I put my Christmas tree up just like every year and it’s just with my mom.
I lost my mom this year.
Seeing every personalized ornament from her brought tears to my eyes.
You know, at the time of receiving them every year it doesn’t seem so important and decorating never seems like such a big deal. I was used to every Christmas opening a gift from mom that included a personalized ornament with that year’s date. It was just what was expected, until it’s gone.
Christmas was our thing. The ultimate Mrs. Clause’s. Everything about it. The decor, the lights, the music, the movies, the holiday coffee, gift giving. We loved it and we loved experiencing it together.
I knew this holiday season was going to be hard, traditions being kept up without her here with me. I just didn’t expect the punch to the gut at the reality of it all. That’s how grief is though, it hibernates for a little while until something brings it out of its cave again.
For me, that was ornaments.
If you do anything this holiday, keep up the traditions. Buy the personalized item every year. Bundle up and go ride around and look at Christmas lights, watch all the movies, bake all the goodies, buy the matching Christmas pajamas, build the gingerbread houses, turn up the Christmas music, have fun with elf on the shelf if that’s your thing. I would send her a picture every night of “Harry and Marv” getting into mischief.
Most of all though? Do all of it with the ones you love. Surround yourself with them as much as you can and just enjoy it all. You have no idea how much you will miss it when it’s gone.
The memories really do last a lifetime.
My Christmas tree is full of my mom and I’ve never been so thankful for it.
It really is here again, Autumn. Oh it makes me so happy just writing that.
The crisp cool mornings, I truly feel more alive when I am not sweating every time I step outside. The fact that it is the season of long walks in leggings and a sweatshirt is more than enough to have me feeling giddy.
Fall to me is like a hug. My favorite sweatshirts come out, pretty decor goes up, a warm cup of coffee makes you feel all fuzzy inside and my favorite cozy blankets and best of all? My reading gets all the more fun. AND!? Yes, there’s more. Gilmore Girls goes on in the background.
The kids and I were outside this week and I glanced up and noticed our tree’s changing. I know it happens every year but it just takes my breath away every time. Anyone else? Nature truly is beautiful and I am so happy I live in a place where I experience all the season’s.
What are your Fall plans?
I’ve been thinking of mine and I really want to try to make it to all the small festivals around here for the kids and even for myself. Make lots of cozy delicious crock pot recipes. There is also a book event in October that I am extremely looking forward to.
Anything you are excited to read?
I have a lot of romantasy and regular fantasy on my list for the cooler weather, plus some thriller’s as well and of course have to throw in a couple cutesy reads. My big one I think I am going to start though later in the season and attempt to read is the Zodiac Academy series. I am so nervous about it but I think it will be worth it in the end! Has any one read it? Let me know!
I just hope we all have a lovely new season. I know life can be overwhelming at times, but I just hope you know you are never alone and just try to enjoy the little moments as much as you can. When you are walking, look up and enjoy the beauty around you. When you are at home, crack open a book you’ve been wanting to read lately and make yourself a nice warm drink. Enjoy the presence of your loved ones. Enjoy all the joys your kids bring you. Just enjoy it all.
Let me know what you are most looking forward to for the Fall season, I’d love to chat with you! As always, thanks for stopping by and hanging out with me.
How was your Summer!? Ours was amazing filled with lots of trips, swimming and family and friend time.
Anyone else feeling a bit rusty at the early mornings and lunch packing or is it just me??
I feel like in the Summer it’s easy to get up early but even though I am an adult and work full time, when the school season starts I still find it harder to get up just like when I was attending school 😆
It’s so bittersweet. Every new school year just reminds you of how much your little’s are growing.
My son started first grade yesterday and although my daughter is still at home, the fact that she is starting pre school next Fall is just unbelievable.
Weren’t they both just in diapers toddling around and keeping me up all hours of the night!? I remember starting this blog and all I had was my little man, just figuring out motherhood together. Now they have sassy little comebacks and Lego’s and Barbie’s galore strewn across the floors.
Ok, cue the tears!
With September, I am saying bye to long Summer slow days and mornings and starting to fill my calendar with sports practices and school field trips again.
My son is starting his first year of hockey and my little girly is on her 2nd year of dance starting up as well.
As much as I do love a non busy day, sometimes I strive in the chaos with figuring out the kids schedules and how they work into my work schedule.
Adulting is being excited for new calendars and pretty pens and markers to use!
My friend and I have been gushing about our excitement for organizing and keeping schedules in check.
Also, my TBR list is growing outrageously now that it is September. I am so so excited about so many of my upcoming reads, let me know if you would like a post on that! Plus, share the book you are most excited to read this Fall!
Ok, enough of the rambling. I am mainly trying to say that I hope you and all of your kiddo’s have the best and the safest new school year! Wishing you all of the luck and just know we will all navigate this together!
One of my favorite things? Mini weekend getaways, especially when they are close to home.
We kicked off Summer vacation heading to Frankenmuth in our home state Michigan and it was a BLAST! Not only does it have the cutest downtown and the best shopping plaza but it has two fun waterpark hotels and we stayed at one of them, Bavarian Inn where they have the Bavarian Blast Waterpark.
I swear my kids are little fishes and would swim every single day if they could. I can’t blame them though, I was the same way when I was younger and still love swimming every chance I get.
We spent 6 hours total in the waterpark area on Saturday and there was plenty to keep them busy thankfully. You honestly didn’t even have to leave the water area. They had drinks, bars, and food all conveniently located in the waterpark.
That wasn’t the only hit though, their arcade area was massive and it was so fun getting dried off, comfy clothes on and spending the evening playing games, getting pizza, ice cream and hanging out. I think my husband may have had just as much fun or more in the arcade area. The best part was when our five-year-old made two hole in ones while we were playing putt putt and beat us all.
We spent Friday waiting for our room and Sunday after we checked out exploring the downtown and shopping area’s. The kids loved the big hills they had and were rolling down them, again made me think of my childhood. Nothing like a good hill roll.
They have so many shops to browse in and I of course had to make a pit stop into Charlin’s Book Nook because is there anything better than a coffee and browsing a used book store? I love those, you can tell how much a book has been read and loved.
It was such a perfect weekend getaway for us and we can’t wait to go back!
If you are visiting Michigan or even live here and have never been, you should. It has so much for everyone and it’s a great vacation spot for all.
I feel like you can have days of feeling absolutely fine and then all of a sudden it’s the middle of the day or it’s time for bed and something just stops you in your tracks. Like tonight.
Tonight for me it was a stuffed animal oddly enough. Max from secret life of pets. A phase of characters my son went through of course and everything my kids love, Gigi always had to get for them.
Giving was definitely her love language.
I know in a way it’s a comfort to be surrounded by so many things bought or personalized from her to cherish but it dosent stop the pain of missing what really matters. Her.
Her sweet soft voice that always brought comfort. Chatting with her. Telling her something funny or cute the kids did that day or complaining when they are being a little too stubborn.
Gosh, just asking a simple question because usually mom always seems to have an answer.
Losing a parent is an indescribable feeling. One that a lot of time doesn’t even seem like it’s real besides in those little moments that bring you back to reality.
Those moments when you are reminded of the loss, the anger of wondering why they had to be taken from you. When you can’t physically be comforted or talk to them like you desperately want to.
It’s painful.
I know it’s always said that time will heal all things and I’m sure it does. But when you’re in the thick of your grief it’s hard to imagine, I don’t think it will ever fully heal.
And that’s ok.
The memories in time won’t make it so painful but will be comforting.
Comforting to know that at least you have all the beautiful memories.
Even though it will never replace the love you felt when they were here with you.
So tonight I’ll tuck Max in with my daughter who dragged him out of the basket and I’ll tell her all about how Gigi loved watching that movie with us and how she knows it’s bringing us comfort.
Because that’s the best thing you can do in your grief, is keep their memory alive.
I can’t believe it’s already time to start saying Happy Holiday’s! Like where in the world did this year go!?
My family and I have had so much fun celebrating Halloween, the kids were Batman and a witch and the joy on their faces when they run around trick or treating is just precious. Halloween has always been one of my favorites but holidays in general are just my jam, especially as a mom.
We are fully ready to dive into the holiday season though and I’d be lying if I said my tree wasn’t up already because it is and I love it. Just like they say, turkey tastes just as good with your Christmas tree up 😜🎄
This year has been a tough one on and off though but especially these last few weeks actually but I’m faithful and hopeful it will all be ok in the end. You can only pray about the things you cannot control and that’s what I’ve been doing.
I’m really just ready to take a step back and relax this winter with my family. It’s been a big wake up call and one I wish I never would have gotten but family really is all that matters and the time you get to spend together is such a gift! It really, really is.
I feel like we worry too much about the things that don’t matter the most and I am definitely guilty of it.
My anxiety definitely gets in the way.
So let’s slow down, read those books you’ve had on your tbr for a while.
Watch those movies and shows that make you happy and relax.
Spend time with your family and loved ones.
Have game nights and date nights.
Just decompress.
That’s my goal the last two months of this year and I hope it’s yours too! (Last two months, so crazy!)
Thank you for letting me chat, sometimes I just come here to write because it helps get things out you want to say and do so I’m thankful for my readers ❤️
I know, I know you see it all over every social media platform and have probably read a million reviews and seen a million reels on this series but you know what? I can’t NOT write a review on these books.
I always wanted to gain the courage to dive into fantasy, I am a true romance junkie and love my smutty scenes and book boyfriends so A Court of Thorns and Roses series was recommended to me to start off with…
I know it’s not full on fantasy but you know what? I AM HOOKED.
My goodness I have never been so sucked into a series before that made real life just seemed so bland. Like I would literally run away to live in Prythian.
So of course I couldn’t resist a mini review on each book because this series really is going to stick with me for a long time. This will be fun because I wrote these right after reading each book and I know it will be fun to watch my thoughts change 😉
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Holy cow, running to read the second book!
I am HOOKED.
So much danger, intensity and 🔥🔥🔥. Particularly Tamlin. Oh how I loved Tamlin.
Feyre was such a strong female character and I found myself gasping at times and rooting for her so so hard. There is nothing like finding a female mc that you just want to see her conquer the whole damn world.
I just loved everything about this, the land, the creatures just the whole world and I am so happy to dive into more of this series and a taste of the fantasy land.
I have seen so much about this and wasn’t sure if the hype would live up but I am only on book one and I have to say Sarah J Maas, you have me trapped in your writing spell!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
First of all, if I could give more than five stars I would. I so would because it deserves so much more than that.
This book has ruined me in the best way possible…I think this will be the biggest book hangover I have ever had even though I can read the next in the series I just know. I KNOW nothing will compare to this. Maybe ever.
I don’t think I will ever love two characters together more than Rhys and Feyre.
I just, I don’t even have words! This book had me in a choke hold.
I am so incredibly happy I finally decided to give in and pick this series up. I can already tell it’s one I am going to re read more than once and that just makes me so happy to have found true treasures.
But this particular book? A Court of Mist and Fury was absolutely intoxicating. I savored it as long as I could.
Lust.
Magic.
Danger.
Friendship.
I LOVED IT. Rhys is like my biggest book crush ever, more like book husband. Defiantly book husband and I honestly cannot wait for more.
Tamlin who!?????
Still caught in your trap of works Sarah J Maas and absolutely loving it.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
These characters, oh my goodness I am just so hooked on all of these characters. ALL OF THEM!
Talk about intense though! I think my heart leapt out of my chest in some parts of A Court of Wings and Ruin and my nails defiantly took the wrath of my nervousness.
I could not put it down once again and I just keep wanting more! More, more, more of everyone’s story because they are all finding a way into my heart, maybe not Nesta….yet?
This world and this writing is really getting me excited to read more fantasy. I find myself thinking of Prythian more than once in my everyday life and that’s just what I love about good books. They suck you in and don’t let go and I am defiantly not ready to let go.
If you have not read this series yet, DO IT!!!!
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I thought this was such a nice refresh from all the intensity you were left with after reading A Court of Wings and Ruin. I loveeeeee me some Rhys and Feyre so I was happy to get more of just them being a couple, I am a total hopeless romantic at heart.
Rhys is just so 🔥🔥🔥
Also I loved the other POV’s coming into focus, I think that was my favorite!
But I am ready to jump into Nesta’s story, bring it on!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I can’t lie about being nervous going into A Court of Silver and Flames because Nesta… if you know, you know.
Talk about a character transformation and I was here for it. Nesta’s defensiveness is frustrating for sure and there were times I wanted to jump into this book and shake her and say “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” but overall I finally understood her and understood why she was the way she was and I couldn’t help but do a fist bump once we finally clicked and I was rooting for her!
Let’s talk about something though…..the 🔥🔥🔥 in this book was unreal, I was not expecting it even though I knew the spice had to be good because It’s Cassian and you can just tell. I was here for it though and I loveddddd every spicy part!
Also, the bat boys have for sure nestled their way into my heart.
I was so satisfied with every aspect of A Court of Silver and Flames but again it just leaves me wanting more. I read this so slowly because I was truly not ready to say goodbye to these characters, they are so special and I really hope we get more because I just need another book!
This day seemed so far away for such a long time didn’t it? I thought so too and sometimes I still can’t believe we are on the full on school journey now.
It seems like just yesterday that we were rocking, burping, pacing the living room floor just trying to get adjusted to having a new baby and now our baby is growing up.
We were listening to baby shark on repeat and holding chubby little fingers to steady them while learning to walk. Going through the emotional journey of potty training and their preschool journey learning how to be a friend, leading us all to here.
This moment.
Kindergarten.
I’d be lying if I said it didn’t keep me up at night thinking about it.
Just hoping and praying that it will be a great year and that he will thrive and be happy being in school and make lots of friends, be kind and have a wonderful teacher who is patient. That’s all you can ask for right? That’s what we have been teaching and preparing for.
Even sitting here typing I can’t help but cry and our first day is still a week away.
I guess I am writing this to let you know mama, you are not alone. Your fears are rational. It feels like you’re sending your baby out into the big scary world without being able to be there to protect them every minute of the day.
But I am choosing to embrace this new journey and make it the best I can for my little man. Making sure lunches are fun to open each day, volunteering for all I can, being involved in his school journey as much as I can. Attending every event or field trip he asks me to. I think that’s what helps your little one and you in this adjustment and school years to come.
So don’t be afraid to cry after hugs and drop off, don’t be afraid to think about your little one every second of their first week because it’s normal and it will happen.
Schedules might be a little more crazy, doubts might be a little more high, evenings a little more busy, but it’s nothing we can’t handle.
I wish you the best of luck on the new school year! I hope it’s successful and fun and that you both enjoy it.
Some of my best memories of childhood are walking around picking dandelions as you go adventure outside just knowing it’s going to be the best day.
Spending a whole day outside getting dirty, swimming and being with family are my fondest memories and it’s what I strive for my children’s childhood.
Especially now.
So when my 4-year-old son came up to me while we were playing in the backyard after I was home from a long day at work and handed me a handpicked dandelion just for me I was so happy.
And then when my 2-year-old daughter followed suit and soon I was blessed with a bouquet of dandelions my heart burst.
So of course we had to make a wish on some of our dandelions, pick them apart and keep a couple as well.
As the days are becoming warmer and Summer finally is almost upon us I strive for dirt filled finger and toenails, chasing butterflies, bug hunting, riding bikes for hours, a day full of swimming.
There’s something so magical about a young learning mind. Creating fond memories for them that they will think back on when they are older just like me reminiscing on a dandelion.
So next time you see a dandelion, I hope you don’t get annoyed about the weed in your perfectly green lawn and think of it instead of happier Summer days spent soaking in the warmth that the world has to offer.
Peel apart the petals, make a wish and a perfect time to make some memories with your littles because it’s ones they will always remember.
A fun fact about me, I am a huge true crime junkie. So why not make it into a blog post?
Also though? I get super scared during scary movies. Like jump out of my seat and eyes are covered scared.
Kind of funny but oh well.
I have been loving podcasts lately, as a busy working mom, they are so easy to turn on while I am cleaning around the house or even during a long drive while the kids nap. Specifically True Crime Podcasts so I am here to share my favorites that I have been listening to lately.
There is just something about a voice that keeps you hooked.
Plus I love that during a lot of True Crime Podcasts they shed light on cases and give families potential to get justice or to even get unsolved cases solved.
Here are my top 3 favorites I have been hooked on.
Crime Junkie
Hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, these girls will make you feel like you have met new friends! I love Ashely’s voice and her story telling is phenomenal. They banter back and forth and I love how they exchange their theories to each other. These two girls have a soft spot for the cases they talk about though and I love how they advocate so much for the victims discussed on their podcast. By far my favorite to listen to and if you aren’t already it just might make you a true crime junkie as well. Listen here.
True Crime With Kendall Rae
Hosted by Kendall Rae, the passion she has for the victims she talks about and their families is remarkable. Another thing I love about supporting Kendall’s podcast though is she is always raising money for good causes and she truly connects with her fans. On top of all that goodness though she really knows how to hook you during her podcasts. I first started out watching her Youtube video’s which are amazing as well but I was so happy to hear she brought her stories to the podcast world because now I can bring her along on the go. Listen here.
Crime Weekly
Hosted by Derrick Levasseur and Stephanie Harlowe. So I first decided to listen to Crime Weekly because I absolutely love Stephanie Harlowe! She first created YouTube videos as well and she is awesome. When I heard she was on a Podcast though I was so excited and her and Derrick make a great team! Derrick is a retired police detective and private investigator so it is awesome getting his take on the stories they talk about and he gives great tips!Listen here.
Of course Serial and My Favorite Murder are favorites as well and are just iconic that first started the fame of true crime podcasts, I love finding ones I can really connect with and that tell stories just as well. These three are defiantly worth listening to and I look forward to their new episodes every time!
Quirky Workin' Mom's 