Thursday Thoughts

I woke up in such a funk this morning. Does that ever happen to you? I just get like that every once in a while and I have no idea why. Usually I like to try to blame it on hormones, but I really don't think that's at play here. I was so short with Brian and impatient with the children. Thank goodness Phillip managed to be funny at just the right moment and we both started laughing. I managed to snap out of it.

In other news, I'm so jealous of all you ladies out there starting the new year off right "eating clean."  I'm seriously impressed.  I pretty much can't even think about dieting without instantly craving every carb in sight and gaining 5 pounds.  Sadly, I really wish I could because I'd really like to do something about this bit of jiggle on my stomach.  I do work out, but I'm pretty sure that a layer of fat can only be taken care of by losing weight :(

Enjoying a mid-morning moose munch crunch snack... motherhood at its best. #perhapsthisiswhyicantlosethepooch

Enough of the pity party!!  I finally finished the amazing book I was reading: Deliberate Motherhood: 12 Key Powers of Peace, Purpose, Order & Joy.  The book is sort of a compilation of essays by different mothers, some of whom are my favorite mom bloggers such as Sarah who blogs over at Memories on Clover Lane and Shawni who blogs at 71 Toes.  These are the mothers that I aspire to be and its wonderful to not only hear that they've struggled with the same things that I (and I'm sure most other mothers) have and also how they've dealt with them.  I've actually found myself highlighting and rereading portions, which says a lot... I just don't do that sort of thing when I read.  I know I'll be going back to this book time and again and I plan to give it to every new mother I know.

I'll be back tomorrow with some OOTD's and some home "fashion."  For now, I'm off to get a shower, hooray!

Thursday Thoughts: Home Projects and Deliberate Motherhood

The birthday is over and it was a wonderful day. It was pretty much your average day, with the exception of dinner out, but I have a pretty great life so no complaints! Funny enough though, Natalie seemed to sense when my birthday was over. No more special treatment Mommy! At exactly one in the morning she woke up ready to play and wouldn't go back to sleep for an hour and a half. Needless to say, we are both a little sleepy and cranky today.

I have some really high hopes for house projects this year. Brian has some ambitious home improvement in the works and I would like to do some things as well. Inspired by one of mu favorite blogs, Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers, I'm going to try to keep it reasonable and doable and pick one project a month to complete. I've only planned through June, but the current plan is as follows:

January: clean out and organize all bedroom closets- I'm already started on mine!
February: complete the kiddo room switch
March: fix up the yard, plant new flowers in beds
April: clean out and reorganize kitchen and dining room hutch
May: frame and hang new family pictures
June: deep clean house


I still haven't finished the amazing book I was telling y'all about, but I can already say it is a must read if you're a mom. It's incredibly inspirational and full of practical advice for pushing yourself to become a better mother and finding more peace as a mother.

I WILL finish reading it this weekend and share more thoughts. For now, I must get to bed because I am exhausted. Can't wait to share my latest fashion finds tomorrow though! I leave you all with two cute/hilarious pictures of our day:

Thursday Thoughts

First off you should know that Tory Burch is having a sale right now!! I personally cannot afford to buy a thing, but someone should snag these deals while they last.  Here are a couple of things I would love to have:


Eddie Ballet Flat in Magenta - regularly $250, on sale for $175

Marianne Pumps - regularly $350, on sale for $245



First off, I am so thankful that everyone slept well last night.  Phillip slept through the night (as he should!) and Natalie woke twice.  After a night like Tuesday, I'll take that any day of the week. 

Second, I'm thrilled and thankful that my mother in law will be in town this weekend.  Phillip absolutely adores her!  She is also a huge help, so I know I'll get some time to finish up Christmas shopping and maybe even a date night.  I think it's so interesting how almost everyone I know (around our age) has a regularly scheduled "date night" with their spouse.  It sounds great, but Brian and I have just never done that.  After another kid, we may have to start! 

Finally, at the risk of sounding like a huge nerd, I am so thankful for how many AMAZING books I've read lately.  Reading is my relaxation and retreat each day if I can get both kids to nap at the same time.  It doesn't always happen so sometimes it takes me a bit to finish a book!



This book by Barbara Kingsolver, author of the Poison Wood Bible, was unbelievably good!  Great story, really interesting characters.



This book was so good I didn't want it to end.  I absolutely love everything she writes, but this book had me wondering how people think of these things.  Its a really unusual story and you will never guess how it ends.


Okay, that's all for today.  I'd love to hear any book recommendations you have... I'm coming to the bottom of my stash!