sixteen sunbuckles

under construction

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 20:51:00 -0600

I've been very busy lately with a few brides and some other freelance work through church. So thankful for all of you keeping me so busy! I apologize for all of those that love reading what's going on around here. I just don't have enough hours in the day. I've been slashing and prioritizing. I've made a rule that I will not work while Anna is awake. That time is so precious to me. She is growing up faster than I ever thought possible.

Please stay tuned. I'm burning the midnight oil here. I'm rebranding, building a website, and snapping photos of completed work. So excited to show you all but not quite ready yet to show you! For now check out my instagram for little highlights of what's going on day to day or etsy for new listings!

A life to hold my standards to, maya angelou

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Thu, 29 May 2014 22:59:00 -0600

Maya Angelou will forever live on in our hearts and minds. The world would be a better place if we all followed in her footsteps.

Love thy neighbor.

finding balance in motherhood with Michelle Nikitaras

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Wed, 28 May 2014 12:03:00 -0600

Michell and I met over five years ago through my best friend, Abby ( theturqoisepenguin). Michelle is the wedding planner and designer of AKM Events. I've been following her through instagram and her work is brilliant. (follow her!) She is also a wonderful mom of three. So excited to introduce you all! Ls

Hi Everyone! My name is Michelle Nikitaras and I am a mom of three by day and a wedding planner by night (and in between my kids’ tantrums)! Our household is usually pretty busy between raising our children, caring for two dogs, and trying to run a home business. Friends sometimes ask me how I manage to balance everything in my life. My response is: If my life is not chaos, I don’t know what I am doing! Good chaos, of course.

I love being a mom. My oldest son, Aidan, is 11 and teaches me how to do things, such as high school math and problem solving, on a daily basis. He is definitely a smart guy and I’m a super proud mama. My two little ones are Noah, 2 yrs old, and Gianna, 9 months old. This is where it gets tricky. They keep me running all day long, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. They are the loves of my life. But, let’s face it; sometimes us moms need something outside the home to keep us sane! Whether it be an occasional mani/pedi or doing something we are passionate about. It’s definitely a MUST to put away the sweat pants and have a little adult time once in a while.

My passion is weddings. I am so obsessed with the thought of two people falling in love and vowing to spend eternity together. I am lucky enough to help them plan and prepare for one of the biggest days of their lives. It also gives me a chance to have a creative outlet that doesn’t involve glue and macaroni!

It started as just a hobby back in 2000 and slowly took on a life of its own. As a working mother, I have become a master at time management and organization. These are two things that are very important to event planning and wedding design. AKMEvents is now booming and, thank God, I work with some really awesome women. I am super lucky to have the best of both worlds. My kids don’t even miss me when I’m gone, and I miss them more until I come home.

Being a mom is a full time, crazy, fun, exhausting, rewarding job all in itself. We are all “Rock Star Moms” whether we work outside of the home or not! Here are a few tips that work for me to try to maintain balance. When you think about it, all of life’s twists and turns is a balancing act so we might as well have fun doing it! I hope you find balance in your life by trying some of these tips, or coming up with your own that work in your own situation.

·
Turn the music up! Sometimes my kids are crying or just plain unhappy in the car. Wouldn’t you be too if you were strapped into a car seat and forced to face the rear of the car when you obviously have ants in your pants? Duh! We turn the music up and sing at the top of our lungs. It’s a win- win. I release some stress and my kids think it’s hilarious. Don’t be afraid to act silly! Your kids will love you for it.

· Pray/Meditate. Take some time to thank God for all that you have. Reflect on your day, on your loved ones, and on all of the good things that life has to offer. I usually do this when I’m in the shower since this is the longest period of quiet time I get in a day.

· Drink Tea, Wine, or something special. When my kids are snug in their bed, the first thing I do is make myself a cup of chamomile tea before I sit down in front of the computer. It relaxes me and makes me feel at ease while I go about the daunting task of catching up on emails or blog posts. On Fridays I substitute the tea for a glass of wine! J

· Unplug once in a while. Sundays are family day in our house. We unplug! No Facebook, no phones, no tablets, no Xbox! We take this time to enjoy each other and have a little fun.

· Do something nice for yourself. An occasional spa day or shopping day works wonders! My hubby and I try to have a date night once a month too. Working outside of the home when I have a wedding is super rewarding. We all feel energized when we just get a break once in a while. When we come back together as a family we appreciate each other that much more!

Good Luck to my fellow Rock Star Moms, and I hope this helps you to find your balance in your life.

xo Michelle

AKM Events

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photos courtesy of m rinaye

I'm learning to have fun again.

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Wed, 21 May 2014 13:03:00 -0600

The past two weeks I've spent in a very small town of western Minnesota. We are here visiting my husband while he is on temporary job assignment. A one bedroom apartment and a two year old makes for very long days.

Enter mom guilt here.

Very long days? No mother should be uttering such words. I should be embracing these two weeks with my child, right? We have two weeks away from all distractions. No play dates. No errands to run. No appointments. No responsibilities. Only thing on the agenda all day everyday is to love this little one and play, play, play. I should be grateful.

Why then is it so hard to spend the entire day playing?

As an adult we are so tied down to our responsibilities and obligations we've taken some of the fun out of everyday. Maybe even all the fun! I'm a planner and live by my lists. If I want to have fun I literally have to pencil it in. And then it starts to feel like its a job as well. "Must spend evening reading book everyone else has been raving about." Check.

At what point in our lives did we lose ourselves in all the other stuff?

Everytime Anna and I get out the giant jug of bubbles we always end up making a mess. She is at the point of independence where she wants to dunk the blow stick and blow her own bubbles. What is my first response? ICK! And I go running for a baby wipe. And then I want to take over the bubble blowing because its much cleaner if I do it. When did the mess become more of a priority than the fun?

I'm in awe of my child as her entire face lights up over a swing at the park. Its a gorgeous day outside. And I have to remind myself to soak up this moment. As I push her she squeals "weee!" And I am thinking "ok what's next, its getting hot out here. Did we put on enough sunblock? (among other thoughts swirling around in my head)" I wish I would just embrace this happy moment instead of constantly reminding myself slow down. Reminding myself to be thankful for all things big and small.

Reminding myself just to sit and be still.

At the end of this summer if you ask me what one word summed it up I would say "bubbles" or "swing". Those two words are yelled out with glee at least once a day at our house. I'm learning to bite my lip when we are covered in soapy bubbles or when Anna has buried herself in dirt from our backyard. She is just being a two year old. She is enjoying the moment of discovery and new adventures. And more importantly I'm outside savoring these moments with her.

And hey, you know what... I'm actually starting to have some fun!

RECIPE BOX | cinnamon rolls

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Tue, 13 May 2014 12:14:00 -0600

I wish I had a before picture of the ooey gooey deliciousness these rolls were made of. However, I hope my after picture displays just how yummy they really are. They didn't last long at our house or at MOPS brunch this past week. I love a recipe that I can make most of it the night before. I'm not a morning person so the less I have to do in the morning the better. Enjoy my friends!

15 Rhodes frozen dinner rolls (half a bag ... or use the whole bag and double the recipe!)

1 stick melted butter

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamin

1 (3oz) vanilla pudding (not instant)

Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Place frozen dinner rolls in pan. Mix butter, brown sugar & cinnamon together. Pour over dinner rolls, sprinkle dry pudding mix over top. Let rise overnight and in the morning bake at 350* for 20-25 min.

ROCKSTAR MOM | seven ways to balance your own identity and motherhood

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:00:00 -0600

I'm so excited to have Jessica writing on the blog today. Like me she decided to stay at home with your kids. She is an amazing mama of one sweet little boy and runs her own ETSY shop, Eastwood Eclectic. Jessica is offering 15% off through the month of May so check out her shop. Her printable party decorations are a favorite of mine. Use BLOGLOVE15 at checkout.

Ls

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Whether we work outside the home and feel like we miss out on time with our kids, stay at home with the kids but feel like we don’t contribute enough to society, or try to juggle working from home and simultaneously caring for children, there’s always the mom guilt, isn’t there? Who’s with me?

Why do we do that to ourselves? Worse, why do we judge our friends and acquaintances who may be doing the “mom thing” a little differently? Whether you have one child or five, you know that being a mom is the toughest (and most wonderful and rewarding) job there is. I am such a firm believer in each mother doing what’s best for her (and her family) when it comes to balancing life, and I think that you, your spouse, and God are the only ones who deserve a say in those choices.

Then it became real when we found out we were pregnant in my fifth year of teaching, and we needed to make a decision if I would continue working or stay home. I won’t get into how we made it, the financial discussions, or all the pros and cons we weighed; I’ll just say that it was the right choice for us, and I can’t imagine anything different now.

Every woman’s life changes drastically when she becomes a mother, but I think that a stay-at-home mom who was previously career-oriented experiences a significant “culture shock.”

I did, anyway. I went from teaching (and talking to and caring about) over 100 teenagers each day to staying at home with one little baby. My days looked so different — there was less running around, being on my feet for 8 hours, always planning and grading, bringing work home each evening, and just general volume (both literal and figurative). But it wasn’t that being a mom was easier. It was just different. It was harder, definitely more emotional, in many ways, especially since my son had some health issues that added stress and worry in the early months. Despite the importance of the job, though, I was working for only one, tiny little person, and I found myself struggling with that question above,

Do I do enough?

Gradually, after the initial days of new motherhood that are a blissful and beautiful but sleepless and anxiety-ridden blur, I began to do other things besides “be mommy.” That is still my favorite and most-important job, but I’ve realized it’s good to have some additional priorities. My son just turned two and is the light of my life! Part of why I feel I need to stay at home with him is my own wiring — I have cherished being able to witness each moment of his baby and toddlerhood and can’t imagine my anxiety and disappointment if I were not privy to every “first,” every illness, every new experience, etc. At the same time, I eventually realized that I would lose some of myself if I were focused only on him (and any additional children we may be blessed with).

I strongly believe in every mom doing what’s best for herself and her family; our families work differently, so I’m just offering ideas that have worked for me :)

1. DO SOMETHING, EVEN JUST ONE THING, THAT IS JUST FOR YOU.

For me, this was opening my Etsy shop (Eastwood Eclectic). I didn’t plan on it, but I designed invitations for my son’t first birthday party a little over a year ago, and I loved it! Still, I don’t have a degree in graphic design (or any type of art or design), but I decided to go for it! It has been a great way to do something I enjoy, make a little extra money, feel like I’m using my other, non-mommy skills.

2. CONTINUE TO DO THINGS THAT ARE EITHER RELATED TO YOUR CAREER/EDUCATION OR THAT ARE RELATED TO A JOB YOU MAY WANT TO HAVE SOME DAY.

It might be taking classes (towards a degree or just for fun), keeping up with your field through professional development, or learning something entirely new! For me, the design work has fit into this category, even though it’s a different direction than my education and early career. I like it so much that I hope to continue to develop my skills and expand my shop. Also, I’m going to make sure to keep my teacher’s license up to date (must remember to renew that this summer!), so that I don’t close that door. You never know what you’ll want (or need) to do in the future.

3. SPEND A LITTLE BIT OF TIME AWAY FROM THE KID(S) EACH WEEK. AND IF YOU LIVE NEAR FAMILY, USE THEM!

I’m very blessed here. My in-laws live ten minutes away, and Jacob spends the day with Grandma each Wednesday. Although my mother-in-law was always helpful and willing to watch him from the start, we didn’t make this a weekly thing until sometime late in his first year. When we did, I wondered why I hadn’t done that sooner! If you are lucky enough to have family nearby who are willing and able to watch (and love!) your child(ren), please please take advantage of it. It’s so freeing to have a few hours each week to clean the house in peace, get errands done, and make doctor’s appointments without having to first set up a babysitter. He adores those days, too. My parents are amazing with Jacob as well, and I wish that we lived closer than two hours apart. They are so helpful in keeping him for a few hours or even overnight whenever we visit, so that we are able to have a date night or a night out with friends. These times are so important, and I’m thankful for our families.

4. DO SOMETHING FOR OTHERS (OUTSIDE YOUR FAMILY).

I mentor a kindergarten girl at our local elementary school an hour each week, as a part of the national mentoring program Kids Hope USA. I have to admit that while this was the perfect volunteer opportunity for this former-teacher, I was hesitant to say “yes.” It was daunting to think about adding this to my plate with a one-year-old, the desire for more children, the Etsy shop, a husband who was finishing his MBA and working crazy hours, etc. But there will always be excuses. Always reasons to say “no.” Say “yes” to some kind of volunteer work, and you will be blessed and rewarded more than you would have imagined!

4. USE PLANNING TOOLS TO HELP KEEP HOUSEHOLD TASKS MANAGEABLE.

I’m a list person. I’m “old school,” with my pencil and planner always nearby.This may or may not be true for you, but I’m sure there are some organizational tools, whether high or low tech, that are helpful for you! One new one that has been awesome for our family is a weekly “menu” board. I designed this little chalkboard printable, printed and framed it, and bought a couple of chalkboard markers to write directly on the glass. It’s amazing! It helps me make a more efficient grocery list, ensure that we eat a variety of foods and are eating well balanced.

5. FIND OTHER MOMS TO SOCIALIZE WITH.

Even if you talk to your childless best friend or your mom on the phone every day, or if you have a small group at church, or whatever, I’ve found that it’s really great to have play dates with other moms and their kids. This allows for social time for both you and your child, and moms in a similar situation are great for discussing all that baby and kid stuff on your mind! The kids form great bonds with their play date buddies and build social skills, like sharing, and you get to enjoy seeing them in action while chatting about when to introduce a new food, the latest baby product recall, etc. These other moms will quickly become your confidants and close friends, too. Where do you meet said moms? Try library story time, music or little gymclasses, or the park down the street — be open to forming new relationships whenever you see another mom-child pair who enjoy the same things as you and your child.

6. DON'T FORGET ABOUT YOUR MARRIAGE.

Have date nights. If you can go out to dinner while family or friends enjoy special time with your child, great! If you need to have at-home date nights after the kids are in bed, that works, too. Just make fun and relaxing time with your spouse a priority. Make real conversation (preferably not about the kids) a priority! We try to go out for an evening about once a month, and we also try to sit down and have a conversation (without the TV or other distractions) at least a couple of nights a week after Jacob is asleep. And I cherish those moments.

7. REMEMBER THAT EVERYONE HAS WEAKNESSES AND NO ONE CAN TRULY DO IT ALL!

It’s a no-brainer, really, but remember that mom guilt? Don’t let it tell you that you should always be balanced, or that you should be able to do everything (and do it all well)! We have to recognize our own limitations and work around them. The menu board is a good example for me; I’m not a bad cook, but I’m not exactly a chef, and cooking dinner is not my favorite thing to do. Thus, it often becomes a low priority and might otherwise be forgotten. The menu board helps me remember that I need to have a meal plan (my family has to eat, after all), and it also makes it more manageable, so I have time to focus on my strengths. We all have natural inclinations, and we should allow ourselves to accept the things we’re not-so-amazing at right along with areas where we know we shine :)

HOT OFF THE PRESS | glittery black and white bridal shower invitations

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:49:00 -0600

custom client: Emily Zaleski

email sixteensunbuckles@gmail.com or click etsy.com/shop/sixteensunbuckles to order.

MOMMY MONDAYS | why my apple pie will never look like anyone elses

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 18:17:00 -0600

The requirements for super mom is a trailing list that can probably wrap around the entire planet at least once. With a world overloaded in social media, pinning, text messages, and online blogging a mom can get overwhelmed with keeping up with the supermom mom down the street.

I am continually having anxiety attacks about being "mom enough". The perfectionist in me says I can always be doing LIFE a little better. The exhausted part of me says no you CANNOT.

The mom down the street probably made a well balanced breakfast from scratch and crafted it in such a way that the pancakes or eggs smiled back at the child eating it. The meal is completely balanced with nutrition and vitamins and her kids probably eat the entire plate without complaints. She probably woke up before the rooster crowed and had her work out done, shower finished, hair done and dressed (and I mean dressed not in yoga pants but real clothes!) The mom down the street welcolmed her children in the morning with a big smile and a good morning (probably in a sing song voice) while opening up the curtains and thought "what a beautiful day!". She got everyone ready for school on time (partly because she laid out their clothes the night before) and was also room mom for the day. She also managed to finish all the laundry, run every errand on her list, vacuum, take the dog for a walk, and pay the bills before her husband arrived home from work. Oh, and dinner was already in the oven when he walked in. And it was probably something from scratch. It was more than likely a new recipe that she will blog about later because it was that delicious. There was a craft ready for the children when they got home from school. And she makes a conscious effort to sit with them and talk with them about their day. Everyone pitched in and cleaned up the mess from dinner. Every child said their prayers and said please and thank you and went to bed without resistance because you know... she has been working on consistent parenting and discpline since they were born.

The rest of us are slapped in the face daily with the super mom mentality. I for one am realizing and trying desperately to remember that I am not supermom. I am learning two things:

I am finding balance.
I have decided to be ok with not being supermom.

We have to remember that even though there are 24 hours in the day we need at least 6 for sleep. (I need at least 8 although rarely achieve that goal.) I for one am learning that it is ok that I don't make the most adorable holiday crafts with my toddler every week or perfect gourmet meals. If I can remember there is a holiday coming up than "Yay! Go me!" My dog might not get walked every single day or we may be five minutes late to toddler play group. I pick and choose what I can get done on my to do list. The entire list will never get finished. I'm learning to accept that and not lay away at night thinking about the rest of the items still haunting me on that list. I'm also learning to say no to things and people that will overload and exhaust me. I'm saying no to extra playdates, family events, volunteering and above all I'm saying no to excess amounts of facebook, pinterest, and all those other sites that are brainwashing me into thinking I'm not living up to expectations. Lets face it. We will never finish all the items we have pinned on our beautiful dream boards.

I'm learning my apple pie will never look like anyone else's.

My life will never look like my collage on Pinterest. I may own an apron, but I make apple pies with frozen pie crust. I don't make time for a lattice crust because I'd rather get it in the oven so we can eat it...

Immediately!

With ice cream!

We might even eat it way too close to dinner time and spoil our appetites.

I let my toddler help even though my floor will be covered with flour. I hate messes but instead of barking and scolding I take a deep breath.

I keep breathing.

I try to remember this day when we made our first apple pie together as a milestone event. I WILL write this down in her baby journal later when she naps. And that will get added as top priority to my to do list (which means something just got shoved off the list completely). She is getting big and way too fast. I let her press out the dough and stir in the cinnamon. I take time to relish how beautiful she is and how tall she is getting. She can reach a lot more things on the counter now so I have to push a few things out of the way ... like the knife we used to cut the apples. I'm in awe at how much pleasure she is getting from helping me with these simple tasks. She is so proud of herself as we scoop the cinnamon apples onto the pie plate.

I'm learning to love simple joy and thankful she is my teacher.

I will try and mentally capture this moment for the rest of my life. My house is a mess. We skipped toddler play group this morning because I couldn't get out of bed early enough. Its the middle of the afternoon and we are still in our pajamas. My dog still wants to go for a walk and I have no idea what we are having for dinner. BUT we just made pie together. And it was a beautiful moment full of laughter and fun. It was the best part of my day.

ROCKSTAR MOM | heather grilley | #goonandtakethatselfie

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 04:30:00 -0600

VERY pleased to have you meet Heather Grilley! She is one smart and crafty cookie! Heather is the mastermind behind #goonandtakethatselfie. Rockstar Mom's core theme has always been about balance. How do we do it all? How do we find joy, love, and self worth and make it a package deal? I love Heather because she pinpoints a very important value in balance that is most often overlooked. You have to love yourself. Everything else will always stem from there. Join Heather and take her selfie challenge on instagram.

Ls

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#goonandtakethatselfie

As I write this I am 353 days away from turning 40. I’m gonna be honest, I could not be more excited.

My 30’s has brought forth a new self-confidence and personal comfort level that had eluded me most of my life prior. Do I LOOK better than I did in my 20’s – nope. I maintain a constant weight that is 15 – 20 pounds heavier than I was despite work out attempts to lessen that gap. In fact I had to tuck my muffin-top into the waistband of my jeans as I settled in with my computer and coffee to write this. I look tired – I mean the deep down bone tired that only an almost 40 year old full time professional mom of two under the age of 5 can look - kind of tired. Thank god for Instagram filters that eliminate the dark circular bags under my eyes. I have LESS hair on my head than I used too (thanks to said kiddos), and MORE wrinkles on my face than I used too (well, duh). And there is something happening to the tops of my knees that can only be attributed to both gravity and a landslide effect that the loosening skin of age does over time. Oh, and I have spent the last five years unsuccessfully trying to find a bathing suit that is not marmy but appropriately contains whatever happened in my chest region after the ravages of creating two small humans. Yikes.

Despite all this – I FEEL better about the way I look. I like my curvier body and the way I fill out clothes. I have a nice proportion to my frame. I have a good nose. Its small and perky. My eyes have a nice shape and I have an envious set of eyebrows (if I do say so myself). I’ve got good skin and I can get away with little to no makeup most weekends. When my arms and shoulders are in shape watch out – they are pretty darn sexy. I have bigger feet and long toes which look nice in sandals. I have lean and bony wrists – a mighty fine canvas for stacks of funky bracelets. I still have a waist – and for that I am grateful. I take pride and joy in accentuating these attributes. I find it a non-stressful challenge to work around those areas that are not my ‘first choice’ physically to create a look that I feel good about darn near daily.

But here is the deal – I came by this acceptance after a war I had waged with myself for almost 20 years. I don’t recall how I first started to hate my, well, everything. Although I could speculate on the ‘whys’, there was nothing concrete to point too as an official ‘beginning’. It was sometime in high school. I remember little things at the start like driving in my car by myself and sucking my stomach in – the ENTIRE WAY to and from my destination. Why? Who was going to see the natural fold that happens when a 100 pound human body SITS?! I did not care, I hated it. I also hated the way gravity and pressure made my legs look in the car – bigger. I would pull my thighs up just off the seat so they appeared smaller to me from the top view. I would also link my fingertips of both hands around my upper thigh as some sort of gauge to discern how small I wanted them to be in circumference. If they touched, or swoon, were smaller – I was golden. If not, the anxiety and self-loathing would kick in. I honed a gift of systematically maneuvering my way to the back of every girly group photo opportunity and even still, had this pained look on my face that was supposed to resemble a smile. This torture grew over the next 10 years into beasts we have all heard of; anorexia, bulimia and obsessive exorcise. I am 5’-1”, my lowest maintained weight in those years was 90 pounds. I mean – gross, right?

I compared myself to everyone around me. Not that I judged them on what they looked like but more how my features compared. I wanted HER long thick naturally wavy hair and darker skin tone. I painfully coveted HER mile high long legs whose thighs did not touch in the middle. I envied her chin that was sharp and angular. I pined for HER strong muscular back and HER tiny waist and HER this, HER that, HER everything ….. all but what I had. It was a very real and constant voice in my head telling me I was ugly, fat, dimply, average and overall not good enough.

Sometime in my late 20’s - after I had made myself sick and riddled my daily life with anxiety and obsession - I had a moment of astonishing clarity. During the dramatic throws of an observation of the mess I had made of my life at the time, I had stepped outside of my body and really saw what this mindset was doing to my physical being. Slowly over the next 10 years my perspective had changed and I grew to accept myself for what I looked like. What genetics and biology had given me to work with in this life. It has brought me the sense of freedom that I still carry with me today. I can’t change the vessel I was given and I refuse to spend one more minute hating this vessel any longer. It is wasted energy and it’s unequivocally WRONG.

Once I stopped being a captive of my own obsessions, I started to realize that most all of the women around me were stuck in a similar prison. My friends, some of the most BEAUTIFUL women you will ever see, would not only rebuff genuine compliments but they would actually ARGUE against people who give them true accolades. You probably have these women in your lives too (or are one of them - shame on you). You say, “Girl, you are so sassy today.” Only to hear back, “Ugh, thanks but I look so fat in these jeans and I have a huge pimple on my nose. I have to get my hair colored too – these greys are making me look like my mom.” This kind of constant exchange began to make me angry and exasperated. I actually made up a ‘game’ where I would give my friends a swift punch on the arm if they did not take a compliment in my presence. Ok, so that did not make me the most popular girl in the group but worse – it did not do a thing towards giving them the clarity to see themselves as we all did – lovely and fabulous.

As modern day women this mindset has become our norm and its heart breaking. I am a mother of a beautiful, innocent and charming 5 year old girl. All willowy and smooth skinned and not even remotely thinking about how other people view how she looks (unless there are sparkles and tulle involved then the tune changes drastically). My gut aches at the thought of a time in her life where she starts to look critically at herself in the mirror. When she pulls her flesh aside this way or that and sucks her stomach in to look leaner from a side angle. Where her peers begin to murmur snide comments about the appearance of another girl. I know, I know - I can’t stop that from happening. But I will tell you what I can do – and what YOU can do too.

We can stop teaching them how to loathe parts of ourselves. We can take compliments from our friends gracefully. We can set aside a moment to marinate in those kind words and let them sink in to our souls to make us feel freaking fantastic, if only for that second. We can give compliments freely and unabashedly to women of all shapes and sizes – and MEAN it. We can talk about how those compliments made us feel and how they affect other people emotionally when we extend them. We can mention the parts we like best about the way we look – genuinely and honestly. Teach them that it is ok to like yourself in a humble and true way. Tell our daughters that it is downright rude to dismiss or downplay the kind words of others (applying the same rules where we get on them for not saying ‘please and thank you’). Admit to them that it is ok to have insecurities – we all do - but explain that it’s how much value we give to those nagging thoughts that makes them either recede into the background or become our main daily narrator. It’s not a perfect plan ladies but it’s a start and it has to begin with us.

Ok, so I might have lied a smidge earlier. Some crumbs of self-doubt have never fully been swept aside after my mid 20’s revelation. I still hated pictures of myself. I mean – really, not a fan. It was a scroll through the last handful of years of photos of my kids where I came to realize that … I was not in them. Really, my children were going to grow up with very few images of their mother interacting with them and enjoying their childhood right alongside of them. What would that do to their memory of me when I am not here any longer? All because I could not shake the last vestiges of perception (both of myself and what others viewed me). Around this time I had seen this film from Dove and I was floored. It had encapsulated everything in my journey and I became inspired to make a change.

I decided that very day to start taking one selfie a week for a year and post it on Instagram. I was going to single handedly change my mental block of photos of myself. At first during exorcise I would physically wince and some of the images as I played them back. Most every time I am still all fumbly and embarrassed. I shuffle about and talk to myself out loud. It has to be a hilarious sight. Ill say however, through the art of selecting, cropping filtering and categorizing I have become sort of enchanted by the whole circus. I decided to continue the project for an indeterminate amount of time as a reminder of how far I have come and how important this exploration has been. This project is what has allowed me to write a paragraph like the second one in this essay and not feel even remotely funny about it.

If I can feel the way I do about images of myself after how horribly I tortured my body and mind in my past then I know other beautiful women can too. If not for yourself then for your daughter, niece, sister, best friend or mother. So, I’d like to encourage you to do the same.

#goonandtakethatselfie

Girl, use that to change how you view yourself. I can’t say it more eloquently than they did in the last frame of the Dove film - WE are more beautiful than we think. And it’s up to US to change that perception.

WORDS of WISDOM | for all the things Thy goodness sends

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 20:34:00 -0600

FAVORITE THINGS | a super fun Spring GIVEAWAY | by FabPhilosophy ... NOW CLOSED

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 13:45:00 -0600

My beautiful friend, Britney at FabPhilosophy never ceases to amaze me with her pure joy and gorgeous style to go with it. Recently, she launched a brand new styling blog of lifestyle pieces and beauty tips to revamp your wardrobe and fashion statement. Consider her as your own personal shopper!

1. WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT FROM FABPHILOSOPHY?
My blog is a mixture of fashion, beauty tips, and my random thoughts. I started the blog because I wanted to create a place where women could go a few minutes a day and possibly pick up a few tips or find a little confidence in their style and beauty routine. I have a passion for makeup and fashion, and I think every women deserves to feel beautiful. I want to give that confidence to my readers.

2. WALK US THROUGH YOUR MORNING ROUTINE, PLEASE.
The first thing I do when I roll out of bed (after hitting my snooze at least 3 times) is brush my teeth. After that I usually have to tend to my two little dogs, so after I take them out, feed them, and play tug of war with their favorite toys, then I finish my morning skincare routine. I use a clarisonic with my cleanser at night but in the morning I usually just use my hands. I use a toner, a serum, and a moisturizer after I've cleansed my skin. It sounds like a lot but I really see a difference in my skin when I use then all as opposed to just washing and moisturizing. I don't put on makeup every morning, I like to let my face breath at least 2-3 days a week.

3. BEST ADVICE TO THOSE JUST STARTING OUT WITH MAKEUP?
A little can go a long way. Focus on brightening you face over adding color. Before trying a full on foundation product try a bb cream, cc cream, or tinted moisturizer. They will be better for your skin and most likely provide the coverage you need. Start with neutral brightening eyeshadows and mascara on the eyes. Don't worry about wearing eye liner. Use a soft yet shimmery blush. If you want to go bold with anything choose a lip color you love.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GUILTY PLEASURE?
Junk food of any kind! I cant buy powdered sugar donuts because if I do, I will eat the whole bag!

5. WHO DO YOU FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND CHECK IN WITH DAILY?
I love so many fashion blogs out there. Everyone is so unique and inspiring in their own way, it's hard for me to choose just one. I would have to say Blair Eadie Bee of AtlanticPacific. I read her blog, and follow her on both Instagram and Pinterest; she has amazing style and is an incredibly successful lady. She always inspires me.

6. WHAT IS THE ONE MAKEUP TIP THAT HAS "CHANGED YOUR LIFE"?
ALWAYS wear mascara, and never forget to apply it to your bottom lashes.

To celebrate Spring, sixteen sunbuckles has partnered with FabPhilosophy to give away six of Britney's favorite pieces to one lucky reader. This includes: a Laura Geller pouch, Laura Geller blush and primer, Benefit eyeshadow and mascara, and Kardashian Beauty joystick in modern mauve (Britney's favorite nude color!). A total value of over $50!.

New makeup. New Season. Fresh Start. New You.

To enter, simply visit the FabPhilosophy website and then leave a comment here telling us why you'd love to win this bag of goodies! The more times you enter and share on the below GIVEAWAY the better chance you have of winning. Entries must be posted by this Monday, March 24th, at midnight CST, and one winner will be chosen at random*.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

UPDATE: Congratulations to Joy Gross for being our winner! Joy, please email Brittney brittney.wells323@gmail.com and we will get this shipped to you. Congrats again.

*Sorry, limited to readers in the U.S. only. Please do not leave your email or web address in the body of the comment, only in the allotted boxes. $50 USD approximate total value. Winner will be contacted by email once comments close, and announced at the bottom of this post soon after. Giveaway does close Monday, March 24th at MIDNIGHT.

PRINT | black and white save the dates & address printing

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 13:51:00 -0600

One of my favorite things about custom wedding invitations is meeting beautiful ladies from all over the world. After several rounds of conversation and a final design, I do feel like we are friends! I'm almost a little sad when the process is over, but I know its going to be a beautiful wedding. The best is yet to come for them!

Check out all save the dates here. Or email me at sixteensunbuckles(at)gmail.com with custom inquiries! AND did you know I'm now offering return address printing?!

PRINT | proposal cards and address printing

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 05:00:00 -0600

I had so much fun with these. Weddings can be so formal sometimes. I love a change of pace especially when something very very girly comes my way. Proposal cards are such a fun way to ask your girlfriends to be apart of your special day. A handwritten notecard is so much more personal than a phone call (or my goodness, a text!) If you can't get together with your girlfriends over a bottle of wine and share the news then this is the way to go!

I also love digital envelope address printing. Check out more details for return address printing in my shop and I'm open for (small) orders of guest address printing too.

RECIPE BOX | pizza casserole

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 19:42:00 -0600

Brandon's grandma gave me this recipe at my wedding shower. I love grandma recipes because they are usually simple, easy, and delicious. I was A-M-A-Z-E-D when Anna gobbled it up (meat and all) so I knew it was something I had to take out and make immediately (and often)! I especially love this because you can throw leftover ingredients into it. I usually dethaw leftover noodles from previous meals. Add a little green pepper if you are feeling spicy or a can of crushed tomatoes!

PIZZA CASSEROLE

1lb. hamburger (or ground turkey)
1/2 chopped small onion
2 cups cooked macaroni
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 pkg. shredded cheese
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. onion salt
1/2 cup puree carrot, cauliflower, squash (for the kid that doesn't eat vegetables)

Brown meat and onion in skillet. Season with last five ingredients. Combine meat, macaroni and sauce. Put half of mixture in a baking dish, then add half of cheese, repeat with sauce. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until cheese looks melted.

PRINT | return address printing now available

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 21:30:00 -0700

That's right ladies and gents! I'm finally getting to a point that I can offer printing! Custom return address printing is now up and running on Etsy. I'm comfortable with my printer and feel competitive in my rates. I'm trying to upload information to the shop as fast as I can but if you can't wait please email me, sixteensunbuckles(at)gmail.com. Or just send me a comment or hello! I love to just chat too.

For more information check out my Etsy shop.

RECIPE BOX | pancake casserole

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 19:41:00 -0700

A big thank you to my friend, Mista for this recipe. I love that you make it the day before then stick it in the oven for 25 minutes the next morning. Its easy and delicious. Just don't forget to have maple syrup on hand or you'll be running to the grocery when it opens first thing in the morning (like I did!)

PANCAKE CASSEROLE

2 c. flour

3 Tbl. sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. coconut (optional)

1 egg

1/2 c. buttermilk

3 Tbl. vegetable oil

1/2 bag of semi sweet chocolate chips

maple syrup

Sift dry ingredients together. In other bowl mix liquid ingredients. Add all together and mix well. Spray 9 x 13 baking pan with cooking spray. Spread batter evenly. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Before baking press chocolate ships into batter. Bake at 350 deg. for 25 minutes. Top with maple syrup as desired.

ROCKSTAR MOM | emily copeland

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 18:43:00 -0700

Emily and I go way back. Actually her husband, Dan and I go way back. I think I've known Dan my entire life. Emily is one of the most caring and thoughtful human beings I know. I follow her on facebook and have been in awe of her fitness story. Emily took to running to lose the baby weight. (AND I hate to run, so props to you Emily!) She lost of 65 pounds with determination, sweat, and making it a priority. I'm completely inspired by this mama. Thank you Emily for sharing your wonderful story.

--

After suffering from a pretty bad case of postpartum depression after our second daughter was born, I was determined to help myself in any way to avoid it when baby number three arrived. On November 16, 2012, we were blessed with a son, named Henry Allen, our baby number three. So here I was with three little ones. Something was going to have to change. I decided the place to start was with myself, starting with my weight. After 3 babies in 4 years I had extra weight, but I had always been heavier. I was athletic throughout high school and college. I was in denial about my actual weight. I had plenty of excuses.

With the support of my husband, and some wonderful ladies in a due date club (diaperswappers), I set out to make a lifestyle change. I knew I couldn't diet, because I would never be able to keep it up. I was afraid a year or 10 years from now I would gain it all back or be unhappily stuck on a diet for the rest of my life. After much thought I decided working out and counting calories was going to work for me. I figured eating within the calories allowed me to eat foods that I enjoyed, while still being able to lose weight.

My game plan was set.

On February 1, 2013, Operation Shrinking Women commenced in our due date club. We were going to work out, hold each other accountable, and lose the baby weight together. I committed to working out at least 5 times a week. From February - August I did not miss a single day. No excuses. Some days it was hard to motivate myself to do something, but I was holding myself accountable to report back to the ladies I was working out with. I started with Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. Month 2 I alternated 2 other videos, and by month 3 I was ready for a challenge. I counted calories the first few weeks using MyFitnessPal, an app on my phone until I had a good feel for what I was supposed to be eating and my habits had changed.

It takes 21 days to make a habit!

Month 3 I started running. Running has always been hard for me, even when I was fit in high school and college. Running would take work, dedicationi, and a lot of commitment, but it was the most efficient way to burn calories in a short amount of time. Juggling working part-time, being a wife, and mother of 3 I can tell you, efficiency is key.

When I started running I could barely run a mile. It was more like walk/jogging for well over 15 minutes. I pushed myself. I set daily distance or time goals. A little farther. A little faster. I realized that I was starting to enjoy running. I was enjoying my time alone! Quiet. With no one screaming at me or pulling on me. My husband was my biggest supporter. He watched the kids so I could go out alone, and if plans did not permit a solo run I took one, two, or all three kids out with me in the jogging stroller. My husband started making dinner, a lot. The best time for me to run was at 4 pm. I couldn't get up early enough to do it in the mornings and after the kids went to bed I was exhausted and it was too dark outside. I took my weight loss day by day, making sure to carve out even the littlest bit of time to work out.

As the months passed, I loved running more and more. I loved the challenge it presented, the results it produced, and most of all my time alone. It was my time. My runs got longer in time and distance. They became easier. Now, a year later, I still run as many times a week as I can. I still focus on portion control and making good, healthy choices. If I can't get out to run because of my schedule or the weather, I make sure to fit in a video or some kind of treadmill workout. I no longer feel guilty if I miss a workout like I did in the beginning. I am happy with myself and have lost over 65 pounds. I started by setting small realistic weight loss goals and rewarded myself when they were achieved. I would have never imagined I would lose this much weight. I have now found my ideal weight. The last 4-5 months have been just maintaining the loss. I am smaller now than before my babies, before I got married, before I started college and even high school.

Most importantly I am healthier for myself and my family. I have energy again. I am happy.

This year we started homeschooling and I increased my work hours. It has been hard to find time to work out, but it is a priority. I have to get creative some days. Some days all I can do is take the baby out in the stroller during nap time (while Daddy is home to keep an eye on the girls) or pump out a video really quickly while they are sleeping. The fact is if you don't make it your priority it will not happen! As I have journeyed into homeschooling these last few months, I find my patience tested more than ever. Family is our main focus in our house. We make sure there is at least one day a week spent as a family. We dedicate quality time for each other. This is in addition to all the other time during the week we are together. We try to keep Christ in the center of our lives and set an example for our children to follow. We have been blessed in so many ways and try to teach our children not to take any of it for granted.

A few months ago we visited some friends we hadn't seen since the baby was born. She commented that my husband and I seemed happier, more in love than ever (and she would know as she was the main force behind our relationship). I admit I never thought we had problems, we fought minimally, but we were complacent with each other and the life we have. We weren't unhappy, but we weren't as happy as we could have been. This last year has brought us closer together and a renewed focus on our marriage. My husband's waistline has been a side effect of my working out and eating right, in a positive way. He has changed his habits and reaped the benefits of a healthier lifestyle and happier self. Working out has helped me create routine in our house that has in turn created routine for our children. There are so many days when I have one (or a ton) of "Mommy fail" moments and lose my temper or control. I let my kids push my buttons and act in ways that I am not proud of, but that is what grace is for. My kids inspire me daily to be a better mother to them in attitude (which is one of my biggest daily struggles), in health, and in action. I pray that they can see Christ in me and I can be a good steward of the blessings we have been given. I hope my children can see the dedication and perseverance that we have taken to start a healthier lifestyle not only for ourselves but for them too. Mostly, we just want our children to know that they are loved.

For those who say they can't run or work out, just try it!

Commit to it.
Create a plan of attack.
Make it a habit.
Hold yourself accountable.

There will be days when you don't feel like it, but those are the days you need it the most. When I find myself angry or in a bad mood, most of the time it can be cured with a good workout. It just makes you feel better, especially about yourself. When I started running I could barely walk/jog a mile and now run 6-8 miles several times a week. I never thought that I could/would lose as much weight as I did, run as far as I have, or commit to and stick with the lifestyle changes I have made.

Commitment and accountability have been the biggest things that have helped. Find someone to push you out of bed and out the door. Find someone to work out with. Find someone who would text you on a daily basis and ask how your workout has gone for the day. Being accountable to someone makes such a difference. There were days when I texted ladies in my workout group and asked them what their workout plan was for the day, when they were going to do it, and then later to see how their day went. Being accountable to someone else makes you much more dedicated when there is someone to report back to!

Make yourself a priority!

It takes hard work. You will be sore. I couldn't sit or stand for the first 3 days I did the work out videos (which made for some pretty funny moments in church trying to stand up and sit down for worship), but it does get easier. Prioritize your time. It takes work and commitment, but it can be done, no matter how many hats you are wearing. It is cliche', but there will be good days and bad days. What sets me apart from those who have failed is on the bad days I never let myself find an excuse to not work out or quit. There cannot be any excuses.

Find an activity that you become passionate about. I love running. Continue to challenge yourself. Push yourself a little harder each day. Have a plan and set a goal. I'm working toward a half marathon this spring!

---
To get started, try one of Emily's home video recommendations: Jillian Michael's Yoga Meltdown, Jillian Michael's Cardio Kickbox, Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, or Jillian Michael's 6 week 6 pack

{recipe of the week} 20 freezer meals for less than $150 prepped in 2 hours

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Thu, 6 Feb 2014 21:08:00 -0700

My husband and I are currently living apart. No, there isn't anything wrong with our marriage. He was relocated for work for the next 18 months. My daughter and I went to visit him for the past two weeks. If your husband is like mine, he would probably be living on soup and frozen pizza when you aren't around to cook for him. I was determined to leave there knowing he would have some hearty and easy meals to come home to after a 12 hour work day.

I strategically planned out 20 meals my husband could easily put together.
I purchased all the ingredients for under $150.
I prepped everything and cleaned up the mess during my daughter's two hour nap.
I might give myself wife of the year... or at least the day.

Give yourself wife of the year and try these. They are already getting high approval ratings from the husband. Most of them are crockpot with the exception of the stromboli recipe at the end. Its a simple freeze and bake later recipe. I divided all the crockpot recipes in half and put them into two gallon size bags since our family is small and we eat less at one time.

Easy peezy lemon squeezy. Let's get started.

Chicken Cacciatore
adapted from six sisters stuff

1 lb chicken breasts

1 (26 oz) jar of chunky vegetable-style spaghetti sauce

1 zucchini, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 sweet onion, chopped

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag and mix together.

Garnish: chopped black olives, shredded Parm cheese

When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.

1 lb. chicken
1 veggie style spaghetti sauce
1 zucchini
1 green pepper (I didn't use one)
1/2 onion
Chop everything. Place all ingredients in a gallon size freezer bag (I double bag to be double safe). Thaw in fridge 24 hours before ready to cook. Cook in crockpot on high 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Serve with noodles or rice.

Mexican Style Chicken Chili
adapted from snappy gourmet
2 lbs. chicken breast
1 green pepper
2 garlic cloves
4 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans black beans (or your favorite)
2 small jalapenos
1 lime
1/2 tsp. cumin
Chop all ingredients except lime. Zest and juice the lime. Place all ingredients in a gallon size freezer bag (I double bag to be double safe). Thaw in fridge 24 hours before ready to cook. Cook in crockpot on high 4 hours or low 8 hours. Serve.

Hearty Beef Stew
adapted from six sisters stuff
*this makes A LOT. You might even want to divide this into 3 or 4 bags.
2 lb. beef stew cubes
8 carrots sliced
8 red potatoes
2 package dry onion soup mix
3 8oz. cans tomato sauce
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 package frozen peas
Chop carrots and potatoes. Place all ingredients in a gallon size freezer bag (I double bag to be double safe). Thaw in fridge 24 hours before ready to cook. Cook in crockpot on high 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Serve.

Sesame Chicken
adapted from emilylovesfood
6 chicken thighs
1/2 onion
2 garlic cloves
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. low sodium soy sauce
1 small can tomato puree
A couple good dashes of sesame seeds
2 c. broccoli florets
Chop onion and garlic cloves. Place all ingredients except broccoli in a gallon size freezer bag (I double bag to be double safe). Bring a sauce pan of water to boil. Place broccoli in boiling water and steam until they are a "tender crisp". You want them still crispy a little, NOT done. Cool broccoli and place in quart size freezer bag. Place quart size freezer bag and gallon size freezer bag together in freezer (I actually stuffed them both into another gallon freezer bag so they'd always be a pair). Thaw in fridge 24 hours before ready to cook. Cook everything except broccoli in crockpot on high 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Heat broccoli in microwave. Serve the entire dish over rice.

Cilantro Lime Chicken (with corn and black beans)
adapted from six sisters stuff
1 lb. chicken breast
Juice from 2 limes
1 bunch cilantro
1 bag frozen corn
2 minced garlic cloves
1 can drained black beans
1 tsp. cumin
Chop cilantro. Place all ingredients in gallon size freezer bag (I double bag to be double safe). Thaw in fridge 24 hours before ready to cook. Cook in crockpot on high 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Serve with tortillas and salsa.

Freeze, and Bake Stromboli
adapted from joel and kitty
1 package of provoline
1 box of frozen chopped spinach
2 packs of turkey pepperoni
1 big bag of shredded mozzarella
4 balls of pizza dough
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
4 aluminum 8x8 pans
aluminum foil

This makes 4 strombolis. Thaw out spinach ahead of time. Make dough into rectangles in aluminum pans. Layer sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and spinach. Wrap it up and pinch seams shut. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Thaw in fridge fully before baking. Place in warm oven then crank to 375 deg. F and bake until golden. As shown above I wrote the baking directions directly onto the foil with a black sharpie.

1 lb chicken breasts

1 (26 oz) jar of chunky vegetable-style spaghetti sauce

1 zucchini, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 sweet onion, chopped

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag and mix together.

Garnish: chopped black olives, shredded Parm cheese

When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.

{rockstar mom} kristin reddick

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:29:00 -0700

Kristin Reddick is rockstar mom of the month, she is a fabulous interior designer and dear friend. She currently balances working outside her home as a workplace design specialist for Haworth, wife, and mother of four (three are triplets). Needless to say, she is one busy lady! I've always been amazed at her creativity and ability to roll with the punches. She infuses all that she does with detail, color and life. When she finds time to write, I always love to read her personal blog, Life's a Trip. She also has some great kid crafts and design ideas so follow her on Pinterest! I'm so thankful she found some time away from her busy schedule to share her story and some inspiration for you.

I woke up this morning, the first day of 2014, and thought it was the perfect time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the new one…and then life with four kids hit us like a Mack truck, and I did no reflecting, but instead, spent the day just trying to survive with a mild, New Years Eve induced, hangover.

You see, my husband and I are parents to a wonderfully smart, headstrong 5-year old girl and 21 month identical triplet boys. I’m sure many people out there have or have had a 2-ish aged toddler and understand what this phase encompasses…a lot of discovery and very little listening. Now take what you may have experienced with one toddler, multiply it by three, then again AND add a little girl who likes to challenge and negotiate every minute of the day, and that MIGHT give you an idea of what our daily life is like.

We are, as my husband and I affectionately refer to it, in survival mode.

Rewind to a little more than two years ago when we were told at our six week ultrasound that we were pregnant with spontaneous (no fertility) identical triplets. I’ll never forget October 27, 2011, the day our life took a hard 90 degree turn into the unknown. It was little consolation that we were parents to a three year old and had at least a few years of parenting under our belt. That prepares you only slightly for life with multiples. If anything, having an older child in addition to triplets just adds on a heaping side of mother’s guilt because now all the singular attention is spread thin to four kids. Luckily after many struggles and a year of play therapy, our daughter is more than capable of vocalizing (loudly and often) when she feels she is not getting enough love, attention, snuggles, toys etc.

The boys were born nearly 3 months early, at 29 weeks and 3 days, due to complications that arose between babies B and C transfusing each other. We spent 94 days traveling back and forth between our home and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, taking care of our daughter and working (well, at least my husband was), which meant barely seeing each other save for a few minutes before we flew out the door in the morning and arrived home in the evenings.

Those three months were by far the hardest of our lives, but we were fortunate, and all of the boys were discharged healthy and with very few lingering complications.

Then came the really hard part, they sent our babies home and WE were responsible for taking care of FOUR kids. I never even imagined myself with four kids, and the idea of being responsible for molding and shaping all these little beings into good, kind adults is overwhelming to say the least. With the boys at home, we slowly got into a groove. That would last a few months, then they would move onto the next baby phase and we would rethink our game plan…again. Luckily, we had a lot of support from the community, because both of our families live four hours away in Indiana. We definitely learned to swallow our pride and ask for help, because we needed it, were desperate for it.

People ask all the time how we do it.

We will often hear, “I was having a bad day with my child, and I thought of you with three and thought, if you can do it, I can do it.” At first I was offended by this comment, but now I take it as a compliment! I honestly can’t say how we do it, we just do. Like I said, it’s survival mode. On the exterior, it may look like we have it all together, but that’s not the case at all. Our house is chaos during all waking hours; everything has taken a back burner, from housework to hobbies.

One thing I did for the sake of my sanity was go back to work. I give high praise to stay-at-home moms, it’s a HARD job; I could hardly hack it for a year. So when the opportunity came up for me to go back to work when the boys were just over a year old, I jumped at the chance. I just feel personally that working makes me a better, saner mom. Other than that, I cope by staying up really late and working on crazy projects (I don’t recommend trying to stencil your walls with a giant stencil and paint), alternating between my two vices of beer and ice cream (not at the same time), and some occasional therapy session and anti-depressants.

When the going gets really tough, I go upstairs, scream in my pillow for a few minutes, then think back to those three months in the hospital when our sweet babies were so tiny and fighting so hard, and that’s all it really takes to put this crazy life into perspective.

So here we are, nearly two years in to Triplet Mayhem, and I can kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m sure it’s a few more years away, but we’ll get there eventually. But for now, I try not to question why, do whatever I can to survive, and enjoy all the good moments to get through the bad.

new year prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:18:00 -0700

Fasten my heart to you, Love of all Loves,
That all I am and do finds its motivation in you.

Fasten my mind to you, Inner Peace,
That whatever stirs within leads to tranquility.

Fasten my days to you, Divine Presence,
That in each happening I remain united with you.

Fasten my nights to you, Keeper of Dreams,
That I find restoration in your embracing care.

Fasten my joys to you, Delight of My Soul,
That these memories comfort me in times of trouble.

Fasten my sorrows to you, Compassionate One,
That I experience solace in your kindheartedness.

Fasten my concerns to you, Faithful Companion,
That I withdraw from the fears and anxieties.

Fasten my responsibilites to you, Source of Love,
That my daily efforts evolve from a generous spirit.

Fasten my relationships to you, Friend of My Heart,
That your profuse love nurtures and sustains them.

Fasten my anguished world to you, Holder of Hope,
That my dreams for peace may become a reality.

Fasten my prayer to you, Eternal Mystery,
That I might give myself ever more fully to you.

-- Joyce Rupp

{art} train themed playroom

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Thu, 9 Jan 2014 09:57:00 -0700

The best gifts are always those handmade. I designed these for my adorable little nephews. The oldest is really in to trains and his younger brother is following right along behind him. As part of the new playroom makeover I gave them these to put up on the walls.

Check out all my artwork and email me for custom designs at my online store.

(recipe of the week) pot pie biscuit

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 10:02:00 -0700

I'm always trying to find ways to sneak in vegetables to my toddler's diet. About a year ago I made a more complex version with bisquik (check out that recipe here), but all I had today on hand was Pillsbury biscuits. So I improvised!

Anna is starting to become momma's lil helper. She loves when I get the little stool out so she can help me make dinner.

This recipe is pretty easy for a toddler to help with. Just make sure you have everything out and ready beforehand. And don't get upset if some spills on the floor. Find joy in the mess that's my new motto!

Pot Pie Biscuit
2 cans of refrigerated biscuits
2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup diced cooked chicken (or leftover thanksgiving turkey!) - I used tuna
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
Add two generous handfuls of shredded cheese if desired.
Mix in the tuna, veggies, and soup. Anna enjoyed eating the frozen veggies (my kid is crazy I know...frozen vegetables?)

Heat the oven to 375 deg. F. Press each biscuit into muffin tins. Make a small rim of "crust" around the sides. I also made mini biscuits in my mini muffin tin. Just cut the biscuit dough in half if you want to make minis.

Spoon in the vegetable mixture to each muffin cup. Don't overflow them. You might need to reshape your crust rim a little to make sure they don't seep. They should look something like this.

Now place them in your preheated oven for 18-22 minutes. You just want to brown the biscuit. Let them cool and pop them out of the tin. TO FREEZE: After cooled to room temperature, place in freezer bag. Pop them out and microwave for a quick meal.

{knits} floral brooch pins

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 10:02:00 -0700

Dusted off my knitting needles and boy did that feel good! A custom order for two brooch pins. And I giftwrapped (check out how to make the perfect holiday bow here). What a joy this sweet little project has been.

Each floral brooch is approximately 3" in diameter constructed of the softest yarn and embellished by a sweet little black button. Please email me at sixteensunbuckles(at)gmail.com if you have a question about custom orders.

{DIY} tie the perfect bow

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 09:18:00 -0700

Tis the season for gift giving ... AND last minute wrapping! If you are like me, you are probably up late at night with a glass of wine and wrapping until your eyelids get heavy. I haven't even attempted to wrap while Anna is awake. Disaster I'm sure. I am starting to run out of giftwrap. And some of my packages are so small I really don't want to pull off a whole sheet of paper and create a bunch of scraps. These holiday bows are so festive you can wrap an ordinary box and they'll still make the cut under the tree.

These bows are so simple you'll wonder why you never made them before! I bought a giant roll of glittery ribbon from Michael's with a coupon. You'll want to use the kind with wire on the edges. Wire is the key to a perfect loop.

^ what you'll need : 2 arms length worth of ribbon, scissors, and your box ^
^ Tie all your knots tight! That is the only way to create a professional look that will stay ^

^ make a small bow and pull it tight ^
^ keep making bows one on top of the other. don't forget to keep pulling them tight! ^
^ fluff all your bows creating nice/uncreased loops ^
^ and you are done! you don't even need gift wrap! ^

{mommy mondays} juggling it all during the holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:42:00 -0700

I caught myself having anxiety the other day. It wasn't even 9am but I took a look around and there was clutter everywhere, laundry that needed to be folded, dishes that needed to be washed, and piles of mail. Not to mention all the other things that comes with this time of the year - gifts to be shopped for (I'm not even to the wrapping yet), cards to be addressed, cookies to be made.

Then I look back to my toddler and she is telling me she is done eating breakfast. How is she telling me? She is throwing strawberries all over the floor. Another mess.

*sigh*

I'm working on my patience. I'm trying to remember to step back and appreciate the beauty of the clutter. And then I think this isn't working! and attempt to pull my hair out.

Plan B.

I turned on some christian worship music and got out the sweeper. As soon as that music turned on my little girl started to dance. I love the way music just takes over her. No sense of dance style yet but boy can she move. my cup runneth over

VID_20131210_125730_131.mp4 from Lauren 'Dougherty' Shanks on Vimeo.

God is amazing. I'll say it over and over again. Be still my soul and listen. He continually reminds me my to do list is just a list. This little girl needs me most. I can almost hear him tell me to put down the sweeper and just enjoy her.

So I did. And we had a little dance party at 9:15 in the morning.