Happy Friday!

I snapped this picture of little miss "on the move"...which is no small feat these days. Two things: Ella has super kissable cheeks, and curls for DAYS. ;)

Happy Friday!

Things I'm Loving March Edition

Just a vlog on a few things I'm loving this month!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I'm throwing it way back today...to our trip to Ireland (several years ago)! We went for our 3rd anniversary. It was one of the best trips of my life and I'm super thankful for my Irish heritage. I felt like fit right in...the pale skin, blue eyes, and unruly hair, well...yeah, that's me alright. Ha! ;) You can see more images from our trip here, if you happen to enjoy that sort of thing. TGIF!

Readers Are Leaders

So, what do toddlers do when momma is working on the computer? They check out books at our own personal schoolroom library.

I asked her if I could take her picture...and this was her pose of choice. HAHAHA. My kids don't have a single drop of personality. At all.

Her shirt says, "Super Independent". It was a gift from her grandma. And it's very true. She's our very own wildfire, and we love her so much.

Happy Homemaker Monday Vol. 28

The above was the centerpiece I had set up for a friend's baby shower. Her favorite color is purple, so when I saw the tiny lavender pieces, I had to buy them.

The weather...
It's cold, cloudy, and a bit rainy.

Right now I am...
Finishing up breakfast. I had an iced peppermint latte, and a mini egg omelet for breakfast.

Thinking... 
About the books and toys I scored for the girls while thrifting last week. I plan to clean them up and set them out for the girls later on today.

On my TV...

Last night, after the kids were in bed, we watched the movie "Midnight in Paris". I'd forgotten how fun the movie was. It reminded me of our honeymoon(well the scenery did...not the storyline, lol)!

What I'm Reading... 
Own Your Life by Sally Clarkson 

Mr. Limoncello's Library

On the menu for this week...
Taco Salad

Chicken & Sweet Potato Casserole (yes, I make this a lot, lol!)

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Italian Meatloaf with Green Beans and Salad

On my to do list...
Speed clean
Fold Laundry

Pack Lunches for the week

De-Wrinkle and hang up Josh's work clothes

Deep clean the kitchen (it's a bit messy after the weekend, ha!)

Workout

Plan spring decor (working on my wreath idea, etc.)

Make grocery list and order online

One of my simple pleasures...
Reading when the girls are sleeping. :)

Buying fresh flowers.

Linking Up with Diary of A Stay at Home Mom

Home Sweet Home

When we were looking for our "dream home", we had a lot of ideas of what we wanted and where we wanted to live. So, when we looked at our current home, it didn't quite meet all our expectations. But, when we drove off from looking at it the first time, I remember very specifically telling my husband that I could see us living there for a very long time. You know, like, forever. ;)

It was older than we wanted and it needed a LOT of elbow grease. We looked at more homes. But, we came back to this one...and viewed it a second time. When we stepped out on the back patio, we looked at each other, and decided this was it. This was where we were meant to raise our family. So after negotiations, we closed, and it was ours.

Someday, I'll show you all the before and afters. We've poured a lot of time and love into our little space. Lot's more to do, but I'm just sooooo in love with this house. 

And those I share it with, even more so. ;)

A Monday Surprise

Yesterday, the girls and I had just finished up lunch. I looked out the window, and there was Josh, pulling in the driveway. He NEVER comes home for lunch....

He had decided to surprise us by taking off work half the day, and loading us up for an adventure in the city. The weather was perfect! Unseasonably warm, with a cool breeze.

We took the girls on the river walk, explored the giant bridge, played at the park for a few minutes, and ate Indian food downtown. We ended the day with book shopping, and iced coffee (for me!).

It was perfect. Thankful for all these sweet memories with my family.

Happy Homemaker Monday Vol. 27

The weather...
Very cloudy and a bit cool outside!

Right now I am...
Drinking coffee, blogging, and getting read to get the girls up and going for the day.

On My Bedside Table...
My phone, a photo, and a vase with sunflowers

Thinking... 
About making our house a home, what I need to get done today, and whether or not the laundry fairies will make an appearance. Ha!

On my TV...
Poldark

Fuller House

The Crown

Friends
Last Man Standing

What I'm Reading... 
Own Your Life by Sally Clarkson

Mr. Limoncello's Library

At Home With Madame Chic

On the menu for this week...
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce & Noodles

Meatloaf, Green Beans and Salad

Black Bean Nachos

Chicken Casserole

On my to do list...
Speed clean
Load/Unload Dishes

Laundry

Pick up toy room

Clean Bathrooms

One of my simple pleasures...
Reading! Shopping for books. :)

Linking Up with Diary of A Stay at Home Mom

A Belated Valentine Tea

My grandma's funeral was on Valentine's Day. Fitting, because she always sent us Valentine cards in the mail. Every year. So, I decided to have a belated Valentine tea party for the girls. I had a few tea & valentine themed books that I set up, along with the banner I had bought to hang up. I filled their tea cups with marshmallows and sprinkled them all around. I had also bought them Valentine jammies last month, and they've been wearing them this month.

They were all about the marshmallows. ;)

After Evie had finished eating hers, she decided to help sister finish her teacup off. ;) I love their little bond. Sweet, sweet sisters.

Weekly Blessings

This week, more than ever, I am thankful for every minute that I get to spend with my family. Our girls are a constant source of joy. It's also been so fun to see them start to play together. They are the best little buddies and they don't like to be without each other.

I've been sad a lot this week, so whenever I see these roses, it helps put a smile on my face. They were my early Valentine roses from Josh.

My birthday was yesterday. Josh brought home cake and Sushi. He also splurged on beautiful pieces for me to decorate my kitchen with. My favorite was the Feast cutting board...it's made by Mud Pie! I had no idea they offered anything other than kids clothes, so that was a fun surprise. :)

Mimmie

There are so many words I could use to describe Mimmie, but I think the one I would choose over them all would be "dedicated". She loved her family very much. 

She never missed a birthday or valentines or wedding anniversary. She shared in all the big moments of my life from graduation to our wedding to the birth of our girls. 

I am thankful for every mug of Ovaltine, for every 'I love Lucy' marathon, and that she took time to write us little notes throughout the year. 

I am heartbroken that she was taken so soon, but I'm thankful that she is at peace with Jesus. And for the thousands of happy memories that I have stored away in my heart forever. 

Would you say a prayer for our family? For peace and comfort. She left behind her husband of 50+ years, her children, grandchildren, siblings, and many other family members.