Friday Favorites 8/26/22

 HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

We made it through the first full week of back to school. We have pizza & a movie night on the agenda to celebrate :) Linking up for Friday Favorites with Andrea and Erika- it's been a hot minute since I've done this! 

Just waiting for September 1st :) 

A zoo day with my sister and our little ones is a FAVORITE of mine for sure!!!

I asked them for a picture because I told them they looked extra cute hahaha. They do, right?! A new FAVORITE picture of these boys.

One of my FAVORITE quotes in my sister-in-law's, Manda, new book Soul Care to Save Your Life:

Maybe you need to hear it too: nothing outside of you has power over you.

Her book is definitely a favorite of mine! If you're looking for a book that'll encourage you, push you, and remind you how loved and good you already are...order it HERE. I promise it'll be a blessing!

Kendry found a ladybug in our house and took it outside to find a safe place for it to live :) The wrist brace is also just Kendry being Kendry. If you know him, he finds  random things around the house and will wear/carry them for DAYS. It's one of my FAVORITE things about him! He found this random wrist brace and has worn it for 2 days straight haha! 

My FAVORITE video of the week. Maddox loves Benny with everything he has.😍 I don't know that the level of love is mutual but Benny does love him and tolerates all the shenanigans that Maddox comes up with. You can see the joy in Maddox's face while playing with him and that's my FAVORITE.

Looking forward to a fun weekend. We'll have an extra kid in tow and we have plans to soak up the last bit of summer with swimming and lots of time outside!! Have the best weekend!

xox,

Naomi

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!

  I love Friday Favorites, although sometimes I majorly lack on posting them, and today I'm linking up with Andrea, Erika + Narci to share a few favorite things + moments! ;)

I love finding new blogs or magazines that give me easy + yummy recipes.  I recently came across The Larson Lingo and saw a couple of recipes that looked so good.  I love to bake and did it a lot when the boys were smaller, but being pregnant makes me just want to nap when they do right now ;) However, I whipped up these bad boys after their naps the other day and they were delicious. What doesn't sound good about Cinnamon Sugar Applesauce Muffins?!

 I love having muffins around...they're a great quick breakfast or snack.  I happened to have all of these ingredients on hand, so check these out because you can whip them up quickly!  I can't wait to try some more of her recipes. 

I found all the Valentine's Day shirts at Target the other day and had Jacoby help me pick out which ones he and Maddox should wear.  I can't help myself when it comes to holiday shirts.  Some day they'll refuse, but not today! haha. Right now Jacoby loves to find "cool" shirts like these.

I have to admit Target has stepped up their boys clothes section a TON.  The baby boy clothes are still NOT my favorite, but they've got a few new lines of clothing out for toddlers and it's dangerous, actually.  I about died with all the shirts and shorts for spring + summer.  Ugh I can't wait!!! Summer clothes are my favorite for kids! 

SO CUTE, right?!?

and both of my boys NEED this shirt.

I can't find any pictures online for some of their other spring + summer clothes, but I saw them this week and wanted to buy it all.

Thankfully, Maddox was doing this...

so it made it easy for me to not browse + shop for long 😋 #tantrumssavemoney

For everyone wondering about the whole baby name situation...we still don't know.  BUT last night I found a FAVORITE name.  I just need to make sure that Nate loves it too, and that it really feels like the name.  I'm trying to be patient but I just can't wait to have a name for this sweet little one ;) We will share as soon as it is 100%!

We went to Chuck E. Cheese's for Gio's birthday last week and it was a FAVORITE that Jacoby is still talking about.  He tells me about all the games that were there, how he didn't like the Chuck E. Cheese "robot" but that he wants his birthday party there.

However, my FAVORITE part is when both boys agreed to wear their matching hats #boymomlife  And if you're wondering the best place to get toddler hats, the answer is TJ Maxx ;)

My BIRTHDAY is on Sunday and I plan on celebrating all weekend!!! 

My birthday is my very FAVORITE 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend 💓

xox,

Naomi

Friday Favorites

Linking up with Andrea, Erika + Narci for Friday Favorites!

This coming weekend Nate's littlest brother is getting married...so we have family in town + lots of fun things going on -- Rehearsal dinner tonight, wedding tomorrow, birthday party on Sunday, etc! 

So I'm keeping it short today.

I asked a couple weeks ago about the best type of night time face lotion that is anti-aging.  I got TONS of recommendations and wish I could try every single one.  But I went with THIS, which was recommended by my sweet friend Jen.

I started using the Skin Renewing Cream Serum at night about 2 weeks ago...

and I just bought the Moisturizing Cream a couple days ago!

So far I am loving them both.  I'm hopeful that the serum will work well, and the moisturizer is the perfect moisturizer.  It's a big container, so it'll last me forever.  It's thick, which I like because it feels like it's really hydrating my skin, but isn't so thick that it feels caked on.  It's the perfect nighttime moisturizer.

Another quick favorite?

Y'all.  I'm not a reader...at all.  But I want to be.  This summer I've read 2 books (that's good for me!) and I LOVED them. 

First, I read 

The One and Only.

Holy smokes. I read it in like 4 days.  That's SUPER quick for me! Nate told me I was a different person haha. I chose reading over a nap.  That never happens.

IT WAS SO GOOD!!!

If you haven't read this, get it now! Or if you're local, you can borrow it from me ;) 

After the first one, I had to read another one by the same author, so I read

Love The One You're With

It was so good too!  This one took me a little bit longer to get into the story, but once I did...I couldn't put it down either!  

I've always thought I was a non-fiction/self-help book reader...but never loved reading.

So now I know...I love reading CHICK-LIT! haha :) Good thing I figured out what I like to read when I'm 30. #betterlatethannever

So if you've got good suggestions for me...hit me up! I think I'm getting a few Kristin Higgins books next... I've heard she's good too!

Happy Friday friends :) 

xox,

Naomi

Friday Favorites

Happy FRIDAY!!! I'm linking up with Erika, Andrea, and Narci for Friday Favorites.

Last week our weather was my favorite and this week it has NOT. It's been raining SO much! We had one day of no rain so we hit up one of our FAVORITES, the zoo, with a couple friends.

We had a leak (ugh.) and needed a whole new roof because ours was OLD. (Top pic is old, bottom is new). These are bad pictures but you get the idea!  I hate spending money on things like that--especially when it was all planned to go towards hardwood floors--BUT we have a new roof, no more leaks + it looks so much better. Some day I'll get hardwood floors ;) Until then, a new roof is a FAVORITE...I guess. haha. 

Another FAVORITE is the way this Jacoby tells stories.  He is so animated, has so much to say that he often stutters, and remembers things so accurately. This age is so challenging but so incredibly fun too!

Maddox is teething (popped a 1 year molar 2 days ago) and so the nights have been a little rough for him.  Nate was in there just holding him and snuggling...I had to snap a pic before falling back asleep. Moments like this are my FAVORITE...even though teething is not ;)

Today is Cinco de Mayo and while I love it because it gives me the excuse to eat lots of queso, guac, chips + tacos...along with a margarita...I love it really because it's my sweet Benny's birthday.

He's sweet and slightly naughty.  Some days he's like another child, but he is such a happy dog who puts up with a lot.  Happy 3rd birthday Benny Eli.  You are so loved and my FAVORITE dog!

Happy Friday... hope your day is filled with all the Mexican food. Have a happy weekend!

xox,

Naomi

Friday Favorites...Vacation is so close!

It's FRIDAY and that means we leave tomorrow for vacation! We love to travel but haven't in over a year...and I am sooo excited to travel with my boys and enjoy some warm weather + sunshine.  It's been rainy and gloomy here for what seems like forever, so it's much needed!

Linking up as always for Friday favorites with Andrea,Narci + Erika. 

So today I only have one favorite. Vacation. 

I love everything about it and while it's taken a lot of organization and preparation with 2 little ones, I'm certain we're going to have so much fun and make lots of memories.  I'm telling myself the trip there won't be too bad + they'll both sleep well because we'll wear them out during the day. Yes? Positive thinking here! 

I'm hoping to recap our trip with lots of pictures, suggestions if you go wherever we are going + tips that did or DIDN'T work for us while traveling with little kids.  

We are also getting some family pics and Maddox's 1 year pics taken down there. Why is he growing up so fast?!? A couple friends of mine are pregnant right now and I just miss it... So let's count pregnancy are a favorite of mine too. Although I'm totally not pregnant right now. Definitely not. Promise! :) 

Photo

Oh, one more thing.  I mentioned in a post a couple weeks ago that Nate and I are going to Greece in September.  We need to get it booked but I'm trying to research and figure out the must sees/do there.  Anyone been there and have suggestions? Let me know! 

I'm off to make sure all the laundry is done, bags are packed + documents are in order.  Oh, and I've gotta get my sweet Benny to my mom's for the week.  Thank the Lord for her :) 

Happy weekend friends!

xox,

Naomi

Friday Favorites!

Y'all... it's Friday and I'm not sure it could be a better one.  We had lunch and then played at the park with friends on this beautiful 70 degree and sunny day.  It's been raining and cold here this past week so this weather is SO WELCOME!!! I'm currently sitting on my front porch and soaking it all in. Along with drinking a vanilla iced tea while my boys nap :) All is good in my world!!!

A few random favorites for Friday Favorites with Erika, Narci and Andrea. 

1. First up... I'm working on Maddox's 1st birthday party (just a few weeks away!) and I'm excited to celebrate! My favorite thing about it? Invites are out, cake is planned...I'm gonna make it and I'm praying it doesn't turn out horrible, and his shirt came in. My baby is going to be 1. So many feelings. 

2. One week from tomorrow we'll be heading out for vacation.  Our first vacation with both boys and I'm so pumped.  Packing for them is no joke...first timer here and figuring out the best tips and how to pack.  I'm fairly certain I'll forget some major thing, but I'm organizing myself the best I can :) I'll be sure to share my tips and tricks once I know what worked/didn't work! So stay tuned for that!

3. Spring cleaning is in full force around here. Is this a favorite? Definitely not. Is how clean my house feels? Definitely. Anybody else print out a Spring Cleaning Checklist out from Pinterest only to realize just how MUCH they have to do???

4. Hannah and I threw a surprise going away party for our friends Clint and Robyn.  Although it's not my favorite that they're moving...Robyn is one of my favorite girls.

5. We got a letter from the zoo reminding us to get the yearly pass and I'm so excited.  We love the zoo and we plan on hitting it up a lot this summer. The tigers are my favorite. Jacoby loves the tigers, feeding the goats and watching the owl sleep (??...so weird but he loves it.)

6. A huge favorite of this week? Maddox is back to sleeping well and has been sleeping 9-7ish! AND he's taking a bottle!!! It's making life much easier! Just a little nursing session at 7am and other than that, he's bottle fed and HAPPY. Mama is too. He's only taken ONE kind of a bottle...more on that later!

I'm off to do more spring cleaning and open the windows on this beautiful day!

Enjoy your weekend!!!

xox,

Naomi

Friday Favorites

Linking up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites!

This week I've got lots of random favorites...

I've heard TONS of chatter about these UNstopables for your laundry.  I decided to see what the hype was and seriously, it's my FAVORITE.  I love how it makes our laundry smell- particularly our towels.  I love for my towels to smell super fresh and this definitely does it.  If you haven't tried these yet, check 'em out :) 

Crockpot Liners.  You guys- why did it take me so long to use these??? I HATE scrubbing my crockpot and after hearing from multiple people that they work- I tried them. I'm never going back (unless I forget to pick some up at the store...that's typical of me!). Definitely a FAVORITE.

Soup nights are our FAVORITE and so is this messy face :) 

Hats are a FAVORITE accessory for my boys. Jacoby sometimes keeps them on, but Maddox always obliges...I'm sure the time is coming where he refuses! Oh...and Target is always a FAVORITE.

FAVORITE moment of the week? Snuggles in bed with this sweet boy.

Happy weekend! We are going to do our best to soak in the holiday season ;)

xox,

Naomi

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! Linking up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites!

The past two Saturdays Nate has been busy working on a friend's basement, and so this weekend I'm celebrating that we have no plans besides just spending time together :) SO excited! Tonight's agenda- putting up the Christmas trees and ordering in. Probably watching a Christmas movie too (if we can get Jacoby to stop wanting to watching Blaze...)

A couple of favorites for your Friday...

O N E

This weather has been my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE.  Living in northern Indiana can give you some crazy weather. Usually towards the middle of November it's really chilly, but it's been beautiful 65 degree weather.  We've been taking lots of walks and trying to spend lots of time soaking up this weather before it snows.  Which is supposed to happen tomorrow. TOMORROW. At least it'll seem right to have my Christmas decorations up now ;)

T W O 

I went to Birds Gotta Fly last Saturday and found a TV stand that I fell in love with.  I sent Nate a picture, thinking he'd say "I like it", but not really want to spend the money on it.  Instead I got a text that said "Buy it baby. It's perfect and exactly what you want."  I love him.  He's my FAVORITE, along with my new TV stand...ha!

T H R E E

My friend, Robyn, sent me this picture of Jacoby from her wedding. Um...look how little my big boy is! Looking back at old pictures of him is a FAVORITE!

F O U R

We've been working on eating a lot less meat in this house, and it's given me this huge new challenge.  It's more work but also gives me lots of new things to try.  I made this recipe the other day and it's definitely going to be a go-to for us.  A new FAVORITE recipe in this house.

F I V E

We got our Christmas cards and I LOVE them! Tis the Season...My FAVORITE season!

Happy weekend! How are we less than a week away from Thanksgiving? I hope you can spend time this week with the people you are thankful for! 

xox,

Naomi