Life Lately

First Day of Fall

September 23, 2019

Happy OFFICIAL first day of fall, y’all! Like every basic girl out there, fall is my favorite time of year. The weather finally starts cooling off a bit and I absolutely love watching the leaves turn to my favorite color palette. The crisp air, football games, boots (and all of the fun fall fashions), pumpkin patches, etc. It all makes me so happy. I think for me, some of my favorite memories and events have happened in the fall which is what makes it so special to me. Our anniversary and Ryan’s, Hampton’s and Weston’s birthdays all take place in the fall. We have had some of our happiest days during this season that I treasure.

Mug // Pumpkin // Candle

I wanted to give you all a little life update because I haven’t written one in a very long time. My sweet baby boy will be 6 months old next week! I can NOT believe that. His first six months have flown by and it has all been a pretty big blur. At the same time, I am really trying to enjoy every minute I can with him and soaking up all the baby things. It is so emotional knowing he is my last baby. It has been tugging on my heartstrings, but I feel like everyone goes through that with their baby.

Hampton is THRIVING in kindergarten. We had a tough first couple of weeks because like him mama, he doesn’t like change. With everything being so new, it was hard on him, but now he is loving it and looks forward to going every day. I am so proud of him.

Sophie is doing great in preschool. We made the decision to move her from a 5 day program to just 3 this year so that I could spend more time with her and we would spend less time on the road. It has worked out really well and I have loved having my three littles all home with me on Mondays and Fridays. She also started dance classes again and is still loving it.

Weston started MMO this year and has done really well. Of course, we are dealing with typical two-year-old things with him right now, but he is so fun and knows how to make us all laugh. He is the sweetest boy.

Ryan and I are doing really well. He is still traveling a lot which is tough some weeks, but it makes the days he is home so much sweeter. We have started being more intentional with making time for one another when he I home and it has been so nice.

I have been struggling with anxiety since having Tucker, but I am doing much better now. I have had to make some lifestyle changes that have helped tremendously. I am also learning how to ask for help when I need it and be okay with that. Exercising and taking breaks when I can has been a game changer for me during this season of life.

We are planning so many things for the next month including a camping trip with some friends and Hampton’s birthday celebration! We can not wait to check some things off of our fall bucket list!

Easter Weekend

April 2, 2018

Happy Monday, friends! It’s been a while since I did a little life update, so I thought today would be appropriate after our big Easter weekend! Our weekends seem to be filling up these days. I can still remember when we looked forward to the weekends because we could rest, hang out with friends, catch up on cleaning, etc. Now, I feel like our weekends are busier than our weeks. Catch up on laundry? That’s a thing of the past. BUT… these little babes of mine make it all worth it! Our Easter weekend was no exception. We had so much going on, but it was all so good and honestly, I just feel so beyond blessed to get to spend my life with these babies and my best friend! It’s always good even when it’s not. You know what I mean?

Dress / Denim Jacket / Similar Mules / Bag / Sophie’s Dress / Boys’ Shorts / Ryan’s Shirt

Friday Favorites + Life Lately

October 20, 2017

I feel like I haven’t done a life update in forever! I’ll be honest, I’ve been struggling lately with how much is too much to put on my blog. As I’ve grown, it has been something I have had a harder time with. Putting yourself out there for the world to judge can be difficult, but ultimately, I don’t care about myself as much as I do my kids. I did promise myself that if I wanted to continue blogging (which I do) I have to be open and honest with y’all. So, these are just a few things going through my head. I know a lot of other bloggers who struggle with this, and you can’t be too careful these days. I am also thinking of doing a post on ways to keep your family safe as you blog through life. Would you guys be interested in seeing that? Let me know! It can be tricky when your life is your work and your work is your life. They intertwine for me and it is hard to not show my kids because they ARE my life. At the same time, it gets scary sometimes. If you’re a blogger, how do you deal with it?

Anyways…

Currently + Kate Spade Sale Picks

May 9, 2017

Romper // Flip flops (Enter my Mother’s Day Giveaway to win a pair here)// Necklace // Sunglasses (Favorites!) // Weston’s Onesie

Currently I’m…

Life Lately

January 13, 2017

After a whole lot of rain and an ice storm keeping us in last weekend, we have enjoyed some warm sunny days this week! It has been unseasonably warm and we are loving every minute of it! Countless walks and lots of playing outside has made my babies very happy and you know what they say: “happy baby, happy mama.” Or something like that… Life lately has definitely been grand!

Hampton has done great adjusting to school again. I was worried that after a long break, he might have trouble, but he has done so well! `That boy loves school. Of course, his parents did, too, so he gets it honestly. 😉

You Are Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile

October 7, 2016

It has been a while since I went to a nice dinner with Ryan. He goes to them all the time, but I normally stay home with the kiddos. Last night we had the chance to go hear former mayor Rudy Giuliani speak at a fundraiser for a local college and it was so much fun getting all dressed up – even though I’m starting to feel like a whale. There is just something about putting on a pretty dress that makes me feel good and impossible to quit smiling. It’s good for the soul to get dressed up every once in a while. Especially as a WAHM or SAHM.

Dress c/o PinkBlush Maternity // Necklace c/o Penelope’s Stories // Belly Bandit c/o // Ring c/o Shop Wrenn // Shoes // Earrings

When Life Hands You Lemons…Drive to Birmingham

January 12, 2016

I have to say, if you would have told me 4 months ago that my life would look the way it does right now, I may not have believed you. If I told you everything that has happened over the last 3 months, you wouldn’t believe me. In fact, everyone who has asked me what’s going on, all I can say to them is… “maybe one day I’ll write a novel…”

Anyways… Our living situation (at my parent’s house) is not a secret to any of you. As nice as it has been to save a ton of money these last 6 weeks, we are more than ready to be in a home of our own again. So, when life hands you lemons…drive to Birmingham!

coat c/o She In // pants // top (similar) // scarf (on sale!)

Hello There, September

September 4, 2014

Hello there September! It is so nice to see you! We are officially less than one month away from my favorite month in the whole year! But, for now, I’ll take September! Summer is coming to an end and my favorite season is beginning. Hello boots! Hello scarves! ‘Ello there, Pumpkin Spice Latte!

I can’t wait to see what this month has in store for us! A lot of exciting things are happening over here and I can’t wait to tell you all about it…later. That reminds me, have you linked up to mine and Leslyn’s new Mama Mondays link-up? Link up any of your mama related posts!

This month, I’m going to:

cherish the last few weeks of my baby being under a year old. Why does time have to go by so fast?

slow down a bit, because I’ve been way too overwhelmed.

breathe and take in all of the little things and enjoy them.

be present and in the moment.

drink PSLs like they’re only temporary…because they are.

spend more time with friends and family.

Do you have any personal goals for this month? Do you have any big plans?

Currently

September 3, 2014

writing this blog and in my journal (almost) daily. I mean, I do have a 10 month old who keeps me very busy. I try to write a blog post a day and write in my journal as often as I can because it is very therapeutic for me. I like to have a place to dump all of my thoughts.

anticipating my son’s first birthday party next month. I haven’t even started planning. Of course, I do have a few ideas, but I really need to get after it.

wearing booties, jean shorts and a kimono. This is what I wear most days. If I’m not in my yoga pants. Let’s be real here…

craving another PSL. What else? I’m addicted. It’s a good thing that they are only available for a part of the year or I’d be broke. I think tht might be a huge part of the appeal, no? We want what we can’t have, or what is not available to us all the time. Like Chick fil A on Sundays.

missing the beach, and Saturdays that I used to be able to sleep in or watch TV in my pjs all day if I wanted to. My little Hampton is so worth it, though. That reminded me of another thing I’m missing – sleep. I think Hamp has hit his 9 month growth spurt a little late, or it could be the 2 teeth he is cutting, but man, I could use some sleep.

Linking up with Jenna!

Be sure to stop by the baby burp to read 10 things you will discover after having a baby!

I Will Praise You In This Storm

August 11, 2014

I had planned to write a weekend update today to tell you all about my birthday weekend, what all we did, etc. The truth is, my birthday was very insignificant compared to what was going on. I promised myself when I started this blog that I would be honest with my readers. I’m not going to put on a face for you. When I’m happy and celebrating, I want you to all take part in that celebration with me. And when things aren’t so great, I want to tell my friends – all of you – about that, too.

One of my best friends from college has been battling stage 4 cancer for the last 2 and a half years. The year before he was diagnosed, he had a car wreck that nearly killed him. He spent that whole year having surgeries, physical therapy, all kinds of stuff. He was married to his wife in December 2013, one year after his wreck and was diagnosed with cancer the following month. It has been a really rough few years. That’s putting it nicely. You know what though? He has been the most positive person through it all. His entire family has fought with him and had the most positive attitude. He has impacted so many lives through this and I don’t think he realizes the amount of people he has reached through the way he has handled these last couple of years. He and his wife started a Facebook group to keep family and friends updated through his journey and every post he has written has been so powerful. He has completely changed the way I look at life. I’ve watched my friends and seen them change through this as well. He has brought some to Christ. One friend in particular started coming to church after not going for a long time and was baptized and is now on fire for God. It’s been amazing to see his journey and faith grow through all of this as well.

He was rushed to the ICU last week. I don’t want to get into all of the details because they aren’t mine to share, and because I would be typing forever. So much has happened in the last week. There have been many ups and downs, progress and set backs. Lots and lots of tears as we found out that the cancer has spread to his brain. Lots and lots of prayers, hugs, friends, family, encouragement, support. It has been a rough weekend. I was so thankful for my 6 closest friends surrounding his bed in the ICU on Friday night. His wife let us have that moment. It was so kind because if it were Ryan, I don’t know that I could be so selfless to give up even a minute with him, but she did.

His wife is such a wonderful, beautiful woman. She has been so strong throughout all of this. She is a nurse and she has taken so much care of him. She is incredible. Her spirit and her faith is amazing.

He is awake and doing okay, now. We were blessed to see him again yesterday and talked with him. He was cracking jokes and making us all laugh. He even gave me one of his famous bear hugs before we left. I am so thankful for that time that God blessed us with. It is not easy watching a loved one suffer so tremendously and for so long. We are being very prayerful in the days to come.

This has been a very tough week for his family and his friends. I wish I had happy news to share with you about my weekend, but this is reality. This is life. This is God’s plan, and I’m learning to have faith through good times and bad. I’m learning to praise God in this storm and every storm of my life. It’s not easy and downright painful at times, but God, I will praise you in this storm.