As promised, January's Sister Wives Book/Wine Club update is here. Being 4 30-something-organization-heart so full- moms, we chose to read A Simplified Life by Emily Ley. I have always had a thing for planners and to-do lists, but more recently have found myself following alongside Emily Ley in her blogs, feeling like I am able to relate more and more. While most who follow her aren't super successful motivational life coaches, she becomes super relatable. She talks about her challenges of balancing the everyday; not sugar coated, no frills, her voice comes off real. She doesn't claim to portray a fake always-happy family. Balancing being a wife, a working mom of young babes all while keeping true to yourself is hard.

I am a registered nurse by profession, working and caring for the most fragile preemies and newborns our nation sees. While it wasn't always easy, it was a job that filled me with a sense of purpose. I was one of those girls who couldn't wait to become a mom when I grew up. Finally, our lives settled into a place where starting to expand our family worked. The transition is as many say, truly life changing, but also as many say, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Maybe it was my training in caring for newborns that took the edge off and prepared me for the initial newborn/infant stages of caring for my own children, or maybe it was just a role that came easy to me, but initially I felt motherhood suited me & filled me with a larger sense of purpose than before. With my first, I cut my hours to a part time position, employed my mom to watch my son, and life was good. After my second son, a late preterm love who rocked my world joined our family, I decided to officially become a stay at home mom. I finally had all I had ever wanted growing up. I had the "job," a family I adored, a dedicated husband, and our little piece of land in the suburbs to call home. But this was where I began my quiet struggle. It may sound odd, but the transition to a full-time stay at home mom was a much more difficult transition than I initially anticipated. It wasn't just one specific example or defining moment to pin point. Slowly, in the midst of momming, wifeing, and living the day to day, my own identity got lost. I know this is a normal progression, and even anticipated it happening, but the day you wake up and realize you don't even know who you are anymore is a scary. With time, a lot of tears and come to Jesus moments, I found myself again. I found the balance in being a better wife, mom and all around person. I started new routines that nourished my soul & I finally lost that excess baby weight I'd been holding on to. While different, my body began to somewhat resemble my pre-baby self. More importantly, I felt like I started to enjoy each day for what it brought, rather than passing hours checking off a never ending "to-do" list.

Emily Ley's book does a great job helping you pin point what is important in your life;  It doesn't tell you exactly what to think or feel, but her honest voice helps you look into yourself to discover simple answers. Her life and mind are very different, but in many ways, we were similar. She humanizes what people perceive to be the best times of your life, when you're feeling they aren't. 

If you're looking for an easy read, a great eye opener and something to give you the kick in the butt you need to get your act together, I highly recommend A Simplified Life by Emily Ley! Be sure to click the image below to get your copy ASAP! Then be sure to check back & share any additional thoughts !

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We have all been there. The start of the baby registry. Ugh. It's exciting and emotional because this is the start of planning the best life for your little one to be. You have all the feels then it hits you, this is real life. It's overwhelming & suddenly it's terrifying. Fortunately, many registry providers give you a suggested or "must have" list for baby. *eye roll* Because more than half of it is bogus. Fear not, I am not here to misguide you.

​With that said, here are the honest to goodness no frills must have for baby!

1. A Cool Mist Humidifier

Without a doubt, next to diapers and wipes, I use the cool mist humidifier the most of any gift I received at my shower years ago. It is one of those not so glamorous gifts but is seriously a life saver the moment a cold or even just a runny nose hits. Do yourself (or a friend/sister/etc) a solid and ensure they receive a cool mist humidifier for baby. 

​2. A carrier/wrap of some sort.

The concept of baby wearing was one I was very keen on. I may be a tad on the extreme side but I didn't want to let my new babe out of my sight or even my arms at times. The novelty of the wrap wore off as my son got bigger and more interested in his environment so I tucked it away BUT the second time around, the wrap was a game changer. I was fortunate to have two babies fairly close in age. They both needed so much of me simultaneously and it was difficult at times to give myself to meet both of their needs at the same time. The wrap was great because no matter how much I stretched or wrapped it, the shape remained unchanged and had the same give and stretch time and time again. I love my Boba wrap. My Ergo is great for more adventurous outings but also came in great demand when I would wrap my newborn and wear my toddler if he was feeling like he needed extra mommy time. Trust me, I looked like #momgoals when I was double wearing! Do yourself a favor and invest in a decent carrier/wrap. Your arms and back will thank you for it.

3. Diapers.

I think it goes without saying babies need diapers. Again, not a super glamorous gift but one that is so practical any mom will thank you for. Diapers cost SO much money for how short a period they wear them. You will be snapping the onesie closed when BOOM you hear another explosion. I won't belabor the importance of diapers to a newborn. Just have common sense and help a momma out. Should you receive too many of one size, they can easily be exchanged for the next size up.

4. Baby Swing and/or Rocker

​For the sake of space, I initially opted to forego a swing. My pre-baby self didn't want my cute decorated house to seem overtaken by baby lambs. HAH - little did my pre-baby self know, a sleeping baby is worth more than the obscure puppy dog themed monstrosity in the corner. I swore I didn't need a swing, then one day my son slept 2.5 hours at a friends in her swing. You bet I stopped on the way home and had that end table moved and swing set up all before dinner. 

5. Baby Backseat Car Mirror

This one is a close second to the most boring baby gift on this list (& there is some pretty stiff competition here) but in terms of practicality it's at the top. Once you decide you have yourself together enough to get yourself and your dashing new babe out the door, you will find yourself checking on him (or her) constantly in the car. This is an item that will outlast the initial newborn/infant stages too. You will get some serious bang for your buck with how often you refer to your backseat car mirror with you little one in tow. 

Now that you have a solid understanding of the most boring yet insanely practical baby products, go out and spoil yourself, your new baby, or an expecting loved one. The perk is that the majority of the boring stuff isn't too pricey so you can still splurge on the cutesy baby stuff we all go GAWWW over. 

*Disclaimer, I am by no means a baby whisperer nor am I a pro on selecting baby items. BUT I am someone who likes to research and understand a product before I decide if it is truly for me. I have found through my motherhood journey thus far, these 5 items have truly saved the day more times than I can count. 

What other practical baby items have you found are MUST HAVES?

It's National Hand Lettering Day -- WOOHOO!! So what better time to discuss what really gets me excited! There are fewer things I get more excited about than new craft supplies. Notebooks, pens, planners, washi- you name it and I am happier than a kid on Christmas morning. As many use the new year as a reset, I too, found myself wanting a fresh start. Recently, I realized my nib holder had seen better days (I guess it's a good thing my pen is getting so much use!) so I decided to try out a new oblique pen. I was ready to bite the bullet and purchase one of the super trendy nib holders I have seen on other calligraphy blogs until I came across one who pointed out the most expensive holders do not mean they are the best! So much of my research into the perfect nib holder directed me towards a wooden pen. I even found a few that weren't too expensive. I ultimately can't pinpoint what made me go against my initial decision but I and my bank account are glad I did!


Many say wood pens are all the rave, but I have to say this plastic adjustable nib holder is quite the upgrade from my pervious (at least it feels that way). I love the ease in which I am able to switch out nibs, and the curves of the base seem to comfortably fit my hand. SO if you're in the market for a new oblique, but don't want to break the bank, I highly recommend checking out this little number. The best part : it's completely economical, and even comes in a few color options, so you can still coordinate with your cute workspace (if that really exists in real life). I opted for the matte black because I like how it matches my other pens! 


If you're in the market for a new nib holder, this one (see below!) is definitely a must see!

The modern day mom looks like a functional hot mess including but not limited to a female wearing lux yoga pants (because, comfort), attempting to drink hot coffee in a graphic tee that probably reads, "mom life is the best life," a messy bun, all while toting around her humans in an oversized SUV to Target. She sees nothing wrong with downing a gallon of coffee but as soon as 5pm (or really like 3pm) hits, the wine is flowing.... sound familiar? No....? Just me... ? It's ok,  you don't have to admit it via the world wide web but you know some of this is hitting a little close to home.

In the midst of all the crazy and chaos and cooking and cleaning and boogers and diapers and God only knows what else, mommas need something for themselves. My gal pals, who have their own lives full of crazy all over the continent, and I decided this year (cue the cliche of fresh starts in the new calendar year) we were cutting out a smidge of time for us. No husbands, no babes, no fur children, no nothing to distract us from our *drum roll please* book/wine club! Just a good book to provide perspective, a mental release or even some drama that makes us feel better about our own lives, and a solid excuse to sit on Hangouts and drink wine together. Stay tuned for our first book/wine club choice & review!

While life certainly changes once kids enter the picture (and seriously only in the absolute best way) it is SO easy to lose yourself in these young years when you are voluntarily giving your soul to help your babes thrive. Don't forget to feed your own soul. Without your health both mental and physical, you are of no use to anyone.

SO I have just a few simple requests.... Go grab some paper and a pen and jot down something that is important to you. Next, get out that planner (if you're a nut like me, it's color coordinated) and of the 365 days of the year, pick an hour or two or three and block it off. It doesn't matter if you sit in your car listening to your high school mix tape- you're doing it alone and for yourself! Your kids will thank you for it later.

Don't want to commit and mark up that planner? I get it....Plans change, kids get sick, husbands have to work late, etc. Not an excuse to mark it off. I found the perfect solution.... erasable pens. They come in super cute fun colors to allow you to continue to color coordinate but are 100% erasable for when something comes up! No more white out. No more crossing out.... just an organized calendar! 

While my tangent about the perfect pen, which will solve all of your messy planner issues and get you to actually commit to making time for yourself, may have misdirected you, let's refocus to what this year is actually about. If you haven't gathered it yet, this year is about YOU. Be a better mom/wife/friend/person by doing something for yourself. Inspire someone else -- What have you got planned? 

:: [ i adore you ] ::


With two babes so close in age, it goes without saying some days are more challenging than others. Regardless, at the end of the day once they are sleeping soundly in their cribs, I think to myself, "Wow, that day flew," & I ask "When does it slow down? .... How can I do better tomorrow? ... Do they know how much they are loved?"



​It's the quick snap of some photos (like this one) that remind me how lucky I am to have been blessed with two of the happiest little fellas God could create. No matter what challenges I face through out the day, I sleep knowing I did my best ( somedays better than others) and I have encouraged these two souls to have kind hearts, fierce minds, & brave spirits as best I know how. We find joy is the most simple of days; laugh at anything and everything; & love as fiercely as humanly possible. No matter what storms we weather, they know they have their momma as their number one- always.... I lay it down here ---> good luck to their {very} future special someone's. .