...back to the basics...

Mudroom Update

julie — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:07 +0000

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.

Fancy Little Things May Giveaway!

julie — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:07:51 +0000

Today over at Fancy Little Things, we are sharing our MAY Giveaway! What a fun little crate full of goodies! Be sure to enter– it’s way too cute to pass up!

>> SHOP <<

>> FAITH BOGDAN & SARAH YOUNG <<

Who Are All These Children and Why Are They Calling Me Mom?

Embracing the Joyful Mess of Motherhood

By Faith Bogdan

I’ve been waiting for this book to come to fruition for the last several years. Since Faith first came to speak at our MOPS group, and she had us all laughing, crying and praying together in under a half hour, I’ve wanted to read her book. This book was in the works then, but being a Mom who learned to fully “embrace the joyful mess of motherhood”, she took some years off just to enjoy her girls. But here it is! And it is everything I knew it would be. I knew it HAD to be in our FLT May giveaway for Moms! This is for every Mom who “is tempted to daydream for a second about how much easier life would be with one or two fewer children”, or “looked at a faith pink line in the window of a pregnancy test and said “Oops”, or even those Moms “who always dreamed of being a mom and yet struggle through long days”. In her authentic & humorous way, she takes us on her journey from “an embittered, detached mother living in survival mode” to “a mom madly in love with the children she didn’t intend to have.” And since it us busy Moms who needs this book most, Faith has written it in the little snippets that you can devour in those rare spare moments. You’ll want several copies so you can hide them around the house – bathroom, laundry room, above the stove….:-).

Enjoy! – Danielle, FLT Blog Admin & Marriage Matter Author

REAL LIFE CALLS

DIY BOW GARLAND

BASKETBALL & LACE

LEARNING TO SAY “YES!”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Slowing Down

julie — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:59:46 +0000

Lately, I feel like life is moving at a faster pace than what I really want it to.

I am forgetting things. I am not doing certain things 100% well 100% of the time (like cooking, cleaning, or organizing things around the house.) I am not as intentional. I am not as focused. I do things halfway. It’s survival mode here lately, and though I am ok with it, I just know I can do better.

It’s a busy time of year with Brandon in the field– working long hours (5am-10pm most nights), full weekends, beautiful weather, and just not enough hours in the day. I just keep saying “this is just a phase” but honestly, how long do phases really last? The toys are rarely picked up, and as long as the laundry is done and we are eating, I call it a win. We have spent time outside, running errands, and just staying busy so that we don’t notice that Brandon is gone as much. It’s tough on the kids, but that’s the nature of his work– and I just like that he LOVES what he is doing.

I can do better. I can do more. I can clean up toys and interact with my kids and shower daily and prepare meals. I can also choose my battles and grab a Happy Meal if need be. I can spend time searching for inspiration and reading and taking time for myself in the evenings since Brandon is working late. It’s refreshing. I can practice with my camera and take photos of my kids in their element and take the time to edit them and post-process them and share them. I can do it. I just have to do other things well so that I am not distracted.

I have had a burst of creative energy lately and I am loving it. I am not sure where this will lead, but I know it’s leading somewhere. Something big is around the corner–I have felt that way since October! I think I am on the verge of finding out.

For now, I will soak up my babies and do the things I love and try to be the best mom I can be. I will try to carve out some time for me, and invest everything I can in my kids. I will be more intentional as a wife, as a mother, and see this home as my domain and not as something that is just out to get me. I will figure out what the next big thing is, and embrace it.

Focus. Intentionality.

I can do this.

No More Perfect Days

julie — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:59:11 +0000

We have all been there.

You wake up in the morning, having expectations for a productive, stress free day– and within an hour, or maybe even within minutes, something happens that sets the tone for a not so perfect day.

Isn’t that annoying? How ONE thing can go “wrong” and your attitude goes south with it?

Spilled milk, arguments over breakfast, earlier than anticipated wake ups, being out of a certain cereal, forgetting to do something, change of plans, grumpy kids, grumpy husband, plans for the day falling through– any of these happen to you?

(image made with the BeautifulMess app)

I don’t have many perfect days. If I had to describe one, it would be where I didn’t have to clean up a single mess, sleep however long I wanted, ate lunch or dinner without cutting anything up for the kids, or reading a book until I finished it. But alas– I am a mother– so my actual perfect day is good behaviors, a fun outing, new discoveries and watching them learn something new.

That doesn’t always happen. The good generally outweighs the bad, but it’s never perfect.

And why should it be? We aren’t created perfect, and neither are our days. It’s called LIFE.

Don’t stress if you aren’t having a perfect day or week or even month. God doesn’t expect perfection, so we shouldn’t either.

What I Wore Wednesday

julie — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:59:08 +0000

Happy Wednesday, everyone! The weather here is shaping up (finally) and I am excited to be breaking out some of my more spring/summery outfits!

tank dress: local boutique // cardigan: Loft // leggings: local boutique

This is easily one of my new favorite items of clothing. In the cooler weather, I can layer it with a cardigan and leggings, but in the summer, it’s a super cute tank dress with a high-low hem (my current favorite!) The material is like a soft jersey– it’s amazing!

maxi dress: local boutique // jean jacket: Kohls

I have a hard time finding maxi dresses/skirts that are not way too long on me– so when I tried this one on and it just barely hit the floor, I HAD to get it! So comfortable, and has an open back as well. Love it paired with a jean jacket!

Hello, Monday {recapping our week}

julie — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:44:21 +0000

Hello, Monday!

Hello to a haircut and subtle new highlights.

Hello to my baby brother graduating college over the weekend! (Yes, he is over 6 ft tall.)

Hello to spring days going to visit daddy, grandpa, and great-grandpa while they plant corn. (This is Brayden and his great-grandpa. I treasure this photo!)

Hello to new favorite things– fishing with Grandpa Scott (my dad.)

The weather is going to get warm this week and I hope it sticks around! We will probably tag along farming this week since the kids LOVE it, and I am hoping to get a few things done in the garden.

Linking up with Lisa Leonard

Happy Mother’s Day

julie — Sun, 12 May 2013 04:59:18 +0000

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!

Celebrating Mother’s Day

julie — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:20:25 +0000

I am sharing over at Fancy Little Things today my thoughts on celebrating Mother’s Day after reading an article that got me thinking. Click over and check it out!

Happy Friday!

What I Wore Wednesday

julie — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:59:52 +0000

Last Thursday, we went to the Carrie Underwood/Hunter Hayes concert– it was incredible! She puts on an amazing show and is just as amazing live as she is on her albums. It was such a fun night out!

Tank: Zulily // black skinnies: Gap // Blazer: StitchFix // shoes: Fibi & Clo

Sunday I attended the Illinois Symphony Orchestra with my sister in law, and brother in law’s girlfriend. It was an incredible performance– I would only dream of being able to play the piano that way!

Maxi dress: Target // Jean jacket: Kohl’s // shoes: same as above

Tee: Old Navy // boyfriend jeans: KUT denim // scarf: Sears

linking up with Lindsey

Hello, Monday.

julie — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:42:17 +0000

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?

...back to the basics...

Mudroom Update

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

Fancy Little Things May Giveaway!

Who Are All These Children and Why Are They Calling Me Mom?

Slowing Down

No More Perfect Days

What I Wore Wednesday

Hello, Monday {recapping our week}

Linking up with Lisa Leonard

Happy Mother’s Day

Celebrating Mother’s Day

What I Wore Wednesday

Hello, Monday.

Linking up with Lisa Leonard.