Staying Home Sawyer

Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

DIY, Holidays!, Lifestyle

Inexpensive (or Free) Ways to Show Mom Some Love This Mother’s Day

I don’t know about you, but whenever Mother’s Day rolls around I start to panic trying to come up with some fun and easy gift ideas for my mom, Sawyer’s grandmas, and some of my best friends who are also mothers. I always want to do something special and I want it to come from the heart. But I also can’t afford to spend the money on personalized gifts for each one of them (sorry guys, when I win the lottery I’ll make it up to you), so I tend to opt for handmade or inexpensive gifts.

Handprint Flowers

Last year we made these handprint bouquets for all of Sawyer’s grandmas (she has three grandmas and three great-grandmas). We had fun making them in all different ways: Just as a flower alone, as a flower pot, or as a flower bouquet. All three were greatly appreciated.

Here’s the easy way to do them: paint your child’s hand, make handprints (and footprints for the flower pots). Wait for them to dry, tape on a paper straw. You can cut leaves if you’d like, and then tie a little tag on as well. For the pot, we just taped the sticks onto a cutout pot.

For the bouquet, we just made stick flowers and wrapped them in brown paper. They were a hit for everyone we sent them to!

Can we also take a second to wonder where my little baby girl went?

MyPostcard.com – Snail Mail

Everyone loves a little snail mail every now and then, so why not send your mom/grandma/sister/best friend a little happy mail? I’ve used MyPostcard.com in the past, and I’ve always been really happy with the quality. For a few bucks you can send a personalized postcard to the mothers in your life and put a smile on their faces. Is there anything better than that? Thoughtful, considerate, and inexpensive!

I checked out their website for their Mother’s Day selection and found that they have quite the selection. I chose a few as examples (the wine one is my favorite, seeing as how I’m currently pregnant and can attest to this sacrifice), so you could see some of the options. Check out their website to see for yourself. My bet is you’ll find yourself thinking of all the women in your life you can send these cards to, because they’re that cute and that easy.

The best part is the personalization, you get to choose your own photos and you get to write your own message on the back. Trust me, if you’re looking for a good way to show someone you’re thinking of them, this is the way. And you can’t beat the price either!

DIY Personalized Candle

Okay if your mom is anything like mine, she has everything she needs. But she might still collect a candle or two (especially if she lives in the Midwest and it gets cold as heck in the winter), so why not make her a personalized one so she can be reminded of how amazing her child is every time she lights it?

Take a simple jar candle (Michael’s has cheap ones), remove the label. Print your photo in black and white (and just on regular paper, don’t use cardstock). Use Mod Podge to stick your photo to the candle, and then do a thin layer over the top of the photo as well. Use twine to tie a little tag on and voila!

Mom & Me Print

Etsy Image, owned by lilEMIshop

These fun prints from Etsy are such an easy, inexpensive option for a personalized gift for mom. Not only are they under $10, but it’s delivered to your inbox in less than a week (shipping time says 1-3 business days). You can’t beat that (especially if you’re like me, and you wait until the last minute to shop for gifts). Order the print, and head out to buy a frame in the meantime! Trust me, it’ll look like you put a lot of time into this thoughtful gift (win win!).

Toddler Suncatcher Project

Let’s be honest, our kids can make anything for their grandmas, and they’ll love them. As they should, because I treasure just about anything mine makes for me as well (in a box, on a shelf, in the closet. You can’t possibly keep all the projects can you?).

This is such an easy project. You can make it in any shape/color/size. We chose to do some flowers for all of Sawyer’s grandmas. It’s easy, it’s inexpensive, and guess what, it’s NOT messy (if you have toddlers, you know).

Supplies: Contact paper, tissue paper, hole punch, twine, shape tracer. Cut your contact paper to size (make sure your shape can fit inside), and cut two exact pieces for each suncatcher. Peel one contact paper from it’s backing, and use tissue paper to fill the sticky side. When it’s covered, use the other matching piece of contact paper to cover it. Trace your shape, cut-out, and hole punch to hang with twine. Done!!

Products I Love

The Chosen, Season 2

When I was growing up, we attended church every weekend. I also attended a private school. 

Basically, we studied the Bible six days a week. 

We watched countless movies depicting the books of the Bible, the stories, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. If you watched any of those movies in the nineties like I did, you are probably groaning right now too. They were always so old. 

They definitely never held the attention of a bunch of kids. Oh, how I wish we had some of the technology we have today. It would have saved me hours of boredom.

Nowadays, we have so many options. Movies and shows are just not what they used to be (in a good way), and we can actually enjoy watching historical films without rolling our eyes. I mean, I’m sure now that I’m grown, I could at least hide my eye-rolling. 

The Chosen

As parents, we don’t get unlimited free time to watch our own shows or movies, so being intentional with our time is also pretty important to us. 

For my husband and I, it’s been a while since we have found a show that we have really gotten into. Enter in “The Chosen.” 

When our friends told us about it, we weren’t sure what our thoughts would be. After watching the entire first season, I can definitely say that we are hooked. 

What Is The Chosen?

The Chosen is releasing Season Two now, the first episode aired on Easter Sunday. From here on, they will keep releasing the episodes as they are edited (so no official timeline yet, follow their website or social media for updated releases). 

This project has also been completely crowd-funded, which is amazing in itself (and Season Two has already been completely funded). They are aiming for a seven-season production, which is a challenge, but worth it if it comes to fruition as the first season has! 

Director and creator Dallas Jenkins and his team have done a great job giving us an insight into Scripture with different points of view.

Quick plot line for you: The Chosen is based on the biblical events of Jesus Christ (and the other main biblical characters as well) and follows the Scripture. 

What surprised us the most was that it is so well-written that we found ourselves laughing along and found it oddly relatable (something you may not feel when reading the Bible on your own). It doesn’t feel like you are watching those old-school biblical movies (thankfully); it feels like you are watching a compelling drama. 

The characters are as relatable as they are familiar, giving the viewer a connection to the show they may not have expected. 

Season One

The first season gives you a look into Jesus from the eyes of the people that knew Him on Earth. It gives you an almost ‘behind the scenes look into all the stories you grew up reading in the Bible (or learning about in Sunday school), but from a much more compelling viewpoint. 

You get  a little better footing in regards to understanding the stories because it is put into historical context. The first season is mainly centered around the early time of Jesus Christ before He became well known. It gives you inside into some of the first disciples, as well as Mary Magdalene. 

The first episodes center around the ‘supporting’ characters of Christ, exploring their backgrounds before intersecting with Jesus Christ. From that point, we follow Christ as He begins his early ministry. You will see Him do the miracles you have read about countless times in Scripture, like helping a leper and turning water into wine. 

Why You Should Watch The Chosen Too

Listen, I would never claim to know every detail of the Bible and the stories I have grown up reading. But after doing a little research, I have found that this series is incredibly close to the Scripture. 

If you are looking for a way to get a better understanding of the historical context of the Scripture, this is the way to do it. I do not know about you, but I would much rather see and hear the stories acted out on screen versus reading about them (and sometimes not understanding what I am reading). 

It helps that we can connect to the characters visually and emotionally, something that is not always possible from reading.

Overall, if you are looking for a family-friendly Christian show to watch, I think this is a really good place to start. It is available online to stream for free (see link below), which makes it even more convenient (it is also extremely easy to download and watch, no hassle or subscriptions). For us, it is something we feel happy about watching, feeling as if we are learning more about Jesus Christ as we watch it.  

Download the app here, to watch the show for free.

DIY, Party Planning

Baby on Board Baby Shower

If you’ve been following me for a while, it’s got to be very clear what my favorite colors and themes are. I think the last five parties I’ve thrown have all centered around the sea in some way or form. What can I say, I like to be predictable.

I wasn’t sold on the idea of a baby shower (sprinkle) for our new baby girl, but then I saw the “Baby on Board” theme and I was instantly hooked. These colors just soothe the soul, and I knew I had to decorate with them (again). Can you guess what colors the new nursery is going to be?

Because of the current virus, we only invited a few people. But if you know me, that doesn’t mean I’d do anything less. I probably went a little overboard for the size of the party, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I can’t just throw an ordinary party now can I?

Apparently, I also cannot throw a party without doing a balloon garland (listen, they’re easy (but time consuming) and they turn ordinary into extraordinary). My mom may disagree with you, because every party I throw she has to help me with the balloon garland. And basically for about an hour she questions why she had a child at all. Luckily, after we are done I think I usually win her love back. Hopefully.

Here’s the balloon pack I ordered from Amazon (I didn’t use any silver balloons, and only a few of the gray), and I added in these dark blue balloons because I wanted that navy color included. I never use the balloon garland strips that come with the kits, instead I blow up all the balloons, tie the ends in groups of three, and then tie that piece to one long string. That way they’re all moveable up or down to group them as you want them.

One other easy thing to turn a blah party into a fabulous party is custom sugar cookies. Note to self: most cookie decorators are booked for at LEAST a month in advance. So don’t hesitate to get your orders in as soon as you can. I ordered mine from a local gal who did an excellent job with the mood board I sent her. Aren’t they gorgeous?

The night before the party I put together this “Baby on Board” surfboard. It turned out pretty cute and ended up being the focal point of the tablescape. I freehand cut the board out of foam core (or you can use cardboard), and used three pieces of scrapbook paper (in a wood pattern) to cover it. Then I used my Cricut to print the Baby on Board banner.

I also waited for the last minute to do any of this party prep, in true Shauna fashion. I may have given my mom more to worry about than she could handle. What fun would it be if we were better prepared?

Most of the sea decor we had at home already, which made decorating easy. However, Hobby Lobby always has a lot of good sea decor too, so wait for their 50% off sale and scoop it all up!

Our little family of three is ready to welcome another baby girl in June!

Holidays!

Elf on the Shelf Season

Influencer Elf

It’s that time of year again. The time of year that parents dread because they’ve gotten themselves in too deep with their kids elves. Except, at our house, it’s really just for the adults. So basically, I’ve gotten in too deep with my elf for my husband. Each year is harder to top. So while I sit here trying to come up with ideas for this year, here are the highlights from Reuben’s visit last year.

Disney’s Up

This year I featured some of our favorite movies, artists, and shows. Which I basically do every year. Seriously, try coming up with new ideas for your Elf when it’s for your husband.

Freddie Mercury
Netflix’s “You”

One of my personal favorites (and hardest set design) was from one of our favorite Netflix shows, “You.” Trying to get this basement prison set up was pretty difficult, especially when you’re trying to put it together in the five minutes after your husband goes to bed.

Popular Debate last year: Popeye’s or Chick-Fil-A?

I’m going with Chick-Fil-A, I don’t know about Reuben.

“It”

Sometimes our elf Reuben gets a little creepy. As in clown in the gutter with a red balloon creepy.

for parents everywhere: Baby Shark

Baby Shark was everywhere for us two years ago. I had to try to recreate it somehow, so here was my attempt. I’m so glad my daughter has outgrown that stage. Unless you try to throw away anything Baby Shark related, in which case she suddenly loves it again.

Taylor Swift, “You Need to Calm Down”

I have a not-so-secret crush on Taylor Swift, so turning Reuben into Tay-Tay was a must. This scene is from her music video for “You Need to Calm Down.”

So there you have it folks. Last years Reuben antics in its entirety (actually no, I did two more that were a little too personal to share on my blog). Now I’ll be over here in the corner trying to finalize my list for this year. Any ideas, send them my way. It’s not like I have enough going on…