Hello Friday, We're On Our Way Home!

We left Jamaica this morning, and will be traveling all day!  We left the airport at 5:00am, and we won't get home until 12:30-1:00am.  It's what you do to enjoy the Caribbean, right?!  ;)

We had a great time and can't wait until we can start planning our next trip.  Next time we'll plan on taking the kids.  I sure have fun on trips that are just for me and my sweet guy, but we sure do miss the kids when they aren't with us.

I have just a couple Friday Favorites today in order to keep this post short and sweet.

This view

I loved sitting outside working on blog post ideas and catching up on a bit of reading.  I can't wait until the weather at home gets nice enough that I can start sitting outside as well.  It will definitely be a different view, but I love the quiet and peacefulness about it, regardless of the location.

Cribbage

On the way down, Dan taught me how to play Cribbage.  Obviously, this isn't a new game, but it really is fun and easy.  Even more so than I thought it would be.  We played this a lot during our layovers on the way down and plan to play a bit more today on the way home.  It helps makes the time go faster.

My favorite swimsuit

This swimsuit from Athleta is the perfect one for sun tanning.  It has straps that you can add on when you are on the go, but otherwise, you can ditch the straps and work on your tan.  It also has elastic type strips that help hold the top in place.  I have other swimsuits that I love, but this was my favorite one this trip. 

This fun getaway

We had the best time on this trip, and I can't wait to share more about it.  But the thing that is my absolute favorite today is...

Heading home to our kids

We are so excited to see the kids and get some sweet hugs!

I've liked up with Andrea, Erika & Narci.

Christina, April & Natasha with Five On Friday.

I hope you all have the best Friday, and I'll see you all next week!

  XO,

What's Up Wednesday

 Hey there!
Today is the last Wednesday of the month, and I'm sharing all about what we've been up to this month.  Once again I'm linking up with Mel, Shay and Sheaffer.



I've been in a huge blogging rut, and I'm hoping to snap out of it soon.  I'm still trying to catch up on all of my blog reading.  I guess I just needed to unplug for a bit.  As unintentional as it was, I think it was good for me to step back and focus on a few other things.

What we're eating this week

Tacos
Steak & potatoes
Pizza

That's as far as I've gotten this week.

What I'm reminiscing about

 
The end of the school year is just around the corner, and I can't help but think back to the first day of the school year.  Is it just me or has it flown by?!

What I'm loving

Link

 I stocked back up on my Bobbi Brown foundation, and I'm loving it.  Starting out, it's $50 and then to get a refill it's $30.  It's the perfect amount of coverage for me.

What we've been up to

Jesse is finishing up his track season.

Gracie is getting ready for her final drive next week.

And...

We went camping last weekend and had a great time.

My parents are putting in a dock, and a couple of us ladies were testing out the beginning stages of it.

Hurry up Summer!

What I'm dreading

Dan and I are getting ready for our trip, and as excited as we are, we always dread leaving the kids.  Once we get there, we're usually fine.  But the getting ready to leave them hurts my Mama heart.  It doesn't matter that they are 14, 12 & 9.  They're still my babies.  They are staying with my sister while we are gone, and my Mom is next door, so they are in good hands, but it's still hard to leave them for a week.  All that said, I do think it's good for Dan and I to go and just have time to ourselves.  But gosh darn it... this Mom guilt is hard.  Anyone else feel bad taking trips without their kiddo's?

What I'm working on

Spring cleaning.  Tell me someone else is still Spring cleaning, and that I'm not the only one.

What I'm excited about

THIS WEEKEND!

What I'm watching/reading

 I'm still watching Gilmore Girls... and I love it!

I have a few books that I need to read, but I haven't started on any of them yet.  I blame it all on the Gilmore Girls.  I didn't read one book this whole month.  Who am I?  ;)

What I'm listening to

I've been listening to, Even If, by Mercy Me.

My favorite part is....

"You've been faithful, You've been good
All of my days
Jesus, I will cling to You
Come what may
Cause I know You're able
I know You can"


It's such a pretty song!  If you haven't heard it yet, be sure to.

What I'm wearing

It's Spring in Montana...

Layers would probably be the best way to describe what I'm wearing lately.  Plus my converse are getting their use.  I'm still loving them/

What I'm doing this weekend

Dan and I fly out Friday afternoon for Jamaica!  We will pull the girls out of school to watch Jesse's last track meet, and then we'll hand the kids off to my sister and hit the road.

What I'm looking forward to next month

Next month is the last month of school.  I love the last month of school!  There seems to be tons of field trips, field days, class plays, etc.  It just seems fun for the kids.  Also, just knowing that I am down to the last couple weeks before the kids are home for the summer, I'm usually motivated to get the house and myself organized and ready!

What else is new

I've just recently started getting chiropractic adjustments.  I'm going to be driving up to get adjusted by my brother in law, twice a week for a few weeks.  I'm not looking forward to the long drives, but if he can help my back, it will be well worth it.


Well, that's it for today.  I'm heading out of town this morning to take Gracie to a quick Orthodontist appointment, before hurrying back home in time for her afternoon classes. 

Enjoy your day!

  XO,

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday Friends!

My kids don't have school today, so I am drinking my coffee while I let them sleep in.  Also, my friend who painted my bedroom recently is coming out later this morning to paint my bathroom.  I definitely lucked out by having an awesome friend who loves to paint.

These 2 things should be enough for my Friday Favorites list, but I've still got more.  :)

This necklace

Last month I ordered this necklace and I'm loving it.  It's super cute and it's only $14.  You can't beat that.

Gilmore Girls

Okay, so I know I am extremely late to the game on this one... but I'm really starting to enjoy it.  I think once I got past the first 5 episodes, I've been hooked.  I've never watched so much TV in my adult life.  So much in fact that I haven't finished a single book this month.  Yes, you read that right.  I might need an intervention.  ;)

What's in my bag

Back on Tuesday, I linked up with Erin and I shared 10 things that I keep in my purse.  I love nosy posts like these.  If you're nosy like I am, well then you'll enjoy it.

Scholastic Book App

The Scholastic Book Fair was up at our school a couple of weeks ago.  I happened to be watching our librarian scanning some of the books with her phone, and since we've already discovered that I'm nosy, I asked her what she was doing.  Well... she had an app, which scans the book's covers and it tells you what grade the book is appropriate for and how many AR points it's worth.  I stopped what I was doing and downloaded it right there.  As a Mom, I have spent the past 14 years trying to gauge each book to see if I think it's at their reading level.  This new app now has me covered... with the Scholastic books anyway.

Camping

 I've gotten the camper cleaned out, reorganized, as well as stocked up with a few staples.

I am sooo ready.  It's a lot of work to get there, but once we do, it's so nice for our family to hang out and relax without all of life's distractions and the endless house chores.  We were hoping to go this weekend, but with a low of 32 and possible chance of snow, we decided to hold off this weekend, and try again soon.

Okay, well that wraps up my favorites for this week.

I've liked up with Andrea, Erika & Narci.

Christina, April & Natasha with Five On Friday.

Have a great Easter weekend!

 XO,

What I Keep In My Purse

Today I'm sharing what's in my purse, for all of you nosy people like myself.  ;)  I'm afraid you might be sadly disappointed though, as I don't have anything wowing to see.

 I will hold onto something for one of my kids, or have a few miscellaneous receipts... but on any given day, this is what you'd find if you dumped out my purse onto the counter. 

I'm a chap-stick wearing girl.  I can't help it, and I'm constantly needing to reapply.  There are a lot of different brands that can be hard on your lips and even addicting, so I've switched over to plain old Vaseline at the beginning of the year.  I think it's helped, and I don't feel the need to reapply nearly as often as I used to.

 I keep a book or my kindle with me wherever I go.  If I'm waiting to meet a friend for lunch, waiting to pick up my kids from practice, sitting in a doctors office... I pull out a book.  I can only scroll through social media so much and then the book comes out.

This is my favorite lotion year round.  It has such a nice light scent.  Some lotions can be so overpowering.  This one isn't which is another reason I love it.

Hand sanitizer is a must.  I use this anytime I gas up the car, help out at the school, get groceries, etc...  I use hand sanitizer until I can get home to wash my hands.  Now this isn't a favorite scent, it was just a random one that I grabbed in town one day when I was out.

This lip gloss from Victoria Secrets is my favorite.  It's cheap, it's not sticky and it looks great.  You can find it in the little bins before the checkout counter.

 I usually try and keep a light snack in my purse for when I'm stuck in town waiting for my kids.  I'll grab a quick protein bar or a small bag of almonds... something light to keep me going.

 Yes, I keep floss in my bag.  A lady once told me that as she got older everything gets stuck in her teeth.  I smiled at the time, because I didn't understand.  Well, it's been a few years and I now understand.  I swear everything that can, will get lodged between my front teeth... and there's nothing like trying to pick food out of your teeth when you're stuck in town for the day.

 

I don't know if I'm the only one, but I refuse go anywhere without my little pill box.  None of these are prescription meds, but I'm telling you I keep them with me at all times.  If you need a Tylenol, Benadryl, Pseudoephed, Cranberry pill, Digestive pill... I'm your gal.

 My wallet...

And my shades.

I told you I wasn't too exciting!  You're probably wishing you had the last 2 minutes of your life back. ;)

If you're the curious type and want to see what other people keep in their bag, be sure and check out the link up over at Erin's blog.

I can't wait to see what other people carry around in their bag.

What's one thing besides your wallet or phone that you can't leave home without?

Enjoy your day!

XO,

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday Friends!

It feels so good to have this week behind us.  Emma and I made a trip out of town yesterday to visit the eye Doctor, and today I'm headed to watch another of Jesse's track meets.  These kids of mine sure rack up a lot of miles on my car.  :)

  This last weekend, Jesse and Emma were both in a basketball tournament.  It was really intense and fun to watch.

I love watching them play basketball.

If you are looking for a good book to read, I have you covered.

Land of Silence was really good, and is a new favorite of mine.  If you missed my book review, you can check it out here.  But if you want to save yourself some time, just buy this book.  You'll thank me.


Emma and I had a few minutes to swing through Target yesterday.  I can't remember the last time we were able to stop in and do a little shopping.  It was so relaxing!

I know pictures like these aren't far and few between, but when you live 100 miles from Target, it makes this view pretty dang fun!  #allthehearteyes

I'm kicking myself for not getting this bag when we were there.  What was I thinking leaving it behind?!  I love everything about it.

And these two smaller bags would have went great with it.

I'm headed back in next week for another appointment, so I'm hoping it's still there.

I'm on the last Season of Downton Abbey.  It's been so fun!  I love it, and I'm not ready for it to end.  What should I start watching once this is done?  I've started watching Gilmore Girls which is a little slower so far... it's starting to pick up a little bit I think.  Everyone has always talked about how much they liked it, so I'm giving it a try.  What else would you recommend?  And did you like Gilmore Girls?

I've liked up today with Andrea, Erika & Narci.

Christina, April & Natasha with Five On Friday.

Have a great weekend!

XO,

What I've Been Reading

I don't know whether you are a reader or not, but if you're like me and love finding new books to read, I've got some good ones for you this month.  I feel like each book I read last month, just kept getting better and better.  I liked the first one, really liked the second one and loved the 3rd one.

Engaging The Earl

Engaging The Earl was the first book that I read this month.  It was a fun and easy read.  Marcus and his fun personality, had me laughing often.  His sister invites her best friend, Emma to stay with her while she gets back up on her feet, and asks her brother to help introduce Emma to the bachelors in the area.  Marcus can't help but scare off all of the other men, seeing as nobody else is good enough for Emma, even if he doesn't believe he is worthy enough for her either.  Like I said, it was just a fun and easy read.

Treasured Grace

Treasured Grace is one that I received from the Publisher last month in exchange for an honest review.  I really liked this book.  It was different than anything that I've read in quite a while.  The characters were fun, and I loved the setting.  The story takes place back in the mid 1800's when conflicts start to arise between the Indians and the settlers out west.

It had a few twists and turns that kept me wondering what was going to happen next.  Now I'm waiting for the second book in this series to be released.

Land Of Silence

Land of Silence was really good and beautifully written.  It's a fictional book based off of the story of the woman in the Bible who believed that if she could just touch the edge of Christ's cloak that she'd be healed.  The Bible doesn't tell you much about this woman, but this author writes a wonderful fictional tale of what this lady's life could have been like.  It is a beautiful story and Tessa Afshar gives so much detail, as she really pulls you into this story.  If you are looking for a new book to read, I highly recommend this one.

I'm always on the hunt for a good book.  I'd love your suggestions.

I hope you are enjoying your week.

XO,