Hello! It has been so long since I have posted on my blog, and I think that needs to change :)
I have realized over the past year that my kids love to hop on here and take a trip down memory lane, and that melts my heart. So, even if no one else takes a peek, I know that this is something they treasure. (I love you, kiddos!)
A lot has happened since I last posted. My "babies" are growing way too darn fast for my liking. (one will be driving soon, gulp!) The older I get the more I value the little things in life. As cliché as that sounds, I feel it with everything in me. 2018 was a great year for me (us) and I am thankful for that. Of course there were the highs and lows of any marriage, parenting & life but we are healthy and that is no small thing.
The year was filled with amazing memories as a family. Our biggest news was the addition of this guy. This is Gus. He is a petite Goldendoodle and we love him to pieces!!!
Because we added Gus, we didn't travel much this past year. It was a family effort in earning money for him, so the training was a family effort too! :) The kids have been awesome helpers with Gus!! We did squeeze in some family getaways to Duluth, Valley Fair, fishing trips along with gymnastics, football & some very treasured girl time for mama! (Stillwater and Austin, TX!)
The other VERY exciting news is that my dear friend and I partnered in opening a new shop in Osceola, WI!! It's called Oak and Ivory. It was bittersweet to close Sweet Home in White Bear Lake, but this new chapter has been a great one. The community has been so supportive and welcoming and we are having a blast doing it! Being creative is my passion and I truly feel humbled that people like my products enough to add them to their lives and homes!! THANK YOU for your support. My dear husband and kids have been so amazing through this journey.<3
And of course, running is still a huge part of my life. I get lost in the beauty, the music & God's creation. I am SO grateful my body lets me do this. In 2019 I challenged myself (and started a group of 8 other amazing mamas!) to a 365 day run challenge. It may be 1 mile or 10...intervals or stair running, but I am DETERMINED to run DAILY!
Above it all, I am grateful for God's blessings in the people I call mine. We are not perfect. We have challenges with our kids. They can cause us stress and sleepless nights and tears. Our marriage has been hard. We have been in counseling off and on for years. Despite all of that, love wins. We choose to forgive and love and help and laugh and play and stay. These 5 people teach me to love and be a better person. I am so thankful for the trials because it makes us stronger. I love them fiercely. We are perfectly imperfect. This is us.
