Hello Monday...Sunday Porch Pictures January

Whew....What a week of catching up the blog!! I'm going back to January to get my porch picture posts up to date. I love looking back and seeing how much my guys have grown. And to be truthful I have to go back to see what they wore to church so they will not wear the same shirt two Sunday's in a row. #imforgetful

January 6, 2019

January 13, 2019

January 20, 2019

I forgot a porch picture but we did go play with baby goats! 

January 27, 2019

And each month I'm going to try to sneak in a picture with the guys. I must get Michael in some as well!!

Friday Favorites

I'm getting them! Soon. Like very soon. My teeth have shifted over the past 28 years since my braces. Yeah, I'm THAT old! So, all my scans have been done and I'm just waiting. 

I love Goodreads!

 I keep up with the books I read and I love the reading challenge. But... I also like to keep a written list in my planner. Am I the only one who still likes to write stuff down and not keep everything online?

 I'm working on a post with the books I've read so far this year. I'll finish it soon and get it posted. I love book link ups so if y'all know of any please tell me! 

My porch is coming along nicely. I REALLY want a day bed on it but I decided to just replace my cushions on my love seat and chairs this year. I got these at a discount store for CHEAP! I'll show more when I get the rest put together. 

I have to say Lindsey's Sweet World gave me a swift kick in the rear  the motivation to update my blog. I have lots of catching up to do but I'm slowly working on it! She's definitely a favorite!!  

I've never posted about Young Living Essential Oils. I've been using them for a while and I LOVE them. 

As you can see I love pinning different blends! If you have a favorite please let me know. 

Thanks for reading!

What's Up Wednesday

I promise I had all good intentions to blog more this past month but I didn't. I have no excuse. Just call me LAZY!! But, this month I'm gonna catch up. I'm adding the posts to my planner because I LIVE by my Erin Condren planner. 

1. WHAT WE'RE EATING THIS WEEK:

Um. Did I mention LAZY? Well I've been kinda lazy in the cooking department as well. I need to get back on my meal planning. It's been a few crazy weeks with crazy stuff going on.  

This is one of my go to meals. I love stir fry! My original recipe was found on Pinterest and it's by Jo Cooks. The picture is hers as well!  I've added carrots as well as bagged slaw mix (it adds a yummy crunch). I've also gone low carb so I use the frozen cauliflower rice. It's amazing! Thanks Jo for the perfect stir fry recipe! 

2. WHAT I'M REMINISCING ABOUT: 

I said before that I love watching Live PD. Well, I didn't realize my local Sheriff' Department did ride alongs. Y'ALL. I rode with a high school friend who is a deputy. It was on a Friday night and I had the BEST time ever. The deputies do not get enough credit for all the stuff they handle. I decided they are relationship/marriage counselors with guns. I'm ready to ride again! 

3. WHAT I'M LOVING:

SOCCER!!

This image is from Etsy. I probably order a new soccer shirt for this year! 

All 3 boys practice on Monday's for Upward and Jackson usually practices one more day a week with the JV coach for our local high school. I'm the awesome wife who happened to volunteer her husband to coach 2 teams this year. He has Jackson's older team and Miles and Carter's younger team. Let's just say he has his hands full with the 1 -3 graders. Haha!! It's like herding cats!

4. WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO:

Just soccer and school and church. 

5.WHAT I'M DREADING:

Need I say more?

6. WHAT I'M WORKING ON:

Updating my blog. I'm gonna do it! 

7. WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT:

Bring on all of the SOCCER!

I posted this on Instagram. The twinkies matched for soccer! Haha! They do not dress alike any more so I thought it was kinda funny they didn't mind matching for practice. 

8. WHAT I'M WATCHING/READING:

 I still do not watch much television. I probably should find a series on Netflix to watch. I rather watch Dr. Pimple Popper and the Toe Bro. And I still love watching Live PD. 

I've read several books this month. I'm going to make one long post of all the books I've read so far this year. My favorite one this month had to be:

9. WHAT I'M LISTENING TO:

Amazon Music. Mostly Kidz Bop when the boys are around. And when it's just me I just select one of the playlists. 

10. WHAT I'M WEARING:

Same stuff. 

Leggings and joggers. 

Tunics and tees. 

11. WHAT I'M DOING THIS WEEKEND:

The boys get out of school early Friday so we may do something fun. Who knows yet! 

2 of the boys have hair cuts Saturday morning and that's about all. Sunday is the usual Church and Awana. And I'm going to work on this stinking blog! (I have to keep telling myself that!)

12. WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:

EASTER! 

13. WHAT ELSE IS NEW:

Nothing that I can remember. I did find several new blogs that I adore reading and I've gotten some good ideas from them! 

BONUS QUESTION:

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE EASTER SIDE DISH?

We usually do not have a typical Easter dinner but this side (or salad or dessert) is tasty! I can't find the recipe I used but this is the closest one. I didn't use cherries but I did use instant vanilla pudding mixed with the cool whip. Since I had this last I've developed a food allergy (sensitivity) to pineapple! So I may try this with bananas instead of pineapple. 

Num's the Word 

5 Minute Fluff Salad

                                          

                                       

                             

What's Up Wednesday

1. WHAT WE'RE EATING THIS WEEK:

Some weeks I just don't want to think about planning meals and it's been one of those weeks! But here's some dishes we've had recently.

Salsa Verde Chicken

This was so good!! I found this on Pinterest  and it's from eatwell101. (The photo is from her as well!) The only change I did to the recipe is I used a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. And we ate the leftovers as tacos! I'm keeping this recipe handy. 

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower Casserole

I have not tried this exact recipe but one similar. This is from Delicious Little Bites.  (The photo is her's as well!) The one I made called for chopped cauliflower not riced. It was the first time I'd tried a casserole like this and it was amazing! 

Smoothies

Y'all. I'm addicted to smoothies. I've been on a "diet" for 35 days...(I'm NOT counting or anything.) I have had 35 smoothies in 35 days. And I'm not tired of them. I look forward to making them each morning. I even bought a new Ninja counter top blender. I usually add kale or spinach to them and I promise mine do not look like the picture above. They must photo shop the color because mine usually looks like what you find in a diaper. Not gonna lie! But they are tasty! Any one with some good recipes for smoothies? 

2. WHAT I'M REMINISCING ABOUT:

Upward's Soccer in years past. This year all 3 boys are playing and Michael is coaching the boy's teams (As in he is coaching 2 teams!). EEKKK! He REALLY loves me for volunteering him. But the boys are super happy that their dad will be the coach.  

3. WHAT I'M LOVING:
                     

Everything! The boys are at a perfect age. Yeah they are addicted to their tablets and computer but they have finally realized they have to earn screen time. And they know they have to help with chores and do not complain (too much) when asked to help. 

4. WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO:

Not too much! We are getting ready for soccer to start. 

5. WHAT I'M DREADING:

We are stocking up on Zyrtec, Claritin and nose sprays! 

6. WHAT I'M WORKING ON:

A little bit of everything! Cleaning closets, organizing clothes and keeping up with the boys. 

7. WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT:

This may happen later this year. 

8. WHAT I'M WATCHING/READING:

I've read a lots over the past few months. I'm working on updating this blog so I'll be back on track with my monthly reading updates and hopefully join more link ups! I love a good link up! 

Here's the first few books I read this year. I loved a few and then there were some that were not good at all!! 

I'm watching Live PD and Dr. Pimple Popper. That's about all because the boys usually watch cartoons before bed. I snuggle with them and read. 

9. WHAT I'M LISTENING TO:

Nothing! Some days I do not even turn the television on while the boys aren't here. I do not listen to any podcasts but I some times listen to music on Amazon Music. 

10.WHAT I'M WEARING:

I have to laugh at this. I always wear comfy stuff. I'm not dressing up to stay at home or to run to the grocery store. I have leggings and joggers that I wear almost daily. I will say I LOVE my Matilda Jane pants. 

The Mythical Finns and the Ruffles are my faves. I have both in black and burgundy. These are beyond comfy!!

11.WHAT I'M DOING THIS WEEKEND:

We have NOTHING on the calendar but church Sunday and Awana's Sunday night! 

12.WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:

Bring on the SOCCER! We will have practice once a week and games on Saturday. The boys are out of school one day and have a couple of early dismissals. We may try to find something super fun to do those days! And...We get to SPRING FORWARD! I'm super excited to spend more time outside playing. 

13. WHAT ELSE IS NEW:

Nothing that I can think of! 

BONUS QUESTION:

WHAT'S OUR FAVORITE BOARD GAME TO PLAY WITH OUR KIDS:

We love playing American Trivia with Jackson. We all learn something new when we play. 

This is my favorite to play! 

The boys get Michael to play Monopoly with them. It's not my favorite but I do play sometimes.

Let's Look - Your Favorite Reads

I'm trying to get back into updating my blog more often. So today I'm joining the Let's Look At series today.  I love to read so it's a great time to get back in the swing of things. 

LET'S LOOK AT...

YOUR FAVORITE READS

I checked my lists on GoodReads to pick a couple of favorites for this post. (My account is Amber Vance.)

Keep Quiet was a library find last year. I always check out the new release section and this caught my eye. I've since read several books by Lisa and all are good!

Oh goodness. I think The Hating Game was recommended on a blog. I honestly can't remember but I'm so glad I found it. This is the best book. I loved everything about it. I can't wait to read Sally's new book.

WOW!

 I haven't read many Colleen Hoover books I didn't like. It Ends with Us is probably my favorite one. 

All we ever wanted was my first Emily Giffin book. It was so good! I'll be reading more of her books in the future.

I was very skeptical about Where the Crawdads Sing. It isn't a book I would normally read. I doubt I would have even picked it up if I didn't read about it on several blogs. All I can say is I'm so glad it was recommended. I loved it! I loved everything about it. It was an amazing story.

Kristen Proby is one of my favorite authors. I can honestly say I've adored every book I have read of hers. And I've read almost all of them. Waiting For Willa is about getting a second chance with your childhood sweetheart. 

Ok. I really do not like to give bad reviews but this book just wasn't good. I really had to make myself finish reading it. I was hoping something really good would happen. But it didn't. This was the first book by Liane Moriarty I've read and it might be the last. 

Okay. There's a little peek into my favorite reads. I can't wait to check out other blogs and make a new list of books to read. Thanks for stopping by!