it's the little things in life

... because some times after a long & emotional week, all you need is a slow walk outside in the fresh autumn air and a simple picnic with people you love to remind you what's really important.

Wishing a beautiful weekend, everyone.  

We will be soaking up all that autumn has to offer ... farmer's markets, 

fall festivals, perhaps a bike race or two, any pumpkin and/or apple item we can get our hands on, 

and late night wine on the patio after the little one is asleep (of course).  

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six months

Our baby boy turns six months today.

Six months.  Where did the time go?  It feels like just yesterday I was sitting in a hospital bed in complete denial that this little boy was making his surprise entrance into the world that day.  He hasn't stopped surprising me since.  

Oh, little one.  

I hope you know how much I love you and how you make my heart feel so, so very full.  

You have taught me so much in these past six months.  

Thank you for being patient and forgiving with me & for having the best giggle in the world.  

Your Dad and I can't wait to grow more with you.      

I love you to the moon and back (twice).

- your blessed mama

dress for the day

Abby over at dear abby leigh started an awesome mission over on her blog yesterday.  It was such a great idea that I decided to jump in on the fun.  Abby wrote about how she realized when you put a little extra effort into getting dressed for the day you feel so encouraged and unstoppable.  After hearing Abby's story, I thought about how great I feel when I actually take the extra few minutes to take the time to pick out a cute outfit and put a little extra effort into my make-up and hair.  It seems like such an elementary concept, but it actually makes quite the difference with my mood.

I absolutely love, love putting outfits together.  Patterns?  Yes please.  Color blocking?  Absolutely!  Accessories?  Well, of course.  After becoming a mama, I realized getting ready in the morning is a little tiny bit more difficult than it was before.  I really didn't want to ride down the slippery slope into yoga pants and pulling my hair into a high bun every day (Which, I still probably do maybe 3 days a week. Baby steps, baby steps.)    

Because you know what?!  When I take a few minutes to throw a cute outfit together I'm telling myself I'm worth it.  I'm worth the creativity and extra time taken to put something fun together.  This realization overflows into my attitude for the day.  I have a little extra energy and pep in my step.

So, along with Abby, I challenge you to ...

via dearabbyleigh

... not for the day that's trying to have you.  

Here's a sampling of what I'm wearing while chasing after this little guy.  It might not be super polished, but it's not yoga pants ... and I feel spunky and a wee bit sassy.   

Go check out Abby's blog and help her champion this great cause!

what's your one thing?

click for image link

I was talking with a friend the other day (who also happens to be my amazing sis-in-law... Hi, Megan!) and she said something that I just can't get out of my head.  We were discussing the different projects that we are excited to accomplish, some areas in life we are striving to improve in, and other goals that we have in mind for ourselves.  I was deep in discussion about my long laundry list of goals and things I wanted to do better.  My friend gracefully stopped me and asked ...

"This is all so good.  But, it sounds like you have so many things that you're trying to be perfect in.  What's one thing right now that you really want to focus on?" 

A statement so simple was extremely profound for me in that moment.

I am a dreamer.  I feed off of inspiration.  I have lists and notebooks full of writing ideas, conferences or groups to put together, and home projects to do.  (and... and... and...)  Along with those lists, I also want to be a top-notch wife and the best mom around.  

Phew.  Just writing that makes my palms sweat.

Dreaming and striving to be your "best self" is so good.  I love setting and accomplishing goals.  BUT, I have too much going on in my head lately.  Too many regulations and rules.  I need to allow a little more wiggle room for mistakes and for play.  With perfection and too many "to do's" swirling in my mind, I often defeat myself before I even start on something.  My friend's statement made me focus and realize that I'm not even enjoying what I'm doing because I have too much on my mind. It was such a great reminder to slow down and enjoy the process of working towards a goal.

So, what's your one thing?  What are you choosing to focus on this week?  This month?  Let's get rid of all our ideas of perfection and enjoy the process of working towards something.  Let's give ourselves a little grace and hit it out of the park together.  Ready?

embracing it all :: {new momma thoughts}

I love being a mom (understatement).  It's amazing how God designed women in a delicate and beautiful way that allows us to adapt to taking caring for a little, tiny human that we cannot even begin to express our love for.  God has embedded instincts in us that cannot always be learned or taught. Lately I have been thinking about how when you become a mom, whether you're ready for it or not, a new life has budded and blossomed.  As a mom, I am no longer who I was before my baby boy came along.  He has changed me in ways I can't even put words to or fathom.  Obviously, I knew my life would be different when adding a "plus one" to our little family, but I never fully understood the effect it would have on my identity.  I never really expected that I would have to grieve that part of my life that is no longer true.  New motherhood is a tangled web of emotions, hormones, changes, and beautiful discoveries and I'm finding myself smack dab in the middle of one.

I find myself feeling so thankful for all of this newness; it feels so fresh and exciting and so so hard (the good kind of hard).  It is such a precious thing to feel God moving and molding me.  But, to completely honest, it's hard to fully know what this new life looks like.  Someways, it's hard to fully accept it.  I can feel myself squirming uncomfortably--wary of changes and seeking comfort.  I guess this is me--being real--and just writing some thoughts out.

The awesome thing about all of this is that we might not know "the plan" or what our future looks like or what our life should be like when we add "momma" to our title, but God has it all thought out for us. He has it all under control (and it's way better that way).  He made us and he knows who we are--limitations and all.

Thank goodness He is enough every time I'm not.

easy homemade hummus! :: {good eats}

Alright, so raise your hand if you're a fellow hummus addict! I love, love hummus.  It's the perfect snack to pair with veggies or pitas and a great spread to add a little pizzaz to your sandwich.  The only downside is that hummus can be on the pricey side and the containers are usually teeny tiny.  I know that there are a 6-8 servings in them ... but I may have devoured almost an entire container in one sitting.  I have always wanted to make hummus and yesterday I finally got down to business and figured out a recipe that our family loves.  It's super easy and can be made with things you usually have stored away in your kitchen on any random day.

I found this recipe on kiss my spatula (one of my go-to foodie blogs).  I added a few changes like a little extra lemon juice for some extra tartness and some hot chili pepper for a little spice.  I l-o-v-e this recipe because it doesn't require you to buy an expensive jar of tahini.

So, are you ready?! ...

Ingredients:

• 1 cup drained organic canned chickpeas, liquid reserved
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/8 tsp ground tumeric 
• juice of 1 lemon (I did 2 lemons ... you can add more as needed!)
• chopped fresh parsley leaves for garnish (I didn't have these on hand, so I left them out) 
• paprika to sprinkle on top 
• hot chili powder (optional)

Getting down to business: 

Put everything in your food processor and begin to process.  Test out the consistency of the hummus and add 2-3 tbsp of the chickpea liquid until you reach the consistency you like.  Taste away and adjust your seasonings to what you like (This is where I added the hot chili powder.  You could get creative and add any other of your favorite seasonings.  I'm thinking maybe dill, basil or cilantro would be good next time.)  All done!  Super easy, right?! 

Enjoy!!

hey there! influence pre-conference meet & greet

Today I'm linking up with some of the community leaders of the Influence Conference that is coming up in October.  {Definitely, definitely check out their website if you want to know more about joining in on the fun.  It is going to be such a great time!} We're sharing a few "get to know me" tidbits to help get past the awkward phase of meeting new people. {Thank goodness!}

I cannot express how pumped I am to get together with so many different women from all over that are excited about discussing and learning about the crazy awesome influence that God has given all of us.

I know absolutely no one that is attending this conference, so I'm really taking a leap (err... jump) of faith with attending.  I couldn't be more scared and excited all at the same time!

... Alright, enough already.  Here are the 3 questions:

3 get to know me things: 

• I am a definite introvert, but I absolutely love people and talking for hours.  I just have to get out of my comfort zone and push myself to do it!  Don't let my shyness fool you. 
• I am addicted to watermelon this summer.  I could (and already have) eat a whole one in just a day (or perhaps an afternoon...).  
• My husband and I just had a little baby boy 5 months ago.  I am in complete love with both of my guys and cannot get enough of them.  

2 things I'm looking forward to about the conference:

• Meeting all YOU wonderful ladies, learning and growing with each other, having discussions that inspire and excite, and just HAVING FUN!  I really think that the connections made at this conference are going to continue far and beyond the conference weekend
• Learning how I can take the next steps to becoming stronger in my voice and adequately use the influence the God has given me  

1 thing I can't leave home without: 

• If I had to choose only one thing, I would have to say that I can't leave without a small notebook.  I am a definitely list and idea maker.  {recipes, art ideas, cleaning to-dos, errands ... I have to write it all down!}

Well, that's just a tiny bit about me... it sure was hard to choose just a few things.  Have an awesome week, everyone!