10 things

tee, shirt, and shoes: old navy     jeans: target    necklace: groopdealz 

The other week my sister told me she wanted me to write a post with ten things I like about myself.  She had read a few other bloggers who wrote similar posts and then I searched and found quite a few who had done the same.  I think it's super easy to think of tons of things you don't like about yourself.  Physical traits or personality traits you feel like you fail at.  It feels weird to make a list (and weider to share it) claiming things I like about myself.  But turns out it was a really good idea.  I actually came up with about seven pretty easily, and had to search a little more for three more.  
My legs.  While there are things I find myself complaining about when it comes to my legs, I love that they are strong.  They ran many races, including three marathons.  They've played many games of soccer and make me feel strong.  
Stubbornness.  I love that when I set my mind to do something, I will do it.  I hate giving up and will keep doing something until I finish.  My stubbornness helped me finish marathons, do well in school and push for over 3 1/2 hours during childbirth.
My handwriting.  I remember loving my sister's handwriting in middle school and practicing to make it look nicer.  I actually used to like taking notes in high school and college because I liked my handwriting and like practicing.  (Hello nerd?  Oh wait. We're focusing on the positives here)
Loyalty.  I struggled a lot with friendships during middle school and high school.  I was often disappointed with friends and felt let down or left out.  I don't know if it's because of that , but I think I am a really loyal friend.  
Creativeness.  I love being creative as a teacher.  I loved making a lesson more exciting, making a bulletin board or coming up with a new project.  At home I love making a craft I see online, decorating our house or making something for Addilyn. 
My hands.  I like them.  Compassion and Empathy.  I am so aware that every pain and trial are different.  And that our struggles with infertility are much less than so many people deal with.  But through it I think God softened and opened my heart to being more compassionate and understanding of others.  I think about others way more often, pray for them and try to think of ways I can show I'm thinking about them.  
Disciplined.  Ironically I just posted about my lack of discipline spiritually, but overall being disciplined is one of my strengths.  In working out, teaching, being organized . . . in most things I like to get things done.  If there is something I need to do I don't like putting it off and want to finish it.  
My ability to find good deals.  I just wish I could make some money of my ability to find things so cheaply.  
Motherhood. There are countless times I have felt overwhelmed with my role as a mom the last eight months.  Plenty of things that I don't second guess and wonder if I'm doing the right thing, and know that will happen over and over.  But I know that I love Addilyn more than anything, that her most important needs will always be met and I'm confident in knowing that God picked me to be the best mom for Addilyn. 

Thank you Lauren.  Thanks for the reminder to focus on strengths and things I like about myself.  I think you should do the same!

Eddie or Aladdin?

sweater: old navy   pant: gap    wedges: target    necklace: groopdealz

When thinking of a baby name I felt a lot of pressure, as you only get one shot and your kid is stuck with that name forever.  I knew we didn't pick a super common name, but did not think it was that unique.  However this last week one person told me that's "an interesting" name and another "that's really unique."  Which to me translate to "that's weird." 
Plus some random caller (which I'm blaming Chris for when he wasted $15 signing up for some baby model search, which he is still waiting for Addilyn's claim to fame) left a message and said Addilyn's name three times and pronounced it uh - dell - in.  

Thankfully I'm still pretty confident in our name for our daughter, as I can't imagine her as anything else.    But it made me think about how I was pretty convinced ten years ago that I'd name a girl Sophia and a boy Noah.  I also loved the name Ava.  
Fortunate for me my mom made sure to point out that Ava Vale sounds ridiculous to spell.  a. v. a. v. a. l. e. Too many a's and v's.  And even worse than that I would've named my son Noah Vale.  Like to no avail.  Pathetically enough I think when she told me that I didn't even know what that meant.  Given I was probably only 21, but embarrassing nonetheless. 
Thank goodness for my mom.  
Now after Addi was born I learned that my dad had jokingly called her Eddie (before we had decided on that name for sure).  And my sister did once refer to Addilyn as Aladdin, but she was eight months pregnant and tired so I'm letting that go.  
Did your mom ruin your baby name dreams (and okay, thankfully save your kids from future name calling)? Or did your family make fun of your baby names? 

The bigger the better

 sweater: c/o choies    necklace: groopdealz   boots: dsw    sunglasses: c/o  firmoo

I feel like in the Winter bigger is definitely better when it comes to getting dressed.  Like this poncho sweatshirt. Big and comfy is a win in my book.

Now when it comes to sunglasses I know the style is the bigger the better but I'm a little unsure about pulling off the really big sunglass trend.  I recently received these sunglasses from Firmoo and they looked so cute on the bloggers that reviewed them before that I was excited about trying them out.

I do really like them, but am honestly a little unsure about pulling them off.  It doesn't help that we haven't had a sunny day in weeks to really feel the need to use them.  Perhaps a little sunshine would make them feel more appropriate.  Come on spring!

I am normally a $5 sunglass kind of girl and have never owned a nicer pair of glasses until now.  I'm kind of excited about not having to buy at least three or four pairs of sunglasses a year because they are so cheap.  I have to say that I am not sure why I haven't tried out Firmoo before as you can get your first pair for free.  You can also use their virtual try on system so that you can see what they will look like before you get them. 

Although true sunglass season seems so far away, I will be pulling these out any time there are a few rays of sun until real summer arrives!