What's Up Wednesday

How is it even the last week in August??  This summer FLEW by.  And as sad as I am to see summer go, I am HYPED for fall!!!  I am so ready for routines, fall clothes, pumpkin smells and cozy suppers.

So here's a little of what we've been up to!

WHAT WE'RE EATING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Cheesy Beef Ghoulash

Tuesday: Mexican Chicken and Corn Soup

Wednesday: Chicken Taquitos

Thursday:  Garlic Chicken Pasta- No link for this one, it comes frozen in a bag!  It is free of anything artificial and gluten free, so it's not too bad for ya!

Friday is usually pizza night

WHAT I'M REMINISCING ABOUT:

What is was like pre puppy!  The girls just reminded me that I have not posted anything about our sweet puppy Josie.  She is a red fox lab and was born on April 27th.  It's been.....a trip....lol.

She's a sweet pup, but she's a pup.  And exhausting.  And demanding.  Maci the cat isn't overly thrilled, but I do think they will be BFF's.  Someday.  

WHAT I'M LOVING:

Everything apples!  We have a hugecrab apple tree in our front yard.  The apples are teeny, but I still like to use them for canning.  We also went to the farm to grab apples as theirs are much bigger.  I ended up canning 9 jars of apple pie filling.  It's SO good, and quite easy once you spend all day peeling the teeny apples, HA!

I also got a big basket of tomatoes from my sister in law and canned 5 quarts of diced tomatoes.  Although we didn't get a garden in again this year, I'm happy I got some canning in!

WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO:

Brad and I were able to go see Journey/Def Leppard in concert and they were amazing!

The first week in August we rented a cabin with 2 other families and had an amazing week!

The weather was 80 and sunny ALL week!  It was glorious.  The cabin had just been remodeled and was gorgeous.

It was exactly what we needed, AND I finished 3 books!  I plan on doing a recap of what I read this summer.  

WHAT I'M DREADING:

Next week starts Rachel's senior year, I just can't even.  We got a few sneak peeks of her senior pics and they are AMAZING!

I cannot wait to see the rest of them!

WHAT I'M WORKING ON:

Gearing up for school.  All three girls are in sports this fall, so our schedule is CRAZY!  Thankfully I have meal planned for the next three months, but it's going to be nuts.  I've also been an organizing fiend.  I think I've gotten every drawer and closet all cleaned out and organized!

WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT:

Need I say more?

WHAT I'M WATCHING/READING:

I'm currently reading "An American Princess, the Many Lives of Allene Tew" and "A Stranger in the House".  I'm excited to do a recap of all my summer reads, there were some really good ones!

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO:

We've been on a "Greatest Showman" soundtrack kick again.

WHAT I'M WEARING:

Nothing new, just getting excited to get the boots out!

WHAT I'M DOING THIS WEEKEND:

It's still kind of up in the air.  We have no concrete plans, except getting some stuff done around the house.  I really need to get our storage room cleaned out and organized...

WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:

Watching our girls play their sports!  Rachel and Alayna are in volleyball and Emma is a swimmer, we LOVE watching them perform!  It will be an absolutely crazy few months but we love it.

Have to include some pics we took down by our "broken" tree, haha!

What's Up Wednesday

How is it that July is almost over??  This summer has flown by, but I feel like we've enjoyed every part of it!  This is the first summer ever that the girls have not done softball.  I have very much enjoyed my evenings at home, not gonna lie. 

And dare I say that I'm ready for school to start??  Actually, I think the girls are too, especially mouse.

What We're Eating This Week:
Monday was Ground Beef and Snow Pea Stirfry
Tuesday was Cheeseburger Biscuit Bake
Wednesday was Chili in the Instant Pot (we had a cool front come through, so chili was acceptable!)
Thursday will be leftovers and Friday we are gone

What I'm Reminiscing About:
How my itty bitty first born is now a senior in high school, ugh....


What I'm Loving:
The book "Body Love" by Kelly Leveque.



I seriously think she made this book just for me haha!  Everything makes so much sense and I have enjoyed my healthy smoothie every morning this week and just feel so much better!

What We've been Up To:

Just over here summering.  Going out on the boat, hanging out in our pool...

What I'm Dreading:
All the hustle and bustle with having a senior.  We haven't done any college visits yet and of course everyone on Facebook has done like 4.  Ugh.  And the pictures?  I need to try and organize all the pics from over the years...

What I'm Working On:
Last weekend I sat on the patio all morning and meal planned for the rest of the year.  It feels so good to at least have a plan in place!
I also finished school supply shopping for all 3 girls and clothes shopping for Alayna.  Feels so good to have that DONE!

What I'm Excited About:
We rented a cabin up north with 2 other families for a week.  We cannot wait to go!  Unfortunately I have to work that Thurs/Fri, but that also means I will be home alone for 2 days!

What I'm Watching/Reading:
We've been having the Hallmark channel on if the TV is on, it's s till their Christmas in July!!  We love it!  I am currently reading 2 books: PS I Love You and Living Danishly.  Love them both!  I also read Body Love in 24 hours.  :)

What I'm Listening To:
Pandora still, I have my shuffle on Bluegrass, Fleetwood Mac and Country Pop

What I'm Doing This Weekend:
I surprised Brad on our anniversary with tickets to see Def Leppard/Journey on Friday night, we can't wait!

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month:
A week at the cabin!

20 Years!

July 11 we celebrated our 20 year anniversary.   20 YEARS!!!!!  I can't even believe it's been that long...  I can honestly say those 20 years flew by!

Look at what babies we were....

I am so incredibly thankful I get to do life with this guy!  Sure we have our ups and downs and sometimes we want to strangle each other, but honestly, it's just been so natural with him.  We truly enjoy each others company, and many times we pick staying home to hang out rather than going out with friends.

Marriage isn't easy.  It's definitely a give and take.  Sometimes it's apologizing even when you think you're not in the wrong.  Sometimes it's putting his needs before mine.   Sometimes it's shoving the kids in his face and him realizing without a word said that mama needs a break.

Sometimes you just gotta roll with it....

I am so thankful each and every day that God gave me him.  We were meant for each other and I cannot wait to see what the next 20 years brings!!!

4th Of July 2018

Another perfect July 4th is in the books!  Although, I still can't wrap my head around the fact it's July already, ugh...

I think we're all a little messed up with having the 4th on a Wednesday!  Brad and I both took Thursday off so going back to work on Friday felt like a Monday, haha.

Our town always has a huuuuuge July 4th celebration.  It's starts on the 3rd with a concert, food, games and beer.  We always go to my sister and brother in laws for supper then head up to the grounds.  Unfortunately the festival on the 3rd has gotten so big it's almost not fun anymore.  There was 20,000 people there this year (our town is 7,000)!!

If you've read my blog at all, then you know why I love the 4th so much.  22 years ago Brad proposed to me at the parade on the 4th!  He had my dad make the sign which they attached to the side of the firetruck.

I was completely taken off guard by this, he did so good!!

Our church puts on the festival and always asks for donations.  

Emma always bakes a cake and this year she baked this awesome red, white and blue tie dye cake!

We did walk up to the grounds around 9 so that we could watch the fireworks with the kids.

We were all wiped when we got home.  We were closely watching the weather and it wasn't looking so good for the parade.  We were up bright and early to check the radar and there was a huge line of storms coming.  We thought for sure the parade would be canceled and Alayna was devastated.  We decided to go anyway and it ended up being a PERFECT morning with no rain!  The sun only came out for a bit which was perfect because it was warm and muggy.

After the parade we played a few games, got some food and watched one of our favorite bands play.  The rain finally came around 1:00, so we headed home.

Brad's family was coming over in the afternoon to swim and hangout.  It rained for about an hour and then the sun ended up coming out for the rest of the day.  We couldn't have planned it better!

Emma and I made some patriotic snacks!

It was a  perfect (hot) afternoon/evening.  Typically we head to the farm for a campfire since they have such a huge bonfire area, but with all the rain it was too soggy.  We ended up staying here for a fire and it worked out perfect!

Brad lit off some fire works and the kids did some sparklers.

Such a perfect day, I'm always sad to see the 4th go.  Hope you all had an amazing week!!

End of the School Year

I can't even believe the 2017-2018 school year is over with.  This year has gone lightening fast, and it's terrifying.  Somehow I now have a senior, sophomore and a 7th grader.  Let that sink in.  Let it also sink in those ages, 3 teenagers.  Three girls.  Help me...

Emma and Alayna the morning of their last day.  I made them an apple strudel for breakfast (no I didn't get up at the butt crack of dawn, this was one of those yummy fundraiser frozen breads) and off they went.

Rachel's friend Sam always has their big group of friends stay overnight the night before the last day so she wasn't there.  Alayna represented.

Rachel really has a great group of girlfriends right now, they are constantly busy!

Alayna's chalk art she made after school!  Emma made them chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches for snack, I love that she's taking on some of my traditions!

Friday night my niece and goddaughter Madalyn graduated from high school.  So incredibly proud of her!  And yes,  as soon as she came up the stairs in her cap and gown, her mom and I were crying!

Saturday afternoon Rachel surprised me with a pedicure date!  So fun to hang out with her one on one!

Sunday my mom and I drove to Fargo to see my other niece graduate from high school.  So proud of this girl and cannot wait to see what her future holds!

Absolutely LOVE this pic of my mama and I!!

And on Monday, this sweet girl passed her permit test!  YIKES!!!  Notice her short hair and NO BRACES!!!  She was so excited, she had those braces for over 3 years!  So proud of her!