I feel like it’s really been quite some time since I really sat down and just started typing out whatever comes to mind, hasn’t it?!
Sometimes I miss the “old days” of blogging, when everyone would just sort of write out whatever the heck they wanted and/or were doing, without worrying about whether or not it was SEO friendly, or shareable, or any of that other stuff.
Most of the time I would (and still do) tend to let my pictures dictate where a random blog post would go, since I’m a super visual person and always have a hard time making it through a blog post with no photos. But these days, it seems like any time I go to write out a post like this, I check my phone and realize that there is barely anything new. OR, to be more exact, there’s like 50 new pictures of my kids, but (although it doesn’t always seem that way these days) this blog isn’t JUST about my kids. ;)
So what does the lack of photos mean? Well, for one, it means that I’ve been trying to disconnect from my phone more when I’m with the boys. Too often, I found myself just “quickly checking an email” which could easily lead to a few more “quick checks” on Facebook, Instagram, etc… And I’d love to say that I’m trying to disconnect even when the boys are asleep, but more often than not, I tend to find myself headed down that rabbit hole and all of sudden, 30 minutes have gone by and I think, well crap. There I go again.
I know I’m not alone on that, right?
So what else is new? Hmmm, well let’s see…
We had one of my college girlfriends and her husband/girls over this past weekend and it was SO good to them. It had been way too long. We all got to chat, the kiddos got to play, and we chowed on cookies and funfetti cake batter dip (<– it was good, but I’d take cookie dough dip or fruit dip over that one any day).
Jay and I have been trying to spend more time out on the new deck after the boys go to bed; the other night, I threw together some salads and nachos made with cheese and some leftover BBQ Pulled Chicken and called it dinner. They weren’t that great, but they did the trick.
I also recently made this grilled corn salad and it was INCREDIBLE. Totally making it again ASAP.
Starbucks shaken iced green tea lemonades have been my jam for an afternoon treat on the days I work in the office lately (and by “lately” I mean I’ve had two of them in the past three weeks, maybe). But they’re super good.
Things have been pretty busy with my Usborne biz (<–I’ve been working a bit on updating that page!) lately, but totally in a good way. It can get sort of crazy trying to balance it all though, so when Usborne gets busy, the blog tends to be a little quieter for a while. I would love, love, LOVE to be able to pour more time and energy into the blog (I really do miss sharing recipes and meal plan posts!) but there just isn’t enough time in the day.
That said…going back to the beginning of this post. I really want to try to get on here more often to just share…anything! Life. Ramblings…even if they’re just short, quick little posts. So if there’s something in particular you’re interested in hearing about, let me know! Let’s keep chatting over our virtual cups of coffee. ; )
I lurve seeing your pics courntey! Especially of da kiddos and the foods! Makes me hungry especially when you have the buffet style foods you serve at parties! All your fans still be here waiting for you girlfrand! Haaaay
I agree, I miss the old style of blogs – just chatting and acting up. The green tea lemonade is so good, but iced passion tea is my absolute favorite summer drink!
I say share the billion kid pics!! I LOVE them! <3
Hahaha, xoxoxoxo <3 <3 (I'll have to start texting more to you) ;)
I keep reading about your Usborne book biz and have yet to check it out! I also have no idea why. Bc my son (2 yr old & 3 mo old) is OBSESSED with books!! When I have a free min I’m going to look!! Also if and when you do get get more time the meal plan posts were my fave! I miss those terribly!
Julie, you should absolutely take a look! I have SO many books I could recommend to you for your boys(!!). Shoot me an email if you ever want some recommendations, more info, etc.! ;)
Love all the pics of the kids, getting so big!! Time really flies by. I would love any tips on how you work w Lucus on writing and counting, number and letter recognition. Avery is pretty stubborn when I try to work with him, any tips would be great. I do have some letter and number wipe books which we love. Lucus is such a smart little guy😊
Looking forward to seeing you all at the guys work picnic!!
Hey Jenny! Looking forward to seeing you guys too! I truly believe we got lucky in the sense that Lucas legit loves to do things that involve letters and numbers. I’ll have to see what I can come up with though! ;)
I love reading ANYTHING you decide to blog about but love, love, love seeing your meal plans ;)
& your salads you make always look SO delicious!! I don’t know how you can make such a simple salad look so darn good!!
Haha, wow well thank you! I do love a good salad :)
I agree — blogging used to be a lot simpler!
I love the random posts haha, and yay for kid pictures- that’s all I have on my phone these days too! :)
My favorite kind of posts to read are the rambling ones. I love getting an insight into other people’s lives – it’s like virtual people watching and it’s just fascinating to me! And on a side note, I am also obsessed with the green tea lemonades from Starbucks. The passion tea lemonades are pretty good, too…
Virtual people watching… YESSSSS!!!!
I love EVERYTHING and ANYTHING you blog about! I’ve loved your blog for many, many years! Your boys are just so cute, so I would love to see more pictures of them! ;) xoxo
DITTO ON EVERYTHING. I have been following for years and love all of your posts about anything and everything. Your boys are adorable. Love your fam.
You guys are really so sweet. Thank you SO much!! <3
Life happens. Life is busy and just plain old nonstop. There is always a zillion things to do and not enough time. I do have to say that first thing I always look for your post. It brightens my day to read it and see what’s going on with you. Because frankly you are just AWESOME and COOL. I enjoy anything and everything you blog about. So whatever you want to blog about even if it is something short…I will always be a #1 fan. xoxo
Jennifer, you absolutely made my day reading this. Thank you SO much! I know you’ve been reading for quite some time(!) so for that, thank you! :)
I love this type of post too! Keep them coming! I also love your desire to unplug when you are with the kiddos. I can totally relate to that and I am trying to do that too! :)
My favorite posts to read AND write are the rambly posts. It’s like a brain dump, and the opportunity to sit back and sort of relive the simple, little moments of our lives that pass by much too quickly!
It’s funny you wrapped it up with “let’s keep chatting over a virtual cup of coffee” because I was actually drinking my coffee as I was reading your post. :) My favorite posts are the ones where people post about real life and ramblings so I am all for it! I love that you don’t sugarcoat life or make it seem like everything is perfect and planned — so relatable!
Please please keep doing these types of posts!! I definitely understand how crazy life gets, but these are ALWAYS my favorite posts to read by far. I get really tired of other blogs that cater their stuff to click bait, “evergreen”, or just repeat the same sponsored posts…which is hardly relatable. Your blog is one of my favorites and so refreshing and I truly look forward to reading your posts because of ones like this. Probably why I enjoy your weekly newsletter so much, but as a fan of your blog for many years – and never having commented yet! – I hope you realize how much people do enjoy these posts :)
I love posts like these. Oftentimes, I find myself writing the same kinds of posts. It seems lately that most blogs follow a similar format of What I Ate Wednesday or Fitness Friday, and sometimes I just want to know what’s naturally in a blogger’s head!
These are my favorite types of posts to read! More and more blogs are focusing on marketing themselves and posting the same boring workouts and recipes that everyone else’s posts. I’d rather read something real!
Recipe for those chocolate chip cookies?! They look like my favorite kind of chocolate chip cookie–buttery, chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips! (Not that there ever is such a thing as a “bad” chocolate chip cookie…;))
I made these cookies, but just with ALL chocolate chips!! ;) https://www.sweettoothsweetlife.com/chocolate-chip-peanut-butter-cup-explosion-cookies/