Happy Friday Night!! What’s for Dinner?

Welcome to the weekend!!!

And happy Friday night! How was your week? We just got back from the farm and Getaway House because major things are happening there and we can’t wait to show you. It’s looking so good!!! PJ and the boys jumped in the creek and swam for a bit, exploring and playing and cooling off. It was so sweet to watch them all get wet and get a taste of what this summer is going to be like.

Meanwhile, we’re making taqueria pork bowls for dinner tonight via our favorite meal service as of late. I have a whole (non-sponsored) blog post about which one it is, and our love for it, coming next week. What are you having tonight?

Anna is staying at her aunt’s tonight, the boys are now in bed, and we’re about to sit down and watch the new Elizabeth Moss thriller on Apple TV+ and eat dinner.

Have a great weekend!! xoxo

What to Actually Get Your Adult Child for Their Birthday

For my 31st birthday, my mom surprised me with an assortment of fun gifts…

I’ve come to realize as the years pass and I get older, my birthdays are starting to mean less and less. I don’t care to celebrate myself like I used to and I especially don’t care about gifts. PJ and I made a rule a few years back to start giving each other “experiences” instead of gifts, i.e. let’s just go on a trip that will be fun for everyone instead of a one-off present. It’s worked out well so far.

My mom, on the other hand, loves getting people gifts and will most likely always give her adult children something to open on their birthdays. Which brings us to the other morning when I went over to my mom’s house because she told me she had some presents for me!

I didn’t ask for anything, but somehow she knew exactly what to get me.

She basically raided the entire grocery aisle at Home Goods, which just so happens to be my favorite aisle. I tell PJ all the time how I could spend hours in that aisle looking at all the things that I certainly don’t need but want nonetheless. But the funny thing is I’ve never relayed that sentiment to her. Crazy how moms just know sometimes, isn’t it?

So if you’re looking for something to get your adult child, but aren’t sure what they want and don’t want to ask them at the risk of ruining the surprise, may I suggest the following:

• Jars of marinara and pasta sauce, and a small thing of pesto

• A fun, differently shaped pasta

• New shampoo and conditioner that smells so fresh and so clean

• Coffee

• A book for parents who do too much

• A book about writing

• Linen pants they can stay cool in all summer long

• And of course, a pack of beef jerkey

So there you have it! A bunch of random gifts that somehow add up to just about the best thing I could have ever (not) asked for.

Are You Watching Heartstopper on Netflix?

The new Netflix romcom is a beautiful coming-of-age portrait of young, queer love.

Let me just get this out of the way: We binged the entire series in two nights. Netflix’s new gay romantic comedy TV series Heartstopper is so, so good, and I would compare it to if Euphoria and Love, Victor had a baby, and maybe that baby was friends with Elite and Sex Education, but wasn’t influenced by either of their naughty behavior. It’s a pure, happy little series that deals with very real, serious topics like coming out, being trans, figuring out who you are and bullying.

It’s based on the graphic novel of the same name by Alice Osemen (have you read it?) who also created and wrote the series. The show has received critical acclaim, and has earned a rare 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, with Adam Miller from Metro calling it “A life-changing moment for the LGBTQ+ people of today and all the ones who will follow.” I couldn’t agree more.

Here’s the basic plot:

“Heartstopper tells the story of Charlie Spring, a gay schoolboy who falls in love with someone he sits next to in his new form, Nick Nelson, while also exploring the lives of Charlie and Nick's friends, Tao, Elle and Isaac.

I had actually never heard of it before seeing the trailer for the show last month, and then got a gentle reminder from some of our subscribers this past weekend that it was out and that we must watch it immediately. The episodes are named things like “Meet”, “Crush”, and “Secret”, and they’re listed at the start of each new episode, so they get your attention immediately as you watch to see what will happen next.

The thing that separates this show from some of its modern contemporaries is that it doesn’t really fall into some of the teen romcom cliches and tropes. Just when you think a character will do one thing, because that’s just what happens in shows like this, they surprise you and do the exact thing you want them to do instead (aka, the right thing). It’s rewarding and fresh and fun and, at 27 minutes an episode, completely digestible.

Another thing that makes Heartstopper so relatable and just plain good, is the notion that just maybe, all your dreams really can come true. Right? It’s everyone’s dream that the person they like will like them back, or better yet, love them back. Nick and Charlie represent that very real human feeling of wanting to be loved by the person you love, no matter if you’re a teenager or much older. And when it comes true, when the person you love chooses to love you back, it’s the best feeling in the entire world (speaking from experience here).

I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to have shows like this and “Love, Victor” around when I was in high school. I haven’t been a teenager in a long time, and high school feels like a entirely other lifetime, but I was deeply closeted during those years, always fearful someone would find out I was gay. I couldn’t imagine a world where I would ever come out to anyone. And then, a year and a half after graduating high school, I met PJ and because of him, I had the courage to slowly come out to the ones I love, and after that, I didn’t really care who knew and who didn't. I feel like things would have been a lot easier for me to come out back then had I had a show like Heartstopper. Still, I believe I came out exactly when (and with who) I was supposed to.

I truly hope LGBTQIA+ youth who watch these shows find comfort and acceptance, and that they help them to not feel so alone. The effect that representation has on a young mind, hell, even an older one, cannot be overstated. Seeing someone who you can relate to on the big screen is invaluable, and we can all only hope that more and more stories like this continue to be shared to a wider audience.

So what are you waiting for? Go watch Heartstopper right now and then immediately download the entire soundtrack because every song is AMAZING.

Hoping for a season two ASAP!!

(photos via Joe Locke’s Instagram)

The Wonder Years

I often wonder how they’ll think about this time in their lives when they’re older.

PJ mentioned last night how fun it is right now with the ages they are. They’re kind of just discovering what they like and don’t like, how they want to dress and present themselves to the world (or at least, to their friends in school), what they like to eat, etc. It’s a time of wonder and discovery, both for them and us. I think that sense of discovery will (hopefully) be happening for the rest of their lives, it’s just right now is so fun because they can all finally articulate it with words.

They’re all coming into their own with very distinct, different personalities.

On Saturday, the boys won their second soccer game in a row and celebrated the wins with popsicles, which I’m sure was a nice way to cool down since it was in the 80’s all weekend. I didn’t pack any sunscreen for us at the game, so PJ and I both ended up being burnt from sitting in the hot sun for over two hours. There is always a list of things to bring to each event and I seem to always forget to pack one thing on it. Go figure!

And since when did it become summer all of the sudden?

Speaking of hot weather, as it’s gotten warmer, we’ve all found ourselves spending more and more time outside. At the farm and at Getaway House, the kids sprint out of the car as soon as we park and head towards the nearest tree to climb or animal to pick up and play with. Yes, I worry about them falling off or get scraped up, but I’m telling myself to let go more and just let them be. PJ is so much better about that than I am.

I often wonder how the kids will think about this time in their lives, or if they’ll remember it at all. I know the two of us will think about it years down the road possibly as the golden years; maybe some of the best times of our lives, and I know we’ll miss this time once it’s passed.

For all the small, little frustrations that come with parenting, I’m finding the big picture to be quite beautiful.

A Tour of the New Beach House

It’s small and needs a lot of work, but we absolutely love it (maybe even more than the first one?).

The new(er) beach house has a decidedly California-cool, breezy vibe to it. The wood plank walls that cover the entire inside are in great condition and give the house a vintage vibe, elevating an otherwise dated interior. With all the wood on the walls, it’s extremely dark in the house, and not helping, of course, is the fact that all the windows were covered with curtains and blinds when we toured it.

Once those are gone, I feel like the house will be bursting with light!

How cute is the little arched doorway leading into the hall?

The bedrooms are itty-bitty, but they’re cozy. And I love how the wood panels on the walls are carried to the ceilings as well. Soooo charming!!!

The kitchen is actually a really cute size. I weirdly love the old (probably original) cabinets, too. They’re charming, too, aren’t they? We’ll most likely replace everything in here and make it more functional for our family (and others who choose to stay here!), but it’s fun to appreciate the kitchen as it is in its current state for a while.

The house currently doesn’t have a stove, so that’s something we’ll be addressing sooner rather than later. I’m already envisioning more of a small galley kitchen, with the stove and fridge wall directly across from the sink wall.

So there you have it! Not much to it, is there? We are keeping all of the wood as is and will be brightening the house up with lighter curtains and furniture/art. We really want to lean into the breezy, beachy vibe this house already has (without getting theme-y), and just want to make a few changes so that it brings it up to the 21st century a little bit.

We can’t wait to get started and to officially call it ours!!

PS: click here to watch the tour in video form

5 Things You Should Know About the Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine is continuing on day after day, leaving millions forcibly displaced and with little to no options. Today I wanted to share some basic information about the crisis from USA for UNHCR, because I believe, at the very least, we should all be as informed as we can in order to properly help those who need it.

1. When did the Ukraine crisis begin?

   While there has been conflict in Ukraine for almost eight years (with UNHCR identifying 2.9 million people who already needed humanitarian assistance before this year), the most recent act of violence began on February 24, 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, and from there, the crisis escalated at an alarmingly rapid rate.

2. Who is impacted by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine?

   Over 12 million people have been affected by this war, with a projected 18 million people expected to be affected. There are 41.4 million people in the country, so almost half the population will feel the effects of this war. USA for UNHCR points out that, “Elderly and disabled people are particularly at risk as they may be unable to flee or may choose to stay in the impacted areas. Women and girls are at greatest risk for gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and abuse.”

3. Who is fleeing Ukraine and where are they going?

   More than 10 million people have been forced to flee from their homes in the last several weeks — 4.7M refugees and 7.1 internally displaced people (IDPs). Millions have found refuge in Poland, followed by Romania and Moldova, with the rest finding safety in other European countries.

   USA for UNHCR shares that, “The majority of the people fleeing Ukraine are women and children who account for 90 percent of refugees. Women face significant challenges and are at the greatest risk for sexual exploitation and abuse, human trafficking and forced prostitution. Given the high protection risks, UNHCR staff are in neighboring countries carrying out regular protection monitoring at border crossing points and transit centers to assess protection risks.”

4. What is UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, doing to help?

   In short, an enormous amount:

   “UNHCR and its partners are on the ground providing crucial humanitarian assistance and protection and deploying more staff and relief items in the region. In Ukraine, UNHCR is distributing emergency supply kits with items like thermal blankets and water cans and strengthening nationwide hotlines. UNHCR is helping to set up transit centers in neighboring countries to assess the needs of newly displaced people and provide temporary shelter. 

   UNHCR is working with national authorities and child welfare and protection specialists to support vulnerable groups fleeing from Ukraine. As women and children constitute the majority of people fleeing Ukraine, UNHCR has initiated a ‘Stay Safe campaign’ across neighboring countries to raise awareness among refugees fleeing Ukraine about the increased risks of trafficking and exploitation. UNHCR and UNICEF are also jointly rolling out Blue Dots, safe spaces for children, families and others with specific needs, across the region.”

5. What can you do to help?

   The people of Ukraine, along with all forcibly displaced persons around the world, need our help. No matter the amount, no matter if it’s even just talking about the crisis and spreading awareness, every little bit counts.

   If you are able to, please consider making a compassionate donation today.

(All information provided by USA for UNHCR)

The 9 Most Comfortable Pairs of Underwear

The hunt for comfortable underwear is one that will be never over, but I’m almost certain we’ve found a few of our favorite pairs. We’ve realized Tommy John and Spanx are the most comfortable and provide the most support and breathability. They almost feels like you’re not wearing anything at all, which is what we’re all really going for, isn’t it?

We’re sharing those and 7 other pairs below:

Tommy John’s Cool Cotton Trunk $32

Spanx Sculpt Cotton Boxer Briefs $38

Calvin Klein Microfiber Stretch 3-Pack Low Rise Trunks

Hanes Total Support Pouch Boxer Briefs 

Allbirds’ Trino Boxer Briefs: $24

Uniqlo AIRism Boxer Briefs $14.90

Calvin Klein Men's Cotton Classics 4-Pack Brief

Jockey Men's Underwear Classic Full Rise Brief - 3 Pack

Jockey Men's Underwear Classic 5" Boxer Brief - 3 Pack

Allan is 7!!!

Allan Lee Jasper is 7!!!

It seems crazy to type that, because I swear he was just 4 yesterday, with long hair and a smaller vocabulary. My, how time has flown by in the blink of an eye. We’ve determined, over the last few years, that time in fact means nothing anymore.

We celebrated our oldest’s birthday this past weekend, first with a trip to the Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga, and then with cake and presents on his actual birthday on Sunday. The kids’ grandmother, aunt and uncle all came over and it was so sweet to just celebrate our boy with family. We feel so blessed to have such a good relationship with their paternal side of the family; we know it’s not always the case so we’re extra grateful for that.

Allan is 7 and right now he loves dinosaurs, climbing trees, playing video games, reading, helping out, and playing basketball. He is a classic oldest child, always aiming to please as much as he can. He is so full of life that it’s infectious, always finding ways to spread joy to everyone he meets. 

What would we do without our big, sweet, lovable boy?