Monday Musings

Happy Monday!! It's the first day of Spring Break, and y'all, I wish we were traveling, but we took some time off in February, so I'll be working while DJ and the girls are at home working on the to-do lists I'm going to leave them! I told Gretchen that I was sorry we didn't go anywhere this year and she said, "it's fine. I'm looking forward to a week of just being at home and relaxing." And that made it totally worth it to not go out of town.  Hopefuly we can squeeze in some family fun this week in the evenings.

Alright, time for some random things this Monday. 

Adalyn had her 4th grade Texas performance this week. She wanted her hair to "look like a cowboy hat" and I was like "no" She had this idea in her head and I could not make that happen, so I sent her away so I could freshen up and told her to come back when she was ready for an actual hair style. 

Apparently, she went on her computer and started searching for hair styles, and brought me a video showing me how to do two braids in to a ponytail. 

She was all cow-girled up for her Texas performance complete with her pink bandana that she refused to wear around her neck, and her cowgirl boots. 

Her performance was so good! They sang Amazing Grace, Oh Boy, and Deep in the Heart, with a few other Texas theme songs sprinkled in.  

Last week, when we went to get in the car for gymnastics, Gabby followed us right out and hopped right in the car before we could stop her. The plan was that she'd stay home, but she had other plans! Ha! 

I came across these shoes the other day, and I love them! I typically stick to white or grey tennis shoes and I love that these are neutral and won't show dirt like my white ones do! 

And how adorable are these with the leopard check! 

These tanning drops are a favorite! Just add a drop to your moisturizer and apply. Perfection. 

I picked up this book a few weeks ago and finished it; it's so good! Definitely one of my favorites from Colleen Hoover. 

Wednesday night, Megan had her 6th grade choir performance, and I laughed because Adalyn had the cutest pictures before her 4th grade performance, and this is what I got before Megan's. 

Thursday after school, I took Adalyn to get her hair cut and she loves it! She asked to go a little shorter, and right before he started cutting, she changed her mind and opted to keep it below her shoulders rather than above. We went to Target afterwards and she had to have her picture inside the Target circle outside of the store. 

Alright, that's it for today! I'll be back tomorrow with a little weekend wrap up! 

Have a great Monday! 

Some Home Updates

Fair Warning- I wrote this post in January and forgot to hit publish, so I hope you enjoy it today! 

I love starting over with a clean slate after Christmas. Our house is full of fun decorations from September through December, and once I'm able to take it all down, I enjoy a fresh, clean home. I always get the urge to re-arrange and change some things up, but honestly, I don't want to go and spend a ton of money. I may pick up a few new things, but I really just enjoy shopping from my own house, and making changes that can make a big impact. 

Our entry way had a ton of farmhouse decor signs, and I was ready for it to all go. 

I found two prints at Target that I was considering, and then I remembered that I had white frames just sitting in our closet. 

I hung one, just to get the feel of it and decide if I like it, but now I think i'm going to go back and add one more. I did add a new basket on the entry table to hold Gabby's leash and other odds/ends. 

I kept our dining space simple. I purchased this blue tablecloth last Spring and I still love it.

 I added a wood tray, some little bowls, a vase of eucalyptus stems, a small platter, salt/pepper shakes, and that's it. 

I purchased this mirror last September and I absolutely love it. 

I kept the sideboard simple. A lamp, a serving board, plants, a diffuser, and a family picture. 

I added some dog treats- but made it cute :) 

My goal is to keep the living room bright and simple. 

I had a big orange throw, but I folded that up and put it under the coffee table, and the brought in a white blanket on the sofa. 

Our home has blue and grey accents throughout- throw pillows, on the rug.... the dining table...

The decorations are in the same color scheme, but they're all just fun pieces I've found throughout the years. The little wooden carved house is one of my favorites. 

Gabby is loving the sofa. 

In the kitchen, I added a new dish towel. We received the darker cutting board from the Alamo Bowl, and I love it layered with my other cutting board, plus it brings out the darker brown accents fromt he dish towel 

I picked up a new duvet cover from Ikea, and bought a barefoot dreams blanket with some Christmas cash. 

 

Tuesday Things

So the past few weeks, I start off writing a Friday Favorites post, and then I get busy and never finish it out. So, today is a mix of Friday Favorites, random thoughts, some weekend wrap. Basically, it's a little bit of everything all in one for you! 

Last Sunday, Adalyn asked me to fix her hair for church, and we did this faux braid. It took me a few tries to get it right, but it was so cute! 

Megan had cheer tryouts last week. (Gretchen also had dance team tryouts- more on that later). But, I was able to snap this picture before taking Megan back to school for tryouts. I can't believe she's in 7th grade. I also can't believe that we agreed to let her continue training gymnastics and tryout for cheer. 

After Megan went to cheer tryouts, Adalyn and I sat outside and did her homework because it was gorgeous! The weather was int he 80s and sunny and we were outside as much as we could be. 

Monday night, I took Gabby to the soccer fields with me and we walked while Adalyn practiced, and then we went over and watched the end of her practice. Adalyn would sneak over during her water breaks to pet Gabby and give her attention. 

Alright, switching gears..... in January, I blogged about a new make up company I was trying and my makeup routine. 

I recently re-ordered the foundation, and then ordered a mineral powder and blush, and friends, I am loving the results. As I use up my old products, I'll be switching over to this make up line and I'll also get the girls started. 

Here's a quick pic from using the foundation, powder, and blush that I have. 

And a view from the side. At first, I wasn't too sure about the blush color, but I love it. 

Gabby rode in the car with me to pick up the girls from school, and she loves too sit right between my seats. 

Thursday night we had storms roll in. Thanks to the storms, dance and cheer tryouts were cancelled, but it gave the girls a extra day of practice and Megan was able to go to gymnastics. 

Friday morning was tryout day, and my nerves were shot. I kept busy by cleaning the house, running to the carwash and Costco, and then it was time to pick up Megan and help her get ready. 

She put on her tryout clothes, did a little make up (I can't believe she's starting to wear some makeup) and we were off. She was feeling pretty confident, but I was still so nervous. 

After I dropped off Megan, Adalyn and I sat in the high school parking lot so I could help Gretchen get ready. There wouldn't be enough time for her to come home and get ready and then get back, so we just did everything there. She had to wear her hair in a low bun, so I did that for her. Then she did her make up and was off. 

Again, my nerves were shot. 

After dropping her off, Adalyn and I ran to pick up balloons and cookies for the girls. Except, by the time we got balloons, Megan called and said she was done! I ended up placing a cookie order on the app and had DJ pick it up on his way home. Then I went to pick up Megan. 

We came home to balloons and cookies and anxiously awaited for Gretchen to get done. 

Gretchen came home around 8:30 and said her results would be posted that evening. 

All of the results were released different than they said they'd be because they had a weather delay for tryouts. 

She ate cookies, and then we all went on a walk at about 9 pm to get our mind off things. 

We came home at 9:30 and checked the results and found out that Gretchen didn't make the team. Our hearts were broken. 

Here's what I wrote on facebook about it:

This girl goes after her dreams like no one I’ve ever seen before.

She always has a new thing she wants to do or is excited about. She has plans for her future. Classes she wants to take. Classes she wants to test out of.

She already talks about college and law school.

Since she was little I’ve said a God has big plans for her and is going to use her for His works.

I think that’s why she’s gone through so much. Because one day she’s going to have this beautiful weaved incredible story that God hand crafted for her.

She didn’t make dance team. We cried. We hugged. We watched trash tv while she ate popcorn.

I know she did her best. She gave it her all. Sometimes that’s not enough and that hurts.

I’ve told her how proud I am of her. How she inspires me all the time.

We are so thankful to those of you who prayed for her this week.

This isn’t the end to her story. She has some other big plans. And I’m so thankful I have a front row seat.

Saturday morning we woke up in much better moods. Sometimes a good cry helps. 

Adalyn had 2 soccer games, so DJ, Megan, and I went to cheer her on. 

Her team won the 1st game, but lost the 2nd. 

We stopped for lunch and Gretchen went over to a friend's house. 

We came home and it was gorgeous. We played outside and enjoyed the sunshine. 

Saturday night, Adalyn had a friend over and my friend's kiddos came over for a bit to play. We walked to the park and went on some scooter rides. 

After pizza and cookies, we finally found out if Megan made the cheer team! Here's a video of her finding out!

Sunday morning, I woke up to these girls sliding down the stairs in a sleeping bag.

It was bring a friend to church day, so DJ took the girls to church. I had to run and get my hair cut, and Gretchen was spending the night with her friend. 

Sunday afternoon was a mad dash to get ready for the week, but we did it! 

Thrive Market Order!

We've been fans of Thrive Market for a while now- groceries, right to your door- yes, please! Plus their  selection of organic, gluten free, paleo, just makes it easy to search and shop! They also carry cleaning supplies, supplements, makeup, and baby care and their ingredients are top notch! 

So, let's see what we ordered in February from Thrive Market! 

First up- these potato chips! They're made with avacado oil rather than inflammatory seed oils, which is something we've worked to cut out of our diet for a long time! I was so excited when I found these chips! 

Okay, Megan loves this popcorn! Thrive Market sells it in individual bags and it's the perfect lunchbox or after school treat! 

I ordered two containers of cheese balls for the girls.

And chicken bone broth! I love getting pantry staples from Thrive Market!

I grabbed organic fruit circles for the girls to have in their lunches or as a school snack; they all loved them, and there were a ton of snacks in each pack! 

I grabbed these chocolate brownie sweet thins for me and to help satisfy my sweet tooth! The problem is you can eat the entire box in one setting if you're not careful! 

When you join Thrive Market, you'll get 40% off your first order and a referral link for free groceries when your friends join with your link! 

 

Recipe: Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes are a family favorite. The girls eat these up when I cook them and the recipe is super easy! I learned to make sloppy joes this way from a fellow coach's wife back when we lived in Indiana when Gretchen was a baby! It's also a quick meal that I can throw together in about 20 minutes for the nights where our family is spread thin with activities. 

Thaw your hamburger meat and season with: salt, pepper, garlic powder. I also add turmeric which is the orange looking spice. I hide turmeric in a lot of recipes that have suace- tacos, spaghetti, sloppy joes. 

Turmeric is great if you have inflammation or plain. Helps memory loss, & fights free radicals in the body. 

Chop your hamburger meat and brown. (I use this tool for easily breaking apart hamburger meat.) Once your meat is browned, drain off the remaining grease 

Now, here's where I measure with my eyes and not with a measuring cup, becuase I don't want to get another dish dirty. 

Add about 1 cup of ketchup. 1/4-1/2 c. of mustard, and a tablespoon of brown sugar. Just squeeze it right on top. You can go back and add more if it's not "sloppy" enough. 

Allow the sauces to come together and heat in the pan. Be sure to stir so it won't stick to the bottom. 

Serve on buns with air-fryed french fries.

Pst- DJ likes cheese on his sloppy joe's, and I'm sure pickles or lettuce would be yummy too!