Friday, January 29, 2016

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday Girls!
 
I can't believe that Monday is already February 1...I feel like January flew by!!
 
It's Friday, so once again I am linking up with Andrea , Erika , and Narci and sharing my Friday Favorites.  Be sure you grab the graphic and link up too!
 
 
ONE

My favorite favorites were definitely having my mom and Harrison here.  I miss them and want them to come back RIGHT NOW!
 
 
TWO
Going through my phone finding exactly 221 selfies of AJ is a favorite for sure!!!  And now that he has his own phone, I may have taken his phone and returned the favor with LOTS of selfies:)
 
 
THREE
A favorite for sure....the Carolina Panthers are headed to the Super Bowl!  Definitely wishing we were back in Charlotte right about now!
 
 
FOUR

 

I ran into Target Wednesday to pick up some things, and well this cute little fur vest was on clearance, marked down to $10....I didn't even think twice, in my cart it went!  I am looking forward to a chilly Saturday so I can wear it!  A super good deal is always a favorite for me!
 
 
FIVE
Wednesday was a cold, rainy day, so I spent most of the day, on the couch, under my blanket, pup on my lap reading my book!  Guys, this book was great, I finished it in one day!  I read two books over the summer while the kids were away, and I remembered how much I really loved to read.  The month isn't even over yet, and I have already read 3 books this month!  I just ordered two more on Amazon and they should be arriving Saturday...I can't wait.  Leave me a comment on a "must read".
 
 
SIX
We have definitely had our fair share of rain the past two weeks and I would like to see the sun come out, but I really enjoy just sitting out on my patio watching the rain fall.  So peaceful and a favorite for sure!
 
 
SEVEN
I saw this while I was scrolling through Facebook...LOVE it!  Now, let's hope the Panthers can take care of business net week!
 
 
EIGHT
I had been looking for a new pair of sneakers, and I picked up these at Kohls the other day.  I am loving them.  I like a really light weight sneaker, and these are just perfect!  I am excited to hit the gym Monday morning!
 
 
NINE
I decided to bite the bullet and get this water bottle.  I reached out to a few people that I know have one, and read lots of reviews and everyone said they are definitely worth the price tag!  I ordered it and should have it early net week!  I am thinking it will be a favorite for sure, it's gold, and will keep my water ice cold at the gym!  I seriously need a lot of motivation for the gym, and new things like sneakers and a really cool water bottle will make me more excited about working out, and yes I am well aware how ridiculous that sounds!
 
So there are my favorites for the week!
 
I am not sure what we have going on this weekend!  Mark has to work Saturday, so the kids and I will most likely hang home and get some things done around here.  If it clears up and dries out a bit, we may take the dog and head to the park for a bit!  Other than that, I am looking forward to just hanging out with my crew!  Hope you all have a great weekend!
 

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Four Facts Survey

Happy Thursday Girls!
 
My friend Lauren tagged me for this little "Four Facts Survey", I always love stuff like this!  It's always so fun, to get know each other a little better!
 
Four names people call me, other than my real name:
1.  Mommy
2.  Babe (I think Mark has only ever called me by my name like 2x in the last 6 years)
3.  Kimmy
4.  Mumsy (Harrison pretty much only calls me that)
 
 
Four jobs that I have had:
1.  Mommy
2.  Waitress
3.  Office Manager
4.  Wife
 
 
Four movies I've watched more than once:
1.  Miracle on 34th Street
2.  Wizard of Oz
3.  Pretty Woman
4.  Step-Mom
 
 
Four books I'd recommend:
1.  Gone Girl
2.  Girl on the Train
3.  The Husband's Secret
4.  Big Little Lies
 
 
Four places I've lived:
1.  New Jersey
2.  South Carolina
3.  North Carolina
4.  Florida
 
 
Four places I've visited:
1.  Disney
2.  Jersey Shore
3.  Michigan
4.  New York
 
I know...kind of lame...I don't travel too much!  HA!
 
 
Four places I'd rather be right now:
1.  Back in Charlotte
2.  The beach
3.  At my mom's house
4.  The mountains with Mark and the kids
 
 
Four things I prefer not to eat:
1.  Ham
2.  Cereal
3.  Grilled Cheese
4.  Peanut Butter and Jelly
 
 
Four favorite foods:
1.  Pasta, any kind
2.  Salmon
3.  Shrimp cocktail
4.  Dessert...any kind...I am not picky...dessert is my favorite food
 
 
Four TV shows I watch:
1.  Two Broke Girls
2.  NCIS New Orleans
3.  Criminal Minds
4.  Gold Rush
 
 
Four things I'm looking forward to this year:
1.  Building our savings, and sticking to our budget
2.  Our trip back to Charlotte for the All-Star Race
3.  My mom coming for Christmas this year
4.  Watching my kids continue to blossom and grow
 
 
Four things I'm always saying:
1.  No
2.  Boys stop fighting
3.  Whatever
4.  Seriously
 
 
Four people I tag to answer these questions:
Olivia
Erika

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you back here tomorrow for Friday Favorites!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Weekend Wrap-Up Wednesday Edition

Happy Wednesday Ladies!
 
Hope you are all having a great week so far!  I had a really great weekend.  It was no secret how excited I was to have both my mom and Harrison in town for a few days!  I wish they could have stayed longer, but we made the most of the little time we had together, and had a great time!
 
 
 
My mom and Harrison got here around 4:00 on Thursday, and well, I was waiting in the driveway for them...I just couldn't wait to see them! 
 
AJ texted me when he got on the bus asking if they had gotten here yet, I said no...so you can imagine how surprised, happy and excited the boys were when they got off the buss and Harrison was with me at the bus stop!
 
Mark was able to get off a little early Thursday night, so we all enjoyed a great night together!  We had dinner, laughed, talked, played and laughed some more...I can't put into words how happy it made me to have every single person I love most in this world all under one roof!
 
The sun was shining like crazy through the blinds, so the picture isn't the greatest, but these two were so crazy happy to be reunited!  AJ and Harrison have a pretty tight bond...it was just the best seeing them back together again having fun!
 
They spent some time before dinner just hanging out on the floor on the patio playing with the puppy, laughing and talking about "old times".  I just love my 3 boys so much!
 
This was my view Thursday night and my heart was so full of LOVE!
 
We woke up Friday morning to another ridiculous rain storm.  After we got the kiddos off to school, us girls (me, mom & Brooke) showered and got ready for some shopping and some lunch!  It was so much fun driving my mom all around this new place we call home!  We shopped, had lunch, and had a great day!  We got home, picked Olivia up at the bus stop, and she was so happy coming off the bus having grandma there picking her up!  We grilled out, played lots of card games, watched TV and just enjoyed all being together!  Mark wasn't feeling so great, so he headed to bed around 7:30...and unfortunately he was pretty much sick all weekend which kind of sucked!
 
These boys played lots of video games all weekend!  I loved hearing all the laughing coming out of the boy's room!
 

My mom was completely in love with our new little puppy!  They were pretty much together all weekend!
 

I mean seriously, the sunlight coming in the windows was crazy, but Jack had lots of fun showing my mom lots of card tricks!
 

And there is just no better way to end the night than with a delicious dessert!
 
Saturday morning we got up, and though it was no longer raining, the wind was completely insane, I mean it gusted so crazy and lasted ALL DAY LONG!  We had originally planned on driving down to the beach, but the wind was just crazy, and it was FREEZING!  We drank lots of coffee wrapped up in blankets on our patio, the boys played out front throwing around the football and we just had a leisurely, slow paced morning and it was nice!  Around noon we all got dressed and decided to head out for a bit!  Mark was a trooper, he wasn't feeling great, but he did come with us!
 
My mom, she is simply the greatest woman I have ever known.  I am so lucky that I have my mom and my best friend all wrapped up in one!
 

We spent a little time smashing open a coconut!
 

These guys...my favorites!
 

Harrison is the best son a mom could ask for!  I miss him every single day so much. 
 

I am seriously so blessed...great husband and awesome son!
 
 
LOVE
 

The girls (minus Olivia)
 
My sweet little girl!
 
We drove around town for a bit Saturday afternoon then stopped and had lunch!  It really was such a fun day!  Unfortunately the wind was just ridiculous, we didn't get to do as much as outside as we had hoped!
 
Early Saturday evening, they were having an appreciation dinner at Mark's work, so my mom offered to stay with the kids for a bit, and we took Harrison down there.  Harrison has been torn as to whether to move down here or stay in Charlotte.  He wanted to go check out the facility, (if he moves down here, he will work with Mark) and see if it is something he may be interested in.  Of course there is nothing more I want then for him to move here and be with us, but he is an adult, and his happiness makes me happy.  He was definitely impressed with Mark's company, and he informed us that he is "seriously considering" making a move possibly within the next few months, he just isn't 100% sure yet.  I totally respect that and am so proud of him for really thinking it all through, I mean of course I hope he decides Florida is where he wants to be, but this is definitely a decision he needs to make on his own, with no influence from me and Mark. 
 
Mark and Harrison have a really great relationship, they are very close, and Mark was definitely bummed when Harrison decided not to come with us back in October.  They have spent every day for the past two years working together, driving with one another every day to work, he misses Harrison a ton! 
 
We didn't stay out long Saturday, we were back home by like 7:30, and poor Mark was feeling miserable, so he headed right to bed.  The boys played video games and us girls watch The Proposal.  Great little chick flick to watch with my mom and Brooke!
 
Sunday morning we woke up and the sun was out and the wind had calmed down!  Mark was crazy sick at this point, so he stayed in bed pretty much all day long!  He had promised my mom that we would make her some chili while she was in town...how great is my husband..feeling like crap and all, he woke up Sunday morning and made the chili for my mom, then he went back to bed and no one saw him the rest of the day!   He was disappointed he couldn't spend time with my mom and especially Harrison...of course our luck that illness would strike the very weekend they come to town!  My mom and Brooke took a ride over to the nature preserve and then walked around downtown and got coffee.  I took all the boys and Liv, we got AJ some new shoes, ran to Target, and did a little shopping for Harrison.  We didn't want to be gone long, we all were pretty pumped about watching the games!
 
Back in Charlotte, I would make sausage, peppers and onions every Sunday during football season, so of course Harrison requested we have that!  We spent the afternoon eating lots of yummy food and watching some great games!
 
Living in Charlotte, my mom has been forced to love the Panthers, I mean everyone in Charlotte is pretty excited with their season this year!  It was hysterically funny listening to my mom ask questions, trying to understand the game.  The boys were laughing so hard..they just couldn't believe she knew nothing about the game!  Ha! 
 
My boys, supporting their team!
 

A brief little nap during the first game! 
 
As Jets fans, seeing the Patriots lose Sunday was so awesome! 
 
The Panther game started and from start to finish, the game was awesome!  Right about now, I am totally wishing I was back in Charlotte!  Charlotte has the best, most loyal fans!  Being there during a Panther game is just awesome!
 
yes...yes it is our year!  Next stop for the Panthers...SuperBowl 50!!!  We cannot wait to watch that game! 
 
My mom went to bed as soon as the game ended, and the boys and I chatted with Harrison for a bit.  I was definitely holding back tears, as I sat there talking to him, just looking at him, feeling so sad he was leaving bright and early Monday morning. 
 
I was up at 5 Monday morning, had a cup of coffee with my mom, woke up Harrison and well, the tears started flowing between the 3 of us, and the goodbyes started...and just like back in October, it sucked, totally and completely sucked! 
 
It was just the best having them here with us this weekend.  I wish they could have stayed longer, but we definitely made the most of the time we had together. I was so impressed with Harrison and seeing how much he has grown and matured in the 3 months since we have been gone.  I am so proud of him.  He is so hardworking and responsible, and it gives me so much peace knowing that we have raised him to be such a fine young man!
 
After, they pulled out of the driveway, I wiped my tears away, I came back inside, and got right to cleaning up the house and washing sheets and blankets!  Right back to business as usual! 
 
I am already thinking about and looking forward to our next visit!
 
Hope you all have a great day today!  See you back here tomorrow!
 
 
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Let's Talk

Happy Tuesday Ladies!
 
I took a day off yesterday, as I spent most of the day feeling kinda blah that my mom and Harrison left. 
 
Today I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for a little monthly chit chat!  Grab the graphic and link up too!
 
And here is the list for the rest of the year...
 

I always love these little monthly link-ups!  Today we are talking about New Years...resolutions, goals and what we are looking forward to this year!
 
I posted about my goals and resolutions earlier this month, you can read that here .  So far this month I have been doing fairly well with my goals!  I will be doing an update each month and sharing new monthly goals each month!
 
Last year was such roller coaster of a year for me.  I had lots of ups and just as many downs!  Wee made a huge move, and it has taken me a bit longer than expected to kind of adjust to it all!  I am going into 2016 with a positive attitude and knowing this is going to be a great year for me and my family!  Over the years I have learned that life is only as great as you make it, sure I could spend my time complaining, wishing certain things could be different, but I am going to make the most of what I have and make it totally awesome!
 
I love sharing my life with you all, and I am looking forward to going through 2016 with all you awesome ladies!
 
Be sure to check back tomorrow for our weekend wrap-up!
 
Happy Tuesday!
 
 



Friday, January 22, 2016

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday Ladies!
 
Today I am linking up with Andrea , Erika and Narci and sharing my Friday Favorites, be sure you grab the graphic and link up too!
 
This has been a really great week!  I feel like I have gotten so much accomplished that I had wanted to!  Such a good feeling!
 
ONE



Everyone's favorite for sure this week has definitely been our new puppy Chico! 
 
 
TWO
I saw this the other day, and it is such a simple concept yet unfortunately so many people just can't seem to do it.  Quotes that speak to me...always a favorite for me!
 
 
THREE
It is no secret that I am always proud of my kids and this was definitely a favorite this week...so proud of my AJ!
 
 
FOUR
This isn't the best picture, but a favorite for sure this week was getting our new couch delivered!  We are loving it!
 
FIVE
You guys know how excited I have been all week for Harrison and my mom to get here..they arrived on Thursday afternoon and well it is my favorite favorite for sure!  I cannot tell you how happy I was to see them pull in our driveway!
 
I mean everyone who I love most in this world all under one roof...my heart is so full and so happy right now!
 

There is a 7 1/2 year age difference between Harrison and AJ..but their bond is amazing.  It literally brought tears to my eyes when they first saw each other....they have missed each other so much.
 

I cannot even begin to put into words how happy I am that Harrison is here.  I have missed him so much since we moved in October...I don't ever want him to leave!
 
So there are my favorites for this week!  My mom, Brooke and I are going to spend the day doing some shopping and have lunch today, then we are spending the rest of the weekend just all hanging out and enjoying being together!  We are super excited Harrison will be here to watch the Panther game with us Sunday!
 
Hope you all have a great weekend...I know we will for sure!
 
See you back here Monday!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Happy Thursday!

Happy Thursday Girls!
 
 
This will be me pretty much all day today...I am so freaking excited my mom and Harrison will be here this afternoon!
 
I'll be grocery shopping, making up beds and getting things ready for their arrival later today!
 
Hope you all have a great day.  See you back here tomorrow for Friday Favorites!

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

What We've Been Up To And Wearing Wednesday

Happy Wednesday Ladies!
 
Hope you are all having a great week!  I am so glad this week is half over, because tomorrow my mom and Harrison will be and I simply cannot wait!  I am also excited because our new furniture is being delivered today! 
 
I don't know about you guys, but I am definitely more productive during the day if I take the time to get ready in the morning!  I mean we all know how much I love to hang out in my pajamas, and some days I do just that, but for the most part I like to "get ready" each day, plus I am sure my husband appreciates walking through the door seeing me somewhat put together:)
 
I feel like I always have the hardest time with jeans, I have tried pretty much every kind out there, high dollar ones, down to cheap ones, and for me finding the "right" jeans has been a royal pain in the butt!  I tried some boyfriend jeans last year, and as much as I wanted to love them, I just didn't.  Well, I found my favorite pair of jeans...finally!
 
I am majorly LOVING my girlfriend jeans from the GAP, I bought two pair of them, and I love them.  I hate spending $80 on a pair of jeans, and I was lucky enough to have some gap cash to use towards them.  I love everything about them, I found I needed to size down one size in them!  If you are looking for a great pair of jeans, you should definitely check them out!
 
I was in Target right after Christmas, and I took a stroll down the shoe aisle looking for a pair of boots for Olivia, I struck out in the boots for her, however I got the cutest little ballerina flats for myself, they were marked down to $9.98 at my Target!
 
 
 I have worn them a few times, not sure I would wear them for a full day out of walking, but I wore them to dinner one night, and out running errands and can't complain!
 
Many days I just don't feel like putting jeans on, I definitely feel constricted in them for sure, if I am home, doing laundry or stuff around the house I prefer not to be wearing jeans, but still want to be somewhat pulled together incase I need to run out for an errand!
 
I have gotten a couple pair of Zella leggings and capris, and I can't say enough about them!  They are just adorable and super comfortable!  I wear them all the time, even if I am not going to the gym that day!  I will throw them on with a cute little tshirt or sweatshirt and am good to go out in public and look halfway decent! 
 
I checked online and all the pairs that I have are no longer available, I refuse to pay full price for them, so if I see them on sale for a good deal I try and grab a pair!  If you are looking for some super cute leggings check out all the Zella leggings here .
 
I had some returns and shopping to do on Tuesday and it was finally cold enough here for me to break out my UGG boots, I was seriously in heaven!  I am not saying I love freezing cold weather, but I am loving it just barely reaching 60 degrees lately!
 
I love everything about this outfit I wore the other day!  It is super comfortable, and still looks like I am "dressed" .  Last year I bought two pair of Hue leggings , I bought the grey and the black.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the grey, I have washed and worn them like a gazillion times and they are still perfect.  Sadly, I was not impressed with the black at all, and they were returned.  Trying to find a good pair of black leggings is a true chore!  If you guys can recommend a great pair, I would be so thankful!  I grabbed this super cute shirt from Old Navy last week, it was 50% off when I got it, and it is the perfect shirt to wear with leggings!  I threw on my favorite Kendra Scott necklace , and my UGG boots , which are on crazy sale for $105.00 right now!
 
I am also on the hunt for a new pair of sneakers, something super light weight, so if you guys have a favorite pair you love please share with me!
 
So that is a little bit of I have been wearing/loving lately!
 
And we have been up to lots and lots and lots of puppy training so far this week!  Having a puppy is really like having a newborn, I am not a fan of waking up in the middle of the night to him crying and taking him out!  He has been super fun though and the kids are loving him!  I am hoping as time goes on, they are still this eager to fill his food bowl and take him out!
 

Little Chico is the perfect addition to our crazy life!
 
I will be spending the day today anxiously waiting for my new furniture to get here and cleaning up the house and washing sheets and blankets!  We are super excited for some of our family to be here tomorrow!
 
Thanks for stopping by today,, see you back here tomorrow!