Valentine Weekend 2016

What a weekend!   Valentines 2016 was full of surprises and fun with so many of my favorite people.
Today I am sharing a recap to catch you up on all of our fun.

Friday Friday we were supposed to have a small Valentines Day friends party after co-op. But when one of the boys came down with croup, we had to postpone our party. The girls were pretty bummed so we improvised and had a warm up party until the real deal happens next week.


Later that evening I went to a women's social for church.


Bonus points if you can identify where I am!
Saturday Saturday morning was all about sleeping in, snuggling by the fire, coffee and being lazy. 

Saturday afternoon was a very anticipated trip to the shooting range with our good friends. They were so patient with me (it was my first time to go shooting). I had a complete blast and can't wait to get some more practice in. After our date at the range we grabbed an early dinner making it the perfect Valentines celebration.

Later that evening Russ, the girls and I went on a sunset drive to a nearby town to run an errand. We got home, put the girls to bed and stayed up WAY to late watching American Graffiti. Russ says that you aren't American if you haven't watched this movie and set out to "fix me" ASAP when he found out I had never seen it.

  Sunday Sunday was church, cleaning my friends salon room with Marissa, a great workout with Sarah, then  some blogging for me and playing out side for the girls. 

For dinner we grabbed Qdoba BOGO for a kiss, ate sugar cookies and spent the rest of the evening cleaning up the house. You know the weekend fun is over around here when I start cleaning the house on a Sunday night.

I had the best weekend with my Valentines!

P.S. isn't my shirt super cute?!

What was your Valentine weekend highlight?

Friday Highlights 2016 V6

Happy Fri-Yay!
Friday, Friday, finally Friday!
I don't often find myself looking forward to the the weekend but I couldn't possibly be more excited about this one. A Valentines Party with our dear friends, wine & chocolate girls night, a trip to the shooting range, possibly a date and Valentines Day with my loves. It's going to be so much fun! I'll be sure to do a recap of all of the fun on Monday.
Now for this week Friday picks!
{ONE}  Blog Highlights

This week on the blog I shared about...
#ASweetPairing featuring Josh Cellars Wine and Ghirardelli Chocolates I poured out my heart when I shared Our Love Story 'The Kids Behind The Blog' link-up officially started! The Picture Perfect Photo Project: February
{TWO} Valentines
Some of my favorite blogging friends shared their amazingly creative Valentines this weekend and I was nothing but impressed. I picked a few to share with you today just in case you are still scrambling for some Valentines to make.
Plus it is never to early to start getting ideas for next year?!
Whitney from Work It Mommy

Desiree from Macke Monologues

Liz from Chasin Mason

Stephanie from Wife Mommy Me

{THREE} $10 at Target, The Link-Up
Last month I had so much fun taking the $10 at Target challenge. Have you heard? Now the challenge we all love is officially a monthly link-up.

So for all of you who chimed in and said "I really want to take the $10 Target challenge" now is your chance! Make plans to join us on Monday February 22nd as we kick off the official link-up with a bang... and by bang I may or may not mean giveaway :).

{FOUR} Closet clean out

I'm not exactly sure why, but last weekend I started cleaning out my closet. One pile morphed into two piles and when it all came to an end I bagged up 71 (yes I'm totally a dork who counted) pieces of clothing. 

It felt amazing!

I haven't exactly changed much over the past 16 years so I seriously had clothes in my closet that I wore when I was 16. It felt so good to let go of some of the things I have been hanging onto for no good reason!

The best part is now I have a better idea about what I need to focus on and what I don't need to buy (active wear). This year I promised to shop for more color and/or pattern and my shopping buddy Anna has vowed to keep me accountable by using force if necessary.
I even picked up a new shirt this weekend with a coupon JCP sent me.

Look, color and pattern!

When was the last time you cleaned out your closet?

{FIVE} Giveaway
In Mondays post I shared all about a little giveaway we have going on right now! Josh Cellars Wine and Ghirardelli Chocolate are giving you a chance to win one of two $75 prepaid American Express gift-cards. 
Make sure you enter. The winners will be drawn first thing Monday morning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday Linkup Parties To see where I am linking up check out my link-up tab.
Have a great weekend!

We will see you back here soon.

Picture Perfect Project V2: January 2016

Today is month two of the Picture Perfect Photo Project.

Last month I shared my collage of photos from 2015. 52 photos for 52 weeks and boy oh boy the end result was a hot mess. I was proud that I managed to take 52 weeks of photos, but a bit embarrassed by the end result. 

But with disappoint comes a chance to do improve. I made some goals to organize, edit and watermark my photos and this month I have done just that. I also picked a new photo location and plan to use it for the entire 2016 year. Not only will this help things to look more uniform but it will be neat seeing my chalkboard designs in the background too.

So far I already feel like I am doing a better job compared to 2015.... 

but since we're only one month in I won't get overly confident.

January 2016

Week 1

Happy New Year, unfortunately Marissa was feeling a bit under the weather this week. A mom can always tell a kid who isn't feeling well by the look in their eyes. I also must point out Emily's adorable new Minnie outfit :).

Week 2

Marissa wore her very first infinity scarf that I decided to "store" for her in my closet ;). 

Week 3

I found a "new" Minnie shirt at the top of the closet. I am pretty sure my mom bought this for E two years ago and it just now fits. I chose this photo because of those faces. How could I not choose the goofy one?!

Week 4

This week was a sunny one. I was a bit disappointed with the photos but they could've and have been worse. Emily wore a sister hand me down. Marissa wore this for her Pre-K photos when she was her sisters age. Memories like that always make me smile.

Week 5

Somehow before I escaped to IKEA I got both girls dressed and ready for church with daddy. Plus I actually remembered to take a photo! Emily was feeling pretty sassy this particular morning. 

5 Sundays down, 47 left to go! 

Now it's your turn to link-up!

Grab the button from my sidebar and share the photos you've been taking lately.

Beth // Our Pretty Little Girls

Courtney // Sweet Turtle Soup

Desiree // Macke Monologues

Elizabeth // Chasin Mason

Stephanie // Wife Mommy Me

Whitney // Work It Mommy

An InLinkz Link-up

The Kids Behind The Blog V1: February 2016

'The Kids Behind The Blog' begins!
I can hardly explain how giddy I am right now friends.  What started out as a chat on Facebook turned into a monthly link-up and here it begins just about a month later.
Interviewing these ladies was not only a blast it was a whole lot easier than interviewing their daddy ;). I chose to interview them separately to keep ones answers from influencing the others and I am so glad I did. Especially when reading their answers to one particular question. I bet you will pick out the one that had me a bit weepy without a problem.


Marissa 7 & Emily 4
Where is your favorite Place to go?
Marissa// "That's a tricky one." *deep thought* "Family trips!" Emily// Silver Dollar City
Who is your best friend?
Marissa// Emily Emily// Sissy
There it is! And just like that I was a weepy mess.
If you could be a superhero what would your super power be?
Marissa// Ice power, like Elsa! Emily// FIRE! I asked her what she would do with her fire and she replied "I do not know."
What is your favorite candy?
Marissa// Taffy from Silver Dollar City. Emily// Whoppers
Who is your valentine?
Marissa// Mommy & Daddy Emily// "What are you talking about" *I explain* "Minnie Mouse!"
Meet the hosts!
Crystal // Hall Around Texas
Beth // Our Pretty Little Girls
Meghan // The Adventure Starts Here
Jessica // Secrets of a SAHM
Stephanie // Wife Mommy Me
The March questions are...
What do you enjoy doing with Mommy and Daddy? Name one thing you are really good at? What is one thing that Mommy and Daddy tell you often? What do you want to be when you grow up? What do you think Mommy and Daddy do when you go to bed at night?
We can't wait to read your answers!
Grab the button from my sidebar, link-up and plan to join us again on March 9th!

An InLinkz Link-up

Our Love Story: Tuesday Talk V6

Welcome to this special 'Our Love Story' edition of Tuesday Talk!

In honor of Valentines Day coming just around the corner I am joining my Tuesday Talk co-hosts to share all about the mushy gushy love stuff. Each of is sharing a little about our love story and we would love for you to join the fun

Beth at Our Pretty Little Girls  //  Becky at BYBMG

Jessica at Sweet Little Ones  //  Emily at Raising Barnes

Stephanie at Wife Mommy Me  //  Stasia at Our Life on a Budget

Sarah at Abiding In Grace  //  Ruthie at Rear. Release. Regroup.

Laura at Life Is Beautiful  //  Christina at Waltzing In Beauty

Michelle at Grammie Time  //  Tina at Go Big or Go Home

Whitney at Polka Dotty Place

Our Story

In the spirit of complete honesty, I almost didn't join the "share your love story fun".

Our love story isn't one that you'd read in a fairy tale. For years and years I tried to hide it and if I am being honest, to some extent I still do. In the two years I have been blogging the topic has been avoided at all costs and I've never even talked about it with one of my closest friends. I've used the excuse that it's personal and sure, I guess it really is. But there has been something more to it than that.

 I guess I have been afraid. Afraid of being judged or looked down on, rejected or thought less of even though in my heart I know those are just lies. Lies to keep me hiding and ashamed, to keep me from shouting the even bigger love story of God's grace in my life. And ultimately telling that story should be the only thing that really matters anyway.

Our story isn't about us, it's about Jesus.

It's not about divorces, his and mine. Affairs, lies and secrets.
The improbability for a successful marriage together.
The pain sustained and inflicted.
The bridges burnt and tears cried.
The backs turned and sins committed.

Our story is about redemption.

It's about a God who never gave up on us.
Lavish and scandalous grace that was poured upon us.
Hearts being healed and mended.
Restoration time and time again.
Confession, repentance and forgiveness.

I may not be ready to dish out all the details on the blog at this moment in time and honestly I don't know if I ever will. But the point of posting this today is to say this:

You don't have to be held captive or ashamed of your past. 
The chains of your past are so much weaker than the victorious blood of Jesus.

This is who I was, this is who God is and this is who I am now.
That is a love story worth sharing.

Now it's your turn t link up for this weeks Tuesday Talk.
Grab the button from my sidebar and join the fun.

An InLinkz Link-up

Chocolate & Wine Moments #ASweetPairing Giveaway

One thing I have learned to embrace in my 30's is my down time.

 You know, those times in life that give you the perfect chance to sit back, relax and enjoy a glass of wine and some chocolate. Today I want to share with you a few of my favorite chocolate & wine moments. And to make things even sweeter, we are throwing in a giveaway too! I would like to say a huge thanks Josh Cellars wine, Ghirardelli Chocolate, who are so kindly sponsoring today post. I have had so much fun working with and sampling their amazing products. All opinions in this post are my own. 

My Chocolate and Wine moments...

The end of a long day

We've all been there you come home your tired worn out and when you finally sit down you just want to relax. Which basically translates to every single Monday night in my house.

Girls Night

Chocolate, wine and girls nights are the perfect combo.

In fact I just so happen to be attending one later this week. Can't wait!

The Perfect Gift

Hostess gift, house warming gift, anniversaries & birthday presents!

The occasions that you could and should gift wine and chocolates go on forever.

Date Nights In

Date nights out aren't always an option but date nights in, that we can do. Put the kids to bed a bit early maybe make a late dinner and sit by the fire with some wine and chocolate. You don't have to go out to date your spouse.

Dinner Party

Who is my favorite dinner party guest?! The one who shows up with a bottle of wine. 

If you bring chocolate along too I might invite you over every single week.

Just because

Do you always need a reason to indulge a little? I think not!

Valentines Day

And the epitome of all of the wine and chocolate moments comes down to Valentines Day!

From Galentines parties, to romantic evenings, dinners, presents and surprises. I think every Valentines Day would be a little better with #ASweetPairing like Josh Cellars wine and Ghirardelli Chocolate (both available at Walmart). Dark & Strawberry chocolate squares & a smooth Cabernet Sauvignon, are simply perfection. 

Make sure you pick some for your celebrating this week.

Now for the added bonus, your chance to win!

Josh Cellars Wine and Ghirardelli Chocolate are giving you a chance to win one of two $75 prepaid American Express gift-cards. Entries vary from following along on twitter, pinning images to sharing your own wine and chocolate moments on Instagram. The more you enter the better your chances are to win so spread the love!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tell me about your favorite chocolate & wine moments.

Friday Highlights 2016 V5

Happy Fri-Yay!
Good Friday morning friends! Today I am in a particularly cheerful mood because we actually get a day off school. Our typical homeschool schedule is Monday through Thursday with Friday being our co-op day. But this week there is no co-op! And it gets even better, we have absolutely nothing to do. No errands to run or groceries to buy. I am pretty sure this hasn't happened all year. 
I am pumped! Life really is all about those little things.

Now onto this weeks Friday picks!
{ONE}  Blog Highlights

This week on the blog I shared:
What January looked like in #'s How you can win my heart My monthly goals: February 2016 Teaching Together: Plant Fun for Preschoolers
{TWO} IKEA Recap
Many of you have asked and asked what I grabbed at IKEA last weekend and the honest truth is not much. I didn't go for anything huge (sadly) just some odds and end and a few "necessities" like...

Fargrik bowls

Picture Frames Poster & a fuchsia Nyttja frame for the poster.
Shelves And of course all of the kitchen gadgets and some cinnamon rolls along with a few other items.
{THREE} Next Week
Next week is packed full of fun and you don't want to miss out!

Tuesday Talk: You are invited to share your love story along with the hosts. Wednesday: The first ever 'The Kids Behind The Blog' launches. Thursday: The Picture Perfect Project will be linking up for the second month
To get more information on any of these just click the links above or ask.
Plus that giveaway that I have been dangling will finally be up!

{FOUR} One Hand or Two?

And now for a bit of randomness...
Do you text with one hand or two?
I had never even put much thought into this until the other day when I observed someone texting freakishly fast with two hands. I then wondered why I never use two hands to text. Could it be the fact that I didn't have a smart phone until 2012 or that for years I had a kid or something in my other hand, therefore I just learned to default to one?
So what about you? 
This week I have been consciously texting, emailing, whatever with two hands and not only does it take me half of the time but I think I am making less typos. I am queen of the typos :).
{FIVE} Tall Girls
I mentioned being tall on Monday. I come in at a whopping 5'10" which is what I don't consider short but not exactly tall either. 

Until I look at a photo like this.... Yeah, not exactly average.
Earlier this week Jen (a fellow tall girl) shared THIS article and it literally had me in tears. This article was the story of my life. I have never felt so much like "I could have wrote this." I would love to say these same exact things to my girls along with be proud of who God made you. 
Friday Linkup Parties To see where I am linking up check out my link-up tab.
Have a great weekend!

We will see you back here soon.