BABY TIME!!

First off, thank y’all SO MUCH for recommending so many awesome products when I asked for suggestion in IG stories for my sister in law! This will be my first (blood) niece/ nephew and I am beyond excited! My youngest brother’s wife is expecting and I am unloading all of our gently used items on Paige but pretty clueless as what the “hottest” baby items are right now. All of Vivi’s things were way old!

Please note: Since these were all items recommended by Y’ALL here in this community, I do not have experience with all of them. However, if I included it in this post, just know that it was suggested multiple times!

Have fun shopping for those sweet babies! New moms: please know that babies actually need very little! I promise… you don’t need all of these items! Babies need food, kisses, snuggles, a bed, diapers and wipes… everything else is really just a convenience to us moms! Please don’t stress about having ALL THE THINGS! That baby doesn’t know what she’s sleeping in.

Ok, I’m done. Just had to say that.

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Also- Kiwi Co lovers! For those who have asked about the Kiwi boxes for babies (Panda Crates) it’s normally not part of their discount promo but I begged for it to be included at least for a short amount of time and they did it! Code REDHEAD at checkout gets you 30% off your first month! Y’all know we LOVE love love our monthly Kiwi Co boxes activity boxes, especially now while we have lots and lots and lots of at home time!

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Another great baby product that I own and have shared on stories is the Hatch Baby sound machine. This sound machine also has the okay to wake light that turns green when it’s okay for your kid to leave their bed! You can have multiple programs (sound machines) set at the same time, they have been a game changer for us!

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Bassinets

Halo Bassinet | Snoo Bassinet | Simmons Bassinet (cost effective) | Gaetan Bassinet (cost effective)

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Strollers

Doona stroller | Uppa Vista Stroller | Chico Travel System (cost effective) | Baby Jogger City Stroller (cost effective) | Mockingbird Stroller | Bugaboo chameleon | Quinny Stroller (good for trails) | BOB Stroller

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Play Pens

4moms Packnplay | Portable Play Pen (cost effective) | 6 Panel Play Pen (cost effective)

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Carriers

Ergobaby carrier | BABYBJORN Carrier (cost effective) | Solly Baby Wrap | Sakura Bloom Scout | Wildbird Ring Sling

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High Chairs

The high chair I currently use! | Oribel High Chair | Cosco High Chair (cost effective) | JOOVY Nook High Chair (cost effective)

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Cribs

Lotus Travel Crib | Newton Mattress | White Crib | Grey Blue Crib | Wood Convertible Crib

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Swings

4moms Mamaroo | Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Swing | Infant to Toddler Rocker | Fisher-Price Cradle and Swing

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Other Highly Recommended Products!

Formula Mixer | Bottle Sanitizer | DockATot | My Breast Friend Pillow | Comotomo Bottles | Nose Frida | SnuggleMe Lounger | Owlet Monitor | OXO Wipe Dispenser | Boppy Pillow | Bumbo | Door Bouncer | The activity jumper I have!

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Hope this post helps just a little! Whether you’re making your baby registry, shopping for someone else, or just need new gear for a second, third, or fourth child, I tried to keep all of you in mind!

Have a great week, friends! God bless you and your sweet babes!

I was about to start this off by saying, “Hope y’all are enjoying this second weekend of Quarantine!”, but I honestly can’t remember if it’s the second or third week! I’m sure most of you can relate when I say that my concept of time or what day it has completely gone to poop. Regardless, I hope y’all are finding ways to enjoy this slower time with your family.

When I mentioned our new family schedule, a mention didn’t seem to be good enough since about every third DM on Instagram was but can we see the schedule? I want to see it, please! So, below I dropped in our “new normal” schedule. While I know that this has become a slower paced life for a lot of people, our life is pretty much the exact same since we both worked from home prior to this pandemic. So, Mike and I are super lucky to continue business as usual with both of our jobs but without any childcare for our three young kids – which makes things basically impossible for us!

Last Wednesday night a schedule was born.

We’ve followed this schedule for a whoppin’ two days (we aren’t following the schedule on weekends except snacks and quiet time stay the same) and I must say, it’s helped tremendously. Like, instantly made life easier for all of us. It’s very nice to not have to ask each other if we can go do a task, which is what was happening pre-schedule. Mike and I were kind of bumping heads a bit throughout the day because both of us had to get stuff done and trying to explain to the other why our task was important. With the schedule in place all of that is gone, we know what is happening, when it’s happening, and who is in charge of which meal and which snack. Basically, if it falls within your non-working time block- you make the meal!

So, in case it’s not clear, we flip flop who makes breakfast, Mike makes morning snack and lunch for the kids since those fall in the middle of my work block, and I have afternoon snack and dinner while Mike works.

The best part?… my kids don’t ask for snacks unless it’s 10:30 or 3:30. ISN’T THAT AMAZING?! They stopped asking as soon as they realized that they are for sure getting their two snacks, it’s like seeing it written out helped assured them that it’s coming and they stopped worrying about it.

Snack Basket: We don’t do this but wanted to throw the idea out since it was recommended by a few of y’all. I saw it going horribly wrong for my kids, but the concept is that you have a basket and fill it with the kids snacks for the day. They can help themselves to any snacks at any time but when they are out they are done for the day. I see this working beautifully for kids who are a little older than mine but Von would eat all of his in four minutes and then be ticked the entire day that he has no more snacks and Berkley would hoard hers, never eat them, and be super cranky. I already know that it would be a dismal failure and I don’t have time to “train” them or work through low blood sugar meltdowns, lol!

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Next up- Online learning resources for children. I’ve listed some of our personal favorites as well as included some of the things y’all recommended in stories! Thanks so much for all of your suggestions as we are always looking for new entertainment ourselves!

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Minno TV: Starting with this first because it doesn’t really fit into a category since it’s a streaming service. It used to be JellyTelly but it’s a channel with only Christian tv shows for kids! Basically a curated YouTube channel but with all different shows that are all Christian based, Veggie Tales etc. My kids love this channel and I love that I can throw it on and walk away because I know it is ALL Mom approved. They are offering a one week free trial.

YouTube:

Kids Learning Tube: Von’s go-to for memorizing Geography

Homeschool Pop

Cosmic Yoga

Lunch Doodles with Mo

SciShow

Rock n Learn: Spanish, sight words, letters, all things!

National Geographic Kids

Ted-Ed

Crash Course

Free School

It’s OK to be smart: Science videos

Peekaboo Kidz

MinutePhysics

Mike Likes Science

TVOKids

GoNoodle

Art for Kids Hub

Cincinnati Zoo is doing home safari videos each day introducing certain animals and facts

Liberty Kids: History videos (animated)

Mystery Doug: Short five minute videos for elementary age kiddos

Crash Course Kids: Science videos

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Netflix:

Brain Games (A Von favorite)

Magic School Bus (my kids also dig this old classic)

Story Bots (Dancing)

Word Party: For younger kiddos!

The Who Was? Show: Von loves this but I would say that this is for kids who are a little older, maybe 8+? The show is funny sketches and skits about historical figures.

If I were an Animal

Dream Big

Brainchild (I haven’t watched an entire episode of this series yet but I did start the one episode called social media and I feel like this is more for older kiddos… but maybe I’m just a little more conservative. I didn’t love some of the things they were saying, “OH MY GOD” just annoying over dramatic slang that my son would 100% copy (lol) . BUT I started a few others just to see if they were all like that and they weren’t! I loved them! Will be showing this series to Von and just skipping the social media episode.)

Bill Nye the Science Guy (Another Von Favorite)

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PrimeVideo:

OddSquad (A Von Favorite)

Creative Galaxy

Bookaboo

TumbleLeaf

Annedroids

Wild About Animals

Two Worlds

Wild America

Ocean Mysteries

Super Structures of the World

The Science of Secrecy

Children Of The World Series

DrawMe A Story Series

Animal Encyclopedia

They also have “learn spanish” videos for kids!

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PBS Kids:

Sid the Science Kid

Cyberchase

SuperWhy

Molly of Denali

Zoboomafo

Ready Jet Go!

Reading Rainbow

Wild Kratts

Peg + Kat

Also streams Odd Squad

Word World

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Online resources for homeschooling:

Learn with Homer App that helps teach all things reading! (Click through this link to get a free month trail)

Kahn Academy (Free for all grade levels!)

BrainPop (Free/ Offering a free for 30 days trial)

Beast Academy (Online math programs but not free)

Scholastic (FREE!)

ABC Mouse (Currently offering annual subscription for half price)

Adventure Kids: Same creators of ABC mouse but for older children (Offering first month FREE)

Teachers Pay Teachers (for printable worksheets and activities, some are free)

123homeschool4me.com (free printables!)

Chess.com For people who want to play chess

Prodigymath.com (Not free, about $5 a month)

PBSKids : This is more of a just for fun games website but I feel like it’s very G and kid friendly!

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If you click HERE it will take you to the HOMESCHOOL page here on my website where all of my blog posts with educational toys, games, and resources are saved and easy to find and shop!

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Thanks to all who sent in some suggestions! Hope this list brings your kids so new entertainment! Stay safe, everyone!

I feel like this is another post that is long overdue, but NEVERTHELESS, it’s done! Here are all of my girly things all linked up in one spot, never to disappear! I only linked the things that I am currently using on the regular so you don’t have to sift through 1 million links/products!

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My Skin Care Favorites!

| Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask | Tatcha The Deep Cleanse | Brighten and Protect Kit | Tatcha The Silk Cream | Tatcha Bright Eye & Lip Collection | Tatcha Serum Stick | Tatcha The Essence Skin Softener | Tatcha Dewy Skin Concentrate | Tatcha Violet C Mask | Ageless Face and Eye Kit | Tatcha Neck Cream | Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas | ANY QVC PRODUCTS TRY CODE WELCOME FOR $10 OFF!

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My Face Necessities.

Tarte Clay Play Eye & Cheek Palette | Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas | Tarte Glow Wand and Shape Tape Duo | Maneater Mascara | Kush Mascara | Jaclyn Hill Palette |Busy Gal Gloss in Coffee Break | H2O Gloss in Villa | Naked Reloaded Palette | Busy Gal Brows | Butter Bronzer | ABH Soft Glam Palette | It Cosmetics Foundation with Brush |

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My Mane Maintenance! All my hurrrrr goodies!

Dry Shampoo | Detangler | Hair Clips | Hair Mask | Straightener | Curling Iron | Pumpkin Seed Oil | Leave-In Conditioner | Blow Dryer | Conditioner | Shampoo

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Tarte Lips & Lashes! Use Code 15OFF for 15% off!

Villa Lip Gloss | Coffee Break Lip Gloss | Pink Sands Lipstick | Jam Lip Duo | Lights Camera Lashes Mascara | Maneater Mascara| Big Ego Mascara | Tarteist Lashes |

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QVC Tarte Sets!

Triple Gift Set | Glow Wand + Concealer Set + Sponge Set | Concealer + Mascara + Sponge Set | Multiple Palette Set |

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Tarte Favs! Use Code 15OFF for 15% off!

Concealer Brush | Moisturizer | Priming Balm | Base Tape Primer | Pressed Powder | Setting Powder | Face Tape Foundation | Eye Priming Stick | Powder Brush | Shaper Sponge | Shape Tape Concealer | Setting Spray | Glow Wand |

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Amazon Beauty Favs!

These can be found HERE in my Amazon Beauty List!

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Nails!

Y’all know I’m a sucker for the press on nails but I used the Essie Gel Couture polish for a couple of years before I used the press-ons. It’s great! It also is the best for little girls’ nails because it stays on really well I linked the nail stickers because they are a staple in Berkley’s beauty regimen

Nails Stickers that are great for doing kids nails!

imPress Nails Light Pink

imPress Nails Black

Essie Gel Top Coat

Essie Gel Nail Polish in the Shades:

-Rock The Runway

-Pinned Up

-Model Clicks

-Flashed

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First things first – I’m pro public school.

I went to public school, my husband who is a West Point grad went to public school, I’ve always been pro public schools.

I never wanted to homeschool. In fact, as a know-it-all teenager I said some pretty crappy things about homeschoolers, like, “Why would anyone homeschool their child? They can’t shelter them from the real world! They are a little different.“

*pausing one sec so I can finish eating all of my words.*

I think you get that this wasn’t ever on my radar nor did I even know this kind of education existed until I started diving into the homeschool community for a reason that will be explained further into the post.

So here we go with all the explanations….

Disclosure: I am not a University Model/ Homeschool expert. I am simply sharing information and opinions from my own personal experiences. Basically, don’t come at me if you don’t agree, Sharon. ? Many thanks

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What is University Model Schooling?

Not all “UM” schools are exactly the same but they are a hybrid education. Some send their kids to the private school three days a week while others send them to school only two days a week. Just depends on the school they attend. The other days are homeschool days where a parent is in charge of teaching. It’s basically college-style education taught from Kindergarten. “A days” and “B days” – different schedules. They are taught the lessons by their teacher on “A day” then at home doing assignments that correlate with those lessons on “B day” with Mom or Dad checking work or teaching as well. It’s basically college, hence the name “University”.

At least this is how our school is structured.

What curriculum do you use?

Again, this depends on the school. Our school picks the curriculum, tells us what we need to purchase on our school supplies list every year (some subjects are provided, just depends on the grade), and then we buy it and show up to Meet the Teacher with it all in hand ready to go!

A lot of moms say, “I could never do UM schooling because I wouldn’t know what to teach my kids!” but at our school they have it structured where the teacher sends home the work that needs to be done from their in-school curriculum. It’s fool proof. You’re there to help assist, answer questions, and be the “homework checker”. You don’t have to do any extra planning if you don’t want to!

However, I do choose to add in my own curriculum. Which brings us to our next question….

Why did you choose to do University Model Schooling?

Number one question I get on all socials, and I totally get the curiosity!

Long story cut very short- My son has been blessed with an Eidetic memory. Almost a photographic memory, from what we can tell. He can see things 1-2 times and it’s locked in his brain for what seems like forever. Can you imagine how amazing this would be? No more forgotten grocery items... *sigh.

He started reading sight words at 2.5 years old. He could read sight words before he could form verbal sentences. I have a video of me laying out sight word flash cards and asking Von, “Which one says can?” and he’d point to the card that said CAN and I’d say, “say CAN” and he’d repeat it back sounding like a caveman. It made zero sense to me how he could read before he could speak well. It’s because he’d hear me say the word and simply memorize it.

Von at age three would toddle into the kitchen first thing in the morning and ask me what the climate of Africa was. So we started there. We started learning about Geography. He was obsessed. By the time he turned four he had memorized the entire globe, each country by its shape. He could also tell you a lot of their populations. That’s when he started collecting and reading encyclopedias on every topic you can think of.

Age five was the year of memorizing the periodic table (took him three days) and multiplication…. you catch my drift. Sending him to kindergarten to learn sight words and practice letter sounds seemed crazy… and honestly, just not the right choice for him at that moment.

I chose UM schooling, I say I because I had to talk my husband into the idea for a few weeks before he was on board ;), because he could go to school, have a teacher who was someone other than me, learn classroom rules, eat lunch in a cafeteria with friends, get invited to birthday parties, etc etc all while having a couple days at home where I could give him material to keep him learning at his educational level. Von is all across the board when it comes what “grade” he’s in. We are starting a third/fourth grade history curriculum this year, he’s in between a sixth to seventh grade level in geography ?, math he’s around third/fourth grade, reading around middle school level, where as with handwriting he needs a little extra help! The boy hates writing. But that’s what is so cool about this set up, we can totally do it this way! Bonus- I’m not worried about if I’m missing something (teaching wise) because I know that he’s getting all of what he needs at his state recognized level in his first grade classroom, if that makes sense.

…. and if we’re keeping it 100%, homeschooling two days a week sounded a heck of a lot better than homeschooling five days a week!

It just seemed like the best of both worlds and what he needed at this point, which leads me to….

Will you do UM schooling forever?

Honestly, probably not. It’s great for him and what he needs right now but since it is a smaller school he may need better opportunities later in life that a large school district would be able to offer him. We fortunately live in one of the top school districts in the state so our public schools are amazing and have some pretty impressive high school programs. Engineering, robotics, pre-med, an awesome theater program (because we don’t know what the kid will do!) all of these are offered in our public school district and if he has interest in those programs and we feel like he needs more then of course we will change course. If only we could see into the future, right?

Is it Christianity based?

Ours is, yes. Which is another aspect that we love. While it wasn’t the main reason, educational reasons first brought me to the idea as stated above, now that we have been in it and done it for a year this aspect of the school is SO beneficial. I have teachers that not only teach my kids math that I royally suck at, but also teach them with how to treat people kindly, choose love, respect and obey your parents (can I get an AMEN?!), and tell them how much God loves them every day for who they are…. I mean, how is that anything but amazing for little kiddos? I love that our faith is being brought into the education especially in these young formative years. I feel like it’s a great “base” to grow off of. Of course this is just my opinion!

Do you pay tuition?

Yes, just like you would at any private school except our school costs less since they are only going a few days out of the week.

Can anyone go to a UM school?

Of course! However, our school does have a mildly intense application process- student interview, student placement test (to make sure they are on par with their grade level), and then a family interview. It’s basically like applying to college. But again, every school is different!

Does your school do state standardized testing?

No, but they do have quizzes and tests throughout the year. I personally am a big supporter of this because I believe that test taking is a skill set that needs to be practiced for college prep. At the end of the year the students do have a day of testing that is part written and part verbal with a teacher that confirms that they comprehended what they covered in their curriculum and are ready for the next grade. It has nothing to do with the state.

Do they have sports and extra curriculars?

Ours does! But again, that depends on the school and how many students they have attending. We also do extra curriculars on homeschool days which is a HUGE perk! No 6 pm dance/gymnastic classes that are packed and chaotic, we do them all during the day! It’s so nice! This year both kids are taking piano lessons as well as dance again for Berkley and a coding class for Von all on homeschool days. Von is also doing flag football but those practices are at night since he’s playing in a city league. He also does soccer camps at his school… we stay busy to say the least.

Do they have attendance rules?

So, this is the best perk of them all…. our school really fosters family time and vacations. We get something like 18 non-excused absences and then “family emergency days” as well. Needless to say, the families at our school travel quite a bit. It’s very common to have kids gone every once in a while on Fridays because their family left for Disney World or Grandma’s house on Wednesday after school. I’ve seen families keep their kids at home for a week because they had a new baby and they want that family bonding time. The reasons vary, but as long as you complete the work that you missed our school does a pretty good job letting the parents decide if their kids are in a good place to miss a few days here and there. What I appreciate most of all is that when kids are sick they typically stay home because the parents don’t feel like they HAVE to go or they’ll be dragged to court for having too many absences. That is life changing, lol! Traveling is something we plan to do more of once Vivi is just a few months older because we don’t know how long we will have this kind of freedom. It really is a blessing!

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So, that’s it! That’s University Model Schooling, from our experience, in a very tiny, blog post form, nutshell! This is what we choose to do at this point in our lives and we take it year by year never knowing what we will do the next year because things may change. It’s definitely not for everyone but it’s been a really cool opportunity for our family. It’s put my mind at ease about our son’s academic needs as well as given me some extra time with my babies since they are home more often than if they were in public school.

I don’t think I’ll ever look back and be like, DANG! I spent too much time with my kids! What was I thinking?! ? So, if anything I am hanging on to that thought and trying to soak up these moments that seem to be flying by.

I feel like I should also say that I love teaching. Like, I LOVE it. Don’t get me wrong, some days are hard and not very enjoyable, but overall it has been such a learning and growing opportunity for myself. I’m a “creative” by nature so I love researching fun topics to teach and putting together unit studies for the year!

The last thing I want to leave you with is a reminder that people do this type of schooling for different reasons. Some are educational reasons like us, others love the Christian private school aspect, some families just want more family time, others have parents working unconventional jobs which have them traveling often so the homeschool days give them time with their parents in between business trips… I’ve heard so many reasons as to why people choose this. I can assure you that it’s not because the outside world is scary and dangerous for our children, which is what my, at the time, ignorant self would have been thinking a few years ago.

At the end of the day don’t we all just want to do what we feel is best for our kiddos?

I hope this article was insightful and explained a few things! If not, then I’m sorry you wasted minutes of your life reading to this point.

.…you’ll never get those minutes back and for that, I apologize.

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If you’re interested in reading more about this topic please check out my friend’s blog post where she shares her perspective on a similar type of schooling! Erin (@Cottonstem) and I met through Instagram while mainly focusing on our home décor accounts and have recently learned that we have both chosen to do this type of education!

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Feel free to share this post if you feel inclined to do so, that’s why it’s here! ?

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Like YouTube? I have a large homeschool/ educational toys haul video (updated one coming soon!) As well as a few posts linking tons of educational games, toys, and tools listed below!

Educational Toys That Keep My Kids Busy

Best Amazon Educational Toys for Preschoolers

Coolest Educational Toys that Your Kids Will Want For Christmas

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Thank you all for being patient while I try to fix technical issues (that still aren’t entirely fixed…) Time for our gender reveal!

If you missed our big bonus baby announcement, you can read it HERE.

IT’S A…….

………….

………….

………….

………….

GIRL!

We are SO pumped about having another “sister child”! I don’t know how the roof won’t blow off the top of this house with more attitude crammed within these walls but we are excited! Three girls versus two men… and just like that, the ladies have taken ovaaaaaaaa.
Not that we needed a higher head count to dominate, but as the saying goes, there is strength in numbers

We told the kids about sweet chicken nugget (I call my kids chickens, something my sister in law started saying and for some reason it won’t leave my head now, so naturally this unborn babe is our chicken nugget) and while Berkley was elated about more pink being added to the household, Von cried very loud tears over his celebratory cupcake. He felt like he was robbed of a brother and told us that he would only call the new baby his brother forever. He was in complete denial. And pissed.

However, about ten minutes later his attitude changed once he found out that he was forever going to be the only “man” and “protector” of the Todryk clan. He now takes having TWO sisters very seriously and can’t wait for someone to bully them so he will have permission to push them (lol). Von is not an aggressive child by any means so we shall see if he ever pushes anyone when put up to the test. For now, he likes to feel big and bad just like a big brother should.

Names.

We have one but Mike isn’t 100% sold on it yet so I just have to keep working on him. We will be announcing that closer to birth time.

As far as my birth plan goes…

I’ve had a natural birth that almost took place in the passengers side of my husband’s Jeep Grand Cherokee and I’ve had a birth with a beautiful thing called an epidural.

With this birth I shall be camped out in a hotel across from the hospital for the last month of pregnancy and I will be demanding all drugs.

The one time you need to be saying yes to drugs, ladies, is while pushing a human out of your lady bits.

Trust me.

Until the next time this Redhead rambles.

If you haven’t subscribed to my blog yet to get all new posts emailed directly to you, then you should! Subscribe here!

I’ve been waiting for a long time for this moment! The moment where I can explain why I’ve been MIA from Instagram, flaky on my live broadcasts and just overall missing from blog-life…

We’ve got a “Bonus Babe” in the oven. y’all!

That’s right, I’m preggers! We’ve done it again. Literally. One time. (Use this story as an example for your hormonal teens.)

Proof that it only takes one time coming this OCTOBER! We are so pumped for our BONUS BABY! (Because “ooops” or “surprise baby” sounds way too honest.)

Yes, we all are EXCITED! The day I found out the news, however, well… let’s just say I didn’t know I was excited yet. There were no tears, no fits of anger, of course… but I just kind of wanted to ignore it until my brain had time to process what was about to happen to our lives. You know, like everything changing and just the simple fact that we were about to add another human ball of stress and needs into this already very loud family.

But once I slept on it my maternal instincts were in full swing and I woke up pumped to meet this baby!

I’m 15 weeks along as of today! I kept this secret for sooooooo long, you guys. I’m actually proud of myself. (Hold up, let me dust off my shoulder real quick…)

If you wish to keep up with the progress and recieve all new posts via email, be sure to SUBSCRIBE HERE!*

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In more serious news….

If you have been following my live broadcasts regularly, you are familiar with my “hormonal journey” (sounds dramatic) that I’ve been on this past year. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos last summer, I’ve always struggled with hypothyroidism and I have been in an awesome place the last few months since I started getting a pellet of Testosterone inserted into my butt cheek (you’re so freaking welcome for that fun mental image you just got from that descriptive sentence). I have felt SO GOOD. My energy is amazing and all of my hormones are leveling out for the most part.

Crazy thing- I didn’t even have to take progesterone pills with this pregnancy like I had with my last two pregnancies in order to keep my unborn kiddos alive and kicking.

I miscarried my first pregnancy back in 2012 and my current OBGYN found that my progesterone was critically low, which is the hormone that keeps the baby alive until the placenta can take over and do it’s job. (Read A letter to the child I never met here.) I really do feel like I was spared another miscarriage because of her, considering that the OBGYN I had been seeing during the miscarriage didn’t want to check my hormones until I miscarried three times. INSANE. I still shake my head at that man.

With all of this being said, I would love for my fellow Christians to add my sweet “chicken nugget” to their prayer list if at all possible. I have had to see a high risk doctor due to my elevated testosterone level. What was a blessing in my overall well being is considered too high for a baby, from what we are being told, nothing too serious can come from it but the fact that any doctor feels the need for more opinions, sonograms and blood work never sits well with a pregnant Mama Bear… amiright?!

God is in control and I mean it when I say that I am not worried. I have a strange but comforting peace about it. I feel like my Mom put it best when she told me, “We know too much for our own good these days because of technology. We would have NEVER known if our Testosterone level was too high when I was pregnant!”

And I’m clinging to that mentality. It’s great that we have the info but nothing can be done about it anyways, we can’t remove the teeny tiny pellet and my T-level keeps dropping (as the pellet absorbs into my system) so I pray and ask for any extra prayers along the way I have been blessed with two beautiful children and I have no doubt that this peanut will fit in perfectly!

Just wanted to give you all the details since I sure it will be mentioned in my live broadcasts from time to time! You are now up to speed!

If you have read up to this point I just want to say that you are amazing. I appreciate your support and continued involvement in this community that we have made here on this small thing called the internet. There are many reasons that I keep this blog alive and if you weren’t here reading and watching there would be no reason to write my rambles. I feel like I can now say that this blog has changed my life and it not sound dramatic… because it really has changed my life and given me with so many cool opportunities that I would have never had otherwise.

I honestly love being able to share all of these crazy life-surprises with you!

And now you’ll never hear from me again because I’m going to have three children.

Nice knowin’ ya.

Until the next time this redhead rambles. 

*Funny story-

I posted this picture on my personal FB account last week and only one person caught what my shirt said in the background… good eye, girl!

Berkley in her beloved Frozen dress. She wears it everyday.

So here was my dilemma… I wanted black windows but didn’t really want to pay for new windows since our home renovation cost us a lot of pretty pennies last year. and nickels, and dimes, and a lot of dolla dolla bills, but that’s a different story.

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If you missed my home renovation post with before and after pictures, read it here!
If you missed my white kitchen renovation post, read it here!

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After stumbling across an article from HGTV where “painted black windows” were deemed one of the hottest new design trends (super popular amongst farmhouse lovers) and having my Instagram followers take a poll on whether I should make the drastic change or not, that’s right, I let Instagram decide my fate, I decided to take the plunge.

I was going to paint my beautiful white windows black. I honestly never thought that I would see the day, but I was doing it. I wanted black metal windows but the painted black windows panes looked almost identical at a fraction of the cost.

I had some leftover paint from our recent home renovation, I had my tape, and I had it set in my mind that black windows were going down and that’s really all I needed.

“We can always repaint them white“, and with that uplifting tidbit from my loving husband, I started on the window with nothin’ but some blue tape and wavering confidence.

I taped for days, Y’all.

Just kidding, but it took forever.

After an hour of taping, I was ready.

After the first few strokes, I experienced my first minor panic attack but I kept on truckin’ because I couldn’t let my husband be right. Isn’t that a great motivator? But seriously.

After a couple coats and touchups with a smaller brush, this was the result…

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Don’t mind the finger prints. Who really knows what type of DNA is on this window. Kids are gross.

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Yep! It’s totally painted!

But guess what?…

you can’t tell

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Here is what I used (Linked for easy shopping!)

1. Sherwin Williams Pro Industrial Tricorn Black. This paint is really good! These window panes have a few layers of paint on them and this paint still isn’t chipping off, even when I scratch it with my nail.
2. Blue Painter’s Tape (1 inch)
3. Paint Brush (1 inch)
4. Paint brush (tiny!)
5. Drop Cloth

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I wanted to show you the paint can so you could see the exact type of paint I went with

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How I did the dang thang

Step 1: I first started off by wiping off the window panes thoroughly. I did not sand the panes but it definitely wouldn’t be a bad idea! Since I had the painter grade paint and not an ounce of patience, I decided to skip the sanding.

Step 2: I taped around the window panes because it’s absolutely necessary to tape for this paint job!

Step 3: I started laying on the black paint like my entire life depended on it.

Step 4: Freaked out. Started second guessing my decision.

Step 5: Kept painting.

Step 6: I painted two coats plus touch ups here and there. I didn’t want any brush strokes since I wanted this black window to look like an actual metal window. Paint as many or as few layers as you like, I’m not the boss of you.

I removed the tape and found a lot of this…

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See the little white spots?

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So, because I wanted no flaws, I went back in with some black paint on a very tiny paint brush (it may have been a child’s paintbrush, I’ll never tell.) and with the steadiest hand possible filled in all of the trim imperfections.

AND THAT’S IT! 

So stinkin’ simple, folks.

Now go wild and paint a window black!

I dare you.

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Thanks For Pinning!

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More Popular Home Décor Posts:

Complete Farmhouse Renovation

Holiday Home Tour

Little Girl’s “Big Girl” Room

White Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation

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For more humorous, honest parenting and home decor posts like this, please “Like” my Life as a Rambling Redhead Facebook Page!
Follow on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

ALL SOURCES ARE LINKED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST

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Can you tell that I am having a hard time naming my house style?

Rustic, farmhouse, with a touch of industrial… either way, it’s a renovated 1980’s traditional home that we weren’t looking to buy but instantly fell in love with. I saw so much potential and find it oh so cozy. If Mike wants to make me move again (this would be move number four in our six-year marriage), I fully intend on supergluing my entire body to the floor.

Except my mouth.

Because I will need my mouth to avidly protest and shout mean things at my husband for taking me from a home that I put so much blood, sweat, and tears in to.

No, I will not leave this house without a fight. A fight that would involve massive amounts of Gorilla Glue.

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When we renovated this house last year, I had no idea how much work it would be even though we had a contractor (a poopy contractor but that’s another very bitter story…). We still would like to renovate a couple bathrooms, but for now, we are enjoying what we have done!

If you missed my home renovation post with before and after pictures, read it here!

If you missed my white kitchen renovation post, read it here!

I feel like this house was made for Christmas. It has the “home for Christmas” feel, like when you go home to visit the house you grew up in. It’s got old charm which is exactly what I fell in love with and what took me away from my new custom built home four miles down the road.

I hope these pictures give you some ideas and inspiration for decorating your homes for the happiest time of the year. I live for decorating for Christmas! And I love being able to share it with you

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So, come on in!

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This was a super simple DIY garland I made in about ten minutes! See how I did it HERE!

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This tree used to be our main Christmas tree up until this year. I got a larger tree on clearance during Black Friday sales and I must say, I feel super fancy with two decorated trees! Let’s see how fancy I feel after Christmas when I have to take them both down and pack it all up!

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Little behind the scenes knowledge, there used to be a wall here that closed off the kitchen from the staircase and entry.

We knocked that sucka’ down. Our house is much more open now but still has the coziness of a closed floorplan.

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We gutted our kitchen to the studs! It was a complete renovation job and it was miserable because we lived in it. Horrible idea!

Don’t live through a renovation unless you love living in constant angry thoughts

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I still keep my flowers and spring greenery around in December because it’s Texas! I mean, it’s December 13th and it was seventy-three degrees outside today. It’s really hard to decorate with pine branches and flocked pinecones when your kids are begging you to go swimming.

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Adding the shiplap on the ceiling was my favorite addition!

Note to self: Quit buying wreaths. We’re all set in the wreath department.

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The beams were a close second favorite addition! And that window seat… all the heart eyes. There was no way I was ripping that bad boy out!

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People are shocked when I tell them how much I love my electric stovetop. I had a large 6-top range in my last house and cleaning it was torture. This stovetop is SO easy to clean! Putting gas in the house was an absolute fortune, so we passed and I am beyong okay with it!

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I get asked if this is a pizza oven often. Although it would be cool if it was, it is just a regular fireplace. A fireplace that I love staring at. I feel like if the kitchen had a face, this would be it This is the face of the kitchen!

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Shop My Kitchen:

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2956279″]

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Welcome to our formal living room! Except it’s not so formal. With two child beasts running around with mini stollers and shopping carts, there is just really no point to have anything formal in this house.

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All of the fireplaces in our home got a facelift during the renovation. Click here to see what it looked like prior to the new brick we chose!

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Since the fireplace is MASSIVE, it can hold a lot of decor. Sometimes I’m like, is this too much stuff…? and then I tell myself that there can NEVER be too much Christmas decor!

And then the children start fighting and my conversation with myself ends abruptly.

#momlife

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This old piano from 1907 (I think) has my heart. It’s from the house I grew up in. I was lucky enough to snag this antique when my parents sold the house.

No, none of us know how to play it but the kids sure bang on it like they know what they are doing!

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The brick room and the formal living room connect with french doors as shown here. I am slightly obsessed with french doors.

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This is the first year with our big ole’ 9.5 foot tree! I think it fits the space very well!

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I taught the kids how I used to lay under the tree as a kid and count the twinkle lights. Now they are obsessed! I was so happy to have caught this moment!

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French doors and built-ins in our “brick room”. This is probably my favorite view of our home… it’s what I look at when I’m sitting on our couch.

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This is why we call it the Brick Room… TADA! This is real brick and my favorite room in the entire house. Hands down It’s small and cozy which is exactly why I made it our main living room. This is where we watch tv, play with toys, play Christmas music from the tv… we do all the things in this room and I love it!

Yes, that is real brick which is original to the home and to my knowledge, this was a home office when the house was built in 1987.

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My night time happy place This room is just way too cozy to ever be an office again!

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I hope you are enjoying your holidays and are making it as stress-free as possible! My family and I wish you the Merriest Christmas! Thanks for stopping by, friend!

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If you want a peek into my Daughter’s room? (which also involves shiplap), click here!

Click here to read last year’s Home Tour! Complete with before and after renovation pictures

Have you found me on Instagram yet?! Click here to get decorating inspiration daily

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CLICK ON IMAGES BELOW FOR SOURCES:

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For more humorous, honest parenting and home decor posts like this, please “Like” my Life as a Rambling Redhead Facebook Page!

Or Subscribe, so you never miss a new post! Your life will be changed for the better. Follow on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube .

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THANKS FOR PINNING!

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SOURCE LIST:

To find more of the smaller decor like pillows, candlesticks etc, please go to my Instagram and shop through the pictures!

Living Room:

Couch, leather chair, Cedar block side table, and Rug – IOMetro (Exclusive to Dallas)

Coffee Table

Fireplace Scones

Chandelier

Sign above fireplace: Kirklands

Paint Color: Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray

Trim color: Sherwin Williams Pure White

Entry:

Orb Chandelier

Look-alike Orb that is much less expensive

Rug: Local Homegoods

Bench: Hobby Lobby

Picture Ledges

Paint color: Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray cut to 50% (made it lighter)

Trim color: Sherwin Williams Pure White

Kitchen:

Island pendants

Dining table chandelier

Island stools

Kitchen Table: IOMetro

Dining chairs: Local Trade Days

Open Shelving: Made them myself!

Cabinet, ceiling, and trim paint: Sherwin Williams Pure White

Wall Paint color: I hand mixed gray, white, and blue to make this color! Therefore, it has no name.

IT’S FRIDAAAAAY!

I actually stuck to a series, y’all. What is happening?! Episode two of my new lunchbox series, What’s Packin’, is now live on YouTube! This week was a little rough compared to the previous week due to the fact that I was hit with some sort of horrible stomach bug that landed me in an urgent care ER on Wednesday night. The highlight of that whole experience was when I finally barfed up my guts into one of the Emergency room trashcans. SO FUN.

Today I will be at Von’s school all morning helping out with his little classroom Thanksgiving feast and I am praying that no nasty virus follows us home! We need a break!

Hope y’all are staying healthy! Tis the season to get every freaking bug under the sun!

Wash your hands, ya filthy animal.

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I hope that some of these ideas in this video will be useful to you! The feedback on the last episode was amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your lunchbox success stories with me, they truly make my day! Have a fabulous weekend!

If you have not yet subscribed to my video channel on the great YouTube, then please do so here: SUBSCRIBE TO BEST CHANNEL ON PLANET EARTH.

Please share with other Mama friends!

Are you not getting all my new posts and videos directly sent to your inbox? Click here to make that happen, it’s free!

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Pin for later!

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More videos to watch:

Most recent Day in the Life video: Day In The Life. Homeschool and choas combined.

Check out our homeschool curriculum here: HUGE Not-So-Typical Homeschool Haul!

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Make sure you’re following me on all of my social media accounts for more videos, home decorating inspiration, as well as random Mom-life funnies!

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Like my Facebook Page to read all posts and live broadcasts!

Follow on Instagram for home decor inspo!

Follow on Pinterest

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Here are all of the links for things mentioned or shown throughout the video!

Bento Boxes: http://amzn.to/2AnoQkL

Thermos: http://amzn.to/2AlCxRf

Animal food picks: http://amzn.to/2y5X8aQ

Food cutters: http://amzn.to/2y4pH8t

Plum Organics pouches in bulk: http://amzn.to/2zyw3l1

Eat your way to the treat trays: http://amzn.to/2zhdBdE

Colorful lunch trays: http://amzn.to/2y5e5Su

This is NOT a sponsored video but does contain some affiliate links. Thanks for shopping through them, they help support this blog!

Happy Monday, friends!

It has BEGUN! What’s Packin’ series week 1 is now live on my Youtube channel!

If you have not yet subscribed to my video channel on the great YouTube, then please do so here: SUBSCRIBE TO BEST CHANNEL ON PLANET EARTH.

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I know packing lunches can be a daunting task, especially if you are trying to do it quickly at 6:30 am!

(or 5:15 because of this blasted time change…. *so many curse words in my head)

I have come up with five lunches for the week that are super simple to assemble and almost all can be made the night before! (all depends on if you think your bread may get soggy or not for sandwiches etc…)

I actually had so much fun making this video because I love packing lunches! Weird, I know, but when I am not rushing around last minute scrounging for something edible for my kids, I find assembling lunches kind of fun!

Hope some of these ideas can be useful to you! Have some good ideas? Let me know in the comments of the video! I could possibly use them in my next weekly installment of What’s Packin’! Thank you!

Please share with other Mama friends!

Are you not getting all my new posts and videos directly sent to your inbox? Click here to make that happen, it’s free!

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Pin for later!

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Hope you have a fabulous week! And thanks to all of you who have left sweet comments or messages!

Make sure you’re following me on all of my social media accounts for more videos, home decorating inspiration, as well as random Mom-life funnies!

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Like my Facebook Page to read all posts and live broadcasts!

Follow on Instagram for home decor inspo!

Follow on Pinterest

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Most recent Day in the Life video: Day In The Life. Homeschool and choas combined.

Check out our homeschool curriculum here: HUGE Not-So-Typical Homeschool Haul!

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Here are all of the links for things mentioned or shown throughout the video!

Monday: Ham/turkey/pepperoni skewers // Cucumbers and carrot sticks with homemade ranch dressing // organic pretzel flats (Costco) // watermelon // cheese stars // Trader Joe’s pumpkin bar (half) // Plum organics veggie pouch

Tuesday: Meatball turkey hotdog and cheese star skewers // Organic sugar snap peas // Brocolli and white bean hummus // Trader Joe’s Ghost chips // Celery almond butter boats // Fruit with greek yogurt cinnamon dip

Wednesday: Ham and cheese dino sandwiches // Spinach, cucumbers, and carrots with homemade ranch dressing // Strawberries and cantaloupe // Sea salt popcorn // Cinnamon letter cookies (Trader Joe’s) // Plum organics veggie pouch

Thursday: Chicken Nuggets (Applegate organics) // Apple slices // cheese sticks // broccoli with homemade ranch dressing // Beet chips

Friday: Roast beef skewers // Peanut butter and agave heart sandwich // pretzels // beet chips // sugar snap peas // homemade ranch dressing // grapes // olives

Bento Boxes: http://amzn.to/2AnoQkL

Eat your way to the treat trays: http://amzn.to/2zhdBdE

Colorful lunch trays: http://amzn.to/2y5e5Su

Thermos: http://amzn.to/2AlCxRf

Animal food picks: http://amzn.to/2y5X8aQ

Food cutters: http://amzn.to/2y4pH8t

Plum Organics pouches in bulk: http://amzn.to/2zyw3l1

This is NOT a sponsored video but does contain some affiliate links. Thanks for shopping through them, they help support this blog!

I call it the Target Trap.

We needed two jackets.

TWO.

One for my son and one for my daughter but then, in the presence of the Cat and Jack toddler clothing line, I lose all control.

I can’t be alone in this, right? This happens to everyone, yes?

And my local Target just did an entire store renovation where they pushed all of the clothing to the front middle of the store. So, while you’re standing in the check out line you’re also running back to check on the price of a shirt you’ve been eye-balling for the last five minutes (based off of personal experiences).

Yeah. They know what they are doing. And it’s freaking genius on their part.

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I wanted to share with y’all our latest vlog! If you haven’t noticed I’ve pumped out a few videos the past couple of months, I got a new camera so I am just making sure that I get good use out of it

Hopefully, you enjoy the chaos that is included in these short films.

This video is our last family date night to Target. Taking on Target with two child-beasts, a pumpkin dressed as a turkey that my daughter named Steven, and a husband who has to shop and compare new toothpaste and deodorant brands every time he accompanies me to the store. Like, really though… who does that? Just buy what you bought before!

Enjoy!

If you haven’t already subscribed to my YouTube channel please do so and click on the little bell notifications icon so you don’t miss the next video! Facebook doesn’t show you everything I post, so subscribing on YouTube is definitely the best way to go! (stupid Facebook…)

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Happy Friday! Hope you had a fabulous week! And thanks to all of you who have left sweet comments or messages! You guys are amazing!

Make sure you’re following me on all of my social media accounts for more videos, home decorating inspiration, as well as random Mom-life funnies!

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Like my Facebook Page to read all posts and live broadcasts!

Follow on Instagram for home decor inspo!

Follow on Pinterest

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Did you miss my latest video? See what a day in my life looks like here: Day In The Life

Check out our homeschool curriculum here: HUGE Not-So-Typical Homeschool Haul!