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Life Update - June 2022

6/21/2022

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It has been a MINUTE since I've done an actual personal, from the heart, "here's where we've been" post on Nosh and Nurture and I feel like I need to bring a lot of that back.

Since becoming a mother of two, I feel like I am trying to relearn who I am, or maybe I'm just getting to know the woman I'm growing into. Either way, it's been a lot of adjusting and prayer and self discovery. 
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This year has been spent healing and loving so hard and so big.

In 2021 we lost our beloved mother-in-law to the virus. My husband was also very sick and there has been a lot of healing that's needed to take place. My parents are also very ill and it's been a season of struggle co-existing with joy.

We are trying to grasp every opportunity and live life to the fullest. With our two sweet bundles of pure light and joy, it's been easy to focus on the goodness and what we are grateful for. God was so right when He said children are the greatest blessing. 

In the world of babes, we are still homeschooling, LOVING Masterbooks for most subjects and The Good and the Beautiful for math.

Greyson graduated Kindergarten and is now in 1st grade and is still the BEST kitchen helper. He plays piano beautifully, is so smart, is reading and is a whiz at math already and he just joined his first soccer team! #SoccerMomWhatUp.

Lexi is as smart as her brother, 19 months old and can count to ten, knows her colors, talks up a storm and sings her ABCs. I'm actually mind blown at what she knows just by listening to him. I adore my sweet princess and still can't believe most days that I get to be a girl mom too.  
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On the work front, honestly things slowed down SO, SO much through the pandemic. Having a TV show (something you dreamed of forever) come out the same month a pandemic takes over the world is  not ideal.

Not even a little bit. We couldn't travel to do the press tour and though viewership started off so strong and the reviews were so humbling and so, so sweet, viewership dwindled and we were left looking for a new home for the show. 

Luckily,  we have found one and I have an amazing producer and co-creator that has unwavering belief in me and us and our projects and we are in the baby stages of creating something new and exciting to bring to our audience and I'm so looking forward to pouring back into my passions and showing my kids that it's important for them to follow their dreams and do the things that bring glory to God and helps others.  

I'm hoping you all will stick around to see what's next. 

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I would love to know what all of you have been up to? I've missed the personal connection here on the blog. IG has been my home for all of our conversations, and I love that, but this is the place that feels like home. My little space to share me and our little family and home and mission and I'd love to talk to more of you that stop by to hang out amongst it all. 

Share in the comments below your favorite memory of your 2022 this year. I'd love to know! 
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2021: Reflecting On Our Year

1/6/2022

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2021. It felt like a drawn out sequel to 2020 and left us missing 2019 with a deep ache. The Spring was blessed and beautiful with many gifts, but the fall was hard and heartbreaking.

We know in life we must stay in the present and look to the future, but with illness, suffered losses, new fears unearthed and old ones exposed, our fall + winter stretched us and wore us down quite a bit.

We are entering 2022 with a deeper faith, a higher appreciation for family, love, togetherness and life's beautiful moments. God was good through it all (isn't He always?) and showed us miracles both great and small that we will never forget. 

I shared a bit on social media, but I'm finally sharing a real and raw recap of the highs (and lows) of our 2021 year and some of our favorite photos. I also am looking forward to 2022 with big visions and my word for 2022 - one that isn't about me but puts it all in His hands. As it always should be. ​
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​JANUARY
We entered 2021 hopeful and optimistic with a darling two-month old daughter and 4 year old son. We rang in the new year at home with our mother-in-law who renovated our farmhouse alongside us and lived with us. We took the kids to the zoo and played outside many days. It was a beautiful start to the year. 

FEBRUARY
More outdoor adventures and Valentine's Day parties with friends. The newborn phase was so, so kind to us and my hormone and physical health felt incredible. I basked in the glow of that joy and I'll never forget that redemptive time in my life. 

MARCH
Lexi Kate turned four months old and Grey was now four and a half. Days were spent with close friends and lots of recipe creation at home with my little side kick, Grey. 

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APRIL
In April we enjoyed a beautiful Easter with family. My sister-in-law hosted a Easter egg hunt and dinner. Doug bought Grey his first real worms to play with at the camp store. Lexi learned to eat real food and sit in a big girl high chair and we bought our first RV AND took our first trip in it to Lake Pleasant. Grey also graduated Pre-K and we had such a fun party for him at Luci's at the Orchard with our closest family and friends and it was a PERFECT day. Spring 2021 was a highlight for sure! 

MAY
Miss Lexi turned 6 months old and we had a little party for her with cupcakes - which looking back I'm SO glad we did because my Mother In Law wouldn't be at her first birthday. Grey also started Kindergarten early, on May 30th because we just couldn't wait for fall! YAY for homeschool. 

​JUNE
My 37th birthday and lots of adventures. I hosted a girls brunch for my birthday that was sweet, simple and so special. We visited LoLoMai Springs for 5 days and it was exceptionally beautiful and WeKoPa Resort in Fountain Hills hosted us for four days again. We enjoyed lots of yummy food and pool time. 

​JULY
We hosted a fun BBQ party for the fourth of July and everyone was so festive! It was a great way to break up the crazy hot summer. We took another trip in our RV up to Williams and enjoyed Route 66, Bearizona and our campsite. And we surprised Grey for his birthday early with a trip to DISNEYLAND! We took our niece Jillian along with us again - and it was Lexi's first trip to Disney! It was pretty perfect. So thankful we decided to do that trip. ​
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AUGUST
Grey turned FIVE and it was his golden birthday! We had a fun Minecraft themed party with some of his best friends and our family. 

 
SEPTEMBER
In September Grey, Lexi and I joined a women's bible study with such a great group of women and Doug and celebrated ten wonderful, God blessed years married. We had dinner and dessert at home as a family. We ended up with the virus this month and things got scary for a while. Doug was quarantined away from us for two weeks and he got really sick. Thankful for the doctors who used a protocol to keep him here with us and ALL of God's miracles those couple of weeks. We also saw our friends be the hands and feet of Jesus for us and I will never forget how they helped me make it through some of those days. Being reunited with Doug after those 2 weeks showed us what we needed and what was truly important. 

​OCTOBER
In October we unfortunately lost our sweet mother-in-law Sandi to the virus and my mom went into the ICU. It was a hard, sad time.  We tried to keep the holidays festive for the kids - as Grey was grieving alongside us. For Halloween we took them trick or treating and decorated a spooky gingerbread house. We also found a local Police and Fire festival - which made his whole month. It was good to find pockets of joy where we could find them. The highlight was our sweet Lexi turning ONE. It was  bittersweet as we couldn't give her a party or have our moms see her turn ONE but we made it as beautiful and special as we could for our darling girl with a day at the park, pizza, cake and a Peter Rabbit party at home. ​
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NOVEMBER
In November my sister-in-law hosted a beautiful Thanksgiving at her home and it was the first official big holiday without Sandi. We felt her presence missing. We also did a balloon send off to heaven for her birthday and we held a beautiful memorial service at our church for her. We also decided to decorate the house for Christmas on November 1st because #joyseeking. 

​DECEMBER 
Another sad loss came with the sudden and terrible loss of our miniature schnauzer Charlie. He developed a rapidly spreading cancer that took him within hours of him going to the hospital. Our hearts needed to just lean into Jesus and the magic of the Christmas season to heal and breathe and seek joy. Christmas with our babies will always hold some of the most special memories throughout our lifetime. We went over the top to bless them this year. We made gingerbread houses, saw lights, showered them with love and gifts and magical moments. We also took off to the beach for a week and visited Sea World and Balboa Park. Although it was cold, it was perfect. ​
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As I look back over the year - I can see all of God's mercies and his beautiful blessings and grace for us. He gave us miracle moments and provided in so many ways for us. 

2021 may have had it's hard but it also had so much beautiful. And that's what I'm looking forward to in 2022. No matter what God has in our story this year - I'll continue to look for, and celebrate, the beautiful. If we've learned anything its that. To not take anything for granted. Don't take it all too seriously. Just LOVE, LAUGH, and LIVE. 

In tradition of sharing my word of the year, its simply GOD. Letting Him lead. Everyday. 

Friends, what were your highlights of 2021? Do you have a word for this year? Would love to have you share in the comments below! ​
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Our Modern Farmhouse Tour: Kitchen

7/16/2020

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My second favorite room in our renovation was the kitchen. Fully expected it to be my very favorite, but our Master Suite is such an open sanctuary for us in our home, that that comes in first.

When planning the kitchen we know we wanted flow, functionality, great light, white bright open spaces and a place where I could one day make a cooking show.

True story: I had no idea that just 4 months after moving in would we be offered a cooking show through Amazon Prime that would shoot in OUR kitchen. Dream come true and God had His hand in all of that far before I had any idea.  
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The details are some of my favorite parts. The chrome vintage faucets to the charcoal flecked farmhouse sink add to its charm. While the double oven and over-sized refrigerator allow for entertaining and were perfect for the show. 

The grey faux tile floors and white marbled granite make a grand statement and the glass pendant lights and raised white subway tile add a little sparkle. 

We opened up the kitchen window size over the sink as well so we can have an eye on our spacious land out back while we cook as the kids grow older and head out to play. 

The dark stainless steel appliances are a nice contrast to the all white kitchen and the view from down the over-sized island highlights our large white brick fireplace. During the holidays, the view is nothing short of magical. 
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Do you have a favorite room in YOUR house? Share your favorite details, I'd love to hear them! 
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For My Business Men and Women: Connecting With Your Perfect Audience

6/23/2020

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This is a sponsored post promoting Russell Brunson's new book Traffic Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Filling Your Websites and Funnels with Your Dream Customers - all opinions and story are my own. 

Did you know that each year, tens of thousands of start-ups and independently owned companies fail because the creator doesn't understand the skill of getting consumers to find them? 

This post is for my business men and women. We are going to talk about connecting with your perfect audience. 

In the beginning I know I didn't grasp this, not as well as I should. I thought, like many who have come and gone, that if I made a product that was desirable the right people would find it if I put in a little effort to let the world know I was creating. 

Knowing how to get your audience to come to you is an essential skill and one that will make or break your business. I recently was honored to partner with Russell Brunson in the launch of his book Traffic Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Filling Your Websites and Funnels with Your Dream Customers and it's helped open my eyes to see how I can develop this skill more precisely and help other business men and women like myself, do the same. 

Putting in the work and making connections DAILY and PURPOSEFULLY has been the biggest key to growth with not only my business, but many other businesses that have followed or have followed this methodology. 

The foundation of Brunson's direct marketing techniques allow you to be ahead of the trend and see opportunities that you may have missed previously, putting you ahead of your competitors and connecting better with the people you work to serve. 
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The best selling author and CEO of ClickFunnels, Russell Brunson is an entrepeneur I've always looked up to and wanted to learn from. The authenticity of his methods in connection and his concept of funnels for efficiency are so easy and natural to follow. I have loved my journey the last thirty days implementing his methods, the biggest being his Dream 100 foundation that the book is rooted in. 

By taking on this challenge for your business, passion project or dream you will want to commit just a few minutes a day for thirty days to learn the key strategies that increase site traffic. The biggest problem is never creating your vision, it's getting your future customers to discover it! 

The book is full of insight, step by step daily tasks, and tips that are pure gold for growth. I will implement this method into all of my businesses. From blog to television, affiliate partnerships to travel - the evergreen methods apply and are so versatile for so many types of business. 
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Traffic Secrets can be one of the best tools in your office. When used daily, it can keep you focused on finding the heartbeat of your business and keep your dream customers and clients on the forefront of your mind, where they should be. Serving them, and not you, is why your business exists, so connecting with them should comprise a large part of your everyday rhythm. 

For more on Russell Brunson and Traffic Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Filling Your Websites and Funnels with Your Dream Customers you can click the link below to be taken to the books official page. 

Traffic Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Filling Your Websites and Funnels with Your Dream Customers
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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Traffic Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Filling Your Websites and Funnels with Your Dream Customers
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Our Modern Farmhouse Tour: Our Master Bath

1/28/2020

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Let's take another tour today! Our Modern Farmhouse Master Bath is next on the list and I've loved sharing pieces of our new home with you all!

If you haven't yet checked out our Modern Farmhouse Classroom and The House That We Built, I've linked them here for you. 

If I had to choose a favorite room in this home, I simply couldn't. It would probably be a close tie for first between our kitchen and my sons classroom, with our master suite and bathroom coming in a very close second. 

Today I am taking you on a tour of our master bath, a room I have dreamed of since I moved out on my own almost 20 years ago. Goodness, that statement made me feel super old. Has it really been that long since I stepped foot in my own little apartment in California? 

This space is light, it's serene. Our goal for our bathroom was to make a sanctuary of a space, somewhere we could retreat too in the mornings to have a quiet start with God and a little coffee. As well as a space to retreat to in the evenings for a hot steamy shower, or a place for face masks, foot treatments and anything else my little heart desired during my "self-care" time. 
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While staying on budget, we each chose a couple of things in the house that we wanted as a "luxury feature". One of mine was a spa shower. The pebble floor, a large seat to relax and floor to ceiling glass we're inspired by various resorts we've stayed at and to this day, three months after being in our new home I still LOVE stepping into each day. 

The other was a double vanity (we had never had one before!). The cabinet space next to each sink (both below the sink as well as the counter top uprights) give Doug and I plenty of space for all of our skincare and bathroom storage needs. Located next to the pony wall/toilet area is also a large area of cabinets where we store extra toiletries, our towels and linens as well as my gardening tools. 

My sweet husband surprised me with two additions to this room which has always made it feel extra special to me as well - a coffee bar and an upgraded closet door to our walk in closet. The frosted door on our closet adds more light and openess to the room, while the coffee bar allows for a space to wake up slowly in the morning before making my way to the kitchen. 

We also have a glass door to the side garden (which built in blinds between the panes of glass for easy cleaning!), which makes the flow of the house work so well when needing to tend to the yard, go for a walk outside or (less glamorously, take out the garbage). 
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I even had a cute helper who wanted to do "house photography" with his camera!

As for the details, we opted for chrome fixtures and glass to up the luxury feel. As opposed to my sons brushed nickle accents for a more modern/masculine feel as he grows up. Our shower tile and rock floor compliment our grey wood tiles nicely and overall the room has the clean, sleek look we envisioned. 

What is your favorite room in your home? Do you have a place where you feel you can reset and relax? 

More Posts Like This

Modern Farmhouse Tour: Our Classroom
The House That We Built
The House That Built Us
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The House We Built

1/2/2020

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My first blog post of 2020! HAPPY NEW YEARS GUYS!

​It's been a long-time-coming, dream come true to be able to write this post. 

If you remember a couple of years ago I wrote about The House That Built Us. The home Doug and I lived in and celebrated our marriage in. Lost our first pregnancy in. Adopted our first fur baby together in, hosted many nights with friends in and then brought our sweet son home to in. 

He said his first words there. Took his first first steps and celebrated his first three birthdays, but something about it never truly felt like it was our home or the home meant for us. 

And then an opportunity for our modern farmhouse project came along and after so much prayer, many dollars and many tears, and a wait that felt like forever (but really just a year), we got the keys to our little house on a piece of farmland that finally feels like home. 
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Designing a custom remodel in a house built in the 50's is quite an undertaking (hello new AC units, old paint, low ceilings, new plumbing, new electric) however, designing our own details was one of my very favorite parts.

We were able to choose to keep the antique crank windows while putting in brand new wood tile. We raised ceilings, chose our showers and were able to blow out walls to create grander rooms and the kitchen sink (pictured below) is one of my favorite elements. Elegant faucets paired with a modern grey farmhouse sink was one of my dream items. 

While the custom elements are beautiful, it's the FEEL and FLOW of the house that make it feel like home. I love that there are double doors from our master/office area into Grey's main play space. I love the multiple backdoor access points for play, gardening and enjoying the beautiful weather. 

I just feel that my work, my chores, our parenting just FLOWS better in this space and that's priceless in itself. 

THE KITCHEN: The kitchen was actually designed not just for beauty and functionality but for my work as well. As a food blogger/cooking show hostess, I needed a space that would fit our large family, have a lot of light and fit a film crew, and the space does just that! We wanted not only BIG windows for natural light, but we installed multiple sets of can lights throughout the kitchen/great room for bright light to make the space feel light and inviting. We went with white raised subway tile with a light grey grout, a grey farmhouse sink, stainless steel appliances, and a large picture window behind our eating space. At the end of the kitchen is  a large white brick fireplace that we will eventual design into a cozy seating area for enjoying a fire, tea and lots of books. 
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to uTHE LIVING ROOM: The living room, attached to the kitchen is a great room style and is still a work in progress. Another picture window shows a view to our white fenced in front porch (another detail I adore and can be seen in the photo at the top of this post). Our plans for the living room space includes the main wall shiplapped, a large sectional and a custom coffee table by my sweet hubs. 

THE BATHROOMS: Our master bathroom was a gift from my husband and I to ourselves. We had a small bathroom with a small bath/shower and one sink for the past twelve years, so for our home project we designed a glass spa shower, a double vanity, a walk-in closet, and as a surprise, my husband had them design me a coffee bar for slow mornings where I want to linger in our space a little longer. Grey's bathroom is also our current guest bathroom as we still have some renovations to do on the east side of the home. It features a rain shower, a deep tub and we plan to shiplap his in a masculine dusky grey/blue and add some white and blue elements with his white marble and brushed nickle bathroom. 

THE BEDROOMS: As we knocked down two old rooms to create our master suite, our master suite is now our bedroom and my office space. Aside from our king bed that I am in love with and some art, it's still a work in progress as my husband is just this week building me my farmhouse desk that I can't WAIT to reveal! I'm so in love already. It's a happy space that I just love spending time in with my husband and our son too (thankful for King beds for co-sleeping toddlers!) Grey's room is so sweet and is coming together nicely! It's small and just the right size for his toddler trundle and superhero play space. Once his art is up we will be photographing that room as well. Below you can see his sweet bed that we LOVE from IKEA and the amazing Captain America rug we found on Amazon. 

THE CLASSROOM: I did a whole post on this room reveal! You can read about the happiest space in the whole house here. 

THE THEATER: One space that we had in our first home that we knew we wanted to keep was my husband's custom built movie theater. We have a guest room on the east side of the home that will become that. It's a nice space to entertain guests, have family movie night for something different, a place for my husband to game and it'll be a great place as Grey grows for him to hang with his friends. I want this to be the house where the kids all feel welcome and I feel that space helps that. 

THE MOTHER IN LAW WING: The other three rooms on the East side are my Mother-in-laws for her master suite, a small kitchen area (even though we all happily share the main kitchen) and a guest room where our niece usually stays when she comes to spend time with us. 

THE FRONT AND BACK YARDS: This is where our energy and love is going now. We spent this past week cleaning up to prep for a garden and we are prepping to paint the exterior. At first, it all felt a little overwhelming, but now I'm seeing that it's a labor of love we can spend our years making into what God sees it to be. 

Thank you for taking our little tour. We are excited to be home where God wants us in this season and we are excited to reveal the rooms here as they are complete. 
Photo credit for family photos: Amy Termini
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Farmhouse Tour: Our Schoolroom

11/25/2019

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One of the main dreams I had for our farmhouse renovation and for our home long term, was that it would be a place of learning and exploration for Grey and our future children. 

We specifically designed a classroom off the kitchen for access to start school each morning after breakfast. We also had double doors put in that lead to my office off of our master suite, so Grey would always be close by when I need to work on the blog or do housework. 

I have said many times, I adore the flow of this home. The flow from one room to the next and how it compliments the flow of our day is one of my very favorite parts. 

Our plan is to take you all on a home tour, room by room as we complete them and I wanted to start with one of the happiest spaces, our school room/play room. 

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One of the best parts of the room is the large window at the end of the room. It makes the room bright and inspiring for work and play! We kept the antique metal frame windows that lends so much charm. The rest of the room was transformed with the same grey wood tile we put throughout the home, fresh white walls and a built-in closet for my teacher supplies. 

I worked on dividing the room into various areas that include work spaces, play spaces, "yes" places to create, display areas for Grey's works and a soft reading corner that invites cozy book reading. 

Utilizing bins to house toys, books and games has been a dream in keeping the room clean. We've implemented a "one bin at a time" rule which works so well for our family. I'm blessed to have a toddler who loves organization and cleanliness like his mama (Thank you Jesus!) so we both enjoy this system. 

While toys such as action figures, legos, playdoh, animals, cars, balls and pretend play items are in bins, all books are visible to invite reading. In addition to bookshelves lined with books, I also have floor bins filled with themed books for the seasons and current school topics, as well as our library books. 
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Grey is now at the age where I'm comfortable having colored pencils, crayons and markers available in jars at all times. He also has his own drawer organizer of scraps of paper, pom balls, toddler scissors, glue, pipe cleaners and more craft items should he want to craft on his own. 

As for my aforementioned "yes" spaces, his school table has a dry erase top with a cup of dry erase markers, the chairs are also dry erase and I've attached a large dry erase board low on the wall as well as a dry erase and chalkboard easel. I want him to know that this space is his space and there are so many avenues in which to express himself creatively! 

Aside from the art spaces, we have a school table set up in the center of the room where we do our morning book and work projects. Separated by shelving and bins, I created a dramatic play space where he can play kitchen, cafe, store, vet, ice cream shop or wherever his little mind takes him. 

Under the window, we currently have a train table where he can drive cars or build legos and truth be told, between this and his kitchen, this is where he spends most of his playtime in this room. 

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I hope you all enjoyed spending sometime in our classroom today! We've enjoyed having you! 

Do you have a schoolroom/play space in your home? What are your favorite elements that make it an inviting space? 

Do you have any questions regarding our school day or room set up? Leave them below! 
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Photo Credit Amy Termini Photography
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Christmas Came Early With A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish

10/29/2019

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Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a complimentary copy of this Blu-ray reviewed in this post. All opinions are my own. 
It may be October 29th, but cooler temps have arrived and as far as I'm concerned we can skip all the other holidays and celebrate Christmas all fall and winter long. 

It's just that worthy of celebration. From the birth of our Savior, to the warmth of family and togetherness, soul-satisfying food and bingeing on Christmas movies - there really is never enough time. 

So, start in October I always say. As soon as it makes sense to pull out the cozy blankets, the mugs for cocoa and throw a log in the fire. I was blessed by Warner Brothers with our first film of the season - A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish landed on the doorstep as if delivered to my happy little Christmas-loving home by Santa himself. 

Below you will find my review synopsis of the film - details on the film and where you can get your copy - as well as some fun behind the scenes info, photos, clips and printables. 
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Available NOW on DVD, Digital and Blu-Ray A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish follows a teenage Kat Decker (played by Laura Marano) through her trials and her holiday love story as a under-valued step-daughter in a festive rendition of the classic Cinderella tale. This is the fifth in the Cinderella Story series and is the first to be set during the most magical time of year. 

I personally adored watching this with Grey. He loved the colorful sets and the leading man Nick (played by Gregg Sulkin) had him laughing out loud as Santa. As a film songwriter and performer myself, I appreciated the musicality of the film and the choreography was well done. My soft spot for the Cinderella Story series (I've been a fan since the original with Hilary Duff!) made this such an easy and fun watch! It was a great film to kick of a season of many nights of movie watching in our new farmhouse. 
"Brimming with overtones from the classic fairytale, this contemporary musical follows Katherine “Kat” Decker (Laura Marano) dreaming of becoming a famous singer-songwriter. Her reality, however, is suffocated by her conniving and cruel stepfamily and a demoralizing job working as a singing elf at billionaire Terrence Wintergarden’s Santa Land. When she starts to fall for Nick (Gregg Sulkin), the handsome new Santa at the tree lot, things begin to look up. Unfortunately, when her stepmother and stepsisters realize Kat has been invited to the prestigious Wintergarden Christmas Gala, they’ll stop at nothing to procure their own invitation and keep Kat from attending. With the help of her attentive dog, a true friend, and a little bit of holiday magic, Kat may just make it to the gala, discover the true identity of Nick, and experience the true meaning of Christmas." - Warner Brothers Home Entertainment
You can check out an interview clip with the adorable Laura Marano below detailing the magic in this film. 

​To view the full trailer - you can see it here:

Truly a fun and magical film for the whole family, watching this entertaining film was such a great way to welcome this season and share some laughs with my little guy. 

As we are approaching shopping season as well  it was so fun to fill out the Christmas Wish Lists that Warner Brothers provided to us as an interactive activity to do after we watched the film. 

Once you grab your copy of A Christmas Story: Christmas Wish on Digital, Blu-Ray or DVD you can make it an intimate evening at home with your family or you can throw a little holiday party and make popcorn, my Vanilla Caramel Hot Chocolate, print the lists below for all of the kids in your group and if you want to get really creative - you can set up a create your own snow globe station just like Kat's special snow globe in the film! 

However you decide to enjoy this film, I hope it brings you an evening of joy, laughter and entertainment as it did our family! 
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The House That Built Us

4/30/2018

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There I stood. Butterflies in my stomach as I raised my hand to tap on the large wooden door. 

It was a chilly evening in February 2007. An evening of one of our very first dates. You planned to prepare me dinner, rent a scary movie and I would be seeing your home for the first time. It was warm and glowing, romantic without the vibe that you tried to hard, and the food smelled delicious. You were, as you always are, intimidatingly handsome and you smelled wonderful. Chicken, potatoes, carrots and onions filled our bellies while deep conversation about life and our past and our future dreams filled my soul.

I knew then, this might be it. You, might be everything.
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Turns out I was right.

This home, your home, after we dated a bit more and I toured the world a while longer, became my home too. We’ve celebrated birthdays here, most memorable being our respective thirtieth bashes (a surprise party for him, a casino party for me) and of course our sons first Sesame Street bash. Christmas here is magical and dinner parties have sparked community and conversation and deepened our walk with Christ. We’ve made big memories here. Like planning our wedding until the wee morning in our living room, planning our family and praying over what it would look like.

Losing our first pregnancy and in God's great redemptive story, finding out our sweet Grey was coming. There’s also been many small, beautiful moments peppered in between the larger than life ones. Like movie nights snuggled on our sofa, playing games around our poker table with friends, laughing fits and story times and walks through our neighborhood and hot showers after long days and all the meals we’ve prepared and enjoyed day in and day out.

Our home, our refuge from the world that we have been blessed to know.
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Though I must say, it’s never felt more like our home than it has these past two years. Bringing our darling Grey home, this place has become something so much sweeter.

It’s within these walls we are molding a little life. Helping him crawl, walk and run seemed to happened at lightening speed. While watching him talk, play and show love has made my heart burst with joy.

​For who he is. Who we are. Just us three. 
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To our first home as a couple, a husband and wife, and as parents, I’m grateful for you. As we look towards our future, and what God is writing that to look like, as we start to pack up our mementos and things from this home, may we always cherish the memories we’ve made here, no matter where life may take us and what roof we lie under. 

To the house that built "us",  thank you for every thing. 

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Home For The Holidays

10/24/2017

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This post is part of a marketing campaign with BSM Media and At Home, but all my opinions are my own.
​#AtHomeStores #Sponsored

This holiday season is bittersweet in the Pimental house. 
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On the one hand we have the excitement of hosting Christmas once again for our family (of 40+!), Christmas morning with a one year old to look forward to (I think I'm more excited than the baby) and many, many shared meals this season around the table my husband built us. 

On the other hand, we are looking to what this next year will look like as we say goodbye to the house we've been in for the past eleven years and make our way to an old ranch house that we hope to make our new home with new memories, new holidays and new meals. 
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Maybe bittersweet is the wrong word. Because it's all good. It's all a blessing. The new, the old. And whether we host dinners under this roof or the next, those who gather around our table become our family, and that time with family is what makes a home. In those moments, that's where the good stuff is. 

Making our home beautiful for us and those we share it with is one of my very favorite past times. At Home partnered with me to share some of the darling holiday decor they are showcasing this year and I was absolutely giddy to peruse their massive inventory to find the special touches for our holiday table. 
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Thinking ahead to the farmhouse style of the ranch, I wanted our decor to fit both this house and our future home so I went with neutral shades and natural elements to liven up our wood dining table. I fell in love with their White Willow Garland and it became my focal point for the rest of the tablescape and once I added in gold stems to add a golden touch I knew I wanted to bring through a little more sparkle. 

The reindeer head accessories found a cozy home amongst our monogrammed napkins, while natural eucalyptus from a nearby nursery adds more greenery and a fresh aroma. The pinecones that make up the centerpiece hold a special place in my heart because they are a mix from nature walks with my little guy and a trip to a cabin from years ago with my grandma before she passed. 

When it came to the table settings, I'm a sucker for a clean, white set up so I went with their Soft Square dish set and utilized the wine glasses I bring out for parties. Their gold party flatware and serving ware made my heart go pitter pat, so I knew I needed to include those to serve up my dark chocolate bundt cake we put out on Christmas every year. 
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So as we draw near to my very favorite season, I look forward to it all. I look forward to the mornings around this table enjoying both leisurely brunches and quick, hurried bowls of oatmeal on weekday mornings. To dinner parties that spark warm conversation and deep belly laughter, and to raising and teaching a little boy that this is where it all begins. Love, life, laughter, it all starts around the family table. And I’m honored to have such a beautiful one to celebrate around. 

For more holiday decor ideas or to shop At Home, visit www.AtHome.com. ​
For my bundt cake recipe, click here. 
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