Five on Friday!

Hello lovelies! Happy Friday! I don't know about y'all, but I'm pretty happy to see the weekend and kind of reaaaally hoping this is my last pregnant one. At 38 weeks, 4 days, I sort of feel like a ticking time bomb, and let me tell you, I'm READY.

Annnnyway, I'm linking up with the girls behind  Five on Friday for a little fun today!

 {one} Our town had its annual Christmas Parade earlier in the week, so of course, we had to take Jaqs! It was pretty chilly, but she loved it and we had so much fun :) I love that she's at a fun age for this sort of thing right now...simple pleasures! 

{two} This girl has been giving me a run for my money with napping lately...little stinker! Since dropping the paci, she hasn't napped once at Mother's Day Out, and every time I put her down at home she tells me, "I can't take a nap! It's light outside!" Well, she's right, but she has black-out curtains in her room, so it's definitely dark in there. I'm praying this isn't the beginning of the end because goodness knows I'm going to neeeeed that nap-time with Mister Slade coming any day now! Oh well, we're sticking with it & enjoying the 6:30/7:00 p.m. bedtime on the non-nap days.

{three} I finally hopped on the (faux) fur vest train and picked one up at Target for 40% off on Black Friday. I've worn it once already, and I kind of love it even though I look like an actual animal with this gigantic bump right now ;) I'm loving these looks I found on Pinterest & can't wait to copy them post-baby when my normal clothes fit again.

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{four} We normally always do family pictures for Christmas cards sometime around Thanksgiving, but this year we've decided to just do newborns/family pictures and send out a "Happy New Year & Here's Our New Kid!" card so wouldn't have to double up on card costs & postage. Plus, I can't really imagine sending out a Christmas card with our newest member not on it. All that to say, I'm really looking forward to getting some updated family pictures (and hoping that I'm not a swollen blimp ;)). Also hoping that we can get some sweet shots like this one of our babies:

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I'm certainly not above bribing my toddler, so I'm sure there will be ample marshmallows and M&Ms on hand to get her to be sweet to her little brother. Ha! Any other tips, mommas??

{five} Rob and I are going to do our best to make this last weekend really special for Jaqs. Her little world is about to be rocked, but I just pray that she'll love Slade and know that mommy and daddy still love her to the moon even if we're not quite as available all the time.

I've heard about pets becoming clingy with baby's due date getting closer, but does that apply to toddlers as well?? Jaqs has been especially lovey-dovey lately & I'm eating it up. It's so hard for me to believe how big she is and what a little girl she has turned in to. Bittersweet watching these babies grow!

That's all I've got for today...hope you have a wonderful weekend!

5 on Friday!

I think I've missed these posts the most in my blogging absence, so I'm excited to be joining in for 5 on Friday once again! Head over & link up with these lovely ladies!

{one) Y'all, toddlers are crazy. If you have one, you know. If you don't, you may be rolling your eyes & thinking something like, "my child will NEVER!" But s/he will. Because that's what they do...they embarrass their parents ;)

Last Sunday, we were out running a couple errands with GG, and we decided to stop at Wendy's for a little snack. Jaqs had chicken nuggets, and at some point during her meal, she decided that she simply could not risk getting a drop of ketchup on her shirt, so SHE TOOK IT OFF. And refused to put it back on until she was done. LOL. I couldn't even discipline her because I could not stop laughing. Thankfully, there weren't many people there, and this sweet little old lady made her way to our table, and said, "I need to know what y'all are laughing at so I can laugh, too!" Then she saw Jaqs, and reassured me that you just never know what the day will bring when you have a two year old :) Bless her for making me smile rather than being ugly about it!

{two} In other toddler news, I'm happy to report that we ditched the paci this week! Most people don't even realize that Jaqs still had a paci because she has only used it for sleep since she was a year old, but a friend of mine ditched her son's last week & gave me the courage to try it out. Jaqs adjusted SO well. She really shocked me, and has slept just fine without it! My big girl. She was promised a toy of her choice after throwing them away, and she was thrilled with her pick!

I gave them all to her with the tips cut off; she put one in her mouth, and declared, "I don't want these broken pacis!!" After I told her I couldn't fix them, she decided to throw them in the trash herself! Ha.

 

{three} Have y'all started your Christmas shopping? Since baby boy is due December 15th, I got a jump start, and I'm about 95% done. Jaqs is getting this Ikea kitchen as her big gift, and she is going to love it! I've been looking for ways to spruce it up and found this ADORABLE hack, but I'm not sure if I can pull it off in time. I absolutely love it though, so it may be worth a shot!

{four} Our awesome coaching family surprised us with a little "sprinkle" for our boy last weekend, and we were so thankful! I think we have everything we need to welcome him into this world now! Well, after Rob drags the car-seat and other gear out of the attic this weekend, that is ;)

{five} Have you heard of Younique yet? Or tried the 3D Fiber Lash Mascara?? Let me tell you, it is AMAZING. I purchased some from a friend back in May and loved it so much that I signed up to be a presenter! Selling anything is totally not my style, but I'm obsessed with this product, and I happen to love all the other cosmetics I've tried from Younique as well! The mascara is so easy to apply (and remove!), and I just don't think there's any way I could ever go back to regular...my lashes feel bare without my fibers now!

top: bare lashes
middle: regular mascara
bottom: 3D fiber lash mascara

Anyway, all this to say, I think to celebrate being back at blogging, I'll be giving away one mascara kit beginning next week! So be on the lookout for details on that! :)

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Five on Friday

Two posts in a row! Look at me go!! ;) I think I might be getting back in the saddle after all! I've been missing "seeing" all of you for Five on Friday. In addition to my writing hiatus, I've also been missing out on reading all of your blogs. Hope you'll forgive me?

{one} My Temple girls had a little "going away" party for me the weekend before we left, and it was SO FUN!! Roxanne hosted a dinner and painting party in her adorable new home, and I had a blast spending quality time with my friends. We painted until ONE in the morning, and I'm so thrilled with the pieces we created! I've only painted a handful of times, most of which have been under the guidance of Roxy, but it is so relaxing and enjoyable. Maybe I'll have the courage to keep creating!

In the midst of our painting party, we decided shopping was definitely in order for the following day, so we made the trek to Ikea for even more fun! I didn't get a ton since I'd only have to pack it all up, but I did get matted frames to create a gallery with my freshly painted pieces which will go in J's next room. EEEEEK! Cannot wait to hang them up.

Thank you again, my friends, for making me feel so loved! I miss you already.

{two} I made this Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken this week, and it was SO YUM! Incredibly easy to put together, and you probably have everything you need in your fridge/pantry! I served ours with coconut rice & stir-fried veggies.

{three} West Texas welcomed us home with a snow storm! Schools were closed yesterday, and we've got another snow day to enjoy today! Truth be told, the roads were really not that bad yesterday, but hey, we'll take it. Jaqs had so much fun playing in the powdery goodness and was not thrilled when it was time to come in. Luckily some hot chocolate remedied that little meltdown quickly.

Our little lady had to work from home yesterday! Her phone conversations are SO ANIMATED. It cracks us up.

Ohh, my little OCD child...here she is dusting the snow off the bushes. Y'all, I'm not even kidding. She is so my kid: she can't stand for things to be out of order! I love it.

{four} Whew. I came across this little quote on Pinterest, and I have to say, it totally made me feel better about myself. Is that pathetic? That I'm getting my life advice from Pinterest?? Actually, don't answer that...

ANYWAY...sometimes I feel like I'm supposed to have everything "figured out" now that I'm a mom, but the truth is that I don't have a clue what I'm doing with myself. Some days I can't imagine doing anything other than what I'm doing right now while others I feel like I'm supposed to chase after some (hypothetical) dream job/career. So, if I'm allowed to be a mess in my twenties, then I have 4 years to figure it out. What happens when I'm 30? Ha!

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{five} How can it be that Valentine's Day is in a week?? Obviously since we don't exactly have a house right now I haven't done any decorating or crafting (tear), but I can still totally get down with some Valentine food! Here's what I'm thinking for breakfast...

Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend! Stay warm!

Five on Friday

Hi my friends! I hope your 2014 is off to a good start. Ours has been kind of wacky so far, but definitely in a good way. It looks as though this year will bring some changes for our family, so I'm excited to get this thing on! Can't wait until I can share more.

PS--#notpregnant

Anyway, on to the real purpose of this post...Five on Friday! 

As always, I'm linking up with Darci and the other lovely ladies :)

{one} Our final Christmas. This past weekend, we had one last Christmas with my brother and his family in San Antonio! It was a fun weekend spent watching the cousins play, opening gifts, staying in a hotel with a toddler (a real treat ;)), and most importantly, being together!

J got to sleep in the "big bed" with us at the hotel ;)

{two} Productivity. Doesn't everyone resolve to be more productive & organized in the new year? I know I always do, and so far I've been successful in that...well, for this week ;) After being gone for most of the last 2 weeks, it's been refreshing to get back into our little routine here at home. Closets & cabinets have been cleaned out, the house has been deep cleaned, and a boat-load of "stuff" has been donated. I love the fresh start that a new year brings!

 l: I've been freezing half of what I've made each night this week for future dinners. WHY have I not done this before? I hate throwing away leftovers, so this is a much better solution.
r: Jaqs is a big laundry helper! I sort it for her then she loads the washer, moves it to the dryer, and unloads the dryer for me. What a girl!

{three} Juicing. Do you juice? I go through spurts of it, and after all the eating that comes with the holiday season, I was feeling like my gut needed a reboot. I've been juicing once a day this week, and I've really enjoyed it. Jaqs has, too! I prepped all my fruits & veggies on Sunday so they'd be ready to throw in, and that has made the process much speedier and more convenient. I've also been putting the juicer pulp to use; I'll share how next week :)

celery+cucumber+kale+green apple+orange+lime

{four} Valentine's Day. Is it too soon? I sure hope not because I'm already dressing Jaqs in pink, red, and hearts galore! She had several things in her closet, but of course we had to add in a sweet shirt made by Leah! Is it not the cutest?! Love, love.

{five} Hubby's birthday. The man in the house turns 29 tomorrow! We're keeping it low-key for his last year in his 20s and just spending the day as a family per Rob's request. After a week of gloomy weather, the weekend looks amazing, so we're all looking forward to getting out and taking in the fresh air and sunshine together!

Happy Weekend!

Five on Friday!

It's Friday!! And I'm thrilled about it! I have a girls' night planned with a friend tonight and some family fun with my trio planned for tomorrow, so I'm a happy girl today!

Per my Friday usual, I'm linking up with Darci & the girls for Five on Friday :)

{one} The Wildcat football family Christmas party was Wednesday night, and we had such a great time! The restaurant where we had it is extremely family friendly, so all of our kiddos just ran around playing together, and it couldn't have been more perfect. Definitely takes the stress off the parents when you don't have to worry about keeping a bunch of kiddos quiet through a dinner for 30+ people!

 It's still bizarre to me that we have a little one to include in the "kids picture!"

{two} If you have an HEB (and a wax warmer) pick these up next time you're there! My whole house smells like peppermint bark, and I LOVE IT!! I'm obsessed with the smells of this season. Of course, they make me super hungry, too, but whatever ;)

{three} It has been coold (to us) in Texas for the last week, and J absolutely loves it. Crazy girl! She just giggles and says, "buuuuurrrr!!" every time we go out. I think she'll be happy to get back to the park soon though! Lucky for us, next week is looking pretty nice!

{four} We're not doing any advent activities this year just because J is still young, but I'm scouting out everyone else's ideas for next year! I love Jessica's (of Little Baby Garvin) toddler activities...so much fun! I'm also dying over this little felt stocking advent garland. I really hope I can score one after Christmas! 

{five} Not trying to get into a Santa debate here, but obviously it's a decision that you make as a parent in whether or not you will "do" Santa. We WILL be doing Santa in our family, but it will never override what we're really wanting our children to know Christmas (and LIFE!) is all about. E of E, Myself, and I had a great post on the topic this week that basically pinpoints exactly how I feel about including Santa in Christmas traditions. Santa is only a few weeks out of the year, but Jesus is year-round! Now, if only I could get Jaqs to stop referring to the man as "Big Ho!" It's getting embarrassing.

I can hardly wait to see how she reacts to the jolly fella this year. Something tells me we're going to end up with one of those hilariously pathetic screaming pictures! Can't wait.


Hope you lovelies have a wonderful weekend!

Five on Friday

Ahh, the Friday after Halloween? Any one else have a sugar hangover this morning? No? Just me? Ok. Lucky for me, I don't have to get up and be somewhere this morning or I might be in trouble!
As always, I'm linking up for Five on Friday today!

{one} Halloween. We had so much fun eating "boo"rito bowls at Chipotle & Trick-or-Treating with our buddies last night! All these babies have coaches for daddies, so we decided to spend the evening together. Jaqs, of course, doesn't really get the thrill of ringing doorbells and getting candy from strangers just yet, but she and Kersee had a grand time riding in the wagon together and eating their pretzels they got at one house.

our favorite cheerleader :)

the house on the upper right is a well-known mansion in Temple & it was CRAZY busy with kids!
Jaqs is a BIG fan of dum dums ;)

our cute kiddos!

{two} What a difference a year makes! My little baby Jaqs-O-Lantern from last year sure has grown into one adorable Wildcat cheerleader. My sweet pea, I love watching you grow!

I sure wish she still sat & smiled like this for pics!!

{three} I've been on a meal prep kick this week, and it makes my life so much easier. If you haven't tried the SkinnyTaste baked potato soup yet, you definitely need to! It's incredibly easy (and fast!) to put together, and it's not loaded with butter and cream like many other recipes.

{four} Sickies. Y'all, our house has been plagued this week. I still have been coughing all week and not resting well because of it, Jaqs has had a little cough, and now Rob is down. I don't know what's going on, but I need it to STOP! It might help if the weather made up its mind. Ready for everyone to feel better!

{five} The holiday season is upon us! Now that Halloween is over and it's now November, we'll be in full-fledged Thanksgiving and Christmas mode! I'm so excited...this is the truly the best time of the year, in my opinion. I've already started my Christmas shopping, and I'm giddy thinking about all the fun ahead for us this year! But first, November! I love this month.

Hope you have a wonderful November weekend! :)