<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" media="screen" href="/~d/styles/rss2full.xsl"?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/css" media="screen" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~d/styles/itemcontent.css"?><rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:feedburner="http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0" version="2.0">

<channel>
	<title>Little Miss Momma</title>
	
	<link>http://www.littlemissmomma.com</link>
	<description>life lessons from Ashley Stock - a momma-in-training.</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sat, 18 May 2013 01:02:03 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1</generator>
		<atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/vlrRO" /><feedburner:info uri="blogspot/vlrro" /><atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="hub" href="http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/" /><feedburner:emailServiceId>blogspot/vlrRO</feedburner:emailServiceId><feedburner:feedburnerHostname>http://feedburner.google.com</feedburner:feedburnerHostname><item>
		<title>Best Day of My Life: Wedding</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~3/rz1X1zh5qwo/best-day-of-my-life-wedding.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/best-day-of-my-life-wedding.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 05:26:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashley Stock</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Sponsored Post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spotlight]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?p=17244</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>This post and $50 Amazon gift card giveaway sponsored by RegistryFinder.com. As always, all opinions are my own. Do you want to know the best day of my life? Because it wasn&#8217;t my wedding day.<a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/best-day-of-my-life-wedding.html" rel="nofollow"> {...Read More...} </a></p><p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/best-day-of-my-life-wedding.html">Best Day of My Life: Wedding</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This post and $50 Amazon gift card giveaway sponsored by <a href="http://www.registryfinder.com" target="_blank">RegistryFinder.com</a>.<br />
As always, all opinions are my own.</em></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17246" alt="2-DSC_1114" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2-DSC_1114-605x878.jpg" width="605" height="878" /><br />
<em>Do you want to know the best day of my life?</em><br />
Because it wasn&#8217;t my wedding day. Not one bit.</p>
<p>Nope, it was the day after our wedding.<br />
When the hustle and bustle had settled down.<br />
When the planning and silly anxiety was behind us.<br />
When we could stop worrying about trying to please everyone.<br />
When we were alone. Together. Forever.</p>
<p>Waking up next to Ben for the very first time,<br />
giving his hand three squeezes,<br />
pretending not to be self conscious about my morning breath,<br />
eating breakfast in our pajamas,<br />
with our cell phones turned off,<br />
looking across the table at one another while we put jam on our toast,<br />
knowing this would be our view for eternity.<br />
THIS was the best day of my life. The best.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">From a very young age,<br />
dreams of getting married and starting a family always occupied some part of my mind.<br />
The older I got, the bigger those dream became.<br />
I remember always feeling anxious for that &#8220;adult&#8221; portion of my life to begin&#8230;<br />
The portion of life where you wake up next to the person who fills your soul with love,<br />
and you&#8217;re cuddled up next to your squishy and adorable little creations.</p>
<p>But even with constant thoughts of marriage,<br />
I wasn&#8217;t that girl who day dreamed about a big wedding.<br />
Or sketched the perfect white gown in her notebook.<br />
Or had the venue selected before I entered high school.<br />
I wanted a husband, sure. But the wedding was just an added bonus.</p>
<p>I suppose this lack of interest is part of the reason that I decided on a VERY relaxed and casual wedding.  A wedding where the guests could literally kick off their shoes and feel the grass between their toes.<br />
A picnic style wedding.<br />
With blankets.<br />
And baskets.<br />
And bubbles and beach balls.<br />
And bright colors.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">{note that all of these photos are low quality. i literally used my camera to take a photo of the pics in my photo album. picture of a picture to be exact.}<a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/best-day-of-my-life-wedding.html/1-dsc_1112" rel="attachment wp-att-17245"><br />
<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17245" alt="1-DSC_1112" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1-DSC_1112-605x383.jpg" width="605" height="383" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The aftermath.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/16-dsc_0306" rel="attachment wp-att-17278"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17278" alt="16-DSC_0306" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/16-DSC_0306-605x810.jpg" width="605" height="810" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/11-dsc_0295" rel="attachment wp-att-17273"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17273" alt="11-DSC_0295" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/11-DSC_0295-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Each family received their own picnic blanket with a basket filled with fun treats and games.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/10-dsc_0291" rel="attachment wp-att-17272"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17272" alt="10-DSC_0291" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/10-DSC_0291-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/12-dsc_0296" rel="attachment wp-att-17274"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17274" alt="12-DSC_0296" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/12-DSC_0296-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The mad hatter cake.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/08-dsc_0272" rel="attachment wp-att-17268"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17268" alt="08-DSC_0272" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/08-DSC_0272-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The first dance. And those dimples.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/09-dsc_0278" rel="attachment wp-att-17270"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17270" alt="09-DSC_0278" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/09-DSC_0278-605x823.jpg" width="605" height="823" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The point of no return for my hair.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/07-dsc_0268" rel="attachment wp-att-17266"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17266" alt="07-DSC_0268" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/07-DSC_0268-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/13-dsc_0299" rel="attachment wp-att-17275"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17275" alt="13-DSC_0299" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/13-DSC_0299-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/18-dsc_0316-2" rel="attachment wp-att-17280"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17280" alt="18-DSC_0316" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/18-DSC_0316-605x404.jpg" width="605" height="404" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/19-dsc_0320" rel="attachment wp-att-17281"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17281" alt="19-DSC_0320" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/19-DSC_0320-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /><br />
</a>Headed to our equally casual honeymoon in Catalina.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/23-dsc_0328" rel="attachment wp-att-17285"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17285" alt="23-DSC_0328" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/23-DSC_0328-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/04-dsc_0254" rel="attachment wp-att-17260"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17260" alt="04-DSC_0254" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/04-DSC_0254-605x368.jpg" width="605" height="368" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/03-dsc_0252" rel="attachment wp-att-17258"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17258" alt="03-DSC_0252" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/03-DSC_0252-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/01-dsc_0249" rel="attachment wp-att-17254"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17254" alt="01-DSC_0249" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/01-DSC_0249-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /><br />
</a>There&#8217;s a great story behind this picture of me lugging my clubs up the stairs. One day I&#8217;ll have to tell it.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/22-dsc_0327" rel="attachment wp-att-17284"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17284" alt="22-DSC_0327" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/22-DSC_0327-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/21-dsc_0326" rel="attachment wp-att-17283"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17283" alt="21-DSC_0326" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/21-DSC_0326-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a><br />
I forced Ben to get this henna tattoo with my name. He didn&#8217;t put up much of a fight.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/02-dsc_0250" rel="attachment wp-att-17256"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17256" alt="02-DSC_0250" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/02-DSC_0250-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /><br />
</a><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17262" alt="05-DSC_0257" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/05-DSC_0257-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /><br />
Nearly seven years later, and I look back at these photos with the fondest of memories.<br />
Though we dated for two years before we were married, this was our real beginning.<br />
The start of our forever.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We came home from our honeymoon to a tiny one bedroom apartment filled to the brim with gifts. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven.</p>
<p>We had registered at Bed Bath &amp; Beyond, Target and Crate &amp; Barrel.<br />
Which was great.<br />
Except that there were things from other stores that I also loved and wanted for our new home.  Places like Restoration Hardware, Macy&#8217;s, Pottery Barn and Amazon.</p>
<p>I wanted oh-so-badly to be registered everywhere, but I felt ridiculous and even tacky including all of these places on my wedding and shower invitations.  I didn&#8217;t want to have the &#8220;registered here&#8221; portion of the invite be longer than the actual details of the celebration.  So I stuck with my top three picks and wiped visions of those Pottery Barn pillows and RH picture frames from my mind.</p>
<p>To make matters more complicated, Ben and I had a second reception in his hometown of Cheyenne, Wyoming.  A town that didn&#8217;t have much of what we registered for, making it difficult on those trying to find us a gift.  How great it wold have been to be able to seamlessly register at their local department stores as well!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Enter <a href="http://registryfinder.com" target="_blank">RegistryFinder.com</a>, who I wish was around for MY big day.<br />
Now, when planning a baby shower, bridal shower, wedding (or really any celebration with gift giving), you only need to include the web address to RegistryFinder.com on your invitation and your guests can go online and search for ALL your registries in one place&#8211;making it easier for you to register at all the places you want, and easier for your guests to find the perfect gift. And if you&#8217;re like me and have over a dozen baby showers and weddings to attend this Summer, you no longer need to stress out about keeping track of all the invitations&#8211;because you just need to visit RegistryFinder.com and search the names of celebration you&#8217;re attending. Viola! I love companies that create smart, simple tools.<a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/best-day-of-my-life-wedding.html/screen-shot-2013-05-15-at-7-09-01-pm" rel="attachment wp-att-17298"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-17298" alt="Screen Shot 2013-05-15 at 7.09.01 PM" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-05-15-at-7.09.01-PM.png" width="882" height="422" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THE GIVEAWAY</strong><br />
Visit <a href="http://registryfinder.com" target="_blank">RegistryFinder.com</a>, give it a whirl, then come back here and leave a comment telling us how this tool could be helpful to you. By leaving a comment, you’ll be entered for the chance to win a $50 gift card to Amazon. For a second entry, tweet or facebook a link to this giveaway (including exactly the following hashtag in your message: “#SweepstakesEntry”). Leave the URL to that tweet or pin in a comment on this post.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">No duplicate comments. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/best-day-of-my-life-wedding.html">Best Day of My Life: Wedding</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~4/rz1X1zh5qwo" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/best-day-of-my-life-wedding.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>45</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/best-day-of-my-life-wedding.html</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>{this moment}</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~3/UQ7lF-STRng/this-moment-2.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/this-moment-2.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 05:47:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashley Stock</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[live]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[this moment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?p=17310</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>{this moment} – A weekly ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. inspired by SouleMama<a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/this-moment-2.html" rel="nofollow"> {...Read More...} </a></p><p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/this-moment-2.html">{this moment}</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><em>{this moment} – A weekly ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">inspired by <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/photo-projects/" target="_blank">SouleMama<br />
_</a>________________________</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/this-moment-2.html/thismoment" rel="attachment wp-att-17311"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17311" alt="thismoment" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/thismoment.jpg" width="837" height="1124" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/this-moment-2.html">{this moment}</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~4/UQ7lF-STRng" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/this-moment-2.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/this-moment-2.html</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>Mommy’s Memory Box</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~3/0KZVSYgbSPI/mommys-memory-box-2.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 06:53:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashley Stock</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[live]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?p=17249</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>{adapted and updated from a post a few years back} If you read this post, then you remember that I&#8217;m an only child. And if you read this post and this post, then you know<a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html" rel="nofollow"> {...Read More...} </a></p><p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html">Mommy&#8217;s Memory Box</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">{adapted and updated from a post a few years back}</p>
<p class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you read <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/03/when-an-only-child-becomes-a-parent.html" target="_blank">this</a> post,<br />
then you remember that I&#8217;m an only child.<br />
And if you read <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2011/05/she-ra-warrior-princess.html" target="_blank">this</a> post and <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2011/01/a-little-bit-awkward-a-little-bit-awesome-through-my-childhood-years.html" target="_blank">this</a> post, then you know that memories are something I cherish. </span></p>
<p class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And maybe <em>that&#8217;s</em> the reason that as a child I was obsessed with my Mom&#8217;s stories about her adventures {and mis-adventures} with her brother and sister. </span></p>
<p class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the time they dared each other to jump off the roof so they could feel the &#8220;zi-zee&#8217;s&#8221; in their feet, to the time they convinced the neighbor girl to lick the melted Popsicle in the freezer until her tongue got stuck&#8211;these were stories I made my mom and aunt tell me over <em>and over</em>.</span></p>
<p class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then I remember sifting through the pages of my Mom&#8217;s high school yearbooks and photo albums time and time again.  I had those pages memorized. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The page where she was pictured in her cheer leading uniform. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The one where she was all dressed up for prom with her high school sweetheart. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The one with her Charlie&#8217;s Angels hair do. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the one where she was riding the dirt bike in her ripped jeans.</span></p>
<p class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I stared at these photos and imagined her life before being my momma.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mom&#8217;s memories have <em>always</em> been special to me.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few years ago, she had those memories in mind when she gave me one of my favorite Christmas gifts ever.<br />
A Mommy Memory Box of my own,<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">so that I could begin collecting my important memories for the boys.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She even filled the box with some of the memories that she had been collecting over the years,<br />
and I have since added a few items myself.</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/1-dsc_0336" rel="attachment wp-att-17289"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17289" alt="1-DSC_0336" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1-DSC_0336-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dYeSX1oTvJY/TEPN3xufIPI/AAAAAAAADWg/YTVqGrnSbxY/s1600/Mommy's+Memories+Box+010.JPG"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" rel="lightbox[17249]" title="Mommy's Memory Box"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dYeSX1oTvJY/TEPN3xufIPI/AAAAAAAADWg/YTVqGrnSbxY/s640/Mommy's+Memories+Box+010.JPG" width="640" height="480" border="0" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here&#8217;s a closer look:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/1-dsc_0352" rel="attachment wp-att-17255"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17255" alt="1-DSC_0352" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1-DSC_0352-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /><br />
</a>My baby book. Put together by my Mom.<br />
You guys, look at the first name written as an option if I was a boy.<br />
I didn&#8217;t discover this until Wesley was about 6 months old. Crazy huh!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/5-dsc_0362" rel="attachment wp-att-17263"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17263" alt="5-DSC_0362" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/5-DSC_0362-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/2-dsc_0353" rel="attachment wp-att-17257"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17257" alt="2-DSC_0353" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2-DSC_0353-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/3-dsc_0354-2" rel="attachment wp-att-17259"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17259" alt="3-DSC_0354" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/3-DSC_0354-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are some precious cards from my baby shower.  My first thought was to compliment the card givers for their fabulous taste in vintage cards. But then I realized that they are legitimately vintage now because I&#8217;m that old, ha.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/1-dsc_0352" rel="attachment wp-att-17255"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=17261" rel="attachment wp-att-17261"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17261" alt="4-DSC_0355" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/4-DSC_0355-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/7-dsc_0380" rel="attachment wp-att-17267"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17267" alt="7-DSC_0380" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/7-DSC_0380-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">NKOB. Obsessed.<br />
As in the t-shirts, bedsheets, dolls and Tiger Beat posters kind of obsessed.<br />
Team Jordan all the way.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/6-dsc_0367" rel="attachment wp-att-17265"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17265" alt="6-DSC_0367" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/6-DSC_0367-605x479.jpg" width="605" height="479" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This might just be the only photo I have with me and both of my parents. It&#8217;s special to me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/26-dsc_0348" rel="attachment wp-att-17288"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17288" alt="26-DSC_0348" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/26-DSC_0348-605x412.jpg" width="605" height="412" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Varsity letter. My toddler moccasin. My Homecoming crown. Ben&#8217;s missionary badge.<br />
The keychain to my first car. My middle school basketball button.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
Each of these items tells a story about a milestone, meltdown or memory that have made me the ME I am today&#8211;the memories that have made me the mother, wife, daughter and friend I am today.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So thanks Mom.<br />
Thank you for teaching me the value of memories.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thank you for taking the time to teach me about where I came from.</p>
<p><strong><em>What memories have you been holding onto for years?</em></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html">Mommy&#8217;s Memory Box</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~4/0KZVSYgbSPI" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>13</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/mommys-memory-box-2.html</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>Pop of Color and Flavor</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~3/ww0-C9sMzfg/pop-of-color-and-flavor.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/pop-of-color-and-flavor.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 14:23:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashley Stock</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[eat]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?p=17241</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>&#160; I drink a lot of water. And when I say a lot, I mean A LOT. Over 3 gallons a day to be exact. (all thanks to my diabetes insipidus) It&#8217;s not too far<a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/pop-of-color-and-flavor.html" rel="nofollow"> {...Read More...} </a></p><p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/pop-of-color-and-flavor.html">Pop of Color and Flavor</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><script src="http://ads.blogherads.com/campaigns/11/114/1140343/1140389/x90.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript1.1" src="http://oascentral.blogher.org/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/ReviewBadge/OID4784_Kraft_Foods_CrystalLight_Q2_ReviewBadges_012/@x13"></script>
<pre>&nbsp;</pre>
<p>
I drink a lot of water.<br />
And when I say a lot, I mean A LOT.<br />
Over 3 gallons a day to be exact.<br />
(all thanks to my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_insipidus" target="_blank">diabetes insipidus</a>)</p>
<p>It&#8217;s not too far into the day before I become completely bored with the taste of water.<br />
And so I turn to pop.  Not the best alternative, I know.</p>
<p>So, recently I&#8217;ve been trying to limit my daily pop intake and replace it with something yummy and full of water that is just as flavorful without all the sugar. Hence, operation &#8220;add color and flavor to my water&#8221;.</p>
<p>I went to the grocery store and picked up my favorite fruits, fresh herbs, a 12-pack of tall mason jars and some <a href="http://goo.gl/9jz4R" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Crystal Light Liquid</a>. Then I went home and got to work on infusing water with a variety of combinations. The best part is that I was able to make 10 different variations, seal them up in jars and then pop them in the fridge to drink at my leisure the next day.  Not to mention how much fun I had coming up with such colorful alternatives to soda. Here are the concoctions I came up with.<br />
<a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16869" rel="attachment wp-att-16869"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16869" alt="drinks2_edited-1" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/drinks2_edited-1-605x703.jpg" width="605" height="703" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16862" rel="attachment wp-att-16862"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16862" alt="drinks3" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/drinks3-605x881.jpg" width="605" height="881" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">These are my favorite herbs to include in drinks. From top to bottom: mint, rosemary, basil, sage.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16861" rel="attachment wp-att-16861"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16861" alt="drinks4" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/drinks4-605x785.jpg" width="605" height="785" /></a><br />
This combo is a fail-proof addition to any beverage: watermelon, mint and cucumber&#8211;sooooo fresh!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16870" rel="attachment wp-att-16870"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16870" alt="1-Crystal Light" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/1-Crystal-Light1-605x805.jpg" width="605" height="805" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">1. Freshy Fresh: Lime, Cucumber, Strawberries<br />
2. Summer Lovin&#8217;: Boysenberries, Sage and Peach Bellini Crystal Light Liquid<br />
3. <a href="http://www.crystallightliquid.com/#!/mango-mint-passion" target="_blank">Mango Mint Passion</a>: Lime Juice, Limes, Mint, Mango Passionfruit Crystal Light Liquid<br />
4. <a href="http://www.crystallightliquid.com/#!/pomegranate-paradise" target="_blank">Pomegranate Paradise</a> variation: Pomtini Crystal Light Liquid, Oranges<br />
5. Spring in Your Step: Watermelon, Rosemary<br />
6. Citrus Burst: Lemon, Lime, Orange<br />
7. <a href="http://www.crystallightliquid.com/#!/virgin-peach-bellini" target="_blank">Virgin Peach Bellini</a>: chilled sparkling water, Peach Bellini Crystal Light Liquid, orange garnish<br />
8. Berry Yummy: Boysenberries, Strawberries, Blueberry Raspberry Crysal Light Liquid<br />
9. Refresh: Watermelon and Mint<br />
10. Cleanse: Cucumber and Mint</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Note: In hindsight, I would have used less lime in my infusions because it was a little more bitter than I expected and made some of the drinks too tart for my liking.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">You can visit the <a href="http://goo.gl/9jz4R" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Crystal Light Liquid</a> page for additional mixology options that are so yummy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16871" rel="attachment wp-att-16871"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16871" alt="drinks16_edited-2" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/drinks16_edited-2-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I added a burst of flavor to a handful of my drinks with these Crystal Light Liquid drink mixes as well. I have been a long-time fan of their powder drink mixes and was so excited about the release of these new liquid mixes.  They don&#8217;t need to be refrigerated, so I have even kept them in my purse to add to a bottle of water on-the-go. They are also perfect for creating the perfect mocktail. I tried the combinations below and loved them (try adding lots of ice to make them extra delicious and crisp):</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16860" rel="attachment wp-att-16860"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16860" alt="drink5" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/drink5-605x821.jpg" width="605" height="821" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16859" rel="attachment wp-att-16859"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16859" alt="drinks6" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/drinks6-605x696.jpg" width="605" height="696" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16858" rel="attachment wp-att-16858"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16858" alt="drinks7" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/drinks7-605x401.jpg" width="605" height="401" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16857" rel="attachment wp-att-16857"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16857" alt="drinks8" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/drinks8-605x714.jpg" width="605" height="714" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16868" rel="attachment wp-att-16868"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16868" alt="drink14_edited-1" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/drink14_edited-1-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16867" rel="attachment wp-att-16867"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16867" alt="drinks13_edited-1" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/drinks13_edited-1-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16855" rel="attachment wp-att-16855"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16855" alt="drinks11" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/drinks11-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">All ready to go into the fridge. I drank three first thing the next morning.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16866" rel="attachment wp-att-16866"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16866" alt="drinks15_edited-1" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/drinks15_edited-1-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16854" rel="attachment wp-att-16854"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16854" alt="drinks12" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/drinks12-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This is the <a href="http://www.crystallightliquid.com/#!/virgin-peach-bellini" target="_blank">Virgin Peach Bellini</a>, and it was my favorite. So much my favorite, that I felt it deserved a little dressing up with this fancy umbrella and straw. But really, what a great drink to surprise guests with this summer!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?attachment_id=16853" rel="attachment wp-att-16853"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16853" alt="drinks13" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/drinks13-605x349.jpg" width="605" height="349" /></a></p>
<p>How do you add color and flavor to your life?  Answer in the comments below and enter into a chance to win a $100 Visa giftcard!</p>
<p><span>Rules:</span><br />
<span>No duplicate comments.</span><br />
<span>You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:</span><br />
<span>a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post</span><br />
<span>b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the </span><br />
<span>following unique term in your tweet message: &#8220;&#8221;#SweepstakesEntry&#8221;"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post&#8221;</span><br />
<span>c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post</span><br />
<span>d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.</span><br />
<span>This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.</span><br />
<span>The Official Rules are available </span><a href="http://www.blogher.com/jazz-it-sweepstakes-official-rules" target="_blank">here</a><span>.</span></p>
<p><em><span>This sweepstakes runs from <span> 5/14 &#8211; 6/4</span>.</span><br />
<span>Be sure to visit the </span><a href="https://www.blogher.com/crystal-light-jazz-it-sweepstakes" target="_blank">Crystal Light page</a><span> on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!</span></em></p>
<p><script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript1.1" src="http://oascentral.blogher.org/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/SCU/OID4784_Kraft_Foods_CrystalLight_Q2_SCU_012/@x13?_RM_HTML_FRAMEWIDTH_=450"></script></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/pop-of-color-and-flavor.html">Pop of Color and Flavor</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~4/ww0-C9sMzfg" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/pop-of-color-and-flavor.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>98</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/pop-of-color-and-flavor.html</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>Hello Monday: What’s To Come</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~3/6ZF-agCugRs/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 06:53:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashley Stock</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[live]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hello monday]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?p=17225</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Joining the fabulous Lisa Leonard for another Hello Monday series. You should play along. ************************** Hello Monday. Hello to another week of adventures, and errands, and tantrums, and cuddle sessions, and time well spent with good friends.<a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html" rel="nofollow"> {...Read More...} </a></p><p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html">Hello Monday: What&#8217;s To Come</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Joining the fabulous <a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/Default.aspx?affiliate=3" target="_blank">Lisa Leonard</a> for another Hello Monday series.<br />
You should play along.</p>
<p>**************************</p>
<p>Hello Monday.<br />
Hello to another week of adventures,<br />
and errands, and tantrums, and cuddle sessions, and time well spent with good friends.<br />
Hello to a sneak peeks of fun posts coming soon to LMM.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html/photo-18" rel="attachment wp-att-17234"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17234" alt="photo" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo3-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a><br />
Hello to the casual look I seem to be wearing everyday so far this Spring.<br />
For those who asked, these jeans are from American Eagle, found <a href="http://www.ae.com/web/browse/category.jsp?catId=cat90120" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
They&#8217;re cropped, so they fit a shortie like me.</p>
<p>Hello to my inspiring and ultra comfy sweatshirt from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/150834312/one-wild-precious-life-eco-fleece?ref=shop_home_active&amp;ga_search_query=sweatshirt" target="_blank">The Printed Palette</a>.<br />
I&#8217;m a sweatshirt and jeans kinda girl.<br />
So you&#8217;ll see me attempting to sport this look as far into Summer as humanly possible before becoming a walking sweatbox.<br />
I may have worn it 3 times last week. But whose counting?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html/photo-copy-11-3" rel="attachment wp-att-17227"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17227" alt="photo copy 11" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-11-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a></p>
<p>Hello to my daytime partner in crime.<br />
And hello to soaking up every ounce of alone time that I have with him.<br />
He&#8217;s losing his newborn baby smell you guys&#8230;<br />
It&#8217;s a bit heartbreaking.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html/photo-20" rel="attachment wp-att-17236"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17236" alt="photo" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo5-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a>Sawyers Fox Onesie c/o: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrintedPalette" target="_blank">The Printed Palette</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Hello to an evening alone at my Happy Place.<br />
Hello to picking books off the shelves, opening them up and pulling them close so I could breath in their new book smell.<br />
&#8220;New book&#8221; smell is for me what &#8220;new car&#8221; smell is for Ben.<br />
Hello to sitting alone in silence.<br />
With no words, except the ones that left my fingertips.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html/photo-copy-10-4" rel="attachment wp-att-17226"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17226" alt="photo copy 10" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-10-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a></p>
<p>Hello to my latest obsession, bordering on an addiction.<br />
We&#8217;re making some healthy changes around these parts and I can&#8217;t wait to share more details on that with you soon.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html/produce" rel="attachment wp-att-17230"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17230" alt="produce" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/produce-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /><br />
</a>Hello to an entire week of juicing for breakfast.<br />
Ben wanted me to ask you to guess which breakfast was his in the picture below:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html/juicing" rel="attachment wp-att-17231"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17231" alt="juicing" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/juicing-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p>Hello to a sneak peek of the unforgettable day I spent at <a href="http://www.elevateblogconference.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Elevate</a>.<br />
Such a wonderful group of authentic, creative, talented and inspiring ladies.<br />
This is our silly face picture.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html/resizedimage_1368422566203" rel="attachment wp-att-17233"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17233" alt="ResizedImage_1368422566203" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ResizedImage_1368422566203-605x340.jpg" width="605" height="340" /><br />
</a><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html/elevate2" rel="attachment wp-att-17237"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17237" alt="elevate2" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/elevate2-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Hello to my favorite new &#8220;arm party&#8221; ensemble.<br />
The letter &#8220;A&#8221; bracelet is c/o: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/bipandbop" target="_blank">Bip &amp; Bop </a><br />
Get<strong> 15% OFF</strong> at Bip &amp; Bop with the <strong>code: LMM15</strong>.<br />
All other bracelets<a href="http://www.sldesigns.com" target="_blank"> c/o: SL Designs</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html/photo-19" rel="attachment wp-att-17235"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17235" alt="photo" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo4-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a><br />
Hello to a project I just learned about and it immediately spoke to my soul.<br />
I&#8217;m thinking that together, we can do this. So let&#8217;s.<br />
Details to come.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html/solehope" rel="attachment wp-att-17232"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17232" alt="solehope" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/solehope-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p>Hello to my Mother&#8217;s Day miracle&#8230;<br />
Our Wesley, sitting still with his hands folded oh-so-reverently for Church.<br />
And not to worry, Sawyer is getting his hair cut this week.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html/photo-copy-12-3" rel="attachment wp-att-17228"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17228" alt="photo copy 12" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-12-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /><br />
</a>Hello to Wesley&#8217;s VERY first trip onto the stage to sing with his Sunday school class.<br />
He stayed up there for the entire song, like the brave little boy he is.<br />
This momma was proud.</p>
<p>Hello to the Mother&#8217;s Day quote that was given to me by the youth of your Church.<br />
It made me tear up, but no surprise there.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html/photo-copy-16-3" rel="attachment wp-att-17229"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17229" alt="photo copy 16" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-16-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /><br />
</a>Hello to a a new week.<br />
A week where I plan to practice taking deep breaths,<br />
balancing my time,<br />
not sweating the small stuff,<br />
and perhaps even doing some laundry.</p>
<p><em><strong>What are you saying hello to this week?</strong></em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html">Hello Monday: What&#8217;s To Come</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~4/6ZF-agCugRs" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>10</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-whats-to-come.html</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>Typography Mantel Art (using lemons)</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~3/pcK9peOIGt4/typography-mantel-art.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashley Stock</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[craft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[10 Blog Hop]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?p=17166</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;m so excited to share both my Citrus Typography Mantel Art along with a fun monthly collaboration starting today with 10 creative blogs. Each month on the 10th, the same 10 blogs will share a project<a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html" rel="nofollow"> {...Read More...} </a></p><p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html">Typography Mantel Art (using lemons)</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;">I&#8217;m so excited to share both my<strong> Citrus Typography Mantel Art</strong> along with a fun monthly collaboration starting today with <strong>10 creative blogs</strong>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Each month on the <strong>10th</strong>, the same <strong>10 blogs</strong> will share a project around the same theme.<br />
And you can hop to their blogs to see and save their projects too.<br />
You can pin this collage below, and then stop by on the 10th each month to see new creations!<br />
In May, the theme is <strong>CITRUS</strong>, below are the fabulous projects and recipes.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16515" alt="10 Citrus projects and recipes" src="http://www.kristendukephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/10-Citrus-projects-and-recipes-819x1024.jpg" width="819" height="1024" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">To see each contributors <strong>Citrus</strong> post up close, join the <strong>Blog Hop</strong>! {In the event that the direct link to their posts don&#8217;t work when clicking on the title, click on the blogs main page link just before}. They are numbered according to the links below.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="http://www.kristendukephotography.com/">Capturing Joy</a> shares <a href="www.kristendukephotography.com/citrus-photography-art-prints/">Citrus Photography Art Prints</a> for the home</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">2 .<a href="http://www.eighteen25.blogspot.com/">Eighteen25</a> sharing their <a href="http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2013/05/orange-party-punch.html">Orange Party Punch</a> recipe</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">3 .<a href="http://www.landeeseelandeedo.com/">Landee See, Landee Do</a> shares a <a href="http://www.landeeseelandeedo.com/2013/05/crusted-lemon-cream-bars.html">Crusted Lemon Cream Bars</a> recipe</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">4. <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/">Little Miss Momma</a> sharing diy <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html ‎">Typography Mantel Art (Using Lemons)</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">5. <a href="http://lollyjane.com/">Lolly Jane</a> shares a diy <a href="http://lollyjane.com/chevron-citrus-wreath">Chevron Citrus Wreath</a> tutorial</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">6.<a href="http://oneshetwoshe.com/">Or So She Says</a> shares a recipe for <a href="http://oneshetwoshe.com/2013/05/lemon-ricotta-gems.html">Lemon Ricotta Gems</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">7. <a href="http://simplykierste.com/">Simply Kierste</a> has a recipe for <a href="http://simplykierste.com/2013/05/lemon-cream-cheese-cupcakes.html">Lemon Cupcakes</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">8. <a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/">Six Sisters Stuff</a> sharing a <a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/04/creamy-lemon-bars.html">Creamy Lemon Bars</a> recipe</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">9. <a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/">Thirty Handmade Days</a> shares <a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/?p=14757">When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemon Cookies!</a> Printable and recipe</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">10. <a href="http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/">Your Homebased Mom</a> shares a <a href=" http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/lemon-cream-cake/" target="_blank">Lemon Cream Cake</a> Recipe</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong> Typography Mantel Art (using lemons)</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html/happylemon" rel="attachment wp-att-17190"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17190" alt="happylemon" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/happylemon-605x810.jpg" width="605" height="810" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I love yellow. I love lemons. And I love word art.<br />
This 15 minute project is a marriage of sorts between these three loves.<br />
Now that I have a fireplace mantel, I&#8217;ve been excited to switch out some elements of the decor with the changing seasons.<br />
But I&#8217;m not all about BIG projects right now, so I just switch out a few accessories to create a new look.<br />
With summer time right around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to add a new lemony look to my mantelscape.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I also enjoy decorating with fruit&#8211;but usually the extent is a bowl of lemons on my kitchen table.<br />
With this project, I decided to take that bowl of lemons to the next level.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html/lemonwordart" rel="attachment wp-att-17193"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17193" alt="lemonwordart" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/lemonwordart-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /><br />
</a>So I pulled out a handful of lemons, sliced them up, took them outside to my picnic table&#8211;then asked my three year old to help arrange them in the shape of letters that spell &#8220;happy&#8221;.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html/lemonh" rel="attachment wp-att-17191"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17191" alt="lemonH" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/lemonH-605x727.jpg" width="605" height="727" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Then I downloaded into my computer, edited them with a whitewash finish and resized them to 4&#215;6.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html/screenshot" rel="attachment wp-att-17194"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17194" alt="Screenshot" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screenshot-605x341.jpg" width="605" height="341" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Then printed them to white card stock (I was out of photo paper and this worked just fine).</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html/citrusart" rel="attachment wp-att-17186"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17186" alt="citrusart" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/citrusart-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /><br />
</a>Then framed them in these simple 4&#215;6 frames.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html/framescitrus" rel="attachment wp-att-17188"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17188" alt="framescitrus" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/framescitrus-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /><br />
</a>I think it could be fun to do this with a bunch of different foods and spell out the words &#8220;happy birthday&#8221;.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html/happycitrus" rel="attachment wp-att-17189"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17189" alt="happycitrus" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/happycitrus-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html/fireplace1" rel="attachment wp-att-17200"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17200" alt="fireplace1" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/fireplace1-605x868.jpg" width="605" height="868" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html/lemonhappy" rel="attachment wp-att-17192"><img class="size-large wp-image-17192 aligncenter" alt="lemonhappy" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/lemonhappy-605x897.jpg" width="605" height="897" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> If you want to make sure you don&#8217;t forget to stop by each month on the 10th, grab a button and place it in your sidebar!</p>
<div style="padding: 5px;" align="center"><img title="10 Creative Blogs 10th each month" alt="10 Creative Blogs 10th each month" src="http://www.kristendukephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/blue1.jpg" width="168" height="168" /></div>
<pre style="background: #f0f0f0; border: solid 1px #cccccc; color: #777777; font-size: 90%; height: 50px; margin: auto; text-align: left; padding: 10px; display: block; overflow: auto; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 90%;">&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;a href=": http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html" title="10 Creative Blogs 10th each month"&gt;&lt;img src="http://www.kristendukephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/blue1.jpg" alt="10 Creative Blogs 10th each month" style="border:none;" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</pre>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html">Typography Mantel Art (using lemons)</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~4/pcK9peOIGt4" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>26</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/typography-mantel-art.html</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>{this moment}</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~3/g8qcrp96dm0/this-moment.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/this-moment.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2013 04:37:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashley Stock</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[live]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[this moment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?p=17207</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>{this moment} &#8211; A weekly ritual. A single photo &#8211; no words &#8211; capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. inspired by<a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/this-moment.html" rel="nofollow"> {...Read More...} </a></p><p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/this-moment.html">{this moment}</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><em>{this moment} &#8211; A weekly ritual. A single photo &#8211; no words &#8211; capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">inspired by <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/photo-projects/" target="_blank">SouleMama</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-<br />
<a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/this-moment.html/thismoment1" rel="attachment wp-att-17208"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17208" alt="thismoment1" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/thismoment1-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/this-moment.html">{this moment}</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~4/g8qcrp96dm0" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/this-moment.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>12</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/this-moment.html</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>Dear Mom, Love Sawyer</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~3/scPPaqNbl4A/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 06:57:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashley Stock</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[grow]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?p=17168</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>&#160; Inspired by my favorite commercial. You can watch it here. And you can play along even. Write a letter to you, as if written by your child. Be sure to give yourself some credit in<a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html" rel="nofollow"> {...Read More...} </a></p><p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html">Dear Mom, Love Sawyer</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Inspired by my favorite commercial.<br />
You can watch it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yotq4zr0dRc" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
And you can play along even.<br />
Write a letter to you, as if written by your child.<br />
Be sure to give yourself some credit in the letter.<br />
Acknowledge those things you do well.<br />
This can be your Mother&#8217;s Day gift to yourself *wink*.<br />
And then, link up in the comments.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html/photo-copy-3-7" rel="attachment wp-att-17171"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17171" alt="photo copy 3" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-31-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html/photo-16" rel="attachment wp-att-17176"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17176" alt="photo" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo1-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html/photo-copy-29" rel="attachment wp-att-17175"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17175" alt="photo copy" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy1-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /><br />
</a><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html/photo-17" rel="attachment wp-att-17177"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17177" alt="photo" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo2-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a>Cross legged babe.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html/photo-copy-6-4" rel="attachment wp-att-17174"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17174" alt="photo copy 6" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-61-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a><br />
Peek-a-boo</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html/photo-copy-4-4" rel="attachment wp-att-17172"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17172" alt="photo copy 4" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-41-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a>A look through the crack in the door during nap time.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html/photo-copy-2-7" rel="attachment wp-att-17170"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17170" alt="photo copy 2" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-21-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html/photo-copy-5-5" rel="attachment wp-att-17173"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17173" alt="photo copy 5" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-5-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a></p>
<p>Letter to me, from Sawyer:</p>
<p>Dear Mom,</p>
<p>You&#8217;re doing OK, Mom.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m a pretty easy baby.<br />
For now.<br />
This quality is my gift to you.<br />
Thank you for recognizing this blessing in me every day.</p>
<p>I know how badly you want to be perfect at this&#8211;at being my Momma.<br />
And I&#8217;m sure there will be times that I&#8217;ll resent you for the mistakes you&#8217;ll inevitably make.<br />
But please know, in the future, when I throw a fit, or embarass you in public, or make you question every parenting decision you have ever made&#8211;even then, I&#8217;m just doing my job. My job as both your greatest trial and your greatest joy.</p>
<p>Please know, I&#8217;m happy.<br />
And Wesley is too.<br />
I know you worry about that a lot.<br />
And if I could talk, I would tell you to stop.<br />
Stop worrying.<br />
Because we&#8217;re doing OK too.</p>
<p>He loves me, you know&#8211;Wesley.<br />
And he&#8217;s proud of me.<br />
I&#8217;ve changed his heart.<br />
And taught him to be gentle.<br />
Wrestling my brother and waiting for him to greet me at my crib every morning are my favorite times of day.<br />
I like to chew on him too. He&#8217;s pretty awesome for letting me do that.</p>
<p>I know you also worry that you and I don&#8217;t connect enough, or get our quality time&#8230;<br />
because my brother still takes so much of your attention and energy.<br />
But Mom, I <strong>feel</strong> connected.<br />
To you, to Dad and to Wesley.</p>
<p>Like when you crawl from the front seat of the car<br />
and squish next to me while we&#8217;re on a long drive and I&#8217;m upset.<br />
I love how you do that.<br />
Because all I want is to see your face.<br />
And wrap my tiny hand around your finger.</p>
<p>Or when you wrap me to your chest while you vacuum the house,<br />
just so we can be close.<br />
I like to be close to you Mom.<br />
Like the crawling up your body,<br />
pulling your hair,<br />
and licking your face kind of close.<br />
Thanks for not complaining when I lick your face.<br />
You&#8217;re cool like that Mom.</p>
<p>Mom, you can&#8217;t sing.<br />
In fact, you&#8217;re terrible at it.<br />
But thank you for trying anyway.<br />
Your rendition of &#8220;You Are My Sunshine&#8221;,<br />
no matter how off key, still makes me smile and brings me comfort.</p>
<p>Thanks for being resourceful enough to wipe my nose with your sleeve,<br />
and brave enough to eat that mystery food particle off my cheek when you can&#8217;t find a wipe,<br />
and infatuated enough to cuddle me close even when I smell like sour spit-up.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s okay that it sometimes takes you 3 weeks to catch up on my laundry,<br />
or that I sometimes stay in my pajamas all day,<br />
or that you let me eat puffs that have fallen on the floor.<br />
I get it.</p>
<p>Because you&#8217;re trying.<br />
Really hard.<br />
I can see that,<br />
and I can hear it when you pray for me.</p>
<p>And that &#8220;trying hard&#8221; part is the lesson you are teaching me.<br />
To not give up.<br />
To learn from failures.<br />
To forgive myself.<br />
And to grow.</p>
<p>Because you&#8217;re not perfect.<br />
And even though I&#8217;m just a little squirt,<br />
I already know that.<br />
And I love you anyway.</p>
<p>love,</p>
<p>Sawyer (10 months old)</p>
<p>**************</p>
<p>Side note: My sweet and talented friend, Heather of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/riverandbridge?ref=top_trail" target="_blank">River &amp; Bridge</a>, has come up with this really cool new product called bridgeBOX&#8211;designed to encourage us to bring back the art of a handwritten note. It&#8217;s a great way to get beautiful, high quality notecards at a discounted price. Heather is my go-to gal for all of my design and print material (Christmas cards, stationary, post cards, etc). Her eye for design really is amazing. Check out her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/riverandbridge?ref=top_trail" target="_blank">shop</a> to see what I mean, and sample her work with the new bridgeBOX.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html/bridgebox_info" rel="attachment wp-att-17178"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17178" alt="bridgeBOX_info" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bridgeBOX_info-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html">Dear Mom, Love Sawyer</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~4/scPPaqNbl4A" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>24</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/dear-mom-love-sawyer.html</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>Hello Monday: San Diego</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~3/qd_gOD6g2fA/hello-monday-san-diego.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2013 06:24:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashley Stock</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[live]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?p=17129</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Joining the fabulous Lisa Leonard for another Hello Monday series. You should play along. *** Hello Monday. Hello to a previous week full of blog comments that touched my soul. I read every single one<a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html" rel="nofollow"> {...Read More...} </a></p><p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html">Hello Monday: San Diego</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">Joining the fabulous <a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/Default.aspx?affiliate=3" target="_blank">Lisa Leonard</a> for another Hello Monday series.<br />
You should play along.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Hello Monday.<br />
Hello to a previous week full of blog comments that touched my soul.<br />
I read every single one of them you know. Every one.<br />
Your words keep me going. Keep me motivated.<br />
Remind me what matters. Provide perspective on days I want to throw in the towel.<br />
I don&#8217;t usually get a chance to respond to all comments and emails,<br />
especially as I continue my attempt to find balance in this juggling act of life.<br />
But I won&#8217;t go off on that tangent now,<br />
because my current goal is to &#8220;stop the glorification of busy&#8221;.<br />
Just please know,<br />
your words matter to me&#8230;<br />
and I love when you take the time to share your heart.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>Hello to a very scary fire that threatened our So.Cal community all weekend long.<br />
And thank goodness for the miracle of rain that hit Sunday afternoon.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/photo-copy-3-6" rel="attachment wp-att-17145"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17145" alt="photo copy 3" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-3-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Hello to our San Diego weekend getaway.<br />
We started our road trip with a stop at 7-11.<br />
Ben walked in for some water and came out with this.<br />
Key to my heart&#8230;key to my heart.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/photo-copy-28" rel="attachment wp-att-17143"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17143" alt="photo copy" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a></p>
<p>Hello to the cutest little duck feeder that I ever did see.<br />
We stayed at <a href="http://www.paradisepoint.com" target="_blank">Paradise Point</a> and they give you a package of duck food upon arrival.<br />
The ducks eat right out of the palm of your hand. I was too chicken to try.<br />
But my little man was brave as could be&#8211;and it might seem silly, but I was so proud of him.<br />
It&#8217;s the little things.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/ducks1" rel="attachment wp-att-17137"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17137" alt="ducks1" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ducks1-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/ducks2" rel="attachment wp-att-17136"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17136" alt="ducks2" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ducks2-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/ducks4" rel="attachment wp-att-17134"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17134" alt="ducks4" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ducks4-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/ducks6" rel="attachment wp-att-17133"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17133" alt="ducks6" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ducks6-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/ducks3_edited-1" rel="attachment wp-att-17142"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17142" alt="ducks3_edited-1" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ducks3_edited-1-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p>Hello to a hugely successful trip to Sea World.<br />
After our disastrous visit to <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2012/10/disney-land.html" target="_blank">Disney Land</a>, we were nervous about how this could go.<br />
But we went prepared this time.<br />
No expectations.<br />
And it went perfectly.<br />
Wesley&#8217;s overwhelming love for animals won out.</p>
<p>At one point, as Wes had his face pressed against the glass while a Polar Bear swam by,<br />
I felt Ben reach for my hand and give it three big squeezes.<br />
My eyes filled with tears and my heart was full.<br />
There is no greater feeling in this world<br />
than watching your children experience pure joy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/seaworld_edited-1" rel="attachment wp-att-17151"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17151" alt="seaworld_edited-1" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/seaworld_edited-1-605x402.jpg" width="605" height="402" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/img_2083" rel="attachment wp-att-17152"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17152" alt="IMG_2083" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_2083-605x453.jpg" width="605" height="453" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/turtle" rel="attachment wp-att-17130"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17130" alt="turtle" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/turtle-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p>Hello to the Shamu show that literally brought MORE tears to my eyes.<br />
Except that these tears were also streaming down my cheeks.<br />
It appears I&#8217;m a big sap these days.<br />
(these new Target and Johnson&#8217;s Baby commercials are killing me)<br />
I had no idea this whale show would be so magical. And beautiful. And overwhelming.<br />
<strong>Wesley:</strong> <em>I don&#8217;t like when the whale spwash me</em>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/whales2" rel="attachment wp-att-17138"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17138" alt="whales2" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/whales2-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p>Hello to me attempting to explain to Ben that I still don&#8217;t know how to take photos in the dark.<br />
This was the result:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/dark" rel="attachment wp-att-17131"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17131" alt="dark" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/dark-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /><br />
</a>And hello to the yogurt melt that was found tangled in Sawyer&#8217;s hair for who knows how long. #momoftheyear</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/melt" rel="attachment wp-att-17132"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17132" alt="melt" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/melt-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p>Hello to a sunset stroll on the beach and treasure hunting for more seashells.<br />
And hotel pool swimming. And more duck feeding. And sleeping in the big bed with Mommy and Daddy.<br />
Lucky boy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/photo-copy-2-6" rel="attachment wp-att-17144"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17144" alt="photo copy 2" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-2-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a><br />
Hello to a completely sleepless night for every member of our family.<br />
Hence, we were the only ones at this beachside breakfast cafe at 6:30 in the morning.<br />
Apparently our family of four does not do so well sleeping in the same room together&#8211;lesson learned.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/photo-copy-6-3" rel="attachment wp-att-17153"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17153" alt="photo copy 6" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-6-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/photo-copy-4-3" rel="attachment wp-att-17154"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17154" alt="photo copy 4" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-4-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a></p>
<p>Hello to seeing <a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com" target="_blank">this</a> lovely lady on Saturday and attending my first ever Queen Bee Market.<br />
So fun you guys, so fun. I&#8217;ll be at the next one for sure.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/photo-copy-8-2" rel="attachment wp-att-17155"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17155" alt="photo copy 8" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-8-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /><br />
</a>Hello to a jam packed weekend.<br />
Hello to tired eyes and a full heart.<br />
It&#8217;s amazing what time away from the hustle and bustle can do for the soul.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>And a few bonus hello&#8217;s from our handmade sponsors<br />
who always have me swooning over their fabulous creations.</p>
<p>Hello to bright Summer nail colors.<br />
And to my new, fun polish c/o: <a href="http://shop.llarowe.com/collections/naild-it-unique-nail-polish" target="_blank">Naild&#8217;it</a>.<br />
Wesley call&#8217;s them &#8220;sprinkles&#8221; because of all the fun glitter and shimmer.<br />
And I love me an accent nail.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/photo-15" rel="attachment wp-att-17147"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17147" alt="photo" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">You can shop all their fun colors <a href="http://shop.llarowe.com/collections/naild-it-unique-nail-polish" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/andeevie?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
And check out the Naild&#8217;it <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naildit-Unique-Nail-Polish/247144918722685" target="_blank">facebook</a> page for an awesome giveaway going on right now.<br />
Their &#8220;<a href="http://shop.llarowe.com/collections/naild-it-unique-nail-polish/products/bleeding-love" target="_blank">bleeding love</a>&#8221; color is next on my list.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/photo-copy-7-2" rel="attachment wp-att-17146"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17146" alt="photo copy 7" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-copy-7-605x605.jpg" width="605" height="605" /></a><br />
Hello to Sawyer&#8217;s new favorite <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Littlenuggetnoggins?ref=usr_faveitems&amp;atr_uid=10238957" target="_blank">leggings</a> and his crazy long hair.<br />
Because boys can wear leggings too, ya know. (let them be little)</p>
<p><strong><em>What are you saying hello to this week?</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html">Hello Monday: San Diego</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~4/qd_gOD6g2fA" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>19</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/hello-monday-san-diego.html</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>Our Living Room and a B.O.P. Giveaway</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~3/WwV-hPR0R8I/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2013 04:10:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashley Stock</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[nest]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.littlemissmomma.com/?p=17087</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>GIVEAWAY CLOSED and Winners selected: Congrats to Natasha Flores and Denise Burridge.  You have been sent an email with details about claiming your prize. *** I call this my happy room. The room I go<a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html" rel="nofollow"> {...Read More...} </a></p><p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html">Our Living Room and a B.O.P. Giveaway</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
<em>GIVEAWAY CLOSED and Winners selected:</em><br />
</strong><em>Congrats to Natasha Flores and Denise Burridge. </em><br />
<em>You have been sent an email with details about claiming your prize.</em><strong><br />
</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/fireplace" rel="attachment wp-att-17088"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17088" alt="fireplace" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/fireplace-605x1003.jpg" width="605" height="1003" /></a></p>
<p>I call this my happy room. The room I go to when the boys are fast asleep. And I need to kick up my feet and rest. Or write. Or cozy up by the fire.</p>
<p>When we first moved into this house, I was too nervous to hang anything on the walls. This was our first &#8220;real&#8221; home together and I wanted to be absolutely certain about the nails I hammered and the items I selected to represent our family. But after weeks (which eventually turned into months) of indecision, Ben finally sat me down to have a talk.</p>
<p><strong>Ben:</strong> <em>They&#8217;re just holes.</em></p>
<p>That was it. That was all he said. And it was all I needed to hear.<br />
I was free to make mistakes. Free to change my mind.<br />
Free to hang up whatever I felt best reflected our family at this stage of life.</p>
<p>And you know what?<br />
Once I stopped thinking, and just started hanging&#8211;I found that the results represented us more accurately than if I would have approached the project with a detailed set of plans.  Because we&#8217;re not a detailed set of plans kind of family. We&#8217;re a bit whimsical. We&#8217;re a bit neutral with pops of color. We&#8217;re happy and optimistic. And I think this room captures that now.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/livingroom2" rel="attachment wp-att-17092"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17092" alt="livingroom2" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/livingroom2-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/livingroom1" rel="attachment wp-att-17091"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17091" alt="livingroom1" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/livingroom1-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a><br />
&#8220;Keep Calm and Carry On&#8221; sign and &#8220;Be Real, Be Wholehearted&#8221; sign c/o: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/barnowlprimitives?ref=top_trail" target="_blank">Barn Owl Primitives</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/quilt" rel="attachment wp-att-17096"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17096" alt="quilt" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/quilt-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This is one of the fab, vintage quilts I snagged while at <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/04/whatever-craft-weekend-part-1.html" target="_blank">Whatever Craft Weekend</a>.</p>
<p>This little collage wall is extra special to me.  For me, words are art. They have power. And the words found on this wall are the words I hope will be etched in the hearts of my boys forever. These are the words I whisper into their ears as they drift off to sleep each night. These are the words I repeat in our nighttime prayers. These are the words I will remind them of when faced with important life lessons and decisions. These are the words that matter in our home&#8211;and I want there to be no doubts about that.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/wall" rel="attachment wp-att-17101"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17101" alt="wall" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/wall-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">You Have Been Given Today print c/o: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/katygirldesigns" target="_blank">Katy Girl</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/closeup" rel="attachment wp-att-17106"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17106" alt="closeup" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/closeup-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /><br />
</a>&#8220;I Am Enough&#8221; made for me by <a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com" target="_blank">this</a> girl</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/hoopart-2" rel="attachment wp-att-17089"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17089" alt="hoopart" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/hoopart-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Hoop Art c/o: <a href="http://www.take-the-cannoli.net" target="_blank">Take the Cannoli</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/roses" rel="attachment wp-att-17097"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17097" alt="roses" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/roses-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/indoorplants" rel="attachment wp-att-17090"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17090" alt="indoorplants" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/indoorplants-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/abelincolnpillow" rel="attachment wp-att-17111"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17111" alt="abelincolnpillow" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/abelincolnpillow-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/benashframe" rel="attachment wp-att-17110"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17110" alt="benashframe" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/benashframe-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>A few weeks back, Ben and I lay in bed telling stories about our childhood.<br />
He began telling me a story about some family home evening gone awry.<br />
And then another story about an impromptu family vacation to Mt. Rushmore.<br />
And then a story about a road trip he and his dad took to visit colleges.</p>
<p>Several stories, some good laughs, a few sentimental head nods later&#8230;<br />
and suddenly I found myself overwhelmed with appreciation.<br />
Appreciation for the sacrifices made and the love freely given by two parents who love Ben oh-so-much.</p>
<p><strong>Me:</strong> <em>What about your family motto growing up?</em><br />
<strong>Ben:</strong> <em>What about it?</em></p>
<p>When Ben was growing up, his four siblings and parents sat down around the table one evening and came up with a motto&#8211;something to hold them all together, something to serve as a reminder of what really matters in the face of life&#8217;s obstacles and oppositions.</p>
<p><strong>Me:</strong> <em>I think that&#8217;s a really special thing your family did. And I think we should do it too. For the boys, and for us.</em></p>
<p>So we stayed awake a little while longer. And we thought long and hard.<br />
I pulled out my trusty notepad and a pencil.<br />
Then we came up with a list of mottos that touched our hearts.<br />
Some of them were deep.<br />
Some made us laugh.<br />
Some were scripture.<br />
But when we found the ONE, well&#8230;we just knew.</p>
<p><strong>Be Awesome Today.</strong></p>
<p>In our home, &#8220;awesome&#8221; doesn&#8217;t mean &#8220;being cool&#8221;.</p>
<p>It means making good choices.<br />
Choosing love.<br />
And kindess.<br />
And optimism.<br />
And compassion.<br />
And charity.</p>
<p>Being awesome doesn&#8217;t mean being perfect.<br />
It simply means,<br />
be the best version of yourself.<br />
Today.<br />
And everyday.</p>
<p>I got in touch with my pal, Kristi of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/barnowlprimitives?ref=top_trail" target="_blank">Barn Owl Primitives</a> the next day and I told her my idea.<br />
She got to work on yet another special treasure for my home.<br />
When it arrived, I knew exactly where it was going to hang.<br />
There was no anxiety about nailing these holes in the wall.</p>
<p>Now when you visit my home,<br />
you&#8217;ll find &#8220;Be Awesome Today&#8221; hung right above our front door&#8230;</p>
<p>And in the morning,<br />
when things are pure chaos,<br />
and lunches are being thrown together,<br />
and we&#8217;re frantically looking for a matching sock,<br />
and the Disney Chanel is blaring in the background..<br />
On these mornings and every morning,<br />
as Ben leaves to take our son to school,<br />
I quickly wrap my arms around Wesley&#8217;s tiny toddler body,<br />
pull him in close, ruffle his hair&#8230;and whisper in his ear:<br />
<em>Be Awesome Today buddy, be awesome.</em><br />
And then I plant a big kiss on his lips<br />
and trust the world to take care of my baby for the day.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/sawyer" rel="attachment wp-att-17098"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17098" alt="sawyer" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/sawyer-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/beawesome" rel="attachment wp-att-17108"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17108" alt="beawesome" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/beawesome-605x907.jpg" width="605" height="907" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/sign-2" rel="attachment wp-att-17105"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17105" alt="sign" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/sign1-605x403.jpg" width="605" height="403" /></a></p>
<p>You guys, Kristi is literally one of my favorite people in the world&#8211;no exaggeration.<br />
Some people enter your life that are just different in the best way possible.<br />
I call them game changers.<br />
Those people who leave footprints on your soul.<br />
Kristi is my game changer.</p>
<p><strong>THE GIVEAWAY: </strong></p>
<p>Today Kristi is giving away TWO &#8220;be awesome today&#8221; signs just like mine!<br />
That means two of you guys have a chance to WIN a piece of love from my favorite shop ever!</p>
<p>To enter, leave a comment telling me what your family motto would be.<br />
For a second entry visit the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/barnowlprimitives?ref=top_trail" target="_blank">Barn Owl Primitives </a>shop and leave a comment here telling me your favorite item.<br />
For a bonus entry, tweet or facebook a link to this giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your post.<br />
*Leave a separate comment for each entry. Three total entry options.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/1-bop" rel="attachment wp-att-17114"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-17114" alt="1-BOP" src="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1-BOP-605x805.jpg" width="605" height="805" /></a><br />
Connect with Barn Owl Primitives here:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/barnowlprimitives" target="_blank">Facebook</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/barnowlprimitiv" target="_blank">Twitter</a> // <a href="http://statigr.am/viewer.php#/user/4113411/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html">Our Living Room and a B.O.P. Giveaway</a> - <a href="http://www.littlemissmomma.com">Little Miss Momma</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/vlrRO/~4/WwV-hPR0R8I" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>510</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2013/05/our-living-room-and-a-giveaway.html</feedburner:origLink></item>
	</channel>
</rss>
