Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no be Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no better feeling than getting to know the wonderful person she is growing into. We're so proud of this girl!! 6 is going to be a great year 💕
I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every hour last night 🙃🙃 

Outfit @honest 🦋
Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, it's so funny how some parts of the newborn phase have been like muscle memory and others have been like we've had our first born all over again. 

We were worried about how David and Evy would feel with this new family member but they have been so sweet that it brings tears to my eyes to put it into words. I was especially worried about Ev being supplanted as the youngest but, honestly, being the big sister suits her SO well and I think she's been loving it, too. 

I've also loved getting to experience this again with Josh. The way you band together during the newborn phase especially is very bonding. You rely on each other deeply and it's not always cute or pretty. 

Super grateful 💗
To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going to think she has the coolest, smartest, bravest big siblings in the world, and she's not wrong 😉
She's here 🌷 Cleo Renée was born 2 weeks early She's here 🌷 Cleo Renée was born 2 weeks early on Saturday March 11 at 1:52 in the morning. 

Josh and I just had a feeling about that day (Friday), so we kept the kids out of school, went out to breakfast, and just spent our last day together as a family of four. 

My contractions started right after my 38 week appointment that morning and progressed throughout the day until around 4pm when I thought, "Mmk, I'm starting to really need to breathe through these. Better go in."

I was so convinced they were going to turn us away that it really didn't hit me that we were actually going to meet our girl that night until we'd been there for a few hours already. 

Baby girl ended up being 7lbs 15oz and 20in long!

We are all so in love. David and Evy are OBSESSED. A few times their friends have come to the door to ask them to play and they've said they'd rather stay home with the baby 😄

We are so blessed and thankful for this little girl ❤️
How to use a French hair pin. I love these things How to use a French hair pin. I love these things because they can hold up even my thick and chunky hair and I don't have a large clip sticking off the back of my head (don't get me wrong, I love a good hair clip, too)! Have you tried one yet??
This season of waiting has been weird. But I’m s This season of waiting has been weird. But I’m so grateful for it.

On the one hand, there’s so much to do to get ready for little one to join us—it’s been a while since we’ve had a newborn! I’m spending most of my free time writing and nesting, nesting and writing. 

And then on the other hand, I’m feeling pretty ready to have my body back. And by that, I mean just to be done literally sharing it with another being. You start to miss things after a while like being able to breathe when you lay on your back or not getting indigestion for eating a few grapes. 

Overall, there’s so much to be thankful for. Each little inconvenience is a blessing and I’m happy they’re there. I’ll also be happy when they’re over. For now, I’m just savoring being a mom of “older kids” (8 and going on 6) that can grab their own snacks from time to time and put on their own shoes. We’re going to be heading back to square one in a couple months and I’m sure there’s a lot we’ve forgotten!
Naturally, when we see a need, we rush in to fill Naturally, when we see a need, we rush in to fill it and fix it. On top of this, it’s hard for us to ask for help because we don’t want to be a burden to others. 

But in the process of meeting everyone else’s needs and neglecting our own (especially our need for rest), we often become bitter towards the ones we’re helping.

Instead, one of the best things we can do as a wife or mother is to assess our own needs and make sure to leave space to meet them ourself or to ask for what we need. 

It might be time to rest, help with the next meal, time alone to pray and meditate on God’s word, or allowing yourself to leave a task un-done so you can “selfishly” enjoy a hobby of yours like the rest of your family gets to do. 

In the end, making room to find joy each day may be one of the best things you do for your relationships.
30 weeks and counting down the days til we meet yo 30 weeks and counting down the days til we meet you. We *think* we've finally settled on a first name after non-stop back-and-forth and brainstorming. Any guesses?? Or.. what are your favorite baby girl names right now??
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Health, Life & Finances · December 12, 2015

How to Make Your Coffee Healthy

By now, most of us know that diets simply don't work. Losing weight and getting healthy is a lifestyle filled with little choices that, over time, make all the difference. One of the biggest changes I've made to my daily diet is how I take my coffee. Making these simple choices to make your coffee healthy will get your day headed in the right direction and lead they way to a healthier day!

By now, most of us know that diets simply don’t work. Losing weight and getting healthy is a lifestyle filled with little choices that, over time, make all the difference! One of the biggest changes I’ve made to my daily diet is how I take my coffee. Making these simple choices to make your coffee healthy will get your day headed in the right direction and lead they way to a healthier day!

Losing weight and getting healthy is a lifestyle filled with little choices that, over time, make all the difference!
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Learn to love your coffee
without sugarRyan Gosling behind you in line at Starbucks

This is the biggest thing you will ever do to change your coffee. Everything else comes second. I know I know, sometimes Starbucks doesn’t offer our beloved Pumpkin Spice syrup in a sugar-free alternative. This is where we’ll have to make the hard choices to order something a little bit more on the classy side, if you will. Hear me out: if Ryan Gosling was standing behind you in line at Starbucks, what would you rather he hear you order? “I’ll have a pumpkin spiced latte with extra pumpkin with whip.” or… “I’ll have an Americano with room.”

Yeah. I thought so.

Check out: What Baristas Actually Think of Your Drink Order.

Also, be wary of sugar alternatives, as tempting as they are. Many times they can contain chemicals and hormones that you don’t want anywhere near your body! Your best bet? Complete sugar abstinence. It’ll be hard at first, but oh so worth it!

Choose your milk wisely

Did you know that you could be lactose intolerant and not even realize it?! I was 21 when I found out I was lactose intolerant because every morning I would wake up feeling skinny, I would drink cow’s milk during the day (I loved it!) and I would go to bed at night feeling bloated and sluggish. Every night! I decided to cut out dairy for a couple days to test my theory of being lactose intolerant and I have never. ever. gone. back. Now, even if I eat/drink a little bit of dairy, I get hugely bloated and a horrible stomach ache (sorry for that mental image, but you get what I’m saying).

What’s the alternative, you ask?

 

Remember, not all milks are the same. Most coffee shops will default to using whole milk in their lattes which thickens lightens the coffee like we’re used to. This doesn’t have to be our only option though! And before you resort to the oh-too-popular soy milk, read up on it a little. I could talk for a while about the dangers of soy milk but, instead, I’ll send you over to this amazing post about why you should never ever ever drink soy milk! The best alternatives for milk in coffee that I have found are 1. Almond milk and 2. Coconut milk. These go great with the nutty rich aroma that we love in coffee. Be sure to look for the “No Sugar Added” options!

ps. They come in vanilla flavors!

Flavor your coffee with natural flavors rather than syrups or creamers

Going through withdrawal without your pumpkin spiced latte?? PSST! They sell pumpkin pie spice at the grocery store! Check out this natural recipe for a healthy pumpkin spiced latte! Or, to make a mocha, add some cocoa powder to your brew. Even adding a couple drops of vanilla extract with some honey will dramatically bring sweetness and flavor to your morning cup!

Drink a dark roast

Take a look at this quote from Mercola.com:

“New research in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research found that dark roast coffee restored blood levels of the antioxidants vitamin E and glutathione more effectively than light roast coffee. The dark roast also led to a significant body weight reduction in pre-obese volunteers, whereas the light roast did not.”

To sum up: drink dark roast to lose weight and not get cancer. Sounds good to me!

How do you make your coffee healthy? Let us know in the comments below!

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In: Health, Life & Finances · Tagged: almond milk, antioxidants, clean eating, coconut milk, coffee, dark roast, flavored coffee, healthy, latte, low sugar, milk, ryan gosling, starbucks, sugar free, vitamin e

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Comments

  1. Samantha says

    December 13, 2015 at 12:59 am

    I love these ideas! I learned too that I’m sensitive to dairy. Milk especially. Almond milk is my go to! You can’t even taste the difference most of the time, especially in coffee! They even have flavored almond creamers, way better alternatives!

  2. Essence says

    December 13, 2015 at 2:27 am

    Thank you for those tips. I recently stopped putting sugar in my coffee, and to my surprise I actually enjoy it, lol!

  3. Shann Eva says

    December 13, 2015 at 3:32 am

    I don’t drink much coffee anymore, as it makes my acid reflux flair up. I do, however, drink a lot of hot tea. I love Almond milk in it, and my newest is the cashew milk…unsweetened, of course.

  4. The Southern Thing says

    December 13, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    I just recently started drinking coffee again so these are great tips!

  5. Angela @ Setting My Intention says

    December 14, 2015 at 1:42 am

    It’s good to know that my coffee is healthy! I drink my coffee black and hot! Visiting from #authentic bloggers

  6. Adriana says

    December 14, 2015 at 5:28 am

    Wow who knew?! These are some great tips! I don’t drink much coffee, but definitely good to know!

  7. Paula says

    December 14, 2015 at 9:52 am

    I used to always take sugar in my coffee and changed that when I was pregnant. I still take milk in it though!

  8. Nicole Escat says

    December 14, 2015 at 2:42 pm

    Yay! I’m so thankful that I found this, I’m a coffee lover and I can’t lessen my coffee because its on my diet, this is really perfect.

  9. Chel says

    December 14, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    Excellent tips Chelsea! I love coffee, but had to take myself off the caffeine. These are great and I like the making the same cup of coffee at home only using natural ingredients. It’s so true that those other sweeteners are really just harsh chemicals.

  10. Braiden says

    December 18, 2015 at 6:56 am

    Love this!! I try to do stevia or honey as a natural alternative plus almond milk! Coffee has some great benefits so no need to give it up completely ! But it’s definitely best to incorporate some of these tips to make it healthier 🙂

  11. Emily says

    December 30, 2015 at 7:03 pm

    I’m trying to learn to love plain(er) coffee. I think I’ll try almond milk and maybe some honey. Thanks for the tips!

  12. Peggy says

    February 17, 2016 at 8:14 pm

    Coffee itself is one of the harshest crops treated heavily with pesticides- in addition to what you add, make sure you start with organic coffee!

  13. pattie says

    February 23, 2016 at 12:55 am

    I was a triple venti caramel macchiato every day. Sometimes2. Needed it before work. Eventually Izoomed to 197 # bborderline diabetic. Stopped cold turkey. Now just plain coffee with a tiny bit of organic maple syrup, teaspoon unrefined coconut oil and organic grass fed 1/2 and 1/2. Dropped all refined sugar and gluten. Now I’m down to 139 and off of all meds!!!!!!

  14. GByun says

    July 8, 2016 at 3:27 am

    Add a pinch of baking soda to level out the acidic nature of the coffee. So my holistic nutritionist tells me 🙂

  15. Lynn says

    November 16, 2016 at 2:53 pm

    I make my coffee healthy by making it bullet proof 🙂 I’ve never had sugar and milk in my coffee. But making it bulletproof has made it creamy and just yummy. Use a blender though. Hope one of you try it and love it!

  16. Jasmin says

    December 11, 2016 at 12:28 am

    I have recently started making my own cold brew at home!! So much cheaper and waaaayyyy EASY! I dont dilute my cold brew as I love strong coffee!
    So I usually do about a half cup of cold brew to a half cup of almond milk, add glorious amounts of ice and a teaspoon of honey and Ta-Da!!!!
    The best for the morning!

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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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Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no be Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no better feeling than getting to know the wonderful person she is growing into. We're so proud of this girl!! 6 is going to be a great year 💕
I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every hour last night 🙃🙃 

Outfit @honest 🦋
Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, it's so funny how some parts of the newborn phase have been like muscle memory and others have been like we've had our first born all over again. 

We were worried about how David and Evy would feel with this new family member but they have been so sweet that it brings tears to my eyes to put it into words. I was especially worried about Ev being supplanted as the youngest but, honestly, being the big sister suits her SO well and I think she's been loving it, too. 

I've also loved getting to experience this again with Josh. The way you band together during the newborn phase especially is very bonding. You rely on each other deeply and it's not always cute or pretty. 

Super grateful 💗
To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going to think she has the coolest, smartest, bravest big siblings in the world, and she's not wrong 😉

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Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no be Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no better feeling than getting to know the wonderful person she is growing into. We're so proud of this girl!! 6 is going to be a great year 💕
I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every hour last night 🙃🙃 

Outfit @honest 🦋
Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, it's so funny how some parts of the newborn phase have been like muscle memory and others have been like we've had our first born all over again. 

We were worried about how David and Evy would feel with this new family member but they have been so sweet that it brings tears to my eyes to put it into words. I was especially worried about Ev being supplanted as the youngest but, honestly, being the big sister suits her SO well and I think she's been loving it, too. 

I've also loved getting to experience this again with Josh. The way you band together during the newborn phase especially is very bonding. You rely on each other deeply and it's not always cute or pretty. 

Super grateful 💗
To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going to think she has the coolest, smartest, bravest big siblings in the world, and she's not wrong 😉
She's here 🌷 Cleo Renée was born 2 weeks early She's here 🌷 Cleo Renée was born 2 weeks early on Saturday March 11 at 1:52 in the morning. 

Josh and I just had a feeling about that day (Friday), so we kept the kids out of school, went out to breakfast, and just spent our last day together as a family of four. 

My contractions started right after my 38 week appointment that morning and progressed throughout the day until around 4pm when I thought, "Mmk, I'm starting to really need to breathe through these. Better go in."

I was so convinced they were going to turn us away that it really didn't hit me that we were actually going to meet our girl that night until we'd been there for a few hours already. 

Baby girl ended up being 7lbs 15oz and 20in long!

We are all so in love. David and Evy are OBSESSED. A few times their friends have come to the door to ask them to play and they've said they'd rather stay home with the baby 😄

We are so blessed and thankful for this little girl ❤️
How to use a French hair pin. I love these things How to use a French hair pin. I love these things because they can hold up even my thick and chunky hair and I don't have a large clip sticking off the back of my head (don't get me wrong, I love a good hair clip, too)! Have you tried one yet??
This season of waiting has been weird. But I’m s This season of waiting has been weird. But I’m so grateful for it.

On the one hand, there’s so much to do to get ready for little one to join us—it’s been a while since we’ve had a newborn! I’m spending most of my free time writing and nesting, nesting and writing. 

And then on the other hand, I’m feeling pretty ready to have my body back. And by that, I mean just to be done literally sharing it with another being. You start to miss things after a while like being able to breathe when you lay on your back or not getting indigestion for eating a few grapes. 

Overall, there’s so much to be thankful for. Each little inconvenience is a blessing and I’m happy they’re there. I’ll also be happy when they’re over. For now, I’m just savoring being a mom of “older kids” (8 and going on 6) that can grab their own snacks from time to time and put on their own shoes. We’re going to be heading back to square one in a couple months and I’m sure there’s a lot we’ve forgotten!
Naturally, when we see a need, we rush in to fill Naturally, when we see a need, we rush in to fill it and fix it. On top of this, it’s hard for us to ask for help because we don’t want to be a burden to others. 

But in the process of meeting everyone else’s needs and neglecting our own (especially our need for rest), we often become bitter towards the ones we’re helping.

Instead, one of the best things we can do as a wife or mother is to assess our own needs and make sure to leave space to meet them ourself or to ask for what we need. 

It might be time to rest, help with the next meal, time alone to pray and meditate on God’s word, or allowing yourself to leave a task un-done so you can “selfishly” enjoy a hobby of yours like the rest of your family gets to do. 

In the end, making room to find joy each day may be one of the best things you do for your relationships.
30 weeks and counting down the days til we meet yo 30 weeks and counting down the days til we meet you. We *think* we've finally settled on a first name after non-stop back-and-forth and brainstorming. Any guesses?? Or.. what are your favorite baby girl names right now??
Saturday highlights 🖤 We've been trying to be s Saturday highlights 🖤 We've been trying to be super intentional with the time we spend with David and Evy recently, knowing that big changes are just around the corner! We pray with them, ask them what questions they have, take the time to explain things. I'm hoping they'll be set up pretty well for the transition of little sis coming in March but most of the work will happen after she gets here! How did you help littles prepare for baby?

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