My Village
What I’ve Been Working on Lately
This was one of my favorite products for the Dating Divas. I can’t wait to use this for Ellie and eventually Addie – a mini date night kit for the kiddos! Everything in this printable package was hand lettered and the colors are so happy and bright.
I had the hardest time deciding on a color scheme / design for a “families are forever” print, so I ended up adding three new designs to the shop! Ha! I still can’t decide which one I like the best.
I changed up this print to spring colors originally just for myself – I wanted to print it big and frame it. I ended up adding it to the shop, and I’m thinking of offering it at this size too – 16×20!
Our chore chart printables now include an evening jobs chart, too! (They come in both girl/boy colors or as a coloring page for your littles.) Ellie tested these out for months before they hit the shop. They’ve been a game changer for our morning and evening routines! 🙂
And for all you Utah locals, we’ll be at the Salt and Honey Market April 28-30 and May 5-7 as well as the Beehive Bazaar May 12-14! We will have all of our newest prints and Mother’s Day goodies available each weekend. 🙂 (Life is Tough << another new print in the shop!)
Staying Fit with Kids + a Video!
Hi guys! Super excited to be sharing this post with you today. And not going to lie, kind of nervous too! I don’t talk too much about fitness and workouts on the blog much, maybe just one or two other times, but I wanted to share a little bit of what we’ve been up to lately! After having two kids, I’ve learned that losing that extra baby weight and getting back into shape takes a lot more work than I once thought. Ha! 🙂 I’ve been working consistently since Addie was a few months old to get back into an active lifestyle. I’m not nearly as gung-ho as I was the last time (turns out having two kids is just a tad busier, haha) but I’ve been trying to be consistent and I’ve seen a lot of progress! Slow and steady, but progress nonetheless. So I thought I’d share a few of my favorite ways to stay active and healthy during the day.

Do a workout at home. I’ve never been a big fan of the gym and the one time I did have a gym membership (pre-kids), I always found excuses not to go. I find it much easier to workout at home. I love using P90x or Insanity videos for a quick 20-30 minute burn. I can fit in a quick sweat during nap time or before preschool drop off, or sometimes even late at night! But don’t be fooled. If the girls are awake, it can get a little crazy. I’m definitely still in mom mode! 😉 See for yourself in the video below.

Eat more. And by eat more, I mean more often (but smaller portions)! I love to snack, so I typically have 5-6 smaller “meals” during the day. I keep my breakfast, lunch, and dinner slightly smaller, so that I can have two or three in between “meals” or snacks during the day. Some days those snacks consist of a good ol’ chocolate chip cookie (or better yet, girl scout cookies!), but for the most part, I try to stick to healthier options. Some of my favorites snacks:
Be consistent. Obviously this is a big one and probably the hardest for me. Being consistent doesn’t mean eating perfect every day (ha, I’m far from that!) or even getting in a good work out 6 times a week. Do what works for you, your family, and lifestyle. I’m not a big fan of totally restrictive diets (ugh, I hate the word diet!) so I stick by the motto moderation in all things. So I try to be consistent about eating healthy snacks and meals and fitting in a workout or walk 3-4 times a week, but while still enjoying the good stuff. You know, like date night and a bowl of ice cream. 🙂
Treat yo self. And can I add, show some love to yourself! Cheesy, but true. Enjoy where you are at NOW. Don’t wait to buy that shirt until you lose X amount of pounds. Treat your self! Also, I can be SO hard on myself sometimes.The stuff I think about myself I would NEVER think or say to anyone else, so I have been making the effort to stop and replace those negative thoughts. (This challenge from The Small Seed is a wonderful tool!)

Life Lately


























Bring on the Sprinkles!
I’m SO excited to be sharing this project with you! I’ve been keeping this one quiet for a few months and now the secret is out! I’ve teamed up with Project Life to create a brand new value kit!
Let’s back track slightly. Long story short, in 8th grade history class, I spent a lot of my time doodling on my papers. One day I decided, while doodling during one of our super exciting history lessons (ha!) I decided that I was going to design scrapbook paper when I grew up. Dream job, right? So when Project Life approached me about designing a kit for them, I just about fell out of my seat!
If you haven’t heard of Project Life, it’s the new and improved way of scrapbooking…for creatives / non-creatives alike. 😉 I’ve been using it for a few years now and talk about EASY and cute. No more gluing and spending hours and hours on one single page. It’s just slipping photos and cards into the pocket pages and voila! Also it’s helping me finally get all those photos off my computer and actually printed. 😉
Anyway, onto the kit! This value kit is called Sprinkles and it’s all about celebrating – both big moments and simple everyday adventures. Journaling cards are included as well as some colorful cardboard embellishments…and a sprinkle of glitter! You can find it right here. Also, the talented Alma Loveland just came out with a value kit as well. It’s gorgeous!


My Girls
I’ve got a squirmy little baby on my lap as I type this..which means I probably don’t have too long. Addie’s gotten to that stage where she likes to grab everything in sight – food, the caps lock, her sister’s hair, ha! Ellie’s pretty good about being super patient with her, even when a fistful of her golden locks are being drooled on. 😉
Life around the Zurcher house as of late: Addie’s rolling every which way and can squirm/roll/wiggle herself across the floor. She eats like a champ (those cheeks are evidence!) and giggles all. day. long. Ellie makes us laugh with her funny comments (“Mom, I think I need a bath, because my hair is ca-rayyyy-zy…and I tooted.”) and she has recently started playing “chorister” and makes us sing while she conducts. We do a lot of singing around here. 😉
I could type more, but I’ll save it for another post, when I’m not trying to type one handed. Ha! Instead, I’ll leave you with a million and one photos of our favorite little girlies. xo
Moccs: Freshly Picked | Bows: Layla Bell, Bloomies, Le Beau La Belle, Mads Made, Sticky Bliss, Lou Lou & Co | Double Sided Blanket: Layla Bell
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P.S. I love these Advent Gifs. Find more (and my favorite Christmas video) HERE
Luke 2:4-5
And Joseph also went up from Galilee…unto the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem…to be taxed with
Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Thanksgiving + a Video!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Yeah, yeah, Thanksgiving was so last week, but I had to share a few pictures + video of our holiday weekend down south! All the siblings were back together under one roof and we had a blast. We kept our weekend pretty low key – hiking, watching Grace play soccer, nerf gun wars, food glorious food, game nights, movies, and marshmallow fights. Oh, and family pictures. We all survived! 🙂 Addie only screamed in the car while traveling for a total of two hours or so (Erin and Spencer are never going to want to ride with us again!) and both Ellie and Addie had the time of their life at “gwamma’s house.” Spoiled with attention, those two, and they loved every minute of it. My mom made a delicious Thanksgiving dinner and we soaked up every minute spent with the fam. Ellie tells me every day how much she misses Gramma and Papa. (In fact, she told me “you and daddy go on a trip and me and Addie will stay at Gramma’s!” Sounds like a good plan to me, ha!) And now, onto the pictures! (And a video above, if you want to see how nuts we really are 😉
If you’re ever in St. George, hike in Snow Canyon. It’s the prettiest!!
My sister Erin made us each personalized place cards featuring Pilgrims & Indians and our favorite things: electronics (brian), soccer (Grace), video games (Zac), rock climbing (Erin), art (me), playing (Ellie), canoeing (dad), baking/family (mom), motorcycles (rick), animals (lisa) speed dating (Spenc), ha, they were super cute!
It was the perfect holiday weekend! Love this crazy family 🙂
DIY Gold Screen-Printed Tote Bag
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BeHealthyForEveryPartofLife #CollectiveBias
Let’s be honest here, since having kids my purse collection has decreased while my diaper bag selection has grown immensely! When Brian and I head out for a date night or to a movie, I can never decide what bag to bring. It can’t be too small (gotta sneak in those movie theater treats!) and most of the time my diaper bag is too stuffed with diapers and board books to fit anything else. I had an extra blank tote bag that was begging to go with us to the movie theater, but it needed a little update. Nothing a little gold paint can’t solve! Tutorial for this DIY screen-printed tote bag (and some of my favorite date night essentials) below:
Supplies Needed:
-Canvas Tote Bag
-Freezer Paper
-Iron
-Gold Paint + Paintbrush
-Exacto Knife (or Scissors)
Step One: Draw heart onto freezer paper. (Make sure the shiny part of the freezer paper is facing down, and you’re drawing on the not-shiny part. The bottom of the freezer paper is what sticks to your bag.) Using an exacto knife (or in my case scissors since I couldn’t find my knife!), carefully cut out stencil.
Step Two: Carefully place the freezer paper stencil on your tote bag. Keeping the shiny side face down, iron the paper onto your bag. Iron well, making sure every edge is pressed down tight.
Step Three: Insert a cardboard piece / thick paper in the bag, to keep the paint from seeping through. Use a paint brush or foam brush to softly brush gold paint inside your heart stencil. Fabric paint is best, but if needed, acrylic paint works just as well! (I used a gold metallic paint –super cheap brand – from Walmart.)
Step Four: Let your paint dry for 10-15 minutes. Carefully pull off your stencil, the paint will still be damp. After the paint is completely dry, run a warm iron over the paint. This will help the paint set and keep it from coming off in the wash. (Make sure paint is totally dry before ironing, so you do not get paint all over your iron! I speak from experience here 😉
Step Five: Fill with all your date night essentials! I’m all about being prepared, so here are a few of my favorites that I always keep in my bag:
–ChapStick Total Hydration: This is pretty much the best chapstick for the cold, dry winter months here in Utah. It instantly smoothes and moisturizes, so I apply it often!
-Treats & Snacks: I’m totally one of those people that sneak in treats to the movie theater. I love buying popcorn (especially kettle corn!), but anything extra I sneak in my bag 😉 Also handy to have? Mints!
-Wipes: Brian always teases me that when it comes to spills I’m worse than Ellie, and it’s true! Regardless of whether we are going out with kids, I always keep wipes handy!
–Hand Sanitizer: Hashtag germaphobe. Hashtag I hate being sick. 😉
–Advil Liqui-Gels: I learned from my mom to always keep some Advil in my purse, just in case a headache sneaks up on me and I need fast relief! (Use as directed)
-My Phone: I try to keep it tucked away safely in my bag during dates, but I have to bring it with the littles at home.
-Water bottle: I’m always thirsty, so I try to keep an extra water bottle in my bag, along with a case in the back of the car!
–Emergen-C: I use this stuff all winter long! I’ve been trying to find ways to have More Healthy Days, More Healthy Nights. I like to toss a packet into my water bottle and drink it on the go!
-Sweater: Restaurants and movie theaters are always so cold, so I make sure to bring along an extra sweater or jacket!
-Camera: Is that at all surprising? Ha!
All tutorial products and date night essentials pictured below can be found at Walmart.
Step Six: The most important step of all…Enjoy a date night with your man! This weekend we have a little date planned and I can’t wait!
What are your favorite date night essentials?
The Mama Life + LuLaRoe Giveaway
While driving in our minivan this week, two car seats buckled behind me, I couldn’t help but think to myself “This is the life!” (Yup, while in the minivan. Sometimes I still can’t believe that I drive a minivan. And love it. Ha!) Our life is no where near perfect. We have our less than stellar moments, terrible, horrible, no good days, kids crying at the grocery store checkout line, and toddler tantrums. I lose my patience and run on exhaustion, dinner is typically an afterthought, the laundry is piled up all over our dresser and I often feel like I do the same thing, every day. And yet, I can’t help but think I have the luckiest job in the world. It’s exhausting and hard and the hours are killer, but it’s the most satisfying, rewarding job I’ve ever had. Nothing beats hearing Addie laugh for the first time or having Ellie wrap her little arms around my neck and say “You’re my best fwiend!”
I’ve been trying to be better at capturing this stage we’re in. I always remember to photograph our adventures and vacations, but sometimes I forget that our moments together at home are just as important, if not more so. It’s where we have the most learning moments (for all of us!), the most laughter, the most memories. Along with photos, I’m trying to take a few more video clips of our days at home. The juggle between playtime and chores, naptime and sneaking in a little work. Building blocks and pouring milk. This little video below was one of my absolute favorites to put together:
Whether we’re at home or out and about, I’ve found that these LuLaRoe pieces are my absolute favorite! Be it the skirts, leggings, dresses, or tops, they’re the perfect combination of cute and comfortable. I love that they add a playful sense to my wardrobe – both in terms of pattern and color and the fact that I can PLAY in them! I love when I find clothing that allows me to get down on the floor and build trains or chase Ellie around at the park, but still looks cute!
My cute friends, Sam and Missy, are graciously offering a LulaRoe Julia Dress to one lucky reader! And you won’t be disappointed. This dress is amazingly comfortable and has the perfect sleeve length and fit! I think I’m going to have to stock up on several, I could wear these everyday! The giveaway will run through October 9th, open to US readers only. All entries will be verified. You can enter the giveaway below! Good luck!