The One With The Fourth Of July {2016}

Is it weird that I always forget how much I love 4th of July weekend?? Every year it rolls around and I'm reminded that it's one of my favorite holidays for several reasons...

1. Casual

It's SO laid back! There is no major planning, gift buying or decorating.  Just hanging out and enjoying time with family and friends.

2. Coordinating Outfits

I am up for any occasion that allows for theme dressing.  We were the red, white and blue family all weekend!

3.  Food

 #AllTheFood

4. Freedom

I'm a great big fan of the USA & the freedoms this country gives its citizens. But I'm mostly a GIANT fan of the freedom that comes through Jesus.  I'll take any holiday that can shine the goodness of Jesus!

5. Heroes

I have the privilege to know many men and women who have served our country past & present.  I'm thankful for this day that shines a light on their greatness.  I have been taught to have nothing but respect for these men & women.  To ALL who have served, thank you for being selfless.  I'd like to honor a very special veteran who went to be with Jesus this week.  Jonathan's grandpa, Mr. McKay, was one of these selfless men who served his country, served God, and served his family.  We love him so much & know he is in the presence of Jesus. 

We started the weekend at White River at my grandparents little lake house.  My sister & I have always known some sort of lake getaway.  Growing up they had a place at Possum Kingdom

{This picture is so special to me. It's me & my cousins with my DadDad at PK.  If be the one behind the steering wheel wearing a "Pistol Petes Pizza" shirt!}

  Lots of summers were spent on the water fishing, tubing, swimming, & just being together as a family.  I'm so thankful that my grands love the lake and welcome us out whenever we want!

Jack got plenty of attention!

White River Lake isn't the biggest or the best, but I spent 10 summers at the camp across the way, so it's my favorite lake of all time. 

Mom was channeling her inner Rob Wilkinson & trying to hypnotize Jack. 

hah!

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

We got there Friday night & went to the Marina {with everyone else in a 30 mile radius} for the fish fry then headed back to the house to watch the firework show.  I told Brynn we were going to watch a fire work show and she said, "I don't even know what that means." Hah! Well the firework show started, I broke out some glow sticks...& she was the least bit impressed.  Maybe next year!

Everyone was up early the next day for some water fun!

It was breezy enough for Jack to spend the morning outside with us, but that also meant the water was WAY chilly for the swimmers!

Yay for Reagan & John meeting us there on Saturday.  Brynn just adores both of them, and they are awesome enough to go along with all of her bossy orders. 

Then the storms started rolling in.  We were smart enough to get out of the water & back to the house before the downpour started...all those other people down there were not. And it provided us some great entertainment!  

 Brynn wanted to play hide-n-seek. This is where Reagan hid.

 We left after supper on Saturday & we weren't even a mile down the road before this happened. 

We pulled into the driveway around 8 and she looked like this...then went right to bed and slept until 8 on Sunday!

We ate Sunday lunch with Devin, Kensey, & Miss Adeline.  Brynn has always been unsure about Devin until he took her to get a balloon, pretty sure he's her best friend now!

On Monday, we went to my parents house for food, fun, & fireworks. We took a few pictures before we left #BecauseObviously  

And she looked like this before we were even off our street.  Girl has been playing hard this summer!

My sweets!

Jack's first 4th & first holiday! 

I think everyone is on pins and needles waiting to see if his little legs and arms chunk up like sisters. ;)

We spent the evening watching Battle Bots, {don't judge, it has me hooked!} watching Brynn swim {I have a hilarious snap of her crashing into the pool} & spending time with family and friends. I love the 4th! 

And here are a few pictures of my cuties from the past few days. 

Have a great week!

Friday Favorites: The One with Mary Hoppins, Jewelry, The Phoebe Run and Reese Witherspoon

It's been 3 weeks since I've done a real Friday Favorites post.  I'll warn you...random thoughts and happenings ahead!

ONE

As I'm typing this I'm having a FAVORITE time over on Facebook with my KEEP Collective Party.  It's been so fun to chat and look at all the pretties with my friends. Here are some of the keepers and keys we've seen put together...

FAVORITE!

...my party is still open (until September 3rd) if you see something you like, want to browse, or have a question.  Like I said in my last post, I DESPISE Facebook parties, but I've had such a blast working with Ansley and doing this party.  I know it sounds lame, but it's SO out of my comfort zone to do something like this.  But it has been so rewarding to share something I really am drawn to and to spend a whole evening with new & old friends! Thank you to everyone who participated. You made my night!

Check it out here

Ok, so let the random begin...

TWO

Lately Little Miss has been on a Mary Poppins kick.  She brings me the DVD case EVERY day and says, "watch Mary Hoppins!?" and we do.  EVERY day.  It's my FAVORITE Disney movie!  I first would watch it when I would visit my Meme.  I would take the VHS into the back office and watch it on the small TV on the desk.  And she would let me watch it as much as I wanted, while eating all the Popsicle I wanted! Love you Mems! 

Seeing it be Brynn's FAVORITE makes me sooooo happy! 

This is her in a trance watching "Jolly Holiday"

We typically watch it after nap time (and before nap time, and during lunch...#becausesummer #becauselazy) and she likes to hold my hand while we watch.  FAVORITE. of all time. 

(Ignore the paint on my hand...it was crafting day...)

A while back I bought the novel and have never read it.  So I pulled it out last week to start and remembered that my mom had this movie...

I stayed up late watching it Monday night.  Have you seen it? Thoughts? I'm telling you guys, I cannot watch ANYTHING even remotely emotionally sad.  Well, this one left me feeling blue the entire next day.  I'll never look at the movie the same. #Boo

If you see me in the next few days, chances are I'll be humming a Mary Poppins tune or telling you, "Spit Spot!"

THREE

We had a cold front come through this week and the weather has been so fallish, FAVORITE, and we've been taking advantage of it and going to the park in our neighborhood. 

This is one of my FAVORITE pics because she is running like Phoebe on Friends, 

hahahahah!!! I die. 

She runs to the ducks screaming, "quack quack!!" It's a miracle they don't swim away in fear. 

My all time FAVORITES.

Night 2 at the park (which actually ended up being really hot so we left early.)  There is also a small playground perfect for toddlers.  I see us spending many nights there this fall. 

FOUR

Another FAVORITE, my monthly Southern Living! I get them for free from Jonathan's airline rewards, extra FAVORITE! With the weather being so cloudy and cool and then seeing this cover I wanted to bust out my "Country Morning" Circle E candle and celebrate fall! But, I'll wait.  

How can Reese's outfit not be a FAVORITE? I mean, I'm sure it cost more than our monthly mortgage payment and I have nowhere to wear it too, but I wouldn't say no to it being in my closet. 

Then, I opened to read her interview, 

{Side Track Fun Fact: Jenna Bush Hager did the interview with Reese Witherspoon. And Jenna's 2nd daughter shares a birthday with Brynn.  I share a birthday with First Lady Laura Bush.  We are practically related.  If I can't be a royal, I'll take being kin to the Bush family! ;) FAVORITES. For sure.}

and in the interview I made a horrible discovery...

...I'm not actually a true and proper Southern Woman. 

Sorry Reese.  This Southern girl is ALL about the sweat pants. #becauselazy #because2yearold #MaybeTheyNeedMonogramed 

{Also, let it be known that I officially have a "monogram lady" and that makes me feel pretty Southern.  Now, excuse me while I go drink some sweet tea in my sweat pants.}

;)

Then I turned to the back and...swoon city. Isn't that table gorgeous?

FAVORITE.  Orange and green? Sign me up.  

And excuse me while I want to eat all the things. I rarely try new recipes, but I WILL try these (maybe if I say it 3 times it will come true?) with my new egg substitute mix. #Don'tBeJealous 

Speaking of food...

FIVE

We've been trying to broaden our spectrum of allergy approved restaurants for Brynn.  And we have discovered that she can have pizza from both Dion's and Dominos. Score!!! They are building a new Dion's on our side of town soon and for $2 a slice, it might become our new FAVORITE!

SIX

Potty Training Update
{Yeah, edge of your seat kinda stuff today!}

Well, it lasted a total of 20 minutes.  I could tell in that 20 minutes, from the "NO POTTY!" Brynn was yelling at me to the look of terror on her face when I sat her up there that she is not ready yet.  And honestly, I'm not ready either.  So we will try again in a few months. 

SEVEN

Last random FAVORITE of the week. I saw this on Instagram earlier this week & I am working really hard at this.  I tell myself this about 14 times before lunch.   

This account I follow belongs to an "allergy mom" so she refers to that fear in the comments, but I think it applies to more than us allergy moms.  

About 3 years ago, I realized how much better life is when you search for the good of God in everything.  Most days I am awful at it, but I try really hard to be thankful in all things {whew...not easy!} and this post re-sparked that desire in my heart. Maybe it will encourage you this Friday? 

Thanks for reading! Want to play along? Link up with Erika, Narci, and Andrea for Friday Favorites!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! I am SO excited for tonight because I get to spend it with some of my best friends! We have a wild night of dinner and lesson plans ahead of us...here's hoping we stay on track and finish before midnight! #LoveMyJob #LoveMyTeam #SomeoneSetAnAlarm #ExtraLargeQuesoPlease

All my teacher friends, I know you rocked your Meet the Teachers last night! Now go home early today and sleep in tomorrow morning.  I know your exhausted!