I’m posting over here. I’d love for you to go read it and see something that has been on my heart lately.
And while you’re at it, go ahead and subscribe to Courtney DeFeo’s blog. She’s the creative, passionate mom behind the ABC Scripture Cards and Lil Light O’ Mine. And she has a brand new, fancy, pretty blog full of wisdom and passion for moms and women of all ages.
I’m so excited about all of the contributors and learning from each of them!
So, the disappearing blogger award goes to me this week. Every time I take an unplanned blogging break I always really enjoy myself, and I find that it would be so easy to fall out of habit.
It’s been a wild week in our country. And at times I’ve felt very unsettled, and at other times I’ve just shut off and walked away from all forms of social media (and didn’t even pick up my computer for 3 days) and ignored everything that was happening.
We’ve been soaking up the sun this week and just having a whole lot of fun. It’s not that I can’t have fun and blog about our fun at the same time, but sometimes I just love not picking up my computer. I owe about 30 people an email response, and have some things that really do need my attention.
But… while I’ve got your attention, I wanted to share with you some of my favorites from around the blogosphere this week.
1. A Ginormous Givewaway from Pinterest Told Me To
I’ve told you about my hilarious, stylish, adorable blog friend Sheaffer before. Her fantastic blog hit 1 million page views, so she’s hosting a ginormous giveaway! Pop on over to see what it’s all about it. I promise you don’t want to miss it!
2. Miriam Joy’s Arrival from Marital Bless
I love birth stories and I love Leah’s blog. Leah just had her precious third baby and I always love reading her birth stories. And this one was no different- definitely made me cry.
3. Walt Disney World Tips and Tricks from The Shull family
Okay, okay. So I link to Shay all the time. But I just love her blog. I’m either always nodding along and saying, “yes! Me too!” Or I’m taking notes because I’ve learned something new. I love her post on WDW trip tips. We’re planning to go in mid-January 2014 (when Hayes can still go for free!) and this was perfect timing!
4. It’s Called Working Out Because It’s Hard from Big Mama
Oh my goodness, this made me laugh so much. Big Mama has been doing Smart Barre in Texas, which I can only assume is just like Pure Barre, which is extremely difficult. I imagine myself looking like my svelte, gorgeous instructor, but I know I don’t. And I know that I sweat and shake and want to scream. But I loved her post because I could relate so much!
5. Braylen’s Perfectly Pink Princess Party from Life in the Green House
My friend Jennifer put together an adorable princess party for her sweet 3 year old baby girl. Every detail is so cute!
6. Staying Organized During a Build/Remodel from Sunny Side Up
This was just perfect timing, and Erin has the best organizing tips! If you’re building, remodeling or just love geeking out over organizational tips, this post is for you.
What have you loved this week?
I can hardly believe that Hayes’s second birthday is coming up. He will be two years old on May 5! How is that even possible?
Last year, we planned a big First Fiesta for him and had such a wonderful time embracing the fact that he was born on Cinco de Mayo.
Hudson will be four years old on June 5. Now that is a tough one to take. Ouch.
We threw a Green Eggs and Ham first birthday party and Sesame Street second birthday party for him, but we went to the beach as a family for his third birthday and enjoyed a quiet, low-fuss day as a family.
This year, because Hudson has such good buddies and because so many of them have siblings that are also Hayes’s buddies, we decided to go ahead and do another birthday party.
The boys have birthdays that are exactly one month apart, so we decided to do a joint birthday party for them right in the middle. So many of the same families will be there for Hudson and for Hayes, so it just made sense.
Hudson and Hayes are plain old obsessed with Peter Pan these days. They love everything about it. Tick Tock the crocodile, the pirates, the Indian braves, Peter Pan, the lost boys, John and Michael, even the mermaids and fairies. It stood out as the perfect party theme for them.
Todd’s parents graciously agreed to let us host it at their home since we don’t have our own home right now. They have a play set in their backyard and a great set up for a party.
I’ve been pinning away and I’m so excited to see it all come together!
I’ll be focusing on green, yellow, and red. We plan to have a mermaid lagoon, a secret plan to make the kids “fly,” a pirate ship, and a tee pee– all from things we already have!
The fabulous Heidi and Beverly from Sweet Birdie’s Nest have been working hard on creating adorable items for the party! They are the absolute best.
I thought I’d show some of my inspiration…
Have you ever planned a joint birthday party? I’m planning to have each boy blow out candles separately, and have their own “happy birthday” song.
We’ll also be taking each boy out for a special family celebration on his actual birthday.
Any other tips to make it special?
1. Winter Gives Way to Spring from Sweetwater
My friend Ellen is such a beautiful writer. Please read this!
2. Fifty Two Shades of Shay: Traveling With Your Kids from Mix and Match Mama/The Shull Family
This is the kid-traveling post of all kid-traveling posts. We have done a ton of traveling and flying with our kids, but not nearly as much as Shay has. This girl knows her stuff and she has some amazing tips and advice!
3. Sadness and Madness from Beth Moore and the Living Proof Ministries Blog
Wow. This post is so good. She talks about the dangers of bullying and the dangers our words can get us into – especially when it’s Christians hating on other Christians. I loved this post so much.
4. “The Big Chill” Antebellum House for Sale in South Carolina from Hooked On Houses
The Big Chill is in my top 5 favorite movies of all time. My dear friend, Malain, and I used to watch it all the time in college and I can quote it and sing the soundtrack and I just love everything about me. I’m dying for a college reunion soon. Anyway. The house from the movie is for sale… and it’s not far from me! Maybe we can move in there! I wish.
My friend, Maureen, has an adorable new blog called The Northeast Girl. She has great style and has fantastic photos. You should definitely check it out!
6. Reading the Word as a Boy Mom: Thoughts on Bravery from Home With the Boys
We actually studied 2 Timothy 1:7 in Sunday school this morning, but I just love this post about raising brave boys and being a brave mom.
7. I love reading all the posts of everyone who linked up for Build ‘Em Up. I am still making my way through to comment on all of them, but I’ll get there! I promise!
