Spring Wish List

Hello friends! I pray you had a lovely weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by to read my last few posts. They've been a bit of a thought pool, I know, but definitely needed in many ways. I pray they've been helpful to someone out there and, well, it did me good to get it. out. there. (moving on...)

There are SO many great spring trends coming out that I am seriously loving! I don't know about you guys but, all of the blush and floral patterns and addddorable shoes have me just about ready to throw out everything I own and start plum over! Kidding... (maybe). 

I may not want to throw out every single piece in my closet but there are a few I'd LOVE to add to it! These super sweet pastel options being just a few! Loafers are so on trend right now and, as a mama I have to say, kid friendly! I have a pair from Rue that I snatched up for a whole five bucks a few months ago and they are so cute, comfy and super easy to wear no matter what my boys and I have on the agenda. The blush ones linked below are SO CUTE! I just received them in the mail (eeeek!!) and can't wait to style them for spring!!

I'm also excited to add some color into my wardrobe! For me, that means light, romantic colors, floral patterns and anything that gives off that happy vibe I've been craving lately. Also, yellow. Give me alllll the yellow! I almost thrifted a bright yellow skirt a couple of weeks ago for a buck... A BUCK.... and I decided not to.  k i c k i n g  myself.. It's just such a bright and cheerful color, I can't help but love it.

Anyhoo, I don't have much to say, other than I can't wait for Spring to be here to stay! Are there any new trends you're excited to style?! Anything you just absolutely hate?? 

Velma Slip On Pointy Toe Mules

Desirae Espadrilles Mules

Sueded Bow-Tie Espadrille Wedges

Sueded Cross-Strap Slide Sandals

Lulu Block Heel Sandals

Flower-Applique Chambray Sandals

Pop-Color Rockstar Ankle Jeans

High-Neck Cold Shoulder Swing Top

Twill Utility Swing Jacket

Short Sleeve Wrap Jumpsuit

Denim Jumpsuit

Ramblings..

How difficult is it to be authentic today? SO difficult. How easy is it to fall into the traps the devil sets for us to make us believe we're not good enough. Not pretty enough. Not "perfect" enough? SO easy. I've been thinking a lot about this lately. To be honest, it may have had something to do with the lack of content here the last few weeks. . .

I just don't want to pressure myself into posting just for the sake of posting. I want this space to be fun and light but, also real and genuine. That's my aim anyway. I'm sure sometimes I can be way off the mark but, again, that's probably part of why I've been a bit quiet here lately. I've been focusing more on my family, on my fitness routine, eating healthier, getting more rest and well, just ME. Sometimes we all need a little r&r, am I right? With that being said, I am happy to be back and feeling great! (mentally and physically!) I've just come off of twelve weeks with the SWEAT app (looooved it) and did my first workout with Tone It Up this morning! H O L Y  S M O K E S. Kayla is rough on ya, no joke about that. But, man, switching things up and beginning a new routine with all new moves is tougghhhh. I know I'll be sore tomorrow but I am SO excited for it! I've really come to love working out these past few weeks! I know the boys love it too because they get to sneak in and watch music videos on youtube while I'm at it. I love to have my workout app on my phone, that way I can play music via youtube on our tv too keep me motivated during all of the sets and reps. It's been a game changer as far as helping me to push through. So, there's a little workout "hack" for ya. ;)

Also, I shared on insta a while ago that I went through my closet again, this time pulling out anything that didn't make me feel all the good things about my body. I made the tough decision to purge some things I'd been hanging onto for a few years.. Things that I didn't fit into or loved but just never wore. And, the funniest thing happened. After cramming it all into a trash bag and loading it into the back of my suburban, I almost felt like I needed to go through it again, just to be sure. Yea, #hordermuch.. Anyway, after resisting the urge to sneak a peak (more than once), I finally dropped it off at my local thrift shop last week. Talk about freeeeeeing! Seriously. I feel so much lighter. 

I stopped in to do a little shopping yesterday (the boys and I were desperate to get out of the house) and found a GREAT pair of jeans for a BUCK. No joke. They're high waisted, slim fitting, have the perfect amount of stretch and are button front which I think is so cute right now. I love them! I also snatched up this top for a dollar. There was a tiny hole in the sleeve but, of course I was like, "Heyyyy, there's a hole here and, I was jussssst wondering.... if you'd do anything for the pricccce?".. Hahaha. Yea, two seconds of sewing and it's good as new! It's so soft and flowy and the back is super cute and a little fun. Loving it. Plus, the color? Yes please! 

Anyhoo, I know it's been a while but, I hope you'll still follow along with my ramblings! Oh and, one more thing, I got bangs... I've been wanting to change things up a bit with my hair for a while now. I just wasn't sure what to do. I want to keep growing it, that's for sure. So, I opted for some new layers and long bangs for a little something different. So far they're working great for me. I'm still a little nervous about styling them (which I cannot figure out why..) but, I'm happier and happier with them each day. 

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend friends!! Until next time... xoxo

Suede On Suede

When did suede dresses become a thing and HOW did I miss it?? This is the most perfect dress I think I've ever bought. It's dreamily soft, super cozy but also lightweight (don't ask me how), a great length and, just all around the cutest dress ever! It's short sleeve but, they're kind of between a normal short sleeve and a cuff sleeve in length. The fit is slightly loose and I LOVE it. I went with a medium but, think I could've probably gotten a size small. 

Wanna know my thought process with going for the medium? I thought, ya know, I may be pregnant one more time and this would be super cute with a bump! (...sigh) Laugh if you like but, I'm still not on the "finished having babies" train soooo...

You know what's super exhausting and incredibly cool all at the same time?! Fertility tracking. No really, hear me out. I've been tracking my cycles through a couple of apps for the past few months and it's so neat to see the differences/similarities between them. Most of y'all know we have four super sweet boys. We love them all to death and they are pretty much the best thing that has ever happened to us. Through foster care and adoption we became parents and, while in process, found out we were expecting our first biological child. We were elated and nervous but, ultimately the Lord saw fit to take that baby home earlier than we had hoped and we miscarried around fifteen weeks. 

It was devastating and left us heartbroken. It was most definitely not the plan that we had. But, God is so so good and a few months later, just after finalizing our adoption with JD, we again announced we were expecting our sweet Lucas. Having babies was just too much fun (and one hundred percent what I feel I was created for) and so, we had two more in the following five years. Now we've got four of the most amazing boys around. I feel so blessed to call them mine and thank the Lord every. single. day for allowing me to be their mama. 

But, a part of me (okay, basically all of me) still clings to that season of life. I think about being done. I think of how easy it would be to do things and go places. Planning trips and taking outings around our little town.

But...

But, then I think about how much I love being pregnant. Feeling that sweet soul move around inside my tummy. Hearing that tiny heartbeat for the very first time. All of the kicks and squirms and, when they get the hickups?... I think about watching my belly grow and seeing my boys hug and kiss it and ask a million questions a day about their new little sibling. Memories of labor and delivery come to mind and make me nervous and then, I remember just how incredible it feels to have that squishy little newborn placed on my chest and everything else just melts away. The late night feedings, the endless snuggles, that sweet sweet smell they carry with them everywhere. I love all of it. I try and convince myself that I really don't need that again. But, in my heart, I know. I'm most definitely not done. I know I'm supposed to be happy and content with where I am, where our family is. But, I also believe that the Lord places certain desires on our hearts for a reason. So, that's where we are.

We're tracking our fertility signs and ovulation days and seeing where it takes us. I'm hoping to get that positive result in the next few months but, I'm completely fine with whatever the Lord has planned for us. I just can't give up that dream of cradling my newborn one more time before we let the baby years pass us by and everything becomes a blur. Life is sweet friends. So short but, super sweet. I want to savor this season and squeeze it for everything that it has to offer. And I'm so so thankful to have a husband that shares the desires of my heart and is willing to walk right alongside of me through the unknowns. 

I pray that you have a very happy Easter with those special to you friends. Aren't you glad the Lord is risen!?! 

| OUTFIT DETAILS |

SUEDE DRESS | Bass Pro (it's on SALE for $6 at the Springfield, MO Outlet store!!)

DENIM JACKET | Mossimo (similar here)

EARRINGS | Nickel & Suede

WEDGE BOOTIES | Maurices (these are almost identical)