SOL: Living Loved

'Twas the night before spring break was over and all through my house, Not a child was cooperating, and I could not find my blouse. ........I'm not very good at rhyming, haha! Here we are, the night before we GO BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!  It's been a good week, but my favorite parts were the weekends before & after.  Both of my daughters did well in their Regionals competitions--not the places they had hoped for, but I'm very proud of them! As I think about the work week ahead, I start to feel a little anxious....so much to do & so little school time left!  Think about it, people:  4 & 1/2 days this week, then Easter, followed by MAP testing, & before you know it, the end-of-the-year activities pop up right around the corner!  This year has flown by!   Here are some fun moments we've had this year---offering a little motivation to push us through this upcoming season! Beginning of school fun! Encouraging facelift in our bathro...

It's going to be short, sweet & to the point, today, my friends.  We have been in a gym all day at my daughter, Kate's, volleyball tournament.  I am TIRED.  I am feeling OLD, today!  The girls did great, however!  They got first place in their pool, which means we are headed into the gold bracket tomorrow!  The top two teams at this tournament earn a bid to Nationals, which would be so much fun!  We are playing in a humongous sports pavilion in Lawrence, KS, that I'm assuming is part of the KU campus.  (It's out in the middle of nowhere, but it is so nice!) Tomorrow will be tough, & the girls will have to bring their "A-game," but they can do it!  Whatever the outcome, even if it is their last tournament, they have had a great club season, & I'm so proud of them! When we are finished tomorrow (whatever time that may be, yikes!), we will head home & get ready for the school week!  I'm happy to get back to it, but I may...

My girlies are back from Colorado, hooray!!  I met them up in KC this evening so we could be here for Kate's Regionals tournament, which takes place tomorrow & Sunday in Lawrence, KS.  We're hoping they bring home the gold!  I've asked both of them to "guest blog" this evening, & talk a little bit about their spring break!  Here we go!! Kate:   We spent the week in Winter Park, Colorado. The first day we got there we decided to go tubing! It was really fun, but we got cold very fast. My favorite time we went down the hill in our tubes was when we decided to all chain together and go down the steep drop. When we were getting out of our tubes we noticed a boy that had just gotten out of his. While he was walking, another person coming down the hill very fast cam straight towards him and wiped him out! I learned a lesson that night, always be aware of your surroundings.Yikes!Tubing was really fun, But also was skiing. Abby:   We skied for three day...

Today has been a good day!  My mother, my niece, and I drove down to Rogers, Arkansas to shop a little and eat at my very favorite restaurant ~ Chuy's!  Have you ever eaten there?  They have the BEST spicy jalapeno ranch dip that is A-MAZING!!  Here's a link to a copycat recipe that comes pretty close!  If you have a Ninja blender, all it takes is a few pulses and waa-la!  Yummy goodness!  Copycat Chuy's Creamy Jalapeno Dip Anyway, we also went to the cutest baby store, where I got two baby gifts for two very special mommies-to-be!  We then hit up some stores at the Pinnacle, where I got some super cute clearance sandals, two shirts, and had some fun looking for some Easter dresses for my daughters, (but no luck finding any....).  To top it all off, we stopped by a little place that makes yummy little mini-cakes, called "Nothing Bundt Cakes," (super clever name!).  Here is the link to their website:  (their cakes are so yummy!) ...

Let's face it--there is a lot of ugliness on the Internet today.  It's hard to get on social media or the Internet and not be immediately faced with sad news stories, people putting each other down, or just being subjected to negativity.  I'm not saying that one should keep him/herself from being educated regarding current world/local news, but sometimes I just need to turn my attention to posts, news stories, and videos that make me SMILE!  Here are some of my latest favorite cute &/or funny videos:  (p.s.  This is, apparently, what you blog about when you are bored over spring break, ha!) Baby Elephant Chasing Birds:   Oh my word!  This is the most adorable video!  Guaranteed to light your face up with a smile =)  Kid President:  20 Things We Should Say More Often:   An oldie, but a goodie!  I love this video AND it's message! Kid Snippets ~ Math Class:   This video makes me laugh SO HARD!  Esp...

Y'all.  I am stressed out this week!  I know you all are feeling it, too-----we're so close  to spring break, due dates are looming, and things are starting to pile up!  I have some "go-to's" when I am stressed out that help me to stay grounded and logical, (as my emotional side starts to take over!).  Here is my list of "De-Stressors" Spend extra time with people who make me smile:  Whether it's sending a funny Snap/text, talking to them on the phone, or visiting in person, spending time with people who make me happy is a definite "de-stressor."  This list includes my two daughters, my family, & friends! Sitting with my dog, Kale:  I say, "sitting with," because my dog absolutely knows  my moods.  When I come home at the end of a hard day, he will look at me, tilt his head to the side, then immediately come and sit at my feet for comfort.  He is amazing! Dance it out:  I absolutely love music!  I also rea...

Living in a Gym I've titled today's blog, "Living in a Gym," because that is what I do most of the year, and I absolutely LOVE IT!  My two daughters, Abby and Kate, love to play basketball and volleyball, and we are in the midst of a particularly busy season of competition!  I thought today's post would be a great time to blog about my girls, and some of the reasons I will forever cherish following them around gymnasiums!   My daughter, Abby, is a junior in high school.  She is a bit of an introvert, but can be highly silly around her friends and family.  She is kind, compassionate, and brings my heart joy!  She plays basketball and volleyball for our high school, and is also currently competing with the Club MVP volleyball organization.  We have a Regionals competition coming up this weekend, and we are hoping her team qualifies for Nationals!  It would be so exciting for her to compete at that level!   My youngest d...