This is how my family looked in 2012. (Photo credit: Blue Lily Photography) Julia was born in 2000. Nate was born in 2003. After Nate, Brian and I struggled with miscarriages. My dear friends Heather and Hannah encouraged me to write down their names as part of my...
Hello dear ones. Earlier this year, I spoke at a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group and shared a message about Noticing Goodness. I've felt something tugging at my heart to share it here on this space, too. So many things pull at our attention every day. I'm sure...
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Starbucks as part of an Influencer Activation. I received compensation and complimentary products to facilitate my review. School is out for summer, which is so very wonderful! The kids are home and pajamas are on until at least...
Things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona with kids- the ultimate list when you want to get out and have a fun time! We've now been in Scottsdale, Arizona for eight years. A few years ago I wrote a post about ten things you can do in Scottsdale, Arizona with kids. I was...
School is out! It is summertime! A break from the alarm clock and laundry for a little while! Each summer, I sketch out our weeks. It makes things a little easier on everyone. It gives us a goal and helps give a little structure to those slower days. I was looking...
We are twenty months apart. His given name is John. He goes by BJ. I call him Johnny. Johnny and Katie. We did everything together. There were only three girls in a neighborhood full of boys, so right there on Las Palmas, I learned how to frame stand on a dirt bike...
Disclosure:Â This post was sponsored by SwimWays as part of an Activation for Influence Central. I received products to facilitate my review. I can remember when we were searching for a house when we moved to Arizona. We were hoping for a place close to where we worked...
Mary Alice turned one a few days after my grandmother passed away. In my pantry were the cutest little decorations and plates and napkins you ever did see. Mom had everything ready for me. But after that phone call, I just didn't feel like celebrating. I was okay,...
If you follow @thesimplefarm on Instagram, you know that it is the time of year for little goat babies. I spent some time with the adorable tiny things. They were so precious. And fast. Did you know they are crazy fast? I guarantee you that it is impossible not to...
Disclaimer: I was invited to a complimentary sneak preview of Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War. On Wednesday, Nate and I put on our Captain American pins and cheered loudly for #TeamCap. We do love IronMan, but when forced to chose, well #America. We absolutely...
Disclosure: I received items from the Ken Sheldon collection at Hallmark to review. It is my honor to share news with you from a company that I enjoy and support! #LoveHallmark Today, I drove my mom to the airport, so that she could return home. For the past few...
On March 14th, 1998 your father proposed. The engagement ring was so beautiful and classic and simple, which was exactly what I wanted. A few months later, one of the prongs that held the diamond broke. We found the diamond and asked our friend, Chuck Konderla, who...
{Julia as the Lead Fairy in A Midsummer Night's Dream} Our school. I can't even explain how amazing it is. We belong to a small, wonderful Catholic school named Ville de Marie Academy. This school. It is filled with children who love God and serve Him with their...
It was a beautiful April day and Maddie chose the Scottsdale Civic Center. (I always give seniors a few choices of where to go. I love seeing where they choose!) Maddie and Julia are friends, so we left the house, grabbed some tea, and headed out. I was so excited to...
Very soon, it will be eleventy million degrees here. We are soaking up all of the picnic dinners we can. There is something amazing about eating outside. We sit around a little while longer. We talk and laugh a little louder. We dance to the country music daddy puts...
I'd forgotten how much you play outside when they are this little. They love the dirt and the rocks and the sand. They point at airplanes and imitate the doggies barking. They smell eat the flowers and remind you to slow down. You can't take your eyes off of them, so...
Photo Credit: Dream Photography Studio (Thank you, Stacey. I will treasure this picture always! The ring you captured in the picture was the ring my grandmother, Mary Alice, gave me when I graduated high school.) Oh Mary Alice... where do I even start? You are a...
Yesterday morning, Brian received the text from my mama that my grandmother had passed away. It was time to take the big kids to school, but Julia wasn't feeling well. She had laryngitis, could barely speak, and was exhausted. Brian scooped up Mary Alice, asked Riley...
African violets and the perfect shade of pink nail polish. A drawer full of juicy fruit gum when we came to visit. She would gush over how much she loved my daddy. What-a-burger on a normal day, Jason's Deli after church, and Red Lobster on fancy occasions. Drives out...
In a few weeks, my oldest will turn 16. Her request was very simple. She wanted the ballet and a nice dinner. We celebrated today, so that we could see Swan Lake. We ate too much and sang as loudly as we could in the car. We discussed the really important things, like...
As I was finishing this post, Brian put on Sentimental Journey in the background. It's a great soundtrack for the post, so feel free to click here and listen while you read... Dad came to visit for my birthday! Growing up, if there was a battlefield, historical site,...