2020 Word of the Year: BALANCE

My word for 2020 is BALANCE ✨

I noticed this holiday season that the calendar was slammed with parties, activities, to-dos, and gatherings - pretty much something every day in December. While I enjoy all of it, I also LOVE being home, slowing my pace, being with my family, and even enjoying some quiet time just for me. I ended up only choosing a handful of things that I absolutely wanted to do and didn’t stress about not getting to everything. I stretched out the holiday fun with the kids and get togethers with my family and friends over the entire month and just enjoyed the slower, laid back pace so much. I can honestly say it was one of the best (less stressed) Christmases ever. As I get older, I realize how important BALANCE is for my well-being, that it’s okay to say no to things when your plate is too full and it’s ok to not be doing something 24/7. Rest is good, quiet is good, and being home is good. This doesn’t mean I won’t still be busy because I love doing things with and for my family and friends, I enjoy my job, (which keeps me busy all summer), I love taking part in church and town activities, I love cooking big family dinners, I enjoy our home so much and love doing things around the house. BUT...my goal in 2020 is to find more BALANCE in the midst of all the busyness and just slow down and enjoy when I can, and I’m looking for less guilt when it comes to that way-too-full calendar and endless to-do list. 

#goals

{Winter Coffee Bar}

(Simple) Winter Coffee Bar

 - new letter board {Let's Stay Home}

- black/white buffalo plaid snowflake banner

- black/white plaid bow on boxwood wreath

- snowflake twinkle lights

- added a few winter mugs
- black straws/stirrers

*******************

"Baby It's Cold Outside"

Christmas Eve Boxes - 2019

- M E R R Y   C H R I S T M A S -

One of my favorite things to do at Christmastime is fill Christmas Eve boxes. 

KAMRY

I usually start with a pair of jammies and a Christmas movie. This year, I picked Daniel Tiger because both kids LOVE Daniel Tiger! I added unicorn slippers, a Frozen bath bomb, Play Doh, a snowman cup, candy, and of course, a book! 

I found Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You." 

ROWEN

Rowen got a Santa Dino fleece sleeper, Daniel Tiger movie, hot cocoa & snowman marshmallow, candy, snowman cup, bath finger paint, and a Melissa & Doug clock puzzle which was perfect because he's obsessed with both clocks and puzzles! He also got a book, but it was a BIG board book that didn't fit in his box. 

I use the same box every year, and just store them away with my Christmas stuff. I also fill the grown-up kids a box together...Christmas movie, candy, socks, and other goodies! I somehow forgot to get a picture this year! 

merry + bright

merry + bright

a few of my favorite things.....

🌲 Christmas Morning oils in my new diffuser making my favorite spot in the house even cozier. ❤️

*Logan, Lindsey, and Kamry gave me a new diffuser and some awesome smelling oils (REVIVE). 

I got the cute shelf from Etsy ($18 unfinished), which I stained with Espresso stain.

Nathan, Kayla, and Rowen gave me new journals, devotional, and pens which I can't wait to start using on January 1st! (Tina gave me the Be Still devotional). 

 I'll share more of my Christmas gifts in my next post.

                                             These are a few of my favorite things!

Winterfest of Lights - Ocean City, MD

12.21.19

We always enjoy going to see the lights in Ocean City and it was such a beautiful night for it. We had dinner first at The Crab Cake Factory (a first for us) and it was delicious! As usual, a great night with family, full of laughter and fun.

 

*Winter SnoBiz*

12.20.19

Peter and I spent the weekend of the 20th with Logan, Lindsey, and Kamry and had Christmas (round 1). We took Rowen with us on Friday for a cousins day while Kayla and Nathan went to her doctor's appointment. They came by a few hours before the boat left, and we took advantage of SnoBiz day because who can pass up a snow cone from SnoBiz (even if it's freezing outside!!). 

this makes my heart HAPPY!!!

The kids were a fan!!!

The GRINCH!!! yummmmmmm!!

IT'S A.......

12.19.19 

It’s a BOY!! 💙 

so excited that Rowen is getting a little brother! 

My heart just grew a little bit more! 

#genderreveal #boys #boymom#itsaboy 

#nanalove #2020baby#bigbrother #blessed

Made With LOVE!

MADE WITH L❤️VE 

These Rolo/Pretzel Bites are the perfect Christmas treat to make with toddlers. 👨🏻‍🍳 

Rowen only took a bite out of the first 5 Rolos before putting them on the pretzels 

- no worries though, Nana will eat them!

2019 Tea with Mrs. Claus

12.14.19 • Tea with Mrs. Claus 🤶🏻 

This has become my yearly Christmas tradition with Kamry! ❤️It’s a fun morning of crafts, treats, cookie decorating, and story time with Mrs. Claus. Kamry loved playing with her cousins, and friend, Emma. 

She even managed to get into another family’s photo (last pic) and she didn’t even know them...that had us dying🤣. She’s a little social butterfly and enjoys everything so much! Love these special times with her! ❤️

S A N T A B A B Y

only 1️⃣5️⃣ days until Christmas! 🎅🏻 

Looks like Kamry has a new friend...I’m sure she let him know what 

she’d like to see under her tree on Christmas morning! 🎄❤️

🎅🏻Rowen prefers giving Santa high fives for candy canes 

and kept his distance this year. Bet Santa will be good 

to him though because he’s been such a good boy! ❤️

Candy Christmas Trees / Crafts with Toddlers

FA LA LA LA LA 🎄🎅🏻

A fun and easy Christmas craft for littles. 

Kamry loved making [and eating] these cute trees 

made with sugar cones, frosting, and decorations like sprinkles, 

mini m&ms, coconut, or other candies.

Candy Christmas Trees Round 2 🎄

Rowen was all about the sprinkles (and there may or may not be about 

half a bottle under my kitchen table🤣) 

Popcorn and a movie is one of his favorite things at Nana’s these days. 

And this last pic [video] is the sweetest - HO HO HO 🎅🏻

Thanksgiving 2019

f e e l i n g     t h a n k f u l 

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

There’s nothing like having family gathered around the table, enjoying some of the best food, [and then not having to do the dishes afterwards. 🤣] We’ve been disposable plates Thanksgiving people for a few years now, and I commented today that my Mom must be superwoman because for many, many, years she not only hosted Thanksgiving Dinner, but she cooked it all, set a full table with all the good china, and cleaned up afterwards. Props to all you “pioneer women” out there! The food was delicious and along with Mom’s dressing, Brian’s single fried oysters topped my list of favorites!! 😋

There were 17 for Thanksgiving this year, and sweet Kelsey was the newest addition. It was bittersweet as we were also missing some this year. 😞 I’m so thankful for days like today and good memories of past holidays. I’m also thankful we get to spend this weekend with Kamry, Logan, and Lindsey

I prepared a few dishes at home, then Mom and I cooked the turkey, dressing, and the other things we had to do at her house. Everyone brought a dish or two, and our Thanksgiving feast was absolutely delicious. 

GUEST LIST

Dad

Mom

Derek

Peter

Me 

Nathan

Kayla

Rowen

Brian

Liv

Peyton

Madi

Weston

Kelsey

Ernie

Rose

Ern

Donna

A wonderful day of food, family, and football! :O)

Logan, Lindsey, and Kamry always do Thanksgiving at her brothers, but we got to spend the whole weekend with them and a wonderful time!!

THANKFUL -- GRATEFUL -- BLESSED