Holiday Shopping

This post contains sponsored links from Modcloth. However all opinions are my own 😊

I don't know if any of you are like me...but if you are, you are probably not done with your holiday shopping. This year Nathan and I went black Friday shopping. Ha ha naturally we went to Target to get the x-box one Nathan wanted. P.s. if you are looking for an inexpensive Christmas tree that is really cute, we got ours at Target for $30. Ya..$30. Perfect for any of you newly weds that don't have any Christmas decorations.

This year I am putting together a dream Christmas list (half of which I've already bought😅) I have a weakness for cute clothes that aren't expensive. I am having a stomach surgery right before Christmas so I needed some cute presents to get me though the Holidays. Raise of hand how many of you get a new pair of Christmas Eve pj's? I love love love this tradition. There is something about falling asleep in new pajamas being excited for what the next day brings. If you are looking for cute pajamas for yourself I would look here. They also have really cute holiday wear!

HUGE Flash Sale: 40% off EVERYTHING + free ground shipping (get it by 12/24)

Use the coupon code HAULIDAY to take advantage of their best offers. Their pajamas are seriously cute and they also have awesome gifts! Hope you enjoy your cozy Christmas!!!

I Cry With You

Have you ever been really determined to succeed...and then failed. Guys life is truly frustrating and unfair. I know most people can probably relate to this. Especially me, today. I love being positive and upbeat about a situation but sometimes you just have be truthful with yourself. THIS SUCKS! Go ahead say it. It feels good. THIS IS UNFAIR and STUPID. I AM NOT OK!

How many times do we say we are ok in a day. People ask me how I am and I say "I'm ok, I'm good". Ha ha cause who wants to hear your list of frustrating things. Usually when I tell people how I actually feel they respond with awkward positivism or pity. Neither of which I am a fan. We all do it though. Why are we so afraid to just say how we feel? Tell others how we are doing and have actual compassion for them.

This has been on my mind a lot. I look on Instagram and see all these people going through hard things. Half the time I want to comment but think , they don't know me, that would be weird. I see their stories and I literally cry for them but can't be vulnerable enough to tell them. Why do we do this? Why do we pretend that we don't feel something when we do.

I secretly follow lots of you. I follow your stories and ponder your life lessons. At the end of the day I just realize that we are all in this together. We are all human and we all HAVE LIVED. Which is hard. It's hard to be alive. So why is it that we pit ourselves against each other. Why is it that we have to apply a situation to ourselves in order to feel compassion and mercy.

I am so sick of this. I am sick of pretending and having people pretend with me. So today I offer a challenge. Let someone know that you cry with them. That you feel their pain. That you know that they are not ok but you love them anyway.

Today I want to let Steve and Savanna Tate know that I cry with them. That there little boy Hayes has taught me so much and I have loved his story. That his courage and your courage has given me courage. I feel your pain and I can't imagine what it is like to lose your child to cancer. I do not completely understand but I know what it's like to be human and to lose something very precious and I love you for sharing his story with me. Families are forever! I pray for you and you and Hayes will always be in my thoughts.

If you are reading this and you feel like you're alone, I want you to know that I do cry with you. I may not know you and maybe we aren't best friends but we have both been through hard things. I understand your pain and I understand your loneliness. I am actually grateful to know that I am not alone because you have suffered something too. I love you for it. I love knowing that even when I feel alone, I know many people cry for me.

Guys tell someone. Tell someone you care today. Tell someone that they are not alone. Stop being afraid of social practices and politeness. Someone needs you. Please don't be afraid to be human and to cry with them

P.s. The Tates have started a foundation in Hayes name. You can buy a shirt that says Hayes tough for childhood cancer awareness. If you are interested here is the website : bit.ly/HayesToughShirts 

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Hey Guys...So I am going to be posting recipes on my blog. Let's just say I have a bit of a baking addiction. I LOVE IT! If you know me I am always putting out plates of cookies. My husband can't seem to quite keep up.

My health keeps me on a pretty strict diet...sometimes I cheat...but I have figured out how to make lots and lots of recipes gluten and dairy free. Today I will be taking a recipe I found on pinterest and changing it so I can enjoy it without all the bloating and guilt. 

This Christmas has been kind of crazy. I am getting a stomach surgery on the 20th and after that I am on a liquid diet. I hate liquid diets! So I have been trying to eat all of my holiday favorites before I can't. Peppermint is one of those things that I love but kind of feel like I can only eat during the holidays. I have already gone through 2 bags of the Hershey peppermint kisses so I was excited to do a recipe covered in white chocolate and peppermint. 

        

These cookies are really yummy. Almost like a hot chocolate cookie that's covered in more chocolate. They are pretty easily made gluten free and dairy free. My husband and brother and sister (who was nice enough to help me with my first post) ate the first batch in a matter of minutes. Ha ha I ate 3 right before I wrote this. 😅 These don't have a lot of guilt besides the sugar. I firmly believe that if you are going to eat a cookie it should be sweet! However these shouldn't make you feel bloated and crappy. Something I really appreciate in a recipe. 





Make these cookies! They are so yummy. Please feel free to comment on any changes you would be interested in seeing and any recipes you would like me to try! I am open to helpful suggestions! Have a very merry Christmas!