Hi guys! We went MIA for a little bit, because…..flood.

We will write a whole post about it, but until then, just know that it was fairly devastating and we had so much more going on than just GALLONS AND GALLONS of water, so we took a little social media break.

Also, we were sick for, like, ever.

BUT NOW we are healthy, happy and moving on! We had a wonderful holiday despite the constant throw-ups and really enjoyed our children being little and at home. Of course, our 12 an 11-year-olds think they are 21, but I hear that is pretty normal. Kit turned 2 over the break and we celebrated in January (her real birthday is right before Christmas) because I pretty much refuse to make her suffer through “this-is-for-your-birthday-and-Christmas” phenomenon.

(I promise she really is happy, she’s just always very concerned about figuring out how everything works and why. #loveher)

This photo also shows one of the very rare occasions my hair is not down and ratty or down and curled. I get so excited to grow out my hair and “do stuff” with it, but I never do and then I cut it and the cycle starts all over again. This was an honest effort-Parker (our oldest) said to Andy, “where’s she going? She looks fancy.” Sadly, yes, when I even have a little braid it’s such a huge difference that my kids notice ;)

I just love watching our kids grow and become their own humans. Our boys are so sweet and patient with Kit and she is absolutely an independent little woman who is going to be a lady-boss when she grows up (or a jefa as I’m lovingly called on job sites.) I genuinely thought she would become a tomboy, but it turns out she’s just a really girly girl with lots of doting brothers. She loves being outside and she hates taking naps.

Also, since you are reading this and you are my best friends, I have to tell you that we got a dog. THE CUTEST, least maintenance, most loving dog of all time. We then quickly realized that we can barely take care of ourselves (7 kids is a lot, please don’t judge me for what I’m about to say…) and now Jack belongs to my sister Erica who begged to have him from day one. It’s really the perfect situation for us, we see him all the time and they don’t leave for travel as often as we do so Jack is the happiest dog alive. I hear he sleeps in their bed, and I definitely didn’t let him do that…..soooooo.

He has two best friends: Clarke who is 2 and Piper who is a baby, and their #dogpeople parents! Love you, Roonie.

ANYWAY, we are really pumped for this week. We mentioned on Instagram that we have a lot of huge announcements and today we started a giveaway for our very first book copy! (Head on over to enter.) Plus $250 to Cost Plus World Market, where we shop a lot.

We were just so giddy and emotional about receiving those first couple of copies and we know that we would never be here if it weren’t for you guys! We can’t wait to see who wins!! Andy said he would seal it with a kiss (or SWAK if you graduated circa 2000.)

Thanks again for being our friends and for reading! Tomorrow we are announcing the beginning of a room makeover in our house and can’t wait to share!

Love you!

Candis