* Jennylou Raya*

In all the midst of chaos, there’s opportunities to build. My toddler doesn’t care if it is a mess everywhere as far as mom can see. She does not see what I see and I do not see what she sees. I’m in the mom habit of asking her to clean up as our place is small and her ways of “pretty things everywhere!” stresses me out. “Mommy look, I made this. Isn’t it pretty?” “It is baby, it is.” “Take a picture!” So here it is… the pretty in the midst of chaos. And a reminder to me to sometimes be a toddler… not see the mess so much… and to build pretty things despite the chaos there is - and will always be -around us. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQRJOqLD2Xq/?utm_medium=tumblr

Creating things from cardboard. I put those @amazon boxes to good use. #diy #cardboard #cardboardart #cardboardcrafts #cardboardcreations #cardboardcostume https://www.instagram.com/p/CPlVe7ejC5Z/?utm_medium=tumblr

Still one of my favorites. Happy Easter. #sandiegoeaster #heisrisen #easter https://www.instagram.com/p/CNQPcIcjLOl/?igshid=11xgivuycd9tz

This year, I’ve made it a goal to read more books. Some books on my list are new and some are rereads. This is one of them and finished it yesterday. It was a good refresher and a mix of letting me know what I could have done bette, as well as confirmation that I or my child wasn’t the only one wanting to nurse 100 times a day and wanting to be carried all the time. None of my kids cried much because of what I did to keep it from happening, but it definitely tested my sanity. Had I read this book with child #1 or #2 instead of #3 and #4, things would have been less stressful for me. This is for all the new and old parents. #thehappiestbabyontheblock #parenting #momlife https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ4Mv-ODOYt/?igshid=1heux6n3vtu6f

Whether you have a lot to spend or none at all, here are a few ways to help out small businesses during this time, particularly small businesses. The big stores may give the best discounts compared to the little guys but if you love any aspect of a mom and pop shop, give them some love on and offline. They will be forever grateful 💕 #blackfridaysales #blackfriday #shopsmall #smallbusiness https://www.instagram.com/p/CIFQz-HjVOG/?igshid=1qur9txy7argt

Meaningful gifts for every budget from #origamiowl with @locketsncharms. Get yours at http://locketsandcharms.origamiowl.com #christmas #holiday #fashion #jewelry https://www.instagram.com/p/CHtbuMXjqhT/?igshid=hnafx9xuofom

Alexa says 39 days until Christmas but who’s counting? Have you put up your🌲 yet and made it to this?🎄 https://www.instagram.com/p/CHqKgAFD8xy/?igshid=n7a12y5xy8i5

It’s a new month. I foresee a lot of changes. Excitement, anxiety, fear, or even trepidation... whatever it may be, may we believe that there is good in humanity... that love shines light... that love hopes... and that love wins. #believe https://www.instagram.com/p/CHDfvKAjXc8/?igshid=1h7o3n8vec00d

As we end this month in Halloween unlike before, may we still find the goodness, innocence, the laughs, and fun. May you have a happy Halloween with those you care and love the most. From our family to yours, Happy Halloween 🎃 👻 https://www.instagram.com/p/CHBwe7sjQAc/?igshid=1aoigt35ivv8a

Of my 4 kids, my toddler has an extra dose of fascination with spiders. She came in to the room last night and said, “Spiders are arachnids.” Ok 3 year old. Spiders 🕷 are ewww... 😂 #momlife #origamiowl #lockets #hallooween https://www.instagram.com/p/CHBwAVFjRjX/?igshid=9ea4vjdz7r5i

The Halloween 🎃 👻 🦇 locket of mine for 2020. Placing the other pieces in@a small black locket for my little girls. She loves spiders 🕷 . #happyhalloween #locket #halloweencollection #ghost #pumpkin #blackcat #origamiowl #boo https://www.instagram.com/p/CHBUzraDeqY/?igshid=1e0wttp0l4zxo

Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. #zuppatoscana I’m that person that learns a new recipe and keeps making and eating it over and over and over. Except with salad. I don’t have this same relationship with salad. Actually, salad makes me sad. I make soup instead. https://www.instagram.com/p/CG7tjVdj_l4/?igshid=1sslo7e7cdeyy

French toast is a little different this time around with @traderjoes brioche bread. I kept my recipe exactly the same and used this bread. The kids loved it. See how we make French toast on my channel at https://youtu.be/wkwQTl0hTbU :) #frenchtoast #pumpkinbread #vlogger #youtuber #momlife https://www.instagram.com/p/CG5lRgsjqJi/?igshid=oxpeovri8j9u

My hubby grills corn with the husk on. He soaked it forever in a large bowl before doing this. I was like “ewwww!” and proceeded to tell him, “Do you know why Asian stores or even America stores have a pile of husks right where the corn is sold? Because we aren’t taking the trash home!” 😅🤣. He proceeded to soak and grill. My Asian-butt ate the corn. It’s good! How do do cook/grill the corn? With or without husks? https://www.instagram.com/p/CG5jR2yjqNs/?igshid=pvbs7ce707mp

Grateful for fruits and vegetables that come delivered to our home. This came in yesterday and we have eaten lots of it. Grapes, raspberries, pomegranate and oranges are gone. I steamed veggies for the baby to have food for the next few days. I made salsa for the hubby and with the help of last week’s box contents, we had zuppa toscana for dinner. Fresh ingredients weekly and adventures in the kitchen thanks to @yasukochifamilyfarms. This week, I’ll be trying new things like drinks with the melon and roasting squash and pumpkins. What would you make with these? #csa #delivery #farmfresh #yasukochifamilyfarms #sandiego #csabox https://www.instagram.com/p/CGrGQkEDBRe/?igshid=yznzz01k2v4t

Hello Pumpkin, how is your monday going so far? https://www.instagram.com/p/CFaXH5Uj67w/?igshid=1l83rqj4x0th7

It’s over 105 degrees here today feeling like hot chocolate in a mug. Have you seen the new #jewelry? Shop: http://locketsandcharms.origamiowl.com Link in @locketsncharms profile too. https://www.instagram.com/p/CExOrK1DD01/?igshid=k02kxx7y6lxa