You know that saying “A Sunday well spent brings a week of content”? It might be cheesy but for me, it rings true. When I think about Sundays, I think relaxation, unwinding, and recharging for the upcoming week. I don’t always get a lazy Sunday so when I do it’s a treat. Yesterday was that day. I think all of us could benefit from one every now and again. A recipe for a Sunday well spent for me is:

Sleeping in 

Tim and I actually got to start AND finish a movie (The Impossible–I recommend) in the same day. That, my friends, is a rarity these days. 

Just because I want to lounge around doesn’t mean I don’t want to actually DO anything. This weekend I really wanted to try to get the baby to fall sleep in his crib and it happened, tear-free (for him) and all! I might or might not have cried after he fell asleep clinging his teddy…because it’s just crazy how fast he’s grown, and I am and always have been an emotional person. I’m definitely going “that” mom who cries at school events…

You won’t hear me complaining about today being just another day or simply a Hallmark holiday. Valentine’s Day has always been a favorite holiday of mine. It wasn’t about romantic love until I was much older. Growing up, it was about the love of family and friends, which I believe are foundational and deserve to be celebrated. So I’m excited to celebrate with my husband, our newest little love, and family.

This year is extra special because it’s our first as parents. Through it all, my husband has shown me how strong of a love we have–after all, it gave us our biggest blessing. He’s been my right hand, my left hand and even both hands at times. He steps in when I need a break or steps away if I want some extra cuddles with my boy. Parenthood has not been easy on our marriage but it’s been more than worth it. And it has bonded us in a way nothing else could ever have. There’s no one else I’d rather have to live this wild adventure with. 

This year is also extra special because of the baby boy who made us said parents. I hate to sound cliché but I really never have known a love like this. It’s the kind that keeps me up way past my bedtime to soothe him and rock him to sleep. It’s the kind that wakes me in the middle of the night, sometimes only once and other times five. It’s the kind that makes me cry when I realize I’m living my dream. It’s the kind that makes me want to stay in together, just because. It’s the kind that knows no boundaries, limits or conditions. It’s the “love at first sight” kind of love that I never really believed in and that I now know is real. It’s the kind that pushes me and challenges me, completes me and has transformed me into my best self.

I can’t promise him many things in this crazy life but of this I am sure: no one will ever love him more. ❤

In the spirit of bringing optimism and spreading positivity on a day when so many Americans are upset, I am sharing five uplifting mantras: 

It’s hard to believe Christmas weekend is basically here! I have off tomorrow and Monday so I am more than ready to clock out today and begin our celebrations.

Tomorrow calls for quite a bit of errand running followed by a Christmas PJs girls night. My group of girlfriends is very unique. We are not one in the same. Most of us are actually very different but I think that’s what makes our friendships work. We compliment each other’s differences. How boring would it be if we were all the same? 

It follows the story of a pink hippo who’s different than other hippos. Her positive outlook and message are inspriring for young kids. She believes it’s important to celebrate yourself, your uniqueness and your differences. Because our differences don’t make us weak–they make us strong. 

The book comes with useful activities at the end. After reading it, I think it’s best suited and most appropriate for school-aged children. Kids can carry this important lesson with them throughout their school years when encountering students who might look, speak or behave differently than them.