My January IPSY bag

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I have been utilizing this monthly subscription service (only $10!) for about 18 months now and I really love my monthly picks. I did have to go through a couple rough combinations at first but after I started rating products on their website, their picks for me have been on point.

I would label my makeup skills up to receiving these products as basic “7th grade chic” status. I have been using the exact same powder, foundation, eyeshadow and mascara for years and year.  It was definitely time to mature and grow and testing products and colors out through this service has given me the opportunities to do so at a minimal cost. I also appreciate the amount of organic and chemical-free products they mix in every once in a while.

My IPSY glam bag this month: 
First, cute little “diddy” bags each month. Win.   Oh my, this little treat for my lips is my new favorite!!! I also LOVE that for each lip balm purchased, some of the proceeds help fund cleft palette surgeries for children. I will definitely be purchasing more of this product. Also in picture, a severe need for a mani. Wow.
One part of this service that I like is trying new products AND new colors on my face that I might not try when paying full price at the store. I’m quite excited about a date night makeup situation that would call for gold eyeliner!For some reason, I am really picky and annoyed about mascara. Years into wearing makeup and I still can’t find one that I love on my lashes and doesn’t clump (leave your best suggestions here pretty please???). Although this mascara isn’t great, I have gotten a full or mini tube in almost every glam bag and appreciate getting to test different types out along the way!

If you’re interested in receiving your own personalized glam bag each month, click here to learn more and sign up! One more cool part of this service is that you can earn and redeem points for more free products by reviewing the products and referring friends – I love the win-win side of this customer and retailer relationship. Enjoy this little beauty bonus!!!

Looking for a gift for a kiddo?

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Look no further…..this gift was by far my favorite that WonderGIRL received this Christmas (thanks Mom!). No one that I’ve gushed over it to has heard of it so I want to spread the news and get these Unicef powerbands on as many little wrists as I can!\unicef wg

It is a a cool, humanitarian twist on the FitBit and just what WG needed for motivation to get some active minutes outside of school (something we’ve been working on since Summer with little to no success). She gets “steps”, then those add up to “powerpoints”, then after a certain number of power points, that unlocks “therapeutic food packets (peanut butter)” to children who severely need a nutrition boost in 3rd world countries.

She has absolutely loved wearing it and counting her points throughout the day. I even joined in the fun to go on a 35 minute walk/run yesterday to see how many points we could get in just one day. Each time you earn a “badge”, the child gets to see a video of the children he/she is helping which keeps her motivation going with the app you keep on your phone to sync her steps (very similar to the Fit Bit app).
 unicef

After completing this mission (you can see from the picture she is almost there at 88%!), you then pay a few dollars to choose specific missions in specific countries. We are excited to choose Haiti for her next mission since that country has such a special place in our heart as a family. This gift really is such a win-win for her and for us – motivation to get moving and stay healthy PLUS needy kiddos getting love and nutrition along the way.

According to the website, they are going to start distributing these in schools to help high-risk school students get active and increase the chances of so many other life benefits that could come along with that. How cool is that? I hope you share maybe an ounce of my excitement or else this entire blog post could be a fail. But maybe you have a 5-60 year old with possibly a birthday coming up and then voila – you will thank me!!!

Right now, there are available only through Target’s website and not as an in-store purchase but click on this link to take you right where you need to be!

 

One little word for 2016

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Choosing a guiding word for your year is a concept that I have bought into with varying intensity over the years. In 2013 I chose rooted, thinking this would be the year we start the adoption process.  One artifact from that particular year was a vision board I made as a result from participating in this workshop by Ali Edwards:

I love looking back at this vision board about my word because the following year in February is when my purpose and “mom’s life” begun so the board really did have a huge amount of meaning. I also feel that being purposeful and mindful about what being “rooted” would mean to us as a couple led to some hard work and counseling that set us up to even be able to start the roller coaster of our foster journey the following year.

In 2014, my word was connect which eh, didn’t impact me a whole lot. I didn’t set a word for my 2015 but in hindsight, I should have chosen survival. Hard year, lots of lessons, coming out stronger because of it.

This year, I am choosing the word together. I consider myself to be a strong and independent person and love conquering things on my own. Although I consider these to be positive characteristics, it sometimes means that I have a hard time asking/receiving help and relying on others (insert Scott nodding emphatically here). This year, I hope to embrace the help and the cooperation with others and yes, even embrace relying on others to get what I need and/or want. I want my word to not only be an adjective that describes my marriage and my family, but I want it to be a living, breathing action that I put effort into on a regular basis.

Together with my husband, I want to grow our marriage and focus on what WE need, not just what our children need on a daily basis. I want to work on who I am as a wife and a partner, so it will help us be together and live together peacefully and joyfully.

As most Mamas can attest to, time away from the house and the family to connect with other females can be the most healing thing we do with our free minutes. This year, I want to focus on intentionally setting up dates with my ladies and together, we can fill up our tanks and be the best wives, mamas, human beings we can be.

Coming up in February, we have an important court date where the outcome COULD be that our wonders are legally free. I won’t get to be part of the court proceedings as I will be testifying at some point during the trial. Being okay with not being in the courtroom as the single most important decision is being argued and facts presented is going to be extremely hard for me. I have to trust that our team of social workers, lawyers, GAL’s and commissioner will all work together and put the needs of our little wonders truly at the center of the proceedings. I have to rely on others to fight for our forever and this week will prove to be one of the biggest tests to my faith I have encountered so far in my 33 years of life.

As a follow-up to those court proceedings, my greatest wish is that we get to work towards finally being a forever family (in the legal sense). Our case getting turned over to adoption would mean being together as parents and kiddos for the rest of our lives – and there is no greater together than that.

The foundation to all of this will be me knowing that I cannot alone do this life. I will rely on my faith and my belief in a God that has a plan for me, my marriage, and my future family. Together in my faith journey, I want to surrender my control through prayer, some meditation, and quiet time to invite in His plan and His grace.

And just because this last portion of the post was so serious, I love this sweet little robot rendition of “Together”, a childhood classic. What’s your word for 2016? Leave it in the comments below because we all know putting it in writing (okay into cyberspace) makes it all happen magically and just as you planned…..yep. Just like that.

Ready…set…2016

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As a devoted lover of reflection and goal-setting, New Years Eve is a favorite of mine. Definitely not for the overrated party situation, but the time to look back on an entire year and see how much you have grown and thrived in 365 days. This was our second NYE as Team Brave Dinosaurs and my two little wonders love our tradition of hourly games and activities (and getting to stay up super late of course).

I found this free printable online that each wonder completed with their favorite moments and ideas from 2015 and some goal-setting for the next year. My favorite is that WB’s “I always say” is “You’re the best Mama” – we’ll forget for a moment that he says this the most when he wants extra screen time or a granola bar (he’s lucky he’s so darn cute).
wb nye wg nyeOur annual “milk and cookies” toast – cheers to WG learning my Mom’s beloved rice krispy treat recipe. Boo to a sneaky houseguest eating half the batter.

A few favorite gifts from 2015 – my new Cougs hat from my bests and that amazingly HUGE calendar from my HSLP. I was very much looking forward to today so I could fill it out and post it in our dining room.Scott and I got a date night this past week and we took some time to create some family resolutions and goals for the new year. I’m going to post them here to keep me accountable for actually following through (I may also need the assistance of this goal tracker but I’m not sure – I severely lack intrinsic motivation and follow-through – maybe this should be my personal goal – eh, maybe next year).

2016 TBD resolutions/goals:
Monthly – 
Volunteer together
Read-a-thon sleepover
Family hike

Weekly –
Non-screen chill time (board game, reading, coloring, etc.)
30 minute quiet time and scripture reflection

Other – 
Attend a play/musical together
Painting class
Family 5k (insert my instant panic here – yuck)

Happy 2016 to all of my readers – wishing you and yours an amazing year filled of WONDER, JOY, and adventures!

Christmas highlight reel – 2015 edition

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During our advent season, our little family read many scriptures and reflected together. One particular verse stood out to me in a big way (a rare occurrence when I read the bible mind you) and charged me with being fully present during our Christmas season. Luke 2:19 reads “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” While those wild shepherds were out shouting and gossiping about the magical birth of Jesus, Mary kept this news close and quiet and was fully present with her newborn son. After reading this story, I felt charged to do the same – to engage and be content with our moments in my heart versus being concerned with filters and clever hashtags (no offense to all of you holiday posters – I loved them all!!!). I felt truly at peace this past week and didn’t once feel the squeeze or pressure sometimes I feel during the holidays to have everything perfect (as compared to everyone else’s I see on FB/insta)…each night I took time to reflect and embrace and love on the day in my heart no matter how it turned out.

Here a few moments that made our week wonderful and peaceful:

notesA tradition that Scott and I started years ago was opening letters to each other on Christmas morning. This year, I not only loved my letters but reading others loving words to each other as well. WG’s letter in particular came after a very hard Christmas Eve wth Scott at work and high anxiety around him not returning home on Christmas morning. It makes me cry how much Scott’s loving actions impact her and re-wire her beliefs about love and fathering.

Having only one celebration per day gave us quiet mornings to enjoy our new treasures and start our days off slow and steady. This type of morning requires a cozy robe and juice out of a fancy glass of course.

They say your cousins are your first friends. For me, as one of the oldest, they were my first practice runs at being a bossy mcbosserpants mama. Now they are all grown up and I still love spending time with them! Our big Weber get together was wonderful and filled with fun as usual and now we get to start new traditions and new relationships to carry on that fun together.

One perk to never leaving my hometown is that all my friends come back to me during the holidays! This year, I got to meet my beloved Kara Lynn’s little man and sheesh look at that hunk of adorableness!!! Although we are states apart, our lives are entangled in so many ways as well as our hearts and I love that.

My brothers are pretty big dorks and when together they are inappropriate and immature dorks, but I love them anyway. Getting them all together in a room is a dangerous recipe for bad jokes and an annoyed mother but it also makes my heart so happy. I love how much my littles love them and feel connected to our extended family.

Coming later this week – our favorite gifts we gave and received, top moments of 2015 and what’s next for TBD in 2016!

P.S. One of my favorite pieces of this blog is that it is a tool to help me remember and document these small moments so I can treasure them again and again when my memory fades and when our family changes in the future. Thank you to all those who mentioned to me that you read my words and musings on life – I appreciate your kind encouragements about keeping it going not only as a tool for myself, but a possible resource or connection for others whose lives may parallel pieces of ours. Happy holidays to all of you!!

WonderGIRL cutes and quotes

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Oh this sweet little bundle of joy, giggles, and black and white thinking. We share absolutely no genes but are INCREDIBLY similar in our stubbornness and need to be in control. Plus, we both love scarves so that makes up for all of the negative parts (right Scott?)
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I love a good mama-daughter matching opportunity.

“Mama you got Mary Ellen a present for Christmas? She will feel so loved!!!!”


WonderGIRL is truly amazing with younger children. I call her the “child whisperer” because not only are children in love with playing with her and following her around, they continue to remember her and talk about her far beyond their interaction (no matter how short). I love that she exudes joy and nurturing to these little ones and I hope she gets to use this strength in the future leading to a career with children.


I can’t remember any cute quotes from the Father-Daughter dance they attended this summer, but this picture and the amazing love that she must have felt in her heart to have a special date night with Scott makes me over-the-moon happy for her. This picture is also just too dang adorable to stay on my phone.

An excerpt from a recent letter WG wrote to Scott and I after a particularly hard weekend together:
“I know now that I have you for a reason and I do want to get adopted. I know I do things that could get me taken away but I never want to leave I love it here. I get fed and protected and loved. You’re my heroes you know. You’re my sunshine who rises me up every morning. You’re my love who glues me and the support I need. You have every right to send me away but you don’t – that shows that you love me. This consequence taught me a lesson of how to be who I really can be not who I feel is the easy me. You have the best for me at heart. I need to trust you.”
(this beautiful writing came from girl who has a significant deficit in writing with a serious IEP – I can’t believe she pulled out this amazing detail and imagery AND that she saw the connection between our parenting and trust. It also breaks my heart that her “go-to” answer is being taken away….a true picture of what foster children have at the forefront of their broken hearts and brains even in the safest of homes and foster families)

WonderBOY cutes and quotes

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Part of the magic of parenting is soaking in those small, daily moments and quotes that fill our lives with love and giggles when adventuring alongside our little ones. In efforts to not forget these moments, I shall record them here for others to enjoy also (plus a few cute pics that are hiding on my phone).WonderBOY worked hard to earn his 5 stripes in Tae Kwon Do and earn this “real life trophy” that he was smooching and hugging dearly after the ceremony. His pure joy when receiving it involved that cute teethy smile and a jump into the air!
 I am guilty of this as well, but WB HATES to admit that he is tired. Even half asleep, we will swear that he is wide awake. During our daily afternoon ritual of watching Ellen together, I noticed he was rather quiet and looked closer to see this cute smiling babe all propped up on his hands. This pic got quickly sent to Scott at work.As soon as WB gets into the dentist chair, he quickly takes off his shoes to get more comfortable. When I asked him about this last visit, he said “they make me a little bit more nervous.”
 “Mama can we listen to God music?” (this little buddy loves him some worship – we snuck this photo without him seeing one long drive into the county)

Other cuteness quotes:
“Mama, is it true?”
“Is what true?”
“Does every kiss begin with Kay?”

(one night during bedtime – puts his hand sweetly on my cheek and his face right next to mine”
“Mama I’m gonna look at your face right before I fall asleep so I can have better dreams.” (insert melting heart here)

on my “kinda capsule” wardrobe….

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Some of you may be familiar with the recent trend of capsule wardrobes. The basic jist is picking out essential clothing items, shoes and accessories and only rotating through those pieces for an entire season. While I love this statement of more with less, I am far too lazy and indecisive to actually label items and put others away never to be seen again (or until the weather changes).

Shopping and determining my own style has grown on me in my adult years, partially due to having professional income that makes those interests way easier to keep up. I tend to stick to trendy clothes from cheaper stores or online shops versus buying expensive items that I will wear often. Due to these tendencies, I really love pieces of clothes but just for short spurts of time usually. After they have “served their purpose” to me for however long (sometimes even 1-2 wears), I don’t feel bad sending them on their way to consignment for someone else to purchase and love.

With this temporary and purpose-filled strategy, I am proud of my limited wardrobe and clean closet. It makes choosing outfits easier in the morning when I know I am going to love and look good in whatever I pull out of my closet for the day.

 Bonus closet organization tips I have picked up along the way:

1. Off season items in bins in top shelf (bathing suits and cover ups in one, scarfs and mittens in another).

2. I adore this shoe organizer from Bed, Bath and Beyond for my shoe and boot collection. Hanging it up makes it so much easier than them lined up on my closet floor.

3.  Shirts and blouses on top and workout tops and sweatshirts on the bottom rack make dressing for work vs. casual days much easier in the morning (decisions are always harder pre-coffee no?).

4. Special occasion shoes/pumps are stored in plastic bins on top shelf. Easy to see yet out of the way during daily decisions (I got that idea from my best and shoe lover Mary – thanks Mare!).

Oh Christmas cards oh Christmas cards….

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I love receiving Christmas cards and putting them up on our wall for the Christmas season (and if I’m being honest, they usually stay there until April/May due to pure laziness how much I love them). I started putting them into small mini-albums after the season is over to display during the following Christmas season on our coffee table. Now that we’re into year 4 of receiving cards as a couple/family, it’s been so fun to see our friends and family grow and grow in their size and in their adventures. It definitely puts the passage of time into huge perspective and positive nostalgia and memories are some of the best parts of the holiday season.
Here is a peek at all of my mini-albums from years past. I keep it pretty simple with just a cover and back cut from one 12×12 piece of scrapbook paper. In the early years, I got fancy and added some journaling about our traditions and favorite presents from that Christmas season. Then….we got kids. Ain’t no one got time for fancy.What do you do with your Christmas cards? Leave a comment below….since I work so hard in taking those pictures and choosing the right font and personalizing that return address sticker, they better not be in the recycling bin right??? (insert wink….why don’t blogs have emojis yet….insert frustrated face).

On family photos….

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I have to admit…..I have some commitment issues when it comes to family photos in our home. It has been oh…..about 3 years since our wedding and you will not see one wedding photo of the hubs and I anywhere in our house. It’s a bit odd because if you know me, you know I LOVE photos and scrapbooking but something about the finality of choosing a picture and a frame and where to place it in our house overwhelms me. When adoring one of my favorite blogs, I saw some beautiful frames on her wall and went to Framebridge’s website to gawk further (post Thanksgiving self-shopping vulnerability here). 
This website (and company) has made it so easy to pick your favorite photos (mine of course were from my insta account), pick from a number of gorgeous frames, and soon they were traveling over the river and through the woods to our home! 
I used an oldie but goodie Pinterest idea to hang the frames and it worked great!! I lined up the 4 frames on this piece of wrapping paper and marked where the nails should go by putting marker on the backs of the frames. Then, after taping it to the wall, I nailed directly into the paper and tore the paper down from the nails after. The frames were lined up, spaced evenly, and only 4 nail holes in the wall (skeptic Scott approved). I highly recommend this method if embarking on your own gallery wall adventure.
Above is just an up close and personal look at the 4 photos I chose. My favorite photos of my wonders and of course how this little party got started, a picture of me and Scott on our wedding day (finally!).

Framebridge is offering 15% off their frames and products to any friends/family/readers by using the code Patti15 when placing your order. Amazing products, fast shipping, and more family memories up on the wall equal an adulting step forward in my book. Happy framing!