Uncategorized – Page 11

By His Stripes, I Am Healed

August 5, 2015

Tank: c/o Covenant Gear Apparel Shorts: Old Navy (old) Kimono: TJ Maxx (old)

How is everyone feeling about this tank top weather? I’ll be honest, I am kind of over it and ready for fall. If you think I’m nuts, you obviously don’t live in Alabama. Seriously, it is SO hot. It doesn’t help that I have been running in this 95+ degree weather every other day trying to lose weight for our cruise next week!

I have been living in tank tops and shorts and I am still hot 99% of the time. This tank has been one of my favorites because of the message it spreads. I am a Christian first and foremost and always want to represent Christ in everything that I do. I fail more times than not, but if I can turn someone’s head by the shirt I choose to wear and make them google a bible verse or ask me a question about my faith, I am going to take that chance to minister to someone. Even if it is in a really small and subtle way. After all, that is our purpose, isn’t it?

I am so excited for our cruise next week and honestly can not believe it is finally here. This trip has been planned for a year (before I ever even knew I was pregnant) and while it felt like it took forever to get here, these last couple of weeks have definitely snuck up on me. I am hustling trying to get packed and ready to leave. This tank is definitely coming with me. It is perfect for throwing over my bathing suit in the Bahamas!

Once we get back from our cruise, I am going to be ready for fall weather. Unfortunately, that doesn’t come here until around late October. It is my favorite time of year and I can’t wait for some heat relief!

If you noticed on Instagram, my baby boy broke his ankle over the weekend. He was jumping in the kiddie pool I bought for him (which has been renamed “the pool of broken dreams”) and he twisted his ankle and landed on it really funny. He immediately grabbed his foot and stated screaming. It was one of the worst moments as a mother. I did remain calm because I didn’t want to scare him or make things worse, but it was not a fun night. After 5 hours in the ER, we got home around midnight and he couldn’t sleep. He was hurting so much. It was awful. I really hate he is going to be in a cast in this miserable weather, but even more so because of our cruise. It is breaking my heart. I keep reading this verse and it is comforting. I am praying for healing for my sweet angel and I hope he will feel much better by the weekend.

Do you have any last minute vacations planned before school starts? Have you ever broken any bones?

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Haul

August 4, 2015

This post contains affiliate links.

As an early birthday present this year, Ryan spoiled me a little bit by letting me snag some goodies from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! I am so excited and have already worn a couple of my new pieces. I couldn’t possibly wait until fall! I also splurged and bought SR a little winter dress. I LOVE it! I can just see it now with some little white tights and booties!

Unfortunately, the prices on the new fall items have gone back up, but you should still check them out! Some of the things I bought are not too terribly expensive and they are all really worth the splurge! Here is what I scored from the sale:

Booties
Rayne Tassel Necklace by Kendra Scott
Dylan Stone Pendant Necklace (in Emerald)
Arden Cuff by Kendra Scott
Sweater
Lush Tunic
Everly Dress (in black)
Zella Leggings
Pink Baby Dress

Did you buy anything from the sale? What were some of your picks?

Back To School Must Haves

July 31, 2015

This post contains affiliate links.

I know a lot of you are getting ready to go back to school in the next couple of weeks. I know my sister is going back to school shopping tomorrow and she is so excited! That was always the best part of starting a new school year. It meant new clothes and new accessories. I also loved getting organized for the year ahead. I spent a little time “window shopping” online last night to pick out some fun clothes and accessories I would definitely want if I were heading back to school!

Instax Camera

Faux Leather Backpack

Leggings

ASICS

Fitbit

Shirt Dress

Kate Spade Rain Boots

Stapler

kate spade new york Sticky Note Set

Apple iPad Mini

Ray Ban Aviator Sunglasses

Watch

T-shirt Dress

Planner
Jeans

I may try to get away with some of these styles, anyway. I mean T-shirt dress? That is a trend I can get behind!

What is on your back-to-school list?

Also, check out my Tips for Getting Organized: College Edition!

Postpartum Weight Loss + Giveaway

July 30, 2015

This post is sponsored by Yoplait but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Be sure to make your #SweetSummer by checking out the latest Yoplait Yogurt and coupon!

I’m so excited to tell you that I am now only 5 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight! I am so thankful, but I must admit that I have been working my tail off and it has not been easy. People have been asking me if I’ve been “wrapping” or doing Advocare, etc. but I am SO not a gimmick girl. I am a firm believer that the only way you will lose weight and keep it off is if you change your lifestyle.

Exercise – I have been exercising (almost) every day. Whether it’s a 3 mile jog or a 10 minute yoga video, I am making sure to move every day. When I plateaued about six weeks ago, I noticed a huge difference once I started exercising again. The weight finally started coming off.

Diet – I have started watching what I eat again. I am not going to sit here and tell you I’ve been perfect, because there is a slice of cookie cake from last week that will tell you I haven’t been. I am trying to eat healthier but I won’t be so strict to where I can’t enjoy life’s pleasures. One way I do this without totally ruining my diet is by eating yogurt. Yoplait has a new yogurt that has 25% less sugar in it! I have loved eating these and I even feel good about giving them to my son without worrying that he will be super hyper.

Determination – My husband will be the first to tell you that when I get an idea in my head, I won’t be satisfied until I do it. Some may call me stubborn, but I call it determination and dedication. 😉

Scheduling – I am a natural planner, but I have started making sure that I have written in my calendar when I will work out from day to day. Most of the time it happens at night or late afternoon when Ryan can watch the kids. Sometimes I take Hampton on my runs and leave SR with Ryan while she is taking a nap. Planning ahead will make it seem more important and you won’t have an excuse to not do it.

Giveaway Time!!!

Don’t forget to print your Yoplait Coupon and enter to win $15 by visiting their website HERE and leaving me a comment telling me which flavor and recipe you would like to try!

Weekend Shenanigans

July 29, 2015

This past weekend was so busy, but a fun kind of busy. Friday afternoon, I bought Hamp a little pool for our backyard for $5 on clearance at Walmart! I just couldn’t pass up that price or the chance at making my son’s day! Sure enough, I spent the rest pf the afternoon and Saturday morning in the pool with him! We even got fancy and put his little slide in the pool! I’m a cool mom! haha

Saturday afternoon we enjoyed time at Target…and when I say “we” I mean me. Ryan always dreads going to Target because he claims we can never leave without buying things we don’t really need. I have no idea what he is talking about! I needed those 2 new books that I bought!

After our Target run, we headed to my nephew’s 3rd birthday party! It was so much fun! Everything was decorated so cute. He is very into Paw Patrols right now. I am new to this because it is apparently a little over Hampton’s head right now, but he loved playing with the Paw Patrol toys, so it may not belong before we are in that phase, too. I wouldn’t mind a break from Thomas the Train.

Sunday, after church, I went to one of my childhood friend’s baby shower! She is having a little girl this October and I couldn’t be happier for her! She is going to be a wonderful mommy! It seems like so many friends are getting pregnant again! I can’t wait to meet all of these precious babies!

My best friend is finding out the gender of her baby this morning and I am going to lunch with her today after her appointment! I Can Not Wait. She has a little boy that is a few months older than Hampton and they are kind of adorable together! Now I just can’t wait to find out if SR will have a BFF or a boyfriend!

So many exciting things are happening right now. I’m so excited for all of my friends and I love celebrating and rejoicing in their happy news!

What did you do last weekend? Have you noticed a lot of preggers lately?

Literary Junkies Book Club – July 2015

July 28, 2015

Here are this month’s questions:

1. What are you reading right now? Tell us about it.

The Royal We by Heather Cocks – It is SO good! Of course, I’m a sucker for all things “royal.” It really is so interesting and really makes you look at the paparazzi a lot differently. I am enjoying this book a lot and would be finished with it by now if it weren’t for two certain babies around here! haha

2. What book reminds you of summertime as a kid?

The Secret Garden is one of my favorite classics of all time because I read it all the time when I was growing up. I also watched the movie at my grandmother’s house every summer. Also, The Babysitter’s Club, Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys were always on my summer reading lists!

3. What book did you have on your summer reading list that truly nailed it as a summer reading favorite?

Eight-Hundred Grapes has been my favorite so far this summer. I LOVED it! I was really excited to read it, but it definitely did not disappoint. Review coming soon!!

4. Who is your favorite author and why? Give us your top recommendation by them.

Kate Morton is probably my favorite. She hits it on the head every time and always surprises me. Just when I think I have one of her mysteries figured out, she shocks me. I love her books and she even has a new novel coming out in October!! I would honestly recommend any of her books, but my favorite was The Forgotten Garden.

5. Fall Book Reading lists are starting to make their appearances. What are you excited to read that’s being released this fall?

I’m excited for Nicholas Sparks’ new book – See Me coming out in October as well as Kate Morton’s new book – The Lake House also coming out in October! They will both be on my list along with Nora Robert’s Cousins O’Dwyer trilogy!

What is on your fall reading list? What was your favorite Summer read?

Travel Activity Bucket for Kids

July 27, 2015

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TwizzlersSummer #CollectiveBias

We are officially 14 days away from our cruise! We are actually leaving a couple of days earlier to visit my grandmother in Florida where I will be spending my birthday! I can’t tell you how excited I am to have this week long vacation. It is so needed.

I have been sort of dreading making the 7 hour drive to my grandmother’s house with our two babies. Mostly Hampton, because we can’t keep him still. I’m so scared he will be miserable that long in the car. After thinking about it, I decided to put together a travel activity bucket to keep him busy while we are on the road.

My friend and I ran to Walmart after our lunch date last week and grabbed some fun things I thought would keep Hamp busy in the car. In addition to a coloring book, stickers, and games, I also thought it would be fun to add one of our favorite family snacks – Twizzlers Twists. I also threw in some rainbow twists for fun!

Here is what to put in an activity bucket for your summer road trips:

Coloring Book – This will keep them busy for a while. All kids love to color!

Games – We love to play all sorts of games in the car. Including some little hand held games for your toddler will help keep him occupied.

Snacks – I threw in one of my favorite snacks that we can all enjoy as a family! Twizzlers Twists have been my road trip choice for years and I can’t wait to share that tradition with my son. Snacks are always a great thing to have on hand with children. They get hungry and it’s not fun when you aren’t prepared for that.

Books – My son loves to read, and for that I am thankful. Reading books can keep him occupied for a few minutes at a time and they can also be educational, so it’s a win/win!

Your bucket doesn’t have to be complicated. Just think of things that will keep your child occupied and try to get several different things so that when they get bored with one, they can easily move on to another. Having an activity bucket will also help limit their screen time, which is something badly needed this day in time! Don’t forget to sing songs and make pit stops so the kids can stretch their legs for a bit. That will also help break up the trip.

Twizzlers Twists remind me of my childhood summers. We used to eat them all the time. I remember always stopping on our road trips to grab some snacks and they would always be my go-to.

What would you include in your activity bucket? Twizzlers Twists remind me of my childhood, do they bring back memories for you, too?

A New Mother’s Formula For Happiness

July 24, 2015

This post is sponsored by Gerber® Good Start® Gentle but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Before we had our daughter, I was very nervous about going from one child to two. Their age difference intimidated me (18 months), but I was also feeling all the emotions. Hampton would no longer be my only child. He wouldn’t be my baby. It was so emotional for me because he WAS still a baby. Let me just tell you, it is tough trying to explain to your baby that you are having another baby. He just didn’t get it at all.

Everyone told me to try to relax and enjoy my time with him and that he would be the best big brother once he got used to it. It took about 8 weeks before Hampton really did well with SR. We still can’t leave them in a room together without one of us watching them, but it has gotten so much better.

The best piece of advice anyone gave me was to just relax and take it all in. Hold my baby girl. Play with my son as much as possible. Read to the both of them and enjoy every minute. I have definitely been trying to focus on my kids a lot more and take this advice. I’ve been enjoying the little moments. The ones that most people miss. Only because I was told to focus on that time more, and I have.

With Hampton, we lost a lot of sleep. He was my baby that didn’t sleep. At all. His doctor even shook her head at him. As a newborn he slept 6 or 7 hours in a 24 hour period. He just never slept. Luckily, SR has slept great! It has been like night and day, and for that, we are all thankful, rested and happy! After I had Hamp, I wish I had known about the Gerber Sleep Consultants and the free appointments they offer! That would have been so nice. Sleeping more this time around has made all the difference.

If I had any advice for a new mother, it would be to rest as much as you can, hold your baby as much as possible and soak up every moment. If you do this, you will have created the perfect #formulaforhappiness for you and your baby.

Photos by Allison Hilyer Photography

What is your Formula for Happiness?

How To Decorate Your Home For Summer

July 23, 2015

My mother is extremely gifted in all things design and decor. She has an eye for it that constantly amazes me. My sister is fortunate to have received this trait as well, but the gene skipped me. I have, however, learned a few tips from watching them over the years on how to decorate, things not to do, etc. One of them is how to change your decor around to make it appropriate for each season without completely redoing your entire home. I recently bought new living room furniture and chose very neutral shades for our chairs, sofa and rug. Our walls are all very neutral – beiges, grays, and my chocolate dining room – so that I can easily change up accent pieces to make my home appropriate for the changing seasons. Here is how I do it:

Add color – I love to add touches of color throughout the home – yellow for summer, red for Christmas, pastels for spring etc.

Change out pillows – I change out my throw pillows on the couch to go with the seasons. I have red pillows for winter and floral pillows for spring and summer. They make a huge difference in the way our living room looks and feels.

Add colorful artwork – I haven’t done a good job of this recently. I LOVE art. I am not talented in this area, but I have a huge appreciation for it. I love architecture as well, but I am very picky about what I want in my house. Because of this, I have almost none. Oi.

Fresh flowers – Adding seasonal flowers to a home will always make a house feel warm and inviting while also adding fragrance and color. Everyone loves flowers! They are a great way to decorate for the changing seasons.

How do you decorate your home for the summer?