Home With The Boys

DaySpring’s Christmas 2017 Collection is Here!

September 22, 2017 by Erin

I received the items featured in this post from DaySpring to review. This post contains affiliate links.

I am SO over this summer weather as we welcome fall, so let’s talk about Christmas! Yep, Christmas is on my mind because, well, I love Christmas. The Hallmark Channel played some Christmas movies back in July and it led me down a holly jolly rabbit hole. Before I knew it, I was watching one of my favorite Christmas movies, The Holiday, and dreaming about how I would decorate our new home for Christmas for the first time!

I know I will be using lots of beautiful items from the brand new DaySpring Christmas collection to put our home in the Christmas spirit, with a focus on the whole reason we celebrate: Jesus! I’m excited to give you a sneak peek of their beautiful line here today!

Nativity Countdown Plaque

My kids LOVE a good countdown, so this Days Till Christmas metal chalkboard plaque will be a hit with them! The gold accents tie in with many other items from DaySpring’s Christmas line this year and this countdown is all about anticipating the birth of Jesus. Beautiful, meaningful, loved by the whole family – exactly why I keep coming back to DaySpring!

Christmas Ornaments

Last year, we were in the middle of moving during the Christmas season. We had no decorations up except for a pre-lit tree with no ornaments. It was necessary at the time as we were moving just days after Christmas, but it was also sad! This year, our tree will be back in full ornament-mode! Yippee! It should be no surprise that DaySpring has the best collection of Christmas ornaments. Whether your theme is elegant, rustic, or eclectic, you will find ornaments you love! This porcelain ornament depicts the birth of Jesus in a simple, beautiful way. I also have my eye on a fun set of wooden ornaments – so many great ones from which to choose!

Nativity Hurricane Trio

You may remember a while back when I got my first set of hurricanes from DaySpring. I had my eye on them for a long time and was giddy when they finally arrived in my home. DaySpring has one-upped their original design this Christmas and I am in love all over again! The brand new Nativity Hurricane Trio Luminary Set is absolutely gorgeous in gold with intricate cutout designs that declare the names of Jesus.

On the back of each hurricane is the Scripture verse that corresponds with name seen on front. This is my favorite thing from the whole Christmas line! The Nativity Hurricane Trio will have a prominent place in our Christmas decorating this year.

Also new this year…

Decor the Door – If you’ve always wanted to decorate your front door for Christmas, but didn’t want to put up a hook, Decor the Door is perfect for you! Each fabric banner fits over the door and features a design for both the exterior and interior of your home. I totally love this idea and will be ordering the red Joy to the World banner for our home!

Christmas Cards – DaySpring is THE place to go for Christmas cards! You can find beautiful designs like this one, as well as personalized boxed sets and premium cards to fit every style! Get ahead of the busyness of the holidays and order your cards now!

Head over to DaySpring today to start your Christmas decor shopping – you’ll be feeling like Buddy the Elf before you know it!

Filed Under: Christmas, dayspring

The Ultimate Guide to Brain Breaks eBook

My Favorite Summer-Fall Transition Pieces

September 8, 2017 by Erin

I received these items to review from Sweet P & Fi.

I woke up Tuesday morning and the temperature was in the low 50s. Wednesday morning was in the upper 40s. “Is this heaven?” I thought. Nope, it’s just the first signs of fall in Nebraska and I’m in love all over again!

I’m not going to get too comfortable in my sweaters and boots yet because I know Nebraska weather could be warm into November, but I am counting on my favorite summer-fall transition pieces to enjoy the cooler mornings!

This in-between time can be tricky. A lot of my favorite cool weather wardrobe pieces are packed away still. I feel like if I unpack them, I’ll be chasing away these lovely temperatures! What’s a girl to do?! I have two go-to transition pieces that get me through this summer-fall limbo and I’ve found two favorite versions of each this year!

The key with being comfortable as the seasons change is using light layers. A light, versatile cardigan is a must-have for me as we move into autumn. My new favorite is from Sweet P & Fi!

I had my eye on this gorgeous cardigan last year but didn’t order fast enough and they all sold out! I am thrilled to have this dark heather gray beauty in my hands this year because it is even more comfortable than I imagined!

One of my favorite things about this cardigan is how it looks great open or tied shut. I love the long sides when it is opened, but I love the way it accentuates my waist when tied – and the ruffles look cute either way! I almost forgot to mention it is incredibly soft and perfectly lightweight. If you’re looking for a little more color, it also comes in rust and olive – great fall colors!

I paired this gorgeous cardigan with my other favorite summer-fall transition piece: distressed denim.

Distressed denim is ideal this time of year because it keeps your legs covered and warm in the morning, but also provides a little ventilation as the day warms up. I have a few pairs of distressed jeans I like, but I L.O.V.E. this pair, also from Sweet P & Fi! The Antique Blu Distressed Stretchy Jeans are labeled as mid-rise but fit as well as any of my skinny high-rise jeans. The distressing is fun, but doesn’t reveal too much. And there are zippers at the bottom – such a fun detail! I am not ashamed to admit I’ve already worn them for more than one day in a row.

Sweet P & Fi also has great jewelry at amazing prices! I’m loving that silver long necklace with this outfit and can imagine with many more of my go-to fall outfits.

Here’s the best news of the day: you can add any or all of these fabulous fall transition pieces from Sweet P & Fi for 20% off with the code HWTB20 this weekend! That’s 20% off your whole order! I think we can all agree this makes for a very happy shopping weekend, especially when you don’t have to leave your couch to do it!

What are you favorite wardrobe pieces as we transition from summer to fall?

Filed Under: fall, fashion, get dressed, what i wore

Encouraging an Active Family Lifestyle

August 16, 2017 by Erin

This post contains affiliate links.

I’m excited to be over at the Tommy Nelson blog today sharing our journey to a more active lifestyle as a family! Tommy Nelson is getting ready to release a young reader’s version of Finding Gobi, as well a picture book version, featuring the adventure of an ultramarathoner and a dog. My son really enjoyed the young reader’s version and it reminded me that inspiration for active living can even come from reading a book!

Here’s a little bit of our story…

There was a time in our life as a family where our children didn’t want to play outside. They didn’t want to go for a run or walk or play backyard baseball. The boys preferred to stay inside to build with Legos, watch TV, and read. Building with Legos and reading are excellent activities, but kids have a lot of energy, and especially my boys. When they aren’t active, that energy can (and will) be spent in unproductive and destructive ways, such playing recklessly in the house and fighting with siblings.

I know, at the time, my husband and I weren’t great active examples for our kids. Exercise was low on our priority list for a long time, but five years ago, we both started to run and take better care of ourselves. Soon, we were running several days a week and training for races. Running improved our fitness level and gave us more energy to play with the kids. Instead of sitting around watching TV with the kids, we were inviting them to go for a walk or to go play tennis…

Head on over to Tommy Nelson to read more about how the kids responded to these changes and a few of my favorite tips for getting your family moving and healthy!

Filed Under: books & bibles for kids, boys, family, healthy living, kiddos

It’s Time for Me to Be the Good

July 28, 2017 by Erin

I received this shirt to review from Cents of Style. This post contains affiliate links.

As my son was turning eleven years old and getting ready to graduate from elementary school this spring, I wrote a little letter to him about being the good this world needs right now. I’ve seen him shine in loving his friends well, taking care of his younger cousins, and being bold about his values and love for Jesus.

This week, he hosted a lemonade stand with his brothers to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in honor of his friend who has Type 1 Diabetes.

In two hours, they raised almost $115! It also meant a lot to Big J’s friend and his family. Seeing him think of this “be the good” idea, put it into action, and have great results was rewarding for all of us!

Now, it’s my turn.

I have lots of “be the good” ideas, but they often just stay ideas in the busyness of life. I am a dreamer, but I want to me more of a doer when it comes to blessing others.

This Bible passage came to mind as I was thinking on what “be the good” means to me:

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” -James 2:14-17

We have to make time for the things that are important to us in life. Living out my faith is important to me. Making my family and friends smile, helping in my community, and loving our neighbors well are important to me, so it’s time to make time for more of that!

You know I like to wear my reminders to myself, so this “Be The Good” tee from Cents of Style is perfect for my passion right now. Our world needs more helping hands, more smiles, more encouraging words – maybe this shirt will inspire someone else to also “be the good!”

All “Be the Good” items from Cents of Style are 40% off with the code BEGOOD17 this weekend! The bags are under $9, the hat + bracelets under $15, and necklace + tees under $17! Shipping is free, too! For your reference, the t-shirts run very true to size and I wear a small in both!

How do you like to “be the good” in your home, neighborhood, and community? Let’s inspire one another today!

Filed Under: community, deals, faith, fashion, inspiration, make a difference, product review, reviews, service, what i wore

My Favorite 2017 Fourth of July Finds!

June 26, 2017 by Erin

This post contains items I received to review from The Modest Mammoth and Cents of Style. I am an ambassador for PRO Compression. This post also contains affiliate links.

You know I like to go all out for the holidays and the Fourth of July is no exception! Every year, it’s fun to find new patriotic things to wear and 2017 did not disappoint! For most of these, if you order now, you can have them in time for Independence Day!

The Modest Mammoth

I love shopping local, so I am giddy about this brand new Nebraska-based shop! The Modest Mammoth has THE softest shirts I’ve ever worn and they keep introducing fabulous designs! I’m wearing the Liberty tee in size small and I think I will live in it over the holiday weekend! When the sun heats up, I’ll be reaching for the Liberty tank instead – watch for a pic on Instagram soon! BEST NEWS: Both the Liberty tee and tank are just $17.76 with the code JULYFOURTH through July 4th! P.S. PLEASE check out the rest of their shirts and hats while you there – The Hubby and I are both big fans!

And that hat?! It’s my new favorite! I’ve been trying to find it online to no avail, but it is available at Husker Hounds in Omaha!

Miles & Pace

Of course I had to include a running tank! Miles & Pace is a favorite running apparel company of mine and this is my favorite tank from them so far! The USA Run Because I Can tank is a great fitted racerback tank, perfect for a day at the lake or a Fourth of July race! I think I’ll pair it with my red sparkle skirt! They even have a trucker hat to match! Get both and get free shipping with the code SHIP40 right now!

PRO Compression

Get your feet in on the festivities! PRO Compression released their brand new Fourth of July sock and it is fabulous! These are limited edition and will sell out, so use the code JULY4 to get your for 40% off right now!

Cents of Style

Don’t forget the kids! I shared these last week, but I’m still loving the patriotic raglan tees for kids from Cents of Style! They are still on sale for just $14.95 – what a steal for these adorable tees! As usual, shipping is free!

Well, I think we’re all set to celebrate the USA around here! Bring on the family, fun, food, and fireworks!

Any fun Fourth of July finds you’re loving this year? Please share!

Filed Under: fashion, product review, reviews, summer

USA All the Way!

June 17, 2017 by Erin

I received these shirts to review from Cents of Style. This post contains affiliate links.

One of my favorite things about the summer is the Fourth of July – the lake, the family fun, the fireworks! Our Fourth of July celebrations usually include a trip to my uncle and aunt’s lake cabin in Minnesota. It’s one of my very favorite traditions from growing up and now we get to take our boys there! With tons of family around and tons of things to do, the day just flies by and lots of memories are made. After tubing, jet skis, water skiing, front yard football and baseball, backyard badminton, and fantastic food, everybody loves to settle in around the campfire for stories and s’mores. It really is the perfect summer day!

There are two holidays for which I buy everyone in the family new shirts every year – St. Patrick’s Day and Independence Day! I just can’t help myself when I see all the fun new red, white, and blue apparel appear in stores and online. With the boys growing so fast now, they definitely can’t fit into their shirts from the previous year!

This year, I picked out the boys’ Fourth of July shirts from Cents of Style!

I love these baseball raglan tees so much and so do my boys! While are July days are usually quite hot, the nights can get quite chilly, especially at the lake, so these are a great option for layering as we head to the campfire!

The classic baseball raglan tee is perfect for any age because it never goes out of style! And these lightweight tees let my boys still be active without getting too hot! They even wore them for our newest favorite activity: shooting hoops in our driveway!

Gosh, I love being a boy mom! This new basketball hoop by our driveway has been the BEST thing for our active boys – I can’t get them to come inside!

Now, about those shirts…

Cents of Style has all kinds of fun and festive kids’ shirts on sale this weekend only! Use the code KIDSTORY to get 50% off all kids’ shirts – some will be as low as $5! Shipping is free, too! This deal ends Sunday, June 18th, so don’t miss out!

Which shirts will your kid(s) be sporting from this awesome collection?!

Filed Under: big j, boys, boys, deals, Double J, family, fashion, kiddos, little j, product review, summer

My Grandma Mac

June 8, 2017 by Erin

My Grandma Mac, my last living grandparent, passed away at the age of 88 this past Sunday. My oldest son and I visited her just a week before her passing. She had had a stroke the previous week, and likely another one just that morning, so she wasn’t completely coherent. Before we left, Big J and I told her we loved her and she said, “Thank you.” We were sadly unable to make it to her funeral, but that moment with her was perfect for me. Below are some thoughts I wrote to be shared at her funeral today in my absence. I wanted to also share them here in her honor. I love you, Grandma. Rest In Peace.

My grandma had the best smile. It was big and wide and highlighted perfectly by her bright red lipstick. It was a smile you didn’t catch on camera very often, by her request, but the few pictures I have with that genuine smile are my favorites of her.

I loved her sharp wit and sense of humor. Even the last time we visited her, just less than two weeks ago, my oldest son, Big J, commented on how funny she was. I’m so glad that was one of his last memories of her because it’s how I will always remember her, as well.

She was a humble woman who didn’t like to talk about herself a lot. When I could get her to share stories from her childhood, from meeting Grandpa, and from raising three boys, I could sit and listen for as long as she would talk. I feel such a connection with her now, living in Nebraska, where she was born and raised, and raising my own three boys. I greatly treasure those anecdotes she shared with us.

Grandma loved her family well. She delighted in her granddaughters, treated my husband just like her own grandson, and had the best hugs and smiles for her great-grandchildren. Of all the ways I knew she loved us, her handwritten letters were my favorite. They usually came along with a newspaper clipping or recipe of some kind that showed she was thinking of us and our particular interests. The last one I received just weeks before her passing. I will hold that letter, her words, and her beautiful heart close to mine forever.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Straight Outta the Midwest

May 24, 2017 by Erin

I received these items to review from Sweet P + Fi.

I’m a Midwestern girl. I was born and raised in South Dakota. I came to Nebraska for college, met my husband, got married, and started our family. All in the Midwest.

We love to travel all over the place, but I just adore life in the Midwest. I love the four seasons, even if they sometimes happen all in one day! I love being near our family and our Huskers. I love the people, the landscape, the feeling of belonging. The Midwest is our home base.

This new tank top from Sweet P + Fi could not be more perfect as we head into another Midwest summer…

Sweet P + Fi is my favorite online boutique (based out of Nebraska!) because the pieces are fun and the prices are fabulous. This is another one of those great pieces!

The “Straight Outta the Midwest” tank is super soft and flowy – and it’s only $20! Even better – use the code Midwest15 to get 15% off!

I love a good classic gray tank on its own, but you can always spice it up a bit with a colorful bralette like this teal one, also from Sweet P + Fi!

To complete this Memorial Day weekend-ready outfit, I went with distressed denim, Converse, and an Urban Halo headband! Comfy and cute and ready for some Midwestern family fun – that’s my kind of outfit!

While you’re over at Sweet P + Fi buying your “Straight Outta the Midwest” tank, make sure you check out all of the other great new items in the shop! I just added a couple more new soft tanks to my summer wardrobe! Don’t forget – use the code Midwest15 to get 15% off your entire order!

Where are my Midwest girls? Born and raised here? Recent transplant to the Midwest?

Filed Under: deals, fashion, product review, reviews, what i wore, what I wore Tagged With: midwest, sale, summer, tank top

Pineapple Love

May 19, 2017 by Erin

I received this blanket to review. This post contains affiliate links.

I have a long-standing love affair with pineapples.

I just can’t get enough of them. While I do love how they taste, I’m talking more about what the pineapple represents. Many cultures view the pineapple as a symbol of hospitality, placing it outside their door to indicate that visitors are welcome or putting it on their table as a sign of welcome and a gift for guests. I just LOVE that.

I have a pineapple print in my kitchen from All Good Things Collective (formerly Naptime Diaries) with this verse on it:

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. -Hebrews 13:2

The pineapple always makes me think of this verse and seeing it keeps my heart in line with what I want my home to be: a place of welcome, comfort, and love. I want this for guests, but also for my family. Hospitality isn’t just for special occasions and fancy events, but for every day and everyone.

In the summer, we can even take our hospitality outside. I’m thinking poolside or park picnics, and I’m taking the pineapple with me with my new Cents of Style beach blanket!

This is the most fun and festive beach blanket I’ve ever owned! I’m obsessed with the pineapple, but I also love the round shape, bright colors and fringe detail! The soft fabric on the back makes the beach blanket perfect for wearing, as well!

When you’re done sitting on this cute beach blanket for your picnic or day at the beach and the day starts cooling off, you can also use it as a wrap!

I love to wear dresses in the summer, but our evenings can cool off quickly, and so this wrap will be the perfect summer accessory! You can get your round wraps and beach blankets from Cents of Style this weekend for only $15.95 when you use the code STORYTHROW at checkout!

If the pineapple isn’t your thing, there are many other fun designs to choose from, but don’t delay because these wraps will sell fast at this great price! Remember to use the code STORYTHROW to get the $15.95 price + free shipping!

Filed Under: fashion, product review, summer

Taking Aventura to Washington, D.C.!

May 10, 2017 by Erin

I am an Aventura Ambassador and received the featured clothing to review on my blog. All opinions are 100% my own.

We took a fabulous family trip to Washington, D.C. a few weeks ago and I have several posts in process to tell you all about it, but today I want to talk about what I packed to wear for the trip!

Picking out clothes to take along was a little bit of a challenge because the weather was going to be all over the place – cool and rainy some days, hot and sunny other days. I also wanted to look nice for all the pictures, but feel comfortable while we walked all over the place all day!

The best solution for me was to pack several great Aventura Clothing pieces!

Day 1 had us touring the Capitol, visiting the Air & Space Museum, and exploring the city on a cool, cloudy day! The Hartwell Hoodie was perfect for keeping me warm and fashionable, even when that giant backpack was weighing me down!

Day 2 warmed up quite a bit, so it was time to pull out the Pilar tank for our trips to the International Spy Museum and Ford’s Theatre! It’s such a flattering tank AND the fabric is so lightweight – I will wear this SO much this summer!

Our third day was another hot one! I was very happy to have this ADORABLE Easton dress (in black) on a warm day of seeing all the monuments with the family! I put a pair of shorts like these Go Anywhere Shorties on underneath so there weren’t any unfortunate wardrobe malfunctions in the wind!

The Easton dress paired PERFECTLY with the black Albany packable sun hat and I was so thankful for it when the sun was beating down on us. I love how I could fold it up so it wouldn’t take up much space in my suitcase, then unfold it with no damage to the hat and wear it once we got here!

Every Aventura piece was easy to pack, came out of my suitcase unwrinkled, and made me feel cute and comfy the entire trip! We’re headed to Utah for a road trip in a few weeks and I know I’ll be taking even more Aventura Clothing with me for our adventures! Stay tuned!

If you’d like to place your own Aventura Clothing order for your summer adventures and get 60% OFF (up to $250 order), leave a comment or email me at homewiththeboys at gmail dot com to get your exclusive one-time use code!

Check out what other busy and beautiful Aventura ambassadors are wearing on the go this spring:

Mary at Real Girls Realm

Shannon at The Simple Moms

Andrea at Momma in Flip Flops

Filed Under: fashion, travel, what i wore Tagged With: Aventura Clothing, clothing for travel, travel clothing, Washington DC