Preparing for trips

Happy Friday everyone! We are currently on the way to Atlanta because tomorrow we are going to the beach! You really don't realize how much stuff you need for a week until you have to pack it all... especially with an infant. Y'all should have seen Coreys face when I told him all the baby gear that was mandatory to bring- he thinks I'm insane haha. BUT its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

About a 3-4 days before our trips I always make a list of what needs to be packed. I make everyone their own section and put the number of the item that I need next to it. Ex: Shirts (7). I start a few days in advance because there's so many of us and if I don't I will forget something. I remember things down to the morning of that need to be added to the list because packing for 6 is A LOT. As I pack I put a * next to the things that have already been packed instead of deleting them/ crossing them off so then I have the same list when we're packing to go back home.

Side note: I make a list for EVERYTHING. Errands for the day, trips, grocery, what I'm getting people for Christmas/ birthdays.

I'm very particular when it comes to packing suit cases. My kids will unfold every last piece of clothing in order to find something then just shove it all back into their bags *insert hand over face emoji*. So, over time I have figured out a way to eliminate that. I first lay everything out on the bed that they are going to need for the trip. Then, I pair all of the outfits together so they will know this shirt goes with these pants etc. I then put them into their bags in the order they will wear them- so the last day will go on the bottom and I work my way up. I put their socks, underwear and the girls bows in the zippered pouch so they don't accidentally get mixed in with the clothes causing their suitcases to look like a tornado came through lol.

Corey and I have separate toiletry bags but in mine I keep all the travel sized necessities such as toothpaste, shampoo & conditioner, a soap container, toothbrush containers, contact solution, body wash, lotion, razors ect. Already having the majority of the stuff we need in there is so nice because its just one less thing that I have to do.

(My little helper is so excited for her first beach trip)

I hope some of my tips help make packing for your trip easier!

xoxo

Hello Blogging World

Hey, everyone! I'm so excited to FINALLY write my first post. I've been back and forth with the idea of creating my own blog for some time now and just decided to finally take the plunge and do it. I still have so much to learn but I think I've got the basics down. Now for an introduction.

My name is Shea and I'm a stay at home mom of 3 in North Carolina. My husband, kids and I have lived here for a little over 2 years and we made the move here from Georgia. I was born and raised in GA and my husband was born there but moved a couple of times throughout his childhood before making it back to GA. We have one son, Jaiden, who's 6 and two daughters, Ophelia age 3 and Scarlett age 2. We also have 3 fur babies all of which are pitties but don't worry they don't bite ;)

Random facts about me:
-I love everything chocolate
-I avoid spicy foods at all cost (except wings- all flats please!)
-Greys anatomy is my all time favorite show
-My favorite color is pink although I tend to wear a lot of black and gray clothes
-I only like Hawaiian pizza
-I want to have two more kids
-Fall is my favorite season
-All 5 of us are New England Patriot fans

When I'm not chasing around my littles (or cleaning up their never ending messes), I love to shop for home decor, clothes and shoes online... ESPECIALLY shoes HA. My husband and I have a silent competition about whose "shoe game" is the best. I'm a die hard online shopper and I call myself the queen at finding amazing deals. If there's a price difference of something or a coupon out there you can bet that I will find it. 98% of everything that I buy is online, even my groceries (thanks grocery pick up and delivery). I loathe having to go to stores to buy anything and I think the main thing that definitely puts it on my no no list is.. have you ever taken 3 young kids to a store by yourself *insert hand over face emoji* it's close to impossible.  But as well all know some things you just can't buy online.. like a new brand of jeans that you've never tried before lol.

xoxo