This Week's Look

1. This jacket is on sale and available, two things that it never is! You'll be so glad this Fall if you snag this now. I've had mine for a few years and it's an ole classic that never goes out of style!

2. This top just came out and it's so pretty. In my cart!

Don't miss the J. Crew promotion that's $25 off $150 or more on Apple Pay!

3. This dress also is never on sale but is 30% off. They always exclude this and the jacket above because they carry them every year!



4. Love this neutral bag that's reasonably priced!

5. Everyone needs some fun kicks!

Mamahood

This post is honestly sparked by a conversation I had with someone recently that quite frankly ticked me off! I raged about it for a few days but then got over it, confident that I'm doing it the way I think is right. THANK GOODNESS!

Essentially this other Mom (who has older kids) raised her children in way different times than we are raising our children in. I hate the comparison, honestly, but I do think social media has changed the way we have to raise our children in some ways. Not all but some. Also, life has changed over the last 20 years. Moms work more often. Family dynamics are different. 

It's a true story of how we shouldn't judge because we are all doing it the way we think is right.

But she judged and told me to get over it because 'we all sent our kids to all day care,' insinuating that I should too. Even though I don't want to. Yes, it'd make our lives easier day to day, especially during summer but it's not what we want to do. And that's OKAY!

Because it was our choice and we are thankful to have the ability for it to be this way. 

It's the same reason Molly Anne and Grady have only been in the same school for about 7 months of their life (corona year cut it short!) but oh boy it was grande while it lasted. When he goes to elementary school, things will be easier I think! We have made the best decision for each child that we thought was right, at the time. Plus, their 2 year 10 month age gap played into this. 

Same goes for extra-curriculars. Isn't it our job to give our children the opportunities (within reason) then let them decide what they like? Or maybe they never decide. I don't know, why do they have to? I don't think Molly Anne or Grady are going to be playing Major League Soccer so are two practices and a game per week at age 7 necessary? Maybe, maybe not. Where we live, it seems like if they haven't decided on a sport by 4th grade, they aren't playing in high school. That's ridiculous. I hope it changes. It wasn't like that where I grew up. I have to remind my competitive self that we aren't going to the Olympics any day soon.

Anyway, just a little post to follow your Mama heart. Do what you think is right. Don't feel pressure by others.

OIB Weekend

We are back from a little long weekend in Ocean Isle! Isn’t this the coolest picture? It was posted on an OIB Facebook group. Our house is in the pic!

We got there Thursday and hung on the dock and around the house. We ordered Causeway Gourmet for dinner and it was delish! I ended up going out after the kids went to bed to see a friend who was down for the week then over to our friends house! I never go out and about in Ocean Isle so this was a big treat! 

That’s a happy Mills!


I know Grady should have his life jacket on and we are sticklers but he stood there with Kevin for about 3 min then he came up. And it was such a cute pic!


We had a big beach day on Friday!


The six OIB kiddos! We hope they all remember these summers together. They love the good life!!


Grady playing soccer with Steve. 

Mr. Chris is fun for all of the kids!

After a longgggg beach day I don’t mind some chill time!

That night we just had dinner at home then took a golf cart ride! 




It had thundered for hours then this beautiful sunset appeared!


On Saturday morning Drew and I took the kids to the arcade. Now I must tell you all the truth. Drew and I have a tradition of taking the kids to the arcade on rainy days and always have a tall boy Miller lite. So we made it happen! The kids had a blast and Grady got 1000 tickets on the bass wheel! The big deal!

And of course they had ice cream before lunch!


Molly Anne stayed at their house the rest of the afternoon playing out back with the girls. Grady and I took long naps. Kevin went over to drew and Hilary’s to fish with drew. 


Then Grady and I ended up going over for dinner. It was fun! A late night golf cart ride to the far east end was such a great time. It was a gorgeous night! Molly Anne spent the night at their house for her first sleepover! She loved it! 








We went to the beach again yesterday morning! I sometimes use Tupperware to pack their lunches. Other times it’s just a plastic bag!


A fav memory of this day was Ariel and I catching the same wave boogie boarding and we cruised into shore together! 

Their fav - sunset slush! I love that they can go order themselves and they know how to tip now too! 


We left the house around 2:45 and got home at 6pm. Leaving after a full day at the beach and having everyone fed, bathed and Grady sleeping is top notch! 


Happy Monday! Got a bunch of new deals at work last week so I’m rolling! Chat soon!

Thursday Round Up

ONE:

I know, I know, but for the past 8 years, I've only ever had two from Target that I liked but then I found these Energy Sports Bras and I can't stop. Honestly I've had a few of them for awhile. Then got two on major sale then needed black and white for basics. ANYWAY. They are the ones I always reach for and the best support and most comfortable. And I take the cups out. 

TWO:

I always go back to loving this top. Such a classic. 

THREE:

Yall are going to call me crazy but now I have this tank in black, white and navy. I've had navy for awhile but I kept wearing it and getting compliments. Now I have all three basics and I'm so happy about it. I can wear #1 above with this so WIN!

FOUR:

Love this top for work or for fun. Easy to throw on and look put together. 

FIVE:

All winter last year I kept thinking about how much I needed a long warm coat. Not really for Charlotte very often but for traveling. And this price point under $200 is pretty much what I was going for. This coat has great reviews. 

Randoms

Molly Anne is way into legos and is completing a box in a day with like 1,000 pieces. She's wild! This was the latest set that was gifted to her from Nana and Papa G for her birthday! I truly believe legos have made her smart. I know that's crazy. 

I posted this on my instagram - "they're always watching" because they are! They watch the healthy or not healthy choices. They see me going to play tennis, going for a run, lifting weights, walking, riding my peloton. Don't worry, they also see me doing not perfect things too! Grady woke up and came in there and said, "I wanna work out with you Mama!" It was adorable!

Molly Anne got her new backpack. I now realize this isn't the best picture but she picked it out! She wasn't very into rainbows and unicorns as much anymore and needed a 2nd grade backpack!

And her lunchbox from the last two years was totally gross so she picked out this one and wanted it monogrammed the same way!



My SIL sent me this picture of Molly Anne and I on the beach in Ocean City, Maryland in 2016 when she was only one year old! AHHH!


Chat tomorrow!

Molly Anne’s Space Birthday Party

Molly Anne was dyingggg to have her birthday party at Sports Connection this year but the one party we had been there for - it was mass chaos and I had no idea how I would be able to corral all of the children between attractions! They offer an option to hire a “host” for an extra fee that helps you with that. That’s what we did and it was perfect. Another good thing - book the first morning party. There wasn’t anyone there until about half hour in.

First they did the bounce houses for 30 min. Then the arcade for 30 min then pizza/cake for 30 min. Easy and done!

Molly Anne wanted it to be space themed! I got the paper products from Target and the things in the goodie bags were from an assortment of places!

She and Bella picked out her cake at Publix! Chocolate on the inside!

Opening gifts back at home is always a fun part! Even more fun when your friends skip over the back yard to watch you open them! Yes they use walkie talkies between houses now to communicate!!





I think that concludes Molly Anne’s birthday month of celebrations!! ;) oh! And y’all know Emily Maynard from The Bachelorette! She was there throwing a birthday party for her son! She’s pregnant again! #6?!! 

This little boy could live outside but once he came inside, he brought me this flower with the sweetest grin on his face. Melt my heart!