• Jellystone Luray
    Camping,  Family,  Travel

    Exploring Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Luray, VA

    We joke that we joined in on the pandemic trend of buying a camper, but in all fairness, we’ve actually been thinking about buying one for years and finally decided that there was no better time! We are glad we did and were so grateful that Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Luray, Virginia hosted us for our first RV adventure! I’m excited to finally share all the details and pictures with you, and let’s just say this trip will be hard to beat!

  • Family,  Parenting

    10 Positive Affirmations to Tell Your Kids

    The other night, I was scrolling through old pictures (I do that sometimes) and I came across a video of my oldest daughter and I from a couple of years ago. She is about two years old in it – and while to her we are simply playing a “repeat after me” game, to me, it honestly brought tears to my eyes. (scroll down for video) Just as hard as it is for us to parent these days, it’s hard for kids to grow up. Thanks to the advances of technology and social media, kids are being forced to grow up faster, they are being bombarded with things that test…

  • 5 Ways We Use Our DockATot Grand
    Babies,  Motherhood,  Parenting

    5 Ways We Use Our DockATot Grand

    This post is sponsored by DockATot but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. If you are a new parent or soon to be parent, chances are you have heard of the DockATot. If you haven’t then don’t worry, I’ll enlighten you! In a nutshell, the DockATot is a multi-functional lounging, playing, chilling, resting and snuggling dock you can take anywhere. They are offered in two sizes, the Deluxe for ages 0-8 months and the Grand for ages 9-36 months. Before Everly was born, I had heard great things about the brand and how well babies were sleeping in it. So I went ahead and got the Deluxe size…

  • Babies,  Family,  Motherhood

    Little Wildflower Turns TWO!

    We celebrated G turning two this past weekend and had so much fun! I am still in complete disbelief that I have a two year old. Her day was filled with lots of balloons, kisses, and cake 🙂 We loved being able to make her day extra special and spend time with so many of our amazing family and friends.

  • Motherhood,  Reflection

    A Reflection On Motherhood

    As a young mom of a toddler and an angel baby in heaven, I am fully in the trenches of my journey though motherhood. Though my heart is still raw from the loss of my son just 4 weeks ago, it’s this raw state that has given me the ability to feel so deeply and come to this understanding about motherhood – that motherhood is the best, worst, best thing that has ever happened to me.

  • Babies,  Faith,  Family,  Marriage,  Motherhood,  Parenting,  Reflection

    When Hello Means Goodbye – Surviving a Stillbirth

    As I looked through my drafts of post ideas, I saw my “Baby Bumpdate” post sitting in the queue… as I stared at the title I realized something... when I was pregnant and my baby was alive and healthy, I had no problem happily posting "bump pics" and sweet little taglines on how much we loved him, how excited we were to meet him, how we couldn't wait for him to join our crazy family. He was real. He was my son. We dreamed of his future, how he was going to be my little buddy, how he was going to love cars and hockey just like his dad, and…

  • Family,  Motherhood

    A letter to my daughter on her first birthday

    I can’t believe its already been a year, I mean, we just brought her home! Now she is ONE, how could one number feel so huge?! I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what to get my daughter on her first birthday. She is beautifully uncomplicated; so simple (her favorite toys are rocks, mulch, spatulas, TV remotes…) and totally happy. New cute clothes would only be for me, she’d rather be naked! So… I stayed up late writing her a heartfelt, teary-eyed mommy to daughter letter (the first of a lifetime of birthday letters).

  • Babies,  Family,  Motherhood,  Parenting

    The Determination of a Child

    I’m sitting here on my kitchen floor, eating leftovers, watching my (almost) 8 month old daughter explore the new scenery. (I actually have found that the kitchen setup is wonderful, WAY less trouble for her to get into than in the living room, since all she can reach are closed cabinets and the pots, pans, and cups I lay out on the floor.) As I watch her, I can’t help but to think “man, I wish I had her determination!” She is a tough little cookie, and no matter how many times she bonks her head, face plants, or bites the dust, she just keeps on exploring… Pushing beyond her…