I have been so excited to share a life update for my family in 2020 with y’all with some big changes that have happened to us already. 

Well if I said 2020 hasn’t been quite the year for everyone, then I would be just about crazy. I understand that this year has really been like none other. As I share some updates in our family from this past year, I first want to say that I don’t take lightly all the hardships and burdens that so many have experienced. At the same time, I try to keep my focus on God’s faithfulness and have gratitude for all His many blessings which is why I am so excited to share a few things with y’all today. 

You may have noticed that over the last few months, I have not been quite as active here on my blog, YouTube channel, or other social media channels. Many of you have sent sweet messages checking on me which means so much to me. And I have good reason for that too. To begin with, WE SOLD OUR HOME AND MOVED!! 

Our Beautiful Home We Sold

We have been praying about this decision for several years but never felt the release to move forward. Earlier this year with continued prayer, the timing just seemed right. God was in the midst of the entire process! I won’t go into all the tiny details, but TRUST ME!! He cares about every detail of our lives. 

Beautiful Sunset from Our Front Yard in Our Old House

We had tons of showings scheduled immediately with multiple offers within the first 24 hours of our house being listed. Our home was a Victorian style with very unique character and design. I knew it would sell if it was God’s will, but I also knew it would take a very unique buyer as well that would love its charm as much as we did. Well it did sell and fast. Thank you Lord! 

One of the Last Pictures in Our Home Before Moving

Right before we made the decision to move forward with selling our home and before the quarantines started shutting things down, I found out another bit of good news. I AM PREGNANT!!

Capturing that Growing Baby Bump

Yes, our family of three will soon be a family of four! I am currently almost 28 weeks pregnant and due in November! I was so shocked and surprised at first. But obviously very excited at the same time. If you have been here for a while, you may remember when I shared the details about our journey to having my son who is now a little over two years old. You can check out those posts HERE. 

Enjoying Some Cuddles with Big Brother and Baby #2

Needless to say, it took time for us to get pregnant with him. But it was all in God’s timing which is perfect. So when we became pregnant this time so quickly, I was feeling all the emotions and pregnancy symptoms too. The nausea, food aversions, emotional roller coaster, exhaustion, and so much more were quickly making their appearance. I took a little time away from my blog and social media which is when all your sweet messages started pouring in. 

Documenting Doctor Visits with This Little Bump

I cannot share this exciting news of ours without saying how much my heart is with those that have struggled and continue to when it comes to pregnancy. You are in my thoughts and prayers. But more than that, your Heavenly Father is near, faithful, and always present wiping every tear from your eyes. 

Getting That Lovely Bloodwork Done

Now for the fun part…I want to know your guess for what baby #2 is going to be. Please let me know in the comments below and I’ll be sharing here on the blog the gender next week in a new blog post. If you already know, then shhhhh! Don’t tell! God bless y’all and thank you again for all your love and support always! 

Enjoying Those Sweet Cravings and Relaxing

I received compensation from Bayer Consumer Health, makers of MiraLAX® to write this post. MiraLAX® is a laxative used to treat occasional constipation. All opinions are entirely my own. #EaseTheDay #CollectiveBias

New moms have their work cut out for themselves which is why we have to learn to stick together. For any of you, I hope you are learning to take care of yourself as a new mom and want to share some tips I’ve found and hopefully they help you or a new mom you know too.

Everyone has seen that mom in the store trying to wrestle that “threenager” without pulling out her hair and still getting groceries bought for dinner that night. We just want to go up to her and take her shopping cart to the checkout lane and buy her groceries because she deserves it and so much more. As a new mom of a 3 month old baby boy, I have found already that time for yourself is definitely not the priority and hard to come by at times. I can’t wait to share with y’all how I’m learning to take care of myself as a new mom. Below are several tips and ideas to hopefully give you some inspiration for taking care of yourself too so you can be there for your little babies.

I am a bookworm. I love cuddling up with a warm blanket and my favorite book, but who can even concentrate on a story when you have a baby crying in the background and needing your love and comfort? It is important for new moms to still have time to enjoy their own hobbies to keep their sanity. I have committed to enjoying a good book and taking that time for myself when my little guy is napping. Even if it’s for at least 3o minutes, I will sit and read a good book. That 30 minutes is one of the best therapy sessions money can buy.

Now let’s get a little more personal. I’m sure we have all dealt with occasional constipation especially new moms. Our diet isn’t always the best when we are just trying to find anything to eat to keep us going throughout the day. Well now I have a solution. Drumroll please…MiraLAX Mix-In Pax®.

MiraLAX works with your body’s natural process to provide effective relief from occasional constipation. Because it works with the water in your body, MiraLAX provides a gentle experience, and doesn’t cause harsh side effects. None of us have time for that anyways. If you have ever used stimulant laxative pills, then you know that they make your body go by forcefully stimulating the nerves in your colon. MiraLAX is different and works with the water in your body to hydrate, soften, and ease, unblocking your system naturally. Make sure to use it as directed.

My favorite though is the MiraLAX Mix-In Pax because they come in single serve packets. I can just keep a few packets in my purse or the diaper bag to have on hand when I feel like I’m needing one. I don’t have to measure anything which makes it even faster. I just pour it and go and then drink up. Make sure to grab yours at Walmart just like I did the next time you are there and print THIS coupon to save money while you are at it.

Hydration is essential. I make sure I have a favorite cup of mine that I can refill throughout the day and continue to sip on it. If I’m dehydrated and not getting the energy I need, then I am not feeling my best to take care of my family.

Now that we are feeling healthy and strong cuddled up with a good book, don’t forget a little pampering goes a long ways too. My husband will send me to the bathtub to enjoy a bath bomb and bubble bath with some music and candles all for myself. He then takes care of baby boy and doesn’t interrupt me. Having that time to myself knowing I can just relax and not worry about anything is huge. Plus having a husband that is so supportive isn’t so bad either. 😉

Make sure you are always taking time for yourself too because it’s so important. Don’t forget to grab your MiraLAX at Walmart and coupon as well. Us Moms have to stick together. Enjoy and God bless!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. I pinky promise. #NatureMadePrenatalDHA #CollectiveBias

Finding out you are expecting is exciting but also stressful at times. I can’t wait to share how preparing for a new baby with a FREE printable shopping list can help ease those nerves some by stocking up with a few essentials.

What an adventure motherhood is! You find out you are pregnant and the never ending journey suddenly begins. After the initial excitement has time to settle in, you start to realize that you actually have to prepare and get things in order for that new baby to make their debut. My son is now 3 months old, and I am so thankful for other moms that helped guide me. I hope today to pass on that same wisdom to you whether you are a newly expecting mom, hoping to be soon, or know someone who is. I want you to have a list of several essentials to have on hand before baby’s arrival and even a shopping list already made for you that you can just print out and take with you to the store.
When shopping for our baby boy, I loved going to Sam’s Club to start stocking up on several essentials that I knew we were going to need a lot of. I felt like I could get so much checked off my list in one place which also saved me quite a bit of energy. One of those items is prenatal vitamins. Sam’s Club has Nature Made® Prenatal Multi + DHA (200mg) 150ct. softgels that are guaranteed to meet our high quality standards. They are made from carefully selected ingredients under strict manufacturing processes.
You should start taking a prenatal 6 months before you start trying to get pregnant. I love that Nature Made® Prenatal Multi + DHA (200mg) 150ct. softgels provide essential vitamins and minerals (before and during pregnancy) including folic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, iodine, vitamin B12, and vitamin D3†. They also provide 200mg DHA which may help support fetal brain and eye development †. And my personal favorite, there are no synthetic dyes, no yeast or starch, no artificial flavors, and are gluten free.
While you are at Sam’s Club, you are going to want to make sure you stock up on diapers, wipes, and basic onesies. You might think you have enough, but trust me. You are definitely going to need more. Babies love using diapers. 😉 Another great idea is to have some food prepared ahead of time to store for when baby arrives. You are going to need to recover and rest. The last thing you want to have to worry about is cooking dinner. Stocking up on freezer meals that are easy to just heat up will be a life saver for you.
Now before you head off and don’t have a list and forget something, I have got ya covered. I have a FREE printable shopping list that you can take with you to Sam’s Club with all these essentials listed. I have even left several blank spots so you can add any other goodies you think of. Click HERE to print your FREE shopping list!

Let me know what baby essentials you plan on stocking up on too. I would love to know and also share with everyone else. And a HUGE congratulations for you or someone you know that is expecting a bundle of joy very soon.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not
intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

With tears of gratitude and love in my heart, I write this post today to welcome to the world our baby boy. Writing this feels so surreal and such a blessing with words indescribable all at the same time.

On March 27, 2018 at 2:46 p.m. my husband and I were changed forever and ever for the best that ever could be. Our son was born! He was 6 lb and 9 oz and 20 inches long. Those four words are four words that once didn’t seem that they would ever come out of my mouth, but God is so good and faithful.

He was perfectly healthy and couldn’t be more perfect. My labor and delivery was truly beautiful and such an incredible experience. I don’t say that lightly or think everyone’s experience is like some fairy tale, but I am so appreciative that God was with us and for the way things went. I am going to include a few more pictures of him below and leave you with that. I think that’s what everyone wants to see more than hear (or read) what I have to say. God bless!

Getting ready to come home from the hospital

Our best Easter gift ever!