Thinking Outside the (Gift) Box

I loooooove birthdays and holidays. My hub doesn't get it. Especially all the fuss over birthdays. But. I say, you get one day to celebrate YOU each year. So. Let loved ones spoil you and soak it all in. I feel the same way about holidays, too. There are 365 days per year and a handful of holidays. So. Why not make the most of them, too? 

With the explosion over Pinterest the last few years, it has made a holiday-lovin' momma's dream come true. It is a great place to find inspiration for creative gift giving (and thrify home decor; and party ideas; and recipe suggestions; and workout tips; and outfit planning [which is especially helpful for those of us...ahem...who don't exactly earn any prizes for wardrobe of the year]). 

Anywho.

I thought it'd be fun to share a few gift-giving ideas if anyone is looking for something a little outside of the box. A few of these are Pinterest-inspired (shocker!), but I will also give credit where credit is due for a few original ideas: a few of my own and also to one of my sister's best friends. 

So. Off we go:

For my hub's birthday last week, he repeatedly said that he didn't want it to be a big deal. Pssh. That goes in one ear and out the other for this holiday-lovin' mama. But. I also didn't want to overspend. So. Aside from a homemade banner (beautifully colored by his babies), some balloons, cupcakes, and surprise office decor, I modified an idea I saw on Pinterest to make him his own Man-Bouquet. 

The bouquet was very easy to assemble and included many of his favorite things, including Hot Fries (barf), mini bottles of Glen Livet (barf), beer salt, a variety of hot sauces, his favorite candy (Rolos), granola bars, peanuts, and beef jerky. Each item was mounted on a skewer, which was stuck through that floral styrofoamy-greenery stuff, and put in a large beer mug. He absolutely loved it! And I didn't break the bank. I call that a success!

Oh, but my hub. Ever the consummate one-upper. For Mother's Day, which fell three days after his birthday this year, he totally stole my (okay, Pinterest's) idea and made an extra large Momma-Bouquet. It included many of my favorite things, including several bottles of wine, a gossip mag (I haven't bought one in YEARS and was SO excited about it!), a Starbucks gift card and new coffee mug, gum, yummy snacks, and a bouquet of flowers. Oh, and my sweet hub also bought two Golden Delicious apple trees (my favorite fruit!) from Lowe's to plant in our backyard, which we did that afternoon. Now, every time I see those trees and watch them grow, I will think back very fondly to Mother's Day 2013. 

Moving on to a few original (gasp! Non-Pinterest inspired!) gifts: 

One of my favorite gifts was one I gave to my first niece, Brantley, on her first birthday a few years ago. I think first birthdays are especially special, so I like to try and do something a little extra special for the occasion (how's that for special?). For Brantley, I bought passes to the local zoo, aquarium, and children's museum so that she would have some new, memorable, and fun! activities she could experience as a toddler. I am a firm believer in giving experiences, rather than toys or gifts, whenever possible, to help create beautiful and fun! memories. It's why my kiddos gave their daddy a helicoper ride with our son for Father's Day last year.

Another favorite (original! Non-Pinterest inspired!) gift was the one I gave to my niece, Cameron, for her first birthday last year.  I ordered her a personalized, tutu tote from etsy (in her hot pink and yellow birthday party colors) and then bought 12 books and labeled each book with a specific month for her to open on the 10th of each month (her birthday is on the 10th) for the next year. I've been told by a reputable source that she loves seeing her new book each month. :)

Lastly, something new to the market, but something that I think is a lovely, innovative, and out-of-the-ordinary gift idea, is an Owl Origami locket. It is a different take on charm jewelry and it is oh-so-sweet!!! One of my sisters and I gave one to my momma for Mother's Day this year, and she loved it. If you're looking for one, check out this awesome, amazing, cool-as-can-be consultant, Lindsey, who can set you up with one of your own if you're interested. :) 

I hope that helps if anyone is searching for fun gift ideas. And if all else fails, there's always Pinterest. And gift cards. 

Confessional

There are a few things I need to get off my chest. After all, I always want this blog to be a place of truth telling. So. A few confessions I must fess up to:

• My last two haircuts have been done by the oh-so-talented stylist at...the local children's hair salon. Yep. In fact, my latest cut was just the other day: While Banks sat in his airplane chair next to me getting his "ears lowered," and Raleigh snacked happily on goldfish in her stroller, I sat and had four inches chopped off. You should have seen the side-eyes I got from the other moms who were there, at the children's salon, whose own children had to wait to get their hair cut thanks to my sudden desire to lose some length. Oops! Maybe one day I'll re-visit a grown-up salon. But. For now? Pigtails & Crewcuts it is! 

• I have been using the exact same eyeliner since my wedding day, almost nine years ago. As in, the exact same container of MAC eye shadow that I use to line my eyes, almost every single day, for the last nine years. This tells me (1) it is amazing I haven't contracted some kind of funky eye disease, and (2) maybe at some point I should change up my make-up routine? 

• I typically listen to hard core rap when I run. Thank goodness the neighbors can't hear the vulgar language I jam to when trying to please-for-the-love make it up a steep hill.

• Banks has recently started lying. Straight to my face. Over and over. Insisting he is telling the truth. When I know he is not. So. I have started using what I think is a brilliant tactic a friend of mine (hi Julie S.!), who just so happens to be an elementary school teacher, told me she uses with her students: the lie detector. The secret to this brilliance that inevitably evokes the truth from my little truth-bender? Inform the truth-bender in question that you can tell whether or not he is lying by placing your hand over his heart--that you can detect the lie because his heart tells you when it's lying. What the little truth-bender doesn't know is that when someone lies and is being questioned about it, his heart rate tends to increase as a result of being nervous. So. By simply placing one's hand over the truth-bender's heart, the answer becomes clear. Of course, the truth-bender should not be told that it's the rapid heartbeat that's giving him away. He just needs to know that Momma's lie detector is all-knowing. So...does it work? Well, now, when I even mention that trusty ol' lie detector, the truth inevitably comes out, without me even having to place my hand on a certain 3-year-old's heart. Thanks for the trick, Julie. You are one smart momma. 

• It makes me feel really uncomfortable when people raise their arms to Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! while singing in church. We go to a contemporary church, which  means rockin', band-accompanied music at the start and end of each sermon. Now, don't get me wrong. I LOVE the music, and I'll be-bop and sing along with the best of 'em, but when I see someone raising her arms because she is, apparently, so moved by the music and message, it just makes me feel awkward. 

• I often take two cookies from the free cookie stash in the grocery store when grocery shopping with Raleigh (which is done while Banks is in school each Monday morning). One for her and one for me, although I don't eat mine until I get in the car so I won't get busted by the grocery employees. 

• I typically look forward to the short car rides I take with my kids when out and about running errands. Now, the hauling of both kids in and out of their seats and in and out of whatever establishment we're visiting...not so much. But the car rides? Yes. Namely, because I know they are both contained in the same spot. And it's is our time to just talk, talk, talk, uninterrupted. However, some days, when I have been peppered with questions like an overly seasoned steak, I insist we play the quiet game. And while I love those conversations I get to have with my kiddos in the car, man is it nice to have a little car-ride-quiet once in awhile. And I'm not gonna lie: One time, the game lasted so long that Banks actually fell asleep. I guess he won that round...

• I often have to google how to do very basic things: like, earlier today for example, bake a potato. Have I mentioned that I am an oh-so-fabulous chef? I haven't? Hmpf. 

Whew. I feel better already after getting those things off my chest. 

A Momma's Mommas

I have two amazing mommas in my life. And today, I celebrate them: 

My mom. Our Bammy. My biggest supporter from the first breath I took. The momma who showed me what it means to be a momma-to sacrifice, love with every ounce of my being, work hard, rejoice in life's blessings, and always, ALWAYS love one another. And to do it with grace. My momma is the true definition of a momma. She is what I want to be when I grow up.

Did you know that my mom is Super Woman? She is, you know. Single-handedly raising four young children. Helping us live through life challenges only to come out on the other side stronger and very aware of how precious both life and family are. My mom is a warrior. And a super hero.

I will live my entire life trying to fill even a smidgen of her shoes. She is my best friend, she is my #1 fan, she is my momma. And she is our Bammy, who my little ones absolutely adore. I don't think Bammy has ever turned down an invitation to play, play, play, and play some more when her grandbabies are around. They are the luckiest children in the world. I am the luckiest girl in the world. 

My mother-"in-law." (We don't like that word. It feels too formal. She is, simply, Leah, my other momma. Our Nana). I hit the jackpot when I married my hub. Because not only did I vow to love and honor him on that beautiful June day we exchanged our vows, I also was lucky enough to inherit the rest of my family. The family I have been journey-ing through life toward, just waiting to meet. 

There is just no other Nana like our Nana. She adores her grandchildren like no other--always ready to pitch a baseball one minute and host a tea party the next. She will sit and read the same books, over and over, to my babies, because she knows how much they love them. 

But it's not just that. She is also my "other mother." One of my favorite things to do is talk with her, listen to her, confide in her, share with her. Her genuine, kind demeanor is one-of-a-kind, and I have no doubt that her loving, nurturing nature is what shaped my hub to be the kind of loving, involved daddy that he is. I am oh so very, very grateful for Leah. Not only will I always consider her a momma but also a close friend and confidant. 

So.

To my momma and my momma-"in-law," HAPPY, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! Thank you for showing me what I aspire to be as a momma and for helping to shape my journey through motherhood along the way. I love you.

To My Hub, With Love

To the man who...


Told his best friend he was going to marry that girl who ran over his football with her car. Twice.

Cried when his children were born. 

Admires his own dad so very much and still regularly calls him for advice

Never hesitates to give his baby girl kisses

Plays golf with his son every chance he gets

Still sweeps me off my feet, day after day, after almost 11 years of being together

Readily adopts his role as the spiritual leader of our family

Works harder than anyone I have ever known in order to provide for his family

Is the true definition of a dedicated and loyal friend

Is teaching our son how to follow in his footsteps

Takes the time to play with and read books to his children, every single night he's in town, no matter how long or hard the work day

Feels moved to help others in the community

Comes up with fun ideas to do with his kids

Is always ready to dress up and fight bad guys

Never hesitates to cuddle with his baby girl

Befriends the husbands of my friends because he knows how important my girls are to me

Is so proud to be a daddy

Loves to tickle his babies just to hear them squeal and laugh with delight

Is a master of the grill

Made my (formerly unknown) dream of being a stay-at-home Momma come alive. 

Is always the life of the party

Is my favorite person on the planet. My one and only. OUR one and only.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Hub. We love you with all our hearts. 

Midweek Randoms

I've had some scattered thoughts going on lately. So. I thought it'd be best to just throw them all out there.

1. Girlfriends. Nothing like 'em. For me, they are key to sane functioning and help make my world go 'round. I have been so blessed to have found some amazing new girlfriends since moving to the Mill eight months ago (Wait...wha? It's been eight months? Sheesh! And yet, not one room in my house is fully decorated. Anywho. I digress.). And then, Friday night happened. Friday night was the culmination of a text I received from my awesome friend, Jenna, a couple days before, calling for a last minute Girls Night Out. But there was one catch: there would be a man there....Tim McGraw. The night turned into one of my favorite nights ever. A car service with three of my favorite new Fort Mill friends (so sweetly arranged in secret by our conspiring hubs), complete with personalized cups and champagne. A private meet and greet with our new buddy, ol' Timmy McGraw, which was immediately followed by a private concert. And then, amazing box seats. Drinks were flowing. Music was playing. Dance moves were rockin'. The company could not be beat. Yes, I love me some special girlfriend time. Tim McGraw was just an added bonus this go-round. 

He was SOOO skinny and SOOO tan. But Lawd, that man can sing like nobody's business.

The private show before the show. We were just a little excited. 

2. Tonight, at dinner, Banks told me that he loved Raleigh more than me. Can I tell you how this made me feel? Honestly? Happy and so, so proud. From the day we found out we were pregnant with Baby #2, it was always my goal to make sure that both of my babies were loved with absolutely every ounce of my being. Neither more than the other, ever. I worried that our second baby would inevitably take away some of the attention our first-born had grown accustomed to. So ever since Raleigh joined our family 16 months ago, I try, try, try, every single day, to make them both feel equally loved. To spend one-on-one time with each of them, even if just for a few minutes, every single day. And by hearing Banks say that he loved his sister best, my first thought was...mission accomplished! I don't think he has ever felt threatened by his baby's sister's presence. On the contrary. I think he is so happy to have a built in best friend, who he adores, and it brings such comfort knowing that she is so important in his life. I hope that he will ALWAYS see his sister as his #1 girl...well...until he gets married. And then, still, see her as being a very close second. 

3. Momma. And sistas. I just don't know what I'd do without 'em. My life is my family. My family is my life. And last weekend, I was able to capitalize on some Momma and Sistas-from-the-Same-Motha time: Pedicures. Bridal dress (re) try-on by my beautiful baby sister. Lunch. Coffee. Shopping. Happy Hour with bevs and apps. Pizza. Junk food. Beer. Talking, talking, talking. It was so special. A weekend none of us will forget. A Momma and her baby girls. Priceless. 

4. Sometimes, I am an idiot. As of today, we have lived in our Fort Mill home for eight months. I have been a stay-at-home momma for a little over eight months. I have a traveling hub. I need to shower. So. For the last eight months, I have had my little ones play in the master bathroom while I shower, each night my hub is traveling out of town. Last night, my hub asked why I never just shower in the bathroom that is ADJOINING to the playroom (and thus, with a clear view of it) and let the kids play in the playroom, with all of their toys, rather than lug a few toys into the master bathroom each night to keep them occupied. Ummmm...I have no idea. I am not always the brightest star in the sky. But. I am happy to report, I did just that for the first time tonight. And it worked beautifully. Duh. 

5. Homemade recipes. Say wha?!? Y'all. I KNOW. I cannot believe I am typing this, but for dinner the other night, I took a recipe I found on Pinterest and actually MODIFIED it. And didn't burn it. And my hub went back for seconds. And Raleigh ate her weight in quinoa. And Banks gobbled up the edamame. It was amazing. It will, very likely, never happen again. So. Please. Let me bask in this accomplishment for a moment.......................Okay. Thank you. And now, for those who requested, here is the recipe. Oh, and I call it Power Punch Protein Platter (because it is quite healthy and chock full of protein...did I mention we are headed to the beach in less than a month?!!):

• Step 1. Cook quinoa. I am too lazy to explain how to do that. This website offers great directions for delicious quinoa. I usually like to cook it in (organic) chicken broth but I didn't have any; so, I used water and it still turned out delish. Oh, and I used 1.5 cups quinoa (with 3 cups of water and a drizzle of olive oil) because that is how much I had left in my pantry. It made the perfect amount for a healthy serving for all family members, as well as SECONDS (!!) for some, and, still, enough for leftovers. 

• Step 2. While the quinoa is boiling, sauté 1 pound of (organic, if you so choose) chicken breasts. 

• Step 3. While the quinoa is boiling and the chicken is sautéing, drain and heat cans of (organic, if you so choose) corn and stewed tomatoes. More experienced chefs may elect to do that on the stove. I am not said chef. Therefore, I did not heat them on the stove. I mean, hello! That's why we have a microwave, right? Oh, and also, go ahead and steam a bag of edamame in the microwave, too. I used a 10-ounce bag, but a bigger bag would be good, too. I would do the edamame first because, if you're like me and don't buy pre-shelled edamame (do they even make that?), you'll need to quickly de-shell (is that even a word?) the edamame after it's been steamed. 

• Step 4. While all of the above is going on, mix the following in a separate bowl: 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper. 

• Step 5. By this point, the chicken breasts should be cooked. The quinoa should also be done, the veggies/edamame heated up, and the drizzling sauce made. Combine all but the sauce in a large bowl. If you don't have kids, go ahead and drizzle that tasty sauce all over. If you do have kids, I would recommend reserving the sauce and drizzling it only on the servings of those who like a tiny little "kick" to their palate (it's not super spicy, but I don't know that tiny tummies will handle it well). 

• Step 6. Bon appetit! 

Power Punch Protein Platter

6. I am loving, LOVING, online sales via my new favorite email/deal websites. Namely, Very Jane, GroopDealz, and Sassy Steals. They have GREAT deals, and I have been taking full advantage lately to score some fun new jewelry for this Momma (I am absolutely obsessed with statement necklaces), some trendy clothes for my little lady (Little lace shorts? Yes please. Tiny toddler chevron maxi skirt? Don't mind if I do), and a couple new home decor items (did I mention not a single room in my home is completely decorated yet? Sheesh.). Highly recommend all of those websites for really, really great deals! 

7. Spring seems to have finally found its way to the South again. Let's hope she sticks around this time. I don't think I can take any more chilly and rainy weather. 

Plants! That are alive! Let's hope our green-ish thumbs can keep them that way.

Alright, I think that's enough randomness for this week. I'll be back soon with something a little less random and a little more sentimental. 

One Year Ago.

Exactly one year ago, this week, was the scariest time of my life. 

It was that week, through a slew of doctor appointments, specialist appointments, and medical procedures, that we learned that our sweet baby girl did not, in fact, have any sort of scary medical condition causing her anisocoria. Instead, it was diagnosed as simply a harmless congenital condition.

Looking back, one year later, I am beyond grateful that my baby girl is healthy, happy, and flourishing. 

So. 

This week, as I reflect back on that terrifying time and focus on all that I have to be so very thankful for, I will snuggle my girl extra tight. Say extra prayers of gratitude. Look more deeply into those beautiful, anisocoria-ed blue eyes. And be so, so incredibly grateful that she is mine and I am hers. 

Thank you, Lord, for my beautiful, healthy baby girl.

Always, Sometimes, Never

I totally stole this post idea from Amy over at "Total Tippins Takeover" but thought it'd be a fun way to close out the week. So. Here we go:

I always...

• Prefer cleaning over cooking. Always. I have tried to love cooking. I just don't. Cleaning, on the other hand, makes me feel all fresh and new. I cannot stand stepping on crumbs on the floor, and I love the smell of a cleaned house. Don't even get me started over my adoration of vacuum lines. Weirdo.

• Wish I had more energy at the end of the day. I am, without a doubt, a morning person. I am, without a doubt, worn out by the time the kiddos go to bed. 

• Step on Cheerios that have fallen to the ground. Always. In the kitchen? Of course. In the garage? You know it. In my bathroom (?!?). Yup. Every.Single.Time. Every time. 

• Love the look of a fresh bouquet of flowers on my kitchen table. Throw those bad boys in a mason jar, and this Southern heart of mine just swoons. 

• Thank my lucky stars I have such amazing women in my life. And also thank my lucky stars I'll be soaking up time with my three favorite women on Earth this weekend: my two amazing sistas and one helluva Momma. 

• Am better at unloading than loading the dishwasher. Ask my hub. He cannot understand how I can be so organized in most facets of my life but then absolutely suck at loading the dishwasher, which I apparently do in this poorly executed, haphazard fashion.

I sometimes...

• Lose my patience. I am getting MUCH better about this, I think. But. I am still a work in progress. 

• Enjoy going for a good run. Sometimes, it is all I can do to drag my hiney off the couch, into my running clothes, and out the door. But. I always feel good after I do. Nonetheless, you won't catch this girl running any races anytime soon. And if you want to picture what I look like running, I am told mine resembles Phoebe's gait on that one episode of Friends.

• Sleep through the night without waking up. Those mornings I do, I awake feeling refreshed. Those mornings were becoming increasingly rare. So. I recently started taking melatonin, which is helping, I think.

• Secretly feel happy that my little girl's hair is slooooooooow to grow in. It is pretty easy to style, after all. :) I'm sure there will be YEARS ahead of me of her crying when I brush through a tangle too hard or don't elicit a perfect, bump-free ponytail. But for now? I throw a headband on and call it a day.

• Don't have a glass or two of wine at night. But honestly? Most nights, I do. 

I never...

• Thought I'd have a son who loves monster trucks so much. But. Alas. One spontaneous trip to a monster truck show with his Daddy (the first for both!), and it's been monster trucks all day, every day, ever since.

• Go a day without eating breakfast. Actually, besides perusing social media, it's the first thing I do when I wake up. I am always hungry first thing in the morning and always ready to eat. 

• Go a day without drinking coffee. Never. It is a very rare day that I only have one cup.

• Feel like I am able to completely turn off my brain. Whether working full time or staying home with the kiddos, I think multi-tasking is an inherent trait that comes with being a momma. I am always trying to think two steps of ahead and then often realize I have forgotten to do/see/grab something. 

• Thought a carpet-cleaning service would be able to remove the absolutely caked-on vasoline that has decorated my son's floor since the infamous incident. I was so wrong! Thank you, COIT carpet cleaners, for saving us a lot of moolah by getting out that pesky vasoline and preventing us from having to replace the entire carpet in a certain 3-year-old's room.

• Feel like I am enough. I always feel I should be able to do more, more, more. But. Sometimes, at the end of the day, if I somehow manage to have played with and fed my children and made it through the day unscathed, I count it a success. And then pour a glass of wine.

TGIalmostF, friends! Have a wonderful weekend!