Browsing Tag

encouragement

Our Month In 9 Squares is a 9-photo recap of the month, filled with photos and cherished memories. Check out our favorite moments in July 2020.

Our Month In 9 Squares – July 2020

Dear July 2020,

You are always a hot one… and as usual you were extra toasty with the award for the hottest month in AZ history! We spent most of the month in a pool or indoors to stay cool, with the exception of our dreamy Colorado vacation! We were so blessed to have booked this trip a year ago, that still allowed us the opportunity to get out and explore in the middle of this pandemic. We soaked up cooler weather, incredible hikes with majestic water features, took in breathtaking mountain views and fished like it was going out of style. When the day came to pack up and drive home, we all wished that we didn’t have to leave! It truly was the highlight of the summer. We also had the pleasure of celebrating our oldest daughter’s 8th birthday, which doesn’t even seem possible. Where has the time gone?!

But July 2020, you have come to an end and here we are getting ready to start virtual kindergarten and third grade from home next week. So August, please provide us with patience and understanding as we start this new chapter. We’re all in this together!

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – July 2020 ::

July 31, 2020 by Jenna

Our Month in 9 Squares

Our Month In 9 Squares – June 2020

Dear June 2020,

We are still in Covid times. Due to the AZ spike in positive corona virus numbers, we are still in quarantine. Our days have consisted of swimming, swimming and more swimming. We are definitely doing what we can to enjoy this strange and unexpected summer. But I must say, the best memories of the month were our two mountain getaways. Sneaking away for a family weekend in Prescott and running off to Flagstaff, (kid-free!) have really given us life this month. Just what our adventurous hearts needed. Cooler weather, the great outdoors and a social media break can really do good for the soul!

We also celebrated two special days this month. We spent our 12th wedding anniversary on the lake kayaking the day away! And we loved on our favorite daddy on Father’s Day! Even though we are in unchartered territory in this season of life, we are so grateful for the gift of family time.

July, you provide our last month of summer… give us eyes to see past the uneasiness of the world around us and let us center in on what’s important!

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – June 2020 ::

July 1, 2020 by Jenna

Our Month in 9 Squares

Our Month In 9 Squares – May 2020

Dear May 2020,

You were a month of endings! We celebrated the last day of homeschool for both Preschool and Second Grade! Although we are so happy to see the school year come to an end, we are sad that it ended in such an unexpected way this year. In honor of Preschool Graduation we celebrated at a park, social distancing of course, to still honor our little graduates in their caps and gowns. It was too cute!

We also celebrated Mother’s Day with a special day at home. I was serenaded with darling planned surprises and homemade goodies. It really was a memorable Mother’s Day!

With the major swing of heat rolling into the valley we snuck away to both Prescott and Payson for cooler adventures, which really made the month! We were able to enjoy the outdoors and take a break from our new normal at home. Kingston also got to join in the road-trip’n fun and loved the change of scenery. Who would have thought he only joined our family 1 month ago!

Well June, please surprise us with cooler weather… Hey, a girl can dream!

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – May 2020 ::

June 2, 2020 by Jenna

Our Month in 9 Squares

Our Month In 9 Squares – April 2020

Dear April 2020,

April, You are usually a busy and event-filled month, but with quarantine in full swing it was not our usual April.

We filled the month with homeschooling, at home fun and soaking up as much outdoorsy time as possible. We loved being creative with painting and sidewalk chalk, long bike rides and splashing around on the backyard water slide. Honestly, it has been so much fun!!! We have embraced the quarantine lifestyle and besides missing our friends and family, we have enjoyed our new normal. Don’t get me wrong I am excited for the day that we can go on dates again and enjoy my girlfriend time!

Even though we were inside… we also enjoyed a simple yet perfect Easter and 2 BIG birthdays. Thank goodness for Target and Amazon, we were still able to throw amazing in-home shindigs. Quarantine birthdays are surprisingly GREAT! Kenise turned 2 and had the time of her life eating cake and playing with new toys. And 35 wasn’t spent exactly how I imagined, but I enjoyed eating and drinking the day away with my hubby while binging McMillions, Michael Jordan – The Last Dance & Tiger King. (PS- McMillions is by far one of the best documentaries we have watched – So good!)

BUT, the biggest and BEST part of April 2020 was welcoming Kingston Porter into our family. The sweetest little Schoodle has taken over our hearts and home. He has made every day exciting and honestly we couldn’t be happier with our 4lb little buddy!

So there you have it! We didn’t let quarantine ruin our month. Instead we embraced it and now looking back I couldn’t be more thankful for it! Some of my favorite memories to date, were made in April… In the comfort of our home! May, we are looking forward to what you have in store, with no expectations!!!

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – April 2020 ::

April 30, 2020 by Jenna

Our Month in 9 Squares

Our Month In 9 Squares – March 2020

Dear March 2020,

Where to begin… March 2020 you were completely unexpected. We started out the month with life as usual – busy sports schedule and school activities. We then jumped in the car on day 1 of spring break to enjoy snow and mountain weather with friends on a ski trip. Little did we know that when we got home, we were home for good.

This month has taken some crazy turns. But, after all that has gone on, we are just so grateful to be together and healthy. With Covid-19 wreaking havoc on the world, we have spent the rest of the month safe at home and soaking up family time.

With school now canceled for the rest of the year, April is looking to be a month of homeschooling, family bike rides and embracing more social distancing. BUT we are going into it with a smile and determination to look on the bright side and continue to be grateful! Grateful for health, love, family and thanks to technology we get to stay in touch with those we love. April is going to surprise us with some very special family time! Even though it isn’t at all what we expected, we are looking forward to it.

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – March 2020 ::

April 1, 2020 by Jenna

Our Month in 9 Squares

Our Month In 9 Squares – February 2020

Dear February 2020,

You have surprisingly become one of my favorite months of the year. You are a month filled with beautiful AZ weather that tends to be chilly, breezy and rainy… my kind of heaven. You are also a month filled with our favorite sports and activities, which are extra enjoyable due to the stunning weather. [Super Bowl festivities, The Phoenix Open, Soccer Saturday’s, golf and hiking… we kept busy! ] We spent a lot of time as a family outdoors this month and that gives us all a little extra skip in our steps.

I also adore February because as a girl-mom it is so much fun watching all of my lovely ladies date their daddy for Valentine’s. Getting each girl ready for their surprise date with their favorite Valentine melted my heart each time, they made special memories that they will never forget… and priceless moments for me as their mom.

Oh February, you were loved! As we march right into March, I am pumped for a new collection of firsts and I promise to slow down and continue to be intentional with my loved ones. Let’s do this, March!

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – February 2020 ::

March 1, 2020 by Jenna

Our Month in 9 Squares

Our Month In 9 Squares – January 2020

Dear January 2020,

You are a welcomed month by all. You bring excitement and realization of a new year and a new beginning. You were a month filled with dreaming and goal-planning, and that in itself is great! After a fabulous holiday break, school and activities are now in full swing and bringing a jam-packed schedule to this new decade. But, as I have said before… Busy is fun!

February, we are so excited for you to add a little sparkle and love to our schedule!

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – January 2020 ::

February 1, 2020 by Jenna

CELEBRATE, Family, Holidays, LIFESTYLE

Hello 2020!

New Year’s Day is always an exciting day! It is a day that brings new adventures. It is a day that allows us to look forward to change. It is a day that opens the door to new goals and dreams. So as we ring in the new year, let’s give thanks for all of our blessings!

For my family, we say goodbye to our first year as a family of 5, and we say hello to a new year ahead of growth and more adventures to come.

We are so excited to celebrate new beginnings… HELLO to a new decade – Hello 2020!

Take time today to thank God for the blessing of Day 1.

Lamentations 3:23 – Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.

From my family to yours, we wish you a Happy New Year! Hello 2020!

Thank you for the beautiful photos La Brisa Photography.

January 1, 2020 by Jenna

Our Month in 9 Squares

Our Month In 9 Squares – November 2018

Dear November 2018,

What a great month!

You were a month filled with gratefulness, thankfulness, and the reminder of kindness. November, we filled you up with great moments and treasured times… Mainly Kensie’s first cross-country adventure and our hubby/wife trip to Washington D.C. DC was beyond words – FABULOUS! We also celebrated daddy’s birthday, Thanksgiving, our first girl-only STAYcation slumber party and Christmas came early this year with decorating the house and setting up the tree.

November you were good to us, but we are so excited for Christmas and the holiday month of December! Bring on Jesus’ BIRTHDAY!!!

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – November 2018 ::

November 30, 2018 by Jenna

Newborn Necessities from one mom to another. Sharing items that I love and that have helped me get through the exhausting new baby stage, with ease.

Family, LIFESTYLE, Monthly MUST Haves

Newborn Necessities | Must-Have Favorites From One Mom To Another

Girlie number 3 is six weeks new and I am living on caffeine and snuggles! Since we are in the newborn survival stage I thought it would be fun to share a few items that have kept ‘us’ going – items that both Kensie and I love. They are mostly nursing and sleep related because let’s face it, up until now that is all newbies do in the beginning. And if you recall from my previous posts, since we didn’t know her gender prior to birth, practically every item listed below has been 2-day shipped to my home via Amazon Prime. Lifesaver!

To give you a little back story, I have really struggled with nursing all three of my girls, and to say the first few weeks of nursing has been rough would be an understatement. Between the pain, engorgement, plugged ducts/mastitis, latching and what seems to be a never ending cycle of feeds… it is and has been an exhausting journey, again! But, I am hanging in there and the nursing/feeding items below are probably why. Don’t be afraid to admit it is hard, because it is… use whatever aids you need to get through! Not all nursing journeys are easy, so do your best to not doubt your body or be too hard on yourself. And yes, I need to be better at taking my own advice. Which is why I am sharing my ‘breast friends’ below!

Newborn Necessities

June 5, 2018 by Jenna

Older Posts

encouragement

Dear July 2020,

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – July 2020 ::

Dear June 2020,

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – June 2020 ::

Dear May 2020,

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – May 2020 ::

Dear April 2020,

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – April 2020 ::

Dear March 2020,

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – March 2020 ::

Dear February 2020,

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – February 2020 ::

Dear January 2020,

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – January 2020 ::

We are so excited to celebrate new beginnings… HELLO to a new decade – Hello 2020!

￼Thank you for the beautiful photos La Brisa Photography.

Dear November 2018,

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – November 2018 ::

Newborn Necessities

Thank you for the beautiful photos La Brisa Photography.