Celerate Everything - A New Link Up

There is always something to celebrate. 

Big or Small. Today and Everyday. 

...life is full of reasons to party celebrate... 

For today

I choose to celebrate.....

our safe travels and the joy of making a house a home.

Now it's your turn! Link up your reasons to celebrate :)

Give thanks to Lindsay at Domesticated Working Woman
this is her link up, her idea! And, I'm happy to be a part of it each month!

...happy to have Jordyn with me this month...

{Life Lately} Cross Country

Hey, remember me? Hope you all had FAB weekends!!! We sure did!
8 states and 4 days, we're finally in our new home-state. But Zina may have had it better than any of us. It's heaven on earth when she gets to look out the window. What is it that dogs love so much about this?

We left Virginia last week on Thursday. We've crossed the Appalachians, we've waved at every.single. stadium between VCU and UCCS, had lunch at the Gateway Arch, stayed an extra day in Kansas City, MO taking a much needed break from driving and now we're kissing the Rockies. The Holiday Inn is taking care of us for just two more days. Tip to any mil folks with pets.... this hotel chain offers the mil discount and accepts pets over 50 pounds for the least amount per day that we were able to find. We highly recommend them or the Marriott if you're pet free, we've had a ball there and used them many times too!

I have HUNDREDS of pictures to play with... I thought for sure I'd be good at uploading them to at least Instagram during our adventures, but not so much. A few went up but nearly enough. I'd love to share more with you and my family//friends back home that read my blog too. And, I really want to find a way to showcase the trip for the boys because really... how neat is it to road trip across the country?!!



One picture ready for the blog is from our goodbye party last weekend. Paaaa-lenty of shenigans that weekend! Along with goodbyes we also celebrated my 32nd birthday. Good times, sweet times.
32 feels good  :)

And what may be the best sang birthday song ever....

Linking with Weekend Shenanigans, Monday Morning Gossip, Monday Fundays, This Weekend I,


...happy to have Jordyn with me this month...

Freedom Rings...

HAPPY 4th of JULY to each of YOU!!!

...may your sparklers not die out and your cup never be empty...
xoxo

...happy to have Jordyn with me this month...

Sweet Weekends and an Updated Resume

I think I figured out something major this weekend. I've never ever been one to rock the sticker family on my back windsheild and bet my husband isn't either but if I could go on to be what I think I should be after this weekend, I would be all means proudly rock the sticker.

I figure if there are soccer moms, pta moms, classroom moms and mini van moms, shouldn't there be a pool mom??? Seriously. I really think me taking on this position could solve some problems across neighborhoods. Picking up kiddo's smothering them in sunscreen, packing fruit chews and water for the day all while hausing inflatables and beach towels?! I can handle that! And excel. If only this were a possible paid position.

Our long weekend was kid filled. My sister had her daughter, which brought me to tears too many times to count. That little girl is precious times 100. She's 7 pounds of almost makes me want another one sweetness. Her big brother stayed with us for 2 days, perfect bonding time for the boys and me.

Landon learned how to bake this weekend. He already knew what to do with the beaters so now he's learning what to do with the oven mitt. Trust me, Lance my oldest has been doing his own laundry for the last 2 years so Landon is moving right along schedule. And Mr. Lucas iced his first cake, complete with funfetti and Memorial Day decorations! He did all this while I was showering and getting ready for the day. Total surprise. Completely impressed  ;)

All that sticky, sweet sugary goodness meant we better get our sweat on. People, my Saturday morning class required, I kid you not 125 squats per leg, 125 lunges per leg. weighted. Oh my heavens, that was quite a leap from the 88 just a month ago. What happened to 10% increases? Needless to say I haven't trusted my quads since and staircases are the devil right now.

Time with grandparents is time well spent <PERIOD>
Next best thing.... time spent at the pool.

Landon goes through "NO" phases which almost everyone blames on the terrible twos. But Lucas and I are starting to think there is more to it than just that. We're thinking that as many times as we say "NO" to him is exactly how many times he says "NO" to us. Think about it... the more we are controlled the more we want to rebel. The more times we're restricted, redirected, told "NO" the more we want to yell back and have it our way. So on days we're stuck in the house or busy with errands the poor kid is limited and told "NO" repeatedly hence his tantrums and screaming fits. But on a day we hang outside/pool side he's allowed the reins. And he screams no "NO's". It's a pretty good argument for Landon's tantrums and a good one for me and my new found dream job of being a pool mom.

I'm thinking it's time to update my resume and start prospecting....
Never know, it could really take off. This guy would help out too  :)

*We of course took time to reflect and be in a moment of total gratefulness for all who have served and fallen. I wrote a little more on this yesterday.  I hope you ALL had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!



So whachya think?
Pool Mom a legit job? I mean "pool man" is!
How was your Memorial Day weekend? 


*Enter for a chance at a $100 Victoria Secrets gift card Giveaway!!!
**that's the first of 2 sponsor giveaways this week! good luck!





Linking with Weekend Shenanigans, Anything and Everything,


...happy to have Max with me this month...

Memorial Day Weekend

Source: idratherbeacowboy.tumblr.com via Kristine on Pinterest

Our weekend shenanigans fun isn't over yet! I'm hoping the same for you :)
This is a weekend of red solo cups, cookouts, cornhole, pools and just good times with friends and families.

But....
It's true meaning lies within the memory of our soldiers and the support for our present day military. Families all around the world, not just within our neighboring states are recognizing this weekends meaning with full hearts. There's much pride in being a military family. Whether you're the spouse, the parent, grandparent, brother or sister, cousin, aunt or uncle you feel the importance of this holiday.

Some families are missing a loved one due to a time of war or peace keeping or even just training.
But some are missing their loved ones due to the ultimate sacrifice. We should take time to treasure what we have and give thanks to what others were willing to give. EACH person who joins the ranks of any branch in our American military makes huge sacrifices for our freedoms. The boots they walk in do not symbolize just a job but a way of life based on deep belief and a courage that knows no bounds.

As we think of those that gave their lives for our freedoms... and those that currently serve
We owe them a cup turned up, a hug, a handshake, a thank you and a moment of silence.
We owe them a flag waiving in the air and the biggest splash from your belly flop or cannon ball.

We thank all of you for your support to our family, 

and know that we offer you the same thanks and admiration!! 

We're spending today poolside with friends, hoping to convince this little guy that a life jacket is necessary :)

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Linking with YOLO Mondays,


...happy to have Max with me this month...

Looking back on Happy Easters...

Happy Easter Sunday!


This year....
I'm hoping to catch Lance at the dinner table again with his over the top cheesy grin. Wondering how Landon and his cousin will do when they each spot the same egg. And praising the heavens I got away with only having to bring deviled eggs to Easter lunch. (which I still haven't made!)

I hope you find yourself surrounded by those you love in rooms filled with laughter and yards filled with eggs. Our family has always enjoyed this holiday for it's truest reason, much like Christmas. And then there's the egg hunt, can not leave out the egg hunt. fingers crossed for a no-rain day. The youngest of our group are now old enough to understand the fun in Easter. I can hardly wait to watch them fill their baskets!

Much like the collage of Halloween, I spent some time digging up pictures from Easters gone by. As much as I talk about looking forward and setting goals, I couldn't help but get lost these pictures. It's truly a blessing to spend holidays with family and friends. Hope you don't mind the photo dump ;)

From VA to Hawaii back to VA we've spent Easters covered in snow, sunshine and sand. To see Lance grow through these years along with his cousins made my little heart melt tonight. Check out his surfer hair from Hawaii days!! What's more fun is his face at the dinner table. Not much changed in 5 years. Apparently Lance is one happy kid at the dinner table or us adults take far too long cooking the meal?! Landon's first Easter was in his own home. You can barely see him in the picture, he was just days old! This was the first Easter celebration I threw for my family. I don't know what got into me that year but somehow I pulled it off, and yes, Lance will never be too old for an egg hunt!

Last year we were able to spend the holiday at my sister's beach house. My brother and his family had since moved to Nevada but were able to fly home for the Easter weekend. I can't even describe the happiness my parents felt this week. Really, we all did. My sister, brother and I are the best of friends. Our children are close in age and love each other like best friends too. The 15 of us spent a long weekend together counting it all...bible verses, Carova horses, eggs, kids, seashells and our blessings.


Happy Easter loves!
See you soon with a weekend recap and more fitspo!





Linking with BlogLovin Weekend Hop, No Rules Hop,

Love-Dovey Day or Just Another Day?

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you love bloggers!!!
If you celebrate this day or not...I still wish you sweet hugs and kisses!

For the record...in case you haven't figured it out yet, here's my Valentine...

He's my McDreamy, McSquezzy, McEverything. He's my rock. He's my sexy man. My heart's keeper.


Time for a little Q&A....
Link-up Style with The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife
I ask Lucas a few questions from the list and compare his answers to mine. Let's see how well he knows me!

I asked him if he remembered our first date...
of course he did! It was dinner and drinks at a local sports bar. I know, how romantic!
under the circumstances it was. we loved each other's company and oh,lala had our first kiss that night.

Which of you said I love you first?
He admits...he did. And then I cried. Total sap. The man melted my heart.

The colors of your wedding...
He's stumped....uhhhh, we didn't have that kind of wedding! Oh so true. Marrying Lucas was one of the best days of my life although the story doesn't make for the best. I had flown to Hawaii to welcome him home from his deployment. We knew we'd marry that week. It was planned. We just didn't know which day he'd finally be coming home. It was this week 4 four years ago. In some ways it seems like yesterday  in other ways it seems like an eternity ago. We married in a room, second floor of some building in Honolulu. Not at all like I pictured my wedding day but he was everything I pictured my husband to be.

He'll tell you my most commonly used phrase is...
"5 more minutes!!!" welp, yes, he's completely right on that. hadn't thought of it that way but he's right.

Ask him who my favorite celebrity is and what my fave drink is...
He nails it. Bradley Cooper and Vodka & Ginger with a fresh lime. I'm total lime snob, I smell them before I use them. Seriously, a bad lime will ruin an entire drink. It's no one's fault but the limes. As for Lucas, his celebrity crush is Carrie Underwood and the drink I know to order him is PBR, runner up Blue Moon.

His favorite things about me...
He'll tell you my lips?! For the sake of this blog let's just assume he means smile. Then he says the way I mother, the way I parent, that he can trust my instincts because parenting is hard and there is no manual but when we work together we do it right and do it well. I really didn't know what to expect here, but I love it!

There are a ton more questions but those were the most fun for us! 


I've loved this man from sea to shining sea. He's been as far east as he took me west.

He's been my Valentine for 6 years now and we're coming up on our 4 year wedding anniversary. For us this week is much more than a Hallmark Card Holiday. It's a week we celebrate our love and all our blessings. We talk a bit more heavily on our future, especially with the upcoming move. We take the time to seek out a perfect gift for each other. We stop life and just hang together. We try to make this week a little different than the others.

And you? Do you have a lovey-dovey to celebrate?
Do the two of you do anything 'extra' special today?

Tell me and then get your Valentine booties over to The Life of the Not So Ordinary Wife and link up!

If I were a boy...

Linking with Gay and Erin for If I Were A Boy....this might have been the easiest post for me, ever!
As soon as I read the tweet, I glanced up at these 3 "boys" and opened blog press. Post done 5 minutes later. And yes, Beyonce played on in my head but somehow it turned into C'mon Irene. who does that?!

If I were a Boy...

I'm guilty of it, you are too. Admit it. In busy days, that time of the month, the long day of labor you've thought it and I have too... Oh, if I were a boy!

I'd have that "lean back" pose mastered, no double chin and no -where did that come from, roll?!
I'd even look good makeup free, covered in a layer of tractor exhaust and dirt.
I'd shamelessly wear that shirt again, and again, knowing it hadn't been washed.
I'd probably even pick my nose at the red light, screw on-lookers.

If I were a boy, my furniture would all be thrift, the more worn and smelly the better.
My throws would represent my teams of every sport.
My dishes would be fine plastic, the 'I recycle' kind and my fridge fully stocked with beer.

Being a boy would make it easy to release. A shake, would be all that's required.
The world my bathroom, if you will.
Chipping polishes and smudged mascara would be no problem.
Static in my hair and #ootd's would never cross my mind.

Oh, if I were a boy, I'd never worry with makeup or dryers and straighteners.
I wouldn't worry with spritzing perfume or blotting oily spots.
I'd never, ever lower the toilet seat. Or wipe it clean.
My sink would dull from dots of shaving cream.

I'd mindlessly drift off to sleep and happily rise, starting the day peacefully ahead of everyone else.
As a boy, I'd be on time to everything never worried by what outfit to wear, if my belt matched my shoes or if my accessories complemented the outfit.

But, if I were a boy, I'd always keep my shoulders square, live out chivalry, and move with confidence.
I'd tip generously and never let a woman pay, open doors, or carry all the groceries.
I'd know of the corner flower shop and the best bakery in town.
I'd have restaurants on speed dial for last minute reservations and I'd love the life out of Mrs. Right!
For these, last mentioned, are just a few things my boy does for me.....

from...The One, Who Stole Christmas

you start with the reason for the season. taking time to focus on all that was given up, for us the have each of these days to cherish.

then you have a hearty breakfast.

and like good brothers do...you help each other open gifts from under the tree.

as you prepare yourself for all the places to go and people to see, you think back to the day before and remember the sweet new wheels you got, the hard work you and your cousin put into cooking,

and you thank your big brother for letting you, again, steal the show.

all of this, is too much and the day is still young, you pass out on the floor as you and your brother almost did the day before.

you awake to Christmas feasts, family, and more presents. again, you steal the show.

thankfully, us other lovelies got in for a pic or two. Great Grandma's. Grandma's. And sisters (one pregnant with round two).

and for dessert, we paused to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. A tradition my mom started years ago.
soon you'll understand why.

from three different camera's (don't ask) and a view from the little guy who stole Christmas......
we hope you felt as blessed as we did. We hope your home was overfilled with laughter, love, and generosity.  We hope you kept within your the heart the reason for the season and were not lost within the hustle and bustle required by each of us, on what can be, the busiest day of the year.

At times we lost sight of it and have talked about how to ensure it becomes more prominent in the celebrations for years to come.

Things we'll miss most about this Christmas season....

-being minutes away from family and friends. Next years Christmas is "still to be told" as we will be living in Colorado.
-being secure in our family of 4 being together...see mention above, between the lines most likely holds a hint that hubby could be deployed.
-the lights. Our neighbors home is on the tacky light Christmas tour, it's been such a joy to see the lights from our front porch.
-the generosity and togetherness the season prompts. As difficult as it can be to find the perfect gift and be when and where, it's a thrill.
-the sheer excitement in our children's eyes brought on only by the wonder found in this season.


Tell me, how was your Christmas?! 
Point me to your stories so the Joy of Christmas can go on!

P.S. Thanks to the shockingly WARM Christmas weather we enjoyed...mine and the hubs outfits were rather last minute. See, when you're sweating before you even the house...you know better than to wear the wool sweaters (originally planned) to another house, full of Merry. So if you came to find some form of fashion...have a look at last week's post of Leopard.Bows.and Naughty Snowman.

P. to the P.S. I won't ever dump that many photo's on you again!! errrr....unless it's one of their birthdays or next years Christmas!

I've linked with Random Wednesday brought to you by Shanna and linking with Walkabout Wednesday! Linking up with Katherine for Thursday Favorite Things