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?
Merry Christmas from the Damons! ❤️ Merry Christmas from the Damons! ❤️
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Family, Marriage, Outdoors · October 12, 2015

25 Fall Activities for Families, Friends, and Couples

25 Fun fall activities for dates or friends Living the Sweet Wife

  1. Test out which coffee shops have the BEST pumpkin spiced lattes!
  2. Attend a craft show/fair (I do this to get fun handmade Christmas gifts for friends and family or to get ideas of things to make for them).
  3. Collecting leaves and string together to make some homey fall decorations!
  4. Walk through a colorful park, swing on the swings, lay in the grass.
  5. Walk through a graveyard
    1. Someone once told me that this is a great way to find vintage baby names. We haven’t tried it, but hey, makes sense! (If you can get over the whole graveyard thing).
  6. Go out for breakfast (pumpkin pancakes, anyone?)
  7. Watch a sunrise together. Round everyone up with a bunch of cozy blankets and a thermus, drive to a high place and watch the sunrise together.
  8. Apple picking
  9. Baking a pie together (you know, with all those apples you picked).
  10. Pumpkin picking
  11. Pumpkin carving (or painting)
  12. Roast pumpkin seeds (easy, healthy, AND delicious!)
  13. Make apple cider together
  14. Fall photo shoot. Rake up a bunch of leaves and snap some pics while throwing them around! It’ll be a fall wonderland! (and check for ticks after).
  15. Bring a meal to a family in need
    1. (Or shop for and donate canned goods for organizations looking to provide families with Thanksgiving dinners).
  16. Drink hot cocoa under the stars together with a cozy blanket
    1. Download a constellation app!
  17. Attend a wine festival
  18. Find an old book store or a library (obviously go get coffee first) and find some random books and give them a chance! Maybe you’ll find a new genre or author you’d enjoy!
  19. Go to a local football game
  20. Hike somewhere with a view
  21. Attend a local musical performance (whether it’s a festival or in a small coffee shop).
  22. Plan and host a “Friendsgiving”
    1. My family and I live in a college town and both of our parents live at least a day’s car drive away. A lot of our friends are in the same boat as us so we like to have a Friendsgiving with everyone before leaving town to celebrate with family. This is also great practice in learning how to prepare, plan, and make a thanksgiving meal before the pressure’s on!
  23. Build a fire pit and roast marshmallows, hot dogs, popcorn and tell some stories! (or play guitar and sing some songs!)
  24. Take a weekend class together!
    1. pottery
    2. chalk painting
    3. cooking/baking
  25. Wake up early and head to a farmers market together. Talk with some of the farmers about their produce and what’s their favorite and how they like to cook it. Guaranteed you’ll learn something new.

 

 

In: Family, Marriage, Outdoors · Tagged: activities, autumn, date, fall, family, friends, fun, ideas

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Comments

  1. Carrie says

    October 12, 2015 at 2:08 pm

    LOVE THIS POST! SO GLAD that i cam across it today!

  2. Maya says

    October 12, 2015 at 2:33 pm

    These are awesome 15 and 20 my favorite and will definitely add to my list. Thanks for sharing.

    Maya

  3. lauren | talk of the trains blog says

    October 12, 2015 at 2:50 pm

    I love this post!! ….I also love the coffee tasting and wine tasting ones and I giggled at the “walk through a graveyard” one because my sister is a tour guide for a historic cemetery here in Atlanta. People get all freaked out that its across the street from her house but she and her husband love it and the history of it all!

    • Chelsea says

      October 12, 2015 at 3:00 pm

      That’s so funny. Graveyards don’t creep me out ver much. I see them as historical and peaceful and reverent. Not spooky. But I’ve never been to one at night. I imagine that would be spookier as many thing are more so at night.

  4. Jill says

    October 12, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    What a great list of ideas! I would love to go apple-picking but I don’t think there are any apple trees in Florida…sigh. But we could go to the pumpkin patch and the farmer’s market. 🙂

  5. Marissa says

    October 12, 2015 at 3:55 pm

    So many fun ideas in this article! I’ll have to try some out.

  6. Danielle says

    October 12, 2015 at 4:34 pm

    I think the idea of a Friendsgiving is the cutest thing ever! I really like the idea of coffee shop hopping too.

  7. Chelsea says

    October 12, 2015 at 6:28 pm

    My fiance and I are going pumpkin picking next weekend and I could not be more excited!!

  8. HannAh says

    October 12, 2015 at 10:23 pm

    Great ideas! I’ll definitely be doing some of these now!

  9. Bre says

    October 13, 2015 at 12:25 am

    These are all great ideas! I love fall so much and usually do most of these every year anyway. Thanks for some new ideas, though!

  10. Antonio says

    October 13, 2015 at 1:48 am

    Wonderful list. I will be out of the country this fall, but it’s a great list that my family can enjoy. Thank you!!

  11. DT says

    October 13, 2015 at 3:16 am

    Fall photo shoots always turn out so good. And, warm beverages <3
    — DT | Here I Scribble

  12. Erin says

    October 13, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    What an awesome list! There are so many things on here that I love to do in the fall!

  13. KeatinG says

    October 13, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    Such a great list!! I love fall. I live in New England and there’s so many fun things to do this time of year. It’s wonderful!

  14. Huub says

    October 13, 2015 at 3:07 pm

    Such a cool list. Eventhough we don’t have fall weather here on this caribean island, i can see myself drinking some hot chocolate and checking out the stars. Thanks for the tips!!!

  15. jessica says

    October 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm

    This was such a fun post with a lot of inexpensive ideas for brining in fall!

  16. Amanda says

    October 13, 2015 at 5:55 pm

    I love this list! Number 5 is my favorite!

    Amanda | thedeerandthewolf.com

  17. Kayla says

    October 13, 2015 at 8:56 pm

    Love this list! I’ve been wanting to go to a craft shows this fall, but I’ve been trying to be more deliberate about saving money, and I feel like that would just be a death sentence 🙂 Going out for breakfast in the fall is one of my favorites, though!

  18. Shann says

    October 13, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    Great fall activities. I especially love the friendsgiving one. So much fun!

  19. BEThany says

    October 13, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    Maybe it’s strange but I love graveyards! I think it’s nice to go through and read the names lest they be forgotten.

  20. Nikki says

    October 13, 2015 at 9:54 pm

    Hi Chelsea,

    My daughter and I went to an apple orchard for the first time this year! We didn’t pick any apples, but we have a fabulous time! She enjoyed the tractor ride, apple turnovers, and apple cider slushy. If you haven’t had an apple cider slushy, I highly recommend it!

  21. Fabiola Rodriguez says

    October 13, 2015 at 10:20 pm

    A Friendsgiving is a genius idea! Why didn’t I think of that? I’m thinking that could also work for Christmas. Thanks for the ideas!

  22. Molly says

    October 13, 2015 at 11:19 pm

    Ooo, I like the idea of comparing pumpkin spice lattes!

    Molly and Stacie

  23. Murielle Marie says

    October 13, 2015 at 11:51 pm

    Friendsgiving is such a great idea! I love fall and the activities’ list you offer is filled with little gems I cannot wait to do. Thank you 🙂

  24. CHocolate Mama Loves Vanilla says

    October 14, 2015 at 3:16 am

    LOL 8 and 9 together is funny! I’ve always loved doing #22, This year I guess I’ll stick to family for my little guys 1st real thanksgiving. All these things are awesome ideas and I can’t wait to knock some off of that list soon! 😀

  25. Rebekah says

    October 15, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    I love so many of these! I can’t even pick just one. I totally want to do anything including pumpkins though! Also, the graveyard for baby names is totally smart! I love vintage baby names. I may have to try that next time around!

  26. Alanna @ Alanna & Company says

    October 16, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    Apple picking then baking is one of my favorite date ideas!

  27. Lindsay Rosasco says

    October 16, 2015 at 12:46 pm

    This post made me feel all warm and happy with all things fall! I like your creepy suggestion of perusing the graveyard for baby names!! My friends and I used to walk through them to scare ourselves when we were young : )

  28. Autumn says

    October 16, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    This list is gonna be extremely helpful for me this fall! I want to do everything on it. Especially have breakfast outside and take a weekend class. Thanks for sharing!

  29. Emily says

    October 16, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    This is a great list! I need to complete everything on it. Attending a wine festival would be awesome!

  30. Erin @ Very Erin says

    October 16, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    I love going to craft fairs in the fall! And obviously drinking pumpkin spice lattes 😉

  31. Joanna says

    October 19, 2015 at 7:06 am

    This is so interesting. I am in Greece and the whole pumpkin celebration/eating/decorating does not exist. I do like the suggestions tho and reading how ppl around the world spend their Octobers is very interesting.
    Joanna

  32. Emma @ The Happy Journal says

    October 19, 2015 at 8:54 am

    I love this list! The vintage baby names made me laugh – but it makes perfect sense! Maybe I’ll give it a try!

  33. Alexandra @ My Urban Family says

    October 19, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    The idea of finding vintage names in a grave yard is so interesting to me! As long as you don’t tell your future kids how you found their names perhaps haha

  34. Katie @thebrooksielife says

    October 19, 2015 at 2:29 pm

    So many good ideas!! I love the idea of trying out different coffee shops for the best pumpkin spice latte! Ahhh how I wish I could attend a wine festival! I miss wine so much LOL.

  35. Rosalyn O. says

    October 31, 2015 at 6:08 pm

    These are some great ideas!! Thanks for sharing these! I will go on a hunt of the best pumpkin latte! <3

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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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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??

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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?
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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