Amazon Farmhouse Decor Finds

October 28, 2017

This post contains affiliate links.

Dear Retailers, I am afraid I am slowly starting to turn into a pajama wearing, wine drinking, credit card using, couch surfing shopper. Is that suppose to be something to strive for? I am really not sure.

Living in the mountains, country, rural America – shopping on a big retailer scale requires a drive, and I usually reserve that for Target trips or Black Friday, but who is counting. Therefore, Amazon and particularly, Amazon Prime is my shopping best friend. I love the free shipping and quickness.

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10 Things Two Years of Motherhood Has Taught Me

September 18, 2016

Grocery Shopping Actually Gets Worse
I use to spend two hours to prepare for a grocery shopping trip pre-baby. I would cut coupons online, use Pinterest to develop my weekly meal plan and then make a list, before eventually making my way to the store. I would justify the experience by treating myself to a cup of coffee from a cafe that I would sip as I walked the aisles. Even then grocery shopping was time consuming, expensive and overwhelming. Now, I laugh those feelings in the face. Grocery shopping with children in tow (unless they are 16+) is all of those things magnified times ten. I have literally left the store, drenched in sweat, and swiped my credit card not knowing the total because all can I think is, “Get me the hell of here!” As my precious daughter has a full fledged meltdown in the check-out aisle, frantically reaching for every chocolate bar and package of candy in arms reach.

Kisses Actually Heal Boo-Boos
Cuts and scrapes they happen, a lot. Frozen Band-Aids will do, but kisses, hugs and cuddles are even better. The magic of a kiss in a child’s mind and through their eyes, well I do believe that mentally, the act of kindness we parents present, is realized and felt during their time of need.

You Realize Pizza Can Be a ‘Breakfast Food’
Yep! Sometimes we try to control so much and it is not only overwhelming for us but for our children. No more bottle; time to give up the binkie; why are you not using the potty?; bedtime is made for your own bed; eat this, not that. See, the list goes on and on. We stress ourselves out keeping up with the ‘Jones’ and what society deems as acceptable. I have learned to pick and choose my battles. And, sometimes that includes food. Lo will go days eating like a bird and then make up for it in a sitting. Sometimes, I just need her to eat, something, anything! That includes chicken soup or pizza for breakfast! If it means she will eat, sometimes I turn my eye on the clock and the designated menu that exist in our minds and just feed her!

The Bathroom Is No Longer a Private Space
I use to pretend, even with the door closed that I wasn’t actually in, yet, using the bathroom, when it was just Nathan and I. Eventually, we got over that initial stage of pretending we don’t go to the bathroom, and instead the bathroom became a mutual understanding that time in there, alone, was reserved for privacy with no interruption. Yeah, not so much with a toddler in the home. I think we are lucky if the door is even closed any more. Lo hunts me down when I find myself in the bathroom alone. Heck, last night at 4:30 am, I went to pee, and she literally climbed out of our bed and followed me!

Cleaning Someone Else’s Body Fluids Becomes Second Nature (Except Vomit)
Let’s just keep this bathroom talk going, I mean, why not? You will change so many dirty diapers that you will become numb to the fact that every single day you are cleaning someone else’s body fluids. Poop, pee, blowouts – who is counting? There will be runny noses and blood from scraped knees. You will touch poop. No avoiding it. And, eventually your child will get the flu and there will be vomit and then you will be like, “Why am I here? What the heck am I doing?” And, if you have a weak, weak stomach, this is where you will draw the line in the sand, but then realize there is no one else there, and stomach all the woozies and pray it doesn’t happen again. Psst, it will.

I Should Have Installed Hardwood Instead of Carpet
A few years ago, Nathan and I replaced much of the flooring that was part of the original home we purchased. We decided then what we thought we would need now. “Carpet will be the best for children.” We anticipated that carpet flooring would allow for a chunky baby to learn to crawl and walk with ease. We did not anticipate how grimy kids are and how grimy carpets become! Spilled bottles of milk, cheese squished into the fibers, and jelly toast dragged across the floor. It is gross. If I could do it all over, I would have laid hardwood down and called it a day. P.S. – Children can crawl and walk on those just fine!

Installing a Car Seat May Be The Most Frustrating Thing You Ever Do
I literally cannot recall the last time I gritted my teeth and screamed in complete frustration as I did a few weeks ago when I had to re-install the car seat. Oh yeah, I do! I reacted the same way, the first time I installed that unforgiving biotcha. It is like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time. Pull the seat belt strap, while dragging across the seat base, while snapping it in before the strap gives and locks, while closing the seat and locking it in. I wanted to pick it up and throw it into the woods. But being a Mom is all about perseverance and I pulled up my big girl pants and buckled down (literally) for my little one’s safety.

I Am Still Tired
I lost sleep when I was pregnant. Leg cramps and back pain had me tossing and turning for hours on end. After my emergency c-section, I was groggily and deep in sleep. Two nurses turned on the light above my bed, nudge me to wake up and placed a baby against my chest and said, “We need you to feed her.” In my blurry state I felt as if I could not keep my eyes open and I recall not even being able to feel anything from the stomach down from the surgery, but they held her safely against me and I realized then, sleep is for the weary. My REM schedule now answers to my daughter. And, two years later, the Boss still interrupts snoozing a lot. Yes, it gets better, but you are always, always tired!

Life Becomes More Complicated
Scheduling can be a nightmare!! Gone are the days of going with the flow, on the go. Pop-up dinners and meetings, require a call to the spouse or a call with the sitter. Invites from friends for a night out, leaves you pondering on where and what to do with children, or even questioning their invite, “Is it child friendly or child free?” Sometimes I feel like I spend the majority of my time planning our family’s movements. It can be chaotic and stressful.

Love is Powerful
Who knew this kind of love could exist? I know I did not. This kind of love is full of grace. No day easy. No day the same. You win some and you lose some. Give yourself the grace to know when to call it a day. Go to bed and start over. Give yourself some slack. Guilt can and will eat you alive. Parenting is hard work, but rewarding. This kind of love is powerful, because you never knew it existed before your children. It is a love that even they won’t know until one day too, they are a parent. It is unconditional and full of strength. It is the most challenging work I have done in my life, yet filled with so much fulfillment that even through all the struggles mentioned above, I get back up and do it all over again in the name of love.

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You Are Bigger Than This Big World

July 3, 2016

I look around my yard, our little slice of mountain heaven. We live in a beautiful part of the country. Rolling hills, deep thick woods and views that we too often take for granted. I can jump in my car and be at one State Park in 15 minutes, or start from the opposite direction and be at another in 10. Actually, I could physically walk to the latter and tried once, but mentally freaked myself out over a bear and forced my husband to turn around and lead us home. And, you truly are a child of nature. Maybe you see the beauty more than I. Years of living in this same place, I rarely take it in anymore. Plus, my sights are on you. Watching your every move as you explore the only bit of the world you have ever really seen. It is quite coincidentally that you don’t yet know what is out there for you to explore, yet I tune it all out because all I see is you.

You are bigger than this big world.

I have turned down opportunities. I have set my sights on reality. I know our limits as a family. “Let’s take off and go to Key West for your 30th birthday,” a group of us discussed over drinks late one night. The phone has rang, and I have been approached with great opportunities in Florida and Texas. For a split second, my mind wonders. Sometimes, I think about what could be. But, then I look at you with your toys across the living room floor, and I think of our family who surrounds us and provides safety and you relationships, and I could never imagine anything more. Every decision this world presents, you are the deciding factor.

You are bigger than this big world.

Voices in my head. All of our heads. Society quick to judge us as parents. Your child must be in bed by 8 pm. The binkie and bottle should have been gone, like three months ago. Basically, I am sure your teeth are going to fall out. She is not climbing stairs without help yet? Gasp! Wait! Did you say bottle, does that mean you are still not breastfeeding? Does she come into your bed at night? You really need to engage in the crying it out method. It comes from your mom, your best friend, the media, social media friends, parenting magazine, this here Blog! Voices swirl around me as a parent – do this, not that, eat this, not that. The leading Pediatrician says this but the world’s leading psychologist says that. You know what? What do you need, honey? Tell, me! It has not always been easy. Especially, since you are my first, but I am so much better at this. Shutting the voices and opinions down and not worrying about how you compare to another child down the street or how you compare to children your age as a national average.

You are bigger than this big world.

When my work day has been long, mentally exhausting, when I worry about small details that at the end of the day drive no true results or get me anywhere. When I care to much about satisfying others than for standing up for what I believe. Suffocating my own voice. When I feel anxiety creep into my chest and sometimes my heart beats so big I feel like it could explode. I think of you. I grab my cell phone, I flip through your pictures. Does my heart still hurt? Yes, because now I miss you as I sit here at my desk. But, slowly my anxiety becomes controllable, and I think to myself, “This is what matters.” And, I gain a part of myself back.

You are bigger than this big world.

In a world where there is violence, hate, racism, misunderstanding and pure evil, I watch in horror, flipping through news stations hoping one will reveal answers over another. I have come to feel so much pain and reveal my own anger. How does this exist? Where have we (yes, we) gone wrong? Sometimes I think, “If the world is this bad now, how bad will it be for you when you are an adult?” What will be your big world?

You are bigger than this big world.

Don’t you ever forget that! When life is hard. When the cards are not dealt in your favor. On days or nights when you want to run home and crash into your bed crying. When you feel like giving up. When things feel overwhelming, unfair, unpleasant and unimaginable. Remember – You are bigger than this big world.

My hope as your mother is that this same outlook I have on you, my everything, you have for yourself, but so much bigger. That you realize that you can do anything, go anywhere, be anything and change things. While this big ol’ world can be scary. The unknown exists and is everywhere. You little lady are already, far bigger.

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Missing You But Back

June 12, 2016

Lo be like, “Will you accept this rose?” And, I, be like, “Blogging Friends, will you accept this rose?”

I have been absent. Clearly.

MIA in the worse way. And, not just from Blogging but in nearly every aspect of my LIFE. Nathan has been a trooper. Winning “Father of the Year” for basically saying, “Screw you,” to his own schedule and life to basically be at my beck and call.

So while I have missed writing and the Blog, I have missed more my little girl, husband, family, home cooked meals, bedtime before midnight and a sense of a schedule.

Back to the rose. I have been a bit busy these days. THIS HAPPENED! And then we announced THIS. Ahhh. Yes, I agree, my job is pretty cool, exhausting, but very cool. I have spent the last year working out and containing the secret and the last few months, working like crazy to watch this unfold. So, I feel it is necessary to relish in the moment. Soak it all in. Just like a Bride on her Wedding day, my General Manager called me to say, “Take time to really enjoy all of this.” But I have an incredibly team, not behind me, but beside me. Then JoJo herself called me out in People Magazine Online this week, and I was like, “Gosh darn it, this has to be the coolest!” And, now I am milking my .002 seconds of fame. Surreal or what?

So, now that the secret is out. The gig is up. Life is moving on. Please accept the rose and apologies for a Blog that lacked content and life and my uncanny charm (just kidding).

I sorta feel like life is starting to feel mine again. My head is out of the clouds and my ego shrinking. 🙂

Time to focus on family, summer vacation planning, weeknight meal prep and gardening. I know super, “high life” living, right? But, for me it is the best life living and I am so glad to sigh a sense of relief and be back!!

Love you all!

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First Family Road Trip to Splash Lagoon, PA

February 29, 2016

I am kicking back, relaxing and reflecting on the fact that we successfully researched, scheduled, traveled and experienced our first family vacation and guess what? We are actually not sleep deprived! Well, who am I kidding? We have a toddler so we are always sleep deprived, but honestly, my daughter slept better in the hotel room than her own crib. I told my husband, I am moving in or buying black out curtains and a really loud heating system.

By the way, the picture above? Yep! Only picture of our little family from the whole long weekend in Erie, Pennsylvania, centered around Splash Lagoon. Must. Get. Better. At. Photos.

We did not go on this little weekend alone. It was a joint weekend away that we shared with Nathan’s sister, Amie, her husband, Corey, and their four daughters, all under the age of 7. Yes, four daughters under 7. And, yes 5 children under 7, accompanied by 2 adults. We were outnumbered.

That whole concept at first was a little overwhelming. As we traveled by night, in a snowstorm, to our hotel, I am sure we weren’t all thinking, “Oh, this is going to be one expensive disaster.” No, not at all.

But, seriously, how can it be a disaster with these cuties?

So, we checked in around 7 pm, snapped an obligatory “group photo” for memories and decided to order in. The great thing about Splash Lagoon is that it does have three connecting hotels, as well as a connecting Sport Bar / Restaurant and a handful of local area restaurants that will deliver directly to your hotel room. It was super efficient and convenient.

Our first night in the hotel was perfect! Lo did so well. It helped too that our Hotel Rooms each came with a kitchen efficiency which included a mini refrigerator, freezer, microwave and sink. I was able to pack bottles, snacks, meals, etc that I need for our bedtime routine.

Our rooms were not side by side but close enough that we could bounce from each family’s room. Friday morning we got up and prepared to spend the day at the indoor waterpark.

These photos are terrible quality but I had to show off the excitement and the toddler’s new swimsuits. I bought them Here and would highly recommend this suit. Lo is fearless which makes me a nervous one in the water. She tried to swim out of my arms and face plants over and over trying to dunk her head. Semmer down child or I will have to start drinking at 9 am.

Anyways, Splash Lagoon was great! It occupied all of our children’s attention given their differing ages. This included us adults who built up the courage to tackle some “big kid” slides. To break it down a bit, the park includes multiple age appropriate pools, hot tubs, or play areas. There are water fountains that come out of the floors and water features with buckets and waterfalls in the pools. Slides for parents to take kids down, even for Lo! It may not have been pretty each time, but we did it and had fun.

They had a pool of basketball hoops and floating basketballs, a lazy river (we spent enough time to prune up!), more slides than you have time to wait in line and ride and a giant tree house that releases gallons of water over your head! Don’t worry, an alarm sounds minutes before so you can run to the action or if you are like me, scream like a child and run (no, walk super fast) to steer away.

After a few hours of play, we pushed the little ones to their nap time. I mean, seriously look at those eyes?

Not his. Hers.

We had passed test #1 with bedtime the night before but test #2 came in the form of our first hotel room nap experience. Lo is pretty routine with me and needs her crib at home. So, I was fearful that I would have one cranky baby who would refuse to go down. Little did I know high chlorine waters, mixed with hours of play does wonders. Test #2 success.

Lunch followed our nap, then we changed swimsuits. That is when I caught this little moment.

Someone likes herself!

We headed to one of the largest indoor wave pools I have ever seen, complete with wall murals, palm tress and large airplane style propeller ceiling fans that I am sure has something scientifically to do with the waves but I took it as recreating the sea breeze in your hair.

The lifeguards were on point. I got the whistle blown in my ear when I tried walking into the pool with Lo with no life vest. To be clear there were no waves and I was going to sit on the “shore.” They did provide complimentary wave pool life vest for the kids and good thing too because once the waves started I realized their concern.

We had reservations that evening at 5 pm (late night – whoop whoop!) at the connecting Sports Bar and Restaurant, Hooch & Blotto’s. The restaurant offers bowling complete with menu and craft beer options. Sold!

We ordered beer for the adults, juices for the littles and pizza for all. And, somehow among the missed afternoon nap (ouch!), free-range of bowling balls, 7 other lanes of restaurant guests, bowling lanes that just welcomed children to walk straight down to play with pins… we made it work, and work well. Heck we even tried to get another hour on the lane! Darn Birthday Party guests.

My daughter even made her first spare. Just kidding, no one can make splits!

Since, we only had an hour reservation, we took the kiddies to the arcade at Splash Lagoon to blow off some additional speed before bed.

I know, we acted liked we owned the place!

It was zero fun for us adults. Zero.

My daughter learned a valuable lesson on this trip.

1 ticket gets your nothing, NOTHING, at any arcade. Sorry about your luck, kid!

Full Day #2 in Erie, PA was reserved for sightseeing.

We packed the kids in the car, swung through a Krisy Kreme doughnut for the kids (yeah, right, it was totally for us Moms!) and headed to Presque Isle State Park. We are outdoorsy people so it was cool to see the Bay frozen in spots with ice fisherman and the island’s Lighthouses, but if it wasn’t 28 degrees out we would have explored more.

We did get to walk part of the sandy beaches of Lake Erie and see the ice. I could imagine that summers would be a blast, and apparently the beaches of Presque Isle turn up some great sea glass!

We met a Ranger who shared that the park receives more visitors per year than Yellowstone!

Afterwards, we stumbled upon this gem, The Brewerie. This Brew Pub opened in 2006 and is situated in the historic Erie Union Station which opened in 1927. The food was great and so was the building. It was actually fascinating. We snapped the picture below just to prove that we had accomplished this much of our trip so far and were actually SITTING down for lunch. No takeout, no drive thru, hello, new, children, we like you. We think we will keep all of you.

The guys then departed us to explore the area and waterways in the region a bit more, so Amie and I took the kids downtown to The ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum. Children 1 and under are free and general admission is $7. It is a super affordable experience and engaging for the children (and us Moms)! Our 5 littles had so much fun!

The OldTowne Village was my favorite, I mean the kids!

They even had a mini Wegman’s complete with a Meat Counter, Sushi Counter, Produce and Bread section, coffee station, circulars and check out.

We learned about Aerodynamics. Just kidding. We pushed plastic balls across the floor.

I would highly recommend this museum! Mommy approved.

The day ended with a return to our hotel, nap engagement which failed miserably in both hotel rooms and a return to Splash Lagoon for an evening swim, treetop canopy tour and a wild animal show.

Super pale. I know!

When Sunday morning arrived, Lo be like, “No! I don’t want to go.” I agreed.

It was a great weekend! I highly recommend all the locations highlighted in the blog post. I also highly recommend letting your guard down, quit worrying and have fun. I think all 5 of our kids surprised us with how well they handled the hotel, the water park and the whole trip.

If you have any questions, please leave them below or email me. Glad to assist with recommendations, etc.

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Pineapple Strawberry Banana Smoothie

January 3, 2016

I get so incredibly blue after Christmas, and then once New Year’s hits, I feel an even deeper sadness. The rush of the holiday season, the music, the wrapping paper, homemade cookies, and house all adorned with twinkling lights… fades into the coldness of winter. It is so depressing. Then the time comes when my husband starts nudging me, “When are you taking down the Christmas tree?”

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The first 6 weeks of motherhood, let’s be real

September 19, 2015

I love that this Blog has become a breeding ground for Mommy (and Daddy) peers and I to question our sanity and offer words of encouragement.

Months prior, a Mommy Friend secretly reached out to me and asked if she could share a “little secret” and then proceeded to gift me with the knowledge of her pregnancy, which at the time was “shhh!” She had yet to make an announcement but felt comfortable enough sharing with me because she found comfort in my Blog. I think it was this One. It was one of the first moments since I started the Blog that I felt good about what I was doing because my ultimate goal has been to generate discussion, become a source of relation and develop connections.

Since then, her little secret became a big announcement, and now her announcement a sweet little baby girl! Congrats, again!
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Soul By The Sea – Nautical Trends

April 21, 2014

I am pretty sure that my soul belongs by the sea. During a stressful day or situation, when someone says, “Go to your happy place,” mine is always by the water. If I had my choice or say, I would always go with the ocean. The waves, the sand, the breeze… there is nothing better in my opinion. However, give me a lake, stream or bay and I am an equally happy girl!

Maybe it is the way of life of such waterfront towns that pull me in the most? Especially, those off the beaten path. Drive the coastal Carolina’s or even along the bay of good ol’ Maryland, and you will understand what I am saying. Kent Island, St. Micheal’s, Easton, Cambridge – all Maryland Bay towns, that you not only remember for their attractions but for the way you feel when you visit.

It is a way of life. A slower pace. A calm. I long for it this time of year.

The nautical trend is seeing its way back into stores and closets. Here are some of my favorite picks from this season’s trend. I plan on embracing the style while I work away in the mountains and long for my summer days by the sea! Enjoy!