5 Books I Love

My tip top favorite books are the Harry Potters.  

...followed closely by the Hunger Games

My favorite teacher in High School read us Tuesdays with Morrie every day before we got started with class.  This book broke me and taught me more than I understood at the time. 

Another of my favorite books from High School was To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  If you haven't read this one, go now. 

The last of my academic favorites is a tie between 1984 and Brave New World.  Again, two that if you haven't read it, you probably should like... yesterday. 

What are your favorite books?!?

Never Have I Ever

I found this great link up and can't wait to jump back on the blogging train.  I fell off and just don't have content to get back on.  Thanks to those of you who stuck around!   Never have I ever....   Ridden in a plane Been to California Run more than one mile Lived more than 50 minutes away from my parents Gotten a tattoo Kissed more than two boys.  Been to either of the Dakota's Written in Calligraphy Been fired from a job Attended a professional basketball game Ridden on a train Liked the color yellow (sorry Kayla!! haha) Had the flu (knock on wood) dived (dove?) from a cliff  

What have you never done?!

 

Jane Gets Me Again

Last week, Jane was on point. Well, there were a lot of places that were on point and cost me oodles last week.   These adorable monogrammed earrings from the Navy Knot were only $6.95   via The Navy Knot   I've been searching for a black chevron car trash bag because it will match my "On The Stroll" Thirty one bag that I use in the back of my SUV for now. ;) Found it!!

via So Kali

  I always struggle to find something creative and special for my mom for Mother's Day. I found this adorable bird's nest necklace that I could pick how many "eggs" were in the nest.

via Larsen and Ross

 

My nana is the sweetest woman in the world, and Mother's Day shopping for her is among my favorite things. As kids, she used to sing this song to us, so it was a perfect find on Jane!

via TwistedGrove

 

 

I also bought my new planner and spent $75 at Thred UP because they had 20% off your whole order. I'm a sucker for good deals and expiring coupon codes. 

 

How to Defunk

Our weekend could not have come at a better time.  I was in a funk last week. Work was okay, our week was okay, but everything was just okay.  Nothing felt great! Our weekend was such a blessing and was much needed. Too bad I have zero pictures.   Friday, I went and got my wisdom tooth stitches out. My appointment was at 8 and I was done by 7:55, so I decided to stop at Dunkin' on my way. Work on Friday was okay.  I got home, finished packing, and we set out on our retreat. We got there at 7ish and decompressed.  We sat around a fire until 10 or so and then went to bed.   Saturday morning was cold up in Adams.  We woke up and ate breakfast. We then hiked down to the lake for some fishing and canoeing.  I caught a whopping zero fish, but it was fun to just relax for a while.  We had a good, long day with lots of lounging and sunshine.  The rain held off until about 9:45 Saturday night which was a HUGE blessing.  We expected it all day and only had 30 minutes or so.    Sunday, we got up and had breakfast.  We then had a short devotional and packed up to go home.  We got home about 2:00; Jackson laid down and started snoring immediately.  He was so tired. I worked on some laundry, then laid down at about 4 and slept until 5:30.    Note to self: it's okay to rest and relax on your weekends - in fact, it's good for you.  

That Time of Year

Around this time every year, I start planner shopping.  Academic planners usually run July-June, so April gives me enough time to get a plan or get something ordered.    Last year, I ordered the PlumPaper Family planner. I have loved using it, and it has kept my newlywed brain organized.  My favorite part is that it lets you name your sections.  I have two for me, two for Jackson, one for dinner plans, one for housework, and a blank one at the bottom just because I ran out of ideas.  My biggest problem with this planner is that I have wasted space.  Jackson never does anything that needs to be noted in my planner. Usually a game of golf is as good as it gets.  That's two whole sections wasted.  What's better? I have nothing to fill them with this go-around.   I typed in 2015 weekly planners to Etsy thinking I'd have to find something I liked.  I stumbled upon SHPplanners.  I ordered this gorgeous cover for mine and had it personalized.  The vertical layout is perfect for my list making heart! Plus, it doesn't kill the bank like many planners I've seen out there.  

 (via)   Has anyone ever used SHPplanners before? I'd love to hear what you think!!   **No compensation was received for this post - all opinions are my own! **

Life Lately...

I have, yet again, jumped off the deep end into what is the "non-blogging" abyss.  Here's a look into my life the last couple of weeks.   Last week, I acquired a stomach flu for three days.  'nuff said.   Friday, I had my wisdom teeth taken out.  Honestly, it was a piece of cake, and he didn't even put me under (thank goodness).  I have been living on a diet of frosties and rice and beans all weekend.  I'm thankful for my frosty fetching man who took really great care of me.    We started a fund raiser for my best friend to go to Haiti this summer. Buy a shirt, you know you want to.  :)

I've fallen into One Tree Hell.  Where was I in 2003 when this was a thing?   We bought another car. More on that soon.   We're on a house hunt.  Seriously Nashville, you and the apartment game are not working anymore.  No one has money for that!!   I am so nostalgic for prom after seeing everyone's prom pictures.  Seriously, so much fun. 

  I've been trying to keep up with everyone's lives (though I don't remember a whole lot I read on Friday... haha). I'm so excited for all of your babies and new chapters in your lives!! :)  

Equipped for Marriage?

I'm sure many of you have seen this article floating around facebook. And if we are friends on Facebook, I'm sure you saw my rant in response to the article. If you didn't, here you go:   "Our generation isn't equipped to handle marriage anymore - and here's why"   This is an interesting read, and there are spots of truth in it. However, I think a lot of it is covering up the real roots of the problems.   We are by no means financially rich, but our marriage is not failing because of our finances. In fact, it flourishes. Some of our best days were a result of having very little and having to make it enough. I bet if you were to ask generations past, they would say the same thing. We live within our means, paying our debts and saving fo...r our future. It has not halted us from living life. We are living life and loving every second of it.   Technology is existent in every room of our home, but I don't fear for our marriage because of it. The real problem lies within the failure to seek your spouse's heart each day. I have argued since before I was married that intentionality makes all the difference. When you make sitting down and spending time together (I don't mean you're sitting in the same room watching the same show both on your phones, but when you actually, intentionally are spending time together) a priority, the technology no longer matters as much. I'm by no means saying we don't struggle with over-using technology, but I'm saying the balance between the two is crucial.   The biggest flaw in this argument, for me at least, was the omission of the importance of being Christ-centered always. Marriage is a covenant, created by God, used to glorify Him. For us, our marriage is a ministry to one another and to those around us. When the covenant is taken too lightly and the commitment is conditional, that's when our marriages start to fail. Older generations knew that, and there are handfuls in our generation that know that. That is what made generations before us "equipped" for marriage, and that is what makes our generation and those to follow "equipped" for marriage.

The Number Struggle

Last week, I took a few afternoons to go shopping.  There were a ton of spring sales going on and I hadn't shopped in a long time.  I went to JC Penney, Kohls, Target, and some other local stores.  I went mostly looking for an Easter dress, but hey, why not look for spring pants and all, too?!
I picked up a really cute skirt at Kohls.  I am (well, was) a shopper who could buy something based on the size, take it home, take the tags off, and I knew it'd fit 100% of the time.  I, for some reason, felt like I should probably try on the skirt.  It wouldn't even zip.  For a second, I was devastated.  But then I realized that all of my other clothes still fit. I couldn't figure out why this skirt wasn't fitting.  

(via)

I went to JCPenney and found some adorable chinos in the Junior's section, a dress I liked, and some other odds and ends.  I went to try the chinos on, and they were way too small. Again, for a second, I was devastated, and my self esteem started to plummet.  I remembered that all of my other clothes still fit.  Curious, I went and found some of the same style pants in the women's section in my size and they were perfect.  
I left completely dumbfounded.  I've always had a ton of self esteem and have never let the size of my clothes ever get me down.  How could one number be so different across the board?  How could one number have so much effect on how I see myself? 
So I came home and cut all of the size tags out of most of my clothes.  I've got nothing to prove with that tag.  Nothing.  It's irrelevant and does no good (other than being able to resell them accurately).  If it fits, if it looks good, and if I feel confident, it's coming home with me. 
I vow to never let the number on a tag touch my confidence ever again. 

On Marriage...

Sometimes, I feel like I've been married for a hundred years, other times I feel like I'm still in my first month of marriage.    Marriage is full of apologies... for being in a funk and taking it out on each other, for burning the dinner, for turning his socks pink, for spending the last $8.73 in our bank account on chinese for lunch even when she packed yours for you, for being sorry.   Even more importantly, marriage is full of it's okay's, of me too's, of no I'M sorry's.    Marriage is a great place for a sweet husband to learn that "no, it's okay" doesn't always mean it's okay.  For example, he asks if I want the last biscuit at Cracker Barrel, I say "no, it's okay", he knows I really do want it but don't want to ask for it.  He asks if I want the rest of the gravy on mine and I say "no, it's okay" and he knows it's really ok.  He has learned to read my tone to know what I really mean.    It's also a great place for a sweet wife to learn when he asks what's wrong to tell him, confront it, and move on.  I've always been bad about the "I'm Fine" and never meaning it.  Now, I only use "I'm fine" if we are in public or with friends and I want to talk about it later.   I'm learning that marriage often looks a lot like this:     ... and that it's okay. It's a place that falling short is met with encouragement and forgiveness, growth and love, even through things that seem impossible.  

Easter Weekend 2015

Our Easter Weekend was busy but so much fun!   Friday, I hung out with Dad all day. We went to Kohls, to Ross, and to Target before coming home and binging on The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Seriously one of the funniest shows ever. Friday night, Jackson, Byron, and I went on a date. We went to Cracker Barrel and to see Furious 7.  I bawled like a baby at the end. Seriously, you need to see it.

  Saturday was the busiest of days.  We had an Easter Egg hunt at church, but before I went there, I had to go get more craft supplies, get groceries, unload groceries, and then get to the church.  The craft went really really well, and Jackson and I even made one, too. ;)

 

Saturday afternoon, we went to Home Depot to get supplies, and we built a new fire pit in place of the one we've been using for years.  Side note, if you've never shopped somewhere like Home Depot with your best friends.... do so. It's hilarious.

 

Sunday was Easter and Jackson's Daddy's birthday. We went to church for a great Easter sermon, had steaks for lunch, opened presents, and went home and napped. Sunday was quite a great cap on a full weekend.    I can't wait to see all of your Easter recaps!!