Fruit and Yogurt Popsicles

Looking for a delicious, healthy treat to cool off with this summer? Here's a perfect option! And if you kids are like mine, they will love joining in on the popsicle making fun!

Happy Sunday

Summer Sponsors and a GIVEAWAY

There are fabrics aplenty with coordinating bundles, knits, flannels, and more! This is truly my favorite source for designer fabrics.

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This shop has a plethera of paper goods, but did you know they carry fun accessories too?

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Photo source: Ellison Made

You are not going to want to miss taking a peek at this shop that specializes in handcrafted home accessories! My mother and I both have a few of the shop's items in our own homes.

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Here you'll find custom wall art and personalized calling cards. Aren't those birds pure cuteness?

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Amy absolutely amazes me with all of her blog's creative projects! She has an adorable Etsy shop too! This is such a bright, happy place to visit!

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I love the garlands, handcrafted party supplies, and home decor offered by this happy shop!

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Here Tanya, my lovely friend, expertly covers a wide range of topics from homeschooling to healthy living!

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I love all the handcrafted goodies from this shop, but one of my favorites things is the Package of Pretties Subscription.

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My sweet friend, Lena, blogs here! She's expecting her second baby very soon. Maybe you could stop by and leave her some comment love. Visit her cute shop too!

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Cake Push-Up Pops

Here's a sweet treat to try! I'm sharing the recipe and directions for Cake Push-Up Pops over at See Vanessa Craft today. Come visit with me there!

View directions by clicking here!

Happy baking!

Happy Sunday

Customized Calling Cards

A BIG thanks to Artful Life Designs for sponsoring today's post on my new mommy calling cards.

How cute are these? Even we "executive housewives" need a calling card. If I'm sharing my number with another mommy, it often involves one of both of us fumbling through bags and purses to find one...a pen and two...something to write with. Dates will be discussed and forgotten until we check back with each other again. These Mommy/Playdate Cards are a simple and fun way to exchange information with other parents.

Note: I've covered up my phone number on the photos for this post. You know...privacy and all that.

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back

My friends at Artful Life Designs pride themselves on providing unique, customized products. They even designed the Mama Bird Card with my three little birds and me in mind. I love how they turned out...

You can choose from several designs all with a wide assortment of color and font options. My mom is planning on ordering a set for herself with just the mama bird, her personal information, and the back left blank. For her, they will serve as cute calling cards rather than playdate cards. Visit Artful Life Designs to see the full range of their personalized products...

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Happy playdates!

Chalkboard Ideas for Kids

The first classroom I taught in had a chalkboard. After one year, it was converted into a dry erase board, and I have to admit that I was a little disappointed. Yes, I preferred my chalkboard! What is it about those dusty, squeaky things that are so much fun?!

That love of chalkboards has carried over into my home. If you were to take a tour, you would see chalkboard items throughout including this vintage one that is hanging in the room I'm turning into our homeschool room.

In keeping with my love of chalkboards, here's round-up of fun chalkboard ideas for kids. Get comfy because there's lots to check out!

Stitchwerx Designs Blog Tour: Ainsley & Aiden Baby Collection

A BIG thanks to Stitchwerx Designs for providing me with the pattern featured in today's post.

I am thrilled to be participating in the release sale, blog tour, and giveaway for the Ainsley & Aiden Baby Suite I collection by Stitchwerx Designs. Look at how cute this pattern collection is...

Happy Sunday

Ice Cream Dough: Sensory Dough Series

It is time for June's installment of the 12 Months of Sensory Dough Series! Each month 11 fellow bloggers and I are sharing our playtime adventures with dough. Last month was Moon Sand.  This month we're making Ice Cream Dough!

This has been my favorite so far! There are a lot of ice cream dough recipes floating around the internet, but most are missing what I consider to be a key ingredient--ice cream! Here's how the kids and I made edible ice cream dough that looks and tastes like real ice cream...

Summer Fun with Kiwi Crate

The kids got another Kiwi Crate in the mail! All of my closest friends and family know how much I adore Kiwi Craft. In fact, we've even been giving Kiwi Crates as birthday gifts to the kids' friends. Just in case you aren't familiar with what it is, here's a little information...

Did I fail today?

Well, the day started out wonderful. Monday--the beginning of a brand new week! I had such a positive outlook on the day...

All three kids slept past 7 a.m.
We had a restful night.
No one started the day crying.
We had a whole day of fun and adventure ahead of us.
I would get to spend it with my little ones whom I adore.
I truly felt so blessed and grateful.
We cooked breakfast together. It was picturesque.

A peaceful breakfast is where this picture-perfect day ended though. The rest of the day was filled with tantrums, fights between siblings, misbehavior, whining, potty accidents, failed attempts at getting the house cleaned up, a stress-filled errand, and screaming kids during the entire drive home.

By the end of the day, I felt defeated. Utterly DEFEATED... After the hubby helped put the kids to bed, he stood in the kitchen and announced, "Well, I got the yard mowed when I got home from work." I know he meant it as an encouragement. I had the kids with me, so he was able to easily get a task done that is often challenging for him to find time to complete. In the midst of my weariness, I didn't take it that way though. He had worked all day and had still managed to mow the lawn. I had used up every ounce of strength and patience I could muster on consoling and caring for the kids. Through tears I snapped, "Well, I'm glad one of us got something done. I feel like I failed in the mommy department today." Guilt immediately clenched my heart as soon as the words passed my lips because staying home with my kids is all I've wanted since having Lydia Grace. The time I have with my kids is a gift, so why did I feel deflated rather than fulfilled today?

Do you ever have days like that? Days where you wonder what went wrong...
What should I have done differently? Did I fall short as a mother? Why was today so rough?

I spent the rest of the evening reading scriptures, praying, and asking God to give me peace and a grateful heart--even when motherhood hands me moments of defeat. And it does. This mommy thing is hard! I don't think we admit that to each other enough. It is a wonderful adventure, but it is also paved with many challenges. I'll admit it... Today was challenging. Today was discouraging. Today left me in tears. Today I let feelings of doubt and defeat creep in. As I was praying this evening, one word kept coming to mind... Grace. At the end of the day, there's always GRACE! And LOVE! I have an unconditional love for my kids even when I don't love how they act. God's love is like that for us--even greater! It's unconditional, great, and incomprehensible!

As I prayed about the day, my focus shifted from one of defeat to one of love and grace. In between the trying times, there were still moments to be grateful for. I gave and received lots of hugs and kisses today. LOVE. Lydia Grace thanked me for bandaging a hurt finger. CARE. We got to spend some time with Mimi (my mom). FAMILY. I cared for, fed, and loved three little ones. ACCOMPLISHMENT. There were still giggles and smiles shared. HAPPINESS. Even through the tears, tantrums, trials, and tests, there was still a voice saying, "You are enough. You are loved. The job you are doing matters. Blessings remain..."

My sweet, fellow mommy! Did you have a day that left you feeling defeated too? If so, let me just encourage you with the same encouragement I'm reveling in tonight. We are not defeated. God's love and grace sustains us. Tomorrow is a new day! And if it happens to be another day filled with tears and tantrums (let's hope not), there will still be grace-filled moments.  There will still be moments to be grateful for. There will always be love.

Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 106:1

Happy Sunday

Life Lately