For the first time in my life....

I am TAN!!

While the "healthy glow" is air brushed on...the look of relaxation is not. It was a perfect weekend, a needed getaway, and I adored who I was with!!

I always love seeing C, and she even hosted a party with friends I have gotten to appreciate and know through her. It was a fun night of homemade fajitas, guacamole, pico (yes...from their garden!), MARGARITAS (incredible ones!), and brownies! Where is the gym? HAHA! 

We had a "tanning party" where someone came to her house and airbrushed our tans on. It was so fun and AFFORDABLE. I have never had a tan, and am quite pale, so this was a real treat. I wish it would never fade!

The gals and the incredible food prepared by C's husband, T.

I love you so much C and thank you for the incredible time. It was so comfy, simple, and perfect. Love you!!! What a true gift from God...wow.

Dark? Dark? hehehehe!

Small Successes and Thankful Thursday!!

Thanks so much to Sherry @ Chocolate for your Brain for hosting this meme that used to be at Faith and Family Live. I'm so glad she did not let the meme die off, though I understand how hard it is to remember to blog it LOL!

1. I finally have an email for this blog! I'll add it to my sidebar - but it is violinmama5@gmail.com YAY! Private mail/comments as needed!

2. I finally added some lifestyle blog posts below, and on my homeschool blog. Life has been so busy lately, that both blogs have been neglected, and honestly I need to start posting more. I have some major thoughts going on and I need to share more than just pictures. But...aren't my pictures just cute...hehe! Love my kids!

3. I've been trying to keep the house in fair order since my deep clean. I'm grateful to now have more help in that area. I still have one more load of landry to wash, dry, and fold today....but things are getting done around here, summer is being enjoyed too, and we are learning when we can. I call that a success.

Bonus 4th - I'm finally getting more motivated to change my eating habits. I'm picking better choices and snacks again. I hope it leads to more energy so my workouts get amped up too. I need more energy.

Question - what dimensions do I need to make my picture above not be so BIG?? lol Any suggestions?

How is your week?

Thankful Thursday
This week I am most grateful for....

1. a day to do nothing. We're just sticking close to the house today. I may venture out later though to prepare for a fun weekend.
2. faith.
3. friends.
4. my sister and niece who took Lovely on a big trip this week! THANK YOU!!
5. family.
6. my incredible hubby!
7. You reading this!

Ciao!

*TAP. TAP* Is This Mike On??

At the risk of hearing crickets chirp...I want to pose a question to my 2 readers out there who bear with me when I go MIA lol.

Is it ever too late to start a garden (aside from the obvious). I need tips, as we have not gotten around to it yet, but I really want to do SOMETHING. I live in the South. Help me!!

;)

P.S. Do fall gardens exist? haha!

While Lovely is Away....

Her siblings will play....

Fun at home:

 

Fun at the library:

Fun at the pool:

 MORE fun at the library:

....and even MORE fun at home:

Life is good...but when Lovely gets home, it will be even gooder ;) 

My travelin' gal

My eldest, Lovely, is traveling this week with my sister and niece, to where my brother and his family live. Here she is the morning she flew out there with my sister, and a picture my SIL txted me of my tanning, happy girl while at a basketball practice for my nephew. I miss her so, but am SO proud of her!!

Look how CUTE she is....

My dad, the pilot, came to tell Lovely all about what to expect flying. :)

Lovely, on vacation and TAN.

Sniff Sniff.. I miss her terribly, but I am SO THRILLED for her to travel. I was so blessed to travel frequently as a child, and we haven't been able to that with our children. So, this is fabulous!

Enjoy love!!

Check it out!!

Come see what I am so proud of....my kids are amazing!! :) 

(and that includes my 'adopted' kids too! hehe).

Thanks!!

Me and my babies....

enjoying the day (and inside with A/C).

I love my life!!!!