Five On Friday

Happy Friday Ya'll!!



Did this seem like the longest week ever to anyone else. I know it was a short week because of the Holiday Monday, but Lord have mercy it has drug on. By the time Friday rolls around I am always ready to curl up on the couch and have a glass of wine!!

I thought I would share 5 things on Friday!



ONE
If ya'll follow me on Facebook you might have noticed a Lipsense group page from me. I mentioned it also in a post earlier this week, but I became OBSESSED with this lipstick. So much so that I decided to sell it. EEKK!! I figured why not! I am always looking for a way to make some extra cash to do fun things. I have a wishlist a mile long along with lots of travel plans that I would love to be able to take the kids without stressing Nick out with "how are you going to pay for that"! Well here's how!! Let me know if you are interested in ordering!! 100% money  back guarantee. I guarantee you will be as smitten with it as I am!!

TWO
Anyone else planning their summer vacations? I am ready to hit the road to my favorite place of all time. CHARLESTON, SC!! We are headed back in June and I am so ready to smell the pluff mud as we cross the Ravenel Bridge! I have been on the look out for a rental for the week. I will probably take my time and book something in Feb or March. We have been going to Charleston since 2010! It never disappoints!

THREE
Does anyone else get the urge to just chop their hair. I have major hair anxiety every time I sit down in my stylist's chair. I totally trust and love everything she does to my hair, but Nick hates when I cut my hair too short. Or I never have the same color each time. He doesn't understand my need to always switch it up. MEN!! They just don't get it. I have total hair envy of Beth from Seersucker and Saddles Blog. Every time I got to get my hair done I am showing Val a picture of this woman! I WANT HER HAIR!! She just cut hers super short and I am in love with it.

I also love this hair cut I found on pinterest.

FOUR
Ya'll know if I am not planning a party then there is probably something wrong with me. Up next.... Mere's 9th bday May 1st! WHAT?!? Yep, it's time to start planning. I am letting her have a family and friend party. I pretty much have all the supplies and fun stuff for her friend party. She wants to wait until June and have a pool party! But for the family party she wants to have it at Larosa's. We did this a couple years ago and it was perfect. They have a nice big room that fits our big family . Since soccer will be still going on, Mere and I decided on a soccer theme. How cute is this little set up, cake, and cookies?!

FIVE
Little Max has been giving me a run for my money (or should I say sanity) lately. I have never heard of the terrible 4's but boy oh boy, this stage is taking the cake. I guess since we didn't really experience the terrible 2's or 3's, this is my reward!! Bed time has been a constant struggle lately. I can't figure out what his deal is. And his behaviour! Shew. By 7:30 after working all day, doing dinner, homework, and baths, I am ready for the kids to go to sleep!! Last night was the best. While I was on the phone with my mom , I discovered this soon after.

Apppently he decided to throw water on the ceiling with the cup we  have in the tub!! I mean, where do kids get their ideas?!?? Here's hoping this stage goes quickly!

Kentucky Day trip Ideas

One of the things I want to do as a family once it starts warming up a little is to head out and explore different towns in Kentucky. Maybe one town at least once a month. Here are a few of the cities/towns on my list along with a few places to see while there. Let me know if you know of a town I need to add to my list along with things to do there.

First up:

1. Louisville

I thought Louisville might be a good place to go to while it is still a little cold. I know Nick and Max would enjoy the Slugger Museum while Meredith and I would love the Kentucky Derby Museum.

2. Frankfort

So stops in Frankfort on my list include the State Capital, the old Capital, Rebecca Ruth's Candy Factory, and a free trolley tour.

3. Lexington

The Thoroughbred Center, Old Friend's Farm, Track kitchen at Keeneland
Shopping: High Street Fly, Adele, Monkees of Lexington, Shop Local KY, the Front Porch, and the Pink Elephant.

4. Harrodsburg

Shaker Village, Dedman's Drugstore, Ky Fudge Co, and explore their downtown area

5. Danville

6. Peducah

7. Berea

8. Cattlesburg

If any one is interested in checking out my little town of  Augusta in 2017 below is a list of all kind of fun events throughout the year. My kids love any chance they get to go to my hometown. Mere just asked yesterday when we were going again. So check it out. I promise it won't disappoint. Plus it's an easy drive especially from NKY.

Reading Lately

One of the things I wanted to do more of in 2017 is read. I tend to read on my phone with the Kindle app. But trying to give up being on my phone all the time makes that hard to do. I love taking the kiddos to the library so before we went I googled World War 2 fiction. I have been obsessed with reading about WW2 for about 2 years. I literally can't get enough. I found two books by the same author. Her name is Lynn Austin. The first one i read, while we're far apart, I could not put down!

While We're Far Apart I flew through. It was so good. I think I read it in 2 days. It is set in Brooklyn, NY and intertwines the lives of 3 very different people . Esther is heartbroken when her father enlists in the Army leaving her and her little brother home in the care of Penny. Penny has been in love with Esther's dad for as long as she can remember. When Eddie is looking for someone to look after his children since his wife is deceased, Penny jumps at the opportunity. Then you have Mr. Mendel who is the elderly Jewish landlord of the family. Mr. Mendel is waiting to hear from his son who is trapped in war-torn Hungary. I have just started A Woman's Place and have not been disappointed. It is about four very different women who become friends during World War II as they work together helping to build ships in a small town in Michigan. Any other good World War 2 recommendations?

Life lately+ Newest obsession

Lord is anyone else ready for spring?! I literally can't take another day of winter. I hate the cold and dreary endless days. I need some sunshine and warm weather in my life. I don't understand why Nick hasn't moved me south yet lol. I can hear Charleston calling my name. Only 8 more years until he retires.....on repeat in my head!! Anyway, we have seriously been hunkered down the last few weeks. Saturday night we had our monthly game night. Just what I needed to cheer me up and get out of this winter funk. We played code names and Left Right Center. Code names was a little challenging for my little ole brain. But once I figured it out it was tons of fun. We played LRC at Christmas with my family so I was excited to play this again. Who knew 3 little dice could be so much fun!

Sunday poor Nick had to get up and go to work after being out late. Kids and I were able to sleep in a little. We were lazy until we had to leave for Mere's basketball game. Then it was back home to our pj's. Pretty much the same today. I was able to take a PTO day today so the kids didn't have to go to a sitter .

Oh and let's talk about my newest obsession! LIPSENSE! OMG! This stuff is amazing ! So amazing I have 3 colors. This stuff stays on ALL day! Only need to reapply the gloss every now and then. Be on the lookout for a new facebook group page from me sharing more!!

Hope everyone has one heck of a week and here's hoping for warmer days ahead!

Goodbye 2016, hello 2017

Happy New Year friends!

I love the promise of a new year. To me it is a fresh start, a blank canvas ! I normally don't  partake on the resolution bandwagon but there are several areas of my life that I need to improve on or needs a complete overhaul . Nothing like a brand new year to make these improvements !

I have been working out almost 5 days a week for the last two months! Once I start a routine I can normally stick with it. If I miss a days work out my mood is quickly turned sour. So it has been important to incorporate this into my daily routine. BUT my eating habits have gone down the hill. For some reason it is always one or the other for me. I am hoping since I have the working out routine down that my eating habits will follow suit. With the new year, I want to lower my carb and sugar intake and eat more clean. I need 20 lbs gone and gone asap!!

I want to stop yelling so much at the kids. I am quick to late my anxiety and stress level to hit the roof. Then the kids will do something like not listening or talking back, and I lose it. I am not proud of this. I never wanted to be that parent that screamed constantly at her kids. Lately it has gotten worse especially over Christmas break when our routines went out the door. I have made a very conscious effort to tell myself to just breathe. When I am in a bad mood it makes everything around me worse. When I wake up in the morning I have been telling myself today will be a good day. I am also quick to let other people's mood affect mine. If Nick comes home in a bad mood or sleeps a lot because he was up all night, I let this affect my mood. You would think after 10 years of marriage I would be use to it. Ha, not so much. For me, a little pep talk helps! Part of the yelling I think is being on my phone too much. I need to put it down and be more "present". I need to stay off the social media and stop comparing my life to every one else's.

I need to be a better wife. For the last 10 years of our marriage Nick has worked almost 2 full time jobs. So it was me who ran the house, made all the decisions, and pretty much did things MY way. Cue last January and Nick cut back at his 2nd job. Boy, was that a wake up call. I thought I hated him working all the time and doing things all the time by myself. Well, I didn't like my routine interrupted and changed either. A goal for the New Year is to be a better wife and include him in the ordinary and spend more time as a couple. A goal for the new year is to plan more date nights. I am going to schedule them just like I would anything else that way we have no excuse.

More family time and activities is also a goal for 2017. I want to do one day trip to little towns in Kentucky a month. We need to get out of the house, explore, and breathe in fresh air. When we are stuck inside at home we get irritable quickly.

What are everyone's goals for the New Year?

Christmas 2016

Ya'll it has taken me this long to recover from Christmas . I am not sure why but this year has felt more exhausting then years past. I was off more days with the kids and the endless fighting (between the kids ) and screaming (by me) left me feeling more frustrated than joyful. Plus Nick worked on Christmas Day! It just didn't feel like Christmas . Maybe in part it was our first Christmas not celebrating at my grandma's , part nick working , and parts missing my dad more this time of year . Even Max asked several times while we were in Augusta if we were going to grandma Habermehl's house. Telling a 4 yr old we can't go there because she doesn't live there and she is in heaven with papaw Louie is like talking to a patient with a concussion ! All in all though the kids and I made the most of the time nick was home Christmas Eve eve and Christmas Eve and even more time than normal with my family by staying all night at "home".

On the 23rd  the kids opened gifts from us and nick and I exchanged our gifts as well. Later in the day we  surprised the kids with tickets to the Polar Express train ride in Lebanon , Ohio along with some new pj's ! They were so excited and we were too. During the hour long journey Santa and his elves made their way through the train spending time with each family. Balloon artists (elves) were also on board entertaining the kids. The train station was dressed in Christmas cheer . Before boarding they served hot chocolate and cookies! We all had a blast and can't wait to do it next year! 

For total transparency and to prove pictures can be deceiving, we might look like the little happy family, BUT.... right before boarding the train Nick handed me the tickets. I mindlessly stuck them in my Vera bookbag. We picked out our seats but then decided to move to another spot right after Nick handed me the tickets. Getting to our new spots, he asked me for the tickets because they were coming around punching the tickets. I looked and looked in my purse, my pockets, and under our seats. I could not find the tickets anywhere. My heart started racing, and Nick was getting mad. We looked for the tickets for about 10 minutes. Finally we had found them but not before we were in a huff and totally raging mad at each other. Tis the season right?! Just thought I would share. I am so guilty of looking at other couples, families, etc and being completely jealous because they seem perfect and happy compared to my hot mess family. Then I think I wonder if others do the same with mine not knowing one hour prior to picture being taken there were definitely no smiles!!   

On Christmas Eve Santa made his first stop at our house . We told the kids Santa had to start early for all the families who's mommies and daddies worked on Christmas Day! While the kids played with all their new toys I made our Christmas dinner. I was pretty impressed with how yummy it turned out! I am by no means a great cook lol but can follow a recipe! Nick really wanted  to 

Attend midnight mass. We hadn't been since mere was a baby. We started attending the earlier mass times on Christmas Eve because it was just easier with kids.  I am so glad he insisted. The mass was beautiful and the choir was amazing singing all my favorites! Max slept during the whole thing!! We didn't go to bed until after 2am though ! 

On Christmas Day nick left for work and the kids, the dog, and i left for Augusta . We picked my mom up and then made our way to my brother's house to exchange gifts. On thanksgiving the kids drew names! My brother and sister in law gave my mom , sister and I the sweetest gift. It was an ornament with my dad's picture ! I absolutely adored it and was my favorite gift of all !! After we made our way to my aunts for dinner . My aunts can cook ! They got it from my granny!! I love coming from such a bug family and love when we all get together . Ended the night there playing left, right, center ! Even the kids played! It was so fun (now I need to purchase the game)! That evening the kids and I relaxed and watched tv at my moms ! It was nice to finally get to sit back and relax with a glass of wine. The next day it was unseasonably warm! I took advantage and walked off some of those endless calories I had consumed the last couple days . We then got ready and headed back to our house to meet nick and have our final Christmas celebration with his family . By that evening I was exhausted! I had a couple days off to recoup but the kids were stir crazy and fighting like wild animals that it just wasn't very relaxing . I did manage to take them to the movies to see sing ! Then it was back to work again . I feel like their Christmas break wasn't very enjoyable but hopefully they block out all the madness and remember the good ! Fingers crossed !! Hope everyone else had a great Christmas ! 

The Habermehl Grandchildren

Bryce, Bensyn, Meredith, Abbey, Delaney, & Max

Hands down the best gift I received this Christmas from my brother and sister in law. This time of year is always a little difficult. My dad LOVED Christmas.

Love my aunt's new farm house table . It was made locally and I think I am going to be paying a visit to get one made for  our house!!

Officer Max in the house!! His new pj's from Nanny. (We found them at H & M)

Asleep by 7P!

time for momma to relax in her new jammies and a glass of wine. I love my mom's apartment decorated at Christmas. It might be small but she has all our decorations and ornaments from when we were small!!

Pretty much my "uniform" (Lula leggings and Loft cardi)

Xoxo, Tracey