Classic meets Casual

Comfortable and Fresh

Room Decor

Zoo Escape!!

Sometimes, things at home seem really, well, challenging. This is when I am incredibly grateful for our local Zoo. The Fresno Chaffee Zoo has undergone some amazing renovations over the last few years and even better its 5 minutes from our house!

A couple years ago my mom invested in an annual Zoo membership for all the kids and Grandkids. Although Jackson and I seem to be the only ones who really use it we get every ones money worth!

 So yesterday was one of those days when I just wanted to get out of the house, away from the gym and just have quality time with my little bug. The zoo is always the perfect place for that. It always gives us a breath of fresh air both literally and metaphorically

 

 Since my Grandma moved into our house things have been, challenging to say the least. Its a lot of personality in one household and having negativity and stress on a regular basis really takes its toll on me and Jackson. 

I definitely lean on the little outlets I have around town to get away with Jackson and just have time to be us and to build memories together that aren't soured by stress or anxiety of the environment.

I've also spent a lot of time on fitness. I've been back into Yoga and Running with strong devotion! I have a half marathon coming up this month which I am excited for and hope to sign up for more soon, including one that ends here at the Zoo! I will be talking about that more on my Mommy/Fashion/Fitness blog!

Sippy Cups, Sequin and Starbucks 

So what do you guys to keep your sanity? Or to stay focused? Any tricks or fun activities? Please share, lol I need ideas!

xoxo, SaraH

My next phase of Mommy life.....

 Kindergarten? Seriously!?

I'm not even going to pretend that I have all my ducks in a row because every time I think I do I get blind-sided by yet another milestone that I had convinced myself was light-years away.....

So, on Tuesday I enrolled Jackson in Kindergarten and at first I was ok. It was just something I needed to get done this week. And then I told him to stand in front of his new school and take a picture. I snapped the picture for Grandma really quick and went on with my day. Gym, Target etc...

When I got home I got ready to post the photo I had taken on FB, IG etc and as I looked at it my heart started to feel so heavy and my stomach felt like it was going to drop. It was almost an out of body experience because all of the sudden this little baby (which is how I have seen him every day) was suddenly this little kid. Hes ready to get out there and learn about the world outside of what I can teach him on my own.

I suddenly find myself reflecting on everything I've armed him with in the past five years. Did I remind him to always listen and be kind. Does he understand manners and respect? Can he do it on his own? Do I want him to?

Everyone has such a special relationship with their children and my connection with Jackson is no exception... I consider it exceptional. We have each others backs like none other. And as he learns to guide himself a little more on his own I hope I gave him all the right tools to take a step forward but still remember where he is safe and how much I love him.

I want his sweet and tender nature to rub off on those around him. I want him to feel very strong in who he is always. I want the world to see who I see him to be. Special<3 

 

I know we have many more milestones ahead of us, like the actual first day of Kindergarten for instance (i cant even think about that one yet), but all Mommy can do is take pride in the person he has become, maybe despite his often clueless Mommy....

So I send huge props and tons of support to all the Mommies who have been through this (sometimes multiple times), the Mommies who are going through it and the ones who are still saying "Thats a LONG time from now" lol it sneaks up so fast.

All my love and best wishes!

xoxo, SaraH

 

WHY

I'm sorry but when did it become normal to feel bad? Like, ALWAYS bad? Or, I think the better word is SHAMED

LIST OF OMG THINGS I DONT DO THAT (apparently) ALL GOOD PEOPLE DO

1. Yoga (I love your "yogi" lives, but its not realistic for some people. I've tried and NO I don't bend that way anymore…. and the more you tell me its all in my head the more I want to punch you in yours)

2. That brings me to fitness shaming…. I'm glad that you wake up, do yoga and then run 10 miles… but guess what, I can't do that because I'm a single mom…. If I hear one of you over zealous gym junkies tell me there are no excuses ONE MORE TIME I will treadmill across your face

3. Juice junkies… Really? I drink coffee, milk and water…. And I'm doing pretty good… Stop acting super superior over this months "cleanse"

4. Pinterest, can just go to hell with all the terrible things I attempted from reading recipes, ideas and projects on that website… My truth is, you're not a perfect mom because you created personalized lollipops of everyone at your child birthday, but because you take a moment to appreciate their birthday and get dirty and have fun with them instead

5. There is NO such thing as a perfect mom or perfect person for that matter…. sometimes people, are just people who do the best they can with what they have… We all have been dealt cards that are either wonderful and grand (whether you work hard or get lucky enough to have someone work hard for you), or get dealt lesser hands that you're still trying to work through…. Don't shame, hate or persecute kind people because they aren't up to what you think is "better"

The world is full of caring, kind and loving people… Some people are victim of circumstance… sometimes we love the wrong people, or don't have love for the right people…. But outside of anyones life, we don't get to judge..

Please, just be nice…. Sometimes being nice or deciding to be unkind can make or break someone…

With Love
SaraH

Social Media Mayhem

I'm quickly realizing how irritated I have become with my own life as a mother and/or human being...... I judge myself constantly over things, situations, trials that are so trivial. 

1. OMG i didn't do Elf on the shelf
2. OMG i didn't make a five course meal..... for breakfast
3. OMG today my 2 year old didn't hit an unrealistic milestone for his age

 I've seen a lot of blame on Pinterest but I REALLY blame Facebook... Twitter and just social media in general.... I just wonder, 

Who are you REALLY?

I've been feeling a lot of shame and honestly, depression lately..... because apparently everyone is better at everything than I am.... No one has pain or concerns or the ability to take a bad picture.....

I will say, I understand depression can be genetic, so do I just need a pill?

My situation is specific, I have a 2 year old little boy... His father basically abandoned us, I am 30 years old and back with my parents... I know what most will say.... 

"No wonder you feel depressed"

The thing is, that has nothing to do with it... I live every moment for my amazing little boy. I feel blessed every day that I wake up and hear his voice... (even when he pees through his diaper or throws his socks and other items at everyone).

So, to get to the point..... I have decided to keep myself away from social media for the next 3 days. 
-Facebook
-Twitter
-Instagram
-Pinterest

Only thing I keep is YouTube (because I love cat videos)

In closing, See you in a few days starting tomorrow.... I need a detox!

xoxoxoxoxoxo
SaraH