Fill In The Blank Friday

photo via weheartit

1) Giving is the best thing about Christmas! I love picking out presents for everyone and thinking about what their faces will look like when they open them.

2) Receiving is also very nice but I prefer to give than to receive. It is much more fulfilling to give to others than it is to get something. And I'm really not just saying that!

3) The best gift I ever received was....hmmmm....this is a good question. It's really a toss up between the American Girl doll I got when I was like 10; the cross necklace my dad got me when I was about 13; and the sapphire necklace my husband got me when we were still just dating!

4) The best gift I ever gave was probably the photo book I put together for the family I work for. I take a lot of pictures of the boys and last year I put all the pictures together into a Snapfish book. They loved it!

5) Something intangible that I wish I could receive is cconfidence. I feel like I'm lacking a little bit in this area.

6) Something intangible that I wish I could give is hope. I'm a big believer in everything happens for a reason and things can only get better and having hope helps with that.

7) The one gift that I always wanted as a child, but I never got was an easy bake oven.

Pretty Great Tuesday!

Yesterday was a good day! I was supposed to work but I wound up not having to so I booked an appointment to get my hair cut! Thank goodness! The last time I had my hair cut was in April! I only got an inch trimmed off and some layers put in but it looks so much healthier!

I'm going to go back after tax money comes in and get it colored and maybe get bangs....hmmmm!

I ran into Kroger on the way home to grab groceries and wound up grabbing this nail polish, Show It and Glow It, by OPI. It's fabulous and very sparkly! I first saw it on http://katenyland.blogspot.com/

She was very daring and put it on her fingers. Me? Not so much! Maybe for Christmas eve and Christmas day! I do however, love it for my toes! They are very sparkly and pretty, and even though they are covered with my socks right now, I smile very time I think about the fact that they are sparkling underneath! Yes, I am a dork!

Bryn Alexandra Giveaway

I have been a long-time follower/reader of Bryn Alexandra Interiors. She always has great advice on design and a funny story to share. She is hosting a fabulous giveaway

on her blog and I just had to post about it! So you should head on over and check it out!http://brynalexandra.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday To My Sister and My Dad

Happy 24th Birthday to my little sister, Shauna!

This is the most recent picture of her and her fiance, Todd! ( I had to take it off her facebook page!)

Today also would have been my dad's birthday. I know he's celebrating in Heaven and that gives me some peace but i sure wish he was here with us.

This is a picture from a really long time ago. I'm pretty sure it was almost 14 years ago. He sure did look handsome!
This is me and my dad at my high school graduation in 2001! I'm so happy he was able to see this.

This is the last picture I have of my dad, with me and without me.

I hope that Shauna has a wonderful birthday and that at the same time my dad has a wonderful one in Heaven! Happy Birthday to two of the most important people in my life! I love you both very much!

One Day Late....

And yes, I am fully aware that it is Saturday! I totally forgot about this yesterday! I'm going to link up anyways because I want too!! So head on over to Lauren's website, http://thelittlethingswedo.blogspot.com/2010/12/fill-in-blank-friday.html to play along!

1) Holiday Spirit makes me happy! I love this time of year. Most people are a little nicer this time of year!

2) The holidays are incomplete without listening to B 98.5 everyday! They start play Christmas music on Thanksgiving! And spending time with family. I miss my dad more and more every Christmas.

3) My favorite things to do around the holidays is decorate and buy stuff for other people because I know that, usually, it will put a smile on their face!

4) A holiday tradition my family and I have is hmmmm...this is a hard one. We go to my in-laws on Christmas Eve for Winder Chicken Stew. Don't ask! It's delicious though! But since my dad passed away my side of the family doesn't really follow our traditions anymore. I'm still a huge believer in putting up the tree the day after Thanksgiving! The hubby and I are going to work on some of our own though.

5) Holiday music is amazing! I can't wait for it! It puts me in the mood for Christmas every year!

6) This year, I'll be spending the holidays with my in-laws on Christmas Eve and Christmas afternoon; with my hubby Christmas morning; and at some point we will squeeze in a day with my sisters and nieces and hopefully my mom!

7) Holiday wish list? Good question...I never know what I want because I usually just but it when I want it. I could use some new clothes though and I just got the new JCrew catalogue in the mail! But Etsy has some amazing things on it too! And I've been dying for a pair on Toms....just have to pick a pair! Hmmmm....

Slim Calm Sexy...Yoga

I do not really like to work out. I do however, love the way that I feel after I work out, especially after I partake in a little yoga! I found this wonderful workout in my September Women's Health magazine.

It's by the wonderful Tara Stiles. I am not very good at yoga but I love this routine. It stretches me out and I am able to count my breaths the correct way. Plus, I always feel good afterward. I am looking forward to purchasing the book ( or getting it for Christmas).

I've also checked out her you-tube videos and those are pretty awesome! I'd love to take a class with her one day at her yoga studio, Strala, in New York.

Black Friday Finds

Good Sunday morning! I'm up before my husband, which isn't that unusual seeing as that I went to bed at about 10 last night and he didn't come to bed until after 2 AM!

So, I broke out the Christmas decorations earlier this week, including my snowman coffee mugs! You can also see a glimpse of the tree in the background. It's put together but not decorated yet. We're doing that this afternoon. It's one of my favorite things to do with my husband! I used to love doing it with my family, as a family, and I'm glad that I get to continue the tradition with Cameron! I will post pictures soon!

So, I hadn't intended to venture out into the chaos that was Black Friday but I needed out of the house and Cameron was at work so I headed to 2 stops, Target and Gamestop. Target was for me and Gamestop for Cameron. I was a good wife and got Cameron a game he wanted and it was $20 off! Plus, I reserved another game for him! Then I headed to Target...

There were 3 cops and about 6 security guards standing at the front of the store; and this was the Target at the Mall Of Georgia! No shopping carts or baskets! The store was absolutely crazy! But, I braved it and walked away with 4 items that I'd had my eye on for awhile!

Please don't mind this scary picture! I just woke up people! The point of the picture is the hoodie! It is sooooo soft! It's not sweatshirt material which makes it really slouchy. It was on super clearance! I think I paid $5!


My flannel shirt! Again, soooooo soft and it was 50% off. $8 people! And my husband loves that I'm going to wear a flannel shirt!

The cardigan and black pants are also both from Target. The pants are my favorite. They are skinny and stretchy but still have a sturdiness to them. Plus they look great with ballet flats!

Saturday we were supposed to have Thanksgiving dinner with my sisters but that didn't happen. Here's a picture though of me and Cameron because we don't take them that often!

a peek over the fence....

This is what we see when we go into our backyard! Our neighbors across the street are slightly obsessed with decorating. It's been like this since last week! Up until today there was a huge blow-up turkey set amidst the Christmas decor! We refer to this family as the Griswold's!

Fill In The Blank Friday

Filling in the blanks sounds like fun while my husband sits next to me playing Fable III on the XBox. Yes we are that lame on a Friday night but we do have to get up early tomorrow. Anywhoo, here goes!!

1) Black Friday is absolutely chaotic. I remember being excited about getting up at 4 AM when I was a teenager to go shopping at the mall but not anymore!

2) Christmas shopping this year will include gifts for my nieces but not much more than that. We are on a very tight budget.

3) Holiday shopping makes me slightly flustered but usually excited because I can usually imagine the face of the person opening their gift!

4) This year my Christmas list will include not much of anything. My in-laws got us new bedding and I'm pretty sure I'm getting Clinique loot from the grandparent-in-laws. The people I worked for asked me what I wanted but I haven't decided. I'm leaning towards a GAP gift card though.

5) Bargain hunter, or full price shopper? I tend to buy things on sale because of the budget but I always fall in love with the full price items. It's really a problem!

6) The best thing about shopping is finding something new but the worst thing about shopping is dealing with all of the people, especially if I haven't had my coffee; or if my husband is with me! He hates to shop!

7) On-line shopper or in-person shopper? On-line is so much easier but then you can't try anything on and you have to pay for shipping. It's really a toss up and depends on my mood!

Creamy Mexican Soup

It was cold and rainy today so I decided to make this soup for dinner. It's really simple and healthy but so delicious and satisfying!

Recipe:

12 oz. salsa verde

2 cans black beans

1 can sweet corn

1 can rotel

1 tsp. cumin

3 oz. cream cheese

1 pack taco seasoning

Put everything in the crock pot, EXCEPT the cream cheese. Cook on low. Mine was on for 6 hours today but it was on for 10 one day when I was at work. 30 minutes before eating, stir in the cream cheese.

My husband doesn't think it's very spicy. I however, do! It makes my nose run and gives me the hiccups....both signs of spiciness!! We balance out the heat by serving it with ChiChi's sweet corn muffins that I buy at Publix.

Day 6: Happiness

Day 6: Something That Makes Me Happy

What makes me happy? Children! Specifically my beautiful nieces! They are growing up so fast! I can remember the day they were both born and now they are these little people who tell you what to do! It's amazing! I love them to pieces!

Taia Marie

Caileigh Alexis

Blogging Challenge Days 4 and 5

Im trying to get caught up on the challenge so I might post a few of these today and tomorrow, hopefully!

Day 4: My Parents

I wish I had pictures on my computer but they would have to be scanned in and I am at work for the week so that is not possible. Instead I will tell you a little about them.

My Dad! He was in the Navy and loved it. He loved to fly. He loved thunderstorms and would sit outside in the garage for hours watching them. He liked to cook. His food was amazing. He didn't even follow a recipe for any of it. To me, he was a great dad. He would wake me up in high school by coming in and pulling on my big toe!! He used to tell me if I wasn't up by 7 on the weekends that I was wasting the day away! My dad passed away 7 years ago and I still miss him terribly but I try and remember all of the good things that used to make him happy! He was a good dad!

My Mom! She is a good mom when I was really little and she's a good mom now. Growing up though, she wasn't around. My parents got divorced when I was 12 and my dad got custody of me and my sisters. My mom kind of disappeared. It was hard to grow up without her, but around the time my dad passed away she was back in our lives and our relationship has grown stronger ever since. She's there to talk when I need to talk and she was at my wedding. She lives in Florida so I don't see her very often but the fact that she is here and available to talk is really all that matters!

Day 5: Siblings

I have 3 sisters! Rachel is 25, Shauna is 23, and Brianne is 10! Brianne is our sister from our dad's 2nd marriage that also ended in divorce. I am very close to Rachel and Shauna. We usually talk/email everyday. They both have beautiful daughters. Rachel has a 4 year old named Taia who is sassy and a priss-pot just like her momma! Shauna has a 6 year old named Caileigh who is spunky and mischievous just like her!

I don't see Brianne as often as I would like but she is in my thoughts and prayers every day. Her mother keeps her away from me and from Rachel too. Shauna gets to see her though so that's good. My dad never got to know her though and that makes me sad.

Starting tomorrow...

I will be taking care of my two favorite boys until Sunday. Whew, full-time parenthood here I come! I've done it before but for some reason I always feel a bit unprepared. It's one thing to take care of them from 7Am until 6Pm but to have them 24/7 for 5 days... it's a good thing I love them!!

I have planned a few fun activities and we'll do some of our normal things too. Plus, Thursday morning they will both be in school so I'll have a little break!

We are planning a dinner trip to a local airport to watch planes take off. Friends are joining us so it should be a fun adventure!

I'm sure we will spend lots of time outside

Playing with Lulu!

Playing soccer!

Of course we'll be playing with trains and cars and all the other stuff boys play with!

And painting! They love to paint!

Hopefully I'll sneak in a couple walks too!

Blogging Challenge Days 1-3

I am going to play catch up with this blogging challenge so hopefully you will come along for the ride!

Day 1: Introduce, Recent Picture, 15 Interesting Facts

Married. Lover of photography with high hopes of one day doing it professionally. I love children but don't have my own yet. Homebody but love a good date night or dinner with a friend. Love the fall but Christmas is my favorite holiday!



This is the the best, most recent picture of me and my dress is crooked! :) This was after friends of ours got married so it was a joyous occasion!

15 Interesting Facts (hopefully I have that many!)

1) I was born in the Philippines but I am a US citizen! My dad was in the Navy.

2) I don't have cable in my house (gasp). We watch TV via our Apple iTv or the Internet!

3) I have not finished college yet but I hope to one day, hopefully.

4) I have really, really bad road rage! I'm trying to work on it but it's really hard when I'm in traffic an hour to and from work 3 days a week.

5) I really like coffee but I need lots of cream...and sugar.

6) I really want to have babies but sometimes worry that I might not be able to.

7) I hate when my husband is away from the house at night. I'm not really scared, just a little more nervous.

8) I (we) spoil our dogs like children.

9) I am finally learning how to cook really good and comforting meals.

10) I look up to my younger sister's far more than they could ever know.

11) Sometimes I wish I could redo our wedding.

12) I am an avid reader but prefer to read chick lit over stuff that would make me think!

13) I want to travel every where but am terrified to get on a plane.

14) I really want to go to Napa but I am not a big wine drinker.

15) I tend to have a really good cry once every couple of months.

Day 2: Meaning Behind Your Blog Name

Life's Little Adventure's just came to me because we had just moved into our house and were trying to make it a home. Now it's just the day to day stuff that's an adventure!

Day 3: Your First Love

Ha! Pretty sure my first love was when I was about 5! His name was Timmy and he lived down the street! But then again it might have been Dustin when I was about 8. He taught me how to climb a tree and all about baseball! Young love!

My real first love was and is the man I married; Cameron! He's my best friend and he has always been there for me and I know that he always will be!

So that's all I will do for now. Days 3-6 will come another time! I know you're excited!

Day 8: Place I've traveled

This past May, we traveled to the Cayman Islands for my brother-in-law's wedding. It was the first time I used a passport and had to go through customs. It was also absolutely beautiful even if it was pushing 100 degrees every day!

We swam with stingrays!

Beautiful creatures!

Awe the beach!

Pictures on the beach at sunset!



There's almost nothing prettier!

Better Late Than Never...

Katie over at http://katieslifejourney.blogspot.com/ is hosting a 30 day blogging challenge. I'm a week late to the game but still very excited to get to know other bloggers. Here are my favorite movies. If I get bored I will go back and do the first 6 days!

Toms vs. Converse

I am trying to decide if I want a pair of Toms or a pair of Converse for the Fall/Winter months. I am a nanny so I need a pair of comfy and resilient shoes that I can just throw on.





Converse look pretty cool and I already have a pair of light pink ones that I like. They are not super comfy though and they are not slip on which I would prefer.

I love the idea that for every pair of Toms you buy, a child gets a pair also. And I've heard that they are pretty comfy. But I did hear that you can't wear them in the rain and that they tend to stretch after a year.

What's a girl to do? The price isn't too different but I can only get one pair. Guess I'll just have to keep thinking about it.

Blah Blah Blah

I have been really busy lately so this post is just a bunch of randomness!

~ I've been working non-stop. If I'm not at one job, I'm at another. And if I'm not at those then I'm at some type of photo shoot. I feel like I've had no free time.
~ I really shouldn't say that. I have managed to sneak in a few dinner dates with friends but none with my husband unless you count dinner in front of the TV?!
~ We had friends up last weekend and went to a bar to watch the Alabama- Florida game. That was fun! We were for AL; they were for FL!
~ I drink a lot; like more than I've had in a very long time!
~ We hung out with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law on Saturday night which was fun. We have been trying to do that more often.
~ I've been shopping on eBay lately. I got a pair of Seven jeans for $35! And I have a few shirts coming soon that i paid like $1.00 for plus $5.00 shipping. Pretty awesome!

OK. My battery is about to die and I'm at the bookstore so I guess this is it for now!

It's Fall!

Fall is by far my favorite season of the year. I look forward to it all summer, especially this year. It has been so hot in Georgia this summer and it still is. The high today is 91. Thank goodness next week we are supposed to see highs only in the high 70's/ low 80's!

Anyhoo....I decorated our house for fall for the first time. Usually I don't do anything for fall so I'm pretty excited. It's not much but I think it made a difference!

I found a huge branch in our neighborhood and pulled it apart to use in this vase. i think it turned out really well and it adds height to our mantle!

Pumpkin spice candles! They smell so good even when they aren't lit! The pine cones are from Target because believe it or not, I could not find any in our neighborhood!

More branches off of the huge branch. This is in our dining room!

An overview of our table.

A close-up of the napkins. The place mats and napkin rings are from Target and the napkins are from Pottery Barn.



Our breakfast table. The runner is from Target. I put candles in old wine bottles.

And it's not quite Halloween yet but I saw these salt and pepper shakers at Target and had to get them!

So cute!