Lately ...

Lately ...

1. I'm loving this song:Cruise - Florida Georgia Line (on major repeat over here)
2. I'm working alot of nights...and I love my job
3. I'm taking a little break from shop orders, which has been nice...
4. Life has fallen into a new routine:we wake up early ( 5 am) to take daddy to work (one car over here!) The girls and I do school and spend time together all day, then we get daddy at 2:30, go for a walk and I head to work.
5. I'm loving THIS salad: spring mix, poppyseed dressing, fuji apple chips, blueberries, strawberries, pecans, dried cranberries ... yum! This is my lunch every day...
6. Lately I can't believe how grown up my girls are getting. They are so beautiful, I catch myself staring at them. I love them so much...I have so many hope and dreams for them.
7. I'm beyond excited for summer...
8. We're running the Color Run again and I can't wait for Chad to experience this event with us...even if you aren't a runner, you need to find a Color Run near you and sign up. Trust me, you won't regret it
9. Girls and I have been painting alot - we buy canvases from Hobby Lobby, put on some old shirts and get out the tempera paint and go nuts...they make great gifts for people.
10. Ok Ok...I'm offically obsessed with Candy Crush Saga. I hate playing facebook games, but this game is just too addicting for words. I'm on level 33. ;)

remember...whatever you are going through there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I've started writing down some thoughts about my life over the past few years.

I've always loved to write, and who knows what this notebook full of thoughts will become...

but I want to encourage people...life is full and bright and wide,

and everyone goes through horrible things,

but joy can be found on the other side.

Just some Wednesday inspiration.

 

:)

 

in honor of mothers day...
my momma, sister and I...
back in 2005.
My mother is amazing!
She is a strong, brave woman, and I'm proud to call her my mom.
by the way, my little sister is graduating college this weekend!

have a great week

xx
e



How I Stay in Love with my Husband.

I've been with my husband since I was 19 and he was 25.

 

(our 19 and 25 year old selves!)

 

(I am now 27 - he's 33) and as you can probably guess,

alot of changing took place in both of our lives personally and as a couple in those 8 years.

We got married in January 2007 when our daughter Elle was 5 months old...

I was 21, he was 27.

And we have been through hell and high water as a couple.

Addictions, seperation, prison,

being broke, jobless, having a premature baby, 

dealing with my severe post-partum depression, having to crash with my parents for

 a few months - these are a few of the issues we have faced as a couple.

We've had bad years. (!!)

Now after 8 years I feel like we are living the best of our years together.

I love love love spending time with my hubby and I didn't always feel that way.

 

So, through trial and error....

Here are a few things I've learned about staying in love with your husband.

 

1. Go on dates.

Remember when you were first spending time with your hubby...how you looked

forward to it? You need that one on one "special" time together.

I hear alot of couples say that renting movies on the couch together counts as date night...

and while thats great to do, I would say NO! Thats NOT a date.

(Thats just spending time together.)

Put on some cute clothes...do your hair. Put on perfume,

get yourself pretty like you did when you were dating.

Go out for dinners...go to movies...spend the day together doing something

WITHOUT kids every few weeks. It's not selfish! It's necessary.

 

2. Ignore his (annoying) quirks.

My hubby and I are soooo different!

I'm very laid back, (okay...I'm a little blonde) ...

I'm not too particular about anything.

Chads the opposite! He is such a perfectionist

and he likes things done a certain way.

It could potentially cause me tons of annoyance..

but after 8 years, I've learned that we work well together this way.

I just laugh when I think he is being overly OCD about something...

and I've taught him to take a chill pill when it comes to the less important things...

Pick your battles...ignore his quirks. They make you unique as a couple.

 

3. Talk.

We talk all the time, about everything.

I've always thought that this is was one of our strongest attributes in our marriage.

We communicate all the time during the day ...

not just what is going on in "life" but what is going on in our heads.

I'm not good with holding things in...if I'm mad or upset or confused I let him know right

away, and vice-versa. That way we can work through it quickly and move on.

 

4. Go to bed together.

Can't stress this enough!

Try to go to bed together, at the same time.

(Unless you work seperate shifts or it's just not possible...)

this works wonders for our marriage

:)

 

5. Focus on his POSITIVES.

The things that made you fall in love with him...

and tell him what they are.

If you think he's super cute, let him know.

If he's gentle with your kids, let him know.

If he's great with the financial stuff, let him know you appreciate it.

Focus on his positives,

gratitude goes a long way in a relationship!

 

I feel like my marriage is rock solid, and with Christ at the center,

nothing can sway us.

 

Staying in love over many years and hard times is work,

don't let anyone tell you that it is not....

but if you put in the effort,
 great things come from it....

 

and it's so worth it.

 

:)

 

 

 

 



Stalk my House - a living room Tour! :)

 

When I checked out this rental duplex back in October 2012, I instantly fell in love.

It's very small and felt so cozy... I loved the fun colors the walls were painted and

I had my heart set on renting here.

 

The biggest bonus - we live one block from the beach and the zoo...

so I wanted to bring a whole carefree, laid back attitude to our home.....

 

like a beach-side cottage 

:)

 

You can decorate a tiny space and make it look inviting, warm and cozy.

 

When it comes to decorating -

 

* I don't like things matching

 

*I love vintage and thrifted

 

*I love whimsical, eclectic design

 

*I want the space to be inviting and warm

 

So...I introduce you to our sweet little living room!

next week I'll show you our kitchen.

 

:)

 

 

 

 

 

 shag rug - Nate Berkus for Target

slip covers for couches - plain brown suede

 

 pillows - collected from tj maxx and target

 

 

 I made all of our wall decorations with paper from my smash books

and random frames I had laying around...

the rest is hoop art.
I collect vintage state plates, and some of these are on our living room wall too.

 

 

I love our tiny, cozy living room.

I love how eclectic it is...

and I love cozying up on the couch with my favorites to read and watch movies.

Thanks for stopping by!

 



A Family and Business Update!

lately...

my husband has been home for 3 weeks and it has been the best 

3 weeks of my life.

i can't even tell you the number of times i have been doing something and just 

caught myself smiling, or had the words "i am so happy" just running in my head.

even doing the most simple family things bring me insane amounts of joy.

for example, grocery shopping, coming home and making dinner together...

putting the kids to bed, 

cuddling up on the couch to watch movies...

just experiencing these things again as a family and not as a single mom with the kids

has brought me more joy than a million dollars, a new car or any amount of worldly possessions.

i really feel like there was a piece of my heart missing for those 18 months, 

and while i kept going, being a good mom and doing fun things with the girls...

there was always a part of my joy incomplete - a part of me that was always missing chad, 

thinking how special it would be if he was doing these things with us...

and now that he is home, 

i feel 100 percent complete.

i am more in love with my husband than i thought possible...

and if you get sick of hearing me say that you should probably stop reading my blog, 

;)

because i will be saying it lots more in the coming days!


a few instagram shots from lately...

 planning our wedding vow renewal! date is august 10th :)

 hubby loves to make me dinner!
steak tacos and chocolate cheesecake this night...

 the ladies on Easter morn!

 I started running again!
we live by the lake so this is my daily view.
I've been a runner since highschool...but its hard to run outside when you don't have a babysitter.
running=free therapy

 hubby has reconnected with his dad and they have been spending alot of time together.
here they are playing cribbage on Easter :)

 3 loves of my life

 sneak peek for you!!
this is my vow renewal inspiration.

hubby and i have a "couples" photoshoot coming up..

and it is gonna be AWESOME!

got the best idea while browsing pinterest...

can't wait for the shoot and for the pictures!

:)

 

as far as the business side of things, 

i closed my shop for awhile and i am now reopened on an order to order basis.

i am going to take orders as i can, 

with my family as the first priority.

thank you for all of my amazing customers...all 1200 of you who have supported my dream!

i hope everyone is having a beautiful friday morning!

xx

e

Style Me Pretty Feature!!

Ellarye Boutique was on Style Me Pretty today!
Check it out here - Kathryn and Thomas ... Backyard Wedding
If you are interested in a boutoneirre, veil, sash, handmade bridal bouquets, etc, check me out at www.ellaryeboutique.etsy.com

:)
e

Daddy Comes Home

We recorded the girls reaction when Chad came home on Tuesday. They were at my sister in laws house and I went to pick Chad up...then I went inside first and we had him knock on the door a few minutes later. The reaction is priceless... we recorded it... Check the link below!

needless to say it has been the best 6 days of my life :)

e

daddy comes home

my husband is in prison.

Real talk ...

I'm about to utter 5 words I've never before publicly spoken on my blog.

I don't even say these words on my personal facebook page,

and some people I've known my whole life still don't even know...

 

that

my husband is in prison.

 

He's been gone for 18 months.

He's coming home in 12 days.

 

I decided to keep some parts of my personal life private,

and so I keep much of the thoughts and feelings I have about my husband being away

to myself.

If you know me in "real life", you know that I usually have a smile on my face.

I've worked hard at maintaining that smile every day these past 18 months.

But we all know sometimes it's easy to throw on a smile and dodge the hard conversations and questions. It's that "prison-wife" stigma I've worked so hard to avoid.

It's the thought that people will judge me, or my hubby,

or our relationship.

It's the fear - that idea that I won't measure up, or something.

I don't know.

So many thoughts are running through my head and I've changed so much these past 18 months.

I've been mom and dad to my girls.

I've cried, I've been utterly exhausted. I've avoided people at times. I've clung to my family for refuge. I've found peace and security. I've wrestled with doubt and anxiety.

 

And here I am, 18 months later,

stronger...

and guess what?

We did it.

 

I am head over heels in love with my husband,

I truly believe he is my soulmate.

He is the only man I have ever loved.

I thought I loved others, before him...

what foolishness ;)

After nearly 8 years of a relationship he still gives me butterflies.

We have two beautiful daughters.

They have my eyes, his nose, and his beautiful long eyelashes.

We are counting down the days until he comes home and all is right in our world again.

 

A few of my friends have had hubbies go to jail or prison in these 18 months.

A few have reached out to me, asking for help; advice...

how to get through life missing your hubby,

dealing with people telling you they know what to do, judging you, and the stigma of prison-wife life.

 

Heres what I say.

 

1. Cling to your faith.

2. Cling to your family.

3. Be real about your emotions....

4. Be honest with your hubby. He's a big boy, he can handle it. You will both have

bad days, you will both have good days. If you're mad at him, tell him. If you are

disappointed and angry, tell him.

5. Forgive him.

6. Don't be bitter with your friends and family who judge your relationship or

your hubby. In all honesty, they just love you and care about you. Don't expect

everyone to understand...they won't. Dealing with gossip hurts....dealing with lies hurts too.

Let it go.

7. Find a few great friends. There are a handful of girls who have been like family to me

over these last long months. I have called them crying about money problems, and giddy with

excitement over God's provison. They have cheered me on, encouraged me,

prayed for me, watched my kids, and worked around my crazy schedule to see me...

you guys know who you are, and you have been a source of strength to me that

you will never truly realize.

(cue music: wind beneath my wings....lol)

but in all reality,

this has been the craziest 18 months of my life,

but I would not trade the strength and maturity and growth it has given my hubby or me,

for anything.

 

 

12 days...

12 days....

12 days.