happy may + something I'm loving

Like everyone else, I really cannot believe it's already MAY! Where has 2013 gone?!

who doesn't love a little throwback JT?

Our weather has been so back and forth this year, and we're supposed to have a cold front hitting later this evening bringing rain and highs in the 50s tomorrow which is just absurd for us this time of year! We've been enjoying the great outdoors all we can because it keeps Jaqs busy and happy :) Oh, and it also helps that it wears her out for naps!

 Nanny & Popo got her a little wagon to go with her big one so she could pull her dolls and ponies around, but she has decided that she'd rather sit in that one instead. She climbs in and out, in and out and thinks it's so fun to be pulled around in that tiny thing. Silly. 

Big baby in a little wagon! {Tommy Boy, anyone??}

I picked up some sidewalk chalk at the dollar spot at Target for something new for us to do, but it's hard to say which of us enjoyed doodling on the driveway more ;) Jaqs also thought it was fun to try to eat it, but we'll just forget about that part.

Yesterday was the kick-off for Spring ball, so we left messages for daddy to come home to that night to let him know we missed him!   *****
I decided to splurge and try this Philosphy body wash that I first saw on Little Baby Garvin (love her), and Y'ALL....it smells so good. I want to eat it. Run, don't walk, to Ulta if you're a "food scents" person like I am. Definitely worth every penny!

Happy Wednesday!

Easter 2013

We had a fabulous Easter spent in Abilene this year! It was low key, but it was really just perfect. We woke up to baskets that morning, and thank goodness because I totally dropped the ball on that one and forgot to tell the Easter bunny that we wouldn't be at home that morning ;) Thanks Grammie!

 Jaqs got bunny books, bubbles & balls! Her favorites! 

Rob and I still get baskets too, and I love it :) Grammie always gets the best candy and treats.

After a little playing, we got ready to go to church...

 Jaqsy girl sure did look cute in her dress from Julie :)

Grammie, G-Pop & The Pea

our family of 3

After church, we had a delicious lunch and played outside in the warm sunshine before heading home! It was such a nice day with my family celebrating the resurrection of our Savior! So very thankful for the empty tomb that gives even sinners like me hope and a future.

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Lucky for me, Jaqs was enthusiastic about her Easter basket at home even though it was a little late ;)

 In case you're wondering what a lion says, this is it...

 I truly cannot believe this was my baby's SECOND Easter. She will be a year old on Friday, so I have a feeling there will be a whole lot of sap going on here this week. Starting with this:

My little 4-day-old bunny last year! 

My goodness. What a year it's been. The very best of my life, and I can't even imagine how I ever lived without her. Yes, we have challenging times, but my heart is so full with her in my life that every last one of them are worth it. It's amazing to have the tiniest inkling of my God's love for me.

Happy Easter!

Spring DIY

I've always got several craft or home projects running through my head, and I only wish that my budget allowed for everything I dream up! Today I thought I'd share a few inexpensive things on my Spring DIY to do list!

Our home has a front facing garage that I really don't care for, so I'd love to give it a little something by adding some decorative hardware! I think it definitely gives a home more curb appeal.

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 If you've been around this blog before, then you probably know that I make a wreath for just about every occasion! Why should Spring be any different? This one is so cute and may be the inspiration for my next front door pretty!

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I mentioned awhile ago that we had some plans for a "play area" in the living room, and I'm thinking these pallet shelves would be perfect for housing books, pictures and other decor for that space. What do you think? They look very simple to make; I think I could even pull it off on my own.

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As for my never-gonna-happen project? That would be this:

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Our home has a very small covered porch area that is big enough for our grill, some plants, and maybe a chair or two. The rest is grass with zero landscaping or any place for Jaqs to scoot around on her toys. I would LOVE to be able to extend our patio, add a pergola, and have some outdoor furniture, but it's probably not going to happen any time soon. WHY doesn't Yard Crashers visit Temple?! Our yard would be the perfect candidate! Oh well, a girl can dream.

I'm linking up once again for the Hello Spring link-up party!

Green Cleaning

Today's "Hello Spring" topic is all about Spring cleaning. I'm kind of OCD when it comes to cleaning and organization, so I definitely use Spring as my time to start fresh and new!

Now that I'm a momma, I'm even more aware of the things I'm using to clean my home. I use a whole lot of vinegar for all sorts of things. It has TONS of uses, but the smell is kind of rank. To make it a little less harsh, I add orange peels to my vinegar bottle. This adds a slightly citrus aroma to it while cutting the strength of the smell!

I keep a bottle of diluted (3/1) vinegar handy for spot cleaning floors, toys, countertops, etc.! I like knowing that what I'm using doesn't have any harmful effects on me or my family, not to mention, it's CHEAP.

Jaqs' toys pretty much stay covered in slobber, so I try to disinfect them from time to time. In order to do this, I just fill up her baby tub with warm water and add in a about a cup of white vinegar + a heavy pour of peroxide. Swirl them around in the bath, then rinse them with water and let them dry completely!

As for the heavy-duty Spring cleaning? I function very well with lists, so I downloaded the PaperlessLite app on my iPhone. You can literally keep a list for any and every thing all in one place. I have a daily list, a Spring cleaning list, and a 1st birthday list going right now. There is something so satisfying about checking things off! Or is that just me?

My Spring Cleaning To Do's

I've found that doing ALL of one project at a time works better for me than going room to room, so I prefer to tackle ALL of the baseboards in one day or ALL of the blinds. I know a lot of people like going room to room, but I always feel like if I have the supplies for one project out, then I might as well go all out!

Another handy tip I discovered via Pinterest is turning hangers at the beginning of a season. You turn all your hangers facing the opposite direction, then once you wear the item, you turn it back to normal. I did this for the Fall/Winter, and I was surprised at the things that were never touched! It made them easier to donate knowing they hadn't been worn in over a year.

souce

As for general organizing? Baskets are my best friend! I have them under cabinets, in every closet, and in our pantry. I try to keep like items corralled in one place, but it is something I'm always having to clean up and re-do as things just get out of place with every day use!

I'm linking up with Mateya, Caroline, Leah, Alison, & Carolyn for the Spring link-up party once again!
Check it out, this has been fun!

Spring Bucket List!

I know I keep harping on Spring, but I think it may be my most favorite season of them all! When I saw that my friend Mateya was hosting a Spring link party with some other fabulous ladies this week, I just had to join in the fun! Today I give you our Spring bucket list! These are only a few of the things topping our to-do list in the months to come.

Planting flowers and cleaning the house top to bottom are always Spring projects for me, but we'll definitely be mixing in lots of fun with the baby girl, too! If you've been around this blog lately, you know that Jaqs is practically a professional park-player by now, so swinging will continue to be a favorite activity around here. Of course, we have her BIG FIRST BIRTHDAY to celebrate very soon, and I'm so excited about that!

Click to visit any of these blogs and join in on the fun! :)

Friday Randoms {this week}

This week has been nearly perfect for us! I think the Spring weather has just put a pep in my step, and it couldn't have come at a better time! I was starting to feel a little sorry for myself when we were in teething hell a couple weeks ago ;) Ha! Kidding. Kind of.

I know most people feel very strongly about DST, but I LOVE it! Rob doesn't get home until 6:30ish, so it's nice that it's not dark when he gets in. Jaqs has even adjusted her schedule a bit, so she's getting some extra daddy time in the evenings. We're all enjoying this welcomed change.

On Monday night, Rob got off a little early, so he came home with flowers for me, and we got to have dinner as a family! It was such a treat :) I made gluten free spaghetti with turkey meatballs. This was a first for the baby girl, and she gobbled it up.

Secret: I grated up carrots and zucchini in my sauce for extra nutrition & flavor!

 On Tuesday night we went to Chick-fil-A with some friends for Kids Eat Free night. Another first for J! Let me tell you what, she is a BIG fan of their nuggets! She polished them off and loved every last bite.

you've been holding out on me, mom.

 On Wednesday night, Cassi, Vanessa, and I met up with one of our Abilene buddies that was passing through, Mandi! It was so much fun to spend some time together. You gotta love those friendships that feel like no time at all has passed in between visits!

 Momma stayed out later than her normal bedtime, but Jaqs must have known because she slept until NINE the next morning! What a girl! She greeted me with the best bed head you ever did see :)

And in other news, we are in the process of weaning from bottles over here. We've successfully dropped one this week! Go baby, go! We'll work on another one this upcoming week. Fortunately, she seems to be diggin' the cow's milk, and I can't blame her. I snuck some of her vitamin D milk, and OH MY. It's good stuff.

practicing in the mirror, of course.

We decided to take advantage of the extra day light (and warmth!) last night and head to the park after dinner, and I'm so glad we did! Jaqs was absolutely thrilled. There were several dogs there that she "barked" at, plus some people were playing basketball, so of course, she was excited about the "baw!" Add in swinging? The girl was in HEAVEN. She had a blast and just giggled the whole time we were there.

momma loves to swing too!

Well, this ended up being more of a life update than a 'random' post, but that's okay, right? 

Hope y'all have a great weekend!