Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Scenes from the long weekend...

And I'm back! It's been forever, but we have been nonstop. Two crazy busy {but loads of fun} weekends with family visiting have kept me in constant motion. Last weekend our parents were here for Jude's baptism {post and pics on that coming soon!} and this weekend we had B's brother and his family in from Texas. Let me just say five kids five and under made for a chaotic but fun, memorable weekend. G loved playing with his cousins! Lots of time in the backyard complete with water fun and lots of sports, donuts on the porch to celebrate B's birthday, and a music festival with plenty of sno-cones all added up to a good time had by all. Now ready for a short week as B and I head out of town Thursday for one of my dearest friend's wedding!













Monday, May 12, 2014

Scenes from the weekend...

This Mother's Day weekend was everything and more I could of hoped for. With several crazy weeks ahead with family visiting and out of town travels, I told B all I wanted was to soak up time with our boys and just enjoy our little family of four. That's exactly what we did. Here are some glimpses of the gifts I received this weekend celebrating being a mom.

A date night in Friday thanks to Blue Apron... Cooking Mexican and drinking Modelo Especial with my main man!

Both boys sleeping late Saturday morning...

Donuts on the porch with my favorite guys...

Park picnics two days in a row...

Picking out Mother's Day flowers from my little men...

Brunch at one of my favorites...

But I think the best gift had to be my sweet Jude actually letting me rock him to sleep {which he never does anymore!} and George busting in on us to climb up for some rocking action... and B capturing it all.

















Friday, May 9, 2014

Thoughts on motherhood...

I've had such a heavy heart this week. I have been putting off writing this because I didn't know how to wrap my head around everything I was feeling. Tuesday George was at school and Jude was napping. I was in the midst of making my never-ending to-do list, so caught up in details surrounding decorating our house, planning Jude's baptism party and figuring out teacher appreciation gifts. Really important stuff {insert sarcasm} or so I thought. In the midst of all that I casually checked Instagram learning the devastating news about sweet Ryan and Teddy. I'm sure you all in the blogging community are aware of these families and their heartache, but if you're not you can read their stories here and here. I gotta tell you, seeing these pictures fill my feed and learning these families lost their precious little ones just broke my heart. The Lord convicted me right then and there. I put away the planner and just sat there sobbing and praying. Praying comfort for the families. Praying peace for those mommas. Praying forgiveness for being so caught up in the trivial minutia that I allow to consume me. Praying thanks for the gift my two precious boys are that I too often take for granted.

That's the thing. It's so easy as moms to get burned out, tired, and worn down. We so often feel under appreciated that we focus on the negative. The hard days, the lack of patience, the redundancy of bottles, diapers, messes, etc. {speaking as a mom of little ones!}. And as moms it's easy to get caught up in what does not matter. Details of big boy rooms, menus for parties, clever puns for gifts that are just meant to say thanks {see the aforementioned minutia listed above}.

Being a mom truly is the greatest joy and greatest challenge I have ever experienced. I have to say that this week I have really spent some time in prayer reflecting on what it means to be a mom and how I'm doing as a mom. I have come to realize that it doesn't matter what my house looks like or how I entertain. What matters, all that matters, as a mom {for me at least} is asking myself at the end of each day, "Did I show my children love?" and "Did I point them to the Lord?" If I can answer yes to those two questions, then I'm doing something right.

With Mother's Day this weekend, I'm putting aside expectations. Desires for flowers, breakfast in bed, pampering. None of that matters to me. Not going to lie, in the past {as in just a few days ago} it did. I put too many expectations on my husband and my kids. Especially when it comes to holidays. I'd be lying if I said earlier this week I wasn't secretly hoping B would surprise me Sunday with some amazing gift or special treat from the boys and him. But since focusing on these two families this week who have lost their most precious gift, those desires for me seem so silly and completely unimportant. What is important to me is soaking up a little more time each day with my boys. Hugging them a little tighter. Showing them a little more love and patience {at least trying to!}. And having a little more fun each day.

Yesterday a friend sent me this post, "How not to be disappointed this Mother's Day," and I have to say this author so poignantly articulates everything I have been feeling. I would encourage you all to read it, and I would challenge everyone to really reflect on motherhood this weekend. To all of us, whether you are close to your mom or have a woman in your life that has been like a mom, give thanks for her. Recognize her sacrifices, praise her accomplishments and show grace for her shortcomings. And to the moms out there {I'm telling this to myself!}, focus on what Sunday is really about. Embrace the gift that we have been given being moms, and know that it is enough. It is more than enough! If the chocolates and flowers don't appear, and the kids whine all during brunch, just smile and know that is not what matters. It's that we have been given the incredible gift to love and raise a precious child. Happy Mother's Day everyone!


Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Mini Kale and Goat Cheese Frittata Cups

Looking for the perfect addition to your Mother's Day brunch? These mini frittata cups would be perfect! Quick and easy, and super tasty.


Mini Kale and Goat Cheese Frittata Cups
{adapted from The Kitchn}
Makes 24 individual cups

Ingredients:

2 cups chopped kale
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
8 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup crumbled goat cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a nonstick skillet, cook the garlic in 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat for thirty seconds. Add the kale and red pepper flakes and cook until wilted, one to two minutes. Remove from heat.
In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the salt and pepper. Add the kale and thyme to the egg mixture.
Grease a 24 cup mini muffin tin and spread mixture evenly. Sprinkle the tops with goat cheese. Bake until they are set in the center, about 25 to 30 minutes.



So what is on your Mother's Day menu?

Monday, May 5, 2014

Scenes from the weekend...

A tale of two weekends...As I began to type this post I quickly realized there were two ways you could spin our weekend.

Version #1: Friday we entertained, and I whipped up a fabulous meal. Saturday we enjoyed the most amazing time at Sevier Park Fest as we watched our boys take in the sights and sounds. Finished up the afternoon with a birthday party for one of G's buds, and came home for a date night in with B after we put the boys down. Sunday we went to church and enjoyed the gorgeous weather.

Ok, and now for a little more inside scoop...

Version #2: B was a little late getting home Friday night so I was not exactly pleasant as I tried to whip up said fabulous meal all while trying to get the boys down before the guests arrived. Sadly, they did not want to go down. Saturday morning our boys woke up crazy early so it was mandatory snuggling in bed time with us before we could officially begin the day. I also received the Mom of the Year award on Saturday {hope you are hearing my sarcasm} when we arrived at said festival sans sunscreen for the boys. Also, George decided no nap would be best, so that coupled with the cupcake and cookies he ate at the birthday party made for quite the tantrum on the car ride home. B and I quickly fed, bathed and put those rascals to bed just in time for the pizza that was being delivered and beer that was chilling in the fridge. We laid up on the couch, stuffed our faces and ordered a movie. It was perfect. Wish I could say the same for Sunday. Got home from church to discover Jude had a fever of 104.2. Not sure if it was the sun or his new tooth he is cutting, but we spent the rest of the day snuggled up taking care of him.

Regardless of which version sounds better {ha!}, a weekend with my three favorite guys is always a win in my book. Here's hoping the week is off to a great start!








Friday, May 2, 2014

Mother's Day Wish List

Happy Friday friends!
Can you believe Mother's Day is next week??
Have you found the perfect little something to show your mom just how much you love her?
Since I have my mom and mother-in-law taken care of, I thought I'd be a little selfish this morning and share what's on my wish list.
Here's hoping you guys are reading, George and Jude {translation B!}...

I'm such a t-shirt and pajama pant kind of gal but love how pretty these are!

I'm such a fan of all things Loren Hope.
Would swoon over any of these wrist baubles.

I am dying for one of these!
Would love to instantly capture all the fun with my boys.

We just got new patio furniture, and I'm dying to zhuzh it up a bit.
Loving all the pillows from World Market!

I am in desperate need of some new spring/summer duds.
Seriously.
My closet is a sad sight of just maternity clothes from last year.
A gift card from Anthropologie would certainly do the trick!

So, what's on your wish list?
What did you get for your mom?


Thursday, May 1, 2014

What we've been up to lately...

Happy May Day! Can you believe it's May? I feel like this year is literally flying by. I mean we have been in our house over a month now! I feel like we just moved yesterday. Maybe it's all the unpacked boxes still sitting around...

Get ready for picture overload. Since giving up the blog for Lent I realized I really missed documenting our little family's adventures. So, here's a recap of what went down the forty days I was gone.

My silly boys

G's school picture.
So big!

Little man sitting up
And getting so big!

Enjoyed green milkshakes on St. Patty's Day.

We said goodbye to our old house...
{G was over moving!}
And hello to our new house!


First night in "the new cool dude house" as George calls it.

And as promised, donuts for the first morning in said "cool dude house."


Date night at the Ryman shooting the show Nashville.

Many trips to Target

George's new favorite phrase is, "I love my fam-i-ly!"
Ditto, buddy!

Made some treats for my favorite bride-to-be...
And headed to Palm Springs for her bachelorette party!
Amazing time at the Viceroy.
The trip was much needed after that move!




The best meal ever.
If you're in Palm Springs definitely go to Workshop.

As much fun as the trip was, definitely was ready to see my sweet kiddos.
Lots of play dates in the backyard these days.
So thankful the weather is nice again!

Cool as ever.