You get to do you

mylifewithalittle.comIn the past two weeks I’ve seen something on social media that’s got me a bit ruffled.

It’s no secret that moms love Target. Ok, really, what human doesn’t love Target. But there’s just something about those $5 baby clothes that makes it gold in there.

Lately though, the good old Target run is getting a bad rap.

And while I understand that if a Target run for you, is a means to escape life, or a place that you can’t go into with out spending a ton of money on frivolous things, it would be a bad thing.

Here’s where my beef comes in.

Sometimes it feels like one persons stronghold, should be everyones. That if someone with a substantial amount of followers says they don’t like Target, then everyone seems to get that opinion. It’s kind of like, we just go along with it because it might be the popular opinion.

I’m not ashamed to admit how much I love Target. Or my Target runs.
For me, it’s this sweet time with Em. She’s old enough to sit in the cart like a big girl now, so she just looks up and smiles at me the whole time. I’m almost in tears writing this because I love our trips so much. There’s also the perk of not looking like a crazy woman while talking to myself, because you know…a seven month old is quite the conversationalist.

I don’t go into Target and spend money we don’t have on things we don’t need. Ok. Maybe I get the occasional office supplies, but doesn’t everyone need 10 note pads lying around?
Target is our go to for everything, except groceries (we heart Publix). Diapers, wipes, toothpaste, dog treats, dog toys, baby clothes.

Again, I will state. I understand that for some people a Target run can be looked at in the negative.

But not for me.

And that’s where my biggest problem is. Why is it that one persons opinions have to be the masses? Why should I give up something that I love, because it’s a negative in your life?

That’s my issue with social media these days. We’re so concerned with making it look like we have it all together like she does, and we miss out on our own lives. I truly we believe we live in a society that if we aren’t careful, is going to explode sometime soon. I feel like there’s this constant demand to have it all together. And not just as a mother, but as a human. We see Instagram accounts with perfect pictures, read Tweets wondering why we didn’t think of that first, and see Facebook statuses that cause a pain of jealousy we didn’t know existed.

Comparison is indeed the thief of joy.

I can’t won’t sit here and say that I think Target runs are bad. Because I don’t. I can sit here and say that it’s a part of the week that I love. Em and I spend all day together (which is the biggest gift God has given me), so when we do little trips to the store or the park, it means so much to me. And I’m kinda over being made feel guilty about it.

That’s the thing. We’re loosing the “you do you” attitude. And it’s becoming more of “if I think this, so should you”. That’s not how it should be. Or what’s even worse, is that one person has an opinion and without even thinking if we believe the same, we just go along with it.

I get that there are strongholds in peoples lives. We all have them. But why is it that one persons has to be another? Can’t we just come together and pray for that stronghold to be lifted in the name of Jesus? For that person to be free of that guilt or shame?

I hope and pray that this doesn’t come off like I’m above anything. Or that I love to shop.
That’s not it at all.

And I get that some people could say “well you’re exactly who needs to find more in life than a Target run”. Which my response would be: I do.

I’ve got a hunk of a husband who I love with all my heart. I’ve got the worlds best baby girl who I couldn’t imagine my life without. I’ve got the funniest dog you’ll ever meet. I have been saved by an immeasurable amount of grace, by a God who loves me. I’ve got struggles too, but a Target run isn’t one of them.

If you’re days are filled with love and laughter. I think you’re doing it right. I think that you’re life is perfect, just like mine is for me. And that’s where we need to get to. Realizing that what we have, right in front of us is perfect. Not what we see on a tiny square on the Internet. Our house is enough, our clothes are enough…we are enough. 

So here’s to being nice to people. Here’s to lifting people us, whether they love Target runs or not. And here’s to being careful with what we bash online because you never know what it could mean to someone else.

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5 Beauty Product Must Haves

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As a mommy I’m not super into beauty products…ok to be honest, I’ve been like this my whole life.

I don’t know how to do a smokey eye, it always looks like I just got punched. I have kept my “beauty regimen” as simple as humanly possible. And I don’t understand wearing fake eyelashes.

But.

There are a few things over the years that I’ve found that I love, love, love. So here they are:

#1. Philosophy Purity Made Simple face wash
I’ve used this face wash for a couple years now and love it. I’ve got some rosacea that goes on, and this has significantly brought that down. It doesn’t dry my skin out which I love, and it gets make up off without having to use any remover or cloth.

#2. Nivea in Shower Body Lotion
I have to be honest and tell you that this is something my husband bought…sorry babe. I was super skeptical at first because the idea of putting lotion on in the shower weirded me out. And I also didn’t think it would work.
Me=wrong. And I’m so glad I was. It doesn’t feel oily once I get out, and it saves time outside of the shower. Yes please.

#3. bareMinerals Foundation
I’ve tried a lot of different foundations and this is by far my favorite. It doesn’t take a lot to get coverage. I also don’t use a lot of concealer (under my eyes, hi I’m a mom), so I love that this covers without making me use 45 different foundations and powders.

#4. Nars Blush
This was a gift from my best friend a couple Christmas’s ago and now it’s like a life line. It’s by far my favorite blush I’ve ever used. It doesn’t come off too pink, nor does it give you a really serious shimmer. It’s just enough. Run, do not walk to go buy this.

#5. Mascara
I’ve been a Cover Girl for a long time…ok no not like in the commercial but it’s what I’ve used for years. I’ve tried a bunch of different kinds, currently trying this one out, but I just keep coming back to her. Old faithful. If there’s one thing I put on my face every day, or just about, it’s mascara.

What are your favorite beauty products?

 

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10 things to do right NOW that will make you happy

Being a mom is hard.
Actually, just being a human is hard a lot of the time.

Days don’t go as we plan, the weather interrupts our picnics or beach plans. Someone bails on you. Your boss is a real butthead to you at work. Your babysitter fell through.

Whatever it is, we all have thoooooose days.
Unless you’re Beyonce. I just don’t believe she ever has a bad day.
Moving on.

I’ve come up with a short list of ten things you can do that will instantly make you happy.

#1. Take a shower.
Clean body, clean mind. Or something kumbayaish like that.

#2. Put on makeup.
Even if it’s just some mascara. You’ll feel like a human.

#3. Go outside.
For ten minutes or two hours. The sunshine and fresh air is a good thing. Live where the sun doesn’t shine all the time? Move.

#4. Put on Justin Beiber.
There I said it. What do you mean should be the go to. Dance girl, dance.

#5. Clean a room of your house.
Mine tends to be the kitchen. I’m not sure what it is about wiping down a counter or putting dishes away but it makes me happy and I also feel like my brain gets turned off.

#6. Watch an episode of Friends.
The One with Unagi. The One Where No One’s Ready. The One with Phoebe’s Cookies.

#7. Go to Target.
No need to buy anything, but you don’t have a soul if a target trip can’t cheer you up.

#8. Follow this Instagram account.
You’re welcome.

#9. Watch this video:

#10. Give yourself a pep talk.
Whatever is happening, it’s not that bad. Things could be much worse. Go stand in front of the mirror and shake it off.

If none of that works. Go get licked by a dog. If that doesn’t work, I simply can not help you.

DSC_0892
This is Duke. My first baby.

On off days, what do you do to make it better?

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Hello, April!

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March. You rocked (well, most of you did). 
+Emmy met her Aunt Josie! It was such a wonderfully low key weekend, the perfect kind for Em. Aunt Jos saw her sit up for the first time, and started to teach her how to clap. And also say her name.

+We made our first hospital trip (this is the not rocking part). I decided to give Em some scrabbled eggs for the first time on Easter morning, and she ended up having an allergic reaction to them. The irony. It freaked us out more than anything, and after some Benadryl baby girl was just fine. We won’t be having eggs for a bit now.

+Em sat up for the first time! I have been waiting for this! She’s Miss Independent now.

+We had our second sleepover with cousin Reagan, who is very helpful with Emmy. Plus, Em loves her.

+Em wore overalls for the first time. You’re welcome.

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+I had an Epcot date with my sweet friend Katie. Mamas night out, much needed.

+I did the 21 day fix! A big blog post on that coming soon!

April, I’ve got some things to get done:
-Read two books. I haven’t read a book since before I had Em. It’s been too long.

-Do another round of the 21 day fix. This means I loved it.

-Revamp my closet. With the weight loss, and just in general, I need to get rid of a ton of clothes that don’t fit/never will no matter how hard I try. I’m thinking something like a capsule wardrobe.

-Find three Mommy events and attend them. Library readings, park outings…that kind of thing.

-Cook five meals in the crockpot that aren’t soup. It’s Florida and hot, so no soup. But I do need to start using that wonderful pot, all in one? Yes please.

What’s on your list to do in April?

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On being a mama

mylifewithalittle.com
{August 22, 2015}
Since I can remember I wanted to be forty five different things when I “grew up”.
A veterinarian, a teacher, a preacher, a writer, a speaker, a journalist. You name it, I most likely majored in it in college.
I finally settled on a English/Creative Writing degree, which I proudly have from UCF, and proceeded to start a photography business.
You can laugh. I’m chuckling as I write this.
When I got pregnant things with my bushiness slowed down. Ok to be totally honest, they had started to about a month before I saw that little plus sign, and I was freaking out. I know now, that it was all the Lords plan. Because those first four months of pregnancy were spent in the bathroom, and I couldn’t have done any photo shoots if I tried.
So then I spent the next five months shooting very little, two weddings and a hand full of family sessions, and wondering how I’d do it once the baby got here.
How would I spend my weekends away? How many weddings per year would I do?
And then Emily Mae came along and flipped my world upside down.
I assume it’s much like the President of the United States feels when he sits in the Oval Office for the first time (forgive the reference, I’m watching a lot of The West Wing right now, and hello election season is here). But truly. He’s (some day SHE! but not yet…if you get my drift) got to have this feeling of “Yes, I did it. This is what I’m supposed to be doing”.
Or really anyone in any job they find that they love. Again, on the West Wing thing so that’s what came to my brain.
And it’s exactly how I feel with Emmy.
I was meant to do this mommy thing. This stay at home, make crafts, plan play dates. I’m all over it. I’m going to be “that mom” (which we’ll talk about at another time, the bad rap I think she gets). I’m not interested in going to a 9-5 job, not interested in having every weekend for a month packed with work stuff.
I’m interested in this tiny human of mine (and her future siblings). I’m interested in being with her each day, playing and teaching her. Raising her up in Christ, pointing her to Jesus in everything I do.
Now before I go on, I want to make it super clear that this mama isn’t the kind of mama for every mama out there. You still with me? For instance, my mom. Not a stay at home mom. But the best mom in the world. I never thought I missed out on something with her growing up because she wasn’t a stay at home mom. Quite frankly, I don’t see that in her personality and that’s totally ok. My mom is and was an incredible mother too us, even working a full time job. We never missed out or went without. I have friends now with babies the same age as Em who couldn’t wait to go back to work. You go, girl! You do you!
In case no one told you, every mom and child is different.
Being this stay at home mom is the job I’ve basically been waiting for my whole life. It fulfills me. It makes me happy. It gives me purpose.
I obviously couldn’t do it without Sonny, being the amazing supporter and provider for our family. Shout out to you, babe.
I wish I could go tell my eighteen year old self to cool my jets. That later in life I’d figure it all out, and that freaking out then about things wasn’t going to get me anywhere.
Being a mom has just clicked for me.
Not in a “I know everything” kind of way, but it’s all just come natural. When we brought her home from the hospital I remember being scared out of my mind.
I had heard the horror stories of what life with a new born was like.
But none of that happened for us (thank you, Jesus). My mom and mother in law stayed with us for a couple days and when they left I didn’t have this panic of “holy crap, now what do I do?”
I was fine. And totally confident that I could do this whole mothering thing.
It’s true when they tell you that your motherly instincts will kick in.
On most things.
Let’s face it. I still text my mom on the daily with questions.
But for the most part? I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and have this over whelming feeling almost daily (because not all days are rainbows and butterflies) that this is what I was created to do.
It’s basically my dream job.
Do you have a dream job?
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Hello & welcome!

mylifewithalittle.com

Hi, there!

I can’t tell you how excited I am about this blog. It’s something that I’ve been putting together (mostly in my head) over the last couple of months, and something I’ve felt like the Lord is pointing me towards.

Blogging isn’t new to me. Over the last couple of years I’ve had one outlet or another for blogging. I started a small Facebook group that I sent out devotionals to before I got married, and then started a blog when I got married. The name of it changed more times than I’ll admit (blogging no no, I know), and I never figured out my niche. Then I made a blog when I was pregnant, named Little Baby Westmoreland because we didn’t find out what we were having. Once baby girl got here, I kept the name but didn’t feel like I really owned that space.

So I started thinking of something different.

I envisioned a space simple, and well put together. Something with an actual url, not a dot blogspot or wordpress. I saw collaborations and articles shared. Opinions and tips.
I saw an actual blog.

It took me weeks to come up with a name. Nothing sounded quite right, or represented what I wanted this blog to be.
I thought about just using my name.
I thought about continuing with Little Baby Westmoreland, but then thought about future kids and when they aren’t babies.

And then I came up with My life with a Little.

It was honestly like a light bulb went off.

This blog is about my crazy beautiful journey through motherhood. The ups and downs, the triumphs and the major fails I’ll have/had. It’s my life with a little.

I’m so thankful you’re here and so excited for this blog!

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