Acupofbliss

My postpartum room was eerily quiet as I held up one of the tiny preemie onesies and name placard up against the streaming sunlight of my window, snapping a photo. A photo without my baby. My body had labored through the night and desperately craved sleep. But all I could think about was that my precious Sloane had been whisked away to NICU by capable but foreign hands before I could count all her tiny toes or stretch her out in my lap to stare in wonder into her deep eyes....

Sloane’s Birth Story | {part II} My postpartum room was eerily quiet as I held up one of the tiny preemie onesies and name placard up against the streaming sunlight of my window, snapping a photo. A photo without my baby. My body …

I can’t write about your birth earthside without first writing about when I first recognized your sweet presence. There I sat in the balmy dark front yard under the light of a full moon mere days away from your “embaby” transfer date, and I prayed. In the welcoming quiet of the night sky, I closed my eyes in the midst of the swirling IVF hormones and the pandemic fears, and told you that I fiercely loved you....

Sloane’s Birth Story | {part I} I can’t write about your birth earthside without first writing about when I first recognized your sweet presence. There I sat in the balmy dark front yard under the light of a full moon mere days a…

We are crazy, but we are road tripping with all the masks and hand sanitizer to the middle of nowhere this weekend with two children, a puppy, IVF meds, and lots of wine to the same lake where the magic has been happening in David's family for five generations. I've listed some of my favorite glamping essentials + a trip down memory lane with photos dating back to 2006 when David took me for the first time before we were even engaged.

Six Favorites for Glamping {and why Splendid Spoon is at the top of the list} First of all, I should very clearly define this upcoming road trip + week-long fishing experience as MY version of camping. David continues to correct me: “We are GLAMPING, Honey. We have a c…

Well, everything I DO and DO NOT want to say about these injections {beginning tomorrow} is too lengthy for an individual FB post, so I’m sharing a link to this blog post instead. My goal was not just to write about IVF + infertility, but to focus so much more on BECOMING. 💓
Becoming honest.
Becoming courageous.
Becoming untamed. A veritable cheetah if you will 😉🐆
Becoming alive and curious about joy.
I hope the words also sound like your story. 💓💓💓

IVF {on being the Mother of Embryos} About two years ago, I began REGULAR, counseling sessions both with and without David present. Yes, to talk about our marriage (especially at the beginning). Yes, to process the emotional impact of…

Something I rarely write anymore (a blog post...gasp) reviewing a fabulous, nutritious meal delivery service specifically created by busy mamas for busy mamas + a bit on our cute little four-legged family addition :)

Splendid Spoon {and a splendid Mae} Somehow, 2020 is closer to its halfway point than to its origin, and most of us have spent the springtime months staying home as the pandemic has swept across the United States. March and April fee…

"If you don’t think you can decorate because you don’t have the budget, then have the courage to think beyond that. Sometimes the best design comes in clearing away much of what is there and replacing with just a few of your favorite already-owned items. Eventually, you will know your own style well-enough to know what items are worth splurging on for you, and what pieces of furniture and accessories you can salvage, make, re-use, and stage differently..."

Up on the blog today, I'm sharing seven tips for finding your style as a starting point for creating spaces that you love. I would love know how your style develops or how these tips help you :)

7 Tips for Finding Your Decor Style {plus the evolution of my own style} I think I began decorating in early grade school. I clearly remember drawing a dividing line down the middle of the room that I shared with my sister, and guarding the tidiness, organization, and f…

In the words of CAUSEBOX Editor-in-Chief Hannah, "The stories behind each of the products in your Spring CAUSEBOX are of founders who took risks, followed their passions, and never compromised on impact while building their companies. I am inspired by their entrepreneurial bravery and dedication to bettering our world, and I hope you love their products and stories as much as I do. Let these give-back goodies inspire you to treat yourself, be yourself, and be kind to people and our planet."

Click to read my full review of the spring CAUSEBOX and for a $10 discount code off your first box :)

A Friday Favorite {the spring causebox review} The rains just keep coming in this new land of Texas where we arrived two weeks ago, and I’m 90% sure that we will all jump into a raft and float out into the Gulf this weekend. The month of …

"The heart is a delicate thing. The mind is powerful and full of light and dark and shadows. Let’s guard the delicate things. Glory in the light. Fight valiantly against the dark. And pause in the shadows..."
Up on the blog today, a post about mental health awareness month, pieces of my own story, CBD, sensory play, and other tips for mamas and little ones to remain in the light.

Mental Health, CBD, Oils, Coping Tools & Grace {this is me. this is us.} It’s Mental Health Awareness month. And I wish I could sing over so many of my fellow sufferers the song of Keala Settle “This is Me” with the same bold bravery: Whe…

Happy Monday, Friends. From cosmetic tattoos to Spring sunshine, I've got a list of four favorites for you this morning :)

Four Monday Favorites {because Friday favorites are downright exhausting} I’ve had the best intentions to keep a “Friday Favorites” blog trend going, but alas… By Friday afternoon the week has usually won and my creativity is at an all-time weekly…

Up on the blog this morning is an explosion of glitter, sparkles, chocolate cake, and giggles - also known as Abby’s fifth birthday party. 🍰 Besides just glitter, I’m sharing a six tips to eco-friendly party planning PLUS three small businesses that each made Abby’s day magical.
✨”This is the BEST party ever,” Abby kept exclaiming.✨
Thank you to Ellie & Piper for the Disney-rivaling tiaras and crowns, to Downright Sweet Treats for the chocolate princess kitty cake that I literally couldn’t stop eating, and to Kid Licks for toxin-free nail paint for glamorous princess nails. Each of these small businesses are near and dear to my heart for different reasons, and I share a bit more about each up on my blog {link in profile}.
I don’t have words to express my gratitude for Abby’s sweet community: the prayer, the laughter, the play dates, the special dates, the birthday tea party, and the continued promise of love (even if we live miles and miles apart). This party was my daughter’s dream, and the celebration I craved as we mark a milestone in her childhood.
Thank you, friends. Thank you to the small shops that added so much sparkle to Abby’s morning. As always, check out the party planning highlight on my profile for all the details too 💗

The sweetest princess party {and all the details on sustainable decor} Abby has been talking about her 5th birthday party for AT LEAST six months, probably more. And even though my introverted-self doesn’t naturally love to host parties, I am learning to love my…

So as Abby counts down the days until she turns 5, and I count up the years until I will have to let her go out into this world, a letter to my daughter…the woman growing up in my nest…the woman who will face the hard and the beautiful that this life has to offer…

A letter to the woman growing up in my nest {xoxo, mama} If you haven’t watched Sarah Kay share “If I should have a daughter…” as part of her TED talk, then grab the Kleenex, chocolate, and the women in your life and click HERE to…

"For years I have looked for diffuser jewelry that is actually “my style” and never had any luck. Matter of fact, most has been too gaudy for me to even consider wearing regularly. So when I found Jamie’s The Wildbloomery, I was smitten. It was literally love at first site."
Check out this blog post for a discount code to shop from this amazing shop + a few ways to start your March :)

The Wildbloomery {everything + more that the name suggests} My voice has modulated all the way from gentle and magical tones to loud, harsh and intense today with my children. I realize this is a mom’s life, but I also strive to always maintain a safe…