Just passed Theo off on Mike so I could tap this out for you. You think, “Lucky Mike. Baby snuggles!” I think, “Ha. He just pooped.”

I want you to read right down to the bottom of this, but first, enter to win a Jesus Tree Lent Calendar from Jesse Tree Treasures on Etsy. Just do it. Make your Lent more holy and all that.

my gram

 

 

I care enough to make sure you don’t miss out on anything I posted earlier this week. Obviously you have a good excuse for why you didn’t read. I forgive you. And I update you:

Theo’s Birth Story

tl;dr February

10+ Post Ideas for March

Winter Tour of Chicago’s Little Italy

#5Faves: Efficient Mama Edition

Reusable Lent Calendar + Giveaway

 

 

If you’re looking to update your blog, maybe give it a little facelift, I can’t say enough about Lauren from Santa Clara Design. She did my previous design, and she is currently working on this new look I’ve got going on. Send her a note and tell her you want in on what she’s got.

 

 

I’m not the only bard in this neck of the Internet. Check out some gems that I didn’t Mark as Read before even getting to. In fact, I saved them to savor later. So, are they good? I don’t know. Let’s find out together:

The Lonely Mission of Motherhood

Liturgical Living at a Glance

Hobo for Christ Podcast

with Joyful Life

Reading: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

  Eating: meals meal meals brought by so many fantastic women. love.

Listening: Budapest by George Ezra

Wearing: not my skinny jeans yet

Praying: that Theo’s transition into our family remains smooth

 

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Squaking With Kelly
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Still* pregnant over here. Don’t worry. I’m due Thursday the 19th, but Sam was 12 days early, so I am considering myself on overtime right now. That’s how it works, you know. Let me spare you the rest of what I was going to type and sum it up here: wah. wah. wah. womp. womp. womp. wahhhhh.

*Author was still pregnant at time of writing this post. If the universe has had mercy on her ribs, she will be in labor at this very moment. Otherwise, she is still banking Lenten sacrifice hours…which are totally a thing.

my gram

 

 

I care enough to make sure you don’t miss out on anything I posted earlier this week. Obviously you have a good excuse for why you didn’t read. I forgive you. And I update you:

Twitterature

#5Faves: Steps for Brushing Your Teeth

Lent in the Time of a Newborn

If you’re looking for a little popup box to add to your wordpress.org site, try these two:

• WP Greet Box: Puts a little greeting at the top of your posts and is tailored to the site your visitor arrived from. Also, I am well aware of the rule about ending sentences with prepositions, and because I know the rule, I can do whatever I want to. ha.
• Scroll Triggered Boxes: When you get about halfish way down my page, you’ll see a box pop up with an option to subscribe via email. That’s what that is.

 

I’m not the only bard in this neck of the Internet. Check out some gems that I didn’t Mark as Read before even getting to. In fact, I saved them to savor later. So, are they good? I don’t know. Let’s find out together:

50 Shades of No Thank You

Let Us Keep the Fast?

43 Favorite Fictional Couples

Read More Books Now

with Joyful Life

Reading: Lizzy & Jane (on sale for $.99 right now!)

Eating: scones and leftovers, baby

Listening: George Ezra Radio on Pandora

Wearing: pass.

Praying: for an anxiety-free delivery; for strengthened faith and hope

 

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Squaking With Kelly
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I’m finishing up the process of plugging in some real bang-up guest posts for y’all for when I’m busy giving birth and stuff. Here’s a quick preview of some of what is to come:

Which are you most excited to read?

my gram

 

I care enough to make sure you don’t miss out on anything I posted earlier this week. Obviously you have a good excuse for why you didn’t read. I forgive you. And I update you:

tl;dr February

Free Online Lent Conference for Women

Vlog: Applying Bold Lips

#5Faves: Recent Etsy Purchases

Like I said, I’ve been getting a bunch of sa-weet guests post lined up for you for when this baby gets out of me right now! Many of the writers have asked the best way to send a guest post. For me? I like the HTML. It’s clean and easy. Find out how to do that with my tutorial.

 

I’m not the only bard in this neck of the Internet. Check out some gems that I didn’t Mark as Read before even getting to. In fact, I saved them to savor later. So, are they good? I don’t know. Let’s find out together:

Top 4 Oils for Your Sex Life

Svellerella: A Day in the Life

Guide to Non-Wonky Eyeliner

with Joyful Life

Reading: Gift from the Sea and The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Eating: Chocolate and Grapefruits

Listening: Trying to listen to The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared as an audio book, but the toddlers are proving worthy adversaries. Thoughts about audiobooks with children?

Wearing: Gracious. This is a loaded question these days. Pass.

Praying: That I remain calm and sane during these last couple of pregnatory weeks.

 

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Squaking With Kelly
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I mentioned on FB that the fam and I are looking for a service project to adopt. Something that would be “our” cause. I wanted to choose something that was important to us because there are so many opportunities out there; it can be overwhelming trying to donate time, money and resources. Instead, if we chose a cause that we felt connected to, we could offer our help whenever something came up under that umbrella.

Anyway, long-wind short: I am still deciding, but I have taken on a project of my own. I tried to involve the kids, but their attention spans. Well.

But, if you’re a crafty soul like me, check out Craft Hope. There is a new project every few months to craft up and bring joy to the world. Current project? Finger puppets for school children in India.

Here are the details if you’re fingers are itching.

my gram

 

I care enough to make sure you don’t miss out on anything I posted earlier this week. Obviously you have a good excuse for why you didn’t read. I forgive you. And I update you:

1o Netflix Documentaries on My Shortlist

#5Faves: Lent Resources

 

Take some time this week to send a personal thank you to some of your most loyal followers. You know, those ones who are always liking, sharing, commenting, tweeting, etc. Don’t they deserve a little love too?

 

I’m not the only bard in this neck of the Internet. Check out some gems that I didn’t Mark as Read before even getting to. In fact, I saved them to savor later. So, are they good? I don’t know. Let’s find out together:

7 Tips for Meal Planning Simplicity

50 Things to Do on Valentine’s Day Instead of Seeing 50 Shades of Grey

BWF: Latest Reads

Baby #5 

with Joyful Life

Reading: Lord of the Flies

Eating: things my mom and dad bring over – because they are insane and awesome

Listening: Smashing Pumpkins

Wearing: my navy Lucky cardi

Praying: for a swift end to this prengnatory

 

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Squaking With Kelly
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I had a discussion with some moms the other day about what you do with your kids all day. Some were in the scheduled activities camp, some in the “let them play on their own” camp. I’m curious of your thoughts now. Lay them on me, crowd.

my gram

 

I care enough to make sure you don’t miss out on anything I posted earlier this week. Obviously you have a good excuse for why you didn’t read. I forgive you. And I update you:

7 Tips for Taking a Pregnant Selfie

#5Faves: Beat the Winter Blues

 

If you’re confused about blogging terminology, check out this glossary. She’s got everything on here to make you look like a real pro-time-big-girl. Can you identify breadcrumbs, a slug, or Yoast?

 

 

I’m not the only bard in this neck of the Internet. Check out some gems that I didn’t Mark as Read before even getting to. In fact, I saved them to savor later. So, are they good? I don’t know. Let’s find out together:

Humility means never having to say you’re sorry

9 novels to curl up with this winter

How to Teach Catholic Kids About Creation and Evolution

There are 7 Ways to Hate a Book

with Joyful Life

Reading: Just finished Hands Free Mama and picking up Station Eleven (which is on sale right now!)

Eating: Dr. said Ellen needs more fiber, so Cracklin’ Oat Bran it is.

Listening: We need to fix our iTunes so I can stop listening to the Disney Pandora station.

Wearing: Anything that will fit over this 36 wk bump. Which isn’t much.

Praying: For Paul. For guidance in Mike’s vocations and hobbies.

 

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Squaking With Kelly
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I’ve been spending every kid-free moment this week working on the blog. You’ve probably noticed. And if you say “yes,” you’re a big fat one. It’s a lot of behind the scenes schtuff, but I’ve made myself a goals list for 2015. Tis’ the season. Included?

1. Garner more reader comments
2. Create and incentive to subscribe
3. Increase gram followers
4. Reach into other blogging circles

And, don’t worry. I’m married to an engineer, so I have action items to go with all of these goals. Das how Mike rolls. Do you have any piping warm tips for this tapper?

 

my gram

 

I care enough to make sure you don’t miss out on anything I posted earlier this week. Obviously you have a good excuse for why you didn’t read. I forgive you. And I update you:

It’s the Suffering

#5Faves: Makeup Tips

If you’re looking to add more blog learning to your Bloglovin’ try these sites:

SITS Girls

Blog Maven

Blog Clarity

ProBlogger

 

I’m not the only bard in this neck of the Internet. Check out some gems that I didn’t Mark as Read before even getting to. In fact, I saved them to savor later. So, are they good? I don’t know. Let’s find out together:

The Non-Girly Girls Guide to Pink Makeup

Progress vs. Perfection

How I’m simplifying my wardrobe with a personal uniform

Five Videos to Get You All Limber This Morning

with Joyful Life

Reading: The Expats

Eating: grapefruit. so many grapefruits.

Listening: Pop Culture Happy Hour

Wearing: Avery Lane Boutique is having a 40% off sale + free shipping. {code: movingsale} Get it.

Praying: for the current and future vocations of our family and Godchildren

 

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Squaking With Kelly
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I feel like I’ve reached another blogging rut. I know, we all get them. Woe is Jenna’s super-hard life. But, when your goal is to eventually have a self-sustaining blog that makes some side income for your family, and you reach a plateau, and you’re immensely pregnant, this stuff happens. And the whole Internet gets to hear about it.

I feel like I just need a really famous person to give me my big break. Do you know famous people? Can you hook me up?

Otherwise things are going to get pretty creative around here.

my gram

 

I care enough to make sure you don’t miss out on anything I posted earlier this week. Obviously you have a good excuse for why you didn’t read. I forgive you. And I update you:

tl;dr January

Ideas for Friday Abstinence

#5Faves: Essential Oil Tricks 

Consider doing some paper marketing to advertise your blog. Instead of just pushing it out on the wide old Internet, print fliers, magnets, business cards, etc. and post them on community boards, give them out to people you meet, send them in the mail.

 

I’m not the only bard in this neck of the Internet. Check out some gems that I didn’t Mark as Read before even getting to. In fact, I saved them to savor later. So, are they good? I don’t know. Let’s find out together:

Change your feed reader, change your life.

5 Housebound Faves

The Man Behind the Blog

with Joyful Life

Reading:  The Expats

Eating: Made this. Loved it.

Listening: I’ve had this song stuck in my head since Christmas. Help.

Wearing: These.

Praying: For a name for this baby. The one that is coming in a few weeks.

 

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Squaking With Kelly
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I didn’t do any kind of 2014 recap. Was I supposed to do that? Here, if you’re really itching, check this out. A big shout out to my top five commenters. I love the love. And I love you.

my gram

 

I care enough to make sure you don’t miss out on anything I posted earlier this week. Obviously you have a good excuse for why you didn’t read. I forgive you. And I update you:

Anxiety Toolbox: Tips for Managing Anxiety and Panic

#5Faves: Christmas Gifts

tl;dr January

 

Don’t be afraid to take a blogging break during the holidays. I know it feels like you need to constantly feed the beast, increase numbers, put out content, but, well you don’t. Turns out the Internet is still there when you get back.

And, not to be blunt, but if you’re a small blogger like muhself, people love you but won’t be lying awake wondering when your next update will be…wink.

 

I’m not the only bard in this neck of the Internet. Check out some gems that I didn’t Mark as Read before even getting to. In fact, I saved them to savor later. So, are they good? I don’t know. Let’s find out together:

Easy Breakfast Energy Balls

A Love Letter

New Years Revolution

with Joyful Life

Reading: The Remedy for Love: A Novel

Eating: lots of fruits and veggies to kick the oof

Listening: Rodrigo y Gabriela

Wearing: I finally busted out the maternity jeans yesterday much to my dismay

Praying: for the special intentions of two very special friends

 

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Squaking With Kelly

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I certainly cannot be the only person who feels this way: In the winter, when they days are so much shorter, I start to think a lot about how quickly life is going by. It seems like every night when we are putting the kids to bed, I get this thought of, “Didn’t I JUST do this??”

Obviously we all feel like life speeds by, but sometimes that feeling is overwhelming. Like I need it to slow down just a little bit. Maybe it’s the lack of sunshine and daylight hours that do it to me. But, how do you snap yourself out of this and just enjoy the time you have?

my gram

 

I care enough to make sure you don’t miss out on anything I posted earlier this week. Obviously you have a good excuse for why you didn’t read. I forgive you. And I update you:

Ellen Chatter + Giveaway

#5Faves: Only During Christmas

 

Use headings and paragraph breaks to break up your posts. Blog posts are a specific genre of reading, and people aren’t usually cozying up with their laptop to enjoy the novella you just tapped out. Instead, they are looking for quick, easily digestible information and entertainment.

Make this possible by using short paragraphs, headings, photos and concise wording.

 

I’m not the only bard in this neck of the Internet. Check out some gems that I didn’t Mark as Read before even getting to. In fact, I saved them to savor later. So, are they good? I don’t know. Let’s find out together:

Immune Boosting Tea with Essential Oils

Great Reads for Your Christmas Vacation

When Gift Giving is Not Your Love Language

Simplifying Christmas by Minimizing Gifts

10 Virtues of Mary Giveaway

with Joyful Life

Reading: still reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking chapter by chapter at the gym. Obviously I need to go to the gym more…Also pacing myself with My True Love Gave to Me

Eating: I made shepard’s pie from this recipe, and it was a HUGE hit

Listening: to this #redthumb commercial. I love this idea.

Wearing: my new mocs that I got on a resale site for $50. brand new. obsessed.

Praying: for relief from my anxiety and hope that it will happen

 

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Squaking With Kelly

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