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Knox is TWO!

December 12, 2019

And just like that, my baby is a toddler. It makes my insides ache, but I also couldn’t be more proud of the kid he is growing into. Being Knox’s mom has been the best adventure I have ever gone on. He is sweet, gentle, thoughtful, obedient, silly (so silly!), strong-willed, and tender. It’s funny, the first birthday is so sentimental and reminiscent. A celebration of “we made it a year without dying.” But this one, it’s sweet in such a different way, because it’s actually celebrating a little boy with a growing personality. For weeks we have been working up to K’s Polar Express birthday party, asking him if he’s excited and who he wants to see. And he ACTUALLY has friends he says. Ugh, it’s so fun. I love being his mommy.

This morning, as Paul and I sat anxiously waiting for him to wake up so we could give him his gift, scrolling through old photos and videos of baby Knox, I had this overwhelming realization. Here we are, pouring tons of effort and excitement into making this one day as special as possible for our son. We love him so much that we want every single little detail to feel exciting and special for today. Of course, we want him to feel special and loved every day of the year, but a birthday just is different. We got his favorite foods and invited his best friends over to celebrate him. I meticulously laid a tape choo choo track on our wood floors from the door to the living room, and we bought him an electric vintage Bronco. And it was on the couch this morning that I realized, giddy and heart racing with excitement for him to start rustling in his crib, that this is exactly how the Lord feels about us every single day. He has gifts, new mercies, and intentionally laid out opportunities for us to see Him and know Him more every day. To experience just how much He loves us and all simply because He DOES. Every breath we take is an intentional, thought out gift from our Creator. He gets giddy as we rise in the morning thinking, “Look at all the great things I have laid out for them today!”

WOW.

It’s truly incredible how I feel I learn more and more about God’s character through my son. Whether it’s his pure joy and love for people that I want to be more like, or the way he pulls out in me a glimpse of the same kind of love our Father has for us. Motherhood has rocked my world. It’s made my eyes a little darker, the creases on the sides a little deeper. It’s tested my patience and made me a little crazy at times. But it’s also made me happier than I ever thought possible. The lack of sleep, the nagging “mama” as I try to ignore being asked for the same snack 300 times in a row, the kid on the bathroom floor while I just try to pee in peace… it’s all worth it. Every bit of it. My heart has been morphed into a reflection more like Christ’s all because of a little toe-head boy with a crooked, toothy grin over the last two years. I may lay my head on my pillow at night exhausted and ready for sleep, yet I also find myself scrolling through videos and aching for him to be awake again. Isn’t it funny?

Knox Chandler, you will change the world. Here’s to your third year of life and making it special. Thanks for showing me Jesus every day.

xoxo, Mom

Also, y’all… This Vintage Bronco is the BEST GIFT. I honestly can’t believe the price, especially after seeing this thing in person. It’s huge and has so many amazing details. Knox played on it all morning and I can’t wait for walks in the neighborhood with it.

What Makes Me Smile

December 10, 2019

Merry Christmas! Today I have teamed up with an amazing service called Smile Generation to share what makes me smile this holiday season.

To me, enjoying the holidays means slowing down to actually enjoy it. Gone are the days of saying “yes” to everything and flying by the seat of my pants, barely making it through the holiday season with so much as a single night home to enjoy my tree. I don’t want to live like that, and I hope you don’t either. Life is too short to live by other people’s expectations and obligations!

What makes me smile are slow nights in my home with cocoa, a fire, and Christmas pajamas watching Knox play with his choo choo by the Christmas tree. It’s watching my favorite Christmas movies with my husband. It’s dancing to Ella Fitzgerald’s Christmas album in the living room. It’s making my favorite family dishes and forgetting to count the calories. It’s driving through neighborhoods and pointing out our favorite Christmas light displays. It’s saying “hello” to the stranger at the mall or buying them their cup of coffee. It’s eating our traditional Christmas Eve meal around the table on my great grandma’s China. It’s setting up Santa Claus after Knox has gone to bed. It’s baking cookies and eating that third one just because it’s Christmas and you can. It’s calling your family Christmas morning that you don’t get to be with. It’s watching their face light up when you see them open the gift you knew they wanted the most.

So many things make me smile at Christmas time, and you can find me grinning ear to ear all season long. I feel like a little girl all over again during the holidays, and especially so now with a son to celebrate the magic with. I am proud to partner with Smile Generation, because they take the burden off your shoulders of trying to find the very best for your family. Every mom wants the best for their kids, and now you can find it without the pesky (and sometimes pricey) trial and error. We’ve had our fair share of bad doctors and dentists, and I certainly never want others to have to go through the “sifting through” process like we’ve had to do. Smile Generation has done it all for you, finding the best dental and oral cosmetic offices for you so you don’t have to worry about it. Whether you need just routine care for your family (those twice a year appointments!!), whitening, braces… you name it, they can help you find the best! And with less worry, you can focus more time and attention on the people you love most. And that is something you can always smile about (with pearly whites, might I add)!

What To Know About: Cyber Monday

December 2, 2019

Today is Cyber Monday- the BEST day ever for my fellow online shoppers. If you thought Black Friday deals were good… Just you wait. Today is always the best! I have a list below of the best deals around.

The Cake Shop: Of course, you guys know this one. 😉 Get 30% off my corded pullovers with ‘shopsmall’, my Merry & Bright U-Shaped Earrings for $25 (no code needed!), and my devotional for just $9 (no code needed!).
Pink Lily: My favorite online boutique is 30% off EVERYTHING today!
Anthropologie: My favorite gift spot and Christmas decor is 30% off EVERYTHING! AND an extra 50% off all SALE!
Aerie: My favorite spot for Christmas jammies is 50% off all sweaters, sweatshirts, and leggings!
Kendra Scott: A bunch of items this year on my personal list are from KS, and it’s 25% off EVERYTHING today!
Nordstrom: Favorite items are marked WAY down! This is my top all-in-one shopping spot.
ASOS: My favorite spot for fun pieces! 30% off site-wide with the code ‘BIG30’

Some out of this world deals:

The Nespresso I have on my list is over 50% off on Amazon today!
Our Amazon Fire Stick is under $20!
My Sorel Boots are majorly discounted!
My FAVORITE candle of all time
My favorite lipstick
Spanx Leggings

5 Things to Do This Christmas Season in DFW

November 22, 2019

EEEEEP! I cannot believe it’s here. Christmas time has arrived and I am sharing 5 fun things you can do as a family around DFW that is on our Christmas Bucket List! Some of these we’ve done for years, others are new experiences we can’t wait to try out. I hope this helps you plan memories for your own families that they will keep forever!

REMEMBER: Christmas is not about the gifts, the hustle, or even really the day itself. It’s the season and making the most of it. Don’t get caught up in the busy or the superficial side of this season. Soak in every laugh with your kid and make memories! And, above all else, remember why the Christmas season exists. As Christians, the hoopla of Christmas is meant to reflect the party happening inside for us, the celebration that God did what He said He would do. He sent a redeemer, as was foretold for years and years, at the exact perfect time amidst chaos in the land and government to take our place as the sacrifices needed to be connected with God. We were restored, redeemed, and the veil was torn between us and a perfect God.

If you want to read through the very simple truths of the Gospel, whether with your children or for yourself, my 2 week devotional, The Best Gift Ever, is re-printed and releasing next week in The Cake Shop! Don’t miss the chance to set your hearts and minds on the truth behind why we do all that we do this Christmas season. Be sure you’re signed up for my emails to know when the new Christmas Collection officially drops before anybody else.

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 6:6

Wintergreen Christmas Tree Farm: This is the tree farm we have gone to the last 3 years in Van Alstyne, and it feels like taking a step into a Hallmark Movie. They are family owned and the trees go FAST. If you aren’t there the day after Thanksgiving, or the couple to follow at best, you’re out of luck. It’s worth the drive!
Lights in Deerfield, Plano: This will be our third year driving around this neighborhood looking at lights. It’s THE BEST. The entire neighborhood goes Clark Griswold, and it’s really magical. You will see horse drawn carriages, limos, and families all driving around ooo-ing and awe-ing at the displays. I suggest grabbing a cocoa or cider on your way in to sip, crank up your Christmas tunes, and enjoy a festive evening together as a family.
NorthPark Santa: You have to make reservations, so don’t make the same mistake we did last year! We got REALLY lucky. You have to go get tickets in the morning for a time slot! This IS THE REAL SANTA. I am certain of it.
Frisco Wonderland: This is new this year, and I CANNOT WAIT. This requires tickets, but they’re fairly reasonable in my opinion. You are promised snow, sledding, a light maze, and so much more! I think all of us are going to thoroughly enjoy this one. 😉
Christmas Movies in Moviehouse & Eatery: Elf, A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation… All of the goodies. My favorite theatre is playing some of the classics throughout the season, and it’s by far the BEST food and drinks I have come across in a movie theatre. And the COZIEST recliners. I have seen these movies a thousand times, but it just sounds better in a theatre with tasty food. They have an AMAZING cookies and milk plate I highly suggest. The gluten free cookies are SO GOOD and GOOEY!

Splurge Gifts

November 13, 2019

Arguably my top Wish List item this year: That Kendra Scott Jewelry Box!! It is beautiful, helpful, and all the things. I have KS jewelry stands on my main wish list, too, that are under $30. My splurge list also includes a 5 year rose gold wedding band that I would love to get eventually. These are two beautiful, realistic options (though a Tiffany’s band would be a REAL splurge.) 😉 I love sharing nice, splurge items, because whether it’s for Christmas or just investing in nicer items in general, I love helping you find quality pieces or items.