The Sprinkle on Top

Transformer Spider found crawling alongside our house. Photo is blurry because no way was I getting any closer to get a photo.  It seems silly that any person would be so afraid of a spider (whether the size of a hand or a pin head) that they refuse to kill it. Well, we exist. And a spider is a spider no matter how small. Some people, of course, have no fear - those are your modern day super heroes. The rest of us have to find ways to cope with the unfriendly and unwelcome creatures that stealthily make their way into our homes. Although I'm one of those afraid of spiders, my reasons are legitimate. Here are 5 reasons behind why I cannot kill a spider and maybe why someone you know can't either. 1.They have exoskeleton's meaning their bones are on the outside of their bodies. This just increases the risk of literally feeling their bones break when you squish them. I don't want that kind of carnage on my hands. 2. They mock you when you try. Without fail, ju

After 19 hours of labor on August 2, our family of three (we count Lucy) turned into a family of four when Evie Rae Benson made her big debut at 8:49 AM. It's been a rough few weeks waiting for our little girl to come. For three weeks prior to her due date, Justin and I anxiously awaited her arrival every night only to have the excitement stamped out when we awoke the next morning having slept fantastic... and still pregnant. Then Evie's due date came and went. Either I made a very comfortable home that she just did not want to leave or she's coming out with attitude. I think it's the former.  Physically, my body could do this for another month. Evie has been such a smooth pregnancy with only mild aches and pains along the way - signs that things are progressing and that there really is a baby in there. Mentally, I gave up a while ago. The mental exhaustion of waiting for the sign that I need to rush to the hospital was driving us insane.  On August

Nine months of pregnancy seems like a long time, but actually flies by when you're waiting for your bundle of joy to arrive. Within that seemingly short time frame, there are a lot of things to consider: taking care of the baby inside and outside of the womb, taking care of yourself during and after the pregnancy, collecting all of the gear needed to help this little one survive, and among it all, financially affording this new adventure. Justin and I really wanted to go all out stocking up on supplies and building Evie's nursery , but that's easier said than done when you are financially preparing for a baby plus paying off a huge student loan.  The theme of our nursery was PINK and GOLD. Everything and anything was some shade of pink or gold which made it really easy because we didn't have to match specific hues or anything. If it was pink or gold, it belonged in her room.  We were able to do a few easy DIY projects that really made the nursery stand out a