Happy finale Friday of May, friends! I didn’t intend to only post on the first and final Fridays of this month, but sometimes living life and loving on those dearest to us takes precedence over capturing and sharing it. This month has been challenging, yet beautiful. There have been many things that brought me to my knees and even more reasons to praise the God who is continually working all things together for my good and His glory. We’ve seen prayers answered, needs met, and the faithfulness of God in all things great and small.
Today I thought I’d write a post in Mix and Match Mama’s “What’s Up Wednesday” format as that should allow me to sum up what's been going on here since we chatted last.
WHAT WE'RE EATING THIS WEEK:
We kicked off the week celebrating Memorial day with hot diggity dogs, waffle fries, and sweet corn on the cob. It felt like summertime on a plate! Midweek we celebrated Princess' Half Birthday with the dinner of her choice from Firehouse Subs. Today we will be enjoying one of my favorite lunches of the year, Godfather's Taco Pizza at Arnold's Park on Lake Okoboji! Yep, it's road trip day and scrumptiousness by the slice is just one of many things I'm looking forward to enjoying with my family today!
WHAT I'M REMINISCING ABOUT:
Jason's mom, aunt, and cousin came for a visit on Tuesday. During our time together my family's Yosemite hike, visits to the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter, and the time we were featured in an official Disney Vacation Club video all came up in conversation. Reminiscing about these memories lead to re-reading blog posts here, and watching old vlogs on my hubby's YouTube channel, Eat, Sleep, Dis, Repeat. I love looking back on vacation memories just as much as anticipating new ones that are just around the corner! More on that soon! ;)
WHAT I'M LOVING:
Since I'm covering so many other things in this post, I'm going to use this space to share a super simple something that I've been loving, my new phone lock screen:
I had a YouTube recommendation for a clip from the Rachael Ray show that covered cell phone addiction. Her guest created this screensaver (along with a couple others) and has them available for free download here. Since doing so I have noticed it's helped decrease my screen time. After all, what I want to pay attention to isn’t found on my phone. Smartphones are helpful tools for many things, but also highly addictive. I desire to spend my time and attention wisely and intentionally. Anything that helps remind me of what truly matters is “love" worthy in my book.
Since I'm covering so many other things in this post, I'm going to use this space to share a super simple something that I've been loving, my new phone lock screen:
This reminds me to not to spend my time and attention (unintentionally) gazing at a handheld glowing screen.
I had a YouTube recommendation for a clip from the Rachael Ray show that covered cell phone addiction. Her guest created this screensaver (along with a couple others) and has them available for free download here. Since doing so I have noticed it's helped decrease my screen time. After all, what I want to pay attention to isn’t found on my phone. Smartphones are helpful tools for many things, but also highly addictive. I desire to spend my time and attention wisely and intentionally. Anything that helps remind me of what truly matters is “love" worthy in my book.
WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO:
This has been one full month, friends! We tackled one home project and have moved on to another. We've spent much of the month in prayer and care for one of my dearest family members. Thankfully we know a lot more know than we did a few weeks ago and are hopeful that she'll recover fully and feel much better soon. My immediate family spent a whole lot of time in a different type of doctor's office, each at our own appointments with our new dentist. We've begun making preparations for one daughter to get braces and the other Invisaligns. Even sweeter smiles are just on the horizon! What I'm currently smiling the most about is the completion of our tenth year of homeschooling! Hip, hip, hooray and three cheers for my sweet and studious daughters! Would you like to hear the first thing my soon-to-be Senior did the day after wrapping up the school year? She went to the library to check out a stack of Korean and Japanese language and culture books. Her love of languages and drive to learn as a hobby makes my heart smile. As for my other sweet student here, Little One, she's not so “little” anymore. She’s officially a high schooler! Pass the tissues, please and thank you. She looks forward to devoting more time to her passion of creating original animation this summer.
WHAT I'M DREADING:
Not a thing. I am overjoyed that summer vacation has arrived and am looking forward to savoring every sweet little bit of it!
Not a thing. I am overjoyed that summer vacation has arrived and am looking forward to savoring every sweet little bit of it!
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
I've finally started putting together Trip Report Tuesday blog posts from our cross country family road trip to Disney World last fall. These past several months flew by in a whirlwind and I don’t want to let those precious memories from our travels to go undocumented. Anyone interested in reading those future posts? If so, please say so in the comments section below! Knowing you're anticipating them would motivate me further as I move forward on recapping our adventures throughout the Midwest into the sweet South, and of course, our time at Disney!
I've finally started putting together Trip Report Tuesday blog posts from our cross country family road trip to Disney World last fall. These past several months flew by in a whirlwind and I don’t want to let those precious memories from our travels to go undocumented. Anyone interested in reading those future posts? If so, please say so in the comments section below! Knowing you're anticipating them would motivate me further as I move forward on recapping our adventures throughout the Midwest into the sweet South, and of course, our time at Disney!
WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT:
Summertime is on my mind! I'm excited for... A carefree schedule. Sitting poolside with a good book and a cold glass of raspberry lemonade while my girls swim. S'mores and messy chocolate smiles. Fireflies and starry nights. Vacation (...all I ever wanted, sing it with me, friends - vacation, time to get away). Picnics at the lake. Family walk and talks - fresh air and conversion with my loves always does my heart good. Less scrolling, more living.
WHAT I'M WATCHING/READING:
You guys, I have a new YouTube obsession! I came across a gem of a YouTuber that has the absolute cutest style, a darling personality, and a heart for the Lord, her family, and making her home a haven for them that I wholeheartedly admire and appreciate! At this point I think I've watched nearly all of her videos. When you're watching someone's Christmas Home Tour in May you know you're hooked on their channel! I highly recommend you check her out too! Here’s a link to the video sweetness: Sugar Pie Farmhouse
As for what I'm currently reading, I just started Pray Big by Alistair Begg and am loving it!
You guys, I have a new YouTube obsession! I came across a gem of a YouTuber that has the absolute cutest style, a darling personality, and a heart for the Lord, her family, and making her home a haven for them that I wholeheartedly admire and appreciate! At this point I think I've watched nearly all of her videos. When you're watching someone's Christmas Home Tour in May you know you're hooked on their channel! I highly recommend you check her out too! Here’s a link to the video sweetness: Sugar Pie Farmhouse
My favorite movie of May was Avengers Endgame. I'll give no spoilers, but simply say that I thought they completed this movie series perfectly!
Speaking of movies, plans to see Aladdin were foiled by a severe storm forecast this week, but I can hardly wait to see it soon!
As for what I'm currently reading, I just started Pray Big by Alistair Begg and am loving it!
WHAT I'M LISTENING TO:
I've been on a J.J. Heller kick ever since Mother's Day. (She has so many songs that tug at my mama heartstrings.) Other than that, I've been listening to an eclectic mix of everything from Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong on vinyl to BTS and Coldplay via my Amazon Music app.
WHAT I'M WEARING:
I broke out my summer wardrobe last week. It's been all shorts, cute/comfy tops, slip-on flats, and sunnies ever since.
WHAT I'M DOING THIS WEEKEND:
Celebrating my hubby's birthday weekend! As previously mentioned we’re taking a day trip to our favorite in-state destination, Lake Okoboji, today. Saturday is gloriously plan-free and Sunday is Jason’s birthday! It’ll be the 22nd birthday I’ve celebrated with him which is mind blowing. We’ve been together over half our lives now and I couldn’t be more grateful to God for blessing me far beyond what I deserve with the man of my dreams and reality. My heart still skips a beat when he holds my hand. He's a fantastic father, a hardworking and humble hubby, and loves and serves God and our family well. I'm awe that his mine forever and always!
WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:
We are taking a family vacation to the Black Hills of South Dakota! I grew up vacationing there and Jason and I took our girls there every couple years when they were small. Our most recent trip was in 2012 though and our youngest barely remembers it. Clearly it's time to return and create some fresh new memories! I can hardly wait!
WHAT ELSE IS NEW:
I think that’s just about everything! If you actually read this entire post I wish I could reach through the screen and pass you a warm brownie along with a sincere thank you for caring enough to stop by and “catch up” with me today!
Thanks so much for popping by my corner of the blogosphere! I'd love to hear from you in the comment section below before you go. Don't be shy. Please say, "Hi!"
Yay for Friday and all this joy and happiness coming from this post! So glad things are great with you, that you’re enjoying summer and all it will bring!Love your screensaver and I might have to do the same
ReplyDeleteI definitely look forward to your Disney posts! We saw Aladdin yesterday and loved it, I'm sure you'll love it too. My daughter also finished 8th grade! Have a great trip to the lake!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great reminder about your phone! Happy birthday to your hubby!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, this was indeed a boatload but so enjoyable. My Hubby has always said we were going to go to The Black Hills and guess we'd better get on that if we are going to go. I really seriously doubt at this point that we will, but I'll look forward to your report. Have a great weekend celebrating Hubby's b'day.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for summer! Relaxed schedules is just what I needed! We are going to Orlando for a dance competition in June so I'll have to do a little perusing back on some of your old posts. Sadly we will only be able to do a few days at Disney but I will make the most of it for sure. Have a super weekend!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your Disney recaps so please make sure to share your recaps! I hope that you and the girls have a great summer break!:)
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