Five Loves on Friday // Special Guest Post Written by my Daughter!

Hello everyone!  This is Brenda's oldest daughter, Princess.  I'm taking over the blog today. Let's get started!!! :D

One  //  Fun with Friends 

  We had our BEST friends over and it was such a great time laughing, chatting, eating, and playing games together!

 Two  //  Food + Friends = Awesomeness!

My mom made breakfast pizza and Mickey Oreos.  Our friends brought delicious fruit and treats!

Three // Kite Flying

We went to a park to fly some kites and had a lot of fun in the wind!

Four  // Little One was in the newspaper!

While we were flying kites my sister got her picture taken.  It ended up in the newspaper the next day!

Five // Driving my Family

We went to the lake and enjoyed the view.  My parents let me drive us home on the interstate.  It was my first time driving in heavy traffic and also the first time my mom was in the car while I drove. It was fun driving with my whole family this time!

Hi, friends!  It's Brenda here, reclaiming my blog. ;)  Thanks for taking the time to read my daughter's post!  She had fun creating it and I'll enjoy looking back at it in the future!  I hope you all have a lovely weekend!    

Five Loves on Friday

Happy Friday, friends!  Is everyone ready for the weekend?  I know I am, but first I'd love to share a handful of the happiest memories from this past week! Let's get right to it, shall we?...

We'll start with a trio of fabulousness during a Dear Friend Dayte!

One  //  Donut Delightfulness

Do you all remember my dear friend Nikki?  She and her awesome kiddos made the hour drive to visit us and brought a BIG box of donuts along with the cutest donut plates and napkins!

She sure knows the way to my heart!  We were destined to be besties!

Two //  Handmade & Heartfelt Gifts

Nikki shares my love of all things Disney and has been very busy since our last get together, whipping up this adorableness which she so sweetly gifted to me!  

Hidden MICKEY! // Fresh Watermelon Lemonade Gentle Foaming Soap // Castle in PINK!

Is she talented or what?!  I absolutely adore these magical gifts!!

Our kids got in on the gifting fun as well!  Her talented son drew my favorite character from my favorite Disney animated movie, Aladdin!  Princess was thinking alike and gifted him a drawing based on their favorite photo of the two of them from one of our get togethers, along with some of his favorite treats.  Little One and Nikki's cute girly say, "Unicorns!" whenever they're excited, so I couldn't resist picking them up matching unicorn tees!  Cuteness overload! ;)

Three  // Pizza Party!

When lunch time rolled around we threw a pizza party!  Between bites we went around the table answering questions from a Disney Tag.  We enjoyed such fun conversation which led to laughter, happy tears, and more fond memories created!  

The dessert that followed was the highlight, Nikki's Minnie Mouse Fruit Pizza!  It was every bit as delicious as it was cute!!  Her daughter whipped up over a hundred of these yummy Mickey adorned pretzels which we thoroughly enjoyed snacking on too! I tell ya, Disney loving friends are the best friends! ;)

Four  //  Half Birthday!

This week marked Little One's half birthday!!  Our family celebrated with dinner at the lake and talks of all the fun she hopes to enjoy during the second half of this year! 

Once we headed home we snuggled up for a mommy/daughter tv date, marathoning one of our mutual favorites, Disney channel's Liv and Maddie.  It was a sweet time celebrating my lovely Little One!

Five  //  Let's Go Fly a Kite!

Jason ordered a stunt kite for our family and we had a ball taking it out for some high flying fun!  Little One couldn't pass up the chance to fly her My Little Pony kite alongside it too. ;)

Thank you for popping by this post today!  Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead!

Happy Friday!

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Hello, friends!  It's been an extremely busy week here, so much so that I haven't had a moment to whip up a post for today!  However, I didn't want that to stop me from wishing you all a lovely Friday and a fabulous upcoming weekend!  Enjoy, enjoy, sweet friends!

Five Loves on Friday

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Happy Friday, friends!  That's right, it's Five Loves time!  Let's do this! ...

One  //  Date Night!

My in-laws invited the girls to come out and stay with them on Friday which gave Jason and I a delightful, and of course, delicious, date night!

We used a bogo entree coupon from Ruby Tuesday to throw a party for our taste buds!  We got our order Tue-go and cozied up for a fantastic couple's night in! 

Thai Phoon Shrimp // Triple Prime Smokehouse Burger // Cajan Jambalaya Pasta // Ultimate Chocolate Cake 

Date night is always a great night!  We laughed, lounged, and loved every bit of our refreshing one on one time together!  

Two  //  Gathering with Family

Saturday evening we headed out to Jason's parents' place to pick up the girls and enjoy an evening of family time.  We were greeted by my grill master father-in-law asking how we'd like our steaks and the sweet sight of our the girls playing with their cousins in the yard.  What a lovely way to start a night!  

My in-laws have made several updates to their home since our last visit, each of which turned out beautifully!  My mother-in-law has such fantastic style, an eye for a bargain, and is super skilled with DIY projects.  It was wonderful to see how well everything had come together!  

Before long, those perfectly grilled steaks hit the table and we gathered around to enjoy the scrumptious spread before us and our fabulous family beside us.

The only thing that rivaled the meal for the best part of the night was having the chance to sit outside with my mother-in-law and catch up in the peaceful setting of a cool, clear evening in the countryside!  It was a beautiful evening together!

Three  //  Lunching at the Lake

Now that spring has sprung I can't resist the pull of spending as much free time as possible at the lake!  Saturday and Sunday were cold and breezy, but that didn't stop us from (in-car) picnicking by the water both days!  

Four  //  Family Movie Night!

As you may have noticed my family is a bit (okay, A LOT) Star Wars obsessed!  So, we had an excellent excuse to order pizza and pop some popcorn this week!  Speaking of Star Wars, have you seen the Rogue One teaser trailer that was released yesterday?  Looks like it's gonna be a good one!

*If you are reading this blog post via an email subscription, you can view this video here.

Five  //  Walmart Spring Beauty Box

I love a good subscription box and my Walmart Spring Beauty Box was just that!  If you haven't heard about Walmart's beauty boxes, they offer a seasonal subscription for $5/box.  They include several sample sizes (or as I like to think of it "purse-sized" items),  typically one full size product such as lipstick or nail polish, and a few coupons.  For $5 I was really happy to receive so many items that I'll actually use!  Plus, sunscreen leads my thoughts to summer which always puts a smile on my face!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  Wishing you a beautiful upcoming weekend!

Five Loves on Friday!

Hooray for Friday and health!  I was under the weather much of the week and am oh so glad to have bounced back! I hope your week has been a wonderful one!  Before it wraps up I'd like to share a handful of highlights from mine with you all!  Let's get right to it, shall we?

One  //  Celebrating Our Savior!

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet he live" - John 11:25  // NeedGod.com

We are born sinners, continually breaking God's Law (the Ten Commandments) in thought, word, and deed.  God loved the world so much that He sent His only son to be born a babe and His name was Jesus.  He lived a sinless life that He alone could as He was fully God, fully man.  Christ willingly died on the cross, taking the full wrath of God that we deserve upon Himself.  He was buried and on the third day arose from the grave victorious over sin and death!  If we repent (turn from our sin) and trust in Christ His spotless blood is credited to us and while we are altogether undeserving when we stand before God He will see us as He sees His Son, Jesus Christ, holy and in right standing with Him.  There is nothing we could do to merit God's favor, our only hope is found in Christ.  This is the good news of the Gospel and the true reason that Easter Sunday is worth celebrating and rejoicing in every day of the year!

Two  //  Family Easter Celebration 2016

My aunt and uncle hosted a super lovely and delicious celebration on Easter Sunday!  If you've been around this blog long you've likely heard all about how my Aunt Ann and Cousin Emily team up to create such fun tablescapes and treats that are almost too cute to eat! We all enjoyed a beautiful afternoon filled wonderful food, great conversation, and egg hunts!

Three  //  Thai Terrificness

As previously mentioned, I was under the weather this week.  It all began with sinus issues on Monday.  What does a good friend do when she hears you're feeling congested?  She texts you with the perfect suggestion to clear out those sinuses, spicy Thai food (my favorite)!  Jason took my dear friend Nikki's suggestion and went with it, ordering all my favorites, chicken pad thai with a side of egg rolls. Yes, please and thank you! YUM!

Four  //  My husband blesses me so!

Jason took such good care of me this week when I was feeling unwell.  He'd come home with medicine and tissues one day, and the next he'd bring home a meal for our family.  Every need I could possibly have he had covered.  I always appreciate his care, but when feeling sick it's especially wonderful!

Five  //  Happy Mail!

My blogging bestie surprised me yet again with fun Disney mail!  Check out these super adorable Disney nail decals she sent for my girls and I to sport during our upcoming Disneyland trip! Thanks again, Chrissy!  You're so thoughtful and we are so thankful!

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Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Wishing you a fantastic first weekend of April!