Happy Birthday, MOM!!!

Today was my Mom's 54th Birthday! Happy Birthday to one very special lady in my life!



I am so thankful for this loving woman. She gives the shirt off her back to help me. During the beginning stages of my pregnancy she was always there for me when I didn't feel well & would bring me soup or cook us dinner. I will never forget the day I had Avery, she wouldn't leave my side. She was there the moment I woke up in the morning & didn't leave until late at night. When I brought Avery home from the hospital she stayed with us for a week, although she lives 15 miles from us. She woke up in the night & would rock my baby girl so that I could get some much needed rest. She took care of all meals & laundry that entire time! She has taken days off work to stay with me when I have been so sick to help out when I could hardly lift my head. My house always somehow ended up spotless!



Mom & I had the typical "teenage" relationship where we didn't see eye to eye on anything like my clothes, style, etc... We never had a horrible relationship where we didn't speak, we just went through some times where we butt heads as most typical teens do with their parents when they live at home. But, the great thing about her is that she stood firm in what she believed, always was there when I needed to talk, would cry with me, & even listen to what I had to say. She always had patience for me when I didn't deserve it. She would always pray over me & tell me she wanted the best for me.



I am so blessed to have such a great relationship with her today where I truly call her my best friend. We talk daily & she helps me in so many areas of being a Mommy & the best ways to do things. She never expects things out of me, but she always likes to give me "words of advice" & for that I appreciate.

Before we left for dinner Avery wrote in her Nanny's card...




Her pretty earrings that I got her, in a big box to trick her, wrapped in none other than zebra.




We had dinner at her choice, Olive Garden! Mom got some great goodies for her special day. My brother & Tiff got her some cute yellow box flip flops & an adorable book. I got her some earrings from this cute store in our area. Dad got her some perfume, a charm for her Pandora bracelet, & afterwards I went with them to Pottery Barn & she bought a few things for their house that she has been wanting. Spoiled by the hubbs??? Just a little...




Tiff & I ordered Petifores from a local amazing bakery that Mom loves. They were so pretty, & good!!!!





We always have such a great time together as a family celebrating our Birthdays each year. It means so much to our family & is that perfect excuse to get everyone together & celebrate another year of life!









Mom, you are one special lady. I know you & Dad read my blog each day so I hope you find joy in this post & know that you are the strongest most loved woman in my life. I'm so thankful for who you are, what you have given me, & the Mom that you have always been. I love you!

Rainy Spring Tuesday

What a yucky rainy day here in NWA. We got up & around & headed to the gym. I love going to our gym because Avery gets to play with the kids & I get to work out & have Mommy time for 2 hours & get in shape at the same time! As soon as we drive up she always says, "PLAY MOMMY"...



After lunch Avery was asleep & I was going through some cabinets & found these 2 little cuties. They were pretty boring so I pulled out some paint & changed them up a bit. What do you think? I am by no means a painter, I was for sure not gifted in that area, but this was super easy & gave me something to do other than watching TV.



I started cooking dinner & Avery was playing around in the Kitchen like a sweet girl keeping busy but making a HUGE mess! =)



The BEST part of our day is when Chad comes home. Avery hears the garage open & runs to the back door saying, "Daddy, Daddy"! It melts my heart. We always have some play time. We had matching shirts on tonight so Daddy snapped some pics of us playing.



We ended this rainy day with a nice meal & cuddles.



Tomorrow is my Momma's Birthday and we are celebrating with the family at dinner!

Tastefully Simple

Today has been a great day! I got my hair done today, hit the gym, & went to an awesome party called, "Tastefully Simple" ... and that it was!

If you haven't ever heard of it, it's this awesome company that offers a wide selection of convenient, easy-to-prepare foods designed to help people spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the rest of their lives. Their products are available through independent Tastefully Simple consultants primarily at home taste-testing parties nationwide.



My friend Lane had a party tonight & it was so much fun. A consultant talked about different foods that were super easy to put together, & they were passed around to get a taste of each. It was so neat because I had never heard about it before. It's really popular in the North & is starting to become more popular in the South. Visit their website HERE if you are interested in hosting or starting in your area. What a great way to make some extra money or even have an excuse to get the girls together for a fun party!

Lane is such a great hostess!



I wanted to share a few products that I am purchasing that are a must have:

Bountiful Beer Bread- This was amazing! And don't worry, the beer cooks out of it. However, you can also cook it with any kind of soda. You simply poor the drink into the mix & cook! Easy & super tasteful!



Honey Teriyaki Sauce- Divine! Perfect for all the chicken that me & the hubbs love to cook. Adds such a huge taste & the sauce will go a long way.



Fiesta Party Dip Mix- This was so good! If you like spice, this is for you. It is perfect to whip together for a party & is quick.



Perfectly Potato Cheddar Soup Mix- Just add water, hello! My new BFF!



I hope you try some of these & check out their website you will die! Has anyone been buying this product or have you purchased from them before? If so, what are your favorites, please share with me!!!

I was so excited to get pampered today. I love getting my hair done! I decided to go a tad lighter for spring & will keep going a little lighter until summer! I took a picture on my phone before the party tonight.



Avery was so cute in Daddy's shoes today... she pulled them out of his closet & brought them into the Kitchen to me & put them on & was trying to walk in them.



Tomorrow brings the library for Miss Diva. We are going to listen to story books & some singing. I can't wait to take her! Happy Tuesday!

Inside Cleaning Weekend!

This weekend was perfect in so many ways! Why? Because it was a chilly, rainy weekend where all you wanted to do was just stay inside. To be honest, after the warmer weather & being outside so much, I kinda enjoyed just being home. I got busy with a lot of things & only left the house to hit the gym & have a quick dinner with Chad Saturday evening.



Friday night we ordered pizza for fun & all sat around & built a fort! Avery had a blast & just kept running in & out of it; Such fun memories as a family. Chad & I just got so tickled watching her!



Saturday we decided to CLEAN & gut some things out in the house! Chad's parents came by & then offered to take Avery home with them out of the blue! We hadn't planned on them taking her so it was such a nice surprise! We got busy cleaning the house all afternoon & I got some major work done...

My bedroom was a big one. I wanted to get my closet completely organized with all my spring/summer clothes. I couldn't believe how many dresses that I had when I put them all together. All of them were hiding between all the other clothes & I didn't even realize they were all there.



Chad & I have so many hats. I am a hat queen. I love them & consider them to be a huge accessory. Plus, they are great on bad hair days. I organized all of them & stacked them on my big jewelery box.



I bought a cute little thing at Hobby Lobby to hang several of my necklaces from.



... I hung a few of my necklaces on this piece that was in my living room by the fireplace. Avery knocked one of them over one day & it broke so I decided to keep one & utilize it... and it looks so pretty in my closet!



I organized Chad's shoes!



All of my purses are organized in a container & on top of the closet.



I forgot to share this cute shower curtain I got a few weeks ago & hung over our shower. I was tired of looking at the boring glass & thought I would accessorize it a bit!



Another thing we did on Saturday was organize our laundry room pantry & cabinets. I made sure all my cleaning supplies were up high so Avery can't reach, & put them together so I know where everything is!






It was such a wonderful weekend! We cleaned out several other closets as well & I even got to my car! WHEW! After cleaning hard Saturday we went to a quick dinner in our sweats while Chad's parents had Avery. Afterwards I enjoyed lighting candles & enjoying a nice cool evening inside...



I have to say, I am SO thankful for my hubby! He is such a huge help & the fact that he stayed in with me to help me get everything in order meant the WORLD to me! It's little things like that, that keeps me smiling.

My Mom's Birthday is this week!!! Can't wait to celebrate!