Thoughts from the Weekend

Get ready for a random, all over the place post. LOL!

It was a nice weekend to have Joe home.  We were thinking of going away for the weekend with the kids or getting out and doing something fun, but that just didn't work out. Baby boy is still feeling not quite himself and I got hit the hardest Friday.  My whole head was congested and as much as I tried to keep up with "mom life" it got the best of me. I rested a lot and fell asleep at 8:30 Friday night.

Joe grabbed us sushi Friday evening and so Saturday I had left over Miso soup, juice and water for lunch.  I LOVE FOOD so when I had no appetite, I knew I was sick.  I am grateful for solid vitamins and lots rest, as I think it could have been much worse.  Thank goodness it was not!

I think my daily dose of positivity and green tea help too.  Sunday I was able to get out for a few hours and check out some goods at Mashalls and Target.  I may have stopped at Express too.

Totally random, but I saw this photo on my phone...April 1st you'll see these two fools tearing it up at the Ugly Disco.  We cannot wait!!  This was back in 2012...pre kids.  I am hoping I feel my very best this year!

This was a solid read!! Sorry about the language and if you're offended, than don't bother, because he probably drops the F bomb like 50+ times.  I think his message was pretty good and I know that I give WAAAAAAY too many effs about unimportant things.  I'm working on that.

Have you signed up for #thegirlfriendproject yet?!  Sign ups are open until the end of March.  You will be paired up with another lady for the month of April.  We will be "Showering each other with kindness!"

Link is here:#TheGirlfriendProject

A look at my first box from my partner Lindsay!

Thursday night I did whip up some asparagus wrapped in prosciutto.  No one was really hungry, but it was tasty nonetheless.  At least I tried?

Back track to last Wednesday it was almost 70 degrees and we had so much fun playing outside.  (I think this was when we were feeling better, and then bam, the next day baby boy got hit hard again.)

Seriously my life has been in this spot all last week.   I hate seeing my kids sick; it's so hard! Hopefully we will be on the mend this week and kick these germs to the side.

That's about all I have. I've been doing some workouts I'll be sharing and I am thinking of doing an actual "February Favorites" post, if I can find the time.

My biggest struggle is that I want to do everything, but when you try to do it all, you are not very good at it.  So, I'm trying my hardest to focus and put forth energy on things that will be really well developed and good.

I also just signed up for a virtual book club and I am excited to hold myself accountable to that.

I just need to keep laughing, keep breathing, keep loving and enjoying the small moments of life.

I rush around and then try to relax...

I find myself dwelling on little petty things that annoy me or the not so great parts of me.

I need to really stop being so hard on myself and love myself where I am.

I am terrible at the comparison game lately.

Do you know what I mean?  Where you start noticing every crumb on your just cleaned carpet?

Every wrinkle on your face?

Every mistake you make?

It's a stupid slippery slope and I want to get off of it!

I listened to Joel Olsteen's message yesterday in the shower and it spoke to me about being happy. Finding the laughs, and smiles and enjoying life is why God put us here. We are not here to be miserable or feel less than.

I will put that in the forefront of my mind this week as I work hard on healing ourselves and enjoying March. 

True Colors

February break came at the perfect time this year; the sun came out, the weather warmed a bit and the kids had so much fun on play dates.  

We got outside, we went out for lunch, visited friends and Brooke even had a sleepover with her cousin.  

Of course with that came germs and so the last few days have been a little, um, trying?  I keep reminding myself that they're not throwing up, so it could be worse!! I also remind myself that they're only little once and even though 24-48 hours with one sick kid, let alone 2, seems like an eternity, they will get better, the house will get cleaned and life will resume as normal, hopefully sooner than later! 

For now it's been cuddling, wiping noses, drying tears, watching Trolls on repeat, and trying to get them to eat something other than popsicles, pudding and jello.  Thank goodness for Blue Hawaiian Punch that hides the flavor of Advil so well.   

I was able to sneak in a quick 20 minutes to shower and get dressed yesterday and then Bradley was up.  The only way I was able to make the bed was when they watched Trolls, but even then he climbed back up the stairs and said, "Mommmm cuddle pweeease."  It's pretty hard to resist that request.  

I've been listening to him whine, "Mommy I so sad," which I think he means sick, but he's probably said that over 100 times, no joke.  

We watched so much TV the last few days my mind is mush, but what else can you do when they're this little and don't feel well?  

Motherhood is a funny thing; we yearn for time away, to not be clung to, hung on, snotty noses wiped on....and yet as soon as we are away, it takes all of us not to rush right back and have them in our arms.

I so badly miss when they were little at times, and yet I love the ages that they are at.  However, I catch myself daydreaming of when they're a little bigger and all of the fun traveling, exciting activities and grown up kid stuff we'll endure.

We watched the movie Collateral Beauty Sunday night, after the kids went to bed and we were just exhausted.  The fire was going and we sat there in silence, taking in the movie.  Love. Time. Death.  It was quite a bit heavier than I anticipated, and yet it was just what we needed to watch.  We're never promised tomorrow and love certainly does make this world go around.  And death? It's a sure thing, it's just that we don't know when.  

So as hard or trying as some days can be, and boy there can be some doozies!  Just take time and reflect on what brings you joy; what good is in your life and what are you excited about tomorrow?

I was writing in my Style Boss Happiness Planner that I earned with stella & dot and every day you're to write down what you're excited about.  Well, the days where I had a date night planned or a fun play date with the kids, those were easy to see what I was excited about!  

But what about on a Monday where one has a fever of 101 and the other is coughing and just not quite herself?  What can I possibly be excited about??  And that is where my mental attitude needed to shift. I needed to start looking for something to be excited about every day, especially the normal mundane Mondays, because that's what life is mostly made up of.  The fancy date nights and super fun play dates are not the every day.  That's what makes them so exciting.  I realize that I can be excited that I get to be the one taking care of these sick babes and I don't have to call in to anyone and explain my absence. 

I get to make homemade 'magic healing soup' for us on a whim.

I get to see my husband in the middle of the day to feed him a quick lunch.

I get to give my babes my (mostly) undivided attention and have no other work I "have to do."

I get to love on them, bathe them, read them stories, cuddle them, and love them. 

I get to be their mommy. 

That alone should excite me every stinking day.

As we tried to get Brooke to eat her breakfast and Bradley sat crying in his chair and then crying on the couch, "I'm so sad," Joe and I wished each other good luck.  He's got his end of the month today, which means his early night of 5pm will not be happening and he'll probably be lucky to get home before 11.  He knows I'll be a single spouse for the day into the night, again.  I woke up with a runny nose and sore throat myself, so I could use a little luck.  Hopefully some rest, tea and fresh juices will kick it. 

He then sent me a song after he dropped Brooke at preschool.

If you haven't watched Trolls, I'm not sure what you're waiting for. Don't wait to have kids, just go rent it yourself!!  My favorite part is this one and I tear up every time I see it.  

My favorite quote, 

"Happiness isn’t something you put inside, it’s already there. Sometimes you just need someone to help you find it."

Happy Tuesday sweet friends!

Monday Musings

Happy Monday!! Isn't that the truth.  I strongly believe that what we focus on increases.  Sure we have bad days, but lately if my days start getting a little funky or rather trying, I stop and focus on something that is good in my life.  Gratitude (my word for 2017) is so powerful. Now, I get it some days are going to be doozies, and we will wish for a re-do, but perhaps there is something in this setback that is actually a set-up for something even better in our lives.  Just chew on that thought for a bit...

I also believe you can never have too many photos of your kids eating pasta.  How did the pasta get stuck on his forehead?! Bradley Joseph, we love you and your silly ways.

This week was full of of lots of downtime and snuggling.  Even Saturday, when everyone was feeling better we still took it easy and just relaxed a bit after nap time.  I am not going to lie, I really love just snuggling.  Usually we are all go-go-go, with this cold temperature, there is nothing going full speed at this time!

Especially since Mr. Bubs had his first bout of the stomach flu last Tuesday.  It was no fun but he made it through and we are doing much better now!

Friday Joe stayed home with the kiddos and I had my physical early in the morning (7:30) then treated myself to a little Starbucks breakfast and 'work time.'  I really just organized my head, wrote out some ideas, figured out my schedule.  Sometimes you just need a new, quiet space to clear your thoughts and write them down on paper.  Being a stay at home mommy is the best job ever, but I find it hard to always get my head on straight when someone needs me for something every other minute!



After my brain dump sesh, with myself, I headed to my hair salon.  I wanted more blonde, so more blonde is what he gave me! I am a little hesitant because it is WAY blonde, but hey I asked for it so I'll rock it.  Just call me Holly Madison for the next 3.5 weeks and I'll probably go back to highlights after.  It's hard to be this blonde without a tan!! Ha.  But hey, ya never can be too blonde...right? ;) Plus I sent SOS texts to my makeup gurus to help me balance out my coloring. Gotta love good friends.

I also had to laugh because two of my dear friends tagged me in this shirt on Facebook.  While I can't listen to as much rap as I used to, (hello little ears!) I still bump it in my Suburban or throw in the ear buds if I need to clean/workout...in fact after this post publishes, I'm going to throw on sneakers and plug in so I can clean my house top to bottom.  I'll probably be mixing between Jay-Z and motivational pod casts!! #reallife

And in other news....these pretty Spring necklaces will be available tomorrow!! I love me a solid statement necklace; it was not easy choosing from all of these beauties. However, I did settle on #3 and I have a feeling Ezra will be making many appearances in my selfie-stream!

Have you ever wondered what it means to be a stylist?  Feel free to ask me anything!! I would love to answer your questions. 

I hope you have a fabulous day that is filled with much love, laughter & peace. 

Ending September with a case of the Sickies!

Hey there, is this thing on?!  Wowie it has been a little hectic around these parts.  Babes have come down with their first cold of the season, and first one ever for bubs.  Nothing major, but enough for mama to stress over.  Plus, I think I have it too, I'm just fighting it off like a boss.  Or trying to, but the constant wakes in the middle of the night are taking a toll on me, so I need to get back into things.  I realized that I have now been blogging for 4 years.  I started this little old site back in 2011, when life was like…super…super….simple.  Of course my old self thought I was really busy and had tons going on, but reality?  It was me. Joe. 2 dogs. And I was a housewife.  What the heck?!  I think about that time often and and so grateful we were able to have it.  As much as I longed to be a mommy, I am so thankful we had some precious time just us two.

{first post evaaaaaa:  here}

I must say, I've done a lot of growing up.   A lot because, well, mostly it's just me.  And Joe.  He's always with me, but usually at work.  But any time I need him, I know he's got my back.  I have a few good friends I can rely on, and of course there are parents.  

But I think you get to a point in life where you realize that no one is really ever going to be what you want them to be.  I could sit and whine, cry, and write about how I really feel about things, or I can just pick myself up and realize that this is my life and all I can do is focus on the good.  It could always be worse.

That said, here's some lightheartedness to share off my mind…

Meet my new bff.  Orange OTG.  OMG. Haha it's really so good! I like all the flavors, but my fave is the orange and it's out of stock. SAD FACE.  I never like the G stuff with tons of sugar you can buy at any old store, but this stuff?? Heaven in a to go container.  Love love love.

Fall at the Farmer's market.  We were able to buy this with ONE $20 bill y'all.  Yes, purple cauliflower! It didn't taste any different than the reg, but man wouldn't that make a puurdy little smashed cauli recipe? I just roasted mine in the oven, but it was good!  And on top of being sick, Brooke had this habit of scratching her nose with her finger as she sucked her thumb.  Finally I got smart and stock socks on her hands like I did when she was a baby.  I think it has improved since this photo…

Friday the new iPhones arrived at our house!! I was ridiculously excited and probably wayyyyy too into the fact that I was getting a new phone. .  . only to find out somehow instead of rose gold, a gold was ordered and so that is what showed up at my house.  Hubby had his brand new silver/grey and I was all like….wahhhhhh.  I couldn't figure out if I was more upset about not getting my phone, or if I was more mad at myself for being that upset.  Either way, I now have to wait until NOVEMBER for my phone to ship.  The #strugglewasreal and I could have just kept the gold, but I reeeeeeeeally like the pink (rose gold) so patience is a virtue or something like that.  I just keep telling myself it's just a stupid phone….but no really, I almost cried. I'm awful!

This little peanut was the worst on Saturday.  I have never seen him so sick.  He just wanted to sleep and cuddle.

Sunday we had a lovely Fall day, but still had the sickies, so we spent some time outside while Joe grilled dinner.

He was still pretty clingy Sunday, but he seemed a bit better.

Monday was a long, long day and Brooke was really feeling awful.  We did a lot of TV time and snuggles.  She seems much better today (Tuesday) but I'm still trying to keep her low key.

Both kids are down napping, right now…Bradley just coughed and woke himself up so I hope he goes back to sleep.  I just wanted to write a little bit, so I can look back and see how we ended the month of September back in 2015…

I've been putting myself on the back burner (again) because that is what we do as mommies.  But I need to do something to make myself feel good, so I am going to get a quick workout in.

A nice hot shower.

Put some real clothes on and some makeup!

I still feel congested and post nasal is driving me crazy, but I think if I sweat some toxins out, it may help?!

We have a fun October ahead, so I hope we all get healthy and well soon.

xox

Mother's Day {blessings, love, beauty}

Hello beautiful friends…I have gotten sick!! I really thought I had escaped it, but alas, it came for me.  Last Tuesday I started feeling ill: body aches, fever/chills…I rested, slept 9:30-5:30 and thought I was getting better!! Thursday I even enjoyed a Corona.

Thank goodness Brookie and Daddy are super connected and have such a wonderful relationship.  She has spent all of his time home, making him work haha!





Her first "bike"!


And then Friday, it hit me again, HARD.  I can feel the tightness in my chest and continue to cough, ears plugged, and am taking tylenol.  I think I have blown my nose so many times, it feels like I have broken it!! Crazy how sore it is. Between my terrible allergies and this icky sickies, it has been a rough few days--especially since the weather has been unbelievable and all we want to do is play outside!  I mustered up as much energy as I could to let her play a bit...



Either way, "This too shall pass" and I am trying so very hard to not be mean to myself…as I have not kept up with my blogging, the laundry, or even cooking good meals.  But it has allowed me to spend a lot of time just "being" with my children.  Cuddling on couches, resting, laying on the floor.  And maybe it was someone's way of telling me to S-L-O-W down and do this more often.  At least that is what the silver lining is telling me from all of this.  I feel better, but am no where near my normal perky, super productive, happy go lucky self.  And that is okay.  I will be there soon….

He was super clingy Saturday.  I didn't mind.

Sunday brought Mother's Day: My almost 4 month old in a 9 month outfit.

One of my favorite plants that comes up each year!

Our lilacs are in full bloom and smell heavenly.

Joe and Brooke picked me out some beautiful hanging baskets!

These are my favorites!

He also took her out back while I tidied up the dishes.  Yes, I did dishes on Mother's Day.  I actually did a lot of them and changed many diapers…mommies don't get days off.  And that's okay.  One day my Mother's Day won't have little bums to wipe and messes to clean.  I can't even think of that right now.



She was being a little crabby for him and captured it…little drama queen.



My sister and brother in law stopped by unexpectedly and it was so nice to see them!

While Brooke napped, I sipped a little vino, read some of this enlightening book and actually fell asleep in the sunshine.  It was glorious.

My Mother's Day Car {{yes that is chocolate from a little 2 year old's fingers}}

I thought it was so sweet Joe picked the fox out because of baby boy's "theme" and a fox has really come to us with him…love it.

It was such a gorgeous day, nice and warm with a little breeze.

And then it rained  little bit and she just loved dancing around in it.

Joe grilled chicken wings for dinner and grabbed this for dessert.

My Mother's Day was perfect and I couldn't have asked for a better day with my sweet family. 

My mother has taught me how to be an incredible stay at home mom.  I have so many happy memories of singing Winnie the Pooh, finger painting, playing outside in the sandbox and just roaming around in our backyard.  She was always there, watching us three girls.  When I recently read an article about 70s/80s moms and how hands off they were, a chord struck in me and I remembered how nice that was.  I never once felt alone, scared or like my mom wasn't doing something good enough for us--she allowed us to think and use our imaginations.  Granted, we didn't have things like internet or cell phones/ipads, but we had tv and sure I had my favorite cartoons and such, but nothing replaced the ability to create stories with my stuffed animals, playing house, or just running around and letting off some energy!  I needed that reminder, and that although times are different, I want my kids to have that same experience of being kid.  Sticky popsicle lips, dirty grass-stained feet, and being so tired they may even fall asleep before the summer sun sets.  It's so funny how life comes full circle when you have kids of your own, so thank you mom.  My mom was never a helicopter mom, and I love her for that!

My step-mom has taught me to love and accept others as part of your family and that blood doesn't always mean family.  She's allowed me to know that while my parents may be part, she will be there to take care of my dad and that he's happy and not alone.  In the last year alone, I have learned how hard (yet important) it will be to one day say goodbye to my son as he ventures off to find himself and become his own person.  She has always shown my babies so much love and they just love having fun with their Nana.  It is something I am very grateful for!  I know that she will make an impact in their lives for years to come.

My mother in law has taught me how important it is to be close with my future daughter-in-law (and son-in-law) some day.  She was there for me when I was completely losing my mind from lack of sleep with Mr. B and I cannot tell you how much her saving grace meant to me!  Food is definitely one of my love languages, in so many ways.  Any time someone offers my family a meal, I just find that so thoughtful and one of the best things…as a full time momma what I am going to feed my family is on my mind 24/7 and to not have to think about one meal = PURE BLISS.   I am so grateful for my mother in law's amazing Italian cooking and I know she will teach my children some of her incredible recipes.  I also know that her love of gardening will be passed to Brooke, as she already loves digging in her dirt piles with a plastic shovel.

And my children, my sweet, young, innocent babies who have made me a momma.  Thank you.  Thank you for pushing me, giving me a greater reason other than myself and making me want to be better each day.  I sometimes feel absolutely exhausted---deep down into my bones tired---and I know it is because I know how much you both need me.  I know that there is no one in the whole world like your mother.  I am the one you will need for the rest of your life.  So for now, the problems you have a fixable and easy [[thank you God]] A hungry tummy can be fed.  A little boo boo can take a bandaid.  A fussy cry can be simply burped away.  A worry of where "racket/red cat" aka BLANKET can easily be found.  And although these demands pile high, much like my laundry, they are nothing in the scheme of real problems some families face, and for that I am so very thankful.

Happy Mother's Day.