Wednesday, January 30, 2019

What's Up Wednesday (1/30/19)

It's the first What's Up Wednesday of the year, and I love these posts! They are so fun to go back and refer to to catch back up with myself and all of the activities that have kept us busy for the last month.  And....this year we've got a new logo! Woop!

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



1.  What we're eating this week...
Chili, because less than 50 degrees is cold in Florida!

2.  What I'm reminiscing about...
Vincent celebrated 100 days of school last week.  It's been a great year of growth for him, Kindergarten was something I was nervous about for sure.  He's reading and writing so much better, and I am so proud of how far he's come.  Before I know it, he'll be in 5th grade and on his way to Middle School!




3.  What I'm loving...
Working mom life is hard, but it makes it better when you get sweet pictures of your kids enjoying their days away from home.  I am loving these recent pics I got of Arianna at daycare.  


4.  What we've been up to...
We kicked off the new year with a bang at TWO NYE parties...




Took a dip in our pool to practice our great swimming skills from swimming lessons, and quickly got out, because the kids lips were turning blue and they were shivering!  Although, they are still asking to go back EVERY DAY...

Mike and I snuck in a date night to one of my favorite restaurants and checked out the newly designed area of downtown Tampa, Sparkman's Wharf...



 We've been having fun at dance, and our girl is officially signed up for her first recital...



We made our own pizzas, and some enjoyed them more than others...


We did something new, and took the kids to the local horse track for a day of racing.  We got there early, so we really only saw one race, because #naptime, but it was still fun, and perfect because it wasn't too crowded since it was the first race of the day...



and we celebrated a close friend's 40th birthday...




Is there anything better than sitting near a bonfire with your friends?! NO!!

5.  What I'm dreading...
Right now I'm not dreading anything! 

6.  What I'm working on...
Next week, I'm taking a 40 hour course on facilitating Yoga Nidra! I have been a student of the practice many times, and I'm so excited to bring the practice to my students.  Here's the link to my teachers website if you want to learn more.  She states that yoga nidra is "a guided meditation that has the power to transform, heal, and rejuvenate you at core levels."  Yes, yes, yes!

7.  What I'm excited about...
I got tickets to Rise conference in Dallas!! That's right, you guys know I've been girl-crushing on Rachel Hollis, ever since I read her book "Girl Wash Your Face," one of my favorite books last year.  

If you don't invest in yourself, no one else will.  I am excited to soak up all of the opportunities that these two days will bring!

8.  What I'm watching/reading...
Last night I finished reading The One Year Bible.  That's right, I can finally say that I've read the bible!! You guys, this is a huge deal, and I am so proud!

I just started reading "Where the Crawdads Sing"...

I'm watching the new season of The Bachelor, and I'm just not that into it...but I'm party of a Bachelor/Bachelorette fantasy league, and that makes it more fun!  The crazy thing is that I've already lost (no girls left), but I get my money back! These girls take it serious, here's a picture from our fun draft night!

I'm also glad that This is Us is back...my favorite!  They just won best cast at SAG, and I agree!



9.  What I'm listening to...
My kids are obsessed with the new Post Malone song, Sunflower from Spider-Man.  On repeat in my house, as well as on my January yoga playlist :)

10.  What I'm wearing...
I just ordered this dress for Valentines Day, and I can't wait to wear it! I've been eyeing it for a while, and I can't wait to wear it!  When it went under $60, I couldn't pass it up!


11.  What I'm doing this weekend...
Taking my birthday princess to Disney to celebrate a week early with family!  Here she is last year at Disney near her birthday, she's grown so much!

12.  What I'm looking forward to next month...
Celebrating Arianna turning 3!  She is so excited to be turning 3! Mommy is not, it officially means we've got no more babies in the house, and she's growing too fast! 

Mike and I are also heading out for a "parents only" trip to see our family in Las Vegas and a side-trip to AZ, counting down the days to that.  

13.  What else is new...
Arianna had her first dentist appointment, something I was dreading, but she did so well!  Having big brother there to show her the way also helped.  When they held each other's hands, my heart basically exploded!



We found out that Vincent will definitely require oral surgery for an extra adult tooth, and may require it sooner than later, as he's close to start losing all of his teeth.  I could use some prayers that we are able to make the right decision for him, since there's really nothing fun about dental surgery friends.

14.  Bonus Question - What is your favorite Valentine's Day tradition...
Before kids, I would say making dinner at home and enjoying wine with my hubby.  After kids, I would say that I love getting them a little something special that day to let them know how much they are loved, and helping them make their Valentines for their friends.  I love looking through all of the cute stuff that they come home with.  

XO

Shari

Friday, January 25, 2019

Friday Favorites - Favorite Books of 2018

Hi everyone, and Happy New Year!! It feels like so long since I've done a blog post, and that's because it's been a few weeks.  We've had a busy month coming off of the holidays.  I've enjoyed setting our intentions for the new year, getting the kids back into their regular routine, and let's face it, that includes me too!  So far, 2019 has been good to us!  

If you missed my last post, it was a highlight of some of my favorite moments from 2018!  You can see that post here.  I love capping out the year with these re-caps so that I can look back on some of my favorite memories from each year.  
You can see my 2015 Year-In-Review here
You can see my 2-16 Year-In-Review here
You can see my 2017 Year-In-Review here
and, You can see my 2018 Year-In-Review here

Seeing these posts has me feeling all like this about my kids....

Ok, that's not why we're here today.  We're here today to talk about my favorite books that I read last year for a special edition of Friday Favorites!  Last year I read 14 books! I used to never enjoy reading , but it is something that I have grown to love over the last few years.  

I tried to narrow down my favorite books of the year to 3, but I just couldn't do that....so I've got my 4 favorite listed below.  


#1 - The One Year Bible
Reading the bible is something that I've always wanted to do.  As part of my goals for 2018, I set out to complete reading the bible before the end of the year.  I didn't complete before the end of the year, as time off and some missed days pushed me back, but I'm 6 days away from finishing.  

The One Year Bible was a consistent part of my everyday last year, along with a daily gratitude practice.  I loved reading this version because it broke the bible into about fifteen minute reading sections each day.  

I grew closer to my faith, and understanding of the word of God last year, and it was thanks to having this "book".  I would highly recommend this to anyone who wishes to do the same.  I am so grateful that I made this a part of my life last year.  


#2 - Girl Wash Your Face
Rachel Hollis' Girl Wash Your Face was easily my second favorite book of the year. 

This motivational book tells you the steps you need to take, and lies to stop telling yourself to pursue your dreams.  After reading this book, I instantly became a "fan girl" of Mrs. Hollis.


I went to watch the documentary Made For More  and despite the technical difficulties at the theatre we went to, it made me love her more!! Her words were true, her spirit was high, and it was truly inspirational.  

I am so excited for her next book to come out in March, and considering attending one of her motivational conferences this year.  Everyone should read this book!

#3 - Untethered Soul
Michale Singer's The Untethered Soul was an assigned reading as part of my yoga teacher training this year.  

So many quotes from this book have stayed with me.  I often reach for this book, when I'm looking for a theme for my yoga classes.  I have read certain excepts to my students, and relate them to things in their lives today.  

Here are just a few of my favorites:
"The more you sit in the Self, the more you will begin to feel an energy that you have never experienced before.  It comes up from behind, rather than in front where you experience your mind and emotions."

"The more you stay open, the more the energy flow can build.  At some point, so much energy comes into you that it starts flowing out of you.  You feel it as waves pour off of you.  You can actually feel it flowing off your hands, out your heart, and through other energy centers."

I grew as a yogi and a human after reading this book.  It is my #3 for 2018.  

#4 - Lying Game
Ruth Ware's The Lying Game is a book that I read with my book club girls and still think about today.  

It is a story about friendship that stands the test of time, and things that friends are willing to do to keep each other safe.  It kept you guessing until the very end, and was a quick read.  
Any good books I should read in 2019? Let me know your favorites!  

See you next week for What's Up Wednesday and a look at everything we've been up to this month. 


XO


Shari