Coffee Date

Hi Peachies. Happy Monday. I hope you are all well rested and ready to take on the week. It's getting so close to Christmas and I need some girl time and a coffee date so let's get cozy with our favorite mug of coffee and have a virtual coffee date.
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Are you cozy now?

If you & I were on a coffee date right now...
I'd tell you...


+ I go between being so excited about Christmas and super anxious because I don't have enough done. Christmas as an adult is hard because there is so much hard work that goes into it but I have to stop myself to remember what it's all about and put everything in to perspective.

+ I'm obsessed with Gilmore Girls now. I never watched it before but I started binge watching it last Friday. Now I want to live in Stars Hollow and be friends with Lorelai and Rory.

+ I haven't made any December goals because I need to take the month to just enjoy the season. I want to soak in every minute and create memories. January is for fresh starts and goal setting, right?December is for having fun and enjoying togetherness.

+ Speaking of enjoying the season; I need to focus more on enjoying the season of my life, where i'm at right now. I'm so ready for what's next. I want to have another baby and build our dream home with my husband but none of that is happening at the speed I'd like. I think it's because God wants me to be happy with where i'm at right now. This season of life is preparing us for what's next.

+ I really want to start having someone else take photos for my blog. The selfie stick is fine and all but there are only so many angles you can get with that.

+ Saturdays and Sundays at home are my favorites. I've been cleaning house and writing an entire week's worth of blog posts in just two days.I feel like a real girl boss and love it!

+ One of my favorite things in the entire world is the soft glow of Christmas lights. I wish I could keep them up all year long.

+ Sometimes I go through spells where I just want to be an introvert, that's where i've been lately. I don't like leaving the house or socializing. One of my favorite Marilyn Monroe quotes is "I restore myself when i'm alone." It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with me, it just means I need to take care of me and this is how I do it.

+ I want to be more intentional with my girlfriends in 2017. I want to have lunch dates/coffee dates/mani+pedi dates with my real life girlfriends at least once a month. I'm such a homebody & I like it but I'm really missing my girlfriends.

+ I've never been a morning person at all but lately I find myself so filled with excitement at all the things I have going on and all the things I want to do that I've become a morning person and I love it. There's something so peaceful about starting the day on the couch, snuggled in a blanket with a cup of coffee in my hand, reading my daily devotional that just makes me happy.

+ 2017 is going to be all about being intentional and healthy. Yoga, healthy eating and getting more active are all things I need to focus on.

+ Speaking of 2017, I know it's going to be a big year for us and I'm a bit nervous about it. We'll be building our dream home and our son will be entering high school. Even now, the anxiety of it all gets me. I even find myself waking up in the middle of the night thinking about it then I decide that worrying at 3 a.m. accomplishes nothing so I pray, give it to God and go back to sleep.

+ It took me a long time to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Even now, i'm not sure what i'll do once i'm done raising babies but for now, I can tell you that this blogging thing just feels right. I love the community that i've found through blogging. I've enjoyed engaging with my blogging tribe through Facebook and Instagram so much lately. They're all such sweet, supportive ladies. It's like having a group of cheerleaders in the game of life. I love that i've made some really amazing friends and i'm constantly learning something new. Now that i've added an affiliate i'm learning how to monetize and that's pretty incredible. When I started my blog, it was just as a hobby, I had no idea that I could make money off of it or even make friends from it.

+ It looks so snowy today but there's no change of snow in the forecast (or so they say) but the great Snowpocalypse of 2014 started the same way. Newscasters were saying there would be no snow until later then suddenly the sky opened up and snow fell and everything began to freeze. My husband (fiancee at the time) was stuck in I-285 for 21 hours and my son and had an adventure of our own going from school to my parents house. The normally 10 minute drive took us 6 hours. So, while i'm hoping for snow, I am not hoping for any of that mess again.


If we were on a coffee date, what would you tell me?

Hello Monday

Hello Monday. Hello new possibilities. Hello sunshine. Hello fall weather.

Hello Lovely Peachies. I know i've been pretty quiet lately. I feel like i've had nothing new to say and i've been all out of ideas for the blog lately. I've been in search of new inspiration and really spending a lot of time thinking about what I want to say next. I'm at a place where spending time with loved ones and really pouring my soul into living with intention has been my focus. There's something about this time of year that I love. Maybe it's the holidays that are upon us but I really feel the need to just be still and soak in the moments.

Coffee Talk

Happy Tuesday Loves! I hope the weekend treated you well and you are all rested up and ready to take on the week.
We had a fun, low key weekend and loved every second of it.

Friday night we went to see my brother, sister in law, and baby nephew. We took them dinner and hung out with them for a few hours, just eating, talking, and loving on baby Luke. It was a wonderful laid back night.

Saturday we realized our son had no fall clothes that fit him and since it's now 60 degrees when we go to school in the mornings he needed jeans. So we took him clothes shopping then we went grocery shopping. It was a whole day of shopping and family togetherness, which is always fun. We ended the day eating chili on the porch and talking to our sweet neighbor while Dylan played with his robots with the dog. Fun times. We're a bunch of partiers around here y'all!

Sunday the weather was gorgeous. It was very fall and sunny. Too pretty to sit inside all day. I spent my morning making 3 dozen donut and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins then we decided to take our Willow girl to my mom and dad's where we could sit around outside and let her run with my mom and dad's dogs. We ended our night again, by sitting on the porch eating homemade chicken noodle soup and talking to our sweet neighbor. Our weekend was so relaxing and full of time with the ones we love. We couldn't have asked for a better weekend. I feel so relaxed and ready to take on the week now.

If We Were On A Coffee {Date Vol. 2}

Good Morning Peachies! I hope the weekend treated you well. It was a very refreshing and relaxing one for us. So much so that I don't even have pictures to share.

Friday night I went to bed around 8:30 and called it a night. I just couldn't adult anymore. Saturday morning I slept in until 9:15 then my hubby and I spent a few hours in our office. It was actually really nice because I was able to order everything I needed for my sister in law's baby gift, talk to a couple friends about the Sunshine Snail Mail event I've put together, answer a good many e-mails, catch up on my Instagram Pod, and I sent e-mails to two companies about affiliate programs.

I'm kinda nervous about those but i've decided that it'll be okay if they turn me down because not everyone succeeds the first time. Right? That's something I've always struggled with, even in my adult life. I feel like I always have to get it right the first time. So i'm telling myself it's okay if they say no. That's how we learn, how we grow.

Saturday afternoon my hubby went with me to run some errands. We spent at least an hour with his parents, which is always nice. We always laugh so much when we're with them. They're so adorable. Then if was off to run our errands. We went to Big Lots and Marshall's then took a break to eat at the Waffle House. Then we resumed with a trip to Academy Sports and Publix then to Taco Bell to pick our child up some dinner. We ended the night in our office again. This time I got nothing accomplished other than downloading the movie Sisters to my digital library and perusing a website called Twinkle Deals.

Sunday was a lazy day. We chilled at home all day. My hubby got some naps in while I worked on blog posts for the week. It was nice to get ahead.

Now that you have a full run down of our weekend, I hope you're snuggled in with your favorite mug of coffee.
If not, i'll wait while you go grab one.

If you & I were on a coffee date right now...
I'd tell you...

+ Weekends like the ones we just had are what refreshes my soul and inspires me.
I love going to events and being with friends but it's weekends where my family and I can snuggle in and stay cozy together that really do my heart good.

+ I am truly excited for the up-coming showers and parties we have coming up though.
We have two baby showers, one wedding shower, one birthday party and our own wedding anniversary between now and the end of September.
Bring on the parties!

+ I'm so excited about everything I bought my sister in law and brother for our soon to be niece or nephew.

+ Speaking of, I can't wait to find out if i'll have a niece or nephew!

+ I am truly devastated by the floods in Louisiana. I feel like they're not getting enough coverage but I am super proud of Trump for showing up
with a truckload of supplies for the citizens and helping. Where is our president during all this?

+ I've never considered myself a beauty blogger but I have so many new products i've bought that I'm loving so i'll be sharing some beauty posts soon.

+ I really miss doing yoga but i've found this book & these shoes. Now i'm inspired again.

+ I finally got a face brush cleaning system like the Clairsonic but it's a different brand and about one tenth of the price. I'm in Heaven.

+ I'm sad for the younger generations. It seems like manners, morals, and ettiquite are a dying thing. I don't blame the younger generations as much as I do their parents though.

+ I've reached a place in my life where I don't have time for anyone who is filled with negativity, doesn't support my dreams, wants to do nothing but gossip, or steals.

+ I would also tell you that my husband is un-doubtedly my best friend but i've reached a point in my life where I find myself craving true girlfriend connections. Sometimes that's hard to do because life gets in the way and we all get busy.
That's why I'm joining a book club and a Mom's Day Out group that are being put together by two of my real life friends.

+ I want to make it my goal to have lunch with one of my girlfriends at least once a month.

+ I feel like i'm building up my blogging tribe and starting to flourish in this area. I wish that all my blog friends lived closer.

+ Putting together my Sunshine Snail Mail event this time has been excruciating. Not that I haven't enjoyed it but I feel like it has drained me this time. I'm not sure if it's the Facebook algorithims or what's going on but no matter how many times I post instructions someone doesn't follow them. I'm giving everyone the benefit of a doubt though. I keep doing it though because all my friends seem to enjoy it and blessing others is what matters most.

+ I'm starting to give in and use InstaStories some. You can find me on Instagram here

+ I love Sundays at home more than anything. I love getting ready for the week ahead and feeling ready for Monday morning.

+ Speaking of, I'm totally loving all the pins on Pinterest about how to have a productive Sunday. It totally inspires me to sit down with my notebook and my day planner and get prepared.

+ I'm so ready for fall. I'm looking forward to bringing my boots and sweaters out and I already have plans of making all the chili and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.

+ I read a fellow blogger's post about her experience going conditioner free and all the benefits it's had for her hair. It has inspired me to do the same. I'm only on day two and I'm using a leave in spray conditioner, which is something she didn't do. So far i'm loving it. My hair is lighter, fluffier and it's holding a style so much better.

If we were on a Coffee Date what would you share with me?

Week 16: You May Not Know

Hi Peachies! Happy Monday! It's one of my favorite blogging days because of this awesome 52 Week Challenge
with one of my blogger besties, Sarah from Sarah Emily Blogs and
Ashley from Girl Talk.
This link up is such a fun way to start the week off.

Today's prompt is {Week 16: You May Not Know.}

+ If I find a piece of clothing I love I have to buy it in every color!
I have 6 Target tee's//same style/different colors!

+ I'm pretty quiet in big groups. I used to be painfully shy, even through high school.

+ I have serious 'Dog Mom' guilt. I feel awful for getting on to her and even worse when
I have to leave her in her crate while I'm out of the house. Proof that dogs are people, too!

+ My blog will never have a niche and my Instagram will never have a perfect aesthetic.
Both of these places are reflections of my real life!

+ I'm obsessed with quaint, little old towns.
You know, the historic downtown areas of these towns filled with
adorable homes, cute boutiques, and little cafes and coffee shops.

+ I'm obsessed with lip products and nail polishes.
I can't go into a store without buying these things.

+ I always fear that I haven't un-plugged my curling iron or hot iron.
I've even turned around and gone home just to double check.

+ I love going to my favorite websites and filling my shopping basket full of the items I want.
I don't buy it. I just want to see how much my wish list costs!

+ I have an un-canny fear of lizards and frogs.

+ I'm a sucker for fairs and festivals. Especially the ones that sell handmade crafty pretties.

+ When i'm feeling sad Target is my "go-to" happy place.
Once I get inside i'm instantly happy.

+ My hubby says my idea of "roughing it" is dirty sheets and no coffee creamer. And he isn't wrong!

+ I love having my family together in our Jeep,
packed full of bags and headed out on a road trip.
It's hours of endless conversations and laughter.

+ I love peach flavored and scented everything but don't eat peaches unless they're cooked into something.

Since this is all about things you may not know about me...ask me a question. Anything at all and i'll answer!

Link-up with Sarah Emily Blogs and Girl Talk Blog every Monday for the 52 week blogger challenge!

Rules for the Link-up
1. follow the prompts exactly or put your own spin on them
2. make sure to add our button to your post and link up with us
3. visit other blogs and show them some love
4. the link up will close in 5 days!


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Monday.

Hi Peachies! If you are a regular then you know I usually embrace Mondays. I'm all "Mondays are a fresh start" and "Make your Monday the happiest". But today is the Mondayest Monday ever. I need a nap for the next 3,685 hours. Maybe that's an exaggeration.
Okay, so it's not.
My morning started at 3:30 this morning when the dog got out of the bed and I got up to find her. I caught her and put her back in the bed, which was mistake number one because, instead of taking her place at the foot of the bed she curled up between my husband & I. I can't blame her, it was 63 in the house (and about 33 outside). She was cold and wanted to snuggle so she snuggled up next to my hubby and proceeded to kick me in the back for the next three hours. Fun times!

Usually my hubby is gone by the time I get up but this morning he didn't have to be in until 9 a.m. which meant he was home when my clock went off and I got moving. Bless that man. He brought me coffee in bed. His coffee is always the best but since he's gone before I get up I rarely get coffee made by him during the week. It's a weekend treat so it was even more special this morning.

My son didn't want to get out of bed this morning so I spent 20 minutes yelling from the living room at him to get up.
I really dislike starting our mornings like that but he's 13 & he despises mornings more than I do so this is what works.
We were struggling getting out the door on time this morning because my son couldn't find a matching pair of socks.
That errupted like a volcano inside my tired mama brain. "Dude! This is why I tell you to get everything ready for school the night before."
Yes, I was that mom. Nagging, grouchy, ill as a hornet Mom. I lectured him on the way to school about the importance of being ready and how he's a teenager and thinks he knows everything but "would you just listen to me for once?"

As i'm going on and on I look in my rear view mirror to notice him without his glasses and suddenly my ill, tired, grouchy mom self softened. "Did you forget your glasses?" "Yes, mom but I don't need them." I knew this was him trying to not make a big deal because of the lectured I just gave him but instead of taking him to school then bringing him his glasses I did something I never do. I turned the car around (actually we took the long way home) and I told him that we were going home to get his glasses. He could just check in late. I realized in that moment that I needed those few extra minutes in the car with him to make things right before I dropped him off at school.

I needed to apologize and explain that I didn't like starting our days like that. I explained that I know neither of us are morning people but could he just do what I asked to make mornings easier on both of us? He agreed (in his sarcastic teenage tone) but I think he meant it. As he was getting out of the car at school I made sure to tell him I love him. He mumbled it back because he was irritated with me but he still loves me. That's the great thing about un-conditional love. We can be ill with one another but apologize and move on.

Raising teenagers isn't for the faint of heart. Actually raising humans and having relationships with them isn't for the faint of heart. Sometimes even being human is tough, especially when your heart is in the right place but you are just plain exhausted. That was me this morning. I was not my best version of myself. I was not acting with grace and understanding and forgiveness until I had that moment where I realized that I wasn't being who my son needed me to be then.

Yes, it may be the Mondayest Monday ever but that doesn't give me permission to be anything less than the graceful, love filled, caring person I am meant to be. I can only hope that some day my son understands that my heart was always in the right place.





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