Wildflower Bohemian Baby

Our baby girl is due in less than a month! Hard to believe really, but then I know as soon as she arrives we will wonder how we ever got on without her. It is such an exciting time bringing a new person into the world.

It's been five years since I had a baby girl to shop for, and I have become a bit obsessed with looking for cute new finds for this one. There are so many adorable baby items out there, I just can't help myself. I have already purchased a few, and keep adding to my wish list. Today, I am sharing some of my favorites in a gathering of products in my current "boho baby" style love.

Goodbye Summer

Summer is almost over, and I am sad to see it go. But then…fall is my favorite, so I am definitely ready to sink right into it. Here is one last hoorah to summer with some random shots I captured these past few months and a look back on some of our adventures.

Overall, it was a busy, but relaxing summer. We were able to get away, spend time with extended family and most of all spend time with each other. With Hazel turning four and Owen on the verge of turning three, it feels like these little years a slipping right through my hands. Before I know it Hazel will be leaving me all day for kindergarten and Owen will follow along soon thereafter. And I'll just be sitting here wondering where the time went.

Balancing Motherhood & DIY Blogging

The two most time consuming jobs I have ever had are as a mother and a blogger. And both pay the least. Go figure. But somehow I still love both roles enough to keep doing them. Okay, okay…well the first one is a full on heart commitment, right? Even on the roughest of days.

The other, I could let go by the wayside if I wanted to, and yet somehow I don't. I keep trucking on as a mother and a blogger and try to strike a balance between the two. It's tough though…I'm not gonna lie.

Today, I am sharing how I manage to make it work…

Say Yes to the Messiness of Childhood & a Free Printable!

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Wet-Nap®, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #ConquerTheMess http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Kids are the most creative beings on the planet. Always surprising us with their ideas, imaginative play, and the wonder they embrace as they navigate this world. Sometimes their creative ideas come at a cost though…a huge mess. Many times as a mom, it can be easier to say no to these activities. After all, we already have a bazillion messes to clean up, don't we? The dishes, the laundry, the toys strewn about. We can find ourselves eventually in a rut of saying no more often than we ever imagined we would. I know, because it has happened to me.

I used to imagine the kind of mom I would be. Always laid back and coming up with creative fun. Always willing to let them use their imaginations to do wild and crazy things. Then real life sets in. And you realize all of that is a lot of work.

Summer Days. Sun Filled Days. The Longest Days.

"Some day these will be our old days, let's make them worth remembering." -Kacy Crowley

Summer is flying by. I kind of hate that. Some days are long, though. Not only does the sun stay out longer and make the daylight hours last, some days as a mother with little ones can feel like an eternity. If you are in a similar situation, you probably now what I mean. This post is for you…

Free Printable Cards for Mother’s Day

Mother's Day is this weekend, so today, I wanted to share some last minute printable cards for you to give to the special mother figure in your life. Not that moms aren't worth heading out to a card store and spending hours perusing the aisles for that one perfect card. They TOTALLY are. And I actually used to do that myself. Pre-kids. Now, life is often crazy and I literally just realized it was May yesterday. Whoa. Where does the time go?

So, if life has gotten hectic for you and you have yet to get out and get Mom that extra special card, here is a great selection to choose from that you can print at your own convenience.

Merry Christmas and Glad New Year!

The month of December is flying by, and Christmas will be here before we know it. Which is why it is time for me to take a much needed break from blogging (and time spent on social media) to unwind, unplug and plug fully into my family and home life. So many great things have happened for me this year with this little blogging "gig" but so many more important things are happening here in our home as we raise two beautiful children.

I have a couple of posts scheduled that will go live during my break, but I will be spending my days getting lost in the wonder with my little ones, enjoying cozy nights cuddled on the couch watching Christmas movies (not gonna lie…this oneis my absolute favorite*) and striving to keep in my heart what this season is all about.

DIY Homeschool Preschool Daily Activity Calendar {with homemade magnets!}

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Office Depot, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #inspirestudents http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Getting prepared to start homeschool preschool can be a daunting task, but with a daily activity calendar and some fun magnets you can keep on track!

When I recently made the decision to start homeschool preschool with my three year old daughter Hazel, I felt a little overwhelmed. The reasons for going with homeschool preschool included Hazel not yet being potty trained, the cost, and the fact that she just turned three this summer. I felt another year at home would be good for her (and me!). We will venture into sending her off to preschool next year.

When Hope Can’t be Found {personal thoughts on depression and suicide}

Have you ever lost hope? Ever looked in the mirror, with tears streaming down, wishing it could all be over? Ever felt the weight of the world closing in on you? That there might not be a reason to go on?

Well, I have. 

The Best Potty Training Books for Kids

If you have a child of potty training age, here are six books that he or she is sure to love. Hopefully they will bring some encouragement to the process. My three year old thinks they are the best!

My daughter, Hazel, just turned three back on June 30th. If you had asked me a year ago if I thought she would be potty trained by now, I would have thought, definitely. 

But…I would be wrong. So wrong. 

Most days we don't even seem close. Other days, I get glimpses of hope. Like last week when she went for the very first time. But that has been the only time.

I never imagined that I would have a child who would be so resistant to "going on the potty", but that's my girl. Has to do things her way. In her time. 

And I am okay with that (because…I am pretty sure she gets that from me.)

Sundays at Home No. 11 and Happy Mother’s Day

Welcome to week eleven of Sundays at Home and Happy Mother's Day. I am starting this week's link party off on a somber note…

I am thankful that I have the opportunity to spend the day with my husband and two little ones. This week has been filled with lots of extra hugs, kisses and quality time, after learning of the tragic death of three year old Ryan, son of Jacqui from Baby Boy Bakery. I am heartbroken for his family and have been lifting them up in prayer constantly. I hope that you will pray also, especially for his mom on this day that I can only imagine will be unbearably painful, only one week after losing her precious little boy. Here are some pictures of their beautiful family and beloved Ryan.

Many people will be releasing red balloons in his honor this Mother's Day, and I hope to as well. Donations are also being raised for the family on Thrive Moms and GoFundMe if you would like to contribute.

4 Free Printable Mother’s Day Cards!

I have a little something for you today! Well, really for your mom…

5 Rainy Day Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers {Volume One}

With spring comes many rainy days around these parts. That means we need to get creative on the days we stay inside. Those of you who care for young children during the day will understand this. Today I will be sharing the first "volume" of activities that I have done with my own little ones on days we played indoors. I will be sharing later volumes in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned! (And even if you don't have young kids…you might just enjoy seeing some personal pics of mine throughout these posts!)

where have I been & giving thanks

Where have I been?
It seems like forever since I have posted here. Well, let me tell you…an almost 2 1/2 year old and a fourteen month old sure can keep you busy. I have been busy keeping up with our home, caring for my little ones, and learning to trust and rely on the Lord no matter what life throws my way. Some days are harder than others. I struggle. I want to do more. I want to create. I want to blog. I want to photograph. I want more "me time."

it’s the little things

Dyed Coffee Filter Floral Bouquet

For Mother's Day, Hazel and I put together some simple "flowers" to give to all of the women we would be visiting that day (including two grandma's and three aunts).

Mother’s Day

It's been raining here for several days…so we brought some spring indoors last week. Hazel loves "flowders" as she calls them…

growing up fast…(myself included)

My little babies are growing up faster than I can believe. Every day they seem to change a little. It is a joy to watch them grow and learn. But also a little sad as each stage passes, and I know that it will be gone forever. I am striving to enjoy each moment…(even through the temper tantrums, food thrown on the floor, waking up several times at night, painful teething stages, piles of laundry, spit up and endless amounts of dirty diapers.). I am made all the more aware each day that this precious time will be gone before I know it…

Our Baby Boy is Here!

Owen Henry Wingerden arrived on September 26th, 2012 at 10:32 am.

A whopping 8 lbs. 0.3 oz. and 19 1/2" long! I never thought I would have a baby that big 🙂