I decided to start a blog as a fun and creative way to dodge the “fever”. Baby fever is real and I catch it every time. It creeps up slow and subtle. Innocent infant admiration turns into full blown ovulation obsession in a matter of weeks. Currently, while my three year old gets ready to start preschool, I can feel myself on the doorstep of this crippling condition and I need to make a move.

I adore big families and I love my four children with all my heart, but I have to be honest about a few things before I start swooning over every baby I see: First, my husband Matt and I live a crazy traveling circus lifestyle, and adding another person to the mix simply isn’t the most logical thing to do. Second, as of now, Matt and I won’t be empty-nesters until we are 50 and 51 years old. Now that’s not necessarily old, but we started having children right out of college, so while most of my girlfriends were traveling and starting careers, I jumped headfirst into motherhood. I know that God has called me to be a wife and mother (a job that I wholeheartedly enjoy), but I do look forward to a day Matt and I can chase our “someday dreams”, and I can finally get a two-seater sports car and say goodbye to my beloved minivan. Third, the projected average annual cost of a four-year college in 2020 is $46,368 (a gross underestimate in my opinion). Multiply that by 4. Then by 4 again. Need I say more?

So what to do…

After much consideration I came to the conclusion that deliberate distraction will be my best line of defense against the “fever”. A simple hobby. Well, easier said than done. I considered going back to school (again), but I do realize that being a professional student is far too time consuming and costly to be considered a “hobby”. Besides, I don’t have a whole lot of time outside of Matt, my kids, and running our house for “hobbies”. The truth is, I really love taking care of my family and I have a blast creating a home for them. I know I’m blessed to be able to do these things and I never want to take it for granted. So, I began thinking about ways I could continue devoting myself to my family, still have a little time for myself, and focus on something outside of baby making. I have always enjoyed writing, but until recently haven’t had a reason to do it.

Wait a minute, I think this is a thing…

Just for the record, the term “Lifestyle Blogger” makes me cringe. Maybe because, as I described earlier, my lifestyle resembles that of a traveling circus. That’s why I LOVE reading beautifully designed blogs by perfectly put together women whose lives resemble a spread straight out of Elle Magazine. Part of me feels inspired by the artful balance of motherhood, trophy wife, and homemaker extraordinaire. Another part of me feels like it’s time to change out of my yoga pants/pajama pants/everything else pants and go style a table while my bundt cake is baking. But, I take it for what it is… an informing, fun, entertaining distraction.

What do I know, anyway?

The truth is, I’m no expert when it comes to fashion, design, or cooking because I’ve been busy… well, living my life. I’ve needed a cheat-sheet, so I turned to blogs and my stylish, beautiful, and talented friends to help bring me up to date on everything not related to Nick, Jr. I have an army of savvy friends who simply text me things like, “Susie, these shoes, Nordstrom. You’re welcome” (You’re the best Landyn).  These gals helped me fake fancy while I was knee deep in homemaking hysteria, and are the only reason I don’t walk around town looking like I just walked off the set of Dawson’s Creek. Of course I’ve got a lot of growing left to do, but after 15 years I think I’ve become an expert at “pulling it off”.

Now it’s time to pay it forward…

So, I think I’ll do my 50 year old self a favor and try my hand at this blogging business. I’m truly looking forward to passing along some of the fashion, beauty, and home ideas I’ve gathered over the years. I’ll also be sharing some of my profound (or perhaps, mildly entertaining) observations about the world around me (did I mention I’m a Sociologist? Oh yeah, degree and everything. Impressive, I know). My hope is that you find a bit of value in my borrowed inspiration, or at the very least, some level of amusement in my desperate attempt to avoid the “fever”!

Photo credit to the wonderful and talented Enid Ricci. My arms just aren’t long enough for a decent selfie. Thank you for allowing me to be in a few pictures and convincing me to buy a “real” camera! xoxo