Fashion Friday {Good Friday}

I can't believe it's the last weekend of March already! I'm excited because it's another month down in this deployment. That also means two more months of school then its spring break! I'm half excited about that! Excited about being able to sleep in. Not excited because my kids are getting older and also now I have to occupy them. That feels like a lot of work. Can I get an Amen from my fellow stay-at-home moms!? We don't have major Easter plans church, egg hunts the usual!

Hope you have a great Easter Weekend!

Top and Duster: Ross Dress for Less, Jeans: PacSun, Hat: Forever21, Boots: RMC Boutique

Army Wife Deployment Checklist

I've been an Army wife for about 12 years now but have been lucky enough to have gone through one deployment since being married. But I have been through my fair share of long absences. Three 4-6 week long ones this last year and we are coming upon a longer deployment. 

So I thought I would put together a little deployment survival list. These are just some things I've done or plan on doing to get through the time apart. It is so hard even more now with kids and you need those extra little things to make it a little easier!

ENTERTAINMENT 

Netflix/Hulu Subscription to binge on.
{Just waste time and plow through those shows.}

::Bingeworthy shows::
Stranger things
New Girl
Xfiles
Friends...of course

Movie nights/Game nights with friends or your kids

Books
Use that Library card so you don't have to buy books.
E-books/Audible Books
Podcasts
{These are super fun because you just subscribe on your phone and listen very little effort put in}

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

At home spa
{great to do if you have a daughter or have kids and can't get a babysitter}
Facial masks
Bubble bath
{with candles, little debbie cakes my personal fave, candles}
Caddy Tray  link {perfect for combining the entertainment and pampering yourself}

Dessert for one:
Microwavable cakes or pie for one
Low calorie ice cream like Halo {peanut butter chocolate is my fave}
Bark thins

Gym Membership:

Keeps you busy and keeps you healthy.
If you have kids make sure it has childcare.


HOME 

Paper goods so you don't have to do dishes all the time.

Cleaning lady
{If not all the time have them come once or twice a month for a deep cleaning. If you play your cards right you might not have to touch those toilets for the whole deployment}

OR if cleaning is your thing then you just go to town!

PROJECTS

DIY projects
{I have a lot of furniture to redo:}
China cabinet
bench
dresser
several chairs

BABYSITTER

This one is important for your mental health honestly.
Mommys' need those breaks even if its just to go grocery shopping by yourself.


WEEKEND ADVENTURES
w/kids

Trampoline parks
Laser Tag
Roller skating
Theme park
mini golf
Bowling
Theme/water park

GETAWAY ADVENTURES

Road trips
Visit family out of state
One adventure a month that your spouse is gone

HOBBIES

Photography
Learn an instrument
Learn a different language
Volunteer somewhere

Conversations with an eight year old

{Brother annoying her}

Riley: He keeps yelling at me and I don't want to deal with it. 

{Starts clapping from across the room}

Mommy: Thank you Riley

Riley: I don't even know what we are clapping for.

Riley to Grandma: Mom said you had hot chocolate. Do you have marshmallows?

Grandma: No

Riley: Of course you don't.

{Sits on mommy}

Riley: You want a massage or something?

Mommy: I did just have a 2 hour massage.

{Starts chopping my back}

Mommy: Actually he didn't massage my head you can do that. 

{starts scratching my head}

Riley: You have sand in your hair.

Mommy: hahahahah that's dandruff

Mommy: What's daddy doing?

Riley: He's on the computer 

Mommy: What's he doing on there?

Riley: Either the bank or sports they both look the same.

CopyCat Tuesday

 

I love a dress and a chunky cardigan sweater. It's so effortless and easy. You're just cozy all day long. I love the print of this dress. I got on clearance at Forever21 and I'm glad I did. The print is transitional through the seasons. See how I styled this dress before here.

What's your favorite transitional piece? 

Sweater: Forever21, Dress: Forever21, Necklace: Forever21, Boots: Belk

One year.

Today marks one year since my dad suddenly passed away.

I thought I would share this story for the anniversary.

I just recently went to Nashville with my friend to celebrate her upcoming birthday. 

One of the tours we went on was the RCA studio b tour. If you are a music lover this is an awesome tour. I grew up in a radio family so this was right up my alley. We heard some cool behind the scenes stories of Dolly Parton, The Everly brothers etc. I was getting a little emotional already because it was something my dad would've liked. I almost felt him beside me telling me interesting facts that the tour guide probably didn't even know. 

The tour guide took us back to the recording studio and started telling us stories of Elvis Presley. One interesting thing was how he liked the lighting while he recorded. He liked to feel the music. So while recording "Are you lonesome tonight" it was pitch black {picture above}. 

While the lights were still off he started to talk about his love of gospel music. Elvis loved to rehearse with gospel music. He was nominated for 18 Grammys but only won three Grammys all for his gospel records. The tour guide then proceeded to play us one of the records. I felt the moment before it happened. Something was coming.

"How great thou art" started blaring from the overhead speakers. I completely lost it at the point. In the dark with a bunch of strangers. 

Some of you may not know. How great thou art was my dads favorite gospel song. In the hospital when we had to shut the machines off that we're keeping him alive. We all gathered around his bed and sang that song one last time for him.

I couldn't believe out of all of the songs they played that one and right in time for the one year anniversary. It was an incredible and emotional moment during my trip that I will never forget. 

I love you daddy! 

Family Pictures 2016

I know we just took family pictures last summer in Nashville but we had to do it again. I don't know if you know this but babies grow fast. They are like completely different people now. There's so much personality and sassiness. Not to mention the cuteness!

We found our lovely photographer on IG @sunnyjunebug and had a blast. 

Here are just a few of our favorites

All Photos by Sunny of sunnygoldenphoto.com

Conversations with a seven year old

Photo: Simply Beauty Photography by Ashley Reed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mommy: Why are you watching the news?

Riley: Cause I like the news

Mommy: Why?

Riley: Cause I like to know what's going on

Mommy: Papa loved to watch CNN

Riley: I like Fox news.

Riley: What song is this?

Mommy: It's Sam Smith....I don't remember the name of it though.

Riley: Just turn on Siri and say love songs...cause it's a love song. 

Fashion Friday {Pretty in Pink}

 

I'm loving this color for spring! It just happens to be on trend. I've always just liked what I like and then pass it the fashion magazines in the grocery store. They are just telling me that I'm on trend! Sweet! I got this crop top last year and I had yet to pair it with anything. It's a little hard to wear long sleeve anything in Hawaii. But since the cooler weather {Hawaii standard at least} I thought I would pull it out. What colors are you loving for spring?

 

Shop My Outfit 

Maxi skirt: Love Culture {Similar} 

Top: h&m {Similar}

sandals: Target

necklaces: Charlotte Russe

{Mommy Monday} Caleb Landyn turns ONE

I am so behind in blogging! There has been so much that has happened that I still want to sure. Bear with me while I catch everyone up. I must admit though. Two kids to keep up with is a little harder than I thought. It's taken me a really long time to get into a groove. I'm still not there quite yet. I don't know if having two kids has just made me scatter brained. Or if I have really lost part of my brain somewhere. Any of you other moms feel me on that??

  I survived the Birthday/Holiday Palooza! I really felt it this year. I think it was a good lesson to learn for next year. My little man having his birthday a week before Christmas is to say at the least stressful. But I made it out alive! 

 I can't believe my little man is one years old!! This last year went by so fast.
We had his birthday party back in California to celebrate with the family. My brother and sister in law graciously let us use their house.
I didn't get to do as much as I wanted. I'm usually really into the details. I just seriously dropped the ball in my opinion. Plus everyone ended up sick over break anyway. Poor little guy ended up with an ear infection and an upper respiratory infection. I'm surprised we got as much done with it as we did. He had a good time.. I think!

Since his Birthday is around the holidays I wanted something a little different. Something more cozy in the winter month. So I did a chili and pie bar. Everyone had the option of a bowl, or a chili dog and their choice of pie. Caleb even got his own mini apple pie instead of cake.
I'm glad we got to all be together! What did you do for your child's first birthday