Perfectly Imperfect

Hi there, long time no see!  I've had a data crisis over here ha!  I had to do an iTunes update in order to set up my new iPhone and it used up all of my monthly data, so I had to take a hiatus from the blog til the new month started, silly technology!!  I'm always on Instagram if you want to stay in touch!  

Speaking of Instagram, I saw a quote the other day and it really sung to me.  I hope it sings to you too.   

 The older I get and the more I learn about myself, the more this quote sings true.  It's a reminder to me that I don't need to look or act a certain way to be happy or to impress others, the people who I love and the people who love and 'get' me don't care about the material things, they care about what's in my heart and that's the most important thing.  I've been putting myself down lately for being too plain....reading this quote has really made me reflect (and listen to my husband, who always seems to be right, don't tell him I said that) when he said he loves me just the way I am.  I don't need to make a fuss about what I wear, if I put makeup on, or if I just put my hair in it's one billionth bun because my life revolves around my boys and the happiness they give me everyday.  They don't care if mommy is wearing name brand jeans or (maternity) leggings that are just so darn comfortable!  As long as I'm giving them the love and time they deserve, we're all happy.  I'm perfectly imperfect and I'm OK with that.      

Happy Heart

My heart is extra happy this week.  We got to spend some time with my mother-in-law, Carla, shopping for our upcoming vacation.  She also watched Levi while it was my week to be a 'parent helper' at Colter's preschool (which I loved!!)  

Here are a few pictures from our week.  

Daddy came home from being out of town, so Colter planned his outfit accordingly :)

 
 

Dog-sitting (and snuggling) Gracie

Dog-sitting is exhausting for Winston

My sister's boyfriend was in town training for his new job, so we had him out for dinner one night, which was so fun.  My boys adore him, Colter whispered not so quietly in my ear that he and Jackson are pretty cool because they both have blonde hair.  :)  Levi kept waving and smiling at him.  He told my sister that I must have inherited my mom's cooking gene, which was a super great compliment (one I'm not sure I live up to yet, but I'm going to take it!)  I wish I would have gotten a picture of Jacks and the boys. 

I met my dear friend Jenny for dinner last night, where we had 'fancy' tortes which paired well with pinot grigio (or a pineapple wine cooler, if you're me) and got to meet her adorable new furbaby, Hugo.  I love him already!  While I was having a girls evening, my boys met my dad and his crew who were working nearby, at the new Scheels for some boy time and dinner.  I met them back at home afterward for a short visit before we all retired to bed.  :) 

Oh Hugo...

Today my sweet friend Katie and her cute lil girl Izzy came over for a play date.  We just love them and love when we get to spend time with them.  Colter really adores those girls (so do I)!!  

Levi and Izzy

Sweet Izzy

 When I grabbed the mail this afternoon, I received such a thoughtful and unexpected gift from a very special lady/new momma.  I can't wait to spend more time with them and get to know lil peanut Harlo.  Not only is she my boys cousin, but I know they will be life long friends.
 

I go into the weekend with a full and happy heart knowing I have such amazing family and friends around me and I'm so thankful for that.     

Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Zucchini Bread

I don't know about you guys, but it's that time of year where we have a ton of zucchini ready from our garden and we have to come up with ways to eat it up.  We make zucchini bread every year, but this year I wanted to make it even tastier, what's the best way to do that??  Pumpkin (with a cinnamon swirl)!  Even though it's technically still summer, it certainly doesn't feel like it, which put me in the mood to bake with pumpkin even more.  I used this recipe and it turned out great!!  Next time I think I'll double the recipe and make four loaves (it freezes fine!) and I will also double the amount of zucchini, so instead of the one cup for two loaves, I'll do two cups.  I wanted to make sure I liked the recipe before I got too carried away.  I'm here to tell you, it's good!

I wish I was a talented food photographer with the time to make my recipe posts look super cute...(I managed to bake this batch during one of Levi's naps)

This is the first layer of bread with the cinnamon/sugar mixture layer on top. Also, I run my zucchini through our shred attachment on the food processor, it saves SO much time and energy! 

Colter in his knight pants doing what he does best. 

This is with the top layer added.

The cinnamon swirl is SO good.

 

A Jamberry Update

Hi Everyone!  I just thought I would hop on here and give you guys an update on my Jamberry Nails '7 Day Chip Challenge'.  So I have had my Jamberry Nail wraps on as accent nails for two weeks (tomorrow morning) and they still look great!  I have a little bit of regrowth, but not enough to bother me.  The regular nail polish is long gone and I've since repainted (earlier today) with gel polish.  My toes (with gel polish and accent wraps) still look as good as day one.  They have been through hot tubs and swimming pools on our South Dakota trip last weekend and everything!

There is still time to enter the Jamberry Nail wrap giveaway!!  Here's what you've got to do:

1. Like my Facebook Page. 
2. Like Joanne's Jamberry Facebook Page. 
3. Share the Jamberry Nail Giveaway post on Facebook. 
4. Comment on the Facebook post telling me which nail wrap you would choose if you won!

The giveaway ends this Tuesday.  If you love the product and want to shop for more, go HERE!

Here are my nails, pictures taken this evening.  My Jamberry Nail wraps are 13 days old!!  I have fallen for this product, especially paired with my gel polish!!  

 

Colter's 1st Day of Preschool

My baby started his first day of (pre) preschool today.....as in once a week for 2.5 hours....and holy moly I'm glad I'm weaning into this whole school thing!  He did so great!  His teacher, Ms. Mavis read all the kids and their parents a book (A Kissing Hand for Chester Raccoon) before the kids went in (I think it was more for the parents than the kids).  Then they lined up and walked in.  Colter didn't even look back.  He was so excited!  I held it together til after drop off (and thank goodness for sunglasses)....what am I going to do next year when it is full time preschool and don't even mention the K word!! 

When I picked him up, I asked him what he learned on his first day.  He said "I learned: no running, no chasing squirrels, and no chasing butterflies.  School is AWESOME!"  This was later followed with "we got to feed the chickens and a 'peehawk' went into the chicken's pen!!!"  What a lucky boy to get to go to preschool at the zoo.  He also got to meet Sidney, the laughing kookaburra, but they couldn't make her laugh...

Thanks Auntie Mel for making my preschool sheet!

Jamberry Nails 7 Day Chip Challenge + Giveaway

Hi!  I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend!  

I was contacted by Joanne, a lovely Jamberry Nail consultant to complete a '7 Day Chip Challenge'.  I was super excited since I've been wondering what Jamberry nails are all about.  The challenge was simple: Apply an accent nail to two fingers and paint the rest with regular polish.  Take a photo on day 1 and take another photo on day 7.  Joanne has a tutorial on how to apply the wraps on her facebook page, it's really easy (links to all this information at the bottom). 

I'm not a huge fan of regular nail polish, and mostly do my own gel polish.  I don't like how regular polish doesn't stay looking nice for very long, I'm a momma of two busy boys so when I take the time to do my nails, I want it to last.  Along with doing the 7 day chip challenge with regular polish on my fingers, I also did it on my toes using gel polish, since gel is what I usually use. You will see in the pictures below by the 7th day of regular polish it was wearing out on all the edges and had cracks running all through them.  The gel on my toes look pretty much as good as they did on day one.  I can see myself using Jamberry nail wraps for an accent nail a lot when using gels and when I want to give my nails a break from gel I would do the entire set of nails with Jamberry wraps.  I have tiny nails, so I actually got two fingers and two toes out of one (Flirty Flare) wrap!! 

Here are some of my other favorite Jamberry Nail wraps (I had a really hard time narrowing it down to these): 
Kiss Me Ombre 
Mint Green & Gold Horizontal Pinstripe
Nautical
Reminisce

Did I mention there was a giveaway?!  Scroll to the bottom for more details!

The new fall catalog is now out with so many cute options!

Day 1

Day 1 (no I am NOT a foot model haha and yes those are my hubby's initials)

 

Day 7

Day 7

Day 7

Day 9

Day 9

Have I sold you on Jamberry nails yet?  I hope so!  If you are interested in purchasing any Jamberry wraps or just taking a look at all of your choices, you can shop here. Like them?  You can book a party in-home or online only!  Love them?  You can become a consultant, ask Joanne how here: sweetheart.5@comcast.net or 856-298-2798.

Giveaway time!!!  All you have to do is hop on over to my facebook page and Joanne's facebook page and give us each a 'like', then comment and share this post on my facebook page telling me what your favorite wrap design is to win a free sheet of Jamberry Nail wraps!  I will announce the random winner of the giveaway on Tuesday September 9th.  Good Luck!