{CURRENTLY // FEB 2018}

Last month I joined Anne in Residence for "currently" and decided I would like to do these each month! I enjoy a good link-up with fun prompts. Here is what is currently going on around here...

{Our month in numbers // January}

Last year I documented many of our months by numbers and enjoyed doing so! It's a neat way to take a look back on the previous month. I am going to continue that trend this year. Here is a look at our month in numbers...

{Five on Friday // Youth night, Harry Potter, New dot com, YouTube}

Happy Friday!! I finally got my act together and finished out the week strong with blogging! I don't know why I have been so sleepy lately. I just can't seem to wind down at night to get some good rest. Maybe it was that super cool huge moon that happened this week? Who knows! I'm just ready for some rest. I mentioned (several times) in my What's Up Wednesday post that we have a full weekend ahead with basketball, bible study, more basketball, the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, church and Superbowl festivities, so, I am not sure how much resting will be done. But, I am looking forward to the weekend nonetheless. But for now, a little Five on Friday...

{Our first win // Basketball}

Mason's basketball team got their first win of the season last weekend! 15-2!!!! And man, it was an exciting game. That's one of the highest scoring games I have seen so far this year. Ever since that first basketball game Mason has done well. He practices well and he is there for the games. We didn't think he had a competitive bone in his body...UNTIL this game! That boy came out of his shell and surprised all of us. He was all over that ball and we couldn't have been more excited. He said he had a blast and is pretty much obsessed with all things basketball right now! Oh what a joy it is to be his mama.

{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...

{First trail ride in the new Jeep}

Back in November when we camped in East Texas {Palestine/Rusk area} we took the Jeep on a few trail rides. It was our first time to actually take it off-road and we had a blast! The trails were nothing too strenuous and were marked trails. But, nonetheless we had an amazing time. This was also before we lifted the Jeep and put bigger tires on it. We are chomping at the bit to hit some more trails now that the upgrades have been done!!

{5 Things Bringing me Joy // vol. 5}

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.

{A Jeepin' Good Christmas}

We bought this red Jeep at just the right time! It has been a blast decorating it with all the Christmas things! Since our Polar Express trip we have been driving around with the reindeer antlers {see shadow above} and Rudolph nose. I love how happy it makes little kids every where we go. They smile and point and yell "there's Rudolph". Especially at Mason's school! We also have light up Christmas lights hanging from the rear-view mirror and tinsel around the steps and antenna! Oh, and a light-up Christmas wreath on the rear spare tire! So festive, I tell you. And my little Christmas loving heart couldn't be more full. Anyhow, just wanted to share some pictures of the Jeepin' Good Christmas season we've had!

{Making Christmas magical with PNP // Portable North Pole}

This post is sponsored by PNP. All opinions are 100% my own.

If you know me at all or have read my blog for any amount of time then you probably already know this, but I absolutely love Christmas time and I am all about making it as magical as can be for Mason. I've shared on the blog before 25 Ways to Keep the Magic in Christmas and one of my favorite activities on that list is making a personalized video message using the Portable North Pole console. Being a kid at Christmas is spectacular and amazing, but watching the magic of Christmas through Mason's eyes is a million times better! Oh how I love being a Mama!!

{Camping in the fall // Rusk & Palestine TX}

If you've read my blog for any amount of time you'd know that we are campers! We love to visit new places and camp while doing so. I love camping any time of the year, but especially in the fall. There is just something about the cooler weather that makes it so much more enjoyable. You're probably wondering why I am talking about fall when it's in the dead of winter for most. Well, we live in Texas and our weather is pretty bipolar. We are still having summer like days as well as fall like days around here. We've only had a couple of days that felt like winter so far. But for the most part, it's still fall here in Texas.

{Little Letters // vol. 12}

Time for the Little Letters link-up with Kristin at Taz and Belly!!  I am a little {okay, a lot} late in posting this, but we've been so busy lately. But, I didn't want to miss a month, so better late than never. Right?? 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...

{Polar Express 2017}

Way back before Thanksgiving we rode on the Polar Express train ride in Palestine, TX! I mentioned it briefly in a 2017 Winter Bucket list post, here, but wanted to share more pictures from the weekend. We always get our tickets to Polar Express for November because our December is way too crazy! And, I love that it introduces us to the Christmas season a little earlier than normal!

{Our Family's Christmas Traditions}

In my recent Five Things Bringing me Joy right now post I mentioned that traditions are my jam and in doing so I realized that I haven't shared our family's Christmas traditions since 2013. We've changed a bit and added so many more traditions since then, so it was time to update that list. Here are our family's current Christmas traditions...

{2017 Winter Bucket list // Update #1 // Parade, Tree farm, Polar Express, Grinch, Santa}

It's barely December and we've already completed 53% of our 2017 Winter Bucket List! We can't help it. We love the holidays something fierce around here. That gives us the whole month of December to complete the other 47% of our list. I have no doubts that we'll finish this fun winter list, plus some. Here is what we have crossed off our 2017 Winter Bucket List so far...

But bear with me...this is going to be a long post. We've covered a lot of Christmas ground lately.

{TBB Asks // Holiday Themed Q&A}

I'm a little late on getting this posted, but better late than never right?? At least that is what I am going with. I love everything Christmas-y so I wasn't passing this one up. I also love to read about how other people celebrate the holidays!! Here are my Holiday themed answers...

{Favorite Christmas posts // A Round-up}

The Christmas season is my absolute favorite time of year! And it's also my favorite time of the year when it comes to blogging. There is so much magic and joy to be shared! Today I wanted to do a round-up of some of my favorite Christmas posts.

{Adventuring through December // Winter Bucketlist}

I recently shared our 2017 Winter Bucketlist, but wanted to share a more generalized Winter Bucketlist. A fun way to adventure through the month of December! These activities can be done almost anywhere.

What's on your list this season?

Meet the Hosts:

Beth at Our Pretty Little Girls | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram
Crystal at Hall Around Texas | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram 

Jessica at Sweet Little Ones | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram
Stefanie at Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam, & Dylan Too | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

Stephanie at Wife Mommy Me | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

Becky at BYBMG | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram
Lindsay at Lindsay's Sweet World | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram
Sarah at Sarah E. Frazer | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

Justine at Full Hands, Full Heart
Christina at Waltzing In Beauty | Pinterest | Instagram
Meghan at The Adventure Starts Here | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

Tina at Go Big or Go Home | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

Whitney at Polka-Dotty Place | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

An InLinkz Link-up

{5 Things Bringing me Joy // vol. 4}

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.

{Happy Thanksgiving}

From our family to yours! I hope you have an amazing day filled with your favorite foods and with the ones you love most!!

{Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt}

I'm not sure how your Thanksgivings go, but ours is usually filled with adults watching the Dallas Cowboy game or adults playing cards. I wanted to create an activity for Mason {and the other kids} to do. So, I made a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt and wanted to share it here in case you needed a fun little activity as well. Enjoy and have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

{2017 Winter Bucketlist}

With our recent trip to the Polar Express and Grinch's Lair I am thinking of hardly anything but Christmas. It's hard not to. Christmas time truly is the best time! All of the togetherness, festivities, lights, traditions, church, cheer, etc. just makes my heart so full and happy. I really wish that Christmas time lasted longer and if it were up to me I'd leave the Christmas tree up year round. There is something so special and magical about the glow of a Christmas tree. I can't wait to make memories with my sweet family this season. Today I am sharing with you our 2017 Winter {and Christmas} Bucketlist. I am sure we will fit in many more adventures... and of course there is all of those little things like Christmas crafting, trimmin' the tree, Elf on the Shelf Shenanigans, building a gingerbread house, making reindeer food, watching the reindeer cam, having a Christmas movie night, etc. Anyhow, here is our 2017 Winter Bucketlist...

{2017 Fall Bucketlist // Wrap-up}

Oh fall, how I love you so! We had so much fun adventuring through the season. While we didn't finish everything on our 2017 fall bucketlist, I feel like we put a pretty great dent in it. Here's a final look at our list and what we did/didn't accomplish.

{Five on Friday // DIY Pajamas, Shirts, Ornaments, Polar Express & Grinch, Thanksgiving at Mason's school, Jeep}

Happy finally Friday! It seems like the week before a holiday always drags out! Mason is out all next week for Thanksgiving and I couldn't be more excited! I have to work, but I still get to spend a lot of time with him. He really needs this break from school. He's getting burned out and bored. So I pray this break is refreshing for him and that he goes back ready to learn. Anyhow, here's a little five on Friday...

{Shadow Creek Pumpkin Farm // 2017 Fall Bucketlist Update}

I just realized that I briefly mentioned Shadow Creek Pumpkin Farm in one of my 2017 Bucket List Update posts, but I never posted the rest of the pictures. Mason and I visited the farm on a Saturday while Nate was in a fishing tournament. Shadow Creek is a brand new pumpkin patch that opened in the next town over. I knew from the first time I started seeing advertisements about the farm that I wanted to go and support them. The entire time they were open they were supporting one organization or another. Their first year open and they were giving away much of their proceeds! Anyhow, Mason and I had such an amazing time. We spent over 3.5 hours at the farm. It was so pretty and so relaxing.

{Mainstay Farm // 2017 Fall Bucketlist Update}

Another item we checked off our 2017 Fall Bucketlist was visiting Mainstay Farm. It's one of our favorite places to visit in the fall {pumpkin days} and winter {Christmas trees}! Mainstay Farm is a huge farm about 45 minutes from us that never disappoints. Mason looks forward to it each year. We had planned on going Saturday, but with the new Jeep we had too many errands to run and didn't make it. So, we went on a Sunday. We were there when the gates opened and the line was already incredibly long! But, once we got in the gates it didn't feel crowded at all. The place is so big and there are so many things to do that it's hard to feel crowded. We had such a good time!

{Little Letters // vol. 11}

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...

{HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS AT MITCHELL RV RESORT // 2017}

If you've been around this blog for a minute you know that we are a big time camping family. We love to camp, but especially in the fall. We used to camp at Jellystone Park, but after our last F I A S C O we will not be going back there again. We are happy to report that we have found a new place to camp for Halloween happenings. It's a place about an hour and 45 minutes from home in Perrin, TX called Mitchell Resort. We are so happy to have checked this off of our 2017 Fall Bucketlist...