Fabulous Friday - TGIF

TGIF TGIF TGIF!!!! Can you tell I am so happy today is Friday?! Remember those old school days with the classic TGIF TV lineup on ABC - "Perfect Strangers", "Step By Step", "Family Matters", etc.?!? Good times!

I digress - sorry! We have alot going on this weekend so of course I need to paint my nails! The only thing about paining my nails which I really do not care for is the post nail polish wearing color removal process. Maybe it is just me (which is always a possibility) but I hate having to sit there and scrub forever to remove the color - especially when it is a darker color. I found, on Pinterest of course, the most genius way ever to remove nail polish.

http://www.gingerbreadmanne.blogspot.com/2010/09/5-minutes-nail-polish-removal-tutorial.html

It now litterly takes me just a few quick minutes and the polish comes off as easy as when I am getting a mani/pedi. Love it!! And as a sidenote - Sophie and I recently had our first mani/pedi together and she loved it! She did such a great job and was such a big girl! I was a very proud mama to being sharing this girly girl rite of passage with her. We had so much fun and she is already talking about what color she will pick out for our next visit!

Here she is showing off her sparkly pink nails and sparkly green toenails. Can you tell she is proud?!


 One of the many things we have going on this weekend is registering our Relay For Life team. If you are not familiar with Relay For Life, it is a volunteer-driven American Cancer Society fundraising event. In addition to raising money, the event is held to celebrate the lives of survivors and remember those who have lost their lives to cancer. My life has been touched by cancer on so many levels. I have friends who have fought it, friends who have lost parents, friends who parents are currently winning the fight, and I have lost 3 grandparents to it. Most of all though - I am an almost 8 year cancer survivor!!! YAY!!!!

God is good, no matter the outcome and I feel so incredibly blessed that he chose me for this journey and testimony. For me, through Relay For Life, I feel as though I am able to fight this horrific disease while celebrating and honoring others. I also love the fact that it is teaching my daughter about community service and the importance of giving back.

If you have not already joined a team or are just thinking about attending the event - what are you waiting on? Do it already! If you are someone who has not yet responded to my email about joining my team - consider this a friendly reminder. haha! For more information, you can visit http://www.relayforlife.org/.

Have a great weekend!!! xoxo






Throwback Thursday - Best of the Best

I love anything old school - 80's and 90's of course! Thought I would post just a few of my favorite things - of course this could take all day but just a few for now.

I get so excited when hearing old songs, especially the ones that bring back memories. I would listen to this CD on repeat for HOURS while laying on my bed and singing at the top of my lungs!!!

Over Christmas we were at my parents house and found a whole storage bin of old barbie dolls and clothes. I spent hours going through everything! I loved the Heart Family and now its really neat that Sophie gets to play with them. However - the Heart Family Mom is no longer with us and that would be thanks to my Mom. In the second grade I did a project on Helen Keller and had to have a display to go along with my book report. My mom had the great idea to use Mrs. Heart babie as Helen Keller and she would black out her eyes with a pen. You know, so you could tell she was blind. Of course she promised that she would be able to get the ink off and return Mrs. Heart to normal once she returned home. At this point, I am sure you know where this story is going - Mrs. Heart never came back to us. When my Mom tried to remove the ink, she took off the whole entire eye!!!! I think I ended up getting some new barbies out of that mommy guilt she had so it ended up working out just fine! And I did get an A on my book report. Love you Mommy!

Last but certainly not least would have to be the CABOODLE!! Oh yeah, I totally rocked one of these bad boys in elementary school. This is exactly the one I had too.

I would take this to my slumber parties stocked full of lip glosses and fake makeup. Funny thing is - I think I could actually make good use of it now that I am all grown up and have real things to put in it. It had all those handy compartments that folded out - so cool!

Now, I think I am in the mood to go and listen to some 80's music while rollerskating!



Wifey Wednesday - Learning As We Go

Jeff and I have been together almost 12 years now and married 8 of those 12. I am blessed that God put such a wonderful husband, father, and partner in my life. However every year I learn more and more about how you constantly have to work to keep your marriage strong.

About 6 months ago, I found the cutest little idea for Jeff and I to share together. This project was so easy (right up my ally) and is something that we continously use to communicate thanks to each other. http://www.acontenthousewife.com/2011/12/love-message-board-tutorial.html

We have our frame sitting on a table in our upstairs hallway and there is nothing I love more than coming around that corner to find a surprise message from Jeff. Recently, we have even started incorporating Sophie into the messages and that always puts a smile on our face bc the reasons a three year old will tell you she loves you are HILARIOUS!!

We are currently doing a marriage series in our Sunday School class and this past Sunday they spoke about the different roles for men and women in their marriage. It was one of those times where I felt as though God was litterly looking at me and saying - ok Nicole, are you listening or what?! We all have "things" we need to work on and one of mine is the fact that I like to be in control. One of my flaws as a wife is that often times I try to step in and control a situation when I need to be stepping back and letting my husband take the lead. I need to support him in his leadership as the head of our household. Sometimes my actions speak louder then my words and our daughter is watching me every day. Sophie watches our communication and more importantly how I speak and act towards my husband. Which is why I need to remember that there is only one person who can steer the horse. I need to sit behind him and support him which is often times an even more important role then doing the steering. Sometimes I may even need to reach around and help steer but at the end of the day, there is only person who can ultimately be sitting in the "drivers seat".

Thought a little pic of me and Jeff would be nice however it made me realize that I also need to do a better job at taking pictures of me and him. The one below is from 2011 Christmas - Whoops!

Tummy Tuesday - Taste Testing

We love food! I love when the whole family gathers around a table for a huge meal with multiple courses for no special occasion at all. Food often times brings families and friends together and is the center of so many things! Growing up I was very blessed to have had a warm homecooked meal every single evening. Now, as a wife and mama, I am beyond amazed at how my mom did that every single night. Just coming up with the meals for the week is tough enough. We have tried our best to continue the tradition with our family. We truly understand and appreciate the importance of sitting down every evening with our family and having that time together to discuss our day. Of course Sophie likes to use that time to ask "How many more bites until I can have dessert" but hey, she's 3! Luckily, with the wonderful invention of Pinterest, I have def broaden my cooking/baking skill as well as my weekly menu making skills and this makes my family, especially the husband, very happy! I am also very lucky to have a professional taste tester on staff to try all the goodies. Such a sacrifice but she is willing to take one for the team!

There is nothing I love more on a cold winter day/night then a warm bowl of homecooked Chili. I have been on a mission for over year to find the most perfect chili recipe. While they have all been great - I have just not found "the one" until now. I love Wendy's Chili and came across this recipe via Pinterest (of course!) a few months ago and have since made it multiple times. http://www.mamalovesfood.com/2010/11/wendys-chili-well-not-really-but-sort.html

While it does taste very similiar to Wendy's Chili, it still has its own flavor and I add a pinch of brown sugar to the mix. This crock pot recipe calls for a HUGE batch which I usually trim down to feed the 3 of us and we still have leftovers for a few days. Nothing better then coming home from work to the cozy smell of chili in the crock pot and ready to eat. No dishes or kitchen to clean post dinner - best feeling ever! 

For the Super Bowl this past weekend we had  friends over and matched the yummy Chili with all sorts of good toppings and some Frito Chips. Uh-mazing and they loved it! For the appetizer, we had Crock Pot Queso Dip. As you can tell, with all the children in attendance, I was trying to steer clear of spending too much time in the kitchen. I first tried making the crock pot queso dip during football season for our tailgating menu. Super easy and it was gone in 2 seconds - everyone loved it! While the recipe calls for meat or sausage - I have made it with sausage both times and personally think that is part of what makes it so good! http://goodenessgracious.com/2010/11/goode-goodeness-cris-queso-dip.html

My mouth is watering and the tummy is growling!!! Enjoy!

Mommy Monday - Making Memories

The morning did not start off so well!

Of course I hate leaving my girl every day but usually she is beyond thrilled to go hang out with her Gigi and Poppy. However, this morning all she wanted me to do was hold her. And it was not that whiny kind of plea but more of the pull at your heart strings and rip your heart out kind of plea....are you familiar?! While it does not always happen, I do try my very best to always stop whatever I am doing and listen or hold her. Goodness knows the days are fleeting of her wanting me to hold her so I always try to embrace it. This morning, her Daddy took her to drop her off with Gigi and Poppy and as they were leaving the house she crying the big 'ole crocodile tears and looking up at me while holding up her "I love you" sign. The 3 of us have a thing where we always flip the sign language sign of  "I love you" to each other when we are leaving whether it is to run some errands, go to school, or at bedtime. Ok, so already I am feeling like Mother of the Year (yeah right) bc all I want to do is forget work, grab my baby, and crawl back to bed into our safety bubble and you know - never EVER let her go EVER again. Then, as their car passes mine, I see her still crying and now with her arms spread across her body telling me "I love you this much" as she cries and they drive off. No kidding, at this point, I feel as though my wonderful and patient husband is about the equivalent of a CPS (Child Protective Services) worker ripping my child out of my arms and dragging her off in the middle of the night. What is a mommy to do next? Well, call her own mommy of course and then try her best not to ball her eyes out bc for one, that is not a flattering look on me as I head into the office and more importantly, I am not wearing waterproof mascara this morning. However, my mommy puts me at ease as she tells me that she just picked up Sophie and she is talking up a storm about playing with her BFF last night and acting as though nothing ever happened.Hmm, well it would certainly seem as though she has since totally forgotten being dragged out of my loving embrace but - of course good news to hear. The working mommy guilt never ends right - and Sophie is only 3! I do take comfort though in knowing that I am where God wants me be and doing what he wants me to do. I also find refuge in knowing that my girl thinks her Gigi hung the moon and loves spending time with her and of course the fact that my husband is not really a CPS worker!

As you can probably tell by now, I am all about making memories and traditions that will carry my family through the generations. Not necessarily memories like those I just shared above, but more along the lines of happy times. I love heritage and ancestory and all that good stuff bc in my world, besides God, family is first and foremost. That is how I was raised. Needless to say, I am ALWAYS trying to find ways to remember these days and soak up every single last second.

Some of my most favorite "ideas" are ones that I have found on Pinterest. As much as I would LOVE to take the credit for them myself...I can't. I am talented at along of things but being craftsy is certainly not one of them. However, I am extremely talented at finding great ideas and then copying them! Why recreate the wheel right?! My most fav idea that I have found would have to be keeping the Mommy Journal. The concept is that you record your thoughts, feelings, and happenings,  (whatever you prefer) beginning when they are young. Then, on their 18th birthday, you give them the journal. Kinda serves as a neat little journey through their childhood for them to read and understand through your eyes. I bought a super cute pink one for Sophie and keep it next to the bed. Sometimes will just jott down funny little stories of something she has done or said, or maybe my thoughts on how proud I am of her bc she already has such a big heart. I am not going to lie - this is a VERY hard thing to keep up with but I try my very best and anything is better then nothing. I have been doing this for about a year now and there is already things I have forgotten that I do not remember until I look back and read them. Great way to remember all the little details of the day to day life as they shape into the adult they will eventually become.

My second favorite idea that I have borrowed/stolen involves the Dr. Seuss book "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" At the end of every school year, you have their teacher sign the book and write a little message. Once again, a great way for them to remember some of those special teachers and memories. On their HS graduation day, you give them the book.You can of course find the book anywhere but the price on Amazon is one of the best I have seen and wouldn't you know - better then what I paid for it. In case you want to check it out, here is the link - 
http://www.amazon.com/Oh-Places-Youll DrSeuss/dp/0679805273 .

Yes, I know this is going to be alot of reading for my girl but she already loves to read, or at least loves to pretend that she is reading. Besides, if she does not fully appreciate it at 18,  I know she will cherish it one day!

Fabulous Friday - Zumba!

I am obsessed with Zumba!! If I had the time (so hard to remember what those days were like) I would be at Zumba class every night. For now though as a working mommy to a 3 year old - my Zumba happens on Saturday mornings only. Such a great start to the weekend and I love that feeling I always have when I leave. You know the feeling where you have endless amounts of energy and feel like you are about 3 sizes smaller then you actually are.

I am lucky enough to take the class with a few friends so in addition to all the sweat, I am also guranteed to have about 45 minutes worth of solid laughter! Now I will admit that there are times when I have flashbacks during a particular song of the 'ole college days. Its as though I am there all over again shaking what my mama gave me and let me tell you - she def gave me something to work with. Then, during my dancing and thoughts of how I could totally be on "Dancing with the Stars" or "So You Think You Can Dance", I will accidently (and trust me this is purely by accident bc goodness knows I have been avoiding it) catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and wow. It looks a little something like this.

Now you understand why we laugh so much during the class! Totally worth it though bc I burn more calories during my Zumba class then if I spent the same amount of time running/jogging. And yes - that is true! I recommend that you try it if you haven't already. Not only is it a great change of pace but also a great way to spend some time with your girlfriends while staying healthy. You can even visit this link,  http://www.zumba.com/en-US/parties/search/ and find local classes in your area! As women, keeping our heart healthy is VITALLY important bc Heart Disease is our NUMBER ONE killer! I don't know about you, but I plan on being alive to see my grandkids get married so Zumba on!

My Best Friend

It never ceases to amaze me what an incredible gift from God that it is being a mommy! Seriously, how is it that this little girl is my very best friend?! She is at that age right now where she is copying everything that I do and seems to have the mistaken idea that my every move is just the best and most amazing thing ever.

We were planting flowers yesterday and all the sudden I feel something just right next to me and it was my Sophie Bug. She had sat down next to me on the sidewalk and then I guess felt as though we were not close enough so she scooted over to where our legs were touching and smooshed together. I am such a touchy feely person so to me, these moments are the best thing ever. I can't have enough of that love from my girl! She then seemed content to just watch me plant my flowers. I had one of those "aha" moments (thanks to Oprah who invented a name for those type of moments) where the world could have stopped and all would have been right. I see her putting her dolls to bed, diapering them, shhing everyone in the room when they are sleeping and I think hmm...we may actually be doing something right here. Isnt that one of the many fears as a parent?? Am I doing something wrong? Am I steering her in the wrong direction? It is just always nice to have those mommy conversations with friends where you know that you aer not the only Mom who has these fears and concerns. "Oh, your child has also started having meltdowns in public places when she doesnt get her way and you don't know how to stop them either?" Good to know. I hate that you are going through that tough time and all but you have just made my day with your story of concern for your own parenting skills!! :)   Thanks so much!!