The Way to My Heart- Show and Tell Tuesday

I'm loving a good link up these days, so today I'm linking up with Momfessionals and Mix and Match Family for Show and Tell Tuesday's "The Way to My Heart" edition.

Although I'm almost certain that there a million and one ways to my heart, here a few that came to mind today...

Donuts- God bless the inventor of the donut, more specifically the cake donut with sprinkles. Every once in a while the Hubs will surprise me with donuts from our local shop, By the Dozen, and it makes my heart and belly so happy.

Christmas Movies- Nothing can make me as cozy, content and heart warmed quite like a good, ole cheesy Christmas movie. And if the Hubs will watch them with me without too much groaning over the bad acting, it definitely hits this heart of mine.

Flowers- Some girls pride themselves on proclaiming that "flowers just die, what's the point", but I am here to say that I am not one of those girls. There is nothing better than receiving flowers. They're beautiful, they're proof that God's creation is meant to be enjoyed, and they just make me feel special and thought of.

The Mundane- Some of the best ways to my heart aren't fancy, romantic gestures. They're clean laundry, which the Hubs does 90% of in our home. It's clean dishes and kitchen counters after I've cooked a meal, it's having my coffee graciously made every morning with the right amount of sugar and milk, and it's having the Hubs run random errands with me when I know he'd probably rather do anything else. I remember one of my older co-workers explain how she knew her husband was the one as "if I asked him to crawl around in the backyard and cut the grass with  finger nail clippers with me, well, he probably would because we just love being together. What we're doing isn't that important as long as we're together." That conversation was almost 14 years ago and I can still hear the sincerity and love in her voice.  I knew in that moment that's what I wanted as well.

Do I need romantic sunsets and poetry to sweep my heart away? Nah. Just give me sprinkle donut, my coffee just the way I like it and some silly errands while we laugh our way through Target together and I'm a happy wife and mom.

How about you?

What's Up Wednesday

Today I'm linking up for What's Up Wednesday thanks to Shay over at Mix And Match Family. Hop on over to her page to find lots of fun ladies who are sharing What's Up in their lives this week!

 

 

 

 



What we're eating this week:

 

I finally broke down and gave Blue Apron a try, so for the last few nights we've been at the mercy of the chef elves that put together our meal box. After only a week, I'm sad to say that I have cancelled my subscription. I'm sure this is an awesome program for some, but it just isn't the right fit for our family right now, so although we gave it the ole college try, Blue Apron and I have parted ways.

What I'm reminiscing about:

 

A warm vacation. I'm beyond ready for a break vacation and some of these places of yesteryear are calling my name. There may be a trip to Florida amongst my February, so a girl can dream.

 

 

 

What I'm Loving:

 

Our new playroom! This past weekend we converted our home office "crap catch-all" room into a dedicated playroom and I'm loving the results. Thanks, Pinterest for your organizational inspiration and DIY bench cushion building tutorials! #PinterestWin #Proudmom

 

 

What we've been up to:
 

Staying warm and indoors while also trying to entertain a toddler. I cannot wait for spring when we can let Nash run free in the grass and fresh air!

 

What I'm dreading:
 

A few more months of winter and ice and snow and cold. Seriously, why did I leave the south???

 

What I'm excited about:
 

We have a few weekend trips on the horizon and I'm excited for a change of scenery and quality time with friends and family. Two of my best friends also gifted me a VERY generous United Airways gift card for my birthday, so I'm stoked to cash that puppy in and pack in some serious girl time soon (Thank you R&T!)!

We're headed back to Grizzly Jack's to see family in a few weeks.

 

And I'll back to Charleston in March to see these pretties!

 

 

What I'm Watching/Reading:

 

Watching: Judge if you must, but the Hubs and I are fans of the original Teen Mom cast, so we've been in full Teen Mom OG swing in our home. Two things, friends:

1) I'm going to try to be kind here as that's my mantra for 2016, but Farrah is one of the least kind human beings I've ever seen. The way she disregards human deciency, lacks respect of all others, and her ability to spit venom to EVERYONE makes me physically ill and so very sad. MTV, why is she even allowed to remain on this show?

2) Tyler and Catelynn's wedding was one of the sweetest moments I've witnessed on a reality show. Tyler's vows were the sweetest, most sincere and beautifully written professions of love I've heard at a wedding. Many of us have grown along with them throughout the last 6-7 years, so this wedding felt like a family affair. Sigh.

 

Reading: I love a good read and Elin Hilderbrand is one of my current faves. In December I finished both her Winter Street and Winter Stroll books and am now reading A Beautiful Day. Her characters and scene setting abilities have now added a trip to Nantucket to my bucket list!

 

 

 

What I'm listening to:

 

I'm a huge Pandora fan and am back on my Lionel Richie station addiction, with a little Serial Podcast thrown in the mix. Although season 2 of Serial is not as compelling for me, it's still super interesting to have a closer look into the investigation process.

 

 

What I'm wearing:

 

Layers, winter gear and sweats. Nuff said.

 

What else is new:

 

Tonight kicks off a new book club (aka...wine/book club) and I'm so excited for the five of us to get together and read and laugh and learn in 2016! Who doesn't love a good book and a glass of wine?

 

 

What are you up to?

 



Friday High Fives

We made it, friends! Cheers to a short week thanks to the amazing works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which always falls on the weekend of my birthday. Lucky me.

This week's high-fives were brought to me compliments of:

Aveda Stress-Fix- This cream smells ah-mazing, y'all. I feel like I'm at the spa every time I crack it open and my skin cannot get enough during these ridiculously dry winter months.

The return of my favorite TV shows after the holiday break. I probably watch too much TV once the Munchie goes to bed, but for now, I welcome the mindless entertainment. Judge if you must.

 

Snuggle time with our Munchie in the morning. With the low temps and our living room being a wall of 15ft windows, it's much more cozy for Nash and I to snuggle in our bed while he drinks his bottle. We watch Mickey, cuddle and dream of staying there all day.

 

 

This fellow below, and not because he's handsome, but because I've been digging his music for awhile now. He's a welcomed change of pace from the other country stars I've heard lately.

Give him a listen.

 

 

 

 

 

These beauties brightening up our kitchen for over a week now. If you're local and looking for flowers that last, give Kings Flowers a call! Special shout out to the Hubs, for sending them for my Bday. There's nothing better than a floral delivery, am I right?!

 

 

Welcoming Bessie into our family. I have been waiting patiently for Bessie to circulate back through DecorSteals and when she did, I snagged her up. What's even more fun, you ask? Placing her on the Hub's pillow for a creepy, little surprise:) Side note, friends who don't live in the Midwest will most likely not understand why anyone would anxiously await a cow head décor piece.

#WeLoveCows #FarmhouseChicForTheWin

 

 

Receiving pictures from daycare. These snapshots into Munch's day make me oh so happy. AND how adorable is our baby holding a baby?! I can't even. He just looks so proud and so happy and so handsome. He'll make a great big brother some day, Lord willing.

 

 



Sticker fun when we're prisoners staying warm on a -9 degree day.

Nash is just now starting to sit still long enough for activities like this, so I sneak them in when I can.

#NationalHugDay. Who doesn't love a good hug??!!

Who gives you the best hugs?

Happy Friday, y'all!

How Can It Be

Today is a good day.

The sun is shining.

There's a Midwestern heat wave (y'all, we've crept into the 20's for the first time in days and I can feel my toes again!).

And I'm just going to leave this here for you...



Our wrongs have been righted. Our causes pled. Our chains broken. Our dirty made clean. Our olds made new. We are free.

Today is a good day.

Show & Tell: Momfessionals

Today I'm linking up with Andrea for the January edition of Show & Tell: Momfessionals (aka...mom confessions). I've already read a few of the momfessionals over on Andrea's page and many of them had me laughing and nodding my head in agreement. There's a certain unity in our survival mechanisms of which I am pleased to know I'm not the only one.
United we stand, mommas!

Without further ado...

• I loathe the bedtime routine of changing the diaper, changing into jammies and brushing Nash's teeth. He screams and fights the toothbrush the entire time and by the end of the day, I have zero fight left in me. I do, however, rule the bedtime story, rocking and singing of a lullaby or two. Once in his room, I nail bedtime every night. Everything leading up to that I gladly hand over to his dad. Sorry, Hubs.
• I've recently noticed that I overuse the phrase "I'm going to let you do that" when it comes to changing a rank diaper, brushing of said teeth, putting Nash in his car seat, etc... I'm hoping that if I word it as though I am "gifting" my husband the task opportunity, that it will appear more appealing and super selfless. Let's not ask Tim how he perceives it, OK? 
• There is one act of toddlerhood that cuts right through me and can make me see red on the spot...throwing of food. I truly make an effort to prepare things for dinner that I think Nash will enjoy (that are also nutritious) only to have some of them thrown on our floor, table or even worse, at me. Momfessional alert here>>>>I almost lose my mind if the food hits me. Oh, no you didn't!
• I stay up WAY TOO LATE watching mindless TV or playing on my phone and Facebook simply because I can. No one needs me after 9pm, no one needs anything for that matter, so I can simply just be. Are there more constructive things I could be doing? Duh. But I've been constructive all the live-long day and I'm done. DONE. I just want to be a blob who will pay for it the next morning.
• I still put my 17 month old in his baby swing when I need a break (minus the mobile so don't panic). He's a little peanut so he still fits comfortably and he enjoys the coziness of it while watching a show, so why the heck not milk that thing. I joke that I'll still put him in that thing when he's 7 but secretly I'm not joking. Seriously, do they make them in big kid sizes? Graco, I'm talking to you.

• I'm a proud germaphobe. P.R.O.U.D and I make no apologies. While 9 months pregnant, and already exuding beauty from every angle, I got pink eye and the doc thought it was probably from a grocery cart. Picture being almost 10 months pregnant in the heat of August AND you have a swollen shut, gooey eye. Ain't nobody got time for that. I felt bad that people even had to look at me as I looked freakishly similar to Sloth from the Goonies. I will forever sanitize grocery carts, restaurant tables, my child, etc... If it's not moving, I'll probably sanitize it.

Hang in there fellow mommas! We've got this, secrets and all.

In My 36th Year

For the last few years (read last year's here) I've taken a moment on my birthday to reflect on all that life has taught me over the last 365 days. These are by far some of my favorite posts as they show me that although some days are hard, some days hurt, some days make my sides hurt from belly laughing, the sum of these days and moments show me growth and life and faith and love. This year was no exception.

In my 36th year I learned that the term "new mom" is relative. I'm thinking at this rate, I may always feel "new" in this arena. Seriously, just when I get a stage or phase nailed down, boom, onto the next parental learning curve. I've also learned I'm sick of changing diapers, but that I can't do a darn thing about it.

I've learned that owning three homes with three mortgages is zero fun. Selling two of said homes feels fantastic and makes me want to never buy a home again.  Renting looks pretty darn good to me in the future. I've also learned that not owning a boat whilst living on the river because, ummm, 3 mortgages, is painful. Watching everyone soak in the rays and the breeze on the water while we watch from our deck in 97 degree weather is definitely not as fun. In my 37th year I hope to have learned what it does feel like to be ON the water, but I digress.

I learned that standing before God, our pastor and my family and committing my son and his faith journey to God and the church is a moment I will never forget (even if the pastor called me Bethany the entire time). We cannot make Nash believe, but we can lead him in the right direction and we can show him a God who loves him and ALWAYS has Him in his hands and heart.

I've learned that watching a human grow and develop into a person with a personality is a miracle which unfolds moment by moment and day by day. How lucky are we to have front row seats to this masterpiece? I've also learned that being a boy mom is not for the faint of heart. Seriously, upon birthing a boy, they should give you a helmet and a "get ready for this..." manual. I may or may not have mini heart attacks daily as I try to stop Nash from head diving off of everything.

I've learned that watching those you love battle mental or physical illness can test your faith, but that you have to believe things will get better. They will. I know they will.

I've learned what it feels like to lose your best furry friend and that the realization in that moment brought me to my knees. I heard a part of me cry out from deep inside my soul that the audible sounds startled me. I learned that even 6 months after his passing, I'll still forget Piggy's gone when I run home at lunch or see something at the front door window. There will never be another Piggy. He was irreplaceable and I was the luckiest person to have him love me for so long.

I've learned that although you know your grandparents won't be around forever, their mortality still sneaks up on you. I've learned that the greatest gifts are time and that I never want my loved ones to be alone when they're failing and ailing.

I've learned that being a parent makes you finally understand when your folks used to say "you'll understand when you're a parent." I get it now. Parenting is incredibly hard for a love that comes so easily. It is challenging and energizing and exhausting and exciting and important and silly and it is a gift that isn't promised to all. I've also learned that watching your parents lose their parents is heart wrenching and makes you want to soak in all of the moments with yours while you still have them.

I've learned that goodbyes on this side of earth are not fun, regardless of timing or preparation or warning, but they are not final. This is not our final destination.

I've learned that friendship, both near and far, makes me incredibly grateful. Nothing beats a good friend. Nothing.

And lastly, I've learned that true love takes work and I'm thankful for everyone in my life who works at this crazy stuff with me and alongside of me daily. You all make this journey, and my 36th year, worthwhile. Cheers to 37!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015, You Pretty Much Suck

If I were a cursing woman, this post would probably read much differently, but I shall try and keep it classy. "Sucks" is about as harsh  as I shall go outwardly, while inwardly cursing 2015. 2015, you are dead to me.

This year, my 36th year, has brought many blessings. Do not mistake this post for me being ungrateful for yet another year of life, love, family, accomplishments, good health for the Freiberg 3, and prosperity. God has been so good on so many fronts. We have a roof over our head that is bigger than what we need. We've never gone hungry. We haven't let a single day slip by without being grateful for the beautiful son God has chosen for us. On many fronts, this has been a good year. Thank you, Jesus.

On some other fronts, not so much. Some other fronts simply SUCK. In this 36th year, I've lost and buried my fur-baby and first-born, Piggy. There was no time to prepare for that goodbye and the hurt and shock was crushing. I miss him daily and still forget that he's gone a couple times a month.

I've watched a sweet friend's 5 year old son battle an awful illness while they try to figure out how to live within their new normal that looks nothing like what they had envisioned at this stage in their lives. There is no break for little Walker's body and there are no words for what they must feel every day.

I've watched my mom suffer through a life-altering illness for the last 7 months without being able to do a dang thing to help her. Try as I may, there aren't the right words to alleviate her pain. There's no magic pill to take away her ailments. I want to make it better. I want to make her better. I want to see her full of life again. I am confident she will get better. I'm confident she'll fully regain her footing. It just might not be in 2015. 2016, you've got some work to do. You hear me?

I've seen an incredibly challenging year unfold and fall upon us at work. We've weathered a very public strike and layoffs all within our 50th anniversary year. A year that was meant for celebrations,  felt more like defeat on many fronts.

And as we near the end of 2015, I will saw goodbye to my grandfather. Grandpa Meyers is on his way to be with the Lord, and although we don't know the day or the hour, his leaving is in motion. There is absolutely no good time to lose a loved one, but to lose them at Christmas time stings just a tad bit more. Merry and Bright aint feelin so merry or so bright.

My brother and I have been so abundantly blessed to have him in our lives for as long as we have, and Nash was born on his Great Grandpa Meyers' birthday which makes him even more special. My Grandpa, who called me Brittany Joe Billy Bob throughout my life, will be incredibly missed. His body will find rest and he will be with us in spirit on Christmas day, just as he has been for my last 35 Christmases. It just sucks that "in spirit" will be our reality. Christmas won't be the same this year. It may not feel the same for a long time. Grandpa was always in the best mood on Christmas so we'll all try our best to do the same for him this year.

2015, you have taken two of my loved ones and physically and/or mentally crippled others and I'd just like you to move along, please. Take all of your crap with you and be gone. I'll count my many blessings from your 365, but that's about all the use that I have for you.

You pretty much sucked.

2016, I'm counting on you to rally the troops. Renew us, revive us and Jesus, please redeem us.

My Bae is Cray.

 

What do you do when your 15 month old son is fearless? Like head diving into the floor on purpose fearless? You have mini-heart attacks eeerrrrryyyday, all day. That's what you do.

Whilst pregnant with said cray cray, I read all the blogs about being a "boy mom" and how my life would be covered in missed-the-potty-pee-splatters, dirt and boogers, crotch adjusting and injuries caused by a lack of fear that is somehow woven into boy genes, but none of those bloggers mentioned a dang thing about the injuries and fearlessness happening at 15 months. Somehow my precious little went from crawling to walking to crowd diving in a matter of weeks, which I can assure you is not nearly enough time to prepare this momma's heart. Or mind. Or insurance provider.

What started as a friendly and innocent game of tackle mom and dad if they're laying on the floor has escalated into "I'm just gonna put this throw pillow on the floor and proceed to run and face plant into it repeatedly while belly laughing." Our Munch thinks flying face first into the ground is the coolest thing ever no matter how many times we try to redirect to an activity that is a bit more gentle and parent approved.

Trying to climb off the backside of the couch? Sounds totally fun to him! Trying to fling yourself off the bed? He's game! He. Has. No. Fear. And the forehead bruises to prove it. I tend to joke that his little still forming body will see stitches by his second birthday, but truth be told, it's not funny when I say it. It scares me to the core.

How do you tame a child's sense of independence and fearlessness without squashing their spark and sense of adventure? How do I walk the line of ensuring he's just the right amount of afraid of danger? And more importantly how do I wrap our entire house in bubble wrap in a completely Better Homes and Garden sort of way?

Any and all suggestions and advice are welcome on this one. My son's poor forehead thanks you in advance, as does my heartburn.