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Healing From Abuse

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It wasn’t until I was sexually assaulted in high school, that I began having flashbacks of the abuse I endured as a child. I thought I was going crazy, there’s no way that happened to me, so where were these horrible memories coming from? I started drinking and smoking marijuana to try and forget about the instances of abuse. I was a GOOD kid and student, but my new coping mechanisms ended up landing me in trouble at school and with the law, resulting in the loss of the majority of my friends. The adults in my life said I was going through a rebellious phase; little did they know I was just trying to block out trauma they had no idea took place. I didn’t want to tell anyone because talking about it would make it real. I had never felt more alone or outcasted in that time, when all I needed was someone to listen. Someone to care. When I became pregnant, I started seeing a therapist in an attempt to get my mental and emotional health under control before becoming a parent. With the help
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Raising a Reader; Encouraging Early Literacy

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Reading is the foundation of all learning. Even though my education is in early childhood education, where we work hard to set up the stepping stones of literacy,  reading has always been extremely important to me. So naturally, I am passing on the love to my son. If you have a young child , or even an older child, you may be wanting to get them interested in reading. Here are a few ways I  incorporate reading in our home: Read Daily I’m not perfect, some days we don’t get a book in, but the effort is always there. A really easy way to fit a book into your day, is a simple bedtime story. When we first started reading nightly, Jude would squirm, chew on the book, scream, then throw i️t across the room.. BUT, we tried. And we stuck with i️t. It’s part of our bedtime routine now & he actually (usually) holds still for longer and looks at the pictures with interest and minimal screaming.    Holiday  (seasons, events, etc.)  Book Bins  This is my FAVORITE! Possib
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Want, Need, Wear, Read: A Minimalist Christmas

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christmas shopping for a baby can be so hard. not because you can’t think of anything to get them, just the opposite actually; you want to get them everything!  a few months ago, aaron and i started the transition to a life of minimalism. so, when the topic of christmas gifts for jude came up, it stressed me out a little. what is something meaningful and will last him for more than a few months? we just moved into our very own house and the idea of bringing more stuff into it, that could cause clutter, gave me anxiety. I turned to my dear friend, Pinterest for help, and found the perfect solution! something they want something they need something to wear  something to read  I loved this idea of gifting so much, my husband and I decided to do the exact same for each other. I cheated a couple of times for jude, in the name of tradition. other than that, I think it was a hit and I am so happy I came across the idea! WANT: sound machine & projector  We
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6 Month Update; Project You & Me

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I love writing monthly updates on Jude. I used to think it was a little weird why moms would do this for their babies EVERY. SINGLE. MONTH... but now I know! I don't always publish them, but I do keep drafts of Jude's monthly updates, just to have a remember each stage of his life. This past month has been so much fun with my now SIX MONTH OLD! I always say I can't believe how big he's getting, but this time I really mean it. Last year when my baby brother turned 6 months old, my mom and I thought it would be fun to throw him a half birthday party. Nothing big or crazy, just some cake and party hats. Last week when I realized how soon Jude's half birthday was coming up, I knew we had to do the same for him! Aaron and I celebrated his half year in this world by blasting the Trolls soundtrack and cupcakes.   YOU: Still waking up every 1-2 hours to eat in the night. You gave us one amazing night of sleep last week, but I guess that was just a random occurrenc
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Jude: The Fashionista

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I get a lot (okay, maybe like 3) of people asking where I get Jude’s cute clothes. Well you’re in luck.. kind of. For those of you that don’t know, I have a baby brother just 9 months older than my son! It really couldn’t have worked out any better, because Jude got all his barely worn clothes, baby bjourn, Walker, swing, you get the idea. So, I really didn’t have to buy much at all. Honestly, less than half of the clothes he has were purchased by me, so I am unsure of the stores where a good portion of his clothes came from. Everything (99% of the time) I buy for him is gender neutral. So if in the future we do decide to add another member to our family and she happens to be a girl, we can hand down to her his adorable clothes! 10/10 recommend doing that. You guys, when I found out I was having a boy I cried for DAYS! Days. I was so upset; one of the main reasons why? The clothes. SO DUMB, I know! I had just imagined bows and tutus and matching fur vests, all of that was crushed w
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When The Darkness Hits

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I'm not sure why I'm publishing this. Perhaps to vent, give you an understanding of how those in your life who struggle with depression can feel, or both. If you have never struggled with mental illness, it can be so hard to understand what those who are, are living with. I often refer to my worst episodes of depression as The Darkness. To me, it's more simple that way than trying to explain the complexity of such a feeling, every time I feel it. You know how wearing sunglasses dims the color of everything? And when you take them off it's shocking how colorful and beautiful everything actually is? I am always wearing sunglasses. Nothing has much color, it's all a little dull. That's my normal- not the Darkness. No, no. When the Darkness hits, it's like the lenses of the sunglasses suddenly and completely darken. You can hardly see a thing. I could be having a good day, nothing in particular is making me anxious or upsetting me- then bam, out of nowhere...
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Let'sTalk Motherhood: The Seasons of Life

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I was so excited when I was asked to join the Let's Talk Motherhood Series! I feel honored to be teaming up with some really great ladies to all share our perspectives on the same subject, the seasons of life.    have enjoyed reading the previous posts from this series and am so excited to be sharing my perspective with you all this month.  Each blogger's info is linked at the end of my post, so be sure to go check them all out!  The Seasons of Motherhood: 1. What is something you want to remember about this particular season of life? I never want to forget how much my son loves me; especially how much he loves me in this season of life. When he is upset, it's very rare that cuddling his momma doesn't make him feel better. As much as I hope this doesn't happen, I remember how I was as a preteen and teenager, thinking I was way too cool for my parents. I cherish these times and soak in all the love he gives. As Jude grows older, I wa
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