THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

"It's funny to think about the things in your life that can make you cry just knowing that they existed, can then become the same thing that makes you cry knowing that they're now gone. I think those things come into our lives to help us get from one place to a better one." —Ted Lasso

This Saturday we'll go pick up our new puppy, a Newfoundland named Moira, from Pennsylvania after Max's soccer game. I guess I felt the need to share this nugget of info with you all because I never really discussed Beesly's passing last November on my blog. Even now, almost eleven months later, it's hard to type that sentence. I still struggle with the reality that she's gone, and I can't come up with adequate words to describe the role she played in our family's story. I miss her. Dearly. To some, it's just a dog, but for me she was a childhood dream that came to life. How amazing is that? To have one of your dreams come to life. The twelve years we spent together were far sweeter than I could have ever imagined. She changed each of us for the better. That girl was everything to this family. She was with us from the beginning—a newly married couple embarking on an Air Force adventure, and then on to the ultimate challenge of parenthood where she acted as Maxwell's furry nanny. During times of loneliness when Flyboy was away and the countless unknowns that come with the military lifestyle, she brought pure joy, comfort, and consistency to my day. While attempting to navigate motherhood in Swell Rio with a colicky baby and a husband working long days, it was Beesly who would come looking for me when I'd go hide in my closet. Even after we moved from Texas to Delaware, she may have slowed down, but she never stopped looking for me, and I think that's what I miss the most. We'd secretly convene, just the two of us girls, and take a moment to breathe and just be. She reminded me to slow down and count my blessings. She made everything feel alright. My dearest BMD, you will always be a BFD to me.

As excited as I am to welcome this new puppy, I still miss my best friend. Not a day goes by where I don't think of her and tear up a little. I know there's no replacing her; nothing ever will, but I do believe it's time to open my heart and welcome this new adventure. We could use a little mess and a whole lot of magic around here. Beesly would want that. As silly as it sounds, I like to think of it as though Queen Bee is passing the baton to Moira, probably prepping her with puppy cliff-notes about cheese puffs and Legos. I sure hope this Newf is ready because the Fines are eager to call her family. There's a lot of love to be shared and life to be lived. There's also a place in my closet to snuggle if she's willing.

P.S. I'm REALLY sorry for another post with a crazy number of photos. I tried to show some restraint, but with a specimen this adorable, how could you?! I have thousands of photos of Beesly and editing it down to this number was hard enough. She was something SPECIAL! As always, thank you for being so supportive. We're excited to share more of Moira very soon.

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

VIA

THINKING ABOUT: To be completely honest, all I want to do right now is hold my niece Poppy! She's got the sweetest little cheeks that I can't wait to kiss. Not to mention, all the photos make it seem like she's the perfect little snuggle bug. You guys, I can't seem to focus on anything else! It's like Raising Arizona up in here. "GET ME THAT BABY!" 

FEELING: Yesterday was heavy. It was the first day that everything started to sink in, and I just felt really sad. My mom left Wednesday morning for Missouri to meet Poppy and to help my sister and Justin adjust to their new normal. Originally, the whole damn fam (minus Flyboy, because work) was going to load up in my parents' car and make our pilgrimage to MO, but because of COVID-19, plans changed and it's disappointing. Max already knew what toys he was going to pack in his suitcase (mostly dinosaur figurines to teach Poppy), and I had a mental blueprint of how I was going to help my sister organize Poppy's closet. Obviously, we're aware that we're doing the right thing by staying behind and social distancing, but like many of you who have also had to change or cancel plans because of the Coronavirus know, it stinks—plain and simple. I trust God has a plan. I hope it includes meeting my niece very soon!    

THANKFUL FOR: Since we've got plenty of time to "shelter at home," we're trying our best to complete odd jobs around the house. One to-do I'm especially excited to tackle is reinforcing the garden boxes in the back yard. We got fresh wooden boards that I hope to paint Tricorn Black (the same color as our shed). We'll place them outside of the boxes to support the old boards, which were starting to disintegrate. It's going to look soooooo good!
           

WATCHING: On Monday, Max realized preschool was canceled and he had a bit of a meltdown. With his body stretched dramatically on the side of his bed and his face pressed down on the mattress, he sighed, "I can't believe I'm going to miss Lunch Bunch!" Yeah, me too, kid! Me too. In an attempt to make things more uplifting around here, I suggested we buy Frozen 2 and the start of our week at Camp COVID began to improve. Phew! Thanks for the assist, Olaf!   

READING: I'm attempting to read Glennon Doyle Melton's latest, Untamed, this week and while I'm LOVING the book, it's taking me forever to get through it because quarantined children are extra high-maintenance. It's like Max forgot that he has a room full of toys and a big ol' yard in which he can run around because the moment I try to sneak in a page or two to read and he needs another snack or he accidentally dribbled on his sweatpants again. Hellllp!

EATING: There's a meme making its way around social media and like most memes, it's funny because it hits close to home. This one is a photo of a large cat noshing on snacks and it says something about eating all of your good snacks the first night of being quarantined. Yeah, we're all out of Cadbury Eggs and Skinny Dipped Almonds. As far as meals go, I think it will be a few more days before the "fusions" start to get interesting. Thank goodness we still have gin! 

LISTENING: While I type today's post, Max and Flyboy are playing basketball in the driveway and I can't help but smile. Yes, we're going a little bit stir crazy. Yes, I'm sad I don't get to go visit my sister and her baby. But the sounds of a dribbling basketball and the giggling that goes with it leave me feeling very grateful for what's in front of me. The uncertainty of this whole situation seems stressful, but in the stillness, there are little slivers of happiness. 

LOVING: Last night I remembered to spray some of this St. Tropez Bronzing Face Mist all over my mug and I woke up feeling a gazillion times better than I did the day before. Hallelujah! I started using this spray about a year ago, and it remains one of my all-time favorite beauty buys. You can't mess it up and it gives the perfect amount of color to your face. Coronacation has me rethinking what I'd bring with me on a desert island, and I think a bottle of this magic potion definitely makes the cut. The best part? A bottle lasts at least six months. Treat yo self.               

How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!! 

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

BY VIRGINIA CHAMLEE

THINKING ABOUT: Congratulations Daylight Saving Time! You win. AGAIN. Maybe by admitting this, I will feel compelled to get up with my alarm and work out in the morning? I feel like such a slug, but I'm so stinking tired when I wake up. Spinning would obviously help improve my overall energy level, but morning Ashley disagrees big time. My goal is to give myself some grace, but get back at it next Monday. Anyone else share a front-row seat on the struggle bus?

FEELING: If you're ever feeling zapped (creatively, emotionally, etc.), hop on over to Uprise Art or Artfully Walls. These online resources, which feature the works of countless artists, will be an instant upper. I promise! This past week was a tough one and when I sat down at my computer on Tuesday with a blank stare on my face feeling uninspired and lacking motivation, I hopped on to both sites and discovered a few new-to-me artists whose works left me smiling and giddy to check out more from their portfolios. It's also pretty fun to pretend which pieces I'd buy if I could!

THANKFUL FOR: Unless baby Poppy decides to surprise us sooner, my sister will be induced on St. Patrick's Day evening. Eek! With everything that's been going on, I can't tell you how elated it makes us feel to have something so wonderful to look forward to. One moment Flyboy expresses his excitement about becoming an uncle, then Max rattles on about taking his cousin fishing (along with the importance of keeping her away from the sharp hooks). It's just really sweet to think about how our family will change for the better and the genuine joy that comes with adding a baby to our brood. Squee! In just ONE week, I'll get to add the title of "aunt" to my resume. I am verklempt.            

WATCHING: Over the past few weeks, the Internet has been abuzz about Netflix's series Love is Blind. Have you watched? Already committed to a handful of Bravo shows and The Outsider on HBO, I didn't have a chance to tune into the reality TV series as soon as I wanted to. Curious to see what it was all about, I sent out a few feelers to my parents and sister in the event they were watching but didn't receive much feedback. Ha Ha! Then, this past weekend, while visiting with my dad, he began discussing the series and I couldn't help but crack up. Along with the Real Housewives of Atlanta, the man loves an unlikely relationship reality show—it's just one of the many qualities I adore about him. His critique of the show has piqued my interest and I'm more motivated than ever to keep watching and get caught up with him. Sure, the premise sounds pretty ridiculous, but it's really hard to look away once you get invested!

READING: Flyboy submitted his request to separate from the Air Force this week. I could tell he was a bit anxious about his decision, especially with all the ways the Coronavirus has impacted the airline industry, so I encouraged him to read a piece I printed out recently—one I plan to revisit whenever life feels uncertain and my default is to worry:

"There are so many ways anxiety manifests in our lives. But when it’s a product of the mind, it’s important we realize its desire to 'protect' us by falsely giving us a sense of control. The many 'what if' scenarios play over and over again to convince our body we are in danger, putting us straight into fight or flight mode. Because if we can predict, we can prevent or prepare. And that sense of control is what the anxious mind craves.⁣ 

But let’s get real here, most of what we worry about never happens. The track record is thankfully lousy, and anxiety pulls us from our intuition, feeling grounded, and mindful. It steals moments with our family and friends, sucks away sleep, and creates road blocks to doing the things we want to do. So our relationship with our anxiety is imperative. 

How do we feed it?⁣ We engage in the stories it tells us. We Google. ⁣We shame ourselves. ⁣We try not to have it.⁣ We believe the stories. ⁣We catastrophize. ⁣We let it make our decisions for us. We avoid because of it. ⁣We don’t identify the emotional experiences under it. 

How do we manage it? ⁣We create space for it.⁣ We treat it like a tantruming child, where we let it ramble but we don’t engage. ⁣We set boundaries around it, and work hard to train our minds to be present. ⁣We talk back and self-soothe. ⁣We calm our bodies down with deep breathing, exercise, and nature. ⁣We learn how to form a stronger bond with our own internal trust system. ⁣We don’t let it make decisions for us. We remind ourselves that these stories aren’t true. ⁣We identify the emotional experiences underneath, and feel those instead. ⁣

Because like anything else, we have to work with it in order to create real shift. And think of it this way: anxiety burns so much energy you either let it do its thing or use that energy to form a new relationship with it. Either way, it’s hard work, but make the hard work serve you." — Tory Eletto (@nytherapist) 

EATING: I accidentally bought a bag of dried tangerines from Trader Joe's. When I tossed them in my shopping cart, I thought it was the usual dried mango and continued making my way around the store. It was only when the cashier commented on how the dried fruit tastes like candy that I realized my happy accident. Y'all, these tasty devils are GOOD! I might actually prefer them over the mango. I can't wait until we return to TJ's next so I can stock up.

LISTENING: The sound of a deep belly laugh is the best! The sound of that genuine cackle coming from your child? Priceless. The next time you visit the library, be sure to check out Who Wet My Pants? by Bob Shea. Max was rolling the first time I read this clever children's book to him and he's asked me to reread it countless times since then.  

LOVING: I don't typically like to wear sneakers unless the situation calls for a pair, but these Tretorn Rawlins have changed me. They are so stinking comfortable and cute to boot! I opted for the pink-and-yellow combo because I'm not one to steer away from color. Surprisingly they go with everything and up the snazzy factor to any outfit!              

How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!! 

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

VIA ELLSWORTH KELLY

THINKING ABOUT: It was sixty degrees on Tuesday morning, so Max and I decided it was time for another friendly Nerf war outside. Based on my number of hits, I think my aim has improved tremendously because at one point he shouted from atop his playhouse: "Aww man, you hit me in the peanuts!!!" Yep, go ahead and file this under #boymomquotes.

FEELING: If you asked me a few years ago if I thought they should ever remake Jane Austen's Emma on the big screen, I would have told you that wasn't necessary. My girl, Gwyneth, nailed it back in 1996. It remains one of my top-ten favorite films of all time. It's perfection personified. But, the previews for this new flick have me thinking I could open my heart to another option. Can you ever have enough Emma?? I'm not sure when I'm going to see it just yet (it's released in theaters nationwide tomorrow), but I may have to take myself on a little movie date in the coming weeks to see what this version is all about. Based on the snippets I've seen, the costumes and cast look DREAMY.   

THANKFUL FOR: Next Monday we'll go to Arlington Cemetery to see Flyboy's friend laid to rest. Several of his coworkers are flying into Washington DC from various bases to honor this man's legacy as well. Despite the circumstances, it will be nice to reunite with old friends. As many of you are aware, Swell Rio wasn't the easiest base to be stationed at, but with the remote location came close-knit bonds that will be cherished forever.          

WATCHING: This weekend we binge-watched The Outsider on HBO, and now we're all caught up waiting in anticipation for the finale. You guys!! I still don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to watch something Stephen King related with Flyboy. BIG. MISTAKE. HUUUUGE! I'm equal parts frightened and intrigued by the story. How will they put an end to the madness?? I can't take it anymore. Make it stop. Also, more Jason Bateman would have been nice. Just sayin'.

READING: A few nights ago at bedtime, I read Max a book entitled Grandpa's Stories. When I picked it up at the library, I thought the illustrations looked sweet—admittedly that was my primary reason for choosing it. I wasn't prepared for how moving this story would be for both children and adults. As the little girl and her grandpa make their way through the various seasons, I got a lump in my throat when the story took a sudden turn. It was heartbreaking, but a beautiful reminder about how we can remember those we've lost and the comfort that comes with our memories of them.  

     

EATING: Next week I plan on whipping up a recipe my sister's boyfriend shared with me. He made this salmon for my parents back in December, and they raved about the great flavor. Per Justin's recommendation, it's best to use Inglehoffer Creamy Dill Mustard in lieu of the dijon and mayo mixture used by chef Andrew Rea. It's an easy hack that amps up the seasoning. He also suggests roasted potatoes or asparagus as potential sides with the tasty entree. 

LISTENING: After my last Audible book, I asked for recommendations and ended up choosing Jojo Moyes' The Giver of Stars. If it's good enough for Reese Witherspoon (and my mom), then it's good enough for me, right?? So far I'm enjoying the story, but I've learned that it takes a few hours of tuning into a book before I feel super committed. I've never been the best auditory learner, but podcasts have helped me hone in on this skill and I've noticed there are some major perks to audiobooks as well. Right now I'm still trying to determine who I would cast as Alice if the bestseller became a movie. Perhaps Emily Blunt? Have you read this book? Did you enjoy it? 

LOVING: My mom brought the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer Hot Air Brush with her to Missouri and now I know why it gets such rave reviews. I've used it a few times since and I'm impressed with the way it smooths my hair, which is usually pretty frizzy and requires a straightener or curling iron afterward. I try to rough dry my hair with a blow dryer prior to using this and then finish styling with the Revlon tool. Have you tried this dryer/volumizer?       

How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!! 

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

VIA IONUT RADULESCU

THINKING ABOUT: Praise be. I'm getting my hair cut next week and I can't tell you how stinking excited this makes me. I've literally been looking forward to this appointment for WEEKS! I'm going to just sit back and let her do her thing.   

FEELING: I keep looking at last year, specifically some of the struggles I experienced with Max and I'm so grateful to have that chapter behind us. I know I touched on it a bit on the blog but didn't get into specifics to protect him as he's getting older and he doesn't need everything shared on the Internet. Truthfully, things got pretty bad. I felt overwhelmed and defeated. I wasn't sure how to "fix" things. If you're going through something similar, take heart. It will require hard work and consistency. Like so many other stages of parenting, you will have to revise your "game plan" and approach the phase with a new set of perspectacles, but you will eventually come out on the other side and see your hard work has paid off. Max is a totally different kid now. He's matured so much these past few months, and I really enjoy spending time with him. Sometimes I forget how far we've come, but I'm truly proud of our progress.

THANKFUL FOR: My parents are coming this weekend, and I'm so stinking excited to have them visit! They haven't been here since November, so it was a thrill to get to wash the guest bedding in preparation for their arrival. With Flyboy out of town, it will be nice to have some company and discuss subjects other than airplanes and dinosaurs.    

WATCHING: Beesly is on the mend after having a stomach virus last week, but I'm still hesitant to feed her anything besides chicken and rice at this point. Our reigning queen Berner appreciates her home-cooked meals, but clearly misses the occasional cheese stick and Pirate's Booty cheese puffs from Max. Aggressive is never a word I would associate with our girl; however, she's become rather "assertive" lately whenever she hears Max noshing on his favorite snacks. As soon as he gets down from his high chair, she will rush over to his side and lick his face and fingers just as a mama bear would clean her cub. He thinks it's the sweetest, but I see nothing but a slobbery mess. 

READING: On Sunday night I finished Where the Crawdads Sing and HOLY COW now I understand all the hype! You guys, that ending!! Gasp! I did NOT see it coming. Did you?? For those of you on the fence about this one, I will admit I wasn't entirely sold on the book until the halfway point, but then I became so invested in Owens' bestseller, it was all I could think about. Seriously. There were a few times Flyboy would look over at me while I sat in silence considering what might be next for the Marsh Girl. He'd ask, "Is everything okay?" I felt a bit silly, but I had to tell him my mind was racing about the book and what would come next. It was incredible! I didn't want it to end.

     

EATING: In my attempt to eat snacks that are protein-packed, I recently gave Epic Bars (the chicken sriracha flavor) and Wonderful's Chili-Roasted Pistachios a shot. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed both products and now I feel the need to share my two-cents with anyone who will listen. Whenever Flyboy's away, I don't cook for myself as much as I should, and by the end of the day, I'll settle with a dinner of Cheez-Its and a Topo Chico. It's an unhealthy habit that's been going on for years and I'm trying to be more intentional about how I fuel my body in his absence. It's easy to become lazy, and I've found that having healthier options around helps me avoid repeating this old habit.     

LISTENING: Last Saturday on our way to Michael's Max asked, "You ever think we'll go back to Texas? I think I'd like to visit Del Rio again." Tickled to death by his random question, I responded, "Umm... Maybe? But I think I'd rather visit Austin instead. What would you do there (in Del Rio), you think?" To which Max replied, "Maybe just sit in the sun by a pool and read the newspaper." I couldn't help but giggle. The thought process of a five-year-old is rather entertaining. 

LOVING: My trusty hot-pink Tippi bit the dust a few years ago, and I've been itching to find a new replacement ever since. Picky about the specific shade of pink, I decided the hue had to be just right before I could take a chance. Enter the Margot Crewneck Sweater in NEON FLAMINGO! She's a beaut, I tell ya! The fit is TTS, and the weight of the sweater reminds me of the cashmere t-shirts J.Crew has sold in previous years making it a perfect layering piece.    

How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!! 

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

BY MADDY NYE

THINKING ABOUT: Last week I posted a picture on Instagram of two brave men who died in a plane crash in Afghanistan on January 27th. While their story isn't mine to tell, I felt it was important to share their faces and names in an effort to honor both pilots and ask for prayers for their families. From time to time, you see stuff like this on the news; however, this one hit close to home—as one of the guys was a friend and coworker of Flyboy's from when we were stationed together at Laughlin AFB. Because the dignified transfer (a procedure honoring the return of a service member's remains) is conducted at Dover AFB, Flyboy had the honor of attending the solemn movement alongside some of his friends last Thursday evening. While I stayed home and put Max to bed, my heart ached for these families as they reunited with their loved ones. I felt grateful that my husband came home safely from his deployment last year, but I also felt guilty the same wasn't the case for these two spouses and countless others. For every joyful homecoming, the kind that's complete with homemade signs and happy tears, let us not forget about the fallen. Situations like this certainly put everything into perspective and remind us to hold one another a little tighter. 

FEELING: We visited Wilmington over the weekend for a quick jaunt to Trader Joe's, which just really meant I had an excuse to hop on over to Terrain. Ha! While we were at the beloved store, I got to see my favorite associate (she's got the cutest bob hairstyle, dons adorable black specs, and she's SUPER helpful to boot!) who gave our clearance purchase her seal of approval, which is the ultimate considering she's got great taste. Now, don't get too disappointed when I tell you what we came home with, okay? No, it wasn't some fabulous brass pot or mossy terrarium, but a Christmas tree stand that was seventy percent off. If that's not a sign we're getting boring, I don't know what is! But in our defense, the sweet associate said this German contraption will make life so much easier in the event I have to set up the tree again on my own. It was like the hot mess express over here last December, so I'm feeling pretty optimistic about our bargain. I'll be sure to share a full review with you in ten months.

THANKFUL FOR: Beesly has had a stomach bug this past week, complete with diarrhea and vomiting. Ugh! We didn't have plans to take her to the vet, but after a few days of feeding her a bland diet, it just wasn't getting any better and we got worried. We typically take her to the base veterinary clinic (namely for her annual), but they didn't have any availability, so we saw someone in town on Monday evening instead. As silly as it sounds, the visit was a blessing for us. After we had to put Tripp down three years ago (the same day Beesly threw out her other ACL), unplanned visits to the vet make us uneasy and fear for the worst, especially considering Queen Bee's age. This experience was wonderful and reassured us that we have a great option close by in the event we have an emergency in the future. Based on the doctor's feedback and test results, our best girl is in great shape for being 11 years old. Yesssss! 

WATCHING: Have you heard of MasterClass? Have you "attended" any of the online courses? This weekend I plan on checking out lectures by Anna Wintour and David Sedaris. If you've got a favorite that you think I should check out, please share. I'm excited to see what it's all about and grateful to my sister for sharing her login info. Haha!  

READING: Here's are a handful of random articles I've got open on my iPhone browser that I think you'll enjoy... 

Why You Really Didn't Like The 2020 Superbowl Halftime Show via Kerry Connelly

No One Knows Amy Sedaris Better Than Her Brother David via Elle Magazine

I Want This Cheer Coach To Run My Life via The Cut

How To Raise A Gracious Kid via Cup of Jo

How To Tell A Butt Joke via Coffee + Crumbs

15 Tiny Habits For Parents That Can Bring Big Changes via Mother

The Benefits Of Drinking More Water via Domino

City Guide: The Perfect Pittsburgh Day via Schoolhouse

     

EATING: For Super Bowl Sunday, I whipped up this Cowboy Queso Dip and it was CRAZY good! I felt SO confident in how it turned out, I even had Flyboy deliver some to our neighbors across the street and they were equally impressed with the tasty factor. If you have any events or potlucks on the horizon, this recipe is a winner (just like the Chiefs!).

LISTENING: I brought home a bunch of plants from Produce Junction yesterday to jazz things up indoors and add a little Spring to our house. While transplanting Hyacinth bulbs to a planter on our dining table, Max asked: "Why do you get to make messes with dirt inside the house?" Not entertained by his "curiosity," I whipped out the old "BECAUSE I'M THE MOM!" card and it felt so good to shut him down. I now understand why phrases like this are pure gold for parents. 

LOVING: Because Beesly has had a few unfortunate accidents (thanks to said stomach bug), we decided it was time to finally replace the jute rug under our dining table. The one we got from West Elm a few years ago was great, but I ended up finding something similar on Amazon for a lower price and I'm pleased with the quality (not to mention Prime shipping). The glowing reviews make me think this update was a good move and will certainly freshen up the space.   

How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!! 

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

BY CHRISTOPHER DAVID RYAN

FEELING: I visited the dermatologist last Friday regarding my hair loss and he said it's more than likely telogen effluvium (caused by stress, fluctuating hormones, change in medications, etc.), which I kind of figured because all three of those factors occurred in 2019. Oy! Thanks to things like Nutrafol and an increase in protein, my hair is slowing growing back, but because it's hair, it takes TIME and I'm not very patient. Argh! Over the past few weeks, I started experiencing an itchy and tingling scalp, which made me paranoid I was going to lose MORE hair. I was reminded I need to stay off the Internet at all costs because it's not helping me stress less, which is exactly what the doctor prescribed. I need to shift my focus to tiny victories like peach fuzz and baby hairs. Have you ever experienced something similar? What helped you? How did you stay positive and stop worrying? 

THINKING ABOUT: Max has "shark teeth" right now. I actually had to Google it because I wasn't sure if this was natural or not. Ha Ha! Anywho, his bottom two teeth are just days away from falling out. In the process of becoming loose, his permanent teeth have started coming in—so essentially, our kid has four bottom front teeth at this point. Yeah, it definitely throws people off a bit when they realize what's going on in there. We're all very eager for the baby teeth to come out. We just keep wiggling them wondering if today is the day it's going to happen! Obviously, Max has had a handful of questions about the tooth fairy and I'm doing my best to creatively answer them. Does anyone know what a tooth goes for these days? Do we write her a note? Does she leave one in return? Help a mother out!

THANKFUL FOR: Flyboy has been flying night locals, which means he gets to spend the bulk of the day with us. Woo hoo! On Tuesday, we visited an adorable town in Maryland. We had breakfast at the cutest bakery, which included blueberry muffins, buttery croissants, and honey lattes. As we made our way home, I felt so grateful. Last year at this time, I was in survival mode and dreamt about mornings with outings like this. Now, here we are. Thank you, God! 

WATCHING: Troop Zero might be one of the sweetest feel-good films I've watched in a really long time. Last Sunday afternoon, I spread out on the chaise lounge with a bag of Skinny Dipped Nuts, informed the boys that I was going to watch this movie, and they could join if they'd like. Surprisingly enough, they took me up on this offer and I think they enjoyed it just as much as I did. Hooray for a family movie that wasn't Star Wars or Jurassic Park!     

READING: Is it still considered reading if I'm listening to two books on Audible?! In the spirit of multitasking, I'm going to just say YES. Yes, it is considered reading. Ha! This past week I downloaded Where the Crawdads Sing and Get Out of Your Head. Everyone raves about the bestseller by Delia Owens (my mom LOOOOVED it), and in the event I want to switch things up, I figured a little self-help from Jennie Allen can't hurt either. You've got to start somewhere, right??       

EATING: Thanks to the February issue of Real Simple, I set out to try two new recipes this week. It was nice to mix things up and Flyboy got to enjoy the leftovers for lunch all week. Woo hoo! If you have the latest issue, be sure to crack it open and try the Smoky Turkey Chili and Slow Cooker Mexican Beef Sliders. Note: I looked for links to share both recipes but they weren't available online. Hey, I guess that's one way to ensure people buy the magazine!   

LISTENING: Last week Max helped me prep a sheet-pan dinner while listening to the Nancy Meyers' Kitchen playlist on Spotify. Honestly, it was dreamy and has me thinking I need to get him a set of kiddie knives so we can make this a regular thing. With sounds of Leon Bridges, Aretha Franklin, and Al Green in the background, he cut up bell peppers while I tackled the onions and parsnips. We had the best damn time, and I was reminded five-year-olds are pretty fun!

LOVING: This is going to sound a bit dramatic, but I didn't know I needed a leopard print sweatshirt in my life until this terry pullover arrived in the mail. The material is thin and yummy, which means it layers well over a fun button-down or tee. Not to mention, it's one of those versatile pieces that can be worn year-round. Snazzy neutral pieces FTW!   

How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!! 

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

VIA GREER CHICAGO

FEELING: This will be Max's first year to pass out Valentine's Day cards to his classmates and I'm pretty excited. Where will we get them? Should we make something cute? Eek! You guys, this could be our big chance to get something adorable from Meri Meri or Mr. Boddington's Studio. Now to keep him away from the boxed sets at Target so we don't have to hand out something with Ninjago or Paw Patrol! Clearly, I'm making this more about me than my kid, but paper goods ARE my thing. Any postal-lovin' parents who feel me on this one? Sigh. Reel it in there, Fine! Reel. It. In.      

THINKING ABOUT: Max has been fighting a nasty cold for about a month now. Just when things improve, it seems to come back with a vengeance. Last week his fever spiked again and his coughing got worse, so I picked up a bottle of Delsym Children's Cough Relief to pair with his Tylenol. When I got back from the store and he saw the bottle of cough medicine, I expected we'd struggle because of the taste, but instead, he said, "I've seen this stuff on TV!!! It lasts for TWELVE whole hours!!!" I couldn't help but laugh because it's clear their marketing works; however, after taking the meds for a day, Max came downstairs coughing and informed me that he'd like to write a letter to the company because their cough syrup didn't last the full twelve hours. "Mom, their commercial isn't true. I'm still coughing!" 

THANKFUL FOR: Flyboy has been home a full week and it feels like all is right with the world! In fact, when I read what Caitlin Murray from the @bigtimeadulting Instagram account (so hilarious, BTW) had to say about being with your person and that feeling of getting back to home base, I had to screenshot it and send it to FB because it summarized the feeling quite perfectly:

"Some weeks are busy. You're later at work, or I have weeknight plans, and we end up as two ships passing in the night, and that's tough because distance from you takes me farther away from my center. Center is home. Center is our family and the life we have created. The life that only moves forward when we push the weight of it all together. When our schedules once again collide and we are back in the groove, I feel like I can take on so much more. I feel stronger because of you and, for that, I am so deeply grateful for this love. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your appreciation. Thank you for also needing me. I could do it all, I really could if I HAD to, but I'd hate it. Thanks for always taking me back to center." 

WATCHING: We're in the market for a new TV. The one in our bedroom hasn't crapped out on us yet, but Flyboy bought it in college and its days are numbered. The sound quality is pretty awful and there are moments when I go to turn it on and I'm not sure it's going to work, but what do you expect for a boob tube pushing 15 years old? While this isn't the type of purchase I'd usually get excited about (it's kind of a guy thing, honestly), the idea of having all those smart TV options is pretty sweet. Once we find a good deal, you can bet I'll be binge-watching The Morning Show. I've heard great things! Then again, how can you go wrong with Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and Steve Carrell??     

READING: In an effort to relax and de-stress in the evenings, I've decided I'd like to make it a point to read more this year. I waste far too much time scrolling on my phone before bed and that time could be better-served nose-deep in a book. Now, where do I start? There are oodles of options out there and I've bookmarked numerous recommendations, but I just need to commit already. Dearest bookworms, where should I begin? If you could choose one book...     

DRINKING: A few weeks ago, I was getting groceries at Safeway and was forced to go to a checkout lane with a cashier that's not my go-to gal. For an introvert like myself, this meant I was going to have to open up a conversation with someone new and put my awkward self out there AGAIN (you guys, my regular lady really gets me!!!). Sure I could just be quiet the entire time, but I see the joy extroverts like my mom and Flyboy bring to other people and I feel the need to at least try to be friendly. Well, you could say this situation backfired when I asked her how her day was and she replied, "Meh." I read that response as a sign she didn't want small talk, so I proceeded to put all my energy into loading the groceries bags into the cart when she randomly commented: "Chobani's making milk now?" [Note: Safeway didn't have my usual oat milk by Oatly so I opted to try Chobani's version.] I went on to respond, "Yeah, I figured it's worth a try!" Her response? "Their yogurt's not even that good!" Oy! I contemplated whether or not I should just say "You're right! Go ahead and put it back. What am I thinking?" Instead, I paid for the groceries and left the store having MAJOR regrets about my oat milk. The verdict? Cashier girl was right. The oat milk was awful.   

LISTENING: In the car yesterday morning after preschool drop-off, Get Me Bodied came on Pandora and my first thought after hearing "Nine, four, eight, one, B-Day" was "Wow, Beyonce will be forty next year! I wonder who she's going to invite to her party?" Yes, there I sat at a red light in Dover, Delaware, pondering life's BIG questions, but can you really blame me? I mean, if she sends ginormous boxes to her friends for the unveiling of Ivy Park's latest collection, what will her invitations be like? Some might say this is a waste of brain cells, but I think Mindy Kaling would probably wonder the same thing. It's just too bad we have to wait a full twenty months to get to the bottom of this one. Here's hoping I get stuck in traffic sometime soon so I can start figuring out Bey's guest list. Hehe!

LOVING: I bought this Wall Task Calendar from Appointed last February when Flyboy was deployed and hung it in our kitchen. It helped me pass the time and keep organized while he was away. Since I'm coming up on my last sheet, I asked FB if he thought it would be worth repurchasing and his positive response was so quick, I was taken aback. Ha Ha! Let's be honest, I was going to buy it again no matter what, but I was tickled to death that he's a big fan as well. There's something about Suann Song's simple designs that are just as useful as they are beautiful!    

How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!! 

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

VIA

FEELING: I'm not going to lie, 2020 was looking bleak there for a bit. Headlines regarding Iran, wildfires in Australia, along with Meghan and Harry stepping down from their official royal duties—it felt like A LOT to digest for the first week of January! But then Jenna Lyons decided to start posting to her Instagram last Friday and a sense of hope was restored. Call me dramatic if you'd like, but so many of us have been waiting YEARS for this very moment. My heart about burst when I saw footage of her at a photo shoot and an inaugural post complete with #shinyponies.

THINKING ABOUT: I've yet to watch Cheer on Netflix, and I feel so behind. Have you watched the series? I can assure you it's on the top of my weekend to-do list. I promise to report back. From what I've heard, Monica is everything.    

THANKFUL FOR: We're headed to the airport today to pick up Flyboy. Can I get a hallelujah? Can I get an amen? This obviously isn't the end of his coming and going, but it will be nice to have this training box checked. Who knows, maybe we'll get a full week of routine and home-cooked meals as well? Alright, I don't want to be greedy here. I'd totally go for some takeout in exchange for a little help brushing a certain five-year-old's teeth.

WATCHING: If you're looking for a film everyone will love, look no further than The Biggest Little Farm. When I rented it on Amazon, I could tell Flyboy and Max were a bit skeptical by my decision, but it turns out those two knuckleheads loved the documentary the most. Go figure! Then again, how could you not? The earthy film follows two dreamers and their dog over a period of eight years as they struggle to revive a farm in California. I guarantee you'll fall hard John and Molly; their tenacity is inspiring. Oh, and if you're like FB, you might even ask your wife and kid if they'd ever like to have a farm of their own. Erm. That's going to be a no for me! Let's leave that to the Chester family.

READING: According to Max, our latest haul of children's books from the library was pretty great! Here are the hits:

Are You Scared, Darth Vader?

I Want a Dog

Secret Pizza Party

Truck, Truck, Goose!

The Space Walk

How to Read a Book

Life as a Mini Hero

The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps

Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover

EATING: In an effort to get Max to "eat the rainbow" like all of the good moms, I challenged my kid to eat some broccoli with his mac n' cheese on Sunday night. Y'all, the horror! It took him thirty minutes to work up the courage to eat one little stalk. Sigh. He was such a good eater when he was a baby. I'm sure we'll get there, eventually.  

LISTENING: Gaby Burger has led me to some of the BEST finds. I mean, the woman is responsible for this amazing cake recipe (need I say more?!), so why wouldn't I love her podcast recommendations as well? This past week, she encouraged all of her IG followers to listen to this podcast featuring Mel Robbins and her five-second rule. I immediately added it to my list and proceeded to give it a listen while Max was at preschool. You guys, Gaby was right! This was exactly what I needed to hear. With the holidays behind us and the start of a new year and decade ahead of us, I noticed I've been worrying about everything again and I've been giving in to a lot of negative self-talk. After a few weeks of being out of my routine, it's more important than ever that I reestablish my good habits (spinning, drinking water, listening to the Headspace app, etc.). Obviously, I didn't need a podcast to tell me all of this, but it did help me understand why I defer to bad habits when my brain is in autopilot. It's a learned behavior and Mel's rule gives you a way to stop yourself from giving in to the worrying and self-doubt and instead engage the prefrontal cortex, which puts a halt to some of these learned habits. Please, do me a favor and listen to this one!   

LOVING: While my sister was visiting for Christmas, I got her hooked on one of my favorite finds from 2019. I'm talking about this Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer. Yes, the packaging is hokey as hell, but don't let that deter you. In my quest to get that subtle sun-kissed glow, I've tried A LOT of different products over the years and this drugstore find has officially replaced my old go-to, which was on the spendy side (like four times the amount of this one).

How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!!