{new coloring book!}

Oh friends I have the most exciting news to share today!

For a few months now I've been working with a publisher on a new adult coloring book, and today it is available on Amazon!

To say this is exciting is a bit of an understatement. In fact, I cried like a baby when I first saw it. Even though I've known this was going to happen since August, seeing it finally finished and available, with my name as the illustrator, blew me away. I have a legit Amazon "author" page! Holy moly! :)

If you have purchased my original coloring book, this one has all of the pages from that version, with eight new fabulous pages for a total of 25. This one below is a personal favorite...

And the book is only $7.99 right now! You really can't go wrong. 

From the bottom of my doodling heart I want to thank you for supporting this journey. 2016 isn't even here yet and it is already going to start out with a bang. I'm so darn grateful.

XO,

{free Christmas printable}

Hello and happy weekend!

I have a fun free Christmas printable for you tonight...

You may recognize this doodle from the December calendar. I did a little tweaking and turned it into a chalkboard print in two different colors. Perfect little addition to your holiday mantle, entryway, cubicle or frame it as a quick neighbor gift!

Get the green version HERE

Get the black version HERE

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

XO,

{holiday happies}

I am having SO much fun shopping for happies (aka gifts) for all of my family and friends this year. 

Here are a few of my most favorite recent finds!

This pen...

I picked one of these up at TJ Maxx and it is super fun. I mean, come on. Like a magic 8 ball but so much better.

These freaking adorable bookmarks...

I have this coffee set and they are super sturdy and make reading even more fun.

These banners from Paper Source...

I really want to get the potty mouth one, but will probably settle for good vibes, because, 7-year-olds. 

This book...

Because Glennon is the best. 

This Christmas album...

Mindy's voice is so angelic and beautifully happy. I promise you'll love it. 

You can't go wrong with a good Christmas pillow...

And hello free shipping!

And cozy slippers are just a necessity if you live anywhere with an actual winter...

These are only $14.99. And again with the free shipping!

And finally how about one of my coloring books with a fun set of markers...

That's a whole lotta happy! 

Have you started Christmas shopping? Post links to your favorite finds in the comments!

XO,

{Because life.}

I haven't been blogging much these days, but this morning I have the itch. 

Thinking about decorating for the holidays, and thankfulness, and anxiety.

I pulled out my box of Christmas decorations over the weekend. It is an old plastic tote that was probably passed down to me from my Mom when Dan and I got our own place. And after years of adding to our stash of tinsel and cardboard sparkly houses and garlands it was overflowing when I put it away last year. But I pushed the lid on as well as I could until I heard the sides pop, and put it away in the downstairs closet to wait another year for attention. 

When I opened it Saturday, and started to pull out our "Santa stops here" sign and my hand knitted garland, I saw it.  Mold. Apparently leaving everything in a musty basement closet in a box with a not so tight lid wasn't the best idea I've had in my lifetime. 

I cleaned what I could, threw away what I couldn't, and without a tear went to TJ Maxx to replenish what had to go in the trash. 

A few years ago I would have cried over that mold. I would have let it ruin my day and been sour grapes for at least 2-3 hours. I've never been so good with change...with molding. 

The past few years have molded me into an entirely new person. That molding was painful, and still is some days. Becoming a mother...every day becoming a mother. Struggling with a painful split in my family that seems like it will never heal, but has taught me so much about myself. Learning how to be a better wife to Dan through lots of mistakes and, thankfully, forgiveness. 

Holidays give us the time to look at what we've molded ourselves and our life into...and reflecting on what we've created.

The Christmas decorations are just icing on the cake, really. They don't define the holiday. They are the backdrop for the really good stuff we are placed on this earth to enjoy. 

The conversations with my boys about what they want Santa to bring them, and what they want to
buy for each other. Sitting in a comfy chair next to the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree, enjoying a mug of coffee with whipped cream. A shopping trip to Wal-mart with my Mom to pick out Legos for the boys and happily peruse the Christmas decorations. Picking out happies for my Grandmother so I can send her a Christmas care package full of things to make her smile. Shopping for two teenage girls who's mother needs a bit of extra help this year... lip gloss and journals and candy. Watching my husband, who is not a fan of photos, snap picture after picture of the boys decorating the tree. Remembering to take a selfie with both of my parents after a day spent with them and the boys, making Christmas cookies, decorating their tree and enjoying pizza.

All of that up there has me feeling SO blessed this year.

But can I be honest? At the same time I am sad. And scared. And anxious. 

Because life. 

I used to beat myself up over feeling those above things...because life is good and I have everything I need and blah, blah, blah. But not anymore. Because life is complex and hard and the biggest contradiction we'll ever face. To quote one of my favorites, Momastery, life is "brutiful". 

I don't know if this post has made any sense at all, but I just want you to know that if you feel happy, blessed, scared, sad, anxious, overjoyed...all at the same time...you're not alone. I truly think, at our most true selves, that's the way God intended us to feel. A big old ball of emotions. Thankful and anxious. Noticing the blessings and the hardships. 

Because life. 


XO,