Brayden | ...back to the basics...

Summer Nights

June 13, 2013 by julie · 1 Comment

We have really been enjoying the summer nights around here lately. Bubbles, playing on the swingset, making fires and having s’mores– you name it, my kiddos love it.

Beings that these two are fairly close in age (2 years and 2 months) we do have our share of fights over toys. Somedays it feels constant, other days, not so much. For the most part they play well together. Kenley is never too far behind Brayden. He is good about helping her, showing her how to do something, and just laughing with her.

We have been staying outside a little longer– delaying bath time and bed time ever so slightly just to soak in a little more sunshine. A few more bubbles. 5 more minutes.

And honestly, can you blame us?

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In other exciting news– I was asked by What to Expect to contribute an article to their Word of Mom blogs! Exciting stuff, right? Check out my article on Surviving Toddlerhood here. Leave me some love over there, too!

Filed Under: Brayden, family, Kenley ·

Lately…

June 6, 2013 by julie · 2 Comments

I have been busy with photo sessions! I have had two so far this week, and one tomorrow. It has been fantastic– I am thrilled with the turnouts! Go check out my Facebook page or my photography website to catch up on my latest sessions. They have gone wonderfully, I LOVE being behind the lens this much. It does wonders for my creative energy.

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After upgrading my camera earlier this year, I have never felt 100% confident with it. There is just SO much to learn! But lately, I feel a lot more confident, and tons more creative.

In other news– the kids and I are just staying busy. Brayden is done with school for the year, and we have been filling our days with outings, fun lunches, puzzles, and being outside. No big summer plans so far– just enjoying nights on the patio with a “campfire” as Brayden says, walks to get the mail in the mornings, and being outside as much as possible.

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First day of school vs. last day of school. Also? Stripes!

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We have also been wearing party hats. I think all Thursdays should require them.

Filed Under: Brayden, Kenley, photography, photos ·

Park Day

May 28, 2013 by julie · 1 Comment

Two weeks ago, we met up with some friends to play at a park– probably the best part I have ever been to! I was loving it– it was fenced in, tons of things to choose from. I guess that is the beauty of them living in a bigger town!

They loved it! Kenley was not afraid of anything, and I caught her up on the highest point of the playground more than a few times. Brayden was always running off with his friends, rough housing (as boys do!), and making new friends with a little boy that brought a basketball.

(On Kenley: Shorts- Old Navy, t-shirt- WalMart; On Brayden: Shorts: Oshkosh, Shirt- Oshkosh)

Their only question when it was time to leave? When can we come back!

(linking up with Chelsea today!)

Filed Under: Brayden, Kenley, photos ·

Weekend Reprieve

May 24, 2013 by julie · 3 Comments

I am feeling defeated lately.

Not sleeping well at night and then being exhausted during the day is wearing on me. Big time. I have a short fuse, a terrible lack of motivation, and my anxiety? Well, it hasn’t been helping, but I am managing one day at a time.

I am looking forward to this weekend– I have two photo sessions scheduled, Sheana is coming in from Dallas, we are having my brother’s graduation party, and going out afterwards to celebrate. After a busy couple of weeks, I am ready to unwind this weekend, catch up with friends, and just BE. As busy as the weekend is, there might not be a TON of downtime, but hey– maybe I can sneak in a nap or two!

What are your plans for the holiday weekend?

Filed Under: anxiety, Brayden, family, Kenley, photos · Tagged With: weekend update

Outside, all the time.

May 23, 2013 by julie · 1 Comment

My kids LOVE to be outside. They love swinging, going for walks, playing on the slide, being at the shed with Brandon, helping in the garden- if it’s outside, they LOVE it.

As soon as Kenley gets up in the morning, she walks to the back door and says “Go!”. It cracks me up, because most mornings, we don’t have anywhere to GO. We have been walking up to the post office to get the mail– that seems to appease her enough on the days we aren’t running around.

My little explorers aren’t afraid of anything– they love digging in the dirt, looking at birds, and helping in the garden. And dare I say that it is easier to take two kids outside than it was taking just one. They can entertain EACH OTHER! Don’t worry, I am not holed up in a hammock in the yard (although I should get one) but it IS nice to just watch them interact and play together.

This also means that any rainy days we spend inside catching up on chores– we are just too busy playing outside for those!

Filed Under: Brayden, Kenley, photos ·

Mudroom Update

May 21, 2013 by julie · 3 Comments

Two years ago when we finished the mudroom in our house, one of my musts was coat hooks. We always have people over– my siblings, Brandon’s siblings, our parents and grandparents– so I wanted a LOT of coat hooks. With Brandon being 6 feet tall, we decided to hang them closer to his height than mine (smart move) but after having kids and hanging up their coats all the time, I was on the hunt for something that was theirs– and most importantly, their height.

I was contacted by Personal Creations to see if any of their personalized gifts would fit the bill, and wouldn’t you know, they carry the cutest personalized coat racks! They graciously sent one for each kiddo– and I am in love with them!

They are well made, easy to put up (thanks, hubs!) and the kids LOVE that they have their OWN coat rack to put their coat on. Brayden already wants to put his coat up all the time (hooray independence!) and it takes one step out of our getting-out-of-the-house routine.

Personal Creations carries all sorts of items for kids, perfect baby shower gifts, and gifts for those on your list that are hard to buy for. Maybe you will find something that saves you a step in your daily routine!

I was provided with two coat racks from Personal Creations in exchange for this post. All opinions are my very own.

Filed Under: Brayden, home decorating, Kenley, Kids · Tagged With: coat hook, Personal Creations

Happy Mother’s Day

May 11, 2013 by julie · 1 Comment

I am so blessed to be the mother of these two.

I am not always perfect.

They are not always perfect.

Each day brings new challenges and new blessings.

I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Happy Mother’s Day! We are celebrating by having Kenley dedicated at church this morning!

Filed Under: about me, Brayden, family, Kenley, Kids, life as a mom ·

Hello, Monday.

May 6, 2013 by julie · 3 Comments

Happy Monday!

Hello to the (hopeful) return of the beautiful weather we had last week.

Hello to the constant playing with sidewalk chalk.

Hello to pouty faces when it’s time to go inside.

Hello to messy bedhead in the mornings.

Hello to daily walks around the neighborhood.

Hello to a busy, busy week– ending with my brother’s graduation from college and Kenley’s dedication at church on Mother’s Day!

How is your week looking?

Linking up with Lisa Leonard.

Filed Under: Brayden, family, just for fun, Kenley, Kids ·

Project Playroom

April 23, 2013 by julie · 4 Comments

I have always longed for a basement or another bedroom just strictly for toys. I always hated how cluttered the living room felt, always scattered with toys–and I just wanted a place for everything and everything in it’s place! (yes– I know. Somedays it is impossible!)

We have a front room on our house that is just kind of awkward, and I wanted to make it a play room, but Brandon didn’t think the kids would like it. I decided to just try it out and see. So earlier this week, I moved the toys from the living room into the front room to make a playroom.

(ignore the mattress pad that my kiddos were using the play ghosts!)

It’s not perfect– there is a wall of windows and the other wall is short with the opening into the living room– but the toys are in their own place, its brighter in there, the kids LOVE looking outside, and I LOVE the clutter being out of the living room. Who knew that my stress level would go down by getting the living room toy free!

I know the toys may eventually make their way back into the living room–that’s just part of it. But having them organized is a BIG check mark on my to do list!

Filed Under: Brayden, Kenley, life as a mom, Life with two ·

A Day with a Train

April 22, 2013 by julie · 2 Comments

My brother in law Eric has always wanted to take Brayden to the rail where they load the trains with grain from the elevator. It’s been in the back of our heads to do it for months, and last week, we finally got our chance.

We got to go inside and see all of the controls, and the kids even got to honk the horn. That was their favorite part. Kenley wanted to touch all of the buttons, but mostly the horn button.

We drove around and looked at all of the train cars sitting on the tracks waiting to be loaded.

Honestly, I am not sure who had more fun out of these two!

Even though it was cold and windy, I was SO glad it worked out to be able to go. The kids had a great time, and I am so glad that we could be spontaneous and go. Brayden won’t stop talking about it!