Five On Friday

Linking up for Five on Friday...

ONE:
I am prepping for Sassy's 5th Birthday Bash.
So far I've figured out a little sweet to serve.
And I was playing around with a buttercream recipe & some colors/sprinkles... and I got so excited.
It has kick started my "frozen party" planning into gear

TWO:

I am very very happy that I live near a Hobby Lobby.

Damage can and always is easily done...

THREE:

My sweet boy. 

Despite his poor skin/allergy issues, he deals with so greatly, he is THE sweetest thing on the planet. I love my children equally of course, I am thankful for God gracing me with this sweet boy who has taught me/us so so much. I am getting a little excited about our days just us next year when sissy is in school all day. We're going to do some big time bonding.

FOUR:

Its become my daily breakfast routine. 

Chia Seed Pudding (See Recipe HERE)

FIVE:

My Etsy Shoppe.

I've had a lot of steady orders, and I am enjoying having my own money. 

The wedding bride and groom clothespins have been a great success.

If you know of anyone getting married? 

How to We Cope When We Come "Unglued"

Linking Up today on Kelly's Korner:

 

 

Today's Topic:

How do we Cope when we become "unglued"

 

I have to admit.. sometimes I wait for the blog host to write what she gets out of this topic first, then it helps me brainstorm what to write/say.. dig into from there.

 

But I have a chance now to sit and blog, and I see this post sitting in "draft" and I began to really think about what I do when I become "unglued" and what becoming "unglued" really means to me.

 

I guess I could chop this up a number of ways.. I sometimes become unglued surrounding my children, my marraige, and even my faith... (more often than I care to admit Im afraid) So since this blog is me.. open.. and truthful.. I decided to be just that for this post.. truthful.. for whoever reads it will know that this is me, and my thoughts for this topic.

 

My children... I think any Mom can feel like she's becoming unglued.. or burned out.. especially if you're a stay-at-home Mom like me. I think last year (i know I always go back to last year) But it was the hardest year of my life. God gave me a healthy baby boy but.. stricken with pain and severe colic.. It was a strain.. On everyone

Me

My husband

Our daughter

Our marraige

Our faith

Our family

 

There were so many days I felt "unglued" there are too many to count.

Days when I would look up at the ceiling and beg God for mercy for us.. all of us.

And then that period was over, and things have calmed down and life is a lot different.

 

As a SAHM, I just now have discovered that ME time is very important. And I think my husband realizes it as well. Doing things for me helps me pull myself back together when feeling unglued.. Going for a run, shopping, blogging, crafting, baking, cooking... I love all of these things.. and If I can step away from the house for a few hours and let Daddy take over, I come back a better Momma..

 

 

In my marriage when I feel unglued, I usually do two things.. communicate with my husband.. try to talk to him and tell him how Im feeling, even if he doesnt have the slightest clue to what kind of emotional mess I might be... and I pray.. I really turn to God to take over.. and ask him to help us during the rough times. I constantly refer back to "The Power of the Praying Wife" ... I love that book, and I go back to it constantly.. Its reinforcement in so many areas in a marriage that make total sense.

 

 

So for me ... this is what Unglued means... when we get off track.. loose sight of important things, and just need a good refresher, reminder and boost to get us back to a good place.

Link Up - How Do You Take Care of YOU, Mama??

Im linking up with a few of these bloggers, and am looking forward to reading each other's take on some very good topics.

First we are talking about ME time.. Momma time.

 

Remembering YOU

{taking care of yourself and keeping your identity}

 

How do you take time out for yourself as a Mom, and do things that truly make you who you are.

 

 

I realized how important ME time was after I had Andrew.

Having one child, I also worked full time until I had my 2nd, so I really did have a lot of ME time, and I didn't even know it until #2 came.. oh and he was colic... double whammy.. and take away more me time.. ha! There was a few periods last year where I did have the baby blues.. pretty bad.. and ME time was very very sparse.. I had a newborn who was sleeping on top of me, and with me all day every day...and a 2 year old that I was constantly trying to pay attention to and make up for the screaming baby in the background.. life was tough.. and I neglected myself probably for the better part of 2012.

 

Now that he doesn't demand all my attention, I have been embracing ME time, and truly realizing that as a busy Mom, and wife everyone needs to make time for YOU.

 

I never realized how much time I had on my hands until after I had kids.

I had endless time to myself to walk around my favorite stores, grab a coffee and read magazines, DVR favorite shows.. and actually watch them before a whole week goes by...

I wouldn't change my life with my two precious kids for the world. I feel like my life wouldn't

 seem complete without them, and I know as they get bigger, the time will be given back to me for such things.. But for now Im trying to enjoy every day with them, because they are growing so so fast, and these days are precious but few.

 

So these days... things like washing my face, and getting a shower every day are events that make me feel better each day.

 

Getting Dressed... Luckily SJ is in school two days a week, and next year it will be 4 or 5... so that forces me to get myself looking decent... and not stay in sweats.

 

Polishing my nails.

 

Blogging - Its my outlet.. I love it.. and only wish I'd started sooner.

 

Playdates (for me and for the kids).. I need to have more of them I realize. Adult conversation with other Moms is very cleansing, and makes you feel like you're not alone in this Motherhood journey.

 

Crafting and Sewing - I love making craft gifts, planning parties, and sending letters/homemade birthday cards to friends. I think my love language must be gifting ... I really enjoy it.

Pinterest has nearly fueled my fire for so many great ideas and craft projects.. and when I get a few under my belt, I feel accomplished and re-energized.. make sense? Anyone who's a crafter would understand.. ha!

 

To sum it all up, I cant get on a plane with my girlfriends and hit Vegas right now for ME time like I would LOVE and SOOO need..

SO I do little things like mentioned above to help re-energize myself.

 

I stop and I thank God that at the end of a crazy day, when I've nearly lost my mind, I remember and thank him that my children are happy and healthy, and that I have an incredible husband by my side who I could not do all this without.

Motherhood is hard.. hard work.. but there's no place I'd rather be than right here in the midst of this crazy journey.

 

 

 

 

 



Lip Gloss Swap Loot!

A very sweet package arrived last week.

It was from Holly at Precisely Holly.

I recently discovered her blog, and I've become a big fan.

She likes a lot of the same things as I do, I love her blog style, and her taste in many things so I was so excited when I was paired up with her for this swap!

It was adorably decorated with Hello Kitty duct tape, and I couldnt wait to get inside and check out my loot!!!

Here's what she sent!

A sweet little note, and 4 amazing products that I've been using all week.

 Mascara:

Lash Discovery - Holly wrote in her note that she uses this for bottom lashes, and now, SO DO I!

They really made my lashes POP! I never thought to use a separate mascara for bottom lashes! Thanks for the tip Girl!

Maybelline "the falsies" Mascara - I love the contoured brush, and the rich black color.

I was in desperate need for a new mascara.. I love this one!

 Lips!

Maybelline NEW Baby Lips Lip Balm - I've been using this every day.

I stuck it in my diaper bag, and since we've been at parks and outside ALL THE TIME, it has SPF in it as well, so I feel like Im protecting my lips at the same time.

Color Riche Balm - with SPF also.. I havent tried this one yet.. but the shade is fairly neutral which I love.. and Im always switching my lip glosses.. and loosing them too.. so Im sure this one will get plenty use in time

Thank you Holly for all my new loot for my makeup bag!
It was my first time participating in a "swap" and it was so much fun.. I cant wait to do another one!

I had so much fun shopping and sending my package to Holly as well.. check out what I sent her at

Precisely Holly!

The 411 {Link Up}

I recently added this blogger to my reading list

and she did a 411 on Blogging so I thought I'd join in...

both kids are napping.. lunch is done, laundry is in-progress, and house is relatively clean...ha!

Okay here goes:

1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? Has your blog changed?

I started blogging in March of 2010. I came across a random cupcake/recipe blog, and then started reading her followers' blogs.. and it just spiraled from there...

2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?

Yes, I went to John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio

I majored in Communications and Minored in English.

3. Where have you traveled?
Oh gosh....Canada, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, North Carolina, Florida, Reno, Chicago, Cincinnati, Washington DC, Aruba, Mexico, Jamaica, Texas, England, Barcelona, Portugal...I think those are the major ones.. ha!

4. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?
A large house in the beautiful town of Wilmington, NC.. (we want to live south again someday)

5. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?
People who are fake/superficial

People who are hypocritical

Nose pickers! ah!

6. What is your favorite movie?

The Time Traveler's Wife

I listened to the soundtrack over and over when I was in labor with Andrew a few months ago..

7. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?
I love water!

8. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?
Blog, Craft, Online Shop (when I cant leave my house) 

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?
One store??????

Okay probably Nordstrom

10. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present.

I was shopping recently with the kids, and forgot to put a nursing pad under my bra... and yep, I leaked.. all through my shirt which was grey... so embarassing

11. What day would you love to relive again?
I know this is a popular answer but my wedding day or the birth(s) of both of my kids.

12. If your life was turned into a movie... what actor would play you?

Diane Lane, i just love her
  

13. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?
Paper Route & Waitress, and Nanny

14. Show us a picture from high school or college. 

15. If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?
Bahamas

16. Show us the most current picture of you or you, or your family, or anything of meaning to

 you

This was taken in May 2012...we JUST got family pics taken professionally and I cannot wait to get them back!
 

17. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?
I see us settled wherever Mat's job takes us, and traveling with and maybe  a trip without the kiddos!

Now, tell me about you...

Link Up!

Linking up today!
Have a great Thursday..