Five on Friday

TGIF! I don't know about you, but I felt like this week drug on F..O..R..E..V..E..R! I'm beyond ready for the weekend! Let's get the party started with my Friday Five...

One: The Kansas Jayhawks

Texas Tech will travel to Lawrence tomorrow to play my beloved Jayhawks. A win over the Red Raiders will seal the deal for the Jayhawks to win at least a share of the Big 12 title...FOR THE 12TH YEAR IN A ROW!  All I can say is ROCK CHALK! 

Two: My Wishlist

These booties. They need to be mine... 

Three: "You Should Be Here"

If you've been around my little corner of the internet for awhile, you're well aware that I'm a HUGE fan of country music. I've been loving Cole Swindell's newest song, "You Should Be Here," since I first heard it on the radio. And then I watched the video. Tears. I couldn't hold back the tears. What an incredible song!

I heard an interview with Cole Swindell on The Highway after I'd seen the video and learned that the emotional video is very real. The people in it are his real family, and it truly was the first time he'd been back to his dad's grave since the funeral. Such an amazing tribute to his dad...and a song that pretty much everyone can relate to in one way or another.

Four:  Easter Decor

I just realized that Easter is only one month away! Time to break out the Easter decorations...

Five: Code Black

Do you watch this show??? I'm addicted...to the point that I almost love it as much as Nashville {which returns March 16}! I haven't yet watched this week's episode because I think it was the season finale {and I've been known to save the finale until just before the next season starts so I won't be so sad...come to think of it, it's about time to watch Season 4's final episode of Nashville!}.  Anyway, I know absolutely nothing about the medical field, so this show could be wayyyyyy off track from reality...but I still love it and will continue to watch.

Cheers to the Weekend!

Today I'm participating in a couple of Fabulous Friday link-ups: 

"Oh, Hey Friday!" {hosted by The Farmer's Wife and September FARM} 
"5 on Friday" {hosted by A.Liz Adventures, North Carolina Charm, The Good Life, and Hello! Happiness}

Thanks so much to all of these ladies for hosting fun Friday link-ups!

High Five for Friday!

What a week! All in all, it's been pretty fabulous! Here are a few bright spots from this past week...

One: Jake Patrick Wald

My lifelong friend gave birth to this precious baby boy earlier this week. He and his sweet momma are doing well...and his big sister couldn't possibly be more excited that he's finally here.

Jake Patrick
Born to Brandy Packard and Justin Wald on
March 24, 2015 at 5:30 PM
6 lbs., 13 oz. and 20" long

First Family Photo

Big sister Preslee couldn't be more proud! She's so in love with her baby brother!

Brandy told me this considerate little guy entered the world after just two pushes! Where can I sign up for a delivery like that?!!?  Please. Pretty please!

Congratulations to this beautiful family of four!

Two: Baby Martin's 20-Week Sonogram

More details on this in my next "bumpdate" post, but I can't help but share a little preview of our "halfway there" baby-doctor appointment.  All is well! Our little guy is right on track. We got to see him wiggling around and hear the sweet sound of his heartbeat! 

Three:  An Unexpected Baby Gift

A friend from high school sent me this A-DOR-able onesie:

I mean, seriously...how flippin' cute is that?!!? I can't wait until he can wear it...and duh! of course I'll be blogging about it!  :)

Thanks so much, Joclyn...you're so very thoughtful, and this little gift totally made my week! 

Four:  Spring has Sprung!

A little look at the Spring/Easter decor brightening our home...

I'll be the first to welcome the warm, sunny weather...and I cannot wait to spend a little time outside this weekend hopefully nourishing my {abnormally pale} skin with a little Vitamin D!

March definitely roared in like a lion...but, based on the forecast for this weekend, it looks like we're in luck for this month to go out like a lamb!

Five: Blog Love

• A Love Letter to My New Babysitter, by Ashlee @ Where My Heart Resides. A funny read straight from a mama's heart! This really hit home for me as we're in the process of exploring daycare/nanny options...which, let me tell you, is overwhelming and slightly terrifying! 

Today I'm participating in lots of Fabulous Friday link-ups: 

"Oh, Hey Friday!" {hosted by The Farmer's Wife and September FARM} 
"5 on Friday" {hosted by A.Liz Adventures, North Carolina Charm, The Good Life, and Hello! Happiness}
"Blogger Love" {hosted by All the Joys}

"Friday Favorites" {hosted by Momfessionals} 

Thanks so much to all of these ladies for hosting fun Friday link-ups!

The Friday Five

Happy Friday, Friends! Let's get this party started with five random things and/or thoughts going on in my world...

One:  Lily's Birthday

Tuesday marked the 8th birthday of this perfect little diva dog. Little Miss Lily totally runs the show around our house...but we wouldn't have it any other way.  She's so much fun to come home to...seriously, the unconditional love of a pet is priceless! She's well aware that something is about to change in her world {it's possible that she knew there was a baby on the way before we even knew!}. This little midget dog has never been much of a cuddler, but she pretty much stays as close to me as she can these days. Love her to the moon & back!

I was out of town for work on her actual birthday, so we postponed the celebration until Wednesday...and then she had a "Birthday Pup-Pie!"  

You can see all of Lily's previous birthdays here.

Two: Weekend with Mom

My mom has been planning to come visit for the past couple of weekends, but the weather and other unforeseen circumstances halted those plans...but she's finally able to make the trip this weekend! Looking forward to spending some time with her...and perhaps getting started on cleaning out the baby's room {which may or may not still be full of wedding stuff!}

Three: Old Factory Candle Giveaway

Did you see my post earlier this week about Old Factory Candles? Check it out here...and while you're there, enter to win your own set of three Old Factory candles! 

Four: Academy of Country Music Awards

I got a text this week from my friend Darcy that our tickets for the ACM Awards had arrived in the mail! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to go to this BIG event. It's the 50th anniversary of the awards show and the first time it's ever been held in Dallas. At first I wasn't sure how much fun it would be to attend when I'm six months pregnant...but I quickly decided this is an event I don't want to miss. I'm sure you'll be hearing lots more about this in the future...

Five: Have a fabulous weekend!

Today I'm participating in lots of Fabulous Friday link-ups: 

"Oh, Hey Friday!" {hosted by The Farmer's Wife and September FARM} 
"5 on Friday" {hosted by A.Liz Adventures, North Carolina Charm, The Good Life, and Hello! Happiness}
"Friday Favorites" {hosted by Meet @ the Barre}

"Friday Favorites" {hosted by Momfessionals} 

Thanks so much to all of these ladies for hosting fun Friday link-ups!

The Friday Five

Just a few thoughts for this lovely Friday... 

One:  Brrrr...it's been C.O.L.D outside!

One thing is for sure, March came roaring in like a lion. A mean, grouchy lion. 

Texas doesn't do ice/snow well...not well at all. The cities just don't have the proper equipment to prepare the roads for ice/snow because we so rarely experience this type of weather. It would be a good idea to ban all traffic from the roads when there's any type of precipitation combined with below-freezing temperatures...that way we can avoid traffic maps that look like this:

Dallas-area traffic map from Friday, February 27, 2015...thanks to a little snow!

Two: Big 12 Season Champions

Once again...for the 11th year in a row...my beloved Jayhawks are the Big 12 champions for regular-season play. Everything I wrote last year at this time {here} remains true...except now it's even bigger and better! As always, I'm so very proud to be a Jayhawk.  ROCK CHALK!

Three: Speaking of the Jayhawks...

I think we might need this for our little jayhawk's nursery:

via

Four: "Ride," by Chase Rice

Have you heard Chase Rice's newest single, "Ride"? Whoa...it's a little scandalous for country music...but I just can't help but like it!  What do you think?


Between this song and Eric Church's "Like A Wrecking Ball," country music is gettin' a little hot & heavy!

Five: Blog Love

• Pattern Behavior: Guaranteed to make you laugh. Period.Dot.Done. A friend sent me this link via text message earlier this week, and I literally laughed out loud at a few of the "pattern conversations."
• "DIY Shower Bombs," by Aimee @ Aimlessly Elegant. Aimee is always DIY-ing something, and it always turns out to be a success. This time she shows us how to use essential oils to make your own shower bombs/bath salts and explains which scents cure which ailments.

Today I'm participating in lots of Fabulous Friday link-ups: 

"Oh, Hey Friday!" {hosted by The Farmer's Wife and September FARM} 
"5 on Friday" {hosted by A.Liz Adventures, North Carolina Charm, The Good Life, and Hello! Happiness}
"Blogger Love" {hosted by All the Joys}

"Friday Favorites" {hosted by Momfessionals} 

Thanks so much to all of these ladies for hosting fun Friday link-ups!

Fri-YAY!

I'm incredibly grateful that I had this past Monday off for President's Day. I L.O.V.E. the actual holiday day, but the following four days in the office always seem to be a little more chaotic/stressful than normal work weeks. I guess the point I'm trying to make is TGIF! 

And here are a few of my Friday favorites...

One:  The Perfect Valentine

The husband did very well with this year's Valentine's Day gift...

DryBar's Big Hair Don't Care Blowout Kit

I'll be the first to admit that I am totally spoiled...but I'm incredibly grateful as well! Thank you, Ryan, for making Valentine's Day {and almost every other day} perfect! I love you!

Two: Baby Cowboy Boots

Thanks to our fabulous friends, the Gonzalez family, our little midget has the tiniest pair of cowboy boots just awaiting his arrival. How adorable are these???

Three: 90s Country Music

My friend posted a link to this article on Facebook yesterday, and I was singing the lines to every single song it mentioned in my head. I always have and always will love country music! And George Strait will always be the very best. Always.

Four: Taco Casserole

I attempted this recipe I found on pinterest...and it was a success {and sooooo easy!}. I put a few more noodles in it than the recipe called for, and it was more like a taco-flavored goulash than a casserole, but it was pretty tasty! 

via

Five: Happy Friday!

That's all I've got this week. Have a fabulous weekend!

Today I'm participating in lots of Fabulous Friday link-ups: 

"Oh, Hey Friday!" {hosted by The Farmer's Wife and September FARM} 
"5 on Friday" {hosted by A.Liz Adventures, North Carolina Charm, The Good Life, and Hello! Happiness}

"Friday Favorites" {hosted by Meet at the Barre}

"Friday Favorites" {hosted by Momfessionals} 

Thanks so much to all of these ladies for hosting fun Friday link-ups!

A Valentine's Giveaway...Plus Other Stuff

This week = LONGEST.WEEK.EVER! Thank goodness we've finally reached the final day of the work week. I can't pinpoint any particular reason why this week has drug on for an eternity, but let's just say I am more than a little ready to sleep in tomorrow morning! Anyway, on with the Friday five...

One:  A Valentine's Day Giveaway

Whether you fall in the "love it" or "hate it" camp regarding Valentine's Day, chances are you still LOVE a good giveaway. And with that being said, I've got some good news for you...I've teamed up with some of my favorite bloggers for a fabulous Valentine's Day giveaway: $150 gift card to Victoria's Secret! 

Meet your  fabulous hostesses... {Check out their blogs and show 'em a little Valentine's love!}

Hosted by: The Sequin Notebook, Jessi's Design, Martinis and Bikinis, A Little Glitter, Martin Manifesto, The Kari Diaries, Pink and Fabulous, Make Me Up Mia, Green Fashionista and Meet @ the Barre

Do your thing with the Rafflecopter below....and GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Two: Jayten's 6th Birthday

Sending extended birthday wishes to this little dude {our nephew} who turned six on Tuesday!  His mom blogged all about his football-themed birthday party here.

Happy 6th Birthday, Jayten!

Three: KU Traditions

We attended a KU Endowment event at Dallas Country Club on Wednesday night, and they showed this video. The speaker before the video said, "If this video doesn't give you chills, then you mean nothing to me." We all laughed, but I have to admit...it gave me goosebumps several times. Here's to all the awesome traditions of the University of Kansas.

P.S. The guy speaking was an offensive linemen on the KU football team {yes, KU does have a football team} from 1995-1995...he wrote the poem he's speaking.

Four: Baby's First Picture

My sweet mom sent us this precious gift this week...our little midget's first photo! How sweet is this? It's our very first sonogram picture displayed on a perfect little plaque that sits on a mini easel! Our baby's first photo AND the first decor for his/her room! Thank you, Mom {Grammy!}.

Five: Nashville

Nashville came back on this week {mid-season premiere???}...did you watch?  It's only the BEST.SHOW.EVER!

Cheers to Friday!

Today I'm participating in lots of Fabulous Friday link-ups: 

"Oh, Hey Friday!" {hosted by The Farmer's Wife and September FARM} 
"5 on Friday" {hosted by A.Liz Adventures, North Carolina Charm, The Good Life, and Hello! Happiness}

"Friday Favorites" {hosted by Meet at the Barre}

"Friday Favorites" {hosted by Momfessionals} 

Thanks so much to all of these ladies for hosting fun Friday link-ups!

The Current Friday Five

We're down to the final countdown...less than one week until Christmas {and still so much to do!}. Here's a quick look at what's going on in my corner of the world...

Celebrating: Tess' birthday! Happy 10th Birthday to our sweet niece! 

Working on: finishing the Christmas shopping! Ahhhhh...crunch time! I'm close to being done, but I'm frantically trying to come up with something great for the husband. Any ideas?!!?

Thanking: Chesson from A Southern Twenty-Five for the fabulous package I received as part of the #2014OrnamentExchange. I'll always think of Chesson and her love of Coastal North Carolina {and the half marathon she just completed there last weekend...CONGRATS on that huge accomplishment!} when I hang this ornament on our tree! 

I'm so grateful I was paired with Chesson for the ornament exchange. It's been so fun to get to know her, and I have no doubt that we'll continue to stay in touch!

Anticipating: sleeping in this weekend! I can't remember the last time I didn't set an alarm clock. These dark circles under my eyes can't wait to catch up on some sleep!

Loving: these blog posts...

• People You Meet in Life, by Jenn @ Going the Distance. A good reminder of the positives you can take away from all of the "Negative Nancy" people you're bound to come across in life.
• How to Make a Pretty and Easy Christmas Bow, by Christina @ Carolina Charm. A step-by-step photo tutorial of how to perfectly top your Christmas gifts!

Happy Friday!

Today I'm participating in lots of Fabulous Friday link-ups: 

"Oh, Hey Friday!" {hosted by The Farmer's Wife and September FARM} 
"5 on Friday" {hosted by A.Liz Adventures, North Carolina Charm, The Good Life, and Hello! Happiness}

"Friday Favorites" {hosted by All the Joys}

"Friday Favorites" {hosted by Meet at the Barre}

Thanks so much to all of these ladies for hosting fun Friday link-ups!