Today we are making a cheesy pepperoni football fo Today we are making a cheesy pepperoni football for your super bowl party. 

-First roll out a can of pizza dough and cut into squares. I make 5 vertical cuts and 3 horizontal cuts to get 18 squares of dough. 
-Then cut 6 string cheese sticks into thirds and place a piece of cheese in the middle of each square. 
-Roll your dough into balls around the cheese. 
-Set these aside and repeat with another can of pizza dough and six more string cheese sticks. 
-Arrange your dough into a football on top of a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. 
-Then mix together melted butter, garlic powder and parsley flakes and brush on top of the football. 
-Top with pepperoni and make sure all of the dough is covered to really define the football shape. 
-Bake on 400 for 15 minutes. 
-While it's baking cut another cheesestick into two long pieces and three short ones. These will be your laces. 
-Once the football is done, arrange these on top and place back in the oven for another minute or two. Serve and enjoy!

#superbowlsnacks #superbowlappetizers #superbowlideas #superbowlfood #recipereel #easyappetizers #easyappetizer #footballfood #partyfoods #easyrecipesformoms
Making cute Valentines for my son's class. These l Making cute Valentines for my son's class. These little stickers say "I'm so glad we swim in the same school. Your friend, Benjamin."

I filled some cute little fish bags with goldfish and added the sticker to the front! 

What do your kids give their classmates Valentine's Day?

#classvalentines #toddlervalentine #valentinesforkids #valentinesdayideas #valentinescards #valentinescards #ltkfamily #ltkkids
Let's make heart-shaped quesadillas! These would b Let's make heart-shaped quesadillas! These would be fun for Valentine's Day dinner with your kids. 

In full transparency, I wanted to make quesadilla uncrustables, but bought the wrong kind of tortilla. If you want to make those definitely get flour tortillas not corn. 

These are easy to make though, just use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut your tortillas, then fill and grill on the stove! 

#easymealsforbusypeople #easyrecipesformoms #valentinesideas #valentinesdinner #recipereel #galentinesbrunch
Here's a hack to make your boots stand up tall in Here's a hack to make your boots stand up tall in your closet! Use a magazine! Roll it up and stick it inside for your boots to stand tall! 

After organizing all weekend, I didn't want to purchase ANYTHING else to organize. I wanted something cheap that I already had lying around.

I like the pool noodle hack but did not have time to go acquire a pool noodle in January.

Try the magazine hack and let me know how you like it? What's your favorite organizational hack?

#organizationhacks #closetmakeover #homehacks #closethacks #widecalfboots #organizationideas #homeorganizationtips
A little matching moment for your Monday! 🌸🌺 A little matching moment for your Monday! 🌸🌺

As a boy mom, I have to work a little harder for matching ensembles, but this little floral wrap dress and button down for spring are just too cute! 

Linking our outfits here: https://liketk.it/40B4p

#ltkfamily #shopltk #ltkunder50 #boymomclub #familymatchingoutfits #familymatching #ltkkids #boyclothes #oldnavybaby #oldnavykids #oldnavystyle #floralsforspring
I purchased the @thebeachwaver B1 over the holiday I purchased the @thebeachwaver B1 over the holidays and loved it so much I bought one for my sister. The rotating barrel makes getting ready so darn easy! 

Use my code HELENWAVE for 10% off!

#beachwaver #beachwaverpartner #hairstylingtutorial #hairstylingtips #hairstylereels #curlingirons #curlingiron #curltransformation #igotbeached
Today we're making garlic and herb pigs in a blank Today we're making garlic and herb pigs in a blanket for your super bowl party. 

-First, roll out crescent dough and slice each of the triangles into thirds. 
-Then spread a little boursin herb and garlic cheese onto each of the triangles. 
-Add a lil smokie and roll it up. 
-Bake for 12-15 minutes on 375. 
-Serve and enjoy!

Do you add anything extra to your pigs in a blanket? 

#superbowlsnacks #superbowlsnack #superbowlappetizers #easyappetizer #easyappetizers #easyrecipeideas #easyrecipesformoms #easyrecipesathome #recipereel
You've heard of a butter board, but have you seen You've heard of a butter board, but have you seen a peanut butter board? 

Today we are making one for Valentine's Day. 

-First take a board and spread peanut butter all over it. 
-Then top with chocolate chips, valentine's day sprinkles, bananas, nutella and strawberries. I cut mine to look like hearts. 
-Then serve with graham crackers, pretzels or fruit and enjoy! 

Are you doing anything fun for Valentine's Day or Galentine's Day? Have you tried the peanut butter board yet?

#valentinesdays #valentinesdaydessert #galentinesparty #butterboard #peanutbutterrecipe #peanutbutterdessert #recipereel #valentinesdayideas #easyrecipesformoms
Today we're making jalapeno cheese dip in a bread Today we're making jalapeno cheese dip in a bread bowl. This is a great party snack and would be awesome at an upcoming super bowl party. 

-First, cut the top off a round loaf of bread and remove the middle. 
-Cut all of the pieces removed into cubes and set aside. 
-Then take a jalapeno queso block and cut it into cubes. Place in a pan. 
-Then add two cans of drained green chiles and a splash of milk. 
-Heat over medium high heat on the stove stirring constantly to prevent sticking. Trust me nobody wants that cleanup. 
-Then immediately pour into your bread bowl and serve hot with the cubed bread pieces. Enjoy!

Easy, and tasty! Are you having or going to a Super Bowl party this year? What's on the menu?

#partysnacks #partysnack #easyappetizers #easyappetizer #cheesedip #recipereel #superbowlsnacks #superbowlfood
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Life, Wedding · April 11, 2018

How to Change Your Name After You Get Married

I have recently been getting so many questions about changing your name after you get married. I realized that I wrote a post on HitchSwitch after our wedding, but never did a full post on the name changing process. Since I’ve gotten so many questions recently, I figured now was as good a time as any to talk about how I changed my name.

Yes, I used HitchSwitch, however you still have to physically go to the offices to get everything changed. So this is the process (at least for Georgia.) It’s awful, and I am still technically Helen Gaillet on my bank account. I’m close to having it all official.

First, I want to talk about why I decided to change my name. I went from Helen Elisabeth Gaillet to Helen Gaillet Bailey. I’ve also decided I want to go by all three. As much as I don’t like the Kardashians, if Kimmy can be Kim Kardashian West, I can go by all three too. It’s fine. Plus I’m pretty sure Helen Bailey sounds like I’m 86 years old.

Anyways, back on track, I know there are lots of opinions on women changing their name, and I definitely see both sides. But I’m going to tell you why I elected to change mine. I changed my name because Stephen is the family I chose. I chose to be his wife, I chose to call him my family. So I chose to share his name. The important thing to me was that it was MY decision. Bonus: Gaillet is really hard to pronounce and Bailey is not. I no longer have to spell my name when I go places lol.

Also, I used to work in the development office in a private school. Paperwork was much harder when the mothers didn’t have the same last name as their kids. If we ever have kids, I’m just thinking of future administrators who have to file their paperwork…no I’m actually not kidding.

ANYWAYS, Ladies I think it is totally YOUR choice if you want to take your husband’s name. And if that’s what you decide to do, here is the process for getting it done.

Step 1: Buy HitchSwitch. Thank me later. You only have to fill out ONE form and then your information is populated for you on all the forms you need.

Step 2: Order as many copies of your marriage certificate as you can possibly purchase. If you think you have enough, order more. At the very least I would order 10. Making a copy of your certificate doesn’t count. It has to be real documents from the court where you received the original. You can usually order these online on the court’s website.

Step 3: Start with Social Security Administration. If you go with HitchSwitch, the proper forms are already provided in your kit. If you don’t, you can get them in the office. Go in to your local Social Security office, prove your identity, provide your marriage certificate, then your new card will be mailed in like 10ish days.

Step 4: Change your Driver’s license. Go to the DMV and bring your old driver’s license, your marriage certificate, I brought my passport just to be safe, and then most importantly, your NEW social security card. I=They will give you a paper license and your new one will be mailed in 10-ish days. You CAN technically go from the social security office to the DMV, but make sure you have ALL the documentation you just received. It will be a little harder and takes awhile longer, but I was able to do both in one day.

Step 5: Change your passport. You can get away with waiting on this ONLY IF you purchase plane tickets in your maiden name. Just go ahead and change it though. HitchSwitch allows you to mail it in with the proper forms, you just need a new photo but you can get that at CVS or with the app provided by HS. Then your new one gets mailed back to you, and the old one comes back with a hole in the middle.

Step 6: Change your bank account. You have to go to the bank with all your identification and your marriage certificate. They can change it for you.

Step 7: Update your credit cards. I had a very easy time with this and all of mine allowed to me change them online. This will be specific to your own cards though. You may have to provide marriage certificates (hence why I said get lots of copies) and pieces of identity.

Step 8: Fill in the missing pieces. Employers for payroll, car titles, insurance, bills and utilities, loans, alumni or professional associations, you name it..it needs to get changed. These can all be done on an individual and specific basis based on what the company policies entail.

See, it’s not super easy. I absolutely recommend HitchSwitch. I purchased the Platinum package and I was so so so thankful I did.

Did you change your name when you got married? What was your least favorite part?

In: Life, Wedding

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Comments

  1. Caitlin Elisabeth says

    April 11, 2018 at 9:03 am

    ugh girl its such a nightmare sometimes changing your name w/ so many forms ha but def love these tips to help! it can be challenging and i wish i had hitchswitch ha!

  2. Kristin Cook says

    April 11, 2018 at 9:20 am

    I wish this post existed when I got married. I avoided changing my name for quite a while just because of the hassle and the fear of the process being frustrating.

  3. Emily Michelle Fata says

    April 11, 2018 at 10:44 am

    These are all great tips for changing your name! It can be overwhelming to remember everything that needs to be changed and to know how to go about it all.

  4. Lily Ayala says

    April 11, 2018 at 10:49 am

    This would have been so helpful when I got married years ago. I didn’t change my name until 4 years into our marriage. LOL! To this day I haven’t changed my name with some bills. Ooops!

  5. Beth_Daily_Dog_Tag says

    April 11, 2018 at 12:04 pm

    I didn’t change my name when I got married, but my daughter-in-law did. The one snafu she had was she changed her name on the title of her car. Before she received the new title, her car died and she had to wait for the title before she could trade in her car. It was an aggravation, but luckily, the new title arrived shortly after she needed it.

  6. Kaleigh says

    April 11, 2018 at 1:39 pm

    I changed my name when I got married…it’s so tedious! The only things that annoyed me weren’t the big ones, but the smaller places to change it. Some online accounts wouldn’t let me edit my name, and changing my name on my student loans took forever. They wanted me to fax (not email or snail mail) my info….I was like who has a fax machine? I literally waited until I was at a job with a fax machine to change that one!! 😀

  7. Chelsea Damon says

    April 11, 2018 at 4:50 pm

    I dragged my feet so long to change my name after we got married but when I finally looked into it, I realized it wasn’t all that hard!

  8. Lecy | A Simpler Grace says

    April 11, 2018 at 9:07 pm

    I remember how much of a pain it was changing my name when I got married. It was even more of a hassle changing it back when I got divorced, so I ended up keeping my married name. I love that you are sharing the steps. It will be so helpful to people who have to begin this process.

  9. katherine says

    April 12, 2018 at 7:23 am

    Changing my name on all my documents was a process and can be complicated! These steps will be very helpful for anyone going through this process!

  10. Erica @ Coming up Roses says

    April 12, 2018 at 7:36 am

    The process was so randomly hard for me for traveling purposes…I had to get the full on search done at the airport in the awkward stage between my driver’s license being correct, and it was NUTS.

  11. Holly Habeck says

    April 12, 2018 at 8:02 am

    Thank you for this! I’m getting married in 2019 and may be needing this. I also appreciate how you shared your reasons for changing your name! I’ve been struggling with what to do, so it’s super helpful!

  12. Kelsie Kristine says

    April 12, 2018 at 12:25 pm

    I just finished changing my name!! What a pain!! haha but it only took one day… I just avoided it for too long! lol

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Today we are making a cheesy pepperoni football fo Today we are making a cheesy pepperoni football for your super bowl party. 

-First roll out a can of pizza dough and cut into squares. I make 5 vertical cuts and 3 horizontal cuts to get 18 squares of dough. 
-Then cut 6 string cheese sticks into thirds and place a piece of cheese in the middle of each square. 
-Roll your dough into balls around the cheese. 
-Set these aside and repeat with another can of pizza dough and six more string cheese sticks. 
-Arrange your dough into a football on top of a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. 
-Then mix together melted butter, garlic powder and parsley flakes and brush on top of the football. 
-Top with pepperoni and make sure all of the dough is covered to really define the football shape. 
-Bake on 400 for 15 minutes. 
-While it's baking cut another cheesestick into two long pieces and three short ones. These will be your laces. 
-Once the football is done, arrange these on top and place back in the oven for another minute or two. Serve and enjoy!

#superbowlsnacks #superbowlappetizers #superbowlideas #superbowlfood #recipereel #easyappetizers #easyappetizer #footballfood #partyfoods #easyrecipesformoms
Making cute Valentines for my son's class. These l Making cute Valentines for my son's class. These little stickers say "I'm so glad we swim in the same school. Your friend, Benjamin."

I filled some cute little fish bags with goldfish and added the sticker to the front! 

What do your kids give their classmates Valentine's Day?

#classvalentines #toddlervalentine #valentinesforkids #valentinesdayideas #valentinescards #valentinescards #ltkfamily #ltkkids
Let's make heart-shaped quesadillas! These would b Let's make heart-shaped quesadillas! These would be fun for Valentine's Day dinner with your kids. 

In full transparency, I wanted to make quesadilla uncrustables, but bought the wrong kind of tortilla. If you want to make those definitely get flour tortillas not corn. 

These are easy to make though, just use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut your tortillas, then fill and grill on the stove! 

#easymealsforbusypeople #easyrecipesformoms #valentinesideas #valentinesdinner #recipereel #galentinesbrunch
Here's a hack to make your boots stand up tall in Here's a hack to make your boots stand up tall in your closet! Use a magazine! Roll it up and stick it inside for your boots to stand tall! 

After organizing all weekend, I didn't want to purchase ANYTHING else to organize. I wanted something cheap that I already had lying around.

I like the pool noodle hack but did not have time to go acquire a pool noodle in January.

Try the magazine hack and let me know how you like it? What's your favorite organizational hack?

#organizationhacks #closetmakeover #homehacks #closethacks #widecalfboots #organizationideas #homeorganizationtips
A little matching moment for your Monday! 🌸🌺 A little matching moment for your Monday! 🌸🌺

As a boy mom, I have to work a little harder for matching ensembles, but this little floral wrap dress and button down for spring are just too cute! 

Linking our outfits here: https://liketk.it/40B4p

#ltkfamily #shopltk #ltkunder50 #boymomclub #familymatchingoutfits #familymatching #ltkkids #boyclothes #oldnavybaby #oldnavykids #oldnavystyle #floralsforspring
I purchased the @thebeachwaver B1 over the holiday I purchased the @thebeachwaver B1 over the holidays and loved it so much I bought one for my sister. The rotating barrel makes getting ready so darn easy! 

Use my code HELENWAVE for 10% off!

#beachwaver #beachwaverpartner #hairstylingtutorial #hairstylingtips #hairstylereels #curlingirons #curlingiron #curltransformation #igotbeached
Today we're making garlic and herb pigs in a blank Today we're making garlic and herb pigs in a blanket for your super bowl party. 

-First, roll out crescent dough and slice each of the triangles into thirds. 
-Then spread a little boursin herb and garlic cheese onto each of the triangles. 
-Add a lil smokie and roll it up. 
-Bake for 12-15 minutes on 375. 
-Serve and enjoy!

Do you add anything extra to your pigs in a blanket? 

#superbowlsnacks #superbowlsnack #superbowlappetizers #easyappetizer #easyappetizers #easyrecipeideas #easyrecipesformoms #easyrecipesathome #recipereel
You've heard of a butter board, but have you seen You've heard of a butter board, but have you seen a peanut butter board? 

Today we are making one for Valentine's Day. 

-First take a board and spread peanut butter all over it. 
-Then top with chocolate chips, valentine's day sprinkles, bananas, nutella and strawberries. I cut mine to look like hearts. 
-Then serve with graham crackers, pretzels or fruit and enjoy! 

Are you doing anything fun for Valentine's Day or Galentine's Day? Have you tried the peanut butter board yet?

#valentinesdays #valentinesdaydessert #galentinesparty #butterboard #peanutbutterrecipe #peanutbutterdessert #recipereel #valentinesdayideas #easyrecipesformoms
Today we're making jalapeno cheese dip in a bread Today we're making jalapeno cheese dip in a bread bowl. This is a great party snack and would be awesome at an upcoming super bowl party. 

-First, cut the top off a round loaf of bread and remove the middle. 
-Cut all of the pieces removed into cubes and set aside. 
-Then take a jalapeno queso block and cut it into cubes. Place in a pan. 
-Then add two cans of drained green chiles and a splash of milk. 
-Heat over medium high heat on the stove stirring constantly to prevent sticking. Trust me nobody wants that cleanup. 
-Then immediately pour into your bread bowl and serve hot with the cubed bread pieces. Enjoy!

Easy, and tasty! Are you having or going to a Super Bowl party this year? What's on the menu?

#partysnacks #partysnack #easyappetizers #easyappetizer #cheesedip #recipereel #superbowlsnacks #superbowlfood
My baby is finally feeling better, thank goodness! My baby is finally feeling better, thank goodness! I'm going to be honest, I am exhausted. The emotional toll this week has taken on me has just made me a new level of tired. 

I saw something the other day and it really stuck with me. 

Nobody talks about this when you are thinking about having kids. They talk about the financial piece and the how it's going to change your life piece. But nobody talks about the risk you take by having something you love so much and all the worry that comes with it. 

It's a risk every day to have your whole heart walking around, and going to school and picking up illnesses. There is so much worry and stress that comes with it.

But on the other hand, what a privilege it is to have something you love that much. I have never loved anything the way I love this little boy.

While sometimes the emotions, intrusive thoughts, worry and stress get the best of me, I am grateful every second of every day that I get to be this perfect, beautiful tiny human's mom.

Thanks for all the sweet messages of encouragement this week. It's so nice to know I'm not alone. I'm very grateful for all of you! 

#momthoughts #dailymotherhood #workingmomstruggles #toddlermom

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