Friday Favorites

Time for another round of Friday Favorites!  Linking up with Andrea, Narci and Erika.



By the time most of you read this, I will be enjoying a cocktail and lunch with 3 of my best girlfriends for our annual girls weekend!!!  We've been doing a girls weekend every year in April for about 6-7 years now.  The last few years we decided to have one person plan everything and surprise us.  Last year was my year and we went to Stillwater which is such a fun place to go!  The year before we went to St.Paul and had an amazing time.
We have NO idea where we're going and I can't wait to find out!!



I'm also super excited because while I'm sipping on cocktails playing cards, my amazing hubs is going to be installing the floor in the bar area, bathroom, laundry room and my office.
 WE'RE SO CLOSE PEOPLE!!!
Next Wednesday all the cabinets are being installed and then all that's left is for Brad to install the trim and get the carpet put in.  I can't wait to show you pics!
I do feel a  teensy bit bad, as Brad is going to re paint the laundry room.  I'm just not liking the yellow, it's too bright.  We're going with the same color that in the family room and I LOVE that color.

In case you missed it, Wednesdays was Admin Professionals Day and I was surprised with a beautiful card signed by everyone in the office, and 2 bottles of wine.  They know me so well!  I am so lucky to work for a company that is passionate about their work, love these people!!



Last Saturday morning Rachel's best friend Taylor came over so I could do her hair for prom.  Fun fact about me:  I actually went to beauty school right out of high school.  I did hair for about 4 years and hated so I quit to nanny for a while until I figured out what I wanted to do.  Now that I have 3 girls, I really enjoy doing their hair for special occasions, but I was SO nervous to do prom hair!



Luckily it turned out good and she loved it.  How gorgeous is she??  Love this girl...

I made muffins, had fresh fruit and screw drivers for Michelle (Taylor's mom) and I while I worked on her hair.  Another friend of theirs came over to do her makeup.  She was stunning!

After they left I opened up the windows, cranked the music and got busy spring cleaning!  Brad and Taylor's dad were at the farm making goose sausage, so the girls were back and forth between our house and gma and gpas.  I love that we're so close they can just bike to and from.  Alayna, Emma and their cousin Will have a fort behind the farmhouse that they are constantly working, it's so cool!

I cleaned out ALL the kitchen cupboards and tossed and reorganized.  It felt so good!  I took Shay's advice and made a detailed list of every room in the house and what's needs to be cleaned/purged.  It has worked really well, I just pick a project that I have time for.

Saturday night we had a campfire, the weather was amazing!  Emma made a smores snack mix and we just chilled, it was glorious!

Mousey didn't last too long!

Love these nights at home with my family!

Thank you to all who emailed me suggestions with Alayna and school, we've already utilized a couple websites that she is really enjoying (thank you Allie!!)

And lastly, last night I made Lemon Butter Chicken from Damn Delicious (another one of my fave food bloggers!) and it was a hit!!  And very easy to whip up after work.

Image via Damn Delicious

Have a fantastic weekend!!!

What's Up Wednesday

I'm not exactly sure how it's time another "What's Up  Wednesday", but here we are!




WHAT WE'RE EATING THIS WEEK:

I didn't actually sit down and make a big meal plan like I usually do, but on Monday I put some meal ideas together, and this is what we're eating:

Monday- Tacos- I know Tuesday is Taco night typically, but it's what worked!
Tuesday- Skillet Meatloaf with Pan Gravy and Mashed Potatoes
Wednesday:  Lemon Butter Chicken
Thursday: Beef Stroganoff
Friday-I'm gone, woot woot!!

Also, if you are looking for an AMAZING waffle recipe, try these.  They are truly the BEST waffles you will ever eat!  I made a double batch on Sunday as Emma wanted waffles and venison sausage for her bday supper.  I froze a bunch for breakfasts too.

WHAT I'M REMINISCING ABOUT:
With the girls' birthdays March-April-May, I'm looking back at all their fun birthday parties and how sweet they were when they were little.








WHAT I'M LOVING:
I've been getting back into working out, and I feel so so much better!  I'm bummed that I let myself get flabby, but that's life, and now I pick myself up and start working at it.  I've been on the treadmill at least every other day for the last week.  I've been doing a combo of walking/running which is going great.  Saturday I did 3.5 miles outside, I was so proud of myself, haha!  Makes me wonder how I ever ran 13.1 miles without stopping.  My goal is to finish a race in 2018.  Something like a 10k or above.  A marathon is still on my bucket list, and I know that it's possible!!

WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO:
It's been kind of quiet this week, which has been wonderful!  Volleyball is done, spring concerts are done, it's been so wonderful!

WHAT I'M DREADING:
I can't think of anything specific??

WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
I'm working on finding the right kind of material to supplement Alayna's school work.  Any of you teacher bloggers, I need advice!!!
Alayna is in 5th grade, and looooooves school!  Lately she's been getting a lot of anxiety about school and I know it's because she tests horribly.  Her homework is all good, but when it comes to tests, she bombs and it bothers her so much which makes me feel horrible.  We are thinking of maybe getting a tutor, or even having Emma work with her during the summer.  I'm worried about her getting behind.  She loves Math and does good in it, but reading is not her forte, lol.
Any thoughts/ideas on things we can do in both reading and math?

WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT:
This weekend is my annual girls weekend, and I cannot wait!  I work until noon on Friday, and then we're taking off.  Trisha planned it, and we have no idea where we're going.

WHAT I'M WATCHING/READING:
I shared last Friday the books that I just finished reading/currently reading and what's on my bookshelf.  I am almost done with the Chip and Joanna book, loved it!
Also watching Survivor, anyone else watching it? How about tribal council a couple weeks ago with Zeke????!!!

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO:
The wind blow.  Ugh.  Yesterday it was almost 60 degrees, now it's cold and rainy and there is talk of snow.  Welcome to Mn!

WHAT I'M WEARING:
I did get some super cute stuff from Old Navy last week when they had their 40% off sale.  Also found a super cute knit dress at Aeropostle for $8!

WHAT I'M DOING THIS WEEKEND:
GIRLS WEEKEND!!!


WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:
My grandpa is celebrating his 90th birthday next month and we are all getting together to celebrate him, it's been 5 years since we've seen everyone, can't wait!

Emma Jo #14

Today we celebrate this beautiful girls 14th birthday!  I know it's so cliche to say, but seriously, WHERE does the time go??

Emma is our fun loving, super artsy, musically inclined, crafty, addicted-to-sweets (I blame my mom) young lady.  This kid is SERIOUS about traditions, as in, you do everything the EXACT same way for holidays and don't mess it up!  The older they get, I tend to slack a little more on some traditions thinking they're too old.  Heck no!  She doesn't let me get by with that!

Friday night she had her small group of girls overnight.  She made these amazing oreo cupcakes with an oreo cream cheese frosting (homemade!).  Seriously, these cupcakes were SO good!

Brad made burgers on the grill and then I took the girls to Cherry Berry for dessert.

If you know anything about Emma, she has a severe addiction to sweets, especially donuts.  She wanted me to make her a donut tree for breakfast, haha!  She made the birthday sign.  Remember that artsy part I mentioned above?  That kid amazes me with her calligraphy.  She has a whole notebook full of her creations!

One of the many things we love about Emma is that even though she might be a bit dramatic, she does not deal or put up with drama in school.  She has no time for that, and neither does her friends.  She has such a wonderful group of girls!

Emma is the girl who just wants everyone happy. She loves her family and friends fiercely and would give them the world if she could! 

Emma Jo, we love you SO much and are do proud of the young woman you're becoming!

Happy birthday beautiful!!

Friday Favorites-Books Edition

Happy Friday everyone!!!!

Linking up with my usual peeps, Andrea, Narci and Erika...

I have never been so happy to see Friday.  Seriously.  It's been one heck of a week.  Work was super stressful and I'm glad this week is DONE!
In honor of my stressful week, I'm talking about something that makes me SUPER happy....

BOOKS
So for Lent I gave up social media, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.  At parts it was hard, but I really didn't miss much.  Instagram the most.  Now that Lent is done, I am really trying to continue my social media fast.  Facebook is truly terrible, I go on to look at one thing and a half an hour later I'm still there.

So I'm filling my time with books, I LOOOOOVE reading!



I've really been on a roll so far in 2017.  Here's what I've read so far:



This book is about a couple who's young son dies, and how they cope with his death.  I really could understand both sides and how differently they dealt with their new life.



I LOVED this book.  Loved.  This book deals with a family who's daughter has anorexia.  I really learned SO much about how an anorexic thinks about food, it was quite eye opening.  If you have daughters, I highly recommend reading this book!  It did take me a chapter or two to get into it.



This book took me awhile to get into, but again, once I did it was really good!  This deals with a family who's parents are divorcing and their teenage daughter who is very troubled.  Lots of twists and turns!



The Cellar is a book that you will start and finish within 24 hours, haha!  I could NOT put it down.  18 year old Summer is kidnapped by a man who has kidnapped other women and this book is basically about their live in the "cellar".   My 14 year old was reading it too and I knew there were some inappropriate parts and wanted to read it with her.  I'm glad I did, we had some good conversations about the book!



Present Over Perfect was an interesting book.  The first half I did not care for.  I felt like every chapter was a repeat of the one before.  But about half way into it, I really started to relate to what she was saying.  I kind of feel like I didn't give it a real chance because I got frustrated.  I plan on going back and re reading it.



Evelyn Ever After was another one of my faves.  This one is about  wife who finds out devastating things about her husband and their life and how she moves forward.  Loved the main character and how she finds herself through the devastation.

So that's what I've read so far in 2017.  Here's what I'm currently reading:



Just when you think you can't love Chip and Joanna anymore, they write a book!  I love this book so far, and so neat to read how they started their empire.



This book is such a great inspirational book.  Its about living your best Christian life as a wife, mother and woman. I've already gained so much from this book and I'm only half way through it.



I've been reading a chapter of this book a couple times a week during my morning devotional time.  It takes each verse from Proverbs 31 and dives more deeply into what that verse means.  I know not everyone has the same beliefs as far as the male/female roles in the home, but I personally agree with most of what she says.



I'm also reading this book, The Practice House.  It's about a young woman from Scotland who comes to America to teach school during the Depression Era.  So far I'm really enjoying it!

And for my birthday, my mama got me:



and



I cannot wait to read these two, but as you can see, I think I should finish the others right now....

Happy Friday!!!

Easter 2017

Another amazing weekend down in the books!  I am exhausted, but in a good way!

Friday evening we had about 30 of our friends over for a fish fry/birthday celebration.  It was SO nice to have everyone together again, it's been way too long.

Sweet Brielle baked me my favorite cake, chocolate!

Love all these peeps.  We were really hoping for a WILD hockey win, but unfortunately they did not grant me my birthday wish. 

Selfie with my bestie!

Saturday (my actual birthday) was super low key.  Partially because I wanted it that way and partially because I may have stayed up too late the night before.  :)  The girls got me some new pics from Hobby Lobby, I love all the ones with Bible verses on them.  I also go the Chip and Joanna Gaines' new book and the newest "Jesus Calling" devotional.  I started Chip and Joanna's book and so far love it!

We decided to go see "Beauty and the Beast", it was so worth it, we all loved it!

Got some pics with my girls before we left...

And a birthday selfie snap with Emma!

We got home from the movie and decorated Easter eggs while watching "The Ten Commandments".

The Easter bunny came and left eggs in their shoes and always hides their Easter baskets.  This year was a good one as all 3 of them had a hard time finding them!

I made chocolate chip muffins and scrambled eggs for breakfast and then we headed off to mass.

Love my girls.

We went to the farm for the day, and were so excited to meet the newest member of our family!  My niece Andi had sweet Reagan April 12th, look at how tiny she is!!  We love having a new baby to snuggle.

We got home around 6:30 and Brad and I sat on the porch for the first time this year, so nice and peaceful!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend!!

The Weekend

This weekend was a loooooong one!  Rachel, Alayna and I headed up to Duluth Friday afternoon as Rachel had an all weekend tournament.  We got to our hotel around 7 which was nice to have a few hours to settle in.  Brad and Emma came up Saturday morning as they both had something going on Friday night.

We stayed at a hotel with a waterpark which was nice, I especially loved my view of Lake Superior the next morning!  We also had a patio that we sat on Saturday afternoon and enjoyed the weather!

The girls had pool play Saturday until about 3:00, one of the other moms and I headed back with the younger kids so they could enjoy the waterpark before it got too crazy.

Once everyone got back, we enjoyed cocktails and snacks on our patio.  We decided to go to Fitgers for supper.  It was an interesting evening to say the least.  We had to wait over an hour for a table (there was 21 of us!) which was fine, because they have a waiting area where you can order drinks and appetizers.  We finally got seated and had the WORST service ever.   Brad and I both had some words with our server, who apologized several times for his attitude.  Sheesh.

Sunday we were back up at the high school to watch more volleyball.  We knew it was going to be a long day because it was pool play again in the morning and then tournament play.  The suckiest part of the weekend was that there was NO seating to watch vball.  We were up on the walking track and you couldn't bring chairs.  Our feet were sore by Monday!

We had a nice long break in between pool play and tournament play, so they 4 of us headed into Duluth (which if you don't know me, is my favorite place on earth!).  We walked down to Canal Park, the weather was cloudy and maybe 45, but no wind.

We did some shopping and then stopped at Angies Cantina for some apps and beer.  I'm so glad we got the chance to go down by the lake!

The girls played awesome and came in 2nd (out of 24 teams!) in Gold Division.  We didn't finish until almost 7:00, then had a 3 hour drive home.  Yuck.

We made it home safe and sound and exhausted!  We're still trying to catch up, I'm thinking it might take all week, haha!  This was the last tournament, and as much fun as this season has been, I'm glad it's over.  I think we're all exhausted and can't wait to have weekends free again!

In other news, we are SUPER proud of Rachel who made the National Honor Society as a Sophomore!  It's quite the accomplishment and she has worked very hard for it!

Linking up with Justine for Tuesday Talk!