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Friday, December 11, 2015

10 Perfect Gift Ideas for the Mama Bear: 2015 Edition

The last time I did a round-up like this was in 2012 so I thought it was high time for another. Check out this list of suggestions for the mama bear in your life and let me know in the comments what you are wishing for this year!



1. Hand-crafted wooden cooking utensils. A good cook needs great tools. I am DYING over these gorgeous hand carved wooden spoons and sauté utensils from this one-man operation. Why not make something she does everyday a little more enjoyable with a beautiful tool like this?


2. This candle. I am obsessed with this scent in particular and this size is perfectly affordable as a stocking stuffer or a little something for your best friend, carpool partner or gym buddy.







3. Slippers. Is there anything better than slipping your feet into a pillow of cushy comfort early in the morning or late at night? No. There's not. I loved having these by my bedside to keep me cozy during middle of the night feeding sessions (which for the record don't happen anymore. Praise be to God.) 



4. Chatbooks gift subscription. If you're anything like me everyone, you have a million pictures on your phone and computer and about 40 printed out in your home. Chatbooks makes your Instagram feed into little books you can look at in a non-digital fashion (gasp!). The subscription factor means you never have to think about printing them out, they just come to your mailbox like a gorgeous happy little surprise each month. Love. (P.S. I don't actually have a subscription. Mega hint hint)


5. These mugs. Have one custom made with her favorite quote or a phrase the kids came up with that captures this stage of life perfectly.


6. If you're financially limited, go with the gift of your time. It is precious!! Offer up 4 hours of babysitting. 2 hours is hardly long enough for her to get somewhere and settle in. 4 hours is completely and utterly luxurious and she will love you forever and ever. Amen.



7. A Lenny & Eva cuff. I am obsessed. I wrote a whole post about this bracelet of mine and really think every girl should have one. There is almost no end to the way you can combine bracelet styles and the various "sentiments" your cuff expresses.


8. Gorgeous and cozy throw for the couch, the nursing chair, etc. I'm drooling over this faux fur and this cable knit option.

9. A beautiful and/or super practical journal.  I personally love a Moleskin - which is both. Whether it's for reflecting on the deep stuff in life or just a place to keep grocery lists and meal plans in one place, there's always a use for this bad boy.
10. BeautyCounter's Scarlet Lip Sheer. My friend Ryan is a BeautyCounter rep and she has been posting a ton about her love of this bold red lip color all season long. I finally caved and ordered this lipstick because I wanted to see what the fuss is all about. Now I am not a lipstick person. At all. But I'll be darned if every time I've worn it out of the house I haven't been told I look put together and/or received a compliment on my clothes, my children or my shoes. No lie. There's something about a bold lip that convinces people you have it together. What mama doesn't want that?! 

Alright, your turn to play. What is on your wish list this year? 

Also, ten points to you for casually sharing this (aka leaving it open somewhere they'll see it) with your husband/boyfriend/parents. Twenty points for re-posting on your own wall so there's no doubt they'll get the hint. ;)



P.S. Some links above are affiliate links, meaning Crazy Joy earns about 5 cents if you buy something via a link on this page. Thanks for helping support the blog in this way! 

P.P.S. Thanks so much y'all for all of the love on the video I posted last week. It was awesome to hear that it encouraged many of you. Motherhood is not for the faint of heart and so Amen for Jesus who meets us in the midst of our weakness and gives us His strength. 

Friday, December 4, 2015

Finding a New Identity in Motherhood

Motherhood has not come naturally to me. This gig is HARD and truthfully I'm not really the "mothering-type". You longtime readers know this by now. I've posted about it here and here and oh yeah, here too. This thing is just out of my wheel house and I am learning every single day how to lean in to this calling instead of running away.

One of the best things I've done to help myself since becoming a mom was joining a Birds on a Wire group. If you're not familiar with Karen Stubbs, I encourage you to check out her web site and her group studies, they are an amazing resource whether you're a new mom or a seasoned mother.

I had the privilege to speak and share a bit about my struggle with motherhood at a Birds on a Wire dinner a few months ago and I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch this video. (Please enjoy my crazy eyes in the still frame even if you can't watch...)


BOAW_Katie_Final from Birds On A Wire Moms on Vimeo.


If you're looking for a ministry to support and/or need a place to donate prior to the end of the year, Birds on a Wire is changing lives and having a truly generational impact - just ask my kids.



 
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