An Update & What I'm Into Lately

I'm here and I'm alive!

I realize I have kind of disappeared for a bit and it was all quite unintentionally. Zoelle started school and my life completely changed. I went from sleeping in with the girls until 8 a.m. or later, to waking up at 6 a.m. I went from having one eager learner at home, to having two little girls at home who want to play more than they want to do school. School in and of itself can be a post on it's own and maybe someday I will do that. But for now, just a quick update on where I've been.

Zoelle being in school threw me into a bit of depression; I'd walk around all day and imagine what she was doing at that particular moment. In addition, the little girls didn't show much of an interest in school and I didn't know what to do with myself. I was stressed and depressed and a lot of my energy goes into cleaning house when I'm stressed, so I did as much as I could until there wasn't really anything left to do.

I'd fall in bed completely exhausted and asleep at 9 p.m. which is early for a night owl like me. I had no energy to do anything once the girls were asleep, and definitely no energy to formulate my thoughts on a blog post.



Adding to my depression was the loss of most of my flock of chickens due to the fact that Chris forgot to shut up the chicken coop doors on Halloween night and our dog and a friend's dog we are watching got in there and killed all but three of our chickens. That same week both dogs scared off our cat, Maple and we have not been able to find her since.

To be honest, I'm still pretty exhausted! Most days I still fall asleep early, or sneak a nap in myself during nap/rest time. But slowly, very slowly, my energy is returning and today I finally felt up for blogging.

So for the fun of it, I thought I'd do a what I'm into right now blog post as I enjoy reading them and I haven't done one in forever!


On the web:

Stop Asking If I Am Going to Try for a Boy

{We love our girls and won't keep trying just to get a boy!}

13 Signs You're A Classic INFJ

{Pretty sure this author lives in my home they so perfectly described me!}

I hate adoption.

{As a sister to 11 adopted siblings, I can resonate with this one way more than I want to at times.}

On my nightstand (or really just by my bed as I don't have a nightstand! ;)

Fresh Eggs Daily

{Shortly after we lost our chickens, we were able to find someone with more, so we added to our coop. I checked this book out from the library as I have absolutely fallen in love with my chickens. I want to do everything I can to give them a healthy, happy, life so I read this one in just a few days. It's now on my wishlist to buy!}


Cure Tooth Decay: Heal and Prevent Cavities with Nurtrition

{I just finished reading this one and my head almost hurts from all the information! Also, it makes me want to completely overhaul our eating habits. Chris loves books like this! ;) }

On my phone/in the car:

{Taylor Swift. It's all about Taylor Swift 1989 right now! I thought I would hate her music being pop, but I ended up loving it just as much as my girls and now we are looking into getting tickets to her concert.}

On TV:

{My TV life is pretty much non-existent right now although I am still watching Ellen, The Voice, and somehow have managed to sneak in Dancing With the Stars. The real surprise here is how much I have fallen in love with Friends. I had maybe seen one episode or a part of one years ago, but had never actually watched the show until this year while looking for something to watch late at night I came across an episode and was sucked in. Why is Chandler so hilarious?!?}

In the Bible:

"The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14

{I figure God wants to tell me something when I keep seeing this all.the.time.}

What I'm Praying For:

{A quick, easy, and warmer winter than the last two!}

Just because they are cute! :)

Maroon 5 In Concert {My Birthday and Christmas Gift}

Most people that know me well, know that I love music. I have ever since I was a little girl. The funny thing is that my style of music varies so much. I love pop, I love worship, I love country, I love classical. About the only music I cannot stand is heavy metal or rap.

Over the years I tend to go through trends in which I gravitate towards one style of music for a few months and then another. While I listen to other stuff during that time, I find that
a certain type of music gets me through a certain season of my life.

For many years now, one of my favorite groups ever has been Maroon 5. I think I fell in love with them on their Songs About Jane album as Sunday Morning and This Love (just note this music video is not the *cleanest*) were peaceful and relaxing to me. Almost more jazzy in sound.

The teenager in me comig out in full force as I wait for the concert to start! :)

Throughout the years I continued to listen to them, but I really fell in love with them when front man Adam Levine took a spot as a judge on the TV show, The Voice. Now I'll fully admit that I have a bit of a celebrity crush on him. Pretty much my one and only crush on a celebrity since I was 12 and in love with Jonathan Taylor Thomas. :) I find Adam funny, extremely talented (seriously he can play pretty much any instrument, and have you heard his vocal range?!?), and yes, even cute!

We didn't have super close seats, but I can't complain about these either!

This last fall, I told Chris that there are very few individuals or groups that I would want to see in concert, but Maroon 5 is definitely one of them. The fact that they almost exclusively write all their own music is rare in this industry and something I love about them. While Chris likes Maroon 5, he definitely doesn't love them like I do. He prefers country music, but when I told him this, he agreed to do so. I promised him it could be my Christmas gift and birthday gift rolled into one big gift. One week later, he had to stick to his promise as I found out Maroon 5 was coming close to us and I wanted to go.

He was SO awesome about taking me to this concert!

So at the beginning of March, we braved three snow storms in a matter of days and we made it an overnight date. I honestly had so much fun! Chris doesn't like to admit it, but he was smiling, dancing a bit, and singing along with the songs. The whole concert was so well done from the lights, the sound, to the music played, that I literally have become a Maroon 5 fan for life. I will definitely be trying to make my way to another concert in the future. Thanks Chris for letting me be a teenager for the night and taking me to see Maroon 5! Thank you Maroon 5 for the awesome, well done concert! Also, a big Happy Birthday to Adam Levine today! Yes I know his birthday! I told you I was a bit of a teenager! ;)

What I'm Into Right Now

It's been way too long since I have done a "What I'm Into Right Now" blog post! I actually can't believe it has been this long as it is one of my favorite things to read on blogs. Enjoy reading, listening, praying, etc. Have a great weekend!

On the web:

Dear Mom on the iPhone, I Get it.

{A great response to this article. While I love both of them and can definitely see both sides, I really liked the heart and words behind this response.}

Consoling The Offender.

{Oh how I needed to read this! I've had a lot of offenders lately and instead of consoling, I've been scolding. I'm realizing that the offender is hurting and needs to be comforted, consoled, and loved.}

On my Kindle:

Grace-Based Parenting

{Yes the same one I had on here a year ago. I'm slowly making my way through it. Liking what I read, but also finding it a slow read.}

Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe

{This one I am starting this next week with a few girlfriends of mine. I am SO excited to read it as I've read great reviews and also the title alone makes me want to sigh with relief!}

On my Spotify:

When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars

{Could Bruno's voice be any dreamier?!? Also, the lyrics make me want to cry.}

Just Give Me A Reason by P!nk

{A haunting, gorgeous song on love.}

Sad by Maroon 5

{The girls and I have enjoyed playing and singing this one together on the piano. It touches my heart.}

On TV:

Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman

{Yes, the super old show that I watched as a child. Pretty sure I may have to reserve a whole separate post on this.}

In theaters:

Les Misérables

{I never say this about any movie, but if you have not seen this, make sure you do at some point. The story of grace, love, and redemption is played out so clearly!}

In the Bible:

Psalm 68:19-20  "Blessed be the Lord-day after day He carries us along. He's our Savior, our God, oh yes! He's God-for-us, he's God-who-saves-us."~Message Translation

{I've been clinging to this promise a lot lately.}

What I'm Praying For:

Spring!! That seems shallow, but it's an honest answer. I need sun, I need outside, I need walks, I need to burn energy. More importantly, my girls need it too!

Wordless Wednesday: Music to her soul

She Dances

On the days she cries,

all we have to do is turn on the music

and she'll dance.

Music is therapy to her.

Her chubby little toddler feet move

and a smile once again appears on her face.