I will pay it forward

Raising kids is not for the faint of heart. There is always someone who needs something, and often we are left wondering if we are doing the right thing. 

As a mother, I know that so much of what I do is being absorbed by my kids. They're learning from me every step of the way. I'm constantly questioning my decisions, and honestly I'm praying all day long for guidance. 

A little while ago, SJ threw a tantrum in the middle of a store. He's a toddler, so naturally meltdowns happen. Of course, it was his first ever lay down on the floor kicking and screaming tantrum, and all eyes were on us. 

I knew he was safe, that he was crying over a toy at checkout he wanted, and that he didn't need the toy. So, I kindly and patiently offered him a hug, which he refused and continued to kick and scream. 

I apologized to all I could make eye contact with. One mama in line, looked at me and said, "Don't worry about it. I've been there." "Bless her," I thought. Another mama chimed in, "My two-year-old twin boys screamed just like that this morning at preschool dropoff, but I needed some time away. It's just a few hours a week where I get a break." "I need some of that too," I thought.

This encounter made me realize it truly does take a village. The village can be strangers who simply allow you to feel seen and less alone. It can be people who help you in raising your kids. It can be friends who cheer you on. No matter who it is or what they do, we all need someone to help us along the way. 

On that particular day, God sent two other mamas I didn't know to help me. They cheered me on and offered me kindness and some suggestions. For that blessing I am grateful, and to the two good Samaritans, thank you. I will pay it forward. 

Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff

Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients

1 lb beef stew meat

1 cans condensed golden mushroom soup


1 packet onion soup mix


1 onion (chopped)


1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce


1/2 tsp garlic powder


1/4 cup water


4 ounces cream cheese


1/4 cup sour cream

Directions

Add all ingredients except the cream cheese and sour cream to the slow cooker and mix.
Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
Stir in cream cheese and sour cream.
Serve over egg noodles.

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Encouraging those who want to be stay-at-home moms

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My husband and I have very traditional roles in our marriage. He works outside of the home, and I stay at home with the kids. He never asked me to do these things. He is a loving respectful man, who wants me to be happy. I am blessed beyond measure to have him. 

I have always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. I grew up with a working single mom, and I remember wishing she could be at home with me. It felt lonely without her, it was like something was missing. It was then that I knew I wanted to be at home with my children. 

When we had our first son, my husband and I sat down to make it work. At the time, my husband was making $10 an hour working at a call center while he finished up his undergrad. We lived humbly. We sold our second car to make sure we would have enough to pay for our needs, and lived in a one bedroom mold infested apartment. It wasn't easy. We didn't have nice things, we had to count every penny, and truthfully it was always a blessing at the end of the month if we had any extra money left. Yet, somehow, we always had enough for our needs. 

Being a mom is the greatest thing I will ever do. It is worth every sacrifice. There is nowhere else I would rather be then right here raising my children. 

Christmas is around the corner

 

The presents are all wrapped and are under the tree. Our families are on their way. The guest bedroom is prepped, and the holiday cookies are waiting to be delivered. 

Every year, the kids make loads of different Christmas crafts. We mail some off to grandparents, but I keep most of them. I need to find a better way to save and organize them. They're such treasures. My little Picasos!

Today, Aida Mae was so proud to show off the marshmallow sling shot she made out of popsicle sticks. She would shoot Christmas tree marshmallows, DC would catch them, and SJ would laugh his little heart out. This went on for a solid 15 minutes, and it was heaven.

Christmas is around the corner. Once October rolls around, time just seems to fly. I try to soak up every second of fall and Christmas, but goodness it flies by.

I headed off to Walmart to pickup some new sheets for our guests and a red dress for Christmas. Luckily for me, I found the luxe number featured above. I love that I can wear it from winter into summer. It's the perfect dress for any occasion, and is a great length. It would be a great dress for a nursing mama, anyone postpartum, and can be perfect as a maternity dress. I find so many of my wardrobe staples at Walmart. I can find anything from a basic ribbed tee to trendy silver shoes there. 

Now, I just need to get a few stocking stuffer and I will be all set...crap. I need matching jammies. 

Hope y'all are making some great Christmas memories.

XO,

Mrs. Measom 

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post.

Cold and Flu Remedies

Thanksgiving was a hit. We made amazing memories, had way too much pumpkin pie, and did some Black Friday shopping.

We put up our Christmas decor. The Mister turned to me and said, "You know with the Christmas tree up it feels so cozy in here. You did a great job." It's the little things he says that melt me. 

I love making a house a home with him and our kids. I'm so grateful for them. 

After what feels like a month of sickness, we are all turning a corner. In the thick of it, I went to Walmart for a heating pad and some Epson salt. When I left, I had those items, plus groceries, home decor, a new outfit, and some toys. We can chalk that shopping spree up as an act of me being Santa’s helper this year (also some much needed retail therapy). If you have some sicknesses at home, pickup whatever you need plus anything “Santa” needs Walmart. 

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post.

Target got me...again

It's sunny and 70 here in Texas. I love that we live in the south because it makes the holiday season so much more enjoyable. We don't have to Trick-or-Treat in jackets. We can go to the park on Christmas. It feels like we are on vacation year round. Sure, the white snow looks more festive, but after living in Michigan for 6 years, I got all the festive I need. 

The dollar spot of Target got me today. Things were actually a dollar, and in this day and age it seems like a dang miracle. Even the Dollar Store is charging $1.20!

Salmon and potatoes is what's for dinner tonight. Whenever I am talking to a friend on the phone, we always ask each other, "what are you making for dinner tonight?" And since we are all friends here, what are you having for dinner? Let me know in the comments below. Give us all some ideas.

I forgot that with a baby, there is always a mess somewhere. While you are cleaning one mess, they are off making another. On and on this goes, until your house looks like wild animals live there. I've read to wait until the end of the day to clean up, but goodness by the end of the day I am spent. I don't have an ounce of energy in me, and the last thing I want to do is clean. I've just come to accept that there will be a mess somewhere, but I try to keep up on tidying as much as I can.

Today, I am thankful for all of you. It is because of you that I get to write, be creative, share outfits, and support my family. Thank you for being here. It means more than you know.

XO, 

Mrs. Measom

Grandmillennial Christmas Decor + Round Here

I have a long list of things to do, and SJ does not want to nap. The list gets longer and longer as he avoids those precious moments for both him and I to recharge, but when he doesn't want to nap I know something is bothering him.

Having a baby, I can sometimes feel helpless. If something is bothering SJ, for example if a tooth is coming in, he can't tell me. It hurts my soul that I don't know exactly what he needs 100% of the time. 

Motherhood is magical in the way that it teaches you to love others so fully, but hard because you love your kids so much you just want to take away all their pain and sadness but you can't. 

Talking to my mom, I realize that feeling doesn't ever go away. No matter how old your kids are, you always want to carry their burden for them if not at least with them. "It never ends," she says. Great. Ha-ha.

XO, 

Mrs. Measom