Hello June {2015}

Hello June. I feel like you got here too quickly. As if we just rang in the new year and here you are, ready to party. Every year we are so happy to see you June. We need those lazier days. Where we lounge by the pool or watch movies in the living room with the lights off to stay cool. I'm happy to see you June, it means late nights and sleeping in and dates for mini fraps with my girls.

Mini Frap Madness.

Hello Laundry. We just can't break this cycle can we? I ignore you for as long as possible and while you may be clean, you sure aren't going to fold yourself. Why? Can't you just do me one solid? Fine. Maybe we will have a date night. Maybe next week. It's not you laundry, it's me. That's a lie. It's totally you.

Hello Disney hangover. I'm still pining over you, and all your excitement. Seeing you through the eyes of my children made me fall in love with you all over again. I needed more time. I needed to ride Dumbo one more time, and suffer through It's a Small World another day. I now spend my days thinking of ways to get back to Anaheim. I didn't know that I would feel this way, but you truly are a magical place. And having this kind of Hangover isn't so bad.

It says "No Climbing", but nothing about Selfies.

Hello mama milestone. I did it. I actually took my girls on a road trip to Costa Mesa. With the help of my iPhone we didn't get lost, but we did have to pull over a lot, and stop to pee, and even argue over the iPad, still, WE DID IT. In my early years of motherhood I would have never attempted such a feat. This year, if I wanted to go to Elevate Conference, I really didn't have a choice, but still I was nervous. I still white knuckled the wheel. I still told Jesus to take the wheel more than once. As I've learned over the years of being a mother, there is something sacred and gratifying about overcoming an obstacle on your own. Even if it's as simple of driving your five and eight year old to Southern California without your husband. After years of horrible road trips to the coast with crying children in the backseat, this was a huge win. This was me, proving to myself once again, that I can do the things that scare me.

Stopped for fries and Dr. Pepper. Of course!

Hello Elevate Swag. I'm starting to work on my Elevate recap, but I have to say, Elevate is like Oprah's Favorite Things. Except that you don't know you want these things and that they will be come your favorite. You have no idea that some of them exist. And then boom. Here you go, enjoy. I haven't even gone through all of it yet, but here is a taste. Every year the women of Elevate knock me out with their generosity, their hearts, and their message of inspiration. That alone is enough, but then, you get some serious swag. Holla.

Modify Ink, Agnes & Dora, BabyLitBooks, Woven Pear

Hello Inspiration. You can't meet with your bloggy friends and not walk away inspired to do more, write more, achieve more. I have been inspired to do great things, and not just in my blog life, but in my real life too. I feel like a weight has been lifted, as if I've gotten new glasses and can see my goals and dreams a little clearer.

Emmymom, Pink on the Cheek, The Foley Fam, Shaping Up

Hello new work life. It's been a fantastic vacation, but it's back to the grind for me. Except this time it's in a whole new world, and that is exciting. I'm so excited to learn a new business, and I'm excited to see how I can use more of my creative side in this industry. Sometimes all we need is a bump, a push, a little opportunity to bring more of ourselves into our work life. I'm really looking forward to doing that.

New hair.

Hello Me. How are you? Yeah, I'm super tired. But how amazing was May? How many new experiences did you/me have? How many times were you/we inspired? Do you feel like this is just the beginning? I do. I have no doubts that you are going to feel renewed. Let's do this. Let's do great things. Let's create and write and be present. Let's choose happiness. Let's choose this life, and stop waiting for another. Sound good? Yeah. Me too.

Hello Reality {goodbye Spring Break}

In the morning I will say hello to reality and goodbye to spring break. While my kids get one more day off, I will be at work well before they wake. It's the best way to close this years spring break. This year spring break felt real. Both girls and me left to decided how we would spend the days that Mom didn't have to work. A Tuesday spent in the absolute luxury of having nothing to do, nowhere to be. A Thursday doing what we love most, walking through Target, spending time with each other. And while they didn't have a single care in the world, I did. Because I knew this little pocket of time, so magical in it's minutes, was to be short lived, and very soon, it was to be over. Like most things we do, we made memories out of ordinary occurrences, we savored the most unorganized days, and we watched the sun slip behind the roof tops almost every night. Even as we say goodbye to spring break, we have hope and anticipation in our hearts for Summer break, because I can only imagine what magic those minutes will bring. 

Hello Monday, Hello Reality, Hello hope for more ordinary days.

In clothes that we slept in and house hold chores forgotten, we colored eggs after a very late lunch. And no one noticed the dishes in the sink or the crumbs in the carpet.

Waiting patiently while I take a picture before we got down to business. She is smiling a true smile and that is success in itself.

 I'll take a half smile from Mac, since she has decided that she only likes to take pictures on her terms. She lost interest in eggs about half way through, so I finished them. I did so happily, surprisingly enough.

Caitlin had to wait patiently for Mackenzie to wake up. She wanted to sleep longer, even when we told her the Easter Bunny had come. Bed head and chocolate bunnies really do make for a happy Easter morning.

Pretty dresses for the little ladies. In old shoes or hand me down shoes, because it's not always perfect. But these two looked perfect all day, and smiled and posed with only minor begging on Mom's part.

 Out of all the desserts offered on Easter, this kid chose a chocolate doughnut with purple sprinkles. Don't come between a girl and her doughnut. 

 All on her own. Caitlin is always on an adventure, with a story in her mind. One day she will share those stories and I can't wait to hear them. 

Pretty dresses for pretty girls. I'm still surprised they picked out these dresses, because they don't usually like to get this dressed up. I'm glad they wanted to look like ladies even if it was just for one day.

I hope you all had a happy Easter and a very magical Spring Break. Happy Monday. 

Hello Monday {Life Lately} Instagram

Hello selfies in the car.  Right before I go in for my day at the "office".  I have worked so much in the last few weeks that it seems like full time instead of part time.  We are still in transition.  I feel like we should be through the transition, but here we are still hanging on, still lagging a little behind.  My days have been super long, and when I went to set up this post I realized that I hadn't saved any of my IG pictures for almost three weeks.  That's how busy we have been.  

Hello, full life, overflowing with chaos, love and sometimes exhaustion.  

I still love you though.

Hello birthday hat, because I think you are just the thing that will make me forget that I'm turning thirty-six.  THIRTY.  SIX.  It doesn't even seem real.  I still feel twenty-six.  Can we pretend that thirty-six is the new twenty-six?

Hello baby girl who is no longer a baby.  It just occurred to me that you will be four this year.  I can't even wrap my head around that.  Each year has been so full of love and confirmation.  Thank you for that, as you were the only person who could have given me that.  I look forward to year four, but I'm afraid that knowing that you are no longer a baby or a toddler leaves me a little sad. Watching you grow into a young lady is bittersweet. And I mean that in the most cliche way.

Hello Girl Scouts, Hello Cookies.

This girl dressed herself, grabbed a clip board a pen 

and her order form.

Then she said, "Let's go Mom, it's cookie time".

A natural sales person, she sold 313 boxes.

Well beyond her 100 box goal.

She gets that salesmanship from her Daddy!

Hello vintage books.

You make my heart swoon.

Even better, buying it from a friend's shop who packages it with the loveliest little extras.

Hello,Vintage Yahtzee card, hello, Vintage recipe card, 

Hello,Vintage Bingo Card.

Hello tired girl.

Hello baby girl in my lap.

These moments don't happen so much anymore.  Ironically, in my early days of motherhood I felt like this was such a drag. Holding a baby during nap time?  Ugh. I didn't realize that one day that baby would be too big for my lap. I didn't realize that holding a sleeping baby is one of the most precious things to ever happen in your life. I didn't realize that I would miss it so. I was so blind to the finality of it all. There is nothing more pressing in your life to skip a sleeping baby in your lap. Now I soak it up when I can.

Hello my beautiful smiling daughter, I know you are in there somewhere.

It's so hard to remember when your anxiety takes over. So many changes in such a short time. We are working together, every morning, and have you noticed that Mommy has tried her best to keep it together. To say it's ok to be late, or sad, or worried. You have tried too. To hold back the tears, to try and be brave. I'm proud of you. Our work isn't done, but if we can work together, we can do anything. Trust me, I've been doing this teamwork thing a lot longer than you. So let's say yes to more selfies, yes to do overs, and yes to trying harder.

Hello school drop off.

I got you.

We got there at the warning bell and damn we looked good.

So don't you worry about me.

On Thursday I had you.

Monday on the other hand?

Let's just forget about Monday.

Hello happiest of mail days.

Artsy Crush exceeds expectation.

Entertainment Weekly is my jam.

I wish my Artsy Crush came every Friday like my Entertainment Weekly.

Hello Croup.

I could have done without you, poor Mac too.

She was so sick this morning, but that didn't stop her sister and I from snapping selfies.

Mother of the Year for sure!

She still has a yucky cough, but she is back to her old self.

Meaning that she is bossing everyone around.

Hello hand me down shirt.

Hello hand me down headband.

This little one, sick and all wanted a headband and her Olivia shirt.

Then she asked if I would take her picture.

Then she smiled really big as if the Croup was no big deal.

Well of course I'll take a picture.

How could I refuse?

Hello How I Met Your Mother.

Others have become tired at your antics, but this, your last season, is in fact your best work.

This is your masterpiece. Last Monday was perfect, in a way that made me pine for another season.

You have by far surpassed your original idea.

A show that is so much more about meeting "the mother", and everything about friendship and love.

This is a love story for the ages.

Hello new sponsor!

LooLuhRue has everything your hearts desire.

But this is the only peek you will get for now.

Hello Amy Glass.

There will never be anything ordinary or common about this.

So go on and write your blog and I'll write mine.

I'm very happy here.

Hello rainy day.

Hello cutting class.

Hello lazy mommy.

I had no idea how exhausted I would be, so take one part rainy day, two parts Mac's cough, and a dash of Caitlin's headache, and you have got a day at home. Cutting class until Mommy has to work. I'm sure there is going to be a consequence somewhere, but on this day it was love and snuggles, and an extra hour of sleep.

Hello Target.

It's been way to long my love.

With work and school and Girl Scouts our "alone time" took a back seat. I missed you something fierce. And even on this day we didn't get any alone time, but that little sweetie had such a great time in her pajamas. Because a secret trip to see you, grilled cheese and pirates booty for breakfast, and some dollar spot swag is just what I needed. But don't fret, I'm planning on seeing you again real soon.

Hello new life of a busier mom.

Hello Sundays spent in the car, when I'd rather be on the couch.

Hello late nights working the closing shift.

Hello early mornings and late nights.

Hello beautiful babies who I miss.

Hello Hubbs, remember me?

Hello readers, I'm doing my best I haven't given up yet.

Hello Megan, it's still new, you'll get it, just breathe.

Hello July

Hello July I'm so happy to see you. I'm looking forward to mornings in our pjs. Donuts for breakfast. Late summer nights. Now about those over 110 degree temps...
Hello bucket list I've made it easy. I've made it fun. I've made it impossible to ignore.

Hello Red dress

I can't wait to take you to Vegas.

I can't wait to dance well into the night with you.

I can't wait to look fancy and feel great.

Thanks for being half priced.

Hello Yellow Dress

Goodbye yellow dress.

You are gorgeous and lovely, but alas

too sweet for Las Vegas.

I will miss you.

Hello regret I should have bought the yellow dress.

Hello Walmart cakes Why  would I ever bake again? Seriously $4.98 for a dozen cupcakes. Not only did you save my life,  but you made one little gal so happy!!

Yes, a Walmart cake!
How awesome is this?

Hello donuts for breakfast

You are a thing.

A thing to repeat this summer for days on end.

You make me happy.

Hello happily frosted and sprinkled cupcakes Forget what I said about Walmart cakes. You make me so happy and satisfied.

Hello Dog Days of Summer

Days over 110 degrees.

Days of driving all over town for Target stops 

and doctor visits.

Days of no make up and dirty hair selfies 

that are artfully hidden in cell phone 

pic angles and Instagram filters.

Days made for refreshing drinks with green straws.

Days that start with donuts and end with ice cream.

Hello July.

Hello Summer.

We've been waiting for you!

Inspired by Lisa Leonard and her link up, Hello Monday.

Hello {June}

Good-bye Kindergarten.
Hello First grade!

Hello June.  What a big month you are.  I'm trying to welcome you with open arms.  You see while you bring the end of the school year, swimming weather, and late nights outside, this year you are going to bring some major milestones.  
Hello First Grade.  We will be ready for you.  We are so excited to play on the big play ground.  We are excited to see our 2nd grade friends.  And we are excited to be considered a "big kid".
Hello Loose Tooth.  You took so long to get here.  But we are so happy that you brought your friends.  Three loose teeth to start.  Alert the tooth fairy.  She's gonna need to dip into her savings.
Hello Pierced Ears.  We are coming for you.  We are a little nervous, and Daddy needs a little more convincing.  But we know what we want, and we want earrings.  
Hello Six.  Six years old.  Six years of life.  Six years of motherhood.  Six years of challenges.  Six years of bliss.  A half dozen of perfectly imperfect blessings.  We are ready for you six.
Hello Big Girl.  Mommy is so proud of you.  You have grown up to be so brave, so independent, so smart.  Those early September mornings filled with tears are just a distant memory.  Your hand demanding to be held tightly, is only a slight clasp.  You long to run free and play with your friends.  You are growing up at warp speed, but it can't be helped.  I'd say to slow down, but you don't know the meaning.  
Hello June, a big month, filled with big plans, big dreams, and big milestones.  
You are a big deal.

This post was inspired by Hello Monday. For more Hello Monday, visit Lisa Leonard,  and link up your own.

Hello Monday {sarcastically}

Hello 5:15 am.  Which should have really been 5 am but I hit the snooze.  Do you realize how hard it is for me to get up, 5:15?  Even the sun is still asleep.
Hello overgrown eyebrows and puffy bags.  Yeah I see you.  I'm ignoring you, so why can't you ignore me.  I know I know, I should have gone to bed, and not stayed up on Pinterest and watching MadMen.  But I can't say no to Don Draper.  Who can?
Hello new maxi skirt that I didn't get a chance to take a picture of. Now the world of Instagram has no idea just how wonderful you are.
Hello keys.  Where the hell are you?  Like seriously.  Where are you?  Because now it's 6:55, and I normally leave the house at 6:40, and while I will still make it to work on time, I'm totally thrown.  Where are you?
Dear Darling Daughter, thank you from the bottom of my rushed and over reactive mommy heart.  Thank you for hiding my keys under your pillow so they would be safe.  I had a feeling I left them in your room, but I had no idea where.  Thank you finding them and hiding them under your pillow.  In the future, could you just bring them to mommy so she can keep them in her purse for safe keeping.
Dear radio on the drive to work.  You have helped turn around my day.  First Nysnc.  Then Weezer (Say it ain't so, of all songs), and finally Red Hot Chili Peppers.  It's put the lost keys, the 5:15 call time, and the fact that it's Monday into perspective.
Dear Work... No, just no.  Thank God, for the friends that sit near me.  That keep me sane, and keep me laughing when you all together SUCK.
Dear 4pm.  Thank you for coming, but alas your joy is short lived.  It's off to ballet.  Then home to throw dinner together, then homework... Hey this sounds familiar.  Like a job...
Dear ramen, grilled cheese, and pre sliced fruit that is expensive but worth it.  Dinner is served.  Thanks for the solid.
Dear Husband.  Thank you for doing the dishes and vacuuming the kitchen (Swiffer Vac yo!), and the living room.  Thank you for doing the job I hate the most.  
Hello coconut milk ice cream.  I know you are in there.  I'll meet you on the couch in one hour.  
Dear Monday.  Here we are at 7:01 in the evening.  I can't say I'm sad to see you go.  But really as far as Monday's go, you weren't so bad.  Can you give Tuesday a message for me?   For the love of all things holy, be easy on me.


I'm sure this post isn't what Lisa Leonard had in mind.   But I'm going to link up with her today anyway.   So go over there and read some real Hello Monday posts  that aren't so sarcastic.   And most likely have great pictures.

Hello Monday {via Lisa Leonard}

Heard of Lisa Leonard?  What kind of question is that?  Of course you have. Well she hosts an awesome link up on Mondays, and I've been a little shy to link up. Lisa is a "big" blogger.  Like super popular, super inspirational, and super duper successful. Lisa Leonard Designs is the word, ya dig. So go check her out, if she is not one of your daily reads already. Now onto the business of Hello Monday.     Hello Monday, please be nice. The time change helps. But you are going to be so busy.  

 

Hello Family, there are no words for how I feel.

I know, I know I'm a writer.

But you all leave me speechless.

 

 

 

Hello In-Laws, thanks for the photobomb.

It actually worked in our favor.

Now we have something to give the MIL for Christmas.

 

 

 

Hello Delta Zeta Sisters, it's been too long.

But it's like no time has passed at all.

Your friendships are true blessings in my life.

Boys, beers, babies, careers have changed nothing.

In the flame.

 

 

Hello Eric, Flock of Seagulls got nothing on you.

Thanks for entertaining my kids while I made photobooks.

I know mom of the year.

But you my friend, indeed rock.

 

 

 

Hello EW/MadMen, this preview isn't enough.

While I appreciate it, I'm going to need more.

More Don, that is.

In 60s era swim trunks, shirtless, lighting more ciggies.

Please and thank you.

 

 

Hello ecards that speak to my heart.  However did you know?

    Hello Readers, happy Monday. Let's make it a great week!