A Gift from the Crock Pot
There’s a sneaky feeling A gift from you to you when at 3pm you realize that you put something delicious in the crockpot and dinner is made. (sigh of relief)
Breakfast Club
Do you ever have a moment that just makes your insides burst with joy and your outsides belly laugh…really belly laugh? We - my husband and I were walking out of our kids’ elementary school one morning. That particular morning we parked our white jeep wrangler on the school’s soccer field (because event stuff, pta, carline, etc etc. these details are not important). So as we are entering the...
My Grandparent’s Patio
It’s funny how one photo can be so full of smells, sounds, and feelings. Terra Cotta colored tiles covered their back patio. Big tiles - probably about 12in X 12in. A couple along the edges are chipped. There’s talk about the new wind chimes. Someone slides the glass door opening and immediately a raspy voice yells “Make sure ya close the door all the way”. The grill is on. Gas, a classic...
Blonde Hair
Today you came home with so much confidenceA little pep in your step You were trying to not fully smile…to contain your excitementBut the corners of your mouth betrayed you And I could tell you felt fucking amazing.Maybe blondes really do have more fun.
Beach Tired
I'm tired in the I just spent my day by the ocean and now my skin is salty and crispy and my hair in tumbleweed but my heart is full kind of way.
Messy Scribble
To Be Loved
As a kid - people asking, what do you want to do. I could've cared less. I just wanted someone who cared for me - an epic love someone to wake up next to and tell me I'm pretty, smart. enough. I got that. I will die accomplishing everything I ever wanted.
Tonight
TonightWashing out a marinara sauce jarWhile you play with the dogHow domesticHow perfectI set it on the counter. Maybe ill use it to store something like coffee beans
You & Your New Blanket
I never want to forget you proudly walking through Target on a New Years - lit by the flourescent lights and also by the joy of having just found the PERFECT comforter for your bed. White with blue dinosours all over it. You walked in with dragons in mind, but after scanning the aisles and the prices (after all, you had $40 from Uncle Tyler and Auntie Sara and some leftovers from Christmas and...
Another Roll of Film
Here's to another roll of Kodak Gold 🥂🥂!Lu at The Cambria in Madeira Beach on our little family vacay.Some treats at the Madeira Beach Snack Shack.A real LIVE sand dollarTook our employees to a cute lil put put bar downtown St. Pete >>Par Bar!Rio's 7th Bday!
I Go Down to the Shore – Mary Oliver
There's a poem I recently read - and I am not sure how I've not read it until now or read the author, Mary Oliver until now but it left an impression - and I will carry it with me every time we visit the ocean. Today we went to the beach and the sibling rivalry was REAL. I felt stressed yet inspired to make my own version of Mary Oliver's I Go Down to the Shore.I go down to the shore in the...
I Shot My First Roll of Film on my Canon ae-1 and These are my Photos
My husband bought me the Canon ae-1 for my bday back in September. I was so excited 🙂 I took photography in high school - I'm talking film, dark room, the whole shibang - so I was looking forward to getting back to those roots. I shot on Kodak Gold because I am a BIG warm tones gal when it comes to photography. Here we go:
A Little Film Photo Dump – Shot on Fujicolor C200
It took us about three or four months to get through a single roll of this Fujicolor C200. I think I was a little shy about shooting because I am so use dto the rapid fire of the iphone and digital photography. It's so different when you are essentially paying for each shot - not to mention not being able to see what it looks like right away and trusting your own instincts. But here they are!...
Photo Diary: A Good Weekend at Madeira Beach
We went to the beach every day this weekend and it was so so so so GOOD. There is just something about ending each day with a little more sand between your toes...and cracks, that makes it all the more fulfilling. We packed up the jeep, threw in the kiddos, grabbed some snacks, prepared ourselves for the impending game of family beach soccer (always demanded by our oldest) and BEACHED...
Easy Grocery Store Flower Arrangements
You know what time of year it is.Peony season! At least at Publix it is. The plan was pretty simple. Publix for a few groceries, the bank to deposit a check and then home. So, I hopped in the Jeep, wandered into Publix…..and that’s when I saw them in all their feathery glory. Ok, it wasn’t that dramatic BUT grocery store flowers are a simple AND cheap way to beautify your home and freshen up a...
A New St. Pete Coffee Shop
Introducing Grove Surf and Coffee – a brand new family friendly, mixed concept coffee shop in St Pete Beach.
Upham Beach – A Photo Diary
With covid happening, we are trying to avoid the beach on the weekends. So, this past Wednesday morning we took a short drive to a little part of St. Pete Beach called Upham Beach. We had the best time just swimming and enjoying nature 🙂 Started the day off with a foggy lens of course 😉
Just some thoughts on a Tuesday…
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been guilty of looking at my day-to-day as some kind of groundhog day where the most important thing I do is scrub little boy urine off of the toilet….wall...bathtub….boy moms, you know what I’m talking about. But, recently something happened where my perspective shifted. As many people are during this quarantine chapter, we are making some changes...
Mother’s Day at Home
I actually REALLY LOVED Mother's Day this year. We just holed up at home, watched a movie, and ordered take-out. Plus, my babies (aka my husband) bought me a new plant baby 😉 They truly inherited my weirdness. Maybe they'll thank me someday.
Rachel’s Mini Maternity Session
This one's near and dear to my heart. If you know Rachel you know three things. You know she is beautiful (I mean c'mon - gorgeous). You know that she is a creator and artist at heart and in everything she does - right down to her handwriting on her calendar. And, the third thing you know is that she is fierce. Her and her husband, Phil prayed for this miracle baby for so long. They walked...
Allison’s Mini Mothers Day Session
Our Indoor Dessert Picnic
Sometimes you just gotta make banana bread and have an indoor dessert picnic. ....that messy face though
Motherhood – Flo and Gabe
Rosie’s Hospital Session
Rio’s Special Day
Rio - You are unbelievably special - an undeniable gift from God. You're my second son and so passionate and loving...Oh man, the way you love. You love with all your heart and without bounds. So much like your daddy. But, here you are in the middle of an epidemic, turning five. So, here's to you and your special day. We invited some friends and family to participate in a little parade for Rio,...
Palm Sunday
We had some fun with Palms right from our yard on Palm Sunday!
Sprinklers in the Spring
This is the one where they had the best day. Even though the world outside inhaled chaos and exhaled more chaos, they ran and they screamed and they fell in love with each other more than ever before.
In Times Like These
Hey. You are doing a good job. I know you’re working to provide while trying to survive. I know you’re balancing sticky fingers and dirty laundry. Battling anxiety of the unknown - anxiety of the known. I know you feel like you are slipping; that instead of having a list completely checked off, your list has grown into something unknown and messy - that instead of slaying the day you’re on...
Our Quarantine Walk – A Photo Diary
Well, here we are in this very unusual crisis. Who would have known that three months into the new year, our world would be fighting for health, peace, and toilet paper. This brings our family into a whole new world – where all five of us (plus two dogs) are now living, breathing, eating, working, playing with each other for every one of the twenty-four hours we get every day for who knows how long. So, we’ve pledged to make the best of it. Here’s a peak.
A Day at the Beach with Grandma
Grandma came all the way from Minnesota to visit us in Florida, so we went to the beach. There is just something so therapeutic about the ocean. These are the days, and they are special indeed.We were is full tourist mode only about 15 min from our home and Grandma loved it. We visited all the little beachy shops, bought some new sunnies, and ate some AMAZING burgers at Mad Beach Brewing.
Valentine’s Day Fishing
We did a little bit of fishing on Valentine's day at Merry Pier in Pass-A-Grille after all the kiddos went to school.
A Sunday at Home
As much as we love church, sometimes we just need a day at home. One of our littles had just been sick, so we took a pass, got comfy on the couch, ordered some Starbucks delivery, and it was glorious.
Madiera Beach
Getting lost in the busyness is so easy as a family of five, so we have been intentionally taking some time to go to the water - even if it is on a random weeknight for a picnic dinner and some soccer.
Kindness Breeds Kindness
I think we sometimes forget that all of us parents are in the same boat. Though we may feel like we are drifting around in our own little canoes, passing each other by, waving each other along…. or in some cases a large ships in the midst of raging storms and a tumultuous sea. But here’s what I have learned in the short (almost) 6 years I’ve been a mom....
Church Shirts
Make this shirt your new Sunday Best! You don’t need need “church clothes” to go to church. Even if you don’t go to church, your babes would look pretty cute in this church shirt.
Marriage Q&A
We asked some friends to come up with a few questions on marriage, so here we go! Q. Jonathan, how do you get back on Elisa’s good side if she’s upset or having a bad day? A. Use those Publix BOGOs to bring her some sweets or ice cream. Then she’s more open to talk it through. Q. Elisa, how about you? A. He likes hugs. Snuggles and foot rubs work too. Q. What is the best marriage advice you’ve...
God’s Protection
A few weeks ago I came home late from a long meeting. I walked down the hallway with the intention to peek in on my 2 boys who were fast asleep in their beds - something I am sure my wife had been waiting for all day (If you know our boys, you know that their energy is unmatched). This is not a normal thing for me to do, but I had missed them so much. I just stood there for a few...
Dear Friend
This is a letter I wrote to a dear friend , but mamas everywhere need to hear this. Dear Friend, I know. I know. I do not know exactly what it is like to be you. To live in your house with your precious family. I do not know the places your mind wanders and the dreams you have forgotten. I do not know what exactly wakes you up in the night and causes you to fall on your knees to ask...
A Divine Moment In Time
It was a normal Sunday morning in the Morey household. Alarms rang, church clothes were donned, mouths fed, coffee brewed, teeth brushed, kiddies scooped up and strapped into the van for church. Service was great, as usual. And, connecting with our church community again made us feel at home and a great sense of belonging. We herded our 3 children as they proceeded to stuff the last...
But, how do you follow Jesus?
As Christians, we go by many names – Christians, saved, born-again….but, one of the most popular is Christ Followers. But, what does it mean to be a Christ follower?
Assume People are Good
Why do the harsh words stick closer than encouragement? Why do some words cut so deep? Why do judgmental statements aimed at us, at our parenting, our appearance, our faith, our personal choices, continue to surprise us? Today, I had two statements directed at me. Both by complete strangers. Both by older women. Statement 1: You really need to teach your kids how to act around dogs....
What’s it Take to Be a Good Dad?
It is hard to find a good balance between family time and everything else. So, how do you be a good dad?
I Was Not a Good Mom Today
I was not a good mom today. My words were not kind and the fruit I bore was not sweet. My anger was quick, and the heart I did wear on my sleeve was not pretty. It did not overflow with joy or kindness, patience, or even goodness. I was not a good mom today. When I woke, I did not spring out of bed with a joy beyond understanding. When I served, I did so out of necessity instead of...
God Our Creator
I am a creator at heart. You can ask my poor mother who had to consistently clean up headboard carvings, crayon murals, and shredded clothing that was intended to make a fashion statement. To this day, I always have my hand in a little bit of something - painting, photography, graphic design, interior design. Today I stopped to think, because I found myself getting wrapped up in a...
Kid Friendly Things to do in St. Pete Part I
I have been setting out to write this blog for a while now, mostly because I find myself searching the exact title of this blog in Google almost every weekend.
Redemption
Redemption for the day can be found in the simplest of activities. My redemption is bath time- where all the muck and grime of the day can be washed down the drain.
What I Learned from my Olive Tree
The moment I saw her, I knew she had to be mine. I know, I know. You’re like “Whoa, whoa, wait, what??!!” Just calm down, I am talking about Olive, who is obviously my olive tree.
Finding my Purpose
The purpose driven life…more like the poop driven life. Oh here’s one. The never ending pile of dirty laundry driven life.
Cool Mom
I really try to be honest in all I do. I speak the truth, and when I write, I write the truth. So, let’s be honest for just a second.