{What's Up Wednesday // January}

Joining in for the first time ever for What's Up Wednesday! And I'm writing this on the day of! Better late than never, right? I've been so tired lately and blogging has been put on the back burner. I'm wide awake at night and can't sleep, and then so tired the next day. I'm so ready for this to be a thing of the past. Anyhow, here's a look at What's Up Wednesday...

{Five Things bringing me Joy // 2018 // vol. 1}

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

- Romans 12:12 (NIV)

It's time for one of my favorite link-ups...Five Things Bringing Me Joy Right Now! We absolutely loved reading all of the posts last month and sharing in the simple joys of life with you. Life can get so busy yet mundane and it's always good to find the joy in the day to day. We all have something bringing us joy, right? We would love for you to join us in sharing your joy.

{The Daily Dime // Jan}

Linking up with Kristin at Taz and Belly for The Daily Dime in which we take 10 pictures throughout our day and document the happenings of that day. I remembered to take these pictures (back on 1/8/2018) and document our day, but it has taken me forever to get this blog post written. I don't know why I keep forgetting! I'm glad she keeps this link-up open for a while. Anyhow, here is a look at a day in our life, The Daily Dime.

{10 Apps to use for Instagram & Instagram Stories}

I've received a lot of questions lately about which apps I use on Instagram, for editing, and for Instagram stories. So, I thought I would do a blog post to share my favorite apps to use! I know there are tons of apps out there and everyone has their preference, but these are the ones I use the most. Also, I want to note that each of these apps have so much more to offer, I'm just sharing what I specifically use each one for.

{Three things // January}

My sweet new blog friend Britt posted a 'Three Things' post recently and it reminded me that it's been a long while since I have written a three things post! It's such a fun way to catch up on some randomness going on over here! So, here are our three things right now...

{This Past Weekend // Birthday, Basketball and Bible Study}

Happy Monday! Is it just me, or did Monday come entirely too fast? Our weekend wasn't even busy and it flew by. I had an awful migraine the majority of the weekend, but thankfully had a lot of time to rest. I tried working on Friday, but the computer made me feel worse. So, I took some personal time off. Anyhow, here's a recap of our weekend. I'm starting this one on Thursday because it was my birthday. And my sweet family made it so special for me. Here's a look at This Past Weekend...

{The Grinch // Palestine, TX}

I've been in such a "New Years" fog that I completely forgot I have Christmas posts to catch up on! Or maybe I have just been putting them off because I know everyone is pretty much over "Christmas" at this point. But, alas, I want these posts on the blog! If you remember...way back in November we made a trip to Palestine +  Rusk Texas to kick off our Christmas season with a trip to the Polar Express and to visit our most favorite Grinch! It's hands-down one of our favorite weekends of the entire year.

{Snow Day // Jan 16, 2018}

On Tuesday of this week we got to enjoy a nice snow day at home! Monday was a holiday, so it ended up being a super extended weekend. They were quick to call school around 9:30 the night before. We laughed and were thinking how they would never do that when we were kids. We had to wait until like 7:00 - 7:30 the next morning to find out. They would wait until the very last minute, so you had to get ready just in case they didn't call it. It also makes us laugh how quick Texas shuts down on snow days! But, an extra day at home? We'll take it!

{Our Newest Adventure // Basketball}

Way back in the middle of 2017 Mason told us he would like to play Basketball. He plays often in the gym at our church on Wednesdays and Sunday mornings before Sunday school. So, we waited until the next time we could sign him up and did so. We went with the league in the town where he goes to school and church. That way he could play with and against all of his friends. We thought he would enjoy it more knowing kids on his team. He was lucky enough to get on a team with several of his best friends!!

{DIY Faux Leather Earrings // Cricut project}

I don't know about you, but I have seen these earrings popping up at boutiques everywhere! And I see ads for them on Facebook almost every single day. I started brainstorming and thought I could probably make these with my Cricut. So, I googled and found several tutorials on how to do this. And everything I needed I could get at Hobby Lobby! Today I wanted to share 10 easy steps to creating your own DIY Faux Leather earrings using a Cricut.

{$10 to Target // Jan}

I'm so glad this link-up is continuing in 2018 because who doesn't love Target?? I will take any opportunity that I can + some to peruse the aisles of Target. Let's take a look at what I found this go round...did I beat the $10 Target challenge?

{This Past weekend // Jan // vol. 1}

I used to recap our weekends here on the blog and somewhere a long the line I got away from doing that! I miss posting about this because our weekends are usually filled with adventures and fun! And because I think I would enjoy looking back on these one day. This weekend was a 3 day weekend for my boys, but not for me. I am working today. But, I am so thankful that I get to work from home. I couldn't imagine having to drive into an office while my boys were at home. And, the weather is supposed to get icy and bad here today or tonight. SO grateful I don't have to drive in this mess. Anyhow, here's a look at this past weekend...

{Little Letters // January}

J • A • N • U • A • R • Y

Time for the Little Letters link-up with Kristin at Taz and Belly!! This is one of my favorite monthly link-ups that I always look forward to. And actually, every month I love this link-up a little more. To read my past Little Letters click H E R E. It feels so good to get these random little thoughts out of my mind each month! Here are my letters for this month...

{F • R • I • E • N • D • S}

Over the Christmas break (on Christmas Eve Eve) we were able to get together with some good friends of ours! One set of our friends live just the next town over, but the other set live all the way in good ol' Indiana! Thankfully they still have family in Texas and visit around the holidays! All of the guys grew up playing Baseball together and C & E met their wives at college in Indiana. I met the guys in high school and the girls after high school.

{10 on the 10th // Jan // 10 things about me}

Joining my sweet friend, Erin for 10 on the 10th monthly link-up. This is such a fun link-up and I enjoy participating when I can. This month's theme is 10 random facts about me. Eeek! I am so terrible about coming up with things about myself. Especially when it comes to 10 things I've not shared on the blog before. I'm sure I've repeated myself.  I had to start this post way in advance so that as I thought of something I could jot it down. Here goes nothing...10 random facts about me.

{Beaver's Bend trip // December 2017}

Some dear friends of ours booked a cabin for December 26-29th at one of our favorite places ever, Beaver's Bend. They had a spare room in the cabin and invited us down! We weren't sure we were going to get to go because we were anticipating the arrival of our newest nephew and then I came down with a stomach bug. But, by Wednesday the nephew was born and I was feeling better so we loaded up and went down.

{TBB asks // Jan 2018}

Joining in with the Blended Blog to answer some New Year themed questions! I love these things.

{Our 2017 Christmas card}

Hope you had the Merriest of Christmases!!

After waiting forever on our family pictures we totally missed the deadline on Christmas cards! I won 25 free prints from a giveaway on Taz and Belly that came in just days before Christmas. So, I passed those out to family members. But, don't you worry we were able to order New Years cards which I will be sharing and sending out very soon! New Years cards are a thing, right??

{Hall Around Texas // 2017 in pictures}

Way back when I used to post a monthly collage of my favorite photos on Instagram to recap that month. Then I missed a month or two and never went back to catch up so I started making the collages and posting them to the blog instead. Last year  I decided that I would use this as my "Year in Review" type of post. Here are my collages for 2017.

{2017 Winter Bucket list // Update #2 // Christmas Tree Camp-out, Breakfast with Santa, Bethlehem Revisited}

We had so much fun checking things off of our 2017 Winter Bucket List! At our last Christmas bucket list check in we had already completed about 53% of our list. I am happy to report that we finished 100% of our list, plus some. Here's a look back at the things we did in December...

{Currently // Jan 2018}

It's so hard to believe that it's already 2018. I'm still wondering 2017 flew by so fast? But, alas, I am welcoming twenty eighteen with big wide open arms. I am so excited to see what kind of adventures this new year will bring my sweet little family! Joining in with Anne in Residence for a little currently...

{#2017ChristmasMoments // A Photo Challenge}

My sweet friends Stephanie and Beth hosted another fun Christmas photo challenge this year! I love these things. Christmas and photos and especially Christmas photos are my favorite! Here's a look at the pictures I shared for the challenge...