Motherhood

It changed everything. That pink plus sign. My heart stopped and then it started beating quickly and moving it's way up my throat! I was going to be a Mom. No, not a "Mom." I was going to be someone's Mommy. That very moment is when the adventure of my life began.
Not every moment has been a gift, but the ups and downs have changed me for the better. Yes, there were (and still are) moments when I wanted to run for the hills - like the time I sat on a plane for 2.5 hours with a screaming toddler and didn't have the presence of mind to by my fellow travelers a round of drinks. Or when my newborn would sleep for a max of 30 minutes in between feedings for the first five weeks of his life and I thought I might hurt myself or my children. By God's grace, and with the help of community, I got through the really low lows. And for every difficult season there has been a wellspring of joy. The happiness that fills my home and my heart is like no other. From that first introduction followed by sweet baby smells and cuddles to the silly milestones of losing teeth and tying their own shoes... Mommyhood is a celebration of life. Life in it's purist simplest, hardest, rawest form.

I am a Mommy. I wipe bottoms. (Not anymore thank you sweet Jesus.) I wipe tears. I prepare lunches. I don't get much sleep. I am often a pack mule. I get 2-3 hours "off" on a good day. I rarely take vacations. And I LOVE IT. It is the best job in the world. I am so grateful for my little nuggets and the way they grow me. Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms out there. You are one seriously badass breed of people! Much love and mad props. xoxo

Last Minute DIY Mother's Day Gifts

Last Minute...that's how I roll. If you're anything like me, you need a quick and simple gift that you can give to all the amazing moms in your life. Here are links to a few of my faves.

1. Printable "Mom" crown. Who doesn't look for a reason to wear a crown? Mother's Day is perfect.
2. "Mom You Rock" painted rock, in a box. Yes, please. How adorable is this?
3. Fingerprint Pendant. With a little polymer clay and a thumb, or two, this would be a great gift. I'm thinking keychain with both boys' fingerprints (making a heart) for my Mom.
4. Paper flower in a box. Come on! I die. This one is perfect for every toddler out there. Listen up husbands! (Feel free to share this with your husbands since I am quite sure none of them read blogs.)

Happy soon to be Mother's Day to all you Mommies out there. It's the hardest job in the world with the greatest return (most days). ha ha ha. Love you all to the moon and back. xo

TGIF and Other Mommy Stuff

Maybe it's because Mother's Day, the one day a year allotted to celebrate the very people that make the world go 'round, is just around the corner or because it's Friday and it's been a long week... Whatever the case, I felt an urge to share a few mom-related goodies that I came across this week. Grab your bon-bons and coffee, kick your heels up and soak in about 15 minutes of you time. (I don't think bon-bons are very popular anymore... perhaps you'll be grabbing french macaroons or the really good stuff like Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs stolen from your child's Easter basket.)

If you're a mom that has ever yelled at her littles, read this and take back what is yours.

The dirty mommy word and a dose of realness about it can be found right here.

Supermodel mommies don't "multi-task".  This made me laugh real hard. Enjoy.

It's the weekend baby. Time to enjoy the many uncelebrated gifts that come with that word... sleeping later (if you're lucky), co-parenting for two long and lovely days, lunches with your entire family (on a picnic blanket perhaps), date-nights for some and home dates with couch cuddles for others. Halle-freakin'-lujiah baby, it's the weekend! Get your party pants on because it's about to get real. xo

top image via the glow

The Making of Motherhood

I can't decide when it happens. That gift. That blessing of motherhood. I'm tempted to say it begins at the very first positive reading on the pee stick. But then for others it happens as soon as adoption papers are signed. And still some, it's when that precious life is put into their hands. No matter when or how you feel it, it is the most blessed thing in the whole world. And the hardest. And the most rewarding. 

A never-ending job with never-ending rewards that goes by in the blink of an eye. How is it that when you're in the midst of the first few years it seems as though the neediness and exhaustion will never end - that you'll never get to go to the bathroom alone - and then it's over. Bam! Just like that...they're big. I am happy to say that I have learned to love every minute of it. Even the hard stuff because that's where we grow. Me and my littles. I want to eat my boys up. Gobble up every little (and big) morsel. They are truly delicious. And often, looking ahead is just as sweet as looking back. 

What are you grateful for these days? xo

My Littles...

Make me laugh - HARD!

I woke up to this bit of goodness yesterday. I wanted to rub my face in this nest of softness for hours.

My oldest gave me this for Mother's Day. He loves me because of what I do for him...which is apparently let him sit in front of the TV all day long! What? 

And then this is where I find my youngest the other day...

Don't forget to laugh today. It's good for the soul! xo

Mother's Day Goodies

Looking for that perfect gift for Mom? Pure and Noble's added some cute and affordable goodies to the shop!  Here's a peek!

Now go get your sweet Mom a little something special. At only $15.00 each, you could pick up one for yourself too. xo