What's Up Wednesday #2

Happy Wednesday Friends! Today I am linking up with Mix and Match Family, Pinterest Told Me To and The Larson Lingo for the What's Up Wednesday Post.  What's Up Wednesday occurs on the last Wednesday of every month and it is a fun list of questions getting ready for the upcoming month!

1. What We're Eating This Week:

With it warming up around here lately, I thought it would be fun to make the Sante Fe Crockpot Chicken from my recipe list.  We're going to have a slower week than normal, so I will be glad to be able to just through this into the crock post and not worry about it after that.   

2. What I'm Reminiscing About:

Girls night with my girlies last Friday.  It is not very often that I get to go out with my girlfriends and have a grand old time, so I was excited to go and had so much fun with these two lovely ladies.  I cannot wait until the next time we can get out for the night.  

3. What I'm Loving

The clouds! I have been seeing some pretty crazy clouds around here lately and I love it.  I just wish I could reach up and pluck them from the sky.  

4. What We've Been Up To

On Sunday, Justin and I went to see Pitch Perfect 2 for an impromptu date night.  I have to say I laughed just as hard at the second one as I did the first.  If you're looking for a fun movie that is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud, then I would totally recommend this movie to you.

5. What I'm Dreading

Unfortunately, I put off Spring Cleaning again and will need to spend time in June catching up from last month.  I am also dreading cleaning up our guest bedroom for when Dwayne and Wendy come in June.  Honestly, I should not call it our guest bedroom, but should call it our storage room.  It is a "mess that you apply heat to".

6. What I'm Working On

Our Summer plans! We have so many fun things coming up this summer with more things to pop up I am sure! We have at least two weddings to go to and a plethora of other fun things we will be participating in.  I cannot wait!

7. What I'm Looking Forward To

This coming weekend I have a bridal shower for one of my very good friends from college, a birthday tea for my cousin, and the Lana Del Rey concert! Sarah and I bought tickets for each other as birthday presents since our birthdays are roughly a month apart.  I am so excited.

8. What I'm Watching/Reading

Currently I am addicted to The Bachelorette.  I really did not enjoy the twist of having "two bachelorettes" at the beginning.  It seems like a lot of unnecessary drama for something that is already very dramatic.  I am excited to see Kaitlin this season and I hope she meets a great guy.

Right now I am reading The D.U.F.F. + a few other books.  I am very curious to see if the movie is anything like the book.

9. What I'm Listening To

 Lately I have listening to the Guardians of the Galaxy Soundtrack on YouTube.  I loved the movie + the soundtrack so much so it only seemed appropriate to listen to the soundtrack on YouTube. 

10. What I'm Wearing

I have been wearing a LOT of racer back tanks lately since I find they are the easiest to layer.  With the weather going from 50 degrees to 85 degrees in any given week, I feel the most prepared layering.

11. What I'm Doing This Weekend

I actually talked about this earlier in #7: Bridal Shower, Birthday Tea and Lana Del Rey Concert

12. What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month

There are a lot of fun things planned for the month of June, but I always look forward to strawberry picking for Marcy's birthday! I have a lot of recipes planned for the strawberries we pick this year so I'm getting super excited about going.

13. What Else is New

There have been a lot of exciting things happening at work so I am excited to see what happens in the next month or so.  I will be sure to share with everyone once I know a little bit more 

Previous What's Up Wednesday Posts:

What's Up Wednesday #1

I'd love to hear from you!

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Lately I've Been...

Happy Tuesday Friends! I don't have too many exciting things going on, so I thought I would participate in another fun survey from Presley and Courtney!

I'd love to hear from you all on what you've been doing lately, so make sure to share some things in the comment section or on my Facebook Page!

LATELY I'VE BEEN...

Making: Paintings! I made a painting a few months ago for fun and posted a picture on Facebook to show off my artwork and ever since then I have had a steady stream of people asking if they can purchase a painting from me.  Currently I am working on a navy and gold painting for a friend to give as a bridal shower gift.  I cannot wait to see how it turns out

Cooking: To be honest, not a whole lot.  We have been busy every.single.night the last few weeks so we have been grabbing food to go.  I'm hoping to get to the grocery store this weekend and get some meals ready for the next two weeks.

Drinking: Lots and LOTS of water... and Coca Cola.  I have been basically alternating between water and Coke.  I wish I could say that I have been strictly drinking water, but I have been needing caffeine lately and Coke is my go to when I need caffeine.

Reading: I am actually "reading" five books at the moment, but these are the two books that I have with me at all times.  I'm reading Since You've Been Gone alongside with Danielle and so far I am really enjoying it.  All the Rage was a book that I grabbed one of my squares for the May reading challenge.  In the month of May, I have a goal to read eight books.  I think I will be pretty close to getting all eight with having no plans this upcoming weekend.  If you'd like to see what I've been reading, come check me out on Goodreads! 

Wanting: I am constantly finding cute and fun things that I am interested in, but right now I have my eye on this ring from Tiffany.  I have always love the infinity symbol and would love a new ring for my right hand

  

Looking: Looking for a good pair of capris that are flattering for my figure.  I have a hard time finding clothes that fit my shape because I am short and curvy.  Often times, capris end up looking more like cuffed pants.  Not always the most attractive.

Playing: Give it up! I have been so addicted to this game lately and both Justin and I have been competing with each other to see who can get to the highest level.  This game is good for developing rhythm and the little characters in the game are pretty cool.  If you're interested in getting the game, it's $.99 on iTunes. 

Wasting: SO much time! I hate to admit it, by my time management skills have been lacking, severely.  I know it is a problem so I am working on it, but sometimes I just find myself being so lazy.  But of course I am mad at myself later when I look at how much time I wasted that day.

Wishing: Wishing I was a bit more motivated to get healthy.  I am proud of how far I have come, but I wish that I could be a bit further along than I am right now.  I know everything takes time, but sometimes my impatience gets the best of me.

Enjoying: All of the reading I have been doing.  Joining a few book clubs on Goodreads has me reading more books in one month than I had in the entire year.  I'm glad to be reading more and have been very much enjoying reading toward my 2015 Goal of 30 Books

Waiting: I am waiting to see if I will have the opportunity to go to Uruguay at the end of this year with two of my bestest friends.  The opportunity has not quite present itself 100%, but if it does I will make sure to let you all know as soon as I do!

Liking: The weather here in Michigan is always all over the place, but I have been really enjoying all of the crazy clouds we have been having.  I sometimes wish I could put my hand in the sky and just touch the clouds.  If only I could have a cloud in a jar.

Wondering: If a few people in my life actually want to be in my life.  I wish I could flat out ask them but there is always that fear that they will tell me they do not want to be in my life anymore.  

Loving: My kitties.  They are the sweetest things and bring me so much happiness.  Plus, Frye's birthday was yesterday so a Happy Birthday to our kitty! He turned three yesterday.  It is hard to believe we have had him for over two years already! 

Hoping: My 26 things @ 26 works out.  I am still working on my list and I hope to have it for next month.  I've already started making plans for how this will all come together so I look forward to sharing this with you all when it is done.

Needing: There is not too much I am needing right now.  I have been feeling very blessed lately and focusing on how blessed we are.  However, maybe some new underwear? lol

Wearing: This tank top from Sam's Club.  I bought it on a whim last week and have fallen madly in love with it.  I am hoping to go back in the next few weeks to buy some more in other colors.

Following: The Bachelorette and Pinterest Told Me To's Review of them.  If you have never read any reviews of The Bachlorette (or Bachelor) from Pinterest Told Me To, then you are in for a treat.  Her reviews almost always make me laugh out loud while giving me the right amount of information in case I missed the episode for the week.  

I really enjoyed this survey and hope you will participate too! You can either comment on this post or reach me at any of the links provided below!

Question of the Day: What is your favorite survey in which you have participated?

I'd love to hear from you!

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Memorial Day 2015

Happy Memorial Day Everybody! I hope you have had a wonderful day and have been able to spend some time with your loved ones on this wonderful day.

This post will be very short as I only felt it appropriate to say:

Thank You

Thank you to those who have laid down their lives so that I may be free.  I am forever grateful for your sacrifice and I remember you today.

Here's a toast from MDFI

Today we raise our glasses to our brave patriots that cannot toast with us any longer.

Today we remember the selfless actions of those who gave their all in service to their nation.

Tomorrow and for each day following, we shall not forget their plight as we work to preserve their legacy.

Freedom truly is not free.

I'd love to hear from you!

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SMASH 48 Retreat 2015

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday! I'm excited to share with you today a little bit about my second year at Smash 48!

If you can remember, I went to Smash 48 last year with Danielle & Sarah and it was such a blast! So of course I was psyched when Sarah told me she had planned on going again.  On Friday night, we arrived around 6:00 p.m. and hit the ground running with dinner and our first session of the night.

Friday

This year, Sarah and I were put in the Lothlorien Cabin group and our cabin was called Celeborn.  If you're anything of an avid book reader, then you would know that Lothlorien is from The Lord of the Rings books and is the land where the Elves live.  Random fact of the day for you right there.

On Friday night, we had our first group session and the theme was "Am I really lovely".  This session challenged women to recognize their beauty on both the inside and outside.  I was amazed when they told us that there were 900 women there for the retreat.  900! Such a large group of women together all at once.  Talk about estrogen in the room.

After session, we had a quick small group meeting to get to know our cabin mates then we went to a pajama party and ice cream social.  It was so fun seeing everyone in their pajamas.  Some of the ladies even had curlers in their hair which I thought was super adorable.

Saturday

Saturday morning Sarah and I got up on the earlier side and made our way to Zumba.  Sarah's mom is a Zumba instructor and I love taking her classes so I was psyched to get a chance to go to one of her classes.  After Zumba we made our way to session two of the weekend and this session was called "Shamefaced".  This particular session was about dealing with shame and how shame can complete change a person without the grace of the Lord.

After session, we grabbed a quick lunch and went back to the cabin to relax for a bit.  It was nice to take a half hour or so to relax between activities.  That afternoon, we headed to our second session of Zumba for the day (another fun class with her mom), before going to a smaller group session called a mini session.  I loved this session because it talked about being strong in times of trial.

After the mini session, we made our way to grab dinner really fast before heading to ride the horses.  I have not been on a horse in a very long time so I was nervous/excited when we arrived at the stables.  My horse's name is Tripp and he is a sweet thing.  For the horse back riding, we were on a trail and rode the horses through the woods.  I really did not have to guide Tripp too much other than to get him to not eat some of the delicious grass that was everywhere.

After spending some time with the horses, we went to our last session of the day and then headed to small group.  This time we sat outside for our session to just talk about the weekend and all of the wonderful things we have done.  Saturday ended up being a very beautiful day, so it was fun to watch the sun paint the sky with beautiful colors while it set. 

Sunday

Sunday morning we were up early again making our way to breakfast and the last session.  I really did not grab too many pictures on Sunday as things moved super quickly.  

Sarah and I made our way home around noon, then I hurried to get myself decent to go and bury my Grandma's ashes.  It was a bittersweet ending to a great weekend.  I love you Grandma!

Overall, this weekend was exactly what I needed: time with the best friend, weekend away and not having to worry about anything. 

Question of the Day: What fun trips have you done with your friends?

I'd love to hear from you!

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Show and Tell Tuesdays: Momfessionals

Today I am teaming up with Andrea for another fun round of Show and Tell Tuesdays.  So, Andrea coined the term "momfessional" which means little confessions we make about things we do as moms.  Because I am not a mom, I decided to change it up a bit and make it "wifefessionals" for today.  There is no set number of confessions we have been asked to share, so I will go with four.

Confession #1: Justin HATES when I take pictures of him, so I take them of him when he is not looking at me.  I probably have hundreds of pictures of him walking in front of me or taken from his side.  It is very rare that I get pictures of him looking at the camera.  He has such a handsome smile, I wish he would smile at the camera more.

Confession #2: I love seeing pictures of Justin when he was younger because he is just so nerdy looking and adorable.  He is always embarrassed when he sees pictures of himself in his "awkward" phase, but I love those pictures.  I married a nerd and I am very proud of that.  

Confession #3: Anytime Justin falls asleep around me, I take pictures of him.  In the picture above he was being particularly dramatic about it and I had to share a snapchat with my friends.  I am constantly sneaking pictures of him sleeping because he just looks so peaceful and I love knowing that he is comfortable enough to just be completely relaxed around me.

Confession #4: I am super jealous of Justin and his relationship with the cats.  Both of the cats snuggle with him and sleep next to him and they avoid me.  When we adopted the cats I was excited to finally have a ball of fluff to cuddle with and neither one will cuddle with me.  When I realized that Frye was taking more of a liking to Justin, we started looking for a kitty to be my kitty and we ended up with Leilah... turns out she's a big fan of Justin too.  The cats love me, just not as much as they love Justin and I guess I will have to be okay with that. 

Hope you enjoyed a few of my wife-fessionals!  Now, I'm off to read everyone else's!  

Next time on Show & Tell Tuesdays, we're sharing what we wanted to be when we grew up!  

Question of the Day: What are you confessions as a mother or wife?

I'd love to hear from you!

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