Today is my birthday and I enter the last year of my twenties!  28 was a hard, but wonderful year for me.  I grew in so many ways and definitely stretched myself more than I ever have before.  I am so thankful for all of the lessons I have learned and all I have been able to accomplish.  So to celebrate, I’d like to share 28 of my favorite things.  Some are serious, some are silly, but they all made this year great!

1. COFFEE. Oh coffee, how I would get through the day without you?  I have changed my habits drastically in this area: I dropped my (3 a day!) Coke Zero addiction to now taking just a bit of milk in my coffee, no sugar!  I look forward to my morning…and sometimes afternoon…cup.


2. RUNNING.  An exercise I have secretly wanted to try for years and it has changed my life.  Running is re-energizing for me as a mother and allowed me to find my inner athlete again.  I have big dreams in this department now! 


3. WASHI TAPE.  I use washi tape for everything: packaging gifts, on my penpal letters, taping up the kids’ artwork on the wall, even in my planner!  So fun to have on hand.    


4. MY HUSBAND. This year, more than ever, I love and appreciate this man.  I am fortunate to go through life by his side.


5. WHOLE30. What started as a “quick” way to lose a few extra pounds this summer became a lesson on nutrition that has changed the eating habits of my entire family.  Whole30 was difficult at first (especially the sluggish, detoxing days!), but I highly recommend it.      


6. INSTAGRAM. What would I do without Instagram?  I’ve had my account for almost a year and hands down, it is my favorite type of social media.  Instagram makes documenting the little parts of our day easy…things I would quickly forget are now photographed and written down.  I also love that I have been able to connect with so many ladies around the world.  They have taught me so much!


7. BENJAMIN MOORE PAINT COLORS. While I can’t always afford BM paint, their colors are amazing and I’ve had them color-matched for most of the rooms in our home.  Manchester Tan and Berkshire Beige are my two favorite neutrals.

8. STRIPES AND POLKADOTS.  If you look in my closet (or the closets of my kids), these are the patterns you’ll find most often.  I think I have a problem.


9. OUR CHALKBOARD WALL.  I think I love the chalkboard wall more than my kids.  It’s always changing with motivating and thought-provoking quotes.  I love the visual reminders. 


10. MY OLDEST, M.  I can’t seem to talk about this boy lately without getting all choked up.  I am so proud of all he has accomplished and the boy he is becoming.  Compassionate and gentle, hardworking, helpful and hilarious…he is pretty special.  


11. TWICE. Losing weight throughout the year, I’ve been in a handful of different sizes.  I love Twice for their amazing prices on quality, second-hand clothes.  And bonus: I never feel too bad if I need to get a smaller size!


12. IMMACULATE BAKING COMPANY’S COOKIES.  Um, these are delicious.  Our favorites are the fudge chocolate brownie, chocolate chip and ginger snap.  They are on regular rotation around here these days.


13. SOCCER. I never guessed I would be a soccer mom, but I like it.  So proud of my boy and cheering him on at the field.  He moved up into a harder league, but has continued to work hard and improves every week.  Love the lessons he’s learning and the coaches who are teaching him.


14. AGAINST ALL GRAIN.  This cookbook is fantastic for Paleo beginners like me.  We have made a handful of recipes so far and everything is excellent!  


15. MY SECOND BORN, D.  This boy is the perfect mix of his mamma and his daddy.  His belly laughs are my favorite.  His devotion to his siblings is inspiring…I want to love fiercely like he does.


16. SPARKLING WATER. I’ve officially given up soda for good, but the summer months had me craving something with carbonation.  I thought they were disgusting at first, but quickly came to love sparkling water.  Lime and orange are my favorite kinds.  


17. HONEST COMPANY.  So spoiled with the convenience of natural cleaning products and diapers at my doorstep every month.  One less thing to think about is worth its weight in gold.  


18. MY PLANNER. I used an Erin Condren planner for the first nine months, but the school year had me itching for something new.  I was contemplating purchasing another expensive one when I ran across a girl on Instagram who had written: “While I adored my Erin Condren planner, I didn’t want to pay that much again, as I want to use that money toward someONE else”…talk about God talking specifically to me!  Instead, I bought a cheap $10 one at Target and I’ve had so much fun making it my own.  


19. STITCH FIX. As extra motivation for weight loss, I scheduled a Stitch Fix box to arrive every other month.  I’ve had wonderful luck with stylists and have loved almost everything I’ve been sent.  Each time, I pick one item to keep…although some months, I want to keep it all!  Slowly, I’m creating a new wardrobe for the new me.  


20. TALENTI ICECREAM. Always in my freezer and I have some every night, even if it’s just a bite.  Caramel Cookie Crunch, Mediterranean Mint and Sea Salt Caramel are my favorites.


21. MY J.  Just as sweet as he is rotten, this boy has taught me so many lessons on patience.  I am a better mamma because of him.  I am thankful for his big heart and helpful nature.  


22. MY CURLERS.  Postpartum hair loss hit me in a big way and my hair is crazy right now.  I wear it in a top knot most days, but when I’m feeling fancy, I throw in the curlers.  They heat up fast and create enough curl/wave in just a few minutes, which is about all the time I can spare.


23. SHE READS TRUTH. This community of women has been very influential in my life.  After an embarrassingly long hiatus, I’ve picked up my Bible again.  These devotionals are thought-provoking and speak straight to my heart.  


24. TARGET. Need I say more?  I can always guarantee to find something I need and it’s rare that I leave without spending less than $50.  It’s a blessing and a curse.


25. BLOGLOVIN’. I was sad to lose Google Reader, but have loved the switch to Bloglovin’.  I really like the ease in commenting on other blogs.


26. MINNETONKAS. Feels like I’m wearing slippers out and about.  And I found mine at Marshall’s for a steal!


27. THE PENPAL PROJECT.  I am so blessed by the connections made with these women.  What started as a teeny idea in my heart has blossomed into something so much bigger!   


28. SOPHIA.  My sweet girl.  I have grown into a better woman because of her.  She lights up our lives in the very best way.  

time : 2:30 PM
drinking : my second green smoothie of the day…gotta get those veggies in!
watching : my sweet girl take her afternoon nap as the big boys watch Alvin and the Chipmunks
reading : For Whom the Bell Tolls, although I haven’t picked it up in about a week.  I need to make some time for that.
feeling : strong.  I started my third week of Insanity today.  So hard, but so rewarding for a competitive girl like me.  
creating : fun Penpal packages for the first few ladies on the list.  I have had so much fun picking out just the right gift.   
thinking : about how the sudden 60-degree weather has stirred lots of ideas for our outside space.  A vegetable garden, picnic table and flowers are all on the to-do list this spring.
hoping : my Little Miss will sleep soundly tonight.  She’s been restless the past few nights, for no good reason.  Can she possibly be teething already?!
needing :  ideas for what to write about on the blog.  After the 30 Days on Pinspiration series, I seem to have hit a wall!  Hoping for inspiration to strike soon.  Please share if you have any ideas for me!

I don’t know about you, but the month of October was a total blur.  Maybe it has something to do with that sweet baby girl in the house?  The next two months are absolute favorites of mine though, and I really, really want to enjoy them.  So in an attempt to slow down and relish my favorite time of year, I’m going to start making a list of all that I’m grateful for – the big and the little things.  The goal is to share one thing everyday this month.  Maybe you want to play too?

Day 1: Today I’m thankful for this overflowing pile of handmade blankets and quilts.  The weather has gone from balmy to brisk…where did the fall go?!  My new morning routine is cuddling underneath them and watching cartoons with the kids.  And I’m reaching for them in the evenings, as my husband and I unwind after a long day.  So thankful for their warmth and the memories we’re creating.       

The first clothing purchases for our sweet girl.

time : 9:00 AM
place : my living room
drinking : an ice-cold Diet Coke
watching : my boys pick up toys after an early morning of fun  

reading
: Four
Spirits: A Novel …still!  I’m still plugging along with that 500 page book.  Not sure if I’d recommend it yet, but we’ll see if it picks up at the end.
feeling : thankful for barely passing the 3hour glucose test (Thank you all for your prayers!)  Only downfall to barely passing: my doctor wants me to repeat the test at 30 weeks.  Fuuuun.
thinking :
about hosting another swap later this summer, but with a twist.  Details coming soon. 
creating :
lists of must-haves for our new Little Miss.  Such a strange feeling preparing for her arrival…I feel like a first-time Mamma again!
hoping : for cooler temps this weekend, so I can finish some yardwork.  Pruning bushes in 90 degree heat?  No thank you!
needing : a relaxing evening with my husband…our dates nights are becoming few and far between! 
wondering : how it can be June already!  Time is flying…am I the only one?

Have a great weekend, friends!

Life is interesting with three-year-olds, at least in this house.  Despite being attached to me 24/7 as a baby, Mr. D is not really cuddly or physically affectionate .  He’s quite reserved, but never wavers when he’s got something on his mind.  He has a great imagination and loves “guys”, Legos and puzzles.  He is stubborn and frequently questions authority, often resulting in a lot of time spent in time-out.  We are in a constant battle of push and pull, he and I.  

So last weekend, when we were all a little under the weather, you can imagine my surprise when my sweet boy climbed into my lap.  Curled his body next to mine and quickly fell asleep.  He didn’t feel well and the only comfort he wanted was Mamma.  I sat in that chair, rubbing his back and thanking God for this treasure of mine.  He may sometimes be difficult, but he also challenges me to be a better mother.  And for that, I will always be grateful.         

time
: 7:15 am, bright and early!
place : in my kitchen
drinking : a glass of this Iced Coffee
watching : my sweet boys chow down on their breakfast.  No funny business when eating around here!   
 
reading : Four Spirits: A Novel , although if I’m being honest, not much has been accomplished lately.  Reading makes me fall asleep!
feeling : like baking something sweet today.  Should I go with the crowd-favorite chocolate chip cookie?  Or maybe these?
thinking :
about our sweet baby in utero and how blessed we are.  I’ve read a few heart-breaking miscarriage stories this week and I am full of grief for those devastated Mammas.   
creating :
plans for a new and improved homeschooling storage system for next year.  Now if only that closet would clean itself…
hoping : to finally get my act together and paint my living room.  I’ve had this paint since February and am dying to get that checked off my list of to-dos. 
needing : some one-on-one time with the hubby this weekend.  Our lives are moving too fast…I feel like I barely saw him this week!  Maybe an at-home date night is needed.
wondering :
if you’d be interested in trying out Kiva?  (I wrote about my experience with the organization here.)  A generous anonymous funder has given you the ability to try it out for free. Click here for all the details and to sign up!  

Have a great weekend, friends!