15 Personalized Gift Ideas For The Family

Personalized gifts are honestly one of my favorite gifts to receive. I think personalized gifts feel well, personal. Like the giver not only thought of a sweet gift to give, but also went the extra mile with personalization. In a world that you can have any package at your doorstep in 2 days (i’m definitely not complaining about this), a personalized gift seems a little extra special for the added time and intention behind it.

When deciding on what gifts to give my family, I always try to think about what gifts I would love to have, but wouldn’t buy for myself. Also, I really am drawn to gifts that are sentimental in some way with a photo, or that means something to our family. This personalized gift guide was made with all of those thoughts in mind. Also, I have personally purchased or received many of these items as gifts and have loved them! I hope you do too!

You can shop my affiliate links below by clicking on the photo.

Monogram Mommy & Me Hat $29

Pottery Barn Kids Duffel Bag $35

Photo Memory Matching Game $19.99

Handwriting Keepsake Ornament $14

Photo Puzzle $19.99

Metal Photo Ornament $10

Engraved Pocket Knife $17.95

Floating Frame 2 pk $28.99

Custom Stamp $20.97

Metal Luggage Tag $11.99

Fabric Crayons $4.29

13 Handkerchiefs $12.98

Dish Towels $26.74

Sterling Silver Necklace $44.90

Personalized Stationary $25

Recordable Storybook $34.99

Personalized Handkerchiefs & Dish Towels

You may be wondering why the fabric crayons? Well, they are for you to use with the dish towels or handkerchiefs! My kids have made some really fun personalized gifts for their grandparents with these items! Click HERE to see how!

Frame A Family Heirloom

The other item on the list to personalize yourself are the floating frames! Wouldn’t it be beautiful to frame a love letter, recipe, or a childs artwork? Blesser House has a wonderful tutorial on how to preserve a recipe or a letter. Take a look! https://www.blesserhouse.com/how-to-preserve-and-frame-handwritten-recipes-and-letters/

photo by Blesser House

Which of these personalized gifts are your favorite?

Five Easy Ways To Laugh More As A Family

How important is it to laugh together as a family?

Well, according to Forbes.com laughter releases endorphins in our brain. These endorphins not only increase our sense of well being, but also promotes a sense of togetherness and safety. Isn’t that amazing?! Just simply laughing together more as a family can increase your child’s sense of security and feeling of belonging. I would say that is good enough reason to intentionally invite more laughter into your home. You may be thinking, but I’m just not funny…how can I help my family laugh more if i’m not funny? Fear not, I have put together a list of 5 simple things you can do to infuse more laughter into your family this week. So, take a deep breath…you can do this!

1. Find Humor In The Small Things

   Let me tell you some silly examples of the weirdness in our home:

   • After pouring my son cereal one morning, there were no spoons in the drawer…so instead I grabbed the ice cream scooper that was in the drawer and stuck it in his cereal. I then walked away without making eye contact and waited for a response. When I turned around there was a big smile on my sons face, and he chuckled…”moooommm.” He also then proceeded to get really irritated by my silliness, even though he thought initially it was funny! But… his pre teen angst is running real high these days, and I will not come down!

   • Randomly pull pranks on your kids or on your guests. My kids have been known to hide plastic spiders/snakes in the beds of our visiting out of town family. Muahahaha. Thus, my sister has also returned the favor by short sheeting our beds when we were in town visiting them. (If you don’t know how to short sheet, click HERE, you’re welcome.)

   • Simply write a joke on a napkin and put it in their lunchbox. Or to even make it more simple for you click HERE for free printable Christmas jokes by www.kristendukephotography.com/

2. Participate In House Dance Parties!

   • Depending on the age of your kids they will either think your dance moves are the best moves ever, or their worst nightmare. Haha! May the odds be ever in your favor.

   • Have your kids teach you to floss or to do the latest dance craze. If they won’t teach you, youtube it and surprise them by learning it!

   • Up your dance party game by purchasing some rad strobe lights!

3. Laugh And Be Silly With Your Spouse

   • If your kids see you modeling lighthearted behavior, chances are they will learn it too!

   • My favorite thing to do is to depants my husband while he reads the mail, washes dishes, or brushes his teeth. It’s just this ongoing silliness between us (that I am rarely successful at) that causes us to continually laugh together. Also, I don’t do this when the kids are in the room…but if they are one room over, it’s fair game. The kids don’t know what happened, they just see mom and dad laughing together.

   • We have also unintentionally gotten into food fights together in the kitchen. While making sandwiches one day, my husband walked in and I decided to try and peg him in the face with a slice of bread. Is this weird? The bread skimmed his face and he threw it back of course hitting me square in the face. Why can I never win?! Our kids usually look at us in shock, but it’s also hilarious to see the amazed look on their faces. Yes kids, parents can have fun too!

4. Ask Each Other At The Dinner Table, What Made You Laugh Today?

   • Everyone can do this, right?! Usually, it was a brother who did something silly…and then we all get to giggle about it together!

5. Watch Funny Videos Together

   • Americas Funniest Home Videos…(kids love it!)

   • YouTube Funny Animal Videos

   • The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (this is great for preteens/teens)

     • Robert Irwin (Crocodile Hunters son) brings on exotic animals that scare Jimmy.

     • Silly Skits

     • Funny Games

     • Singing Challenges

I’m curious, what would you add to this list? Please tell…I want to laugh at your weirdness too!

Disney Plus Must Watch Movies Of My Childhood

Image via Disney

Excuse me while I binge Disney Plus all winter long. Scrolling through this new streaming service has me all nostalgic for my favorite childhood movies that I had almost forgotten about. Now, I get to introduce my kids to them! Below is a list of movies that I feel are a must see for your whole family. Keep in mind, I grew up in the 80s/90s. I remember when these movies would be played on tv. It was always such a fun night that we looked forward to when Petes Dragon, Babes In Toyland, or Around the World In 80 Days was scheduled to be shown. If I remember correctly, weren’t some of these movies shown over the course of 2 days because they were so long?

Also, it seems that language in movies wasn’t a big deal in the 80s/90s era…because Home Alone has SO many curse words in it…especially in the first 30 min! Maybe I don’t remember this because we always watched the “made for tv” version. Hey Disney…can we maybe release those versions too?! haha! Anyways, there are so many movies that haven’t been released yet to Disney Plus…one of my favorites being Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken. The one with the female horse diver who is blind! SO GOOD! You can rent it on itunes or amazon prime…my boys actually loved this movie, but if you have a little girl…oh my goodness, go rent it now!

Are there any movies you can’t wait for Disney to release? Until then, check out this list that is available now! I only listed the movies that gave me all the childhood feels.

Images via Disney

Miracle On 34th Street

Pollyanna

Swiss Family Robinson

Around The World In 80 Days

Babes in Toyland

Bedknobs & Broomsticks

The Parent Trap

The Rocketeer

The Sandlot

Petes Dragon

Cool Runnings

Blank Check 

Iron Will

Home Alone 1,2

Rookie Of The Year

Boy Meets World

The Mighty Ducks 1, 2, &3

Sister Act 1 & 2

Tom & Huck

The Santa Clause 1, 2 & 3

So, which of these movies do you remember absolutely loving? Isn’t it so fun to take a walk down memory lane with your kids?!

The Season Of Striving Is Upon Us

Are you feeling it already?  Buy this, decorate that, serve here, don’t forget that…this season can be daunting.  So how do we stay in our lane this year and decide for ourselves what we will say yes to, and what we need to say no to.  

I confess when you come to this blog, sometimes I feel like you as the reader might feel like you should be doing everything I write about.  But no.  That is never my heart or intention.  I never want you to leave here feeling overwhelmed or less than. Instead I hope you feel inspired, encouraged, and empowered to live out your own unique purpose.  

So let’s clear our minds together, and start today by feeling freedom to say, no.  Here are some No’s I have been thinking about lately.

No, I do not have to buy our kids 5 gifts each…maybe this year 2 is plenty.  

No, I do not have to be at every school function for our kids…maybe choosing 1 is enough.  

No, I do not have to bake everything from scratch for the get togethers…maybe let Kroger do it.  

I have come to realize that when I say no, it frees up my yeses.  

I am saying Yes, to my kids getting 2 gifts this year (so that we don’t go into debt this Christmas).

I am saying Yes, to attending 1 school function (so that I will not be overwhelmed and stretched to thin).

I am saying Yes, to letting Kroger bake that pie (so that I can spend more time with people, and less time in the kitchen).  

All this striving is exhausting.  Exhaustion leads to one irritated mama, and that is exactly what I want to avoid this holiday season. I don’t want to live in a state of exhaustion and irritation, but of joy and peace!

Have you heard of King Solomon in the Bible? He is the King who when asked by God what he would like to receive, he asked for wisdom. Not riches or power…wisdom. And God gave it to him along with riches and power. So, this king had everything under the sun. But at the end of his life, he called it all vanity and striving after the wind.

I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.  

Ecclesiastes 1:14

Perhaps the more famous quote from King Solomon is that “there is a season for everything.”

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Might I add: A time to say yes, and a time to say no.

If we are running ourselves ragged striving for perfection in many things, do you know what that results in?  Us chasing after the wind…it is like us trying to catch and hold the wind in our hands.  It simply can’t be done and is foolish to even try.  Because I love visualizations, I threw flour all over my kitchen and tried to catch some in my hands. It made a huge mess, but the photos were worth it…i think. haha! I love how the Bible can put life in perspective.  It is always saying such profound things that my mind never naturally thinks itself.  But when we stop, pause, and take time to fill our souls with words that bring life…it’s amazing how it simultaneously frees your soul as well.  

Where do you need to lay down striving in your life?  Where have you set unrealistic expectations for yourself that leave you feeling defeated and restless?  For me, I need to be mindful of what I’m saying yes to this season.  And I need to give myself permission to say No even when I want to say yes.  When we create margin in our lives, it makes our yeses more enjoyable.  

After all if I am going to strive for anything this holiday season…it will be for a joyful and peaceful heart!

Affordable & Classic Christmas Pajamas

I am holding onto this tradition as long as I can! My oldest son is 10, and when I asked him if he would wear Christmas pajamas this year he replied, “If you want me to.” BE STILL MY HEART! This boy DOES love me! haha! I really hope that he will do this for me every Christmas until he has a family of his own and then MAKES them do it (a mom can dream, right?!).

Every year I go on the hunt for a classic looking Christmas pajama. This year, Target had SO MANY cute and affordable pajamas to choose from! I was so pleased, that I had to share them with you! Everything listed below is under $15! I do have to say, that Hearth & Hand with Magnolia knocks it out of the park in Christmas pajamas every year. You just have to be quick to snag them! Last year, I was to late to the party and the Hearth & Hand pajamas had sold out! Another honorable mention that I did not list below is Macy’s. Every year they have an exclusive Christmas Pajama line made just for Macy’s that is usually classic looking and under $20.

Are you like this too? Anytime I spend money on a gift for my kids, I want them to know it is special. So to make Christmas pajamas feel a bit more special here is what I do. After we have put up the Christmas tree it is the first gift that appears under the tree, usually by Dec 1st. This way they have the entire month of December to enjoy the excitement of wearing new Christmas pajamas. Recently, I heard a tradition from Kelle Hampton that the first night they put up their tree, the kids all sleep together in the living room underneath it. I think this is a super sweet tradition, that I may adopt this year in addition to gifting them Christmas pajamas.

Friends, every year i’m adopting new traditions that I have heard from other people! Don’t be afraid to try some new traditions out this year! I used to think that other family’s traditions were so sweet, and I would be sad that I hadn’t created any special traditions with my kids. Well, now if I hear something I love…we are trying it! Who knows, it may become a one time thing OR it may actually get adopted as a tradition if our family loves it enough!

*You can shop these pajamas by clicking on my affiliate links below

Red Holiday Snowflake Hearth & Hand with Magnolia

Striped Holiday- Wondershop

Plaid Holiday Flannel- Wondershop

Holiday Ski Scene Hearth & Hand with Magnolia

Buffalo Check by Carter’s

Bonus: I couldn’t believe my eyes, when I saw that Target also carried $5 Holiday Fleece Pants! Check these out too!

Source: Twinkly Light, Buffalo Check

I hope you enjoyed this Christmas jammie roundup! Every now and then if I feel super passionate about an item, I share it here. Remember when I had the urge to share about cute mesh backpacks?! Haha! Sometimes the little things bring us Mamas joy, right?!

Do you have any other Christmas jammies you love?

Instilling Thankfulness In November Will Carry Gratefulness Into December

November first has come and gone, and before you know it, it will be December.  But let’s not rush November.  Yes, I may be decorating for Christmas already (I have my reasons) but I do believe November has some true gifts in it.  My kids have naturally started talking about Christmas and all the things they would like.  This early Christmas talk always alerts me to the need to be extra intentional about November.  I find myself asking: 

What do I want my kids and myself to NOT miss in November?

This month can actually be a very sweet gift before the hustle and bustle of December.  November can be a time for pause and gratitude.  After all I do not want this month to be consumed with a laundry list of “I wants.”  Rather, I want a laundry list of “Thanks” coming out of my kids mouths.  So how will I make this a priority?  A laundry list of thanks doesn’t exactly come naturally to a child (or an adult).  

The best way I have found to instill thankful hearts into my kids is by making a thankful tree.  My kids get involved with making it, some years it has been painting a tree on butcher paper, and last year it was creating a live thankful tree.  This year, I wanted it to be a bit simpler.  So…we are making thankful garland. I love this practice because it is an interactive lesson on gratitude and my kids don’t even realize it!

Source: wood leaves, wood circles


Every evening at dinner during November, I ask my kids to write one thing on a leaf that they are thankful for.  Then we all go around and say what we wrote.  This has become a fun tradition that our kids look forward to!  What an awesome opportunity to really dig deep into your hearts together as a family, and see all the things we have to be thankful for.  I do believe that thankful hearts will breed thankful mouths.  

I think that verse is so powerful.  What we dwell on is eventually what comes out of our mouths.  As our family dwells on everything we are thankful for in November, my hope is that thankfulness will flow more naturally from our hearts into this holiday season.  As a result, may our practice of thankfulness in November prepare our hearts to receive the love and sacredness of December.  

And even more than that.  May our thankful hearts compel us to look beyond ourselves and to see with clearer eyes who is hurting.  May we be ready and willing to meet the needs of those our eyes and hearts are opened to.  Planting seeds of thankfulness and gratitude in November can be so meaningful. Isn’t it amazing the gifts we can give our kids and family with just a little bit of intentionality on our part?!

What do you feel inspired to instill into your kids this November?

Halloween Candy Causes Drama For This Mama

Halloween is fun until it turns your kids into candy monsters, right?! For some reason, the after Halloween candy craze always catches me off guard a little bit. This year, I sought out to be a little more prepared and am thinking of ideas ahead of time. In the past we have always allowed our kids 1-2 pieces of candy after school, and 1-2 pieces of candy after dinner. However, this plan seems to fail us every year when we begin finding candy wrappers all over our house because they sneak it at all hours of the day. I’m talking candy wrappers behind the couch, under their pillows, in the bathroom trash can, and just littered all over the floor…please tell me this happens to you too. We even put the candy UP HIGH so they can’t reach it…but they always get to it like little spider men! This craziness results in us making continual threats to throw all their candy away for the next 3-4 weeks straight. Sigh.

As I thought more about this Halloween candy debacle, I wondered…

How long should I keep Halloween candy around?

Every parent seems to have a different idea about this. Here are some thoughts I have heard before…

• Eat whatever you want for 1 week, then get rid of it.

• One piece of candy a day until Thanksgiving.

• However old you are, that is how many pieces of candy you may have in one day. (5 years old = 5 pieces of candy per day)

• Offer your child two pieces of candy a day for 1 week.

• 2 pieces of candy after school, 2 pieces of candy after dinner until the candy is gone.

• Leave the kids be, and let them eat whatever they want.

• Let the kids eat whatever they want on Halloween and then have the “switch witch” visit and take their candy but leave a toy.

Can you guess which one of those dietitians recommend?

Leave the kids be, and let them eat whatever they want! Are you shocked? I kind of was! Obviously, I don’t want my kid to be sick and throwing up because of their candy over dose. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics wrote an article on this stating:

Keep in mind, Halloween is just one day a year, and it's what kids eat every day that has the most impact on their nutrition and health. Make this Halloween an opportunity to teach your child to enjoy special treats, in moderation, as part of an overall healthy diet.

I think this article and many other articles I have read from nutritionists have helped me chill out a bit and reminded me that short exposure to massive amounts of candy isn’t so bad. Rather, the bigger issue is the extended exposure to excess sugar over months that leads to issues. So, this year I’m really hoping to get rid of our candy more quickly. Here are some creative and fun options to do just that.

Creative & Fun Ways To Get Rid Of Excessive Halloween Candy

• Freeze it to use later in the year

• Make trail mix (just add pretzels, peanuts, raisins, and Chex cereal with your favorite candy).

Source: Sweets & Treats The Blog

• Fill mason jars with candy, slip a $5 gift card in it and it’s the perfect appreciation gift. (Teachers, Police officers, Foster Parents, Stranger-Random act of kindness, or your favorite barista)

Source: Fun Squared

• Fill an advent calendar

Source: Amazon

• Have a kids birthday in November? Fill a pinata with halloween candy!

• Send to troops operationgratitude.com

• Sell it to your dentist or another local buisness, halloweencandybuyback.com

• Stash some away for Christmas stocking fillers

• Make blessing bags to keep in the car (fill a ziplock bag with a water bottle, a little money -whatever you are comfortable with, granola bar, candy, & a kind note from your child). When you see someone in need you can give them the bag.

• Make it into a craft: Gingerbread house, Wreath

Source: One Crazy Mom

• Bake with it or have some friends over for an ice cream sundae bar with all the candy toppings.

• My husband is making me add- or just throw all their candy away in front of them and teach them about disappointment. Bahahaha! He’s only half kidding.

Which one is your favorite?! My favorite is any one of these that involve showing appreciation or thanks to someone. What better way to start November off by doing a service project with your children that involves them giving away something of theirs for the sake of loving on someone else. I kind of LOVE that!

If you do any of these, let me know how it goes! I would love to see photos or get any feedback from you about what worked and what did not!

Happy Halloween Friends!

• Laurie

5 Not So Spooky Halloween Decor Ideas

I am very particular about the Halloween decor that I like. If I had to describe my Halloween decor style it would be “Not So Spooky & Glam.” Here are 5 ways to decorate that will for sure get oooh’s and ahhh’s from your kids.

1. Go Batty

Source: Hobby Lobby

You will not believe the price…$1.79 for 12 bats, thanks to Hobby Lobby! My kids love to help put bats all around our house, and I kind of love how they place them in such random places! But let’s also be honest, I love to make my own display of bats that lead them flying off together somewhere! You can get so creative with this simple item!

2. Dress Up Your Family Photos!

My kids got a kick out of seeing masks on their photos! There are so many fun things you can add to photos:

• princess hats

• santa hats

• googly eyes

• a wig

• mustaches

• big lips

  *simply attach with masking tape

3. Place Glittery Creepy Crawlies Around

Source: Amazon

These window clings are perfect to decorate your kitchen cabinets with too! I actually purchased my set last year, and was able to use them again this year! And since they are glittery…they add a little glam to the space too.

4. Black Cloth and Candles

Source: Family Dollar, Hobby Lobby

I was so excited to find this black cloth at the dollar store! As you can see, it really doesn’t take much to add some not so spooky decor to your home! Pairing black taper candles with some vintage brass candlesticks (i’ve found some of these at goodwill, and antique shops) adds some glam and shine thus lightening the mood just the right amount.

5. Pumpkin Pile

Source: Christmas Tree Shops, Kroger

Simply piling a bunch of pumpkins together in a space around your hearth, entryway, or end table will add to a cozy and not so spooky Halloween feel. This decor can also easily carry over into Thanksgiving!

I love how simple decorating for Halloween can be! Even just adding the color black and orange around your home can create a festive atmosphere. Have any other not so spooky ideas? I’d love to hear them!

A Simple October Family Night Full Of Magic

Oh I love October. Everything about this month is great, from days filled with exploring farms to the chilly rainy days at home. But after a long week, sometimes all I want to do is stay home and get cozy. With just minimal preparation (let Amazon and myself do the work for you), you can have a cozy and magical family night that everyone will love. Here is my guide to a simple and enchanted October family night.

1. Start the evening by lighting a fire.

   Gather your family around and get them excited for an “enchanted” family night filled with surprises and fun!

2. Dinner is easy — roast hot dogs over the fire

3. Make Enchanted Lanterns

Once your bellies are full and you’ve cleaned up from dinner, tell your kids to go play while you get the next surprise set up. No peeking!

Simply set up the lanterns on the table with the lights turned on in them.

Supplies:

Lantern Set from Amazon (includes lights!)

Glue

Construction Paper

Scissors

Bring the kids in and have them choose their lantern. They can make whatever they want, or make it Halloween themed (skeleton, monster, cat, pumpkin, bats, etc). My kids chose to make soccer balls, while their friends who were over made Halloween themed lanterns.

*avoid the urge to micro manage! Let their creativity go “wild!”

4. S’mores time!

If you want to make this more Halloween themed, add reese peanut butter cups or candy corn to your smores! But let’s be honest, no one complains about traditional s’mores!

5. Mystic Fire Potion

Time for some magic! Pull out your mystic fire potion and throw it in the fire! Be prepared to be amazed by all the colors that show up!

6. Lantern Hide and Go Seek

It may be getting late, if it’s dark outside you can choose to play lantern hide and go seek either inside or out! If inside, simply turn out the lights and have the seeker take a lantern with them.

7. Time for Bed? Use Your Lantern As A Nightlight

While I wouldn’t recommend keeping the lantern on all night, it is fun for your kids to fall asleep to the soft glow of the beautiful lantern that they just created! Simply switch the light off once they are asleep!

I hope you enjoyed this magic filled family night! If you try it, I would love to see the lanterns you make! Feel free to tag me or send me a photo!

The Value Of Learning To Love Where You Live

Do you live in a climate or culture that is totally opposite to what you grew up in?

I didn’t grow up in Savannah, Ga. I grew up in Cincinnati, Oh. Every year when I flip the calendar over to October I find myself a little homesick for fall. As a kid I remember October in Ohio to be magical, and I find myself wanting my kids to know and experience that same magic. I remember visiting a new farm every weekend, taking hayrides, sipping hot apple cider with a chill in the air, and colorful leaves surrounding you. However, fall in the deep south is well, different. My kids experience a very different type of fall and I am realizing that I should be embracing this “season.” I’m learning that there are new traditions and memories that can be created with my family that are unique to us, and that can be magical too.

Last year in an attempt to do something that reminded me of Ohio fall, I dragged my family 2 hours north to the most authentic farm I could find. It was supposed to be less than 90 degrees too, so I thought I was winning. When we arrived, the magic stopped when I saw a line as long as the eye could see waiting to get in. As we waited, I could feel the temperature rising quickly and I had to slowly start peeling off my fall farm gear. Away went my scarf, I questioned my choice of boots, and then my flannel shirt ended up around my waist. I wanted to cry. This isn’t what fall “should” be, but I put on a happy face and tried to enjoy this “fake fall” farm experience.

This year, while I may still drag my family to the most authentic farm experience I can find, I want to experience southern fall a little differently. Last weekend, instead of fighting the 90 degree weather we decided to go to the beach. As soon as we stepped onto the sand, a sweet thought came over me…this is the magic of fall in the south, less crowds, and low…er humidity. Oh my gosh, I almost shocked myself with that thought…I was enjoying southern fall!

Later that week, I was listening to Lindy Green Johnson, A Therapist and Trauma Educator that I follow on Instagram talk about your “Inner Voice.” She says,

“we all have an inner voice that may keep us stuck if we are not aware of it.”

Everyone has an inner voice (not talking about hearing voices which is something different), are you paying attention to what your inner voice is saying? It got me thinking, oh my gosh…my inner voice is very negative about fall here in the south. Then I thought, what have I missed seeing/experiencing that is special and unique to fall where I live because I’m so obsessed with the way fall should be? I needed to start being more aware of my inner voice, particularly checking to see if it was negative a lot. I want to be proactive with my thoughts, and not allow untrue or negative thinking affect my attitude. A few things came to mind that I thought were unique and special to fall in the south: like oyster roast season and festivals every weekend.

And so, I made a conscious decision to make fall more about creating new memories and traditions with my family. I’ve lived here for 6 years now, it was time to embrace where I live, and learn some new fall traditions. So, this fall i’m going to learn how to throw an oyster roast…it’s something that is unique to where I live and something I want to learn! (Fun fact: oyster roast season is basically any month with an "R” in it. Usually September-April.)

How about you, have you been feeling down about where you live? What is unique to your town, and how can you embrace it this fall? Do you pay attention to your inner voice? Is your inner voice keeping you stuck because you aren’t aware of it?

Will you join me in looking for beauty where you live this week? I’ve created a hashtag for social media (#lsblovewhereyoulive) so we can all share what beauty we have found in our town, and be encouraged and inspired to do the same.

You can find it on my social media pages:

Instagram

Facebook

***Seasonal changes can be hard. If you find yourself emotionally or mentally stuck and unable to get unstuck, the bravest thing you can do is to seek out professional help. Start with talking to your Primary Care Doctor about how you are feeling.***