Weekend Wrap-Up

Happy Monday Ladies!

 

 

Last Monday I wasn't so awesome...this Monday I am going to be!  I already know this is going to be a great week because I am so darn excited that my mom and Harrison will be here Thursday! 

 

We woke up Friday morning and it was pouring, I mean I don't think I have ever seen rain so hard in my life, it was insane!

 

I started my day, enjoying some quiet time on the porch, drinking coffee, listening to the rain fall, before I had to wake the kiddos up.  There is something so peaceful to me about just sitting out there listening to the rain!

 

This girl was talking my ear off in car line, I love the time with her in the mornings!

 

I drive the kids to school in the mornings and they ride the bus home in the afternoons.  On rainy days, carline is crazy long in the mornings.

 

The car line was ridiculous at the middle school this morning.  Thank goodness my boys are funny and kept me entertained while we were waiting!

 

After I dropped them to school I came home and did lots and lots of laundry and just picked up the house.  Thankfully the rain stopped and the sun actually came out in the afternoon!

 

When the kids got home we just hung out and waited for Mark to get home and have dinner.  After dinner we just all hung out and watched TV....

 

These two announced they were getting ready to go on a war mission...these two are either best friends or fighting like crazy!

 

She was hiding here from the bad guys!

 

It was a great Friday!

 

Saturday morning, I was up early!  I enjoyed some quiet time on the back porch, then got ready for the day.  My plan was to spend the day organizing the kids rooms in the morning, however we had a little change of plans....

 

Meet Chico!!

He is just the sweetest!

 

We got this sweet little guy Saturday morning!  We had been talking for a while now about getting a new dog, and we felt like now was a good time.  I am home during the day, and have the time to train a dog, and give him the attention it needs.  The kids were over the top excited when I got home!  Mark had to work Saturday, so I went and picked him up!  We spent the rest of Saturday playing with our new little puppy, so we didn't get as much organizing done as I had hoped! 

 

We did squeeze in some toy organizing in between puppy playing and lots of potty breaks outside!

 

When Mark got home, we had to make a quick trip to the furniture store for our new furniture being delivered this week, then we stopped for a quick bite to ear!

 

A few of Mark's co-workers had been telling him he needed to try this place, so we did, and did NOT disappoint...best ribs I have ever had!

 

We were back home by 8 and spent the rest of the night watching the Packers/Cardinals game with the boys!  Wow....what a great game!

 

Sunday morning we had planned on heading to church, however our weather has been crazy here the past few days.  I was up at 4:30 am (thanks to the puppy) and the rain and wind was like nothing I had ever seen...tornado warnings had been issued, so we decided to just stay safe and stay home!  The weather settled down around 10:30 so I headed out and did some grocery shopping!

 

I got home, Mark made his famous clam chowder, we played lots with our new furry little guy, and spent the rest of the day watching football with the kiddos!

 

Another nail biter with those PANTHERS, but we were thrilled to see them win!  We are so excited Harrison will be here next weekend to watch the championship game with us!

 

We did manage to get some organizing done on Sunday too!

 

This was how our Sunday ended!

 

We had a great weekend!  Today the kiddos are home and we have no big plans! 

 

I am so excited for this week...I am starting back at the gym tomorrow, and I can hardly contain my excitement about my mom and Harrison getting here Thursday!

 

Hope you all have a great day today!  See you back here tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Friday Favorites

Happy Friday Girls!

 

 

Today I am linking up with Andrea , Erika and Narci and sharing my Friday Favorites, be sure to grab the graphic and link up too!

 

 

It has finally gotten cooler here, and I am absolutely loving it!  I know people come to Florida for the warm weather, but I am definitely loving this little cool spell we are having!  I am really appreciating it because I know before long summer will be here and it's going to be HOT!

 

 

 

Olivia was so excited when she came home Tuesday from school with this little award!  Seeing her happy, excited and LOVING school is definitely a favorite for me!

 

 

 

Seeing Mark and Olivia together is probably one of my most favorite things ever.  She was just little when Mark came into our lives, so the bond they have is tight, they just adore each other!  I love how patient he is with her...the poor guy has probably watched 568 Shopkins videos in the last few months..lol!

 

 

I saw this on IG the other day, and as soon as I read it, I loved it, and could totally relate to it!  It really is true, success is overcoming the struggles, the bad days, the bad times, and picking yourself back up and NEVER GIVING up!  This little saying is a favorite for sure!

 

 

After almost 3 months Mark and I finally decided on a new couch, and it is being delivered next...it is a favorite for sure!

 

 

The kids have off from school Monday so we are all excited for a long weekend! 

 

 

Mark has to work Saturday, and the kids and I are going to clean out and organize their rooms!  I am pretty excited about getting them all in order, they would much prefer to do something else!  We will get that done early so we can watch the games Saturday, and then Sunday we will go to church, then come home to watch the Panthers play!  Other than that, not sure what else we will have going on!  Hope you all have a great weekend!  See you back here Monday for our weekend wrap-up!

 

 

 

 



What We Are Watching

Happy Thursday Ladies!

 

Again I want to thank everyone who has reached out to me over the last few days...sometimes this little blog sure can get out of control!  Our week has gotten much better, however we are definitely looking forward to the weekend!  Mark is working Saturday and the kids and I are going to spend the day Saturday organizing and cleaning up!  We are all so excited that my mom and Harrison are coming to town next weekend!  We have lots of fun things planned, I cannot wait to see them!

 

I thought I would keep todays post "light" and talk about some of our favorite TV shows!  During December we pretty much only watched Christmas movies on Hallmark, and though I do miss those movies, I am loving getting back into watching "our shows"! 

 

 

We LOVE Two Broke Girls , it is so funny, a little edgy, but so darn funny!  If you guys haven't ever watched it, you should definitely check it out.  It comes on Wednesday nights at 8:00!

 

 

Right after we watch Two Broke Girls, we watch Mike & Molly , we just started watching it this year, and it's another one we just love.  Light and funny! 

 

 

NCIS: New Orleans is definitely my favorite of all the NCIS shows, Mark loves the original NCIS and watches it every week! 

 

 

Mark has always loved Gold Rush and last season I really started getting into it myself!  I am always pulling for Parker!

 

So those are our favorite shows we are watching right now!  We have Netflix, the kids use it all the time, I have no clue how to use it or how to watch shows on our TV with Netflix, so if you guys use it, please tell me how!   I have been hearing so much about Making A Murderer, and I am thinking we are going to watch that!  Have any of you guys watched it...thoughts???  Let me know if you guys have any favorite shows that you think we should be watching too! 

 

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Friday Favorites!



Some Thoughts On A Wednesday

Happy Wednesday Girls!
 

 

I had a post all planned for today, but have decided to keep it for another day.  Yesterday I put out a post that was just about real life, I totally expected to get some slack, but I was truly blown away with some of the feedback I got.  I totally understand that I put a lot of our life out there, and I certainly don't expect everyone to live their lives the way I live mine.  I don't paint a perfect picture of a perfect life, well because that is just not my life.  I read lots of blogs, and many of these women are seriously super woman in my book.  They never appear to have a bad day, they are dressed perfectly at all times, their kids are always happy and smiling, their houses are picture perfect at all times, and as much as I love reading those posts, at times it is hard for me to relate, because well, no  matter how hard I try my life just isn't that damn perfect. 

 

I had a bad day Monday, we slept in and skipped school...and seriously I don't think my kids will suffer any life long effects from it!  I shared about real life, because that is what this blog is for me, real life.  From that one little post, I was told I have severe depression, my family sleeps too much, I have a drinking problem and clearly my daughter has been exposed first hand to drinking and driving.  I am all for constructive criticism, I really am, and most times I feel like I handle it in a good way, and always try to be respectful when I am responding.

 

My kids got a day off from school, we stayed home in our pajamas all day, hung out and watched TV...was it the best decision, probably not, but good Lord I certainly don't think it warranted the rash of hate that was received. 

 

It is as if now a days you are damned if you do, damned if you don't.  If you only show a perfect, well put together life, people give you crap about it, when you post about real life, even the dark days, you get crap about it too.  As always I am so appreciative of those of you who left kind comments, and even for those of you who expressed your opinions in a nice manner.  I never thought much about posting what I did because I just assumed most normal, every day moms could somehow relate to just having an off day, and that is really all it was, just an off day.  Tuesday was back to business as usual over here. 

 

Mark and I work hard to balance our marriage and our family life, and it's not always easy.  We are fortunate that we have been able to have kid free getaways, and many date nights alone throughout our time together.  We are definitely better parents when we take time for us.  I post a lot on social media of my kids, well my 3 little ones, and I am sure most would agree they seem like pretty happy, well cared for children. 

 

I have said it before and I will say it again, this world and the people in it, get uglier each day.  People really get a rush slamming other people, and that is so sad.  I hope that everyone will really stop and think before they decide to tear into someone.  Yes those of us who blog, do open ourselves up, but so often lately the line just gets crossed.  It takes just as much effort to be nice as it does to be mean.  It takes more effort to write something mean and hurtful then it does to write nothing at all. 

 

For those of you who left me words of encouragement, thank you...it was just what I needed to read after having a crappy day!  I am truly so thankful for each of you and I love being able to share our crazy, non perfect life with you all!

 

See you guys back here tomorrow!

Tuesday Talk

Happy Tuesday Ladies

 

 

Seriously this was my day yesterday...one of the WORST days I have had in a really long time!

 

I had every intention of starting 2016 out AWESOME...I had it all planned out in my head, this year was going to be my year, and I was going to start it off with a bang!  My kids went back to school last Wednesday after being home almost 3 weeks for Christmas vacation, I loved having them home, but was definitely ready for a routine again!  Last week was kind of a wash for me, I spent the few days they were back at school cleaning up and getting our house somewhat put back together after the holidays...what a crappy job that is!  So I told myself I was going to basically start fresh yesterday, January 11, I always like to start things on a Monday!  My plan was to get up early, have some quiet time, get the lunches packed, get the kiddos up, drop them all to school, go workout and then go about my day, that was going to be my schedule during the week! 

 

So had did my Monday start....well I never heard my alarm go off, and I was woken up at like 10 by Jack over my bed asking if they were going to school....seriously...not even lying!  And what did I do...say no we are not going to school today, and I rolled back over.  I have never ever done that before..so we spent the day home, doing nothing, and I can't say it was anything other than laziness on my part that they didn't go to school yesterday, and I am fully prepared for the rash of comments that will come my way of what a horrible mother I am, and how irresponsible I am...I am ready!  I'm just not sure what my deal was yesterday, I was in a funk all day, feeling sad, randomly crying, it was just odd...I was feeling super depressed and I am not even sure why! 

 

It's been no secret that I have been struggling with our move, and I often get super sad about being so far away from what I consider "home".  For the most part I am adjusting and learning to love our new life, but damn it is seriously a slow process!  I can't even say for sure if that was what had me feeling so blah yesterday..it was just weird.   I have always been kind of a "control freak", and I have felt so out of control, if that makes sense, since we moved back in October. 

 

This is my current view as I am typing this post...it's 5:30 Monday evening, I am still in my pajamas, I am sitting outside, enjoying wine and blogging...I did manage to make some homemade soup for dinner, but seriously that is about it.  A total unproductive day, a day of feeling sad and weepy all day, and I haven't a clue as to why!  I am anxiously awaiting for Mark to get home, he can always snap me out of feeling sad..he is good like that!

 

I am hoping to get a good nights sleep and ready to kick some ass Tuesday!  

 

If anyone else ever sometimes feels this way, leave me a comment and let me know what you do to snap yourself out of your funk!  Enjoy your day today!  See you back here tomorrow!

 

 

Weekend Wrap-Up

Happy Monday Ladies!

 

I have always dreaded Mondays...however this year in trying to be more positive all the time, I am going to start (well at least try) embracing Mondays!  Last week was a weird one for us, the kids went back to school on Wednesday, so the week was kinda choppy.  This is our first full week back in the groove and I am looking forward to it!

 

Friday morning we woke up to get ready for school and it was pouring rain and just downright gloomy!  I dropped the kiddos off to school, came home and sat on the back porch with a cup of coffee, just watching the rain..it was actually quite nice.

 

After I got myself motivated, I got dressed, picked up the house a bit, and ran to WalMart for a few groceries for the weekend, ad before I knew it, it was time to get Olivia off the bus!  Man the hours the kiddos are in school really do just fly by!

 

We hung out after school, Brooke and Olivia played like a million games of GoFish, Jack played some video games and AJ did a little fishing! 

 

I was ready for 5:00 and some wine!

 

 

On Saturday we slept in, we all slept until 11, and we did nothing more than really watch football all day and AJ and Jack did some fishing.

 

This is hands down the biggest fish we have caught here in our backyard.  AJ struggled reeling it in, so Mark stepped in to help and he finally got it in after about 20 minutes.  AJ was pretty pumped about this fish!  I must say, I was pretty impressed.

 

Sunday morning we had planned on heading to church, but my alarm didn't go off, and well we just overslept.  The boys spent most of the day outside fishing again, and the rest of us hung inside and watched some football.

 

These two can fish all day long!

 

Jack has a serious candy cane addiction, I can't even begin to tell you how many mini candy canes he consumed this weekend!

 

We ate a nice meal together Sunday night, the kids showered and headed to bed early!

 

This is our first full week back in our routine...though I am missing the lazy days, I am definitely looking forward to the routine again!  I am really hoping this week flies by...my mom and Harrison are coming to visit next week and I just cannot wait!  Hope you all have a great day today!  See you back here tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

 



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!

 

ONE

Our weather has finally cooled off a bit this week, and I am loving it!  I am loving walking outside first thing in the morning, or at night and being chilly!  Cooler temps are a definite favorite for sure!

 

TWO

I picked up this little address book at WalMart for like $1 this week, every year I found myself reaching out to people for their addresses for my holiday cards, I write them on paper and usually lose them by the following year!  So this year I had all my addresses in a notebook of all the cards I sent out, and then I copied them all neatly into this new little address book!  I am already looking forward to whipping this baby out for my 2016 Christmas cards!

 

THREE

I ordered these pajamas and they arrived this week...they are so comfy and perfect for the warmer Florida temps!  I was able to snag them on sale...pajamas on sale...an absolute favorite for me!

 

FOUR

This year I didn't make any resolutions, but rather decided to make small goals each month, you can read my January goals here .  Writing down my goals and things I am looking to work towards are definitely a favorite for me!

 

 



FIVE

A favorite for sure was the kids, especially the boys, getting to spend some time with their dad.  It is really hard being so far away, so these visits are extra special for sure!

SIX

I ordered this coffee a few weeks ago on Amazon...and it is seriously my favorite!  I am stocking up on this, as well as my favorite holiday creamers...I think the stores should carry Peppermint Mocha creamer year round....just sayin....

 

So there you have it, my favorites for the week!  We don't have anything planned for this weekend other than watching football!  Looking forward to a relaxing weekend home with my family and maybe getting some organizing done around here!

 

Hope you all have a great weekend.  See you Monday!