Now that we still have some sunlight hanging aroun Now that we still have some sunlight hanging around after the kids go to bed, my new thing is sipping a glass of wine on the back patio while making small talk with Josh and praying the kids stay in bed.
 
I've been obsessed with cleaning our house recently but I've been so good about it, I have nothing left to clean or tidy right now and I'm left to face the things I don't really want to think about like the fact that I miss my kids when they're at school or how I really want to fill this house up with some more of them 😅 

At any rate, one of my simple pleasures in life is decluttering and purging unused things and I feel like I've accomplished a lot!! What about you?
Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growin Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growing up, I thought it was pretty much all I was cut out to do, which ended up being false. But even though I've learned that I'm capable of so many other things, being a mom is still one of my highest aspirations. As we're getting our home ready for fostering, I can't help but think of how the little one(s) entering our home will feel but also how David and Evy will feel. How will they react if we parent slightly differently? Will they understand that we're working to build trust and connection or will they feel indignant? These are the things I pray about and also speak to the kids about in the days leading up. We're all excited but I have the feeling of heaviness that we don't and won't understand the burden until we're all already carrying it together.
Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over here and I think it might be working 😉 Today the kids had TWOsday at school and they were so sweet. David wore a tie (I don't exactly get how it tirles in to Twosday but the kids were happy so..) and Evy "twinned" with a couple of sweet friends in her class. It's so sweet when you see your own kids building their own friendships. It just loosens a little piece of anxiety I've had about parenthood since David was still in my tummy. How did you spend your TWOsday??

Sandals @naotfootwear 💕
Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Jos Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Josh in a quiet house - the kids slept over my parent's last night. Got up, raced to clean the kitchen as fast as I could while my coffee was brewing. The coffee won this time. 

I recorded a Reel while getting ready. Went to the place where we were going to meet my fam a bit early so Josh and I could get in a walk. Then we got coffee, went to a huge antique store (sadly left with nothing but took pictures of my faves so I can remember to come back) and went to lunch with the kids and my parents. Love easy-going and fun days like these 🖤
Back in the day,I was talking with someone about m Back in the day,I was talking with someone about marriage.Josh and I had been married for a few years at that point but this guy was still single. ..

He told me he was studying to get his masters in counseling and he wanted to be a marriage counselor one day.I thought "Hey that's pretty cool" but, curious,because,you know, he was single. 

Anyway, after we'd been talking a few minutes about our interest in helping married couples, he leaned in and said, "You know, I have this theory on marriage.." "Oh yeah?" I said (pretty curious to hear what theories this guy had for all of marriage for everyone everywhere). 

He said, "I believe that every single problem in marriage boils down to communication."

At the time, I didn't really know what to say. I'm more of a *reflector* and then I come up with what I wish I had said later.

Here's what I wish I had said: "Um. Yeah I don't think so. I mean sure, communication helps with a lot of issues. But what about selfishness,⠀addiction,⠀past hurt and trauma, etc? Communication will help people work through those issues but they're connected to much deeper issues that concern the heart--not just your communication skills."

We are all broken, very human, beings and when left to our own devices,⠀we don't have all the tools necessary to "fix" ourselves or our spouse's problems. We can talk until we're blue in the face but we just can't fix ourselves. 

What we do need, is to lean on the Creator who made all things good and makes all things new. To understand that we are not the main characters here. The whole world and everything in it points to Christ and His redeeming power. And yes, he often works that out through us and often through communication. But it's not communication that saves marriages. It's Jesus.

I was just thinking about that today and wanted to get it off my chest. What role do you think communication plays?
Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁 Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁
So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 Love my littlest niece, Eva ❤️
Let's hash something out together: what's somethin Let's hash something out together: what's something you do or used to fight about in your marriage/relationship regularly?

Do you feel like the issue is/was pretty cut and dry? 

Or was there an underlying issue that bubbled up in different ways?

Curious to know your thoughts. 

When Josh and I were first married, we fought a lot. We were pretty low-income, didn't have great jobs, and had a wee baby. While our fights were often about the grocery list, the real issue was that we were SCARED. 

Scared of the adult life we had just stepped into. It was kind of like jumping into a puddle you don't think is that deep until after it's too late and now your socks are completely drowning 🚣🏼‍♀️ 

Luckily, though, they dry off over time, don't they?

After lots of learning and working really hard (both at our jobs and relationship) things started to ease up. We started to see that there was a light at the end of the tunnel and even though we weren't there yet, it gave up hope to carry on together ❤️
Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. O Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. Or if you can't leave the house, sit in the kitchen with a glass of wine. Make time to talk. And make it easier by doing things together. It's so so important ❤️
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Blogging, Motherhood, Sponsored, Work · August 9, 2018

How to Balance Life as a Work From Home Mom!

Working from home is one of the best case scenarios I could have dreamed up for myself as a mom of two. Sure, there is a learning curve when figuring out how to balance work and family and how to…

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Feminism, Health, Life & Finances, Motherhood, Sponsored, Work · June 18, 2018

How to Thrive as a Working Mom

I’ve been a working mom, stay at home mom, and a work from home mom. In each and every case, we all have our good days and our bad days. But in the post, I want to help you to…

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Right after having baby number two, our time to get out of the house more than doubled. Which can be expected when you start breastfeeding all over again. But one of the most frustrating things to me as a rusher is feeling like you're in dream-mode, trying so hard to run but not being able to move.  So I've tried and practiced and come up with a few great ways to get out of the house within a half hour from wake up to in the car.

Baby, Family, Kids, Life & Finances, Motherhood, Toddler, travel · September 13, 2017

How To Get Out Of The House Fast With A Toddler and Baby

Hey Mama! How long does it take you and your kids to get out of the house? Seriously, I’m curious to know. Leave your morning routine average time in the comments below. Right after having baby number two, our time…

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Life & Finances, Motherhood, Sponsored, Work · August 17, 2017

3 Ways to Add 15 Minutes to Your Day

This post has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and AcneFree. All opinions are mine alone. #AcneFreeSummer #AcneFreeLife #CollectiveBias How many times have you caught yourself saying, “If I only had a little more time in the day!”? I honestly…

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When I took a moment to slow down my mommy-whirlwind, I realized that I wasn’t leaving any time to be fun with my husband like we used to be when we were daing or first married. And who wants to have a fun-less marriage?? Not me. And I know my husband doesn’t either. He didn’t propose to me to get a live-in house cleaner and nanny. I’m guessing your hubs didn’t propose for that reason either. So, I’ve made a list of ways that we can remember to be a more fun wife!

Dating, Marriage, Relationships · July 26, 2017

How To Be a More Fun and Spontaneous Wife

Do you ever feel like you’re just not as much fun as you used to be? You totally realize it. You feel sorry about it. But at the same time, life is a lot harder now and you’re being pulled…

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"I must warn you, right after you have your baby, don’t look at Instagram for a while. Instagram is a lying devil. You’ll see mamas who look like they’ve just had a blowout at the salon holding their precious newborn in the hospital bed and you’ll be all “like, waaaaaat?????” You, on the other hand will look sweaty, tired, puffy, mushy, and- yes- still pregnant. After I had baby #1, I was worried that walking into Wal-Mart, people would stop to ask me how far along I was. “Uhhh, negative 2 weeks.” Then I had to tell myself, “Who gives a care.” Don’t look at them looking at you. You just worry about that gorgeous, precious baby you pooped out over there."

Baby, Family, Life & Finances, Motherhood, Pregnancy · June 7, 2017

5 Ways Becoming a Parent Has Made Me Stop Giving a Crap

1 | When you first have a baby, you look like crap I must warn you, right after you have your baby, don’t look at Instagram for a while. Instagram is a lying devil. You’ll see mamas who look like…

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And then it hit me. Why do I really need to be doing anything right now. The rest of my family is sleeping (minus one hiccuping baby) and here I am feeling like I’m being lazy if I’m not doing something. Why do I feel guilty if my feet aren’t moving or if my hands aren’t working?

Uncategorized · May 20, 2017

Stay at home moms: take a nap!

Hey mamas, So today amidst interviewing for my son’s future preschool, adding a load of laundry to the washer, feeding a baby, and getting my toddler a snack, I thought about the idea of napping. It sounded nice in my…

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Do you work from home or hope to someday work from home but aren’t sure how to actually make it work? I know many people who feel like they need the structure of an office setting in order to be the most productive they can be. And while working in an office can be great, many men and women who work from home don’t have that option. So what’s a work from home mom or dad supposed to do when scrolling through Facebook sounds a lot more appealing (and easier) than being the “self-starter” in a work-from-home job? Here are some of the things I do that help me automate my systems, stay on task and motivated, and focused when it really matters:

Blogging, Motherhood, Work · May 11, 2017

7 ways I stay motivated and focused as a work at home mom (blogger)

Do you work from home or hope to someday work from home but aren’t sure how to actually make it work? I know many people who feel like they need the structure of an office setting in order to be…

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If you’re nervous about starting a blog, you’ll probably be able to come up with a million reasons why not to. Well, that’s ok. I mean, no one’s forcing you to start blogging. But, if you care to find out, I’ve compiled a few reasons why I’m so glad I started blogging, and why I really think you should create a blog, too.

Blogging, Life & Finances, Work · November 17, 2016

7 Reasons Why You Should Create a Blog

7 Reasons why you should create a blog If you’re nervous about starting a blog, you’ll probably be able to come up with a million reasons why not to. Well, that’s ok. I mean, no one’s forcing you to start…

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Today, I’m so thankful that my husband said some of the hard things he felt lead to say. He loved me enough to make sure I was taking care of myself for the sake of being healthy and able to do all the things I would want to do in the future. If you’re struggling with wanting to talk to your spouse about being healthy and/or active, but aren’t sure what to say, take a look at these pointers that will remind your spouse that you’re on their side, you still think they’re awesome, and you want the best for them!

fitness, Health, Life & Finances, Marriage, Relationships · September 5, 2016

How to talk to your spouse about being healthy

How to talk to your spouse about being healthy Before you read any further, I would just like to put it out there for the sake of my loving husband, that I was not the one who had to talk…

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My husband and I have five children, two sets of twins and a single. And so not only because my brain works in an organized manner, but also out of necessity have I become creative in my organizing. I would also like to think that my skills at being systematic have helped to create a peaceful home life for my family. Organization is not the end all, but a tool that can be used to help those I love.

Family, Guest Post, Life & Finances, Motherhood · August 3, 2016

Organizing and planning tips and tricks to make your life 10x easier

Hey guys! As some of you may remember, this week my husband and I are off on the missions trio we’re joining in central asia. I didn’t want to leave you without a post for the whole ten days we…

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Let’s face it, as moms we can sometimes let our to-do lists pile up, but it’s an honest mistake! We know all too well what it’s like to be pulled in 20 different directions at once, and all the little “interruptions” that make up what we like to call “#momlife,” aren’t looking to go away any time soon. And we don’t want them to! But sometimes a mama had GOT to get stuff done! So what’s a girl to do? I’ve come up with a list to help any mama, working or stay at home, actually get her to-do list DONE. #VTechBaby #ad

Baby, Family, Life & Finances, Sponsored, Toddler, Video, Work · July 26, 2016

How to actually get your to-do list DONE as a working or stay at home mom

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #VtechBaby #CollectiveBias How to actually get your to-do list DONE as a working or stay at home mom Let’s face it, as moms we…

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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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3 Ways to Make the End of Summer a Blast for the Kids

3 Ways to Make the End of Summer a Blast for the Kids

3 Ways I Create Quality Time With My Husband

3 Ways I Create Quality Time With My Husband

The Best Tips + Packing List for Hiking with Kids and Babies

The Best Tips + Packing List for Hiking with Kids and Babies

The Pros and Cons of Getting Married Young

The Pros and Cons of Getting Married Young

8 Super Easy Ways To Show Your Spouse Love Throughout the Day

8 Super Easy Ways To Show Your Spouse Love Throughout the Day

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The Best and Worst Parts of Being a Corporate Mom

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Now that we still have some sunlight hanging aroun Now that we still have some sunlight hanging around after the kids go to bed, my new thing is sipping a glass of wine on the back patio while making small talk with Josh and praying the kids stay in bed.
 
I've been obsessed with cleaning our house recently but I've been so good about it, I have nothing left to clean or tidy right now and I'm left to face the things I don't really want to think about like the fact that I miss my kids when they're at school or how I really want to fill this house up with some more of them 😅 

At any rate, one of my simple pleasures in life is decluttering and purging unused things and I feel like I've accomplished a lot!! What about you?
Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growin Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growing up, I thought it was pretty much all I was cut out to do, which ended up being false. But even though I've learned that I'm capable of so many other things, being a mom is still one of my highest aspirations. As we're getting our home ready for fostering, I can't help but think of how the little one(s) entering our home will feel but also how David and Evy will feel. How will they react if we parent slightly differently? Will they understand that we're working to build trust and connection or will they feel indignant? These are the things I pray about and also speak to the kids about in the days leading up. We're all excited but I have the feeling of heaviness that we don't and won't understand the burden until we're all already carrying it together.
Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over here and I think it might be working 😉 Today the kids had TWOsday at school and they were so sweet. David wore a tie (I don't exactly get how it tirles in to Twosday but the kids were happy so..) and Evy "twinned" with a couple of sweet friends in her class. It's so sweet when you see your own kids building their own friendships. It just loosens a little piece of anxiety I've had about parenthood since David was still in my tummy. How did you spend your TWOsday??

Sandals @naotfootwear 💕
Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Jos Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Josh in a quiet house - the kids slept over my parent's last night. Got up, raced to clean the kitchen as fast as I could while my coffee was brewing. The coffee won this time. 

I recorded a Reel while getting ready. Went to the place where we were going to meet my fam a bit early so Josh and I could get in a walk. Then we got coffee, went to a huge antique store (sadly left with nothing but took pictures of my faves so I can remember to come back) and went to lunch with the kids and my parents. Love easy-going and fun days like these 🖤

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  • So I know the title of this post says, “What men want most in a wife,” but to be more realistic, this is about what men need most in a wife. Like men, there are a lot of things that we (women) would really like in a husband. Like, it’d be a huge plus if he looked like Chris Hemsworth. But that’s not really what we need in order to have a positive relationship with our spouse. If we married him, we probably think he’s pretty cute, anyway. Take a look at these 5 things a man really needs in a wife, and if you can think of anything else, share your thoughts in the comments below! 5 Things men want most in a wife
  • Do you ever wish that sometimes you could just write a long list to your spouse of all the things he does that drive you insane?? I have done this. 8 of the Worst Marriage Habits
  • Disrespect in marriage can go both ways. Women can react to disrespect from their husbands in many ways. I'm here to share a few positive ways women can react to disrespect in their marriages in order to handle it well and steer their marriage in the direction of grace and kindness again. How to Handle Disrespect in Marriage
  • Sure, they say don’t go to bed while you’re still angry, but sometimes husbands and wives just need some space! That being said, there are healthy ways and unhealthy ways (productive and hurtful, if you will) to get space away from a spouse. Let’s talk about those. The Right and Wrong Way To Give Your Spouse Space

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Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growin Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growing up, I thought it was pretty much all I was cut out to do, which ended up being false. But even though I've learned that I'm capable of so many other things, being a mom is still one of my highest aspirations. As we're getting our home ready for fostering, I can't help but think of how the little one(s) entering our home will feel but also how David and Evy will feel. How will they react if we parent slightly differently? Will they understand that we're working to build trust and connection or will they feel indignant? These are the things I pray about and also speak to the kids about in the days leading up. We're all excited but I have the feeling of heaviness that we don't and won't understand the burden until we're all already carrying it together.
Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over here and I think it might be working 😉 Today the kids had TWOsday at school and they were so sweet. David wore a tie (I don't exactly get how it tirles in to Twosday but the kids were happy so..) and Evy "twinned" with a couple of sweet friends in her class. It's so sweet when you see your own kids building their own friendships. It just loosens a little piece of anxiety I've had about parenthood since David was still in my tummy. How did you spend your TWOsday??

Sandals @naotfootwear 💕
Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Jos Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Josh in a quiet house - the kids slept over my parent's last night. Got up, raced to clean the kitchen as fast as I could while my coffee was brewing. The coffee won this time. 

I recorded a Reel while getting ready. Went to the place where we were going to meet my fam a bit early so Josh and I could get in a walk. Then we got coffee, went to a huge antique store (sadly left with nothing but took pictures of my faves so I can remember to come back) and went to lunch with the kids and my parents. Love easy-going and fun days like these 🖤
Back in the day,I was talking with someone about m Back in the day,I was talking with someone about marriage.Josh and I had been married for a few years at that point but this guy was still single. ..

He told me he was studying to get his masters in counseling and he wanted to be a marriage counselor one day.I thought "Hey that's pretty cool" but, curious,because,you know, he was single. 

Anyway, after we'd been talking a few minutes about our interest in helping married couples, he leaned in and said, "You know, I have this theory on marriage.." "Oh yeah?" I said (pretty curious to hear what theories this guy had for all of marriage for everyone everywhere). 

He said, "I believe that every single problem in marriage boils down to communication."

At the time, I didn't really know what to say. I'm more of a *reflector* and then I come up with what I wish I had said later.

Here's what I wish I had said: "Um. Yeah I don't think so. I mean sure, communication helps with a lot of issues. But what about selfishness,⠀addiction,⠀past hurt and trauma, etc? Communication will help people work through those issues but they're connected to much deeper issues that concern the heart--not just your communication skills."

We are all broken, very human, beings and when left to our own devices,⠀we don't have all the tools necessary to "fix" ourselves or our spouse's problems. We can talk until we're blue in the face but we just can't fix ourselves. 

What we do need, is to lean on the Creator who made all things good and makes all things new. To understand that we are not the main characters here. The whole world and everything in it points to Christ and His redeeming power. And yes, he often works that out through us and often through communication. But it's not communication that saves marriages. It's Jesus.

I was just thinking about that today and wanted to get it off my chest. What role do you think communication plays?
Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁 Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁
So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 Love my littlest niece, Eva ❤️
Let's hash something out together: what's somethin Let's hash something out together: what's something you do or used to fight about in your marriage/relationship regularly?

Do you feel like the issue is/was pretty cut and dry? 

Or was there an underlying issue that bubbled up in different ways?

Curious to know your thoughts. 

When Josh and I were first married, we fought a lot. We were pretty low-income, didn't have great jobs, and had a wee baby. While our fights were often about the grocery list, the real issue was that we were SCARED. 

Scared of the adult life we had just stepped into. It was kind of like jumping into a puddle you don't think is that deep until after it's too late and now your socks are completely drowning 🚣🏼‍♀️ 

Luckily, though, they dry off over time, don't they?

After lots of learning and working really hard (both at our jobs and relationship) things started to ease up. We started to see that there was a light at the end of the tunnel and even though we weren't there yet, it gave up hope to carry on together ❤️
Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. O Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. Or if you can't leave the house, sit in the kitchen with a glass of wine. Make time to talk. And make it easier by doing things together. It's so so important ❤️
Top knots over crop tops 😜 Top knots over crop tops 😜
Josh and I have been doing a lot of reading on par Josh and I have been doing a lot of reading on parenting recently and I love so many of the lessons we've been learning on creating structure while also being empathetic to your child's needs. 

One of the concepts that's stuck with me is how we should "sandwich" our criticism or corrections with positive things. Kids can get discouraged pretty easily but we can help make sure they feel reassured and loved by complimenting them and noticing & verbalizing their growth as well. 

So for example, saying, "I'm very proud of you for putting away your toys. I want you to work on not bossing around your sister - I'll be the parent in charge. Ok? But the way you put your clothes in your drawers was great!"

Idk about you but I would love if other adults sandwiched their criticism too 😂

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