Friday Favorites ~ Snow & Stitches

Here are some highlights from our week.....

Like so much of the South, we had some snow this week.  We had about 2 inches of snow, however with the snow last week, we have now had a view of snow in our yard and city for a week now.  It has been so pretty, but I am ready for some above freezing temperatures....not summer yet, just a little warmer :)

We attempted to build a snowman. 

Instead, the girls made snow angels.

Icicles on the back of the house

No make up, pajamas, and more Colombian hot chocolate!

We ventured out to Chick-Fil-A on Wednesday.  That night, we went to our weekly Wednesday night church service.  While there, Isabella had a slight injury during Senior High, who was meeting with together with Jr. High because of the lower attendance due to weather.  She got a slight gash in her head.  Thankfully, we have some doctors who are friends who attend our church. One of them was called out of service, along with me and Avery, to look at her injury. He told us it needed stitches, but could wait until morning instead of the ER.

So, Thursday morning, we went to see a plastic surgeon who put 4 stitches in her head.  The doctor was very kind and gracious to us, as well as some leaders from the church.  Isabella was quite brave during the process.  

Grandparents treated us to lunch at Sonic (Isabella's request) afterwards and we went to a mother/daughter event Thursday night hosted by church at a friend's house.  

It has been a good, but unusual week with the snow and unexpected trip to the surgeon.  I had seen this week going a little different because big news... I return to work full time Monday morning. And ironically, it has been 17 years TO THE DAY that I have worked full time, so it will be a big adjustment for me and the rest of my family.  Prayers are appreciated.  Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Reintroductions

Today I am linking up with other bloggers and today we are starting with re-introductions.  So, here is my re-introduction to you.

My name is Marilyn.  I grew up in the South and have lived in 3 states and 2 continents.

I am the third child of my siblings and grew up in a loving home. I am so thankful for them.  As you know from this blog, I also love being a great aunt!

Me with my parents and daughters

Me with my older brother and sister

 As a teenager, I always loved music, concerts, and broadway.  I wanted to be on broadway, but didn't have much talent, ha! My first concert was Elvis and I have seen my favorite, Huey Lewis, more than any other artist. I do still enjoy concerts and broadway plays.  

I have met Huey Lewis twice!  I still love eighties music, being a teenager in that decade.

I studied aviation in college and worked for Delta Air Lines then began working as corporate travel agent.  I have always loved to research trips, even as a young teen.  I love to travel and New York City is one of my favorites and my most visited city. I also love cruises, although it has been a few years since I have been on one.

NYC with Brook

This year marks my 20 year wedding anniversary.  I met my husband after college and we knew each other for 3 1\2 years but were only engaged for 3 weeks.  We got married at Glacier National Park in Montana, but then did renew our vows on our ten year anniversary at the Graceland chapel!

Ten year vow renewal

Wedding Day 

We have 2 daughters, ages 16, almost 17 & a 13 year old.  I have homeschooled the girls since kindergarten, except for a year and a half they went to traditional school in another country.  We spent 3 years living in Bogota, Colombia as missionaries.  It was a great experience, but hard many times too.  We do miss it and have fondness towards that time in our lives.  We have been back in the USA a little over a year now, so it has been a year of transitions for us. I have lots of posts from Bogota on this blog if you would to read some of those. 

Me with my girls

View of Bogota from our apartment window

I enjoy cooking, watching Hallmark movies, spending times with family and friends, listening to music, organizing things, and making a yearly scrapbook, which now is digital. 

That is a glimpse into my life and hobbies....so nice to meet you!

Blogging Anniversary

Last Thursday was the 6 year anniversary of my first blog post.  I remember writing that post and was so inspired to do so.  I love that this blog started with meaning that I still feel today.  I am thankful for a place to journal some thoughts, share random things about my life, show pictures to help remember events with my family and a place to reflect.  

Thank you for reading along, whether it has been one post, a few here and there, or all of them.  I am a blogger, not a professional one, but I enjoy doing this and hope my kids will enjoy looking back at all this one day.  I will try to keep this somewhat interesting and short and sweet most days, and as I share my life, I want others to see me living life with hope because of Jesus in my life.

As a throwback, here is the link to my very fist post.

Weekend Wrap up ~ Winter Weather

Late Thursday night, we had some freezing rain then snow early Friday morning, which lasted just a few hours.  It was enough to cover the ground and for us to go play outside for a little bit.

I bought this sled last summer at a neighbor's yard sale, and I was super thankful Friday for the two or three dollars I spent on this.  We have a big hill in the neighborhood where everyone goes to sled, so it was fun to do that for the first time here.

This is Isabella carrying the sled back up the hill.

After sledding, we came back home and had lasagna and Red Lobster cheese garlic biscuits I had made.  I also thought it was the perfect time to use our snowflake paper plates and napkins.

When I was taking the lasagna out of the oven, the pan, which was disposable, crumpled and spilled out into the oven.  It was a mess and I spent some time in the afternoon cleaning.  Oh well, at least my oven is clean now!

Saturday, not much had melted since temperatures were still below freezing.   I suggested a walk to get us out of the house.  It was a cold, pretty winter day.

We walked into the woods behind our neighborhood and explored that area.

We spotted a deer stand.

Animal tracks

My UGG boots imprint in the snow :).  We all wore our rainboots, so we were ready for the weather.

I learned quickly this had water under it once I accidentally took a step on it.

After an hour walk outside, we came back in and drank some Colombian hot chocolate, which is our favorite.

Enjoy the holiday and we will enjoy the slightly warmer weather here today.  

Friday Favorites ~ January week 2

ONE

I have been wanting a way to organize my jewelry a little better and I am so pleased with my new organizer!

This is my earring and small necklace holder.  I keep small earrings in a small container (to the right ) that didn't loop into the holder.

I put one pair of earrings on each loop so I could fit more pairs.  

I also got this bracelet holder which will help me be able to see what I have and hopefully wear more of what I own.

These are my longer necklaces and they hang on some picture hooks. 

TWO

My in-laws were in town for a few days this week and we played a game of Mexican train dominoes.  

While the guys were hunting, the girls got pedicures and manicures. 

That is Isabella in the distance getting her manicure.  We also had lunch at Zaxby's, which was good.  It had been years since I had been there. 

THREE

We also did a little shopping, and I was so excited to get these....new Christmas stockings! Avery and I don't even own stockings anymore (have no idea what happened to our old ones....guessing they got lost in our transition moving to another continent!). I will keep the girls old stockings to hand down to them one day, but they were coming unsewn in a few places.  So, while shopping at Pottery Barn Outlet, I found these stockings on sale for 60% off the lowest price.  I had some gift cards, so for these four stockings, I paid less than $4 total!! I hope to get our names monogrammed before Christmas this year.  At that price point and how darling these are, these are definitely a favorite.

FOUR

Menchie's yogurt is always a favorite. 

And Thursday night, I made a chicken dish, salad with avocado, feta cheese, and tomatoes and gluten-free garlic pita bread.  By the way, no one in our family is gluten free, but they looked good and tasted just as good as they looked in the box. 

Enjoy your weekend and stay warm as we all brace for a weekend of cold weather. It's a snow and ice day here. Great day to caught up on some things at home, including Hallmark movies :).