A while back I posted a blog about the epic failure that was removing my toddlers paci “Tilly”.  It was the literal worst.  Ever.

Fast forward to a week before our birthday vacation.  Not even a week, I think it was 2 days before we were going to be out of town for a week and 3 of those nights would be spent at my dads house with out me and Brett.  On this fateful day, Penny bit right through her beloved Tilly and the tip of it just fell right off.

Ready…Set…PANIC!

We had a leftover paci shoved in a drawer and decided to try and hand that one over to her.  Rejected.  “No thanks,” Penny said as she handed the not Tilly back to us.

More PANIC!

This lead us to going to babies r us and purchasing a new wubanub.  We did the whole switch-a-roo of cutting off the stuffed animal part and pretending it was just like her old tilly.  We went into her room and handed the “Tilly” over.  She put it in her mouth for not even a second and looked at us like we were crazy…”no thanks.”.

We were so worried about the weekend at her grandparents house and you know what.  She slept like a freakin champ.  She’s holding “Tilly” in her hand while she falls asleep, but she doesnt even try to use it anymore.  It does take her a lot longer to relax and get to sleep, some nights she talks to herself for almost an hour before passing out, but for the most part she’s totally chill about it.  Which got me to thinking…

What a little jerk face!

Why!? Why was it so traumatizing the first time around.  If it was this simple this time, why did we have to go through the screaming, crying, certifiably crazy antics, before?

You really cannot force your kid to do anything!

Don’t get me wrong…I discipline.  I definitely feel like the mean mom on the block a lot, because I don’t let Penny get away with a whole lot.  Not too crazy, just your standard…no tantrums, no hitting, share, be nice, talk nice…sorta thing.  But we tried to force her out of a stage that she clearly was not ready for.  Honestly the ball was in her court.  She had Tilly, she broke Tilly, and no other paci compares, so no other Tilly is needed.

I honestly should have known this would be the way things would go.  We used to joke that Penny sleep trained herself.  The girl hates being rocked or cuddled too much and the only way to get her to sleep was to leave her alone.

I’m sure this is just one of the instances in her life where I will learn, that letting her be is sometimes the best way to get results.  Let her figure it out.  Which brings me to the next step of potty training.  I definitely not going to push it, but I’m subtly saying things like “If you want to use the potty tell me.”  She’s started pooping in her diaper (I know, kids are so gross) and then saying “mama, I use the potty now!”.  To which I reply, “You already went poopoo in your diaper, but next time if you feel like you have to go tell mommy and we’ll go the potty.” She usually responds with a very enthusiastic, “OKAY! YES! I use the potty!”

I guess this is just a tale of how I tried it my way and it completely failed, and then Penny just naturally decided it was done for and it worked great.  Kids.  Man, they are tricky business.  If you are trying to teach them something new (no paci, new bed, potty training) and you are losing your mind doing it, I want to encourage you to take a break.  Step back for a minute and catch your breath, get things normal again and when it feels natural and good…take another shot!  Theres no shame in trying again another time.  Cuz, your kid could break their paci on their own and decide its no biggie.   …Ridiculous.

We’re home!

This year my handsome husband turned 26 and I crossed over into the dreaded 30s.  We wanted to celebrate a little more special this year so…

We had an epic week away! It was THE best.  And to top it all off Brett has a bonus day off today, so we get to rest from all of our rest.

Let me start out by saying, when you havent had time away with out your kiddo for a while, it takes a moment.  Brett and I were laughing in our hotel room, joking about how the freedom to choose whatever we wanted to do stunned us into submission to the laziness.  The first day on our vacation was spent laying in bed talking about all of the things we could do, getting overwhelmed by it, and then napping.  Luckily that wore off by day 2.

We’ll start at the beginning.  Last Wednesday we loaded up the car and headed to seal beach, where we spent a lovely little beach day as a family.  Man, Penny could seriously be there all day and never get hungry or tired.  We have to force her to take a break and eat the pb&j.  All the while, between bites, saying “Waves? Beach? Go to the water?”.

After that we had a little family time and celebrated my birthday while the cousins ran amuck screaming and chasing each other.  Those kids are wild and love each other like mad.  It makes my heart so happy.

The next morning we had a long leisurely birthday breakfast with more family and then spent the rest of the day laying around chit chatting and trying to get Penny to sleep.  I got some birthday blonde put into my hair and we ended the day with a birthday dinner with some great friends and some tasty brew.

Then it happened.  Friday came and vacation was on!

Penny spent the day with my dear friend Samantha and her little girl Melody.  Can I just say how amazing it is to have best friends who love your little.  I’m pretty sure Penny had the best day of her life running around with a big girl and being best friends.  I would get little snap shots sent to me through out the day and I loved seeing Penny having fun.  She’s totally growing up and it made me excited for future slumber parties and talks with her best friends.  I love this age.  It’s the cutest!

So Pen was officially covered for the weekend and we were off!

We went to the mall and spent our birthday money, we held hands everywhere, and drank coffee.  We hit the road and pulled into our desert retreat.  We swam, we laid out, we drank lots of beer, we did whatever we wanted.  Which really involved a lot of relaxing and watching hgtv marathons.  We snuggled and watched entire movies, we were barely on our phones.  It. Was. Amazing.

I think my favorite part of the trip was when we were in the pool having a night swim.  We laid on the steps and watched the sky.  I told Brett “If we wait here long enough we will totally see a shooting star…just wait.”  After about 5 minutes or so of staring silently I saw a huge shooting star go across the sky.  “I told you!!!”.  After this we went in our room and watched a movie, then decided to get in the car around midnight and drive to the middle of nowhere.  We put a blanket on the hood of our car and looked at the stars.  I have NEVER seen a sky like that.  It was amazing.  It was a great way to bring in Bretts birthday, and end mine.

We didn’t do anything spectacular, we didn’t stay at a super ritzy hotel (it was a super cheap groupon we couldn’t pass up), but it was THE best weekend ever.  We really don’t need much, just each other, some corona with limes (our vacation beer), a pool, and oh the laughter.

We have officially decided to turn this into a yearly trip.  Maybe not the desert again, because it was definitely 120 on saturday and we felt like we were being suffocated by the heat.  But getting a way just me and him for a little trip once a year is something we need.  And it’s kind of fun to get rid of the idea of buying gifts for each other and just getting away.  That in itself was the best gift for us.

I think the time with papa and tutu was good for Penny too.  It’s fun to have your parents out of your hair for a few days.  We all needed it and we sure are happy to be home with each other again.

Thanks Mojave Resort.  You were sorta the best and exactly what this tired mama and daddy needed.  It’s back to life we go…with a little more pep in these steps.

My dearest husband,

Even though you have officially turned younger than me for the 6th year in a row…i still like you.   Actually, I like you…A LOT.  I may even love you most days.  You are amazing.  You are so good at taking care of our baby girl and so good at taking care of me.  All I have to do is flash you some good ol’ fashioned crazy eyes, and you give me a sweet sweet break.  You work hard for our family so that I dont have to “work” and you totally always fudge the lines on the coffee budget, because you know I need it.

Thank you.  Thank you for being you.  Thank you for watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S for the 80 millionth time in bed, thank you for being my favorite scrabble buddy, thank you for making a meeeeean gin and tonic,  and for grillin damn good steaks.  Thank you for letting me get weird and quiet and introverted, sending me out to have alone time, and then sitting with me while I cry and tell you about how I figured out how I’m feeling (it’s a real thing, I’m being honest).  Thank you for always thinking that what I think sounds good for dinner, sounds good. Thank you for never letting a day go by where I dont feel loved, encouraged, and yes…thank you for even the occasional grope (it’s okay, we’re totally married).  My life is so much better, my darlin, with you in it.  I love you, I love you, I love you.  Cheers baby.  26 looks good on you.

Forever and always,

Your boo.

Why are you so excited about this, Katie? You may be saying to yourself.  Well…this week is mine and Brettles birthday week, and there is much fun to be had.

Sadly, I have had a “cold” for a week officially today.  You know what’s fun about having a cold for a week with a toddler at home?  NOTHING!

Woof.  This mama is beat.  Penny was just as sick at the beginning so we sorta made it work, but the bugger got all better with out me, and now…we battle.

This chick wants outside and I want to lay myself down.  It’s a terrible combo.  I wish that I had a more entertaining post for you all, but unfortunately I got nothin.  But in the spirit of my 30 goals, I wanted to write a little something, in order to “write more”.  All my energy in the next couple of days is being put into making lists, preparing my brain for festivities, and trying not to pass out from all the sniffling and coughing.  Also, praying that I’m magically better by Wednesday morning.

I also, lately, have been realizing that this baby girl of mine will be 2 in a MONTH.  Here it comes, are you ready, okay…WHERE DOES THE TIME GO!?! Funnily enough, I am not one of those moms who misses my little girl being a baby.  Sure the snuggles were nice, but the screaming was enough to solidify her fate as an only child.  I like that she’s getting bigger.  We have full on conversations, it blows my mind.  She says “please” without even being prompted now, and the girls got jokes.  I may be the only one who gets them, or laughs at them (and really I laugh at everything, so it may not be that funny), but man…she cracks me up.

One of my favorite things these days is taking her to Target (like all stay at home moms do during that mid day slump before 5).  We do whatever I need to do (like get coffee), and then I let her bounce casually through the toy aisle.  “Toys! Excited!” she yells as she walks up and down each row slowly…occasionally yelling out “MINNIE MOUSE! DOC MCFUFFIN! LAMBY! DINOS-RAAAAR”.  I love hearing her explore and seeing the things she’s drawn to.  Which, these days, are all instruments, hot wheels, and a mild interest in princess garb, and to my dismay…anything Pink.  Which is proof that she has her own opinions that do not stem from what her mother thinks is cool or not.  I like it.  Shes got spunk.  It’s good.

Things will be awfully quiet around here this week, but I’ll have much to say next week, so don’t forget about me! OKAY!

I also have a free printable lined up for you even though I won’t be around, because…you know…I care.

So…in a nut shell…Happy Monday friends!  Catch ya on the flip side!

It’s happening…I’m turning 30 in a week.  Judging by the fact that turning 25 hit me pretty hard and I definitely went through a major quarter-life crisis.  I’m sort of dreading the big 3-0.

Luckily we’ve sort of planned a full week of fun, ending in a weekend get away with out the little one to soften the blow.

In honor of this big birthday I decided to share with you my 30 goals before 31 list.  It was originally going to be 31 before 31, but I figured since I’m having a hard time stammering out th-th-thirty, I’d stick with that number before tagging the “one” on the end.

So here we go

1- Family trip to Disneyland

This is sort of an easy one because we are planning on taking penny to d-land for her 2nd birthday!  But, Brett and I, through out our nearly 7 year relationship have NEVER been to the happiest place on earth together.  It is time.

2 – Open an Etsy shop (FOR REAL!)

I opened a shop a loooooong time ago, but I feel like I’m finally ready to step out and take it seriously.  It’s actually in the works right now and will be opening soon!

3 – Create something new once a week

Nothing feeds creativity more than more creativity.  Keep on keepin on self!

4 – work-out:  to FEEL better – not to LOOK better

Its hard not to get caught up in SKINNY!  I wanna feel good about myself, and I want to be healthy because its good to be healthy not just to be thinner.

5 – Stick to our budget

6 – Add one new “big kid” furniture piece to our home.

We still have furniture from our pre married life, and it’s nice to really think about a piece and add it to your home because you love it and saved for it.

7 – Try a new cocktail recipe once a month

8 – Try more recipes from cookbooks I own but have never used!

I have a STACK of cookbooks that have never been opened.  Lets get to cookin and add some new recipes to that boring roster shall we.

9 – SAVE more

10 – Start a home-group

11 – Learn Ukelele

12 – Play a show with Faith again

I actually used to write music and I have a few songs that I really love.  I played 2 shows with Faith, one of which was a disaster (to me).  So I havent played since…that was like 2/3 years ago.  Ready to fight the fear and get back into it.

13 – Write more

Music, journal, blogging…write write write!

14 – Take Brett to the Grand Canyon

He’s never been, nuff said.  It needs to happen.

15 – Write letters / send cards / Use snail mail more

It’s so nice to send things even if its just to tell people you love them.  I want to get better at following through with ideast to send little notes in the mail to the people i care most about.

16 – Take a dance class

what up hip hop class…im coming for you…so you think you can…dance dance dance.

17 – Beach trips AT LEAST once a month

Suck it up and take the 2 hour drive to paradise…its good for you.

18 – Hang more family photos

19 – NO MORE HAIR CUTS! 

The quest for long locks has been strong with me for years.  After growing a pixie out…this short haired lady is gonna take a break from the chop for at least another year.  I think I can, I think I can.

20 – Worship team

I used to sing at my old church and I havent mentioned it at my new one till recently.  Ive been thinkin lately about becoming more involved again…we shall see…

21 – Podcast with Faith

We think we’re funny, maybe other people would too. : )

22 – Create a booklist and read all them books

SO. MANY. BOOKS.

23 – Go to AT LEAST 5 shows

When I was younger I used to go to shows all the time.  Music is a pretty big deal to me.  After a recent trip to the Hollywood Bowl, I decided we need to do this sort of thing more.

24 – Sell prints at a market or handmade event

25 – Work in a flower shop

I’ve always wanted too, since I was a kid.  Maybe I’ll find a part time gig soon for fun!

26 – Be DILIGENT about weekly date nights

We are SOOOO bad at this.  It’s hard to find time to get away to do anything at all, but I think we’ve been trying to do crazy big fun nights out and all we really need is a blanket under a tree in the park for a couple hours and we’re good.  We’ve got grandma coco on board for a weekly sitter we just need to make it happen.  It’s good for us, and good for penny.

27 – Be DILIGENT about weekly alone time

This is a BIGGIE.  I am an introvert in the worst way!  It’s becoming increasingly more obvious the more Penny grows.  When an introvert is talked at for 8 hours straight, theres a bit of insanity that ensues.  My husband is pretty supportive of this, cuz it honestly helps me treat him well too.  Us introverts have to take care of ourselves for the safety of our family!!!

28 – Go beach camping with Penny & friends

I’m looking at you San O frands!

29 – Talk nicer to myself

I’m mean…to me.  I would never say the things I say to myself to someone else.  I need to work on this for me and for Penny.  I want her to be kind to herself too.

30 – Get a new tattoo 

Theres been talk of hubs/wifey tats, maybe something little, maybe something big, but I think it would be fun to have another…we’ll see how it goes…if theres room in the budget this year : )

What are some things you like to do for your birthday?  Do you set goals each year?  I honestly like doing this think more during birthday times rather than new years.  Cheers to goals and a new year of life!

I didn’t really know what to title this post, so I automatically default to 90’s jams.

I dont talk about the following things often, because I tend to just keep things to myself, but I’m excited…so we’ll see how this goes.

It’s been a week since the Daughters of Unity conference at our church and I’m still sort of pumped on it.  Which is weird.  Not weird that I would leave a conference excited about Jesus, but weird that I would have this feeling after attending a “Womens” event.

Yes, I am in fact a woman, so some may find this strange.  Although, I’m finding more and more that I’m not alone in this thought.

For most of my life women’s events have sort of turned me off from the get go.  If there’s tea involved – I’m out.  I’ve always been sort of annoyed that women had tea parties and mens events always revolved around “STEAK!” and “BBQ’s!!”.  Ummm…I love steak, and bbq and black coffee and all that “Manly” crap.  Why do I have to eat a teeeeeeny tiny cucumber sandwich and talk about motherhood and floral arrangements?  That may be a bad example, because I sort of love flower arrangements, but I think you get the picture.  So, whenever I attend these sort of ladies gatherings I usually leave with a craving for In N Out and a feeling like I missed the point of why we got together.

This conference, however, was different.  The design of it really was just a place for the women in the church to get together and get to know each other on a deeper level and to sit with each other and have a weekend worshipping and learning about Jesus.

After recapping the weekend with a friend, I realized my favorite part about the conference was that, there was NO discussion about being a woman.  There was no discussion about how to be a better wife, how to be a better mother, how to be a better homemaker.  We talked about Jesus the whole time.  We talked about what He has done, is doing, and will continually do in our lives.  We talked about how to be a better follow Him and how to love him greater and how to be loved in return.  We had women share their testimonies, preach the gospel, and lead everyone in worship.  The message was clear and could definitely be received by males or females, but we just happened to be all women.

At the end of the day, we found that we are all filled with the Holy Spirit, and there are some seriously gifted women in the church.

Sure! A lot of us are mothers, wives, daughters, sisters…and we definitely talked about our families in small group time (because, that’s whats closest to us)…but that’s not the point.  And YES!  I totally want to know how to be a better person for my husband and daughter.  All of these things will flow out of being a better follower of Jesus.  Out of pursuing him more, having more quiet time,  and being in the word more.  It comes from Him.

I do believe that there are some ladies out there who have always wanted to be a wife and a mother, and they feel like that is what God has called them solely to do, that is their ministry.  That is totally great, and I admire these women in many ways. To be honest. I am not one of them.  I did not always want to be a wife and mother.  It all sounded like a lot of responsibility to me, and I was gonna be a wild stallion forever that could not be tamed!

Then I met Brett, and he’s legit, so I married him.  Then I became an aunt.  YOU GUYS!  Nieces and nephews are the gateway drug to parenthood.  So eventually we decided to have a baby.  Bam!  Cue Penny.  I feel like I should mention, both of these things took loooooots of talking and praying and figuring things out…these were not decisions we took lightly.  They were decisions greatly cared for.

So now…I have these new titles of “wife” and “mother”, but at the end of the day…there is more to who I am…and that is totally okay.  Being a wife and mother has taught me so many things, and has caused me to grow and stretch as a person in ways I didn’t think were possible.  It’s hard work, but I could not imagine my life with out my family…they are my favorite!  BUT, I also want to figure out what my gifts are and find out how to use them and use them well.  I have dreams and things that I want to achieve and those things havent stopped because I have a family.  They look different, yes, but they are still there.  And I’m pretty sure God put these things there for a reason, and he doesn’t want me to push them aside and never think about them again.

I feel like it should also be noted that not ALL women in the church are functioning in these roles.  I know women who  do not have children, or are single, and while we’re at it high school girls do not want to sit through messages about how to submit to your husbands!  These women need to know that they have places in the church as well.  That you don’t ONLY find worth in motherhood or relationships.

I was super encouraged by last weekend.  That you are not just your titles.  There are women and young girls in the church who are preachers, teachers, worship leaders, artists, ect.  These things need to be nurtured and encouraged ESPECIALLY among the ladies in the church.

We are all different.  We all have different gifts.  Lets find them and allow space to move and function in those things.  Single, married, 1 kid, 8 kids…whatever.  Lets do this ladies.  And lets have more events like this in the future.

Amen.