Finding Joy in the Everyday

 I have been a mom for a little over a year now and throughout pregnancy and now into motherhood I have noticed a common theme…people don’t really like to talk about the positives of motherhood.

It’s more common to hear these types of phrases:

“Just wait until the terrible twos”

“Just wait until those bad teenage years”

“Just wait until the second one” 

“You’ll never bounce back”

“Better travel while you can” 

The list goes on. 

Don’t get me wrong- I’m not saying motherhood is easy. Of course it’s difficult! When our mindset is negative though, it is a lot easier to feel unhappy in a situation that could bring such joy. I also know there is a time and place to be open about the difficulties of your routine changing and your body changing and the fact that you’re exhausted and not to mention how scary it truly is to love someone this much, just to name a few. (I am so thankful for my family & mom besties who I can be open with) Today, however, I am just talking about changing our perspectives. 

Changing our outlook can not only bring us more joy but it can also encourage other women and moms to be.

Here are three things that tend to overwhelm me along with a new perspective I could take in those moments: 

1. When the house is a mess and I can’t seem to find the time to actually clean it. Let me be thankful that they feel safe and have so much fun playing. 

2. When I have to buy dinner, cook dinner or grocery shop. Let me be thankful we have this little mouth to feed and another meal with family. 

3. When my kid is sick or does not want to sleep. Let me be thankful for the extra cuddles. 

I say all of this because I’ve already learned that time is a thief. Kids grow up too soon and that loud house will one day be quiet again.  Right now I am living in the moments I have always dreamed of and I really want to cherish every bit.

FRIDAY FAVES

 Hey! I am back with another Friday Favorites- if you’re new here .. every Friday I make a short, random list of things that I have been loving lately! 

SHOP THE LIST HERE

Reusable Starbucks Cups—

I am thankful that my husband makes me iced coffee every morning and has pretty much perfected it to make it taste like my Starbucks order! So these cups have me saving money & feeling like I went to my fave coffee shop. Win win!

Scale + App—

I am loving this scale! It has an app that connects to your scale to track your progress! It has been so motivating!

LMNT Electrolyte Drink—

My favorite flavor is the raspberry salt! I also love the fact that they come in little packets so it’s easy to travel with! 

Cutie Sun Hat—

I personally took the brown band off and I love just the plain natural color! It’s a perfect size and super comfortable & affordable!

Let me know in the comments what you have been loving lately! 

Talk soon!

Newborn Necessities ( in my opinion :)

 

I have a lot of family and friends that are getting ready to have babies! Baby registries can be so overwhelming! It is hard to know what is necessary vs. what can be skipped. Not that I am a pro by any means, but I did just go through the newborn stage so I figured I may be able to help! I have written a list of what I think is important and would definitely use again with future children. List is in no particular order!

-SHOP THE LIST HERE-

1. Stroller with infant car seat adapter

2. Owlet Monitor

3. Audio Monitor

4. Infant bath tub

5. Bath Rinser

6. Bath Cloth / Towels

7. Baby Soap

8. Car Camera 

9. Zipper or Tie pajamas only- trust me, wait on the buttons- way to many diaper changes in the beginning

10. Diaper Trash Can

11. Swaddles 

12. Bottles

13. Bassinet with zipper side to make it easy to get baby from feeding times

14. Nose Frida- gross but works well

15. Baby carrier- I put her in this to get chores done around the house (Babybjorn and Solly Baby wrap were my favorites)

16. Diaper Bag

17. Diapers / wipes

18. Pump (If breastfeeding)

19. Car seat + bases

20. Burp cloths

21. Baby Bouncer

22. Baby Swing

Let me know in the comments if there is anything I may have missed that was super important to you as a new parent!

Talk soon!

What Matters Most

Do not be fooled, social media post, gifts, chocolate, and flowers are not what makes up a marriage. 

Don't get me wrong, I love these things just as much as the next person. However, it's important that we realize that they are not what matters most. We can spend waste a lot of our time comparing our relationship to the "perfect" one we see on social media. Let me make something super clear, social media hides a lot! It's time to stop comparing and realize that we all have flaws & hardships. It's time to realize that a relationship is made up of more humble apologies, "I forgive you's", a lot of grace, and selfless love. 

As newlyweds, Christian and I have been trying to figure out this whole marriage thing. We are now a little over 3 months in. I wouldn't go as far as to call us "pros"; However, we are now offering marriage counseling on the side(lol).  Marriage did take a lot of adjusting & getting use to though. I think now we are finally settled, have established a routine, and have adjusted to our new life together. It's so fun y'all, married life is great! Like I said though, one of the things we figured out early on is that marriage takes constant work & effort from both parties. 

We've all been there, you stayed up way too late & have to get up way too early. This morning I was tired, hangry, and had no coffee in hand (which made it hard to even crack a smile). Needless to say, it wasn't even 7AM yet and I had already been forgiven multiple times. Love , is choosing to love the other person selflessly despite their flaws. Despite their tired crankiness, their unexplainable emotions, and the fact that they can't figure out how a dirty clothes basket works. Love is selflessly loving & selflessly helping. Waking up to make breakfast when it would be much easier to stay in bed, cleaning together, it's walking the dog, or making the bed just because you know she likes it that way. 

Selflessly-- I used that word, the one we all LOVE to hear, a couple of times. It's hard to be selfless in a marriage and near about impossible to do it on your own. We too often read things and think of selflessness as just another marriage strategy. I have learned that selflessness is a transformation of your heart through Jesus. You see, to be selfless, is to be more like Him. Jesus loved us so much & so selflessly that He willingly gave His life to save ours. That's the kind of love we want to mimic in our marriages.

I pray that our eyes begin to open to the beauty and wholeness of selfless love. I pray that we begin to see our spouse through the eyes of Christ. To know that despite their flaws, they are precious, they are loved and that they are worthy. Let us begin to whole heartily pursue Jesus in our daily lives & in return learn how to properly love our spouse.