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?
Merry Christmas from the Damons! ❤️ Merry Christmas from the Damons! ❤️
The 12+ hour drive is worth it 😊 The 12+ hour drive is worth it 😊
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Family, Fashion, Life & Finances, Sponsored · October 19, 2018

How We’re Creating Family Time This Fall

How do you spend Halloween?

In the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot more about living intentionally with my family. I know “intentional” is kind of a buzzword these days but I also feel like it’s still extremely relevant. How often do we go through our days holding our phone in one hand, and checking off our to-do list with the other? I know I’m extremely guilty of this, especially because a big part of my job is done online, I don’t even want to know how many hours a day are spent on my phone!

Which brings me back to intentionality.

You know what I’ve noticed? When Josh and I dedicate time to simply pay attention and be with our kids, they’re actually happier. Actually, they even act like they need us less when we’re able to dedicate even a few undivided moments to them. It’s almost as if they just need a small reminder that they have our attention and are special to us.

Since we’ve been actively trying to be more intentional with the kids, we’ve actually noticed much less whining, even from our 4-year-old who hates bedtime. If that’s not a reason to be more intentional, I don’t know what is!

All that being said, I wanted to share with you a few ways Josh and I are being intention this fall and even during Halloween!

First, we bundled up!

One of my ultimate favorite things about fall is the fact that you can layer up without having to cover up your entire outfit with a huge coat. I love being able to wear a cute top underneath a cardigan or light jacket. At the beginning of the season, I headed over to Marks & Spencer and was able to get a few fall staples for each of us! I love the prices available and the fact that I can get a few things for everyone without breaking the bank. I LOVE the cotton button-down and stretch jeans I got for David! Each are only $20! It fits him so well and I know it’ll grow with him over the next several months. Evy desperately needed a new coat and I been debating getting her a rain jacket (Washington falls and winters are WET) or winter coat. This 3 in 1 Fisherman Coat solves all those problems in one jacket! Not to mention how cute it is with her unicorn boots.

I also was able to treat myself to a little something once I was done shopping for the kids and Josh. I loved this open-front coat! I think the color is beautiful and it layers perfectly with so much! To go with it I got some genuine suede trainers that are super cute and awesome for being out and about with the kids.

We made a special trip to the pumpkin patch!

We talked about all the new fall colors we saw, the crisp and cool temperature in the air, and the silly shapes of all the gourds. After we picked our pumpkins, we took a ride on the hayride and looked around the farm. We let each of the kids pick out their favorite gourd before we left and they loved having something of their own to hold on the way home.

Next, we decorated!

Instead of cobwebs and fake blood on Halloween, I love to play up the natural beauty of the season. We went to a local nursery together and the kids helped me pick out some pumpkins and corn stalks for the porch! I convinced Josh to let us get a huge flower pot as well. I couldn’t resist those fall colors!!

We got Halloween ready!

This Halloween is going to be extra special because this year, Evy will be able to join in on the fun rather than being pushed around in a stroller! I let David pick out his own Halloween costume from Marks & Spencer. He chose this adorable pirate costume for himself and we together picked out a unicorn costume perfect for Evy. They were so excited to try on their costumes that we gave them a bit of a practice round 🙂

We also picked out a few Halloween-themed treats to get in the spirit of the season! (I may or may not have already used up my share of cheat days this fall).

We made bedtime special

During our usual bedtime routine, Evy goes to sleep well before David (our night owl) but recently we’ve been making an effort to start their bedtime routines together by having a family story time together. Can you take a guess where the kids’ pajamas are from?! How cute are they? The kids will be wearing these well into the winter months and they may even make an appearance in a few Christmas photos as well.

I’d love to hear how your family is making Halloween special this fall! Tell me you favorite Halloween traditions in the comments below and how you plan to be intentional with your family this fall!

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In: Family, Fashion, Life & Finances, Sponsored · Tagged: autumn, baby, boy, cheap, coat, costume, cute, dress up, fall, family, fashion, friendly, girl, halloween, inexpensive, kids, make believe, marks & spencer, marks and spencer, men's, noads, pink, pirate, pretty, pumpkin patch, quality, sneakers, store, style, suede, time, toddler, trainers, unicorn, women's

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Comments

  1. Indya | The Small Adventurer says

    October 20, 2018 at 4:02 am

    In our house it’s just me and my partner and we still struggle to spend a lot of time together! As we’re both students and one of us works nights whilst the other works days, sometimes we don’t get to see each other until it’s time to go to sleep! So we always try to make whatever little time we have together special by doing something we both love, which usually involves making food and watching something funny together. Such simple activities, but when they’re done with the right person, they can bring so much happiness to your heart.

  2. Leah Ashley says

    October 21, 2018 at 5:05 pm

    Love all these!! My favorite is the Making bed time special!! To me there is nothing better at the end of the day then getting ready for bed and having story time!

  3. Alexis says

    October 24, 2018 at 11:28 am

    Your kiddos are so adorable! This is my first holiday season with our own kiddo. i love learning how other people celebrate the seasons/holidays because it’s a great way to see what everyone does and if there’s anything to adapt ourselves. I, too, don’t decorate for Halloween with cobwebs and creepy things, I’m all about decorating for fall and the natural colors fall brings.

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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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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!

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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?
Merry Christmas from the Damons! ❤️ Merry Christmas from the Damons! ❤️
The 12+ hour drive is worth it 😊 The 12+ hour drive is worth it 😊
We took the kids to baby's 20 week anatomy scan to We took the kids to baby's 20 week anatomy scan today and here's how it went. Have you ever brought kids to one of these appointments??

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