Can I be honest with you guys for a second? Being a mother of 2 babies is hard. I knew it would be difficult and I tried to prepare for it, but it is so much harder than I realized. I honestly don’t know how mothers of multiples do it. I am in awe of you and you need a hug. And a spa day week. Lately, I have felt very overwhelmed.

I have tried to be a really independent mother. I want to do everything myself and I hate hate HATE asking for help. I feel like my kids are my responsibility and I get so caught up in the mindset of having to take care of them by myself. I should have them all the time. I should be the one to feed them, clothe them, bathe them at night, take them to the park, teach them. I am their mother. I am the one supposed to be raising them.Funny thing happens when I think like this. God laughs at me. He says, “No, no, no, sweetheart. You need help. You can’t do it alone.”

I do need help, y’all.

A childhood friend of mine started a Mommy Play Group on Facebook (which is awesome) and we met a couple of  weeks ago downtown at the splash pad. I was so excited! I just knew Hampton would love it. I mean, anything outside that involves water is right up his alley! Oh boy was I wrong.

I loaded the kids, Hamp in the stroller and SR in my ergo. I packed our lunches and we hiked down to the splash pad (because it is a hike when you are hauling 2 babies up a hill). I didn’t know I could sweat through jean shorts, but I can. In case you were wondering.

Once we made it, a train went right by the splash pad. Hamp spotted it right away. . He was so excited, but as soon as the train went away, he started pitching a fit. Then SR started screaming because it was time for her to eat. Hampton never would touch the water. He watched everyone else play and he continued to pitch fits, asking for the “choo choo.” I finally said “that’s it!” I loaded them back up and hiked back to the car with two screaming babies. I was so thankful to my friend who helped me push the stroller part of the way back. I didn’t ask, but she offered and didn’t even wait for a reply. She just helped me. It was so nice!

I was so tired, hot and frustrated. They were hot and not happy at all. We all really needed a nap. It hit me really fast that this is why I should not be afraid to ask for help. I am feeling overwhelmed right now, and it is okay. I’m still trying to learn how to be available to 2 babies all the time while working and blogging. It is so tough sometimes.

God has a funny way of teaching me lessons. He definitely has a sense of humor. I am stubborn and determined and he is trying to show me that it can’t always be my way. I can’t do it alone. I have to learn to rely on Him, always. After this experience, I can honestly say, I have learned my lesson. It really does take a village to raise a child, and it’s okay to learn to rely on the village sometimes.

If you’re a mom, I just want to say that you are wonderful. You are doing an amazing job. No matter what phase of life you’re in – whether you have babies or grown adult children there will always be challenges because you’re a mom. You are everything to your kids, so don’t give up and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. We all need help sometimes.

We had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! We celebrated my MIL’s, Mama’s, Cousin’s and Aunt’s birthdays, laid by the pool, went to a parade, enjoyed a ball game, played with sparklers and ate…a lot! It was absolutely the perfect weekend with my awesome family! It made me so excited for our cruise next month! I can’t wait to spend more time with the ones I love!

How did you celebrate the 4th?

It’s been a while since I participated in 5 on Friday, and I felt like it was a great day to do a 4th of July roundup with tomorrow being the 4th and all!

ONE

Last week I shared 4 Things to do on the 4th of July along with a casual outfit idea! I’m definitely going to be casual this weekend because we will be cooking out by the pool! What are you wearing?

TWO

My little Rae girl turned 2 months old this week. It is going by too. fast. Someone please make it slow down! I’m trying to soak up every minute with her and make sure I don’t miss a single moment. I’ve had so much fun planning her 4th of July outfits! It has been a lot of fun dressing a little girl!

THREE

Have you checked out my Patriotic S’mores Bar and recipe for a Caramel Macchiato Spread? It is delish! We will be using some of this same decor for a big 4th of July party at my parent’s house tomorrow! I can’t wait!

FOUR

This weekend is so special because we celebrate my aunt’s, 2 cousin’s and mother’s birthdays along with America! We go all out with tons of delicious food, decor and a pool party! I am so excited to see everyone I can’t hardly stand it! The last time I saw my cousin (who is also one of my closest friends) was the day after baby girl was born! I’m so ready to see her again!

FIVE

I hope you all have a wonderful 4th! What are your plans this weekend?

Linking up here!

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

With Father’s Day only a few days away, it has got me thinking a lot about my dad and what a wonderful person he is. He has always worked extremely hard and provided for our family. He has been there for all of our big moments and he has loved his children unconditionally.

When looking for a husband, I subconsciously found a man with these same qualities. Ryan is a wonderful Christian man. He leads our family and he pushes me to be a better person every day. He is so hard working and has loved me unconditionally. Let me tell you, I am not always easy to love. He has such a servant heart and is always willing to help anyone who is in need. From helping my sister with her homework to doing yard work for widows in our church, he is always happy to help.

His kind and loving spirit made me extremely confident in his ability to be a father to our children. Two and a half years ago, if you told me we would have two children right now, I would have laughed at you. During our struggles to conceive Hampton, (other than God) he was my pillar. He kept my spirits up and encouraged me daily. He loved me when I was in a miserable place. He helped me through the most difficult time of my life. He was and is my anchor.

Watching him become a father was the most precious thing. He loves our babies so much. He plays with them and is always more than willing to help out with them. He watches Sophie while I run during lunch. He bathes Hampton when it has been a long day. He loves to spend countless time with them and is so patient when Hampton wants him to read the same book ten times in a row. It is a beautiful thing to witness.

Needless to say, I definitely wanted to get Ryan something special for Father’s Day this year! Because we are going on a cruise in 7 weeks (not that I’m counting), I decided to put together a Nautical/beach themed gift basket!

I drove up to Hoover to visit the Galleria and ran into Macy’s where I purchased the Nautica Life Gift Set! The scent is wonderful and reminds me of the sea with a romantic twist. The gift set includes two fragrances as well as aftershave balm and shower gel.  I can’t wait for him to wear it! I also included a pair of sunglasses, swim trunks and sunscreen. Instead of using an actual basket, I put everything in a duffle bag because I know he will use that a lot more.

Giveaway Time!


One Grand Prize Winner will win a $4,000 Cruise Vacation Package, Five Second Place Winners will win a Nautica Men’s Fragrance Gift Package. Winners must be 18+ to enter. Good Luck!

Nautica for Dad

Who is the anchor in your life? What are you planning to get your father or husband for Father’s Day?

Why am I snapping Selfies?

You may remember my post a few weeks ago when I took a selfie and nominated our local Farmer’s Market for the Huggies #UltraHug Selfie Contest. I wanted to remind you that the contest is still going on! My first selfie was with my son and Sophie-Rae was still in my belly! This time, I just took one with my son. I have been trying to make him feel extra special lately. 🙂

Growing up one of my favorite memories is of my family loading up every Saturday during the summer and driving downtown to the Farmer’s Market to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. We also always bought honey. Now, Ryan and I go almost every weekend and we have started taking the kids. Yes, even SR has already been! I hope to make it just as special a memory for them as it is for me.

I have nominated our local Farmer’s Market for the Huggies Ultra Hug contest because it could definitely use a revamp. It is very run down and I know our  farmers would love to have it spruced up a bit.

About the #UltraHug Selfie Contest:

From April 20th until June 25th, Huggies will be accepting all selfies of you and your baby with the hashtag #UltraHug, and featuring them in a collage on Huggies website. There will be 10 winners chosen who will win a $2,000 grant from Huggies for their nominated community initiative.

How To Enter The Contest: 


• Take a selfie of you and your baby and upload that selfie to Twitter or Instagram. Make sure to use the hashtag #UltraHug

• In your post, make sure to include a text nomination of a community project that is meaningful to you in your hometown.

That’s it! Then you are entered! Huggies will begin choosing a winner on July 6th!

What community project would you nominate?

Be sure to check out these great new Huggies diapers at Walmart!

Easter is such a happy day. The weather was beautiful, our church service was wonderful, the food was outstanding, and as usual, my mom and mother-in-law really outdid themselves. Because we live near both of our families, we always get double the holiday fun. It can be hectic, but it is so much fun and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We enjoyed two fabulous meals, two egg hunts and lots of pictures. I tried to pick and choose just a few to share with you so you don’t have a Hampton overload, although he was pretty cute! 🙂

How was your Easter? Did you do anything Special?

Springtime is officially here and in full swing! The weather has been so beautiful and WARM (finally!!!) this week! Warm weather makes me want to do two things: swim and go on a picnic! Hampton and I went on a picnic last week and had so much fun, but this time we included Ryan! We had the perfect afternoon snack-time picnic yesterday, and really enjoyed being together. Of course, savings at Publix (more on these savings later) and Klondike Ice Cream Bars added to that enjoyment! Ryan actually got me hooked on these after I met him. What a bad influence he is! haha They are definitely one of my guilty pleasures.

For healthier snack alternatives, we  also pack:
-Yoplait
-Fiber One Chewy Bars
-Nature Valley Breakfast Biscuits
-Fruit

Publix is hosting a Snack Share and Save Event where you will save $5 on your purchase of $25 or more on participating snack items when you share with your friends! Find out more details here.

Giveaway Time!! Enter to win $15 paypal cash by entering in the rafflecopter below! I will choose a winner on April 23rd. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

P.S. Check out my post on How To Have The Perfect Picnic!

What do you like to take on your picnics? Don’t forget to check out these great savings at Publix!

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed the most adorable baby girl blowing up your feed. That would be my adorable new niece! My first niece. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law decided to keep the gender a surprise, but she really felt like she was having a boy the entire pregnancy. I felt like it was a girl, and I am thrilled that it is! Our little girls will be just over 2 months apart and I know they will be best little buddies. I’m so happy they will have each other.

Meet beautiful baby Kena:

Isn’t she perfect? I mean, those cheeks!

How was your weekend? Did anything exciting happen in your life?

Over the weekend, we spent lots of time with friends that we haven’t seen in a while. We have all been good friends since my Freshman year of college and try to get together as often as possible. One of our friend’s daughter was turning 6 and had a big Frozen party. Elsa and Anna were there and we sang Frozen songs and ate Frozen snacks. Of course, Hampton spent most of the time outside throwing his ball around. We really enjoyed our time with them.

Can you tell Hamp was a little excited?

What did you do over the weekend?