Miscellany Monday

To join in on the miscellany monday fun, head over to Carissa's blog!

One} I've got 2 pillows done, our basement is a complete blank canvas, I picked up some more plates for the plate wall yesterday at Target, and Chelsea sent me this AWESOME zebra plate when I mentioned I was sad I couldn't find one yesterday. Things seem to be coming along in the basement progress, whoo hooo! I'm still struggling with one part of our basement, I can't quite figure out what needs to go there, who wants to help me?! I might post some pictures and see if any of you have ideas. 

 These are the two pillows that I've made so far. I'm hoping to get a few more made today also.

How cute is this plate? I need to order it asap! The plates I've embellished or purchased so far are white and black and white and yellow. I think this zebra would be a super fun touch (plus most of ya'll know I love my zebra/animal print). No idea what I'm talking about with the plate wall? Check out my inspiration HERE!

Two} We're getting a tad bit of ice right now, and are projected to get anywhere from 6-12 inches of snow tomorrow throughout the day. I'm guessing Macie will probably be getting another snow day or two. Too bad Gerrad doesn't get snow days to stay home and play in the snow with us! 

Three} We had another super low key weekend this past weekend, which felt GREAT! Its nice to just stay in and enjoy being together. Sometimes I feel like we're running so many different ways all the time, I truly appreciate the time when we are just home being silly, and being together. 

Four} Guess who FINALLY got their Christmas tree down this morning? ME! WHOOP! Only about a month late, whoops! I was so sick and tired of looking at it, and decided I'd just take matters into my own hands instead of waiting for G to help (don't worry I still love you babe).

Five} I feel like Addaline is getting a tad bit too mouthy. Sometimes we have a hard time getting on her because some of the things she says are SO funny, and out of the blue, that we can't help but crack up when she says them. Lately though I have figured out she knows what/when to say it and is catching on that we're letting a few things slide, back to the strict mom I go! Wish me luck! Picture a blond haired, blue eyed class clown with the cutest dimples who is an absolute riot, but only acts up for ME. How did I get so lucky, HA! From what I've heard, Addaline is Gerrad's payback from his childhood. I love that God has a sense of humor ;) 

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

 Have you heard of The Good, The Bad, The Ugly?? If not, you need to head on over to Aly's blog to check it out! So much fun! I'm excited to have something to participate in occasionally on Thursdays!

The Good: We got one of these bad boys last night, thanks again G, you rock!

The Bad: Starbucks will officially lose my business
 
The Ugly: The darn coffee k-cups for those things are pricey, and this momma is cheap! Gotta get a 'my k-cup' stat!


The Good: Having a king size bed to myself while Gerrad works out of town

The Bad: I'm semi afraid of staying alone, even though I should be used to it

The Ugly: Apparently I think its a good idea if one of the girls sleeps with me, like they're going to protect me if anything happens (I'm delusional) ha! 


The Good: Spring is right around the corner

The Bad: I'm no where near having my body look like I want it to

The Ugly: I have zero motivation to change the above, help! 


The Good: I've never been a real 'high maintenance' hair girl

The Bad: My hair is graying like a MOTHER (or in my case like my dad who turned gray around 40)

The Ugly: How sweet am I going to look being all gray by 30?! TERRIBLE! Gerrad is going to need to invest in some disguises so people don't recognize him with this granny in public. I think my days of being a hair tight wad are over, bring on the hair color!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

My list is rather random this week, but lets be honest here, when aren't my posts random?! 

I'm Loving- That my sick obsession with diet dr pepper, at least gives me a laugh daily when my 3 year old calls it diet peppa. I crack up every.single.time. she says it! 


I'm Loving- That since getting a bad report on being a chatty kathy at school, that Macie really has been trying to turn it around, cross your fingers for her ;)

I'm Loving- This art work. As I mentioned, I finally figured out the new theme for the basement. I saw this on Saturday and decided it would be SO easy to make, so I got out my cricuit and went to work. I'll make sure and take a photo of the finished product!

I'm Loving- The wreaths and these pillow DIY's that I posted about yesterday!

I'm Loving- The fabrics that I bought at JoAnns last night! They are the inspiration to my family room re-do. I decided I wanted a black/white/yellow/grey color scheme. These are pillow and valance inspiration. What do you think? I made some silhouettes for the pottery barn inspired plate wall that I'm doing as well. Don't worry, when the room is finished, I'll post LOTS of photos!
 

I'm Loving- Some type of Kardashian's are back on tv, and one of my other favorite shows, 90210 is back on after the typical 'winter break' all shows take. Yay for good tv! I'm fully aware that I probably need to get a life!
 

I'm Loving- This Train song, can't get enough of it! I'm also loving this Macy Gray song, which is also my ring tone on my cell ;) Its such a happy song!


I'm Loving- Spending all week with my girls, no more running every night of the week since we are on a break from dance this semester. I was a little sad at first, but if their heart wasn't 100% in it, I welcome the break on the running nightly, and the break on our checkbook too! 
 

The Bachelor Recap

Since I haven't done very well at keeping up with The Bachelor recap since the show started, I'm officially determined to get this done today, without further adieu...

The Bachelor- Episode 4

 Oh Brad... I love that you have been having your counselor come on the show, sheesh! I guess at least he is working through his problems and making the effort, I just thought it was a little overboard, maybe they should let him have those sessions in PRIVATE! Then I have to remind myself, it is a TV SHOW... so there's my answer.

 Emily- Still loving her. She is too darn cute, sweet, compassionate and laid back. I am glad she FINALLY told Brad her story, you could tell she immediately felt better about the whole situation, and started bonding with him more. I could also tell he was getting super frustrated with her at the beginning of their date, I think it might have been splits-ville for her soon if she didn't spill the beans. And can I ask, WHY did they have her go on a small airplane to the vineyard for her date?? That poor girl!

 Chantal- Still loving her as well. She is tied as my favorite with Emily. I think because she isn't the typical 'barbie' stereotype that they usually pick, is another reason I like her. She seems real, and down to earth. Her date was good, and they seem to have some serious chemistry, get a room already!

Michelle- I don't even know what part to start on with her. She woke up with a black eye on the show... really sweetie? You just 'woke' up with this mysterious black eye? Doubtful! I'm guessing you jacked your face on the corner of your dresser and inflict this little wound on yourself for attention from Brad, and all the other girls (who loathe you by the way). I love when she said "Well I've been stressed, maybe its from stress?" HA HA HA! Riiiiiight! So the rest of us normal women in society should be walking around looking like Mike Tyson all the time because we're stressed... not buying that one! This girl drives me nuts, to the point where I've started muting the tv every time she talks. If I have to see her fist pump one more time, I'm calling Jersey Shore and telling them they have another cast member to join the house! FOR REAL! I'm literally counting down the days until she gets sent home, there is NO way he will pick her!

Ashley H went a little overboard last night with the drama, she needs to watch it or she'll be the next Michelle! Eek!

So what are ya'll thinking of the season so far? Who do you like? Who do you want to see booted off the show asap?

Wreaths (DIY Links)

Its no secret that I have a love of wreath making, tell me I'm not the only one? One of my girlfriends directed me to an AMAZING craft blog last week, and I can't stop looking at it. I have all these ideas in my head that I want to tackle, but keep reminding myself, one thing at a time Molly! Sheesh! I'm easily sidetracked, if I let my husband use my blog as a sounding board, he could go on for days about how I'll be doing something, then get sidetracked and move onto another thing, and forget what I was doing just 5 minutes before. Its a sickness I tell you! (See I just did it while blogging, what is my deal?!)

Anywho, back to the crafting blog... Tatertots and Jello! How many of you have looked at this blog before, or done some of her crafts? How talented is this gal, seriously! I'm jealous! After helping one of my girlfriends with a wreath this weekend, it gave me the bug to make a fun new wreath to hang on the door for the times in between holiday's. How cute are these wreaths??? I MUST make one of them!!! 1} Found HERE  2} This wreath is to die for, this is like the one I helped out with this weekend, minus the scrabble letters. 3} Here are TONS of wreaths (fall) that can be changed to whatever color scheme/theme you'd like!

 1}

 2}

Way off topic again, but I'm going to make these pillow covers for our family room re-do (which by the way, I FINALLY figured out what I'm going to do with the room, yay me).  

Jessica- You KNOW you want to try some of these out :) 

Miscellany Monday

Have some random thoughts brewing but don't know how to let them out? Head over to Carissa's blog and link up!

1} I've been trying to get caught up on laundry for the past week and a half... guess what? I'm STILL not caught up, I think that I need a maid for laundry only. It is my most dreaded household chore for some reason. I would give anything to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but when you live in a house with 4 people, who create a lot of laundry, I don't think that's every going to happen.

2} This past weekend we did absolutely nothing, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Friday night we stayed home in our pj's and I made chicken and noodles. Saturday was my dad's birthday (HEY DAD :)) so we went to breakfast, then to Starbucks, and then home. Addaline had a birthday party for a sweet little girl in her preschool class, then we came back home and put our jammies on and lounged. I helped one of my girlfriends make an ADORABLE wreath while G went out with some guy friends. (I'll post a picture of the wreath asap, ya'll will LOVE it)

3} Our Christmas tree is STILL up, seriously! Every decoration in our house was taken down on New Years day, except the tree. For some reason I have decided that until I can get Gerrad to bring in the totes that I need from the shed, that its staying up. Maybe I should decorate for Valentine's Day? HA!

4} I've been doing really well lately with not letting things get to me. When I'm feeling stressed I just remind myself, "It could be SO much worse, I've got it made." As I mentioned Friday, there is so much hurt and pain going on in other peoples lives right now, I truly am blessed and am trying to do a better job of saying it/showing it! Will you join me?

5} For you Bachelor fans, sorry I didn't keep up on my recaps, I got behind on the show. I'm hoping to be caught up tonight and recap it for you tomorrow :)

6} Can I tell you how excited I am that 90210 comes back on tonight?? WHOOP!!

7} How many of you watch Glee? I've been thinking of catching up on all the episodes so I can start watching it. Is it worth it? I don't have tons of ample time, so I just wondered your opinions on the show.

(For some reason my spell check is working against me today, so if you see some huge error, I apologize in advance ;))

Mothers

Today is just another day to you and I for the most part. A day we get up, get ready for work, spend the day watching the clock tick until that magical 5pm. Then we'll go home to our families, and spend the weekend together. Today is not just another day for a family at Macie's school. Today a friend of Macie's in her 3rd grade class, will bury his mother. A husband will bury his wife, and two young children, 3rd and 1st grade, will forever be without their mother. I didn't personally know the family, but my heart aches for them.

Macie brought a note home from the school counselor on Wednesday stating that she had spoken to the 3rd and 1st grade classes that occupied said mother's children. Macie came home with a heavy heart, and a little emotional. I read the note, and we cried together. The note stated that she had explained to the children that their classmates mother had passed away, and that the children might have some questions. She explained that they might experience a little grief, or want to talk a little more about their feelings, and might have questions about death. Macie didn't ask anything, just simply stated that she felt so bad for her friend. Its been consuming my thoughts lately for some reason; I guess because you never know when your life could change in the blink of an eye. A few weeks ago, that mother was living her life, being with her children, never knowing what was in store for her. I know God has a plan for all of us, so there is no point in asking why?

How often do you just go about your day thinking you have unlimited time on this earth? How many times do you go to bed angry at your spouse, children, friends, family? How often do you not apologize for the wrong things you've done to hurt others, just because you're too proud? I am not perfect, I am often guilty of these things, but then God sends me these signs to appreciate everything I have, and count my blessings daily! I don't mean to be a debbie downer on this post, but this family could definitely use some extra prayer.

Today I'm thankful be here with my kids, on good days and bad, happy and sad, ups and downs, I'm thankful for the opportunity to be Macie and Addaline's mother!

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness. ~Honoré de Balzac

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

Snow Day Take 3

Today is our third snow day so far this winter. They announced it last night, so it was nice not to have to worry about getting up early and getting everyone ready. Macie's school and Addaline's preschool both called it a snow day, so the girls and I were super excited last night!

This morning we slept in a little (8am is sleeping in when you have kids), then decided we'd go to the library for a little reading fun with my friend Carrie and her sweet baby girl, Adelyn. From there we decided we'd head to the mall to take the girls to play indoors a bit, and ride the train, and have some lunch at one of my favorite places, Chick'fil'A- YUM! I got a few more awesome deals at Old Navy (I clearly need to steer clear of that place while shopping), who can beat a great sale, I got another embellished tank for $2, and a light coral colored cardigan for $5 that is SUPER cute! Now we're home catching up on laundry, and I'm watching a marathon of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I heart snow days!

 Some of the snow on our back patio. We ended up getting roughly 8+ inches. Our neighborhood streets are terrible, but the main roads in town are clear. It doesn't bother me when it snows since I have a 4wd SUV :)

Addaline riding the train at the mall. I think she's ridden this thing enough times that we probably own part of this train. They should be offering us some free rides any day now, ha! Everything to do with trains fascinates this kiddo, she is her fathers child!

So bummed my 2 favorite Thursday night shows aren't on tonight, Grey's and Private Practice, boo :( BUT it is Jersday, whoo hooo! (Jersey Shore/Thursday). Maybe hubbs and I will watch a movie on the bootleg movie website, who doesn't love a website that has movies on it that are still in the theaters?! Yes please.

This weekend we have no plans on the agenda, yay! Its my dad's birthday and Addaline has a birthday party for one of her little friends, and that's it. We're also supposed to get more snow over the weekend, so I'm looking forward to a weekend spent at home lovin' on my family.

Happy Thursday!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Head over to Jamie's blog to join in on WILW!

I'm Loving- This guy! I love that he stayed up with me last night talking until midnight about all the things that are bothering me lately (family drama, ugh), and then he got to vent about stuff going on at work, etc... I love that we can come together and just chat about our days and silly things that girls say/do! I also LOVE that he's been helping me figure out the best plan for me to attend the blogger meet up in Dallas, YAY! 

I'm Loving- These two tops from Charlotte Russe, especially the coral cardigan, MUST get it asap! Any of my girlfriends reading this are rolling their eyes saying "Who would have thought, you want a coral cardigan?" HA!

How cute is this cardi?

I'm Loving- My two sweet girls (but that's an every day thing, DUH). The things Addaline has been saying lately, keep me on my toes for sure. We have a preschool evaluation coming up with her teacher for parent/teacher conferences and I'm a little nervous. I know she is perfectly well behaved at school, and only ornery for me, but it still makes me a little frightened, Oh the life of toddler-hood ;) I'm also loving that Macie had a WONDERFUL report card, I'm so proud of her! 

I'm Loving- That when there are situations I can't control, all I have to do is give them to God and let Him deal with them. He is bigger than I am, and knows the way things will be in the end.  


I'm Loving- (I can't believe I'm blogging about this) That my FAVORITE (and only) Thai restaurant in town is back open after moving to a new location. I'm ridiculous and get excited about food, what has my life become?! 
                                              
I'm Loving- That Bethenny Frankel's new show on Bravo, 'Bethenny Ever After' starts up next month! She is so hilarious and has no filter, and cracks me up! 

Top 2 Tuesday- Favorite Spring Outfits

This week I'm joining back up with Taylor's Top 2 Tuesday! This weeks topic is favorite spring outfits, how fitting since tomorrow we're supposed to get 6 more inches of snow, ha! I'm craving an early spring, although I do love the snow. I'm sure looking at every one's favorite outfits will really get me excited for spring!

 1} These first two outfits are from Francesca's, LOVE this boutique. I always love a summer dress and cardigan, classic look. I also love the look below with the tank, cardigan and skinny jeans for those spring days when its still not super warm out. (The captions below the photos don't exactly apply to my daily life, ha!)

 2} A ruffle dress, super cute! I will be purchasing this in a few colors for spring/summer (as long as it is longer in person than it is in photo, eek). Dresses are always nice because you can wear them spring/fall with leggings and cardigans, and in the summer with your favorite flip flops. Definitely gives your wardrobe more options!

Lots of your gals are much more fashionable than I am, so I'm excited to check out every one's trends :)

Books

Lately I've decided that I would like to get into reading a bit more. I've always enjoyed it, but never had time, or made time for it. I would always read when I got into bed at night, and lets face it, after chasing kiddos around all day, shuttling kids from place to place at night, keep up with the house, hubbs, etc... I am way to BEAT at night to even bother. I'd read for 15 minutes and be down for the count. Then the next night, wash, rinse and repeat, plus have to go back and re-read pages from the night before that I was way too groggy to pay attention to. Back to my point, my friend Ashley had been talking about this book that she had been reading and couldn't seem to put down, it sounded interesting enough to me. After talking about it one night, Melisa mentioned that she had the book, so I decided to borrow it, and haven't been able to put it down since. I'm about a third of the way through it which is a small miracle for me for only having the book a few days!

I decided to also try out the Kindle app on my phone. I purchased a book on there but haven't started it yet since I started reading 'Nineteen Minutes' by Jodi Picoult. The book I purchased on Kindle is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. Have any of you read that? What do you think of it? I've heard quite a few amazing reviews on it, so I am excited to finish my current book so I can read it. Have any of you read many of the Jodi Picoult books? I think I want to read more from her as well. What are some of your current reads, or old favorites?

Do You Tweet??

I've belonged to Twitter for over a year, used it a bit when I first joined, and then I just kind of forgot about it and didn't use it much. I still got on it daily to read peoples tweets, but didn't tweet for like 6 months or more. I have wanted to get back into giving it another try. After reading Aly's blog this morning I decided I'd give it another shot. Do you tweet?? Do you love it??

My username is mollyhall24, find me on there if you want! If you have a twitter account, leave me your name here so I can follow along :)

Snow Day!

Sunday over night it started to snow, and didn't stop until Monday night, causing all of the schools in town to close Monday and Tuesday. We had a blast playing in the snow Monday, and an even better time sledding with the girls! Melisa, Ashley and I took the girls sledding at a small area by our local lake. It was a perfect little hill for the girls to sled down, and it wasn't so big that they weren't able to climb back up. It was definitely a good exercise for the adults :o)

 Ashley getting ready to make her way down the hill

 Makenna getting ready to head down the hill

 Addaline and Melisa making the trek back up the hill

 Macie trying to scope out a 'slick' spot

 Makenna and Addaline sledding

 Macie and I

Its so fun to get out and act like a kid sometimes! I'm so glad the girls and I had a few days off together to just hang out and be silly!

Tacky Sweater Party!!!

The weekend before Christmas our group of friends decided to start up a new tradition... Tacky Sweater Party! It was a riot, so much fun, and definitely something we will be doing every year from now on. The outfits that most of us scrapped up were absolutely ridonkulous! See photo below...

Let me tell you about the looks we got going into the gas station on our way to the party, HA!

Some of the girls, is that a door knocker hanging from my sweater a brooch pin you may ask? Why yes it is!

The two Adam's, these outfits made me CRACK UP!

Ashley, Me, Aaron and Gerrad waiting to start our gift exchange (which also accompanied the most ridiculous gifts I might add).

Adam got a lava lamp, bet you haven't seen one of those in a while huh?!

Ashley got my gift, which was a sweet batman towel, headbands, and 2 burned candles that I no longer cared for the scent. You're welcome Ash!

Ashley, Tracy, Melisa and baby Delaney (she was the only kiddo allowed at the party) and me

Playing a little Minute To Win It games, SO funny! Elephant March is the game, try it out at your next adult gathering, ha-larious!

Sheena and Carrie

Sheena's awesome new games, ha! She looks thrilled doesn't she?!

Can't wait for this years party already, can't wait to see the ridiculous outfits we all end up with again!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

 Head on over to Jamie's blog to join in on 'What I'm Loving Wednesday'

 I'm loving our new fireplace (this isn't my photo, but its the same fireplace that we got for Christmas). I can't wait to get started decorating the basement and have this be a focal point.

 I'm loving the fact that I got the $ for the Uggs I wanted for Christmas, and instead of buying them, I bought 2 new pairs of black boots, these comfy ones, and then a tall black pair. Then bought 2 pairs of jeans, and a few tops, and still had plenty of money left over. Yay for saving :)

 How many of you that have a wii have this game? It is SOOO much fun, and funny at the same time. To see my football player build, hubby jamming out to Wham's 'Wake Me Up' song is a RIOT! The girls have a great time playing it, and so do we! If you have a wii and don't have this game, you NEED it asap!

 I'm loving that I'll get my sick Kardashian family fix in a few weeks when these 2 ladies take on New York! Who is with me in watching Kim and Kourtney take New York?? Cannot wait!

On another note, I realized when I re-joined the blogging world yesterday, that my scheduled post about the ornament exchange didn't go through, I feel TERRIBLE! I had the best partner ever, seriously! Katie was SO sweet, and not only sent me one ornament, but THREE! The angel had a sweet message on the back of it as well. Thanks again Katie, I LOVED them all. Funny story, I tried to purchase the initial ornament for Katie as well but they were out at Hobby Lobby. I thought it was too funny since she bought me the exact same one I was trying to get for her as well. Great minds think alike!

Happy Wednesday! The week is almost half over, whoop!