My Everyday featuring ... Carmel Phillips

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
I'm a Southern California girl who is currently living and loving life in the heart of the bluegrass.  My real life adventure began in 1998 when I met and fell in love with a Kentucky boy. We got married in 2000 and boarded the moving train. Our moving adventures have taken us from California to Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and back to Kentucky. Over the almost 13 years that we've been married we've moved 6 times and have lived at 7 different addresses. In 2010 we decided it was time to "settle down" and we put down roots in Lexington, Kentucky to raise our kids - Collin (8) and Josie (6). Moving around inspired a passion for creating a home and out of that passion my blog, Our Fifth House, was born. On my blog I share design ideas, DIY projects, and random tidbits about our family life. It has been a wonderful creative outlet that keeps me inspired and motivated. 

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?
My favorite part of the day with my kiddos is picking them up from school. Now that they're both in school I have hours to myself during the day to write posts and work on blog projects. I appreciate the flexibilty that the blog provides allowing me to be creative, work from home, and still be available to my kids. Rather than putting my kids on the bus I purposely choose to drive them to and from school. The after school stories I hear are truly priceless, and I cherish that special time in the car with them. We often stop for snacks or go to the park to unwind from the day. It's a nice time for me to connect with them - without a phone or a computer nearby.

[#3] Name Instagram MOMS who inspire you.
@cassie8978 / @athoughtfulplace /  @adelightfuldesign

[#4] The chores are done, there's nothing expected of you & you've got 45 minutes of personal free time ... how would you spend it? 
45 minutes of personal free time?! Does that ever actually happen?! Ha! I enjoy reading - actual books - not those e-reader things. I just like having a real book with pages in my hand, and if I have some downtime you will probably find me curled up somewhere with a book in one hand and a hot cup of coffee in the other. I also, on occasion, take myself out to lunch. There's something so relaxing about taking a book to a restaurant and eating alone. It really does help to recharge my batteries.

[#5] What are your staple go-to pieces from your closet this month?
I'm just slightly obsessed with anything spotted or dotted and vintage jewelry. 

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why?
My kitchen/breakfast room table. This is where we gather as a family to eat meals together, where my kids do their homework, and where we do crafts together. It's probably the most used area of my home, and I hope when my kids are grown they remember all the fun we had together as a family around this table. 

Bonus!
Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings. 
I really believe in sharing the good, the bad and the ugly. I generally keep it real, and there's not much that I won't share. However, I'm not much of a natural beauty. I'm thankful for the transformative power of cosmetics. Ha! I wasn't going to share this photo that my daughter insisted we take, but I'm really happy I did end up sharing it after all. It's a great reminder that my kids don't care what I look like - that the beauty that's most important is found on the inside - and that I need to get in the picture more often no matter if I'm in pajamas, yoga pants, or a hooded sweatshirt.

Be sure and follow @carmel_ourfifthhouse on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms

Nomintated mom ... Jacqui Marie

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
Our story is very simple and dear to my heart. Dan and I had our son while still dating. We became parents fast and vowed to be the very best we could possibly be in raising our gift. My great passion in life is my role as a mother and creating healthy recipes for my family to enjoy. We strive to eat organic foods and have found a yummy balance between spinach smoothies and peanut butter cookies. We are normal people who are in love with each other and adventure. You can usually find us romping around Los Angeles. Currently, Dan and I are planning our wedding for this summer. 

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?

Our mornings are my favorite. Everyday our son stumbles into our room and crawls between Dan and I in bed. We whisper about how he slept and what to eat for breakfast. Most of the time we all wake each other up with kisses. Most days I make pancakes or eggs and I always finish drinking my coffee while doing the 'Hot Dog Dance' with my son and the rest of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse crew. Our mornings are bittersweet, because this time is fleeting and I'm trying to soak every moment up before it changes in a breath.

Be sure and follow @babyboybakery on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms

Nominated mom ... Jill Strehlow

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
I was born and raised and still living in Henderson, Nevada. My husband told me he was going to marry me someday, when I was just 10 years old. We have three beautiful daughters. Rylee, 16. Tori is 12 and Abbey is eight. I have a bachelors degree in education and a master's degree in counseling. I had both of these degrees by age 25. It was important for me to do this because education is something that can never be taken away from me. I always wanted to be home with my children so when financially the timing was right my dreams of being home with my beautiful babies came true. I have been home with them for 10 years. Being the most amazing mother to my three precious daughters, is the most important job that I could ever have. My relationship with my girls is fabulous. We talk about it all, we enjoy the same things and we are always there for each other and Robby, our main squeeze-their dad and my husband. It's important for us that our children grow to be kind, thoughtful and caring people. It's my pleasure to be able to say that they are already becoming just that!

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?
I wish that I could narrow this down to one favorite time of the day with my little ones but I absolutely can't! I cherish every moment with each of them. At this present moment in time, my favorite part of the day with Rylee is when she gets home from school and we sit and catch up on what happened in the day. My favorite time with Tori is when Rylee is off to school and Abbey is still sleeping. It's our few moments with each other alone. My favorite time of the day with Abbey is when I brush her teeth. Sounds crazy, but it's the one thing that she still needs me to do and I love it!! My all time favorite moments with all of my girls are the years that I spent nursing each of them. There is no greater feeling to me as a mother than the bond I felt while nursing.

Be sure and follow @jillylyn on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms

Nominated mom ... Nicole Funk

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
I'm mama to my 12 year old son Logan and soon to be wife! I work in accounting full-time, am a mama full-time and blog/wedding plan in my free time. I had my son when I was 18 and have been a single mom almost all of his life. We have an extremely close and bonded relationship because of that and I am thankful for what we have, every single day. I met my fiance in my early 20's but we didn't start dating until 5 years ago. Now we are living together here in small town Indiana, have added two dogs to our family, are getting married in October and will hopefully be adding some babies to the family soon after that. 

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?
My favorite part of the day with Logan is when we sit in the kitchen while I do dishes or make lunches after dinner. We talk about his day, what's on his mind, things he loves, things that annoy him. This time with him and these conversations are so dearly important as he grows older and becomes more independent. I always want him to know he can come and talk to me about anything. This time at the end of the day is just for us, to sit and be open, talk about whatever is on his mind and connect. It's the best and helps me continue to stay close as he grows and changes from a child to an adult.

Be sure and follow @_nicolerose_ on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms

My Everyday featuring ... Shannon Sewell

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
I think my story is pretty typical... mom has kids, mom loves photos of them, mom wants photos to be better, they start getting good enough friends want pictures of their kids, mom starts business... and as they say- the rest is history. I love every bit of it- I've found a way to combine all my loves into a job. What could be better than that?

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?
I love our time at the dinner table or in the car.. it seems to be when the best questions are asked and the best conversations take place. Hearing the stuff they think about, the questions they have... love their minds.

[#3] Name Instagram MOMS who inspire you.
 @jess_cudzilo / @krystamanthemetcalf / @nov2004

[#4] The chores are done, there's nothing expected of you & you've got 45 minutes of personal free time ... how would you spend it? 
Crawling into bed to watch a show on netflix with the kids (it's our guilty pleasure).

[#5] What are your staple go-to pieces from your closet this month? 
Black leggings, gray cardigan & brown boots. Each and every one goes with each other or anything else I've thrown on.

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why? 

The picture of the floor we laid over the weekend. We don't technically live there for another month but it has taken over my whole life designing and creating this home. I am a Cancer and creating a 'home' is everything to me... it's daily what I am excited and giddy about right now.

[#7] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings. 
I find them like this all the time. They can fight like cats & dogs but it always comes back to this and it's what makes my mommy heart swell. :)

Be sure and follow @shannonlsewell on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms

MY EVERYDAY featuring ... Cara Davis

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
I'm a work-from-home mom of 5 1/2 years. I began freelancing my editorial services after my first daughter, Madilyn, was born. My background is in publishing and my passion is helping creatives bring their ideas to life. I volunteer for @help_portrait. My second daughter, Ellenor, was born 8 months ago. We recently moved to East Nashville from Orlando, FL. I love being "home," in the city I was born and raised, and love how it's become a creative mecca. The sense of community here is unparalleled. 

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?
This is a tiny bit creeper, but my favorite part of the day is going in the girls' room (they sleep in the same room although they have separate bedrooms) early in the morning before they wake. I sit in the rocker and watch them sleep and pray a blessing over them (or doze in and out myself). It's a peaceful start to the morning, and I love that I'm the first thing they see when they wake up. 

[#3] Name Instagram MOMS who inspire you.
@laurenabradshaw - for art [Ellenor has two Walnut Animal Society friends], @elittlebit - for courage, @amystan - for inspiration, @kristenhowerton - for humor

[#4] The chores are done, there's nothing expected of you and you've got 45 minutes of personal free time...how would you spend it?
This year I've made it a priority to read more. Whenever I have a free moment, I pick up my phone or iPad to read a book I've downloaded, and I also have a stack of books I'm working through for research for my next book!

[#5] What are your staple go-to pieces from your closet this month?
(I love this question.) My staple wardrobe pieces this fall are a chambray shirt (and dark-wash skinny jeans (both on sale from Old Navy), and cable knit UGG boots (so comfy). I also love a Betsy Johnson necklace (Amazon) I got a great deal on just before the holidays (Merry Christmas to me!)

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why?
My favorite spot in the home we just bought and moved into is just about the mantle, because it features an image my friend @jeremycowart captured of my two girls holding hands. It symbolizes so much to me. I'll treasure it always. Right now it's a large framed print, but I plan on making it an engineer-sized print mounted to foam board (Pinterest) because I want it larger. We'll see how it goes.

[#7] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings.
My #antigram is my desk today, which is actually the kitchen counter where I've collected and dumped misplaced things from the kitchen - school papers, books, bibs, mail, dog muzzle (!) plus my computer, empty cereal bowl and coffee. 

Be sure and follow @caradavis on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms

My Everyday Featuring ... Meg Russell

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
My mom-story begins when I married my husband 8 years ago and immediately became "Mimi" to my now teenage stepson. It is a city mouse marries country mouse romance story. We now have four kids and counting. We lived in Africa for three months while I was pregnant with our first baby. I payed a lot of attention to the mamas and babies there. Previous to being a play at home mom I was a self employed massage therapist and full time massage instructor at a local college. My husband is a jack of all trades but provides for us through carpentry. We hope to one day have a little farm and an RV. All of those things are major influences and inspirations to us. We strive to make life slow and simple, finding our purpose and calling where we're planted and with who is in front of us.

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?

I really try to enjoy every moment. Having several small children is challenging and so I like to involve them in everything I do, from cleaning and cooking, to crafting and DIY, to gardening and so on. Of course we play and laugh and sing before, during, and after. Not all the moments are cheery but I try and love even the hard times because they provide growth. We have a little saying that always changes the atmosphere, "I choose joy!". Life is precious and we try our best to embrace that. Singling out one moment would be our daily devotion time. It's about five minutes of a children's devotional and prayer time and it is so special and essential. I love the questions and the roll play that come out of that time.

[#3] Name Instagram MOMS who inspire you.
This is why I love IG. There are so many mamas that are an inspiration to so many, and yet they're just like you and me and we get to see that. All the mamas I follow are inspirations to me. A dear friend I know in real life who inspires me to do more, Meg Martin @figandfauna; a dear friend I know through IG who inspires me to love more, Flossie O'Reilly @flosshea; and a mama I don't know as well but admire and who inspires me to take better pictures, Michelle Nicoloff @michellenicoloff. 

[#4] The chores are done, there's nothing expected of you & you've got 45 minutes of personal free time ... how would you spend it?
I have three small children. When they aren't around, I take a long shower AND shave my legs! Ha! If my husband isnt working though I usually spend what time I can with him. If he isnt around, I craft! Or clean or read, or whatever. It really depends on what I couldn't get done with my little helpers. I probably in all honestly just zone out. And if other adults are around, I bore them by talking about my kids.

[#5] What are your staple go-to pieces from your closet this month? 
It's pretty much the same all year round: leggings, dress, cardigan, belt. The dresses my mom made as well as the ones my future sister in law gave me are my favorites. I'm usually barefoot unless I go out in public. I plan on adding an apron to my daily attire.

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why? 
Our house was built in the 40's and has lots of cute charms. This room is where we are most of our time indoors because of its great light show.

[#7] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings. 
Photo I don't typically show on IG? Photos of my children sleeping. We need a nice dark room to get to sleep soundly but those moments are so precious. I try to capture them with the flash but never post those. They aren't that appealing to the eye but still are treasures to me.

Be sure and follow @megrussell on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms

My Everyday Featuring ... Lauren Larsen

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
I am a native Texan married to my loving college sweetheart, Matthew. We have two beautiful children, Life Lucia ("Lucy," 4.5 years) and August (14 months). In August 2012, we moved from Dallas, TX to the beautiful and quaint coastal New England town of New Haven, Connecticut. Since our move, I have been busy making a home for us in Connecticut, meeting new friends, getting involved in play-groups and activities in church and transplanting my photography business from shooting primarily Texas weddings to New England weddings and portrait shoots. It's been a busy 6 months to say the least. :)

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?
Watching Lucy and August love each other. It is a gift to see how much love they share and the bond that they have. Lucy's sweetness to August is heart-melting and teaches me so much about how to love purely. August's joy and passion teaches me more about how to seize the day. At the end of the day when all is quiet and I give August his bottle, Lucy stays in his room while I am putting him to bed and helps me sing to him. We both kiss him goodnight and lay him down. If Lucy isn't there with me to put him to sleep, August throws a bit of a fit. :) It's a precious moment with both of them.

[#3] Name Instagram MOMS who inspire you.
@mrsfrenchy / @lindsey_joy / @annebooth

[#4] What challenges have you faced in balancing motherhood and your passion for creativity? 
Motherhood is a full-time job and running my own photography business is also a full-time job. I haven't found a balance yet, but daily I work to be the best mother I can for our two children while cultivating the gifts and passions that I have as an artist. I learned very early with Lucy that health and being a mother is a gift. When Lucy was born prematurely, she suffered from an infection at birth. She was put on a heart, lung and kidney bypass machine called ECMO which resulted in a grade-3 brain bleed and Hydrocephalus. Every day I thank God for her life and how she was healed against many odds. When I am dissatisfied with how little I am able to explore and grow in my creativity, I am reminded of what a gift these years of early child rearing are and how quickly they go by. Creating a schedule and structure to our days is the most challenging aspect of nurturing my creativity while being flexible to my childrens' needs. It seems like when we get into a good rhythm and schedule something changes and we go back to the drawing board. I am learning that motherhood is a dance between structure, flexibility and lots of grace. 

[#5] What are your staple go-to pieces from your closet this month?
Sweaters, leggings and my lined Bean Boots! Winters in New England are wet and snowy, so my Bean Boots are a must.

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why? 
Our messy living room where the kids play and new memories are being made every day. One of my favorite things about the living room is our IKEA rug. So much life revolves around this little rug and it's a constant reminder to me of the great Southwest. I long for the Southwest on these short and mostly dark New England winter days and this little rug is a cheerful reminder of the warmth of my childhood vacations and time with family.

[#7] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings.
Well, this doesn't happen in real life but I wish it would happen most days. Both kids asleep on my arms and me sound asleep with them. This is a VERY RARE (actually a once in a lifetime) sight, but it depicts how I feel most days at the end of the day. :)

Be sure and follow @laurenlarsen on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms

My Everyday featuring ... Casey Wiegand

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story. 
I am a Texas girl. Married to my best friend. Mama to three kiddos ( ages 3 and under). I am an artist, storyteller ( thewiegands.com) & we own an art studio for kids, A Little Artsy. We are a happy crew!

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?
Every moment. I am big on "cherishing it all, the little moments, along with the big". I love the past bedtime snacks, the middle of the night rockings, the giggles and the snuggles. Each one of those tiny people have part of my soul in them.

[#3] Name Instagram MOMS who inspire you.
@jmrammell / @caraloren  / @ruffledsnob


[#4] What challenges have you faced in balancing motherhood and your passion for creativity? 

I think the greatest challenge is just that- balancing. I have learned to say no more, I always put family first and sometimes that means getting 5 hours of sleep so that I can get all of my work done, but it is worth it because I get to do what I believe I was created to do for a living. I get to use my passion and creativity for a job and that is incredible! I get to also be a stay at home mama. So just making sure that my babies and husband come first and that the work gets done when everyone is asleep is my daily balance.

[#5] What are your staple go-to pieces from your closet this month? 
Layers & accessories!

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why? 
I would have to share this collage! So many moments of love all captured through a tiny lens!!! I think it's a great way to give a peek into my world :). 

[#7] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings.
My sweet Ainsleigh being silly with toys everywhere on the floor!

Be sure and follow @caseyleighwiegand on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms