everyday Ann

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A ball can entertain this little man for hours. Fair to say he will have his Dad’s athletic ability and not mine.

1.  I have been using Etsy to buy gifts lately and have been pleased with the purchases and quality. For Mother’s Day I bought a bracelet for my mom with my grandmother’s handwriting engraved. My grandma was always busy writing letters and sending cards it was her love language.

2.  I never know what to buy Aaron for Father’s Day, so I found a t-shirt for him on Etsy. (Hoping he doesn’t decide to read the blog this week!)

3.  In addition to the energy bars we already make I am trying to find some healthy protein bar recipes without a lot of sugar. All of these look amazingly tempting, but with a little more chocolate than what I would like. Thinking I could alter a few to reduce the grams of sugar. Any favorite recipes?

4.  Over the summer we are requiring the boys to keep up with their math and reading. We have noticed in years past come August summer brain has officially taken over anything that has been stored academically. I was excited to find these free math worksheets that I can print off. They have everything categorized by grade with a variety of different skill sets to focus on.

5.  Eyeing up easy and comfortable summer dresses. Every day wear yet chic.

6.  Who wants s’more?! Can’t get enough of the ooey-gooey marshmallow goodness try s’more brownies. Incredibly easy and quick for last minute gatherings and no one will know they started from a box.

7.  I have been looking for a little more variety to throw into our breakfast routine. Right now our staples are honey-nut granola that we purchase from a food co-op and made from scratch oatmeal pancakes. All of these look delicious and hearty, hoping to stave off hunger for an hour or two.

Happy weekend!! Visit Kelly for more.

Having It All

I was shocked when I read the headlines last week of Kate Spade taking her own life. Not that I know her, her state of life or health, but from an outsider looking in she had it all. She had fame, success, wealth, beauty and the list goes on. She had everything that our culture defines as bringing happiness. Everything that so many spend their entire life trying to have a small taste of.

How could one not be happy, all of the standards were met. Many dream and would give almost anything for the fame and wealth she had acquired. Judging by the standards of our culture what could be missing. She had built an empire.

I don’t own any Kate Spade merchandise, but I enjoy looking at her classy yet stylish purses to her statement and fashionable accessories. I enjoy beautiful things, from clothing, accessories to home decor. I like looking at the latest fashion or dreaming up new ways to turn my home into something pinterest worthy.

Sometimes I find myself falling into the materialism we are bombarded with. Wondering if my shoes from last summer are too dated or if my blouse is looking drab. Perhaps if I just had a new purse, new phone, new shoes. Thinking life would be easier if we just had a bigger house. If I don’t catch myself it is left consuming my thoughts. All of it racing around in my mind and becoming a god, causing me to lose focus.

What our culture offers isn’t enough. We chase after the next, the newest and the best, only left feeling unsettled. Perhaps for a moment it brings us happiness, but the happiness is fleeting. When the short lived high wears off we are left only wanting more and simply start the cycle all over again.

So many people walk around unhappy without true joy. Thinking that someday when they have what they want then and only then will they experience happiness. In our society materialism has become a god.  A god we are grasping at, trying to earn only to have it slip through our fingers time and time again. A god we hope will bring joy to our lives.

We all have a yearning. A yearning for the good, the true and the beautiful. As much as we seek worldly gains to fill us only the God who made us can satisfy our longings. The God who is love will bring us true joy that will not be shaken by trends, wealth and fame.

Our hearts are restless until they rest in you. – St. Augustine

Summer Kick Off

1.  Last day of school photo, need I say more. Despite their excitement by day two of summer break they had me driving through the school parking lot just so they could see their school again.

2.  I have a feeling by summer’s end I will need a secluded retreat that involves all down time and lots of sleeping. Three days in and we have had a game of kickball, playdate and zoo trip.

3.  While I am trying to cut down on my list making obsession I am having the boys take it over. I have asked them for a list of things they would like to do this summer. A summer bucket list that doesn’t include movies, TV or screen time.

4.  I saw a meme on facebook that said something along the lines of, you only have 18 summers with your kids, use them wisely. Here is to memories made and laughter had.

5.  Speaking of retreat I am really looking forward to the Blessed Is She retreat later this year. Now to prepare everyone for mom being gone more than two hours without kids. When I told Kolbe about the idea he gasped with shock and horror that I would even think of leaving them for a full two days.

6.  Caden is nine months old!! Fastest nine months, now if only the previous nine months of pregnancy would have gone by as quickly. Second haircut in the books and he is looking more and more like a toddler. Not sure I can cope with it.

7.  Officially potty training Grace and admit that I have no idea what I am doing. She is doing really great for my D- effort. For some reason she always has to go when I am nursing Caden or not trying to burn dinner. Struggling with my consistency and realizing I need to allow more time especially when we are going somewhere. Maybe four is a good age?

Linked up late, better than never. Happy weekend!!

3 Under $30

Look on the bright side! My kids have inherited my love of sunglasses. The boys recently got a new pair and faithfully wear them rain or shine, clouds or sun. They have also become Grace’s new fave and in addition to wearing her pair in the house she faithfully has them on whenever I am wearing mine.

I have one go to pair, but swoon over all the different styles. Here are a few that have caught my eye!

 

24.50 // LOFT

24.97 // Nordstrom Rack

 

14.00 // francesca’s

 

Letting Go of The List

(source)

Writing over at CatholicMom.com today continuing to focus on an area in my life that needs some balance, learning to be. To let go of the list that I allow to hover over me and base my success on and to instead get lost in carefree timelessness with those placed in my life.

What ways have you found helpful to bring balance to the busyness?