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Hi there! I’m Sarah, a former special education teacher turned stay at home mom living in NE Indiana with my husband, son, and two sweet dogs. I’m a minimal-ish mama striving for balance in the chaos that life can become. Welcome!

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Just a boy and his toys 💙 I’ve said before that we limit the amount of toys in our house, but it’s not because we don’t like toys. We love toys! We just want the toys we have to get played with and not get lost and forgotten in a mountain of other toys. 😉 🧸 My kids will always have toys on their Christmas wish lists. Since they are still too little make requests, I’m the one coming up with items for their lists and I try to be intentional with this. I love finding toys that are not only cute and fun but also have some sort of greater purpose: this could mean supporting a small business selling products made in the USA or fair trade products made in Peru or trying to find toys that are made from safer or more sustainable materials (even better if they’re made from recycled materials). In other words, I’m not looking for just a toy, I’m also looking for my dollar to do a little good in the world. 🧩 Since the holidays are coming up, I wanted to share some of the brands/stores I’ve found over the years that sell toys that have a mission or purpose that I love. It might seem like searching for toys with a purpose makes things more complicated, but in my experience it actually makes things simpler because it narrows down the HUGE amount of toys out there and once I have stores/brands I trust, I’m choosing from a smaller pool of options. 🎁 My go-to stores right now are: @plantoysofficial @ecokidsusa @beginagaintoys @caaocho @cuddleandkind @greentoysinc @chalkfullofdesign @newcreationva 💚 Today on the blog I shared more about each brand and some of the specific things we’ve gotten in the past or are asking for this year. Check it out at the link in my profile! ⚽️ What are your favorite places to buy toys? If you have found a great shop that sells toys and has a great mission behind it, I’d love to hear about it! . . . #wishlist #lovingwithless #fairtradetoys #sustainabletoys #ecofriendlytoys #christmaslist

Sporty Spice and everything nice 💕

This is about the only way to get a non-blurry picture with my spunky, silly, always-on-the-go, soon-to-be TWO YEAR OLD. 💙 Today was LJ's last day in the church nursery (it goes from birth - 2 years). Next Sunday he'll be in the two year old class and I'm feeling weirdly bittersweet about it. It really feels like a big step: he's no longer a baby, he'll officially be a "kid" 😅 I'm feeling a lot of emotions as we enter his birthday week but the biggest one by far is gratitude. I am SO grateful to be his mama - I love this growing boy so much!! . #toddlermom #toddlerboy #23monthsold #toddlerboymama #almosttwo #motherandson #motherson #motherhoodmoments

Feeling ALL the feels over this picture of LJ from when he was Vi's age. 💙 I went to Disney World with friends when he was about 10 weeks old and I brought LJ and carried him everywhere. Now this little mouse has grown into a toddler who grabs my hand and leads me to wherever he wants. Tonight he lead me to the playroom to play trucks and puzzles and then to the couch to sit and watch Paw Patrol together. I know he won't always want his mama to tag along so you better believe I'm soaking this up while I can. 🥰 #thatsdarling #sweetboy #motherhood #mamalife #mamasboy #almosttwo #imamouseduh

Nothing I can handle about these two. 💕 I remember when LJ fit into the little outfit Vi is wearing. And next week he turns two. 😭 The days are long but the years are so very short. 💙

The sweetest little puzzle-r I ever did see. 💙 Every year around this time, I start getting asked for Christmas wish lists and to be honest, I struggle to come up with enough things to go around for my kids (between their grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, and uncles, a lot of ideas are needed!) I love that others want to show love to my kids, but I don’t want our family to just accumulate tons of stuff for the sake of getting gifts. I want more meaning, less clutter, you feel me? 🎁 Since Vi is only going to be 4 months old and we already have lots of age-appropriate toys, her list is 99% practical with things like clothes, diapers, etc. #secondchild 😅 Meanwhile, LJ’s Christmas list has a variety of practical items, "experience" gifts, consumable products, books, and yes, a few toys he’ll love. Not trying to be a grinch here 😉 just trying to keep what comes into our house a little more well-rounded. (Side note: Some of the most meaningful gifts my kids have ever been given were not on their wish lists so when someone is inspired and goes "off list" that is a-ok!) 🎁 Now I’m not judging anyone for requesting or gifting lots of toys so if that's your thing, go for it! Justin and I just prefer to have a wider variety of gifts and avoid adding lots of clutter to our house. Today on the blog I’m sharing what's on my kids' wish lists for this year in case anyone else out there is looking for ideas for gifts to ask for that are still fun but aren’t conventional toys. Link in profile!

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