What's Up Wednesday

  I haven't posted anything for quite a while now.  I ended up helping my Dad at the pharmacy for a couple of weeks, and then I've been trying to get caught back up at home.  At the end of the day, the last thing I thought about was blogging.  To all of you who can juggle it all, I am impressed!

Today just so happens to be the last Wednesday of the month, which means today is What's Up Wednesday, which is the perfect time to jump back in and tell what we've been up to this month.  I'm linking back up with Shay, Sheaffer and Mel.

What we're eating this week

Fajitas, Chili, and Fried rice.  All easy and all very good!  :)

What I'm reminiscing about

Nothing really.  At the moment, I'm looking straight ahead.

What I'm loving

I'm loving all the sunshine and warm weather that we've already had this Spring.  We've also been getting lots of rain, which is awesome as well.  I don't want another dry summer like last year. 

What we've been up to

Dan and I were in Vegas last weekend with my sister and brother in law, along with a couple of our best friends.  5 out of 8 of us have either just recently turned 40 or they are turning 40 within the next month.  Definitely some oldies, but goodies!  ;)

What I'm dreading

I'm dreading cleaning out my flower beds.  It's gonna take some work, but it will be worth it.  I'm hoping to get to them this weekend if the weather is nice.

What I'm working on

I feel like I've been running or gone for the last couple of weeks, and I'm ready to get back to my Spring cleaning.  I started on my closet before we left for Vegas.  I started moving my sweaters out of the way and bringing forward my skirts and capri's.  I am hoping to finish up my closet, and then start on the linen closet as well as our kitchen pantry.  I'm ready to have everything cleaned up, so we'll be ready to play outside whenever possible.

What I'm excited about

I'm excited to start camping.  Dan brought the camper home last month and it's sitting in our driveway.  He spent an afternoon cleaning it up, so we just have a couple more things we need to finish up, and then we'll be ready.  Yesterday, I decided to go out and sit in it while I did my bible study.  If that doesn't tell you I'm ready, I don't know what will.  ;)

What I'm watching/reading

 I started reading the Bachelor's Bargain by Catherine Palmer and it is really good so far.  It's probably one of the better books I've read in a while.  

I've also been reading and studying Beth Moore's bible study, Sacred Secrets.

As far as what I've been watching... I've been making Dan watch old Friends reruns with me.  I DVR them, and then when we settle in for the night, we'll sit and watch a couple shows.  I love unwinding at night with some laughs.  It's the best way to end the day.

What I'm listening to

As I'm typing this, there is not a sound in the house, except me typing away on this keyboard. 

What I'm wearing

This shows the struggle better than I could explain it myself.  Everyday when getting dressed, you take a chance. 

What I'm doing this weekend

I'm not sure yet.  I don't have anything written down on the calendar.  How nice is that!  We may watch a softball game, if my niece is playing in town.  Otherwise, we'll probably work on a couple projects around the house and enjoy the weekend at home.

What I'm looking forward to next month

I'm looking forward to a fun month of school for the kids.  May always seems so fun.  They have tons of field trips, lighter work loads, and the anticipation that summer break is almost here.  It just seems fun.  It's bittersweet for me this year, because Gracie will graduate from 8th grade, and be moving on up to the High School.  Cue the tears!  :(  It gives me a bit of a stomach ache, but we'll take this one day at a time.  Nothing else to do, right?!

What else is new

Meet Henry.

He was born last week and his Mama, (Jenny cow) didn't make it, so he's being bottle fed.  He's such a sweet little guy, and it breaks our hearts that he doesn't have a Mama.  My mom is planning on just letting him wander around in her yard this summer.  The only problem is, we are all going to get attached and at some point he's going to grow up into a very big bull that she'll have to sell.  Until then, he'll be very loved.

If you aren't following me on Snapchat or Instagram, you should.  My username is Jenny Claridge.  And if you're only into blogging, well make sure and leave a comment saying hello.  I always love meeting and talking with fellow bloggers.

Have the best week!

XOXO

Friday Favorites With A Twist

Today I'm linking up with Andrea, Erika and Narci to share my Friday Favorites.

I'm doing this a little different than I have in the past.  Normally, I would only show you my favorites, but today I'd love for you to tell me yours.  I'm always a little out of the loop, (kind of like when I was 28 years old and found out that women actually shave their big toes, what?!  I missed that memo.) so I thought today you ladies could fill me in on what I should be watching, reading, etc.

~ONE~

 What is your favorite movie? 

You know, the one you could watch over and over again...

Mine is, You've Got Mail.  It never gets old!  Never!

~TWO~

What is your favorite book?

 Besides the bible... what would it be?

Hands down, mine would be Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers.  I reread it about once every other year.  It's that good!

~THREE~

What is your favorite show on TV right now?

Now that the Bachelor is over, I don't have anything that I look forward to watching.  We'll watch Fixer Upper, but that's about it.  I'm thinking I need to talk Dan into getting us Netflix so I can watch  Friends or Seinfeld episodes again. 

 

 ~FOUR~

What is your favorite trick to lose a couple of pounds?

Help a girl out!  Is there something that you automatically cut out of your diet, or something you add into your diet?  Whatever it might be, fill me in.

I'm trying to cut out bread and bacon.  ;)

I don't know if this is true or not, but this is my new moto...

I am trying to get in some excercise every day as well, but mostly I'm trying to watch what I eat.

~FIVE~

What's something you learned a little late in life?

Just like I learned about shaving your big toes, what's something you missed the memo on?  I think this could be fun, if I'm not the only one, who's missed the memo on something and you all play along.  :)

Have the best weekend you guys!

XOXO

What's Up Wednesdays

Today, I'm sharing my What's Up Wednesdays for the month of March.  I am just in shock and so so excited that we are already getting ready to enter into April.  People... that means Summer is just around the corner, and this girl could not be happier about it.  Bring on the heat! 

I'm linking up today with Shay, Mel and Sheaffer.

What we're eating this week

We've been grilling, which is my favorite.  If I could grill every meal outside I would.  Who doesn't love keeping the mess out of the kitchen.  We've had burgers, hot dogs, steaks and ribs.  I am hoping to make fajitas one day as well, but I'll make those inside.

What I'm reminiscing about

I was asked by this sweet girl to chaperon prom.  I keep thinking to myself, "Wasn't I just at my own prom?  I mean how did this happen?"

 I had a lot of fun, and I don't think I embarrassed her or myself too much.  So if I'm reminiscing, it's about how I used to be young.  ;)

  What I'm loving

I found these pillows at Target, and I'm loving the fun Spring/Summer colors.  I was wanting to add some color into my house, so these are perfect.

What we've been up to

I bought the game of Clue to play with Dan and the kids.  We are all loving it.  Probably me the most, because I've only lost once.  Haha!  ;)

Always homework to be worked on... always!

Dan surprised me and the kids, and decided at the last minute to book a trip to Hawaii.  We packed our bags and were on the airplane within 24 hours of him deciding.  We had been saving and planning for a trip, but there wasn't ever a time that seemed to fit great.  I think he finally came to the point of, now or never... so we went for it.  It was a bit of a whirlwind, but it was so fun and I'm glad we did it.

What I'm dreading

Nothing that I can think of...

What I'm working on

Friends, I have wintered well, and I'm going to have to lose a bit of it.  I have never had to lose weight before, and I'm not so worried about the weight as I am the inches.  This is all so new to me, and to be honest, it's not so fun!  I'm more of a bacon and french fry kind of girl, but instead I'm trying to watch what I eat and get out and get in some walking.

Monkey see, monkey do.

What I'm excited about

I'm excited that we only have about 2 months left of school.  How fun is that?

What I'm watching/reading

Since we just had Spring break, I took it upon myself to get in some reading.  I've been reading a fun little series, I just wish she would have finished the series with a fourth book.

What I'm listening to

It's Tuesday evening as I'm typing this out.  I can hear the sound of the laundry running, and Dan and the kids outside shooting hoops.  Such peaceful and content sounds. 

What I'm wearing

My comfy's.  Since we've been home a lot, I've been taking advantage of it, and not getting too dressed up.  Boring I know, but it's real life around here.

What I'm doing this weekend

Gracie will be playing basketball in another tournament this weekend.  It's a two day tournament, out of town.  So we'll be driving and sitting in the bleachers a lot.  :)

What I'm looking forward to next month

We booked a little weekend getaway in April to celebrate some of our friends turning 40.  When you have 5 out of 8 either turning 40 or just recently turned 40, you celebrate, right?!  :)

What else is new

Snapchat.  Are any of you on it?  It is the weirdest social media yet.  I feel like I'm starting to get it figured out, but man it's taken me a while.  And if you think you can Google it, to get help using it, you're at a loss.  It wasn't any help.  Only time and pushing a lot of buttons works.  This is what Snapchat looks like when 2, thirty something year olds get on and start playing around.  In all fairness, I don't actually post things like this on Snapchat.  I'm sure my 13 year old would freak.  Haha!  But on my blog, it's free game, right?!

I hope you're all having a great week so far!

  XOXO

Easter Weekend

Today is the last day of Spring break for the kids, and I don't think any of us are ready for it to end.  I'm reminding myself that we only have one more quarter left of school and then we'll be out for the summer.  I don't think the kids and I could be more ready.  Hurry up summer!

This weekend, was packed with friends and family.  Friday evening my sister and her family came over for dinner.  While we waited for dinner to be ready, my sister started showing Emma how to sew.  They got a couple curtains knocked out for a little fort the kids have been playing in outside.  And then they started on pillows.  Aunts are the best, because she wouldn't be learning it from me.  I am awful at sewing.

Saturday evening we met up at my sisters house with a couple of friends and their families for a BBQ.  Such a fun way to kick off the start of Spring.

 5 out of the 8 of us, is either turning 40 this year, or just has in the last couple of months.  Melissa surprised John with the news that we all booked tickets to Vegas next month, which happens to be when he turns 40.

We ended the night off by watching, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, while the boys played cards, and the children ran around in the dark playing Cougar Cougar.

Sunday we made it into town for Sunday school and church.  We didn't get a picture this year... I think we were all a bit tired from the night before, and nobody was in a super good mood, so I let it go.  Some days, you just have to let it go, right?! 

I took this picture after church and after they'd already changed into their comfy clothes.

I almost didn't do anything for Easter, because I felt like my kids are getting too big.  But then I remembered Emma is only 8, and that I have to keep going.  She just seems older than she is, because she's always around the older kids.  I guess that's what happens to the youngest child, they grow up quicker.  :(

Every year our family plays the egg toss game.  You start off by throwing the egg to your partner and after you've both thrown it once, everyone takes a step back.  You keep getting farther and farther away until somebody's egg breaks.  I think this game is a favorite with everyone.

Poor Benjamin... the egg broke all over him.  Emma's expression in the background cracks me up!

So many laughs!

Emma and Haley were our 2016 Egg toss winners!

Such a fun and full weekend, and now today it's time to make sure laundry is all caught up and that backpacks and outfits are ready for tomorrow.  Our next break will be Summer break!  Wahoo!  :)

  XOXO

A Treasure Concealed

A Treasure Concealed, is a book based in Montana at a gold mining site.  Emily's Father has moved them from one mining camp to another, hoping to strike it rich.  Meanwhile, Emily is busy taking care of her sick Mother, and all of the other chores that fall upon her shoulders.  While she watches time pass away, she is dreaming of a home and future of her own.  When a stranger shows up in town, it changes everything.

I have read so many books over the years that I don't throw out the word love, unless I truly mean it, and even though I can't say that I loved this book, I did really like it!  For me to have loved this book, I would have liked a bit more tension or chemistry in Emily and Caeden's relationship.  Their relationship was sweet, but there wasn't enough for me to fall with them.

Overall, the book was well written, and I thought the story was very original.  Having good character descriptions is huge, and she nailed it for me in this book.  I felt like I could picture where they lived and what they looked like, which makes this story truly come to life.  I think Tracie is an amazing author and I am excited to read the next in this series.

* I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publisher, in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

I'm Going To Prom

The weekend may be coming up, but things aren't slowing down around here.

Emma tried out for the school play on Monday and made it, so I'll be watching both performances today. 

And then tomorrow evening...

I'm going to Prom!

Yes, you read that right.  When I told my sister I was going, she sent me this picture!  Haha!  I thought it was fitting, and couldn't love it more.

  

One of my besties and I, get to be chaperon's, and I'm having the hardest time trying to figure out what to wear.  Nobody has told me what I should wear, so I'm all over the map.

Part of me wants to go looking like this...

Maybe even bring some binoculars and a walkie talkie.

Another part of me wants to go like this...

After all, it is PROM!

And the other part of me wants to go like this...

Hahaha!

What's a girl to do?  So many choices!

Unfortunately, I really don't want the kids to hate me, so I may try to dress and act somewhat normal.  But then there's the whole issue of dancing.  When a good song comes on, am I actually required to just stand there and not bust a move?

My sister asked, "What if Foot Loose comes on?  How do you stand still for that?"  Yikes!  What about Jump Around?  Why isn't there more pins on Pinterest, telling us how to be a fun chaperon, and what we're supposed to wear and how we're supposed to act?

I don't want to sit on a chair in the corner of the gym watching the clock until it strikes midnight, and be a lame chaperone.  And that's another thing... I don't feel old until I'm told I have to stay up until midnight.  Friends, I'm going to have to take a nap tomorrow afternoon, just so I'm able to stay awake, because, I'm sure it's highly frowned upon for the chaperon to be napping in her chair during the dance.

I'm hoping I can take a few pictures and maybe come back next week with a few pointers, in case any of you ever end up in this same situation.

But until then...

Have the best weekend!

XOXO