A Day In My Life (as a stay at home mom with a toddler and new baby)

Good day Friends! 

I don't know about you, but my daily routine has changed greatly and frequently in the last couple of years, what with the addition of two new children, job changes, and other typical schedule changes!

I thought it would be fun to share what a typical day (weekday) is like for me on a regular basis. Not only to share with those who are interested in knowing, but I would like to look back on this and remember what things were like for me at this point in time (when my routine has changed even again many times over in the future)!

At this point in time, I am still adjusting to life with a new baby (who is almost 3 months old), and only doing what I feel capable of, as I am still healing from my C-Section and pregnancy. I would like to add some more things to the typical routine and have been doing so slowly. But for now, this is what things look like. 

I also would like to express that I rely more on the order of routine rather than the time that something happens. If I focus too much on time, it gets too stressful too easily, having the added stress of being "late" for my morning coffee or "early" for playtime, and whatnot. So instead I focus on "what comes after this activity"? Regardless the time of day it is.

So here you go, this is how a typical weekday plays out for me as of recent days!

𖤓~𖤓~𖤓

𖤓 Start the Day with Breakfast! 𖤓

Not surprisingly, every day starts with breakfast. Typically, my husband is already left for work when we get up. I start by getting my toddler Malachi some yogurt for breakfast. He always has Greek yogurt and I will add some berries to it, whatever I have on hand. Sometimes it's diced strawberries, blueberries, or even something frozen. I make sure he gets fed first. He is capable of feeding himself with a spoon while sitting at our table. While he is doing that, I will make my breakfast. Which, recently, has been a serving of cheesy grits (I am obsessed with grits - I think I got my love for them from my dad), and either a bagel with cream cheese, or a small yogurt. I will change what I eat for breakfast every few weeks, as I like to have the same thing for awhile before changing. Before the grits and bagel/yogurt, it was scrambled eggs with vegetables and some grits on the side. Who knows what it'll be next! 

The usual: Greek Yogurt and Strawberries!

𖤓 Time for a Walk! 𖤓

After we have done breakfast, we'll always go on a walk around our apartment complex. Recently, since I have a new baby, I will bundle him up in a wrap and I will hold Malachi's hand. Sometimes I will let Malachi roam free close by me, there are a few larger areas with just grass that isn't next to any roadways or moving cars, so I let him have the freedom to walk on his own a bit. We always like to look at nature and objects as we go along. There is a "pinecone patch", which is an area underneath some pinecone trees. If we see some ants or insects, we will pause to look at those too. I enjoy taking our time on the walk and letting Malachi dictate what we stop and look at. Not only does it kill more time in our long day at home, but it's a great way to slow down and practice gratefulness for the simplicities of life! 

This is my new profile picture for the blog! I think I look very mom-like here. 

𖤓 Next, Coffee Time! 𖤓

After we get home from our daily walk, it is coffee time. I will make myself an iced latte with flavor depending on what syrups we have. This morning, I experimented and made a Salted Maple Blueberry Pancake Latte (blueberry syrup, maple syrup, pinch of pink salt, few drops of cake batter extract, few drops of vanilla extract - it was FANTASTIC). But we also have an Earl Grey syrup and Strawberry syrup right now. I always make an espresso "shot" with our Aeropress, using this video as a guide. I let Malachi help me measure the beans, press buttons to heat up the water on our electric kettle and to grind the beans, and to do some stirring. It's a special little bonding time. I always let Malachi have a little taste! While I'm drinking my coffee, I let Malachi do some sensory playin our kitchen sink with water, cups, and the used coffee grounds from the Aeropress. 

My daily delicious coffee!

𖤓 Lunch aka "Nonch"! 𖤓

(Malachi pronounces "lunch" like "nonch"!) I always prepare Malachi's lunch first. A favorite, recently, has been mac-n-cheese (which he calls "Mocky-Cheese"), but I also usually have homemade nuggets in our freezer ready to easily heat up, as well as a number of other things that he likes to eat depending on what I made for the family that week. Almost always, I will have some fruit and/or berries on the side that I chop down to size. While he is eating his lunch, I will usually do some dishes and/or make my own lunch. I sometimes eat my lunch with him, but I have noticed he eats better when he is eating somewhat privately. So I usually do a little housework while he is eating. 

Chicken with rice and broccoli, with a side of cheese and pomegranate seeds (they were in season at the time this photo was taken)

𖤓 Quiet Time! 𖤓

Immediately after lunch, we always do quiet time. This is when I give Malachi a graham cracker, and he does some solitary play in his room for 2 hours. I come get him half way through to use the bathroom, and give him one more cracker. During this time, I have my own "quiet time" although it looks different than Malachi's. I usually do 1-2 hours of my work from home admin job on the work laptop. I also might blog, do housework, play with the baby, do some screen-time (like watch a movie), eat "forbidden snacks" (foods that I couldn't eat with Malachi around, such as ice cream), or do other things on my To Do list. SOMETIMES - if I am very lucky, Malachi will put himself down for a nap during quiet time, then it's EXTRA quiet time. Quiet time is my favorite time of day ◡̈ 

A quiet cup of tea for quiet time

𖤓 Play Time! 𖤓

Depending on when quiet time happens, it may or may not be very close to when my husband gets home from work. So the time of day at this point really determines what we do for the rest of the day. Regardless what it is, we do it all together. Sometimes it's playing with toys, reading, doing an activity (like repotting plants together) or just hanging out cuddling on the bed. We do this until my husband gets home. 

Repotting a new plant! Malachi loved scooping the soil!

𖤓 Daddy is Home! 𖤓

This is another time in the routine where the activity really varies. My husband always takes a shower and makes a coffee with Malachi when he gets home. After then, frequently we will all go out on a walk together, or to the playground, and/or go to the store to shop for whatever we might need. We do this until dinner time and bedtime.

Checking out a new book we got at a book fair! 

𖤓 Dinner then Bed (for Malachi)! 𖤓

After our activities for the day are all done, around 7pm or 8pm, we put Malachi for bed after doing dinner. He can brush his teeth with minimal help, use his tiny toilet all on his own, and get dressed with help. Daddy will read a chapter of Scripture and then we will leave him to it. He has been pretty good about going to sleep once we leave the room, with no wake-ups in the night. We always give him his water bottle in case he's thirsty in the night. 

My three boys <3

𖤓 And that about wraps it up! 𖤓

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my routine! 

This routine structure is very helpful for both me and Malachi. It's helpful for me because my mental health does a lot better when I have some type of structure to my day and to my life. Of course with flexibility for when things happen or when things change. But having something right after the other helps me get through the day. For the easy days, and the hard days too. 

It's helpful for Malachi because, as a toddler, he thrives on routine and knowing what comes next. Having a set routine helps minimize acting out because of boredom or not understanding expectations. And he is really good at knowing what we do throughout the day! As soon as we are done with our walk, he is asking about coffee. As soon as we are done with lunch, he is asking about quiet time - so on and so forth. He knows! He's a smart kid, and it takes the extra work off me to have to explain every bit of every day, because it's automatic. 

Malachi checking out some flowers.

Of course, things are not always this way - this is just a typical weekday. Weekends are much more of a free-for-all. Also, sometimes Fridays are a little different, as I usually keep the car that day (which allows us to do different things out and about) and we usually run to get coffee in the morning before I drop off my husband to work. 

In any case, I hoped you enjoyed reading about my routine!

Do you have a daily routine that you go by? What type of things are included in yours?

Let me know your thoughts on my routine in the comments!

~ Amaris // ☆

It Needs to be Said...

Hello, my blog-reading friends!

I wanted to take a post to specifically address something that, whether we like it or not, affects all of us in the current technological landscape. Something that is, unfortunately, almost inescapable on the internet at this point in time. 

That's right, I'm talking about AI. 

Recently, if you have been on the internet AT ALL, you know that ai is absolutely and completely EVERYWHERE. Every single website, it seems, definitely all the major ones, have some type of ai "help tool" or search engine for users. 

I'll be straight from the get-go. I am not here to write a full post about the goods or the bads or the uglies of ai. I'm not here to stand on a soapbox, or preach anything about anything, or compare opinions or moralities of any of this. Heaven knows that it is a crazy wild west out there with ai, what with how it's used, whether or not it's truly helpful in some ways, the data center controversy, the artist theft, and much, much more. 

My intention is not to address any of that in detail today. I simply wanted to assure each and every reader, that this IS, and HAS ALWAYS BEEN, an AI-Free Blog. And I intend to keep it that way. 

What I'm not saying is that I've never pulled up ai to help me figure out a word or two to use based on what I'm trying to express. It has been used as a dictionary/thesaurus and search engine type tool multiple times. But I have never and will never ask ai to spit out a full blog post for me. I believe that would be disingenuous, and frankly dishonest. Dare I say, even unethical. Not to mention it takes away one of the main purposes of this blog, which is to HAVE FUN by writing posts!

When you visit The Storybook Journal (which has been around for longer than 10 years at this point!) you are coming to read a slice of Amaris, her psyche, her ramblings, and her life. Me, and only me, Amaris (...though, if you look back far enough, I used to call myself "Phoebe" on this blog! My mom had me scared that someone was going to read my teeny tiny, barely-a drop-in-the-unimaginably-vast-bucket-that-is the-internet-blog and come and stalk me just based on my name... LOL). 

So anyways, what I'm saying is, despite the changing technology landscape, past, present, and future, this blog will remain the same as it always has. It will continue to be a digital journal, with ramblings of life and its emotions, ups, downs, and complexities. Another one of many (though still unique) perspectives of life, GOD, love, happiness, feelings, books, movies, coffee beverages, family, and marriage. 

And I seal this with a typed promise on my sidebar, which reads: 

"This is an AI-free blog"! 

This is my promise and vow to you, the reader! 

☆~☆~☆

There is one other note I had to convey, on a different subject. 

As you might know from recent previous posts, I had a baby in February (hooray!). And with the pregnancy craziness and the birth craziness, of course then followed by the newborn craziness, my posting schedule for this blog has gone a little awry. I WAS doing every Wednesday to post, and it was a pretty good schedule for me. My plan is to get back to that again, now that my schedule and routine is settling in with the new baby and my new normal! I know that I don't have very many regular readers, and that's ok. But for the readers I do have, I just wanted to remain communicative. I have been guilty of getting wrapped up in life for months at a time without even looking at this blog, much less opening up the drafts to write a post. But I wanted to continue posting on here somewhat regularly because it is a source of great enjoyment for me, as it has been for 10 long years! 

That all being said, I know I am a little late this week and am posting on Thursday. But I wanted to share that my intention is to do Wednesday every week, so that can be something we can all look forward to!

☆~☆~☆

Well, that is all, my friends. Thank you for reading. Thank you for coming back to my blog, again and again, to peek into my tiny corner in a sea of internet blogs, in a day and age where blogs are somewhat antiquated and dare I say, even out of style! But despite all that, thank you for being here, and thank you for reading! 

Until next time. ◡̈

~ Amaris // ☆

Showing Off My Bag Pins & Patches!

 I first got my Fjällräven Kånken bag in 2018. I needed a bag, and I liked the style of those particular bags. I went with a nice neutral brown, with the purpose of having it always matching my outfit and my style. I also intended from the beginning to deck it out with patches, pins, and keychains as I came across them. 

The Full bag, in all it's glory - including all pins and patches up to this point! (Sadly, the yellow tassel on the right came apart shortly after this photo, and had to be discarded).

But, I purposefully avoided seeking out pins and patches intentionally just to collect. I only wanted to include pieces that meant something to me personally. And so, over the past 8 years, I have slowly and thoughtfully added the pieces that are on there now. Sorta like a mobile scrapbook journal but with pins & patches. As a result, I have a bag that means a lot to me, has seen me through many seasons of life, and isn't chock-full of meaningless over-consumed trinkets. 

As an aside, this item turned out to be an incredible purchase as the bag has held up amazingly well, and I think it's one of my now-favorite Buy It For Life items!

Anyways, I thought I would set aside a post and give you a little tour of what is on my bag, and what each thing means! 

~*~*~*~

✧ I ❤︎⁠ Boro Pin

This button came from a coffee shop called Boro Coffee Co. that me and my husband and oldest son visited when we went to Pennsylvania to visit my father who lives up there. The coffee itself wasn't the best, but it was a sweet trip that we took with my dad and we enjoyed the outing, and this button is a great item to remember the trip by. 

✧ MABOI Missouri Pin

This is a very special keepsake pin coming from my dad. I always get a little forgetful when I think about what the pin is EXACTLY about, so here are my dad's words: "MABOI is a Missouri organization of about 400 members, mostly in the St. louis/St. Charles area. Building officials, building inspectors, fire marshals and fire inspectors, plan reviewers are all members. I was a member for 30+ years and also served on the board of directors. I was President 2000-2001." -My Dad

✧ Sump Coffee Pin

The skull is modeled after Scott, the owner and founder of Sump Coffee. Below is a coffee branch and a portafilter.

This pin showcases one of my favorite coffee shops in Saint Louis: Sump Coffee. This shop is a favorite because I've been there the most times after Course Coffee. They have really quality drinks and also the shop aesthetic is so cool! If you're ever in the Saint Louis area, you gotta stop by this one. I will say, they switched to dark roast not too long ago and so I don't like the taste of their coffee as much as I did in the past, but they will still deliver a quality cup that's worth stopping by.

✧ Boy Scouts Patch

This is one of the only patches in that the design itself has nothing to do with me personally. This patch is special because I found it in an antique shop in Hannibal, MO on a little weekend trip in October of 2018 and thought the aesthetic matched the bag perfectly. I also just really liked the patch itself and it was a great take-home souvenir for the trip!

✧ The Mud House Button

When my husband Cody and I first got married, we did our honeymoon around Saint Louis, trying many different coffee shops in our area of Saint Louis and Saint Charles (there are a lot!). We called it a "CoffeeMoon". One of the places we stopped at was The Mud House in Saint Louis. I love that I got this button to not only remember the place, but I like having a button to remember the CoffeeMoon by. 

✧ American Flag Patch

I don't remember exactly where I got this patch. I believe I got it at an antique shop. I have no idea why the flag is backwards, I can only guess it was sewn wrong during production. The symbolism in this one is obvious, in that it reflects my American heritage!

✧ NASA Apollo 11 Patch

I had a cool NASA pin on the day we went to this attraction as well, but unfortunately it broke awhile back and I had to remove it from the bag. 

This is a really cool patch that I got at the Saint Louis Science Center in August of 2018. They were doing a special exhibition about the Moon Landing and Apollo 11. It was a really cool event and they even had the full Apollo 11 Command Module on display! I have always been fascinated by space facts and space exploration, so this patch not only commemorates the cool trip to the Science Center, but also my love of space in general!

✧ Vertical Harvest Bible Chapel Gold & Silver Pins

From age 8-ish to age 18-ish, I attended Harvest Bible Chapel, Saint Louis West location, which was part of a larger chain of church plants in the US, originally stemming from Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago, led by James McDonald (former pastor), none of which is any longer actively existing. At our church location, they gave one pin to those who had been there 5 years, and 10 years. I don't remember which finish (gold or silver) was given to which tenure. But, somehow I still have both pins even though it's been 10 years since I even went to that church. I must say it wasn't my favorite church experience, but I went there during the formative years of my teenage years and thus the church and especially the bible study experiences I had there had a great impact on my walk with GOD and on me as a person. So, I look back with general fondness on the whole period. 

✧ Home Depot Associate of the Month Pin

Definitely the most damaged item on the bag, this is one of two Home Depot related items on my pin. I received Associate of the Month recognition a handful of times throughout my employment since 2019. I have always loved working there and enjoyed being with the people I get to meet while working, both customers and fellow associates. This pin commemorates my time at the stores, and working from home for awhile too!

✧ Home Depot Platinum Patch

This one the threads are coming off a little bit, I need to go over it to secure it onto the bag!

This is the second of the Home Depot items on the bag. When you do something as an associate worth recognition, leadership will, at times, award a "Homer Award". It comes with a patch and a little paper with what you're being recognized for. Every 3 homers received equals a small bonus on the next paycheck as well! And every 12 homers is a milestone called the Platinum - with the Platinum you not only receive a small cash bonus, but you get to pick a prize from a collection of goods (So far, my three Platinums I chose - a knife set, an air fryer, and a food processor. They have items to pick other than kitchen items, but I always go for those! Yes, I still use all three!). The next time I reach 12 total homers, I will receive a Diamond, which is the highest award you can receive. Apparently you get an even nicer prize choice, and you get a pin with a real diamond in it. That will be a great future pin to add!

✧ MAMA & Stay The Course Keychains

These are the two keychains I currently have on my bag. The first one, Mama, is from a care box that was sent to me by a friend when I was pregnant with my first son, Malachi. I love having it on the bag, because being a mama is obviously a huge part of my life and who I am now. The second one is from Course Coffee Roasters, which I have praised on the blog many a time before. It is one of several pieces from Course on the bag, to commemorate my love for that place!

✧ Garnet Birthstone Angel Pin

I love that I have a birthday in January. I feel like a lot of people are born in May, June, July, you know, summer months. I don’t meet that many people who have birthdays in January, and it just makes me feel special because I LOVE Wintertime. Obviously, a January birthday is part of who I am, so I have this angel pin that has garnet, which is the January birthstone. I have no idea where I got this pin, but I think it's really cute and precious! It's the only "blingy" item currently on the bag. 

✧ Blueprint Pin

This pin is another from a local coffee shop. This one is from Blueprint Coffee. I personally don't go there anymore, but I still like the pin and like supporting local coffee, so on the bag it remains. I do love the brake shop location, though, it has similar vibes to Upshot Coffee Brake Shop in St. Charles.

✧ Flower Pin

This one is one of my favorites on the bag, and it is the largest! It has three pin backs to it, it's so big. This one I got at one of my favorite nurseries here in Saint Louis. Rolling Ridge Nursery in the beautiful Webster Groves area. I have purchased several plants there, and one day I found this pin there on sale, and knew I had to get it! This pin signifies not only my fondness for a specific plant shop, but also my love for house plants in general (should I do a house plant tour next??).

✧ Teleo Coffee Pin 

This is yet another local coffee shop pin. This one is for Teleo Coffee in Kirkwood, which we have been to several times. They have a really admirable set of values as a company, their mantra is "love your neighbor", and they are very community and locally focused. I also love that the pin kind of also represents the Kirkwood area, in that my dad used to live and work there before he moved to Pennsylvania in 2022. So in that way, Kirkwood is very dear to me!

✧ Course Coffee Patch

This is another of the three items on my bag dedicated to Course Coffee Roasters. They no longer sell this patch, and so I'm glad I picked it up when I did! What I would really love, however, is if they would make a patch of their compass logo, as that's my favorite design associated with their branding. But for now, this patch will do!

✧ St. Charles Patch

This is one of my favorite patches on the bag. This patch very obviously symbolizes my home and heart as a Saint Charles, MO resident. Me and my husband met in Saint Charles, fell in love, married, lived, and raised babies in Saint Charles, and it is truly a home to us! I am very happy to live where I do, and also happy that it is so close to the county I grew up in of Saint Louis. I got this patch at Joy's Collective Market, an antique and vendor market on our beautiful Main Street. 

✧ Course Coffee Button

Ok, this is the last of the Course Coffee items on the bag! Lastly, is a button. Again, I would love this design as a patch or a pin, because I prefer patches and pins to buttons... but still, I'm happy to have this button and wear it proudly on the bag!

✧ Bird Patch

This pretty patch represents two things for me. First, my love of nature and wildlife/birds. I grew up birdwatching thanks to my mother who put out birdhouses and bird-feeders for us kids to look at and help maintain. As a result, I have a pretty good knowledge of the different bird species and an appreciation for birds in general! The other thing this bird represents is my employment at my very first job, at Michaels, for that is where I got this patch. Having got the job when I was only 17, I did a lot of growing up at that job, and had fun and benefited from the learning experiences. An additional thing I love about this bird patch besides it being so pretty, is I'm really happy with the placement! The tail fits perfectly in that little space between the pocket and the zipper, and the feet look like they are perched perfectly on the bag's front pocket, which I think gives a lot of character to the bag's trinket layout. 

Well friends, that wraps up a tour of my bag decorations! 

I haven't added anything new to the bag in a couple of years now. Again, I try not to go out of my way to find things just to collect and consume. I wait until the natural process brings me a new thing here and there that proves itself worthy of being on my bag (how many times have I written "bag" in this post?? LOL!!). 

ALSO, I wanted to give a shout out to THESE PIN BACKS that I got on Amazon. I had so many issues with the regular pin backs that each of my pins came with. They were constantly breaking and falling off. But since I got the better pin backs, I have not had a single problem breaking or failing me in any way. So... if you are wanting to collect pins on something, I highly recommend those pin backs in the link!

Anyways....... Let me know if any of the patches, pins, or buttons stands out to you in any way. I am very curious what you think and if you enjoyed the bag tour!

That's all for now - 

~ Amaris // ☆

Recent Movies!

 You guys, it's been YEARS since I've posted a "movie post" here. Because it's been YEARS since I've watched enough movies to have enough material to do so. 

But recently, I've been on a movie kick. That's right, I'm all about movies. Especially 2000s setting, and 1980s setting, and especially romcoms. But, there are other movies outside that genre sprinkled in here and there. 

There are SO many movies I've seen recently, I'm keeping the reviews rather short. More like review snapshots. 

Clueless (1995)

So, here are my opinions, short and simple. 

I'm greatly interested if you have watched any of these, and if you would rate it similarly to me. 

Here we go!

Say Anything (1989)

• The Notebook (2004) - 2 out of 10. Boo! Didn't like it. I can see why it's such an iconic flick... But not for me. Too many character problems. And wHyYy are we romanticizing cheating.?!.?!
• Say Anything (1989)- 7 out of 10. Really sweet movie. Great music. I loved their relationship. This movie was maybe a little slow, but that's what you appreciate about it as an older movie. Not everything meaningful happens all at once. With this movie, I could slow down, appreciate their relationship progression, appreciate the time period, and appreciate the plot as it unfolded to something memorable, vulnerable, and meaningful.
• The Breakfast Club (1985) - 4 out of 10. This movie gave me that sickening feeling of dread in my stomach as when your family is fighting all around you and you can't stop it and can't get out. But, maybe that was the point. Weird ending, too.
• Pretty in Pink (1986) - 5 out of 10. A pretty good movie that I heard about after watching The Breakfast Club because the same actress was in it. It was a great picture of being a teen in the 80's, and later I heard that Molly Ringwald had a say in who was cast as her romantic interest based on who she would realistically be attracted to, and I think that is pretty interesting. 
• Pitch Perfect (2012) - 5 out of 10. Hilarious. Iconic. Great actors. But, kind of gross. Also, a cappella isn't my thing. 

The Breakfast Club (1985)

• Almost Famous (2000) - 2 out of 10. This movie wasn't bad, it was just "meh", and had weird pacing and just felt like a nostalgia dump for nostalgia's sake. I honestly don't have much else to say about it.
• Clueless (1995) - 9 out of 10. So cute! The age difference is a little weird, but overall I really liked this movie and thought it was cute, iconic, and funny.
• How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)- 8 out of 10. One of my new favorite rom-com couples. But the second hand embarrassment was rough! Also Matthew McConaughey is way hotter than I ever realized he ever was, LOL!
• Love, Actually (2003) - 8 out of 10. A very charming movie with lots of great British actors. Inappropriate at some parts. But very iconic and sweet movie. 
• Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) - 4 out of 10. Funny, iconic. Also stupid. VERY quotable. A lot of talent from Carrey. 

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

• Letters to Juliet (2010) - 10 out of 10. A rewatch from my childhood. The perfect rom-com, no notes.
• Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) - 10 out of 10. My husband and I adored this movie. So sweet and heartfelt. A movie about friendship, hardships, and all of life's and love's twists and turns. The love of romance and the love of family. We loved this movie. 
• Age of Adaline (2015) - 2 out of 10. Stupid, took it self way too seriously, tried so hard to have meaning when it didn't have much at all. Shallow, bland, just dumb. Also, Blake Lively. Ew. 
• Last Holiday (2006) - 10 out of 10. This is a trailer I saw when I was a kid and I never watched it until now. Worth it, loved it. Adorable. Hollywood has changed so much for the worse since they made movies like this. Was nice to go back in time. 
• Groundhog Day (1993) - 10 out of 10. A classic. Even my husband loved it. Adorable. Thought provoking. Timeless. A philosophic and comedic gem. A must see!

Letters to Juliet (2010)

• Big (1988) - 9 out of 10. Cute, classic, funny, and endearing even if the relationship is weird cause he's a kid. But it's one of those classics that you can't help loving due to the acting, the charm, the interesting plot, the humor, and the characters. You gotta watch it.
• Million Dollar Baby (2004)- 9 out of 10. Extremely sad and deeply emotional. Makes you think of life and living it. It was also incredibly acted. 
• When Harry Met Sally... (1989) - 10 out of 10. How could anyone not like this movie? I love the friends to lovers plot. The conversation is so interestingly and charmingly written. You can't help but be enveloped in it like a warm hug, as if you were there with them. You HAVE to see this one. 
• What Women Want (2000) - 8 out of 10. Honestly I liked it. It was pretty cute and it was a lot like Groundhog Day, in that the selfish misogynistic male main character learns to think of others, think of women as more than just objects whose sole purpose is his pleasure, and be a better person in the end. 
• Uptown Girls (2003) - 9 out of 10. This movie was a gem. Sad, beautiful, though-provoking, funny. A story of two girls and the coping mechanisms they use to escape the difficulties in their lives, finding an unlikely but unique friendship in one another during a time when both of their lives take unexpected turns. A beautifully sad and satisfying movie. 

What Women Want (2000)

• Girls Just Want To Have Fun (1985) - 8 out of 10. The most "80's" movie I've ever seen! The clothing, the music! A complete blast, and perfect sleepover movie material. 
• Failure to Launch (2006) - 5 out of 10. While I liked the actors, this movie is not my favorite. I liked Matthew McConaughey with Kate Hudson better (in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, which is beloved and iconic). And there were too many "funny" bits that didn't make sense to the main plot, which I found irritating. Like, what do the animal bits have to do with anything..?? I'm assuming they are a metaphor, but it's just weak and stupid. Do better! 
• The Intern (2015) - 6 out of 10. I liked this movie for the most part. The characters were adorable, and I always love Ann Hathaway. Overall it didn't have that "spark" or "X Factor" that made me LOVE it. Perhaps it was a bit unsatisfying, even boring a little? It seemed like things didn't escalate in a way that would have made it more engaging. But I LOVED the main old guy as far as his character (man, he was so cute!), and Ann Hathaway as far as her acting. Meh, it was just ok.
• The Help (2011) - 10 out of 10. Obviously a winner, anyone who's seen it knows. A must see, and great adaption from the book (which I've also read)!
• Material Girls (2006)- 4 out of 10. This one was "meh" for me. It was fun, and cute in some ways, and I liked their 2000s attire. But, neither the plot, characters, nor anything else wowed me, or make me love it in any way. It was just ok. Hillary Duff is always fun, though. 

The Intern (2015)

• Forrest Gump (1994) - 9 out of 10. I watched this at first when I was 16 years old and loved it. Through the years online I heard a lot of hate about it, and assumed my opinion was faulty due to my naivety and young age. But I watched it again as a seasoned adult, and I still really love it. Sure there are some problems, especially with Jenny. But it's such a classic and so lovable in many other ways, and the main message is not lost on me, and I believe is illustrated very well. Can't not watch.
• Of Mice and Men (1992) - 5 out of 10. This is one of those stories that they make you read in high school as a commentary on deeper symbolism. It was fine, although not my type of movie. It was made well, I can say that.
• Leap Year (2010) - 6 out of 10. A very cute movie! Halfway through I realized I had seen it when I was a kid or teenager. But it was pretty good as far as romcoms go. I just love Amy Adams so she always influences my scoring. 
• Chocolat (2000) - 8 out of 10. I liked this movie. It was sweet and comfy, with unique meaning. Also, it was interesting to see such a young Johnny Depp. 
• Mean Girls (2004) - 6 out of 10. An iconic teenage drama. Was fun to watch although inappropriate at times. Although I was homeschooled, I could appreciate the enduring relatability to the American high school experience and the satirical humor that came with it. 

Chocolat (2000)

• Arrival (2016) - 10 out of 10. The type of movie that changes how you think about life, love, and time. I wish I could watch it again for the first time. A strong premise, good acting, well-written, deeply emotional and meaningful plot. Also, Amy Adams. 
• 12 Angry Men (1957) - 10 out of 10. A must see classic. Another movie that makes you contemplate your own choices and who you are as a person. I liked it a lot. 
• Easy A (2010) - 5 out of 10. A clever drama in which I love Emma Stone as she's very talented. Much like Mean Girls, this movie satirically paints a picture of the high school experience in a funny and bold way. I liked it for what it was trying to be. 
• Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) - 8 out of 10. This movie is a great time capsule of the heyday of the American Mall experience. And it ACTUALLY made me laugh, and warmed my heart too. Honestly, you gotta watch it if you never have. 
• Air Bud: Golden Receiver (1998) - 6 out of 10. This was a rewatch from my childhood. This was an interesting movie to rewatch as an adult. When you're a kid, you are entertained by watching a dog playing football. But when you're an adult, you see a single mom making hard decisions, a family trying to adjust to life's difficult changes, and a scarred little kid trying to cope. There's something for everyone, even me (and I'm not a sports fan).

Well Friends, that's all we have for today. I hope you enjoyed my thoughts, and I will see you all again soon! 

~ Amaris // ☆

Life, Grief & Gratefulness.

Hello, Friends.

It's been awhile! 

I had a whole post I was writing that went into great detail of the last 2 or so months of my life. But it was getting to the point that I knew it was too long but I didn't know how to trim it down and still say what I wanted to say. So, I'm going to leave that post in the drafts for now and try again here. 

Life has been....life. 

Changes in Childhood

Due to shifting job situations, I actually worked full time for a short 2-month period, while my husband was the stay-at-home-parent. During this time, our oldest son Malachi developed a LOT. Vocabulary, behavior, capabilities. It was like he was a completely new kid from 2 months earlier. 

Malachi meeting his first cat! He had seen only pictures of cats prior to meeting this one. Her name is "Mrs. Timbers".

The sad part of this is that I was at work and I feel like I lost touch with him a little bit. I lost the hang of his lingo and swiftly changing habits. 

But, that all changed when in February our lives changed forever with the birth of our second son...

Then Came Abram

My sweet little son was born late in February, who we named Abram. 

How did the birth go? Well, to put it shortly, we started with the attempt at a VBAC and ended at a second-time C-section. But, I feel like the birth experience overall was as redeeming as it could be, and a strength and bravery was revealed in me that I didn't know I possessed. 

We had to induce at 37 weeks due to polyhydramnios. We tried the induction for two days before we landed on a c-section due to failure to progress. But up until I had the C-section I was completely pain med free, which is a huge personal accomplishment for me. 

Once we had to do the surgery, at first I was greatly anxious due to my trauma from my first rather dramatic and difficult C-section (and subsequent recovery). 

But this one went completely smoothly, and I was able to overcome my feelings of dread and panic and instead showed myself to be brave beyond my expectations. 

My Valentine's Bouquet which I took with me to give birth at the hospital.

There is an underlying disappointment with the fact that I had to have another surgery. 

My greatest wish was to have a VBAC. 

But my gratefulness and happiness far outweighs that feeling, knowing the personal journey I went through to be strong and stand up for myself, and advocate for myself in the process, and standing face to face with the thing that scared me, and choosing to be brave rather than succumb to fear or discomfort. 

All resulting in a sweet tiny child at the end, who I could take home and love. 

This blanket is the finished crochet project that I worked on during my pregnancy. I was trying to go for the old fashioned "granny" look while still creating something that I liked as far as colors and design. I'm really proud of how it turned out!

Since the birth, my life has drastically changed with the expected way that a new baby typically brings.

Late nights, messiness, diapers, tears, tiredness, adorable-ness, laughter. 

There's something about the late nights up with a baby. A vulnerability. A sense of space, and peace. A sense of holiness. These moments are sacred and few in life. 

Today, my son will never be this young again. And tomorrow, he will be older than he ever has. 

There is no going back, only forward. 

Each passing moment contains both a grief of the passing of time with the moments it leaves behind, and gratefulness for the present moment, with the joy ahead to be had.

Having a Spring baby means I can go on walks with a tiny bundle strapped to me!

So... what else has been going on? 

Watching Movies

I have been on a huge movie kick lately. I have been living in the "free with ads" section of YouTube lately. BUT... I've also bought some to rent (I don't do streaming services). I'm planning a whole entire post to speedrun through some of my movie opinions, but here is a sampling of a few favorite movies from that list: 

• Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) - 4 out of 10. Funny, iconic. Also stupid. Also not my type of movie. 
• Letters to Juliet (2010) - 10 out of 10. A rewatch from my childhood. The perfect rom-com, no notes.
• Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) - 10 out of 10. My husband and I adored this movie. So sweet and heartfelt. 
• Age of Adaline (2015) - 2 out of 10. Stupid, took it self way too seriously, tried so hard to have meaning when it didn't have much at all. Also, Blake Lively. Ew. 
• Last Holiday (2006) - 10 out of 10. This is a trailer I saw when I was a kid and I never watched it until now. Worth it, loved it. Adorable. Hollywood has changed so much for the worse since they made movies like this. Was nice to go back in time. 
• Groundhog Day (1993) - 10 out of 10. A classic. Even my husband loved it. Adorable. Thought provoking. Timeless.

Last Holiday (2006)

Discovering New Tastes in Beverage (And Enjoying Classics)

I tried matcha once or twice 3 years ago and disliked it greatly. My official takeaway from that experience was that I was "not a matcha person". Well, flash forward to now. I decided to try it again, because who knows. I got a new seasonal drink at one local coffee shop, Upshot Coffee Brake Shop. It was a strawberry matcha. And well, I really liked it. I got it a few more times, and still liked it! 

Could it be, I wondered, that I actually like matcha after all?

I got some matcha of my own, to further test it. I also made some strawberry syrup (dice up strawberries, cover them in sugar, leave on your counter and shake it or stir it once a day or so in an airtight container, once there are no more sugar crystals, strain the strawberries, and voila!). 

Now I drink an iced strawberry matcha latte once or twice a week, and I think there's no going back! 

It's hard not to take pictures of strawberry matcha lattes, even if the lighting is bad, because they are just so pretty!

Finding Time to Make Art

I really miss the days of 2018 and 2019 where I was drawing very consistently and thus improving consistently. It was very enjoyable to me. I often think about those days, and wish I were doing that again. I feel this way about many things, actually (will probably write a future post about that). But, I'm trying to spend more time doing those things, instead of wishing I was doing them. So, I started with something pretty easy and satisfying. Ink patterns! Most ideas I find on Pinterest, but a few patterns I've come up on my own. These patterns I speak of are not quite like optical illusions, but they are adjacent to that, and have the same vibe. 

Here are a few recents (as well as my first ever "junk journal" page, which I made from a chocolate bar package and a tea package): 

Made with a chocolate bar paper package, a tea bag box, and the rest with markers. I winged it and I like how it turned out. 

New Plants to Love 

I am always trying to improve my skills when it comes to keeping and caring for house plants. 

I have had many plants die over the years, some sooner, some later. 

The goal is to keep pushing the dying later and later until we rarely experience a death! 

a

A recent acquired plant, a Tokyo Sun. Isn't she cute?

At least I know which plants I'm most likely to keep alive at this point in time. Golden Pothos! I like to bring in a new on every so often, as well as difference species. 

Pictured are a few new ones I've got recently, and my hope (and prayer...) is that they will last as long as possible!

That is all for now!

Farewell, friends. 

~ Amaris // ☆