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Staying Home Sawyer

Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

DIY, Holidays!

Your Life Witness

1.29.2015

Countdown to Valentine's Day Banner I’ve always wanted one of those…a witness to my life. Growing up, it wasn’t so much the “husband” title that I coveted, as much as it was having someone there to witness my life. To see my milestones, to record my smiles, to support my decisions. Before marriage, I was my own best witness. And if you ask my journal, I wasn’t the greatest witness. I failed to record the most important things, because I felt vain writing them on paper.

Then I met him. He became my best friend, my life partner, my protector, my hero, my love. He became my witness.

Valentine’s Day is most definitely a Hallmark holiday. It’s an excuse for flowers, chocolate, and love. But what people overlook is that it is also an excuse to show appreciation.

We are all so busy in our daily lives that sometimes we forget. We forget to tell them how much we love them. We forget to smile at them when they walk in the door. We forget to appreciate.

Countdown to Valentine's Day SuppliesThis project is about appreciation. It’s about memories and love. It’s an excuse. The best kind of excuse.

Countdown to Valentine's Day Banner SuppliesTo keep it short and sweet (you can find out more details/instructions from this post), you pick the best 14 experiences of the previous year, print the photos, write an explanation on the back, and stuff it in an envelope. This year, I spruced it up a bit with a burlap banner underneath.

Countdown to Valentine's Day BannerPS: Can you spot Lucy?

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To Be, or Not to Be: Anti-Valentine’s

Comments

  1. Shilpa says

    1.29.2015 at 10:04 am

    What a cute post! And totally amazing idea

    • Shauna841505 says

      1.29.2015 at 10:26 am

      Thank you!!! Pretty easy too! 🙂

  2. juliableck says

    1.29.2015 at 10:33 am

    Such a sweet idea, Valentine’s Day gets so wrapped up in flowers and chocolates when the really heartfelt gifts are really the best! ❤️

    • Shauna841505 says

      1.29.2015 at 10:40 am

      I agree! And fortunately for me, my husband really likes getting handmade gifts! (Well…he also likes when I buy him golf equipment, but that hurts my bank account so much more!)

  3. freckle me silly says

    1.29.2015 at 10:34 am

    This is a great thoughtful idea and looks so cute!! Will definitely be trying this year.

    • Shauna841505 says

      1.29.2015 at 10:39 am

      Thank you!!! I would love to see how yours turns out! I’m sure it’s going to be adorable! 🙂

  4. Meli says

    1.29.2015 at 10:42 am

    This is my favorite post you’ve had, by far! Love, love, love the idea. You’re quite incredible. Cheers to you and Brendan 🙂

    • Shauna841505 says

      1.29.2015 at 10:45 am

      Awwwwwwwww thanks!!!!!!!!! And you’re quite incredible yourself. 😉

  5. hugsxheart says

    1.29.2015 at 2:37 pm

    Aw that’s so cute, really enjoyed this post 🙂

    • Shauna841505 says

      1.29.2015 at 2:42 pm

      Thanks love!!! 🙂

  6. funkyfashion007 says

    2.02.2015 at 12:12 pm

    This is such a cute post, I hope you enjoy your Valentines day with your fellah. 🙂

    • Shauna841505 says

      2.03.2015 at 8:46 am

      Thank you! 🙂

Trackbacks

  1. Happy Valentine’s Day! | Breakfast With Bentley says:
    2.14.2015 at 6:38 am

    […] Your Life Witness -> I’m all about the photos and memories… great […]

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

There’s just something about that second child. Th There’s just something about that second child. They pick up everything so quickly. They’re unstoppable. They want to do everything and they want to do it now. 

Second child life.
The day my husband looked at me and said, “I’m so The day my husband looked at me and said, “I’m so glad we have daughters,” I just about melted. Because like most men, he always envisioned a son. Someone he could pass his useless sports knowledge to, someone he could play mediocre golf with. Maybe someone to watch the hockey playoffs with (that doesn’t complain like I do). 

When we found out our second girl was coming, he famously said he watched the pink smoke hoping it would turn to purple and then blue. The first thing out of his mouth after he really digested it was, “now I have to pay for two weddings.”

And then one day, not long after the second came along, he realized why he’s a a girl dad. Because he couldn’t be more perfect for them. And they are exactly what he needed.
After seeing the beauty of this world, I just don’ After seeing the beauty of this world, I just don’t see how there’s any other option. God’s beauty is in everything, and sometimes I feel sad that I’ll never be able to see it all.
My husband and I never thought we’d be the homesch My husband and I never thought we’d be the homeschooling family, but here we are. What started as a few things here and there that we didn’t like, exploded into not liking much of anything in a traditional school, and liking just about everything about homeschooling. 

So now, here we are, on a random weekday, exploring our city. Picking up shells and learning about science. Meeting new people and gaining new friends. There’s so much more than doing lessons at home (although those happen too, don’t worry). There’s a whole big word out there to explore.
I have this theory. I think that as women, even wh I have this theory. I think that as women, even when we are done, we never really feel “done.” I think it’s innate. It’s biological. We were designed to procreate. We were designed to mother. When all of that is over, REALLY OVER, it’s a sad moment. It’s hard to accept. It’s hard to move on.

If you had asked me years ago if I would feel like this, I would have told you, “absolutely not. I’m done.” But when a woman gets to a “certain age,” it feels hard to accept. 

How do you feel?
The secret is out… I don’t spend more money than The secret is out…

I don’t spend more money than most. A party at a trampoline park is about double (if not more) expensive than this. A party at a park with a jumper? More expensive. It’s not about the money, it’s about the prep.

I spend months in advance planning for my parties. As soon as my girls decide on a theme, I take off (and we don’t do theme switches once anything has been purchased). My biggest money saving tip is to try to get the theme MONTHS in advance. I’m literally planning my daughter’s October birthday party already! 

So for those of you wondering, you absolutely CAN do fun parties on a budget. You just need a little more effort, and a little more time. 💕
There’s something about watching your child experi There’s something about watching your child experience the world for the first time that changes you.

The way they slow down, the way they notice everything…it makes you realize how much you’ve been rushing past.

I’m trying to remember that these aren’t just her firsts, they’re mine too, in a completely different way.
Growing up in the Midwest made seashells such a sp Growing up in the Midwest made seashells such a special thing. It meant vacations at the beach, time with family, hot summer days. 

Now, watching my babies collect their own seashells, holding tight to the “BEST” ones, makes my heart happier than I ever could have thought. It’s the little joys.
It’s par for the course, I know. Everyone will hav It’s par for the course, I know. Everyone will have something to say about literally everything. Hosting an Easter egg hunt? Too excessive. Throwing a kids birthday party on a budget? Consumerism. Happy with my husband? He must be miserable.

So I’ll just be over here decorating my house for The Masters this weekend, because #consumerism. And also because I spent $2 and it makes my husband happy.
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