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Simple as That

Making Everyday Beautiful

Erica Layne

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  • Yesterday I turned 42. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ It was a low-key, beautiful day spent with my family. They spoiled me with homemade gifts, my favorite mini M&M's and an evening walk to our favorite spot to watch the sun set. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ As I look back on the past year I can't help but feel overwhelmed with appreciation for where life has brought me. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Not just WHERE I am as in location....though I absolutely LOVE where we live...but where I am physically after struggling with my health for so long. Where I am in my family relationships and where I am personally. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I've found hope through the hard things, comfort amidst the challenges and strength during the struggles. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ These words express so much better than I ever could how I'm feeling about all this year has been... ⁣⁣ For the highs and lows⁣⁣ and moments between⁣⁣ mountains and valleys⁣⁣ rivers and streams,⁣⁣ for “I’ve always known”⁣⁣ and “I told you,”⁣⁣ for ‘nothing is happening’⁣⁣ and ‘all has gone wrong’⁣⁣ it is here on the journey⁣⁣ she will learn to be strong⁣⁣ she will get where she is going⁣⁣ landing where she belongs.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ - Morgan Harper Nichols #simpleasthatsilhouettes
  • As I’ve been moving towards using more natural cleaners around our home I’ve experimented with a few different homemade cleaners and this nightly sink scrub has been a favorite. I got the recipe from @cleanmama and I love using @sixthscentsoils ⁣ ⁣ Grapefruit essential oil has been my go-to for summer! It’s so fresh and has powerful cleansing properties so I decided to try it in this sink scrub and it is SO good you guys! The smell is heavenly. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I try to remember to use this sink scrub nightly. It leaves my sink smelling so fresh and looking all kinds of shiny!⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Swipe for the sink scrub recipe. Sprinkle it generously in your sink. Use a squirt or two of liquid dish soap, scrub and then rinse thoroughly. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I’m totally new to essential oils but I’ve been having a lot of fun with them! Using @sixthscentsoils has been the perfect way for me to get familiar with the different oils and try some new blends. The recipe card that comes with their monthly @sixthscentsoils boxes is really helpful for a beginner like me. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Get $10 off any order from @sixthscentsoils with code REBECCA10!
  • My bike. ⁣ A new trail to explore. ⁣ Birds singing in the trees. ⁣ ⁣ Feels like happiness to me. ⁣😊 ⁣ What simple things are bringing you joy these days?
  • Graduation day has come and gone. It was different than expected but you know what…that didn’t make it any less memorable. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ It was small and quiet and more family centered than it normally would have been and I kindof liked that. They did a grad motorcade to the school parking lot where the ceremony was held and that was really neat! I’m not sure any of our other seniors will get a parade on graduation day. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I had a bunch of Emily’s friends and family send in video messages for her that I compiled for her to watch while we waited in our vehicle for her turn to walk the stage. Their messages were so special and reiterated the fact that even though they couldn’t be there in person to celebrate with her, they love her so much. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Like so many moments through all of this uncertainty, there have been lessons to take away from grad 2020. One of them being that sometimes life takes us on a different path than we expected and maybe, just maybe, it’s taking us to a place even better than we could have imagined. Embracing the unplanned can be the most beautiful thing we never expected.⁣⁣ #classof2020 #simpleasthatsilhouettes
  • Everyone told me the time would fly by and sure enough, it did.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ 🎓 ⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ ⁣ Here we sit on the verge of another milestone in your life and with this one comes big changes for you and for our family. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ I know its not the send-off you’ve been dreaming of but you are resilient and through this I know you’ve learned some valuable lessons that will serve you well in your life. With all the unexpected twists and turns these past few weeks have brought, I can say that I’ll always be grateful for the unexpected gift they gave me…⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ...more time with you.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ As this graduation drew closer I’ve watched with anticipation and excitement for all that is ahead for you all while my heart demanded that I hold on tighter. Cling to each “last” that we would experience together. Holding on while learning to let go – the great push and pull of motherhood has never felt more real for me than it has these last few weeks.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ Ready or not it’s time sweet girl. It’s time to watch you fly and I trust you! I trust you will embrace all that life gives you. I trust you are ready and that you can handle whatever life throws at you. Emily’s simple and beautiful graduation announcements are from @minted
  • Addie and I got out for an awesome ride this morning on the trails near our house.We explored a new trail as we listened to the birds, felt the sunshine on our faces and breathed in the scent of the pine trees all around us. ⁣ ⁣ As special as our time together was it could just as easily have been a missed opportunity.⁣ ⁣ This cute preteen wasn’t too thrilled about me waking her up early for our ride. By the time we got out there the wind had picked up and it was a little more breezy out than we would have liked BUT if I’ve learned one thing it’s that waiting for perfect robs us from living.⁣ ⁣ I’m out here riding in my 15 year old son’s shorts.⁣ Sporting my beat up running shoes. ⁣ Riding a used mountain bike we picked up off craigslist. ⁣ ⁣ You don’t need the latest and greatest gear to get out and enjoy nature and time with family. Our circumstances don’t need to be ideal for us to find the good. ⁣ ⁣ Magic moments still happen in borrowed shorts, on windy mornings when we wish we were still in bed. ⁣#perfectionism #mtblife #mtblifestyle