This is my view...

... for the next few days.

PARADISE.

PACKING...

.. and I don't mean heat.

It's that dreaded time... time to pack for the trip.  Although, I've been anxiously awaiting this day (not really dreading it).  

The only problem is, I have so many cute little dresses to take and we're only going to be gone 4 days.  Guess I'll be making several "wardrobe changes."  :)

Did I mention that I am SO EXCITED?!?!?!?  And so is Hubby.  

I think I'm actually more excited for him.  He really deserves a break... and I'm glad he's getting one.

I won't be able to post from the boat, but I'll update you when we return... LOTS of pictures to come!!!

Have a great weekend!

Toes in the water... Toes in the sand...

I usually don't paint my toes, but I felt the need to get them "beach ready." 

I can't wait for relaxation.

(OPI's Feelin' Hot-Hot-Hot!)
the perfect "corally-pink" color - perfect for Spring/Summer

Forgive me...

I'm sorry that this post is about something "not so fun," but since it's cleaning day here in my household, I thought I'd share with you one of my FAVORITE new products.

I discovered this product a few months ago during a routine trip to Wally-World for weekly groceries.... it was one of those days when you spend a fortune b/c you're out of essentials - paper towels, toilet paper, shampoo, YUCK.

I was in the cleaning aisle, trying to pick out a new "all-purpose" cleaning product, when I ran across this:

LYSOL KITCHEN CLEANER - COMPLETE CLEAN

Even though I wasn't necessarily looking for a "kitchen" cleaner, I had never seen it before so I picked it up to read about it.

It claimed to: cut through tough grease, deodorize, kill germs; and could be used for sinks, countertops, stovetops, cabinets, and appliances.

So I decided to try it... I thought, "surely if it can cut through grease, it can cut through soap scum."

MAN, OH MAN.  I LOVE this stuff!!!  And I haven't even tried it in the kitchen. :)

I keep it in my bathroom.  I use it on the sinks, coutertops, toilet and shower.  It WORKS WONDERS!  Talk about something that you don't have to "scrub" to get to work.  This little product does all the work for you.

Our bathtub is O-L-D.  I feel like it never looks clean.  But a little squirt of this stuff, and it looks shiny and new!!

I know this is a crazy post, but since I'm cleaning today, I thought I'd take a minute and share this wonderful product with you... if it'll make your cleaning day a little easier, I"ll be happy to have helped. :)

Hope you all have a fantastic week... and I must mention that the reason I'm cleaning away is...

...  I'll be cruising with my best friend in 3 days!!!  AHH!!!!  Don't want to come home to a dirty house, right?

Inspirational???? Uh, Yeah. I think so.

I found this blog this week through a Facebook post.  I was completely in awe.

This lady is definitely an inspiration.  

If you have a minute, read her story (or at least this particular post about World Down Syndrome Awareness Day). 

It will definitely make you think.

And if you're a Mommy, it'll make you count your blessings.

Kelle Hampton's blog post - Monday, March 21st

HA- llelujah!

One week from today, this is where I'll be...

And this is what I plan to do...

 REST

RELAX

 EAT

SWIM

and GET PAMPERED

Sounds like a plan to me!!!

I have been so worried (and upset) about leaving Jase, but I have come to the realization that...

he's going to be fine.  

He might miss me a little, but I'm glad he's still "a baby" and doesn't really have a great understanding of "time."  He'll have lots of fun playing with his grandparents.

And I know he'll be so glad to see me... I can't wait to see the look on his face when we get home! :)

Product Review...

I haven't done one of these in a long time... but I recently found a product that I'm excited about.  It really works.

A month or so (maybe longer) ago, I was in Walgreen's.  They had a sale on several brands of hair products.  One brand that I have tried a few things from, but wanted to try more, is Got2B.  They have some really neat products that claim to do amazing things.

That particular sale was Buy One Get One.  I picked out these 2 products.

 Smooth Operator

Fat-tastic Thickening Mousse

I am not crazy about the Fat-tastic product.  Maybe for shorter hair it would work better, but didn't do much for mine... just made it a little tangly.

Now, the Smooth Operator.... I LOVE!

I use a TINY amount (I'm talking tiny, and I have long hair) and I just put it on the ends and brush through.  I'm always worried that products will make my hair flat or oily.  This product doesn't do either of those things.

That tiny amount will make your hair feel heavenly soft.  I love it.  

I hope that if you've tried it (or plan to try it in the future) you aren't disappointed.

Giveaway...

I saw this awesome giveaway on Facebook this morning and thought I'd share ... not only b/c it's a great giveaway, but also b/c I WANNA WIN! :)

Cuties for Cuties is giving away a YEAR'S WORTH of applique t-shirts for one lucky winner.  Click the link to learn more about how YOU can win!!!

Good luck!

Click Here!!!

Railroad Park...

We spent the day today @ one of Birmingham's newest, neatest attractions - Railroad Park.

I had never been there before, but we'd been planning a trip for sometime.  Today, the weather was just perfect.

It was such a neat little place.  I can't wait to go back... maybe take a picnic.

Here are some pictures from our day out!  I would have more, but my battery died. :(  

It was quite a hike back to the car, so I just let my sister take the pics and I'll post them later!!

Enjoy!  I hope you're having a great weekend!

Okay, Okay...

So I haven't done very well this week either with blogging... just not much going on around here.  UNTIL tonight.  But that's a whole other ball of wax... we'll get to it later (after I cool down).

Tomorrow, my hubby is taking off of work and we're going SHOPPING!  What?!?!  Yes, you heard me right.  Shopping.  Something he RARELY does.  I usually just buy him things (which he never wears), but since we're cruising in exactly 2 WEEKS, he has a reason to buy some new things.

We're heading to the outlet mall in Leeds tomorrow with my mom and Jase-ter.  Should be a fun-filled day.

On Saturday, we're planning a little trip to the new Railroad Park in B'ham.  Lots of picture taking to be had.

So I'm saving my Saturday's inspirational post til Saturday NIGHT.  Hopefully I'll have some great pictures to show you!!!  Maybe you'll find something inspiring. :)

I'm off to bed... it's been a rough night. 

Just Like Old Times...

Yesterday, my hubby and I did something we haven't done in years!  

We went fishing.

Now, HE goes fishing every week (literally), but it's been quite a while since I tagged along.  At least 3 years, actually. 

Before Jase was born, he used to take me fishing all the time.  We'd go to quiet little ponds in our neighborhood.  It was so much fun.  I love being with him, and especially doing something he loves (he's a fisherman at heart).

Yesterday seemed like the perfect day.  So he fixed my rod/reel (yes, MINE), and we headed out.  We didn't go far; just behind my parents' house.  

It was so peaceful and serene.... and I caught 4 FISH.  I was so proud... thought I'd be a little rusty.  He assured me it's like riding a bike.

And then, about an hour into our afternoon getaway, it started POURING RAIN.  But we had lots of fun while it lasted!  Can't wait to go back.

You won't catch me out there when it's 100 degrees and the bugs are biting, but this time of year is perfect!  

A perfect way to spend time with my best friend.

The best book EVER...

It's time for Saturday's inspirational post.

I haven't done too well this week blogging... just haven't had much to talk about. :)

But I've been chomping at the bit to tell you about the most awesome book I've ever read.  You've probably heard about it, but if you haven't, here goes....

This is a true, real-life story about one little boy's (Colton Burpo) journey to heaven.  No, it wasn't a dream... he really went there.

Just for a little background, at the age of 3, he became very (extremely) ill and to the point of death.  His parents are Christians; his father is a pastor.  They depended on God to heal their baby boy.  While Colton was in surgery, he slipped out of consciousness and left his body... he went straight to Heaven.

After he was well, he began to tell his parents little bits and pieces of his trip to Heaven.

I am not going to tell you anymore... you'll have to read it for yourself.

This book is SO very easy to read.  I read it in one sitting... about 3 hours.  The story is told from the father's perspective.  It's written very well and is so captivating.  I PROMISE you will not be disappointed or lack interest.

I can not stress enough how much EVERY HUMAN BEING (believer or not) MUST read this book.  Your life will be changed FOREVER.  My entire family has read it, as well as many friends, and everyone has had the same opinion.  It's a blessing beyond belief.

PLEASE, I'm begging you.... take a few hours of your day to read this amazing story.  

You won't regret it.

Oh, my!

Lately, I have been reminded (several times), it's time for baby #2.

Now, don't get your hopes up... this is NOT an announcement. :)

Jase recently decided that he is ready for a brother or a sister (it changes daily).

One day, he asked if we could get a baby brother and baby sister @ Wal-Mart. 

Yesterday, he made YET ANOTHER comment about wanting a sibling... this time, just a sister.

Before now, he has been perfectly content being the center of attention.  And I'm not sure he totally understands how much things will change when another baby is added into the mix.  But I have a year to prepare him. :)

So, here's to changes... and happy, healthy babies.

Gettin' there...

As I said last week, I've got to get "cruise ready."

I have 1 month to get in shape for our little getaway.

This is my second week counting calories.  I've been eating about 1200 (sometimes less) a day.  

AND, more importantly, I've been exercising EVERYDAY!!!

And this is what I've been doing.

And if you think for a minute, "That's not exercise," you are TOTALLY mistaken.

I have never been an exerciser.  I can't stay motivated... and I am totally okay with admitting that.

But since finding this game, I have become a "dancer."  I look completely ignorant doing it (trust me, I know... I video-ed myself and QUICKLY deleted it), but it WORKS.  

I do 1 HOUR every day.  And I have never sweated so much in my life.

There is even an option to choose the program "Just Sweat" and it will keep track of your "sweat points" each day.  So neat.  

And this keeps me going.  It's hard work, but very fun!  

So far, I'm down about 5 pounds.  We'll keep it going through March and see what happens.  I'm optimistic that I'll be a 125 pound hot momma before the cruise.  

HAHA!!  Who am I kidding?

Not quite.  But I'd settle for 10 pounds. :)

His Plans...

... are better than ours.

2 Sundays ago, Brother Holder spoke at our church.  Our pastor was not feeling well, so he called on Brother Holder to bring the Word.  And boy, did he do that.

His whole sermon was about how GOD is in control.  Of everything.

One verse he used stuck in my head.

Proverbs 19:21.

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

So many times I try to "plan" my future.  When I'll start working.... when our house will sell.... what we'll do after that.... how much our next house will cost.... when we'll have another baby.... how we'll afford it....  AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

I realized that I CANNOT plan my life that way.  If I do, I might miss God's plan.  Instead of praying, "Lord, bless what I am doing,"  we should be praying, "Lord, LET ME DO WHAT YOU ARE BLESSING."  

So powerful and so true.  His plan is so right for our lives... we just have to trust Him.

Guilty Pleasure...

I've found something to add to my list.

This past weekend, I ran in Walgreen's and they had conveniently put bins of clearance goodies at the front.. you know how they do.  They just draw you in.

Well, I picked up 2 of these.

They were little bags of kettlecorn for $.99.  I couldn't resist.  And especially since I had JUST SAID the day before that I was craving kettlecorn.

I didn't buy the plain, however.  They had Dark Chocolate covered kettlecorn and Drizzled Cinnamon Sugar kettlecorn.

I opened (and devoured) the chocolate as soon as I got in the car. :)  It was simply divine.  I'm not a huge popcorn eater, but this was amazing!

I thought, surely the cinnamon sugar one won't be able to hold a candle to the chocolate.  

BOY WAS I WRONG!

I had the Drizzled Cinnamon Sugar Tuesday as an afternoon snack.  WOoooOOOW!

I wish I had a huge vat of it.  It was the best little snack I've eaten in a while (especially considering I've been on a diet - more to come on that).

And the best part, they're only about 130 calories per bag.  A nice little guilty pleasure!

And I will definitely be going back for more!

Spring is around the corner...

or is it?

I have a bad feeling that after all the nice, pleasant temperatures we've been having for the past few weeks here in Bama, it won't last long.  Isn't that the way it works?  Hopefully, not.  I, for one, am LOVING the warmer weather.  I wish it would stay 70 and sunny for MONTHS!  We are really enjoying our outside playtime.  So relaxing.

So here's a little image of my front yard.  One of my favorite things about springtime is seeing my Bradford Pear trees bloom.  I can't wait until I can have a yard full of them!