Friday Favorites~ TU Wins!

I am so excited to finally be linking up wtih Momfessionals, A Little Bit of Everything, and Grace & Love Blogs today for Friday Favorites! These girls started this link up about a month ago, and I've wanted to link up every Friday, but I've been busy recapping and catching up! Thanks ladies for hosting this link up!

Many of you know that my hubby works in the world of college football! We are currently working for our 4th team and living in our 4th state in just 9 years of marriage. We have lived in 8 houses. To say football is our life may be a bit of an understatement. When I first met DJ he told me that if I couldn't handle him being gone all the time and this "football lifestyle" that would be ours, that I just needed to say good-bye to him then and there. For some crazy reason, I stuck around, and I'm pretty darn glad I did!

Last year was just a sad year for our team. We had just come off the high of being conference champions, and beating Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl, followed by a season that was depressing to say the least. We have a lot at stake heading into this football season, but we have high hopes and we are so excited for this season!

Yesterday was our first game, and it was a home opener against Tulane.

I dressed the girls in their 4th of July dresses since we are now in the American conference.

 

I ended up getting a babysitter for the girls since it was a school night and it's very rare that I'm able to actually watch a game.

The team before the game.... my hubby is the guy in the white holding up the camera.

After DJ filmed warm ups, he met me for a quick good luck hug and photo op!

If you're friends with me on Facebook, I shared this story yesterday. This was probably the most inspirational and my favorite part of the game.

 

Devon (the man in the wheelchair) was a Tulane football player. Two years ago when Tulane played at Tulsa, Devon went for a tackle and ended up hitting helmet to helmet with another player on his team. Sadly, this caused a severe spinal cord injry and Devon is paralyzed from the neck down. That exact moment is one I will never forget, but this moment of seeing him lead his team onto our field is one I will never forget either. His recover, although life changing, is so inspiring. He has gone on to graduate with his bachelor's degree, and is now in grad school at Tulane. And y'all, he wants to earn his PhD, and I know that he will.

 

This y'all, is a Friday Favorite for sure.

 

The game went on and had its highs and lows. There were flags, interceptions, missed field goals, and I experienced emotional ups and downs.

And this is the moment that I knew we were going to have a tie ball game and head into overtime.

 

We headed into double over time and my nerves were shot.

But y'all, we did it! Tulsa won and pulled out a victory.

 

I loved watching these boys celebrate! I know how hard they have worked at fall camp. I know how much our coaches have prepared for this game. I know that these are the moments that these boys live for. Pretty sure nothing can be more of a favorite moment than this for these players.

 

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#weltegram2014 August 22-27

This week is flying by and I am so thankful that today is Thursday! TU plays their home opener tonight against Tulane, and I'm so excited! I got a babysitter for the game and I'm so excited to be going by myself! Don't tell my girls!

We've had a great week and we're getting back into the swing of being back in school and all of the hustle and bustle that goes along with it!

August 22- Meggie and I settled in to watch a movie because we were exhausted after our first week of school!

August 23-Looks like we need to child proof better.

Seriously, this girl is in our cabinets all the time and it drives me bonkers!

August 24-The day that Jake & the Neverland Pirates made Gretchen cry.

Y'all, I was in the kitchen working on lunch and I looked over at Gretchen and she was in tears on the couch watching t.v. Apparently, Captain Hook tricked Jake and his friends into loosing their pirate ship. The first thing I did was call DJ and tell him all about this, because it was just funny that she was crying over a cartoon. Then, I went and comforted her and told her that I bet by the end of the show they'd have their beloved pirate ship back. For the record, they did, but I'll be deleting this Jake off the DVR for sure because it just makes my 6 year old a ball of mush.

Looking back, this is probaby one of the first big developmental signs that she's showing empathy toward others, so yay for that!

August 25- Gretchen's first day of ballet/tap.

I signed her up for tap/ballet when she was 3-4, and by the end she was burned out. We've done gymnastics and soccer, but this year, she was ready for dance again!

August 26- mommy had a meeting and Gretchen had to sit through it. Thank goodness for the iPad!

August 27- We had a heat index of at leat 100 today, but Meggie insisted on wearing a coat.

#whatevermakesherhappy

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What I Wore This Summer

I have not linked up for What I Wore Wednesday in FOREVER. Mostly because I maybe got dressed once or twice a week this summer! I think all of our summer days were spent in swimsuits or pj's, and when we did get dressed, Meggie would always ask "Where are we going?" I think she equated getting dressed to going somewhere. 

I experimented with color a lot this summer. I'm not much of a color person. I tend to pair one color with neutrals, or add color in my accessories rather than my clothes. But, I had tons of fun mixing colors this summer!

Linen Coral Shorts from Old Navy

Green tee from J. Crew Factory

Leopard sandals from Target

Mustard leather cuff bracelet with gold accents

Purple Hunter boots

Yellow shorts from J. Crew Factory

Green tee from J. Crew Factory

Green dress from Old Navy.

I bought this dress when I was pregnant, thinking that it would be a perfect maternity dress and that I could pair it with leggings. I wore the dress once and hated it. The waistline was in the worst place and the top is suppose to be blousy, but it just did not work with a growing bump. It's been sitting in my closet for over a year. I finally decided to give it a try, and I loved it! The dress is a little short, and I may try it with leggings this fall.

This is how I spent most of my summer days!

Monogrammed scalloped seersucker shorts and white tank.

I spent many days in my new Tulsa shirt and denim shorts. 

I wore this when we had our "meet the team" dinner, but the shirt is so soft and worn. It's like a brand new old shirt!

I'll also be wearing this to our first game tomorrow night!

I bought this leather wrap bracelet from Nickel & Suede this summer and I'm loving it! 

I also have a pair of their gold leather earrings, and y'all, I get compliments every single time that I wear them! So I was super pumped to add another piece to my jewelry collection. 

I think a few people on my Christmas list will be getting some gifts from N+S this year!

Next week, I'll be sharing a few of my recent work outfits now that I'm forced to get dressed every day!

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Girl Mom:The Honey Pie's Go Back To School

This Girl Mom sent her three honey pie's back to school last week!

I'm still not sure how I feel about summer being over and the honey pie's back at school, but if the year can continue the way that last week did, we'll have a fabulous year! 

It's always a little bittersweet when summer comes to an end. I love getting to spend my days with my girls, but by the end of summer, we are desperate for a routine and heading back to school gives us just what we need!

This year, heading back to school was much different than last year. I felt so much more ready and more prepared. I knew what to expect, I wasn't nervous. 

This year went much better. Smoother. Easier.

The little honey pie's started pre-school last Monday. Gretchen was visiting her Gee, so I just had to get two kids ready and out the door, and it was so much easier than getting three kids ready.

I painted an old cabinet door with chalkboard paint and it was the perfect sign for us to use in our back to school pictures. 

I made Megan a crayon shirt and matching hair bow to wear. 

After taking Megan's pictures, I attempted pics with both girls!

Adalyn was more interested in walking or crawling rather than standing still. 

I forgot how hard it is to take a picture of a toddler! 

Yikes, I just admitted that she's a toddler! Let's pretend I didn't. Ok?

Then, I took pictures of Adalyn and off we went.

I made her pencil dress, and her leopard headband is from Ruby Blue Inc.

Once we got to daycare, I had to switch Megan's bow. It would not stay on her head, and I knew it was extremely large, but it was perfect for pictures! 

Her flower clippie is from Bloomies. 

Adalyn cried a little bit, but honestly did very well!

Then, it was Megan's turn. Megan loved the idea of going to her class, but she did not like the idea of me leaving. Obviously, this picture was taken when preschool was a good idea!

She has cried every single day that we have left her. I'm pretty sure she'll cry every morning all year. She just has that personality.

Tuesday afternoon, Gee and Gretchen returned and I took Gretchen to meet her classroom teacher and to show her around her new school.

Gretchen is now enrolled at my school. I was hired full time at an elementary school last November. I didn't want to move Gretchen mid-year, but I knew that this year, I had to bring her to school with me for several reasons. After three days, I already know it has been the best decision that I made.

She wanted to be a "serious student".

But, that didn't last long!

Wednesday morning, DJ helped me out by taking the little girls to preschool. I was so nervous about how I was going to get us out the door on time and get good pictures of Gretchen. Thankfully, I had plenty of time since he was able to help out.

My mom bought Gretchen this smocked crayon dress, and I knew that it would be her first day of school outfit.

Which, is shocking, because you'd expect that she'd be in a custom shirt like her sisters!

Last year, she wore a smocked outfit, and I wanted her to wear one this year too. So, we saved her HPA shirt to wear on her 2nd day. 

Our chalkboard pictures didn't turn out too well. There was a huge glare on most of them and this is the best I got. 

I bought her a chunky necklace for her to wear. (I bought her one last year, so I thought it would be fun to continue this tradition.)

Here she is ready to leave my office and head to class. We bought her teacher a little gift.

Once she arrived in class, she started coloring her folder, and insisted that I stay as long as I could. 

I waited until the first bell rang, and then I tried to head out. 

This is Gretchen and her teacher. I am so, so thankful that I will be able to pick her teachers as long as she is at my school! All of our first grade teachers are FABULOUS! I seriously had the hardest time choosing, but I know that Ms. D. will be the best teacher for Gretchen.

I was able to check on Gretchen throughout her first day, and I think it's made the transition so much easier for us. I saw her at recess and then again at lunch. DJ told me I was "that mom" and I may be, but I'm so glad to have her close to me! 

I hope that all of you sending your honey pie's back to school can ease into the transition well! I pray that few tears are shed, and that you find yourself enjoying this new phase in life!

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The Weekend Before School Started & Some of Last Week

We've already been back to school and we just wrapped up our first weekend of the school year, but I have to back track and talk about the weekend before school started! I've been doing lots of back tracking, but hopefully after this week, i'll be back on track!

We started our Saturday with a morning trip to Target and then I took the girls to lunch.

We chose Firehouse Subs because it was close and easy! Our town is getting more chain restaurants that are super yummy and this is one of them! It's been nice having a few options right down the road!

The girls loved their lunch, and I managed to get us all fed by myself. 

Maybe it's just me, but taking the three honey pie's out to eat when I'm all alone is such a chore! It's hard work figuring out what everyone wants to eat, what I'm going to eat, finding a table, convincing Megan that she does not need a high chair, going to fix drinks, getting Adalyn's food out and ready and then finally getting the big girls food ready, and then yay! I finally get to eat! It's just a job. Am I alone in this? 

After we ate, we went to the little girls' preschool and met their teachers. 

This about sums up how Meggie feels about having to go back to school.

Once we met their teachers and got Megan sort of accustomed to her class, I loaded the girls into the car and we started off on a two hour trip to meet my parents. 

I've always said, that two hours is the max for Megan in the car. She did so well on this drive, and partly because she was asleep, but it was so nice to enjoy the two hour drive without fussing, crying, and hearing that someone needed to go potty. Plus, I didn't turn on the DVD player before we left, and Gretchen even fell asleep!

My parents and I met first for a little wholesale shopping at this huge warehouse in this tiny town in northeast Arkansas. I bought some supplies to make a football wreath that I've been wanting to make since last Fall! I'll be sharing my wreath soon!

After shopping, we went to eat an early dinner at Cracker Barrel.

Gretchen was super excited to be heading home with her Gee.

Adalyn was all smiles at dinner!

After dinner, we had to convince Megan that she wasn't going to her Gee's house too, and then we headed back toward Tulsa.

Sunday morning, DJ and I decided that we'd skip church so we could go to Sam's Club. The girls bought us a membership, and DJ wanted to go, but he still had to be in the football office Sunday afternoon, so we just went in the morning.

Later that evening, I took the girls for a walk and Megan played outside with her "boyfriend".  They went on a little cruise around our neighborhood.

Monday was my first day back at work, and the little honey pie's first day at preschool. I'll be blogging about that soon!

After school, I took the girls on a walk down to our pond. Meggie loves looking at the ducks.

She got out of the jogging stroller and just happily sat right down to start duck watching.

My mom brought Gretchen back on Tuesday and dropped her off at my school, which is now her school, for meet the teacher night. My mom picked up the little girls from preschool, and Gretchen stayed with me. I think getting candy was her favorite part of meet the teacher!

Megan has been having a hard time falling asleep in the evenings. I typically skip her nap if we're home, because it takes her two hours to fall asleep at night. However, now that she's back at preschool, she doesn't really skip her naps. So, she's been falling asleep on the floor around 10:30 at night.

Last Wednesday  night, she finally fell asleep around 9:30, and even though it was on the floor in the living room, it felt like a total success! 

I'm thinking of trying Essential Oils to get her to sleep better, but I still have my doubts about them. I've asked preschool to shorten her naps, but if that doesn't work, then EO is my next best guess.

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#weltegram2014 August 14-August 21

What a week we've had!!! From being a little sick and whiney, to heading out of town, and starting school again! It's been such a busy one, as weeks leading into fall always are!

 

I love getting to look back at our weeks and what has been going on, and I'm so thankful that I started this #weltegram2014 challenge to myself back in January!

August 14th- Addy Pearl was a cranky butt!

 

I know she doesn't look like it in this picture, but man, last Thursday was rough. I had planned a girls night out, and even got completely dressed while Adalyn napped, but she whined all day. I got nothing accomlished, and I just had to throw in the towel and admit that this mama was defeated. Girls Night Out was cancelled and I was so thankful for bedtime at the end of the day.

August 15th-

 

August 15th- Back to School breakfast baking was happening. You can check out the four different types of muffins I made here.

August 16- This pretty much sums up how Meggie felt about going back to school and meet the teacher.

August 17- We went on our first Sams Club shopping trip today. I will never go to Sams without DJ because checking out is a mad house.

 

Funny Story in case you missed it- A few weeks ago, I pulled up Groupon on my laptop in order to purchase a canvas groupon. When I clicked on "my groupons" to show me what I had already purchased, a Sams Club membership was waiting on me to redeem. Apparently, I had looked at it on the app, and closed it down, and then one of my girls pulled it back up and BOUGHT IT!!! I'm not sure why they couldn't have bought me a getaway to an all inclusive resort, but I guess Sams is the next best thing?

August 18- It was Back to School for Meggie and Adalyn. This is Megan telling me that Adalyn was walking away, and pointing that she should be over here.

 

Adalyn's dress and Megan's shirt are Honey Pie Accessories

Adalyn's bow is Ruby Blue Inc.

August 19- The best part of meet the teacher night is the candy!

August 20- I'm about to tuck this first grader in to bed!

 

As part of our back to school tradition, I read to her a "The Night Before" book.... We have the preschool, kindergarten, and now first grade books. You can find them at Target!

August 21- 1st day of 1st Grade!

 

The best part about this day is that Gretchen is now attending the same elementary school that I work at! I loved getting to bring her in to school with me, walking her to her classroom, checking on her at recess & lunch, and getting to hear about how great of a day she was having from her teacher!

 

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