SHOP SMALL SATURDAY WITH US!

 

Did ya know we have an Etsy store?
Yep we sure do!

I try to keep the “BUY FROM US” type post to a very very small minimum but I do love sharing about our little family run business on Shop Small Saturday.

To celebrate Shop Small Saturday we’re offering 40% OFF your order with the code JOLLY as well as an additional coupon that will be emailed to you after your payment has cleared for 20% OFF your NEXT order (20% off coupon is good until 1.1.16) for all orders placed on Shop Small Saturday. Yipee that’s a pretty sweet deal!

If our Etsy store is all new to you and you’re wondering what the what I’m talking about I thought I would also take today to share a little about how we got started and why DROOLZIES rocks!

The one that started it all

How We Came To Be: When Weston was itty bitty he cut his 1st teeth right at 4 months. Yep an early teether and man oh mighty was he a major drool bucket. I was constantly wiping drool from his chin and saying “Oh buddy you have droolzies” was something I said at least 20 times a day and shirts were changed throughout the day almost as much. I would put him in the typical bibs which were ok but I just hated the way they looked and they didn’t do the job. The ones that worked-ish had a plastic lining which are not breathable and many would not absorb drool due to that same plastic material that kept it from leaking through onto his clothing. Enter a mama with a need…….

I wanted something cute yet functional. Something that helped keep his clothing dry but also had a breathable material. Something that he would be comfortable wearing.

I reached out to my mother-in-law who was a professional seamstress and DROOLZIES was born.

In the beginning they were just something my mother-in-law made for Weston to wear but after tons of interest from friends, family and even strangers on the street we decided to open a little shop on Instagram.

I was blown away with how much support and love our little Instagram page received. I had a hard time keeping up with sales and as we grew found it more challenging to streamline the ordering process via Instagram so 2 years ago we opened our Etsy shop!

And here we are!

My mother-in-law is the brains behind the sewing machine and y’all she rocks in the quality department! I run the design, order fulfillment, and social media side of the buisness. Every now and then my father-in-law steps in to help and Kent (my hubby) is my right hand IT man. We’re the definition of a small family run business. 

Why DROOLZIES Rocks:

Our bandana bibs are designed to grow with your baby and have 2 snap options. My boys started wearing their DROOLZIES when they were 2 months old and Weston wore his same DROOLZIES up until he was 1.5. I tried one on him just for fun the other day (he’s currently 2) and it still fits!

DROOLZIES has a flannel backing. This keeps the drool from soaking through onto your child's clothing BUT and this was a big one for me it’s still breathable…..not like that plastic lined bibs.

Quality that last! Weston always and I mean always had a DROOLZIES on during his teething years. He was such a drool bucket that I had to keep one on him or take 10 changes of clothing when me when we left the house. We washed and wore and washed and wore his DROOLZIES like crazy and those very same DROOLZIES are now being worn by my 2nd son.

We try our best to ship quickly! I know what it’s like to by something from an Esty vendor and wait weeks I’ve even waited months for an item to arrive. I don’t want to do that to you! If it’s in our store it’s made and ready to ship!

Many of our customers are return customers! I love seeing that little green star (noting that a customer is a repeat buyer) on an invoice! That means we’re holing up our end of the deal!

We keep our store stocked and add new prints often! We currently have 40 different prints in our store and sitting next to me as I type are 12 new prints waiting to be photographed and added to our shop!

Now let’s look at some of these cuties I’ve been chatting about:

Here Are Some of Our Holiday Prints:

And JUST A FEW of the other options we currently have In our store be sure to visit our shop so you can see our other prints!

We hope that you shop small today and we would be tickled if you choose to shop small with us!

Link to our store: DROOLZIES on Etsy
Shop Small Saturday Sale: 40% OFF your order with the code JOLLY an additional 20% OFF coupon that you may use on your next order (20% off coupon is good until 1.1.16) will be emailed once payment has cleared for all order that are placed on Shop Small Saturday!

Please share with your friends and family and help us spread the word! 

Potty Training Diaries: I Ate my lunch on the bathroom floor

It’s the day before Thanksgiving
Everyone is busy preparing for the big meal…..
getting ready for company……
grocery shopping…..

No us!

For the last few years we’ve taken my in-laws out to eat on Thanksgiving day.
No dirty dishes to clean.
No long grocery lines to wait in.
No traveling.

We actually really enjoy this unintentional tradition.

So knowing that most are busy preparing for Thanksgiving with no time to read my little ol’ blog I decided that I wouldn’t put a post up for our weekly Wednesday post.

Buuuuuut here I am.

In the wee hours of the morning alone with my coffee cup sitting in front of my computer with really not a lot to say which is usually when things get all rambly and weird.

That can kind of be fun sometimes though, no?

So for those who happen to be here reading……

here’s your mini dose of ramble.

For the Frozen lovers with a sense of humor.

Yesterday I ate my lunch on the bathroom floor while waiting for Weston to poop.

It was unsuccessful and I figured as much as he always has to go “poops” right at nap or bed time aka he’s trying to pull one over on his folks.

Are you done trying buddy?
“Nope I still trying. Can you sit witd me riiiiight here (pointing to the floor by the toilet)” said in the sweetest voice you’ve ever heard.

“But mama’s hungry. I’m going to eat some lunch while you keep trying. I’ll be right here (pointing to the kitchen)”
It was 2:30 and all I had eaten for the day was a protein bar.

“Can you eat your lunch in here witd me?” Again pointing to a tiny space on the floor next to the toilet.

Come on how can you say no to that?

So he wins.
A later nap time and a hungry mama singing songs about pop while she eats her lunch next to the potty hoping for poop to actually happen.

It definitely wasn’t a moment I‘m proud of. 

So if you too are eating lunch out on Thanksgiving and see a lady sitting on the floor in the bathroom with a plate in her lap signing songs about poop and pee feel free to pop your head under the door and say hi.

I’d love the company and I’d love it even more if sang some potty songs with us.

Cabin Tour–Broken Bow, Oklahoma

If you missed this week’s Wednesday post be sure to click HERE and check it out. Otherwise you might be wondering why I’m sharing a cabin tour with you.

Oooooorrrrrr maybe you’re a long time follower and know just how near and dear cabins are to my heart so you may not be the slightest surprised to see me posting a cabin tour.

Shoot either way if you missed Wednesday’s post go check it out NOW…..then come back pretty please!

Cabin Tour Vlog:

Some of our Favorite Activities During the Trip:
Fishing
Hiking
Lunch at The Grateful Head.

Stopping for coffee at Adam and Eve’s coffee shop (try the horchata latte with and extra shot of espresso)

Scenic drives

Enjoying the fire pit at the cabin

Relaxing of course

Link to Cabin Info:

You can find more info about this cabin such as available dates and rates by clicking HERE

All the photos in today’s post were shared during our trip via our Instagram account.
If you would like to see more of our phone snaps from this trip you can find us on Instagram under Kendra_Huie

 

Pervious Post You May Have Missed:

Photos from out time in Broken Bow, Oklahoma click HERE

Instagram: Kendra_Huie / Periscope: Kendra_Huie / Our You Tube Channel / Facebook

She’s A Beauty -Our Trip to Broken Bow Oklahoma

Hi friends!
I’m back for our weekly Wednesday post.
This week I’m taking you on a little mini trip to Broken Bow, Oklahoma

Long time readers know that we typically head to the Ozark mountains in the fall. The views are breath taking ( I 100% recommend a fall trip to the Ozarks if you can swing it)  BUT since we took at 14hr road trip to CO a few months back (plan on blogging about that soon) and Carson wasn’t loving his time in the car we thought we would scale back this year.

Kent suggested Broken Bow and couple weeks later we were cabin side in amongst the trees. 

My most favorite place to be!

Broken Bow is a 3 hr drive from Dallas.

Honestly I wasn’t expecting much in the view department since it’s so close to home but y’all I was shocked at how stunning it was.

The trees…..
The lakes……
The streams that run along beautiful hiking trails.
Even the guys fly fishing were a sight. Anyone else think fly fishing it pretty? Maybe I’m the only weirdo.

Ugh it’s stunning and since it’s only 3 hours from us I’m thinking of reasons to go back……asap!
A girls weekend?
Mama needs a break weekend?
Umm a weekend of hiking?
Whatever the case I would be tickled to go back!

It was a great trip short but lovely.
We sat around a warm fire and looked up at the stars.
We fished.
We hiked,
Weston fell in love with the playground on the cabin’s property.
I drank yummy coffee from a quaint coffee shop (hello horchata latte).

We took a few scenic drives while the boys napped in their cars seats.
Kent and I even went on a little fishing/coffee date.

It was good for the soul these trips usually are.

I tried to lug my camera around as much as possible.
You know my whole 2015 resolution to “Put the Phone Down and Pick That Camera Up”
Yep still working on it!  
And as usual I’m so happy I did.

Here are a few photos from one of our hikes and fishing adventure.
Weston’s very 1st time to fish.
He's been asking to go fishing daily since.

This one of Kent and Carson……melt! I told y’all I’m a sucker for photo of my hubby loving on our babies.

Weston is my little adventure seeker which fills my heart with crazy joy.
I hope we’re hiking trails together for many many more years. When we it was time to go home I asked him if he was ready to go back to TX “No mama I want to go to Colorado!” That’s my boy!

Oh my sweet sweet chubby Carsie Bear how I love baby wearing you!
I was thinking about getting a Tula baby carrier for him when I was pregnant. They’re supposed to be amazing but I couldn’t do it. I’m too attached to my Ergo. Again is that weird? Probably. But I can’t help but to think about all the trails and trips we did with Weston in this very same Ergo and now Carson is loving it. Sorry Tula I’m sure you’re just at amazing as everyone says you are but me and my Ergo have history so it’s here to stay! I have the same attachment to my K’Tan. #WearAllTheBabies

Oh my sweet kind Mother-in-Law! When we told her about our trip she asked if she could join us. I was honestly excited. I don’t take for granted how rare that is. I’m so very blessed to have such awesome in-laws!

During our hike she spotted what she called “The Perfect Walking Stick” look it even has a handle. She smoothed it down on some of the surrounding trees and brought it along for the rest of our hike. It even came back to TX with us!

Our trip to the lake.
Do you see what I’m saying? Beautiful right?

Ugh this picture of Weston with his fishing pole another one that melts me.
The fishing pole was a gift from my dad aka Papa. My dad’s most favorite thing to do is fish so I know he’s going to love this one.

He doesn’t read the blog so I can share a little secret with y’all……I’ll be including this shot in our family calendar this year. One of my dad’s most loved and requested Christmas gifts. 

Brady…..
Oh Brady…..
The best dog in the world.

I’ll be back (hopefully on Friday) with our cabin share and review.
I filmed a little cabin tour for you guys because I know just how much you love them and well I love you! 

PS…. I’ve learned to start using phrases like “hopefully” “I plan to” and “if everything goes according to planned” when making promises. With my littles I’ve got to take it day by day because y’all I never know what they’re going to throw at me . Like a couple nights ago when I had gotten up with Carson in the middle of the night and Weston who never wakes up started crying. I was running room to room trying to sooth them. Or this week when we had to wake them up at 3 am to take cover from a possible tornado that was headed directly towards our house. Like the weather man pretty much circled our home on the map and said “It’s headed here” scary! Anyway the boys and life in general keep me on my toes. 

PPS….My new blog design is about to start! I’ll soon be blogging from WordPress and using ProPhoto aka the photo quality will be a million times better than what you’ve been seeing here. Blog Spot sucks at preserving the integrity of your photos which drives me nuts. Seeing these images on my desktop verses what you see here is night and day! This photographer is excited! Not only for better photo quality but all the other lovely things that will be coming along with this new jump! 

I’ll see you guys back here on Friday…… “If all goes according to planned”

Previous Post Mentioned Within This Post:
-Gift Idea: Family Photo Calendar

-Put that Phone Down and Pick that Camera Up

WHEN YOU HAVE TO FIGHT FOR YOURSELF

I worked out this morning.
I know, I know……annnnnd so what?

Lots of people exercise every day.
People that are busier than me.
People that live harder lives than me.
People that face more challenges than me.

But we each have our own journey and with that comes our struggles and triumphs.

Today in my mind was a triumph!

We got back into town from a trip yesterday
(I’ll be blogging more on that later but take a peek at our IG until then to see what we were up to)
Our bags are still packed.
The house is a mess.
I got up with Carson at 3:30 am.
My alarm for the gym went off at 4:15 am.
I didn’t have my gym clothes ready.
I couldn’t find my tooth brush, deodorant,clean socks.
Everything is thrown into a duffle bag but I’m not sure which one.

I tried to talk myself out of going to the gym at least 4 times within 5 min.

”You just got back from a trip. It’s okay to take a day to recoup.”
”You’re tried from getting up with Carson go back to bed!”
“Just take the boys for a walk later.”
and the worst one……..
”You’re not even seeing results yet. Why are you pushing yourself so hard?”

These are actual thoughts that went through my head as I was trying to find socks, shoes, my tooth brush.

Each time one popped in my head I said the word “FIGHT!”

I know it sounds silly and you may be laughing at me right now but that’s ok.
Focusing on that one word alone each time I started to talk negative to myself got me to the gym.

FIGHT
FIGHT
FIGHT

I made it to my car and was all set to back out of our house.
I clicked our gate button to open the gate and nothing.
It didn’t open or budge.

Without that gate opening I can’t get my car out of our driveway.

“See just go back inside and get in bed. This is a sign that you shouldn’t go to the gym today.”

FIGHT

I got out of my car and figured out how to put the gate in manual mode so I could manually push it open.

FIGHT

I made it to the gym.
I increased my weight amount today and I continued to push myself throughout my entire workout.

At 6:30am I walked out of the gym sweaty and shaky but most importantly feeling good, reallll good! 

It’s never easy this whole weight loss thing.
It wasn’t when I did it the 1st ground around and it sure isn’t this time.

I know the fight that you need to put into this journey.
The fight that you need to see the results.
The fight that you need to be your own cheerleader.
The fight that you need to overcome the struggles.

It’s the fight that gets you to that place…..whatever it is as “That Place” is different for everyone.

So I’m sharing this with you today in hopes that wherever you are……
whatever walk you’re on……
whatever your goals are……

FIGHT

FIGHT for YOU because no matter how much others love us and support us it’s YOU that has to fight.
YOU that needs to overcome the negative talk and challenges.  
YOU that needs to push.
YOU that has the FIGHT that will help you succeeded.

 

THE HUIE BOYS DO HALLOWEEN

The night before Halloween we had a big family PJ party in our bed.
Weston and Kent noshed on popcorn while watching Tangled.
I sat next to them gluing rhinestones on Carsie Bear’s Elvis costume, and securing Weston’s tools to his tool belt.

Nothing fancy or extra special but stepping back and taking in that very mundane moment hit my mama heart hard.

I was right were I wanted to be.

It was the type of moment I dreamed of before becoming a mama.

Since having babies little random moments like this one creep up when I lest expect them and take my mama heart for a ride. I start thinking about how very blessed and grateful I am. How I’ve dreamed of being in this very same season that I’m in right now since I was a kid and here I am making Halloween costumes for the 2 little boys I was born to mother.

Yes it’s true even rhinestone and plastic toy tools can make a mama get sentimental and I’m proof my friends.

Seeing the boys in their Halloween costumes…..don’t even get me started!

Yes Halloween is all about fun and games BUT in my mind it’s a day that littles dress up and melt their parent’s hearts. Umm and I don’t only melt for my boys I melt when I see your kiddos in costume too. 

I mean seriously it’s just precious beyond words. Am I right?

We started our Halloween festivities off with a trip to the city square for a Halloween festival. It was a massive bust. Tons of people with long loooooong (I’m talking 70 pulse deep) lines of people waiting to trick-or-treat in the square stores.

UMMM NOPE!

We bumped into one of our friends who sweetly gave Weston a piece if their daughter’s candy and called it a day.

On the positive I got this super cute photo of Kent and Weston as we were leaving the festival.

SIDE NOTE: Pardon the gross factor but I think Kent looks so handsome when he had his dad hat on. My most favorite photos of him are one where he’s interacting with the boys.

Back on track!

I knew a good spot close by where I could snap a few cute photos of the boys in their Halloween costumes sans crazy crowds so we gathered the troops and headed that way.

Oh and my mom and her boyfriend came along to see the boys in their Halloween costumes so that was special.

These photos are another positive out of the whole poopy festival hoopla. They make my heart go pitter patter and I obviously had a hard time narrowing down which ones I wanted to share with you.

Oh yes there are more but these are my most favorite! 

Isn’t he just the cuties little construction guy you’ve ever seen?

Ugh and this one of Carson aka Elvis…..I just cant!

I’ve been trying for 6 months to get a decent photo of them together and this is about as good as it gets. Weston pouting and Carson looking just as dreamy as ever but it’s real life so I’ll take it! 

Trick-or-treating at Auntie Marsha’s house! I’m so very grateful that one of my best buddies lives across the street from me. Kind of special that Weston’s 1st house to trick-or-treat at was our hers.

And a quick little vlog of the boys in action. Weston’s sweet little voice when he says “Happy Halloween” melts me. Who and I kidding the cuteness factor of this holiday in general sent my sentimental mama heart into overdrive!