As a journalism and newspaper teacher, I adored the news. I read it, watched it, scrolled through it, studied it, analyzed, shared it, even obsessed over it. I relayed news trends to my students. We talked about news determinants and why certain stories were chosen over others. We looked at the motivations, angles, scopes, and impacts. We talked news daily. And I loved it. 

But since becoming a mom, my love affair with the news is slowly dying. Stories that used to intrigue and horrify me are now just utterly horrifying and way less intriguing. I feel like lately when I catch the news, it's just tragic. Major fast food chain spokesman pleads guilty to child pornography and sex with children. Christian vlogger who just days ago announced a pregnancy and miscarriage with his wife found to have Ashley Madison account. Reporter and her cameraman shot to death during a live feed. Trending locally today, an elderly man who was knocked to the ground when some a-holes in a park demanded money of him. (That last one wasn't the headline - I added my own opinion, which makes me a bad journalist.) 

It's all just different now. Hits a little closer to home. Sadder, somehow. 

I want to raise my child in a world free of all this yuck. I want so much to put him a bubble and never let him know that these atrocities exist. I pray, daily, and worry, nightly, that none of these awful, awful things ever happen to him. And as tempting as that bubble is, it's not reality, and putting him in one will only make it harder later down the line, and that's not fair to him either.  

So instead of just complaining about it or wishing for a better world, I'm going to be kinder. I'm going to say nice things. I'm going to spread positive vibes as far and as wide as I can. Because I can't take away the bad, but I can definitely make it better. 

Stitch Fix #14: Transition to Autumn

We have so many fun things going on right now, and today was an awesome day for our family and my new business. But time is going so fast! I can't believe it's almost Labor Day weekend! And I really can't believe it's time for my next Stitch Fix! 

If you don't know about Stitch Fix (<--Referral link!), let me give you a little rundown. Stitch Fix is a clothing subscription service, and you decide how frequently, or infrequently, you'd like a shipment. You'll fill out a detailed style profile about your sizes, style preferences, and budget (and it's super fun to fill out the profile to see what your style preferences are!). 

Then, you decide when you'd like to receive a shipment! Stitch Fix will send you five clothing items or accessories to try on in your own home! This is perfect for seeing if the pieces you receive will work with the pieces you already have. Your Fix also arrives with detailed styling cards to give you ideas of how to wear each item. Each Fix costs $20, but the fee is credited toward anything you decide to keep. When you've decided what you don't want, you simply check out online and mail the items back in the prepaid mailing envelope. If you keep everything, you score a 25% discount! I love that I can work with my current wardrobe to see what will work best with what I already have. 

And, if someone signs up through your referral link, you get a $25 credit to use toward your next purchase! 

You can see my previous Fixes here:

Stitch Fix #1

Stitch Fix #2

Stitch Fix #3

Stitch Fix #4

Stitch Fix #5

Stitch Fix #6

Stitch Fix #7

Stitch Fix #8

Stitch Fix #9

Stitch Fix #10

Stitch Fix #11

Stitch Fix #12

Stitch Fix #13

This time around, Tan styled me with some gorgeous pieces that I could mix and match for the upcoming transition to cooler temperatures. But, I could really use your help deciding what to keep! What do you think is best?

1. Daniel Rainn Pam Lattice Detail Blouse, $68

2. Street Level Nile Wallet Clutch, $38

This top is really fun, and a pretty burgundy color. I like the detailing at the shoulders, but the sleeves are a little short for my monkey arms. The clutch is a gorgeous metallic gold, but I just got an amazing monogrammed clutch recently from my Bock Box, and that's been my go to lately! I think I can count these two out. 

3. Skies are Blue Zayda Mixed Material Sweater, $58

4. Liverpool Collen Straight Leg Jean, $78

I love the mixed material of this cream sweater! The underlay is a light tan, and there's a high-low look to it. It's got subtle embroidery and is lightweight enough to wear now but will look perfect with jeans and boots in the fall! I also really like the jeans (funny story... I thought I had put on the jeans Stitch Fix sent me in the previous picture... and then I realized those are jeans I already own!). The straight leg is cute, and they fit PERFECTLY in the waist, hip, and thighs. But $78? I just don't know! What do you think?

5. Collective Concepts Reanne Cap Sleeve Polka Dot Dress, $78

I do love a good polka dot pattern. And this dress is SO cute! I love the little cap sleeves, and the zipper on the back is a gorgeous gold! We do have a few weddings this fall and winter, but I kept a gorgeous scalloped neck dress from my last Fix... so do I really need another one? 

Alright, hellllllp me! What do I keep? Send back? Leave a comment, and let me know! 

On how timing is everything

This week would have marked the start of my 11th year of teaching. Only, I didn't walk in to the classroom this week. I didn't print an endless amount of first day materials. I didn't come up with fun getting to know you activities. I didn't even put on business casual clothing this week. 

Because this week marks the start of my first school year as a Stay-at-home-mom. I knew it would be hard this week to think about all of my sweet students from last year and how I wouldn't be seeing them pass by my classroom. I felt serious sadness when a few of them tweeted me on the first day of school to say how they'd miss our interactions. And I'm sad that I'm missing those conversations and moments with all the amazing LPHS family. 

But on the first teacher work day this week, my son spiked his first fever. And on the second teacher work day, we were at the doctor. And on the first student day, I held my sweet, sick baby the entire day. 

Signs seem to be everywhere lately for me, and this was just another one. I am absolutely in the right place this year, spending time and getting to know and teach my little boy. It would have been incredibly difficult to be away from him this week, and now I don't have to be. Signs, friends. 

Timing is a funny thing. When it's wrong, it is OH-SO-WRONG, but when it is right, and everything falls in to place, life gets really, really good. 

I've taken on an incredible new venture in to direct sales. I was so nervous when I started, and I worried that perhaps I'd seen the signs wrong. Maybe I'd made a mistake. But two weeks in, business is going so well, I'm making new connections every day, I am blissfully happy, and I get to do it all from home with my son and husband. Does life get any sweeter than that? 

Timing truly is everything. And right now, right now the time is right. 

What I've learned from my parents 40 year marriage

Ignore my reflection. Focus on the cuteness that hangs on my grandpa's wall.

On Saturday, my parents celebrated 40 years of marriage. FORTY. YEARS. That's a lotta years! And naturally, I'm biased, by my parents are truly the definition of true love. They are supportive, loving, and kind to one another at all times. And in the 32 years I've been alive, I've learned so much from them. I thought their 40th anniversary would be an excellent time to reflect and share some of my favorite lessons from them. Oh, and bust out their beautiful bridesmaid dresses. 

Do things together
Is it a Sunday? I can pretty much guarantee that my parents will be at their favorite store together. It might be a running joke in our family, but I think it's adorable. This is their time together! And it's something they both love to do. And they do it together! Find what it is you like to do, and do it together. If that's a hobby, exercise, or something else entirely, that's great, as long as you do it together. (Hint: Their favorite store rhymes with Nenards). 

Let the little things go
My dad is a defensive driver. My mom is a backseat driver. And yet, they RARELY say anything to one another about this. Because really, does it matter? No. In the words of Elsa, "Let it go." My parents have mastered the art of not nagging one another. This is an art form I need to be attempt more often. 

Hold hands
To this day, my parents still hold hands. They do it when they walk. They do it when they sit. It's natural for them, and it's a sweet way to show affection. A simple hand hold can make the world of difference in someone's day. Hold hands!

Enjoy every moment
No, it won't always be kittens and sunshine, but finding joy in every day together makes for a solid marriage.