A BIT ON TIME & THE FEAR OF 'LASTS'

- wearing - 

mom: sunglasses - diff eyewear // watch - c/o daniel wellington //  t-shirt - the bee and the fox // chambray button-up - target // jeans - asos online // bag - madeline in brandy c/o lily jade // sandles - birkenstocks

evie: hairbow - c/o munchkin lane // t-shirt - the bee and the fox // jeggings - target // moccs - freshly picked 

     Happy Thursday friends! Originally I started this post typing about things you could do to help with Summer stresses, but then I couldn't stop thinking about how fast time is going lately, and how I'm trying to not worry about my kids growing up, especially little Evie. In keeping with that theme, I want to share another discount code with you guys from my friends at Daniel Wellington. I've exclusively used and loved DW watches for over 4 years now, and every time I talk about them many of you share your love for them as well, so I couldn't wait to show you guys the newly released petite style! I'm wearing the Classic Petite Bondi 32mm with the white leather strap, and it comes in rose gold and silver, but the rose gold is my favorite:) Anyways use the code: FRECKLEDFOX15 for 15% off on their website www.danielwellington.com, and then come back and tell me what you got:)

     So as I delve a bit more into what time with my children has come to mean, I want to talk mainly about the hardest thing that I struggle with as a mother (and I'm sure the same goes for many of you), and that's the fear of lasts. I get asked all of the time lately how it feels having five babies in a row year after year and then suddenly stopping, and if it's sad or a relief to have those tiny baby years behind me. While there are obviously both fun and hard things about having my youngest getting so big (she turns 2 this month!), I have been working hard at letting her grow up without fear of missing out on those last moments with her.

     This is all my opinion and I am generalizing a lot, but in general I feel like there is so much pressure on us as mothers (thanks, Pinterest) to have the perfect themed birthday parties and dessert spreads, to check everything off the season bucket list, and to make sure that we capture it all on video... or did it even happen? haha. I feel as a lifestyle/mommy-blogger too that we're often held to a higher standard of fitting in and setting an example that everything should/can be perfect and flawless in motherhood- which it can't, by the way.haha. I feel like in the beginning as a new mother I was so stressed about holiday checklists and having everything just right with the nursery decor, etc, and I would get so stressed out sometimes about little things that would go wrong or moments that I would miss out on, outfits that they'd never get to wear, and all of the precious moments that I wouldn't get on camera. 

   

     It's taken an extremely life-changing experience (losing my first husband to cancer, if you're new) and missing out on much of my kids lives the last couple of years since he was diagnosed to force me to stop caring so much about what moments I might be missing, and really be present in the moments I had. It took being away from my children for a month and having empty arms on Mother's Day two years ago to realize how much I really didn't care about neutral birthday decor and having it all figured out. It took many holiday schedules and daily routines being decided for me for a long time due to our family's struggle, to really help me to treasure the simple and calm days all the more. I just wanted to simply be present with them and to hold them and (excuse my french) to hell with everything else. 

     I don't mean to say that if you manage to have it all together that it means you're missing out, I'm just trying to express for the Emily of a few years ago that just being all there for those moments is enough. That worrying so much about missing the milestones and the 'lasts' can greatly get in the way of actually living them and enjoying them. That the days will run together and the late nights and feedings will seem to go on forever, and that after about the 10,000th diaper you'll feel like life will go on forever in a never-ending cycle of burping, crying, changing, and dirty laundry. But, don't forget that one day you'll put down the burp cloth and never pick it up again. That one day you'll nurse your sweet baby to sleep and the next day you won't anymore. 

    

    There will come a time when you'll hold your little one on your hip and then put them down, and never carry them that way again. One day you'll wash your little girl's hair in the bath and the next day she'll want to shower on her own. They will hold your hand to cross the road and then suddenly never reach for it again. One day you'll read your last bedtime story, you'll wipe your last dirty face, you'll braid your last braid, and there will come a day that they run towards you with outstretched arms for the very last time. 

     So again, just speaking to my younger self, stop worrying so much missing out on the last moments and simply live in them, because when they're gone they're gone, and the matching details won't matter, but the love will last. 

Thank you so much to our partner Daniel Wellington for sponsoring this post! All words and opinions are my own.

 Thank you to our readers for supporting the brands that make The Freckled Fox possible!

xoxoxo

page 1 of 365

     Alright so I literally have 9 different drafts open with posts/thoughts that I've been trying to put together, but this one won for right now:) I want to write a bit about our Christmas in the next blog, but for this one I really really have to start with another bit of gratitude for you guys. Over the last couple of years I've tried to say thank you in so many different ways, and each expression of thanks doesn't do justice to my feelings. No words can manage that. It's indescribable. But I'll keep trying. So Thank You!!!!

via

     Thank you, thank you so so much for all the love since my last post. Holy moly. I just shook my head in disbelief in the days after, and every day since as more and more of you shared tender thoughts and bits of motivation and encouragement in the comments as well on my Instagram and facebook pages. And the emails and private messages too that have been coming in more and more, just full of incredibly inspiring stories and messages of hope and healing, understanding and faith. I just love you guys so much, and feel such a kinship! We're all on the same journey, we all want the same things, we all have our own demons. We're not alone. Not ever. I want you to know that even though I have more people than myself on my team lately, I still read every single sweet comment here on the blog and on my social media platforms, even though I may not be able to respond individually to each one. They each mean so much to me, and often touch my heart and soul in surprising ways.

     The day that I need to shut off the comments (as some have suggested) is the day I end this blog, because the connection with you guys through our interactions is the driving force behind The Freckled Fox, and always has been. Being able to see a face and to read even a few words from you guys really helps in bringing you to life. And that especially goes for those of you who have seen me in person! Those great hugs and few moments(or sometimes half hours:)) of visiting are so so special to me.

     All that being said, you beauties and your big hearts have given me the confidence/kick in the butt I needed to push the go button on some really exciting things for 2017, and I can't wait to progress forward next year. Opportunities that I never imagined I or my family would have to learn and help and grow and meet and create and explore are opening up, and I just close my eyes and smile with the deep warmth I feel in my heart. I love the idea of January 1st being the blank first page in our new story, all of us, and here we sit, pen in hand (or paint brush or whatever you want *wink*) with 365 more pages to fill.

     Some of those pages might be incredibly beautiful, maybe with the cries of a newborn baby or simply the breathtaking view from somewhere high in the clouds. Some of those pages might be terribly dark and lonely, full of heartbreak and fear, hunger and suffering. Some of those pages will be written for us, but most of them will be filled by us personally. No matter what I do most of my pages will inevitably be filled with stories of dirty diapers, teetering stacks of dishes, missing shoes, tickle piles, and saying "Eat your dinner." over and over. haha But the rest of the space is for me to fill, and I'm going to try and make the story as beautiful and simple and messy as I can.

What do you hope your 2017 will look like?
xoxo,

a new years eve note

Wow I almost can't believe that the new year is tomorrow! wow. 2011 flew by fast, but I can honestly say that I have no regrets about the year passing on and that I am ready for this new one to start.

I have many resolutions goals for the new year, many of them are weekly or even monthly, but here are a few all around goals I've set for myself for 2012:

1. advertise on my favorite blogs

2. read & comment more (on blogs)

3. keep my shop stocked up

4. read more books to the girls

5. do something new with this hair for once.  

6. try my hand at cake decorating

7. take more pictures

8. go on a date a week (at least) with the Mr.

9. nurture physical and online friendships

10. try out lots of new recipes

...there are plenty more of course. I have this horrible habit of making far too many 'new years resolutions' being things that i want to do, mess with, or change in the coming year. They're never really things that i have to work very hard at doing though, and so that makes my part easy and fun!!

I hope you have set goals for yourself this new year that are actually attainable, so you don't get discouraged and frustrated before you even start, like so many others. something I always need to remind myself of.

enjoy your new years eve parties everyone!!!

and be safe:)

xo, Emmy

p.s. I've been planning on a 2011 recap post, but that might just pop up once the new year is already here. lame I know:) Be back soon!

Autumn Goals:

The 1st of September always feels like a fresh start to me. The air is so brisk and clean smelling in the mornings, the colors are changing around us turning into the most beautiful natural colors ever created, and we can say farewell to another blissful and very VERY busy Summer. This morning driving home from my early workout, I watched as the children walked to school or to the bus stop with their shiny new shoes and stuffed back packs, and I realized, fall is really here! yes its still 85 degrees some days, but it’s here!

I’m so looking forward to going through all the seasonal experiences that come with fall and winter with Ellie again and with Sophia the first time. All the baking and smelling of sweet treats, the music, the togetherness, the decorations, the world outside… Moat all of the best and sweetest memories from my childhood and all growing up on to my courtship happened when the air was chilly and the world was quiet. Hopefully my excitement will rub off on the girlies:) And so, with a fresh new season, comes fresh new goals!

Here are a few of mine:

• Take more time to sew.
• Continue our family strolls, and make a goal for at least 3 times/week.
• Read more.
• Finish up my Christmas shopping early.
• Take a ton of pictures.
• Finally compleat those photo albums i’ve been promising Martin.
• Enjoy at least a date a week with my love.
• Finish work on the pantry.
• Take the girls to the playground more before it’s blanketed with snow.
• Creat more.
• Make the nursery and parlor curtains. oh and the ones for the kitchen, and the dining room, and the kids rooms, and… oh just the whole house basically.
• Finish all the ‘in progress’ projects hanging around my sewing room.
• Limit frivolous spending.
• Learn to knit.
• ‘Fix’ my drabby overworked and under-cared-for fingernails.
• Lots and Lots more canning.
• Do more yoga.
• Keep up with my cleaning schedule and don’t let myself get overwhelmed.
• Continue my exercise routine.
• Make pie.
• Continue to turn our new house into a lovely home.

What are some of your plans for the fall?