Currently {Thursday Edition}

Happy Thursday!! Oh man is it snowing outside! I was hoping to take the kiddos to the museum of play, but they're still kind of sick and the roads are terrible.  So I have been trying to break out some fun things like paint in ziploc bags taped to the windows and banging on pots and pans with wooden spoons.  It's sort of working...

I had a few ideas floating around in my head that I wanted to share!  

Meditation:

For 4 days in a row, I have started each morning with this 10 minute guided meditation for my chakras.  I obviously don't expect immediate results, but I have been wanting to meditate and work on this forever, so I just started doing it. I'll grab my iPad first thing and listen to it.  So far I like it. I want to give it 21 days to really start it as a habit and see how I feel.

KEEP:
Today the new Blue Ikat leather keeper was released along with the new Chevron Geo Bar.  How adorable?!  I cannot wait to add this to my arm parties.   " Wear this Limited Edition Key as a reminder that beyond the clouds, the stars still sparkle."  ---I LOVE THAT!!

Sticky Asian Ribs:
Dinner is marinating in the fridge as I type!  I combined two recipes and kind of put my own spin on them.  I am hoping these turn out as good as I hope!! I will for sure let you know and give a better detail of them.  {here and here}  I made a soup the other day kind of concocting a bunch of things together and Joe and I LOVED it. So, here's to another new recipe!!

Listening to:
So this song isn't new, but it's on some commercial and I had Joe look it up...the lyrics are actually really good! It came on my "Today's Hits" on Pandora too, so I just keep playing it.  Nice little ring to it...

Bradley boy:

Have I mentioned that I never had brothers or really any sort of "training" when it comes to baby boys?! Haha.  This one, ohhhh my word.  He is something else, I tell ya! He fell asleep on the way home from Target the other day...

He finds it hilarious to put the soft block in this wood holder and bounce on it.  Repeatedly.  He also really enjoys climbing onto EVERYTHING and giving his momma almost heart attacks.   Clearly he's a bit on the wild side. Most pictures are like this~

And today?  
Brooke was up coughing at 11, 1, 3 {got up to get her some water, let the dog out} and then she was up at 5.  Bradley woke up crying and has been off all day--I had Joe bring home some infant tylenol as I think it's his bottom molar and I usually don't give our babes meds, but this little dude was in pain and I felt so bad for him.  He's finally down napping now and seemed A LOT better after that.  Plus they're both fighting off these stupid colds...



Drinking:
Club W--My friend Amie sent me a coupon to try this wine delivery.  You see, here in NY I can't just grab a bottle of wine at the grocery store.  We have to go to a liquor store, which never happens with two littles in tow.  Plus they have a cool quiz you can take and get some wine recommendations.  If you're interested, here's the coupon for you to try!  {here}  Since that box I ordered hasn't arrived yet, I may have begged hubs to grab me a bottle of white on the way home. #sos

Reading:
I've got a goal to be more of a finisher.  I tend to get sidetracked with great ideas and ambitions, but never finish, or almost never finish and then I feel like poo. {Thanks to a Chalene podcast I was listening to, it really helped me see that!} SO,  I started reading The Sell a few months ago and I am bound and determined to finish it!  I will review it when I am done. #boom

Thought of the day week: I keep pushing on.  This doesn't really mean I'm going to give up as a mom by any means, it's just that in general, things get super hard and I get frustrated...but I know that it's in these crucial moments a breakthrough is bound to happen.

Stay beautiful my friends!! xox

Mommy Moments

I just wanted to capture some of the photos from my phone on the blog.  We've done a few things in January like attend a friend's 4th birthday!

We had a playdate at the museum of play.

He loved Mr MacGregor's garden

They both had a ball in this old fashioned kitchen. I literally sat and watched them play--so fun!

We've had some cute photo moments...

He's such a ham.

And a future flirt.

We walked the mall and let off some steam at the play area.

We purchased baby boy's first kicks!! Size 6.

We've had some cuddles on the couch while we have all come down with some sickies.

He really prefers feeding himself, as messy as it is, it's pretty cute.  Enjoying some of mama's homemade chicken soup.

I had to document this because I don't think either of my kids have fallen asleep in the high chair.  He didn't sleep much the night before and I was desperately trying to get them both to nap the same time. He didn't make it the 5 more minutes.  Poor bubs.

So while the stomach sickies have subsided, we're still trying to kick these colds. Poor Joe has it really bad today and so I'm off to the grocery store to stock up on more soup ingredients! This house needs to be cleansed or something. No more illnesses please!

I'm thinking of trying these two:

Healing Soup

Carrot & Ginger Soup

We devoured this one the other day---so good!

Apple & Sweet Potato Soup

Sometimes I question what my calling is, but today I feel confident that I am here to care for these beautiful souls.  I am not knocked down with this cold like them, so I am doing everything in my power to stay that way!! 

Sending much healing energy to everyone who may need it today..

Stay beautiful xox

Gimme all the Pink and Red Hearts!!

I love, love. I know it's silly, but the pink and red hearts just make my own heart skip a beat! We dined on some delicious little devils after a doctor's appointment last week.  We never eat donuts, so when we do?  You betcha they're gonna be pink and heart shaped!!

Speaking of food, I want to do this with the kids too! I think I can pull it off??  I have to go search for my cookie cutters.  Brooke would get a kick out of it I think!

I also want to do some little crafts this week:

I love the handprint in the heart. And the monkey?? Perfect for this new lunar new year!

I'm thinking if I feel daring enough, I'll let them dip their feet in the paint for this one!

For us big kids? I'll play up all my KEEP and style it red, pink, hearts & all the sparkles!

I have always adored rose quartz; I actually have four crystals up in our bedroom.  These are rose quartz stones are so beautiful and perfect to wear on a daily basis!  What you think about, you become.  ~Attract love~

Around the home?  I finally found my Valentine's bin! I don't have a ton, and I mostly bought decor when I had Brooke's 1st birthday (Pink cupcake themed!) so I decided the pink tulle and twinkle lights needed to come out again.   I never know what to do with that darn deer head??!

Our mantle.  I would like pink or red candles, so I maaaaay go take a little peek into Target later today for those.  The kids love the heart lights and I pulled out all of our gorgeous wedding photos.

I think I grabbed this at Jo-Ann's last year; I just loved the Victorian look/Paris theme.

Our littlest Valentine watching Daddy leave!

I'm pretty sure I got these in the Target dollar section too…I just love them!

Since Valentine's Day is on a Sunday, we scheduled a date night for Saturday & we'll all be home together Sunday.  I'm trying to think of a fancy recipe to do…Maybe we will do our pesto crusted lamb chops?  Scallops? Not sure.  Either way, I'm going to try to have hubby cook because that is always romantic.

V-Days past:
 2015
2014-- pretty sure we got our taxes done and I was on a cleanse, so I didn't even blog about it! haha
2013
2012


Do you have any fancy recipes you'll be making to celebrate your love?  Do you do something fun with your kids? I'd love to hear!

Stay beautiful xox

Leggings. Me Time. Chakras

Back in 2010 we went to Europe for our honeymoon. I saw every girl there wearing leggings and they looked so chic!! I bought a few pairs over there and cannot believe how much I still love them even now.  I know the trends tend to start over there and head over here, but I had no idea 6 years later, leggings would still be HOT HOT HOT.  I guess that's my excuse as to why I pretty much wear them 24/7.  Once in awhile I'll throw on some jeans, but let's be real.  They're not leggings.  I love a good summer dress, but in this Winter weather?  I love me some leggings.  It's so simple to throw on my Ugg boots or a pair of sneakers. Voila.

I figured I would share some of my favorites!

LuLaRoe.  They're definitely worth money, but try not to dry them! They'll fade a bit.  I love that they're funky and the prints are so cute.  I paired my new coral Keeper with the Palm leaf with these cuties!  {I won this as an incentive to sponsor & coach a teammate to qualify~I LOVE being recognized for accomplishments!!}

I scooped up these V-day inspired leggings a few weeks ago--totally adorable and fun!

Express- I think it's probably my favorite store and I love their leggings, but they can be pricey too. I got a few pairs while they were on sale---I love them!! I was so excited about the mesh design.  They're a bit breezy in the cold weather, but inside they're totally fine.

I feel so edgy and fun~

And of course Old Navy.  I still love my ON workout capris.  They're always good for some workout motivation!  I tried washing my sneaks but they're still quite stained when the baby had a little spit up on my left foot. I may or may not have been UBER romantic when I told my husband, can I please have new kicks instead of V-Day roses? LOL  Oy.

Friday I had an appointment to get an abdominal Ultrasound to see if I could get any answers about my tummy issues. {No word yet}.  I left the house at 7:30 and did not return until 2.  Whoa! 

It was wear red that day for heart disease and I was totally feeling that vibe...

After my ultrasound I went to Panera to grab breakfast since I had to fast prior.  It was so WEIRD to be able to sit, alone and eat. I honestly didn't even know what to do with myself.  After that I went and got gas, had a hair appointment, went and got my brows done and picked up sushi for Joe and I to eat when I got home.

In those hours I really took note of everything going on around me.  I find that when I'm with the kids, I am so focused on them, I rarely notice the little things. The traffic I was stuck in on the way to the ultrasound. The old man who yelled at another man for running a stop sign in the parking lot.  The two hours of conversation I was able to have with my hairdresser.  The uplifting brow appointment with a beautiful spirited person, Jenna.  Ever meet someone who just makes you feel better by being in her presence? Yes, that's her.  It's more than just getting my eye brows on fleek; I swear it was a bit of a tune up too.  She's into teaching yoga and all about the essential oils.  We talked about reiki and how I have been feeling all sorts of stuck and out of whack.  It made me want to revisit my whole "tune into the divine" and work on myself some more.  

She said wearing red is a great way to work on my root chakra and feel more grounded and balanced. Which is funny because while I was there I picked up an essential oil to try out; it seemed to kind of tell me that I needed it.  It smells sooooo amazing.  I haven't tried this brand, but I have heard wonderful things about it.  So I figured this mama of two littles could use a little extra "balancing" in her life.  I have been putting it on my wrists and just inhaling its lovely scent.  My next goal is to get my booty to a yoga class.

This whole weird not feeling well thing? It sucks, obviously.  Talking with T my trusted acupuncturist, she believes it's just stress.  She could be right. I put a lot of pressure on myself in a lot of ways, for no real reason at all.  I personally believe my Solar Plexus chakra is really unbalanced {causes digestive issues, etc} So I'm going to work on balancing these bad boys and trying not to be so worked up all of the time.  If you start googling, you will see all sorts of interesting info pop up! From songs, to wearing certain colors, and crystals...it's amazing! 

I saw this that someone painted and I wish I could paint it myself!  I love the mantras though...

Did you know there are Chakra stations on Pandora?? Yes, there are and you should totally go check them out.

I'm sure this may be a bit woo woo to some of you, but I personally find it fascinating!  I may have a citrine crystal on its way, to help me balance the negativity as well.

And this?  Love it.  Makes me happy to see the bright colors and remember to stop stalling and just start doing. It's going to be imperfect and messy and not what I expect, especially if I sit and think about everything instead of actually doing.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! We are just staying in and I'm working on trying to get all of us healthy.

Thoughts on Thursday

I saw a mug on social media, and I'm totally blanking on the company, but it said "Raising Tiny Humans in Exhausting." and I couldn't agree with it more.  There have been a lot of moments lately when my eyes just close and my mind stops racing, and I hear the cries.

Baby is up; his teeth are bothering him.  I go make a bottle, since that always helps, I go in and rock him for a bit.  He cuddles up with me, no longer fitting in the crook of my arms comfortably, but rather his long one year old body snuggles up close to me, head in my neck, me kissing his head.

I calm him down and he lays back down, holds his bottle and blankie and falls asleep...and what feels like moments later, I hear the damn neighbor's dog across the street bark, like clockwork at 6:30.

A few minutes later, I hear the baby.  And then Brooke. and just like that, the day starts over, once more.

I rush to get a bottle made, let the dog out, run back up to get Brooke out of bed so we don't have any accidents in bed, grab the baby and change his dirty diaper.  Hear the dog bark as she is back and doesn't want to sit outside in the cold. Run downstairs, turn on the coffee maker.  Iron Joe's clothes, get breakfast started...

It's a pretty standard routine and we could all get healthy and feel better, I know that it would run a little more smoothly.   Joe's Crohn's has really been acting up, he needs to go get checked out.  I've been dealing with some odd digestive issues myself and it's really getting old.  Healthcare is a pain in the butt and trying to get to appointments and figure out what is wrong is such a process.

We said to each other we really need to start having more fun.  I know life has changed with kids, but we know how important it is to keep our marriage and relationship strong.   I'm trying to interview more babysitters because we just don't have time for anything.  It's so hard to find good help you trust, so I am asking for some assistance from above, for a lot lately...

Baby boy is walking. Practically running! He's into everything and anything.  It's all eyes on him, or watch out.

Brooke had a pre-school open house for next year.  I was so nervous she wasn't going to get in because they only take 16 people, but we were #12 signing up and so that was a relief to find that out!

Joe sent me an article on how terrible it is to multi task in long story short, it makes you stupid.  Well explains it mommas!  At this point I have counted 6 times (and I have only sat down for maybe 5 minutes?) to grab Brookie tissues (runny nose).  She needed apple juice.  She was hungry.  She needed help with her play doh princess tower.  I forgot to grab my coffee.  I spilled the apple juice.

So, my point, as a mom, it's pretty much impossible to finish a task without stopping for someone else.  And when I don't stop? I hear cries. Whines. And eventually those little whines aren't so cute.

7 times now. I've stopped 7 times. 8.  9.  10...that play doh didn't keep her attention very long!



Anyway, I know this is a season, and I keep telling myself I'll miss this.  But right now?  It's hard.  Life gets hard, Being a mom to two littles and a wife to someone who has a pretty crappy disease and me not feeling well?  It's tough.  I somehow was afraid to be here on this blog. I worry about what everyone reading it will think, but after listening to Amber from Mommy's Me Time, I realized I have to stop.

If I feel a little helpless and like everything is not under control, I am sure there are other mommies out there feeling the same way.  I keep listening to a lot of Joel Olsteen (in my car) and Terri Savelle Voy (On you tube) and I keep hearing about how I need to act like it's all better. I need to thank God for all that I have, to be grateful, but also to thank him for what I want, as if I already have it.   Basically, it's "Living Breakthrough minded" and so that is what I'm going to keep doing.

Before I feel like I'm on top, I have to go through some tough times..well folks, I think those times are present.

I really feel like I'm rambling today, but I never want it to seem like I have it all together.  That I'm super human or perfect, because I'm not.  I'm not bulletproof and I always strive to be my best, but sometimes life is a little messy and just not easy.

There is so much I wish were different, and I try so very hard to work on my mindset and focus on the good.  Like in my little business? I did reach my goal of Associate Designer.  I had a few amazing socials last month and I actually did it and promoted within my 2 months.  So awesome and I am so proud of myself.  I know that it's important to me to have my own little thing. I find it so fun to help people create personalized pieces that bring them joy.  I would love to be able to work on this business for a few hours a week at a coffee shop or have some more at home socials, because I know I need that basic girl connection.  But now? I feel like it's back to the drawing board with my sweet little family and trying to heal all of us...

It takes a village to raise kids and sometimes I feel like the village is Joe and I.  And that's ok, it just takes a lot of work on our part!  I know we need some kid free time, more than just 4 hours away for dinner, and so that is my goal by the end of the month.  I told him I just want to eat sushi in bed & sleep in past 7!! That sounds heavenly.

How do you survive the tough moments of mommy hood?  Aside from the coffee/wine suggestion, as those really aren't helping my tummy problems!!  I'm all ears.