10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link up.

1. Raphael smiling in his sleep

2. Michael and Gabriel's excitement when they see Raphael after coming home from school

3. My boys - they are just the cutest and are so sweet

4. Ice Cream

5. Cooler weather

6. It's finally Friday!

7. Sunshine

8. Reading blogs

9. Signing up for a new class

10. Taking care of myself

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Currently List

Happy Thursday! It's been a while since I shared a Currently List. I'm hoping to start sharing weekly Currently Lists again.

Watching: I've been watching so many movies like Baby Driver, Kong: Skull Island, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. I really love Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. There's not that many movies that will make me laugh and cry...and that movie definitely made me do both.

Reading: For the past few months, I've been reading a lot of nonfiction so I decided to switch it up. I'm reading The Tales of Beedle the Bard and so far I'm loving it. It's a really short book so I'm sure I'll probably finish it by the end of the week.

Listening: I randomly heard Dynasty by Miia and immediately loved the song. You can check it out here.

Making: I've been working on some layouts in my Summer Stories travelers notebook.

Feeling: I've been seeing a lot of leaves on the ground so I'm getting even more excited for fall. I'm so ready for cooler weather and Halloween.

Planning: I have a lot of projects to work on and I have to make a list of the ones that needs to get done soon.

Loving: Oh my goodness! The soundtrack for Baby Driver is fantastic! If you haven't listened to it then you should do that right now. It's so good!

What are you currently up to?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Discovering Self-Care

This past month I came to the realization that I have not been taking care of myself. As much as I hate to admit it, I think I knew that I wasn't taking care of myself since Raphael was born. My excuse has been that I have just been too busy. I'm a stay at home mom. I have two school aged children and an infant so I have my hands full.

I knew that things needed to change...immediately. So on August 4th, I decided to make the day all about self-care. I woke up earlier than usual (Raphael is starting to sleep more at night!) and got a lot of stuff done early. I felt so much more energetic and less than the usual "mombie". I went to the mall and got some Starbucks. Just having an hour or two of me time was just what I needed. When I arrived home, we went to the library and ended our day at our city's birthday celebration. I vowed to do this again.

Fast forward to this past Thursday. I got most of the stuff on my to do list done early and went to get my hair done. You guys, my hair really needed some TLC. Postpartum hair issues are so annoying and is no joke. My hair was so long, tangled, and damaged. I have been wanting to cut my hair for a while and since I am in a phase of making changes, I thought that it was time to go for it. After getting my hair cut, I felt like a new person. It's amazing how something as simple as a haircut can make you feel so different.

I've also been standing up for myself and I'm no longer putting other people before me. My children and my husband will always come first, but I am no longer putting myself last when it comes to other people. Call me selfish or whatever, but it's important that I take care of myself. My well-being is important. I'm no longer allowing people to try and make me feel guilty for not immediately coming to their "aid". I am only one person and I cannot do everything.

Self-care is incredibly important and I highly recommend it. If you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed, please take some time for yourself. Read a book, take a long bath or shower, write in your journal...just please try to fit in some me time. Life can get hectic and it's important to take care of yourself too. Remember...you are important.

To all the moms (and dads), please take care of yourself. I think self-care is an important part of parenting. I think it's needed in order to be good parents to our kids. It's ok to make time for yourself. You are not a robot...you are a human being. And you deserve to have some time for yourself.

How do you practice self-care?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link up.

1. Beautiful sunrise

2. New haircut

3. Standing up for myself

4. Self care

5. Happy Mail

6. Newk's Q sandwich

7. Air condition

8. Reese's peanut butter cups

9. Getting stuff done early

10. Finding new-to-me songs

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

What I Read in July

Happy Monday! Last month, I finished reading Am I There Yet? by Mari Andrew. I have been a big fan of Mari Andrew for a while now. Mari's instagram is amazing and I love to see her illustrations. I was so excited when I found out that she was writing a book and knew that I would purchase it.

Mari's essays and illustrations are so relatable. I found myself smiling and nodding in agreement so many times while reading this book. Mari wrote about heartbreak and loss, overcoming disappointment, creating a home, discovering and finding yourself and so much more. There were a few things that I had already figured out for myself, but it felt great to reflect on those things. There was so much that I found inspiring. This is a quick read, but I took my time. Overall, I highly recommend this book.

Have you read Am I There Yet? What did you read in July?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link up.

1. Taking care of myself

2. Finishing a book early

3. Starting a new book

4. My boys

5. Dr. appointment went well

6. Great deals

7. This article about a breastfeeding mom

8. Amazing news from Starbucks!

9. Sour Patch Kids candy

10. Going to the library

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Party Q & A

Today I'm linking up with The Blended Blog for TBB Asks. TBB Asks is a monthly questionnaire and link up series.

1. Favorite Birthday Party as a child? I loved all my birthday parties when I was a kid, but if I had to choose just one...I think it was my ninth or tenth birthday party. I remember I wore this big, fluffy red dress. I loved that dress so much.

2. Do you like to entertain? Yes or No? Not really, but I can't wait until we get our new house. I really want to have a little get together or house warming when we get our new home.

3. What kind of parties are your favorite? Any party or celebration is great. Kids parties are always fun. I am always amazed at how much energy kids have. I also love holiday parties.

4. Big or Small parties? Small parties

5. Favorite thing to do at parties? Eat food lol and catch up with friends.

6. Party food favorites? This is a tough one. I guess chips and dip. I don't think you can wrong with chips and dip.

7. Favorite flavor of birthday cake? I love ice cream birthday cakes. The ice cream cakes from Carvel with the chocolate crunchies are my favorite!

8. Balloons? Yes or No? Of course!

9. Best Party Song? Ta' Encendío (El Baile Del Beeper) by Oro Solido

10. Do you like to dance? Yes or No? Yes!

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link up.

1. Mango lemonade

2. Häagen-Dazs vanilla milk chocolate ice cream bars

3. Finally learning how to type accented characters on my laptop and my iPod

4. Donating clothes

5. Fall displays are up in stores

6. More sleep at night

7. Chili cheese hot dogs

8. My baby carrier

9. Starting my new workout plan

10. Ice cold water

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

August Goals

How is it August already? School has already started and my boys are so excited for the new school year. Last month was very busy so I'm glad that it's a new month. I'm really looking forward to this month because I won't be so busy.

Since it's a new month, it's time to share my goals for this month. Before we get to the new goals, let's have a little recap of my goals for July. Just a heads up...I didn't do so great on my goals for July.

Recap of July Goals

• Read 2 books: I only read one book, but I consider this a pass since I haven't been reading much. 

• Share at least 1 personal story or essay on the blog: I didn't share a personal story or essay except for an update on Raphael. I guess you can consider that a personal story...right? I did submit an piece to Holl & Lane Magazine and I hope they love it. I poured my heart out in that piece and wrote about something very personal that I don't talk about often...not even to my family and friends.

• Start my new workout plan: Once again, I didn't accomplish this goal. I am hoping that I am able to start my workout plan this month.

• Make at least 3 scrapbook or craft projects: I also did not make any projects this month. I have been wanting to create something, but just haven't had the time. 

• Pitch at least 2 brands this month: This was a success. I pitched several brands and I was even contacted by a brand which was so exciting!

August Goals

• Read 1 book

• Share at least 1 personal story or essay on the blog

• Start working on my Instax mini album 

• Pitch at least 3 brands this month

• Start new workout plan

What are your goals for August?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash