Let's Look ~ February 2024

 I am linking up today with the Let's Look series of 2024.

Little things we do every day......

Well, this may seem a little routine, but playing along with the prompts, here are my every day routines!

Brush my teeth :)

Wash my face  - My morning routine is pretty simple.  I wash with just water, follow up with a face roller and use e.l.f. moisturizer.

Take vitamins

Eat a protein bar (either a Quest or Built bar)

Read devotional book

Check my phone for messages (text/Instagram/Facebook Message/What's App)

Text or call with my best friend in North Carolina

Check my emails, personal and work

Most days....

Cook dinner

Read/post blogs

Listen to podcasts

Go on a walk inside or on the treadmill

Watch TV

Read

This basically sums up a day in the life of routine things for me!

Valentine Decor 2024

Good morning.  Today I am sharing some Valentine decor I put out this month.  Not too much has changed since last year as I really don't buy new Valentine decor these days.  I will spend tomorrow focusing on Isaiah 54.  Thankful for the love and prayers of this community! 

And from inspiration from Jennifer, I found this screensaver.  I like the look of the frame!

 

Share Our Lives ~ February 2024

Good morning.  I am linking up with these blog friends for Share Our Lives.  

How You Met your Significant Other & Best Friend...

I have been married for 25 years.  

We met through a mutual friend 30 years ago this fall when a group of us went to the the Mid-South Fair.  We hit it off that night and the group came back to my house after the fair.  I remember everyone staying until middle of the night.  We were all in our young 20's so we could stay awake late then!

We were friends for 3 1/2 years and then had a short engagement of 3 1/2 weeks, then we got married on a trail in Glacier National Park in Montana.  It was a whirlwhind 3 weeks to say the least.  After being such good friends for 3 1/2 years, I was about to move overseas and it was a moment where we realized we wanted to get married.  We got married with just us, a local pastor and his wife, and another couple we met the night before that were our witnesses.  It really was a sweet story how we met them. They were a retired couple in Montana for the summer doing mission work. We even went to church with them the next day and kept in touch for many years until they passed away.  Here are some pictures from over the years.

Because we didn't have a traditional ceremony, we renewed our vows at 10 years, which was a sweet event.  We went back to Glacier National Park on our 20th anniversary and took our daughters, which was really special too. Here are some pictures below from our 20th anniversary trip with our girls.

Here we are below in the same spot in 1998 and in 2018, 20 years later.

In all honesty, the past few years have been really difficult for us and if you are a praying person, in full humility, I would love your prayers.  In spite of these challenges, I still wanted to honor my husband and share a little bit of how we met here.

I have a best friend who lives in Charlotte, NC.  We lived there the first 5 years of our marriage.  I met this friend through church.  We have always stayed in touch, but the past few years, we talk several times a week and text most days.  Let me say, I honestly don't know how I would have made it these past few years without her.  I have called out many times in tears and she has prayed for me and encouraged me.

I am thankful for these relationships, through the good and the bad.

Hope you had a good weekend and have a good Monday!

 

Friday Favorites ~ February 9, 2024

 Happy Friday blog friends!  Today I am linking up for a few favorites to share.....

ONE

Monday was my daughter's birthday.  A few years ago, she gave us all socks with her face on them.  I couldn't help but wear mine on Monday in her honor!

TWO

I knew I was due for an eye appointment soon, but I went this week after my glasses broke. I basically needed to go so I could find out what my prescription strength would be.  I bought the cheapest glasses I could from the eye doctor and then ordered some progressive glasses from Amazon.  Until they came in, I basically was wearing my prescription sunglasses.

THREE

After my visit to the Lodge store last week, I had purchased a cornbread mix and made it in my new skillet.  It tasted delicious!

FOUR

My favorite treat is frozen yogurt & my favorite yogurt shop is Menchie's.  Tuesday was National Frozen Yogurt day, so of course I had to go!

FIVE

Speaking of snacks/desserts, I made this quick little dessert this week:

I mixed one sugar free pudding mix into a container of thawed whipped topping (cool whip).  I mixed that well with a spoon and then crumbled a Fiber One Brownie in a serving.  It makes a brownie/mousse dessert.  It was pretty good and hit the spot after coming home after a long day.  Most of my days have been long this week due to running errands after work each day.

SIX

My niece was flying solo this week with her kids so it was fun to join them for dinner last night.

SEVEN

I am working a longer day today and even tomorrow due to our special event.  I am thankful to be a part of this though, so it is nice when work doesn't feel like work!

Have a great weekend!

Currently ~ February 2023

 I am linking up with my sweet friend Jennifer for this month's Currently series.

I am currently.......

Loving

I am loving the sunshine this week and milder temperatures.  I am not ready for summer temperatures yet, but I am enjoying the sunshine and it just makes for brighter days!

Looking forward to

I am looking forward to a girls weekend trip in April.  I am also looking forward to a day trip next month.  This weekend, we have a work event which is always fun to see lots of people.  

Changing

I am changing the way I view certain things and learning to be more confident and strong in my identity in the Lord.  This has come through some hardships, but looking to the Lord to keep me strong in the changes.

Celebrating

I celebrated my daughter's 23rd birthday last weekend.  I don't have any other major celebrations upcoming other than trying to celebrate the gift of life each day.

Happy Wednesday!

Weekend Recap ~ February 6, 2024

 

Good morning.  Today I am sharing a few more highlights of my weekend & linking with Talking about it Tuesdays.  We went to to see my oldest daughter to help celebrate her birthday.  My youngest drove up to meet us there, so it was great to see both girls again.  

Friday night, Isabella already had plans and I have learned to be very flexible when visiting the girls.  We went out to eat with Brook and walked into the lobby of this nice hotel.  I love looking at fancy ceilings!

Saturday started with us all having coffee at a cute, local coffee shop.  Then we went to a store, lunch and then to see Isabella's new office at work.  We went over to the gym afterwards and played some basketball and some table top games.

Saturday night, we went to dinner and one of her dear friends whom we love came as well.

Love her joy for life and smile!

Sunday, we went to church and then lunch.  Here I am with my sweet younger daughter, Brook.  Love her too!  Hugs from girls is just what this momma needed

On the way home, we stopped at this Lodge store.  The outdoor display was creative.

Skillets were used for their hands and feet.

The cast iron corn piece was used for the legs.

For the first time in years, we watched the Grammys.  Then it was back to work on Monday and then again today. 

Enjoy your day!

Birthday/Prime Purchases ~ February 2024

 Happy birthday to my oldest daughter today!  I love her so much and am so proud of her.  My goodness, she is an inspiration to me.  Both of my girls are!  I am so thankful we were able to celebrate together this past weekend.  I will post more of this tomorrow.  Here I am with my 23 year old on Saturday!

I am linking up with Tanya to share my purchases from January.  

Fire Pit

This was a birthday gift for Isabella.  I had it sent to her a few weeks ago so it was an early birthday gift, but so far, it has been used and she hopefully can enjoy it for years to come.

Eyeshadow sticks

I tried a new brand of eyeshadow sticks and so far, I have been pleased with these as well. They are very similar to the Julep brand.  I was able to get 2 for $14.

Batteries

Nothing exciting here, but I always need to keep AA batteries on hand to power my battery white lights I keep up on the mantle year round.

e.l.f. Cleansing Balm

This is my go-to cleansing balm I use to wash my face at night.  I now have it on subscription from Amazon.

How to Stay Married book

I recommend this book.  It will affect different people in different ways.

Travel Pill Organizer

This was recommended to use as jewelry organizer, but I have already returned this item.  I found the indvidual compartments very hard to open.  I do have a jewelry organizer I like for travel, but this is smaller, so I thought I would give it a try.  I think I will stick to my regular routine of packing jewelry when I travel.  However, I did find another pill organizer for every day and travel.  I like this one so much better and it was just $2.99!

Have a good Monday!