Turkey Day Recap! Long blog post....

Hello All!

Hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving.

WARNING: I am going on a rant. :)
To be honest...every year I hate Thanksgiving to an extent.

This year I realized that I need to get over it....there are worst things in life.

I would always get so worked up over Thanksgiving because I had to go to sooooo many places and there just wasn't enough time in the day. It would literally bother me for like 3-4 days before Thanksgiving even got here because I would be trying to figure out a way to make our families/ourselves happy. Every year I try to find out a way so that we can be with both/all of our families on Thanksgiving because Lord knows we have to cram it all in on one day....I am not bitter....no....not at all.

Coming from divorced families makes it hard and then you have to throw in the in-laws. So now it gets tricky. Well....this year we made it work. We spent 2 hours at each family member's house (Mom's side, Dad's side, Step-dad's side, and Andrew's side).

Now don't get me wrong...I love the fact that I get to eat at all of these places but it just stinks because I don't get to spend that much time with each family.

It didn't really hit me until a couple days later that I was being so incredibly selfish about this. All I was worried about was not seeing my family for longer periods of time when there are people out there starving, they have no families, people that can't be with their families, people that are dying, etc. I seriously wanted to punch myself in the face for being so selfish.

I realized that I am so incredibly blessed and lucky to have such a wonderful life and such amazing family and friends. I shouldn't take each day for granted....there are some people out there just fighting for another day. Like...Isaac.

I came across Isaac's story from reading Erin's blog-Living in Yellow
It really made me stop and think how lucky I am. How blessed I am. I am so thankful.


I know I just got really deep but I just wanted to talk/discuss what was on my mind. Isn't that is what a blog is about anyways?!?

On to my weekend/Turkey day:

Thursday/Thanksgiving: See above...haha! No but really....Thanksgiving with my family is amazing and everyone puts out such a great spread so I never go home hungry.

Friday: (DAY) Let me tell you I was so excited for Friday to get here because I got to put up my Christmas tree! This is the first time that I actually got to decorate our tree/house so I couldn't wait. Last year, all we had was a little tree and our tiny apartment. This year was legit! I went crazy. Turned on Christmas music, baked chocolate chip cookies, and put Christmas decor up everywhere!!! It was AWESOME!
(NIGHT) We had (another) Thanksgiving at my Mom's house. So again....I had to eat a ton but it was so good. Especially the chocolate cake my step-dad made. :)

Saturday: Noah's Birthday Party! Em, Nick, Andrew, and I traveled to Percy, IL for little brother's birthday party and it was a blast. Noah told our step-mom that he wanted a Taco Bar party so that is what she did. Best idea ever!! It was delicious.

the boys watching Star Wars

 

he is so goofy

 

we love him sooooo much

 

getting ready to blow out his candles

 

Sunday: We had Langrehr thanksgiving for lunch. Again....ate to much. I am noticing a trend. The rest of the day, the husband and I pretty much did nothing but watch football and be bums. Just the way I like it.

It was a great Thanksgiving weekend and I am so glad that I got to spend time with everyone.

Now....just have to get through the week.

 

xo-Jen

 

 

 

Weekend Update!

Here is a little of what my weekend consisted of:

Friday: The annual Red Bud lighted parade. I was in the parade for my mom and her business, Design Fitness. We had T-shirts made and everything. However, little did we know how many people to expect. We totally underestimated it and ran out of beads by the time we were half way through. Oh well! It was a great time!

ignore the tub in the background...haha! taken at my mom's house

also, i am horrible at those self-portrait things. i still don't know how people do this. :)

Saturday: Husband and I painted the trim in our master bedroom all day (maybe not all day...but it felt like it). We have two coats done and one more to go. Whew!

Saturday night we went out to eat at Skootr's in Sparta, IL with our friends Ryan and Nicolette. We love hanging out with them and their adorable kid, Kellan! Can't wait for Baby #2 to arrive in two weeks also! We ended the night with some blizzards from DQ.

Oreo blizzard...one of my favs.

 Sunday: Christmas Walk! I love the annual Red Bud Christmas walk; however, there were two things I did not like this year.

1. There were only two food stands this year. Suck.

2. There was only 4 places/houses on the Christmas Walk.

Don't get me wrong...I loved all the houses/places on the walk but I just wish there was more.

Here is what I did enjoy:

1. The tons of Christmas decor! Each house was awesome and totally got me in the Christmas spirit.

2. The Kaskaskia Brewing Company. Loved this quaint place. I got to enjoy some delicious food, rum-filled cupcakes, and beer. Who doesn't love that?!?!

3. The fact that I got to spend the majority of the day with my mom and sister. 

loved this tree

We ended the evening with supper at The Office and like always it was delicious. 

Happy Birthday (again) Momma! Love you!        

xo-Jen

What I am loving.

Happy Hump Day! Woot woot!

Today I will be linking up with what I'm loving Wednesday.

I'm loving that I get to see Breaking Dawn Part 2 with my girlfriends tomorrow night. So freaking excited! 

I'm loving that Thanksgiving is almost here. I cannot wait to eat all the food. We have like 4 places to go on Thanksgiving so I will get to shove my face at each one.

I'm loving Whitney's VLOG post over on I wore yoga pants to work. This girl is the shiz-nit. Literally...hilarious!

I'm obsessed loving the song Cruise by Florida Georgia Line and the song One Thing by One Direction. I have literally been listening to those two longs for about 3 weeks now and I am still not sick of them yet.

I'm loving Shutterfly! I messed up my wedding album and they sent me a brand new one at no cost. Freaking awesome! (Shutterfly did not pay me to say this...I just want everyone to know how much they rock).

 

I'm loving my bulletin board. It isn't completely finished yet but this is what I have so far

and this is what I want it to look like when finished

thank you pinterest!

I'm loving that I made enchiladas for the first time last night (because I am not a big fan and put off making them for as long as possible) and my husband LOVED them. I was happy though because I got my white cheese sauce from Tequilas.

 I'm loving this bedroom design. I totally want ours to look like this.

I'm loving my newest purchase. My May Book. I cannot wait until it gets here.

That is all for today. Have a fabulous Wednesday!

xo-Jen

 

Say Hello to Sarah! (Guest Post)

I want you all to meet a pretty special lady today.
Here name is Sarah and she hails from Silly Incantations.
She is so incredibly ADORABLE and I love to get caught up in her blog.

So without further ado....here is Sarah!
************************************************************************
Well hey there lovelies!

My name is Sarah and I blog over at a little place called

Silly Incantations .

I am so excited to be here today with all you fun gals!

I was so excited when Jen asked me to guest post for you guys.

She is such a sweetheart!!

Anywhoos let's get a little better acquainted!

Thats me!

I am 23 years old and currently a substitute teacher. I graduated last December
with a degree in Elementary Education.

I am extremely outgoing and love being around people. I am trying to be more of
a crafty Cathy and DIY my little apartment all up. I love having a good time
which includes a night out with the ladies or a glass (or two) of wine on
the couch watching reality tv... Real Housewives, duh.

Oh and that handsome fellow is my boyfriend caleb.
He is a doll and makes an appearance on the blog
here and there.

Now here a few more things about me--

I LOVE my family.

My little sister emily and I

My mom & Dad

I don't have smart phone. I am still hanging out in the 1200's
and cannot instagram, receive picture messages or get on facebook.

My favorite season is Spring. I love everything about the weather getting a little
warmer. Pastels, flowers blooming and of course that much closer to summer.

I cannot get enough of E-cards.
here are a few favorites..

Source: someecards.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Anyways I am so glad I got to spend a little time with you today

so come on over and say hi! I would love to hear from you.

XO
********************************************************************************

How awesome is she?!?!
I love me some ecards and these are hilarious...especially the one about T-Swizzle. haha!
I also just realized our sisters have the same name....crazy. We are totally meant to be friends.
So, everyone needs to get on over to Silly Incantations and check this girl out! Pronto!

xo-Jen

Another Monday

Hello Lovelies!

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine was really uneventful because all I really did was lay around the entire time. No joke.

Today I am hanging out at Silly Incantations with the beautiful and kind Sarah! Feel free to come on over!

Have a great day ya'll!

xo-Jen

Confession Friday

It's Friday!

WHAT WHAT!!

So, excited for the weekend even though we don't really have anything planned.

I am getting my hair colored tomorrow though...kinda excited for that. 

Anyways.....onto my confessions:

I confess I am not being very productive today and frankly I don't care. 

I confess I have an obsession with needing to always have my nails painted. I hate having naked nails (I did do this today).

this is the color I chose and I love it!

I confess I haven't had soda in a long time but I feel like giving in today. I could really go for a cold Pepsi.

I confess I am so looking forward to next weekend. Holiday Happenings in our hometown. Gets me sooooo excited for Christmas!!!

I confess I just bought tickets for the Twilight:Breaking Dawn showing next Thursday. Whose excited?!?! This girl is.

I confess I love ecards! I could waste endless amounts of time reading them.

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!!

XO-Jen

Wine and Dancin'

Hello blogger friends!

I know it has been a while since I have posted anything but that is because my life has been a crazy mess lately! However, now I get a little break so I am able to get back to some bloggin', which makes this girl very happy.

So, today I am going to do Confession Friday (even though it is Saturday)!!! I wanted to participate yesterday but I didn't get the chance to....so here it is.

I confess I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my family! Last night, we all went to The Barrens winery in Perryville, MO and we had a wonderful time! Here are some pics.

How awesome is my famliy!?!

I confess I miss these two a ton! Love them both.

My little brother and sister. Noah was Luigi for Halloween. How adorable?!?

I confess I am stressed out/overwhelmed but I need to realize that everything happens for a reason and be patient.

I confess I am so freaking excited for Christmas! I also cannot wait for the Red Bud Holiday Happenings. It really gets me in the Holiday spirit.

I am totally going to try and do this to our front door. Love!

I confess I miss my walks with Lara (and the boys) and Cooper! It is just getting to cold that we can't do it anymore. I guess now we will just have to get together and drink some wine. Yum-o!

These kids are so darn cute!

That is all I have for now. Hope everyone has a good weekend!

xo-Jen