Man life was different 2 years ago. Do you ever fe Man life was different 2 years ago. Do you ever feel like you miss something but you also don't want it back? I love our life now, too. We don't currently have any toddlers in the house (for now) but I love who my kids are, I love who Josh and I are, and I'm content with that. Sometimes I wish I could revisit these moments tho..
#ad Do you ever worry about what's happening to yo #ad Do you ever worry about what's happening to your skin under your mask but you just try not to think about it because you're just trying to do your part and be a good citizen?? I know I've noticed breakouts where my mask rests on my face and I was so excited when I found a fix.. 

Shikō Beauty Collective (@shikobeautyco), an online marketplace that just launched in the US (!!!) is a go-to for all things Japanese skincare. Their products highlight what Japanese traditional beauty is about: what we put on our skin and body contributes to our overall health. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori), available at Shikō Beauty Collective, protects skin from breakouts, and most importantly, those caused by frequent mask-wearing. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori) not only protects skin from breakouts and makes wrinkles and pores inconspicuous, it also fits to your face perfectly to care for the eyes, nose, and chin. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori) can even be applied while wearing a face mask to maximize its use and self-care benefits OR over makeup! The heart-shaped mask is not only cute, but verrryy practical. 

Hit the link in my bio or stories and use code CHELSEA15 for 15% OFF all Shikō products! @shikobeautyco #ShikoPartner #myshiko
In this adoption process, we're in the education p In this adoption process, we're in the education phase and it's teaching us a lot about parenting as a whole. A lot of things I've felt or suspected but are now being confirmed by the experts ha. 

For example, we can think of kids like a bank. They need affection deposits all throughout the day. And then if/when you ask them to do something they don't want to do (aka make a "withdrawal") they need to have a full account or they're going to start to break down. It happens with kids who have experienced trauma but I think it happens with all kids to be honest. 

I've known for a long time that our kids go to bed easier at night when I've been more intentional during the day, but that doesn't mean I make that happen every time. 

I'm thankful that there's so much research that has been done on child development and we're now in a situation where we're required to study it. Personally, I love learning about this stuff!
Happy birthday Evy! How is our YOUNGEST already FO Happy birthday Evy! How is our YOUNGEST already FOUR?? We had such a fun day celebrating our girl 💕
Since moving to SC, all we've wanted to do is sh Since moving to SC, all we've wanted to do is show it off to our friends and family! 2020 was for sure not the year for that... 

BUT I recently met Samantha (@samantharaisingwildflowers), a mom of 3 gorgeous girls from Tennessee, and I get to show off SC to her virtually!! Samantha and her family LOVE the outdoors which is perfect because we spend so much of our time exploring outside. SC definitely has the weather for it! 

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be sending Samantha a care package of some of my favorite local SC goodies as well as sharing with her some of our favorite things to do & outdoor activities right here in Greenville so she knows some great spots to hit when she and her family are able to visit #yeahthatgreenville. Stay tuned!

#discoversc #ad #sc #southcarolina
The other day I suprised Josh with this necklace. The other day I suprised Josh with this necklace. Usually I wear jewelry that represents the kids but this time I wanted something that was a symbol of our love - of our promise to each other. I was suprised that when he saw it, he gave me a hug and said he really liked it. I could tell he really meant it. I didn't realize that it would mean that much to him. Thank you @relleryofficial for this beautiful piece that reminds me of my best friend ❤️ (swipe)

Shop Rellery's new Heartful collection and use my code CHELSEA10 for 10% off!
#myrellery #gifted #ethicalfashion
A month ago, I couldn't drop this girl off for an A month ago, I couldn't drop this girl off for an hour on Sundays at Sunday school. BUT - since being in preschool the last month, yesterday she walked into Sunday school, put her hand on another little girl's back, said hi, and sat down next to her. Now I'm starting to be kinda jelly of her social confidence 😆
Guys. I finished the paper work 🙌🏼 Now I can Guys. I finished the paper work 🙌🏼 Now I can only hope it's all correct 😅 Honestly such a weight off, though. I've been trying to train myself to just start the things that overwhelm me because I have a bad habit of putting stressful things off for weeks and feeling the weight of it the entire time. I highly recommend NOT doing that 😂
I felt pretty convicted recently because I was rea I felt pretty convicted recently because I was really dragging my feet getting the last few adoption documents in (bc I was overwhelmed by the complexity of them).But I realized that every day longer it took me to turn it in, it could literally change who we are matched with and the fate of our family & son forever so..
I'm determined to get this paperwork done tonight! 🙏
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Family, Food, Kids, Motherhood, Sponsored · December 3, 2020

Cultivating Quality Time With the Kids This Holiday Season

This post is sponsored by Silk® and Café Bustelo®.

I think a big theme for this year is togetherness. We’re heard it 1000 times, “Together apart.”


Everyone’s experienced so many changes this year, and our family is no different. My work had to make a big pivot in order to stay afloat and I was very much involved in that process which meant working when I woke up and until I went to bed. We experienced quarantine and social distancing, our family moved across the country. Now that we’ve more or less settled in and found our “new normal,” Josh and I have been trying extra hard to create quality time with the kids. This year has been a lot! And we all need a reminder sometimes that we’re loved, valued, enjoyed, and not alone. 

So after all of that, I think we now have a better understanding of what makes real quality time achievable and realistic:
1 | Not taking on too much.2 | Taking time to enjoy the simple things.
Here are a few of life’s simple pleasures we’re learning to not take for granted and use them as a small family refresh as we head into this holiday season.


1 |  Get some fresh air. 

I mean, literally. We’ve spent A LOT of time indoors this year. How nice does it feel to be able to get out on a walk with the family after dinner and enjoy the cool air that’s now here? Working from home, I can sometimes go a couple of days without even leaving the house! And I don’t even realize it at the time but it really does have an effect on my mental state. So, even if it’s just for a short walk in the neighborhood, Josh and I typically try to get a walk in with the kids and Rainy after dinner and before bed. 

Cultivating Quality Time With the Kids This Holiday Season


2 | Making every day a little special.

Trust me, I totally have those mornings where you’ve woken up but haven’t necessarily opened your eyes yet and you think, “Here we go again.” 
On mornings like that, I like to “incentivize” getting out of bed, if you will, for both me and the kids. My go-to morning treat is a hot cup of Cafe Bustelo® Latin American Blends coffee. On the weekends, I like to slow down and brew it in a french press, during the school/work week, I’ll use my single-cup coffee maker. Trust me – I’m picky about coffee. I always like to try my coffee black before I add anything to it. It’s a unique dark roast coffee with rich flavor and hints of cocoa. It is so good.

Cafe Bustelo, Silk, Target


I pair that with Silk® Dairy-Free Half & Half Alternative. It’s half oat milk. Half coconut milk. All yum. Traditional half & half makes my stomach hurt in minutes but this is dairy-free and oh so creamy. It’s vegan, non-GMO, and Keto friendly. I also love the slight nutty flavor that I think blends with the Cafe Bustelo® perfectly. 


I see this perfect combo as a guilt-free morning treat the doesn’t come back to bite me later. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
And while I’m enjoying my treat in the mornings, I like to surprise the kids with their own cup of hot chocolate. How nice it it to be able to warm up before stepping out in the cold on our way to school?

Cultivating Quality Time With the Kids This Holiday Season


3 | Family movie nights

To be honest, this isn’t something Josh and I have done much with the kids until recently. I think that with the virus, this has been the year of the screen, so in an effort to minimize screentime, we haven’t been allowing the kids to watch movies before but. 
But – just recently we’ve started watching the newer Lost in Space together as a family. It’s just slightly scary at times for the kids but Josh and I feel comfortable watching it together with them. It’s a great time of slowing down, cuddling together, and having a shared family experience before bedtime. 


4 | Cooking + baking together

Along with being the year of screens, it’s been the year of ordering our for us! The past month or so, Josh and I have been reigning it in for our health’s sake and also our bank account’s sake. Not to mention, the kids LOVE getting to help us cook dinner so it doubles as a fun activity for them and TRIPLES as family bonding. What’s better than that.
We’ve now gotten into the routine of mapping out our meals for 2 weeks. Then, we go to the grocery store and get ALL the food we need for the next two weeks and follow our meal plan for that time. We’re allowed to order/eat out once a week, the rest of the nights we’re either cooking or munching on leftovers. Honestly, it’s been a great way to save extra money each month and our tummies are saying “Thank you!!”


5 | Mood-boosting playlists

I always forget just how much a good playlist either boosts my mood, ups my productivity, or makes our home feel festive for the holiday season! Have fun making a playlist with the family for different occasions! Road trips, tree decorating, baking cookies, whatever!


What are the simple pleasures you’re taking the time to enjoy this holiday season? While you’re out doing your holiday shopping, remember to pick up Cafe Bustelo® Latin American Blends coffee and Silk® Dairy-Free Half & Half Alternative in the grocery section of Target! You can also save money on both of these products with the Circle offers in the Target app.

In: Family, Food, Kids, Motherhood, Sponsored · Tagged: almond milk, alternative, brazil, cafe bustelo, coffee, coffee creamer, dairy alternative, dairy free, family, half and half, holidays, kids, lactose free, quality time, silk

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Comments

  1. Mia Tenille says

    February 18, 2021 at 8:55 pm

    I love your blog! Your family is so cute! I am always trying to find new ways to keep the kids busy and convince them to do what I need. My 6 year old despises the dentist.. and doctor checkups (haha) so I always tell her if she is good, I’ll take her to the park!    

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My Etsy and Small Business Gift Guide for Her 2020

Hi! I'm Chelsea and we're the Damon's. We spent the last two years in WA state paying off student loans and just bought our first house in SC! I love a smooth black coffee, Josh's first love is the Seattle Sounders. Our kids are huge dorks and constantly make us laugh and we all love spending as much time outside as possible.

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Man life was different 2 years ago. Do you ever fe Man life was different 2 years ago. Do you ever feel like you miss something but you also don't want it back? I love our life now, too. We don't currently have any toddlers in the house (for now) but I love who my kids are, I love who Josh and I are, and I'm content with that. Sometimes I wish I could revisit these moments tho..
#ad Do you ever worry about what's happening to yo #ad Do you ever worry about what's happening to your skin under your mask but you just try not to think about it because you're just trying to do your part and be a good citizen?? I know I've noticed breakouts where my mask rests on my face and I was so excited when I found a fix.. 

Shikō Beauty Collective (@shikobeautyco), an online marketplace that just launched in the US (!!!) is a go-to for all things Japanese skincare. Their products highlight what Japanese traditional beauty is about: what we put on our skin and body contributes to our overall health. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori), available at Shikō Beauty Collective, protects skin from breakouts, and most importantly, those caused by frequent mask-wearing. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori) not only protects skin from breakouts and makes wrinkles and pores inconspicuous, it also fits to your face perfectly to care for the eyes, nose, and chin. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori) can even be applied while wearing a face mask to maximize its use and self-care benefits OR over makeup! The heart-shaped mask is not only cute, but verrryy practical. 

Hit the link in my bio or stories and use code CHELSEA15 for 15% OFF all Shikō products! @shikobeautyco #ShikoPartner #myshiko
In this adoption process, we're in the education p In this adoption process, we're in the education phase and it's teaching us a lot about parenting as a whole. A lot of things I've felt or suspected but are now being confirmed by the experts ha. 

For example, we can think of kids like a bank. They need affection deposits all throughout the day. And then if/when you ask them to do something they don't want to do (aka make a "withdrawal") they need to have a full account or they're going to start to break down. It happens with kids who have experienced trauma but I think it happens with all kids to be honest. 

I've known for a long time that our kids go to bed easier at night when I've been more intentional during the day, but that doesn't mean I make that happen every time. 

I'm thankful that there's so much research that has been done on child development and we're now in a situation where we're required to study it. Personally, I love learning about this stuff!
Happy birthday Evy! How is our YOUNGEST already FO Happy birthday Evy! How is our YOUNGEST already FOUR?? We had such a fun day celebrating our girl 💕

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Man life was different 2 years ago. Do you ever fe Man life was different 2 years ago. Do you ever feel like you miss something but you also don't want it back? I love our life now, too. We don't currently have any toddlers in the house (for now) but I love who my kids are, I love who Josh and I are, and I'm content with that. Sometimes I wish I could revisit these moments tho..
#ad Do you ever worry about what's happening to yo #ad Do you ever worry about what's happening to your skin under your mask but you just try not to think about it because you're just trying to do your part and be a good citizen?? I know I've noticed breakouts where my mask rests on my face and I was so excited when I found a fix.. 

Shikō Beauty Collective (@shikobeautyco), an online marketplace that just launched in the US (!!!) is a go-to for all things Japanese skincare. Their products highlight what Japanese traditional beauty is about: what we put on our skin and body contributes to our overall health. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori), available at Shikō Beauty Collective, protects skin from breakouts, and most importantly, those caused by frequent mask-wearing. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori) not only protects skin from breakouts and makes wrinkles and pores inconspicuous, it also fits to your face perfectly to care for the eyes, nose, and chin. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori) can even be applied while wearing a face mask to maximize its use and self-care benefits OR over makeup! The heart-shaped mask is not only cute, but verrryy practical. 

Hit the link in my bio or stories and use code CHELSEA15 for 15% OFF all Shikō products! @shikobeautyco #ShikoPartner #myshiko
In this adoption process, we're in the education p In this adoption process, we're in the education phase and it's teaching us a lot about parenting as a whole. A lot of things I've felt or suspected but are now being confirmed by the experts ha. 

For example, we can think of kids like a bank. They need affection deposits all throughout the day. And then if/when you ask them to do something they don't want to do (aka make a "withdrawal") they need to have a full account or they're going to start to break down. It happens with kids who have experienced trauma but I think it happens with all kids to be honest. 

I've known for a long time that our kids go to bed easier at night when I've been more intentional during the day, but that doesn't mean I make that happen every time. 

I'm thankful that there's so much research that has been done on child development and we're now in a situation where we're required to study it. Personally, I love learning about this stuff!
Happy birthday Evy! How is our YOUNGEST already FO Happy birthday Evy! How is our YOUNGEST already FOUR?? We had such a fun day celebrating our girl 💕
Since moving to SC, all we've wanted to do is sh Since moving to SC, all we've wanted to do is show it off to our friends and family! 2020 was for sure not the year for that... 

BUT I recently met Samantha (@samantharaisingwildflowers), a mom of 3 gorgeous girls from Tennessee, and I get to show off SC to her virtually!! Samantha and her family LOVE the outdoors which is perfect because we spend so much of our time exploring outside. SC definitely has the weather for it! 

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be sending Samantha a care package of some of my favorite local SC goodies as well as sharing with her some of our favorite things to do & outdoor activities right here in Greenville so she knows some great spots to hit when she and her family are able to visit #yeahthatgreenville. Stay tuned!

#discoversc #ad #sc #southcarolina
The other day I suprised Josh with this necklace. The other day I suprised Josh with this necklace. Usually I wear jewelry that represents the kids but this time I wanted something that was a symbol of our love - of our promise to each other. I was suprised that when he saw it, he gave me a hug and said he really liked it. I could tell he really meant it. I didn't realize that it would mean that much to him. Thank you @relleryofficial for this beautiful piece that reminds me of my best friend ❤️ (swipe)

Shop Rellery's new Heartful collection and use my code CHELSEA10 for 10% off!
#myrellery #gifted #ethicalfashion
A month ago, I couldn't drop this girl off for an A month ago, I couldn't drop this girl off for an hour on Sundays at Sunday school. BUT - since being in preschool the last month, yesterday she walked into Sunday school, put her hand on another little girl's back, said hi, and sat down next to her. Now I'm starting to be kinda jelly of her social confidence 😆
Guys. I finished the paper work 🙌🏼 Now I can Guys. I finished the paper work 🙌🏼 Now I can only hope it's all correct 😅 Honestly such a weight off, though. I've been trying to train myself to just start the things that overwhelm me because I have a bad habit of putting stressful things off for weeks and feeling the weight of it the entire time. I highly recommend NOT doing that 😂
I felt pretty convicted recently because I was rea I felt pretty convicted recently because I was really dragging my feet getting the last few adoption documents in (bc I was overwhelmed by the complexity of them).But I realized that every day longer it took me to turn it in, it could literally change who we are matched with and the fate of our family & son forever so..
I'm determined to get this paperwork done tonight! 🙏
I woke up feeling grateful today. Grateful that th I woke up feeling grateful today.
Grateful that the sun is out and the weather's getting warmer.
Grateful that Evy was kicking me in bed. 
Grateful to know Josh would be home from his workout soon and we'd get to talk. 
Grateful for fun projects at work.
Grateful that our sweet neighbors dropped off hand me down bikes for the kids that they were so excited about. 
Aaand grateful that it's Friday.
All the things ❤️

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