Happy 4th of July

I hope you are all taking the time
 to enjoy your sweet families.

My boys are loving the in town parades
 and fireworks! I am soaking up this 
sweet time of year with all of my boys!

Happy 4th, my friends!

Things I Love Thursday: {FREE} FOURTH OF JULY PRINTABLES

Hi Friends! Need some fun inspiration for all of your parties and BBQ's this weekend? I thought it would be fun for me to search out blogland and find some fun printables that can add that little bit of flair to your upcoming events this weekend. Of course, I found the perfect printables for YOU! What I love about these Sweet Liberty printables is that they are classic looking and FREE. What more could a girl want? Have a look...

{all photo's and designs were done by Hank + Hunt}

So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to The Sweetest Occasion and download all of these adorable printables. They are sure to make your Fourth a day to remember! xoxox


linked to Things I Love Thursday

What I Wore Wednesday

Happy Wednesday! 

I am linking up with Lindsey for some fashion inspiration. 

We have been soaking up the sun, jumping on the trampoline and eating more popsicles than any one child {or adult} should EVER be a loud! It's summer. 

So, that makes it perfectly perfect!  

I have really taken to the bright fun sun dresses this year. For me I want something easy and cute. A style that I can run around with the boys in and not look like I've been run over. 

What I love about this Target dress is that I can use it for multiple events. I wear it with my Steve Madden boots to run and do errands but then I wear it as a cover up to go to the pool. It's lightweight and with the pockets it perfect. Which is why....

I bought the same dress from Target in a different print! My theory is if you find something that works for YOU and you will wear it/it's cheap/it's cute then you need to buy ever color.  Tell me you do that? Did you notice that little beauty on my neck? I know you did! It's from the lovely allora handmade. Can I tell you while I was in Target {my second home} I was stopped by two different girls who LOVED it and had to know where I got it! It's makes a statement and adds that special little
 something to any outfit.

This week I have been obsessing over Laffy Taffy. Random and weird. I don't know if it reminds of summer as a teenager or the fact we went to a fair and I stopped at this shop...

I have eaten my weight in Laffy Taffy this week and loved ever second of it. So, tell me do you have any summertime 'treat' that you indulge in during 
these hot summer nights? 

xoxoxo

Today, I Choose...

Today, I want to be an encourager

and not need to be encouraged.

Today, I am not going to be a sponge.

Soaking up every negative thought that passes my mind.

Today, I am going to try so very hard not to be critical of my boys and instead soak in their sweetness.

Today, I'd like to take a few minutes to write a

note to a sweet friend.

Today, I'd love to have an endless amount of patience

instead of running out of it before breakfast begins.

Today, I am going to be 'present' in everything I do.

Today, I am going to get into the Word 

instead of saying, "I will do it' and then never doing it.

Today, I am going to be less critical of myself.

Today, I am going to rejoice in others accomplishments

instead of letting jealousy creep in.

Tuesday, I hope your ready, I'm coming for you,

because today I'm choosing to rejoice.  

This post is linked up to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda. 

What does this spell Mom?

G*R*A*C*E

As we pack up for swim camp this morning I load the boys in the car. The music is on the boys are talking back and forth. I am thinking of a million different things I need to get done today. Until, my sweet Brady says,"Mom, what does this spell G*R*A*C*E*?" I look in the rear view mirror and see him with a silly grin on his face {He knew what is spelled. He just wanted me to say it.} and of course I said, "Grace." He lifts up one hand and said,"Jesus shows you grace" and then slowly brings his hand to his chest and says, "and you show me grace." He went on to give an example of this past weekend where grace was shown to him. {he really understood} Truthfully, I didn't know what to say. At that very moment as I was driving I was so humbled and yet so thankfully that my little six year old is learning something that had taken me 30+ years to learn and I still feel like I have such a long way to go. 

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12:9

  So on this Monday and throughout this week I am clinging to this verse. Because lately I feel like I am been doing 'life' with my own strength and failing miserable. I am so thankful that His GRACE is sufficient. His grace enables us to make it, no matter what. No matter how big or how small the obstacles we face, no matter how many times we fail. God's incredible grace is there to pick us up and to strengthen us. His grace...

It is never inadequate.

It is never depleted.

It has no expiration date.

This week I challenge you along with myself to makes God's grace a true reality in your life. If your like me it's easy to amen it, read it, agree with it but it's another animal to live it. So, I challenge you to do just that... LIVE it! xoxoxo

What I Wore Wednesday

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. I have met some really great woman from participating in WIWW!  This week I was slacking a bit with the ol' camera but I do have one outfit to show you. With the fourth of July quickly approaching I set out to find a dress I would be able to wear to some upcoming fun events. Who knew this little treasure was stored in the back of my closet?

The ruffles at the bottom are my favorite!

Dress: Express

Shoes: {I totally didn't have any on when I took the picture}

I promise to do better next week! This summer we aren't able to go on vacation because of Chris's new job. This job is a HUGE blessing so I am not complaining but I am a little sad that my toes won't be in the sand this year. Which means I need to live vicariously through all of you. Is that okay?  So, PLEASE tell me where you all are vacationing this year??? I can't wait to read about all of the fabulous places you will be going. Until next week... xoxoxo

Pool Days.

With today being the 'official' start of summer I packed my three little

men and off we went to the pool. For some this is not a big adventure. It is one that is more of a summer routine. For me, it's an adventure. I have never been one to love going to crowded places. I don't know if it's a lack of confidence in my parenting or simply the fact that I don't want to put my boys in an environment where I *think* I am setting them up to fail, get in trouble etc. Then the other day Chris and I were driving in the car and he said to me, "You know our boys are really great. They are well behaved, well mannered".... I found myself interrupting him to say what they don't do. 

He simply looked at me and said, "You want them to be perfect and they are kids."
Have you ever had a moment that kinda smacks you in the face? 
This was my moment.
They are young boys. They are great boys. Yes, they will mess up and do things that need to be corrected. That is okay. That is my job as a parent. So, maybe I need to lighten up on them and myself and just enjoy my role as their mom and let my boys be just that, little boys.
Which brings me back to today. After breakfast I packed up all three of my little loves and told them we were headed to the pool. After many yells of excitement I loaded up my crew by myself for the first time and headed to the pool. 
Oh friends I am so glad I did.

Thankful I was able to see the imperfection in myself and not allow my lack of confidence to affect my boys. I would of missed out on a great 1st day of summer! What are you missing out on due to your lack of confidence as a mom/wife/sister/co-worker/friend?