Take It From Tina

This Christmas was unlike any other. Largely because Ezra made it extra special with his many "firsts" like opening presents (or just being in awe of ribbons and bows), first snow, first food experiences to name a few. But the one "first" I think that stood out the most was that I forgot to purchase items for my Christmas dinner until Sunday night. MOM FAIL OF THE YEAR! I knew what I wanted to make and in the middle of all the holiday hustle and bustle, I forgot to check off the grocery store from my mental to-do list. So Christmas Eve, I was cruising everything from Tacoma Boys to Whole Foods to Fred Meyers to see if ANYONE was open so I could make a meal for my family. And ta-da! We had a winner. The one store in our entire city that was open was a Safeway with limited hours. So I hauled myself over first thing in the morning and made a few quick purchases and dinner was all set to go. I redeemed myself. But isn't that funny how much we prepare and plan, a...

I don't know why I thought I was going to roast a turkey this Thanksgiving. My picture-perfect holiday wasn't happening and I was on the verge of a major breakdown (Pathetic much, really? Why do we care so much, ladies?!) My husband spent the prior weekend in the hospital with what we thought was a ruptured appendix and we both hadn't eaten any real food in three days. It gave a whole new meaning to skinny, but in a bad way. After a steady diet of chicken broth and jello, changing the bed sheets in my son's nursery what seemed like every night, and hyper-disinfecting every nook and cranny in our house, it hit me. Thanksgiving is not for gratitude. Yes, I repeat: Thanksgiving is not the only day we should be grateful. At my lowest points, I am reminded to chose an "attitude of gratitude" as my pastor puts it. When everything is against me, I can put my faith on display rather than my anxieties and fears. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courage...

I yelled at my husband this week. For coughing. And for being sick because it woke Ezra and I up in the middle of the night. One of those nights when you pray your child can make it at least four hours without waking up because you NEED sleep. And then in my craziness, I stopped, cried, and thought how could I be so shallow? My overscheduled life had overtaken my day to day relationships that I was snapping at my husband for absolutely no reason whatsoever. Soon after I asked him to forgive me, I took a few moments to recollect my thoughts before heading into work that next morning and realized what had happened: the disease of being busy was taking place right in front of my eyes. I lost my temper over something so incredibly mundane because I had allowed my life to be consumed with to-do lists; I yelled at my husband, and it broke my heart. Do you ever have interactions with people when you ask how they are doing, and they respond, "I am good, just really busy..."? Th...

It is supposed to snowing in the mountains today and slushy snowflakes landed in Tacoma about an hour ago. Did I forget to mention that it's only the first weekend in November people?! I am one of those obnoxious Christmas music lovers (haters, beware). As soon as Thanksgiving hits, it's Christmas decor and a Michael Buble holiday playlist for this girl. I think what I love most about this time of year is the coziness of it all: cooler weather, crackling fireplaces, fluffy socks, and the hearty smells of a Crock Pot meal warming a home. Kind of a nostalgic notion I know, but I was nonchalantly browsing through my Facebook memories today and this hit me. Exactly one year ago, we were four months pregnant with our baby bear the last time time it felt like this outside. Garrett and I called him baby bear even though we hadn't discovered the sex until Thanksgiving eve. In my heart, I knew my baby was a boy and my husband believed he would be wide receiver. He posted every Sunda...

Dear Ezra, Bubba, Boyo, Boyo Supreme, Ez.... You turn six months old this week. I can barely begin to process that thought. To celebrate your half birthday and commemorate how special you are to your Daddy and I, I am writing you a letter. And not just any letter; parts of your birth story, your growth, and my dreams for you. My sweet baby, how did this happen? HOW! I remember your birth like it was yesterday. Your Daddy finished up Sunday service on April 23 and headed to the hospital to start my induction process. Grandma Judy and Grandpa Bob dropped me off and helped me get situated in my room until Dad arrived. I was strapped in with every cord and iv possible. We had to monitor you and make sure you were doing well every step of the way. I had no idea what to expect so I asked questions. A LOT of questions. Clearly you were quite cozy inside and had no intention of coming out! I was so scared to have you because they told me roughly four days before you were estimated over...

Nothing makes my heart pitter patter quite like a pumpkin patch in fall. Between the hayrides, hot cocoa and bundled up babies posing with pumpkins often larger than their tiny bodies, I don't need too much convincing that this is my favorite season of all. First for the weather, second for the food and third would be the football. This weekend, our church family set off to Schilter Family Farm for some harvest adventures. We loaded up the car (my husband drove a church bus) and we hit the road. Here are some shots from our morning. Pumpkin field for days!  Ezra was in love with the animals. I mean who wouldn't?   Obligatory family photo. My sweet, almost six month old boy! Don't mind me, I will be crying in a corner... It is crazy to think that last fall I was carrying him, all but the size of a meyer lemon, not knowing what to expect or what he would look like. One thing I knew for sure was we would have an afternoon like this. I...

The first week of October in Washington could not get any prettier. I am convinced we live in the most beautiful part of the country; crisp air, gorgeous trees that are starting to slowly loose their leaves, and incredibly vibrant colors paint the autumn night sky. Honestly, I can say I am happy we have been enjoying these beautiful 60-70 degree temperatures, but I am eager to bust out my Hunters and hit the pumpkin patch with my boy this year. Naked baby in a pumpkin photo anyone? Today I am sharing one of newest salad recipes: a Harvest Chicken Cobb Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette. My husband said he was ready for vegetables after my hearty crockpot recipes as of late, so I found ways to incorporate as many as I could. And boy is this salad loaded with them! Feel free to substitute candied nuts or dried cranberries, or switch butternut squash for acorn squash if you like! I left off crumbled feta because the dairy free feta I normally get was crazy expensive this week, so I pass...

As the seasons change, the leaves begin to fall in my backyard. I try to remind my forgetful self to snag a dang jacket now as I depart from the house and to stock up on more tea than normal. That's right, fall has arrived. But amidst everyone's holy obsession with all things #PSL (I admit, I am one!) there is something extra special I am grateful for this year. My son. A year ago today, my husband and I announced we were expecting.  I remember how beautiful that season was and today is no different. The joy of pregnancy is something no one can take away you. The inexplicable treasure that you have growing inside makes those days (and nights) locked into your bathroom with sickness oh so worth it. Our journey to conception was a dreary one: full of tears, constant change, and doctors visits. Lots of doctors visits. But the result was worth it. It seemed like only yesterday our dear friends, Nick and Alyx were over to the house helping take our announcement pho...

Well Friday officially meant Fall had arrived! I had every intention of following through with my resolution of FINALLY starting my lifestyle and motherhood blog on the first day of the new season, but a nasty cold hit through the Werner House like a pile of bricks and let's just say mopping up my four month old son's vomit off our bedroom floor and consuming nothing but throat coat tea and cough drops for the last 48 hours was ALL my body could take. Thus, I resume.  I am a late 20 something momma based out of the Pacific Northwest with my husband and son. I am a full time Marketing and Development Director at a local YMCA where I get to use my passion and skill sets to impact the community I live in on a regular basis. At times, life on social media often appears to be free from relationship struggles, financial hardship, emotional turbulence, under eye circles, and carbs. My goal is to try and share portions of my life through what drives me the most: cooking, crafting, ...