
Thursday, October 30, 2014
I Am a Mom...but I'm Also ME!

Tuesday, October 28, 2014
THANK YOU!!!

Monday, October 20, 2014
HUGE Adoption Benefit Giveaway
Set of 4 gorgeous printables, donated by Emily Powell Designs!
Super cute Birds or Chevron infinity scarf, donated by Lauren of Lemon & Lime Designs!
A scentsy plug in warmer PLUS 3 yummy smelling scentsy bars (holiday scents), donated by Jordan S!
Pair of perfect gray boot cuffs, donated by Oakleigh Rose!
Set of 10 lovely scripture printables, donated by Aliesha of Artistic Renditions!
Fabulous Yellow Norwex enviro cloth, donated by Ashley Roethe!
$25 Anthropologie (aka perfection) Gift Card, donated by Daisy at Simply Relished!
6 pack of hilarious cards of the winner's choice, donated by Kara-Kae of Mom Diggity Designs!
Yes, you could win ALL of that amazing stuff...you are NOT dreaming!!! We would be so blessed if you would consider entering the giveaway and giving to our adoption!
You can click to donate here. Remember, AFTER you have given, you can share on social media every day for more entries!
Thank you so much for your love and support!

Giveaway Starts TOMORROW!!!
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Coming Soon to a Blog Near You!

Thursday, October 9, 2014
Pumpkin Patch Party


For activities for the kiddos, we had pumpkin painting and pumpkin crafts (foam pumpkins, stickers, letters, etc.) As well as playing in the back yard with toys, play house, etc. No one seemed to get bored so I'm calling it a win!
We had the party late afternoon, so we just did treats and no meal.
I made Paula Deen's pumpkin bars, which I do a few times every fall because they are so, SO good! A candy pumpkin on top finished them off perfectly!
Totally off topic, but does anyone know how to get stubborn chalk marker off?! I LOVE that little chalk board, but I cannot get the marker off! I have used the same marker on other chalkboards before so I know it's not the marker! I have tried everything I can think of. The top layer came off, so it's not bright white anymore but it is totally still on there. Help! I want to use it in my house and not have it say Pumpkin Patch on it forever!
Here are some scenes from the party:
This was the only shot I got of her outfit. I had to wake her up from her nap as guests were arriving, so she played shy for awhile while she was waking up. I actually got this pillow case dress for her FIRST birthday to wear to the pumpkin patch on her actually birth day and I don't think she has worn it since. This is why I love pillowcase dresses...2 years later and it fits perfectly with leggings.
This fuzzy caterpillar may have seriously been the highlight of her day. She was just giddy over it!
She got a little shy when everyone started singing to her. Straight to daddy for protection ;)
Everyone loves a baby!
Overall it was a super fun and blessed day and I think my girl really enjoyed! We ended up having PERFECT weather and it was about 80 degrees with half of the back yard being in the shade...like I said, perfect!!
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Tips for Working Out in the Morning {Guest Post}
I recently started working out at 5:30 am. Which is crazy, especially considering I am not a morning person. At. All.
But I'm really enjoying starting my days with a good workout and kind of even consider myself a morning person now. Plus I get to work earlier now and am able to get things done in the morning, leave earlier in the afternoon, and head home without worrying about getting a workout in.
I shower and get ready for the day up at our church gym (where I workout) which means a lot of prep work is required to make it all happen. I've picked up a few tips along the way that might be helpful if you are trying the same routine or thinking about trying it.
Get two of everything. In the locker room I have everything I need so I'm taking less back and forth. In my gym locker I have: a body towel, wash cloth, hand towel (to wrap my hair up), shower shoes, shampoo/conditioner/body wash/face wash, razor, hair brush, deodorant, and hair dryer. The only thing I bring in each day are my clothes for the day and makeup. Everything else stays at the gym.
Prep the week on Sunday. Besides doing meal prep on Sundays I'll also pick out all my outfits for the week and hang them together in my closet. I even hang cardigans/jackets and jewelery together so the night before I don't have to think about what I need to complete the outfit. Doing this before the week saves me time each night and makes packing my gym bag easier.
But I'm really enjoying starting my days with a good workout and kind of even consider myself a morning person now. Plus I get to work earlier now and am able to get things done in the morning, leave earlier in the afternoon, and head home without worrying about getting a workout in.
I shower and get ready for the day up at our church gym (where I workout) which means a lot of prep work is required to make it all happen. I've picked up a few tips along the way that might be helpful if you are trying the same routine or thinking about trying it.
Get two of everything. In the locker room I have everything I need so I'm taking less back and forth. In my gym locker I have: a body towel, wash cloth, hand towel (to wrap my hair up), shower shoes, shampoo/conditioner/body wash/face wash, razor, hair brush, deodorant, and hair dryer. The only thing I bring in each day are my clothes for the day and makeup. Everything else stays at the gym.
Prep the week on Sunday. Besides doing meal prep on Sundays I'll also pick out all my outfits for the week and hang them together in my closet. I even hang cardigans/jackets and jewelery together so the night before I don't have to think about what I need to complete the outfit. Doing this before the week saves me time each night and makes packing my gym bag easier.
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5 days of outfits hanging and waiting at the front of my closet. |
Pack everything the night before. Anything that I need for the next day needs to be packed and ready the night before. This includes my gym bag, breakfast, water bottle, lunch, and anything else I might need for work. When you get up at 5 am and need to be out of the house 15 minutes later you don't have time to think and just need to grab and go!
Put everything in it's place. Every night I put everything in its spot for the next day. My gym clothes go in the bathroom so I'm not fumbling around in the dark wasting time. I put my shoes and socks in the living room by the chair so I can sit down and put them on quickly. My gym bag and purse sit by the door so I can grab them on the way out. Having everything in place makes walking out much easier!
Get plenty of sleep! Of course the key to working out in the morning before work is to make sure you get plenty of sleep. Figure out how much your body needs and set a strict bedtime for yourself to ensure you will have a successful workout and not be dragging all day afterwards!
Accountability. I go to a workout class and having a specific time to be there helps me get going because I don't want to be late. It is also super helpful having a group of people there everyday who I know will be asking where I am if I don't go. Recently a co-worker joined our class which provides even more accountability for me! If you don't have a class to attend see if you can find a friend to be your workout partner. It makes for a much more enjoyable workout, provides accountability, and creates a unique bond that sweating it out together can do!
What tips would you add for working out before work?
Leigh Anne is a wife, first grade teacher and puppy momma. She blogs about daily life with her husband & family as well as sharing tips about saving money, ideas for in the classroom, and memory keeping ideas. Check out her blog, Simply Swarbrick!

Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Freezer Meal List

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