Randomly, at least once a day, Natasha Bedingfield’s song, Pocketful of Sunshine pops in my head like an unwelcome zit before school pictures. It’s a great song, don’t get me wrong, but as my brain finishes singing the first line, it stops itself (every single time) and says, “if you had a pocketful of sunshine, you’d be dead”. Sometimes my brain is too literal.

At six o’clock the other morning, as I was cleaning poop off Judah’s bed and just him in general (he’s getting too smart for those onesies), I threatened my brain…if it sang “Pocketful of Sunshine” at that very moment, I might lose it. Because at that very moment, I was planning my escape. I’m aware that not every mom has these moments, the ones where they just want to wave the white flag and crawl away in defeat. But I’d like to be honest with you. I have those moments often. Then of course the mom guilt rolls in with the evening tide and I belittle myself for such thoughts. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, it’s a process folks.

I’m learning to recognize why the white flag edges it’s way into my hands. Often, the root of the problem isn’t the situation at hand. Often it’s “I’m exhausted therefore, I have no perspective” or “I haven’t had any adult contact in two days…therefore I have no perspective” or simply, “I haven’t eaten a real meal since the day before…therefore I have no perspective”.

Read more ...

Friday! All week I’ve been a day behind, then a day ahead and finally, today I’m caught up. I’m so looking forward to this weekend. Family time, coffee date with my friend Malisa (I’m super excited!) and hopefully at least one evening by the fireplace with a cup of hot coco in hand. The weather is cooling off here!

We had a really great day today. It was just the kind of relaxing day we needed to end the week. We busted out the bow ties today and played dress up…but you know, in a manly-boyish kind of way. ha! Both boys secretly enjoyed it because neither one of them wanted to take them off.Jacob nonchalantly told us that when he grows up, he’s going to take care of Judah, then promptly looked at Judah and told him that he was supposed to stay little so he could take care of him. Their relationship matures each day and I love seeing them grow together. 

Also, may I just tell you, thanks for your comments! I love reading them and getting to know everyone. You guys are always to encouraging and sweet. Sometimes I’m not great about replying and I’m not sure if you actually check back to see if I have, but they really do make my day!I hope you have an amazing weekend! What do you have planned?

I love my iPhone (thank you Steve Jobs).

This past weekend we decided to pack ourselves into the car and drive over to Muir Woods. Actually, I have no clue if we drove over, down or up to Muir Woods because I’m a direction-challenged female. Regardless, we were halfway into the hour drive and I looked back and realized we’d forgotten to pack our camera. Ham sandwiches and Salt and Vinegar chips, check. Camera, nope. So, we used our handy-dandy iPhones instead.

Read more ...

I turned on the heat this morning. Like literally, not figuratively. Because as fabulous as I’d like to think I am, this girl cannot rock the bed head, crusty eyes and morning breath. It takes a good hour to un-crust and drink my coffee with pinkies up. So literally, I turned on the heat and I sat at the computer desk listening to my pitch-fork wielding self argue with my halo sporting self about why I should eat that chocolate pie in the fridge for breakfast.

Read more ...

• Token: The Blog  {Because I love clothes but don’t want to clog up this space with outfit posts and shop updates. The plan is to link the two so this space still gets personal style posts.}
• I just found Casey Leigh’s blog and I love it: The Wiegand’s 
• Did you see this Bow Belt DIY from Orange Juice etc?
• These modular bookshelves made out of letters and numbers.
• I love Mandy’s house tour, especially her mantle.
• I think my babies need suspenders like this.

Summer is officially over. 

Read more ...

I am so thrilled to have Caroline from Chocolate and Carrots guest posting today! I think Chocolate and Carrots was one of the first blogs I started following constantly and I am sure you’ll see why.  She’s got skills in the kitchen for sure! Also, a huge congratulations to Caroline and her husband for their wonderful news and thank you Caroline for sharing this awesome Fall treat.

These mini, little (yeah, yeah…I know…two adjectives that mean the same thing…it’s cute though, right?!? Anyway…), these mini, little cookies are the perfect size for a small treat.

Read more ...

I woke up around 4:30am this morning to Judah throwing a tantrum. Since age three, he’s been pretty good about sleeping through the night (thank you melatonin) but on occasion he gets stuck in a sleep routine that’s less than desirable. The past few mornings, he’s been up around 4:30am and while that sounds brutally early, this morning, was just a little comical.

It’s pitch black and I make my way into the room. I can hear him screaming and I know it’s the mad kind of tantrum, not the I’m-hurt-come-save-me kind. I can’t see anything, but I hear Jacob’s sleepy voice say, “Judy…” and I’m still searching, but can’t find him. I sort of trip over a toy and find myself on my hands and knees and oddly enough I hear Judah louder down there. I abandon the bed and blanket search and finally realize that Judah is under his bed. He’s under his bed, screaming and flailing and I finally manage to score an ankle. I tug him out and go through the ritual of deep pressure hugs, calming voice and then finally, “Judah. It’s time to stop screaming. One. Two…” and just before I get to three I hear a man’s voice say, “Judah, calm down honey.” I yell at the man, “Get out!” genuinely unsure of who the man is. I finish calming Judah down and it’s not until we’re all quietly back in bed that I realize the man was Josh. After four years of middle of the night wakings, Josh says he’s used to my incoherent ways and loves me anyway.

Read more ...

The boys went to bed last night and I finally felt like I’d caught up on everything. Then there was this smell. It was just a whiff, but as faint as it was, I know if there’s even a hint of scent, it’s best to find the culprit before scent turns into tangible substance like mold or fruit flies. So as it turns out, behind the play kitchen is the best place to hide unwanted items. Whatever milk had not curdled inside the container, had leaked out onto the carpet. I vaguely remember a week ago, buying Jacob a single serving size bottle of milk to go with his morning snack. I was nearly positive he drank it and then threw the bottle away. Yes, threw it away…behind the play kitchen! Kids and their shenanigans are not for the faint of heart. 

Read more ...