma says
Thinking of you and your sweet daddy!
Brittany Dixon says
Thanks, Emma! <3
Kelli H says
I really enjoy Sarah Beth Yoga on Youtube. She kept me up on my practice when I wasn’t going to a studio.
Sending your family love!!
Mandi S says
Hi! Do you eat garlic only when you are sick or is this part of your daily routine?
Brittany Dixon says
Only when I feel a tickle start in my throat. Though during December I felt it was almost daily because I was so focused on not getting sick!