For : the stay-at-home parent

Greetings!

I recently saw someone I hadn't seen in a couple years.
He asked how I've been, what I've been up to, what I do for work?

My response : "I'm just a stay-at-home mom."

Instantly, I cringed at my response.
Just. I am not JUST anything.

I am a pirate, a queen,

and a multitude of other characters.

I am an elephant, a bear,

and countless other animals.

I am a toilet bowl cleaner, cook, 

and a doer of many other household chores. 

I am a supporter, a listener, an ouchie kisser, 

and I possess a mishmash of other qualities. 

Today, as I'm planning out Christmas gifts, I am the best bargain hunter and thrift-scorer! 

I need to give myself more credit for what it is I actually do all day. 

And if I know other stay-at-home parents like I think I do, 

you need to give yourself more credit as well! 

Being a stay-at-home parent is not for the meek.
You are an eclectic mix with an extremely broad resumé.

Embrace your multiple identities!

Be the best you can be! 

Do 'work' you're proud of!

Love. Love well!

And remember, you're not just anything...

Wishing you all the best in your parenting journey,

Nicole

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Being A Parent

Oh, parents! 

May you never forget the moment your child arrived.

When your child is new to you there is this connection that is indescribable! 

You're in "the love bubble."

Penelope Joy

Lillian August

They are perfect. 
They smell so stinking delicious you really do just want to eat them right up! 

Years go on and things change :
Just like with any relationship the excitement, newness, thrill-of-it-all dissipates.

You find yourself realizing :

The infatuation has worn off...with my kid(s)!

But the thing about being a parent : there is no "breaking up." 

You're in it for the long-haul. 

So, what does this really mean?!

You have to start putting in serious work.
You have to choose to love them through it all. 
You have to start being intentional. 

Take a few deep breaths. 

Now, have a dance party! 

Allow your kids to be kids.

Let them get dirty.

Read them their favorite book over & over.

Get on their level & explore the magic in everything. 

Give them more hugs. 

Did you know kids give THE BEST hugs?!

Never forget the joy. 
Don't give up.
Love them unconditionally.
Love them well. 

Wishing you all the best in your parenting journey!  

Personality Test

Hello friends! 

I recently took a personality test. 

***I actually took it twice (just to be sure) and got the same "answer."***

Introversion (I), Intuition (N), Feeling (F), Judgment (J)

The rarest personality of all 16 - only making up 

1% of the population. 

I feel like this test expressed me in a way I haven't known how to verbalize. 

The main thing it confirmed for me : 

I see 'helping others' as my purpose in life.

It gives me chills how accurate my 'result' is and helped me better understand myself.

I desire to be honest, transparent & raw.

It's important to me that I remain authentic, genuine & sincere. 
I enjoy sharing the messy & beautiful parts of life.  

My hope is it serves as a reminder:

You are not alone in your struggles. 

You are not alone in your successes. 

I believe sympathizing connects people in the most wonderful ways. 

I encourage you all to take a personality test! 

It only took a few minutes and it was free! 

I used :
16personalities.com

*I am not paid, sponsored, or affiliated with them. I just enjoyed their free test!*

Let me know if you take the test! 

I'm curious to read your result and better understand you! 

Much peace, love & happiness,

Nicole

Reviewing My Sober October

I set a goal and I followed through.

I made it the entire month without a drop of alcohol! 

Giving up alcohol for pregnancy was easy - I had every reason not to drink.

Giving it up "just because" was more difficult than I thought it would be.

We went on vacation to Mammoth & hung out with my sisters. 

While there I wanted to cave and have a glass of wine. 

Zach and I had an evening to ourselves at a local lodge.

The package included a bottle of champagne. 

We went to Wasabi.

It's almost tradition that eating at Wasabi includes sake, beer or wine. 

I went to Canada with a friend.

I wanted a beer with lunch & sake with dinner.

Halloween was last night.

It was a long day with the girlies & I worked - I wanted to end the night with a glass of wine.

There were many weeknights & weekends in-between that alcohol was readily accessible.

Alcohol is a powerful addiction.

While not drinking, I realized how often I used to drink without reason. 

No special occasion, just a difficult day with the girls would lead to a glass of wine - that turned into the whole bottle being emptied. 

So, now that I've completed Sober October what does the future look like?

I'm more conscious of my reasons behind drinking.

My goal is to not just 'drink to drink.'

My goal is to enjoy a glass of wine and 

not feel I have to finish the whole bottle in that sitting.

My goal is to be more health conscious. 

My goal is to be a good example to my girls as to 

what a responsible adult consuming alcohol should be.

New month, new goals!

Happy November!!