Today Is My Favorite

Come Peek Into Our Story. . .

2018-04-04T03:17:00.001-05:00

Oh this poor dilapidated blog. . . how I miss thee. ;)
Guys is blogging even a thang anymore?!?!? I mean for real. . . . is anyone reading this?!?!

**taps mic for sound**

I wanted to pop in + give a quick life update + share something vulnerable, but very near + dear + life changing for our family. So if you don't want to peek in our windows + get all up close + personal, you can scurry away now. haha

Just 8 months ago, our life took a drastic turn. . . . the kind where you know you will look back 50 years down the road + knowingly nod to each other + chuckle at the massive fork in the road that it really was.

On July 1, Adam gave his resignation notice to his construction employer + 30 days later when our darling Lakelyn Joy was born, we stepped into a freedom life that still feels pinch-me-lump-in-the-throat unreal. A life where we aren't controlled by work weeks + regulated vacation days, a life where family is first + all the good things in ministry + friendship + hustle weave their way around the ONE thing that truly matters the most.

You're probably her + reading this post because 1 // you're friends with someone in The Village Gathering + they sent you this link 2 // you're curious if this thing is even real AND/OR 3 // you have no clue what I'm talking about but you're a sweet old blog reader that's stuck around. So hey! Thanks! You're faithful + amazing + I might just name my next kid after you. haha

What you are about to read is a tiny snippets of our story over the last 3 years, in quarterly segments. It's hope that the numbers on the Young Living Income Disclosure Statement are LEGIT. It's truth that network marketing ain't yo mama's tupperware parties of yesteryear. haha And most of all, it's proof that heart + hustle, centered around community + building each other up + wellness for all the people in all the places CAN change your story + the stories of those around you.

This is just the beginning of our story + I share because I believe that there are many more families that want to create a ripple affect of hope + change for themselves too. . . let's do this!!

When I first bought my Premium Starter Kit of 11 oils + a diffuser for $150 from Young Living on that cold, tail-end-of-January day in 2015, I had no idea it would turn into something so life changing, so life giving, so far reaching for not only our family but thousands of others around the world. I had no idea that 2.5 years later, my baby girl that I had always dreamed of would be born + never have to say goodbye to her daddy as he leaves the house for work 60 hours a week. I had no idea our 2 boys would know every single day of the week as family day + not just the weekends.

So I'm putting my brave face on + writing this post because I truly believe in the mission of Young Living + the potential it has to literally impact every home in the world with the gifts of wellness, purpose + abundance. It has touched our life in so many deep, life-trajectory ways that it's not fair to keep it to ourselves.

JANUARY 2015 //
I bought my starter kit January 25 + before the end of that month, one friend had decided she wanted to try some too. I had no idea what I was doing, I was just telling my friends that if they wanted to learn with me, we could figure this 'oil thing' out together.

People that decided to try the oils // 1
Check Amount For January // $52.40

APRIL 2015 //
Things were starting to get rolling in April. It was a first really big paycheck. Crossing that $1000 threshold felt so close. I was simply sharing stories on social media, inviting people in to look + learn about wellness + oils. My job was so simple because I was simply plugging people into all the amazing resources that my friend Casey had already created. It was really just simple sharing what we were loving.

Total People that decided to try the oils // 12
Check Amount For April // $766.05

JULY 2015 //
Our first month crossing over 100 members on our team. It was getting super fun to see more + more people jumping on board to try the oils. I kept sharing stories, I was helping my local friends to have educational classes in their homes so their friends could learn too. It felt so good to offer something of value to help people better their wellness + homes.

Total People that decided to try the oils // 105
Check Amount For July // $654.66

OCTOBER 2015 //
October 1st, we launched our branded team, The Village Gathering. You can see more here // www.thevillagegathering.net // There was so much excitement + growth + more + more people were telling their mom, their sister, the best friend about these oils. I also took a leadership development course that my friend Courtney put on that month. I had no idea that the personal growth + friendships + healing that would happen on a heart level would be one of the BIGGEST gifts in this business.

Total People that decided to try the oils // 150
Check Amount For October // $849.62

JANUARY 2016 //
We had JUST moved to Los Angeles from Iowa in December, so I was in a completely new city, new church, new circle of friends, but our business was nearing the doubling point from the fall months. Despite the massive upheaval of moving cross country, our business was moving forward + we didn't have to start from scratch which is COMPLETELY contrary to brick + mortar businesses.  It was amazing how social media was able to still connect + bring me together with this ever growing family in The Village Gathering. These people were fast becoming my dearest friends + we were just a month before hitting the first big rank of Young Living, Silver!!

Total People that decided to try the oils // 246
Check Amount For January // $890.48

APRIL 2016 //
I will always remember how Adam + I would have budget conversations throughout the early months of this business. First it was our order of oils + supplements + household products that were being completely covered by my paycheck. Then we knew we could solidly count on an extra $500 to add to the budget. When it was consistently over $1000 a month, GOSH what a huge milestone that was. I was making MORE money than I used to make driving school bus 20 hours a week. You can read more of that story here

Total People that decided to try the oils // 385
Check Amount For April // $1,481.39

JULY 2016 // July was another big month of transition. We were preparing to move from Los Angeles to San Diego + all the change that would bring. I continued to work with all the amazing, growing members on our team BUT the flexility of time + location meant the WORLD to me. What job can just pick up + go with you anywhere without missing a beat in income!?!? This was also the month right before we hit the rank of Gold as a team. So much growth. So much excitement. . .

Total People that decided to try the oils // 533
Check Amount For July // $1,795.29

OCTOBER 2016 //
October was SUCH a fun month!!! I had just returned from my first all expense paid trip from Young Living --- a trip to Mona Utah + the lavender farm there. Plus I was put up in a gorgeous hotel downtown Salt Lake City. This was ALSO the first month our paycheck really started to explode + we had our first members of our team that hit the rank of Silver as well.

Total People that decided to try the oils // 864
Check Amount For October // $4,971.06

JANUARY 2017 //
I was full-blown down + out during the month of December + January with morning sickness. To be super honest, I didn't work that much those two months. . . . and GOSH. It was the first time I really saw the power of residual income. Income that is depend on your investment of time, rather than trading your hours for dollars on a weekly basis. Not only was our insanely team continuing to grow, but our paycheck was still enough to offset our high cost of living in San Diego.

Total People that decided to try the oils //  1327
Check Amount For January // $5,715.04

APRIL 2017 //
April 1st, Adam + I were pulling into a port in Florida after spending 4 days at sea on an all expense paid cruise with our Young Living friends. It was the most glorious babymoon I could have ever hoped for -- snorkeling in Belize, kayaking off a private resort in Honduras, delicious dinners with friends on the boat. An absolute dream come true. And as if it couldn't have gotten even more humbling + shocking, our paycheck was starting to be at the point that felt like paper Monopoly money. The amount of money that we were now giving away each month for tithes + giving was MORE than I made as a school bus driver. . . just the part we were giving away. ***insert crying eye emojis here. . . lots of them***

Total People that decided to try the oils // 1887
Check Amount For April // $7,769.09

JULY 2017 //
July 1, 2017. The day that Adam gave his resignation notice at his construction job. Lakelyn Joy was born 30 days later on a Sunday evening + he never had to go back to work again. ***can we insert more crying eyes here + all the heart emoji you can handle****
Not only did I get to snuggle my baby without stress of juggling 3 kids alone, but Adam got to literally be with us the entire time. This was getting insanely surreal + it made me want this for every.single.one.i.knew.

Total People that decided to try the oils // 2497
Check Amount For July // $9,131.08

OCTOBER 2017 //
I snuggled my baby all fall long + in October we took a trip to Iowa to see my family. Not only did our Village Gathering friends rally to kick our growth to a record breaking high, but our paycheck was getting out of control. Is it possible to say thank you with overwhelming gratitude TOO much?!?!?!

Total People that decided to try the oils // 3336
Check Amount For October // $16,942.32

MARCH 2018 // our most recent check
Here we are in another new year, crazy numbers of people are using the oils, women are getting pregnant with babies they were desperate to conceive before, individual health stories are changing, answers are being found, husbands are coming home to be with their families, people are quitting jobs that are life-draining rather than life-giving, hearts are healing, friendships are being deeply forged in the daily work this business requires, student loans are being paid down, disney vacations with grandparents are being locked into memories. All the dollars are just tiny fractions of the lives that are being changed + I canNOT even believe I get to be part of this.

Total People that decided to try the oils // 4741
Check Amount For March // $16,802.05

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Little by little, one by one, stories are being written.
A million dreams are coming to life
We can live in a world that we design + this is a humbling, joy-filled adventure. . . but the best is yet to come.

To all my Village Gathering family, I am freaking obsessed with you all. You have brought so much JOY to my life + I am forever humbled + grateful we can do this together. Thank you for your patience in my short comings. Thank you for renewing my faith that money in the hands of good people doing good things is a VERY GOOD THING.

And because I shared specific numbers, I have to link to Young Living's Income Disclosure here.

I know that lots of network marketing friends do this whole thing in such an awkward way --- please stop all ya'll. haha
For real though. Just know that there is a place at the table for YOU!!

Just the way you are. With the exact strengths + giftings you bring to the table.

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I love how one of Young Living's most successful leaders says in THIS blog post

" If you’re thinking to yourself, “this can’t be real” yea, I feel you. You can believe that I’m thinking the same thing. If you're thinking, “this is too good to be true,” yea, me too. If you’re thinking, “there’s no way I can do that,” I’m gonna have to stop you there because I’ve seen too many people do exactly this behind me to support you on that. It all starts with loving the oils. Truly it does. If you do that, the rest will follow you. It just will."

We don't have to be 'typical MLM'. We can be freedom seekers, hope bringers, story tellings, life givers. We are shaking it up + doing things DIFFERENT than you've seen before + we want you to jump in + do this with us.

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If I can EVER help in any way, if I can ever answer any questions or tear down any misconceptions or fears, you know you can always ask.

I adore you. Even if we've never met.
Your story + your family's story is worth creating + I'm going to be here to run alongside you ever step of the way. We simply have to put our one, trembling yes on the table + the best is yet to come.

xoxoxoxo

nicole

nicole.neesby@gmail.com

Buy Make Up //

2018-02-01T09:18:00.003-06:00

Hey hey pretty friends!!! Dusting off zee 'ole blog because. . .

TODAY IS THE BEST DAY EVER!!!

we FINALLY can grab the magical, unicorn dust of Savvy Mineral Make-up!

If you are interested in joining my team, YAY!

To enroll with my group, click this link and make sure the number 2466275 appears in both the “Enroller” and “Sponsor ID” fields.

Sign up as a MEMBER- this does NOT mean you will ever have to sell anything, just means you get 24% off prices!

THE SAVVY MAKEUP KIT IS HERE!

That means you can now join my community with a Make-up kit!

When you sign up WHOLESALE, you will get invited to our private facebook group #BLESS, a place to learn everything you need to know about our amazing products and you will be plugged into the sweetest community. Plus your membership will give you a lifetime membership to Young Living so you can take advantage of all the things without requirements for orders or sales!!

If you are CURIOUS about the biz - we have an amazing team passionate about rising one another up. Families earning incomes!

We have a monthly business mentorship and countless resources for our community.

Every Savvy Minerals product was carefully crafted so you can feel fabulous about yourself and what you’re putting on your skin. Products developed with an unwavering standard of purity and quality, giving you a full variety of naturally derived products made without cheap fillers or synthetics—and that’s a beautiful thing!

If you haven't scanned your makeup with the Think Dirty app- do it! You are WORTH making this switch!

A few fun facts:
-Savvy Minerals are free from: talc, lead, bismuth, mineral oil, lead, mercury, parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, and synthetic colorants!

-Savvy Minerals are made in the USA (the brushes are made in Italy).

-Savvy Minerals are cruelty-free, gluten-free, and mostly vegan (the lipsticks and lip glosses have beeswax, so they are not considered vegan).

-Savvy Minerals by Young Living uses Arrowroot Powder and Kaolin Clay. Both are calming to the skin, help to absorb excess oil and moisture on the skin and make the skin feel silky smooth. This is important because most mineral makeup uses bismuth, which is a metal mineral that - when worked into the pores - aggravates the pores and causes irritation and breakouts.

-Savvy Minerals last ALL DAY LONG… seriously, ALL DAY LONG! You’ll look as fresh at midnight as you did at 9 AM!

You can't put a price tag on health.

I cannot WAIT to have you join us in the Village Gathering!!!

More questions?!

Email // nicole.neesby@gmail.com

Essential Oil Resources

2016-08-18T01:35:00.003-05:00

BOOKS //

BOTTLES + STUFF //

6 // Wool Dryer Balls

GROCERY //

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Hey hey hey friends!!! Just popping in to create a resource list for our amazing Village Gathering girls for all their oily needs. If you haven't jumped on the wellness train with us, check out all the wonderful things we're up to over here! We can't wait to have you have fun with us.

Also, remember that you can always see our daily life on Instagram here. Love you guys!!!

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French Snacks For All!

2016-05-12T17:23:00.000-05:00

Is it just us or is 'toddler life' synonymous with 'all day grazing'?! These boys are hungry + pawing through the pantry cupboards all day long. Dare I think about the teenage years?!?!?!?
*insert all the shocked + crying emoji faces* haha

I was super excited when Bakerly reached out to me + ask if they could send us some of their French snacks. Check this out. . .

Bakerly announced their debut in the U.S. market by "crossing the Atlantic" with the famous Transat bakerly solo sailing race that takes place in May and finishes in Brooklyn, NYC. You can see more of their journey here // http://www.thetransat.com/

How cool is that?!?! A little bit of french snackery right here in the Grand 'Ole USofA. Yahoooo!!
Plus all their bakery treats are non-GMO and completely free of preservatives, artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, zero high fructose corn syrup and zero trans fat. So while it's not exactly a kale salad, I felt good knowing their little bodies weren't being pumped full of toxic yuck!

Here's the rundown on French treats you can purchase //

Crossiants
Mini Brioches
Sponge Cakes
Crepes <---- the chocolate filled were my person fav

You can purchase them at all kinds of grocery stores here in California and even at Lucky's Market in Iowa City Iowa ---- in case my home girls are reading. haha

So be sure to look up your hometown on their website here to see where you can get your own French snacks for your next spring picnic.

Merci!

Wee Adventurers

2016-05-10T10:57:00.005-05:00

An observant child should be put in front of observant things // Charlotte Mason

I am so excited to announce the launch of a brand new project I am organizing for southern California mamas + their little ones! I know the daily struggle of intentionally getting outside to explore God's creation when the days so quickly fill with mealtime routines, laundry + the daily grind of the little years.

Enter Wee Adventurers!

The mission of Wee Adventurers is to empower mamas + their little ones to get outside + adventure. We will organize the dates + outings + you simply show up + join the community atmosphere with other mamas.

Each outing will be for two hours on a Friday morning with the option of joining us for a picnic lunch afterwards. All locations will be within the greater Los Angeles area + safe for children of all ages.

Our first adventure is Friday, May 13 at the tidepools in Corona Del Mar. Simply fill out this form to get all the specific details. Our second adventure will be two weeks later at the Monrovia Canyon Park Waterfall Trail. Be sure to fill out the form if you want to join us for one or both of those adventures!

You can also follow along on our Instagram feed here for continued inspiration + information on all our upcoming adventures. See you all soon!!! xoxo

If you are a mama, I'd love to hear about your favorite ways to get outside + adventure!!

Snail Mail Love

2016-05-04T16:22:00.001-05:00

When I was little, I my favorite time of day was rushing out to the mailbox at 3 o'clock in the afternoon to see who had send me letters. I had so many penpals from around the country + writing letters was truly one of my favorite things to fill my days. I actually remember getting in trouble for something as a kid + my punishment was not being able to write any letters for a set amount of time! haha

Fast forward to the world of texting + Facebook, blogs + instant messengers. . . it's a rare day when anything but bills shows up at 3 o'clock each day.

I'm working to make a conscientious effort to change that. . . that's one of the reasons I love my wellness community, The Village Gathering, because it has made me become intentional all over again with connecting in the good old fashion way of handwritten letters. I take weekly trips to the post office to send out little packages + goodies for my favorite girls + there is always a little card inside with encouragements + things I value about them.

When Basic Invite reached out + asked to send me some of their customizable cards, I was just elated + grateful because I'm already mailing them out so often. As I got onto their website, I was shocked + amazed at how truly customizable everything was. It was almost like a DIY card station on line. haha

I got lots of thank you cards for my Village girls as well as for Emmett's birthday gifts, but they have so many more options! Birth announcements, baby shower invitations, first birthdays, graduation announcements, even bar + bat mitzvah invitations! Here's what they say about their selection

"Almost Unlimited Colors - Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 160 different color options. So you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it down to the littlest detail. This is what we feel like sets us apart from almost any other online stationery company and it what we feel is our biggest draw."

I am so so thankful they reached out to me because now I know exactly where to go for all my customized cards for . . . . everything! My favorite part about working with Basic Invite was how I could switch up every little thing on the card from the font color, the the variation of dots + colors on a card + more. It's truly like a custom candy store for cards. haha

I'd love to hear from you. . . what are your favorite ways to send out pretty mail to those your love?!

Essential Oils For Mamas //

2016-03-30T07:33:00.000-05:00

Hey sweet friends! My name is Nicole, wife to my blonde California husband, mama to little Emmett + Gideon! We live in Los Angeles where we love spending family afternoons at the beach. In the cracks of time throughout my days, I am building a wellness community with women around the world with the focused on health + natural living through essential oils.

Right after Gideon was born, a friend shared a bottle of Young Living lavender + thieves essential oils with us + it didn't take long for me to fall in love with these little bottles of plant goodness. What a gift to use God-given nature to support the health + wellness in our family! We have gone on to learn ways to use oils to clear the toxins from our home in cleaning, body + beauty products + it feels so good knowing that our home isn't a chemical landmine for bodies of our littlest guys!! I couldn't be more grateful for how they have simplified our living in so many ways.

I am really excited to share three simple tips on ways we love using oils in our home each day.

1 // Diffuse Diffuse Diffuse // Diffusing essential oils is on the simplest + safe ways to use around your little ones. Be sure you are only using the highest quality essential oils // we have found Young Living to be the best brand because of this amazing promise of purity // in a cool mist diffuser to be sure the oils aren't damaged by heat.

I love diffusing calming oils in the nursery during naptime to help the babies rest well, immune supporting oils to keep us healthy + strong throughout the year + of course cleansing oils to keep all the stinky baby boys smells at bay. haha

I also have found many essential oils to be supportive for my postpartum emotions as well as creating an uplifting environment in our home.

2 // Thieves Household Cleaner // I need simple when it comes to cleaning my house because let's be honest. I don't have time for intense scrubbing + degreasing SO I'm really thankful for a one stop shop with the Thieves Household Cleaner. This is a plant based cleaner that is infused with the proprietary blend, Thieves. Not only does this cleaner smell like Christmas but I love how I don't have to worry about using it on high chairs, counter tops + other areas the babies play everyday. I can also use it as a teaching tool for our three year old in learning how to clean messes without worrying about toxic chemical overspray.

3 // Fresh Laundry // I love my laundry to smell fresh + clean but freshening products from the store have so many chemicals that can affect the respiratory health of our family. I cannot believe I waited so long to get some unscented wool dryer balls // like these // because once I did, I fell in love! I simply add a few drops of my essential oil choice to two dryer balls + throw them in with the laundry.

Not only do the clothes dry faster, but they smell amazing + I can rest assured my babies aren't breathing anything harmful afterwards!

I know essential oils can be overwhelming so like I said, I have created a space where other families can learn + grow with us on this wellness journey!! You can check out our website here // www.thevillagegathering.net to learn a bit more.

I will also be hosting a free online class on Thursday, March 31 at 8PM CDT. We will be covering some of the basics of essentials oils + ways we love using them in our home for cleaning, wellness + on the little ones. Simply leave your email in the comments below if you would like to join us!

Good Friday //

2016-03-25T15:55:00.004-05:00

Our house is all a flurry of Easter excitement, too much candy + an explosion of colored grass from the massive fun box my mom sent the boys today. And today, then just before nap time, Emmett happened upon my target bags of goodies for their Easter basket.

When informed him that the Rescue Bot transformer was actually for Gideon + not for him, oh the torrential river of tears that ensued. He just couldn't understand why he didn't have one too + why Gibbies gets Blades + a dinotrux + I ONLY have Chase!

Little does he know that deeper in the bag where he didn't look is his own Rescue Bot transformer + a whole lot of other wonderful Easter surprises. If only he KNEW all these tears will be for nothing come Sunday morning. . .

Then it kind of smacks me in the face. It reminds me of some disciples from not that long ago. . .

Why did Jesus have to die?!
Was he not the saving, conquering hero of the day?!
Wasn't he the answer?!

We have the gift of years past that puts the story into perspective. They simply had to hang on because Sunday was coming!! If only they had the eyes to see beyond their present pain + a vision for what was coming.
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Of course I find myself in the same boat. The frustration over my questions of today. My wonder how everyone else seems to have a little better slice of life than me. The angst of waiting for the full + complete understanding of how this present suffering will be NOTHING compared to the glory that is going to be revealed in us!!

Tears. But now just tears of joy. Because like Emmett, like the disciples, we can hold on because Sunday is coming. . .

'Twas Four Nights Before Christmas

2015-12-21T07:36:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas Eve eve eve eve, friends. haha!

I am popping in this early morning from our new home city of Los Angeles . . . . what what?!?!!!?? In just a short bit I will loading up the boys + driving down to the San Diego airport to meet my family who is flying in from Iowa to spend the Christmas week with our sister in Mexico. What a crazy fun time that will be. Remember that you can always see little peeks of our life over on my favorite social media crush, Instagram.

It's really no secret to anyone who has known me for any amount of time that I'm really quite an incredible procrastinator. I get so caught up in the moment + what is happening from day to day that it's hard for me to get ahead of the game.

Tiny Prints was kind enough to send us our amazing Christmas cards + that custom little wrapping paper this year. . . but to be honest, I only sent out a handful of cards during our big cross country move right before the best holiday of the year. The rest of these little treasures will go out right after New Years + I have chosen to not let the stress + hectic days drag down my Christmas spirit.

If you are like me, we procrastinators are in luck!! Tiny Prints actually has an amazing 25% sale going on right now // code 25swdec // free shipping on orders over $50 // code freeship49 // AND if you super-duper-christmas-candy-sugar-rush your shipping, you can still have your cards + gorgeous photo gifts by Christmas Eve!!!

So if you are up early this morning or late tonight, be sure to check out some of their very wonderful gift + card options right here. Then all ye merry Christmas procrastinators, unite!!! xoxo

On Mothering Wild + Free Children

2015-11-19T18:00:00.000-06:00

so apparently all the cool kids are now raising their babies 'wild + free'. search the hashtag wildandfreechildhood on instagram + a whole host of amazing, gorgeous, inspiring, beautiful places pop up, with little ones dressed in cooler clothes than i could ever hope to own. <-- insert awkward-out-of-place-toothy-grin-emoji here <---

so of course like any good mama, the goal is wild + free children. . . i mean we all know too much screen time just veggies our brains, right?! yes yes + yes. but if i'm honest, it's really hard for me to stop the vortex of my mom/wife/business brain each day + just B.E. with these sweet boys out in nature. it's hard for me to choose to deal with the messy clothes + muddy shoes + missed naps.

then something happened this fall. i was catching up on a bunch of writings via facebook by the gorgeous, inspiring, humble mother of eight, alyssa welch. she was talking about how everyone looks at her photos of river days + hiking trips + just thinks it comes easy for them. she proceeded to say how despite the poison ivy, the crying babies, the wet clothes, she just decided from the early years that she would make it a point to be outside with her little ones.

that hit home for me so so much. how many areas of our life simply take a choice.

a choice of walking outside instead of one more netflix

a choice of tenderness instead of impatience

a choice of adventure over predictable safely

a choice kind words over anger

a choice serving instead of waiting to be served

a choice of giving when i would rather take

day after day, hour after hour, moment moment we are given these choices + so much more.

so i just decided this fall that i would say yes to more nature. yes to the dirt + the mud + the inconvenience of chasing babies in the great outdoors.

and to be honest, we didn't spend every waking moment at the river. it was really just a handful of afternoons MORE than what i would have done before and for that, i felt grateful. if you watched my recent vlog from last month, you will remember the lesson i am learning on not allowing perfection to become the enemy of good.

i will always look back on the fall of 2015 + our special outdoor adventures with fondness. i will remember emmett sinking down with his shoes into mud along the creek. he couldn't have been happier playing trucks in the water. i will remember gideon crawling crawling crawling towards the water. i will remember all the jumping photos i tried to take with my little sister aubrey + our freaking out at the snake that came slithering onto the rocks just as we were leaving.

this is the good stuff that makes the inconveniences all worthwhile. so here's to all the amazing mamas, that are most days stumbling through life, yet striving to raise adventurous wild + free children. you are doing a wonderful job no matter how your days look. xoxoxo

^^ using our little snack cups from nuby were so perfect for our outdoor adventures. all the snacks for grubby little fingers to grab + a spot to keep gideon's baby food. win win win! ^^

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This post is one of a small series I am doing in collaboration with Nuby Parent Blogger. I am excited to be a on a small team of bloggers that get to share fun ways to use their baby and toddler products. Even though Nuby supplied the baby food containers + stackable bowls, everything I said is my own opinion of course.

You can get your own set of Garden Fresh Storage Pots from Buy Buy Baby here and the Wash or Toss Stackable Bowls at Meijers grocery stores.

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Let's be friends! You can find more of me here:

Facebook // Pinterest // Twitter // Instagram

Our Moving News ! ! !

2015-11-17T23:26:00.001-06:00

surprise surprise surprise!!! if you follow me on instagram or we are friends in real life, you probably already know about our big move to los angeles in just a few weeks but many don't know the whole story.

so in case you want to get all caught up on what big changes are happening for our family this coming year, be sure to check out this vlog update that i made the day we made our big announcement.

are you in southern california or the surrounding areas?! i want to do some kind of girls meet up after the new year so be sure to send me an email if you want to join in. xoxo

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Let's be friends! You can find more of me here:

Facebook // Pinterest // Twitter // Instagram

Slaying The Enemy Of Perfection

2015-10-12T17:34:00.004-05:00

hey friends! ahhhh!! it's been so so long. how are you all?!?!

i feel so so excited to reconnect with you all this week because i can't wait to share the amazing freedom + joy that has recently come to be in my heart + life. the past two weeks, i was able to be part of a leadership summit that was the biggest game changer for my heart in a long long time + i'm excited to share little bits of this with you.

one of the big lessons i embraced the last two weeks has been freedom to truly value + run with exactly who God made me to be. i think this is something we all know in our heads but what a huge thing when it can actually lodge into our hearts, you know?! too often we spend our lives trying to work on our ever present weaknesses so much that we overlook all the areas we excel so naturally in. what a waste of these gifts God has given us.

soooooo this ties into blogging in a huge way because while i'm obsessed with this way of communicating + sharing what's on my heart throughout the week, i found this summer that it just wasn't in the cards to happen in the way that i wanted. so instead of closing up shop + letting perfection become the enemy of good, i've decided to share the same things with you through a different way of social media.

check out the video below for the whole scoop. . .

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and ps. in case you didn't notice, i'm a natural lower-case typer so we're just going to run with that one as well. haha

xoxoxo

Chemical Free Cleaning

2015-09-01T16:45:00.002-05:00

I have officially decided that summers are meant for gloriously slow family time. Unashamed disconnection from the big outside world of social media. . . except for the occasional poppings-in, you know?!

But ahhhh! September first is here and I am quite excited. Before launching into anything else wonderful and fun, I wanted to extend a little invitation to you.

One of our big projects this summer has been slowly but surely, little by little purging our home of all the toxic yucky chemicals that are in everything from cleaners to make-up to baby products. If you haven't downloaded the app, Think Dirty, I encourage you to do it right now and scan everything in your house. It's frighteningly eye opening.

Thankfully essential oils and essential oil infused products from Young Living have provided the simplest way for us to change out those chemical-infused cleaners and products for natural, planted based ones. You can see more of why we are excited about this here.

So to encourage other families to do the same, I am opening a chemical-free cleaning challenge to 10 of my blog readers/social media friends that will begin on September 13. Together we are going to learning about plant based cleaning and purging our homes in a very inexpensive, simple way by using the highly concentrated, all purpose Thieves Household Cleaner. See more on this product here.

All you have to do is use this link to order either as a retail customer or distributor. The 14.4oz bottle costs $28.95 or $22, respectively. And because this is such a versatile cleaner, it can be used on everything from carpets to dishes, countertops to laundry for pennies a time. It's also perfectly safe to use around little ones so they can help you clean!! Win win win! haha

Once you order your bottle, let me know and I will be sure to have you added to the exclusive online forum where we will be challenging, encouraging and supporting each other during that week as we clean up our homes in a safe way.

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The improved Thieves® Household Cleaner has increased cleansing power and an even safer, more sustainable formulation. The new formula contains ingredients from renewable plant and mineral sources, vegetable-based surfactants, and even more Thieves and lemon essential oils for extra cleaning power. Bottle is 100% recyclable.

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The Standard of Grace

2015-07-12T17:22:00.000-05:00

My motto last year was to live slow and grateful. I remember so many pregnant summer days spent napping with Emmett in our sunny bedroom. So many special memories when it was just the two of us and one little growing Gideon in my belly. It was a quiet season of growth in our family with joy and brokenness all tangled together.

This summer has been so different from any before. We are learning how to do life with two sweet, busy babies. We are exploring new dreams for our family and learning that at times we must say no in order that we may live a better yes. Our patience is being stretched, our hearts grown in love and our faith deepened as we try to fix our attention on things that truly matter.

And after a long year of struggle and painful growth in our family, I have come to realize my motto for this year is holding those around me to a standard of grace and not perfection.

My husband

my babies

my parents

my siblings

my friends

even strangers I might not know.

This has been one of the hardest, most freeing lessons to learn. It's so easy to selfishly expect perfection from those I do life with, but hope they return me grace in my own humanity. Ahhhh such a silly frustrating way to go through life.

I want to value each relationship I have been given right now. I want to hold them close and show them how cherished they are.

A practical way I love doing this with our little ones is holding them close. Cuddling at naptime. Verbally affirming them throughout the day. Sneaking kisses whenever they come close. And keeping Gideon close with the soft cotton wrap from ACK wraps has been really special as well.

I was never a big baby-carrier-mama with Emmett because all the wraps and slings and packs seemed so complicated and bulky. These wraps seem so unique and different. They are seriously the softest cotton you will ever feel and they squish down into a tiny matching drawstring pouch that easily fits into my purse. I have loved carrying Gideon close and can't wait to use it again whenever our next baby comes along.

These little days are passing so quickly, you know?! My hope is to squeeze every ounce of life and joy from them that I possibly can.

Happy Sunday, my friends.

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// A bit about how ACK Wraps began //

As a Labor and Delivery and Neonatal Registered Nurse, I am around newborns a lot. The one thing newborn babies need besides sustenance is the warmth and security of their caregivers. These new tiny beings instantly go from being carried 24 hours a day for over nine months to a fraction of that outside of the womb. For centuries, mothers have carried their babies in various forms, many continuously until they are at least 3 months old. This allows the baby to smell and feel the warmth of their mother and learn to adapt to this new world.

When our daughter, Charlotte, was born July 4, 2014, I was instantly in love. I stared at her the entire first night, despite over 24 hours without sleep and the exhaustion of labor. She instantly became the center of my world, my whole purpose for being.

When Charlotte was just five weeks old, we flew to Nantucket to visit my parents. I had gone to the island every summer for the preceding decade and couldn't wait to take my daughter. I soon realized that the cobblestone streets and uneven brick sidewalks of Nantucket made navigating a stroller nearly impossible. Furthermore, I struggled traveling through the airport with my stroller and finding a good way to breastfeed was frustrating to the point that I was in tears.

Dissatisfied by the monotony of other baby carriers on the market, I knew there had to be a better option. I decided to make my own carrier from fabric that matched my style and with that, the first ACK Wrap was born. I soon discovered that my daughter LOVED being in the wrap. She cried less, slept better, and I could even breastfeed her while wearing it. The next time I traveled to Nantucket was so easy replacing the stroller with the wrap. I received so many compliments on it that I began making them for friends which led to friends of friends wanting them. With my husband's flexible schedule as a firefighter, he soon took over the logistics of our blossoming business. As a former US Marine, it was very important to him and to us that we keep our product American made. We operate out of our home in Austin, Texas.

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Be sure to check them out on Facebook, Instragram & Youtube

of dreams and seasons

2015-05-06T16:59:00.000-05:00

happy wednesday friends!! thanks for all your kind words and support as i took a little blog break. you are all seriously the best. too bad i didn't live closer because i would bring you all cookies and flowers.

have you ever noticed that sometimes your life dreams and aspirations ebb and flow with different seasons of life?! i have really seen that over the last few years and it feels kind of strange. strange to actually be okay with letting visions of myself go that i always thought i would attain.

my mantra right now is to hold my husband, my children, my friends, my family, myself to a standard of grace and not perfection. i don't to be bound to things i have said i always wanted to do just for the sake of doing them. sometimes life leads us in different direction. sometimes something even more glorious and perfect for our individual personalities arises that is better than what we could have hoped for on our own.

this is one of the most beautiful things in life and i want to embrace it wholeheartedly. i want to allow myself to grow, to change, to become the unique, beautiful life that God intended me to be.

God has brought some really special things into our life in the last few months. some things that are quite possibly an answer to many hopeful dreams for our family and future. also spring is here with summer sneaking right alongside and i want to get back to last summer's mantra of slow and grateful. // you can read more on that here //

so for this season of life, this space may not have the same schedule and presence is has had the last five months. and surprisingly i'm really okay with this. i have two of the sweetest babies that are growing faster than we can blink. i want to really squeeze every ounce of sweetness and purpose from this spring and summer. i want to hone in on my skills of loving, serving and respecting my amazing husband well. i want to be a better cheerleader, a better support, a better best friend to him than i have been these past four years. i want to dig around in our tiny garden with emmett -- he told me the other evening that gideon should go to bed so we could garden together, in his own toddler language of course!! haha! i want to get back to my 52 things project that i have severely neglected the last few months. i want to take more cozy afternoon naps because soon these sleepy days will be gone so soon.

because to be honest, i don't want get to the end of these little days and look back knowing i just blogged about it well. life is too short for that.

this isn't good bye. . . just see you around. i have some fun collaborations that i am excited to share. i will have more summer adventures to talk about. and of course there's always so much going on in my heart that my heart craves to process in this little space. it just might be a bit more disjointed and scattered than it has been, but that's okay. i want to embrace today and i hope you are doing the same in whatever season of life you may be in.

thanks for being here and being part of our story. i love you lots!!
xo

^^ and laundry. lots and lots of laundry. haha! ^^

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also i hope my english teacher forgives me but i've given up on proper capitalization here. life's too short for that. haha. love you mom!! ;)

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Family First

2015-04-28T00:06:00.001-05:00

Hey sweetest friends!

I just wanted to pop in here and let you know that I am taking a blog break this week. I feel like there are some family things I need to give my full attention to so I will be back next week. Thanks for your understanding and I hope you are enjoying sunshine wherever you are.

xoxo

The Story of Cozy

2015-04-21T18:00:00.000-05:00

We love cozy clothes in this house. I mean seriously. Doesn't the thought of snuggling up in some comfy pants with the softest tee shirt just make you feel all relaxed and happy inside?! We have cozy days several days a week. . . okay most days of the week. Some of our favorite things to do on these days are playing circus train, farm, coloring and of course a some kid shows thrown in there too.

Our newest favorites for lounging days are from Tiny Tiny One, an online concept store that stocks organic baby clothes. Like this little ocean and whale set for Gideon and the peek-a-bunny-butt pants for Emmett. That's not their official name, but seriously. How cute is this little bum?!

All the clothes we have from them are really sturdy and durable and soft as soft can be. Another awesome part about all the clothes from Tiny Tiny One is that they are organic cotton. Here are some benefits of dressing our little babies in these kinds of clothes

The skin of babies & children are particularly vulnerable as their skin is being around 30% thinner and more sensitive than adult’s, the skin of babies readily absorb toxins.

While conventional cotton growing uses harmful pesticides that are easily absorbed by the skin and the the production of conventional cotton uses chemicals to wash, bleach, prepare, dye and finish the fabric.

Organic cotton is free from harmful chemicals and heavy metal. It is softer and safer choice for babies sensitive skin.

// You can read more on this topic here //

My friends from Tiny Tiny One are generously offering my readers free international shipping // their company is based in Hong Kong // PLUS 10% off two items. Oh my goodness, guys! This is your time to stock up on the cutest baby gifts and goods for the year. I mean seriously. I'm just dying to dress Gideon and Emmett in this little blue stripped tee shirt and this owl branch romper. And just for fun, if I had a little girl this summer, I would definitely choose this mint striped kimono and these navajo pants. So so many cute pieces to choose from. And this Seaweed Snuggle Blanket?! I can almost feel it's coziness now.

Remember the offer only lasts a week so make your order quick! Also be sure to check Tiny Tiny One on Instagram + Facebook + Pinterest.

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What are your favorite things to wear and do on cozy days?!

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Basic Beans & Bacon

2015-04-20T11:45:00.000-05:00

Do you like that double alliteration up there in the post title?! Or should it a triple alliteration?! Also is it just me or do you girls love simple meals as much as I do?! I'd wager I love them a little more than most. haha

A few months ago, I bought a massive bag of mixed beans from Costco and then this recipe came to me. If you can even call it a recipe. It's seriously that simple. Of course only if you can remember to soak your beans the night before.

Also on the topic of soaking beans. . . despite the little bit of extra work it involves, did you know that it unlocks all the nutrients and health benefits of beans?! Plus you aren't exposed to BPA from the can or all the additional salt and preservatives that are added to the cans. Okay. End of bean-soaking-rant. On with dinner. . .

Beans & Bacon
// serves 4-6 //

3 c mixed beans, soaked // you can read more on bean soaking here //
1 large jar of spaghetti sauce
1 onion, diced
1 lb bacon, cooked and chopped into bite size pieces
salt to taste

Cook your soaked beans and diced onion in a large pot, covered with a few inches of water. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Once the beans are tender, drain water. Mix in bacon and spaghetti sauce. Cook until heated through. Add salt to taste. Enjoy!!

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If you soak your own beans, what are your favorite ways to use them?! Like I said, we have a massive bag. haha
xo

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Broken Beauty

2015-04-19T18:00:00.000-05:00

// This post content is a spin off something I shared on my personal Facebook page last week and so many people were interacting within the post. To me it speaks of our deep-seeded desire to be real with those around us. The desire to lay aside the pedestals we place people on and truly bear our souls to one another. Yet still longing to feel an unwavering sense of love and acceptance. And because I thought you may feel the same way, I wanted to share these thoughts in this space too. //

^^ the night before Adam's and my wedding almost 4 years ago ^^

Some of you may know that I come from a family of seven kids, two amazing parents. One big crazy family. We did so many fun things together when we were growing up. Forts in the backyard woods. Musical events where we sang and played a half dozen random instruments. We would sing songs at family gatherings in complete four part harmonies. We went camping and reinacted at historical events. We homeschooled and heck, even home churched for a while. We were as thick as thieves.

People would make comments over the years. . . how perfect we seemed, how incredible we were, how amazing, loving, how close we all must be.

To be honest, it always makes me cringe a little inside because we fight hard. We say hurtful words. We misinterpret others actions. We have been to dark places that the rest of the world will never see.

^^ missing our sister in mexico ^^

But we also love fierce. We don't quit. We laugh and have an insane amount of inside jokes. And at the end of the day, we keeping failing and then running back to the Jesus because without Him, the ugly would take over and the beauty wouldn't have a chance to shine. And it's that what life is all about?! Redemption. Undeserved, unmerited grace. What an incredible gift.

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This little video from a recent Sunday night is just a little taste of the beauty and my heart is so so grateful. i will never stop fighting for and loving this big family our ours and I hope you do the same for yours! XO

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Our Favorite Everyday Blends

2015-04-16T18:30:00.001-05:00

I thought it would be fun to share a few of our favorite essential oil blends that I carry with me everywhere. This is what has made the daily use of essential oils an easy transition into our lives. To be honest, if I have to scoop out coconut oil and measure out the drops of whatever ever I need throughout my day, I am much less inclined to utilize this natural tool for our family's health.

But if I can grab a little pre-made roller bottle from this adorable pouch, I find myself actually using my oils all day long. We all could use a little more ease and simplicity in our days, right?!

Here are my three favorite blends I always have on hand.

You will need // this post contains affiliated links
glass roller bottles fractionated coconut oil

Cuts & Scrapes Blend // also great for mild burns. this feels like a liquid bandaid on mild wounds!! so amazing.
5 drops Frankincense
5 drops Purification
5 drops Lavender

Sore Muscles Blend // also great for tension headaches or soreness after exercising
10 drops Peppermint
10 drops Lavender
10 drops Panaway

Sleepy Blend //
10 drops Peace & Calming
10 drops Lavender
5 drops Cedarwood

Fill the remainder of the jar with the fractionated coconut oil and store in an easily accessible place for constant, daily use! Also, if you need someone to help connect you with your own essential oils and a team of girls to help you in the daily use and application, be sure to check out my information page here.

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What are your favorite essential oil blends to keep on hand?!
xo

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#beeskneegrams

2015-04-15T18:00:00.000-05:00

Just a few of my favorite Instagrams from the last month

Be sure to hop over and join the party. This little app of squares is such a crush of mine. Ahhh!!

@nicoleneesby

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T is For Turtle

2015-04-14T17:54:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite things right now is watching Emmett's brain just exploding with growth. It's almost as if I can see his little mind working and figuring out life.

One of the cutest things right now are the little letters and numbers he has randomly picked up here and there. He knows '2', 'T' and 'o' and '0' are all zeeeee-roooooow. haha!! He also is convinced that 'T' is tuuuuuur-tuuule because of an alphabet puzzle he has with 'T for Turtle'. This kid, you guys. So much fun!!

This spring, before the days were quite warm enough to get outside and play, we did lots of morning baths to keep Emmett entertained. Some of his favorite bath toys is are a Nuby fishing set and collection of bath foam letters and numbers.

The letter float and stick to the side of the tub and he usually uses the little fishing net to catch the little water animals and letters alike. haha! This is why we love creative toys that make their little brains work and explore. Because let's be honest, when Emmett recognized the number '2', my mama heart just bursts with pride. . . even if he sometimes mistakes an 'S' for it instead.

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This post is one of a small series I am doing in collaboration with Nuby Parent Blogger. I am excited to be a on a small team of bloggers that get to share fun ways to use their baby and toddler products. Even though Nuby supplied these little bath toys, everything I said is my own opinion of course.

You can get your own fishing bath set from Buy Buy Baby here and the letter and number collection here.

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What do you and your little ones do on days you can't get outside?!

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Someone's Little Boy

2015-04-12T18:00:00.000-05:00

Several days ago, I stumbled on this post entitled A Letter To My Future Daughter-in-Law. Go ahead and read it. . . but only if you are ready for an ugly cry. I mean seriously. I walked away from my computer, up to our room where Gideon and Emmett were napping. I couldn't stop the tears.

I think it was these lines that got me . . .

There will come a day that this sticky, messy, silly little boy will be yours. He will always be mine, but you will take my place in many ways.

Someday your hand will replace mine. Your eyes will be his peace and your heart will be his home.

It’ll be you he kisses goodnight.

It’ll be you he shares his dreams with.

It’ll be you who comforts him when he is scared.

It’ll be you who holds his heart. The same heart that beats against my chest as I hold him each night.

Someday, darling, that will be you.

-- source

Sometimes the thought of not always being these little guys' number one girl makes me really sad. I mean, it's healthy and right and good that they grow, become independent and choose their own love of their life.

But these days right now?! Every ounce of my heart and soul are being poured into them. The long days, the sick nights, the first laughter and joyful discovery of the world?! These moments are mine and my heart is madly in love with these two little men. I hope and pray I never crush their spirits, that they always feel cherished and adored. I see so many budding traits that make my heart swell. I only hope and pray that the lucky girls' who become their wives. . . I hope they see these things too.

Then it hit me. I am married to someone's little boy. There was a young mama just like me, thirty years ago that was feeling all these same things. Am I doing her justice?! Am I cherishing those things she watched him become in the little years?! Am I being the kind of wife that I hope my own sons someday find?!

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Spring Cleaning // A Dwelling Simple Series

2015-04-08T17:47:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, I started a series here on my blog that I'm calling A Dwelling Simple Series. My first post was on a simple garden for our family's fresh eating // you can read more about that here // and today I want to share my simple approach to spring cleaning.

I know that photo up there looks all calm and serene, but since we're all about honestly and full disclosure here I should let you know that I'm am currently writing this post in my comfy pajama clothes with a couchful of laundry and toys scattered on the floor like parade candy. Basically I'm the least qualified person to be writing this post. BUT I want to live my life in a constant state of growth and change so mostly this is for my own personal accountability.

Before Gideon was born, I slowly made my way through every drawer, cupboard and closet in our home and organized it all. Through that process, I did find some really great systems for storing, sorting and organizing but let's be honest. Time has a way of chipping away at that, so it needs to be done again.

My goal in the month of April and May, is to take a few rooms a week and do the same thing. I feel a need to purge and pare down all our stuff. I am keeping this process super simple and straight forward, because it's not as though I don't already have a baker's dozen of things I'm trying to juggle each day so I need to keep my goals attainable.

I thought it would be fun to share my process with you in case it might be something helpful for you to implement in your home as well. Keep in mind that this is not a deep cleaning list. Rather a chance to clear out, sort and organize all the little nooks and crannies in our home. I will be doing this same process through each room in our home. Let's get started!!

// Clear Out
Knock down cobwebs // this never happens to I'm adding it to my once a year list //

Empty cupboards, closets, shelves, and drawers

Pull out anything stuffed in corners or hidden places

// Sort
Sort through the things pulled from each area including:
clothes
toys
books
beauty/body care products
etc

Create a trash and giveaway bag for things we no longer need

Remember to only keep things that we find useful or beautiful for our home. Nothing more. Nothing less.

// Organize
Organize remaining items

Create a system to help keep this organization using baskets, crates, etc.

Return things to their new home and implement the organization on a daily basis

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Do you have any spring cleaning or organizing tips to share?!
xo

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Our Easter Weekend

2015-04-07T18:00:00.000-05:00

Our Easter weekend was so wonderful. Mostly especially because Adam had no work on Friday which mean a whole extra day of family time and that's so valuable to use these days.

^^ saturday night church clothes for helping out in the nursery ^^

On Saturday we spent the day together and then went to church that night to help in the nursery. Then our small group had a little ice cream social and Emmett was found double fisting handfuls of strawberries straight from the serving bowl. Hashtagwinningatlife haha

Sunday was full of family and cousins and food and eggs hunts and laughter and so many heart-bursting moments with these three boys of mine. I can't believe how much Emmett has grown this past year. You see that little profile photo of mine up there on the right hand sidebar?! That was Easter 2014. Ahhh! These sweet babies grow so so fast and I am desperate to soak up every ounce of life and love from them.

My heart was also so overwhelmed by the reminder yet again of grace upon undeserving grace in my life. What a gift to be so unconditionally loved and accepted by a perfect Savior. Now here's just a little peek at our weekend.

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^^ little egg gathering blur ^^

^^ adam was almost as excited as emmett was with the mini nursery egg hunt on sunday morning. we then proceeded to sit there and consume a ridiculous amount of fruit snacks. these are the memories i want to lock away forever. ^^

^^ 'does this bow tie make my chin look fat?!' haha!! ^^

^^ all day i kept thinking about how little he was last year, toddling around finding his little eggs. ahh! these days are going way too fast. ^^

^^ so many second cousins!! plus emmett's awesome fluffy hair. haha! ^^

^^ my mom is so good at planning fun stuff for the little guys. i love that about her and hope i can do the same someday. ^^

^^ can't even handle all the love i have for these three boys ^^

^^ we have the craziest, loudest, sometimes too dramatic family -- but i wouldn't trade them for the world!! ^^

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What was the best part of your weekend?! Also don't forget about the $80 Target gift card going on here!! Seriously you guys. Only a few people have entered so your odds are VERY high at this point. ;)

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