In college I never turned down a good theme party, so you can imagine how I welcome the chance to get festive for the 4th with open arms. It’s the easiest way to salute the flag loud and proud! These are 3 casual looks to celebrate Independence Day, that you can repeat throughout the summer. I’m all about versatility and building a smarter closet:)
Considering lawn games, fireworks, and cookouts are usually in the line up, casual ideas just make more sense. I can’t get over how extremely soft this dress is (non maternity but works for both!), and in the Atlanta heat, the only thing I want to wear these days are cotton dresses or expandable waistlines.
Do you get festive from for the fourth? It might take minor restraint for me not to dress up my little ones like the star spangled banner. Hold me back!
Fourth of July Iced Tea Floats….Exclamation point, exclamation point.
I use this punctuation sparingly, but almost always when involving really good food. 😉
These were accidentally discovered this week when Gabe and I were discussing good 4th of July drink/dessert options. He had just made a batch of his hibiscus iced tea that I demanded he make for his pregnant wife 😉 and I was about to dive into my 5th popsicle of the day. It just made sense to make it the ice cube and sweeten it with a good dollop of ice cream. Below is the full recipe.
I am all about a good throw down for friends and family’s birthdays, but would usually rather avoid my own. We could probably go into that topic for a good minute, but we’ll skip. 😉 However this year, I decided it was time to just get over it, and really CELEBRATE! To celebrate the many milestones this year has brought, the life lessons I have learned, and every single day I was given to LIVE.
So I put on that yellow number, and after a really good day with my children, Gabe surprised me with a backyard hammock (eek!) and an evening out doing some of our favorite things. He’s a good egg. My best birthday gift though? A handmade card from my son Gabriel which said, “My favorite thing about my mom is that she likes to spend time with me.” Well…..heart puddle. A whole year of pouring yourself out for these little ones, and it all comes together in just one line.
Looking forward to the year ahead with much hope that there to what will be lived and learned.
I make goals on my birthday every year June 22nd. It’s a good half way mark on the calendar that usually has me itching for change in one way or another. This year my goal didn’t come to mind till yesterday.
For so long I have waited for time to show up for me.
Waiting for the chance to read a book from cover to cover in less than a year.
Waiting to print those pictures from three years ago.
Waiting for just the right mix of circumstances to take that trip to Spain.
Waiting for the day I can spend an uninterrupted week with my children without having to worry about my inbox.
Waiting to have that extra ten minutes to pray.
Waiting for more time to be a better friend and make that phone call I know might take an hour.
Waiting to make that visit to the relative who lives many states away.
Why do we believe when time is scarce, that suddenly it will show up for us and be sitting on our laps? For the first time yesterday, I was reading my daily devotional in the morning and got struck hard with one single line.
“Learn to master time, or it will be your master.”
There it was. My birthday resolution. Suddenly I was writing down so many ways in which I waste time, am a slave to time, and what I allow to eat up my time. I want to back the reigns and choose where I plant my time this year. If anything, I have learned as my babies grow before my eyes that it surely won’t be slowing down any time soon. It will continue to steal the most important moments of my life and the greatest opportunities if I don’t take the lead. I think God is the giver of time and the one who holds the past, present, and future. He gives us the potential of time to our own hands if I so choose it.
This summer, Max has eagerly woken me up every morning to announce the sun is up, and it is morning time. It’s an immediate invitation to welcome the day instead of my natural inclination to pull over the covers and ask for more sleep. I am so thankful for these little light bearers that continually invite me to be more selfless and more focused with my life, so that I can in turn do the same for them. I’m looking forward to this year more than ever before. So much life to live!
*Signed Veronica up for her first ballet camp, and she has been wearing her little tutu every morning in preparation. Gabe took this picture of her and I this morning:)
As much as we try to avoid them, I don’t think my family will ever be able to fully cut out carbs…mainly because of things like WAFFLES! However, I think major food companies are starting to catch on that America is ready for healthy lifestyle changes, and I have found that most grocery stores now offer health food sections and ingredient alternatives! When we give into waffles or pancakes, I usually have a sprouted grain, almond flour, or coconut flour base mix to use. Here are a bunch of ingredients we mix and matched for a whole ingredient waffle bar! Everyone who partook had full bellies after two waffles, and my youngest boys were licking their plates. The ingredients are all either energy boosting, high in healthy fats and omegas, or rich in nutrients. A few combinations below!
Whole Ingredient Waffle Bar:
Chia Seeds
Raw Maple Syrup or Agave
Greek Yogurt
Almond Butter
Hazlenut Spread (You can make your own! I got my recipe from The Plantiful Table, but we totally cave on Nutella from time to time.)
Walnuts
Dark Chocolate Chips
Shredded Coconut (Unsweet)
Blueberries
Strawberries
Bananas
We moved in our new home Memorial Day weekend, and the start of summer had us all outdoors more than indoors in the week that followed. We have a double deck that needs some re-finishing done, but I’ve learned to make the most of what you already have or a year can escape you without ever using the space.
I shared the budget friendly way we created this patio space over on Domino Magazine. I hope it gives you some resources and ideas of how to do the same for your own space!
Have a rest filled Father’s Day weekend, and may there be a plethora of good food and family involved!
I commissioned my talented, younger, cooler sister to drum up some free desktop downloads to fancy up your tech devices! Now, I kind of want all of these in wallpaper format for a room in my home;)
We hope you enjoy! Download below, for personal use only: VIEW FULL POST
