Dear Lauren,

tee, necklace and flip flops: old navy      pants: target

Besides my pants, everything I am wearing is from Old Navy.  I really wish I could find away for them to pay me to advertise their clothes.  

These pants are extremely comfortable but there is a major problem in that they have to tie under my belly and I felt like they were going to fall down all day long.  

Today is this sweet boy's 4th birthday.  I can't believe it was four years ago I heard his little cry on the phone right after he was born, and anxiously awaited until I could meet him a few weeks later.  I remember feeling like I couldn't imagine loving him any more, and I still feel the same way. 
You have done such an amazing job raising a tender, compassionate, smart and adorable little boy Lauren! I'm so thankful to have you as an example as I enter motherhood.  
Happy birthday to the sweetest, funniest and cutest little boy I know.  I love you more than you know Travis James!

Speaking of Travis, the other night he prayed "Thank you for the baby in Katie's belly and for the baby in Chris' belly.  We love their family."  
So while he really is smart, maybe you need to remind him only girls can have babies. 
I love you Lauren and am so happy I get to see you in a week.  

High Five for Friday

dress: target   leggings: jcpenny   boots: steve & barry's  necklace: gift 

1. These leggings make me feel like I belong in either the 80 year old category or the 8 year old category.  I think they work best when there is only a little of them showing.   
2.  Someone brought these bars to school last week and they were so good, I plan on making them for my mom's birthday dinner this weekend. 

Avalanche Bars

3. It has been snowing all day today! Now if only that would mean a snow day tomorrow.

4.  Last week my nephew told my sister he had a secret and whispered, "Mama, I want you to know that I think you are the best.  But you'd be cooler if you could fly."  I sure miss him!

5.  I'm not quite sure why I didn't start shopping on ebay years ago.  I got some pretty sweet (and cheap) Christmas gifts from there this year and bought this owl necklace for 99 cents.  Shipping included!  

When you're not sure if something will be cute or gaudy under $1 is a risk I can handle.      Happy Friday!!

High Five for Friday

sweater: loft   jeans: target  boots: gojane.com  

1. While I don't feel like this outfit is anything fancy or necessarily post worthy, this is what I wear most weekends.  Jeans, sweater, boots and scarf.

2.  Want to get in the Christmas spirit?  I watched this video yesterday and was surprised that it made me all teary.  Something about all those people singing songs with truth about the Christmas season.

3. We were a little delayed in getting our ornaments up on our tree, but finally did.  Here'a few of my favorite ornaments.

And let's just say the middle child ornament has caused a few disagreements with my siblings.

4. One of my good blogging friends, Carly, has a husband who is in a band called Uncle Daddy.  And I'm really excited to share them with you!

Uncle Daddy calls themselves a "roots rock" band.  On Tuesday this week, Uncle Daddy released an album as part of the Grammy ReImagined project, which showcases up and coming artists, and allows them to cover two Grammy winning songs, along with two of their own songs. 

Their album, Uncovered, is available on ITunes, and you can also view some of their videos on Grammy.com. 

Here's a video of Uncle Daddy's song, Crossroads.  

5. My sister texted me this picture this morning.  How could this not make your week better?

Happy Friday! Hope you have a great weekend!

*This post is sponsored by Uncle Daddy, but the opinions are my own.

How to have a good Thanksgiving

1. Don't waste any time taking an outfit picture.  Consider a family picture even better.

dress: old navy   necklace: carolineg  boots: dsw 

2. Chase your niece and nephew around to try to get a picture with them. 

3. Once you catch them don't give up.  Even if they cover their eyes or don't look at the camera.

4. Count your self very lucky when you finally get a good one.

5. And even luckier when they jump into your pictures without being forced.

6. Take at least one picture of your meal.



7.  Do lots of sitting around, watching episode after episode of Friends or admiring a fire and Christmas decorations.

8. Be so thankful that Christmas is four weeks away and you get to do it all over again!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Dear Lauren,

I've been wanting a floral infinity scarf and finally found some fabric this weekend and made one!  

Now if only I could find a fabric with elephants on it.

shirt: old navy (similar)   jeans: kohls   boots: dsw (similar)  scarf: DIY

It always takes me a few days to get used to my new hair, but I think I am starting to like the darker color.
Unfortunately this wind makes it look like a slight mess.

I can't even wait to see you on Thursday.  Over three months is far too long. 

The other day you sent me this picture with this text: 

"Just getting Lena a snack and turn around and this is what I find.  

Travis why are you naked?

 'It seemed like a good idea.'"

and I honestly have looked at it and laughed about it everyday since. 

(Travis - I know that seeing this picture now will make you laugh and only think more highly off yourself.  Agreed.  But by the time it doesn't, I promise I'll take it down!)

I can't wait to give you these shoes that I found at Target for $4.50.  Now you, me and Lauren-in-law will be matching. 

Last week you told me that you told one of your clients about what I am going through during this infertility journey and how it has made me a more beautiful person, and you said you were able to use my story to encourage someone else. 

Thank you for saying that.  For reminding me that God is using me.  For reminding me that He will continue to use this struggle to grow me and others too.  

and for reminding me how blessed I am to have a sister who loves me, prayers for and encourages me. 

I love you Lauren and have the biggest hug waiting for you, Travis and Lena Thursday afternoon! 

Love, 

Linking up to: random wednesday  pleated poppy  rolled up pretty  saw it pinned it

$1,000

skirt: marshalls (similar)  top: jcpenny  necklace: ebay

Don't you wish I was talking about a $1,000 giveaway?
Me too.

Instead I'm asking you this:
Want to know a fun way to spend $1,000?

Don't buy a refrigerator.

Because it is not fun. 

What I would have rather spent my money on:

Buying many many more statement necklaces.

A long weekend away in Lake Geneva.

A shopping spree, purchasing these items and many more.

Many sushi dinners:


Plane tickets to visit my favorite little boy and girl.

Sometimes being an adult and owning a house is a bummer.

On a more exciting note I'm doing a giveaway on Much Love Illy's blog.  Check it out!

So long summer . . .

tee: old navy  short& sandals: old navy  bracelets: chloe vs. tank  necklace: groopdealz

I'm thinking this will be my last time wearing shorts this year.

 Whether the weather agrees with me or not, now that it is September I want to put my shorts away and move onto Fall clothes. 

Even though school has started and I feel like summer is already over, 

this weekend seems to make it more official.  

Here are some of my summer highlights:

camping with my family

taking my niece to Medieval Times for her birthday

spending a day in Lake Gevena with Lauren

spending time (and even making a craft) with Lauren and Lauren 

getting an extra week with some alone time with my nephew and niece

trying to be more adventurous

accomplishing some successful projects (sailboat tee, maxi dress, statement necklace)

I hope you had a great summer and are ready for Fall!

Now when is it an appropriate time to put up Fall decorations?  

because I am ready. 

sunday funday
YOLO Monday

Back to School

grey tee: old navy  skirt: target (similar)   leopard flats: target   necklace: kohls $4 clearance (similar)

Sadly, my summer has ended and this week is back to school.
Which means the occasionally tired eye, too early outfit post like this one.

Which also means there may be more of these:

To help me prepare for being back in school:

I'm doing my best to focus on the things I'm looking forward to like:
a normal routine, eight year old hugs,
looking forward to weekends, wearing work clothes,
 funny stories and doing a job I know I'm meant to have.


I'll be focusing on things like make me happy, like these new bracelets I got from Karly from the arm party swap that I know I will wear often:

(Thank you Karly - I LOVE them!)

I will be channeling my nephew's excitement for going to visit me while working in my classroom:



I will also be practicing this face, to show off just a few times at the beginning of the year so my students know I mean business.

You probably wouldn't mess with me if I looked like this right?

Happy back to school for all you teachers out there!

Arm Party Link-Up  Much Love Illy