birthday traditions

 

Happy Wednesday, friends! I thought I'd share a little about birthday traditions, what we've done in years past and what we're doing this year. I hope you enjoy reading this as I reminisce a little.

As is the new normal, birthdays are being celebrated a little differently this year. That is my new theme in life and even if I don't love change, it's inevitable and I try to just go with the flow. I started asking about a night we could be together this week, last week. It's hard to get all of us together these days! 

When the boys were young, we always had two parties—one for them with their friends and one for the family. (We have a very large family!) This meant there were three birthday sleepovers every year along with the other ones we had every weekend as a normal routine. For Jonah and Noah, I let them each pick two or three of their best friends to come since I combined theirs for obvious reasons. Graham and Drew always had from three-six friends at theirs as well. This always worked best for us, because we didn't have a lot of money and it was very inexpensive to do this. We would order pizza and they'd be up all night playing Nerf wars or video games and we all suffered the next day. I always made their cakes from a box, which was what they always preferred. All of their friends were always having grand parties at event places, but we never had any complaints. 

Also, the best parenting advice I ever received came from my dad. He always told me to never say no to friends coming over to spend the night. If we did that, it would always guarantee that we would be the "hang out house" and he was right. We enjoyed our years of that while they lasted and I'm grateful my dad passed that on to us.

Aside from their friends parties, we also had family parties. We almost always had hotdogs and Rotel for this party with a cake from Costco. Sometimes Bill would bring a yummy dip with chips, like his famous buffalo dip. This was always a fun night for everyone as well, because the grandparents all got the chance to catch up. My mom mentioned this last week as I was hesitant to continue on with this. This year we picked a date in between their birthdays and we'll celebrate them all at once. Jonah and Noah are March 10, Graham is March 11 and Drew is April 3. I don't know what we're doing this year yet, but I have until the weekend before to figure it all out. Our night to do that this year is Monday night, March 21. This all means than on their birthdays we will probably eat at home on each night. Except for Graham, he's leaving for Nashville on his birthday Friday. 

That being said, we decided to go out to celebrate. We went to Longhorn's and had the best time. I made them all pose for a picture afterward, even if one of them pouted about it. 

Aren't they handsome? I certainly think so. I'll share more about them each on their actual birthdays. Thanks for reading my blog, friends! Love to all. 

sharing some things I love

 

Happy Tuesday, friends! I thought I'd share some things I am currently loving. Most of these are related to cosmetics, which is something I love to talk about! I used to work at a makeup store and loved giving makeovers to young girls going to prom. Most of what I use is very inexpensive and can be bought in a drugstore. There may come a time when this changes, but for now, I don't find it necessary to spend lots of money on things for hair and my face. For every good product, there is a more inexpensive option out there. 

But first—

I say this all the time, but I am thankful that we have makeup to coverup our bad skin days. This made me laugh when I saw it, because poor men! They don't have the options that we do and just have to put up when their skin is less than stellar. Also, when I saw this meme above, I thought of my sister Debi. She will crack up over this.

This one got me too and seriously! Speaking of moisturizer, I have an "evening routine" before I go to bed each night. I wash my face with coconut oil, use this witch hazel rosewater toner and then apply moisturizer. 

I love using coconut oil to remove my makeup. I get a small amount into my hands and rub them together to melt the oil, then rub it generously all over my face. The makeup literally melts right off of my face and I can rub it onto my eyelids and lips, with no irritation. This particular brand is from Aldi's. 

I saw a meme last week that said something along the lines of, "You can use all the expensive makeup products in the world, but all of that won't cover up the skin underneath." I believe that's true and do my best. Mom always taught me this, along with not rubbing my face in a downward pattern, but up toward my eyes. She has obviously lived by this, because have you seen her? She is beautiful! Also, I NEVER go to bed without first removing my makeup. The thought of not doing that is so disturbing.

I figure if her secret worked for her, it'll work for me! I have good genes in my family. 

There are two things I love regarding makeup.

I love the illuminating primer and use two pumps mixed in with my foundation everyday. It gives a little glimmer that I love, all year long. I also love this extremely inexpensive mascara from Amazon! I get the blackest black and replace it when it starts to flake on me. I am no beauty expert, I assure you, these are just things I love that work well for me. I realize as I get older that this may become something I invest more money in, but for now it's not. 

A friend and I recently talked about the topic of makeup and as one a little older than me, she gave me a piece of good advice—to not wear too much. I think this will be true regarding any age. I wore way more makeup as a teenager than I do now. It only takes me five minutes to go through my routine for makeup each day and I am glad for that. I never want to try too hard, because for me, I need to remember that for a right perspective. I think that growing old naturally and gracefully is a beautiful thing. It doesn't mean I'm willing to stop coloring my hair for now or letting myself go—contrary to that, I like to feel pulled together. My sons are all older now and the closer I get to the half century mark, the more I find myself changing. I used to wear nothing but t-shirts, but thanks to a friend at church who inspired me in this, that is no longer the case. I like to look "cute" everyday, as I say it in my mind. Jeans, cute shirt or poncho, cute shoes and jewelry is my go-to look and uniform. 

Here are a few other things I love right now:

I recently found a K Love app for our smart tv! I said the other day how I miss having music in our home. When the boys were young, we had an under the cabinet radio that was always tuned into K Love and I kept it going all the time. This app accomplishes the same thing right now and I'm so glad to have found it.

Todd and I are making efforts to eat healthier and when I get a craving for something sweet and don't want to have a dessert, I'll make a cup of something instead. This could be coffee, hot chocolate or even a glass of chocolate milk. All of those are healthier than a dessert, with less calories.

Speaking of this, we use an app on our phones to keep up with what we eat, one that's been out for ages—My Fitness Pal. It's super easy to maneuver.

I've been loving the routine I've developed of reading every morning for about 45 minutes. I do this from about 6:45-7:30. It's helping me be on a screen less and it actually prompts me to read more throughout the day. I am still as in love with my Kindle as I was the day my hubby bought it for me and I'm still just as shocked that I love reading on it as I was from the start. I always said I'd never be one to read anything electronically. How wrong I was! I've learned to never say never.

I have a routine that I go through every afternoon before my family comes home for the day. I zip around the downstairs and clean up everything from throughout the day. I love having an inviting environment in our home and to me, this helps with that. I pick things up, load up anything left out from my day, I vacuum and I quickly dust the main surfaces with our Swiffer duster. If I remember, I light a candle while I cook dinner. All of this takes about ten minutes.

That's about all I can think of for today's post. What are some things/routines you love right now? I'd love to hear them. You all know how much I love a daily routine! Thanks for reading my blog, friends. Love to all! 

Hello Monday

 

Happy Monday, friends! I'm linking up with Holly and Sarah for this blog post.

How was your weekend? It was such a pretty weekend here and I'm glad it was like that for the benefit of our sons. They all had things planned this weekend that rain would have messed with, had it been different. Drew was in Nashville all weekend at our bonus son's basketball championship tournament, which they won! I'm so glad Alex is having such an amazing senior year.

I cannot imagine how incredible this win felt for them, and I am particularly happy for Alex. Basketball has been his life for the last few years, but he didn't even play last year because of various reasons at a different school. I am so glad he has had new opportunities this year being in a private school. If you're new around here, Alex has been in our lives since he was about three years old. He is the friend who is closer than a friend, more like a brother. The Lord gave me supernatural love for him and he's always gone to church with my boys and when he was younger, his aunt and our neighbor Val joked that he lived here more than he did at their house. I love him like he's my own; I always have and I always will. Here's some older pictures of him with my boys from over the years.

Here's more of what he looks like these days.

To say I'm proud is the understatement of the year. Like I said, I love him like he's my own.

Graham added some lights to his truck this weekend, which kept him outside all of Saturday and Sunday and Noah was at a car meet over the weekend that took place in Memphis. He had his car wrapped last week...look how great it looks!

It was silver, if that gives you any idea of how different it is now. This looks like paint, but it's a vinyl wrap. Jonah was happy to have Drew's truck to drive all weekend, since he was in Nashville. He will get his own truck back from the shop one day this week, hopefully.

As for me and my husband, neither of us did much. He worked a couple of nights and I went to Mom's Friday night for dinner. She and I went out on Saturday for a bit, then I finished off watching Friends and started (again) on Downton Abbey. I've tried so many times to watch this show, but I think I'm finally hooked. It took a few episodes, and I'm a few years late, but better late than never, right? We spent Sunday at church as usual. 

It was a good weekend! I hope yours was too! What did you do? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog, friends. Love to all! 

Friday Favorites, 3.4.22

 

Happy Friday, friends! I'm linking up with Erika and Andrea for this weekly blog post on all the favorites from the week. 

I have a couple of favorite snacks that I've been munching on this week that I thought I'd share. One is good for when I get a craving for something sweet (that tastes like a candy bar)...

...and one for when I'm craving something savory. Actually these little things are way more than savory, they're crazy spicy, which I love.

I'm not the only one who loves to snack on slim Jim's. A couple of the guys here like to have one or a few in their lunches everyday. Do you have favorite things that are somewhat healthy that you like to snack on? I know the obvious fruits, veggies and nuts, but I am open to suggestion. I especially like to munch on something if I'm watching a movie. 

I did one of my favorite things yesterday—

I met Mom, we got pedicures, then went to lunch. I went neutral since I like for it to match my nails and I'll get them done next week. Speaking of neutral pink, it's become one of my favorite colors in the past couple of years. I went to Home Goods this week and got something else that's pink.

I love it! The faux flowers/plants from Home Goods are another one of my favorites. I am loving the touches of spring and all the beautiful spring weather we've had this week. Spring isn't my favorite season, but I am ready to see green in the trees and flowers in our flower beds once again. (I realize we still have quite a way to go before this happens, but it's been so nice here this week!)

I spent time this week before 6:30-7:30 each morning doing one of my favorite things...

...reading while I drink my second cup of coffee. I wrote about the books I read in February this week, in case you missed that post. You can read it here. 

I've been talking about how I've been re-watching Friends in order and came across an episode I somehow missed that is now one of my favorites ever.

This is in season nine at the end of the season when they all go to Barbados and Monica's hair is frizzy from the humidity. I am on season ten now and sad that it's ending. I'll probably start all over when I'm done, just because that's what I do.

Other favorites from this week not pictured are as follows:

Church was so good this week! We had a guest speaker on Sunday that spoke on living mission-minded each and every day. He preached from Jeremiah 29:1-14.

I loved being with my mom this week! It seems like weeks have gone by without us seeing each other.

I was able to go to dinner after church Wednesday night with a couple of friends to catch up and it was so good to see them.

How was your week? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog, friends. I hope you have the best weekend! Love to all. 

Thankful Thursday

 

Happy Thursday, friends! I'm linking up with Rebecca Jo and Leslie for this weekly blog post.

How has your week been? Mine has been really good so far. The first thing on my thankful list this week is the beautiful spring-like weather we've had. I cannot explain why it feels and looks so good to have sunlight out our home windows. I know that for many people, seasonal depression is a problem and I see why. It's not that much of an issue for me because of my love of cold weather and thanks to where I live, but I totally see why some people struggle when they're snowed in for days on end. Half my family lives in Denver and I know it's like that there for them. The good thing is that their weather seems to make a change as often as ours does in Tennessee. That Denver sun is strong and brilliant!

Here are a few things I jotted down that I am thankful to the Lord for this week.

I'm always thankful for a great Sunday at church. I know that around the world, believers would do anything to be able to meet and fellowship with like-minded believers in a public facility, but are unable. I never want to take for granted the privilege that it is to meet and go. It makes me cringe to think of how I've not realized the gift we have of going and I never want to forsake the fellowship among believers. The worship was great, the sermon was great and choir rehearsal later that afternoon was great and also so much fun.

I am always thankful for a full day at home, which for me came on Monday. I spent that day doing Bible study homework and getting caught up on housework. Now that the weather is changing, I'm finding myself wanting to get out a little more. Imagine that! I got out with Mom on Tuesday of this week and we're going to get pedicures today! I haven't had one of those in ages, since I'm good at doing my own, but today I thought I'd treat myself. ;)

I'm thankful for the times I've talked to my sisters this week. I've talked to them all! I don't always do that, so it was good to hear their voices and get caught up.

I'm thankful for something to look forward to! I mentioned yesterday, I have a couple of fun things coming up soon.

I'm thankful for healthier options of food that taste good and don't "hurt" as much. My hubby and I are changing our eating habits and adding in exercise to our weekly routines. I'm thankful to have him do that with me, because I always need accountability! He's the one that started this, but I am happy to join him in this. It's hard to eat well when people around you don't.

I'm thankful for really cute, clean Hallmark movies. I've watched a few good ones this week as I had lunch.

I'm thankful that my sons call me to chat and to run things by me. Graham and Drew like to call me as they drive home and I am a thousand percent okay with that! 

I'm thankful for dinner inspiration, which sort of goes along with healthy food that tastes good. 

I'm thankful for great Bible study homework once again and how applicable it was this week. 

What are you thankful for this week? I could literally go on and on, but these are the things I took the time to write down in my journal this week. I'd love to hear from you on this! I hope you join us in our link party and read some of the other blog posts that are shared! Thanks for reading my blog, friends. Love to all! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

currently

Happy Wednesday, friends! I'm linking up with Anne for this monthly blog post, where we talk about things we're currently collecting, craving, picturing, playing and wishing. I'll jump right in!

Collecting

I always collect cards. Do you do this? I keep cards from my husband and sons and our parents. I also collect thank you cards and any other little notes and things that people give me.

Funny story—my mom gave Valentine cards to the boys and could never find one for Todd and me together, so she found one for me and forgot about Todd. She sent him this "thank you" note instead! Isn't that hilarious? We both had the best laugh over this.

Craving

I'm always craving good food! 

I love making quiche and eating on it all week long. Now that I'm writing this, I wish I'd thought to get more pie crusts for me to make one this week. Am I the only one that forgets things from the grocery store on the day that I go to the grocery store? I sincerely wished I'd thought of this earlier today. 

Picturing

I'm picturing the fun I plan on having over the next few weeks. I have a couple of small trips planned that are coming up and I can't wait! One is a women's retreat with the ladies from my church and the other is a long weekend at the beach with some friends. 

These are the friends I'll be going to the beach with. We always have so much fun when we're together, so I'm excited for us all to go out of town for a few nights. 

Playing

I'm always playing a video or screensaver on YouTube during the day. I love the ones that have soft music playing in the background. 

This is one on the Calmed By Nature channel. I've been finding them that have a spring background instead of the normal "cozy" ones I lean toward. 

Wishing

Isn't it funny how we're always wishing for hair we don't have? I keep thinking about this because my hair has been bothering me so much lately that I'm thinking of getting a few inches cut off. I can't seem to ever make it look right and I may bite the bullet and make an appointment in the next few days. I still want it longer than shoulder length and I need to be able to put it up into a ponytail, but I'm seriously contemplating this. 

Thanks for reading my blog, friends! Love to all.

Prime Purchases {January & February}

 

Happy Tuesday, friends! I'm linking up with Tanya from The Other Side of the Road for this blog post. I thought I was going to skip it this month, since I'm not buying things on Amazon as much, but when I looked at my orders, I did see that we're still ordering plenty there. It's just that I am not ordering something personal for me that I don't consider a necessity. I'll share below.

Back at the beginning of January, I ordered these fine tip colored pens for my Bible reading.

I like them alright. They're not my favorite because they're so fine that they're a little hard to use, but the price was like $5 when I bought them, so for the price, I can't complain.

The next few things were for Noah that he asked me to order for him. He really likes these pants. He wears them to work and they keep him warm and dry quickly when he gets wet from his job.

I ordered him heather gray and charcoal gray. He already had some that were black. 

I also ordered him two of these Champion brand hoodies. He loves hoodies and has one in almost every color.

He wanted red and purple and again, he wears these to work everyday when it's cold in the mornings.

I subscribe to these vitamins every two months, so these came in January as well. 

And for this one, I'll share something funny.

I ordered myself a phone case this month, which turned out way nicer than I thought it would. 

I had a green phone cover before like the one pictured above, so this time I went with pink. That little ring on the back pops out to carry or hold it with. 

I ordered new brushes for two of our sons and I ordered a replacement mascara when I emptied the one I'd been using. And I've ordered a few books that were on sale for really cheap for my Kindle. 

What have you bought recently that you've loved? I'd love to hear about it! Thanks for reading my  blog, friends. Love to all. 

P.s. Did you catch my blog post on the books I read in February yesterday? If not, click here for some reading inspiration!