Favorites - December 18th Edition

It's almost Christmas and I am spending another December saying "I can't believe it's almost Christmas." I think this is the story of life.  Can anyone ever, once they are out of school, believe that it's winter, Christmas,  Spring, Summer, snowing? Nope. So hey, can you believe I'm doing a "favorites" blog? Seems like it's been a long time, but time has passed so quickly ;)

#1 Taylor Swift's new album Red.  More specifically, I love this song:  (well, songs 2,4, & 10)

I can't attest to the video.  It's not really my style, and the song takes FOREVA to start but once it does I dig it. 

#2 Protein Pancakes.  Don't hate me if you try them and totally hate them...but I've been trying to eat healthier and these are a go-to sweet treat.  

#3 Blogilates.  Cassey's workouts will destroy you, in a good way. Well, after I've done a few videos in a row, I would say I've had enough. Do this booty workout and I promise you will be hooked. 

#4  Instagram.  I have a love/hate relationship with it.  I haven't carried my camera in ages because I use Instagram.  I don't really follow many people on there, mainly because I haven't taken the time to search, but it's a great way to show my family/friends what I'm up to. Do you have instagram?  Do you like it?

#5  My little chumbies (that would be my kids).  Camden cracks me up all the time, and he is very quickly seeming older and wiser.  Bryce is so smart and is just a joy to watch him as he learns and grows and makes new friends.  They are becoming the best of buddies and love playing games together.  I am so thankful for my boys! 

#6 Volum' Express The Falsies Mascara - try it! Seriously, it's so good. 

#7 Watching sunsets.  I don't really like that the sun sets earlier in the winter but I do love that I've been able to watch some pretty amazing sunsets on my trip home from work recently.  They always make my day a little happier.  Man, I love God's amazing handiwork.  

Happy December friends!  Tell me one of your favorites right now.

Be You

(Just a reminder that it's good to be silly everyday! And I love this picture.  Thanks Brittani Renee!!)

I get these daily reminders from Brave Girls Club and I love getting them.  Today's is such a great reminder for every woman everywhere, so I thought I would share it.  Don't rush life.  Don't try to move faster than what you are supposed to. Be happy in your skin.  Take joy in what is. Love who you are! I know it's not easy, everyone struggles with wanting to be different...believe me, I have a whole list of how I wish I was different. But here's the thing, a couple of years ago I decided that maybe it's ok to accept the myself ...flaws and all...and I'm glad I did, or at least try my best.

So today, I wish the same for you. Today I wish the same for me. 

Dear Just-Right Girl, Every age has its gifts. Every decade brings new opportunities. Every season of your life has a purpose. Try not to wish your years away, wishing you were younger, or older,  wishing the signs of aging would go away, or wishing you could get through this phase of your life in a flash. The world needs more women who embrace their wrinkles, or who  love their time at home when their children are small, or who know  the power of wisdom gained through being alive for so many years,  and who are absolutely comfortable in their skin. The world needs  more women who sing through life's winters, who dance even though their bodies jiggle, who count the laugh lines as decades of wonderful  memories. We are women. We are brave and we are beautiful and we are real. Let's be happy exactly where we are, now and at every age.  When we can adore each phase of our own life, we give each other encouragement to do the same--wrinkles, cellulite, crying children,  loads of laundry,bifocals, and all. You are absolutely gorgeous and your heart is even more stunning, Don't ever forget it. You are so loved. xoxo

A message from your friends at the  Brave Girls Club - www.bravegirlsclub.com

Truth

 “I don’t think the way you think.
    The way you work isn’t the way I work.”
        God’s Decree.
“For as the sky soars high above earth,
    so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
    and the way I think is beyond the way you think.
Just as rain and snow descend from the skies
    and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth,
Doing their work of making things grow and blossom,
    producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry,
So will the words that come out of my mouth
    not come back empty-handed.
They’ll do the work I sent them to do,
    they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.

Isaiah 55:8-11 

The Message

The Lord just continues to prove to me over and over again -  He is asking me to have faith and trust. Always. And all of us, not just me. Trust him. Live and love the way you were made to... boldly, bravely, and freely! He means what He says peeps. He's in control.


P.S. My boys made that lite brite creation for me one night when I was in a stinky mood.  I love their little hearts and the time they put into something just to cheer me up :) Aren't they sweet (well, most of the time anyways ;)).

August Rundown

It's August 21st -- and I'm so sad that the summer seems to be coming to a close!  I know it's still August but geesh, I want it to be June. 

So far August has been full and fun!

A week ago we took the boys on a last minute...as in, 8 o'clock at night trip to a local state park for a night of camping and s'mores and a morning of hiking trails.  I love hiking and just being outdoors, it was nice to just be out and about in the wilderness enjoying each others company. 

The boys even slept next to each other without fighting...hallelujah! And I didn't barf (even though I wanted to) when Camden picked up a random toothbrush and put it in his mouth at our campsite! What the what?!? I seriously about flipped! 

My oldest baby had his first day of Kindergarten last Friday!

He came home and said it was so much fun that he couldn't wait to go back! That makes school on this mama a whole lot easier.

Bryce was in a soccer clinic that just ended.  Both boys seem to like soccer a lot so I wanted to be sure to get them, or at least Bryce for now, on the soccer field.  The first week was shaky, I didn't know if he was even going to end up going on the field. But by the second week he was all about it. I was proud of him for being brave when he didn't want to be.  He did great.

He even told me he thanked his coach for taking time to coach him.  Man, I have an awesome little boy. 

  

My cutie brother-in-law and his girlfriend got engaged!!! I couldn't be happier for them.  Not only are they stinking adorable, they are going into marriage focused on having a God centered relationship.  I love that about both of them. Now I'm really looking forward to next summer!

Happy August to all you summer lovers...

We've got a few more days,

LIVE IT UP!

It was a mighty good party matey!

It was 100 degrees outside and 90 degrees inside on July 3rd.

We celebrated in my parents swoony little lake cottage with our family.  Bryce turned 6 and I cried my eyes out. Not really, but I did sweat my booty off.  

My mom whipped up the cutest little pirate candy table a boy could ever wish for!

Are these little marshmallow pops not adorable!?!

Camden went into meltdown mode around 5pm, right before the party.  The poor boy was so hot and so tired.  My mom took him for a car ride and he was out! 

All he wanted before he fell asleep was one of these and when he woke he wanted the same.  Poor guy.  

 Bryce had us all wear pirate hats for his big day.

Ryan really got into the look to show that he is a true pirate ;)

Angry Birds made their appearance.

And Bryce found a treasure map...

and he went on a treasure hunt...

 ...and found a little something

 Can you believe that's been hidden at the lake all this time! 

Me neither.

 I love this picture of him blowing out his candles! He went for it.

We ended the night with a good silly string fight and a dip in the kiddie pool!  What a perfect evening for such a wonderful little boy!  I sure do love my little Brycey.  Six years have gone by so fast but they sure have been six amazing years!!! 

This and That

This past weekend we celebrated my MIL's birthday.  The hubs took our little ones out one day and asked them what we should get her.  I love their sweetness. They choose to get her magnets that they would paint for her, a glass figurine of two penguins (because they share a common love for penguins) and last minute Cam grabbed some easter eggs and filled them with some of his candies. Randomness to the core. I adore that.

The entire time the boys painted Bryce kept saying "I just know Grandma is going to love this." Don't you just love knowing you are going to give a gift that someone is going to love. 

I was proud of my kiddos.  They choose something that they put time into and made with their hearts... 

They love their grandma (and all of their grandparents) so very much!

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We also spent some fun time at the lake this weekend!  

We haven't had many opportunities to spend there this summer so when we had the chance we thought we would take it.  We even made it to the annual fish fry -- which totally made me want to watch The Great Outdoors by the way.  So fun(ny).

 Camden was so happy to be in charge of the hose for awhile :)

ha!

 Can't believe this cutie pie is going to be 6 just next week!  Yay!

And that wraps it up for today friends!

P.S. I'm super pumped it might be 100 tomorrow of Thursday!  90-100 degree days are my favorite!!

What about you? (Don't answer that, hardly anyone ever agrees with me ;))

Ridin' Around

This past weekend we had such a great time getting away with my hubby's family.  We went to a family wedding together and then headed over to Cedar Point.

We figured out it's been about 8 years since the last time I was there. How did that happen?  The boys have never been but they loved it.  Cam has asked me 5 times today if he is a good boy if we could go back today.  Um, sorry honey, I don't think so...maybe another day. 

My mother-in-law watched the boys for a large part of the day so us "big kids" to go on roller coasters.  

Ok, side question, has anyone gotten more afraid of heights as they have gotten older?  I never used to be afraid of heights but something has happened in the past 10 years and now I'm a big scardey cat.  Getting older stinks!  Or maybe it's just me and I need to get over it. 

These little sillies favorite ride was the froggy hopper!  It goes straight up and then drops down.  I didn't know what would happen or if either of them would like it but they LOVED it.  Look at Cam, he even put his hands in the air.  

I had fun riding rides with the boys.  We went on a tilt-a-whirl ride and I don't think I've ever heard them laugh so loud or hard.  They thought it was hilarious which made me laugh like crazy.  It's moments like those you never want to forget.  

There was a downpour of sorts for about 2 hours in the middle of the day but it didn't slow us down.

P.S. Benita, my mother-in-law, is the most prepared lady ever.  I'm so thankful for her (and inwardly feel a little sorry for Bart because I am not a planner :/) she had snacks for the boys, umbrellas for the downpour, and games and crafts just in case. She's so great. 

Thanks Mom & Dad/Grandma & Grandpa for such a great time away. Can't wait to do it again! 

(Maybe we should go on a different weekend next time ;) lol)

**And a random side note for anyone going to CP this summer.  We got the Fast Pass, it's an extra fee but we got on most rides in 2-5 minutes opposed to the normal 1-2 hour wait. I'd say it was worth it.  Especially since it did rain and they had to shut down all the rides for a couple hours.**