emery
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Motherhood
4 Tools for Toddlers Succeeding at Chores
When I say Emery has the softest, sweetest heart on the planet, you have to understand it's so very true. It's innocent and she just wants to do all the things right and right the very first time. She strives to be the best and gets so conflicted when she can't quite get it right and she has the most OCD tendencies I've ever seen in a little tiny soul before.
So when we introduced her chore chart a bit over a year ago, she was so upset when she wasn't able to accomplish making her bed by herself, which was on her task list. It was a struggle every single day and she was always crying and crying in defeat. I saw Beddy's on instagram maybe 6 months ago and kept toying with the idea of their product - well we jump on board after her most recent meltdown to help ease her frustrations and make doing her daily tasks enjoyable again - seriously, she loves her chores!
The whole concept is a zipper! Kind of like a sleeping bag, but better, and stylish! I was skeptical but it's a dream, so much ease and quality material and comfort and look don't go out the window. It's hilarious how happy she gets about making her bed every day now and shows everyone who comes over her "zipper bed". Total win! I seriously loooove products that make being a mom easier.
Let's break down a few things that have helped us make doing chores with toddlers successful!
Tweak items in the home to make their chores more on their level. Like we did with her bed, we've also switched locations of the dishes and utensils so she can easily empty the dishwasher or put her dishes in the sink for those. Whether it's adding a step stool somewhere so they can reach an item they need to grab for doing their chores, or leaving a pair of shoes out for them to throw on if they need to pick up toys outside - do it!
Create a chore chart!! Nothing got Emery more excited about a chore chart. It gives her the sense of accomplishment and she loves checking off the circles. It also helps me stay on track with doing them daily to make sure she's earning her "allowance". You can download the chore chart I made Emery and Drake, here.
Pick a prize or allowance each week they will be earning. We started out with a prize box where I stocked up on $1 and $1 items from Target and when she filled her chore chart for the entire week, she was able to pick something from the prize box. Now, we've opted for doing money because we're wanting her to learn the value of tithing, saving, and "play" money.
Make it fun! Play music, make chores part of the every day routine so it doesn't become a hassle or pulling teeth for doing them. I try to do my daily house duties right along with the three kids during their chore time so everyone has tasks going on and things to be checking off their lists.
Drake
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Our Home
The Ultimate Birthday Surprise!
I've been itching to get something realllly special going for our dude! He literally jumped into 7th grade 4 days ago and he will be turning 13 in a couple months and while we've always tailored his bedroom to be functional and classic - and boy - I feel like it's time to WOW him. A time to really make a statement and let him know how excited we are him journeying into his teen years and give him a space he's proud to call his.
Every time we've done any kind of updates throughout the house or when we move homes, he's been meticulous and so tuned in to all the details of each piece we use with decorating and it feels right designing a place all around him growing, developing, challenging, molding - into a young man!! Holy cow. I freaking blinked and he's 13!!
Do you remember when I came into his life at 4 years old through marriage? Four years old. I look back at pictures and can't even remember him being so small and baby-like. That's Emery's age in a couple months! I'm pumped to pull together this mood board of inspiration from Joss & Main creating a tailored, comfortable, and functional space for him!
He always has been vocal loving the black metal accents and blue we've used throughout our home so my goal is adding in the clean, simple lines while popping with warm tones. A fuzzy throw blanket, warm leather in a pouf and a bench and then of course, going overboard with throw pillows to make it that much more inviting. Add some industrial elements through the lamps for the nightstands and a statement piece of art and I can bet you he won't be leaving a space like this anytime soon.
So what do you think? Is it the ultimate 13th birthday surprise? I mean, we will totally be having a surprise birthday party, too, but this really start off the teen years with a bang! ;)
Every time we've done any kind of updates throughout the house or when we move homes, he's been meticulous and so tuned in to all the details of each piece we use with decorating and it feels right designing a place all around him growing, developing, challenging, molding - into a young man!! Holy cow. I freaking blinked and he's 13!!
Do you remember when I came into his life at 4 years old through marriage? Four years old. I look back at pictures and can't even remember him being so small and baby-like. That's Emery's age in a couple months! I'm pumped to pull together this mood board of inspiration from Joss & Main creating a tailored, comfortable, and functional space for him!
He always has been vocal loving the black metal accents and blue we've used throughout our home so my goal is adding in the clean, simple lines while popping with warm tones. A fuzzy throw blanket, warm leather in a pouf and a bench and then of course, going overboard with throw pillows to make it that much more inviting. Add some industrial elements through the lamps for the nightstands and a statement piece of art and I can bet you he won't be leaving a space like this anytime soon.
So what do you think? Is it the ultimate 13th birthday surprise? I mean, we will totally be having a surprise birthday party, too, but this really start off the teen years with a bang! ;)
family
Our Colorado Turnaround Trip
Grief is a funny thing. Andrew's grandpa went home to Jesus September 2017 and we said goodbye to him October 2017 with all the family, cousins, aunts, uncles... everyone. It was rough. I have a video on my phone from minutes after learning he passed of Emery in her Elsa costume and her asking "mommy, why are you crying? are you okay mommy?" and I wanted to remember her sweet soul and her sweet comments because she said over and over she loved me and asked if I needed a hug.
Their hearts are innocent and pure and GOLD. Solid freaking gold. In that moment it was comforting and familiar and gave me a good push to get through the days following coming to terms with not seeing grandpa again.
Fast forward to July 2018 and Andrew's grandma needed a favor from him. He loves finding cars, flipping cars, and making a business of it so when she needed to turn in the lease on her vehicle and buy a new one, Andrew was all over it. Take note, we're in Phoenix and she's in Golden, CO. Of course he found her the best deal and we planned to drive there 13 hours on a Thursday, get in around 7pm, spending Friday with family and fly home first thing Saturday morning.
It was a whirlwind. A good and healing whirlwind.
We stayed with his grandma and it was my first time being in that home. So much love and memories were there. SO MUCH was told through the things on the walls and collectibles they had throughout the home. It was like a big wave of grief all over again knowing he wasn't there to give us a big hug and share a donut and coffee. Such a weird experience coming to terms with that.
Being at peace with his passing was easy because we knew he was no longer in pain after suffering for so many years - he was with Jesus now. Whole and home.
Such a random post but it's always good to talk about what's happening in life and share our hearts.
xo
home
Our Home
Our New Patio Space
Having a patio space or outside area in Arizona really can only be used during the months of October - April because it's a furnace so with Fall quickly approaching, we teamed up with At Home to create a whole new space, perfect for entertaining and welcome guests - and we're obsessed!!
If you know anything about Arizona homes, they're all stucco and all look very much the same and if you live in an HOA, you are nailed down to their color palette and elevation options on the outside of the house. That said, we moved into a spec home in August 2017 and didn't have a choice on those colors or selections and overall, it's a touch brown for my taste. I'm a cooler toned person and steer clear of the warmer options so I knew working with that on the patio, I needed to bring in some dark metals, wicker accents and overall, the pretty jute I have in nearly every room of our home.
We picked the Astoria collection from At Home and added in the details with a faux Fiddle Leaf Fig, basket hanging elements, jars in different sizes and our stenciled concrete flooring tied it all together.
It's been so nice peeking out the back door and seeing this serene and inviting space to relax in! We've braved it a few times with the warm weather but can't wait to really break it in come the fall!
all elements included in this post were purchased at At Home with the exception of the PEORIA pillow.
Thank you At Home for sponsoring this post!
marriage
Mexico
vacation
Mexico Vacation
We got back late last night from a short trip to Mexico. I was our first time back to "Arizona's Beach" since Andrew had his accident in 2016 so it was kind of an emotional roller coaster for me. I grew up going every couple months and we did that all throughout the first years of our marriage but once we hit the snag with his accident, I didn't really have the desire to go back and relive those memories.
It was Andrew's birthday on Sunday so he really wanted to spend some time back in Mexico and soak up the sun and relaxation so we did - kid free! I'm happy we went and kept saying we for sure need to go back again with the kids. Drake has yet to come with us and Emery went twice - once at 4 months and then at 15 months. I'm working on getting the kiddos passports now so we can get back sometime in the winter with cooler weather and more family with us.
Overall, it was a great trip! But I will say, I was homesick and missing the kids like crazy. Do you guys typically vacation as a family or just you and your spouse? I think doing both is so good for you! Pour into that marriage and get time alone but also create memories as a family and experiences together.
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home
Our Home
Master Bedroom Shiplap
I can finally say we have a legit shiplap wall in our home! I did do a makeshift one in the kids bathroom back in September but this is just all the feels seeing it in our master bedroom and how big of a statement it makes. It just feel right. You know what I'm saying?
We had our local friend, Mike, from Dec1Designs (@dec1designs) do this for us. Him and Andrew go way back with Discount Tire and our families spend a lot of time together. He also upscaled those night stands you're seeing here from IKEA. I can't believe how much bigger our room looks with just this simple update! And it makes me want shiplap everywhere now. Or white walls. I still have a hard time accepting the paint color the builders chose with this house... because it's dark.
Now onto the next house project! Finishing up our outdoor patio space and then a mudroom! What house projects are you working on right now?
hollyn grace
My Peanut | 20 Months
Okay, this little lady is just melting my heart lately! She's almost 20 months and still the tiniest peanut but her personality is coming out and it's so fun to see her similarities and differences to her older siblings. She's talking up a storm now and knows what she wants - I mean, that girl is relentless until she gets it, too.
She's breaking in a few teeth, which I think are her last ones. Praise the Lord! She isn't sleeping quite through the night. It's maybe once a week we get a full night of her sleeping while the others are up around 3am. Guys, she's going to be 2 in a handful of months here and that is slowly killing me. Angel from day one only waking up once or twice but 20 months in and I'm like.... when will this end? Will it ever end?!!
We have been dealing with some constipation issues with her and it literally breaks my heart. We did find a resolution for it recently, which has been a blessing but man, those few months of constantly struggling and her screaming from pain was so intense and broke my freakin' heart!!
She's finally getting into 9-12 month clothes and wearing things her sister wore when she was around 8 months. It's crazy how different they are in size. I thought having two girls at the same time of year, they'd be wearing all the same clothes during the same seasons because of sizing but nope. Hollyn is so behind on that scale. We just introduced size 2 diapers and she's actually wanting to already potty train so that's hysterical.
Anyway... wanted to update here this sweet baby! We love her to pieces. She really makes our family whole.
Happy Friday, friends!
xx
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