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I’ve mentioned I drive a minivan before, yes? But have I mentioned I drive a 2005 Toyota minivan with 120,000 miles on it? Probably not. Because I’m not into details. At least, not when it comes to cars.

But there’s one thing I do know about cars – you have to get the oil changed. Not just once. But like, lots of times while you own it. If you choose not to, you will eventually wind up stalled out, smoke billowing out of the hood of your car while blocking rush hour traffic on a speedramp. I speak from experience here, people. That was not a fun day.

Having an organized pantry is one thing – but having a pretty pantry? Well, that’s a whole ‘nother story! If you are one of the lucky ones to have a pantry you probably stuff your food staples onto the shelves and don’t think about it again.

Or maybe you’re like me – a girl who wants to organize AND prettify her pantry.

I’ve seen some great ideas out there on the internet. I’ve also snooped in others’ pantries to find out how people manage their menu items. I have found that aside from organizing – DECORATING your pantry helps to make an even bigger change. I’ve partnered with The Maids to share my favorite ideas to do just that!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of DairyPure Milk. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’ve always loved milk. From the time I was a little girl I drank it like crazy! I still have fond memories of my grandma fixing me some warm milk on the stove to help me fall asleep after having a bad dream.

I think I went through at least a gallon of milk every few days when I was pregnant with the boys. I was the crazy pregnant lady standing in the kitchen at midnight scarfing down a bowl of cereal because the cold milk just tasted soooo good! And don’t even get me started on how many milkshakes and bowls of ice cream I had. We’ll just not talk about it, mmmkay? But yes, milk and me, we’re buddies. Always have been. Always will be.

Brigham turned five at the beginning of May! He is one whole hand!

I think part of the reason I haven’t written about him is because Brigham’s personality is SO BIG I often struggle to put this boy into words. There’s not one word that would really provide an accurate or fair description of who he is or who he is becoming.

He is kinda like a sweet and sour gummy bear. So sweet at times he makes my heart swell up 1,000 times the size it should be.

I haven’t felt like myself in a long time. Or maybe I haven’t ever felt like myself because I never figured it out in the first place.

All I know is lately I just feel . . . different. And I think going to Arkansas was the catalyst for all these NEW and BIG feelings I’m having.

I’ve always questioned what it is I should be doing. Because honestly – who made up the “shoulds” anyway? Who made up the version of “success” that truthfully, is making us all sick and unhappy?

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sterling. All opinions are 100% mine.

My allergies are so terrible right now. I never used to struggle with this but I do now! I am always so congested and it’s become a year-round problem for me, unfortunately.

I started incorporating essential oils into my life to try to treat ailments and symptoms naturally. I have found a great way to relieve the symptoms of allergies.

When I signed up to do this Dude Ranch blogger press trip I made a promise to myself – I would do every single activity they offer even if I was scared.

I didn’t know what I was getting into exactly but this trip turned out to be a huge personal challenge for me. I had never done any of these things. Never ridden a horse, never rock climbed, never ziplined, never shot a gun (never been away from my kids for five days!). It all made me very nervous. But I’m sick and tired of being scared of the unknown. So I went for it. I was BRAVE and conquered all my fears instead of talking myself out of new adventures.

I’m so excited to finally make this announcement as I’ve known about this for months but had to keep it quiet! I’ve been wanting to get more into travel blogging and this here press trip to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch is kickin’ it off!

Starting tomorrow, I will head south with four other awesome bloggers to an authentic Dude Ranch in Jasper, Arkansas! I’m taking this trip to get a real, behind-the-scenes look at how a Dude Ranch operates. I hope to share a glimpse with all of you and inspire you to take a vacation that might be out of the norm!

Thank you Dove Hair for sponsoring this post. Click here to download and share your own personalized Dove Hair Love Your Curls e-Book!

I can be honest with you guys, right? When I found out Sawyer was a girl, I was so so so very thrilled! But I was also really really scared about having a daughter.

I remember my teenage years. It was a challenge to navigate the world as a young girl coming into her own. There were television shows and magazines showing me what beautiful should look like. And I wasn’t any of those things. During my teenage years I was made fun of for a few different reasons.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bestway. All opinions are 100% mine.

We probably won’t make it to the beach this summer and I gotta tell you – I’m super sad about that! I love the beach so much. In fact, there’s a part of me that feels like I was meant to live near a beach. The sand in my toes any time I wish would be amazing. But, that’s just not to be.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Char-Broil. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have big plans for our backyard this summer. Oh yes. Big, big plans. I know I say this about different rooms of our house a lot. But I would really like to enjoy our outdoor space much more than we have in the past.

We have a great deck off the back of our house but there are definitely some problems that need solutions.

Today I’m going to discuss a hot topic in the blog world – sponsored posts.

Last month I conducted a reader survey. The last time I asked for my readers’ thoughts and opinions was in 2011. So I thought it was time I figured out who is reading my blog. I also wanted to find out why you are reading and what you might like to see more or less of in this space.