Goodbye NUK--You make me BRAVE

Today marks Zakiyah saying goodbye to her nuk.
Mama decided at about 5pm that I was over it.
Zakiyah is 2 years old and 1 month……. it is time.
Impulsive. Stubborn. Strong. and Ready. (me and the 2 year old)
I have been holding on……. she is my baby. My last. My little lady. She loves her nuk. But, this girl is more stubborn than me. We have been trying to only have it in her mouth for nap/bedtime/car rides…but, there are a lot of extra nuk time she gets…. because it is easy. a cop out on my part.
Zakiyah, don't be so loud in the store. Zakiyah don't whine and cry. Zakiyah is tired and I am pushing her and dragging her to another store……….
Leaving church tonight after youth group and Zion's preschool group, is when I put on baby lullabies and give Zakiyah her nuk and lovie and let her rest for the 15-20 minute drive home…… not tonight…..crying and her tapping at her lips showing me she wanted her nuk. Zion trying to hold her hand and telling her she loved her…….me, explaining that Mama and Daddy love her and she is such a big girl being 2 years old now. No more nuki babe. Close your eyes and listen to the music….nope. She was not having it……
Getting home, and brushing teeth, getting the water in the sippy, and water with ice for Zion, brushing teeth, getting jammies on and changing diaper…….. We go into their room and Zakiyah is on all fours looking for her nuk under her crib. I pick her up and grab the 3 nuks and bring the girls to my bathroom and try letting Kiyah throw them in the garbage. One by one, she puts them in her mouth, while I, in return, take them and say "Goodbye nuki. Zakiyah is such a big girl now, she doesn't need you." She looking at them and me, with alligator tears and the silent cry…..wait for it… there it is….. whaling scream. I stroke her hair and bounce, singing worship songs and telling her I love her…….
I put her down and get my ipad and put on soothing sounds (waves and piano) and pick her up and bring her to the art room across the hall…..saying goodnight to Zi and telling her mama is going to rock Zakiyah to sleep, which never happens anymore. Zakiyah instantly collapses on my chest, as I rock and  whisper to her songs and pray for her. She fondles her index finger over her lips and occasionally sucking her finger for comfort, plays with the beads on my necklace and eventually drops her arms accepting her new life. Nuki Less Life ;) Eventually, closing her eyes and her weight dropping in my arms and on my lap. sigh…the best…...
I found myself looking out the window as I was holding my precious daughter with tears welling up in my eyes, thanking God for my life. God spoke to me tonight…about a nuki. and about finding beauty in the things I don't thank him for very often.
Thank You God for the finger printed windows that I was looking out of. Thank You for my awesome neighbors and for our home.
Thank You for the two girls that are pure CRAZY and test me in every possible way.
Thank You for the chaos of the simple things…….bed time and wake up time. Oh my word, wake up time……Getting up. Telling the girls they can't play on my phone.  Deciding on breakfast. eating breakfast. getting dressed. combing hair. brushing teeth, putting on the right socks that don't have the strings that attack my daughters feet on the inside (my word, i despise Target's $1 socks that suck me in everytime with their Hello Kitty…. they are lamesauce)  making beds. putting away the lovies and dolls and running out the door………
Thank You for the tiny hands that still want to hold my hands in parking lots, car rides, or cuddling on the couch or climbing stairs.
Thank You for the crazy / random conversations I get to have everyday with Zion. Like, having to explain to her why mama wears under garments different from hers. Or why are all of these people moving to our neighborhoods? Where are dare other houses mama?
Thank You for Zakiyah's random and hilarious sounds and facial expressions that she makes! The whistle face, and the head bop. How she loves MUSIC and dances everyday. How when she hears Coldplay or River Valley Kids she instantly grabs my hands and wants to jump and be free.
Thank You for the 3,963 times I hear Mama, and MOM in a day.
Thank You for choosing me to be their mom.
Thank You for the obnoxious car rides we have daily, where Zion decides it is time to learn her words/letters and takes out her notebook and wants me to help her write:  Caroline, Collin, Zakiyah, February 19 (her birthday) and Fall, while getting mad at me because I am driving and she wants to know how to write a letter and doesn't approve of my imaginary chalkboard that I sketch out the letter….not good enough…."Zion, wait for a stoplight and I will help you."
Thank You for the excitement the girls have for being the line leader in PreK / seeing anything Disney / falling asleep with their flashlight on from reading (looking at pix) of their bible.
Thank You for the meltdowns at the end of my work days or busy days/weeks because all they want is their mommy and daddy. Blessed. They choose to love us back. They love me.
Thank You for the little reminders tonight, Lord.

It is funny how taking a nuki away symbolizes more to me. Being a mom, and making those executive decisions, believing and knowing that my daughter will be ok. It might be a rough couple of days, but I know she can do it. She can rest without that security. She will find a new normal. It is my job to push my daughters into the next step. Cheering them on. Praying for their safety/life/future.

Do I live out my life in the same way, I push my daughters into new things. seasons. chapters.

Here is your new school, Zion…. Have fun! See you in a few hours.
Here is a new school lesson- you got this.
Here is a new teacher for a new sport… with new faces. You will be ok.
Here is the stage- perform. You will be ok.

I want to be a mom that shows my girls what bravery is.
I want to be a mom that pushes through my own insecurities, taking risks and getting my butt up after I fail or don't do it right the first time.

Just apart of this new season for me of God stripping my own comfort and rocking my core.

My favorite song right now has these lyrics that go like this:

You make me brave
You make me brave
You called me beyond the shores
into the waves

Ending tonight, with a smile.
A fresh reminder of God's love for us.
Thankful that my daughter is upstairs, sleeping nuk-free and she is ok.

We are all going to be ok.

Lock Love time!!!!!!!! Check out all my before/afters today!

Happy Lock Love Wednesday! I started LLW to keep this hairstylist accountable. It is so easy to get in a hair rut and not style my own hair! I have fun sharing with you anything Hair related! Today, is Before + After day! Join with me below and link up and show off your styling techniques or beautiful hair! Follow me on Instagram @ talahairlife #locklovewed and #locklovewednesday 

My ladies and their cute hair at a photo shoot last week. I am not over the floral crowns yet! love them….

Zakiyah and I rocking a mohawk bun! Check out my tutorial here ;) 

I love it when couples come in and get their hair done together! Tom + Kristin are a blast and let me freshen up their hair for fall! 

 I wanted Tom to give me the worst before pix ever ;) Zakiyah photo bomb too…..

 This was my first time cutting Kathy's hair and she was trusted me with a new look. I love how it turned out.

I have been styling lots of wedding hair lately, which I love! This is the mother of the bride!

 Bridesmaids….

The beautiful bride and her gorgeous hair! I gave her a fishtail/french braid after the ceremony! The couple got married on a beautiful farm in the country! My husband had the honor of officiating their ceremony! Congrats Chris + Lindsey!

I got to participate in a pony tail styling class last week and here i one of the models land my hair below! Pony tails are very popular and versatile for this fall/winter.

 

 Yeah for shorter hair! Sarah is a beaut!

I love this adorable short hair style on Adrienne! She has awesome hair to rock more of a pixie/cropped cut.

Tammy let me go Ombre on her! 

Stephanie was up for more a of rich base and brighter ends. She is so pretty with any shade!

Man, I love red hair! Mandy rocks red like nobody's biz. 

Felicia has a TON of hair and we wanted to lighten her look and give her hair a new life! I think this bob is adorbs on her! 

Tanya let me cut 4 inches off and I gave her cut a A line to give it texture and volume. Her hair is sassy and suites her to the max! :)

 I love this B + A!!!!!!! I gave my sister a fresh cut taking 2-4" off overall! I used a hair mask to condition and moisturize her hair too! 

Shari and her new BABE LOOK! I darkened her hair and brought it up to a nice layered bob! She is stunning!!!!!

 I love kid cuts so much! Here are some favs!

 I mean, for CUTE!!!!! 

 Kierra's B + A is one my fav looks on little girls! Thin hair or thick hair, it looks amazing!!!!!!

Happy LLW! Have a wonderful day!!!!!!

The best chili recipe ever -- SWEET and SASSY CHILI

Today, I am celebrating FALL with you by sharing my FAVORITE CHILI recipe ever! It is a favorite in my family in the colder months! I have no idea how I came up with this delicious meal, but it is A-mazing! Promise!!!!! This chili has the perfect blend of sweetness and sassiness to it. You can spice it up a bit to your liking as well! 

RECIPE:

1 pound of hamburger
garlic cloves
1 - 2 onions (depending on size) diced.

{ground the meat with the onion/garlic}
Season with S/P

Meanwhile, have a large pot on medium heat ready for you to dump! As for the beans, you can vary this recipe or not use all of them if you choose to. I switch it up a lot, but here is my staple.

1 can baked beans
1 can (rinsed) dark kidney beans ( you can use light kidney beans too)
1 can (rinsed) white kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can (rinsed) butter beans and/or northern beans
1 large can of diced or stewed tomatoes with whatever flavor you prefer
1 can (rinsed) black beans ( if you like)
4 cups of Campbell's tomato juice or bloody mary mix from Trader Joes
1 jar of salsa ( I usually use Pace Medium salsa)
You can add in another salsa if you like too! I use what ever I have on hand.
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1 T. Cinnamon
2 T. Chili Powder
1 t. Cumin
Cayenne Pepper ( I use 1/4 t. because I am a wimp)
S/P if it needs it

Stir and simmer. Add the meat as soon as it is brown. I sometimes serve immediately, but prefer to let it simmer for a good 30 + minutes for flavor.

My favorite place to buy beans and tomatoes is Trader Joes- very reasonable Organic selection.

We make Trader Joes cornbread too! I always serve cheese/crackers/sour cream too!

I hope that you enjoy!

Twisted Knot Updo Tutorial

Good Morning y'all! I have another quick and easy 5 Minute Updo for you today! I get asked all the time how to style and put hair up in a quick way. Here is one of my favs……

{I prepped my hair with It's A Ten detangler and Moroccan Oil. I finished my style with Awapuhi Finishing Spray ;) }



I would love to see your style! Link up a pix below and show off your Locks!
Find me on Instagram @talahairlife #locklovewednesday and #locklovewed

Happy Lock Love Wednesday!

Updates in our Art Room // Office Space

I thought it would be fun to show you some of my updates on our art room/office space! I shared with you the reveal back in May, here! This room is coming along and totally meeting the needs of our family of 4. With the Hus in grad school, wanting a place to study and escape the children when working on homework, this room meets his needs. I have always dreamed of having my art supplies out and on display, encouraging me to take a brush to canvas or doodling, without the stress of hawling things out of a storage room. My needs….met. As for Z/Z they are happy campers having their color books and crayons out, while at the same time having some of their toys in this room to encourage their imaginations! 

Update #1 -- We got a comfy chair! I scored this on Amazon for Andy's anniversary gift in August! I love the modern look of it and think it suites our room well. 

Update #2 -- We (HUS) hung the yellow peg board up. We mounted it to a homemade frame to bump it out from the wall 1" so I can have hooks in the board. ;)

Update #3 -- I brought in a lamp from another room in the house for studying at night. 

Update #4 -- I brought in a wing back chair for this space! I love the color and details of this chair. I want to eventually put this chair in our bedroom for reading. Our goal is to purchase a day bed this fall for this space for guests to sleep in here. Our home has 3 bedrooms upstairs, so it would be ideal for Grandma to sleep next to the girls if they are watching them, verses being two stories down in the basement. I have my eye on a bed, just saving! :) 

Normally, I would put a side table by the chair, but I don't want to work on this corner until I have a daybed. I love having the chair in here for now, so I can come hang with Andy when he is studying. 

Isn't the blanket perfect too? My husband's Grandma Audrey made it for us! It is a fav! I love the happy butterfly pillow too! 

I think I could have studs on every piece of furniture I own. NEVER ENOUGH.

Love the swedish design of the girls rocking horse- Olaf.

 I am attempting at keeping the ferns from outside alive this fall/winter. Say a prayer……

Still loving my copper leafed pot! 

Crates are a fun way to display items.

Love my studs and clips from my girlfriend,  Kati! Origrami is the best company for ordering instagram prints! 

I am always attempting to have a system of organization for our home. Lots of bins………never ending. Love my labels from Anthro I scored for $2 for big pack.

I am always rearranging and trying to come up with solutions for our family's needs. I am still wanting to finish this space with a few items:

-- bed

-- outdoor rug to protect the carpet from all the crafts

-- organize the crazy overstuffed closet

Are you working on any fall projects right now!? I am on a major purge and organizing kick, post summer life here! 

Loves