Spring Breaking

     Davis and I have had the best time these past few days just hanging out and being lazy! I thought I might take him to day care a couple of days so I could run errands and sit in the silence (#momgoals), buuuuuttttttt I kept him home…because one day he won’t want to hang out with me all day.

    In spite of the name, our spring break has been bitterly cold. There is no playing outside around here…and our trip to Target earlier nearly gave me pneumonia. We’ve stuck to indoor activities like coloring in a box, talking about the potty, and reading all. the. books. The upside to being stuck inside? I have gotten lots of laundry done, and Davis’s big boy room is all set up! As predicted, he is so stinking cute in his big bed.

     Cannot. Deal. We did put rails on it, but he’s sleeping so hard he really doesn’t need them (#hegotitfromhismama). I’m still on the hunt for another denim sham to make the end look more full, but that’s more for me than him…clearly. While I was busy working on the bed, Keith was painting and installing shelves in the closet. When we moved in, all the closet bars and sleves were weirdly low…like barely taller than me. You wouldn’t think it would be a big deal, but it makes the closets feel so tiny and cluttered. The dingy paint was not helping either. I’ll work on taking pictures when he wakes up.

     The downside to this update? Our cute little front bedroom is once again a junk room. I’ll have to get in there and do some serious work. It’s a really glamorous combo of crib pieces and Davis’s old furniture and all the stuff that vomited out of his closet. I am the eye-rolling emoji right now. I will not work on taking pictures of that.

     I’m going to leave this stream of consciousness with the list of posts I keep telling myself I’ll write:

• Dining room update (a REAL one…spoiler alert: I bought a new plant)
• Davis’s room
• Our closet
• A living room update (a REAL one)

     I started this post yesterday, but now that it’s Friday, I’ll link it for Friday Favorites and call it done! Happy weekend!

Friday Favorites

     Fri-YAY! It has been a slow climb to spring break, but we’ve made it and could not be more ready for this week!  I was all set to enjoy Fun Friday by scrubbing my classroom for the last hour of the day, but a text from Davis’s teacher yesterday about a little temp changed our plans.  I do NOT love a sinus infection, but an extra day to rest is so welcome!

     I have done all.the.laundry. and introduced Davis to ranch dressing…so I’d say the weekend is off to a good start! 

     In unrelated news, my sister and I have been doing Whole30 for the last 13 days, and they have been the longest 13 days of my life…That’s not entirely true, but it is requiring a lot of thought and a lot of tiny label reading.  All things considered, I am actually enjoying it! The food is good, and there is almost nothing I love more than a sense of accomplishment…except a cupcake.

I’m still waiting on my tiger blood.

     Bouncing to yet another topic, we are moving Davis into a big boy bed this weekend…y’all. A big boy bed! I cannot wait to see how it goes. He is going to be so cute and tiny in it. I will try to get around to taking some pictures once it’s all put up and done.

     He is turning into such a big boy lately! Its almost time to start thinking about a birthday party…for my two year old. Can’t. He is my favorite little boy on Earth.

     This post is turning into follow the bouncing ball (the bouncing ball being my train of thought). Ignore my dirty mirror and focus instead on my Teen Witch vibes. I’m trying to become a nighttime showerer to save those few precious moments in the morning, and I may or may not have found a hairdo that works for me. This is big news! I’m flipping my hair over and doing three braids (regular not French) and then twisting it into a topknot (yellow, terry cloth scrunchy recommended). This is seriously life changing. I have so much more time to apply eyeliner and drink coffee! Praise. Hands.

     I’ve also made it my mission to make plaid appropriate for work as often as possible. With a pair of skinny pants and some sassy jewelry, no one will know that it’s a hand-me-down that feels like pajamas. I just can’t do business-like. Simply cannot. Elementary teachers (and just people in general) should be able to move. Done and done.

     Alright y’all…I’ve got to wake this boy up from a nap and see where the weekend takes us. What does one do when one has done all the laundry and cleaned the floors? This is a sense of freedom I’m not familiar with – happy weekend indeed!

Friday Favorites

     It’s Friday, it’s summer, the baby is napping…it’s a good day!  I’ve been meaning to post about some of my newest favorite things, but Davis doesn’t like for me to use the computer (or read or watch tv or eat snacks or sit on the furniture…#toddler) while he’s awake. 

     A few weeks ago I was busy scrolling through Instagram, when I noticed that one of my friends posted the cutest stamped cuff bracelet.  A quick snoop later, and come to find out, her sister-in-law makes them!  I’ve seen lots of cuffs, and have been drooling over them for awhile now, so this seemed like perfect timing!

     The shop is One Young Artisan, and Jeannine was so sweet to work with!  There were tons of cuff and plate options and my bracelets came really fast.  I got one with Davis’s name on it and one with my life verse (Lamentations 3:22), and I’m already thinking through what else I can do.

Can you even deal with this?!
I need this on a bracelet and a t-shirt and a forehead tattoo and every wall in my house!

     I like to pile on the bracelets, and have been wanting some more impact making pieces.  Side note: I’m already laughing at my husband’s face when he reads this… These bracelets delivered in the impact department.  I’m thinking of going skinny and sparkly for my next cuff!

I’ve been trying to make my bracelets match basically every outfit.

     In totally unrelated news, we finally got family pictures made this week.  I wanted to do them in June to coincide with Davis’s birthday and just because the last professional pictures we have are engagement and wedding pictures.  I am getting so excited to get them back and crossing all my fingers that the 6549684% humidity didn’t leave me looking too ratchet.

     I had plans to change Davis’s outfit and adjust some of our accessories, but it. was. so. hot.  I’m hoping our photographer can photoshop out sweat and shiny.  I have high hopes!

I was going for a naturey theme with a bold accent.  Davis wore the sweetest linen overalls…but you’ll have to wait for that!

     I’m going to wrap this up with about 6 minutes left of Davis’s nap.  We’ve got an afternoon of swimming and a weekend of celebrating all of our favorite dads!

Linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci.

Friday Favorites

     I have got to get on some sort of schedule with this blogging thing.  Every time I post, I’m reminded how much I love it, but every afternoon after work I’m reminded of how much I love turning my brain totally off.  I’ll figure it out one of these days…#imlying.
     But let’s not dwell on that.  I know I’m squeaking this in at the last minute, but Friday is a time for favorites!  Let’s get down to talking about some of my favorites.  This is my favorite time of year, and right now, everything is a favorite, but I’m going to narrow it down for you.

one

     This squishy, little peanut is going to be six months old next week.  He is my favorite favorite.  I can’t even believe that the growling, sitting, squealing, almost crawling wild thing in the floor is the same baby!  He is so fun and so silly and just the best little part of our family.

two

     So this happened…y’all, I can’t even explain how over-the-moon excited he was over this.  Definitely Keith’s latest favorite.  As I type, this guy (the deer, not the husband) is at the taxidermist being mounted.  That’s right, full shoulder mount.  I’m embracing it.  Also, he promised that it could be decorated for Christmas every year.  Welcome home, Rudolph.

three

     No pictures because I was too busy eating everything in sight, but Thanksgiving.  Food is one of my faaaaaaaaaavorites, and the family’s not so bad either.  This year has been so special, and I have been extra thankful for my sweet, little turkey.  As good (really good) as the food is, how much greater is that incredible peace that comes from being thankful?  I have been reminded so much lately of what there is to be thankful for.  Even when circumstances are not what I would prefer or when I’m frustrated or when things are overwhelming, there is always something to be thankful for.  I love carving (see what I did there?) out a special day to be thankful, but every every every day is bringing so much to be thankful for.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Colossians 3:15

four

     It’s been Christmas here for a few weeks now!  All we have left to do is get our real tree (tomorrow).  I am so looking forward to having our first real tree since we’ve been married.  Once everything is all done and lit, I’ll have to get back to you with some pictures.  I have loved having a new place to decorate and am so happy with how everything is looking.  It is so perfect, and every one of my shelves has a sprinkling of Christmas.  What more could I ask for?

     Happy Friday! I hope yours was what you wanted it to be…maybe a little shopping?  Or if you’re more like me…pajamas all day and nonstop Hallmark/Lifetime movies.  Tomorrow we’re decorating my mother’s tree, and then Keith and I are getting ours!  I’m on a holiday high, and I don’t plan on coming down any time soon!

Friday Favorites

     But first a confession…I’ve started typing two (which is kind of a big deal for me) posts since my last one (also coincidentally titled Friday Favorites), and haven’t finished either one.  That being said, I do have a baby update to post and a nursery reveal, and I’ve done some cooking lately.  If I were a good blogger, that would be about four posts.  We’ll see. 

On to my faves…

     Oh the mountains.  Keith and I took a little babymoon to Gatlinburg for the first part of my spring break, and as always, the mountains were just the most.  Surely you know by now that I love the beach, love.  Even still, the mountains are always just so incredible, love.  #mountainsaremylovelanguage #thebeachismylovelanguage #vacationismylovelanguage

Also the food.  I just love the food.  (From top left: breakfast at Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant, blueberry pancakes at Pancake Pantry, and chicken parmesan at Crystelle Creek)

     Even though I feel like I’ve had the best pregnancy, it was still so nice to do some real relaxing before baby Davis gets here. 

     Speaking of baby Davis, his nursery is finished!  We need the tiniest details, but if he showed up tomorrow (although, please don’t), he would be set in his first little room.  I can’t do a full reveal, because I have some people to show it to in real, live person, but I can’t wait!

Just a sneak peek.

     And my most favorite favorite of all…

“It is finished,” Amen.

     I love Christmas.  You already know that…but I can’t even describe how thankful I am that the story didn’t end in Bethlehem.  In fact, it still isn’t over.  Easter always takes me back when I think that the world mourned His death over 2,000 years ago, but he reminded us in three days that He is coming back.  He came back to show victory over death, and He’ll be back again.
     A few days ago I was having a little moment and was telling myself that I was so overwhelmed.  Right then, He told me that I was not overwhelmed and I certainly didn’t need to be because we’re overcomers…because He already overcame.  We don’t have to be mired down by this world, because He’s already won.  I would be lying if I said I always had this attitude, but I should.  That’s what we can claim.  Not that we are strong, incredible people who live on our own strength, but that when ours runs out, His never does.  Where I fail (daily) He never does.  Where I’m overwhelmed, He has overcome.  How can I not be thankful?

     I hope y’all have such a great Easter and are reminded over and over about His love for us.  He’s coming back for you!  Enjoy your egg hunts.  Eat amazing food.  Love that time with your family, but let’s don’t forget His promise!  Happy Easter!

Heart Sing

     I feel like I’m always telling you about these things I love and never actually showing you.  Well no more.  Things that make my heart sing today (and most days).

From top left:
(1)  Neon orange flip flops.  Thank you, TJ Maxx clearance!  $8 for shoes that can be seen from space.
(2)  My dorm fridge stocked with Cokes.  I have other things of course, but these little soldiers get me through the day.
(3)  Dry erase boards!  I found these for $0.50 apiece at Walmart!  I got six – definitely going to be using these for a center when I start teaching.
(4)  My shell jar filled!  At the bottom you can see a few of my giant shells – love.
(5)  I love this shirt.  It’s linen and has so many orangey pinky shades!
(6)  Sentence strip (also $o.50 at Walmart) and my pointer…can you tell I’m excited to start teaching?
(7)  This little bucket that housing left in my room.  It’s supposed to be for recycling, but I think I’ll use it to do something cute for school…I could store books in it or make it a center that can be moved around.  The possibilities are endless.

     That’s about it for today, folks.  I’m probably at orientation right about now, so I’ll be sure to let you know how that goes.  In the meantime, we’re at the end of the month again.  You know what that means…sponsor call!  I have several different options available, and I would love to work with you in September.  Shoot me an email for more information!

Christmas in July

     A few of my favorite things…Christmas (…in July), fancy things, and sales.  Since I’ve been blogging, I have been turned on to so many new products and companies, and I love love love it!  You may remember a few months ago how I won my “fancy GiGi New York clutch” (yes, I still call it that).  A few days ago, I was contacted by Graphic Image (GiGi New York’s parent company) to let all of you sweeties know about their Christmas in July sale.  Today only, everything at Graphic Image, including select GiGi New York items, will be 5o% off!

Just in case you didn’t hear…5o% off!

     Take it from me – this is an incredible deal!  Their products are an incredible quality and to get them half off really does make it seem like those holiday deals have jumped up five months.  Between Graphic Image and GiGi New York, products run the gamut from notepads and jotters to coasters to guest books, travel accessories, and some of the most fabulous bags I have ever seen.  Just in case you were wondering, the envelope clutch (like mine) and the Alexa tote (my newest love) are part of the sale. 
     This is not some sort of “enter the special code,” “find the hidden button,” “tell your friends and get a rebate” sort of deal.  It is an honest to goodness, 50% off site-wide opportunity for each one of you to go treat yourselves or your friends!  I know a lot of you like to plan ahead, so if you want to really get ahead on gift buying, this is definitely for you.  I hope you find something you love!