I have always been a sucker for traditions! When I was growing up I didn’t have them and I was always so envious of those that had them. Especially ones that were past down from generation to generation! There is something special about telling your family the stories that go along with it and reminiscing and taking a step back in time. I wanted that for my family!

So began the tradition of the Christmas pj’s! I know it’s not original and so many people do it. By now, my kids know that come Christmas Eve, they get to unwrap one gift, and it’s always Christmas pj’s! It’s so special to them and me. Every year, around November I always hunt for the perfect pj’s just for them and sometimes my husband and I join in!! The joy they experience as they unwrap those pj’s is so much fun.

Over the years we have added a little more to this tradition. We usually add yummy candy cinnamon sticks, packet of hot Chocolate, along with the fluffiest mini marshmallows! We have a special Christmas prayer my husband and I have written out on a special stationary paper. We write one out for each child. We usually sit around the living room and the ones that can read, read their letter out loud and we read the littles ones theirs! Then we usually read that last chapter of Luke and then we cuddle up and watch a Christmas movie and sip on yummy hot chocolate before we all snuggle down for the night and anticipate the arrival of St. Nicholas!!

Since becoming a mom, this is just one of the special traditions we have started since becoming parents!! Stay tune as I share a series of blogs on some of our other traditions such as, The Christmas Ornament, The Christmas Cookie, and some of our favorite Christmas recipes!!

If your wanting to start the Christmas pajamas traditions. Go check Yaffifashion out, and what’s great you can order on Amazon!! You will love them and it’s a tradition that can be passed down for years to come!!

My mom bought theses for my nieces and herself from Yaffifashion!!

Yaffi is a family-friendly fashion brand, you can find them on Amazon US, CA, UK, DE, IT, FR, ES, most items are Amazon prime. The company mainly focuses on matching outfits, not only matching swimsuit for the whole family, boy mom included, but also matching dress and a wide selection of matching family pajamas for holiday and Christmas! Yaffi mainly targets North America and Europe.

Merry Christmas,

Chelsea

You may be wondering why we consulted a sleep trainer for our 8 year old? Well, my darling child, May, has always struggled with sleep from the time she was born. If she napped even 15 minutes in the car, we paid for it. Ahh…bring on the midnight coffee! She has never required as much sleep, as the rest of my kids have. Honestly, I sometimes thought she was a creature from out of this world! Ha ha

We consulted her doctor and other friends that recommend different things to try like melatonin, warm bath, hot milk, and a consistent night time routine. Nothing worked, I mean I tried it all,beside a sleep professional. I have been in survival mode for the last 8 years!

It put our family in a vicious cycle of becoming night owls and then we all struggled in the morning and lots of melt downs, because my child was exhausted. It poured over into all areas of our life. Since I was in survival mode. I’m going to share some real transparency here, there were times I gave her an iPad and tucked her in between my husband and I and I allowed her to watch as many Disney movies as she wanted BUT she couldn’t get up. That was so I could function and care for my other kids the next morning.

I knew there had to be a better way of doing things. I had prayed and prayed for an answer because we were wasting our day away because we were all so tired.

That’s when Jessica, from Sleep Happy came into our lives. I’m not even being dramatic, she saved me!! I’m not sure if you know all the side effects from lack of sleep? I have shared some of my friends about about my journey with anxiety. Let me tell you, anxiety and lack of sleep do not mix well.

Anyways, I met Jessica at a local event in the DFW area and honestly when I was talking her, it didn’t even cross my mind that she could help me. I wanted her to come help and talk to my new mom friends about sleep training their babies and toddler. I thought, my child is 8, we are doomed, and if I haven’t figured out how to get her to sleep by now, I never will. Boy was I wrong!! Jessica came and spoke to several ladies in my community and share so many wonderful tips and advice that could benefit EVERYONE, even my 8 year old.

I am so excited to share that we are going on 4 days of sleep training and my child is doing awesome!! She has been in bed by 8:30 and up by 7 every morning so far and it’s been such a blessing and answer to prayer.

Only problem is, I now need to sleep train myself! I’m confident in time it will get easier. If your a mama struggling to get that sweet baby on a routine or toddler or in my case, my 8 year old. Go and get yourself a sleep trainer!! It will be the best gift you ever give yourself and family, I promise. I only wish I did it sooner!!

Xoxo,

Chelsea

I have shared a little bit about myself in my first blog post. So, I thought it would be fun to share some random facts you may not know about me. Hopefully, I don’t embarrass myself to much or run you off!

1. When I was in 2nd grade I started a new school right in the middle of the school year. When the teacher asked me what I would like to be called, I totally changed my name to LeeAnne( yes it was random and no it’s not my middle name). I got away with it for the first few months until my parent teacher conference. When my teacher referred to me as LeeAnne, they had no clue who she was talking about. 🤣

2. I’m a 9 on the Enneagram!

3. I can’t open medicine bottles that have cotton in it. It freaks me out for some strange reason. I also don’t eat meat on the bone. Something about my teeth touching the bone just really grosses me out.

4. The most embarrassing moment I have ever had was when I was on a mission trip to Madagascar. It was the day we were leaving to come home and we had just finished eating lunch and we were all walking in a group. I turned too quickly and sprained my ankle pretty badly. For some horrible reason, all I could say was, oh poop, over and over(but the other word). It wasn’t until I calmed down that I realized, I had just cussed in front of a crowd of missionaries. Yep, I was mortified and probably won’t be invited back! No not really, they love me and all is forgiven.

5. I am obsessed with DIY projects. I think what I love about it, is the fact I can take something ugly or broken and make it beautiful again. Plus I’m super cheap!

6. I love classical music and a good cup of coffee or hot tea

7. One day I would love to open up a pregnancy home for women that need support, care, and love during their pregnancy. I would love to be able to teach them a skill or safe trade so they can provide for their family.

8. I would love to meet Queen Elizabeth and share a cup of tea! Only in my dreams, right?

9. I can’t fall asleep if I’m not touching my husbands feet at night. If he is out of town, one of my kids has the privilege of me rubbing myover due for a pedicure feet on them.

10. Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year!! I’m that crazy person you see in all the Christmas memes!

There ya go! Some fun and a few embarrassing facts about myself!!

Hello!

Ever done something so wild and crazy?

Yep, that’s what I’m doing!! It’s not like this has never been done, you know, sharing your life and craziness with whole world, right?

Here I am, taking a huge leap of faith and I’m just trusting that God is going to guide me in this journey. Sometimes God calls us to do things, even when we don’t think we are good at it. If he has called me, I trust He will equipped me!

After all he did put this desire in my heart several years ago, however, I never felt that perfect peace about starting until recently. It’s funny how His timing is perfect. At last, here I am!! For some strange reason, Areta Franklin’s song, “At Last” just popped into my head. Now, don’t tell me it’s not in yours! Haha

For those that don’t know me, my name is Chelsea and I’m crazy about Jesus, madly in love with my husband, my family, motherhood, homeschooling and beauty. I’m always up for a good DIY. Of course, the perfect cup of coffee and good conversation! By the way, what is the perfect cup of coffee?

My prayer for this blog, is to encourage women in all walks of life. I think this dream was birth through my own journey, as a woman, as a child, teenager, adulthood, marriage, and motherhood. I have been in the deepest pits and all the way on the mountain top. I want to share the hard stuff but I also want my blog to be a place where you gain encouragement, maybe a couple laughs, but I pray you will always take something with you.

Fair warning, I am not a expert at blogging, and I don’t even consider myself a good writer, but I do love talking and sharing. So I hope you will excuse the occasional (okay maybe a lot) grammar errors. Let this be a space for all to feel loved and encouraged.

In the mean time, know that you are loved and I love connecting with you. I don’t have all the answers and I definitely don’t have life figured out but I hope you will see my heart when you read my post and share this with others and I do hope you will share.

Xoxox,

Chelsea