Sweet Spot

I have been really trying to stop and take in the tiny moments and give praises where praises are due. My personality is rather positive and happy. However, I sometimes forget this and find myself going down a spiral of “when will this change?” Then last week Cart Cain walked up to me as I was sitting in my recliner with a cup of steamy coffee near the glow of my dream Christmas tree that is topped with a tree topper of a bow that was sent straight from Heaven…. and he said, “Mommy, I’m hungry. Can I have some pepperoni?” Ummmmmmm THIS is the sweet spot, I told myself. I am in the sweet spot of parenting.

Calla went to her bedroom to work on a school project on her own and study her vocabulary words…. and I thought…. oh THIS is the sweet spot. Coach cleaned the kitchen while I gave Cart a bath and got Calla’s clothes and lunch ready for the next day. Oh. THIS is the sweet spot. I sat in my chair and had our Weim pup in my lap, and our old Weim at my feet…. OH THIS is the sweet spot. I paid our mortgage, filled our cars with gas, and meal planned for next week. OH THIS is the sweet spot. We have our tiny home that is filled with more love and laughter than I could have ever imagined.It’s the sweet spot. As for my job, I walked into my classroom and knew what I was going to teach, laughed with my 5th graders, taught small groups, and grammar lessons, and went over informational writing… oh THIS IS THE SWEET SPOT! I had Friday night dinner with my favorite ladies, and we laughed until we cried… OH THIS IS THE SWEET SPOT! Coach Cain LOVES his 8-3. and Coaching life is thriving. (This means we are not on the carousel!) HELLO SWEET SPOT. Church. I have found a church home that I can’t wait to enter every week, and I love finding more ways to be a part of the building. My very own sweet spot.

It was all of these simple daily moments that made me realize THIS IS MY SWEET SPOT of life. BUT with this being as real life as I can be…. even in the sweetest of spots…. we have faced some hard spots recently. Our family was hit with situations that are awful. When we bring them up to each other sadness and anger fills the room. I have relationships in my life that need work and honestly are just not good. Hard spots. They seem to make appearances even in the sweetest spots.

So when you find yourself in a hard spot, also look for all of the tiny sweet spots.

What Would You Talk About

You know that post that says, “You have thirty minutes to talk about something you are passionate about without any prep time. What would you talk about?”

Easy.

1. Putting Jesus first and your husband second and then your children is a MUST. With this being said; Never take advice from someone you wouldn’t swap places with. You’ll never ever change my mind on this.

2. Being a Coach’s wife (just one Coach, friends. NOT COACHES.) is the best. You’ll never ever change my mind on this.

3. Public schools are the BEST schools in the world. If you do not like them, join them. Make the changes you want to see so you do like them. You’ll never ever change my mind on this.

4. Children are the best coworkers. Adults…… ehhhhhh. You’ll probably never change my mind on this. If you do, my time in the profession is ending.

5. Reading to your children is a MUST. Church attendance is a MUST. Parenting and not friending your children is a MUST. Whew. Don’t hate me. You’ll never change my mind in this.

6. Cooking for your family is possible, even in the busiest seasons of life. You may change my mind on this one day. But not today.

7. Adopting dogs is just better than shopping for dogs. We recently added to our family. Another Weimaraner. She is the sweetest, cuddle cozy pup. She is straight out of a rescue where she was saved from a dumpster with her sibling pups. We have two Weims now and they are both from a rescue. They are just different. So thankful. You’ll never change my mind on this. Even if you are searching for a particular breed of pup, I encourage you to search the web. We have two full Weims and we saved them both from rotten situations. Do your part: Adopt don’t Shop.

Welcome to the Cain Crew, Nat.

Love,

Coach, Carley, Calla, Cart, Wynn, and Nat.

(The really cool thing that I take pride in about myself is if you don’t agree with any of my POV, it is OK. I totally still love you. In fact, I want you to try to change my mind because I LOVE hearing someone else’s perspective. I love seeing someone else’s views and hearing their why.)

12 Days of Christmas

I told Coach that this could be the most magical Christmas for our family because Cart is almost three and Calla still believes at 8. He reminded me that this is exactly what I said last year. The truth is, I am holding on to the magic for as long as I can. He supports me in my slight over the top behaviors, because in all honesty… Christmas is his favorite. Some things I am set on: Santa visits the Sunday after Thanksgiving to review our lists and check on things at home. Our friends and family join us and it is my most stressful favorite Christmas tradition. We have started going on a family trip after Christmas to make the best memories. We ride around on the weekends looking at lights and drinking hot chocolate. I have a favorite things party with my closest friends. We have a calendar that we open each night that tells a child version of the birth of Jesus. Santa brings 3 things, (strict about that) and this year I am adding the 12 Days of Christmas with books. I did it for 2 years with Calla then I stopped. Now Cart is excited about reading books together, so it is the perfect time to bring this back.

With all of the deals going on, I am using Amazon this year to quickly grab some inexpensive reads for Christmas. We will start on December 13th and end on the 24th. I will link all of the books we have arriving this week. I am linking them now because with so many sales going on, most of them are 50-60% off. The sale will end this weekend, so you may want to grab them quickly to ensure the lowest cost. My goal is to keep this tradition below $75. When they are all in my cart I am right at $75.50. When I clicked to have them delivered in one day for less packages, I saved $5. (I also think this would be a fun classroom idea! How cute would it be to have your class open a book each day?!)

As always, thank you for the support when you shop the links. It keeps this corner of the field going.

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What I Would Buy For…

Amazon has started their Black Friday deals early and I am sure they will add and update all week. I have lots of messages asking for one post for all of the things. My goal is to be done shopping this week. I know that is extremely high hopes… but if I am being honest, my goal this year is to enjoy the season with my family and not stress. I use Amazon for many things because returns are SO easy. I am also shopping small this year as I always do, but this post is just for Amazon. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE asking for passes to the zoo, aquarium, or a trip. I will ALWAYS say, “money for our next trip” if anyone asks. All that to say, we still buy a few gifts for our children and gifts for family. So here is what I would buy for……….

Little Boy:

I like games, hands on toys, building things, and crafts for Cart. Anything that will build fine motor skills and promote speech development. You can never go wrong with books. Santa brings 3 things. Mama and Daddy give a few gifts, and grandparents ask me what they want… So here are some things Cart is getting or has. As always…. REAL LIFE.

THIS is on the way for Cart. Very inexpensive. Reviews are great. He asked for a train, so this is perfect.

THIS anything that comes with a case…. I love. We are always at a field, gym, practice for Calla, so this is perfection.

THIS is currently sitting next to me. Cart plays with it a ton. Very inexpensive. I put it in his stocking last year.

THIS is something we got Cart at the last Prime Day.

THIS because we are LOVING dress up, and we only have big sister’s old things. HA. I am actually using this as a stocking stuffer.

THIS because we love anything building.

THIS is Cart’s “big” gift. I am o excited. I might save it for his birthday. Don’t worry…. it is the week after Christmas. SO FUN.

THIS. Always this. We got a set last year. I plan to add to the set with more pieces this year. Both of my children play with these for HOURS. It is how I get dinner cooked most nights.

THIS if you have to be in the car AT ALL.

THIS is the BEST for all of the things. Dr office, games, practice for older sibling, in the car…. great gift.

THISis very REAL LIFE. If I am cooking something I know Cart won’t LOVE for dinner…. I serve it in this lunchbox and he is a little more excited. I don’t know. Parent life is strange. Plus it is good for dinner at the field or lunch in the car.

THIS doesn’t bother me. Sitting at the table while I cook dinner is always fun. Plus, he plays with Calla while he uses it.

A little girl.

Calla is 8….. going on 38. Here are some things we LOVE…. .or that I would buy her. Again, real life.

THIS goes on sale and I grab a few to keep on hand for birthday parties. Calla will get this out and make things for hours. Raise your hand if Calla has made something for you…..

THIS has been lots of fun for many years. She still plays with it.

THIS is why my table looks the way it does. However slime is ALWAYS on her list.

THIS is the BEST! Crafty Calla’s Creations was born from this.

THIS was her FAVORITE birthday gift.

THIS has been years of fun. Then we have asked grandparents to add to it with more games and activities each birthday.

THIS has been Calla’s favorite pair of dress shoes. She loves changing the straps. Great quality.

Mothers.

THIS is always so good. I LOVE anything from this brand.

THIS is great for CCTM.

THIS for any woman in your life. I love gifts like this. I purchase one for our grandmother each year.

THIS is great for anyone that is CCTM vibes.

THIS for someone who loves coffee. I am grabbing a few for gifts for friends…. and possibly my favorite things party!

THIS is my most used item each week. LOVE it. Every mom needs one. I also gave it last year at my favorite things party.

THIS stays on. my stove all year. I LOVE this pot. I have the 6 qt. My parents gave it to me years ago. LOVE it.

THIS is called my recess jacket. I LOVE IT.

Husbands.

My husband is impossible to buy for… but yet really simple. He wants UGA tickets to whatever game is happening and a new quarter zip. Here are some things I have gifted him recently that he uses and loves.

THIS is just nice to have in the mornings.

THIS is perfect for freezing cold sporting events.

THIS because he never wears the real one.

THIS is Coach’s favorite pair of joggers. We tried many. I put these in his stocking last year and they are winners. We bought 3 more pair.

THIS is on the way for Coach because he needs one.

THIS is always a good idea.

THIS is something a friend was telling me about…. I may grab a pair for Coach to try.

THIS is a must for the busy dads. Especially the bus driving/ always gone dads.

Favorite Things

Every Christmas my girlfriends get together for a girl’s night before the true hustle of the Christmas season arrives. It is a glorious night of laughter, snacks, and sharing our “favorite things” of the season. Each gal thinks of their favorite thing from that year ($10 item) and brings three of that item individually wrapped. Then we all pull numbers and those are the items we take home. It really is the BEST time and I have had the honor to host five of them. It’s GREAT finding what your friends loved throughout the year and why they loved that item. Then you get to try a few different items! It is truly the BEST night. I look forward to it each year. Plus, you can grab a few for family gifts for Christmas.

I wanted to share a few of my favorite items I have given in the past. They are perfect for a gift swap/ white elephant/ or stuffing that stocking. Plus, you have time to try some of my favorite inexpensive items yourself! I do earn commission for my links, but I PROMISE to continue the Real Life way and only share my honest review on items I use and LOVE.

Let’s get started.

THIS TEA Dessert tea has my whole heart. Sadly, everyone knows it and it is sold out at my local Publix each week so I have to buy it on Amazon. I buy the big box and share with friends. It is the BEST cup of tea that you can have in your recliner while you watch TV before bed. Ask me how I know.

THIS TOOL is a MUST. While I am linking it I also notice it is 52% off. So I am actually grabbing one for a friend. I gave this one year with my favorite seasoning. Every person that cooks needs this. Plus, it is a cute stocking stuffer for your mom or mother-in-law.

EVERY WIFE needs this. It is a small, short little book of prayers to pray for your husband. I THOUGHT I loved Coach, and then I started really praying for him a few years ago, and I swear I love him more each day. And on the days I don’t, this book makes it better. Ha.

AHHHHHHH.... The best pens EVER. The price is just great. They truly are so good! I grab them for teacher gifts as well! LOVE THEM.

GEMS are popular with my friends. So everyone loves my favorite over the door gem holder. This is the BEST for anyone that loves Two Hidden Gems.

MY HOUSE HAS TO HAVE THIS Everyone checks what’s for dinner each day. Everyone writes what they need from the grocery store on this list. This little pad works great for us. I love giving it as a gift.

I AM LOVING THIS It brings me great joy to use this after the gym in the morning while I pour my coffee and sit in my recliner. For less than $5 it makes a cute gift to have to give someone you know loves skincare.

THIS. I am the last one to own one I am sure. But for $6 it is another great gift to have on hand! Plus, a great stocking stuffer for that hard to by for but you know they drink coffee person.

MUST HAVE for all of the cute teacher shoes. This is my favorite brand. I have purchased this pack 6 times.

I have already started planning this year’s event because it is my favorite night of the year. I HIGHLY encourage you planning a girl’s night to swap your favorite things of the year.

I Don’t Have Time

How often do I find myself saying that? Last week I didn’t go to the gym one time. It was fall break, I was spending time with my family, cleaning around the house, resting, reading, and dinners with Coach. I told myself, “I don’t have the time to go this week.” Such a lie. I didn’t make the time.

I currently have two rather large tasks that need attention sitting on my to do list in my classroom. I keep telling myself, “I don’t have time to get that done.” Such a lie. I didn’t make the time.

When we find ourselves hitting fast food multiple times a week I think to myself, “It’s fine. I just don’t have the time to cook this week.” Such a lie. I didn’t make the time.

When I don’t call to check in on family and friends I think to myself, “They know I am busy. I just don’t have time.” Such a lie. I didn’t make the time.

Our house tends to be filled with chaos if we don’t clean up each day and clutter fills the rooms. When we reach the point of frustration I look at Coach and say, “We haven’t had time to pick up and put things away.” Such a lie. We didn’t make the time.

When I find myself drowning in the frustrations of life and I remember I haven’t spent time with Jesus in prayer I find myself saying, “God knows my heart. I just didn’t have time.” Such a lie. I didn’t make the time.

I am trying to shift my mindset and when I find myself saying, “I didn’t have time….” I should probably change that to “I didn’t make the time.” It hits differently.

All that to say, we all have the same 24 hours in a day. What are we making time for?