The Race.

In a little town in Ohio there is an annual 5k that takes place every year. There is an entire day devoted to the race, parade, festival and fireworks. Many know it as the Americana Festival. Our family looks forward to it every year!


I have never 'officially' run in a 5k before and I had never dreamed that I would be running with my six year old. Until, I randomly asked him if he would want to run in the race with me. Early this Spring we had started jogging together. I found that during our jogs/walks he would open up to me and talk not stop. I didn't have to ask him a million times how school was or what was on his mind. He literally would start to run and start to talk.  

Immediately when I asked if he would run with me he said, "Ya, do you think I can do it?" I said,"without a doubt, lets do this." As we walked up and saw the runners {over 1100 of them and only three 6 year olds} we both looked at each other. We said nothing, he smiled and honestly I became excited and a bit nervous. His little number was on, laces were tied and he was ready to run. 


The gun went off and we started this little journey hand in hand. To say that I was proud of this little boy would truly be an understatement. He ran and ran. When he would get tired he would grab my hand and we would walk {for about 4 steps} and he would start to run again. As we were running so many people were cheering for him and encouraging him. You could see he was tired but he didn't stop {the encouragement from random strangers was incredible}. I kept telling him I was just so proud of him and we were so close to finishing. We talked to pass the time. We counted flags along the parade route. We ran through a sprinkler in the middle of the race. 

What a joy. As we started to run into the high school where we would take one lap around the track to finish he said, "Mom, this is dad's old high school. This is perfect."  As we crossed the finish line hand in hand I couldn't help but pick him up and squeeze him as hard as I could. I was surprised at how emotional I felt. This was truly one of the best days of my life with this little man. God has so graciously allowed me to be this boys mom and I am so thankful. 


Have you ever run in a 5k? If not, I encourage you to try it. You wont be disappointed and if a first grader can do it... I promise you. YOU CAN TOO!! xoxoxox

What I Wore Wednesday

Oh happy day, friends. 
It's time once again to team up with Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy! If you are new here and, like my husband, think I’m completely crazy for posting pictures of random outfits I wear each week, in many ways I am. To be honest there are sometimes I think if people could see me doing this right now.... For those of you visiting from Lindsey's blog PLEASE tell me you feel this way sometimes! {humor me, please}There truly is a reason behind the madness. For me, it has me think outside the box in regards to fashion. Instead of my go to jeans/tank/flip-flops it gives some accountability in trying new outfits
{even if it's just one a week}.

This pink and red beauty is from H&M. So comfy and perfect for the hot days of summer!I think it's my favorite dress so far. Well, it kinda has to be because when I put it on my four-year old said, "Mom, is this your princess dress?" The rest of the day I couldn't help but kinda feel like a princess. Oh, this is why my three little boys melt my heart. So, tell me if you could choose two colors to wear together what combo would you choose? 
I am loving the red/pink combo. 
What about you? xoxoxox

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