Playa Mujeres

February 21, 2022


Sunshine, sweet friends, and quality time. My cup was full of all. the. good. things.
We traveled to Playa Mujeres after Christmas and rang in the new year on the beach. Multiple times I had to remind myself I wasn't dreaming. 

The grounds, the food, the accommodations we're A+ at the Atelier. Every area was designed SO beautifully. The hallways, to the sitting areas, even the gym... like I wanted to workout on vacay to experience their gym. Yep, I love artistic details. And the spa was perfection. Felt like a ball of wax that melted under their expertise. 

Trip highlights:
- Meeting up in the airport at the most perfect timing
- Water aerobic shenanigans  
- Daybed convos and reading 
- Shrimp tacos
- "Si se puede!"
- The fab, surprise drinks at Cilento (best server ever)
- Piano bar ft. us gals singing 10 min version of All Too Well
- Daily morning latte
- Dutch blitz & room service
- #TequilaTay
- An NYE feast for kings
- Breastmilk for sunburn (had to include it)
- Ringing in 2022 with our people




















We had a major post vacation high after our time in Mexico. It's a good thing we took all the photos and videos so we could be sappy & grateful as we reminisce. I'll be dreaming of espresso martinis and dancing on the beach until 2am for a long time. XO

Valentine's Date(s)

February 11, 2022

Cut out the pink and red hearts with crazy scissors, say sweet words of affirmation to your loved ones, and cozy-in with some chocolate covered goodies! I love, love and we're going to make this Valentine's day simple yet lovely. 


Since it falls on a Monday Mark and I are planning a date for the two of us this weekend and having a family date at home on Valentine's. Here's some ingredients were putting together for a fun date night as a couple and as a fam. 


Couple's Date 

1. Fun Questions
I am a big fan of Nancy Ray and she shared on her podcast 10 fun questions for you next date night. These questions are suppose to be unique and lead the conversation to topics that aren't work/kid/family/everyday cares related. So over our filet mignon and baked potato we'll ask each other:

If you could relive a year in your life, what age would you choose?

What would constitute a perfect day for you?

If you could change your first name what would you change it to

How have I changed since we first met?

What is your fav childhood memory?

Who do you respect the most and why?

Who is one famous person you’d like to meet

If safety wasn’t a concern, what natural disaster would you like to experience and why?

Is there something you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? If so, why haven’t you'd one it?

10. War has broken out and it’s not longer safe!  We’ve just been told that we have 3 days to move before it gets too dangerous. Where are we going? 

(Tip: screen shot this for your next date night!)


2. Special Playlist 
What's better than singing some up-beat jams and soul-felt ballads together? We will each make a playlist of 4 songs that reminds us of the other person. On the ride to the restaurant one person will play their playlist and on the ride home the other debuts theirs. I've got some good one's up my sleeve. Excited to see if we pick of any of the same songs... this will be fun! 

3. Dessert + Games 
Most likely a bowl of brownie batter and colorku. SO romantic ;)


Family Date
1. Balloons 
I picked up these festive balloons and plan to stuff a love notes inside each one. When the boys wake up they'll open their door to a waterfall of love as the balloons dangle from the door frame. Bonus: they have to pop the balloons to get our love notes. 

2. Fondue 
What's Valentine's day without chocolate? Post-dinner we will melt some chocolate and have a smorgasbord of treats for the kids to dip into. Messy & yummy. A kid's dream.

3. Movie Night
Build a fort, pop some popcorn, and wrap up in blankies. We've got some picky movie watchers, but I'm hoping they'll both agree on UP. Nothing sweeter than Carl and Ellie's love. 
 
Happy Valentines Day! xoxo

2022 Goals

February 1, 2022


If you've read any of my goal posts in the past you know I'm a big fan of powersheets, which is a yearly goal planner. Goals tend to get a bad rep, but when broken into bite size pieces goals are the fuel that drives my vision for each year and leads me to where I want to be at the end of my life. 


Planting in faith is no easy feat. It all starts under the soil. In the unseen. Growing through dirt. But this daily/weekly/monthly choice is one that grows a beautiful bloom. And this bloom is that much more rewarding because it reminds us of the hidden work it took to grow such a gift.


But it's not hidden from everyone. God see's the heart. And I can only imagine the joy it brings Him to see his children grow. Good gravy I get all teary-eyed looking back on my own kiddo's growth. 

Um... yeah, I can't fathom. Glory be. 



2022 Goals

Live an Unhurried Life
These years with my littles matter. I want to invest in our family and remove the distractions that take away from slowing down and living out of rest. 

Cultivate a Family Team
I believe God intended for family to be united in purpose and not solely consume from each other. I want to encourage who God made each of us to be, and learn how we can best operate in our home as a team with those gifts. My hope is we'd have close relationships from leaning in to know and love each other well.

Be a Life-Giving Wife/Mom/Friend
I want to love the people in my life with joy instead of some skewed sense of duty. To be a thermostat and set a worshipful tone of faith and fun (not being dictated by circumstances around me). To choose to be more like Jesus and, from His goodness, bless others with His love.

Surrender My Mornings
God calls me to be *with* Him before I *do* anything for Him. I've coveted my sleep, and now it's time to give it to Him. To experience freedom in surrendering my extra zzz's and delight in silence and solitude. He's worth it. 

Treat My Body Like It's "Very Good"
Because God has made my body good (Genesis 1:31), I want to treat it as such. To worship with workouts and not "fix". To stretch daily and prioritize my health/wellness. 

Have Monthly Budget Meetings
Choose to partner with Mark in this area. To have more understanding of our finances. To dream together and make budget meetings fun! 

Complete Creative Projects Quarterly 
These tend to fall wayside, so I want to plan our projects in a more tangible way so we're not doing too much at once or forgetting about it all-together. The effort will be worth it for these projects are important to our family (photo organization, family yearbooks, home projects/updates).

I'll spend a little time at the beginning of each month and week picking out a few tasks and objectives that will help me move toward these goals in grace. 

What about you? What is God calling you to in 2022? It's never to late to look at where you are and where you want to be. I had a handful of things from January that are now on my February tending list, because #grace. Moving forward is more than good. XO