For Landon’s third birthday party, we knew it had to be cowboy themed because our boy eats, sleeps, and breathes in his cowboy boots and hat. He loves Tweetsie Railroad, asks to watch Toy Story just about every day, and you can usually find him with his Cowboy Woody tucked under his arm. We have season passes to Tweetsie this year (a wonderful Christmas gift from GaGa), and we’ve already been twice this year!

We thought he would love to go to Tweetsie after his party, so we did a “Cowboy Breakfast” at one of my favorite picnic areas on the Blue Ridge Parkway that we used to go to all the time when I was little. It was a simple, easy little party and we had a yummy mix of sweet and savory foods that I think everyone really loved.

Landon had an absolute blast playing in the creek with his cousins, and it was really sweet for me because I played in that same creek when I was his age and I just love watching him run free and explore.

My Mama made the cake, of course, and it was perfect. She puts her heart and soul into every cake she makes and it shows. I am so thankful for her and the way she gives her all and goes above and beyond to make everything so special for us!

After the party, we went to Tweetsie Railroad and our cousins got to go with us. Kristen and I are six months apart and so are Landon and Briggs, so the two of them together is just about too much cuteness for us to handle. They had the time of their lives and I think it will be something they remember for years and years to come!

Grayson and I are so thankful for everyone who came from near and far to help celebrate our sweet  boy. He is so loved by so many and it just blesses our hearts to see him surrounded by such wonderful family and friends! He had a great birthday weekend in the mountains and we were blessed with beautiful weather!

My little Landon,

You’re THREE today! How in the world has time passed so quickly? I’m learning more and more as you grow that time really is a thief. It seems like just yesterday, we were bringing you home from the hospital in the same little pale yellow suit that your Daddy and Papa wore home from the hospital when they were born.

I remember studying you as a newborn. Memorizing the way your eyes fluttered in and out of sleep, the curve of your little nose, your tiny fingers and toes, the way your blonde hair sparkled in the sun (even then, and much more so now), and the way your little chest rose and fell as you breathed while snuggled up close to me. It is the honor of a lifetime to have watched you grow and develop a little personality. I still study you everyday and I’ll never stop getting to know you.

It’s like from day one, you and I have just “fit.” Two peas in a pod. Made for each other. My boy. The one who first called me “Mama,” the one who captured my heart and brought the kind of peace to my soul that I didn’t know was possible. I’ll never get over the fact that Jesus chose your Daddy and me to be your parents. It’s the hardest, but undoubtably the most rewarding and joyful job I have ever had or will ever have. We are only three years into this journey called Parenthood and I know we’re still only just getting started. Thank you so much for being so patient with us as we learn to parent in the way that the Lord would have us parent. Thank you for all the times (already) that you’ve been so quick to forgive after I’ve lost my cool and had to apologize to you. Sometimes I feel like you can see deep into my heart, almost deeper than anyone ever has before, and just understand far more than any little boy your age could possibly comprehend.

You are so special, Landon. There are so many stories I could tell. I could literally write a book (and I might one day) just telling about funny or impactful things you’ve said or done.

I love your mischievous personality. You peek around corners or hold toys behind your back with the same look in your eye that I can imagine my Paw giving his own Mama (not in a sneaky way, per-say, but with a sheepish, playful grin that literally leaves my heart in a puddle every single time). I love your tender spirit. You remember things we’ve talked about and ask me about them later. You are so concerned anytime someone is hurt and you have a gentleness that really shows such strength. When an ambulance or firetruck passes with sirens blaring, you ask if we can stop and pray. You prayed over me when I was sick just recently, and that was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I will never forget the times you’ve taken my face in your hands and said, “I am so glad you are my Mommy.” MELT MY HEART! You have such a joyful spirit. My Mama always said that when I was little, she could never punish me by sending me to time out because if she did, I’d be having a ball in time out, in my own little world. It’s the exact same way with you, little love. You love any place we go; you have fun doing whatever it is we do. To me, it’s more than just a carefree personality, it’s a contentment and peace in your spirit that just shines through in the sweetest way.

You love to eat, love to throw on your apron and chef hat and help me and Daddy in the kitchen, you love music and sing all the time, and you would stay outside from the time the sun comes up until the time it goes down if we’d let you (and some days, we just about do). I love watching you as a big brother. You stepped into the role with such sweetness and I hope that the two of you will always be close. Your little sister truly thinks you hung the moon and she’s the luckiest girl in the world to have you as her big brother. You’re a snuggler, especially with me, and I savor every minute of you reaching to me for comfort because I know one day you’ll be grown and won’t do it anymore. You say the funniest things and I have a running list of the most hilarious things you call everyday objects (for instance, doughnuts are “nonuts,” band aids are “daids,” umbrellas are “rainbrellas,” and your beloved cowboy boots are “cowboots.”). You love your little red tricycle from Grammy and Grumps, your big red firetruck and grand piano from GaGa, and your red barn and horses from Mimi and Papa. You love playing in the pool in our backyard. Your Papa just recently fixed up your Daddy’s first bike with training wheels and you learned to ride it in no time at all and my heart is still a puddle in the floor over it. There is such redeeming love in you and your Papa’s relationship and I’ll never stop thanking Jesus for it. You look so big riding a big boy bike and it’s hard to imagine you teaching your own little boy to ride it someday, but that’s what I pray for. I’ve prayed for the woman you’ll marry someday and the kind of Daddy you’ll be since before you were born, and it’s my heart’s greatest desire that you will choose to follow Jesus every day of your life and live your life to honor Him.

You are a big helper and do lots of chores, like bringing me the bathroom trash cans when it’s time to take the trash out, helping us carry in groceries, helping me move the clothes from the washer to the dryer, cleaning up toys, bringing me diapers and wipes for your sister, and feeding Kai Kai every morning. You learned three Bible verses before your third birthday, starting with the first Bible verse I memorized as a child:

“When you are cheerful, you feel good.” Proverbs 17:22

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1

“A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17

I am so proud of you, Little Bear, and I am so glad I’m your Mommy. Your Daddy and I love all 32 pounds of you more than you’ll ever know! Happy Birthday!

I’ll love you forever, and always more than the day before.

Love,

Mama

Olive and Threads Co. bows are so beautiful and they are the perfect combination of trendy and fun with timeless and classic style. The “pinwheel bow” is beautifully hand-tied and comes in the most beautiful fabric choices you could ever imagine, and the “school girl” bow is just as lovely (and a bit smaller). You have the option to choose a nylon headband (in nude, black, white, or peach) or alligator clip.

These are a few of my favorites currently available on the Olive and Threads Co. website:

• This yellow “school girl bow”
• This light blue shimmer “pinwheel bow”
• This neutral rose “pinwheel bow”

Emily, the owner and creator of Olive and Threads Co., is absolutely precious and her young business  (just est. in 2019) is named after her daughter, Olive. Her grandmother is one of her biggest inspirations, and because she such sweet memories of the handmade dresses and quilts she made for her as a child, she says that she never sits down at her sewing machine without thinking of her.  I think it’s important to remember that when you shop small, you’re helping support someone’s dream, and in turn – their family. Not to mention, the quality of mass produced products absolutely can not compare to items that are made with love from small shops!

Thanks so much to Olive and Threads Co. for providing the bows featured in this post. As always, all opinions are my own. 

Ruby Lou Bags is a little hobby that turned into a small business. The name is in honor of the owner’s grandmother, Ruby, who she lovingly remembers as a kind, giving, selfless woman of God. It was her grandmother who taught her to sew, so it’s very fitting that she pay tribute to her by naming her business after her. “Lou” is a nod to the St. Louis region, where you can find Ruby Lou Bags in five different boutiques, all ran by local women.

Miranda (the owner and creative behind this business) is a believer, wife, and mother of three boys. She is passionate about shopping small and supporting local artisans and she works from home part-time and stays busy creating new, beautiful bags for Ruby Lou Bags.

I love this floral crossbody. It features an adjustable strap and outer pockets and it’s just the right size. Bags like this are so perfect for Mamas who need to have their hands free!

You can find all kinds of beautiful bags of all shapes and sizes on Instagram (@ruby.lou.bags) and just direct message to order. If you don’t use Instagram and would prefer to order via email, you can reach the owner at MCcreations@mail.com.

Thanks so much to Ruby Lou Bags for providing the bag featured in this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

Eyelet and Ivy has really outdone themselves with this year’s swimsuit collection. I am completely in love with the popsicle print and can’t wait for Landon and Harper to wear their matching suits at the beach this summer. For now, the blow up kiddie pool in the back yard and Friday nights at the YMCA pool will have to do!

The colors are just so sweet and the ruffle detail on Harper’s suit (Popsicle Bubble Swimsuit) takes the cuteness to a whole new level.

Landon’s little trunks (Boys Popsicle Swim Trunks) with matching swim shirt (Light Blue Rashguard Shirt) are just adorable and would be so cute monogrammed!

Other swimsuits from Eyelet and Ivy’s Swim Collection that I love:

• Hot Pink Rashguard Set with Pom Poms
• Teal with Eyelet Bubble Swimsuit
• Boy’s Anchor Swim Trunks with matching Rashguard Shirt
• Floral Meadow Trim Terry Cover-Up

See this post about some really cute looks from the Eyelet and Ivy Spring Collection and be sure to subscribe to their newsletter and follow along on Instagram to be kept up to date about the latest promotions!

Thanks so much to Eyelet and Ivy for providing the swimsuits featured in this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

In some ways, I truly can’t believe that our baby is already one, but in some ways it feels kinda like she’s been here with us all along. Her little life has been a miracle from the very beginning and she’s brought more joy, more laughs, and more smiles in this short year than some people do in a lifetime. I am so thankful to be her Mama!

For her 1st birthday, we did a small ice cream themed party in our church fellowship hall and it was simple and sweet (pun intended). We played oldies music and drank strawberry lemonade. For the ice cream cone bunting over the food table, I just free-handed my own ice cream scoop, cut it out, and used it as a template to cut out the rest of the ice cream scoops on colored cardstock. Then, I cut up a brown paper bag and taped those pieces onto the back so they’d resemble ice cream cones. My Mama made her cake and it was as delicious as it is beautiful. It was alternating layers of orange and strawberry cake with homemade frosting topped with a delicious, fluffy homemade marshmallow fondant.

To eat, we just had little snacks like peanut butter sandwiches, goldfish, animal crackers, popcorn with M&Ms, cupcakes, and cake balls. Then, we did an ice cream bar with toppings and syrups. To make things easier, we pre-scooped the ice cream, put the ice cream balls into a container, and stuck them back in the freezer until it was time (an idea I got from Pinterest) and it worked out really well!

If you’ve never done it before, it’s really hard to plan a party, decorate, keep (both of) your children happy, make sure you’re talking to everyone equally, get pictures of the decorations, remember who got your child what, and also get a photo of everyone in attendance. So, unfortunately, I didn’t manage to get a picture of Harper with Landon, with her Mimi and Papa, with her aunt Alley and uncle Tyler, with her cousins Gretchen, Addie, and Payton, or even one picture of Harper with Landon, Grayson, and me! I guess we’ll try to do better next year!

Everyone spoiled our girl with all kinds of wonderful gifts! It felt kind of like leaving a baby shower when we were loading up the car! I couldn’t believe it! We are just so thankful to everyone who came to her party when it’s such a busy time of year and I know they could have been anywhere else. Our girl is so loved by so many and it just makes my Mama heart feel like it could burst! This weekend has just left us feeling really, really thankful.

Now it’s time to gear up for a cowboy themed birthday party in less than two weeks because our big boy is turning THREE!

We are so fortunate to have most of our family living close to us – and by close, I mean, hey-lets-meet-for-supper-tonight, close. But, we do have some family that are a few hours away. While I know that’s hardly “far” for some folks, who have loved ones living in different time zones, it’s still far enough to make seeing them as often as we’d like pretty much impossible.

That’s where these darling little books of names and faces come in. Pinhole Press offers several different options and styles and I love how durable and well made they are. Landon and Harper have loved looking through their books time and time again, saying each person’s name. Having a photo of themselves with each family member has made them feel so special and serves as a tangible reminder of just how loved they are by so many.

I love how these books can help bring family members that you may only see a few times a year into daily conversation, when it may otherwise just not come up. For instance, I let Landon, who is almost three, look through his book while he’s sitting in his high chair waiting on me to cook dinner. He’ll point out cousins or great aunts he hasn’t seen in a while and I’m able to remind him that they love him and he feels familiar with them, so that the next time we get together, he feels much more connected.

Harper, although she’s not quite one yet, has been so engaged with her little book of names and faces, too. She always tries to “kiss” the page with Mama and Daddy on it, which melts my heart every time! These books are the perfect size and can grow with my kiddos, which I just love.

Thanks so much to Pinhole Press for providing the books featured in this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

One of the things I get asked about a lot is how I always keep my house so clean. It always makes me laugh a little because my house is definitely not always clean and I try to be very transparent about that, but because I have learned (and I’m still learning) to make the most of our very limited space, keeping things neat is as much of a necessity as it is a preference.

When Grayson and I purchased our little 800 square foot home, we thought we would have moved along to the next home long before we decided to start having babies. But here we are, six years into home ownership, five and a half years into marriage, with two surprise babies who we love more than life itself. Just goes to show, ya never know what Jesus has in store (so learn from our mistake and never buy a house without a garage haha… but really)!

I always hesitate to share things like this because obviously, any time you put yourself out there, you’re opening the door for criticism (or at the very least for people to misunderstand you). So, I want to be very straightforward about the fact that I’m no expert, I’m simply sharing a few things that work for us and that I’ve learned from experience while making a very small house a home. These things reflect the season I’m in right now and will probably most definitely change as the kids start school, schedules change, etc. Please know my heart is always to encourage, uplift, and foster community – not to seem like I think my way is the only way or like I have it all together.

People ask a lot what my “cleaning schedule” is, and the truth is, I don’t have one. I just clean as needed. This usually looks like cleaning bathrooms, mopping, and changing sheets once a week. But, as for everything else else, I have found these things help ensure our house never starts to feel “out of control” when it comes to cleaning:

• I never go to bed with a messy kitchen. No dishes in the sink, no clutter on the countertops, no piles of junk to go through. I usually try and run the dishwasher at night, so that I can unload it while the kids are eating breakfast the next morning. I always try to make my coffee the night before so that it’s ready to go the next morning. I love my “me time” in the mornings before Landon and Harper wake up, and there’s something so peaceful about starting the day with a clean kitchen, coffee already made, and morning light pouring in the kitchen window.
• I do at least one load of laundry every day. Even if it’s a small load. There’s nothing worse than letting the laundry pile up and having to waste a whole day working on it. We typically throw our dirty clothes directly into the washer as we take them off (using it like a hamper) and just throw towels into a pile in the laundry room floor until there’s enough for a load of towels, so we really don’t even need a hamper.
• I also always fold my clothes as I take them out of the dryer. Now, in the spirit of full disclosure, sometimes those clothes fluff for four or five cycles, but, the idea is that a pile of clean clothes never sits around waiting to be folded. I don’t know why that is such a pet peeve of mine, but there’s something about folding clothes while they’re fresh out of the dryer that just makes them fold more neatly and feel cleaner when you put them on. This is a lot easier to put this into practice if you follow the tip about doing a little laundry every day so it never adds up.
• Landon and Harper are only allowed to play with one set of toys at a time. This is our rule: Wanna play with the play kitchen? Go for it! Wanna dump the basket of toys in the living room out all over the floor? Sure! Wanna dig through the toybox and make the bedroom look like a toy store exploded? Be my guest! But, one mess at a time. This makes the chaos seem so much more manageable and I also think it helps teach them good habits, responsibility, etc.
• I sweep every day. This one works for me because we don’t have any carpet in our home, so if you have carpet, this would probably have to be adjusted. Obviously, there are some areas of the house that I sweep several times a day (like the kitchen), but I sweep over the whole house at least once a day.
• No shoes in the house. I have heard of people doing this and always just kind of rolled my eyes or thought of it as something that’s not really doable for us, but now that we’ve been enforcing this for the last six+ months, it has made such a huge difference. We have a large rug in the living room where we spend a lot of time down in the floor playing, and with two babies, it just has made so much sense for us. It’s always a little awkward the first time someone comes and we have to ask, “hey, would you mind slipping off your shoes?” but it’s made me feel so much better about keeping our home clean and I can tell a big difference.
• I rotate out the kids toys. This is absolutely necessary, since we don’t have a playroom and they share a room, but even if we did have more space, I think toy rotation is a great idea. It keeps them interested and engaged and it’s just a great way to keep them from feeling so overwhelmed by the amount of toys that they don’t truly enjoy and get creative with what they have at the time.

Do you live in a small house and have creative ways to bring a little calm to the chaos? I’d love to hear your tips, as well! Like I said, I’m always learning!

Happy Monday, friends!

First of all, can we just talk about how my baby looks like a teenager? What happened!? (*cue all the Mama tears*). This boy is wide open from the minute he wakes up until the minute his sweet little blonde head hits the pillow, so outfits that are as comfortable as they are cute are a must these days. Eyelet & Ivy has so many adorable pima sets that are perfect to transition from spring to summer. Here, Landon is wearing the Henley Set in Go Fish, which features the softest knit top, cute little shorties, and pretty beachy colors.

I can hardly believe my Harpie Doodle is almost ONE! She’s going to be walking any day now and is just quite the handful, if I’m being honest. She’s definitely a miniature Katie (Lord help us all) and life with her is just so much fun. She’s a joy bringer. Here, she’s wearing the Libby Set in Sail Away, which combines ruffles, buffalo checks, and a whimsical sailboat print. I am crossing my fingers hoping that this still fits my growing girl around the 4th of July! Landon’s matching set (the Wynn Set in Sail Away) features shorties in the complimenting sailboat print.

See more of Eyelet & Ivy’s Spring Collection here, and be sure to subscribe to their newsletter and follow along on Instagram to be kept up to date about the latest promotions!

Not sure how it’s possible, but yesterday I picked up their 1st and 3rd birthday party invitations from the printer. Talk about doing a number on this Mama’s heart. Where did my little tiny babies go? I had a little moment in the car as I looked them over with so many mixed emotions and Landon piped up from the backseat and said, “Mama don’t cry, you can have my fruit snacks!” He cracks me up!

I’m so thankful to be their Mama. It’s the hardest, yet most rewarding job I’ve ever had, and I’ve never been more sure that I’m right where I’m supposed to be!

Thanks so much to Eyelet and Ivy for providing the clothing featured in this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

Alison Stoner, the creative behind a.rose Designs, has such a precious heart and amazing talent. Her heart for the Lord shines through each piece she creates and if I could, I would have her art hanging on every wall in my house! Before her etsy shop took shape, she was working full time outside the home and she built this business so that she could be at home with her kids. She says,

“I love the business I’ve created because it gives me freedom to care for my family, provides me with a creative outlet, and it is a space where I can intentionally glorify Christ.”

When we got together for a collaboration, she asked me if there was any specific piece I was interested in and I told her to just surprise me. Well, I wasn’t prepared at all for the tears that came when I unwrapped my wooden sign. She had no idea how special the words on the sign she chose to send me were. She had no idea that my Mama and I have said these words to each other for as long as I can remember!

That’s how Jesus works, ya’ll. He’s in the details!

Alison also paints these beautiful journals and I can hardly wait to fill it up with thoughts and prayers and funny stories of these little years at home with my babies.

The “brave, bold, and beautiful” mug is the perfect size and pretty much sums up what I want to strive to be each and every day. I love that they’re dishwasher and microwave safe, too… because #kids.

The quality of each piece – the wooden sign, the journal, and the mug – is exceptional. Any item from her shop would make a wonderful gift and is sure to be something that whoever is on the receiving end would cherish forever.

Some of my other favorite pieces in her shop right now:

• This quote painted on acrylic
• This pretty piece for the kitchen
• This! One of my favorite quotes of all time!
• These totes that would make such cute bridesmaid’s gifts
• This beautiful world map piece

Be sure to follow along on instagram to see more pieces – she’s always creating something new and is always open to custom requests!

Thanks so much to Alison from a.rose Designs for providing the items featured in this post. As always, all opinions are my own.