Celebrations

I absolutely love celebrations!  Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.  I love enjoying special days with my friends and family!  I enjoy planning these things too; the colors and the food.  Where will the venue be?  What kind of cake will we have?  I ESPECIALLY enjoy celebrations when I get to surprise someone!  Those are so much fun!  (My only stipulation is celebrating my stuff, I am NOT a fan of that!)  I think I can find just about anything to turn into a party!

My family and friends have had a lot to celebrate lately.  We've had engagements, lots of birthdays, new jobs, and many other successes!  I am so proud of my loved ones and appreciate them sharing their life with me.

It has really hit me lately that I need to make sure that I thank HIM for these opportunities to celebrate.  We would not have any of this life without our Heavenly Father.  Every moment we have breath, and can spend another day with our loved ones, is deserving of celebration.  

You know, life is never perfect and it isn't always easy.  But isn't that part of the beauty of life?  Doesn't that make the successes even more sweet?  What a beautiful, amazing life we live!

I encourage you to live, to love, and to celebrate!

Sun and Sand...maybe?

Excuse my language, but Tennessee weather has just SUCKED lately.  We've had a ton of ice and now a week of rain.  I hate to be a whiney butt, but I am sick and tired of being cold and wet.  I am just not fond of any of it!  I want sandals, skirts, tanks and WARMTH!!

The hubby and I have been trying to decide, for a while now, what to do for a family vacation this year.  I run a summer camp program, so I can't be gone any longer than a week and we are on a tight budget (come on, I'm always on a tight budget, I have 3 daughters!).  As much as I want some sand in my life at the moment, I'm just not sure what to do with the family.  

I just want us to play, relax and reconnect after a CRAZY year!

I don't want a full, busy schedule.  I want peace and fun and food!!  I'm honestly open for anything: mountains, sand, historical, etc.

So, bloggers, what would you suggest?  Where can my family go for an AWESOME, but relaxing vacation this year?

The subject of "Mommy-Time".

I am at a point in my life where I cherish the quiet moments, my seconds of "alone-time". This is time where I can scroll through Facebook and Instagram, get my nails done, watch HGTV or blog without anyone trying to talk to me.  Yet, I feel guilty taking the time for me. Like I am taking too much MORE time away from my family. Why do mommies feel like this when we need this time to refresh?

I. Love. This. Time. 

Please don't misunderstand, I adore my family. They are hilarious and we have so much fun together. But my life at the moment is crazy. I work almost full time, go to school almost full time, have 3 kids with their activities, plus I have cheer to mess with. Oh and there is a hubby I have to fit in there somewhere. Did I mention my sister is getting married IN TWO WEEKS?

So when I have moments of quiet, I cherish them! I am not very good at making this time happen for myself. But because of the stress I've been under lately, I have just realized that I need this me time. Should I have spent the money in getting a pedicure this week? Probably not, but I just needed me time. I needed to feel pretty and pampered. I left feeling so rejuvenated and happy. 

I have decided I am going to stop feeling guilty about taking time for me. It is important that we take care of ourselves mamas. When mama is happy, the family is happy. Take care of yourself. 

You are  beautiful,

Girl Drama

Today's thoughts come from my oldest daughter.  I have a tween, and she has been experiencing a tremendous amount of girl drama this year.  I have really struggled with how to handle this with her because I am torn.  Part of me wants her to learn to deal with it because there (unfortunately) ALWAYS going to be mean people out there.  But the other part of me wants for her to learn to be compassionate and love, even though some people are just harder to love.

Recently, we've been dealing with a friend who does not want to be my daughters friend anymore.  Hey, that is ok, friends change constantly when you are young.  But it is REALLY bothering my girl.  Sometimes this other girl says things that are mean, or gets other classmates involved in private disputes.  It is tough to stay out of it and it is tough for my girl to come home every day and have another issue she has dealt with. 

Growing up is very....HARD.

I try to talk with my girl about these things and we pray for this friend.  I want to be honest with my daughter, and comfort her.  I want her to know that what she is experiencing is very normal.  But it saddens me to no end that the girls in her class/grade aren't building each other up, they are tearing each other down.  I have encouraged my daughter to take a step back from this friend.  Not to ignore, but to love this friend from afar, and hopefully, things will settle down.

Do you have daughters dealing with this kind of drama?  How do you encourage and build up your daughter without tearing down others?

Stitch Fix - Shipment 2

I just received my second Stitch Fix!  Haven't heard of Stitch Fix?  You are missing out sister!  As a busy mom, wife, student, etc. finding the time to keep myself up, is just...well...not existent!  Meet Stitch Fix!  You fill out a profile and they send you super cute clothes.  You pay for what you keep and you're done!  It's like Christmas once a month (or however often you decide to have it shipped).  It's so much fun!  

You can check them out by going here: Stitch Fix

Now, that being said, this Fix wasn't my favorite.  My sister is getting married and I had asked for a cute top for a girls night out and maybe a dress to wear to the rehearsal dinner.  My grand total for everything was $396.00 ($302.00 if I bought everything).  But I'm sending it all back, here is what I got and why:

I just love this box!!

I adore how it is all wrapped up, like a present!

And the style guide is a must!!  Such a wonderful tool.  They even suggested some ways to pull in pieces I got last time that would coordinate with  items from this time.

This shirt is beautiful, the color is gorgeous, and the fabric was so soft.  It was $58.00.  I am not keeping it because of the pleating down the front.  It's hard to see in the photo, but it fit big and the pleating added volume to my mid section.

This top was precious and was $44.00.  I loved the high-low look to the top and it was so soft.  But, as you can see below, it came with a big hole in the side.

Bummer :(

These jeans were my favorite and were $88.00.  They were stretchy and soft, oh I so wanted to keep them!!  BUT, I don't wear jeans.  I can't for work, and since I already have two pairs that I adore, I'm returning these, beautiful jeans.

 This was my least favorite item, and the most expensive at $138.00.  You can't tell in the photo but it is a black Eyelet Dress.  It was very....matronly, and while I want to be conservative, I also want to be cute.  This just didn't cover it for me.

I liked this dress a lot.  It was $68.00 and a beautiful blue.  But, after having 3 kids, I don't have a tiny flat stomach, and the way this dress was cut defiantly didn't flatter me.

Well this Fix was a bummer, but I have hope for more!  My first one was wonderful!  I'm asking for spring clothing so lets see what they can do!  I love Stitch Fix!!

A lot has been going on in our world, and I've been a horrible blogger.  But I'm going to vow to change that....lets call it a late new years resolution.  I love writing, and I know it is a good way for me to connect with others who are doing/going through the same things I am!  So here we go world.....are you ready?