What's Up Wednesday

Happy Wednesday. I can't believe that this is the last week of August, but I'm also so ready to see this month go. This month was filled with summer, but back to school, birthday celebrations, and sadness. Bring on the football and cooler weather, please. 

1. What We're Eating This Week:

Well, this is kind of me right now. While our first football game isn't until Thursday night, we've been in the swing of the season since the beginning of August. When DJ is working late nights and eating at the office, I'm not one to really want to cook when it's just me and the girls. I'd be perfectly content eating a bowl of cereal (or ice cream) for dinner, but I know my girls deserve to eat real food. So, I'm trying. 

The last two weeks, I've done some mass cooking on Sunday afternoons. Last week, I cooked chicken and ended up making two full meals out it. We had chicken teriyaki rice, and then a chicken pasta. 

This week, I made taco meat, so last night we had tacos (Monday we drove through CFA after evening activities) and then tonight we'll probably have enchiladas. 

Thursday is our first game of the season, so we'll eat on our way to Stillwater or at the game.

And Friday, we'll probably order pizza or go out with my mom since she'll be in town! 

2. What I'm Reminiscing About:

All things summer. We really did enjoy our travels and our down time at home. But after some tragic events over the weekend, I'm really reminiscing about the time I've spent with these girls, and wondering that if today were their last day, would I be happy with how we spent our time together? Most often, I would tell you no. And that breaks my heart that life is sometimes too busy to spend with your most precious people. This week, I've really been trying to focus on having good days and cherishing the time we have together each day. 

3. What I'm Loving:

I'm loving my tees from Shop Tailgate. (You can save 10% off your order by using the code ELAINEW) and find their live sales each week over in their Facebook Group. 

I've mentioned these soaps before, by I absolutely love them, and thought I'd share them again! These little soaps are handmade right here in Oklahoma by 1907. The girls and I love heading to their store and picking out a few bars. I always buy extras because they make the cutest little gifts!  

4. What We've Been Up To:

Being back at school and getting in to a routine again. 

Enjoying some bike rides when it's cool enough to get out.

And enjoying some lazy downtime together that is much needed after a full week at school. 

5. What I'm Dreading:

Not much of anything right now. I'm looking forward to Fall and all of the fun activities that we have scheduled and some impromptu fun that I'm sure will pop up along the way. 

6. What I'm Excited About:

Football!!! 

Our first game is tomorrow night against OSU, and I'm finally ready for the season to begin! 

Salt Lake City!!!!

I'm heading back to Salt Lake City in just a few weeks for Young Living's Silver Retreat. I'm looking forward to a weekend away, sleeping in a hotel room by myself, hugging the necks of friends, and frolicking in lavender fields again. 

7. What I'm Watching/Reading:

 I watched last season for the first time, and I'm watching again this season. Mostly, because I love Raven, and want to see what happens to her. Plus, mindless t.v. is so needed after a days work. 

 I'm not in to any of the other Real Housewives seasons, but I'm hooked on Dallas. 

I started watching Land Girls on Netflix, a few weeks ago. It's a super easy binge, and I guess I'm a sucker for period dramas in England, because earlier this summer I was hooked on Call the Midwife. Unfortunately, Land Girls is only three seasons, and it's super short, but it's a fun little watch while I'm folding clothes. 

8. What I'm Listening To:

This week, I'm drawing nearer to Jesus, and my radio has been on KLOVE a ton. I'm finding the exact songs that I need to hear at the exact moments. 

9. What I'm Wearing:

I recently ordered this shirt from The Farmacist, and I'm in love with it. I'm rotating through work clothes, but have zero photos, because as soon as I get home, it's straight to work out clothes or pajamas. 

10. What I'm Doing This Weekend:

My mom will be here for a few days, so I'm looking forward to having her in town and spending some time with her and the girls. The girls and I really have no plans. We'll wait and see what football is bringing about for the weekend and when DJ will be scheduled to work.

11. What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month:

Football, Salt Lake, and Fall. 

12. What Else Is New: 

Can we chat for a moment about tragedies? My heart has been heavy this week over the loss of a little girl of friends of ours. God took her away all too soon, and I'm trying to find a way of dealing with the hurt. Mostly because as a mother, I cannot imagine loosing one of my children. I'm in constant prayer for this family and the pain they are all suffering. I'm praying for the brothers and sister, and for the mother to find strength to continue and the father to have the strength to be strong and courageous, while being able to grieve all at the same time. 

I have also been in awe of how God is providing the words so desperately needed during this time. 

And while all of that is happening, the flooding in Houston is devastating. I remember the aftermath of Katrina and thinking how horrible it was. I had never seen anything like it. But this. This is so much worse. Through football we know of families that are loosing their homes and being displaced, and we'll be working on collecting items for the families. Our team is also sending down equipment and filling the equipment truck with supplies to send down.  

Here are a few ways that I've seen that you can help too. 

Shop Tailgate is donating $10.00 for every Deep in the Heart shirt sold directly to the Red Cross. This shirt is also available for children, and $5.00 of each child's shirt will be donated. 

For the next 24 hours, Rustic Cuff will sell the Engraved RC Erin State Cuff for $18 (originally $38) and all proceeds will go directly to the Red Cross. 
(You can choose any state in the selection box.)
Gold and Silver available. 
While supplies last.
Both the proceeds from this sale along with the RC Cube special (see below) will be given to the American Red Cross this week.
Thank you!
https://www.rusticcuff.com/collections/erin-state-pendants

The cube state necklaces are also on sale and 100% of the proceeds will be given to the Red Cross. You can choose any state and choose gold or silver. 

And, if you are local to Oklahoma, the TU football team is sending cleaning supplies, bottled water, and collecting clothing from now until our 1st home game next week. 

And if nothing else, you can pray for the victims and families. 

I was listening to KLOVE and their is a song that says "If Not Us Then Who". We always ask what God will do to fix problems, and you guys, He made Us to step in and love through our actions and do something. If He has called you, then a resounding Yes should be your answer. If it's not you, then who? 

13. My Best Back to School Lunch Ideas/Tips:

And finally, I actually have a post planned for this in the next few weeks, but my very best tip is to plan ahead! Last spring, I started spending Sunday afternoons making lunches and portioning out chips, fruit, veggies, etc. so during the week, I just have to grab things and put them in the girls lunchboxes. They have never complained about soggy sandwiches (we make them mostly pb&j) and it saves me so much time in the evenings! Especially, because I'm now making three lunches plus a lunch for myself! 

Thanks for stopping by today! Remember, you can find me over on Instagram, or see me back here on Friday for Friday Favorites :)