Summer Style

Summer is here (according to me and the fact that school is out)! Today I'm sharing a typical summer outfit for me top with some sort of fun detail, easy shorts, and comfy shoes.

This top was from Old Navy last year, but the shorts are from Kohls and are currently on sale here. The fit is great and they aren't nearly as short as they appear in the stock image.

I'm also crazy about these new sandals Vionic sent over. Vionic is hands down my favorite for comfort in shoes. This is my fifth pair and they have been great for all day comfort with my busy "momming" life. I got these last year in leopard and leather and wore them like crazy and they still are in great shape to wear again this year. If you're in the market for summer sandals, I'd definitely recommend shopping Vionic!

At Least I Have My Kids

Let me begin by saying, I have my share of days as a mother that are less than stellar. I lose my cool, the kids are whining or fighting, and I have a million things to get done. These are the days I take my life for granted. When you're biggest desire is to simply be able to pee alone you know you're at a new low. 

Then, there are other days that are great, the kids are getting along, everyone gets to sleep until 7:00 and I get to snap fun pictures like the one above to remind me of how good I have it. 

On Monday we went to breakfast as a family, things were going well. We dropped Brian at home, then ran to Target and decided to stop by the park-nearly a daily occurrence for us. There was only one other boy and his mom there. The boy, Cameron, was about Grant's age and per usual, Grant and the little boy started playing together and talking. I was pushing Hannah on the swing and the mom was sitting on the bench. It was then that I overheard Cameron say, "I was taking karate until my sister died." 

Wait. What? 

Grant started to ask questions, which I understand, I tried to ask Grant to not ask too many, as I bet it's really hard to talk about. Cameron said his sister, Kimberly, who was two died in her sleep and no one knows why. Also, it just happened two weeks ago.

The mom close by began to cry. I was at a loss. I told her I was sorry and honestly had no idea what to say or do after that.

Hannah, who was obviously unaware of what was going on toddled towards the swings and I followed her. All I could think about was that I had no idea what "bad" was really like. I still have my kids. It feels so ridiculous and foolish to ever whine, complain, or lose it over how much they need me all the time or how I have very little time to myself. I never want to take how good I have it for granted ever again. 

Grant and Cameron continued to play and Cameron mentioned Okaboji, a lake a few hours away. I thought that would be a good conversation starter, as I asked the mom about it, as we are going there in a few weeks. We talked for a while and found out were are both English teachers in nearby districts.

As we were getting ready to go, I asked her if I could pray for her. She said yes and showed me a picture of sweet Kimberly. We prayed and cried and then parted ways. I'm kicking myself for not getting her contact info, but I'm going to continue to pray for she and her family and work to not let the hectic days of motherhood get the best of me. Even on the worst days, I still have my kids.

Food

I've realized the age where you start to feel gross and old-it's 38. Suddenly, I see the wrinkles and feel the pounds. Being pregnant and then nursing allowed me to have some pretty unhealthy eating habits- i.e. eat anything I want without seeing an negative effects. I was done nursing before Christmas, but my eat habits have continued. I also haven't been as active as I'd like. I'm thankful summer is here so we can spend as much time as possible outside as well as biking, I think that will be good. I've also talked with Brian about joining the Y again, but we are going to be so busy the next couple of weeks it won't do any good, as we won't be able to get there. However, the big change I do now is change my bad eating habits. 

I've trained myself that I need something sweet after meals and I'm noticing the bored and mindless eating too. With having two small kids I have to be realistic about what cooking and meals will look like around the house, but can have better self-control and pay attention to when my body is really hungry and feed it with healthy snacks and not the carb, sugar loaded ones I have been wanting. 

I started a food diary, something I did years ago that really helped to hold me accountable and realize what's actually going into my body. For example, for lunch Sunday I had a turkey wrap and three strawberries. It was delicious, but as I began to dissect the calories I noticed a couple of things-eating any fruit has hardly any calories, so I can eat away, and my wrap had more calories than I thought. Tortilla-100 (although less than two pieces of bread), turkey-60, and cheese 60. That's not bad, but the mayo was also 60 and the three pickles were 35. I added almost 100 calories with two unnecessary things. Whomp, whomp. That I can change.

I don't expect to lose a ton of weight, but I'm no fool, if I keep eating the way I have been the last few years I am going to gain a bunch of weight and my metabolism isn't going to do me any favors as I continue to age either. 

I'm writing this to you all for accountability sake, I've said it, so now I need to mean it. I just want to feel good and work to not teach Grant and Hannah bad eating habits either. I already hear Grant complaining he's hungry when I know it's actually boredom. That's not good and I need to lead by example.

Style Lately

For my birthday I got a full length mirror, which is nice being I haven't been able to see my whole outfit before without standing on our tub. #classy This is what I wore for Mother's Day. I got this dress a few years back and still love it! Maxi dresses are totally my jam and I love that it's the season to wear them. I really like this option too. The clare cardigan is one of my favorites and I have it in a ton of colors.

Life Lately

I am so thankful for warm weather and getting outside!  Here's a look at what's been going on in my life lately.

We had a great Mother's Day. We went to church, Hannah napped while I spent some time to myself while Grant and Brian played the PS4.  Then we were able to go to the park and Brian made dinner. Yum!

God of the Hills and Valleys

Currently I've had the song Hills and Valleys running through my head like crazy. Take a listen:

         

I feel like life lately life has been hills and valleys on any given day. Part of it is my own lack of focus on God and his goodness. I let those hills and valleys be dictated by emotions, instead on the the truth of who God is. I love what Tauren says: 

I've walked among the shadows
You wiped my tears away
And I've felt the pain of heartbreak
And I've seen the brighter days
And I've prayed prayers to heaven from my lowestplace
And I have held the blessings
God, you give and take away

No matter what I have, Your grace is enough
No matter where I am, I'm standing in Your love

On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the one who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there
When I'm standing on the mountain aft, didn't get there on my own
When I'm walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!
You're God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!

I'm working to meditate on these lyrics and the truth of who God is. Life is going to have it's ups and downs-hills and valleys but that doesn't change who God is or that He is there with me the entire time and I am grateful for that!

38

38. 38. How. Did. This. Happen. I'm not going to lie, but when someone else says they are 38 I don't consider that old, but man, it sure makes me feel that way. Just this last week I was taking a picture with Hannah and the wrinkles around my eyes were out of control.

My 20 year reunion is summer and it's hard to believe. I've literally lived away from home for longer than I've lived at home. Whoa.

I've honestly felt pretty overwhelmed this past semester with my student teacher and the busyness at home, then Hannah got sick Monday causing me to have to leave work. She stayed with Brian yesterday and hopefully is on the mend now.

It seems like I always have a huge running to do list-never getting it fully tackled-the laundry, cooking, cleaning, not to mention the most important part, taking care of the kids and spending time with Brian seem to consume my every minute. The same is true at school with all of those responsibilities. It can feel like such a rat race.

Than I stop and consider where I've been in 38 years- raised by a loving family, a college graduate (even though it took me way longer than it should have), a teacher, a friend, and now raising a family of my own. I really need to focus on the many blessings that have come my way. Those weren't earned, they have been a gift from God who has loved me even when I've struggled, even with the challenges I've faced.

Each wrinkle tells a story and there are still so many stories to be told. It's hard to think of a time when life won't feel so crazy-when the kids won't call my name a hundred times a day. A time when I actually feel like I have time to spend with my husband and the house isn't a tornado from the kids stuff everywhere. It'll be then that I'll look back on these times a lot differently, and I'll wish I was needed the way I am now. That's what I need to focus on in the midst of the craziness of life. Enjoy it. Soak it up. Celebrate. 38.

Stay Active with Attire and Gear from Target

Today I'm posting over at Target Made Me Do It with some tips and gear for staying active. I have all the above things, so I can attest to their awesomeness. ; ) Come stop by and say hi!

 yoga capri pants / dry fit tee / Contigo water bottles / Razor scooter /  kid friendly  / bike trailer. 

Art Might Be Hannah's Thing

It's so funny to see Hannah's personality and interests developing. Recently it seems that Hannah is loving all things art. They do a lot of art at Hannah's school but I've just started to really let her give stuff a go at home. She loves Play-Doh and the other night while I was getting dinner ready I got out Grant's old stickers. Hannah literally spent the next hour placing stickers on paper and on her own shirt. We even went to the basement after dinner and she bought her stickers along! Now, I need to get some more!