Lots of Grace and Caramel M&Ms

What does being "present" in my motherhood journey mean to me.. That's one of the many questions that's been at the forefront of my thoughts lately. I've been rummaging through ideas and ways to embody the concept of being fully present while still maintaining our home, responsibilities and my sense of self and have come up with a few things that I want to be at the top of my list of priorities. They may seem small, silly or even unimportant to some but, to me, they're just the beginning of my children and I having the relationship that I so long for as they grow.

1 - being eager to be with my children, even when the days seem long, mundane and (sometimes) never ending.

2 - taking time to do what they want to do (not just the things I think will be fun or entertain them).

3 - saying "yes" to more and using caution when I'm about to say "no".

4 - stop rushing through our days together and really spending time looking at them, smiling at them. Soaking them in and enjoying the ages they are right now.

5 - be more spontaneous. Do more things together (at home or otherwise) and just let it go where it's going to. I don't want to put an end to something in my mind before we've even had time to attempt it together.

All of these things are swimming around my thoughts lately and I know there's a purpose for it. It could be that I'm just noticing how grown up my boys are beginning to seem or that the Lord is prompting my heart to take a step back and re-examine my priorities while I still can. I don't really know the source of it but, I get the hint. 

Life goes too quickly and the season with our children at home, surrounding us constantly, is such a small, short chunk of that time. I just don't want to  m i s s  it. 

I'm writing this as all four of my little men are with their Memaw for a fun afternoon. The last monday of every month, she takes them all along for our oldest's piano lesson and then they go somewhere to play and have a fun snack afterward. It usually lasts about three hours and I spend the entire time wishing they were back home. Before today, my Tyler would always stay behind because he still naps in the afternoon and he just wasn't big enough to go. But, today, as the big boys were waiting on the front porch for Memaw to arrive, Blake hit the doorbell button and woke Tyler up. So, he naturally wanted to tag along as well which meant dressing him in time to make that happen. (and me sitting down with some caramel m&ms the minute they left because, all the emotions) He's growing up and there's absolutely nothing I can do about it. 

He's been telling me lately that he's not a baby anymore. "I a big boy now", he says. (cue all the tears...) I just miss it so much. Any other mamas out there wish they could bottle their babies up and just keep them tiny forever? Of course, seeing the other boys grow older makes me excited for this next phase of our life as well. Watching their personalities emerge and change as they get older and have their own individual interests. And trying to do my best to guide them down the path the Lord has called them to. It's so so hard.

I'm so thankful to be realizing all of this while I still have them close to me though. I would've hated to see what I was missing in retrospect when it was all too late to soak in. Thank you Lord for this sweet life of mine and I pray you would always shower me with love and grace as I trek into this new territory of my children growing up. 

Happy Monday friends! I pray it's the best one you've had in awhile. God bless <3 

Outfit Details :

Striped Jumpsuit | Target (Universal Thread)

Straw Bag | Walmart (online only)

Wedges | Steve Madden (thrifted, similar style here + I also love these)

Earrings | Nickel & Suede (size large)

Little Glimpses of Autumn

I can hardly wait for fall to arrive! I am seriously SO excited. Anyone other fall lovers feeling like we can just skip over the last couple of weeks of summer and get to the cool temps and crisp air already?! I know I can't be the only one.

Anyway, I made my first fall purchase and I am super excited about it! I actually saw them on Brittany, from Loverly Grey, first and instantly fell in love. I've wanted a pair of these "shooties" for two years now and the fact that these are on major sale made the wait so worth it. Because now they're mine and I cannot wait to style them! They're originally over $70 but, I snagged them for only $21! Incredible right?!

They're seriously so cute too. The pictures do NOT do them justice.

Okay, I know I'm raving about a pair of shoes but, I just love them! Have you ever had that one piece you've been dying to have but just can't fork out the dough to purchase it and then, all of a sudden the heavens align and it's the perfect time? I've had that happen a few times to me and it's always so exhilarating to experience and just reaffirms that patience is key to anything you're doing in life. Whether it be baking the most perfectly fudgey brownies or shopping for deals (just kidding guys.. kinda).

Anyhoo friends, I just wanted to share these fun new fall staples with ya and let you know you can still snag yourself a pair if you act quickly!! They'll sell out soon, I'm sure. Have a lovely day and a great end to your summer! Colorful leaves and crisp breezes will be here before we know it. Also, remember that Farmhouse Decor Inspo post from a while back? Look for a fun home decor post coming soon sharing some updates I've finished going right along with it! So excited to share!

| OUTFIT DETAILS |

LACE PEPLUM TOP | Nu Label (thrifted, similar styles here + here) 

CROPPED DENIM | DIY by me but similar styles here + here

A.N.A. TIANA SHOOTIES | JCPenney

EARRINGS | Nickel & Suede (size large)

Summer's End

Life has a funny way of changing you as you get older. I can remember my teenage self being so worried (every second of every day) about what people thought of me. Did they like my hair? My clothes? My personality? Was I thin enough or smart enough or popular enough? Did I laugh at the right times during conversations and was my smile pretty? Was I a part of all the right groups and circles and did I make it look like I didn't really care about any of it?... What I remember most though, was how exhausting it all was. To try to be someone, look like someone and act like someone who I reeeeaally was not. To push myself so far that I literally had no idea who I actually was. There honestly was no me. Just a shell of a girl interested in all the things everyone else was. 

Fast forward to where I am now, and it's almost painful to look back at where I had allowed myself to be. I know we all have regrets from those coming of age years but, how I wish I could go back and change some things. So many things.

I don't dwell there anymore though. The Lord has blessed my life immeasurably and I have learned not to take one single day of it for granted. I don't want to waste the time I'm given trying to fit in where I just, honestly, don't even want to be. He's given me grace in those areas and I am so so thankful for it.

I've really started coming around to these truths over the past year or so. (About time, huh?) Most of us don't know how long we have to live this life we've been given. We have no clue when we'll see our loved ones for the last time, eat our last meal, hold our children for the last time or give them one last kiss goodnight. It's all a mystery to us. So I've been working hard to be diligent and intentional with the time I've been given. With my husband, my children, my family and friends. To make the memories I want to make and really treasure all of the special, mundane moments amidst the big ones. I just don't want to miss it.

Something else I'm learning is to really embrace who I was created to be. The wife, mama, daughter and friend. God made me with a purpose and a plan and who am I to put Him in box because of what the world says... 

Part of having my own identity is having my own style. I don't mean to sound shallow or conceited. My point is, no matter what I have in my life, I want it to be there because there was a desire for it in MY heart. Not because I saw it in someone else's highlight reel or "must have" list. 

All of this brings me back to the song by Colby Callait that talks about insecurities. 

You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to, give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing

You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try
You don't have to try

Isn't it such a relief to know that the only person you have to please is yourself? For me, it is. Yes I want to be kind and respectful of those around me but, if they don't like me then, that's on them. It's nothing I've done or haven't done and I shouldn't worry myself to death working for their idea of perfect. I need only concern myself with my Creator and what pleases Him about me. And I love that.

So, who are you working for today? Is it for someone who really doesn't even deserve your time? Someone who wouldn't even notice if you weren't there? Or it it for a God who loves you for you and only asks you to obtain your full potential through Him?.. I pray I'm striving for the latter. 

Summer is coming to an end and we're right on the brink of my absolute favorite season of the year. I cannot wait for fall!! Have a really great day friends. I pray it's fulfilling and wonderful in a way that you haven't experienced in a very long time. God bless and thanks for stopping by! Outfit deets below!

| OUTFIT DETAILS |

DRESS | Old Navy (thrifted, similar here)

HEELS | Target

PURSE | Walmart

EARRINGS | Nickel & Suede (size large)

Farmhouse Style Home Inspo

So, BIG NEWS! We bought new living room furniture!! Eeek, I am SO excited!! This is only the second time we've purchased living room furniture since we've been married (the first was about 8 years ago) so, it's kind of a big deal to me! LOL I'm gonna hold off on sharing the exact pieces we bought to do a little before & after post once I get it all set up but, I can hardly wait to show y'all! I want to do a major overhaul in our living area since this new furniture is completely opposite of anything we've ever had before so I'm looking at alllll the farmhouse style pins on Pinterest for ideas. I'm leaning a little more towards the "modern farmhouse" style and love the mix of metals, woods, colors and textures. Below I'll share some of my favorite pins so far (sources linked, just click the photo to take you directly to the original pin). 

I'm also planning to redo a few other areas in our home as I go to make it more cohesive and because I've got some stored up energy that needs to be used productively (if that makes sense...lol). I can't wait to take you along on this! Let me know which pin below is your favorite?! 

             

Have a lovely rest of your week friends!!