What's Up Wednesday ~ August 2017 Edition

Hey gang! It's September!! Did ya know that? I sure didn't, until my mother in law sent me an email trying to find a date to celebrate my birthday and I was all "uhm wait, does that mean it's September already?!" Like what in the actual heck. How did that happen so quickly?!

I'm back today to share another round of What's Up Wednesday -- the bloggers that host the linkup moved it to this week due to a Hurricane Harvey donation drive ... and I'm not complaining because I certainly didn't have it all together last Wednesday to make a post. Moreover, I obviously haven't had to together since March which was the last time I participated. Sheesh. But anywhoodles, we catch up and answer these questions ....

What We're Eating This Week: Gosh, I'm really trying hard to get back to routine. Cooking meals, less summer snacking, getting the kids on a "normal" schedule now that we're back to school, but I'm not gonna lie I'm having a hard time sticking to it. We've gotten into this awful pattern of eating out (thanks to the move, the renovation, and summer) so I'm trying to cut back on that as much as possible. We actually sat down at the dinner table last night for the first time in weeks (our quick and easy dinners we always eat at the island), said grace, talked about the highs and lows of our day, the whole to do. And honestly it was really refreshing. The kids are back to school so they have things they want to share, and it's just good QT with the fam. We're also working really hard to develop little man's palate (and it is SUCH a battle). So we've made a deal that when we sit down to dinner as a family he's required to try one new item. Last night's requirement (we actually snuck in two) corn and mashed potatoes. He didn't LOVE the corn but tolerated it - which I count as a win - and he legit gagged when he ate mashed potatoes. His sweet sister that had been loving them all dinner then proceeded to follow suit (for attention) and it ended in the entire family laughing until we couldn't breathe. Ha! Seriously though - mama's of the world - HELPPPPP. Give me ideas for dinner, lunch, snacks, all the things to get my kiddo to eat. #HopelessMama

What I'm reminiscing about: Some recent fun date nights with my hubs. We've had a lot of fun events lined up lately and it's been good to spend some time together. We've hit up concerts, nights out with friends, simple wine nights in the kitchen, a neighborhood party, some fun drinks before dinner, etc. Nothing over the top, but fun nonetheless.

What I'm loving: THIS WEATHER! Fall is in full swing here in the Bluegrass and I couldn't be happier. The cooler evenings make our neighborhood walks a breeze ~ I'm rocking my jeans and not the slightest bit uncomfortable ~ I'm wearing sweatshirts like it's my job. There have been some gloomy days but the kids are loving stomping in puddles in their rain boots and I'm loving snuggling up after school in a big ole' blanket with them. Ahhh, all of the greatness. Fall is the best. Ever. Ever. Ever. 

What we've been up to: Mostly just end of summer, back to school business and some Labor Day fun. We went to the Kentucky state fair and ate all the food and rode all the rides. 

We had a viewing party for the Solar Eclipse:

And just some fun back to routine days. 

What I'm dreading: Honestly, I'm already dreading November. We went to Nashville last week for the my 3 month check-ups - but got off easy this round because we didn't have any scans. They did take one mole from my chest, but that's pretty much par for the course these days. November is going to be a HUGE visit (PET scan, CT scan, MRI of the abdomen, MRI of the brain, blood work, derm visit) THE WORKS. And there are a couple of really subtle spots they've been watching for a long time and we think this visit will kind of determine a decision one way or another (if they've changed). Sooo ... while it's still a while away - I'm dreading it. But here's a look from last week - my teammate came with me and we had good reports :) 

What I'm working on: The house ... STILL. We're actually doing the landscape right now and they should be wrapping up this week - YAY! The landscape was gorgeous in it's day I'm certain, but it was A LOT and looked like a LOT of work - so I wanted to bring it back down and make it a bit simpler. More grass, less landscape beds, etc. So we're almost there. Furthermore I'm finally feeling the itch to decorate this home (sort of ). I'm honestly still kind of maxed out from the renovation, so I simply have just avoided all things decor focused (which is usually my favorite part). But, last Friday I had a little itch to decorate a wall, so I climbed Shane's shoulders (really though) and finished a gallery wall. :) yay! I hope to share some photos soon.

What I'm excited about: This weekend! It's our anniversary and the Bengals opening home game of the season - and let's be honest football season in general. I live for a good tailgate, fun watch party with all the dips, all of it. Mister Bennett's first soccer game of the season is this weekend too! So much fun packed into a couple of short days! The boys are excited it's football season too - they headed to Indy last weekend to watch their Cards bring home the W over Purdue. 

What I'm watching/reading: Game of Thrones. I did it. I jumped on the band wagon. And I'm binging it. I'll be honest, it's not as great as I was hoping. I really really like it and I'm going to keep watching - but for all of the hype I am a teensy tiny bit disappointed. However - I'm super into the Mother of the Dragons! Haha! I think she's so great.

What I'm listening to: I'm listening to China Rich Girlfriend on audible and Trolls. Will my kids EVER not want to listen to Trolls? Shane came home last week and couldn't stop talking about the new T. Swift song and I'm looking at him going - Taylor Swift has a new song? HA! 

What I'm wearing: MY FALL CLOTHES. No more needs to be said. And blankets! We love snuggling under good blanket!

Mister Bennett is wearing cowboys gear and any and all other costumes because he totally loves dressing up and getting into character right now. 

Lainey is wearing nail polish  and loves to show it off to just about anyone that will look at her "fingah" and she also rocks perfectly tousled tendril curls everyday fresh out of the bathtub #hairenvy

What I'm doing this weekend: Like I said, soccer, football, anniversary celebration, Cincinnati - all great things. Trying to decide where we should make reservations Saturday. 

What I'm looking forward to next month: Ahh September, I've got a birthday coming up, our anniversary, Bennett's soccer begins, I've got some fun family sessions on the books, and I'm hoping to score some tickets to a few shows in town! I'm also going to start thinking about this little lady's count down to two celebration. We've got a while, but I've got some ideas swirling and I'm excited to host her little party. I think second birthday's are so fun because they start to really understand it's all about them. 

What else is new: That's about it really. Back to school mainly and starting into our new groove. This little guy has also grown out of nearly all of this clothes so we went last week and got his some new threads. 

And that's about it gang! Hopefully I'll see ya back here at the end of next month - same time, same place, K?

What's Up Wednesday: March 2017 Edition

Hi. Is anyone still showing up around here? Because it's evident I certainly am not. I have the best of intentions to recap kiddos, house, and winter to spring transitions, all the changes and just general every day life. But, I'm going to be honest guys ... I simply don't know heads from tails anymore. Our life is a bundle of complete and utter madness. And when I sit down to write I can't even seem to find a way to compile all of the craziness that has ensued the past week/day/month and simply give up. 

So, I thought a post like What's Up Wednesday seemed like a good place to start. It's got direct questions, and exact things to answer, so I feel confident I can compile a good read for you today. For any newbies, these posts happen at the end of every month and we all link up and talk about these topics:

What We're Eating This Week: All the leftovers in the fridge. Spring Break will soon be upon us and it's time to get rid of everything we've got before it goes bad. Last night Sissy and Poppy took the kiddos to Bennett's karate class and I whipped up a super tasty chicken and mushroom spaghetti I was quite proud of. Does anyone else feel like their best dishes come from randomness? I've always fancied myself more of a "I really don't follow recipes" type of cook.

What I'm reminiscing about: Actually a lot of things. I've failed to blog most of them, but we've already discussed that. First, I'm reminiscing about meeting sweet babies (I still have one more, Miss Maple, to get my hands on). Little Brighton Marie first. We celebrated another birthday for my grandma and it was so fun to get the whole fam damily together. 

Then I got to snuggle little Knox Michael (and his mama ... and brother, Jack ... goodness I miss them so very much) when hubs and I spent a few days in Nashville.

And last but not least I'm reminiscing on the weekend getaway hubs and I spent in Dallas a couple of weekends ago. Shane's little brother from his fraternity in college was getting married to the sweetest gal in Dallas, and we packed our bags for a 72 hour getaway sans kiddos and it was FABULOUS! We got all dolled up and took our time doing so. We aimlessly walked without any whining, we drank adult beverages on a rooftop and dined at fun restaurants while we just talked and listened to one another. And - BONUS - didn't have to take one kid potty the entire time. We ordered room service and had breakfast in bed and watched an entire movie while sipping coffee. It was what dreams are made of my friends. And when it was all said and done we couldn't wait to get home and snuggle the crazy little people we call our family. But, I'd be lying if I said I can't wait to do again soon.

What I'm loving: Halloween in the smack dab middle of spring. This little three year old has become costume obsessed. And lucky for him, living behind his GoGo means Chasing Fireflies costumes that are available all year are at his disposal. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Masks (Michelangelo is his favorite) are on repeat nearly 24/7, made out of just about every household item we can find. Captain America is another fan favorite. And, last but not least the Storm Trooper made an appearance at Mexican night last week :)

What we've been up to: I think the better question is what have we NOT been up to. It has been a month ya'll. A jam packed, CRAZY, month. But, I'll highlight two of my favorites from this month. First, our visit to the Newport Aquarium. Bennett was so brave on the shark bridge and we had a blast!

Second, Sesame Street Live! Holy cute. My kids LOVED it. I mostly have video and not many pictures, but we had a ball. I got the kiddos the tickets for Valentine's Day and I'm so glad I did!

What I'm dreading: I'm not really dreading anything at the moment, but the big dread of this month was officially moving out of our Nashville house. We moved ourselves back to Kentucky late December/early January, but we still hadn't sold the house in Nashville, so all of our things remained there to keep it staged. I think because of that, I was able to emotionally block it off ... but this month we officially said goodbye and it was TOUGH. There was A LOT of life lived in that house. We brought home our second baby, we sent our first baby to school for the first time, we walked through a hard diagnosis, we celebrated birthdays, we made friends, we celebrated holidays, we potty trained, we made friends, we made memories and it was a tough one to leave. So, a part of me is still dreading the next time we go back to Nash and I have to drive by knowing it's no longer ours. But we boxed it up, we shed tears, we said our official goodbyes and we passed it along to another family to begin making happy memories. 

That yellow wall :) means more to me than most of you know.

What I'm working on: The new house! Obviously! All things house. House house house. So many selections have been made. So much progress has been done. I'm hoping to do an update post on everything soon, because there is A LOT to share. Here was how I spent Monday ... walking through a salvage yard trying to find a fancy pantry door we can re-purpose - #allreclaimedeverything and that friends is a Monday well spent. 

What I'm excited about: DISNEY! I can't believe it's real ... and I am PUMPED. And hate that I haven't blogged enough that you're just finding out about that noowwwww. But, we're headed down for a few days (it's the kiddos first time) and although I know it will be exhausting and probably frustrating at times ... we're making memories and it makes me so excited. Can't wait to recap all of the fun!

What I'm watching/reading: Madam Secretary. At gals night a few weeks ago someone mentioned they had started bingeing it and coincidentally I finished White Collar a few days later, so I thought I'd give it a go and I'm totally digging it.

What I'm listening to: The birds chirping. Spring has pretty much sprung ... I feel like the last frost has taken place and so, I'm listening to the birds and the rain and all things spring and it makes me happy.  Also, sports, because March. We've been watching a lot of basketball (but both of our teams are now knocked out - BOOOO) and we headed to the opening Louisville City FC game last weekend and had an amazing turn out.

What I'm wearing: Gap soft-spun tees/tanks/sweatshirts. This one is my fave right now. It's a great everyday wear and flows well from job site to snotty baby :)

What I'm doing this weekend: We actually have a relatively low-key weekend compared to the one's we've had the past couple of weeks. We've had a party (see below) or a function for nearly 5 weeks straight so I'm looking forward to a good hangout weekend with my people's.

What I'm looking forward to next month: We've got another big month coming up. Big highlights include: Disney, Tee-Ball opening day/game and parade (look at that cute little tee-baller), some more fun parties, Easter, The Neil Diamond Concert - HA!, My one year cancer free celebration!!!!!, So much good stuff!

What else is new: Actually, Lainey feels new sometimes. New in the fact that she's getting so big. She's talking more and more every day. Her personality is so so so full and bright. She is truthfully the happiest little gal. She's so smiley and friendly and I just love her little self. She's into absolutely EVERYTHING, eats even more than that (sometimes dirt, sometimes everyone's packed picnic lunch, sometimes the dog food....), and is OBSESSED (literally) with her brother. Watching them grow up together makes my heart happy, but can't really say that's new. 

And that's just about it gang. So very much life is happening and so very many memories are being made. We are anxiously awaiting moving into our new home and starting our life there, but we are taking full advantage of the incredibly awesome perks that come with living behind your parents/grandparents and dare I say ... farm life (psuedo) really is pretty great. 

**Linking up with Shay, Shaeffer, and Mel