Budget Beauty Faves

Budget Beauty Faves by glitterandtea featuring C.O. Bigelow

These are a few of my favorite things new and old and all under $20!

1. Wet Brush-$12 Target- I hate brushing my hair but I love it when using this. That should sum it up. It just glides, it's gentle, I can't even describe it. Awesome for the kids hair.

2. Mario Badescu Rose Water $7 Ulta- Use it on a fresh face for a pick me up or use to set make up. It's cheaper and lovelier than a makeup setting spray.

3. Purity by Philosophy Facial Cleanser $12 for travel size Ulta- best cleanser I have ever tried. Gentle, effective, makes skin soft. I have been using this for over a year and my skin has never been more under control.

4. Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay-$10 Amazon- I was so skeptical about this but read so many reviews on blogs and online that I had to try it for myself & I'm so glad I did! It comes in powder form and you mix it with apple cider vinegar. As it dries on the face it begins to throb which I think means it's working :) My pores look cleaner and smaller instantly after washing it off. The jar seems like it'll last forever because I gave some to my sister and used it pretty often myself and barely made a dent in it. 

*It's pretty intense so maybe not the best for sensitive skin.

5. C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve $6 Nordstrom- I am obsessed with this. I use it on my lips, cuticles, Matthew's cheeks when they got chapped, Juliana's dry skin and it helped all those issues instantly! It looks like a gloss on the lips which is a bonus.

6. Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt $2.50 Target- Not really a beauty item but it helps detox when used in a bath and the lavender scent is so relaxing before bed. Makes for better beauty sleep ;)

7. L'oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara $6 Target- I've been using this mascara since high school and have no desire to switch it up. It doesn't clump, the formula is smooth and doesn't dry out and it makes lashes look fluffy. I don't think I'll find anything better (and I've looked) especially for this price. Never change mascara, never change.

8. L'oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation $11 Target- Silky formula, full coverage without being heavy or drying. I've used with and without primer and it looks good either way. L'oreal just makes good makeup. It's my favorite brand.

Happy Friday! 

here

Kiddo Update

(the kiddies on my birthday in September, the best present ever)

Well, it's been approximately 45 years since I last wrote something so I thought I would procrastinate on the things I should be doing (wrapping presents) and update this little blog instead.

Juliana-3.75 years old

Juliana is growing more and more into a little lady everyday and sadly less toddler. She talks like crazy, remembers everything you tell her and is pretty strong willed. She's still deep in the princess phase and loves any little figurine type toys. The girls also love to play family together where Juju is mama, Lucy is papa and their babies are themselves. It's so cute because they're always "visiting" somebody or having very elaborate tea parties where Juju is the hostess with the mostest. 

Juliana's 4th birthday is coming so soon and I can hardly believe it. It's also time for her first hair cut ever. It's almost to her little booty and gets tangled a lot. She insists on always having it down so it's kind of a hot mess all the time. Still, we can never go anywhere without Juliana getting attention for her gorgeous red hair...which she tells people it's actually orange ;)

Lucy-2.4 years old

Lucy is my little beautiful, spunky, funny mama. She lovesssss babies real and doll and takes care of them better than I take care of Matthew (joke) She has such a fun personality and just loves to hug and cuddle. She loves her grandparents, cousins and most of all her dad. If Lucy's sick, she asks for papa. I think it's a beautiful thing :') Lucy copies everything Juliana does. They get along great about 71% of the time. Lucy doesn't talk much still but Juliana understands her perfectly. I love their sister-ness. 

Lucy has very beautiful thick light brown hair. My kids are blessed with gorgeous locks. Also like her sister, she hates wearing it up. She can take the biggest tumble and not even flinch but if I try to put her hair in a pony she cries like it's the worst pain. It's confusing.

Matthew-6 months

Dear, sweet, huggable, lovable Matthew. The easiest baby that has ever existed. Laid back, chill calm. I cannot complain about these first 6 months of his life even in the slightest. I don't know if it's a 3rd child thing or if he just takes after his calm papa's personality, but he is awesome. It seems like he hit 6 months and changed overnight. His looks changed a little and his personality is showing more. He also wants to be entertained more so my day consists of alternating him between the swing, rocker, jumper and holding him. Matthew is my bff and loves me lol that makes me sound full of myself but really he'll cry if I walk into a room and not pick him up if he hasn't seen me in like 10 minutes (he just started doing that) I take him everywhere I go and only left him twice for a few hours since he was born. I do take him to the gym daycare while I workout so that's my break if I need one. He has 2 tiny bottom teeth and is sprouting blonde hair! Yay!

34 weeks!

trying to take a twinning picture with Lucy and this is the best we got. Apparently geese in the pond were more important. Noted Luc, noted. 

Gender: Boy! Confirmed by 3 different ultrasounds ;)

How far along:  34 weeks, few days

Total weight gain:  lets just say the scale was a shock at the doctors last week. 

Maternity clothes:  maternity jeans mixed with loose sweaters, flowy tops. Kind of, sort of hate dresses this time around. 

Stretch marks:  from previous pregnancies 

Sleep:  I wake up at least once to go to the bathroom. Still going to sleep way late than I should but sometimes I make up the early wakeup time (thanks girls) with a mini morning nap while they play in their room. 

Best of the week:  well it's only Tuesday but so far it's the moment when Juliana saw the baby making my stomach wiggle and she just thought it was the funniest thing ever. It was so cute! She covered her mouth giggling like crazy. 

Worst of the week:  This isn't a big deal but we took a small 20 minute walk in the evening, the weather was beautiful but I came home exhausted afterwards! Like tummy feeling heavy, feet hurting, back aching. I hope it won't get worse but I don't see things getting better. 

Big Sisters:  They kiss my tummy constantly and I'm so excited to see them with the baby and actually put the two and two together that's that's the "baby brother" I've been telling them about all this time. 

Daddy:  the best most hardworking man ever whose birthday is coming up :) 

Miss anything? all kinds of things but mostly getting to try on clothes when shopping haha so many cute things out for spring and summer! 

Movement:  lots and it's getting stronger and stronger sometimes it takes me back. But my favorite is laying down to sleep and feeling the baby wiggle (because of course that's when he's active) and for some reason it just lulls to me sleep. It's such a comforting feeling.

Food cravings:  nothing really, just still CONSTANTLY hungry. I've been trying to eat better and it's going well. Lots of fruits, veggies, salads, lean meats. But when nighttime comes around I need a huge bowl of ice cream. 

Anything making you feel sick or queasy?  nothing, thank goodness. 

Symptoms:  back pain especially when I get up from sitting or sitting for a long time. It really hurts and I feel like an 80 year old. 

Belly button:  Flat.

Mood: Good just getting more and more anxious/nervous/excited that we have just 6 (!!!) weeks left. 

Looking forward to: hubby's birthday party, Mother's day :)

Friday!

I'm never really one to wish days aways because as a stay at home mom I feel like my days are what I make them but with that being said I'm so happy it's Friday! This week was long, dreary and uneventful aside from Lucy getting sniffles. The weather is still not very springlike and it's not very motivating. I'm hoping the sun peaks out and warms everything up soon because it's so much easier to get out and go when we don't have to bundle up in 20 layers. Sorry, I'm being dramatic. It's really more like 10 ;) 

I was browsing around the Forever21 website and it made me feel incredibly old. Nothing like seeing trends re-emerge that you wore in middle school to remind you how far you've come from that. Chokers, lace up shirts and flares? Ummm....let's just say I'm a believer in the rule that you don't wear the same trend twice in one lifetime. 

This weekend we have 2 birthday parties that fall at the same time on Saturday. One is for our friends miracle, long awaited for baby boy who will be turning one and the other for my sweetest, dearest mother in law. Also happening the same day? A brunch with my girls Bible study. It's like I have no plans all week and than all. the. plans. at once. Hate when this happens. 

I finally listed new stuff in my Etsy shop! There's a little something something for little ladies, precious newborn babes and nylon headbands for any age in between :)  

Here's Juju wishing everyone a magical weekend ;) 

here here here 

Preggo Thoughts

(Sunday Funday getting pizza for lunch downtown after church enjoying the weather)

Wow this pregnancy seemed to speed by! I remember finding out I was pregnant beginning of October and counting down the weeks until my June due date and thinking that it's such. a. long. time! But here we are and I'm already in my 3rd trimester (what?!) It definitely helps that Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Easter and 2 vacations were all in between there. Now all that is over and I just have these last 2 months or so to prepare. More mentally than anything ;) 

So, everyday I've been thinking about labor and just preparing myself because labor is so fresh in my mind still from when I had Lucy exactly 19 months ago and though that may seem like awhile the fact that I didn't get an epidural really engraved the experience in my mind. I still freshly remember the pain and it's honestly kind of difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that I have to do this again so soon. Before I was the kind of person that was like "bring it on!" I like to face pain head on and just get it over with but labor (without an epidural) is a whole different level. I had one with Juliana and barely remember the pain. 

Being pregnant a third time also doesn't mean that I'm in any way, shape or form used to the symptoms. So often I'll feel the baby moving around and think "wow my stomach is so flippy. What did I eat?" and it takes me a moment to remember that there is a living, breathing, active little baby in there! It honestly catches me by surprise still. But I'm loving the kicks and punches. They're still so small and gentle that it feels like butterflies and it's just that fun little reminder between you, the baby and God that life is growing amidst the day to day normal.

No matter where I am or what I'm doing I always imagine how the scenario would look with another little babe in the mix. Sometimes it overwhelms me and sometimes I get excited that we'll be making memories as a family of 5 (!) one day soon. 

I still can't believe we're having a boy. Even though I knew 100% it was a boy immediately after finding out I was pregnant I still can't imagine what life is like with a son. Obviously it's because I've never had one but I'm just so used to all things girly and pink and baby dolls and Disney princesses. I know my hubby is excited too but I think even he secretly doesn't know what to expect with a boy in the house haha 

Speaking of knowing it was a boy-here is a list of all the ways I knew it would a boy WEEKS before finding out for sure....

1. I read a book about raising boys called Future Men by Douglas Wilson a week after my positive test.

2. I bought a baby boy onesie that I just couldn't resist at Target

3. I went through all my girl's baby clothes and set aside anything that can be worn by a boy.

4. I prayed for him and could only picture a boy when I prayed.

5. I didn't have any morning sickness which was probably the most obvious indicator that this pregnancy was different. 

6. I started noticing families with 3 kids everywhere and particularly paid attention to anyone that had 2 girls and a boy. 

7. I started looking for boy things online and was so excited when Little Unicorn, a super cute swaddle blanket company came out with a blue and grey planet blanket. I was this.close to ordering it. I love space, planets, comets, stars, anything sky! 

Anyway, that's enough rambling for now. I'm so excited for this little baby! I've been looking at Lucy's newborn pictures and it's making me anxious to hold and love something so tiny again. Hurry up June! 

But not too fast ;) 

One Year Back-3.21.15

I was looking through my pictures (babies are sleeping, what else would I be doing? I miss them) and stumbled on pictures I took exactly a year ago today. It's crazy because I remember taking these and the moment but not much else about that day. Thank goodness for photography! It captures ordinary moments and turns them into special memories. We were playing in the girls room and Juliana was pretending to read Lucy a book. It was so adorable. Not to mention they had on matching footie pjs. I die. 

I thought it would be fun to compare what changes happened after these pictures were taken starting with Juliana...

Juliana was 2 and a month...
Juliana still has her pacifier (sosa) but she completely dropped it a month later...cold turkey...on a road trip!
She's also wearing her diaper but was fully (nighttime and everything) potty trained 2 months later.
Juliana has a pony tail in but was on her way to being super against having her hair up. It's still kicking strong to this day to the point where she doesn't like it when I wear mine up. Sorry girlfriend, mama hates having her hair down! #mombunforlife
Juliana was still sleeping in the crib (I tried to keep her in there as long as possible) but transitioned to a big girl bed 3 months later and Lucy took over the prison cell haha 

Lucy was 6 months...
Lucy was just starting to crawl and was non stop go go go about a month after.
She was still 100% nursing but began solids about a month and a half after.
Like I mentioned before Lucy was not in the crib because she was co-sleeping with me. Yep, until 9 months! It just made those 2x (sometimes more) a night feedings easier. Then my hubby transitioned her while I was away at a late birthday party and she stayed there ever since. He's a baby sleep whisperer. No joke. 

Both big girls grew out of those pjs about a month after. That was a sad day.

What amazes me most is how little Juliana looks! Lucy was only 6 months so of course she was still a baby and looks different today but I always remember Juju being so big then but these pictures definitely prove me wrong :'(

I also remember it was right around this time the girls really began to take interest in each other and actually play together! It was what my mama heart had been waiting for and it was and still is pure magic! 

Oh how I love my sweet little ladies...

linking here 

Friday!

RIP matching white hats that I got from H&M for a $1 last year :( Juliana and I went into Ulta for literally less than 10 minutes and she somehow managed to lose it during that time. We looked all over for it but it apparently disappeared into thin air. I can't imagine someone would just take it because that hat has definitely seen better days. Oh well.

There has been zero sun this whole week which is kind of sad. I kept seeing posts on Insta of beautiful pink blooming trees in other parts of the country while we were getting snow yesterday. Hurry up spring! It also feels weird that Easter is coming up so soon. I'm used to it being in April. Can't it just be the same time every year?

I'm the last person to get on the Chia seeds train but I'm glad I did! I got a big organic bag at Costco for just $7 and have been sneaking them into yogurt and smoothies for the girls and myself and so far so good. I love that they're like healthy little bubbles full of nutrients :)

Can't say I've had a super productive week besides getting some shopping done so today is catch up day. I have a lot of cleaning to do and I already paid a huge stack of bills. What a blast. But than I have some fun things to make and list in my shop and that'll be my weekend party time haha

bracelet and bow

Thursday Confessions

(Target run uniform)

I ordered the Veggetti on Amazon and I'm actually pretty pumped to get it! I love veggies and the girls usually do too. A fun, new way to eat them will hopefully keep them interested. Also, Prime had it for $8 but at at Target it was like $15. What's up with that Tar-jay?

I love grocery shopping. Correction-I love grocery shopping when I get to go alone. For some reason I feel so accomplished like I literally come home and brag to my husband about all the stuff I got haha but really it's just nice knowing I have plenty of good, delicious food to feed my family and save money by not going out to restaurants. Really though, it's a blessing.

My girls have been driving me a little crazy lately because whenever I need to get them ready and get out the door they seem to find a million things to occupy themselves with and start playing peacefully and just having a blast. Whenever my plan is to stay home and get things done around the house they are so needy and clingy and fight and ask for food every half hour on the hour. Is this some kind of reverse psychology experiment?

That I'm one of the millions of people not happy about this supposed Instagram change. Why fix what's not broken?! Please Instagram, listen to your users. I know this is such a #firstworld problem (and I really hate that term) but Insta for me is a little slice of inspiration and a way to grow my business but if it changes it seems like it'll be harder for little accounts like mine to reach people.

linking here and here

Random 5 Questions & Answers

Sometimes I want to write about so many things that I don't know where to start so I just don't. Not good. Today I wanted to do a quick little q&a from one of the blogs I follow. 

At the top of your wishlist right now: A red purse. Haven't found the ONE yet because I can't narrow it down if I want something fun like a little cross body for a pop of color or something bigger like a tote that's more functional. Almost bought this one (above) from F21 and still can't decide if I should go back and just get it. I know $17 isn't a lot but I'm really trying not to buy anything without thinking it through as silly as that seems. #budget

Blog(s) you’re loving lately: Nioby's blog is part fashion, part real estate advice. Literally my 2 favorite things. We're looking for a home to buy right now so I love reading her insider info. Bonus-she's a Christian!

Favorite thing about spring: Can I say everything? Warmer weather, no more jackets (not a fan of wearing them. 40 degrees is no jacket weather in my book) blooming trees and flowers, Easter (Jesus has risen!) and new fashions just to name a few ;)

The next trip you’re taking: No trip planned :( boo. Except to the hospital. To give birth. Fun. 

TV show you can’t stop watching: Currently nothing. One of my absolute favorites was Selling New York on Netflix but they only have 2 seasons and I breezed through them in like one sitting. Did I mention I love real estate? 

Leave me a comment with your blog if you do this little q&a too! I'd love to read your answers :) 

Friday Favorites!

It's Friday, the sun is shining, I'm eating cake for breakfast and it's my mama's birthday and my half birthday. It's a good day :)

For Friday favorites I rounded up a few of my favorite pictures from this past week. It was a fun one :)

Smoothie queen. Asks for them daily (brings me the blender cup and everything) and demolishes them in seconds. Has yet to meet a smoothie she didn't like. 

Our chipotle server was verrryyyy generous. Hard to tell but this is a mountain of cheese and guac. I always get just one bowl to share between myself and the girls (it's my money saving/diet plan all in one ha) but this bowl was so huge we couldn't finish it and left very stuffed! 

Was browsing magazines and stumbled across my perfect haircut and color. 

Preggo drink: Decaf white chocolate mocha.

Little Luc is almost potty trained! This is the excitement of the year when you're a mom ;)

Lucy loves babies, babies love Lucy. Sometimes. This is her cousin and Lucy only tried to hold her and kiss exactly 1,000 times.

Happy weekend!

and here here

It's Already Thursday!?

I confess...

If something is final sale than I will 99% not purchase it. I have a hard time committing.

Speaking of sales, it's hard to be on a budget with all these end of winter sales going on! Yesterday was a chilly rainy day so the girls and I went to the mall and it was almost torturous. JK we had fun but sales!

Everyday I am so annoyed by all the clutter that has accumulated in our home (too much toys, clothes, etc) but I have a hard time getting rid of stuff. It seems like something always comes in handy months even years (embarrassing!) of just laying around. I keep telling myself that when we move sometime this year that I'll use that time to really purge. But I've said this to myself every time we moved (4 times in 4 years) and it really hasn't happened yet. Or I will get rid of something but replace with something else. #struggles

We don't watch TV at home but I really want to watch the Bachelor haha I always catch it at the gym on Monday nights and I'm kind of ashamed to admit I love the crazy. But I'm a sucker for reality TV so this isn't saying much. Except that it's for the best we don't have a TV at home ;)

Weeks seem to have been flying by lately. Kind of scary and exciting that there are only 3 more months until baby boy is here!

linking here here

Baby #3!

blue wall for added effect ;)

We are so excited to welcome baby #3 into our family this June! We're even more excited that it's a boy, our first son and little brother for the girls. I'm a little nervous as all I've ever know is pink, princesses, dresses and the gentleness and sweetness that comes with girls but I'm so excited for the new experience that having a son would bring. I feel so blessed to complete our family and thankful for God's timing and grace.

Gender: Boy! Confirmed by 2 different ultrasounds ;)

How far along:  25 weeks couple days

Total weight gain:  about 10ish pounds

Maternity clothes:  maternity jeans mixed with loose sweaters...I wore one of my husbands shirts (he's 6'5'') to the gym the other week and he asked me if I was seriously going to work out in that. I looked a little ridiculous but my workout clothes don't fit anymore :(

Stretch marks:  from previous pregnancies 

Sleep:  I sleep totally fine it's my two toddlers who are having trouble! Up 3 days in a row with Lucy crying and having to bring her back to bed so she wouldn't wake up Juju. Than last night it was Juju's turn to cry randomly in the middle of the night and lay in her bed until she fell back asleep.

PEAK of the week:  the 2 long naps I got to take Sunday and and Monday. 

PIT of the week:  felt a weird pressure in my belly all day Monday like baby was right in my rib cage. I couldn't even bend or slump slightly because of it. 

Big Sisters:  Awesome :) We've just started to kind of talk more about the baby with them and reminding them it's in mommy's belly and that one day he'll be out and they'll have a brother to play with. Juliana said she wants a baby in her belly too. Umm....not for 20 more years girlfriend. 

Daddy:  I couldn't do life without him. He works hard all day then comes home and lets me nap. I wake up the house is clean and the girls are fed and happy. 

Miss anything?  Sushi would be nice. I got Archer Farms wasabi soy chips (yum) the other week to satisfy the craving but over did it as usual and felt like crap haha 

Movement:  Lots! I feel hiccups and tiny punches all the time and I swear he was somersaulting the other day which added to the pressure I was already feeling. 

Food cravings:  Nothing crazy, I'm just hungry all. the time. I am really enjoying peanut butter lately. Like midnight snacking enjoying. So naughty. 

Anything making you feel sick or queasy?  Brushing my teeth always makes me gag while pregnant! And sometimes queasiness after breakfast. Probably because I inhale it.

Symptoms:  A bone separating feeling in my lower back and hips make sitting for long periods of time and getting up very uncomfortable. 

Belly button:  Flat.

Mood: Trying to be productive but feeling a wee bit tired haha

Looking forward to: It's my mama's birthday on friday and also my half birthday!

I love reading pregnancy updates so if you're doing them on your blog leave me a comment with your blog name so we can bump along together (see what I did there. So clever.) I think it's so sweet to read a mama's thoughts and experiences during pregnancy and than finally getting to meet the little life that was growing inside all those months :)

Friday Favorites

My little squish at her 6 month pictures.

Happy 18 months Lucy! I cannot believe we're halfway to 2! Lately, she's just so cuddly and sweet, I can't get enough of her. We'll definitely be celebrating with frozen yogurt and a million kisses and hugs but no more than that ;) 

A new to me website is 6pm. I found it through this sales blog and have been checking it since. They have a wide selection of Nike's and they frequently go on sale for the lowest prices I have ever seen, like $35 low. Of course they usually sell out quick but if you catch it on time or wear a less sought after shoe size than you might just score ;)

I am OBSESSED with meringue anything. This weekend for not reason at all I want to attempt this cake. It's my favorite cake in the world but I've never actually made it before.

Found the cutest little tumblr. Tumblr is all the inspiration but not much for sources. Which makes it Pinterest's harmless cousin :)

If you've never seen those annoyingly delicious looking quick recipe videos on FB than here is a link to one of the best. You're welcome and I'm sorry. I seriously want to make everything I see because they make it look SO easy and good. The kid friendly pizza recipe is super cute with the helping little hands. I want to try it with Juliana. She's been SO picky lately and I read somewhere that involving kids in the prep will make them more excited about the food. Fingers double crossed it works!

And lastly, one of my favorite blogs. Love this look because I really don't need to be convinced very hard to wear a comfy gray crew sweater. Now I just need some pink heels :)


linking here here & here

Juju Quotes

"Mama, say I'm a funny goose."

"You're a funny goose."

"Thank you so much!"

"Juliana, you are so so cute!"

"Yes, I'm beautiful. Oi! My booty itches!"

During church...

"What are you doing?"

"Being good so I can have ice cream"

Lucy mumbles something in the car while we're driving...

"What Lucy? You want bananas?!"

After I told she couldn't have too many grape tomatoes..

"No more tomatoes, or my tummy will hurt and I will cry and mama will say Oh Juju are you crying?"

"Where are we going?"

"To the store..."

"To buy birds!?"

While at the store...

"Should we get this ice cream?"

"Yes I will buy it for papa! And he'll say Thanks Juj!"

We speak in both our girls in Russian but Juliana's English vocabulary is quickly growing partly from listening to people speak it around her and from cartoons. She has the cutest way of pronouncing words and it's always really funny to hear her talk back to people in English because we're not really sure if she knows what they're saying to her but she'll answer anyway. She knows the typical how old are you and what's your name and few other phrases and but mostly beyond that she'll answer yes or no. We're not in a hurry for her to learn because once she goes to school she'll pick it up in a heart beat. I'm surprised how much she actually knows already!

beautiful=bootyfor

dinosaur=dinofour

thank so much=thank you sore much

smoothie=foomie

Thursday Confessions

I hate when bloggers/Instagrammers sell things by saying "look at this (insert simple sweater or top) it comes in a a million (regular old) colors and is less than $200!" um, ok wow what a steal. A little out of touch there?

I finally got around to watching Paper Towns and it was so. boring. Major let down since it was so hyped about like all of last year. Yes, I'm a little behind times. I don't read best seller books of the moment but I do like to catch the movie to see what it's about. I really liked the Me Before You trailer and I'm hoping the movie is as good as everyone says the book is. P.S. Don't get me wrong, I love to read I just only try to read books that will bring me closer to God along with daily Bible reading. Reading became a rare and sacred time once I had kids so I have to choose wisely.

Speaking of kids and sacred time-I wish my girls could understand that if they let mommy sleep just a wink more than mommy won't be such a snappy crab the rest of the day. #sotired #sendhelp #orcoffee

I had Oreo Thins at like 1 am the other day because I couldn't sleep and got hungry. In my defense I never eat or buy Oreo's but the Saturday morning taste tester lady at Target got to me like a month ago and I've been slowly, secretly making my way through the package ever since.

And finally, I didn't want to leave the house until the UPS guy brought my Nordstrom package. I got this and it was just ok. The olive color isn't really doing anything for me.

linking here

Thoughts on the Irony of Parenthood

(taken last summer)

God likes to rightfully and with humor put me in my place by teaching me to have more compassion and patience for my messy little ladies. Today I got frustrated at them for spilling some of their dippin' dots ice cream and leaving perfectly round little chocolate stains on the rug. Fast forward to right now and I'm sitting on the couch enjoying my own dippin' dots when I knock the cup over and send all the little dots flying everywhere and making a bigger mess than both girls combined. No one is perfect, certainly not me. Lesson learned.

Growing up I couldn't wait to "move out so I can go to sleep whenever I want!" I was just a crazy night owl and got in trouble for it all the time. Well now I'm all "grown up" and moved out but have spent the past 3 years either not getting enough sleep because of babies or getting mad at the bigger versions of said babies for not going to sleep when I tell them to. Somewhere my parents are laughing at me. 

It's true that becoming a parent pretty much makes you crazy but you're also so far off the deep end that you would never dream of going back. It's like the madness has gone to your head, made a home and got comfortable. 

Half of you wants the time to speed up to when they're bigger! more independent! but the other half knows you'll never ever get these days back and want time to just stand still. Recently I was looking at Juliana's baby pictures and started tearing up because I would give all the money in the world to just hold her as an infant in my arms again for even a minute. It's not like she's 18 and married either, this was a short 3 years ago! Like I said before, motherhood is a the most bittersweet journey that I'll ever enjoy. 

In the midst of it all I am reminded how truly blessed I am. Some nights I'll quietly be sitting doing the usual like browsing on my phone or reading and I hear one of the girls take a deep breath in their sleep from their room. It reminds me that I have two healthy little girls, sound asleep, alive and well. There is so much that we can take for granted as parents so it's good to stop and be grateful for the little things.

Anyway, sorry of the ramble of a post. Sometimes I have so much to say but have a hard time spitting it out.  

linking here