It’s been a while since I’ve blogged with the What’s Up Wednesday series but I always feel like it’s a concise way to get lots of info in. So if you’re curious to what’s been going on around here lately, this is a little peek!
I’m linking up with Mel, Shay and Sheaffer today for What’s Up Wednesday.
What we’re eating this week | I’ve recently tried two new recipes and loved them both. We’ve been in a bit of a dinner rut where I’ve been like, what do I even cook? To which David responds with spaghetti every single time. So in an effort to eat something other than spaghetti every once in a while, here are the most recent favorites.
➤ Roasted potatoes, asparagus, and sausage
➤ Slow-cooker chicken with bacon gravy
What I’m reminiscing about | Before I got my new phone, I was going through old pictures and deleting tons. Why does it always take at least 17 pictures to get one good one? For some reason I never go back and delete the 16 that I don’t need. I’m trying to get better about that. But all those old pictures have put me in a reminiscing mood.
What I’m loving | Mid-August when I knew back-to-school season was right around the corner, I couldn’t really get on board with the thought of summer being over. Since we’ve had cooler temps for about a week and football on TV (and a Tennessee win!), I’m officially ready. Bring on the soup, and cooler air, and fun activities!
What we’ve been up to | We spent the 3-day weekend at the lake. Ari had Grandma, Dad, and her three cousins to keep her occupied. Tuesday was a completely different story. She was back to just mama. And not happy about it. Since she wasn’t in a good mood, I knew there was zero chance she’d ride in the cart. Instead she pushed and only added two non-list items to the cart (cookies and crackers). Her only meltdown came when it was time to put the cart back.
What I’m dreading | I can’t think of a single thing I’m dreading. But I’m really struggling to stay motivated to work out right now. Usually, I work out before Ari wakes up but somehow I’ve been talking myself out of it recently. I always tell myself that I can do it once she’s up and some days it’s a breeze. Other days, not so much. #lifewithatoddler
What I’m working on | I’m in a de-clutter mode right now. I don’t know what it is about accumulating clutter but there are just certain times when it starts to make me crazy. Right now is one of those times. Last week, I worked on the pantry and already that has made me feel better. Today, I cleared off a shelf in our kitchen. I really need to pull out a bunch Ariana’s toys and store them because they’re too young for her. I need to go through her clothes in the next couple of weeks, too. And out guest bedroom is currently the hub for the pool bag, clean towels, and a box of things that need to be taken to Goodwill. We have family coming in this weekend so that’s always a good motivator to get that room ready.
What I’m excited about | Even though I’m no longer in the classroom, the school year feels like a fresh start. When I think back to this time last year, I’m stunned at how different things were. Ari wasn’t quite down to one nap yet. I was about to start my fitness journey. We’ve met several new and precious friends over the course of the school year. Change can sometimes be scary but I’m learning to really embrace it. I can’t help but wonder what will be different in our lives in August 2018?
What I’m watching/reading | Does anyone else love reading a series? Because sometimes just one isn’t enough. When I was in high school I loved the Christy Miller series. It’s a Christian fiction series and I always got lost in the books. After the 12 high school books, there were the 3 college ones. I think I read those at some point but then completely forgot about them. Then my friend Allison (who blogs over at Little Paper Crown) posted something on IG about loving the newest Christy Miller books. It turns out that the books continued through a married series and a baby series. I downloaded Hoopla on my iPad and I’ve been reading them nonstop. Check out the author’s book shop if you want to grab your own copy!
What I’m listening to | There’s always something on over here. Currently, Ari is watching Peppa and she didn’t want me to leave the room. (A great excuse to catch up on a little blogging, right?) Usually, we have worship music on throughout the day. Sometimes when I start cooking dinner and pour a glass of wine, I’m ready for something a little different. Recently, I’ve been switching it up to 90’s Country or John Mayer on Pandora.
What I’m wearing | Back in the spring, I took a few pictures here and there of what I was wearing and wrote a post about it. I think I might have remembered to do that like 3 times all summer. And I don’t even know if I know where those pictures are. Honestly, I’m wearing a lot of workout gear with this hat and no makeup. Because it’s summertime and who has time to do anything else?
What I’m doing this weekend | There are times that I’d love it if my siblings were close enough to stop by in the middle of the week. Or come say hi on their way home from work/school. They’re not. But I do love that we always make a point to spend time together whenever we can. Corbin’s in North Carolina this week for the last time until probably February or March. I think he and Kaitlyn are coming to hang out this weekend.
What I’m looking forward to next month | Cooler temperatures. Watching Kenzie play volleyball. Fall outdoor activities.
What else is new | This wouldn’t be a complete peek into our lives without mentioning Ari’s latest shoe obsession. She changes shoes approximately 3490238 times every day. And she never wears a pair of shoes. Her left foot always looks different than her right. And recently, it’s a fashion faux pas if her socks match.
What are your back-to-school traditions? | I don’t know that we’ve ever started any. I’m sure when Ari gets older, it’ll start to be more important than we create some traditions. I love that I get to work a job that allows me to stay connected with the world of education. The weeks leading up to school meant I did two different trainings with teachers. The second one was held in a high school English classroom and it made me miss my former job more than I had anticipated. Each semester, my 11th grade students began with Tuesdays with Morrie and it still holds a special place in my heart. It was sitting out on the desk and my heart started beating a little bit faster. The same textbooks I used were tucked into the bookcase and I loved walking around the classroom just reminiscing on my days as an English teacher.
That’s it for today! A little peek into our world (and, more accurately, my mind). I hope September is a great month for you.
Catch up on other What’s Up Wednesday posts here.
