I wanted to provide these simple reading lists of scriptures that I really love and that work well for scripture journaling and hand lettering. Some scriptures will be on the same page so keep that in mind if you are working in wide margin scriptures! š
The past month or so, Iāve been doing a very light and relaxed form of home preschool with Reagan. She has been LOVING it! And sheās already learned so much.
The main thing we have started to do is go through her home preschool binder every morning. Itās filled with colors, shapes, numbers, letters, and helps her stay on track and remember the basics! Itās been something that she actually asks for and LOVES.
If we are having a good day, we do the Book, then flash cards, and then we do one page in a dollar store pre-k workbook. She gets a sticker on the page when she completes it and she just loves that part! After the ācurriculumā part is over, we do a planned activity, do a spelling puzzle together, or if Iām not feeling all that put together that day (aka 50% of the time haha) I just let her play outside or go to the park! Basically we just do something intentional.
āItās really simple, and we just do it on the days that arenāt crazy! Iād say realistically we do it 3-4 days a week. I love it cause it gives us something to do, and she loves it because- well itās FUN!
The link to our printable preschool book pages is Here .
I used a binder, page protectors, self seal laminating pouches, and Velcro dots from the dollar store! It couldnāt be more simple! We also use a dry erase marker for the ABC pages for writing and recognizing letters!
i hope you get as much use, learning, and fun as we have out of these pages!
Xoxo,
Alex
Hey friends!! Very recently Iāve REALLY gotten into scripture journaling in my wide margin Book of Mormon. I. LOVE. IT. I would love to start providing printables so you guys can share in the fun as well!
This sheet is full of cutables all about LOVING ONE ANOTHER <3 You can just print, cut, and glue into your scriptures or journal with a glue stick!
There are countless scriptures that this sentiment applies to, but personally I used them in Mosiah 4 where King Benjamin preaches kindness, charity, and service to his people. He expresses the point that we are all beggars, because everything we have is Godās and not our own. This perspective really made me ponder and realize that I can give more- especially of my time, and gifts. I love reading the word of God, pondering, and creating art that reminds me of the lessons I am learning.
I hope you enjoy this printable! If you donāt have journaling scriptures, you can always start a fun, cute and crafty journal from a notebook! <3 This new hobby is really changing my life, and I know it can change yours too!
Here is the Love One Another Printable!
Happy Sunday everyone!
Last week we had our October General Conference! It was such an uplifting conference and for some reason, it just felt extra specialā¦ one I will always remember. The church announced a new schedule for the sabbath that includes 2 hour church (instead of the long lived 3 hour schedule) where we will have weekly sacrament, and the second hour will alternate between group meetings and Sunday school classes. We were also given a special at home curriculum to study as families and individuals. The prophet emphasized the importance of a home-based church, where we learn about the gospel most at home, and then go to church to help support those teachings.
Iām so grateful that we get to enjoy conference twice a year. I am seriously anxious to hear from our sweet prophets and other leaders next! Until then, Iām excited to get more out of the October 2018 conference. Most of us are chasing kids, doing chores, or just simply have a hard time focusing on talks for 4 hours a day! So, I want to encourage you to join me in focusing on one talk a day for a month (32 days). Lets delve into conference together!
Iāve created a free printable calendar here to help you follow along and keep track of what day we are on! I am starting on Monday, October 22- but you can start whenever you want! The calendar starts on a monday but you can just ignore that if you are starting mid-week!
I hope this helps us all feel closer to the spirit and His word! Thanks for joining!
Lots of love,
Alex
Today I wanted to share my personal favorite all natural DIY cleaner that I use allllll over my house! It is so easy to make, and chances are you already have everything you need to make it!
When my daughter was born, I became really conscious of the presence of harsh chemicals in my home. I havenāt been able to completely convert to an all natural cleaning regimen (I still love my store bought glass cleaner!) but I did want to make the products I would be using on a daily basis chemical free and homemade!
The first step I took was to get these beautiful glass spray bottles that are great especially if you are using essential oils. I got one for my kitchen and one for each of my bathrooms for convenience. The oils will eat through plastic bottles, so beware! I wanted to invest in these glass ones because I knew I would be using them every day, for years to come! I also used a paint pen to label them!
The next thing I did was get this really inexpensive set of essential oils on amazon, with lots of varieties so I could play around with different blends! Most people will tell you that you need the highest quality $20 a vial essential oils to reap all of the benefits... but Iām here to tell you that itās not necessary for most things. I use essential oils mostly for aroma therapy- cleaning, diffusing and room spray so I donāt really need the cream of the crop. I just want it to smell pretty! If you are going to be using oils directly on the skin, then I would recommend a higher quality oil. But for this project, these were just fine!
I played around with different blends, some had way too much vinegar, some were way too diluted and almost all didnāt have nearly enough essential oil to mask the yucky vinegar smell.
Finally I came up with the perfect blend! nough vinegar for some serious cleaning power, but not enough to knock you out. Lots of essential oils so my kitchen and bathrooms would smell amazing after I cleaned them. I hope you love it too!
Today, Reagan is 9 months old. I've been so emotional all day realizing that I carried her for the same amount of time she has carried me. Being a mom has been the most vulnerable, restrictingly FREEING thing I have ever done in my entire life. It's amazing, we have these little humans "given" to us, and they are so tiny and perfect and full of wisdom. She's taught me so much, and just being her mom has taught me even more.
From the time I had been through the trauma of labor, had to have other women help me use the restroom and tend to wounds I couldn't. From the time I had to bare it all in front of a crowd of professionals to feed my child. To the first week of motherhood- sobbing because I just didn't know if I was strong enough... good enough, to raise this perfect angel. From all of those raw and tender moments, I've chosen vulnerability- and it's chosen me.
What does it mean to be a vulnerable mom? Does it mean that I'm weak? Does it mean I have to cry? Does it mean I have to share EVERYTHING on social media? A resounding NO to all of the above.
Being a vulnerable mom means opening your heart. It means being honest with your feelings to the people you love and trust. It means being willing to form a connection with your husband, mom, friend... it means accepting support, love, and help.
I learned (and am still learning) that when I'm being closed off, and trying to "go it alone" -those are my absolute darkest times. The times when I'm relying on myself alone to get through tough times. When I'm not open to love or help. When I just want to shut myself in a room and feel sorry for myself.
There have been about 3 times in my own motherhood when I have found myself in a pretty dark place. If you know me, I am a very joyful person... almost always! But I am human, and the weight and responsibility of motherhood got to me. Every single time was fed by self induced lonelines, pity parties, and silence treatments. And every single one was cured with heartfelt, honest, open conversations with the ones I love the most.
I have made it my mission to connect with other women and moms by being vulnerable online. I like to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly. The funny and the hard. This has been freeing and fulfilling for me, and has become one of my greatest joys. But you definitely do not have to bare it all online to be a vulnerable mom. What you do need to do, is open your heart to trust a handful of people with your truth and honesty. Having an open heart makes us happier, lighter, less likely to hold a grudge. But most importantly, it allows us to love, and to teach our children to love- by example.
The absolute best thing we can do for our children is to show them how to love themselves and others. Give yourself the grace to love yourself! Open your heart to the ones you trust and they can help lift you up. I promise, it will change your life.
XOXO,
Alex
For years I have heard about the benefits of minimalism. Less stuff, more clarity. And the idea has always appealed to me. BUT I am a crafter at heart (stuff) and love the idea of options in my wardrobe (more stuff), so I've kind of put it on the back burner.
The older i get, the more the idea of less stuff and less clutter appeals to me. I first heard about capsule wardrobes last year from one of my favorite fellow bloggers Miranda (you can read about her capsule wardrobe here!) and marveled at the idea. Her's was so elegant and creatively composed! Essentially, a capsule wardrobe consists of 40 pieces (including shoes! Yikes!) that can be mixed and matched to create many different options. Though it seemed perfectly simplistic and creative, I knew I would never be able to cut THAT MANY items from my closet. However I did want to simplify my wardrobe to less items, full of items that I truly loved.
So I set some ground rules.
- Cut wardrobe to 50 pieces.
- Does NOT include exercise clothes, pajamas, coats, or shoes/accessories (we were talkin' tops, bottoms, skirts, dresses, and sweaters). I DID however manage to cut my exercise clothes and PJs in half. Sorry about the shoes... they ALL survived. What can I say!?!
-Be ruthless!! If I wasn't in love with it, it was a gonner!
How I did it
1) Do a once-over. For kicks, count how many pieces you are starting with. I had over 120!! Waaayyy too much! Pull out all of the items that you initially know you can part with. And anything you haven't worn in 6 months.
2) Create 2 piles. The "outta here" pile, and the "maybe" pile. Most of my items were hanging, so i just left keepers in the closet. You may want a third "keeps" pile. Maybe recruite a cute assistant.
3) Get ruthless! I counted my items after initial pulling and I still had about 70-75 peices! It was time to get really strict with myself. Would I buy this again, today? Would I really miss this if it were gone? When it's getting tough, visualize your new, clean, crisp, and streamlined closet! Imagine how easy it will be to pick a great outfit!
4) I asked myself, "Is there anything I can't stop thinking about?" At the end of my sorting and tossing, there were about 2 things in the "outta here" pile that I just could not get off my mind. I ended up putting them back in the closet because I found that I actually did love them! DON'T take advantage of this step... stay strong!
Getting rid of so much might make you a little frustrated at first. Reagan got pretty flustered ;) but you can do it!
5) After throwing away any clothes that had damage or stains, offer any remaining "outta here" clothes to your friends and family! I found that, because I was being so ruthless, I was getting rid of some truly cute clothes that just didn't fit my style or life anymore! My mom and sister came over and had a hay-day! Knowing that those clothes will continue to be loved makes getting rid of them a lot easier! After offering to friends and family, donate the rest to the nearest Goodwill or D.I.
6) Tidy and organize everything in the closet to really feel the relief of your new, simpler wardrobe!
7) Marvel in the clarity that comes with your new clean and simplified closet! REalize that you could pick a top with your eyes closed and you'd be psyched to wear it!
A few notes...
- I live in Southern California, where seasons don't really exist. If you are in a location with true winters and summers, store away your out of season clothes for even more space and minimalism in your closet!
- Keep in mind that your room WILL be a disaster during this process. It's totally normal and means you are doing it right! The end will justify the means!
- My goal was 50 pieces, but I ended up with 55. I felt like it was a fair compromise! Getting rid of any more and I would have had regrets! Give yourself grace!
Having less stuff is truly liberating! It helps me think clearer and really appreciate the smaller amount of things that I absolutely love! I highly reccommend streamlining your wardrobe, and I hope this post helped!
Xoxo,
Alex
Walking into my closet is a lot less stressful now!
To say thank you, I wanted to send out a little freebie!
You don't have to be part of my mailing list for this one, just click here and download!
THANK YOU for supporting my crazy dream, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Ā
I know, it sounds ridiculous. BUT IT'S TRUE.
When I first became a mom, it felt like my whole identity was changed. Again... dramatic, but 100% true.
Motherhood is a completely selfless act. That's what makes it INCREDIBLE. But it's also so easy to forget about yourself. Sometimes you feel like a milk machine, maid, babysitter, human rocking chair, zombie, mad scientist, the list goes on. As moms, something kicks in and we throw our own needs out of the window. Our children become our world and that gives us a whole new self worth and value... but we still need to be reminded of the beautiful individual we have always been.
When I first had Reagan, the thing that first made me feel most human was simply taking a shower. Sure, the water pressure sometimes felt like a firehose on my sore, breastfeeding nipples (Yes, I just talked about my nipples), but the feeling of caring for my body... for myself... even for 15 minutes revived me and helped me start anew with my sweet little girl. Sometimes my mom would come over and watch Reagan and I got to put on makeup... something i've always loved to do.
I came upon some fun moms to follow on Instagram that just happened to be beauty gurus. I found so much fun checking their recommendations during nap time and watching their techniques. One day, I decided I wanted to get some fun makeup to play with. Since I didn't want to go and blow tons of money on eyeshadow palettes, skincare, or foundation, I settled on 2 cheap drugstore lipsticks... a fun red and a simple nude. I first tried on the red, because, hellooo it was so exciting and fun! Instantly I felt energized. I LOOKED GOOOOOOD and I felt good! I did something simple for myself and cared for myself. And it only took 10 seconds!
Lipstick has made me feel like my best self. It's given me an outlet to have fun, care for myself, and indulge (for only $6) every now and then. It has made me feel beautiful, fun, and feminine.
You might not be into lipstick, or even makeup. You might not be a girly girl. Even if makeup isn't your thing, find something that grounds you in who you are as an individual. Remind yourself of who YOU are and love yourself. Maybe you like to read? Maybe you love curling your hair, doing puzzles, playing scrabble... whatever it is!! You will be a better mom, and have more love to give if you create love in your heart for YOURSELF. Because how can you keep giving if you run out of things to give?
Love yourself. Love your body. Love your life.
XoXo,
Alex
Ā
Pssssttt... Here are a few of my favorite lipstick finds!
1) L'oreal Paris Color Riche (Collection Exclusive) in Eva's Nude
2) Covergirl Melting Pout in Raspberry Gelly
3) Maybelline Colorsensational in Coral Crush
4) Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid in Red Punch <<MY FAVORITE MATTE!! I have 3 colors. (Not drying, great formula)
5) Covergirl Katy Kat Matte in Catoure
**BONUS**
6) E.l.f. Lip exfoliator- love this stuff and so cheap!!!
Ā
We've bought a LOAD of stuff for Reagan. When people tell you babies ain't cheap, THEY AREN'T KIDDIN'. There are some things that I NEVER use, and some things I absolutely could not survive without. Here's my small list of big time favorites to make sure you have before baby arrives!
*This is an unsponsored post- I just really love these items!
1) Rock N Play
This one was something my best friend sent to me before Reagan was born. I was a little confused by it when it came. Is it a bouncer? A bassinet? A swing? Well, actually it's like an amazing hybrid of all coveted baby items! I'm 99.9% sure a mom invented this thing. I used the Rock N' Play A TON when Reagan was a newborn. Since they pretty much just want to chill, sleep, eat, and poop for the first 2 months- this is a great place to be able to set your baby down, awake or asleep. You can rock your baby too- and there is even a version that rocks on it's own! One of our favorite features was the vibration switch- though we found our baby woke up once it ran it's 30 min course, so we learned to only use it in desperate situations.
This is the Rock N' Play as it comes.
This is how we made it more cozy for R! (With supervision!)
The brilliance of the Rock N' Play comes from the way it hugs the baby- unlike a bassinet or crib. A quick warning though- i still used the bassinet for night time sleep, and I would seriously recommend that... unless you don't mind going through some seeerrriousssss crib transition drama. I have also heard risks of babies getting flat head from being in the RNP too much. As long as you ALSO hold your baby and let her sleep in a bassinet or crib, I think you will be just fine! Another thing we did was drape comfy blankets over the RNP lining so it would be more cozy, and baby would have more padding. The manufacturer DOES NOT recommend this, but we used our own judgement on this one. Since we used larger blankets that hung well over the side, away from the face, and we were always watching when she was in the Rock N' Play- we felt like it was totally safe.
2) Woombie
We discovered this handy gadget late in the game- and I really wish we would have introduced it sooner! Reagan absolutely needs to be swaddled to fall asleep (a habit i am really looking forward to breaking... sense the sarcasm?). And I found that I could never leave her (not even with her daddy) because I was the only one that could swaddle her tight so she could nap! Therefore, we went in search of a solution and found this bad boy. It is a swaddle pouch with a zipper. We loved it, though as she gets more curious and tricky with her hands, she has been peeking her hand out of the top, making it obsolete for us. Darn it. But I highly recommend this product! Start using it early!
I have never been one to believe in the "healing powers of essential oils" and to be honest, I still highly believe in modern medicine over oils in most cases. HOWEVER. Lavender essential oils have literally been magic for me when it comes to Reagan. They work as a natural sleep aide for her and truly calm her! It is incredible. While I still think, like, seriously- go to the doctor if you have an infection or illness... I have been converted to the subtle but helpful effect that essential oils can have on our moods. They also just smell stinkin' good too! I use DoTerra Lavender EO on Reagan (diluted with fractionated coconut oil -in a roller) OR I use a drop of undiluted oil on her sheet, blanket or swaddle. But to be real, I use a lower quality brand in my diffuser because I went for quantity over quality- and I really just view those as room scents.
4) Activity Mat
Play time for baby! We went through so. many. products. trying to find something that Reagan liked. She wasn't fond of the swing. Would only tolerate the bouncer if it was, well, err... bouncing. She was bored just laying on the floor. So even though my home had become a full out Gymboree, at 2 months we opted to buy ANOTHER baby product and got an activity mat. I am so glad we did! Reagan first just loved looking at all the toys. Then she started reaching for them, then grabbing and pulling them! Now she's content there for up to 45-60 mins and I can actually get some chores done! This is also great for their motor skills! Highly recommend!
5) Moby Wrap
This thing SAVED MY SANITY in the early months!! Reagan would often refuse to nap... or would wake up the second I put her down so that I could, you know, go pee or brush my teeth. On the tough days, I would put her in her Moby Wrap and she would instantly fall asleep. I could then get a few (quiet) things done too! It was my saving grace. It also came in handy when we weren't at home but needed her to nap. It became her little safe haven from all of the noise and excitement of the outside world. Sidenote- I tried not to use this every time I wanted her to nap because I felt like she would rely too heavily on it.
Ā
We also had problems with Reagan getting upset tummy and gas. She would spontaneously cry in pain and be so uncomfortable!
After trying literally EVERYTHING, we found 2 things that worked. Switching to an organic sensitive formula, and giving her daily probiotic drops! I truly think these things made all the difference.
So there you have it! Everything you wont be able to live without when baby comes. I hope this post helps you prepare for the wonderful beautiful and amazing rollercoaster you are about to embark on! Having tiny humans is the toughest, most incredible job on the planet and I hope these items help make it a little easier.
What are the items you can't live without as a mama? Tell us in the comments!
Xoxo,
Alex
Scripture inserts found here.
Since we are focusing our scripture study on KNOWLEDGE this month, I thought it would be a good idea to give you all some quick reading suggestions that I have loved!
1) Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley Chapter 17: Continue in the Process of Learning
2) Turn to Him and Answers will come (Elder James B. Martino // General Conference Oct. 2015)
3) For Our Spiritual Development and Learning (Elder W. Mark Bassett // General Conf. Oct. 2016)
4) For the Strength of Youth: Education
5) Knowledge from the scriptures!!
-2 Nephi 28:27-30; D&C 98:11-12
-Alma 12:9-11; D&C 50:40
-D&C 88:77-80
Scripture inserts found here.
I hope these suggestions give you plenty of food for thought! I am enjoying all of the learning that I have been able to focus on this month! This might be one of my favorite months this far!
Keep your eyes peeled for our 10 day challenge this month!
xoxo,
Alex
Ā
Ā
I have gotten questions about how one might get into hand-lettering many-a-time. Should I get a fancy calligraphy kit? What tools do you suggest for a beginner?
Well, my friends, here it is. Everything you need to start your hand at lettering (see what I did there?).
If I could give a short answer, I would say all you need is a pencil, paper, and some time. BUT, assuming you want a few tools to play with- I will give you some recommendations on my favorite hand-lettering staples!
Ā
My favorite pencils are Derwent Graphic and my all time favorite is a 2B because it is soft and easy to erase. If you have the budget, get a pack of 12 and see which you like best for yourself. But to be completely honest, you are probably going to prefer 1 or 2, and those will whittle away while the others stay pristinely in their case.
Buy a good quality eraser that doesn't smudge! chances are you are using your pencil for a first draft and will want to erase it once the ink has been placed. My favorite eraser is the General's TRI-42 Factis. It is a triangle shape, so it has flat sides for large area and pointy edges for small details.
Depending on the media you are using, you might need different types of paper. I use Canson XL Mixed Media spiral sketch book. It is 98 lb and I find it is pretty smooth and thick enough to hold the ink, markers, pens, etc. that I use.
Ask any hand-letterer that has been around the block a time or two- there is just something about tombows that makes the heart pitter-patter. They have a smooth stroke, and two tips- brush and fine point. They come in lots of fun colors, so I recommend finding a 10 pack that gives ya heart eyes.
This. Is. My. Fav. Pen. Of. All. TIme. And that is saying A LOT considering what a pen hoarder I am! This pen is everything. It is just a classy, smooth, simple pen and is great for sub lettering and details. Trust me. Get this pen.
I have been hand-lettering for almost 4 years and I can now say that I am proud of my work. In the beginning, I definitely couldn't say that! I would write the same word or phrase 8 times before I deemed it non-crappy enough for instagram. I compare my lettering from 3 years ago to my lettering now and I am truly shocked. Honing in on having beautiful writing requires practice- you wont have control over your strokes on the first shot! Practice for 15 mins everyday. Do it for 3 months before you give up! (*As long as you are still enjoying the practice!)
I really hope that you found these tips helpful! I am so excited for your hand-lettering journey! Mine has been a relaxing, fun, challenging, and rewarding one. I hope you have a similar experience.
My sweet little baby turned 4 months old this weekend. YAY! In celebration, I wanted to post about her daily schedule, in hopes of helping someone navigate life with their 3-4 month old!
Reagan is... how do I put this delicately? A HORRIBLE NAPPER. She sleeps consistently through the night, but wants to stay up aaalll day without a wink of sleep. I always thought my child would sleep when she was tired, but no such luck! I have put up my dukes and show up every day armed with a few tools and a plan for the day to get her to nap successfully. Some days, it actually works! And some days end with both of us in tears... haha but I am proud to say that there are many more smooth days than tough ones as of late.
After many days of Reagan crying and crying and NOT napping around the 2.5/3 month mark, I searched the internet for a solution. I came across many schedules that just looked absolutely NOTHING like my little one's (complete lack of) schedule.
PAUSE. I would just like to say that before Reagan entered this world, I thought that I was completely equipped to be a mother. I had experience (almost 4 years!) of nannying, and I started babysitting at age twelve. I have always loved kids, playing, the excitement of teaching them, and going on adventures! Fast forward to about day 1 with reagan. Since then, breastfeeding, multiple trips to the ER, constant worry, and inconsolable screaming & crying all showed me exactly how novice I truly am. JOY! More to learn ;)
UNPAUSE. The internet mostly had nothing encouraging to offer, but what I DID find useful was an article that talked about how long a little 2-4 month brain can truly stay awake. 1-2 HOURS! I was shocked. That seemed like A LOT of napping! Especially for my little marathon baby. It also mentioned an eat, play, sleep routine which I would soon find to be my bread and butter.
So off we went, to try the routine that I was admittedly unconvinced of. And what do you know, I found that Reagan was getting fussy right at the 1 hour 30 minute mark. It was like clockwork!
Eventually, we fell into a groove and this is what it looked like! (*It should be noted that this is a good day! Reagan is a baby, so her days vary greatly, but I would say this is a good example of the rough routine we try to stick to.) If you are struggling with this issue, I hope this helps! Every baby is different, but I always find it helpful to see how other moms are getting by!
6:00 AM: Reagan wakes up! Mommy rolls out of bed to get the little stinker.
6:30 AM: Reagan is ready for a baba! She downs 6 ounces of formula because she is so hungry from championing through the night.
7:00 AM: Play time! Reagan lays contently at her activity mat and is still too groggy to start bein' feisty! This has become one of my favorite times of the day. It's peaceful and I'm with my girl.
8:00 AM: I swaddle Reagan and get her cozy for the first nap of the day. I turn on her lullabies and I rock her in the glider for a song or two (if i'm lucky) and put her in her Rock n' Play when she is just falling into sleep.
During this nap, I generally take it easy. I watch tv, put on my make up, read scriptures, have some breakfast... some "me" time.
9:00 AM: Reagan is up!
9:30 AM: Second breakfast for Reagan!
10:00 AM: We play! Reagan spends some time on the activity mat until that gets boring. Then I practice sitting and tummy time with her- and try relentlessly to get her to laugh for the first time!
10:30 AM: Reagan gets swaddled again for nap attempt #2! We play her music, rock in the glider, and she's back in the Rock n' Play.
During this nap, I workout. She usually sleeps for 30-45 mins, which makes it the perfect time slot for an exercise video.
11:15 AM: Lovebug is up! We play some more! This is also the time I use to run any errands we might have for the day.
12:30-1:00 PM: Reagan has lunch.
1:00 PM: Nap attempt #3... this is the most important nap of the day and is usually her longest, so I do everything I can to get her down! We swaddle, listen to lullabies, rock in the glider, lavender essential oils. THE WORKS. If everything goes as planned, Reagan will sleep for 2-3 hours on a good day. If she doesn't get this nap, the rest of the day is quite an... adventure :)
During this nap I clean, declutter, work on anything I might need to, make myself lunch and watch tv or read a book.
3-4:00 PM: Reagan wakes up. She's pretty hungry from all of the beauty rest so we eat right away!
4:30-5 PM: We get in the car and head to our favorite park with a great walking route. Reagan looks around and observes the world around her. I LOVE that. Mom listens to a podcast and pushes the stroller while doing lunges & leg lifts. Passersby stare and question my sanity.
5:30-6 PM: We come home and Reagan takes what I call "the mini nap." This is her catnap to get her to bedtime. She still needs to be swaddled and rocked.
During this nap I start dinner!
6:30 PM: Reagan is awake from her 30 minute catnap. She goes in the bouncer while mom finishes dinner.
7:00 PM: DAD'S HOME!!! Reagan watches the Dodger game with daddy while I finish and plate dinner. David and I eat dinner at the coffee table (LOL) while Reagan watches the game from her activity mat. As luck would have it, this is usually when Reagan has her fussy time :) She is hungry, tired, and ready for bed!
7:30 PM: Reagan's final meal of the day. She gets swaddled and takes a nice warm cozy bottle. She is usually asleep by the end of her feeding, but sometimes will need a little rocking in the glider before she's out for good.
David and I get some baby free time to binge Netflix or just talk! Mommy finally gets a shower! And then it's lights out by 10:30 PM to start it all again at 6 AM!
With the first couple months of a baby's life being so random, it is such a relief when they finally fall into somewhat of a routine. I love having parts of the day that I can count on (most days!). I get frustrated when things don't go according to the routine, but that's part of the mommy gig! We press on!
If you are struggling with a nap resistant little one, I promise there is hope! it takes time to figure out what works for both of you but when it clicks, it's great! I already feel Reagan approaching a new pattern which I will need to figure out. These babies keep us on our toes!
And we still love the heck out of them!!
This month I set out to focus on love and charity through my scripture study and personal journey, and I had no clue what was in store for me. Every month I encourage those of you who are following along to pick an intention- a motto for the month if you will- that is within the realm of the month's Christlike attribute. Admittedly, I struggled to find my intention but ultimately settled on the very broad intention of "keeping my heart open".
The intention definitely morphed into something totally different as the month continued.
Scripture inserts found in my Etsy shop.
I have to admit that this month was kind of a dud for me as far as "blogging" goes. This is my first blog post for the month... and it's July 31st. Yikes. When you have a baby crying in pain and you are trying to troubleshoot- nothing else really matters (p.s. she's doing a lot better guys!). But I did still take the challenge I gave myself; to grow in Love & Charity, and to keep my heart open.
As I went about my month of LOVE, I felt pulled to the topic of self love and personal freedom. My intention became clear... Love Yourself.
Love myself, Lord? Seriously? But I have a daughter I need to love. A husband. Family, friends, neighbors. Shouldn't I be the last one to worry about? NO. The answer came back loud and clear. Loving yourself is just as important (dare I say more important?!) as loving everyone else.
Being a first time mom does things to you. Wonderful things. Nasty things. Confusing things. But most mommies I've talked with share with me an overwhelming sense of self doubt. Can I do this? Am I doing the right thing? Why can't I figure out what's wrong with my baby? Am I doing something wrong? Am I doing anything right? The tough times of being a mom, so far, have come at 3am, when my baby wont stop throwing up, i've tried EVERYTHING, I'm wondering what ELSE am I doing wrong? And then babes and I have a good crying sesh together.
Sweet Reagan swaddled up in her Solly Baby Swaddle Blanket.
But what I've learned this month, is that as long as you are doing your best (nothing more, nothing less!), and you are in tune with the promptings you get as a mom, woman, human being, you are a freaking rockstar!
Love yourself. Get to know yourself. Take 30 mins to an hour (Yes 30 mins to an hour, I know it's hard but you need it and it's possible!) and do something to feed your soul. Read an uplifting book, study scripture, journal, do yoga, go to target alone... everyday! Ok, except the going to target thing. Don't do that every day. Bad idea. Take my word for it.
Another thing I have clung to in my readings this month is a newfound urge to LIVE life. Don't rush through your life! Yeah, chores have to be done. Babies need to be fed. Dinner has to be made, and errands have to be run. But don't let these things dictate your life! Take time to enjoy it. To see the peaceful look on your babies face while you feed her. To notice the beautiful sky on the drive to the store. To take in the yummy smells of dinner and feel the excitement and anticipation of dad coming home! I vow to focus on the beautiful parts of daily life, and not the mundanity of it.
This one of a kind sign can be found in my Etsy shop!
So, whoever you are- wherever you are... take a deep breath. YES, right now! Remember the things you are doing exceptionally at, because you are exceptional. Do the things you love. Spend time with the people who matter. Because, in the end, don't you want to have lived a life you enjoyed? A life of purpose and love?
You are doing great. Love yourself, because you do deserve it.
Ā
Ā
Present Over Perfect By Shauna Niequist
I'm almost finished with this book and it speaks to my soul! Shauna bravely tells her personal story of self discovery, and how she found more through less. I got my copy at Hobby Lobby, but you can get yours here
Highly Recommend!!!
The Four Agreements: A Toltec Wisdom Book by Don Miguel Ruiz
This book is awesome! Gives insight to ancient Toltec ways that we can totally learn from. It covers 4 agreements that we can make with ourselves to create personal freedom and happiness. Use your word for good. Don't take anything personally. Don't make assumptions. Always do your best! Disclaimer: If you aren't into more abstract and, for lack of a better phrase, the "hippie" mindset, this book isn't for you. I didn't agree 100% with all views, but found it to still be extremely enlightening! Find it here.
When I decided to start the journey of a Christ Centered Scripture Study, I never knew how much it would change and strengthen me. This month I focused on FAITH and HOPE, and... I have to say, it wasn't always easy!
So here's what I learned during a whole month of focusing on faith...
I was hoping that throwing my hands up to God and giving Him full reign would somehow send me on a magical path where it would be all smooth sailing. Nope. We still have trials, we still have struggles, we still have bad days. Most of you know that I recently had a baby girl. Her name is Reagan and she JUST turned 2 months old. As you can imagine, caring for a little, helpless, communicationless, fussy, hungry, tired person is not always easy. There was a particular moment this month (ok probably more than one) when Reagan refused to nap. I was exhausted and frankly just wanted to close my eyes as well. She was fussy (from being exhausted) and after hours of trying to put her down I finally had some luck. Then the second I laid my head on my pillow and shut my eyes, she started to fuss again. I literally said out loud to God... "Why does this have to be so hard?" Why do I have to be exhausted and deflated 90% of the time? Why do I have to have so many doubts and worries? Why can't having and raising children be 99% fun, laughter and joy? After that mini meltdown, I finally picked up my tiny fussing baby and something awesome happened. She just stared at me with her big trusting beautiful eyes. That was it. That's all it took. And suddenly the lesson burned in my heart. The answer to my question... it's hard because it's WORTH IT. And I was genuinely over the exhaustion in that moment. It instantly went away... and I held that little baby and prayed a prayer of gratitude.
My motto this month was to "let my faith be bigger than my fears." I'm sure you've heard the mantra before, and I chose it because it was totally applicable to my life as a newborn mommy. Often I found myself fearing and doubting my abilities as a mom, and second guessing my choices. But I took the challenge this month to minimize the fears and maximize my faith. It honestly was NOT easy but I think I did a pretty good job in between the weak moments. There were lots of times where I felt myself crumbling under the weight of my fears and the burden of exhaustion. But the times where I remembered that God is with me, and that this is His plan strengthened me in a way I could have never foreseen.
Lots of times during the month I found prayer to be a crutch. I asked Him for guidance, strength, an extra hour of sleep (LOL). I found that the more I prayed, the closer I felt to Him, and the more faith I had in Him. Prayer is a tricky thing for me, because sometimes I expect or wish for a shining answer to appear to me. Maybe a voice? A vision? I have to say I have never had any of those. But I have felt a calming and a feeling of comfort... and sometimes, that's all you really need.
So friends, with that- Faithful June is over. I feel my faith increasing and I hope I can continue to do so even when it's NOT Faithful June. I hope you followed along, and that you took the challenge with me!
Ā
...And now, we begin July with Love and Charity! I am so excited for this guys! Be thinking of your mantra and focus, and follow on the journey with me to strengthen your love for others and the Lord!
I just got my 6 week old baby down to sleep as I sit down to write this. I've been trying to get to my computer all day. I'm currently holding my breath in the hopes that she stays asleep for more than 10 minutes this time. She's stirring.
You see, for the past couple of days she has been fussier than usual. She must be held unless she is in deep sleep. Her feedings are erratic and irregular. She cries and I can't figure out why. I try and think of what to do, but i've had so little sleep that I can barely conjure up a cohesive thought. The immediate feelings of self doubt surface. Is she fussier because I switched her to formula? Should I have tried to breastfeed longer? Is it because i'm missing something that is wrong? Am I not giving her enough of myself? Am I holding her too much? Is she just unhappy? Am I ruining her?
When I decided to hold a scripture study, I didn't realize how much it would challenge me. This month we are focusing on FAITH and HOPE. Easy enough, right? Faith is the most basic principle of religion. Follow Christ, follow the gospel. When I set my intention for this month, I decided to focus on making my faith bigger than my fears. You know what that means? Taking my biggest fears- being a bad mom, failing, being weak- and making them smaller by believing in God's plan... and in myself.
I'm not sure why it can be so hard to have faith in ourselves. We should have the most faith in ourselves because we are in control of ourselves, but it doesn't always work that way. Fear of letting others down, failing, not being enough- it can be all consuming. But the great thing about the gospel, is that it shows us that we are enough. And even in those moments where we fail- Christ is there to pick up the slack. Have faith in yourself... you're doing just fine. And have faith in Christ because he is the reason we can be perfected.
Easier said than done, right? Believe me, I am so not the one to be preaching this right now. But I think in a way that makes me a great advocate. Take it from me; Life is gonna be crazy hard. There are times when you are going to think that you can't possibly do it. These are the times where you take a deep breath (or more accurately you get really angry, kick something, realize you are silly, and THEN take a breath), open up your heart, and lean on God to help you. Help. I think that is a key word. You know how many times i've prayed to Heavenly Father to stop something, start something, take something away... about a million and three. But i've realized that isn't how it works. We have Him to help us, not to just make all the hard stuff disappear. Because, you know what? The hard stuff is why we are here. It's what makes us better. It's what make us stronger.
This month I encourage you to take that tiny seed of faith and nurture it. Maybe you need to have more faith in the gospel, yourself, or even just life itself. So take what you do know and trust it. Believe in it. Let it grow. Even when it's hard. Because you can do it! "Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever." -Jeffrey R. Holland.
Ā
Alma Chapter 2- We learn that we can take the word of Christ as a little seed in our heart and help it grow through faith. It is this way we can know for ourselves whether it is true or not!
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In His Hands: Insights from Women- This little book has incredible stories of inspiration and faith! I love this book because it is an easy read, and is full of great quotes and touching and funny stories.
Find it here.
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The Magnolia Story- This is such a cute book! I love me some Chip and Jo Jo. In this book you will find real faith, as this fixer upper couple start their unique life and ride the ups and downs of house flipping and entrepreneurship. Seriously guys, you wont be disappointed.
Find it here.
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I hope you guys have a great faithful June! Rejoice in the scriptures and grow closer to Christ by putting your faith in Him!
Have you ever read your scriptures, and at the end of your reading find that you really didn't absorb anything that you read? I remember reading the Book of Mormon cover-to-cover for the first time and then realizing that i couldn't recall most of the content. For this reason, I always love reading scriptures with a purpose. A focus, if you will. For this reason, I sought out to discover a new way to read about the gospel, and get the most out of my scripture study.
This year, I really want to focus on CHRIST. We are invited by Christ to follow in His example and become "fishers of men." Striving to be like Him will help us draw others closer to Heavenly Father, and in my opinion, give us so much joy. I want to be more like Him. I want to follow in His way.
During my search to create guidelines for this "Christ Centered Scripture Study," I stumbled upon Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel: How do I develop Christlike Attributes? This chapter was exactly what I was searching for- and i encourage you to read it, whether you decide to follow my series or not! In it, there are 9 Christlike Attributes that we should be striving to grow in our own lives and characters. They are faith, hope, charity, virtue, knowledge, patience, humility, diligence, and obedience. In this particular study guide, I have assigned each attribute a specific color, so you can mark along accordingly in your scriptures when you see a corresponding verse related to that attribute! You can also assign your own colors to the attributes to better suit your needs. I will also have a specific post on how I use Washi tape to study my scriptures!
In this series, we will be focusing on a new attribute every month! We will be starting with the combined faith & hope for APRIL. This way we can end the series in December for Christmas, and have an even more enriched, Christ Centered Christmas this year by spending that month focusing on His life. Here is the schedule we will be following:
JUNE- Faith & Hope
JULY- Love & Charity
AUGUST- Virtue
SEPTEMBER- Knowledge
OCTOBER- Patience & Humility
NOVEMBER- Diligence
DECEMBER- Obedience
E
Additionally, here are a few things to expect from this series:
Below is a downloadable file that will act as a companion guide to this series. Each page has a different Christlike attribute, study tips, and a section to take notes.
Download the guide HERE
There is also a link HERE to purchase the accompanying new Pretty Study Sheet Pack which includes a scripture insert for each attribute, a color coding key, and a bonus insert with a great quote from Elder Oaks. (I put this one in the front of my scriptures to remind myself of my new scripture study goal).
I would love for this series to be interactive, and for us all to join together to feel closer to our Savior. I can't wait to get the ball rolling! I know this is going to be a great tool for deeper study, enriching our testimonies, and increasing our character. Let's do it!
"It is the best thing ever!!"
"Oh man, it's horrible. you are gonna be so uncomfortable."
"Enjoy time now, because it's going to be worse when ____ happens."
"I never threw up once in my pregnancy."
"I felt better than ever when I was pregnant."
I've heard it all. And I am so grateful that so many women wanted to help me and give me advice! But I felt like the advice I was given was all so extreme. I was either going to be in love with my pregnancy, or absolutely loathe it.
So here's the REAL deal.
Pregnancy is hard. You are gonna be uncomfortable... probably sick. You might feel exhausted, have a gag reflex that wont quit, never-ending heartburn, or swell up 20x that of your non-pregnant self. Not only that, you are gonna have your own set of specific challenges. I remember (and still do to this day) googling every twitch, aversion, and symptom to see if it was "normal." Asking every friend that has been through pregnancy if they have ever experienced A, B, or C. But the one sure thing about your pregnancy is that no one has ever had one exactly like yours. It is a blessing that we as women have a network and can ask each other for advice and support. But don't ever base how good, bad, or "normal" your pregnancy is based on someone else's. You don't have to feel as great, horrible, sentimental, energetic, miserable, or fantastic as any pregnant women who may have come before or after you. Since the moment I saw those 2 little lines, I've driven myself crazy... Is this how I'm supposed to feel about ____? Should I be more excited? Less tired? Am I gaining too much weight? Should I be feeling the baby kick by now? ...Don't do it to yourself!!
Now that we've accepted the cold hard fact that this journey is not always gonna be as "magical" as they say it is... here's the REALLY important part. It's going to be WORTH IT. You're gonna feel that little life inside of you. You are gonna have a sweet little person that YOUR BODY MADE. I haven't met my little one yet... and I'm not all the way through this journey... but I already KNOW. I'm a part of something greater than I could have ever imagined. Something divine.
I've thought a lot about why pregnancy and labor have to be so difficult. I've thought... "Heavenly Father... women have to spend their whole lives AFTER pregnancy sacrificing themselves... their time, energy, sleep, sanity. Why can't this be the easy dreamy part?" And here's my grand conclusion...
Motherhood is absolutely the closest LOVE to Christ-like love... and it is in large part thanks to the sacrifice, pain and discomfort we feel during pregnancy (and after birth!). The parallels that we get to share with the Savior are amazing and incredible. He physically sacrificed for us... more so than a tough pregnancy or child birth. He thinks about us constantly... worries about us when we aren't even aware of it. He stepped in, sacrificed, and suffered so we wouldn't have to. He teaches us daily and is an example to us all, just through His life and demeanor. As women, WE have the divine honor of feeling and experiencing all of those things for our own children. It brings us closer to Christ, and to our Father in heaven. No... it's not easy. But gosh, is it worth it!
If there is one thing I have learned from my pregnancy, it's that WOMEN ARE STRONG. Enjoy this season of your life. But also remember that it's ok if you aren't always loving it. Try to focus on the good, and realize that the bad is only making you a stronger, more fierce momma and daughter of God.
You were made for this. And it will make you.
Xoxo, Alex
Ā
**Week-By-Week Pregnancy signs (pictured!) can be downloaded in my Etsy shop HERE
Another year over, and another on the way! When I look back at the past year, I think of highlights both incredibly happy and challenging. I think for many of us, this year was one of personal growth and development. As for me and my little family, we had lots of ups and downs.
David got a killer job which has been a huge blessing and a place for him to learn and grow. He also has flourished in his true passion of working as a DJ, lighting director, and stage manager for a premier wedding band in LA- he continues to blow me away with his hard work and dedication daily.
As for me, I got a job... and then was laid off! I had a great time, learned some new things, and feel truly blessed for the experience. This year I also found out that we have a baby on the way one week before losing my job! ...I guess you can say the Lord has a new job for me now ;) Ironically, through all of the financial ups and downs, this is the year David and I truly have learned how to save and maximize our income!
Another highlight for us was heading to Hawaii for my sisters wedding. We had a blast and are so happy for the newlyweds! One of the best parts of the trip was when I got to tell David that he is now a daddy. It is a trip I will never forget.
Lots of things have changed in this little space of mine as well. I've learned new crafts, and have truly started to find myself as a creator, small business owner, and as a person. I participated in my first craft show, developed new products, and fulfilled a number of custom orders. I want to take a moment to thank anyone reading this for your support and interest in my simple little life.
For me, last year was about growth and experience. I can't wait to grow and learn some more this next year! So lets all start this new year with intention and purpose... I just know it's gonna be a dang good one.
Fall is here (yay!!), and even though sunny California feels far from cozy and cold, I still wanted our home to have that warm autumn glow to it! Now, David and I are still newlyweds (well, maybe not technically...but still!) and we are pretty much on a perpetual budget. I wanted to make our home Fall-y (it's a word, look it up), but I could only justify spending $20 on decorations for our place. So there Andrew Jackson and I went, off to the dollar store and Michaels.
I went to the dollar store first, because I wanted to get as many of my supplies there as possible. I hit on these really hideous pumpkins that came in large individuals and packs of 4 tiny pumpkins. When I say ugly (sorry to whoever manufactured these), I mean... really ugly. Im pretty sure they are made from styrofoam, and painted by a blind guy. But hey, we aren't picky here in budget land!
So, feeling pretty accomplished, I headed over to Michael's. I wasn't 100% sure what I was looking for, but I knew it had to be cheap.
After walking around for 30 mins, I decided on some fall leaves, which I scored for 50% off, and some teeny tiny clothes pins. ADORABLE.
And with that, I hit my budget. Here's the breakdown:
Fall Maple Leaves (1 bush) $9.99
Mini Clothespins $4 > $2 with 50% off coupon from the Michael's App
5 Large Pumpkins @$1 ea. $5
2 Packs of Mini Pumpkins @$1 ea. $2
That's a total of $18.99!
I was happy, and ready to get my DIY on!
Ā
So... here's the part where I am cheating a little bit. I'm assuming that you are a craft supplies hoarder like I am, which might not be the case. If it is, welcome sister! If it isn't... you might be spending an extra $5 or so. But the investment will be a great one! Because generally, craft supplies last FOREVER. So long, that you end up with a whole closet full of them. So long, that they go out of style, but you still feel a connection to them so you just keep them forever.
I whipped out my drawer of craft paint, and paint pens, chose the most fall-ish colors and got cracking. If you don't have a drawer like this, you will need a couple fall colored craft paint tubes, a white paint pen, and some string! Don't worry, they are all dirt cheap.
The first thing I wanted to do was prime those ugly pumpkins of mine! I knew I wanted more muted, warm tones. Don't get me wrong, the neon colors that the dollar store was rocking were cool too... but not for my home, and not for fall.
Don't forget the little guys!
Next came the pretty colors! Note that you will need something to paint on top of. I chose these useless plates we bought (in bulk of course) that actually melt into your food if microwaved. You know, in case you want your lunch with a side of styrofoam.
I picked 3 colors and painted away. Some I even topped with gold glitter (also a craft supply that lasts years and years... It will also show up in every crevice of your home for years and years).
Don't forget to paint the stems as well! Green stems weren't cutting it for me, so I used brown paint to cover it.
I let them dry for several hours. I think they came out pretty cute for only costing $7!
On to the next project!
Gather up your leaves and a paint pen. I chose white to POP. Oh yeah, cut the leaves off of the bush. We are making a banner here so, that's kind of an important step.
Write pretty letters on each leaf! I chose to write out the phrase "Falling for Fall." Do you hate your own handwriting and can't find a friend or family member willing to do it for you? I'm thinking you could get some heavy duty stickers or stencils to do the trick for you!
After you have written out your message, and the paint has had time to dry, gather up some string (I used jute) and your tiny clothespins and assemble that banner like a pro!
And just to make sure we aren't wasting here, I put the extra leaves and pinecones from the mini pumpkin packs in a vase...
And finito! There you have it! 3 DIY fall decor crafts for under $20! Scatter those pumpkins around your house like confetti and wait (forever if you live in Southern California) for the temp to break under 70 degrees so you can justify a hot cup of cocoa, lay on the couch, and bask in your cute Fall inspired home.
