Hey There Pumpkin- Fall Recap

It’s pumpkin season y’all and I’m HERE FOR IT!  October kicks off my favorite time of year with all the trick or treating, pumpkins, pumpkin patch, and fall-ish weather. Let’s light a fall candle and make sparkly pumpkins shall we?

Next comes Thanksgiving and turkey and gathering with family, football, and parades.  THEN- Christmas my FAVORITE!  I’m ready to put my tree up now, but I’m afraid it’s too early according to others in my household. Lol!

Hallmark starts airing their Christmas films at the end of October though and what is a Hallmark Christmas movie without a little twinkle in the background?  Another thing I love is soup.  And soup season is here too!  If you have any good soup recipes to share please do!

I recently had the opportunity to work with Poster Store and they let me pick out some fun pictures for our home.  It was super easy and they have frames in all different colors and more photos and drawings than you could ever imagine.

I chose this pretty fall landscape for our front entry.

I can’t wait to put this one up for Christmas.

This cute little tree house for Heidi’s room.  

And this “Dream” photo for the kids bathroom.

Poster Store was kind enough to give a discount code for my readers: 35java for 35% off posters (not including selection posters).

This is how everyone in Texas is like right now.  I’m sitting here typing in my sweater and sweating…but mentally it’s FALL…so it’s worth it!

All the Halloween candy has me like….

I’m also wearing my cute Brianna Cannon earrings and headband for fall too!  Don’t forget my discount code: BECKY10 and shop all her cute fall goodies HERE.

One of our favorite places to eat is Rise Soufflé.  We went out with Ellen a few weeks ago and had a girls day out.  The soufflés are SO GOOD!

Heidi looking so cute with her pumpkin!  We can’t wait to go to the pumpkin patch soon. We also took the kids to the zoo and they had a great time.  The Fort Worth Zoo is definitely one of the best.  

My curly headed baby boo- She does great at taking photos.  Remember how many photos I used to take of Connor when he was little?  Now he basically runs from me and hides- middles schoolers right?

Heidi also loves to help in the kitchen so we usually let her stir and things like that.  Here is is waiting on her pizza to cook in the oven. My forever Starbucks date.  I love you Connor and your lil hoodie wearing self.  Mama is so proud of you and your kind heart 🙂

School picture 2021- 6th grade.  How is this possible???

Okay, well I hope you enjoyed my little fall recap and I’ll be back Soooooooooooooooooooooooooon!!!! xo Becky

Falling for Fall

It’s fall-ish outside y’all and I’m HERE FOR IT!  Even though it’s still in the 90’s in my mind it’s “sweater weather“.  I can’t wait to bust out all my fall clothing and cardigans.  We’ve been crazy busy, as always you can check me on the daily on Instagram.

Terence and I recently celebrated our 20 year anniversary.  I can’t believe it’s been 20 years…time sure has flown in a the blink of an eye.  This is one of my favorite wedding photos and I had a gal on Etsy turn it into a watercolor- someday I’d like to frame it and put in our room.  I’m so glad I get to spend the rest of my life with this handsome and smart as whip man.  He keeps me sane and loves me despite my many many flaws.  I love you babe.  Thank you for being you and loving me.

Today let’s talk about FALL FASHION!!!

I recently ordered this gold stack diamond ring from one of my all time favorite jewelry stores.  It’s incredibly well made and versatile with anything you wear.  If you want to mix and match your rings, or even use it as a wedding band to go along with your other rings.  When I received this ring in the mail it was packaged beautifully along with a gorgeous travel case.  I find myself wearing this EVERY DAY!!!

Let’s talk fall fashion:

I’m loving these two items on my wish list.

This ONE is only $12.00 and reminds me of candy corn for fall.

One of my favorite shops to buy hoodies and sweaters is Evy’s Tree.  I’ve bought items from them for YEARS and wear them over and over again.  I love this sweater because it’s one of my favorite colors – Starbucks green 🙂

 

Speaking of fall jewelry I’m also LOVING this piece from Lindsey Leigh Jewelry.  She has several Ombre butterfly necklaces that are so beautiful.  Definitely a dream piece.

My friend Brianna Cannon has some gorgeous and FUN pieces for fall as well and I just ordered the pumpkin earrings.  She gave me a discount code to share with y’all.  I’m so obsessed with her headbands- they are the best!  DISCOUNT CODE: BECKY10

We have put out all our fall and pumpkins in the house and Heidi helped me.  She’s slightly obsessed with pumpkins and scarecrows right now lol! We can’t wait for the pumpkin patch to open across the street and take in all the fall vibes.  Heidi’s dress is from Smocked Sweets.

I’m also about to start FALL PHOTO SESSIONS.  IF YOU’D LIKE TO BOOK AND LIVE IN DFW YOU CAN BOOK HERE.

I’d love to hear some of your favorite fall finds???  What are you loving to wear or decorate with this fall???

xoxo – Becky

First Day of School 2021 + Enter to WIN with Little Bites®Back-to-School Bash

The coupons for product redemption, information, and gift card have been provided by Little Bites® so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and information about Little Bites®. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Little Bites®.

We are heading back to school today and Mama can’t decide weather to jump in delight or cry that the time is passing so fast!  Connor is officially in middle school and it seems like yesterday I was walking him into Kindergarten.  Praying that all our kiddos have a healthy and happy year.

Today I’ve partnered with Little Bites® for a fun giveaway in celebration of their Back-to-School Bash!

The perfect snack for before school, at school, or after school.  My kids LOVE Little Bites and have for years.  You have probably read about our love for Little Bites before on the blog and that’s because we are HUGE fans and my kids are obsessed with them.

In true back to school Mama mode:  I present to you my kid’s first day of school pictures.

Connor started middle school today.  I can’t believe my boy is already in middle school.  Wasn’t it just yesterday I was writing about his birth on this very blog?  He said he had a great day!  He loved riding the bus, having pizza for lunch, and all his classes went well and he enjoyed them.

It was also a rainy dreary day and my camera and his glasses kept fogging up, but we still got our memory pictures 🙂

A sign for sister too & the 2 year old pre-k class.  Heidi loves her daycare and making new friends.  Her favorite thing to do is saying “Hi” to all the infants in the “baby room”.
Little Bites has more than eight varieties to choose from with real ingredients such as chocolate chips, blueberries, and bananas, and are perfectly portioned and portable.  Last year they had a pumpkin muffin and I hope they come out with it this year too!

I pray these kids have a safe and happy year and that God will bless and keep them all of their days- love Mama.

Enter to win 3 coupons, each valid for up to $5.29 off the purchase of Little Bites® snacks, and a $25 online virtual gift card.  Now through August 30, parents are invited to enter the Little Bites® Back-to-School Bash for a chance to win everything they need to host the ultimate back-to-school party.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Parents can enter by visiting the official Little Bites Facebook and/or Instagram page and completing the following steps:

Log onto Facebook and visit the Little Bites page to locate the timeline post (we will provide the official link to include in your blog post on 8/16). Then, comment a brief description of how you plan to celebrate going back to school to receive one (1) entry.

Log onto Instagram and visit the Little Bites page to locate the timeline post (we will provide the official link to include in your blog post on 8/16). Then, comment a brief description of how you plan to celebrate going back to school to receive one (1) entry.

Each week, five winners will be randomly selected on each platform to win the prize (10 winners total per week).

All comments must be posted by August 30 at 5PM ET to qualify.

For more information on the goodness of Little Bites visit:

Financial Tips & Planning For Your BEST Life

This post is sponsored by Responsival.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  I welcome any and all feedback.

I’ve worked in finance for over 15 years and money is a tricky thing y’all and also a sensitive topic for so many families/relationships.  I try to to be mindful about what I spend and what I need.  But, I also like to spend money on things that some may deem “not necessary”.  I don’t own any crazy expensive shoes or purses- but I do like decorate my home, buy coffee, and dress my kids cute!

Whatever you choose to do for yourself or your family is YOUR decision!

Here are some tips that have helped me to feel financially secure over they years & I wanted to share these tips with YOU!

1. Set LIFE goals-  Setting goals is something that Terence and I have done since we got married.  Whether they were short term goals or long term goals it helps to have an end goal in sight.  It could be paying down debt, student loans, saving for a trip, or building up our emergency fund- the point is setting goals gives you an incentive to work hard and reward yourself when you get there!

(Germany 2018)

 

2. Make a Budget-  From the beginning of our marriage Terence and I have always set a budget.  That budget has fluctuated over the years as we’ve become more financially stable, but having a budget helps keep you responsible and accountable for your actions.  Make it known what you require as a need vs. want.  I know one of my “needs” is coffee. Ha ha!!!  But y’all knew that!

3.  Pay Off Credit Cards- Credit cards tend to have the highest interest rate.  As tempting as it is to put money towards your student loans, house, or car…pay off the debt that is charging you the most in fees/interest FIRST.

4.  Start Investing- The sooner you start investing the more your money will grow and work for you.  Even if it’s just a little bit each month at first, every little bit counts in the long run.  If you are in DFW and looking for a great financial guy, we love ours HERE.  Saving for your kids future is going to cost you a fortune too.  If you think higher education is in your child’s future, consider a 529 savings plan. You make contributions and invest the money with this plan, and funds can be used at any accredited school in the U.S. When the time comes to pay for college-related expenses such as tuition, book, and room and board, you can withdraw this money tax-free.

Two TCU Fans 🙂

5.  Get Insurance- Always make sure you are insured as a parent, whether it’s life insurance or short term disability.  Life is crazy and nothing is certain.  The last thing you want to do is leave your family in a state of sadness and financial despair.  Having life insurance coverage will bring you and your family peace of mind.  It will also provide security for your kids.

One day they are off to summer camp…the next off to college…I’m not going to cry!

(Connor had a great week at Pine Cove camp this year)

Red, White, & Two- Heidi turns TWO!

Our sweet Heidi girl turned TWO and she is so excited about it!  She is our sassy lil tater tot.  She is tiny but MIGHTY!  Heidi loves Baby Shark and Cocomelon.  She is learning her numbers and ABC’s.  Her favorite person is her big brother and she is asking questions about just about everything now.  She loves macaroni and cheese….grilled cheese…fruit…and basically anything with CHEESE!

She is a lot different than her brother and such a girly girl.  Heidi loves her baby dolls and pushing them around in her stroller.  Jumping on the trampoline is also a fave!

We can’t imagine our lives without you Heidi bug you are the sweetest surprise in life and we love you so so so MUCH!

We didn’t have a huge party, just a small dinner at home, but Mama still wanted to decorate for “Red, White, and TWO!”

Her cake turned out so cute and was under $25.00.  I got the topper on Etsy HERE.

Some 4th of July pics out by the pool.  

We finally got our pool fixed from the big storm in February.  Heidi has been loving getting in the water and swimming with Daddy and Mommy 🙂

Playing with her babies

“Baby Shark Doo doo doo doo”

Love you Heidi- can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for you this year and watch you grow big!  Love- Mama

Favorite Summer Outdoor Essentials

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com

Summer is officially in full swing and can I just say how great it feels to have a somewhat “normal” summer this year.  Oh the things we take for granted when we aren’t able to do them.  Connor is officially out of elementary school and Heidi is about to turn two years old.  I say this constantly, but the time sure does fly by in a heartbeat.  We are looking forward to a healthy, happy, and joyful summer this year!

There are certain things in life that just help you get through- you know like coffee?  Well, I’d love to share with you some products I’ve tried recently that are made to help you get through summer with a breeze and ease!

The first product we are loving are the New Skin® Liquid Bandages.  These are a new type of bandage in a liquid form to help protect scrapes, blisters, and cuts.  Adhesive bandages are hard to stick on certain areas, especially those tiny nooks and crannies between fingers and toes.  My kiddos get cuts and scrapes all the time, so we are excited about this easy new alternative.  New Skin Liquid Bandages keep water, dirt, and 99.9% of germs out so your cuts can heal.

The new Skin Sensitive & New Skin Botanicals is the 1st and only hypoallergic liquid bandage.  Great for people who are sensitive to adhesives.   The one thing that kids are super afraid of when it comes to adhesive bandages is the dreaded pulling it off!  With these bandages you don’t have to worry because they are pain free and easy to apply and remove.   

I can see us using this product all summer and it’s definitely easy to carry around.  With no mess or trash to deal with count this Mom in!

The second product that’s getting me through summer is something I’ve used for YEARS!  Pamprin for period relief.  Pamprin is more than just a pain reliever- it’s a period reliever.  Pamprin was MADE for periods and is formulated to relieve the discomfort of cramps, headaches and backaches PLUS added ingredients to ease fatigue and bloating.  I have the WORST period symptoms, so this is definitely a must to get me through summer time.

We just got our pool repaired from the crazy winter storm in February.  We are usually in it every day by now and are excited to start spending these hot summer days in our pool.  As a child my Mom used to take my sister and I to the local community pool and we spent all day in the chlorinated water.  I remember our hair turning a greenish blue color and freaking out a bit!  We just discover Ultra Swim Shampoo– a shampoo that is made specifically for swimmers.  It is a favorite of both competitive and recreational swimmers for many years due to it being the absolute best chlorine removal shampoo on the market. It’s also a favorite for Mamas who don’t want kids with green or blue hair!  Lol!  Chlorine build up occurs quickly, creating dry, brittle and unmanageable hair. This shampoo bonds to the chlorine, and then rinses it away leaving hair tangle free, chlorine free and not susceptible to breakage. As a Mom to kids who are in the pool all summer, this is also a MUST.  Ultra Swim Shampoo is moisturizing and is safe to use after every swim too! 

I do love a refreshing beverage in the summer time!  4C is a Brooklyn based premier manufacturer of Powdered Beverages including Iced Tea, Drink Mixes & Energy Stix.  Energy Rush Stix from 4C are delicious- I had one today and yesterday! These stix are easy to carry on the go to the pool, to work, or wherever you are headed this summer.  Just add to a water bottle and you are good to go!  4C Energy Rush Stix are about half the cost of RedBull with the same ingredients.  It also has no sugar is low in calories.  More energy for less money is always a win/win for our family!  4C comes in several flavors like Berry, Orange, and Citrus.

Thank you for allowing me to share some of our summertime favorites and I hope you check them out and enjoy these too!

xo- Becky

Connor’s 11th Birthday

My baby boy turned 11 on March 4th.  He’s not such a baby anymore…remember THIS.  It seems like yesterday.  I say it every day, but time sure does have a way of flying by!  I know I haven’t been the best blogger.  I guess I figure people are more “Insta” these days, but I still like to write out my own memories and stories.

Maybe it’s because of covid and the craziness of the world, but I haven’t really felt like blogging. I’m so GLAD things are finally turning a corner and getting back to normal.

Anyway- this post isn’t about me…but I just wanted to explain my lapse in blogging.

CONNOR IS ELEVEN!  God hold and keep him close to you all of his days.  Connor has a heart of gold I pray never tarnishes.  He always has the best intentions…even if they aren’t the best ideas! Ha ha!  He is a precarious, handsome, Fornite, YouTube loving boy.  He starts middle school next year and I know he’ll do great.  Here are some pictures from his 11th birthday party.  We had to keep it pretty small because of restrictions, but we were excited to see some friends we hadn’t seen in awhile.  He’s been BEGGING to go to a trampoline place, so that’s what we did 🙂

And a birthday breakfast for my tweenager 🙂