Category: Family

ReBlog: Why We Named Our Son Matthew

by Kaylee, posted in Pregnancy, Faith, Baby, Motherhood, Family

When I was 19 weeks pregnant, my husband and I started discussing baby names. I wanted to find a name for a girl and a boy. I wanted to do this so that when we found out at our 20 week anatomy scan what we were having, we could give the baby a name right away. There was something about giving baby a name for the second half of the pregnancy that made things seem even more real. 

On my birthday, when I was exactly 19 weeks pregnant, Charles woke up and told me he had a dream. He dreamt that he was at some sort of musical event and his old choir director from college saw him. They started talking and his old choir director said “How’s baby Matt doing?” Then he woke up. Charles had another dream that same night where he was playing with a baby girl named Grace. 

Later in the morning as we were getting ready for breakfast Charles told me about the dream. He then suggested that if we were having a boy we should name him Matthew and if we were having a girl we should name her Grace.

I was shocked at his suggestion for the boy name, because Charles had momentarily forgotten that I had had a brother named Matthew. My brother Matthew died before I was born. He was 9 months old and died of a rare genetic condition, At first I wasn’t totally sure how I would feel about having a brother and a son named Matthew. 

Throughout the week, I continued contemplating both the names Matthew and Grace. I focused mostly on Matthew because I still had this strong feeling we were having a boy. I decided to look up the meaning of the name Matthew just to see what it said. A gift from God. I thought How perfect is that!? Our rainbow baby’s name means A gift from God. Charles and I loved the meaning of the name and we also loved that it was classic, biblical and could be shortened to Matt or Matty. 

About a week later we had our anatomy scan. We found out we were having a precious baby boy. We didn’t tell anyone about the boy name we had picked out until 23 weeks. At that time, I asked my mom if she would mind if we named our son Matthew. She was absolutely honored that we had even considered that name. She loved that her first grandson would be named after her son and she loved the meaning of the name. 

So there you have it. We named our son Matthew. He is named after my brother and is our gift from God.

ReBlog: My Top 10 Favorite Date Night Ideas

by Kaylee, posted in Family, Just Me Blogging, Love Story, Marriage

My Top 10 Favorite Date Night Ideas

MY TOP 10 DATE NIGHT IDEAS 

1. TAKE A DRIVE

Take a drive somewhere, anywhere and do some sightseeing on the way. Take a look at the trees and fall colors. Explore your city or another city. Drive to a pond or lake. 

2. GO OUT FOR COFFEE 

Find a cute little cafe in your downtown area, and go out for coffee, tea or a vanilla steamed milk. 

3. HAVE A GAME NIGHT

Have a game night with a group of friends or just with your significant other. Play some cards, board games, video games or whatever floats your boat. 

4. HAVE A MOVIE NIGHT
🥰

Go out to the theaters and watch a new release, or plan a movie night at home. Pop some popcorn, dim the lights and play one of your favorites, or a series of movies. I love watching the Toy Story movies. 

5. GO ON A BEACH DAY 

Plan a trip to the beach. Pack the towels, sunscreen, umbrella, and snacks and spend some time soaking up the sun. 

6. DINNER FOR TWO 

Go out to eat and enjoy each others company at a favorite restaurant or dine in at home. Whether it’s something simple like pizza, or fancy like lobster, find something that hits the spot. 

7. TRY SOMETHING NEW 

Plan a date of trying something new with your significant other. Maybe you’ve never gone downhill skiing, rode on a ferry or eaten sushi. Try something new together. 

8. COOK TOGETHER

Plan out a fun meal at home, and cook together! Maybe you both like Italian, one of you could cook the pasta while the other could cook the garlic bread and you both could toss the salad. It could be a great opportunity to bond in the kitchen and enjoy some great homemade food. 

9. GO ON A SHOPPING TRIP

Maybe you need to spruce up your home with some new home decor. Take a trip to Hobby Lobby and spend a few hours buying some new home decor that you both love for your home. 

10. PLAN A CABIN TRIP 

Plan a trip to a cabin, deep in the woods. Maybe even plan it in the fall or winter when you can keep warm with a fireplace or wood stove. Enjoy the great outdoors and being alone with each other.

ReBlog: Top 10 Things I Will Miss About Being Pregnant

by Kaylee, posted in Baby, Family, Motherhood

This post was written in 2021, a few weeks before having our son Matthew. I will admit, I do miss being pregnant and baby fever is very strong now that my son is a year old. But, don’t worry. I’m not pregnant. Just wanted to reminisce about the season in my life when I was. ❤️

Top 10 Things I Will Miss About Being Pregnant

At 32 weeks pregnant, I am realizing how quickly my pregnancy is coming to an end and we will soon be able to meet our precious baby boy! This pregnancy hasn’t always been easy but I have been very blessed to have gotten this far, and gone through this much. 

HERE ARE MY TOP 10 THINGS I WILL MISS ABOUT BEING PREGNANT 
1. THE PRECIOUS BABY KICKS, ROLLS AND SQUIRMS
2. CLEAR SKIN (FOR SOME REASON THESE PREGNANCY HORMONES GAVE ME THE CLEAREST SKIN OF MY LIFE) 
3. NOT HAVING A PERIOD
4. PEOPLE BEING SO NICE TO ME BECAUSE I’M PREGNANT 
5. THE CRAVINGS 
6. THE STRONG PREGNANCY SMELL 
7. LARGE APPETITE AND EATING FOR TWO 
8. CUTE AND COMFY MATERNITY CLOTHES 
9. THE EXCITEMENT AND ANTICIPATION OF PLANNING FOR A NEW BABY
10. THE PREGNANCY GLOW

ReBlog: 10 Signs You’re a Crazy Cat Parent

by Kaylee, posted in Family

10 Signs You’re a Crazy Cat Parent

1. YOU HAVE SEPARATION ANXIETY WHEN YOU ARE AWAY FROM YOUR CAT. 

Do you worry about your cat being home alone while you are running errands or at work? Do you wonder if they will be on their best behavior or they will get lonely, if you are never there? If so, then you might be a crazy cat parent. 

2. YOU REARRANGE YOUR SCHEDULE SO YOU CAN SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR CAT. 

Do you sometimes stay home for no other reason then to spend time with your cat? After a long week of working, do you look forward to spending time with your cat on the weekend? If so, you may be a crazy cat parent. 

3. YOU TALK TO YOUR CAT, AND WAIT FOR YOUR CAT TO RESPOND. 

It is true that often times, pets are the best therapists. But not everybody has actual conversations with their pets and waits for them to respond. I am going to make a little confession. Sometimes, my kitty Rocky and I have conversations, and I indeed do wait for him to respond. If you also do this, then you too may be a crazy cat parent. 

4. YOU CONSIDER AND/OR ADOPT ANOTHER CAT SO YOUR CURRENT CAT WON’T BE LONELY. 

Do you scroll through pictures from your local shelters or pet ads from Petfinder, and consider adopting another feline friend? Do you do this because you have kitty fever or because you want your kitty to have another friend. Maybe even both? 

5. YOU SPEND MORE MONEY ON CAT TOYS, TREATS, FOOD, AND PET FURNITURE THAN YOU ACTUALLY PLAN TO. 

Confession time again…. I spent over a $100 on Rocky this past Christmas. But he’s my only baby at the moment, so I have no shame. Do you also find yourself strolling down the pet aisle, or finding ways to adjust your budget so you can buy more things for your cat? If yes, then you too could be a crazy cat parent. 

6. YOU GET UP EARLY OR STAY UP LATE JUST TO PLAY WITH YOUR CAT. 

Do you get up early just to spend time with your cat? Do you just adore how loving your kitty can be when he is waking you up and begging you for food early in the morning? Do you jump out of bed, and join your kitty when you hear him bellowing opera kitty music at 2am? If so, then you may just be crazy, or a crazy cat parent.

7. YOU REARRANGE YOUR FURNITURE SO YOUR CAT IS COMFORTABLE WHEN LOOKING OUT THE WINDOWS. 

Do you get your cat’s opinion on how to rearrange the furniture? Do you consider how he might want to watch his live tv of birds flying, squirrels gathering nuts, and dogs walking their humans? If yes, then maybe you are a crazy cat parent. 

8. YOU LEAVE THE TV ON FOR YOUR CAT WHEN YOU’RE NOT HOME. 

Do you worry your kitty will go crazy being in a quiet home for too long and decide to leave on the tv for them? Yes? Don’t worry… I do it too. I’m probably just as crazy as you. 

9. YOU LOOK FORWARD TO AND/OR GET EXCITED TO GIVE YOUR CAT CATNIP. 

Do you want your cat to love you?… I mean really love you? Do you look forward to giving them catnip and anticipate seeing the cat be all consumed by catnip? I do. 

10. YOU CONSIDER YOUR CAT AS ONE OF YOUR KIDS. 

Do you? I do. My kitty is my baby. 

If you haven’t already guessed, I am a crazy cat mom and this was all just for fun. I hope I made you smile and brought some humor into your life today. Well, I’m going to go snuggle my cat now.

Bye!

Happy New Year! This Year’s Goals of the Year and More!

by Kaylee, posted in Faith, Family, Goals, Holiday, Just Me Blogging, Kid’s Corner

It’s 2023! Happy New Year friends! I can’t believe my baby is almost a year old! Where did the time go??? Any who… this year I’ve got plans, like I always do. I always like to reach big for the goals I set for myself each year. However, I also want to bring into the new year something I learned from 2022, and that is flexibility. Last year, I was challenged to be flexible with my time, money, plans, parenting and expectations. This year I’m going to try and continue to keep that flexibility at times, as hard as it is for me not to be a control freak.

This year I am setting 10 goals for myself. These are 10 goals that I hope to be intentional as well as manageable. Without further or do, here are my goals for 2023!

My Goals for 2023

1. Buy a House

This is the big one. This is the one I want to come true the most! We have been saving up and looking for the perfect starter home for our little family. My hope is to find our home and move in before summer, if not by the end of the year.

2. Go on a Family Trip

I would like to go on at least one family trip this year, even if it’s just a day trip. A few ideas I have include the zoo, northern Michigan, Great a Wolf Lodge, the apple orchard, the dairy farm or Mackinac.

3. Publish one of my Books

I said this in my last post. This goal will be on this list until I complete it!

4. Decorate my New Home

This one goes along with my first goal. But it’s honestly what I am most excited about with getting a new home. We get to decorate and make it our own!

5. Get my Eyes Checked

Now, at first glance you guys might think this is a dumb goal. But give me a moment to explain. The last time I had my eyes checked was in 2018. It’s been 5 years. I need my eyes checked and I really need new glasses. I’m just terrified of going to the eye doctor, for reasons I will share in a future post. So this is a big deal for me, but I gotta do it.

6. Start Our Homesteading Lifestyle

I’ve mentioned in previous posts how I am very interested in homesteading and would eventually like to have my own garden/green house, chicken coup with laying egg hens, and a goat or two for goat milk. I realize I can’t begin this lifestyle until we are moved into our new home. However, I would like to at least begin the process of homestead living by continuing to research and maybe even start buying supplies.

7. Host a Party or Family Gathering

As we wrap up the holidays, I have thought about how much I would one day love to host a family gathering and or party at my own home in the coming year. I have a few ideas including a house warming party, Easter Dinner, Mother’s Day, Christmas or New Year’s Eve. Depending on when we move and get settled in will depend on when all this happens, but I simply can’t wait!

8. Write 515 Blog Posts

I know I didn’t reach my goal of 500 blog posts in 2022, but I hope to reach this one in 2023. With my little one being a little more mobile and independent, I’m hopeful this will allow me to dive back into my hobby of writing.

9. Implement Fun and Structured Activities with my Son

As Matthew quickly emerges from baby to toddler, I would like to start doing more intentional, structural activities throughout the year. I have a few ideas like sensory bins/bags, art projects and outside activities.

10. Start Developing Our Homeschool Curriculum

As many of you know, I have degrees in Early Childhood Education and Child and Family Development. This is my field. I have always wanted to develop my own toddler/preschool curriculum.

My Word of the Year…

This year I have decided to include a word of the year. Something I want to ponder, remember and reflect on as each month passes this year. I asked my husband to think of a word for me. I said to think of the first word that comes to his head, and he said Resilience. I instantly thought it was perfect! No matter what this year brings, I’m going to have faith, trust in Jesus and come out with resilience.

Bring on 2023, cause I’m ready! 💕

Visiting the Farm

by Kaylee, posted in All Things Fall, Family, Goals

As the year 2022 quickly draws to an end, I have been reflecting on the many wonderful memories that were made with my family and friends. Of course, the best moment that happened in 2022 was when we had our beautiful son Matthew and I officially became a mama earth-side.

This fall however, my little family and I made some wonderful memories that were perhaps some of my favorites of 2022.

When Matthew turned 8 months old in September, we visited a friends farm where my Aunt Patty took some fun family photos of us. We all loved seeing the cow named Norman and had fun posing in front of the various barns and tractors.

The photos turned out absolutely adorable and I will cherish them always.

In October we headed to a local apple orchard where we took Matthew to try doughnuts, pick out some apples and explore some pumpkin gourds.

We even had a chance to take Matthew to the petting zoo where for the first time he saw goats, a sheep, a pony, a donkey and a cow.

All in all, our time this fall visiting the farm and local apple orchard was a lot of fun and something I’d like to continue in the years ahead. 🍎