Class of 2023

My Kindergarten Graduate, 
I remember the morning of your first day of Kindergarten. I can remember holding you on the couch because you were so nervous to go. I was so nervous to let you go. I knew it was time. I knew I needed to open up my arms a little and let you go {just a little}. Do you remember when you had your head on my shoulder and you looked up at me with your eyes filled with tears you said, "Mom, what if I don't make friends?" My sweet boy you have made some of the greatest friends this year. You cried every night as we prayed for you the last week of school because you didn't want to leave your friends. Jesus is so faithful {even in the small things}. To say that I have seen you grow from a little boy to a little man would be an understatement. It has been a joy to see you start to become your own person. I am so proud of you and the gracious, kind hearted little man that you are. The truth is I know I have failed you at times this year but I am learning as I go. I want to be the best mom for you and your brothers. Thank you for showing me grace at times when you didn't even know that is what you were doing. You bring me such joy and every time I listen to this song by 'Sidewalk Prophets' it makes me think of simple truths that my sweet boy I want YOU to know. 

Three in the morning,

And I'm still awake,

So I picked up a pen and a page,

And I started writing,

Just what I'd say,

If we were face to face,

I'd tell you just what you mean to me,

I'd tell you these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,

Never give up hope,

You're going to do great things,

I already know,

God's got His hand on you so,

Don't live life in fear,

Forgive and forget,

But don't forget why you're here,

Take your time and pray,

Thank God for each day. His love will find a way.

These are the words I would say.

My sweet Brady you have made me so happy this year. As each year continues my prayer for you is that you work harder than everyone else, respect others, show grace to everyone, smile, learn from your failures, enjoy your sweet friendships, laugh a lot, love Jesus more than anything or anyone and always remember my love I will always be your biggest fan. 

Things I Love Thursday {Etsy Edition}

How has your week been going so far? This is our first full week of Summer break and lets just say I am praying that this momma finds some extra energy because I am going to need it! I hope you all are enjoying the Things I Love Thursday! I have heard from a lot of you and actually seen some of the new crafts you have tried due to these inspirational shops! You all inspire me!

This week I am featuring Heather from Chickabug. She offers personalized invitations for any event, custom invitations, stickers, water bottle labels, DIY printables, and so much more. Her stuff is AMAZING. Who doesn't love a good DIY project? What is great about Chickabug is all of the DIY printables are a professionally typeset for you and each comes with a full instruction sheet for printing. Just in case you aren't 100% sure what to do!


I used this shop for my sister's Baby Shower and ordered custom stickers to put on all of the water bottles. Everyone LOVED them and what I loved about them is that it literally took me 5 minutes to create a 'statement' piece. Have a look at some of Heather's creations...

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How cute is this customized DIY printable file. It includes a cupcake wrapper and FOUR cupcake topper designs that can be cut out with a 2" craft punch.

What I love about this is your 'file' will be personalized for you and ready to use. You can print as many copies as you want, so you can make as many wraps and toppers as need. How great is that?

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Look at these adorable little sock monkey Thank You cards! What a great way to make a statement and to add to the adorable sock monkey theme.

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Be still my heart. How sweet is this? Look how adorable Chloe and Sophie's  Sweet Shoppe party turned out using Heather from Chickabug. At Chickabug, you can find everything you need to make your next party one that your friends and family will be talking about for years! 

Go check out Heather over at her adorable blog. She has fabulous party ideas and FREE printables!

You can also check Heather out on Facebook
 
Until next week my lovelies. Enjoy this fabulous day and have fun shopping at Chickabug! Please don't forget if you own an Etsy shop or know of some fabulous finds contact me and you may be featured on Things I Love Thursday Etsy Edition!

linked to Things I Love Thursday

What I Wore Wednesday

Hello 2nd week of June! Hello to flip flops and sunscreen. Hello to three little boys who are running a muck and a momma who is tired but enjoying every last second of it.  It's Wednesday, so I’m linking up with the lovely Lindsey for some fashion inspiration. This week one of my favorite outfits I wore was to my sweet Brady's Kindergarten graduation. {sigh} Oh friends, what a sweet time we had. So, do you want to see the outfit? Guess what? Ruffles are back! 

Top: Macy's 

Pants: Macy's

Necklace: Forever 21

Last week I went on an overnight with a few girlfriends and we sat and laughed and talked about Sex and the City. Which made me think of this dress that I wore from Sarah Jessica Parkers clothing line Bitten. So, when I came home I went on a hunt and found my dress in the back corner of my closet! Yah! It's super cute and really comfortable. It's perfect for a Sunday. 

{Please excuse the face. What was I doing? :)}

Dress: SJP {Bitten}

Flower: Forever 21
Shoes: Macy's

This of course got me thinking.... Who is your favorite gal from Sex and The City?? Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda or Samantha? Hugs to you all! xoxoxo

26 hours of Laughter.

Happy Monday! I hope your weekend was everything you needed it to be. I know for myself it was more than I could of ever asked for. Remember how I told you I couldn't tell you everything about my weekend? All I could tell you is I was leaving. Well, it was because myself and two other of my girlfriends planned a getaway for our dear friend who is turning thirty. Her awesome husband booked us a hotel at the Westin and well we came up with the rest. 

Let me preface this my saying Amy {Birthday Girl} and I are pretty much the 'old' ladies of this 'club' while Carrie and Ricki are {older in age but 10 years younger in the way the act}. They are so gonna love reading this! All four of us together is pretty much a sitcom in itself. 


Amy had NO IDEA until we pulled up in our sweet minivan {with writing all over it} and matching shirts. Yes, I wore a matching shirt. {the things I do for my friends} While we were driving up I was seriously sweating I was so nervous and excited for her. Can I just say she was in shock! I think I was so nervous {we all were} because we just wanted it to be special for her.  

We gave her 10 minutes to get her stuff together for the night. I was actually impressed. She totally did it in 10 minutes and we were out the door. We were gone for a total of 26 hours and let me just tell you it was truly the most fun I have had in years. We laughed until we cried, we danced, we wore matching shirts, we took a carriage ride around the city {thought we were going to get jumped but great memories}, we celebrated Amy, we were real with each other, we made each other laugh till we cried, we encouraged each other, we shopped and shopped and most of all we just enjoyed our our time together.

I feel like when you are in this stage of life, where you have little kids, it's hard to carve out time to spend with friends. Everyone is crazy busy. Everyone has different schedules. It's a choice and it takes EFFORT but the beauty of having good girlfriends far outweighs the effort it takes. Perhaps, for me I am finding some freedom in being myself, speaking my mind and yet having girlfriends who don't judge me, don't care if I'm ready to pull out your hair, they show me grace and I am thankful for these women. I am thankful to share life with them. I am thankful that when I am looking my worst and being an idiot they show me grace. They pray for me they encourage me. 

Perhaps, the true gift of this weekend was the realization that it's worth the effort, it's worth the time away from family, it's worth mixing your schedule up a bit, it's worth taking time for yourself, it's worth asking for help, it's worth celebrating a friendship. ITS WORTH IT!

My question for you is... Are you taking the time and effort to really strengthen and develop your friendships? Because if your not, I challenge you to start today! Make the phone, set up the play date or the dinner {with no kiddo's}. We need good girlfriends, who speak truth to us, laugh with us and help us walk this crazy life together! 

Going on a trip.

Oh friends I am beyond excited. It has been years since I have left my little castle

and headed out by myself. No kids in tow. I may not even know what to do with myself!

I need a break. I have everything ready for my little men at home.

 I feel bad for leaving {even if it's only 24 hrs}
but I am thankful that I have a great husband who is willing to take over for me.

  My bags are packed and I am so ready to 

have some time to just laugh, relax 
and not be pulled in a million different directions.  

Do you ever take time for yourself? Just to breathe. 

I am ready to feel rejuvenated after being away 

just for a bit. I think it will make me a better mom to my 

sweet boys and a better wife to my husband. I will admit I have said three times this week I am not going. It's just seems like it takes a lot of work just to leave for a day. I know it will be worth it. I just keep telling myself... "once your in the car everything will be fine!" I'm way more worried about leaving then they are. Do you ever feel that way? Do you every feel bad for leaving? There is so much more about this trip that I can't wait to tell you but it will have to wait till next week!  Hugs to you all! xoxox

Things I Love Thursday {Etsy Edition}

I am back for another week of Things I Love Thursday: Etsy Edition. In case you are new to the blog this is a series where I link up with Jill from Diaper Diaries and show all of you lovelies some of the fabulous new Etsy shops I have been swooning over! This week I am loving the handmade goodness of these colorful yarn and felt wreaths by ItzFitz.   

So are you ready to see all this goodness? 

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You can't help but smile when you see them. 

My front door could certainly use the cheering up.  

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How cute would this be for a birthday party?

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What I love about this shop is that there are so many different ways these wreaths are made. You can find some made of felt, yarn or grapevine. Plus there are adorable napkin rings and so much more!

 

Want more of the ItzFitz  handmade wreaths, brooches, and napkin rings? Then go check out their Facebook page and of course 'like' them. 

Until next week my lovelies. Enjoy this fabulous day and have fun shopping at ItzFitz! Please don't forget if you own an Etsy shop or know of some fabulous finds contact me and you may be featured on Things I Love Thursday Etsy Edition!

What I Wore Wednesday {Favorite Color}

Hello to you pretty ladies! It’s another week of What I Wore Wednesday… I can hardly believe it! I’m linking up with Lindsey over at The Pleated Poppy. I am sure you already do too but if not hop over and see her WIWW post plus all of the fabulous ladies who participate. The weather here went from rainy and cold to blazing hot. I am burnt to a crisp but not complaining. I am loving the sunshine. This week I wore one of my 'new' favorite dresses. I will say if you have an H&M by you... You MUST go. I just got this dress for $9.99 and

 I LOVE IT.

Dress~ H&M

Jacket~ Forever 21

My favorite about the second outfit are the pink shoes. The are so comfy! It feels like I am wearing ballet flats but they are heels. 

Dress~ Target

Shoes~ Steve Madden

 You know I have to ask you all a question. So tell me what is your favorite color for Spring/Summer. I am loving yellow and turquoise. What about you?