Yesterday morning, I wrote this on Instagram: "If you know me well, you know assembly is not in my vocabulary. I rush ahead, don't read all the instructions, and usually loose one part. But this very excited four year old is not gonna wait for dad to get home. ? one...
After falling into the trap of doing too many sponsored posts, I wanted to pause and get back to my blog's roots. (How many sponsored posts is too many? I'm sure this is different for everyone. For me, it was when I didn't have time to write what I really wanted to...
My Word of the Year Calm for 2016 I love the tradition of choosing a word. In January, I think of the word often. And for the rest of the year, I am in constant amazement when the word surfaces in conversation or text. When mom was here last week, I was thinking out...
This past year, I pulled back a little from sponsored posts. Those posts were a huge blessing to me and made a significant contribution to my family, and I will always be grateful for them. But, as I find my way in this blogging world, I wanted to create even more...
For more than a year and a half, we've been fundraising and preparing for Julia and Nate to go to Rome - to sing on New Years Day - for the Pope. This week, they are there with Brian, my father, my brother, my mother-in-law, and my father-in-law. It is absolutely...
For the first time in our marriage, we will be at home for Christmas. As I write this, mom, dad, and my brother are in El Paso, Texas making the trip here. We have always spent the holidays at someone else's home. This year, it's been even more precious to make our...
What do you do with your Christmas cards? Here is our Christmas Card Tradition Last week, I posted this on Instagram and Facebook. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement! A few of you asked for more specifics, so here is the full story. I used to open the...
Because I want them to remember what everything looked like... not perfect, often rearranged by little hands, hodgepodge of happy!
I participated in an Ambassador Activation on behalf of Influence Central for WaterWipes. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. Each week, I speak with moms about how they are doing. It may...
A few weeks ago, The Simple Farm hosted a potluck dinner for those who had planted or given a tree at their farm. I wrote about the day that Riley walked through the garden with Lylah and chose Grandma Wendy's tree earlier this year. This night was magical. I followed...
Years ago, I wrote a post that had the following sentence: "I will never be the amazing cupcake baking, list making, stay at home mom." Six years ago, there was no way I could see God's plan for today. Six years ago, I was thankful for a job outside the home that paid...
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by Groupon. All opinions are my own. Last week, I had the opportunity to learn more about Groupon. Did you know that there are coupons on their site? How did I not know this?! I knew about the deals they email out. Our family's...
Riley has been asking to learn to tie his shoes. The other day he asked, "Mom, are you tired of teaching me how to tie?". It was a complete gut check. I don't think I've said anything to him, but it is quite possible that he's picked up on my feelings when he's asked...
So, remember those fun, cute monthly photo shoots I've been doing with Mary Alice? Well, now she can sit and crawl. It's all over. I think I feel a sticker. Oh look! A sticker. Hey lady, if I sit on the blanket, can I get a sticker, too? Or maybe a treat?...
Mom and dad came to visit last week. It was so good for my soul. They are the most generous people you have ever met. They are generous with their time and their love and their finances and their talents. They give with absolutely no questions asked and no...
Disclosure:Â As an HP Smart Mom Panel member, I received free products in order to host the HP #StickaPic Party. The opinions expressed here are my own. On All Saints Eve, we held our third annual get together. We made our traditional two batches of chili, loads of...
My dearest Riley, You have now lived with us for over two years. In your life, you have now lived with us longer than anywhere else. I hope you feel like it is home. In the past year, we've walked a rocky path together. Grandma Wendy went to heaven. We met your first...