Erin Akin Carroll

A lot of you have emailed or commented and asked when Courtney, Kelly, Jennifer and I would be bringing back the Build ‘Em Up link up. We all needed a little break this summer, but we’ve decided that we’re all ready to bring it back.

What is Build ‘Em Up?

Build ‘Em Up is for anyone who wants to work together to encourage, build other moms up and focus on the good. And we want to break the misconception that sharing the good doesn’t mean it’s perfect. And we want you to join us!

A lot of our topics will focus on motherhood, but we’ll also have plenty of topics that don’t.

Build ‘Em Up is simply a time when Courtney, Kelly, Jennifer and I pick a topic near to our hearts to simply build up the women. AND, we invite you to join us.

1. Mark the topic/date on your calendar

2. Write about it. Your struggle, your tips, your successes – however it might help another mom or woman.

3. Come to one of our sites and “link up” on that day. It will make sense when you see it – a “link up” or linky is not hard – just copy and paste the URL of your blog post on the day of our Build Em Up days. You’ll see the others start doing it. Email with questions.

4. Communicate and get involved by commenting and bouncing around the other posts that go up that day. It’s fun!

We’re moving Build ‘Em Up to the first Tuesday of every month, and here’s the new schedule if you want to plan ahead.

So save the date for Tuesday, August 6 when we’ll be talking about Moms Groups!

If you are looking for a great women’s group, blog about your needs and be sure to put your city and state in the title. If you have a moms group or ladies group you love, blog about it and put the city and state in your blog post title. I am hoping we can make some exciting matches and build great community.

Some of us out there are more alone than we say. And could use a network of real live women in the flesh to pray with or study with. This could help!

The Spaghetti Shots 

Another fun thing I wanted to share with you, is all about my friend Courtney and her incredible eBook!

I first “met” Courtney through blogging back in 2010. She has two precious children, and her daughter Brenna was born with a very serious skin condition. Courtney is also a very, very talented photographer and a beautiful writer. She has beautifully shared her family’s story on the blog Blessed By Brenna. You will fall in love with this family when you read it. Courtney is honest and upbeat, and loves her family fiercely. I’m a huge fan!

But Courtney has also written this fantastic eBook, called The Spaghetti Shots, all about how we can learn to use our “fancy cameras” to take better photos of our kids. She writes in a way that is easy to understand, and I think every mom should read it!

The great new is the eBook has a special Back to School price on August 1 and August 2 for just $2.99. It’s absolutely worth the read.

Here we are. It’s July 31, and I’m sitting down to blog for just the 8th time this month.

I love blogging. I love sharing and keeping a written record of our days and our memories. I love having a place to share my heart and process some things that I may be going through.

But July was like a flash in the pan. It’s like we jumped on a runaway train that was taking us to Atlanta and then to Indiana and then brought me back home and then took us to Asheville. (Yes, Todd and I had a great time last weekend in Asheville!)

And now it’s July 31, and we’re creeping into our last month of summer. And when I look back over the last month, I can’t believe that I didn’t stop in here to share more about what we were up to. But I also loved that even though it was a busy month, it was also a quiet month.

My phone wasn’t constantly alerting me to new blog comments or Facebook and Twitter comments. I’m sure it all sounds so silly to a non-blogger, but I’m confident that all you bloggers know what I’m talking about.

While Hudson and Hayes were at my parents’ house for “Camp KK”, Todd and I went on at least three dates. And one night we didn’t even go to dinner until 9:30. We just thought, “Why not?”

I had a much-needed hair and nail appointment, and we went to see a movie. I hung out at the pool with friends, and got to hang out with a sweet friend’s toddler one afternoon.

And at night, I missed my boys. Of course I enjoyed the alone time, and time of refreshment. But being at the house (we’re still at Nana’s house) without them, is not something I’m used to. And frankly, I don’t want to get used to it.

We loved every second of the quiet, but we missed their sweet voices, and their laughter. (We didn’t miss the fighting or the back talk or the crying. And the arguing. Oh boy. The arguing.)

I got a lot of housework done and we met with the builder for a long time about the new house. And we FaceTimed.

And I loved my month of quiet. Between having a week at home with just Todd and pulling away from the blog a little bit while I was home with the kids, it was a nice time to get recharged and refreshed.

But with August on the horizon, I’m ready to get back to business and settle back into a routine. Sometimes finding balance in all of it isn’t the easiest. I want to do it all, but I know that God’s walking me through all of that. He’s helping me choose what to give up and what to continue. He’s helping me see the best way to organize our schedules so that it works for everyone.

It’s time for another Five on Friday with Darci, Natasha, April and Christina. Join in! Link up!

-ONE-
Camp KK

On Sunday, I drove back from Indiana and the the boys stayed there with my parents. Back when I was pregnant with Hudson, I remember seeing that Clemson Jenn did something every summer with her boys called Granny Camp. And I just loved that idea. Now that Hudson is 4 and Hayes is 2, they’re finally both old enough to spend a week with my parents, 12 hours away from me. My parents say that they are all having the best time. Of course, we’ve Face Timed and my mom sends me pictures. My parents mean the world to me, and giving my boys the opportunity to have alone time with their grandparents. But I sure do miss them! And I get all choked up thinking about how sad my boys are going to be when they say goodbye to my parents tomorrow. (Insert crying Emoji here.)

-TWO-
Prince George of Cambridge

I got sucked in to a little bit of the Royal Baby fever as soon as he was finally here. I had a feeling that they’d have a little Prince, and I just love his name. My friend Kristen reminded me of the quote from Father of the Bride Part II when George Banks is talking to his brand new grandson, George, and says, “It’s a good name, George. Don’t let the other kids tease you.” Oh, I love that movie. And I love the name George. And the Duchess just looks radiant. What an exciting day! (And now I hope, for their sakes, that they can get a little privacy for a while.)

-THREE-
Vaseline Spray

I was a little skeptical when I first saw the Vaseline Spray because I really don’t like Vaseline. It’s always grossed me out a little bit. But I tried this stuff at my mom’s house last week, and I absolutely love it. It’s not thick. It’s easy to use. And it does the trick and moisturizes. I need to go get some now. I love this stuff!

-FOUR-
Asheville

We’re in Asheville this weekend for a little getaway. Actually, Todd’s here for a conference and getting some CLE credit, and I was the lucky wife who got to tag along. We absolutely love Asheville. We were here two years ago for my birthday, and have been saying ever sine that we can’t wait to come back. It’s a short drive from Columbia. If you’re interested in visiting Asheville, read my recap from the last time we visited. It’s such a wonderful place for a getaway.

So I’m hanging out at the Grove Park Inn today and plan to hit up the spa, hang out by the pool, and enjoy the last few hours or quiet before we get to squeeze Hudson and Hayes tomorrow!

-FIVE-
Highlights!

I hadn’t had a manicure or pedicure in months and it had been way too long since I’d gotten my hair highlighted. My roots were out of control. So I hoed that while the boys were with my parents I could get appointments to take care of all of the grooming. So I had a mani/pedi morning and then got my hair highlighted yesterday. Yay! It’s the little things that can make you feel so much better!

I can’t wait to see my sweet boys tomorrow!

It’s been a while since I’ve done on of these posts. It’s funny how some of the items in our bags stay the same over the years, and as our kids grow and change, the items they need change a lot.

Now that Hayes is over two years old, but not potty trained, I very rarely carry an actual diaper bag. I only carry a diaper bag if we’re out for an all-day outing.

I keep a box of wipes in my car just in case we need them, and keep a spare change of clothes in my car. And then I just carry my purse with me, but throw in the things I’ll absolutely need for the kids.

These are the items in my bag.

1. Snacks. My boys love a snack, and it’s inevitable that someone will start whining at the most inopportune time. And the best fast solution is a snack.
2. Changing pad
3. A couple of diapers
4. Sunglasses
5. Gum
6. Lotion for me and the kids
7. Dr. Smith’s diaper ointment
8. Powder and lipstick
9. Toss Designs pouch to hold phone charger, camera charger, and makeup.
10. Another Toss Designs pouch for pens.
11. Lots and lots of pens.
12. Random toys from the car that somehow end up in my bag
13. Erin Condren Life Planner
14. Pool pass
15. Hair ties
16. Wallet (My mom received this wallet in a swag bag on a trip to London to the Burberry headquarters. And she generously gave it to me. Thank you, KK!)
17. Keys
18. iPhone

Dr. Smith’s is one of the staple items in my bag. Hayes has always had very sensitive skin, and Dr. Smith’s is a great diaper ointment and it’s also the perfect preventive treatment for Hayes. Dr. Smith’s is now available nationwide at Walgreens. You can find the retailer nearest you by visiting doctorsmiths.com.

You can enter to win a $200 Walgreens gift card and a supply of Dr. Smith’s. Two runners up will receive a $50 gift card to Walgreens and a supply of Dr. Smith’s.

To enter, tell me, “What is your number one must-have item in your bag?”

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