Blessings on blessings on blessings.

Remember when I was throwing around the idea of a new camera? I was on the verge of asking for a new DSLR Canon Rebel (which is not completely out of the question) for my birthday, coming this SUNDAY, by the way. I even considered buying it for myself from “my boys”.

I fell in love with the portrait setting on my phone last year and recently found out the newest iPhone has this setting for the front camera as well.

Just boymommin’ …

I’ve been working hard to get caught up with all my paperwork, and I wanted to take a break. I laid down with my son as he was slowly waking from his nap. He said, “Mommy, lay down right here (points to the other side of his body where I can’t physically fit) and close you eyes, scratch my back and go nite nite with me.”

In this moment I’m describing, I feel this overwhelming intensity of LOVE.

This happens to me often but this time I tell myself to actually feel it.

I’m usually behind on something, late for just about anything or have some task to complete. I realized that I’m embarrassed to say, I’m not letting myself TRULY feel those moments. Not like I should anyway.

The more stress I feel, the more tense I am, and I’ve just realized I am snappy with my baby boy.

That baby boy that has no idea how much he is loved. Or how intense that love I feel for him is…

I decided I need to blog about him. He’s my three year old son! My baby boy! The baby that changed my life forever.

He says the sweetest things to me and others, but here are some of my favorite:

“Mom, thank you Mom” (it bothers me sometimes when he says ‘mom’ instead of ‘momma or mommy’ but the cutest thing ever is repeating himself)

“Your turn!” Anytime he wants someone to do anything for him

“I want you mommy” this is a new one and of course I love it

When asked his name, “Ber-key Keg” his name is actually “Berkeley Craig” and I’ll probably cry when he can say it correctly!

I looked at my sweet boy playing independently this morning and I was so proud so I wanted to share a photo even though he fought to play with that deodorant too.

Also some of our weekend with another cabin at the lake so my boys could get some bonding time fishing and look how big our puppy is getting!

Some stories from the past weekend:

Also realized it’s August and now fall is just around the corner! So I’m visualizing some items that prepare me for my absolute FAVE season!

More coming soon…

Xoxo 😘

Amy

Making Memories 💗

I sure hope that if you’re reading this, you had a weekend as enjoyable as mine!

We got to actually get away to a little lakeside cottage resort that we visited about four years ago that’s been completely renovated. Along with our cabin, we reserved a poolside room at the lodge on the property for more family all in effort to celebrate our sweet boy’s third birthday!

A few close friends and family visited for the weekend, and we got to enjoy a huge pool, newly added splash pad and of course activities for the kids – all with a beautiful view of and access to the lake!

We had cake and snacks, my grill master was busy all weekend cooking hot dogs, brats and the goodies we all expect. But by far, the best part of the experience is how much fun our little boy had! He was showered with tons of gifts and had the most amazing time riding his brand new bike through the water fountains for hours while we all got to relax comfortably! This in itself is a huge relief as it makes it to at least 100 degree heat and almost 100% humidity during July, here in the mid-south.

I posted my fave photos on Instagram so of course I’ll share with my awesome readers too! And stay tuned for a blog I’ve been working to complete, inspired by the weekend topics of deep discussion after the kids went to bed. My favorite kind of discussion: NO children involved!

Xoxo

Mommy’s baby…

Is TURNING THREE!!!

It’s so bittersweet.

I have a very special bond with him that I’m sure other parents know and feel with their children. I was so lost when God gave me my son. I told my little boy yesterday (I realize that his understanding of this information is limited) that mommy and daddy prayed for him before he was born. Right when God had brought me to the point that I was ready, boom! I found out he was growing inside me!

The rest is history!

I’ve never in my life felt more complete, truly happy and full of deep love. There’s nothing like the feelings that come with parenthood. I can’t even describe how thankful I feel daily. Each time I find myself upset about anything at all, I’m reminded of how amazing life is because of my baby boy.

I hope he feels extra special this year! I’ve never worked close enough to his daycare to run over mid-day to surprise him. I’m going to shower him with lots of love and attention in the morning, bring cupcakes to his class, then the whole family will be at the lake in a cabin for the weekend to celebrate! We’ve got lots of exciting details planned for our big 3 year old!

I’ll be posting lots of photos, I promise!

Xoxo

Amy

Life is good.

I’ve had to make my site private on different occasions in the past two weeks. I appreciate those that are understanding and still reading. As a mom, my first priority is to protect my family. I’ve learned I can maintain my own transparency as long as it only positively impacts my personal life and never causes harm to my children.

It seems I’ve finally found my rhythm-I’m able to maintain my own autonomy by having simple limits that were necessary. I’ve found that it’s possible to be completely open and honest as a blogger, even to show readers vulnerability, without disclosing personal details of those I care about in my life.

I really never read any blogs prior to starting my own. I had seen some that focused on entertainment, but I’ve only just now been introduced to the trend of “lifestyle blogging”. Believe it or not, I saw a SAHM blog I’d enjoyed but didn’t completely relate. That’s the extent of my blog knowledge!

Then one day I saw what seemed to be an opinionated post shared on Facebook written as a letter to “non-custodial parents”. I was genuinely infuriated. If I’m going to be completely honest, my infuriation grew exponentially when I realized it was shared from a blog of a — wait for it, licensed therapist.

First of all the blog was extremely judgmental and I didn’t understand how someone with the same credentials could be so blatantly ignorant to assume that they have a right to that opinion then to go a step further and speak on behalf of custodial parents as if they’re expected to take absolutely zero responsibility for the failure of the co-parenting relationship.

It was absurd!! This was written by a professional! One who like me, has to hold herself to a higher standard than others and model compassion, empathy and unconditional positive regard–oh, yes, you recognize those words – as our basic principles of counseling and psychotherapy!

I decided first of all, let’s be honest-she was NOT writing to “non-custodial parents”, she was clearly addressing fathers. Deadbeat dads. And most importantly, she was using a platform under the premise of “all” when it was painfully obvious there was a very significant ONE to whom she was speaking directly.

Obviously if someone that doesn’t consider how each parent has individual circumstances she doesn’t know, or care to understand, can put such a dangerous opinion out, why couldn’t I try to enhance my field by blogging? Maybe use my passion for my career and my God-given purpose as a mother combined to create something others could relate to… in POSITIVE way.

So instead of these superficial style blogs that ultimately are only advertisements for clothes, I would explore a way to show my perspective of the truth. The struggle! The blessings and the rewards.

I’m able to share my experiences, process my thoughts and feelings about anything I believe is necessary, even verbalize my goals – and admit my defeat or identify my own flaws to create accountability for myself. This can all be done separately from the people I love. This is not a family blog, it’s MY blog. That seems to be the confusing part. This is only about my perspective as a mother, wife and therapist. The only things that truly matter to me!

All of that to say, I have had some pretty intense struggles in the past two weeks and like everything else, things have finally found a way of getting better. I’m reminded daily of how blessed I am! Now it’s time to focus on the future and I have to admit, my life is pretty damn good (even with the bad).

Xoxo