Things I Like

It's time for another edition of things I like!

I like all things Rend Collective!  My girls and I especially love "My Lighthouse," but "All That I Am" is another good one!

I like this article about daughters and dating!  Best line?  Raise a daughter with a fully loaded heart and mind so that a fully loaded shotgun isn't necessary.  YES and AMEN! 

My Aldi now carries jalapenos and CILANTRO!!!!!  I like that a lot!

I like Andy Dwyer and think he's hilarious.  Please don't hate me lovers of Ron Swanson; I think he's funny, too!  I thought these were hilarious...and certainly very motivating :)  Here's my fave:  

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I like pretty much everything from Mel's Kitchen Cafe!  I found this to be incredibly helpful and wish I could be half as organized.  Check out the awesomeness!

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I like good conversations!  Here are some great ways to turn small talk into smart conversations.


I especially like good conversations with my daughters!  Here are 25 creative ways to ask them about their day at school.


I like reading book dedications, so you know I was excited to see that Sally Lloyd-Jones does, too!  Here are some of her faves!


I like all things Laura Ingalls Wilder, so it should come as no surprise that I pre-ordered this book!

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On that same note, I liked reading these two articles about Laura.  And, for the record, I don't care how much Rose helped/changed her writing...the books inspired me to pretend my bike was a horse when I was little :)


I like it when people are brave, like this girl.


I like resources for mighty girls!


I like this idea a whole lot...so much so that we're going to do it!  This is not a joke...who want to come over for dinner?  Seriously.  I'll invite you!  Even my pickiest eaters like spaghetti (granted with butter and cheese, but we can roll with that)!  Tell me if you want to come...fo' realz!


Last but not least, like just about everyone else in this world, I like Kid History episodes on youtube!  My favorite is probably episode 6 :)  Here it is for your viewing pleasure:

Have you found anything you like lately?  Tell me!  

And seriously, let me know if you want to come over for dinner!

Things I Like

Here's a happy little list of things I've been liking these days!

I like it when Maggie and Gracie decide to deep clean their room!  I literally can't tell you the last time we could see the top of that dresser!

I'm not going to lie, sometimes I enjoy a trip down the rabbit hole on wikipedia.  I stumbled up on this List of People Who Disappeared Mysteriously.  I happened upon it while looking up information on Virginia Dare who was mentioned in a book that Leah read.  I could waste A.LOT. of time on those mysterious disappear-ers!


I got the girls a new brush called The Wet Brush.  It has literally cut combing/brushing hair time by 75%...and it's cut the drama even more!  You can imagine just how much I like that!

I've often said that our fear of the awkward keeps us from doing or being a part of some really worthwhile things, so I really liked this awesome blog post about the importance of pushing through the awkward in relationships.  


I liked this short video of Sir Nicholas Winton, a man who saved the lives of 669 Jewish Czechoslovakian children from nazi death camps.  Warning:  you might need a tissue, because he meets many of the children he saved.  Gulp! 


I liked these helpful reminders when it comes to parenting little ones.  Very timely and encouraging for me.  



While the girls were riding the horses at Piggly Wiggly, I liked paging through the current issue of Cooking Light.  There was a really fun feature called 1 Cooler, 1 Weekend Trip.  Even though I don't intend to go camping for a weekend, I liked the cooking plan and intend to use some of their recipes/tips/ideas.  I already made the Multipurpose Vinaigrette (I added more honey than it called for), and I liked it!  It is SO delicious!


You know how sometimes when you go to a Mexican restaurant, they have delicious chips with just a hint of lime flavor?  I LIKE that a whole lot!  I read about this really fun product called True Lime.  I ordered some and sprinkle it on "the good tortilla chips" that they make in the deli at the grocery store.  I've sprinkled it in water for a little hint of lime and I've put it in homemade salsa when I wanted more lime flavor without making it more watery.  

I also like that Leah is starting her week with the Missoula Children's Theater today!  I'm so excited for her and just know that she's going to have a great time!


So, what have you been liking these days?

Things I Like

Here's a quirky little edition of things I like :)

I like this!

What is there not to like about ice cream with caramel and popcorn on top?  It was the ultimate salty and sweet taste explosion!  You should seriously try it.  

Here's a great little compilation of quotes from Mr. Rogers.  Super touching.  



Pus, here's Mr. Rogers autotuned...which is actually respectful and touching :)

I like being the mom.

Sometimes I still feel a little bit like I'm playing house and not the actual mom.  But then I sign a note "love, mom" and it hits me that I am indeed the mom.  I like that :)



Here's a short blog post about drinking coffee with 2 hands.  It's something that I really related to and would like to try more often!



I like this yogurt!

It's so yummy and full of good texture with the toasted almonds and chocolate bits.  It's more of a dessert yogurt, but however you classify it, it is undoubtedly delicious!



Remember when I was telling you about the super cool Bible app for kids?  It's called...wait for it...the Bible App for Kids.  I know!

I love the stories that are on the app, plus it gets even better!  There are parent resource pages to go with each story which includes questions, personal application, Gospel tie ins, prayers, and coloring pages!  Check them out!  I think we'll be using them this summer.



I like stashing Christmas presents away for later!

The girls get so many awesome Christmas gifts from family, that it can be easy to lose track of them all.  For the past couple of Christmases, I've been setting a few aside, and the girls don't even notice!  I pulled out this awesome Doc McStuffins painting pad and Gracie and Maggie had a great time with it!

I also like that Gracie is sticking her tongue out in concentration :)



I hope your week is full of things you like!

Things I Like

I've found lots of great thing on the mighty internet that I think would be of interest to you!

I'm NOT saving the best for last, though!  I'm busting the best one out first!

A Sense of the Resurrection!

This is by the same creative genius who wrote Truth in the Tinsel, which we did for advent a couple of years ago!  

I like that A Sense of the Resurrection (<--affiliate link) is truly interactive...using all of your senses (hence the title :)).  The book includes 12 activities, so you can really do them any time between now and Easter.  I think we'll do a bunch of them over spring break.  

The e-book is really well organized, so you see all of the supplies you need all in one place.  I also like that they are easily customize-able.  For example, the first day recommends using liquid potpourri in jars around your house, but we'll be doing scented candles instead.  There's a lot of freedom to make things easier for you and your family!

Check it out!  


On an unspiritual, but highly entertaining note, watch this awesome video of Pentatonix singing on Sesame Street!  I think acapella musicians are brilliant!

We read this book to the girls and they loved it!

The cover is really uninspiring for little girls, so they didn't want to check it out at the library...plus it's over 300 pages long.  But, Aaron's teacher read it to him when he was in elementary school, and he loved it!  Basically, it's a bunch of court cases that you, the jury, need to decide.  There are 3 pictures of evidence that help you find out the truth.  Each case is only about 5 pages or so long.  

It was fun to hear the girls' reasons for who they thought was guilty or innocent and why.  We though it was fun, but I think it was also good for their observation, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.


Here's some awesome scripture:

He tends His flock like a shepherd:  He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young. 

Isaiah 40:11

I love hearing about God's care for us...and this sounds to me an awful lot like God's caring for mommies of little ones <3

The former camp counselor in me totally enjoyed these 63 Signs You Were a Camp Counselor!


When I meal plan, I rarely plan side dishes and end up scrambling at meal time.  Enter one of my favorite food bloggers.  She created this brilliant side dish planner.  I'm going to be using this a lot!

And last but not least, you know what I like?  A clean fridge!  

Aaron cleaned out the fridge (wiped everything off!!!) while I was napping on Saturday!  I seriously married well.  I also feel like I'm a better cook when the fridge is really clean :)


What are you up to today?  Gracie and I are going grocery shopping.  I'm going to over organize my list and find side dishes to go with everything!

Enjoy your day!

Things I Like

Here are some lovely things I've seen online lately!

Leah and Gracie are going to be switching rooms one of these days (hopefully sooner than later), and I'd love to get this print for what will be Leah's new room!

The print is from Naptime Diaries Shop.  Most of the prints in my kitchen are from this shop.  I think her designs are beautiful!

Do you need a good laugh?  Check out the reviews for this 5 pound bag of sugar free gummi bears!

My favorite is the one titled "Do not bring to sporting events!"  I laughed until I cried!  I'm sure a vast, vast amount of these are fiction, but they are seriously, seriously funny!

I read this great blog post about how our love for God should motivate us, and praying to have that be true in our hearts.


This is a great devotional site!

She Reads Truth has just started a devotional series on the Gospel and I've really been enjoying it!  Check it out!

This blog post has a great tip about developing special, one-on-one time with each of your children.

And, last but certainly not least, this cheesecake from Mel's Kitchen Cafe is going to be the first dessert I make (to enjoy in moderation, of course :)) when I'm done with The Whole 30.

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I'd say that's a worthy indulgence!

Have a great day!

Things I Like

1.  Shut the Box

You know how we have computer games, like Angry Birds or Candy Crush, that suck our time up and drain us of insane amounts of productivity?  This addictive game has been doing it for centuries.  

2.  Spot It

My mom is really smart.  She picks up on things quickly and is amazingly good at every kind of puzzle you can think of.  I like to say that she could have been a spy if she hadn't gotten married and had babies!

Maggie not only resembles my mom, but has that kind of brain, too!  Spot It is a very basic game where you pick out matches between several pictures on two cards, and Maggie is amazingly good at it.  I like the portability of the game and the fact that it's an easy game to explain and understand.

3.  Creative Hospitality 

Leah made a nice little snack for Aaron and me :)

Then, she set the table with snacks for all of us!

That's an American flag taped to Maggie's place card!

I love Leah's sweet heart <3

4.  Imagination

I love seeing the things that our girls carry around in their backpacks!  

This is what I found in Leah's backpack this weekend:

I said, "Leah, what's all this stuff in your backpack?"

She replied, very matter of fact, "We're pretending to move to Hawaii."

Obviously.

:)

5.  Dates

Here's Aaron and me on our anniversary date!

We were actually at his parents' house over our anniversary, so they watched the girls while we went out to eat at an awesome local restaurant.  

Great food and even better company!

Plus, we got to eat outside :)

6.  This Girl

Drum roll please...

I think she's (mostly) potty trained!!!

WHEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

She wakes up dry from her nap and nighttime a vast majority of the time...although, I'll keep putting her in pull ups until she wakes up dry for a month straight.

Call me crazy, but I'm passionate about uninterrupted sleep and not changing pee soaked sheets.

Gracie tells me when she has to go potty, will go when I ask her, and insists on using the regular toilet and not the potty chair.

TMI:  She's even pooped on the big toilet 3 times!

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!

Imagine me excitedly pumping my fists in the air :)

Want to know what you'll like? 

7.  The recipe that I'm posting tomorrow...

You might even pump your fists in the air!

Things I Like

Here are some things I like!

Back on Mother's Day, Aaron gave me a day off!  It was thwarted when Leah threw up, so I finally claimed it last week!

I got my first pedicure with my friend, Steph!  It was awesome!

I especially liked the little fan that blew on my toes to dry everything.  I didn't have my camera with me at the time, or I totally would have taken a picture of it.

Then, I went to Panera.  I really like their salads and love love double loved their tropical hibiscus iced tea.

I stopped at Pier One for the first time in forever and became slightly obsessed with these adorable stackable espresso cups and saucers.  

Problem:  I don't like espresso.  Still bright and cheerful, though!

I do like Caribou Coffee though!

I know that Caribou isn't cool guy indie rocker coffee.  

But I am not a cool guy nor am I an indie rocker.  Caribou for the win!

This is the last k-cup of Caribou, so I savored it.  I'll have to get more!

I like this print that I got last week!

It says, "All I need today is a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus."   

Even though I'm not a coffee-every-day girl, I still thought it was perfect for our coffee station!

I like caramel apple fro yo!

Of course I put heath on it.

I like all the free stuff my girls got for completing the library summer reading program!

They each got a free kids meal at Subway, personal pan sized pizza at Pizza Hut, meal and sundae at an Italian restaurant in town, dilly bar at Dairy Queen, ice cream cone at the movie theater, book from the book fair at the library, and pass to a state park.  

I don't think I'm forgetting anything!  

I like Sweet Baby Gracie!

Ever since she was an actual baby, I wrap her up in a towel after she bathes, carry her around, show her to everyone and say, "Sweet Baby Gracie!"  

This will probably stop before she's a teenager ;)

I hope your weekend is full of things you like!