Bringing it back, remember this original post from 2 years ago?
Here are some of the boys photo booth moments from this past year, our funny valentine from us to you.
Sending lots of love on this hallmark holiday. At the end of the day, no matter what the title or trend may be, it is important to tell those you love how much they mean to you.
xoxo abby
Life in the car pool drop off lane is a wild one.
Some days it is sheer giggles and game playing, helping the minutes tick by until the bell rings.
Other days it is nothing short of brotherly fighting, tears and mom trying to keep the peace.
Most days though, these few minutes before the day begins are some of my favorite.
Time slows down. Whether they are in the back seat or jumped up front to wait with me – I am stuck in a few feet of a suv with them with nothing to do.
Brody + Owen both love blasting music – we sound like our car should have hydraulics. I can’t help but get swept away with the excitement that fills the air with their sweet tiny voices singing away to Mumford and Sons, or Justin Timberlake, or their latest favorite – Maroon 5.
When there is just two minutes left before the bell is to ring I find myself just rambling on to the boys about how much I love them. I do not want to spend a goodbye mid discipline – or send them out the door flustered. I want them to feel loved and put that first foot on the ground feeling like a million bucks.
That no matter poor scores on tests, bullying by peers or scrapes on the playground, all they have to do is put one foot back into the car to feel surrounded by love again.
Let’s face it – life is tough out there, not any easier for kids these days.
I caught myself tearing up this morning when Brody and I had our small talk. Staring at his bright blue eyes and his long lashes – chatting away about who knows what. I could not get over the fact that he will be 6 in a few weeks. I have never gotten choked up about them growing up before … crap, I let it happen. Tears have built up each time I think about it – each year is passing so swiftly and this 6 turns to 7 – and suddenly he’s 14.
Slow down.
So between time outs, wiping butts, fooseball games, reading books, t.v. time, homework and laundry – I try to take those 2 minutes to just take it all in.
We adore these little men. More than I could ever type out for you to understand.
[ this is a post collaborating with Gentlemans box. They provided one month subscription for Dan to try + he loved it!]
With Valentines Day just days away I wanted to introduce to you a subscription box that is a fabulous last minute gift for your man!
Have a nick name for your main squeeze? Dan has a laundry list of nick names that come from my lips, and one that is always said before he heads out the door for work is “dapper dan”. Of course I am usually in jeans, a t-shirt, hair on the top of my head and no makeup on. Then this guy (dan) walks into our room decked out to the nines for work and looking fancy head to toe. It makes me envious, sure, that he gets ready and looks nice daily, but really, he impresses me all the time how he pairs his clothing and accessories. He is not one to ask all the time, he has an eye for it.
When I stumbled across this fantastic subscription Gentlemans Box – I knew it was the perfect surprise for Danny to receive.
A monthly subscription box that is packed with 4-5 essential items for every gentleman. Plus, a GQ magazine! With Dan dressing up on a daily basis, receiving a box with either dress socks, ties, or grooming items is a sure win. More to add to his ever growing closet! 
A fun pair of socks, tie clip, lotion, pocket square and shoe strings – valued at over $60 and it costs only $25 to get it!!
$25 shipping included guys! I’m telling you this would be so cute for Valentines Day for your man. Put a note in a romantic card and he’ll have something to look forward to in the mail!
Dan loved getting things that he normally would not go out and pick up for himself. The tie clip, should be an essential in his wardrobe but he has never had one. And the pocket square too! Glad this gentleman of mine loved his surprise and is well on his way to being even more of a dapper Dan!
Thank you Gentlemans box for all of the goodies! My man is hooked!
Our living room was a complete disaster when we purchased this home. I thought it would be fun to show you what we have brought it to now. While it is not where we want it to be, it is livable + comfortable!
Here are some before pictures to remind you what a hot mess this space was!
It was shown just like that, but with a couch tossed in there to make the room appear more livable. When, in fact, it was soaked in cat pee, lacking flooring and looked like it was untouched for years.
Ripping out the nail strips had to have been the smelliest most gag worthy experience of my life. I’d change 300 dirty diapers in a day than go back to doing that again!
I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that we walked into the front door of this home and actually got excited over the potential of the room – Really, Dan and I need to get a reality show and do this for a living. Give us all of the nasty houses!
I have always had an eye for red. Red stickers that is. I can spot clearance stickers from a mile away. I can find that sliver of red sticking out behind a stack of pillows. I know how to properly follow (stalk) an item I want over a few weeks and watch the price climb down until I make it climb into my cart. There are items that can wait, where the risk factor is worth the $$, and there are pieces that I would rather not wait for and I snag regardless if I know it will get marked down further.
During the renovation stage of this house I had found 3 large mat frames at Home Goods. Each on sale for $22 with a bright colored print inside. I wanted the frames more than the print but I tried to keep that a secret when I came home with the frames. Dan saw the prints and hated them! ha. So I acted like I loved them, even more when I realized the backs did not open to change the print. GULP! whoops. The frames sat in Dans office for months and months collecting dust until I mustered up the courage to tell Dan it was too late to make the return and we were stuck with this 70’s colored print.
But behold, where there is will there is a way. My go go gadget guy tore the frames apart and removed the print – allowing for us to implement our favorite pieces of art work to date. Our little men.
The living room is our odd ball out. The black sheep of the house if you will. Whatever furniture we had, what we have picked up at estate sales and craigslist along the way. It is a mod podge of bits and pieces and definitely needing a cohesive look, and a lottery win to make it happen.
But, for now …. we have done our best to create a cozy living room for the fam to unwind in after a long day!
Here is an up close look at the art work we did. Simply enlarged prints we had on our computer at Staples + for less than $20 later we had pictures that will help us freeze time on these baby faces..
While I love to get rid of these green couches – they also are beyond comfortable and have stood the test of time (6 yrs and counting). For now, we keep hunting for oversize slipcovers (if you find them, let me know) these couches are on steroids!
Bits and pieces of this room each hold a certain memory for us. A few dating back to our very first purchases at our first home. So while this room lay lack our current style, it sure holds a few treasures that we will not let go of.
No shame in this game. I will toot my own horn. My Pinterest kinda rocks. I am definitely a nerd in the sense that I am particularly picky about what I pin. I care about it. I want to do it. I want to wear it. I want to make it happen.
Want to see what I’ve been pinning lately? Not only can you make it super simple and follow me so you can get your daily dose of amazing-ness, but I’ll share with you guys right here some of my top pins from the past few weeks! It’s a lot to share, so this week I am going to start off with my fav kitchens, baths and homes!
– Kitchens –
I love two toned cabinets, and this combination of crisp white uppers and rich wood lower cabinets is the tits. Adding my favorite subway tile and a gorgeous rug, I am definitely keeping this one in my back pocket.
I cannot wait to reconfigure our kitchen to fit a large island. I dream of the day I have my pastry dough rolled across an 8ft island. I love the simplicity of this kitchen with the island being the center of attention.
This kitchen I pinned for a few reasons – I love the creamy off white cabinets. The black door in the back – and the glass paneled upper cabinets. Swoon.
I am not crazy about herringbone patterns – but something about this flooring caught my eye. The amazing white patterned tile took my breath away. This kitchen is a winner.
This kitchen is my favorite. Wow wow wowza. I want a nook with benches and pillows around our kitchen window as well. Of course I am smitten by the blue pillows. The window treatments, lighting … I could go on and on. On point this kitchen is!
– bathroom –
We are aching to completely gut both of our bathrooms upstairs. This bathroom has all the right touches.
Love this lighting! And the faucets that come out of the subway tile is one of my top obsessions right now.
Patterned tile makes me giddy – especially up against wood. Love love love.
This very bathroom is one of Dans favorites as well. We think this would be such a great fit for our main bath upstairs!
Lovely Homes
We both wanted a brick house SO much. If we had it our way we would have one just like this.
Love this soft muted blue/gray door paired with brass. Simply darling.
A front door is the face of your home. This one leaves me smiling and aching for spring so we can play with ours.
A girl can dream, right? After painting first house from white to gray – and now living in a blue/gray house, I secretly long for a white house again. (shh – don’t tell dan!) However, there are a ton, and I mean ton of white houses in our neighborhood – so we may stick with having the odd ball and roll with it.
The pillows, bench, shutters, just darling.
Okay, this I cannot even handle. If we ever moved to the east coast – I would hunt down a house just like this!
We have some plans up our sleeves for projects this year – and I plan to compile a list for you all to get an idea as to what we will have going on here in the Thome home. Looking through Pinterest is always my way of finding new ideas and inspiration. Click on the pinterest logo on the right side of our page, it will take you to my page so you can follow me pin by pin!
Much love!
It felt so good to get rid of all things Christmas in our house. As amazing as it feels to put up, it feels just as good to tear it down. Our house feels more open, lighter and brighter. Our kitchen has been at a stand still since the holidays and when I received an email inquiring for new pictures of the kitchen I knew it was my chance to make the tiniest changes and bring some new life into this space.
Flowers, new (old) rug from another room, switching up decor on the shelves and suddenly this space felt like spring was days away! – we all know that is not true!
First the very beginning of our kitchen …
Here is a little reminder of what our kitchen reveal looked like around the holidays ….
And now since I have added my favorite decor pieces to stretch us until summer! 
Dan hates this rug – I love it. Yes, it is large but you all know I have a thing for big rugs. I like big rugs and I cannot lie. When it gets dirty I toss it straight into the wash and it comes out like new.
For all of you wondering about how our Giani countertops are holding up … this picture should suffice. We love them. They still have their shine and have held up so well amongst the craziness of our kids + my ocd cleaning tendencies! I added items to our shelves straight from our cupboards. Trying to stick with whites and blues – my favorites.
Fresh flowers are a must.
This kitchen makes so much more sense with these spring tones. I am loving brightening the entire space up and now I am just aching for summer to keep this trend going!
A darling sister duo that will leave you in awe of their talents.
I have been listening to them for years, downloading any little tune I can of theirs. The first video I posted is their latest cover of “Boom Clap” — and the following two tunes are from years prior. Not only are their extremely talented, but how heart warming is it to see sisters bond over music like this? I am in love.
I think we officially need to have at least a few more kids – in hopes of creating a sister bond like this. If not, we have a great chance of having more boys and creating the next Jonas brothers or Hansons. Mmm Bop. Yes please!
I love to share just about everything I am into these days. Hope these songs get stuck in your head and keep you singing through the weekend!
xoxo abby
Drumroll please … the winner of the Fatty Sundays Pretzels is …..
Lauren P.!! We love you momma and know that you deserve all of the sweetness in the world! Email me at thethomehome@gmail.com
Let us take a stroll down memory lane shall we? When I would make so many sweet treats and post them so frequently on this space. After the hubs and I gained more than love handles to grope it was time to put down my whisk and pick up the kale. While I do still dip into the naughty side of my kitchen, I do my best to do so once a week. Swapping baking sweets every day for some sweet love making every day.
Ya feel me?
If you are looking for SIMPLE sweet recipes to whip up for your hunny bunny, look no further. Here are my favorite treats to tantalize your lover with on Valentines Day.
Lets start things off with my chocolate chip cookie recipe.
This sweet pastry dough is so delicious! Not only was it a cinch to put together, the fact that the fillings and shapes are endless makes me smile. Before hand held pies were cool, this dough was ahead of the game.
Strawberry crumb bars are not only lip licking good (anyone else think immediately of that commercial – you lint licker?! ha) they are rich and tart all at the same time. The vibrant strawberries say it all.
This tried and true (meaning I have honestly made this very recipe over 75 times in 3 years) brownie recipe is raved about when I make it for others. I adjusted the time in the original post for over the years I have learned to bake them for less time. Dense, rich, chewy squares of heaven. I dare you to not take a fork to the pan at midnight.
This is fun! How about I totally forgot about these roasted strawberry whole wheat muffins and now I wish I had a rack of them cooling. Well, I wish I had a rack in general. But, a BAKING rack with a dozen of these gorgeous girls cooling to start my morning off right.
You see here? You have options for desert, mid day snack and breakfast on the day of love.
You’re welcome.
These little lips leak words I never want to forget.
Brody: “oh, this is music to my ears”
Owen: <snapping the back of my bra under my shirt>
“mom, nice boobs in there”
talking about a cartoon — “mom, this toon is inapproviave” (inappropriate)
Brody: owen is allergic – we explained how expensive the hypoallerginic dog we have wanted for years is ….>
“everyone will pitch in mom – gigi, grandpa, nana, papa …etc”
I love the stutters, the “L’s” turned into “W’s” …. I wuv you. And the, I weally weally wike it mom!
These boys do not miss a beat.
I do. They catch me off guard all day long. Owen is still figuring out the world and Brody has a reason for everything.
At the end of the longest of days, we unwind the same way. Kisses and hugs, I love you’s back and forth, and when I put them to bed they are sung their favorite song. I have been doing it for years and it is as relaxing to me as it is for the boys. Their little hands rub my cheek, hold me tight and sing along with me and it reminds me that I am oh so lucky to have these two knuckle heads.
SIDE NOTE! Only a few more days to enter to win a Fatty Sundays pretzel package! Make sure to visit the original post here and enter to win! Your taste buds will thank you later!
Dropped Brody off at school this morning and decided to go to Home Goods for a breath of inspiration for some rooms that need my attention. Owen is in a stage where he is super chatty. He talks so much his words all seem to blur into one. He has something to say about everything, and when we are out running errands, it seems as if he thinks he needs everything. I try my best to move swiftly, taking in everything around me – looking for bits of inspiration to help turn my ideas into reality.
We left one hour later with a tablecloth (I needed), valentines day napkins (why not) and a truck for Owen (whoops). I threw away the idea of getting anything done when the sweet toddler shopping phase became a ticking clock. Off to target we went to grab things we actually needed and it was a full on toddler tornado. Happy, sad, excited, mad etc etc. At the check out, the cashier was carefully eyeing how Owen was acting (he was crying, throwing a mild fit) and she said “maybe he is coming down with something!?” Not in the – “hang in there momma” nice tone, but “holy crap what the heck is wrong with you kid” tone.
I simply replied, “Or he is just 3 – this is just my Owen, strong-willed – making a point at all times” She gave me “the look” like I was crazy for making “excuses” and handed me the receipt without making eye contact. I laughed out loud the entire way to the car. Usually interactions like this make me feel not so great. Embarrassed at best and wanting to run for the door. This time though, I just laughed. I am so sick of seeing people judge – every kid goes through their good and bad moments. Behavior you want to applaud + behavior you want to hide in a closet over. The fact is – as quickly as that moment comes, it will go, so as Taylor Swift would say….
He’s 3 lady – shake it off.
Today we are expecting more snow, so this afternoon I would like to say I am working on a fun project. Instead I have a fridge packed full of fresh groceries and a few dishes I need to prep so that nothing goes to waste! Anyone else do this? It is my life saver during a busy week. Anytime I see a few hours of “free time” I run to my fridge and cook as much as I can so that it is done + does not sit and rot in our fridge!
My list for today …
If you want the recipes for any of the things on my To Do list – leave a comment! Maybe I’ll even make a little video with the boys helping me out. You can find the Challah French Toast Sticks here.
I make the quiche for breakfast/or lunch. It is fantastic whenever you are in a pinch and need something healthy to eat! Kale rocks my world and the sausage helps the kiddos devour it.
Challah french toast sticks are not only genius, but they are amazing to keep in the fridge to have on hand for breakfast before school.
My mini meatball recipe is quick + delicious. You can either freeze them after cooking, having them ready to toss in the oven when you need them. OR – we like to cook them up, toss in kale and our favorite marinara sauce and serve over pasta. Super simple week night meal.
My veggie prep is simply for our taco night. Saute peppers + onions – keep in fridge. Voila
Last but not least, needing a healthy snack on hand I will be making egg salad. We love it scooped onto crackers for a filling fast snack during the day!
Have an awesome Wednesday you guys!
xoxo abby
