29 on the 29th!

Yep, I turned 29 today! Happy Birthday to me! M asked me if it was my "dirty 30" this morning.....thank you Auntie Kara for teaching her that one. Ha.

It will be more like a birthday weekend because we aren't doing much celebrating today due to J's crazy work schedule. But, I did wake up to this on my kitchen table this morning!

Some of my favorite things.......a Kohl's gift card (which I plan to use for new running shoes), Twizzlers (I really prefer Red Vines but this will do), a Bonzai Tree (I am starting to love having plants around), and a really pretty wall hanging that I already hung in my living room. He is soooo sweet! My kids sung Happy Birthday to me while eating breakfast before work. I feel pretty lucky.

It's been a quiet day, especially because I work remotely from home. But tomorrow we plan to venture over to Corvallis for a nice dinner with friends and some ice cream. Then a BBQ at my mom's on sunday with more ice cream (ice cream cake to be exact). Sounds like fun if you ask me!

Have a fabulous weekend!

"When I was 18" - StressCase Guest Post

Hi friends! Happy hump day! I always feel silly when I say that but couldn't help it today.

I hope you're all having a lovely day. I'm sitting at my computer trying to work and wishing I was doing something much more fun. Oh the joys of being an adult! Work is a priority.

I'm guest posting over at StressCase today! The theme was "When I was 18" and I put a little twist on it for fun. Hop on over and check out the post, would ya? And browse around Casey's blog while you're at it. She is fabulous and you'll get hooked reading her posts!




Enjoy!

Sunday Funnies

It's Sunday Funday! Do you have anything FUN planned today? Not me. Not a thing. I plan to clean house, walk the dogs, and that's about it. No big plans. But the one thing I was looking forward to this morning is the Sunday Funnies with Kara!

Grab some coffee, have some laughs, and go link-up!

I thought it was appropriate to dedicate this post to Summer...since it's finally here and the weather is cooperating with us more :)

Source: someecards.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: ragecomics.mobi via Erica on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Kimberly on Pinterest

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Cassie on Pinterest

Source: sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net via Jamie on Pinterest

Have a fabulous day!

Meet our new furry friend!

It's Monday "Blah day" folks. No one likes Mondays, myself included. But, I'm really trying to push through the day with a smile on my face.

I hope you all had a great weekend! Ours was pretty mellow, but wonderful at the same time. J and I have been discussing getting another dog and finally took the plunge! I guess you could say it was his Father's Day gift. We didn't want a puppy. I'm not big on really hate training puppies. I loathe potty training them and going through the mess of it all. Instead we wanted to adopt a young dog but one that was already fixed, house trained, and up-to-date on shots. We lucked out and found this pretty girl, Lily! She is a 13 month old, American bulldog and Boxer mix. They actually call these half-breeds Bulloxers! Isn't she adorable? I had a Boxer while growing up and she was the best dog so my hope is that Lily will be too.

So far she seems like a great fit in our home. She is a gentle dog but has lots of energy. We already have a 7 year old golden retriever, Jake. He needed a playmate and she will certainly keep him on his toes. He tends to get lazy! She needs some training but nothing major. Just small things that we need to work on. J and the kiddos are stoked to have another dog around. I hope that she can be my jogging buddy in the near future. :)

We celebrated Father's Day on Saturday night with J's favorites: lasagna and chicken wings (nice combo, right?) and some delish turtle brownies. Sunday morning we joined my mom, step-dad, step-sister and her kiddos for brunch. Gotta love biscuits and gravy, bacon, fruit, strawberry pie, and mimosas!

I definitely indulged way too much this weekend. All that food tasted great but man did I overdo it! Time to cut back and work out extra hard this week.

  

Sunday Funnies + Father's Day

It's Sunday Funday people! I hope everyone has been enjoying their weekend. Today we get to celebrate Father's Day with those special dads in our lives. What better way to spend a Sunday?

I know I'm especially thankful for the father's in my life today!

Dad - I love you and miss you every day. I wish we lived closer and could see you more often. You're the best father I could have hoped for. You are always there to guide me with great advice and compassion. You're caring, forgiving, funny, and smart.....the best qualities you can find in a dad in my opinion :)

Kara, my Dad, and I

J (my husband) - I love you more than words. You're an amazing husband and a wonderful father to our children. You wear your heart on your sleeve and your passion drives you. Both qualities are not easy to find in a person. Our kids adore you and look forward to every minute they get to spend with you. Thank you for being such a wonderful husband and father.

Our little family :)

I also want to send some Father's Day wishes to my step-father, father-in-law, and step-father-in-law. You're all such special dads in our lives and we are thankful for you each and every day. You all have a piece of our hearts and we love you!

Now, onto the Sunday Funnies: Father's Day Edition! If you haven't linked up with Kara for Sunday Funnies before, you should need to right this minute.

Source: someecards.com via Jenissa on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Jacque on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Maribel on Pinterest

Source: roadkilltshirts.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Until next post!

Struggling

I've been struggling the past few days. Majorly. Probably the reason I have been MIA. Like all week. As mentioned before, J landed a great job. A really great job (and opportunity). This job is the reason we moved 2 hours from where we were previously living. It was a great fit for him. He has been in training for awhile and so far it's been pretty good. Key phrase being "so far."

The very unfortunate situation we're about to venture into is graveyard shift (insert big frowny face here). Starting next week. I'm really dreading this. I had high hopes that I would be able to handle it, and maybe eventually I will. At this moment, I'm struggling with it. I keep finding myself overwhelmed about taking on so much by myself. It's reminding me of the times I used to feel a deployment creeping up on me. This is obviously different because at least he will be home. Yet there are so many similarities. He won't be home with us 4 days out of the week.

How do I get over my feelings of being frustrated and just feel happy? I should be happy. He has this great job that has so much potential. I shouldn't be complaining. Not at all. Instead I'm dreading it and hoping it's short-lived. Which of course makes me feel awful and so selfish. I'm not a selfish person so if I detect any ounce of selfishness it makes me sad. Yet I can't help it this time.

I hope this passes soon.

If I get too stressed out, I plan to use this. Often!

Source: google.fr via Leona on Pinterest

On a happier note, we may be adding a new furry animal to our family tomorrow! Crossing my fingers it works out. My kiddos are ecstatic. If all goes well I will be sharing more about "it" very soon :)

Now it's time to enjoy some quietness, a little TV and then hit the hay. L waking me at 5:30am is getting to me. I need a good night's sleep. Stat.

Perfect Motto

Source: imgfave.com via Kristina on Pinterest

Reminding myself of this every day from now on! It's so true.

Guest Post: All in a Row{e}

Hi friends! I hope you're all starting your weekend off with fabulous plans. I get to wake up by 6am everyday....even on the weekends. Fun stuff. Sometimes I want to sleep in but I really don't remember the last time that actually happened. Sleeping until 7am is sleeping in to me these days. L seems to think it's a great idea to be up super early.

On a lighter note, I am guest posting over on my sister's blog today, All in a Row{e}. Yay! You must go check out the post and browse her blog while you're at it. She is funny, witty, and the best sister ever. What better reasons can I give you? She is awesome!

Follow along throughout the week because she will be featuring several guest bloggers while she is away on vacation in Arizona. Yes, I am extremely jealous of her right at the moment. I wish I was on vacation too! I hope you have a blast sis and be sure to give lots of hugs for me. 

Hope you all have a fantastic Saturday and if the weather permits, get outside and enjoy some sun. We haven't been too lucky this week with the rain but sunshine is coming! I'm ready for it. 

Oh, How Pinteresting!

It's Wednesday! The week is half way done and I am sooooooo ready for the weekend. Hoping to get out with the hubby for a date night Saturday....we'll see if that actually happens. For now I am just trying to get through the week and browsing Pinterest makes that just a teeny bit easier. And happier!

Linking up for Oh, How Pinteresting with Michelle at The Vintage Apple today!

Here's just a few things that I am loving on Pinterest right now:

Source: etsy.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: gibbiesmom.polyvore.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: skinnytaste.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: krystaslifeinfood.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Maryann on Pinterest

Happy Pinning!

Summer Bucket List

Hi friends! Happy Tuesday! Of if you're feeling like me today it's more of a gloomy Tuesday. Not really sure why. Could be that I am really tired and majorly lacking energy today. I want to curl up on my couch for a nice nap and a movie. Not gonna happen. Unfortunately that's not on my to-do list.

Instead, I thought it would be fun to create a summer bucket list! I have so many things I would really like to do this summer and writing them down will help me remember what they are. I have the worst memory. There are days when I feel bored and need something to do. Now I won't have any excuses or a reason to say I have nothing to do. Whether it's something we do as a family or just us adults, each one will be tons of fun and I can't wait to start crossing things off my list!

Without further ado, here are the 20 things I would like to do this summer:

1. Go camping.
2. Go on a hike (might be able to pair this with camping!).
3. Go to a farmer's market.
4. Go to the zoo.
5. Go to an amusement park.
6. Go on a bike ride (or several - problem is I need a bike!).
7. Bake a pie (homemade of course).
8. Go to a museum.
9. Go for a walk on the beach.
10. Make an overnight trip to Portland (may have to do this for the hubster's birthday).
11. Play miniature golf.
12. Make s'mores.
13. Go Antiquing.
14. Host a fun BBQ.
15. Write our sponsor child several times.
16. Go wine tasting (I actually might be doing this next weekend!). 
17. Keep jogging (working up to my first 5k).
18. Play tag in the park with my kids.
19. Have a water balloon fight (the kids will love this).
20. Make new friends!

That's it folks! 20 things I want to do this summer. Let's hope I can cross each and every one of them off my list this summer. Crossing my fingers.

What would you put on your summer bucket list?

Sunday Funnies

I must admit, lately I haven't been a good blogger. And I haven't participated in the Sunday Funnies link-up with Kara in awhile. (Insert sad face). I could make excuses and say I haven't had any time but I won't do that. That would be lying. I have flat out just been lazy. Straight up truth.

Even though it's already 7pm here I decided that it was time I get back into the swing of things and get my laughing pants on!

Source: someecards.com via Becky Franks on Pinterest

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Kelsey on Pinterest

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via lolas on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Source: cambridge-chat.tumblr.com via Tammy on Pinterest

Source: perpetualkid.com via Carlos on Pinterest

Happy Sunday ya'll! Have a wonderful night.