Hey y'all,

I have officially reached a new era in this this thing called motherhood. My baby, the youngest, my little chunky butt is officially 6 and no longer a "preschool" aged little girl! She is now officially a "school aged" little girl.


Side bar- I find that those age titles are a little "off" since Italy has been in (home)school since 4.

Anyway, as I continue with this tradition of documenting their growth, I feel like I am never really able to capture them just as they are. A camera can only see what is presented to it.. not their silly responses or their warmth of a hug. So, I really hope that this little yearly post on their birthdays will remind them and myself just how awesome they were at this age!

Italy is our last baby, she was a mess of cuteness the moment she arrived! I honestly wasn't the happiest person when I found out I was pregnant with her. I had just lost over 100 lbs after having Baltimore, I was finally doing well in school and I felt like I had parenting down. Then here she comes lol, my wild child!

Even though Italy was a surprise and I was not ready for her... I wouldn't have had it any other way! Through that pregnancy I gained what I consider one of my best friends... who just so happened to be due a few days after Italy! Talk about God working in mysterious ways!

When I was pregnant with Italy, I suffered from a lot of dehydration, morning sickness. I consumed so much ginger (ale, snaps, fresh & powder) that still can not stand it to this day! She definitely put me through the ringer before she was born!

But that's who she is!

Italy is always the one that makes her siblings laugh, whether it's with her or at her. She definitely has inherited her father's sense of humor and for that I am thankful!

So.... This is 6!


1. What is your favorite color? Pink
2. What is your favorite Food? Uh like dinner or something? Maccaroni?!
3. What is your favorite show or movie? Ninjago.... I don't know!
4. What is your favorite activity? Playing games. Just like building and stuff.. i don't know.
5. What is your favorite subject? Science
6. What do you think 6 will be like? Umm getting older or something?!

Italy, Mommy & Daddy love you so much! Your smile always brightens our day and your silly personality makes us laugh uncontrollably! We are so lucky that God had decided to give you to us! We are so proud of your growth and the love that you share with others! Happy Birthday little Italy Whitaly!

Hey y'all!

So let me tell you a little secret about me. I am a plus size woman! Whew.. now that that's outta the bag we can go home.... ( kidding). Yes, I am plus sized and as much I would like to say " I love the way I look" that would be a flat out lie.

The truth is, a lot of women (plus size or not) have issues with their bodies and how clothing contributes to our insecurities. We tend to constantly live in fear of how something makes us look or if it flatters your figure.

Growing up, I was always told I couldn't wear stripes or heard someone say "Big people can't wear stripes", or "Stripes make you look wider than you actually are!". While patterns can alter the way we see shapes and it can give off the illusion of multiple angles or inaccurate distances, plus size women can wear stripes! If you are a plus size woman there are plenty of ways to rock stripes so don't ever feel like you can't!

I for one have always struggled with clothing and how it looks on me, even when I lost over 100 pounds. It wasn't until this past Spring that I finally pulled the trigger and bought a striped dress. Well, actually my husband was the one that badgered me to get it. He loved the colors and he thought they would look great on me. So after a quick back and forth I gave in and said I would wear it.

It took me about two weeks to actually put the dress on and get in front of a camera and I am actually glad I did! My striped dress is now one of my favorites!

Now, on to the reason you are reading this post.... how to rock stripes when you are plus size!

1. Be confident- A lot of the time  we are the one that  thinks we look ridiculous when in actuality, we don't! Showing that you are confident in your stripes gives off a vibe of love and confidence! So, if you have to practice wearing them around the house do it and walk out feeling like a million bucks!

2. Go vertical- Since stripes can alter shapes, going vertical will make your plus size figure longer and leaner! I know a lot of women love to look taller, especially with their legs!

3. Pair with a solid- Sometimes, going full stripe takes time. So, if you are someone that needs to test the waters first before going head first try pairing a solid color top with a pair of stripe pants or a strip top with a solid skirt. There are many different ways to mix it up so don't be afraid to try different looks.

4. Go black and white- We all know black is pretty slimming and white can accentuate so wearing black and white stripes will not only slim but the white will enhance those curves giving you an amazing figure!

5. Layers- If you prefer horizontal stripes but aren't a fan of how they look on you, layer up with kimono, cardigan or duster. Adding a layer on top whether it's solid or a print can also add a dimension to your look and give you a bomb outfit and be beyond flattering.


6. Add a POP of color- Along with wearing black and white stripes, a pop of color can definitely draw the eye to a an area you would much rather be the focus. Our eyes tend to go straight towards the obvious odd color. Try adding a bright color in your top, pants or dress!

Hey y'all!

Guys, springtime is always a bitter sweet time for me, I have the Spring Holy Days, which I love, and everyone has a birthday which I don't love! Seriously, 66% of my family have birthdays that not only seem to happen right after one another they seem to come a lot quicker these days. I mean can I recover from the first kids birthday already?!

Each year the kids birthdays seem to get harder and harder for me. I had my children close in age which I had planned on, but having them so close in the year.. I DID NOT! Last year, Thai turned 10 and then a month later, Italy turned 5! Very big milestones in a kids life. Then you throw in two birthdays in between those, one being the big 3-0 and the other for the only boy... emotions are bound to erupt! The only birthday I can fully mentally prepare for is Phoenix's. Hers is so far down the year that I have time to recuperate and prepare for another child to grow up on me.

Well this birthday should come as no surprise to many of you, this birthday is for the boy! The only boy in our mini gang of kids.

My son is my heart and joy, the one who loves hugs more than anyone else and the one that looks up to his dad as if he was a super hero! My husband has had plenty of nicknames for Baltimore but one that has stuck (and Baltimore actually likes) is King #2. He loves that his father calls him that and also, he loves that his sisters look at him and respect him as King #2.

I on the other hand know that he will eventually grow up, get married and have a life of his own and that I will no longer be the number one woman in his life. AND THAT HURTS! Each birthday, I try to tell myself that no matter how old he gets, who his wife is and how many kids they have, that he will always be my baby boy.... just in a different stage of his life.

I have been blessed with my family and while at times I can't stand the boyish (ie nasty, stinky, weird and death defying) things my son does, I know that I am blessed!

So as I continue this tradition of making a blog post memory/keepsake, I want to wish my King #2 a happy birthday!

This is 8!


As you can see, Baltimore is a man of many words lol.

Baltimore, daddy and I love you more than you will ever know! We are so thankful that God has blessed us with a young man that not only loves his family and God's way of life, but also goes out of his way to show it! We are so proud of you and all that you have accomplished so far! WE LOVE YOU!