Pumpkin Spice with Blue & White

Today, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is officially being sold at my favorite coffee shop. Which, in my mind, makes it fall! I'm ready for pumpkin decor, dark nail polish, and sweaters. Texas, on the other hands, does not want to cooperate. It will be summer here until December. Welcome to Texas!

I had my first sip of my Pumpkin Spice Latte and made an audible, "Mmmm." A smile rose to my face, and instantly my heart felt joy. I so love fall. I love the candles and the way they make the whole house smell like baked goods. I love cozying up with the kids under a comfy blanket (linked our new favorite one below) and reading a cute fall picture book. I love the slow cooker meals and dips with chips. 

I'm ready for hosting. With fall comes the holidays, and the gratitude, and the gathering. Y'all, just typing this makes me excited for the season ahead. 

I picked up some cute new blue and white goodies for all the hosting we will be doing, and I snagged some pumpkins, and cutting boards. Everything I bought is from Walmart, and now I just can't stop checking their site and stores for all the grandmillennial vibes. 

I'm in my granny era. 

'Tis the season!

Thank you to Walmart for sponsoring this post.

Nordstrom Sale Finds

 

For The Renovators

Life as a mama is filled with love, laughter, and, let's be honest, a lot of chaos. Our homes become the heart of our families, where we nurture, care for, and create beautiful memories with our little ones. Here is a simple yet powerful concept: making the most used rooms in our houses ones we truly love. By infusing our personal touch and creating inviting spaces, we can transform these rooms into havens that bring us joy, peace, and rejuvenation. So, let's dive in and discover why this is so important!

1. The Kitchen: Where Love Cooks Up Magic

Ah, the kitchen—the heart of our homes and the hub of deliciousness! As parents, we spend countless hours preparing meals, baking cookies, and enjoying family dinners around the table. By adding personal touches to this space, such as vibrant wall art, cozy seating, or fresh flowers on the counter, we can turn our kitchen into a haven where culinary adventures and heartfelt conversations unfold.

2. The Living Room: A Cozy Retreat for Cuddles and Connection

Our living rooms are often where we gather for movie nights, read bedtime stories, or simply snuggle up with our little ones. By designing this space to reflect our personal style, we can create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Add soft cushions, throw blankets, and a coffee table filled with your favorite books to encourage relaxation and quality family time. Remember, a comfortable and cozy living room is the perfect backdrop for treasured moments and endless giggles!

3. The Bedroom: Mommy's Oasis for Rest and Recharge

Amidst the joyful chaos of motherhood, it's crucial to carve out a space just for ourselves—a sanctuary where we can relax, rejuvenate, and nurture our own well-being. Your bedroom is the perfect place for this. Consider incorporating calming colors, soft lighting, and cozy bedding to create a tranquil oasis. Hang inspiring artwork or photos of your loved ones, reminding yourself of the beautiful family you've built. Prioritize self-care and make your bedroom a place that brings you peace and tranquility.

4. The Playroom: A Wonderland of Imagination and Fun

Now, let's talk about the playroom—the magical realm where our little ones' imaginations run wild! Creating a space that sparks their creativity and fosters their growth is essential. Dedicate a wall for their artwork and proudly display their masterpieces. By transforming the playroom into a joyful and organized space, you'll encourage your children's curiosity and imaginative play.

As mamas, we pour our hearts and souls into creating a loving and nurturing environment for our families. By transforming the most used rooms in our houses into spaces we truly love, we enhance the joy, connection, and serenity we experience within our homes. Whether it's the kitchen, living room, bedroom, or playroom, each room holds immense potential to reflect our unique personalities and values.

Let's embrace our inner designers and sprinkle love and creativity into every corner of our homes. Remember, as we create spaces that nurture our own well-being and happiness, we are setting the stage for our families to thrive. Together, let's make our homes true reflections of our love, joy, and devotion as mommies!

Cheers, sis!

The Truth Is

When I had DC I felt so complete. It wasn’t hard going from no kids to 1 because I dreamed about that moment my whole life. My body bounced back because I was 21. I was thriving. He inspired me. Daily, blog posts just poured out of me. I was witty, insightful, and had so much energy.

When I had Aida Mae, I started to pull back from blogging. There was something about having a daughter that made me super protective. I quickly stopped sharing their faces on social media.

Then, when I had SJ, I was instantly exhausted. On top of being tired, I had 3 kids. That meant there was suddenly a lot more mom guilt, messes, and not a whole lot of time. Days instantly felt shorter, more stressful, and draining. I couldn’t sit down at a laptop to make jokes about a life I didn’t think was funny. Instead, life felt like it was crushing me. I was surviving not thriving. With no family around to lean on, I realized 3 kids was hands down the hardest number of children for me.

1 kid- I felt like a rockstar. 2 kids- I felt productive. 3 kids- I felt like I was a shell of myself. It humbled me.

I’m writing this more as an explanation to myself about what I am feeling, where I have been, and in the hopes that eventually I will feel restored and renewed when it comes to writing. I miss writing. It has always been my escape, and such a blessing for me to connect with you all on the struggles and beauties of motherhood.

So, here is to hoping you can connect to this post and as a promise to myself that I will be posting more regularly again. Mama needs this!

BBQ Chicken Salad

I posted a quick dinner I made the other night, and received some questions about how I made it. So, here is a super quick weeknight recipe for y'all! It's my take on a BBQ chicken salad with a Mediterranean twist. 

What you'll need & what you'll do-

Chicken Breast

2 chicken breasts thinly sliced

1/2 Bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce 

Optional- A dash or two of a dry BBQ seasoning 

Allow this to marinate for 1 hour or overnight. I marinate it overnight.

Grill chicken and chop.

Salad Dressing-

1/4 cup Plain greek yogurt

Juice of 1 lemon

Mix to combine.

Lay any lettuce you would prefer as the base. Add dill pickles. Add grilled BBQ chicken. Pour dressing over the top. 

Cheers, sis!

Round Here

I woke up early today. I was up before the sun or the kids. It was uninterrupted time and I had How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days playing in the background. What a gift.

SJ always wants to play with DC and Aida Mae. In fear of missing out, he refuses to nap. That's not my favorite thing that he does, but even then he is an absolute doll. 

He has the sweetest temperament and is the perfect addition to our family. I cannot even fathom that he is nearing the age of 1.

Watching all three of my children play together makes my heart melt. 

I made chocolate chip muffins and blueberry muffins this week. It made me feel like Martha Stewart in her heyday.

I'm barefoot in a dress, standing in the kitchen, watching my kids play together while I bake food for everyone, and all I can think is,  "This is the life I always dreamed of."

Recently, I have fallen in love with wearing dresses. They're flowy which is great in the Texas heat, and they're feminine and elegant. They make me feel beautiful postpartum which has been good for my soul. 

If you're having a hard day, try throwing a dress. It helps me every time. 

I found some classy dresses from Walmart. They're stunning and amazing quality. I cherish them. They're timeless and won't break the bank. Walmart has some darling eyelet and ruffle dresses. They sellout fast, so hurry. Flirty, timeless, and chic? Count me in.

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post. 

Today is the day of that last supper

artwork by celeste clark

Today is the day of that last supper. 

Thursday- Jesus sit down with all his disciples and breaks bread. The bread- a symbol of his body. The wine- a symbol of his blood, that would be shed to pay the price for sin and offer forgiveness. 

At the table with him is Judas, the very man who would betray him.

They go off to the Mount Of Olives. Jesus says another disciple will deny Him 3 times. Peter says he would never do such a thing.

Jesus is now at the Garden Of Gethsemane. He prays. He asks once for the Father to remove the cup if possible. He asks a second time, and by the third time He asks instead that if the cup not be removed that the Lord would do His will. 

Jesus is arrested, betrayed by his own, and receives an unjust guilty verdict. Jesus is tortured. 

When they find Peter and ask if he knows Jesus he denies Him 3 times. Jesus is betrayed again. 

By Sunday we are all saved. He saves us all.