marriage

Cheers to SIX Years ! // and a COFFEE Prize Pack Giveaway

April 20, 2018 by Rachel 25 Comments

Six years. Six years ago, tomorrow, Chad and I eloped on an empty beach in Portland, Maine.

It truly feels like a lifetime ago. We were about 13 weeks pregnant with Ari at the time. We had been dating for what seemed like forever, so we decided why the heck not go get married and make it official!

When I say we ‘eloped’ I mean that we were the only people present, besides the justice of the peace, our photographer, and her assistant (whom also acted as our two witnesses for the event).

Our parents knew we were getting married; but no one else did.

It was perfect. And I love looking back on the photos from the day…

And here we are — six years and three pregnancies (and almost three babies) later — still in love, even though our lives look much different than before.

To my husband — you are still the love of my life — even if our lives look tremendously different than we imagined, and even if we get lost in the hustle and bustle of parenting and work. I love you.

I’m certain our anniversary will look even more ‘boring’ this year — as I’m working a fundraiser and Chad will be working — but it will be special, nonetheless. ♥

And to help us celebrate our anniversary, I’m hosting a giveaway for a Dunkin Donuts Summer Prize Pack. It includes everything you need to celebrate this Summer!

2 Dunkin’ beach towels
2 Dunkin’ drink containers
1 donut pool float
1 donut drink float

Use the rafflecopter widget below!

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Photographer: Justine Johnson
Resort: Inn By the Sea
Jar Cakes: Etsy
Location: Portland Head Light, Crescent Beach, Lobster Shack at Two Lights

Let It Serve A Purpose or Let It Go // and a giveaway

April 12, 2017 by Rachel 41 Comments

Something amazing happened yesterday. I didn’t expect it. It wasn’t major. But it changed me.

Without getting into the nitty gritty details, almost 9 years ago, just as my husband and I started dating, a few incidents occurred with another person. This person was, by all accounts, a stranger to me. But was a friend of my husbands (boyfriend at the time). Again, I realize I’m being vague, but I’m doing so on purpose. But know this — it didn’t involve any form of cheating (after reading the first few lines, I realize that this could easily be incorrectly assumed); it was just a psychological incident to which I was an innocent bystander. And for many years, it caused me a good deal of anxiety.

I constantly wondered if we would run into this person. If so, was I equipped to emotionally handle it? Randomly I would have nightmares about her and the situation.

But, over the years I thought about it less and less. Time heals all wounds, right? Well, that’s what I thought. Until recently when this person randomly walked into a gymnastics class I’m teaching with her son. I was.. caught off guard. I texted my husband and he said, “She probably doesn’t even know who you are. Relax.”

The weeks went by and every single class I thought about how this person and I have so much in common — and this common experience — but technically we do not know each other. And it haunted me a little just to know that this whole situation was within arms reach. Literally.

And yesterday, after about 10 weeks of interacting with her and talking with her and getting to know her and her son (and feeling like a total phony for staying at arms reach), I finally spoke up.

I said, “Okay. So. There’s no way for me to say this without me sounding like a crazy person.”

Immediately she smiled as if she knew exactly what I was going to say. So I said it. Well, I said it kinda wrong, but I said it.

And she literally breathed a sigh of relief. She said “I know who you are. I just didn’t know if you knew who I was. And I’ve owed you an apology for many years. I wasn’t in a good place and I’m very sorry.”

And we hugged. And I told her that Chad always said we would get along swimmingly, and that over the last 10 weeks, I knew he was right. But that the air needed to be cleared.

But then she said something that really surprised me… she thanked me. She thanked me for clearing the air and being braver than she was by bringing up the elephant in the room.

And THAT — that was what really got me. Both of us had been tiptoeing around an uncomfortable situation. We both had agonized for years over something that haunted us, but it took this single act of bravery and humility (on both of our parts) for us really to be at peace with the situation.

I immediately felt a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders — one that I didn’t even realize I was still carrying around with me after all these years.

What if I had never spoken up? What if I had never gone far beyond my comfort zone and approached her about the elephant in the room? And I started thinking about every other thing I’m emotionally holding onto and how much it’s holding me back from truly enjoying life.

So I’m making it my mission for the remainder of 2017 — to let go of things that do not serve a purpose and to accept more of what does. Bring on all the positive, bye to all the negative!

While there’s nothing like a random Tuesday morning slap-in-the-face from the universe, there’s also absolutely nothing like a giveaway, am I right!?

Remember those Freshly Picked moccasins that Remy absolutely loves!? Well, I’m hosting a giveaway for a pair! Use the rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
You and your little one will absolutely love them! So soft and beyond adorable. And this is just one way that I can keep passing on the good vibes I’m riding high on from yesterday! xo

*Disclosure: I received one pair of Freshly Picked moccasins in exchange for a giveaway. As always, all opinions are my own.*

Friday Introduction //

March 17, 2017 by Rachel 18 Comments

I recently realized that I’ve been blogging for close to 10 years. That’s a long time, friends. Like, a ridiculously long time. So it’s likely that most of you have no idea who I am or what exactly brought me to where I am now.

I never wanted to be a mom. It’s true. My ‘grand plan’ for life did not include having children. Being a mom was simply something I did not want (and I’m not afraid to speak honestly about it). It seems bizarre now, but Chad and I had talked about kids and both had decided they weren’t for us. We were grown adults, living our lives, and, totally content. But life had other plans. One Vegas trip and one Birth Control Pill statistic later, and I’m a walking cliché. Because I seriously feel like being a mom is the job I was meant to have. It’s most definitely the path I’m supposed to be on. So freaking weird, dude.

I’m a (kind of) SAHM to Ari (age 4) and Remy Bea (age 13 months). Meaning, I take my kiddos with me to my part-time job. I’m a gymnastics coach and also work in childcare, and my kids are with me at my job and at home, so 24/7. Which is… interesting, to say the least.

I’m a sucker for comfort foods. One of my favorite foods of all time is biscuits and gravy. Of course, my husband thinks it’s disgusting. But I grew up in a house with a Southern father. Okra, grits, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and biscuits and gravy? Those are my jam. But I honestly don’t remember the last time I actually had any of these foods. Turns out they’re hard to come by in Ohio.

We travelled a lot before becoming parents. Which is amazing. We went on a cruise, road trips up the Eastern Seaboard, and a notorious trip to Vegas (where, it turns out, not everything that happens there stays there).

My husband, Chad, and I eloped in Portland, Maine when I was 13 weeks pregnant with our son, Ari. I had a wedding dress, we hired a photographer, and we stayed in the only 5 star hotel in Maine. After our vows we dined at the Lobster Shack at Two Lights — so that’s the kind of couple that we are. Laid back. The real deal. No fancy shmancy nada around these parts.

I have Emetophobia, which is a phobia of vomit. No, I’m not just grossed out by it; I have a legitimate phobia of it.

I received my BA in Sociology and Anthropology from Syracuse University. I had every intention of going to graduate school for Biological Anthropology (think Jane Goodall), but was offered three different full-time positions at my job during the housing market crash. Soooo life won.

I’m obsessed with NPR and the old music in my iTunes. I’m a lame old lady and it’s all I listen to. But I still think it’s pretty rad.

My birthday is on October 5th, which just so happens to be the most common date of birth in the United States. Basically, I know what my parents were doing on New Years Eve, 1983.

I’m obsessed with cilantro. Load that crap on everything, ya’ll.

I despise Summer. Give me Spring and Fall all year long and I’m happy. But keep that crazy heat away from me. #ByeFelicia

I’ve been practicing yoga for the last 10 years, but fell out of practice when I was pregnant with Remy Bea. (Hyperemesis doesn’t make a person want to get out of bed, let alone exercise). But yoga and running really are my passion.

I can’t cook and don’t cook. A couple of times a week I buy a rotisserie chicken and make rice in the Instant Pot and call it dinner. Taaaaa daaaaaaa!

But I can bake, dude. Like, I’m the daughter of a baker and can make cookies, cake, and other desserts from scratch like no big thang. Just don’t ask me to cook. Please.

I despise when people say “No offense” and “Obviously”. Because people say “no offense” and think that it gives them free-reign to be turds. And nothing in this world is “obvious.” So STAHP.

Labor, delivery, and birth are my passion. Albeit, a passion I never knew I would ever have in a million bazillion years. But I love labor, delivery, and birth so much that I have a goal of someday becoming a birth doula and Bradley Method instructor.

I’m not afraid to do things alone. Movies, dinners, and random events? Sign me up. I can fly solo anywhere. It’s a skill that I’ve realized makes people really uncomfortable, either because they can’t imagine going to dinner alone or because they wonder why you’d want to.

I hate salt unless it’s on potatoes or corn. Seriously those are the only two things I put salt on. It drives my husband bonkers.

I realize this list is totally random, but that’s my life — totally, completely, and utterly random, like 99% of the time. Thanks for following along on our journey! Now tell me something completely random about you!

Red & White on Thursday Night // Recap

February 2, 2017 by Rachel 14 Comments

Last week Chad and I legit skipped our way out the front door to attend the 20th anniversary of Red and White on Thursday Night — a food and wine event to benefit The Arthritis Foundation.

I’ve said before that this event is truly our favorite event of the whole year. It’s something we continuously look forward to, year after year. In prior years, Chad and I have entered together, but split up and gone in different directions.

This year was so different. It was clear — more than ever — that we truly needed this night to reconnect with each other, at one of our most favorite places. So we made it a point to stick together nearly the entire time!

We headed straight to the VIP Lounge when we arrived, which was more glorious than ever! Dante Boccuzzi and his team were serving up the most delicious sweet potato and shrimp skewers!

I’m honestly not even a big fan of shrimp, generally speaking. But these were beyond amazing, ya’ll. Chef Dante is just amazing.

After eating several of the shrimp and sweet potato skewers, we refilled our wine glasses with red wine and headed over to the VIP dessert table, which featured this incredible creme brûlée from West Side Bakery.

Here’s my moment of truth: It had dairy. AND I ATE IT! Honestly? It was absolutely worth the cheat. Truthfully, one of the only reasons I ‘cheated’ with dairy at this event was because it’s hard to tell if something has a bit of dairy in it or not. That being said, I totally passed up cheese and pizza and other just plain ol’ cheesy things. (Le sigh…)

The rest of the event was spent meandering around, trying new-to-us wines and sampling foods from some of our favorite local restaurants!

Some of my personal faves from the night were the tacos and guacamole from BOMBA Tacos & Rum, the bacon-wrapped-dates from The Twisted Olive, and the goat-cheese and berry donut from Hudson’s Restaurant!

And my all-time favorite wines from the night came courtesy of Filia Cellars in Wadsworth, Ohio! This local winery stood out amongst it’s competition!

All in all, it was another perfect event. We ate, we drank, and we reconnected in a way that we truly needed to do. Thank you, again, to the Arthritis Foundation for inviting us to attend this event!

P.S. I Love JORD (and my husband) // GIVEAWAY

January 28, 2017 by Rachel 27 Comments

In keeping with my commitment to be as open and honest as possible here on my blog, I have to say that I had no idea how having children would change my relationship with my husband.

See, Chad and I had dated for four years before we decided to get hitched! So we certainly didn’t jump into anything. Naively I assumed that our relationship weathered enough in those four years to survive babies.

Guys. I am here to tell you. Having children. changes. EVERYTHING. Sure, they are wonderful little mini humans with unique and awesome personalities; but there is no storm like children. Not even close.

We haven’t had an easy road with either child. Honestly, as soon as we got the hang of Ari, we decided to have another. Remy Bea has been extra difficult from the very start. Especially over the last year — with two children, both difficult in their own ways, we’ve lost sight of what truly matters most — being present with each other.

Shortly after this Valentine’s Day, Chad and I will celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. It honestly baffles me that the last 5 years have flown by this quickly; but somehow we’ve weathered this storm together. And our time together, especially our time spent together without kids, is so incredibly precious.

As corny as it sounds, the most precious gift I can give my husband is the gift of time. And to celebrate our upcoming anniversary a tad bit early, I gave him the gift of a beautiful and unique wood watch from JORD! There’s no time like the present, am I right?!

This man. This men’s watch. This struggle. They don’t even begin to show my love, affection, and appreciation for our journey.

And, believe it or not, this cool watch isn’t just a way for him to monitor how many minutes are left in a timeout! Ha! This watch symbolizes the days, the months, and the years that we have put into each other and into our relationship.

This beautiful and unique wood watch comes in a variety of styles and designs. I chose a classic round-faced men’s watch — the Frankie — with Koa wood! It’s sized accurately for the most perfect fit on my husband’s wrist!

This Valentine’s Day, reconnect with your partner by giving them a beautiful wood timepiece! Thanks to the wonderful people at JORD, one lucky reader will win a $100 gift code to use over on the JORD site!

To enter, head HERE.

Bonus? Everyone who enters will receive a $25 gift code to use at JORD at the close of the contest! It’s a win-win!

Contest is open through 11:59 on 2/5/17. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted by JORD directly with gift code. I received product for my honest thoughts and review of JORD. As always, all opinions are my own!

Luxury Wooden Watch

Kentucky Round Up!

August 23, 2016 by Rachel 1 Comment

Hey! Did you know we went to Kentucky (or as Ari calls it ‘Tucky) three weeks ago!? Yep! We did! And honestly, the last two-plus weeks haven’t been hard. We’ve just been busy. And I’ve had a hard time concentrating on pretty much everything (helloooooo, three different to-do lists that need to be condensed!).

But Kentucky was our first real/kind of vacation as a family of four.

It took us EIGHT HOURS to make a 5.5 hour trip (#ThanksRemy). But we made it.

We had to stop about an hour from home because Remy had pooped and wanted to eat. Yayyyy infants. 🙁

She seriously screamed the entire drive… which was super fun and not at all anxiety-inducing… Sigh.

But we made it. And when we got there we settled in and ate (a very late for us) dinner! To be honest, the whole sleeping situation was even more rough. Not because it was uncomfortable; but because our children are sleep demons. Ari and Chad slept in a queen bed and I slept in a room with Remy. She, of course, hated sleeping in the pack and play. And woke up frequently.

Thursday morning my mom and Ari made pancakes for everyone — and it was totally cute. The pancakes were very heavy on the blueberries! Ha! 😛

After our delicious breakfast, Mimi and I went to get pedicures! I’ll admit – I’ve had very few (if any?) indulgences since Remy was born; but Mimi wanted to treat me and my little piggies to some pampering! A little girls time was just what the doctor ordered!

We ended up spending the rest of our day relaxing before grabbing some dinner at this incredible Ethiopian restaurant, Queen of Sheba.

Traditional Ethiopian food is served ‘family style,’ and without utensils! The spongey-bread is the only utensil you need! Surprisingly, the kiddos did awesome. Not surprisingly, we l-o-v-e-d our amazing meal. Seriously. We need to find an Ethiopian restaurant nearby in Ohio!

Other items of note during our trip — Ari got to play with Legos. Like, a lot. I mean, I know that’s business as usual for him. But we ended up finding this Lego resale shop that specializes in minifigures. It was totally cool. They even do birthday parties! If we were local we would totally be having his fourth birthday party there.

Oh! Chad and I got out for a date day without the kiddos! Okay, so it was really like three hours. But still! It was fabulous!

We went to a neighborhood in Louisville called NuLu — which is very Ohio City-esque (if we’re comparing Cleveland to L-ville!). They happened to be having a neighborhood block party.

We wandered around, in and out of little boutiques. Being in bourbon country almost made me want to drink bourbon. Almost. 😛

We ventured into a crazy antique store that was… trippy, to say the least. But there were fun-house mirrors! :O

How fun! Post-fun-house/little shop of horrors, we grabbed some (Nashville) Hot Chicken. Add grits, slaw, and potatoes to the mix? Hea-ven.

For reals. We LOVE this food. Love it.

Later that night we all — meaning me, Chad, Mimi, Poppy, Ari and Remy — all went to downtown Louisville to walk the bridge over to Indiana! It was HOT. And our kids were straight-up losing it. But the views were incredible (even if we did bribe Ari with ice cream — real talk, friends).

To be honest, the rest of our trip was spent just lounging around. It was really nice to visit. And I’m seriously surprised I was able to post this update before our next trip to ‘Tucky! :p :p