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It's here!!  Family Matters is out now.

The Fashionable Housewife (2)
Beauty · Random Info · Relationships & Marriage · Sponsored Post

The Smile On Your Face…

My husband frequently reminds me that the first thing he noticed about me when we met in person, was my smile…

I know, it’s so cliche’, right? I think I was proudly flashing my smile more than ever though because I had just gotten my braces taken off a few days before I met my husband in person for the first time. We met each other online over 10 years ago! After talking to each other on the phone and online through emails and instant messengers, for two months, we decided to meet in person. I remember putting it off and putting it off because I wanted to wait until my braces were removed! I did NOT like having braces or how it made me look, so I procrastinated planning our first meeting. As soon as those braces were gone though, it was a go!

My husband took this picture of me the first day we met…

June 2003 at Winnipesaukee

It was June of 2003 and I was working full time as an Assistant Manager at a campground on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. We had the pleasure of being able to go boating and enjoy the lake on our first “date”.

I asked the hubs what else he noticed about me that made it “love at first sight” and he said, “Definitely your red hair! I have loved red hair since I saw my first red head in Elementary School. Most red heads have like orange hair, but your hair is deeper and darker and more… RED.” (said with emphasis!)

red hair

Upon further prodding my husband offered, “The other thing I noticed about you was your lips. They have this nice little curve… They’re yummy.”

Isn’t he just the sweetest? I remember not wanting to ‘dress to impress’ and wanting him to see me in my daily life, how I normally looked with no facades. Well, looking back at the pictures, WOW, I guess I really wasn’t trying…

Lake Winnipesaukee

That was my favorite shirt at the time and I still have it. I don’t know what I was thinking of wearing it with those pants though… At least I was wearing a swimsuit underneath it and those pants were more of a coverup than an outfit. We went swimming off the boat later that day with a few friends. Good memories…

At the end of the day, I think it must have been my personality that won me this amazing man! He’s the only person I have ever felt like I could totally be ‘myself’ with and never felt like I had to impress him, do anything special to get noticed or put on a facade. As soon as I met him, I knew we’d be together forever so our relationship was so much different than relationships nowadays. We never wondered if we were right for each other, we just knew. We never felt like we had to impress one another to earn love and respect. We were like best friends from the word ‘go’ and a deep, compassionate and eternal love grew from that.

My smile might have been the first thing he noticed about me, but our deep love and respect for each other is what has kept us together for over 10 years. I’m thankful that my smile got me noticed initially though! :-)

May 21, 2005 - Our Wedding

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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Dial® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dial®.

Post Tags: ##getnoticed#Daein Ballard#Dial#dial soap#get noticed#Glam#glam media#Marriage#Sarah-Jean Ballard#Sponsored Post

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Hello, there!

Hi! I’m Sarah-Jean. I’m a Christian, the wife of a handsome Molecular Biologist, and the mother of 6 beautiful kids here on earth + one in Heaven.

I enjoy homeschooling, homesteading, reading, writing, cooking, baking, crafting, home decorating, Xtend Barre, and of course, fashion!

This blog is a place for me to share how we live and what I love most. I’m on a mission to help busy moms like you, be fashionable too! Read More…

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Plantar fasciitis tried to keep me down, but my ne Plantar fasciitis tried to keep me down, but my new @nortiv8 sneakers + @powerstep insoles said nope. 

Now I’m using my @whirlyboard balance board with my standing desk, crushing workouts on BODi, and foam rolling the tightness away with my @oceanfoam  roller like a boss. 

Highly recommend these sneakers!!!! Super comfortable, only $50 a pair, and Prime shipping from Amazon. You can’t go wrong.

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Some moms drink iced coffee. Some moms reheat the Some moms drink iced coffee.

Some moms reheat the same cup 4 times and still forget it in the microwave. (I see you!)

Me? I just shake up a @gopureboost powder in my water tumbler and pretend I’ve got my life together. 😆

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Best of all? It’s only 25 calories, 2 grams of carbs, and totally fits into keto, gluten-free, paleo, and vegan lifestyles.

This is basically mom fuel disguised as a wellness drink. You’re welcome.

➡️➡️ Be a friend. Tag a mom who needs this kind of liquid miracle in her life. She will love you forever.

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When our homeschool days feel long, I need a clean When our homeschool days feel long, I need a clean, nourishing lift to keep going… (and we both know that third cup of coffee is just going to make us anxious!)😆😵‍💫

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Each packet also pours in a powerful blend of 25 vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and herbs like turmeric, ginger, and vitamin C all of which support hydration, mental clarity, and immune strength while we keep up with everything on our plates. 🫠😮‍💨

With only 2 grams of carbs and 25 calories per serving, it fits beautifully into keto, paleo, gluten‑free, and vegan lifestyles. May this little boost help you show up refreshed, focused, and energized. 💪🏻 

➡️➡️ Tag a fellow mom who could use a clean energy boost today!

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I finally found a way to keep his name close to me I finally found a way to keep his name close to me every day. 💛 🐢 🌊 

This simple ring from Mint & Lily holds the name of my stillborn son—delicate, beautiful, and deeply meaningful. It’s a small way I get to remember Dylan, honor him, and carry his memory with me in the quiet moments of motherhood.

Custom jewelry like this makes space for the unseen stories so many of us carry. 💔❤️‍🩹

If you’ve ever wanted to wear your child’s name—whether they’re in your arms or in Heaven—this is a beautiful way to do it.

💍 You can customize your own name ring with @mintandlily and wear your love right on your hand.☺️

(My other ring is his birthstone)💚

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Who else needs one of these?!

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Time slow down. It goes by too fast. 

#largefamily #slowdownbaby #rainbowbaby 🌈
“FREEDOM IS NOT THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT WE WANT, BU “FREEDOM IS NOT THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT WE WANT, BUT WHAT WE OUGHT.” —St. John Paul II

Let us not forget that. ✌🏻 

#freedomisnotfree #freedominchrist #godblessamerica #dowhatsright
I never want to forget this moment. 🥹🥲🇺🇸 

#rainbowbaby #rainbowbabies #babyafterloss #patrioticspirit #wonderfoldwagon #wonderfoldlife
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Plantar fasciitis tried to keep me down, but my ne Plantar fasciitis tried to keep me down, but my new @nortiv8 sneakers + @powerstep insoles said nope. 

Now I’m using my @whirlyboard balance board with my standing desk, crushing workouts on BODi, and foam rolling the tightness away with my @oceanfoam  roller like a boss. 

Highly recommend these sneakers!!!! Super comfortable, only $50 a pair, and Prime shipping from Amazon. You can’t go wrong.

Comment “shop” for the link! 

#nortiv8 #nortiv8shoes #ltkfindsunder100 #ltkactive #ltkshoecrush
#ComfortableShoes #EverydaySneakers #WalkingShoes #GymTrainers #FitnessGear #BudgetFriendly #HiddenGem #NEWFavorite #amazonfinds #founditonamazon #amazonreviews
Some moms drink iced coffee. Some moms reheat the Some moms drink iced coffee.

Some moms reheat the same cup 4 times and still forget it in the microwave. (I see you!)

Me? I just shake up a @gopureboost powder in my water tumbler and pretend I’ve got my life together. 😆

This little packet of magic delivers up to 6 hours of clean, crash-free energy with natural green tea caffeine, B12, and over 25 vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Plus it has turmeric, ginger, electrolytes, and vitamin C too! 

No sugar. No sucralose. No artificial flavors. No yuck. Just clean energy that doesn’t make you jittery or wanting to take a nap with your toddler at 2pm.

Best of all? It’s only 25 calories, 2 grams of carbs, and totally fits into keto, gluten-free, paleo, and vegan lifestyles.

This is basically mom fuel disguised as a wellness drink. You’re welcome.

➡️➡️ Be a friend. Tag a mom who needs this kind of liquid miracle in her life. She will love you forever.

#pureboost #gopureboost #wellnessjourney #cleaneatinglifestyle #healthygirl #healthygut
When our homeschool days feel long, I need a clean When our homeschool days feel long, I need a clean, nourishing lift to keep going… (and we both know that third cup of coffee is just going to make us anxious!)😆😵‍💫

The Pureboost Original 10‑Pack delivers 6 hours of crash‑free, jitter‑free energy, thanks to B12 and natural green‑tea caffeine with zero sugar, sucralose, artificial flavors, or colors! 😮 This stuff is the real deal. 

Each packet also pours in a powerful blend of 25 vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and herbs like turmeric, ginger, and vitamin C all of which support hydration, mental clarity, and immune strength while we keep up with everything on our plates. 🫠😮‍💨

With only 2 grams of carbs and 25 calories per serving, it fits beautifully into keto, paleo, gluten‑free, and vegan lifestyles. May this little boost help you show up refreshed, focused, and energized. 💪🏻 

➡️➡️ Tag a fellow mom who could use a clean energy boost today!

Check out @gopureboost 🙌🏻
I finally found a way to keep his name close to me I finally found a way to keep his name close to me every day. 💛 🐢 🌊 

This simple ring from Mint & Lily holds the name of my stillborn son—delicate, beautiful, and deeply meaningful. It’s a small way I get to remember Dylan, honor him, and carry his memory with me in the quiet moments of motherhood.

Custom jewelry like this makes space for the unseen stories so many of us carry. 💔❤️‍🩹

If you’ve ever wanted to wear your child’s name—whether they’re in your arms or in Heaven—this is a beautiful way to do it.

💍 You can customize your own name ring with @mintandlily and wear your love right on your hand.☺️

(My other ring is his birthstone)💚

#stillbornstillloved #stillbirth #miscarriagesurvivor #miscarriagesupport #babylossawareness #babylossawareness #griefjourney #rememberancejewelry
Bad news: Walking more actually works. 😒 Good Bad news: Walking more actually works. 😒

Good news: You don’t have to leave your house to do it. 🥳

Bonus: weighted vests makes every effort you put in even more effective. ✌🏻 

The @flexispot_official treadmill lets you get your steps in while answering emails, scrolling, listening to a podcast, or pretending to be productive. Trust me, your future self (and your legs) will thank you. 

Who else needs one of these?!

➡️ Comment “ME” for the link and a discount! 🥳
My oldest and my youngest. 🥹🥲 Time slow dow My oldest and my youngest. 🥹🥲

Time slow down. It goes by too fast. 

#largefamily #slowdownbaby #rainbowbaby 🌈
“FREEDOM IS NOT THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT WE WANT, BU “FREEDOM IS NOT THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT WE WANT, BUT WHAT WE OUGHT.” —St. John Paul II

Let us not forget that. ✌🏻 

#freedomisnotfree #freedominchrist #godblessamerica #dowhatsright
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