On the 12th, we passed six months of having Riley in our home. It gets better every single day. He has a new laugh that he is showing us. I wonder if this is his true laugh and we are just now hearing it. Nate has become this amazing caretaker. He invites Riley to go...
I like making areas pretty. When I have to spend a lot of time in a room, I love to make it something I will smile at. I love taking little nooks and crannies and hiding beauty. Because, why not? Right? I have to walk into the pantry at least five times a day - if not...
I thought about letting yesterday go by without saying anything, but then I read Rachel's post. I remembered the comfort and bond I felt reading stories of women who had been through exactly what I had been through. I remember feeling like I was taking a deep breath...
I think Welcome to the World photography sessions might be my favorite. I come the day after the birth and photograph siblings and grandparents meeting the newborn. I pay careful attention to the sweet glances between mom and baby and notice the special things about...
Once upon a time, it was October. After a business law exam, which I was sure I did not do well on, Brian met me in the parking lot walking back to my dorm. He gave me a hug and asked if he could take me to lunch. He drove me to a beautiful park. He opened his trunk...
This afternoon went something like this... Take a little nap and wake up smiling and reminding myself to tell you that Julia and I sang together at church today. It was so fun and I will remember it always. The day digressed very quickly. Very quickly. So, if you need...
On Thursday morning, we woke up to a very cloudy day. It was raining lightly and the temperature had dropped! As I was driving Nate to school that morning, I noticed that the night blooming cactus were still open. These cactus are my favorite. They work so hard for a...
There are very few times in this world, when we have the opportunity to look pop culture square in the face and say, "no, thank you." Over the past few years, we had noticed Julia talking less and less about friends she had at school. She was telling us less about her...
Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client. You may remember me telling you about Julia's first phone. Well, today marks...
Disclosure: As a member of the Children’s Claritin Mom Crew, I receive product samples and promotional items to share and use as I see fit. No monetary compensation has taken place and any opinions expressed by me are honest and reflect my actual experience. Hi...
Blended Conference marked my 10th blogging conference. Every conference I attend, I think - why am I going? I'm not a big blogger. I'm not going to be the next Pioneer Woman or Enjoying the Small Things - (well, unless something really cool happens and I absolutely...
After Julia was born, Brian's parents stayed with us for a little bit. Brian's mom cooked for us during that time. It was at that time I had a huge epiphany about what my pantry should look like as a newlywed. (Newlyweds are you listening?!) I was buying groceries and...
When I was a little girl, mom and dad would play John Michael Talbot to calm us down. When we were going to bed or ill, they would put on his music. I had a tendency to have an upset stomach anytime I was nervous about something. Mom had a candle on her dresser. It...
The fall weather is finally here! It is so wonderful. I think the entire Valley of the Sun breathed a collective sigh of relief. Riley and I have been enjoying the mornings outside. Last month, the shadow of a hummingbird caught my eye. I was sitting in Ashley's...
The first afternoon Riley was with me, I made banana bread. Now, about once a month he asks me to make 'naner red'. I'm pretty sure it is just so that he can eat the chocolate chips off the top. Not sure what gave me that idea...
"Do not worry about what other people think of you. The work I am doing in you is hidden at first. But eventually blossoms will burst forth..." This is a lesson I wonder if I will ever learn. As a seventh grader, I was that girl. There was a group of other girls that...
(One of Riley's first meeting with dad. Dad was putting together his bicycle) (The family at Pinnacle Peak Patio two weeks ago during mom and dad's fall visit!) Daddy's birthday was yesterday. He is so special. If you know him, you know he can only be described by...
Disclosure: I've been given the opportunity to review the Make A Plate Art Project. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” A few years ago,...
The funniest part of blogging is when your little ones decide you need to share something. Julia loves sandwiches - I mean really loves sandwiches. This summer, I set out to make the perfect sandwich for her and I am happy to tell you it has been done. We figured out...
It is hard to believe that this was almost a year ago. I originally wrote this for a series Chrissie Grace had on being 'Beautiful and Brilliant'. I started to write an updated tonight, but decided to be brave and share part one here - in this space. It was so much...
This year, we made a big decision about Julia's school. She is now attending a private, Catholic school. The school district we live in is academically great. We've never had any major issues with teachers or principals. (In fact, a few of the teachers are some of our...