Our Trip To Monahans Sandhills State Park

Mid-December of this year, I began anticipating the stir-crazy that inevitably happens in our household when our kids are out of school for more than a week. I don’t like it, they don’t like it, and I’ve learned that if I don’t have any options, the ship can sink rather quickly.

So I started searching for some easy (and COVID/social distancing friendly) day-trip options for our city- Lubbock, TX- and friends, let me tell you- there weren’t a lot of options that we hadn’t already done- save one.

We’d never visited the sandhills outside of Monahans.

So I ordered some sleds and put it on the calendar. It’s about a 3 hour road trip for us which isn’t great, but Shawn and I did enjoy a quiet ride home while the kids were asleep after a long day.

Visiting Monahans Sandhills State Park 

For those of you who’ve never heard of this truly unique place, it is a state park located between Monahans and Odessa, Texas, which is almost the middle of nowhere. The park almost seems to pop up out of the earth with an ethereal almost moon-like feel- just huge expanses of sand dunes all around. It is beautiful and unusual- and the perfect place to take some sleds and do some Texas-style sledding!

The sand is deceptive- see those people on the hill? They were at least a half mile away!

It was early January when we visited and the weather stayed at a warm-ish 50 degrees. The wind did pick up in late afternoon- which was very unpleasant- especially if you’re facing the wrong way with your mouth open...ask me how I know, haha. I am glad, though, we visited in winter as I would suspect that summertime is brutal in the heat. 

We had a great time and it was a day trip we will likely repeat. Here are my tips if you’re planning a trip:

• There is an entrance fee to the park, but at the time we went the office was closed and there was a link to pay online listed at the entrance. The fee is $4 per person, and the park is open until 10 pm. 

• You can camp at the park if that’s your thing- I’d love to be there for sunrise/sunset to photograph the area- I am sure it is beautiful. More info on camping here.

• There were restrooms, but at the time we visited, they were locked. If you have littles, I would definitely bring a port a potty in the car- here is the one we have had for years and has saved us many times!

• Go in the fall, winter, or early spring- otherwise you will seriously risk getting sunburned and dehydrated. It’s a literal desert, y’all.

• There are many parking spaces and picnic tables with grills in easy walking distance to the dunes. There was even a volleyball net set up ready for play. 

Overall, we found it easy to get around. We found many great hills to sled down and you don’t actually go super fast unless you go down a man-made path. It’s very comparable to sledding in the snow. 

Even our 4 year old was going down the steepest hill and the sand is so soft it really cushions the fall if you do take a tumble.

That being said, it can be tough to climb back up a hill and would not be a great excursion for anyone who has difficulty walking or climbing. It’s very much like walking in powdery snow.

What to bring:

1. Sunscreen (yes, even in the winter the reflection of the sun on the sand is BRIGHT- our fave here)

2. Cooler with water and snacks (we left this in our car and just hiked back for a snack time)

3. Sunglasses

4. Case or zipper pocket for phones/cameras (the sand will easily get into these items, and you’ll want to make sure they stay protected)

5. Shoes: depending on what time of year you go, you may not even need them. The sand is very soft but there are weeds/rocks (they’re easy to avoid). Most of our crew wore tennis shoes which will need to be washed, and Shawn chose boots which were heavier and harder to walk in but more sand-proof. So shoes are really personal preference. 

6. Beach bag (with waterproof lining so you can spray sand off later)

7. Change of clothes- I brought a change of clothes for all the kids and we put all the sandy clothing in a beach bag so that my car wasn’t filled with sand. This worked really well- there are restrooms you could change in, but we just did it in the car 

8. Sleds- I didn’t see anywhere you could rent these, so we brought our own. Here are the ones we have and they worked well!

Optional:

1. Folding lawn chairs- we saw a few families using these near the picnic tables and thought it was super smart.

2. Sand toys- our girls love playing in the sand when we go to the beach and probably would have enjoyed playing with some sand toys there, too- however, none of the sand is wet so it wouldn’t stick together, but hey- worth a shot if it means a few more minutes of entertainment for the kiddos!

3. Volleyball- like I said, they had a volleyball court set up, which is fun!

4. Frisbee

5. Backup battery Phone charger- service for us wasn’t great, and our phone batteries dies quickly that day. I wish I had brought my backup charger.

6. Lightweight backpack or Camelbak- this would be especially helpful if you are going during the warmer months. Mine is much older than this one, but I have had it since college and my Camelbak Cloudwalker is frequently used by both Shawn and me (camping, hiking, Disney, soccer/baseball games), and it’s held up so well. Definitely worth the investment!

I hope this has been helpful! In a year where travel was limited, I was thankful to find some neat places not too far away to create memories with our kids. They have talked about this day trip a lot since and keep wanting to go back to sled in the sand!

so...what do we do with our sadness?

I found myself asking my 9 year old son this a few days ago at bedtime. It was a genuine question I had for him- not necessarily because I had the “right” answers for him, but because I was actually interested in what he had to say about it.

Earlier that night my husband felt the knots grow in our stomachs as we watched a Facebook video in which a mourning father explained the recent death of his 12 year old son- who’d taken his own life in an outburst over the breaking of a video game monitor, which was also his only access to friends during quarantine. It broke our hearts, and hit too close to home as our boy, too, enjoys spending time with his friends playing online games- one of the only “safe” ways to socialize during this pandemic.

I’m not here to comment on screentime, gaming, or how to manage all of that. It’s something else I’m more concerned about- the thing I’ve been most worried about during the COVID-19 crisis- our mental and emotional health, and the toll that extreme isolation and loneliness can take on literally everyone impacted— it’s essentially its own virus.

I would not have even the brain cells to ponder these things had I not been in therapy (or counseling- call it what you will) for the past year or so. I’ve been in a constant state of practicing the recognition of my own feelings- yes, actually naming the feelings I feel is something I’ve had to work on like a hobby- because it just hasn’t come naturally. You could say this Enneagram 3 is a really good feelings stuffer.

I’ve become acquainted with sadness, and it’s just the worst. Sadness is a feeling we feel- and really, I can’t find any perks about it- other than that it ends eventually. I’ve learned that sometimes sadness turns into anger, and is displayed in various ways. Sometimes it manifests itself in addictions and indulgences…anything that will dull the pain— and no matter what, it requires a response. As in, “No, Lissa, it’s not going to go away if you just pretend it’s not there”.

Anyway, I’m realizing that this sadness- we all feel it. And I’m also realizing that others, like myself, may not know what to do with it. So, because I like to think I am in control, and I like to have a plan…I’ve been asking myself and my family “so what do we do with our sadness?”.

I’m writing this post because I want you to ask yourself the same thing. Because you are important. Because you are loved. And you don’t deserve to let sadness overtake you. We— as in PEOPLE— need each other. And often we need each other to cope. But if we don’t recognize the sadness, and we don’t call it out…what will become of us?

Here are some of my answers to this question. I hope yours are a bit different- because no two people are alike and the God I believe in is big enough to handle that. But alas, here are mine:

1. Recognize the sadness. Say it to myself and then out loud to another human- “I am feeling sad”. Don’t negate it. Don’t apologize for it.

2. Allow myself to sit with the sadness for a bit. Not as a victim- as a survivor who knows it is a temporary state.

3. Pray about it. Find a scripture that brings me hope and go back to that scripture. Pray the scripture and ask the Lord for help. There are so many great scriptures- like this one- “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

4. Tell some family members and close friends about it so they can pray for me. Ask them to check in. Even after I say I’m “fine”. It’s my job not to lie about my true feelings to them.

5. Continue with counseling. It’s a free space to say whatever I want without judgment, but also a great place to learn a thing or two.

I plan on asking this question every now and then to my kids. I want them to know what to do when sadness comes to visit. Because it will. I want them to know it’s ok to be sad, and where to go and what to do when they feel that way.

Please also hear me say this- I believe that sadness is different from depression- and that depression is a clinical condition that can be helped with many methods including therapy and medicine. Please, if you feel you need to, seek help- if even from a friend who can get you to the right place.

Again, I am no expert- just a mom who has seen our world become very isolated and lonely in the past few months. Sadness has swept over us like a fog- keeping us from seeing and knowing and laughing with each other. This is me embracing that sadness, which is probably most definitely my least favorite feeling- unless it’s coupled with fear, it’s super rude cousin. If you’ve made it this far- know I love you and I’m not the only one.

fall family styles from walmart!

Yes, I am a professional photographer, but MOMS- I’m in the EXACT same boat as you are trying to figure out what to dress everyone in for family photos. I love getting a new family photo every fall, and I really love all the fun options for clothing this time of year, but when you’re styling an entire family, it’s a bit overwhelming.

So while I was at WalMart last week, I did a little browsing and was SHOCKED at how many options there were inside that one store! I’ve complied a list of all my finds (plus some additional ones I found online), and I hope that this is helpful as you put together your outfits!

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HERE’S THE DEAL WITH WALMART:

Their inventory frequently changes, and many things sell out quickly. Some items are in-store only, or only offered online for a short time. So, if you want to avoid going in the store, I suggest you buy what you can online ASAP, and return it if it doesn’t work- because it’s likely to sell out or not be available any longer.

Also, every store has different inventory, so not everything will be in every store- just another reason to shop online if you can! When I wasn’t able to find something online, I tried to mention it below.

Full disclosure: this post is not sponsored by WalMart, but I do make a small commission if you purchase items using my links. Thanks for supporting my crazy. :)

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Mix and match everything you see here! I did my best to include some more colorful and more muted/neutral options for every member of the family.

MOM

I found so many great options for Mom, including some leopard, great cardigans and plus size options. This flowy top comes in several different colors and WILL sell out, so grab it quick if you want one! Sadly, the cute knit cardigans in the photo above are in-store only, so you’ll have to go in to get one.

I was also pleasantly surprised at the shoe selection for women. A great chance to go trendier for photos and not have to pay a premium price!

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO SHOP:

DADS

There were a LOT of great choices for Dads, too- whether your man is more casual or traditional/dressy. Layering is key for Dads, and these items can all mix and match!

I also could not believe how many great shoe options there were for men! This is just a small selection of what I found in my store.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO SHOP:

INFANTS

The baby selection in my store was disappointing- not too many non-character outfits, but I found a LOT more online and have tagged them below. I also loved these headbands, but they are in-store only.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO SHOP:

LITTLE BOYS (Sizes 12m-5T)

Much of what I found in-store wasn’t available online, but I did find some cute sets that weren’t in my store on the website. My advice is to keep your little boys as comfy as possible for the best photos!

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO SHOP:

LITTLE KID GIRL (Sizes 12m-5T)

I was slightly disappointed in this selection as well, but there are a few super cute options. The dresses above are in-store only, but the adorable ruffle shirts are available online. However, they did have some great shoe options. Lots more I found below!

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO SHOP:

OLDER BOYS (Sizes 6-12)

Really loved so many of these options for older boys! Sadly, the cute jacket sets above are in-store only, and so cute! They also had a great shoe selection, too.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO SHOP:

OLDER GIRLS (Sizes 6-12)

Lots of great options for older girls, too- loved the denim and chambray options, along with plenty of shoe choices.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO SHOP:

I hope that was helpful, you guys! Let me know if you enjoyed this round-up and what you’d like to see next!

easy freezer meals for the month

If you’ve been around this blog long enough, you know I am a big fan of freezer meals. I shared on my Insta Stories a few of the recipes I made this month and thought I would share it here, too - with a little updated info and the links!

If you’ve never done freezer meals before, get started by reading this post (4 years old, but still the way I do it!) which contains a ton of information on how I do freezer meals:

Some updates since this post:

• Our grocery bill has gone up about $150 per month with the addition of a new child and the fact that they all eat more these days. I still grab some fresh produce and a few essentials every week and try to stay in the $30-40 range.

• Costs for the freezer meals per month are about the same ~ $300.

• I have stopped trying to bake anything while making freezer meals. It gets too complicated and makes more dishes to clean. Plus I will inevitably burn something.

• I WAAAYYYYY prefer “dump” meals - meaning ones I can dump in a gallon freezer bag, freeze, and then dump out into my crock pot or instant pot when it’s time to cook. Most of the recipes I use are dump meals.

• Most of the meals I make really just consist of the main protein for the meal. I will also stock up on frozen veggies, bread, and rolls in the deep freezer so I can bust those out as sides.

• I typically sub ground turkey for any ground beef for the heart health benefits and lower cost. So, in all of these recipes, I actually use ground turkey.

• I also started browning all my turkey in the oven using a roasting pan. HERE is exactly how I do it. I do this first thing so that it is cooking while I chop and combine the rest of the ingredients. It saves me a ton of time when it’s time to actually eat the meal - I just thaw and reheat!

• Make your list, and ORDER YOUR GROCERIES. Seriously. Instacart for the win, you guys! Ordering your groceries and having them delivered TO YOUR DOOR is 100% worth it, especially when doing freezer meals because the shopping portion can get very tiring. If you haven’t tried Instacart yet, here is a coupon for $10 off your first order!

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Now for what I made this month! All of these are “dump” meals and can be frozen in gallon ziploc bags.

Click on the meal title to be taken to the recipe.

BBQ Chicken (x4)

Sides: Hawaiian rolls or baked potatoes, frozen veggies

Sweet and Tangy Meatballs (x4)

Sides: rice or noodles, frozen veggies

French Chicken (x4)

Sides: rolls or baked potato, frozen veggies, Brussels sprouts or asparagus

Asian Lettuce Wraps (x4)

Sides: Romaine lettuce, frozen dumplings and/or rice

Taco Soup (x 4)

Toppings: Tortilla chips, avocado slices, sour cream, cheese, sliced olives

This recipe was created by a family friend and has always been a favorite. This recipe makes a LOT so if you are cooking for two, you’ll definitely want to split this into two meals. I have tweaked the recipe a bit, so here is my version:

INGREDIENTS

1.5 lbs. ground beef or turkey
1 red onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 28 oz. can stewed tomatoes (crushed is fine, too)
1 16 oz. can Ranch Style Beans
1 16 oz. can hominy (if you’ve never tried hominy before, it is delicious in this recipe so don’t skip it!)
1 16 oz. can black beans
1 16 oz. can whole kernel corn
1 packet ranch seasoning
1 packet taco seasoning

DIRECTIONS:

Brown beef and combine all ingredients (no need to drain canned goods). You may need to add 1 can of water (16 oz) to thin the mixture. Heat until onions are clear and soup is bubbly. Top it and eat!

FOR FREEZING:

If making freezer meals, cook beef in bulk and portion evenly into 4 Ziploc gallon bags. Then, empty the rest of the ingredients into the bag and freeze. When it’s time to cook, let thaw and heat until onions are clear and the soup is bubbly.

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I hope this was helpful for your fall meal planning! I also have a Pinterest board dedicated to our favorite freezer meals.

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seriously AWESOME back to school kids' looks

When you can make your 8 year old a superhero, you absolutely do it. :)

Back-to-school shopping. It always sounds fun in theory, but in reality, I usually just end up ignoring it until we realize that someone literally has no more pants that fit. 😂My son, Knox, is super easy to please- as long as what he’s wearing is comfortable. But I also want him to look cool, too- and depending on where we’re shopping, that can be tough.

When I saw these rainbow sequin skirts, I knew the girls would LOVE THEM. And they do! My favorite thing is that they are lined with a soft jersey fabric so they stay comfy.

I’ve also never been a huge girly-girl- and so it’s quite ironic that I have two glitter-rainbow-sparkle-loving girls. A lot of little girl clothing is just too much tulle/rhinestone/crazy for me (thanks a lot, JoJo Siwa)- so anytime I can find something fun for the girls we ALL like, I am ON IT.

When Mom says you can have some hot chocolate after we take a photo!

So, I was so excited when I got in my order from Rockets of Awesome. From the first look at their website, I knew I would love everything they had to offer! I love finding versatile and fun clothing that is also comfortable for my kids. The girls are not a huge fan of jeans, so we wear a LOT of leggings/dresses and comfy tops.

These rainbow crew shirts are SO incredibly soft. The girls love them and there are so many ways to style them.

Gosh I love this ever-growing boy. This AWESOME sweatshirt for perfectly with a bit of growing room.

The price point was a bit higher than I would normally spend, but if you order 4+ items from their site, you will automatically get 20% off which made all the difference.

When we got our box in the mail, I was SO impressed with the quality of the items. The shirts were so cozy and soft, and I know we will get a ton of wear out of them. The kids were also excited about them, which means I won’t have to struggle to get them dressed in the mornings!

Rockets of Awesome also has a great subscription box, which you get to customize to fit your child- and not just size-wise- they ask you about your individual child’s preferences, so if you have a kid who’s picky about their clothing, this is incredibly helpful. They’ll send you clothing every 3 months (perfect for each new season) and you just keep what you’d like (at a special 25% off subscriber price!), and send back what you don’t.

No dragging your kid to the mall? Comfy, cute clothing that will last? DONE and DONE.

They’ve got a TON of cute pieces on their site- here are a few of my faves! Click on the image to be taken to the website and shop!

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you decide to shop and find something you love, I’ll earn a little to go do the same. Thanks for your support!

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my year in books - book review

“You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.”

―Charlie Tremendous Jones

One of my favorite quotes, and a great excuse to read, read, read! It’s been a long while since I’ve shared an update on what I’m reading- and I’ve never really reviewed any of these books, so I thought it would be a good habit to start!

In this post, I’m reviewing all the books I’ve read since last July. You guys, there are some DUDS and SO MANY GOOD ONES! Hopefully you’ll enjoy my regular-girl quick reviews on these.

In no particular order- let’s go!

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

EVERYONE was telling me I needed to read this one- and they were all exactly right! Odds are you’ve been told this as well- and if not, hear me say it! The book is described as a coming-of-age story meets murder mystery, and it is- woven with such beautiful descriptions of the North Carolina swamp it made me actually want to go visit. This one is culturally interesting (the South in the 1950’s-70’s) and had a great ending. I read it in 3 days- it’s that good.

Small Admissions by Amy Poeppel

I bought this one at an airport bookstore because I liked the cover, haha- and I’m so glad I did! As I was reading this one, I couldn’t figure out why I liked it so much- but I just HAD to know what was going to happen next. This book is about a girl going through a bad breakup, who also needs a job and ends up as the admissions director of a private school in New York City. It is understated but entertaining. In the end, I really think the beauty in this one is the depth that Poeppel gives her characters- insight into their thought lives and what makes them act the way they do. I ended up loving this one- one of my favorites of the year.

The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin

Oh, you guys- this one is understated yet so significant. I still don’t believe I really have processed all that God spoke to me while reading the beautiful, imperfect stories Shannan has so thoughtfully documented in this book. This book forces you to really think about the everyday in new ways- our “inconveniences”, our “needs” and being thankful in everything.

Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks

This is a really easy and fun read- and if you love Tom Hanks, you’ll probably enjoy this book of semi-random short stories he wrote. Reading it I kept hearing his distinctive voice in the text, and about 3 or 4 stories in I realized the common theme- there is a typewriter woven into every story. My favorite story was the one about time travel. I gifted this book to my Dad for Christmas and he loved it too.

Everybody Always by Bob Goff

This is a great book with a great concept- and many quoteables. I love Bob Goff and the way he thinks. The stories inside this book are proof of how God truly does love everybody, always, which is also our calling as believers. I didn’t love this book as much as Bob’s previous book, Love Does, but it is a good read.

Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

Ugh, I wanted to love this one- and in some ways I did- but it was missing something major to me. Let me explain- I have all the respect for Rachel Hollis- she is full of gusto, honesty, and I loved reading her boots-on-the-ground, learning-as-I-go stories, but I wish this book had Jesus in it. Yes, Rachel is a Christian, and did intentionally choose to make this book not geared toward one religion, but I feel like because of that the message is much more “save yourself” than “Jesus died to save you”. However, lots of great content and encouragement, especially for women business owners.

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

So after seeing Hamilton the musical, I really wanted to read this one- which is a historical fiction book about Eliza Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton’s wife, who accomplished a LOT in the 50 years she lived after his death. I enjoyed the first 1/3 of the book, but after that it just felt really slow and political which wasn’t my jam. But hey, I know a lot more about the founding fathers now! So, if you love American history/colonial era, go for it- if not, might want to move on.

Hotels of North America by Rick Moody

I found this book at Dollar Tree (yes, for $1!), and thought it was an interesting concept. The entire book is a series of hotel reviews by one man (apparently on a popular travel review site like TripAdvisor). His reviews reveal unusual glimpses into his life that are intriguing, a little disgusting, and also made me chuckle. I really loved Rick Moody’s descriptive writing style. I can’t say I loved this book so much- but I won’t forget it soon, so take that for what you will.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

READ THIS. It’s great. So intriguing. Another one I devoured in about 3 days. 1990s in suburban, idealistic America- mystery, mother-daughter relationships, coming-of-age…it’s got it all and so many will find a relatable moment while reading. Little Fires Everywhere is going to be miniseries on Hulu starring Reece Witherspoon and Kerry Washington so this is a great one to read before it releases!

Limelight by Amy Poeppel

I loved Small Admissions so much, I couldn’t wait to read Amy Poeppel’s new book, Limelight. This one is entirely different in subject- but is so enjoyable. It’s the story of a mom who becomes a teen celebrity’s (think Justin Beiber-like) personal assistant on accident. It’s set in New York City so I loved the story of a family moving from Texas to the Big Apple- seeing their transitions mixed with the celebrity antics is entertaining. It’s a good easy read.

Captivate by Vanessa Van Edwards

This book is full of research on what it takes to really captivate people. I wanted to read this one after hearing Vanessa Van Edwards interview on a podcast. She is incredibly well-spoken and I loved her practical applications- like suggestions on where to stand at a party and how to connect with people quickly and effectively. I’m going to have to re-read this one a few times just to take it all in.

Small Victories by Anne Lamott

I picked up this one after reading Uncommon Type, thinking another volume of short stories by one of my favorite authors was a good idea. I LOVED Bird by Bird and so I had high hopes for this one. This book is a collection of more spiritual essays by Anne Lamott focusing on “improbable moments of grace”, and I have a feeling I will appreciate this one more at a later stage in life. I’ll keep it around but it wasn’t my fave.

The Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner

This one was SO GREAT. It was perfect for me, in this stage of life- trying to raise kids, work, be a great wife and friend. I really appreciated Jessica’s practical perspective and also her ability to make me think about what really matters the most to me. I went in prepping for a guilt trip (as if we working moms need another one)- but that’s not at all what this book is. It’s freedom-giving and encouraging- reassurance that we’re not alone.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

This book was recommended to me by several friends and I’m glad I’ve read it- though I did feel it got a bit long. It’s a great book about racism with twisted moral dilemma that drove me to keep reading. In the end, I enjoyed this book though it got a little long.

The Wangs Vs. The World by Jade Chang

I read this one on the tail of finishing the Crazy Rich Asians Series (I don’t know- I guess I was on the Asian current?!), and it was disappointing. The concept is a bit Beverly Hilbillies-in-reverse- a wealthy family falling apart after experiencing fabulous wealth and then total material loss. There were a few funny moments but in the end I didn’t love it.

Beneath the Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

Another historical fiction book, this one is based on the true story of an Italian spy during World War II. It is a truly incredible story- if you love this time period, or have any connections to the Alps, you will love this. I did feel it got a bit long and boring, but there are also quite a few moments that are so incredible, it’s hard to believe it’s actually a true story.

A Million Little Ways by Emily Freeman

If you are a Christian creative, this is a MUST READ. I love Emily’s work (I say this as if I know her personally! ha!) and this may be my favorite thing she’s ever written. It is FULL of gems about God’s purpose for creatives and how to create with that understanding. It’s already time for me to read this again.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

I’d seen lots of great reviews on this one, so I picked it up to read on vacation. It is charming and mysterious- getting to know Eleanor as she simultaneously makes a friend (seemingly her first ever) is sweet and awkward all in one. There is a great twist at the end of this book, but I can’t say I really loved it.

Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

This was the second time I gave this book a go. I’d heard it referenced so many times on the Dave Ramsey show but wasn’t prepared for it to be so textbook-like. So, when I decided to try to read it again, I was a couple years older and had some more life under my belt. I feel like every household needs this book- it’s a great reference on healthy relationships and how to keep them healthy. My favorite quote, which my husband quotes to me often, is “You are responsible to other people, not responsible for them.”

The Crazy Rich Asians Series by Kevin Kwan

I kept seeing this series and wasn’t sure what it would all be about- but a chapter or two in, I couldn’t stop reading. This series features an extremely wealthy elite group of Chinese families living in Singapore- their escapades, relationships and inheritances. It was romantic and funny- and of course made me want to visit Singapore. My favorite book of the series was the last one- Rich People Problems, where everything is tied together nicely in the end.

The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins

This book is a great kick in the pants and actually encouraged me to start exercising regularly. It is a very simple strategy for getting things done explained by optimistic-yet-real Mel Robbins (a woman!). If you’ve seen her viral Ted talk, this book is the result of that. I also listened to this one on Audible and it is read by Mel and includes several extra offsides and stories you won’t get in the book.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Another one I devoured in just a few days- this book is a great novel about the volatile relationship between police and African Americans, and is such a relevant and important read. I loved Starr’s character and her interesting relationships with her family and the rest of the world. This is a definite page-turner and thought-provoker. Shawn and I watched the movie after I read this and we both really liked it.

And, if you’re not the page-turning type, I’d recommend checking out Audible. I’ve had a membership for a few years and love it- I listen to books while driving, working out, editing, doing laundry etc!

our road-trip travel hacks + must-haves

So far this summer we’ve spent about 60 hours in the car as a family, getting to our vacations. :) It’s not been near as bad as I anticipated, and we’ve learned a few trips along the way- so I’m here to share!

Our best road-trip travel hacks:

• Slip on shoes for kids. Keep in one place when inside the car so you don’t have to search for them every time you need to get out. We especially love Natives so this is usually what they are wearing.

• Small neck pillow and blanket for each kid. We keep in a basket of these in the back of the car all the time.

• We are big fans of leaving early in the morning so that we can take a pit stop at lunch. So, we get up early. To help the kids sleep, and because I just love it, I keep my car diffuser on all the time- usually with a relaxing scent like lavender. I will throw some peppermint oil in there if I’m driving and feeling sleepy and it perks me up right away. This is the one I have, and it works well, though I wish I would have tried this one since it doesn’t take up a cupholder.

• Unlimited screen time & cell phone hotspot or downloaded movies. That’s right- we give our kids unlimited screen time and turn on one of our cell phone hotspots while driving. We came really close to using up all of our data this month, but didn’t and it was worth it for the peace and quiet! Also, we say “unlimited” screen time, but in reality they fall asleep watching or their devices die. If you don’t want to turn on your hotspot, you can download selected movies from Netflix for free. They expire in a week so be sure to do it just before your trip. A couple of must-haves for this are some good headphones (we have had plenty break, these are the best), durable iPad cases. We keep a designated backpack to hold all 3 tablets, headphones, and chargers so that they are easily found when not in use.

• Stay hydrated- We also always bring an insulated mug for both Shawn and I and a water bottle for each kid. The kids know they are in charge of their own cup, so it gives them a little responsibility- though we are still picking them up a lot! Did you know you get a .10 discount if you bring your own mug to Starbucks?! Also, on this note- you’ll want to check out the travel potty that we love because it definitely came in handy!

• I bought several snacks in bulk at Sam’s before the trip and they really came in handy and kept us from buying junk at the convenience store. (However, my love for chewy Sweet Tarts did overpower me once!) For these trips I bought fruit snacks, Goldfish, Pop Chips, zBars, turkey pepperoni, bottled water, powdered flavorings for water, Babybel cheese, and apples. We kept them all in my favorite travel cooler bag with these flexible ice packs and the cold items stayed nice and cool!

• Get a good gas station routine. To cut down on time and confusion at pit stops (and there are many when you have 3 littles), we stick to this plan every time- Shawn gets gas and takes Knox to bathroom, I clean out trash and take girls. Seems small, but saves us a lot of stress.

• I always bring a small dish brush (this one fits in my toiletry bag) and a travel sized container of dish soap. I’ve used it for so many things- namely cleaning our water bottles, but they have come in handy with shoes, stains, and lots of other things!

• I love to pack with compression bags. I have found I can fit so much more in and keep it all organized with them.

• When there’s room, I bring a foldable laundry hamper that I set up in the room where we are staying. Makes doing laundry after we get home a breeze and keeps the room clean.

I love a good list- so here are some things that makes life easier for us when traveling!

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IN THE CAR

• AUX Cable with iPhone/iPad charger port

• Band-Aids (these are for practical purposes but also entertain when you’re in a pinch! Warning- they make lots of trash)

• The Best Portable Potty Seat + Liners (we LOVE this foldable potty seat and the throw away liners. It comes with a bag to store everything in and fits under a seat!)

• Car Seat Protectors & Kick Mats

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FOR THE KIDS

• Cute backpacks they can carry

• Contigo cups

• Boogie Wipes (we love the grape ones)

• Kid’s Melatonin (We first used these to help with jet lag while in China, and they work so well for our kids that we now take them with us whenever we travel.)

• Kickee Pants Blankets So soft and lightweight, fold up to a small size

• Boogie Board

• Water Wow

• Wikki Stix

• Our Favorite Activity Books

• Durable Headphones

• Tough iPad Cases

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FOR THE BABIES

• Tula Carrier

• Airlight Carrier - we used this when the Tula was too hot. The airlight is mesh and breathable, perfect for a newborn to about 6 months. It packs small and is also great for water/splash pad/pool situations because it dries quickly. Of course, I wouldn’t swim in it- but it was nice to have when I was supervising one child while wearing another.

• Snack Cups

• Portable Placemat

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BEAUTY/HEALTH

• Mineral Sunscreen (my favorite for face, for body)

• Essential Oil Carrier

Oils that I typically carry are

• Thieves - germ blaster

• R.C. - excellent for congestion

• Lavender - sooooo many uses but great for allergies, bug bites, promoting sleep

• Peppermint - Shawn swears by this for headache relief, great for tummy aches and cooling in the heat

• DiGize - for all those tummy troubles after adventurous eating

• Geranium - this is a MUST HAVE for us because Liv gets nosebleeds and this oil stops them quickly

• Oregano - ear infections, other infections)

• Travel Size Dry Shampoo

• Travel Size Dish Soap

• Small Dish Brush

• Thieves Hand Sanitizer (Young Living)

• Probiotics (we use Life 9 by Young Living)

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LUGGAGE + GEAR

• Hardside Rolling Suitcases - These are great because they are expandable and hold a lot.

• Foldable Laundry Hamper

• CamelBak - I bought one of these years ago and now Shawn mostly carries it. It’s been great for family camp and other days when we’ve been outside a lot.

• Tough Luggage Tags with Privacy

• Compression Bags

• Double Inline Stroller - This one folds down relatively small and we have loved it!

• Extra Gallon Ziploc Bags/a few empty plastic grocery sacks- these are great for alllllll sorts of things. Use them as a dry bag or to cover super dirty shoes. They don’t take up much room and I love having them because I always find a use for them.

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BEACH SPECIFIC

• Foldable Cart (Beach) - Thankfully, the condo we rented had one of these, but we found out quickly that the wheel size matters! This cart is pricier but worth it when you’re dragging your stuff across the sandy beach.

• Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

• Pop-up Beach Tent - a MUST HAVE with an infant!

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GO-TO SNACKS

• Freezable Tote

• Dried Chile Mango (addicting!!!)

• Larabars (Lemon is my fave!)

• ClifKid Zbars

• Turkey Pepperoni

• Beef Jerky

• Yeti Ramblers for Coffee

• Nalgene Water Bottles

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lissa's lists • 50 things to do with your kids this summer

I don’t know about you, but as a working mom (who offices from home), when summer draws near- I start to panic. I photograph a lot of weddings during the summer and so for me, it’s my busy season. Add 3 potentially bored children to that, and my eye twitch is back in full force.

So this Monday, I’m writing this list for me- so I literally have something to reference when I need an idea to keep little hands busy.

Most of these can be done at home, and I tend to favor ideas that I don’t have to monitor. I know sometimes we just need to get out of the house, so I’m including a few ideas for “field trips” as well. I’m also including a few things like pool and water toys that we like to buy at the beginning of the summer.

1) Freeze toys in ice and let them dig them out

2) Create a pinwheel garden. Buy some pinwheels at the dollar store or create your own, and let the kids “plant” them in pots or the ground. Maximum effect and no watering necessary!

3) Make your own pinwheels (helpful for number 2!)

4) Do some target practice with water balloons in the backyard. Draw a target with chalk on your fence and let the kids go at it! These quick-filling water balloons are the BEST and totally worth it!

5) Paint with water on the driveway. We like to add in chalk to make it extra colorful. Have I mentioned I buy sidewalk chalk in bulk?!? Ha!

6) Print out a free scavenger hunt from my Pinterest board. There are several that will work in the car, at home, or out and about. I also love this D.I.Y. one that is perfect for younger kids who don’t read yet.

7) Blow up some balloons. And just let the kids do as they please. Somehow this is always entertaining.

8) Throw in some paper plates and let the kids play balloon tennis. Don’t forget to have them decorate their plates beforehand! More busy time. :)

9) Love this balloon puppy idea from The Craft Train. My girls would love it and Knox could probably make some Pokemon/Minecraft version for himself.

10) Water balloon volleyball with towels.

11) Create a scene on your driveway with sidewalk chalk that your kids can pose in and take pictures.

12) Make a summer movie bucket list that include some of your old favorites. There are so many great ones available on streaming services we already have. I like to use Common Sense Media to get some ideas and a run-down on the content before they watch.

Best Kids' Movies on Netflix in 2019

13) Mix up a new popcorn recipe for movie time using these recipes from A Grande Life.

14) Create an outdoor mud kitchen. There are many elaborate ones on Pinterest but for us this usually looks like me handing the girls a few plastic kitchen utensils and bowls they don’t normally get to play with.

15) Up your game by including some pantry staples you’ll never use (rice, pasta, etc.) to use in their outdoor play kitchen.

16) Plant something and let them tend to it every day. Grass seeds grow quickly and potato vine is cheap and grows quickly. You can let each kid have a vine they take care of.

17) Make some watering cans from old milk cartons.

18) Have a scheduled fashion show. Assign number of outfits. Designate a stage tech who is in charge of lighting and music.

19) Give the kids a couple of old bedsheets and have them create a fort in the backyard.

20) Create an easy pulley system in the backyard and have the kids haul goods.

21) Create a care package to mail to someone. Make a card, create a scavenger hunt. Have the kids fill out this All About Me printable book and mail it to a friend with a blank one inside for them to fill out.

22) Make a music video using an ipad or a phone and send it to a friend. Assign each of the kids a job.

23) Mystery snow cones. Test the kids’ ability to try new things and have them guess the flavors of their snow cones (you’ll have to order, of course).

25) D.I.Y. Pantry popsicles. We have made popsicles many times with some cheap popsicle molds and ingredients we had on hand- powdered lemonade is a staple for us so we mix it with whatever fresh fruit we have- canned fruit works well, too! Add in sprinkles, crushed candy, yogurt- you name it, we have probably tried to make a popsicle out of it! Or you could just try these tried-and-true delicious popsicle recipes!

26) Play snow! This stuff makes a mess but brushes off the skin very easily. And one little bag makes a ton. Our kids love playing with it.

27) Play florist for a neighbor, grandparent, or friend. Buy a cheap bouquet while you’re at the grocery store, have the kids make a card. Use a leftover vase or mason jar and help the kids create a bouquet. Add ribbon. It doesn’t have to be pretty. One bouquet can make several small arrangements. Add in greenery from your backyard as filler. And deliver it!

28) Prep dinner. I have found my kids will eat so much better at mealtime if they “help” make dinner. We do a lot of crock pot/instant pot meals so I have begun appointing a helper at every meal who assists me.

29) READ. Knox is a great reader but never really wants to read, so if I give him a time requirement (usually 30 minutes) with a reward at the end (such as screentime), he’ll often read longer than he is required to.

28) For non-readers, let them “read” on youtube! Start here! Tons of great children’s books.

Our library hosted a free petting zoo last year and our kids still talk about it as one of their favorite things we did!

29) Hit up the local library, which has a lot more than books. Ours has an array of free or cheap activities for kids.

30) Wash the car! And the bikes! Good soapy fun is always enjoyed.

31) Leaf Rubbings are always enjoyed at our house. You can make people or flowers out of them.

32) We used to love making hot rocks with melted crayons. This does require using an oven but I still enjoy doing this as an adult and you’ll have some pretty rocks for your garden!

33) Make paper airplanes and have awards for most decorative, longest flying, etc.

34) Make these awesome sponge balls instead of water balloons. Reusable and cheap!

35) Paint with watercolors on a block of ice. Use cheap watercolors- they will last a long time!

36) Show them how to create a summer dance playlist on spotify or Apple Music. Make a “dance floor” in the living room. Our girls love dancing with these play scarves, too.

37) Let them take something apart. This could be an old sports ball, outdated electronic, old stuffed animal, etc.

38) Run in the sprinklers. Put a sprinkler under the swingset and BOOM! Instant water park.

39) Go geo-caching. Super fun and free! Bring a few small prizes to leave when you find something. Start here!

40) Observe the constellations on your phone by downloading the Sky View app. Our kids love this app and you can print out this free constellation map to use!

41) Give the dogs a bath. Or the baby dolls.

42) Use these free printable tangrams! These are great for a variety of ages. Our 8 year old son enjoys origami, too- find some youtube videos that teach.

Bubble machines are relatively cheap and great for littles who haven’t figured out the wands quite yet.

43) I love this create your own paintbrushes idea! Grab some tempera paint that will wash out easily or use watercolor.

44) Practice the alphabet with sticky notes.

45) Get the GoNoodle app on your computer or smart TV. Tons of great songs and activities there.

46) Code.org is an awesome learning tool for school-aged kids and a lot of fun.

47) We also love Cosmic Kids Yoga, too!

48) Make (or just buy!) some different varieties of bird feed and hang a paper on the window to track which feed is most popular and what birds are eating it.

49) Make some bubble wands with pipe cleaners. We love bubbles and stock up on them always!

50) Watch some silly or interesting kid-friendly videos. We love episodes America’s Funniest Home Videos, BBC Walk on the Wild Side videos like this one, and we also love to research trips or upcoming vacations by finding informational videos on those places.

Most of these ideas have a corresponding pin on my Summer Activities for Kids Pinterest board!

I’m also planning on picking up a few items for the pool or outdoor play for the summer- here are a few of the things I’ve been eyeballing!

Hope you found this helpful! Here’s to a fun summer!

DIY Scribble Floral Mural

This is an idea I've had brewing in my head for well over a year now. It all started when my sister put in this gorgeous wallpaper in her daughter's nursery. THEN I started crushing on this Hygge & West wallpaper and just KNEW I had to put it in the girls' room (I'm actually really excited about the wallpaper resurgence- so many modern and colorful designs!).  

However, after doing all the calculations, I decided that it simply wasn’t in the budget. And, after seeing the oversized florals in Hayden's nursery I thought that might be a little more do-able. I also figured I could paint over it if I hated it! 

So, I decided to give the floral thing a shot. This method I used is really so forgiving- I will describe it in detail as best I can! And it was actually a quick project – the planning took a lot longer than the actual painting.

The first thing I did was sketch the composition on my iPad so I knew so I could get my ideas out "on paper", and play with color palettes. I pulled the composition off of a few bouquet photos I liked and traced certain parts of it to get me started. After that it was a matter of filling in the gaps, and repeating some of those same florals in different spots. I knew wanted to keep in the color scheme I have been prepping for their room anyway- pink, orange, mustard yellow, and black and white. I wanted the flowers to have more of an illustrative feel as opposed to a realistic look, which I knew would be a lot easier for me to achieve. I like to call these my "scribble flowers". 

Thanks to my iPad and Procreate, it's actually really easy to share that process with you here:

The room also has a chair rail on all the walls (when we moved in there was a really uh, interesting frog border sandwiched in-between the molding)-  and I wanted to make sure that everything would look right with the chair rail– so I knew I needed to do something to add interest there to keep the flow throughout the room. So, I also drew up a mock up of how it would look in the room. 

My room mock up with the floral design and border.

This woman actually swore she would never paint a room pink...famous last words!

Once I had come up with a design I was happy with, it was time to paint!

My mom came over and helped me paint the three different colors on the walls – and this is definitely the hardest part! We ended up having to paint the ceiling after we realized it wasn’t actually white, but a very light blue which wouldn’t complement the new colors. I'm so thankful I had my mom to help me pick out the grey color (really more of a greige than grey) on the bottom- previously it was a really blue grey which made it feel cold and sterile to me. Since I knew we'd be adding warmer colors, it was really important to pick a grey with a warm undertone- otherwise it would have made the original grey look very blue.

Pink background color: Valspar Arctic Ice 

White: Valspar Downy

Grey on bottom and in mural: Valspar Requisite Grey

We used Satin sheen with every paint- I have found it is very scrubbable without being too shiny.

If you watch my Insta stories (follow me @lissaanglin), you’ll remember that I recommended using an angled brush as opposed to a square one. I hate messing with painter's tape and have found that an angled brush gives me as good or better results. The key with the angled brushes to not overloaded with too much paint and go slow.

Once my base coats were ready, it was time to sketch out the composition. I’d like to do my outlines with chalk, since it wipes off easily. At first I tried drawing with white chalk, but it just wasn’t enough of a contrast on the pink, so I ended up using a light purple chalk. It did end up mixing with the paint somewhat, but it just wasn’t that big of a deal for me – so be warned if you choose to use a darker color of chalk – you might see it a bit!

Next I mixed all of my additional colors for the mural. To keep everything really consistent, I chose to use the same white paint that was on our trim and chair rail, so that all of the paint would have the same base color. Not all white paints are created equal – some have a blue base, some have a green base, some red, some yellow – you get the idea. I mixed the paint in my fancy Solo cups- adding about half a cup of white paint and then tinting the white with these paints from Michaels by adding just a bit at of color at a time and stirring well.

I am a messy painter!

Keep in mind that your paint will dry darker than it looks when wet. It might be a good idea to paint yourself a test on a piece of paper and let it dry so that you can see the actual colors. I would also suggest using a more limited color palette – three or four colors max – it will keep it much more consistent and professional looking.

Once I had the composition sketched out and paints ready, it was time for the paint bottom layer which I'm calling the "blobs". This is a really fun part of the process. Using a square brush like these, I began to apply my blobs of paint using my outlines guides- but I wasn't too precious about it. ;)

 I wanted to make the color bleed outside of the outline in the end, so I purposely made the color blobs a bit larger than they needed to be. For simplicity sake, I decided to make all of the same types of flowers the same color – so peonies were pink, chrysanthemums were orange, etc. I attempted to do a time-lapse video of myself painting, but didn't quite make it to the outlining stage before my iPad died. However, hopefully this video will give a good idea of how I painted my blobs:

Once the blobs were finished, I let the paint dry fully and then it was time for the outline! I recommend using a round brush (these are great) for the outlines. Keep in mind you will likely need a smaller brush than you think, because when you put pressure on the brush, it’s going to get bigger. So, it’s better to lean on the smaller side so that your outlines don’t become too big.

Can't wait till there are two sweet girls playing in this room!

Looking at my original sketch, I began to paint the outlines over my colored paint blobs. I didn’t worry too much about staying inside or outside of the lines – and purposely went outside the lines frequently. I used only 1 round brush for all of the outline, so that it was consistent throughout.

Once I was finished, I added some random colored dots/blobs of all the colors I used around the entire piece.

That’s it! I needed up having quite a bit of extra paint that I had mixed, and I didn’t want to throw it out because I’m a paint hoarder, so I went to the dollar store and bought some cheap plastic containers that worked perfectly for storage. Now if anything ever happens to the flowers (likely in our household), I have handy touch up paint.

After I was done I was hesitant to hang the curtains on top of the flowers, but that had been my intention from the beginning, and I love the way the flowers peek out from behind. Also, this room has a ways to go but let's be real- the toys are usually on the floor anyway. :)

There you have it! If you made it through this far, thanks for reading and I hope you attempt some scribble florals yourself!

liv jumping on the bed

I had an impromptu shoot with Liv a few weeks ago and am finally getting some time to edit them. These are some of my favorite images I've shot of her because they are just completely her! Messy hair, baby dolls, and lots of jumping. 

I shot these with my D750 with a 24-70 2.8 lens. I stayed right around 2.8 1/500 with my ISO at 1250 the entire time. 

I also shared my editing process in my Moms Who Snap group earlier today and that video is available to watch for the next couple of days if you'd like to check it out!

Ready to harness the power of your fancy camera and learn to shoot in manual? Or want to learn how I use Adobe Lightroom to edit? Check out my Skillshare classes! They are perfect for beginners- http://www.partofmeblog.com/photoworkshops/

Click on either image below to get 2 free months of Skillshare- more than enough time to complete both classes!