We all scream for ICE CREAM!

We saw the ice cream truck in our neighborhood on Monday and haven’t been able to catch him since then.  Yesterday on our way home I spotted him and asked him to drive by our house so Connor could get his first “ice cream truck” experience.  He’s been talking about the ice cream truck all week and he was in shock when he pulled up.  I have to say the music on the truck was BLARING so loud I could barely order…..eeeek!  I don’t know if it was the loud music or just the excitement….but Connor was just in awe of the ice cream man.  I made his day 🙂

My Mom and Grandma are headed to visit today from AR!  I am so excited and of course my mind is reeling thinking of all the things I need to get done before they get here as I sit here at work. 

So happy to see my Grandma.  She’s been through a lot in the past few months, including a triple bypass surgery.  I haven’t seen her since Christmas and we are going to cherish this weekend with them both!

Hope ya’ll have a great Thursday…..aka ALMOST FRIDAY!!!!

Blogger 411 LINKUP

1. How long have you been blogging?
I started blogging in February 2006
2. And what got you started on blogging?
My sister started a blog and convinced me to start one.
Only she no longer blogs!
3. Has your blog changed?
Yes definitely. It’s definitely more structured and I always have something to say and it’s also an outlet for me to post photos. I love photography.

 
4. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?
I did. I went to a private Baptist college in Conway, AR. I only went for a little over a year then briefly attended another college. I never finished….I had a full scholarship, but decided to get married at the ripe age of 20. I was studying graphic design.
5. Where have you traveled?
I was born in Frankfurt, Germany. My Dad was stationed there in the Army. We lived in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas. I moved to Texas in 2007 where my husband is from.
In 2011 we went to NYC to see my bloggy BFF Summer.
In February 2012 we traveled to England and Paris.
Next year I’m hoping to travel to either Ireland or Scotland
6. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?
A new car- mine is on it’s last leg. After that maybe a new house & I would help our families out. Give some to church and charities.

7. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?
Clipping nails, snoring, and people who only talk about themselves.

And Bethanny….
8. What is your favorite movie?
P.S. I Love You- That’s why I want to go to Ireland!
I also LOVE The Holiday and The Family Man
Holiday movies are my favorite.

9. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?
Uhm….Starbucks. I order a grande iced caramel machiatto. 
I also love Chili’s mango tea.
10. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?
Blogging and catching up on TV shows or reading a good book.
 
11. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?
Amazon.com? I mean you can buy anything from there!
12. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present
The time I farted in the 5rd grade and the teacher blamed it on a boy making farting noises and he got in trouble!
13. What day would you love to relive again?
My wedding day. I was so nervous and young at the time I don’t think I fully enjoyed every aspect of the day. I was overwhelmed and if I could do it over I would slow it down and enjoy the day. Best day ever.

14. If your life was turned into a movie… what actor would play you?
I love Rachel McAdams
 
15. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?
I worked at McAlister’s Deli for 2 years. I also worked at a video store in college.
16. Show us a picture from high school or college.
College ID:
17. If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?
It’s constantly changing-but right now Ireland and Scotland.
18. Show us the most current picture of you or you, or your family, or anything of meaning to you.

19. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?
I hope we are debt free. Able to put Connor in a good school. Maybe in a bigger home with more room. Who knows???? It’s all in God’s hands!
Connor says “HI!”

GO LINK UP!!!!


 


 


Dove Body Wash {Review}+ $500 Spafinder Giveaway!

I recently had the opportunity to try out Dove Visible Care Body Wash. I’ve been using this product for the past couple weeks and have noticed my skin is smoother and softer. I already use several Dove products in my daily beauty regimen. I like how Dove is gentle on my skin and leaves it feeling soft and clean without any irritation.

I have very sensitive skin.  I don’t spend time in the sun and try to watch what products I use.  I’m now officially in my early 30’s and have started to get dreaded wrinkles!  I guess that’s one reason why I’m so particular about what I use on my skin.  I no longer care about how it looks to everyone else; I want to look good when I’m 60.  I don’t want to look 60 when I’m 40….you know what I’m saying?

Working a full time job, being a wife, mom, and housekeeper takes its toll on me.  In the mornings my shower is a way to relax and have a little “me-time”.  I turn the water all the way up until it’s super-hot and relax and let the stress melt away.  Dove Visible Care Body Wash helps me escape and enjoy my relaxing time in the shower and I look and feel good afterwards. 


You can see how it lathers well…..
I highly recommend Dove Visible Body Wash.  I wouldn’t recommend a product I didn’t fully believe in and it totally met the standards I already had for Dove.  Try this product if you would like to see visibly more beautiful skin from a body wash.  New Dove® VisibleCare Toning Crème Body Wash helps to promote skin’s elasticity and strength in just one week.
NEW Dove® VisibleCare™ Toning Crème Body Wash

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 * Rich, pearlescent crème format with luxurious lather and clean rinse

* Contains a mild cleanser, glycerin, stearic acid and Vitamin E

* A warm ylang ylang & delicate wood fragrance with robust citrus notes of mandarin and Italian bergamot

Dove Visible Care Body Wash comes in 3 different options:

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2.  Renewing Body Wash nourishes and replenishes skin.
3.  Softening Body Wash softens skin and dry spots.
Visit the Dove website HERE

Introducing Dove® VisibleCare® Crème Body Wash. Built on the brand’s heritage in cleansing and caring for skin, Dove VisibleCare combines the best of Dove technology into a luxurious experience for beauty seekers. With the highest concentration of NutriumMoisture technology across the Dove portfolio, Dove VisibleCare Crème Body Wash actually improves the look of skin over time. Visit Dove® VisibleCare® to get a coupon for $1 off!

Enter to win one of two $500 Spafinder gift certificates!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
COMMENTS TO THIS POST ARE NOT SWEEPSTAKES ENTRIES. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR ENTRY METHODS FOR THIS SWEEPSTAKES.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
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Child Discipline {Help!}

This is one of my favorite pictures of Connor and his BFF cousin Ellie.
Yesterday when I went to pick him up after work Connor and Ellie had to hug and kiss each other goodbye before leaving and it melted my heart.  It gives me such peace to know that Connor is so happy while I’m working.  We are so thankful for family that is able to keep him and love him.
It reminds me of this picture of me and my sister as little girls 🙂

Terence had a good first day at his new job yesterday.  I tried to have dinner on the table when he got home.  I could tell he was tired, and I think it’s going to take a while for us to get used to this new routine.

I have tried to limit Connor’s TV watching to one movie before bed while he’s winding down or drinking his milk.  I am definitely NOT the disciplinarian in our household.  I need to work on that.  I feel like I constantly let Terence down because he’ll say no to something then Connor will come to me and I’ll let him do it.  Of course most of the time I don’t know his Daddy just told him no…..I feel like a failure and I don’t want to give in to Connor’s wishes all the time. 

Part of me feels guilty because I only have a short time with him each day after I get home from work and I want to make it fun…..but that doesn’t mean I need to feed him suckers and goldfish to butter him up.  It’s hard for me to manage my time between work, household chores, and my hobby of this blog.  It’s actually one of the hardest things I’ve been dealing with…any suggestions you all may have as far as time management, I welcome any advice!

I know part of all of this is just his age.  He’s a two year old and he’s going to mis-behave and do things I get upset about.  It just breaks my heart to hear him crying so bad.  I’ve got to realize I am his parent and not his friend and it’s my Godly duty to discipline him and instill in him the right thing to do.

Pray for me….I need it!

Proof and point: Right after I got out of the shower I found him in his room with the GOLDFISH he wasn’t supposed to touch….ugh….I feel like I am constantly saying “No” and “Why did you do that?”

Patience and prayer….I love you sweet boy!

Connor’s Closet Cleanout {Boys Clothing Sale}

I’m selling some of Connor’s fall clothing from last year.
Everything is stain free and washed unless otherwise noted.
Most of these items are size 18-24 mos, 2T, a few 3T
Corkys Kids flannel brown coat
size: 2T
$8.00
“Here Comes Santa Clause” boutique shirt-3T
$5.00SOLD
Gymboree Santa shirt- 18 mos.
$4.00SOLD
Gap Fall 2011 Sweater/Pullover- 18-24 mos.
$10.00 sold
Penguin corduroy longalls-2T
(worn once)
$10.00SOLD
GAP Jeans are all 18-24 months
Stain free, if there is ware on the item it’s because that’s the style.
$8.00 EACH
Circo 24 mos. striped shirt
$1.50sold
Ralph Lauren Polo – Navy 18 mos.
$5.00 SOLD
Circo striped shirt-24 mos.
$1.50SOLD
Garanimals 24 mos monster shirt
$1.00SOLD
(never worn)
Little Tots rocket shirt -2T
$2.00SOLD
Sesame Street Elmo Shirt-2T
$3.00
Old Navy Choo Choo shirt-2T
$3.00SOLD
Little Tots “Traffic Jam” shirt – 2T
$3.00SOLD
Old navy 1/2 zip pullover- 2T
$3.00SOLD
Gap navy thermal 18-24 mos.
$3.00SOLD
H&M Elmo shirt- 2 years
$3.00SOLD
Ralph Lauren Polo – Maroon 24 mos.
$5.00SOLD
Dinosaur “Connor” shirt
$5.00SOLD
Easter bunny tie “Connor” Shirt
$4.00
Ralph Lauren Polo – White- 2T
$5.00SOLD
Ralph Lauren Polo – Striped 2T
$5.00SOLD
Ralph Lauren Polo – Blue 18 mos.
$5.00SOLD
Circo 24 mos-Future Astronaut shirt
$1.00
Gap extra thick thermal-oatmeal color- 2 years
$4.00
Gap gray thermal 18-24 mos.
$3.00SOLD
Children’s Place striped dress shirt- 24 mos
$5.00
Crazy 8 plaid dress shirt – 2 years
$5.00
Arizona 24 mos plaid dress shirt
$3.00SOLD
Cherokee denim dress shirt- 2T
$5.00SOLD
Blue Bumbo with tray
$20.00 (LOCAL ONLY)SOLD

If you see something you can make me an offer!

Monday Mish Mash

Monday Mish Mash
Terence started his new job today.  Along with this fresh start comes a lot of changes for our family.  Terence is no longer working at home and available at our beckoning call.  It was nice having him there in the mornings to help me get up and running.  Today he was gone as soon as I woke up….a change.  I’m excited for this new journey and I think it will be a great thing for his career.  He loves to learn and challenge himself, and I think this will do just that.
It’s been rough waking Connor up in the mornings.  I literally have to drag him out of bed now.  It’s so hard to do that….but I’m on a time crunch and have to make it to work on time as well.
This weekend wasn’t too exciting.  We did take a little kayaking class and paddled down the trinity river.  It was fun, but as soon as we got in the boat Connor ripped off his life vest & it took me like 5 minutes to get it back on!
I feel bogged down most days…I think I need to slow blogging down a bit and start to manage my time better.  It’s starting to stress be out.  I don’t want my hobby to become something I don’t enjoy anymore.
So it’s back to work today and thankful for another blessed Monday!
Some little recaps:
Birchbox for July:

I love the headphones.  I also got tinted beauty balm, a nut roll granola bar, UV hair protectant, Stila lip gloss pen, & some moisturizer samples.

Terence brought home this monster on Thursday night.  He took an espresso class at Sur La Table.  Which FYI is pronounced “Sur-La-TAB“.  I had no idea???
I love it and am currently looking forward to saving some moolah by making my caramel machiattos at home!  Of course I will still stop for Starbucks every now and then….but not as much!
Thanks babe….best present ever.
I love you!
We also stopped at the Volvo dealership to look at some cars.  My 2001 Toyota Avalon has been the best car. EVER.  I mean seriously it’s my baby.  We don’t have car payments right now and are trying to hold off as long as possible.  That being said the Avalon is about to need a ton of work, so we are trying to decide what to do about our vehicle situation since we both commute long drives every day. 
The nice man at the Volvo place gave me these posters because I was gawking over the one in the lobby and he finally asked “Would you like one???” 
Of course!  LOL!
So ya know because Edward drives one so should I right?  We’ll see…..I just love these posters 🙂

Hope ya’ll had a great weekend!
xoxo Becky