One season I always get excited about is Fall. Especially in Michigan, it is so beautiful.
Colors everywhere, the weather cools down and suddenly being cozy inside is all I want to do.
Football and hockey on the TV with a batch of chili in the crockpot. Just thinking about it gives me the warm and fuzzy feelings even if it comes with my husband yelling at the TV in the background ;).
Although I did join a fantasy league with the girls this year so maybe I will be just as into it when the football games are on.
I love finding new things for the house to get me excited for rainy Fall days inside. Creating that cozy atmosphere is so important to me and I feel like this is my best haul yet, I can’t wait to share it with you all.
Oh my goodness, you have no idea the excitement I had starting this. Fall/ Winter I dive into my Romantasy reading and if you are a book girlie like me then I can only imagine your excitement for the upcoming Fall reads. BUT let me tell you, THIS BOOK WRECKED ME. What a way to kick Fall reading off. I was absolutely blown away by this book. Have you read it?
Speaking of books, I recently purchased this duet and I cannot wait. I have been eyeing them up for years and I finally decided to dive in. I have heard so many good things about them and they seem like the perfect type of atmosphere for some gloomy day reading.
It wouldn’t be Fall without a new coffee cup and Gilmore Girls! I re-watch it every year and it is just so soothing for the soul. I was so excited when a friend bought this coffee cup for me. It’s perfect and so cute.
One of my favorite indulgent drinks lately has been finding Diet cherry coke! I have only found it a few times in store but I love it!
If you haven’t noticed I love soothing things. Mainly I try to find things that does not have me doom scrolling constantly. I thought these were adorable and I am really excited to have them for when I just need to relax and wind down without being sucked into a book or a show.
Also the colored pencil set? The colors are so beautiful, it came with two trays of different shades of color. This is the first nice set I’ve bought for myself.
A new candle is a must. Give me all the pumpkin smells. I love it. Also this candle warming is such a game changer. I feel so much better about having candles going in the house since I’ve has this lamp. Defiantly recommend if you are a candle lover like me.
I wanted to add one more book in here, not only is the cover absolutely gorgeous but just in case you aren’t into fantasy type readings. I have this on my reading list for Fall and it sounds like it’s going to be a great one!
Jean and shacket season is upon us! I went to a consignment shop near where I live the other day and scored both of these. I’ve been on a hunt for a good jean jacket for so long and I swear old navy is always such a staple. My son plays hockey so I am especially excited to have both of these to wear over sweatshirts at rinks that aren’t frigid.
What are some of your Fall essentials? Pick up anything cute lately? Or any favorite activities you can’t wait for? Share with me!
I am a basic chick so of course I’m excited for my first pumpkin spice latte’, strolls around an orchard. It’s such a fun time of the year.
Wishing you all the best! Thanks for hanging out with me.
I swear each Summer goes by faster and faster now that I have children. This Summer though? I feel like this has been the fastest yet. My kids are getting older, even if they are still so young I just feel time being a thief more lately and it’s making my emotions go haywire.
I am not ready to let go of the carefree Summer evenings, the later than normal bed times even though they still wake up early as ever ;), the lazy pool days, slip n slide fun and heading out the door on a random weekday just because. I’m not ready for the ice cream smeared faces out on the back porch to come to an end or the scent of grilling in the air to be done for the season. I’m not ready for bikes and scooters to be used less and less as the chaos of the school season starts.
Summer to me is where I feel like my kids get to be kids the most. Where you really see the childhood magic and imagination light up and it honestly soothes me.
Even though it might be nice for it not to be WWE smackdown in the house on the daily because my kids are in each other’s spaces too much, I still feel not ready for the new school season to start. My oldest is about to conquer 2nd grade and my youngest starts pre-school (don’t mind me crying thinking of this). I swear they were just babies laying on their blankets kicking their chubby little feet around and babbling at me in the Summer sun.
I sure do love watching them thrive though. Taking on each new adventure with confidence and learning independence more and more as they go. I know my son is excited to see his friends again at school and I can tell my daughter is just as excited to make some friends of her own. They are excited for their Fall sports to start up and new activities to try but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to miss all the extra time with them.
For now though, I am going to soak up all the Summer day’s we have left and make the most out of the warm weather until the cooler days start. Crossing off more Summer bucket list items and relishing in the days we get together where we don’t have to share each other with school, work or activities.
My biggest hope for all of us as Summer break is coming to an end is that this new school year is a great one and that our kiddo’s thrive and learn and are happy and that we keep our sanity along the way! I don’t know about you but I sure know my coffee intake will be going up, maybe even my wine as well ;).
And that means my thoughts hit paper, or in this case my blog 😉
But really, in the midst of the chaos that is life lately, I feel like we forget what normal life can look like. What ordinary motherhood really is…
Not the picture perfect Instagram pictures that we feel like “should” be normal and idolized. Even though I am sooo guilty of scrolling and thinking I should have or do what other’s do.
I am talking about normalizing a fridge full of homemade pictures, little fingerprints and sticky notes for important things you need to remember because if you’re anything like me, everything needs to be written down or it doesn’t exist.
Sipping your non fancy coffee from your coffee maker and sitting down to get some reading done or just enjoying the morning sitting outside.
Leaving the toys and the mess of a fun filled day full of imagination on the floor because let me tell ya, your “me time” is just as important as having an immaculately clean house.
Having plans that just include getting out of the house and getting some fresh air or visiting your local attractions, even just grabbing an icecream cone instead of always needing a big vacation planned.
Enjoying home cooked staple meals because if your kids are anything like mine and mostly live on chicken tenders and cheese pizza every time we visit a restaurant let’s just cook it at home and maybe throw in a family movie after while we are at it.
I feel like we feel we have to constantly rush to the “next big thing” but we don’t. Living in these moments of our children’s childhood is the biggest thing and it’s so normal to feel like you always need to “do more” but you are doing just fine and trust me when I say these are the day’s they will look back on even if it’s the simple things.
Best thing we can do when the scrolling makes you think you always need to do more and the anxiety sets in for what you think is “normal”…
Go ahead and get right off your phone’s.
At least, that’s what I am telling myself these days.
This Summer, my goal as an avid reader was to step back and take a break from long series and it’s been so fun to get back into reading a variety of books again.
I have mainly tried to stay within a fun Summer type of feels books but of course I have to dabble in some in depth emotional reads and can’t ever forget about my sport’s romances because if you know, you know.
It’s been the best sitting outside while the kids play and reading in the fresh air and I can’t wait to share with you what I’ve been reading. I myself love going in blind when picking books so I will have the links to them on goodreads but I will just provide what my thoughts were and you can decide what you think! 🙂
This was such a great, entertaining, drama filled Summer read. You really feel like you are included on this five-star weekend with the girls and it’s so fun!
I don’t know what kind of crack was put in this book but I absolutely devoured it and could not put it down. What a wild, wild ride. Defiantly a fun read to get lost in.
I just finished reading this and the way I felt CONSUMED by this book let me tell ya. Single dad hockey romance? Can’t get any better than that. Sooo spicy and fun. I absolutely adore Rhodes and Sunny.
Talk about emotional! I loved Willow and Weston. Tattered Tides has such depth but also a good level or spice and I was all about it!
Do any of these catch your eye? Let me know in the comments!
I would also love to know what you’ve been reading this Summer? I love finding a new read so give me some book recommendations below as well. Along with blogging of course, reading is defiantly one of my favorite hobbies, I love escaping to different worlds or just towns all the time and meeting different characters.
Let me know if you want to see more book content! I defiantly could do that for you.
I don’t know about you, but I feel like I am scrambling more and more looking at my May calendar than I do in December! Talk about total May madness.
My oldest is in Kindergarten so this is my first full year with all the school activities so I never really understood the meaning behind Maycember until this year. He brought home his May calendar from school about a week ago and I never knew there could be so many days that have things going on! Brings back so many memories though especially seeing field day on the calendar. But all the end of the year parties, teacher appreciation week, performances, field trips, spirit type week days.
I defiantly feel the pressure of trying to keep everything straight. Especially when you throw in all the extra activities for both kids. Ball games, dance recital, birthday parties, Mother’s day, Memorial day weekend, trying to be in two places at once at times.
The feeling of an endless to-do list is real.
And we wonder why it’s so easy to get burnt out as a mom?
The part keeping me going though? It’s just a season.
It will pass and I will look back and I’m sure wish I could do it all over again because secretly the chaos is fun. I love being busy with my kids. I love supporting them and cheering them on and being there for as much as I can and showing the people who deserve it how much we appreciate them.
But that isn’t saying that all of it isn’t overwhelming because it is.
To help break up the chaos a little I’ve started writing everything down.
Prioritizing and making lists on what to get each week for the week coming up.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I fortunately have a wonderful support system and have family to help when my husband and I can’t be in two places at once.
Push things that aren’t pivotal that month to later in the next month to help loosen the up load of things to do.
And most importantly give yourself grace, remember you are doing the best you can and no matter what, you are doing a wonderful job!
How are you feeling momma’s? Anyone else feel the busy season of life brewing up? For some reason whenever Spring comes along, the older my kids get the more I just feel straight up busy. Defiantly a good busy though because I am desperate for that warmer weather and sunshine!
I’m looking at my May calendar and thinking how there is not a free weekend in it. Baseball opening day, dance recital weekends, school plays, birthday’s, Friend gatherings.
My kids are currently 5 and 3 and one of my favorite things has been having them try sports to see what they like and don’t like. So far my 5 year old son is loving baseball and if you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up his answer is to play for the Detroit Tigers. He’s taking a real liking to learning how to play hockey as well which is exciting and he just told me the other day he also wants to practice golf with daddy this Summer plus he tells me all about his playground adventures of playing basketball with his friends.
To say we may have our hands full with this one…
My 3 year old daughter is currently in dance which is so adorable to watch but lately she has been kicking balls around and wanting to play soccer. We are taking the Summer off of dance and our area has a fun rec program for her age that teaches tball, soccer and basketball so I am thinking that will be her activity for the warmer weather. She’s also begging to get out on the ice like her brother.
I never was much of a sports player but my husband was and I can tell he is just thriving in the newly developed sports era the kids are growing into. Which good for him, I have absolutely no problem being the on the sidelines and bleacher mom just ready with snacks after the games.
Speaking of my 3 year old, I can’t believe we are going to be a pull up free house soon. I honestly could not see the day ever coming and although it is bittersweet I would be lying if I said I wasn’t also excited about it.
Potty training my son was rough, lots of crying both him and I and frustration so when it was time for round two with my daughter and she started to show the same “I’m not doing it” attitude I was so nervous.
But….she took to it well after the first few times and we are on a good track and my relief is HUGE.
For a reward for doing so well these couple of weeks her grandma spoiled her and took her to get her nails painted which she has been asking to go with her to a nail appointment for a while and they turned out so cute! Fingers crossed it stays a positive experience for us all.
I am wishing you mama’s all the luck to you that are in your busy sports mom era, potty training era, newborn era, just mom era in general. We are all in this together the excitement, the tiredness, the hard parts. You are defiantly not alone.
May your coffee stay strong and the sunshine stay shining!
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 never knew how much I needed a little girl until you came into my life.
Your head full of hair and sweet little cheeks, nose and lips I could not stop staring at when you were born.
The dreamy after feeding smiles and the long nights of walking around rocking you while you wailed and wailed.
My sour patch kid, and I could not love you more.
Your independence and your strength are admiring. Of course keeping up with your older brother I’m sure has contributed to that strength and sassiness you have but that’s ok. I hope you never lose it. It’s so important to be strong and independent as a child and as an adult, especially as a woman. I just know you will move mountains.
I hope you know how beautiful you are, even now at two-years-old with your blonde curls and big blue eyes, that cheeky little grin. I hope you never stop saying “I so pretty” when you put on a new dress or a new bow in your hair that you love. My words to you will always, always stay positive and I only pray your words to yourself will as well.
I hope you know I will always be there for you as your mom but as your friend as well. I will never let you feel like you can’t come to me for anything, no matter what. I will be there to help, to teach and to comfort and to listen to you and your brother, always.
It’s such a privilege that I was picked to be your mama.
Always keep your strength, your sassiness, your sweetness and your attitude. Your independence and your love for adventure. Your positivity and your love for everyone in your life.
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.
