What I'm Loving Right Now (11)

I started this post mid-March but, I'm still loving these things here in April as well ;)

4 year "engagement-a-versary"--on the 14th, it had been 4 years since this sweet, special day that we got engaged and it is still one of the best days of my life. Find the whole story "here".

Babies--I am loving all my sweet new Mama and/or pregnant friends I have right now. One due early May and the other due early August (hoping he comes 1 week early...on my birthday ;) with 2 more due in October and November! Bring on all the cute baby clothes & snuggles

Modern Family--this show CRACKS ME UP. If you haven't watched it, do yourself a favor and start now. You won't regret it.

A Little Princess Book--I got this bad boy from Barnes & Noble for only $10. Yep, you read that right, $10 for such a beautiful book. I've never read the book but the movie is one of my all-time favorites.

Altra Running Shoes--I got some of these shoes in January and I LOVE THEM. They are my favorite running shoes that I've had yet. They are "foot shaped" so they allow your toes to splay naturally as they should while running. I highly recommend them--I call them my clown shoes because of the rounded toe, but, they are totally worth it.

New Swimmies--how cute are these swimsuits?! I am always on the hunt for a high waisted suit. This year, I went to my trustworthy site, amazon. They did not disappoint! You can find the red with floral bottoms here, the black and blue floral here, and the coral fringe with floral here (I think I may be attracted to floral print...just a little).
***BE SURE TO READ ABOUT EACH SUIT'S SIZING--NOT YOUR TYPICAL SIZES***

 Mom and I went to "cut back" the bushes many, many, many months ago and we ended up having to scalp them. But, they are growing back and they are going to be beautiful!

 You can kind of see the filled in cracks on the driveway. We were tired of grass growing between the cracks so, we put an end to it...hopefully!

Does anyone else love mulch like I do?

 It just makes everything pop and look so good!

A weed free front yard--Jason and I used our Spring Break to spiff up the yard and make it presentable for Spring. While he filled in the cracks in our drive way--yes, it's as tedious as it sounds, I spent 3 days pulling weeds and trying to fix the mess that Winter made of our yard! I decided fairly early on in our marriage that I really like doing yard work. There's something about the instant gratification of seeing your work as your progress and knowing that it will only get better looking! I'm a yardie. One of these days, we will tackle the back yard and make it as pretty as the front! I'm thinking some raised beds back there, a pergola, a hammock--the good things!

Watercolor & Ink--How beautiful is this painting from the Farmer's Market? I love watercolor and ink so when I saw how wonderful this woman's work was, I had to have it! Not only is it perfect, it filled in a spot I've been wanting to fill since we moved in! Double whammy. 

What I'm Loving Right Now (4)

The fact that there's only 10 school days left--come on summer! I love my kiddos and I love my job, so much, but what teacher doesn't love summer?!

Teacher Appreciation Week at school--it all started off with this "apple" from Gigi's Cupcakes.
It was delicious...and so cute!

Celebrating Cinco De Mayo with my handsome fella at the Mexican Restaurant where we had our first date and yes, even back then there were margaritas involved--they calm nerves like you wouldn't believe.  

 These beauties that are blooming right out the front door. Ahhhh, I love spring!

 The last book in The Wingfeather Saga--theses books are SO GOOD! If you need a fun, adventurous, and heart warming read this summer, pick these books up. You won't regret it!

All my lovely flowers that we recently planted. I'm slowly, slowly, slowly learning how to tend to plants.  I'll spare you the pictures of the ones that have already died ;)

 My Pilaties Reformer class---I can't say enough good things about this class and how it makes me feel. If you ever get the chance, DO THIS! I'm starting month 3 now.

My fun, funky, new yoga pants--I have been dying for some fun workout pants and Kohls (as usual) delivered! And on sale, too! 

House M.D.--I love this show. We love this show. Jason and I are watching it through for the 2nd time (3rd time for him). I just love House he's just so...brilliant & witty!

Gracelaced art work--Y'all this lady's stuff is so stunningly beautiful. I also love her blog--so inspiring. 

Satisfied Saturday

Life has been BUSY lately. I have some "update posts" coming this way very soon!

The end of the year is the busiest time for Special Education teachers as we write IEPs, have meeting after meeting, all while still teaching/spending time with these precious kiddos that we only have 20 more school days with. Goodness! I am also going to a shower, a wedding, bachelorette trip, or some wedding related event almost every weekend as well. So, you can only guess that you and I have quite a bit of catching up to do! 

But, first things first--today was awesome. 

I woke up early to prepare for my mother-in-law and mom to come over and help me tackle this MESS of a front yard I have (had) right now. Don't get me wrong, I mow. But, the beds....ohhhhhh those beds were BAD. You can only guess how bad they were since BOTH of them wanted (knew they needed) to come and help me. 

It all started with this pot---and how it sat by my front door, with nothing in it for well over a year. Cat had enough and decided to get me started with this beautiful purslane. Now, I love walking out my front door ;)

This may sound silly but I never did yard work before getting married. I mowed for the first time when Jason and I bought our house and I realized his allergies couldn't handle it. I LOATHED it at first. Our smaller yard seemed to grow with each push of the lawn mower. My hands would just vibrate and my weak arms could barely push the thing. I was pathetic. Now, after mowing who knows how many times, I actually ENJOY it. It's therapeutic to me--I get my "grass cuttin'" shoes on, throw on the iPod shuffle and I'm a mean, green, grass cutting machine (I know, good days bring out my cheesiness!) But, cutting the grass was enough for me. I didn't tend to the bushes, flower beds, you know...all the rest. Mom would come and help me pull weeds whenever I did so, which was like, twice a year. If you can't tell, yard work isn't my strong suit. 

But, as of today, I am LEARNING. These two ladies took care of business and taught me along the way. I got to pick out flowers I wanted, pull weeds, dig holes (big shovels aren't a joke), see bees & worms, find stepping stones that were long time buried under brush, get a few thorns stickings, learn how to plant flowers, how often to water them, and made my beds look beautiful!

I loved seeing our progress as we worked--I think that's one of the main things I like about yardwork/gardening--there's instant gratification there. You see your progress and it's helpful that it's aesthetically pleasing! I really loved doing this with two ladies who I love so dearly who willingly took the time out of their day (4 hours of hard work) to spend time with me, teach me, and show me in another way how much they love me. As I said, it was a satisfying Saturday to say the least!

I got to celebrate my now beautiful yard by going to a shower for Blair. 

It was just what I needed! Good company, good food, and good drinks.

I can't believe that I will have a sister-in-law in just 63 short days! 

 I couldn't get over this--a champagne fountain. It was SO PRETTY. 

Now, I'm relaxing with my sweet man about to watch Taken 3. 

Satisfied Saturday.