Currently I am...

Keeping it light on this, the last Friday of August. I can't believe how fast the past 3 months have gone. E has one more week before she starts up at preschool again and I plan to take full advantage of the extra time. In the meantime, here's some of my "current" thoughts. I was inspired after reading a blog post in this format from Beth over at Life with Bethie the Boo (here's her post on this topic).

C U R R E N T L Y   I   AM  . . .

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Currently I am...still reflecting on an amazing weekend filled with laughter, love and fun.

Loving...my current book series I'm reading--I love Harry Potter and love revisiting him every couple of years.

Wishing...it wasn't already almost September. Where did the summer go? Luckily, I happen to LOVE fall.

Planning...a ten year anniversary trip for this winter. Someplace warm to get us out of snow-central.

Dreading...I'm not really "dreading" anything; I guess when I finish my coffee for the day, because that's always a bummer.

Wearing...yoga pants, t-shirt and a bun...and a full arm party. Always accessorized.

Excited...for the State Fair; the great "Minnesota Get-Together" is the BEST.

Wanting...a pumpkin spice latte. I told you, I love fall.

Thinking...about having a pumpkin spice latte. 

Watching...4 kids run around like crazy people!

Eating...a granola bar (in secret, so the kids don't see--I really don't want to share).

Laughing...at my ridiculous sneak eating.

Thankful...for all those that came together and made last weekend so special for my sister. I love you all!

xo Sara

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Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed...and a lot of Blue

My sister is getting married. I'm so happy that after years of searching she's found someone who treats her right, loves her unconditionally and is her best friend. It's what everyone wants out of a life partner.

And I wish that is where the story ends.

But, it's not. This time in my sister's life has not just been filled with joy and love and support. There has also been anger and hurt and judgement.

And disapproval. Because...

Her soulmate happens to be a woman.

And according to some close to my sister, that makes their choice to get married--a legal activity in the state of Minnesota--wrong. 

Marriage is between one man and one woman...according to these people. And what my sister and her fiancé are doing is not only wrong but completely against the beliefs of these people and what their definition of marriage is.

The definition of marriage. Something that has never changed and has only meant the union of one man and one woman. Right? Well, actually...

Regardless of all that, my sister and her fiancé are not trying to get married in "your" church. But "your" religion seems to keep attempting to trump their rights. They are asking for the same rights that all married couples have. That her own sister has. And why is that so bad?

The longer the stigma of gay and lesbian couples being less than heterosexual couples, then the longer discrimination and the unfair treatment of these individuals will continue. These things go hand in hand. If you say someone has all the same rights as other people EXCEPT for one (ie: marriage)--then you are discriminating and saying it's ok to treat some people differently based on one part of them (in this example: their sexual orientation). Just like it is wrong to discriminate based on the color of one's skin, it is wrong to discriminate based on who someone loves.

Since this is my blog, and I don't want to talk for my sister, I can only share my experience and feelings. I'm not gay. My wedding was a beautiful day that I was lucky enough to be surrounded by my family and friends that wanted to celebrate our love. And I remember thinking how lucky I was--how lucky we were. Everyone was there. Everyone supported us.

And, I might add, they supported us even though we did not get married in "their" church, either.

I want my sister to have that support and love. And she will, don't get me wrong. The people who will be there will surround them in love.

It's just that some people will be missing...and it makes me sad. I don't want to be angry anymore. I don't want to fight anymore.

I just want love to win. All love. The wise Lennon/McCartney songwriting duo said it best...

All you need is love.

writingwithbangles.com

xo Sara

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Back to School with DSW (and win $100!)

I have such a fun announcement to make...although if you follow me on social media, you've probably already heard about it...

I'm participating in an awesome event at DSW for the #minishoelover in your life! 

If you know me you know that I love shoes. And one of my favorite places to get them is DSW. They have a huge selection from all sorts of brands that I love...and they have kid shoes, too! And since it's August and it's almost time to send kids back to school...what a perfect time for a party and a giveaway (keep reading to see how you could win $100 for DSW--and you don't even need to attend to win!).

On Tuesday, August 26, from 4 - 6pm, some awesome local bloggers and myself can't wait to bring YOU an exciting couple of hours filled with fun activities and lots of opportunities to win some great prizes! The event is at the DSW in Coon Rapids (12658 Riverdale Blvd, Coon Rapids, MN 55448) and I'll be hanging out with these lovely ladies: Cate and Tammy of Wild Ruffle (the fabulous hosts of this event), Cari of Dugans Incahoots, Amber of Mommy's Me Time, Kelly of Muddy Flowers, Laura of Oakland Ave, Jen of Urban Halo, Heather of Finders Keepers, Janell of Hair Candy, Kelly of Kelly's Confectionary Creations and more.

But it's not just the awesome people who will be there that should be getting you excited...it's all the fun things we have planned for you and your #minishoelover. We'll have a FREE hip hop class for the kids (participants will get DSW footballs and stickers), a coloring contest (4 winners will walk away with $50 DSW gift cards), a fashion show (that E will be strutting her stuff for) and free treats.

AND there's the prizes you could win. There's over $800 planned in giveaways! There will be door prizes for the first 50 attendees (including $10 bonus cards for use on any purchase); gift cards from DSW, Target, Justice, Dick's Sporting Goods and Old Navy/GAP/Banana Republic; and more exciting prizes from Urban Halo, Hair Candy, Stuffies, and Wild Ruffle! The biggest giveaway being FOUR $150 Back to School prize packs!

And finally--the $100 giveaway for DSW! Click the links below to be entered to win. This contest is open until Tuesday, August 26 at 2pm CST. The winner will be announced on the Wild Ruffle Facebook page and notified via email. Good luck...and I hope to see you at the event!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo Sara

Post-Vacation Blues/A Love Note

We took a mini-vacation to Milwaukee and spent some time with family (and friends) over the span of five days. It was filled with beaches, parks, a museum, the zoo, general exploring and lots of laughs.

It was so much fun but the best part wasn't everything we did (although the Milwaukee zoo is a.ma.zing if you haven't been) but was all the family time.

We spent five days as a unit. Everything we did (for the most part) we did as a party of four. As a stay-at-home mom I'm used to spending a lot of time (like almost every waking moment) with my kids, but it takes a vacation for us all to be together that much.

My husband is busy. He has a demanding job during the week (that can extend into evenings and weekends) and then is a rock star on the weekends (and sometimes during the week). And although his schedule is hard sometimes, he has given me the ability to stay home with our kids. His sacrifice makes time that we can spend all together all the more special. So I love vacations...even if the location is just a little drive away.

But that was then, this is now. Now we are home. Now everything is back to normal. 

And I'm missing my husband. 

I know that I'll get back in the swing of things but that's where I'm at right now.

However, I wouldn't change how I'm feeling. Isn't it good that I miss my husband and wish we could spend more time together? It's better than the opposite, right?

Good news though--today is Friday! That means family time is right around the corner.

writingwithbangles.com

xo Sara

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Busyness and Kids

I was recently chatting with a mom of an 11-year old and she was reflecting on how busy her child was. Between camps, sports and other activities--their summer was packed full. She then turned to me and asked what I had my daughter signed up for over the summer. I looked at E, playing happily with her brother, and then back at the other mom and said, simply, "nothing."

It was sort of a happy accident because my intention was to sign E up for a couple of activities. But I missed one deadline and as I was looking at the other activity I started to change my mind.

First of all, E just finished a full year of preschool. She only did 3 mornings a week, but when it was over she was very excited to stay home and play with her brother and friends. 

She also participated in dance throughout the school year. One night a week and a recital at the completion of the year. It was a lot of fun, but, again, she was ready for a break.

And finally, we, as a family, have a lot going on this summer. Between various trips, my sister's wedding, and other commitments, I was starting to realize that whatever we would enroll her in, she would have to miss some time.

I'm not opposed to E being in activities and I know that the amount of things that she's involved with will grow as she grows. I think organized activities are really good for the development of children and is why I've had E involved in various things. It's also why as a stay-at-home mom I wanted to enroll my daughter in some preschool. But I sometimes feel like there's this pressure to have every minute of my children's lives scheduled and planned. And I'm trying to resist--if for only another year or two.

Like I said, the older she (and her brother) get, I know there will be more and more they are interested in and involved with. But right now I'm enjoying my little 4-year old (and 3-year old) and summer and all the free time we have, together.

I hope you're enjoying your summer, too!

xo Sara

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We Make a Great Team

I doubt myself sometimes.

I doubt that I'm doing enough for my kids, for my husband, even my dog.

I doubt that I'm maintaining the house as much as I should be.

I doubt my time management--there is never enough time in the day, at least that's what I think. Or is it that there is enough time in the day and I'm just not organized enough to get things done (like I wrote about here)?

But then I hear a little voice...

"Mommy, we make a great team!"

And in that moment I'm pulled out of my own negative self-talk and drawn into those big eyes that look at me as though I'm a superhero and can do anything. And she not only thinks I'm awesome, but she values herself as a part of that awesomeness.

And how awesome is that?

Team Mutchler. The best.

xo Sara

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Tell Your Story

I love accessories. Necklaces, bracelets, bags, scarves...all of it. And as a stylist for Stella & Dot, I have a lot of jewelry and every couple of months I get new stuff--it's a win/win relationship. One of the first things I got when I signed up to be a stylist was a charm necklace--one that I put together with charms that had meaning for me. I loved the personalized feature of this--me creating my own necklace with my story.

Now Stella & Dot has entered a whole new area of personalization--engravable jewelry! Talk about individualized jewelry! There are so many options and ways to make it unique to you and your story. From monograms or important dates to significant words and numbers, you can do so much. 

Monograms, initials, names, and dates (birthdays, anniversaries) have been the most popular choices. But I love some of the other creative ideas stylists and clients have come up with. For example, our VP of training climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and so she got a dog tag with the date she reached the summit and one that says "Kili;" several stylists put their favorite Bible verses on a necklace (ie: Jer 29.11); a first-time marathoner put 26.2 on hers; a cancer survivor inscribed "survivor" on her necklace. So many options to tell your unique story. 

When I ordered my samples I decided to do one monogram (S for Sara; M for Mutchler; and M for Marc--my husband) and a fun one. As you all know I love social media. If you don't, check this out. And this. Love might not be the best word...perhaps more like obsessed. Regardless, I wondered how I could incorporate my love for all things social onto a personalized message for a necklace. First I thought of my user name for all platforms (@StylistSaraMN) but that's too long. One symbol we have is the hashtag (#) and because of my love of Instagram and Twitter (where that symbol is used excessively) I thought a fun option would be to use one of my favorite hashtags... #selfie. 

So, a sentimental monogram and a fun hashtag necklace. Both personalized just for me. What's your story?

xo Sara

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Summer Fun

I don't know if there's a region in the US that enjoys summer as much as the midwest. I love living in an area that has four distinct seasons...even though at times I wish winter wasn't quite so distinct. 

Now that Memorial weekend has passed and summer is upon us, I've been enjoying the 80 degree weather, pool time (kiddie pool time, that is), sandals, pedicures, shorts and just general fun in the sun. With the sun shining bright and the kids happy to be running around outside or splashing at their water table (sand box with water instead of sand), this momma is content and happy to be a Minnesotan and a stay-at-home-mom. 

And my view isn't so bad either. No, it's not a beach with endless sand and ocean in front of me, and probably not really instagram-worthy...but it makes me happy. 

www.writingwithbangles.com

www.writingwithbangles.com

And then there's this. Pure happiness, pure childhood. Love this moment.

www.writingwithbangles.com

Happy summer!

xo Sara

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