Tuesday, November 30, 2021

What's Up Wednesday (12/1/2021)

It's December 1st and I can not believe this year is almost over.  It's not the last Wednesday of the month, but it is the first Wednesday of the last month of this year, so I think that counts right? We've had a slammed November, and I wanted to share a peek at what we've been up to. I don't think if you were to ask many people, that they could have predicted how 2021 would shape out. Another year in the pandemic and a year filled with so much loss. This little blog gives me a platform to reflect on memories shared with my family, and a positive outlet to focus on. Thanks for being here, let's make the last 31 days of this year full of memories that we weren't able to last year! 

On the last Wednesday of the month I link-up with Shay and Sheaffer to answer these questions:


1.  What we're eating this week...
Thanksgiving leftovers! My mom shared her turkey bone soup recipe with me, and it came out so good! You boil the bones to create the broth and add in celery, onion, carrot, turkey and egg noodles. Other ingredients can be added as desired, but this has been perfect for the dip in local Tampa Bay area temps...

2.  What I'm reminiscing about...
We had a great Halloween and Thanksgiving holiday with our family! These kids are the perfect age to soak up all of these special moments with them...






3.  What I'm loving...
Things are feeling a little more normal around here, as we are allowed slowly back on campus at the local Elementary school. I am loving helping out around the school and feeling closer to my kids a little more each day. I also love twinning with this girl, my built in bestie!

4.  What we've been up to...
We had a relaxing fall break, but we are back to our regulr schedule with these kids. 
Flag Football season just ended...

Soccer is getting colder...

Basketball season is my favorite right now (indoors)...

Arianna is getting ready for her Winter showcase with her dance studio...

In between all of that, Mike and I took a little trip to Austin, TX for the Compass conference and got to spend time with my family while we were there...




We also kicked off the Fall Break weekend with a trip to Busch Gardens to see their amazing lights! This really put us in the holiday spirit...



5.  What I'm dreading...
I was dreading Vincent getting his braces, but he did great! I really was so very proud of him! He has been handling them like a champ and has been making it much easier than I anticipated.

Something that I am dreading is wrapping all of the Christmas presents, I need to block time on my calendar now, to make sure that it gets done! I saw a great tip the other day to wrap the presents as you get them, that way they're done when you're done. Haven't done that yet, but I might try to get caught up this week.

6.  What I'm working on...
I am working on an Advent season bible study, "Our Hope Has Come", to bring me closer to the reason for the season, our savior's birthday! It is my quiet time, prayerful moments just for me, and a great way to start my day! 

7.  What I'm excited about...
Tonight is one of my favorite nights of the year! My Dixie Chicks annual get together! I had to miss out last year, and I literally can not wait to see these ladies tonight. Here's a pic from our last annual night that I was able to attend in 2019.

8.  What I'm watching/reading...
I loved watching this year's season of Dancing With the Stars! I also love that a true non-dancer was crowned the winner!

I am reading Liane Moriarty's new book, "Apples Never Fall" and it's so good! I've only just started, and I can't wait to see how it ends.

9.  What I'm listening to...
Christmas carols and all the festive music!

10.  What I'm wearing...
I got myself another pair of those Free People shorts that I love when we were in Austin. I love them and can't wait to wear them. I don't know if I can wear them with leggings like the model has shown below, but maybe it's something I should try? What do you think?

I have been wearing mostly leggings and sweatshirts, layers to keep me warm while working from home and running these kids to their activities every day!

11.  What I'm doing this weekend...
This weekend we have some fun and festive events planned. Soccer Saturday and our neighborhood Christmas party with the return of the train on Sunday!

12.  What I'm looking forward to next month...
The start of a new and hopeful year!

13.  What else is new...
Mike and I returned to Disney for the Wine and Dine 10k! The weather was the worst (cold rain and wind) but we did it, and I am so proud of us! After the race, we scooped up the kids and had a little staycation at our resort and felt the Disney experience without every setting foot in the park. We finally got to ride the skyliner too!







I plan to be back here at the end of the month to share a peek at all the holiday fun we are packing into this month! I know this is not the easiest season, especially for those grieving the loss of a loved one or battling their own personal struggles. Please know that I see you and I'm thinking about you too! 

XO

Shari

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

What's Up Wednesday (10/27/21)

It's the last Wednesday of October, and it's been 3 months since my last blog post. 3 months ago today, my best friend's infant son, Carter Milliken Piccion, went to be with the Lord ♡. No family should ever lose their baby, and no family and group of friends should ever have to experience loss like this. I needed time to be there for her, I needed time to grieve, I needed time to be with my family, and I needed time to reflect on the celebration of life that his short life brought. Every single day is a gift! Experiencing so much loss over the last year has truly taught me to never take a single day for granted. 

Thank you for being patient with me and allowing the space. I am happy to be back to documenting our family and the things that bring us joy, as we move out of the last week of October 2021. I am looking forward to the holidays and time off with family. In today's post, take a look at what we've been up to.   

On the last Wednesday of the month I link-up with Shay and Sheaffer to answer these questions:


1.  What we're eating this week...
Happy Halloween!!

2.  What I'm reminiscing about...
Last month I turned 40! That's right, the big 4-0!! After everything that happened with my friend and her family, and an increase of COVID cases in our area, I decided to cancel my planned birthday party and go to Disney with my family instead.  We had the best trip!







We had not been to Disney as a family since 2019, it was so nice to be back.  We also went with our friends to Dahlonega, Georgia for a long weekend. We had the best time visiting the local vineyards and exploring somewhere new!







3.  What I'm loving...
I am still loving living in Champa Bay! This year we became Bucs season ticket holders, and are having so much fun going to the games. I love getting to see Tom Brady play in person. He truly is the GOAT.   











4.  What we've been up to...
We've been up to a lot since July! I'll keep it brief today 😁
The kids started school on August 10th (Kindergarten and 3rd Grade)...


Vincent turned 8...


Arianna is in dance and soccer....


Vincent is in basketball and flag fotball...

I went to my first live concert in forever, and Maroon 5 was amazing...

Pumpkin Patchin' with my baby....




5.  What I'm dreading...
On Monday, Vincent is getting braces. He's excited about it, I'm dreading helping him keep up with brushing with the new hardware in his mouth.  

6.  What I'm working on...
I have taken a break from my yoga teaching practice to be more present with my family. I am active on my HOA board and the local PTA. I have been busy doing all of the things and staying focused on the things that matter most. Through the last few months, my faith has been something that I have "worked" on the most, and found the most comfort in as we navigated the grief that such a tragic loss can bring.  

7.  What I'm excited about...
Friday we get to go back to the kid's school for their Storybook Parade. Things are slowly getting back to normal, and after no parade last year, I am excited to see my kids in their costumes at their school this year.  

8.  What I'm watching/reading...
I have been loving "Dancing With the Stars" this season! I am not a fan of Tyra as the host, but I love the rest of this year's cast.  

I just finished reading "People We Meet on Vacation".  

9.  What I'm listening to...
Adele is back! Can not wait for her album to release!

10.  What I'm wearing...
It's still not fully feeling like fall here in Florida.  We're in the 80s during the daytime, and low 70s in the morning. We are expecting a cold front this weekend, and I am looking forward to it!  I love, love, love these Free People shorts that I purchased, and have been wearing them to all the sporting events with the kids. It looks like they are sold out online, so I can't link them, but I highly recommend.  


11.  What I'm doing this weekend...
This weekend Arianna has a soccer game, and Vincent has a bye week for flag football. We are also going to be celebrating Halloween on Sunday.  

12.  What I'm looking forward to next month...
Mike and I are participating in our first Disney run since the pandemic.  I'm both excited and nervous about the 10k distance. We have a trip planned to Austin to visit family and I am also looking forward to Thanksgiving with our family! We have so much to be grateful for.  

13.  What else is new...
I know that the holidays will be hard for my bestie and her family. Please keep the Piccion and Milliken family in your prayers this holiday season. For everyone that's lost a loved one this year, I'll be praying for you too!


XO

Shari