Fabulous Friday - A Little Throwback

TGIF!!!!

One of my favorite shows growing up was the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air!! I totally remember sitting at the cafeteria table in elementary school and singing the song with my friends!! "In West Philidelphia born and raised on the playground is where I spent most of my days.....ok well of course I could go on for forever but instead click here to enjoy a Fresh Prince Reunion!

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion

While we are on the subject of elementary school - remember these?!?!?! A friend had it posted on her facebook page and I totally had to share!!! I will agree with her post too that mine was way better then the one pictured!! I was obsessed with my charm necklace and of course it was pink just like the one below - I think I even had that bat and ball chain too! Ahhh....memories!

I totally have to brag on my hometown of Chattanooga, TN!!! Once again noted as one of the Best Places to Live in America!

Chattanooga, TN.

Great little prayer from my devotional this morning. It really spoke to me and i thought it's a great way to start the weekend!!

"Dear Jesus, give me joy today. Help me to belly laugh and be grateful for the days you have given me, even though some are better then others. Make today a good one and help me spread laughter and happiness in the moment. If I must wait, help me to be patient and remember that you have the best interests for my journey already written."

Have a great weekend!! xoxo

Random Thursday - Siskel and Ebert

1) I have a great relationship with my mother-in-law! This is only on my mind because she is coming to visit for a long weekend and I am so excited to have her. I realize that this is sometimes a rare and unusual thing when it comes to M.I.L.'s so I feel very blessed! Of course Sophie thinks her Nana is beyond amazing too!

2) A few months ago I was asked to do some part-time consultant work with a local company. I am not only thrilled to be doing something I love but am honored that they saw value in having me as part of their team. I am excited to share more as we relaunch the newly expanded team and social media sites in July.

3) We have new neighbors that we just adore. Sophie is in love with their sweet golden lab - Jake. He is wonderful because it is kinda like having our own pet with all the perks and none of the responsibility. Recently, they were kinda enough to loan Jeff and I a few DVD's from their massive collection and over the past week we have been enjoying them. If you have not already seen the three movies below, I would highly recommend that you make it a priority. Jeff and I both loved them to pieces! 

  "Dan in Real Life" with Steve Carell - AWESOME!!! Just a good movie of substance without any vulgar which is such a nice change of pace. He is a family advice columnist who is a widower with three girls (15, 13, 10 - whew) and unknowingly falls in love with his brother's girlfriend. Heartwarmer!!!

"The Impossible" with Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor is breathtaking! It is based on a true story about a family visiting a beach resort in Thailand when the catastrophic tsunami of 2004 happened. It will litterly take your breath away. It took alot for me to watch this movie because anything unpleasent with children rips my heart out and will stay with me for days! However, I am so happy I decided to see it and spoiler alert -

there is a happy ending! Knowing this detail is the ONLY reason I decided to watch it.

"Flight" with Denzel Washington was touching! You already know that pretty much anything with Denzel is going to be wonderful and this is no different. However, I am glad that Jeff did not see this movie before we flew to Disney World last month because he probably would have never stepped on the plane.

I am totally feeling like Siskel and Ebert right now doing movie reviews!!!  

MTW - Mommy, Tummy, Wifey Mash Up Part Two

Let me just tell you - toss a holiday in the mix and it just throws off my whole week. Don't be confused - I welcome it anytime but can you tell I am a creature of habit?! Time for Mash Up - Part Deux!

Mommy Monday

Sadly, Jeff had to work on Memorial Day so Sophie and I had a Mommy/Daughter day. I woke up early to squeeze in some work and then off to the zoo we went. We had such a great day together!

She named him John.

Sophie and her new friend were having a staring contest.

I would have loved to have taken this big guy home with us!

Even goats need a little pampering! 

Annnnnnnd they're off!

Action Shot!

She was very excited about the fox who shared her name.

We ended the day by planting some flowers that she had picked out herself. I thought this would be a good lesson to teach along the way because she loves helping me take care of all of my flowers. We placed the flower pot outside of her playhouse and she is so very proud!

Before and After. She is already starting off with better looking flowers then me!

Tummy Tuesday

I know that technically it is not yet summer. However, in my mind, when the average daily temperture consistantly stays above 80 degrees, to me this signals summer! So of course you have to have some yummy summer treats!

How about these bad boys?? They are soooo good to the tummy and so good to the thighs! They are Weight Watchers Ice Cream Sandwiches and are only 1 point per serving! I make a bunch of them at one time and then store in the freezer for a little treat whenever I need a "pick me up".

Weight Watchers Icre Cream Sandwich

I made this Lemonade Pie for the first time last summer and WOW!!!! FYI - it is most certainly NOT a Weight Watchers recipe!

Lemonade Pie

Enjoy!!

Wifey Wednesday

We are celebrating our 8 year anniversary this weekend since we had to raincheck from our original plans when we were in Disney World due to icky weather. With that being said - NO CLUE what we are going to do. We are in the mood for something different but again - no clue what. I think that after 11 years of celebrating together - new ideas are hard to come up with! Does anyone else suffer from this same problem? In all fairness, we have thought of some possible options but nothing that sounds exciting to either of us. Of course whatever we do will involve dinner but what to do afterwards??

Currently, we are in the process of researching some links I have found on Pinterest. Jeff was amazed because he did not know Pinterest carried these little tid bits of information. Obviously he does not go roaming around my Pinterest boards often or he would know better. Some interesting suggestions I have found -

1. Make chocolate covered strawberries together (obviously they do not have kids bc otherwise they would welcome a night out with a free babysitter)
2. Read a book together (Jeff reading me Sports Illustrated does not sound like fun)
3. Bake cookies together (that is what we call Saturday night at our house)
4. Play board games (we are too competitive and I do not see that ending well)
5. Go for a long drive (does the author not have high gas rates where they are from)
6. Visit garage sales (Jeff would rather mow the grass - this would be torture)
7. Build a snowman (hmm - did you read my post above about summer time)

Anyways - I am sure you get my point by now. But - seriously, what was the author thinking??! Back to the drawing board....wish us luck!



Random Thursday - My Husband, the Weather Man!

1) I wish I spoke another language and not for the important and educational reasons. I wish I spoke another language so when someone around me is and they are thinking no one around them uderstands it,  I can totally jump right in without missing a step. Booyah! That would be awesome!

2) I despise having to go to the grocery store during the week. We try to do our grocery shopping once a week so when something happens and we have to make a unplanned trip during the middle of the week - TORTURE!

I know we only have one child but I swear this is what it feels like....even when I am by myself!

3) My husband should have been a weather man. I know this sound funny but it is oh so true! He is obsessed with it and knows terms, words, and weather patterns that would blow your mind. My parents gave him a weather radio as one of his gifts for his birthday last year and he loved it! He has told me that when he was younger, he saw a friend get struck by lighting while sitting in a metal chair. Maybe that has something to do with it. If he ever left me, I really do not think it would be for another woman - I think it would be to become a storm chaser.

4) I have music playing in my head all the time depending on my mood. Sometimes when I am walking in front of alot of people or down a long hallway, a song will play in my head and I pretend I am on the catwalk. 

 Alright, I think I have embarrassed my family enough for one blog post!

Wifey Wednesday - Embrace

Over the past week, I feel as though we have had alot of heartbreak and seen alot of tragedy. It's hard not to concentrate on the sadness and tragedy when the pictures continue to roll out from Oklahoma stating otherwise. It's hard not to concentrate on the sickness and death when facebook and the local news continues to state otherwise. But - we have too! There is still so much beauty and light in the midst of darkness, we may just have to look a little bit harder to find it...but it is still there. God is still so good and our Lord is ever present. His heart breaks for us during times like these while Satan thrives on it. Satan uses these times to remind us of all the ugly things in the world and create a fog that is sometimes hard to come out of when it is all you are seeing and hearing. We must rise above it and continue to see the good and beauty even in times like these. Now are the times that we can show our ever faithful trust and hope in God. Now are the times to show his love to others who might be too weak to stand on their own. Now is the time to really live our lives for God every single. Love and embrace what is really important in life because in the blink of an eye it can all change.

"The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:18

Sorry for the change of pace for Wifey Wednesday but I just really felt the need to share that just as much for myself to remember as for anyone reading it.

Something else I would love to share is the AWESOME Song of Solomon series that our preacher just wrapped up two weeks ago.

Click here to check out the series

GREAT series that left no stone unturned in a book of the bible that is sometimes a bit awkward to share and speak about at church of all places. I feel so blessed to be part of a church community and family at Silverdale Baptist Church that is led by a man who has no interest in preaching anything other than the gospel of God as given to us through the bible. He is not concerned about his words being politically correct or his direction pleasing others. He is only concerned about sharing God's love and truth!

The last lesson in the series was entitled "Committment: Forever and Always" Song of Solomon 8:6-14. Our pastor spoke about how there are few gurantees in life but if you commit your marriage to the six things below, your marriage will last forever and always.

1) Possessive - Your spouse should have your heart.

Your strength should go to your marriage above all else. Your spouse should not have your leftovers.

2) Permanent - Only be seperated by death.

Divorce should not be a word that is lightly thrown around your house in the midst of an argument.

3) Purified - Keep God in the center of your life.

We need God in our lives every hour of every day because that is the only way that we will make it. Pray together and start your day together everyday.

4) Persevere - Endure through life's troubles.

There will be hard times in your marriage but you must press through together.

5) Priceless - Put nothing above your mate.

Nothing is more precious than you spouse and you should not sacrifice your marriage for anything. Your spouse should be the ultimate example of beauty for you.

6) Private - Give yourself only to one another.

We are a private park for one, not a public park for many. We are meant to enjoy each other in a marriage. Sounds good to me!



Tummy Tuesday - "Go To" Meals

I am so excited to share one of my most favorite and classic "go to" meals - BBQ Macaroni. Crazy easy, crazy good, and leftovers! I originally got the recipe from my mom years and years ago when I was first living on my own and needed easy meals that reaped leftovers. Hmm - kinda the same things I desire now...full circle!

BBQ Macaroni
1 package of elbow noodles
1 meat
1 bottle of BBQ Sauce - whatever flavor you desire
2 tablespoons of butter
1/4 cup of milk

Brown the meat while you cook the noodles. Once cooked, drain both the meat and noodles and combine with remaining ingredients. Stir together and add BBQ sauce to taste. We usually end up using almost a full bottle of sauce. Sprinkle some parmesean cheese on top and serve. I like to add some homemade butter bread to it as well. Yummy!

Last night we fixed 1-Dish Taco Bake for the first time and success! I love it when new Pinterest recipes work out!

Click here for 1-Dish Taco Bake recipe

Enjoy!!

Mommy Monday - My Inner Mommy Lash Out

Let me preface - it is NOT my goal or desire of this post to sound like an old fuddy duddy lady. However, did you watch the Billboard Music Awards last night? I just feel like the tides have turned and I really do not understand it anymore. I respect the fact that artists will often feel the need to express themselves through their appearance. However, I feel as though that majority of those who did this last night were only doing so because they can and of course for pure shock value.

Miley Cyrus is beautiful. And Miley, I respect the fact that you are no longer a little girl and are a grown woman. I get the message loud and clear. However, you can be edgy and I think even a little punk rock without looking like a train wreck. I seem to have picked up on a bit of an attitude as well?

Speaking of attitude -

Umm really? Dude, you are 19 years old. You may think you are a big boy but you still have ALOT of growing up to do. As my parents would say - I think you are getting a little too big for your britches.

While we are on the subject of pants, the MC Hammer pants do not look good on anyone, anytime, any place.

I realize that maybe these thoughts stem from my inner momminess lashing out. I am well aware that all of the extremely talented people I mentioned above are officially "of age" and grown. Therefore they can make their own decisions. However, it just scares me to see what is becoming of the world my daugther is growing up in (heavens, that is another post all together). The images that will bombard her of "what's cool" when really it just all looks like a funny Saturday Night Live skit.

I guess this is all part of being a parent and raising your children. I am a firm believer that so much goes back to how a child is raised. The morals and values that are set and embed in them from the very beginning and to always have God at the center of everything they say, do, and believe. Most importantly, the power of prayer. Lots and lots and lots of prayers for Mommy and Daddy that we guide and teach her properly now so that we do not end up in straight jackets by the time she is 18 or that she does not end up tv looking like this -

I have some of those but thought they were meant only for my husband and in the privacy of our own home. Hmm, who knew, all these years I just could have been wearing them to work and the grocery store.

Fabulous Friday - Puzzle Pieces and Pie

TGIF!!! After the events this week, we are all really looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend!

I love this quote that has been on our fridge for the past few weeks. It came from one of my daily devotions and just really speaks to me but most especially with some prayers that are in progress.

This Key Lime Pie ice cream cake recipe looks beyond amazing and crazy easy! I do believe I will be making it this weekend!

If you are in Chattanooga, don't forget to come out and support the Relay For Life event this weekend at Finley Stadium at 6:00 p.m.! Fun, food, music, and celebrating our survivors while remembering those who are no longer with us. All proceeds raised will directly benefit the American Cancer Society. Click here for more information or click here to make a donation to our page!

Have a great weekend!

Random Thursday - The Little Things In Life

1) Today is Sophie's last day of school!! I am so incredibly proud of my big girl and cannot think too much about how fast she is growing. Otherwise, I may never stop crying!

First day of school

Last day of school.

 I would say this year she has, as you can tell, turned in to quite the little poser for the camera!

2) Did you know that the month of May is Skin Cancer Awareness month? Yeah, probably not but now you do! One person dies every hour from Melenoma. Obviously as a survivor myself, this is something I am very passionate about! Protect your skin and protect your children! Be smart, aware, and find a dermatologist to provide you with yearly body checks which are super quick and easy. Make note of moles on your body that seem to be new or changing. While Melanoma can sometimes be obvious due to unique color, size, and shape, PLEASE keep in mind that is not always the case and certainly was not with me. I had a completely normal mole which the doctor did not even think twice about. I believe his exact quote was - "Oh, it's nothing to worry about but we will go ahead and biopsy it just in case." Bad news - he was wrong. Good news - he caught it in time. For more information check out - The Skin Cancer Foundation Page!

3) Perfect lead in to share that this Saturday evening is the American Cancer Society Relay For Life event! We have a team and as always are excited to participate in the fun and celebration! It is not too late to make a donation to our team page. All funds raised go towards research, education, advocacy, and service. Every single dollar makes a difference and no amount is too small! Click here to check out our team page and make a donation. All donations are GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!!!

We relay to celebrate the survivors and honor those loved ones that have lost their battle. This is our way to fight back and make a difference!

4) Speaking of the weekend, (man I am really doing some great lead in's today!) we have a new mailbox that Jeff put up for us this past Sunday. As you get older, it really is the small things in life and let me just tell you - I was beyond thrilled for our new mailbox. We seriously had the ugliest mailbox on our street. You probably think I am being dramatic but I will prove it to you.

Told you! I could not take the  madness anymore and now I am proud to share with the world....our new mailbox!

I can hear the gasps and ohhh's and awww's as I type! I know I know, it's a thing of beauty and really does bring a tear to my eye. Now all we need to do is finish the landscaping and plant some pretty flowers. That is on the honey do list for this weekend!

MTW - Mommy, Tummy, Wifey Mash Up

I had every intention of getting my blog back on track this week from where we had been on vacation . However, seeing as today is Wednesday, you can pretty much assume how well that went. In my defense, it has been quite a week of unexpected hiccups. Staying true to my OCD nature, I will now serve a nice mash up blog of Mommy Monday, Tummy Tuesday, and Wifey Wednesday which will hopefully put me back on track again and suffice my OCD.

Mommy Monday

We had wonderful Mother's Day celebration. Every year that I am able to celebrate Mother's Day with my mama is such a blessing. She has been my best friend for as long as I can remember while always remaining my mom first and foremost. She has taught me so much about how to be a woman, wife, mother, and most importantly follower of Jesus Christ. 

I have to say though that one of the most amazing things I have learned from my mom has been in past recent four years. The love that I see from her, for Sophie, is the most pure and unconditional love. It really is a beautiful thing to watch and I am once again learning so many things from her! I am learning how amazing that love and relationship can be between a grandparent and their grandchild. Being able to witness this relationship is teaching me new things every day about my mom, daughter, and even how to be a grandparent when that day comes for me.

And let me just tell you - Sophie pretty much thinks that her Gigi hung the moon and rightly so!!

The day that this little girl came into my our lives has been one of the very best days of my life. To be her mama and get to share on this journey of life with her is such an immense blessing from God. And to know that this is only a tiny glimpse of how much our heavenly Father loves us - WOW!

Making silly faces last summer at Bubba and Titi's wedding!

My girl with the beautiful dozen pink roses that she picked out for me. She loves picking flowers for us. Some of the gooodies from the goody bag her and Daddy put together for me.

Please disregard our orphaned child in the background who refused to join the picture.

Blessed beyond measure!

Tummy Tuesday

We made this Salsa Chicken right before we left for Disney World and it was great. Crock pot meal too so you know it doesn't get any better! It's a very filling meal which is nice because this means there is not really any need to worry with a side item which means - one less thing to worry with/cook/buy!

Wifey Wednesday

For my birthday in January of 2005 my soon to be husband surprised me with the most wonderful birthday present ever - a precious teeny tiny grey and white kitty cat. Little did I know, he had been searching high and low to find me just what I wanted which was a cute cuddly baby girl kitten that I could name Bella. Jeff has always said that as soon as he walked into the shelter, he made eye contact with Bella and she stood up on her hind legs pawing at the window. Its as though she knew her Daddy was there to bring her home.

Isbella "Bella" Ada Easterday entered our lives and we were in love. She was our unique, cuddly (but only for us), funny, anxiety driven four legged fur baby. For four years, it was just the three of us and I am not even kidding when I tell you that if that cat would have let me push her around in a stroller, I totally would have. I may or may not have bought her a leash at one point thinking maybe she would walk the neighborhood with me. No, I was not crazy, just totally in love.

When the day came to bring home our newest addition - Sophie, Bella was inititally not too thrilled. Once she realized nothing in her life would really change, she fell in love with Sophie. You could always find her keeping a safe distance but very watchful and protective eye over Sophie. As Sophie grew, so did their bond. Sissy Bellou, which is how Sophie referred to her, would love cuddling on the bed with us for the bedtime story or laying on the top of the chair in Sophie's bedroom guarding over her while she slept. I guess in the middle of the night once she felt as though she had distributed her time well enough, she would come to our room and pull my hair with her mouth. Yes, you read that right. She was requesting that I roll over so I could pull her under the covers with me and spoon her. This was our special time together and I loved hearing that sweet sound of her purring as we both fell asleep.

As I am sure you have already put together by now - we lost our precious baby early Tuesday morning around 4am. It all happened in the blink of any eye and before we knew it, we were at the Emergency Animal Hospital having to make the impossible decision to put her to sleep. She had suffered a blood clot due to an enlarged heart and had no use of her back legs. A bad situation which was only getting worse and as the doctor told us there was nothing we could do, our heart broke into a million little pieces. Such a blessing that we were able to be there with her and hold her as she peacefully fell asleep. We all three started our lives off together so it was only fitting that we all three closed this chapter together.

Yesterday evening, we sent our balloon off to heaven for Sissy Bella. We received this wonderful idea from a close friend. We wrote messages on it telling her how much we love her and how very much we will miss her.

As hard as this has been and will continue to be in the coming days, I feel blessed. I feel thankful and blessed that I have such a wonderful, sensitive, and caring husband to share this journey with - the good and the bad. I am also forever thankful to him for bringing Bella into our lives ten years ago to start this journey together - we would not have been complete without her!

Fabulous Friday - What I Learned in Disney World

1) It is impossible for me to only pack 2 pieces of luggage for the three of us and not have it weigh more than 40 lbs! I need to just bite the bullet and pay extra money for another piece of luggage. Who am I kidding?! Otherwise we will be at the ticket counter rearranging the luggage into different suitcases while trying to evenly distribute the pounds. Yes, we were those people. Speaking of which, I think I may have found a new game show!

2) Jeff has major flying anxiety - bless his heart. I knew this and had remembered from our honeymoom but I had forgotten how bad it can be. You would never know he was nervous except for the fact that he was holding my hand at one point, I did losing feeling in it. Any slight bump or noise and he is like a deer in headlights. 

Trying to relax and distract him before takeoff.

Sophie on the other hand, loves flying! This child was not fazed in the slightest. She slept through her first landing and her second takeoff!  

She gets her flying skills from Gigi and Mommy.

3) I have always said I would love for Jeff and I be on the Amazing Race. However, in light of our recent travels, I must admit I am second guessing this bucket list item. Seriously though, I do think we would do great but a few details would first need to ironed out. First detail would be directions. Who drives and who gives the directions? As soon as they started the race, we would probably to be aruging about this detail in the parking lot before we even got in a car for the first time. We would not even make it past the start line - litterly.

During our trip, we got lost multiple times and let me tell you, after you have been at Disney World for 10 hours walking all day, this is the last thing you want to happen. Which means patience and spirits are wearing a wee bit thin by the time we would get lost. We would certainly need to work on our and map skills before joining the show. And maybe our tendency to be a bit hard headed at times....and by we, I mean my lovely husband. No worries though, I am sure he would tell you that I would need to work on my non verbal cues. Wait, haven't I already confessed that one on a previous blog?

4) My name is Nicole Easterday, and I am a minivan lover. If you listen closely....I think you will hear the gasps all around. Due to our large group, the rental vehicle obviously had to be a van. Since I was forced into this vehicle kicking and screaming, it sure is interesting how things turned out. 

This golden nugget had so many random storage spots and automatic doors. Yes, I loved it.

 Shhh - don't tell anyone I am loving it.

The good news is - I am still fighting the good fight. Having a van as your rental car is one thing but purchasing is another.

5) My child is a wonderful sleeper....once she is asleep. However, she has always been the type of child that is not able to fall asleep just anywhere. She has to been in her own room, with her sound machine, and everything just right to actually fall asleep. Needless to say, Sophie fights sleep. In Disney World though, anything is possible and all of your dreams really do come true!

One of my favorite sweet pictures from our trip - its a framer!

TGIF! Have a wonderful weekend!! xoxo