how I'm feeling

Sometimes life can get a little crazy, ya know?

There's stress everywhere you turn. Especially around the holidays.

No matter how hard you try to be positive, the negativity can just catch up with you.

The kids are driving you up the wall, the laundry is piled waaaay too high (clean and dirty, in multiple areas of the house), the sink has become a mountain of dirty dishes and you haven't had a shower in an embarrassing number of days. You feel like you don't get anything accomplished and that every day seems to mull together into one big blur of work, kids, eat, sleep, repeat. And can I just say one more thing? Bills.



But. There's always a but isn't there?

Those are such minuscule things.



I can honestly look at those "complaints" and come back with:

Those kids driving you crazy?... they're YOUR babies. Your precious little ones that bring so much joy and happiness to your world. Do you know how many people dream and pray to have sweet children of their own? Do you know how lucky you are?

That laundry? Well, 1- you are fortunate enough to not only have money to buy clothes, but also to have running water to wash them in. 2-So what if they sit in piles? Instead of spending your evenings arduously folding laundry, you chose to spend it with your family.

The dishes? Same thing.

The shower? Eh. One day. One day there will come a time when you can take an uninterrupted, lengthy shower. And it will be glorious. Absolutely glorious. But for now, just buy stock in dry shampoo and baby wipes.

Having to go to work everyday? YOU HAVE A JOB. You have the means to provide for you family. You have another purpose in life, outside of the home. You are a part of a team.

Bills to pay? You have heat, electric, reliable cars, food to eat, health insurance, you get the picture. Money is not everything.


Family is everything and happiness is what you make it. Cheesy, corny goodness - but it's the truth!


It's important to take a step back every now and then to realize what exactly you are taking for granted.

Take a deep breath. You've got this. Life is good. Oh, so good.

xoxo,

Sara

Christmas Wishlist - 2015

Dream big or go home, right? That is the theme of this year's wishlist. There are a few items that are realistic and necessary... and then there are the extras that are more of a luxury than a necessity.

One | I have been using the same phone case for nearly a year now (which is a serious record for me, let me tell you). I am loving this Indigo case from Sonix for a fancy, decorative case. Then, there is the practical and protective Lifeproof case (which makes much more sense having a six year old and an 8 month old, since both like to steal my phone frequently).

Two | Y'all should see the current condition of our measuring cups and spoons. We have been using them since we moved into our apartment years ago and they have taken a serious beating. These stainless steel ones would be a perfect new addition to our kitchen and I am sure that they would be used just about everyday.

Three | In the same token, our poor pots and pans have just about had enough. They weren't super high quality to begin with, so after daily use for years, they've just given up. This set not only looks pretty, but looks like it would function perfectly for our family.

Four | I take it back, the theme of this wishlist must be "Sara has been using this for far too long and needs would like a new one". Since August of 2013, I have practically been using my beloved target tote bag every day (with a few brief stints of a diaper bag/purse and the comebacks of one or two old purses). I saw this crochet pocket bag on a lady at the Christmas tree farm we went to yesterday, and I fell in love. I've been looking for a cute cross-body bag, and this one totally fits the bill.

Five | These chairs! Oh, I love these chairs. Again, we have had the same clearance-purchase counter stools for years. I never truly loved the ones we have, but I think these Carlisle stools would just be the perfect pair. I realized, after I made this picture, that I actually had looked up bar stools and it turns out that the counter stools aren't actually available right now - which is a serious bummer. But, I have my fingers crossed that they will be available again one day! They do come in a back-less version... but with having little ones around the house, I think we're definitely going to need the backs.

Six | On the weekends, I basically live in comfy pajamas and this thermal night shirt looks like it is right up my alley. And the way it covers your hands and has the thumb holes? Oh that is COZY with a capital C.

Seven | One can never have too many travel mugs! In fact, I really don't have any good quality ones as of late. I broke my favorite Starbucks foxy mug from years ago and the cheap-o ones I purchased from Walmart just don't keep my coffee warm enough now that the temps are dropping outside. This Keurig mug would be perfect, especially since it would fit beneath the coffee machine just right.

Eight | I love, love, love Bath and Body Works' candles! Gosh, they all smell so good. But this Mahogany Teakwood Candle takes the cake. I don't frequently purchase candles; However, when I do they burn almost all day long. There is just something so comforting, especially during the winter months, about having a candle burning at home.

xo,

Sara