September 20th-27th
Oreos and I have the kind of relationship they make movies about. I had this idea of incorporating them into a cinnamon roll and I finally did it! They turned out even better than I imagined!
There’s a fine line between getting your kids’ costume too early or waiting too long and all the good ones sell out…and we are walkin it! Scout hasnt wanted to take off his Batman costume once since he picked it out.
I’ve been making this chicken salad as an easy lunch and I’m in love with it! It helps me reach my protein goal and it has just the right amount of kick!
My Dad passed away in 2022, but he would have been 78 this year and we always find a special way to celebrate. This year I made cheesecake and had McDonalds breakfast and dinner.
I originally walked into Marshalls in search of the Dungeon Crawler Carl books, but walked out with a new fall outfit and I love it! It’s still a lil too hot to rock a sweater, but in the next few weeks, I’m hoping I’ll be able to wear this lil cutie.
I prioritized reading this week and I’ve really loved it! I’m reading “the Echo of Old Books” and listening to “Mad Mabel”
I dont know who this person is or where they came from, but this Jeep truck at my gym is covered with Harry Potter stickers! I’m not saying I’m going to stalk them, but I’m definitely keeping my eyes peeled to figure out who my fellow Potterhead is!
September 13th-19th
Although I’ve been doing pullups here and there for months, my brother invited me into his daily pullup gang and I’m fully committed. 30 pullups a day and we are 50 days stronger!
Goodwill has alllllllll their halloween treasures out and Scout and I have thoroughly enjoyed looking through them and trying on each and every mask (dont ask how long we were in there lol)
I picked up this book from my lovely local library branch and I’m already loving it! It’s the book we chose for my friend group’s book club, and I’m intrigued!
Speaking of starting a new book, I was grinning ear to ear by the first chapter! What a sweet quote, I’m absolutely saving this one because books have shaped my life.
I love love love to share my baked goods with others, but its not often I get them in return! What a wonderful surprise to have these show up in the middle of our Saturday to brighten the witching hour!
Speaking of cookies, I tried a new recipe that I had kept seeing all over my algorithm. Cinnamon roll cookies have entered the chat and they’re around to STAY because hot dang these are fire.
September 6th-12th
We’ve been in our home for a little over 3 years now and I’ve been struggling with decorating it. The walls are weirdly sized and it just seemed like anything I hung in this area felt off somehow. I think part of it was that I was trying to hang things that looked good in other homes, not necessarily things that I liked. But this week we hung this little gallary wall and it just feels very me. I chose these things because I loved them and it makes this little corner of my home my favorite so far.
I grew up in a gaming household and it’s all I’ve ever wanted for my little family! Trevor and I both struggle with patience needed to teach game rules but this was a good one for all of my kids! We played several rounds and I expect it will become a Sunday evening ritual soon enough
We opened our Halloween totes and while we didnt FULLY decorate for the season, the shirts are being worn and the pumpkin books are being read and reread all day long. I have a big love for special holiday shirts, so the more use we get out of them, the better!
The feeling of happy anticipation when you know a book is going to be good is so hopeful, ya know? There are so many good books right now and just not enough time! Ever since I read A Frozen River in February, I’ve been dreaming of when this this author would release her next novel. I’m very eager to get into my next historical fiction.
Boys will be boys, and that includes my husband lol. Trevor and my middle boys went fishing last weekend and they had such a great time! I’m grateful for that time they can spend together 💕
a little vulnerability here, but the imposter syndrome is SO real right now. It can feel really embarrassing to put myself out there but having reoccurring collaborations shows me that I must be doing something right! Thank you for all your support and excitement for me as this little account grows!
August 30th-September 5th
Some weeks are absolute smash hits in the thrifting department, and this week was one of them! I scored some cutie decor and a pair of pants from American Eagle that are absolutely the comfiest thing I’ve ever put on my body. Now bring on the fall temps!!
The strength ebbs and flows depending on my cycle and this week I felt ultra strong! I got all my steps and pullups in and I’m feeling stronger than ever. Cute outfits always help because if I feel good and confident in what I’m wearing, my strength usually follows suit!
This may seem silly, but September always brings my mindset to “STEP-tember” and I long to get outside and walk. I joined a walking challenge and I’m loving it! I especially love listening to my audiobook out in the fresh air. The evenings have brought the most beautiful summer skies and it feels like God is painting gorgeous sunsets just for me.
Speaking of audiobooks, Theo of Golden is in full swing! It seems to be everywhere around me as I’ve ran into at least 4 of my book friends who are also enjoying it. Have you read it yet? I’m about 40% in and I know I’ll finish this one quickly! If you haven’t used Audible before, you can get your first book free!
Cinnamon rolls for us, plus a special order request for a friend! I distinctly remember about 3 years ago when I attempted to make cinnamon rolls for my first time ever. I was extremely intimidated and for what? They’re truly so fun to make and now one of my favorite and most requested recipes ever!
I’m typically SUCH a responsible library patron, but sometimes things just get away from me and this DVD was one of those times. We’ve been missing this for months and I finally broke down and bought a replacement copy to give to the librarians, just so I could finally clear my name. Well, wouldn’t you know it? The day I drive it over to hand it in, I decide to do one last once over of the center console and there it was plain as day. It was right under my nose all along.
August 23rd-29th
a realization about my three-year-old
As the big kids go to school and I have uninterrupted time with Scouty boy, I’ve come to realize that with the 3 older kids, I’ve never had this before! I’ve never had the opportunity to just enjoy having a 3 year old without having a new baby as well. I’m thoroughly enjoying my little dude and all the world around him!
new shoes in the mail
Aren’t these wedge sandals from Cosy Island so cute? I’m kicking myself that they wanted to work with me enough to reach out. Its not lost on me how blessed I am! Now I just need an occasion to dress up and show them off!
meal planning made easy
“whats for dinner” ahhhhh the age old question that I hear not once, not twice, but 10+ times a DAY! Whether by the own voice inside my head or from my kids. I decided a few years ago that each day of the week would have a designated theme for dinner and it’s saved me oodles of headaches during meal planning. Monday means pasta. Tuesday includes tacos. Wednesday is meat and potato. Thursday is breakfast for dinner and Friday is always pizza.
kids being creative
whether it’s 6:45am and the kids just woke up, or 7:30pm and winding down for the night, these magnet tiles are always being stacked together and built into some kind of tower/city/wall/ramp. The kids play with them every spare second and they live permanently in our living room and are our most played with toys. We use the Picasso brand and love them even more that they are more budget friendly!
lunch dates are back!
Lunch with Trevor, lunch with friends, or a picnic in the park! Lunch is typically my first meal of the day and I love sharing it with someone special. I especially love how our screens are always down and the conversations flow. It really recharges me for the week! Nourishment for the stomach and the soul!
August 16th-22nd
Evenings just got better
I’ve come to appreciate what my body is capable of and there’s just not always enough time at the gym in the morning to get my cardio in! Trevor and I ran around our neighborhood this week and it was a great way to connect as well as enjoy the world we live in.
Ellie is thirteen
Is it 7 dog years for every human year? That makes this sweet girl 91 and we had to celebrate! This doggie birthday cake was made with Pumpkin, apple sauce, peanut butter and more. Full recipe linked below!
10 consecutive pullups accomplished!
It feels like I’ve been working on this one for forever! I am SO proud of myself and it makes my teary-eyed thinking about all of my support! I read each and every single message and they make me SO happy. If you make set your mind to it, you truly can accomplish anything…but only if you put in the work. It wont be easy, but it absolutely WILL be worth it.
My current hype playlist
I find music very motivating! If i need to get shiz done, the right playlist can help me accomplish it in record time. Am I alone in this? I’m linking this Disco mix because everyone needs to try this…for science.
The most delish Sheetcake
I mean come on. Just look at it! This sheetcake is 100% homemade and you’ll feel like a domestic goddess while your family and friends beg you to make it again.
20 years in the making...
When I was a teenager, I used to babysit for a family that had a lil trinket shelf on their wall. It was filled with odds and ends and I loved admiring it! I probably should have been paying more attention to the kids… but it was like playing I spy and we didnt have cell phones back then, okay? So I had to occupy my time somehow! Anywho, since then I’ve always wanted one for myself and I finally stumbled upon this beauty! I cant wait to fill it with all my special tresures, I already have a few things in mind. Stay tuned for updates on this new adventure!
a life lesson...
The golden rule doesn’t always present itself in such a sweet and delectable way, but I’ve been trying to teach my kids that we should treat others the way we want to be treated and this little box of sweets showed up at the perfect time.
Our sweet neighbors are often the test subjects for recipe leftovers around here, and this time, they returned the favor! It turned into an immediate lesson for my boys, delivered in a very sugary way they could understand. If we want someone to show up at our door with a box of treats, maybe we should be willing to go out of our way to deliver a few treats to someone else, too.
Now, I definitely hope they don’t start expecting baked goods every time we share ours.. But I loved having such a literal (and delicious) example of something I’ve been trying to teach them all along: when we go out of our way to make someone else’s day a little sweeter, sometimes that sweetness has a way of finding its way back to us.
August 9th-15th
Friendly Competition
Made a new gym bud this week and obviously that turned into a deadhang competition. I won, but he hit a new PR, so it felt like we both walked away with a win.
Okay, Fortune Cookie!!
Got this fortune cookie from Panda and I’m choosing to believe it knows something we don’t. I’m keeping this one because obviously, big things are to come!
Am I a new Emily Henry fan?
Color me surprised! After I read “Happy Place” in 2023 I was fully convinced that Emily Henry was NOT for me. I hesitantly read “The People We Meet on Vacation” after enjoying the Netflix movie and now I find myself kicking my feet and smiling ear to ear when I get a chance to listen to a chapter or two of “Beach Read”. Whats my next EH adventure??
School's BAAAACK
….and just like that, we’re back! I know I’m not alone when I say I thrive on a schedule. All of the sudden the laundry is getting done every day and I’ve got time for my hobbies again! (btw no one said the laundry is getting put away…its mostly just getting washed and living its best life in baskets everywhere).
Great Grandma approved
Trevor asked me to *attempt* to recreate these from his childhood, using a recipe passed down from his great grandma. Aunt Judy shared the deets and the rest is history.
Friends worth remembering
Some friendships are here for a season and some just stick with you. Got to spend time recharging with some of my favorite people this week before one of us moved away 🙁 The military can bring us such amazing relationships that last a lifetime!
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