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Staying Home Sawyer

Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

Lifestyle

My Non-DIY, Non-Crafty Blog Post

9.12.2014

Last Night Rae of Sparkles BlogI’m straying a little from my usual topics, but you’re along for the ride right? I mean, you did decide to follow along, so don’t think about leaving me now. I know that you’re probably disappointed that I’m writing about something other than crafting, but I do have a life outside of my living room. Well, some days I do. Others I really don’t. And I’m not complaining. Lucy makes pretty good company when she’s not eating my ice cream.

This weekend we attended a wedding in Bodega Bay, California. For once, I didn’t make the gift! We gave them the more appreciated form of currency: straight cash. I spent my weekend drinking out of adorable bell jars and enjoying someone else’s handiwork. It’s nice to put your feet up every once in a while. Although I did get a few weird stares. Apparently feet on the table at a wedding is unacceptable. There I go again breaking the social norm.We Like To Party Rae of Sparkles Blog

Every once in a while I actually have a great time out with friends and family, and that’s a heavy emphasis on the words “once in a while.” We had a great time this weekend just being goofy and having one too many chardonnay’s. Or Vodka/Sodas. Or whatever they had left. The goofiness may or may not have been a direct result of the chardonnay.Never a Dull Moment Rae of Sparkles Blog

I do have to let you in on one little crafty pointer. All these photos were edited with a cool new editing app that I downloaded for free: Studio. What’s not to love? Editing all my favorite photos is right up my alley.

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Comments

  1. Kathy Bligh says

    9.14.2014 at 3:07 pm

    Happy First Anniversary to my beautiful daughter-in- law

About Me

About Me

Hi Mamas! My name is Shauna, a 30-something (big emphasis on the 'something') new mama and wife living in Southern California. I've become a Stay At Home Mom to Sawyer, and I would do it forever if I could! I'm originally from Wisconsin and am a total Cheesehead! I'm here to share DIY's, travel tips, and baby stuff I'm sure!

Follow Us on Instagram!

stayinghomesawyer

There’s just something about that second child. Th There’s just something about that second child. They pick up everything so quickly. They’re unstoppable. They want to do everything and they want to do it now. 

Second child life.
The day my husband looked at me and said, “I’m so The day my husband looked at me and said, “I’m so glad we have daughters,” I just about melted. Because like most men, he always envisioned a son. Someone he could pass his useless sports knowledge to, someone he could play mediocre golf with. Maybe someone to watch the hockey playoffs with (that doesn’t complain like I do). 

When we found out our second girl was coming, he famously said he watched the pink smoke hoping it would turn to purple and then blue. The first thing out of his mouth after he really digested it was, “now I have to pay for two weddings.”

And then one day, not long after the second came along, he realized why he’s a a girl dad. Because he couldn’t be more perfect for them. And they are exactly what he needed.
After seeing the beauty of this world, I just don’ After seeing the beauty of this world, I just don’t see how there’s any other option. God’s beauty is in everything, and sometimes I feel sad that I’ll never be able to see it all.
My husband and I never thought we’d be the homesch My husband and I never thought we’d be the homeschooling family, but here we are. What started as a few things here and there that we didn’t like, exploded into not liking much of anything in a traditional school, and liking just about everything about homeschooling. 

So now, here we are, on a random weekday, exploring our city. Picking up shells and learning about science. Meeting new people and gaining new friends. There’s so much more than doing lessons at home (although those happen too, don’t worry). There’s a whole big word out there to explore.
I have this theory. I think that as women, even wh I have this theory. I think that as women, even when we are done, we never really feel “done.” I think it’s innate. It’s biological. We were designed to procreate. We were designed to mother. When all of that is over, REALLY OVER, it’s a sad moment. It’s hard to accept. It’s hard to move on.

If you had asked me years ago if I would feel like this, I would have told you, “absolutely not. I’m done.” But when a woman gets to a “certain age,” it feels hard to accept. 

How do you feel?
The secret is out… I don’t spend more money than The secret is out…

I don’t spend more money than most. A party at a trampoline park is about double (if not more) expensive than this. A party at a park with a jumper? More expensive. It’s not about the money, it’s about the prep.

I spend months in advance planning for my parties. As soon as my girls decide on a theme, I take off (and we don’t do theme switches once anything has been purchased). My biggest money saving tip is to try to get the theme MONTHS in advance. I’m literally planning my daughter’s October birthday party already! 

So for those of you wondering, you absolutely CAN do fun parties on a budget. You just need a little more effort, and a little more time. 💕
There’s something about watching your child experi There’s something about watching your child experience the world for the first time that changes you.

The way they slow down, the way they notice everything…it makes you realize how much you’ve been rushing past.

I’m trying to remember that these aren’t just her firsts, they’re mine too, in a completely different way.
Growing up in the Midwest made seashells such a sp Growing up in the Midwest made seashells such a special thing. It meant vacations at the beach, time with family, hot summer days. 

Now, watching my babies collect their own seashells, holding tight to the “BEST” ones, makes my heart happier than I ever could have thought. It’s the little joys.
It’s par for the course, I know. Everyone will hav It’s par for the course, I know. Everyone will have something to say about literally everything. Hosting an Easter egg hunt? Too excessive. Throwing a kids birthday party on a budget? Consumerism. Happy with my husband? He must be miserable.

So I’ll just be over here decorating my house for The Masters this weekend, because #consumerism. And also because I spent $2 and it makes my husband happy.
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