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Staying Home Sawyer

Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

Birthday's, DIY, Lifestyle

Paying it Forward

5.15.2014

Be Who You AreThe day is finally here! I am turning 30 today! It seems like such a milestone, but in the same breath, it feels exactly the same. I had so many ideas of who I would be at this point in my life, all of which I am not. However, one thing I think that has stayed consistent would be my somewhat crazy personality. I haven’t always known who I am, but when I figured it out finally, I embraced it! Watch out world! Here I come!

If you had asked me fifteen years ago where I’d be in 15 years, nothing I would have said would have come to be. I think when we are young, we have all these preconceived notions of who we will be as adults, and all the ‘accomplishments’ we will have checked off our lists. We also think 30 is old.

Now I think 60 is young! I feel great, and I know I’m in my prime! Nothing that I thought was important at 20 is important today, and the things that are, mean everything to me. I feel blessed every day of my life to have everything I have, and my birthday is no exception. I’ve had 30 wonderful years, and I hope for 30 even more wonderful more. Well…I hope for at least 60 more. Hey, my great grandma was 99 when she took her last breath. That gives me 66 more to go.Blessing Bags What to Put InsideI wanted to pay it forward a little on my birthday, so I contemplated a few different things. Thirty one dollar bills to thirty people who could use it? Or Thirty Acts of Kindness? Or maybe 3 Blessing Bags with 10 items each for homeless? Because I knew I wouldn’t have a lot of time today, I went with the Blessing Bags. I’ve made them before, and they’re super easy.

I went to the Dollar Tree and picked up a few things for each bag. Here are my ideas for each:

Toothbrush/Case (DT has packs of three brushes and three cases for $1!)

Toothpaste

Soap

Deodorant

Tissues

Hand Wipes/Hand Sanitizer

Peanuts (Protein!)

Cookies

Crackers

WaterBlessing Bags // What to Put Inside

I put one of each in a sealable freezer bag (should have had larger bags, couldn’t fit the water inside). Now my mission: I need to find three individuals in need of a Blessing Bag! I’m hoping that I see a few on my way home from work today, or before my birthday dinner tonight. I’ve been way too spoiled today not to give something. I hope that it puts a smile on three faces today, it’s the least I could do.Blessing Bags // What to Put Inside

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About Me

About Me

Hi Mamas! My name is Shauna, a 30-something (big emphasis on the 'something') new mama and wife living in Southern California. I've become a Stay At Home Mom to Sawyer, and I would do it forever if I could! I'm originally from Wisconsin and am a total Cheesehead! I'm here to share DIY's, travel tips, and baby stuff I'm sure!

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stayinghomesawyer

One of my favorite things we get to give our girls One of my favorite things we get to give our girls is perspective. To see new places. To meet different people. To experience cultures outside of their own.

Not so they grow up thinking one place is “better” than another — but so they grow up curious, grateful, and grounded. And the more of the world we see, the more thankful I become for home, for the freedoms we have, and for the life we get to build together. 

Flag tees from @sweet_peas_and_sweeties - they’re selling fast so grab yours before they’re gone!
I might be the world’s worst “influencer,” because I might be the world’s worst “influencer,” because I’m here to tell you this: you do not need a whole new wardrobe for vacation.

Social media makes it feel like every trip requires new outfits, a new summer closet, a new date-night dress…but honestly? It doesn’t.

I’m willing to bet you already have plenty of great options hanging in your closet. And instead of spending a bunch of money on clothes you’ll probably only wear once, maybe it’s enough to just wear what you already love.
One day, instead of hearing little feet running th One day, instead of hearing little feet running through the house all day, I’ll be leaving voicemails hoping they call me back when they have time.

The sticky fingerprints will wash away, the car seats will come out, bedtime routines will end, and the house that once felt so loud will get quieter little by little.

It’s strange how the things that exhaust you in the moment become the very things you ache for later. 🤍
When did it become expected to spend hundreds of d When did it become expected to spend hundreds of dollars on Teacher Appreciation gifts? Don’t get me wrong, if it were in the budget you better believe it’s worth it. I am not advocating for giving them LESS, I’m just advocating for staying within your families budget. And maybe if we see more of these easy little inexpensive gifts, we can make it more acceptable to gift within budget. Because that’s what it’s all about. 

What’s that saying? It’s the thought that counts.
I’ve been seeing so many reels lately saying that I’ve been seeing so many reels lately saying that Mother’s Day is only for moms with small children. I couldn’t disagree more. To me, Mother’s Day is not just about me. It’s about the women who helped shape me, as a mother, a woman, a friend. It’s about my friends who help me be a better mother, even if they don’t have little kids themselves. It’s about my own mother, who is the biggest inspiration for me, to be a better mother myself. It’s about the many generations before me that allowed me to be a mother at all. It’s about every woman in my life that loves me and my girls as if they’re their own. That’s who I’ll be celebrating this Mother’s Day.
Listen. Shelling with my kids will always be so mu Listen. Shelling with my kids will always be so much fun. But I think we have enough of these oyster shells at this point. 🤣

What are your kids always finding for you?
There’s something rare about being fully known and There’s something rare about being fully known and still fully loved. No shrinking yourself. No editing your personality.
Just being met where you are. That kind of friendship changes you.
It’s just a little walk… It’s just a little walk…
Unpopular opinion: kids don’t need more stuff. The Unpopular opinion: kids don’t need more stuff. They need more boredom. More freedom. More outside time. More chances to build a world out of sticks and dirt instead of asking for the next new thing.

I’m not interested in raising a child who expects constant entertainment or new toys. I want to raise one who knows how to create their own magic.

#familylove #familybonding
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