Brooks

{ WHAT DO THE HOLIDAYS MEAN TO YOU? } Tbh I used to HATE December. By the time I was 12ish, I had developed depression and really nothing brought me joy. Then I hit my teens and was too cool for it all ⏭️ Fast forward to 2012 and I overdosed and nearly died. Thankful always for my parents who found me and the narcan the medica administered. 🌲 Ever since then, December has been the hardest month on the calendar for me. Something about the memory of that, the cold, and it getting dark so early have just made me feel empty most Decembers. And not just memories of addiction, but also anorexia. Which is hard. LUCKILY 👩‍👧 ever since I became a mom, that changed. I've always found the greatest joy in giving great gifts. I love to see people's faces when I give them exactly what they wanted (and sometimes what they never knew they needed). And seeing my kiddos face on Christmas has lightened this heavy time for me. So while December is STILL my hardest month, Christmas is now my refuge. It also helps that I have a December baby, so the month is full of distractions. This led me to wondering: what do the holidays mean to you? Do you look forward to it? Does it remind you of decorating, baking, shopping? Tell me in the comments. . . . #addictionawareness #heroinrecovery #addictiontreatment #anorexiarecover #recoveryisreal #cleanandsober #cleanmomma #drugfree #christmasforkids #seasonaldepression #depressionandanxiety #youarevalid #holidaysarehard

{ I'm no good } That's what I find myself saying over and over. I don't "deserve" to create because it's not perfect. I "shouldn't" write because no one will see it anyway. I "can't" be artistic. Well, screw that. Here is your reminder to create. Create BECAUSE it's sloppy Create BECAUSE it's a mess Create BECAUSE it's confusing and overwhelming and you're worried you're no good. Create BECAUSE you think you can't. And guess what? You'll find that you can. And if you REALLY feel bad, remember that some artists become famous for covering a canvas in one single color of paint or spilling buckets of it on a canvas. I mean... They say art is in the eye of the beholder, soooo 🤷‍♀️ . . . . #handcrafteduniquelycommunity #supportcreativity #instacreate #makersgunnamake #instacreators #creativemindset #creativepreneurs #createandcultivate #passioncolorjoy #arttherapyjourney #artistmom #artismytherapy #arttherapylife #therapyart #arttherapyheals #watercolors

{ meet them where they are } My kiddo is behind on almost every milestone. That's just a fact. No matter how hard I support him, today, right now, he's behind. That's been the hardest thing to come to terms with. I could care less about his diagnoses. I don't put much stock in all the scales, measurements, and, let's be real, judgements I get from professionals. What I need - truly need - is to meet him where he is. And where he is, is dinosaurs and dragons, pretend play and Minecraft. The only way we've gotten him to practice CVC words is by saying "sound this out and we'll name this dinosaur whatever the word is!" (Or variations on that). He isn't a kid that can sit still and just practice for 6 hours a day. He's energetic and creative and his mind is so fast. So, yes, definitely help your child in any way you can. Get them so much support. Use every resource available. Therapies and tutoring have been a godsend for us. 🚨🚨 But for fucks sake: don't expect them to be where you want them to be or think they should or will be. Don't act like they're already there just because their peers are. Just meet them where they are. 🚨🚨 . . . . #autismrocks #autismmama #autism #learningdifferences #teachingandlearning #loveoflearning #earlyed #sensorylearning #understandingtheworld #speechandlanguage #childmentalhealth #additionalneeds #academicsuccess #cvcwords #teachkids #lettersandsounds #phonemicawareness #firstyearteachers #sightwordsarefun #makinglearningfun #teachermama #tufftrayplay #eyfslearning #allaboutearlyyears #homelearningfun #kidslovelylearning

{ remember me? } It's been a WHILE y'all! What the hell is up? I'm sharing a totally value-less post which I know is a big no-no, but it's my page so whatever! 1) just me saying hi! New hair 🤷‍♀️ 2) who can guess what my kiddo went as for Halloween? 3) trip to big rock candy mountain which was amazing and we visited some petroglyphs 4) nbd just a hissing cockroach 5) crawdad 6) dia de los muertos 7) a sheep 8-10) California! . . . . #raisingwildones #lettherebedelight #scenesnotscreens #wildernesskids #fiercelittleones #my_everyday_moments #memorizingmotherhood #childhoodoutdoors #littleandwild #littlewildlings #boldemotionalcolourful #wildandfreelittles #letthemrunwild #utahvalleymoms #utahmomlife #utahmom #workingmother #lehi

Where my true crime friends at? 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️ . . . #truecrime #truecrimeallthetime #truecrimeandchill #serialkillerfacts #truecrimecommunity #edgein #leatherface #leatherfacemask #edwardgein #psychomovie #texaschainsawmassacre #silenceofthelambs #selfcareandlove

Subscription boxes always make the best gifts in my opinion. They are LITERALLY the gift that keeps on giving! If you have a plant enthusiast (or if that enthusiast is you 👀), then My Garden Box is the perfect gift!! My Garden Box sends you a new plant and a corresponding craft to make your new plant look absolutely amazing. This month we got a Swiss Cheese Plant - can you tell why it's called that? 😅 Last month we got the most gorgeous fern. Can't wait to see what next month brings! Thank you @mygardenboxmonthly for partnering with me!! . . . . @mygardenboxmonthly @ApexDropOfficial #mygardenbox #plantsmakepeoplehappy #crazyplantlady #hangingpots #crazyplantladyisthenewcrazycatlady #crazyplantladyforlife #crazyplantlady🌱 #alltheplants #tinyplants #swisscheeseplant #talkplantytome #plantart #fortheloveofplants #plantsomething #gardenpots #plantgoals #ihavethisthingwithplants

{ uplevel your grilled cheese } (Ad) I've always been a pesto lover. If it says Pesto, I'm ordering it. Like gimme ALLLL the pesto. I'm in. Sign me up. So when I had a chance to share some AMAZING pesto with the world, I jumped 🙌 on 🙌 that! I made myself pesto grilled cheese that could LITERALLY rival any restaurant out there. Barilla knows we want the freshest taste possible which is why their pesto has minimal ingredient handling and is rapidly prepared and sealed for freshness 😋 Grab your own jar at your local supermarket and prepare to be wow-ed. . . . . #momsmeet #BarillaUS #BarillaPesto #CreamyGenovese @momsmeet @barillaus #momswhocookhealthy #momswhocook #simpleingredients #leftoversfordays #feedingmyfamily #dailyeats

Thank you @sculpey_official for making holiday gifting so much more fun! 🥰 Y'all I am NOT a natural-born crafter. I don't have a billion cute ideas and oodles of talent to make them come to life. But with this Sculpey liquid clay, it is SO. DAMN. EASY. You choose a mold. Squirt some liquid into it. Bake. Cool down. BOOM 💥 you have a one-of-a-kind: -pendant -earring -toy -probably a zillion other things for more creative people If you live the *idea* of homemade gifts but aren't sure on the execution... This is for you! They only bake for 15-30 min (depending on the mold) and are just so easy and fun to make. . . . #sculpey #liquidsculpey #howdoyousculpey #liquidsculpeyjewelry #craftymommy #craftychick #craftyfriends #lovetocraft #diykits #feelingcrafty #happycrafting #momswhomake #mamaartist

Y'all. These apples are the REAL DEAL. They are so good. Bonus points for the 🌿 natural 🌿 red coloring inside. Literally eternally grateful for the chance to work with @lucybrandapples cuz without it, I never would've tried these! The green skinned one is called Lucy Glo and is a bit like a granny Smith, but sweeter mixed with tart and omg. I thought I wouldn't like it (I don't really love green apples) but this was my fave. (Kiddos, too) The red skinned one is a Lucy Rose and is sweet with the faintest hint of berry. This one was amazing, and I could actually taste the berry. 🤤 🍓 I'll throw the link up in my bio and stories for a store locator because omggggg. You need to try them. 😍 🍏🍎 What's your FAVORITE apple pairing? Cheese, PB, a special dip...? Lemme know! . . . . #momsmeet #chelanfresh @momsmeet @lucybrandapples #realmomlifemoments #morethanmama #momssupportmoms #aintnohoodlikemotherhood #modernmama #mominspiration #mamaboss #mommystatus #momgang #fightmentalillness #mentalillnesses #fightingmentalillness #mentalillnesssupport #itsoknottobeokay #talktherapy

{ are your kids believers? } Okay I gotta be honest, we've never done "Santa" for my kiddo. But he was totally jazzed to hear and see his name all over his package from Santa! It truly brought us some much-needed magic 🪄 When you buy your kid a @PackageFromSanta, there are ENDLESS customization options. From different video themes to letter formats, you'll have fun tweaking everything to really delight your child. Check em out @packagefromsanta . . . . #PackageFromSanta #LettersFromSanta #PersonalizedGift #ChristmasGiftideas #ChristmasGiftsForKids #Giftingideas #ChristmasGiftBox #ChristmasGiftidea #holidaygiftingideas #uniquegiftingideas #doyoubelieveinmagic #sharetheeverymom #motherhoodco

{ b a l a n c e } Life is all about balance ⚖️ The good and the bad. The nutritious and the just-because. {a d} That's why I love adding nutrients to my kiddos food. Sure, we get plenty of fruits and occasionally some hidden veggies in our smoothies. But by adding Reliv, I can not only add some vitamins and minerals, I also add a yummy vanilla flavor 🤤 @RelivInternational is ideal for ages 2-13 and perfect for filling nutritional gaps. It contains DHA and 5g of plant powered protein. Check them out for yourself! . . . . . #kidsnutrition #childnutrition #pickyeater #relivstrong #kidnutrition #kidfoodideas #ilovesnacks #goldfishcrackers #kidsthatcook #pickyeaterapproved #pickyeaterproblems #pickyeatersclub #pickyeatersolution #snacklife #afterschoolsnack #fussyeater #whatmykidseat #healthytoddler

The last time I was posting consistently was August 2020. 😳 Whew. So here's a VERY brief update. - first and foremost, my little one BROKE HIS ELBOW 😭 my heart. 💔 He'll be in the cast for 1.5 more weeks and then get another x-ray. - we are loving Halloween and all things spooky 😍 stay tuned for both some ADULT spookiness ~and~ some fun Halloween learning activities. - little dude is still very into dinosaurs, but now he's added Pokemon to his obsession 😅 his cast is actually full of Pokemon drawings! - I've started going back to therapy and actually began EMDR which I'm sure I'll talk a lot about because it's pretty amazing. Tell me something new about you! I'd honestly love to meet some new mamas (or friends in general, you don't have to be a mom 😝) . . . #kidtime #parentingislife #simplifyparentinglife #thisparentinglife #gentleparentinglife #parentinglifestyle #parentbloggers #realmoms #mommymode #mommingainteasy #educationalactivities #honestmommin #parenthoodmoments #parentingtheshitoutoflife #mentalhealthmattersforall #mentalhealthmatters🌻 #mentalhealthmatterstoo #anxietydisorders #knowthesigns #mentalhealthmatters💚 #mentalhealthmatters🧠 #itsokaytonotbeokay

I'M BAAAAAACKK. 👋 Hey friends, family, and total strangers. 🙂 Okay. I spy with my little eye, a tiny human hanging onto me (peep his lil hand on the bottom of the pic). When you have a toddler constantly attached to you, you probably don't have time for an intense meditation followed by a 30 minute yoga sesh and some green smoothie blend while you chant your affirmations. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ But you DO have time for @mycalmigo (AD) CalmiGo is a truly life-changing device. It is a handheld machine that helps you regulate your breathing. In my own experience, it's great for both generalized anxiety AND moments of added stress. It is a natural, portable, drug-free solution to stress or anxiety, and I honestly can't recommend it enough. You'll definitely hear me talking about it more because it I love my CalmiGo and use it nearly daily. Use code OURPARENTPLACE for $30 OFF! 🙌🙌🙌🙌 Trust me, you're gonna love this device! . . . #stopthestigma #endthestigma #mentalhealthmatters #breakthestigma #panicdisorder #generalizedanxietydisorder #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthblogger #mentalillnessrecovery #selfharmrecovery #depressionrecovery #mentalillnessisreal #eatingdisordersrecovery #eatingdisorderwarrior

{ who's ready for father's day? } I am! 🙋‍♀️ [ad] Giving gifts is fun, but giving the gift of HEALTH? Absolutely priceless. @SilverandFit helps older adults stay healthy as they age. And because they have hundreds of videos available online, there is something for everyone. Their classes are easy-to-follow, fun, and definitely effective. We did a cardio class and ALL of us were feeling the burn. 💪 If you'd like to help your parents or grandparents stay active and improve their wellness, definitely check out Silver&Fit! . . . . . #ShareTheHealth #Fitness #HealthyAging #Somethingforeveryone #fathersDay #Healthydad #healthyparents #smashyourgoals #getyoursweaton #holisticfitness #densenutrition #healthyagingmonth #aginghealthy #healthyaginglifestyle #fuelthebody #healthyfamilies #agewell #strongerbytheday #maketimeforyourself #healthystylefamily #healthyhappyfamily #healthyfamilyhappyfamily #healthymomhappyfamily #familyhealthy #happyhealthyfamily #healthyfamilylife #healthyfamilyfood #healthyfamilymeals

*instant iced coffee* It's summertime. I can't stand the idea of hot coffee in the summer 🤮 try this instead. RECIPE: 1-2 tbsp instant coffee 2/3 C cold water Splash of half'n'half Milk, to taste Sweetener, to taste . . . #coffeeismylovelanguage #coffeeismylife #icedcoffeeaddict #icedcoffeerecipe #coffeefirst☕️ #coffeeloversonly