Friday Favorites - Merry Christmas

Well, hello there.  Ironically, in my last post I gushed how I was excited to get back into a regular blogging routine.  Well, then life happened.  In the biggest way possible.  I'm determined to stay positive in this post, but I would love to ask for your prayers for my mom.  She's in the ICU after suffering from sepsis, a stroke and now some serious breathing issues.  It's been the hardest month of my life and we are constantly praying and thinking ahead to the recovery she WILL make.  My mom has always been my biggest supporter and loves to read what I write, so when she reads this one day...I LOVE YOU, MOM.

So why do a blog post?  I enjoy it and there is no reason to not celebrate the favorite moments that have happened the past few weeks.  Because amidst the sadness, there has been magic - especially in two very special little ones.  

Is there anything better than kisses in front of the Christmas tree?  Aiden has been very affectionate recently - he knows what Mommy's heart needs.

My sweet friend Courtney has a new book out - The Snowmen Did It!  The kids love reading it and searching for our own Hippo book :). 

I was in desperate need of a new 'do, so I headed to a wonderful little salon after a recommendation from a friend.  Well, not only do I LOVE the cut, but my incredible friend surprised me by paying for the it.  How amazing is that?!  She hasn't owned up to it yet, but that's just another testament to her giving heart. 

We've been doing a lot of baking over here.  Sprinkles are a favorite!

This wall in our new home is my favorite.  The previous owners already had a hook on the window - perfect for a wreath.  

Aiden loves taking pictures of my phone and got this one of four little feet.  I can't be the only one obsessed with their children's feet :). 

This picture makes me smile.  Ollie not so patiently waiting for dropped goodies and my two babies eating a festive lunch. (Festive = snowman cookie cutter PB sandwiches ;) )

We get some pretty incredible sunset views out our back window.

We went to a drive-thru light display the other night and waited TWO hours.  Yikes.  Thankfully, this guy was content as long as he could "drive."  He is so his father :).

And this one was thrilled to stick her little pig-tailed head out the window and make people smile. 

This has been my view for much of the past few weeks.  Aiden loves to draw and I now feel obligated to plant a few trees to make up for the paper he's used.  But these simple moments are my favorite.

And a favorite quote to leave you with today.  I read it yesterday in an Instagram post and I'm sorry, but I don't know what book it came from.  But it speaks to my heart and maybe it will speak to yours too.  Merry Christmas, friends.  Much love from my heart to yours. 

"It is the assurance that God's promises are true even while we wait for their fulfillment.  Because our hope is certain, we wait patiently, not fretfully, trusting that God is already at work to provide the light we seek, the help we need, and the deliverance we long for."

Friday Favorites - Thanksgiving Edition

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I've been a little MIA around here recently, but for good reason.  Something had to give these past few weeks, and unfortunately, this is the first thing to fall to the bottom of the list.  BUT...things are (sort of) calming down, so I hope to be back to regular posts soon!  I very much enjoy keeping up with this site and hope to be even more organized and on top of it as we head into 2017.

Since my last post, we've had a BIG change around here...we moved!  In the middle of October, we randomly found a house in a neighborhood we love, on a lot we love even more, and jumped on it.  A little over a week later, we listed our house and it thankfully sold in 24 hours.  After the roller coaster ride that is moving and buying a house - we are starting to feel settled.

A quick recap of some of my favorite moments from the past week.  As I get myself back into a routine, I'll definitely have more to share in the upcoming weeks!

Aiden celebrated at school with a Thanksgiving feast! He told me he only ate mac & cheese :).

One of the reasons we fell in love with this house...it's on a caldesac!  Aiden loved riding his bike around the circle. 

We had a fun night out on Tuesday and got a sneak peek of Scuba Santa at our local aquarium.  Audrey danced her way through - I'm sure the fish loved it ;).

Wednesday morning I had an amazing opportunity to lead a story time with my book at a local Hanna Andersson store (my FAVORITE!).  Any excuse to break out my hippo dress and make it festive...loved it!  

Some of my very favorite people came to support me - so incredibly blessed!

My little helper, prepping for Thanksgiving.  He wiped off the celery!

Our first Thanksgiving in our new home :). 

Our first nephew was born last week!  We can't wait to meet him and the kids made him a first Thanksgiving turkey. 

I make them once a year for good reason.  So bad, but SO good. 

Our first kids table!

Because after you eat Thanksgiving food, you need to put your feet on the table, haha. 

Our littlest turkey. 

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and still have more fun planned this weekend.  So incredibly thankful... thank you for stopping by :). 

Halloweek

Nope, that's not a typo!  The past week has been filled with Halloween fun, as well as birthday festivities for Andrew!  We've also had a big dose of real life going on, filled with stress, but it's starting to settle down and things are looking good :).  More on that next week!

We spent Andrew's birthday last Sunday at Kings Island.  Both Andrew and I spent a lot of time there as kids/teens, but I haven't been there in at least 15 years.  We were lucky enough to go with some of our family and introduce the kids for the first time.  I wasn't sure how they'd like it, or what they even had for our two 36 inch-ers, but they were able to do a lot!  And we could do it with them, which was even better.  The highlight was probably the log flume ride as a family.  Both kids loved it and Audrey kept saying, "Audrey all wet!"  

The kids had school on Halloween, so after their parties we headed to my parents' house for trick-or-treating.  Andrew's parents came as well and we had a great time - Aiden's costume was the hit of the night!  After birthday cake and pajamas, we took our tired selves home for bed.  Holidays are a blast...and exhausting!

A few pictures from our "Halloweek"...

I hope you had a Happy Halloween!